Stories from Friday, April 27, 2012

The Jackson School District announced Wednesday who will fill the role of middle school assistant principal starting with the next school year. Janelle Pope was selected by the school board during a closed session meeting Tuesday night. Pope is currently a language arts teacher at Jackson High School and has been employed by the district for 10 years...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- An initiative seeking to raise Missouri's minimum wage is a step closer to making the ballot after a state judge upheld the summary that voters would see.

Appliances, car parts and clothing were all pulled out of Cape LaCroix Creek during last year's "Bashin' Trash" event, and this year, the volunteers will take on the Mississippi riverfront in Cape Girardeau on Saturday.

PADUCAH, Ky. -- Kentucky officials are attempting to extradite Timothy Wayne Krajcir, who in 2008 confessed to killing five women in Cape Girardeau, from a prison in Illinois to their state to face felony charges. Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Seth Hancock said the state is working with Illinois officials to transport Krajcir to Paducah to face the new charges...

The Cape Girardeau Partnership for Higher Education welcomed students Thursday for an open house enrollment event while a semester approaches that could lead the way to a make or break situation among the region's three higher education institutions.

Southeast Missouri State baseball player Kenton Parmley is five hits away from matching Jeremy Johnson for most hits during a career at Southeast Missouri State

The Rev. Aaron Brown's voice broke as he told a group of Southeast Missouri residents about having to tell someone from his congregation one of their family members had died. But after a tornado devastated Joplin, Mo., on May 22, there was too much work to do to grieve. ...

Ten talented Cape Central Orchestra members will travel to Columbia Missouri to the All-State Music Festival Saturday April 28, 2012. Each of these musicians earned a superior ratings at District level competition on March 16. Pictured left to right, back row: Geoffery Pettet, Cadie Crites, Nick Smentkwski, and Aaron Mehner. Front row: Mallory Dickson, Josey Young, Emily Long and Vikas Rudrappa...

Legislation approved Wednesday by the U.S. Senate would keep post offices and mail distribution centers open for now. Last year, the postal service announced its intentions to consolidate operations and close hundreds of facilities across the country, including the Richard G. Wilson Processing and Distribution Facility, which employs about 100 people, in an effort to save money after billions of dollars in losses...

The Southeast Missouri State University Percussion Ensemble and Steel Drum Band, under the direction of Shane Mizicko, will present the Percussion Pops Family Concert on Saturday, May 5, 10:30a.m. in Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall. Modeled after their Family Holiday Concert this concert is also geared towards families with young children and will include music and slide shows from popular movies such as Star Wars, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter, Madagascar, and The Lion King. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri lawmakers are considering allowing casinos to loan money to patrons, something opponents say could make things worse for those with gambling addictions. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (http://bit.ly/IWCV7a ) reports that the House Financial Institutions Committee added the change onto a banking bill Wednesday with no debate. Committee members endorsed it by a 13-1 vote, sending the measure to the full House after the Rules Committee approves it...

A newly repaired stretch of South Sprigg Street will reopen to traffic Monday, almost a year to the day after Cape Girardeau officials indefinitely closed the section of roadway that collapsed late last April. But the culprit that caused the concrete to crumble remains -- the city's complicated and costly sinkhole problem...

Under the direction of Dr. Eric Clements, Professor of History at Southeast Missouri State University, graduate and undergraduate students are designing and installing exhibits on Cape Girardeau's history at the Cape River Heritage Museum, 538 Independence. ...

It is still the biggest case that has been heard in the new federal courthouse in Cape Girardeau. The corridors and courtrooms were filled April 28, 2011, with contingents from Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky arguing that steps should be taken to protect their land and livelihoods while, outside, record flooding threatened, inch by inch, to wipe out residents along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri House has approved legislation barring employees from suing co-workers for on-the-job injuries. The bill cleared the House Thursday on a vote of 99-47 and moves now to the Senate. Lawmakers approved similar provisions earlier this year as part of a bill on workers' compensation and other workplace issues, but Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed that measure...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Perry County officials were holding two Perryville residents Thursday on narcotics distribution charges after an undercover drug operation was conducted by the sheriff's office, officials said. Investigators recorded an informant purchasing eight Valium pills from Michele Anne Eudy in January, according to a probable cause affidavit. Eudy was being held on $25,000 bond on a charge of distribution of a controlled substance, a felony...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The city of Perryville recently announced the selection of Jared Tanz for the Perryville Parks and Recreation director position. He will be filling the position after current director, Marv Blevins retires. Tanz will join Blevins as co-director May 21, until Blevins officially retires June 29. ...

