Stories from Monday, September 11, 2000

We were saddened to read about the death of Rudolph A. Wendelin. Wendelin, you see, was sort of a cartoonist, although he hasn't received the laurels of more well-known artists such as Charles Schultz (Peanuts), Mort Walker (Beetle Bailey) or Murat B. "Chic" Young (Dagwood and Blondie)...

Citing rising labor costs, Schnucks Markets, Inc. officials have announced that they would close three stores in the St. Louis area. The area's largest supermarket chain said its employees' union demands had increased costs in operating the stores. The closings at locations on Cass Avenue, North Kingshighway and Gravois Road, are expected to bring no layoffs, officials said. The 73 full-time and 184 part-time workers will be transferred to other stores...

A key to rising living standards soared at a 5.7 percent rate in the second quarter, putting the gain in American workers' productivity over the past year at the fastest pace in 17 years. Labor costs fell. The Labor Department reported Wednesday that the revised figure for productivity -- the amount of output for each hour of work -- was even stronger than the sizable 5.3 percent annual rate previously estimated. ...

Occupational Drug and Alcohol Collection Services (ODACS), Inc., headquartered at Park Hills, Mo., has opened an office at 1213A N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. ODACS, Inc. provides a variety of drug and alcohol testing and screening programs and services...

Crude oil prices raced to their highest level in 10 years Wednesday on the New York Mercantile Exchange and analysts said they may go much higher if OPEC doesn't step up production significantly, and soon. For consumers, that could translate into pricier gasoline and heftier home heating bills this winter...

Missouri apples are ripe for the picking. More than 50 apple orchards are located in the state, with a number of them in the Southeast Missouri area. Tammy Bruckerhoff, horticulture marketing specialist for the Missouri Department of Agriculture, reports an abundance of apples this year...

When Tina McMahon reports for a sitter's job, it may be for one horse or a dozen. Or more. McMahon recently reported for "horse-sitting" duty at a ranch where she cared for 19 horses. "It doesn't matter," said McMahon, who calls herself "The Horse Sitter.' "I'll care for one, or many."...

Since its introduction a few years ago, the Roth IRA has attracted a lot of attention among people interested in saving for retirement, but the Roth has other uses, as well, and you may be interested in them -- particularly if you have college-bound children...

Imagine spending 24 hours a day with your spouse. More and more couples are opting for the 24-hour lifestyle in which they building a strong business on a strong relationship. These especially compatible couples are exquisite communicators who think it's fun to hash out business ideas and solve problems together at the office and in the home...

Ram Power Services has moved its shop and offices to 4740 State Highway 74 at Cape Girardeau. The company offers a variety of professional sanitation services, including the opening of drain lines, liquid waste hauling and portable toilet rentals. Jack Davis, who purchased Ram Power in 1998, and his son, Jacob Davis, operate the business...

Larry Hanning of Burfordville, a plant protection specialist with the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Plant Industries Division, has received the Carl Carlson Distinguished Achievement Award in Regulatory Plant Protection. The national award recognizes achievement in the field of regulatory plant protect. Hanning was honored for his knowledge of plant pest affecting the nursery and greenhouse industries an his willingness to share this information with the industry...

Jayne Ervin, president of Jayson Jewelers in Cape Girardeau, has planned a diamond-buying trip to Belgium. Ervin, a local diamond importer and member of the Retail Jewelers Organization (RJO), will purchase a number of quality loose diamonds in Antwerp, Belgium...

Steve Duke of Sikeston was recently certified as a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Duke, who is observing his 30 anniversary with the Missouri Department of Transportation, has served as the Southeast District coordinator/planner more than three years...

William R. "Bill" Schott and Harold G. Fallert, certified public accountants with Schott & Van de Ven, Certified Public Accountants, recently completed specialized classes on handling IRS criminal tax inquiries and procedures. The classes, conducted in St. Louis, were presented by an attorney who specializes in civil and criminal tax litigation with the IRS...

Cape Girardeau's newest floodwall mural would reflect the city's river heritage and serve as both a tourist and educational attraction, supporters of the project say. The city could get the new floodwall mural and a scenic overlook if two funding applications to the Missouri Department of Transportation are approved. Both projects have already been endorsed by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce and hope to use federal transportation money set aside for beautification projects...

Max Jauch hasn't worked in too many places, but the 33-year career firefighter never wanted to. "When I came here to start work, I planned on retiring here," Jauch said. After last Friday he won't work anywhere. Cape Girard-eau's assistant fire chief is retiring...

JACKSON, Mo. -- A stampede occurs every time the school bell rings at R.O. Hawkins Junior High. Students rush into the hallways during the period of time between each class assignment, hoping to carve a quick path through crowded hallways. Those in the lead are fairly successful in navigating the narrow corridors. But those students taking up the rear find themselves being pushed, prodded, bumped and jabbed by nearly 800 students traveling multiple directions simultaneously...

A few raindrops and overcast skies didn't stop Larissa Hawthorne, 3, from bringing her horse to the SEMO District Fair Sunday. She pointed out where her horse had gotten wet from the rain as she climbed atop a concrete barrier to get a better look at the animals inside the ring at the grandstand...

Today's road closings: n Frederick from Broadway to William streets will be closed for asphalt overlay. Delays are expected while the road is prepared and curb and gutter work finished. The signals at Independence and West End Boulevard will not function today and Tuesday morning...

