Stories from Thursday, October 7, 2010

Like others in Missouri, several pharmacies in Cape Girardeau and Jackson have yet to connect to a statewide database that tracks the sale of pseudoephedrine products. The new electronic tracking database went online Sept. 28 and requires pharmacists to enter information, such as name, date of birth and signature, of people purchasing products containing pseudoephedrine, a key component in making methamphetamine...

Women came together Wednesday to celebrate surviving breast cancer and to help those still struggling to overcome it. More than 240 people attended the American Cancer Society's seventh annual Pink Ribbon Luncheon at Drury Lodge raises money for its Patient Service Fund...

Heartland Materials LLC has filed an open pit mining application with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Land Reclamation Program for a limestone quarry on 161 acres near Fruitland. The application, received Monday, is now under review by DNR staff. If uncontested, the permit process will take 60 to 90 days to complete, DNR spokeswoman Renee Bungart said...

The conference will be held from 8 a.m.to 3 p.m. on Oct. 22nd at the Tanner Street Church of God located at 619 Tanner St., in Sikeston. The conference theme is "Things Every Woman Should Know". The conference will provide health and educational information to participants. There is free admission, a continental breakfast, special speakers, booths to visit and door prices. Lunch will be provided at no cost...

MATT STEEL will be at Performing at PBR Grill & Bar 7570 St Hwy 177 Cape Girardeau Mo. this Friday Oct. 8th, 9pm. where you can get your ticket on a chance to win this One of a Kind, Ibenez "Mudbog" Guitar autographed by MATT STEEL, Proceeds will go to the "GUMPATHON" to help raise money for wounded soldiers and their families!...

In support of Saint Francis Medical Center's efforts to "Pink Up Cape" for breast cancer awareness, the trees lining the median on Normal Avenue on Southeast Missouri State University's campus received pink ribbon makeovers this week. Saint Francis launched Pink Up Cape, a campaign to raise awareness of the disease in the community and throughout the Medical Center, in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness month. ...

Isle of Capri and city officials will try to convince the Missouri Gaming Commission that Cape Girardeau is the best choice for the state's newest casino Oct. 20 at a hearing in Jefferson City. After that, a decision between the four applicants -- three if Cape Girardeau voters say no at the ballot box Nov. 2 -- should come by Thanksgiving, said commission chairman Jim Mathewson...

Please join us on October 16 for our fried catfish and chicken tenders dinner at New McKendree's Celebration Center. Meal includes fried catfish, chicken tenders, cole slaw, baked beans, spiral potatoes, dessert, and a drink. The dinner is from 4:00 - 7:00. Adult meals are $8.00. Children ages 5-12 eat for $5.00 and under age 5 eat free. We look forward to seeing you there!...

The smell of barbecue will fill the air at Jackson City Park this weekend at the eighth annual Jackson Bar-B-Que Cook Off. Shane West Anderson, director of the city's parks and recreation department, said this event is more of a backyard cookout than some of the more formal, sanctioned barbecue contests in the area...

Join us for our annual Pretty In Pink Fundraiser! With your help, we are hoping to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer awareness. Come on out for great specials, a silent auction, raffles, music, food, fun, and even a live fire thrower! Win prizes from Andrew Jackson, Amelia's Fashion Exchange, Computer 21, and much more! Everyone is invited, so bring your friends and family and remember to wear pink! Oct 22 9am-6pm 243-1070...

October 8, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Cisse Spragins, Ph.D. Cell: 612 309 9232 Email: chair@lpmo.org Missouri Libertarian Party: Is Roy Blunt Really Afraid of Jonathan Dine?...

Jackson junior Katie Garner had seen a nine-run lead shrink to one when she stepped to the plate in the fifth inning of Wednesday night's Class 4 District 1 opener against Poplar Bluff. "We're kind of used to the pressure -- all of us," Garner said. "We've all been in that situation and you've just got to keep a calm head and deliver."...

Seventeen years ago, Cape Girardeau first voted against -- then for -- a gambling boat. It was then painted as a romantic excursion on the river with limits to time and how much you could gamble. Despite the "positive" vote, Cape Girardeau was delivered from an industry based on greed, historically associated with crime and the underworld and directed toward extracting as much of your disposable income as possible...

As a children's therapist, I would like to comment on Jackson's discipline method of using "the box." I have been talking to teachers in area schools for several years about having children walk or run (child's choice) a track during recess instead of sitting against a wall. Children need to get some fresh air, to have a change of scenery and to burn off energy. I am pleased to find Jackson is using "the box" in this manner...

