Stories from Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Partly sunny today with a high near 70 and a northeast wind 6 to 13 mph becoming south in the afternoon with gusts as high as 20 mph then becoming mostly cloudy tonight with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. ...

On March 21 and 22, the Charleston Department of Public Safety and the Mississippi County Rescue Squad, in cooperation with the University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute, hosted a training class in Charleston. The Vehicle Rescue Technician Training course gave students class room, as well as hands on experience, with the latest power and manual rescue tools to free victims trapped in motor vehicle accidents. ...

DEXTER -- Dexter Fire Chief Don Seymore is hoping for at least a little bit of rest going into this week. The Dexter Fire Department had quite a busy Saturday, as they had to fight two fires. The first call came in at 7:57 a.m., at the residence of Marilyn Smith at 18413 Twelve Oak Terrace. According to Seymore, the fire was a result of an electric outlet in the kitchen that had shorted...

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. PLANE CRASHES IN FRENCH ALPS WITH 148 PEOPLE ABOARD The Germanwings passenger jet was traveling from Barcelona to Dusseldorf, and president Francois Hollande says no survivors are likely...

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- A cold front approaching Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri is expected to bring hail, strong winds and the possibility of tornadoes to the region -- less than a week after meteorologists reported no tornadoes in the United States thus far in March...

ADVANCE - David Allen Leonard, 36, a resident of Advance, died suddenly on his way to work, Monday, March 23, 2015. Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at Blanchard Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 27, in the chapel with Rev. Johnie Sliger, pastor of Illinois Avenue General Baptist Church, officiating...

NEW MADRID - The New Madrid City Council will meet at 7: 30 p.m. today in the city council chambers at City Hall. Items on the agenda include: 1. Call to order Prayer 2. Minutes of the Feb.26 meeting Old business: None New business: 1. Visitors (All visitors wishing to address the Council must complete an information card and...

SIKESTON - Lena Inez Lee, 95, of Sikeston, died March 22, 2015, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 24, 2015, at the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Steve Tippen, former pastor of the North Acres General Baptist Church, officiated...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Retha Jane Bain, 80, died March 23, 2015, at the East Prairie Nursing Center. Visitation will be held from noon until time of services at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church in East Prairie. For the complete obituary, see the Wednesday edition of the Standard Democrat...

EAST PRAIRIE - Matilda Poley Hedge, 76, died March 22, 2015, at St. Anthony's Medical Center in St. Louis. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston where services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Rev. George White of East Prairie will officiate...

ST. LOUIS - Michael Dewayne Shriver, 53, died March 21, 2015, at his residence in St. Louis. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of services at 1 p.m. Thursday at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. His brother, Charles Darrin Shriver, of St. Clair will officiate...

NEW MADRID -- Essie Bowers, 79, died March 22, 2015, at her home. Born Oct. 5, 1935, in Iron Mountain, to the late Zeno and Irene Snow Nash, she Visitation will be held from noon until time of services at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid. Tim Farrenburg will officiate...