Stories from Friday, July 1, 2022

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — During a press conference Friday at the State Capitol, Gov. Mike Parson announced that he is vetoing HB 2090, SB 724, HB 1720 and HB 1667. In response to his vetoes of HB 2090 and HB 1720, Parson is planning a special session to pass permanent tax relief for all Missouri taxpayers and to extend the sunset on key agricultural tax credits...

A Stoddard County, Missouri, man, Shawn Yount, was sentenced to 50 years in prison Thursday by Judge Joe Z. Satterfield. Yount was convicted May 5 of five counts of burglary and stealing. “Shawn Yount has been a menace to Stoddard County business owners and residents. ...

SIKESTON — Sikeston residents could soon see an increase in their sewer bill. Rick Landers, general manger of Sikeston BMU, addressed Sikeston City Council Monday with a proposed rate that would increase the average residential customer’s monthly sewer bill by $14.23 over a period of three years...

SIKESTON — In just over a month the 70th Annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo will kick off and tickets are going fast. The 70th Annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo will be Aug. 10-13 at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Grounds. Scheduled entertainment includes Jordan Davis and Visit MO Night Wednesday; Elvie Shane, bullfighting and Sikeston Community Night, Thursday; Lil’John and bullfighting, Friday; and Koe Wetzel, Mental Health Awareness Night, Saturday...

Quinn Leible is the Standard Democrat’s Calendar Girl of the month for July. Leible, who is the daughter of Sarah and Chris Leible, will attend Southeast Missouri State University this fall and plans to study to become a private pilot.

SIKESTON — Emma Scudder and Lydia Hodgkiss of Sikeston have each earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, which is the most prestigious award in the organization. “Emma and Lydia have not only made a difference at Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland but in your community, too,” said Lauren Slamb, public relations specialist for Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland. “It was their courage, confidence and character that allowed them to earn this prestigious award.”...

Growing up we were very active in 4-H and I would always do the annual horse show. One of the timed events was pole racing and my dad saddled Joe for me to race with. Joe was strong and very fast, but I was a small 14-year-old and a little scared. As the event began, I was flying around the poles and was going to have a great time...

Privacy and a private life are so essential and necessary for one’s mental health.

BERTRAND, Mo. — Roy Eugene Smith, 74, died June 29, 2022, at his home in Bertrand.

CHARTER OAK, Mo. — Billy Arnold Baldwin Sr., 88, of Charter Oak (rural Catron), died on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at the Arbors at Capetown in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Billy was born April 24, 1934, in Charter Oak to Arzie and Bertie Barnett Baldwin. He and Rebecca Sue Stobaugh were married on June 26, 1954, in Hernando, Mississippi. Three children, Tamara, Billy Jr., and Chris, were born to their union. They were married for nearly 59 years before Rebecca’s death on April 28, 2013...

KEWANEE, Mo. — Linda Helen Tollison Collier, 73, of Kewanee died June 30, 2022, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She was born Sept. 4, 1948, in Sikeston, Missouri, to William and Helen Rhodes Tollison. She married Victor Duaine Collier on April 1, 1966, at Matthews Baptist Church...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. — The Stoddard County Sheriff's Office on Friday warned residents to be aware of recent thefts around the rural areas, especially the Bell City area. “Please be cautious, lock all building and equipment and place cameras if available,” the sheriff’s office via a post on its social media...

With the Fourth of July right around the corner, a local expert is encouraging dog owners to be aware of how fireworks might affect their pets. “If you have a pet that is very reactive to fireworks, we really recommend that you reach out to your vet for medication. Don’t wait, get that set up ahead of time,” said Tracy Poston, executive director at Southeast Missouri Pets. “Also, make sure your pet is microchipped and has current tags on their collar.”...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Following an especially deadly 2021, Missouri traffic fatalities have dropped 7% compared to this same time last year. Preliminary data shows from Jan. 1-June 22, 413 people were killed in Missouri traffic crashes, down from 445 in the same period in 2021. The July Fourth holiday weekend marks the halfway mark of summer and the halfway point of the 100 deadliest days of summer, which has historically seen the highest number of traffic fatalities...