Stories from September 2004

It was an ordinary day in 1968. I turned on the little black and white television set to watch my favorite show. n The program's host, in her unmistakable voice ("a voice that could make an aspic shimmy," it's been called), was showing how to make a French chocolate rum and almond cake called Queen of Sheba...

Jackson woman reported shot in leg A Jackson woman was reportedly shot in the leg on Dorothy Drive in Jackson around 7 p.m. Tuesday. Details are sketchy about what led to the shooting. Jackson police said they were not authorized to release any information Tuesday night, but that more information would be made available today. According to available information, the woman was in stable condition and was taken to a hospital...

10 years ago: Sept. 1, 1994 Rich Payne, teacher at Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School for five years, has been named dean of students for junior high school; Payne, 33, also has been assistant football coach and head girls' track coach. 25 years ago: Sept. 1, 1979...

St. Mary CWC St. Mary Council of Catholic Women met Aug. 19 in the Monsignor Huels Room of the parish office building. Sister Mary Christopher Chinedum Ibegwam of the Order of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Mother of Christ was welcomed. She is now in Minneapolis, Minn., working at "Sharing and Caring Hands" with Mary Jo Copland...

Sullivan Son to Robert G. and Cynthia J. Sullivan II of Sikeston, Mo., Southeast Missouri Hospital, 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2004. Name, Robert Glen III. Weight, 8 pounds 13 ounces. Second child, first son. Mrs. Sullivan is the former Cynthia Newton, daughter of Earl and Shirley Newton of Sikeston. Sullivan is the son of Bob and Janet Sullivan of Chaffee, Mo. He is a deputy with Scott County Sheriff's Department...

Muriel C. Frazier, 90, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004, at Saint Francis Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are pending with Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel of Scott City.

ORAN, Mo. -- Kathleen Jackson, 87, of Oran died Monday, Aug. 30, 2004, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born March 7, 1917, at Sikeston, Mo., daughter of Chris and Lizzie Bishop Hollingsworth. She and Verlin Jackson were married July 21, 1937. He died Oct. 18, 1990...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Opal Coakley, 91, of Chaffee died Monday, Aug. 30, 2004, at Chaffee Nursing Center. She was born March 22, 1913, at Wyatt, Mo., daughter of James and Nanny Smith Stringfellow. She and Raymond B. Coakley were married March 27, 1948. He died July 12, 1992...

ST. MARY, Mo. -- Brenda J. Preston, 51, of St. Mary died Monday, Aug. 30, 2004, at her home. She was born Sept. 9, 1952, in Perryville, Mo., daughter of John O. "Joe" and Georgia L. Miller Adams Jr. She and Darrell L. Preston were married Aug. 7, 1976...

Roberta Evelyn Robinson, 76, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Aug. 30, 2004, at the Lutheran Home. She was born Dec. 19, 1927, the fifth of eight daughters of Alvin and Elsie Graden Grossheider of Gordonville. Roberta married Martin Robinson of Cape Girardeau June 6, 1953, at Zion Lutheran Church in Gordonville...

Donors paid for DARE car HOW IGNORANT these people are who complain about the DARE car. What part of "donation" do they not understand? Officer Jeff and students have sold doughnuts, and businesses have donated money. You can't hire police officers on donations...

To the editor: Cape Girardeau County took giant steps Aug. 25 by assisting the public health center staff in preparing for areawide communicable disease emergencies and potential biological terrorist attacks. This could not have been done if not for hundreds of volunteers...

To the editor: For several weeks the local media have vaunted the implosion of the old Mississippi River bridge. I have yet to witness any implosions. TV news has shown the explosive collapsing of the eastern bridge spans. But by definition, no implosion has occurred...

To the editor: Each year the members of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce and the local business community demonstrate their commitment to the community by assisting with new student move-in day and the Southeast welcome back picnic. This year was no different. ...

Southeast soccer player wins award Southeast Missouri State University junior forward Lisa Schweppe earned Ohio Valley Conference offensive player of the week honors in soccer after the Otahkians started the season 2-0 with a pair of wins last week...

Baseball The Chicago Cubs made a pair of trades Tuesday, getting outfielder Ben Grieve from the Milwaukee Brewers and acquiring backup catcher Mike DiFelice from the Detroit Tigers. The deals came on the final day for teams to obtain players and have them be eligible for postseason rosters. The Cubs led the NL wild-card race going into Tuesday night's game at Montreal...

Notre Dame opened its volleyball season with an 18-25, 25-16, 25-19 victory at Festus Tuesday night. Allison Essner had 23 assists and Amber Karnes added 21 for the Bulldogs (1-0). Amanda Essner had seven kills, while Rachel Weidenbenner had eight blocks. Ashley Dix had nine digs and Lauren Mehner added eight dig...

In need of a high school sports fix, then Notre Dame Regional High School is the place for you. Starting on Thursday and running through Saturday, Notre Dame will host its annual Sportsfest. Sportsfest includes tournaments in volleyball, soccer and softball...

Vote early, vote often. That cynical election bromide is both more possible and more worrisome as early voting changes the way American elections are conducted. Oregon voters approved vote-by-mail in 1998 with the aim of increasing voter participation. In 1996, the last Oregon general election before vote-by-mail, 71 percent of the state's registered voters participated. Four years later in Oregon's first vote-by-mail presidential election, nearly 80 percent turned out...

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following items on Monday: At 4:53 p.m., an emergency medical service in the 3400 block of William Street. At 5;44 p.m., an emergency medical service in the 600 block of South Kingshighway. At 8:59 p.m., a fire alarm at 1514 Sylvan Lane....

Cape Girardeau The following items were released Tuesday by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWIs John P. Richardson Jr., 28, 710 Woodbine Place, was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, failure to show proof of insurance and driving without headlights...

SAT scores for the high school class of 2004 were mostly the same as a year ago, though scores for some minority groups showed an encouraging increase. The average cumulative score on the country's most widely taken college entrance exam was 1026, the same as for the class of 2003. Scores on the verbal section rose one point to 508 while math scores fell one point to 518...

WASHINGTON -- Chief executives of U.S. companies that outsourced the greatest number of jobs reaped bigger pay and benefits last year, according to a new study of executive compensation being released Tuesday. Average CEO compensation at the 50 companies outsourcing the most service jobs rose by 46 percent in 2003 from a year earlier, compared with a 9 percent increase for CEOs at 365 big companies overall, the study by the left-leaning Institute for Policy Studies and United for a Fair Economy found.. ...

WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department has asked a judge to throw out the convictions of a suspected terror cell in Detroit because of prosecutorial misconduct, reversing course in a case the Bush administration once hailed as a major victory in the war on terrorism, legal sources said Tuesday...

The Associated Press MONTREAL -- Martin St. Louis had a goal and an assist to lead Canada to a 2-1 victory over the United States Tuesday night in the World Cup of Hockey opener for both teams. The game was fast-paced and full of hard-hitting and stellar play by Canada goalie Martin Brodeur and U.S. counterpart Robert Esche...

ST. LOUIS -- Rick Ankiel returns to the major leagues today and it might not be a September cameo. The left-hander, who'll be activated from the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday, has been impressive enough during a rehab from reconstructive elbow surgery that he'll be considered for the postseason roster. Manager Tony La Russa said he'd use Ankiel, who last pitched in the majors in 2001, in relief or use him as a spot starter to rest members of the rotation heading into the playoffs...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A labor union that hopes to begin receiving money this fall from state employees who are not union members has sent letters to workers saying dues will be collected as early as mid-September. But the Office of Administration said Tuesday there are no plans to collect the money yet...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A Springfield man has died after being granted his wish to marry his longtime fiancee. Dale Wiest died Sunday, less than 48 hours after being married to Jacque Kerrick by a chaplain in his hospital room. Wiest, 54, suffered from terminal cancer and congestive heart failure. His last dying wish was to marry the mother of his two children, a woman he had been engaged to for a dozen years...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A gruesome video posted on a Web site purported to show militants beheading a Nepalese worker and shooting 11 others in the first mass slaying of foreign hostages during the Iraqi insurgency. If confirmed, it would raise the number of foreign workers known to have been slain by extremists to at least 22 in a terror campaign aimed at forcing foreign troops and contract workers out of the country...

U.S. warplanes bomb militants in Afghanistan KABUL, Afghanistan -- U.S. warplanes launched attacks near a village in eastern Afghanistan, killing more than a dozen people, after assailants rocketed a government office, officials said Tuesday. Afghan officials said U.S. ...

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Slobodan Milosevic launched a defiant defense Tuesday of his conduct during the Balkan wars, accusing his enemies of conspiracies against the Serbs and insisting his countrymen acted in self-defense. The former Yugoslav president sought to shift blame for atrocities and portray the U.N. war crimes tribunal as the tool of a U.S.-supported plot to bring about the violent breakup of Yugoslavia in fighting that left more than 200,000 people dead...

BEERSHEBA, Israel -- Palestinian suicide bombers blew up two buses in this Israeli desert city Tuesday, killing 15 passengers and wounding more than 80 in an attack that ended a six-month lull in violence. The buses exploded into flames just seconds apart and about 100 yards away from each other in the center of Beersheba -- the deadliest suicide strike in nearly a year...

Bartlett pear and spinach salad combines the pears with smoky bacon, avocados and dried cranberries in a salad that could stand alone as a light lunch dish. Bartlett Pear and Spinach Salad For the salad: 10-ounce package washed and ready-to-eat fresh spinach...

SALT LAKE CITY -- A judge on Tuesday found the homeless man charged with kidnapping Elizabeth Smart competent to stand trial. The ruling came at the start of what had been expected to be a three-day hearing to gauge the mental state of Brian Mitchell, 50...

RICHMOND, Va. -- Flooding touched off by the remnants of Tropical Storm Gaston left at least five people dead in Virginia on Tuesday and devastated a historic Richmond neighborhood that was the heart of the Confederate capital during the Civil War. In the city's hard-hit Shockoe Bottom district, dozens of cars that had been carried off by the raging floodwaters were strewn about the streets, which were caked with mud and scattered with bricks and other debris. ...

NEW YORK -- A lengthy internal investigation at Hollinger International Inc. has concluded that the company's former CEO, disgraced newspaper tycoon Conrad Black, colluded with associates to systematically loot the publishing company of nearly all of its profits over the past seven years, or more than $400 million...

FORT LEWIS, Wash. -- A soldier accused of trying to pass military information to al-Qaida was shown in a videotape at his court-martial Tuesday detailing weaknesses of the Army's primary battle tank to undercover federal agents. The audio was muted on segments of the tape, and a gray blur obstructed Spc. Ryan G. Anderson's mouth to block what he was saying at times. Prosecutors say Anderson believed the men were members of the al-Qaida network...

Murray State and Samford both won against Division II schools. By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian Murray State and Samford got the 2004 Ohio Valley Conference football season off to a flying start Saturday as both picked up victories against Division II opponents...

Southeast runners open their season Friday at the Southern Illinois Invitational. By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian Southeast Missouri State University's quest for its first-ever Ohio Valley Conference cross country championship was derailed in part last year when several key injuries hit the women's team...

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals already have two MVP candidates in Albert Pujols and Scott Rolen. Jim Edmonds is trying to squeeze into the picture, too. Edmonds homered twice, giving him seven in six games, and the Cardinals powered past the San Diego Padres 9-3 on Tuesday night...

By Howard Fendrich ~ The Associated Press NEW YORK -- Maria Sharapova nearly found out just how quickly one can go from diva to disaster. No reigning Wimbledon women's champion lost in the first round of the U.S. Open, and Sharapova was just one game from that fate. Then she steeled herself to claim 12 of the last 14 points and got past Laura Granville 6-3, 5-7, 7-5 Tuesday night...

Rookie Brandon Chillar has made his presence felt during the preseason. By Jim Suhr ~ The Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- Brandon Chillar is proof that you can take the Rams out of California, but you can't take the Golden State out of the defending NFC West champs...

After Baptist, the Buccaneers are Tampa Bay's predominant religion. The men wear their Bucs jerseys and ballcaps and rehash the last game until the next one is played. Women who wouldn't know an option play from a Broadway play still put on their Bucs earrings and tank tops and head out on Sunday afternoons...

A couple of weeks ago, we had two requests for zucchini relish and freezer cucumbers and onions. After a week or so many responses came rolling in and today we will share as many as we have room for. So let's get started with relish and pickles. Velma August of Scott City sent in her favorite recipe for zucchini relish, and she says it is great...

Developers Cord Dombrowski and Mark McDowell have been cultivating their dream of a real estate development that envelops Cape Girardeau's Dalhousie Golf Club for years. On Tuesday night, they decided it was time to celebrate their vision with those who helped make it a reality...

MOSCOW -- A woman strapped with explosives blew herself up outside a busy Moscow subway station Tuesday night, killing at least 10 people and wounding more than 50 in the second terrorist attack to hit Russia in a week, officials said. Seven days earlier, almost to the hour, two Russian jetliners crashed within minutes of each other in what officials determined were terrorist bombings. ...

American astronomers say they have discovered the two smallest planets yet orbiting nearby stars, trumping a small planet discovery by European scientists five days ago and capping the latest round in a frenzied hunt for other worlds like Earth. All three of these smaller planets belong to a new class of "exoplanets" -- those that orbit stars other than our sun, the scientists said in a briefing Tuesday. ...

Editor's note: Donna Lichtenegger of Jackson is a delegate at this week's Republican National Convention. This is the second of her daily reports from the convention. By Donna Lichtenegger ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian...

Gregory McNeely, who pleaded guilty in July to killing Terry Vernon Lynn II outside a Cape Girardeau bar, will serve a life sentence for the crime, the maximum he could receive for second-degree murder. Presiding Judge Mark Richardson of Butler County handed down the sentence to 25-year-old McNeely Tuesday morning. It is the sentence Cape Girardeau County Prosecutor Morley Swingle recommended at the plea hearing...

The Jackson UFO mystery is over. It can all be chalked up to a vacation Bible school game gone awry. Just after 7 p.m. on Aug. 11, 16-year-old Zach Stanfield was videotaping a shadowy, disc-shaped object hovering in the sky above his Jackson home at 1320 Broadridge Drive. Meanwhile, just down the road outside Calvary United Pentecostal Church, Edward Moore was getting a dirty look from his wife, Cherie, as the two watched a mylar disc float into the atmosphere...

Don't build it too small. Southeast Missouri State University officials are hearing that message from a St. Louis area concert promoter who says the school needs more than a 950-seat performance hall on its River Campus if it wants to attract top-flight shows at ticket prices the public will pay...

Two years of court battles and a $300,000 settlement later, the Cape Girardeau School District is once again the owner of L.J. Schultz School. In November 2003, a judge ruled that a $2 million contract between the district and Ray Bax of RMB Inc.'s Bax Construction in Jefferson City for the property was valid and transferred the title to Bax...

NEW YORK -- Republican National Convention co-stars Laura Bush and Arnold Schwarzenegger commended President Bush to the country for four more years Tuesday night, hailing him as a man of strength leavened by compassion. "You can count on him, especially in a crisis," said the first lady...

This letter is being sent to announce to the public that plans are in the works for the First Annual SHOW ME DIGITAL FILM FESTIVAL to be held in Cape Girardeau, Missouri in the Fall! We are still in the organizational phase of the Festival, but a lot has already been accomplished and a number of different Filmmaking Groups are hard at work to complete short digital film submissions for this exciting endeavor in local/independent film!...

"Originally a bassist, I led my first band as a 13-year old high school freshman. During sophomore year, my music theory class helped me apply my creative. Having been immersed in music since infancy, I had a strong musical sense and a good ear. As a child, I could sing the harmony part in any song I heard, and figured out any instrument I picked up. ...

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 Bruce Zimmerman & The Water Street Blues Band- California Juice Bar @ 9pm THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 Bruce Zimmerman & The Water Street Blues Band- Port Cape @ 9pm FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 Broken Glass- Port Cape @ 9pm Rural Love- Rude Dog...

Sept. 1 - Fear Before The March Of Flames, Creepy Crawl Sept. 1 - The Brandy Stilts Band, Intl Steel Guitar Convention Sept. 1 - Butterfly Boucher, Savvis Center Sept. 1 - Sarah McLachlan, Savvis Center Sept. 2 - The Brandy Stilts Band, Intl Steel, Guitar Convention...

by Tabitha Thompson Zone Insider here.....well, I'm filling in as The Zone Insider this month. Looks like this may turn into a rotating column between The Zone jocks. Nothing wrong with a little diversity. This month's Zone Insider is dedicated to The Indie Zone's Back 2 School Bash that took place on August 28th at The Camp. The place was PACKED! The bands were great!...

1. When vultures are on their deathbed, are they ever tempted to eat themselves? Answer: Most Likely 2. When you have a bag of cotton balls, is the top one meant to be thrown away? Answer: It is certain. 3. Can athiests get insurance for acts of God?...

by Jason Parker Two kindergartners decided to run for the head of the class. For weeks they passed notes to each other about what a "poop head" the other one was. Accusations of lies about playground success were leveled. Little Georgie's friend helped spread allegations that little Johnny did not indeed jump 15 feet off of the swing set to squash the bugs that were crawling near his friends. ...

by Jim Obert Focus on local/regional bands The City of Roses Music Festival will strum to its eighth year in Cape Girardeau. On Sept. 24 and 25, a variety of music will once again waft through the downtown scene, compliments of the Music Heritage Association, which sponsors the music festival. ...

by Bryan Parker When dreaming of their futures, different children's dreams and aspirations often change from day to day. For abstract artist Kristopher Naeger, there was no other thought going through his mind. "As a child, painting was the only thing that I can remember ever wanting to do. I've always had the ambition to express my thoughts, feelings, and life experiences through my art work," explained Kristopher, "putting my feelings into each piece is what makes them unique."...

