Stories from Friday, October 31, 2014

CHARLESTON - Two men are charged in connection with the shooting death of a Charleston man. Demarcus Owens, 23, and Ronatavious Clark, 17, of Charleston were arrested by officers with the Charleston Department of Public Safety and the Missouri Highway Patrol in connection with the April 18 murder of Anthony Fisher. They were taken into custody Thursday evening, according to Charleston DPS Director Robert Hearnes...

PORTAGEVILLE -- The scenario surrounding both Portageville and Hayti Friday was who could limp to the finish line first. A depleted, fourth-seeded Portageville roster fell to another injury-riddled No. 5 Hayti 38-0 during the first round of the Class 2, District 1 tournament at Portageville High School ending Portageville's season...

Oh sweet fall, how I adore thee! The leaves are a turnin' my friends, and if there was anything I could do to accelerate the process I'd be on it. The crappie are biting at every lake in the Midwest right now, so if you're not in a tree waiting on a big buck, get out there and go fishing!...

In June, Vannessa Frazier, Executive Director, Howardville Community Betterment, presented a program about the environmental job training class to the Portageville City Council. At that time, several folks took Hazardous Waste Operator and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training. They are training to become certified as waste site workers who will work with contractors when they clean out the Howardville School for asbestos and lead-based paint...

ST. LOUIS -- Nineteen farmer-leaders will be sworn in as directors of the United Soybean Board (USB) in December, after their recent appointments by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The 19 soybean farmers from across the United States include five new appointees and 14 returning directors. George L. (Lewis) Rone of Portageville is one of the new appointees...

There was a man who had worked all of his life and had saved all of his money. He was a real miser when it came to his money. He loved money more than just about anything, and just before he died, he said to his wife, "Now listen, when I die, I want you to take all my money and place it in the casket with me. ...

That faint noise you hear is the sound of pint-sized spooks, banshees, and vampires gathering on your lawn. They will soon be knocking at the door plastic pumpkins outstretched. Spare yourself the tricks and go ahead and give up the treats - the unhealthy, sweet, nougat-filled goodies in your cupboard...

Average retail gasoline prices in Missouri have risen 5.9 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.82/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 3,940 gas outlets in Missouri. This compares with the national average that has fallen 3.7 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.05/g, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com...

I grew up on a farm near Oakland, Tennessee. At that time, about 300 people lived in the town. Oakland had two grocery stores. Granddaddy owned one of the stores. Most of the people that came in his store worked on farms or at the cotton gin. People from the farms chopped weeds in their fields during the summer and hand-picked cotton in the fall. ...

The Fire Pup entertains students at Southeast Elementary in Sikeston on Thursday during the annual Red Ribbon Week parade. Students were able to tour vehicles and talk with representatives from Sikeston Department of Public Safety and Fire Divisions, Scott County Sheriff's Department and South Scott County Ambulance District. Students also received visits from McGruff Dog and the Sikeston Bulldog...

An eerie fog hangs over the tombstones at the Sikeston City Cemetery as the sun comes up.

The employees at the Standard Democrat dressed up for Halloween on Friday. The Standard wants to wish everyone a safe and Happy Halloween.

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. AMBUSH SUSPECT CAUGHT, FACES DEATH PENALTY CHARGES A survivalist accused of a fatal attack on a Pennsylvania State Trooper is captured by U.S. marshals near an abandoned airplane hangar, ending a seven-week manhunt...

SIKESTON -- Minnie B. "Sally" Floyd, 68, died Oct. 30, 2014, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

Girl Scout Troops 40161, 70657 and 63036 planted an oak tree on Thursday along West Malone in Sikeston in honor of Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low whose birthday was Oct. 31. The tree was donated by Modern Woodmen of America.

leonnah@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Those who've enjoyed the Downtown Sikeston Farmers' Market have more time to do so. The market is open from 7 a.m. to sellout every Saturday at American Legion Park. This weekend apples, pears, baked goods and pumpkins are among the list of items planned to be sold at the market, according to Historic Downtown Sikeston Director Lynn Lancaster...

I had just bought two bottles of insulin for my dog that passed away. The bottles have never been open. If anyone can use them, please call 667-9997. I will be glad to give them to you. I hate to throw them away. In regard to SpeakOut on Oct. 21 about the homeless people that tried to go to the church and get food, it is not our responsibility to take care of these homeless people. ...

New Madrid County Central Middle School Student Council and National Junior Honor Society sponsored a Pink-Out Day for the students to promote Breast Cancer Awareness. The principals, secretaries, teachers, librarian, nurse, counselor and students participated by wearing pink on Oct. ...

Puxico High School Marching Band was named Best Small Class the 70th Annual Cotton Carnival Parade. The band competition is sponsored by the Sikeston Optimist Club. As the parade is a Sikeston event, the Sikeston Senior High Band was not included in the competition. ...

SIKESTON -- Sikeston Fifth and Sixth Grade Center has announced the honor roll students for the first quarter of the 2014-2015 school year. They are: Fifth grade Kaleb Evans, Andrew Faire, Audra Falkenberg, Ethan Foley, Kaitlynn Fox, Baylee Freeland, Ty Freeland, Briana Gaskins, Caleb Gates, Mya Gilliland, Jacqueline Ginther, Ana Gonzalez, Jonathan Green, Joseph Green, Lamarcus Groce, Katherine Grubbs, Dethasha Hall, Sophie Hamra, Griffin Hancock, Jameonia Harris, Katlyn Hatchett, Destiny Hicks, Errynn Hill, Chloe Hodge, Libertie Hodges, Heidi Hostler, Dakira Hunter, Mirza Hussain, Wesley Jackson, Erick Jasper, Mckenna Jenkins, Laniah Johnson, Halley Kim, Lucas King, Kalee Kitchen, Jaiden Knoeppel, Collin Lape, Daniel Lape, Makayla Latham-Shabazz,. ...