Stories from Tuesday, November 28, 2023

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Kindergartener Maggie Rost was excited. She had a treat – a chocolate Hershey Kiss – for her teacher Rita Jackson. Clutching it tightly from home to school, she proudly opened her hand to give it to her teacher. Maggie’s faced dropped as she realized the Kiss had melted...

SIKESTON, Mo. — Sikeston City Council is considering a general election in April. On Monday, Nov. 27, Council held its regular meeting and heard the first reading of a bill to call for a general election to be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. The purpose of the general election is to elect a mayor, Councilman Ward 2 and Councilman Ward 3 for a three-year term. ...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Charleston will be decked out for the holiday season this Thursday, Nov. 30 into the weekend, with a hometown Christmas parade, midnight madness, a gingerbread house decorating contest and more. Charleston’s annual Christmas parade sponsored by the Charleston Chamber of Commerce will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday...

Livy-Gray Hammontree, 8, daughter of Emily Miller of Sikeston, was the winner in the 8-to-10-year-old category of the Standard Democrat’s Thanksgiving Coloring Contest. Livy-Gray is pictured with her winning page and money prize.

Winners of the Standard Democrat’s Mizzou ticket raffle for the Nov. 18 game versus Florida were drawing Wednesday, Nov. 15. Winners were Jane Vann and Mickey Abner; Richard Johnson; and Tim Garner. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Donald Gene Harris, 85, died Nov. 26, 2023, at Dexter, Missouri. Visitation is from noon until service time at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29 at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville with the Rev. A.R. Gentry officiating. Burial will follow in the Portageville Cemetery...

ST. CHARLES, Mo. — Jeffrey Anthony "Jeff" Nunn, 52, of Saint Charles, formerly of Sikeston, passed away on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at the Kindred Hospital in Saint Louis. He was born on Nov. 30, 1970, in Sikeston, to Geneva Davis-Hardin and the late J.F. Nunn...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Peggy Ann Graham Thurman, 80, died Nov. 27, 2023, at her home in Charleston. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until service time at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29 at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. J.T. Thompson, chaplain with VNA Hospice, will officiate...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Phillip Turner, 90, resident of Charleston, died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, while at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was born Feb. 12, 1933, in Charleston to the late Phillip and Mable Sutherland Turner. Friends may call Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at 11 a.m. until the funeral hour of noon at Opportunity Church of God in Christ in Charleston with superintendent Steve Betts officiating...

SIKESTON — James Gary Orr, 70, of Sikeston died Nov. 23, 2023, at his home in Joplin, Missouri. Parker Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — State Sen. Jason Bean, R-Holcomb, announced on Monday, Nov. 27 Kyle Aubuchon as his new chief of staff, effective Friday, Dec. 1. “I cannot think of a better person to serve as the 25th’s Chief of Staff than Kyle Aubuchon. Kyle’s experience in the capital and in the 25th district will be a tremendous asset to the people of the district,” Bean said. “I look forward to working alongside Kyle, and will continue to work every day for the citizens of our great district.”...

Employees with R&K Curtis Inc. of Sikeston pour concrete for a street at South Main Montgomery Plaza Monday, Nov. 27, 2023 in Sikeston where a Wendy’s will be located in the future.