Stories from Thursday, June 5, 2014

Another beautiful weekend in the Heartland and a lot of folks were out soaking up the sun. After finding a few fish last weekend, and as dismal as the late spring fishing was, I was chomping at the bit to get back to Reelfoot and chase some more specks!...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites the public to a deer management open-house in Jackson from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, at 3305 North High Street. This meeting is one of numerous open houses being held by the department across the state to discuss deer management with citizens...

As outdoorsmen and women take to the woods and fields this time of the year, some will find themselves with burning and itching and blisters rising on tortured skin to alert them that they have come in contact with poison ivy. One famous old rule of thumb that many of us learned in the Boy Scouts was, "leaflets three, let it be". That is an excellent rule for those who are sensitive to the menacing tri-leaved plant that covers large areas in this part of the country...

the agenda at the Portageville City Council, but a lot did take place. The monthly meeting took place Monday night at the City Hall. With all the items they wanted to discuss, some will have to wait until additional information is presented in their mid-month meeting before making those decisions. That is scheduled for Thursday, June 19...

On May 13th the Board of Education presented the retirees clocks from the Board and Portageville School District. Those retiring this year are Regina Jennings - 39 1/2 Years of Service in Education, Gail McMillen -- 44 Years of Service in Education, Sandy McEwen -- 25 Years of Service in Education, Barbara Lindsey -- 28 Years of Service in Education, Mary Rone -- 23 Years of Service in Education, Terri Simpson -- 32 Years of Service in Education, Kim Bracey -- 28 Years of Service in Education, Debbie Nave 27 ½ Years of Service in Education and Sheila Temple -- 21 Years of Service in Education.. ...

The Second Annual Father's Day Tire Round Up will take place on Saturday, June 14. It is sponsored by the Missouri Stream Team #1617 and the New Madrid County road crew. The event will begin at 8 am until 5 pm and will meet at the old Howardville school parking lot. ...

In 1969, in Pass Christian, Mississippi, a group of people were preparing to have a "Hurricane Party" in the face of a storm named Camille. Were they ignorant of the dangers? Could they have been overconfident? Did they let their egos and pride influence their decision? We will never know...

Summer is great time of the year, with many activities that take place outside in the wonderful world that God has created. There are baseball and softball games, fishing, swimming in streams, lakes, and pools, picnics, family reunions, and fun playing in the park. Just to name some of many things that takes place in the summer. There is just something nice about being outside and enjoying nature and the beauty of the earth that has been made just for us...

sports@standard-democrat.com O'FALLON -- Sophomore Garrison Keene wrapped up New Madrid County Central's last two games in a very simple and direct manner. "It's just a learning process," he said. "Most of our team is coming back so we have to come back and get better."...

A disease often mistaken for CWD by the public is Hemorrhagic Disease. This includes both the bluetongue virus and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus. During the summer and fall of 2012, severe drought conditions contributed to a significant increase in cases of HD throughout Missouri. ...

SIKESTON -- As a team with only one senior this past season, the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs underwent a youth movement that saw it's share of growing pains along a .500 campaign. After rallying for a trip to the Class 2, District 1 title game, however, the Lady Bulldogs got plenty of attention when it came time for postseason awards...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Carolina Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy has quickly adjusted to one aspect of being an NFL rookie: the off-the-field rituals. Veteran Charles Johnson whistled Ealy over after Wednesday's workouts, handing the rookie his helmet to carry the quarter-mile walk from the Panthers' practice field to the locker room...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. WHAT TOPS OBAMA'S AGENDA IN EUROPE The president will discuss shifting conditions in the Ukraine crisis, including the new government's rise to power, with UK's David Cameron in Brussels and Francois Hollande in Paris...

PORTAGEVILLE - Danny "Boots" Lane, 42, died June 5, 2014, at the Portageville Nursing Home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Glenda Faye Bailey Nance, 60, died May 30, 2014. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

DEXTER -- Kathy House, 48, died June 4, 2014, at her home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

DEXTER -- Beulah Hurley, 87, died June 4, 2014, at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing in Dexter. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

MARION, Ky. -- William David Porter, 71, formerly of Benton, Mo., died June 2, 2014, at his home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Carolyn Jo Holman, 60, died June 4, 2014, at her home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

NEW MADRID -- Geneva Hunt, 76, passed away May 30, 2014, at Jefferson Regional Hospital in Pine Bluff, Ark. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Dr. Jennie C. Cooper, 82, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, June 2, 2014, peacefully at her home, with her two children present. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

CHARLESTON --Two Sikeston residents are in jail in connection with the theft of a four-wheeler. Krystal Dawn Tatum, 24, and Jonathan Ray Higgins, 25, are currently in the Mississippi County Jail on charges of theft of a motor vehicle, tampering with a motor vehicle and trespassing. Tatum's bond is set at $25,000 while bond for Higgins is set at $50,000...

JEFFERSON CITY -- A Scott County official has additional duties following her appointment to a state board. Rita Milam of Benton is one of three persons appointed by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon Wednesday to the Missouri Public Entity Risk Management Fund Board of Trustees...

We are supposed to be a Christian country. What we need to do is quit bashing people and praying more. We also need to take a look at our government. We have a right as American citizens to put a stop to what's going on. In order for us to do that, we have to ban together, not bash each other. ...

scottw@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- Mississippi County still doesn't know what the tire fire this spring will ultimately cost -- or when it will be completely out even. County Clerk Junior DeLay said during the Mississippi County Commission's regular meeting Thursday that the county still hasn't received a bill from MidWest Environmental Resources for extinguishing the fire burning in the pile of tires collected by county workers from ditches and and roadsides over a period of years...