Stories from Saturday, May 9, 2015

PORTAGEVILLE -- When it came time to prepare meals each school day for more than 800 students, Portageville Superintendent Michael Allred kept his fingers crossed. Each day as the staff prepared meals not only for the Portageville School District students but those in Head Start and attending St. ...

Study: Most Americans don't know common stroke signs

Average retail gasoline prices in Missouri have risen 4.3 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.34/g last Sunday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 3,940 gas outlets in Missouri. This compares with the national average that has increased 8.5 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.62/g, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com...

CHARLESTON -- Hurley and Associates announces the hiring of Brian Bradley as a Risk Management Consultant in their Charleston office. Bradley is a licensed commodities broker and works closely with his farm client's budgets, cash flow requirements and risk management strategies...

SIKESTON -- When you are a child, there are few things as good as an arcade that offers video games, refreshments and a bouncy house. Fortunately for Sikeston area children, Krazy Coins Arcade offers just that. Located at 301 Rodgers Street, Krazy Coins is an arcade for all, with games for all ages...

The third Quarter Parent Participation at the Sikeston Kindergarten and Early Childhood Center were announced recently. Pictured front row are: Anderson Jones, Madsion Sanders, Myron Sanders, Christina Gardner and Tyler Merritt; back row: Tony Jones, Alana Jones, Amanda Jones, Roketia Sanders and Principal Jenny Hobeck. Parents were recognized for their outstanding service with a gift card...

The Charleston Kiwanis Club presented to the Charleston High School Key Club on April 21 a check for $250 for their outstanding work in the community and in helping the Kiwanis Club with various projects. Pictured are Kiwanian Mike Grimes presenting a check to some of the Key Club members and their sponsor teacher Lana Collier. ...

EAST PRAIRIE - "Trikers" at R.A. Doyle Elementary School are learning at a very young age how to help others in need. The school just recently conducted the third annual trike-a-thon for St Jude Research Hospital raising $7,006 to help fight childhood cancer...

SEMO Christian Academy in Sikeston recently completed its candy bar fundraiser and honored the top sellers. Pictured from left are Sophia Stash, first place for selling 750 candy bars; Briella Wilkerson, second place for selling 650 candy bars and Carter Hay and Ja'Liyah Jones who tied for third place by selling 600 candy bars...

COLUMBIA -- Tyler Stratman, Sikeston, received the H.A. Herman Memorial A.I. Industry Scholarship from the Division of Animal Sciences in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. The scholarship is given to graduate students studying reproductive physiology. Stratman's research interests are in the reproductive efficiency of dairy cattle...

The Christian Academy announced its March "Christ-like Characters of the Month" recently. Above: Honored from the prekindergarten through second grate were, from left: Lexi Cooper (prekindergarten), Connor Simmons (kindergarten), Ayden Godfrey (first grade) and Sarah Frazier (second grade). Top photo: The third through fifth grade honorees are, from left: Toniah Magill (third), Khia Gillespie (fifth) and Connor Shelby (fifth). Also honored was Olivia Jackson (fourth grade)...

Megan Mooneyhan rocks out singing "Do Life Big" during the third annual TCA talent showcase on April 30.

scottw@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- Mississippi County Commissioners will call off the county's code enforcement officer from a property located near East Prairie. Raymond Ellis of rural East Prairie met with Commissioners during their regular weekly meeting Friday to discuss allegations that his property on Crow Lane located just outside of East Prairie city limits is not in compliance with the county's nuisance ordinance...

leonnah@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Through a new, weekly after-school program offered at a Sikeston elementary school, local students are getting their chance to shine brighter than ever. Since mid-March, the Southeast All-Stars have met from 3:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Wednesdays at Southeast Elementary in Sikeston with about 14 adult volunteers from Miner Baptist Church...

Kindergarten, third and fifth grade classes from Hearnes Elementary and St. Henry's Catholic School in Charleston enjoyed a fun-filled outdoor field trip Friday at Corse Farms east of Charleston.

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- The Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority has closed on the first major sale of LCRA properties for a redevelopment project. "We've sold 13 lots on Felker and Young Street to Lincoln University," said Dan Marshall, chairman of the LCRA. "This is a major stepping stone for redevelopment in the LCRA area. It should bring a boost in interest in residential development or possibly in building other government service facilities."...

Just a reminder. Mother's Day is May 10. Please make a mom happy by calling her or going to visit her and wishing her a happy Mother's Day. Let her know you are thinking of her. She will be far happier from your presence than your presents. I am just wondering if y'all have anybody or a place in Mississippi County that we could learn line dancing or use a building for line dancing...