Stories from Sunday, December 7, 2003

There are four regular-season games left and plenty can still happen, but the Rams -- despite all their so-called ugly wins this year -- are looking more and more like Super Bowl contenders every week. Sure, some people might snicker and say the Rams have barely beaten some of football's worst teams recently, so how can they be considered one of the NFL's elite units?...

KNOB NOSTER, Mo. -- To motorists enjoying peaceful rural scenery along meandering U.S. 50 in western Missouri, the batwing-shaped plane's sudden appearance can be startling. Knob Noster police Lt. Jane Logan just chuckles. "You always know the visitors and tourists, because they are pulled over on the highway shoulder to get a good look at it. But folks around here have gotten used to seeing that plane, and we like it," Logan said...

ST. LOUIS -- Boeing Co. has delivered its final Harrier II jet, ending 22 years of building or modifying the distinctive aircraft in St. Louis. About 600 people gathered at Boeing's manufacturing complex as the last Harrier II Plus was turned over to the Spanish navy on Friday...

BOONVILLE, Mo. -- Christine Chase and her siblings learned how to salute, run, climb and use ropes to overcome obstacles a long time ago. Now the three will get a chance to use all of those skills for real in the Air Force. Chase, 21, sister Ricki Alleman, 25, and brother Michael Chase, 19, recently decided to join the military together, a rare family phenomenon in military recruiting, Air Force recruiter Sgt. Jonas Patterson said...

The Internet has changed the way in which we communicate. Thanks to e-mail, we can almost instantly send and receive messages to and from people around the world. For those who wait until the last minute to send a holiday greeting card, and for those who forgot to send a card to someone from whom they received one, the speed of the Internet can save the day. We can use the elves in the Internet to deliver personal e-cards, complete with family pictures...

NEW YORK -- Most children just want to fit in. They want to blend into the cafeteria crowd, walking, talking and dressing like their peers, and never to be singled out for reasons good or bad. It's understandable, then, that shopping ranks as a traumatic experience if children are taller, huskier or heavier than their friends and can't wear similar clothes or even use the same stores...

Advertisers make sure that everyone understands the "season of giving" during the holidays, but this year's crop of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa books aim to help children understand the kind of giving that can't be measured in dollars. Characters as varied as a miniature donkey named Ernest, a redheaded second-grader whose words get jumbled between his brain and his tongue, friendly aliens traveling in a spaceship and Santa Claus himself show a generosity of spirit that provides an alternative to the relentless holiday marketing.. ...

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia issued the names and photos of its 26 most wanted terrorist suspects and increased protection around Western housing compounds in the capital Saturday as the United States upgraded its security warning, restricting its diplomats' movements...

MILAN, Italy -- Western Europe might actually get colder as a result of global warming, because the melting Arctic ice cap is cooling off the warm ocean current that is largely responsible for Europe's mild weather, scientists and environmentalists said...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The family of the late Gov. Mel Carnahan rested its case in a wrongful death lawsuit against an aircraft parts maker with testimony from Jean Carnahan, who described her final conversation with her husband before he and their son, Randy, died in a plane crash...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- For U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, it's a nightmare scenario -- terrorists taking advantage of Missouri's lonesome back roads to infect cattle with biological agents that could devastate herds, rock farm markets and perhaps kill people consuming tainted meat...

DENVER -- Dante Hall caught the punt at the 7-yard line and went backward as his teammates yelled "No! No! No!" But as he juked his way past just about every Denver player and reached the corner with nothing but open field ahead, the chants quickly turned to "Go! Go! Go!"...

Most Americans have milestone memories: The assassination of President Kennedy, the space shuttle disasters, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. For many older Americans, that defining moment is Dec. 7, 1941. That's the day Japanese bombers attacked Pearl Harbor, pushing the United States into World War II...

Over the river and through the woods -- that's the way to Grandma's house, but the home at 362 Quail Creek Drive in Jackson proves that you don't have to go that far to be at your country home. This home is located in the rolling hills off Highway 25 between Gordonville and Jackson, in a new real estate development known as Quail Creek. ...

A year ago, Cape Girardeau city employees were putting together facts and figures in an effort to assess spending needs and anticipated revenue. Their efforts resulted in a recommendation for a long list of capital improvements and increased pay that would have required a tax increase, considering the economy at the time was still stagnant...

