Stories from Thursday, November 6, 2014

The Missouri Volleyball Coaches Association has released its all-state and all-region teams for the 2014 season. According to the Missouri Volleyball Coaches Association: "All-state teams are determined by a committee that meets on Saturday afternoon of the state tournament. ...

It's no trick, but a very big treat. The average price of gasoline has just fallen below $3 per gallon in the United States for the first time over 46 months, according to GasBuddy. "We have been watching the average fall since June, a rare feat that we had predicted in our 2014 forecast, but to see the magnitude of the decline over the last month has been astounding," said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst with GasBuddy. ...

When a person is called to be a missionary it is necessary for them to leave home, possessions, relatives, worldly ambitions and go to wherever God has led them to go. This calling is much like Abraham's call that he received in Genesis 12. Abraham was called to give up alot but because you can never out give God he was promised much more. ...

The Dunklin County Farm Bureau is proud to announce that Representative Kent Hampton is a recipient of the 2014 Farm Bureau Friend of Agriculture Award. "This award is in recognition of Representative Hampton's voting record on issues of importance to agriculture, his working relationship with farmers in the Dunklin County Farm Bureau, and his willingness to take a leadership role in representing Missouri agriculture," stated Barry Bean, vice president of Dunklin County Farm Bureau. ...

KANSSA CITY, MO - This year, AARP Foundation is again providing free tax assistance and preparation for taxpayers with low to moderate income through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in its 46th year, is the nation's largest free tax assistance and preparation service, giving special attention the older population. ...

SIKESTON -- Holiday open houses are for shopping, getting bargains and reconnecting with downtown merchants. Sikeston merchants will have their Downtown Holiday Open House from 9 a.m to 9 p.m. Friday and and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. In addition to extended shopping hours, there will be store specials, refreshments and carriage rides...

BENTON -- A Scott County man faces charges for a sex crime. Todd Michael Kluesner, 41, of rural Scott City is charged with the unclassified felony of attempted statutory sodomy in the first degree-attempted deviant sexual intercourse with another person under 14 years old and the Class A misdemeanor of assault in the third degree...

Several team members of both the volleyball and softball teams have been listed in the All-Conference and All-District teams. They are front, from left, Caroline Samples (VB All Conf and All Dist), Molly Frakes (VB All Conf. Honorable Mention), Sasha Starnes (VB All Conf. ...

SIKESTON -- The rumors of an eleventh grader having a gun at school at false, according to the Sikeston Department of Public Safety. According to Sikeston DPS, a high school student downloaded a photo of a gun on his iPad Tuesday. He also had two batteries with the labels torn off. The batteries were mistaken for bullets...

sports@standard-democrat.com MALDEN -- Through his first four years as head coach at Malden, Joel Wyatt saw rival Caruthersville dominate the Class 2, District 1 landscape. Not only have they held the district crown in every year of Wyatt's tenure, but the current defending champs have reeled off six in a row...

Residents of the Missouri 149th District of the House of Representatives has a new state representative. District voters elected Don Rone to the seat. He defeated Democrat Bill Burlison, 3801 to 2768 or 57.863% of the votes. Steve Hodges, the current state representative did not run due to term limitations. According to the Missouri Secretary of State website, shows the break down as follow...

NEW MADRID- A two-month investigation has ended with the arrest of six people in connection with a marijuana growing operation. New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens reported the joint investigation between the New Madrid County Sheriff's Department and the New Madrid Police Department concluded Sunday evening when a search warrant was served in Catron with the assistance of the SEMO Drug Task Force...

SIKESTON- A discovery that some students attending Sikeston R-6 School District legally live in the New Madrid County R-1 School District has forced school officials to explain boundary guidelines. Sikeston R-6 Superintendent Tom Williams acknowledges the district's boundaries can be confusing. It doesn't follow the Sikeston city limits and it crosses county lines, he pointed out...

During Otto Porter's first five games in the 2014-15 season, the former Scott County Central star has averaged nine points, including a career-high 21 points against Milwaukee Saturday for the Washington Wizards. The 6-8 small forward, who is in his second year in the NBA, has also averaged 25 minutes of playing time, 3.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and has shot 48 percent (15 of 31) from the field. ...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today from the Associated Press: 1. WINNING GOP EAGER TO MOVE AHEAD WITH THEIR AGENDA The Republican Party wants to strike legislative victories on the Keystone pipeline and rolling back some Obamacare elements and environmental regulations...

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Another opportunity to enjoy fine wine and fine dining while supporting a worthy cause is right around the corner. "Celebrating the USO with Altrusa" is the theme for Altrusa International of Sikeston's 14th annual dinner auction scheduled Nov. 8 at the Clinton Building in Sikeston...

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- An app for smart phones by a local business doesn't just tell you where you can get the lowest gas prices -- it uses a new program to bring the lowest price to you. "The Rhodes 101 To-Go mobile app launched in December 2013 and is currently available for download on Apple and Android app stores," said Stephanie Holland, integrated communications coordinator for Rhodes 101 Stops corporate office in Cape Girardeau. ...

PARMA - Charles Powell, 64, died Nov. 5, 2014, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

ESSEX -- Gary Morrill, 62, died Nov. 1, 2014, at his home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

DEXTER -- Kathryn Neloise Johnson, 87, died Nov. 4, 2014, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

DEXTER -- James Barry Crosby Jr., 55, died Nov. 5, 2014, at Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

PUXICO -- Theral "Tubie" Vanover, 60, died Nov. 3, 2014, at Memphis, Tenn. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

CHAFFEE -- Robert C. "Bob" Smith, 60, died Nov. 4, 2014. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

I'm calling about the Main Street Mayhem in East Prairie. I certainly agree with this caller. I don't know where their brains were when they came up with this idea. We had parallel parking here in East Prairie several years ago and it was a disaster. I'm wondering how many people can now park on Main Street the way they've done it. I've never seen such a mess. I don't know what in the world they had in mind...

scottw@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- Mississippi County officials and at least one county resident have taken on the role of the proverbial "squeaky wheel" but want asphalt, not grease. County Clerk Junior DeLay reported during the regular County Commission meeting Thursday on progress toward refiling claims against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for destroying county roads...