Stories from Monday, December 6, 1999

WASHINGTON -- The Agriculture Department says there probably will not be any improvement in U.S. farm exports over the next year, further dampening farmers' hopes for a recovery in commodity prices. The department projected in August that farm exports would grow by $1 billion, to $50 billion, for the 2000 budget year that began Oct. ...

The Healing Garden, which offers massages and a line of herbal supplements, vitamins and minerals, has opened on the second level of the House of Brides, 228 N. Pacific.The new business, operated by Mary M. Bronaugh, CMT and RMT, and Claire Heisserer, specializes in herbal body wraps, Moore Mud and aromatherapy wraps, Swedish, sports and aromatherapy massages.Classes will also be offered in mind and body connection. ...

DYERSBURG, Tenn. -- Dialarm Systems Inc., a residential, commercial and industrial security company established here a quarter-century ago, has been acquired by ADT Security Services Inc.Dialarm Systems, which included a branch center at Cape Girardeau, is being operated by ADT, a security company which operates nationwide.ADT, which has been in the Dyersburg and Cape Girardeau areas, will continue there...

Lorberg Memorial Funeral Chapel Inc., 829 N. West End Blvd., Cape Girardeau, will provide a pamphlet, "You and Your Grief During the Holiday Seasons."Holiday seasons are often among the most difficult of times for people who have experienced the death of a loved one. This pamphlet provides specifics to aid bereaved people in coping during the holidays.The pamphlets are available at Lorberg Memorial Funeral Chapel, telephone 335-3223...

Nucor Inc. is closing its Conway, Ark., plant over the next few months. The plant manufactures nuts, bolts and screws for industrial and construction uses.About 100 employees will be offered jobs at other Nucor facilities, including Nucor Steel-Hickman at Blytheville., Ark., Terrel, Texas, St. Joe, Ind., and Herford County, N.C...

PORTAGEVILLE -- First State Community Bank of Portageville has signed an agreement to purchase the Portageville branch of First Commercial Bank, subject to approval of all appropriate regulator authorities.If approved, First State Community will close its bank at 200 E. Main St. and reopen in a new building at 703 Highway 61...

This makes two years for me writing articles for the Southeast Missourian. The electronic world has changed so much in such a short time, from the performance and features of computing power to the vast amount of information that is available at everyone's fingertips. ...

The Small Business Development Center will hold counseling sessions at Cape Girardeau, Sikeston and Perryville this month. The counselor, Gil Degenhardt, will be available Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce office. The counseling sessions are free. Call 335-3312 for an appointment...

The Missouri Mentoring Partnership of Cape Girardeau and Scott counties, a program that provides young people between the ages of 16 and 22 work with mentors, has been honored by the U.S. Department of Labor with its Community Linkage Award for Region 718...

POPLAR BLUFF -- Ag Expo, one of the largest farm trade shows in the Southeast Missouri area, will be held Jan. 21 and 22 at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff. The annual event, sponsored by the Butler County University Outreach and Extension Council and the Ag Club of Three Rivers Community College, will feature more than 115 booths. ...

Dana's Cape Girardeau Light Axle Facility has earned a Missouri Facet of Excellence honor from the state. The Dana facility is one of four organizations to receive the quality award. The Cape Girardeau facility was recognized for its work systems. The plant has created a unique four-shift, seven-day operation that gives employees multiple responsibilities. The result is a flexible, adaptive system that helps to ensure all work tasks are covered...

PHOENIX -- R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc. is under fire for sending free samples of cigarettes through the mail -- a promotional program the Arizona attorney general's office says could violate the multi-state tobacco settlements because the cigarettes could end up in the hands of children...

Gift Baskets & Candles Extraordinaire has opened at 1318 N. Kingshighway.The new business, owned by Tera Marvel and Nancy Mathes, offers a variety of candles -- triple-scented, Deer Creek and FDL fragrances."We also prepare specialty gift baskets for every occasion," said Mathes. ...

