Stories from Friday, November 28, 2014

At the 2014 Girls Junior High Bootheel Conference Tournament in Senath-Hornersville, the hosts earned spots in both seventh and eighth grade tournament finals. The seventh grade earned a championship trophy after a hard-fought battle, while the eighth grade were overpowered by the number four seed...

The Portageville High School (PHS) Lady Bulldogs Basketball team will have six seniors returning from last year. "I expect improvement from our girls this year," said Head Coach, Kellye Penn Fowler. "We have six seniors and four juniors, to go along with a sophomore, Adrienne Duncan, who started some as a freshman last season." The returning senior players that saw a lot of game time last year are Sasha Starnes, Jill Kellams, Mya Blacksure, Jelisha Minnis, Aalyiah Blacksure, Maura Kellams and Teonna Ray.. ...

NEW MADRID -- It isn't just civil rights groups, legal activists and the media watching the actions in Ferguson, Missouri, so is the Missouri Bar Association. Reuben A. Shelton, newly elected president of the 35,000-member Missouri Bar Association, said the organization wants to ensure the rule of law is adhered to by all those involved. ...

I noticed that my six-year-old daughter had a large bruise on her arm. When I asked her how she got it, she replied, "It's not a bruise, Daddy. It's a message." When I asked again how it happened, she said, "Well, I was jumping on the couch even though you told me not to, and I fell off and hit the table. That's when I finally got the message."...

We are nearing the end of the annual election period for Medicare Part D and it is really busy. There are 31 stand alone prescription drug plans from which to choose. It is my belief that everyone should check their present plan against what's available for 2015 because there have definitely been some changes in coverage, deductibles and premium costs. ...

EAST PRAIRIE -- An East Prairie woman was killed after her vehicle overturned Wednesday in Mississippi County, marking the 56th fatality in the Troop E region. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol, at 8:45 p.m., 24-year-old motorist Deanna K. Davidson of East Prairie was traveling northbound on Route B, four-tenths of a mile south of County Road 416, when her vehicle ran off the road, struck a ditch and overturned...

sports@standard-democrat.com NEW MADRID -- The New Madrid County Central Eagles made a commanding debut defeating Cairo, Ill., 81-45 during the second game of the Riverbend Classic on Friday afternoon. Senior Willie Jimerson led the Eagles with 25 points while sophomore Javarcus Word added 15. The guard duo paced a speedy frontcourt attack on both offense and defense while the Eagles punished Cairo with steals and forced turnovers caused by their pressure defense and layups on the other end...

sports@standard-democrat.com NEW MADRID -- In their first action of the season the Charleston Bluejays saw a hot first half give way to a cold finish Friday as they closed out opening night of the Riverbend Classic against Covington, Tenn. After trailing by just a basket at the break, the Bluejays were out-paced by 16 points in the third quarter as the Chargers held on for a 94-81 win...

sports@standard-democrat.com NEW MADRID -- Foul troubles and a short bench usually spell trouble for any team locked in a tight game. Leave it to Scott County Central to make discouraging odds work for them too. The defending Class 1 state champions held off Liberty Tech, Tenn., 70-58 in the first game of the Riverbend Classic at New Madrid County Central High School Friday afternoon with their lead returning scorer on and off the bench and an atypical Braves roster of seven players dressed out...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today. 1. ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, SHOP! The official start of the holiday shopping season begins and with it, the first sign on whether it's going to be a happy holiday for retailers...

BENTON -- The annual Winter Wonderland of Treasures sale has made such a name for itself over the past 15 years, organizers have to turn away vendors who want to be included. This year event organizer Judy Scherer said she had to turn away over 100 vendors after she'd already booked 60 spaces for the fundraiser, which will be from 8 a.m. ...

ORAN -- Opal Liles, 97, died Nov. 26, 2014, at Chaffee Nursing Center in Chaffee. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

MATTHEWS -- Larry G. Williams Sr., 68, died Nov. 26, 2014, at Sikeston Convalescent Center in Sikeston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

POPLAR BLUFF -- Bruce Clark, 66, of Poplar Bluff, died Nov. 26, 2014, at his home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

MORLEY -- Cindy Vance, 43, died Nov. 27, 2014, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

EAST PRAIRIE - Deanna Davidson, 24, died Nov. 26, 2014. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Treva P. Wisdom, 82, died Nov. 26, 2014, at her daughter's home near Essex. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

To the one who wanted some quilt scraps, please leave your number in the paper and I will give you a call. I think the public safety officers need to be checking Virginia Street and Mimosa Street about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. These cars come by here wide open, especially a red one...

SIKESTON -- Six Sikeston soccer players made the SEMO All-Conference list and two of those were named to the all-region team. Sam Cox and Audie Hay both made the first team, Layton Jones and Connor Merideth were selected to the second team and honorable mention nods went to Hunter Taylor and Andrew Pearson...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The Sikeston junior varsity basketball team advanced to the championship game of the Notre Dame J.V. Tournament with a 54-34 win over Farmington on Friday. The championship game was scheduled to be played on Saturday. Results from the contest will be in Monday's edition...