Stories from Monday, January 31, 1994

Some farmers in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois have had to notch up their economic belts following the rains and flooding of 1993, but they are looking forward to the 1994 crop season with a renewed degree of optimism. Breached levees that left thousands of acres of crop land under water in Alexander County in Illinois and Perry County in Missouri are being repaired and conditions are slowly returning to normal...

JACKSON -- Jackson city and civic officials like to talk about the quality of life in Jackson. They point out Jackson is a great place to live and raise a family, in part, because of the low crime rate. It's not just idle talk. The figures and statistics to back up their claim are in the Jackson Police Department's 1993 Activity Report...

The chairman of the Missouri House Insurance Committee said Friday he wants to end the state's relationship with the National Council on Compensation Insurance as the rate-setting organization for workers compensation premiums. "I definitely want to get rid of them," said state Rep. Dennis Ziegenhorn, D-Sikeston, who complained the organization has been part of the problem for skyrocketing rates and has not been responsive to concerns of businesses...

As the owner of a small, but prospering manufacturing company, Roger Mainor has had his share of growing pains. Costs of materials are rising. Government regulations and taxes are increasing. Operating costs continue to grow. An increase in employees brings greater personnel responsibilities. And a reasonable profit margin is harder to maintain...

The Southeast Missourian asked people for their opinion of President Bill Clinton's first year in office. Danny Essner: "I've been impressed with his level of energy and the number of projects he's tackled, many of which have been avoided in the past. I still have concerns about his motives in accomplishing some of his projects, whether he is genuinely concerned about what is good for the country or what makes him look good in the eyes of the public."...

To the Editor: This session, the Missouri General Assembly will again be considering a bill that will provide for computerization and automation of the Missouri state court system. The Missouri Bar supports this bill and hopes that it receives favorable consideration by the State Legislature...

Two recent reports in the Southeast Missourian -- one concerning the number of criminal cases filed by the Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney in 1993 and the other the number of criminal reports handled by Cape Girardeau police last year -- serve to show that illegal drug trafficking and use is a continuing problem in today's society...

To the Editor Being a man who voted for riverboat gambling solely because I refused to deny those who chose to gamble the privilege, I am ultimately intrigued by Lack Luck. However ... as is reiterated on Steals and Deals, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."...

JACKSON -- Raymond "John" Pfeiffer, 68, of Oak Ridge, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 1994, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born July 15, 1925 at Shawneetown, son of Hermann Pfeiffer and Hilda Bachmann Pfeiffer. He married Alice Koenig Feb. 4, 1950, at St. Louis...

How far is the Promised Land? That was the question posed by Howard McGee, pastor of the New Horizon Baptist Church, to a congregation Sunday night. The program, called "The Church the Foundation of the Community," was held at the St. James AME Church, at 516 North St., to kick off Black History Month. ...

Norman R. Kelpe, 87, of 1915 Brink St., died Sunday, Jan. 30, 1994, at the St. Francis Medical Center. Ford and Sons Funeral Homes of Cape Girardeau are in charge of funeral arrangements, which are incomplete at this time.

Stanley B. Whitson, 83, of 1204 W. Cape Rock Dr., died at his home Sunday, Jan. 30, 1994. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

JACKSON -- Ronnie Ray Cook, 46, of Jackson, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 1994, at the Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Oct. 16, 1947, near Scopus, Mo., son of Lyman and Eula James Cook. He married Roberta Phillips, March 4, 1967...

For years, America has loved the ride 'em, rope 'em fun of cowboys and the rodeo. Now, fashion-conscious Americans have corralled the rodeo-western look, right down to the silver spurs on a fancy pair of boots. Former president George Bush is a devotee of the country-and-western garb, and his friend and former lieutenant, James Baker, often turned up at formal dinners in cowboy boots and Stetson...

Quik Quiz: True or false? Foreign-owned companies are taking money out of Missouri. Foreign companies are taking American jobs. Foreign companies are not allowing Missourians to hold top management positions in their companies. Foreign investment is dominated by Pacific Rim countries...

Federal Express will be moving to a new location this spring. The company, which provides a complete mailing service, will move from downtown Cape Girardeau to a 13,500-square-foot facility, which will be constructed along Highway 74 in the Six-Thirty Industrial Park...

Garland Land, director for the Missouri Department of Health, will speak to the Southeast Missouri Business Group on Health Wednesday. The noon luncheon will be held at the Drury Lodge. Reservations and additional information are available by calling 651-4688. Cost of the luncheon is $10...

KFVS12's Heartland Cares flood relief efforts during the "Flood of 1993" have won the 1993 CBS Excellence in Community Service award. "Awards are nice to win," said Paul Keener, promotion manager at KFVS12. "But, this one is special because it's not just a pat on the back from inside the business. This one represents efforts to help our viewers in a real way, aside from news and entertainment programming."...