Between his involvement in the Schock Community Arts Center, membership in several Scott City organizations and his teaching position at Southeast Missouri State University, Paul Schock is a very busy man. But he still found time to work on something exclusively his -- an exhibit of his mutli-media artwork that opens Friday at the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center in Kansas City...

Former Southeast Missouri State University star Kerry Robinson is back with the San Diego Padres for the second time this season. Robinson, an outfielder who started the year with the Padres before being sent down to Class AAA Portland, had his contract purchased by San Diego Wednesday and was in uniform for the second game of a three-game series at St. Louis. He appeared as a late defensive replacement in left field...

By Mark Unterreiner Southeast Missourian Wiffleball is becoming known across the country as the ruination of America's back yards. Mike and Beth Augustine could tell you about it. Their son Jeff, on the other hand, would take offense to that conviction...

10 years ago: Sept. 2, 1994 CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Death of 1994 Chaffee High School valedictorian Steven W. Goetz, 18, had former teachers and classmates in somber mood yesterday; Goetz collapsed during pick-up basketball game at student recreation center at University Of Missouri-Columbia Wednesday night, and he was pronounced dead just over an hour later...

CrowdenSon to Troy Alan Crowden and Amber Lynn Kight of Delta, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 9:26 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, 2004. Name, Casey Alan. Weight, 7 pounds 13 ounces. Second child, first son. Ms. Kight is the former Amber Ziller, daughter of Joe and Diane Griffin of Allenville. She is employed at Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse. Crowden is the son of Dale and Donna Hobeck of Delta and Terry Crowden of Waco, Texas. He is employed at Watertite Seamless Guttering...

Russell D. Brown, 78, of Millersville died Wednesday Sept. 1, 2004, at his home. Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Luke Lawrence Thrasher, newborn son of Mark and Jody Lawrence Thrasher of Olive Branch died at 4:54 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004, at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion, Ill. Luke is survived by his parents; grandparents, Danny and Penny Lawrence of Crocker, Mo., and Mick and Sharon Thrasher of St. ...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- Arthur E. Davis, 83, of East Prairie died Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo. He was born Oct. 10, 1920, in Hickman, Ky., son of Arthur Elmer and Fannie Belle Weatherspoon Davis. He and Martha Furgerson were married Feb. 11, 1939, in Charleston, Mo...

MCCLURE, Ill. -- Lewis "Chub" Lovell, 81, of McClure died Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004, at his home. He was born April 14, 1923, in McClure, son of Clyde Eugene and Minnie Iona Burchyett Lovell. He and Sally Jane Johnson were married Aug. 21, 1964, in Cape Girardeau...

Muriel C. Frazier, 90, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004, at Saint Francis Medical Center. She was born Dec. 25, 1913, in St. Louis, daughter of the Rev. John M. and Pearl Crosswhite. She and Hollis J. Frazier were married Nov. 5, 1942. He died Feb. 9, 1993...

Dorothy Rowland, 82, of Dayton, Ohio, died Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004, in a hospice facility in Ohio. She was born Oct. 21, 1921, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Arthur and Bertha Vasterling Fuhrmann. She and Roe Dell Rowland were married Oct. 20, 1945. Rowland was a graduate of Central High School and received a certificate for teaching and in library science from Southeast Missouri State University...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Audra Greene Clark, 84, formerly of Sikeston and Matthews, Mo., died Monday, Aug. 30, 2004, in Hot Springs, Ark. She was born April 24, 1920, at St. Mary, Mo., daughter of D.A. and Hazel Greene. She married Arbie C. Clark, who preceded her in death...

James Robert "Bob" Goodman, 74, of Scott City died Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004, at his home. He was born Aug. 24, 1930, at Fornfelt, son of E.L. "Hap" and Ethel Young Goodman. He and Jean Anne Darby were married Feb. 16, 1951. Mr. Goodman owned and operated Goodman Lumber Co. from 1963 to 1979. He also owned and operated J.R. Goodman Trucking Co...

Not city's responsibility IF THE YMCA or YWCA want to come to Cape Girardeau, they should do it on their own. It's not up to the city government to do anything other than offer police and fire protection and build infrastructure. This is America, not some dictatorship where the government runs everything -- though lately it is getting closer to that...

To the editor: I disagree with Doc Cain. I know of at least five people who have offered to help or take over the responsibility of the City of Roses Festival this year. Each has some wonderful ideas to make this year better than last year. The idea of not having a celebrity musical act this year came from an outcry of local musical groups for more focus on the talent that exists in this area. ...

To the editor: President Bush must not be re-elected if we want peace and a more stable government. Ralph Nader has received and continues to receive Republican Party support to split the votes. He knows that his ego is larger than life itself. And he has no chance of winning any kind of elected office...

Baseball Jerry Colangelo resigned as chief executive officer of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday, four months ahead of schedule. Colangelo, who agreed last month to leave on Dec. 31, will remain as chairman through the 2005 season and then serve as emeritus team executive, the club said. ...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- On his first day as coach at Missouri, Gary Pinkel laid out his goals for the Tiger football program. Pinkel's pyramid of success was built in a foundation on winning games and topped with the goal of winning a national championship...

EASTERN ILLINOIS Coach: Bob Spoo, 105-89-1 at EIU (17 years) Last year: 4-8 overall, 3-5 OVC (tie, sixth) Returning starters: 18 (8 offense, 8 defense, 2 specialists) Preseason OVC ranking: No. 7...

Central's softball team picked up its first win of the season with a 5-2 win Wednesday at Jackson. Callie Hoffman rebounded from a tough loss against Hillsboro to pick up the victory. Hoffman allowed one earned run on three hits, with five strikeouts and five walks...

The Associated Press High-carb diets may increase more than just waistlines. New research suggests they might raise the risk of breast cancer. Women in Mexico who ate a lot of carbohydrates were more than twice as likely to get breast cancer than those who ate less starch and sugar, scientists found. ...

Today Blood pressure screening from 10 to 11:15 a.m. at Cape Senior Center, 921 N. Clark St. Call 651-5825. Healthy Bites Luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. in the Healing Arts Conference Center at Saint Francis Medical Center. Call 331-5399 or 331-5970...

Editor's note: Michael Seabaugh will be on vacation next week. His HealthSpan column will return on Sept. 16. "When the new wears off of our love, we'll be closer together, still loving each other." Or so promise the Whites in their quaint song...

For some time now, city officials and Convention and Visitors Bureau officials have known that Cape Girardeau's hotel-restaurant sales taxes would start to accumulate a surplus after paying off Show Me Center bonds and before revenue from the sales taxes would be committed to paying off River Campus bonds. As it turns out, that surplus will be near $1 million, and a decision on what to do with the money has to be made...

Cape Girardeau The following items were released Wednesday by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI Christopher M. Perigo, 30, Box 35, McClure, Ill., was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and driving under revocation...

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following item on Tuesday: At 10:49 p.m., an emergency medical service at Broadway and Water streets. Firefighters responded to the following items on Wednesday: At 2:14 a.m., an emergency medical service in the 100 block of Vantage Drive...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- The Charleston Department of Public Safety is investigating an attempted arson at city hall early Tuesday morning. According to Paul Johnson, Charleston DPS director, someone broke into the city hall just after midnight and attempted to set a fire using some type of chemical. ...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Scott County judge recently ordered Stoddard County Sheriff Steve Fish to stand trial for stealing. This comes after Fish appeared Aug. 6 before Associate Circuit Judge David Mann for a preliminary hearing on the class C felony of theft/stealing (more than $500, but fewer than $25,000). ...

Sikeston Standard Democrat BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County officials hope to put together a Web site that will be informative yet manageable. Commissioners discussed the Web site, which is being produced by Creative Design Group of Malden, with county economic developer Jim Schwaninger during their regular meeting Tuesday...

Southeast Missourian Mykah Bryan of Sikeston, Mo., was recently crowned Miss Homecomers 2004 during Jackson Homecomers. Miss Missouri Whitney Weeks played host to the competition that was open to all girls in junior and senior high school during the 2004-2005 academic year. ...

Trail of Tears programs scheduled for September Trail of Tears State Park has the following events planned for September: an Owl Prowl at 8 p.m. on Friday; Family Feud at 10 a.m. on Saturday; a night hike at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday; Dutch oven cooking at 2 p.m. ...

Fish, chicken on menu in Bell City, Mo. BELL CITY, Mo. -- A fish and chicken supper will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Bell City Community Building, located at Route N. The meal includes fish and chicken, dessert and beverage. The supper is sponsored by the Bell City Community Betterment Organization...

Children thrust into the court system after experiencing abuse, neglect or abandonment often face an uncertain future. But Court Appointed Special Advocates can change that by volunteering to provide information to judges so the court can make an informed decision for the child. At a time when children need safety and security the most, CASA volunteers can provide a stabilizing force...

Name: Valeria Blades Lives in: Gordonville Family: Husband, Tom; daughters, Lydia, Grace. Job: Director of operations at Court Appointed Special Advocates. What do you like most about the area? Small town atmosphere where I've made great friends...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- In 2000, Damien Nash's road to stardom appeared easy. As easy as a 10.3-second 100-meter dash. And what he couldn't outrun, the star running back would dodge with elusive moves. Now, after four years and three roadblocks he couldn't elude, Nash is finally on the verge of reaching that stardom...

WASHINGTON -- Construction spending sprang back to life in July, rising to the highest level on record, the government reported Wednesday. The rebound, which came after a June lull, meant that the value of buildings put in place clocked in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $997.2 billion, an all-time high level, the Commerce Department said. That represented a 0.4 percent increase over June's level...

The St. Louis Rams haven't won an NFL title since Mike Jones stopped Kevin Dyson a yard short of the goal line to preserve a 23-16 win over Tennessee on Jan. 30, 2000. Yet in an era where a team -- Oakland -- can go to the Super Bowl one season and finish 4-12 the next, the Rams have remained one of the NFL's most consistently successful teams with a 56-24 over the last five years...

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The top 25 teams in the preseason Sports Network Division I-AA football poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, 2003 records and 2003 final ranking: Record Pts Pvs 1. Delaware (57) 15-1 1,753 1 2. Southern Illinois (7) 10-2 1,569 9...

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois coach Ron Turner expects a healthy team to take the field for Saturday's season opener against Florida A&M -- a turnaround from last season, when the Illini started the season hurting. No one is expected to miss playing time, Turner said Monday...

Terrell Owens and Jevon Kearse arrived in Philadelphia this spring as the top receiver and pass rusher who can elevate the hopes of a team that has lost three straight NFC title games. But as the 2004 NFL season starts, the Eagles are battered, a reminder that injuries are the great equalizer that can neutralize any big-money, big-name offseason moves...

ST. LOUIS -- The head of a state-run center for the mentally disabled retired Tuesday, one day after a social services official was appointed to temporarily oversee operations while the state investigates abuse allegations at the center. Bob Eden, superintendent of the Bellefontaine Habilitation Center, left the center immediately after announcing his resignation on Tuesday, said Anne Deaton, director of the Division of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities...

UNITED NATIONS -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Wednesday that Sudan's government has not stopped attacks on "terrorized and traumatized" civilians in its Darfur region and urged the speedy deployment of an expanded international peacekeeping force...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Militants released seven foreign hostages Wednesday after their employer paid $500,000 ransom, while France mustered support from Muslims at home and abroad to push for the release of two French journalists still held captive in Iraq...

N. Koreans break into school, seek asylum BEIJING -- A group of 29 people claiming to be North Korean asylum-seekers forced their way into a Japanese school in Beijing on Wednesday. The 11 men, 15 women and three children broke in around 10:30 a.m., said a Beijing-based, Japanese official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He said students were told to stay in their classrooms...

JIUQUAN, China -- Rising space power China provided a rare peek into its top-secret launch center Wednesday, capitalizing on its recent success in orbit to promote the military-funded project as a lure for foreign investment and a key to growing prosperity...

The complaints began even before University of Missouri administrators e-mailed more than 400 employees to confirm what might seem a harmless change -- soon, the memo said, they'd be eligible for overtime pay. It was not what Mary Porter wanted to hear. ...

TOP FIVES Television (for previous week)1. "Summer Olympics Monday Primetime," NBC. 2. "Summer Olympics Tuesday Primetime," NBC. 3. "Summer Olympics Wednesday Primetime," NBC. 4. "Summer Olympics Thursday Primetime," NBC...

A documentary on 1972 concert has broadcast premiere on PBS By Janice Rhoshalle Littlejohn ~ The Associated Press LOS ANGELES -- On Aug. 20, 1972, seven years after the urban upheaval in the Watts district, some 112,000 people came together for a daylong concert that would become known as the "black Woodstock."...

MILWAUKEE -- A virus recently discovered in Japan is suspected in two "crib deaths" in Wisconsin, raising new questions about how many of these mysterious tragedies might be caused by germs. The cases mark the first time the virus has been identified in the United States. Whether it killed the babies is not clear, but both were sick before they died and had signs of disease in their lungs...

MIAMI -- Nearly a half-million people were ordered to evacuate as Hurricane Frances swirled toward Florida on Wednesday just weeks after Charley's devastating visit, threatening to deliver the most powerful one-two punch to hit a state in at least a century...

Sept. 2, 2004 Dear Leslie, Late one dark January night years ago on a transcontinental drive west along America's alimentary interstates, I was relieved to see the lights of Tulsa appear offering roadside salvation. Weary, broke and sad about a romance that was breaking up, I passed by one, two then three exits searching for a cheap motel. Finally at the last exit leaving Tulsa, a sign for one appeared advertising $13.95 rooms...

Here is some commentary from Steve Forbes in Forbes magazine that I think is worth serious consideration: Since when is good bad? A gaggle of media pundits, economists and democratic pols claim that the supposedly poor numbers for job creation in July are proof that the economy is still weak. Au contraire, you pessimists and/or Bush-haters, the economy is creating a good number of new jobs. In fact, it's in good shape -- and getting better...

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly First Friday Coffee at the Show Me Center this week. This month's featured presentation will be made by David Mitchem of the Missouri Training and Employment Council. He will give the "State of the Workforce" report...

A Cape Girardeau man on a motorcycle sustained moderate injuries Wednesday afternoon on Route OO four miles east of Burfordville. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Tommy McKaskle, 56, was on a 1996 Triumph motorcycle around 2:15 p.m., when a 1985 Chevrolet driven by James Shipley, 32, of Oran, Mo., pulled from a private drive into McKaskle's path causing him to run off the left side of the roadway...

Local businesses have joined with the Corporal Mason O. Yarbrough Detachment of the Marine Corps League to insure that those who died or were injured in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks will be remembered. The 3-year-old, 130-member chapter is organizing a ceremony, Operation Guarding Freedom, at Freedom Corner -- the location of a replica of the Statue of Liberty in Capaha Park. ...

A Jackson man is in the Cape Girardeau County jail facing three felony charges after allegedly shooting his girlfriend Tuesday night. Assistant prosecutor Benjamin Gray on Wednesday charged Gene A. Ryon, 42, of 823 Dorothy Drive with second-degree assault, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon, all felonies. Ryon's bond is set at $100,000...

The Associated Press JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Hunters responding to an online advertisement promising prime deer hunting on private land in Clinton County received a surprise when they arrived, authorities say. The advertised 18,000 to 20,000-acre wildlife refuge turned out to be only a few thousand acres of less than prime hunting land, and the hunting lodge they had been promised was a modest house that couldn't hold all the hunters, according to the Missouri Attorney General's office. ...

Southeast Missouri State University's defense has heard all about Southern Illinois' vaunted backfield, which features two Division I-A transfers. Widely regarded as the premier Division I-AA trio of running backs -- the unit includes a junior college transfer -- entering the season, some people have even ranked SIU's group among the best in all of college football...

Southeast won the first two sets but dropped the match. By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian Southeast Missouri State University volleyball coach Cindy Gannon was disappointed but far from discouraged after the Otahkians suffered a tough five-game loss in their season opener Wednesday night...

All work and no play would make Jackson a dull town. Keeping with that old adage, the Jackson Industrial Development Corporation, a group affiliated with the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, is in the process of developing property off Route PP for industry and soccer...

The beginning of September marks a special time for area high school sports fans. Driving through Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Scott City, Chaffee and Perryville, the sounds of shoulder pads crunching and marching bands practicing fill the air. Those sounds can mean only one thing; another year of high school football is here...

Editor's note: Donna Lichtenegger of Jackson is a delegate at this week's Republican National Convention. This is the third of her daily reports from the convention. By Donna Lichtenegger ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian...

Cape Girardeau's newest sidewalk will have a fancy name -- Lexington Trace -- and double as a recreation path that will connect to the city's heavily used Cape LaCroix Recreation Trail. But more than anything else it will provide a safer route for pedestrians -- particularly children -- keeping them out of the driving lanes on busy Lexington Avenue and parts of North Sprigg Street, Perryville Road and Bertling Street, city officials say...

Nestled away in an unassuming Scott City house that has seen better days, Brandon Drury runs Echo Echo Studios, where recording sessions with local musicians are booked up for the next three months. It seems an unlikely, and at first glance, unfit place for a recording studio. ...

The St. Louis pitcher collected his 14th win, a 4-2 triumph over San Diego. By R.B. Fallstrom ~ The Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- Chris Carpenter pitched seven innings of six-hit ball and the St. Louis Cardinals got first-inning homers by Larry Walker and Scott Rolen in beating the San Diego Padres 4-2 Wednesday night for their fifth straight victory...

The Associated Press NEW YORK -- As a tot, Angela Haynes hit her first tennis strokes on the same Compton courts that produced Serena and Venus Williams. Now 19 and ranked 185th, Haynes tasted her first bit of the Grand Slam success so familiar to the Williams sisters, upsetting 22nd-seeded Magdalena Maleeva 6-2, 6-3 to reach the U.S. Open's third round Wednesday night...

