Stories from Tuesday, November 9, 2004

The issue of what to do with a valuable city-owned lot brought out some strong opinions Monday night among the Jackson Board of Aldermen. Several months ago, the aldermen voted to change the zoning of a residential property at the corner of Donna Drive and East Jackson Boulevard to commercial property...

The raises would be partly funded by increases in trash and sewer rates. By Mark Bliss ~ Southeast Missourian Cape Girardeau police officers and firefighters would receive nearly 12 percent pay raises on average in January while other city employees would receive nearly 8 percent pay raises on average under a new pay plan favored by the city council...

Ever since the sales tax to support the city's fire and police departments was proposed and ultimately approved, Cape Girardeau residents have wondered just where the new fire station No. 3 would be located. Proponents of the tax said it would be north of Blanchard Elementary School, but it was difficult to pinpoint exactly where...

Leave it to students to get to the heart of the matter. In the aftermath of last week's narrow defeat the Jackson School District's $27 million bond issue, students who had worked for a yes vote assessed the situation. One of them mentioned that the cost of the high school additions and renovations will rise to $33 million in just five years. Time, the student correctly observed, is money...

To the editor: In response to the Andrew Tyler obituary: That was a tremendous testimony. His life made a difference, and I hope the obituary has been used to make a difference in other people's lives. Andrew gave a road map to heaven. Thanks to those who worded the obituary...

To the editor: In response to "Longtime Cape florist Knaup dies": This was a very good article. I am the nephew of Richard Knaup. Thanks to whoever wrote both the article and the obituary. My Uncle Richard was good person, and I was glad he was my uncle...

To the editor: In response to "A river running through families: I wanted you to know how much I enjoyed this article. It gives you insight into a life that we in Texas have no knowledge of. The wives of these river men are to be commended for their sacrifices, and our prayers go up for safe journey on the river for their family members. Thank you again for publishing the story...

To the editor: In response to "Election reflections": Your editorial is wonderful. I hope the mandate President Bush was given will turn out to be good for every American. And I hope I never see another campaign as divisive as this one has been. Bush is the president for all of us, and I would hope all of us would wish him well. It is time for all the bitterness to be replaced by hope and support for all of our elected officials...

To the editor: I'm an 18-year-old student who voted for the first time last week, and I think it's sad that we can say we voted in a president mainly based on morals. We voted in a president who lied to us about weapons of mass destruction. I didn't realize lying wasn't as big of a sin as abortion or homosexuality. The way I was always taught was that a sin is a sin in God's eyes...

To the editor: I would like to respond to a letter that twisted a verse from the Bible (Luke 18:11) in an attempt to mock conservative Christians. Unlike the first-century Pharisees, I suspect that the overwhelming majority of modern-day Christians, myself included, will openly and willingly admit their shortcomings and sinfulness...

Mary Boyd Blue, 87, of Cape Girardeau passed away Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, at Chateau Girardeau. She was born Aug. 2, 1917, in Anna, Ill., daughter of Homer and Minnie Boyd. She moved to Cape Girardeau in 1937 and attended Southeast Missouri State University. She taught school in Kewanee, Mo. She and John Lloyd Blue were married Sept. 27, 1940, in Cape Girardeau...

Patricia Anne Chapman, 75, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Nov. 5, 2004, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. She was born March 17, 1929, in Baltimore, Md., daughter of Francis and Hilda Foos Lynch. Patricia graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1949 with a bachelor of science degree in education. She also received two masters degrees, one in English as a second language from Southeast and one in linguistics from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale...

ANNA, Ill. -- Sondra Sue Heckes, 62, of Granite City, Ill., died Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. She was born July 10, 1942, in Anna. She and Roger Heckes were married Aug. 11, 1977, at Wolf Lake, Ill. Heckes was a member of City Temple Church in Granite City. She was formerly of Union County...

Clara Pullum, 70, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004, at Fountainbleau Lodge. She was born Dec. 4, 1933, at Bernie, Mo., daughter of Alva "Stubby" and Lacy Hill Walker. She and Junior Pullum were married May 20, 1951, in Clay County, Ark. He died Dec. 20, 1992...

