Business

SIKESTON — Chloe Clinton, daughter of Shawn and Bethley Clinton, is the Standard Democrat’s Calendar Girl for December. Clinton, who was a top 12 finalist in the 2023 Miss Sikeston Contest, is a 2024 graduate of Sikeston High School. She attends Southeast Missouri State University where she is majoring in nursing and obtaining a Bachelor of Science in nursing to be a registered nurse...

MINER, Mo. — Police are investigating a death following a domestic incident late Sunday, Dec. 8 in Miner. At 8:43 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, Miner Communications received a 911 transfer in reference to a domestic assault in progress at a local residence, according to a news release from the Miner Police Department. The caller advised the communications officer a male was armed with a firearm and was threatening to harm himself after an altercation with his spouse...

SIKESTON – Sikeston Junior High School has named its honor roll students for the first quarter of the 2024-2025 school year. Seventh Grade Mia Adams, Kambry Adell, Jariah Anderson, Thanasios Angeletopoulos, Levi Atkins, Lelan Bainter, Moses Ball, Lily Barker, Sophia Bautista, Lilah Beedle, Kassius Belford, Nariya Blacksure, Zaydenn Bledsoe, Samantha Boldrey, Georveah Booker, Jaxon Booth, Austin Breeden, Avery Brennan, Ziquan Brewer, Eli Brink, Cooper Bryan, Ellie Burton, Eleanor Calbert, Jaiden Cannon, Sophia Cashmer, Narayveonna Clark, Aubrey Clark, Jaelynne Cobbins, Brooks Corlew, Owen Cotner, Fisher Cox, Emma Coy, Rebecca Crouthers, Eli Crowley, Kyleigh Culbertson, Cash Davidson, Lawrence Davis, Tucker Dement, Kemius Dixon, Donali Dixon, Thomas Douglas, Mauricio Escoto Boites, Seth Faringer, Talieh Forbes, Ty Fritz, Brody Givens, Maxwell Grisham, Hannah Hale, Adam Hamel, Caeli Hann, Amelie Hanschen, Jayvaion Harris, Philip Hartman, Katelynn Hartzog, Christopher Hensley, Isabelle Henson, Kamiyah Herrion, Romel Hester, Everett Holley, Paris Holton, Aiden Huang, Abelino Huddleston, Wyatt Hummel, Jakhyrus Hunt, Lennon Irvin, Elijah Jackson, Ahmiya Johnson, Kyleaha Jones, Kimyla Jones, Ryleigh Kempfer Boyd, Madilynn Kennard, John King, Addison Lancaster, Estephania Lara, Ernesto Lara, Ahniyah Long, John Longstreet, Angie Lopez Mendez, Abhi Maisuria, Ethan Manley, Michael Martin, Brendan Martin, Camden Martinez, Adrian McCain, Donnie Metheny III, James Miller, Adelyn Miller, Adrianna Misouria, Edward Moore, Noah Moore, Tyler Morgan, Christopher Morris, Breanna Mosier, Joseph Munger, Jayda Neal, Qulin Nelson, Taleeyah Nelson, Jayla Newson, Lauren Patterson, Khaylen Pegues, Grace Penrod, James Penrose, Marzatta Reed, Mila Reynolds, Hayden Rich, WIlliam Rodriguez, Austin Sales, Kayleigh Schoggins, Caid Scott, Mason Sexton, Jayden Smith, Brooklyn Smith, Niaomi Spence, Jamarean Stanback, Zoe Stanley, Matthew Stevens, Leo Steward, Bentley Stoner, Macalister Straton, Jayden Summers, Kaden Swanson, James Tatum, Adgeline Thomas, Xander Throop, Alydia Tubbs, Promise Turner, Camille Turner Morris, Samuel Urbano Bello, Vivi Anya Van Dam, Remigio Valesquez, Elianna Vining, Amari Walker, Cash Wallace, Katelyn Warren, Paris Webb, Antonio Westmoreland, Jr., Cherish Whitney, Terrance Williams, Aryanna Williamson, Dylan Wilson, Roosevelt Winfield. ...

Southeast Elementary in Sikeston has named its character education students for the month of November. The word of the month was fairness. Pictured are front row, from left: Alan Benitez Caballero, Cambree Denning, Kameron Childers, Amir Oliver, Rebekah Brown and Lailan Johnson; and back row: Noah Clay, Rita Tewasiliyang, Any’Yae Smoot, Adley Darter, D’Nyla Thompson, Darcie Glassmeyer and Eileen Walker...

