Stories from Saturday, December 15, 2001

JERUSALEM -- Israel rounded up dozens of suspected Palestinian militants in the West Bank on Friday in the widest sweep in 15 months of fighting, saying it had to step in where Yasser Arafat failed. Eight Palestinians were killed in gun battles with Israeli troops...

NEW YORK -- The David Justice era is over for the New York Mets, who traded him just one week after acquiring him. Justice was dealt to the Oakland Athletics on Friday for reliever Mark Guthrie and minor league pitcher Tyler Yates, a move that could lead to the Mets entering more serious talks with free agent Juan Gonzalez...

PHILADELPHIA -- A federal judge ordered major league baseball to rehire nine of the 22 umpires who lost their jobs following a failed mass resignation two years ago. U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III, in an opinion released Thursday, upheld most of the decision made by an arbitrator in May and also left open the possibility that three other umpires could get their jobs back, ordering that their cases be reheard by a different arbitrator...

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Vijay Singh got hot in the middle of his round, which was quite an accomplishment at the bone-chilling Williams World Challenge. Singh, who honed his game in the steamy of jungle of Borneo, bundled up and birdied five straight holes on his way to a 6-under 66 on Friday, giving him a one-stroke lead over tournament host Tiger Woods at Sherwood Country Club...

ST. LOUIS -- Defensive end Leonard Little, the St. Louis Rams' sack leader, is expected to return to the lineup only a month after tearing a ligament in his left knee. Little practiced for the second straight day Friday and coach Mike Martz said all signs pointed to him playing Monday night against the Saints. Little, who is among the league leaders with nine sacks despite missing three games, was injured Nov. 18 against New England and recuperated without surgery...

ST. LOUIS -- Watch Aeneas Williams on the practice field, and it's as if the Super Bowl is hanging in the balance. That tenacious attitude is keeping the St. Louis Rams' cornerback, who could be in the twilight years of his NFL career, on top. Pass coverage is a young man's game, but the six-time Pro Bowl player, who'll be 34 next month, is playing at that level...

WASHINGTON -- The nation's first recession in a decade rippled further through the economy in November, pushing the operating rate in U.S. industry down to the lowest level in 18 years. But on the positive side, the economic weakness kept the lid on inflation with the Consumer Price Index showing no change last month as another big drop in energy prices helped offset higher costs for new cars...

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. flag will be raised over the reopened embassy in Afghanistan on Sunday, signaling a renewed American diplomatic presence for the first time in 12 years, the State Department said. Ambassador James Dobbins, a veteran diplomat, will officiate at the ceremony, joined by a small number of State Department employees and a Marine Security guard detachment...

WASHINGTON -- U.S. commanders believe they are quickly narrowing Osama bin Laden's options for escape from the mountains of eastern Afghanistan. Yet even as U.S.-backed tribal forces advance in the rugged Tora Bora region, no one seems certain whether bin Laden is even there...

WASHINGTON -- Senators have shoehorned nearly $400 million in pet projects into a bill financing the Pentagon and anti-terrorism efforts, including money for Marine shirts made in Massachusetts and communications software being developed in Alabama...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Two Southeast Missouri lawmakers came to the aid of a woman trapped in an overturned car on this week. Republican state Reps. Pat Naeger of Perryville and Rod Jetton of Marble Hill were returning to the state Capitol from dinner around 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday when Jetton caught a glimpse of something that piqued his interest...

SEARCHING FOR SUSPECTS Dunklin County Democrat KENNETT, Mo. -- A body discovered in a roadside ditch was identified Friday as that of a runaway Arkansas teen-ager, Dunklin County officials said. Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder identified the youth as Jonathan D. Marshall, 15, of Blytheville, Ark. The identification was made after an intensive 64-hour non-stop investigation that began with the discovery of Marshall's body Wednesday morning...

The charms of Sheryl Crow include an amazingly fluid voice she supercharges in an instant, a musician's attitude and abilities instead of star turns, and a natural beauty and charisma that have aged well at nearly 40 years. The pride of Kennett, Mo., and multi-Grammy winner has everything except the soul mate some of her songs long for...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Gary W. Rust of Rust Communications in Cape Girardeau and Ann K. Charles of the Parsons (Kan.) Sun were elected chairs of the Missouri and Kansas Associated Press Publishers and Editors Association for 2002-2003. Rust is chairman of Rust Communications Inc., which operates 13 daily newspapers, 28 weekly newspapers, eight commercial printing shops and nine shoppers in seven states. Charles has been editor and publisher of the Sun since 1990...