Today is Friday, April 27, the 118th day of 2012. There are 248 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On April 27, 2011, powerful tornadoes raked the South and Midwest. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, more than 120 twisters resulted in 316 deaths across parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia...

The Southeast Missouri State University Percussion Ensemble and Steel Drum Band will present the "Percussion Pops" Family Concert at 10:30 a.m. May 5 in the Bedell Performance Hall at the River Campus. The concert will include music and slideshows from popular movies such as "Star Wars," "Aladdin," "The Little Mermaid," "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Harry Potter," "Madagascar" and "The Lion King." The Jackson High School Percussion Ensemble will also perform. ...

Enjoy songs of all genres with local cover band Tune Squad at Mixing 10 this weekend. This Cape Girardeau-based band covers songs by a variety of artists such as Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars, Fall Out Boy and The Beatles. They will perform at 9 p.m. tonight and Saturday. There will be no cover charge to attend the show...

Grace, beauty and strength will be on display tonight as a highly regarded ballet company performs what is known as one of ballet's greatest works. The Moscow Festival Ballet will perform the classic "Don Quixote" at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus...

The first-graders in Ohio Pack 109's Tiger Scouts didn't know or care their den mother was a lesbian -- at least not until the Boy Scouts of America threw her out over the organization's ban on gays. Now, parents who were aware of Jennifer Tyrrell's sexual orientation well before she took the boys on campouts and helped them carve race cars for the annual Pinewood Derby have rallied to her defense in a case that has reignited the debate over the Scouts' policy...

RENO, Nev. -- Robert Ward has been hunting and collecting meteorites for more than 20 years, so he knew he'd found something special in the Sierra foothills along the path of a flaming fireball that shook parts of Northern California and Nevada with a sonic boom over the weekend...

FORT MEADE, Md. -- A military judge refused Thursday to dismiss the most serious charge against an Army private accused in the biggest leak of government secrets in U.S. history. Col. Denise Lind rejected a defense motion to throw out the charge of "aiding the enemy" during a pretrial hearing for Pfc. ...

CAIRO -- Egypt's presidential race is boiling down to a contest between Hosni Mubarak's former foreign minister and two Islamists with strong bases of support after the election commission Thursday released the final list of 13 candidates. None of the front-runners represents the largely liberal and secular youth who drove the uprising that toppled Mubarak's autocratic regime 14 months ago, dimming their hopes that the winner will bring dramatic democratic change in the country...

TOKYO -- A half dozen ominous new North Korean missiles showcased at a lavish military parade were clumsy fakes, analysts say, casting more doubt on the country's claims of military prowess after its recent rocket launch failure. The weapons displayed April 15 appear to be a mishmash of liquid-fuel and solid-fuel components that could never fly together. ...

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistani authorities deported Osama bin Laden's three widows and his children to Saudi Arabia early Friday, less than a week before the first anniversary of the unilateral American raid that killed the al-Qaida leader in his hideout in a military town...

WASHINGTON -- Expanding the prostitution investigation, the Secret Service acknowledged Thursday it is checking whether its employees hired strippers and prostitutes in advance of President Barack Obama's visit last year to El Salvador. The disclosure came not long after the Homeland Security secretary assured skeptical senators that the recent prostitution scandal in Colombia appeared to be an isolated incident...

Good weather has allowed work to progress on the paving of New Madrid Street near the Show Me Center; university officials say the first phase of street construction could be completed in about 10 days. Missouri State Auditor Margaret Kelly tells a crowd of about 100 people her audit of the city of Scott City didn't turn up evidence of any misappropriation, misuse or theft of funds by any city official from a $1.5 million bond issue...