SIKESTON — Truman Curry and Colin Scott were named Sikeston High School Students of the Month for November. Sikeston Public Schools Foundation, which sponsors the monthly program, names two seniors each month for the honor during the 2024-2025 school year. Students also receive a certificate and gift card from the Foundation...

A float featuring “Buddy the Elf” spits snow as it makes its way down East North Street Friday, Dec. 6 in Historic Downtown Sikeston, which hosted its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and Dashing Through Downtown-Parade of Lights. Visit www.standard-democrat.com to view the three photo galleries from the festivities...

BENTON, Mo. — For over 10 years, the City of Benton has not had a park board, but now it has returned, and board members have big plans for the future. Benton City Clerk Kyla Evans said the park board has been back for two months, and one of the main reasons is to revamp the current ballfields...

SIKESTON — Sikeston City Council approved a bill calling for an election to extend a one-half cent capital improvement sales tax on the April 8, 2025. According to David Jenkins, City of Sikeston’s communication manager, on Nov. 25 at the city council meeting, the Council approved the call to renew the Capital Improvement Sales Tax. ...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — An East Prairie man was killed in a single-vehicle crash Thursday, Dec. 5 in Mississippi County. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at 9:40 p.m. on Highway 80 east of East Prairie city limits as the eastbound vehicle driven by an 18-year-old male of East Prairie ran off the left side of the road and struck a tree. ...

SIKESTON — Two Chicago, Illinois, residents face charges following a pursuit between a stolen vehicle and law enforcement in Sikeston and Miner, Missouri. During the late morning hours of Thursday, Dec. 5, Sikeston Department of Public Safety received a FLOCK Alert of a stolen vehicle entering the city limits, according to Sgt. Tyler Rowe, public information officer for Sikeston DPS...

LILBOURN, Mo. - An investigation by area law enforcement has resulted in the federal indictment of a Lilbourn man on drug charges. According to a news release from the office of New Madrid County Sheriff Ronnie Adams, over the past several months officers conducted an investigation into suspected drug trafficking activities at a residence in Lilbourn...

Organist Terry A. Parker practices in preparation for “Celebrate Christmas in Charleston,” a concert filled with joy and praise set for 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at First United Methodist Church in Charleston. The concert, which has taken place the past 20 or so years, will feature The Sam C. ...

Sikeston Middle School has named its sixth grade character education students of the month for October. The word of the month was responsibility. Pictured are front row, from left: Jordan Mau, Rhyder Kolwyck, Dani Kate Landers and Kendall Campbell; and back row: Jonathan Bartholomew, Addalynn Steward, Jada Armstrong, Lillian Phillips, Jamila Jones, Flavia Linares and Jacob Ralph...

Sikeston Middle School has named its fifth grade character education students of the month for October. The word of the month was responsibility. Pictured are front row, from left: Autumn Burns, Alexandra Lawrence, Lucy Day, Maemiepearl Steward and Claudia Bles; and back row: Sophia Perry, Aiden McCray, Brooklyn Willimas, Kayonna Jackson, Millie Mosier and Drew Turner...

SIKESTON — Sikeston’s Annual Mayor Holiday Spirit Award is back again for its fourth year and asking citizens who decorated their homes or yards for the Christmas season to enter the contest.   Sikeston Mayor Greg Turnbow is looking forward to another year of seeing Sikeston citizens’ homes all decked out for the holidays. ...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — For downtown Charleston, it truly is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The laughter. The unification. The conviviality. All are evident this time of the year throughout the district. From Dec. 5 through Dec. 20, there is a little something for the entire family, as lights and snow-sprayed windows line the downtown district...

BENTON, Mo. — Two families in the Scott County R-4 “Kelly” School District lost their homes and belongings over the Thanksgiving break, prompting the school to ask the community for assistance to help the affected families this holiday season. On Thanksgiving, Nov. 28, a post was made on the “Kelly School District” Facebook page informing the community a family had lost their home the night before from a fire. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — A Sikeston, Missouri, man was sentenced on Thursday, Dec. 5 to serve 10 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl. According to the United States Attorney's Office, Cameron L. Robinson, 31, of Sikeston was sentenced to serve 10 years in federal prison for the offense of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Robinson appeared for his sentencing hearing Thursday before United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. at the federal courthouse in Cape Girardeau...

