Stories from Sunday, January 8, 2006

Construction crews will descend on Jackson High School by summer as work begins to renovate and expand the campus. Fueled by a $19.8 million bond issue approved by voters in August, the project will modernize an aging high school campus and put most of it under one roof...

NEW YORK -- Four Seasons hotels in Chicago and Hawaii, and inns in Vermont, Mississippi and on the California coast, were the top-scoring places to stay in the United States in the annual "Gold List" survey published by Conde Nast Traveler. The magazine's January issue lists hundreds of properties around the world, using a survey of 28,000 readers who rated hotels and resorts for design, location, rooms, activities, service and food...

NEW YORK -- Italy and fashion go together. So do athletes and high-performance gear. What does that mean for team uniforms at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Turin? It means sleeker and more subtle styles than the fleece pieces that dominated the U.S. team wardrobe at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City. The popular USA beret, however, returns...

DECATUR, Ill. -- Why spend cash on a trip to Italy when you can drive to Niles, Ill., home to a half-scale replica of the Tower of Pisa? Or plan a day trip to Gays, Ill., home of the state's only two-story outhouse? Sure, a trip to the top of the Sears Tower is fun and a visit to the new Abraham Lincoln library in Springfield, Ill., can be an educational treat. ...

ST. CHARLES, Mo. -- The first surprise was when three sisters discovered they were pregnant and due around the same time. But the bigger surprise came last week when their babies were born on three consecutive days at the same hospital in this St. Louis suburb. The sisters live in Warrenton, about 40 miles away...

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- A firehouse in Little Rock that closed down in 1960 is being turned into a hostel geared to international travelers. The city approved leasing the old fire station near MacArthur Park and the city's downtown area to Arkansas Hostelling Inc., a nonprofit group formed by John and Linda Fordyce...

PHILIPPI, W.Va. -- In the darkness of the Sago Mine, one of 12 trapped coal miners scrawled a timeline detailing how he and some of the other men were alive but losing air at least 10 hours after an underground explosion, his daughter said Saturday...

LOS ANGELES -- Comets have long lit up the sky and the imaginations of scientists. Now these icy bodies from the beginnings of the solar system are finally ready for their close-up. Six months after NASA scientists first peeked inside one comet from afar, they're bringing pieces of another to Earth for study under the microscope...

DETROIT -- Despite General Motors Corp.'s problems in its home market, the automaker's worldwide sales were at their highest level in 27 years in 2005 thanks to growth in Asia and Latin America, GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said. "Getting outside of the U.S. market we had a good year, on balance, around the world," Wagoner said in a transcript of remarks released Saturday by GM...

URBANA, Ill. -- Government and industry spent millions of dollars last winter to prepare farmers for soybean rust, a fungus that could cost them thousands of dollars to control. But while the disease was found in southern states for a second straight year, it never reached the Midwest...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Gunmen kidnapped a female American journalist and killed her Iraqi translator Saturday in western Baghdad, an Interior Ministry official said. Maj. Falah Mohamadawi said the translator told police before he died that the abduction took place when he and the journalist were heading to meet Adnan al-Dulaimi, head of the Sunni Arab Iraqi Accordance Front, in the Adel section of the city...

CINCINNATI -- For nine excruciating years, offensive tackle Willie Anderson went home in January, fired up the grill, watched the NFL playoffs and fantasized about getting there someday. Turns out, fantasy is nothing like reality. The Cincinnati Bengals are back in the playoffs for the first time in 15 years, feeling wholly out of place. Not even the weather is following the script -- above-average temperatures leading up to the first-round game today against Pittsburgh...

KAPALUA, Hawaii -- Whether they change the greens or change the calendar, it doesn't seem to matter to Stuart Appleby. Whenever he gets to Kapalua for the Mercedes Championships, he looks unstoppable. On another blustery day that severely tested the 28-man field of last year's PGA Tour winners, Appleby was steady as ever Saturday and birdied three of his last six holes for a 3-under 70 and a two-shot lead over U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell...

Coming off one of their worst shooting performances under coach Steve Alford, Iowa rebounded Saturday to beat previously unbeaten and No. 6 Illinois 63-48, snapping the Illini's 15-game winning streak. The Hawkeyes (12-4, 1-1 Big Ten) did just enough on offense. Jeff Horner had 16 points and helped Iowa take command in the second half, when the Hawkeyes scored 40 points on 53 percent shooting and 18-of-21 from the free throw line...

