Stories from Sunday, June 11, 2000

25 years ago, 1975 Gov. Christopher S. Bond Wednesday appointed Jackson Republican, Chester A. McCain, as new coroner of Cape Girardeau County; he will fill two years remaining on term of George F. Rouse of Cape Girardeau, who resigned. Fourth change order in building addition to Lenco, Inc., which is being financed through industrial bond revenue, was approved by City Council Monday; latest increase was for $3,676.30...

Jackson High School-- Valedictorian: Jamie Dost of Jackson, 18, daughter of Gary and Sheri Dost. Recieved 2000 Missouri Award for Outstanding Achievement in Citizenship, Bright Flight Scholarship. Was active in Student Council, FBLA, HI-STEP, Teen Spirit, and Vice President of her class. Will attend the University of Missouri-Columbia...

Earlier this year, after joining a Yahoo club for U.S. history, I selected my version of "The 100 Most Significant Americans," hoping others would join suit. No one did, although one college student posted her first 10, before dropping out. It is a rather daunting task. Still, putting the list together was intriguing...

Activities will run all day July 4, in the Jackson City Park. The Jackson Jaycees' annual holiday schedule includes an annual fun run, mud volleyball, a pedal tractor pull and plenty of food, children's' rides and craft stands. A petting zoo and other events will also be featured...

Several new titles are on the shelves at the Jackson branch of the Riverside Regional Library. In the Adult division, new titles include The Indwelling by Tim LaHaye, Cradle and All by James Patterson, The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier, The Second Silence by Eileen Goudge, Jade by V.C. ...

The Jackson Girls Basketball Camp for girls in grades four through seven will be held June 19-22. Girls entering grades four and five will attend from 1-2:30 p.m., while sixth and seventh graders will attend 2:30-4 p.m. Both sessions will be held in the multi-purpose building...

The Jackson High School cross-country team will hold a cross-country camp June 19-23 in the Jackson City Park. The camp will be held 7-8:30 p.m. Runners will meet at the pavilion above the swimming pool. The camp is for anyone entering grades 7-12, boy or girl, who is interested in running cross-country this fall or in the future. There is no fee to attend the camp. Participants should come dressed to run, with running shoes...

Employees of ARI Industries donated their time and equipment to grill 1,000 hot dogs for Jackson High School students during a recent Drug Free Lunch. The event was sponsored by the drug Free School/Community Council and the Teen Spirit group of Jackson High School. The event promoted staying drug free for the 2000 prom...

The city of Jackson has completed a major upgrade in its communication repeater systems for the Police, Fire and Public Works departments. Each department is now transmitting on its own improved channel. A repeater is a radio mounted on a tower that is able to be contacted by another radio and then the tower radio re-transmits or repeats the radio signal back to the base station. ...

Crowds have flocked to Metropolis, Ill. this weekend to take part in the city's 22nd annual Superman Celebration. The festival continues today. Margo Kidder; Noel Neill METROPOLIS, Ill. -- "The spandex is comfortable," said Superman, a.k.a. Scott Cranford, the 6-1, 208 pound former professional body builder from Los Angeles...

Most marched. Some came on in-line skates, others rode bicycles. A few youngsters were placed in strollers, others in little red wagons. A few people rode in vehicles and at least one participant made the annual mile and a half "March for Jesus" in his wheelchair...

In response to a reader survey, the Southeast Missourian has changed its Sunday comics to include cartoon strips that topped our list of reader requests. Baby Blues, Rose is Rose, Dilbert, Zits and Cathy join the color line-up today. On Monday, we'll introduce six new daily comics and a feature page...

Tracking the possibility of racial profiling by law enforcement agencies might be a good idea, but a new law signed by Gov. Mel Carnahan last Monday is the wrong approach, some Cape Girardeau County lawmen say. "This will do little to solve the problem, if one exists here," said John Jordan, Cape Girardeau County sheriff...

Whether their loss stems from the death of a relative or friend, the separation or divorce of their parents or a move and the resulting loss of friends, children go through the same grieving process as adults. The trouble is children often haven't developed coping mechanisms or ways to express their feelings, said Pat Hill, registered director for the area for Rainbows, a program that attempts to help children who have suffered loss develop such mechanisms through facilitator-led support groups...

It's interesting how expectations can often times affect the way an athlete looks at things. Take the two Southeast Missouri State University players who were selected in this past week's amateur baseball draft. Jeremy Johnson was disappointed to 'only' go in the 26th round. That's because SEMO's record-setting outfielder thought he would be taken in at least the first 20 rounds -- and possibly in the top 10, which would have meant a nice signing bonus...

With nearly half of his team's players out of town for a variety of reasons, Cape Girardeau Ford & Sons American Legion baseball manager Ron Michel knew it would be extremely difficult to defeat highly-regarded Ballwin Saturday afternoon in the Capaha Classic Tournament...

