Stories from Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. FIRST CRIMINAL CHARGES FILED IN BENGHAZI ATTACK The AP reports a sealed complaint in Washington named a Libyan militia head and others in the September embassy attack that killed four Americans...

DEXTER -- Paul Rinck IV, 37, died Aug. 4, 2013, at the Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


MOREHOUSE - Rodney Leon Shell, 60, died Aug. 6, 2013, at his home in Morehouse. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


As I age, I continue to be amazed at how much I have to learn about women. My latest lesson, the importance of a purse to a woman. As a man, I see little need for a purse. I carry everything I need in a little money clip. Easy and compact, I never have any problem finding anything that I need. I asked a woman once why they didn't just carry something like a money clip and not worry with a purse...

My daughter was working alone at a clothing store in Sikeston on July 29 at 10:15 a.m. when a suspicious person was looking into the store and lingered in his truck for some time. She called the police to request a walk-through. She then called me to be on the phone until they arrived. ...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Southeast Missouri residents will be able to add their input during a meeting on the St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway Project. The Memphis District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold two public meetings on the $100 million project designed to protect local agricultural land as well as provide drainage improvements to area communities including Sikeston...

SIKESTON -- Barry Johnson walks into the empty arena of the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Grounds. For the moment, it is quiet. But by Wednesday evening, it will be loud and crowded with excited fans, cowboys, cowgirls and livestock -- that is the moment Johnson has spent the past year working toward. The 61st Annual Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo will be under way...

Members of the Sikeston Area Youth Soccer League help parents during a recent sign up day at the Clinton Building at the Sikeston Sports Complex. Pictured are SYSL Vice President Scott McMullen (top right) helping Howard Parker and Jessica Carlisle (bottom right) helping Andy Jones. There will be two final sign-up days starting Thursday from 5:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon both at the Sikeston Field House...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The 2013 NBA schedule was announced Tuesday and it looks like one of the areas best and earliest chances to see former Scott County Central star Otto Porter in action comes in only the sixth game of the season. That's when the Washington Wizards, who drafted Porter third overall in June, will face off with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City...

By Brent Shipman sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo kicked off the second day of their slack rounds Tuesday with the barrel racing and steer wrestling events. In barrel racing, Kaley Bass edged out the competition with a run of 16.68 seconds to win the night. Just behind her was Shawna Bourne in second place with a time of 16.71 seconds and Jaime Barrow, who took third, with a run of 17.03 seconds...

SIKESTON -- After one year of volunteering, Josh Mills was hooked. He understood the message that the Upward football program conveyed, and at the same time, loved the way it went about it. "I saw what it was capable of and the vision behind it," he said. "It's neat to get to spend 12 weeks with a family and be able to teach their kid a sport."...

SIKESTON -- Rain clouds loomed over the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds, but a bright spot remained on horse trainer Jerry Wayne Olson of Auburn, Neb., and his golden palomino, "Justin Boots." "Let's go. Come on. Come on. Whoa," Olson said softly as Justin Boots followed his every command...