Stories from Thursday, March 31, 2022

Cape Girardeau County Commission 9 a.m. today 1 Barton Square, Jackson Approval of minutes n Minutes of stated meetings of March 27 Communications/reports -- other elected officials n None at this time Public comments n Items listed on the agenda Appointments and possible action items...

Route PP in Bollinger County, from Route FF to County Road 528, will be closed as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a culvert under the roadway. A MoDOT news release said the work will be done from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 11...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri's Republican-led House on Wednesday advanced a rival constitutional amendment to block a push for open primaries and ranked-choice voting. Lawmakers gave their ballot measure initial approval in a voice vote. Another vote is needed to send the proposal to the GOP-led Senate, which is moving at a glacial pace this year amid Republican infighting...

Cape Girardeau police responded to an alleged early morning robbery at a convenience store. According to Cpl. Ryan Droege, the alleged incident occurred about 4:30 a.m. at Rhodes Convenience Store, 449 S. Kingshighway. Droege said a suspect allegedly brandished a handgun toward the clerk on duty and demanded cash from the register. He then fled...

A Perryville, Missouri, woman has been charged with a felony in relation to a child's death. Court records indicate Blanca Marisela Mendez Ramirez was charged Wednesday with felony abuse/neglect of a child resulting in death (no sexual contact) in a case investigated by Perryville Police Department and filed by Prosecuting Attorney Caitlin Pistorio...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. — A "predatory sex offender" faces five life sentences in prison following a guilty verdict Tuesday handed down by a Stoddard County, Missouri, jury. Jerry Michael Pierce of Dexter, Missouri, was found guilty of four counts of first-degree statutory sodomy, one count of first-degree statutory rape and one count of second-degree child molestation, according to a news release from Russ Oliver, Stoddard County prosecuting attorney...

With Easter only a couple weeks away, I have already had a few people ask about what to serve as a side dish for their family meal. Many people serve ham as the main entree, and that pairs well with so many vegetables and fruits, making the possibilities nearly endless...

SIKESTON, Mo. — When voters in the Sikeston School District step up to the polls Tuesday, they will choose two of four candidates to serve three-year terms on their local school board. To help voters with their decisions, the Standard Democrat has compiled a question-and-answer session with the candidates (as listed on the ballot): incumbent Rebecca Steward, Lori Caldwell, incumbent Matthew Drake and Allison Lauren Cox...

Recently at our house, with my wife's urging and the nudging of our kids who have had one for a while, we joined millions of other Americans and got an air fryer. What the device did for French fries and roasted vegetables, not to mention leftover pizza, was fine, but then we discovered a food that cannot be cooked any better than in an air fryer: hard-cooked eggs. ...

Galati's Ristorante is located inside of a small building tucked into the corner of an intersection in downtown Perryville, Missouri. When you walk in the door, you will see a small place, only 10 tables, and a visibly busy pizza baking station to the left. Galati's is intimate, and if you want to be sure to get a seat, arrive early...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Mike Parson on Wednesday declared "the COVID-19 crisis is over," announcing the state will soon begin handling the coronavirus like influenza and other ongoing diseases that occasionally flare up. Parson said the state will officially start treating the coronavirus as an endemic Friday. One result is the public will receive less frequent updates about the number of deaths, hospitalizations and cases attributed to COVID-19...

Troop E of the Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 17 fatalities in the 13-county MSHP Southeast Missouri region so far in 2022, a 41% increase from 12 deaths in the same period in 2021. Five of the 17 casualties accounted for through Tuesday's incident reports came from one location — March 17 on Interstate 57 at mile marker 13.4 just outside Charleston in Mississippi County...

Today is Thursday, March 31, the 90th day of 2022. There are 275 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On March 31, 1991, the Warsaw Pact military alliance came to an end. On this date: In 1492, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain issued an edict expelling Jews from Spanish soil, except those willing to convert to Christianity...

Jan Farrar's critique of the Cape Girardeau County Health Board deserves a response. She may not be familiar with the protesters' reoccurring actions, but most of us are. We, the people, are done tolerating the misguided protesters' half truths and outright lies...

President Joe Biden is promising that America will take 100,000 displaced Ukrainians. He's pretending to be magnanimous. Truth is, it's a pathetically small number -- a mere 3% of the mostly women and children fleeing Russian bombs. Poland, by comparison, is currently housing 2.2 million Ukrainians, and other European countries are stepping up, allowing hundreds of thousands to live and work within their borders. ...

