Stories from Wednesday, November 23, 2011

When it comes to Thanksgiving turkey a lot of people blithely ignore the clear lesson of Aesop's fable about the fox and the hedgehog and refuse to leave well enough alone. According to the National Turkey Federation more and more of us are looking for nontraditional ways to cook the holiday bird...

Voters will likely decide whether a quarry near Fruitland will become part of Jackson. The annexation merry-go-round that began last December when residents of Fruitland wanted Jackson to allow them to incorporate as their own town, took another twist on Tuesday. ...

The Tigers defeated California 92-35 to improve to 5-0

On Tuesday afternoon, Trent Summers made a telephone call to Ellen Dillon, his opponent in the lone contested race for Cape Girardeau City Council next year. The two had never met, so he introduced himself and they chatted briefly about what they hoped the tone of the campaign would be between now and the April 3 election...

A disgruntled employee allegedly used a lighter and paper to start a fire Monday night that badly damaged a Cape Girardeau office building.

The one-story house on Henry Street is small and nondescript, tucked away on a short side street near Jefferson School in Cape Girardeau. Brandi Lalumondiere knew a few things about it when she bought it. It had only two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a small bath. Still, she thought, for a starter home, it would do...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- A memorial service is scheduled for next week for a Stoddard County soldier killed in Afghanistan. The service for Spc. James Burnett, Jr. will be held on Sunday, Nov. 27 at the old high school gymnasium in Advance. He died last week when his vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan. He was 21...

The Cape Girardeau School Board on Monday approved bids for improvements to Cape Girardeau Central Middle School and Blanchard Elementary School.

Twinkling lights and holiday tunes will fill the streets of downtown Cape Girardeau Sunday night for the 20th annual Parade of Lights. About 100 floats are expected to take part in this year's parade, which begins at 5 p.m. Sunday. It's the only parade in the area that requires all entries to have lights and music, said Nicholle Hinkle, project manager with Old Town Cape...

A Sikeston, Mo., business tied up in an embezzlement case involving a Jackson man now finds itself in the middle of civil litigation over a dispute with a New Jersey-based textile company that's also involved in the embezzlement lawsuit. In May, Cranbury, N.J.-based KT America Corp. ...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A Charleston man will face a first-degree murder charge among others for a nightclub scuffle that escalated to a fatal conclusion, the Standard Democrat reported. During a preliminary hearing held Monday at the Mississippi County Courthouse, Associate Judge T. ...

Today is Wednesday, Nov. 23, the 327th day of 2011. There are 38 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Nov. 23, 1936, Life, the photojournalism magazine created by Henry R. Luce (loos), was first published. On this date:...

WASHINGTON -- Hidden dangers lurk in some of those less-expensive toys that parents might grab as stocking stuffers this time of year -- like a Sesame Street Oscar the Grouch doll. The small, furry, green Oscar, purchased for $6.99, was one of the toys singled out in the annual toy safety report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group...

TRIPOLI, Libya -- The International Criminal Court's prosecutor held talks Tuesday with Libyan authorities on ensuring a fair trial for Moammar Gadhafi's son Seif al-Islam, who is being held by revolutionary fighters. The prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, conceded the Libyans have the authority to try him at home but he wants judges from the Netherlands-based court to be involved. ...

WASHINGTON -- A long-running war between Democrats and Republicans over Bush-era tax cuts doomed the debt supercommittee's chances of reaching a deal. Efforts to overhaul the tax code may await the same fate as both parties gear up to make taxes a central issue in the 2012 elections...

Many are preparing for the Thanksgiving weekend. In addition to being thankful for the blessings in our lives, some will also start their Christmas shopping. The Christmas season is an important time of year for retailers. The Cape Girardeau and surrounding areas are fortunate to have stores of almost every variety. Whether you're in the market for electronics, clothing, toys or any number of other items, consider shopping locally this year and supporting our area businesses...

According to Alan Journet, it is not the system in Washington, D.C., that is broken. He places all blame on the Republican Party. In doing so, he forgets that many of the same senators and representatives (both Democrat and Republican) wrote the regulations that govern business; sit on the committees that oversee Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the SEC; voted to bail out the economic institutions deemed "too big to fail," etc. ...