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- A male civilian was fatally shot during a robbery at a recreation center at Fort Leonard Wood military installation, officials said Friday. Several people -- including at least one who had a gun -- entered the Davis Club about 11:20 p.m. Thursday after a bingo game, Lt. Col. Derik Crotts said...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Two fired jailers who sued Miller County over alleged sexual harassment have settled their lawsuit for an undisclosed amount. Debra Tigar and Angela Cannon had sued the county for $2.5 million over alleged sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation...

Students at Southeast Missouri State University won't get saddled with a midyear tuition hike. The Board of Regents voted Friday to keep fees at current levels for the spring semester by dipping into the university's reserve fund and cutting operating and equipment expenses to make up for a $900,000 cut in state spending for the school...

CAIRO, Egypt -- Islamic clerics in the Middle East said Friday that the feast ending the holy month of Ramadan will begin Sunday, but the normally festive period is clouded this year by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and fighting in Afghanistan. Ramadan, a time of reflection when Muslims abstain from indulgences from sunrise to sunset, comes to an end if a crescent moon is seen on the 29th day of the month in the lunar calendar. ...

TORA BORA, Afghanistan -- Enemy gunners hit two Americans on Friday as U.S. special forces joined Afghan guerrillas attacking an al-Qaida machine-gun nest in the Tora Bora mountains, alliance fighters said. A tribal leader claimed Osama bin Laden may be cornered in a nearby cave...

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Forty German activists were arrested Friday outside a European Union summit after allegedly smashing a police station, attacking riot police and lighting fires in the streets. Brussels Mayor Freddy Thielemans said the "hard-core" protesters, who were dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, were seen smashing four different banks and a police station and damaging several vehicles...

ABOARD THE USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT -- The bombing campaign in Afghanistan has been a record-setting test of endurance for the crew on board this U.S. carrier, with fighter jets storming into the skies for up to nine hours a day. Flying dozens of sorties each day, F-14B Tomcats and F/A-18C Hornet fighter jets have pounded Taliban and al-Qaida targets with about 1 million pounds of bombs since arriving in the northern Arabian Sea on Oct. 17, officials said...

QUINCY, Ill. -- Organizers of an annual skydiving convention that has brought conflict between participants and Quincy officials are suing the city, claiming overzealous police harmed their business and the city owes them money for airport improvements...

INFANTS FOR RENT By Tammy Webber ~ The Associated Press CHICAGO -- Federal officials charged 35 people in an international scheme to smuggle drugs inside cans of baby formula, including parents who allegedly rented their infants to smugglers so customs officials wouldn't become suspicious...

The Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- Officials at Lambert Airport have reopened garages at both the Main and East terminals to parking for all vehicles. Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the airport banned sport utility vehicles, vans, and pickup trucks with camper shells from the terminal garages. The airport also closed some areas of the garages to all traffic; those areas remain off-limits...

KANSAS CITY, Mo -- Rusty Fletcher has ended a two-year stretch of living in Kansas City homeless shelters, after scraping for enough money to make a deposit on an efficiency apartment. Now, the 33-year-old needs help paying the first month's rent. So he's come to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception's relief center, which on this day is crowded with the homeless and poor...

CHICAGO -- Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan says two Las Vegas companies are capitalizing on bioterrorism fears by marketing what he calls bogus anthrax tests, and he is suing them. Ryan announced Friday lawsuits against companies calling themselves The Right Solution and Early Detection Services. The Right Solution's Web site offers a $50 ultraviolet light that's purported to be able to detect anthrax. Early Detection Services sells a $150 mail-in nasal swab...

BOONVILLE, Mo. -- Missouri's newest casino hosted an average of almost 5,300 gamblers a day during its first week in operation. Debut day for Isle of Capri's casino drew nearly as many gamblers, 8,194, as there are residents in Boonville, population 8,202...

