Stories from Sunday, March 28, 2010

For 14 years, Cape Girardeau has been working on upgrading the water system to end reliance on the Mississippi River. On Friday, the last piece of the financing needed to complete the job arrived.

Cape Girardeau County and Missouri are ahead of the national average on returning census forms, but some people may have been missed when the questionnaires were mailed and the federal government wants to count those people, too. A second mailing to households that have not returned their forms is due to go out in coming days, said Rich Gerdes, assistant regional Census Bureau manager in Kansas City. ...

Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department officials received a full-color artist's rendering last week of what the new Family Aquatic Center will look like when it is completed this spring. The rendering was provided in electronic format to the city by Markey and Associates Inc. ...

The words "Easter egg hunt" conjure images of children racing across fields of grass, finding colorful eggs scattered about. However, at Saturday's adult Easter egg hunt, the youngest Easter egg hunter was 21 years old. The adult Easter egg hunt was a fundraising event that benefited Southeast Hospice and was hosted by Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to raising funds for health and wellness programs at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

Roy Leighton, a junior at Cape Central High School, powers his way through the water pit on his way to a first place finish during the 2000 meter Steeplechase held at the Gateway Invitational, Washington University, St Loius, MO, Saturaday, March 27, 2010...

When the Cape Girardeau School District went to the public with its facilities planning in spring 2009, many issues were on the table. District officials considered reconfiguring grades, shifting school boundaries and building a new elementary school east of Interstate 55, ideas that gained little traction. During three forums, the community sent strong signals in other areas like projects at the high school and maintaining a neighborhood school with Franklin Elementary...

In light of financial constraints statewide and locally, Southeast Missouri State University is taking another look at its goals. Friday, Dr. Bill Weary, president of Washington, D.C.-based Fieldstone Consulting, met with several campus groups, including Student Government, the Board of Regents and the budget review committee, to revisit the university's strategic plan...

The million-dollar makeover nearly is complete at Cape Jaycee Municipal Golf Course, and what largely remains is for Mother Nature to work her annual spring magic. The 18-hole course has undergone its most dramatic transformation since its creation as a nine-hole course in 1955. ...

Pat and Carey Carter III of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Erin Alicia Carter, to Christopher Lee Pulley. He is the son of Jimmy and Sandra Pulley of Thebes, Ill. Carter is a 1999 graduate of Central High School. She is employed at East Missouri Action Agency...

Mike and Rose Wilson of Rochester Hills, Mich., announce the engagement of their daughter, Gabrielle Wilson, to Anthony Poston, both of San Francisco, Calif. He is the son of Larry and Sharon Poston of Fair Oaks, Calif., formerly of Cape Girardeau. Wilson is a graduate of Michigan State University. She is a product manager at CBS Interactive in San Francisco...

Craig and Denise Lindsey of Huntsville, Ala., announce the engagement of their daughter, Danielle Nicole Lindsey of Cape Girardeau, to Aaron Lee Schneider. He is the son of Dr. H.L. and Brenda Schneider of Cape Girardeau. Lindsey is a 2005 graduate of Ste. Genevieve High School. She expects to receive a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Southeast Missouri State University in December. She is employed at Southeast Missouri Hospital...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- John and Cindy Williams of Morley, Mo., and Stephanie and Steven Pledger of Chaffee announce the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer Rebecca Williams, to Joseph W. Campbell. He is the son of Sue Campbell of Chaffee and Daniel Campbell of Missouri...

Mr. and Mrs. Don Owen of Cape Girardeau will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with a dinner April 4 at the home of a daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Stephen Cardin of Cape Girardeau. Owen and Delores Ellis were married April 4, 1950, in Plainfield, Ind...

Diane Thorne of Jackson announces the engagement of her daughter, Laci Thorne, to Christopher Summers. He is the son of Victoria and Eddie Goodin of Jackson and Gary Summers of Bernie, Mo. Thorne is also the daughter of the late Orval Thorne. Thorne is a 2006 graduate of Jackson High School. She expects to receive a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Southeast Missouri State University in May. She is employed at Southeast Missouri Hospital...

