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Local public school admins urge Parson to veto omnibus education bill due to funding concernsBy J.C. Reeves~Southeast MissourianA 150-plus page education bill that has passed through the state House of Representatives and Senate has local public school administrators urging Gov. Mike Parson to veto it. Concerns surrounding Senate Bill 727 — which evolved from a 12-page bill into the multifaceted legislation it is — include a $25 million expansion of private school tax credits, establishment of a charter school in Boone County that some administrators fear will lead to charter school expansion around the state and increased teacher salaries with no apparent mandate to increase funding for schools to cover the added costs.
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Families unaware as MoDOT discontinues ‘Adopt-A-Highway’ programBy Gina Williams~Standard DemocratSIKESTON — Missouri Department of Transformation’s Adopt-A-Highway program is in the process of being discontinued and will be replaced by a new program. According to Taylor Brune, assistant communications director at MoDOT’s Central Office in Jefferson City, Missouri, the decision to make the transition was made public during the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission meeting on April 3. ...
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Jackson man accused of stealing from area youth football fundSoutheast MissourianThe former president and treasurer of the Jackson Area Youth Football foundation faces charges claiming he stole more than $25,000 from the organization over a two-year period. Police said Timothy E. Smith admitted to giving a loan from JAYF to a woman who had lost her job and got behind on her bills...
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City field tripGina Williams/Standard DemocratThe Christian Academy students in kindergarten, first and second grades took a field trip on Friday, April 26 to tour Sikeston City Hall and view up close and personal the city’s fire truck and equipment.
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Registration for Sikeston summer day camps beginsBy Gina Williams Standard DemocratSIKESTON — As summer approaches and the school year ends, Sikeston will offer a variety of summer day camps for children. Sikeston Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation’s, or DAEOC, new center, Malone Park Center for the Arts, will host a summer day camp in June. ...
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SEMO Christian students’ lesson on butterfly’s life cycle comes full circle (4/25/24)By Leonna Heuring~Standard DemocratSIKESTON — Preschool students at SEMO Christian Academy in Sikeston spent the month learning about the butterfly’s life cycle — from a tiny egg to a winged wonder. On Wednesday, April 24 the students’ lesson came full circle as they released their nine Painted Lady butterflies into nature from the playground of their school...
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Sikeston civic clubs committed to serving the community (4/25/24)By Gina Williams~Standard Democrat/Ageless LivingSIKESTON — Sikeston civic clubs, especially members ages 50 and older within them, are committed to community involvement and service and have been for many years. Boyd Green, current president and 20-year member of the Sikeston Lions Club, said the organization has accomplished much over the years, and he has thoroughly loved it. ...
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THROUGH THE EYES OF A ‘BYRD’: Well-known local photographer Daniel Byrd shares how his hobby originated (4/25/24)1By Gina Williams~Standard Democrat/Ageless LivingSIKESTON — Daniel Byrd, a well-known photographer in the Sikeston community, has spent the last few years serving the community through the lens of his camera, capturing their most special moments. For the past few years, Byrd has become a familiar face at Sikeston Public Schools events, volunteering to photograph sports at Sikeston High School and other community events. ...
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Missing dog found in Sikeston — over 200 miles from home; Owner's other dog is still missing (4/25/24)SIKESTON — After being apart for three months, Bree Keeran was reunited with her dog, Roxy, in Sikeston on April 13. But that is only part of the story. On Jan. 15, near Springfield, Missouri, Keeran took Roxy and her other dog, Dante, for a walk. Both are purebred Catahoula Leopards, and each wore e-collars to keep them close to the home. However, during the walk, the dogs were let off the e-collars and Keeran said they did not get them back on and both Roxy and Dante were missing...
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Zellars recognized for service to Charleston R-1 district (4/25/24)Charleston R-1 Schools/FacebookOutgoing Charleston R-1 Board of Education member Portia Zellars was recognized during the school board’s regular meeting April 16 at Central Office for her six-plus years of service to the Charleston R-1 school board, added to her decades-long tenure as a teacher, substitute teacher, tutor and mentor. ...
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National Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, but drug disposal is ‘year-round need’ (4/25/24)By J.C. Reeves Southeast MissourianWhile the United States Drug Enforcement Agency’s annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is coming up on Saturday, April 27, medicine disposal is considered a “year-round need.” According to a news release from the Pharmaceutical Product Stewardship Work Group (PPSWG), approximately one-third of Americans neglect cleaning out their medicine cabinets each year and one-fifth haven’t cleaned them out in three years despite there being more than 300 drug disposal locations in Missouri. ...
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Sun protection and skin cancer screening event set in Sikeston (4/25/24)By Gina Williams Standard DemocratSIKESTON — The YMCA of Southeast Missouri and Missouri Delta Medical Center are teaming up to provide an informational event about skin cancer and sun protection just in time before the summer tanning season begins. The skin cancer screening event is free and will begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2 at the YMCA, 511 Taylor St., in Sikeston...
