Stories from Sunday, March 18, 2001

I'm uncertain when I first heard of Jackson, Mo. Certainly, it was not when I was a schoolgirl in northern Missouri where seventh-graders had to study the history of the state; everything from memorizing the Preamble and Bill of Rights of the Missouri Constitution to becoming familiar with the names of famous Missourians...

I'M CALLING for all the mothers who would like to talk to child-support enforcement. It's a Saturday. Most of us work Monday through Friday. All I've gotten is a busy signal for the last four hours, and I had the operator interrupt the line, and nobody's talking on it. I guess they take their phone off the hook on Saturdays so no one can reach them. I'd like to know what everyone else thinks of that...

KENNETT, Mo. -- Although only a few officials in Jefferson City seem to be paying attention to the problem, Missourians have experienced economic-tremor shock for the past two months as they received their local utility bills. To say the cost of staying warm this winter has increased is stating the obvious. ...

Jackson's Cody Rouse won his second AAU state wrestling championship in 2001. He also won the state title in 1999 and placed second in 2000, behind the Tulsa national champion and Missouri AAU state champion. The Jackson USA wrestling team starts the Mo./USA Wrestling Series this month, with the finals being held at the Hearnes Center at the University of Missouri - Columbia, March 23-24...

Every country has its wise sayings. For all pet lovers, the subject is dogs. Here are some famous sayings: "Its a dog-eat-dog world." "The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on." "A barking dog never bites." "The dog days of August." "A dog is man's best friend." "Every dog has his day." "He who lies down with the dogs rises up with fleas." "Let sleeping dogs lie." "Love me, love my dog " "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." "The tail doesn't wag the dog." "This world is going to the dogs."...

Mark Lanier, former baritone with the group Perfect Heart, will be in concert today at the First General Baptist Church of Jackson. He will appear at the 8:30 and 10:40 a.m. worship services. This internationally known musician and songwriter was nominated for favorite baritone seven years in succession...

Wow! Attempt to make a few savings of taxpayers' hard-earned dollars, and from the anguished outcry you would think you had ignited World War III. "This is the crucifixion of the Missouri Senate," cried a usually sensible state Sen. John Scott, the St. ...

There's a good and understandable reason why the Red Cross blood drives held at the Jackson American Legion Post are so successful: The homemade chicken soup served up by the Legion Auxiliary Unit 158. While most blood drives serve donors a cookie or a glass of fruit juice, those giving blood at the Legion Hall receive bowls of steaming hot, delicious homemade chicken noodle soup...

President Bush has praised President Kim Dae-jung of South Korea for his attempt to maintain lines of communications with North Korean leaders. But in a sharply worded admonition, the U.S. president has encouraged the South Koreans to stay on their guard...

The move toward major tax cuts appears to be on a fast track. As outlined by President Bush in his recent budget message to Congress, the nation can afford to cut taxes by $1.6 trillion over the next 10 years -- if projected surpluses materialize. That's the good news...

To the editor: I would like to know what makes a 14-year-old girl think it's OK to bury her baby in the backyard. I would also like to know why she shouldn't face charges of concealing a death. I gave birth to a son two months before I was 15 years old. I was scared of what people thought also, but I never could have done what she did. I think it's outrageous that she's getting away with this. It was a baby, not a dog...

To the editor: I could not help but respond when I read the 2000 census figures for Cape Girardeau. It seems as though the city has a very legitimate case for challenging the Census Bureau's final count. I was a student at Southeast Missouri State University and a full-time resident of Cape Girardeau from 1993 through 1997. ...

To the editor: I must respond to the letters of March 13 and 14 on divine healing. I am reminded of the words of Jesus: "You must have faith as of little children." I do not serve a God who does not show compassion. I serve a living, powerful God who has provided my every need. ...

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- In 1925, the future New York was envisioned a city where people "practically live in the sky." Aerial hangars were anticipated along with personal flying machines as common as "flivvers." In the 1950s, a future in which people lived in an Atom Bomb House built to withstand shock waves seemed possible, along with waterproof homes housewives could clean completely with a garden hose...

The course of the Mississippi River is a constant from generation to generation, a fact of life used to decide where to plant crops and build homes. But the river current is a powerful force, and erosion can change the Mississippi's flow. That force threatened Cape Girardeau agriculture consultant Lester Goodin's land at Thompson Bend, a stretch of river that, on the map, appears to rival the most nerve-racking Ozark road...

It was Dec. 15, 1905, when the first train arrived in Oak Ridge. People stood along the tracks to see the two coaches that had left Cape Girardeau early that morning. At the Jackson depot another group was added, along with some from the Fruitland and Pocahontas depots...

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- Larry and Donna Marler retired to live in a community that has benefited economically from preserving its history. Tourism and historic preservation are interrelated say the couple, who have established scholarships in both at Southeast...

