Stories from Friday, May 22, 2015

By MIKE JENSEN Publisher Sikeston Standard Democrat It's that time of year when graduates of all shapes and sizes march down the aisle, leaving the classroom behind and entering the real world. Those starry-eyed graduates will eventually form a line of leadership that takes society to much greater heights...

Ray Smith PIEDMONT, Mo. -- Ray Smith, 84, of Piedmont, died Thursday, May 21, 2015, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Arrangements will be announced by Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel, Piedmont.

Carroll Dean Joins FISK, Mo. -- Carroll Dean Joins, 80, of Maryland Heights, died Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at DePaul Health Center in St. Louis, MO. He was born Dec. 2, 1934. Mr. Joins is survived by his wife Lila (Gordon) Joins; two daughters, Tonya Joins and Kimberley (Jay) Knapp, both of Maryland Heights; two grandchildren, Melissa and Kara Knapp; one nephew: Bobby Nored; two nieces, Carolyn Bazzell and Sandra Nored...

Bobby G. Hudson photo Bobby G. Hudson, 85, of Poplar Bluff, died Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at John J. Pershing Veteran's Hospital. He was born Dec. 16, 1929 in Poplar Bluff to the late William Hudson and Maudie M. Tucker Hudson. He was a long time resident of Poplar Bluff. He was a member of the First Christian Church...

By GEORGE F. WILL WASHINGTON -- Without a definitive judicial ruling or other galvanizing event, a perennial American argument is ending. Capital punishment is withering away. It is difficult to imagine moral reasoning that would support the conclusion that an injustice will be done when, years hence, the death penalty finally is administered to Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston Marathon terrorist who placed a bomb in a crowd and then strolled to safety. ...

As the 2014-15 school year draws to an end, I want to express my appreciation for the commitment of Poplar Bluff students, teachers, administrators and support staff in making our mission "Achieving Excellence in Learning: Every Child, Every Hour, Every Day to graduate all students prepared to succeed in a changing world" a reality. I also want to thank our incredible parents and the community for their continued support and involvement in the process. Educating children and preparing them for the future is truly a team effort.. ...