Stories from Saturday, August 21, 2004

By Howard Dean As everyone who reads this column knows, I strongly opposed the war in Iraq because I did not believe the president was being truthful with us about the potential dangers Saddam Hussein posed to our safety. I also criticized the president for not using institutions such as the United Nations in a cooperative way to help accomplish a goal most Americans shared, which was to limit the destructive role Saddam played in the region and in his own country...

FROHNA, Mo. -- Zachary Daniel Steffens, 20, of Frohna died Aug. 20, 2004, in a vehicle accident in Perry County, Mo. He was born July 19, 1984, in Cape Girardeau, son of Daniel and Lori Engert Steffens. Steffens was a 2003 graduate of Perryville High School in Perryville, Mo., and a 2004 graduate of Wyoming Technical School. He was a mechanic at Keller Motors in Perryville and a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Altenburg, Mo...

OLMSTED, Ill. -- Paul Cecil Forker, 82, of Lincoln Park, Mich., formerly of Olmsted, died Thursday, Aug. 19, 2004, at Henry Ford Medical Center in Wyandotte, Mich. He was born June 30, 1922, in America, Ill., son of Charles and Lizette Dagner Forker. He married Ann Decker, who died Feb. 24, 2004...

Merril G. Heise, 72, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Aug. 19, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

In Thursday's edition, a story about the Cappucinno Cafe in Kelso incorrectly spelled the Ressel family's name. The Southeast Missourian regrets the error.

10 years ago: Aug. 21, 1994 The Rev. Mark H. Anderson assumes pastorate of Lynwood Baptist Church; he comes to Cape Girardeau from Broken Arrow, Okla., where he was associate pastor at First Baptist Church. FARRAR, Mo. - The Rev. Robert W. Schneider is installed as new pastor of Salem Lutheran Church in Farrar and Zion Lutheran Church in Crosstown; he has been pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rosebud since 1990...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's unemployment rate rose again in July as the state endured the worst job losses in the country. Last month's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.5 percent, up from 5.2 percent in June, according to data released Friday by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rate in May was 5.1 percent...

NAJAF, Iraq -- A rebel cleric's militiamen kept their guns outside a holy site Friday after issuing a surprise offer to give up control of the Imam Ali Shrine to Shiite Muslim religious leaders, but negotiators wrangled into the night over getting the militants out of the compound...

Here was the idea: Students from low-income inner-city backgrounds could perform as well as better-off suburban students -- if they had a school that gave them proper support. Founded in 1999 with that idea in mind, Amistad Academy is a public charter school in New Haven, Conn., whose 250 students, overwhelmingly poor and minority, are drawn at random from New Haven's public schools. ...

Former Southeast basketball player Carina Souza made her debut in goal. By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian Carina Souza waited a long time to finally play organized soccer. So far, she's enjoying virtually every minute of it...

Betty R. McGregor, 76, of Scott City, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Friday, Aug. 20, 2004, at Fountainbleau Lodge in Cape Girardeau. She was born Jan. 30, 1928, in Sikeston, daughter of James and Emma Arnold Hodges. She married W.E. "Gene" McGregor, who died Jan. 4, 1993...

PUXICO, Mo. -- Iva L. Andersen, 78, of Puxico died Friday, Aug. 20, 2004, at Chaffee Nursing Center in Chaffee, Mo. She was born Jan. 3, 1926, in Scott County, Mo., daughter of Leslie and Edith Mann Medlin. She and Orville E. Andersen were married July 4, 1943, in North Platte, Neb. He died Sept. 21, 1991...

LONDON -- A majority of U.N. Security Council members oppose immediate heavy sanctions on Sudan if it fails to quell ethnic violence in its western Darfur region by a deadline at the end of the month, Britain's Foreign Office said Friday. Some countries opposed sanctions on principle; others feared that vested interests in Sudan would be damaged by economic embargoes; and others -- including Britain -- were wary of giving the impression that the "international community is beating up on the government of Sudan," a senior Foreign Office official said.. ...

Cape school board seeking replacement With the resignation of member Robert Brown Monday, the Cape Girardeau School Board will begin searching for a replacement for the seven-member board. Brown is relocating to St. Louis. Cape Girardeau superintendent Mark Bowles said the board plans to accept his resignation at its regular meeting Monday, then will advertise for a new member to fill Brown's shoes. ...

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following items on Thursday: At 1:55 p.m., an emergency medical service at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park. At 6:34 p.m., an emergency medical service at 1000 Towers. Firefighters responded to the following items on Friday: At 4:55 a.m., an emergency medical service in the 500 block of Boxwood Street...

