Stories from Thursday, November 18, 1999

Market forces and farm prices SEVERAL PEOPLE have weighed in on the recent debate regarding whether or not farmers should receive government aid. Most of the callers seem to feel that farmers should receive government aid. Two of the callers said that farmers should receive aid because undeserving welfare recipients receive government aid. ...

To the editor: Most of the people who drive in Cape Girardeau are competent, courteous and law-abiding. They reach their destinations safely in spite of the few who either do not know the laws of the city and state or just ignore them. I direct this letter to this latter group. They frequently call Speak Out to complain about the so-called gestapo tactics of the Cape Girardeau Police Department and its pro-active traffic enforcement...

To the editor: I want to call attention to the fact that November is National Home Care Month, especially in light of the recent scrutiny of our industry by both government and the media. Unfortunately, most of the coverage has failed to convey the benefits of home care and the fact that most industry providers are honest, ethical and caring...

A case that could change the way public colleges and universities operate is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court. At issue is a question that has been kicking around American higher education for a generation or more: whether public universities and colleges can continue using money from mandatory student fees to finance controversial campus groups and speakers...

"The American high school is really a product of the spirit of democracy. The grammar school and academy were "old world" institutions and were aristocratic in organization and curriculum. The people wanted a share in the control of education. Consequently, the high school was organized by them, this organization being vested directly in a board which is responsible to the people." (Claude A. ...

This is one of Carol Wilkinson's completed mop angels. It's that time of year again. Stores are putting up their holiday decorations, children are being extra good and the crafters are busy getting their wares ready to display. Thousands of shoppers will soon be filling the aisles this weekend at Cape Girardeau's three holiday arts and crafts fairs.The granddaddy is the 29th annual Christmas Arts & Crafts Bazaar, where more than 450 booths will be brimming with crafts for Christmas at the Show Me Center and Osage Centre from 10 a.m. ...

Cooperative housing: Is it needed in Cape Girardeau County. Becky Eftink and Ruth Dockins aren't sure, but they hope to find out. Eftink is a community development specialist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program in Jackson. Dockins is public information director for the Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging...

National crime statistics might show a downward trend, but fear of crime persists and can be debilitating for some senior citizens, say those who hope to educate seniors about the problem. Fear of victimization can cause older people to stay in their homes, isolating them not only from crime but from friends and activities as well, said Grace Hoover. ...

The Southeast Missourian is seeking readers' help in selecting the Top Ten stories of the century in Missouri.Included in today's edition on Page 7A is a ballot that contains a list of suggested stories of statewide and regional interest during this century. You also may list stories not included on the ballot and provide comments.We encourage readers to participate and return the ballot by Monday, Nov. 22...

How prepared are you for Y2K? Cape Girardeau officials say people shouldn't be concerned about hoarding food or water in fear of essential services shutting down on Jan. 1.The Y2K scare results from the fact that many computer systems recognize numbers as dates and aren't programed to recognize 2000. ...

Nov. 18, 1999 Dear Pat, Thousands of people will come to Cape Girardeau this weekend to shop for unique Christmas presents. Huge arts and crafts fairs will be thrumming at five different locations. The goods will range from the sublime to creations with stranger muses."Gosh," you say. ...

St. Louis Mayor Clarence Harmon's communications director criticized television news coverage of city hall during a speech Wednesday to an advertising and marketing group in Cape Girard Marketing Professionals group. About 20 people attended the meeting at the University Center. "With TV in St. Louis, there's always the zinger question."Miller's dismay with TV reporting in St. Louis dates back to 1994 when a friend and fellow student, Michael Davis, died in a hazing incident at Southeast...

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri's 29th annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Bazaar will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Show Me Center and the Osage Community Centre. More than 450 booths will fill the centers with handmade arts and crafts, including cinnamon-roasted almonds, angels, artwork, baked goods, banks, baskets, birdhouses, burlap swags and bags...

Brian Kiernan, associate professor in the Department of English at the University of Sydney, will speak Dec. 1 on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. Kiernan's presentation is titled "Sydney or the Bush: The Olympics 2000 City in Australian Literature." Kiernan has written and edited 10 books, most of them on Australian literature, and he has lectured on the subject all over the world. ...

Rachel Roberts was in the ninth grade the last time Cape Central High School mounted a production of Neil Simon's comedy "Rumors." She wasn't involved. But she subsequently figured prominently in many CHS productions, including a lead in "Barefoot in the Park," and she has won Best Actress awards for her work in University Theatre productions at Southeast Missouri State University...

Ken Lipps hopes his Cape Girardeau roots and a good dose of honesty will help him in a bid for City Council.Lipps, director of volunteer services at the Missouri Veterans Home, is seeking a seat on the council representing Ward 4. He lives at 1570 Saratoga.He is only the second person to file for city council. ...

The Cancer Research Foundation of America will present a 1999 FrontLine Award to U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson.Emerson will be among three people who will receive the award Tuesday in Washington.Emerson will be recognized for her dedication to raising public awareness of lung cancer after losing her husband, the late congressman Bill Emerson, to the disease.The other award recipients are William Novelli, president of the National Center for Tobacco Free Kids, and Abigail Trafford, the Washington Post's health editor.. ...

