Stories from Saturday, November 9, 1996

Sheila Bevell, a kindergarten student at May Greene Elementary, looked over some of the information handed out. Christy Adams showed the proper way to wear a bicycle helmet to the class. A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey says as many as one in five children between the ages of 6 and 17 are overweight...

More than 100 people gathered to dedicate the Missouri Wall of Fame in the Downtown Pavilion Friday afternoon. The mural and a legend describing each portrait were dedicated during a noon ceremony under the pavilion, located at the corner of Independence and Water streets...

Following the recent announcement that Missouri's license plates were getting a face-lift, the state's driver's licenses are following suit. Beginning here in February, Missouri's new driver's licenses will be more aesthetically pleasing and practically efficient, according to Kay Dinolfo, a spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Revenue...

No nails were used to construct the framework of the house. "The 'ole' farm ain't what it used to be." For the first time in nearly 150 years, the Spring Farm will no longer be part of the Ranney family heritage. Susan and Fred Vincel bought the farm in August from family members who were hesitant about selling...

The mayors of Cape Girardeau and Jackson bet their images wouldn't be tarnished by a small wager they had on Friday night's football game between the two cities' rival high schools. The annual game brings out the best in community pride and also just a little betting...

The African proverb that says it takes a village to raise a child suggests that children's welfare is the responsibility of the community. But while one of Cape Girardeau's villages, the Cape Girardeau Civic Center, has been doing its part for the children, the center has had problems taking responsibility for its own financial welfare...

Since around June, the people of Scott City and their elected council have had a rocky road. And much like a marriage gone bad, most of the problems deal with a lack of communication. Last month, rumors started circulating about a petition that was going around town calling for a recall election on many of the Scott City Council members...

To the editor: Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, and there will be a parade in Jackson. Last year I intended to go to the Veterans Day parade, but I forgot. I forgot? How could I? How could I forget something that is so important to the people who have had such an impact on my life? I decided then that I would not only be sure to attend this year's parade, but would remind others to do so...

Can students pray -- on their own -- in school? If praying is sanctioned by the school and conducted on school grounds, probably not. If the prayers are initiated by students on their own, the answer is murky. The confusion has prompted what some call religious warfare in the nation's public schools...

To the editor: I would like to thank Gary Rust for the time he took from his busy schedule to meet with me. I appreciated the opportunity to meet with him and discuss the accomplishments of my office. The Southeast Missourian has consistently demonstrated an understanding of the many important issues facing our state and, with the exception of my friend Peter Kinder, the paper has provided accurate and informative analysis. ...

JACKSON -- Jon Paul and the Band along with JAM (Jackson Acting Motivators) will perform tonight at 7 at the Jackson High School Auditorium. Admission to the performance is a can of food, to be donated to the Jackson Jaycees' food drive. Jon Paul and the Band performs contemporary Christian and class rock music. JAM is a theatrical team that will perform before the concert...

Son to Jesse Wade and DeShay Vonnelle Mills, Patton Route 1, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 1:35 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, 1996. Name, Austin Wade. Weight, 5 pounds 7 ounces. First child. Mrs. Mills is the former DeShay Morris, daughter of Phillip O. Morris and Alicia V. Morris of Fredericktown. Mills is the son of Jesse R. Mills and Wilma L. Mills of Patton. He is a warehouseman at RXI Plastics...

Funeral service for Richard L. "Butch" Ruch Sr. of Cape Girardeau will be held at 1 p.m. today at Lorberg Memorial Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in St. John's Lutheran Church Cemetery, with graveside rites by VFW Post 3838. Friends may call at the funeral home from 9 a.m. to service time...

PUXICO -- Carolyn Jones, 58, of Puxico died Friday, Nov. 8, 1996, at her home. She was born March 25, 1938, in Puxico, daughter of Henry Clifford and Katie Peebles Mitchell. She and John Jones were married July 24, 1954, in Sardis, Miss. Jones was a member of Apostolic Pentecostal Church, and was a former Sunday School teacher and secretary...

COBDEN, Ill. -- Funeral service for John Sellars of Hillsboro will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Cobden. The Revs. James Holderfield and Ezra Reames will officiate, with burial in Menees Cemetery near Goreville. Friends may call at the funeral home until service time...