Stories from Monday, September 15, 2014

CHARLESTON - A search is underway for a Charleston man wanted in custody in connection with a shooting. Teco Woods, 31, is charged with first degree assault, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm. The charges stem from an incident on Thursday when officers from the Charleston Department of Public Safety received a report of a shooting in the 700 block of Gail Street...

The Big Prairie Jaycees hosted Community Day on Saturday, kicking off activities with a parade. The sun came out just in time for the events, conducted at the Matthews City Park, and included games for children and adults, a horseshoe tournament, barbecue cook-off and pageants...

Laura Dennis of the MDMC Ortho Bone Crushers throws a pitch to Chase Kaminsky of the Swinging Bats in the Second Annual Bums for Kenny Wiffle Ball Classic on Saturday morning at the Sikeston Sports Complex. Ten teams took part in the event with the proceeds going to the Kenny Rogers Children's Center. See our photo galleries for more photos...

Historic Downtown Sikeston was filled with wine enthusiasts Saturday night for the 5th Annual Fall in Love With Downtown Wine Festival. The Hemman Winery, Hunter Valley Winery, Boat House Wine Co., St. James Winery, The Barren's Winery, Jeremiah's and River Ridge Winery also took part in the event while music was provided by Common Thread. For more photos from the event, see our photo galleries...

sports@standard-democrat.com BLOOMFIELD -- Unable to find much momentum to counter Bloomfield's front court game, the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs fell to the hosting Lady Wildcats on Monday night in straight sets, 25-14, 25-14. "We got out-played and out-hustled," Sikeston head coach Steve Beydler said. "After the big (Dig for Life this past weekend), we made a slight adjustment to our defense. The few times we executed it properly it did a real good job and did exactly what it was intended to do...

JEFFERSON CITY- There's a hunger crisis in Missouri and it's only getting worse, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The study found that the state is losing ground despite efforts to help families put food on the table.
When it comes to feeding its most vulnerable residents, said Jeanette Mott Oxford, executive director of the Missouri Association for Social Welfare, the state is moving in the wrong direction.
"Missouri has the second-highest growth in food insecurity in the country," she said, "tied with Tennessee for second place."
According to the data, one in six Missouri households struggled with hunger last year, making the state one of eight in the nation where the rate of food insecurity is significantly higher than the national average of roughly 14 percent.
Mott Oxford said she feels the trend highlights the need to strengthen the food safety net, including increasing federal food assistance benefits and expanding child nutrition programs.
"Like school breakfasts and lunches, summer feeding programs, food stamps," she said. ...

The Kennett Schola Cantorum is beginning rehearsals for its 2014 season on Monday, September 15, at 7:00 p.m. at the Presbyterian Activity Center, 226 North Main Street in Kennett. The Schola Cantorum is an independent chamber choir based in Kennett...

CAPE GIRARDEAU (SMNS) -- The Dexter Lady Bearcats and the Portageville Lady Bulldogs each came away with top finishes Saturday during the final day of the 48-team SEMO Dig for Life Classic at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. Dexter beat Park Hills Central 25-15, 25-13 in the gold bracket championship, Portageville defeated Poplar Bluff 25-21, 15-25, 25-23 in the silver bracket championship and Malden beat Clarkton 25-21, 25-19 in the bronze bracket championship...

ST. LOUIS -- Growing pains are sure to be a part of a first-year high school varsity football team. The pains were limited in Kelly's first three games this year as the Hawks were competitive in all three games and enjoyed the thrill of last week's win against St. Vincent...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. HOLLANDE PRESSES FOR ACTION AGAINST MILITANTS France's president says there's "no time to lose" in the global push to combat extremists from the Islamic State group, minus the two countries who share most of Iraq's borders...

BENTON -- It may have been 35 years since three local school children were killed in a bus accident one foggy morning, but the memory of that day remains clear in the minds of those families and community members of the Scott County R-4 "Kelly" School District...

ANNISTON -- LaVanda Kay Stone Evans, 66, died Sept. 13, 2014, at her home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

DIEHLSTADT -- Timothy George Carnell, 59, died Sept. 13, 2014, at his home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

ADVANCE - Rose Annetta Heskett, 94, died Sept. 13, 2014, at her home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Carmen R. Brazel, 93, formerly of McClure, Ill., and Charleston, died Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

Regard Earl Ringo on death row, you think life in prison is enough punishment. Well, I don't! One reason is that I don't want to pay for murderer to live out his live. Even death row takes 15-25 years. Even worse is the victims family and loved ones have to pay to keep this scum alive. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - A Charleston man will spend 15 years in federal prison for robbing a bank. Deidrick Reed, 26, was sentenced to concurrent sentences of 96 months on one felony count of making a false bomb threat and one felony count of armed bank robbery. Reed also received a consecutive sentence of 84 months for using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He appeared Monday before United States District Judge John A. Ross...