O Heavenly Father, may we meditate on your Word, seeking your will for our lives. Amen.

Americans need to get away from this backward believe that homelessness is the fault of the homeless. Everyone living in America is one health crisis, one job loss and rent increase away from being homeless. So have some compassion because you may find yourself in that situation overnight very quickly. Ronald Reagan's homeless by choice is a myth...

Daughter to Chris and Audrey Roth of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Hospital, 11:55 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2022. Name, Maren Grace. Weight, 6 pounds, 12 ounces. First child. Mrs. Roth is the daughter of Shane and Melissa Glover of Cape Girardeau. She is a physical therapist at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center. Roth is the son of Marty and Betty Roth of Cape Girardeau. He is planning and analysis manager at Century Casino...

CAPE GIRARDEAU Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls. March 29 n Medical assists were made at 12:09 a.m. on West Cape Rock Drive; 9:20 a.m. on South Farrar Drive; 1:41 p.m. on South Minnesota Avenue; 5:28 p.m. at Lexington and Randol avenues; 5:55 p.m. on Bloomfield Street; 6:33 p.m. on Chandelier Drive; 7:53 p.m. on North Sprigg Street...

CAPE GIRARDEAU Cape Girardeau Police Department responded to the following calls. Arrest does not imply guilt. Arrests n A warrant arrest was reported on North Henderson Avenue. n A warrant arrested was reported on Olive Street. Assaults n Assault was reported on Lacey Street. n Assault by attempting or causing offensive contact with another was reported on Walnut Street...

James "JJ" Williamson died Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at his home in St. Peters, Missouri. He was born Feb. 11, 1952, to James and Jessie Mae Williamson. JJ and Patricia Baker were married Dec. 4, 1972, in Sikeston, Missouri JJ was very active in the community. He served the Missouri State Highway Patrol for 15 years...

Anna L. Vandiver, 90, of Jackson went to her heavenly home Monday, March 28, 2022. Ann was born Jan. 23, 1932, to Percy and Rosetta Hutchings Reddick in Cantwell, Missouri. She and Norman Vandiver were married April 17, 1948. Three children were born to their union...

Mary Clementine Tripp passed away Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, at Brookdale Senior Living Center in Cleveland, Tennessee. Formerly of Cape Girardeau, she was born Dec. 4, 1942, in Jefferson City, the daughter of Joseph J. and Phyllis E. Bollinger. Mary married Donald Eugene Tripp on Oct. 12, 1967, in Benton. He preceded her in death June 9, 2018, after 51 years of marriage...

Earlean Thomas, 81, of Cape Girardeau departed this life Monday, March 28, 2022, at Saint Francis Medical Center. She was born Oct. 10, 1940, in Oran, Missouri, to Guy Clark and Morean Weakley Hamilton. She and the Rev. Johnny Thomas were married May 13, 1962, at Sikeston, Missouri. He preceded her in death Sept. 11, 2012...

FESTUS, Mo. -- Alysha L. Sauer, 48, passed away Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at her home in Festus surrounded by family after a courageous battle with glioblastoma. She was born Aug. 18, 1973, to Lynn and Jan Cotner of Jackson, who survive. Alysha is survived by her husband of 28 years, Gregory A. ...

Barbara Ellen Nichols Calvin, 91, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at Chateau Girardeau. Barbara was born Dec. 28, 1930, in Davenport, Iowa. She was the daughter of Irma M. and Glenn O. Nichols. She spent her childhood years in Maquoketa, Iowa, and Sidney, Iowa...

St. Louis-based Schnucks Markets will hold a career fair and hiring event from 1 to 5 p.m. today at all 112 of the grocery chain's locations in four states, including its Cape Girardeau store at 19 S. Kingshighway. In a Monday news release, Schnucks said most available positions are part time with no experience necessary...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The capital murder trial of Russell E. Bucklew is scheduled to begin today in Columbia; Bucklew is facing five criminal charges, including first-degree murder, armed criminal action, kidnapping, burglary and forcible rape; Morley Swingle, Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney, is seeking the death penalty in the case...

FOR RELEASE ON OR AFTER APRIL 12 Perryville native, Kyle Winkler, son of Dennis and Pat Winkler, celebrates the release of his third Christian book in stores on April 12. Boldly titled, Shut Up, Devil, Winkler uncovers the top 10 lies behind every emotional, psychological, and spiritual battle that people face...