I have been reading in the paper about Cape Girardeau wanting to attract more baby boomers. A smoke-free entertainment venue for the older set might be something to consider. I have spoken to hundreds of people about the need for such a place and the response has been overwhelmingly in favor...

The high school football coach teaches athletes to play to the best of their ability. Coaches teach sportsmanship and teamwork. The coach creates an environment that allows students an opportunity to excel. If student athletes learn these things, take advantage of that environment, and have enough natural ability they will win games...

I just saw "Hamlet" recently at the River Campus. While Shakespeare is not one of my most favorite of things, they did a tremendous job and everything was very enjoyable. They all acted their parts very well. The young man who played Hamlet was awesome. He did a fantastic job and had a lot of lines. So kudos to all of them and the director. It was fantastic...

Thank you, O Heavenly Father, for family and friends and their blessing on our lives. Amen.

My friends from the senior center, Rob and Joan Weeks, lent me "Around the World Cookbook." It is an interesting book featuring 34 countries and popular foods from each country, with a brief write-up about the culinary importance of that country. I really have enjoyed reading it and learning a little something new on every page...

SALT LAKE CITY -- Microsoft's Windows 95 rollout presented the most challenges in the company's history, leading to several last-minute changes to technical features that would no longer support a rival software maker's word processor, Bill Gates testified Monday in a $1 billion antitrust lawsuit filed by the former owner of WordPerfect...

HOUSTON -- A small plane abandoned with about 100 pounds of marijuana onboard after skidding off the runway at a small private airstrip was recently sold at auction or in an estate sale following the death of its registered owner, authorities said Tuesday...

VIENNA -- Russia has joined the U.S. and Britain in backing Israel's view that the Middle East cannot be turned into a zone free of nuclear arms without progress on peace in the region. The three nations told a meeting on the issue Tuesday that such zones "do no exist in isolation from other security factors."...

KY SON, Vietnam -- This is where Vietnam's rising middle class is dying to flaunt its bling: a new cemetery at the end of a golden-gated "Highway to Eternity" where relatives can order graveside offerings of Hennessy online. The Lac Hong Vien Cemetery is bringing in tomb shoppers by the busload through its Las Vegas-style marquee to choose from XL, state-of-the-art resting places for themselves and their dearly departed. ...

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan's envoy to Washington lost a battle with the country's powerful generals to keep his job Tuesday over allegations he wrote a memo seeking U.S. help in stopping a supposed coup in the aftermath of the American raid that killed Osama bin Laden...

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- The deputy leader of the Khmer Rouge regime blamed for 1.7 million deaths in Cambodia's "killing fields" insisted Tuesday he carried out its policies for the sake of Cambodians and to protect the country from invaders. The communist movement's chief ideologist did not directly respond to the horrors that prosecutors described a day earlier at the start of the U.N.-backed tribunal for him and two other top Khmer Rouge leaders...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- William H. "Bill" York III, 85, died Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, at Sikeston Convalescent Center. He was born Dec. 20, 1925, in Sikeston, son of William H. and Edna Porter York Jr. He and Eugenia Nell Potashnick were married in April 1948. She preceded him in death...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Steve Lamprecht, 57, of Advance passed away Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, at Advance Nursing Center. He was born Oct. 16, 1954, in Salem, Ore., son of Everett and Loretta Hosley Lamprecht. He and Kathryn Kelley were married July 12, 1975...

BENTON, Mo. -- Walter S. Anielak, 95, of Benton died Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Ladislaus Stanislaus Anielak on March 1, 1916, in St. Louis, son of Frank and Anna Mlynarczyk Anielak. Anielak grew up in Washington County, Ill., and attended St. Michael Catholic Church and School in Radom, Ill...

Cape Girardeau The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI Arrests Summonses Assaults Burglary Thefts Property damage Miscellaneous Southeast Missouri State University...

NEW HAMBURG, Mo. — Paul J. Kiefer, 88, of New Hamburg, Mo., died Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, at the Chateau Girardeau retirement community in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee, Mo.

CHAFFEE, Mo. — John V. Halter, 85, of Chaffee died Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee.

Edgar A. "Edro" Esicar Jr., 85, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the chapel. Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau...

