Stories from Thursday, May 21, 2015

Ronald Reagan once said his fondest hope for young people is that they would love their country for her selflessness and idealism. "As the school year comes to a close, I have reflected on all of the great schools I have had the pleasure of visiting while in Congress. ...

Here's your local fishing report: It's spring, they're biting, go fishing! And now for a rehashed humor article because I'm covered up! Fishermen have long wondered what exactly goes on in the mind of a crappie. While we know much about their habitat and diet, it's the "why" that remains a mystery. To help solve this riddle, the federal government approved a 10 million dollar grant to a group of researchers, and this is the report, published here for the first time...

New Madrid County Central High School recognized five valedictorians at its graduation ceremony held Tuesday, May 19. The following have distinguished themselves by maintaining a 4.0 GPA for all eight semesters: Monique Antoinette Fahy, daughter of Christine Fahy of Maplewood. ...

Average retail gasoline prices in Missouri have risen 5.5 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.45/g Sunday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 3,940 gas outlets in Missouri. This compares with the national average that has increased 5.0 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.71/g, says gasoline price website GasBuddy.com...

This coming week (May 25) we will celebrate Memorial Day. This is the day that we as Americans set aside to remember all of those who have given their lives fighting for the freedoms we so richly enjoy. I am thankful that we as a nation set aside this very special day in memory of our fallen heroes. ...

SIKESTON -- The latest redevelopment project on South Main will house offices for a new company based in Sikeston as well as a new bank, for starters. The ground breaking ceremony for a new 15,000 square-foot building at 912 South Main was this morning...

Bernie senior Devin Trammell was named the Stoddard County Activities Association player of the year Wednesday after announcing its All-Conference baseball and softball teams. Bell City head coach Justin Simpher was selected as the coach of the year after leading the Bell City Cubs to a 19-3 regular season...

The 2015 Scott-Mississippi All-Conference team was released this week and Oran came away with five representatives to lead the pack. Eagle seniors Jacob Priggel, Hunter Schlosser and Thomas Trankler all received first-team honors as did their teammate freshman Drew Reischman...

Charleston native James Naile is just one of many local athletes attending college and excelling at the next stage this spring.

SIKESTON -- The rain forced the 2015 Honors Board ceremony indoors but it failed to dampen the crowd's enthusiasm for the 44th honoree - Jeff Miles. Miles was recognized Thursday for his "outstanding contributions to Sikeston's youth football, basketball, baseball and soccer programs," said Jeff Hay, chairman of the Sikeston Park Board...

SIKESTON -- Ray Eugene Lucy, 88, died May 20, 2015, at the Missouri State Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. until time of funeral service at noon Friday at the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Len Meyers, pastor of Trinity Gospel Church of Sikeston will officiate...

BLOOMFIELD -- John Henry Underwood, 77, died May 19, 2015, at the Golden Living Center in Dexter. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Barbara Thomas, 73, formerly of East Prairie, Mo., died May 18, 2015, in Fort Worth. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Harold Alan Yancy, 66, died May 20, 2015, at his home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Ray Eugene Lucy, 88, died May 20, 2015, at the Missouri State Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

WILSON CITY -- Ethel Deloris "Dee" Sloan, 59, died May 18, 2015, at her home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Jim Copeland Sr., 63, died May 20, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

CHARLESTON -- An extensive narcotics investigation in Mississippi County has ended with the arrests of two East Prairie residents. Ronnie Dale Brawner Jr., 32, is charged with distribution of a controlled substance near a school and distribution of a controlled substance near a park, both class A felonies punishable upon conviction by not less than 15 years and up to life in the Department of Corrections...

SIKESTON -- Sikeston resident Justin Taylor ended the Missouri House of Representative's annual legislative session on a happy note Friday after proposing to his longtime girlfriend, State Rep. Shelley Keeney of Marble Hill. Taylor, who is the president of the Sikeston Regional Chamber of Commerce and a financial adviser at Edward Jones, had dated Keeney a little over two years when he decided it was time to ask for her hand in marriage...

I am very concerned with the direction of the Sikeston School District concerning the transportation department. During our yearly school bus inspection by the Missouri Highway Patrol in March, we had 21 out of our 30 buses fail this inspection. Last year wasn't much better. ...

scottw@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- With no other bidders this time around, Mississippi County will again hire the same trucking company for hauling road gravel. County commissioners awarded a year-long contract to the sole bidder, JSH Trucking of Matthews, during their their regular weekly meeting Thursday...