Stories from Wednesday, August 25, 2010

With the mid-term elections closing quickly, there's ample room for optimism among conservatives and Republicans. Unless something drastic and positive happens soon, the likelihood of a strong GOP showing is growing stronger each day. But the reality is that a change in power in the House or more remotely in the House and Senate can only slow the administration's push toward a growing central government...

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs tennis team opened the 2010 season with a 7-2 loss to the always-tough Carbondale, Ill., Terriers on Tuesday afternoon. "Even though we didn't come out with a win for the team, I felt we played well for the first match of the season," said Sikeston coach Russ Dial...

LILBOURN -- Mary Myrtle Evans Smith went to be with her Lord and Savior on Aug. 23, 2010. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

DEXTER -- Salena Garner died Aug. 24, 2010, at her home. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

SEATTLE -- John Willie "Bubba" Davis, 76, formerly of Anniston, Mo., died Aug. 11, 2010, in Kent, Wash. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

SIKESTON -- David Fuller Sr., 85, died Aug. 19, 2010, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

SIKESTON -- Thurman Willis Sr., 82, died at 2 a.m. Aug. 24, 2010, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers for services held Tuesday at Trinity Gospel Church for Elgy Lee Brown Sr., 87, who died on Aug. 21, 2010 were: Larry Wilson, Dale Patterson, Billy Gene Brown, Wayne Patterson, Frankie Brown and Gary Brown. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

DEXTER -- Maria Acencion Perez-Medlin, 58, died Aug. 22, 2010, at Dexter. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

ST. LOUIS -- Major Daniel Jr., 39, formerly of Haywood City, died Aug. 17, 2010, in St. Louis as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

SIKESTON -- This year during Labor Day weekend, the Sunset Reunion (not to be confused with Return 2 Sunset) and the Westend Betterment Association are hosting a series of events in Sunset. A health tent, educational booth and job opportunities will be offered. In addition, there will be entertainment including a blues show featuring the Sam Mosley Band on Saturday and a Gospel Explosion featuring local talent on Sunday. All entertainment on both days are free of charge...

A job fair for veterans, spouses and their family members in Scott, Stoddard and New Madrid counties was held Tuesday at the VFW Hall on Smith Street. "The turnout was great," said Carol Drummond, veterans employer representative for the Missouri Career Center in Sikeston. ...

BENTON -- Scott County commissioners are convinced electronic monitoring bracelets are the county's answer to the cost burden of boarding jail inmates. Commissioners were presented with information on electronic monitoring bracelets offered by Securicor by Douglas A. White during Tuesday's County Commission meeting...

SIKESTON -- Daniel S. Norton, 76, died at 4 a.m. Aug. 23, 2010, at his home. Born July 14, 1934, in St. Louis, to the late Hugh Kipper and Mary Irene (Kendall) Norton, he had been a resident of Sikeston since 1956 and had been a longtime member of St. Paul's Episcopal and the Orthodox Anglican Church. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1955 from Central College in Fayette and earned a Doctor of Law Degree in June 1957 from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis...

SIKESTON -- Three Scott County residents and a Mississippi County man were arrested Monday for manufacturing methamphetamine in Sikeston. Michael Tinsley, 28, and Tasha M. Hale, 34, both of Sikeston; Stephen M. Hicks, 52, of Charleston; and Angel M. Watkins, 27, of Morley were each charged with manufacturing methamphetamine in a residence with a child present, manufacturing within 2,000 feet of a school and endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree...

SIKESTON -- People say to find a job that makes you smile. And that's what Mike Marshall has been doing since May, when he was appointed as alternate co-chair of the Delta Regional Authority by President Barack Obama. "It's the greatest job in the world," said Marshall, who lives in Sikeston. "I love it."...

The Kelly Lady Hawks softball team got their first win of the season, holding off a late Lady Devil rally to win 9-4.

"Right now, our expectations are to get back to where we were last year and then further," senior lineman Corey Porter said. "People talk about how we're not going to be as good as last year and I think all of us seniors have something to prove this year."

A valiant comeback effort by the Lady Bulldogs fell just short as the Perryville Lady Pirates held on to win 8-7 at the Sikeston Sports Complex on Tuesday afternoon.