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Legion cook-off, poker run set for this weekend (4/25/24)By Gina Williams Standard DemocratSIKESTON — Sikeston American Legion Post 114 and Auxiliary are preparing for their 11th annual poker run and cook-off competition. Vickie Wilson, who helps plan the event, said the fundraiser, which is Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27 at the Legion in Sikeston, is important because all proceeds from both days will benefit the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield...
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Bertrand man in custody after Tuesday morning shooting in Cape Girardeau (4/24/24)By Christopher Borro/Southeast MissourianCAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — A Bertrand, Missouri, man was charged with first-degree assault Tuesday, April 23 after a shooting at a residence in the 1000 block of North Spanish Street in Cape Girardeau. Around 9 a.m. Tuesday, emergency services were called to the residence in report of a man shot in the leg...
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VFW Post 7183 recognizes New Madrid County wrestling programs (4/24/24)New Madrid County Memorial Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 7183 hosted its sixth banquet for the team members and coaches of the New Madrid County wrestling community. Pictured from left are Mary Seyer, president of the VFW Post 7183 Auxiliary; New Madrid County Central High School wrestling coach Rhiley Smith; Connor Henderson, who was named most valuable wrestler for the 2023-24 NMCC wrestling team; Dr. ...
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Rooting for the Raiders: New Madrid County Central students sign with Three Rivers College (4/24/24)By Jill Bock/Standard DemocratNEW MADRID, Mo. — There was lots to cheer about as two members of the New Madrid County Central High School Class of 2024 signed their letters of intent with Three Rivers College on April 16. Shawna Robinson will join the TRC Raiders cheer squad and Makayla Birdwell will become part of the college’s mascot program...
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New Madrid County Central grapplers head to college mats (4/24/24)By Jill Bock~Standard DemocratNEW MADRID, Mo. — As their high school wrestling careers come to an end, two New Madrid County Central High School seniors will move to the collegiate level. On April 23, Gavyn Colbert signed a letter of intent to wrestle at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri, while Christian Williams signed on to wrestle for the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas...
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Gov. Mike Parson visits Sikeston for commemorative book tour (4/23/24)SIKESTON — Gov. Michael L. Parson visited Sikeston as part of his commemorative book tour Tuesday, April 23 at 1515 E. Malone Ave., next to the Sikeston License Bureau, in Sikeston.
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Narcotics investigation leads to the arrest of three in Mississippi County (4/23/24)Standard DemocratCHARLESTON, Mo. — A narcotics investigation in Mississippi County resulted in the arrest of two Bertrand, Missouri, residents and a Sikeston, Missouri, man. According to Mississippi County Sheriff Britton Ferrell, on Saturday, April 20, Detective Sgt. John Blakely, Deputy Austin Naeger and Chief Leonard Harrison responded to 413 W. Cedar St. in Bertrand reference to the execution of a search warrant...
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Benton man faces murder, armed criminal action charges following deadly stabbing in Scott County (4/23/24)Standard DemocratBENTON, Mo. — A Benton man was arrested on murder and armed criminal action charges following a deadly stabbing early Monday, April 22 in Scott County. Brian Thomas Morrell, 39, of Benton is charged with first degree murder and armed criminal action, according to Scott County Sheriff Wes Drury. At about 7 a.m. Monday, Scott County deputies responded to 407 Lake Road in rural Benton in reference to an assault in progress, according to Drury...
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Sikeston gears up for second Hot Air Balloon Festival (4/23/24)By Gina Williams~Standard DemocratSIKESTON — This summer, Sikeston’s second annual Hot Air Balloon Festival will return with some improvements and provide the same fun as its inaugural year. The event will take place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, June 21 and 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 22 at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Grounds. ...
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Groundbreaking held, construction begins for Grace Community Center (4/23/24)By Gina Williams~Standard DemocratSIKESTON — Sikeston will soon have a new, safe place for use by residents of all ages. It’s called Grace Community Center located at 330 Petty St. next to Lincoln Park. Kenny King, pastor of Grace Bible Fellowship and one of the board members of Grace Community Center, said when his and fellow board member and pastor William Marshall’s churches merged, the center officially began construction...
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SJHS volleyball team recognized for undefeated season (4/23/24)Photo providedThe Sikeston Junior High girls volleyball team was recognized for their undefeated season during the Sikeston R-6 Board of Education meeting April 9 at Central Office. “These ladies went 14-0 this year including a 5-0 streak to win the Bernie Junior High Tournament,” said Natalie Bohannon, marketing and communications director for Sikeston Public Schools. ...
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P.E.O. Chapter HB celebrates 80th anniversary (4/23/24)Submitted PhotoChapter HB of P.E.O. Sisterhood celebrated its 80th anniversary with a dinner at Fox Haven Country Club in Sikeston. The chapter, which first formed on April 1, 1944, honored their “Golden Girls”: Jane Ella Potashnick, 60-year member; and Christy Montgomery, Erica Hunter and Myrna Johnson, 50-year members. ...
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Paint for a cause (4/23/24)Submitted PhotoAaron Horrell and Barb Bailey from Missouri Paint for a Cause recently visited art teacher Sandra Ruff at Scott County Central High School and donated an easel for SCC’s contribution to the Missouri Bicentennial Mural. Students surround a replica of the mural, which is being sold through Missouri Paint for a Cause...