LEIDSCHENDAM, Netherlands -- Former Liberian president Charles Taylor became the first head of state since World War II to be convicted by an international war crimes court, a historic verdict that sends a message that tyrants worldwide will be tracked down and brought to justice...

KABUL, Afghanistan -- An Afghan soldier fatally shot an American service member and a local interpreter in southern Afghanistan, officials said Thursday, the latest in a string of attacks against U.S. and other foreign forces by their Afghan partners...

BEIJING -- A blind legal activist who is a key figure in China's rights movement escaped the house arrest he has lived under for a year and a half, fleeing to an unknown location and angering his captors, fellow rights campaigners said Friday. Chen Guangcheng slipped out of his usually well-guarded house in Dongshigu on Sunday, said the campaigners, who are based in China and overseas. ...

BEIRUT -- U.N. observers Thursday inspected the site of an explosion that flattened a block of houses in the central Syrian city of Hama and killed at least 16 people, while the government and the opposition traded blame over the cause of the blast...

OSLO, Norway -- Mass killer Anders Behring Breivik slammed a psychiatric report that declared him insane, insisting Wednesday it was based on "evil fabrications" meant to portray him as irrational and unintelligent. "It is not me who is described in that report," the right-wing extremist, who has admitted to killing 77 people in a July 22 bomb-and-shooting rampage, said in court...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri House has approved new requirements for economic development incentives after last year's collapse of plans for an artificial sweetener factory in Moberly. The measure now heads to the Senate. In a 95-43 vote Thursday, the House backed legislation that would require officials to share information about companies that seek development incentives. ...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City police and the local transportation officials have agreed to install a gunshot-detection system that can instantly pinpoint the location of gunfire. With 39 homicides in the city so far this year, police are looking for ways to respond more quickly to gunfire and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority wants to keep its passengers safe, officials said...

Recently the Historic Preservation Commission of Cape Girardeau released a list of most endangered buildings. The purpose of the list was to bring attention to buildings either in disrepair or otherwise disused. Included on this list was the B'nai Israel synagogue on South Main Street. ...

With spring upon us there is no shortage of things to do this weekend. And if you're looking for fun local activities, here are a few events to consider:n The Southeast Missouri State University Department of Theatre and Dance will perform "Reckless" this weekend at the Wendy Kurka Rust Flexible Theatre on the River Campus. ...

Why can't the city council bring the deer population to a city vote and be done with it? It is sad when you cannot feed deer on your own property. It seems to me not feeding deer will only make them eat everything else. If you don't want your plants eaten by animals, then don't plant them...

Folks in Charleston, Mo., know how to have fun and provide a good time for anyone showing up for the annual azalea and dogwood festival a month after the blossoms have peaked. Have an extravagant lawn party, for example, one where the women dress up and wear fancy hats and where the men wear blazers and straw boaters. What fun they were having last Saturday while tour buses idled up and down the beautifully manicured streets...

Thank you, O Lord Jesus, that nothing can separate us from your love. Amen.

Northbound Interstate 55 in Ste. Genevieve County will be reduced to one lane from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily May 7 through May 18. There will be a 12-foot width restriction as contractor crews perform undersealing. This section of road is from Route J/N at Ozora, Mo., to the Jefferson County line...

North and southbound Interstate 55 in Ste. Genevieve, Perry and Cape Girardeau counties will be reduced to one lane with a 16-foot width restriction as contractor crews install guardrail and guard cable. The work will be performed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. ...

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

Firefighters responded to the following calls Wednesday:...

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

ANNA, Ill. -- Richard Gene Robinson, 88, of Anna died Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. to service time Saturday at Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. ...

