Stories from Tuesday, March 18, 1997

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For Monica Kuhlmann, teaching comes in a lot of forms. The third-year teacher is a math and civics instructor at Kelso. But she said besides teaching math and civics to her sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders, she also enjoys helping them develop skills in cooperation, respect and compassion...

Patrick Drury was named to the fall dean's list at the College of Natural and Applied Sciences at Southwest Missouri State University. He is a senior majoring in construction science and is the son of Jerry and Katleen Drury of Cape Girardeau. Erinn Schermann, a 1996 graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School, received a 4.0 grade-point average fall semester at the University of Mississippi. ...

Tutor Diane Rauls worked on a sixth-grade lesson plan for tutors. The students receive plenty of one-on-one help with problems. Laura Brown and Laquisha Session, both seniors at Cape Central High School, want to become teachers after they graduate from college. May Greene Elementary School's BEST program is giving them a head start on that dream...

Old Man River isn't to blame for this one. Rather it's the federally funded levee improvements on the Illinois side that have put added pressure on the Commerce-Birds Point Levee in Southeast Missouri, area officials say. The federal government should pay the entire cost of improving the 35-mile levee that protects much of Scott and Mississippi counties from Mississippi River flooding, area officials told the Mississippi River Commission Monday...

The Cape Girardeau Ethics Commission may someday muster a quorum. The City Council decided Monday evening to extend the new commission's application deadline to April 15. Voters added the Ethics Commission to the city charter in April 1996. The charter calls for the seven-member commission to have a quorum of five...

A motorist reported saving $1.50 by filling his car's gas tank in St. Louis last weekend, paying 96.9 cents a gallon. That is in comparison to Cape Girardeau gasoline prices of about $1.10.9 for the same regular fuel at most self-serve stations. That same motorist would have paid $1.65 more for a 15-gallon fill-up in Memphis, Tenn. where prices hovered over $1.22 a gallon...

BENTON -- The days of running Scott County's government at a deficit and drawing money from reserves are coming to an end, County Commissioner Bob Kielhofner said. "We have gotten by. We have not spent in a wild-sailor's fashion. But we have just got to catch up," Kielhofner said...

Cape Girardeau schools superintendent Dr. Dan Tallent said many of the issues listed by the NAACP for not supporting the upcoming school bond issue would be addressed if the bond issue passed. The executive committee of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People voted Friday not to support the school bond issue, saying it ignores concerns of black students and the black community...

JACKSON -- Mayor Paul Sander wants to know if Jackson residents can have a cable television channel to advertise public events. Sander told members of the Board of Aldermen Monday night at City Hall that he wanted to know if Jackson's contract with TCI Cable provided for a public access channel similar to a channel on the Cape Girardeau cable system...

A report shows that more children are committing crime. What can parents do to make sure that it's not our children? I took my 5-year-old, Zach, to see the newly enhanced "Return of the Jedi" Friday night. It's his favorite of the three Star Wars movies, which his youth excuses. He likes it for the Ewoks and Jabba the Hut and all of the other puppet-type characters that seem to detract from the movie for me...

REGARDING THE person who said that because he was paying a bill, he had a right to smoke in a restaurant. I was always told that there were certain things that did not go well with food and made others sick, i.e. picking things, scratching things, making odors or noises, and in this case, fouling the air with smoke. So now I guess we would be taking his rights away by asking him to do the right thing and go outside and smoke to his heart's content...

Flexible schedules for American workers who get paid by the hour make sense. And the plan offered by U.S. Sen. John Ashcroft of Missouri deserve full consideration. Basically, the Family-Friendly Workplace Act would allow workers and their employers to agree on schedules that allow overtime to be carried over to the next workweek when compensating time could be taken off. ...

Missouri's other U.S. senator, Christopher Bond, is concerned that 150,000 infants are born each year in the United States with birth defects, and one out of every five infant deaths is the result of birth defects. These are startling statistics, given the successful breakthroughs in modern medicine. It is equally as startling to realize that the government has never had a coordinated effort to reduce birth defects...

