Stories from Wednesday, July 8, 2015

The Sikeston All Stars won the 12-Year-Old Cal Ripken Babe Ruth Missouri State Championship Saturday. The win advances the team into the Midwest Plains Regional this weekend. Pictured are, front row from left, Jack Bell, Quentin Anthony, Justin Marks, Trey Drake and Dylan Thornbrough. Top row from left, Nathan Bell (coach), Jay Noon, Joe Miles, Nolan Self, Justin Church, Heath McCain II, Jared Self (manager), Heath McCain (coach). (Submitted photo)...

SIKESTON -- The Frye family makes a return to the stage in the Sikeston Little Theatre's first-ever production of a sequel. Performances of the romantic comedy "Southern Fried Nuptials" are set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Sikeston Little Theatre located at 506 S. Kingshighway...

Portageville softball pitcher Taylor Tiffany has verbally committed to Auburn University at Montgomery. The junior, who broke the Missouri single season strikeout record while leading Portageville to a third place finish in Class 2, chose AUM over the University of Missouri, Southeast Missouri State University and Jackson University...

It was by no means an easy decision. Once the University of Missouri threw its offer on the table, Portageville's Taylor Tiffany took a step back and weighed her many options before committing to Auburn Montgomery.

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. MORE DEADLINES LOOM FOR GREECE Athens' eurozone creditors demand it submit a firm proposal by Thursday and the country faces a full E.U. summit of 28 nations on Sunday while immediate relief to its cash woes doesn't seem in sight...

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Sikeston's mayor is hoping a later start time will put more citizens in the seats for City Council meetings. Jon Douglass, city manager, said during Monday's regular monthly Council meeting that Mayor Steven Burch suggested giving a 6 p.m. start time a try for a few months "in an effort to make the meetings more convenient for some members of the public to attend who might not get off till 5 p.m."...

DEXTER -- Jessy Hobert Walker, 58, died July 3, 2015, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

HOWARDVILLE -- Zahir Pulley, son of Taneisha Taylor and Kowan Pulley, died at birth July 2, 2015, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Ruth Ann Mitchell, 56, died July 5, 2015, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

BLOOMFIELD -- James "Mike" Foushee, 64, died July 5, 2015, at his home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

GAINESVILLE, Texas -- Freddie Bess Johnson Hogue, 90, died July 4, 2015. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

ORAN -- Jimmy C. Abernathy, 76, died July 5, 2015. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

NEW MADRID -- A New Madrid man is in custody after his arrest on sex-related charges involving a child. According to New Madrid Assistant Police Chief Brandon Hanner, Cary Charles McMillan, 33, of New Madrid was arrested Sunday by officers on a warrant for felony charges of first degree attempted statutory rape, attempted statutory sodomy with a person less than 14 years of age and a first degree felony charge of child molestation...

CARUTHERSVILLE - The death of a county inmate is under investigation. David Hamm, 33, of Hayti was found dead in his jail cell at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. According to Pemiscot County Sheriff Tommy Greenwell, Ham was in a cell by himself, when his body was found by jail staff...

scottw@standard-democrat.com BENTON -- Scott County's latest plat book options range from the palm of your hand to a map fit for framing. Copies of the 2015 edition of the Scott County Plat Book are available now at the Scott County Courthouse in Benton for $35, County Clerk Rita Milam announced Tuesday...

scottw@standard-democrat.com MINER -- Work on Miner's new water distribution system is slated to begin this fall. Miner Board of Aldermen members accepted during their last regular meeting June 23 the low bid offered by KJACS Contractors of Poplar Bluff for construction of the water system...

I'd like to say something about the man that was accused of sex crimes against a child. They said that girl was 8 or 9 years old when he supposedly did that. Now she's 16. It said the only time he ever did it is when her mother and that man had been out drinking. ...

T he ever-increasing field of GOP presidential candidates has either become a laughingstock or a display of the diversity and depth within the Republican ranks. Regardless of your view concerning this rush of GOP candidates, even for die-hards, this early campaign is difficult to follow...