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Federal agents served search warrants Friday at two suburban Muslim organizations that have come under close scrutiny of federal investigators trying to identify groups providing support to terrorists. Ebony Harrel, a spokeswoman for the FBI, said agents executed the warrants -- both of which were sealed -- at the Global Relief Foundation in Bridgeview and the Benevolence International Foundation in Palos Hills...

Cape Girardeau Saturday, Dec. 15 ArrestsSteven Lee Williams, 24, 1098 Linden, was arrested Thursday for contempt of court. Latisha Dawn Dettrie, 20, 316 Independence was arrested Thursday for failure to appear. TheftAluminum cans were reported stolen Thursday at the Humane Society, 2536 Boutin...

Cape Girardeau Saturday, Dec. 15 Firefighters responded to the following calls Thursday:At 6:17 p.m., an emergency medical service at 31 R. N. Henderson. Firefighters responded to the following calls Friday:At 12:30 a.m., an emergency medical service at 1323 Perryville...

Robert W. Roth, 71, of Cape Girardeau died at his home Friday, Dec. 14, 2001. Arrangements are pending at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel.

Carol J. Holmes, 72, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born Dec. 4, 1929, in Red Oak, Iowa, daughter of Harry Raymond and Cleo Drucella Hunt Eiler. She and Theodore R. Holmes were married July 22, 1949, in Red Oak. He died June 5, 1999...

DEXTER, Mo. -- Charles Franklin Lee Robertson Sr., 67, of Dexter died Friday, Dec. 14, 2001, at Three Rivers Healthcare South Campus in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was born Oct. 17, 1934, at LaValle, Mo., son of Oatley J. and Fannie Marie Davis Robertson. Robertson was a farmer. He served in the U.S. Navy...

Daphna L. Ellebracht, 76, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Dec. 14, 2001, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center. McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau is in charge of arrangements.

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. -- John Martin, 58, formerly of Grand Chain, Ill., died Thursday Dec. 13, 2001 at home. He was employed by the Murphysboro City Police. A member of the Shootist Gun Club in Murphysboro and of the National Rifle Association. Survivors include his mother, Billie Jean Compton Martin of Murphysboro and several cousins...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Alma Davis, 88, of Marble Hill died Friday, Dec. 14, 2001, at Eldercare in Marble Hill. She was born Dec. 21, 1912, at Winona, Mo., daughter of Dow and Pearl Brawley Gosnell. She and John E. Davis were married March 3, 1928, at Bismarck, Mo...

DEXTER, Mo. -- Faye Bailey, 97, of Dexter died Friday, Dec. 14, 2001, at Cypress Point Healthcare. She was born March 4, 1904, at Aid, Mo., daughter of Andrew Franklin and Effie May Anderson Lynn. She and Albert Samuel Bailey were married Dec. 7, 1945, at Malden, Mo. He died April 30, 1965...

Myrtle Mae Hurst, 107, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001, at Ratliff Care Center. She was born Dec. 6, 1894, in West Vienna, Ill., daughter of Thomas Jefferson and Mary E. Elkins Smith. She and Oliver H. Hurst were married Jan. 18, 1915, at Monette, Ark. He died Dec. 3, 1930...

DEXTER, Mo. -- Virginia Harris, 66, of Bushnell, Fla., died Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2001, at Citrus Memorial Hospital in Inverness, Fla. She was born July 27, 1935, at Dexter, daughter of Everett Dennis and Hettie Marie Bacon Kinworthy. She and Virgil C. Harris were married Aug. 17, 1963, in Las Vegas, Nev. He died March 26, 1979...

NEW HAMBURG, Mo. -- Funeral mass for Michael Joseph Backfisch Sr. of New Hamburg will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. The Rev. Normand Varone will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton, Mo., after 4 p.m. Sunday. A prayer service will be held at 6 p.m...

Degen Son to Jon Alan and Lisa Ann Degen of Sikeston, Mo., St. Francis Medical Center, 8:23 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2001. Name, Josiah Robert. Weight, 7 pounds 6 ounces. Third son. Mrs. Degen is the former Lisa Davis, daughter of Robert and Judy Davis of Sikeston. Degen is the son of Karen Degen of Chillicothe, Ohio, and the late Donald Degen. He is employed at Nordyne in Poplar Bluff, Mo...

