News

SIKESTON — Filing for candidacy for local school board positions for the April 8, 2025, election is in full swing as some races are beginning to form. Current Sikeston R-6 Board of Education members whose three-year terms will expire in April are Matt Drake and Allison Cox. ...

BENTON, Mo. — An investigation by a Scott County special prosecutor has resulted in the federal indictment of a former Sikeston resident for the murder of Angela Mischelle Lawless. Lawless, 19, was murdered around 1 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, 1992, in the vicinity of the 80-mile marker, northbound exit ramp of Interstate 55 and Missouri Highway 77 in Benton/Scott County...

Throughout December, students and staff at The Christian Academy in Sikeston collected 311 pairs of socks for the nursing homes. Pictured are TCA students with those socks.

SIKESTON — The Missouri Department of Transportation plans to replace three bridges in New Madrid, Mississippi and Stoddard Counties. The bridges to be replaced include: — The Route E bridge over Little River Drainage Ditch 251, located between County Road 628 and Route HH in New Madrid County...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recently set turkey and deer hunting dates for the 2025-2026 seasons. The hunting dates were approved by the Missouri Conservation Commission at its Dec. 13 open meeting at the MDC St. Louis Regional Office in St. Charles...

The Southeast Missourian has been chosen as a host newsroom for a nationwide program aimed at strengthening local journalism. Report for America announced its newest hosts Tuesday, Dec. 17. The not-for-profit media organization has placed about 250 journalists in newsrooms across the country to highlight under-covered issues and communities...

SIKESTON — Maritza “Mia” Flores, a junior at Sikeston High School, spent her Thanksgiving in New York City, marching with the Macy’s Great American Marching Band during the 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Flores, the daughter of Guadalupe and Mario Flores,  was part of this year’s Macy’s Great American Marching Band, which included selected students from all over the country...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — An off-duty New Madrid County deputy and three children were killed in a head-on collision Tuesday, Dec. 17 in New Madrid County. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at 4:35 p.m. on Route U, half a mile west of New Madrid as the 41-year-old male driver of Lilbourn, Missouri, lost control of his westbound vehicle, crossed the center line and struck the eastbound vehicle driven by a 17-year-old female of Lilbourn...

New Madrid's annual Christmas parade was delayed a day by rain but on Sunday, Dec. 15, the temperatures warmed providing a perfect evening to take in the event. This year's theme was a tropical Christmas. For more photos see the Standard Democrat's photo gallery.

SIKESTON, Mo. - The youngsters’ smiles were wide as they headed down the aisles to shop for Christmas. The only smiles that were bigger were the law enforcement personnel paired with the 15 students from the New Madrid County R-1 School District. For the eighth year, the New Madrid City Police Department hosted “Shop with a Cop.” The annual event provided five children from each of the District’s elementary school with a memorable day on Monday, Dec. 10...

NEW MADRID, Mo. - At the museum we really love the time of year between Thanksgiving and the New Year, mostly for the food (!) and for Santa, but really it’s the sense of community and family that we love so much. The holidays also bring back fond memories of friends and family, some of whom are no longer with us, and that is why the New Madrid Historical Museum started the Christmas Memory Tree many years ago. ...

SIKESTON — For parents seeking an engaging activity for their children during the Christmas break, the Sikeston Public Library has the perfect solution. Throughout the holiday season, the library will once again offer its exciting STEAM playroom, designed for children from prekindergarten to elementary school. ...

ORAN, Mo. — In recent weeks, the Oran R-3 School District has seen a surge in popularity for its new choir club. Amanda Flanigan, band and music instructor at Oran High School, said the school hasn’t had a choir in at least 30 years. Flanigan, the Oran band and music instructor and an Oran alum, said it had always been her dream for Oran to have a choir, but it was not available when she was in school. ...

The Fifth Annual Benton Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade took place Sunday, Dec. 15 through the streets of Benton. Fireworks, pictures with Santa Claus and a candy cane hunt followed at the Benton Ballpark. Parade float winners were: Snoopy and Peanuts in memory of Eric Urhahn and Dominic Hooper (top photo), first place; Grinch in swinging cage by Twin City (right), second place; and Kelly High School FFA, third place. ...

SIKESTON — Sikeston Middle School Teacher Torrie Helms was celebrated for being selected as a 2024 McDonald’s Outstanding Educator. Hilburn-Vaini McDonald’s Area Supervisor Tony Seabaugh visited the school to present Helms with the award. Local McDonald’s restaurants started this award program five years ago to celebrate area teachers and honor them for exhibiting the ultimate dedication to their students and going the extra mile to contribute to the improvement of education. ...

Submitted Photo November kindergarten pups Sikeston Kindergarten and Early Childhood Center has named its kindergarten pups of the month for November. Pictured are front row, from left: Ava Covington, Titus Vaughan, Kymiah Banks, Kaisley Johnson, Lincoln Russell, Dezire Gunn and Kaiden Hiller; second row: Jahari Phiffer, Kinsley Ledbetter, Jaylon Lewis, Jorden Stevens Smith, Decklyan McDowell, Rhett Foust, Jaxen Coleman, Greta Sides and Danylah Willis; and back row: Gracyn Greenley, Lincoln Teague, Jaimeson McQuerter, Londyn Lynch, Millie Jones, King Sheron, Trenton Robinson, Molly Ramsey and Eliza Cochran.. ...

Lydia Pobst, daughter of Justin and Merideth Pobst of Jackson, Missouri, and Layne Collier, son of David and Dawn Collier of Benton, Missouri, were recently named the 2024 Man and Woman of the Year at Southeast Missouri State University. The ceremony was Oct. 26 at SEMO’s homecoming...

Wreaths Across America was held Saturday, Dec. 14. The national program honors veterans by placing wreaths on graves in community cemeteries. Wreaths were laid following a ceremony at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield.

NEW MADRID, Mo. — A federal grand jury has indicted a New Madrid County resident on drug charges. On Dec. 3, a federal grand jury found probable cause to indict David L Wilburn of Matthews, Missouri, on possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, both violations of U.S. federal codes. Wilburn has turned himself into the federal authorities...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — An East Prairie, Missouri, man was arrested Wednesday, Dec. 11, for allegedly attempting to meet a child for sex on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. Paul Blanchard Bixler, 55, was arrested by the SEMO Department of Public Safety and booked into the Cape Girardeau County jail at 6:09 p.m. Wednesday...

SIKESTON — Repairs to the Sikeston Little Theatre are officially underway after the building was damaged from a tornado over the summer. An EF3 tornado struck Sikeston over Memorial Day weekend in May. Winds in Sikeston ranged from 115 to 140 mph and caused damage...