News

SIKESTON — A Sikeston man has been arrested on murder charges two weeks after a woman was found dead in her home. Fabayan Larry, 37, of Sikeston is charged with first degree murder and armed criminal action for the Sept. 18 death of 49-year-old Carolyn Kelso Hann...

**UPDATE: Jonathan O'Dell who escaped from Phelps County Jail was taken into custody without incident in Ray County at approximately 5 p.m Sunday, Oct. 1 by the FBI, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Ray County Sheriff's Office.** The FBI and Phelps County Sheriff’s Office are searching for an inmate who escaped the Phelps County Jail at approximately 11:09 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29. Inmate Jonathan S. O’Dell and another inmate, Steven Timothy Scott, escaped by comprising the structural integrity of the cell and exiting the building. A short time later, Scott turned himself in. O’Dell is facing federal charges...

Avery Fritz, center, was crowned Junior Miss Sikeston during the contest during the 79th American Legion Cotton Carnival Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. First runner-up was Gelaiya McCray, left, and second runner-up was Kennedi Sims...

Young attendees of the 79th Annual Sikeston American Legion Cotton Carnival enjoy a ride together Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds.

SIKESTON — Sikeston’s annual fall community clean-up program is back this year and will take place over the course of nine days.  This year’s fall cleanup will take place from Saturday, Oct. 21 through Sunday, Oct. 29.  Darren Martin, street supervisor, said items can be dropped off at the compost site on Compress Road between 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. daily...

Allison Jones, daughter of Joey Jones, is the Standard Democrat’s Calendar Girl for October. Jones, a finalist in the 2022 Miss Sikeston Contest, is currently completing a clinical medical assistant program which she will graduate from in May. She hopes to finish her certification course and start a career focused on medical assisting and phlebotomy. ...

SIKESTON — Sikeston High School has entered the digital arena with its recently added electronic sports, or eSports, team. The league is an organized competitive video gaming teams for girls and guys.  SHS eSports head coach Alex Mays assisted in getting eSports launched at Sikeston High School and said he’s looking forward to Sikeston’s first full school year with eSports as the program launched in the district in January...

The Garwood and Ruth Felker Sharp Community Outreach Fund recently provided a $1,000 tuition assistance to The Christian Academy. The fund was created and funded by the Sharp family under the leadership of Ruth Felker Sharp to support and encourage various missions and activities in her hometown of Sikeston. The grant will be used to offset tuition costs for a TCA student. Pictured are, from left: kindergarten student Lola Rogers, TCA Administrator Mike Jensen and Harry G. Sharp...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Police are investigating after a suspicious package possibly containing fentanyl was delivered to a residence in New Madrid. According to the New Madrid Police Department, a New Madrid resident on Thursday, Sept. 28 received two packages in the mail from out of state. The packages had the resident’s name on them...

SIKESTON — Sikeston Department of Public Safety’s Special Operations Group is bringing back the ultimate test of grit and fun at its second annual Kids S.W.A.T. Challenge. The Kids S.W.A.T. Challenge will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 14 at the Sikeston Sports Complex and is open to children ages12 and under. ...

DEXTER, Mo. — Ronnie LeGrand of Dexter joined the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association in 1999. Pitching horseshoes became a passion for LeGrand. He has competed in numerous competitions. He has earned the titles of state champion and world champion...

CHAFFEE, Mo. — Chaffee residents have pulled together to support a young man injured in a recent vehicle crash.  On Thursday, Sept. 14, Seger Ruiz, 19, was in a three-car accident. Ruiz was a passenger of one of the vehicles and sustained severe injuries. Ruiz was flown to St. Louis for treatment...

Students, parents and teachers of The Christian Academy in Sikeston gathered around their school flagpole as part of “See You at the Pole” on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. Students at schools all across the state and nation came together for the annual event held on the fourth Wednesday in September to pray for their schools, friends, teachers, government and nation...

BLODGETT, Mo. — Beggs Family Farm teamed up with Southeast Missouri State University to create its corn maze for this season. This year’s maze theme celebrates SEMO’s 150 anniversary.  The corn maze was created with the help of Beggs Family Farm manager Bryce Beggs. ...

Hunter Juden wears many hats — patrolman with the Cape Girardeau Police Department and chief of police in Morley, Missouri, among them — and now he’s throwing his hat in the ring to become sheriff of Scott County. “I have always enjoyed being in law enforcement. It’s something I’ve devoted my entire life to and something I plan to devote the rest of my life to,” Juden said. “I love this community. I plan to become sheriff of this community and serve it to the best of my ability.”...

SIKESTON — Twenty Sikeston High School seniors will vie for the Miss Sikeston crown at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 during the 79th Annual America legion Cotton Carnival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. Anabeth Baker, 17-year-old daughter of Vest and Andrea Baker, is active as the Red Peppers secretary, Inspired Presenter, Link Crew member, NHS, Student Council, FCA and Key Club. ...

SIKESTON — Twelve area high school students will vie for the Miss Cotton Carnival crown at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 during the 79th Annual America Legion Cotton Carnival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. Miss Cotton Carnival is open to 10th and 11th grade Sikeston High School students and ninth through 12th grade students from area high schools...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — While the 2022 Soybean Festival, which was the 75th celebration, went down in the books as one of the best, Portageville Chamber of Commerce President Clint Klipfel expects 2023 to “big” top it. This year’s theme is “Circus De La Ville: Night Under the Big Tent.”...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — A new building is the perfect prescription for better care for patients and for an improved working environment for employees at SEMO Health Network’s New Madrid location. A groundbreaking was conducted Sept. 20 for the building to be located at 665 U.S. Highway 61...

SIKESTON — Seven freshmen from Sikeston High School will compete for the title of Junior Miss Sikeston at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28 during the 79th Annual America Legion Cotton Carnival at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. Allison Backfisch, 15-year-old daughter of David and Jennifer Backfisch, is active in Red Peppers, volleyball and art. The honor roll student also wants to be a beautician after graduating high school...

SIKESTON — The Henry Meldrum Post No. 114 Sikeston American Legion Cotton Carnival, now in its 79th year, grew from the heartfelt desire of returning World War II veterans for a homecoming celebration to become an integral part of Sikeston culture. The Cotton Carnival returned Tuesday, Sept. 26 to the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds, where it will entertain residents and visitors through Saturday, Sept. 30...

SIKESTON — Brigadier General Matthew M. Bacon will serve as the parade marshal for Sikeston’s 79th Annual American Legion Cotton Carnival. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. Bacon was commissioned as an engineer officer in 1996 through the Reserve Officers Training Corps at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. ...

Sikeston American Legion members peeled and sliced 400 pounds of onions for the famous fish and hamburger sandwiches for sale at this week’s 79th Annual Cotton Carnival, which began Tuesday, Sept. 26 and ends Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds. The Legion’s fish stand will be open during the lunch hour of 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again at 4 p.m. through the week...

Robert Cooper waits patiently for a bite while fishing early Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at the Complex Lake in Sikeston.

SIKESTON — The new boards of commission were sworn in during Sikeston City Council’s regular meeting Monday, Sept. 25.  The reassignment of an airport lease for a T-hanger at the Sikeston Airport was also approved by the council. City of Sikeston Finance Director Amanda Groves said James Lincoln and Associates wanted to sell James Ferris their hangar, which is located north of the area known as T-hangers...