ST. CATHERINE, Egypt -- In the Bible, Moses climbs Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. But he was the chosen one, and I am a mere mortal. Divine intervention seemed unlikely as I stood at the base of the mountain, chilled to the bone at 2 a.m., with only the faint light from a spattering of stars and sliver of moon on the dark rocky terrain...

Whenever governments find themselves in a financial pinch -- most states and the federal government fall into that category -- one of the first responses from many taxpayers is that elected officials should feel the pain as they consider laying off government employees, combining agencies and eliminating programs...

Central Middle School reinstated its afternoon Chess Club this year by popular demand after a year hiatus. Forty-five students signed up. On March 6, the top four chess club players met at Broadway Books and Roasting Co for the tournament to determine the next school champion...

I am working to keep our children healthy for life. Childhood obesity is a troubling problem. With the onset of spring, it is the perfect time to put my plan into action. Help me to educate children to learn healthy food choices. Let's encourage these choices by removing junk food from our homes and using fruits and vegetables as our snacks. ...

The "Republican idea" has once again been vindicated, even though Republicans don't like it. GILBERT DEGENHARDT, Cape Girardeau

NOW that the Democrats have passed the health care bill, we all know we're going to have to pay more taxes to pay for all this. So when do the taxes go up? Do they go in 2010 or do they start going up in January 2011? We're in a recession. That's going to take away more jobs and more people are going to be unemployed. Then the government's going to need more money for more unemployment. Then the taxes will have to go up again. This sounds like a bad spiral...

The motoring public deserves an explanation of the erroneous Missouri Department of Transportation signs on Interstate 55 at exit 102. These signs defy any logic that I can apply to them and would seem to be grossly unfair to the motoring public. This would appear to be the only exit between Memphis and St. ...

This month is the 30th anniversary of Women's History Month in the United States. In Missouri, women veterans have played a crucial role shaping the freedoms we celebrate today. Missouri's women veterans have always answered the call even to the point of disguising themselves as men to serve in the military. ...

CJ is a boxer mix. He is an altered male around 3 years old. He is housebroken and was raised with children. For more information, contact the Humane Society at 334-5837. ...

Dozer is a 6-year-old orange tabby. He loves children. He is neutered and up-to-date on his shots. For more information, contact Safe Harbor at 243-9823. ...

Cape Girardeau residents McKenna Lee and Alexis Johnson of the Apostolic Promise Church beginner Bible quiz team recently placed second at the statewide quiz tournament in Hillsboro, Mo. McKenna was named second place high scorer for the tournament. The coaches for the team are Joan Kaufman and Kathy Lee...

Sean M. Sargent has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Sargent completed an eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. He is the grandson of Don Sargent of Cape Girardeau...

Students at the Perryville Elementary School in Perryville, Mo., set a goal in the beginning of the school year to help their school. In an effort to raise money for improvements to the school's playground, the students collected aluminum soda tabs. ...

Henry J. Franklin of Olive Branch, Ill., recently graduated from the basic field artillery cannon crew member training course at Fort Sill in Lawton, Okla. The course was designed to train Franklin to maintain, prepare and load ammunition for firing; operate and perform operator maintenance on prime movers, self-propelled Howitzers, and ammunition vehicles; store, maintain, and distribute ammunition to using units as a member of battery or battalion ammunition section; perform crew maintenance and participate in organizational maintenance of weapons and related equipment; and establish and maintain radio and wire communications. ...

Lawrence E. Huff of Cairo, Ill., recently graduated from basic military training at the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Huff completed an eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. He is the son of Lawrence Huff of Cairo and Deborah Huff of Cape Girardeau...

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Amen.

When an Illinois birding group visited the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center in September for a migratory bird event, local volunteers began asking one another why there was no similar group in this area. Ellen Hahs is president of the group that was formed a short time later. ...

Centenary United Methodist Church recently donated $2,000 to the new Shelter of Hope, an eight-bed emergency shelter at 320 S. Sprigg St. Pictured from left are Centenary missions chairman Jerry Siemers; Chaplain Terry Wildman of Shelter of Hope; the Rev. Jeff Long, Centenary pastor; and the Rev. Karen Nothdurft, associate pastor...

