Stories from Wednesday, July 29, 2015

SIKESTON - A tip led to the arrest of three men who stole a trailer filled with $70,000 worth of toilet paper. Jimmie Smith, 51, of Memphis is charged with the felonies of theft/stealing of more than $25,000 and first degree tampering with a motor vehicle and Markel A. Eskridge, 42, and Eugene Pickens, 36, also both of Memphis, are each charged with the felony of theft/stealing more than $25,000. The three men, who have a set at $15,000 cash only bond, are awaiting their arraignment...

Three Portageville boys are playing in the are competing at the 2015 Midwest Plains Cal Ripken regional tournament. They are members of the East Prairie Eagles 12u team. They finished Second at the state tournament in Chaffee 12u-Major/60's. They competed in Garden City, Kansas against Minnesota teams, North Dakota, and three Kansas teams, and a team from Scott County. ...

Like most volunteer fire departments throughout the country, it is hard to keep up to date on equipment. However, with the death of a long time volunteer firefighter, Joe Simmons, his family decided to give back to the fire department with a huge financial donation that made it possible for the department to get top of the line Twistlock Vehicle Stabilizers by Paratech for the department's extrication truck...

CHARLESTON -- A Sikeston man already behind bars for stealing is facing a more serious charge this week after a jailhouse assault. According to a release from Mississippi County Sheriff Keith Moore, an investigation by the Mississippi County Sheriff's Department began Sunday evening when corrections staff noticed a commotion taking place within the Mississippi County Detention Center...

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- The Sikeston City Council rejected a flood plain map revision and will contract for another study. Jay Lancaster, public works director, presented during the Council's regular monthly briefing session Monday the results of a public hearing on revised flood plain mapping...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. TURKISH STRIKES VEX ISLAMIC STATE PLAN Ankara's air campaign against IS militants and Kurdish forces creates a conundrum for Obama, who is leading the fight against one of those targets while relying heavily on the other...

JACKSON -- Three lawsuits have been settled in connection with a 2013 box-truck crash that killed a Glenallen, Missouri, teenager. Bobby Joe Abernathy, 36, pleaded guilty last year to vehicular involuntary manslaughter while intoxicated and second-degree vehicular assault in connection with the April 5, 2013, crash that killed 17-year-old Amelia Fisher...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- A man was injured after shots were fired at the corner of William and South Hanover streets Tuesday night. About 9 p.m., an African-American man was shot in the back, according to witness Diedre Ward. Ward lives in an apartment complex at 210 S. Hanover St. and said she saw the victim get shot...

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Having provided satisfactory service, the Sikeston Area Humane Society was awarded a year-long contract to operate the city's animal shelter. The Sikeston City Council approved the one-year contract during their regular monthly briefing session Monday...

Sikeston Department of Public Safety officers bussed tables, brought drinks and helped seat customers alongside the restaurant's regular staff for donations. The event raised $1,776 for the state Special Olympics organization, according to DPS Sgt. Derick Wheetley...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Ommy Wee Dunigan Branion, 81, formerly of Kalamazoo, Mich., died July 25, 2015, at the Charleston Manor Skilled Nursing Facility in Charleston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Devron Paul Looney, 18, died July 18, 2015, near Fredericktown of an accidental drowning. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

PORTAGEVILLE -- Shirley Collins, 81, died July 27, 2015, at the Golden Living Center in New Madrid. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

PORTAGEVILLE -- Emma Ruth Hayes, 87, died July 27, 2015, at her home in Hayward. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Harold Hutchason "Hot Shot" Springs, 94, died at 8:36 p.m. July 22, 2015. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

ADVANCE -- Joseph Harding "Joe" Heskett, 91, died July 26, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

LILBOURN -- Teddy Wayne Coffee, 75, died July 27, 2015, at his home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

BELL CITY -- Virginia Kay "Susie" Reynolds, 59, died July 27, 2015, at the family home in Bell City. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

news@standard-democrat.com BENTON -- Continued discussions about possibly merging Scott County 911 services with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety's were held in closed session Tuesday as they dealt specifically with personnel issues that would be related to a merger, according to Scott County officials...

CARUTHERSVILLE - Officials have identified the body which was discovered Sunday floating in flood waters near Caruthersville. The victim, Diane McDaniel, 59, of Caruthersville, died from accidental drowning, according to Pemiscot County Sheriff Tommy Greenwell...

SIKESTON -- As part of a medical training camp for area high school students, Air Evac Lifeteam will land a helicopter Thursday morning on the Sikeston High School football practice field. "We wanted to inform parents to prevent any confusion for anyone who sees the helicopter land on the football practice field," said Gloria Houston, health occupations instructor for SCTC. "This is just a training exercise."...

SIKESTON - A tip led to the arrest of three men who stole a trailer filled with $70,000 worth of toilet paper. Jimmie Smith, 51, of Memphis is charged with the felonies of theft/stealing of more than $25,000 and first degree tampering with a motor vehicle and Markel A. Eskridge, 42, and Eugene Pickens, 36, also both of Memphis, are each charged with the felony of theft/stealing more than $25,000. The three men, who have a set at $15,000 cash only bond, are awaiting their arraignment...

A gentleman approached me in a grocery store this week and asked if I could confirm a rumor he heard about the President. In hushed tones, he said the President was poised to ignore the Constitution and seek a third term. And should the populace resist that controversial move, the rumor opined that the President would impose marshal law to quell any discontent...

I would just like to say kudos to M. Burnett's article in the paper. Right on, right on. I would like to give the lady praise for the article "It's time for America to come back to God." She should hold a high public office in the land of America. And her message should be in every pulpit in churches of Christian faith. Have we soldiers of Christ waited too long? As it stands now, in God's own time, America will pay the price. God bless...

scottw@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- A proposed sales tax on diesel, if approved by voters, will bring money for streets and public safety with almost no effect on local farms, businesses or residents, according to Charleston City Manager Richard Goode...