Bailey's pre-school days are numbered. She's on the most-wanted list for kindergarten along with other 5-year-olds. Late last week, I took Bailey to our local elementary school to sign her up for kindergarten for the coming school year. It takes more than word of mouth or a simple signature to enroll your child in kindergarten these days. ...

With a sword in a stone and a royal atmosphere, the Cape Girardeau County American Cancer Society Gala offered something for everyone Saturday while meeting life-and-death needs. More than 300 attended the "Camelot" themed evening at the Show Me Center, where organizers anticipated raising approximately $45,000, said Mary-Ann Maloney, chairwoman for the gala. ...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Interest in Jackson School District has shifted somewhat among the most recent slate of school board hopefuls from managing districtwide enrollment growth to planning for the future of the high school campus. Incumbent Gerald Adams and challengers Donna Tidwell, Kevin Schaper, Mack Illers, James Woeltje, and Tom Liebeknecht are vying for positions on the board of education. Voters will elect two candidates to three-year terms in elections April 3...

History professor Dr. Warren F. Kimball of Rutgers University will deliver the Harold Holmes Dugger Lecture at Southeast Missouri State University on April 5. Kimball will discuss "Visions of Sugar Plums: Churchill, Roosevelt and the Postwar World" at the 8 p.m. lecture. The lecture will follow a 6:30 p.m. banquet in the Missouriana-Indian rooms at the University Center...

They don't call it March Madness for nothing. The NCAA Tournament has long been known for being a crazy, unpredictable event featuring favored, high-profile teams suffering early-round upsets at the hands of unheralded, little-known squads. But never have things been wackier than they were Thursday and Friday as the latest edition of the roundball extravaganza got under way in earnest...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- This Armstrong didn't land on the moon. But she was on a different planet Saturday night, almost single-handedly propelling ninth-ranked Stockton to a 61-42 win over top-ranked Notre Dame in the Class 2A championship game. Jenna Armstrong, a 5-foot-10 guard headed to the University of Iowa, scored 30 points, 22 of which came in the first half...

The way Southeast Missouri State University baseball coach Mark Hogan figures, Morehead State came out ahead during Saturday's doubleheader at Capaha Field -- even though the squads split. That's because Hogan believes his Indians had more at stake in the Ohio Valley Conference openers for both squads...

MUNCIE, Ind. -- Southeast Missouri State University's gymnastics team finished third in a three-team meet hosted by Ball State University on Friday. Ball State won with a 195.075 total as Western Michigan placed second with 193.675. Southeast finished with a 191.350 total...

Last season was a banner one for area high school baseball teams and this year should feature more of the same. A year ago, St. Vincent won the Class 1A state championship, Notre Dame finished third in Class 2A and Cape Girardeau Central reached the Class 4A quarterfinals...

John Kevin Wright, 33, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Dexter, Mo., died March 17, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later at Rainey Funeral Home in Dexter.

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Floyd Rogers, 77, of Bloomfield died Saturday, March 17, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was born June 7, 1923, at St. Louis, son of Henry and Opal Harper Rogers. He and Dorthia Lee Trotter were married Dec. 19, 1942, at Dexter, Mo...

Evelyn Sedonia Hopper, 87, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, March 17, 2001, at the Lutheran Home following a short illness. She was born Feb. 18, 1914, in Cape County, Mo., daughter of Albert and Clara Birk Kipping. She and Oscar Hopper were married Feb. 8, 1932. He died Oct. 6, 1997...

Donald Charles Rasche, 65, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, March 16, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was born April 11, 1935, at Cape Girardeau, son of Leo A. and Louise Wadlow Rasche. He and Margaret Ann Cleland were married April 6, 1956, at Cape Girar-deau...

CYPRESS, Ill. -- Paul Vernon Williams, 78, of Cypress died Saturday, March 17, 2001, at Carbondale Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete at the Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak, Ill.

Daughter to Toby Dean and Kimberly Kay Cook of Millersville, Mo., Southeast Missouri Hospital, 12:40 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2001. Name, Deana Kay. Weight, 5 pounds 6 ounces. Mrs. Cook is the former Kimberly Hitchcock, daughter of Jim and Karen Hitchcock. She is employed by Dr. T. Wayne Lewis. Cook is the son of Marge Cook and the late Dean Cook. He is employed at Procter & Gamble...

As new home owners, they spend hours helping with the construction of their own house, laboring over chores from hanging drywall to choosing kitchen tile. It's the kind of job welcomed by Bill Benefield and others who have benefited from a growing number of Habitat for Humanity homes...

"... a little lower than the angels." Psalm 8:5 The Taum Sauk Reservoir, a hydroelectric pumped-storage power plant is a marvel of engineering. Simply put, the top of a 1,550-foot-high Ozark mountain was sliced off, the rocky insides partially blasted out to form a 55-acre, concrete-lined and rimmed bowl that holds 1.5 billion gallons of water. ...

