Stories from Wednesday, November 4, 1998

We have been blessed with some absolutely beautiful days this fall. The temperatures have been above normal and the sky has been mostly sunny. This weather lures every gardener out of the house into the yard ready to garden and landscape for winter...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Louis Maze of Olive Branch is the new full-term county clerk in Alexander County. He was elected to office Tuesday. Maze, a Democrat who has been serving as interim county clerk since July, was selected to fill the four-year term in Tuesday's general election. He defeated Republican Gerry P. Clark of Urbandale...

PULASKI, Ill. -- Russell E. "Rusty" Dakin is back in a familiar position, but he won't be in familiar surroundings in his new sheriff's office. Dakin, a Republican who served two terms as Pulaski County sheriff from 1978 to 1986, was returned to the sheriff's office in Tuesday's general election...

BLOOMFIELD -- State Rep. Marilyn Taylor Williams, D-Dudley, fended off a strong challenge by first-time Republican candidate Larry Sandage in Tuesday's general election. Williams again will represent the state's 159th District, a seat she has held since winning a special election in 1991...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Democrat Everett L. Ury had to defeat five other candidates for his new position on the Union County Commission. Ury of Anna beat out four Democrat candidates in the Union County primary earlier this year, and with all but two precincts in, had a 1,000-plus vote lead over Republican Relis Oliver in Tuesday's general election...

CHARLESTON -- Republican Lanie Black narrowly defeated Democratic opponent and fellow Charleston resident Betty Hearnes in a tight race for the 161st state representative seat Tuesday. Black defeated Hearnes by a margin of 4,120 to 4,076 votes to replace Rep. Gene Copeland, D-New Madrid, who is leaving office at the end of the year. Copeland, who is the longest-running state representative in Missouri history, has represented the 161st district since 1960...

To the editor: I am so glad the God I serve is a true and just God. He is keeping an account of each and everyone of us on his Internet. I wonder what would happen is he released what he has on his Internet about all of us so everyone could read it and put it in the newspaper, on television, on radio talk shows, on comedy shows, in church offices, in restaurants, in bars and in nightclubs. Not anyone would get to read, see or hear anything else, because there would be a worldwide blackout...

Just three months ago, the Teen Challenge Thrift Store was gutted by an accidental fire. Everything was lost. But now the shop has reopened at a new location: 117 N. Middle, just a half-block south of Broadway. An official grand opening will be scheduled later this month...

EDITOR'S NOTE: When the Rev. Joe Wright of Central Christian Church in Topeka, Kan., was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate in 1996, everyone was expecting the usual politically correct generalities. But what they heard instead was a stirring prayer passionately calling our country to repentance and righteousness. ...

The same president who promised 100,000 more cops on the street has turned his attentions to education. President Clinton has pledged 100,000 teachers to help reduce class sizes around the nation. Sound familiar? Yes, smaller classes in the lower grades is certainly an admirable goal. But the devil, as they say, is in the details...

I'VE GOT a couple of comments about two calls in Speak Out. Regarding Hillary Clinton not being stupid: I agree. She's very intelligent as most socialists, communists, fascists and Nazis have been. Study your unrevised history. Hillary has always been an devout socialist. ...

To the editor: Being citizens of the great United States, you do have a choice come Jan. 2, 1999. Your Social Security check will still be mailed to you, should you want it that way. Or if you desire direct deposit, it will be that way. It's your choice...

Cape Girardeau County voters elected a new tax collector, Republican Diane Diebold, in the most hotly contested county race this year. And voters retained longtime county clerk, Democrat Rodney Miller, in Tuesday's election. Diebold beat Democratic opponent Judy Beussink 10,976 to 8,270 to fill the open collector's position. Collector Harold Kuehle is retiring...

A survey of Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce members showed they are split in their opinions of the proposed merger of St. Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital. Last month the chamber's board of directors surveyed its membership to determine if members supported, opposed or were undecided on the proposed merger...

Voters in two Southeast Missouri districts that have been Democratic strongholds longer than most anyone can remember have elected Republicans to the state's House of Representatives -- both by margins of fewer than 100 votes. In the 160th District, Peter Meyers of Sikeston, a Republican, had a 92-vote margin over incumbent Democrat Joe Heckemeyer, who is completing his second term...

