Stories from Saturday, July 30, 2016

COLUMBIA, Mo. (July 20, 2016) -- The University of Missouri Press has produced the printed version of the 2015--2016 edition of the Official Manual of the State of Missouri, commonly known as the "Blue Book" for its typically blue color. Now available, the Official Manual is the most comprehensive source of information about state employees, as well as the organizations, committees, boards, and government branches that provide services to the state of Missouri and its residents. ...

What began 41 years ago as a simple old-time music gathering, has over the years become the largest and oldest 'National Old-Time Music Festival' in the upper Midwest. Continually prodding it along to better and larger activities, the President of the Non-Profit Association that hosts the event is still at the helm some 41 years later...

The Southeast Press Association held their 122nd annual conference on July 14. The meeting was held in the University Center of Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO. The program consisted of four session with Peter Wagner, a legend in the newspapers industry. He is called "The Idea Man" and is the founder and publisher of the N'West Iowa Review...

Stan Taulbee of East Prairie, Missouri, is turning in his hard hat for a new life in western Maryland after working for 20 years for Associated Electric Cooperative at the New Madrid Power Plant. Taulbee joined AECI in 1996 as an assistant shift supervisor at the power plant and was promoted to instrument shop supervisor in 2008...

Mark Christian has been named director of the Southeast Missouri State University Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC) in Cape Girardeau. As director, Christian will be responsible for the day to day operations of the SBTDC program, including the development of professional business analysis, small business consultations, access to technology resources and educational training programs on a variety of small business topics...

SIKESTON -- For over 40 years, Joe Baldwin has been a fixture on high school basketball courts all across southeast Missouri, officiating thousands of games with a flamboyant style that could only be his. However, when the 2016-17 high school basketball tips off in November, Baldwin will be watching from the sidelines, deciding to hang up his whistle after three back surgeries in the last 10 years...

Katie Smith, the August Standard Democrat calendar girl, is ready to rodeo. A finalist in the 2015 Miss Sikeston Contest, she is the daughter of Mark and Ronda Smith. She is 2016 graduate of Sikeston High School and plans to attend Harding University in Searcy, Ark., where she will major in nursing.

SIKESTON - The Land Clearance Redevelopment Authority has reached a milestone in scouring blighted structures in the city. "There's new hope coming," said Public Works Director Jay Lancaster. The LCRA started with about 400 condemned buildings in need of removal. ...

SIKESTON -- In Tuesday's primary election, Missourians will pick who their parties' candidates will be for the November general election. For voters choosing the Democratic Party ballot, they will also choose one of the candidates in the following state races: U.S. ...

After months of endless television commercials, the long primary election process finally comes to an end on Tuesday. In a Presidential election year, lower candidates often get lost in the political discussion as we focus on the all-important race at the top of the ballot...

SIKESTON - Betty Blankenship, 93, of Sikeston died July 26, 2016, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete obituary and more, see the weekend edition of the Standard Democrat.

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston City Council is currently accepting applications from residents interested in serving in an appointed capacity as a board or commission member. The Council uses its boards and commissions to obtain citizen input on a wide variety of municipal issues...

BENTON, Mo. -- A Scott County woman faces felony elder abuse and assault charges after allegedly striking two relatives. Amber E. Thomure, 30, is charged with two counts of felony second degree domestic assault, felony resisting arrest and two counts of misdemeanor third degree elder abuse, according to online court records...

After months of endless television commercials, the long primary election process finally comes to an end on Tuesday. In a Presidential election year, lower candidates often get lost in the political discussion as we focus on the all-important race at the top of the ballot...

Engagement 7/31/16