Stories from Friday, October 17, 2014

Divers make attempt to look at submerged car; may be vehicle of woman missing since 2013

PORTAGEVILLE -- The crowd at Friday's non-league contest between the Portageville Bulldogs and the visiting Kelly Hawks, observed Portageville's football squad bounce Kelly by a count of 48-7. Portageville led 6-0 after one quarter and 14-7 at halftime but outscored the Hawks 34-0 in the second half to improve to 5-3 on the season...

The Portageville Lady Bulldogs made several errors in the finals of the Bootheel Conference Tournament last Thursday. They lost to Malden in two sets, 22-25 and 13-25. the tournament was played in Hayti. The night before in the semifinals, the Lady dogs played Campbell in the semi-final rounds and won in two, 25-13, 25-11...

Average retail gasoline prices in Missouri have fallen 7.1 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.92/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 3,940 gas outlets in Missouri. This compares with the national average that has fallen 6.0 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.21/g, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com...

There is a story about two monks walking along the road when they come to a shallow, muddy river. A beautiful woman in a long white dress is standing there. She can't figure out how to continue her journey without ruining her outfit. So one of the monks picks her up in his arms - something he was absolutely forbidden to do, for touching a woman was against his vows - and he carries her across to the other side. Then, all parties continued on their journey...

SIKESTON -- While the event may be at a different time of year with different hours, the fight against cancer will be the same during the 19th annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Scott County. In the past the Relay has been held in April, when spring weather is unpredictable and also close to the Kenny Rogers Children's Center Telethon. ...

sports@standard-democrat.com FESTUS -- By her own admission, Portageville ace Taylor Tiffany didn't have her best stuff when the Lady Bulldogs opened up their Class 2 sectional matchup with St. Pius X on Thursday. Five walks and two hits in the first couple innings alone spotted the Lady Lancers a two-run lead, leaving the Lady Bulldogs to wonder if their bats could overcome much more of a deficit...

sports@standard-democrat.com KENNETT -- The Sikeston volleyball team took back their SEMO Conference tournament crown Thursday after a straight-set win over Kennett 25-22, 25-22. This is Sikeston's sixth tournament championship in the last seven years after a hiatus from last year's championship...

SIKESTON -- Despite recent, heavy rainfall, the fall color in Southeast Missouri still has an opportunity to be decent this year. "We had a really good growing season this year," said Ross Glenn, a Missouri Department of Conservation forester with the New Madrid Forestry Office. "It wasn't terribly hot. For the most part, we got rains when we needed them. The less stress a tree has, the healthier it is, and the longer it's going to go."...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Friday: 1. TEXAS HEALTH WORKERS ORDERED TO STAY HOME A judge says dozens of hospital employees who had contact with the man who died of Ebola are being asked to sign legal documents agreeing not to go to public places or use mass transit...

scottw@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- Grading -- and other work -- to farmland south of the intersection of Highways 62 and 77 west of Charleston should improve drainage, not cause additional flooding. Farmer Robert Jackson and the landowner, Leslie Fox, met with the Mississippi County Commission during their regular meeting Thursday to discuss flooding concerns raised during the Commission's Oct. 9 meeting...

The annual Job Fair was held at the Clinton Building in Sikeston on Thursday. Sponsored by the Sikeston Regional Chamber and the Missouri Career Center, employers from across the region were on hand to interview and answer questions.

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. -- Mildred Pauline Ray, 92, formerly of Portageville, Mo., died at 4:25 p.m. Oct. 15, 2014, at her home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

BLODGETT-- Angela Marie Smith, 33, died Oct. 15, 2014, at her home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

DEXTER -- Therma Alfreda Reed, 89, died Oct. 11, 2014, at Golden Living Center. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

I have been to visit my ailing grandmother several times during the month of September at Missouri Delta Medical Center. While coming and going, I had noticed on several occasions two different vehicles parked in front of the building instead of the actual visitor parking. ...