Stories from Friday, January 1, 2021

SIKESTON — The offices of the Standard Democrat will be closed Friday, and no paper will be published in observance of the New Year’s Day holiday. A weekend edition will be published. The office will reopen at 8 a.m. Monday. The staff and families of the Standard Democrat wish you a safe and happy new year...

In a poll conducted by the Standard Democrat, a majority of those who voted said they would take the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. Over 500 votes were cast with 297 (53.1%) saying they would take the vaccine. “Why wouldn’t I,” commented one person on Facebook. “Not only will it protect me but it will protect others. This is really a no brainer if you believe in science.”...