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Saturday, November 7, 2009
housing
House votes to expand homebuyer tax credit
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Buying a home is about to get cheaper for a whole new crop of homebuyers -- $6,500 cheaper. First-time homebuyers have been getting tax credits of up to $8,000 since January as part of the economic stimulus package enacted earlier this year. ...
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events: This week

Discussions
Poll
Should schools be required to teach personal finance classes?
 Yes. It's vital that young people have a basic understanding of how to handle their money.
 No. It's the parents' job to teach those lessons.

Lead stories
(Photo)
Area farmers are working furiously to complete fall corn harvests before the predicted return of wet weather around the middle of November. The heavy rains that deluged fields the last week of October have wreaked havoc with...
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com The United States Air Force Band of Mid-America performs for 661 people Friday night, November 6, 2009, at the Bedell Performance Hall on the River Campus of Southeast Missouri State...
When Natalie King decided to major in communication disorders at Southeast Missouri State University, she considered the prospects for jobs after graduation. King, a sophomore, said more of her peers are thinking more about...
With the Cape Girardeau City Council's decision to move ahead with automated trash and recycling pickup, the publicity campaign to educate residents about the change is underway. On Monday evening, the council approved...
KENNETT, Mo. -- A combine and a truck collided near Kennett Thursday night, igniting a fire inside the combine. The Kennett Fire Department received a call at 7:10 p.m. that a tractor had run over a pick-up truck and was on...
AP video

