Recent photo galleries

New Madrid residents filled the First United Methodist Church on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 8, for the Christmas cantata, “Holding on to Christmas.” The performance was under the direction of Jessica Hunter. From 6-8 p.m. Dec. 14 and 15 the church will host a drive-through Nativity and at 6 p.m. Dec. 18, the church will host a public performance by the SEMO University jazz ensemble.

The New Madrid County Resource Center was hosting breakfast with Santa, a winter bazaar, silent auction and a raffle to raise funds for its annual Christmas Angel Project on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Historic Downtown Sikeston hosted its annual Dashing Through Downtown-Parade of Lights Friday, Dec. 6. Rick Adams of Sikeston served as grand marshal of the parade.

Historic Downtown Sikeston hosted its annual Dashing Through Downtown-Parade of Lights Friday, Dec. 6. Rick Adams of Sikeston served as grand marshal of the parade.

Historic Downtown Sikeston hosted its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and Dashing Through Downtown-Parade of Lights Friday, Dec. 6. Lynn Lancaster, who served as executive director of Historic Downtown Sikeston from 2013-2019, was chosen by the downtown merchants to light the Christmas tree during a ceremony at Legion Park. Rick Adams of Sikeston served as grand marshal for the Dashing through Downtown-Parade of Lights.

SIKESTON — Sikeston Veterans Park’s new class of veterans/banners for the Sikeston Honors Veteran’s Banner Project were recognized and the 2023-2024 honor banners were retired and given back to veterans and their families during a ceremony Monday, Nov. 11 at the park.

The annual Sikeston Veterans Day Ceremony was held Monday, Nov. 11 at the Sikeston Field House. U.S. Army Major General Jami C. Shawley, served as the honored guest and speaker. A 1988 graduate of Charleston, Missouri, High School, Shawley is a 1992 graduate of the United States Military Academy West Point.

SIKESTON  — Downtown Sikeston hosted its Holiday Open House Friday, Nov. 8. Along with shopping at the downtown merchants, attendees could visit Santa Claus and his reindeer, take a carriage ride and hear Christmas carols.

Approximately 50 businesses, organizations and school groups provided a trick or treat event for students from Lilbourn, Matthews and New Madrid elementary schools and Immaculate Conception Grade School on Oct. 31 at New Madrid.

Sikeston Chamber/Economic Development/Tourism honored the people, the organizations and the businesses who have enriched the community through their leadership and commitment over the past year. A record 470-plus people attended the 2024 Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at the Sikeston Memorial Airport to watch as the honors were presented.

The New Madrid County Central High School 2024 homecoming theme on Oct. 11, 2024, was “Ride the Wave to an Eagle Victory!” This year the NMCC Eagles football team certainly did with a commanding 62-14 victory over the Malden Green Wave.

The 77th Annual Soybean Festival's grand parade which included 100 entries rode through Portageville Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024.

Fun was had during New Madrid’s Fall Festival and the Twisted Cat Tournament on Oct. 5, 2024.

The Little League Youth Football program, New Madrid War Eagles, continues to make memories for boys – and girls – in third through sixth grades. This year there are 70 youngsters from New Madrid, Parma, Matthews, Lilbourn and the surrounding area taking part in the league, which is fielding a third and fourth grade team and a team of fifth and sixth graders.

Rain held off for residents to enjoy the annual Sikeston American Legion Cotton Carnival which began at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, on Pine Street, then traveled north to Malone Avenue, west to Scott Street and then dispersed in vacant parking lots west of Scott Street. This year’s theme is “Eight Decades of Success.”

SIKESTON — Longtime photographer Jackie Calbert, Sikeston High School basketball standout Trey Jenkins and the state finalist 2018-2019 cheer team are this year's inductees of the Sikeston Public Schools’ Hall of Fame-Honor Wall. Calbert was selected for the Honor Wall while Trey Jenkins and the 2018-2019 cheer team were chosen for the Hall of Fame. The inductees were recognized at half time of the Sikeston High School Bulldogs football game versus Malden Green Wave Friday, Sept. 20 at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium. The Sikeston Hall of Fame recognizes athletes, coaches and teams who have received state honors or beyond. Honor Wall recognizes individuals and teams for their service and achievement to the district.

The Sikeston Professional Fire Fighting Association celebrated its Eighth Annual 9/11 memorial Walk Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. The event is held to never forget the victims and events of Sept. 11, 2001. Participants began at Fire Station 2, 506 North Main St. in Sikeston, and proceeded south on Main Street to Lowes Home improvement Store, where an emergency vehicle truck rally took place and was open to the public. All emergency service agency personnel and citizens were invited to participate.

NEW MADRID, Mo. — The Immaculate Conception Parish hosted its annual Riverfest on Sept. 7 to benefit the I.C. School in New Madrid.

Lilbourn was bustling with activity on Aug 31. In addition to the annual Fall Festival in the city park, former students returned to Lilbourn High School for a reunion.

