Stories from Friday, June 2, 2000

A Boys and Girls Club could provide a safe place where youths from Cape Girardeau would find lots of activities done consistently with positive adults. But does Cape Girardeau need such a club? That is the question Fred Paulke, regional director for Boys and Girls Clubs of America, put to a group of board members and directors of local organizations meeting to learn what is needed to charter a club here...

Verna Landis in her younger days. Verna Landis spends most of her days nestled in a velvet chair at Chatau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau, claiming she possesses no secrets or strategies for her long life. On June 12, the former Cape Girardeau city clerk of 56 years, will turn 100...

Because of his brother's quick thinking, Andrew Wethington's only lasting injury from accidentally hanging himself is rope burns on his neck. Andrew, 11, and his 8-year-old brother, Kyle Flynn, were all smiles as they sat on Andrew's bed at St. Francis Medical Center just before he was released Thursday afternoon. But on Wednesday afternoon the pair had been in a life-or-death situation that unfolded in the Flynns' back yard...

The Missouri Conservation Department won't go to war with area veterans over a proposal to move the Cape Girardeau County War Memorial to make room for a nature center. Conservation Department architect Keith Lesko said Thursday that his agency can work around the memorial if area veterans' groups don't want it moved...

Let me tie up a few loose ends: The superhero search: A few weeks ago, you will remember, I offered my services to be Superman during the big whingding coming up in Metropolis, Ill. The city fathers in Metropolis were looking for someone to portray the Man of Steel so tourists wouldn't have to leave town without chatting with someone in skin-tight pajamas and a cape...

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education will sell the building that currently houses the district's administrative offices and move into a building it currently owns within the next two years. The school board will select a realtor by the end of the month to handle the advertisement and sale of the building located at 61 N. Clark. The building and approximately one acre of land were appraised earlier this year at about $430,000...

Three Charleston men pled guilty to drug trafficking in federal court, the U.S. Attorney's office said. Brock E. Smith, 24, and Woodrow Chapman Jr., 23, each pled guilty to three felony crimes. They admitted to conspiracy to distribute over 50 grams of cocaine base, aiding and abetting distribution of cocaine base and distribution of more than five grams, Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Hahn said...

PRAIRIE DU ROCHER, Ill. -- As many as 6,000 to 7,000 people will flood into this small community this weekend for the annual Rendezvous at Fort de Chartres, an annual re-enactment of life on the 18th century frontier. Visitors will be coming by ferry across Mississippi River, and by and highway to the two-day rendezvous, one of the largest gathering of 1700s-era soldiers, settlers, traders and campers in the Midwest...

A Cape Girardeau man has been found guilty of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl. Y.T. Irving Jr., 44, was found guilty of first degree statutory rape by a jury on Wednesday after three hours of deliberations, said Angel Woodruff, Cape Girardeau County assistant prosecuting attorney...

The USS Black Hawk, a United States Navy Ship, will stop in Cape Girardeau for five days this month. The minesweeper is on a Mississippi River Cruise, to promote Navy awareness in the Midwest, said Trevor Hoehne, from the local U.S. Navy Recruiting office in Cape Girardeau...

JACKSON, Mo. -- U.S. Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond says he will vote for the China trade deal because it is good for business. The Republican senator from Missouri told about 30 political and business leaders in Jackson Thursday that it is in the nation's best interest to extend permanent normal trade relations status to China...

St. Vincent players saluted their fans after they defeated North Shelby 9-0 to win the Class 1A state championship Thursday in Columbia. COLUMBIA -- Forget about the record. Forget about the No. 3 district seed. St. Vincent is undeniably the best team in Class 1A...

COLUMBIA -- It wasn't exactly what Notre Dame had hoped for, but the Bulldogs' super class of seniors ended their careers with a win. Notre Dame knocked off Forsyth 6-4 Thursday to take third place in the Class 2A baseball championships held at Simmons Field...

Jeff Unterreiner carded his first career hole-in-one Thursday at Cape Girardeau Country Club. Unterreiner accomplished the feat with an 8-iron on No. 11, a 135-yard par 3. Witnesses were Ronn Unterreiner, Lee Weed, Bill Engleman and Bob Hemperley.

Cape Girardeau Ford & Sons and Chaffee are both looking for strong seasons while Jackson has a new manager and is hoping to improve its program as the 2000 American Legion baseball campaign approaches. Cape, Jackson and Chaffee all compete in District 14 that has added a new team in Stoddard County to bring the district's membership up to eight squads...

