Stories from Sunday, July 25, 2010

The Cape Girardeau Ford & Sons Post 63 American Legion baseball team was understandably disappointed with its performance to open the Zone 4 tournament. Cape bounced back Saturday afternoon by routing American Veterans 19-6 in a losers bracket game of the five-team, double-elimination event at Capaha Field...

More than 5,000 AmerenUE customers were without electricity at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Several traffic lights on Broadway and businesses in the downtown district were reported to have no electricity.

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Marble Hill residents will decide Aug. 3 whether they want to eliminate city real estate and personal property taxes in favor of a half-cent city sales tax. The Marble Hill Board of Aldermen began discussing in February the possibility of putting the matter to a vote as a means of increasing city revenue. On May 18, the board unanimously voted to make it official...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A Sikeston teen is dead after being hit by a truck early Saturday morning. Around 5:50 a.m. the Sikeston Department of Public Safety was notified of the incident, which occurred in front of 908 Westview Drive in the Hunter Acres subdivision...

With the August primary approaching, the number of political signs dotting the landscape is increasing and those signs are not always where they are supposed to be. Tim Morgan, director of inspection services for Cape Girardeau, said political signs can only be on private property. ...

About 300 people ran through Kiwanis Park on Saturday to raise money for children's cancer research on what would have been Sahara Aldridge's 16th birthday. The Hoops for Life 5K Run raised about $5,000 in honor of Aldridge, whose nickname was "Hoops" and who died in 2007 at age 13 after battling brain stem cancer for 17 months.

For the past week two Jackson boys have been in Akron, Ohio, meeting derby racers from around the world at the 73rd annual All-American Soap Box Derby Championships. Hayden Shovan, 9, and Nicholas Moore, 12, each won their qualifying race in Cape Girardeau last month, giving them the chance to participate in Saturday's single elimination race in Ohio...

Floating down the canal in Costa Rica, we were reminded how we are just to busy to smell the roses.

Our rooster and hen on wheel barrow.

My daughter's new kitty, Marvin.

Ever wonder where a chocolate Lab get their color now you know sunning on a raft with their owner.

My cat Miss Sniff looks so cute with her fluffy face. She is 3 yrs old and loves to run through the house with her mouse toy.

The construction of cancer centers for Cape Girardeau's two hospitals are either on schedule or close to it. An $84 million expansion at Saint Francis Medical Center to house a new Cancer Institute and Heart Hospital will open on schedule in the summer of 2011...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Tim and Germaine Cannon of Chaffee announce the engagement of their daughter, Amanda A. Cannon, to Brad J. McKlin. He is the son of Jamie and Shirley McKlin of Advance, Mo. Cannon is a 2002 graduate of Chaffee High School. She is customer service manager at Walmart Supercenter...

Penny Estes-Ressel and Patrick and Cheryl Ressel of Kelso, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Megan JoAnn Ressel, to Benjamin Alton Sample. He is the son of Richard and Dawn Sample of Cape Girardeau. Ressel received a bachelor of science degree in mass communications-public relations from Southeast Missouri State University in 2007. She is employed with State Farm Insurance - Nick Hogan...

Richard and Kathleen Hartmann of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Molly K. Hartmann, to Christopher Bachkora. He is the son of Charles and Patricia Bachkora of Olathe, Kan. Hartmann is a 2004 graduate of Jackson High School. She received a bachelor of arts degree in middle school education with science certification, from St. Louis University in 2009. She will be employed at Xavier Elementary School in Leavenworth, Kan...

Jane Meyr and Marty Willis of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Kelly Willis, to Jonathan Carrico, both of Louisville, Ky. He is the son of Robert and Ruth Carrico of Louisville. Willis is a 2008 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. She is employed at the University of Louisville School of Medicine...

Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. Montgomery III of Sikeston, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Julianna Christine Montgomery, to Joshua Engram Ford. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Ford of Cape Girardeau. Montgomery is a 2003 graduate of Sikeston High School, and a 2007 graduate of the University of Missouri where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. ...

