Stories from August 2012

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The drought affecting Midwest and Plains states has put a further drag on the regional economy. A report released Wednesday says July's Mid-America Business Conditions Index plunged below growth neutral for the first time since 2008. The index hit 48.7, compared with 57.2 in June...

In just more than a three-week period, Missouri Senate hopeful Wayne Wallingford has watched his campaign coffers swell by more than $61,000, outpacing opponent Ellen Brandom by a 4-to-1 margin, with the Cape Girardeau Republican drawing support from a list of names that include some of the area's most well known and influential...

Construction of a new Ameren Missouri transmission line between its Lutesville substation and the Cape Girardeau area will be the topic of an open house Thursday. The exact route for the estimated 14 to 17 mile line is yet to be determined, but property owners along the proposed routes, who Ameren needs to secure easements from, were invited to attend an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Notre Dame Regional High School...

A line of parents and students hoping to take home free clothing items that will comply with the Cape Girardeau School District's new dress code was winding out from the gym through the lobby and into the parking lot of Cape Girardeau Central Junior High this morning...

WEST ALLIS, Wis. -- Chris Covelli planted 1,000 zucchini seeds on his farm in southern Wisconsin this spring. Only a quarter sprouted in the parched soil. A few weeks later, he planted 1,000 more seeds and doubled his irrigation. This time, nothing came up...

Neighbors of Jeana Terry and Lisa Lange described life at home for the Cape Girardeau couple as a "peaceful existence" until the past several months. Mima B. Poole has lived a few houses away from Lang for nine years. "Now I am afraid to come down here and visit," Poole said Friday as she sat in the couple's living room...

Photo taken in Columbia Missouri on July 21, 2012 at the Missouri State Show-Me Games. The Bening Mazda Bombers won 1st Place with a record of 4-0, in the U-6 soccer division. Back Row (Coaches) Left to Right Nathan McGuire----- JP Sides Middle Row-- Left to Right...

Katie is an 8 month old Schnauzer mix. She is very sweet! Katie is available for adoption at The Humane Society of Southeast Missouri 573-334-5837. See more pets available at www.semopets.org.

Are you having a hard time getting into your health care provider's office? Too much waiting time? Too costly, even with insurance? Beacon Health Center now offers affordable women's health care every first Wednesday of the month, starting August 8th, at their office at 73 Sheridan in Cape Girardeau. ...

Fundraiser this Friday August 3rd at the Red Cross office 2430 Myra Drive in Cape! Inside sale that includes, office supplies, tvs, clothes and lots of other great stuff! Lemonade and Home baked goodies too! 7 am to 4 pm! Come early and get the best stuff!...

The Jackson American Legion Post 158 Freshman team won 3rd in the double-elimination State Championships held on July 18-22 in Branson, MO. They beat the host team of Branson 15-0 in their first game of the tournament with two Jackson players hitting home runs. Haden Clark hit his 7th home run of the season & also earned 7 RBIs in the game. Josh Barber hit his 1st home run ever two batters behind Clark & went 3-3 with a walk...

An unidentified Cape Girardeau woman survived after she jumped from the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge Saturday morning, then washed down the Mississippi River 9 miles to Thebes, Ill., where workers on a commercial boat plucked her from the water, emergency responders said...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- After years of an increasingly contentious relationship, Three Rivers College Board of Trustees voted 5-1 Monday to disassociate itself from one of its oldest supporting entities. "It is my opinion that this board has no alternative but to sever all ties with Three Rivers College Foundation, and urge the Foundation to disband considering the fact that it is no longer serving the purpose for which it was created," board chairman Randy Winston said in a prepared statement made before the motion.. ...

Prosecutors on Tuesday filed a motion for a change of judge in the James Clay Waller murder case. Cape Girardeau County assistant prosecutor Angel Woodruff filed the motion Tuesday. A preliminary hearing for Waller took place July 25. Cape Girardeau County Judge Gary Kamp bound Waller over to circuit court late Monday afternoon...

Today is Wednesday, Aug. 1, the 214th day of 2012. There are 152 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Aug. 1, 1912, the U.S. Marine Corps' first pilot, 1st Lt. Alfred A. Cunningham, went on his first solo flight as he took off in a Burgess/Curtis Hydroplane from Marblehead Harbor in Massachusetts...

Last week the Cape Girardeau County Commissioners approved a resolution of intent to issue industrial development bonds for an expansion at the local Procter & Gamble plant, a project expected to total $300 million. Though pending other government approvals, the project, financed via Chapter 100 bonds, would produce up to 200 construction jobs and 35 full-time positions. The company looks to spend $250 million on new equipment as well as $50 million on a new building...

Resorting to turf painting a yard green because of a drought is either the ultimate attempt to control Mother Nature or a serious manifestation of OCD or both. I think aid to farmers affected by this awful drought should be predicated on them signing an affidavit saying they always believed in and worked hard to lessen the impact of mankind on bringing about global warming...

Though I obviously have no formal training, I suspect one of the more difficult aspects of human nature is the ability to accept blame. Few among us relishes the prospect of admitting fault. Perhaps it runs against the grain of human nature. But either our society has either gone full-tilt on shunning blame or I'm just paying closer attention...

CAIRO -- U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta left meetings with Egypt's new leaders Tuesday with an optimistic outlook for the valuable American ally emerging from its Arab Spring revolution, saying that he believes new Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi and the country's military chief both are committed to democratic rule...

BEIRUT -- Food and cooking gas were in short supply and power cuts plunged homes into darkness as soldiers and rebels battled Tuesday to tip the scales in the fight for Aleppo, Syria's largest city and the current focus of its civil war. Life for Aleppo's 3 million residents was becoming increasingly unbearable as a military siege entered its 11th day. ...

SANAA, Yemen -- Policemen loyal to Yemen's ousted leader Ali Abdullah Saleh stormed the country's Interior Ministry on Tuesday, setting off clashes that left at least 15 people killed and 43 wounded, according to the country's security operations room...

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras -- In the capital of one of the world's most dangerous countries, a hooded, masked man jumped out of a car on an assault mission. His target: a crumbling wall on a garbage-strewn corner. With his accomplice acting as lookout, the man plastered a giant black-and-white reproduction of Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" -- wielding a pink pistol. In minutes he was gone...

TOKYO -- A debate over nuclear power in Japan is bringing another question out of the shadows: Should Japan keep open the possibility of making nuclear weapons -- even if only as an option? It may seem surprising in the only country devastated by atomic bombs, particularly as it marks the 67th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima on Monday and Nagasaki three days later. The Japanese government officially renounces nuclear weapons, and the vast majority of citizens oppose them...

PARIS -- France's parliament approved legislation Tuesday that makes sexual harassment a crime, addressing problems many say have existed for decades in the country. The new law sets three levels of harassment, with the most serious -- in cases where the harasser has authority over the victim, the victim is younger than 15 years old, or multiple people carry out the harassment -- punishable by up to three years in prison...

O Heavenly Father, we praise you, our redeemer, who lives now and forevermore. Amen.

BRASILIA, Brazil -- Venezuela was officially welcomed into the Mercosur trade bloc Tuesday, giving that nation's leader Hugo Chavez a long-awaited political prize and strengthening links among the region's agricultural and energy powerhouses. The inclusion of Venezuela also deepens a political rift within the South American trade group. ...

NEW DELHI -- Electric crematoria were snuffed out with bodies inside, New Delhi's Metro shut down and hundreds of coal miners were trapped underground after three Indian electric grids collapsed in a cascade Tuesday, cutting power to 620 million people in the world's biggest blackout...

A committee to review future annexation plans of the cities of Cape Girardeau and Jackson has narrowed the towns' differences down to a four-square-mile area; that area, which both cities hope to include in future annexation plans, is the southwest intersection of Interstate 55 and U.S. 61...

Firefighters responded to the following calls Sunday:...

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

KENNETT, Mo. -- Dunklin County officials were busy Tuesday assessing damage in Kennett following a Monday afternoon storm. Authorities received reports of downed power lines, broken fences, turned over camping trailers and other damage in one neighborhood...

NEW YORK -- Stocks ended slightly lower Tuesday as investors held back ahead of three critical events this week: policy meetings at both the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank and a closely watched report on jobs in the U.S. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 64.33 points to close at 13,008.68. The Standard & Poor's 500 edged down 5.98 points to 1,379.32, and the Nasdaq composite lost 6.32 points to 2,939.52...

WASHINGTON -- The world's top central bankers have said they're willing to rescue the economies of Europe and the United States. This week they may decide whether to act. The Federal Reserve wraps up its two-day policy meeting today. Chairman Ben Bernanke has pledged to act if unemployment stays high. The European Central Bank meets Thursday -- a week after ECB president Mario Draghi vowed to "do whatever it takes" to save the European common currency, the euro...

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration expressed renewed frustration with Pakistan on Tuesday, urging its reluctant counterterrorism ally to break remaining links between its security services and the Haqqani network and stem the flow of bomb-making material into Afghanistan...

PHILADELPHIA -- Talk show host Stephen Colbert's foray into children's books has landed him alongside some exalted literary company. A playful new exhibit at the Rosenbach Museum & Library pairs priceless material by James Joyce and Maurice Sendak with, um, perhaps less valuable items used by Colbert to write "I Am A Pole (And So Can You!)."...

WASHINGTON -- A new package of severe sanctions on Iran's energy, shipping and financial sectors gained strong congressional support Tuesday as lawmakers sought to ratchet up the economic pressure in hopes of halting Tehran's suspected nuclear weapons program...

WASHINGTON -- Republicans accused President Barack Obama of trying to keep middle-class Americans in the dark about whether they'll lose their jobs from impending defense cuts as a Labor Department memo cautioning contractors about layoff notices set off political recriminations...

TOPEKA, Kan. -- Frustrated by their inability to achieve some policy goals, conservatives in Republican states are turning against moderate members of their own party, trying to drive them out of state legislatures to clear the way for reshaping government across a wide swath of mid-America controlled by the GOP...

WASHINGTON -- Wrapping up a stumble-marred overseas trip, Mitt Romney pivoted quickly into a three-month stretch to the election Tuesday with a new feel-good television ad. Aides simultaneously stoked speculation about his vice presidential pick...

The Perry County Sheriff's Office arrested four people in recent days on suspicion of distribution of controlled substances, after a lengthy investigation. At 2:06 p.m. March 8, officers watched as an informant met with Shawn Matthew Wenzel, 32, and Janel Boland, both of St. Mary, Mo., to buy marijuana from Wenzel, a probable-cause statement said. Wenzel picked the informant up in a passenger car. A small child was in the car at the time of the transaction, the statement said...

WASHINGTON -- Most Americans have never heard of Virgil Goode, a former party-switching congressman with a distinctive Virginia drawl who conceivably could decide the presidential election. But he is well known to President Barack Obama's team of political advisers...

The Cape Girardeau County Republican Women will provide their members, the media and the public with an opportunity to meet Bill Randles, Republican candidate for governor, at noon Friday at Dexter Bar-B-Que in Cape Girardeau. The Missouri Republican primary for governor will be Tuesday. Randles will run against John D. Weiler, David Spence and Fred Sauer...

HAMILTON, Ohio -- Police in southwest Ohio are perplexed about why a woman tried to sneak into a county jail before telling authorities to arrest her. Deputies with the Butler County Sheriff's Department arrested 36-year-old Tiffany R. Hurd on Sunday morning after she was caught trying to climb over a fence into Butler County Jail in Hamilton, near Cincinnati. It happened after jail staff leaving a late-night shift told Hurd to leave the property, but she told them to arrest her...

NEW YORK -- What will $100 million buy you in New York City's real estate market? Apparently, a really good view. An exclusive listing is offering an octagon-shaped penthouse in midtown-Manhattan that boasts three floors of living space, panoramic views of the city, six bedrooms, nine bathrooms and a wine room for 1,000 bottles...

PASADENA, Calif. -- It's NASA's most ambitious and expensive Mars mission yet -- and it begins with the red planet arrival late Sunday of the smartest interplanetary rover ever built. Also the most athletic. Like an Olympic gymnast, it needs to "stick the landing."...

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- They got hitched while still in their teens, divorced 20 years and four children later, and are getting remarried after nearly a half-century apart. For Lena Henderson and Roland Davis, both 85 years old, the second time around is finally here. The couple plans to get married again Saturday, with four generations on hand to see it happen...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Pauline Catherine Uhrhan, 91, of Chaffee passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born July 12, 1921, in Cape Girardeau, to Ambrose and Frances Rose Kirchdoerfer Brucker. She married Anthony "Tony" Uhrhan on May 10, 1944. He preceded her in death Aug. 4, 1985...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Mary Catherine Thomas, 88, of Chaffee passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at her home. She was born Jan. 22, 1924, in Oran, Mo., to Adam Henry and Bertha Theresa Vogel Kiefer. She married Earl James Thomas on Nov. 14, 1942. He preceded her in death April 21, 1961...

Manuel Oliver, 71, of Millersville died Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at his home. Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau is in charge of arrangements.

Lloyd T. Niswonger, 87, of Cape Girardeau passed away Sunday, July 29, 2012, at Southeast Hospital. He was born Jan. 20, 1925, in Cape Girardeau, to Ernest Truman and Clara Christine Haupt Niswonger. Lloyd and Lois L. Welch were married June 15, 1947, at Grace Methodist Church. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year...

BELL CITY, Mo. -- Lula F. Mansfield Maestas, 80, of Bell City, formerly of East Prairie, Mo., passed away Saturday, July 28, 2012, at her home. She was born March 19, 1932, in the Barnes Ridge community near East Prairie, to Charles and Ruby Bowles Mansfield...

Bonnie Wanda Davis Grim, 84, of Norman, Okla., passed away Monday, July 9, 2012, at Noble Health Center in Noble, Okla. She was born Oct. 27, 1927, in Granola, Kan., one of three children to Laurence and Edna Bruce. Bonnie was married to John Davis in 1951 in Midwest City, Okla. She and her husband were employed many years with Hoover Equipment Co., a Caterpillar dealership in Oklahoma City...

Larry Thomas Holmes, 63, of Scott City died Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at his home after a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. He was born Jan. 21, 1949, at Louisville, Miss., the son of James Young and Esther Marie Hilliker Holmes. He married Helen Rose Dirnberger on Dec. 27, 1969 at Chaffee, Mo...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- James Harold Busby, 84, of Perryville, formerly of Sedgewickville, Mo., died Monday, July 30, 2012, at his home. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. today at Liley Funeral Home in Patton, Mo., with the Rev. Greg Mason officiating. Burial will be in Bollinger County Memorial Park Cemetery near Marble Hill, Mo...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Melvin J. Brewer Jr., 70, of Perryville died Monday, July 30, 2012, at his home. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Visitation will be from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday and from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. Friday at Young and Sons Funeral Home. A Catholic vigil and Knights of Columbus wake will be at 8:30 p.m. Thursday...

The Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team will get to test itself against every other Division I squad in the state this season.

Southeast Missouri State senior linebacker Blake Peiffer and senior offensive tackle Evan Conrad have each received another preseason All-American honor, this time by the College Sporting News.

Kansas and Missouri ranked among the nation's elite men's college basketball teams last year. Southeast Missouri State will get a crack at both of those squads this season.

JOLIET, Ill. -- The murder trial of former suburban Chicago police sergeant Drew Peterson began Tuesday with dueling explanations of his third wife's death, clashes over evidence and a teary witness describing how she screamed when she discovered her friend's body...

In a narrow party-line vote last week, Senate Democrats rammed through a small business tax increase that would create more uncertainty for job creators and disproportionately hurt family farms, ranches and small businesses -- especially in states like Missouri, where agriculture is our No. 1 industry...

DENVER -- Matt Holliday homered, doubled and drove in four runs, and Kyle Lohse worked through an erratic outing to win his fifth consecutive decision and lift the St. Louis Cardinals over the Colorado Rockies 11-6 on Tuesday night. Carlos Beltran and David Freese also homered and Allen Craig went 3-for-3 with two walks and three RBIs to help the Cardinals rebound from successive losses. The Rockies dropped to 0-4 on their homestand and have lost seven of eight overall...

In a world more to his liking, Gore Vidal might have been president, or even king. He had an aristocrat's bearing -- tall, handsome and composed -- and an authoritative baritone ideal for summoning an aide or courtier. But Vidal made his living -- a very good living -- from challenging power, not holding it. ...

NEW YORK (AP) -- Only 11 years after her death, Elton John sang his ode to Marilyn Monroe. "And I would have liked to have known you, but I was just a kid," went the lyrics. "Your candle burned out long before your legend ever did." What John didn't know was how much truer his words would ring a few decades later...