Cape Girardeau voters split on a two-part ballot measure needed to launch a proposed River Campus project on the site of the old St. Vincent Seminary in downtown Cape Girardeau. Voters approved a measure that increases the city's hotel-motel tax and extends the restaurant tax but rejected the accompanying measure that would have permitted issuance of $8.9 million in bonds...

It's official. I've become the ugly girlfriend of my group of friends. The phrase comes from a comedian who appeared on television a few years back. He was talking about beautiful women who go to parties but always bring their "ugly girlfriends." When the comedian asks the beautiful women if they'd like to go get a drink later, they say, "I just don't know. My girlfriend wants to go home."...

Calling abortion "the great moral issue of our time," conservative political commentator Cal Thomas urged a Cape Girardeau audience Tuesday to be active in the right-to-life movement. The anti-abortion point of view, he said, is often slighted by major national media outlets, which he accused of favoring the abortion position...

Monday, Nov. 2 Council Chambers, 401 Independence St. Consent ordinances -- Passed an ordinance to amend Chapter 24 of city code relating to trees. -- Passed an ordinance accepting corrected quit claim deeds from Missouri Department of Transportation for right of way for Southern Expressway and William Street...

BENTON -- Voters in the 160th legislative district cast their ballots for change Tuesday when they opted for the Republican challenger over the Democratic incumbent in a very close electoral contest. Republican Peter Myers of Sikeston narrowly defeated incumbent Democratic representative Joe Heckemeyer, also of Sikeston, by less than 100 votes...

Eighth District voters handily re-elected U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson to a second term Tuesday. The Cape Girardeau Republican defeated Democratic challenger Tony Heckemeyer of Sikeston and Libertarian John Hendricks of Jackson. With 92 percent of precincts reporting, Emerson had 97,658 votes or 63 percent to 54,727 votes or 35 percent for Heckemeyer. Hendricks received 2,580 votes or 2 percent...

CARUTHERSVILLE -- The Missouri House of Representative's only Independent retained his seat Tuesday. Denny J. Merideth won re-election over Democratic challenger Cleat Stanfill by 531 votes. The rural Caruthersville man was first elected to the seat during a special election in 1997 when the incumbent quit to take a state job...

PERRYVILLE -- Voters approved two proposals to fund an $8.8 million upgrade of the city water system. The votes, which each required four-sevenths majorities for passage, will allow for the construction of a new water treatment plant, wells and the replacement and expansion of existing water lines...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Mississippi County voters re-elected presiding commissioner Jim Blumenberg to a second term on Tuesday. Blumenberg of East Prairie received 3,050 votes to defeat Republican challenger and Charleston resident Donald A. Raithel, who received 1,154 votes...

BENTON -- Voters in Scott County ignored the endorsement of their county commission Tuesday in rejecting a property tax increase that would have helped to fund services for senior citizens in the county. By a 710-vote margin, voters rejected a proposition, dubbed "the senior tax," which would have raised $150,000 annually for a senior citizens service fund...

BLOOMFIELD -- One longtime Stoddard County Democratic officeholder was defeated in his bid for a fourth term and another won handily against his Republican challenger in heavy voting Tuesday. Norman Moore lost his quest for a fourth term as the county's presiding commissioner. Republican challenger Jerry Elder beat Moore 4,225-3,836 in a race political observers say may have been swung by veterans who threw their support to Elder late...

Perry and Ste. Genevieve county voters will send Rep. Patrick Naeger back to Jefferson City for third term in the General Assembly. Naeger, a Perryville Republican, captured 61.8 percent of the total vote Tuesday to retain his 155th District seat. He defeated Democratic challenger Diane Edwards of Brewer 5,508-3,411...

MARBLE HILL -- Bollinger County voters re-elected one incumbent and turned out another Tuesday. Voters elected Marble Hill insurance agent Kenny Trentham as presiding commissioner. Trentham, a Democrat, edged out incumbent Republican Elwood Mouser by 19 votes, 1,973 to 1,954...

KENNETT -- Democrats won back the 163rd House seat vacated by longtime legislator Larry Thomason of Kennett. This was one of only 15 open House seats that was targeted by both parties. Dunklin County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Phillip Britt of Kennett won the seat over Republican Judy Wallace, owner of Heartland Town and Country Realty in Malden...

