Stories from Tuesday, December 2, 2003

CHICAGO -- Boeing Co. chairman and CEO Phil Condit resigned unexpectedly Monday amid deepening turmoil over questionable tactics used by the aerospace giant in aggressively trying to win defense contracts. The resignation came a week after two executives were fired for unethical conduct...

Over the weekend, area stores were packed with serious buyers as the start of the Christmas shopping season officially kicked off Friday. Retailers are expecting their most profitable holiday season in four years. The Washington-based National Retail Federation predicts total holiday sales to be up 5.7 percent to $217.4 billion from last year. That compares with a modest 2.2 percent increase in 2002...

To the editor: We wish to thank everyone who donated food, paper goods and plastic ware and who cooked turkeys or donated their time on Thanksgiving Day by setting up, serving, being a hostess, delivering meals or cleaning up. We provided a holiday meal for 510 people. Without the support of the community, a meal of this magnitude would not have been possible.MAJ. MICHAEL THOMAS...

To the editor: This letter is in regard to the letter to the editor entitled "Hole in the ozone isn't hurting anyone on Earth," I am shocked and saddened to see such an appalling and obvious lack of knowledge on an issue as paramount to every living person as our environment. With such prevailing ignorance of our actions, it is no wonder that our country lags behind in areas such as environmental care where it should lead...

To the editor: This is to the person driving north Nov. 22 on Highway 77 coming into Chaffee in the red truck that hit the black dog. I just want you to know I saw the whole thing, You never tried to avoid the dog. I think you were too much of a coward to stop and see if she was OK or say you were sorry or anything. ...

To the editor: Every community can learn from the generosity of Southeast Missourians. Miki Gudermuth, executive director of SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence Inc., e-mailed me regarding the articles about Josh Ghiz's need for a service dog. I then looked up the two articles written by Bob Miller on your Web site...

MATTHEWS, Mo. -- Lois Hooks, 83, died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born July 14, 1920, in Humphries County, Tenn., daughter of Alvin R. and Ollie Winters Curtis. She and Joe Hooks were married June 3, 1950, in Senath, Mo...

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. -- Glen F. "Shorty" King, 81, of Wappapello died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, at his home. He was born July 28, 1922, at Wappapello. He and Zelma King were married Nov. 20, 1950, in Walnut Ridge, Ark. King had worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers...

MOUND CITY, Ill. -- Barry John Wilburn, 58, of Barlow, Ky., died Monday, Dec. 1, 2003, at his home. He was born Oct. 9, 1945, in Mound City, son of Glena Fiessinger Wilburn. He and Kathy Hinman Polley were married Nov. 7, 1988. Wilburn was a self-employed painter. He was a former member of Barlow American Legion...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- John W. Thompson, 55, of Jonesboro died Friday, Nov. 28, 2003, at Union County Hospital. He was born Aug. 3, 1948, in St. Louis, son of Ben Hollis and Fern Powles Thompson. Thompson was a teacher at Anna Junior High School. He attended Anna Heights Baptist Church, and was a member of Dongola Masonic Lodge 581 in Dongola, Ill...

ANNA, Ill. -- Joe E. Treece, 78, of Anna died Monday, Dec. 1, 2003, at Union County Hospital. Friends may call at Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro, Ill., after 5 p.m. Wednesday. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Anna Cemetery...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- B. Maxine Taylor, 78, of St. Louis died Thursday, Nov. 20, 2003, at Perry County Nursing Home. She was born Feb. 5, 1925, in Maryville, Mo., daughter of William R. and Florence Eva Donahue Noble. She first married Velmer M. Mehner in 1946. She later married Raymond W. Taylor in 1967. He died in 1999...

(Copenhagen, Denmark) Berlingske Tidende Evidently the United States doesn't want to take any chances in the war against terrorism, including the part of the war against terrorism that takes place in Guantanamo. The thought of releasing a prisoner because of lack of evidence after which he will fly a plane into another skyscraper is not thrilling. ...