An estimated 3,000 people filled Main Street for the first-ever Music on the Mississippi in New Madrid on the afternoon of Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, for the food truck rally then crossed the Mississippi River levee to listen to performances by local entertainers, Ol’ Rivertown and Double Take, and headliner, The Marshall Tucker Band.

The Sikeston High School Red Peppers celebrated their 96th year Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, with the annual Greenie Parade which began at the high school and ended at Legion Park in Historic Downtown Sikeston.

The 2024 Educator Prayer Breakfast for all Sikeston Public Schools’ staff, teachers, facility workers, etc., was at 7 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19 at the Tanner Street Church Gym in Sikeston. Breakfast, a coffee bar and giveaways were part of the festivities. Sikeston R-6 Athletic Director Frank Staple served as the guest speaker. (Rod Anderson/Standard Democrat)

Students in the Sikeston R-6 School District returned to the classroom Tuesday, Aug. 20 for the new school year. Here are some photos as students at Lee Hunter Elementary arrived for their first day of school.

Students in the New Madrid County R-1 School District returned to class on Monday, Aug. 19.

Photos from Night 4 of the 2024 Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo.

Photos from Night 3 of the 2024 Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo.

Photos from Night 1 of the 2024 Sikeston Jaycee Rodeo on Wednesday, August 8, 2024.

New Madrid County Central High School student volleyball athletes and their coaches used much of their summer to prepare for the upcoming fall athletic season. In addition to weight training and conditioning, athletes also gathered for camps to hone their skills.

Fireworks reflect in the waters of the Mississippi River along the New Madrid riverfront on Saturday, July 6. The city’s annual fireworks show draws hundreds of visitors to watch the spectacle. New Madrid County residents found a variety of ways to celebrate America’s birthday over the long Fourth of July holiday. weekend.

Gina Curtis/Standard Democrat The fireworks display sponsored by the Sikeston Elks is visible in the night sky Thursday, July 4 from the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. Donations for next year’s show can be mailed to: Sikeston Elks Fireworks; PO Box 931; Sikeston, MO 63801.

East Prairie hosted its annual Main Street Party on Friday, June 21 and Tour de Corn Bike Ride on Saturday, June 22. View the photo gallery at www.standard-democrat.com.

Volunteers for the Sikeston Trailer Brigade joined together for Serve Sikeston Sunday on June 2, 2024, to pick up and remove tree limbs, pass out care packages, toiletries, food, water and more following the EF3 tornado that went through Sikeston on May 26, 2024.

The New Madrid County Central Lady Eagles girls basketball camp brought together 21 girls entering first through sixth grade for three days of fun while learning basic skills May 29-31, 2024.

New Madrid Elementary celebrates the end of school with its annual Field Day featuring an array of fun. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes pushed through the region early Sunday, May 26. There were reports of limbs down, structure damage and power outages in Sikeston, Miner and surrounding areas.

New Madrid County Central High School's Class of 2024 were awarded diplomas during graduation May 14, 2024, at the high school gymnasium.

The 48 members of Portageville High School's class of 2024 were awarded diplomas May 9 during the 106th commencement graduation ceremony concluded May 9.

New Horizons High School hosted a special graduation ceremony Friday, May 10 for its class of 2024 at the Sikeston Alternative Education Center ahead of Sikeston High School's commencement slated for Monday, May 13.

Members of Sikeston High School’s class of 2024 participated in “Senior Decision Day” Friday, May 10, 2024, in the high school cafeteria, which also marked their last day of school. The event included several prize giveaways, activities and games as well as photo opportunities for the seniors to declare their decisions for life after high school — whether it be college, the workforce, trade school or the military.

Prayers were offered up for the schools, the communities, the churches and the leaders. There were prayers for America and the world. The National Day of Prayer service at the New Madrid County Courthouse on May 1 brought together all denominations as they offered prayers of hope, guidance, protection and intercession.

Children of all ages were invited to the Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site’s Children’s Day on May 4, 2024, in New Madrid to learn what life was like in the 1860s by participating in common chores and games of the time period.

Photos of the The Swamp East Missouri Truck Show and Convoy at the Complex on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

The 56th Annual Dogwood-Azalea Festival was held Thursday, April 18 through Sunday, April 21 in Charleston, Missouri.

As the total solar eclipse reached totality Monday, April 8, 2024, several guests and residents of the area watched from the "Total Eclipse of the Park" event at Sikeston Sports and Recreation Complex, Veterans Park in Sikeston, Legion Park in Historic Downtown Sikeston and other parts of town.

New Madrid, Missouri, drew visitors not just from across the country but around the world for the opportunity to view the total solar eclipse Monday, April 8, 2024, over the Mississippi River.

As the total solar eclipse reached totality Monday, April 8, 2024, several guests of Hampton Inn in Sikeston stayed put and watched from the parking lot while other residents and visitors gathered at Malone Park or Southeast Missouri State University in Sikeston. Students at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Sikeston hosted their own celebration from their playground.