Stories from Wednesday, July 28, 1999

Another mole bites the dust. This battery-powered sonic mole repeller can convince moles to leave a garden. At different times during the last few years, I was glued to TV, radio and newspaper reports about people on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List. I read about the alleged crimes that were committed. ...

If you are on a school bus and all you see of your driver is the back of his head, the driver is probably doing a good job. For many students, the back of the head or a pair of watchful eyes in a mirror are all they will see of the bus driver responsible for carrying them safely to and from school...

DELTA -- Gary Anderson has been busy in his new role as mayor. "We have some water problems we're working on, and we're in the process of hiring a new policeman," said Anderson, who became mayor of Delta July 1. Anderson was appointed by the Board of Aldermen when Mayor Paul Evans rendered his resignation effective July 1. ...

Missouri's new driver's license and vehicle registration law should make life easier for motorists but likely won't affect the financial bottom line for local license bureaus. "I really don't see it will make any difference," said Norma Wildman, who manages the Cape Girardeau and Jackson license bureaus...

You know you've gotten a bad massage when you ask your husband if he sees any bruises. Linda absolutely loved her professional massage. The masseur's hands were barely off her back when she started burning up the phone lines to her friends. It was like she'd hooked up with a new boyfriend, only less expensive because she didn't have to replace those comfortable, roomy cotton undergarments with the more sexy, silky variety...

Police announced two staff changes Tuesday that are aimed at getting officers more involved in the community, said Chief Rick Hetzel. Patrolman Rob Barker will become a school resource officer in the middle of August, and Cpl. Rick Schmidt will take charge of the Southside Substation on Good Hope Street...

When Tom Turpin leaves his position with the Boy Scouts at the start of next month as district executive for five area counties, he said he'll be taking his entire scouting program with him. Of course he's leaving the scouts themselves behind. "I have the same exact scouting program from here that I'm taking with me to St. Louis," Turpin said...

SPRINGFIELD -- Two Cape Girardeau residents remain hospitalized two days after their car was struck and overturned on Hwy. 60 near Springfield. Orville Krauss, 65, and his wife Deloris, 60, were involved in an accident at about 4:25 p.m. Monday. The accident occurred just outside Rogersville about 10 miles east of Springfield...

POPLAR BLUFF -- Three appeals were brought to the Butler County Board of Equalization during its recent session; all three were denied. A petition by Wal-Mart to be reinstated in the Enterprise Zone was denied because the company submitted no evidence that its value was in dispute, the major function of the BOE...

DEXTER -- Fans might not be as effective at fighting the heat as you think. In fact, officials at the Stoddard County Health Center say fans may do more harm than good. Debbie Pleimling, health center director, said fans can make the heat situation worse when temperatures reach around 100 degrees or higher...

DEXTER -- While the number of Missourians actively seeking work in June was at the lowest rate in 20 years, the number of Bootheel residents looking for a job continued to climb. Stoddard County's jobless rate in June was 5.4 percent, second only to Scott County's 5.1 percent among the six Bootheel counties. Stoddard's rate seven-tenths above level posted in May, according to the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations...

Perry County School District Wednesday, July 28, 1999 7 p.m. Senior High Cafeteria Action/Information Items - Approval of roofing bids - Special education regulations - MSBA/MASA annual conference - FY 2000 tax levy - Closed session, in accordance with revised Missouri Statutes 610.021 (1), (3), (6) and (13)...

DEXTER -- Automobiles have putt-putted down American roadways since Henry Ford introduced the Model T in 1908 at a cost of $85 each. Since then, American's collective fascination with the automobile has only intensified. This weekend in Dexter one of the largest collections of classic cars in the Midwest will be opened to the public at Sherm Smith's Moonlite Car Museum...

Gore admits economic boom began with Bush: Vice President Al Gore, who in 1992 said America was in "the worst economy since the Great Depression," is now quietly acknowledging the current economic boom began midway through the Bush administration. The Clinton-Gore team, eager to claim bragging rights for presiding over what will soon become the longest economic expansion on record, finds itself in the awkward position of crediting President Bush, the father of one of Mr. ...

