Stories from Monday, November 24, 2014

What in the world is happening to holiday tradition? Thanksgiving is on the doorstep of getting gobbled up by ever-growing shopping holidays of their own. A prevailing theory attributes the name Black Friday to the accounting term of being "in the black," in that the Friday after Thanksgiving was the first day that retailers could realize a fourth fiscal quarter profit. ...

Laynie Brown adds finishing touches to her elf Saturday during the Fall Festival at Matthews Elementary in Matthews.

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Monday: 1. UNCERTAINTY OVER FERGUSON DECISION FEEDS ANXIETY The grand jury weighing whether to charge Officer Darren Wilson in the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown apparently didn't reach a decision Friday, and there has been no official confirmation on when it will reconvene...

Buck Brawn, left portrayed by sophomore Preston Tilley, places an engagement ring on the left ring finger of a very shocked Star Bright, played by junior Skie Pinkley, during Richland's performance of "The Pony Expresso" at Richland R-1 School on Friday night...

BENTON - An Oran woman was arrested for stealing jewelry from a business. At 2:22 p.m. Saturday, Scott County Sheriff's Deputy Zac Harris responded to Boomland on Highway 77 east of Benton where employees at the business identified Kelley R. Prochak, 44, as stealing multiple rings from a counter near a register. Harris watched the store's surveillance video and observed a recording of the theft...

HAYTI -- Loyd Edward "Sonny" McMillen Jr., 48, died Nov. 21, 2014, at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Paul E. Vaught, 88, died Nov. 21, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Timmy Hankins, 50, died Nov. 23, 2014, at Milwaukee Wisconsin Hospital. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

BENTON -- A Scott County man used his brother's name in an attempt to get out of jail and now faces additional charges. Kyle Nathan Irvin, 28, no permanent address, was transported to the Scott County Jail on Nov. 16, by another agency on unrelated charges. According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, when Irvin was booked into the jail, he identified himself as Andrew P. Irvin, his brother, and signed that name...

BENTON -- A Sikeston area couple is in custody following a narcotics investigation by the Scott County Sheriff's Department. James M. Woods, 59, is charged with the felonies of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Alesha K. Gonzalez, 33, is charged with the misdemeanors of possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia...

I want to thank the person at Walmart when I went to get some apples. I misplaced my four-prong cane, and whomever it was, took it to Lost and Found. I hope they have a happy Thanksgiving. It made my day to get my cane back. The Sikeston VA Clinic does everything that they can to help people over there. ...

Pete and Darlene Klipfel of Portageville, MO are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Tera LaShae, to Jacob Aaron, son of Robert and Florence Olivi of Lake Village, AR. The bride to be graduated from Portageville High School and from the Pemiscot County LPN program in Hayti, MO. She is currently continuing her education at Arkansas Northeastern College...

Robert Jennings of Portageville passed away Thursday, November 13, 2014 in his home at the age of 52 years, 2 months and 8 days. He was born on August 26, 1962 in Missouri to Jim and Ollie (Fisher) Jennings. Robert was an auto mechanic and was employed by Tyson in Dexter, MO, and he loved fishing...

The following students at Portageville Middle School received Honor Roll for the 1st quarter: 6th Grade- Maggie Allred, Izzayah Birdwell, Jonathan Brewer, Hayden Buchanan, Katelynn Canovi, Molly Crockett, Zackary Douglas, Tyler Dubois, Alora Dunlap, Mika Durbin, Elizabeth Forrester, Brendan Garmon, Taylor Garmon, Nicholas Tobe Gates, Brance Halterman, Emily Higgerson, Tyler Hill, Anastasia Holmes, Jamon Hooper, Lenni-Emma Howard, Gabe Hughes, Maggie Jackson, Gracie Johnson, Madison Johnson, Ethan Jones, Hilary Kelley, Abby Laws, Lee Laws, Rilee Matlock, Terrance McClellan, William Meador, Jaelyn Milam, Chloe Moore, Natalie Morefield, William Murphy, Emily Nolen, Kris Parker, Jacob Pepper, Castle Portwood, Mason Prislovsky, Jacob Quick, Jayse Scherer, Taylor Slank, Libby Spoor, Cameron Strawn, Jacob Swilley, Chrisette Thomas, Jayden Torrey, William Treadwell, Gary Tubbs, Hunter Tubbs and Shakyra Wright.. ...

The following students at Portageville Elementary received A-Honor Roll for the 1st quarter: 1st Grade- Jerica Allen, Maliyah Baker, Tayvion Bogan, Kayleigh Darnall, Christopher DeLisle, Abby Dubois, Leland Durbin, Mason Edgar, Gloriaha Farmer, Eli Forrester, Adyson Galbraith, Joclyn Hartman, Kenzie Hendrix, Lille Lucas, Nate Mayabb, Miley Milam, Kaitlyn Moore, Mia Scherer, Danny Taylor, Kylee Thacker, Aveon Treadwell, Max Warren and Kay-Lee Weddington...

The following students at Portageville High School received Honor Roll for the 1st quarter: 9th Grade- Andreia Alexander, Andrew Alexander, Austin Ashby, John Benson, Peyton Bullock, Deavion Caldwell, John Carroll, Daniel Carter, Hanna Cook, Brenna Corbett, Eleseiana Covington, Darrel Ellis, Bayleigh Foster, Hunter Gates, Abby Gibbins, Keeta Green, Dylan Henry, Timothy Howell, Deondra Johnson, Abby Johnston, Kevin Jones, Kelsey Kellams, Madison Livingston, Mary Long, Savannah Lovins, Kelsi Miller, Lacey Morefield, Dakota Portwood, Sarah Prince, Caleb Pullum, Mario Reed, Lance Richardson, Alex Riddle, Shelby Rone, Shamyia Roston, Robert Tubbs, Logan Vent, Arianna West, Jerry Williams and Owen Wilson.. ...

