Stories from Thursday, April 2, 2015

How about a little spring weather my friends! Bright sunshine and warm afternoons has turned the crappie on across the lower Midwest, and according to my various social media outlets, a lot of anglers are getting in on the action. There's a big tournament coming up on Kentucky Lake that is going to land right on some of the best crappie fishing of the year...

On Saturday, March 21, the Portageville Football team held a pancake breakfast as a fund-raiser. The event was held at the St. Eustachius Parrish Center. Above, players Tony Smith, Brian Pearson, Bryce Lowman and RJ Nelson, were serving milk, and orange juice, as well as having a little fun. Several of the players helped with serving, preparing to go orders, and collecting tickets...

One of the main items that will be on the ballot next Tuesday, April 7, is a county-wide sales tax proposal. It will be an opportunity for voters to decide on a much needed one-half cent sales tax. It will be used solely for the purpose of funding improvements to transportation infrastructure in New Madrid County...

In Matthew 28:5-6 we read "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said, Come, see the place where the Lord lay." Jesus Christ is alive and we serve a risen Savior. ...

In a few weeks, mail processing by the U.S. Postal Service will come to an end in Cape Girardeau, which employees of the center say could lead to longer waits for letter and package deliveries. April 18 is the official end date given to employees for mail processing at the Richard G. Wilson Processing and Distribution Facility at 475 Kell Farm Drive in Cape Girardeau, said Greg Davidson, president of American Postal Workers Union Local 4088...

There will be a pesticide collection station for Missouri farmers and households. It will be held on Saturday, May 30, at the University of Missouri Fisher Delta Research Center in Portageville, beginning at 8 AM through 1 PM. The event is free. The following items will be accepted: pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, rodenticides, dewormers, fly tags, and fertilizers containing herbicides or pesticides...

Anyone who uses a Bible scripture to condone violent threats against churches clearly needs to study the New Testament and the United States Constitution. Last week, several Presbyterian churches in the Southeast Missouri region received anonymous threats...

Greenville pitchers Trey McDaniel and Blakney Kearbey combined for 14 strikeouts during the state-ranked Bears' 5-2 win over Sikeston.

SIKESTON -- A Sikeston resident involved in nearly every aspect of youth sports will be recognized on the Sikeston Park Board's Honors Board this spring. Jeff Miles will be the 44th volunteer's name installed on the board since 1986, when the Park Board began recognizing outstanding men and women who have made significant contributions to youth programs in Sikeston...

NEW MADRID - The New Madrid City Council will begin the process of looking for a new city administrator. Chad Eggen, who first served as assistant city administrator then as administrator, has accepted a job as executive director for the Boonslick Regional Planning Commission. Based in Warrenton, the Commission works with local governments and groups to promote development...

SIKESTON -- Sikeston's airport is overdue for a new terminal -- and is now on track to get one. "The current terminal building is in great need of being replaced," said Jay Lancaster, public works director for the city of Sikeston. "Its size and layout does not meet our needs. But the main thing is that the age and condition of the current terminal do not give the first impression that we want to give to prospective businesses for our community."...

CHARLESTON -- Charleston Middle School has announced the honor roll for the third quarter of the 2014-2015 school year. B Honor Roll consists of students that received a B average with no D's or F's and had good citizenship. A Honor Roll consists of students that received all A's on their report cards and had good citizenship...

Three counselors from Sikeston R-6 Schools were recognized at the Southeast Missouri School Counselor's Association meeting March 11 at the Cape Career and Technology Center. The counselors were nominated by their principals and/or co-workers and were chosen from a field of nominees from the Southeast District. ...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. UNIVERSITY IN KENYA ATTACKED Al-Shabab gunmen attack a college in the northeast, targeting Christians and killing at least 15 people and wounding 60 others, witnesses say...

GORDONVILLE -- A murder charge has been filed against the stepfather of a woman slain last week near Gordonville. Ricky L. Schweain, 54, is charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the shooting death of Melissa Luttrell, 27...

SIKESTON -- Scott County voters will decide whether to continue a countywide half-cent sales tax in addition to picking municipal and school board officials during Tuesday's election. The half-cent sales tax proposed is actually a continuation of the half-cent sales tax which expires Dec. 31, 2016, due to a sunset clause, according to Scott County officials. While this tax is in effect, county officials have set property tax received by the county at zero...

PORTAGEVILLE -- A Caruthersville teen was fatally injured in a one-vehicle accident that occurred at 12:20 a.m. Wednesday, one mile south of Portageville. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Michael L. Pietrzykowski, 19, of Caruthersville was traveling south on Interstate 55. His vehicle slid off the right side of the road, struck a ditch and overturned, ejecting him from the vehicle...

WILSON CITY -- Mae Francis Foreman, 94, died March 31, 2015, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

MALDEN -- Doug Halford, 82, died April 1, 2015, at his home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

LILBOURN -- Alice Wilson, 91, died April 1, 2015, at the Golden Living Center in New Madrid. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

I saw this morning where this elderly lady had an in-home care giver who had abused her and she can't get any help with it. I believe anything that goes on with those in-home caregivers. They are just about like nursing homes. When they go in, there they steal and just do everything and lie and all they are there for their paycheck. ...

Phyllis June Engelhardt was born on July 18, 1941 in Deering, MO. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl Dodson and Margaret Williams. She passed away on March 23, 2015 at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital. Phyllis attended Caruthersville High School. She was married to Donald W. Engelhardt, Sr., and they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on February 26, 2015...