MONDAY--Chicken bites & bread or ham & cheese on bun, broccoli with cheese sauce, mixed fruit cup, wafer cookie. TUESDAY--Crispito with nacho cheese sauce or turkey & cheese on bun, corn, pears, granola trail mix, cookie. WEDNESDAY--Breaded pork chop with country gravy or turkey & cheese on bun, whipped potatoes, hot roll, cinnamon applesauce...

Firefighters responded to the following calls Thursday:...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWIs...

Esther M. Nussbaum, 97, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, March 27, 2010, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born March 7, 1913, in Dutchtown, the daughter of Arnold E. and Elizabeth L. Koehler Geiser. She and Emil P. Nussbaum were married July 22, 1934, in Cape Girardeau...

Clara V. Cracraft, 93, of Cape Girardeau passed away Friday, March 26, 2010, at the Lutheran Home. She was born Jan. 4, 1917, in Jackson to Jesse and Ida Gerecke Quade. She and W. Howard Cracraft were married Jan. 4, 1936, in Benton, Mo. They had one daughter, Saundra, who preceded them in death March 9, 1968, at the age of 21. Howard passed away March 6, 1979...

On Thursday March 25, 2010 at the age of 90 years, our mother, Hattie Ferne "Hap" Slinkard was called to be with her Lord in heaven. She was born Nov. 25, 1919, in Jackson, a daughter of William Lynn and Alta Idler Hall Allen. She was married to Boyd L. Slinkard on Aug. 13, 1939, and he preceded her in death Dec. 31, 1966...

Ruby E. Sander, 83, of Jackson, passed away Friday, March 26, 2010, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born July 9, 1926, in Tilsit, daughter of Edwin and Emilie Voges Peetz. She and Raymond Sander were married June 18, 1948. He passed away Feb. 22, 1981...

Camille Marie Lyons Matney, 49, of Memphis, Tenn., formerly of Kaskaskia, Ill., died Wednesday, March 24, 2010. She was born April 6, 2010, in Lancaster, Calif. She and Michael Matney were married June 16, 1984. Camille grew up in Kaskaskia and attended school at the Kaskaskia Consolidated Grade School, graduating in 1974. ...

Ruth Jane Sample, 73, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, March 26, 2010, at her home. She was born Jan. 27, 1936, at Patton, Mo., to Harley Andrew and Mettie Mary Grindstaff Pulliam. She married James R. Sample on Feb. 18, 1967. Ruth was a member of the VFW Post 3838 Women's Auxiliary and was also a longtime member of the Festus Women's Auxiliary...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Joan E. Hayden, 72, of Perryville died Saturday, March 27, 2010, at Perry Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation in Perryville. She was born Feb. 20, 1938, in Perry County, Mo., daughter of Edward and Stella Moore Esselman. She was married July 27, 1957, to Harvey H. Hayden...

Evelyn M. Warner, 82, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born March 17, 1928, in St. Louis, to Albert and Clara Welker Warner. Evelyn and James R. Warner were married Sept. 29, 1945, in Cape Girardeau...

Owen Anthony Tuschhoff, infant son of Nathan and Sarah Tuschhoff of Jackson, died at birth Thursday, March 25, 2010, at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in Town & Country, Mo. He is survived by his parents; a sister, Audrey; maternal grandparents, Chris and Sue Owen; paternal grandparents, Terry and Cheryl Tuschhoff, all of Jackson; maternal great-grandparents, Don and Dee Owen of Cape Girardeau; and paternal great-grandmother, Lillie Kraemer of Jackson...

COBDEN, Ill. -- James Ray Sanders, 59, of Cobden died at 6:35 p.m., Thursday, March 25, 2010, at St. Lukes Hospital in Chesterfield, Mo. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Cobden and after 9 a.m. Saturday at New Life Tabernacle Church in Murphysboro, Ill...

ANNA, Ill. -- John Clay Crawford, 88, of Peoria, Ill., formerly of Anna, died Thursday, March 25, 2010, at Bickford Cottages in Peoria. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. The funeral was held Saturday at Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna, with the Rev. Tony Foeller officiating. Burial was in Cana Cemetery at Goreville...

