Stories from Friday, September 10, 2010

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson joined Saint Francis Medical Center administrators and board members Thursday on the first tour of its Heart Hospital and Cancer Institute under construction. The four-story, $84 million facility will open in July on schedule and on budget, said Saint Francis Medical Center president and CEO Steven Bjelich. About 70 new jobs will be added to the staff because of the expansion...

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- A second person has died after a fall from a catwalk on Tuesday, the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported. The incident occurred just before 11 a.m. Tuesday at Oakley Incorporated at the Pemiscot County Port Authority. Initially one person died at the scene...

This is our rabbit, Tigger, waiting to go for a ride in his wagon. He is one laid back bunny!!

Due to rain, the antique tractor pull that was scheduled to be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the grandstand at Arena Park has been postponed. It will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 18.

Starting this Friday, Sept. 10, the Rose Bed Inn will introduce "Chef James'", walk-in dining available Tuesday-Friday, 5-9pm in the dining room of the Rose Bed Inn. Chef will offer two selections of entrees to choose from, and vegetarian variations will be offered upon request...

The Story of Congressman Blunt's 14-Year Record of Corruption in Washington Continues to Unravel Today, Robin Carnahan's Senate campaign released a new television ad titled "Clean Up the House." The new ad is the latest in mounting evidence against Congressman Blunt - now from Fox News host Chris Wallace - on his 14-year record of corruption in Washington. In the ad, Wallace cites some of Congressman Blunt's most infamous acts of corruption in Washington including:...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department is implementing special traffic arrangements for the SEMO District Fair to assure smooth and safe traffic flow into and out of the Arena Park area, according to a news release. "No parking" signs were placed around the park Friday with enforcement scheduled to begin Saturday at 10 a.m. Any vehicles parked in the no-parking or restricted-parking areas will be towed away at the owner's expense and a ticket will be issue, police said...

Sep 10, 2010 -- Cape Girardeau, MO - Merpoint Publishing, LLC, an independent book publisher in West Virginia, announced today that it has signed Catherine Stovall, author of the upcoming young adult novel "Stolen," the first book in the "Requiem of Humanity" series...

Cape Central quarterback Christian Cavaness invites the offensive line over for dinner once a week in an effort to build a stronger relationship with the players charged with protecting him.

Now in its 155th year, the SEMO District Fair entertains young and old with a variety of shows in its grandstand. From truck and tractor pulls to horse shows to concerts, the fair's entertainment is billed as eight great days of fun, but many who enjoy the events don't think about the amount of work it takes to create the environment for that fun...

The art of home-brewing beer may seem like something far too expensive or complex for most to attempt, but the organizers of Saturday's home-brew demonstration at Buckner Brewing Co. hope to prove that wrong. The demonstration and workshop will be conducted by John Huber, owner of Home-brew Supply of Southeast Missouri, located in Jackson, along with Mike Mills, brewmaster at Buckner Brewing, and Mark Sprigg, the brewery's co-owner...

Not 24 hours after their murder thriller closes, members of the River City Players will hold auditions for a comedy they plan on doing in November. The current production, "Panic," runs today and tomorrow with a buffet dinner preceding it. The next play the community theater group will do is "The Crazy Time," a comedy about an older man who leaves his wife for a younger woman and ends up being cheated on himself...

Grand Rapids, Mich. -- ArtPrize, the Grand Rapids art show and competition that surprised locals by drawing tens of thousands of visitors when it debuted in 2009, is back for a second year. And it's expected to be even bigger this time. The southwestern Michigan city's vibrant arts scene will get an infusion of energy from 1,713 artists displaying their works for 19 days in 192 venues, from plazas, hotels and museums, to restaurants, coffee shops and parks...

Arts and entertainment briefs

The Tunes at Twilight artist this week is a substitute but no less talented than the originally billed Craig Carothers. Amelia White rearranged her Nashville, Tenn., concert schedule to travel to Cape Girardeau today for the 11th week of Tunes at Twilight, the free outdoor concert at 6:30 p.m. ...

SAN ANTONIO -- The death toll from flooding caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine could increase after authorities near San Antonio acknowledged Thursday that hopes were dim of finding alive two missing swimmers swept away by floodwaters...

BOULDER, Colo. -- Boulder residents were warned to be ready to evacuate Thursday as officials feared a wildfire that has destroyed at least 169 homes in the nearby foothills could get pushed into the city by wind gusts expected to reach 60 mph...

