Stories from Monday, February 9, 2009

HONOLULU -- With a huge red lei around his neck and a wide grin that could have stretched across Oahu, Larry Fitzgerald held up the gleaming, silver MVP trophy. It sparkled in the sunshine as much as his game. The only problem: It wasn't the Lombardi Trophy...

SCOTT COUNTY, Mo. - A Cape Girardeau woman was seriously injured in a single-car accident on County Road 352 Sunday evening. The accident occurred near Highway 77 at around 11:48 p.m. as a 1998 Pontiac driven by Marissa D. Williamson, 17, was traveling too fast to negotiate a curve and ran into a ditch, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash reports website. The Pontiac sustained extensive damage...

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Cardinals fired defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast on Saturday, less than a week after Arizona played Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl. "Like every decision, it comes down to what's best for the team and what gives us the best chance to win," Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said in a statement released by the team...

While covering the county commissioners' state-required training in Jefferson City, Mo., last week, I learned a lot. The information from nearly three days of classes will turn up in stories and future columns. This is about what happened Thursday night, after the classes...

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following calls Saturday: n At 6:46 p.m., emergency medical service in the 500 block of South Sprigg Street. n At 7:11 p.m., emergency medical service in the 600 block of South West End Boulevard. n At 7:17 p.m., emergency medical service in the 1100 block of Linden Street...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. — Melvin J. Huber, 74, of Perryville died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009, at his home. He was born March 25, 1934, in Perryville, Mo., son of the late Charles and Clara E. Hoffman Huber. He and Betty A. Rottler Huber were married June 27, 1959...

PADUCAH, Ky. — The National Weather Wervice issued a wind advisory, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. today for all of Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois, and Kentucky's western counties, including Paducah in McCracken County.The approaching storm front from the west will increase south to southwest winds today. ...

Stimulus Bill III -- the first rounds of massive government spending intended to shore up the sagging economy occurred last year -- is getting a full-court press from the Obama administration. The president himself has used visits to Capitol Hill, one-on-one chats with reluctant legislators, pep talks and cocktail get-togethers to get the votes needed for another $800 billion-plus -- and growing -- package...

WASHINGTON -- Republicans are making another run at overturning a ban on unlimited "soft money" contributions. Their Democratic rivals say it is an attempt to bring big money back to politics because the GOP can't keep up with President Obama's fundraising...

Ambrose W. Peters, 79, of Marble Hill, Mo., died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born May 19, 1929, in Lutesville, Mo., son of Theodore J. and Katherine (Katie) Hinkebein Peters. Ambrose married Patricia Ann Welter on Oct. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri lawmakers say the state's economy demands quick action to stimulate growth and add new jobs. So they have turned to an old friend with a new name: tax credits for businesses. The House late last week approved an economic development package that spreads tax breaks to businesses that run underground data storage centers in Missouri caves and to firms that expand their headquarters. ...

PHILADELPHIA — Ryan Howard has agreed to a $54 million, three-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies — avoiding a potentially contentious arbitration hearing. Howard, the 2006 NL MVP, led the majors with 48 homers and 146 RBIs last season while helping the Phillies win their first World Series title since 1980. He batted just .251, struck out 199 times and made 19 errors at first base, but also was runner-up to Albert Pujols for MVP...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Kaitlin Amanda Marie Beckett, 17, of East Prairie died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009, at her home. She was born March 20, 1991, in Peoria, Ill., daughter of Leonard Leroy and Lori Ann Randolph Beckett Jr. She was a junior at East Prairie High School and had previously attended Scott City High School. She was also member of Full Gospel Church in East Prairie...

SAN DIEGO -- Nick Watney appeared to be along for the ride Sunday until making two birdies over the final three holes to take advantage of a late collapse by John Rollins and win the Buick Invitational. Watney knocked in a 40-foot birdie putt from the fringe on the par-3 16th, then completed his five-shot rally with a two-putt birdie on the 18th hole. He closed with a 4-under 68 for his second career victory...

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Martin Truex Jr. suffered through an uncertain winter, unsure if his revamped race team could take him to the top. Mark Martin also endured a long offseason, anxious to join NASCAR's premier program. Their waits proved worth it Sunday when the former teammates took the top two starting spots for the season-opening Daytona 500...

THEBES, Ill. — William "Bill" Morgan of Thebes died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, Ill.

HEALESVILLE, Australia -- The deadliest wildfires in Australia's history burned people in their homes and cars and wiped out entire towns, officials discovered Sunday as they reached farther into the fire zone. The death toll rose to 130 by early today...

NEW YORK -- A day after Alex Rodriguez was linked to steroids, another All-Star offered this suggestion: Make public the entire list of players who failed drug tests. "I'd be all for the 104 positives being named, and the game moving on if that is at all possible," former Boston ace Curt Schilling wrote on his blog Sunday...