The sign was crudely made but to the point: "Family Stranded. Will Work for Gas and Parts for Bus." It isn't uncommon anymore, even in Cape Girardeau. Those traveling on South Kingshighway Monday afternoon may have gotten a glimpse of their plea for help. The woman with the sign was Donna Grimm and the woman with her Barbara Adkins. The bundled-up little girl in the stroller was Barbara's 3-year-old daughter Jackie, whose tiny face was red from the gusty wind...

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education remains in negotiation on property that would become home to the district's proposed new vocational-technical and high school. The board met in closed session to discuss purchasing property during its regular Monday meeting, but no decision was made...

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's television show "Chamber Matters" will debut tonight at 7 on TCI Channel 5, the public access channel. Hosted by Tonya Wells, communications director for the chamber, the show will feature a discussion of the April 1 school bond issue with Dan Tallent, superintendent of Cape Girardeau public schools. The 30-minute show will be followed by a rebroadcast of Monday's City Council meeting...

SCOTT CITY -- A dispute between the Scott City Council and a group of rural residents over the rates for hooking up to the city's water and sewer systems might be flaring back up. The council passed an ordinance Monday night at its regular meeting reducing the hook-up cost for rural water users from $2,500 to $500. That did not satisfy Orley and Betty Jackson, who have been in discussion with the council over rates for the last four months...

A Southeast Missouri State University professor and his undergraduate research students recently conducted successful experiments in the field of carbon dioxide chemistry. Dr. Jin Gong, associate professor of chemistry, and his research students participated in a joint NASA-university research project...

Southeast Missouri State University will observe 1997 Holocaust Remembrance Week April 1-3. A field trip is planned April 1 to the Holocaust Remembrance Museum in St. Louis. For more information on the trip call (573) 335-3899. The April 2 Common Hour program at Southeast will feature a presentation by Marylou Ruhe, a Holocaust survivor. The program is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom...

The fifth annual River City Youth Singles Classic was held Feb. 23 at the Jackson Bowling Lanes. Tyler Keys of Jackson emerged as the 11-and-under boys' champion with a handicap series of 727. Kelly Mitchell of Jackson won the 11-and-under girls' title with a 675 handicap series...

ROLLA -- Funeral Mass for James E. Schumacher of Rolla was held Monday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Rolla, with the Revs. Robert Schumacher and Donald Wallace officiating. Null and Son Funeral Home in Rolla was in charge of arrangements. Schumacher, 75, died Friday, March 14, 1997, at his home...

BENTON -- Eunice Hency, 84, formerly of Benton, died Monday, March 17, 1997, at the Lutheran Nursing Home in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at the Ford and Sons Funeral Home at Benton.

BURFORDVILLE -- Ervin A. Moll, 73, of Burfordville died Sunday, March 16, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born June 2, 1923, at Burfordville, son of Herman and Edna Siebert Moll. Moll farmed most of his life, and had also worked at Farm Bureau and Co-Op in Jackson. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church at Tilsit...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Paul F. Schneider, 84, of East Prairie died Monday, March 17, 1997, at his home. He was born Aug. 6, 1912, in New Madrid County to George and Flora Ann Duffey Schneider. He had lived in Mississippi County most of his life and was a farmer until he retired in 1965. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in East Prairie...

PERRYVILLE -- Velda Mary C. Brown, 82, died Sunday, March 16, 1997, at Perry County Memorial Hospital. She was born Oct. 5, 1914, at Brewer, daughter of Carl and Myrtle Voelker Moore. She married Emil F. Brown May 23, 1936. He died Sept. 3, 1969. Brown was a retired teacher. She was a member of Christ the Savior Catholic Church in Brewer and Blessed Sacrament Sodality...

CHARLESTON -- Yvonne Carol Brown, 40, of Charleston died Sunday, March 16, 1997, at her home. She was born Nov. 27, 1956, at Wyatt, daughter of Vernon Edward and Jeanetta Baker Brown. Brown had lived in Mississippi County most of her life. She was a waitress at the Grecian Steak House in Sikeston and a member of the Church of God of Prophecy in Charleston...

PATTON -- Funeral service for Alma Irene Niswonger of Patton will be held at 2 p.m. today at Liley Funeral Home in Patton. The Rev. Howard Hardeman and Dr. Larry Gallamore will officiate, with burial in Post Oak Cemetery. Niswonger, 91, died Sunday, March 16, 1997, at Jackson Manor in Jackson...

