Stories from Monday, December 29, 2014

sports@standard-democrat.com BLOOMFIELD -- After watching seventh-seeded Bloomfield stun second-seeded Malden, the Dexter Bearcats looked ready to pull off a second-straight upset Saturday night at the Bloomfield Christmad Tournament. Unfortunately for the sixth-seeded Bearcats, a few late rebounds proved to be the difference in game where third-seeded Kennett held on for a 42-41 quarterfinal win...

sports@standard-democrat.com CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The talent that spread throughout Morgan Park's lineup may have been deeper, but the New Madrid County Central Eagles didn't let that deter their fight. Down by as much as 20 at one point, the Eagles clawed back to give the two-time Illinois state champions a scare late in the fourth but eventually fell 85-75 to Chicago Morgan Park during the Championship Plus at the Carbondale Holiday Tournament at SIU Arena in Carbondale Sunday night...

sports@standard-democrat.com O'FALLON -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs basketball team finished off its run in the 21st Annual St. Dominic Christmas Tournament with a consolation championship victory over Timberland, upsetting the fifth-seeded Wolves 52-40 on Monday morning at St. Dominic High School...

sports@standard-democrat.com BLOOMFIELD -- It took overtime, but the Bernie Mules are back in the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament semifinals. After missing a buzzer beater in regulation the Mules outscored top-seeded Hayti in overtime 9-2 for a 45-38 win...

sports@standard-democrat.com BLOOMFIELD -- Despite going in the fourth quarter knotted up with Malden on Monday, Dexter's limited depth caught up with them in the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament fifth-place bracket semifinals. Unable to match the Green Wave's depth, the Bearcats were outscored 21-8 in the fourth quarter to end their tournament run with a 56-43 loss...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. SEARCH CONTINUES FOR MISSING AIRLINER The Indonesia search and rescue chief says it seems certain that Flight 8501, carrying 162 people, crashed...

Sikeston Fifth and Sixth Grade Center named its fifth grade students of the month for November. The word of the month was self-control. Pictured are front row, from left: Perry Hilson, Lucas King and Hilal Hussain; second row: Colleen Robins, Evan Lawson and Dylan Thornell; and back row: Trevor Loflin, Sydni Taylor, Emma Spraggs and Brent Revelle. Not pictured is Zekiah Pulley...

Sixth grade students of the month have been named by the Sikeston Fifth and Sixth Grade Center. The word of the month was self-control. Pictured are front row, from left: Tyla Johnson, Natalie Parker and Timaya Randle; second row: Mason Davis, Dakota Ryan and Tobias Sanchez; and back row: Audra McMillen, Hallie McCain, Ian Blackburn and Marshall Thurmon...

MATTHEWS -- Geneva Forrest, 80, formerly of Sikeston, died Dec. 27, 2014, at the Close to Home Care Center. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Gerald Dean Howard, 93, died at 12 p.m. Dec. 28, 2014. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Lois Nation Fodge Feagan, 68, died Dec. 26, 2014, at the Miner Nursing Center in Miner. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON- Keith Conrad, 95, died Dec. 28, 2014, at his home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

PORTAGEVILLE -- Wiliam Walker, 61, died Dec. 25, 2014, at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

DEXTER-- Ernestine Webber, 79, died Dec. 26, 2014, at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- The success of the first ever video-assisted thoracoscopic lung surgery at Missouri Delta Medical Center could mean a lot less pain in the future. On Sept. 8, Dr. Paul Montany, a board-certified general surgeon at MDMC specializing in both thoracic and vascular surgery, performed a VATS lobectomy at the hospital...

KENNETT -- A Kennett man was killed after the vehicle he was traveling in struck a tree Saturday in Dunklin County. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred at 11:15 p.m. , half a mile south of Kennett, as southbound motorist Gary A. Nelson, 53, of Kennett was traveling on county road 553 and ran off the left side of the road and struck a tree...