St. Pius forward Mike Tranchilla is the kind of offensive threat who makes a 1-0 deficit almost a non-issue. The senior forward, who is a member of the U.S National under-18 team, has scored 130 goals in his high school career and helped the Lancers pull in the district's top seed...

Jackson advanced to Thursday's Class 4A, District 1 soccer championship game while Cape Central will be conspicuously absent. Top-seeded Jackson advanced to Thursday's 6:30 p.m. title game with a 4-0 victory over No. 4 seed Sikeston on Tuesday. The Indians will face No. 3 seed Poplar Bluff, the tournament host, for the title. Poplar Bluff upset No. 2 seed Cape Central 4-1 in Tuesday's other semifinal...

The annual Club Championship Open Turkey Day Tennis Tournament will be held Nov. 21-22 at Universal Health & Fitness Center in Cape Girardeau. Cost for the tournament is $20 for the first event and $10 for each event thereafter. Food will be provided. Entry deadline is Nov. 18 and all who register before Nov. 16 receive a tournament shirt...

The Evening Optimist Church Basketball League will have signups for boys coaches on Nov. 7 at the First Baptist Church. Coach registration will be from 2-4 p.m. on both dates. For information, call John Eaton at 334-0243.

The Heartland Motorsports Speedway in Malden will hold a special benefit race for driver Robert Smith of Sikeston Nov. 7 at 1 p.m. Smith, who has his first child on the way, was critically injured in a non-race related accident two weeks ago. There will not be an admission charge at the race, however, donations will be accepted...

The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor a men's basketball league this winter. The league, which will offer four divisions, is scheduled to begin Jan. 4. Entry fee is $253. Games are tentatively set for Monday thru Thursday and Saturdays...

The Excelsior Optimist Club of Cape Girardeau will hold an informational meeting for its girls basketball league tonight at 7 in the University Center Ballroom on the Southeast campus. If your church, school or community sponsored group would like to participate in the league, please send a team representative to the organizational meeting...

BLOOMFIELD -- Elvin Shipley Smith, 91, of Bloomfield died Monday, Nov. 2, 1998, at Vintage Villa Nursing Center in Dexter. He was born Feb. 28, 1907, at Zadock, son of Thomas Andrew and Lillie Cox Smith. He and Cleo Bess were married Sept. 29, 1925. She died Feb. 10, 1949...

MOUNDS, Ill. -- Charles J. "Jerry" Spencer, 65, of Mounds died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1998, at his home. He was born Aug. 18, 1933, in Mounds, son of Forrest F. and Ruth M. Boyd Spencer. He married the former Shelby Jackson. Spencer was an insurance agent 34 years with Woodman of the World. He was a member of American Legion Post 0900 in McClure. Spencer was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force...

BERNIE -- Ernestine Eubanks, 54, of Urbana died Monday, Nov. 2, 1998, at her home. She was born Feb. 16, 1944, in Keiser, Ark., daughter of Cecil and Jessie Fay Henard Powell. She and Don Eubanks were married Feb. 16, 1963, in Pontiac, Mich. Eubanks was a certified nurse aide, and member of the Church of Christ...

MORRISONVILLE, Ill. -- Bernhard T. "Doc" Millburg, 82, died Monday, Nov. 2, 1998, at Meadow Manor in Taylorville. He was born May 24, 1916, in Havana, Ill., son of Frank and Ardella Kraus Millburg. He married Merle-Ree Beil Feb. 24, 1936. She survives...

CHICAGO -- Flora Lee Harris, 72, of Chicago died Friday, Oct. 30, 1998. She was born Nov. 12, 1926, in Charleston, daughter of Leona and Alfred Marshall Price Sr. She married Samuel L. Harris, who preceded her in death. She was retired from Zenith Manufacturing in Chicago and was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and the New Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church...

Dorothy L. McBride, 81, of Cape Girardeau, passed away Sunday, November 1, 1998, at her home in Cape Girardeau. She was born October 18, 1917, in Cape Girardeau, MO, to Thomas Robb and Alma Morrison Pride. Dorothy married J. Weldon "Brownie" McBride on October 25, 1936, in Marrion, Arkansas, who survives...

