Stories from Sunday, October 30, 2011

SIKESTON -- Odell Wilford Mayfield, 89, died at 8:40 a.m. Oct. 27, 2011, at his home in rural Sikeston. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition...

BENTON -- Billy Jim Ritter, 62, died Oct. 27, 2011, at his home near Benton. For the complete obituary and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Linda M. Miller, 73, died Oct. 28, 2011, at the Clearview Nursing Center. Arrangements are incomplete with Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

SIKESTON -- If someone would have asked Sikeston soccer coach Doyle Noe if he expected the success his Bulldogs have given him so far this season, he couldn't say with a straight face that he did. "I expected big things this year, but definitely not a 17-4 record at the end of the season," he said. "It's a special group of boys and we definitely have high hopes going into the post season."...

After an offseason spent fine-tuning her game, Scott City junior Alexis Spriggs spent most of the Lady Rams' season making her presence felt both at the plate and on the mound. From driving in the game-winning run in Scott City's season opener to pitching the Lady Rams to within just a few outs of their first district championship, Spriggs provided stability to a Scott City's lineup that only featured two starting seniors...

KENNETT -- The Sikeston eighth grade girls basketball team blitzed the Kennett Lady Indians 39-5 on Friday. Hayli Chapman led the Lady Bulldogs with eight points while Erica Peet added six and Iesha Randle followed with five. Sikeston jumped out to an 18-0 lead after the first quarter and a 27-2 advantage at the half...

CHARLESTON -- A Pennsylvania man was arrested for possessing synthetic marijuana in Mississippi County. According to Mississippi County Sheriff Keith Moore, Adam Crawford, 22, of Evans City, Pa., was arrested and has been charged with possession of a controlled substance of a synthetic cannabinoid and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia...

JEFFERSON CITY -- An audit requested by the residents of Howardville uncovered numerous problems, prompting State Auditor Tom Schweich to rate the overall performance of the city as poor. However, second-term Mayor Jessie Newson said the city has already implemented some of the auditors' recommendations and is working with their attorney on other issues...

SIKESTON -- For Etta McNutt of Matthews, the YMCA of Southeast Missouri offered something no one else could when her husband passed away -- support. "It gave me great comfort," McNutt said. Not only did she have somewhere to go multiple times a week, but her regular exercise -- stretching and low-impact aerobics classes -- improved her health. Her osteoporosis has even improved to being practically nonexistent, she said. And it also gave her lasting friendships...

CHARLESTON -- Missouri Department of Corrections officials and employees were joined by locals in celebrating the Southeast Correctional Center's 10 year anniversary -- and the people who helped make it possible. While there were others who worked toward getting Charleston selected as the site for a new prison, the SECC would not be where it is today without former state Rep. Betty Hearnes, according to George A. Lombardi, director of the DOC...