Stories from Tuesday, October 20, 1992

Weather conditions have been pretty good for Southeast Missouri farmers this fall. "Farmers have been in the fields and harvesting of grain is beginning to wind down," said Terry Birk of the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service office at Jackson. "Although harvest time is behind a year ago, we're running well above average on yields of all grain crops this fall."...

A split Cape Girardeau City Council Monday voted 4-3 to oppose an election ballot initiative that would scrap at-large council elections in lieu of zone representation. The council in September unanimously voted to place the issue on the Nov. 3 ballot after a citywide petition secured sufficient signatures to put the matter before the voters...

State Senate candidates Peter Kinder and Betty Hearnes outlined their plans for education in a joint appearance Monday before about 50 members of the Cape Girardeau Community Teachers Association. Kinder said the state Constitution spells out that the education of citizenry is the first purpose of government. He pledged that education "will be my number one focus and priority when I go to Jefferson City in January."...

First-graders having trouble learning to read get a second chance through a program called Reading Recovery, now in its second year in Southeast Missouri. The initial year proved successful, said Marlene Miller, coordinator of the Reading Recovery program at Southeast Missouri State University, and more teachers are in training this year as the program spreads...

Alcohol-awareness posters decorate the cramped office at Southeast Missouri State University from which Phyllis Schnell wages a constant battle against substance abuse. As coordinator of Substance Abuse Prevention and Education at Southeast, Schnell's part-time job places her in the trenches in the battle against drug and alcohol abuse...

PAINTON - The sky above Painton was busier than usual Sunday afternoon as some rather unusual-looking aircraft flew back and forth over the small community about eight miles south of Delta. The airplanes were piloted by members of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), an organization of pilots who build and fly experimental aircraft and the traditional FAA-certificated manufactured airplanes...

These are more than just lines on an alcohol-awareness poster. To Mike K., they are all too true. The 26-year-old Southeast Missouri State University student is a recovering alcoholic who works as a counselor-trainee at the Gibson Recovery Center in Cape Girardeau...

Bill Clinton denies he's overly sensitive about his efforts to avoid the Vietnam War, but a staffer who suggested going out for a draft beer was fired. --- The problem facing Al Gore is that, despite a declining number of spotted owls in some parts of the country, most voters don't really give a hoot...

Eugene J. Holmes is a retired U.S. Army colonel. The following is a memorandum concerning Bill Clinton and the University of Arkansas ROTC program written by the man who headed that program. There have been many unanswered questions as to the circumstances surrounding Bill Clinton's involvement with the ROTC department at the University of ~Arkansas. ...

Voters of Cape Girardeau authorized municipal officials in November 1991 to purchase and assume operations of the city water system. Some citizens feared at the time of the election that the system was antiquated and in need of costly repairs, a burden community taxpayers would have to bear. Four months into the system's newly public operation, the news is encouraging: so far, so good...

Burette Luther Cargle Jr., 65, of Cape Girardeau, died Monday, Oct. 19, 1992, at John J. Pershing VA Hospital in Poplar Bluff. He was born Oct. 9, 1927, in Cape Girardeau, son of Burette L. and Lottie L. Bridges Cargle. He and Lavina Collier were married July 24, 1948...

PERRYVILLE -- Harold A. Berkbigler, 62, of Perryville, died Sunday, Oct. 18, 1992, at Perry County Memorial Hospital. He was born April 6, 1930, at Biehle, son of Andrew W. and Regina W. Buchheit Berkbigler. Berkbigler was retired from MFA Feed Mill here...

JACKSON - There will be Christmas decorations this year in the Jackson business district and along East Jackson Boulevard. That was assured Monday when the Board of Aldermen voted 8-0 to donate $10,000 to a community-wide fund drive to purchase new Christmas decorations. ...

Explorer Post 4077 will hold an informational meeting tonight at 7 in the Harrison Room at Southeast Missouri Hospital. The new Explorer Post has been established for male or female students in grades 19-12 who are interested in health care as a possible career...

SIKESTON -- Funeral service for Calvin Bell of Sikeston will be held at 2 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. The Rev. James Boston will officiate, with burial in Carpenter Cemetery at McMullin. Friends may call at the funeral home from 9 a.m. to service time...

BLOOMFIELD -- Agnes Rita Czachar, 87, of Idalia, died Sunday, Oct. 18, 1992, at her home. She was born Dec. 27, 1904, in Buffalo, N.Y., daughter of Anthony and Josephine Krzyzanowska. She married Elbert Czachar, who preceded her in death. Czachar was retired from the Department of Aging in Chicago...

BERTRAND -- Jim D. Western, 85, died Sunday, Oct. 18, 1992, at Missouri Delta Medical Center Emergency Room. He was born Jan. 8, 1907, in Bass Springs, Tenn., son of William David and Emily Brasher Western. He and Carrie E. Carlyle were married Sept. 25, 1924. She died Jan. 13, 1992...