SIKESTON -- Graveside service for Lawrence Eastwood of Sikeston will be held at 2 p.m. today at Garden of Memories Cemetery. The Rev. Bill Meeks will officiate. Friends may call at Ponder Funeral Home from noon until service time. Eastwood, 81, died Monday, Nov. 2, 1998, at Missouri Delta Medical Center...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Ada Bell Puyear, 91, of East Prairie died Monday, Nov. 2, 1998, at East Prairie Nursing Center. She was born Dec. 18, 1906, in Liberty, Ky., daughter of Welby and Maud Alice Young Faire. She first married Pozie Miller, who died in 1929. She later married John Herman Puyear, who died Feb. 26, 1973...

BERTRAND -- Claude A. Myracle, 75, of Bertrand died Monday, Nov. 2, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Oct. 24, 1923, in Decaturville, Tenn., son of William D. and Mary Z. Butler Myracle. He and Voneita Phillips were married June 13, 1946...

MOREHOUSE -- James C. Hewitt, 72, of Morehouse died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1998, at the VA Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn. He was born May 18, 1926, in Canalou, son of Nathaniel Green and Grace Marie Pointer Hewitt. He and Margaret H. DeArman were married Aug. 3, 1945, in Canalou...

NEW MADRID -- Mose "Bud" Davis, 77, of New Madrid died Sunday, Nov. 1, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Feb. 22, 1921, in Hermandale, son of Will and Nancy Alexander Davis. Davis was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church...

BERTRAND -- Franklin M. Sligar, 86, of Lincoln, Neb., died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1998, at his home. He was born Jan. 27, 1912, in Bertrand, son of James L. and Mary A. Jackson Sligar. Survivors include his wife, Margaret; two sons, Daniel and Franklin Sligar of The Colony, Texas; a sister, Linda Parker of East Prairie; and seven grandchildren...

JACKSON -- Ruby May Clements, 70, of Jackson, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1998, at her home. She was formerly of Glen Allen. She was born Dec. 17, 1927, at McBride, daughter of Andrew and Jennie Pullam Pillars. Survivors include two sons, David and Donald Clements of Perryville; two daughters, Anna Whaley and Rhonda Wells of Jackson; two brothers, Charles and Floyd Pillars of Perryville; three sisters, Pearl Weith of Perryville, Eileen Doll of St. ...

TAMMS, Ill. -- Adolph Trovillion, 92, of Clio, Mich., died Sunday, Nov. 1, 1998, at the home of a son in Clio. Formerly of Tamms, Trovillion was born July 9, 1906, in Rosebud, son of Ezra and Melissa Boyd Trovillion. He and Ruth Huffman were married Dec. 4, 1926. She died April 6, 1990...

Funeral for Betty J. May of Cape Girardeau will be held at 1 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel. The Rev. Charles Lance will officiate, with burial in Forest Hills Cemetery at Morley. May, 35, died Sunday, Nov. 1, 1998, at her home, following an extended illness...

PARMA -- Emma Barnes, 92, of Parma died Monday, Nov. 2, 1998, at Dexter Memorial Hospital in Dexter. She was born May 16, 1906, in Hughes, Ark., daughter of Phillip and Maggie Hughes. She first married Jonas Porter, and later married Cleave Barnes in 1943. Both preceded her in death...

JACKSON -- The City of Jackson needs to revamp its police station, create more parks and establish a stormwater runoff policy. Those are just a few of the recommendations in the city's new Comprehensive Plan. The plan also calls for developing new arterial streets at the north, south, west and eastern edges of the city...

JACKSON -- The Miss Jackson Scholarship Pageant and Miss Christmas, Miss Junior Christmas, Miss Holly and Little Miss Snowball and Snowflake pageants will be held Nov. 21. The contests are sponsored by the Jacksonian Charter Chapter of the American Business Women Association...

The new bridge over Hubble Creek on Washington St., has been completed and is open for traffic. The new bridge on Old Cape Road is well under construction and weather permitting should be completed by the end of November. A third major transportation improvement, phase one of the East Main Street extension is scheduled to begin any day now. Again, weather will play a part in the progress of this street extension but we hope this project can be completed by late Spring of 1999...

With astronaut John Glenn orbiting Earth in the shuttle Discovery, the Southeast Missourian asked fifth-grade students at West Lane Elementary School about the future of space exploration. Caleb Tankersley: "I think we should focus on sending out more cameras in space. I also think we should learn a lot more about the moon and send people of different ages there."...