Stories from Thursday, October 11, 2012

A Cape Girardeau man was in police custody early Thursday pending formal charges for domestic assault, felonious restraint and property damage. According to Cape Girardeau Police Department spokesman Darin Hickey, the suspect, a 30-year-old man whose name has not been released pending filing of charges, was arrested around 2 a.m. Thursday morning after officers responded to a domestic violence call...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich is raising concerns about how the public defender tracks caseloads. On Wednesday, Schweich said the public defender system uses national caseload standards from 1973 instead of the actual time spent on cases. He called it a "bad baseline." In addition, the auditor questioned the calculation used to analyze work to be completed and the capacity to do it...

BENTON, Mo. -- A judge has found a 20-year-old southeast Missouri girl not guilty of killing another teenager by hitting her with a truck in 2010. Scott County officials said Brianna Branson of Miner, Mo., was found not guilty Wednesday on all three counts in the death of 18-year-old Kendra Gray in July 2010 in Sikeston. ...

A 20-year-old Jackson man was in court on two of three separate cases that charge him and two co-defendants with a rash of burglaries in Jackson and Cape Girardeau that for months confounded law enforcement and dismayed victims. William Artadi waived his right to two preliminary hearings in the two cases that include 16 felony burglary counts, one that claims that the victim was home at the time. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill took aim Wednesday at Republican challenger Todd Akin with a new series of TV ads featuring rape survivors outraged by Akin's remark about "legitimate rape" and his opposition to emergency contraception...

Southeast Missouri State University students' spending habits have changed over time, according to figures from a new university-generated economic study and numbers from previous studies. Students are now spending more on technology items like computers and cellphones...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Revenue from a sales tax in Stoddard County was down $6,595.60 for the month of September 2012 as compared to 2011, but overall revenue to the county is up $46,749.40 thus far for 2012, the Dexter Daily Statesman reported. The report was presented to the Stoddard County Commission at its meeting held Tuesday. The county receives revenue from two one-half-cent sales taxes...

A sunken boat recently discovered by a local couple after being long covered by muddy waters may be an early 20th-century barge that carried coal or other goods. James Phillips, curator of collections and exhibitions at the Crisp Museum at Southeast Missouri State University

Charges have been reduced against a Cape Girardeau woman accused of selling prescription pills from her day care, prosecutors said Wednesday, to remove the mistakenly applied offense -- and stiffer penalties -- that come with committing the crime near a school...

Registration continues for the Therapy Solutions Run For Their Lives! Third Annual 5/10K Run/Walk in Perryville to benefit Beacon Health Center's SEMO-NASV program which provides medical and advocacy services to victims of sexual violence. SEMO-NASV serves children from Perry County...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) -- A southeast Missouri judge says he'll resolve next month a wrongful-death lawsuit against the former Anheuser Busch chief executive over the 2010 drug overdose death of that beer magnate's girlfriend. Cape Girardeau County Circuit Judge William Syler told both sides during a hearing Tuesday that he'll decide the civil lawsuit involving August Busch IV on Nov. 14...

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is asking for public input on how to improve Trail of Tears State Park at a weekend open house. The event is from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Visitors Center. Park staff will there to review recently completed projects for visitors. For more information call 290-5268...

Three local defendants were in court this week, each pleading not guilty to the charges stemming from a Cape Girardeau burglary last month. Ombreis Watson, Melvine Stuckey, both 18, and Aaliyah Curry, 17, entered pleas of not guilty Monday before Judge Gary Kamp set Oct. ...

LOS ANGELES -- A U.S. official says Korean officials screened a man with a bulletproof vest before he got on a flight to Los Angeles, but they never detected items concealed in his checked luggage. A Homeland Security official said Wednesday that Korean authorities thoroughly searched Yongda Huang Harris and his carry-on luggage. They found nothing suspicious and he boarded the flight...

A Chaffee woman arrested last week for stealing supplies from a Cape Girardeau hospital pleaded not guilty in court this week. Ashlee Steffens, 26, was arraigned on a misdemeanor theft charge Monday before Judge Gary Kamp. Prosecutors say Steffens was at Saint Francis Medical Center on Friday, ostensibly for medical treatment, when she allegedly took gauze, tape, iodine and bandages. ...

