Stories from Tuesday, June 12, 2007

LEBANON, Mo. (AP) -- Two brothers and a woman were charged Tuesday with murder in the death of a Lebanon teenager whose skull was fractured by a baseball bat in a brawl in a city park. Police said the fight was over text messages to the girlfriend of one of the alleged assailants, Jerry Broyles...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Home and business owners and local governments dealing with flood damage should get some help from the federal government, Gov. Matt Blunt said Tuesday. President Bush approved the state's request for federal disaster declarations following May flooding along the Missouri River, his office said...

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The city of O'Fallon has dropped an annexation plan that included a nearly 7,000-acre conservation area and the Missouri Research Park. City Administrator Robert Lowery Jr. said this week the plan had become too divisive. "We want to be viewed as a good neighbor," he told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The owners of a group home where 11 people died in a fatal fire will not get their state operating license back after failing to contest the revocation. An administrative hearing judge dismissed an appeal for the Anderson Guest House because neither the owners nor an attorney attended Tuesday's hearing asked for a delay...

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Federal and state environmental regulators want St. Louis' aging sewer system fixed swiftly, alleging in a lawsuit that too much raw sewage has overflowed into local streams after heavy rains. In a lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court in St. Louis, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources said the discharges violate the federal Clean Water Act and threaten public health...

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Missouri officials are poised to take over the state's largest school district Friday. All that stands in the way is a lawsuit, a lot of questions, and the fact that two of three appointees to a new board to oversee the district have yet to be named...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Missouri Supreme Court rejected Tuesday an attempt by a wealthy St. Louis suburb to use eminent domain to condemn buildings in its downtown and turn them over for private development. The Clayton Board of Aldermen in 2005 voted to allow Centene Plaza Redevelopment Corp. ...

A man convicted of a 2001 sexual assault was sentenced to two consecutive life terms Tuesday. Ontario Reed, 24, formerly of Malden, Mo., was convicted of felony forcible rape and felony forcible sodomy, although he asserted to the end the sex was consensual...

Almost every vacationing family has gotten lost at one time or another. Our family gets lost every time we travel to Sandusky, Ohio, to ride the roller coasters at the Cedar Point amusement park. Let's just say, the directional signs in that city leave a lot to be desired. I'm convinced the city's tourism officials do it on purpose so visitors have to go round and round the city and stop several times for gas before ever leaving town...

Ullin, Ill. -- Of three major energy projects proposed in Southern Illinois, the first to be announced was a 100-million gallon ethanol plant in Pulaski County. But when civic and economic development leaders met Monday to hear an update of plans for major projects in the region, the ethanol plant was the only one discussed that didn't have a projected groundbreaking date. ...

An illegal immigrant charged with three felonies stemming from an accident where he allegedly was intoxicated has been running up a hefty bill for the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department. Juan P. Vargas, 25, of 1416 Jefferson Ave., is charged with one count of first-degree manslaughter and two counts of second-degree assault. Vargas is an illegal Mexican immigrant, according to a sworn statement by P.C. Hazelwood of the Missouri State Highway Patrol...

A proposed half-cent sales tax could fund an estimated $36.9 million in parks and storm-water projects in the city of Cape Girardeau, members of the parks and golf course advisory boards told the city council Monday night. But park board member Danny Essner cautioned that even with the tax it would take years to do all of the projects...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- The city of Chaffee is now facing a third civil suit filed on behalf of people injured or killed in a fatal September accident that resulted from a high-speed police pursuit. Daniel Moore's family filed the suit June 4 in Cape Girardeau County seeking damages for the medical cost and physical and mental hardship Moore and his family have endured since the accident...

In a special session, the Cape Girardeau school board reduced the candidates for its open position from eight to five Monday evening. Candidates Twila Brown, Brynda Dickson, Martha Hamilton, Brenda Newbern and Carrie Beth Smith remain and will now go through an interview process before one is chosen for the position. Board members voted by ranking their choices one through eight, with eight being the first choice. Board secretary Laverne Smith tallied the scores...

The Jackson School District placed athletic director Kevin P. Bohnert on administrative leave Monday afternoon after he was charged earlier in the day with driving while intoxicated and marijuana possession, district superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson said...

Switch the troops; Porn on TV; A better idea; Staged debates; Senator McQueeg; Gasoline and taxes; Max the tax; Too much tax; Dedicated tax; Which to obey?; Unneeded advice; Wrong move; Only the ones we like; Illegal hiring; Light of day; Definition of justice

There have been many people and experiences that have played an important role in my personal and professional development. For each of them, I am grateful. One of these experiences has been my involvement with organized athletics throughout my lifetime -- in particular, those years that I played sports during high school and college. ...

Pushing high school students to take tough classes, including Advanced Placement courses, has paid off for Central High School in Cape Girardeau, which has been recognized by the ACT Education Division for its academic rigor in math and science. Central was one of six Missouri schools to be recognized, and one of 382 schools nationwide...