Gasoline is at $3.50 per gallon for the first time this summer after a sharp run-up in July. The price of gas gained 17 cents per gallon, or 5.1 percent this month. It was the first monthly increase since March. The nationwide average was last at $3.50 per gallon June 19...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Missouri Supreme Court cleared the way Tuesday for voters to potentially get a say on initiatives to raise tobacco taxes, increase the minimum wage and limit interest rates on payday loans. The Supreme Court soundly rejected a variety of challenges to the summaries and financial estimates prepared by state officials for the ballot initiatives. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri voters will be faced with a question of religious freedom Tuesday, as a proposed state constitutional amendment would specifically permit prayer in public and allow students to avoid assignments that violate their religious beliefs...

BENTON, Mo. -- The Scott County Sheriff's Department is reminding people to keep their vehicles locked after responding to a number of thefts from unlocked motor vehicles since mid-June. A news release from the sheriff's office indicates that a majority of the thefts have been in and around Oran, Mo., and Vanduser, Mo., with one of the primary items taken being GPS devices. The office asks that everyone keep their vehicles locked and report any suspicious activity immediately...

Gov. Jay Nixon announced Tuesday that the U.S. Small Business Administration will make low-interest disaster loans available to small, nonfarm businesses in all 114 Missouri counties and the city of St. Louis due to the prolonged heat and drought. Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available because of the statewide agricultural disaster declaration issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the governor's request...

Farmers suffering from drought now have access to conservation land for haying and grazing, and will have longer to pay insurance premiums, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Wednesday. Emergency haying and grazing will now be allowed on approximately 3.8 million acres of conservation land to bring greater relief to livestock producers dealing with shortages of hay and pastureland, according to a USDA news release...

MARBLE HILL, Mo, -- Some 1.25-inch pipe and a few old tractor tires have kept cattle on Lester and Ima Jo Barks' farm from being thirsty. With farm ponds and creeks drying up, Lester Barks needed a way to get water to his cattle more easily than trucking in tanks of water. So, working in conjunction with the local USDA farm service office, he built his cattle a water system...

BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County officials have one less thing to worry about: the levee. Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger said during the regular county Commission meeting that the county recently reviewed a letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency regarding the levee from Commerce, Mo., to Birds Point -- and it was good news...

Clay Waller has a new judge in his murder trial and his next court date has changed. Waller will now appear for his arraignment on first-degree murder and evidence charges Aug. 13, instead of Monday. A time for the arraignment was not yet set Wednesday, according to the Cape Girardeau County circuit clerk's office...

Public administrator hopeful Julie Metzger's conservative credentials have come under fire by local GOP organizers, who say they are concerned by the support the first-time candidate has received -- and given to -- former secretary of state and prominent Democrat Bekki Cook...

Cape Girardeau County authorities have arrested three men in connection with a June 21 home-invasion burglary. Jacob B. Colyott, 18, Aaron M. Denson, 21, and William A. Artadi, 20, all of Jackson are charged with first-degree burglary in an incident that took place about 4:30 a.m. on Fairview Drive...

Two-term state Sen. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, hopes to keep serving Missouri by replacing outgoing House Speaker Steve Tilley, R-Perryville, in the new 116th House District. Meanwhile, Farmington City Councilman John Robinson hopes to beat Engler in Tuesday's Republican primary to make his first trip to the state legislature. With no Democrats on the ballot, the winner of Tuesday's primary race will secure the open seat. Tilley could not seek re-election due to term limits...

Opponents of a new urban deer hunting ordinance won't abandon efforts to get the city's first-ever referendum before voters, despite an offer from a city leader -- and the program's top supporter -- to let the Cape Girardeau City Council do it for them...

ST. LOUIS -- Nearly 220 counties in a dozen drought-stricken states were added Wednesday to the U.S. government's list of natural disaster areas as the nation's agriculture chief unveiled new help for frustrated, cash-strapped farmers and ranchers grappling with extreme dryness and heat.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Pvt. Tyler Henderson, of Scott City, recently completed his military training to become a motor transport driver for Missouri National Guard's Detachment 1, 1221st Transportation Unit in Portageville. "I wanted to be able to support my wife and our life together," said Henderson. "Growing up I looked up to my grandfather who was a marine and served in Vietnam, he was always my inspiration."...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Pvt. Chase Meyer, of Farmington, recently completed his military training to become a machinist for Missouri National Guard's 1140th Forward Support Company in Cape Girardeau. "I always wanted to join the military because my dad, grandpa and great grandpa served and they were positive influences in my life," said Meyer. "I loved hearing their stories and when I'm done I hope I can share my stories with others too."...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Pvt. Catrina Gatewood, of Kennett, recently completed her military training to become a supply specialist for Missouri National Guard's 1137th Military Police Company in Kennett. Her love for traveling, meeting new people and learning new things is what brought her to the military, said Gatewood...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Pvt. Stephen Leinert, of Poplar Bluff, recently completed his military training to become a paralegal specialist for Missouri National Guard's Headquarters Company, 205th Military Police Battalion in Poplar Bluff. "I joined the Missouri National Guard to make a difference for my state and country," said Leinert...

Five members of the Girardot Chapter of International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) attended the Education Forum and Annual Meeting in July, in Grapevine TX. Members in attendance from the Girardot Chapter included: Sherri Jenkins CAP-OM, Donna Wills CAP, Doris Dumey CAP-OM, Marge Phillips CAP-OM and Barb Ostrenga CAP-OM. ...

Once again parents can get a good deal on those jeans, backpacks and pencils that will inevitably be needed in just a few short weeks, teachers to stock up on extra classroom supplies and retailers to relish a pickup of sales. Missouri's annual back-to-school sales tax holiday begins this year at midnight Friday and ends midnight Sunday. ...

During the July meeting of the Seabee Veterans of America a check for $6,200 for the Shriner's Childrens Hospital in St. Louis was presented to Ron Clark of the Shriners from our annual raffle. Winner of first prize was Dennis Coomer of Cape Girardeau, second prize to James Eakes of Jackson, and third prize went to Tom Childers of Millersville. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri officials are awarding nine grants worth nearly $9 million to create so-called "Innovation Campuses" involving colleges and universities. The program pairs universities and colleges with businesses to train students for jobs in high-demand fields. It also is aimed at helping students earn their degrees faster and graduate with less debt...

The Plaza Tire Capahas will burn the midnight oil for their second game at the 78th annual National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kan.

Holliday had five RBIs in the Cardinals 9-6 victory.

Today is Thursday, Aug. 2, the 215th day of 2012. There are 151 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Aug. 2, 1862, the Ambulance Corps for the Army of the Potomac was created at the order of Maj. Gen. George McClellan during the Civil War...

He's a hometown boy who loved baseball, went to the local university, played some college ball and came back to coach the program. Mark Hogan, who directed the Southeast Missouri State University baseball team for 18 seasons, has coached his last game, announcing recently that he was retiring...

I am prompted to write in light of the recent announcement by the Friends of Wildlife organization to obtain signatures for a ballot measure to halt the plans for an urban deer archery season. I know most of the discussion of deer problems was about increased numbers of auto accidents and property damage by destroying plants. The following are two safety issues the public may not be aware of...

O Lord God, may we always put our hope in your word. Amen.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- For one group of teens, when asked this fall about how they spent their summer vacation, they will have plenty to say. They spent their summer volunteering and helping others. Most recently a group of 10 young people, ranging in age from 14 to 18, from the Hope Community Resource Center, 601 Davis Blvd., pitched in at the Southeast Missouri Food Bank...

HONOLULU -- A seal that would normally live in waters around the Aleutian Islands and California has shown up thousands of miles away on a beach in Hawaii. David Schofield, a marine mammal response coordinator at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said people found the northern fur seal near Sunset Beach on Oahu's North Shore. It was emaciated, underweight and weak...

NEW YORK -- There was more than one story line playing out in the stock market Wednesday. The market wavered between gains and losses for much of the day, yanked around by technical problems, an ambiguous statement from the Federal Reserve, and mixed reports on U.S. companies that made it difficult to decipher just where the economy is headed...

JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, standing next to the U.S. defense chief, said Wednesday without qualification that international economic sanctions have had no effect on Iran's nuclear program and suggested Israeli patience was wearing thin, a statement that amounted to an indictment of President Barack Obama's policy toward the Islamic republic...

I have had the privilege of interacting with Amy Jones professionally as a real estate broker as well as a contractor and land developer for more than 15 years. These experiences have equipped Amy with a tremendous base to flourish in the role as our next county assessor. ...

On Tuesday, the voters of Cape Girardeau County will choose a Republican nominee for public administrator. This office has many demands and the diversity of the right candidate is extremely important in meeting those needs. Back in February of this year, on the first day of filing to run for public office, I was quoted in the Southeast Missourian newspaper as stating: "I personally made the decision not to file and run for this office upon learning that Julie Metzger would be in the race. ...

Amy Jones is the clear choice for Cape Girardeau County assessor. Through many professional and personal experiences we have come to know Amy as an individual with integrity, professionalism and one who will always work to make sure her responsibilities are handled properly. We believe her wealth of knowledge and experience is exactly what this job requires. We are convinced that she will be a true asset to our community as county assessor. Join us in voting for Amy Jones on Tuesday...

Bob believes in:n Pro-life from conception until natural death; Please pull a Republican ballot and vote for Bob Parker on Tuesday. Let's take America back. CATHY CLAYTON, 519 Tanglewood Ave., Sikeston, MO 63801...

It was a pleasure working with Amy Jones while planning the inaugural United Way's New Year's Eve fundraiser. I gained tremendous respect for Amy during our daily conversations. She was extremely committed and creative -- making the event a tremendous success...

I have been a registered nurse for more than 30 years working with terminal patients and those with chronic diseases. It has been my lifelong passion to serve and care for others. Because of my professional experience in health care, I possess firsthand knowledge of what qualifications are needed to manage the position of public administrator. ...

Caring, compassion and a broad knowledge of medicine are a few words use to describe the qualifications of a public administrator. Only one candidate meets all of these requirements. I know from firsthand experience. Eight years ago my mother was diagnosed with skin cancer on her face. ...

I would like to personally endorse Kim Kelley for the job of Cape Girardeau County public administrator. I have known Kim for a number of years and worked with her on the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce as well as other business interfaces. I know her to be very hard working and compassionate. ...

We are very fortunate to have a candidate for assessor like Amy Jones who possesses all of the attributes needed to make her uniquely qualified. As a result, Amy will be able to step in on day one and provide a smooth transition. We all need to make sure Amy Jones becomes our next Cape Girardeau County assessor...

The primary election Tuesday will soon be upon us. My wife Karen and I have met some wonderful people out on the campaign trail; we look forward to meeting them again as our united pro-life Republican Party pushes for a conservative victory in November!...

Jo Ann Emerson at the White House health care forum in 2009:"Thank you very much for your passion on this issue." "I thank you so very much because for me this has been a passion for all 13 years I've been in Congress." "We all need to give a little."...

Over the years, payroll taxes collected have supported Social Security payments. Until recently, payroll deductions easily covered the payments. The excess was used by our current Congress members to "invest" in other government programs. Unfortunately, in 2010 and 2011, there was an actual shortage in payroll deductions. Government borrowed money from investors and from the Federal Reserve to cover the Social Security checks. Experts forecast a funding shortage for this year as well...

Amy Jones will be a hard-working employee for Cape Girardeau County! I've had the privilege to work for Amy Jones as the project manager of Walden Park. Amy is a great leader, has a strong work ethic and is an amazing manager. With Amy's background, I know she is well prepared for the position of assessor. ...

There are many fine candidates in the Democratic primary election for lieutenant governor, but in my opinion Democrats should vote for the candidate who has the best chance to win the general election. I think that will be the candidate who is best on issues most likely to appeal to moderates and independents, and I think that is me: The care of our seniors and veterans, freezing property taxes for seniors and others on fixed incomes, ending animal abuse on factory farms, protecting family farms, ending public funds for companies like Walmart which don't need it, a constitutional amendment to ban corporate political contributions, college loans for all, improving early childhood education and primary and secondary education generally. ...

I support Amy Jones for Cape Girardeau County assessor. My family and I live in a home at Walden Park in Cape Girardeau. Amy has served as the managing partner/developer of Walden Park and has proven herself to be hard working, dedicated and above all, trustworthy. ...

Wondering who to cast your ballot for Tuesday for public administrator? I'm Mark Cook, former principal of Jefferson Elementary School, and I agree with what these supporters and co-workers know about Debra Tracy! "Deb is honest, fair, and capable. I am confident she will be a competent and conscientious public administrator." -- Carolyn Ford-Bock...

As an informed voter, I have studied the qualifications of all the public administrator candidates and wonder why the Pachyderm and elite ranking Republican party members have chosen one of the least qualified people on the ticket, Lisa Reitzel. Maybe all she has to offer is that she is a Republican. ...

I read Jay Purcell's re-election signs, and after I quit laughing, I started examining his statements. "Proven effective leader"? 1) He was not very effective at organizing a union at Dana, losing the vote by a 2-1 margin -- some leader! 2) He was very effective in getting Dana to move its plant to Mexico, costing us numerous skilled high-paying jobs -- some leader! 3) He was very effective in secretly taping private conversations and making them public. ...

Lisa Reitzel for public administrator:In a few days Cape Girardeau County voters will select a Republican candidate for public administrator. One candidate possesses all the criteria for the office. That's Lisa. She is medically qualified: A registered nurse, working for Dr. Deisher for the past 15 years, providing daily care to his patients...

To all people with disabilities and senior citizens struggling, Donna Lichtenegger has proved she understands and will continue fighting for our needs in Jefferson City. Compassion is not a thought, Donna puts the word into action every day. If you think there is no way, vote Donna Lichtenegger, a proven advocate for all...

Vote for Ron Andrews, assessor, on Tuesday! I have known Ron since the late 1970s when my mother, Winnie, worked as a voter registration clerk in the county clerk's office. Ron implemented the first computerized voter registration system for the county, trained then-County Clerk Rodney Miller and his staff on how to perform data entry/reporting, and provided ongoing support as needed...

Amy Jones is the best Republican candidate for Cape Girardeau County assessor. We have been acquainted with Amy for 18 years. She has a tremendous work ethic and is a person of integrity. Amy is very prepared for the assessor's job because of her background as a real estate broker/owner and owner of a construction/development company. ...

Why I support Lisa Reitzel for public administrator:I've known Lisa since we were youngsters singing in church. She is a person of faith in words and deeds. She is the only candidate that has worked tirelessly for our local Republican party to keep it strong, and she truly is 100 percent conservative...

In a world more to his liking, Gore Vidal might have been president, or even king. He had an aristocrat's bearing -- tall, handsome and composed -- and an authoritative baritone ideal for summoning an aide or courtier. But Vidal made his living -- a very good living -- from challenging power, not holding it. ...

Son to Michael and Amy Cracraft of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Vassar Brothers Medical Center, 10:45 a.m. Friday, June 22, 2012. Name, William Gene. Weight, 7 pounds, 13 ounces. Third child, first son. Mrs. Cracraft is the former Amy Aufdenberg, daughter of Richard and Judy Aufdenberg of Jackson. Cracraft is the son of Mike and Nancy Cracraft of Jackson. He is an engineer with IBM...

Bishop John J. Leibrecht of the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese has announced the transfer of Monsignor Joseph E. Gosche from St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau to St. Michael's Parish in Fredericktown, Mo., effective Aug. 17; he will be succeeded here by the Rev. Richard C. Rolwing, pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Branson, Mo...

Highway 25 between highways 74 and 25 in Cape Girardeau County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform repairs to the bridge. Weather permitting, the work will be done from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling near the area...

Highway 25 between routes C and P in Cape Girardeau and Stoddard counties will be reduced as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform shoulder repairs. Weather permitting, the work will be done from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Monday. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling near the area...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Route N from U.S. 61 to Route E in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane Tuesday through Aug. 9 as Missouri Department of Transportation crews make pavement repairs. Weather permitting, the work will be done from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling near the area...

BRANSON, Mo. -- Branson police chief Kurt Crutcher says the city ought to allow bow hunting of deer inside city limits. Crutcher says an increasing number of deer have caused at least 25 car accidents in Branson in the past year. The chief supports a plan to allow the hunting during bow and arrow season. Hunters would be required to have the appropriate permits and safety training...