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- A federal judge in Southern California on Thursday declared the U.S. military's ban on openly gay service members unconstitutional because it violates the First Amendment rights of gays and lesbians. U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips granted a request for an injunction halting the government's "don't ask, don't tell" policy for gays in the military...

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- On Thursday the anti-Muslim leader of a tiny Florida church backed off his threat to burn the Quran after he said he was promised that a planned Islamic center and mosque would be moved away from New York's ground zero. The imam planning the center, however, quickly denied such a deal...

WASHINGTON -- Traffic deaths have plummeted across the United States to levels not seen in more than a half-century, spurred by technology, more safety-conscious drivers and tougher enforcement of drunken driving laws. The Transportation Department said Thursday that traffic deaths fell 9.7 percent in 2009 to 33,808, the lowest number since 1950. In 2008, an estimated 37,423 people died on the highways...

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran said Thursday it will free one of three Americans jailed for more than 13 months as an act of clemency to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The imprisonment of the Americans has deepened tensions between the U.S. and Iran, a relationship already strained over Washington's suspicions that Tehran is trying to manufacture nuclear weapons -- something Iran denies...

BUCHAREST, Romania -- Abracadabra, we'll turn all of you into toads! That's what Romanian senators may have been fearing when they rejected a proposal to tax witches and fortunetellers. Lawmakers Alin Popoviciu and Cristi Dugulescu of the ruling Democratic Liberal Party drafted a law where witches and fortune tellers would have to produce receipts, and would also be held liable for wrong predictions, a measure which was part of the government's drive to increase revenue...

ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin blamed extremists "without souls, without hearts" for a suicide car bombing that killed 17 people Thursday in the crowded central market of a city in the North Caucasus. It was the fourth terrorist attack at the market in a decade, and while no one claimed responsibility, the Kremlin has been trying to contain Islamic militancy in the mountainous southern region of Russia...

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan -- A suspected American missile strike killed five alleged militants in northwestern Pakistan early Thursday, an intelligence official said, the fourth such attack on suspected insurgent targets there in 24 hours. The barrage was one of the most intense since the attacks were stepped up more than two years ago in a bid to keep pressure on al-Qaida and its allies. ...

SEOUL, South Korea -- North Korea celebrated its 62nd anniversary Thursday with odes to supreme leader Kim Jong Il and pilgrimages to his late father's statue amid hints that a political meeting believed aimed at promoting his son as successor is imminent...

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is conceding that if the midterm election turns out to be mostly a referendum on the sluggish economy, Democrats are "not going to do well." In an interview with ABC News aired Thursday, Obama said the party should be able to maintain control of the House and Senate if the electorate takes a look at what Democrats and Republicans stand for. ...

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. military almost launched fighter jets and discussed a possible shootdown when an errant Navy drone briefly veered into restricted airspace near the nation's capital last month, a senior military official said Thursday. The incident underscores safety concerns with unmanned aircraft as defense officials campaign to use them more often during natural disasters and for homeland security...

HOLIDAY SHORES, Ill. -- Raymond C. Inman, 84, of Holiday Shores passed away Monday, Sept. 6, 2010, at his home. He was born Jan. 26, 1926, in St. Louis, son of Joseph and Veda P. Speer Inman. He was formerly employed at Bemis Bag Co. He was an industrial engineer at Crunden-Martin Manufacturing prior to his retirement. He attended Open Door Fellowship Church in Alton, Ill. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan...

Fred Warren Robertson, 74, of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010, at Saint Francis Medical Center, following a brief illness. He was born Sept. 3, 1936, in Coffeyville, Kan., son of Fred and Aileen Engel Robertson. He and Coralie Harlow were married March 10, 1956...

Donna Martinez, 63, a longtime Texas resident, died Monday, Sept. 6, 2010, at her home. She was born Oct. 5, 1946, in Cape Girardeau. Donna later moved to Houston, met and married Carlos Martinez. She is survived by a sister, Shirlene Voerg; two sons, Mark and spouse Melissa, Carlos Jr.; and a granddaughter, Jessica Martinez...

ZALMA, Mo. -- David Eugene Hovis, 91, of Zalma died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010, at his son's house in Hiram, Mo. He was born June 23, 1919, in Hiram, son of Thomas and Myrtle Hedge Hovis. He married Anna Alice Pridy Dec. 23, 1940. She passed away April 17, 2008...