Illinois State Police are investigating a shooting that injured two at the Purple Crackle in East Cape Girardeau, Ill., early Saturday. The shooting occurred at about 2:30 a.m., a police spokesman said. A suspect was taken into custody, but police aren't releasing any names pending the filing of formal charges. The victims were treated for minor injuries at St. Francis Medical Center and released...

Jackson police made strides Saturday afternoon in a vandalism investigation that has cost residents thousands of dollars. Police arrested two 15-year-old boys and one 14-year-old boy on suspicion of burglary, property damage, arson, trespassing, stealing and tampering with a public utility...

WASHINGTON -- Hoping to spend as much as it wants on next year's elections, the National Rifle Association is looking to buy a television or radio station and declare that it should be treated as a news organization, exempt from spending limits in the campaign finance law...

HUDSON, N.Y. -- From a 1940s-style Christmas tree at FDR's family home, to scenes from classic stories at a 19th century villa, the historic mansions of the Hudson Valley will be decorated this month in the spirit of holidays past. Visitors to Olana, home of Hudson River School painter Frederic Church, will be able to glimpse a tree in the family's sitting room as it might have looked in the late 1800s. ...

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Their margin for error wiped out by a 1-5 start, the Chicago Bears tackle their final four games knowing coach Dick Jauron's future could rest on the results. "I'd love to win the rest of the games and go into the playoffs and make all those other people regret they ever said what they said about him, about losing his job or whatever," defensive end Phillip Daniels said...

YESSENTUKI, Russia -- One family planned to bury their daughter in the wedding dress she had hoped to wear soon, while another mother wept Saturday after discovering her son alive but deeply disfigured from the suspected suicide bombing on a commuter train in southern Russia...

CAIRO, Egypt -- Palestinian factions disagreed sharply in talks Saturday on a cease-fire offer to Israel -- with one delegate briefly storming out -- but participants said an agreement was still possible. After initially rejecting any truce, the hardline militant Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups softened their position, saying they would consider halting attacks on Israelis if Israel agreed to cease military actions...

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- President Chen Shui-bian wants Taiwan's first islandwide referendum to be a vote demanding that China stop threatening the island and remove hundreds of missiles aimed at it, an official said Saturday. The purely symbolic vote -- planned for March 20 -- has already made Beijing and Washington nervous...

Highways and sidewalks turned treacherous Saturday for the millions of people living in the Northeast as the area's first big storm of the season piled up a foot of blowing snow, grounding airline flights and postponing SAT college exams and football games...

Surely you don't need to be reminded that the season of giving includes remembering your favorite causes -- or some you hadn't heard of until now: "The Sweater Book" (St. Martin's Press, $35 hardcover), by Stephen Mosher is not, as you might first think, a collection of knitting instructions. ...

The following was sent to me via e-mail, this was written by an 83-year-old. The last line says it all. Dear Bertha, I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them....

If not for his teenage children, Dr. Walter A. Schroeder Jr. wouldn't know who matchbox twenty is. But if lead singer Rob Thomas should develop a case of laryngitis before tonight's concert at the Show Me Center, Schroeder will come to the rescue...

Some soldiers would tell you that half of military life is spent standing in line. The other half is preparing for war. That's what more than 500 soldiers in the National Guard's 1140th Engineer Battalion spent this weekend doing in Perryville at the Missouri National Guard Armory. ...

SANYA, China -- Ireland's Rosanna Davison was crowned Miss World on Saturday, beating 105 other women from around the globe at the competition held at this southern Chinese tropical resort. The 19-year-old Davison -- daughter of Chris De Burgh, the singer best known for his 1986 hit "Lady in Red" -- accepted her tiara with a minimum of fuss, waving calmly to the audience as the other contestants hugged and kissed her while gold confetti were blasted out of a mock cannon...

TEL AVIV, Israel -- "People have told me straight up to my face: 'Man, you're a fascist,"' says Subliminal, Israel's hip-hop king. In spite of -- or perhaps because of -- such controversy, the 24-year-old rapper's mix of hip-hop attitude and right-wing politics has become an anthem for young Israelis hungry for a secular Jewish identity and confused by three years of harsh conflict with the Palestinians...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Ell Roberson and Kansas State spoiled Oklahoma's undefeated season, creating chaos in the BCS that could still end up with the Sooners in the national title game. Roberson threw four touchdown passes, Darren Sproles ran for 235 yards and the 13th-ranked Wildcats shredded No. 1 Oklahoma's vaunted defense in a 35-7 victory Saturday night that gave them their first conference title in 69 years...

