Stories from Friday, January 12, 2007

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. (AP) -- A space heater is being blamed in a fire that killed twin toddlers in the Missouri Bootheel. The fire broke out Wednesday night at a home near Caruthersville. Firefighters found the blaze concentrated in the bedroom where the 15-month-old twins were asleep. They were identified as Alexis and Bradley Johnson. An initial autopsy indicated both died of smoke inhalation...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- State Sen. Matt Bartle is trying to block the confirmation of a University of Missouri system governing board member who supports early stem-cell research. Bartle, a leading opponent of work with early stem cells, said he is concerned about Kansas City businessman Warren Erdman's "strong ties" to the research and doesn't want him on the university system's Board of Curators...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Three people died in three separate crashes Friday as a wintry mix of snow and ice began falling across parts of Missouri, leaving roads slick and dangerous, authorities said. A 16-year-old boy on his way to school was killed in the Kansas City suburb of Lee's Summit when the pickup truck he was in slid on ice and overturned on an outer road of Missouri 291 north of Missouri 150, police said. The driver of the truck and another passenger were not seriously hurt...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- A Union County grand jury has indicted a 23-year-old Jonesboro man on two counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of his parents last month. Robert Pitts Jr. is in custody in the Tri-County Detention Center in Ullin, Ill., in lieu of a $1 million bond. He will appear before Union County Circuit Judge Mark M. Boie at 9 a.m. today for his initial appearance...

It's a little late for 2007 predictions. The year is almost 1/24 over. But who's counting? Earlier this week I made a prediction. That's something I don't usually do, because I'm a rotten prognosticator. Every election year someone asks me who I think will win a particular election. I always say I can predict the outcome with 100 percent accuracy, but I won't be able to give my answer until the day after the election. Except in years that end in 00, of course...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Developers of a refinery capable of transforming coal into clean-burning diesel fuel -- and transforming the economy of Alexander County, Ill. -- have been promoting their idea this week in meetings with area officials. While the names of the investors are being kept secret, they have enlisted a retired Southern Illinois University administrator as a spokesman...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- House Speaker Rod Jetton said Thursday that recipients of Social Security benefits should not have to pay state income taxes on them. "They've already paid taxes on this money once. There's no point in making them pay it twice," said Jetton, R-Marble Hill...

GRASSY, Mo. -- Sixteen Civil War veterans rest for all time in the Lower Grassy Creek Cemetery in western Bollinger County, their graves neatly tended along with those of relatives and others who include some of the earliest settlers of the region. Above those veterans, another battle raged recently that pitted those who keep their graves against a family determined to gain full control over their property by stopping use of a road over their land. ...

Racing may return to the Auto Tire and Parts RacePark in Benton for the first time in nearly three years this spring, officials with the track confirmed Thursday. Doug Friese, who is part of the ownership group that took control of the track six years ago, said a tentative agreement has been reached with a promotions group. The agreement should be finalized early next week, clearing the way for a formal announcement...

Federal revenue sharing, more specifically the prospects of no federal revenue sharing in the future, dominated a meeting last night between officials from area communities and 10th District Rep. Bill Emerson; many towns, including Cape Girardeau, depend on the revenue sharing program and count on money received through the program in their operating budgets...

Low graduation rates, like those at Central High School in Cape Girardeau, are cause for concern. Just under 60 percent of black students in the class of 2006 graduated, and 85 percent of white students. Both figures are below state and national averages. School officials cite poverty and the lack of parental involvement as critical factors. Some dropouts say peer pressure is a factor, along with becoming parents as teenagers...

By Michael Medved It took Nancy Pelosi less than a week as speaker of the House to begin talking seriously about tax increases. On "Face the Nation" on CBS she raised the possibility of increasing the tax burden (by "repealing tax cuts") for "those making over a certain amount of money, $500,000 a year." She simultaneously promised tax cuts "for middle class families."...

Long-lasting bulbs; More than minimum; Trim your trees; Need PSC audit; Take down decorations; Raises and cuts; Strange reduction; Glorified looters

Memo from Roy Williams:How are things with you? Are you ready to begin a new year? Here are some thoughts I hope you'll ponder: It's always OK to begin again "The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul." -- G.K. Chesterton...

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, England -- Adopt a gargoyle. Sponsor a spire. It could help save the 800-year-old Holy Trinity Church, where William Shakespeare was baptized and where he lies buried with his wife, Anne Hathaway. Church officials hope fans of the Bard around the world will help raise $6.3 million needed to repair a cracked spire, broken windows and eroding bricks -- and address damage from years of dry rot and death watch beetle...

