Stories from Friday, January 30, 2015

The Portageville Bulldogs rolled into Malden on Friday, Jan. 23 and the Green Wave sent them packing with a pair of losses for their record book. The varsity game went to the Wave 58-35. The junior varsity Malden squad started the night off with a 61-24 win. The Wave took all four quarters, 16-4, 20- 6, 22-12, 3-2...

Well folks the Grizzly Jig Spring Tackle Show has come and gone, and I was honored to meet so many people who read this column both online and in the area newspapers. One gentleman came up and introduced himself and said, "Hey I really enjoy your column, and thank God you finally put that boy of yours on a deer!" I thanked him and began to give some of the details of the hunt, and he quickly cut me off and said, "Now do you think you could get back to giving a decent fishing report!?" Yes sir, yes sir I can!. ...

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- A proposal by Ameren Missouri on the rates it wants to charge its largest customer, Noranda Aluminum, needs more work, Noranda officials say. During a recent hearing before the Public Service Commission, Matt Michels, Ameren's senior manager of corporate analysis, reportedly proposed Noranda a lower wholesale rate based on market pricing, as an unregulated customer, in a five-year contract. ...

There is a single word that has overtaken contemporary US society, one concept that defines life in 21st century America: Security. Before you complete your online purchase, please establish a "secure" connection. Buy this alarm system or firearm to keep your loved ones "secure." Our borders are porous and must be "secured."...

SIKESTON -- Individuals who have made contributions to the regional agricultural community were honored at the annual Sikeston Regional Chamber's Farmers Recognition Luncheon on Thursday at the Clinton Building. Four awards were given: Farm Family of the Year to Hulshof Farms in Scott County, Farm Female of the Year to Vanessa McGarity, Agri-Business Service Award to Don King and the Jaycee Outstanding Young Farmer to Vest Baker...

sports@standard-democrat.com ORAN -- Tessa Johnson scored 10 points and Logan Ivie nearly notched a double-double during Kelly's 37-30 road win over Oran Thursday. Kelly (12-5) has won six of its last seven games. Ivie was Kelly's second-leading scorer with nine points while Stephanie Worth added six points and Dakaria Johnson had six steals...

sports@standard-democrat.com DEXTER -- State-ranked or across Missouri's state lines, Dexter's schedule has been loaded with tough games. Specific games are designed to put the Lady Bearcats through a grind in hopes of preparing them for a long playoff run and, so far this season, they've come up empty-handed...

sports@standard-democrat.com BLOOMFIELD -- Just when it looked like Dexter was ready to let a shot at the Stoddard County Activities Association championship slip through their fingers, a last second rally boosted the Bearcats to one of their biggest wins of the season...

Enrollment has increased once again at Southeast Missouri State University, and it's because of a higher number of high-school students getting their diplomas. The number of students staying enrolled in high school is up 24.4 percent, according to a news release from the university. The university credits the increased high-school numbers, and therefore higher college enrollment numbers, to a dual-credit program available to students...

The MFA Oil Foundation, based in Columbia, has awarded a grant to the Three Rivers Endowment Trust, to be applied toward the cost of purchasing and mounting new TVs in an ITV classroom at the Sikeston Academic Building. The MFA Oil Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations that are working to improve communities where MFA Oil has a significant concentration of members and employees. Since it was established in 1998, the MFA Oil Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in grants...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. ISLAMIC STATE GROUP SILENT AS DEADLINE PASSES Families of a Japanese journalist and Jordanian military pilot remain in limbo, a day after the latest purported deadline for a possible prisoner swap comes and goes...

NEW MADRID - The search for a missing New Madrid woman continues as law enforcement rules out the most recent lead in the 18-month-old case. A car spotted in the depths of the Mississippi River last fall is not Barbara Stoffer's, said New Madrid Police Chief Joey Higgerson. Stoffer, 83, was driving a 1997 green four-door Volvo 850 with Missouri license plate number 073RYW on Aug. 20, 2013, in the Parma area of New Madrid County, shortly before her disappearance...

In honor of the New Madrid County Courthouse's centennial, several improvements were completed. On Thursday, a replica of the county's seal was placed over the door of the New Madrid County prosecuting attorney's office by Rick Nowell. Construction on the building began in 1915 and a variety of events are planned to mark the building's 100th year...

scottw@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- Other than disaster relief reimbursements tapering off, this year's operating budget for Mississippi County is pretty much the same as last year's. The county's annual operating budget was approved during the County Commission's regular weekly meeting Thursday following a public hearing and County Clerk Junior DeLay's annual budget message...

By Emily Priddy SEMO News Service SCOTT CITY -- A Scott City man is set for arraignment next month on charges he beat an amputee in the face with a hammer and stole his prescription medications. Dustin T. Smith, 27, faces charges of first-degree assault, armed criminal action, burglary and robbery in connection with the Dec. 28 confrontation...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Imogene Gullion, 91, died Jan. 29, 2015, at York Place and Bertrand Rehab Center. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

LILBOURN -- Russell D. Roberts, 60, died Jan. 29, 2015, at Golden Living Center. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

BRANSON -- Dawsey Lee Crutchfield, 78, died Jan. 23, 2015, at Cox Medical Center. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

DEXTER -- William Fred Baker, 76, died Jan. 22, 2015. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

NEW MADRID -- Milton Ray Carter, 72, passed away Jan. 28, 2015, at his home in New Madrid. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

CHARLESTON -- A Bertrand man is in custody after his arrest on assault and weapon charges in Mississippi County. According to the Mississippi County Sheriff's Office, John Buck Miller, 35, was arrested by the sheriff's office Thursday on felony charges of second degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon...

Find God's church. If you go to a church, they do not let you see how much offering they collect and how much the pastor makes and his family takes care of the finances and there's no voting and they do not take care of the church and it needs to be repaired. If you go to a church like that, you better check the other churches out because they will let you know where your hard-earned money is going. Thank the Lord...

BENTON - The Scott County Democratic Central Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Scott County Courthouse for the purpose of interviewing candidates for the upcoming open position of Scott County Public Administrator created by retirement. Interested persons may contact Larry Tetley, chairman, at 471-8268 and plan to attend the meeting. Candidates are to bring a resume to the interview...