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- A Penn State University student died after falling more than 40 feet down an elevator shaft at a dormitory, authorities said Saturday. Katherine Ibanez had been trying to get out of an elevator that had stopped between the third and fourth floors Friday night in Atherton Hall...

SAN FRANCISCO -- The two candidates in Tuesday's runoff mayoral election weren't even born when the man they hope to replace, 69-year-old Willie Brown, began his storied political career. But youth and inexperience are not exactly liabilities in a place as covetous of its cutting-edge image as San Francisco, where voters are poised to elect the city's youngest mayor in over a century...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Rekindling bitter memories, Democratic leaders and presidential candidates accused President Bush of stealing the 2000 election in Florida and pledged Saturday to avenge that loss next year. "Florida is the place where America's democracy was wounded," White House hopeful John Kerry told 5,000 delegates at the state party convention...

SAMARRA, Iraq -- Iraqis mourning two men killed in a firefight with U.S. troops clashed Saturday with civil defense forces, killing one officer and setting his pickup truck ablaze. "Long live Saddam!" they chanted as the vehicle smoldered. Further north, as Defense Secretary Donald H. ...

SRINAGAR, India -- Kashmiri rebels must make compromises to end violence in the disputed Himalayan region, even if that means softening their long-held demand for self-determination, a senior separatist leader said. Accepting Kashmir as a demilitarized zone with wide autonomy but no political sovereignty may be an option for settling the decades-old dispute between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan, Umar Farooq said...

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Nine children were found dead after an American air raid in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday, the U.S. military said. An American A-10 aircraft struck a site south of Ghazni where a "known terrorist" was believed to be hiding at about 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Army Maj. Christopher E. West told The Associated Press...

BERLIN -- German hit "Good Bye, Lenin!" picked up the top honors Saturday at the annual European Film Awards ceremony, while the best director award went to Denmark's Lars von Trier for "Dogville," a dark drama starring Nicole Kidman. Wolfgang Becker's "Good Bye, Lenin!" has become a box office sensation in its home country since its release in the spring. ...

CINCINNATI -- A weekend rally planned to protest the death of a black man following a struggle with police was canceled Saturday at the request of the man's family. The Rev. Calvin Harper, president of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Greater Cincinnati and Vicinity, said the group would not march on city hall today to protest the death of Nathaniel Jones...

HOUSTON -- A businessman who used his own money to bankroll a first-time run for political office grabbed a big lead Saturday over a former city councilman in early results of Houston's mayoral runoff. With 13 percent of the precincts reporting, Bill White had 62 percent of the votes to Orlando Sanchez's 38 percent...

DULUTH, Minn. -- Chemist Pavel Krasutsky calls it nature's "white gold." Betulin, a powdery substance in the outer bark of the birch tree, has been shown to help wounds heal faster and cut inflammation. Many cosmetic companies, touting it as a skin toner and restorer, add birch bark extract to various products. And a birch bark compound, betulinic acid, is being tested as a treatment for melanoma and other serious diseases...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After decades of watching astronauts circle Earth, space visionaries finally have reason for optimism: NASA and other agencies are working with the White House on a bold, new course of exploration. Whether the destination is the moon or Mars -- or whether any plan actually makes liftoff -- remains to be seen. For space buffs, just to get a defined mission would be cause for hope...

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Missouri needed someone to take control Saturday. Freshman Linas Kleiza didn't give it a second thought. The fourth-ranked Tigers rallied from a 14-point deficit over the final seven minutes, getting four straight points from Kleiza to keep them close. Kleiza then put the Tigers ahead on a three-point play as they held Indiana scoreless for the final 4:29 in a 63-58 victory...

NEW YORK -- Jewelry can impart an air of sophistication, can symbolize affection in the form of a gift or, as is the case this year, can pack some serious attitude. Whether peeking out beneath long hair or worn with a sleek updo to allow them to shine brilliantly on their own, oversize "chandelier" earrings may be jewelry's biggest trend...

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Authorities closed nearly half of the beltway around the city for two hours after dusk Saturday as federal agents investigating 14 shootings there used lasers to take ballistic measurements. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms walked in the westbound lane of Interstate 270 as a sedan crept along in the eastbound lane. The car appeared to be similar to the one 62-year-old Gail Knisley was riding in when she was fatally shot on Nov. 25...

