Stories from Sunday, September 16, 2012

SIU put on a dominant performance and rolled past the Redhawks 35-14 Saturday night.

U.S. Rep. Todd Akin called his decision to stay in the race against Sen. Claire McCaskill a matter of principle and criticized the Democrat incumbent's voting record during campaign stops throughout Southeast Missouri on Friday. Akin, a six-term U.S. ...

About 2,600 people turned out Friday night for country music veteran Travis Tritt at the SEMO District Fair.

Examiners from the Higher Learning Commission visited Southeast Missouri State University this week to further evaluate the university's ongoing reaccreditation process. At a noontime meeting held Friday at the University Center, the examiners summarized their findings to administration officials and faculty members...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A Charleston man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the fatal shooting of Nicholas Munn last year. The sentencing hearing before Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett was held Tuesday in the Butler County Courthouse in Poplar Bluff. Devonte Marquez Johnson, 19, entered a plea of guilty to second degree murder July 17. The case was in Butler County on a change of venue from Mississippi County...

Pride in their home, and eventually their neighborhood, is a feeling Jason Coalter believes he can promote among his tenants. "It works for us to reward our people for taking care of what they have," said Coalter, a partner in Coalter & Felty Investments, which buys neglected property in south Cape Girardeau. ...

Contemporary country singer Colt Ford closed out the SEMO District Fair on Saturday night, playing to a crowd of more than 2,000 people. Tickets for the orchestra section and about a third of the grandstand were sold before Saturday night, and tickets were selling quickly before the concert started, despite some rain...

On September 18th, 2012 at 6:30pm, the Cape County Tea Party (CCTP) will hold its open monthly meeting at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. The meeting is called the Third Tuesday Tea Time and is held on the Third Tuesday of each month to continue the work to complete our Mission as stated below...

The Kiwanis Club of Jackson will honor two local women for their community leadership and service as it recognizes the 25th anniversary of membership for women in the Kiwanis International organization at a special dinner meeting at 5:30 pm on Thursday, September 27, at Delmonico Steakhouse and Restaurant...

Now painted, roofed, bricked and nearly rehabilitated, the 143-year-old Julius Vasterling building at the corner of Broadway and North Sprigg Street in Cape Girardeau is far from where it was just one year ago. Kenny Pincksten, a local developer who took on the building's renovation with the help of the city of Cape Girardeau, will soon move his office there. He describes the work he has overseen on the building since last October as a "labor of love."...

The undefeated Indians hit their season average for points on the button thanks in a 41-14 win against visiting Poplar Bluff.

Portageville posted a 21-6 victory, giving the Bulldogs their first 4-0 start since 2002.

A post-baccalaureate achievement program at Southeast Missouri State University has been awarded a five-year $1.1 million federal grant. The university's McNair Scholars Program is one of seven federal TRIO programs and prepares first-generation, limited-income and underrepresented students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other activities, according to a university news release...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- When 79-year-old Johnny Smith of Bloomfield became ill in July, his wife of 59 years thought it was just a bug of some kind. He visited his physician and was prescribed an antibiotic, but his condition did not improve. "He just kept getting worse," Patricia Smith said, "and he was running a temperature of 103."...

One man was taken to the hospital Saturday following the collision of an SUV and motorcycle at Broadway and Perry Avenue in Cape Girardeau. Emergency crews responded to the intersection around 1:30 p.m. for a report of a man being thrown from his motorcycle. ...

Today is Sunday, Sept. 16, the 260th day of 2012. There are 106 days left in the year. The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana, begins at sunset. Today's Highlight in History: On Sept. 16, 1857, the song "Jingle Bells" by James Pierpont was copyrighted under its original title, "One Horse Open Sleigh." (The song, while considered a Christmastime perennial, was actually written by Pierpont for Thanksgiving.)...

