Stories from Thursday, October 18, 2012

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Recent storms helped ease the grip of the nation's worst drought in decades on several key Midwest farming states, raising hopes that the winter wheat crop will fare better than this year's corn, which is in the final stages of being harvested...

Gubernatorial hopeful Dave Spence was quick to defend his decision to file a defamation lawsuit last week against Gov. Jay Nixon and the corresponding investment he made with capital he received as a member of a bank board during a Jackson appearance Wednesday.

Southeast Missouri's Republican candidates for seats in the state legislature are mostly outraising their Democratic opponents as the election nears, bucking the trend of Democrats beating Republicans in fundraising for statewide offices. The latest campaign finance reports released by the Missouri Ethics Commission earlier this week showed Democrats with an advantage in every statewide race except for lieutenant governor. Locally, Republicans are faring better, some by large margins...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- The trial of an Illinois woman charged in the death of a 4-year-old boy will start on March 11, a judge said Wednesday, although her lawyer added that it may take as long as a month after that until it's over. Sacha Brown, charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery and concealment of a homicide in the death of Justin Hepburn, pleaded not guilty Jan. ...

After having lost its permit to operate a limestone quarry near Saxony Lutheran High School, Strack Excavating LLC of Cape Girardeau is taking its case to the Eastern District of the Missouri Court of Appeals. Brian McGovern of Chesterfield, Mo., who represented Strack at the circuit-court level, has filed an appeal with the St. ...

ST. LOUIS -- Matt Carpenter always tries to stay ready, keeping an assortment of gloves nearby. That's his job. The St. Louis Cardinals' utilityman took on a new role in Game 3 of the NL championship series: game-changer. Carpenter hit a two-run homer after subbing for Carlos Beltran, and the Cardinals chased Matt Cain before a 3 1/2-hour rain delay in the seventh inning of a 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night for a 2-1 series lead...

The Waller triplets turned 7 Sunday, as volunteers again searched another secluded spot for their missing mother. Their father, meanwhile, remained incarcerated awaiting a court date this week -- and eventually a trial -- on charges that he killed her and disposed of the body...

NEW YORK (AP) -- A Bangladeshi man and former Southeast Missouri State University student who came to the United States to wage jihad was arrested in an elaborate FBI sting on Wednesday after attempting to blow up a fake car bomb outside the Federal Reserve building in Manhattan, authorities said.

NEW YORK (AP) -- A Bangladeshi man and former Southeast Missouri State University student snared in an FBI terror sting considered targeting President Barack Obama and the New York City Stock Exchange before settling on a car bomb attack on the Federal Reserve, just blocks from the World Trade Center site, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press on Thursday...

The Heartland Pops 2012 Christmas Show will be held on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012 at 3:00P.M. in the Jackson H.S. Auditorium. In addition to the 18-voice Pops Chorus and the 20-piece band, the show will also feature the Leopold Concert Choir under the direction of Pam Dumey, and the Immaculate Conception Church Choristers, who are making their third appearance with the Pops. ...

The Jackson Kiwanis Club is proud to host it's 3rd annual 5K Run/Walk. Proceeds from this race will go to children's projects: Elks Christmas baskets, Jackson Police Dept. Annual Toy Drive, and programs at Orchard Dr. Elementary School and more. The race will begin at 8:00am Sat., Nov 10, 2012...

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Again and again, decade after decade, an array of authorities -- police chiefs, prosecutors, pastors and local Boy Scout leaders among them -- quietly shielded scoutmasters and others accused of molesting children, a newly opened trove of confidential papers shows...

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A former college classmate of a Bangladeshi man accused of plotting a car bomb attack on New York City's Federal Reserve says the allegations don't square with the peaceful student he remembers. Jim Dow says he was shocked to learn of 21-year-old Quazi Mohammad Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis' arrest Wednesday during an FBI terror sting in New York...

Tonight's debate between Missouri candidates for Senate will be aired on public radio station KRCU, 90.9 FM. The debate between incumbent Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill and Republican Congressman Todd Akin is set for 7 p.m. today. Mike Bush of KSDK-TV will serve as moderator. The debate will be held in the Clayton High School auditorium in Clayton, Mo. The debate is sponsored by KSDK-TV, the Clayton Chamber of Commerce and St. Louis Public Radio KWMU. For more information, www.krcu.org...