Roger C. Hanshew, 60, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, April 26, 2012, at his home. He was born Jan. 15, 1952, in Artesia, Calif., to the late Ray Murl and Dorothy Maxine Taylor Hanshew. Roger worked on a press line 25 years at Thorngate Ltd. in Cape Girardeau...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Lester "Pooge" Gramlisch, 78, of Chaffee died Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at Chaffee Nursing Center. He was born Dec. 23, 1933, in Chaffee, to John and Mary Annie Sadler Gramlisch. He and Mary Helen Masterson were married Aug. 14, 1959. She preceded him in death March 6, 1990...

Brian Donald Fletcher Gibbs, 66, of Plano, Texas, died Wednesday, April 25, 2012, in Plano. He was born Sept. 17, 1945, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to Peter Donald Newell and Ingrid Viola Aalto Gibbs. He married Dianna Simpson on July 1, 1989, in Scott City...

Darrell George, 79, of Marietta, Ga., formerly of Mound City, Ill., died Wednesday, April 25, 2012, in Marietta. Local funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced later by the Barkett Funeral Home of Mound City, Ill.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Howard E. Davis, 96, of Perryville died Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at his home. Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. until time of service Monday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. A rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. Sunday, and the Catholic wake will be at 7 p.m...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Darlene Y. Davault, 55, of Cairo, formerly of Ullin, Ill., died Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until time of service today at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo...

ANNA, Ill. -- Fred J. Colboth, 87, of Anna died Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at Union County Hospital. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Anna Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by Carroll P. Foster VFW Post 3455 of Anna and the Illinois National Guard Honor Team of Marion, Ill...

The improvement came quickly for Notre Dame senior Alec Domjan. The payoff comes today when he signs his letter of intent to swim at Valparaiso University, which competes in the Horizon League. "It's a really big satisfaction," he said. "I've only been swimming since I was 15 1/2, and just to know that I'm at that level in the short amount of time that I've been swimming is a lot of gratification, and I'm really proud of my accomplishments...

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Rams added a big body to the defensive line by taking LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers with the 14th overall pick in the NFL draft Thursday after being backed into a corner by the mad shuffling ahead of them. And almost as important, the new regime headed by coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead stockpiled yet another draft pick...

Southeast Missouri State football coach Tony Samuel generally has been pleased with spring practice. Samuel hopes the Redhawks can finish strong in Saturday's noon intrasquad game at Houck Stadium that concludes spring drills. There is no admission charge...

Mark Elliott thought the long-struggling Southeast Missouri State women's tennis program was on the verge of a breakthrough. Elliott won't be around if that anticipated surge comes to fruition. Elliott was notified Thursday that his contract would not be renewed after six seasons as the Redhawks' coach...

The resurgent Southeast Missouri State baseball team, which is coming off its first Ohio Valley Conference series win of the season, will try to build on that this weekend against struggling Tennessee-Martin. Southeast and UTM kick off the three-game set at 6 p.m. today in Martin, Tenn. There also will be contests at 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday...

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

A Colorado company is applying to resume limestone mining operations on 80 acres in Old Appleton, according to a public notification letter reviewed by Cape Girardeau County commissioners Thursday. Lafarge West Inc. of Westminster, Colo., has applied to accept the transfer of the mine's Missouri Department of Natural Resources permit from Martin Marietta Materials Inc. ...

A water main break on William Street in Cape Girardeau has reduced traffic to one lane for a short section near South Missouri Avenue. Kevin Priester, Water System Manager with Alliance Water Resources, who operates the city's water system, said the work to repair the main will take most of the day. Residents in the immediate area may experience reduced water pressure. Anyone who will experience significant interruptions will be notified...

"The Greatest Show on Earth" is what Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey tag their circus performances, and I have to agree. This weekend, they come back to the Show Me Center, and I'm sure they will leave audiences happy. I last went as a kid, and remember having an amazing time. My friends and I used to get excited days ahead of time just knowing that we were going to see the circus. It's a feeling I rarely get today as an adult...

Jeff Lovett doesn't know what the next act in the play of life will bring. But wherever it leads, he'll be setting up the stage. Thanks to a unique job opportunity for Jeff, he and wife Amanda Lovett will embark on a journey far away from the comforts of their current surroundings within the next few weeks, to the Middle Eastern country of Oman...