THE Cape Girardeau city council says we need a dog park. Look at our streets. Look at all the people that are hungry. They say we need a dog park? You've got to be kidding. ANOTHER Constitution Day has passed and there was little coverage in the media. ...

Lord Jesus, thank you for the armor of God that helps us take a stand against evil. Amen.

When they take the stage Saturday night in New York City, they'll be treading the same stage Ray Charles, Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley once did. Not bad for four teens from Jackson. Jackson band VonAmp hits the Big Apple as one of six bands on the bill for the Kids Helping Kids benefit at the East Village's landmark Webster Hall. A half-century ago, the hall served as the famous RCA live recording studio, home to rock, soul and folk legends like Charles, Sam Cooke, Dylan and Presley...

What's happening this weekend

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration blocked efforts by government scientists to tell the public just how bad the Gulf oil spill could become and committed other missteps that raised questions about its competence and candor during the crisis, according to a commission appointed by the president to investigate the disaster...

WASHINGTON -- Supreme Court justices suggested Wednesday they would like to rule for a dead Marine's father against fundamentalist church members who picketed his son's funeral -- but aren't sure they can. Left unresolved after an hourlong argument that explored the limits of the First Amendment: Does the father's emotional pain trump the protesters' free speech rights?...

Raymond A. Ponder, 81, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010, at his home. He was born July 7, 1929, in Apple Creek, Mo., to William and Clara Trapp Ponder. He and Dorothy Berkbigler were married April 21, 1951. Raymond was raised in Uniontown, Mo., and attended school at Apple Creek, Mo. He honorably served in the U.S. National Guard from September 1950 to September 1953...

Jennifer Lynn Jones Pyatt, 64, of Eureka, Mo., died Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010, at St. Luke Hospital in Chesterfield, Mo. Jennifer was a woman of tremendous grace, strength and beauty, whose devotion to her family and 44-year marriage was an inspiration to everyone. ...

William Ralph LeGrand, 80, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010, at Missouri Veterans Home. He was born Feb. 14, 1930, in Oran, Mo., to William and Lucy Helen Grojean LeGrand. He married Ruby Jacobs Graff in January 1955. LeGrand was chief engineer for Cargill Inc. and a member of Teamsters Union in St. Louis...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Robert A. Reynolds, 77, of Advance passed away Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010, at Chaffee Nursing Center in Chaffee, Mo. He was born Jan. 9, 1933, at Bell City, Mo., son of Jess Owen and Ethel May Stroup Reynolds. He married Evelyn Stohlmann...

Leonard G. "Slim" Beussink, 76, of Gordonville passed away Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010, at Saint Francis Medical Center. He was born Oct. 24, 1933, in Leopold, Mo., son of Herman and Mary Holzum Beussink Sr. He and Carolann Clippard were married Oct. 26, 1957...

Daughter to Daniel and Jennifer Record of Hillsboro, Mo., Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, 7:57 a.m. Monday, June 28, 2010. Name, Alicia Anne. Weight, 9 pounds, 1 ounce. Fourth daughter. Mrs. Record is the former Jennifer Gates, daughter of Jim and Nora Gates of Kirksville, Mo. She is a registered nurse. Record is the son of Roger and Constance Record of Benton, Mo. He is a registered nurse and board-certified prosthetist...

Donald E. Blankenship, 80, of Cape Girardeau passed away Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, at Landmark Hospital. He was born March 2, 1930, in Cape Girardeau, son of Major and Faye Blankenship. He was first married to Delores Mae Trickey. On March 15, 1983, he married Lavine Proffer Kinnison. She passed away Sept. 7, 2000...

Do you have questions about the upcoming elections and how they will affect Southeast Missouri? Are you interested in learning more about how we can make our future brighter? If so, I encourage you to tune in at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 11, for the first congressional debate to take place in our district in a very long time. ...

Possibly the largest sale of apartment buildings in Cape Girardeau's history was finalized last week by the purchase of eight buildings along Themis Street; the buildings, which include 54 family units, were purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Johnson of Advance, Mo., and Mr. and Mrs. Gene Johnson of St. Louis from Bean Properties, which is owned by Frank Bean...

You can make your own lava lamp, no electricity required! STEP 2: Fill the plastic bottle the rest of the way with water. STEP 3: Place several drops of food coloring into the plastic bottle. STEP 4: Break the Alka-Seltzer tablet into two pieces. STEP 5: Place each of the pieces of Alka-Seltzer tablet into the bottle...