SIKESTON — A pursuit between a stolen vehicle and law enforcement resulted in the arrest of two people Thursday, Dec. 5 in Scott County. During the late morning hours of Thursday, Dec. 5, Sikeston Department of Public Safety received a FLOCK Alert of a stolen vehicle entering the city limits, according to Sgt. Tyler Rowe, public information officer for Sikeston DPS...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — For Becky and Steve Patrick, opening their literal and figurative doors in life as foster and adoptive parents is just who they are. While many adjectives can be tossed about regarding the Patricks, one truly resonates: selflessness...

SIKESTON — Charles Matthews Moore (aka Charlie) has had “opportunities to go other places” and leave the Bootheel behind. However, the connection of family and friends has always been at the core of why he remains in Sikeston at age 61, despite being retired with a second home in Sanibel Island, Florida, and all the time in the world to venture where he wishes to...

SIKESTON — There are a couple of themes that run through the Priday family. The first is the importance of education, which stems from Bill Dean Priday and his late wife of 62 years, Glenna May Priday, both of whom served as educators in their professional careers...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — W.D. “Dub” Prince said his family’s history as barbers began as a necessity rather than a chosen profession. According to Prince, in 1937 when his father’s family and their relatives moved from Tennessee to the Moccasin Hollow area near Marston, Missouri, to farm they needed someone to cut the men’s hair. They chose Edward Prince...

ORAN, Mo. — For one Scott County family, music is life. No matter if the sun is shining, the sky is blue or raindrops are beating down on the pavement, the Reischman family comprised of Oran, Missouri, natives, sings. And sings. And sings! Music is what they know. The melodious and harmonious natures with which they operate is second-to-none...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — People will look upon the Byrd family in Charleston and have the opinion that the latest branch of that genealogical tree has been blessed by the fruits of their ancestors – and that would be accurate. However, the truest blessing for Hudson Byrd, 38, and his brother, Nelson Byrd, 44, is that they are able to positively impact their home community to the degree that they now can...

Kiwanis Club of Sikeston recently donated $1,000 to Sikeston Department of Public Safety for the Shop With A Hero Program. Pictured are, from left: Jenny Hobeck, Kiwanis; Malena McCabe, secretary of Kiwanis; Brent Mullin, DPS; Jimmy Davis, Kiwanis President; Nason Lane, DPS; and Tyler Rowe, DPS...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Mercy and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri, or Anthem, have reached a new multi-year contract agreement providing Anthem health care insurance members with continued access to care at all Mercy hospitals, care centers and physician offices statewide...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Three Southeast Correctional Center inmates have died of apparent natural causes, according to the Charleston prison’s deputy warden. According to Kara Shea Moody, SECC Deputy Warden of Offender Management, the three offenders were confined at SECC and died of apparent natural causes...

SIKESTON — The Sikeston City Council approved several key measures during its meeting Monday, Dec. 2, including the city’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan, which outlines future investments in capital assets.  According to Sikeston City Manager Jonathan Douglass, the City Charter requires him to submit the plan at least six months before the start of the new fiscal year. ...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — The public can experience an 1860s Victorian Christmas during the annual candlelight open house of the Hunter-Dawson home, 312 Dawson Road, in New Madrid. The mansion will be aglow with the warmth of oil lamps and candles and decorated with fresh greenery, Christmas trees and 1860s-style ornaments. Site staff will be dressed in period clothes and will be present to answer any questions...

BENTON, Mo. — Marking its 25th year, the “Winter Wonderland of Treasures” craft fair in Benton promises new and exciting features.  Event coordinator Judy Scherer said this year’s theme will celebrate Jesus’ birthday, coinciding with Christmas on Dec. 25...

NEW MADRID, Mo. - Sarah Ezell said while she loved growing up in Southeast Missouri and New Madrid County, taking on her new role as economic development director for New Madrid County is even more personal. “I am raising my kids here,” she said. “I want to see growth here so my kids will have an opportunity to come back to New Madrid County if they go off to college. ...

NEW MADRID, Mo. - To bring jobs to the Bootheel requires a team effort, Lesley Rone told New Madrid County business, education and political leaders. According to Rone, who serves as the Southeast regional manager for the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Regional Engagement Division, several years ago the DED restructured and developed a regional approach to economic development. The Southeast Region includes 25 counties...

NEW MADRID, Mo. - Filing begins Dec. 10 for two three-year terms on the New Madrid County R-1 Board of Education. According to Superintendent Bridgett Masterson, those interested in serving on the Board can file during regular school hours with Board secretary Lisa Broyles at the Board offices through Dec. 31. While school will be closed for the holiday break, one day will be set aside to open the office during that time for filing, Masterson said...