CHENGDU, China -- At table No. 6, a man and woman deftly snag the last kernels of corn from the plate. Waitress Niu Ming makes a rapid scissors motion with her right hand as she watches them. "Chopsticks make your hands stronger," said Niu, on duty at the Old Gedou Sichuan Specialties Restaurant...

Gov. Schwarzenegger handed his first setback SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was dealt his first major political setback when the legislature rejected his borrow-and-spending-cap proposal. Now he's vowing to go over the legislature and take his plan straight to the voters. ...

Cape Girardeau The following items were released by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI David Mayberry of 636 County Highway 327, Scott City, was arrested Saturday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Arrests Delandric Webb, 28, of 732 N. Middle, Cape Girardeau, was arrested Friday on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance...

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded Friday to the following items: At 7:53 p.m., medical assist at 3049 William. At 9:52 p.m., medical assist at 20 S. Sprigg. Firefighters responded Saturday to the following items: At 3:08 a.m., medical assist at the Mississippi River Bridge...

Baseball The Mets spent Saturday awaiting an answer from Kazuo Matsui on whether he'll accept the team's offer of a three-year contract for about $20 million, a source told The Associated Press. While the Mets thought they were on the verge of an agreement based on conversations with the shortstop's agent, Matsui hadn't signed off on the deal, a baseball official with knowledge of the negotiations said Saturday on condition of anonymity. ...

Willing to help MY SPOUSE is a professional who probably makes a lot more than the 27-year-old complaining about having to pay for prescriptions for the elderly. We don't mind to help senior citizens who need their medicine. Paying for protection I SEE the city is telling us that the shortage of police officers is because of low pay. ...

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Nebel of Cape Girardeau celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a dinner at Bella Italia Nov. 29. Hosts were their children and spouses, Sharon King, Vicki and Charles Rolf, all of St. Louis, and Steve and Connie Nebel of Cape Girardeau...

CORALVILLE, Iowa -- One congressman wants $50 million to build a tropical rainforest in Iowa. Another wants $225,000 to repair a swimming pool he and friends clogged with tadpoles when they were kids in Nevada. In Illinois, it's the restoration of a historic mule barn. In Texas, an oil museum...

Last year, tons of snow lining Jackson's streets turned the city's annual Christmas parade into a holiday postcard scene. Saturday's edition of the parade didn't have snow, but it was covered in Christmas spirit. About 2,500 people lined the parade route, stretching along High Street, Main Street and Union Avenue. Some came more than a half hour early just to get a good spot to watch the 78 floats, three marching bands and hundreds of friends and neighbors...

Mike Nelke came to Southeast Missouri State University with a reputation as a long-range bomber supreme, but the Valparaiso transfer had been struggling with his shot through the first five games of the season. Nelke finally found his range Saturday night as he came off the bench to hit two key 3-pointers in the first half, helping spark the Indians to a surprisingly easy 80-63 victory over Missouri-Kansas City in front of 3,851 fans at the Show Me Center...

NEW YORK -- Whether you walk into a jewelry store with visions of chandeliers or wedding bells, it pays to educate yourself about a girl's best, and most expensive, friend. The Diamond Information Center, an organization that promotes the diamond industry, says diamond consumers should go to school on the "four C's." That's color, clarity, cut and carat -- how a diamond measures up on these four criteria determines its value...

ATLANTA -- The last time there was a flu strain mutation similar to the one sickening thousands of Americans this year, nearly 65,000 died. And that was only five years ago. Flu experts say it's clear this flu season will be much worse than in the past few years, but they are not ready to predict it will be one of the deadliest in modern times. ...

Patrice Seibert was asleep at the hospital bedside of her badly burned teenage son when police came and took her away. The tactics used in the 3 a.m. arrest and interrogation of the Missouri mother of five, suspected of plotting with the injured son to set fire to her house trailer in February 1997, are at the heart of a case that has reached the Supreme Court...

ST. LOUIS -- The Rams could have a chance to clinch a playoff berth on national television this week, but coach Mike Martz says he doesn't expect his team to play any harder or better than any other game. "I think that it means more," Martz said. "Does it make us play better? If it does, I'd be disappointed."...

Cancer patients throughout the region will soon have access to revolutionary new treatments now that both Cape Girardeau hospitals plan to begin offering stereotactic radiosurgery, a noninvasive procedure to treat tumors and other lesions. On Monday, Southeast Missouri Hospital received unanimous approval from the Missouri Facilities Review Commission for a $2.7 million certificate of need to become the first hospital in Missouri to offer Novalis shaped beam surgery...