Colder weather means a colder shoulder with my Mom ... literally. I know the temperature is slowly dropping out there but can she not go one minute without worrying about my health? As soon as summer ends my Mom is known to turn into a dark evil creature who looms over me instructing me to wear my coat everywhere I go. She thinks by the time October has rolled around, the temperature drops to minus 55 degrees and we all of a sudden have begun a new ice age...

Scott City sophomore selected as ambassador Rachel Watkins, a sophomore at Scott City High School, has been selected as a Hugh O'Brien Youth Ambassador. She is the daughter of David and Kathy Watkins of Oran, Mo., and participates in cheerleading, volleyball, FBLA, National Honor Society and student council...

WASHINGTON -- Construction spending in October registered its best month on record an encouraging sign that the economic recovery has staying power. The Commerce Department reported Monday that the total value of building projects under way came in at a seasonally adjusted $922 billion in October, representing a 0.9 percent increase from the previous month...

Industrial revenue bonds will fuel the construction of a $58 million ethanol plant in Cape Girardeau's Nash Road industrial park and could lead to the building of a companion 20-megawatt power plant that would generate electricity from the city's garbage...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- After years of unsuccessful efforts by Springfield-area lawmakers to drop the regional designation from Southwest Missouri State University's name, a legislative leader from Cape Girardeau is assuming a prominent role in the fight for approval...

For about 2 1/2 years, the number of signs and portable banners has ruffled Ken Ruff's feathers. On Monday night, he finally voiced his displeasure. The Jackson Board of Aldermen held a public hearing Monday night on Jackson's proposed zoning changes. The city has been working on changing its codes and regulations for more than a year and on Monday night the aldermen welcomed comments on anything that had to do with the city's appearance...

Jackson's wrestling team, led by Cody Rouse, a third-place finisher at the state meet last season, will open its season today with a home meet against New Madrid County Central. The Indians have nearly their entire roster back from a team that sent five wrestlers to the state meet. Only Matt Kahle at 189 pounds graduated from the five state participants...

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Sylvester Croom became the first black head football coach in Southeastern Conference history, accepting an offer Monday to take over troubled Mississippi State. "We went after the best football coach and we're confident we found that individual in Sylvester Croom," athletic director Larry Templeton said...

LOS ANGELES -- A key ally joined Roy E. Disney in resigning from the Walt Disney Co. board Monday, becoming the second vocal opponent of chairman and chief executive Michael Eisner to quit in two days. Stanley Gold issued a long rebuke to Eisner and the Walt Disney Co.'s board Monday, seconding complaints made Sunday by Roy Disney and further criticizing the board for being a rubber stamp to senior management...

Manufacturing rises for fifth straight month The nation's manufacturing sector expanded at its fastest clip in nearly 20 years in November, its fifth consecutive month of growth. The Institute for Supply Management reported Monday that its manufacturing index rose to 62.8 last month from 57 in October. ...

Unofficial Mideast peace accord launched GENEVA -- Hundreds of Israelis and Palestinians joined Monday for a ceremony celebrating the unofficial "Geneva accord." The agreement negotiated by former Israeli and Palestinian officials.envisions a Palestinian state based roughly on the borders before the 1967 Mideast war. ...

NAIROBI, Kenya -- Tens of thousands of activists and health workers rallied worldwide Monday to mark World AIDS Day, and officials hailed new initiatives, new funding and a new pill to fight the disease that has infected 40 million people and kills more than 8,000 every day...

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide if people working for the U.S. government can covertly arrest suspects in other countries, a case the Bush administration said was a key test of America's terror-fighting powers. The justices will review a lower court decision critical of such law enforcement actions. ...

Ralph E. Flori Sr., 72, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Dec. 1, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Nora Mae McMullin, 84, of Sikeston died Monday, Dec. 1, 2003, at her home. She was born May 4, 1919, in Elkhart, Ill., the daughter of James A. and Angeline Morris Cowgur. She married Wilson S. McMullin on May 18, 1938, in Cape Girardeau...