Daughter to Matthew Caleb and Holly Mae Foster of Glenallen, Mo., Saint Francis Medical Center, 6:57 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7, 2011. Name, Emily Mae. Weight, 6 pounds, 8 1/2 ounces. Second child, first daughter. Mrs. Foster is the former Holly Kirkpatrick, daughter of DeWayne and Tina Kirkpatrick of Diehlstadt, Mo. Foster is the son of Jerry Foster of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Sandi Sitze of Marble Hill, Mo. He is employed by Pete Tanner's Solid Waste...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Charles C. Littleton, 86, of Perryville died Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, at Perry County Memorial Hospital. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Young and Sons Funeral Home, and from 6:30 a.m. until time of service Saturday...

The congregation of Christ Episcopal Church holds a public reception honoring the Rev. Stephen Bergmann, who will be leaving Cape Girardeau Dec. 1 to become rector of St. Timothy Episcopal Church in Indianapolis. The Rev. Dale Trimberger is installed as director of Lutheran Family and Children's Services during a ceremony at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church; guest speaker is Dr. Paul Spitz, district president...

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following calls Sunday: ...

Raymond W. "Ray" Chappell, 84, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, at the Missouri Veterans Home. He was born Dec. 31, 1926, in Blodgett, Mo., to Edward and Pearly Huff Chappell. He and Vernetta Bradley were married Jan. 30, 1959, in San Jose, Calif...

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

ST. LOUIS -- Willie Mitchell doesn't mind providing some punch to a Los Angeles Kings roster filled with firepower. The Kings' defenseman scored his 25th career goal at an opportune time in his 664th NHL game. Mitchell snapped a third-period tie with his first goal of the season with 5 minutes, 49 seconds left in the game to help the Kings to a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night...

The Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team figures to have little trouble inching closer to the .500 mark today. Southeast (1-3) begins a two-game homestand with a 7 p.m. tipoff against NAIA Hannibal-LaGrange (2-5). The only previous meeting between the programs resulted in a 101-52 romp for the Redhawks last season...

The Southeast linebacker led the conference in tackles

DALLAS -- Dallas police honored a man on Tuesday whose "keen observation skills and strong sense of civic duty" led them to Lee Harvey Oswald, who had crept into the back of a darkened movie theater to hide on Nov. 22, 1963, shortly after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- North- and southbound Interstate 55 in Scott County will be reduced to one lane Monday through Dec. 2 while contractor crews install guardrails and repair the shoulders. This section of road is between routes HH and U at the Route H overpass. Weather permitting, the work will be done from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The work zone will be marked with signs. For more information, contact the Missouri Department of Transportation's Customer Service Center at 888-275-6636...

CAIRO -- Egypt's military leader promised to speed the transition to civilian rule, saying Tuesday that presidential elections will be held by the end of June 2012. But the major concession was immediately rejected by tens of thousands of protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square, who responded with chants of "Leave, leave now!"...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Highway 91 in Scott County will be closed between U.S. 61 and Route CC while railroad crews replace the railroad crossing. Weather permitting, the road will close at 8 a.m. today and will reopen at 5 p.m. Dec. 1. The work zone will be marked with signs. ...

Did you know that the building of a high-speed rail line across central Missouri will support more than 200,000 jobs, or roughly 800 jobs for every mile of track? That is right, more than 200,000 jobs. Don't believe me? Well, it is right there on page 21 of the Missouri Department of Transportation's (MoDOT) application for $600 million in high-speed rail federal funding for the planning and engineering phase of what eventually will be an $8 billion project: "The construction phase is estimated to support over 208,674 direct, indirect, and induced jobs.". ...

ST. LOUIS -- David Freese was given the red-carpet treatment for the third time since the St. Louis Cardinals' improbable World Series championship run. He got a standing ovation, too, prior to the premiere of the Series video Tuesday night, with fans chanting "Hometown Hero," to salute a player born and raised in St. Louis. They even referenced Green Pines Elementary School...

Cape Girardeau, Mo. -- There are 6.79 million search engine hits for "holiday stress." It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it's also the most stressful for many people. The list of holiday demands is long -- entertaining, cleaning, baking, shopping, parties...

SCOUTS FROM PACK 15 & TROOP 4 DELIVERED COATS AT SCHNUCKS PHILIP FRANCIS, CAMEREN WALLEY, DENNIS JORDAN,DYLAN CORVICK, AND PAYTON WALLEY