A teacher shortage has developed both in Missouri and across the nation, and local school districts are feeling the pinch. With less than a month remaining until the start of school, Cape Girardeau public school district is still looking for a handful of teachers. And Cape Girardeau is not alone in this problem. Shortages are especially acute in the areas of math, science and special education...

Public education has also been at the brunt of a national frustration over poor student achievement. Teachers do the best they can in the classroom, but they don't always have the resources or support they need to get the job done. Public pressure over educational standards may put off some potential teachers...

To the editor:I just wanted to take this moment to express my gratitude for the excellent coverage of the AAA Legion Tournament held in Jackson last week. My son is a player on the Poplar Bluff team. Each day as we returned to play, we would pick up a copy of the Southeast Missourian in Jackson to see what was printed from games from the day before. ...

To the editor: While I was waiting for my turn at the license bureau in Marble Hill, a conversation started up about firearms. It seems that everyone has an opinion about firearms, including myself. Since the tragedy at Littleton, there are a lot of people who are worried that the right to own firearms will be taken away from citizens or that so many restrictions will be imposed that it will be very difficult to own a firearm without being unlawful...

Chaffee Junior American Legion baseball manager Joe Rice didn't want to put any undue pressure on his team -- so he never publicly said what he had been thinking all along. "I always thought that anything less than playing for a state title would have surprised me," he said. "I expected to be there. I didn't know whether or not we'd win, but I expected to be there."...

A series of adult golf lessons will be given by Sabrina Tate at Jaycee Municipal Golf Course in Cape Girardeau Aug. 3-12. The classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Cost is $27.55 for residents and $30.85 for non-residents...

MARBLE HILL -- Ethil Matthews, 88, of Marble Hill died Monday, July 26, 1999, at Fountainbleau Lodge in Cape Girardeau. She was born Sept. 16, 1910, near Marquand, daughter of George W. and Fannie Ella Cornman Hargiss. She and Chester R. Matthews were married Dec. 23, 1926. He died April 18, 1969...

Webb Son to Christopher Michael and Brandy Lee Webb, Sedgewickville Route 2, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 3:16 a.m. Tuesday, July 20, 1999. Name, Wyatt Michael. Weight, 8 pounds 9 ounces. Mrs. Webb is the former Brandy Evans, daughter of Perry Evans and Pam Evans of Jackson. She is employed at Procter & Gamble. Webb is the son of Morris and Judi Owens of Jackson and Derral and Debbie Webb of Patton. He is employed at Yamnitz Body and Frame...

Mr. Leeman Earl Gerecke, age 69, passed away Monday, July 26, 1999 on the family farm at Gordonville. Mr. Gerecke was born in Gordonville on March 29, 1930, the son of Albert and Frieda Graden Gerecke. On June 1, 1952 he married Elsie Marie Borgfield in Jackson. ...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Evelyn M. Kinsloe, 88, of Lake Zurich, formerly of Cairo, died Tuesday, July 27, 1999, at Lexington Health Care in Lake Zurich. Barkett Funeral Home at Cairo is in charge of arrangements.

PERRYVILLE -- Ruth M. "Laura" Brown, 86, of Perryville died Sunday, July 25, 1999, at Perry County Memorial Hospital. She was born Nov. 8, 1912, at St. Mary, daughter of Andrew and Rose Blandford Lawrence. She and Martin F. Brown were married May 23, 1933. He died Dec. 21, 1970...

Kathy Brown was a Floridian who saw her first snow in 1969 in Nashville, Tenn., while living across the hall from me our freshman year at David Lipscomb College. We became fast friends and found our way into many adventures in her dark green Volkswagen. To be truthful, adventure usually found us regardless of what we were in...

Recipe Swap readers have been very busy answering requests and sending in favorite recipes to share with other readers. This week we have many great recipes to share so let's get right to the good stuff. We recently had a request for Vinegar Dumplings from a reader. ...