Cape Girardeau The following items were released Friday by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Byron T. Henderson, 32, 1721 Cape Meadows Circle, Apt. 9, was arrested on a Mississippi County warrant for failure to appear in court for failure to pay fines...

Cape Girardeau County Sheriff The following items were released Friday by the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Lonnie R. Chamberlin, 21, of Sikeston, Mo., was arrested Aug. 14 on a Scott County warrant for possession of a controlled substance...

Changing traffic patterns on any city's streets is not a matter to be taken lightly. There are plenty of motorists who remember the one-way traffic patterns on Broadway and Independence Street in Cape Girardeau several years ago that created such a furor that both streets were returned to two-way traffic...

To the editor: Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. -- 13th Amendment...

MOUNDS, Ill. -- Helen Brown, 88, of Mounds died Thursday, Aug. 19, 2004, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Dec. 4, 1915, in McClure, Ill., daughter of Charles and Maude Jackson Prather. She and Verlie Brown were married Sept. 5, 1931. He died Feb. 8, 1999...

Drucilla Kuntze, 77, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Aug. 20, 2004, at her home. She was born March 9, 1927, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Harry and Bertha Baker Gluckhertz. She and Paul A. Kuntze were married Aug. 26, 1950, in Piggott, Ark. Mrs. Kuntze was a lifetime resident of Cape Girardeau, and was active in Girl Scouts eight years...

For the first time in 14 years, residents of Cape Girardeau have found a local issue that is important enough to petition for change. A group of pet owners is petitioning the city council to lift its restrictions on the number of pets allowed per household. The petition asks that the council reconsider the section of a new ordinance that limits the number of pets a person can own to no more than four cats and four dogs...

The vision is grand. A new interchange along Interstate 55 will connect to Jackson's Main Street, easing traffic and creating a new entrance for the county seat and, eventually, for Cape Girardeau. The project would create an avenue for commercial development as well as for Southeast Missouri State University's proposed life sciences research park. All this will lead to more tax revenue for the cities and the county; more high-paying jobs and more money for the university...

The saying "the show must go on" proved true Friday night at the finals of the Jackson Homecomers talent show. After a full day of rain left the outdoor stage too wet for performances, the junior division competitors had to move to the First Presbyterian Church nearby, where a small stage half as big as the outdoor version stood in for the real thing...

Baseball The city of Chicago has hired an independent company to inspect Wrigley Field after threatening to cancel Monday night's home game if the Cubs can't prove the 90-year-old ballpark is safe. Construction Technology Laboratories will evaluate the ballpark this weekend and verify that repairs made in 2001 were completed correctly, Buildings Commissioner Stan Kaderbek announced Friday in a news release...

Turn right THIS IS to the motorists going north on Seimers Drive and turning right onto Route K. There are two lanes. The one on the right is supposed to go south on the interstate. There's a sign there saying right lane must turn right. A bunch of people aren't turning on the interstate, and they're going to cause an accident...

Grammer Daughter to Russell Brandon and Amy Elizabeth Grammer, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 7:25 a.m. Tuesday, July 13, 2004. Name, Sarah Elizabeth. Weight, 7 pounds 4 ounces. Third child, first daughter. Mrs. Grammer is the former Amy Brandt, daughter of Sharon Franke of Little Rock, Ark., and Trudy Brandt of Cape Girardeau. Grammer is the son of Sue Grammer of Cape Girardeau and Bobby Grammer of the state of Georgia. He is a teacher with Cape Girardeau School District...

Ten years after its start, Father's Arms Fellowship doesn't seem to have changed much. Of course, there's been the move from the garage at the pastor's home where the Scott City church first met to the building at 1400 Main St. it purchased seven years ago; the addition of a youth and children's area and a major remodeling project that was finished in time for the anniversary celebrations...

ATHENS, Greece -- The U.S. women's volleyball team began the Olympics with golden aspirations. Now it's just hoping to make the medal round. Not even a surprise pep talk from the unbeatable U.S. softball team could end this puzzling slump. Ekaterina Gamova had 28 points and the match-winning kill to lead powerful Russia to a five-set victory over the United States on Friday, 20-25, 25-17, 20-25, 25-18, 15-11...

By Paul Newberry ~ The Associated Press ATHENS, Greece -- Michael Phelps ended his magnificent Olympics with a magnanimous gesture. He matched Mark Spitz's record of four individual gold medals in the pool, then gave up a coveted spot on the 400-meter medley relay team to Ian Crocker -- whom Phelps had just beaten...