Edwin P. Kurre, 89, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, June 1, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center. He was born March 9, 1911, at Daisy, son of Ira Otis and Linnie Rose Kayser Kurre. He and Ethel B. Myers were married April 18, 1933. She died Aug. 5, 1999...

MCGEE -- Dorma Jean Walker, 64, of McGee died Thursday, June 1, 2000, at Advance Nursing Home in Advance. She was born Aug. 12, 1935, at Silva, daughter of David and Mary Strickland White. She and William LeRoy Walker were married Oct. 24, 1953. Walker attended Lutesville Assembly of God Church. She was a charter member, vice president, and currently Mother of the Year of Advance Eagles Aerie 4154...

Lillian Emma Stehr, 91, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, June 1, 2000, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born Jan. 17, 1909, at Gordonville, daughter of Jacob and Emma Siemers Schwab. She and Edger R. Stehr were married Sept. 18, 1932, at Gordonville. He died April 28, 1953...

MOREHOUSE -- Allen "Bud" King, 82, of Morehouse died Thursday, June 1, 2000, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born Sept. 1, 1917, in St. Francis, Ark., son of William Augustus "Gus" and Ottie Miner King. He and Olive Turner were married Dec. 23, 1935, at Sikeston...

JACKSON -- Clara Ellen Schneider, 60, of Jackson died Thursday, June 1, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born March 19, 1940, at Painton, daughter of Charlie and Agnes Barker Friedrich. She and Willard A. Schneider were married Feb. 1, 1963, at Oak Ridge...

FRIEDHEIM -- Donald N. Klaus, 69, of Friedheim died Thursday, June 1, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Sept. 21, 1930, at Friedheim, son of Norbert F. and Lorene Sauer Klaus. He and Verla J. Maisel were married April 6, 1952...

JACKSON -- James C. Gibson, 47, of Jackson died Thursday, June 1, 2000. He was born March 15, 1953, at Fairmont, West Va., son of Carl Lee and Florence Irene Linger Gibson. He and Diana L. Wharton were married Feb. 27, 1975. She survives. Gibson was employed as a fiberoptic cable layer for Johnson Com Con. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and attended the Baptist church in Oak Ridge...

SIKESTON -- A memorial service for Hugh W. "Buck" Harris of Sikeston will be held at 2 p.m. today at Ponder Funeral Home. Harris, 73, died Wednesday, May 31, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Sept. 29, 1926, in Willow, Okla., son of Wade and Ima Frazier Harris. He and Evelyn Faulk were married Feb. 22, 1986...

Julia Mae Nations, 90, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, June 1, 2000, at Fountainbleau Lodge. She was born Dec. 28, 1909, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Clarence W. and Louise B. Wolsey Cannon. She and Harold B. Nations were married Nov. 16, 1931, in Cape Girardeau. He died Aug. 24, 1952...

KARNAK, Ill. -- John Kean, 86, of Karnak died Wednesday, May 31, 2000, at the home of a daughter in DeLand. Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak is in charge of arrangements.

To the editor: In reading Phil Patterson's May 25 letter: Mr. Patterson cannot hold the restaurants responsible for a person's gluttony. True, all-you-can-eat restaurants are taking advantage of a person's love of eating, but so are places like Subway and Blimpie's, which are exploiting Mr. Patterson's choice of a healthier lifestyle...

Even when President Clinton tries to do the right thing, it gets all balled up. That's certainly the case with his effort to expand trade with China. The bill to establish permanent normal trading relations between China and the United States won House approval last week, but most Democrats didn't support it. Now the bill is in the Senate, where Democrats again are promising to delay a final vote while tacking on numerous amendments...

No other president in recent history has been so engrossed in his official legacy as Bill Clinton. And newspaper columnists and TV talking heads have never been so swept up in analyzing what that legacy will be. As a result, President Clinton's trip this week to foreign destinations has given the columnists and commentators plenty to talk about. ...

To the editor: Many Americans were appalled at the predawn raid in which federal marshals battered down the front door of a Cuban-American home in Miami and snatched young Elian Gonzalez from the jaws of freedom to initiate the process of sending him back to communist oppression. The scenario is reminiscent of another incident that took place 150 years ago...

The sound of music, as provided by Cape Girardeau municipal bands, has grown better over nearly 100 years. Over the prior century, the city's municipal band experiences have varied. Teen-age boys in military uniforms have been replaced by a group of paid semi-professionals. But the consistency of gathering in the park to make music together stays the same...