Stories from Sunday, May 15, 2011

NEW MADRID -- With current head coach John Jones taking over as middle school assistant principal next year, New Madrid County Central's baseball team will have a new but familiar face at the helm. Taking over the program will be current Eagles assistant coach Joseph McClarty, a graduate and former player at NMCC who has helped coach at the school since 2003...

NEW MADRID -- Playing softball only in the spring sometimes makes it hard to get noticed by colleges, but that didn't stop New Madrid County Central's Samantha Hunter. The NMCC standout spent her weekends playing on local teams like Heartland Pride and the Heartland Travelers and in the process has earned a scholarship to play for the McKendree University Bearcats...

BENTON -- She took trips to other colleges but when Kelly High School's Kristen Powell visited Union, she knew it was the place for her. The senior further solidified her like for the school by signing a letter of intent to play softball for Union University in Jackson, Tenn., earlier this week...

SIKESTON -- Sikeston senior Treston Pulley was simply looking for another opportunity to play football. He found his chance with Lincoln University. Pulley recently signed a letter of intent to play football for Lincoln University in Jefferson City...

BOLIVAR -- Both Evan Deere and Ben Murray from Sikeston's golf team have advanced to the Class 3 Missouri High School State Championship Tournament on Monday. Their paths to the state tournament, however, have been somewhat different throughout the season...

The historic flooding in Morehouse has put a hold on the decision concerning the closing of Morehouse Elementary School. But in June, the votes will be cast and the future of the school will be decided. Right now, I am certainly glad I am not a member of the Sikeston Board of Education...

DEXTER -- Homer Ray Levart, 77, died May 13, 2011, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete with the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

DEXTER -- Norman Eugene Scott, 76, died May 12, 2011, at his home. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

PARMA -- Wayne Freeman, 50, died May 12, 2011, at his home. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

BERTRAND -- Mary Louise Maxwell Sweet, 73, died Friday, May 13, 2011, at the Miner Nursing Center. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

DEXTER -- Delours Aldeen Sherwood Long, 97, died May 13, 2011, in Dexter. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Anna Lee Harr, 95, of Sikeston, died May 12, 2011, at the 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 -- The public is invited to attend the installation ceremony for Bonnie Dyer to the Honors Board at 4 p.m. Wednesday. For 40 years, Dyer served in virtually every volunteer capacity for the Cotton Boll Council Girl Scouts including troop leader, daycamp director, new leader recruiter and trainer and Council fund raiser...

SIKESTON - Concerns about septic system pollution are being voiced by residents who experienced flooding recently in their neighborhoods. Barry Cook, administrator with the Scott County Health Department, said several residents have asked about the use of septic systems during flooding and after the flood waters recede. ...

BENTON -- Scott County's prosecuting attorney has received word of a possible deployment. Paul Boyd, who is also a major in the National Guard's 70th Troop Command of Jefferson Barracks, in addition to serving as the county prosecutor, was recently informed that he may be called to serve overseas...

New Madrid Street between West Malone and Front Street is undergoing renovation.This work, which is being performed by Lappe Construction of Perryville, is estimated to be completed in approximately another 21 days, weather permitting. The intersection is closed to traffic and motorist are asked to use alternative routes to avoid this site and are encouraged to use caution when near the construction area...

SIKESTON -- For awhile now, law enforcement officials have been aware of the skyrocketing trend of synthetic marijuana use. And last month, Scott County made its first arrest for a distributor of the substances, after learning synthetic marijuana -- marketed under product names that include "Spice," "K2," "Genie," "Yucatan Fire," "Sence," "Smoke," "Skunk" and "Zohai" was being sold at a Scott County business. It's packaged to look like incense...