10 years ago: Dec. 15, 1991 Farrar - The Rev. Bertram Schirmer is installed as new pastor of Zion Lutheran Church at Crosstown and Salem Lutheran Church at Farrar; service is held in afternoon at Salem Church; Schirmer, 60, is native of Chester, Ill...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The state will cover a $212 million budget gap without laying off employees by cutting spending and diverting money from intended uses, Gov. Bob Holden's office announced Friday. Holden had already vetoed or cut $323 million from the $19 billion state budget for the current fiscal year, which began July 1. The latest moves are needed to keep the budget balanced in a dire financial situation, he said...

Careless caretakers GOD CONSIDERED man the greatest of his creations, so he made man the caretaker of the world. Look at the trash in yards, alleys, streets and parks. I wonder what God thinks of his caretakers. Leave tuition alone I AM a graduate of SEMO. I have now retired and would like to continue my education. But I feel that I can't if we keep raising tuition. I'm on a fixed income and feel that it is too pricey as is. Please leave it alone...

To the editor: After reading Terry Canupp's denigrating remarks about Alan Journet, I knew I must write in Journet's support. His is the only voice of reason on the Opinion page concerning our environment. All he asks is that we consider alternatives...

Certainly most everyone agrees that the parking situation at Southeast Missouri State University is a major source of complaints from students. Some students have abandoned legal parking long ago, opting instead to pay tickets instead of deal with the severe shortage of spaces...

With tax revenue coming in higher than last year but under projections for the current fiscal year, state-funded agencies are scrambling to find the dollars to keep everything going. For state universities, the money just isn't there. As a result, there are deep cuts to be made. At least two institutions considered tuition increases...

Probably no writings in history are more familiar than the biblical accounts of Jesus' birth in Matthew and Luke. It might seem there's nothing more to be learned. But Paul L. Maier, professor of ancient history at Western Michigan University, unearths some morsels you may not know in his timely book "The First Christmas: The True and Unfamiliar Story."...

STREATOR, Ill. -- Laughter rings through the kitchen, and the aroma of freshly baked rolls fills the air as volunteers at St. Stephen's Church prepare for their biggest bake sale of the year. The conversations are soft, the laughter is contagious and the aroma is tantalizing...

TORONTO -- The shadow of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks has Roman Catholic organizers of next year's World Youth Day promoting the event as more necessary than ever in a troubled world. The gathering of a half million or more young pilgrims, culminated by an outdoor Mass with Pope John Paul II next July 28, figures to be Canada's best-attended event in 2002...

GARDEN CITY, Kan. -- It's been said that even saints sleep and prophets play. But for those who minister to others, sleep and play are sometimes hard to find. With the demands of their congregations weighing heavy on their shoulders, burnout in the church can snuff out even the most devout spiritual leaders...

Today Cookie walk from 9 a.m. to noon at Grace United Methodist Church. The proceeds from the cookie sales will benefit mission projects. Christmas open house from 6-8:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Friedheim, Mo. The church will be decorated, and a short service of carols and Scripture reading are planned, as well as a living Nativity...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The recession and a brewing protest by conservative congregations are taking a financial toll on national offices of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which anticipates a $2.5 million shortfall in the 2002 budget. John Detterick, executive director of the General Assembly Council, told the Louisville headquarters staff there may be cuts in jobs and scheduled pay increases next year...

ZALMA, Mo. -- The Chaffee boys basketball team, behind 21 points by Chase Eskew, picked up its first victory of the season Friday night by cruising past winless Zalma 65-52. James Reischmann added 16 points for the Red Devils (1-3), who led 42-21 at halftime and 58-27 after three quarters. Zalma outscored Chaffee 25-7 in the final eight minutes...

The 27th annual Tiger Classic was one big learning experience Friday night. For instance, Jackson's James Love learned he's not near in the type of shape he needs to be. Love's teammate, Seth Harrell, learned that despite moving up a weight class, he can use his quickness to his advantage...

In the battle of the Bulldogs, Sikeston hung on for a 48-47 win over host Notre Dame on Friday night. Tough, physical defensive play set the tone for the SEMO Conference matchup as the game would eventually be decided at the free-throw line. Notre Dame's record evened at 3-3, 1-1 in the conference, while Sikeston, in its conference opener, improved to 5-4...