JACKSON -- A Jackson man who pointed a gun at a motorist he claimed was following his car too closely was in Circuit Court Tuesday, and could face up to 5 years in prison, the Cape Girardeau County prosecutor said. Matthew P. McGill, 21, has been charged with unlawful use of a weapon in connection with a "road rage" incident that occurred in August, said prosecutor Morley Swingle."Every year we have a few road rage cases where someone acted in a violent manner toward another person," Swingle said. ...

The Sears Roebuck & Co., Optical Department in the Town Plaza Shopping Center, 2102 William, will hold a grand opening from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at its remodeled optical department."The area has been completely remodeled," said Mitzi Aufdenberg, optical department manager."We have more room and a larger frame selection."Dr. Brian Norman recently joined Sears Optical, and offers day, evening and Saturday appointment hours...

The Associated Press has long compiled an annual list of the Top Ten stories of the year, both nationally and in individual states. With the millennium drawing to a close, we would like your help in selecting not the Top Ten stories of the year but the Top Ten stories of the century in Missouri...

Our regular-season opener is coming up Friday night and I'm really excited about the start of the 1999-2000 season. It's a special time of year as every team is 0-0 and ready for the start of the season. I know our basketball team is excited to finally play another college team. Every college team wants to get off to a good start to build up confidence for the season ahead. Our squad is anxious to get started and I know we will get great effort out of our players...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee State has made it back to the top of the Division I-AA polls the hard way. The Tigers, who hadn't been ranked No. 1 since 1984, are atop I-AA this week despite losing their starting quarterback and their leading defensive player to injuries. Off the field, they are still awaiting a decision from a September meeting with the NCAA's Infractions Committee...

PERRYVILLE -- Alma F. Anderson, 84, of Perryville died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1999, at PerryOaks Healthcare Center. She was born Feb. 9, 1915, in Perry County, daughter of Marcellus and Mary Louise Siefert Jannin. She and Elliot Anderson were married in 1950. He died July 22, 1954...

A memorial service for Larry Wayne Talley of Fenton will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Concord Baptist Church in St. Louis. Talley, 55, died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1999, at St. John's Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. He was born March 3, 1944, at Millersville, son of Willard and Della Statler Talley. He and Paula Kish were married Nov. 27, 1987, in St Louis...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Mary L. Peterson, 81, of Cairo died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1999, at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Ky. She was born Sept. 13, 1918, at Buncombe, daughter of Lester and Jettie Moe Boswell. She married John Paul Peterson. Peterson was a member of First United Methodist Church, and the Cairo Historical Association...

JACKSON -- A.D. Hoffman, 74, of Jackson died Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1999, at his home. He was born Jan. 11, 1925, at Charleston, son of J.R. "Jack" and Imogene Vinyard Hoffman. He and Carmen Mainer were married Aug. 11, 1950. Hoffman was a graduate of Central High School in Cape Girardeau. ...

HurstTwin daughters to Chad Andrew and Amy Gail Hurst of Marble Hill, Southeast Missouri Hospital, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 1999. Emma Gail was born at 1:42 p.m. and weighed 5 pounds 7 ounces. Hanna Alix was born at 1:43 p.m. and weighed 6 pounds 2 ounces. The couple also has a son. ...

ORAN -- Jerome C. Diebold, 66, of Oran died Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1999, at his home. He was born July 30, 1933, at Kelso, son of Leon and Marcella Stubenrauch Diebold. He and Marilyn LeGrand were married July 23, 1955. Diebold owned and operated Diebold Service Station from 1975-91, and for the past 10 years has been contractor for Oran Schools. He was president of Oran Rental the past 11 years...

SIKESTON -- Pearl White, 88, of Sikeston died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1999, at Sikeston Convalescent Center. She was born Aug. 11, 1911, in Lexington, Ala., daughter of J.R. and Minnie Smith Wiley. She and T.L. White were married Aug. 22, 1926, in Loretta, Tenn. He died April 4, 1978...

FARRAR -- Funeral for the Rev. Robert J. Koenig of Giddings, Texas, was held Tuesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Giddings. The Revs. Wilburn Michalik and John Davis officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery. Koenig, 74, died Saturday, Nov. 13, 1999, in Giddings, following a lengthy illness...

SIKESTON -- John Warren, 37, of Sikeston died Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1999, at Natches, Miss., from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.Arrangements are incomplete at the Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston.

WHITEWATER -- Viola Rosie Davis, 71, of Whitewater died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1999, at Advance Nursing Center in Advance.She was born Jan. 28, 1928, at Farrar, daughter of Henry and Bertha Fornity Lutheran Church in Cape Girdeau.Survivors include her husband; and a brother, Raymond Sticht of Whitewater.She was preceded in death by three brothers and a sister.Friends may call at Lorberg Memorial Funeral Chapel in Cape Girardeau from 3:30-7:30 p.m. ...

Estella Trantham, 75, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1999, at her home. She was born Nov. 5, 1924, at Dogwood, daughter of Archie and Irene Weaver. She and Harold Trantham were married Aug. 11, 1950, in Texarkana, Texas. He died March 6, 1999...