Stories from Saturday, October 31, 2015

SIKESTON, Mo., Sept. 16, 2015 -- A soil electronic sensor system was installed last week in the agriculture experiential learning field at Southeast Missouri State University-Sikeston. The system monitors on an hourly basis the soil temperature and moisture content, along with the air temperature and rain levels, and makes that data available online, accessible from a cell phone app or computer...

The Commission gathered recently in Poplar Bluff -- the hometown of Senator Doug Libla and House Speaker Todd Richardson. It was great to be with the people of southeast Missouri, on the campus of Three Rivers College. Speaker Richardson reminded all of us that our major industries in Missouri -- agriculture, manufacturing, retail and tourism -- all depend upon a robust transportation system. ...

BENTON -- A Sikeston man was arrested on drug charges and traffic violations after a traffic stop Thursday. According to a release from Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, Quinton Lipford, 33, was charged with the Class B felony of distribution/manufacture/produce a controlled substance, the Class A misdemeanor of driving while revoked and other traffic violations...

sports@standard-democrat.com MALDEN -- Despite playing undefeated top-seed Malden, there were a lot of reasons for the fifth-seeded East Prairie Eagles to be optimistic entering Friday's Class 2, District 1 semifinal matchup. In their last meeting, in mid-September, the Eagles were without starting quarterback Brett Ellis, yet battled to within a touchdown of the Green Wave at halftime before ultimately falling 38-20...

"I think the biggest thing was us coming out and setting the intensity. I've preached that to my kids all year."

"They're big, they're physical, they run well. They do a lot of good things. They're just a better football team."

Sikeston voters will go to the polls Tuesday to decide the fate of a half-cent sales tax proposal to increase funding for Public Safety, for the park system and for street improvements. The much-needed increase will help to bring Public Safety salaries in line with other area law enforcement agencies and stop the migration of highly-trained officers from our community...

I think it is so stupid that they keep having the meetings with Hillary. It has to do with her running for president. They don't want her to be president. They are so scared. She is so smarter than any of the Republicans. Their mouths at the meeting were so terrible. ...

SIKESTON -- Tuesday Sikeston voters will go to the polls to decide the fate of the proposed sales tax and, in doing so, the city's future. "For the last several weeks, DPS Director Drew Juden, myself and others have been visiting civic groups and others throughout the community and there has been an overwhelming support because those individuals recognize the need to have a strong Public Safety Department, good streets and quality of life and want to move the community forward," said Mayor Steven Burch. ...

SIKESTON -- Organizers aren't quite sure how many people contribute and volunteer to the annual Thanksgiving dinner in Sikeston, but they know it's a community effort and it takes everyone involved to make it happen each year. "I get antsy about it every year, and every year it always works out," said Marlene Stevens of Sikeston, who has coordinated the dinner for 12 years...

WARDELL - A Wardell man is being held without bond in connection with a fatal shooting Thursday. Paul Wayne Rudd, 51, is charged with first degree murder and armed criminal action for the shooting death of his neighbor Russell E. Gray Jr., 46, of Wardell...

Carissa Below is the Standard Democrat's November Calendar Girl. The daughter of Robin and Kenny Standridge, Below was a finalist in the 2014 Miss Sikeston Contest and a 2015 graduate of Sikeston High School. She is attending Southeast Missouri State University-Sikeston and majoring in physical therapy. (Jill Bock, Staff)...

MINER -- The Miner Volunteer Fire Department is back on track with a new truck, a new funding source and hope for the future. The city of Miner received delivery Wednesday afternoon of the first new fire engine for the Department in about a decade. "Our fire tax at work," said Deloris Smith, Miner Board of Alderman member...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Most people in the United States are set to fall back into standard time and gain an extra hour of sleep this weekend. The annual change comes at 2 a.m. local time Sunday, but most people usually set their clocks back before heading to bed Saturday night...

SCOTT CITY -- Vickie Irene Saenz, 56, of Scott City, formerly of Sikeston, passed away in the loving arms of her father and her husband on Oct. 30, 2015, at the Southeast Health Hospital in Cape Girardeau. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.
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CAPE GIRARDEAU - Virginia G. Parker, daughter of the late Loy Riley "Pat" Patterson and Talitha Ann Aslin Patterson, was born on Jan. 18, 1922, in Dexter, Mo., and departed this life on Oct. 30, 2015, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau, Mo., at the age of 93...

WARDELL - Russell Eugene Gray Jr., 46, died Oct. 29, 2015, at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


EAST PRAIRIE - On Oct. 30, 2015, Mrs. Paula Fern Barker, 86, went home to her heavenly father. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


SIKESTON - Aurelia Finley, 70, died Oct. 31, 2015, at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Doris Shain, 75, passed away Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015, at the family home in Cape Girardeau following a brief illness. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


CHARLESTON - Alice Marie Whittington, 83, formerly of Steele, died Oct. 30, 2015, at the Charleston Manor. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


MATTHEWS -- Matthews Elementary in Matthews has announced the honor roll students for the first quarter of the 2015-2016 school year. An after a student's name denotes honors with distinction. Honor students are: Erica Bewley, Mason Bondy, Levi Cochran, Calleigh Cooksey*, Bradley Felton, Payton Hammock, Noah Hernandez, Makyla Hood, Allie Kenedy*, Dawson Loomes*, Ethan Markham, Makenzie Muse*, Gage Nabert, Gracie Revels, Jacob Richardson, Emaleigh Ruedrich, Landyn Scobey, Justin Spraggs, Kiya Vaught.. ...

Members of Girl Scout Troop 71115 are undertaking a community service project to help local veterans. A donation box was recently placed at the Kelly Elementary School for others to join them as the "White Out Their Worries" by collecting white crew socks and white T-shirts for the veterans at the Veterans Hospital in Poplar Bluff. ...

October 2015 Monthly Report Fire Department City Incidents- 2 10-19-15: Firemen responding- 11; Location- 422 Haynes Dr.; Trash and Tree Fire. 10-20-15: Firemen responding- 11; Location- 200 West 8th St.; Gas Leak. Rural Incidents- 4 10-06-15: Firemen responding- 12; Location- West McCrate Ave.; Combine Fire...