Lorenzo Romar and Gary Garner both think there is quite a bit of significance to St. Louis University's recent narrow loss to second-ranked Missouri. For Garner, who coaches Southeast Missouri State University, that performance shows just how much of a challenge the 1-5 Indians face when they play the 3-5 Billikens today at Savvis Center...

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- George O'Leary built his career as a football coach on lies. Only five days after getting the job he always wanted, his past finally caught up with him at Notre Dame. O'Leary stunned and embarrassed the nation's most storied program by resigning, admitting Friday he had falsified his academic and athletic credentials for decades...

Cape Girardeau public works crews don't plow snow or do maintenance work on Kage Road even though it is in the city limits. That's the job of the Cape Special Road District, a tax-supported operation which has been maintaining rural Cape Girardeau roads since 1912...

LEESBURG, Va. -- Three friends have been charged with murdering a biophysicist with a 2-foot sword in a "planned assassination" that left an "X" carved into the back of his neck, authorities said Friday. Robert M. Schwartz, 57, was found dead at his isolated farmhouse Monday after he didn't show up for work. Investigators were still trying to figure out details of the crime, including the mysterious "X."...

MONTPELIER, Vt. -- High demand for a new vaccine against childhood pneumonia, meningitis and ear infections has led to a shortage around the country. The shortage of Prevnar should ease by the end of March, said its maker, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Although the ramifications of the state's new legislative districts will be pondered in political circles for months, at first glance lawmakers are generally satisfied with the results for Southeast Missouri. "The thing I'm most pleased about is Southeast Missouri did not lose a state rep," said state Rep. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau...

NEW YORK -- The Salvation Army's red kettles, an abiding symbol of holiday good will, are at the center of a battle over gay rights this Christmas season. Complaining of bias by the Christian charity, some gay-rights supporters are dropping protest notes in the kettles instead of cash. In response, conservative groups are urging extra donations as a show of solidarity...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A giant container filled with the belongings and trash of the departing international space station crew was placed back aboard space shuttle Endeavour on Friday for the trip home. Endeavour is scheduled to undock from the space station today, ending an eight-day visit. Before the shuttle leaves, though, it may have to steer the orbiting complex out of the way of a piece of space junk...

LOWELL, Ind. -- Five relatives, including a baby girl, were found shot to death in two houses Friday in what authorities were investigating as a murder-suicide. A husband and wife and their 30-year-old son were discovered dead at one home, Sheriff John Buncich said. At the second home, the son's wife and baby daughter were found slain. The victims' identities were not released...

Five children ranging in age from 1 to 12 make for a house filled with activity. But this particular family won't have many toys for the children under the Christmas tree because of dire financial straits. The children are three girls and two boys, and each has different tastes and requests for Santa...

Rare Bibles, devotional texts and other manuscripts housed for years at a Catholic library in Perryville, Mo., were auctioned Friday, raising more than $5 million for charity. Francis Wahlgren, head of the books and manuscripts department at Christie's in New York, said Friday, "American historical documents, American literature, 16th century Bibles and fine bindings performed extraordinarily well."...

PARIS -- Europe's new currency made its public debut Friday, when euro "starter kits" hit the streets in three countries, and citizens got their first chance to jiggle the coins before they become legal tender on New Year's Day. Lines formed outside banks, post offices and tobacco shops, where people picked up small plastic bags filled with Europe's newly minted money -- and emerged with mixed reviews...

Southeast Missouri State University will build two, two-story parking garages and hike parking fees to pay for it. The Board of Regents on Friday approved the $6.5 million project, which school officials said will help relieve parking problems. The university will build a 364-space parking garage on Henderson Street north of Broadway next year and a 340-space structure on Sprigg Street near the Towers residence halls in 2003...

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan sent helicopter gunships to the skies and troops on horses and mules to caves along its border with Afghan-istan to keep Osama bin Laden and his allies from sneaking into the country, officials said Friday. "We have made it impossible for bin Laden to enter our country," Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider said...

Mrs. S. tries as best she can to care for her dog and two cats, but health problems affect her ability to do so. She is paralyzed and cannot move quickly throughout her house. She lives with her son in a run-down house in the county. Christmas for the Elderly will provide many of her holiday gifts and household necessities this year. It is a joint program of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and Southeast Missourian that provides gifts to needy senior citizens in the community...