NEW YORK (AP) -- Quazi Mohammad Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis was a terrible student in his native Bangladesh, and his middle-class parents say he persuaded them to send him off to study in the U.S. as a way of improving his job prospects.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Differences over voting requirements and ballot summaries for initiatives that appear before voters are playing a significant role in the campaign for the Missouri post responsible for overseeing elections. Republican Shane Schoeller and Democrat Jason Kander are at odds over Missouri's voter photo identification proposals and whether a new panel should have sway over the ballot summaries that the secretary of state prepares for initiatives. ...

Today is Thursday, Oct. 18, the 292nd day of 2012. There are 74 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Oct. 18, 1962, James D. Watson, Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins were honored with the Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology for determining the double-helix molecular structure of DNA...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Now that the dust has settled in the New Mexico desert where supersonic skydiver "Fearless Felix" Baumgartner landed safely on his feet, researchers are exhilarated about the possibility his exploit could someday help save the lives of pilots and space travelers in a disaster...

DENVER -- Police don't have any suspects in the slayings of five people whose bodies were found at a neighborhood bar after a fire broke out early Wednesday. Investigators believe the victims, including the bar owner, were killed before the fire and the blaze was set to cover up the slayings...

DES MOINES, Iowa -- It's difficult to argue with the goals of the World Food Prize Foundation -- to recognize people who have helped improve the quality and availability of food to reduce world hunger. But as the Des Moines-based foundation prepares for its 2012 award ceremony, dozens of protesters hope to disrupt the activities...

A Jackson man was in custody Wednesday facing child-molestation charges in what prosecutors saying he inappropriately touched an 8-year-old girl this month while she was in his care. Nicholas J. Goetz, 35, charged with first-degree child molestation, is being held at the Cape Girardeau County Jail on a $50,000 bond, according to court records. The charge carries a possible prison sentence of up to 15 years...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- A Perry County undercover operation has netted three more arrests. The suspects facing felony drug charges, according the sheriff's department. Perryville residents Tina M. Bishop, 37, Donyell D. Moore, 35, and Michael A. Allen, 49, were taken into custody Tuesday. They are being held on $5,000 cash-only bond...

KENNEBUNK, Maine -- A long-time high school hockey coach whose name appeared on a list of men accused of paying a local Zumba fitness instructor for sex has stepped down, the first known job loss associated with the scandal. Kennebunk High School coach Donald Hill told school officials he wouldn't seek to renew his contract for next season after 14 years as head coach, school Superintendent Andrew Dolloff said Wednesday. The coach cited personal reasons, Dolloff said...

All the local high school events reported Wednesday to the Southeast Missourian.

JOPLIN, Mo. -- The International Route 66 Festival will park next year in Joplin, and organizers hope it will attract tourists to the southwestern Missouri city still recovering from the devastating May 2011 tornado. Organizers of the festival and the director of the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau announced Tuesday that the festival will be held Aug. ...

1 Barton Square, Jackson 9 a.m. today Routine business Appointments and possible action items Discussion and possible action items...

Son to William Robert and Kayla Heaven Michelle Holland of Benton, Mo., Saint Francis Medical Center, 6:46 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012. Name, Christopher Martin. Weight, 3 pounds, 15 ounces. Second child, first son. Mrs. Holland is the former Kayla Phelps, daughter of Teresa Headley of Lufkin, Texas, and Maylon Phelps II of Benton. Holland is the son of John and Jennifer Holland of Vanduser, Mo...

The last time Kelly softball coach Rhonda Ratledge routinely sent two pitchers to the circle throughout a season was 2004. That also happens to be the last time the Hawks won a state championship. Back then Kelly Essner and Whitney Beggs pitched Kelly to the title. This season it could be freshman Alexis Dock and sophomore Kristi Brucker...

A nine-man crew from Bethel Assembly of God Church recently returned from a 10-day trip to Molokai, Hawaii, where it helped complete the exterior covering on a home mission church. Construction of a new 45,000-square-foot supermarket is underway in Cape Centre, alongside Route K in Cape Girardeau; Kenneth Story turned the first shovel of dirt for the new store last week...

The Indians defeated Notre Dame 1-0 in a soccer game halted at halftime

CAIRO, Ill. -- A boil-water order in effect for Cairo residents was lifted Wednesday after a series of tests determined that the water met federal drinking water standards. According to Illinois American Water, samples were taken from sites in the affected area while the boil-water order was in place and tests have confirmed that the water meets all U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Act standards and regulations...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Highway 25 in Stoddard County, from Business Route 60 to Route AA, will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform edge rut repairs. The work will take place Monday and Tuesday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, weather permitting. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling near the area...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Route AC in Stoddard County, from Route AA to County Road 237, will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews seal the roadway with a mixture of rock and oil. Weather permitting, work will take place Monday through Oct. 26 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., daily. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling near the area...