Thompson, Yount to perform faculty recital Southeast Missouri State University music faculty members Paul Thompson and Matt Yount will be featured in a faculty recital at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at Brandt Hall. The concert will feature three centuries of music from the French tradition, and the duo will be joined by Southeast percussion professor Shane Mizicko and student bassist Jarred Harris in the popular "Bolling Jazz Suite." For more information, call 651-2265...

Three stars (out of four) Based on a true story, "Freedom Writers" is a prime example of the famous quote by Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."...

Cape Girardeau police nabbed three shoplifting suspects Wednesday night at West Park Mall. Cpl. Jason Selzer said Thursday Darryl Miller, 22; Alexis Williams, 21; and Shameika Mcclendon, 21; all of St. Louis were charged with felony stealing and held on a $5,000 cash-only bond each...

Friday Routine business n Received and filed local sales tax report for December 2006. n Received and filed letter regarding award of 2007 local law enforcement block grant in the amount of $9,000. n Approved payroll change forms. n Approved gazebo reservations for Jessica Seabaugh wedding...

The Cape Girardeau County Commission on Thursday worked on the details of whether $1,000 set aside for each county employee to cover medical costs would be paid out to workers who leave county employment and whether the county would keep adding to the fund each year...

The local committee organizing events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. announced Thursday that a U.S. senator will take part in one of the several planned events in Cape Girardeau. U.S. Sen. Kit Bond will speak at Monday's sixth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Luncheon sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. City Wide Celebration Committee...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Those who knew Frank Ferrell talk about his passion, love and commitment to his family, the numerous organizations he belonged to, his church, the city of Sikeston and politics. John Franklin "Frank" Ferrell, a former Sikeston mayor, died Sunday at age 87. He was buried Wednesday...

BEAUFORT, Mo. -- The family of 13-year-old Ben Ownby made a tearful plea Thursday for anyone who might have abducted the boy to return him home unharmed. "Whoever has him, we just want to get him back safely, no questions asked," said Ben's father, William "Don" Ownby...

The following information was released by the office of federal prosecutor Catherine Hanaway for defendants appearing in federal court before U.S. District Judge Henry A. Autrey. GUILTY PLEAS Name: Brian Wayne Burns Age: 40 Residence: Sikeston, Mo. Charge: Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute...

n At 7:35 p.m., emergency medical service in the 100 block of North Main Street. n At 9:23 p.m., motor vehicle accident at Gordonville Road and Silver Springs Road. n At 11:20 p.m., emergency medical service at Park Place and Bloomfield Road. n At 6:42 a.m., emergency medical service in the 1200 block of Perryville Road...

WASHINGTON -- It was a tale of two audiences. The day after President Bush unveiled his plan to send 21,500 more U.S. troops to Iraq, the president was robustly applauded and cheered. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates got pounded...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- U.S.-led forces detained five Iranians Thursday after a raid on a government office flying an Iranian flag, Iraqi officials and witnesses said, as President Bush vowed to isolate Iran and Syria as part of a new strategy to quell violence in Iraq. ...

VIENNA, Austria -- Iran's uranium enrichment program appears stalled, leaving intelligence services guessing about why the country has not made good on plans to press ahead with activities the West fears could be used to make nuclear arms, diplomats said Thursday. ...

BOSTON -- Activists angered by President Bush's decision to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq staged protests Thursday from New York to San Francisco, declaring that the extra troops would only give insurgents thousands of new American targets. Hundreds of anti-war protesters crammed onto a traffic island in New York's Times Square, chanting "Stop the funding, stop the war" as drivers in one of the world's most famous intersections honked in support. ...

INDIANAPOLIS -- A man shot and wounded four co-workers Thursday at a factory that employs disabled people, telling police he did it "over respect," authorities said. Two men and two women were taken to hospitals with injuries not considered life-threatening, Lt. ...

GULFPORT, Miss. -- A jury awarded $2.5 million in punitive damages against State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. for a Mississippi couple for denying their Hurricane Katrina claim. The decision could benefit hundreds of other homeowners challenging insurers for refusing to cover billions of dollars in storm damage. ...

A Cape Girardeau woman was granted a change of venue to Mississippi County Monday by Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Lewis. Cittie L. Wade, 28, of 625 N. Lorimier St., is charged with felony abuse of a child, which carries a maximum seven-year prison sentence and $5,000 fine if convicted...

A Cape Girardeau woman was bound over to circuit court Monday by Associate Circuit Court Judge Gary A. Kamp. Lillie A. Dry, 39, of 1400 S. West End Blvd., is charged with first-degree felony assault of a law enforcement officer. The maximum penalty for the offense is life imprisonment...

