Stories from Friday, March 6, 2015

NEW MADRID -- A problem that has plagued the Portageville boys basketball team all season came back to haunt them once again. Held to just eight points in the first half, the Bulldogs saw their season end Tuesday after falling to Hayti 47-34 during the Class 3, District 1 tournament at New Madrid County Central High School...

Heavy snowfall fell in the region Wednesday, leaving some with a snow day on Thursday.

For the love of God, I am seriously considering moving south! This is ridiculous, and it doesn't appear to be ending, and as many of you read this we may be in the midst of another monumental snow storm, but I will be 4 hours south where you'd think it would be safe. But alas, they're calling for freezing rain almost to New Orleans!...

For some people the word "cancer" is just an abstract idea. They don't seem to be able to really "connect "to that word. For others, it is all too real and hits way too close to home. This year's New Madrid County Relay for Life chairperson Jamie Ferguson Higgerson was only 18 years old when that word "cancer" hit very close to her home attacking her older brother with Medulloblastoma, a highly malignant primary brain tumor (cancer) which made it difficult for Jeremy to walk and talk...

A 3.1 magnitude earthquake was reported near Lilbourn on Saturday, according to reports from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). It happened around 5 p.m., and was centered four miles south-southwest of Lilbourn. While there were no reports of major damages or injuries, residents in the a 12-mile radius area did report their houses shook and pictures fell off the walls...

The Dixie Arts Council presents "Love in Dixie" on Saturday, March 7th at 6 PM. Performers include: Lori Brotherton, Hannah Faries, Jennifer Morgan, Melanie Smith, Dakota Gardner, Cheyenne Morgan, Hannah Yagle, Cherikee Morgan, Melanie Ruark, Cassie Ruark and not pictured: Marcia Stafford and Catryna Rhines. Admission is $4.00 for Adults and $2.00 for children under 12. Hope to see y'all there!!...

The Bible says in Hebrews 13:14, "For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come." This verse speaks of the fact that we as Christians are children of the King who has redeemed us and has made us citizens of another country. We are pilgrims in this world traveling the road to heaven. Christ's blood has covered our sin and his word abides in our hearts and we are pilgrims passing through, seeking a city that is yet to come...

Editor's Note: Submitted by Dr. Ray Nabors, Ph.D., a Portageville resident received his degrees in Agriculture, Biology and Entomology from the Universities of Tennessee and Missouri, with a degree In education, from Arkansas State University.

FORT WORTH, TEXAS, February 18, 2015 -- BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) today announced that its 2015 capital program for its operations in Missouri will be an estimated $153 million for rail capacity improvement projects and maintenance. Unlike other modes of freight transportation, U.S. ...

Average retail gasoline prices in Missouri have risen 8.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.22/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 3,940 gas outlets in Missouri. This compares with the national average that has increased 12.0 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.42/g, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com...

Last week the House passed important legislation to create a prescription drug monitoring program in Missouri. HB130 would require the state Department of Health and Senior Services to establish and maintain an electronic system to track and monitor controlled substances that are prescribed and dispensed in Missouri...

HAYTI -- Ice and snow-covered roadways continued to challenge motorists Thursday, especially those traveling along Interstate 55 in Pemiscot County. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, an accident occurred at 8:30 a.m. on southbound Interstate 55 at the 19.4 mile-marker as southbound motorist Terry E. Whited, 40, of Cookville, Tenn., struck the rear of the southbound tractor-trailer driven by Michael K. Driscoll, 49, of Gatlinburg, Tenn...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. IRAQI FORCES, SHIITE MILITIAS PRESS ON TO TIKRIT AS IS DESTROYS FAMED CULTURAL HERITAGE SITE Iraqi forces press their offensive against the Islamic State group in Tikrit, a day after the extremists reportedly "bulldozed" a famed archaeological site in the area...

SIKESTON -- Parents and community member groups want what's best for their children, which is why many are hosting party-themed events this month to raise funds for their schools -- and anyone can join in the fun. Some local schools like St. Henry in Charleston and The Christian Academy in Sikeston had their annual dinner auctions earlier this year, but other schools like St. ...

SIKESTON -- Keeping a hospital running during or following a severe winter weather event takes planning -- and good people. "You learn to be proactive -- you can't wait till 7 a.m. and find out nurses didn't show up," said Dicky Chance, director of medical/surgical nursing at Missouri Delta Medical Center. ...

SIKESTON -- Lola C. McCoy, 77, died March 3, 2015, at her home in Sikeston. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


SIKESTON - Wanda G. Chappell, 69, died March 3, 2015, at The Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


PORTAGEVILLE -- Isaac Wesley Combs, 54, died March 2, 2015, in Buffalo. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


DELTA -- Kathy Marie Crader, 65, died March 4, 2015, at her home in Delta. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


EAST PRAIRIE -- Vernon John Carter, 87, died at 12:05 a.m. March 5, 2015, at York Place/Bertrand Rehab Center. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


MOREHOUSE - Geneva Thomas, 72, died March 5, 2015, at her home in Morehouse. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.

NEW MADRID -- Edna Starr, 83, died March 4, 2015, at her home. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


NEW MADRID -- Betty Jean Stanley passed away peacefully in her New Madrid home on March 4, 2015 at the age of 83. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.

I guess I shouldn't call SpeakOut as often as I do, but there's just some things I don't understand. One of those things is these people that lay around half-dead all the time and can't do nothing and go to the doctor everyday or every other day. Then they are out at Walmart everyday rain, shine, sleet or snow. ...