SCOTT CITY -- Funeral service for Thelma Lucille Pennington of Scott City will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Landess Funeral Home in Malden. The Rev. Karl Kline will officiate, with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery at Malden. Friends may call after 6 p.m. today at the funeral home...

Doris N. Morehead, 84, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, March 15, 1997, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center. She was born Nov. 4, 1912, in Milton, Ky., daughter of Henry T. and Ruby Huffman Martin. She and Dr. J.R. Robinson were married July 1, 1933. He died in February 1967. She later married Robert W. Morehead Jan. 31, 1970. He died Jan. 15, 1988...

JACKSON -- Leona Mary Brown, 74, of Jackson died Monday, March 17, 1997, at her home. She was born Jan. 23, 1923, in Gordonville, daughter of Leo and Myrtle Mary Strong Brugger. She and Hobert Brown were married July 26, 1941. He died Feb. 16, 1984...

ADVANCE -- Billy D. Simmers, 67, of Granite City, Ill., died Sunday, March 16, 1997, at his home. He was born Sept. 8, 1929, in Advance, son of Warren and Arlene Simmers Phelps. Simmers was a self-employed truck driver. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy...

Son to Drew Hayes and Traci Marie Puls of Jackson, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 11:35 a.m. Monday, March 3, 1997. Name, Gage Hayes. Weight, 7 pounds. First child. Mrs. Puls is the former Traci Miller, daughter of Thomas Miller of Millersville and Theresa Miller of Frohna. She is a student at Southeast Missouri State University, and is employed at Union Planters Bank. Puls is the son of Van and Patricia Puls of Cape Girardeau. He is a student at Southeast University...

PERRYVILLE -- Harry J. Leible Sr., 70, of Perryville died Sunday, March 16, 1997, at his home. He was born Aug. 17, 1926, at Perryville, son of Fred and Albertine Schnurbusch Leible. He and Margaret Regelsperger were married June 10, 1947. Leible had been co-owner of Leible Service Station and a construction worker. He was a member of St. Vincent's Catholic Church and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II...

SIKESTON -- Marc Joseph Alberts, 35, of Lavergne, Tenn., died Friday, March 14, 1997, in Lavergne. He was born July 28, 1961, in Fremont, Calif., son of Russell and Theresa Vandette Alberts. He and Benita Beck were married Dec. 26, 1987. Alberts was a 1979 graduate of Sikeston High School, and 1985 graduate of Murray State University in Murray, Ky...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Gary Smotherman, 70, of East Prairie died Sunday, March 16, 1997, following an extended illness. He was born Sept. 21, 1926, in Murray, Ky., son of Hurshall and Bessie V. Wyatt Smotherman. Smotherman was a retired carpenter. He had lived in Mississippi three years, moving from Ridgecrest, Calif. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II...

JACKSON -- Lillie B. Snider, 87, of Jackson died Sunday, March 16, 1997, at St. Luke's West Hospital in St. Louis. She was born April 20, 1909, in Marble Hill, daughter of Henry M. and Nessie Cook Bollinger. Survivors include a son, Bobby Thiele of French Village; two daughters, Leota Eaker of Bridgeton, Vivian O'Conner of High Ridge; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren...

SIKESTON -- Funeral service for Betty Rogers of Sikeston will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. The Rev. James A. Martin will officiate, with burial in Garden of Memories Cemetery. Friends may call at the chapel from 9 a.m. to service time...

ESSEX -- James Case, 64, of Essex died Saturday, March 15, 1997, at his home. He was born March 24, 1932, near Bell City, son of Arnold Alvin and Bessie Whittley Case. He and Helen Janette Moore were married Nov. 19, 1955, in East St. Louis, Ill. Case had worked at IXL Manufacturing Plant in Dexter, and at Hussman Refrigeration in St. Louis. He was a member of Gospel Assembly Church in East Prairie. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army...

GLEN ALLEN -- Wilson Edward Sitze, 84, of Glen Allen, formerly of Alton, Ill., died Sunday, March 16, 1997, at his home. He was born Nov. 2, 1912, near Bessville, son of Martin and Vina Goodson Sitze. He married Marie Cobb on Sept. 28, 1935. Sitze was a carpenter with Smith Construction Co. of Alton, retiring in 1976. He attended First Baptist Church in Marquand...