Stories from Saturday, January 18, 2014

SIKESTON -- The Standard Democrat will not publish a paper Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, and the offices will be closed. Regular publication will resume Tuesday with offices opening at 7:30 a.m.

sports@standard-democrat.com MAPLEWOOD -- Last year the Maplewood-Richmond Heights Blue Devils were responsible for giving the Sikeston Bulldogs its first loss of the season. On Friday night, Sikeston wanted a little payback. The Bulldogs got it with a 60-43 victory in its first ever trip to MRH High School in Maplewood, a suberb of St. Louis...

davidj@standard-democrat.com NEW MADRID -- New Madrid County Central coach Travis Day has been trying to get his team to not be so dependent on their all-stater Willie Jimerson. On Friday night, the Eagles listened. Jimerson, NMCC's leading scorer, didn't start the game and finished with just six points, all free throws late in the contest, but seven others scored as the Eagles downed Cape Central 55-49 on homecoming...

sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Coming into Friday's Scott-Mississippi Conference Tournament title game, all signs pointed toward the Oran Lady Eagles being newly crowned champions. Not only did Oran come into the tournament as the top-seed, but they'd already beaten their finals opponent, Scott County Central, twice this season...

I heard on the news where the milk has gone up to $4.85 a gallon, and $4.72 for two percent. I guess those that get the food stamps and don't have to pay any rent, they're okay. They can go ahead and buy the food and cigarettes for their boyfriends. I know some of them that live down the street from me. That is just not right. There are a lot of little babies and kids that do without milk so they can buy booze, marijuana and their cigarettes...

Senior Ke'Andra Childress smiles after being crowned the 2014 New Madrid County Central Basketball Homecoming Queen on Friday night. She was escorted by Damoddre Wilson.

leonnah@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- A relationship-building experience for moms and their tween daughters will take the stage at a Southeast Missouri church next month. The "Secret Keeper Girl -- Crazy Hair Tour" will begin at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at First Baptist Church, 11 W. Castor St., in Dexter. The live stage show will also feature special guest, Christian contemporary pop rock band 1 Girl Nation of Nashville, Tenn., beginning at 6 p.m...

SIKESTON -- The news was so exciting Library Director Sue Tangeman first wanted to ensure that Sikeston Public Library Board member Libby Caskey was sitting down. When assured she was, Tangeman announced a check to complete the Library's proposed expansion was in hand...