Today Grandstand: 7:30 p.m., Demolition Derby. Special event, 5:30 p.m., parade to fairgrounds. Judging. 4-H entries in exhibit hall. Astro Amusements, $14 bands, 5-11 p.m. Tuesday Grandstand: 7:30 p.m., Mini Car Figure 8 Derby. Astro Amusements, $14 bands, 5-11 p.m...

Jessica Davis had a difficult time coaxing her goat, Lucy, into the ring Sunday afternoon but once she did the two emerged triumphant. The goat wasn't any more compliant when it came time to take photographs, either. Dressed in a fluorescent pink hat complete with blonde ringlets, Lucy, a 3-year-old black goat and Davis of Park Hills, Mo., pranced around the parade ring like experts Sunday afternoon during the annual pet parade at the SEMO District Fair...

ST. LOUIS -- Perryville High's softball team went 3-1 Saturday to win the consolation title in the Seckman Tournament. The Lady Pirates, 8-3 on the season, lost to Oakville 3-0 but came back to beat Jackson 2-0, Pacific 8-2 and Affton 5-0. Amanda Roth hurled two shutouts for the Lady Pirates while Megan Narrow recorded the other victory...

Southeast Missouri State University quarterback Bobby Brune and wide receiver Curtis Cooper have been honored by the Ohio Valley Conference for their performances during Saturday's thrilling 34-33 win at Southern Illinois. Brune was named co-offensive player of the week, along with Eastern Kentucky quarterback Waylon Chapman. A junior, Brune came off the bench late in the second quarter to complete 16 of 25 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns as the Indians rallied from a 31-0 deficit...

Two men were injured in accidents Sunday on Southeast Missouri highways. Eric Williams, 27, of Sikeston, Mo., was flown to St. Francis Medical Center. Williams was injured when his vehicle crossed the center line on U.S. 60 three miles east of Charleston, Mo., and hit the rear of a tractor-trailer truck driven by Steven Holmes, 38, of Oran, Mo...

ANNA, Ill. -- Grace Penninger, 84, of Anna, Ill., died Sunday, Sept. 10, 2000, at the Jonesboro Health Care Center in Jonesboro, Ill. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna.

Gertrude M. Miget, 93, formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Saturday, Sept. 9, 2000, at Johnson County Nursing Center in Olathe, Kan. She was born May 7, 1907, at Kirksville, Mo., daughter of Alfred and Mary McCartney Lawrence. She and Harry Miget were married in November 1933 in Cape Girardeau. ...

ULLIN, Ill. -- Marcia Kearney, 86, of Ullin died Saturday, Sept. 9, 2000, at her home. She was born Oct. 4, 1913, at Ullin, daughter of John and Dora Simmons Sutton. She and Edward R. Kearney were married March 14, 1937. He died Nov. 10, 1995. She was a member of the Reorganized Church of Latter-day Saints at Webbtown, Ill...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- Rachel LaCole Henry, 14, of East Prairie died Sunday, Sept. 10, 2000, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo., from injuries received in an automobile accident. She was born April 14, 1986, at Sikeston, daughter of Angie Lowry Henry of East Prairie and Glen Alan Henry of East Prairie...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Lillian Ollie Myers, 94, of Brownwood, Mo., died Sunday, Sept. 10, 2000, at Scenic View Nursing Home in Herculaneum, Mo. She was born May 21, 1906, at Mount Vernon, Ill., daughter of Edward and Sarah Sims Morlan. She and Arthur Myers were married Nov. 5, 1922, at Hahn, Mo. He died June 19, 1980...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Lorraine M. Thurman, 78, of Sikeston died Saturday, Sept. 9, 2000, at Clearview Nursing Center in Sikeston. She was born July 20, 1922, at Bloomfield, Mo., daughter of Edward and Mary Shock Harrington. She and William C. Thurman were married April 3, 1941, at Charleston, Mo. He died March 15, 1977...

SCOTT CITY, Mo. -- Dovie "Verdel" Reeves, 72, of Scott City died Saturday, Sept. 9, 2000, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born Feb. 11, 1928, in Dustin, Okla., daughter of Galby and Samantha Turner Pettey. She and Raymond Arco Reeves were married March 22, 1953, in New Madrid, Mo. He died Sept. 24, 1994...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- A 14-year-old girl died Sunday from injuries she received in a single-vehicle accident late Saturday night. Rachel Henry of East Prairie was killed when she was thrown from the vehicle in which she had been a passenger. Henry was airlifted to Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo., following the accident and died at the hospital Sunday afternoon...

A POLL shows over 90 percent of the television news media reporters are liberal Democrats on national news. They still say they give an unbiased reporting of the news. Just how could this be? All the major networks anchors are Democrats. The producers and writers are all liberals. ...

The company that monitors telephone number assignments says Southern Illinois is running out of numbers and it may be necessary to assign new area codes in the sprawling 618 area code that stretches from East St. Louis to the Indiana border and from Calhoun County on the north to the Kentucky state line...

What seems an eternity has passed since the Cape Girardeau County Commission decided to look into a way to coordinate public transportation in the county so that everyone -- city and rural dwellers alike -- can find a way to get where they need to go when they want to go...