Stories from Saturday, June 13, 2015

(COLUMBIA, Mo.) -- The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for grants to fund projects focusing on environmental markets and natural resources. State Conservationist J.R. Flores said Missouri anticipates having $100,000 in state-component funds available for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). He said individual grants up to $50,000 can be used to fund up to 50 percent of the total cost of a project lasting one to three years...

Consumers Say Next Six Months Good for Major Household Purchases in Arvest-Backed Survey

A cool, wet spring is hampering the planting and growth of Southeast Missouri row crops and causing price rallies in the grain market.

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- In 2012, infant mortality rates in Missouri were at 6.5 percent. While that is not as high as some states, there is still enough concern for the Missouri Department of Health to step in and start a campaign to try and solve the problem. "Just one loss of life is one too many," says Kim Johnson, director of the Dunklin County Health Department...

CHARLESTON -- Ashley Young of Sikeston has recently achieved the American Dream of homeownership due to utilizing USDA Rural Development for financing the purchase of her own home. Young and her children had been renting but wanted a home that they could call their own. ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Jason Smith toured Steward Steel on Friday in Sikeston. The family-owned business first opened in 1950 to supply steel building materials to the construction industry in southeast Missouri and has since expanded to ship steel products throughout the United States. Steward Steel has been a family-owned business for four generations...

MONROE, La. -- The Louisiana County Agricultural Agents Association members presented awards and installed the 2015-2016 officers during their annual conference held in Monroe on May 31-June 4. The awards ceremony is one of the highpoints of the conference, said LCAAA past president Richard Letlow, extension agent in Ouachita Parish. Two awards were presented for distinguished service and two for achievement...

Before you criticize the tone of today's column, let me state without reservation that no child should be hungry in this great nation and every possible effort under the sun should be employed to ensure that hunger is not an issue in this country. But maybe our approach is less than successful...

I am the nitwit who commented on the New Madrid County Central announcements for this year. I have been called worse things than nitwit, but I have to respond this time. If you had read my comment regarding the graduation announcement closely you would realize that I only spoke of the large print on the outside of the announcement, the one I and most everyone else would see first. ...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Karen Lee Ditto, 54, died Thursday, June 11, 2015, at her residence in rural East Prairie. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


FENTON -- Kenneth Lynn Jeffords, 53, died June 10, 2015, at his home. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


BLOOMFIELD -- Geraldine "Geri" Whitledge, 92, died June 11, 2015, at the Golden Living Center. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


WARDELL -- Wanda J. Ryans, 76, died Wed. June 11, 2015, at Pemiscot Memorial Health Systems in Hayti. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


HICKMAN, Ky. (AP) -- A western Kentucky ferry is reopening after being closed for a month because one of its engines was damaged. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says the Dorena-Hickman Ferry was to resume service Saturday. The ferry closed May 12 when a fuel injector imploded, damaging one of the engines...

DENTON, Texas -- University of North Texas doctoral student Michael Jones will meet and network with Nobel Prize winners during the 65th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, which will bring together laureates in physiology, medicine, physics and chemistry...

EAST PRAIRIE -- The East Prairie Chamber of Commerce's 41st Annual Sweet Corn Festival is community effort to host a great weekend. Weekend events kick off with the Main Street Party from 5:30-9:30 p.m. June 26. "Friday, 'Meet Me on Main Street' is the theme for our Main Street Party brought to you by our Downtown Revitalization Committee," said Cyndi Norton, director of the East Prairie Chamber of Commerce. ...

EAST PRAIRIE -- An East Prairie man, who is accused of severely beating a woman and holding her hostage, is in jail. Brian K. Merryman, 38, of East Prairie is charged with two felony counts of first degree domestic assault and felonious restraint. According to a news release, an East Prairie police officer responded to a report of a male chasing a female around Lincoln Street on Wednesday. ...

Michael Wade and Gary Moore of the Wade-Moore Duo entertain the crowd at Music at Malone Park on Friday evening. Sponsored by Historic Downtown Sikeston, Music at Malone Park will feature "10-4 Rhythm Vernon Porter" from 6 to 8 p..m. June 19. In addition to the free music, the public can also check out the cannon replicas recently installed in Malone Park. The cannons were purchased by Historic Downtown Sikeston...

SIKESTON -- Matthews Elementary in Sikeston has announced the honor roll for the fourth quarter of the 2014-2015 school year. They are: Daniel Dillard, Demerius Grant, Alex Peet, Ja'Niya Tipler, Dariona Williams, Kiera Anderson, Trevor Brown, Josiah Combs, Gavin Heaton, Samuel lacy, Tashayniah Lyles, Jadorrion Morgan, Myqwan Myers, Nicholas Pratt, Keven Sanchez, Blaytin Smith, Brian Walker, Cameron Addis, Lily Bolen, Trevor Brown, Dallin Calbert, A'Shyah Cantrell, Kadin Carlisle, Kinsley chronister, Makala Elliott, Hunter Wllison, Cole Fitzgerald, Carlos Gonzalez, Giselle Gonzalez, juan Hernandez-Barajas, Jermaine Hunt, Alanna jones, Darryl Jordan Hailie King Amari Kizer, Davayza Mills, Destani Ranson, Keven Sanchez, Emily Sharp, Will Sims, Daltin Smith, Kingston Utley, Gylian Valdez, Tamaya Whitney, Brooklynn Wright, Dontayvious Wright, Peyton Wright, Zoe Alcott, Chris Artis, Nevea Beard, Lily Bolen, Demarius Brown, Kadin Carlisle, Kinsley Chronister, Acie Dixon, hunter Ellison, Kaylynn Felton,. ...

ORAN -- Oran High School has announced the honor roll students for the fourth quarter of the 2014-2015 school year. They are: Garrett Blocker, Allison Cummins, Amber Flanigan, Racheal Friga, Austin Glastetter, Karrie Graviett, Toni Hency, Zak Johnson, Aubrianna Jones, Preston Parker, Madison Pettit, Jacob Priggel, Lera Rose, Thomas Roslen, Hunter Schlosser, Thomas Trankler, Eric Westrich...

CHARLESTON -- On May 20, students at Charleston Middle School attended a special end-of-the-year auction. The A.R. Auction rewarded students for earning A.R. (Accelerated Reader) points by reading books and taking tests. Each students' cumulative points for the year were used to bid in the auction...

NEW MADRID - New Madrid County Central High School honored five valedictorians at its graduation ceremony on May 19. Monique Antoinette Fahy, Jessye Suzanne Griffin, Sarah Elizabeth Hupp, Drew Allen Palmer and Emilee Lynn Palmer distinguished themselves by maintaining a 4.0 GPA for all eight semesters:...