Stories from Saturday, July 23, 2016

Portageville School District is happy to announce they will be offering advertisement opportunities to be displayed at Vic Reaves Football Field. There are several different advertising options to meet your advertising needs. Please feel free to contact the administration office for information at 573 379-3855 or simply stop by...

ST. LOUIS -- The Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, or "STIP," approved last Thursday by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, is focused on safety and the preservation of the existing system of state highways and bridges. The 2017-2021 STIP is the Missouri Department of Transportation's list of projects that are planned by state and regional agencies. ...

The National Newspaper Association today applauded a proposal by four House Democrats to phase in an increase in the threshold salary requirements for overtime-exempt employees.

I stopped at a small store on my way home from work. I needed a loaf of bread and thought it would be faster to stop there than go into a larger store, stand in line, etc. There were very few people shopping so I thought I had made the right decision. ...

I'm not sure when polling became an "important" part of each political campaign but at this point in the cycle of politics, I have zero confidence in virtually any poll, especially national poll results. I have long been convinced that issues don't drive poll results - poll results drive issues...

SIKESTON - Two local politicians experienced politics on the national stage when they attended the 2016 Republican Convention. "I think America is ready for a Donald Trump presidency," said 151st District Rep. Tila Hubrecht of Dexter in a telephone interview on her return from the convention in Cleveland. She said she wasn't quite on the Trump train as the convention began, but "after seeing his family interaction, I was impressed and I liked what I heard."...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Bootheel farmers and agriculture specialists will help Congressman Jason Smith kick off his Fourth Annual Farm Tour on Monday. This year's tour will cover nearly 3,000 miles while crisscrossing Missouri's Eighth Congressional District...

SIKESTON -- The only thing higher than the temperature was the enthusiasm. Despite thermometer readings in the mid 90s, approximately 50 Boy Scouts gathered around flaming coals, dodged sparks from cutting torches and donned heavy coats and gloves for a chance to weld...

SIKESTON -- It may be two weeks away, but it's not too early to start planning for the annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday weekend. Missouri's Tax-Free Weekend will start at 12:01 a.m. Aug. 5 and run through Aug. 7. Back-to-school items such as clothing, school supplies, computers and other items defined by the Missouri statute are exempt from state and county sales tax during the weekend...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. - Homer Eugene Hammel, 91, died July 22, 2016. at his home in Bloomfield. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


STRAFFORD, Mo. - Robert "Bob" Stallings, 74, formerly of Charleston, died July 20, 2016, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.

SIKESTON - Memorial services for Aaron Michael Hewitt, 34, formerly of Dexter, who died July 8, 2016, at his residence in Rockwall, Texas, will be at 5 p.m. Monday at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston.

I'm not sure when polling became an "important" part of each political campaign but at this point in the cycle of politics, I have zero confidence in virtually any poll, especially national poll results. I have long been convinced that issues don't drive poll results - poll results drive issues. ...