"Bourne Legacy," rated PG13 @Cape West 14 Cine Starts midnight Aug. 9 "The Campaign," rated R @Cape West 14 Cine Starts midnight Aug. 9 "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days," rated PG @Cape West 14 Cine "Hope Springs," rated PG13 @Cape West 14 Cine Starts Aug. 8...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Kansas City priest accused of producing and possessing child pornography will plead guilty today to at least some of the federal charges he faces, his attorney confirmed. The Rev. Shawn Ratigan, 46, was charged last August with six counts of production of child pornography, two counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of attempted production of child pornography...

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com The Main Street Overlay project moves ahead Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012 with Nip Kelley Equipment workers constructing curbs and gutters just north of the Broadway intersection. ...

TAMMS, Ill. -- Dorothy Smith, 77, of Tamms died Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at her home. She was born Oct. 6, 1934, in Alexander County, Ill., to Glenn and Mildred Sheffer Newell. She and Melvin E. Smith were married June 14, 1952. Dorothy liked dogs and deer. She was a cook 31 years at Egyptian Community School, where she was famous for her rolls. She then worked 11 years as hostess at the Anna, Ill, McDonald's, where she still went daily to visit with friends...

Allie "Manuel" Oliver, 71, of Millersville passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at his home, in the arms of his loving wife, Janice. Manuel, which he preferred, was born May 7, 1941. He and Janice Kay Smith were married Dec. 15, 1962. They were looking forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year...

Frances Carolyn Cease, 64, of Cape Girardeau passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at her home, surrounded by family. She was born Feb. 11, 1948, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of the late James and Nora Baer McMullin. Frances was a graduate of East Anchorage High School in Alaska. She was a member of House of Hope Church in Cape Girardeau. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, and making dreamcatchers...

The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests...

Firefighters responded to the following calls Tuesday:...

Scholarships Honors/achievements -- From staff reports Logan Green ...

Add Red Bull to milk to get a unique reaction. STEP 2: Wait five minutes and observe. Casein is a protein that is found in milk. Groups of casein normally float around in milk without bonding. These groupings have a negative charge, which makes them repel other groupings of casein and keeps the casein evenly dispersed in the milk. ...

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

WASHINGTON -- With the government heading toward a year-end "fiscal cliff," House Republicans approved a full plate of Bush-era tax cuts Wednesday that they said could help shore up a still-frail national economy. At the same time, the Obama administration warned that threatened budget cuts could send some of America's troops into battle with less training...

BEIRUT -- Syrian President Bashar Assad urged his military Wednesday to boost its fight against rebels, but his written call to arms only deepened a mystery over his whereabouts two weeks after a bomb penetrated his inner circle. Assad has not spoken publicly since the July 18 bombing killed four of his top security officials -- including his brother-in-law -- during a rebel assault on the capital, Damascus. ...

MOGADISHU, Somalia -- Somali leaders voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to adopt a new constitution that contains new individual rights and sets the country on a course for a more powerful and representative government. The vote came after two thunderous blasts at the gates of the meeting site from a failed suicide attack...

JOLIET, Ill. -- A visibly angry judge said Wednesday he will consider declaring a mistrial at Drew Peterson's murder trial after a second major blunder by prosecutors in as many days, once again illustrating how the high-profile case has been beset by problems from the outset...

With a crowd of spectators lounging in lawn chairs and snapping photos, workers Wednesday started cutting up the boxcar-sized Japanese dock that was torn away from a fishing port by last year's tsunami and washed up on an Oregon beach. The plan is to cut the 165-ton concrete dock into five slices, like a loaf of bread, using a piece of equipment called a wire saw. ...

DETROIT -- Just when Detroit seemed to be luring them away, Americans are embracing Japanese cars again. Toyota and Honda lost ground last year after the Japanese earthquake limited their supplies. But July's U.S. sales show they've nearly regained what they lost, at the expense of GM and Ford...

BALTIMORE -- Medicare's war on fraud is going high-tech with the opening of a $3.6 million command center that features a giant screen and the latest computer and communications gear. That's raising expectations, as well as some misgivings. The carpeting stills smells new at the facility, which went live a week ago in a nondescript commercial office park on Baltimore's outskirts. ...

MINSK, Belarus -- It's probably the first time in history that teddy bears have defeated generals. Belarus' authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko has sacked two of the nation's top defense officials after two Swedish advertising agency employees piloted a light plane into the country's heavily guarded airspace, dropping 879 teddy bears decked out in parachutes and slogans supporting human rights...

When Barack Obama went off the teleprompter recently and stuck his foot in his mouth about business people and the fact that "they didn't build that," he completely missed the point he was making. Certainly we all benefit from the teachers, roads and bridges and other infrastructure items that help all of us. ...

As the two-day trial began Wednesday for a Cape Girardeau man accused of first-degree assault in the August 2011 shooting near Neelys Landing, his attorney painted a picture of investigators who rushed to judgment in the case and were intent on pinning a crime on his client...

About 200 people attended Thursday's open house at Notre Dame Regional High School to inform the public about Ameren Missouri's proposed transmission line expansion. According to Ameren, the line is needed to maintain the area's energy reliability. "We want to beef up the infrastructure and improve reliability in the future for the Cape Girardeau area," Southeast Missouri division manager Jean Mason said...

Education officials hope some of Southeast Missouri's high school students could soon be on a faster track to becoming the region's future workforce with the help of a $1 million grant from the state. The development of the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center as an "Innovation Campus" during the next year will begin new programs locally and throughout the region that allow high school students to receive college credit and gain work experience, said Rich Payne, director of the center...

The jury in a two-day trial for Seth Summers, the Cape Girardeau man accused of being an accomplice to first-degree assault in the August 2011 shooting near Neelys Landing, found a recorded conversation between Summers and his father to be damning evidence.

The Southeast Missouri State football team begins official preparations for the 2012 season today when the Redhawks hold their first practice.

Row upon row of brittle, rust-colored corn plants with empty ears. Dusty pastures devoid of nutrition. Where water once flowed freely, only dry creek beds remain. Devastating doesn't begin to describe this drought. The immediate effects of the drought, which some say may rival the dust bowl of the 1930s, are easy to see now, but the economic consequences are yet to come and largely unknown...

TAMMS, Ill. -- A union representing corrections employees filed a lawsuit Thursday in Alexander County to stop the shutdown of Tamms Correctional Center and other confinement facilities, saying such closures will worsen the prison system's overcrowding and put the lives of its members in danger because of "inappropriate inmate transfers."...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Pvt. Kevin Casasola, of Cape Girardeau, recently completed his military training to become a combat engineer for Missouri National Guard's Headquarters Company, 1140th Engineer Battalion in Cape Girardeau. "I joined to serve and protect my Family and friends," said Casasola, who also joined for the education benefits which will allow him to attend college while serving his country...

More than 400 families turned out for Cape Girardeau Public School's clothing drive at Cape Central Junior High School Fieldhouse, 205 Caruthers. More than 2000 clothing items meeting the District's new dress code were available for distribution, thanks to the generosity of the United Way, local retailers and community members. Pictured at left, Jamie Jones, parent liaison at Jefferson Elementary School, helps sort some of the donated items...

The Southeast Missouri State University's Art Academy will be having a culminating exhibit of the student's artworks from this summer's art workshops at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, 32 North Main St. in Cape Girardeau through the month of August. The Art Council's hours are Tuesday - Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The opening reception will be held on Friday, August 3, from 5:00- 8:00 p.m...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A Charleston man has been arrested on charges of statutory sodomy and child molestation. Darrell Irish, 37, was arrested following an investigation by the Charleston Department of Public Safety on a report of child molestation. He is being held in the Mississippi County Jail with no bond. Anyone with information concerning this case is asked to contact the Charleston Department of Public Safety at 683-3737...

The quality of radio communications between emergency responders and law enforcement in rural Cape Girardeau County and their bases may soon improve with the addition of six radio tower sites. Cape Girardeau County commissioners approved entering a $640,000 contract with Motorola during their meeting Thursday for a project that will install a loading receiver system of towers in areas of the county where radio signals are often interrupted...

July in Cape Girardeau was one of the hottest Julys on record. Data provided by state climatologist Pat Guinan at the University of Missouri show that July 2012 is in a three-way tie for the hottest, in average temperature, going back to 1946. Thorough records aren't available before 1946, Guinan said...

Backpacks will be given away to students in need during an annual back-to-school event at the Islamic Center of Cape Girardeau on Friday. A representative of the center said backpacks will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and that families will be asked to provide information showing need upon arrival...

BENTON, Mo, -- Scott County law enforcement is warning the public of a possible phone scam that could lead to computer damage. The Scott County Sheriff's Department has received complaints over possible cybercriminals posing as technicians from Microsoft, according to a criminal activity advisory sent Thursday afternoon...

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The latest U.S. Drought Monitor survey shows an increase in extreme drought conditions in four Plains states but a slight decrease in the overall area of the lower 48 states experiencing some form of drought. The map posted Thursday on the monitor's website shows that nearly two-thirds of the lower 48 states is experiencing some drought. Recent rainfall pushed the percentage down to 62.91, from last week's 63.86...

A Patton, Mo., woman was killed Thursday morning after losing control of her vehicle in Bollinger County, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported. Lacosta Matthews, 29, was driving a 1998 Pontiac Firebird eastbound on Route NN near Highway 51 at 2:22 a.m. Thursday when she lost control of her vehicle and traveled off the road, hit a rock pile and overturned, the patrol reported...

SHAWNEETOWN, Ill. -- The Illinois State Police and Shawneetown Police Department are investigating the drowning of 17-month-old Charisma Jordan Michelle McGuire of Shawneetown. According to an Illinois State Police news release, a vehicle McGuire and her mother Kaylan Perry were in rolled into the Ohio River Wednesday evening. The report said the vehicle completely submerged in the river. Perry was able to escape, however the infant did not survive...

"Solar 101: Learning How to Put the Sun to Work for You" will be the topic of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee today. The program will be presented by Cindy Bambini of Brightergy Solar and Bob Eaton of Day & Night Solar. The event begins at 7 a.m. at the Show Me Center with a continental breakfast, followed by the program at 7:40 a.m...

The U.S. Senate has approved the nomination of Missouri native and former Eighth Congressional District candidate Tommy Sowers to serve as Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to a news release from U.S. ...

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the entire region on Saturday. The advisory is in effect from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, when temperatures will be in the upper 90s, with heat indices from 105 to 110 degrees much of the afternoon...

NEW HAMBURG -- A caravan of nearly 50 antique tractors will putt along a 23-mile route Saturday in Scott County. "We're going to have all kinds of sizes shapes and colors," said ride organizer and farmer Elmer Kenkel of New Hamburg, who will drive a 730 Case tractor in the ride...

Two solar energy companies shared with business leaders Friday how they can put the sun to work for them during the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee at the Show Me Center. Cindy Bambini of Brightergy Solar, based in Webster Groves, Mo., and Bob Eaton of Day & Night Solar in Collinsville, Ill., discussed credits and tax incentives available for businesses, homeowners and not-for-profit organizations as well as the benefits of various solar power systems...

Today is Friday, Aug. 3, the 216th day of 2012. There are 150 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Aug. 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail from Palos, Spain, on a voyage that took him to the present-day Americas...

NEW YORK -- Mandy Hauck turned 25 on Wednesday, but she's avoiding Facebook and her happy birthday messages to steer clear of Olympic spoilers about her favorite sport, fencing. Hauck has also deleted her iPhone apps for CNN and ESPN, opting for news from the London Games the old-fashioned way, via TV coverage that's time-delayed by NBC for prime time...

I hear it said all summer. "Cape is so slow right now because it's a college town. It will get better once school starts back up." It's something I've noticed from time to time, too. When the Southeast Missouri State University students leave Cape Girardeau for their respective hometowns, the city can seemingly start to feel bogged down in summer sludge. Downtown isn't as crowded from weekend to weekend. There are fewer bands playing out. And weeknight event schedules slow down considerably...

FIRST FRIDAY RECEPTIONS The Artist Studio The studio will feature work by Judy Barks-Westrich and offer special prices on select artwork for First Friday visitors. The reception will be from 5 to 9 p.m. 38A N. Main St.; 651-4464 Arts Council of Southeast Missouri...

Men will rule at one show this First Friday, as the work of more than 30 male artists is unveiled at the Black Door Gallery. "Man Art" consists of 40 pieces from artists from all over the Midwest, and includes work in sculpture, paint, prints, photography and mixed media. Gallery owner and local artist Craig Thomas said this show has many strong works...

ARCC in the Park will return to the Capaha Park band shell this summer on Sunday. This free picnic and concert is hosted by Abbey Road Christian Church. The picnic will begin at 5:30 p.m. Meat and drinks will be provided, but guests are asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share. The concert will follow at 6:15 p.m. Musical guests will include New Life Singers, Barefoot on Sunday, and Max & Kristen Pind...

Safarifest, which is the annual back-to-school carnival held at Lazy L Safari Park at Cape Girardeau, will reflect a "Wild West" theme this year. Safarifest 2012 will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 11. Featured activities will be a Wild West Show that will include trick roping, whip cracking and animal performers, such as Festus the Zorse and Wilbur the Yak. ...

It will be a busy weekend for Missouri retailers as students, parents, educators and others shop during the back-to-school sales tax holiday. Over the course of the next three days (12:01 a.m. today through Sunday) the state will waive the 4.225 percent sales tax for back-to-school items such as clothing, school supplies and computers...

I am a gun owner and I support the view that everyone has the right to own a gun to protect oneself, considering the times we live in. But those who support one's right to buy assault weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition, not to mention grenades and bomb-making materials, based on their constitutional right to bear arms must be truly living in a fantasy world in which someone like President Obama and his cronies would someday suspend the Constitution, imprison lawmakers and establish a dictatorship. ...

On Aug. 7 Missourians will vote on Amendment 2, which supporters claim will expand citizens' rights to the free exercise of religion. While increasing religious liberty protections is a laudable goal, Amendment 2 is deeply flawed. The measure's official summary lists three intentions: to ensure "that the right of Missouri citizens to express their religious beliefs shall not be infringed; that school children have the right to pray and acknowledge God voluntarily in their schools; and that all public schools shall display the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution." Contrary to Amendment 2's implications, the first two are already constitutionally required and the third is constitutionally permitted. ...

As a longtime student of U.S. diplomatic history, I can say without reservation that Mitt Romney's recent foreign policy trip was an undeniable, unequivocal, unmitigated, and unparalleled disaster. I was at the Hoops for Life 5K run and the Hoops for Life Rick Springfield concert, and it was an amazing time. ...

It started, like so many things, small. That was before it became a Big Deal, at least for me. Here's what happened: Last week I received a letter in the mail from a huge, national service provider. My wife and I have been customers of this Big Business for nearly 50 years. We have been loyal. We have always paid our monthly bills on time. We have added new services as they became available. We have been top-notch customers for a long, long time...

O Lord God, give us discernment and wisdom in all we do. Amen.

MASON, Ohio -- One of the biggest drug dealers in the Cincinnati area was led into court this week. He looked more like the president of the math club -- skinny, pale, bespectacled, dressed in a blue button-down shirt and khakis, and just 17 years old...

PURCELLVILLE, Va. -- Undecided voters in swing states hold the key to the presidential election, but neither Mitt Romney nor Barack Obama has an easy recipe for winning them over. Today's new jobs report, even if dismal for incumbent President Obama, might do little to help challenger Romney with this group...

NEW YORK -- Shoppers showed some spending muscle in July, once summer clearance sales and the hottest July in 50 years got them in the mood. Solid sales reports from retailers Thursday took some of the sting out of weak June manufacturing data. And improving trends in unemployment benefit applications provide hope for slightly better job growth in coming months a day before the government reports on July employment...

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Asadullah Ramin has lost all hope in his homeland -- he's so worried about what will happen when U.S. and international troops leave that he's ready to pay a smuggler to whisk his family out of Afghanistan. It would cost the 50-year-old, self-employed electronics engineer tens of thousands of dollars to leave his middle-class life in the Afghan capital and start a new chapter with his wife and their three daughters. ...

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Bond payoffs are supposed to be boring, but Argentina's president is celebrating Friday's final $2.3 billion payment on a bond given to people whose savings were confiscated a decade ago, calling it a lesson for European countries now mired in foreign debt...

CAIRO -- Egypt's Islamist president swore in his first new government Thursday, led by a devout Muslim and including five members of his Muslim Brotherhood in unglamorous but ideal ministries for a group whose long-term aim is to Islamize the most populous Arab nation...

FRANKFURT, Germany -- The European Central Bank is preparing to unleash its financial might and buy government bonds to help drive down borrowing costs in debt-ridden countries like Spain and Italy, caught in the grip of what president Mario Draghi called a "worsening crisis."...