I would like to leave a message for the families of the two policemen that got killed in New York City. I would like to represent them in a lawsuit against the governor of Missouri, the Reverend and the mayor of New York and I will do it for free. We have always come to Sikeston to see the Christmas decorations the people have. ...

OLIVE BRANCH, Miss. -- Marietta Whitworth, 95, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Dec. 19, 2014, in Olive Branch. A memorial service is planned for a later date.

BELL CITY -- Genevieve Hicks, 76, died Dec. 29, 2014, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Visitation is from 2-5 p.m. Thursday at Ponder Funeral Home, where services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday. The Rev. Deborah Russell, pastor of New Life Christian Church in Morley, will officiate...

SIKESTON -- Wakefield Avenue, from the intersection of Euclid Drive to State Route BB (Brownsupr Road) will be closed to through traffic beginning Jan. 5. The closure is expected to last through April. The road is being closed as a result of a 2013 MoDOT inspection that identified five of the bridge's eight wooden piles to be weakened and the load limit was reduced from 40 tons to 10 tons...

BENTON -- A local man arrested for violations of a protection order faces additional charges for drug possession. Kevin Randolph McClendon, 56, of Morley, is charged with the felonies of possession of a controlled substance and resisting arrest and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor...

Braymon Pritchett Williams of Portageville passed away on Friday, December 12, 2014 at Gideon Care Center. He was 65 years, 1 month and 12 days old. Braymon was born October 31, 1949 in Hodges, AL to Wenona Mae (Pritchett) Williams and Nuell Peter Williams...

Billy Lee McCoy, the son of the late Monroe McCoy and Estlee Boughman McCoy, born April 1, 1941 in Russellville, AR, died December 4, 2014 in Portageille at the age of 73 years. He was united in marriage with Bonita James on March 15, 1986 in Hayti...

The following cases were heard October 16, 2014 in Portageville Municipal Court by Municipal Judge Christopher J. Stinnett. Fines imposed do reflect court costs: Adam Durbin - Failure to Obey Lawful Order, $184.50. Myra Joyce Estes was found guilty of Obstructing a Police Officer and ordered to pay fines and cost of $184.50...

The following cases were heard November 20, 2014 in Portageville Municipal Court by Municipal Judge Christopher J. Stinnett. Fines imposed do reflect court costs: Robert Blakeman -- Defective Equipment, $189.50. Kelli Bradfield -- Defective Equipment, $109.50...

POPLAR BLUFF -- Mid Continent Nail in the Poplar Bluff Industrial Park has announced plans for a nearly $5 million expansion project and the hiring of 91 workers. The firm will install a new line in its original 118,000-square-foot plant in the industrial park on the north side of Revere Plastics. Equipment has been ordered and will be installed as soon as possible...

The Health Facilities Rehab Services held their ribbon cutting and open house on Thursday, December 11. They were originally located in with SEMO Health Network prior to the clinic closing. The rehab service provider took the opportunity to seek a place on their own and moved next to the State Farm Insurance office located at 301B East First of Portageville. ...

Ag Expo will celebrate its 29th Anniversary on Jan. 30 and 31, at the Black River Coliseum, in Poplar Bluff. Agriculture booth spaces are now available to rent. This is one of the largest ag trade shows in the region, which is sponsored by Butler County University of Missouri Extension Council and the Ag Club of Three Rivers College (TRC)...

Winners of Portageville High and Middle School Christmas Door Decorating contests are as follows: MIDDLE SCHOOL: 1st place- Ms. Jamie Lynn (Rudolph); 2nd place- Mrs. Kristy Ward (Olaf); 3rd place- Mrs. Traci Bullock (M&M's). HIGH SCHOOL: 1st place- Mrs. Kellye Penn Fowler (Elf); 2nd place- Mrs. Heather Warren (Charlie Brown); 3rd place- Mr. Ron Golden (Mr. Grinch)...

DEXTER -- Harold Williams Jr., 60, died Dec. 26, 2014, at his home. Visitation is scheduled from 11 a.m. until time of services at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition Wednesday...