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Friday, November 20, 2009

Local News

Testimony concludes in Heather Ellis trial (11/20/09)
KENNETT, Mo. (AP) -- Testimony in the trial of a black school teacher charged with assaulting police officers, resisting arrest and disturbing the peace at a Southeast Missouri store concluded Friday with the defendant telling the jury that white police officers had attacked and abused her...
Police: No new leads in Capaha Bank robbery case (11/20/09)
The Cape Girardeau Police Department had no new leads pointing to a suspect in Thursday's robbery of Capaha Bank at Broadway and Kingshighway, department spokesman Sgt. Jason Selzer said Friday. Investigators were processing evidence Friday "but nothing has given us a pinpoint on anybody," Selzer said. ...
Main, High streets in Uptown Jackson reopened (11/20/09)
Traffic reopened Friday at Main and South High streets in Jackson after work on crosswalk improvements closed that section of roadway for five days. According to a new release from the City of Jackson, most of the work by Kluesner Construction crews was complete by 1 p.m. Friday. The improvements are part of the uptown historic district renovation project that includes historic lighting, benches, bike racks, trash receptacles and additional parking on High Street...
Sikeston police seek 'person of interest' for information on Wednesday robbery (11/20/09)
SIKESTON, Mo. - Sikeston Public Safety investigators are asking for the public's help in identifying a person at the scene of a Wednesday robbery. A photo from a surveillance video at Check into Cash was taken of what officials are describing as "a person of interest."...
H1N1-related death reported in Alexander County (11/20/09)
ULLIN, Ill. -- An Alexander County resident has died from complications related to the H1N1 flu virus, according to a news release from the Southern Seven Health Department based in Ullin. In addition to H1N1 flu, the person who died also had other medical conditions. The health department said it will not release any other information, including the person's identity, to protect the privacy of the deceased and his or her family...
Service agencies help disabled students transition from school (11/20/09)
With a sign language translator just over her shoulder, Susan Hekmat went over the basics of a job interview. "If they say your appointment is at 4, it's not at 4:01 or 4:30. It's at 4," said Hekmat, a special education consultant at the Southeast Regional Professional Development Center...
Makeover of uptown Jackson almost done (11/20/09)
Just a few weeks remain until one part of uptown Jackson completes a makeover just in time for the holiday shopping season. Since Sept. 8, crews have worked on streetscape improvements on a section of High Street between Main and Adams streets. Improvements include historic lighting, cobblestone sidewalk pavers, benches, bike racks and trash receptacles...
State expecting tougher ozone standard; area officials worry about economic effect (11/20/09)
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency review of ozone pollution standards could put a label on Cape Girardeau County and several other Southeast Missouri counties that officials and business leaders fear could stifle future growth. Before beginning a new review of the air pollution standard itself, the EPA was reviewing recommendations from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources that would have declared Perry and Ste. ...
Capaha Bank in Cape Girardeau robbed, police seek suspect (11/20/09)
A man wearing a hooded sweat shirt and a bandanna masking his face robbed a Cape Girardeau bank Thursday morning.
Cape Girardeau County commission dedicates $150,000 for special playground (11/20/09)
Cape Girardeau County commissioners approved $150,000 Thursday to fund an all-accessible playground.
Walmart workers testify in Ellis trial in Kennett (11/20/09)
KENNETT, Mo. -- Prosecution witnesses took the stand Thursday in the trial of Heather Ellis, a 24-year-old Louisiana schoolteacher accused of assaulting police officers at the Kennett Walmart nearly three years ago. Among those to testify was assistant manager Kay McDaniel, who said Ellis called her a stupid, uneducated Walmart employee...
Hung jury leads to mistrial in Doniphan beating death case (11/20/09)
WEST PLAINS, Mo. -- A Howell County judge declared a mistrial Wednesday afternoon in the murder trial of a Doniphan, Mo., man accused in the beating death of his neighbor.
Jury selected, opening statements made, witnesses questioned in Heather Ellis trial (11/19/09)
KENNETT, Mo. -- The jury was selected and the prosecution and defense gave opening arguments in the trial against Heather Ellis Wednesday. Ellis is charged with assaulting police, resisting arrest and disturbing the peace in a case that has garnered national media attention. Ellis' supporters have alleged the charges are racially motivated...
Finalists selected for Southeast Missouri State University provost (11/19/09)
Officials at Southeast Missouri State University plan to have a new provost in place by January.
