Stories from Saturday, March 28, 2015

The Portageville High School Softball team will be hosting their 1st annual softball camp. It will be for girls ages 9-12. The camp will take place on May 26th- May 29th from 8am-12pm. It will include instruction on fielding, hitting, base running, positional play, and a scrimmage game on the last day. The price is $50/child, which includes a t-shirt. This camp is available for any girl in the Portageville and surrounding areas...

Here is a look at the up coming Municipal election on Tuesday, April 7. Portageville - Incumbent Mayor Denis McCrate is being challenged by Ward Two Alderman Floyd Simmons. In Ward One, Jessie James, the incumbent, and Lynn Doering will campaign for the alderman's seat. Doering held that position several years ago...

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The 25th Annual "Just Pray NO!" Worldwide Weekend of Prayer and Fasting for the addicted and their families is scheduled for April 11 - 12, 2015. 
Since April 7, 1991 "Just Pray NO!" has united Christians from around the world in intercessory prayer on behalf of those bound by alcoholism, drug addiction and other life controlling compulsions. ...

leonnah@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- The annual Relay For Life events have served as a way for communities to honor their survivors, remember loved ones and raise funds for cancer. This year is no exception, but the Scott County event is a bit different from past Relays. Set for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 1, the event will be in the Family Life Center at the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston...

BENTON -- An Oran man faces felony domestic assault charges after being detained by police Thursday in Scott County. Mitchell Ryan Kennard, 29, is charged with the Class C felony of second-degree domestic assault. Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said on Thursday, he and other deputies responded to the area of Russell and Bloomfield Streets in Oran for a report of Kennard, who was a suspect from a domestic assault, walking in the area with a knife...

NEW MADRID -- New Madrid County's current countywide sales tax rate is 1.25 percent. There is a half-cent sales tax which goes to the general revenue fund. It is regulated by a formula which requires if the sales tax goes up, the county's property tax goes down; however, if the sales tax goes down, the property tax rate goes up...

jillb@standard-democrat.com NEW MADRID -- The New Madrid County Commission is on a mission. The three commissioners are urging voters to approve a tax to fund improvements to the county's roads and bridges. On the April 7 ballot, voters will be asked whether to impose a one-half cent sales tax, solely for the purpose of funding improvements to the transportation infrastructure. It would require approval by a simple majority of the voters to be implemented...

Congress needs to keep doing what Congress does best - nothing. We are all safer that way. I would like to complain about the county roads in New Madrid County. Me and my wife are retired, on a fixed income and don't have a four-wheel drive vehicle. ...