Stories from Wednesday, February 5, 2014

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- While local road maintenance departments are working hard to keep up with the snow and ice, road salt vendors aren't doing nearly as well. "We do our best to keep adequate amount of salt in storage for quick use," said Jay Lancaster, public works director for the city of Sikeston. ...

sports@standard-democrat.com CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Though they reign as the biggest college in the area, the Southeast Missouri State University football program was known for not having much of a southeast Missouri presence. First-year head coach Tom Matukewicz changed that perception in one day...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. VATICAN DENOUNCED ON CHILD SEX ABUSE A U.N. human rights committee criticizes the Holy See for adopting policies that allowed priests to rape and molest tens of thousands of children over decades...

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Each ticket purchased to hear Dr. Ben Carson speak at the Sikeston Field House Feb. 22 provides not only the chance to hear his inspirational story, but also an opportunity to contribute to a new success story...

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- The Sikeston City Council approved a few small steps toward a project to replace at a better location the municipal airport's terminal building during their regular monthly meeting Monday. Council members first approved the staff recommendation to move a plan forward with the Missouri Department of Transportation's Aviation Division which would build a new terminal building south of the existing building and then remove the old building once the new terminal was ready.. ...

scottw@standard-democrat.com BENTON -- When told a repair specialist from St. Louis would have to be called to fix the commercial grade laundry machines at the county jail, Scott County Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn's immediate response was: "We really need to get someone out of Scott County to work on them."...

SIKESTON -- Whether sledding, throwing snowballs or making snow angels, local children didn't waste the opportunity to enjoy yet another snow day this winter. Several of them spent some time on Monday at the Sikeston Sports Complex hill, located just off Ingram Road...

Sikeston Department of Public Safety fire personnel prepare air out the interior of Jay's Krispy Fried Chicken, 218 N. Main St., following a fire just before noon Monday. For the full story see Wednesday's Standard Democrat.

SIKESTON - Aaron M. Shumpert, 24, died Jan. 30, 2014, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

NEW MADRID - Clarence Dale "Doc" Poore, 71, died Feb. 3, 2014, at his home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Lucille Long Maloney, 79, died Feb. 3, 2014, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Vangele O. (Fly) West, 56, died Feb. 2, 2014, at the V.A. Hospital. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

EAST PRAIRIE - Jack Jones, 93, died at 1:30 a.m. Feb. 5, 2014, in the East Prairie Nursing Center. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Catherine Rose Showmaker, 91, formerly of Charleston, died Feb. 2, 2014, at the Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

PUXICO - Halen S. Smith, 95, died Feb. 3, 2014, at the Puxico Nursing Center in Puxico. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Elsie Kellum King, 90, formerly of Colp, Ill., died Jan. 30, 2014, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

I'm sitting here reading the paper about mass shootings, children shooting each other and people getting kicked out of the school because they 1are pointing their finger or being a bully. Then I turn to the sports page and Sikeston's coach Greg Holifield angrily removes his tie after a no call against Kennett. ...

The President's theme of "income inequality" is not gaining the traction the administration had hoped. Anxious to move the narrative away from the widely unpopular Obamacare fiasco, the drumbeat of "income inequality" seemed a popular notion. The President had even called this new theme the "defining challenge of our times" with the appropriate bravado and accompanying applause...

Mr. Billy Hopkins, 78, of Wappapello, Missouri, died on Thursday, January 23, 2014 at Southeast Health Center. Mr. Hopkins was born on September 24, 1935 in Black Oak, Arkansas to the late George and Maude Hopkins. Mr. Hopkins was a member of the First Assembly of God in Portageville, Missouri and worked in law enforcement for 38 years as a Deputy in Pemiscot and Wayne Counties and as Chief Investigator in New Madrid County. ...

Clarence Dale "Doc" Poore passed away Monday, February 3, 2014 at his home in New Madrid at the age of 71 years. He was born June 29, 1942 in Maynard, AR to the late Dan and Mary Bemiss Poore. In June, 1970 he was united in marriage to Mary Ford Poore who survives of the home...

Eugene J. Cross, 84, of Jackson, MO passed away peacefully in his sleep, Saturday, February 1, 2014 at St. Francis Medical Center. He was born November 6, 1929 in Stanley, MO to Talbert E. and Ideal Williams Cross. Mr. Cross was a veteran of the U.S. ...

Congratulations to Amelia Jarred! She was the winner in the Hooked on Savings drawing for the 4th quarter at the Bank of New Madrid. Amelia has been a great saver and is also a previous winner!

DAEOC Community Action Agency of Portageville Awarded Grant to Provide Free In‐Person Support to Southeast Missourians Applying for Health Insurance Marketplace Coverage

WASHINGTON - In what's being called a "huge blow to all Internet users," a federal court ruled Tuesday in favor of Verizon, striking down Federal Communications Commission rules that regulate the Web.
The ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia means broadband providers such as Verizon could charge content providers such as Netflix or ESPN higher prices for faster download speeds, creating Internet "fast lanes."
Josh Levy, Internet campaign director for the watchdog group Free Press, said Verizon revealed a broader goal in its court arguments in the case against the FCC.
"It actually said that it has the right to treat the Internet as a newspaper, and it would be the editor of that newspaper," Levy said. ...