Can you find Elmo?
Tuesday is the 40th anniversary of the start of the beloved children's TV program "Sesame Street." "Sesame Street" character Elmo visited Cape Girardeau and found some great hiding places downtown. Can you find him?
More headlines
U.S. Air Force band performs (11/07/09)
LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com The United States Air Force Band of Mid-America performs for 661 people Friday night, November 6, 2009, at the Bedell Performance Hall on the River Campus of Southeast Missouri State University....
Cents and sensibility: Personal finance classes becoming bigger part of high school, college education (11/06/09)
When Natalie King decided to major in communication disorders at Southeast Missouri State University, she considered the prospects for jobs after graduation. King, a sophomore, said more of her peers are thinking more about majoring in a subject that will produce a job, an effect of the economic downturn...
Trash and recycling pickup days won't change for Cape residents (11/06/09)
With the Cape Girardeau City Council's decision to move ahead with automated trash and recycling pickup, the publicity campaign to educate residents about the change is underway. On Monday evening, the council approved spending $2.3 million to buy six trucks and 22,000 new trash bins for distribution to residents. The switch won't require a rate increase to pay the bonds that will finance the program...
Author Alex Flinn to address area students, conduct workshop (11/06/09)
As teens face increasingly complex issues, the voice of many of those struggles, author Alex Flinn, will be in the area to address students at two schools and the public. Libby Wilson, a librarian at Central Junior High School, said Flinn writes realistic fiction that many students at her school can relate to. This perspective and understanding makes her work popular among adolescents, even those who do not always enjoy reading...
More than 70,000 pounds of food raised for Southeast Missouri Food Bank (11/06/09)
Notre Dame student Robby Hinson, left, Food Bank staff member Danny Stotler, student Mollina Stallings, right, and Notre Dame teacher Daniel Strohmeyer unload a portion of the school's donation of more than 5,600 cans of food collected for the Southeast Missouri Food Bank on Thursday at the facility on Nash Road. In all, 70,834 pounds of food were donated, about 30,000 raised by schools and 41,000 donated by Tyson Foods. Notre Dame Regional High School won the Division A contest among schools with more than 250 students. Eagle Ridge Christian School won Division B, schools with 250 or fewer students. Read more about area schools at semissourian.com/schools.
Wednesday apartment fire now considered arson (11/06/09)
A Wednesday morning fire that damaged a Cape Girardeau apartment is now considered arson. Sgt. Jason Selzer of the Cape Girardeau Police Department said an investigation continues into a fire that moderately damaged a fourth floor apartment at 45 S. West End Boulevard around 6:15 a.m. No suspects are in custody...
Combine, truck collide (11/06/09)
KENNETT, Mo. -- A combine and a truck collided near Kennett Thursday night, igniting a fire inside the combine. The Kennett Fire Department received a call at 7:10 p.m. that a tractor had run over a pick-up truck and was on fire on County Road 553. The driver of the pick-up truck, Mike Faught, and the operator of the combine both escaped the incident unharmed, according to officials. ...
Education leaders discuss future of schools (11/06/09)
WARRENSBURG, Mo. (AP) -- The future of education from preschool to beyond graduate school united four state senators and top state educators for a hearing at the University of Central Missouri. About 30 percent of students entering college need remedial education, prompting a question from a west St. Louis County Republican, Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield...
Rally set to support defendant in racially charged Bootheel case (11/06/09)
KENNETT, Mo. -- A rally Nov. 16 in Kennett is in support of a woman accused in a racially charged case with assaulting two police officers, resisting arrest and disturbing the peace. The now-24-year-old Heather Ellis has said she moved into a check-out lane at Walmart to join a cousin whose line was moving faster Jan. 6, 2007. Other customers said she cut ahead of them...
Cape Girardeau man appeals death sentence based on mental disability (11/06/09)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A Cape Girardeau man on death row for a 1992 triple homicide is mentally disabled and should not be executed, his attorney told the Missouri Supreme Court. Andrew A. Lyons, 52, was sentenced to two death sentences in 1996 for the shooting deaths of Evelyn Sparks and Bridgette Harris, an ex-girlfriend. He also received a seven-year sentence for the shooting death of his 11-month old son Dontay Harris...
County commission OKs firm to conduct audit (11/06/09)
Commission approves firm to conduct audit The Cape Girardeau County Commission has approved a Cape Girardeau accounting firm to conduct the county's annual audit. During its meeting Thursday the commission chose Stanley, Dirnberger, Hopper and Associates LLC to perform the audit from 2009 to 2011. The accounting firm was the low bidder, with a total not to exceed $47,900 for the years it will do the audit...
Land reimbursement rate cut for assessors (11/06/09)
Cape Girardeau County is among the state's 114 counties scheduled to receive thousands of dollars less annually from the state in payments to county assessors. The State Tax Commission has reduced the parcel reimbursement rate for county assessors from $5.99 to $4 for each parcel of land. The $6.117 million in payments for reassessment is part of $204 million in cuts announced Oct. 28 by Gov. Jay Nixon...
Missouri auditor to speak at First Friday Coffee (11/06/09)
Missouri Auditor Susan Montee will be the guest speaker Friday morning at the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee. Montee will discuss the work of the auditor's office. The program will begin at 7:40 a.m. at the Show Me Center, and a continental breakfast will be available...
Cape Girardeau man accused of downloading child pornography (11/06/09)
A Cape Girardeau man faces child pornography charges after his girlfriend allegedly found explicit photos on his home computer.
Charges filed against man accused in Chaffee bomb threat (11/06/09)
CHAFFEE, Mo. -- An 18-year-old Chaffee man was charged Thursday with making a false bomb threat against the Rhodes 101 convenience store, Chaffee police chief Jim Chambers said in a news release.
State news
National news
  • Navy ship built with WTC steel goes into service
    NEW YORK (AP) -- The USS New York, built with steel from the rubble of the World Trade Center, was put into Navy service Saturday both as a symbol of healing and strength.
  • Amendment blocks federal funding for abortions
    WASHINGTON (AP) -- A bipartisan coalition sought to impose stricter abortion limits on insurance sold under a new health care bill Saturday, hoping to leave their imprint on legislation otherwise crafted largely by more liberal lawmakers.
  • Obama asks House to vote on health care bill
    WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama summoned Democrats to "answer the call of history" Saturday as the House pushed toward a vote on a landmark health care bill holding out the promise of coverage for tens of millions who lack it.
  • Fort victims had different reasons for enlisting
    The 13 people killed when an Army psychiatrist allegedly opened fire on fellow soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, included a pregnant woman who was preparing to return home, a man who quit a furniture company job to join the military about a year ago, a newlywed who had served in Iraq and a woman who had vowed to take on Osama bin Laden after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Here is a look at some of the victims.
  • Brother: Shooting suspect is a peaceful person
    STERLING, Va. (AP) -- A brother of the man authorities say went on a shooting spree at Fort Hood says the Army psychiatrist is peaceful person -- and hopes he will be treated fairly by the legal system.
  • Suspect told 'There's something wrong with you'
    FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) -- There was the classroom presentation that justified suicide bombings. Comments to colleagues about a climate of persecution faced by Muslims in the military. Conversations with a mosque leader that became incoherent.
  • Perry says he's humbled after visiting wounded
    TEMPLE, Texas (AP) -- Texas governor Rick Perry has visited with wounded victims from the Fort Hood shooting.
  • Some fear backlash against Muslims in US military
    Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan's family says he confided in them that he felt harassed as a Muslim in the U.S. military -- and wasn't treated as an American and soldier should be.
  • Some fear backlash against Muslims in US military
    Some Muslim servicemembers are worried that the mass shooting at Fort Hood could unravel their work to be accepted as loyal, dedicated soldiers.
  • Ground broken for Flight 93 memorial in Pa.
    SHANKSVILLE, Pa. (AP) -- With the words "Let's roll" -- the command issued by United Flight 93 passenger Todd Beamer to lead the passenger revolt -- U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and 39 victims' relatives and dignitaries turned shovels of dirt at a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday for a permanent national memorial.
Weird news
  • Fla. police: Graffiti artist left work incomplete
    PALM BAY, Fla. (AP) -- Police in Florida say a graffiti artist who apparently ran out of paint midway through a spray-painted creation left a note to potential critics to explain the unfinished work....
  • Authorities say man stole car to face theft charge
    VALLEJO, Calif. (AP) -- The California Highway Patrol say a man stole a car to make a court appearance on a previous auto theft charge....
  • NZ lawmaker sculpted in cow manure
    WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- A sculpture of a New Zealand government minister crafted from cow manure sold for New Zealand dollars 3,080 ($2,220) on an auction Web site. The bust of New Zealand Environment Minister Nick Smith, sculpted as a protest by artist Sam Mahon, attracted 112 bids before being picked up by an anonymous buyer on Friday....
  • Pa. prostitution case tossed over gov't-funded sex
    HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- An appeals court has ruled Pennsylvania State Police botched a prostitution investigation in which troopers gave an informant money to pay for sex four times at a massage parlor, along with a total of $180 for the man's trouble....
  • Miss. gov's son scores 2 holes-in-one in one round
    JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -- A single hole-in-one is a big enough dream for most golfers. But two in one round? That's some luck. Reeves Barbour, the 30-year-old son of Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, had two aces in a single round Oct. 25 on a Robert Trent Jones course in Gainesville, Va....
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