ST. LOUIS -- Pitchers for the McDowell Capahas allowed no earned runs in 17 impressive innings Saturday, but the team still had to settle for a doubleheader split with host O.B. Clark. The Capahas pushed across five runs in the top of the 11th inning to prevail 5-0 in the opener, then fell 3-2 in a nightcap that went the regulation seven innings...

I knew it was spring when they came back. Oh, they were not subtle at all. Metallic chipping and buzzing noises were just a prelude to the U-shaped dance they would perform. The acrobatics, color, speed and fragile appearance were impossible to ignore...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Waynas Garrison, 64, of Bloomfield died Friday, June 9, 2000, at Lucy Lee Hospital in Poplar Bluff. He was born June 26, 1935, in Double Springs, Ala., son of Check and Clara Sutherland Garrison. He and Delores Griffin were married Aug. 7, 1953...

PUXICO, Mo. -- A single-vehicle accident Thursday evening near Puxico injured five Dexter men, two of them seriously. Derrick Null, 20, and Michael Prunty, 36, sustained serious injuries in the 6:55 p.m. accident on Route PP, 5 miles east of Puxico...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Eleanor T. Whistler, 85, of Perryville died on Friday, June 9, 2000, at the Perry County Nursing Home. She was born Nov. 27, 1914, at Perry County, daughter of Gilbert and Edna Kuhlman Richardet. She and Bernard T. Whistler were married May 18, 1937. He preceded her in death Aug. 28, 1989...

DONGOLA, Ill. -- Maldetta M. Ritchey Compton, 79, formerly of Cypress, Ill., died on Friday, June 9, 2000, at Boulevard Terrace Nursing Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. She was the daughter of Bryan and Ethel Lingle Ritchey. She married William Eugene Compton...

Elsie (Kamp) Shafer, 85, of Jackson died Saturday, June 10, 2000, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Charlette J. Averitt, 62, of Sikeston and formerly of Miner, died Thursday, June 8, 2000, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. She was born Feb. 26, 1938 in Morehouse, daughter of Charles and Rozella Hubbard Bryan Sr. She and Raymond Averitt were married on Nov. 25, 1970...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Alvin Roy Duniphan, 84, of Zalma died Friday, June 9, 2000, at Doctors' Regional Hospital in Poplar Bluff. Duniphan was a retired farmer. He was a member of Bright Prospect Church. He and Thelma Coats were married on Jan. 25, 1936, at Arab, Mo...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- David Wilfong, 69, of Bloomfield died Saturday, June 10, 2000, at his home. He was born July 29, 1930, at Puxico, son of Martin and Ester Harrington Wilfong. He moved to California in 1946, where he worked as a heavy equipment operator for West Valley Construction Co. in Chico, Calif. He returned to Southeast Missouri in 1991. He lived at Ellsinore and recently moved to near Bloomfield. He was a member of the Puxico First Baptist Church...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Olida Edna Gerler, 84, of Perryville died Friday, June 9, 2000, at Perry County Nursing Home in Perryville. She was born Nov. 20, 1915 at Wittenberg, daughter of Reinhold and Lydia (Lawrence) Schuessler. She and Rudolf Gerler were married June 30, 1937...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Raymond Harris, 55, of Sikeston died Thursday, June 8, 2000 at St. Francis Medical Center. He was born Feb. 4, 1945 in St. Louis, son of Pernella Williams and the late Jessie Harris. He attended Charleston High School and was employed by Frucon in Cape Girardeau. He was a member of New Haven Church of God in Christ in Wilson City...

SCOTT CITY, Mo. -- Martin Henry Welter, 97, of Scott City died Thursday, June 8, 2000, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born Sept. 15, 1902, at Sikeston, son of Jacob P. Welter and Josephine Pfefferkorn Welter. He married Cecilia Frances Vanderfeltz Lix Sept. 15, 1956. She preceded him in death Aug. 8, 1985...

JACKSON, Mo. -- George H. Webster, 75, of Jackson died Friday, June 9, 2000, at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis. He was born Nov. 16, 1924, in West Frankfort, Ill., son of George and Edith Gray Webster. He and Mary Edith Sine were married Aug. 1, 1953...

To the editor: Your opinion section on drug courts hit the mark. I believe the program in the 32nd Judicial Circuit will take shape. I think all the judges of the 32nd Judicial Circuit want those with alcohol and drug problems to overcome their addictions...

This may be one of those columns that when you have finished reading it, you wonder why you invested the time. It's not my purpose to stop you in mid-sentence, but following the tenets of truth-in-advertising, I should warn you this piece is about a problem that may never appear, and even if it does, it may not impact your life or the lives of your children...

Twelve-year-old George Thampy, of Maryland Heights, Mo., distinguished himself the week before last by winning the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee. Thampy is taught at home by his mother along with five of his six siblings. Not only that, but Thampy had been runner-up the week before at the National Geography Bee and had competed at the top levels of the national spelling bee in two previous years. ...