Scores of youthful fishermen zero in on the lagoon in Capaha Park to participate in the annual Cape Girardeau Jaycees Fishing Clinic; Jaycees members are on hand as novice fishermen learn to bait their lines, cast out and reel in fish. A.J. Blanton of Cape Girardeau, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3838, has been named to serve as a national aide-de-camp within the VFW during 1981-1982; he was appointed to the position by the VFW's national commander, Arthur Fellwock of Evansville, Ind.. ...

To the editor:We can't stand any more tax. Can I go swimming free? No. Can I reserve a park pavilion for a function free? No. Can I hold a function in the Arena Building or Osage Centre free? No. The council has a free hand to raise fees. The water and sewer tax is just that. Now the city wants to augment it with a sales tax for storm water? What is the water and sewer tax for?...

In a special session, the Cape Girardeau school board reduced the candidates for its open position from eight to five Monday evening. Candidates Twila Brown, Brynda Dickson, Martha Hamilton, Brenda Newbern and Carrie Beth Smith remain and will now go through an interview process before one is chosen for the position. Board members voted by ranking their choices one through eight, with eight being the first choice. Board secretary Laverne Smith tallied the scores...

Police find cocaine in Benton man's home BENTON, Mo. -- When Scott County sheriff's deputies visited 54-year-old Benton man James Hatchel at his residence in the Ferrell Mobile Home Park near Benton, they were investigating Hatchel on a tip from Elk City, Okla., police for stealing two TVs and a CB radio from a truck stop. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- State transportation leaders would like to ask voters to raise taxes next year. But so far, they can't agree what taxes to raise, what projects to fund and who should head up the effort. The chairman of the House and Senate transportation committees each have proposed their own transportation tax packages with hopes of putting them on the August 2008 ballot. ...

PUXICO, Mo. -- Financially, the city is in trouble. That was the message delivered by Debbie Lewis, manager for Missouri State Auditor Susan Montee, to about 20 concerned residents Thursday night at a town-hall meeting in Puxico. Although the city budget shows a general operating fund of $38,950, because the fire and police departments and nutrition center are operating on negative balance the city actually has a deficit of $166,326...

LEBANON, Mo. -- A Lebanon teenager died Monday and another was injured after a brawl at a park, and police said the fight appeared to be prearranged. Police found the two males unconscious around 11 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot at Atchley Park. Zackary Jones, 17, of Lebanon died at a Springfield hospital. The other teenager is in stable condition with serious injuries at St. John's Hospital, police chief Sam Mustard said...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Gary W. Baines, 60, of Perryville died Saturday, June 9, 2007, at Perry County Nursing Home. He was born Feb. 24, 1947, in Kansas City, Mo., son of J.B. and Arlene Lockwood Baines. Baines was formerly of East Prairie, Mo. He farmed and did mechanical work...

David Wayne Hannah, 58, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, June 10, 2007, at Saint Francis Medical Center. He was born Dec. 21, 1948, in East Prairie, Mo., son of William D. and Pearlene M. Hannah. He and Kathy D. Linhart were married Dec. 15, 1970, in Edwardsville, Ill...

MOUND CITY, Ill. -- Jewell Marie Reeves, 89, of Mound City died Sunday, June 10, 2007, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born May 21, 1918, in Mound City, daughter of Harlan and Lucille Mayers Lowe. She married Homer P. Reeves, who died Oct. 9, 1993...

Beatrice "Bea" Perrin, 93, of Jackson passed away Monday, June 11, 2007, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Gir­ar­deau. She was born June 20, 1913, in St. Louis, daughter of the late George Riemann Sr. and Frieda Korneski Riemann. She and Andrew "Andy" Perrin were married May 23, 1942, in St. Louis...

BELL CITY, Mo. -- James William "Jim" Foster, 78, died Sunday, May 27, 2007, in Tulsa, Okla. He was born May 10, 1929, at Bell City, Mo., son of Jesse William and Jessie Wheeler Foster. His positive outlook on life was infectious, spreading through family, friends, and even those who hardly knew him...

Helen Aline McCallister, 93, of Jackson died Tuesday, June 5, 2007, at Monticello House. She was born Oct. 6, 1913, in Queen City, Mo., daughter of John Clemens and Minnie Pearl Dufur Miller. She married Roy Glenn McCallister, who died May 21, 1969...

Coffey; Goergen; Thompson; Roll-Huston; Dailey; Greenlee; Owens; Villegas; Bottorff; Penrose; Kitchen; Criddle; Simmons

ST. LOUIS -- Missouri's education commissioner said Monday he will not reconsider a decision that allows a state takeover of the St. Louis public schools beginning Friday. The matter's not over yet. A separate lawsuit on the issue will be heard Wednesday in Cole County Circuit Court...