Lexie Jo Myers and Nathan Chad Newell were married Sept. 17, 2011, at New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson. The Rev. J. David Israel performed the ceremony. Pianist was Matt Yount of Cape Girardeau. The bride is the daughter of Penny Myers of Oak Ridge and Greg Myers of Eminence, Mo. The groom is the son of Paul and Katrina Newell of Dyersburg, Tenn...

Downtown Cape Girardeau will turn into a golf course for an afternoon later this month -- one where BirdieBalls, in lieu of regular golf balls, are used. The First-Ever Seventh Annual Louis J. Lorimier Memorial World-Famous Downtown Golf Tournament and All-You-Can-Eat Catfish Buffet is scheduled for Sept. 30...

Dr. Cynthia Susan Sprigg and Terry William McDowell were married Dec. 24, 2011, at the home of the groom, following an early supper at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Rust and Christmas Eve service at La Croix United Methodist Church. The Rev. Ron Watts performed the ceremony...

Brandy Michelle Goggin and Keith Edward Earls were married June 2, 2012, at The Venue in Cape Girardeau. The Rev. Mark Anderson performed the ceremony. Pianist was Rhonda Clark of Jackson. The bride is the daughter of Jim and Belinda Goggin of Cape Girardeau. The groom is the son of Ray and Nadine Earls of Festus, Mo...

Amy Elizabeth Wroble and Justin Ryan Thompson were married March 17, 2012, in Perkins Chapel at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Monsignor Michael Olson performed the ceremony. Readers were Bobby Cardone of Dallas and Christy Parker of Jackson, sister of the groom. Music was by Geoff Parker of Jackson, brother-in-law of the groom...

BENTON, Mo. -- Virgil and Valarie Arnzen of Benton announce the engagement of their daughter, Amy J. Arnzen, to Joseph H. Rubottom, both of St. Charles, Mo. He is the son of Ada Gamache of St. Charles. Arnzen is a graduate of Kelly High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in athletic training and a master's in health management from Southeast Missouri State University...

Carl and Angie Ritter of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Kacie Caroline Ritter, to Jeremy Lee Patton of Steele, Mo. He is the son of Sharon Woody of Newbern, Tenn., and Philip Woody of Steele. Ritter is a 2007 graduate of Scott City High School. She received a bachelor's degree in biology from Southeast Missouri State University. She is a biology teacher and head volleyball coach at Woodland High School...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Paul and Florence Dugger of Sikeston announce the engagement of their daughter, Penny Diane Dugger of Morley, Mo., to Jared Andrew McMullin of Perryville, Mo. He is the son of Andrew and Alma McMullin of Benton, Mo. Dugger is a 1996 graduate of Kelly High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in dietetics from Southeast Missouri State University in 2001. She is a nutritionist at Scott County Health Department...

Sam and Marsha Sparks of Marion, Ill., announce the engagement of their daughter, Katherine Anne Sparks, to Steven Matthew Hendricks. He is the son of Larry and Candy Hendricks of Cape Girardeau. Sparks received a bachelor of science degree in education (exceptional child) at Southeast Missouri State University. She is a special services teacher and head varsity cheerleading coach at Scott City High School...

Gordon and Fay Spencer of Cape Girardeau celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Saturday at their home. The couple was married Sept. 15, 1962, in Merced, Calif. They have two daughters, Glenna (Denny) Sumner of Martin, Tenn., and Darla (Doug) Gavin of St. Louis. They have a granddaughter, Erin Sumner of Martin...

Sometimes referred to as a "hummer," the ruby-throated hummingbird is one of the world's smallest birds. It is the most widespread hummingbird in North America, found throughout most of the eastern half of the United States. It is a migratory bird that spends cold months in Mexico and warm months in the U.S. It normally arrives back in Southeast Missouri in mid-March each spring...

The week of Sept. 16 through 22 has been designated as National House Plant Week. I am not sure who made the designation, but I like the idea because of all the benefits that house plants afford us. When I enter an office, mall or home and see house plants I just feel a little more at ease. They remind me of nature. I enjoy being outside and smelling fresh air...

