Stories from Wednesday, January 7, 1998

To the editor: Congratulations to the Missourian for fostering so lively a debate on global warming. Such debate is the essence of democracy. Leonard Wille's Dec. 13 letter on the subject refers to a Reader's Digest article by Ronald Bailey. Wille quotes the article as stating that there is "more hype on this issue than any other." However, Wille fails to mention some Bailey's more important statements. ...

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Scott and Cape Girardeau counties has been included in the National Senior Service Corps "Best of the State Report" to demonstrate accomplishments for the state. "This is indeed a real honor for our program," said Tina McDowell, administrator of the RSVP program. ...

SCOTT CITY -- A resolution honoring Scott City that was adopted by the Missouri House of Representatives in December was presented to the Scott City Council at its regularly scheduled meeting Monday night. Edith Davidson of the Scott City Historic Preservation Commission presented the framed resolution, which recognized the city's unique achievements and rich heritage...

No shortage of supplies is expected at the Silk Tree Factory retail store at 201 S. Broadview following a weekend fire that destroyed the company's assembly area and showroom warehouse at Paducah, Ky. The Friday night blaze destroyed the former Farley Elementary School building, which housed Silk Tree's manufacturing area, wholesale showroom and company offices...

As Sikeston fights an outbreak of hepatitis A, Cape Girardeau County has begun a program to prevent a similar outbreak of the virus. A hepatitis A outbreak hasn't occurred in Cape Girardeau County, and public health officials would like to keep it that way...

I WANT to comment about a couple of things that were in your paper. One person called in and said that they should fire FBI director Freeh. I think he should quit. Clinton's got someone to help him with Janet Reno. She's not going to find anything that he's done illegal, because she's part of it. ...

The following is from the Missouri Press Association Legislative Update: The 89th Second Regular Session of the Missouri General Assembly convenes at noon (today). May 15 at 6 p.m. is the last day to consider legislation. Official adjournment is midnight May 30...

Last week, in a long-awaited settlement with the federal government, Arkansas-based poultry giant Tyson Foods agreed to pay $6 million in penalties after pleading guilty to making illegal gifts to former Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy, including tickets to President Clinton's first inaugural dinner. ...

Early hints on President Clinton's fiscal year 1999 budget are that he will nix altogether any broad-based tax cuts. Any such proposals are "reckless and irresponsible," says White House aide Rahm Emmanuel, one of the president's incredibly youthful aides, in an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press."...

To the editor: The winds of time and change blow softly but surely, and politics is no exception, as state Rep. Gene Copeland ends his political career after serving 38 years in the Missouri Legislature at the end of this session. The winds of change also have blown on Southeast Missouri politics. ...

Editor's note: This is the fourth of a five-part series examining issues facing Missouri's elderly population. James and Dorothy Bowers spend less money in their retirement than they did while working as teachers in Southeast Missouri. "I hope to live to be 100, but I'm not worried about money yet," James Bowers said. "I hope we have saved enough for retirement to live comfortably."...

After battling with an insurance company and Medicaid, Elmer Cook couldn't get his financial problems solved, so he turned to the APPLE Project for help. "You'd sort of say APPLE was my last hope," he said. Cook, a 73-year-old Benton resident lost his group insurance when he and his wife divorced in 1993. But Medicare wouldn't accept his claims for medical expenses because the agency said he was already covered by a plan...

Heavy thunderstorms that moved across the region Tuesday morning dumped over an inch of rain on parts of Cape Girardeau County. The storms, which had moved eastward by noon, left water on many city streets and county roads. More thunderstorms are expected today as the spring-like weather trend continues, the National Weather Service said...

Missouri must spend millions of dollars and toughen penalties against methamphetamine trafficking to battle an "epidemic of evil," Gov. Mel Carnahan said Tuesday. Carnahan said he will ask the Legislature to earmark $3.4 million in the fiscal 1999 budget to help state agencies and law enforcement battle the drug problem...

JACKSON -- When the Cape Girardeau County Jail opened in 1979, the average daily prisoner population hovered between 20 and 30. Less than 10 years later, the jail population has topped 100 per day. The jail was built to house 64 prisoners. In 1995, bunk beds made room for 80 prisoners, but the numbers keep climbing...

MedAmerica HealthNet Inc., has filed a liquidation plan for its pending bankruptcy. The Cape Girardeau-based physician hospital organization indicated in court documents Monday that it wants to trade its anticipated share of a judgment against Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan in exchange for settling its contractual obligation with Alliance Blue Cross Blue Shield...

My husband's idea of decor is the Pamela Lee meets Beavis and Butthead cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Ladies, there are certain rules for a peaceful marriage. First, realize that while your man loves you, it's best not to stand in front of the television during the professional wrestling program known as "Monday Nitro."...

Skaters circled the rink in 1983 at the retirement party of Roll-O-Fun owners Woody and Jean Seabaugh. JACKSON -- In the period of time before malls and multiplex cinemas, the social life of Jackson youngsters and teen-agers orbited a fixed point along Highway 34 called the Roll-O-Fun...

The joint council session on Jan. 26 between the Cape Girardeau and Jackson City Councils should be an excellent opportunity for both boards to exchange ideas and move toward the future with a spirit of cooperation for both growing cities. Major issues that concern both cities will be discussed. ...

The Southeast Missourian asked people about their experiences at the skating rink in Jackson. Mary Johnson: "We lived between Patton and Marble Hill, and we looked forward to going to the skating rink on Saturday night. This was about 1954 to 1958. I probably had more bumps and bruises than most people."...