The U.S. Supreme Court handed down an important ruling this week in a case from Washington state concerning grandparents' visitation rights. The high court gave new vigor to parents' "fundamental right" to raise their families free from government interference, ruling that Washington state went too far in letting grandparents and other seek visitation. ...

To the editor: Russia will be foolish, indeed, if she takes President Clinton at his word that the United States' development of a dependable missile defense system -- in the unlikely event that it occurs -- poses no threat to her. Reason it out: Who is more likely to use his sword: the swordsman who has a shield, or the swordsman who has none?...

Last week's column introduced the grassroots effort under way in Michigan to pass a school-choice initiative on this November's ballot. Backed by Dick and Betsey DeVos of AmWay Corp. fame, this bold plan promises to be well-funded and differs from previous school-choice ballot propositions in a several important respects...

Pretend you won a million dollars, and had the opportunity to buy your dad something special for Father's Day. What would you buy him and what would you do with any left over money? We posed this question to some kids at A Small World and A Step at a Time preschools in Cape and their responses were unique, strange and interesting. So dads, be prepared. Spelling errors have been corrected...

OLIVE BRACH, Ill. -- Mr. and Mrs. Gene Phillips of Olive Branch will observe their 50th wedding anniversary June 15. Phillips and Jeanette Welch were married June 15, 1950, in Piggott, Ark. They have four children, Ruth Polivick of Olive Branch, Wayne Phillips of Tamms, Harold Phillips of Blandville, Ky., and Mike Phillips of Reidland, Ky. The couple has 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren...

RANDLES, Mo. == Mr. and Mrs. John Joseph Dohogne of Randles celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary May 6, 2000. A special mass was held to bless the couple's marriage at Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Oran. A reception and dance was held at Oran Knights of Columbus Hall, with more than 200 guests attending...

NEW WELLS, Mo. -- Marie Rogers and Al Brown were married April 22, 2000, at the home of her mother. Judge Edith Rutter performed the double ring ceremony. Soloist was Andrea Penzel, daughter of Phil and Sandy Penzel. The former Ms. Rogers is the daughter of Faye Barnes of Annapolis...

MILLERSVILLE, Mo. -- Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Jones of Millersville celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary early with a dinner at Drury Lodge April 22, 2000. Hosts were their children and spouses, Mr. and Mrs. Randy Jones of Delaware, Ohio, and Dr. and Mrs. Aris Adams of Columbia...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Randall Reisenbichler and Patricia Turner of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Emily Suzanne Reisenbichler, to James Arthur MacLean II. He is the son of James and Sandra MacLean of Columbia. Reisenbichler is a 1996 graduate of Jackson High School. She graduated in May from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she majored in biochemistry. She is a laboratory technician in veterinary pathobiology at the University of Missouri...

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen L. Slaten of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Stephanie Michelle Slaten, to Jacob Michael Shreve. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Shreve of Fairfield, Ill. Slaten is a 1996 graduate of Central High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in mass communication from Southeast Missouri State University in 1999. She is a graphic designer at Motorcycle Stuff in Cape Girardeau...

SCOTT CITY, Mo. -- Jerome and Jane Gulley of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Janel D. Gulley, to Jonathon E. Wilburn, both of Scott City. He is the son of Terry Wilburn of Poplar Bluff and Carol Wilburn of Scott City. Gulley is a 1994 graduate of Scott City High School. She is employed at LeeRowan Co. in Jackson...

Roger and Connie Friedrich of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Nicole Renay Friedrich, to Vance Thomas Hazelwood Jr. He is the son of Vance and Debbie Hazelwood Sr. Friedrich is a 1994 graduate of Notre Dame High School, and a 2000 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. She is employed at St. Francis Medical Center...

Fred and Kathy Voss of Rolla announce the engagement of their daughter, Lisa Voss, to Josh Berens. He is the son of Paul and Carol Berens of Cape Girardeau. Voss is a 1993 graduate of Rolla High School, and attended Southeast Missouri State University. She is a nurse at Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Leanne Cook-Flook of Liberty and Ray H. Cook of Allenville announce the engagement of their daughter, Dena Reigh Cook-Warren, to Steven Glenn Milz, both of Chaffee. He is the son of Glenda Peters of Chaffee and Joe Peters of DeSoto. Cook-Warren is a graduate of Chaffee High School. She is employed by Tri County Group IV in Sikeston...

June. Time for my summer report from the creek banks. I have often complained about the sad condition of the banks that stretch off Cape LaCroix Creek from the old troll bridge to the new one and even farther up and down the stream. They have been caving in, big time, for years. ...

The great room of this house at 4217 County Road 620 north of Cape Girardeau features a beamed, vaulted ceiling with a bay window near the dining room. This brick ranch house at 4217 County Road 620 offers a panoramic view of the countryside. Regardless of where you are on the main level of this hilltop home, the view of the surrounding area is breathtaking...