Stories from Thursday, March 11, 2010

The Cape Girardeau County Commission during its meeting today unanimously approved two recommendations from a committee regarding salary policy for county employees. First District Commissioner Paul Koeper said that during a March 2 meeting that he attended, a salary committee discussed gathering salary information from other counties that would be used when comparing Cape Girardeau County salaries. ...

The Meadow Heights girls basketball team defeated Bismarck 70-48 to advance to the state quarterfinals on Wednesday night at Park Hills Central High School.

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- A Doniphan man was injured when his mobile home was overturned during a severe thunderstorm Wednesday night that also damaged a business, authorities

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A joint investigation between the Drug Enforcement Agency, SEMO Drug Task Force and Sikeston Department of Public Safety netted five arrests Tuesday. Investigators from the three agencies observed drug transactions by the five individuals, according to a news release from Sgt. Jim McMillen, public information officer with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety.

A St. Louis casino's closing leaves its gaming license up for grabs and reopens the possibility of riverboat gambling in Cape Girardeau.

As trade shows go, this weekend's Missouri Gun and Knife Show is one of the biggest events of the year at the Show Me Center. "It's bigger than the majority of the trade shows," said Show Me Center marketing director Shannon Buford said about the event, which is expected to draw between 6,000 and 8,000 gun and knife enthusiasts for the three days of exhibitions beginning Friday...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Former Missouri House speaker Rod Jetton testified Wednesday before a federal grand jury investigating him on a bribery allegation and denied any connection between political contributions and his handling of legislation.

A business program at Southeast Missouri State University could be the first cut in academic programs as the university works to enhance revenue and reduce costs. University President Dr. Ken Dobbins said the management information systems program will be phased out because of lagging enrollment. He said he will make the recommendation to the Board of Regents at their March 25 meeting along with other ideas to balance the university's budget over the next two years...

Zander watching over Audry as she takes her nap.

St. Paul Lutheran School's preschoolers through 3rd graders have raised over $10,500 to benefit Melaina's Magical Playland! Beginning in mid-October, 2009, these students began saving coins in a special coin box. As their boxes became full, they emptied them in a special container at the school...

A murder case more than 17 years old, a man wrongfully convicted of the crime and a sheriff determined to find the real killer are the essence of Saturday's "48 Hours Mystery" hosted by Erin Moriarty. Moriarty and "48 Hours Mystery" producers began pursuing the Angela Mischelle Lawless murder case more than a year ago after Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, who reopened the case in January 2006, asked the show's producers how he could reach Dutch forensic specialists that were on a previous episode.. ...

My husband Carl too this from our house. The moon was shining through the tree tops. Sort of erie. Thanks, Mary Ann Kagle

Cape Central High School walked away from the District 1 Speech, Debate and Drama tournament at Southeast Missouri State University Saturday with two District Championships in two different categories. The team of Kelsey Martin and Tony Guidos won the Cross-Examination Debate Championship, while Quitman McBride III claimed the District Championship in Humorous Interpretation and also finished second in Storytelling. ...

BENTON, Mo. -- Circuit Court Judge David Dolan approved a change-of-judge motion Wednesday in the felony assault case against former Missouri House speaker Rod Jetton.

Kimberly Crossett said she doesn't plan to cover her newly shaved head with a wig. Crossett, a junior at Jackson High School, put together a team to go under the clippers and raise money for child cancer research. Crossett -- along with her dad, boyfriend and youth minister -- shaved her head for the St. ...

One of the schools that would be upgraded if a proposed $40 million Cape Girardeau School District bond issue is approved next month is Alma Schrader Elementary School. This evening at 6:30 p.m. the school will have an open house marking its 50-year anniversary...

SO many seem to think it is OK to force the working class to support their non-working habits and ability to use services without having to produce. No longer is it "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps" and making sure you worked hard to get someplace. ...

Comfort those, O God, who face serious challenges in their lives. Amen.

March 11 Dear Pat, The St. Louis neighborhood known as Dogtown is not far from Forest Park and the St. Louis Zoo but hides, like many St. Louis neighborhoods, behind the wide concrete chutes that carry much of the city's traffic. I'd only seen Dogtown in the movie "White Palace." I didn't know Dogtown...

SEATTLE -- Governors and education leaders on Wednesday proposed sweeping new school standards that could lead to students across the country using the same math and English textbooks and taking the same tests, replacing a patchwork of state and local systems in an attempt to raise student achievement nationwide...