STURDIVANT, Mo. -- Jonette Strothcamp of Sturdivant announces the engagement of her daughter, Cassie LeAnne Strothcamp, to Garrett Wayne Garner. He is the son of Rick and Brenda Garner of Greenbriar, Mo. Strothcamp is a 2006 graduate of Zalma High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in finance from Arkansas State University in 2010...

Greg Phillips and Debbie Phillips of Scott City announce the engagement of their daughter, Tara Nichole Phillips, to Robert Darren Lincoln. He is the son of Lynn Lincoln and Vicky Martin of Chaffee, Mo. Phillips is a 1999 graduate of Scott City High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in health management from Southeast Missouri State University in 2004. She is employed by American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region...

McCLURE, Ill. -- Mr. and Mrs. Duane Kinsey of McClure celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a dinner July 24, 2010, at Giant City Lodge in Makanda, Ill. Hosts were their children. Kinsey and Marilyn Powell were married July 23, 1950, at First United Methodist Church in Centralia, Ill. The Rev. C. Kenneth Powell, brother of the bride, performed the ceremony...

Mr. and Mrs. Phill Craft of Jackson celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary June 25, 2010, with a renewal of vows and dinner party in Las Vegas, Nev. The trip and celebration was a gift from their children, highlighted by the outdoor ceremony at Chapel of the Flowers. The ceremony was held at the same time of day and same day of the week as their original ceremony. Their children and grandson were their attendants...

Mr. and Mrs. Cleve Jolly of Cape Girardeau recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. An afternoon reception was held at Chateau Girardeau, where they are residents. The event was hosted by friends from their church, Maple United Methodist...

MONDAY--Chicken strips, tater tots, banana. TUESDAY--Cheese quesadillas, green beans, mixed fruit. WEDNESDAY--Hamburger, oven fries, pears. THURSDAY--Taco, tomato & lettuce, peaches. FRIDAY--Turkey sandwich, pickle, chips, orange...

The only statewide issue on the Aug. 3 ballot is Proposition C, a referendum proposed by the Missouri Legislature that would, if passed, send a strong message to Congress and President Obama regarding mandates in the new federal health care act that require everyone to purchase insurance and impose fines for failure to do so...

President Obama signed his financial reform bill into law Wednesday and in attendance were CEOs from three of the biggest recipients of taxpayer money: Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase and Goldman Sachs. Why would they now support a bill which could threaten their companies' futures?...

By Carl Bearden On Aug. 3, all eyes in the nation will turn toward Missouri as voters in the Show Me State become the first anywhere to cast a ballot concerning the federal health care plan foisted upon them. A yes vote on Proposition C -- the Health Care Freedom Act -- will tell the nation that Missourians have looked at this expensive, ill-conceived and unhealthy measure and reject it...

SOMEONE said seniors had saved for their retirement and now are being made to pay for all these government programs. A lot of seniors voted for the president, and now our country's on the verge of bankruptcy. What happens when a country goes broke? Their money is worthless. If you think things are tough now, you haven't seen anything yet...

By Herb B. Kuhn It's usually a bad idea to make a decision without all the facts. That's why before you vote on Proposition C on Aug. 3, you may want to learn more about its potential consequences. Your head and your heart may disagree on the measure...

By Jack H. Knowlan Sr. Recently I listened to an interview by CNN with renowned Harvard economist Niall Ferguson, who stated, "Red ink flows out of control. We must reduce spending and increase taxes." I couldn't agree more. Ferguson did not mention the $10.3 trillion trade deficit, so I will give a brief comment on it. ...

The Eastern American toad must surely be an intimidating sight to any insect that gets too close. The species is common throughout most of its range, which extends from much of eastern Canada down North America's East Coast to North Carolina and west as far as eastern Oklahoma and North Dakota...

SIKESTON -- Helen York knows flowers can instantly brighten someone's day. And that's what she and her staff at Helen's Florist did Monday, as they delivered 48 arrangements to 10 locations including Sikeston and Miner nursing facilities and the hospital to observe Teleflora's "Make Someone Smile Week," which wraps up on Saturday...