WASHINGTON -- Beginning to put his team in place for his second term, President Bush decided to keep Andy Card as White House chief of staff, retaining an unflappable veteran of the Reagan and first Bush presidencies. Card's first assignment: help the president reshape the administration for the term that begins in January, sorting through possible personnel changes in the Cabinet and elsewhere...

For frustrated and beleaguered Missouri, it's the perfect time for a break. The Tigers don't play this weekend, so they're getting away from the game for a few days. Coach Gary Pinkel said Monday there was no temptation to work his team, which blew its third double-digit lead of the season in Saturday's 35-24 loss to Kansas State, as a form of punishment...

NEW YORK -- The NFL agreed Monday to $8 billion in contract extensions with Fox and CBS to televise Sunday afternoon games for six more years, deals that would also allow the league to show better matchups late in the season in prime time. The current eight-year contract, which expires after the 2005 season, was worth $17.2 billion, including the Sunday night (on ESPN) and Monday night (on ABC) packages. The extensions will run through 2011 and represent a 25 percent increase in rights fees...

Athletics shortstop Bobby Crosby fell one vote short of a unanimous selection. By Ronald Blum ~ The Associated Press NEW YORK -- Oakland Athletics shortstop Bobby Crosby was just a vote shy of being a unanimous pick for AL Rookie of the Year, and Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jason Bay easily won the NL award Monday...

The Wall Street Journal Yasser Arafat's serious, perhaps terminal, illness is being called the end of an era, and we'd have to agree. It is the symbolic end of the pre-September 11 age of the celebrity terrorist. Maybe now the Palestinian people can build a better future...

Not all ducks are created equal. Some are tourist attractions. Branson has a whole fleet of "Ducks," modified World War II amphibious vehicles that now carry tourists on land and on water. Racing full speed into Table Rock Lake in one of these vehicles is like careening downhill into the water in a motorized bathtub...

New Jersey governor makes farewell address TRENTON, N.J. -- Gov. James E. McGreevey delivered a farewell address Monday in which he said he does not apologize "for being a gay American but rather for having let personal feelings impact my decision-making." McGreevey is to step down Nov. ...

NEAR FALLUJAH, Iraq -- U.S. troops backed by thunderous air and artillery barrages launched a ground offensive Monday to seize key insurgent strongholds inside Fallujah, the city that became Iraq's major sanctuary for Islamic extremists who fought Marines to a standstill last April...

Scientists: Arctic bearing brunt of climate changes WASHINGTON -- Scientists say changes in the earth's climate are occurring particularly intensely in the Arctic region, evidenced by widespread melting of glaciers, thinning sea ice and rising permafrost temperatures. ...

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast -- Thousands of government loyalists massed outside the home of Ivory Coast's president Monday, facing off against French armored vehicles in response to urgent appeals for a "human shield" around the hard-line leader, amid fears of an overthrow...

JERUSALEM -- In his four decades as Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat has run a murky financial empire that includes far-flung PLO investments in airlines, banana plantations and high-tech companies, and money hidden in bank accounts across the globe...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A federal judge sentenced four people to two consecutive life terms apiece Monday for a murder and robbery that followed a bingo game at a Fort Leonard Wood recreation hall. Prosecutors said the robbery at the Army post on the night of Dec. 13, 2001, was an inside job. The defendants included an enlisted man and the club's civilian manager. The victim, civilian Brian Adams, 47, of Dixon, had been a patron that night at the Davis Club, which serves noncommissioned officers...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Penalized with probation and pledging better oversight of his basketball program, Missouri coach Quin Snyder disagrees with the NCAA's conclusion there was a calculated pattern of repeated rule breaking on his watch. Snyder, a graduate of both Duke University's demanding law school and its ethics-conscious basketball program, governed by Snyder's former coach and mentor Mike Krzyzewski, said he was guilty of sloppiness -- not "wrongful intent" -- in assorted recruiting rules violations.. ...

Natalia Elizabeth Bell died shortly after birth Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Survivors include her mother, Brandie Bell, and maternal grandparents, Dennis and Vera Bell, all of Cape Girardeau. There is no service. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park Babyland...