Here's an amazing experiment you've got to try at home. You'll think there's something magical going on when you see how fast you can make your crystal "garden" grow. This is one garden you'll never need to weed! Ingredients Several pieces of charcoal briquettes, coal, brick or sponges...

Friend with benefits. Sex buddy. A booty call. Call it whatever you want, but it boils down to no-strings-attached sex, and it's becoming more widespread on college campuses, said Laura Sessions Stepp, author of the recently released "Unhooked: How Young Women Pursue Sex, Delay Love and Lose at Both."...

WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats blistered Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on Monday with debate on a symbolic "no-confidence" resolution, but Republicans shrugged it all off as a waste of time. No one predicted that the resolution would survive its test vote late in the day. ...

SOFIA, Bulgaria -- President Bush braced for problems at home Monday with the cheers from his European trip still ringing in his ears. He pledged to resurrect his derailed immigration bill in the Senate -- "I'll see you at the bill signing," he declared -- and dismissed Democrats' effort to hold a no-confidence vote on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales as a waste of time...

First team Pitchers n Mark Himmelberg, jr., Notre Dame Stats: 6-1 w-l, 1.69 ERA, 54 inn., 57 Ks, .193 opp. avg.; .338, 15 RBIs, 8 doubles n Ryan Modglin, jr., Scott City Stats: 7-5 w-l, 2.10 ERA, 115 Ks, 53 1/3 inn.; .481 avg., 4 HRs, 12 doubles, 4 triples, 34 RBIs, 33 runs...

Jackson Legion sweeps Calvert City Alex Tripp drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh to complete an eight-run rally as Jackson's American Legion team swept visiting Calvert City, Ky., on Monday in a doubleheader. Jackson trailed 10-2 in the opener, but came all the way back and scored three in the seventh for a 12-11 win. Nick D'Amico pitched the seventh for the win and added two hits...

In recent years, the Jackson High School athletic department under the direction of Kevin Bohnert has received publicity as an example for other departments. The school was among two in the Southeast Missourian circulation area honored the last two years as a Leadership School by the Missouri State High School Activities Association...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Winning poles is the easy part for Ryan Newman. Getting to Victory Lane is another matter. Newman's winless streak reached 59 races Sunday when rain denied him a chance at victory at Pocono Raceway. NASCAR stopped the race seconds before Newman pulled alongside Jeff Gordon in a challenge for the lead, and he was frozen in second place...

A fish fry June 16 at Hobbs Chapel church is for church members only. Information in Saturday's Southeast Missourian was incorrect. The Southeast Missourian regrets the error.

SCHOLARSHIPS n Melody Stone of Cape Girardeau has been awarded a Regents Scholarship and a Missouri Assessment Program Scholarship to attend Southeast Missouri State University for the 2007-2008 academic year. Stone is a graduate of Central High School. She is the daughter of Barry and Elaine Stone...

Charlie Griffith cuts metal at the old Oran Schools cafeteria, which is being made into a media center and library for next school year, on Monday, June 11, 2007, in Oran, Mo.

Aubrey Talley, 7, right, potted a marigold plant along with Taye Seise, 7, during a gardening exercise in the Tiger Initiative program at Franklin Elementary School on Monday. The three-week program is funded through the state's 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant. (Fred Lynch)

Central senior Blake Slattery opened his season with six straight multi-hit games -- he had at least one extra-base hit in each -- and never looked back en route to a record-breaking offensive season for the Tigers. Slattery finished with 26 extra-base hits, including a record-tying 15 doubles, and helped the Tigers win their first district title since 2000...

The Central duo of Brad LaBruyere on the mound and Alex Shell behind the plate continued to work its magic for Cape Girardeau's American Legion team, shutting down Dunklin County in an 8-0 district win Monday at Capaha Field. LaBruyere picked up his second straight district shutout as Post 63 improved to 2-0 in district play. Dunklin County came back to win the second game, a non-district contest, 8-3. Cape is 9-3 overall...

ST. LOUIS -- Ryan Franklin has found his comfort zone. After working most of his first five seasons as a starter with Seattle, the right-hander spent last season with Philadelphia and Cincinnati as a reliever. Both the Phillies and the Reds bounced him around in various roles and he said he never felt settled with either team...

Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. released retail packages of ground beef containing E. coli and then voluntarily recalled the product at its plant in Sherman, Texas, last week after the company did its own microbiological testing. The only retailer that received the contaminated ground beef in 12 states, including Missouri, is Wal-Mart, according to Tyson officials. There were no illnesses reported or associated with any packages of ground beef produced by the plant as of Friday, Tyson officials said...

A 20-year-old Cape Girardeau man was arrested early Monday morning on suspicion that he sexually abused a 13-year-old girl. Cape Girar­deau police arrested Joshua Jonathan Smith, 305 Perry Ave., at 2:18 a.m. Monday, just a few hours after police had taken a report of sexual abuse involving the 13-year-old, said Cape Girardeau police Sgt. Barry Hovis...