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To change or not to change
(Column ~ 12/14/06)
Dec. 14, 2006 Dear Leslie, Boxers weigh in before getting in the ring. Over the past 20 weeks, DC and I have weighed in weekly in a fight to reclaim our healthy bodies. On our wedding day 13 years ago I was a slight 137 pounder, in boxing terms a junior welterweight. Earlier this year the bathroom scale said I weighed exactly 60 pounds more. I was a junior heavyweight only a few pounds shy of qualifying to be pummeled by Muhammad Ali...
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Differences within Islam create confusion for many
(Local News ~ 12/14/06)
All right, no cheating. This is a pop quiz. Who or what is Hezbollah? What branch of the Islamic faith is followed by most of those in al-Qaida? What is the difference between Sunnis and Shiites? OK, pencils down. If you failed this test, you're in good company. Last week, Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, was asked similar questions by a reporter for Congressional Quarterly magazine...
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Schools attempt to break record for reading aloud
(Local News ~ 12/14/06)
They read in the hall. They read in the cafeteria. They read on the playground. Nearly 200 students -- kindergartners to fourth-graders -- at Franklin Elementary School in Cape Girardeau read aloud a two-page passage Wednesday from the children's book "Charlotte's Web."...
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Proposal would expand DWI to include drugs
(Local News ~ 12/14/06)
A new law being developed by local and state officials is taking aim at drivers who get behind the wheel with any amount of a controlled substance in their system. Unlike existing DWI laws, which limit the amount of alcohol drivers can have in their systems, the proposed statute will make it a crime for drivers to have any amount of a nonprescribed drug in their systems...
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Out of the past 12/14/06
(Out of the Past ~ 12/14/06)
MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Arson is suspected in yesterday's fire in Bollinger County which damaged an Ozark Line Builders truck and the high-voltage electric lines which were being erected; installation of the lines from Bollinger County to a booster station near Advance, Mo., was to be completed in about a month...
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Donated van stocks food pantries
(Letter to the Editor ~ 12/14/06)
To the editor:The officers and members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3838 would like to thank Cape Auto Pool for letting the post use a 16-foot box van to deliver over 14,000 items of food to the Salvation Army, Red Star Baptist Food Pantry and FISH food pantry on Dec. 7. A big thanks goes to owner Tom Armbruster and salesman Bob Herbst...
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More accountability for Medicaid
(Letter to the Editor ~ 12/14/06)
To the editor:The governor seems to have a good plan to change Medicaid. We all know the program is out of control, with costs spiraling higher. What we need is a system that makes people more accountable for receiving these benefits. Medicaid is important in the short term, but it should not become a way of life like it has for many people. ...
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Ready for disaster
(Editorial ~ 12/14/06)
The recent icy and snowy storm that cut a wide swath across much of Missouri left thousands of homes, businesses, schools and factories without electricity. Serious questions have been raised by customers and Missouri Public Service Commission members about what could have prevented some of the loss of power and what could have been done to speed up repairs...
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Speak Out 12/14/06
(Speak Out ~ 12/14/06)
Confine your dogs; Better health care; Funny cat story; Leaf night shift; Mulch, not burn; Pets and smoking; Affecting values; Bad hunting; Blowing smoke; Out in the public; Gifts for everyone; Appreciating classics; Doing a good job
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Spots in Scott City sinking
(Local News ~ 12/14/06)
David Ramsey isn't sure what's going on with his house. All he's sure of is that "settling" is not the problem. "This house has been here for years. If it was going to settle, it would have already settled," Ramsey said. "New houses settle."...
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Notre Dame using solar panels for power, education
(Local News ~ 12/14/06)
Officials at Notre Dame Regional High School love sunny days. It means the school can generate a small amount of electricity to help power computers, lights or other electrical devices. On a metal pole near the observatory behind the Cape Girardeau County Catholic school, an array of six angled solar panels faces south to best catch the sun's rays. ...
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Mo. Attorney General Nixon sues Ameren over Taum Sauk breach
(State News ~ 12/14/06)
ST. LOUIS -- Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon sued Ameren Corp. on Wednesday over the Taum Sauk reservoir collapse, alleging the company endangered lives and caused millions of dollars in damage by placing profits ahead safety at the hydroelectric plant...
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Planning and Zoning approves day cares, elects officers
(Local News ~ 12/14/06)
The Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of two day-care projects and elected its officers for the new year. The commission gave unanimous approval to James and Keisha McReynolds for a special use permit to operate a day care center at 1540 Independence St...