Scott County to try e-cycling event (11/19/09)
BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County residents will soon have an opportunity to recycle their electronics locally. From 8 a.m. until noon Dec. 5, Ozark Green Recycling will be accepting computers and computer parts, such as CPUs, monitors, keyboards, mice and printers, and other electronics, such as televisions, stereos, cell phones and hand-held devices, radios, VCRs and DVD players, at 417 North Main in Sikeston, Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn said during the Scott County Commission's regular meeting Tuesday.. ...
Area food pantry volunteer expanding mission to include pets (11/19/09)
When a girl in June asked food pantry volunteer Steve Vitale for unfrosted cereal, he was a little puzzled but also dismayed that he was unable to honor the request. But since the girl and her mother were regular clients, he paid for the unfrosted cereal out of his own pocket and waited for her to ask again. When they returned in August, he was ready, both with the cereal and a question...
Police seek suspect in Sikeston armed robbery (11/19/09)
SIKESTON, Mo. -- Sikeston police are seeking a suspect in a reported armed robbery that happened early Wednesday afternoon at Check Into Cash, 1305 S. Main St. An employee of the store said a man came in around 1:20 p.m. and pulled out a black handgun, demanding cash, according to a news release from the Sikeston Department of Public Safety. ...
Bodies found in burned Cairo house identified; cause of death was gunshot wounds (11/19/09)
CAIRO, Ill. -- The two women found dead in a Cairo home after a fire died from gunshot wounds, the Illinois State Police announced. The victims were identified by the Alexander County, Ill., State's Attorney's office as Beatrice Barber, 29, of Cairo, and Eva Hill, 27, of Charleston, Mo., a news release from the state police reported...
Consulting firm presents last part of Jackson long-range plan (11/19/09)
An Illinois consulting firm on Wednesday presented the final section of a comprehensive plan intended to serve as a policy guide for Jackson through 2019. During a public hearing by Jackson's zoning commission, representatives from Houseal Lavigne Associates of Naperville, Ill., touched on a variety of ideas for improvements in the city. Ideas include a substation shared between the police and fire departments, an expanded trail system and easement of traffic-flow problems...
Cape again to host convention for Missouri's Episcopal diocese (11/19/09)
The 170th convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri will meet once again in Cape Girardeau. The main topic of the convention Friday and Saturday is "Mission, mission, mission. Building a bridge to bring ministry to a broken world," said the Rev. Robert Towner of Christ Episcopal Church in Cape Girardeau. Other topics include the focus for the Missouri mission, congregational outreach and its mission to the Sudan in Africa...
Cape Girardeau man gets his opinion read on Limbaugh radio show (11/19/09)
When William Piercey Sr. of Cape Girardeau submitted a guest column to the Southeast Missourian he wanted to voice his frustration with what government-run health care may resemble. Little did he know talk show host Rush Limbaugh would read excerpts from the column on his national radio program...
Evangelists hand out Darwin books at MSU (11/19/09)
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- As she waited for a shuttle in front of Plaster Student Union at Missouri State University, student Robyn Williams almost turned down the offer of a free book. Williams said she'd accepted so many Bibles from curbside evangelists working in front of the student union that she didn't need another...
Poplar Bluff man found guilty in vehicle assault (11/19/09)
A Cape Girardeau County jury convicted a Poplar Bluff, Mo., man Tuesday of an assault in which he was accused of striking another man with his vehicle and then apparently spinning its tires on top of him. The jury deliberated about one and one-half hours before finding Jerry Oliver Stewart, 46, of the 900 block of Vine Street, guilty of the Class A felony of first-degree assault, the unclassified felony of armed criminal action and the Class D felony of leaving the scene of an accident...
Ribbon-cutting today for downtown Cape restrooms (11/19/09)
Cape Girardeau city officials will celebrate the newest addition to downtown amenities today -- the completion of a public restroom facility and parking lots along Broadway between North Main Street and the Mississippi River floodwall. A ribbon cutting will be held at 2 p.m. ...
Day of fun for children in Cape while parents shop on Black Friday (11/19/09)
The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department is offering parents who need a place for their children on Black Friday while they help Santa Claus prepare for Christmas. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 27 at the Osage Community Centre, children can take part in a day of games, arts and crafts, movies and making a wish list during a Kick Off to Christmas. ...
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