Stories from Sunday, April 10, 2011

With its annual fundraising campaign coming to a close, the United Way of Southeast Missouri is $84,500 short of its $1.01 million campaign goal. The 2010-11 campaign raised $935,216 to date, with a few company campaigns still out. Last year's campaign brought in $1,142,858, but was also short of its $1.2 million goal...

BENTON, Mo. -- The Scott County Sheriff's Department is cleaning out its gun safe -- and making a little money in the process. During Thursday's county commission meeting, bids were open for the sale of 234 firearms. "These have come from all different directions -- some are seized firearms, some are those that people have turned over and didn't want in their house, some are found, and some are stolen and never claimed," said Bledsoe, noting they date back around 30 years. ...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- With federal funds for meth lab cleanups drying up, law enforcement agencies in many states may scale back their hunts for the labs -- but not Missouri. The Drug Enforcement Administration announced last month that congressional funding for its Community Oriented Policing Services Methamphetamine Program is exhausted with renewed funding unlikely in the next few years...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A counterclaim filed by the city of Poplar Bluff in Butler County Circuit Court Wednesday is seeking $120,000 in unpaid bills from Poplar Bluff Internet. In seeking damages for breach of contract, the city alleges Poplar Bluff Internet, doing business as SEMO.net, "has not fully paid" the new rates for Internet services which became effective Sept. ...

Without her mother, Stacy Sullivan-Jones wouldn't have ever overcome a 17-year addiction to methamphetamine. Without her mother, Sullivan-Jones wouldn't have ever gotten high. Her mother, Karen Daugherty, a drug user for as long as she'd known her, gave her a hit of meth when she was 16...

State Sen. Jason Crowell hopes the two Missouri commissions responsible for redrawing the legislative districts -- one which includes Cape Girardeau City Council member Kathy Swan -- complete their tasks and leave the courts out of it. But he's not optimistic...

In her raspy Texas twang, Elizabeth Ellis talked about hissy fits, a humiliating trip to New York City and what it means to be pig-biting mad. "Usually that only happens when you have a teenager in the home," she said, drawing chuckles from the crowd. "Or if you're dealing with elderly relatives. In many ways, they're much the same."...

On the 175th anniversary of the creation of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Cape Girardea, the Rev. David Hulshof said it is a time for all parishioners to celebrate and give thanks to God. "It's a time to look back to one's ancestry so one can look forward to one's posterity," he said...

The Southeast Missouri State football team faces plenty of question marks after losing 20 key seniors, 15 of them starters, from last year's history-making squad. Among the biggest is who will be the primary running backs after Southeast lost its top three at that position, led by record-setting Henry Harris...

An Illinois man involved in an altercation in a Cape Girardeau apartment Saturday was taken to an area hospital with two head injuries that may have been the result of a shooting, police said. The original call came in at 5:46 p.m. as a shooting, said patrol Sgt. Rick Schmidt, though it was unclear whether the wounds were the result of a shooting or the altercation. Police were still looking Saturday night for a man in his late teens or early 20s, Schmidt said...

 For additional information, contact: Renita Gordon renita@equestrianinfluence.com 615-830-1001 Couple's Horseback Journey Across America to Stop in Cape on Monday For Immediate Release: What in the world would compel someone to ride horseback from California to Washington DC, stopping in Cape Girardeau, in route?...

Cape Girardeau and surrounding area locals have warmly embraced and supported the Hearts Up Ranch coast to coast riders. They have rallied with helping hands to assist the riders as they plan to ride through Cape Girardeau and over the Mississippi on Monday April 11th...

Richard and Jeannette McGrath, riding their horses across America to benefit Hearts Up Ranch, an emotional healing charity, make a stop in Cape Girardeau and share their mission and adventure at the Cowboy Church Thursday, April 7th.

Richard and Jeannette McGrath are riding their horses across America to benefit Hearts Up Ranch, a non-profit organization that promotes emotional healing. They are riding through Cape Girardeau on Monday April 11th to attend a ceremony at 11am by Mayor Harry Rediger at River Campus, then they will be escorted over the Mississippi by the local police department...