Lovie Smith is in the company of Hall of Famers. Smith was hired to resurrect the proud Chicago Bears franchise once coached by George Halas and Mike Ditka. He did such a strong job in 2005 that he was chosen The Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year on Saturday...

Kage Road between Hopper Road and Valley View Lane will be closed next week for repairs. The closure will be daily Monday through Friday from the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Cape Girardeau Stormwater Division will be installing a culvert pipe in a ditch along Kage Road in order to combat an erosion problem...

DETROIT -- A warning that consumers shouldn't use a heat gun that produces temperatures of 1,000 degrees as a hairdryer has won an anti-lawsuit group's award for the wackiest label of the year. The Wacky Warning Label Contest, in its ninth year, is conducted by Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch as part of an effort to show the effects of lawsuits on warning labels...

GREAT FALLS, Mont. -- A cow that escaped a slaughterhouse dodged vehicles, ran in front of a train, braved the icy Missouri River and took three tranquilizer darts before being recaptured six hours later. News of the heifer's adventures prompted a number of people to offer to buy the animal...

Every legislative session has its shares of surprises and disappointments, but some things are as predictable as death and taxes. For example, this being an election year, look for proposals in the Missouri Legislature, which opened last week, to appeal to voters: more school funding, stricter guidelines for eminent domain and restoring some of the funding cut from Medicaid last year...

WASHINGTON -- A luxury skybox for sports fans in Congress. A dinner party that raises thousands of dollars for a political candidate. Helpful suggestions on how the guest of honor might phrase a letter to the president or a Cabinet secretary. Alone and even in modest combinations, all are examples of business as usual in Washington's billion-dollar world of government, lobbying and campaign finance...

WASHINGTON -- In deference to an ailing ally, the Bush administration is saying little publicly about how it intends to fan flickering Mideast peace hopes if Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon remains incapacitated or does not survive. Privately, American officials are gathering their thoughts and making some tentative moves despite uncertainty about who would succeed the 77-year-old prime minister...

Roadside bomb in Afghan city kills passer-by; Britain closes Jordan embassy due to danger; Australian police: More than one shark attacked

Cape Girardeau...

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Tom DeLay, the defiant face of a conservative revolution in Congress, stepped down as House majority leader on Saturday under pressure from Republicans staggered by an election-year corruption scandal. "During my time in Congress, I have always acted in an ethical manner within the rules of our body and the laws of our land," the Texas lawmaker told fellow Republicans in a letter informing them of his decision...

Delta pulled away from Greenville to win the championship game Saturday at its New Year's tournament. The Bobcats (9-1) used a 19-4 scoring spree in the third period en route to a 63-41 victory. "We switched defenses more in the second half," Delta coach Randy White said. "Our kids playing hard. We're starting to see the floor a little better."...

Thomas K. O'Loughlin Sr. of Jackson died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2006. His life was framed by his love and affection for Aggie, his wife of 65 years, his children, grandchildren and aviation...

George B. Schweer, 75, of Jackson passed away Saturday, Jan.7, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was born Oct. 7, 1930, in the Byrd's Creek Community, son of the late Otto and Mollie McBryde Schweer. He and Ruth Noland were married Feb. 22, 1951, in Old Appleton...

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. -- Virginia Lee Moore, 87, of Fredericktown died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2005, at Stockoff Nursing Home. She was born Aug. 13, 1918, at Zion, Mo., daughter of Francis Lauren and Ada Alice Elders Whitener. She and Clarence Gilford Moore were married March 4, 1939, at Fredericktown. He preceded her in death...

SEDGEWICKVILLE, Mo. -- William Jennings Morgan, 85, of Sedgewickville died Friday, Jan. 6, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was born Aug. 4, 1920, at Portageville, Mo., son of William and Grace Elizabeth Sawyers Morgan. He and Mary Helen Leist were married Jan. 20, 1950, at Piggott, Ark...

Assisting on success ANY CHANCE of bringing back Kevin Emerick to coach the Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team? They sure were doing better when he was on board. Thanks for the memories THANKS TO the Southeast Missourian and all the sponsors for a great Christmas basketball tourniment. ...