ST. LOUIS -- Mark Rycroft had two goals and an assist, helping the St. Louis Blues snap the Nashville Predators' six-game winning streak with a 4-1 victory Saturday night. With the win, the Blues moved back into a tie for first place in the Central Division with Detroit. The Red Wings lost 5-2 to Toronto earlier Saturday...

Saturday's women's basketball game between Southeast Missouri State University and visiting Southern Arkansas was basically decided in the opening five minutes. The Otahkians scored the night's first 14 points during that stretch and were never threatened during a 84-57 romp that saddled the Division II Muleriders with their first loss of the season...

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Central was plagued by early foul trouble and simply could not overcome a big size advantage for Hazelwood Central and fell in the Farmington Tournament finals 72-49. Hazelwood Central (4-2), which sports five players 6-foot-4 or taller including University of Missouri signee Calen Grimes, outmanned a much smaller Tiger lineup. ...

Woody and Debbie Rooker of Delta announce the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer Rooker, to Robby Lemonds. He is the son of Keith Lemonds of Delta and Jeanine Lemonds of Flint, Mich. Rooker is a 2000 graduate of Delta High School. She is employed at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau and Delta Quick Mart...

Mr. and Mrs. William C. Meyer of Chesterfield, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Susan Marie Meyer, to Robert Alan Miller. He is the son of Corena Ressel of Kelso, and the late Frank Miller. Meyer is a 1997 graduate of Parkway Central High School. She expects to receive a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis this month...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Angela Denise Stricker and Paul David Christian were united in marriage Aug. 23, 2003, at St. Henry Catholic Church. Msgr. Richard Rolwing performed the ceremony. Readers were Mary Weber of Jackson, aunt of the bride, and Laura DeJournett of Dexter, cousin of the bride...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Faith A. Wilson, stillborn, of Perryville died Saturday, Dec. 5, 2003, at Perry County Memorial Hospital. She was born Dec. 5, 2003, at Perryville, daughter of Jeremy and Vicki Lynn Pryor Wilson of Perryville. Survivors include a sister, Kelsey Hartman of St. Louis; maternal grandparents, Homer and Ann Watson of Perryville and paternal grandparents, Dale and Vanessa Wilson of Campbell Hill, Ill...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Donald R. Jones, 71, of Chaffee, formerly of Flora, Ill., died Friday, Dec. 5, 2003. He was born July 6, 1932, to Billie M. and Ida Jane Ramsey Jones. He married Betty Marie Baxter April 18, 1971 in Charleston, Ill. She preceded him in death...

Ruby D. Wilson, 82, of Jackson died Friday, Dec. 5, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born Sept. 9, 1921, at Gordonville, daughter of the late Louis and Cora Henderson Wilson. Wilson worked for Dr. Salzmann for several years. She has been a member of the Jackson congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses for 34 years...

Peggy J. Burlison, 82, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Dec. 5, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center. She was born June 2, 1921, in Senath, Mo., to Phillip and Birdie Henson Nipper. She married Farris Eugene Foster June 8, 1941, in Piggot, Ark. He preceded her in death Aug. 4, 1979. She married Woodrow J. Burlison in 1982 in Kennett, Mo. He preceded her in death Dec. 6, 1996...

To the editor: The kids who play ice hockey in the Cape Girardeau region are having a tough season. The local ice rink at Plaza Galleria is not functioning at the present time and has left ice hockey players and competitive ice skaters without a place to train and prepare for games or competitions...

To the editor: On behalf of the Shawnee District Scouts and adult volunteers, we extend our thanks for a successful Scouting for Food event. Local residents in the district -- which covers Cape Girardeau, Perry and Bollinger counties as well as Scott City, Advance and Chaffee in Scott County -- contributed over 63,000 food items that will go to local food pantries. ...

To the editor: We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Good Samaritans who helped our mother when she was involved in an auto accident this week on New Madrid Street in Cape Girardeau. Unfortunately she did not get the names of all of the kind people who helped her and stayed with her until a family member arrived. However, we are truly grateful for your kindness and for the love shown to her during that time...

Support on the road I WOULD like to thank the group of Southeast fans that attended the Indians' game at SIU. The handful of fans did a fantastic job of making a lot of noise from start to finish. It would be nice to see that same typr of atmoshpere created at the Show Me Center. ...