Castor River Shut-Ins

A few foundation stones are all that remain of an old brick building I photographed from the bell tower of the old Trinity Lutheran Church in 1978. For more photos, see http://www.capecentralhigh.com/cape-photos/building-at-themis-and-frederick/

Alumni, faculty and students and friends of Southeast Missouri State University's Historic Preservation Program celebrated 30 years of the program Saturday evening at the Cape Girardeau Country Club. Dr. Arthur H. Mattingly, one of the educators instrumental in starting the program, said the university administration wasn't keen on the idea at first...

Students in the historic preservation program at Southeast Missouri State University learn about history in the form of buildings, monuments or museum artifacts. But many graduates think some of the other training in the program has been just as valuable in their careers...

David and Shelley Ungerank of DeSoto, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Randi Lee Ungerank of Cape Girardeau, to Christopher Mark Dirnberger. He is the son of Mark and Sharon Dirnberger of Cape Girardeau. Ungerank is a graduate of DeSoto High School. She received a degree in child development and minored in psychology at Southeast Missouri State University. She is employed at TouchPoint Autism Services...

Staci Bowling and Mark Wittenborn were married May 1, 2010, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau. The Rev. Saviour Nundwe performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Timothy and Kimila Bowling of Bloomfield, Mo. The groom is the son of Robert and Susan Wittenborn of Cape Girardeau...

PATTON, Mo. -- Jack and Julie Mull of Fredericktown, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Blair Cassie Tonjum, to Trenton James Reagan, both of Patton. He is the son of Mike and Cathy Reagan of Patton. Tonjum is a graduate of Fredericktown High School, and is attending Mineral Area College at Park Hills, Mo. She is employed by Fredericktown Health Department...

Linda Williams and George Pentecost of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Becky Williams, to Jeremy King. He is the son of Carla Arellano and Gene King of Jackson. Williams is service trainer at Steak-N-Shake. King is a 1999 graduate of Jackson High School. He is employed in the service department at Morlan Chrysler...

Linda Williams and George Pentecost of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Becky Williams, to Jeremy King. He is the son of Carla Arellano and Gene King of Jackson. Williams is service trainer at Steak-N-Shake. King is a 1999 graduate of Jackson High School. He is employed in the service department at Morlan Chrysler...

Frey Farms Produce Company of Keenes, Ill., recently donated approximately $325,000 worth of "green" home, garden and personal care products to Kennett public schools. The products are hoped to promote a more ecoconscious way of living. The products will be given to families of students at Kennett schools...

The bloom of the sweet gum tree hides unnoticed high in the tree's limbs during spring. On April 5, I came upon a sweet gum limb that had not withstood the strong winds of a thunderstorm the day before. On this morning the sun shone bright, offering a good opportunity to photograph this common bloom that is seldom seen close up. I propped up the limb, braced my camera on a rock padded by my bean bag, and used the sky and distant treetops as backdrop...

Ameren recently donated $5,000 to the American Red Cross Southeast Missouri Chapter. The American Red Cross now recognizes Ameren as a Hero because of the donation. ...

Mary L. Green, a quilter in the Cape Girardeau area, is a semifinalist in the 2011 American Quilter's Society Quilt Show & Contest. Green has been chosen to display the quilt A Living Branch. The show and contest will be April 27 through 30 at the Paducah Expo Center in Paducah, Ky. Awards will be given out in 15 categories along with nine overall awards...

Air Force Airman Matthew S. Frey graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Frey 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 graduated from Notre Dame Regional High School in 2001 and Southeast Missouri State University in 2006. Frey is the son of Ann Frey of Cape Girardeau...

The Optimist Regional Oratorical Contest held on March 20 produced two winners, Hayley Bohnert and Rachel Smith. They will go on to the district contest Saturday. They were sponsored by the Jackson Noon Optimist Club. Marble Hill, Sikeston, Cape Girardeau and Jackson clubs all participated in the contest...

Pam Lappe and Kristi Seyer were named 2011 Frank Graham 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award winners by the Missouri 4-H Foundation. The Frank Graham 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award is given to those who work with youth...

