Stories from Thursday, January 22, 2015

NEW MADRID -- A proposal by Ameren on the rates it wants to charge its largest customer, Noranda Aluminum, needs more work according to Noranda officials. During a recent hearing before the Public Service Commission, Matt Michels, senior manager of corporate analysis for Ameren, reportedly proposed to offer a lower wholesale rate based on market pricing to Noranda, as an unregulated customer, in a new five-year contract. ...

BENTON -- Benton mayor Joe Stuckey died suddenly on Wednesday morning at a Benton restaurant. Stuckey was 68 and funeral arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton. The cause of death was not known at press time. A full obituary will appear in a future edition of the Standard Democrat...

As filings end on Tuesday for the Municipal and School Board elections, four races have developed - the Portageville mayor's seat and two seats on the Portageville School Board. Incumbent Mayor Denis McCrate is being challenged by Ward Two Alderman Floyd Simmons. In Ward One, Jessie Jamies and Lynn Doering will campaign for the alderman's seat. Doering held that position several years ago...

The Portageville Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony as part of the Grand Opening celebration of Portageville Parts Inc.'s new building. The grand opening was held last Thursday in conjunction with their annual Hot Dog Day. This year marks their 53rd Anniversary. ...

It is easy to become discouraged when we see the suffering that goes on in this world. The Bible emphasizes the mystery of suffering. In Job 5:7 Job said, "Yet man is born to trouble.." He also said in Job 14:1, "Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble." The wisest man who ever lived knew something of troubles and sufferings. ...

JONESBORO -- Bad weather is no stranger to Arkansans, but disaster preparedness and emergency management might be to some. The Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) and the Regional Center for Disaster Preparedness Education have teamed for a "Disaster Preparedness for Small Business" seminar...

It's a new year with new information. We have changed our name from Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging to "Aging Matters." Actually that is not really new information but changing a name is sometimes difficult to get comfortable with. Our name changed several months ago but we are becoming better known by Aging Matters now and that is how we will be listed in the phone book...

"We don't start real pretty and we don't finish real pretty, but we got the win," said Portageville head coach Jason Irby. The Bulldogs hosted the South Pemiscot Bulldogs last Friday night in a conference game and won, 44-41. "It was a physical game, and I liked the way the game was called officially. ...

sports@standard-democrat.com CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The Sikeston eighth grade basketball team advanced to the championship game of the Cape Central Junior High Tournament with a 48-19 win over the host school on Wednesday night. Sikeston bolted out to a 13-3 lead and a 34-5 halftime lead and were never threatened...

sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- For the first time in over a decade the Sikeston Field House will be host to the SEMO Conference Tournament wrestling tournament when its kicks off Friday. With a home mat advantage this time around, the hosting Bulldogs hope to best their recent run of fourth place conference finishes against a tough field...

BENTON -- After already winning the school's first state cheerleading title in 24 years this school year, the Thomas W. Kelly High School cheerleading team couldn't end stop there. Early this week the 11-member squad made school history when they became the Scott County high school's first cheerleading team to win a national championship...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Thursday: 1. BOEHNER DEFIES OBAMA WITH NETANYAHU INVITE House Speaker John Boehner asks Israel's prime minister to stand before Congress and make the case for new sanctions against Iran, something the White House insists could scuttle nuclear talks...

scottw@standard-democrat.com BENTON -- Revenues can't really be depended on but Scott County is on solid financial ground thanks to its elected officials. The county's annual operating budget for 2015 was approved during the County Commission's Jan. 15 meeting...

Jackson and Joseph Knuckles listen as Ann Thompson, children's library, reads about penguins to youngsters during the Sikeston Public Library's Preschool Story Time Wednesday. In addition to preschool story hour each Wednesday, the library will host Family Night for children ages 2-5 at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 2. "Mouse's First Valentine" the evening will include stories, crafts and refreshments. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 471-4140...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The Cape Girardeau Police Department responded to three reports of counterfeiting this week. On Wednesday, personnel at Capaha Bank on Williams Street reported receiving an undisclosed amount of false bills. The previous day, counterfeit $20s were passed at the Rhodes 101 and Huck's gas stations off South Kingshighway...

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) -- Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon implored lawmakers to embrace policies that "foster healing and hope" Wednesday as he delivered his first State of the State address since the unrest that erupted over the fatal police shooting of a black 18-year-old in Ferguson...

BENTON -- Joe Stuckey, 68, died Jan. 21, 2015 in Benton. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

PORTAGEVILLE -- Donald G. Cook, 63, died Jan. 20, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

Our government officials in Missouri say we don't have enough money to repair our roads. But they did not have any problems whatsoever giving themselves a raise. They had plenty of money for that. The real problem with not having enough money for roads or schools is that most Americans, except for the rich, have been put out of work and their jobs taken away. There is no way that's going to be corrected unless the rich pay more. They can afford it and nobody else can...