Stories from Saturday, January 10, 1998

KMHM 104.1 FM Disc Jockey Sheri McKnight worked in the studio located near Scopus. Listening to the radio changed Brad Brock's life. Two years ago, Brock wouldn't have believed he would be working at a Southern gospel radio station in Southeast Missouri...

Cape Girardeau and Jackson are two of the fastest-growing cities in Missouri. What is good for Cape Girardeau is good for Jackson and vice-versa, say the cities' mayors. "We're looking to industrial growth in the future," said Paul Sander, mayor of Jackson. "We're working on plans for a new industrial park, and hope to attract new businesses and new jobs to go along with the residential explosion here the past few years."...

Area media editors will discuss political reporting practices at the Jan. 15 meeting of the Southeast Missouri Area Pachyderm Club. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Julian's Restaurant in Jackson. The panel will feature Joe Sullivan, Southeast Missourian editor; Mike Beecher, news editor of KFVS-TV; and Cindy Jeter, news editor of KZIM radio...

Dr. Larry E. Gallamore was born in Poplar Bluff. He earned two degrees from Arkansas State University, and received a master of divinity degree from Eden Theological Seminary and a doctorate of ministry from Drew University. Gallamore came to Grace United Methodist as senior minister in June 1994...

A new lawsuit could delay tax refunds owed under the Hancock Amendment, Missouri's budget director said Friday. Budget Director Mark Ward also said the lawsuit could reduce the amount of the refunds. The Conservation Federation of Missouri and a dozen former members of the Missouri Conservation Commission filed a lawsuit against state officials in Cole County Circuit Court this week. ...

JACKSON -- When Cape Girardeau County made the switch to a 1st class county a year ago, county commissioners pledged not to overwhelm citizens with a lot of new ordinances. True to their word, commissioners approved a grand total of only one law during 1997, the first year the commission had the power to enact county ordinances. The authority to make laws was among changes brought to the county by the switch to 1st class status in 1997...

The "Cape Girardeau Polka" was composed in 1855. In 1973, Jess. E. Thilenius wrote "A Rose for Cape Girardeau," which became the city's official song. When the "Cape Girardeau March" premiered here in 1990, the composer was Norway's Geir Knutson. He wrote the piece after visiting the city as a young composer and band director in 1988...

Alliance Blue Cross Blue Shield's chairman and chief executive officer says MedAmerica HealthNet Inc. filed bankruptcy to avoid its share of the losses from a state insurance contract. In a letter to the editor, John A. O'Rourke said MedAmerica HealthNet "agreed to share 50-50 in any gains or losses" through Alliance Blue Cross Blue Shield's contract with Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan...

Many Americans will commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday in a couple of weeks. Notice I didn't say black Americans will be celebrating his birthday, or white Americans or any other ethnic delineation. I said Americans because Dr. King's birthday is a national day set aside to honor a national hero, even if some states haven't seen fit to recognize it yet...

SEN. GRAMM is so much opposed to people getting their medical care. Well, I resent having to pay his medical care. My taxes go toward his health care. Why doesn't he save me money and pay all his health care out of his pocket? I AM trying hard not to turn my back on having respect for the police. ...

April will be a busy time at the ballot box for Missouri's public schools. Nearly every public school district in the state will have elections for local board members. In addition, three amendments to the Missouri Constitution are on the ballot, all relating to public schools...

The Governor's Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education is putting the finishing touches on a new report. Their recommendations on beefed up early childhood education will be a priority of the governor during the current legislative session...

To the editor: I am writing this letter because I am concerned about complacency. We in Missouri used to be a group of hard-working individuals who respected each other's rights and were very wary of government. Now it seems (and I wonder if it's because life is relatively easy) we just sit by and let government do whatever it wishes. For some reason we don't seem to think it affects us. There are three areas I would like to address:...

Three weeks ago I paid for one paper and took tow. I went to church and ask God to forgave me. Now i'm sending you the money for the papers. I can't tell you how bad I felt doing that. Now I feel better and well never take anything agin without paying for it...

To the editor: "A teacher affects eternity" -- a quotation that certainly describes the lasting influence of Miss Margaret Reed on this community. A master elementary teacher for almost 50 years, Miss Reed died Sunday, Jan. 4, but she will live on in the hearts and memories of all who knew her as their teacher, their professional colleague, their sister, their aunt, their friend...

With only a 4-5 record entering Friday night's Class 2A battle against state ranked Kelly, the Notre Dame Bulldogs weren't having much fun this season. But Friday night's 67-65 home-win over state-ranked Kelly showed the Bulldogs what they've been missing...

Southeast Missouri State University's basketball Indians are hoping to play a much better game tonight than they did Thursday night. Basically, the Indians realize they have no choice but to play much better if they have any hopes of defeating Middle Tennessee State in the 7:30 contest at the Show Me Center...

KANSAS CITY -- Sarah Miller of Rockhurst College hit 13 3-point shots in a game Friday night, setting an NCAA Division II single-game record and tying the NAIA mark. Rockhurst, located in Kansas City, is a member of both organizations. Miller, who transferred from Southeast Missouri State last year, was 13 for 18 from 3-point range and scored 42 points in Rockhurst's 82-50 win over William Woods of Fulton, Mo...

KENNETT -- Just three days after staging a big rally to stun Carbondale, Ill., the comeback road magic for Cape Girardeau Central High's boys basketball team ran out. Kennett opened up an eight-point lead in the closing moments and then held off the Tigers 55-54 Friday night...

JACKSON -- A Jackson woman sustained minor injuries Thursday night when her vehicle was involved in a three-car crash on Highway 25, two miles south of Jackson. Michelle Chiles, 26, was taken to Southeast Missouri Hospital after the accident. She was wearing a seat belt. Two children in her car were in safety seats and were not injured in the 9:48 p.m. accident...

Son to William Travis Maloney and Rhonda Nichole Gray of Jackson, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 10:27 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, 1998. Name, Dylan Michael. Weight, 7 pounds. Ms. Gray is the daughter of Vicki Gray of Jackson and Larry Gray of Scott City. She is employed at RW Systems. Maloney is the son of Gwen Maloney and Kenneth Maloney of Jackson...

GORDONVILLE -- Former mayor Gilbert N. Gross, 69, of Gordonville died Friday, Jan. 9, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Oct. 29, 1928, at Gordonville, son of John and Theresia Wunderlich Gross. He and Lorene Peetz were married Oct. 14, 1956, at Tilsit...

Lillian Mae Caldwell, 85, Cape Girardeau Route 2, died Friday, Jan. 9, 1998, at the Lutheran Home. She was born July 15, 1912, at Commerce, daughter of Harry and Lue Retta O'Guinn Rasberry. She and Oscar F. "Shorty" Caldwell were married June 18, 1931, at Benton. He died June 28, 1995...

JACKSON -- Rose Marie Barnes, 77, of Jackson died Thursday, Jan. 8, 1998, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born Dec. 20, 1920, in St. Louis, daughter of John M. and Katherine Urso Raster. She and Leo Henry Barnes were married Oct. 26, 1940, at Old Monroe. He died May 5, 1980...

SIKESTON -- Carolyn K. Alexander, 57, of Sikeston died Thursday, Jan. 8, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born Dec. 28, 1940, in Charter Oak, daughter of S.W. and Ethel Mae Stobaugh Kennedy. Alexander was a 1958 graduate of Essex High School. She was an accounting clerk 19 years with Cargill Inc...