One of the boys in our neighborhood was carrying a piece of wood not long ago. "What are you doing?" I said. "Making a bow and arrow," he replied. The boy did not know that he was talking to a person who owns two bows -- one recurve, the other compound. Although it has been awhile, I've shot targets with some small degree of accomplishment. I've also shot at deer and turkeys, with no success...

Crown Hospice recently certified eight volunteers to care for patients in Bollinger and Wayne counties. Each volunteer had to complete 16 hours of training to become certified. Training includes topics such as listening, communication skills, hospice philosophy and the grief journey. ...

Lacey is a 3-year-old white short-haired cat. She is friendly and would make a good companion. Lacey has been spayed and is up-to-date on shots. For more information, contact Safe Harbor at 243-9823.

Mufasa is a 5-month-old pointer mix with a sweet disposition. For more information, contact the Humane Society at 334-5837.

Army National Guard Pvt. Joseph R. Mendoza has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, he studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises. ...

Jacie Pattengill spent a day in her summer vacation raising money for volunteer programs in Southeast Missouri. Pattengill sold chocolate chip cookies, Gatorade, lemonade and fruit punch at the 12th annual RSVP/VIC Golf Tournament on July 16 at the Cape Jaycees Golf Course. ...

We will praise you and thank you, O God, for all your blessings and compassion. Amen.

The Rev. Barron Willer may be new to pastoring at Maple United Methodist Church, but his roots in Cape Girardeau run deep. He was born in Cape Girardeau and lived in Southeast Missouri until he was 13 when his family moved. Willer returned for college at Southeast Missouri State University, moved away again and recently returned to be the pastor at Maple United Methodist. ...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A mosquito-borne virus that has not been seen in Kansas and is rare in Missouri has shown up in Kansas City, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The La Crosse virus landed an 8-year-old boy in the hospital for a week last August with meningitis. The case is described in a CDC journal released Friday...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Eugene J. Gene Biler Jr., 82, of Chaffee died Saturday, July 24, 2010. He was born May 15, 1928, at Lilbourn, Mo., to Eugene and Luella Thompson Biler. Gene attended St. Mary's School and graduated from Chaffee High School in 1946. ...

BETHLEHEM, N.Y. -- A prosecutor has decided to drop charges against a man who chased and tackled a 14-year-old boy who rang his doorbell in a late-evening prank. Daniel Van Plew of Bethlehem had been arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child after the July 17 incident...

Elizabeth Anne "Betty" Fulgham, 85, of Haskell, Okla., died Thursday, July 8, 2010, at her home. She was born Jan. 6, 1925, in Haskell, daughter of Leonard L. and Ethel Phelps Lawson. She and Sterling Fulgham were married June 16, 1946. Betty was a 1943 graduate of Haskell High School. She and her husband operated Haskell Hardware Store until his death in 1977...

LaWanda L. Verhines, 87, of Cape Girardeau (affectionately known as "Nan Nan") died Thursday, July 22, 2010, at Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Sept. 23, 1922, in Cape Girardeau County, to William and Minnie Niemier Kimmich. She and Kenneth A. Verhines were married June 6, 1942, in Cape Girardeau. He died Oct. 9, 1996...

Ruby M. Roe, 81, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, July 24, 2010, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born July 28, 1928, at Lake City, Ark., to Leslie H. and Emma Irene Osburn Jacobs. She and Charles Joseph Graff were married in 1945 in Scott County, Mo. He preceded her in death in 1952. She then married William R. LeGrand in 1955...

Donald G. Merideth, 57, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, July 22, 2010, at Saint Francis Medical Center. He was born Sept. 12, 1952, in Matthews, Mo., son of the late Owen and Dorothy Menz Merideth. He and Denise Wilson-Findley were married Aug. 31, 1996...

Mary Louise Perryman, 81, passed away Wednesday, July 21, 2010, at Life Care Center in Cape Girardeau, where she had lived the past 10 years. She was a former resident of Maple Crest Manor. She was born March 31, 1929, in Tampa, Fla., to Elmer and Hazel Hale Farrar...

