Stories from Friday, September 6, 1991

JACKSON -- Graveside service for Matthew Scott Armstrong was held Tuesday at Smith Cemetery. The Rev. Ommie L. Nelms officiated, with D.M. Hanks Funeral Home of Smithville in charge of arrangements. Matthew, 2 days old, died Saturday, Aug. 31, 1991, at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City...

ADAM URBANSKI, an expert on educational reform, is vice-president of the American Federation of Teachers. He is also president of the Rochester, N.Y., Teachers Association. The system of free public education has served as a cornerstone of our society since 1647. For millions of Americans, it has been the principal vehicle for opportunity and upward mobility...

History brings with it not only memories of times gone by but direction for life as we now know it, and as we will know it. The past finds a bridge to the future; understanding the places we've been helps us know a bit more about where we're going. A celebration of the bicentennial of Louis Lorimier's settlement, what would become Cape Girardeau, is now in the planning stages and will be more than a nod to antiquity; it will provide us a broader perspective on this community. ...

The United States may be the first nation in history to spend billions of dollars for weapons to destroy the country it now plans to spend billions to preserve. --- Missouri Democrats, angry over a reapportionment plan, threaten to file a lawsuit. The party's defense could be temporary stupidity...

We have dark moments from time to time. The worst ones put us in a George Bailey frame of mind. Forget this as an homage to the late, great Frank Capra; it just fits the description. Sometimes you wonder if your life has meant anything. George, of course, had a guardian angel to point out that "it's a wonderful life" and that your time on this Earth is well spent if you have friends. Only cinematic angels can peddle this syrup. Without Clarence as a guide, we must weather black moods on our own...

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Roger Wilson said Thursday he believes Proposition B stands a good chance of passing Nov. 5, but noted he feels voters are still waiting to be sold on the issue. "My sense on this issue is positive," said Wilson, a Columbia Democrat. "The chance for this generation to do something for the next generation has some appeal."...

Warranty deeds issued at the office of Janet Robert, Cape Girardeau County Recorder of Deeds: Catheline Heisler to Christ Presbyterian Church; Russell J. and Patricia A. Schumer to Kevin J. Amschler and Theresa A. Schumer; Albert J. and Nelda D. Crader to Mike D. and Kimberly C. Begley...

The annual Phillips family reunion was held Sept. 1 at Arena Park. The oldest person attending was Virgie Phillips of Bloomfield, 87; the youngest was Ashley Armstrong of St. Louis, 18 months, and traveling the farthest was Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Phillips of Fort Recovery, Ohio...

TERRY SANFORD, D-N.C., is a U.S. senator. A former governor of North Carolina, he also has served as president of Duke University. He is the founder of the Education Commission of the States. "It's time parents were free to choose the schools that their children attend," says President Bush. "This approach will create the competitive climate that stimulates excellence...."...

SIKESTON -- The Rev. Donald Franklin Williams, 51, of Sikeston, died Thursday, Sept. 5, 1991, at his home. He was born July 17, 1940, in Leachville, Ark., son of Elmer D. and Viola J. Williams. He and Carolyn N. Nowell were married Dec. 23, 1961, in Marmaduke, Ark...

MOUNDS, Ill. - An out-of-control dump truck crashed into a house off the Meridian blacktop Thursday. The driver, Gary D. Rentfro, 45, of Karnak, Ill., suffered only minor injuries and was taken to Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah, Ky., said a spokesperson with the Illinois State Police at Ullin. No one else was injured...

Leslie D. "Jim" Hoover, 67, 1956 Briarwood, died Wednesday, Sept. 4, 1991, at his home. He was born June 7, 1924, at Greenbriar, son of Joseph L. and Lottie Carlton Hoover. He and Grace Virginia Richmond were married Aug. 22, 1948, at Advance. Hoover attended the University of Missouri at Columbia. He worked at Skelgas in Sikeston, and then moved to Advance where he was vice president of Richmond Hardware and Lumber Co. from 1950-76...

BENTON -- Edward Madigan, described by people who have worked with him as "diligent and well informed on agricultural issues," says he can identify more than 100 things he needs to do as United States Department of Agriculture secretary. "There are a lot of things that need attention," he told a gathering of Farm Bureau members here Thursday night. ...