10 years ago: Dec. 2, 1993 In packed courtroom at Common Pleas Courthouse yesterday, John W. Grimm was sworn in as Division II circuit judge from 32nd Circuit. Citizens committee is recommending city council take steps to appoint public housing authority; Housing Assistance Task Force toured substandard housing in Cape Girardeau Wednesday before making its recommendation...

For the past five years or so, a Douglas A-4 Navy Skyhawk has sat on an airplane ramp in Perryville, in good condition but practically abandoned by the U.S. military. If it goes unclaimed, the jet will land in the scrap yard. A local group doesn't want to see that happen...

Soldiers in the Cape Girardeau-based 1140th Engineer Battalion have received mobilization orders to support the war in Iraq and will report to several armories across Southeast Missouri on Jan. 3. The Missouri National Guard made the announcement Monday, just days after ordering the soldiers to Perryville on Saturday and Sunday for "belt-line inspections" in case they were called up. The 1140th was put on alert Nov. 6...

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A University of Missouri study found that if the Army Corps of Engineers scheduled the times barges could use locks, river traffic would ease, and $2.3 billion wouldn't need to spent on upper Mississippi River navigation improvements...

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Raymond Burke, who headed the Roman Catholic diocese in La Crosse, Wis., for nearly a decade, on Tuesday was named archbishop of St. Louis by Pope John Paul II. Burke, 55, succeeds Justin Rigali, now a Cardinal, who left St. Louis in October to take over the Philadelphia archdiocese. Burke's installation as archbishop is scheduled for Jan. 26...

Cape's urbanization IT REALLY brings tears to your eyes to look at all the development on the west side of Cape Girardeau that used to be beautiful woodlands, farms, lakes and ponds. Now it should be called Asphalt City. I can't see any difference whether you live in the St. ...

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Central's boys basketball team used a 15-2 run at the end of the first half to propel itself to a 78-66 season-opening victory over Riverview Gardens at the Farmington Tournament on Monday night. The Tigers trailed after the first quarter but used a strong performance from center Scott Chestnutt to help them pull ahead of Riverview Gardens at halftime...

Southeast Missouri State University men's basketball coach Gary Garner left for Missoula, Mont., on Thanksgiving Day knowing most people expected the Indians to return home with a pair of losses. Garner himself knew that was a very real possibility -- even if the Indians played well in the four-team Double Tree Holiday Classic...

ST. LOUIS -- For the first time in several weeks, the discussion about who should start as the Rams' quarterback has gone nearly silent. Nearly flawless play by Marc Bulger in a blowout victory over the Vikings saw to that. Bulger has had his share of problems, throwing 10 interceptions in the previous four games. But he was calm and cool in the 48-17 victory Sunday that kept the Rams (9-3) tied with the Eagles for the best record in the NFC...

ST. LOUIS -- Chris Carpenter agreed Monday to a one-year contract with the Cardinals. Carpenter, 28, last pitched for Toronto in 2001, when he went 4-5 with a 5.28 ERA. He missed the 2002 season after surgery for elbow tendinitis. He made eight rehab starts last season before an operation to remove scar tissue from his shoulder...

Want to know how many local high school seniors went on to a four-year university after graduation last year? How about the average salary of administrators in a particular district, or how many students were suspended on weapons-related offenses in a certain school?...

Although they don't have large sums to donate or vast resources of wealth, area schoolchildren know that helping friends and neighbors is important, particularly during the holiday season. Students at Chaffee Elementary School and at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Cape Girardeau collected canned food for the needy as a project that taught them about generosity...

A lobbyist hired by the Cape Girardeau County Commission will push for an increase in a fee the county charges cities, school districts and other taxing entities for assessing property. If the county's lobbying firm is successful with the state legislature, it could mean an extra $180,000 for the county's assessment fund, county assessor Jerry Reynolds said. The money would be used to help operate the assessor's department, which officials say is understaffed...

