Stories from Wednesday, June 7, 2006

The final transactions needed for the Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority to purchase Kelley Transportation Co. Inc. will take place Thursday, said Doug Richards, chairman of the transit authority board. Richards plans to sign the contract for the $360,000 purchase after the Cape Girardeau County Commission votes approval of a loan guarantee to back up the sale. ...

Jackson officials have converted the intersection of Greensferry Road and East Deerwood Drive to a four-way stop. The change in traffic control takes place immediately. The intersection has experienced several accidents in the past and there are sight distance limitations, said Rodney Bollinger, Jackson public works director. In addition to the permanent stop signs, a temporary stop sign and barricade have been installed at the intersection to ease motorists safely through the intersection...

Attorney General Jay Nixon's campaign contributions from AmerenUE are "clearly disturbing" as the state attempts to hold the utility accountable for the disastrous rupture of the Taum Sauk reservoir, Gov. Matt Blunt said Tuesday. During a news conference in Cape Girardeau, Blunt said Nixon hasn't been sharing information about the case Nixon's office is preparing against Ameren. ...

Producers of the CBS "Early Show" hope Cape Girardeau will show its patriotic spirit on Flag Day as a backdrop for a live broadcast. Next Wednesday "Early Show" weatherman Dave Price will roll into Cape Girardeau for the show's Great American Vacation giveaway. Price will broadcast weather segments live between 6 and 8 a.m. in Cape Girardeau and announce the winner of a paid vacation to a location in the United States...

Seven area health-related organizations that serve those with low incomes are receiving a boost of nearly $900,000 in grant money that is intended pick up the slack where other grants and private donations fall short. "Organizations usually can find money for the programs, but we found they were having a problem meeting those daily operational costs," said Bev Pfeifer-Harms, a representative of the Missouri Foundation for Health. "This grant is intended to defray those costs."...

The Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority awaits a decision from a board that spends tax money raised on behalf of senior citizens to finalize a deal to buy Kelley Transportation Co. Inc., transit board chief Doug Richards said Tuesday. The authority has requested the Senior Citizens Service Fund Board provide up to $40,000 annually to help retire the bank loan that will finance the deal, Richards said...

The third and final accomplice in a Cape Girardeau KFC robbery from last summer was sentenced to 15 years in prison this week for his role in the crime. Jimmy L. Walker, 30, of Village on the Green, pleaded guilty Monday to first-degree robbery and was sentenced by Circuit Judge William Syler...

A tough new law aimed at sexual predators who target children will administer severe sentences for "terrible crimes," Gov. Matt Blunt said Tuesday. During the last stop of a two-day statewide tour touting the new law, Blunt said the measure will be the harshest in the nation. "This bill will protect children at school, at home and on the Internet," he said...

The "Mad Hungarian" will help spice up the third annual Joe Uhls Memorial Golf Tournament and Dinner. The event -- named in honor of Southeast Missouri State's late, legendary baseball coach -- is a fund-raiser for the Redhawks' baseball program...

ST. LOUIS -- A six-game winning streak built mostly against their biggest competition has the surprising Cincinnati Reds only a game back in the NL Central. Eric Milton threw seven sharp innings and the Reds got homers from Felipe Lopez and Adam Dunn in a 7-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night...

When Southeast Missouri State moved up to Division I with the 1991-1992 school year, the days of the university's athletes challenging for national titles seemed to be a thing of the past. But Miles Smith has other ideas. Smith, Southeast's sensational junior sprinter, is getting ready to take another crack at a national championship this week...

NEW YORK -- Luke Hochevar held out for a year, gave the draft another try and came out on top. The Kansas City Royals made the big right-hander the overall No. 1 pick Tuesday, a year after Hochevar and agent Scott Boras failed to reach a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers...

While Miles Smith enters this week's NCAA outdoor championships with a legitimate shot to finish toward the top in the 400 meters, Southeast Missouri State's other two entries in Sacramento, Calif., are much less heralded. But coach Joey Haines doesn't see any reason why Alonzo Nelson in the 400 meter hurdles and the Redhawks' 1,600 meter relay team can't challenge for berths in the finals, which would mean top-eight finishes and All-American honors...

By Matt Blunt This week I signed House Bill 1698, modeled after Florida's Jessica's Law, fulfilling a promise to enact tough mandatory minimum sentences against sexual predators who destroy our children's innocence. We need to be honest with ourselves. ...

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals took a right-handed pitcher with the last pick in the first round of Tuesday's draft, then a pair of U.S. National teammates from Miami. Adam Ottavino, a 6-foot-5 right-hander from Northeastern University who struck out 120 hitters in 93 2/3 innings this season, was the team's top selection in the opening round of the two-day draft...

