Stories from Saturday, April 23, 2016

Sikeston's Tyeshia Mitchell and Fred Thatch were the catalysts for each of the Bulldogs basketball programs. One reached heights unseen while the other continues to surge through the record books.

Bryce Bays hit the game-winning single in the bottom of the 13th to give Sikeston a 7-6 win over Cape Central during the first game of a triple-header Saturday.

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- Ty Householder had a double for the only extra-base hit of the game as Kelly edged out the Class 3 state-ranked Tigers 3-2 to get the win on the road. Jonathon Tyler picked up the win on the mound for Kelly (9-8). He pitched six innings and gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits. He had two strikeouts and walked one. Householder got the save in the final inning...

SIKESTON -- Improvements are planned for the high school soccer field thanks to grant funds from the U.S. Soccer Foundation. The city of Sikeston was awarded a $4,995 grant from the Foundation to fund irrigation improvements and replacements. Sikeston was one of nine organizations nationwide to receive a grant...

BENTON, Mo. -- A Scott County superintendent was named among the most outstanding by her peers. Fara Jones, superintendent of Scott County R-4 "Kelly" School District in Benton, was among eight Missouri superintendents recognized by the Missouri Association of School Administrators for outstanding performance as a new superintendent...

The warm temperatures are drawing many Southeast Missourians outside this weekend. The National Weather Service forecast highs to be in the lower 80s through Thursday with slight chances of rain throughout the week.

SIKESTON -- For the better part of the last century, clay cat litter has been the standard for people with indoor cats. However, a local company is giving people a different, more environmentally-friendly option. Midwest Organics of Sikeston has a new product called CatSpot Litter that they hope changes the way people think of cat litter. The litter eliminates the odor from the litter box while at the same time helping the environment...

Sikeston Junior High School named its character education students for March. The word of the month was gratitude. Pictured are Tobias Sanchez, Cherei Jones, Emma Drury, Aereonna Woods, Maggie Eby, Naudia Lazcano, Sierra Lazcano, Leyton Jenkins, Fareena Khan, Lilly Beth Sutton and Shakirah Warfield...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Anna M. Schmitt, 87, died April 21, 2016, at Bethesda Southgate Nursing Center. For the complete obituary, see the weekend edition of the Standard Democrat.

I'd like to say a few things this evening. I think Mor- ley needs to have a city ordinance about these dogs running loose and pooping in other people's yards and the people stepping in the poop. You get it on your shoes and track it in your house. Maybe this new po- liceman can do something about it. It's not right to try to get in your car or have visitors without stepping in poop from somebody else's dog. Keep it in your own...

Like a number of communities, Sikeston has seen an uptick in violent crime recently despite a concentrated effort by the Department of Public Safety to monitor and control the criminal element within our community. I shudder to think where we would be today without the quality of Public Safety leadership and the dedication of the men and women who serve here in uniform...