Stories from Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Malden's historic season embodied by Robinson's dominating runs and quick-strike scoring ability

BROSELEY -- Shamyiah Stone scored 38 points as the No. 14 Malden Green Wave survived a Twin Rivers Lady Royals Christmas Classic consolation quarterfinal game that went to overtime against No. 6 Charleston, 65-63. Malden (4-2) struggled immensely from the free throw line but overcame it. The Green Wave had many chances to secure the win in the fourth quarter, but shot 4-for-18 from the line. They improved in overtime by going 8-for-14 but were 35 percent (17-for-49) overall in the game...

Winners of the ugly sweater contest in the Middle School are, front, from left, Molly Crockett, Katelynn Canovi, Gracie Brandenburg; back are, Taylor Shank, Mason Prislovsky, Madison Johnson, and Maggie Jackson.

Editor's Notes: Below are a few things about Christmas that I would like to share that have meant something to me for years. I am not the author of these sayings. My First Christmas in Heaven I've had my first Christmas in Heaven A glorious, wonderful day...

In Matthew 2:1-2 we read, "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." What was the star? Remember that those wise men were students of the sky. ...

About this team: The All-SD team was chosen by the Standard Democrat sports department from our coverage area that includes: Chaffee, Charleston, Dexter, East Prairie, Kelly, Malden, NMCC, Portageville and Sikeston

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. SUICIDE BOMBER NEAR BAGHDAD KILLS 22 At least 15 of the dead were Sunni militiamen and the rest were soldiers, while 55 others were wounded, police say...

DEXTER -- Nova Inez Curd, 85, died Dec. 21, 2014, at the Golden Living Center in New Madrid. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

HAYWOOD CITY -- Nancy Mae Williams, 65, died Dec.18, 2014, at her home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

HOWARDVILLE -- DeMarkus Williams, 33, died Dec. 14, 2014, at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

ARVADA, Colo. -- Beaulah M. Swank Brunell, 95, formerly of Mississippi County, Mo., and Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Dec. 23, 2014, at the Oberon House Assisted Living Center in Arvada. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition...

SIKESTON -- Verna L. Hyde, 72, of Sikeston, went home on Dec. 21, 2014, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Mary Etta Miles Lancaster, 75, of Sikeston, died Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, at her home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

BLOOMFIELD -- Gordon Waggoner Sr., 93, died Dec. 23, 2014, at his home near Bloomfield. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

CHARLESTON -- Billy G. Brown, age 86, a resident of Charleston, died Monday, Dec. 22, 2014, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- The Standard Democrat will not publish a paper Thursday in observance of Christmas, and the offices will be closed. Regular publication will resume with the Friday edition. We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.

leonnah@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Over 1,000 children and their families and 400 volunteers benefited from the fourth Radical Christmas, which proved to be the most successful yet. According to Brad Aycock, Radical Christmas team member and executive pastor at First United Methodist Church in Sikeston, nearly 1,050 children from 16 counties across Southeast Missouri were served through the past weekend's event which provided toys, shoes and groceries to families in need...

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Leaves should no longer be at curbside. The city of Sikeston's leaf collection program for this fall and winter is over but there are still some options to get rid of those leaves, according to Jay Lancaster, public works director for the city...

Editor's note: For more than three decades we have shared the following story with readers every Christmas. The words of Francis P. Church will ring true today as they did more than 100 years ago when first written. In 1897, 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon became worried when her friends told her there was no Santa Claus. Her father advised her to write to the New York Sun to find out the truth, and the reply by Francis P. Church became a classic:...

I have a question. If you drive a vehicle with disabled tags, but you're not disabled just the one driving it, is it legal to park in a handicapped parking spot? I've seen this a few times in Sikeston. People were driving the vehicle with handicapped signs but they weren't handicapped. Is that legal?...