LITCHFIELD, Ill. -- A packed double-decker Megabus slammed into an Illinois interstate bridge support pillar Thursday, hurtling screaming passengers from their seats and leaving at least one person dead and more than three dozen injured, officials said...

WASHINGTON -- The Senate's tax-writing panel voted to renew dozens of tax breaks for businesses like biodiesel and wind energy producers, even as the GOP-controlled House passed symbolic legislation to erase them and create a new tax code with lower rates and fewer special interest tax breaks...

WASHINGTON -- None of the commuter jets that flew too close together near Washington on Tuesday was ever on course to collide head-on with the others, federal officials said Thursday. During a news conference, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood strongly disputed media reports characterizing what happened near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport as a near-miss...

WASHINGTON -- The Senate failed Thursday to pass legislation to protect the U.S. electrical grid, water supplies and other critical industries from cyberattack and electronic espionage, despite dire warnings from top national security officials about the potential for devastating assaults on American computer networks...

Harold Leroy Duckworth, 62, a lifelong resident of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center. He was born Sept. 15, 1949, to Ceil and Loretta Smith Duckworth. Harold was a graduate of Central High School and Southeast Missouri State University. He went into insurance sales, eventually becoming an independent agent...

PATTON, Mo. -- LaCosta Ranae Welker Matthews, 29, of Patton died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, the result of an auto accident near her home. She was born Aug. 5, 1982, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Rod E. and Patty Burton Welker. LaCosta was a member of New Life Christian Fellowship Church in Perryville, Mo. She was a title closer at Guardian Land Title Co. in Cape Girardeau...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Verdell Cato, 81, of Advance passed away Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Feb. 7, 1931, at McGee, Mo., son of Charlie and Edna Stephens Cato. Verdell retired from the U.S. Army after 21 years of service...

John Moses, 90, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Mounds, Ill., died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, at the Missouri Veterans Home. He was born April 23, 1922, in Mounds, son of George S. and Mary Hamaway Moses. Moses was owner of John's Mart in Cairo, Ill., and Moses Farms in Mounds before retiring. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mound City, Ill., Mounds VFW, Cairo Knights of Columbus, and Pulaski-Alexander County Farm Bureau...

LEOPOLD, Mo. — Stanley Glenn Jansen, 61, of Leopold died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill, Mo.

CAIRO, Ill. -- Marian F. Stone, 70, of Cairo died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until service time Monday at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with Dr. Larry L. Potts officiating. Burial will be in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens at Villa Ridge, Ill...

Marilyn J. Vancil, 73, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Anna, Ill., died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, at Southeast Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete at Crain Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Patricia Ann "Patty" McCormick, 53, of Jackson died Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at her home. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, with a memorial service at 6:30 p.m., at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home.

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Wanda Lee, 58, of Jonesboro died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, at Herrin Hospital in Herrin, Ill. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. to service time Saturday at Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna, Ill. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jay Franklin officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery...

A morning dedication ceremony marks the beginning of Southeast Missouri Hospital's LifeBeat helicopter air ambulance service; it will provide emergency service within a 100-mile radius of Cape Girardeau. The Cape Girardeau City Council meeting turns into a late-night debate over last-minute opposition to the transportation sales tax measure, which is on tomorrow's election ballot; councilmen angrily denounce the actions of 630 Inc., which raised last-minute questions about the tax issue in paid advertisements in the Southeast Missourian.. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri officials have used money from a reserve fund to help with the state's cash flow. The state Office of Administration reported Thursday that $100 million was borrowed from the Budget Reserve Fund. The funds must be repaid by mid-May next year...

Firefighters responded to the following calls Wednesday: Firefighters responded to the following calls Thursday:...

Firefighters responded to the following calls Wednesday:...

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

A St. Joseph, Mo.-based political action committee is spending $300,000 from an untraceable source to attack Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder's character in direct mail and television ads that include references to his link to a former stripper.

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A 20-year-old Van Buren, Mo., forestry major will be the first student to benefit from a series of transfer agreements signed Tuesday between Three Rivers College and the University of Missouri. The agreements in teaching, nursing, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapy assistant, forestry and health science programs mark Mizzou's first formal agreement with Three Rivers, and first formal presence serving Southeast Missouri residents in their home communities...

The 60th annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo begins next week, and features nationally ranked rodeo riders along with country music chart toppers. The rodeo runs from Wednesday to Aug. 11, and is filled with a variety of activities including a parade, the Cowboy Up! Arts Festival, meet and greet with the rodeo clowns, live music, crafts, food concessions, pony rides, a petting zoo and special exhibits from the Bootheel Children's Museum and Southeast Explorer Mobile Museum...

Missouri voters will decide Tuesday on a state constitutional amendment on protections for prayer. THE PROPOSAL What the Missouri Constitution would say if the measure passes: "That all men and women have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences; that no human authority can control or interfere with the rights of conscience; that no person shall, on account of his or her religious persuasion or belief, be rendered ineligible to any public office or trust or profit in this state, be disqualified from testifying or serving as a juror, or be molested in his or her person or estate; that to secure a citizen's right to acknowledge Almighty God according to the dictates of his or her own conscience, neither the state nor any of its political subdivisions shall establish any official religion, nor shall a citizen's right to pray or express his or her religious beliefs be infringed; that the state shall not coerce any person to participate in any prayer or other religious activity, but shall ensure that any person shall have the right to pray individually or corporately in a private or public setting so long as such prayer does not result in disturbance of the peace or disruption of a public meeting or assembly; that citizens as well as elected officials and employees of the state of Missouri and its political subdivisions shall have the right to pray on government premises and public property so long as such prayers abide within the same parameters placed upon any other free speech under similar circumstances; that the General Assembly and the governing bodies of political subdivisions may extend to ministers, clergypersons, and other individuals the privilege to offer invocations or other prayers at meetings or sessions of the General Assembly or governing bodies; that students may express their beliefs about religion in written and oral assignments free from discrimination based on the religious content of their work; that no student shall be compelled to perform or participate in academic assignments or educational presentations that violate his or her r eligious beliefs; that the state shall ensure public school students their right to free exercise of religious expression without interference, as long as such prayer or other expression is private and voluntary, whether individually or corporately, and in a manner that is not disruptive and as long as such prayers or expressions abide within the same parameters placed upon any other free speech under similar circumstances; and, to emphasize the right to free exercise of religious expression, that all free public schools receiving state appropriations shall display, in a conspicuous and legible manner, the text of the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States; but this section shall not be construed to expand the rights of prisoners in state or local custody beyond those afforded by the laws of the United States, excuse acts of licentiousness, nor to justify practices inconsistent with the good order, peace or safety of the state, or with the rights of others.". ...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Route A in Perry County will continue to be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform routine bridge maintenance. The bridge is between County Road 424 and County Road 422. Weather permitting, the work will be done from 7 a.m. ...

WASHINGTON -- Republicans investigating the government's investment in a bankrupt solar panel manufacturer have concluded that the Obama administration ignored numerous red flags about the company's financial viability, leaving taxpayers on the hook for more than $500 million...

MADRID -- Police have arrested three suspected members of al-Qaida who amassed explosives and may have been plotting attacks in Spain or elsewhere in Europe, Spain's interior minister said Thursday. Two of them had practiced flying light aircraft...

BEIRUT -- Kofi Annan announced his resignation Thursday as peace envoy to Syria and issued a blistering critique of world powers, bringing to an end a six-month effort that failed to achieve even a temporary cease-fire as the country plunged into civil war...

ANKARA, Turkey -- Iraq on Thursday accused Turkey of interfering in its internal affairs after Turkey's foreign minister paid a surprise visit to a northern Iraqi city seen as a testing ground for whether Iraq's sectarian leaders can ever reach reconciliation...

JOLIET, Ill. -- A judge said Thursday he believed Drew Peterson could receive a fair trial in his murder case but chided prosecutors for entering inadmissible evidence and even criticizing them in front of jurors. Testimony resumed with paramedics and a locksmith shortly after the in-court legal drama that came close to ending the high-profile trial before it had barely begun...

DENVER -- Tyler Colvin hit a tiebreaking double and rookie Josh Rutledge homered in his fourth straight game to lift the Colorado Rockies over the St. Louis Cardinals 8-2 on Thursday night to avert a three-game sweep. Wilin Rosario hit his first career pinch-hit homer, a two-run shot off reliever Brian Fuentes in the eighth inning, and Jordan Pacheco went 3 for 3 with two doubles and two RBIs to help the Rockies snap a five-game losing streak. ...

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A half century has not dimmed skeptics' suspicions about the death of Marilyn Monroe at age 36, but the intervening decades have seen technological leaps that could alter the investigation were it to occur today. DNA, more sophisticated electronic record-keeping, drug databases and other advances would give investigators more information than they were able to glean after Monroe's Aug. 5, 1962, death -- 50 years ago this Sunday...

The Plaza Tire Capahas fell into the losers bracket at the 78th annual National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kan., early Friday morning. The Capahas were beaten 3-1 by the El Dorado (Kan.) Broncos in a second-round winners bracket game.

I've been meaning to buy some makeup brushes. But to be honest, I don't actually know how to pick out a good set of brushes, and there are so many to choose from. Besides, the applicators that come with my makeup seem to do the job OK. Dustin Duncan, manager at Sephora in Cape Girardeau, says those sponge applicators don't pick up the pigments or blend as nicely as specially-designed makeup brushes. ...

If you survived your teenage years only to succumb to acne as an adult, you're not the only one: Cape Girardeau dermatologist Dr. Charles M. Moon says about half of the acne he sees is in adults. Women, in particular, may develop acne after age 25 or 30. In fact, the American Academy of Dermatology reports acne is becoming more common for women in their 20s, 30s, 40s and even 50s...

Ashley Lipke grew up in Sikeston, Mo., and earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Southeast Missouri State University. After marrying husband Scott Lipke, she literally stumbled into her job as a diabetes educator at Cross Trails Medical Center: "The day of my job interview there was about a foot of snow on the ground. ...

If you remember having head checks from the school nurse, you probably remember there was a certain amount of shame attached to being sent home with head lice. It's an embarrassing problem, but it has nothing to do with personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school, according to the Centers for Disease Control...

It's been said that top wardrobe consultants advise putting two-thirds of your clothing budget toward accessories. Why? Accessories add instant style to any outfit, and they create tons of new looks with the clothing you already have. An added bonus? You don't have to worry about whether your jewelry, bags and shoes will fit from season to season. With help from the pros, we put together the ultimate guide for using accessories to work what you've got:...

There's no better way to bond with your gal pals than taking a vacation together. It's your chance to escape the pressure of everyday life and bliss out with your girlfriends, just like you used to do. "I travel with girlfriends all the time! I've been all over the world with people I love, and going with girlfriends is a completely different experience," says Carolyn Kempf, owner of Elite Travel in Cape Girardeau...

When Linda McKinnis first heard about the St. Louis group working to open a safe house for victims of sex trafficking, she assumed it would be for girls from other countries. It was a shock to hear that the home would actually house American victims -- many of them teen girls rescued from St. ...

The Plaza Tire Capahas were eliminated from the 78th annual National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kan., Friday as they lost to the San Diego (Calif.) Force 5-2. That defeat came about 14 hours after the Capahas suffered their first tournament loss, 3-1 to the El Dorado (Kan.) Broncos in a game that ended at 12:49 a.m. Friday...

The following is a list of area and statewide races that will appear on the Missouri primary ballot in area counties. Races are only listed if they're contested, meaning more than one member of a particular party is seeking the nomination. For some elected position, one party's candidates will appear on the list, but not others, if only one party has a contested primary. The list was compiled from sample ballots and information from the Missouri Secretary of State...

Leone Proffer with produce from her garden

Today is Saturday, Aug. 4, the 217th day of 2012. There are 149 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Aug. 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were axed to death in their home in Fall River, Mass. Lizzie Borden, Andrew's daughter from a previous marriage, was accused of the killings, but acquitted at trial...

For the second time in a year, Cape Girardeau voters reject a tax proposal to improve city streets; however, a proposed "sunset" clause on the city's motel and restaurant gross receipts tax is approved; unofficial vote totals show the half-cent transportation sales tax proposal falls by a vote of 2,120 to 1,788...

LEOPOLD, Mo. -- Stanley Glen Jansen, 61, of Leopold passed away Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012 at his home. He was born July 3, 1951, in Cape Girardeau, son of Luke Robert and Mary Louise Steinnerd Jansen. He married Marilyn Dell McVay on Sept. 9, 1972 at St. John Catholic Church in Leopold...

Jack F.C. Gillard, 83, of Glenville, Minn., died Friday, July 27, 2012, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minn., surrounded by his family, following a brief illness. He was born Aug. 21, 1928, in Albert Lea, Minn., second son to Frank Charles and Mabel Christianson Gillard. He and Barbara Louise Anderson were married June 26, 1955. She passed away July 16, 1977. He and Marina Gari were married Dec. 18, 1978...

Marilyn J. Vancil, 73, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Anna, Ill., died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, at Southeast Hospital. She was born July 31, 1939, in Jonesboro, Ill., daughter of Dan and Doris Ferrell Frick. She married Orval Vancil on Aug. 5, 1956...

Patricia Ann "Patty" McCormick, 53, of Jackson died Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at her home. She was born Jan. 2, 1959, in Cape Girardeau, to Don and Wilma Francis Green Wolfenkoehler. She and Steve McCormick were married April 6, 1985. Survivors include her husband, Steve; mother, Wilma Knowlton; a son, Steven McCormick; a daughter, Christy Brown Owens and fiance Justin Biester, all of Jackson; two sisters, Donna (Alan) Eakins of Jackson, Larraine (Brad) Brown of Cape Girardeau; three grandchildren, Chelsie Carroll, Sierra Owens and David Strop.. ...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Janet Brotherton, 72, of Marble Hill died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, at Woodland Hills Nursing Center in Marble Hill. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday, with Dr. John Englehart officiating. Burial will be in Bollinger County Memorial Park Cemetery...

KENNETT, Mo. -- Two children were killed, two individuals suffered serious injuries, and four more people suffered minor injuries following a two-vehicle crash at Highway 153 and Route M near Kennett on Friday morning, according to Kennett Fire Department personnel.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Randles made Cape Girardeau one of his final campaign stops Friday as Tuesday's primary draws close. While speaking to a gathering of candidates for local offices and supporters at a monthly meeting of the Cape Girardeau County Republican Women at Dexter Bar-B-Que, Randles was candid about his plans for the governorship should he best Dave Spence, seen by many as the GOP front-runner, and go on to win November's general election...

SoutheastHEALTH and the Dexter Community Regional Healthcare Foundation have reached a lease agreement for the future operation of the hospital in Dexter, Mo.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Officials say stress, heat and drought appear to have contributed to the deaths of several elk recently relocated to Missouri. The Missouri Department of Conservation says the July deaths include six cow elk, one yearling bull and three calves. The dead elk were among a herd relocated this year from Kentucky to Missouri's elk restoration zone in Carter, Shannon and Reynolds counties...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. employers added 163,000 jobs in July, a hopeful sign after three months of sluggish hiring. The Labor Department said Friday that the unemployment rate rose to 8.3 percent from 8.2 percent in June. July's hiring was the best since February. Still, the economy has added an average of 151,000 jobs a month this year -- enough to keep up with population growth but not enough to drive down the unemployment rate...

Sixteen Cape Girardeau businesses have yet to renew their operating licenses, which expired in January. Last month, the city identified more than 30 businesses operating without a license and began working with police to ensure the businesses are closed.

The contentious race between two former political allies will come to an end. Two rematches -- one for a place in Jefferson City, the other in Washington -- will result in challenger upsets or victorious incumbents. And the contest that has created the most crowded field of candidates in the last two decades will be narrowed to two...

Local Paddler, Matt Smith of Jackson, MO recently competed in the MR340 Endurance Race which was held July 31-August 3, 2012. The MR340 is a 340 mile endurance race in which participants have 88 hours to paddle their way from Kansas City, MO to St.Charles MO along the Missouri River. ...

Jackson High School graduate Ben Rushin signed with Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas on July 31. Rushin will be competing in discus, shot put, and hammer for the JCCC Cavaliers.

The Southeast Missouri State football team held its first practice Friday.

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Members of the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force arrested a Chaffee couple Friday and placed their teenage child in protective custody after they allegedly found methamphetamine and drug paraphrenalia in their home. Eric Simpson, 45, and Lorie Simpson, 37, are charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, unlawful use of drug paraphernalia and endangering the welfare of a child, according to a probable-cause statement fron the Scott County prosecuting attorney's office.. ...

