Stories from Sunday, January 3, 1993

The new year came in like a lamb as far as area law enforcement was concerned. The year closed with bone-chilling cold weather and freezing rain Thursday. But the precipitation ended before evening and there were few accidents in Southeast Missouri New Year's Eve, Cape Girardeau police and the Missouri Highway Patrol said...

Cape Girardeau City Manager J. Ronald Fischer expects 1993 to be a year of marked but orderly growth and development. Financially, the city has emerged from last year's recession with a restored growth in sales tax revenue, which had become stagnant in 1991 and early 1992...

For the first time since he won his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Bill Emerson will serve with a Democratic president. He's not sure what to expect from the experience, but is willing to work with President Clinton when he thinks he is right. Most of all, Emerson said he plans to continue fighting for the interests of the 26 counties of Southeast Missouri that make up his 8th District...

Mid-America Teen Challenge hopes to raise $250,000 to build a chapel and multiuse facility. The organization kicks off its first-ever capital campaign Tuesday, said Jack Smart, executive director of Teen Challenge. "This will be the first time we've ever done a capital campaign," Smart said. "We have always raised a little money a little at a time. But with the size and nature of the project, basically the only way to go is to have a capital campaign."...

The Cape Girardeau City Council is expected to decide Monday whether to hold a special election on the issue of riverboat gambling in Cape Girardeau. Although Missouri voters in November approved riverboat gambling in the state, municipalities and counties must approve the measure locally if they intend to have a "floating casino."...

JACKSON - Eight Cape Girardeau County officeholders were sworn in for new terms Thursday in a brief noon ceremony at the county commission's chambers. All but one of the officials were re-elected to new terms in the Nov. 3 general election. The lone newcomer is 1st District Associate Commissioner Larry Bock...

"Lately I feel a little nervous about my section of the land of the free, living on the New Madrid fault line something's shakin', Lord, I hope it's just me." Living on the New Madrid Fault Line In 1989 Lou Hobbs was watching a TV report about the massive destruction caused by the Loma Prieta earthquake in the San Francisco Bay Area when it occurred to him that the ground under his own feet wasn't all that secure itself...

JACKSON - Eight Cape Girardeau County officeholders were sworn in for new terms Thursday in a brief noon ceremony at the county commission's chambers. All but one of the officials were re-elected to new terms in the Nov. 3 general election. The lone newcomer is 1st District Associate Commissioner Larry Bock...

Judith Ann Crow will host members and guests of the American Association of University Women at a "Twelfth Night" party Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at her home at 323 Themis. In observance of the traditional end of the Christmas season, those attending will share favorite holiday memories and display special ornaments. Avon Crocker, AAUW branch program chairperson, will be co-hostess...

Eighth District U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson begins a new term this week with seats on the same two major committees he served on last year and a new special assignment. The Cape Girardeau Republican will remain on the House Agriculture Committee, moving up to the slot of second ranking Republican. He also retains his seat on the Public Works and Transportation Committee...

MARBLE HILL -- John H. Boles, 93, of Marble Hill died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 1992 at his home. He was born at Nebo, Mo. on Aug. 13, 1899, the son of Zechariah and Malinda Cochran Boles. On Aug. 25, 1920, he married Eunice I. Johnson. She survives of Marble Hill...

The 1950s Joint Class Reunion Committee will meet Thursday to continue planning for the 1993 joint reunion of Cape Central High School classes of 1950-1959. The group will meet at Mr. B's Waffles & Deli, 97 N. Kingshighway, at 7 p.m. "Anyone from any of the 1950s classes is invited to attend this meeting," said a spokesman. "We're hoping to have more than 1,000 people at this second 1950s reunion."...

William Oscar Graham, 84, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Jan. 1, 1993 at St. Francis Medical Center. He was a resident of the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born Sept. 23, 1908 in Blodgett, son of Joseph and Rosella James Graham. He worked as a butcher for Central Foods in Cape Girardeau for over 35 years, retiring in 1973...

DUDLEY -- Charles Edward Humphries, 65, of Dudley, died Friday, Jan. 1, 1993 at the Dexter Memorial Hospital. He was born at Vina, Ala. on June 20, 1927, the son of Isom and Zelma Hammock Humphries. He lived in Sikeston for many years where he was employed for 12 years with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety as a police officer...

ANNA, Ill. -- Memorial service for Kathryn "Kay" Little of Anna will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Crain Funeral Home here. Wayne Magro will officiate. Little, 59, died Tuesday, Dec. 29, 1992, at Union County Hospital.

