Stories from Thursday, July 31, 2014

An eerie calmness lay about the sea, the waves ceased to break, and the water temperature dropped 10 degrees in a matter of minutes. The Gulf of Mexico and all its' inhabitants felt the presence of their greatest threat, the dreaded return of the one predator that could not be defeated, evaded, or defended against.....

DICKINSON, N.D. - The Charleston Fighting Squirrels beat Eden Prairie, Minnesota 4-1 Sunday night to secure its second straight birth in the Senior Babe Ruth World Series. Charleston (40-16) went 5-0 at the Midwest Plains Regional. The Fighting Squirrels beat Holyoke, Colorado 11-1 Thursday, Eden Prairie 3-1 Friday and Dickinson 9-0 Saturday to finish 3-0 in pool play. Charleston beat Oskaloosa, Iowa 4-1 in the regional semifinal Sunday afternoon...

The Portageville Lady Bulldogs recently competed at the Licking Volleyball Camp in Osage Beach, Mo. There were two teams and competed against some of the most talented competition in the state as well as other states. There were 32 teams in all at the camp. Teams Portageville competed against included:...

What's Going On!! at the New Madrid County Family Resource Center Tuesday, August 5 New Madrid County Back To School Fair -- Risco School -- 10 am -- 2 pm. Must be registered to receive school supplies. Thursday, August 7 Elderly Food Distribution for the 60 and older will be held at the Family Resource Center starting at 9:00 am. Certification is required before day of distribution to be placed on waiting list. You must already be signed up to receive a commodity box!!...

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- The Pemiscot County Jail will house prisoners from New Madrid County, at least for the next six months. At their Monday meeting, the New Madrid County Commission accepted the bid of $30 per prisoner per day from Pemiscot County. New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens on Tuesday was moving the county's prisoners from the Scott County Jail, which had housed prisoners for the county since July 2, to Pemiscot County...

Several amendments appear on the August primary ballot. Here's our take on the issues. Amendment 1: "Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to ensure that the right of Missouri citizens to engage in agricultural production and ranching practices shall not be infringed? The potential costs or savings to governmental entities are unknown, but likely limited unless the resolution leads to increased litigation costs and/or the loss of federal funding. ...

The apostle John wrote in 1 John 1:7, "But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin." A person must first come to Jesus Christ as Savior before they can walk in the light. ...

Cape Girardeau, Missouri -- August 4-6, 2014 -- The Dalhousie Golf Club will be the host site of the 2014 Southern States Cup Matches. The Missouri Golf Association will compete against Mississippi, Arkansas, and Oklahoma in the Junior Cup Team Matches. ...

Average retail gasoline prices in Missouri have fallen 8.7 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.26/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 3,940 gas outlets in Missouri. This compares with the national average that has fallen 4.9 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.51/g, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com...

SIKESTON -- With the annual back-to-school sales tax holiday beginning Friday, shoppers are guaranteed to save big this weekend. The three-day holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday and runs through Sunday. Certain back-to-school purchases, such as clothing, shoes, school supplies, computers and other items are exempt from state sales tax during the period...

By Emily Priddy SEMO News Service ST. LOUIS -- The former CEO of Southeast Missouri Health Network Inc. has been sentenced to 33 months in prison on a conspiracy charge, and three other former employees face criminal charges in connection with the case...

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- There will be plenty do to both on and off Rodeo Grounds this week during the 62nd Annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. Diehard rodeo fans can enjoy viewing some rodeo action early in the slack but Rodeo gates officially open at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday...

By Staff reports news@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Local voters will pick candidates for several federal, state and county offices during the Aug. 5 primary election. With each of the four political parties having only a single candidate appearing on the primary election ballot for the 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, November's race appears to be set...

By Staff reports news@standard-democrat.com BENTON -- Scott County voters will pick one of five ballots to vote in Tuesday's primary election. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. till 7 p.m. Identification is required to vote Tuesday, according to County Clerk Rita Milam. Forms of ID that will be accepted at the polls include: a voter ID card, driver's license, Missouri student ID, utility bill, bank statement or a paycheck that has the name and address of the voter on it...

Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee will all have their annual sales tax holidays this weekend, allowing parents to stretch their back-to-school shopping dollars. It's a great opportunity for consumers and retailers alike. Customers can buy more product for the same amount of cash, while stores can rake in extra money without raising prices...

The Gideon School District has announced the opening day of school for the fall term will be Thursday, August 14, 2014. Open House will be held Tuesday, August 12, 2014, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The open house will begin with a general meeting in the cafeteria...

CARUTHERSVILLE- A man and woman are in custody after police responded to a domestic disturbance that escalated into a hostage situation. At 12:16 p.m. Friday, Caruthersville officers were called to a home in the 600 block of Grand Avenue, "in reference to a hysterical male requesting an officer," according to a news release from Caruthersville city marshal Tony Jones...

In a joint statement issued by the USW 7686 Board of Officers, the United Steelworkers are proud to endorse Judge Josh Underwood as candidate for Associate Circuit Court Judge of New Madrid County. In its statement, USW Local 7686 acknowledged Judge Underwood's lifelong ties to New Madrid County and his commitment to the prosperity and protection of New Madrid County's labor force...

POPLAR BLUFF -- Reinforced concrete walls seem to have sprung up overnight just outside the window of the president's office at Three Rivers College. But they're not the only changes taking shape. Dr. Wes Payne is leading a new, sweeping change brought about when former president Devin Stephenson left suddenly in June...

PARMA -- R.H. Morgan, 87, died July 29, 2014, at the Miner Nursing Center in Miner. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Linda J. Miller, 55, died July 30, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

BELL CITY -- Karen Hogg, 70, died July 28, 2014, at the family home in Bell City. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

Well, it's raining again and my Direct Cable TV is off and I wonder if anybody else was having the same problem. It seems like every time it rains the cable goes off. It used to be Charter that had all these problems, but I believe Direct TV is having them now. Please speakout if you are having them too...

scottw@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- Now that officials have determined who owns the farmland next to a cemetery, they believe they can get a conflict resolved by talking things out. Harry Ishmael of Fruitland said during Thursday's regular Mississippi County Commission meeting that he is willing to wait for that conversation to happen but if it doesn't stop the damage to the Pinhook Cemetery, his next step is a lawsuit...

Recently Competitors / students from Taekwondo Advantage of Sikeston traveled to Daytona, Florida to compete in The U.S Chung Do Kwan National Championships. Close to a thousands participants converged at the Hilton Daytona Beach Ocean Front Resort for the annual event. ...