25 years ago: Jan. 8, 1981 The recently formed Cape Girardeau Redevelopment Corporation finalizes its version of an urban redevelopment ordinance for the city which corporation officials hope will be acted upon by the city council at its next meeting; the 20-page ordinance outlines the steps necessary for redevelopment to take place in Cape Girardeau...

ANNA, Ill. -- Betty Ann Jones, 77, of Anna died Friday, Jan. 6, 2006, at her home. She was born Nov. 1, 1928, at Lick Creek, Ill., daughter of Lafayette Carroll and Ruth Stout Rich. She and Leonard Lowell Jones were married July 9, 1947, in Osceola, Ark.; he died Nov. 19, 1989...

James L. Pettigrew, 77, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Jan. 6, 2006, at Missouri Veterans Home. He was born Feb. 20, 1928, at Portageville, Mo., son of U.G. and Elsie Marie James Pettigrew. He and Janet M. Reiker were married July 13, 1957, at St. Mary's Cathedral. She died Feb. 23, 1995...

DEXTER, Mo.-- Hilda Smyth, 75 of Dexter died Friday, Jan. 6, 2006, at her home. She was born Nov. 10, 1930, at Essex, Mo. She and Alvin Smyth were married Sept. 10, 1949, at Dexter. Smyth was a member of First Baptist Church in Dexter. Survivors include her husband; three daughters, Vicki Waldrup of Dexter, Beverly Good of Cookeville, Tenn., Susan Richmond of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Nelda Douglas of Dexter; and seven grandchildren...

LEOPOLD, Mo. -- David Frederick Keller, 64, of Leopold died Friday, Jan. 6, 2006, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill, Mo.

ST. LOUIS -- AmerenUE officials are awaiting state approval of a plan to treat murky waters with chemicals after a mountaintop dam burst last month. The company has proposed using chemicals in the lower Taum Sauk reservoir that will cause small floating particles of clay to bind together and drop to the bottom of the reservoir, said Mike Menne, vice president of environmental safety and health at Ameren...

The Southeast Missourian won five awards, including first place for Best Coverage of Local Business and Economic News, in the 2005 Editorial Contest sponsored by the Suburban Newspapers of America. The newspaper's business section was edited by Scott Moyers...

MARIONVILLE, Mo. -- A lot of things were said about cattle rustling in Bob Herndon's garage, but it was a lawman's remarks that drove home just how bad the problem is in the Ozarks. Eighty-seven thefts. Twenty-nine counties. Almost a half-million dollars in stolen property...

White ceramic tiles were laid out on a table in the center of Westfield West Park on Saturday to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. For a $5 donation, children could make handprints in colorful paint on the tiles, which will be permanently displayed in the hallway leading to the new family lounge at the Steve and Barry's wing. New larger restrooms will accompany the 700-square-foot family lounge, opening this spring...

Volunteers needed for Jackson's Project Charlie Volunteers are needed to help facilitate Jackson's Project Charlie program. The program is designed for elementary school children to teach them the dangers of drug use. It also raises awareness of peer pressure and promotes the development of self-esteem. ...

NEW ORLEANS -- A judge blocked the eviction Saturday of about 100 people from a New Orleans hotel, the Maison St. Charles, which had ordered tenants displaced by Hurricane Katrina to move out to make room for new guests. ...

HALLAM, Neb. -- The Tighe family had long ago written off Harley the cat as dead. He was 8 years old when he went missing. He was declawed. And he disappeared in the May 22, 2004, tornado. And even if he had survived the storm, which claimed the Tighe home, he wasn't a very nice cat, Sue Tighe said. She didn't think he'd find anyone willing to take care of him...

A look at two Republicans who may seek the House majority leader post: Roy Blunt of Missouri: Low key and affable in public, Blunt presents a marked contrast to the hard-driving DeLay, whom Blunt succeeded as House Republican whip in 2003 and now may seek to ascend to the second-ranking post of majority leader. ...

JERUSALEM -- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's chances of surviving his severe stroke are high, but his ability to think and reason have been damaged, one of his surgeons said Saturday. The 77-year-old Israeli leader remained in critical condition, though his vital signs were stable and a brain scan Saturday showed a slight reduction in swelling...

JERUSALEM -- Ehud Olmert's immediate test as Israel's acting prime minister -- and a harbinger of his stand on Mideast peacemaking -- will be whether he will allow Palestinians to vote in Jerusalem in their upcoming parliamentary elections. A "no" could derail balloting scheduled for Jan. ...

