Stories from Thursday, September 8, 2016

I'd say it's my time on the Senate's Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees that makes me so passionate about Missouri's role in our nation's defense--but really, it's a family thing. My dad served in World War II--he was a humble guy, and we didn't even know had been awarded a Bronze Star until after he passed away. As kids, he taught us to always say "thank you" and show respect to anyone in uniform...

PORTAGEVILLE -- Although Portageville suffered their second loss of the season to the Malden Greenwave, the Portageville Bulldogs started to gain some heart, but too little too late. Malden forced eight turnovers and scored every single point off a Portageville miscue on its way to a 52-6 victory at Vic Reaves Athletic Field...

For the last two weeks, the Portageville Lady Bulldogs have been busy with a heavy schedule. "It was good for us to get this win before going into the Labor Day weekend," said Coach Barry Branscum. The Lady Bulldogs defeated Charleston in two sets, 25-8 and 25-15...

Newly installed Bishop Edward Rice greeted parishioners and St. Eustachius School (SES) students recently. The visit is part of a two week "Road Rally" where Bishop Rice visited each of the 68 Catholic parishes as well as Catholic schools and chapels in the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese. ...

Last Wednesday, the Missouri House Select Committee on Agriculture met at the Fisher Delta Research Center's central office in Portageville. The meeting stems from a request by Missouri District 149 Representative Don Rone, which was granted two weeks ago. ...

Entering Thursday night's SEMO Conference match, NMCC held a 9-0-2 record over Oran since 2011.

DOVER, Ark. - Mary Lou Waldo Snizek, 68, of Dover, Ark., formerly of Vanduser, Mo., died Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, at UAMS in Little Rock. For the complete obituary, see the Thursday edition of the Standard Democrat.

GOREVILLE, Ill. -- Bettie Sue Glass Futch, 79, died Sept. 6, 2016, at her home in Marion. For the complete obituary and more, see the Thursday edition of the Standard Democrat.

MALDEN, Mo. -- Vernon Eugene Patterson Sr., 71, died Sept. 4, 2016, at his home. For the complete obituary and more, see the Thursday edition of the Standard Democrat.

SIKESTON -- Shanna Renee Larson, 41, died Sept. 7, 2016, at her home in Sikeston. For the complete obituary and more, see the Thursday edition of the Standard Democrat.

SIKESTON - Charlie Green, Jr., 76, died Sept. 2, 2016, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. For the complete obituary, see the Thursday edition of the Standard Democrat.

Fire Department City Incidents- 5 08-05-16: Firemen responding- 09; Location- State Hwy 162 E (McDonald's); Overheated Breaker Box. 08-10-16: Firemen responding- 09; Location- Federal Compress Hwy 61 N; Debris From Demolished Building. 08-25-16: Firemen responding- 08; Location- 607 Hwy 61 N; Gas Leak...

NEW MADRID- The New Madrid County Alert Team and its Ag Crimes Unit are up and rolling. Literally. Since countywide volunteers revitalized the New Madrid County Alert Team earlier this year, they have formed an Ag Crimes Unit to combat the problems of theft and vandalism of farm equipment and property throughout the county. To aid in that effort, the New Madrid County Commissioners recently purchased a new pickup and equipped it to make it a fully functioning patrol unit...

DIEHLSTADT, Mo. -- A Diehlstadt man called a firefighter a racial slur and assaulted him with his cane when he tried to enter his house that was on fire, police say. Scott County sheriff's deputies arrested Douglas Eugene Pullen, 60, on Friday. The Scott County prosecuting attorney's office charged Pullen with first-degree assault of a firefighter and felony armed criminal action. ...

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. - It might look like a call from the Pemiscot Sheriff's Department, when the department's phone number shows up on the caller ID. However, if the caller demands money and threatens arrest, it is a scam. Pemiscot County Sheriff Tommy Green reported his office and the Caruthersville Police have received several calls this week from citizens stating they received a call from the Sheriff's office phone number, 573-333-4101...

CHARLESTON, Mo - Prescription opioid and heroin is a growing epidemic in America, which is why state and community leaders announced yesterday a special honor for Rep. Holly Rehder, R-Sikeston, recognizing her leadership in the fight against prescription drug abuse in Missouri...

SIKESTON -- An emu reported missing in Scott County has been spotted in various cornfields during the harvest season but remains on the loose. About 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sikeston Department of Public Safety received a report of livestock located near the Sikeston Power Plant on West Wakefield, according to DPS incident reports...

SIKESTON - Charlie Green, Jr., 76, died Sept. 2, 2016, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born Sept. 20, 1939, in Jaywye to the late Charlie and Alberta Young Green. He served his country in the United States Army, and he received an honorable discharge...

SIKESTON -- Shanna Renee Larson, 41, died Sept. 7, 2016, at her home in Sikeston. Born Oct. 8, 1974, in Sikeston, to the late Clarence and Peggy N. Thurman Hughes, she was employed as a security lead by the Isle Casino. On June 3, 2011, in Cape Girardeau, she married Robert Lawson, who survives of the home...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- LaVerne Cunningham, 86, of Sikeston, formerly of Cape Girardeau and Jackson, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, at the home of her daughter in Sikeston. She was born May 24, 1930, in Harrisburg, Ark., to James H. and Nora Foster Pace. She and Eugene N. Cunningham were married Nov. 19, 1948, in Harrisburg, by her grandfather, the Rev. G.S. Robbins. LaVerne and Eugene shared 57 wonderful years together when he passed away Jan. 25, 2006...