Daughter to William B. Burton Jr. and Lindsey K. Pender of Cape Girardeau, Saint Francis Medical Center, 8:52 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010. Name, McKenzie Nicole. Weight, 5 pounds, 4 ounces. Third child, second daughter. Ms. Pender is the daughter of Cynthia Pender and Randy J. Green. Burton is the son of William Burton and Rebecca Burton...

Glen Sinclair, 61, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010, near Cape Girardeau. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

McCLURE, Ill. -- Elaine J. Dollman, 90, of Belleville, Ill., formerly of McClure, died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010, at St. Paul's Home in Belleville. She was born Aug. 28, 1920, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Joseph and Myrtle Moore Kimbel. She married Leonard Dollman March 14, 1942, in Jackson. He preceded her in death Oct. 30, 1996...

Cape Girardeau firefighters attend the SEMO District Fair on business in the morning when they are called to extinguish a small fire in a straw pile in the stock tents area of the fairgrounds; the fire is put out within minutes, and no damage is done...

LONDON -- John Travolta was onto something. Women are most attracted to male dancers who have big, flamboyant moves similar to the actor's trademark style, British scientists say in a new study. Kris McCarty and colleagues at Northumbria University and the University of Gottingen in Germany asked 19 men aged 18 to 35 who were not professional dancers to dance in a laboratory for one minute to a basic drum rhythm. ...

ST. LOUIS -- Sen. Claire McCaskill said Thursday she's confident the Department of Veterans Affairs is doing all it can to correct sterilization problems at its St. Louis hospital, where patients may have been exposed to hepatitis and other diseases, but she said the hospital must improve its customer service...

ST. LOUIS -- The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is showing corrosion, and newly released documents indicate there has been no significant effort to fix it or even keep records of it, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Thursday. And while there are no short-term safety concerns, repairs could be expensive...

CARRIE BARTHOLOMEW ~ cbartholomew@semissourian.com Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones was honored Thursday for his years of service and commitment to the county. ...

As a Florida pastor doggedly prepares to burn copies of the Quran, the Muslim holy book, on Saturday, we are reminded of the quote attributed to Edmund Burke: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." The 18th century Englishman, a supporter of the American Revolution, used his rhetoric to spark people of conscience to speak up when circumstances demand a response. This, we feel, is such a time...

I and others choose to live in the incorporated city limits of Cape Girardeau for many reasons, one of which includes zoning and development regulations. There are many others who choose to live in the unincorporated areas of Cape Girardeau County because there are not zoning and development regulations. Once again there are residents of the county upset because someone has purchased property and they do not agree with the proposed use of the property...

As the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, is remembered on Saturday: Remember those who died and the survivors whose memories will always be filled with the shock and horror of that day. Remember those who responded to emergency calls that day. ...

A spell of rainy weather in September? Why, it must be time for the SEMO District Fair. Sure enough, the oldest fair in Missouri kicks off Saturday, and officials expect more than 100,000 visitors for the 155th fair. The midway, grandstand shows, livestock and other exhibits and special competitions are among the fair's many attractions. Go to the SEMO District Fair. Have fun...

Before retirement, my wife and I owned and operated a regional food distributorship. The following are observations from our business and those around us from the installation of casinos in Evansville, Ind., and Metropolis, Ill. 1. None of the local businesses had any increase in business due to increased traffic. The casinos have their own food service and lodging...

FRUITLAND residents: Are you aware of two rock quarries that are planned to be created near the I-55 and U.S. 61 interchange? Do you want this in your community with all the effect, it will have on our area? THIS is for the person who called in and said that they were proud of the fact that they had voted for President Obama because he has been doing such a wonderful job. ...

For those who have suffered at the hand of evil, we pray to you, O God. Amen.

Living like the Amish is like traveling in a time capsule for me. Over the long Labor Day weekend, my wife and I drove to central Illinois where more than 4,000 Amish populate an area of flat, fertile farmland smaller than 10 miles square. Two of the storybook towns in the middle of the Amish farms are Arcola and Arthur...

The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrest Jackson Firefighters responded to the following calls Tuesday:...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests...