Southeast Missouri State freshman defender Paige Luehmann was named the Ohio Valley Conference defensive player of the week for women's soccer Tuesday. Luehmann played 183 of a possible 184 minutes as Southeast won both its games last week. The Granite City, Ill., native helped the Redhawks hold their opponents to only one goal...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Route F in Stoddard County, between County Road 420 and Route J, has been reduced to one lane to allow Missouri Department of Transportation crews to perform bridge maintenance. Weather permitting, the work will continue daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Oct. 25. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling near the area...

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Rams have done a good job of filling in for injured wide receiver Danny Amendola. The team's leading receiver injured his shoulder against Arizona on Oct. 4, missed Sunday's loss at Miami and is expected to miss at least another three games...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A longtime city staff member has opted to resign following the results of an investigation into the city's handling of critical flood plain map information. Trey Hardy, community redevelopment coordinator for Sikeston, confirmed that he resigned from his position Friday...

Job seekers will be able to meet with 32 area companies in need of help at the Cape Girardeau Area Career Fair from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at the Osage Centre, 1625 N. Kingshighway. Organizers encourage job seekers to dress appropriately, be free of distractions like cellphones, have resumes ready and be available for interviewing. For more information, contact the Missouri Career Center, 290-5766 or jobs.mo.gov...

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said Wednesday he will defend high school cheerleaders who want to use Bible verses on banners at football games. Abbott has filed court papers to intervene in a lawsuit that cheerleaders at Kountze High School filed against the school district complaining that a new policy violated their freedom of speech. ...

CAIRO -- Libyan rebels appear to have "summarily executed" scores of fighters loyal to Moammar Gadhafi, and probably the dictator himself, when they overran his hometown a year ago, a human rights group said Wednesday. The report by Human Rights Watch on alleged rebel abuses that followed the October capture of the city of Sirte in the final major battle of the eight-month civil war is one of the most detailed descriptions of what the group says were war crimes committed by the militias that toppled Gadhafi, and which still play a major role in Libyan politics today.. ...

MADRID -- The Spanish government said Wednesday it will decide within the next few weeks whether to ask for outside financial help, noting it might opt for a precautionary line of credit instead of bailout cash. Spain is under pressure to tap a eurozone financial aid system that would give the European Central Bank the green light to buy the country's government bonds. That would lower Spain's borrowing rates in bond markets, relieving its financial burden...

"Paranormal Activity 4," rated R @ Cape West 14 Cine "Alex Cross," rated PG-13 @ Cape West 14 Cine "Gangnam Style," by Psy "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," rated R "Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines," NR "Forza Horizon," Xbox 360...

Dominique Harter of Cape Girardeau graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City dental school and is now employed with Plaza Dental Group in Columbia, Mo.

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- An Air Force major has died during a four-day survival course in Florida in how to live after parachuting into open water, the Air Force said Wednesday. Maj. Garrett Knowlan of Jackson died Oct. 11 during the course at Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida's Panhandle...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- A November ballot measure to significantly raise Missouri's tobacco tax to increase public education spending is drawing financial support from leaders of the state's flagship university and the other Missouri system campuses. The Columbia Daily Tribune reported Tuesday that the campaign donors in favor of the Proposition B ballot measure include University of Missouri curator Warren Erdman, who contributed $5,000. ...

With the prospect of Mitt Romney being elected president seeming increasingly likely, it would be appropriate to consider ways in which a Romney/Ryan administration would be demonstrably different from Obama/Biden. On three key issues -- China, the Middle East, and free trade agreements -- we should expect dramatic changes in January 2013 should the Republicans win...

Veterans of Foreign Wars post 3838 and Ladies Auxiliary is sponsoring the two essay contests, according to a release Tuesday. Middle school students grades six through eight are eligible to compete for the chance to win $5,000 in the "Patriot's Pen" essay contest. Students are invited to write a 300-400 word essay on the patriotic theme, "What I would tell America's Founding Fathers."...

The family and friends of Abigail Jensen would like to thank all those who contributed to Abbypalooza 2012, held on Oct. 13. Even the mist and fog could not dampen the loving spirit that was present there. Special thanks to Life Care Center of Cape Girardeau, the American Red Cross, Jackson Healing Arts, Ron Tracy, Milton Mouser, Greg Tlapek, Jackson Dental, Element 74, Mississippi Mutts, the Cape Girardeau National Guard Unit, Lazy L Safari Park, Discovery Playhouse, Crown Hospice, Manassas Galaxy Sound System, Desert Seidleman of Seidleman Photography, and the vendors who gave their time and profits to the cause. ...