Sandy D. Hosler and Gary J. Helwege were married Feb. 11, 2001, in the Student Recreation Center at Southeast Missouri State University. The Rev. Michael Davis performed the double ring ceremony. Francois and Beverly Reece were violinists. The bride is the daughter of Willa Dean Braun-Wyatt and John Braun of Jackson, Mo. The groom is the son of Jacqueline Helwege of Cape Girardeau and Orville Helwege of St. Louis...

TAMMS, Ill. -- Aimee Susan Powless and John Douglas Karnes were married in October 2000 at First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Marion, Ill. The Rev. Carl H. Miller performed the double ring ceremony. Music was by Le Jardin Players of Carbondale, Ill. Stephen Powless, brother of the bride, played the harpsichord and piano...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Brandie Michelle Jansen and Darin James Bryant were married Oct. 14, 2000, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Msgr. Edward Eftink performed the double ring ceremony. Pianist was Michelle Wessel, and vocalists were Katie Edmonds and Jed Wilson...

Hanover Lutheran Church was the setting Sept. 30, 2000, for the wedding of Jennifer Lynne Petzoldt and Roger Lee Kiplinger. The Rev. Jeffrey Sippy performed the double ring ceremony. Pianist was Matt Yount. Parents of the couple are Lynn and Debbie Petzoldt of Cape Girardeau, and Norman and Sally Kiplinger of Millersville, Mo...

Steve and Delores Enderle of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Tamara Jo Enderle, to Mark Edward Ahlvin Jr., both of Jackson, Mo. He is the son of Dianne Blaylock-Morgan and Tim Morgan of North Carolina, and Mark E. Ahlvin and Cathy Ahlvin of Sikeston, Mo...

Connie Sandus of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Allan Sandus Sr. of Piedmont, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Deborah Ann Sandus of Cape Girardeau, to Lance Cpl. Joshua Todd Koehler. He is the son of Melbourne Koehler and Laura Koehler of Millersville, Mo...

Dr. and Mrs. Michael C. Trueblood of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Emily Ashworth Trueblood, to Dr. Erin Scott Gardner, both of Houston, Texas. He is the son of Carla Gardner and Kerry Gardner of Nixa, Mo. Trueblood is a 1996 graduate of Central High School, and a 2000 graduate of Duke University...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Bev Wiedefeld of Jackson and Ray Wiedefeld of Gordonville, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Whitney Marie Wiedefeld, to Todd Daniel Conklin of Jackson. He is the son of Danny and Lois Conklin of Cape Girardeau. Wiedefeld is a 1995 graduate of Jackson High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University in 1999. She is a teacher at Hearnes Elementary School in Charleston, Mo...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Joseph David Hoffman and Dollie Kay Hoffman of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Amanda Kay Hoffman, to Jason Michael Crombie of Cape Girardeau. He is the son of Stephen Daniel Bollinger and Debbie Elaine Bollinger of Bloomsdale, Mo...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Loy William Welker and Mary Kay Welker of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Andrea Kathryn Welker, to Christopher Britton Livingston, both of Cape Girardeau. He is the son of Kenneth Livingston of Fruitland, Mo., and the late Cathy Jean Livingston...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Virgil Eugene Saunders and Virginia Sue Saunders of Advance announce the engagement of their daughter, Tammy Ellin Saunders, to Mitchell Lee Froman Jr., both of Cape Girardeau. He is the son of Mitchell Lee Froman Sr. and Sandra Froman of Zalma, Mo...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Kathleen Riggs-Ruopp of San Diego, Calif., announces the engagement of her daughter, Sarah Ruopp, to Steve DeClue, both of Jackson. He is the son of Joe and Susan DeClue of Jackson. Ruopp is also the daughter of the late Timothy J. Ruopp...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Helen Myracle of Jackson announces the engagement of her daughter, Janna Marie Davis, to Mark Douglas Rister, both of Jackson. He is the son of Charles "Sonny" and Joann Rister of Chaffee, Mo. Davis is a 1985 graduate of Jackson High School. She is manager at Culligan Water Conditioning in Cape Girardeau...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Bill and Elsie King of Sikeston announce the engagement of their daughter, Karrie Lea King, to Danny Ray Rinehart. He is the son of Philip and Sue Rinehart of Chaffee, Mo. King is a 1998 graduate of Kelly High School at Benton, Mo. She is employed at Good Humor-Breyers in Sikeston...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Susan Nichole "Susie" Monroe and James Brent Lee of Brighton, Tenn., announce their engagement. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Monroe of Jackson. Lee is the son of Sandra Lee of Union City, Tenn. Monroe is an accounts receivable representative with Timbs Builders and Supply in Brighton...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Mr. and Mrs. Daniel K. Brown of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Shana H. Brown, to John K. Wondel II. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Loy W. Welker of Jackson. Brown is a 1996 graduate of Jackson High School. She is employed at Beussink, Hey and Roe, CPAs, in Jackson...