Employees with Groves Electrical Services of Madisonville, Ky., lift a portion of New Madrid’s new substation into place. Work on the substation is expected to be completed next February. According to New Madrid City Administrator Aaron Griffin, the new substation will allow several options for purchasing power, enabling the city to have control over where the power comes from, how to use it and how to maintain it...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported three people died in traffic crashes during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday counting period which was from 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1. There were no boating crashes or drownings...

SIKESTON — Sikeston Department of Public Safety was one of the Missouri agencies selected for Missouri Department of Public Safety’s Local Violent Crime Prevention Grant to obtain a handheld narcotic analyzer. This TruNarc device uses laser technology that provides a presumptive field test for officers in the field working narcotic investigations, according to Capt. Jon Broom with Sikeston DPS...

SIKESTON — Spread Hope Now Warming Center in Sikeston reopened on Sunday, Dec. 1, and it’s in need of donations for the cold winter and volunteers. Warming centers are temporary emergency shelters that open when the weather becomes dangerously inclement due to precipitation, wind chill, or a combination of these factors...

SIKESTON — The city of Sikeston is planning to go all out for the Christmas season this year for the “City of Lights.” Between now and Dec. 10, Historic Downtown Sikeston is encouraging all neighborhoods in Sikeston to get on board by having many people on each street decorate for Christmas for the “City of Lights” that will take place on Dec. 14...

SIKESTON — This weekend, shoppers will be hunting for Christmas gifts, and they are encouraged to shop locally. The Sikeston Regional Chamber, the Sikeston Convention and Visitors Bureau and Historic Downtown Sikeston have once again joined forces to promote Small Business Saturday, the day following Black Friday, and urge people to shop locally for the holidays this weekend...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — The Logan name is synonymous with professionalism and innovation. Those two intangibles served as a precursor to national acclaim as Richard “Tripp” Logan recently was the recipient of the 2024 National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year Award...

SIKESTON — Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corp. completed construction of its new resource center for the unsheltered in Sikeston and celebrated the milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. On Monday, Nov. 25, project leaders and community members gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new shelter on Kathleen Street, between Scott and Stoddard streets. Those there were also given the opportunity to visit the shelter and observe what each unit looked like. ...

MINER, Mo. — A high-speed vehicle and foot pursuit with law enforcement resulted in a Tennessee man’s arrest in Miner. At about 11:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, Miner Police Department was notified of a vehicle pursuit that had the possibility of entering the jurisdiction, according to a news release from Capt. Nathan Rapert with Miner Police Department...

SIKESTON — The Standard Democrat will not publish a paper on Thursday, Nov. 28 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, and the office will be closed Thursday and Friday. Regular publication will resume with the Saturday, Nov. 30 edition.

SIKESTON — Sikeston High School junior Maritza “Mia” Flores will march in the Macy’s Great American Marching Band on Thanksgiving Day. “We are beyond proud and excited,” Sikeston Public Schools said in a social media post. “Be looking for her in the flute section.”...

NEW MADRID, Mo. - Tom Ayers loves sports. He has done a bit of coaching and often works sports metaphors into his conversation. He said he always knew he wanted to be part of team. Since she was 4 years old, Karen Ratcliff wanted to be a nurse. Now Ayers and Ratcliff consider themselves teammates at the New Madrid Living Center...

Preschool students at Sikeston Kindergarten and Early Childhood Center perform during their annual fall sing Friday, Nov. 22 at the school. Sikeston Public Schools’ Thanksgiving break began Monday, Nov. 25 with students and teachers returning to class on Monday, Dec. 2...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — The City of Cape Girardeau officially named Adam Glueck as chief of police Friday, Nov. 22, removing the interim title he held for the past several months. Glueck, a 25-year veteran of the Cape Girardeau Police Department, has risen through the ranks, serving as a civilian report taker, police officer, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant and assistant chief of police. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Governor-Elect Mike Kehoe announced on Monday, Nov. 25 the appointment of Chris Chinn as director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. “Director Chinn knows Missouri agriculture, and I am proud to have her on our team as we expand our ag industry and support the farmers who feed, fuel, and clothe the world,” Kehoe said. ...

SIKESTON — The annual Scott County Christmas church tour is rapidly approaching. For those seeking to embrace the full Christmas aura this season, mark your calendars for Friday, Dec. 20 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. “The Christmas Church Tour of Scott County is an open-house style, self-guided tour of area churches. ...