Stories from Friday, November 14, 1997

To the editor: In regards to global warming, here is what our great Vice President Al Gore says. Mr. Gore suggests that global warming is caused by overpopulation. In a speech he recommends that we expand birth control and abortions in developing Third World countries. ...

Col. Hank Gerecke, a veteran of three wars, will be the guest on KRCU's "Going Public" radio show Sunday. A former Cape Girardeau police chief, Gerecke served in the Army in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Gerecke will reflect on Veterans Day and discuss his 39 years of military service...

The American Heart Association will hold a conference Saturday at Southeast Missouri State University's University Center for people interested in living and coping with strokes. Dr. Scott Gibbs, a local neurosurgeon, will discuss stroke recovery and treatment. Two breakout sessions dealing with recreation and leisure, care options, nutrition or coping with daily living are also available...

A free program aimed at teaching young children how to say no to drugs will be held Saturday at Southeast Missouri Hospital's Generations Family Resource Center. "Fostering Drug Abuse Resistance in Children" will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. Target audiences include child care providers, teachers and parents...

JACKSON -- If Cape Girardeau County puts its own money into a state court automation system, it wants assurances other counties won't get a free ride. County commissioners shared this and other concerns about the move to automated court records with judges of the 32nd Judicial Circuit Thursday at the commission chambers...

Men were meant to be in charge I WAS reading in Speak Out that somebody wants Elizabeth Dole to run for president. Women keep pushing for more rights. Let me take you back to the Bible. If God had wanted a woman to be the front-runner for him, he wouldn't have sent his son into the world for us to look up to. I think the people here need to read the Bible more. If they would, I think their children would listen to their parents more, because the father would be the head of the family...

There are a number of family businesses in Cape Girardeau who roots go deep into the community. Among of the best-known of these thriving institutions are the Hecht's stores downtown, which are celebrating 80 years of fine women's fashions. The Hecht story is one of a remarkable family that traces its roots to Poland. ...

A travelling theatrical troop entertained and educated some 700 high-school foreign-language students Thursday during bilingual performances at the A.C. Brase Arena Building. Nine actors and actresses delivered their lines in both English and Spanish during performances before beginning- and advanced-Spanish students from Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. The group performed the 17h century Spanish farce "Mananas de Abril y Mayo," or "Mornings of April and May."...

He entered the building, then turned quickly to the left and headed down the hall. His pace indicated he was on his way to an appointment, although he slowed now and then to give a child who beckoned a smile and greeting. Eight faces turned to look and smile up at him as he entered the room. One little boy tugged on his sleeve as he passed, so he tucked his small, red and green stool under his arm and leaned down so the child could whisper in his ear...

City leaders celebrated in Charleston and Licking Thursday after learning that Gov. Mel Carnahan had chosen their towns as sites for two maximum-security prisons. In Charleston, they toasted the news with apple cider at city hall; in Licking, they sounded the tornado alarm...

TAMMS, Ill. -- Finishing touches are being put on the Tamms Correctional Prison, which is scheduled for opening early next year. The super maximum-security prison, which will be home to 500 of the state's most violent and troublesome inmates and be used for executions, is on schedule...

There is probably an equation somewhere that lets you pinpoint a person's age based on how high the drifts were way back when. Age-advantaged folks tend to be predictable. Their habits are set. Their tastes are unwavering. And their topics of conversation can be lumped into three general categories:...

Southeast Missouri State University basketball coach Gary Garner was generally pleased with the way his team performed during its first exhibition game, a 97-80 win over Dream Builders on Monday night. Tonight, Garner hopes to come away satisfied again -- and see even more progress -- when the Indians play their second and final exhibition game, taking on Albacomp of Hungary in a 7:30 p.m. tipoff at the Show Me Center...

Pam Iverson, younger sister of current Otahkian Allison Iverson, signed a national letter of intent Thursday to play at Southeast next season. Pam Iverson, a 6-foot-3 forward/center, averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds as a senior last year for Denison (Iowa) High. She helped lead her team to the state final four and her AAU team finished fifth nationally in Chattanooga, Tenn., this summer...

How important was it for the Jackson Indian football team to host Wednesday's Class 5A Sectional against Kirkwood? Before the game, Jackson coach Carl Gross had an answer. "It's huge," Gross said. "We call this place `The Pit' because our fans are vocal and they're rabid...

Funeral service for Della F. Casteel of Cape Girardeau will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel. The Rev. Donny Ford will officiate. Burial will be in Bland Union Cemetery at Bland. Friends may call at the chapel from 5-8 p.m. today...

SIKESTON -- Anna Lee Ancell, 53, of Sikeston died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 1997, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. She was born Oct. 20, 1944, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Fred M. and Renee Carter Ancell. Formerly of Cape Girardeau, she attended Central High School and was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church...

PERRYVILLE -- John L. "Les" Mattingly, 83, of Perryville died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 1997, at Perry County Memorial Hospital. He was born Nov. 11, 1914, in Perry County, son of Vincent and Rosella Gibbar Mattingly. He and Renelda Franklin were married May 4, 1946, at Festus...

SCOTT CITY -- Elizabeth Sophronia Slinkard, 77, of Scott City died Thursday, Nov. 13, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born May 21, 1920, at Randles, daughter of August John and Elizabeth Clementine Menz Schlosser. She and William T. Slinkard were married Nov. 11, 1939, at Oran...

Ernest E. Miner, 81, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Nov. 13, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was born May 18, 1916, in Lovelton, Pa., son of Bruce and Pearl France Miner. He and Frances R. Richardson were married Oct. 24, 1942, in Enid, Okla...

ADVANCE -- Georgia F. Long, 83, of Advance died Thursday, Nov. 13, 1997, at her home. Morgan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

JACKSON -- Tileta Engler, 93, of Jackson died Thursday, Nov. 13, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born July 15, 1904, at Oak Ridge, daughter of Rufus and Cora Wills Reid. She and Ray H. Engler were married May 30, 1925. He died March 10, 1972...

CHARLESTON -- Marva Jean "Pooley" Corbitt, 51, of Charleston died Monday, Nov. 10, 1997, in the Emergency Room at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, of an apparent heart attack. She was born Nov. 14, 1945, at Charleston, daughter of Bennie and Louise Lee Corbitt...

Twin sons to Roy Gene and Wendy Marie Crown of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri Hospital, Friday, Nov. 7, 1997. Travis Eugene was born at 7:49 p.m. and weighed 5 pounds 14 ounces. Trent Eugene was born at 7:58 p.m. and weighed 6 pounds 3 ounces. The couple has another son and daughter. Mrs. Crown is the former Wendy Isaac, daughter of Zedith and Dean Jackson of Cape Girardeau and Robert Isaac of Independence. Crown is the son of Eugene Afen of Pennsylvania...

POPLAR BLUFF -- Butler County Democrats chose a veteran lawman as their candidate for a special December election to replace ousted Sheriff Sam Gilmore. The name of Danny Whiteley will appear on the Democratic ballot Dec. 16, said Chester Moore, chairman of the Butler County Democratic organization...

MATTHEWS -- Thelma B. Evans, 84, Matthews Route 1, died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 1997, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. She was born March 30, 1913, at Bloomfield, daughter of George Washington and Cora Stroup Bryant. Evans had lived at Blodgett and Sikeston before moving to Matthews...