By Jon Sarche ~ The Associated Press EAGLE, Colo. -- The criminal case against Kobe Bryant case collapsed Wednesday as prosecutors said they had no choice but to drop the sexual assault charge because the NBA star's accuser no longer wanted to participate...

NEW YORK -- Vice President Dick Cheney unleashed a stinging attack on Sen. John Kerry Wednesday night, ridiculing him as a politician who has made a career out of changing his mind. "More wrong, more weak and more wobbly than any other national figure," agreed Sen. Zell Miller, a Democratic keynoter at the Republican National Convention...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The state's early voting law merely requires local officials to plan for, not implement, the practice, a judge ruled Wednesday. Cole County Circuit Judge Richard Callahan heard arguments on the lawsuit filed by the city of St. Louis and some Democratic lawmakers last week. They sued Republican Secretary of State Matt Blunt, seeking a court order allowing an early voting period before the Nov. 2 general election...

BESLAN, Russia -- Armed militants with explosives strapped to their bodies stormed a Russian school in a region bordering Chechnya on Wednesday, corralling hundreds of hostages -- many of them children -- into a gymnasium and threatening to blow up the building if surrounding Russian troops attacked...

Football was played in the United States for somewhere around 40 years before a rules change in 1906 allowed for the forward pass. Watching some high school football teams, you'd think not all coaches have received the memo yet. "If I had my way, a perfect football season, we would run the ball 1,000 times and throw it twice," Jackson coach Carl Gross said. "I'd like three yards and a cloud of dust, and move the football."...

The undisputed leaders of Southeast Missouri State University's offensive line share many attributes, including a first name, a hometown, imposing size and plenty of ability. But what Dan Bieg and Dan Connolly didn't initially share when they began their careers with the Indians four years ago was any real affection for one another...

Southeast Missouri State University's defense has made strong statistical improvements the last several years, and Indians coach Tim Billings believes that trend will continue in 2004. Last season, the Indians' defenders allowed an average of 336.1 yards per game -- by far their lowest figure in Billings' four seasons as coach and down more than 50 yards from 2002. They ranked third among nine Ohio Valley Conference squads in total defense...

After posting almost cartoon-like numbers in 2002, Southeast Missouri State University's offense took a step backward last season. But Indians coach Tim Billings and new offensive coordinator Rob Likens expect the attack to at least approach clicking on all cylinders again this year...

Attitude is the key word for Chaffee after a winless season in 2003. Chaffee's win total has decreased each of the last four years, culminating in last season's winless record. For a program that has not had more than three wins in a season since 1990 and only three winnings seasons since winning a state title in 1983, keeping players' attitudes positive is the challenge for second-year coach Terry Brashers...

Over the past four seasons Central has won 30 games, captured four district titles and made the state quarterfinals three times. That streak could be challenged this season with a group of untested players littered across the field. Tigers coach Lawrence Brookins, entering his sixth season as head coach, said this year's team presents an opportunity for a player to break through...

For 27 years Scott City football knew success and only one head coach: William Wilthong. In the nine seasons since Wilthong's retirement after the 1994 season, the Rams have had five head coaches and five losing seasons. The 2004 season marks the fourth straight year that the Rams are under a new head coach, and Terry Flannigan is planning for it to be the last for a while. ...

The fun is back. Perryville football notched just three victories last year. But the contagious style of play that mixed the pass with the run and utilized speed and quickness impressed fans and has attracted a few more players. "People thought that was outstanding," Pirates coach Rick Chastain said of last year's 3-7 record. "We were feeling pretty good. People aren't used to winning more than one or two games around here."...

Compared to a glorious past, it's been lean times for Jackson football the past two seasons. After a memorable 12-1 season in 2001, Jackson has been a combined 6-13 over the past two years. The lean times took on a literal meaning last year during a 4-5 campaign, when Jackson fielded the smallest linemen coach Carl Gross has seen in his 16 years...

When St. Vincent football coach Keith Winkler walked into his first practice for football season, he had reason to be in a good mood. He was surrounded by veterans. Returning players at running back. Returning players at receiver. Returning players on both lines. Returning players all over the field...

Ohio highway shootings suspect pleads insanity COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A man charged in a deadly string of highway shootings in Ohio pleaded innocent by reason of insanity Wednesday, a day after a judge ruled that he was competent to stand trial. Attorneys for Charles A. McCoy Jr., 29, said he suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, and that psychiatrists found evidence McCoy did not understand right from wrong during the more than 20 shootings, one of which killed a woman...

A tragic event that took place last winter could have left the Perryville football team down in the dumps. It could have left Mike Schamburg without a reason to care about football. Instead, Schamburg is taking the leadership role with the Pirates that he expected to fulfill this season...

Dear Tom and Ray: The owner's manual for my 2000 BMW 328i says in the interests of safety and handling, I should NOT rotate my tires. And it implies that tire rotation will not extend the life of the tires in a meaningful way. But the instructions with my new tires (not to mention those from the tire reseller and the mechanic who services my car) all suggest periodic rotation. To rotate, or not to rotate?...

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A former Nevada priest who abused teenage boys is being treated at a Missouri center close to the home of one of his victims, prompting that man's call Friday for the one-time clergyman to be relocated. "Why do I have to pay again and again and again?" the 21-year-old man said, requesting that he not be publicly identified. Mark Roberts "can go somewhere else...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri House Speaker Catherine Hanaway is organizing a bipartisan legislative panel that early next year would present a proposal about possible early voting in Missouri. "The issue is how do we make it easier for voters to cast ballots" while ensuring that all voters have the same access, Hanaway, the Republican nominee for secretary of state, said Thursday...

SULLIVAN, Mo. (AP) -- Methamphetamine makers would not be deterred by this week's deadly explosion of chemicals used to make the drug, a Franklin County drug authority predicts. "This won't make a damned difference," said Cpl. Jason Grellner, commander of the Franklin County drug unit. "Five minutes after he's buried, they're going to be back to making dope with anhydrous ammonia."...

What's a Republican candidate to do? Stay home and keep the campaign momentum going, or attend the Republican National Convention in New York and preach to the choir? Missouri gubernatorial candidate Matt Blunt chose to continue his campaign, and some of his fellow Republicans are criticizing him for it...

The Wildcats' strong running game proved too much for the Tigers in Thursday's season opener. By Jeremy Joffray ~ Southeast Missourian With the Eureka offense lining up without a player out wide on more than three-fourths of its plays Thursday night, Central's defense couldn't say it didn't know what was coming...

Pujols, Edmonds, Walker all go deep in a 7-2 victory over San Diego. By R.B. Fallstrom ~ The Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds homered in the first inning and Jeff Suppan won his fifth straight start, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a three-game sweep of the San Diego Padres with a 7-2 victory Thursday night...

Southeast Missourian CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Quarterback Joel Sambursky is one of the least heralded members of a high-powered Southern Illinois University offense that features two Division I-A tailback transfers. But it was Sambursky who came up with one big play after another Thursday night to help bail out an SIU attack that sputtered early as the Salukis pulled away from Southeast Missouri State University for a 42-3 season-opening romp...

NEW YORK -- President Bush picked apart John Kerry's record on the Iraq war and tax cuts Thursday night and summoned the nation toward victory over terrorism and economic security at home. "Nothing will hold us back," he said in a Republican National Convention acceptance speech that launched his fall re-election campaign...

Southeast Missourian The Cape Girardeau County Commission approved a $194,250 bid Thursday for the purchase of optical scan election equipment made necessary by the Help America Vote Act. The bid went to Henry M. Adkins & Son Inc., the same company that let the county use its equipment on an experimental basis for the last two elections...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Once Claire McCaskill won the Democratic primary for governor, the money started rolling in. Campaign finance reports released Thursday showed McCaskill raised $2.2 million between July 23 and Aug. 28. The primary was Aug. 3. She had raised a total of $3.5 million before the latest report, nearly half of it from personal loans by her family. McCaskill reported no personal loans for this period...

Democratic Senate candidate Nancy Farmer accused GOP Sen. Kit Bond of smearing her on the airwaves during a campaign stop in Cape Girardeau on Thursday. She said Bond is airing a radio commercial that smacks of negative campaigning. Bond's campaign has said it's not a smear, but a spirited discussion of the issues. The ad is running in rural areas including Cape Girardeau, mid-Missouri, Joplin and Springfield...

A Cape Girardeau city committee wants city staff to consider a new outer road in a list of proposed street projects that would be funded if voters next year extend the half-cent transportation sales tax for another five years. The current tax is set to expire at the end of next year...

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Residents and tourists in cars, trucks and campers clogged highways Thursday in the biggest evacuation ever ordered in Florida, fleeing inland as mighty Hurricane Frances threatened the state with its second battering in three weeks...

CAIRO, Ill. -- The Cairo Fire Department is becoming a one-man show. Mayor Paul Farris said the Southern Illinois city is laying off its five firefighters because of a tight budget. The positions were created just four months ago. Fire chief Brandon Manker said the department will operate on a pay-by-call volunteer basis after Sept. 30, and he will be its only full-time employee. Cutting the firefighters will save the city about $190,000 in salaries...

NEW YORK -- Maybe it's time for Andre Agassi to pick on someone his own age. These kids just can't keep up with him. Fit as a rookie at 34, Agassi advanced at the U.S. Open on Thursday by running ragged a player more than a dozen years younger for the second straight match...

The former Cardinal is again playing a bench role with the Padres. By R.B. Fallstrom ~ The Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- Even in a new city, Kerry Robinson is waiting for a chance at regular duty that never came with the St. Louis Cardinals...

The Honda Civic Si was parked in front of a motorcycle shop and two college-age guys were ogling it. I watched from a distance as one of them went inside and returned with a third guy. As the trio inspected the sleek hatchback, three girls in a sedan pulled in and tried to initiate a conversation with the boys, who could not be distracted. The girls asked whom the car belonged to, and without taking his eyes off the car one of the boys said, "Some older guy looking at a bike."...

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Osama bin Laden's operatives still use this freewheeling city as a logistical hub three years after more than half the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers flew directly from Dubai to the United States in the final preparatory stages for the attack...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A miscalculation by state economic analysts means Missouri's economic picture for the summer is brighter than originally thought. The state's job report for July showed it led the nation in percentage of lost jobs, losing 1.9 percent of its seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll. The loss of 51,700 positions also led the country in terms of total jobs that disappeared...

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Alex Kovalev scored the winning goal and minor-league goaltender Illya Bryzgalov held his own against the American stars as Russia beat the United States 3-1 Thursday night in the World Cup of Hockey. Bryzgalov, property of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, had 20 saves, and Dainius Zubrus and Viktor Kozlov also scored for Russia, which dealt Team USA its second consecutive loss. The Americans, 0-2 in the tournament, lost to Canada 2-1 on Tuesday night in Montreal...

WASHINGTON -- Porter Goss, tapped as the next CIA director, says the Senate lacked "balance" in its public hearings investigating the Iraqi prison scandal and should not have plucked military commanders from the field to question them about the abuse...

WASHINGTON -- Recent investigations into al-Qaida, including by the Sept. 11 commission, have substantially altered the commonly held view that Osama bin Laden's inheritance and massive fortune are being used to finance his international terror operations...

WASHINGTON -- Forty years and 106 million acres after Congress decided the wilderness should not be spoiled by people, the law is such an icon that skeptics dare only try to slow its consequences. Even President Bush has signed off on adding 529,604 acres at a time when environmentalists are attempting to use the Wilderness Act to block his pursuit of more oil and gas drilling and timbering on federal land...

Four years ago, Social Security reform was a centerpiece of George W. Bush's campaign, but the only attention the issue received in his first administration came from a special commission whose 2001 recommendations were overwhelmed by 9-11 and its aftermath. Last week, Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan warned of "abrupt and painful" consequences if something isn't done about the future of Social Security...

Notre Dame opened the season by settling some unfinished business from last year. The Bulldogs hammered Festus, Mo., St. Pius -- the team that ended their season in the district tournament -- 3-0 Thursday night in the Sportsfest soccer tournament at Notre Dame...

The Central and Jackson softball teams may get a chance to get plenty of game experience in a short time this weekend at the Cor Jesu Tournament at the Kirkwood, Mo., Athletic Association in St. Louis County. Each of the eight teams is slated to play four games this weekend -- three in pool play and then in a final-round game 11 a.m. Saturday. At the time, the teams will be placed into four games to determine first through eighth places based on their pool play records...

Southeast Missouri State University's women's soccer team is off to a good start -- and tonight the Otahkians have an opportunity to make it an exceptional one. The Otahkians (2-0) play their third straight home game to begin the season as nationally ranked Illinois (1-0) visits Houck Stadium for a 7 p.m. match. Sunday, Southeast hosts Xavier (0-2) at 2 p.m...

Safety came first I HAVE had children and grandchildren attend school in the Cape Girardeau district for the past 30 years. I'm finding it hard to believe that the school board has voted not to rehire superintendent Mark Bowles. Over the years I have strongly disagreed with the decisions many of our superintendents made about having school when we had inclement weather. ...

First Friday reception at the arts council From 5 to 8 p.m. tonight, the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri at 32 N. Main St. holds its First Friday reception. The council's September exhibit features the artwork of Nashville-based landscape painter Roger Brown in the Lorimer Gallery and artist Erin Tapley's "Thinking Inside the Box" exhibit in Gallery 100. New artwork will be on exhibit in the Jean A. Chapman Gallery...

It's been a few weeks since the last Mississippi River Tales mural was completed because the artists have taken some time off while waiting for new paint to arrive. But the mural depicting the height of riverboat commerce in the 1880s is nearly finished except for a few details...

This summer has been a time of change and expansion for the Garden Gallery, located above Grace Cafe at 833 Broadway in Cape Girardeau. In June, owner Linda Bohnsack created an artisan cooperative and renovated the gallery to create a room to exhibit the co-op's work. Now, Bohnsack has decided to continually participate in First Friday, when most area galleries open their exhibits, by keeping the gallery open from 6 to 9 p.m. the first Friday of every month...

'The Cookout' Starring Tim Meadows, Eve, Farrah Fawcett and Jenifer Lewis. To celebrate his signing an NBA draft contract, Todd Anderson invites all his friends over for an out-of-control party. Rated PG-13 for drug content, sexual references and language, running time 85 minutes. (Cape West Cine)...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A Paris newspaper editor said there had been positive movement in the effort to free two captive French journalists Thursday, while a separate militant group said it had killed three Turkish captives. The kidnappers in Iraq have handed over the pair to an Iraqi Sunni Muslim opposition group, Jean de Belot, managing editor of Le Figaro newspaper, said on France-Info radio...

DETROIT -- Acting at the request of prosecutors, a federal judge on Thursday threw out the terrorism charges against two men convicted last year in a case once hailed by the Bush administration as a major victory in the war on terror. But U.S. District Judge Gerald Rosen said the two, as well as a third man, must stand trial again on charges of document fraud...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The din of guitars and drums echo from a sound check while stagehands mill around and a helicopter whips the tree tops. "I guarantee that's Big & Rich," says country singer Tim McGraw, turning to see his opening act buzzing the amphitheater in a helicopter. "Usually, it's a limo every day. Now they're in helicopters. Lord, if they go double-platinum there's no telling what they'll do."...

The Associated Press CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- A Marine reservist was found guilty Thursday of dereliction of duty and the abuse of prisoners last year at a makeshift detention camp in Iraq, but cleared of assaulting a 52-year-old Iraqi man who later died there...

Little did I know that painting the garage, which I described in last week's scribblings, would turn into a case study for some future textbook on interior design. But my wife, who has a keen eye for decorating, had other ideas. When the fresh paint in the garage was dry and the new storage cabinet was in place, it was obvious that our 7-year-old blue garbage cans were not going to fit into the decor...

Between running the Schock Community Arts Center, heavy involvement in several Scott City organizations and teaching sculpture and new genre art at Southeast Missouri State University, Paul Schock is a very busy man. But he still found time to work on an exhibit of his multimedia artwork that opens today at the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center in Kansas City and will run until November...

BESLAN, Russia -- Camouflage-clad commandos carried crying babies away from a school where gunmen holding hundreds of hostages freed at least 26 women and children Thursday during a second day of high drama that kept crowds of distraught relatives on edge...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Some say one person can't make a difference. But apparently two can. U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson announced Thursday that President Bush will be coming to Poplar Bluff to attend a Bush-Cheney re-election campaign event sometime late Monday afternoon. Exactly where and when the president will appear will be finalized today, Emerson said...

Editor's note: Donna Lichtenegger of Jackson is a delegate at this week's Republican National Convention. This is the fourth of her daily reports. By Donna Lichtenegger ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian...

Retailers disappointed in back-to-school sales NEW YORK -- The August start of the back-to-school shopping season was a disappointment for major retailers, delivering the industry a third straight month of tepid sales and its weakest gain in almost a year and a half. The discouraging news came from nearly all retail sectors...

ST. LOUIS -- Charter Communications Inc. subscribers may get free premium services under a proposed settlement the nation's third-largest cable TV systems operator reached in a lawsuit over questioned charges. As part of the deal spelled out in the company's full-page advertisement in Thursday's USA Today, eligible customers may be able to choose six months of free high-speed Internet service, service upgrades or movie channel service. ...

Say 'Howdy, neighbor!' in Benton this weekend BENTON, Mo. -- The 36th annual Benton Neighbor Days will be held today and Saturday at the ballpark in Benton. Today's festivities start at 5 p.m. with the opening of the midway and registration for attendance prizes at the Chamber of Commerce booth. ...

Firefighters responded to the following items on Wednesday: At 9:08 p.m., an illegal burn in the 600 block of North West End Boulevard. At 10:35 p.m., an emergency medical service in the 1400 block of Independence Street.Firefighters responded to the following items on Thursday:...

Cape Girardeau The following items were released Thursday by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI Michael L. Willingham, no age given, 3522 Old Hopper Road, Cape Girardeau was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, failure to drive on the right side of the road and striking a parked vehicle following an accident at Hackberry and Ellis streets...