The Volunteer Intergenerational Center has been gearing up to make this year's National Volunteer Week a success. National Volunteer Week, today through Saturday, is not only a time to recognize volunteers but celebrate the spirit of volunteerism. This year's theme is "Spring Into Action -- Volunteer." By taking part in National Volunteer Week, volunteer programs across America help make a difference in the lives of volunteers and those served...

After Barbara Hart's wedding in 1989, her mom took care of the dirty work. She had Hart's 1950s lace gown repaired, cleaned and preserved, boxed up and ready for another bride in the family. It was late last year, though, when Hart's niece, who was considering wearing the gown, opened the box, only to learn it held the wrong dress...

Last Saturday Teen Challenge International of Mid-America held its annual banquet at the Show Me Center. The night was filled with inspirational testimonies, wonderful music and prayer. The organization, a nationwide drug rehabilitation program, has 145 male students at the Cape Girardeau facility participating in the 10-month program...

It appears that the recently defeated smoking ban was a classic case of fear mongering -- a classical case of liberalism, a for your own good policy, and an argument of taxpayer costs for health care due to smoking. If we are going to ban habits based on what it costs taxpayers, it would seem that "junk food" costs taxpayers more due to medical costs than smoking...

QUESTION: What can one learn by watching Fox News and Glen Beck? Answer: The truth. The pure, unadulterated truth. GOD help us if the Chinese ever decide to go on strike. No shoes, no clothes and no underwear. Think about it. NEWS flash: Sad day in America. A GM truck plant can't produce trucks because no parts are coming in from Japan...

For the people who have commercial and residential property on Frederick Street and the intersection of Broadway and Frederick, the city's proposed bike lanes could be disastrous. Bike lanes will devalue the property and hurt business. We live at the corner of Independence and Frederick Street in the historic Woods building. ...

Heavenly Father, we rejoice as we praise your holy name today. Amen.

AJDABIYA, Libya -- Government soldiers and rebel gunmen battled in the streets of a key front-line city Saturday after the Libyan military used shelling and guerrilla-style tactics to open its most serious push into opposition territory since international airstrikes began. NATO airstrikes, meanwhile, hammered at Gadhafi's ammunition stockpiles and armored forces, destroying 17 tanks...

ALPHEN AAN DEN RIJN, Netherlands -- A man armed with a machine gun opened fire in a crowded shopping mall on Saturday, killing seven people and wounding 15, then committed suicide, officials and witnesses said. Children were among the casualties, but authorities were not prepared to say whether they were among the dead or the injured, or both, due to privacy considerations, said Mayor Bas Eenhoorn. Three of the wounded were hospitalized in critical condition...

U.S. News Media Group ranks two Southeast Missouri State University master's degree programs among the leading graduate programs in health in 2012. Southeast's master of arts in communication disorders ranked 146th and the university's family nurse practitioner master's degree program ranked 193rd on U.S. News' Best Graduate Schools...

LONDON -- People in cities across the globe have taken part in mass pillow fights as part of International Pillow Fight Day. In London's Trafalgar Square, people came dressed in pajamas, dressing gowns and fancy dress to take part in the good natured pillow fight April 2 afternoon. Most people carried feather-filled pillows that exploded as they fought...

Pet name: Opie Owner: Jackie Lee Favorite activity: Playing with a tennis ball then chilling. ...

Cape Girardeau County FCE All Clubs Day was held March 28 with the Oak Ridge FCE Club serving as hostesses. Inez Statler, president. Ruth Petzoldt, member of Cheerful Country Doers FCE Club, gave the devotion titled "Bearable and Beautiful," closing with a prayer. ...

A women's empowerment seminar will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. Licensed professional counselor Charlie Harrison will conduct "The Empowered Woman: I Believe in Me" seminar. The seminar is based on the book "The Language of Emotional Intelligence" by Jeanne Segal. Participants will learn the five essential tools for building powerful and effective relationships. The seminar is free but registration is required. Call 335-7745 for more information...