Otahkians' Cotton is OVC newcomer of the week Southeast Missouri State University's Sami Jo Cotton is the Ohio Valley Conference newcomer of the week for women's basketball, the league announced Monday. Cotton, a 5-foot-7 junior guard who transferred from a junior college, average 9.3 points and three rebounds during the Otahkians' three games last week...

Baseball The Diamondbacks got Richie Sexson from Milwaukee in a nine-player deal that sent infielder Craig Counsell and second baseman Junior Spivey to the Brewers. ...

Scott City will review its ordinance covering vicious animals and ask the owner of a pit bull to build a privacy fence, Mayor Tim Porch says. Porch made the statements in response to the concerns of three residents who came before the city council Monday. Mike Job, Dee Gettings and Esther Henson live in the Chapman Circle neighborhood near the pit bull...

Harris Son to Fred Lee and Cassandra Michelle Harris Jr. of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 10:20 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, 2003. Name, Cameron David. Weight, 8 pounds 13 ounces. Fifth child, third son. Mrs. Harris is the former Cassandra Carter, daughter of Joyce Thrower of Jackson and Albert Carter of Cape Girardeau. Harris is the son of Fred and Willene Harris Sr. of Cape Girardeau. He is employed at Procter & Gamble...

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following calls Monday: At 9:29 a.m., a medical assist at 1105 Linden, Apt. 205. At 11:21 a.m., a medical assist at 2311 Jane St.

Cape Girardeau The following items were released by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrest Travis Tramell Cox, 23, of 1423 Luce St., Cape Girardeau, was arrested Sunday on a Cape Girardeau warrant for contempt of court for failure to pay fine for no operator's license...

One of two teens charged in a break-in at Schultz School pleaded guilty to misdemeanor trespassing in Cape Girardeau County Circuit Court on Monday. Jonathan H. Dodson, 19, could be sentenced to up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500 at his sentencing hearing before Judge Gary Kamp on Dec. ...

First Friday Coffee will feature a talk on work-force development and the construction industry. The speaker will be John S. Gaal, the director of training and work-force development for Carpenters District Council of Greater St. Louis and Vicinity. First Friday Coffee is a monthly program held by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. This month's meeting will be held at 7:30 a.m. Friday at the Show Me Center. For more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 335-3312...

Public hearings Held a public hearing regarding a petition for voluntary annexation presented by Gwenn L. Freitag for property in Peaceable Acres Subdivision along Cape La Croix Road. Held a public hearing regarding the request of Eldon Nattier and James Coley for a special-use permit to convert a four-family building into a five-bed bed and breakfast at 627 S. Sprigg St...

One million dollars that is currently sitting in a 911 checking account will be invested soon. The Cape Girardeau County Commission voted Monday to have county auditor David Ludwig look into 30-, 60- and 90-day notes and try to find the best rates. Last week, Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones was surprised to find the money was sitting in a checking account, earning just 0.5 percent interest...

Cape Girardeau City Council members want to prevent overcrowding of tenants in rented homes that has caused an "Animal House" college atmosphere in some single-family residential neighborhoods. The council on Monday night instructed city manager Doug Leslie to begin the process of adopting new regulations that would allow city officials to ask the municipal judge to issue search warrants to inspect residential houses in cases where tenant overcrowding is suspected...

Stephen King recovering from pneumonia, surgery BANGOR, Maine -- Stephen King remained hospitalized Monday, but his spokesman said the author's condition was improving and that he'd been taken off of oxygen in his recovery from a bout with pneumonia. King, 56, was hospitalized Nov. 23 and underwent surgery two days later to remove fluid and scar tissue from one of his lungs. King is expected to make a full recovery...

SALE. It's the most powerful word in the English language, particularly this time of year when stores are crammed with holiday shoppers searching for just the right Christmas presents. We visited family in St. Louis last weekend, but our visit wouldn't have been complete without a shopping excursion...

The Cape Girardeau Jaycees are collecting Christmas toys and gifts to be delivered to the city's needy children and elderly. Donations are accepted at the Southeast Missourian offices and other locations around town. Monetary donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 4; Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0004...