A Cape Girardeau man charged with felony unlawful possession of a firearm was granted a change of venue to Wayne County Monday by Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Lewis. Matthew L. Martin, 28, of 2317 Kent Drive, was reportedly staying at the Victorian Inn, 3265 William St., on June 1, where Cape Girardeau police found a semiautomatic handgun...

Huffman; Pavone; Hahs; Wall; Cotton; Howe; Richardet; Kern; Leimbach; Fornkohl; Conley

Iva J. Thorn, 92, of Jackson passed away Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, at Saint Francis Medical Center. She was born April 19, 1914, near Gravel Hill, Mo., daughter of Barney and Amanda Hanners Allen. She and Herbert Thorn were married Nov. 28, 1934, in Marble Hill, Mo. He passed away Jan. 23, 1975...

Donald Robert Underwood, 58, of Centerville, Mo., died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville, Ill., after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born Feb. 5, 1948, in San Pedro, Calif., to Louie "Pete" Underwood and the late Dorothy "Tina" Underwood...

Mildred Marie Brown, 89, of Jackson died Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born Sept. 25, 1917, at Fruitland, daughter of Charles E. and Mary Gross Leimer. She and John E. Brown were married Feb. 7, 1937, in Pocahontas. He died May 20, 1976...

PINSON, Tenn. -- Sharon Plemons, 66, of Pinson died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006, at her home. She was born April 25, 1940, in Bemis, Tenn., daughter of Jerald and Fannie Putman Kennon. She married Walter R. Plemons. Mrs. Plemons was a 1958 graduate of South Side High School. She was a retired secretary for the Jackson-Madison County School System, and was a notary public for the state of Tennessee. She was a member of Parkburg Baptist Church and Bemis Historical Society...

FERGUSON, Mo. -- Lorene Lear, 92, of Ferguson died Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, at De Paul Health Center in Bridgeton, Mo. She was born Jan. 23, 1914, in Bertrand, Mo., daughter of Andrew Jackson and Effie Belver Marberry. She and Odis Abraham Lear were married in Benton, Mo., and he died in September 1975...

BERTRAND, Mo. -- Billy Dean Finley Sr., 59, of Bertrand died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo. He was born March 23, 1947, at Anniston, Mo., son of Tom and Ruby Nell McMillen Finley. Finley was employed at Southeast Co-op near Bertrand...

Selma Anna Sperling, 92, of Jackson died Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Sister Mary Constance Mannion, R.S.M., 93, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at Catherine's Residence in St. Louis. She was formerly of Chaffee. She was born Sept. 21, 1913, in University City, Mo. She entered the Sisters of Mercy community in Webster Groves, Mo., Sept. 3, 1932, and made her first vows March 12, 1935...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri could have up to $500 million or so in additional revenue available as lawmakers start work to craft a budget for the coming fiscal year. Missouri is expected to see state revenue growth of about 4 percent in the current fiscal year, and 3.8 percent next year, Gov. Matt Blunt and lawmakers said Thursday...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Retired Army Lt. Col. Robert E. Dunn, 90, of Cairo died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Feb. 16, 1916, in Cairo, son of John Edward and Grace Jane Roberts Dunn. Dunn received a master's degree in journalism from the University of Illinois. He worked in advertising in Chicago...

KARNAK, Ill. -- Celeste G. Douglas, 48, of Karnak died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, at her home. She was born Jan. 18, 1958, at Bonne Terre, Mo., daughter of Dr. Don and Sue Arnoldi Hunt. She first married Ward Walshon, who preceded her in death. She later married Raymond Douglas Jr...

Rick L. Fink, 53, formerly of Jackson, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at his home in Prescott Valley, Ariz. He was born Nov. 14, 1953, in Redbud, Ind., son of Richard and Esther Coffin Fink. He and Susan LaRoe were married Dec. 31, 1977. Fink was a mortgage broker...

Donald L. Lintner, 74, of Perryville, Mo., died Thursday, Jan. 11, 2006, at his home. He was born June 24, 1932, at Perryville, son of Edwin J. and Katherine (Hoehn) Lintner. He was a U.S. Army veteran and retired from the U.S. Army Mobility Command...

HONOLULU -- Luke Donald didn't have much of a following Thursday, so he barely heard any applause even as he made birdies on half his holes for a 7-under 63 and a one-shot lead in the Sony Open. The crowds were with Michelle Wie. And there wasn't much cheering there, either...

PHILADELPHIA -- Chris Webber followed Allen Iverson out the door in Philadelphia. Two disgruntled All-Stars are gone and can't be blamed anymore for the 76ers' woeful season. Philadelphia completed the paperwork to buy out the remaining 11/2 seasons on Webber's contract Wednesday, ending two disappointing years for the former All-Star who did not want to be part of the franchise's rebuilding process...

