Stories from Thursday, January 19, 2006

Rotary Lake in Jackson's City Park resembled the muddy Mississippi River Wednesday morning. "Usually this lake is really clear," said Christopher Kennedy, a fisheries expert with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Kennedy and conservationist Jake Hindman spent the day in a motorboat dumping 9,600 pounds of an agricultural compound into the murky lake, hoping to clear it up...

ST. LOUIS -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources sent documents to Attorney General Jay Nixon late Wednesday to help his investigation into the Taum Sauk reservoir collapse. DNR deputy director Kurt Schaefer said the reports might help shed light on what caused AmerenUE's reservoir to collapse Dec. 14, sending about 1 billion gallons of water rushing through Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park and injuring a family of five...

Jan. 19, 2006 Dear Leslie, In 2003, a daily newspaper in New Mexico fired its sports editor because of a story he wrote about a Father's Day golf tournament at the local country club. The story quoted country club employee Carl Spangler saying: "This is a hybrid ... ...

Got about an hour to spare? Donating blood or platelets doesn't take much more than that. The American Red Cross of Southeast Missouri urgently needs blood donations, especially types O negative and B negative. Last week Galen Roberts of the local Red Cross said the organization was down to a two-day supply of B negative blood and a one-day supply of O negative...

KIRKLAND, Wash. -- Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren removed all doubt Wednesday: NFL MVP Shaun Alexander will play in Sunday's conference championship game against Carolina. The league rushing champion sustained a concussion last Saturday in the first quarter of Seattle's win over Washington. Alexander later said he was unconscious initially and then "out" of it for about 20 minutes...

The Dexter girls basketball team gained a 50-41 road victory at Kelly on Wednesday night. Taylor Nelson paced the Bearcats with 20 points. Kelly committed 27 turnovers in the game. Point guard Brittany Ponder led Kelly (9-6) with 10 points. Mindy Robert scored nine points off the bench with four rebounds and four assists...

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Blues general manager Larry Pleau has a new mantra. At least he's getting paid to be around the game he loves. "I haven't had a job since I was 16 years old, and I'm going to be 59 in June," said Pleau, whose team is the worst in the NHL. "So I've been a pretty lucky guy."...

ST. LOUIS -- Judge Theodore McMillian, the first black judge on the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, died Wednesday in St. Louis. He was 86 and still working nearly every day on the court, clerk Michael Gans said. "I helped him onto the bench last week," he said. "He was in great spirits. He died very suddenly."...

ST. LOUIS -- The world's biggest seed company is using an old piece of countryside wisdom: "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em." After years of litigation, Monsanto Co. announced Wednesday it reached an agreement with competitor Dow Chemical Co. that will allow the companies to share patented technology for developing genetically altered crops...

TOKYO -- Panic trading spurred by a widening criminal investigation of a popular Internet startup forced the Tokyo Stock Exchange to shut down 20 minutes early Wednesday as share prices plunged for a second day. It was the first time trading had to end early because the market's computers couldn't handle a surge of transactions...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich encouraged Missouri senators Wednesday to overhaul the state's health system by taking a long-term approach that focuses on healthy habits and preventative care instead of crisis treatment. The leader of the Republican takeover of the House in 1994, Gingrich spoke Wednesday in his role as founder of the Center for Health Transformation, which advocates more individual responsibility, technology and the availability of health-care coverage to all.. ...

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said Wednesday he'd rather resign than let extremists block his peace agenda, but he expressed hope the Islamic militant group Hamas would moderate its views if it shared power. However, a Hamas leader ruled out talks with Israel and threatened to kidnap Israeli soldiers...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. has announced plans for an $85 million expansion and upgrading project of its Kansas City casino. The city council and Missouri Gaming Commission must approve the plans announced Tuesday, which would add about 400 slot machines, space for parking, restaurants, a special events arena and a new entrance...

Klutzy worker's ploy for sympathy nearly fatal ST. PETERS, Mo. -- A maintenance worker who hoped to gain sympathy by inflicting a minor knife wound upon himself almost died when he tripped and fell. The man initially reported on Dec. 27 that another man had stabbed him. ...

SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, Calif. -- Twenty-seven previously unknown species of spiders, centipedes, scorpion-like creatures and other animals have been discovered in the dark, damp caves beneath two national parks in the Sierra Nevada, biologists say. "Not only are these animals new to science, but they're adapted to very specific environments -- some of them, to a single room in one cave," said Joel Despain, a cave specialist who helped explore 30 of the 238 known caves in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.. ...

n Name: Tracy Haggerty...

BLAINE, Wash. -- Four weapons were found in a car after Canadian officials at a border crossing became suspicious of the driver, authorities said. The firearms -- a 9 mm handgun, two shotguns and a rifle -- were found in a car that had just passed through the Peace Arch border crossing at about 9:30 p.m., Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a statement...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Rev. Willis E. Miesner, 74, of Perryville died Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006, at Perry Oaks Manor. He was born May 21, 1931, at Brazeau, Mo., son of Otto J. and Ella M. Koenig Miesner. Miesner was a 1949 graduate of Perryville High School, and a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau and Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Ill...

Jack S. Hinton Jr., 81, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006, at Missouri Veterans Home. He was born March 14, 1924, in Cape Girardeau, son of Jack S. Hinton Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Hahn. He was raised by his stepfather, Clarence "Tubby" Koch. He and Maxine J. Sullivan were married June 15, 1951, in Cape Girardeau. She died Feb. 9, 1992...

Many readers recall the horrifying story of a few years ago about the Kansas City pharmacist who admitted he diluted chemotherapy medications and pocketed the profit. Prosecutors estimate the scheme involved 98,000 prescriptions for 4,200 patients. Now the pharmacist, Robert Courtney, is appealing his 30-year prison sentence. A plea bargain included a recommendation for a sentence of 17 to 22 years with a cap of 30 years if the judge found reasons for a longer sentence...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Doris Jean Welker, 73, of Marble Hill died Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born Dec. 6, 1932, at Bessville, Mo., daughter of William Columbus "Lum" and Lillie Mae Smith Trentham. She and Leroy Jacob Welker were married Dec. 23, 1950. He died Jan. 28, 2004...

Rotary Lake in Jackson's City Park resembled the muddy Mississippi River Wednesday morning. "Usually this lake is really clear," said Christopher Kennedy, a fisheries expert with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Kennedy and conservationist Jake Hindman spent the day in a motorboat dumping 9,600 pounds of an agricultural compound into the murky lake, hoping to clear it up...

25 years ago: Jan. 19, 1981 The $3 million Southeast Missouri Hospital Regional Oncology Center begins receiving patients on a limited basis; the medical oncology floor is the first to receive patients, with the radiation oncology floor scheduled to be fully operational later this month...

The Salvation Army will be serving meals with friends from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, Jan. 23 to 27, at 701 Good Hope St., Cape Girardeau. A hot, nutritious meal is available at no cost. Dessert for all meals is cake or pie. Monday's menu is shepherd's pie, mixed vegetables, peaches, rolls and butter; Tuesday, chili dogs on bun, potato chips, jello salad with fruit; Wednesday, turkey noodles, green beans, cranberry sauce, rolls and butter; Thursday, tacos, refried beans, peaches, stewed tomatoes; Friday, salmon loaf/tuna sandwiches, corn, pears.. ...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Louise Smith, 100, of Cairo died Monday, Jan. 16, 2006, at Daystar Care Center. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Heavenly Gates Funeral Home in Cairo. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Spencer Heights Cemetery in Mounds, Ill...

Larry Burford, 73, of Scott City died Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City is in charge of arrangements.

PATTERSON, Mo. -- Lemuel Donald Massa, 72, of Patterson died Monday, Jan. 16, 2006, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was born June 15, 1933, in State Park, Ill., son of Elmer and Alma Goodwin Massa. He and Betty Delores Carney were married Sept. 26, 1953, in Georgia...

To the editor: The Festival of Lights Auto Tour is an annual event that has been going on for many years. It is located at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Redman Creek campground at Wappapello Lake. It runs on weekends from Thanksgiving to Christmas and is also open the week before and during Christmas. ...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Charles "Sonny" Rister, 68, of Chaffee went to be with the Lord Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006. He passed away at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Aug. 29, 1937, at Chaffee, son of the late Arlie and Dora Stidham Rister Sr. Sonny married JoAnn Hunsaker Aug. 12, 1961. They renewed their vows as Christians Aug. 27, 2005...