Last Thursday we celebrated the career and retirement of former Southeast Missourian editor Joe Sullivan. Having served as a reporter, editor, columnist and publisher, Joe knows the newspaper business and is a role-model newspaper man. His wisdom on a variety of issues is a gift...

Oct. 7, 2010 Dear Leslie, The last of the season's crop of tomatoes remain in the garden. The cucumbers, beets, carrots and lettuce struggled this year, but we couldn't eat all the tomatoes. I know someone who serves Bloody Marys made with fresh tomatoes from her garden. Fresh and real are impossible to simulate...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The University of Missouri's flagship campus is reviewing 75 degree programs for possible elimination or consolidation as the state seeks costs savings. The state Department of Higher Education defines such "low-producing" programs as those awarding fewer than 10 bachelor's degrees a year on average. The cutoff is five graduates for master's programs and three graduates for doctoral programs...

The Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team has taken advantage of a new NCAA rule to get an early jump on things. Southeast held its first official practice Monday under the new rule that allows Division I women's squads to begin practice 40 days before their first game. They still are allowed only 30 practices, the same as under the old system...

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. -- A former St. Francois County Commissioner admits that he stole equipment from the county and had county employees do work for his benefit. Attorney General Chris Koster announced Wednesday that Ronald Varvera of Fredericktown entered the guilty plea to felony stealing charges. He was sentenced to seven years in prison...

BENTON, Mo. -- A Cape Girardeau doctor was arrested has been charged with driving under the influence of drugs and three counts of possession of a controlled substance. According to a news release from the Scott County Sheriff's Department, officers Tuesday noticed the man was driving erractically and appeared to be under the influence of narcotics and alcohol...

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

Firefighters responded to the following calls Tuesday:...

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

STEELE, Mo. -- Three students from South Pemiscot High School are facing charges following an incident involving a fight and a school resource officer. According to Steele police chief Billy Joe Stanfield, officers received a call Sept. 28 from the South Pemiscot High School resource officer, requesting assistance and referring a fight between students on campus...

BENTON, Mo. -- While things have cooled off a bit, boarding ICE prisoners has turned out to bring in more money that expected. Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter and county commissioners discussed revenue received from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the regular county commission meeting Tuesday...

Trevor Irwin used a 5-iron to score an ace on hole No. 12 at Cape Jaycee Municipal Golf Course. The hole was playing 169 yards. Shayn Maybury witnessed the shot. Jason Rodgers used an 8-iron to record a hole-in-one on hole No. 8 at Cape Jaycee Municipal Golf Course...

Jackson avenged an earlier loss with a 1-0 win over Notre Dame

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

ORAN, Mo. -- Chaffee senior Hannah Bedwell came up clutch right when the Reds Devils needed it Wednesday. Bedwell kicked off a fifth-inning rally by hitting a shot to left field to score Sierra Miller from second before crossing the plate herself for the game winner in what ended up being a 5-1 victory over Van Buren in a Class 1 District 1 quarterfinal softball game...

Central fell into an early hole and lost to Sikeston 9-3

North- and southbound Interstate 55 in Cape Girardeau County will be reduced to one lane Wednesday and Oct. 14 while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform routine bridge repairs. The bridge is at Route AB and spans the Diversion Channel. ...

Route OO in Cape Girardeau County will be reduced to one lane Wednesday while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform routine bridge repairs. The bridge, over the Whitewater River, is between County Road 379 and County Road 365. Weather permitting, work will be performed from 7 a.m. 3 p.m. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling near the area. For more information, contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center at 888-275-6636...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Work to replace the Route DD bridge over Little River Drainage Ditch No. 36 in Scott County is expected to begin Nov. 1, weather permitting. The road will remain closed from Route Y to Route Z as construction continues. Completion is anticipated in late December. ...

Route A in Cape Girardeau County will be reduced to one lane on Tuesday while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform routine bridge repairs. The bridge is between Highway 74 and County Road 234. Weather permitting, work will be performed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling near the area. For more information, contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center at 888-275-6636...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Wesbecher Construction has put the finishing touches on the new Advance Cross Trails Medical/Dental Center in the middle of downtown Advance. The new facility will be open for patients Monday, one year and two months after the ground-breaking. Between governmental red tape and initial wet weather during construction, observers were wondering if the new building would ever be completed...