Stories from Saturday, March 18, 2000

For many years Robert Francis couldn't accept his Cherokee Indian heritage because he didn't think God would accept him as a non-white person. For centuries Indian people have been treated unfairly and unjustly by white Europeans. They've been told that God's chosen people were Jews and then white Europeans and Africans, but never Indians, he said. Making fun of Indians is nearly as American as playing baseball and eating apple pie, Francis said...

A Cape Girardeau man could get up to seven years in prison for threatening a municipal judge, the Cape Girardeau County Prosecutor's office said. Frank L. Snider III of 906 S. Benton St. was charged with tampering with judicial proceedings, a class C felony, said Lora Cooper, assistant prosecutor...

Less than 10 percent of Southeast Missouri teachers attended a general session of the Missouri State Teacher's Association district meeting Friday. The general session is held annually before a day of professional development workshops and departmental meetings. The event, held at Academic Auditorium at Southeast Missouri State University, attracted about 600 teachers, possibly the lowest attendance since the event was started in 1876...

A combination of increasing asphalt and fuel prices could make the costs of completing street projects in Cape Girardeau higher than originally expected. But the city's engineering department is moving ahead with the slate of Transportation Trust Fund projects as planned...

Ellington farmer Sam Flowers was the first to die in the black storm of the nation's deadliest tornado 75 years ago today. Before it was over, the tornado, more than a mile wide at times, howled across parts of Missouri, Illinois and Indiana in 3 1/2 hours, killing 695 people. It wiped out four towns, devastated others and injured some 2,000 people...

The Area Wide United Way's community needs assessment process where it is trying to determine the needs of the community has entered its second, or information-gathering stage. "We are making an effort to find out what the unmet needs of this community are and finding ways we can impact those needs," said Nancy Jernigan, executive director of the Area Wide United Way...

Mom finally did it. After 31 years, she's turning in her chalk and calling it quits as a high school math teacher. I'm proud of her, but I'm sorry that a multitude of Charleston High School students are going to miss the classy, smart, well-dressed, trash-talkin', respect-earning "Mrs. Z" who for so long graced the entry of the math hall...

There's a zillion different kinds of gourds. "Maybe not a zillion, but there are many varieties," said Anne Foust, a Cape Girardeau Master Gardener. "I usually raise one or two types a year," said Foust. "Gourd plants can take over your entire garden if you're not careful."...

A Cape Girardeau man has filed for Cape Girardeau County public administrator on the Democratic ticket. Mike Hurst, who has worked for the Southeast Missouri State University Department of Public Safety for the past four years, said Friday that he is running for the position because "there is nothing more satisfying than helping people."...

A 13-year-old was cited into juvenile court Thursday after it was discovered he had brought a knife to school. Cape Girardeau police Sgt. Carl Kinnison said the knife was found Thursday morning as Louis J. Schultz School principal Rob Huff was returning a notebook that had been lost. Huff opened the notebook to confirm the owner and saw the knife stuck in a "webbed area," Kinnison said...

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, has helped establish a new Congressional Rural Caucus. With over 100 bipartisan members, the caucus seeks to push for solutions to rural issues. Emerson said the caucus is needed in Washington. "The American economy has been booming, yet many of our agricultural and rural communities are being left behind," she said...

Awareness of what makes blacks, whites and other groups diverse is not something police forget, but underscoring the point now and then doesn't hurt, say Cape Girardeau police. "It's something that I'm conscious of, but training like this helps bring it to the front of my mind again," said Barry Hovis, one of 14 police officers attending a two-day seminar on race relations and sexual harassment that ended Friday...

America's senior citizens deserve the freedom to earn without losing Social Security income, U.S. Sen. John Ashcroft said Friday during a visit to Cape Girardeau. Ashcroft met with a handful of senior citizens near the checkout counters at Schnucks supermarket...