RACINE, Wis. -- Gerald D. "Bink" Bryant, 58, of Racine, formerly of Thebes, Ill., died Friday, Dec. 5, 2003, at St. Mary's Hospital in Racine. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday until time of funeral at 11 a.m. at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, Ill. The Rev. Jimmie Monahan will officiate. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Thebes...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Dorothy Marie Hilderbrand, 73, of Perryville died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003, at Perry County Nursing Home. She was born Jan. 29, 1930, at Belgique, Mo., to Hubert P. and Pauline DePauw Dobbelare. She married Robert Lee "Bob" Hilderbrand March 17, 1962. She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and American Legion Auxiliary Post 133...

MILLER CITY, Ill. -- Charles Orville Thomas, 89, of Miller City died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Crain Funeral Home in Anna, Ill. The funeral will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jerry Herring officiating...

TAMMS, Ill. -- Tonika Christine Schultz and Chad Michael Schuster were married June 28, 2003, at Alexander Freewill Baptist Church in Olive Branch, Ill. Earnest Brown performed the ceremony. Pianist was Sharon Smith of Troy, Mo., aunt of the groom. Vocalists were Susan Whybark of Wickliffe, Ky., and the bride...

ALTENBURG, Mo. -- Karissa Ann Kaczmarek and Justin Kenneth Burroughs were married June 14, 2003, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Omaha, Neb. The Rev. Dermot Dunne performed the ceremony. Pianist and organist was Rick Jacobi of Omaha. Server was Jerad Kuhl of Randolph, Neb., cousin of the bride. Lectors were Charlene Palisch of Altenburg, aunt of the groom, and Philip O'Halloran of Omaha, uncle of the bride...

Pamela Jean Schmidt and Michael Derek Oslund exchanged vows June 20, 2003, at St. John's United Church of Christ in St. Charles, Mo. Dan Green and the Rev. Ric Zuch performed the ceremony. Readers were Jennifer Huber of Des Moines, Iowa, and Scarlett Cook of Cape Girardeau...

Debra Kay Richardson and Vernon L. Norfolk Jr. were married Nov. 14, 2003, in Charleston, Mo. The Rev. Gerald Collier performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Ruth Slavit of Crystal City, Mo., and the late Max Slavit. The groom is the son of Vernon Norfolk Sr. of Old Appleton, Mo., and Leonard and Jeanie Tournear of Quincy, Ill...

Jackson Church of the Nazarene was the setting Oct. 25, 2003, for the wedding of Linda Marie Daniels and Timothy Wayne Dow. The Rev. Kenneth Harper performed the ceremony. Recorded music was provided by David Presnell of Jackson. The bride is the daughter of the late Clarence and Margaret Daniels of DeSoto, Mo. The groom is the son of Charlotte Dow of Cape Girardeau and Darrell Dow of St. Louis...

Some Southeast Missouri State University students make an extra effort at the school's basketball games -- painting their faces, stomping their feet and performing their version of an Indian dance. But a bigger noise is sounding now throughout the campus and the community as alumni and student groups suggest dropping the Indian nickname and coming up with another one that can be depicted on T-shirts and as a school mascot at athletic events...

10 years ago: Dec. 7, 1993 Jay B. Knudtson on Monday became third candidate to file for election to Cape Girardeau's Ward 6 city council seat; other Ward 6 candidates are Dennis Dobson and Jess Hopple. There will be at least one new face on Jackson Board of Aldermen next April; three-term Ward 4 Alderman LeRoy Brown says he will retire from board in April 1994, when his current term expires...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Ruth A. Sitter, 76, of rural Jonesboro died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, Ill. She was born April 10, 1927, in Anna, Ill., to Charles Oscar and Lola Ryan. She married Dorris Sitter in Anna in 1944. He preceded her in death. She worked for Bernis Bag Co. in Peoria, Ill...

ST. LOUIS -- Andre Iguodala had 16 points and 13 rebounds and Salim Stoudamire hit two clinching free throws with 12 seconds to go, helping No. 7 Arizona survive a scare with a 68-67 victory over Saint Louis on Saturday. Saint Louis (3-2) thought it had forced overtime when Reggie Bryant hit an apparent 3-pointer from the top of the key with 3.1 seconds to go and the Billikens didn't foul on the ensuing inbounds. ...