Stories from Monday, March 31, 2014

The Kenny Rogers Children's Center Telethon held at the Sikeston Field House reached their goal of $400,000.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - While grandparents take steps to childproof their homes with gates and outlet covers, a new study finds they too often fail to safeguard a potentially deadly hazard: prescription medication. The report from Safe Kids Worldwide finds that more than a quarter of grandparents who watch young kids store their medications in easy-to-open containers, and of those, 42 percent leave them in easy-to-reach locations. ...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. U.S., RUSSIA STILL AT ODDS OVER UKRAINE While both sides favor a diplomatic solution to the crisis, they were unable to bridge the gap between them at a meeting of their top diplomats in Paris...

EAST PRAIRIE - Bryan Mainord knew when he became president of the East Prairie Chamber of Commerce he would have additional duties. There would be new businesses to welcome and opportunities to promote his community. However, he never thought he would be expected to play basketball. Yet, Mainord and 30 others will hit the court May 5 to play the Harlem Wizards, a professional basketball team known for entertaining with their basketball skills and tricks...

The Women's Show was held at the Miner Convention Center on Saturday.

Editors note: This story originally ran May 2, 2013 By Leonna Heuring leonnah@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- The implementation of new learning standards in Missouri -- and across the nation -- has left some parents and community members wondering what exactly is taking place...

SIKESTON -- Lennie C. Halbig, 92, died March 26, 2014, at the Clearview Nursing Center. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Cleta Arlene Blanchard, 92, formerly of Doniphan, Mo., died March 28, 2014, at the Westwood Nursing Center in Augusta. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON - Geraldine Fodge, 87, died March 31, 2014, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

PORTAGEVILLE -- Noah Thomas Creasy, 63, died March 29, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

PORTAGEVILLE -- Mildred L. Robbins, 77, died March 30, 2014, at Portageville. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

PUXICO -- Mary Ellen Binford, 80, died March 30, 2014, at her home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

EAST PRAIRIE -- Vivian Lucille Pritchett Ward, 71, died at 8:51 a.m. March 28, 2014, at her home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

PORTAGEVILLE -- Minnie Lee Carver, 66, died March 30, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

WHITING -- Joe J. Bright, 82, died at 9:45 a.m. March 30, 2014, at his home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

I recently went to New Madrid County High School to pick up my granddaughter. I was just wondering if they have a dress code there. It seems to me the administration needs to talk to their employees, mainly their secretaries, about what they are wearing to school. It's very unprofessional. I think it would probably be in their best interest because the image they are portraying is not very good...