Steven Thomas, age 30, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Scott City, died Friday, July 23, 2010, in the emergency room at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born in Chaffee, Mo., to Steve and Trish Harris Thomas, who survive, of Cape Girardeau...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Letty L. Bess, 94, of Advance died Saturday, July 24, 2010, at the home of her daughter in Advance. She was born Feb. 8, 1916, in McGee, Mo., the daughter of Noah and Martha Whitener Shell. She married Clarence Dellinger, who preceded her in death. Later she married Erby Vanmatre, who preceded her, and then Evert Bess, who also preceded her in death...

Deloris Hager Statler, 68, formerly of Scott City died Wednesday, July 21, 2010, in Troy, Mich. She was born Oct. 5, 1941, in Scott City, to James Talbert and Eurcie Lee Rogers Hager. She and K. Don Statler were married July 13, 1963, in Cape Girardeau...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Bernard J. Ruch, 61, of Perryville died Friday, July 23, 2010, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday and from 6:30 a.m. until time of service Tuesday at Young and Sons Funeral Home in Perryville...

Son to John Andrew and Brittany Nicole Killian of Scott City, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 3:55 p.m. Friday, July 16, 2010. Name, John Tyler. Weight, 5 pounds, 6 ounces. Second child, first son. Mrs. Killian is the former Brittany Moss, daughter of John and Pam Busey of Jackson and Dennis and Jessica Moss of Trenton, Ill. She is employed at National Asset Recovery Services. Killian is the son of Rob and Cindy Killian of Scott City. He is employed at Gourmet Foods...

ORAN, Mo. — Bessie Kraus, 96, of Oran died Saturday, July 24, 2010, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Oran.

Charles J. "Onie" Rogers, 88, of Scott City died Saturday, July 24, 2010, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

Dorothy T. Steedman Otto, 90, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, July 24, 2010, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Ford and Sons Funeral Home.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Floyd A. Pillars, 71, of Perryville died Friday, July 23, 2010, at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Crosstown, Mo., with the Rev. Donald Estes officiating. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery...

The final Missouri Pacific engine, box car and caboose lumbered over 2.2 miles of tracks between Frederick Street and the city's west end yesterday; the track is being abandoned by the railroad. Lora Lee Eaker marks her 1,000th mile of swimming with a special breakfast for her fellow "Early Bird" swimmers at the Capaha Park pool; the day is also special for her, as she and her husband celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary...

n In today's Good Times cover story, Debie Kembel's name is misspelled. The Southeast Missourian regrets the error.

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A woman used a railroad spike to fight off an intruder early Friday morning after the man allegedly forced his way into her Poplar Bluff home, according to the Daily American Republic.. Glen R. Waltman, 45, and Claude Everett Hunt, 46, were booked at Butler County Jail in connection with the incident. Waltman faces one count each of first-degree burglary and first-degree strong-arm robbery. Hunt is charged with resisting arrest and obstructing police...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A Springfield couple with nearly 60 cats on their property faces animal abuse charges. Allen Dwayne Arnold and Tammy Lyn Arnold each face one count of misdemeanor animal abuse. The charges were filed last week. The Springfield News-Leader reported that about 30 cats were taken from the property and euthanized. The other living cats were too wild or scared to be caught. Another 30 cats were allegedly found dead...

NEW ORLEANS -- Crews hurried to get back to work on plugging BP's leaky oil well Saturday after Tropical Storm Bonnie fizzled, and engineers hoped for a window of clear weather long enough to stop the gusher for good. But with peak hurricane season starting in early August, chances are the next big storm is right on Bonnie's heels...

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Two U.S. Navy service members disappeared in a dangerous area of eastern Afghanistan, prompting a massive air and ground search and appeals on local radio stations for their safe return, NATO and Afghan officials said. The two left their compound in the Afghan capital, Kabul, in a vehicle Friday afternoon, but never returned, NATO said in a statement. ...

NEW YORK -- Friends and political allies of embattled Rep. Charlie Rangel are quiet after the disclosure that the 40-year House veteran and dean of the New York congressional delegation may face serious charges from a House ethics panel. Rangel, 80, told reporters Friday that he looked forward to a public airing of the charges this week and fully intended to fight to clear his name. ...