Today is Thursday, Oct. 11, the 285th day of 2012. There are 81 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Oct. 11, 1962, Pope John XXIII convened the first session of the Roman Catholic Church's Second Vatican Council, also known as "Vatican 2."...

The following area students made the dean's list for the University of Missouri in Columbia for the Spring 2012 semester: Cape Girardeau: Kelsey Margaret Bohnert, Brittany J Bollinger, Anna Kathleen Bowles, Kelsey Marie Bradshaw, Hillary Elise Caldwell, Jonathon Scott Clements, Matthew Rhoades Davis, Aaron Joseph Essner, Erin Gerlach, Lauren Elizabeth Goehring, Kurt Aaron Heischmidt, Joshua Hinton, Olivia Jenkins, Valerie Lee Kelley, Parker Capshaw Kohlfeld, John Tyler Kratochvil, David Law, Kelsey Dianne Lawrence, Liam Robert Maher, Mallory Ann McCallister, Jack Moran Mocherman, Jerica Rachel Moore, Morene Sun Mouser, Emily Muir, Daniel Robert Neff, Jonathan Albert Olson, Lindsey Pingel, Lillian Audrey Robinson, Jordan Sheets, Kaylyn Suzanne Sneathen, Sydney Renee Stein, Katherine Elizabeth Walton and Elizabeth Elaine Ward.. ...

How many breaths of air will it take to fill a 6 foot long bag? INGREDIENTS INSTRUCTIONS STEP 1: Remove about 6 feet of Diaper Genie refill, cut, and then tie a knot in the end of the Diaper Genie refill. STEP 2: Using two fingers and two thumbs, hold open the end of the bag that is not tied...

WASHINGTON -- Stronger housing markets helped boost economic growth at the end of the summer in nearly every region of the United States, according to a Federal Reserve survey released Wednesday. The Fed said growth improved in 10 of its 12 regional banking districts from mid-August through September, while leveling off in one region and slowing in another. Rising home sales helped lift home prices in most districts...

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is asking for public input on how to improve Trail of Tears State Park at a weekend open house. The event is from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Visitors Center. Park staff will review recently completed projects for visitors. For more information call 290-5268...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Tracy Renee Parks Lee, 40, of Fenton, Mo., passed away Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. She was born Feb. 22, 1972, in Centreville, Ill., to Shelia Parks Pace and the late Walter E. Parks Jr. Tracy lived in Waterloo, Ill., before her family relocated to Long Beach, Miss. ...

Jean Pauline Grantham, 91, of Jackson passed away Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, at Jackson Manor Nursing Home, where she resided the past three years. She was born Jan. 12, 1921, in Jackson, to Paul and Rose Steimel Browning. She and Duell Grantham were married May 19, 1945. They had been married 47 years when he passed away July 3, 1992...

Kenneth Eugene Clark, 70, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center. He was born Sept. 13, 1942, in Cape Girardeau, to Ralph E. and Vivian Lucille Summers Clark. He and Marsha H. Webb were married March 11, 1961, in Cape Girardeau...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Howard A. Tarrillion Sr., 83, of Perryville died Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born April 26, 1929, in Millheim, Mo., son of Arthur Thomas and Anna D. Scharenborg Tarrillion. He and Thelma M. Rudisaile were married March 26, 1951...

Atticus Grey Louw, infant son of Hermanus and Jennifer Louw of Murphysboro, Ill., was stillborn Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012, at Southeast Hospital. He is survived by his parents; a brother, Hermanus Louw IV of the home; maternal grandparents, Debbi Miller and Mike Miller; maternal great-grandmother, Bonnie (Dan) Cope, all of Scott City; paternal grandparents, Hermanus and Susan Louw of South Africa...

GIPSY, Mo. -- Peggie Sue Jackson, 77, of Gipsy passed away Monday, Oct. 8, 2012, at her home. She was born Oct. 19, 1934, in Jenkins, Ky., daughter of George and Evelyn Jenkins Wheeler. She and Dale Jackson were married March 6, 1971, in Dayton, Ohio...