25 years ago: Feb. 9, 1984 The Cape Girardeau United Way and the Jackson Community Chest will cease to exist as separate entities if plans to consolidate the two fundraising agencies this spring come to fruition. After considering about 65 different locations, the Safe House and Women's Center board will purchase a duplex at 17-19 S. Lorimier St., which will be used as a residential building, and a house at 233 Independence St., which will serve as an outreach office and day care...

People who know Ed Arnzen probably realize he didn't need the confirmation. But Arnzen told me his recent near-death experience made him "realize how many friends I have. Many of them associated with basketball, many who were not. "That was one of the good things that came from this illness. I just heard from so many people, it really gave me a lot of encouragement to get well."...

The proposed switch from analog to digital television has been a hot topic these days. For decades viewers and broadcasters had time to prepare for the Feb. 17 switch. But a bill passed by Congress last week gives stations the option of keeping that same date or switching on June 12. ...

For warm weather and relief from the clutches of ice, we give thanks, O God. Amen.

Michael Porter is not the kind of person whose wrath you want directed at you on the basketball court. The personable Sikeston senior becomes a different person when nets and hoops and winning and losing are involved. "Michael is tough; he's as tough as nails," Scott County Central coach Ronnie Cookson said. "I bet he's going to be as high as a kite for this ballgame."...

DEXTER, Mo. -- Town and Country Cinema is shutting its doors, but only for a couple of weeks while the theater is being refurbished under new management. The announcement came Wednesday from Ron Sells, the cinema building's owner, who said, "It's part of the Dexter community that we'd really like to see remain and so we've decided to do some repairs to the building and keep it open."...

LOS ANGELES — Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' unorthodox musical partnership yielded rich rewards on Grammy night, as the pair won a leading five Grammys, including album of the year and record of the year for the haunting "Please Read The Letter."...

JONESBORO, Ark. -- Sixth-grader Morgan Sims knew how to spell "debacle," but she got an unfortunate lesson on its meaning when her northern Arkansas school district forgot a spelling bee entry fee. Morgan correctly spelled "debacle" -- meaning failure, in an often ludicrous way -- to win the Craighead County Spelling Bee on Friday, taking home the first-place trophy and a $200 savings bond...

Cape Girardeau The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests n Tameka Shantay Sheron, 27, of Haywood, Mo., was arrested on suspicion of stealing. n Michael Lee Gockel, 38, 1910 Weissinger Lane, was arrested on a Cape Girardeau warrant for failure to appear for improper registration...

Questionable picks WHERE are our ethics? Is this what is the promise to clean up corruption in our government meant? If these are the best men they can find, what does that say about the rest of our men and women? Taking children I'D like to know how a parent who does not have custody of a child can go into a school and remove the child without the authorities being notified. My grandchildren were taken today from a public school by their mother without any authority...

FOND DU LAC, Wis. -- Jay Capelle would give anything to get back his factory job of 32 years. At the same time, he's grateful to have extra time on his hands these days to care for his ailing wife, stay in shape and work on a long-planned baseball documentary...

Richard Elwood Conley, 83, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born May 11, 1925, in Cape Girardeau County, son of Huey Lynn and Bertha Martha Froemsdorf Conley. He and Virginia L. Job Conley were married July 20, 1949, in Cape Girardeau. She died Aug. 25, 2008...

Hematologist/oncologist joins Southeast Missouri Hospital Krishnamohan R. Basarakodu (Dr. Krishna) has joined the medical staff at Southeast Missouri Hospital and Hematology-Oncology Associates of Southeast Missouri Hospital. He joins Robert K. ...

TEHRAN, Iran -- Former Iranian president Mohammed Khatami said Sunday he would run again for president, setting the stage for a political showdown in coming months between the popular reformist leader -- who made dialogue with the West a centerpiece of his eight years in office -- and the country's current leadership...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Feb. 2 was the first day back in the office for several businesses around Sikeston. And insurance companies had a busy day, as they were slammed with questions concerning coverage for problems brought about by last week's winter storms...

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- When Erica Olivares ran away from home at age 16, the penalty was not a stern lecture -- it was a month in Laramie County jail. Soon, under the tutelage of adult criminals, she was addicted to drugs. "Methamphetamine, I'd never even heard about that. And I heard about that in there," said Olivares, now 26...

The Central wrestling team won duals meets against Dexter and Poplar Bluff. Central won 12 of the 13 matches in a 73-6 rout of Dexter, including 11 by pins. The Tigers won six of the final seven matches in a 49-21 victory against Poplar Bluff. Recording pins in both matches for Central were Desmond Howard (125), Raymond Woldtvedt (152), Ian Fitzgerald (189) and Trey Grovenor (285)...

All right, you procrastinators, today is the deadline for submissions to Business Today's Top 40 Under 40. In its third year, this list recognizes 40 professionals for their career and community achievements. A panel of Business Today staff members and Southeast Missourian representatives review each nomination and select those outstanding men and women who have had a significant affect in their workplace or in the community...