Funeral service for Linda Blattel Gee, 1601 Brucher, was held Saturday at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel. The Rev. Louis Launhardt officiated, with burial in Memorial Park. Gee, 66, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 1992, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born Sept. 19, 1926, near Fredericktown, daughter of Avery and Jane Dorris Green. She married Earl Blattel Feb. 13, 1942. She later married William Gee March 21, 1986, in Las Vegas, Nev...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Jack Stallings, 78, of Crystal City, formerly of East Prairie, died Saturday, Jan. 2, 1993 at Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Festus. He was born Feb. 7, 1914 in Mississippi County, the son of James Albert and Rosie Grant Stallings. He had lived in the St. Louis area since 1942, moving from East Prairie. He was employed by the John I. Hay Barge Co. as a terminal superintendent, retiring in 1966. He then owned and operated his own trucking company for 20 years...

PERRYVILLE -- Joseph F. Hayden, 70, of Perryville, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 1992 at his home in Perryville. He was born March 11, 1922 in Perry County, the son of Lon L. Hayden and Lunnette Magdelen Brewer. On Nov. 8, 1948, he married Ileene D. Angle. She preceded him in death...

SIKESTON -- Ellen Faye Greenlee, 46, of Sikeston died Saturday, Jan. 2, 1993 at Missouri Delta Medical Center. She was born Nov. 4, 1946 in East Prairie, daughter of the late James David Crawford and Juanita S. Pruitt Crawford, who survives of Kennett...

Carolyn Modgelin, 24, died Jan. 1, 1992 at St. Luke Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Ford and Sons. Arrangements are incomplete.

Edith M. Haney, 77, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Dupo, Ill, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 1992. She was born Oct. 31, 1915, the daughter of Ernest Duty and Hattie Simmons Duty. She was a member of the Lighthouse Pentecostal Church in Cahokia, Ill. She first married John Luttrell, who preceded her in death. She then married Fred Fisher, who preceded her in death also. She is survived by her third husband, Richard C. Haney, Caseyville, Ill...

CHARLESTON -- Gage Allen Hornback, 1, son of Kevin Allen and Melissa Pruitt Hornback of Fayetteville, N.C., died Friday, Jan. 1, 1993, at Duke University Hospital in Durham, N.C. He was born June 29, 1991. Survivors are his parents; paternal grandparents, Ronald and Billie Hornback, Charleston; maternal grandparents, Melvin and Mary Lee, Dorsey, Miss.; maternal grandparents, Arley and Vivian Pruitt, Lansing, Mich.; and paternal great-grandmother, Carrie Hornback, Charleston...

EAST PRAIRIE - J.C. Blasingain, 58, of Ona, Fla., formerly of East Prairie, died Friday, Jan. 1, at the Walker Memorial Park Hospital in Avon Park, Fla. The body is at the Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie, where funeral arrangements are pending.

Funeral service for Patsy L. Strop, Wappapello Route 2, will be held at 2:30 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Chapel. The Rev. David Conley will officiate. Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery. Strop, 66, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 1992, at her home...

ADVANCE -- Harley Henson, 73, of Advance died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 1992 at the Advance Nursing Center. Henson was the long-time owner of the Henson Grocery Store in Advance. He was born Jan. 4, 1919 at Buckhorn, Mo., the son of Oscar Henson and Hattie Hovis Henson...

SIKESTON - Ernest Henry Stricker, 75, of Sikeston, died Friday, Jan. 1, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born Aug. 20, 1917 to Henry Peter and Grace May Martin Stricker. He married Evelyn N. Hurley in Charleston, on July 22, 1939...

SIKESTON - Theresah Ann Johnson, 30, of Hernando, Miss., formerly of Sikeston, died Thursday, Dec. 31, at the Regional Medical Center in Memphis. She was born Jan. 15, 1962 in Sikeston to the late Roy Lee Carmack, and Zella Terrett Carmack, who survives...

ST. MARYS - Terry R. DePauw, 40, of St. Marys, died Saturday, Jan. 2, in Ste. Genevieve. He was born Oct. 31, 1952, in Chester, Ill., to Charles and Irma Dipold DePauw. On June 14, 1980, he married Nancy A. Whitaker, formerly of Cape Girardeau, at St. Marys. She survives, along with two sons, Justin DePauw and Charles DePauw; one daughter, Tara DePauw, all of the home...

President-elect Clinton has said he wants his Cabinet to be "as diverse as America." He's named one that's as unknown as Siberia. --- Now that the football season is almost over, some wives are startled when they hear the sound of their husbands' voice for the first time in months...

