Stories from Sunday, November 27, 2011

This year's Lutheran Family and Children's Services holiday home tour showcases seven homes, including the largest ever shown on the tour and one that was brought to the area piece by piece from Connecticut. The tour will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday...

Second-degree arson charges await a man who remained in the hospital Friday after allegedly setting fire last week to an office complex where he worked. Mark K. Carleton, 26, of Thebes, Ill., was still hospitalized as of Friday afternoon due to injuries from smoke inhalation after he allegedly used paper and a lighter to start a fire late Monday night that caused more than $500,000 dollars worth of damage inside the complex...

A boost in traffic along Gordonville Road -- no doubt prompted by the masses that have been flocking to the new Chick-Fil-A -- has the Cape Girardeau City Council poised to prohibit left-turns at a nearby intersection it considers dangerous...

By midnight on Black Friday, Denise Peterson of Sikeston had spent 29 hours waiting in line at Best Buy. Since 7 p.m. Wednesday she'd been patiently waiting outside the Cape Girardeau electronics store to buy a 42-inch television for her husband. "There's no way we could ever pay full price for one," said Peterson, who saved nearly $400 by camping out for this Black Friday special. "It was a stretch to even afford this, but I scrimped and saved."...

As Jackson city officials approach the eleventh hour in announcing their intent to involuntarily annex Fruitland, a lawsuit filed by residents Monday calls into question whether the city has the legal authority to make such a decision. Six residents of Fruitland, two from Jackson and the not-for-profit Save Our Children's Health Inc. ...

The Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team defeated Miami of Ohio 64-57 on Saturday.

Izaac Pursley, age 3, from Jackson suffers from a chronic lung disease, but he, his parents Greg and Sheree as well as his sister Evee-Kay, were able to got to Disneyworld and enjoy the fun and majic. As you can see by the smile on Izaac's face, he embraces every moment and brings such joy to those around him. Izaac's mom, Sheree, says Izaac's favorite part was riding the horses at Give Kids The World...

Ken Callis and Associates has provided quality mental health care to the region for over 20 years and they recently expanded their facility and clinical staff. The new location is at 615 N. Broadview in Cape Girardeau,providing a larger waiting area and additional offices...

This holiday season is the most eagerly anticipated one for Jason and Megane Niswonger of Jackson because it will be their first with their adopted son, Nate. Nate Thomas Ye Joon Niswonger, 2, was adopted from South Korea in March. "He has fit right in," Jason Niswonger said. "Nate was immediately one of the family. His grandmothers have been spoiling him. He has a great personality and has been accepting of everyone."...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Fans of the "Ice Age" movies will recognize some of the displays now at the Bollinger County Museum of Natural History. A mammoth skull that was on display last year has returned, along with the replica of a mummified baby wooly mammoth. ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A rover of "monster truck" proportions zoomed toward Mars on an eight-and-a-half-month, 354 million-mile journey Saturday, the biggest, best equipped robot ever sent to explore another planet. NASA's six-wheeled, one-armed wonder, Curiosity, will reach Mars next summer and use its jackhammer drill, rock-zapping laser machine and other devices to search for evidence that Earth's next-door neighbor might once have been home to the teeniest forms of life...

BENTON, Mo. -- In a time when many prices are going up, Scott County will get medical services for jail inmates next year for less than the county paid this year. During the regular Scott County Commission meeting Tuesday, commissioners awarded the contract for health care services for inmates at the Scott County Jail to Correctional Health Care Companies of Peoria, Ill., formerly Health Professionals Limited, which is the current provider...

BLODGETT, Mo. -- A Sikeston, Mo., teen was killed in a single-vehicle accident early Friday. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported at 12:05 a.m. Dylan T. Simmons, 17, was driving northbound on Route H, 2.5 miles north of Blodgett, when his vehicle apparently left the roadway and struck a tree...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A group of Sikeston-area truck drivers says helping provide toys to local children has become a tradition for them, and their kindness is beginning to catch on within the community. In its first year nine years ago, Truckers for Kids served 12 children in Southeast Missouri. ...

The Southeast Missouri State women's basketball lost both of its games at the UAB Thanksgiving Classic.

Today is Sunday, Nov. 27, the 331st day of 2011. There are 34 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Nov. 27, 1901, the U.S. Army War College was established in Washington, D.C. On this date: In 1839, the American Statistical Association was founded in Boston...

Pictured here is a family of at least three young raccoons. Born in springtime, juvenile raccoons by late November are pretty much left by their mother to survive on their own. She no longer can care for a brood of offspring nearly three-quarters grown...