BELL CITY, Mo.-- Dale Edward Shumaker, 85, of Bell City passed away Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006, at Clearview Nursing Center in Sikeston, Mo. He was born June 1, 1920, in Charlotte, Mich., son of Ralph P. and Celia Edick Shumaker. He and Iris Lee Oakley were married Oct. 14, 1944. She died Sept. 16, 2005...

To the editor: In response to the story "Mississippi: In New Orleans' shadow": In September 2005 the Scott County Search and Rescue K9 Unit traveled to Hancock County, Miss., to help with search, rescue and recovery efforts. Once there we were joined by teams from Butler County, Mo., and Stewart County, Tenn. ...

To the editor: After reading the Jan. 12 article by Paul Allee, I was compelled to respond with facts. 1. The government never listened to all phone calls. A super-computer was used to sort out buzz words. It was done digitally. The only calls that were monitored were from foreign terror suspects to people living in the U.S. Furthermore, we are not a democracy, we are a representative republic. There's a big difference...

Enforce the code; Destroying traditions; Jackson's streets; Governor's legacy; All about money; Start at home; Parents in charge; Movie idolatry; Safety first; Thanks for help; Animal illnesses; Makes the point; Iran's menace; Cairo reporting; Foolishness of faith; Selling farmland; Students who drink; Squealing pigs; More recycling

Tilda Mae Hobeck, 87, of Daisy died Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born May 1, 1918, at Burfordville, daughter of Archie and Lizzie Hendricks Jenkins. She and Archie Hobeck were married June 2, 1934, at Bessville, Mo. He died Feb. 2, 1977...

The Jackson Senior Center, at 2690 Travelers Way, is trying to raise donations for a glass enclosure at the front entryway of its new building. Unable to stick to the original plan of glass enclosure due to financing, the board of directors feels the need is great because of the cold weather and continuous use the front door receives. ...

Briefly Eligible veterans can get a flu shot any Friday between 1 and 4 p.m. through Feb. 24. The John J. Pershing Preventive Health Program is hosting a walk-in clinic at the VA Community Clinic in Cape Girardeau. Veterans can also get their vaccination during their regular primary care appointment. ...

If Erik Erikson is correct, then my famously self-absorbed generation is facing a big challenge. Erikson is the classic psychologist who originated the theory about psychosocial development throughout the life span. According to him, middle age (40 to 65) is a time in life in which we are vulnerable to becoming stagnant. At this stage, we are presented with a choice -- for some, a crisis -- where we must choose between stagnation or the attitude of generativity...

Jerry Suedekum probably owes the last 39 years of his life to a passenger-side brake. "I've had some close calls, and it's not always been my driver's fault," said Suedekum. "There are a lot of bad drivers out there." Suedekum is part of the last line of defense in a dying field of study -- driver's education...

Southeast Missourian Prosecutors dropped theft and trespassing charges against two Southeast Missouri State University students accused of stealing a rival fraternity's goat. The misdemeanor charges against Joseph F. Nickerson, 21, and Jacob A. Aubuchon, 21, were dropped Wednesday after the pair had completed community service the university required following the Oct. 21 theft of Sigma Chi's goat...

WASHINGTON -- The average American worker got squeezed in 2005 between the biggest jump in energy prices in 15 years and wages that failed to keep up with inflation. As a result, hourly earnings after adjusting for inflation fell by 0.5 percent in December compared to what workers were earning in December 2004, the Labor Department reported Wednesday...

A 16-year-old boy was assaulted by a group of teenagers who forced their way into a home, Cape Girardeau police said. Five teenagers were playing basketball near 1022 Sturdivant Ave. around 4 p.m. Tuesday when they began taunting the boy inside the home to come out. ...

AFFTON, Mo. -- With a quiet apartment and a job as a school translator, life in suburban St. Louis is far different for Mirsada Burazerovic from when she burned shoes and clothes to heat her family's Sarajevo home and was frightened to send a child to school in wartime...

Cape Girardeau...

Cape neighborhood group meets today The Neighborhood Connections group will meet at 6 p.m. today at 101 N. Fountain St. A presentation will be made by Steve Williams, housing assistance coordinator at city hall who is involved with the Neighborhood Revitalization Community Development Block Grant program...