What we come to expect of those who hold important positions or whose professions by their very nature carry a high degree of trust by others are often measured against our experiences when young. Our teachers often frame and define those events, but not always in the way we perceive of them at the time...

M. Geraldine Inmon, 97, of Mooresville, IN, died January 23, 2015 in Countryside Meadows, Avon, IN. Mrs. Inmon was born March 11, 1917, in Braggadocia, to the late Charles Otto and Blanche M. (Sherrille) Ruthledge. She was also preceded in death by her step-father, John Foster...

Lawson "Wyman" Redden, of Marston, passed away Friday, Jan 30, 2015 at the age of 63 years. He was born June 19, 1951 to Christina (Samples) and Lawson Redden in Gideon. He was united in marriage to Becky Warren on February 9, 1974 in Conran. She survives of the home...

Jimmy D. Foster of Portageville passed away Friday, February 6, 2015 at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital. He was 76 years of age. Jimmy was born December 18, 1938 in Boekerton to Hester Quick and Roy Foster. He was united in marriage to Joan Carolyn Green on March 1, 1961 in Chicago, IL. She survives of the home...

Jon Gregory Corbett was born June 4, 1972 in Elwood, IN to Alan Corbett and Sharon Jefferies Darnall. He died Saturday, February 7, 2015 in Pemiscot County at the age of 42 years, 8 months and 3 days. Jon was united in marriage to Tina Smith on August 12, 1994 in New Madrid. ...

Floyd H. Drew Jr., 71, of Hot Springs died Saturday, February 14, 2015. He was born March 3, 1943, in Hayti, Missouri the son of the late Floyd and Virgie Moore Drew. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Rosetta Wilson. Floyd loved his family, church, camping and Cardinal baseball. He was a member of Twin Lakes Baptist Church...

Odell "Dell" Seal, age 85 of Piedmont, passed away Saturday, February 21, 2015 at the Camelot Nursing and Rehab Center in Farmington, MO. She was born July 18, 1929 in Washington County, MO the daughter of Roy and Bertha (Turnbough) Carl. Dell worked in several restaurants and also for Brown Shoe Co. ...

Beulah Christine Chapel, the daughter of William Henry and Eliza Meteldia Williams Hickson was born May 20, 1923, in Noble, AR She was of the Church of God faith. On August 3, 1953 in Flint, MI she was united in marriage to Gordon James "Jim" Chapel. He preceded her in death on January 26, 1995...

Geneva Louise Smith was born April 1, 1920 in Yarbro, AR to L.M. LaFerney and Fannie Purcell. She died February 24, 2015 at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti, MO at the age of 94 years, 10 months and 23 days. She was united in marriage July 10, 1947 in Piggott, AR to Shirrell Walter Smith, Sr...

January 2015 Monthly Report Fire Department City Incidents- 5 1-2-15: Firemen responding- 8; Location- 208 West 6th St.; Smoke Scare. 1-5-15: Firemen responding- 5; Location- Casey's General Store; Gas Spill. 1-6-15: Firemen responding- 9; Location- Sonic Drive-In; Outside Grease Storage Box...

Rica Denise and Larry Wayne Thacker of Portageville are pleased to announce the birth of their 4th child, a boy, Kolton Liam Thacker. Kolton was born January 2, 2015 at 1:01 in the afternoon at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He weighed 6 pounds and 10 ounces, and was 20 inches long...

The following cases were heard February 5, 2015 in Portageville Municipal Court by Municipal Judge Christopher J. Stinnett. Fines imposed reflect court costs: Lucas Kirby -- 2 Counts of Domestic Assault, $334.50 on each count. Michael L. Allen -- Expired Registration, $50.00...

February 2015 Monthly Report Fire Department City Incidents- 7 2-6-15: Firemen responding- 8; Location- 204 East 3rd St.; Smoke Scare. 2-13-15: Firemen responding- 10; Location- 409 Robin Lane; Structure Fire. 2-16-15: Firemen responding- 5; Location- Hwy. 61; Traffic Control...

COLUMBIA -- Ryan Gill has big plans. In the long-term, the University of Missouri senior hopes to enter law school, and when finished, work representing veterans. In the short-term, Gill hopes to persuade state lawmakers to do something for veterans and their families that they won't do for the public at large -- expand Medicaid eligibility...

COLUMBIA, MO- Residents in mid- and eastern-Missouri will soon get better warning of dangerous weather, and scientists will have a new tool to help agriculture cope with changes in climate. Early this summer a new Doppler weather radar will be raised at the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources' South Farm Research Center...

During the past decade, lung cancer has surpassed breast cancer as the deadliest cancer among women. Dr. Olivia Aranha, an oncologist at Saint Francis Medical Center-affiliated Cape Medical Oncology, said in 2015, almost twice as many women are expected to die from lung cancer as from breast cancer...

SIKESTON -- Veterans, their families and community members can get information about Veteran Administration services and provide feedback on those services they have received during a town hall meeting March 10. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the VFW Post 3174, 709 Smith St. in Sikeston, and is expected to last about an hour...

March 13th is designated as Missouri Read In Day. In honor of Read In Day, Portageville Elementary will have an author, Carolyn Mueller, visit. She is the author of "Bubbles, the Dwarf Zebu", "Lily, a True Story of courage and the Joplin Tornado", and "Happy Birthday, St. Louis!"...