Brianna Nicole Gaddie and Nicolas Dale Robinson were married Aug. 5, 2011, at La Croix United Methodist Church. J.T. Tomason performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Kari Gaddie of Grand Forks, N.D., and Patrick Gaddie of East Grand Forks, Minn. The groom is the son of Dale and Sherri Robinson of Jackson...

Caitlin Rebecca Bahn and Kirtley James Weitzel were united in marriage Oct. 1, 2011, at First Presbyterian Church. Dr. Jeff Long and the Rev. William Vincent performed the ceremony. Pianist was Shane Steck of Cape Girardeau. Parents of the couple are Dr. L. Taylor and Nancy Bahn of Cape Girardeau, and James and Tracey Weitzel of Orlando, Fla...

Mr. and Mrs. John Anderson Banahan of Pascagoula, Miss., announce the engagement of their daughter, Abigail Hart Banahan, to Calen James Wills. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Christensen of Cape Girardeau and Dr. and Mrs. James Wills of Jackson...

Mr. and Mrs. Hughes Davault of Jackson celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary Nov. 20, 2011, by attending service at New McKendree United Methodist Church. Davault and Doris Brennecke were married Nov. 20, 1941, in Cape Girardeau. He is the son of Dr. W.W. and Anna Jenkins Davault. She is the daughter of Joseph H. and Cora Chostner Brennecke...

Mr. and Mrs. Tim Gainey of Cape Girardeau celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary at a family dinner Nov. 24, 2011. Hosts were their daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly and John Barnard of Jackson. Gainey and Debbie Payne were married Nov. 27, 1971, at First Baptist Church in Morehouse, Mo., by the Rev. Alonzo Dale. Their attendants were Terri Gainey and Tom Gaubatz...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Celestial Faye Shields and Matthew Tyler Vandiver exchanged wedding vows Nov. 5, 2011, at Chaffee General Baptist Church. The Rev. Robert Lewis performed the ceremony. Parents of the couple are Stan and Brenda Shields of Chaffee, and Jeffery and Sharon Vandiver of Bloomfield, Mo...

As Jack Frost slowly starts to creep his way into the area, people must be prepared, patient and diligent about their vehicles being ready for winter driving. There are several simple and easy steps to ensure the highest level of safety and performance when being faced with driving in hazardous conditions...

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, drafts inside the home can waste up to 30 percent of energy use. There are several ways to protect homes from the elements inside and out as well as letting owners keep a little extra money in their pockets through the winter...

During October, the Oran Lady Eagles volleyball team collected a total of $130 for breast cancer awareness. With the help of the American Cancer Society of Cape Girardeau and Brenda Freed from the Scott County Health Department, the Lady Eagles had a breast cancer information table set up at all home games in October. ...

Clippard Elementary School at 2880 Hopper Road in Cape Girardeau is graced with five maple trees, new flower gardens, a water fountain and a new rock garden spelling "Clippard" thanks to an innovative program called Lowe's Heroes. The Cape Girardeau Lowe's home improvement store donated gifts and labor valued at $1,200. ...

LOS ANGELES -- Where do people get their pets? A new AP-Petside.com poll found that the most common way people acquire a pet is as a gift, followed by taking in a stray. About four in 10 pet owners say at least one of their current pets was given to them by friends or family, while a third say they have a pet that showed up on their doorstep as a stray...

Pet name: Tillie Owner: Dorothy Pensel Favorite activity: Tillie loves helping mom sew.

Colleen was born in 2009. She is friendly and loves attention. Colleen has an attractive orange coat and black whiskers. For more information, contact Safe Harbor at 243-9823.

Sidney is 1 year old. She is already spayed. Sidney is available for adoption at the Humane Society, 334-5837.

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Tasha Dawn James and Michael Joseph Chorba II were married July 23, 2011, at Cottage of Grace General Baptist Church. Bill McCormick performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Christopher and Jeanie James of Marble Hill. The groom is the son of Mike and Diane Chorba Sr. of Marble Hill...

As we enjoy leftovers from Thanksgiving, it's time to officially start the Christmas season. Many lights and other Christmas decorations are already on display, and a few upcoming events are worth consideration:The 20th annual Parade of Lights, sponsored by Christmas in Old Town Cape, will begin at approximately 5 p.m. Sunday and have about 100 entries, including high school marching bands from Advance, Kelly, Oran and Notre Dame...