TAMMS, Ill. -- August Sylvester "Gus" Tribout, 80, of Tamms died Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, Ill. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at Jones Funeral Home in Tamms. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Larry Buckles officiating...

MOUNDS, Ill. -- Harold L. Ellis, 61, of Mounds died Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Friday at Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge, Ill. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in New Hope Cemetery near Ullin, Ill...

Son to Carl Stigall and Taylor Laxton of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Hospital, 4:27 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012. Name, Benjamin Cartel. Weight, 7 pounds, 2 ounces. Ms. Laxton is the daughter of Alison Ressel and Craig Ressel of Scott City. Stigall is the son of Beverly Stigall of Poplar Bluff, Mo...

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team will open its annual Red and Black intrasquad series at 3 p.m. today at Capaha Field. It is open to the public. The best-of-seven series will continue every Thursday and Friday during the month of October. Thursday games will start at 3 p.m. with Friday matchups starting at 5 p.m...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Just two years removed from their last appearance in the state's final four, the Kelly Hawks took another big step Wednesday toward a return appearance to high school softball's biggest stage. Able to shake off a rough start against Twin Rivers in Class 2 sectional play, the Hawks went on to combine for 14 hits while getting a brilliant pitching performance from freshman Alexis Dock to mercy-rule the Royals 12-1 in five innings at Three Rivers College...

CEDAR HILL, Mo. -- Northwest senior Abby Askins had a message for her teammates after they missed a opportunity to overtake Central in the sixth inning of a Class 4 softball sectional Wednesday. "She said, ‘Nothing ever comes easy for Northwest,'" sophomore Rachel Jones said...

The Central boys soccer team continued its strong season Wednesday with a 3-0 win over visiting Jackson. Duncan McKinley, Nick Barnes and Brennon Reeves each scored a goal as the Tigers (10-7) beat the rival Indians (6-9-1) for the second time this season...

BOSTON -- The specialty pharmacy linked to a deadly meningitis outbreak might have misled regulators and done work beyond the scope of its state license, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said Wednesday. The New England Compounding Center made a steroid that was used in injections for back pain that were later found contaminated. More than 130 people in 11 states have become ill. Twelve have died...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A private company successfully delivered a half-ton of supplies to the International Space Station early Wednesday, the first official shipment under a billion-dollar contract with NASA. The SpaceX cargo ship, called Dragon, eased up to the orbiting lab, and station astronauts reached out with a robot arm, snared it and firmly latched it down...

DETROIT -- The largest recall in Toyota's 75-year history could undermine the carmaker's comeback from natural disasters and embarrassing safety problems. The company on Wednesday recalled 7.43 million cars, trucks and SUVs worldwide to fix faulty power window switches that can cause fires...

ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkish jets on Wednesday forced a Syrian passenger plane to land at Ankara airport on suspicion that it might be carrying weapons or other military equipment, amid heightened tensions that have sparked fears of a wider regional conflict...

NEW YORK -- During the next presidential debate, the candidates will be pondering the important questions of our time. But the most anticipated may be "Sausage or pepperoni?" Pizza Hut is offering a lifetime of free pizza -- one large pie a week for 30 years -- or a check for $15,600 to anyone who poses the question to either President Barack Obama or Republican candidate Mitt Romney during the live Town Hall-style debate next Tuesday...

DETROIT -- Alex Karras was a man of many roles. Fearsome NFL defensive lineman. Lovable TV dad. Hilarious big-screen cowboy. And in the end, a dementia victim who blamed the NFL for his illness. Thousands of former players in lawsuits have accused the league of not doing enough to protect them from the long-term effects of head injuries...

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

Firefighters responded to the following items Tuesday...

Missy was my wife, a schoolteacher, a stepmom and a grandmother. And she was so much more. Missy was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 36. With radiation and chemotherapy, the cancer went into remission. Seven years later the cancer returned. Missy's doctor tried a number of different chemotherapies but nothing would work. He tried Avastin, and it worked! Six months later an MRI revealed the large tumors had stopped growing and the small ones were shrinking...