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A group of Edmonton players swarmed around Ty Conklin, peppering him with rubber and looking to expose any vulnerability. Upper left corner. Lower right post. Stick side. Glove hand. Between the pads. At the other end of the rink, Jussi Markkanen faced a similar barrage, managing to stop some of the shots with various parts of his heavily padded body...

BERLIN -- Brazil is so loaded with talent that it could probably field the best two teams in the World Cup. Lucky for host Germany, the upstart United States and a handful of other upset hopefuls, the rules for soccer's big party -- the world's most popular sporting event -- only allow one team per country...

MIAMI -- Dwyane Wade was in the hospital, and Shaunie O'Neal was rightly concerned. The biggest game of the Miami Heat's season -- maybe the biggest in franchise history -- was only hours away. Wade, the team's leading scorer, had IVs pumping fluids into his body, the Detroit Pistons' confidence was growing by the second, and memories of Miami's missed chance in 2005 crept into her head...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Two peacocks have been sentenced to life on a farm after recent attacks on visitors at the Kansas City Zoo. A 3-year-old boy from Gardner, Kan., was clawed seriously enough to need stitches on Memorial Day, the second attack in the past few weeks, zoo officials said. They did not release details on the other attack...

HOUSTON, Mo. -- A Republic, Mo., man pleaded guilty Tuesday to hitting and killing a state trooper last year who had stopped a speeding motorist in southwest Missouri's Texas County. Forrest Larry Ghan, 65, withdrew a plea of not guilty and admitted taking his eyes off the road to retrieve some papers that had fallen to the floor of his pickup truck...

Dr. Harley D. Rutledge, 80, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, June 5, 2006, at Missouri Veterans Home. He was born Jan. 10, 1926, in Omaha, Neb., son of Earl and Irene Hoagland Rutledge. He and Ruth Lootens were married June 26, 1954, in Taos, Mo. He served in the Army March 16, 1944, to May 3, 1946...

Patrick W. Neal, 55, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, nephew and friend, peacefully departed his earthly home Monday, June 5, 2006, following a courageous battle with a lengthy illness, surrounded by loved ones. Pat was born July 19, 1950, in Cape Girardeau, son of James Robert and Yvonne Bienert Neal...

GLENALLEN, Mo. -- Omer Jesse Shell Jr., 75, of Glenallen passed away Monday, June 5, 2006, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Dec. 23, 1930, in St. Louis, son of Omer Jesse and Margaret Rush Shell Sr. Mr. Shell was a 20-year veteran, serving his country as a first sergeant with the U.S. Army from 1948 to 1968. He was a member of VFW Post 5900...

Be consistent; Spruce up storefronts; Fear of molesters; Anti-small business; Safer Mount Auburn; True heroes; Roses slogan; Right to have sale; Biblical numbers; Amendment quandary; Patients come first

Dorothy Lee Palisch, 86, of Jackson passed away Sunday, June 4, 2006, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born Dec. 11, 1919, in Jackson, daughter of William Arthur and Ida Mae Browning Rose. She and Elmer Palisch were married Nov. 13, 1938, at Zion Lutheran Church in Pocahontas...

ORAN, Mo. -- Imogene Veleta Phillips, 91, of Oran died Monday, June 5, 2006, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born Dec. 26, 1914, at Grant City, Mo., daughter of Gilbert Silas and Jessie Abis Unsell Stacy. She and William Perry Phillips were married Oct. 21, 1950...

Mark Douglas Grasso, 42, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, June 5, 2006, at Saint Francis Medical Center. Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City is in charge of arrangements.

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Opal Gertrude Noisworthy, 85, of Charleston died Monday, June 5, 2006, at her home. She was born Nov. 18, 1920, in Miller City, Ill., daughter of Leslie E. and Gertrude Josephine Childers Bowers. She and Paul Noisworthy were married Aug. 29, 1937. He died July 23, 1982...

LaBruyere...

TAMMS, Ill. -- Beulah Ford, 94, of Tamms died Tuesday, June 6, 2006, at the DayStar Center in Cairo, Ill. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, Ill.

Word of mouth has led another softball team into the Kelso Klassic for the first time. The Texas Stars will make their tournament debut 8 p.m. Friday against the host Kelso Fast-pitch team, marking the first time a team from the Lone Star State has played in the tournament...

25 years ago: June 7, 1981 During each of the regular services at Trinity Lutheran Church, the 25th anniversary of the Rev. Paul H. Jilg's ordination into the ministry is celebrated; the Rev. and Mrs. Jilg also celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary during the services...

Excelsior Chapter, Order of DeMolay...

To the editor: In response to the story "Organizers hope novelty a draw for Chautauqua": I think with gasoline prices being what they are that people will be thrilled to hear about this type of summer entertainment. I hope you will have notice of this in all of the other area newspapers throughout Southeast Missouri. Many thanks to the organizers...