I'VE read Peter Kinder's recommendation for lowering the minimum wage for carpenters and construction workers in Joplin, Mo. I would suggest that Mr. Kinder start by being charitable. He should reduce his salary to minimum wage. I wish that Washington, especially the news reporters, would wake up and realize that the income tax rates are not the reason that so many high-income people don't pay much in taxes. ...

O God, may we remember the true reason for the Christmas season. Amen.

Scott City senior Brandon Shemonia finished 21st out of 369 runners at the Nike Midwest Regionals championship in Terre Haute, Ind. Shemonia, who won the Class 2 state title earlier this month, covered the 5,000-meter course in 16 minutes, 21.1 seconds. The winner, Futsum Zeinasellassie from Indiana, finished in 15:42.8...

RABAT, Morocco -- An Islamist party is on track to become the largest party in Morocco's new parliament with a dominant showing after two-thirds of the seats were announced by the Interior Ministry on Saturday. The Justice and Development Party has taken 80 seats, almost twice as many as the next most successful party, with 282 seats announced out of the 395 up for grabs in the nationwide vote a day earlier...

BAGHDAD -- After more than eight years in Iraq, the departing American military's legacy includes a fledgling democracy, bitter memories of war and, for the nation's youth, rap music, tattoos and slang. In other words, as the Dec. 31 deadline for completing their withdrawal approaches, U.S. troops are leaving behind the good, the bad and what "Lil Czar" Mohammed calls the "punky."...

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan on Saturday blocked vital supply routes for U.S.-led troops in Afghanistan and demanded Washington vacate a base used by American drones after coalition aircraft allegedly killed 24 Pakistani troops at two posts along a mountainous frontier that serves as a safe haven for militants...

Daughter to Devin Lee and Kelly Elizabeth Eastman of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Hospital, 5:06 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. Name, Alaina Elizabeth. Weight, 6 pounds, 6 ounces. Second daughter. Mrs. Eastman is the former Kelly Bowman, daughter of Bob and Ellen Bowman of Cape Girardeau. Eastman is the son of Jeff Overbeck and Amy Overbeck, and Tim and Lea Prince, all of Cape Girardeau. He is a deck hand with Luhr Bros...

Raymond E. "Pete" McClard, 89, of Jackson passed away Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born July 12, 1922, at Neely's Landing, to Harry and Alpha Craft McClard. He and Wanda Jean Keller were married Feb. 2, 1947, at Batavia, Iowa. They had been married 61 years when Wanda passed away April 6, 2008...

David F. Mobley, 78, of Randles died Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. David was born Dec. 11, 1932, in Randles to the late Grover Cleveland and Ida Annabelle Davis Mobley. He married Shirley Moore on Oct. 22, 1951. He was a retired railroad brakeman and conductor for the Union Pacific Railroad in Scott City...

Thanksgiving Day. The Salvation Army serves up a free, traditional Thanksgiving meal at its headquarters, 701 Good Hope St., for about 450 people; dinners are also delivered to those unable to leave their homes; the dinner was initiated four years ago...

NEW YORK -- The way Americans are chomping Big Macs, lacing up pricey sneakers and gulping peppermint mochas in this economy, you'd think they're taking advantage of big holiday discounts. The truth is they're paying more. McDonald's, Nike, Starbucks and other companies initially worried that customers would run the other way when they started raising prices to offset their higher costs for ingredients, fuel and packaging. ...

MINNEAPOLIS -- The little planes that connect America's small cities to the rest of the world are slowly being phased out. Airlines are getting rid of these planes -- their least efficient -- in response to the high cost of fuel. Delta, United Continental, and other big airlines are expected to park, scrap or sell hundreds of jets with 50 seats or fewer in coming years. Small propeller planes are meeting the same fate...

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

LOS ANGELES -- The mayor of Los Angeles set a deadline for anti-Wall Street protesters to leave an encampment by city hall, while demonstrators elsewhere in California took their message about corporate greed to Black Friday shoppers, at times facing off with police...

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

Firefighters responded to the following calls Thursday:...

Baseball Coach needed: The Jackson Senior Babe Ruth baseball program is looking for a coach. Info: Mark Winder, 225-6066. Basketball Elks Hoop Shoot: The annual Elks Hoop Shoot, a free-throw shooting contest, will take place at 9 a.m. Dec. ...

MONDAY--Chicken bites or turkey & cheese on bun, vegetable blend with cheese, pears, sugar cookie with sprinkles. TUESDAY--Crispito with nacho cheese sauce or ham & cheese on bun, corn, pineapple. WEDNESDAY--Rotini with chicken alfredo or turkey & cheese on bun, green beans, garlic breadstick, grapes...