The following students at St. Eustachius School received A-Honor Roll for the 1st quarter: 1st Grade- Logan Pind, Julianna Priggel, Maggie Priggel, Will Stinnett and Wyatt Stinnett. 2nd Grade- Casen Patton, Liza Priggel and Bradley Staffey. 4th Grade- Grace Long, Jessica Priggel and Libbie Jo Priggel...

Registration has begun for Spring semester classes at Three Rivers College, with openings available for new and returning students at all of the college's locations. Online and on-site registration will continue through Jan. 9 at the Poplar Bluff campus and the centers in Sikeston, Dexter, Kennett, Malden, Willow Springs, Piedmont, and Cape Girardeau. The semester starts on Jan. 12...

ST. LOUIS- In celebration of National Military Family Appreciation Month, WGU Missouri is offering a new scholarship to help veterans, active-duty military, and their spouses go back to school. Parent university Western Governors University (WGU) is partnering with the National Military Family Association (NMFA) to extend the scholarship for bachelor's and master's degree programs...

SIKESTON -- Scott County Central High School has announced the honor roll students for the first quarter of the 2014-2015 school year. They are: Abby Burchard, Jackson Casey, Logan Hall, Kinley Hargrove, Alexis Hart, Caleb Hunt, Rita Meeker, Logan Oliver, Avery Pobst, Sarrah Turner, Colton Vance, Katyra Williams...

Kindergarten teacher Ashley Palmer was recognized as Staff PeaceBuilder at Matthews Elementary School at Matthews for the first quarter of 2014-2015. Mrs. Palmer is an excellent role model for her students as well as all other students in the building, New Madrid County R-1 officials said. ...

Southeast Elementary in Sikeston named its Students of the Month for October. The word of the month was responsibility. Pictured are front row, from left: Ramyah Lewis, Charlie Torres, Neicie Palmer, Dallin Knoeppel, Keara Johnson and Conner Michael; second row: Aunesti Tatum, Dakota Thompson, Saloni Maisura, Rasheed Abu Khudier and Baylee Copeland; and back row: Miranda Sherwood, Peyton Morgan, Shakayla Jasper, Drake Tigart, Khalia Andrews, Chelsea Thompson and Aiden Hutcheson...

On Oct. 30, New Madrid County R-1 FBLA members filled Halloween treat bags with candy the members had donated. The treat bags were then delivered to the Golden Living Center in New Madrid, where the students also visited with the residents. Pictured front row from left are: Megan Wasson, Shelby Smith, Sarah Robinson, Riley Fowler, Allyson Garner and Kaitlyn Lawfield; back row: Melissa Wasson, Turner Holmes, Maria Turley, Kaitlyn Long, Amyia Gates, Madison Adams, Makayla Burris, Payton Jones, Megan Gremard, Alyssa Robeson, Austin Young, Sarah Peel, Shaniah Fountain, C. ...

BENTON -- Kelly Elementary School has announced the honor roll students for the first quarter of the 2014-2015 school year. They are: Madison Agin, Kaylee Brown, Brody Camden, Ethan Carlyle, , Alyssa Casey, Jaden Cupp, Keegan Ditto, Tristan Genereau, Emory Glenn, Caitlyn Graham, Jada-Lynn Griggs, Mika Kirkman, Mallory Lemonds, Jacob Liverett, Tommy-Anne Marriott, Hannah McDermott, Makayla Morgan, Katelyn Ruff, Cooper Shackles, Trenton Staggs, Rilen Summers, Caleb Tidwell, Laird Tucker...

Sikeston Junior High announced the seventh and eighth grade BARK king and queen for first quarter. These students were recognized for exemplifying their school's acronym, BARK, which stands for Be Respectful, Act Responsibly, Ready to Learn, and Keep Safe. The eighth grade king is Sean Blanchfield and the queen is Grace Foust...

Sikeston Junior High announced the seventh and eighth grade BARK king and queen for first quarter. These students were recognized for exemplifying their school's acronym, BARK, which stands for Be Respectful, Act Responsibly, Ready to Learn, and Keep Safe. The seventh grade king is Sam Drury and queen is Emma Drury. This is the first time siblings have won, and these siblings happen to be twins...

The Christian Academy has named its Character of the Month honorees. Students are selected based on their "Overall Christ--like Behavior" each month. Pictured are:prekindergarten through second grade honorees, from left:  Kael Davis (prekindergarten), Redic McIntyre (kindergarten), Lyndsi Terrell (first grade) and Lydia Hester (second grade)...

The Christian Academy has named its Character of the Month honorees. Students are selected based on their "Overall Christ--like Behavior" each month. The third through fifth grade honorees are, from left: Toniah Magill (third grade), Vance Terrell (fifth grade), Justice Green (fifth grade) and Chandler Duncan (fourth grade)...

The Christian Academy has named its Character of the Month honorees. Students are selected based on their "Overall Christ--like Behavior" each month. Honored from the Junior and Senior High were, from left: Aden Morris and Mallory Jaynes...

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- The city will renew its self-funded health insurance plan for employees despite a sharp increase in the premiums. The Sikeston City Council accepted the renewal offer from HealthSCOPE Benefits during their regular monthly briefing session Monday...