Golf Christina Kim made 11 birdies and tied the tournament record of 10-under-par 62 for a two-shot lead after the opening round of the LPGA State Farm Classic. Kim, a 20-year-old Californian in her second pro season, birdied four of her first six holes and finished with four straight birdies at the Rail Golf Course in Springfield, Ill...

Branscum Daughter to Eli and Traci Branscum of Valley Park, Mo., St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis, 10:23 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2004. Name, Brynnley Kate. Weight, 6 pounds 12 ounces. Mrs. Branscum is the former Traci Tuschhoff, daughter of Leon and Emily Tuschhoff of Jackson. She is a nurse at St. John's Mercy Medical Center. Branscum is the son of Dr. Shelba Branscum and Dr. Walter Branscum of Jackson. He is employed with General Electric Power of Houston, Texas...

Three stars (out of four) The subtitles were too fast to adequately read, while others were too low on the screen. But throw out the subtitles and focus on the music and the action, and the story will unfold on its own. I found myself drawn in by the beautiful cinematography, sword fighting and flowing costumes...

10 years ago: Sept. 3, 1994 Laotian street-gang member is in a local hospital with a gunshot wound, and two others are in Cape Girardeau County jail following high-speed chase involving stolen vehicle yesterday; after chase and car crash, three suspects exited their car; the driver was shot when he displayed semiautomatic, Mac II machine pistol in a "threatening manner."...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Nelson Eaker, 89, of Marble Hill died Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004, at Elder Care of Marble Hill. He was born Nov. 10, 1914, at Marble Hill, son of Albert and Della Shell Eaker. Eaker was a farmer. He was a veteran of World War II and was awarded four Bronze Stars...

Melba Thurston, 85, of Jackson died Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born Sept. 20, 1918, in Bernie, Mo., daughter of Richard and Effie Adeline Jeris McCamish. She and H.A. Walker were married in 1933. She later married C.E. "Red" Thurston July 12, 1964, at Bernie. He died March 6, 1981...

William R. Schmidt, 82, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004, at Chateau Girardeau. He was born June 30, 1922, in Missouri, son of Frank Schmidt. He and Eula Fish were married Aug. 31, 1957, in St. Louis. Schmidt retired as a steel worker with Step Brother Co. in St. Louis...

Russell D. Brown, 78, of Millersville died Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004, at his home. He was born Jan. 15, 1926, in St. Louis, son of Coda and June Lane Brown. He and Eula Camren were married Sept. 7, 1947. Brown had farmed near Millersville since 1948. He worked at the former International Shoe Co. in Cape Girardeau, and retired from Lenco Manufacturing in Jackson in 1990. He was a member of First Baptist Church at Millersville...

George Hammett Popp, 47, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004, at his home. He was born Oct. 2, 1956, in Cape Girardeau, son of John W. and Irene E. Henderson Popp. George was a graduate of Central High School and started in the family business in 1972. He was with Georgell Investments until 2002 and then started Union Construction Co. Due to failing health, he was confined to a wheelchair the past three years. He was a member of Cape First Church...

To the editor: I am leaving Scott City with regrets and a beautiful love for all the friends and help I have had. May God bless each and every one of you. I have loved my life here. I will miss many of you. I enjoyed every minute of my endeavors to make Scott City better. I will always continue to love each of you who accepted me. I wish our town the best. I hope I succeeded in a small way to make our town better. I also wish I could have done more and better...

To the editor: Surprise, surprise. Voices of avowed conservatives are being heard at the Republican National Convention critical of the showcase of moderates as featured speakers. The purge of moderates from the Republican Party had its heyday and subsequent finality during the Nixon administration -- until now...

Matt Untereinner rushed for 222 yards and scored three touchdowns as Perryville opened its season with a 27-13 home victory against Imperial, Mo., Windsor. Untereinner, who gained 897 yards last year, did his damage on 28 carries. He scored on runs of 5 and 49 yards and also returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown...

Jackson's defense came to play Friday night at home, as the Indians opened their football season with a dominating performance in a 33-8 victory over Gosnell (Ark.). The Indians held Gosnell to one first down, which came in the waning minutes of the game. Overall, the Pirates finished with 78 yards of offense, all on the ground. Nearly all of those yards came on a 71-yard touchdown run from Byron Thompson...

The Southeast Missouri State football team didn't only have its feelings hurt by Thursday's 42-3 season-opening thrashing at second-ranked Southern Illinois. The Indians also were hurt literally as their injury report during the contest was significant...

ST. LOUIS -- Mike Martz knows well how preseason games sharpen player focus and help them purge mistakes before the games that matter. And with a blush of embarrassment Friday, the St. Louis Rams coach conceded how exhibition games can even expose goofs of his own...

ST. LOUIS -- Matt Morris had never been this dominant. Morris pitched a two-hitter and struck out a season-high 11 to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to their seventh straight victory, 3-0 over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night in a matchup of division leaders...

NEW YORK -- "America's Next Top Model" is heading back to the runway. The UPN reality show has announced the cast for its third season of supermodel boot camp. The new season debuts Sept. 22. Under the mentoring of Tyra Banks, 14 aspiring models will compete in tests of catwalks, fitness and publicity skills. ...

STUART, Fla. -- Hurricane Frances lost some steam and hesitated off the Florida coast Friday, prolonging the anxiety among the millions evacuated and raising fears of a slow, ruinous drenching over the Labor Day weekend. Downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane, the storm was expected to come ashore with up to 20 inches of rain as early as this afternoon, nearly a day later than earlier predictions...

BESLAN, Russia -- The three-day hostage siege at a school in southern Russia ended in chaos and bloodshed Friday, after witnesses said Chechen militants set off bombs and Russian commandos stormed the building. Hostages fled in terror, many of them children who were half-naked and covered in blood. Officials estimated the death toll at more than 200...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- President Bush will speak at Ray Clinton Park in downtown Poplar Bluff Monday, though the exact time is still unknown. Officials with the Bush-Cheney campaign said Friday that the event will open to the public at 1 p.m. and close at 4 p.m. Bush will speak sometime after that...

Last night at 5:30 p.m., a small group of people were scattered around the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, taking in the new exhibits that will hang in the arts council during September. Wine was being poured into small plastic glasses. Tables full of crackers, cookies, vegetables, cheese and assorted dips and spreads were in one of the art council's three galleries. ...

Thursday night while trying to subdue an unruly suspect, Cape Girardeau police officer Aaron Brown was hit in the face with the suspect's elbow. Brown was hurt but did not require medical attention. Last October, while trying to arrest a suspect who broke parole on an original charge of assaulting a police officer, Cape Girardeau police officer Daniel Seger suffered a dislocated shoulder, which required two surgeries. He spent about six months off duty...

The American Farm Bureau Federation has made a radio request. It's not asking for more sexy tractor songs by Kenny Chesney. Just more agriculture news. The Missouri Farm Bureau has backed the federation's petition of the FCC for the broadcast of more agriculture news...

The development of Jackson's long-anticipated soccer park is still a long way from finished, but park association organizers and city officials are trying to score a major goal by Tuesday night. Jackson city administrator Jim Roach said if everything plays out according to plan, the city could take ownership of the 25 acres of land -- currently owned by the Jackson Industrial Development Corp. ...

Members of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce heard a simple message at this month's First Friday Coffee: Missouri has to catch up on work force education or be left behind. Jim Dickerson of the Missouri Training and Employment Council gave the Friday gathering an overview of Missouri's report on the state of the work force...

NEW YORK -- Bill Clinton was hospitalized with chest pains and shortness of breath Friday and will undergo heart bypass surgery in an operation that could sideline the former president at the height of the campaign for the White House. An angiogram showed that Clinton, who turned 58 two weeks ago, had significant blockage in his heart arteries but did not suffer a heart attack, a doctor who performed the test told The Associated Press...

Central and Carbondale, Ill., will meet for the soccer championship of the Notre Dame Sportsfest after posting semifinal victories Friday. The title contest will be at 7 p.m. today. Central knocked off Jackson 3-0, as Sam Bornstein scored two goals and Trenton Beckham added another...

Illinois showed why it is the nation's 14th-ranked women's college soccer team, but Southeast Missouri State University showed why it also has such high hopes for the 2004 season. The Illini scored two first-half goals and made them stand up during a 2-0 victory in front of nearly 300 fans at Houck Stadium Friday night. The result left both coaches fairly satisfied...

Editor's Note: Donna Lichtenegger of Jackson was a delegate at this week's Republican National Convention. This is her fifth and final report on the convention. President Bush had us all rocking and rolling at the Republican National Convention Thursday night...

"It's more blessed to give than to receive" is a Scripture passage (Acts 20:35) I couldn't agree with as a youth. I wondered how it could possibly be better to give something away (unless one didn't want it) than to receive help or a desired object. Children can be expected to have that attitude because they're totally dependent on others for their existence, but what about adults? They know they should be charitable but often wonder "What's in it for me?"...

NEW YORK -- CBS is auctioning off everything but the kitchen sink to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation -- and promote the network's new fall season. The network will put up for bid on eBay from Sept. 8-26 a slew of CBS memorabilia and celebrity experiences, such as David Caruso's "CSI: Miami" sunglasses or dinner with Rupert Boneham of "Survivor: All-Stars" fame...

NEW YORK -- Hardly at her best, barely beating one of the tour's pesky teens, Serena Williams suddenly found herself face-down at the U.S. Open, facing a break point. Recomposed, Williams smacked a service winner at 111 mph, an ace just as fast, and forced an error. Just like that, she held serve en route to beating 30th-seeded Tatiana Golovin 7-5, 6-4 Friday night to reach the Open's fourth round...

NORTON, Mass. -- Tiger Woods shot a 6-under 65 to tie for the lead with Ryan Palmer in the opening round of the Deutsche Bank Championship on Friday. Woods, who's won only once this year to jeopardize his No. 1 ranking, has a first-round lead for the first time since he won the 2003 Western Open...

FONTANA, Calif. -- Jeremy Mayfield and Kasey Kahne need a good race weekend at California Speedway. The Evernham Motorsports teammates, who are just outside the top 10 in the NASCAR Nextel Cup season points, got off to a good start Friday, qualifying second and fifth in the 43-car field for the Pop Secret 500...

WASHINGTON -- America's payrolls picked up in August, with the economy adding 144,000 jobs, slightly less than economists were forecasting and highlighting the slow and uneven recovery in the labor market that jobseekers have braved. The unemployment rate dipped to 5.4 percent last month from 5.5 percent in July, the Labor Department reported Friday. ...

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says it will schedule every available officer statewide to patrol Missouri roadways during the Labor Day holiday. The counting period began at 6 p.m. Friday and will end at 11:59 p.m. Monday. The patrol and other local law enforcement will participate in CARE, the combined accident reduction effort...

Got Olympic fever? Looking for a way to put that energy to use? Find a bunch of coworkers and enter the 2004 Corporate Games, an Olympic-style event sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department. The 20-event competition will take place Sept. ...

When Vickie Stewart began saving souls on the streets of Brazil, skin color was among her greatest assets. Combining a mocha complexion with fluent Portuguese, she passed herself off as a local long enough to draw people in. "I would come up and say: 'Would you like to come to Bible study?'" said Stewart, a black Baltimorean who returns to Brazil on Wednesday for a three-year tour as a Southern Baptist missionary. "They automatically thought I was Brazilian. It was really easy to connect."...

Cape Girardeau The following items were released Friday by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Anthony G. Southall, 24, 7107 Highway 34, Marble Hill, Mo., was arrested on suspicion of assault of a law enforcement officer...

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following items on Thursday: At 6:28 p.m., a cleanup at William Street and West Drive. At 8:27 p.m., an emergency medical service in the 2800 block of Vista Lane. Firefighters responded to the following items on Friday: At 2:05 a.m., an emergency medical service in the 2800 block of Lear Drive...

Calendar Sunday The Teen Challenge Celebration Choir will perform at Centenary United Methodist Church at the 8, 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. services. Randy Ruiz will speak at Bethel Assembly of God Church in Cape Girardeau at the 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. services...

We're in good hands I JUST watched the conclusion of the Olympics. I was fortunate enough this year to be able to watch most of it every day and night. It was so good to see the bright faces of the world's athletes. I was especially proud of the fair play, the reverence that was shown by the audience as well as the athletes whenever the national anthems were played. ...

10 years ago: Sept. 4, 1994 ALTENBURG, Mo. -- Outdoor mission festival is held by Trinity Lutheran Church on fairgrounds here; speaker for event is the Rev. Don Matzat, Christian radio host of station KFUO in St. Louis; service includes special music by joint choir, selections by singing group The Witness and congregational singing...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Nola Mae Greer, 69, of Cairo died Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004, at her home. Heavenly Gates Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Emma J. "Emmy" DeWitt, 94, of Sikeston died Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004, at her home. She was born Oct. 9, 1909, at Bement, Mo., daughter of Joseph H. and Lydia E. Ward Tate. She and James Howard DeWitt were married Aug. 15, 1926, at Bertrand, Mo. He died Oct. 12, 1992...

Marcus Louis "Pickle" Seyer, 84, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Sept. 3, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Michael D. "Brownie" Brown, 59, of Jackson died unexpectedly Sunday, Aug. 29, 2004, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Brown was the son of Clarence and Beatrice Gaudet Brown. He was employed at Farrow Fabricating. He was formerly employed with Wiser Warehouse and Gator Products, both in Springfield, Mo...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Gary Dewayne Cook, 53, of Marble Hill died Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo. He was born May 11, 1951, near Marble Hill, son of Wilma D. Cook. Cook was a former sawmill worker. Survivors include a son, Jerry Cook of Cape Girardeau; his father, Pete Welker of Marble Hill; three brothers, Rickey Welker of Marble Hill, Donald Welker of Dexter, Mo., Leon Welker of Paducah, Ky.; three sisters, Kathy Sullivan of Greenville, Mo., Catherine Bollinger of Patton, Mo., Eyvon Cook of Marble Hill; and a grandson.. ...

PULASKI, Ill. -- Harry Tolar Jr., 79, of Pulaski died at 4 a.m. Friday, Sept. 3, 2004, at his home. Mr. Tolar was born Nov. 21, 1924, in Cairo, Ill., the son of Mary (Walsh) and Harry Tolar Sr. Mr. Tolar was a World War II veteran serving with the U.S. Army's 1st Division in the European Theater for which he received the Purple Heart...

George Hammett Popp, 47, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004, at his home. He was born Oct. 2, 1956, in Cape Girardeau, son of John W. and Irene E. Henderson Popp. George was a graduate of Central High School and started in the family business in 1972. He was with Georgell Investments until 2002 and then started Union Construction Co. Due to failing health, he was confined to a wheelchair the past three years. He was a member of Cape First Church...

To the editor: In response to a recent Speak Out comment concerning the possibilities of a YMCA or YWCA coming to Cape Girardeau: I feel that there should be some form of tax breaks for either one to locate within the city. In the long run either Y would be a great asset to the city and county. ...

To the editor: I went to Mountain Park Baptist Board Academy near Patterson, Mo., (which recently closed) for more than two years. I didn't like it that they took away my drugs, boys, beer and music, so for the first year and a half I fought every little rule I could. ...

Hayes hits ace at Dalhousie Twelve-year-old Eric Hayes recorded his first career hole in one earlier this week at Dalhousie Golf Club. Hayes was playing with his father, Rocky, when he aced the eighth hole at 100 yards with a wedge. Eric Hayes shot a 39 for nine holes...

When musician Bob Camp organized the first City of Roses Music Festival in 1997, rhythm and blues legend Rufus "Walkin' the Dog" Thomas headlined and corporate sponsors helped pay the bills. The festival ran three days and included an awards banquet. The St. Louis party band Dr. Zhivegas and the Memphis Southern rock band Tora Tora were featured on the main stage, while regional bands entertained in downtown Cape Girardeau clubs. Cold October temperatures dampened attendance...

By Oliver North Of course, the president keeps telling people he would never question my service to our country. Instead, he watches as a Republican-funded attack group does just that. Well, if he wants to have a debate about our service in Vietnam, here is my answer: "Bring it on." -- Sen. John Kerry...

Notre Dame Regional High School's three-sport Sportsfest wrapped up Saturday with championships in softball, soccer and volleyball. The day belonged to Bulldogs fans. Notre Dame won the softball and volleyball tournaments, and the soccer team recovered from Friday's loss to finish third...

KIRKWOOD, Mo. -- Jackson sophomore Cheryl Lichtenegger waited a long time for her first at bat as a varsity softball player. Lichtenegger had played on the junior varsity team as a freshman and had made the varsity this year. But she patiently sat on the bench as the Indians struggled through five losses to open the season...

Southeast Missouri State University opened up its three-game exhibition trip to Canada by splitting a pair of games with Brock University Saturday in Niagara Falls. The Indians opened the day with a 91-47 win, but fell 82-73 in the second game with Brock...

FORT PIERCE, Fla. -- Massive Hurricane Frances trudged toward land with 105 mph wind and pelting rain late Saturday, knocking out power to 2 million people and forcing Floridians to endure a frightening night amid roaring gales that shredded roofs and uprooted trees...

AKRON, Ohio -- President Bush and John Kerry battled over the economy and jobs in a small corner of the campaign's most fiercely contested state Saturday as polls showed a post-convention surge for the Republican in the White House. "They promised to create 6 million jobs, and guess what? They're about 7 million short," said Kerry, who also criticized the administration's 17 percent increase in Medicare premiums...

WASHINGTON -- In a seesaw campaign, President Bush has opened a lead over John Kerry in their drive to White House victory by making gains in the Midwest and solidifying his Southern base. The race is spread over 19 states, with the fiercest competition in Ohio, Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, New Mexico and Pennsylvania, according to state polls and interviews with strategists in both parties...

