Stories from Friday, January 31, 2020

Dear Editors: The number one question I receive from those looking to locate a business or industry to Sikeston is “can this market deliver the talent I need for my business to prosper in your community.” The question of workforce is the first and most important question at this time...

Of all the awful things that Trump has done, the first one that bothered me the most was he carried on an affair with the porn star while his wife was at home with their newborn baby. The fact that all you so-called evangelical Christians thinks that’s perfectly fine makes you frauds and hypocrites.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Dennis Ryan Butler, 70, died Jan. 28, 2020, at his home in San Antonio.   Born Oct. 28, 1949, at Cairo, Ill., to the late J.B. and Mea Lou Carr Butler of Charleston, he graduated from Charleston High School in 1968. He enlisted in the US Navy and received an honorable discharge on Sept. ...

SIKESTON —Morgan Krokstrom has been hired as the newest financial adviser for Raymond James Financial Services. Krokstrom graduated from Arkansas State University in December of 2018 with a degree in Business Administration. “We are delighted to have Morgan join our Raymond James team,” Dean Wooden said. ...

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. – Bruce Lawrence has been appointed to the First State Bank and Trust Co., Inc. Board of Directors. Lawrence joins the bank’s Board of Directors with over 35 years of experience in financial institution representation. “We are pleased to welcome Bruce to our Board of Directors at First State Bank & Trust,” said Matthew Drake, Chariman and CEO. “His background in banking law and regulation bring diversity and perspective.”...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Corn farmers, industry representatives, and guests from across the state gathered in Jefferson City, Mo., Wednesday for the Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) Annual Meeting and Legislative Day.  The morning kicked off at the Capitol Plaza Hotel with MCGA’s annual meeting. ...

SEARCY, Ark. — Kathryn Apple of Sikeston is one of more than 300 graduates who received a diploma at Harding University’s Fall commencement ceremony on Dec. 14, 2019. Apple received a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology & health with a teaching license...

CAPE GIRARDEAU – Tony Smee, President of the Southeast Missouri Eagle Scout Association, has announced Commissioner Charles J. Herbst as the honored sponsor of the 2019 class of Eagle Scouts. Officially named the 2019 Commissioner Charles J. Herbst Class of Eagle Scouts, seventy-nine Eagle Scouts from Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois will be honored at Southeast Missouri State University on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. in Academic Auditorium...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Chapter DG of P.E.O. recently celebrated its centennial by installing a “Little Free Library” on the grounds of the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library on Main Street and by holding a commemorative tea at the library. “Little Free Libraries” are free-standing boxes available to the public at any hour. ...

SIKESTON — Financial Fitness will hold tax clinics throughout the month of February to help senior citizens, 60 and above, with their Missouri property/rent tax refund filings. “Each year some residents of Missouri are eligible to receive a refund of all, or a part, of their paid real estate taxes or rent paid,” said Donna Taylor with Financial Fitness Services in Sikeston. ...

Mamma Mia! is here. Produced at Sikeston Little Theatre through Special Licensing from Music Theatre International, the musical Mamma Mia! features many of ABBA’s hit songs such as “I Have a Dream”, “Honey, Honey”, “Mamma Mia”, and “Dancing Queen”...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Preliminary statistics indicate Missouri experienced a 4.9 percent decrease in traffic crash fatalities compared to the previous year. In 2019, there were 876 people killed in traffic crashes compared to 921 people killed in 2018...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — The Portageville Fire Department recently received upgrades to their fire station. According to a post on Portageville’s Fire and Rescue Facebook page, the department thanked the Board of Alderman and mayor for approval of new electrical, air and water drops at the station as well as thanking those who installed the drops...

Contract negotiations between Saint Francis Healthcare System and UnitedHealthcare have effects that will ripple throughout Southeast Missouri. United customers would see many Saint Francis facilities leave the insurer’s network March 5 unless the two can agree to terms on a new contract that would impact the health care system’s pricing. ...

An Advance man has been charged as the investigation continues into a suspicious death in Advance. According to Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner, his office received a residential alarm at 604 Duckett St., in Advance at approximately 4:47 a.m. Tuesday. Upon the officer’s arrival, he discovered a male, who was later identified as Robert L. Harwood, 61, deceased on the living room floor. The scene was secured and the Stoddard County Major Case Squad was activated...

SIKESTON — They’re not in the life-saving business, but that’s exactly what Scott County Transit employees did this week after a regular client repeatedly failed to emerge from her home on a scheduled pickup. It all begin Jan. 22, when one of the Transit’s regular passengers had eye surgery, and she had a follow-up appointment on Jan. 23, said Sherry Payne, driver supervisor for Scott County Transit. The client had made her appointments with the Transit in advance, she said...

SIKESTON — For the first time in 24 years, there could be changes made to Sikeston’s rental housing inspection program. At Monday’s Sikeston City Council meeting, Council will vote on proposed changes to the rental housing inspection program. The changes will be the first since the current program went into effect in 1996...

Isabelle McGill, daughter of Richard and Teresa McGill, is the Standard Democrat’s Calendar Girl for February. McGill, first runner-up in 2019 Miss Sikeston, plans to attend the University of Mississippi and major in political science.

MOREHOUSE, Mo. — Barb Flanigan, 65, died Jan. 30, 2020, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Dec. 21, 1954, in Matthews, daughter of late L. V. and Lois Flatt Hopper, she lived in the Morehouse and Matthews area most of her life and had worked as a cook at Keller Truck Stop. She also attended The First Christian in Matthews...

SIKESTON — Loretta Maxine Brase, age 87, passed away Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri. She was born Feb. 29, 1932, in Moark, Arkansas, daughter of the late David and Lucille Pickett LaRue. She was a member of Tanner Street Church of God since 1950 and enjoyed cooking, gardening and her family...

SIKESTON — Evelyn Bernice Limbaugh, 86, died Friday, Jan 31, 2020, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Feb. 2, 1933, in Sikeston, to the late Amos Alfred and Bessie Bernice (Curtner) Johnson, she was a 1951 graduate of Blodgett High School and member of Old Bethel Baptist Church. She was bookkeeper for P. J.'s Supply and Braswell Water Softners...