ANNA, Ill. -- Edith Louise Dillow, 92, of Anna died Thursday, March 25, 2010, at Union County Hospital. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Bon Reynolds officiating. Burial will be in Anna Cemetery...

Son to Seth Garrett and Emily Marie Gallimore of Jackson, Saint Francis Medical Center, 12:51 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010. Name, Cameron Glen. Weight, 7 pounds, 15 ounces. First child. Mrs. Gallimore is the former Emily Hutchens, daughter of Kevin Hutchens of South Fulton, Tenn., and Kellie Thayer of Union City, Tenn. Gallimore is the son of Kevin and Ellen Bowden and the late Glen Gallimore of Union City. He is a manager at Applebee's...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Iva M. Surina, 87, of Perryville, formerly of Leawood, Mo., died Saturday, March 27, 2010, at Perry Oaks Nursing Center in Perryville. Visitation will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday at C.E. Boyer & Son Funeral Home in Leawood. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Robert Eggers officiating. Burial will be in Licklider Cemetery, Sullivan, Mo...

ANNA, Ill. -- Steven Roger Schulz, 55, of Anna died Friday, March 26, 2010, at his home in Makanda, Ill. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. Burial and funeral services will be private at a later date...

John T. Mills Sr., 86, of Jackson died Thursday, March 25, 2010, at the Veterans Hospital in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was born Feb. 12, 1924, in Fredericktown, Mo., son of William and Nellie Scott Mills. He and Jane Cook were married Oct. 28, 1945, in Fredericktown...

ANNA, Ill. -- Phares W. Martin, 78, of Anna died Friday, March 26, 2010, at his home. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Pleasant Mennonite Church. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Anna Heights Baptist Church in Anna. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Mennonite Church cemetery...

Always one to avoid fanfare, Verna Lee Landis, who served in Cape Girardeau city government for more than half a century, quietly retired within the last two weeks; for the last 37 years, Landis served as city clerk. A $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to be used toward construction of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority port on the Mississippi River has been approved by the Missouri Department of Economic Development...

ST. LOUIS -- A federal audit has found the state of Missouri overbilled Medicaid by about $20.5 million. At issue is billing for administrative costs in schools associated with services for low-income students or those with disabilities. The audit, released this past week, recommends Missouri refund the money...

GLENALLEN, Mo. -- Dorothy Lela Deck, 92, of Glenallen passed away Thursday, March 25, 2010, at Woodland Hills Nursing Home in Marble Hill, Mo. She was born May 23, 1917, in Wyatt, Mo., daughter of James W. and Mabel Hinton Blackburn. She married Roy M. Deck, who died in 1990...

n The reduction in funding from the United Way of Southeast Missouri received by the Southeast Missouri Chapter of the Red Cross was incorrectly calculated in Friday's paper. The Red Cross recently experienced a 34 percent reduction in the funds it receives from the United Way. The Southeast Missourian regrets the error...

SEARCHLIGHT, Nev. -- Sarah Palin told thousands of tea party activists assembled in the dusty Nevada desert Saturday that Sen. Harry Reid will have to explain his votes when he comes back to his hometown to campaign. The wind whipped U.S. flags behind the former Alaska governor as she stood on a makeshift stage, holding a microphone and her notes and speaking to a cheering crowd. She told them Reid, fighting for re-election, is "gambling away our future."...

BAGHDAD -- The secular challenger who garnered a razor-thin parliamentary election win turned his attention to negotiations over a future government Saturday even as supporters of the prime minister vowed to fight the results. Former prime minister Ayad Allawi won by two seats, but the closeness of the race meant his road to regaining the premiership was anything but guaranteed...

LONDON -- Europe's best known landmarks -- including the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben and Rome's Colosseum -- fell dark Saturday, following Sydney's Opera House and Beijing's Forbidden City in joining a global climate change protest, as lights were switched off across the world to mark the Earth Hour event...

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Aid officials say they have finally figured out where to put hundreds of thousands of Haitians who lost their homes in a cataclysmic earthquake: right back where they came from. Dreams of vast relocation camps have largely evaporated due to a lack of available land. And nobody wants to leave people living in the streets under makeshift tents of plastic and bed sheets with the official May 1 start of the rainy season looming...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Chief engineer Kevin Keith has been chosen to serve as interim director of the Missouri Department of Transportation. Keith has been with the department for 25 years. He will lead the department while officials search for a replacement for director Pete Rahn...