NEW HAVEN, Conn. A new show at the Knights of Columbus Museum features variations on the familiar Nativity scene -- a baby Jesus surrounded by farm animals and angels in a straw-filled manger -- captured over centuries. The exhibit features carvings in ivory, wood and stone, paintings and other decorative objects depicting Jesus' birth. The works come from several cultures, from the 4th century to the 20th century...

Business Today Traffic congestion looms as a business and community concern in Jackson. More than 75 percent of the people recently surveyed by the Jackson Chamber of Commerce expressed concern over the city's traffic problems. The survey included 400 members of the Chamber and more than 500 randomly selected citizens...

Business Today Kris Dowell has been named advertising director of the Southeast Misssourian newspaper, coming to Cape Girardeau from The Peru Tribune, owned by Paxton Media Group in Peru, Ind. The announcement was made by publisher Wally Lage on Nov. 28...

By Jim Obert Business Today BONNE TERRE - A plan is being developed to move 50 inmates into the new Bonne Terre prison this spring as part of a boot camp rehabilitation program, according to a Department of Corrections official. A $168 million prison was built in this northern St. Francois County town several years ago, but has never been occupied due to lack of funding. About 4,000 residents live in this financially strapped community located about 55 miles southwest of St. Louis...

New building as large as current showroom By Jim Obert Business Today SIKESTON -- Scheffer's Office Furniture & Business Machines opened in November 1995 with four employees to successfully launch a mid-market office furniture business. It was in 1997 that the business began a series of expansions. Satellite offices were opened in Cape Girardeau and Poplar Bluff, and the Sikeston office had grown to 8,400 square feet of operating space...

Business Today Indasia, LLC, has opened in a new facility at 2370 N. High Street in Jackson. The company is involved in the nationwide distribution of spices primarily used by the poultry, sausage and meat industries. The headquarters for its distribution network is located in a new building between Jackson and Fruitland on Highway 61. The building is owned by Oak Enterprises. Tom Kelsey, broker for Lorimont Place Ltd., in Cape Girardeau handled the lease transaction...

Business Today DEXTER -- The ArvinMeritor plant, a major employer with about 550 workers, was recently toured by community and state government representatives. Paul Pratt, quality manager, said the ArvinMeritor Co., which has plants worldwide, is number one in North America and Europe as a cold exhaust system supplier, number one of five suppliers for Daimler/Chrysler, number two of four suppliers for GM and number two of five suppliers for Ford...

Business Today SIKESTON - In order to promote the community to prospective residents, businesses and visitors, the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce has announced plans to publish an annual magazine. Titled "IMAGES of Sikeston," the four-color magazine will showcase the people, natural beauty and progressive business climate of the area...

Ames True Temper makes ax handles Business Today BERNIE -- With the news of piston-maker Federal Mogul closing in nearby Malden, rumors have been circulating about the status of IXL/Ames True Temper in Bernie and Dexter. They are rumors that operations manager Rick Lavender is anxious to put to rest...

Business Today SIKESTON - The Sikeston City Council approved an extension of a Tax Increment Funding agreement to June 30 for Novus Development, current owners of the former state Department of Transportation building at Main and Malone, to facilitate an alternate redevelopment plan...

Guest Editorial By Jim Kistler President Associated Industries of Missouri Jefferson City While the rest of the world labors through an economic downturn, the Missouri Department of Labor sees no end to funding for unemployment benefits. One Labor Department official resisted suggestions for fiscal responsibility and said employers were going to pay -- one way or another...

Business Today After reaching a last minute agreement with Air Evac EMS Inc., regarding the sale price of the fueling facilities at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, the city of Cape Girardeau assumed fueling operations at the airport on Dec. 1. Known for the past seven years as Air Evac Aviation, the city has named the new operation Cape Aviation...

To the editor: I am writing to concerned parents in Ste. Genevieve County as someone who has worked with Holnam Inc. For 12 years, my family has lived about 10 miles from Holnam's cement plant in Clarksville, Mo. The plant has been part of our community for more than 30 years...