Ronald P. Krueger II has been named president of Wehrenberg Inc., headquartered at St. Louis.Wehrenberg Inc., is the operating company of Wehrenberg Theatres Inc., which operates Cape West 14 Cine, 247 Siemers Dr., in Cape Girardeau.Krueger, who has been employed with Wehrenberg Theatres a total of 12 years, is a graduate of John M. ...

Robert and Cathy Dietl are owners of a new Ford Tempo.Bob Neff, owner of Ford Groves, said the Dietls entered a promotion sponsored by Ford Groves and won the car.Ford Groves has locations at 1501 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau and 825 E. Jackson Road in Jackson...

This "Financial Focus" column is prepared by Edward Jones Investments, headquartered in St. Louis. Jones includes branches throughout the nation, including Cape Girardeau and Jackson. If you asked most people why they bought a particular stock, they'd probably tell you it's because the stock has done well or is expected to do well. ...

Farm families from four counties were recognized at the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce's Farmers Recognition Banquet, held recently at the Ramada Inn at Sikeston.Awards presented:Scott County: David and Paula Diebold; Joe and Barbara Diebold; and Barry and Laura Evans.* Mississippi County: Craig and Jennifer Sutton.* Stoddard County: Stan and Sue Flowers.* New Madrid County: Doug and Tina Scott.Also selected were Agribusiness Man of the Year, Jim Johnson of Vanduser, owner of a cotton gin; Farmer of the Year, Steve Johnson of Vanduser, farms 2,000 acres; and Agriculture Woman of the Year, Kris McClanahan of Charleston.. ...

Debbie Scholl, human resources coordinators at Kies Eye Center, 1429 N. Mount Auburn Road, recently attended the annual seminar of the Cape Area Personnel Association.The Labor Law Act, Family Medical Act and Stress Management were among topics discussed at the workshop.Scholl has been with Kies Eye Center nine years. Kies Eye Center has 14 offices serving the Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois region...

Dave Pearce, an East Cape Girardeau, Ill., businessman, has been named a regional director of Nationwide Companies, headquartered at Atlanta, Ga.Bill Case, founder and president of Nationwide, announced Pearce's appointment recently.Pearce is owner and operator of the Purple Crackle at East Cape...

Cape Girardeau could gain some new land but little tax revenue with a proposed annexation of two schools and undeveloped property west of the city limits along Route K.Four property owners along Route K have petitioned the city to be annexed into city limits. They are the Missouri State Highway and Transportation Commission, Christian Faith Fellowship, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau and James L. Drury and Wanda L. Drury...

If people in non-Western cultures aren't quite as excited as the rest of us as the millennium clock counts down to 2000, one reason might be the new year will be 4637 for billions of Chinese and 1488 for many Muslims around the world. The Gregorian calendar, in existence since 1582, has become the standard for international communication and commerce. ...

A group of talented young musicians came together Sunday to help children and others with cancer. The fourth annual "A Christmas Story" was a benefit for the cancer patients of the Regional Cancer Center at Southeast Missouri Hospital. This year's concert was a salute to children who have cancer."Our chairpersons were young kids," said Chuck Stotz, executive director of the Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation, "so we made the concert a young person's program. ...

More than 20 million jobs have been added to the U.S. economy during the past seven years, giving some new meaning to the term, Roaring '20s, says Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman.If the 1920s roared, the 1990s rumbled boisterously.As the United States enters the new millennium, "we see near-record lows in unemployment in all areas and all sectors," said Herman during a national long-distance telephone news conference Friday.With Christmas holiday employment, 234,000 new jobs were added in November, passing the 20 million mark for the first time since 1993."We're closing out the 20th century with great news," said Herman. ...

The Rev. Gary Brothers knows how tough losing a relative or friend to death can be, particularly when that loss comes during the holiday season.As pastor at First Assembly of God Church, Brothers officiates at many funerals for church and community members, but just last week, he experienced that same loss in his family.While away on a trip to Israel, Brothers learned his grandfather had fallen ill and was not expected to live. ...

Ancestors offer a blessing on this Kwanzaa card from Blue Mountain Arts. This Christmas card was copied from the web site for Blue Mountain Arts. A compluter user can listen to the song, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." A Blue Mountain Arts card for Hanukkah...

