Stories from Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The political discourse - or lack thereof - has taken an interesting turn. The buzz of the week, and probably of the weeks ahead, concerns the shrill political discourse and the appalling lack of civility in the political arena...

CHAFFEE -- Lisa Marie Poteete Fratt, 30, died Jan. 9, 2011, in Chaffee. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Chancey Brackney, 75, died Jan. 15, 2011, at his home. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Robert L. Lawson Sr., 64, formerly of Bell City, passed away Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

SPRINGFIELD -- Billy Eugene Brown Sr., 82, died Jan. 15, 2011, at Springfield. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

CHICAGO -- Charles L. Pullen, 66, formerly of Bell City, Mo., died Jan. 15, 2011, at the Jessie Brown Veteran Hospital in Chicago. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

PORTAGEVILLE -- Kevin Ray Bess, 47, died Jan. 16, 2011, at Portageville. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

sd_sports@yahoo.com BENTON -- Snapping a three-game losing streak, the fourth-seeded Chaffee Red Devils held off a fourth quarter surge by the fifth-seeded Delta Bobcats Tuesday night to advance to the semifinals of the Scott-Mississippi County Tournament with a 78-62 win...

sd_sports@yahoo.com RISCO -- The Risco Tigers wasted little time taking care of the visiting Cooter Wildcats on Tuesday night defeating their conference foe 96-54 giving them a 7-6 overall record and a 3-1 Tri-County Conference record. "We had some of the best ball movement we've had in a while," Risco head coach Brandon Blankenship said. "Teamwork really stood out this game, our press was working well which led to many layups. Hopefully, we can build from here."...

sd_sports@yahoo.com CHARLESTON -- Charleston sophomore Ryan Parham knew he was going to get fouled. He just had to make sure he made it count. Following a furious comeback by the visiting Notre Dame Bulldogs on Tuesday night at Charleston High School, Parham was fouled while trying to scratch his team's way back into a tie game...

sd_sports@yahoo.com FARMINGTON -- In a rematch of last year's hotly contested sectional game, the Sikeston Bulldogs put together one of their most complete performances of the season with a 95-57 demolition over the Farmington Knights on the road on Tuesday...

scottw@standard-democrat.com MINER -- A former Sikeston Department of Public Safety command staff member will help the city of Miner with grant applications. The Miner Board of Aldermen approved using Jim Hailey's grant writing services during their regular monthly meeting Tuesday...

CHARLESTON -- Skeletal remains found in Mississippi County earlier this month have been identified. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.
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BENTON -- Scott County officials are on pace to have the county's operating budget approved over a week before the deadline. A public hearing for the budget is scheduled for Thursday after which commissioners plan to approve the budget, Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn said Tuesday during the County Commission meeting...

news@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- A preliminary hearing was set on Tuesday for a Charleston man charged with the kidnapping and murder of his estranged girlfriend. At a criminal setting, Maurice Lamarr Davis, 26, was scheduled to return to court at 10 a.m. Feb. 10 before Judge T. Lynn Brown in Mississippi County...

news@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- A Charleston man waived his right to a preliminary hearing on charges stemming from a shooting death. Javon C. Jones appeared before Judge T. Lynn Brown on Tuesday. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.
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news@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- An East Prairie man waived his right to a preliminary hearing on murder charges Tuesday in Mississippi County. Robert M. Christian is charged with first degree murder and kidnapping. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.
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SIKESTON -- Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad employees worked through the night to clear the damage from a train derailment that occurred Tuesday afternoon. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.
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