St. Louis' two-game skid ended with 5-4 and 5-3 wins over Pittsburgh. The Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- Scott Rolen became the third St. Louis player to hit 30 homers this season and Chris Carpenter set a career best with his 13th win, leading the Cardinals over the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-3 Friday night to complete a day-night doubleheader sweep...

The St. Louis pitcher was ejected from Friday's opener for having a "dirty" hat. By R.B. Fallstrom ~ The Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Cardinals reliever Julian Tavarez keeps running into trouble with his grimy, dirt-smudged cap. For the first time this season, it got him ejected...

WASHINGTON -- Federal health officials are preparing stronger warnings for some antidepressants used in children after new analyses back a possible link to suicide. Exactly what those warnings will say, and which drugs will be affected, hasn't been settled, according to Food and Drug Administration documents released Friday. The agency will ask its scientific advisers next month for help in deciding...

ATHENS, Greece -- Robina Muqimyar began her track and field training for the 2004 Olympics running on the cracked concrete of the stadium where Afghanistan's Taliban regime had executed scores of people, sometimes hanging their bodies on soccer goal posts...

Today Para Ti Cape Girardeau Hispanic block party from 3 to 8 p.m. at Arena Park, sponsored by the Iglesia Comunidad Bautista de Cape Girardeau and Lynwood Baptist Church. Sunday Dedication service at Maple United Methodist Church for the new fellowship hall. Worship is at 10:15 a.m., followed by a potluck at 11:30 a.m. The dedication is at 1:30 p.m. with district superintendent Steve Breon...

They are campers, old-school RVs. They are distinctive shimmering aluminum trailers with rounded angles that make them look like silver bullets on wheels. But for Airstream owners all over the country, they are a way of life. This weekend at the Little Ole Opry Campground in Burfordville, about 20 Airstream owners from all over the region are coming together as members of the Missouri Delta Unit of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International to celebrate how they live...

At Barnard College in New York, administrators read over lifestyle surveys and even a student essay in their efforts to make a successful freshman roommate match. At Michigan, they separate the smokers but leave the rest to chance. The University of Utah lets freshmen find their own roommates from anonymous profiles online...

AKRON, Ohio -- David Toms finished at 4 under 66 just ahead of a downpour Friday during the second round of the NEC Invitational, leaving him the clubhouse leader. Toms was at 5 under 135, although still three shots behind Stewart Cink. Cink played eight holes in the morning to polish off a 7-under 63. He was at 8 under and facing a 25-foot birdie putt on the 11th hole when play was suspended...

With the official resignation of member Robert Brown Monday, the Cape Girardeau School Board will begin searching for a replacement for the 7-member board. Brown will resign to relocate to St. Louis. Cape Girardeau superintendent Mark Bowles said the district plans to accept his resignation at their regular meeting Monday, then will advertise for a new member to fill Brown's shoes...

The Associated Press JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A construction company indicted on charges of bid-rigging can no longer bid for Missouri projects, state transportation officials said Friday. Federal prosecutors indicted APAC-Missouri Inc. and vice president Donald G. Mantle last week on a charge of conspiracy in restraint of trade. The company has won more than $300 million worth of work with the state Department of Transportation in the past few years, much of it still underway...

ROCKAWAY BEACH, Mo. -- Creating a children's fishing lake and producing freshwater pearls were among the ideas suggested for revitalizing Rockaway Beach following the defeat of a casino proposal. The ideas came during a meeting Thursday in which Taney County commissioners extended an offer of help to Rockaway Beach...

ST. LOUIS -- The Hip-Hop Summit held Friday in St. Louis had the hallmarks of a concert -- screaming fans, an emcee warming up the crowd and a DJ breaking beats. But the head of the organization holding the summit, hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, wasn't there to play around. "This is serious business," Simmons said. "These people sit here for three hours and learn."...

Crude price spike could send gas prices higher WASHINGTON -- Amid soaring crude oil prices, gasoline costs have been dropping. But don't expect that to last, economists say. Motorists can expect prices at the pump to level off or reverse course if crude prices remain near $50 a barrel, as they were Friday. ...

"For the Lord is righteous, he loves righteousness; his countenance beholds the upright." Psalm 11:7 By June Seabaugh ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian Children dropped and bounced their bowling balls down the lanes. Balls wobbled from side to side and often managed to upset some pins before the automatic pinsetter moved into action. No balls rolled down the gutters because the gutter guardrails had been raised...

Motorists driving on William Street Monday can expect some changes while construction contractors begin work on a project that will add stoplights and left turn lanes on the busy thoroughfare. Work slated to begin Monday night will include temporary lane striping and barriers along the south side of the roadway...