Former Cape Girardeau police chief Carl Kinnison was recently appointed director of the Law Enforcement Academy at Southeast Missouri State University. He will replace Dr. Michael Brown, who has announced his retirement after 25 years...

Charges are being sought on Robbie W. Meyers, 36, of Jackson for the sale of illegal drugs and possession with the intent to distribute illegal drugs. On Thursday, representatives of the Perry County Sheriff's Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force and Drug Enforcement Administration executed a search warrant on cabin No. ...

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson has introduced legislation to add 15 cathinone stimulant drugs, commonly known as "bath salts," to the list of substances subject to seizure and prosecution by law enforcement. Emerson said in a news release the "bath salt" drugs consist of dangerous chemicals that can easily be changed to evade the authorities...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri election officials expect one-quarter of registered voters to cast ballots in Tuesday's primary elections. The voter turnout projections released Friday by the secretary of state's office are compiled by estimates from local election officials...

A Qulin, Mo., woman was ordered to stand trial Thursday for her alleged role in conspiring with family members to kill her stepmother, whose remains were found scattered in a secluded area near Qulin more than 12 years ago. Accompanied by her attorney, Danny Moore, Melissa Jo "Missy" Austin Baggett, 38, again appeared before Associate Circuit Judge John Bloodworth for the continuation of her preliminary hearing...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Whether a new business moves in to the Gates building or it becomes a jobs training center, it's a win for Mississippi County. Either outcome beats a vacant building falling into disrepair. Carlin Bennett, presiding commissioner of Mississippi County, said during Thursday's county commission meeting that he recently heard some good news during an informal meeting with Devin Stephenson, president of Three Rivers College...

A Cape Girardeau credit union was robbed Friday morning. Just before 11 a.m., the suspect was still on the run. Police responded to a hold-up alarm at Cape Regional Credit Union, 2427 Cape Centre Drive, according to Cape Girardeau Police Department spokesman Darin Hickey...

Today is Sunday, Aug. 5, the 218th day of 2012. There are 148 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Aug. 5, 1962, actress Marilyn Monroe, 36, was found dead in her Los Angeles home; her death was ruled a probable suicide from "acute barbiturate poisoning."...

ORAN, Mo. -- Alicia Ann Broshuis and Anthony Dennis Melton II were married July 7, 2012, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. The Rev. David Hulshof performed the ceremony. Pianists were Emily and Zachary Elfrink of Leopold, Mo., cousins of the bride...

Mark and Kellie Phillips of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Morganne Elizabeth Phillips, to Andrew Shaye Nabors of Jackson. He is the son of Dale and Susan Nabors of Cape Girardeau. Phillips is a 2010 graduate of Central High School. She is pursuing a degree in elementary education at Southeast Missouri State University...

PERKINS, Mo. -- Gerard and Shari Dirnberger of Oran, Mo., and Renee and Elmer VanderMierden of Advance, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Ashley Renee Dirnberger, to Shayn Ryan Mabury, both of Perkins. He is the son of Sharon Deckard of Patterson, Mo...

Robert and Mary Harke of St. Peters, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Kathleen Marie Harke, to Christopher Robert Palisch, both of Jackson. He is the son of John and Patricia Palisch of Jackson. Harke received a bachelor of science degree in early childhood education from Southeast Missouri State University in 2012. She is a fifth grade teacher with Jackson School District...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Angela Deprow of Chaffee announces the engagement of her daughter, Ashley Nicolle Deprow, to Dustin Allen Anglin. He is the son of Jeff and Mildred Anglin of Chaffee. Deprow is a 2008 graduate of Delta High School. She received an associate degree in nursing from Southeast Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences in 2011. She is a registered nurse in the Neurosciences Institute at Saint Francis Medical Center...

John and Becki Gray of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Theresa Ann Gray, to William Tyler Stearns. He is the son of Rodney and Judy Smith and Bill Stearns of Jackson. Gray received a bachelor's degree in health promotion from Southeast Missouri State University in 2008, and received a degree in nursing from Southeast Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences in 2011. She is a registered nurse at Saint Francis Medical Center...

Mr. and Mrs. Roger Rebert of Carthage, Texas, formerly of Cape Girardeau, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary July 25, 2012. Rebert and Anna Lou Craig were married July 25, 1942, in Greenup, Ky. Rebert retired as a sales manager with Aerovent Equipment in Lansing, Mich...

KELSO, Mo. -- Mr. and Mrs. William Schlegel of Kelso recently observed their 50th wedding anniversary. Schlegel and Lavada Heuring were married July 28, 1962, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, by the Rev. Ralph Fessler. Their attendants were Gladys Raines Smith, cousin of the bride; Patricia Randol Conley, niece of the groom; Elmer Peetz; and Jerry Heuring, brother of the bride...

By Jean Nance Cook I am writing this article in hopes it will make people more aware of cancer and what progress is being made to help those diagnosed with it. I was raised in Cape Girardeau and attended Trinity Lutheran School and Central High School. ...

Pictured here is a white-eyed vireo I have captured with an assassin bug in its beak. This is a common small songbird of the southeastern quarter of North America. The white-eyed vireo is only about 4 1/2 inches long from tip of beak to tip of tail. It is a vocal little bird whose song is rather erratic. This amplifies the difficulty of identifying it even when seen in the field...

Fairview General Baptist Church in Advance, Mo., will host a revival at 7 p.m. Monday through Friday with Evangelist Brother Kenny Burchard. Each night will feature a different singer: Don Hester on Monday; Janie Brown and the Chesnut Mountain Gang on Tuesday; Lowell and Kathy Fish on Wednesday; Jennifer Krepps on Thursday; and Crossroads on Friday...

"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together," said Vincent Van Gogh. In other words, combinations of things are almost always better than the things by themselves. Thus, combination locks (technically permutation locks, a mathematician would say) are more secure than mere locks with keys, a combination of drugs is often the best prescription for a patient, and the victor in a boxing match is not likely the one who throws the same punch over and over but one who strategically strings together a group of punches, called a boxing combination.. ...

My niece Christa and our daughter, Lexie, love the snack mix Puppy Chow more than anyone I know. As you may know, this is for human consumption and is wildly addictive once you start eating it. Christa introduced Lexie to Nutella and Funfetti Puppy Chow, and now there is no end to the possibilities to creating new flavors of this hard-to-resist snack mix. ...

Jane Clark was hostess when the Kage FCE met at the Cape Girardeau Senior Center for its regular monthly meeting. A moment of silence was held in memory of past member Edna Hey. Dortha Strack, president, presided over the meeting...

The St. Mary Cemetery in Cape Girardeau will soon have a new addition. The board has initiated the construction of a chapel in the cemetery. "It is something that we need mainly to have services in to get out of the weather," treasurer Bob Stricker said...

Carl Kinnison started his career in law enforcement in 1978 as a part-time animal control officer. Last month he retired after seven years as the police chief. Kinnison represented Cape Girardeau with extraordinary class during his time as chief. He was, and still is, articulate and highly professional. Kinnison went about his job the right way. He treated others with respect and earned it in return...

I am writing to encourage Missouri and Illinois residents to play an important role in advancing research for a cure for ALS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a fatal disease that robs the body of voluntary muscle control until the simple act of breathing becomes impossible. This devastating illness strikes without warning, and unfortunately there is no cure or treatment. It is estimated that as many as 30,000 Americans are courageously battling ALS...

I have a news flash, unions are not bad. Without them businesses would trod all over people. I don't think people know how hard that things were fought for. My grandpa worked in the coal mines, and he was on the other side; he was in management. But would come home with a bloody face where a rock was thrown through his car. ...

Many people know I read a lot, especially about economics, social issues and politics. And as some of the Republican primary candidates are people I know and have reviewed, I am sharing my choices. I told some of the candidates I was not getting involved in financially supporting them during the primaries, but I have reached a decision on how I will be voting in this unusually important Republican primary...

We praise you, O God, for the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

The Plaza Tire Capahas finished 1-2 at the National Baseball Congress World Series.

ST. LOUIS -- Adam Wainwright did everything he could do to give the St. Louis Cardinals a win Saturday night. Wainwright pitched a five-hitter and contributed at the plate with an RBI double and a single to lead the Cardinals past the Milwaukee Brewers 6-1...

KABUL, Afghanistan -- The Afghan parliament voted Saturday to dismiss the country's defense and interior ministers, a move that threatens to throw the country's security apparatus into confusion as foreign forces withdraw. The vote demanded the dismissal of two of President Hamid Karzai's key security lieutenants: Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak, one of the top Afghan officials most trusted by Washington, and Interior Minister Bismullah Khan Mohammadi...

TOKYO -- A grandson of U.S. President Harry Truman, who ordered the atomic bombings of Japan during World War II, is in Hiroshima to attend a memorial service for the victims. Clifton Truman Daniel visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on Saturday and laid a wreath for the 140,000 people killed by the Aug. 6, 1945, bombing authorized by his grandfather. Another atomic blast in Nagasaki three days later killed 70,000 more...

BEIRUT -- Gunmen snatched 47 Iranian pilgrims just outside Damascus on Saturday in an attack that revealed the growing instability at the center of President Bashar Assad's power. The abduction came as Syrian troops moved to crush one of the last rebel-dominated neighborhoods in the capital, shelling the area heavily. No group immediately claimed responsibility, although Iranian state media blamed the rebels fighting the Assad regime...

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- The St. Louis Rams had a dress rehearsal at the Edward Jones Dome, giving the new coaching staff and new players a peek at their stadium. "All week I think they were kind of looking forward to this, to finish up the first phase of camp," Rams coach Jeff Fisher said...

The Scott City Police Personnel Board said yesterday Scott City Mayor Alvie Modglin violated prescribed guidelines of the police ordinance when he fired chief Tom Eaton on June 30, and ordered that Eaton be reinstated with all back pay. General Sign Co. has installed the new Show Me Center message board in front of the new structure; made by Daktronics of Brookings, S.D., the big electronic marquee was donated by the Coca-Cola Co...

WASHINGTON -- Bond yields are scraping along at record lows, but investors keep buying them, valuing the modest, fixed returns they pay over the bigger potential profits offered by stocks. Bill Gross of PIMCO, perhaps the nation's best-known bond fund manager, said recently that people should think long and hard before buying stocks at all. ...

NEW YORK -- A surge in hiring last month got a big welcome on Wall Street on Friday. The Dow Jones industrial average surged 217.29 points to close at 13,096.17, ending a four-day losing streak. It was the best day for the Dow since June 29. Markets had been slumping all week after central banks in the U.S and Europe took no new action to shore up the economy, as investors had hoped...

A court-appointed psychiatrist will testify Tuesday that Jared Lee Loughner is competent to enter a plea in the shooting rampage that killed six people and injured 13 others, including then-U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a person familiar with the case said Saturday...

WASHINGTON -- Lawmakers headed home for a five-week break with a lengthy list of uncompleted work and little to show for the past year and a half except dissatisfaction: Nearly 80 percent of Americans are unhappy with them. The Republican-controlled House and Democratic-led Senate have set record lows for production and record highs for dysfunction...

WASHINGTON -- A dozen U.S. service members brought women, likely prostitutes, to their hotel rooms in Colombia and also allowed dogs to soil bed linens and building grounds shortly before President Barack Obama arrived in the country for an April summit, according to a military investigation that followed the announcement of punishments for the men...

BOSTON -- The men came from different walks of life on two continents: a children's puppeteer in Florida, a hotel manager in Massachusetts, an emergency medical technician in Kansas, a day care worker in the Netherlands. In all, 43 men have been arrested over the past two years in a far-flung child porn network that unraveled like a sweater with a single loose thread...

LUTHER, Okla. -- While residents of one Oklahoma town sifted through their charred belongings Saturday to salvage what they could after a roaring wildfire that may have been deliberately set, residents in several other towns were being ordered to evacuate their homes...

The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Thefts...

Fiona is a declawed calico cat that is five years old. She is a very sweet girl who enjoys attention and likes her gorgous fur petted. Her previous owners said they no longer had time to give her attention. Fiona is spayed, up-to-date on shots, and ready to be adopted! For more information, contact Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary at 243-9823...

Firefighters responded to the following calls Thursday:...

Stacy is 1 1/2 years old. She is already spayed. Stacy is available for adoption at the Humane Society, 334-5837.

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

William J. Niemann, 92, of Jackson passed away Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, at the Monticello House in Jackson. He was born July 28, 1920, at Gordonville to William and Bertha Birk Niemann. He and Tavia Lange were married April 27, 1946, at Gordonville. Niemann farmed many years in the Gordonville area and then worked 17 years at Holiday Inn in Cape Girardeau, retiring in 1991. ...

Judith Yvonne Hewitt, 70, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, at Ratliff Care Center. She was born June 7, 1942, at Cape Girardeau to Shelton Leroy and Hazel Coleen Wiley Snider. She and Lawrence "Dude" Swan were married Oct. 26, 1957, at Cape Girardeau. He died June 1, 1978. She married Dr. Richard L. Hewitt on June 16, 1979, at Cape Girardeau. He died June 27, 2009...

The Bank of Missouri and employees donated $17,122.16 to United Way of Southeast Missouri during the 2011-2012 annual campaign. Pictured from left: Dawn Ozark, Lori Vavak, Pat Kaempfer, Lisa Rodman, Nancy Jernigan, Benjie Ferguson and Wendell Mueller...

THEBES, Ill. -- Doris Jean Full Denton, 70 of Thebes passed away Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, at Southeast Hospital. Doris Jean was born Feb. 24, 1942, at Hartford, Ill., daughter of the late Everett Full and Winifred Hall Full. Jean was a member of the Freewill Baptist Church in Olive Branch, Ill., and served as the church custodian, and was a nurse's aide at Southeast Hospital. On July 8, 1970, at Thebes, she married Francis Denton...

The host site of the Olympics receives extraordinary attention from the rest of the world for a two-week period. The United Kingdom is home to the Beatles, arguably the most important pop group in the latter half of the 20th century. Only two of the four Beatles are still living. One of them, Paul McCartney, performed at the opening ceremonies in London on July 27...

A couple of weeks ago I stood before Niagara Falls, the seventh wonder of the world, on vacation with my family. I was breath-taken and speechless. Words and pictures can't describe the beauty of 757,500 gallons of water each second pouring over rock cliffs and spraying up into a sparkling mist between two countries. It's majestic and powerful and makes necessary saying the word "wow" without meaning to an unnecessary number of times...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Southeast Missouri continues to suffer from drought. Combined with the uncertainty in the economy, more people are depending on local food pantries. The Southeast Missouri Mobile Food Bank makes regular forays into Bollinger County to help families stretch their food budget between paychecks. Even if families visit the local food pantries, often there isn't enough to feed a hungry family...

PET NAME: Remington OWNER: Kathy Ford ABOUT REMINGTON: Eli is hugging his buddy Remington. We adopted Remington from the Humane Society three years ago. He brings so much joy to our family. ...

Kody Neighbors helps Charlotte Gandt, 4, try one of the instruments during the Instrument Petting Zoo Saturday, August 4, at Shivelbines Music's stand at the Cape Riverfront Market. Children were invited to test play the instruments on hand during the event...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A suspected shake-and-bake methamphetamine lab was found in a truck on the Walmart Supercenter parking lot while officers responded to an alarm at an adjacent business last week. Shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday, Poplar Bluff police chief Danny Whiteley said, he and Sgt. ...

WASHINGTON -- NASA picked three aerospace companies Friday to build small rocketships to take astronauts to the International Space Station. This is the third phase of NASA's efforts to get private space companies to take over the job of the now-retired space shuttle. The companies will share more than $1.1 billion. Two of the ships are capsules like in the Apollo era and the third is closer in design to the space shuttle...

OAK CREEK, Wis. -- An unidentified gunman killed six people at a Sikh temple in suburban Milwaukee on Sunday in a rampage that left terrified congregants hiding in closets and others texting friends outside for help. The suspect was killed outside the temple in a shootout with police officers...

CHICAGO -- Gone are the days when young voters weren't taken seriously. In 2008, they helped propel Barack Obama into the Oval Office, supporting him by a 2-1 margin. But that higher profile also has landed them in the middle of the debate over some state laws that regulate voter registration and how people identify themselves at the polls...

Restoration of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' flood risk management system is moving along quickly through the summer in Missouri and Kentucky. The corps awarded contracts Tuesday for repair of the lower crevasse in the Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway levee in New Madrid County, Mo., and the installation of 112 relief wells and associated drainage work in Fulton County, Ky...

