Stories from Thursday, October 10, 1991

Michael Morris, director of the Missouri Lottery, announced Tuesday he will leave his state position at the end of the year. Morris has been a highly visible, sometimes controversial figure in state government, attributable in part to the "hot-seat" nature of his job. ...

It was buried at sea for 363 years and was once part of a ship captain's treasure. Now, six years after it was recovered from the ocean's depths off the coast of Florida, silver from the Spanish ship Atocha is being sold as jewelry. "It appeals to people who have a sense of imagination and a sense of wonder," said Jack Magne, the entrepreneur who purchased silver ingots from the Atocha and turned them into earrings, pendants, rings and bracelets...

JACKSON -- The Riverside Regional Library in Jackson has been given a three-tape video collection about some of the problems of aging. Titles in the collection include: "The Mind: Aging," a program from the nine-part PBS series; "Alzheimer's Disease: You Are Not Alone;" and "Final Choices," a program about the complex problems brought on by the availability of life-prolonging medical technology...

The curtain will rise on Central High School's fall play, "The Miracle Worker," Oct. 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. The play, written by William Gibson, is about Helen Keller's life but is named for Annie Sullivan, the miracle worker who taught Helen Keller sign language...

Charles H. Cozean, III, a 1983 graduate of Cape Central High School, was granted a master's of science degree in material sciences in the school of engineering, from Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif. He received his B.S. degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Princeton University in 1987, after which he worked for the National Aerospace Administration (NASA) in Huntsville, Ala. until entering Stanford...

The Cape Girardeau Board of Appeals tonight will consider two requests for variances and will discuss the minimum property maintenance code. Thomas C. Holshouser, the architect for a renovation of the Municipal Airport terminal building is asking for a variance in the building code's smoke control for covered malls section...

The Wheels of Yesteryear, a car club, will hold a car show Sunday at the American Heritage Museum along old Highway 61 south of Cape Girardeau. Tom Nelson, club president, said the show, which is free, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the museum is $1.50, he said...

Population: 9,256 Founded: 1814 County: Cape Girardeau Mayor: Carlton Meyer Unique point: "Our livability is unique. We keep the town clean, have good city service departments, and an excellent school district. We're located in the center of the county, close to the university, health facilities, the airport, and good highways. People work togetyher to make a fine community," says City Administrator Carl Talley...

I WAS VERY happy with the first victory of the Cape Central football team; also, the way the seniors were praised for their leadership on the field and display of school spirit. Since school spirit seems to be so closely related to school athletic teams and events, we should be getting some helpful suggestions from the new athletic director on the subject. ...

Do you need perspective on what's going on in the Senate with the Clarence Thomas nomination to the Supreme Court? On Tuesday afternoon, the distinguished senior Senator from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts rose to his feet solemnly and with a straight face. He spoke these words:...

A book mobile for the Cape Girardeau Public Library would mean people who can't get to the library would still have access to its books. Sounds simple? Library officials think so, too. But the challenge is raising enough money from private contributions to pay for the book mobile and 15,000 books...

The Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission Wednesday recommended that the City Council approve plans for a drug and alcohol treatment facility on the corner of Linden Street and West End Boulevard. The commission also recommended denial of a special use permit for a mobile home at the rear of 1033 N. Fountain...

Final boundary lines drawn by a Missouri House Redistricting Commission leave most Southeast Missouri incumbent representatives with a broad base from which to launch re-election campaigns next year. Although all districts were altered some by the redistricting process, required to be done in the year after the census is completed to reflect population shifts, most incumbents maintained a large part of their present districts...

Some economists say the recession ended in April or May, but many retail businesses that depend on consumers may disagree. "The softness in the retail market is continuing," said William E. Grafstrom, who doesn't see any quick cure for an ailing economy in the U.S...

Southeast Missouri Hospital has received state approval for a $30 million expansion that will increase the size of the facility by more than 40 percent. Approval of the three-phase project was received Wednesday at a meeting of the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee in Jefferson City...

