Stories from Thursday, August 6, 2009

BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County commissioners hope a meeting scheduled for next week will result in a solution to a water supply problem. During their regular meeting Tuesday, commissioners approved a letter inviting Ellen Brandom, 160th District's state representative and officials from the county's rural Public Water Supply District No. 4, Public Water Supply District No. 1, the city of Morehouse, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and Missouri Department of Natural Resource...

Phone service was restored this morning at Notre Dame Regional High School, school technology director Jeff Worley wrote in a email to the Southeast Missourian. The phone system had been off line since Tuesday evening, but the school had remained open. The school can be reached by calling its regular line at 335-6772...

The Missouri Department of Transportation and Cape Girardeau are working to eliminate access from Timon Way to Highway 177 to increase safety.

Emergency management and city officials are counting their blessings after Tuesday's thunderstorms caused only minor damage.

Dr. Jim Welker, superintendent of the Cape Girardeau School District, will be the guest speaker at the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee.

A trial date has been set in the case of Max Ellison, a former sheriff's deputy charged with the 1979 murder of Deborah L. Martin.

16-1/2 lb catfish caught by Willam Dillard of 704 Riverbend Road.

One of the most intense fires recently witnessed by Jackson firefighters gutted a home Wednesday morning.

Aunt Sara & Regan on her first fishing trip.

ALTENBURG, Mo. -- Photographs of landscapes, farm animals and flowers started their journey to Germany on Wednesday to open the lines of communication between the old and new Altenburg. Students from Altenburg's public and private schools attended a photography workshop in May 2008 with Dr. ...

Statewide Sales Tax Holiday runs Aug. 7-9 JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- State Rep. Steve Hodges, D-East Prairie, is encouraging area residents to take advantage of Missouri's annual Sales Tax Holiday, which begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 7 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 9...

On August 2, CrossRoads Fellowship hosted over 300 members of local churches for a Sing Out For Hunger. This special event was organized to raise money for the Jackson Ministerial Alliance food pantry. A huge thank you goes to the musicians who shared their time and talents to help raise over $1500 and a trailer full of canned food for this event. A debt of gratitude is owed to the pastors of the ministerial alliance and all who attended and supported this first annual Sing Out For Hunger...

For Immediate Release: August 6, 2009 Contact : Viney Mosley Phone : 573 339 1053 home Museum: 573 334 0405 Meet and Greet the author reception August 21, 2009 5pm- 7pm Cape River Heritage Museum. The wine and cheese reception includes an opportunity to purchase books with...

Luke Bryan can try to sing rock songs, but with his Georgia accent they end up sounding country anyway. "It's safe to say I'm country, and that's kind of just the way it is," Bryan said in a phone interview from somewhere in upstate Michigan. Bryan and his bus will travel south to play at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo, where fans can expect "a fun up-tempo show" without a lot of ballads, he said. "We just get up there and have fun."...

Start you child's Soccer career with this fun class. Start Smart Soccerl prepares children (ages 3-5) for organized soccer in a fun environment without the threat of competition or the fear of getting hurt. Parents will work with their child on many different skills. Each child will receive a Start Smart T-Shirt. Register at the A. C. Brase Arena Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Call 339-6340 for more information...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- The magical summer for Jackson's Senior Babe Ruth baseball team fell agonizingly short of an ultimate prize. With a Senior Babe Ruth World Series berth on the line, Minnesota beat Jackson 6-3 in eight innings Wednesday in the finals of the Midwest Plains Regional...

Recent discussions by Cape Girardeau officials indicate some major changes in solid waste collection may be coming. There appear to be two advantages of the proposed new system: more efficient service and a shift to citywide recycling. Trash fees went up 5 percent this year. And recycling has been on a voluntary basis...

Dear Public Service Commissioners: This e-mail was written to address my profound disappointment at a public company (AmerenUE) that would ask for a rate increase under the present economic conditions. The Public Service Commission should not even consider a rate increase for the following reasons:...

Bad idea; Saving energy?; Jackson bill; Unreliable info; Keep the jobs; Good program; Local fluff

OGod, we rely on you for our strength to face whatever this day has in store. Amen.

At Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri, we support comprehensive health-care reform that will rein in the cost of health care for everyone, improve the quality and safety of care and ensure all Americans have health insurance...

BURBANK, Calif. -- Two American journalists held captive in North Korea since March endured meals of rice with rocks, more than four months of isolation and the constant fear they would be sent to a gulag. Facing sentences of 12 years' hard labor, they were allowed only sporadic contact with each other, let alone the outside world. ...