It is so much fun to get recipes from friends and family to include in this column. Once in a while I have to clean up my stack and include them here and add them into my files. So today there is an appetizer, a couple of sandwiches, a beef entree and a simple dessert. I love sandwiches of any kind and don't mind having a sandwich quite often. And both of these sound wonderful and I will be making them...

With about 50 days or so until Election Day, both presidential nominees will continue to have plenty to say about one another, little of it complimentary. If we've not made up our minds already, we wade through the rhetorical muck in the hope that something worthwhile will emerge between now and the first Tuesday in November...

"They were longing for a better country." Those are the words that sparked my heart last week when I came across them on Noisetrade.com in the title of singer/songwriter Zach Winters' album. These words from Hebrews 11:16 draw me in because I understand. ...

Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau will host an art sale, silent auction and dinner later this week to raise funds for a well in Mozambique, Africa. The event, billed as "An Evening of Fine Arts for Mozambique," is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday at Grace's fellowship center at Broadway and Caruthers Avenue. Admission is $30...

Charles and Joann Scarber of Elkville, Ill., announce the engagement of their daughter, Beth "Bobbie" Busciglio, to James D. Poe Jr., both of Cape Girardeau. He is the son of James and Jimmy Poe of Cape Girardeau. A June wedding is planned. ...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- William and Patricia Fouty of Auburn, Wash., announce the engagement of their daughter, Megan Fouty, to Michael Lutes, both of Seattle, Wash. He is the son of Mike and Kenna Lutes of Marble Hill and John and Pamela Conrad of Sandpoint, Idaho...

The Cape Road Runners club strives to help runners develop a better lifestyle and cultivate healthy habits for the rest of their lives. The club is preparing for the 32nd annual City of Roses half-marathon, 5k and kid's fun run in Cape Girardeau. This year the club purchased a new timing system called the Jaguar Chip. ...

Anytime we hear of a serious accident, our first reaction is hoping for a good outcome for the health of the victim involved. That is certainly our hope in the case of Meg Herndon, who was critically injured last weekend when the scooter she was riding was hit by a pickup truck. She was not wearing a helmet...

NEW YORK -- Who would Mitt Romney like to see play him in a movie? (Gene Hackman) What's Romney's guilty pleasure (peanut butter sandwiches and chocolate milk). And what exactly, does the Republican presidential hopeful wear to bed? "Really? Really?" Romney said during an interview taped Friday on ABC's "Live! With Kelly and Michael." "I think the best answer is as little as possible."...

Praise be to you, O Lord God and Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Amen.

For the year of 2009, 1 percent of the United States income was $28.8 billion to foreign countries. Cut that by two-thirds, fix our deficit, don't cut Medicare and Medicaid. It seems reasonable that someone at the university or the highway patrol should apply for a million-dollar grant to study why so many signal lights are broken in this part of the country. ...

Baseball Real Basic Instincts camps: Real Baseball Instincts in Jackson is offering fall hitting camps featuring St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguer Jeremy Patton, a Southeast Missouri native. Camps begin the first week in October and run five weeks, one night per week. Camps are for boys and girls. Cost: $200. Info: 243-7247 or www.realbaseballinstincts.com...

Notre Dame senior Breanne Conklin claimed her first-ever individual cross country title at the 48th annual Central Invitational.

The Tigers lost to Fort Zumwalt East 21-7 on Friday night.

Malden senior Romello McCoy carried the ball 30 times and racked up 273 yards to lead the Green Wave to a 36-26 home victory over Scott City.

Daughter to Josh Dewayne Ray and Jessica Marie Price of Cape Girardeau, Saint Francis Medical Center, 9:05 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012. Name, Amari Marie. Weight, 3 pounds, 15 ounces. Ray is employed at Blair Box. Son to Christopher Adrian Arnold and Stephanie Michelle Felter of Jackson, Saint Francis Medical Center, 6:58 a.m. ...