ST. LOUIS -- Kyle Lohse is having a sensational season without much fanfare. The right-hander pitched six scoreless innings to earn his 12th win, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 on Sunday night for a three-game sweep...

The 2012 Corporate Games will be hosted Sept. 16-28 in Cape Girardeau. The event, sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department, has promotes healthier lifestyles, teamwork, participation and fun for Cape Girardeau area businesses, employee-based organizations, and nonprofit organizations...

Cape Girardeau Public School's new teachers were in "school" last week for two days learning about assessment, technology, curriculum, professional development and other subjects, when they took a break to pose for the photo above. In the back row, left to right, are Meg Yates, who will be teaching at Alma Schrader; Megan Frownfelter, CJHS; Mark Allen CHS; Doug Dysort, CHS; Ed Cole, CHS; Ed Draper, CJHS; Jordan Cox, CHS; Michael Harrer, CHS/CJHS; Curtis Ackman, CJHS; Bill Geiger, CTC; Josh Tomlin, Alt. ...

Cape Splash hosts Preschool Swim Days on Aug. 22 and Aug. 29, from 9 to 11 a.m. "We are excited to offer Preschool Swim Days to area preschools, and preschool-age children from the community," said Amy Roth, Recreation Supervisor. Children will be able to safely enjoy Cape Splash in designated areas on these days...

Aaron Mehner, a junior at Cape Central High School, represented the state of Missouri at the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas, June 29 -- July 2, 2012. Competing in FBLA-PBL's national awards program, Aaron vied for top honors in Business Math against state representatives from across the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Guam, the Cayman Islands, and the Department of Defense schools worldwide.. ...

Children, ages 5 through 14, are now invited to register for the upcoming Youth NFL Flag Football League in Cape Girardeau. Registration ends Aug. 17, at the A. C. Brase Arena. Cost is $50 per player, which includes an NFL-replica jersey and flag belt. League play begins Sept. 22, and games will be on Saturday afternoon and Monday evening...

Register your team now for the Adult Flag Football League, hosted by the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department. League play begins Sept. 27 at Arena Park. Anyone age 17 and up is eligible to play. Games will be played on Sunday afternoons and evenings, and Thursday evenings. Teams will play a minimum of seven games...

The deadline for the Youth Soccer League (formerly operated as CAYSA) registration has been extended until Wednesday, Aug. 8. Registration forms are online at cityofcape.org/soccer and at the Osage Centre. Season is scheduled to begin Sept. 4. Registration fees are as follows:...

Starting Aug. 16, Cape Splash reduces operating hours to the following: Tuesday 4-7 p.m. Friday 4-7 p.m. Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday 12-6 p.m. "We are reducing our hours because schools will be back in session," said Amy Roth, Recreation Supervisor...

MARYVILLE, Mo. -- Maryville school officials say about 80 percent of the district's 700 students will be subject to random drug testing when classes resume later this month. The school board in northwest Missouri approved a drug-testing policy in May that will randomly test students in seventh through 12th grades who participate in extracurricular activities...

MORLEY, Mo. -- Morley's mayor is hoping his town's city council will join him in pushing for some R and R. Mayor Jonathan McNeely introduced his idea during the council's regular July monthly meeting. "I made a presentation before city council asking them to adopt a program called Restoration and Revitalization," McNeely said. "Ultimately the goal is to totally restore and revitalize our little town here."...

A Jackson woman was seriously injured when she crashed her car near Delta on Sunday morning, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. About 10 a.m., Beverly L. Glover, 57, was eastbound in a Mercury Grand Marquis on County Road 244 about three miles north of Delta, when she ran off the left side of the road and struck an embankment, the report said. She was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, the report said...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A second man was in custody Saturday in connection with the July 28 Charleston, Mo., home-invasion robbery and shooting that left one person hospitalized. The Charleston Department of Public Safety arrested Eric Lawrence, 24, of Charleston on Saturday on charges of robbery, assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon, the department said in a news release...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's primary election ballot Tuesday includes six statewide offices and a proposed constitutional amendment. Among the races is a Republican U.S. Senate primary that has been closely contested. The campaigning has been less vigorous in many other primaries, such as state treasurer, that essentially have been decided...

Today is Monday, Aug. 6, the 219th day of 2012. There are 147 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On August 6, 1962, Jamaica, formerly ruled by Britain, became an independent dominion within the Commonwealth of Nations...

Larry Simon, who's been refinishing furniture since he was a teenager, has turned his lifelong hobby into a part-time business. "I'd work on old trunks and things off and on when I had the time," says Simon. In March 2003, Simon retired from his job as a supervising engineer at Ameren, where he had worked for 33 years. A few months later, in August, he opened LCS Refinishing LLC, a business that he operates out of his Oriole, Mo., home...

With most cellphones these days, you can take a picture, text it to your friends, email it to family and post it for the world to see on Facebook or Twitter. And, surprise, you can also make a phone call -- you can even videoconference. The various options can get overwhelming, especially if you want a phone to just be a, well, phone -- something people can call you on and you can use to call them. You're in luck: all the major cellular carriers offer no-frill cellphones...

Doug Austin is definitely one of Cape Girardeau's biggest fans and supporters. Since he and his wife Fran moved back to Cape in 2000, he even signs every email, "It sure is great to live in Cape!" "When I retired in 2000 in Oklahoma City, we could have moved anywhere we wanted," says Austin. "We had always planned on returning to Cape Girardeau because it is the place that we wanted to be."...

Good food, good music and good fun. That's what's on the menu for the Cape Girardeau Jaycees 20th annual Cape BBQ Fest on Aug. 24 and Aug. 25 at Arena Park. "The most popular part is on Friday night," says event chairman Robbie Guard. "You've got all these teams from all different areas. We get a lot of teams from the surrounding area and Cape Girardeau. A lot of people know people on a team, so they go out and socialize and have fun."...

Whether it's in government, business or community, having good leadership is important. Strong leaders inspire others. They provide direction. They are visionaries who take charge and provide a steadying hand in good times and bad. In some capacity we are all leaders. So it's important we maximize our abilities and learn how to be the most effective leaders possible...

What a horrible thing it is for people to pass blame on a movie that is based on a superhero that was created more than 70 years ago, or any movie or video game! Give me a break! Should we blame all the other mass murders since 1939 on Batman as well? No, I don't believe so. ...

O Lord Jesus, in all we do, may we be leaders of integrity. Amen.

PRAGUE -- The frontman of the U.S. heavy metal band Lamb of God has been released from a Czech prison on $400,000 bail as police investigate him for allegedly pushing a fan off a stage who later died of his injuries, an official said Friday. A Prague court Thursday dismissed a prosecution request that Randy Blythe be banned from leaving the country. Blythe's lawyer, Martin Radvan, said the singer had flown out of the Czech capital for the United States on Friday...

The American College of Endocrinology, the educational and scientific arm of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, inducted Dr. Ahmad Z. Sheikh of Cape Diabetes and Endocrinology as a fellow during a ceremony May 26 at the 20th annual AACE Annual Scientific and Clinical Congress in Philadelphia. ...

The 1988 presidential campaign made its debut here yesterday with a brief visit by Elizabeth Dole on behalf of her husband, Kansas Sen. Robert Dole; Dole held a news conference at the Municipal Airport and later attended a reception at Holiday Inn. The first residents of the new Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center here have arrived under a plan that calls for the center to reach its 40-youth capacity by the end of the year; the center is on the Southeast Missouri State University campus...

WASHINGTON, Mo. -- Severe weather forced the evacuation of more than 10,000 people at the Washington Town and County Fair on Saturday night, soon after the night's headliner band had taken the stage. Fair officials said in a news release that only one person received minor injuries at the beginning of the storm in eastern Missouri...

ST. LOUIS -- Police in St. Louis say a suspicious device that prompted the evacuations of several homes turned out to be a Halloween prop. KMOV-TV reported that a real estate agent found the item Friday morning in a box in the basement of a vacant home. The woman called police, who described the item as looking remarkably like a real bomb...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Missouri woman accused of providing alcohol to a teenage party guest who was involved in a fatal crash cannot be prosecuted for the death, a judge ruled. Jackson County Circuit Judge Peggy Stevens McGraw cited state law and earlier court decisions in dismissing a charge of involuntary manslaughter against the woman, The Kansas City reported...

GLENDALE, Mo. -- A suburban St. Louis woman with a history of depression bought a gun two days before she killed her two children and herself while her husband was in another part of the house, authorities said Friday. Mitchell Murch II called police July 30 to report that he heard shots. ...

FRANKFURT, Germany -- When he announced the European Central Bank's latest plans to drive down borrowing costs crippling Spain and Italy, ECB President Mario Draghi showed he was willing to overrule one of the most influential members of the bank's governing council -- Germany's Bundesbank...

MADRID -- Two Russians suspected of plotting a terror attack in Europe were charged in Spain on Sunday with belonging to an unnamed terror organization and possession of explosives, and placed in indefinite detention. The judge who approved the charges also said a Turkish engineer who worked in Gibraltar for years and was arrested in the same case had paid for Spanish paragliding lessons for the men...

ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkey's security forces have killed as many as 115 Kurdish rebels during a major security offensive over the past two weeks, the country's interior minister said Sunday. Idris Naim Sahin said the rebels were killed in an airpower backed offensive near the town of Semdinli, in Hakkari province, which sits on the border with Iraq. He said the offensive began July 23...

JOHANNESBURG -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton praised Malawi's leaders Sunday for reforms in the impoverished African nation before arriving in South Africa for talks with government officials and a private visit with Nelson Mandela...

WASHINGTON -- Sputtering along, the economy is offering some hope but no illuminating help to voters who are mired in a weak jobs recovery and flooded with familiar promises from President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney. A new employment snapshot seemed too mixed and middling to jolt a consistently close race...

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd obtained secret FBI documents about the civil rights movement that were leaked by the CIA and triggered an angry confrontation between the two agencies in the 1960s, according to newly released FBI records...

PHOENIX -- Mavy Stoddard, who lost her husband in the massacre in Arizona last year that severely wounded then-U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, plans to be in a federal courtroom this week to see if her prayers will be answered by a guilty plea from the man accused of the crime...

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Many Oklahomans forced to leave their homes because of raging wildfires were being allowed to return Sunday, despite some fires continuing to burn and emergency shelters remaining open in four communities. A "monster" fire had devoured almost 91 square miles and continued to burn between Mannford and Kellyville in northeastern Oklahoma's Creek County as light rain and cooler temperatures gave firefighters a brief respite early Sunday, said Oklahoma Forestry Services spokeswoman Michelle Finch-Walker.. ...

NEW YORK -- For the physician in Illinois, the attorney in Kentucky, the arts editor in Oregon, their Eagle Scout medals were treasured reminders of youthful achievement. Yet each is parting with his medal out of dismay over the Boy Scouts' recently reaffirmed policy of excluding gays...

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

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls Saturday:...

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

Perryville, Mo., was featured in a Forbes Online series on Reinventing America. The article, titled "How a Small Town in Missouri Became a Manufacturing Oasis," was written by contributor Ken Sweet. He and more than a dozen other Forbes contributors and staff writers are focusing on the challenges facing towns, cities and traditional industries across the nation and highlighting the growing number of surprising success stories, like Perryville's. ...

PATTON, Mo. -- Dorothy Grace Stanfill, 84, of Patton passed away Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, at her home. She was born June 12, 1928, at Patton, daughter of Luther T. and Lurlien G. Mungle Brotherton. She and Dentford Stanfill were married Jan. 29, 1949. He died July 11, 1994...

Bernice M. Quade, 87, of Gordonville passed away Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center. She was born April 23, 1925, in Gordonville, to Joe and Mable Newburn Ulrich. She and Norman E. Quade were married Nov. 3, 1946, at Zion Methodist Church in Gordonville...

Chalmer J. Leible, 88, of Venedy, Ill., formerly of Perry County, Mo., died Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville, Ill. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time Tuesday at Miller Family Funeral Home in Perryville, Mo...

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. -- Aging electrical wiring installed decades ago on docks at the Lake of the Ozarks by people who didn't know what they were doing is getting a closer look after a trio of deaths this summer. The Kansas City Star reported owners of lakefront properties are responsible for getting their docks inspected and any problems fixed. ...

401 Independence St. Study session, 5 p.m. today Meeting, 7 p.m. today...

Year after year, Missouri child care advocates keep calling for improvement in daycare and preschool programs. Ideas for how to do that are abundant. But the most important element, money, is not. In Southeast Missouri, providers report they are facing more difficult times than ever. ...

Tom Metheny finished at plus 11 to win the monthly point series quota tournament at Dalhousie Golf Club. David Hahs was second (plus 8), while David Kaelin was third (plus 4). Ryan Watts knocked off Mason Seesing 8-5 to win the 18 and younger division of the Jammin' Juniors tennis tournament...

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -- In a show of technological wizardry, the robotic explorer Curiosity blazed through the pink skies of Mars, steering itself to a gentle landing inside a giant crater for the most ambitious dig yet into the red planet's past. A chorus of cheers and applause echoed through the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory on Sunday night after the most high-tech interplanetary rover ever built signaled it had survived a harrowing plunge through the thin Mars atmosphere...

Voters who said they were were anxious about the future turned out Sunday afternoon to hear a pitch for their votes from U.S. Senate candidate John Brunner. About 25 people gathered under a pavilion at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau and listened, then posed questions as Brunner discussed his ideas for serving in Congress...

Matt Haynes, left, and Logan Mirly sit atop the bluffs along the Mississippi River on Sunday near Cape Rock in Cape Girardeau. Haynes said they "just go fishing" at this spot and "hang out with friends." Around 15 people, some carrying binoculars, were watching the river, railroad and bird traffic along the bluffs Sunday afternoon. (Laura Simon)...

Former Cape Girardeau Procter & Gamble plant manager Rick McLeod returned to the city Wednesday to speak at the United Way of Southeast Missouri's annual CEO Breakfast. McLeod, who now works as go-to-market director for family care product supply for P&G in Cincinnati talked about his time in Cape Girardeau, his hopes for the future for the local plant and the importance of giving back to the community...

Joyce Stacy, social services coordinator at Chateau Girardeau, brings her golden retriever Buddy to work every day, but gobbling up treats isn't the only thing he does all day (though it's true that many residents keep treats for him). "Buddy has encouraged residents to do therapy they didn't want to do and take medicine they didn't want to take. He lifts their spirits," says Stacy...

EDITOR'S NOTE: Rep. Ellen Brandom's candidate questionnaire is being posted because, due to technical problems, the Southeast Missourian didn't receive it by our deadline. Name: Ellen Brandom Age: 70 Place of birth: Quincy, Ill. Spouse deceased Mark, son...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri Republicans will have a self-described conservative as their challenger to Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill. Exactly who that will be remains to be decided. The leading candidates in Tuesday's Republican Senate primary --suburban St. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Three Republicans who touted their conservative credentials are in a close Missouri primary for the right to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill. Congressman Todd Akin, former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman and businessman John Brunner all were receiving a good share of support from Republicans...

ROLLA, Mo. -- A wildfire fueled by debris from a 2010 tornado has been contained in the Mark Twain National Forest in south-central Missouri. Crews fought the fire for more than a week before declaring it contained Monday at slightly more than 1,100 acres...

Polo shirt? A majority passed. Shorts of "appropriate length" and shoes that cover the foot? Not so many did as well. Orientation sessions held at Cape Girardeau Central High School on Monday were a trial run of sorts for student compliance with the new dress code that will take effect on the first day of school. ...

Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd on Monday confirmed that two of his assistant prosecutors have resigned their positions, though he declined to offer many other specifics. In a brief email exchange with the Southeast Missourian, Boyd confirmed there have been two resignations and that one is a female and the other is a male. The Scott County website that is dedicated to his office shows that there are three employed there -- Andrew Lawson, Amanda Oesch and Austin Crowe...

Fullback is sometimes a forgotten position in football these days. Not at Southeast Missouri State. Not with a sledgehammer like sophomore Ron Coleman around. Coleman, more athletic and nimble than his 250 pounds might suggest, put together one of the best statistical campaigns by a true Southeast fullback in years last season despite being a redshirt freshman...

Come October, Southeast Missouri State University officials will look at several scenarios when they consider future expansion of the university's visual and performing arts campus. An architectural firm, the Lawrence Group, is developing multiple plans for the addition of a 150-bed residence hall and academic space near the River Campus, which it will present to the university's board of regents at an October meeting. ...