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Police investigate armed robbery
(Local News ~ 12/14/06)
Cape Girardeau police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Planet SEMO apartment complex parking lot on Themis Street just west of Fountain Street. The 20-year-old man told police he was approached by two men in the parking lot, said Cpl. ...
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Fare cuts, better Jackson service on tap for county transit authority
(Local News ~ 12/14/06)
Taxi fares in Cape Girardeau and Jackson will be lower for most passengers when the Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority eliminates an advance booking discount. During a meeting the authority's board of directors Wednesday, executive director Jeff Brune received permission to change the fare structure that will reduce daytime taxi rates by $1 to $1.50 and night rates by $2 in Cape Girardeau and cut fares in half for rides in Jackson. Fares from Jackson to Cape Girardeau will also fall by $2...
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Around Southeast Missouri 12/14/06
(Local News ~ 12/14/06)
Poplar Bluff teen found guilty of murder NEW MADRID, Mo. -- A New Madrid County judge took about an hour Friday to find Dustin D. Burrage, 18, guilty of murder in the shooting death of Joseph L. Bartlett, 31, on Aug. 22, 2005. Sentencing is set for 1 p.m. ...
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East Prairie man in stable condition after being stabbed
(Local News ~ 12/14/06)
SIKESTON, Mo. -- A 50-year-old East Prairie, Mo., man is in the hospital after he was stabbed once in the abdomen with a butcher knife during an altercation with another man Monday afternoon, according to a Sikeston Department of Public Safety news release Wednesday...
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Cape Girardeau County Commission agenda 12/14/06
(Local News ~ 12/14/06)
8 a.m. today County Administration Building 1 Barton Square, Jackson n Statement of monthly collections for November. n Pay request and progress invoice, Horrell Creek Bridge project. n Letter regarding the Route AB project. n Letter from Missouri Public Entity Risk Management regarding defensive driver training classes...
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University of Missouri searches for new leader
(State News ~ 12/14/06)
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Elson Floyd helped raise the profile of the University of Missouri during his four years as president, generating attention both positive and negative. He led the four-campus system during a time that included a massive fund-raising push, an aborted expansion effort and a scandal-plagued basketball program...
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Fred Wehmeyer Sr.
(Obituary ~ 12/14/06)
THEBES, Ill. -- Fred J. Wehmeyer Sr., 84, of Carbondale, Ill., died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006, at the Rehab and Care Center of Jackson County in Murphysboro, Ill. He was born Dec. 3, 1922, in Thebes, son of Fred and Pearl VanDyke Wehmeyer. He and Novella Hilferding were married Sept. 12, 1942. She died June 30, 1979...
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Maria Gamel
(Obituary ~ 12/14/06)
HILLSBORO, Mo. -- Maria S. Gamel, 86, of Hillsboro died Friday, Dec. 8, 2006, at The Villas in DeSoto, Mo. She was born May 2, 1920, in Kikinda, Yugoslavia, daughter of Martin and Susanna Gross. She married Eugene Gamel, who preceded her in death. Gamel had been a seamstress at Bridal Originals in St. Louis. She was a member of First Christian Church in Hillsboro...
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Harvey Williams
(Obituary ~ 12/14/06)
JOLIET, Ill. -- Harvey D. "Dale" Williams, 67, of Joliet, formerly of Olive Branch, Ill., died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006, at Provena St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet. Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, Ill., is in charge of arrangements.
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Virginia Tuschhoff
(Obituary ~ 12/14/06)
Virginia Ruth Tuschhoff, 64, of Oak Ridge died Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006, at her home. She was born Feb. 7, 1942, at Daisy, daughter of Clarence L. and Minnie Friese Tuschhoff. Tuschhoff was a 1960 graduate of Oak Ridge High School. She worked at International Shoe Co. in Jackson from 1966 to 1989, and then was a salesperson for Billie's Place in Oak Ridge. She was a member of Oak Ridge United Methodist Church and taught Sunday school...
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Leo Swink
(Obituary ~ 12/14/06)
ANNA, Ill. -- Leo W. Swink, 79, of Anna died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006, at his home. He was born March 30, 1927, in Anna, son of Charles and Mary Smoot Swink. He and LaWanda Stone were married Dec. 11, 1944, in Carbondale, Ill. Swink was sanitation supervisor 40 years at Bunny Bread in Anna. He was a member of Big Creek Baptist Church...
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Federal court 12/14/06
(Local News ~ 12/14/06)
Age: 23 Residence: Holcomb, Mo. Charge: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Sentence: 36 months' imprisonment followed by a three-year supervised release. Summary: On June 23, law enforcement officers seized approximately four pounds of methamphetamine, a revolver and ammunition, $1,600 in cash and miscellaneous materials used for methamphetamine distribution in a residence shared by Esquivel and codefendant Clemente A. ...