Relationship with newspaper Web site promising Business Today FARMINGTON -- Workforce Employment Solutions has been a fast growing and strong company over the past seven years, according to Joe Rozier, company vice president. Rozier attributes the company's success to developing strategic partnerships...

JCS/TEL-LINK on cutting edge By Jim Obert Business Today In 1959, when vacuum tubes and tacky transistors ruled the radio roost, Charles Johnson of Cape Girardeau founded Johnson Communications Service. For the next 11 years, he ran an authorized Motorola service center that installed and repaired Motorola two-way radio equipment throughout Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois...

Three shops complement each other By Jim Obert Business Today DEXTER -- In 1837 at the age of 18, Alexandrina Victoria became queen of England. Her reign would last 64 years, ending in 1901. Victoria had an immense influence on British culture, and historians have termed her years the Victorian era...

Building permits possibly second-best record in city history By B. Ray Owen Special to Business Today The Division of Inspection Services in Cape Girardeau issued two million-dollar commercial building permits the first week of December, which could help push the year's construction totals into a new record...

sejobsonline.com Business Today Staffing is an important challenge for any business. To help cope with the workforce shortage, the Southeast Missourian recently created an employment Web site, sejobsonline.com...

Business Today The United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program assisted rural Missouri with a record $445 million during fiscal year 2001. This number is up 170 percent from last year, according to a USDA news release. Gregory Branum, state director for USDA Rural Development in Missouri, said the funds were used to provide quality housing, good jobs, clean drinking water and reliable community facilities and services...

Business Today Taylor's Greenville 66 station is one of 48 service stations across Missouri that have paid fines for price gouging. The businesses inflated gasoline prices following terrorist attacks Sept. 11. The 48 retailers will pay more than $60,000 in penalties and costs...

December 2001 Dr. Michael Bennett, a Cape Girardeau dentist, has been inducted as a fellow of the International College of Dentists. Bennett, who has been in private practice 26 years, received his honor during the 72nd annual convocation in Kansas City. ...

Stoddard County tax liens and lien discharges recorded at the office of Kay Asbell, recorder of deeds, during the month of November are filed by the Missouri Department of Revenue except as indicated by IRS designation. For information concerning the dollar amount of the liens, contact the recorder's office at 568-3444.Tax Liens Against:...

Scott County tax liens and lien discharges recorded at the office of Tom Dirnberger, Scott County recorder of deeds, during the month of November are filed by the Missouri Department of Revenue except as indicated by IRS designation. For information concerning the dollar amount of the liens, contact the recorder's office at 545-3551...

Cape Girardeau County Business Licenses (all located in Cape Girardeau unless otherwise noted) Jitters 18725 Highway 177 Jackson Weterboy's 70 S. Plaza Way The Country Village 311 N. High St. Jackson Kathy's Wonderland 225 S. Plaza Way...

Cape Girardeau County tax liens and lien discharges recorded at the office of Janet Robert, Cape Girardeau County recorder of deeds, during the month of November are filed by the Missouri Department of Revenue except as indicated by IRS designation. For information concerning the dollar amount of the liens, contact the recorder's office at 243-8123.Tax Liens Against:...

Part 1 of a 2-part series As I boarded my plane toward the Northwest, I told my children the captivating story of the mountain blast that was heard around the world. I watched their eyes widen with amazement as they heard of trees being blasted and laid flat, rivers being swept away, fire, brimstone and the giant cloud that fell to the ground to cover the world in a fine powder...

December 2001 Southeast Missouri Cape Girardeau The Bank of America has opened a banking facility inside Schnucks Supermarket. The manager is Kristie Carner. Hillin & Clark PC has moved to 264 S. Broadview. The accounting services business is observing its 30th anniversary. The owners are Jim Hillin and Dwayne Clark...

Bankruptcies filed through Dec. 10 for the Southeastern Division of the Eastern District of Missouri's U.S. Bankruptcy Court are listed below with their corresponding case number. The Southeastern Division includes the counties of Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Dunklin, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscott, Perry, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard and Wayne. Court is held in Cape Girardeau...

Conflicts over money are one of the leading causes of friction and divorce in a marriage. Couples already vulnerable to money battles are finding themselves fighting even more in the stressful aftermath of the terrorist attacks and the weakened stock market and economy. Here are some suggestions for successfully managing money in a relationship during these tough times...