Stories from Thursday, February 21, 2008

Everyone needs a nemesis. The Cardinals have the Cubs, Sikeston has Notre Dame, the Hatfields had the McCoys and Britney Spears has, well, Britney Spears. Me, I have the microwave. The microwave is one of the most evil inventions ever known to man. Invented by Al Gore and Lucifer, the microwave is modeled after the famous Easy Bake Oven as a simple way to warm food for those who aren't intelligent enough to work the stove or oven. ...

Dang it's a tough time to be a conservative. Let's face it, every political column from Hoboken to Keokuk is singing the same refrain. The conservative movement revolves around two central issues - low taxes and small government. But this presidential cycle offers some awkward choices for those among us who call ourselves conservatives. ...

PERRYVILLE -- One down, and one more to go for the Sikeston Bulldogs basketball team. The first contest for the Bulldogs in the Class 4 District 1 tournament is in the books as they defeated the Dexter Bearcats by a final score of 59-39. For Sikeston, player after player repeatedly said after the game that it was a total team effort. Looking across the score sheet, it rings true, as seven Bulldogs got in on the action Wednesday evening at the Perry Parks Center in Perryville...

DONIPHAN -- Information submitted to the Standard Democrat regarding the final score of Charleston/Doniphan basketball game Tuesday night was incorrect. Charleston defeated Doniphan 56-54 in overtime to improve their record to 16-8.

BLOOMFIELD -- Kyle Williamson's layup with three seconds left Tuesday gave Bloomfield an 80-79 win over Kelly. The winning basket completed a Wildcat charge from a 17-point first-half deficit and gave Williamson a total of 19 points in the game, all in the second half...

JOHNSTON CITY, Ill. - C.C. "Pat" Groves, 92, passed away at 10 a.m. Jan. 29, 2008, in the Herrin Hospital. Born Feb. 22, 1915, in Johnston City, son of the late Charles C. and Lela Paddock Groves, he a t t e n d e d school in Johnston City and graduated in 1933 from Johnston City High School. He was employed as a Prudential Insurance agent in Sikeston, Mo. for 33 years. He served the local area as a Boy Scout Cub Master for 33 years and was a recipient of the Silver Beaver Scouting Award...

EAST PRAIRIE - Robert Ford Skaggs, 81, died at 9 p.m. Feb. 18, 2008, at his home. Born April 6, 1926, in Henderson Mounds near East Prairie, to the late Robert Ford Sr. and Myrtle Hubbard Skaggs, he lived all his life in Mississippi and New Madrid counties. He was a retired farmer, a member of the First Church of God in East Prairie and a U.S. Navy veteran, serving during World War II...

SIKESTON -- Eleanor Turner, 92, died Feb. 15, 2008, at the Clearview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Sikeston. Born March 3, 1915, in Senatobia , Miss., to the late Will and Viola Turner, she had lived in Missouri for over 60 years and was of the Baptist belief...

CHARLESTON -- Rufus Miller, 77, formerly of Denver, died Feb. 14, 2008, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Dec. 21, 1930, in Wardell, to the late Lem and Minnie White Miller, he was a member of the U.S. Army for over 23 years, retiring with an honorable discharge. ...

CHARLESTON -- Clem Gillespie, 88, died Feb. 17, 2008, at the Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born May 26, 1919, in Lynchburg, Miss., to the late Robert and Fannie Gillespie, he was employed as a crop planter and irrigation systems mechanic in Plainview, Texas. After his retirement, he moved back to Mississippi County...

Mike, this is my response to Spirit of Christmas. I am proud of our police department and our fine fire department. I'd just like to say keep up the good work - arrest all the low-lives in Sikeston. We have the best mayor and city manager around this area. I like to see reports in the paper when they make arrests or drug busts or catch people who have beer parties for the underaged. I'd just like to say keep it up to the officers that are making a difference in Sikeston...

How do you find out about those houses they've got on sale on TV, the number and where to call at? If what you're referring to is a commercial on TV, you can bet they will give a number and/or a person to contact. To No child tax, it is absurd thinking you are being punished because you have no children and yet you must also pay a school tax. ...

SIKESTON - Buddy Modersbach celebrated his 12th birthday Saturday afternoon with a party. Those present were: Lindsay Boyce, Trudy Carter, Carol Jean Bowman, Jo Ann Goetz, Marilyn Grant, Billy Armstrong, Harry Blanton, Joe Berthe, Bobby Suchman, Tommy Kendig, Tony Heckemeyer and Leo Fisher...

60 years ago -- Feb. 20, 1948 SIKESTON - Mr. and Mrs. N.C. Watkins Sr. arrived this morning for a visit with the latter's mother, Mrs. C.L. Blanton Sr. and family. The Watkins will go to New York Friday, where Watkins will receive a week's training before leaving for Ecuador on a construction project. They plan to be in South America two to three years...

Even before residents can finish cleaning up from last week's storm, here comes another round of ice. The freezing rain is forecast to continue into Friday. Due to the extent of damage from the ice storms, city of Sikeston crews are willing to help as much as possible by picking up limbs from the street right of ways...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Buried alive by soybeans in a grain bin, surviving long enough to be rescued came down to one thing: staying calm. Bruce Robinson of New Madrid is completing his recovery today at Cape Girardeau hospital after being rescued from a grain bin entrapment Monday in New Madrid...

McGhee SIKESTON - Tracy and Earon McGhee are the parents of their first child, a daughter, born at 3:57 p.m. Nov. 21, 2007, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Regan Nicole McGhee weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces, and was 18.5 inches long. Maternal grandparents are Mickey and Melvin Taber of Sikeston. Great-...