John Webber John Kenneth Webber, 91, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009, at the Lutheran Home. He was born May 30, 1917, in Belleville, W. Va., son of Alonzo and Dixie Wigal Webber. He and Evelyn Lewis Webber were married Aug. 19, 1945, in Cape Girardeau. She died Feb. 20,1999...

The Jackson Senior Center, teeming with visitors some days, has gained enough popularity that board members of the Jackson Senior Center Foundation anticipate a need for growth. Plans have been drawn up for an expansion to provide an additional 1,200 square feet. The space will be used to provide greater seating and serving capacity for the center's nutrition and activity operations. The building itself is paid for and owned by the Jackson Senior Center Foundation...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. — Steven R. Poirrier, 57, of Bloomfield died Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, at his home. He was born Jan. 1, 1952, in St. Louis, son of James Edward and Leola Fay Poirrier. Poirrier was a retired over-the-road truckdriver. Survivors include his mother of Perryville, Mo.; fiancee, Reva Stroup of Bloomfield; five daughters, Shawney Brown, Kristy Poirrier and Elizabeth Cecil Jones, all of Friedheim, Mo., Mandy Chotrow of Perryville and Tracy Ballinger of Farmington, Mo.; two brothers, Jerry "Dennis" Poirrier of Coral Beach, Fla., and James Poirrier Jr. ...

DEXTER, Mo. — Teddy Joe Schatz Sr., 54, of Perryville, Mo., died Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. He was born Nov. 27, 1954, in Malden, Mo., son of Ira Henry Crawford and the late June Elizabeth Farris Schatz. He and Patricia Sontag Schatz were married March 27, 1992. She died Dec. 8, 2008...

Though the biggest problem presented by the late January ice storm was the widespread loss of power thousands of Southeast Missourians endured, residents of a Cape Girardeau mobile home park say their unplowed roads were also a hardship. Margaret Grant, who lives at Spring Court Mobile Home Park, said she hasn't gone out to get groceries since the storm hit Jan. ...

A transmission line that blocked the northbound lanes of Interstate 55 near mile marker 92 earlier this morning has been removed, according to Lisa Dalton, an administrative secretary with the Cape Girardeau Fire Department. Dalton said the crew from the fire department contained the situation shortly after arriving on the scene, located between Cape Girardeau and Scott City...

The ice storm seems like a distant memory to many of us, as we enjoy temperatures in the 60s today. But we can still see the effects of the storm in the trees around us, especially to the south.If your trees were left splintered and broken after the storm, there are some things you can do to help. ...

SIKESTON — As people and government continue to assess the damage, the local business community is looking at whether it gained or lost from the storm. "Depending on what your business was, it was good," said Missy Marshall, executive director of the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce. Over the past week, she has talked to several businesses about their experiences...

SIKESTON — In the 15 years David Bizzell has lived in his Sikeston home, he's never been able to see the city's water tower due to the trees in his yard. After the recent winter storm, Bizzell now has a clear view of the tower, which is about five blocks from his house, he said...

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) — Jury selection begins today in the trial of a boy who was 13 when he was charged with killing his Southeast Missouri neighbor. Owen Welty has been in custody since his arrest in late 2006 in the death of 64-year-old Don McCollough near Bloomfield in Stoddard County. The case began Monday in St. Louis County on a change of venue...

Gov. Jay Nixon has proposed cutting $14.6M in funding to the state's University of Missouri Extension Centers. The news has extension center officials concerned about the impact it could have on many programs that they say benefit residents and businesses throughout Missouri. Extension centers run 4-H programs, business and workforce development and other agricultural development initiatives...

The Ponder House, a three-story historic home on the corner of Louisiana Avenue and William Street, was ablaze for more than an hour in Cape Girardeau Monday night. Firefighters remain on the scene. One observer described the scene as "pretty bad" with "a lot of glass breaking and a lot of smoke."Flames were visible on some parts of the building, a private home converted to a bed and breakfast by Cape Girardeau County Commissioner Jay Purcell.He rushed to the scene when alerted to the blaze, but said he was waitng for firefighters to finish their work.. ...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Crews on the ground helping Pemiscot-Dunklin Electric Cooperative rebuild its storm-ravaged system topped 900 on Sunday morning with the cooperative working on an additional 110. As the all-out repair effort continues, power was restored to an additional 100 members on Saturday. In addition, the Caruthersville port facility now has power...

I took this photo in memory of my dad, Jimmy Crader. 01/30/09

KENNETT, Mo. (AP) — A no-frills office building next to agricultural rice paddies has become the nerve center for efforts to restore power to three of the hardest-hit counties in southern Missouri's worst ice storm in memory...

While the arrival of warmer weather has melted the icy remnants from the recent winter storm, it has brought with it high winds that could pose problems in the areas with damaged trees and power lines. On Monday, winds hit between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph. The area is forecast to be hit by more high winds and occasional showers and thunderstorms Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Wednesday's forecast predicts wind gusts as high as 55 mph...

Tootles is a Bichon Frise and loves to play with her toys, go for walks, and go to the park.