WHITEWATER -- The Whitewater Post Office is among 20 small post offices in Missouri being relocated to new modular units. The specially constructed trailers are part of a pilot project by the U.S. Post Office to determine if modular units are more cost efficient than traditionally constructed buildings...

Population: 1,447 Founded: Marble Hill and Lutesville consolidated in 1986. County: Bollinger Mayor: Shirley Cooper Unique point: "We have the Massey house, a historic log cabin that is open for tours during the summer months," says Deputy City Clerk Gayle Abernathy...

In a continuing effort to fine tune a faculty merit pay plan at Southeast Missouri State University, a divided Faculty Senate Wednesday approved a measure clarifying eligibility for such pay. The measure, approved on an 11-7 vote, states that all full-time faculty would be eligible for merit pay, including dual-appointment faculty and those faculty with 50 percent or less released time for non-teaching duties in their departments, research and grant projects, and advising responsibilities...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, announced today the awarding of $602,191 in grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to eight public housing authorities in the 8th District. The Section 8 Voucher and Certificate Programs provide private sector homes for rent to low-income tenants. Federal funds make up the difference of what is paid by the tenants and the total cost of the assessed monthly rent...

Population: 3,059 Founded: 1905 County: Scott Mayor: Ronald Moyers Unique Point: "It's just a friendly small town: a city with a smile, I guess you could say," says City Administrator Reece Brown. Becki Dalton: "I was raised here. It's a clean town. People get along here and it seems safe. I know our customers on a first-name basis where I work."...

Population: 4,292 Ancell and Fornfelt joined in 1964 to form Scott City. Illmo merged into town in 1980. County: Scott Unique point: "Scott City has a very special location in that we have the railroad running through town, we're close to the river and the regional port authority, the interstate runs right through town, and we're only two miles from the airport. We have a great potential for industrial and economic development," says Mayor Shirley Young...

Population: 1,139 Founded: 1883 County: Stoddard Mayor: Kenneth Emerson Unique point: "It's just a nice, little town," said City Clerk Teresa Carlton. "We have three parks, one that's especially nice. It's just a nice, clean town." Vera Tilley: "I moved from St. Louis and I've lived here about 50 years. We have a lot of new people, and a lot of new homes have been built here in the last 10 years."...

DELTA -- Three Advance men were injured Wednesday afternoon in an accident on Highway 25, five miles south of Delta. The Missouri Highway Patrol reported that John Statler, 45, was southbound in a pickup truck when he started to pass a vehicle, apparently pulling in front of a tractor-trailer that was passing his pickup...

Population: 5,085 Founced: 1872 county: Mississippi Mayor: Larry Smith Unique point: "You have some very fine stately homes in the older section of town, a very good school system and a good mix of job opportunites," says City Manager Brian Donovan. "We also have the annual Dogwood/Azalea Festival. We have good quality of life opportunities here."...

Population: 1,164 Founded: 1883 County: Scott Mayor: Robert Dennis Unique point: "It's a friendly town where everyone cares about each other; we help each other when there's a crisis. We all pull together when something happens," says City Collector Jean Neal...

JACKSON -- Out-of-district students who attend Jackson schools will continue to pay the same tuition rate as last year. On the recommendation of the administration, the school board Tuesday set the tuition rate for out-of-district high school students at $3,300 per year. The rate for elementary students (K-8) is $2,700...

Population: 450 Founded: 1887 County: Cape Girardeau Mayor: Paul Evans Unique point: "It's a pretty good town," says Mayor Evans. "We have problems with not having a police officer, but it could be a lot worse. Everybody prett well gets along with everybody else."...

Julia Muriel Wickham, 77, of Cape Girardeau, died Wednesday, Oct. 9, 1991, at Deal Nursing home. She was born July 1, 1914, in Cape Girardeau the daughter of Jerome and Victoria Hagan. On Oct. 18, 1931 she married Herbert F. Wickham, Jr. in Cape Girardeau, and he survives...