Evening rains kept the crowds small at the SEMO District Fair/Expo last night; 6,038 people attended the fair yesterday, after a record crowd Monday of 12,358; this evening's headline entertainment will be the Charley Pride shows. Traffic should be moving through the U.S. 61/34/72/25 intersection at Jackson without interruption by the middle of next month, if weather cooperates; the project is about 85 percent complete...

No champion was crowned at the Jackson Invitational softball tournament after rain wiped out the first- and third-place games Saturday evening. Central defeated Scott City 9-3 to win fifth place earlier in the day at the Shawnee Parks Sports Complex in Cape Girardeau...

DAMASCUS, Syria -- The new international envoy tasked with ending Syria's civil war summed up his first foray to Damascus on Saturday with a frank admission that he still has no plan for stopping the bloodshed that he warned could threaten world peace...

CARACAS, Venezuela -- When he takes the stage at campaign rallies, Hugo Chavez stands alone. Under Venezuela's election system, presidential hopefuls don't choose running mates, and that raises few eyebrows in normal years. But this has not been a normal year. President Chavez has been fighting a mysterious cancer, and the lack of a prospective No. 2 has left voters wondering who in fact would take over were Chavez to win next month's elections but be forced to leave office prematurely...

BEIJING -- Chinese leader-in-waiting Xi Jinping reappeared in public Saturday after a two-week absence that sparked rumors about his health and questions about the stability of the country's succession process. State media said Xi toured exhibits at China Agricultural University in Beijing commemorating National Science Popularization Day but offered no explanation of why he had dropped from sight...

MOSCOW -- The first major protest against President Vladimir Putin after a summer lull drew tens of thousands of people determined to show that opposition sentiment remains strong despite Kremlin efforts to muzzle dissent. The street protests broke out after a December parliamentary election won by Putin's party through what observers said was widespread fraud, and they grew in strength ahead of Putin's effectively unopposed election in March to a third presidential term...

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. is sending more spies, Marines and drones to Libya, trying to speed the search for those who killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans, but the investigation is complicated by a chaotic security picture in the post-revolutionary country and limited American and Libyan intelligence resources...

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Brandon Beck's interesting road to college football took him to his first career start Saturday night. Beck, a 2006 Jackson High School graduate, was in the lineup at fullback for Southeast Missouri State as the Redhawks played at regional rival Southern Illinois...

CAIRO -- Al-Qaida's most active branch in the Middle East called for more attacks on U.S. embassies Saturday to "set the fires blazing," seeking to co-opt outrage over an anti-Muslim film even as the wave of protests that swept 20 countries last week eased...

NEW YORK -- Twitter on Friday agreed to hand over about three months' worth of tweets to a judge overseeing the criminal trial of an Occupy Wall Street protester, a case that has become a closely watched fight over how much access law enforcement agencies should have to material posted on social networks...

CLEVELAND -- In the stern, self-regulating world of the Amish, those who act out time and again by wearing the wrong clothing, going to movies or otherwise flouting the church's doctrine can find themselves utterly alone. Fellow Amish in rare instances won't break bread with them at the same table, won't work with them and won't worship with them under the religion's centuries-old practice of shunning. ...

The Southeast Missouri State men's and women's cross country teams remained perfect through the early part of the season. Both squads captured their second team titles in as many meets Friday as Southeast swept the SIU Edwardsville Cross Country Challenge...

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

MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin's attorney general said Saturday he would seek court permission to keep enforcing a state law that effectively ended collective bargaining for public employees while his office appeals a judge's ruling striking it down...

CHICAGO -- Undercover FBI agents arrested an 18-year-old American man who tried to detonate what he believed was a car bomb outside a downtown Chicago bar, federal prosecutors said Saturday. Adel Daoud, a U.S. citizen from the Chicago suburb of Hillside, was arrested Friday night in an undercover operation in which agents pretending to be extremists provided him with a phony car bomb...