ISLAMABAD -- Suspected militants armed with assault rifles and a homemade bomb attacked the offices of a U.S.-based Christian aid group helping earthquake survivors in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, killing six Pakistani employees, police and the organization said...

Hazel E. Fiehler, 92, went to meet her heavenly father Monday, March 8, 2010, at Chateau Girardeau Nursing Center. She was born June 6, 1917, in Whitewater, to Leo and Nancy Proffer Steckler. She and the Rev. Fred E. Kelley were married Oct. 1, 1936...

Wanda M. Brown, 78, of Jackson passed away Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at her home. She was born Oct. 1, 1931, in Oak Ridge, daughter of Oscar and Anna Hahs Schweer. Wanda worked for Missouri Barge Line in Cape Girardeau 15 years, and at Ryan's Family Steak House in Cape Girardeau from its opening until April, retiring due to failing health...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Adam Lee Propst, 23, of Advance passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2010, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Cape Girardeau. He was born Jan. 28, 1987, in Poplar Bluff, Mo., son of Ray Propst and Sharon Stclair. Adam worked at Schabbing Cattle Farm in Cape Girardeau and at Jon Berry Stables near Advance. He was a 2006 graduate of Advance High School...

Leroy L. Johnston, 90, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at his home. He was born Sept. 6, 1919, in Fairdealing, Mo., son of Otis R. and Lilly Collins Johnston. After Lilly's death, his father married Ida Mae Seabaugh, who became his stepmother when he was 6 years old. He and Mary Joeann Biri were married Aug. 2, 1941...

Freeman Delbert Williams, 82, of Jackson, formerly of Manila, Ark., and Dexter, Mo., passed away Sunday, March 7, 2010, in Cape Girardeau. He was born in Beach Grove, Ark., son of Roy and Mamie Harvel Williams. He had lived in Jackson the past 11 years...

Adalinda Enderle Loos, 85, of Jackson died Tuesday, March 9, 2010. She was born Feb. 28, 1925, at Kelso, Mo., daughter of the late Michael and Johanna Bles Enderle. She and Charles Loos were married Oct. 8, 1949. He preceded her in death Nov. 20, 1989...

Ellen K. Popp, 59, of Jackson passed away Saturday, March 6, 2010, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born June 18, 1950, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Carl and Bernice Aufdenberg Schaper. Ellen was a longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson and had been employed by Rapco-Horizon Co. 25 years...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Robert A. "Bob" Lukefahr, 88, of Perryville died Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born Sept. 13, 1921, in St. Louis, son of the late Harry and Edna Lukefahr Lukefahr. He and Mary Vessells were married Dec. 25, 1941. She preceded him in death Nov. 19, 1983...

Son to Gregory Louis and Lisa Lynn Kuntz of St. Louis, St. John's Mercy Medical Center, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010. Name, Nicholas Joseph. Weight, 7 pounds, 10 ounces. Third child, second son. Mrs. Kuntz is the former Lisa Maune, daughter of Kevin and Jolyn Maune of Villa Ridge, Mo. She is a civil engineer with Missouri Department of Transportation in St. Louis. Kuntz is the son of Edwin and Gabriela Kuntz of Cape Girardeau. He is a bridge designer with HDR Engineering Inc. in St. Louis...

The president of Clemson University, former Cape Girardean Dr. Bill L. Atchley, says he has resigned as president because the school's board of trustees wouldn't support him in efforts to make changes that would correct problems that have plagued Clemson's athletic programs over the past 10 years...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City school board voted Wednesday night to close nearly half the district's schools in a bid to stay afloat. The board's 5-4 decision came after parents and community leaders made final pleas for the district not to shut down 29 out of 61 schools as it seeks to erase a projected $50 million budget shortfall...

ST. LOUIS -- President Barack Obama drew a large crowd and landed big bucks for Democrats during a St. Louis fundraiser Wednesday. Several hundred people attended a $2,400-per-guest cocktail reception and presidential dinner at a downtown hotel, with premier seating going to couples who raised $50,000. About 800 people secured spots for a $25 donation to a "grassroots reception" that organizers said also sold out...

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Corey Mann of Scott City juggles devil sticks on a warm Wednesday afternoon at the Cape Girardeau riverfront. ...

If you find something that's slippery, sticky and green at your house, it could be a sign that the children are doing some cool science -- or maybe your leprechaun is sick. STEP 1: Dissolve eight tablespoons of borax into one quart of warm water and add a few drops of green food coloring...