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- The Brazilian commander of U.N. peacekeepers in Haiti was found dead on the balcony of his hotel room Saturday in an apparent suicide, authorities said, a blow to the 9,000-strong force and efforts to restore democracy in Haiti...

BEIJI, Iraq -- U.S. soldiers in the field were not all supportive of a Pentagon study that found improved body armor saves lives, with some troops arguing Saturday that more armor would hinder combat effectiveness. The unreleased study examined 93 fatal wounds to Marines from the start of the Iraq war. It concluded 74 of them were bullet or shrapnel wounds to shoulders or torso areas unprotected by traditional ceramic armor plating...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq's fractious political groups could form a coalition government within weeks, the country's president said Saturday, as U.S. officials have increased post-election contacts with disaffected Sunni Arabs linked to the insurgency...

Not even Saturday night's loss at Murray State could detract from what was a very good week for the Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team. When the week began, the Redhawks knew if they didn't start getting their act together somewhat, they might find themselves buried in the Ohio Valley Conference race before the midway point of the season...

TROY, N.Y. -- The crowd whoops and claps. Referees in striped shirts watch over young robot-makers who anxiously track their Lego creations zipping and turning on tabletops. Teams of 9- though 14-year-olds with monikers like the Rambots and the Seymour Cyberteks have entered their robots in a regional "FIRST Lego League" competition held at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute...

As farmers look to 2006 they can see a continued decline in the profitability of their operations. Rising energy costs are expected to severely affect farming in the coming year, even more than they have in previous years. The price of diesel and gasoline to power tractors, combines, trucks and irrigation systems continues to rise compared to this time last year, as does the natural gas required to make nitrogen-based fertilizer...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- This is Jimmy McKinney's final Big 12 season, and against Oklahoma State he played as if there were no tomorrow. The often erratic senior guard had a career-best 23 points and Thomas Gardner also had 23, both getting big baskets in the closing minutes of Missouri's 69-61 victory over Oklahoma State in a conference opener on Saturday night...

This time of year, a slice of Key lime pie is the next best thing to a trip to the Florida Keys. Okay, maybe not the next best thing, but good eating anyway. But don't start your gustatory journey at the supermarket. Supermarkets sell mostly Persian limes, which lack the unique and potent aroma of genuine Key limes...

NEW ORLEANS -- The National Urban League and likely other civil rights groups would oppose any New Orleans rebuilding plan that would do away with neighborhoods most heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina, the league's president said Saturday. In an interview before a speech, Marc Morial, a former mayor of the city, said he was concerned about suggestions that officials focus on rebuilding the least damaged neighborhoods and that some devastated areas could be turned into marshland or open space...

2005 was a record year for the number of companies fined because they lacked proper workers' compensation insurance. In a year-end report, Attorney General Jay Nixon's office said that 262 companies were fined a total of $755,000. That figure is up from $557,000 paid by 148 businesses in 2004...

Think your dog's tendency to chase its own tail is cute? How about the way your cat constantly licks its stomach area? Behaviors that were once considered stereotypical in pets -- anything from digging in the backyard to aggression -- are now treated as compulsions...

GENEVA -- Teenage siblings who died of bird flu in Turkey were the first humans outside East Asia to succumb to the deadly H5N1 strain that has apparently been spread by migratory birds, the U.N. health agency said Saturday. A British laboratory confirmed Saturday that the 15-year-old girl and her 14-year-old brother were infected with the virus, said Maria Cheng, spokeswoman for the World Health Organization. Testing is continuing on an 11-year-old sister who died Friday...

SHE SAID: Last year, I started an alphabetical list of medical professionals who have files with my name on them. From allergist to cardiologist to dermatologist to neurologist to ophthalmologist to radiologist ... and so on. If I can come up with a Z and a Q, I'll have a full set. Unfortunately, my regular doctor hasn't found a reason to refer me to a zoologist yet, and I'm not sure if any field of science/medicine begins with Q...

Ashley Brianne Porch and Carmon William Thomas Jackson exchanged vows Sept. 10, 2005, at Francine's Gardens in Cape Girardeau. The Rev. Randy Morse performed the ceremony. Vocalists were Tyler Schwettman of Scott City, cousin of the bride; Missy Lindner of Kalamazoo, Mich., and Dave Lindner of Scotts, Mich...