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed all of the ads, even the ones for children, have something to do with sex. There's too much sex in the ads. Also, I noticed on the billboards there's sex in those too. We're just going sex crazy. Student spending...

This weekend Cape Girardeau will welcome alumni back to campus for Homecoming. The annual celebration is always a fun time to reunite with friends and participate in the many events. Here are a few you might consider: There are other events on the schedule. We encourage you to check out the story in last Friday's Southeast Missourian and online at semissourian.com. More information is also available at www.semo.edu...

O Lord God, thank you for redeeming us through the blood of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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

Firefighters responded to the following calls Tuesday:...

*** CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following item. Arrests do not imply guilt. *** Theft * Fuel was reported stolen from Kidd's, 1126 N. Sprigg St.

Earle B. Searcy, 84, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville. Masonic service will be at 10 a.m. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Joel Kidwell officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Betty H. Ranck, 89, of Marble Hill passed away Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, at Woodland Hills Nursing Center. A memorial service was held Wednesday at the nursing center, with the Rev. William Hennecke officiating. Hutchings Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements...

James Michael Pyles, 35, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center. He was born June 26, 1977, in Hayti, Mo., to Johnny and Charlotte Bugg Pyles. Michael was an avid sports fan and loved the St. Louis Cardinals and Rams. He especially enjoyed spending time with his children and working in his garden. He was a welder at Missouri Dry Dock...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. — Debra Jean Douglas, 54, of Perryville died Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, at Perry Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Service is private. Miller Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

CAIRO, Ill. -- Helen L. Cooper, 93, of LaCenter, Ky., formerly of Cairo, died Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, at Life Care Center in LaCenter. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until time of service today at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. today at the funeral home, with the Rev. Verlee Eaker and Robert D. McCoy officiating. Burial will be in Olive Branch Cemetery at Olive Branch, Ill...

It's always good to have friends while you're growing up, particularly the kind who will be there for you when times get tough. Kailey Weber was diagnosed with leukemia in May; the eighth-grade student (she used to attend Nell Holcomb Elementary School) knows she has many friends who care for her and want her to get better...

We've all played with bubbles, but are there ghosts inside of yours? MATERIALS INSTRUCTIONS STEP 1: Attach the vinyl tube to the Rubbermaid MixerMate clear 2-quart bottle chili red lid. STEP 2: Pour warm water into the bottle, add a few pieces of dry ice, and then secure the lid...

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) -- The families of a three babies sickened by a rare bacterial infection, including a 10-day-old Missouri infant who died, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Illinois-based manufacturer of a powdered baby formula that they believe is responsible...

NEW YORK -- Celebrating a design 40 years in the making, dignitaries Wednesday dedicated a new memorial park to President Franklin Roosevelt overlooking the United Nations that he helped found. The Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, on an island in the East River, "will stand forever as a monument to the man who brought us through the Great Depression and brought us victory over great evil," Mayor Michael Bloomberg told several hundred people at the dedication ceremony...

U.S. home construction is making a comeback that could invigorate the economy's still-weak recovery. Builders last month started construction on single-family houses and apartments at the fastest rate in more than four years, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. And they laid plans to build homes at an even faster pace in coming months -- a signal of their confidence that the housing rebound will last...

Five of the 359 reasons I will not be voting for Obama: 1. Our economy has not turned around. President Obama has wasted millions of stimulus money on bankrupt green-energy companies. More people are unemployed and on food stamps than when he took office...

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa -- One day after their contentious, finger-pointing debate, President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney vied aggressively for the support of women voters Wednesday, as they and their running mates charged across nearly a half-dozen battleground states in the close race for the White House with 20 days to run...

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) -- Democratic Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill and Republican challenger Todd Akin are meeting in suburban St. Louis for their second and final scheduled debate. Thursday night's debate will be held in a high school auditorium in Clayton...

NAME -- Jason Kander AGE-BIRTH DATE-LOCATION: 31. Born May 4, 1981, in Overland Park, Kan. POLITICAL PARTY: Democrat. EXPERIENCE: Army National Guard; Missouri House, 2009-present. EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in political science, American University; law degree, Georgetown University...

n The candidates: Two state House colleagues are competing for an open seat after Secretary of State Robin Carnahan announced she wouldn't seek a third term. Republican Shane Schoeller, of Willard, worked in the office under Republican Matt Blunt. Democrat Jason Kander, of Kansas City, is trying to keep the office in Democratic hands for another four years...