ST. LOUIS -- Shortly after hitting his 300th career home run, Jim Edmonds got put in his place. Former teammate Mark McGwire left a taunting message on Edmonds' cell phone, reminding him just how far he is from Big Mac's 583. "I can't remember the number he said, but I've got a long way to go," Edmonds said after the St. Louis Cardinals' 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night. "And I don't think I'm going to make it."...

Evacuate. That's the message from Cape Girardeau police, state highway officials and the demolition contractor to residents in a small area of the city's downtown near where a section of the old Mississippi River bridge will be blasted away Thursday morning...

A few bucks went a long way in Scott City Saturday. The official kickoff of the town's first citywide garage sale drew bargain seekers from all over Southeast Missouri. The residents and business owners fared well, too. The residents got rid of items they no longer wanted while pocketing some cash in the process...

Jars of pickled beets, dill pickles and blackberry jelly line the counters and cabinets of Dorene Grebing's home outside of Frohna. n A large bowl of fresh-picked tomatoes and a paring knife sit at the kitchen counter where Grebing does most of the peeling and preparation for canning. Two partially filled Mason jars stand at the ready...

LOS ANGELES -- Four terminals at Los Angeles International Airport were shut down for more than three hours Saturday after a passenger bypassed security at one terminal and two flashlight batteries exploded during screening at another, authorities said...

A tall, well-dressed black man with an ornery look about him picked up a copy of an old high school basketball team photo that was lying on the entry table at Drury Lodge. He studied the photo, then pointed to one of the tall guys in the middle of the back row...

BENTON, Mo. -- You don't have to be a neighbor for Neighbor Days. The 36th annual event drew approximately 2,500 people Friday night and 4,000 more on Saturday, according to the Benton Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the event. Shirley Palen and Judie Herbst live in Cape Girardeau now, but they returned to Neighbor Days like they have every year since the 1960s. One of the highlights, they said, was seeing friends they graduated with at Benton High School 50 years ago...

For those suffering from neuromuscular disease, Labor Day weekend is more than just a holiday, it is also time for the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, which raises millions of dollars for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Locally, the Cape Girardeau MDA district office holds a telethon at Auffenberg Autopark on South Kingshighway on Labor Day that will be aired on KFVS12 from 7 a.m. ...

Around 120 more students showed up on Central High School's doorstep on the first day of school this year than were there for the end-of-the-year full enrollment count last year, causing textbook and locker shortages and crowding classes. "We found ourselves scrambling to order textbooks and frantically moving furniture around," said Dr. Mike Cowan, principal at Central...

BESLAN, Russia -- A shaken President Vladimir Putin made a rare and candid admission of Russian weakness Saturday in the face of an "all-out war" by terrorists after more than 340 people -- nearly half of them children -- were killed in a hostage-taking at a southern school...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Missouri quarterback Brad Smith and his offensive teammates were as good as advertised Saturday night. It's the other side of the ball that has coach Gary Pinkel concerned. The No. 18 Tigers gained 506 yards and moved the ball with ease in a 52-20 win over Arkansas State in the season-opener for both teams...

Cross country took over Jackson on Saturday with 22 teams competing in the annual Jackson Invitational. Jackson's meet is unique in that it divides the high school competition into eight divisions, one for each class and gender. Central led the way with two overall winners: Linnea Woldtvedt in the junior girls and Jennifer Pancoast in the senior girls.Jackson Invitaional...

It's doubtful most Southeast Missouri State University football fans -- at least the realistic ones -- truly believed the Indians could beat Southern Illinois in Thursday's season opener. But those same supporters also probably didn't think SIU would so totally have its way with the Indians. The Salukis piled up 554 yards of offense and held Southeast to 250 yards during a 42-3 romp...

NEW YORK -- Former President Bill Clinton was in good spirits Saturday, walking around his hospital room in street clothes and buoyed by thousands of get-well messages as he awaited heart bypass surgery, probably Tuesday. He was to undergo triple or quadruple bypass surgery, according to a person close to Clinton who requested anonymity. ...

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Mira Nair found success as a marriage planner with her last film, "Monsoon Wedding." Now she's out to play matchmaker for one of England's most notorious husband hunters. Nair's latest film, "Vanity Fair," stars Reese Witherspoon as Becky Sharp, social climber, gold digger and plucky heroine of William Makepeace Thackeray's novel that skewers class snobbery and pretensions of the nouveau riche in Napoleonic-era Britain...

TOKYO -- Jake Shimabukuro is perched on the verge of stardom. He still does the little clubs, but he can also fill arenas, pulling in thousands of raptured admirers. And he's a darling of the critics, who have compared him to such guitar greats as Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen...

KIRKUK, Iraq -- A suicide attacker detonated a car bomb Saturday outside an Iraqi police academy as hundreds of trainees and civilians were leaving for the day, killing 20 people and wounding 36 others in the latest attack designed to thwart U.S-backed efforts to build a strong Iraqi security force ahead of January elections...

SAGHAND, Iran -- Iran will begin extracting uranium from deep under its central desert in less than two years, an official told The Associated Press on Saturday during an unprecedented tour of the country's uranium mine. Iran maintains its nuclear ambitions are purely peaceful, despite U.S. charges it seeks nuclear weapons, and is pressing ahead with plans to control the whole nuclear fuel cycle from mining uranium ore to enriching uranium to be used in reactors...

NEW YORK -- There is no secret recipe for a happy family, but psychologist and social scientist David Niven says there are several -- OK, 100 -- ingredients that help create the framework for a harmonious household. It's important for family members to listen to each other, avoid comparisons and to be punctual -- all logical and fairly easy things to do, he says...

ST. LOUIS -- Las Vegas-based Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. has offered to pay $30 million to buy a bankrupt casino on a historic Mississippi riverboat, $2 million more than a competing company's bid. The Pinnacle offer accepts the same terms as those offered by the other company, Wyomissing, Pa.-based Penn National Gaming Inc...

ST. LOUIS -- Archbishop Raymond Burke, who sparked a national debate about denying Holy Communion to pro-choice candidates, has given an opening to Catholics in his archdiocese who vote for such politicians. In June, Burke said that Catholics cannot vote for candidates or policies in support of abortion and be worthy to receive Communion...

The Associated Press MASON CITY, Iowa -- Teresa Heinz Kerry, the wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, was taken to a hospital here late Saturday after complaining of an upset stomach, a spokeswoman said. She was taken to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa by ambulance from the airport...

NORTON, Mass. -- Second-ranked Vijay Singh shot an 8-under 63 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead over top-ranked Tiger Woods, Billy Haas and John Rollins after the second round of the Deutsche Bank Championship. With an eagle on the first hole sparking the best round of the tournament, Singh took the lead from Woods with back-to-back-birdies on Nos. 12 and 13 and moved into position to take Woods' No. 1 ranking, too...

NEW YORK -- Maria Sharapova and her father often trade glances between points. In the stands, Dad pounds his fist on his chest, and she mimics the signal. It represents a simple message -- "Play with heart!" -- but the Wimbledon champion didn't use the gesture during a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 upset loss to Mary Pierce in the U.S. Open's third round Saturday...

Almost every home has at least one -- a quilt made from colorful squares of fabric carefully stitched together to create an intricate design. Some are homemade family heirlooms, while others were bought because of an eye-catching quality. "Quilts interest people of all ages, from the very young to the very old." said Thelma Stone, a member of the River Heritage Quilting Society. "It's possible there are more quilts being made today than ever before."...

Like the rest of the nation, Cape Girardeau underwent its own Westward Expansion. Cape's founders settled along the banks of the Mississippi. That desire to remain close to the river is being rekindled again, and new homes with a river view are coming with top-dollar pricetags...

Southeast Missouri State University's volleball team fell to host Ball State on Saturday at the Active Ankle Classic. The Otahkians lost 30-21, 30-21, 30-19. The loss drops Southeast to 0-3. Jill Miller led the Otahkians' attack with 10 kills. Jamie Baumstark had 19 assists. Baumstark, Lauren Scannell and Miller had 10 digs apiece...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Noodlers Anonymous isn't a 12-step group for pasta fanatics. But its secretive members are fanatical -- about fish. Noodlers fish by reaching barehanded into murky water, logs and submerged holes in river banks, hoping what they grab is a big old catfish, not a snake or a snapping turtle...

A great writer I ENJOY Heidi Hall's columns. I look forward to them every week. She is a great writer. I don't believe it is jealousy she is expressing, just observations. And who doesn't seem a little jealous of someone at some point in his or her life?...

Not enough NMCC WHY IS your New Madrid County Central sports coverage so limited? You skip over NMCC to provide coverage on Malden. Over the last decade, NMCC has been arguably the most dominant high school football program in Southeast Missouri. The shoe fits...

Rose Son to Joe D. and Renada Nicole Rose of Scott City, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 11:54 a.m. Sunday, June 13, 2004. Name, Dylan Grant. Weight, 8 pounds 2 ounces. Fourth child, third son. Mrs. Rose is the former Renada Noel, daughter of Roger and Margaret Noel of Scott City. Rose is the son of Susan Owens of Cape Girardeau. He is shop foreman at Arrowhead Steel Inc...

To the Editor: As president of the board of directors of the Cape Girardeau Youth Baseball League, I would like to take this opportunity to thank and commend the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department for an outstanding job this past summer...

Players from area schools now in professional baseball; included is each player's local connection, last year as an amateur and major league affiliation (if applicable). Statistics are through Thursday.TIM ALVAREZ, LHP Southeast 2003 (San Francisco Giants)...

10 years ago: Sept. 5, 1994 Labor Day. Morning rains aren't enough to ruin everyone's holiday activities; for most people, rains just delay barbecue until afternoon. KFVS-TV raises $305,247 -- $6,790 more than last year -- during its annual Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon...

Earl Hayes, 77, of Jackson died Saturday, Sept. 4, 2004, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

Warren D. Rodgers, 54, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Ford & Sons Funeral Home.

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Bertha A. Thurman, 85, of Charleston died Friday, Sept. 3, 2004, at Bertrand Nursing Center. She was born April 11, 1919, in Loretta, Tenn., son of John Daniel and Kizzie Comer Littrell. She and Boydie Thurman were married Sept. 22, 1938. He died Sept. 24, 1988...

LEOPOLD, Mo. -- Rosalia G. "Rosie" Elfrink, 75, of Belleville, Ill., died Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004, at Rosewood Care Center in Swansea, Ill. She was born June 12, 1929, at Leopold, daughter of Martin P. and Hannah Vandeven Tenholder. She and Isidore "Ick" Elfrink were married June 30, 1948. He died Dec. 29, 1999...

Marcus L. "Pickle" Seyer, 84, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Sept. 3, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was born July 20, 1920, in Kelso, Mo., later moving with his family to Cape Girardeau. He was the son of Ferdinand and Helen Glueck Seyer, both deceased. He and Margaret Stehr were married Sept. 30, 1947, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau...

BENTON, Mo. -- Eugene Fodge, 79, of Benton died Friday, Sept. 3, 2004, at home. He was born Dec. 6, 1924, in Lilbourn, Mo., son of John D. and Gertrude Frances Carson Fodge. He and Helen Marie Helms were married Aug. 28, 1945, at Piggott, Ark. Fodge was a self-employed farmer. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He belonged to the VFW Post 5368 in Morley, Mo., and the Disabled American Veterans...

To the editor: Don Dickerson, president of the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents, seems to answer to no one. He is suggesting expansion of the proposed 950-seat performance hall on the River Campus with 450 additional seats at $10,000 per seat. And regent Brad Bedell says not to be shortsighted over "a couple million bucks." I'm glad Bedell doesn't balance my checkbook. A "couple million bucks" is not $4.5 million...

When it comes to the reasons for Monday's Labor Day holiday, the U.S. Department of Labor's Web site offers a good historical review. The first Labor Day celebration was in New York City in 1882 and was organized by the Central Labor Union. Right off the bat, the holiday was associated with the first Monday in September. ...

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following items on Friday: At 6:07 p.m., emergency medical service at 632 Broadway. At 10:39 p.m., illegal burn at 169 N. Lake St. At 10:47 p.m., still alarm at Bel Air and West Cape Rock drives. Firefighters responded to the following items on Saturday: At 2:42 a.m., emergency medical service in the 300 block of Bellevue Street...

Cape Girardeau The following items were released Saturday by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI Kyle J. Hilligoss, 23, of 9950 S. 250 West, South Whiltey, Ind., was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.Arrests...

A beautiful tradition in Russian culture is parents taking their children to school on the first day of class with flowers and balloons for their teachers. There is excitement and pride about a new year. New clothes. New shoes. New hope. On Wednesday, in a Russian town a little smaller than Cape Girardeau, the good feeling turned to horror when terrorists attacked, taking more than 1,000 students and their parents hostage. ...

A serious health care crisis is gripping a segment of our nation at rates astronomically higher than any other group in America. According to a study conducted in 2003, American Indians and Alaska Natives face a diabetes rate which is 249 percent higher than average, a tuberculosis rate 533 percent higher than average and an alcoholism rate 627 percent higher than average...

The Kansas City Star Missouri lost credibility when it scrapped the 15-year highway construction plan in 1998 but kept collecting the fuel tax increase that was supposed to pay for it. Lingering bitterness over that decision may well have been the primary reason why, in 2000, voters trounced a $500 million road-improvement plan...

Mr. and Mrs. David Bill of Jackson celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a dinner party in Cape Girardeau. Hosts were their sons and daughter-in-law, Gary Bill of St. Louis, and Larry and Tina Bill of Jackson, and six grandchildren. Bill and Carol Groves were married Aug. 8, 1954, at Ottawa Street Methodist Church in Joliet, Ill., with the Rev. Ken Yoeman officiating. Their attendants were Jack and Sonia Bill...

James and Katherine Moore of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Elizabeth Anne Moore, to Tommy Edward Thomas. He is the son of Terry and Cynthia Thomas of Kansas City, Mo. Moore received a bachelor of science degree from Southeast Missouri State University in 2004. She is a teacher at Christian School for the Young Years...

Judge John F. and Karen Kintz of St. Louis announce the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer Ann Kintz, to Joseph Patrick Beaudean. He is the son of Mark and Sally Beaudean of Cape Girardeau. Kintz received a bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2003. She is employed at Westborough Country Club in St. Louis...

Pam and Nelson Butz Jr. of Fort Scott, Kan., and Robert Stewart of North Platte, Neb., announce the engagement of their daughter, Bobbi Jo Stewart, to Luther Ridale Bonds, both of Cape Girardeau. He is the son of the Rev. Luther and Bessie Bonds of Meadville, Miss...

Gene and Theresa Anzalone of Baton Rouge, La., announce the engagement of their daughter, Brittany Suzanne Anzalone, to Nicholai William Mirgeaux. He is the son of Mike and Ann Mirgeaux of Louisville, Ky., formerly of Cape Girardeau. Anzalone received a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Louisiana State University in 1996, and a master's degree in business administration from Loyola University in 1999. She is a senior analyst with Panhandle Energy...

Tonya Renee Phillips and Travis Lynn Reiminger will be married Sept. 6 aboard the Carnival Holiday Cruise Ship in New Orleans, La. She is the daughter of Larry and Wanda Smith of Scott City. Reiminger is the son of Dave and Faye Reiminger of Jackson...

BENTON, Mo. -- Kazuo and Yuriko Matsuura of Hiroshima, Japan, announce the engagement of their daughter, Kayo Matsuura, to Darryl Spencer Record. He is the son of Roger and Constance Record of Benton. Matsuura received a bachelor's degree in music in Tokyo, and a master's degree in Bible exposition from Talbot Theological Seminary in Los Angeles, Calif., in 2003. She is currently preparing for international missions...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Winfred and Oneta Walker of Marble Hill announce the engagement of their daughter, Tammy Lee Stratton, to James Leo Barlow. He is the son of Jim and Carolyn Barlow of Delta. Stratton is a 1984 graduate of Woodland High School. She is a certified nurse assistant at Saint Francis Medical Center...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Hank and Jane Myers of Perryville announce the engagement of their daughter, Robin Joy Myers, to Nicholas Lynn Miesner. He is the son of Kenneth and Yvonne Miesner of Frohna, Mo. Myers is a 1998 graduate of Perryville High School. She is employed at Magna-Tel Inc. in Cape Girardeau...

Michael and Liza Summers of Palmyra, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Berkley Summers, to Robert Rosenquist, both of Jackson. He is the son of Francie Heuring of Fruitland and Carl Rosenquist of Poplar Bluff, Mo. Summers received a bachelor's degree in special education from Southeast Missouri State University in 2000, and a master's degree in secondary administration from William Woods University in 2004. She is a special education teacher in the Jackson School District...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Brian and Tammy Dreyer of Perryville announce the engagement of their daughter, Shannon Dreyer, to Garrett Behrle. He is the son of Randy and Susan Behrle of Perryville. Dreyer is a 1999 graduate of Perryville High School, and a 2003 graduate of St. Louis University. She is an occupational therapist at Perry County School District...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Roger and Pat Thomas of Perryville announce the engagement of their daughter, Lindsey Nicole Thomas, to Ryan Lee Unterreiner. He is the son of Leland and Norma Unterreiner of Perryville. Thomas is a 2001 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. She is employed at BBL Buildings and Components...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Lynn and Mary Jo Thompson of Advance announce the engagement of their daughter, Amanda Thompson, to Brett Ward. He is the son of Jim and Verna Ward of Poteau, Okla. Thompson is a 1999 graduate of Bell City High School, and expects to receive a degree in social work from Southeast Missouri State University in December...

Laura Tenholder and Sean Simon were married May 8, 2004, at the Jewel Box in St. Louis. The Rev. Paul Short performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mike and Carol Tenholder of Cape Girardeau. The groom is the son of Mark and Carolyn Korlin of St. Louis...