CHAFFEE - An 18-month-old Chaffee boy was attacked Thursday morning by a chained Alaskan malamute after he and two other children ventured into the dog owner's backyard. The boy, who suffered a deep cut to his right cheek, remained in stable condition in the pediatric unit at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, a hospital spokesperson said Thursday night...

As teachers go about the business of educating Cape Girardeau students, one man has gone about the business of making sure the buildings don't stand in the way of instruction. That man, maintenance supervisor Calvin Brennan Sr., retires today after 46 years with the Cape Girardeau school district...

MARBLE HILL -- U.S. Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond visited Marble Hill Thursday to laud Woodland School District's Parents As Teachers program, a program the senator wants implemented nationwide. Bond spoke with about 35 children, parents and teachers who participate in the program, which encourages parents to take an active role in their preschool children's education and development...

JACKSON -- Eleven-year-old Matt Smith, paralyzed from the chest down in a gunshot accident this summer, is coming home from the hospital today after two months of intensive therapy. As a surprise answer to Matt's wish, Kelley Transportation Co. has donated the use of a limousine to bring Matt and his parents home from St. Louis Children's Hospital. He is expected home today at about 3:30 p.m...

MTV will not be pulled from local cable television service despite a religious group's move to ban it from local airwaves, an official with TCI Cablevision of Missouri said Thursday. Roger Harms, who heads up the local cable television service, said a petition being circulated by the Cape Girardeau County Chapter of the America Family Association (AFA) that supports removal of the channel will have no affect on TCI's programming...

Gary W. Rust, co-owner of The Daily Statesman in Dexter and The Daily Dunklin Democrat in Kennett, purchased the shares of co-owner Sherm Smith Wednesday. In making the ownership transition, Barbara Hill was named publisher of The Daily Statesman and acting General Manager of The Daily Dunklin Democrat...

Operations were scheduled to get under way Thursday evening at Cape Girardeau to empty a damaged barge carrying petroleum naphtha, a highly flammable liquid. But authorities said the leaking barge posed no immediate fire or pollution threat. A spokesman for the Coast Guard's Marine Safety Office (MSO) in Paducah, Ky., said the barge was part of a northbound three-barge-unit tow on the Mississippi River being pushed by the towboat Poseidon...

Women at the Chateau Girardeau Retirement Center are showing that fitness can benefit a person of any age. Fourteen women from the center will participate in the Fourth Annual Women's Distance Festival Saturday at 8 a.m. at Capaha Park. They are competing in the one-mile "fun run" or walk event...

The Southeast Missouri Regional Cancer Center will host the third annual Cancer Update Thursday. The all-day seminar, for nurses, will be held in the Harrison Room at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau and will feature topics related to the diagnosis, treatment and after-care of cancer patients...

The Cape Girardeau Area Vocational-Technical School will offer a wide variety of computer courses beginning Sept. 23. Enrollment is taking place now at 301 N. Clark. The courses offered are Basic Computer Science, Computer Applications in Business, Introduction to DOS, Advanced DOS Operations, Beginning WordPerfect 5.1, Beginning Lotus 1-2-3, Automated Accounting, Beginning Desktop Publishing, Introduction to Computer Keyboarding, Word Processing and Data Base and Spreadsheet...

First Lieutenant Fred Brown led a group of senior members and cadets a in practice search and rescue mission at Lake Pomme de Terre in Southwest Missouri on Aug. 24. Brown is the commander of the Civil Air Patrol's (CAP) Cape Girardeau Composite Squadron...

The Cape Girardeau Executives Club Dinner meeting Sept. 24 will feature "Renaissance Birdman," David McKelvey at the Drury Lodge at 7 p.m. He describes himself as "a hybrid: one-quarter artist, one-quarter poet and one-half scientist." McKelvey's talk will feature anecdotes and his repertoire of humorous animal sounds...

The River City Rodders will host its 14th annual car show at Capaha Park on Sept. 15. Registration will be from 9 a.m. to noon and awards will be presented at 3 p.m. Local car enthusiasts are invited to bring their cars to the park for public viewing. Participants will receive dash plaques and be eligible for attendance prizes...

KANSAS CITY -- There will be duck hunting seasons in Missouri. Dale Humburg, a waterfowl biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, says North America's "duck factory" was dry in May, but heavy rains during June saved the day for ducks. "Aerial surveys in July showed that mo more ponds were recorded in the northern prairie regions since 1983," said Humburg. "And the more ponds, the more places for waterfowl."...