Stories from Thursday, April 23, 2015

A much-anticipated battle between Kennett and Portageville lived up to the hype, as it featured all that drama you would expect from two of the areas strongest softball teams. The Lady Indians got big hits to take an early lead, but a late rally allowed the Lady Bulldogs to seal a 5-3 win...

Lakes Clearwater Lake
Water Surface Temp: 63º; Water Level (Range): normal; Water Type: clear; Fish Reported: Crappie: Slow, Largemouth Bass: Slow, White Bass: Slow, Channel Catfish; largemouth bass slow, best on brown jigs, crappie slow, best on crankbaits; white bass slow, best on spinnerbaits and Road Runners; all other species slow. (Reported on: 4/15/15)...

PORTAGEVILLE -- A woman was killed when the vehicle she was riding in struck a parked tractor-trailer rig. At 6 p.m. Sunday on Interstate 55, three miles south of Portageville, a southbound vehicle driven by Jessica M. Richmond, 33, of Sikeston ran off the roadway. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol's report, the vehicle struck the rear of a parked tractor and trailer, driven by Edward J. Fournie, 60, of Freeburg, Ill...

Macie Hoggard and Landon DeLisle were chosen as the 2015 Prom Queen and King. Prom was held Saturday, April 11.

April 20- Average retail gasoline prices in Missouri have risen 7.3 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.28/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 3,940 gas outlets in Missouri. This compares with the national average that has increased 6.6 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.45/g, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com...

If you were to stand before God and He were to say to you, "Why should I let you in to my heaven?" What would you say? Many people do not know what they would say, either because they have never been saved or because they lack assurance that they are saved or they may not have a clear understanding of the gospel. ...

On May 9th, the American Cancer Society will hold its annual New Madrid County Relay for Life at the New Madrid County Elementary School. It will begin at 2 PM and run through 12 midnight. The Survivor Dinner will be held in the elementary cafeteria beginning at 5 PM with the Survivor lap afterwards. Each survivor can bring one guest. Additional guests are welcome to attend the dinner for a fee of $7.00...

Willie Jimerson wasn't afraid to admit he messed up. But that's not to say the New Madrid County Central senior isn't excited about where he'll be next fall.

sports@standard-democrat.com FARMINGTON -- Sikeston's Gabe Wheeler shot a one-over par 73 to earn top medalist and helped his team to a first-place finish during the 15-team Festus Invitational at Crown Pointe Golf Club in Farmington Wednesday. This is Wheeler's fourth tournament win so far this season and Sikeston's first team win overall. ...

sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- A win from top-seed Layton Jones couldn't help the Sikeston Bulldogs overcome Marion, Ill., Wednesday as the Bulldogs fell 3-7. Jones took down Tommy Wilson 8-6 and teamed up with Brett Johnson in doubles competition to claim another win...

MINER -- The city of Miner now has a licensed dog pound and for the first time a clear guide for animal control activities in writing. Now would be a good time for pet owners to get their animal licenses in place. The city's animal control policies and procedures were approved Tuesday evening during the Miner Board of Aldermen's regular monthly meeting while the city's holding facility for stray animals picked up by city officials was back in business just a few hours before that...

As the rain continues to fall, the Mississippi River keeps rising and the observation deck at New Madrid provides a perfect place for visitors to view the rising river. According to the National Weather Service, the Mississippi River will crest at New Madrid today at 32.5 feet, just inches above flood stage...

A driver "was really lucky" according to Sikeston Department of Public Safety Capt. Jim McMillen following an accident at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday when a portion of a tree dropped on top of her car. According to McMillen, the driver was westbound on Tanner Street, just west of Sikes Street, when a portion of a tree, approximately 18 to 20 inches in diameter, was blown on to her car during a storm. ...

BLOOMFIELD -- Wide-ranging emotions and technical details carried the second day of the Charles Goforth murder trial. Although subpoenaed to testify in the trial, Josh Goforth failed to appear on Wednesday. Stoddard County Prosecutor Russ Oliver was prepared for the possibility, though, as he requested to use Josh Goforth's testimony from the official record of the preliminary hearing...

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) -- A state audit released Wednesday shows that Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has continued to use money meant for other agencies to pay for expensive in-state flights and staffing, despite lawmakers' efforts to stop the practice. If Nixon had not pulled money from other departments and delayed payments to a later fiscal year, the Democrat's office would have exceeded its roughly $6.6 million budget by $1.9 million over the past three years, the audit found...

Work began this week for the new scoreboard at the Sikeston Public Schools Stadium. Employees with Coast to Coast Signs of Scott City installed three beams which will hold the scoreboard when it is installed by the company. Pictured welding a beam in place is Don Cook with Coast To Coast Signs...

SIKESTON -- In his first year as the sole adviser of Scott County Central High School's chapter of Future Business Leaders of America, Buddy Alberson has managed to come full circle. FBLA membership nearly quadrupled this school year, increasing from six members last year to 22 this year. Earlier this month 10 FBLA members of Scott County Central High School recently traveled to Springfield for their state leadership conference...

SIKESTON -- Evelyn Campbell died April 22, 2015, at the home of her daughter in Sikeston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

ST. LOUIS -- Jim Franklin Jerls, 42, died April 22, 2015, at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

BALL GROUND, Ga. -- James Patterson, 74, died April 16, 2015. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

DEXTER -- Linda Nea Patrick, 78, died April 17, 2015, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- David Grant Rice, 79, of Sikeston, died April 21, 2015, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

I was wondering why Garden of Memories Cemetery is not kept up as well as Memorial Park Cemetery? They are owned by the same people and the same employees work at both cemeteries. Garden of Memories is just going downhill. There are holes everywhere on the grave sites. I just wonder what the deal is?...