SIKESTON -- Maxine Crenshaw, 71, of Sikeston died Wednesday, Oct. 9, 1991, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. She was born Nov. 29, 1919, in Sikeston, the daughter of the late F. F. and Fleta Edmondson Collins. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sikeston. On Sept. 26, 1936, she married Bridwell L. Crenshaw in Sikeston. He survives of the home...

CHARLESTON - Barbara Ann Jones, 39, of Chicago, Ill., formerly of Charleston, died Sunday, Oct. 6, 1991 at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke Medical Center in Chicago. She was born May 27, 1952 in Charleston. Her mother, Elnora Butler, of Chicago, survives. Her father, John Jones, preceded her in death...

SIKESTON -- William Turney Williams, 95, of Sikeston, died Tuesday, Oct. 8, 1991, at his home. He was born Nov. 20, 1895, in Ozark, Ark., son of William A. and Laura Williams. He first married Effie Fay Patrick Feb. 29, 1916, at Ozark. She died Sept. 21, 1966. He and Joe Esther Smotherton were married Jan. 31, 1970, in Pryor, Okla...

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Clifford G. Strieker of Jackson, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 5:51 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, 1991. Name, Lindsay Nicole. Weight, 7 pounds 4 ounces. First child. Mrs. Strieker is the former Marlene Beckmann, daughter of Ralph and Jeanette Beckmann of Germantown, Ill. She is a cashier at Sears. Strieker is a sales representative with KABA Select Sires, and is the son of Anthony and Mary Strieker of Aviston, Ill...

JACKSON -- Ocie Kathleen Tallent, 31, of Middlefield, Ohio, died Monday, Oct. 7, 1991, at her home. She was born April 28, 1960, in San Jose, Calif., daughter of Carl and Colleen Somsag Tallent. Survivors include common law husband, Bennett Nelson; four sons, Bennett Tallent, Daniel, Brett and Jeffery Nelson, all of the home; a daughter, Michelle Tallent of the home; eight brothers, Michael Tallent of Boulder, Colo., Tory and Tracy Tallent of Martin City, Mont., Frederick Tallent of Lafayette, Colo., Carl, Harold, Franklin and Milton Tallent, addresses unknown.. ...

Frank J. Compas, 86, of Cape Girardeau, died Wednesday, Oct. 9, 1991, at Cape LaCroix Nursing Center. He was born April 17, 1905, at Kelso, son of Frank and Amelia Dunger Compas. He and Rose Knaup were married April 8, 1940, in Cape Girardeau. Compas was a timekeeper at Marquette Cement Co. 46 years, retiring Jan. 1, 1970. He was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral, St. Francis Medical Center Auxiliary, and a Third Degree Knight with Knights of Columbus Council 1111...

The Craft & Basket Shoppe will open in downtown Cape Girardeau Saturday. The new business, ssituated at 111 N. Main, will feature "unique crafts and gift baskets for all occasions," said Leigh Humphrey of Cape Girardeau, an owner. Rhonda Popp of Cape Girardeau also is an owner of the retail business...

MOUNDS, Ill. -- The Driver's License Services facility here will remain open one day a month. The facility, which previously was open at least one day a week, is one of 19 which were marked for closure by Illinois Secretary of State George Ryan last week...

Former employees of the R. Lowenbaum Manufacturing Co. will hold a reunion Saturday at Dennis Scivally Park in Cape Girardeau. The picnic will be from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and the meal will be at 12:30. Persons attending are asked to bring a covered dish and utensils...

Jan Morgan is a believer in continuing education. As librarian for grades kindergarten-12 at the Advance public schools, Morgan stays close to the education process. That commitment doesn't stop in the summer. "Most of my summers have been filled by attending classes at Southeast Missouri State University," Morgan said, "or attending the summer media workshop at the University of Missouri at Columbia."...