Southeast Missouri Hospital's Meals on Wheels program, now in its 32nd year, recently received a $3,000 donation from the Southeast Missouri Hospital Auxiliary and the Cape County Area Medical Society Alliance that enabled an expanded menu and new method of delivery for clients...

Cape Girardeau...

In light of recent thefts outside Cape Girardeau day-care centers, police urged parents to lock their car doors when dropping off children at the facilities. Since Dec. 22, seven thefts were carried out at Wee-Care Child and Infant Center, 1855 Perryville Road, Christian School for the Young Years, 735 N. ...

Brown...

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Sago Mine survivor Randal McCloy Jr. is breathing on his own and appears to be coming out of his coma, more than two weeks after the mine explosion that led to the deaths of 12 other miners, doctors said Wednesday. "With great hope we announce that Randy McCloy is awakening from his coma," said Dr. Julian Bailes, a neurosurgeon at West Virginia University's Ruby Memorial Hospital. "We consider him, probably best described, in a light coma."...

NEW YORK -- Wind gusting up to 68 mph wreaked havoc for commuters across the Northeast on Wednesday, blowing debris across railroad tracks, overturning tractor-trailers and making for choppy ferry rides. More than 200,000 homes and businesses across the region lost power, and several airports reported morning delays of an hour or more...

Two sailors die, one missing off Cape Fear WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Two sailors aboard a tugboat died when their boat sank about 40 miles off Cape Fear in gale-force wind and high seas, the Coast Guard said Wednesday as a search continued for one sailor who remained missing. ...

LONDON -- A fathers' rights group known for breaching government security said Wednesday it was disbanding after a newspaper reported that some of its extremist members plotted to kidnap Prime Minister Tony Blair's 5-year-old son. The Sun newspaper reported Wednesday that extremist sympathizers of the group Fathers 4 Justice were hatching a plan to abduct Leo Blair and hold him for a short period to publicize the misery of fathers denied access to their children...

DENAN, Ethiopia -- Two months ago Ayan Abdi struggled to tell her newborn twins apart. Tragically, she has no difficulty now. The skin of her malnourished son Nemo stretches tightly over his tiny skeletal frame, while his sister Asma still retains some of her rounded features. Ayan, who earns $7 a month selling firewood, is so weak from malnutrition herself she can produce only enough breast milk to feed her daughter...

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Sprint Nextel Corp. said it is joining competitors Cingular Wireless and Verizon Wireless in investigating companies that sell the phone records of their customers. Sprint said Tuesday that some of its own customer information had been accessed in "limited circumstances" but wouldn't provide details about when or how...

Europe, U.S. reject request for nuclear program talks PARIS -- Europe, backed by the United States, on Wednesday rejected Iran's request for talks on its nuclear program, cranking up international pressure on Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said "there's not much to talk about" until Iran halts nuclear activity. ...

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education will have at least one new face this April because incumbent William Bird didn't file for re-election after a decade on the board. Voters will choose April 4 among three candidates for two three-year terms on the board: incumbent Charles Bertrand, Dr. Twila Brown and Kyle McDonald...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Secretary of State Robin Carnahan on Wednesday urged lawmakers to help small businesses by simplifying state registration requirements and to increase penalties for investor fraud. Carnahan, a Democrat, said small businesses account for 97 percent of all the companies in Missouri, and making things easier for them would boost employment...

The challenge for Southeast Missouri State today is simple. Don't overlook the Ohio Valley Conference's only winless women's basketball team. If the Redhawks can accomplish it, they'll have their first three-game winning streak of the season. The suddenly revived Redhawks (8-7, 5-3 OVC) visit Tennessee State (0-7, 0-14) for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff in Nashville, Tenn...

Quite a bit has changed about Tennessee State -- both positive and negative -- since the last time Southeast Missouri State met the Tigers. When the Redhawks beat TSU 70-69 on Dec. 8 at the Show Me Center, the Tigers still had leading scorer Bruce Price, the junior guard now out for the season with a knee injury...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- As a former member of the Southeast Missouri State baseball program and current player with the Plaza Tire Capahas, Chad Bogenpohl has been in a few pressure situations. He delivered in another one Tuesday night. Bogenpohl had a triple for Friedheim in the eighth inning to tie its game against New Wells in the postseason tournament for the Cape-Perry Lutheran Laymen's League of Dartball. ...