COLUMBIA -- Twin sons of a former Sikeston High School wrestler recently won state championships in Class 4. Nick and Matt Lester, juniors at Eureka High School, are the sons of Greg Lester, won the 135 pound and 140 pound weight classes, respectively. ...

BENTON -- Scott County may reap several benefits by paying attention to safety issues. A safety meeting with all county officials with offices at the courthouse or their representatives was held during the regular County Commission meeting Tuesday. Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger said holding regular safety meetings with officials who in turn pass along the information to county employees. ...

SIKESTON -- National FFA Week is now under way, and this year it's not just about promoting the club, but a lot about celebrating. "We do a lot of different things during the year, but this week is more of a celebration for us," said Joanna Branson, one of the club's advisers at Sikeston High School. This year's theme is "Blue Jackets, Bright Futures."...

SIKESTON -- For the first time in Sikeston Little Theater history, a grandmother-grandson duo will direct the organization's upcoming musical production. Alice Jackson, 69, and her 14-yearold grandson, Sam Polivick, are directing "South Pacific," which is scheduled to run Thursday through Sunday and Feb. 29-March 2 at the Albritton-Mayer Cultural Center in Sikeston...

DEXTER -- A Marble Hill man that a missing person's report had been filed on was found Monday evening. According to the Dexter Police Department incident summary, Terry Lee Marquis, 41, who was last seen in Dexter on Friday morning, was located by police in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, around 8 p.m. Monday...

MINER -- Miner officials will seek the advice of the city engineer before making a decision on allowing antennas to be put on a city water tower. During the regular Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday, Charles Atchison presented city officials with information about his wireless Internet company including pictures of one of his antennas located on Morehouse's water tower...

SIKESTON -- The Scott County Central Braves did not disappoint their home crowd on Tuesday night, as they trounced the Advance Hornets on senior night, 88-46. "I think we played real well," Braves head coach Ronnie Cookson said. "I thought the kids hustled. ...

A short phrase that is hard for a man to say to his wife, "You're right." I'm going to own up to those words, as this past week, I actually muttered them out of my mouth. Well, it was sort of under my breath to my wife as she told me, and I quote, "Sports is just like a soap opera."...

PERRYVILLE -- All year long the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs Aachilles' heel has been turnovers. Tuesday night, turnovers bit the Lady Bulldogs one last time in a 73-22 loss to Fredericktown in the quarterfinals of the Class 4, District 1 Tournament. Sikeston turned the ball over 37 times, including 21 in the first half, giving Fredericktown numerous layups and easy shot opportunities...

MARBLE HILL - Gov. Matt Blunt has appointed Kelly D. Francis as Bollinger County associate commissioner. Francis will represent residents of the county's 2nd District, filling the seat of Wayne Whitener, who died at his home Nov. 19. Francis, 70, is a lifelong resident of Bollinger County and said he was honored by Wednesday's appointment...

SIKESTON -- Now that a funding mechanism has been found, county sheriff deputies in Missouri are just two steps away from receiving better pay. On Tuesday, the Senate approved a bill creating a fund, with money generated by an additional $10 fee charged for processing any civil summons, writ, subpoena or other court order...

Third grade students play with a baby pig at Kelly FFA's Food for America Day on Wednesday. Members of the organization brought animals and equipment and presented information about agriculture in several stations during the event to educate students who aren't exposed to agriculture...

SIKESTON -- Many places claim to be the nation's "meth capital," but the latest statistics show Missouri is still No. 1 in the number of methamphetamine lab seizures. "We've got a bad meth problem," said Sgt. Jason Clark, public information officer for the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control. "Our meth lab totals are still higher than other states."...

NEW MADRID -- The New Madrid County Central boys got an early preview of their first round district opponent Tuesday night, defeating the Kennett Indians 61-49. The Eagles, who will play Kennett again Saturday night in the first round of the Class 3, District 1 Tournament, outscored Kennett 18-11 in the fourth quarter to blow open a close game. ...

SCOTT CITY -- The Scott City Rams welcomed in the Portageville Bulldogs on Tuesday evening, and within 32 minutes handed their visiting opponent a 72- 48 loss. The Bulldogs never really got off the ground, as Scott City's players were firing on all cylinders on Senior Night. ...

NEW MADRID - Planning for summer school and for the 2008-09 school year are under way for the R-1 School District. During the February Board of Education meeting, the board approved the process of making an application for an elementary and high school summer program...

CHAFFEE - Alpha Bechel, 100, died Feb. 21, 2008, at Jackson Manor. Arrangements are incomplete at the Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee.

SCOTT CITY - Larry Caldwell, 74, died Feb. 20, 2008, at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete with Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

SIKESTON - Frank E. Grimm, 84, died Feb. 20, 2008, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Arrangements are incomplete with Ponder Funeral Home of Sikeston.

LOS ANGELES -- Vera Craft, 97, formerly of Charleston, Mo., died Feb. 10, 2008, at the Centinela Hospital in Inglewood. Born March 6, 1910, in Vaiden, Miss., to the late Ivory and Helen Bailey Flucker, she had lived in Charleston for over 50 years before moving to California. For many years she was a member of Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church in Charleston where she was a member of the Mother's Board...

SIKESTON -- Orena Mae "Renee" Ancell, 99, formerly of Cape Girardeau, died at 10:10 p.m. Feb. 18, 2008, at Clearview Nursing Center. Born May 15, 1908, in Piggott, Ark., to the late James Douglas and Sarah Winkleman Carter, for many years she lived in Cape Girardeau where she was a member of the Centenary United Methodist Church. She had worked for the Missouri Utilities Company until her retirement...

DEXTER - Darla Varvel died Feb. 21, 2008, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete with Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.