NEW YORK -- A common treatment that uses medical cement to fix cracks in the spinal bones of elderly people worked no better than a sham treatment, the first rigorous studies of the popular procedure reveal. Pain and disability were virtually the same up to six months later, whether patients had a real treatment or a fake one...

LOS ANGELES -- If Paula Abdul's abrupt Twitter announcement that she's quitting "American Idol" is a contract negotiating ploy, it's a spectacular one. If not, she's potentially blown a hole in TV's top-rated show -- and rejected an eight-figure deal that represented a 30 percent raise, according to a person familiar with the talks. The person, lacking authority to speak publicly, asked not to be identified...

TEHRAN, Iran -- Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was sworn in to a second presidential term Wednesday with a call for the divided nation to "join hands," but it was greeted by protests in the streets and snubs inside Iran's parliament. The oath-taking ceremony capped a cycle of outrage over claims of massive fraud in the June 12 elections and moved Iran into a new phase: a weakened leadership facing a wider opposition that includes powerful clerics and internal splits among conservatives...

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

With the nation's economy still struggling, more families are in need of assistance to put dinner on the table each evening. For Jackson residents having difficulty making ends meet, help is only a few blocks away. The Jackson Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry -- at the First Baptist Church in Jackson -- serves the needs of residents within the Jackson school district. The not-for-profit organization is run completely by volunteers, who distribute food and groceries to families in need...

Entertainment options for the week.

LOS ANGELES -- "A Perfect Getaway" is essentially one big red herring, flopping around on an idyllic Hawaiian beach, desperately trying to call attention to itself. Everyone's a suspect and no one's a suspect, and writer-director David Twohy's raison d'etre with this thriller -- aside from jolting us, of course -- is to mess with our brains and keep us guessing until he reveals his Big Twist. ...

WASHINGTON -- Having trouble paying your mortgage? To find out if you qualify for a loan modification, you'll have to work with a loan servicer -- the company that collects your mortgage payments. But dealing with these companies can be frustrating and confusing, said Diane Thompson, a lawyer with the National Consumer Law Center in Boston...

WASHINGTON -- Billions of dollars the government is spending to help financially pressed homeowners avert foreclosure are passing through -- and enriching -- companies accused of preying on the people they're supposed to help, an Associated Press investigation has found...

Weather keeps phones out at Notre Dame Phone service to Notre Dame Regional High School was not working by the end of business Wednesday. Notre Dame technology director Jeff Worley said phone service was disrupted Tuesday when contractors were moving utilities and work was halted due to the weather. ...

Cape Girardeau: Arrests; Summonses; Theft; Burglary; Property damage; Miscellaneous; Jackson: Summonses; Miscellaneous

Sunday's Good Times calendar should not have listed a Teacher Appreciation Event on Friday at Main Street Flooring in Jackson. No such event will be held.

25 years ago: Aug. 6, 1984 Although Secretary of State James Kirkpatrick is predicting a near-record turnout statewide, Cape Girardeau County probably won't have a particularly high number of voters in tomorrow's primary election, says County Clerk Rodney Miller...

On Aug. 28, a new state law will require law enforcement agencies to make audio recordings of all their interviews with suspects they've arrested on specific charges. Local authorities say that while they do generally try to record those types of interviews when serious crimes such as murder and rape are involved, they must work on revising their policies to accommodate the new law...

The Plaza Tire Capahas find themselves in an early hole during their 28th consecutive National Baseball Congress World Series appearance in Wichita, Kan. Plaza Tire lost its tournament opener Wednesday, 9-2 against the Hays (Kan.) Larks. The Capahas (20-11), who had a four-game winning streak snapped, fell into the losers bracket of the double-elimination event. They'll try to stay alive when they play the Game Time (La.) Rockies at 10:30 a.m. today...

The Southeast Missouri State gymnastics program again is tops in the country when it comes to academics. It was announced Wednesday that the Redhawks earned the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women National Academic Team Championship for the third straight year...

NEW YORK -- Jonathon Niese wound up doing the splits while trying to cover first base, went to the mound to throw a practice pitch and collapsed in pain from a season-ending hamstring tear Wednesday. Another game, another injury for the New York Mets...

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Rams will retire the No. 75 worn by Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones during the team's home opener Sept. 27. The Rams host Green Bay in the first regular season home game for the 2009 season. The team earlier had announced plans to retire the number but didn't announce when until Tuesday...

ST. LOUIS -- New Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo wanted an intense training camp and he's got one -- almost too intense. On Wednesday, second-year linebacker Chris Chamberlain hit running back Steven Jackson's knee while making a tackle. Fortunately for the Rams, Jackson was OK...