ATLANTA -- Colby Rasmus hit a pair of homers, Albert Pujols and Skip Schumaker also connected, and Adam Wainwright bounced back from a shaky first inning to lead the Cardinals past the slumping Atlanta Braves 11-4 on Thursday night. The Braves, looking to turn things around after a poor road trip knocked them out of first place in the NL East, jumped ahead 3-0 in the first inning. ...

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

Walt Grebing is more than 52 years removed from his senior year at Central. After starring for the Tigers in basketball and baseball, he moved on to the University of Missouri to guard the likes of basketball great Oscar Robertson, met and married his wife Jan, fathered and raised two daughters and spent a lifetime as a respected educator...

Southeast Missouri State kicked off its football season last week at Ball State, losing 27-10. But as far as the Redhawks are concerned, their real season begins at 6 p.m. Saturday in Murray, Ky. That's when Southeast and Murray State, both 0-1, square off in the Ohio Valley Conference opener...

A look at this week's matchups for the six teams in the Southeast Missourian's coverage area.

Route FF from U.S. 61 to County Road 439 in Cape Girardeau County will be reduced to one lane with a 14-foot width restriction next week, while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs. Weather permitting, the work will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling near the area. For more information, contact the MoDOT Customer Service Center at 888-275-6636...

The northbound exit and entrance ramps on Interstate 55 at Hayti, Mo., (Exit 19) will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot width restriction next week, while a contractor performs pavement repairs. Weather permitting, the work will begin at 6 a.m. Monday and is expected to be completed by 6 p.m. ...

U.S. 61 from Route HH in Sikeston, Mo., to Highway 77 near Morley, Mo., will be reduced to one lane with an 18-foot width restriction on Monday and Tuesday while Missouri Department of Transportation crews grind the pavement to make a smoother driving surface. ...

Rock Levee Road/County Road 304 in Scott County will be closed while AmerenUE installs a gas main as part of the outer road improvements. The section of roadway is from the east outer road to half a mile north of the east outer road. The project includes grading, paving, signal installation at the I-55 and Route AB interchange and construction of an outer road from Route K to Route AB near Scott City. ...

Missouri Department of Transportation crews will be performing routine maintenance on several bridges in Ste. Genevieve County next week. The routes and locations are as follows: Interstate 55, northbound lanes over Isle Dubois Creek near the Jefferson County line; U.S. ...

MEXICO CITY -- With a blunt remark that grated on Mexicans, Washington's top diplomat was merely echoing a growing concern about the alarming violence and instability being caused by Mexico's war on drug cartels. Mexican officials publicly disputed Thursday the declaration by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton the previous day that Mexico is "looking more and more like Colombia looked 20 years ago."...

As a country, the United States has a long history of heroes. We learned as children that patriots were heroes to be revered and looked up to. These were men whose deeds were larger than life, and we honored them and spoke of them with reverence. Are we beyond needing someone from our own ranks to admire?...

Route D from Cane Creek bridge to County Road 454 in Cape Girardeau County will be closed Monday through Thursday while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform drainage repairs. Weather permitting, the work will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling near the area. For more information, contact the MoDOT Customer Service Center at 888-275-6636...

Tonight's Tunes at Twilight free concert is being moved indoors. Due to saturated ground and rain that is expected to continue today, the 6:30 p.m. concert will be moved from its usual location at the Common Pleas Courthouse lawn to Dockside, 4 N. Spanish St., according to a news release from Old Town Cape...

Elected officials and school leaders joined third-grade students at South Elementary in Jackson on Thursday to cut the ribbon on the Highway 25 construction project in front of the school.

Cape Girardeau County commissioners approved the purchase of two hand-held radios by the Cape Girardeau County Emergency Management Department. The cost will be $4,767.90 and includes the radios, software, chargers and repair service. The software included with the purchase will allow the department to be able to communicate with other agencies throughout Missouri, no matter where the radio broadcasts from within the state.

More details are emerging about the $125 million casino proposed for downtown Cape Girardeau, including what sort of community projects the city's development deal will pay for and specifics about the gaming facility itself.

Some Fruitland area residents are organizing to oppose plans by Strack Excavating for a quarry off U.S. 61.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Lightning strikes led to a brief power outage for the city this morning. The Sikeston Standard Democrat reported that just before 6 a.m., power was out for all Sikeston Board of Municipal Utilities customers, said Wayne McSpadden, operations manager...