Dina Leigh Palmer and Aaron William Arce were married May 25, 2004, in Gibraltar, United Kingdom. The bride is the daughter of Donald and Diana Palmer of Cape Girardeau. The groom is the son of Susan Estrella and William Arce of Yonkers, N.Y. Maid of honor was Daisy Betancourt...

SEDGEWICKVILLE, Mo. -- Jenna Ann Ellis and Christopher Lynn Burr were united in marriage July 24, 2004, at Liberty Methodist Church in Marquand, Mo. Kirby Grindstaff performed the ceremony. Pianist was Matt Yount of Jackson. Parents of the couple are Pat and Julie Ellis of Sedgewickville, and Carl and Ann Burr of Patton, Mo...

SEDGEWICKVILLE, Mo. -- April Dawn Miinch and Aaron Kent Seabaugh were married May 8, 2004, at their home. Pat Koetting performed the ceremony. John and Vickie Miinch of Sedgewickville are parents of the bride. The groom is the son of Larry and Sheila Cunningham of Jackson and Ron and Phyllis Seabaugh of Cape Girardeau...

KELSO, Mo. -- St. Augustine Catholic Church was the setting July 17, 2004, for the wedding of Rebecca Susan Montgomery and Matthew John Steinmetz. The Rev. Oliver Clavin performed the ceremony. Lectors were Lance Reinagel, Trent Summers and Kyle Elfrink...

Jennifer Kay Crites and Joe Henry McLemore were united in marriage June 12, 2004, at Grace United Methodist Church. The Rev. Scott Moon performed the ceremony. Musician and soloist was Shane Steck of Jackson. Scriptures were read by J.J. Edmonds of Cape Girardeau...

Marie Seesing and John Kluesner were married June 26, 2004, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg, Mo. The Revs. Normand Varone, Scott Sunnenberg and Ralph Duffner performed the ceremony. Reader was Dolly Kluesner of New Hamburg, sister-in-law of the groom...

Susan Lynne Richards and Russ Eugene Barnes exchanged vows Feb. 29, 2004, at First Baptist Church in Gillette, Wyo. Mark Jervis performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mary Campbell of Cape Girardeau, and the late Paul Richards. The groom is the son of Judy Dillinger of Moorcroft, Wyo., and the late Earl Barnes...

A maintenance man spends his days working backstage, changing light bulbs, working on the plumbing, doing the little things that keep a building running. So when he returns to his place of work every day, a typical maintenance man likes to find things the way he left them...

7:30 p.m. today Action items A motion to set the fall cleanup week for Oct. 11 to 15. A motion to approve a $383,612 change order to Dutch Enterprises in conjunction with the West Jackson Boulevard/South Hope Street water and sewer relocation. The change order was made because additional retaining walls were added from Phase 1 of the project and subtracted from Phase 2...

10 years ago: Sept. 7, 1994 BENTON, Mo. -- State auditors have recommended changes in financial operation of Scott County Sheriff's Department and urged Sheriff Bill Ferrell to avoid even appearance of conflict of interest; recommendations are part of audit of county government covering three years ending Dec. 31...

Williams Son to Roger Dale and Stephanie Dawn Williams of Jackson, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 6:04 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, 2004. Name, Kody Dale. Weight, 6 pounds 5 ounces. First child. Mrs. Williams is the former Stephanie Schneider, daughter of Sharon Schneider of Gordonville and Butch Schneider of Jackson. She is employed at Capaha Bank. Williams is the son of Ron and Mona Lawrence of Anna, Ill. He is employed by city of Cape Girardeau...

ANNA, Ill. -- Nancy Davis Sorrels, 78, of Anna died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004. She was born Feb. 3, 1926, at Anna, the daughter of Ora and Clella Davis Davis. She and Bill Sorrels were married Sept. 9, 1945, at Anna. He died Aug. 18, 1989. Survivors include four daughters, Cindy Swope and Mindy Carter, both of Anna, Cecelia Hodges of Gatesville, Texas, and Nan Ginsburg of Makanda, Ill.; a brother, Jim Davis of Anna; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Helen Louise Liley, 81, of St. Louis, formerly of Marble Hill, died Saturday, Sept. 4, 2004, at Brookview Nursing Home in Maryland Heights, Mo. She was born April 23, 1923, in Stanton, Texas, daughter of John and Lucille Richards Phillips. She and James A. Liley Jr. were married Aug. 16, 1944...

WOLF LAKE, Ill. -- Steven Michael Cain, 54, of Wolf Lake died Friday, Sept. 3, 2004, east of Anna, Ill. He was born Sept. 13, 1949, in Tuscola, Ill., son of Clifford Dean and Clara Louise Peddycourt Cain. He attended Anna Heights Baptist Church and was a member of Anna Moose Lodge 1346...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Donald J. Chappius, 53, of Perryville, died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004, at his home. He was born June 28, 1951, at Perryville, the son of John Vincent and Elsie Marie Ernst Chappius. He and Rebecca G. McDowell were married Dec. 30, 1977. She died Sept. 12, 1997...

Eugene Popp, 72, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Sept. 6, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Juanita Miser, 29, of the Cape Girardeau area died Saturday, Sept. 4, 2004, at Parkland Hospital in Farmington, Mo. Arrangements are incomplete at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

Nadine B. Sams, 76, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Sept. 4, 2004, at the Lutheran Home. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Memorial Park Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Ford and Sons Funeral Home.

Ruby Erna Popp, 72, died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004, at Life Care Center of Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Earl J. Hayes Jr. of Marked Tree, Ark., died Saturday, Sept. 4, 2004, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Jan. 14, 1927, in Lepanto, Ark., son of Earl J. and Lillie Trucks Hayes Sr. He first married Colon B. Williams, and later married Mary B. Richardson Smith...

Spend on police, fire THE CITY is wondering what it's going to do with that $1 million accumulated from the hotel-restaurant taxes. How about the police and fire departments and the senior center? We need to pay our police and firemen more money. Budget bleeding...

Evacuations are for wars, and violent storms, and earthquakes. Evacuations are what we read about involving people somewhere else. Last week saw the evacuation of some 2.5 million Floridians as Hurricane Frances headed for that state's eastern coast...

7 p.m. today City hall, 401 Independence St. Study session at 5 p.m. Public hearings A hearing for a special-use permit to construct a new fire station, emergency operations center and communications tower at 1975 N. Sprigg St. A request of Patrick and Amy Higgins for a special-use permit to place two free-standing signs at 2917 Independence St...

Fark named principal at Trinity Lutheran Terry Fark is the new principal at Trinity Lutheran School in Cape Girardeau. Fark has more than 30 years of experience in teaching and administration. He was most recently principal at Immanuel Lutheran School in Murphysboro, Ill...

Spartech Corp. buys three divisions of VPIThe St. Louis-based Spartech Corp. recently announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of three divisions of Vinyl Plastics Inc., which is based in Wisconsin. Those VPI operations acquired include the sheet products division that serves graphic arts, medical packaging and retail markets; the contract manufacturing division, which provides noncarpet flooring and sound barrier products to the transportation industry; and the film and converting division, which prints and laminates products for distribution. ...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A veteran Kansas City firefighter was killed and four others were injured when a pumper truck collided with two cars and then slammed into a tree while answering a call. Acting Captain Gerald McGowan, 57, was normally a fire apparatus operator but was filling in as a captain when he was killed Sunday night. He had served with the department for 32 years...

Umfleet awarded state Leadership Award Jason Ross Umfleet of Cape Girardeau has been awarded a Missouri Leadership Award to attend Southeast Missouri State University for the 2004-2005 academic year. Umfleet is a 2004 graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School. He is the son of Mark and Robin McKinley of Cape Girardeau...

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following calls Saturday: At 5:38 p.m., an emergency medical service in the 500 block of South Pacific Street. At 8:23 p.m., a fire alarm sounding at 3120 Independence St. Firefighters responded to the following calls Sunday:...

Cape Girardeau The following items were released Monday by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Kevin Keith Bevell Jr., 17, of 518 S. Ellis St., was arrested on complaints of driving while intoxicated, no proof of insurance and no rear lights on a vehicle...

Seaman recruit finishes Navy basic training Navy Seaman Recruit Christopher S. Edger, son of Janice Y. Babb of Connelly Springs, N.C., and Timothy S. Edger of Sikeston, Mo., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill...

Illmo centennial to include baby contest Details are still being worked out about the Illmo centennial celebration that will take place Sept. 25, but already organizers know there will be a baby contest for children 6 to 12 months old. Registration forms for the contest can be picked up at Scott City Medical Center, 2102 Main St. ...

Annual barbecue being held at Bald Knob The Bald Knob Cross of Peace will hold a fund-raising dinner from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The menu includes barbecue. Crafters and flea market vendors are invited to set up for free. For more information, call (618) 532-8188...

Name: Lori Schutte Lives in: Jackson Family: Husband and two children. Job: Office manager at Court Appointed Special Advocates. What do you like most about the area? This community is filled with wonderful people. Favorite food: Mexican. Favorite TV show: "Everybody Loves Raymond."...

A sixth person has died after an accident on Interstate 55 Aug. 29 involving a group traveling from Louisiana. Sammy Hearn, 47, of West Monroe, La., died Monday at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, according to reports from the Missouri State Highway Patrol...

You can't have enough telephones, not in a family with a 12-year-old daughter. Becca has a telephone in her room, but that hasn't stopped her from kidnapping our kitchen phone and holding it hostage. The phone rings. Joni or I go to answer it and we're confronted with a beeping kitchen phone base but no phone...

WASHINGTON -- Congress is giving itself a month to come up with legislation restructuring the nation's intelligence apparatus, but Republican leaders acknowledge the goal may fall victim to turf disputes and lawmakers' focus on getting themselves re-elected Nov. 2...

NEW YORK -- Venus Williams was grunting loudly, Lindsay Davenport was muttering to herself, and the fans were jumping out of their seats after each point. The matchup was fit for a Grand Slam final, not the fourth round. So, too, was the riveting last game...

The 32nd Judicial Circuit of Missouri, which is made up of Cape Girardeau, Bollinger and Perry counties, has recently learned that it is one of three circuits among the 45 in the state recognized as the most efficient in case management for fiscal year 2003...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- With an evolving offensive attack, one point of emphasis for No. 19 Missouri appears answered, at least for now. The coaching staff, which wants to expand the passing game this season, saw positive results in the Tigers' season-opening 52-20 win against Arkansas State on Saturday...

WASHINGTON -- President Bush and John Kerry have accepted $75 million each in government financing for their campaigns for the White House but tens of millions more will be spent by the parties and partisan interest groups to influence the race. "The toughest period is still to come," first lady Laura Bush wrote in a fund-raising e-mail the Bush campaign sent during the Republican National Convention. ...

BESLAN, Russia -- A numb Russia observed the first national day of mourning for the more than 350 victims of the terrorist school seizure on Monday, while foreign planes delivered medical supplies to this grief-stricken southern region neighboring Chechnya...

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- Israeli helicopters attacked a Hamas training field early Tuesday, killing at least 13 Palestinians and wounding 25 in the bloodiest strike in Gaza in months, officials from both sides said. Most of the casualties were members of the anti-Israeli militant group...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The U.S. military is reaping more high-quality intelligence tips from Iraqi prisoners than ever since it jettisoned several coercive interrogation techniques after the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal in May, the American general in charge of Iraqi prisons said Monday...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A suicide attacker sped up to a U.S. military convoy outside Fallujah and detonated an explosives-packed vehicle on Monday, killing seven Marines and three Iraqi soldiers, U.S. military officials said. It was the deadliest day for American forces in four months...

Death toll from China flooding rises to 76 BEIJING -- Torrential floods in southwest China have claimed at least 76 lives, prompting beleaguered local officials to seek help Monday from the military in rescuing hundreds trapped by mudslides and caved-in roads, state media reported. Days of heavy rain in Sichuan province and the municipality of Chongqing have swamped entire villages and ruined huge swathes of farmland, the official Xinhua News Agency said...

BEIRUT, Lebanon -- Hamas leaders in Damascus, who have operated in the Syrian capital with secrecy for the past year, appear to have gone deeper underground after Israeli threats to target them in retaliation for recent suicide bombings in Israel. Hamas claimed responsibility Thursday for the Aug. ...

JERUSALEM -- An Israeli spy satellite plunged into the Mediterranean Sea shortly after launch Monday, dealing a severe blow to Israel's attempts to closely monitor potential enemies. The mishap occurred when boosters for the Ofek-6 satellite failed, the Defense Ministry said after the top-secret launch from the seaside Palmachim air force base in southern Israel. The satellite fell into the sea near the port city of Ashdod...

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- Hurricane Ivan churned toward the Caribbean on Monday, packing sustained winds of 115 mph and threatening to hit Barbados and other islands, after it strengthened from tropical storm status with unusual speed. Residents rushed to install storm shutters and schools remained closed in Barbados, where the Category 3 storm -- the fourth major hurricane of the season -- was expected to hit late today...

LOS ANGELES -- Jet Li's Chinese martial-arts epic "Hero" relegated four new movies to the nether regions of the box office in what ended up as one of the most feeble Labor Day weekends in memory. "Hero" ranked No. 1 by collecting an estimated $11.5 million over the holiday, which is traditionally a slow time at movie theaters as many people try to enjoy the last big summer weekend outdoors...

NEW YORK -- Tom Brokaw, Dan Rather and Peter Jennings playing second fiddle to Brit Hume on a major story would have seemed unthinkable a few years ago. Now that it's happened -- Fox News Channel beating NBC, CBS and ABC in head-to-head competition during the Republican convention -- TV watchers are pondering whether the unprecedented event was epochal or inevitable...

LOS ANGELES -- The Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon raised $59.4 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, but organizers said Monday that power outages and other disruptions from Hurricane Frances contributed to a decline over last year. Donations totaled 1.8 percent less than last year's $60.5 million...

ST. MARKS, Fla. -- Frances sloshed into the Florida Panhandle on Monday, taking a second swing at a storm-weary state where it already had knocked out power to 6 million people, torn up roofs and boats, and been blamed for at least five deaths. While Panhandle residents rode out the tropical storm's heavy rain and wind blowing at a sustained 65 mph, shutters started coming down in the south and residents began returning to homes they had evacuated...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Hurricane Frances did more damage to the Kennedy Space Center than any other storm in history, tearing an estimated 1,000 exterior panels from a giant building where space vehicles are assembled, officials said Monday. No space shuttles were inside the 525-foot-high building, a familiar landmark at the space center. But center director James Kennedy said he feared the damage could set back NASA's effort to resume shuttle launches next spring...

American Muslims urge community to vote ROSEMONT, Ill. -- American Muslim leaders ended their largest annual meeting with a rousing plea to thousands of community members that they vote in the presidential election. Muslims urgently want to register their political presence in this country as a step toward ending what many believe are excesses in the war on terror. ...

Through four games of the 2004 season, Southeast Missouri State University's women's soccer team is 3-1 -- and coach Heather Nelson couldn't be happier. "I'm delighted," Nelson said following Sunday's 3-2 victory over Xavier in front of more than 200 fans at Houck Stadium. "I knew our non-conference schedule would be very tough and to be 3-1 against the teams we've played so far, I'm very happy."...

There were cuts, cuts and more cuts over the holiday weekend as National Football League teams got down to the 53-man roster limit for the regular season. But a pair of Southeast Missouri State University products were not among the casualties, meaning the Indians will have two NFL players when the season opens this week...

Golson scored 26 points in the men's basketball victory against Mohawk. Southeast Missouri State University's men's basketball team concluded its three-game exhibition trip to Canada with Sunday's 81-64 victory against Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario...

ST. LOUIS -- Homestands like the one Jim Edmonds just blitzed through, batting .455 with four homers, five doubles and 13 RBIs in six games, are not all that uncommon for him. What's unique about this season, though, is that the St. Louis Cardinals' center fielder has been putting up those type of numbers for a half-season. Edmonds has long been known for building a season through a progression of highs and lows, but now he's sustaining the production...

Burrito-Ville is getting ready to mark its fourth birthday in Cape Girardeau, and to celebrate, owner Justin Denton has arranged a homecoming of sorts. After two years at 820 Sprigg St., the eatery will be returning to Broadway in early October. The business began at 1027 Broadway in 2000. ...

The Joplin Globe Well, it comes as no big surprise that Missouri continues to be a hotbed for methamphetamine manufacturers. That's the bad news. But there is a glimmer of good news too. The number of meth labs seized through the first half of this year (1,460) is running behind the 1,655 seizures made during the same period in 2003. Is a trend developing?...

For two months, Jacob Sevlie's insurance company tagged along whenever he slid behind the wheel of his Honda Accord. An electronic monitor the size of a matchbook closely tracked Sevlie's driving time and behavior. If he had a heavy foot or was a sudden braker, the auto data recorder would betray him...

No wonder Rudy Giuliani, Ed Koch, Mayor Bloomberg and Sen. John McCain brought the Republican Convention to its feet with their stirring pleas to fight terror and re-elect President Bush. The speakers all grasped the essential reality of this year's presidential contest: If the election is about foreign policy Bush will win. But if it is about domestic policy, Kerry will prevail...

In 2001, Millennium Environmental Services of Missouri Inc. abandoned the property at 3100 Industrial Fuel Drive in Scott City, leaving little more than a toxic waste dump of barrels brimming with hazardous chemicals. But now that facility is emerging from the lingering fumes left by its previous tenant to take on a new identity...

NEW YORK -- As Peter Jennings opened gavel-to-gavel coverage of the Republican National Convention one evening, he posed an unconventional question to a Texas delegate: Is it true Republicans dress better than Democrats? Minutes later, the ABC News anchor asked a woman in the front row of the Missouri delegation how she got such a good seat. Then he posed for a souvenir photo with a Wisconsin delegate -- on the air...

