Stories from Thursday, June 30, 2016

The Portageville 11-12 year old All-star team participated in a tournament held in Caruthersville. The Portageville team won all three games defeating Caruthersville (8-1), New Madrid (13-0), and Hayti (4-1). Members of the team are, front, from left, Blake Weddington, Caden Weller, Jesston Polk, and Trey Benthal.; back are, Coach Chris Kelley, CJ Kelley, Alex Winsor, Gabe Hughes, Castle Portwood, and Kelton Graham...

The University of Missouri Extension and Missouri Department of Agriculture are joining together to hold a series of meetings across the state to inform agricultural stakeholders on the current financial issues facing Missouri agriculture. These meetings will gather input on local financial issues facing specific areas of the state and an opportunity to discuss the effects of the current financial downturn on the local communities...

"Twenty six troopers graduated from the Patrol's Law Enforcement Academy on Friday, June 24," said Colonel J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The ceremony took place at 10 a.m. in the Academy gymnasium. The 102nd Recruit Class reported to the Academy on January 4, 2016. The new troopers report for duty in their assigned troops on July 11, 2016...

Last Wednesday, June 22, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon,announced the signing of Senate Bill 711, which requires all students at state public and chartered high schools to take a 30 minute training course on CPR and the Heimlich maneuver before they graduate...

The Associated Press reported earlier this week that an internal audit was highly critical of the University of Missouri's College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources after a former employee admitted to stealing over $700,000 over nine years...

Col. J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds Missouri's travelers of the importance of safety during the upcoming July Fourth holiday. Many people will travel somewhere to enjoy the three-day holiday. Whether your plans will take place on land or on the water, please be courteous and follow all Missouri traffic and boating laws...

A minister dies and is waiting in line at the Pearly Gates. Ahead of him is a guy who`s dressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket, and jeans. Saint Peter addresses this guy, "Who are you, so that I may know whether or not to admit you to the Kingdom of Heaven?" The guy replies, "I`m Joe James, taxi-driver, of New York City." Saint Peter consults his list. ...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- An East Prairie man is facing numerous charges after fleeing the scene of a domestic assault call Tuesday. According to a release from the East Prairie Police Department, at approximately 9:08 p.m. Tuesday, East Prairie officers responded to a domestic assault call at 404 Oak St. As officers arrived on scene, Barry Fergerson, 26, fled the scene in a pickup...

SIKESTON -- Two dogs were rescued after being locked in a hot, parked vehicle Tuesday in Sikeston. About 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, an officer with Sikeston Department of Public Safety responded to a report of animal cruelty in the parking lot of Ferguson Medical Group, 1012 N. Main St...

SIKESTON -- Sikeston R-6 students will receive new math textbooks when school begins in August. Chuck Mayes, chief academic officer/curriculum and professional development for Sikeston R-6, presented information before recommending the purchase of math textbooks to purchase for the 2016-2017 school year...

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Christopher A. Mikel, 23, died June 27, 2016, at his home. For the complete obituary and more, see the Thursday edition of the Standard Democrat.

SIKESTON -- Mary Louise Wood, 95, died June 29, 2016, at the Miner Nursing Center in Miner. For the complete obituary and more, see the Thursday edition of the Standard Democrat.

ESSEX, Mo. -- Ernest Lofton, 98, died June 28, 2016, at his home. For the complete obituary and more, see the Thursday edition of the Standard Democrat.

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Thursday: 1. WHAT THE ISLAMIC STATE GROUP WOULD HOPE TO GAIN FROM THE TURKEY AIRPORT ATTACK If it is behind the carnage, it would be in keeping with its accelerated tactic of exporting terror, apparently aimed at deflecting attention from mounting losses in Syria and Iraq...

BENTON, Mo. -- J.L. GROVES, 81, formerly of Wyatt, died June 29, 2016, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. For the complete obituary and more, see the Thursday edition of the Standard Democrat.

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- Paul Edward Maloney Jr., 71, died June 27, 2016, in Nashville. For the complete obituary, see the Thursday edition of the Standard Democrat.

BENTON, Mo. - After being sidelined for a month, the Scott County Special Road District is paving the way for road resurfacing. The road district is back on schedule after dealing with a bump in the road when the asphalt paver broke down. Fixing broken machinery can be too costly, so the County purchased a new one...

It is a crying shame what has happened to all these Noranda employees, their families and the communities due to the closing of Noranda. But more importantly, if these employees had not voted for Obama, they may still have their jobs today. It is the Obama regulations, the EPA regulations, the willing effort to move our corporations out of the United States that has caused Noranda's closure. ...

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston R-6 Board of Education approved the purchase of math textbook series during a special session Monday, but not before a near hour-long discussion by board members. Following the presentation and recommendation by Chuck Mayes, chief academic officer/curriculum and professional development for Sikeston R-6, board member Rebecca Steward said she was concerned with 2015 math MAP test scores because Lee Hunter students scored better in math than Southeast and Elementary students.. ...

Youngsters at the University Child Development Center at Southeast Missouri State University - Sikeston campus got down and dirty Wednesday as they celebrated International Mud Day.

John Leible of First State Bank and Trust Co., Inc. earns agricultural lending certificate SIKESTON -- John Leible, vice president at First State Bank and Trust Co., Inc., recently received Agricultural Lending certification from the University of Missouri Extension Center...

John Leible of First State Bank and Trust Co., Inc. earns agricultural lending certificate SIKESTON -- John Leible, vice president at First State Bank and Trust Co., Inc., recently received Agricultural Lending certification from the University of Missouri Extension Center...

SIKESTON -- A 92-room Hampton Inn will be the second tenant to join the new 100-acre Cotton Ridge Development in Sikeston. The expansive development is located at the intersections of Highways 61 and 60. Midas Hospitality, a premier hotel management group, is set to develop the 60,000-square-foot hotel located at 1240 Commerce Dr. ...

SIKESTON -- In 1969 the May Brothers, Alfred and Lewis, of Sikeston were looking for a way to make some spending money for the summer. It was then they decided since they lived on Highway 60 it would be a good location for a fireworks stand. Fast forward to 47 years later and May Brothers is still going strong in Sikeston and a new generation of May Brothers, Garrett and Gavin, now have locations throughout Louisiana...