There is good news for those who travel downtown Cape Girardeau on a regular basis. Broadway is open. The construction crews, on tight deadlines, finished the main road construction this week with Broadway opening completely on Tuesday. While work continues on the $4.5 million project, including landscaping and lighting, the opening was a significant milestone...

*** JACKSON The Jackson Police Department released the following item. Arrests do not imply guilt. *** Summonses * Holly J. Hitt, 37, of Cape Girardeau, was issued a summons for speeding.

Taylor Crowe, your cartoon is right on. I don't understand who came up with the idea to get rid of all the parking. Thanks so much for sharing. Spoiled nation We are a spoiled nation. We want everything yesterday. If Obama jumped up and down and spit silver, we'd want gold. Give him a break. Thank you...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A Scott City woman has pleaded guilty to felony charges for locking her children outside the house for hours while they were at work. Melissa Sparks pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of child abuse on a change of venue in Mississippi County. She received two concurrent sentences of five years probation, and will serve five years in prison if probation is violated...

Administrative Office Building 1 Barton Square, Jackson 9 a.m. today Routine Business Appointments and possible action items Discussion and possible action items...

WASHINGTON -- Four years ago, Joe Biden was careful not to appear overly aggressive in his vice presidential debate with Sarah Palin, then a newcomer to the national stage. Now, as he prepares to debate Paul Ryan, a 14-year House veteran and the top Republican budget writer, Biden is less concerned about looking like a bully...

NEW YORK -- Thousands of teenagers who can't take their cellphones to school have another option, courtesy of a burgeoning industry of sorts in always-enterprising New York City: paying a dollar a day to leave it in a truck that's parked nearby...

Retired Cape Girardeau teacher Peggy Jenkins, 84, of Oneonta, Ala., died Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, in Birmingham, Ala. The daughter of Riley and Oma Scruggs Bryan, Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, William T. Jenkins; her parents; two infant sons; and Uncle Perry Hammett...

WASHINGTON -- To prepare for his biggest test yet on the national stage, untested debater Paul Ryan has been hauling two thick briefing books around the country and intently studying up on Vice President Joe Biden, who has been sparring over public policy since the Wisconsin congressman was learning how to talk...

ST. CHARLES, Mo. -- An aerospace manufacturer plans a $4.3 million expansion of its suburban St. Louis facilities that could add about 100 new jobs. Gov. Jay Nixon's administration said Wednesday that LMI Aerospace is adding nearly 49,000 square feet to its headquarters and manufacturing facilities in St. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Republican Missouri attorney general candidate Ed Martin is criticizing a campaign contribution received by Democratic incumbent Chris Koster. Martin on Wednesday demanded that Koster return a $10,000 contribution he received in September 2011 from Express Scripts Inc. ...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- U.S. 61, also known as Main Street in Sikeston, will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews convert signals to flashing yellow lefts. This section of roadway is at U.S. 61 and Tanner Street and also at U.S. ...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Route Y in Stoddard County, from Route Z to County Road 599, will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs. Weather permitting, work will take place today and Friday, from 8 a.m. ...

We worship you, O Lord Jesus, for our healing is in your holy hands. Amen.

The congregation of Hanover Lutheran Church observes two festival services; members commemorate the 100th anniversary of the historic Hanover Church, which recently was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Members of Westminster Presbyterian Church celebrate the congregation's 25th anniversary with a special worship service in the morning, followed by dinner on the grounds; a music service is held in the afternoon...

NEW YORK -- Americans will pay more to heat their homes this winter as they feel something they didn't feel much of last year: cold. Prices for natural gas, heating oil and other fuels will be relatively stable. But customers will have to use more energy to keep warm than they did a year ago, according to the annual Winter Fuels Outlook from the Energy Department's Energy Information Administration...

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Eyes to the skies could be wise this weekend as a storm is expected to develop in the middle of the country. The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., says high winds and perhaps tornadoes could be possible Saturday and that people in a broad area from Dallas to Minneapolis should pay attention...