If the urban deer hunting proposal makes its way to a municipal ballot anytime soon, it won't be the Cape Girardeau City Council that puts it there. But the leader of the group that has criticized it as unsafe and unkind to animals says they still fully intend to do so...

This is from the wreck in Jackson. 08/06/12

08/06/12- wreck in Jackson

Wreck in Jackson 08/06/12

Dr. Jane Kester-Koppenaal was honored Tuesday, July 31, in Columbia at the University of Missouri Reynold's Alumni Center for outstanding research. A 2011 graduate of the University of Missouri Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis doctoral program, Kester-Koppenaal's thesis "The Impact of School Exclusion on Student Achievement" was chosen as a finalist for the Dan H. ...

The Heartland Pops Chorus is now open to new singers who would like to join the Pops in their 2012 Christmas Show which will be held Sunday, Dec. 2 at 3:00P.M. at Jackson H.S. Rehearsals are Monday evenings at 7:30P.M. in the Immaculate Conception Church multi-purpose room in Jackson beginning Sept. 10. For more information, call Jerry Ganiel at 579-6127 or visit their website at www.heartlandpops.com...

Sharpen your pencil and put on your thinking cap! It's time to head back to the classroom and take a just-for-fun dairy quiz. See how much you know about dairy foods and their role in a healthy diet. Question: Why do health experts recommend eating more dairy foods for calcium?...

One person was hospitalized with burns after a pickup struck multiple vehicles in downtown Jackson early Monday afternoon. The unidentified driver of a red pickup was southbound on U.S. 61 about 12:45 p.m., when his vehicle struck the back of a Hyundai sport utility vehicle, said Clark Parrot, a public information officer with the Missouri State Highway Patrol...

The winners of this year's Cape Girardeau Public Library Children's Summer Reading Club are (Left to Right) Lucy Bechtold, Wiley Edmundson, Maris Woodruff and Oliver Laiben. Also pictured UCT Council 534 representatives Milbert and Jobyna Daume. The bikes were donated by the UCT Council 534 and the Cape Girardeau Public Library Friends Foundation...

A Sedgewickville, Mo., motorcyclist was injured in a collision Monday afternoon on Highway 72 in Cape Girardeau County. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Bradley W. Peel, 46, was westbound on Highway 72 near County Road 348 when his Harley-Davidson struck a Pontiac Grand Prix that was slowing down because of a brush fire. Peel was taken to Saint Francis Medical Center with moderate injuries. The driver of the Pontiac was not injured...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- A Cape Girardeau man received serious injuries in a Sunday night crash in Perry County. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Waldenmar O. Martinez, 27, was injured when the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu he was riding in crossed the centerline and hit a 2010 Dodge Ram truck driven by Wayne M. Dailey, 61, of Tilden, Ill., on Highway 51, just north of County Road 920, near Perryville...

Cape Splash will reduce park open hours later this month, according to a Cape Girardeau city government blog post. Beginning Aug. 16, the water park will be open Tuesday and Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Cape Splash closes for the season Sept. 3...

The Salvation Army recently picked up 12 used air conditioners from Hartle management in Jackson that will be given out to senior citizens with a doctor's referral. The units will be given out starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Recipients must be Cape Girardeau and Jackson residents and not have received an air conditioner in the past from the Salvation Army, Pepsi or Fred's. Those interested must have a picture ID and proof of residency...

OAK CREEK, Wis. -- Before he strode into a Sikh temple with a 9 mm handgun and magazines of ammunition, Wade Michael Page played in white supremacist heavy metal bands with names such as Definite Hate and End Apathy. The bald, heavily tattooed bassist was a 40-year-old Army veteran who trained in psychological warfare before he was demoted and discharged more than a decade ago...

Area voters turned out in steady numbers Tuesday morning, drawn by several hotly contested legislative and county level races and a Missouri Constitution measure that establishes protections for people to pray in public. By noon, Cape Girardeau County Clerk Kara Clark Summers reported said that the county's 29 precincts were reporting that they were "very busy" and Summers was still hopeful that her prediction of 35 percent voter turnout would come to bear. ...

Today is Tuesday, Aug. 7, the 220th day of 2012. There are 146 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Aug. 7, 1942, U.S. and other allied forces landed at Guadalcanal, marking the start of the first major allied offensive in the Pacific during World War II. (Japanese forces abandoned the island the following February.)...

NEW YORK -- "The Campaign" is a broad comedy made from broad intentions: Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis simply wanted to make a movie together. In the film, which opens Friday, they play two North Carolina politicians competing in an increasingly nasty congressional race. Galifianakis' character shoots Ferrell's point blank and his poll numbers go up...

We often associate sex trafficking with other countries. But unfortunately this despicable practice is taking place in the U.S., including here in Missouri. A story that appeared in the recent edition of Flourish, a Southeast Missourian special publication for women, addressed this issue. ...

We praise you, O Lord God, for you are the giver of every perfect gift. Amen.

NEW YORK -- U.S. stocks edged higher on a day marked by uncharacteristic quiet following a turbulent week. In the absence of major economic news, stocks were riding a tail wind of optimism from the most recent U.S. job numbers released last week and hope for more action by European authorities to address that region's debt crisis...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City health officials said they have confirmed a fourth heat-related death this year. The Kansas City Health Department said Monday a man born in 1951 died of heat-related causes. The department said that another six deaths in the Kansas City area are being investigated as possibly heat-related. ...

Son to Paul and Rebecca Craig of Balclutha, New Zealand, Queen Mary Hospital, 8:55 p.m. Tuesday, July 10, 2012. Name, Wyatt Geoffrey. Weight, 9 pounds, 8 ounces. First child. Mrs. Craig is the former Rebecca McNulty, daughter of LaDonna McNulty of Jackson and Robert McNulty Sr. of New Jersey. Craig is the son of Russell and Dianne Craig of Balclutha. He is employed by Cranleigh Haulage...

Getting too hot can make you sick. You can become ill from the heat if your body can't compensate for it and properly cool you off. Heat exposure can even kill you: it caused 8,015 deaths in the United States from 1979 to 2003. These are the main things affecting your body's ability to cool itself during extremely hot weather:...

ATLANTA -- It sounds like an unfolding epidemic: A decade ago, virtually no one in the U.S. seemed to have a problem eating gluten in bread and other foods. Now, millions do. Gluten-free products are flying off grocery shelves, and restaurants are boasting of meals with no gluten. Celebrities on TV talk shows chat about the digestive discomfort they blame on the wheat protein they now shun. Some churches even offer gluten-free Communion wafers...

In the city of Jackson, when the Homecomers week of celebration is over, we all get in the back-to-school mode. I hope the weather cooperates and gives us some nice crisp fall weather. As an old teacher, I always get excited about the start of school. It was always fun meeting new students and getting to visit again with co-workers you haven't seen for a few months...

The cities of Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City are being asked to finance an effort to secure power contracts as the first step in a plan to provide low-cost hydroelectric power to the area; the joint venture would construct a line to Sikeston, Mo....

NAIROBI, Kenya -- Kenyan authorities Monday charged the first secretary of Venezuela's embassy with the murder of that country's acting ambassador to Kenya in what police believe was a killing motivated by a battle over embassy leadership. Dwight Sagaray was charged in court with the murder of acting Venezuelan ambassador Olga Fonseca. He pleaded not guilty...

BEIRUT -- Syria's prime minister began planning his break from the regime two months ago when Bashar Assad offered him the post and an ultimatum: Take the job or die. The full scope of Riad Hijab's carefully executed flight to the rebel side -- described by an aide who escaped with him to Jordan -- reverberated Monday through Syria's leadership. ...

EL-ARISH, Egypt -- Egypt vowed Monday to take on Islamist militants who have turned the Sinai peninsula into a lawless haven and are suspected of killing 16 Egyptian troops as the fighters were en route to a failed assault on neighboring Israel...

STAMFORD, Conn. -- Can President Barack Obama raise the money he needs to hold onto the White House? Money wasn't supposed to be a worry for the president's campaign, which smashed fundraising records in 2008. But Mitt Romney's team has hauled in more than Obama and his allies for a third straight month, raising the question...

MANNFORD, Okla. -- The fields around Connie Laxton's home in Oklahoma were black with ash Monday after a roaring wildfire tore across her property and ran right up to her gray brick ranch home -- where it suddenly stopped. The fire line is marked in the grass a foot from the house, and the smell of smoke permeates the inside. One side of the three 40-foot pear trees in the yard is charred gray and black, the other is leafy and green...

PASADENA, Calif. -- NASA celebrated the precision landing of a rover on Mars and marveled over the mission's first photographs Monday -- grainy, black-and-white images of Martian gravel, a mountain at sunset and, most exciting of all, the spacecraft's white-knuckle plunge through the red planet's atmosphere...

Last week's announcement that longtime Southeast Missouri State baseball coach Mark Hogan was retiring took me by surprise. But upon further reflection, maybe it shouldn't have. Hogan, after all, will turn 60 in December and he has been a head coach for 31 years, including the last 18 at Southeast...

JOPLIN, Mo. -- Beneath the coats of off-white paint and under the drywall inside Larry and Amy Jump's new home in Joplin are the scrawled names of people who before the storm were strangers. Youth group members from Missouri, Texas and Washington. Mission workers from Indiana and Canada. Volunteers from a Lee's Summit Methodist church...

HANNIBAL, Mo. -- A cat in the northeast Missouri town of Hannibal is recovering after surviving an arrow through the stomach. The incident happened last week. Owner Mike Moore told KHQA-TV that his son found Junior the cat with an arrow in the stomach. Fortunately, the arrow missed Junior's lungs. Moore said the cat seems to be holding his own, but his recovery remains uncertain...

JOPLIN, Mo. -- A mosque in southwest Missouri burned to the ground early Monday in the second fire to hit the Islamic center in little more than a month, and investigators spent the day combing through the wreckage searching for evidence of arson...

The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Theft...

Firefighters responded to the following calls Sunday:...

Emma D. Wade, 58, of St. Louis, formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Saturday, July 28, 2012, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until service time Wednesday at New Horizon Missionary Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. The funeral will be at noon Wednesday at the church, with Howard McGee Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Larry Gene Sprenger, 68, of Chaffee passed away Monday Aug. 6, 2012, at his home. He was born July 24, 1944, at Dutchtown, to the late Robert and Gladys Lucille Sprenger Lincoln. He and Evelyn Horn were married Oct. 30, 1971. Larry served in the U.S. Army...

Rosemary Blanton Barr Quatmann, 92, of Cape Girardeau passed away peacefully Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, at Chateau Girardeau. She was predeceased by her parents, Harry C. and Maureen Blanton; a sister, Maureen Klein Graham; first husband, Harry K. Barr, who died March 21, 1979; second husband, Joseph H. Quatmann, who she married May 19, 1990, and who died Jan. 15, 2000; a son, Michael Blanton Barr; and a stepdaughter, Sister Vicki Quatmann...

FARRAR, Mo. -- Leonard J. Kassel, 90, of Farrar died Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, at Perry County Memorial Hospital in Perryville, Mo. He was born July 20, 1922, in Farrar, son of Henry C. and Erna Koenig Kassel. He and Violet J. Miesner were married Sept. 29, 1946. She preceded him in death Oct. 27, 2007...

MOUND CITY, Ill. -- Gloria H. Hudson, 85, of Mound City died Monday, Aug. 6, 2012, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born Jan. 16, 1927, in Villa Ridge, Ill., daughter of Fred and Blanche Leidigh Hayden. She attended Valley Recluse Elementary School and Mound City High School, where she was valedictorian, and her future husband of 65 years was salutatorian...

Henry F. Davis, 93, of Jackson, formerly of Oak Ridge, died Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until time of service Thursday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park with full military honors...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Aubrey Dean "Arb" Cox, 76, of Owensville, Mo., formerly of Sikeston, died Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, at Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, Mo. He was born Oct. 4, 1936, in Sikeston, to Alton Greenville and Mary Alice Williams Cox. He and Loretta "Sue" Pace were married May 20, 1956, in Hernando, Miss...

The Southeast Missouri State football team has one player from the immediate area who is well established as a collegiate star. Several others are trying to make their mark with the Redhawks as walk-ons. People who follow area football likely know all about Blake Peiffer, the Jackson High School graduate who ranks among the top linebackers in program history...

Southeast Missouri State junior forward Tyler Stone currently is in Brazil playing exhibition basketball with Sports Reach Sports Ministry. Stone had an impressive opening game with his team Saturday. He scored 21 points and grabbed six rebounds during a 100-70 victory...

St. Louis beat San Francisco 8-2 in the opener of a four-game series

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Route W in Scott County, from Highway 77 to Caroline Drive, will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews make pavement repairs. Weather permitting, the work will be done from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling near the area. For additional information, contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center at 888-275-6636 or visit www.modot.org/southeast...

Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrest do not imply guilt. Arrests Property Damage...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri voters cast ballots Tuesday in several races, including a GOP Senate primary contest and a ballot measure that would, among other things, allow students to refuse school assignments that violate their religious beliefs. Registered voters can choose a ballot for any political party or ask for a ballot that merely poses questions about issues, such as the proposed state constitutional amendment related to prayer.

Incumbent sheriff Rick Walter has won the Democratic primary in Scott County, gaining re-election to the post he's held for two terms. Walter took 2,047 votes to 526 for challenger Paul A. Johnson, police chief of Morley. Another incumbent sheriff, Leo McElrath, faces a challenge from two -- Darrin Shell and Denny Cato -- in the Republican primary in Bollinger County...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Fewer than one-fourth of Missouri's registered voters cast ballots in this year's primary elections. The secretary of state's office said Wednesday that 23 percent of the state's nearly 4.1 million registered voters actually voted in Tuesday's primary...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Ed Martin has won the Republican primary for Missouri attorney general, setting up a November race with Democratic incumbent Chris Koster. Martin, who was chief of staff to former Gov. Matt Blunt, defeated Livingston County prosecutor Adam Warren in Tuesday's GOP primary...

JEFFESON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Susan Montee has defeated a crowded field in Missouri's Democratic primary for lieutenant governor primary. Montee is a former Missouri state auditor. Unofficial returns Tuesday showed her outdistancing seven Democratic rivals in a relatively low-key campaign...

Receiving 52 percent of the vote, Donna Lichtenegger has secured a second term in the Missouri House of Representatives. Lichtenegger received 4,327 votes to defeat two primary opponents, Gerald Adams, who polled 2,807 votes and Van C. Hitt with 1,143 votes. She said she worked hard, going door to door in every precinct for the redrawn 146th District, many of which had never voted for her before but had voted for longtime Jackson School Board member Adams...

In Scott County, incumbent Sheriff Rick Walter swept away his competition in Tuesday's primary. Walter defeated his Democratic challenger in unofficial results with 2,047 votes while Paul Johnson, the Morley, Mo., police chief, received 526 votes. The Scott County clerk's office reported that 7,153 ballots were cast. That's 26.6 percent of all voters in the county. With no Republican candidates facing him in November, Tuesday's results mean Walter will serve another term...

Charlie Herbst will return to elected office after he swept every precinct in Tuesday's election for Cape Girardeau County District 2 Commissioner. Herbst, a former Cape Girardeau City Council member and police officer, received 44 percent of the vote to challenger Maurice "Moe" Sandfort's 31 percent, leaving two-term incumbent Jay Purcell last with 24 percent.

Agricultural traffic might snarl plans for an Interstate 55 interchange in Scott City. The Missouri Department of Transportation held an open-house community briefing Tuesday to discuss construction of an interchange south of Scott City, part of the agency's three-phase effort to ease traffic congestion there...

Apparently, voters disagree with Bob Parker -- U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson is conservative enough to represent them. Eight-term congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson of Cape Girardeau has won the Republican primary in Missouri's 8th District, defeating Texas County rancher Bob Parker for the second time in two years...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Suburban St. Louis businessman Dave Spence turned back several Republican rivals Tuesday to earn the right challenge Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon in a campaign that likely will focus on who is best equipped to manage Missouri's economy and government as it rebounds from a recession...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, who touted himself as the most conservative congressman in Missouri, won a hard-fought Republican primary Tuesday for the right to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill in a contest that could be pivotal for party control of the chamber...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder survived a robust political challenge Tuesday, emerging from a combative Republican primary against state Sen. Brad Lager. Victory in the primary is a first step toward a rare third term as lieutenant governor for Kinder, who decided to skip an expected gubernatorial campaign. Campaigning between Kinder and Lager, of Savannah, included numerous barbs and critical ads...

Cape is getting ready to put their "Hunger Game" fix on GO,...and I don't want an arrow from a compound bow with a sharp point flying into my yard. That is a LETHAL arrow and it can't read... "NO TRESPASSING SIGNS". The ordinance seems to be more about sport hunting than herd control. ...

