Stories from Friday, August 29, 2014

With the start of school came the start of organized sports. When people think of Fall sports the majority of them think of one in particular- football. Football is a favorite community wide and gets the most attention. However, while they're out on the field there is an overlooked group of girls in the gym practicing for their upcoming season...

I try to remind myself not to spend too much time talking about the weather in this column, as I am not a meteorologist (witch doctor) and some folks won't see the printed version of this article for another week. The thing is though, as an outdoorsman, the only people that are as affected by the weather as much us are farmers, and maybe a bride-to-be on the precipice of her outdoor wedding!...

news@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Department of Public Safety is investigating what appears to be a severe beating. At about 1:23 a.m. Thursday DPS received a report from workers operating a solid waste collection truck of a man found in an alley between Greer Avenue and Matthews Avenue, according to Capt. Jim McMillen, public information officer for Sikeston DPS...

sports@standard-democrat.com POPLAR BLUFF -- The Sikeston girls tennis team earned its first win Thursday after visiting Poplar Bluff 5-4. Ali Price, Peyton Henson, Brianna Basham and Emily Braden all scored singles wins while the tandem of Price and Hope Mannon held on for a doubles victory...

Coach Spence Royer has made the decision to break away from the FAST Swimming organization based in St. Louis, in order to build his own team at the Rec Center in Caruthersville. On September 1st Bootheel Racers Swimming will officially begin. For the past 2 years Caruthersville has been home to a FAST Satellite Program and has enabled over 40 kids from the surrounding area to compete in the sport of swimming. Coach Royer will continue this momentum with his new team...

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has closed the MO Route 53 overpass bridge crossing the Union Pacific railroad line in Campbell, Mo., until further notice, as a precautionary measure. Excess movement was noted in the bridge during a routine inspection on Wednesday. Additional inspections began last Thursday. The area will be marked with signs. Motorists will be detoured to an alternate route...

JEFFERSON CITY- In the past 10 years, traffic deaths on Missouri roads have continuously decreased, likely due to driver education and road improvements, among several other factors, according to a highway patrol spokesman. Since 2005, the number of traffic fatalities has dropped every year, except for 2012 which showed a slight increase from the previous year, reported by the Jefferson City Tribune...

POPLAR BLUFF -- A pair of two-out errors dug the Sikeston Bulldogs a deeper hole Thursday. Poplar Bluff scored five first-inning runs -- four unearned -- and beat the error-prone Bulldogs 9-1. Sikeston committed five errors and had five hits at the plate...

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston R-6 Board of Education set its tax levy during a special session Thursday at the district's Central Office. During the public hearing, board members approved the new operating tax levy of $3.6025 per $100 valuation, which is slightly lower than the 2013-2014 levy...

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers at services conducted today at the First Assembly of God Church in Sikeston for Jerry Wayne Alexander, 69, who died Aug. 27, 2014, were: Jason Alexander, Kris Alexander, Bradley Alexander, Hunter Newman, Jacob Newman and Michael Newman...

NEW MADRID -- Leroy Nunn, 86, died Aug. 25, 2014, at the Golden Living Center in New Madrid. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

CHARLESTON -- A Charleston man is in custody awaiting arraignment on assault and restraint charges. According to Missouri Case.net, Sammy Floyd Welch, 34, was arrested by the Charleston Department of Public Safety on a felony charges of second degree domestic assault and felonious restraint...

BENTON -- A Sikeston man was arrested Wednesday on traffic and drug charges. Markel Charles Fitchpatrick, 40, of Sikeston has been charged with the Class C Felony of Possession of a Controlled Substance, the Class A Misdemeanor of Unlawful Use of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving While Revoked...

I noticed in the last two Sunday papers that the area schools had their lunch menus in so the kids could see what they were going to eat for the upcoming week. All the schools were in there except Sikeston. Why weren't they published also? It sure would help the parents out to know what's on the menu, that way if it's something that our child doesn't like, we can pack their lunch...