ST. LOUIS -- Blues goalie Brian Elliott has had runs like this before. That's why he knows it could end just as abruptly as it started. Elliott made 24 saves for his third shutout of the season in St. Louis' 2-0 victory over the Calgary Flames on Friday night...

Pastor and international evangelist Martin D. Johnson of Atlanta will be hosting his "Breaking Curses" conference at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday at the Greater Dimension Ministries, 723 Hackberry St. in Cape Girardeau. Johnson is the pastor of Life Givers Christian Center Inc. in Atlanta. All services are free and open to the public. For more information, call 573-334-6477...

The Friends of Saint Francis honored its 26th honorary lifetime member, Janet Esicar. Esicar served as a Friends Board member for more than a decade, sitting as its president for a one-year term. Since the conclusion of her Friends tenure in 2008, she has been an integral Foundation Board member, currently serving as its chairwoman. Esicar has been a committed volunteer coordinator and supporter for both the Ken Hayden Memorial Golf Tournament and the Benefit Golf Tournament...

Anyone who comes to Cape Bible Chapel on Sunday morning will be greeted by the friendly handshake and welcoming smile of associate pastor James Green. Green can be found fulfilling a number of duties on Sunday morning. "A lot of what I do is to help people connect," Green said...

Rejoice. That's a word in Scripture that I sometimes skip over. It's such a small instruction that it doesn't always register in my mind and heart how powerful, necessary and transformative it is. The God who has already won every battle is the God who calls us his children. When I think about the word "rejoice" in this context, it becomes the main message of how I want to live my life...

As you might imagine, Sunday mornings are pretty hectic for a local church pastor. Some colleagues of mine have it rougher. They are assigned to more than one church and have to travel between them to preach on a given Sabbath morning. I've never had to do that. My ministry always has been at one place at a time. Still, Sundays are busy days for those who share my vocation...

The November meeting of the Lamplighters FCE was held in the home of Dorothy Hahs. Karen McLane, president, called the meeting to order and had the 12 members repeat the Pledge of Allegiance and the Club Collect. Devotional thoughts titled "I Hope You Dance" and "Retarded Grandparents" were shared by the hostess. The meeting's roll call was a brown-bag exchange of homemade items...

WASHINGTON -- Conservative interest groups and Republican lawmakers want Justice Elena Kagan off the health care case. Liberals and Democrats in Congress say it's Justice Clarence Thomas who should sit it out. Neither justice is budging -- the right decision, according to many ethicists and legal experts...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri auditor's office is questioning how some costs were handled to conduct a performance review of a state agency responsible for checking to make sure rules are followed in the state's Medicaid program. The audit found that salaries and travel expenses for two people who helped conduct the review of the Department of Social Services' Program Integrity Unit were paid through the department's budget, though the employees didn't perform duties related to the unit and reported to managers at another agency, the Missouri Office of Administration. ...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The landowners who maintain a damaged northwest Missouri levee are asking the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to reconsider kicking them out of a program that helps make repairs after flooding. The Forest City Levee District Levee learned in a letter dated May 23 that it had failed an inspection and would no longer qualify for federal help. A week later, the corps began releasing massive amounts of water from upstream dams...

ST. LOUIS -- Injuries have taken their toll on the offensive line of the St. Louis Rams, who have lost both starting tackles and a backup to injuries. St. Louis placed right tackle Jason Smith on the injured reserve list Friday. Smith sustained a concussion and a neck injury Oct. 23 against Dallas. He is the 13th Rams player on the IR list...

Children will have an opportunity to dine with Santa Claus soon. The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department and Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Foundation will sponsor the fifth annual Breakfast With Santa on Dec. 10 at the Osage Centre...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Gary Pinkel hopes that Missouri and Kansas will keep their 120-year-old rivalry alive even after the Tigers depart the Big 12 for the SEC. It's hard to blame him. The Tigers have made a habit of hammering their bitter adversary...

ST. LOUIS -- Sam Bradford and Josh McDaniels were supposed to be a dream team, an innovator paired with last year's NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year that would enable the St. Louis Rams' offense to take flight. It instead has been an endless string of fruitless Sundays for the puniest attack in the NFL. They're averaging 12 points per game and have 10 touchdowns in 10 games entering today's NFC West also-ran rematch against the Arizona Cardinals...

MECHANICSVILLE, Va. -- It was the Civil War's "Kitty Hawk moment," and it happened here when balloons manned by Confederate and Union aeronauts floated above a field of battle -- the first time warring armies sent their air ships aloft simultaneously over U.S. soil...