A federally funded metropolitan planning organization could be in Cape Girardeau's future thanks to the efforts of a transportation consultant who believes the area has a large enough population to meet Census Bureau requirements. The Cape Girardeau County Commission on Thursday approved a resolution to participate in what's being called the Greater Cape Girardeau Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. ...

Picnickers in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois spent their final summer holiday on Monday gathered outside for food and fun. Labor Day picnics are a tradition in both Olive Branch, Ill., and Advance, Mo., where the events are more like communitywide homecomings than small gatherings...

From wire reports POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A crowd of nearly twice the population of Poplar Bluff gave an enthusiastic welcome to President George W. Bush in Ray Clinton Park on Monday. The event, which drew between 26,000 and 30,000 people, turned out to be one that drew the largest crowd the president has seen in this campaign. Bush made the Southeast Missouri stop after a signature petition asked him to visit the city...

OSLO, Norway -- Nearly 60 years after Thor Heyerdahl sailed his Kon-Tiki balsa raft across the Pacific to prove a theory about ancient mariners, a team that includes his grandson plans to recreate the 101-day epic voyage -- although the craft will have solar panels, a satellite navigation system and a link to the Internet...

NEW YORK -- Bill Clinton had a successful quadruple heart bypass operation Monday to relieve severely clogged arteries that doctors said had put the former president in grave danger of a major heart attack sometime soon. Clinton is expected to make a full recovery, but doctors said he was fortunate to have checked himself into the hospital when he did. ...

The Associated Press NORTON, Mass. -- Vijay Singh has been playing the best golf in the world for a long time. Now he has Tiger Woods' No. 1 ranking to prove it. Singh finished his long climb to the top of golf's ultimate leaderboard by beating Woods in a head-to-head matchup, shooting a 69 on Monday to win the Deutsche Bank Championship by three strokes and claim Woods' spot as the top-ranked player in the world...

ST. LOUIS -- Orlando Pace really cut it close this year. The five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle will get only four days of practice to prepare for the St. Louis Rams' opener after signing a one-year contract for $7.02 million late Sunday night and hitting the field on Monday...

The result of a little-heralded election earlier this year will be welcome to those of all parties, and especially to gardeners and gourmets: The International Herb Association, based in Jacksonville, Fla., and the Herb Society of America, based in Kirtland, Ohio, have voted garlic the herb of the year for 2004...

10 years ago: Sept. 8, 1994 Recovery of former Corps of Engineers dredge Ste. Genevieve, which sank March 10 in Mississippi River near Missouri Dry Dock and Repair Co., begins; paddlewheel is removed from sunken dredge and placed on repair barge. New commander of Cape Girardeau-Bollinger County Major Case Squad is Carson Kelley, assistant director of public safety at Southeast Missouri State University...

American Legion Post 158 At a recent meeting of American Legion Post 158 Rosie Wells, home from Iraq, was welcomed by legion members. Jim Nelson reported contributions to the American Legion Post 158 Memorial Scholarship Program from Bob and Adell Hartle in memory of Iva Jaco; Wanda Abbott in memory of Ina Nothdurft; New Salem United Methodist Church at Daisy, Mo.; and Verla and Charles Mangel, personal contribution.. ...

Stevens Daughter to Adam Russell and Jennifer Sue Stevens of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 9:24 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, 2004. Name, Rileigh Morgan. Weight, 7 pounds 13 ounces. Mrs. Stevens is the former Jennifer Ross, daughter of Doug and Tonya Ross of Cape Girardeau. Stevens is the son of Brad and Dee Dee Stevens of Cape Girardeau...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Irene Hall, 74, of Cairo, died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004, at the Daystar Care Center in Cairo. She was born April 25, 1930, in St. Louis, daughter of John and Ida Johnson. She lived in Cairo for more than 30 years. She was a member of Christ Temple Church of God in Christ in Cairo...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Rochester Armstrong, 66, of Sikeston died Saturday, Sept. 4, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Armstrong was born March 11, 1938, in rural Charleston, Mo., son of Rufus and Jessie Coleman Armstrong. Survivors include his wife, Annie Orr Armstrong of Sikeston; nine sons, Richard Lawrence, Freddie Davis, Roy C. ...

Ruby Erna Popp, 72, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004, at Life Care Center of Cape Girardeau. She was born Aug. 23, 1932, at Frohna, Mo., daughter of Anton and Esther Mueller Petzoldt. She and Eugene Popp were married Feb. 6, 1955, in Cape Girardeau. He died Sept. 6, 2004...

Nadine B. Sams, 76, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Sept. 4, 2004, at the Lutheran Home. She was born Jan. 13, 1928, in Cates, Ind., daughter of Billy and Lela Babb. She and John L. Sams were married Nov. 27, 1971, in Mattoon, Ill. He died June 6, 1997...

Eugene Gilbert Popp, 72, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Sept. 6, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was born July 2, 1932, in Cape Girardeau, son of Walter and Dorena Reimann Popp. He and Ruby Erna Petzoldt were married Feb. 6, 1955, in Cape Girardeau. She died Sept. 5, 2004...

Mary Belle Bradshaw, 72, of Whitewater died Monday, Sept. 6, 2004, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. She was born Feb. 17, 1932, daughter of Henry and Ethel Stephens Mouser. She and Jesse R. Bradshaw were married May 11, 1958, at Marquand, Mo...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Mabel Irene Robards, 76, of Sikeston died Monday, Sept. 6, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. She was born Sept. 16, 1927, at Kennett, Mo., daughter of David Cornelious and Willie Zella McGregor Childress. She and U.L. Robards were married Jan. 25, 1950. He died Dec. 25, 1977...

MINER, Mo. -- Alta Hyde, 85, of Miner died Monday, Sept. 6, 2004, at her home. She was born Feb. 12, 1919, in Fayette County, Ala., daughter of Charlie and Ethel Cox Garner. She and Tommy Hyde were married Nov. 11, 1934. He died Oct. 2, 1982. Hyde was a member of Parker Memorial Pentecostal Holiness Church...

More stress to come IN ANSWER to the Speak Out comment as to whether schools will be under the same stress to meet expectations next year: The answer is yes. The bar will be raised next year and every year after that until 2014 when, according to the No Child Left Behind law, all students are expected to be scoring at the proficient level on the MAP test. ...

To the editor: CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Southeast Missouri wishes to thank Kate Scott, her cameraman and KFVS12 anchors Jeff Cunningham and Mary-Ann Maloney for taking the time to produce such a great story on CASA and our need for volunteers. ...

To the editor: I would like to comment on Laura Johnston's fine article regarding women's roles in the progress of Cape Girardeau. In particular, I would like to comment on Alma Schrader and her tenure as principal of May Greene Elementary School where I was a pupil back in the 1940s. ...

To the editor: In a recent column, "Economy in good shape and getting better," billionaire Steve Forbes wrote that "crankiness over the economy is utterly unjustified." As someone who dedicated more than 26 years to Doe Run Smeltering Co. prior to having my job outsourced to China, I think describing my emotion as cranky is an understatement. I am angry...

To the editor: I would like to congratulate Poplar Bluff on the prestigious example that community has set for our state and our country. Everyone in Poplar Bluff should have a lot of pride that the president of the United States is visiting their lovely community. As a Cape Girardeau resident and proud supporter of our troops, I would like to extend my hand to the president and welcome him to Bush Country...

Baseball The Chicago Cubs and Florida Marlins will play two doubleheaders to make up the three-game series that was wiped out last weekend in Miami by Hurricane Frances. One game has been rescheduled as part of a doubleheader this Friday at Wrigley Field beginning at 1:20 p.m. CDT...

Dalhousie hosted busy weekend of golf The team of Jim Largent, Carol Largent, Gray Squires and Suzie Ruppert won the Labor Day Couples Scramble on Monday at Dalhousie Golf Club. The foursome posted a net score of 60, one stroke better than the runner-up team of Mark Unger, Becky Unger, Darryl James and Harriette Myers...

Tennessee State and Tennessee-Martin get the Ohio Valley Conference schedule off to an early start this week. While the rest of the OVC's nine teams don't play their first conference games until Sept. 25, the Tigers and Skyhawks square off Thursday night in Martin, Tenn...

Central picked up its first two wins of the season Tuesday at the SEMO Conference Volleyball Tournament at Cape Girardeau Central High School. The Tigers swept their pool, defeating New Madrid County Central and Sikeston to advance to the semifinal round today at 5 p.m. against Oran...

Weekly spotlight MATT UNTERREINER School: Perryville Class: Senior Sport: Football Accomplishment: Unterreiner rushed 28 times for 222 yards and two touchdowns -- one being a 49-yarder -- in Perryville's 27-13 victory against Windsor at home. Unterreiner also returned a punt 62 yards for another touchdown. The opening victory was lift for a program that has endured five straight losing seasons...

Public hearings Held a hearing for a special-use permit to construct a new fire station, emergency operations center and communications tower at 1975 N. Sprigg St. Heard the request of Patrick and Amy Higgins for a special-use permit to place two free-standing signs at 2917 Independence St...

One million dollars. It sounds like a huge amount of money to most people, but the United Way of Southeast Missouri is seeking that much to help its 32 agencies in the region. Residents and employees in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Perryville and Scott City and surrounding areas have been asked to help raise $1 million for community agencies that serve the poor, elderly and children with special needs...

Cape Girardeau The following items were released Tuesday by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI Jessica Lee Wiggins, Box 131, Kelso, Mo., was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated after her vehicle struck a guardrail at Interstate 55 and Highway 74....

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following items on Monday: At 6:27 p.m., emergency medical service in the 200 block of Keller Avenue. At 12:20 p.m., still alarm at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport. At 7:47 p.m., still alarm at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport...

A free seminar on changes in the Sunshine Law will be held from 9 a.m. until noon Monday, Oct. 4, at Southeast Missouri State University. It's being organized by the state attorney general's office. Assistant attorneys general will discuss the top 10 things media and public officials need to know about the Sunshine Law and the recent changes. ...

Vehicle registration stickers will soon be a thing of the past for residents of Scott City. At its Tuesday meeting, the Scott City Council passed an ordinance that does away with city vehicle registration stickers starting next year. Before the Aug. ...

The Whitewater Fire Department will be able to buy new equipment thanks to a federal grant of $87,930 from the Department of Homeland Security and a $6,500 grant from state emergency management sources. Whitewater fire chief Garry Moore said the federal money will be used to buy 14 new self-contained air packs with two bottles for each unit and a compressor to fill the bottles...

The momentum that was building for the completion of Jackson's new soccer park was knocked back temporarily Tuesday night as the board of aldermen unanimously rejected a bid that came in far higher than the city is willing to spend. The Jackson Soccer Park Association secured a $115,000 federal grant for the city to use on the 25-acre park, which the city took ownership of at Tuesday's meeting...

A Cape Girardeau man pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court to gun and drug charges. Mark Mosley, 24, will be sentenced Dec. 6 on a felony count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and a felony count of distribution of marijuana. He also forfeited $31,400 in cash...

Astronaut Godwin will speak at Southeast Astronaut Linda Godwin, a veteran of four NASA spaceflights, will speak at her alma mater, Southeast Missouri State University, on Sept. 21. Godwin, who grew up in the Oak Ridge area, will speak at the 2004 fall NASA Educator Resource Center Network Conference at 10:45 a.m. ...

What's happening? On Thursday at 6:30 a.m., the first span of the old Mississippi River bridge -- the section closest to the Missouri side -- will be demolished. The bridge will be dropped by blasting it into sections. The Missouri Department of Transportation, Cape Girardeau police and the demolition contractor are asking people who live and work within a 1,500-foot radius of the blast site to temporarily evacuate...

La Russa plans to remove one of his five successful starters from the rotation. By R.B. Fallstrom ~ The Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- All five members of the St. Louis Cardinals' rotation are double-figure winners, but one will likely be left out in the first round of the playoffs...

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Padres kept alive their slim playoff hopes with a rare win against baseball's best team. Ryan Klesko singled in the go-ahead run with none out in the eighth inning and the Padres beat St. Louis 7-3 Monday night, ending the Cardinals' nine-game winning streak...

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Vice President Dick Cheney on Tuesday warned Americans about voting for Democratic Sen. John Kerry, saying that if the nation makes the wrong choice on Election Day it faces the threat of another terrorist attack. The Kerry-Edwards campaign immediately rejected those comments as "scare tactics" that crossed the line...

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry said Tuesday's projection of a record budget deficit this election year and the continuing movement of U.S. jobs overseas show President Bush is taking the country down the wrong economic track...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- U.S. military deaths in the Iraq campaign passed the 1,000 milestone Tuesday, with more than 800 of them during the stubborn insurgency that flared after the Americans brought down Saddam Hussein and President Bush declared major combat over...

ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada -- Packing ferocious winds, Hurricane Ivan made a direct hit on Grenada Tuesday, blasting apart scores of homes and forcing hundreds of evacuations before growing even stronger as it moved in Jamaica's direction. The storm, coming just days after Hurricane Frances, also damaged homes in Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Vincent...

JERUSALEM -- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is denying allegations that a Pentagon worker stole secrets for Israel, according to a newspaper interview carrying his first public comments on the dispute. "Israel does not spy in the United States. I say this in the most emphatic way possible," Sharon was quoted as saying by the Jerusalem Post, which released excerpts of the interview early today. The full interview is to be published Friday...

LAS VEGAS -- Roy Horn has never spoken publicly about the incident in which a 380-pound white tiger named Montecore nearly mauled him to death. So when NBC airs the special "Siegfried & Roy: The Miracle" at 8 p.m. Sept. 15, viewers will hear Horn for the first time and see his battle to regain his motor skills after the tiger attack -- and subsequent debilitating stroke -- left him in a wheelchair...

The Associated Press FORT PIERCE, Fla. -- Thousands of residents desperate to return home after fleeing Hurricane Frances ignored Florida's plea to stay put Tuesday, jamming highways, delaying emergency workers and causing tempers to flare in the sticky heat...

Second judge strikes down gay-marriage ban OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Washington's ban on same-sex marriage was struck down Tuesday by a second judge, who ruled that marriage is a fundamental right that should be available to gay men and lesbians. The case in Thurston County, along with a similar ruling in King County, will be appealed to the state Supreme Court. One critic of the rulings said a drive to amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage is all but guaranteed...

WASHINGTON -- President Bush ranked in the middle of his Air National Guard flight class and flew 336 hours in a fighter jet before letting his pilot status lapse and missing a key readiness drill in 1972, according to his flight records belatedly uncovered Tuesday under the Freedom of Information Act...

MOSCOW -- Tens of thousands of people answered a government call and rallied outside the Kremlin on Tuesday in a show of solidarity against terrorism, nearly a week after militants seized a school in southern Russia in a standoff that claimed more than 350 lives, many of them children...

SAN DIEGO -- Pinch-hitter Roger Cedeno's go-ahead, two-run double in the sixth inning helped the St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres 4-2 on Tuesday night for their 10th win in 11 games. Rick Ankiel, whose once-promising career was derailed by wild pitches and elbow surgery, made his first appearance for the Cardinals in more than three years. He allowed one hit in a scoreless inning in relief of Jeff Suppan (15-6)...

OK, this is getting ridiculous. First Charley. Then Frances. Seems like someone is visiting us from Missouri every time a hurricane hits. For Frances, it was a friend combining a check of his sailboat and a visit with The Other Half and me. (The boat survived, by the way.)...

The Labor Day weekend was a fun-filled and jam-packed weekend for our family. Of course many things we did revolved around food. After spending a day at the air show in St. Louis and seeing the Blue Angels perform, we headed back to Cape to enjoy a fresh homemade pork sausage supper with the John and Jill Peters family and friends on Sunday afternoon. ...

A common complaint among gardeners in Southeast Missouri is that the soil they have in their landscape is nothing but clay. When the clay is too wet, it just forms clumps. When it is too dry, it is as hard as a brick. These gardeners can't get anything to thrive in clay soils. Most plants just hang on for dear life...

By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian Southeast Missouri State University's volleyball team won the first two games of last Wednesday's season-opening match against Southwest Missouri State before the Bears rallied to prevail in five games...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday reinstated a lawsuit alleging the Sikeston City Council violated the state's open meetings law with the 2001 passage of a zoning ordinance that some city landowners opposed. Stoddard County Associate Circuit Judge Stephen Mitchell dismissed the lawsuit as moot in September 2002 after the council had repealed the disputed ordinance a month earlier. ...

Central shook Hazelwood West with a pair of second-half goals. By Bill Hester ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian FENTON, Mo. -- It looked like it might be one of those days for the Cape Girardeau Central soccer team Tuesday evening...

Members of city councils in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City took turns Tuesday listening to details of a plan that would unite them in securing about $90,000 annually in federal grants for roads, aviation projects and mass transit. However, only Cape Girardeau's council voted for a resolution in support of forming the Greater Cape Girardeau Metropolitan Planning Organization. The other cities' councils chose to discuss the issue further...

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 15 motorists were killed on Missouri roads over the Labor Day weekend, one more than last year at the same time. During the 2004 counting period of 6 p.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Monday the patrol investigated 307 traffic crashes including 164 injuries. Troopers arrested 144 for driving while intoxicated; last year 153 were arrested for driving while intoxicated...

A photograph of two cardinals that appeared to be kissing was chosen as the public's favorite in the Foto Fest amateur photography contest. When votes were tabulated Tuesday, Paul Wilson of Jackson came out ahead of the other 1,400 eligible photographs. He received more than 20 percent of the votes...

For the past three months, Cape Girardeau business people have been walking, running, swimming and exercising after points to push their Shape Up Cape teams into the lead. Now those teams can add two new point-earning activities during the program's final week: helping and volunteering...

WASHINGTON -- The federal deficit will swell to a record $422 billion this election year but fall short of even more dire forecasts, Congress' top budget analysts projected Tuesday in a report that became instant fodder for both political parties. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the shortfall would shrink to $348 billion next year -- still the third worst ever in dollar terms. Last year's $375 billion gap was the previous record...