Scholarships Honors, achievements -- From staff reports...

United Way of Southeast Missouri is accepting applications from local not-for-profit organizations providing emergency food or shelter programs. United Way recently received $38,126 through the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency. ...

The dinner theaters put on by the River City Players usually appear as a distinct jewel in the active Cape Girardeau theater scene. The group puts together the set, secures a tasty buffet and provides the entertainment. Because this show is during Lent, they even offer fish on the Friday buffet this time...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Making fast-paced Missouri play Nebraska's brand of basketball was all it took to create a major upset in the Big 12 tournament. The 12th-seeded Huskers, who already had lost twice to the fifth-seeded Tigers, played perhaps their best game of the season and shocked Missouri with an early 16-1 spree en route to a 75-60 victory in the first round Wednesday...

Allyson Bradshaw shied away from a leadership role on Notre Dame's 2008-09 girls basketball team. This season the 5-foot-7 junior point guard has embraced the role, and it's made all the difference. "Allyson has really stepped up to a leadership role," Notre Dame coach Renee Peters said. "She's gifted and a strong athlete. When you look at her you see someone who wants to make her teammates better and who wants to win."...

After what transpired in Wednesday's top of the ninth inning, it would have been easy for the Southeast Missouri State baseball team to collectively say "here we go again." A two-out grand slam by Missouri State's Aaron Conway that tied the contest certainly was depressing for the Redhawks...

The Southeast Missouri State softball team snapped a five-game losing streak Wednesday with a win in its home opener. Southeast scored a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to beat visiting Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne 4-3. The Redhawks improved to 5-7 while IPFW fell to 6-7...

JUPITER, Fla. -- This type of outing was what St. Louis was hoping for when it signed Brad Penny to a $7.5 million, one-year contract in the offseason. Penny threw four shutout innings to help the Cardinals beat the winless Washington Nationals 6-4 on Wednesday...

The foundation for Meadow Heights' harassing defense started being laid after the Panthers suffered a thrashing eight or nine years ago.

NEW YORK -- A troublingly high number of U.S. patients who are given angiograms to check for heart disease turn out not to have a significant problem, according to the latest study to suggest Americans get an excess of medical tests. The researchers said the findings suggest doctors must do better in determining which patients should be subjected to the cost and risks of an angiogram. ...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI Southeast Missouri State University The Southeast Missouri State University Department of Public Safety released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt...

When Karynn Johnson steps onto the dance floor at her senior prom, she won't have to worry that any of her classmates will be wearing the same dress. She knows her hot pink tulle and satin dress will be unique because she's designing and making it herself...

n In a story in Wednesday's edition about the Wilderness Outcry, a quote attributed to event host Jerry Murphy should have said "This is not political or denominational, it's about God's people coming together, seeking his face and asking him to heal our land."...

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A $14.3 million federal grant will help Washington University in St. Louis expand a data center used to identify the genetic origins of cancer. The university says the project is expected to speed up the pace of genomics-based discoveries. The center's computers store data used to identify the genetic origins of cancer and other diseases...

SEATTLE (AP) -- Governors and education leaders on Wednesday proposed sweeping new school standards that could lead to students across the country using the same math and English textbooks and taking the same tests, replacing a patchwork of state and local systems in an attempt to raise student achievement nationwide...

The annual Ruth A. Buckhannon Memorial RN Scholarship will be awarded to a 2010 graduating senior of any public high school in Scott County who plans to be a registered nurse. The scholarship is $4,000. For applications and guidelines, call the Chaffee High School counselor, Brandi Ritter, at 573-887-3226. Application deadline is April 22...

Students from 22 schools competed in the regional speech, debate and theater tournament at Southeast Missouri State University on Friday and Saturday. Regional winners progress to the statewide competition held next month in Columbia, Mo.

John Lichtenegger believes the time is right for an expansion of Pioneer Orchard subdivision. After a lull for most of 2009 in new lots purchased in his 109-lot development in Jackson, Lichtenegger, who owns Missouri Lakes LLC with his son Brent, said business has increased once again. Since late fall about 12 lots have been sold, leaving 10 available for sale since the development off Pioneer Orchard Road was established six years ago...

The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Theft...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Kansas City school officials promised Thursday to shut down nearly half the district's schools by the start of classes in the fall without offering details of how they intend to implement the complicated plan in just a matter of months.