Stories from Friday, February 20, 2015

Reporting live from the igloo that has become my house, I'd like to offer an idea to our friends at the local news channels. It's evident that nothing tickles the meteorologists more than reporting live from outside in the weather, so how about we strap that microphone to the handle end of a snow shovel, and each segment can be filmed at someone else's driveway. I could deal with a winded dialogue if it meant a clean driveway!...

HAYTI, Mo. -- Author Lydia Mae Wilsey announces the nationwide release of her new, Christian novel, "The Thread That Connects Us All," where she shares a compelling story revealing God's supernatural love and presence in every life. In "The Thread That Connects Us All," Umar flees as his mother is killed as a blood sacrifice to the god of a village long lost in the Kalahari Desert. ...

As Christians, we know we cannot fall from grace, but we do fall into grace! God's grace is an unearned, unmerited gift to the believer and thankfully, God never reneges on His gift to those who truly believe. What can we do to stay faithful to our God who loves us so generously and freely? We can purpose to be informed, insulated, and involved. ...

PADUCAH, Ky. - The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory in effect until 6 a.m. Saturday. According to the NWS, winter storm watch is no longer in effect, however, the advisory calls for snow, sleet and freezing rain from noon today through 6 a.m. Saturday...

sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- Winter weather has wreaked havoc on area basketball schedules, including the Sikeston Bulldogs which had two games cancelled this week. But the Bulldogs were finally able to take to the court on Thursday and they didn't seem to miss a beat as they defeated Bernie 81-60 on Senior Night at the Field House...

sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- What looked to be a possible rout by halftime turned into a fight to the finish for Scott County Central Thursday as they celebrated senior night against New Madrid County Central. A one-time, 14-point lead had completely vanished in the final minute of the game as the Eagles atoned for a rough first two quarters...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. LATEST SNOWDEN LEAK DETAILS GOVERNMENT HACKING The NSA helped Britain steal codes from a data chip manufacturer, allowing both governments to spy on mobile phones worldwide, the documents reportedly show...

SIKESTON - Due to impending inclement weather on Saturday, the Kenny Rogers Children's Center Telethon Idol Auditions are rescheduled to Feb. 28 in the JC Penney wing at West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau. Registration for the annual singing competition/fundraiser will begin at 11 a.m. Feb. 28 and is $10 per person. Contestants need to bring a photo with them as part of the registration...

CHARLESTON -- A month-long investigation has led to the arrest of a Mississippi County resident. Kevin Wayne Jones, 34, of East Prairie was arraigned Wednesday on two felony counts of receiving stolen property valued at more than $500, according to Missouri Case.net...

KENNETT (SMNS) -- Police are calling the recent disappearance of a Kennett, Missouri, woman suspicious. The Kennett Police Department, Dunklin County Sheriff's Office and Missouri State Highway Patrol continue to search for 46-year-old Deana R. Davison. She was last seen the night of Jan. 25 at the Super 8 Motel in Kennett...

GRAYRIDGE -- A Grayridge man is in custody after allegedly abusing his mother and holding a gun to her head. According to the report, Michael Davis, 40, of Grayridge, was arrested on Monday, Feb. 16, after a domestic assault call was made to the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department concerning an altercation Davis had with his mother. It was allegedly during that assault that Davis had put a gun to her head...

BENTON -- The fourth installment in a paranormal romance novel series by a Scott County author will be released March 4. "Absolution," -- the fourth book in "The Three Crowns" series by Sonya Ray of Benton will continue to follow part-human Lizzie through her transition from teenager to adult and how she copes with change...

scottw@standard-democrat.com CHARLESTON -- The county finally has its orders placed for equipment to replace was was lost during a tire fire last summer. Commissioners accepted the bids for five pieces of equipment for the county road and bridge department during their regular weekly meeting Thursday...

PADUCAH, Ky. -- Lee Edward Finley, 49, formerly of Mississippi County, Mo., died Feb. 19, 2015, at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

MATTHEWS -- Pallbearers at services conducted Thursday for Vernon Lee Bledsoe, 79, who died Feb. 16, 2015, were: Randy Hargis, Mark Deuster, John Carlisle, Frank Cohen, Nathan Carlisle and Ken Eichhorst. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition...

CHAFFEE -- Albert Junior Abraham, 89, died Feb. 18, 2015, at the Chaffee Nursing Center. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

DEXTER -- Norman Dean Gillespie, 85, died Feb. 15, 2015, at Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

BLOOMFIELD -- Gorty Lowell Aslin, 90, died Feb. 18, 2015, at Southeast Health of Stoddard County in Dexter. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

SIKESTON -- Willa Bohannon, 88, died Feb. 20, 2015, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

NEW MADRID -- Bobbie Gray, 73, died Feb. 10, 2015, at her home. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

DEXTER -- Leroy "Lee" Edward Green, 89, died Feb. 19, 2015, at the Cypress Point Skilled Nursing. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

EAST PRAIRIE -- Nora Elizabeth Moore, 89, died at 4:52 p.m. Feb. 18, 2015, at the East Prairie Nursing Center. For the complete Standard Democrat obituary log in to our electronic edition.

I just heard our Liar in Chief on TV. He may be the 44th president, but as far as I'm concerned he's the No. 1 liar and has spent more money than all the rest of them put together. This is about the response to "That's a crock" statement that was made in SpeakOut. I don't know why you thought you had to call that person a moron. He didn't call you a name. He just made a statement. Just because you disagree with his statement, you shouldn't be name calling. You should be more adult than that...

JEFFERSON CITY- The Missouri House of Representatives has voted in favor of bringing the Right to Work to Missouri's construction industry, a positive step toward bringing comprehensive Right to Work status to our state. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry has long advocated for the passage of Right to Work legislation to help spur economic development. ...

COLUMBIA, Mo.- The University of Missouri- Columbia is testing out a new gender-neutral housing option starting this fall. The 16-bed space in College Avenue Hall will be open to students of any gender. The goal is to create a safe, secure housing option for those students who are transgender or gender-nonconforming...