Stories from Friday, January 23, 2015

BENTON -- The city of Benton is mourning the loss of one of its greatest fans and leaders. Mayor Joe Stuckey, 68, died Wednesday morning in Benton. On Thursday, Benton City Clerk Connie Barnett and other residents took to Benton's Facebook page to pay their respects...

Is it spring yet? Now that we have the deer in the freezer, the only thing that's on my mind is crappie fishing, and maybe a bit of snow goose blasting! First off, I want to say thanks to everyone who called or emailed congratulating us on FINALLY getting my son's first deer. ...

NEW MADRID -- Four New Madrid County residents face felony assault charges stemming from a 2014 beating of a Sikeston man. Russell S. Wescoat of New Madrid is charged with two counts of felony assault charges in the second degree. Sarah M. Wescoat and William Lee Wescoat Jr. of Matthews and Thomas W. Lawfield III of New Madrid are each charged with one count of felony assault in the second degree. Charges were filed Jan. 9 by Assistant Attorney General G. Brad Crowell...

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23 At the beginning of a new year there are people who make resolutions to make changes in their life. ...

Ag Expo 2015 is one of the largest farm trade shows in the region! It is scheduled for January 30 and 31 at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. This is the 29th year of Ag Expo, which is sponsored by Butler County University of Missouri Extension Council and the Ag Club of Three Rivers College. ...

A Pink Night was held on Thursday night at the Sikeston Field House for the Sikeston v. Kennett basketball game.

LEOPOLD -- The Richland Rebels varsity boys basketball program outscored Leopold in every quarter on its way to a 67-33 road win Thursday. Skyler Harper paced Richland with 23 points. Marcus Gryson added 19 points, Josh Thornton contributed 13 points and Marcus Grayson calculated 10 points for the Rebels...

POPLAR BLUFF -- Cross another historic win off the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs' checklist. Having already beaten Notre Dame for the first time ever earlier this season, Sikeston improved to 2-0 in conference play with the program's first-ever win at Poplar Bluff, 59-45, Thursday night...

sports@standard-democrat.com ORAN -- In what's becoming an annual tradition, the Oran Eagles will once again face off with Scott County Central for the Scott-Mississippi Conference Tournament championship. Shortly after the Braves routed Kelly Thursday night to open up semifinal play, the Eagles did the same to Scott City, 70-37, to set up the title rematch for a third-straight year...

sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- The questions that surround Sikeston head coach Gregg Holifield about his basketball team this season have mostly been concerned with consistency. Whether it's scoring or lapses in their historically stout defense, performing in both aspects have been hit or miss...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The Sikeston eighth grade basketball team finished its season with an undefeated record for the second straight year after defeating Poplar Bluff 61-31 in the championship game of the Cape Central Junior High Tournament on Thursday...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. CLOCK TICKING ON JAPANESE HOSTAGES Militants affiliated with the Islamic State group post an online warning that the "countdown has begun" for the group to kill the pair if demands for ransom haven't been met...

scottw@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- MoDOT is looking for public comment on a plan to target primary routes with declining construction revenue. David Wyman, area engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation, met with the Mississippi County Commission during the Commission's regular weekly meeting Thursday to present a proposed list of state roads for MoDOT to focus on in the Southeast District...

CHARLESTON -- A Charleston man is in custody awaiting arraignment on drug-related charges. According to Missouri Case.net, Lionel L. Greer, 28, was arrested by the Charleston Department of Public Safety on two felony charges of possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor charges of unlawful use of drug paraphernalia and driving while revoked/suspended...

WASHINGTON -- Aggressive and threatening phone calls by criminals impersonating IRS agents remain near the top of the annual "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams for the 2015 filing season, the Internal Revenue Service announced Thursday. The IRS has seen a surge of these phone scams in recent months as scam artists threaten police arrest, deportation, license revocation and other things. The IRS reminds taxpayers to guard against all sorts of con games that arise during any filing season...

EAST PRAIRIE - Elise Kemp died Jan. 22, 2015, at the East Prairie Nursing Center For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

CANALOU -- Vickie May Brant, 52, died Jan. 16, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

BLOOMFIELD -- Fred Wethington, 82, died Jan. 31, 2015, at his home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

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

SIKESTON -- Joseph Elijah Shawn Guest Jr. died at birth Jan.19, 2015, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- Samuel Dale Morgan, 58, formerly of Charleston, Mo., died Jan. 6, 2015, at his home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Shane Robert-Thomas Andersen, 22, died Jan. 20, 2015, in Cape Girardeau. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

We Americans need to wake up and take charge of our country again. The media aren't helping by focusing mainly on two black men killed by white cops and Hollywood, sports and entertainment. Our country was founded by Christians seeking freedom of religion. ...

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Sikeston Elks are celebrating 50 years of service to the community. Lodge No. 2319 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks got its start Jan. 19, 1965, when a group of about 50 prospective members met at the Rustic Rock restaurant-lounge on North Main in Sikeston to discuss organizing an Elks Lodge in town...