Stories from Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Featuring 14 different schools, the East Prairie Invitational track meet is one of the area's biggest meets of the year. The Scott City Rams and the Chaffee Lady Devils both shined on that big stage.

The past week's headlines were dominated by the ongoing debate over the health care overhaul and the upheaval that followed. President Obama and his posse hit the stump to play cheerleader for the health care overhaul and denounce the fiery rhetoric that followed passage of the bill. A dozen or more lawmakers reported threats directed toward them for their health care vote...

I apparently have a disorder I have dubbed Kid Diet. I was never aware of this condition until it was recently brought to my attention by a co-worker. I've never thought of myself as someone with a childish diet. When I'm hungry, I eat and I eat what I think tastes good. Evidently my taste buds rival that of a 5-year-old...

SIKESTON - Annie Johnson, 73, died March 24, 2010, at the home of her daughter. Funeral arrangements are with the Williams Funeral Home of Sikeston. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

SIKESTON -- Susie Beard Pettis, 48, died March 27, 2010, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are with the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

PORTAGEVILLE - Scottie Mae Haynes, 66, died March 30, 2010, at the Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti. DeLisle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete.

HAZELWOOD -- William R. "Bill" Joyce, 77, died March 28, 2010. Funeral arrangements are with the the Baue Funeral Homeand Memorial Center in St. Charles. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

BENTON -- The heated debate on County Road 353 has been brought to a close: the road will remain open. Scott County Commissioners voted to not vacate the road after hearing a final rehash of arguments from both sides during their Tuesday meeting. For more pictures and stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

SIKESTON -- Filing for county offices closed Tuesday: let the campaigning begin. Primary elections are set for Aug. 3, with the general election on Nov. 2. All are four-year terms. For more pictures and stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

MATTHEWS -- A man suspected of stabbing another man Tuesday morning at a Matthews truck stop has been released, while the investigation into the incident continues. For more pictures and stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

NEW MADRID -- Autopsies are scheduled for 10 a.m. today in the deaths of two New Madrid men who died during a fire at their home Tuesday morning. Raymond Patterson, 82, and his son, Phillip Patterson, 45, died as a result of a blaze at their home at 376 W. State Highway U, in New Madrid, according to New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens...

DIEHLSTADT -- A stray thought to be under a Diehlstadt home isn't likely to be adopted by the home's owners. As of Tuesday evening, Leother Branch, Scott County conservation agent, was trying to locate and remove a very large python reportedly located under the structure...

The Oran baseball team defeated the Advance Hornets 7-4 Tuesday afternoon to improve to 3-0 on the season.

For the second time in as many games, the Sikeston Bulldogs went on the road and hammered their opposition for 13 runs while shutting down the opposing offense.