Stories from Monday, May 7, 2012

Jefferson Elementary bids farewell to principal Mark Cook (05/07/12)
Just weeks before Jefferson Elementary School holds its final classes for the year, staff and friends held a retirement celebration for the institution's outgoing principal. Mark Cook has spent 32 years as a teacher or administrator of elementary schools in Cape Girardeau. Over that time, the 57-year-old has made long-time friends and gained the respect of his peers, said Sandy Elfrink, his administrative assistant...

Glenallen resident returns from Thailand after helping victims of human trafficking (05/07/12)
She saw a possibly horrific future in the Asian eyes of a 5-year-old girl. Later, she saw the heartbreaking results in those who had seen that play out into a terrible reality. During her recent three-week public service trip to Thailand, Felicia Bratti became painfully aware of the toll of human trafficking...

Annual fundraiser held for Oliver House (05/07/12)
The Jackson Heritage Association welcomed dozens of visitors during its third annual Wine Tasting and Tours fundraiser at the Oliver House Museum in Jackson on Sunday. The Oliver House is a museum decorated in a late 19th-century style and is listed on the National Register of Historic Homes...

Long fight predicted in Guantanamo Sept. 11 case (05/07/12)
GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba -- The U.S. has finally started the prosecution of five Guantanamo Bay prisoners charged in the Sept. 11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people, but the trial won't be starting anytime soon, and both sides said Sunday that the case could continue for years...

Blues ousted from playoffs with 3-1 loss to Kings (05/07/12)
LOS ANGELES -- Anze Kopitar skated down Dustin Brown and just plain tackled him, dropping the Los Angeles Kings captain to the ice as a sellout crowd expelled 19 years of frustration. Brown's goal into the empty St. Louis net had just secured a spot in the Western Conference finals for the Kings, who steamrolled their first two playoff opponents the same way Kopitar flattened his longtime teammate...

Cardinals avoid sweep in Houston (05/07/12)
HOUSTON -- Adam Wainwright hasn't felt like himself this season in his return from elbow-ligament replacement surgery that cost him all of last year. He finally felt close to being the pitcher he once was Sunday. Tyler Greene hit a career-high two homers and drove in four runs, Wainwright continued his dominance of the Astros, and the St. Louis Cardinals got an 8-1 win over Houston...

5 things to know when shopping for a TV (05/07/12)
So your TV finally breaks down after years of faithful service. Replacing it can be overwhelming, especially with all the new technology out there and the fact that you haven't had to shop for a TV lately. Brush up on the basics and know what questions to ask with these tips from local salesmen:1. ...

Take proper precautions for summer cookouts (05/07/12)
Summer kicks off later this month with Memorial Day weekend. For most people, that means cookouts or picnics with family and friends. But there's one party guest you don't want to make an appearance: Bacteria. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year an estimated 30 million food poisonings occur in the United States; more than half of those cases are the result of unsafe food handling practices at home...

Gray, white hair is a crowning glory for some, a workplace conundrum for others (05/07/12)
Jeanne Thompson began going gray at 23. She colored her hair for years as she worked her way into management at a large Boston-area financial services company, then gave up the dye for good about a year ago. The earth didn't shake, and the 44-year-old Thompson was promoted to top management the following year...

Joyce Penny is a 2012 Hero of Hope with the American Cancer Society (05/07/12)
Joyce Penny relays because she doesn't want her children and grandchildren to hear the word "cancer" from their doctor. But she doesn't just "Relay for Life" -- she leads teams for the American Cancer Society fundraiser, raises funds on her own and tells everyone she knows what a difference the organization can make for them. A four-year survivor of cancer, she's also participating in a clinical trial and is a 2012 Hero of Hope in the ACS High Plains Division...

Downtown Home and Garden Tour gives visitors a glimpse of downtown living (05/07/12)
Downtown Cape Girardeau isn't just a destination for people wanting to shop and play. It's also a good place to live, which Old Town Cape hopes to showcase with the third annual Downtown Historic Home and Garden Tour. Dr. Lisa Bertrand, an Old Town Cape volunteer, has organized the tour each year. Bertrand and her husband are originally from Cape, but moved away for 20 years before coming back to the area...

Writing has always come naturally to local author Barbara Mack (05/07/12)
Writing is something that has always come naturally to Cape Girardeau author Barbara Mack. "I wrote my first story when I was only 4 or 5 years old, and had my first poem published for $10 when I was 11 years old," says Mack. "I always knew that I wanted to be a writer."...

From hobby to business: Son used education to construct brewery's business plan (05/07/12)
John A. Huber's brewing hobby has become a microbrew business with a growing customer base. John A. Huber Brewing Co. started producing its flagship beer, Hubrew Blonde Ale, earlier this year near Fruitland. He started brewing in 2003, after his sons, Matt and Chad, gave him a home brew kit for Christmas...

Gail Cooper (05/07/12)
BLODGETT, Mo. -- Barbara Gail Cooper, 70, died at her home in Blodgett on Friday, May 4, 2012. Born on Feb. 13, 1942, in Sikeston, Mo., to Virginia Dunn Beggs of Sikeston who survives and the late W.A. "Dubb" Beggs. She was a member of Miner Baptist Church...

Melba Cissell (05/07/12)
PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Melba Cissell, 98, of Perryville died at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 4, 2012. She was born Nov. 6, 1913, in McBride, Mo., the daughter of Francis C. and Mary E. Yeager Hoffman. She was married April 3, 1937, in Belgique, Mo., at Belgique Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Catholic Church to Leo Cissell, who preceded her in death in February 1967...

Red Hat Tea (05/07/12)
On Saturday May 5, 2012 the Classy Sassy Chicks chapter of The Red Hat Society hosted an afternoon tea. The event took place at the First Baptist Church in Jackson. Approximately 100 ladies from Missouri and Arkansas attended. Entertainment was provided by the IC Choristers of Jackson. This is the second tea the chapter has hosted...

District 32 celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week (05/07/12)
Tuesday, May 8, 2012, is National Teacher Day. Thank a teacher for making public schools great! Teachers in Perryville and in communities across the nation will be in the spotlight on National Teacher Day, as students, parents, school administrators and the community all learn how teachers are making great public schools for every student...

May 6, 2012 Lightning (05/07/12)
Lightning from the May 5th 2012 storm.