Cape Girardeau Elementary MONDAY--Corn dog or ham & cheese on bun, corn, pears, vanilla wafers. TUESDAY--Cheeseburger or turkey & cheese on bun, tiger fries, mixed fruit cup. WEDNESDAY--Ravioli or ham & cheese on bun, green beans, roll, pineapple...

Rita holds especially fond memories of her eighth-grade graduation -- particularly the hoopla surrounding the kind of dress she would wear. It would be an awesome event, and she had to prepare for it. She remembers her mother's enthusiasm at choosing just the right garment. ...

Spring is such a hopeful season, full of days of cleaning out what clung onto us all winter long, days of dragging out what was once priceless to the curb only to watch neighbors gasp at the treasure they have just found. Spring is fresh and new, melting away the dreary days of winter...

Before becoming a pastor, the Rev. Daniel Johnson worked as an analyst, a trainer of computer and network technicians and he completed a master's degree in counseling. "Since this is my fourth career, the story of my call is not very simple," Johnson said. He said the events that led him to his congregation were "so extraordinary that I can only say God was totally in control every step of the way."...

TOKYO -- Toyota Motor Corp. said Friday it will resume car production at all its plants in Japan at half-capacity from April 18 to 27 after the March earthquake and tsunami forced it to halt manufacturing due to shortages of parts and power. Toyota, the world's No. 1 automaker, said production at its 18 plants will then halt from April 28 to May 9, a period that includes Golden Week holidays when factories would normally close...

PHOENIX -- A flight emergency caused by a fuselage hole 34,000 feet over the Arizona desert is focusing attention on the hundreds of older-model 737s around the world that could be similarly vulnerable. A 5-foot section of the passenger cabin roof of a 15-year-old Boeing 737-300 tore off April 1, forcing the Southwest Airlines flight to make an emergency landing...

DETROIT -- A mentally ill Vietnam War veteran who has spent much of the past three decades in prison or psychiatric hospitals said he meant to send a message the night he was arrested outside a Michigan mosque, just not the violent message authorities say he intended...

CHESTER, Pa. -- Shots rang out in a suburban Philadelphia social hall where a teenage party was being held, killing two people and sending eight others to hospitals, authorities said Saturday. Police in Chester, where a state of emergency was declared last summer because of crime concerns, said a suspect was taken into custody after officers were called to the Minaret Temple No. 174 around 11:30 p.m. Friday and found "numerous victims."...

WASHINGTON -- A last-minute budget deal averted a federal shutdown, cut billions in spending and provided the first major test of the divided government that voters ushered in five months ago. Working late into Friday night, congressional and White House negotiators finally agreed on a plan to pay for government operations through the end of September while trimming $38.5 billion in spending...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- North- and southbound Highway 25 from County Road 632 to Business Route 60 in Stoddard County will continue to be reduced to one lane this week while Missouri Department of Transportation crews make pavement repairs. Weather permitting, the work will begin Monday at 7:30 a.m. and will end Thursday at 4 p.m. The work zone will be marked with signs...

Route E between U.S. 61 and Route B in Cape Girardeau County will be reduced to one lane Monday and Tuesday while Missouri Department of Transportation crews patch the road. Weather permitting, the work will take place from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. The work zone will be marked with signs...

Gas prices at the U-Pump station at Pacific and Independence streets are lowered from 77.9 cents per gallon to 69.9 cents in the morning; a representative of Self Service Oil Co., which owns the station, predicts other Cape Girardeau stations will follow suit...

TAMMS, Ill. -- Virginia Evelyn Kaufman, 86, of Tamms went to be with the Lord at 4:05 p.m. April 8, 2011, with her family at her side after battling breast cancer. She was a resident at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau. Virginia was born July 1, 1924, in Elco, Ill., daughter of the late Gilbert and Annie Bass Durham. She and Lennis Kaufman were married June 3, 1942. He preceded her in death along with her parents, three sisters and five brothers...

Mickey C. Horn, 69, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, April 7, 2011, at his home. He was born July 10, 1941, in Broseley, Mo., to Albert Harold "Bill" and Darlus Baker Horn. He and Wanda Downen were married Dec. 5, 1975, at Sikeston, Mo. Mickey served in the Navy from July 14, 1958, to April 24, 1962...