Jennifer Walton Germany and Andrew Robert Ostrenga were married May 21, 2005, at Madison United Methodist Church in Madison, Miss. The Revs. Kelly Pope and Kent Bowlds performed the ceremony. Organist was Jason Derrick of Jackson, Miss. Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Lowery Q. Germany of Ridgeland, Miss., and Mr. and Mrs. William Ostrenga of Cape Girardeau...

Holly Michelle Doza and Joseph Thomas Ruggeri were united in marriage Nov. 26, 2005, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Maplewood, Mo. The Rev. Lew Ensor performed the ceremony. Readers were Matthew Younghouse and Joan Morgan of Cape Girardeau. Organist was Russ Henkaus of St. Louis, and soloist was Meagan Edmonds of Cape Girardeau...

Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Williams of Jackson celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a brunch Dec. 18, 2005, at the Marquette. Williams and Mildred Seabaugh were married Dec. 22, 1945, at Sedgewickville Lutheran Church. Their children and spouses are Gaye and Len Swan and Kirk and Mary Beth Williams, all of Jackson...

Mr. and Mrs. Gib Urhahn of Jackson celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Nov. 12, 2005, with a reception at Francine's Gardens in Cape Girardeau. Hosts were their sons and daughters-in-law, Greg and Susan Urhahn of Jackson and Brad and Leslee Urhahn of Bentonville, Ark...

Keith and Faye Myer of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Ashley Myer, to Scott Lane. He is the son of Russell Lane and Susan Lane of Jackson. Myer is a 2002 graduate of Jackson High School. She received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Southeast Missouri State University in 2005. She is an internal auditor with Express Scripts in St. Louis...

Dr. Timothy and Donna Miller of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Kimberly Dawn Miller, to Jonathan David Parks II. He is the son of Jonathan and Ruth Parks of Jackson. Miller is a 2002 graduate of Jackson High School. She received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University in 2005. She is a fifth grade teacher with Jackson School District...

Jeffery and Beverly Riley of Benton, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Audrey Riley, to David Wayne McCrite. He is the son of Joann McCrite of Cape Girardeau, and the late Elvis McCrite. Riley received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Southeast Missouri State University, and is pursuing a master's in business administration from William Woods University. She is employed by Missouri Department of Transportation...

Larry and Marian McCord of St. Louis announce the engagement of their daughter, Jessica McCord, to Timothy Robert, both of St. Louis. He is the son of Richard and Linda Robert of Cape Girardeau. McCord is a 2000 graduate of Oakville High School in St. Louis. She received a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 2004. She is an estimation engineer at Nooter-Eriksen in Fenton, Mo...

James and Yvonne Wills of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Jamie Nicole Wills, to Michael Alan Keller of Scott City. He is the son of Roger and Carolyn Keller of Fruitland. Wills is a 2003 graduate of Jackson High School, and is attending the Sikeston Nursing Program. She is employed at Saint Francis Medical Center...

Fred and Kathy Grabel of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Kristen Elaine Grabel, to Matthew Todd Jeans, both of O'Fallon, Mo. He is the son of James and Elizabeth Jeans of St. Albans, Mo. Grabel is a 1998 graduate of Central High School. ...

Sarah C. James and Justin S. Graham were married Dec. 27, 2005, at Cape County Park. The Rev. Suzzane Wilkerson performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of David and Lori James and Debbie James, all of Jackson. The groom is the son of Steve Graham and Tammy Curtis of Cape Girardeau...

I read with interest the Dec. 29 letter to the editor from John Cook. In his letter, Cook concludes by asking what standards we hold President George W. Bush to "when he wiretaps Americans without a search warrant." President Bush acted lawfully. ...

Growing corn; No one pulling the reins; Less is better; Eating in classrooms; Comparing costs; Early campaign; Proud supporter

LESTERVILLE, Mo. -- Where the Black River narrows at the geological features that give Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park its name, a multitude of signs remain of the 1 billion gallons of water that spilled Dec. 14 from a nearby reservoir. Riverbanks denuded of trees, 175 feet of railing missing from a boardwalk and debris left on hillsides 50 feet above the narrowest spot on the river all speak to the power of 5 million tons of water. ...