Stories from Monday, October 25, 1993

If good-looking women with big hair and spangly Western clothing seemed to be more numerous than usual Sunday afternoon at the West Park Mall, the reason was a Reba McEntire look-alike contest. Forty-three Rebas from four states competed for a chance to win prizes that included front-row tickets to the country music queen's concert Saturday at the Show Me Center...

Even through Drug Abuse Resistance Education programming is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, its goal of abolishing the use of drugs by America's youth has not changed. DARE teachers like Cape Girardeau police officer Jeannie Dailey are updated each year during summer workshops that inform them of new drug trends and teach better communication skills. But the bottom line message remains the same: Don't use drugs. Not now; not ever...

COMMERCE -- When the Commerce City Council voted against a Federal Emergency Management Agency buyout earlier this month, resident David Mayberry was not surprised. "There had been rumors floating around since the issue was first brought up that three out of the five council members were going to vote against the buyout," Mayberry said. "The vote just made the rumors into a truth."...

When Halloween was first celebrated by the Celts hundreds of years ago as a festival to celebrate the coming of the new year, they didn't have to wonder whether the mall would be open on Sunday night. The West Park Mall will close as usual at 6:30 p.m. this Oct. 31, but the annual trick-or-treating festivities will go on -- just a bit earlier than they ordinarily would...

ANNA, Ill. -- Voters will have a long list of candidates when they go to the polls of the Anna-Jonesboro school election early next month. Two incumbent board members, John Casper and Sonny Beanland, are not on the ballot, but incumbents Bill Jackson and Kenneth E. Kapper face seven challengers for the four vacancies. Challengers include Stephen Westbrooks, Bob Dover, Larry Birkhead, Debra Davis Jackson, Ronnie Mays, Robert Weilmuenster and Jimmy Keller...

The Southeast Missourian asked people how they think the addition of new police officers will benefit the city. Jennifer Tavares: "Considering I had three cops come to my house once to arrest a friend of mine who didn't attend a court date -- she was not notified about the court appearance -- I think they could be taking care of more important problems. At one point at least two to three police cars were in front of his house."...

Sometimes as I glance through the pages of a newspaper or flip the channels on my TV set, I become convinced that this particular moment may be the worst of times and that nothing in the future could be more troubling. Of course, like most impractical, wishful thoughts, the future proves me wrong. The times do get worse. Sometimes the next day...

Stories in recent issues of the Southeast Missourian about prestigious awards being presented to three Cape Girardeans added some refreshing news to our front pages. We would like also to extend our congratulations to the awards recipients. The first story on Oct. ...

To the Editor: First of all, I do not think the people who are against riverboat gambling are a bunch of "Bible-thumping hypocrites" who do not want to see Cape Girardeau change or grow. I also do not believe that the people from the Yes Group are anti-Christians who want to sell out Cape and turn it into the next Sodom and Gomorrah. These types of attitudes should not determine an issue that is so vital to our community...

To the Editor: During the past two campaigns on the Cape Girardeau riverboat gambling issue many facts and figures have been used to convince voters on both sides of the issue. It could accurately be said that these facts and figures could be very valuable in making an informed voting decision. ...

To the Editor: When it was announced that Eaker Air Force Base near Blytheville, Ark., would close, the economic forecast for Mississippi County was bleak. The stark reality was that 6,500 residents would be lost and 4,000 jobs (military and civilian) would be eliminated. But five years later the Air Force Base is a distant memory...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Elsie Jones, 80, of Cairo died Oct, 23, 1993, at Meridian Manor Nursing Home in Mounds. She was born in Berkley, Ky., on April 6, 1913, the daughter of the late Willie and Clara Ann Ashworth Collier. She was a waitress at Glens Restaurant in Cairo for many years before her retirement...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Donna Smith Wright, 45, of Elgin, Ill., formerly of Jonesboro, died Saturday, Oct. 23, 1993, at Elgin. She was born Aug. 30, 1948, at Anna, Ill., daughter of James and Lillian Wright. She married Eugene Wright. Survivors include her husband; a son, Kelly Smith of Elgin; a daughter, Cari Smith of Elgin; her parents, James Wright of Elgin, Lillian Wright of Anna; and seven grandchildren...

N.A. Douglass Jr., 78, of the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, formerly of Campbell, Mo., died Sunday, Oct. 24, 1993, at the veterans home. He was born Feb. 27,, 1915, near Clarkton, Mo., son of Norvel A. and Emma Foley Douglass. Campbell was a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, having served 25 years...

JACKSON -- Eva Braden Clippard, 87, of Jackson, died Saturday, Oct. 23, 1993, at the Jackson Manor Nursing home. She was born May 29, 1906, at Dongola, Ill., daughter of William and Lodi Beggs Braden. She married Charles N. Clippard, May 3, 1924. He died in December 18, 1968...

Manufactured homes are not so mobile these days, but the manufactured-home industry is on a roll following a letdown in 1991. U.S. sales that year dipped below the $5-billion mark for the first time since 1982. "About 95 percent of mobile homes never shift once they've been trucked from the factory to the consumer," said a spokesman with the Manufactured Housing Institute. "Wheels and axles are used simply as a built-in means of transportation to the home site," said the spokesman...

It's cleanup time in the flood plains following this year's devastating river flooding, and in the case of Sabreliner Corp. that includes a portion of the Perryville Municipal Airport. Sabreliner is looking forward to returning to its Perryville airport facility, which was flooded when a Mississippi River levee was breached...

Camelot Music Inc., founded in 1956 and based in North Canton, Ohio, has been sold. Paul L. David, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Camelot, announced that an agreement has been reached for the sale of the company to Investcorp, an international investment firm...

Southeast Missouri Hospital Administrator James W. Wente has been elected to a three-year term on the Missouri Hospital Association Board of Trustees. Wente will represent District VII on the board. As a member of the board, he will help in establishing association policies...

JACKSON -- Warranty deeds issued at the office of Janet Robert, Cape Girardeau County recorder of deeds: Herman T. and Regina J. McElmurry to Peter E. and Barbara C. Fayard; Robert W. Stephens II and Joan M. Stephens to Terry Lee and Vicki Sue Rhodes; Harold A. and Margaret R. Pfeiffer to Richard G. and Pamela S. Bueter...