Cape Girardeau police were still looking for two men Friday they allege were part of a robbery that occurred at 307 N. Pacific St. earlier in the day. Officers responded to the location just before 2 a.m. Friday, where the victims alleged a man pointed a gun at them while they were on their porch. ...

Debra Fay "Debbie" Ruth, 55, of Scott City died Friday, April 8, 2011, at her home. She was born March 4, 1956, at Desloge, Mo., the daughter of Raymond Thomas and Treva Marjorie Terry Ruth. She had worked as a certified nurses aide at Southeast Hospital and as a cashier at Schnucks. She was a member of First General Baptist Church at Jackson...

Frieda Augusta Pierce, 92, died Friday, April 8, 2011, at Monticello House in Jackson. Arrangements are incomplete at Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Dale K. Yount, 81, of Marble Hill died Friday, April 8, 2011, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Steve Sanders and Kirby Grindstaff officiating. Burial will be in Old Union Cemetery near Bessville, Mo...

Daughter to Curtis Adam and Lindsey Erin Amos of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Hospital, 11:49 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2011. Name, Liliana Beth. Weight, 8 pounds 1 ounce. Second daughter. Mrs. Amos is the former Lindsey Francis, daughter of Charles and Tamra Francis of Cape Girardeau. She is employed by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Amos is the son of Ron and Beth Amos of Wickliffe, Ky. He is a sprinkler fitter with Local 669...

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

Firefighters responded to the following calls Thursday:...

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team is assured of its first Ohio Valley Conference series loss of the season. Host Tennessee Tech did the honors by sweeping Saturday's doubleheader in Cookeville, Tenn., 9-5 and 5-4. Southeast is 16-14 overall and 3-4 in OVC play. The Redhawks, who have dropped three straight conference games, fell from a tie for second place all the way to seventh in the nine-team league...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Fans looking for offense should have stayed away from Perryville's City Park on Friday. But those in search of pitching came to the right place. Jackson's Zach McDowell and Perryville's Colby Brown hooked up in a classic duel, each allowing just a hit and an unearned run through the regulation seven innings...

ORAN, Mo. -- Junior right-hander Dalton Elfrink enjoyed the chance to toe the rubber opposite Oak Ridge standout Brett Thomas. Elfrink didn't post the same gaudy strikeout total as Thomas, but he silenced the Blue Jays' bats in a 1-0 victory that took eight innings Friday...

The Southeast Missouri State football program recently lost a third assistant from last season when Troy Dumas resigned. Dumas, who joined Southeast's staff in 2008, had been coaching linebackers but was slated to coach safeties this season. Former Southeast linebacker Nick Stauffer, who had been a defensive/special teams assistant, will take over coaching the safeties...

The Southeast Missouri State softball team notched an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader road sweep Saturday. Southeast beat Tennessee State 6-5 and 5-3 in Nashville, Tenn. The squads conclude their three-game series today. The Redhawks improved to 16-21 overall and 10-7 in OVC play as they remained fourth in the 11-team league. Last-place TSU is 10-32 and 4-15...

All the local high school events reported Friday to the Southeast Missourian.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Miguel Tejada hit a two-run double that glanced off the glove of center fielder Colby Rasmus with two outs in the ninth inning and the San Francisco Giants rallied late for the second straight day to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 on Saturday night a few hours after receiving their World Series rings...

All the local high school events reported Saturday to the Southeast Missourian.

As it celebrates its 175th anniversary, the St. Vincent de Paul Parish School is poised for a major capital expansion. The $4 million project will add classrooms, a cafeteria and a band room to the growing Catholic school, and expand meeting space for a parish of nearly 4,500 members, according to the Rev. David Hulshof, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul...

A traveler on foot was three cents. A horse, mule or ox was nine. A one-horse wagon was 37 cents. And crossing faster than a walk brought a fine of a dollar. The Burfordville Covered Bridge in Cape Girardeau County was a toll bridge. The oldest of Missouri's four remaining covered bridges, the Burfordville bridge is part of the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site, which is named for the stately four-story, brick-and-stone mill that sits just downstream on the Whitewater River...