It's likely to start over a boy. There may be a lot of he-said, she-said conversations, perhaps followed by some intense, overnight instant-messaging from home computers. And then, at school the next morning, an emotional and physical frenzy. Physical fighting was once an issue almost completely limited to boys. But over the past decade, educators and law enforcement officials have seen an alarming increase in the number of girls turning to violence as a solution...

The Associated Press ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Keith Tkachuk had four goals and an assist to lead the United States into the World Cup of Hockey semifinals with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over Russia. The St. Louis Blues forward -- normally the target of boos at the Minnesota Wild's Xcel Energy Center -- was the difference for the Americans, who avenged last week's loss to the Russians by eliminating them from the tournament...

By Howard Fendrich The Associated Press NEW YORK -- Unfairly, unbelievably, Serena Williams was robbed of a point by an umpire's mistake at the U.S. Open, just like her sister was at Wimbledon. It happened in the opening game of the third set between Williams and Jennifer Capriati, who went on to win their Open quarterfinal 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 Tuesday night...

In what may be an unprecedented move, the Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission voted Wednesday night to send to the city council a request to take a second look at its recently passed ordinance regarding the number of pets a household can have...

10 years ago: Sept. 9, 1994 Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce and Regional Commerce and Growth Association have joined forces after years of strong and often public disagreements between leaders of two groups; 18-member chamber board voted this week to join RCGA and, in turn, RCGA voted to become member of Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce...

Beck Son to Jared Michael Beck and Jennifer Lynn Adams of Jackson, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 7:22 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004. Name, Jordan Lee. Weight, 7 pounds 2 ounces. Ms. Adams is the daughter of Dewey Adams and Glenda Adams of Marble Hill, Mo. Beck is the son of George Beck and Gail Beck of Chaffee, Mo. He is employed at Midwest Sterilization Corp...

Harry Howard "Pat" Palmer, 76, of Stone Park, Ill., died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004, at Oak Park Health Care Center in Oak Park, Ill. He was born Feb. 19, 1928, son of Harry O. and Mary Alma Palmer. He married Peggy Robinson. Survivors include his wife; a son, Rodney Palmer of Carol Stream, Ill.; three daughters, Rhonda Lang of Des Plaines, Ill., Donna Anderson and Renee Buffo of Melrose Park, Ill.; a sister, Barbara Baker of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Denny Palmer of Doniphan, Mo.; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.. ...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Faith Lynn Hood died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004, at Perry County Memorial Hospital. She was born the same day. Survivors include her parents, James and Crystal Hood of Perryville; two sisters, Hannah and Lydia Hood of the home; maternal grandparents, Daniel and Patricia Williams of Perryville; paternal grandmother, Virginia Cashion of Biehle, Mo.; and paternal great-grandmother, Carrie Burnett of Sumpter, S.C...

Jessie Richardson, 86, of Whitewater died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004, at Chateau Girardeau Nursing Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Sept. 16, 1917, at Crump, daughter of Sidney and Ezra Proffer Rhodes. She and Waldo Richardson were married Sept. 16, 1940. He died Oct. 19, 1997...

George Charles "Chuck" Heilig, 65, of Niagara, Wis., died peacefully in his sleep at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, 2004, surrounded by his wife and children. He was born Aug. 5, 1939, in Cape Girardeau, son of Joseph and Willie Heilig. Chuck is survived by his loving wife Fay; three children, Charles (Flo), John (Edi), Penny (Pat) Havard; a stepson, Will Burke; grandchildren, Frankie, Spencer and Alisa, children of John and Edi; Austin and Dylan, sons of Penny Heilig and Patrick Havard; and Paige Burke, daughter of Will.. ...

Really big show THE RIVER Campus is supposed to bring more tourism to the area by attracting big shows and entertainers. The Convention and Visitors Bureau says that it will have a $1 million surplus. Just what is a surplus? Some people want the CVB to spend the money on something big to attract more tourists. You can't get much bigger than Luciano Pavorotti performing at the new Bedell Performance Hall. Or how about the London Symphony or the Bolshoi Ballet?...

To the editor: I heard U.S. Sen. Zell Miller from Georgia deliver the greatest speech of the century at the Republican National Convention. I was privileged to hear a true statesman and patriot. Miller spoke from the heart with compassion, eloquence and honesty. I believe we got a glimpse of the type of speeches our Founding Fathers gave as they forged the governing system that has provided the liberty and freedom we enjoy today...

To the editor: There is a tragedy in Russia: the Kremlin and the brutal dictator running it. Vladimir Putin is no friend of democracy. Jon Rust's commentary, no matter how well-meaning, was indifferent to the suffering the Russian people have had to endure under a long list of communist leaders...

To the editor: The decision we make in November is much more complex than just deciding between George Bush and John Kerry. We are not going to fix this mess with just one election. It will take two or more elections. It goes straight to the moral roots of our society...

To the editor: Recently I have read two letters concerning manpower, one equating the draft with involuntary servitude. The second, wondering whether we should establish a foreign legion, concluded that it would be unwise to move in this direction. Concerning the draft: This first became necessary when there were not sufficient volunteers and mercenaries to serve in the Union Army. ...

To the editor: What can be more exciting and profitable than the Olympics with skills exhibited and friends gained. Every time history is made, joy as well as disappointment are felt. But isn't that the way the wheel always turns? Many waited in anticipation to see this great event take place. The opening ceremony of the Olympics with thousands of people running with a torch was both moving and impressive. The fireworks made it spectacular...

Basketball B.A. Sports showcase: The fourth annual B.A. Sports Show Me Showcase basketball event will be Sept. 18 at Southeast Missouri State University's student recreation facility. The event, set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., gives boys and girls in grades 11 and 12 -- and junior college athletes -- a chance to play before coaches from junior colleges as well as NAIA and NCAA Division II schools. ...

Scott City's volleyball team squeezed out a pair of three-set victories Wednesday night to win the SEMO Conference Tournament at Central High School. The Rams (6-0)beat Sikeston in the semifinals 25-23, 19-25, 15-11 and then slipped past Oran in the finals 25-15, 19-25, 25-23...

Even after just one win in three matches, Central girls tennis coach Annette Slattery is hoping for another invitation from the tournament director to participate in the prestigious Great 8 Tournament in Columbia, Mo. "Ben Loeb has a running joke with me that if a team finishes last in the tournament they don't get invited back," said Slattery, who has returned to coach the Tigers after a four-year abscence. "We haven't finished last yet so I hope we get to come back again."...

With Kline out, the senior rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns. St. Vincent played its opener Friday night against Priory, a team it had lost to last season, without running back Kyle Kline. But the Indians didn't have any problems moving the ball against the Rebels, a St. Louis County private school that plays in Class 3...

A Sikeston, Mo., man and a Cape Girardeau woman have something in common with former President Bill Clinton. Neither Steve McPheeters nor Eileen Steinberg had an inkling that they would have to undergo cardiac bypass surgery. McPheeters, 53, a communications director for Noranda Aluminum in New Madrid, Mo., said his condition was discovered during a routine physical Noranda requires of its employees...

How to prevent a sticky gunk from clogging up, and probably killing, the brain cells of Alzheimer's patients is the newest focus in the fight against the disease. Half a dozen companies are developing drugs to target the buildup, and researchers are enrolling hundreds of patients to test the lead candidate -- although nobody yet knows if this gunk, called beta-amyloid, is the disease's true culprit...

Today "Ask your doctor" airs at 8 p.m. on Cable Channel 5 with Dr. Mason Bias speaking about near sighted conductive keratoplasty. Viewers can call 334-3095 during the show with questions. Preparation for childbirth class 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Healing Arts Conference Center. For information, call (877) 231-2229...

With Florida's $9.1 billion citrus fruit industry already reeling from years of overplanting, competition from imports and the low-carb craze, the recent back-to-back hurricanes destroyed more than a fifth of the state crop and will likely mean higher prices for consumers in the coming weeks...

Southeast Missouri State University is reconsidering the size of the performance hall that will be the centerpiece of the River Campus School of Visual and Performing Arts on the banks of the Mississippi. A consultant hired by the university has questioned whether the proposed 950-seat hall will enable the university to bring in top entertainment at an affordable price. A larger hall, concert promoter Steve Litman told the board of regents last week, would hold ticket prices down...

Cape Girardeau The following items were released Wednesday by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Joseph Kenrick Green, 24, 414 Knox St., Jackson, was arrested on a Cape Girardeau County warrant for domestic assault...

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following item on Tuesday: At 4:48 p.m., a still alarm at 325 N. Sprigg St. Firefighters responded to the following items on Wednesday: At 2:30 a.m., a still alarm at 630 N. Henderson Ave. At 10:53 a.m., an emergency medical service in the 500 block of South Mount Auburn Road...

The crowning moment of Teen Show Me Missouri's reign may not have been accepting her tiara. Recently Teen Show Me Missouri Becky Koeller, a sophomore at Jackson High School, was presented with a resolution in honor of her volunteerism by the Missouri House of Representatives...

Public library increases fall Sunday hours At the August board meeting the Cape Girardeau Public Library's board of trustees voted to increase the number of Sundays the library is open. Beginning this Sunday, the library's hours are 1 to 5 p.m. These hours will remain in effect until the Sunday before Memorial Day weekend...

Seaman recruit finishes Navy basic training Navy Seaman Recruit Christopher S. Edger, son of Janice Y. Babb of Connelly Springs, N.C., and Timothy S. Edger of Sikeston, Mo., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill...

Pancakes served up in Oran Sunday ORAN, Mo. -- The Oran Optimist Pancake Breakfast will be held from 6 a.m. to noon Sunday in the Oran Public School cafeteria. -- From staff reports

The span of the old Mississippi River bridge closest to the Missouri side came down as planned in an explosion after 7 a.m. this morning in Cape Girardeau. What wasn't planned was for the remaining spans over the middle of the river and towards Illinois also to fall. The Mississippi River stands closed for barge and other river traffic while the details of clearing the channel are determined...

ST. LOUIS -- Safety Jason Sehorn failed his physical with the Rams on Wednesday, nullifying the free-agent contract he signed the previous night. Sehorn, 33, missed the first six games of last season after breaking his left foot early in training camp, and never really got up to full speed. He underwent an additional operation on the foot in February, but the foot remains a problem...

WASHINGTON -- Democrat John Kerry sought to link the Iraq war to U.S. economic woes on Wednesday, calling President Bush's move against Baghdad a "catastrophic choice" that so far has drained $200 billion in needed resources at home. At the same time, Democrats intensified their criticism of Vice President Dick Cheney for suggesting a Kerry victory could provoke another terrorist attack on the United States. "It's wrong and it's un-American," said Kerry running mate John Edwards...

Up to 120 girls defy French head scarf ban PARIS -- Some 100 to 120 girls have defied France's ban on Islamic head scarves in school, the education minister said Wednesday, and at least five boys from the country's tiny Sikh community have been barred from class for refusing to remove their turbans. The defiant girls are in talks with school officials trying to persuade them to remove the head coverings, said Education Minister Francois Fillon...

SEOUL, South Korea -- North Korea accused the United States of applying a double standard on the Korean Peninsula and warned Wednesday of a nuclear arms race in Northeast Asia following the revelation that South Korean scientists enriched a tiny amount of uranium in 2000...

MOSCOW -- A wounded Russia threatened Wednesday to strike against terrorists "in any region of the world," offered a $10 million reward for information leading to the killing or capture of Chechnya's top rebel leaders, and criticized the United States for its willingness to hold talks with Chechen separatists...

U.S. jets pounded insurgent positions in Fallujah for a second straight day Wednesday, raising plumes of smoke but leaving no extensive damage or signs of weakening the Sunni militants who have steadily expanded their control of this city about 30 miles west of Baghdad. ...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- At Sheik Omar Clinic, a big book records 10,363 violent deaths in Baghdad and nearby towns since the war began last year -- deaths caused by car bombs, clashes between Iraqis and coalition forces, mortar attacks, revenge killings and robberies...

The scene: a busy Manhattan street. A well-dressed man, suddenly short of breath, looks in horror at his hands and collapses on the sidewalk. His skin is an eerie blue. Cut to Bethesda, Md., where a man's cell phone rings. Soon he is sprinting to a nearby field, where a black helicopter swoops in to pick him up...

WASHINGTON -- President Bush Wednesday proposed giving a new national intelligence director broad powers to plan intelligence agencies' spending priorities and clandestine activities, making a concession to lawmakers moving to implement the more sweeping proposals of the Sept. 11 commission...

No vote on expiring assault weapons ban WASHINGTON -- Congress will not vote on an assault weapons ban due to expire Monday, Republican leaders said Wednesday, rejecting a last-ditch effort by supporters to renew it. "I think the will of the American people is consistent with letting it expire, so it will expire," Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., told reporters. The 10-year ban, signed by President Clinton in 1994, outlawed 19 types of military-style assault weapons...

New research shows that teenagers who grow up in heavy air pollution have reduced lung capacity, putting them at risk for illness and premature death as adults. In the longest study to date of pollution's impact on developing lungs, University of Southern California researchers followed children raised in communities around Los Angeles -- some very polluted, some not -- for eight years...

Jennifer Phillips was buzzing around Cape Girardeau like an athletic bee last year for the week of the Corporate Games. As the team captain for the 13-member Yellow Book team, Phillips estimates she competed in about 10 of the 17 events that took place in a one-week period...

Mario Whitney said he wasn't even nervous on Aug. 28 when he played in his first football game in almost two years. "No nerves," he said, laughing. "I was really just more excited than anything else." Whitney, one of the area's most celebrated high school football players of all time during a brilliant career for Jackson, is back on the field at Garden City (Kan.) Community College -- and loving every minute of it...

The eligibility issue surrounding junior college transfer Ryan Belcher appeared to put Southeast Missouri State University's point guard situation on shaky ground. But after returning from the team's exhibition trip to Canada over the weekend, Southeast coach Gary Garner said the opposite might have resulted...

Southeast Missouri State University's defense will continue to be short-handed Saturday when the Indians play their second game of the season, at Division I-A Bowling Green. Starting linebacker Brandon Colar, who suffered an elbow injury in last Thursday's 42-3 loss at Southern Illinois, won't play Saturday. The same goes for starting cornerback Marco Tipton, who missed the SIU game with a hamstring injury suffered in practice...

DAVIE, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins may have found a replacement for retired running back Ricky Williams. The Dolphins acquired Lamar Gordon from the St. Louis Rams on Wednesday in exchange for a third-round draft pick in 2005. The deal was contingent on Gordon passing a physical. He arrived at the team's training facility Wednesday afternoon...

SAN DIEGO -- This was vintage Boomer. Stoked to be pitching against baseball's best team, David Wells threw seven innings and even drove in two runs to lead the San Diego Padres to a 10-5 win against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. "To go out there against this ballclub and pitch like I did was great because I've been waiting for them," said the 41-year-old lefty, who labored through the first inning in his hometown's heat but finished strong...

Sept. 9, 2004 Dear Julie, The end of Labor Day weekend at the cabin on the Castor River is bittersweet. Summer is ending. We won't see the visitors from the western part of the state until Thanksgiving or maybe Christmas. DC's mom always chokes up when she says grace at breakfast that morning...

Gov. Bob Holden commemorated the opening of the Marquette Towers in downtown Cape Girardeau with kind words about the city's leadership and a speech about the importance of historic preservation. The day was marked by blue skies, a flag-whipping breeze and the sound of jazz music. Several hundred interested community members streamed into the office complex for a look at the brilliantly restored lobby and a trip to the top floor for dramatic views from the elegant balconies...

DUGWAY PROVING GROUND, Utah -- The Genesis space capsule, which had orbited the sun for three years gathering potential clues to the origin of the solar system, crashed to Earth and cracked open Wednesday, exposing its collection of solar atoms to contamination...

The Kansas City Star Matt Blunt, Missouri secretary of state and GOP candidate for governor, wants to widen voting opportunities for service people overseas. On its face, that is a laudable goal. ... But Blunt's plan to allow service personnel to e-mail their absentee ballots home needs a lot of work. E-mail can be subject to tampering, and every vote needs to be counted as it was cast. .....

The U.S. Postal Service will seek additional temporary space in Cape Girardeau to house its postal carrier operations while the future of the former post office building on Frederick Street remains uncertain. Postal officials insist the roof and its support structures need to be fixed properly before the building can be used again as a post office...

Firefighters work 24-hour shifts. They train together, sleep in a dormitory and watch each other's back during a fire. They're as close as a family unit, so it follows that they eat dinner together. Firefighters at stations in Jackson and Cape Girardeau seem to like a home-cooked meal...

In many senses, the Marquette is a large chunk of Cape Girardeau history. But sometimes, it's the small things that stand out. Sitting in the middle of a crowd of more than 500, eagerly awaiting the start of Wednesday's grand reopening of the Marquette Tower, 85-year-old E.P. ...

ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada -- The most powerful hurricane to hit the Caribbean in nearly a decade killed at least 12 people in Grenada, damaged 90 percent of its homes and destroyed a prison that left criminals running loose, officials said Wednesday. American students took precautions against looters...

A widely used antibiotic long considered safe dramatically increases the risk of cardiac arrest, particularly when taken with some popular drugs for infections and high blood pressure, a huge study found. The drug is erythromycin, which has been on the market for 50 years and is prescribed for everything from strep throat to syphilis...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Three Cape Girardeau County residents were arrested on suspicion of felony theft in Perry County Tuesday. Steven R. Sadler, 22, and Linda C. Harris, 48, both of Cape Girardeau, and Chanda R. Hunsaker, 32, of Jackson were all charged with class B felony in the attempted theft of anhydrous ammonia, a key ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Harris and Hunsaker were also charged with the class B misdemeanor of trespassing...