Stories from Saturday, November 22, 2014

An old Quaker came to the end of his days as a farmer; no longer did he have the strength to work the soil. So, he placed a sign on his land that read, "This farm will be given to anyone who is truly satisfied." A wealthy merchant came riding along and saw the sign framed by the beautiful rolling hills, the rich dark soil, the barns and silos. He thought to himself, "If my friend the Quaker is so eager to part with his land, I might as well claim it. I have all I need - so I qualify."...

SIKESTON -- Entering his fifth year as Sikeston girls basketball coach, Matt Schonhoff has yet to have a team like he has now. His roster is loaded with speed and its parts can be equally substituted. It's the results of his younger players from a season ago growing up...

DEXTER -- Losing four 1,000 point scorers to graduation may bring worry to some coaches. Not Chad Allen Dexter's head coach is just a season removed from guiding his Lady Bearcats to their first ever trip to the state championship game and feels confident his returning bunch can pick up where they left off last season...

Dexter Police Nov. 21, 2014 An accident at 5:55 p.m. Wednesday occurred when a vehicle driben by Betty C. Green of Dexter turned into the side of a vehicle driven by Corey S. Underhile, also of Dexter, at Business 60 and W. Oak Street. Stoddard County...

SIKESTON -- Coming off back-to-back district championships the Scott County Central Bravettes are entering what will likely be a rebuilding effort after losing almost all of last year's core. Gone are first-team, all-state selection Mikaela Blissett, a four-year starter, along with fellow starters Derien Ditto, Abby Ross and Johniqua Fort...

NEW MADRID -- After spending the last seven years as New Madrid County Central's boys basketball assistant, B.J. Stone takes over the Lady Eagles program in his first head coaching position. "I'm very excited to get the opportunity to coach the girls. ...

GRANITE CITY, Ill. -- Lorice Kuykendall Denbow, 89, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Nov. 19, 2014, at the Granite City Nursing Center. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Ethyl D. Tanner, 100, died Nov. 19, 2014, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

PORTAGEVILLE -- Loyd Edward "Sonny" McMillen Jr., 48, died Nov. 21, 2014, at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Garry K. Anderson, 73, died Nov. 21, 2014, at his home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Paul E. Vaught, 88, died Nov. 21, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Mary Ellen Johnson, 71, died Nov. 20, 2014. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

leonnah@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Now that Thanksgiving day is included in the Black Friday shopping, more retailers are extending their deals by opening earlier than before and continuing their bargain deals throughout the weekend. Wednesday's Standard Democrat -- weighing approximately 2 pounds and 12 ounces -- will feature pre-and-post-Black Friday and Black Friday advertisements by about 30 local and national companies offering specials on clothing, toys and big-ticket items...

Today, I'm going to read your mind. That's right. Among my few and limited talents is the ability to read minds. Here goes. You are worried, perhaps for the first time, about the direction of this country. You don't agree with the unilateral decision to put millions of newcomers as a new financial responsibility for the hard-working taxpayers...

Recently my Mom was in the hospital for months. During that time, her and Dad's church pitched in to help transport Dad (he no longer drives) to see her. And they brought more food to the house for him than he could possibly eat. After Mom and Dad giving all these years to the church, it was heartwarming to see it returned...

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston R-6 School District has acquired some new land for future development. Sikeston R-6 Superintendent Tom Williams told Board of Education members during their regular monthly meeting Tuesday that Sikeston resident Scott Matthews offered to donate to the district 8.75 acres located south of Col. George E. Day Parkway and next to Brunt Boulevard...

EAST PRAIRIE -- With the loss of four seniors to graduation the East Prairie Lady Eagles find themselves in a similar situation to what they faced four years ago when the recently departed class came in as freshman. They'll need to rely on youth and hopefully a quick learning curve as they adjust to the loss of almost their entire offense from last season...

CHARLESTON -- It's been four years since their last trip to the district title game, but the expectations remain the same as ever for the Charleston Lady Bluejays. After seeing their share of growing pains in recent seasons they bring back almost their entire core following a disappointing loss in the opening round of the Class 3, District 1 Tournament...

CHAFFEE -- Returning all five starters, the Chaffee Red Devils will look to build on last year's 13-12 record that included a trip to the Class 2, District 3 championship game. "We have had a great start so far," Lady Devils' head coach Darrin Pruitt said. "It's early in the season to tell how things will work out but if the first few weeks are an indicator we will be ready to embrace any challenge. "...