Gary J. McClard, 58, of St. Louis died Friday, Nov. 5, 2004, at his home. He was born Dec. 13, 1945, in Cape Girardeau, son of Jesse B. and Hilda Sachse McClard. He was formerly of Jackson. McClard was in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1965 to 1968. He was office manager at Jack's Masonry in St. Louis. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Louis...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Dora Hancock, 90, of Jonesboro died Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, at Union County Hospital. She was born March 6, 1914, at Wolf Lake, Ill., daughter of Roscoe and Katheryn Fox Smith. She and Gus George Hancock were married in 1938 in Jonesboro...

The former Blues player must serve 7 1/2 years in prison for trying to arrange for the murder of his agent. By Betsy Taylor ~ The Associated Press EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. -- Former St. Louis Blues player Mike Danton was sentenced Monday to 7 1/2 years in prison for trying to have his agent killed...

The Rams coach promises several changes after his team's second straight lopsided loss. By R.B. Fallstrom ~ The Associated Press ST. LOUIS-- Consecutive dispiriting losses have left the St. Louis Rams at .500 and their coach near the boiling point...

With 11 new players, Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball coach B.J. Smith knows his team will likely be a work in progress for some time. But Smith believes Southeast will ultimately be quite good -- and the squad did appear to show plenty of potential during Monday night's exhibition opener...

ST. LOUIS -- Walt Jocketty, who built the St. Louis Cardinals into the surprise winner of the NL pennant, was named executive of the year Monday by The Sporting News. Most experts picked the Cardinals to finish third in the NL Central behind the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros. Instead, St. Louis won 105 regular-season games and beat the Astros in the NL Championship Series before being swept by the Boston Red Sox in the World Series...

Four months together in the same city in a foreign country will do a lot to bring a group of Americans together. Since I arrived here in Chile, I have had the considerable pleasure of getting to know a very dynamic, intelligent and interesting group of individuals that is volunteering with me here in Antofagasta. Though I came here to get to know Chile, this group of Americans has become almost as big a part of the experience...

You know that feeling when someone kicks you in the stomach, that feeling of pain so bad that it takes the life right out of you? Two weekends ago, I experienced the most painful emotion to hit me in a really long time. Along with my 2005 senior, state-bound volleyball team, I played in the state-qualifying game. ...

Eagle Ridge Christian School opened its boys basketball season Monday with an 82-42 win over Twin Cities of Festus at home. Joel Price led the Eagles with 30 points and 13 rebounds. T.J. Crowden scored 26 and added 10 rebounds, and Sandy Holmes scored 14...

The Tigers will try to build on last year's breakthrough tonight against Lafayette. ~ By Jeremy Joffray ~ Southeast Missourian Central's soccer team was 0-8 in sectional games entering last year's game against Francis Howell North at Houck Stadium...

NEW ORLEANS -- A two-drug combination pill dramatically reduced deaths among blacks with heart failure, a landmark finding that is expected to lead to government approval of the first medication marketed for a specific race. Black cardiologists hailed this form of racial profiling after years in which minorities got short shrift in medical studies. Others complained that the drug also might help whites and should have been tested in them but wasn't because of business reasons...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Social conservative groups hope proposals that have enjoyed little success for years can now move forward, thanks to the election of a Republican governor in Missouri to complement the Republican-controlled state legislature. Campaign Life Missouri and the Missouri Catholic Conference say progress could be made on anti-abortion legislation, such as civil liability for those who help minors cross state lines to have an abortion...

Demolition work on the old Mississippi River bridge will continue today with two simultaneous blasts. The blasts are set for noon and will demolish the remains of Pier 3 and bring the Pier 2 remains to water level. The work is being done by a contractor hired by the Missouri Department of Transportation. The Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge and Aquamsi Street near the old bridge will be closed during the explosions as a precaution...

Back to normal HOORAY! THE elections are over at last. No more political phone calls, junk mail and yard signs. Now maybe we can get back to normal. I'm Jane Doe, and I approve this message. Double standard? IF A person is against birth control for people, why is it OK for animals? I just hope none of these people who favor spaying and neutering of pets have a double standard...