TRENTON, N.J. -- The swine flu pandemic is spurring makers of seasonal flu vaccines to ship them to the U.S. market well ahead of schedule, and supplies are tightening as distributors and others snap up vaccine vials. The top U.S. supplier of flu vaccine, Sanofi Pasteur, stopped taking orders for 10-dose vials of Fluzone, which make up about 60 percent of its production, June 19, spokesman Len Lavenda said Wednesday...

WASHINGTON -- The popular "cash for clunkers" program may be a well-timed shot of adrenaline for the economy, but it's not a prescription for lasting recovery. The federal rebates of up to $4,500 to drivers who trade in a gas guzzler for a more fuel-efficient vehicle are steering cash to car dealers, giving a boost to troubled automakers and generating much-needed sales taxes for cities...

KENNETT, Mo. -- Charges were filed Tuesday against a local man who allegedly shot another Kennett man in the chest Monday evening. According to Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen P. Sokoloff, Danny Curlett, 47, is facing charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action. Both charges carry a penalty of up to life in prison...

Aug. 6, 2009 Dear Pat, Tom is a health-care professional who first tried crack a couple of years ago, just to see what it feels like. He liked the way it made him feel. Soon he was spending $100 for some weekend fun. Except the places he went to buy and smoke crack weren't anything like the family recreation room. ...

August seems to be a time for action: Schools and concert series starting back up, new shows planned and another month of new art hanging around town. Friday will again be the First Friday Art Walks. This will be the last weekend to see the "Equity: Selections from the Permanent Collection" at the Crisp Museum. ...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Rev. Edward Payson Nichols Jr., 65, died Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, at The Neighborhoods at Quail Creek in Springfield, where he had resided since 2006. Nichols was born July 23, 1944, in Corpus Christi, Texas, where his father was stationed as a U.S. Marine Corps flight instructor...

Emma L. Quade Pedersen, 73, of Springfield, Mo., passed away peacefully Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009, at her home after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family. She was born Dec. 13, 1935, in Gordonville. She and Richard L. Pedersen were married March 16, 1957...

Howard G. Brown, 78, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, at his home. He was born Dec. 25, 1930, in Mississippi County, Mo., son of John W. and Ida Forsythe Brown. Howard and Helen Lober were married Jan. 2, 1954, in Charleston, Mo. She died July 22, 2006...

PAINTON, Mo. -- Roy William Friedrich Sr., 89, of California, Mo., went home to be with his lord Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City, Mo. Roy was born Nov. 11, 1919, near Painton, son of Wilheim "William" Heinrich George and Esther Daisy Kelso Friedrich...

ORAN, Mo. -- Paul Edward Neal, 74, of Oran died Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born Jan. 4, 1935, in Oran, son of Benjamin Frank and Estelle Gertrude Fowler Neal. He and Jean Carter were married March 9, 1955. She died May 24, 2003...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Virginia "Ginny" Halter, 75, of Perryville died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, in Cape Girardeau. She was born June 10, 1934, in St. Louis, daughter of Henry and Helen Renner Bohnert. She married Hubert Halter on May 15, 1954, at Biehle, Mo...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Roy Busch Mowry, 72, of Perryville died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, at Perry Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to service time today at Young and Sons Funeral Home. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at the funeral home, with the Rev. Dennis Cebulak officiating. Burial will be in Home Cemetery...

Jessie Della Clippard, 89, of Jackson died Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, at Monticello House. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery...

Gregg Douglas August, 47, of Sandy, Utah, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, at his home. He is formerly of Scott City. Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City is in charge of arrangements.

WASHINGTON -- The Senate is poised to add $2 billion to the popular "cash-for-clunkers" program after lawmakers agreed to vote on the government car incentives and give shoppers until Labor Day to visit their local dealerships and make a deal. Administration officials have estimated the tripling of the $1 billion program could fund an additional 500,000 new car sales, giving automakers a late summer boost after months of ragged sales. ...

NEW YORK -- Shoppers -- worried about job security and finding fewer options among the sales bins -- remained tight-fisted in July, resulting in sluggish sales for many merchants and raising concern about the back-to-school shopping season's health...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri transportation officials have approved rail projects costing about $200 million that they hope to pay for with federal stimulus money. The Highways and Transportation Commission on Wednesday added the 11 rail projects to its five-year construction plan. ...

DETROIT -- None of the six most-popular midsize sedans earned a top rating in bumper safety in the latest crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Mazda 6 was the only car to receive an "acceptable" rating -- one rating below "good," the top rating -- based on the average cost to repair front, rear and corner bumpers following a 6 mph crash...

First Friday receptions for August.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A year after it broke ground, Orgill's Mid-America SuperCenter in Sikeston began shipping goods.