Southeast Missouri State University's basketball Indians are ever so close to being 4-0 in Ohio Valley Conference play. But because of 3-point baskets in the waning seconds by two opponents, the Indians have to settle for a 2-2 league record as they prepare for a big two-game homestand...

It's great to be back home again after our longest (by far) conference road trip of the season. We traveled about 400 miles deep into Kentucky to play Morehead State and were able to come away with a hard-fought 64-61 victory Saturday afternoon. Then we moved on to play Eastern Kentucky and suffered our fourth gut-wrenching loss of the season, 82-79 in double overtime Monday night...

DELTA -- Portageville and Delta will play in the championship game of the Delta Tournament tonight at 8:30. In semifinal games Tuesday, Portageville beat Dexter 55-47 and Delta topped St. Vincent 55-47. In consolation games Tuesday, Puxico handled Chaffee 64-57 and Woodland edged Oran 44-36...

The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department will host its 1st annual Osage Invitational Coed Volleyball Tournament Feb. 8 at the Osage Community Centre. The event, which begins at 9 a.m., will have a 6-on-6 format and there must be three males and three females on the court at all times...

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Despite trailing Carbondale for most of the game Tuesday night, the Cape Central Tigers won 62-61 on a last-second four-point play by Travis Williamson. The Tigers battled back from 11 points down in the second half to improve their record to 6-4. Central trailed 61-58 with 10 seconds left before Williamson's heroics...

The Super Kids Race Day will be held Feb. 8 at 12:45 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center on the Southeast Missouri State University campus. Cost of the event is $6.40 for those who register by Feb. 5 and $9.95 for those register Feb. 6 and after. Registration begins at 11 a.m. the day of the event...

The annual Cardinal Caravan will visit the Osage Community Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, Jan. 16. The program will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a 6:30 dinner and a kids only autograph session. Cost is a $4 donation to Cape Girardeau youth baseball...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Minnie Showalter, 79, of Cairo died Monday, Jan. 5, 1998, at her home. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. She is survived by her husband, Harry T. Showalter of Cairo; four stepsons, Don Showalter of Dallas, Texas, Charles Showalter of Clarksville, Tenn., Harley Joe Showalter and Gene Morris, both of Cairo; and several stepgrandchildren...

A.C. Hatchett, 57, of Zanesville, Ohio, died of a heart attack Saturday, Jan. 3, 1997. He was born April 25, 1940, in Sikeston, son of Columbus and Veola Washington Hatchett and had lived in Zanesville for more than 25 years. He is survived by his wife, Daisy Mae Hatchett, of Tunica, Miss.; several children and grandchildren; a sister, Bobbie Hatchett of Sikeston; and a brother, James A. Hatchett of Greenville, N.C...

SIKESTON -- Funeral service for James Wesley Yant of Birch Tree will be held at 11 a.m. today at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Sikeston. Gerald Hamlett and the Rev. Billie Butler will officiate, with burial in Garden of Memories Cemetery. Yant, 57, died Monday, Jan. 5, 1998, at Birch View Nursing Center...

KARNAK, Ill. -- Paul Minor, 72, of Karnak died Sunday, Jan. 4, 1998, at Massac Memorial Hospital in Metropolis. He was born Dec. 15, 1925, in Grand Chain, son of Roy and Violet Ablett Minor. Minor retired from Main Brothers Box and Lumber Co. He was a member of Karnak Pentecostal Church...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Donald W. Wilkins, 76, of Jonesboro died Monday, Jan. 5, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born May 30, 1921, in Cobden, son of Roy L. and Anna Lence Wilkins. He and Betty Jo Nimmo were married Jan. 17, 1942, in Cape Girardeau. She died Dec. 14, 1969. He later married Emma Durham Yeckley Sept. 19, 1970, in Jonesboro...

Jerry D. Followell Sr., 59, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Jan. 5, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was born March 27, 1938, in New Hamburg, son of Howard R. and Mabel Gladys Riehn Followell. He and Shirley Shackles were married March 20, 1954, in Auburn, Ind...

JACKSON -- Ima M. Seybold, 96, of Jackson died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 1998, at Heritage Gardens. She was born Dec. 22, 1901, in Jackson, daughter of Jacob and Bertha Reitzel Friedrich. She and George Seybold were married June 14, 1922, at Jackson. He died June 29, 1977...

WHITEWATER -- Elda A. Niswonger, 88, of Whitewater died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 1998, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Friends may call at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson from 4-8 p.m. Friday. Funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chaffee...

SIKESTON -- William H. "Bill" Elsperman Jr., 54, of Sikeston died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 1998, at his home. He was born March 6, 1943, in Stoddard County, son of William H. Isabel Hoots Elsperman Sr. He and Betty Curtis were married Aug. 17, 1962. Elsperman was retired from the military...

Son to Jim E. and Traci L. Foltz, Sedgewickville Route 1, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, 1997. Name, Alexander Lewis. Weight, 7 pounds 9 ounces. Third son. Mrs. Foltz is the former Traci Seabaugh, daughter of Helen Seabaugh and Ardell Seabaugh of Jackson. She is a counselor at Meadow Heights R-II Schools. Foltz is the son of Donna Foltz of Jackson. He is a construction worker with JIMNI Development...

Eight spots remain in the Jan. 21 beginning Internet class offered by the Southeast Missourian web staff. The class will be held from 1-3 p.m. in Dempster Hall, on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. The university is a co-sponsor of the community training...

This Friday is one of the most eagerly anticipated days of the year at our house. It's the start of the annual Girl Scout Cookie sale. And apparently ours is not the only household which looks forward to this American tradition, for statistics show that during the first quarter of every year, when Girl Scouts go door to door peddling them, Girl Scout Cookies rank number two in sales, rivaling Keebler and Nabisco...