The premier conferences will live up to their reputations this college basketball season, not only dominating the Top 25 but gobbling up most of the at-large berths to the NCAA tournament. That means there will be some great conference matchups during the regular season, but the mid-major conferences may feel pinched when it comes to NCAA tournament selections...

Two centers have shut down due to a lack of interest from baby boomers. By Linda Redeffer ~ Southeast Missourian Quilting, ceramics and bingo may have appealed to senior citizens when the first senior centers opened in Missouri in 1973, but the centers in Southeast Missouri have found that they need to update their social offerings if they want to attract baby boomers. ...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- John V. Schwach, 78, of Perryville died Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, at Perry County Nursing Home in Perryville. He was born Feb. 22, 1926, in Cape Girardeau County, son of Nick and Nellie White Schwach. He and Elvira M. Brewer Emmendorfer were married April 17, 1978, in Ste. Genevieve, Mo...

First quarter A honor roll Eighth Grade -- Billy Joe Atkinson, Tara Johnson, Casey Kern Seventh Grade -- Ellen Ashcraft, Brooke Glastetter, Chelsea Paul Sixth Grade -- Haley Glastetter, Kaitlin Glastetter, Tara Grojean, Shawn Heuring, Brandi Kern, Brooke Seyer...

25 years ago: Nov. 9, 1979 Three possible methods of alleviating flooding along Cape LaCroix and Walker creeks were unveiled yesterday by the Army Corps of Engineers; the possibilities, determined over the course of a study which has been underway five years, involve channelization, channel widening and a detention basin, or a combination of all three...

Razer Son to Michael Perry and Alisha Nicole Razer of Advance, Mo., Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, 7:39 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, 2004. Name, Dylan Nathaniel. Weight, 8 pounds 10 ounces. Mrs. Razer is the former Alisha Goolsby, daughter of Tom and Lorita Goolsby of Zalma, Mo. She is a teacher. Razer is the son of Jim and Kathie Razer of Scott City. He is employed at Holloway Distributing...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. When Tiffany Williams graduated from high school in 1999 she wrestled with a choice: take off across the country to prestigious Duke University or head downtown to University of Missouri-Kansas City. Williams chose UMKC, and not because it was close to home. She chose it because at 18 and right out of high school Williams was accepted into its six-year medical program...

Cape Girardeau The following items were released Monday by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Christopher T. Jackson, 20, 24 Village Drive, Apt. 2, was arrested on suspicion of possession of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute and being in possession of a firearm...

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following items on Monday: At 10:26 a.m., emergency medical service at 1080 S. Silver Springs Road. At 11:32 a.m., emergency medical service in the 800 block of Morgan Oak Street.

NEW YORK -- You meet him, you have no doubt that Dennis Farina is a tough guy. Steel-gray hair; craggy face with this-means-business mustache; husky build. Besides, you already know he's a lifelong Chicagoan and ex-cop. For more than two decades, Farina, 60, has been a character actor with remarkable dexterity and charm. ...

CHICAGO -- A Marine badly wounded in Iraq just days before his wife gave birth to quintuplets has been reunited with his family, a military official said Monday. Marine reservist Sgt. Joshua Horton, 28, had been recovering at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., from shrapnel wounds suffered four days before his wife, Taunacy, gave birth Oct. 11...

Seattle company offers sodas flavored like mashed potatoes, turkey, fruitcake By Allison Linn ~ The Associated Press SEATTLE -- Jones Soda Co. takes the idea of a liquid diet to a new low. How does Green Bean Casserole Soda strike you? And how about an aggressively buttery-smelling Mashed Potato Soda?...

Her weekly gardening column ran for 35 years before she retired in 1996. By Laura Johnston ~ Southeast Missourian Over the years, Mary Blue surrounded herself, her family and her friends with beautiful things from the garden and tasty dishes from the kitchen...

Move over Sundance. Watch out Cannes. Cape Girardeau has entered the film festival arena. OK, so maybe Cape Girardeau's Show Me Digital Film Festival is not quite on the scale of Robert Redford's mountain star-fest or the world's best-known film festival, but Friday's festival is a start...