A 20-year-old woman has alleged that she was sexually abused over the past 15 years by a Cape Girardeau man, the Cape Girardeau County prosecutor's office said. Paul D. Rains, 48, has been charged with 10 separate felony crimes in connection with the woman's testimony to police, said Lora Cooper, assistant prosecuting attorney...

THANK GOODNESS for Jim Drury. At least the taxpayers in Cape have someone backing them. The city fathers prefer to do it their way regardless of the outcome of the elections. We do not need the River Campus project. If the state thinks we do, then I think that should be put to a vote. Let the taxpayers decide, not the governor. It's not their money to use as they see fit. It is the taxpayers' money...

To the editor: I am concerned about the affirmation of social gospel, which is being pushed on Americans in the name of Christ and good. This election year has spurred religion as part of politics. In article and editorial one after another, individuals are praising the fact that our government officials are finally going to join with the religious leaders in this country to "solve our nation's problems." Texas Gov. ...

I received some interesting e-mails in response to my last column. Last time I wrote that Republicans have nothing to fear from the dirty campaign that Al Gore is guaranteed to wage against George Bush. There is plenty of ammo available against Gore, and Bush appears to be prepared to use it...

The child development center formerly operated by Easter Seals has found temporary quarters in the former convent building at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Its relocation and reopening are a tribute to staff members and parents who took a proactive approach to the decision to close the center...

Improving reading skills in early grades is an issue in the Missouri General Assembly. The push is a response to persistent concerns that too many Missouri students are graduating without knowing how to read. There is simply no substitution for good reading skills. Reading is the basis for everything else a child will learn. Any help the state can give to put additional emphasis on reading skills and incentives would be helpful -- granted, of course, it comes without bureaucratic headaches...

But for now, Indians' coach Gary Garner and his team -- despite taking the 10th ranked team in the nation down to the wire and nearly pulling off a huge upset only to lose 64-61 Thursday -- are still somewhat gloomy after a night's rest. "The team is very disappointed, naturally," said Garner Friday. "They'll get over it but it may take a while...

ST. LOUIS -- Cape Girardeau Central High's girls swimming team had some solid performances but still finished in last place during Friday's Rockwood Summit Quad. Defending state champion Marquette won the meet with 580 points, followed by host Summit (476), Eureka (410) and Cape Central (343)...

JACKSON -- Todd Ladd of Jackson recorded his first hole-in-one while playing Friday at Bent Creek Golf Course. Ladd used a 6-iron to ace the 183-yard No. 8 hole. He was playing with Bob Engelhart, Jack Pettet and Chris Curtis.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Southeast Missouri State University's softball team, after two losses, picked up its first win in the Capital Classic Tournament Friday night by beating Louisville 4-3. Earlier Friday, Nebraska no-hit Southeast 7-2. The Otahkians had started the tourney Thursday night by losing to Utah 16-5. Southeast faced host Cal State-Sacramento in a late game Friday...

NEW ORLEANS -- The Southeast Missouri State University golf team, led by a fourth-place finish by Jason Owen, placed eighth in the two-day New Orleans Collegiate Classic that concluded Thursday. The University of New Orleans, the host school, won the 18-team event with a 594 total, seven strokes ahead of Jacksonville State...

ANNA, Ill. -- Anna Ruth Boswell, 76, of Anna died Friday, March 17, 2000, at her home. She was born Aug. 25, 1923, daughter of George and Mittie Clements Stephenson at Wheatcroft, Ky. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Anna and was retired from the former Anna State Hospital...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Funeral for Dee-Bo Oliphant of East Prairie will be held at 2 p.m. today at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie. Burl Britt and Thomas Shannon will officiate. Burial will be in Dogwood Cemetery. Oliphant, 67, died Thursday, March 16, 2000, at East Prairie Nursing Center...

JACKSON -- Beulah V. King, 77, of Jackson died Thursday, March 16, 2000, at Jackson Manor. She was born April 14, 1922, in Leona, Kan., daughter of Thomas Andrew and Rose Ellen Kline Lynch. She and Benjamin A. King were married May 13, 1940, in Rule, Ark. He died Dec. 12, 1997...