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Cape/Jackson police report 12/14/06
(Police/Fire Report ~ 12/14/06)
Arrests; Summonses
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Cape fire report 12/14/06
(Police/Fire Report ~ 12/14/06)
n At 5:34 p.m., motor vehicle accident at New Madrid Street and North West End Boulevard. n At 5:44 p.m., motor vehicle accident in the 300 block of North Kingshighway. n At 5:46 p.m., emergency medical service in the 900 block of South Benton Street...
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Births 12/14/06
(Births ~ 12/14/06)
Ray; Magill;
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Indian tribe building glass deck to offer bird's-eye view of the Grand Canyon
(National News ~ 12/14/06)
HUALAPAI INDIAN RESERVATION, Ariz. -- A struggling Indian tribe is hoping to change its fortunes by luring tourists out over the edge of the Grand Canyon on a glass-bottom observation deck 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. It's called the Skywalk, a horseshoe-shaped walkway that will jut from the canyon's lip and offer the kind of straight-down, vertigo-inducing views that had previously been available only to the likes of Wile E. Coyote...
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Bush administration warns against terror threats to U.S. space program
(National News ~ 12/14/06)
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration warned Wednesday against threats by terrorist groups and other nations against U.S. commercial and military satellites, and discounted the need for a treaty aimed at preventing an arms race in space. Undersecretary of state Robert G. ...
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450 laid off at AOL's headquarters in Virginia as company restructures
(National News ~ 12/14/06)
McLEAN, Va. -- About 450 workers at the Dulles headquarters of AOL were laid off Wednesday as the company continues restructuring away from its traditional roots as a subscription-based provider of dial-up Internet access. AOL announced in August that it planned to cut about 5,000 jobs -- or roughly a fourth of its global workforce -- as it embarked on major changes designed to shift the company's revenue stream from subscription fees to online advertising. ...
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Jury finds for Merck in latest Vioxx trial
(National News ~ 12/14/06)
NEW ORLEANS -- A Tennessee man's claim that the maker of the since-withdrawn painkiller Vioxx should be blamed for his 2003 heart attack was rejected Wednesday by a federal jury, the fourth victory for drug maker Merck & Co. in five federal trials...
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Rescuers return to Mount Hood in search for missing trio of climbers
(National News ~ 12/14/06)
COOPER SPUR, Ore. -- Blinding snow and powerful winds blasting Mount Hood hindered teams searching for three lost climbers Wednesday, as forecasters warned that a new storm could bring gusts of 100 mph, followed by a deep freeze. A fresh team joined the search Wednesday, and crews expected to get some help from heat-seeking, unmanned aircraft provided by a Colorado company and cell phone detection equipment from another, said Pete Hughes of the Hood River County Sheriff's Department...
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NASA works to make room for solar wings
(National News ~ 12/14/06)
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In fits and starts, NASA began retracting via remote control a 115-foot solar array on the international space station Wednesday, likening the tricky task to folding a road map back up and stuffing it in the glove compartment. ...
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Major report on death of Princess Di due today
(International News ~ 12/14/06)
LONDON -- Police who have been conducting a three-year police inquiry into the death of Princess Diana will issue a long-awaited report today amid hopes it would finally halt the speculation about her fatal Paris car crash in 1997. John Stevens, the former head of London's Metropolitan Police, led the investigation of the deaths of Diana, 36, and her companion, Dodi Fayed, 42. ...
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Jack Kevorkian slated to be paroled in June
(National News ~ 12/14/06)
LANSING, Mich. -- After more than eight years behind bars for murder, an ailing Dr. Jack Kevorkian will be paroled in June on a promise not to help anyone else commit suicide, prison officials said Wednesday. Corrections Department spokesman Russ Marlan said the parole board took the 78-year-old Kevorkian's declining health into consideration, along with the question of whether the former pathologist would be a danger to society if he were set free. ...
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Army: 2,100 militants killed in Afghanistan
(International News ~ 12/14/06)
BAGRAM, Afghanistan -- Almost 2,100 militants have been killed in Afghanistan since Sept. 1 in operations involving coalition special forces soldiers, a U.S. Army spokesman said. That means more than half of the country's insurgency-related deaths this year have come in the last three months. ...
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Six key countries make progress on Iran resolution
(International News ~ 12/14/06)
UNITED NATIONS -- Six key nations reported progress Wednesday on a U.N. Security Council resolution that would impose sanctions on Iran, though differences remained over a travel ban against top officials in the country's nuclear and missile programs...
