Stories from Friday, December 13, 2013

sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- For the first time in its eight years of existence there will be a champion crowned in the SEMO Conference Tournament that is not named Sikeston or Charleston. The fifth-seeded Notre Dame Bulldogs took care of fourth-seeded Charleston in overtime in the first round on Tuesday, and in Thursday night's semifinal game they knocked off top-seeded and defending champion Sikeston in a 77-76 overtime thriller at the Sikeston Field House...

sports@standard-democrat.com RISCO -- The Risco Tigers pulled out a close 61-58 win over Delta C-7 Thursday night. Brandon Bixler led the Tigers with 25 points while Jordon Pavy chipped in 18. Risco (3-1) will take part in the Clarkton Holiday Tournament Monday when they put their fourth seed on the line against No. 5 Cooter at 5:30 p.m...

sports@standard-democrat.com CHAFFEE -- Thanks in part to a dominant start on Thursday, the Oran Lady Eagles will get a chance to capture the first Lady Devils Invitational Tournament championship in school history. Playing the Kelly Lady Hawks in the semifinals, Oran jumped out to a 14-point lead to end the first quarter before pulling away for a 63-36 win that matches them against Woodland in the title game...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. AP REVEALS MISSING AMERICAN BACKSTORY Robert Levinson, who vanished seven years ago in Iran, was working for the CIA on an unapproved spy mission, an AP investigation finds. It's a secret the U.S. has long sought to keep...

To the person criticizing gays and lesbians, no one has the right to judge another person, only God. Not even a Christian should be allowed to judge another person. As it says, Judge not lest ye be judged. You have no right to judge another person, no matter what. The Bible says love thy neighbor. Judgment is only for one and that is God...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Robert Lee Munson, 88, died Dec. 11, 2013, at his home. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


CHAFFEE -- Lucy "Marie" Burton, 92, formerly of Morley, died Dec. 11, 2013, at the Chaffee Nursing Center. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


ZION, Ill. -- Mary Mansker, 60, died Dec. 11, 2013, at Midwestern Regional Medical Center in Zion. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


SIKESTON -- Edmond Donald Cook Jr., 52, died Dec. 10, 2013, at his home. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


BRENTWOOD, Tenn. -- Phyllis Mae Spitler, 75, died Dec. 9, 2013, at Vanderbilt Medical Center. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Jackie Lee Husk, 79, formerly of East Prairie, died at 4:40 a.m. Dec. 12, 2013, at his daughter's home in East Prairie. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Henry McCarty, 93, died Dec. 12, 2013, at Saint Francis Medical Center. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


SIKESTON -- Kathy Baehr, 59 died Dec. 12, 2013, at her home in Sikeston. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.

Members of the Sikeston Department of Public Safety's were called to a house on West Murray Lane following a report of a fire at approximately 7:30 a.m. Reportedly the home was occupied at the time of the blaze but family members were able to get out of the residence. No further details were abialble as of press time...

NEW MADRID -- The executive director of SEMO Health Network for the past decade is no longer affiliated with the organization. "Cheryl White is no longer employed by the SEMO Health Network and that is really all we have right now that we can share," Sarah Ezell, marketing director for the SEMO Health Network, said when asked for comment...

Lainey Wills gets help from her mother, Suzanne, in making her cereal candy cane during Santa Night held on Thursday night at the Kindergarten Center. Children were able to make crafts as well as have their picture taken with Santa Claus while getting a free book...

MATTHEWS - A search is under way for two people involved in a theft from a business. At approximately 11:45 a.m. Thursday a dark-colored SUV pulled onto the parking lot at Flying J Truck Stop at Matthews and parked at the gas pumps. According to a news release from the New Madrid County Sheriff's Department, two black males exited the vehicle and went inside the store. While one of the suspects stood watch, the other entered the accounting office and took cash out of the safe...