Stories from Friday, September 15, 1995

Talk to a native Cape Girardean about the SEMO District Fair and he'll inevitably say two things: It always rains during fair week and it always turns cooler. The uncanny thing is, he's usually right, especially on the rain point. This year's event has seen a few sprinkles and one brief downpour, but the weather is drawing people out, not keeping them home. Advertising chairman Steve Engles said the first half of fair week was one of the busiest ever...

A St. Louis firm will survey traffic needs for Cape Girardeau County and lay out a plan for road improvements that might include some rerouting of state highways. The project will cost about $1.7 million, including $400,000 for the initial needs assessment. Environmental Science & Engineering Inc. will do the work under a contract with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department...

The Southeast Missouri Regional Crime Laboratory is looking for a new home because of increased scientific police work and the university's plan to tear down its building on North Henderson. The lab serves law enforcement agencies in 20 counties of Southeast Missouri, including the Missouri Highway Patrol...

Six-year-old Ben Mayfield held a blue balloon in his fist and clenched a Styrofoam cup between his teeth as he headed past the corn-dog stand towards the cotton candy Thursday afternoon at the SEMO District Fair. His grandmother, Dorothy Mayfield of Jackson, said, "Grandpa's watching the beef cattle, so we're taking in the rest of the fair."...

Hello. My name is Joe, and I'm ... . "That's OK. It's hard for everyone the first time." Yeah. Well, like I said, my name is Joe, and I'm ... uh ... ." "Look. Everyone here at Age Advantaged is in the same boat. You can talk to us." OK. My name is Joe, and I'm old...

I WAS reading the article about the proposed construction of 59 rental homes at the corner of Bertling and Sprigg streets. Bill Rader and Birdie Rader were objecting to that. Bill Rader was quoted as saying that it looks like public housing. I also understand that our secretary of state, Bekki Cook, and her husband, John Cook, who live in that area are also objecting to that. ...

Excursion riverboat gambling has taken quite a turn in Missouri since its approval by voters in November 1992. Cruising riverboat casinos were sold as a tourist attraction that would raise millions of dollars for education. Gambling casinos have made good on the second part of that promise. It has infused a tremendous amount of money into the state...

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education has agreed to refund $300 of the $700 Amy Randol spent to investigate district financial records. In making the refund, the board sent a signal that it welcomes public scrutiny. As a district parent, Randol spent considerable time and money looking into school district finances. But her efforts paid off in uncovering problems with credit-card use and travel expenditures. Randol's inquiry led to sensible changes in the school district operations...

When it comes to abortion, people who are pro-life have precious few beliefs in common with those who are pro-choice. But here's one: Bill Clinton is wrong. He has actually concocted an immigration policy so perverse that it infuriates people on both sides of the abortion issue. Clinton's new policy is neither pro-life nor pro-choice. It is pro-abortion...

To the editor: This letter is in response to Marc Powers' Sept. 6 column, "Classroom air conditioning isn't a necessity." I happen to disagree with Mr. Powers. Let's go over, point-by-point, what I disagree on. OK. People are spoiled. Point one for you, Mr. Powers...

To the editor: We are incensed at the article on the front page Sept. 10 implying our neighborhood opposes 59 rental houses because they would devalue our property. No such statement was made, and no such inference was made. It is regretted that the writer attempted to put words in our mouths to make it appear that we in Sylvan Acres oppose low-income housing because it would devalue property...

Daughter to Rudy and Penny Hlavaty of Shreveport, La., 10:43 a.m. Friday, Aug. 25, 1995. Name, Abigail Katelyn. Weight, 7 pounds 10 ounces. First child. Mrs. Hlavaty is the former Penny Berkbuegler, daughter of Othmar and Nancy Berkbuegler of Biehle. Hlavaty is employed at International Paper in Shreveport. He is the son of Barbara Hlavaty of O'Fallon and the late William Hlavaty...

Georgia Evelyn Snyder, 80, 2038 Woodlawn, died Thursday, Sept. 14, 1995, at the Lutheran Home. She was born Feb. 7, 1915, at Neelys Landing, daughter of Edward and Prudence McClard Cotner. She and Donald Snyder were married May 14, 1937. He died April 13, 1987...

Funeral service for Robert C. Grossheider, 3761 State Highway W, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church. The Rev. David Dissen will officiate, with burial in St. Mary's Cemetery. Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel from 5-8 p.m. today...

VANDUSER -- Former mayor D. Norman Griffin, 85, of Vanduser, died Wednesday, Sept. 13, 1995, in Vanduser Park. He was born Dec. 23, 1909, in Fayette County, Ala., son of William Jackson and Corda Estella Atteberry Griffin. He and Lela C. Griffin were married Dec. 22, 1934. She died April 17, 1989. He and Margaret H. Clare were married Nov. 9, 1991, in Vanduser...

ESSEX -- Blanche M. Strickland, 89, of Essex, died Wednesday, Sept. 3, 1995, at DePaul Hospital in Bridgeton. She was born April 11, 1906, at Glen Allen, daughter of Harry P. and JoAnn McCormick Liley. She and Claud Strickland were married Oct. 6, 1928, at Gideon. He died March 12, 1969...

SCOTT CITY -- James R. "J.R." Wilkinson, 41, of Scott City died Thursday, Sept. 14, 1995, at his home in Scott City, Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

Ted Fedler, 47, 701 N. Lorimier, died Wednesday, Sept. 13, 1995, at John Cochran Veterans Administration Medical Center in St. Louis from complications related to AIDS. He was born Dec. 1, 1947, son of Edmund and Delores Fedler of West Point, Iowa. Fedler was founder and coordinator of the AIDS Project of Southeast Missouri Inc. and was the Southeast Missouri representative to the Ryan White Statewide Advisory Board...

SIKESTON -- Machelle Alivia Williams, 26, of Sikeston died from injuries received in an automobile accident Thursday, Sept. 14, 1995, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. She was born Oct. 17, 1968, at Sikeston, daughter of John L. and Jan Engram Wilson Jr. Her parents survive. She and Rick G. Williams were married Dec. 30, 1988, at Vanduser. He also survives...