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Jeffrey MacDonald, a clean-cut Green Beret and doctor convicted of killing his pregnant wife and their two daughters, is getting another chance at trying to prove his innocence -- more than four decades after the slayings terrified a nation gripped by his tales of Charles Manson-like hippies on acid slaughtering his family in their own home...

WASHINGTON -- Americans don't like all the cash that's going to super political action committees and other outside groups that are pouring millions of dollars into races for president and Congress. More than 8 in 10 Americans in a poll by The Associated Press and the National Constitution Center support limits on the money given to groups that are trying to influence U.S. elections...

James Keith Zink, 79, of Cape Girardeau passed away Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born Feb. 9, 1933, in Seminole, Okla., to parents Roy and Arminta Zink. His father worked for National Supply, which transferred the family to Hays, Kan., where James attended elementary school. ...

Freddie Wilkinson, 80, of Jackson died Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

VILLA RIDGE, Ill. -- Brian Ray Morgan, 38, of Villa Ridge passed away Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, following injuries sustained from an automobile accident just south of Ullin, Ill. Brian was born March 12, 1974, in Sikeston, Mo., son of the late Craig Morgan and Bonnie Owens Morgan...

MOUNDS, Ill. -- Doris Hargan, 79, of Mounds died Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, at Superior Care Home in Paducah, Ky. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mound City, Ill. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church. Interment will be in the Mound City National Cemetery...

The Xi Nu Phi chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met Sept. 4 at the home of Sheryl Smith. The Officer Preparation Packet was passed around which listed the duties of each officer. Information on the State Service Project was shared. Discussion was held on the successful Beginning Day celebration which our chapter hosted. ...

MONDAY--Chicken chunks with breadstick, broccoli & cheese or tomatoes or baby carrots, pears. TUESDAY--Mini tacos, southwest baked beans or tomatoes or baby carrots, pink applesauce. WEDNESDAY--Ravioli, green beans or tomatoes or baby carrots, mixed fruit cup...

Hobbs Chapel United Methodist Church will hold a fall bazaar from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday in the activity building, 3024 State Highway 177. Crafts, collectibles and books, homemade pies, bread, cakes, jellies are among items to be sold. Tailgaters and vendors are welcome. ...

Chateau Girardeau donated a new refrigerator for the teachers' break room at the new Franklin Elementary School. The Chateau is also assisting with several other projects, such as displaying student artwork at its facility and helping to sponsor family events at Franklin...

US Bank was recently awarded the Outstanding Community Service Award from the Missouri Association for Community Action. East Missouri Action Agency nominated the bank for the honor because of its high level of commitment to the Ste. Genevieve area. Pictured from left are Robin Reynolds of the Ste. Genevieve EMAA, US Bank branch manager Joan Noll and EMAA community services director Keri McCrorey...

Arnold is a declawed, large, 6-year-old cat who is extremely sweet and lovable. Arnold would like a person or family who would love to sit with him on the couch and chill. This Saturday during our "Fall Clearance Sale" Arnold along with other kitties at our sanctuary will be at a reduced adoption fee. For more information, contact Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary at 243-9823...

Makayla is 2 years old. She is available for adoption at the Humane Society, 334-5837.

CHICAGO -- Thousands of striking Chicago public school teachers packed a city park Saturday in a show of force as union leaders and the district tried to work out the details of a tentative agreement that would end a weeklong walkout. Months of contract negotiations came down to two main issues: job security and union opposition to a new teacher evaluation process it felt was too heavily weighted on student test scores. ...

WASHINGTON -- Middle East violence is shaking up a presidential race that otherwise looks stable and tight. President Barack Obama holds a tiny edge, Republican Mitt Romney is seeking a breakthrough message, and three debates are ahead in the campaign's final seven weeks...