An impressive program for Cape Girardeau's capital improvements is outlined in Jay Eastlick's Page One interview with city manager J. Ronald Fischer today. The past five years have seen major improvements in our city's streets, sewers, flood control measures, utilities and other capital improvments. Building on these successes, we're poised for a lot more improvement this year...

Some prominent people spent considerable time during 1992 trying to convince America they can lead. Some of those people now have the chance. We hope 1993 is the type of year where tangible action is applied to grandiose words. Our direction for those who have sought the public's trust is this: You've spoken ... now lead...

In various facets of public endeavor, there is a time to come and a time to go; there is a time to make your case and a time to make your closing argument. Lawrence Walsh, the Iran-Contra independent counsel, has reached the time-to-go point. Six years ago, when Walsh, an Eisenhower Republican and former judge, was appointed independent counsel by a federal appellate panel, he faced a systematic pattern of obstruction and cover-up. ...

There is something so good about starting a new year. Look outside and you can't see much change in the landscape unless there happens to be a snow covering the ground. However, there are infinitesimal changes which you probably haven't noticed, being so busy with the holidays...

The new kid on the block the 1600 block of Pennsylvania Ave. brings with him a cat, a saxophone and a promise of change. As President-elect Bill Clinton prepares for his inauguration Jan. 20, local political experts and observers say change is inevitable. They say the country should look for increased emphasis on domestic issues, especially spurring the economy and cutting the national debt...

Reflections on a gardening year just past a new year of pleasure ahead, and some other related thoughts. Looking back, 1992 was a good year for those who love plants and digging in the soil. Spring weather was good, the summer moderate and rainfall came at appropriate times...

Degrees were conferred upon 476 undergraduates and 29 graduate students during winter commencement exercises Dec. 12 at Southeast Missouri State University. Area students who graduated with advanced degrees, as listed by hometown, are: Burfordville:...

John David Crites, a member of Boy Scout Troop 5, has earned the rank of Eagle. To attain Boy scouting's highest rank, Crites earned 28 merit badges and devoted 54 hours to completing a service project. His service project was done at Trail of Tears State Park under the supervision of Park Naturalist Greg Henson. His project was clearing a designated area at the park entrance...

Lower interest rates and increased consumer confidence should strengthen the real estate market and boost residential house sales in 1993, say realtors in the area. "We expect to see 1993 about the same or a little better than 1992," said Carl Blanchard of Coldwell Banker Blanchard & Associates Realty, which has offices at Cape Girardeau and Jackson...

A new Cracker Barrel Old Country Store restaurant will open in Cape Girardeau this month. "We don't have a date set," said a spokesman from the firm's headquarters at Lebanon, Tenn. "However, it will be early next year, possibly the final week of January," he said last week...

The annual Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Business Conference will be held April 7. Theme of the conference, to be held at the Show Me Center, is "Surviving the Business Climate of the 90s." Britt Beemer, founder of America's Research Group, a full-service survey and consumer-research firm, will be guest speaker...

JACKSON -- Warranty deeds issued at the office of Janet Robert, Cape Girardeau County recorder of deeds: John W. and Nedra M. Dobbs to Jeffrey and Tressa H. Romines; Timothy L. and Jo M. Werner to Timothy L. and Jo M. Werner; Bettie A. Knoll to Claude V. and Cynthia A. Swain...

Dargan H. Marr has joined Ambassador Real Estate, 2861 Bloomfield Road. Marr, a former high school teacher, is a graduate of the University of Wyoming. He served in the Air Force and has worked with the U.S. Forest Service. Marr, his wife, Diane, a professor at Southeast Missouri State University, and son, Jacob, recently moved to Cape Girardeau from Idaho...

Diane Schweer of Jackson has been honored as "Employee of the Year" at South East Missouri Bank, 111 S. Broadview, in Cape Girardeau. Schweer, head loan clerk, has worked at the bank about seven years, and was one of a dozen "Employees of the Month" who qualified for the final selection, made by employees of the bank. She was honored during the bank's annual Christmas party, held at the Cape Girardeau Country Club...

Zeke Robertson, assistant vice president of external affairs for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., will be guest speaker at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee. The event will be held at the Drury Lodge Friday at 7:30 a.m. Advanced Business Systems is sponsor...

Tina Smith, Kim Venable, Jodi Morton and Lisa Shell have received promotions at South East Missouri Bank, 111 S. Broadview. Smith and Venable were each promoted to teller administrator, Morton was named drive-up manager, and Shell was promoted to assistant cashier...