Stories from Thursday, December 24, 2015

The Portageville Jaycees "Santa Elves" made Christmas a little brighter for 65 children. The children had a visit from Santa, dinner, crafts and a movie. Generous donations were received from Crop Production Services, Portageville Farmers Gin, Delta Auto Parts, Tony McCoy and FAM Trucking, D&D Trucking-Dennis Quick, First State Community Bank, Dollar General Store, Brian and Kathy Klipfel, Mike Johnson and other various community members. ...

PHS students have been hard at work stuffing snack stockings for Kringle's Kitchen last Tuesday afternoon. They are Payton Gibbons, Shelby Rone, Hannah Kelley, Mallory Hoggard, Corlie Wilson, Destiney Crossno, Reagan Corbett, and Mikayla Rone.

Locally in the Portageville area, unleaded gasoline is selling between $1.79 to $1.88. As travelers drive through the Christmas holidays,, price may vary slightly, but not to go over $2.00 per gallon.

Editor's Note: The following is abased on an eyewitness account of an incident that occurred the day before Christmas at the Western Front during World War I: As if by some miracle, the shelling stopped and the mortar and rifle fire ceased. Only silence......

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator. If I slave away in the kitchen, bak! ing dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned...

Mary, the mother of Jesus, descended from the royal line of David. She was just an ordinary and unknown young girl, but she was a remarkable young lady. She was probably much better morally and spiritually than most people of her time but she was not sinless. ...

Editor's note: For the past 30 years or so we have shared the following story with readers every Christmas. The words of Francis P. Church will ring true today as they did more than 100 years ago when first written. In 1897, 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon became worried when her friends told her there was no Santa Claus. Her father advised her to write to the New York Sun to find out the truth, and the reply by Francis P. Church became a classic:...

PADUCAH, Ky. - With temperatures poised to possibly hit the 60-degree mark on Christmas Day this Friday, there seems little chance for a white Christmas this year in Southeast Missouri. And actually, that is the case more often than not in this area...

SIKESTON -- As youngsters prepare for Santa's arrival tonight, some are also preparing to say goodbye to their seasonal friends -- their elves. Most elves returned to homes between Nov. 27 and Dec. 4, according to the official The Elf on the Shelf website. During that time, elves spend the holidays with their families...

Mackenzie Wells, 11, of Morley looks over items at the Sikeston Walmart with Morley City Marshal Austin Kight Wednesday morning during the Shop with a Hero event.

It's Christmas again - that joyous day when Christians, the world over, pay homage to Christ, the Prince of Peace. This Christmastide let us all worship and rededicate ourselves to the service of God and country. Let us pray to him to keep us steadfast in our faith. ...

SIKESTON -- The Standard Democrat will not publish a paper Friday in observance of Christmas, and the offices will be closed. Officers will reopen at the normal time of 7:30 a.m. Monday, and regular publication will resume with the weekender edition. We wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas...

I know the Baptist Church in Canalou, Missouri, was supposed to have a benefit for the Kenny Rogers Children's Center back in November with the McAtees as special guest singers. I hope the one they have coming up in January that they do not put it off or cancel it like they did the one in November. I think they owe it to the McAtees to rebook them again. It is only fair...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Kenneth I. Torbet, 94, formerly of Marble Hill, passed away Dec. 22, 2015, at the Missouri State Veteran's Home in Cape Girardeau. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition...

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- Kassie L. Hudson, 47, died at 1:20 a.m. Dec. 17, 2015. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


CHARLESTON -- Marvin E. Fluegge, 92, died Dec. 22, 2015, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.

SIKESTON - Linda K. Keene, 70, died Dec. 16, 2015, at Littleton, Colo. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


NEW MADRID - Lola "Meshell" Lingle, 52, died Dec. 22, 2015, at her home in New Madrid. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


CHAFFEE -- Dennis "Joe" Crader, 66, died Dec. 23, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


CHARLESTON -- John Emmett Burke, 88, a resident of Charleston, died Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


SIKESTON - Judith Ann Greer, 80, died Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


DEXTER -- Weda Joyce Davis, 79, died Dec. 22, 2015, at Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County in Dexter. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


PADUCAH, Ky. - Phyllis Hunott Graham, 56, died Dec. 23, 2015 at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah. For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.


Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. SEVERE WEATHER HITS U.S. SOUTH In northern Mississippi, residents are beginning to take stock of damage after fierce storms whipped through, killing at least six across the country...

CHARLESTON - Billie Jane Aycock, 74, died Dec. 17, 2015, at the Charleston Manor. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until time of services at 1 p.m. Sunday at the East Prairie Funeral Chapel, 913 Washington St. in East Prairie. For the full obituary see the Standard Democrat's Weekend edition...

NEW MADRID - Lola "Meschelle" Lingle, passed away Dec. 22, 2015, at her home in New Madrid at the age of 52 years. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until time of services at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Richards Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery...