Stories from Tuesday, March 11, 2014

MACON, Mo.- Find ways to make tourists slow down for a small town. State tourism leaders gave this advice to community leaders at a recent Cultural Heritage Tourism and the Arts workshop sponsored by University of Missouri Extension in Macon. "You don't have to apologize for being a small town," said Michael Gaines, director of the Hannibal Arts Council. He said many travelers yearn for the comfort and charm of small town America...

ST. LOUIS - Although it may not feel like it yet, spring is just around the corner, and with it comes another set of weather challenges. That's why emergency officials want Missourians to set aside some time this week to prepare. According to Jim Kramper, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service's St. Louis office, while this winter has been a tough one, Missourians need to remember that spring thunderstorms lie ahead...

ORAN - Mary Jo Ressel, 57, died March 10, 2014, at her home in Oran. Arrangements are incomplete with Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Oran.

Increasing clouds tonight with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., then a chance of showers after 2 a.m. with a low around 40. There will be a south southwest wind 11 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Wednesday will be cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before 8 a.m. ...

KENNETT (SMNS) -- There will be no trial for Shawn Morgan, the Senath man, accused of murdering 3-year-old BreeAnn Rodriguez. Morgan pled guilty Monday to first degree murder, armed criminal action, and child kidnapping. He will receive two life sentences with no parole, plus 10 years on the armed criminal action count. The sentences will run concurrently...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. MAN WITH STOLEN PASSPORT ON JET WAS ASYLUM SEEKER One of the two men traveling on a missing Malaysia Airlines jet with a stolen passport was a 19-year-old Iranian man believed to be trying to migrate to Germany, and had no terror links...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) _ Missouri farmers will get a larger property tax bill next year under a plan state lawmakers are allowing to take effect. Property taxes paid for Missouri farms are based on the land's productive value rather than its market value. ...

CHARLESTON - An East Prairie man who led law enforcement officers on a chase, traveling at more than 100 miles per hour, isn't going any where now. Harold Matheney, 36, is in custody on charges of resisting arrest following his arrest. According to Charleston Department of Public Safety Director Robert Hearnes, an officer attempted to to stop a vehicle at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday on South Elm Street in Charleston...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Obrey Eugene Cogdill Jr., 60, died March 10, 2014, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete with Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie.

scottw@standard-democrat.com BENTON -- This winter has not only been hard on county roads but also on county revenue, according to Scott County officials. "We were down a little last month," Dennis Ziegenhorn, county commissioner, said during the regular Scott County Commission meeting Tuesday. "I think the reason is the cold weather."...

SIKESTON -- Nearly 62 percent Sikeston High School's graduating class of 2013 are furthering their educations at a higher institution of learning. Tiffany Morgan, A+ coordinator for the district, provided the results for the SHS class of 2013 follow-up survey during Tuesday's regular R-6 Board of Education meeting...