Stories from Wednesday, August 23, 2023

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Joey Higgerson’s first day with the New Madrid Police Department was still a week away, but he knew the force was short-handed and volunteered to start early. That first day — Aug. 21, 2013 — he and his partner were asked to do a wellness check at a familiar address on Mitchell Street. It was the home of Barbara Stoffer...

HAYTI, Mo. — An Endangered Silver Advisory Alert has been issued for a Hayti man who was last seen Saturday, Aug. 19. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Office issued the advisory Wednesday, Aug. 23 for Ricky Turpen, 67, who was last seen at 5 p.m. ...

It seemed like a long walk down a big hall but holding tight to his big sister’s hand, the kindergartener made his way to his classroom at New Madrid Elementary. Classes began Monday, Aug. 21, for students across New Madrid County. For more photos of the first day of school, see the Standard Democrat’s online photo gallery...

SIKESTON — New Wing Elementary Principal Dee Beydler welcomed Sikeston R-6 students back to school Tuesday, Aug. 22 as they entered the building and kicked off the new school year with a pep rally. Beydler, who served the 2022-2023 school year as assistant principal at Southeast Elementary in Sikeston, was also looking forward to her first year as principal at Wing...

SIKESTON — This year’s 15th Annual Cotton Ramble will take place in September, and coordinators of the event urgently need participation to keep the annual event going.  The Sikeston Lions Club, which also sponsored the bicycle ride and whose member, Rodney McConnell, organizes the event, said club members chose to change the usual date. ...

We would like to say thank you to the nice young man and his family who bought us dinner Friday night at Huddle House. It’s nice to know that there are still generous, giving people. Thanks again from two senior citizens and a veteran.

Dear Editor: I was incensed regarding the comment in Speakout. I quote: “They are making the Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo a spectacle. The worst I have ever seen.” All of Sikeston should be thankful and proud of the hard work and effort (without pay) those young men put forth to make the Rodeo so profitable for the many charities in Sikeston it supports. The more spectacular, the better. Thank you, Jaycees...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — The six students from the New Madrid County R-1’s Career and Technical Center knew they were competing against the best of the best when they entered the doors of the Georgia World Conference Center for the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta in June. They admit they were nervous, they were also determined...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo.— Gregory Wayne Bugg, 62, died Aug. 21, 2023, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. A life celebration will be held at a later date. McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston is in charge of arrangements.