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

Southeast gymnasts had finished first the previous three years

The ex-Cardinals manager remains popular with fans 20 years after his last game

CHICAGO -- Although the Chicago Cubs might be too far gone to be big winners this season, rookies Starlin Castro, Tyler Colvin and Andrew Cashner have the team excited about their future. Castro and Colvin homered to complete an outstanding first week atop the batting order and Cashner used his triple-digit fastball to pitch out of two late-inning jams Saturday as the Cubs held on for a 6-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals...

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

Firefighters responded to the following calls Friday:...

The host was blanked in a run-rule loss and sent to the losers bracket

The defending state champion won 9-7 on Saturday

Brandon Bennett belted a three-run home run in the first inning and the Jackson Senior Babe Ruth team defeated the Iowa state champions 6-2 on Friday in the first round of the Senior Babe Ruth Midwest Plains Regional in Wellington, Kan. Jackson, the Missouri champion, advanced to play the Colorado state champion Saturday night. Jackson led 2-0 after one inning when play was suspended due to rain. The game will resume today...

Firefighters responded to the following calls Thursday:...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri employees and retirees soon may have to pay more out of their pockets for health care -- a result of state budget troubles that also have led to frozen wages and pension changes. The board of the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan approved changes this week that will switch people from a copay to a deductible model for their health insurance, beginning Jan. 1...

ST. LOUIS -- A poll indicates that Republicans show more support for a Missouri ballot issue on health insurance than Democrats. The poll conducted for The St. Louis Post-Dispatch and KMOV-TV asked 300 likely Democratic primary voters and 300 likely Republican primary voters if they intended to support Proposition C...

A dead man found in an overturned car on Route A west of Dutchtown was identified Friday afternoon as Andrew G. Kohler, 57, of Langhorne, Pa., Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton said.

The next meeting of the Scott County Women in Agriculture will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at the USDA office in Benton, Mo. Jackie Cowan will be speaking to the group about the Cotton Ramble, which will be held in Sikeston, Mo., in the fall. All women are invited to attend, those involved in farming or not. The group's goal is to educate others about agriculture and to provide an atmosphere of fun, fellowship and support. For more information, contact Kay Wilson at the USDA Center at 573-545-9027...

Kathleen Ann Buechter and Justin Durand Lusk were united in marriage April 10, 2010, at Washington University Catholic Student Center in St. Louis. Gary Braun of St. Louis and Karen Nothdurft of Cape Girardeau performed the ceremony. Pianist was Darren Moddle, and vocalists were Heather Tomko and Joe Gutowski, all of St. Louis. Scripture readers were Dennis Buechter of St. Louis, Sherry Brookover of Cape Girardeau, and Darrel Buechter of St. Louis...

For most of us the names Spencer Silver and Art Fry do not immediately register as famous or even remotely important. Yet their effect is seen in nearly every office, home and school throughout our nation and the world. Silver and Fry are the inventors of the Post-it Note...

There were 13 members of the Lamplighters FCE Club present at the Olive Garden in Cape Girardeau for their June meeting and annual birthday party. Judy Myers, Roberta Seabaugh, and Bev Meyer planned the event. During the abbreviated business session, members were told a new tax exempt letter was available and copies were distributed. All old copies should be destroyed and only the new one used...

The first time Bob and Debie Kembel used their horses and wagon for a ceremony, they carried Debie Kembel's mother to her final resting place in 2009. This year, the couple pulled their two halfinger mares, Molly and Kate, out for a much happier occasion -- a wedding...

Pet name: Alpha Owner: Lauren Grammer Favorite activity: Watching St. Louis Cardnials games.

It is among the joys of international marriage that nearly every summer I visit my wife's family abroad. Her family is charming and full of love and support, which often manifests itself in ways we might think old fashioned. Cherished are the lovingly cooked meals (everything is made from scratch, often with fresh vegetables from the garden and homemade cheese, pickles and fresh milk.), a delivery of fresh sand for little ones to play on, a homemade swing, freshly picked berries, trips to the river to swim, and the sharing of ice cream, among other simple joys.. ...