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Iraqi leaders present proposal for assuming Baghdad security duties
(International News ~ 12/14/06)
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A new round of car bombings and other violence struck Iraq on Wednesday, with 55 people killed or found dead as the Iraqi government unveiled a plan to assume responsibility for security in Baghdad by early next year. The relentless attacks indicate how hard it may be for the Iraqis to replace U.S. forces in the capital, and President Bush said he would "not be rushed" into a decision on a strategy change for Iraq...
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Jones, Simonhoff named All-Americans
(College Sports ~ 12/14/06)
Edgar Jones demonstrated early in the season he was going to be a nightmare on quarterbacks. The senior defensive end had 2 1/2 sacks in the season-opening win against Austin Peay, 2 1/2 sacks the next week against Misouri-Rolla, a sack against Jacksonville State and two sacks in a Week 4 win against Samford...
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Finding a comfort zone
(College Sports ~ 12/14/06)
Marcus Rhodes admits that he initially was a bit overwhelmed by Division I college basketball. It appears that is no longer the case. Rhodes, a freshman guard, has been among Southeast Missouri State's top players since the Ohio Valley Conference schedule started...
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Rivalry on tap as part of third annual Heartland Hoopfest
(High School Sports ~ 12/14/06)
The third annual Heartland Hoopfest will feature one of this season's most heated rivalries around Southeast Missouri, two of the top three ranked schools in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's large school poll and the top-ranked Class 3 school in the state poll...
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Area digest 12/14/06
(Community Sports ~ 12/14/06)
Friedheim stretchesdartball lead With a three-game sweep of Altenburg Trinity, Friedheim exctended its lead in the Cape-Perry LLL Dartball competition. Friedheim leads second-place Perryville, which won two out of three against Crosstown, by 3 1/2 games, while Crosstown fell four games back...
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Area calendar
(Community Sports ~ 12/14/06)
Baseball n Legion meeting: The Jackson Post 158 American Legion baseball team will have a meeting for players and parents 7 p.m. today at the American Legion. The program this year will have three teams, and freshmen are eligible to play. Info: Gerald Adams, 243-4199...
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Community briefs 12/14/06
(Community News ~ 12/14/06)
Barnes & Noble features story time set for Saturday Missouri children's author Sara Ann Denson will read her latest book, "Christmas Turtles," at 11 a.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble. A book-signing will follow. Set in the Southeast Missouri countryside, the book follows four children as they discover the magic and love of a special holiday tradition...
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Health calendar 12/14/06
(Community ~ 12/14/06)
Today American Red Cross blood drive at Advance Elementary School, 2 to 6 p.m. Infant massage at Southeast Missouri Hospital's meeting room 102, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. To register, call 651-5825. Saturday Multiple sclerosis support group at Saint Francis Medical Center's Health and Wellness Center, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m...
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Marie Comeau
(Obituary ~ 12/14/06)
Marie Corinne Comeau, 86, died Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Hezbollah's focus more regional
(Local News ~ 12/14/06)
Al-Qaida is not the only terrorist organization at work in the Middle East. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, the incoming House Intelligence Committee chairman, also flunked a question on Hezbollah. Hezbollah has goals that are more regional than global. It primarily opposes Israel and the Lebanese ruling party in Beirut...
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Johnston completes basic Army training
(Community News ~ 12/14/06)
Army National Guard Pvt. Ryan M. Johnston has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, Johnston studied the Army history, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, drill and ceremony, rifle marksmanship, map reading, field tactics, military justice system, basic first aid and field training exercises. ...
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Cards notebook
(Professional Sports ~ 12/14/06)
Right fielder Juan Encarnacion, hampered by a sore left wrist in the postseason, has undergone what the Cardinals characterized as minor surgery. Encarnacion had the operation last week in St. Louis. He's expected to be ready for spring training. Encarnacion batted .278 with 19 homers and 79 RBIs in the first year of a three-year, $15 million contract...
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St. Louis declines to tender contract to Ankiel
(Professional Sports ~ 12/14/06)
ST. LOUIS -- Rick Ankiel's wild and difficult time with the St. Louis Cardinals organization could be over. The Cardinals late Tuesday declined to tender the left-handed pitcher-turned-outfielder, meaning Ankiel is free to sign with any team. The Cardinals said they will continue negotiations with Ankiel as well as reliever Jorge Sosa, who was also non-tendered...
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Seahawks can clinch division title this evening
(Professional Sports ~ 12/14/06)
SEATTLE -- Matt Hasselback's honest appraisal might best define the Seattle Seahawks' first 13 games. They are a losing team on the road, riddled with major injuries to key players all season, and have displayed very little of the dominant, complete and consistent unit that rolled to the NFC championship a year ago...