It didn't take Jerry Deardorff very long to leave his life of retirement and come back to the world of education. After 33 years in public schools, he returned as the interim administrator for a brand-new high school in Southeast Missouri. Deardorff is helping to organize and oversee the formation of Saxony Lutheran High School. He is a former superintendent for the Meadow Heights and Marquand school districts...

AgendaCape Girardeau City CouncilMonday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Council chambers, 401 IndependenceStudy session at 5 p.m. Public hearingsHearing on annexation of 10.76-acre tract at end of Frank's Lane from Ervin Frank Jr. and Lucille Frank.* Hearing on annexation of 190.58-acre tract extending from the city limits west along Route K to near County Road 206 (Benton Hill Road) from the Missouri State Highway and Transportation Commission and others.* Hearing on annexation of 34.73-acre tract at Hopper and Lampe roads (County Road 313 by Michael P. ...

Jackson Board of Aldermen AgendaMonday, Dec. 6 Public hearingsA hearing to consider the annexation of property owned by Pattie Schumacher.* Hearing to consider the rezoning of 6.48 acres situated along the north side of Old Toll Road from I-1 (light industrial) to C-2 (general commercial) as submitted by Paul Bell representing the First Assembly of God Church.* Hearing to consider the vacation of South Ohio Street between Jefferson and Madison streets.* Hearing to consider amendments to the City Code relative to public utilities and electric distribution installations in new subdivisions.* Hearing to consider amending the City Code relative to off street parking regulations.. ...

Agenda Planning and Zoning CommissionWednesday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.City Hall, 401 Independence HearingsRequest of RAD Investments to rezone 24-acre tract west of Cape West Business Park and north of Bloomfield Road from R-1, single-family residential district (zoning classification upon annexation) to MH-1, mobile home park district.* Request of Joe and Mary Livingston for a special-use permit for a detail and repair shop at 900 Melody Lane in an R-1, single-family residential district.* Request of Hildegard Schilling, Pam Seal and Jack Cook for a special-use permit for a convenience store with drive-through window and gasoline sales at Lexington Avenue and Sprigg Street in an R-1, single-family residential district.Discussion and voting on applications.Subdivision plats* Record plat of Double S Subdivision.* Record plat of La Mesa Second Subdivision.. ...

A Cape Girardeau grocery store was robbed Sunday shortly before 6 p.m., and Jackson police are holding a suspect in custody, pending formal charges.Neither police department would not release the suspect's name. He was arrested by Jackson police on a traffic violation, and additional felony charges are pending. ...

ARNOLD -- Jackson High's wrestling team finished third out of 10 squads Saturday as the Fox Tournament concluded. Wentzville was first with 364 points, followed by Fox with 304.5 and Jackson with 293.5. Sikeston was ninth with 91 while Cape Girardeau Central brought up the rear with 90...

Mattie K. Retherford Reavis, 84, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Dec. 5, 1999, at St. Francis Medical Center.Arrangements are at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Chapel.

CHARLESTON -- Mary Clark Standard, 71, of Charleston died Saturday, Dec. 4, 1999, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center. She was born Sept. 4, 1928, at Wardell, daughter of Sullivan and Dealie Loggin Clark. She and Ozie Standard were married July 3, 1949...

ANNA, Ill. -- Fannie Opal Knupp, 89, of Anna died Saturday, Dec. 4, 1999, at the Union County Hospital. She was born Oct. 4, 1910, at Warsaw, Mo., daughter of William and Agnes Fox Stockdall. She and Pear Williams were married in 1927. He died in 1952. She and Owen "Shorty" Knupp were married in July of 1954 at Pickett, Ark. He died in 1965...

UNIONTOWN, Ky. -- Elwood Buckman, 85, of Uniontown, Ky., died Saturday, Dec. 4, 1999, at his residence. He was born Sept. 18, 1914, son of Guy Manuel and Lissie Holland Buckman. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 219 and Eastern Star Chapter 274 at Uniontown...