Because of the albinos maladaptive traits, most of the hunters say there is no biological value in protecting them,....but then there is also the argument for the benefits of their aesthetic beauty that is so extraordinary. It should be a misdemeanor to harvest one. We know all about the science of recessive genes and the necessary fitness of the herd. Someday they could dissppear off the radar and fade from existence...

Wayne Wallingford's opponent raised $150,000 more than him, had a six-month head start on the campaign trail and held a public office for two full terms before he would arrive in Jefferson City.

Thanks to the number of signatures it collected Tuesday, anti-deer hunting group Keep Cape Safe says it is closer to getting the issue before voters. Members of the group set up petition drives outside polling places during Tuesday's primary election. ...

For the past 12 weeks, 72 employees from VIP Industries have participated in the annual VIP Summer Bowling League at Jackson Bowling Lanes. The end of the season was celebrated with a trophy presentation and a party for all participants and their guests...

Team Super Bulldogs earned 2nd place trophies for their high scores in the annual VIP Summer Bowling League. Congratulations to all of the participants - you are all winners!

Team Fantastics earned 1st place trophies for their high scores in the annual VIP Summer Bowling League. Congratulations to all of the participants - you are all winners!

This mother robin stood guard in our guttering above her carefully constructed nest - a beautiful sight just outside my kitchen window in Carl Junction.

Large and beautiful hibiscus tree reaching over my Dad's fence just barely over the state line in Baxter Springs, Ks.

The following are totals from contested races only on the Aug. 7 ballot in the county, including statewide races.

The following are totals from contested races only on the Aug. 7 ballot in the county, including statewide races. Legislative race totals don't include tallies from other counties. Jeremiah "Jay" Nixon: xx Clay Thunderhawk: xx William B. Campbell: xx...

The following are totals from contested races only on the Aug. 7 ballot in the county, including statewide races. Legislative race totals don't include other counties. Jeremiah "Jay" Nixon: xx Clay Thunderhawk: xx William B. Campbell: xx Susan Montee: xx...

A look at how voters in each county in the 27th Senate District voted in the Republican primary for that office. Bollinger Cape Girardeau Madison Perry Scott Wayne...

No one was injured Tuesday afternoon, when a car drove through the glass entrance to Southfork Lighting, 495 Kell Farm Drive. The unidentified driver of a Toyota Avalon was pulling into the parking lot of the business about 2:30 p.m., when the driver put her foot on the brake, but then hit the gas again, said Cape Girardeau police officer David Valentine...

A Benton, Mo., man was in custody Tuesday after he allegedly grabbed a shopper's purse from her shopping cart at Walmart and fled out the building, Cape Girardeau police said. About 6 p.m., the victim was shopping in Walmart, 3439 William St., when she turned her back to her cart, Cpl. ...

Mark Alnutt only was reunited with his family in Cape Girardeau last week. They moved into a house after he spent the past couple of months first living in a motel then a campus apartment. Alnutt said that actually wasn't a bad situation because it left him plenty of time for his task at hand -- settling in as Southeast Missouri State's new athletic director...

The preliminary hearing has been scheduled for a Jackson man accused of getting into a shootout with police in June. Prosecutors will lay out their case against Lawrence Anthony Guthrie, 46, at 1 p.m. Aug. 30, in front of Circuit Court Judge Gary Kamp, according to online records. Bryan Greaser was named Guthrie's attorney Monday...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Stoddard County residents will decide in the November election whether to make their prosecuting attorney a full-time position. Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis brought up the issue at the weekly commission meeting Monday, and it passed by a 2-1 vote, with Mathis and Commissioner Carol Jarrell voting in favor of it and Commissioner Frank Sifford voting against it...

KENNETT, Mo. -- A 40-year-old Senath, Mo., man died following a single-vehicle crash on County Road 513, six miles southwest of Kennett on Tuesday morning. At approximately 12:05 a.m., Steven Williams, 40, was driving south in a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado, when he lost control of the vehicle while attempting to make a left turn, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper D. W. McCormick. The Silverado then traveled off the road and turned over into a ditch...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri voters on Tuesday approved a state constitutional amendment that specifically allows public prayer and permits students to avoid assignments that violate their religious beliefs. The statewide ballot measure says people can pray in public or private so long as they do not disturb the peace, and gives specific permission for a prayer before government meetings. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's November ballot will ask voters to decide whether to increase tobacco and cigarette taxes and whether to allow St. Louis to administer its police department instead of a state commission. The separate petitions each received enough signatures to qualify for the fall ballot, the secretary of state's office reported Tuesday...

The following are totals from contested races only on the Aug. 7 ballot in the county, including statewide races. Jeremiah "Jay" Nixon: xx Clay Thunderhawk: xx William B. Campbell: xx Susan Montee: xx Dennis Weisenburger: xx Fred Kratky: xx Becky Lee Plattner: xx...

The following are totals from contested races only on the Aug. 7 ballot in the county, including statewide races. 27th Senate District numbers don't include totals from other counties. Jeremiah "Jay" Nixon: xx Clay Thunderhawk: xx William B. Campbell: xx...

Dennis Fowler just squeezed by his opponent in the primary -- and at the last minute, too. Fowler beat Bob Thrower by only 0.2 percent in the Republican primary contest for the 151st House District, which covers most of Stoddard County and a small part of Scott County. With such a small margin, Thrower could request a recount, since he lost by less than 1 percent. Calls to Thrower late Tuesday weren't returned...

With a margin of nearly 1,000 votes, Sen. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, won the new 116th District seat in the Missouri House of Representatives. The two-term state senator defeated Farmington city councilman John Robinson with 2,500 votes to Robinson's 1,559 votes...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- One incumbent was defeated while another won re-election in Bollinger County on Tuesday. On a night that saw ballot counting delayed several hours after a machine malfunction led to hand feeding ballots into the counting machine, incumbent Sheriff Leo McElrath was defeated, and incumbent 2nd District Commissioner Steve Jordan won re-election.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Holly Rehder and Bart Ziegenhorn will face off in November to represent parts of Scott and Mississippi counties in the state legislature. Rehder won the Republican nomination and Ziegenhorn won the Democratic nomination for the 148th District House of Representatives seat, which includes Sikeston...

Today is Wednesday, Aug. 8, the 221st day of 2012. There are 145 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Aug. 8, 1942, during World War II, six Nazi saboteurs who were captured after landing in the U.S. were executed in Washington, D.C.; two others who'd cooperated with authorities were spared...

Each August folks around Southeast Missouri and the surrounding areas flock to the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. This year, as the rodeo marks it 60th year, the rodeo and music entertainment should again be a big draw. For many rodeo goers the music entertainment is a big attraction. ...

I would like to commend the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band for its programs this year. They have been very, very good and the extra entertainment has been good, but the municipal band programs are great. Thank you for the pleasure of having this in our city...

O Lord Jesus, may we always show compassion and love for others. Amen.

LAS VEGAS -- Country music power couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are heading to Las Vegas. They will be performing a 10-weekend run of shows at The Venetian starting Dec. 7. The couple announced the news Tuesday during a news conference at the hotel...

NEW YORK -- It was a day of milestones for the stock market. Stronger corporate earnings reports and expectations that central banks will act to support the economy powered the Standard & Poor's 500 index past 1,400 for the first time in three months. The index rose 7.12 points to close at 1,401.35 on Tuesday. Energy stocks increased the most of the 10 industry groups tracked by the index...

ST. LOUIS -- Charter Communications Inc., the country's fourth-largest cable-TV provider, on Tuesday reported a smaller loss for the second quarter, helped by growth in broadband and small-business services. The St. Louis-based company said it lost $83 million, or 84 cents per share, in the April to June period, compared with a loss of $107 million, or 98 cents per share, a year earlier...

CANCUN, Mexico -- Hundreds of tourists evacuated beach resorts along Mexico's Caribbean coast as Hurricane Ernesto closed in for a Tuesday night landfall near Mexico's border with Belize, bringing the threat of powerful winds and torrential rains...

WASHINGTON -- Americans cut back on credit card use in June, a sign that high unemployment and slow growth have made some more cautious about spending. Still, total consumer borrowing increased as many kept taking out loans to buy cars and attend school...

WASHINGTON -- U.S. employers posted the most job openings in four years in June, a positive sign that hiring may pick up. The Labor Department said Tuesday job openings rose to a seasonally adjusted 3.8 million in June, up from 3.7 million in May. That's the most since July 2008. Layoffs fell...

Henry F. Davis, 93, of Jackson, formerly of Oak Ridge, passed away Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Oct. 7, 1918, in Menfro, Mo., to John C. and Esther E. Cox Davis. He and Lucille Z. Meyer were married Sept. 28, 1941, in Jackson. She passed away March 7, 2012...

McCLURE, Ill. -- Lessie Henderson, 74, of McClure died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, at Jonesboro Rehab and Care. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, Ill. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Raymond Oxford officiating. Burial will be in Lindsey Cemetery...

Daughter to Jared R. Allen and Michelle L. Laird-Allen of Wappapello, Mo., Southeast Hospital, 7:20 a.m. Thursday, July 26, 2012. Name, Mikyla Marie. Weight, 6 pounds, 5 ounces. Third child, second daughter. Mrs. Laird-Allen is the daughter of Lyndell and Denise Laird of Advance, Mo. She is employed by Missouri Children's Division. Allen is the son of Larry and Penny Allen of Ellsinore, Mo. He is employed at Brown Window in Poplar Bluff, Mo...

Firefighters responded to the following calls Monday:...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWIs Southeast Missouri State University The Southeast Missouri State University Department of Public Safety released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt...

AKRON, Ohio -- A man suspected of calmly walking into a hospital's intensive care unit and shooting his wife in the head in what may have been a mercy killing appeared perplexed at the attempted murder charge against him when he stood before a judge Tuesday, asking whether his wife was indeed dead...

ABUJA, Nigeria -- Three men entered a central Nigerian church just before Bible study began, but instead of joining the worship service they opened fire, killing at least 19 people in an attack that shows that violence is spreading in the divided nation...

The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Theft...

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Jared Lee Loughner agreed Tuesday to spend the rest of his life in prison, accepting that he went on a deadly shooting rampage at an Arizona political gathering and sparing the victims a lengthy, possibly traumatic death-penalty trial...

Southeast Missouri State's men's basketball coaching staff officially is complete. The university announced Jonathan Cremins' hiring as Dickey Nutt's No. 3 assistant Tuesday after it recently was reported that he had joined the program. Cremins is a nephew of longtime successful college coach Bobby Cremins...

Baseball Jackson Legion instructional league: Jackson American Legion baseball coach Mark Lewis will host the instructional fall league for eight weeks beginning Aug. 27. Players in grades 9 to 12 will go Mondays and Wednesdays. Players in grades 6 to 8 will go Tuesdays, while players in grades 4 and 5 will go Fridays. All instruction is held at Legion Field and runs from 6 to 8:15 p.m. Cost: $150 for eight sessions or $250 for 16 sessions. Info: Mark Lewis, 979-0286...

ST. LOUIS -- Cardinals starter Lance Lynn was hoping to become the National League's fourth 14-game winner. He just didn't give himself much of a chance to succeed Tuesday night. Lynn allowed three runs before he recorded two outs, and he and St. Louis were beaten 4-2 by the San Francisco Giants...

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Rodger Saffold is feeling better than at any other time in his NFL career. The Rams left tackle is relatively healthy after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a pectoral injury late last season. He practiced Tuesday after sitting out the previous two days with minor soreness in his groin...

RICHMOND, Calif. -- A major fire at one of the country's biggest oil refineries that sent scores of people to hospitals with complaints of breathing problems will push gas prices above $4 a gallon on the West Coast, analysts said Tuesday. The fire, which sent plumes of black smoke over the San Francisco Bay area, erupted Monday evening in the massive Chevron refinery about 10 miles northeast of San Francisco. ...

MILWAUKEE -- A religious leader willing to do anything for his beloved, tight-knit Sikh community. A former farmer who left his fields in rural northern India and found a new home at the temple. A joke-telling Sikh priest whose family had just arrived from India. The mother who gave everything of herself for her family and her faith. A pair of brothers who lived together a half a world away from their family to serve as temple priests...

MILWAUKEE -- When they aren't ranting in Internet forums, many of the nation's white supremacists seek a louder outlet for their extreme views: thunderous, thrashing heavy metal or punk music with lyrics that call for a race war. Wade Michael Page, the gunman who killed six people at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin before being killed by police, was deeply involved in the "hate rock" scene -- a shadowy world of hundreds of performers in the U.S. ...

KILIS, Turkey -- Standing just a few strides from the Syrian border, an Iraqi was mingling with Syrian rebel units outside their camp here, trying to find one that would take him in and let him fight in the uprising. "It's an honor for me," said Sheik Abu Abdullah, wearing the white robe, Islamic skullcap and beard common among Islamic hardliners...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Several businesses and civic organizations in Sikeston have boosted their rodeo spirit this year. They're displaying more signage and rodeo-themed decorations in their store windows and front lawns, allowing staff members to dress in western wear this week, and some are even hosting activities to commemorate this year's 60th annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo...

NEW YORK -- Marvin Hamlisch was blessed with perfect pitch and an infallible ear. "I heard sounds that other children didn't hear," he wrote in his autobiography. He turned that skill into writing and arranging compulsively memorable songs that the world was unable to stop humming -- from the mournful "The Way We Were" to the jaunty theme from "The Sting."...

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Aviation Administration will bar airports nationwide from using a traffic-reversing operation that led to a close call last week at an airport near the nation's capital. No commercial airports will be able to use the maneuver, in which controllers direct some planes to take off and land from the opposite of the usual direction, until a standardized procedure can be put in place, aviation officials said. ...

St. Louis Mayor Vincent C. Schoemehl Jr. last night urged Southeast Missouri State University graduates to elevate their expectations and to approach life with optimism; the commencement speaker's younger sister, Loretta Schoemehl, was among the graduates...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Gov. Jay Nixon says Missouri officials have approved more than 3,700 applications totaling $18.7 million to help drought-stricken farmers and ranchers get more water. Under the emergency program, the state pays 90 percent of the cost of drilling or deepening a well or expanding an irrigation system. The match is capped at $20,000 per project. State soil and water cost-sharing programs typically cover 75 percent of project costs...

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals traded infielder Tyler Greene to the Houston Astros on Thursday for a player-to-be-named later or cash considerations. Greene batted .218 with four home runs and 19 RBI in 77 games. The Cardinals will play with 24 players on their roster for Thursday's game against San Francisco...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- An amendment to the Missouri Constitution on prayer and religious expression prompted a lawsuit Wednesday, just one day after it was approved by voters. The American Civil Liberties Union alleges that a provision in the amendment that says the religious rights of prison inmates are limited to federal law violates the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause and the First Amendment's protection of religious freedom...

Southeast Missouri's voter turnout Tuesday was higher than the state average and was highest in Cape Girardeau County, where numbers neared the prediction of the county clerk. County Clerk Kara Clark Summers said 30.3 percent of the county's voters participated in this year's primary, which did not quite meet the 35 percent she was looking for but kept traffic at the polls steady throughout the day...

Republican candidates for the Missouri House of Representatives 151st District seat weren't counting on arguments following the election. But with only eight votes giving Dennis Fowler the win Tuesday, his opponent, Bob Thrower, is asking some questions...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's U.S. Senate race is shaping up as one of stark contrasts -- and a dream matchup for both Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill and her newly minted Republican challenger, U.S. Rep. Todd Akin. Within hours of Akin winning the Republican nomination, McCaskill was casting him as a conservative extremist who would jeopardize seniors' health care and retirement savings while putting college out of reach for all but the rich. ...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Illinois officials agreed on Wednesday not to transfer inmates from the Tamms Correctional Center and other confinement facilities until Aug. 17, which is just two weeks before the prisons and juvenile detention centers are set to close as part of a cost-savings move by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn...

August 8, 2012 To My Sister Mary Wulfers-Trainor, You slipped from this physical life in the early morning hours of December 8, 2011. As your birthday nears, August 13, I am drawn to vivid memories of you. I painfully recall your horrendously violent fight with the cancer that finally took you from us. ...

In what's shaping up to be the party of the year, Promise to Burn has reunited to end the summer of 2012 with a bang. The Venue is known for packing the house with popular acts such as Pauly Shore, Dr. Zhivegas, and That 80's Band; but this August 18, the 2nd Annual Blast from the Past with Promise to Burn featuring 80's legends Blind Lion looks to be the biggest event yet...