Golf; Soccer

Sikeston Standard-Democrat SIKESTON -- Residents of the Aspen Trace neighborhood are tired of putting up with attacks by a neighbor's pet monkey. During the regular Sikeston City Council meeting Monday, Peggy Bearden showed council members a shirt belonging to her grandson that she said was damaged by the monkey during an attack...

The Salvation Army assisted in the search of a missing Wayne County woman who was found alive Tuesday night. Hazel Roach, 73, had been missing since Saturday, according to the Wayne County Sheriff's office. Roach, who has severe Alzheimer's and needs medication, was found injured; she was taken to Saint Francis Medical Center, according to the sheriff's department. ...

Officers with the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department took part in a brief car chase early Tuesday morning. Officers responded to the Whitewater area around 12:15 a.m. and attempted to pull over a vehicle for a suspected theft, according to county Lt. ...

Cape Girardeau...

President Bush touts hydrogen as the Holy Grail of alternative fuels, but investors are putting their money on ethanol and biodiesel. A new biodiesel plant will be built near Dexter, Mo., and ethanol facilities are popping up all over the state. One is scheduled for construction near Sikeston, Mo...

If the judges in Anaheim are looking for enthusiasm, it will be hard to deny Cape Girardeau and its representatives the title All-America City. Dressed as everything from golfers to construction workers to nuns, the group representing Cape Girardeau in the Civic League's annual All-America City competition had its final dress rehearsal Tuesday. The group leaves Thursday and competes Saturday...

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following calls Sunday: Firefighters responded to the following calls Monday: Firefighters responded to the following calls Tuesday: Jackson Firefighters responded to the following calls Monday: Firefighters responded to the following calls Tuesday:...

WASHINGTON -- President Bush said Tuesday Iran's initial response to a package of incentives and threats on the nuclear impasse "sounds like a positive step to me. We will see if the Iranians take our offer seriously." The package includes a promise of Western technical help in developing peaceful civilian nuclear energy if Iran stops enriching uranium, a waiver of U.S. ...

A $100,000 bond was set Tuesday for a man who attempted to hide a gram of crack cocaine in his mouth during an arrest in Cape Girardeau, police said. Frederick L. Langevin, 38, of 321 Albert St., was charged felony possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor attempted tampering with evidence...

A trial date was set Tuesday for a woman accused of using a sport utility vehicle to run down her ex-husband and another man. Valerie A. Brooks, 46, of 914 Old Cape Road, was scheduled for a bench trial before Associate Circuit Judge Gary A. Kamp at 1:30 p.m. June 28 on misdemeanor third-degree assault...

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce won't recommend the city council relocate the Convention and Visitors Bureau to the River Campus. It is premature to decide on any site, chamber president John Mehner said. The chamber board of directors made its decision Tuesday...

Nestled in neglect, a pre-Civil War log house stands amid knee-high grass and weeds in an out-of-the-way corner of the Southeast Missouri State University farm. A wooden sign along Bainbridge Road west of Interstate 55 proclaims the "Historic Preservation Laboratory." But the log home only a short distance from historic Old McKendree Chapel has been anything but a laboratory for years...

The Cape Girardeau Ford & Sons American Legion team split a home doubleheader with Calvert City, Ky., on Monday. Ford & Sons won the opener 5-1 on the strength of a four-hitter from starter Lance Young, who struck out seven in the seven-inning complete game. Ty Craft and Blake Slattery had two hits and scored two runs apiece...

Even the toughest and roughest of men can be touched by memories. For Father's Day, Southeast Missouri scrapbooker Sue Stephens offers these ideas for homemade, memory-provoking gifts for dad. Supplies needed: Acid-free cardstock (your choice of color); acid-free ink; assortment of rubber stamps; dad-inspired phrases, quotes; 1 piece of paper (copier weight); calligraphy pens or computer for lettering; photographs/color copies (may need enlarged or reduced to suit your page size)...

We are in, or are rapidly approaching, a wonderful time of year when all of the garden produce will be in abundance. We have sure enjoyed the strawberries and other early-season crops. It makes for delicious and nutritious meals. Enjoy it while it lasts...

In story in Tuesday's edition about the life of Harley Rutledge, should have read that Rutledge had observed UFOs in Wayne County. The story also should have reported Rutledge had been quoted in an astronomy textbook. The Southeast Missourian regrets the errors...

Hine fires ace during tournament Jeff Hine of Cape Girardeau carded a hole in one last week during the Dexter Lions Club charity tournament at Hidden Trails Country Club in Dexter, Mo. Hine used a 6-iron to ace No. 4, a par 3 playing 159 yards. Witnesses were James Banken, Ron Gosche and Roger Arnzen...

In less than one week my sister, Kati, will be graduating from the University of California Santa Cruz. I know, it's late, but they do things on their own calendar out there. Since I won't be able to make it to the ceremony, I figured I should take the chance to write down several pieces of advice for graduation and beyond. It'll probably come out muddled and incoherent, but she's used to that...