BROSELEY -- Patricia Gale Brown, 49, of Broseley died Thursday, March 16, 2000, at Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus. She was born Jan. 31, 1951, in Sikeston, daughter of Louis W. and Lola Lea Flippin Martin. She and John W. Brown were married April 5, 1970...

Son to Jeffrey Michael and Karen Sue Drury of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 2:25 p.m. Thursday, March 9, 2000. Name, Jonothon Michael. Weight, 7 pounds 4 ounces. Third son. Mrs. Drury is the former Karen Tiehes, daughter of Bob Tiehes of Cape Girardeau. She is a self-employed child care provider. Drury is the son of Ray Drury and Shirley Drury of Cape Girardeau. He is a warehouseman at Jim Wilson Co...

Pauline M. Henson, 76, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, March 16, 2000, at Heartland Care and Rehab Center. She was born Dec. 14, 1923, at Cardwell, daughter of Jesse and Lettie Coleman Hervey. She and Leonard Henson were married July 20, 1946, at Hannibal...

PERRYVILLE -- Edrie L. Hennemann, 95, of Perryville died Thursday, March 16, 2000, at PerryOaks Manor. She was born Feb. 22, 1905, in Perry County, daughter of Herbert and Ellen Lee Sides. She and Herman A. Hennemann were married Feb. 3, 1925. Hennemann was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church...

PERRYVILLE -- Funeral for Howard J. Sutterer of Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau will be held at 1 p.m. today at Young and Sons Funeral Home. The Rev. Rich Laus will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until service time...

CYPRESS, Ill. -- Graveside service for John E. Francis of Cypress will be held at 1 p.m. today at Masonic Cemetery. The Rev. Joey Dunning will officiate. Friends may call at Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak from 10 a.m. to noon. Francis, 87, died Wednesday, March 15, 2000, at his farm...

PERRYVILLE -- Dolores T. Martens, 80, of Perryville died Friday, March 17, 2000, at Perry County Nursing Home. She was born May 7, 1919, in Perry County, daughter of Martz and Ellen Doll Brown. She marred Joseph J. Martens Nov. 23, 1940, in Perryville...

Irene Davis, 80, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, March 16, 2000, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home.

SCOTT CITY -- Funeral for Lottie Lucille Doll of Scott City will be held at 11 a.m. today at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City. The Rev. Jack Hargraves will officiate. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park. Friends may call at the chapel after 10 a.m...

ANNA, Ill. -- Justin King, 18, of Anna died Wednesday, March 15, 2000, at Union County Hospital from injuries received in an automobile accident. He was born Nov. 4, 1981, in Carbondale, son of Billy Joe and Denise Dammeyer King. King was a senior at Anna Jonesboro Community High School, where he was a member of the Wildcat Varsity baseball and football teams and was all-conference and all-South. He was a member of the school's Outdoor Club and a member of Mount Glen Deer Camp...

SCOTT CITY -- James Charles "J.C." Whitworth, 72, of Scott City died Thursday, March 16, 2000, at Chaffee Nursing Center. He was born Dec. 29, 1927, at Catron, son of James Roosevelt and Myrtle Lynn Whitworth. He and Edith Marie Sturm were married Sept. 18, 1946, at Fornfelt. She died Feb. 22, 2000...

Russell T. Richards, 86, of Sioux Falls, S.D., died Thursday, March 16, 2000, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. He was born March 2, 1914, in St. Louis, son of Leslie A. and Emma Bell Richards. He and Helen "Gussie" Richards were married Dec. 24, 1943, at Farmington...

Cecil Margaret White, 81, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, March 16, 2000, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born Sept. 21, 1918, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Oscar Luther and Tava Delilah Brown Bennett. She and Harold White were married Dec. 31, 1938, in Cape Girardeau. He died March 12, 1990...