SEDALIA, Mo. -- A severe shortage of hay is forcing some farmers to sell their cattle early, causing depressed cattle prices and driving some cattlemen out of business. Years of dry weather and drought are the main cause of the hay shortage, which extends through much of the Midwest and into Texas, industry spokesmen said...

Looking for a roomy vehicle with seats for seven or eight, a pleasing ride and impressive handling? Don't miss the 2007 GMC Acadia. Though GMC is known for its "professional grade" trucks and truck-based sport utility vehicles, the Acadia is something different -- and special...

Smaller has been better recently at the Saint Francis Indoor Soccer Invitational. The 13th annual event, which begins tonight at the Show Me Center, has backed off to 60 teams in this year's field, which will only have one venue. The construction of the Southeast Missouri State University aquatics complex and events at Houck Field House, including Saturday's season-opening Southeast gymnastics meet, have limited the tournament to just the Show Me Center as a venue this year...

LOS ANGELES -- Bend this, TomKat and Brangelina: Becks 'n' Posh are coming to Hollywood. And David Beckham didn't even have to audition to become the next American Idol. The most recognized soccer player on the planet -- fashion icon, tabloid fixture, marketing giant -- announced a deal Thursday to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy...

The Southeast Missouri State gymnastics team experienced its most successful season since 1997 last year. And, despite having no seniors on the roster, fourth-year head coach Tom Farden doesn't expect the 2007 Redhawks to take a step back. "I'm very optimistic," Farden said. "I expect really good things from this group."...

By ADAM and KONNER BURNHAM Southeast Missourian As we enter 2007, Lad and I thought it might be fun to take a look back at 2006. Last year was one in which Hollywood showed a nice rebound from a poor 2005. While most critics agree the quality of movies were not on par with prior years, there were many excellent family films to fill our plate...

One fact I've learned in my decade-plus of being an amateur rock musician: You can't rock without a drummer. Sure, lots of people out there may make the case that you can: New Wavers with their drum machines, folkies with their acoustic guitars and bongos. Simply put, they're wrong...

SAN FRANCISCO -- Barry Bonds said he did not get amphetamines from teammate Mark Sweeney, but did not deny a report Thursday saying he tested positive for the drugs last season. According to a story in the New York Daily News, the San Francisco slugger failed an amphetamines test in 2006. The newspaper reported that when first informed of the positive result, Bonds attributed it to a substance he had taken from Sweeney's locker...

Redhawks' Smith earns OVC weekly honor Southeast Missouri State sprinter Miles Smith has been honored as the Ohio Valley Conference male track athlete of the week for his performance in the first meet of the season last month. Smith won the 200-meter dash at the Arkansas State Kickoff Classic with a time of 21.14 seconds, which is a school record and provisionally qualified him for the NCAA Division I indoor championships...

NEW YORK -- When "American Idol" made its debut five years ago, it was decried by some as another vapid reality show attempting to create another vapid pop star -- and at first glance, the critics seemed to be right. There were geeky contestants warbling cheesy ballads, dramatic divas over-singing their way through a song, and it's panel for judging talent included Paula Abdul...

The Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual dinner Jan. 26 at the Show Me Center, 1333 N. Sprigg St., to celebrate its successes in 2006. The event begins with a social hour at 6 p.m, followed by dinner and program events at 7 p.m...

Scott County Central's girls basketball team will get its second crack at Delta this season in the championship of the Scott-Mississippi Conference Tournament following a 62-59 upset of No. 2 Kelly on Thursday in the semifinals at Oran. The Bravettes, seeded third, will face No. 1 Delta at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Delta routed No. 4 Oran 59-29 in the other semifinal. The Bobcats defeated Scott County in the semifinals of the Lady Devils Invitational earlier this season...

A radiation spill in a radiochemistry lab at Southeast Missouri State University in 1973 wasn't properly cleaned up and led to radiation contamination in the lab and elsewhere in Magill Hall of Science, the school's radiation safety officer said Thursday...

Two Bernie residents found dead at home Two rural Bernie residents were found dead in their home in rural Bernie Monday afternoon, according to Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner. The bodies were found inside the residence at about 1:15 p.m. Monday by a family member. ...

BEAUFORT, Mo. (AP) -- A 13-year-old boy missing since the beginning of the week was found alive in a suburban St. Louis home, along with a 15-year-old boy missing since 2002, authorities said Friday. Sheriff Gary Toelke said Ben Ownby and Shawn Hornbeck were found in a Kirkwood home belonging to Michael Devlin, 41. Devlin has been charged with one count of first-degree kidnapping, and Franklin County prosecutor Robert Parks said more charges are likely...