WASHINGTON -- Big changes in the student loan program will help make college more affordable for students and their debt load more manageable after graduation, President Barack Obama said. After a week when the loan program overhaul passed in the shadow of the health care law, the president cited expected benefits for young people: more student lending, caps on those repayments and more money for minority colleges and universities...

According to a release by the Missouri Department of Transportation, northbound Interstate 55 in Scott County from Interstate 57 in Sikeston, Mo., to Highway 77 in Benton, Mo., will be reduced to one lane with a 16-foot width restriction while MoDOT crews perform pavement repairs...

Although Shelter of Hope's building at 320 S. Sprigg is still undergoing renovations, the organization provided lodging to local homeless men for the first time Friday night at a temporary location. After receiving meals at the Salvation Army, local homeless were transported by van to Amazing Grace Worship Center in Gordonville where they stayed overnight, said Terry Wildman, president of Shelter of Hope. ...

Cape Girardeau County and Jackson are among 58 communities and counties in the state awarded grants for energy efficiency projects. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the grants will help pay for projects intended to assist in reducing energy use, cutting down on fossil fuel emissions and creating and retaining jobs, according to a news release Friday from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Depicted here is a close-up of the harbinger of spring, which most of us gladly welcome. Silver maple trees will bloom in spring before most other trees. A reddish tinge surrounding the outer limbs of the tree is visible at quite a distance. The setting sun shining through the limbs of a silver maple in bloom is quite beautiful...

"Who am I?" you ask when you've just lost your job. Along with the loss of your job, you feel you've lost everything. How can you keep feeling worthwhile when your identity is gone? When someone used to ask who you were, you answered, "I'm a nurse or I'm a professional golfer or I'm a secretary." You added your name, but you wanted others to know you were something, besides just a person. Without that title you feel devalued. Now when another person asks your name, you feel like you're nobody...

A while back my wife and I wanted to buy a new DVD player. We wanted a player that was small and had clean lines because it was going to sit out on a shelf and be easily seen. We found a silver DVD player that met all of our criteria, plus it had matched other things on the shelf where it would find its new home. Perfect...

All 15 members of the Lamplighters FCE assembled at the home of Karen Eakers for their March 18 meeting. Karen McLane, president, called the meeting to order. The hostess presented thoughts for the day: "This Natural Instinct" and "My Get-Up and Go"...

It was painful to watch the Republicans make fools of themselves during the House of Representatives debate leading up to Sunday night's vote on health insurance reform legislation. During the time I worked for Senate Republicans 30 years ago, Republican congressional leadership was in the hands of people like Howard Baker, Robert Dole, Mark Hatfield and the man I worked for, Sen. ...

Firefighters responded to the following calls Wednesday:...

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

The Jackson Parks and Recreation Department is holding a Jackson Park Day beginning at 8 a.m. April 24. The Jackson Park Day will be a community cleanup day, and it will start at shelter No. 1 on Parkview Street in the main city park. All participants will receive a T-shirt and lunch that will be served at 11 a.m. Individuals and service groups are welcome. Call Jackson Parks and Recreation at 204-8848 to help on other days or for more information...

All the scores from Friday that were reported to the Southeast Missourian.

All the Southeast scores for Southeast Missouri State from Friday and Saturday.

JUPITER, Fla. -- Brad Penny had enough of his repertoire working to turn in a solid spring start Saturday. The right-hander threw six strong innings to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 3-2 victory over the Florida Marlins. "My breaking ball wasn't as sharp today as I would have liked it, but my splitty was there again. That's huge for me," Penny said...

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team opened its Ohio Valley Conference schedule in wild fashion Saturday in Morehead, Ky. At the end of the day, the Redhawks had to settle for a doubleheader split as their eight-game winning streak came to an end in the nightcap...

Pet name: Lucy Owner: Bethany Preusser Favorite activities: Looking out the window and taking long naps. ...

All the scores from Saturday that were reported to the Southeast Missourian.