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NCAA Division I-AA All-America Team
(Professional Sports ~ 12/14/06)
First Team Offense Quarterback -- Tyler Thigpen, 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, senior, Coastal Carolina. Running backs -- Marcus Mason, 5-9, 215, senior, Youngstown State; Arkee Whitlock, 5-10, 195, senior, Southern Illinois. Wide receivers -- David Ball, 6-2, 200, senior, New Hampshire; Alex Watson, 5-10, 180, junior, Northern Arizona...
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Blues suffer ninth consecutive loss
(Professional Sports ~ 12/14/06)
DENVER -- Milan Hejduk and Paul Stastny each had a goal and an assist, and the Colorado Avalanche beat St. Louis 4-1 Wednesday night, sending the slumping Blues to their ninth straight loss Pierre Turgeon also had a goal an assist. Joe Sakic had scored on the power play, one of three goals for Colorado in the second period...
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Boomers may need to work on longevity
(Column ~ 12/14/06)
My generation -- the so-called baby boomers -- will never be called the "Greatest Generation." That title has already been grabbed deservedly by our parents, who lived through the Great Depression and who waged a truly necessary war. History is still out on us, but one thing is for sure: We will be called the Longest Generation...
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Rotation may find relief in bullpen
(Professional Sports ~ 12/14/06)
ST. LOUIS -- Rather than overpay for any of the remaining free agent pitchers, the St. Louis Cardinals reiterated their stance on Wednesday that they'd prefer to convert some of their stockpile of right-handed relievers. "I think our alternatives are very good," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "You don't always have to have big names and pay a lot of money to get quality pitching and quality players...
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Exercise may cut smokers' risk of lung cancer, study says
(Community ~ 12/14/06)
PHILADELPHIA -- Everyone knows smoking is a bad idea, but those who can't give it up may get a little protection from exercise, a study suggests. In a study of older women, researchers found that a physically active smoker had a 35 percent lower risk of lung cancer than a sedentary smoker...
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Disabled child needs toys to help promote learning
(Local News ~ 12/14/06)
Tara has a lot to handle, being a single mother and meeting the demands of a physically and developmentally disabled 6-year-old daughter. Tara's limited income provides the basics, but she would like her daughter to be all she can be and that means doing activities that promote learning to assist her development...
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Two Chaffee council members enter mayoral race
(Local News ~ 12/14/06)
Two members of the Chaffee City Council have put their names into the race for Chaffee's open mayoral seat after the first two days of filing for the April municipal election. Current council members Loretta "Rhetta" Mohorc, Ward 2 and Jesse "Jack" Nordin, Ward 4, filed for the position along with Hope Huey, who does not serve on the council...
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Curbing the splurge
(Community ~ 12/14/06)
Think twice about eating that second brownie at Grandma's house on Christmas -- you'll need to walk a mile walk to burn off those calories. Local fitness experts estimate the average person gains 5 to 7 pounds during the holiday season. Gaining the extra weight isn't hard to do considering one holiday meal contains about 3,200 calories...
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Notre Dame wins consolation bracket of Farmington tourney
(High School Sports ~ 12/14/06)
The Notre Dame girls basketball team won the consolation bracket in the Farmington Invitational on Wednesday with a 59-50 victory against Dexter at Dexter. The consolation bracket was originally supposed to conclude on Dec. 2 in Farmington, but weather conditions forced the games to be postponed. Dexter served as the host for the consolation bracket games...
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St. Vincent earns more honors
(High School Sports ~ 12/14/06)
The Southeast Missouri Football Coaches Association recently released its all-district teams, with several area players earning player of the year honors. St. Vincent senior defensive lineman Chris Fischer shared defensive player of the year honors in Class 1 with Valle's Zach Uding. ...
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Boeing laptop stolen, putting 382,000 at risk for identity theft
(National News ~ 12/14/06)
CHICAGO -- A Boeing Co. laptop containing the names and Social Security numbers of 382,000 workers and retirees has been stolen, putting the employees at risk for identity theft and credit-card fraud. The theft, which was confirmed Tuesday, was the third such incident at Boeing in just over a year...
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Feds arrest 1,200 in illegal immigration crackdown, point to identity theft ring
(National News ~ 12/14/06)
WASHINGTON -- Federal officials said Wednesday that the raids on meatpacking plants in six states uncovered a "disturbing front" in the battle against illegal immigration -- identity theft as a tool to obtain employment. The raids against Swift & Co., a Greeley, Colo.-based meat processor, added up to the largest-ever workplace crackdown on illegal immigration, said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff...
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