Stories from November 2014

The talk leading up Friday's rematch between the Central Tigers and Sikeston Bulldogs was all about the vast improvement of Sikeston. That talk came to an abrubt end late in the first quarter.

The St. Vincent volleyball team has shown that it's capable of making a comeback. The Indians rallied to win a district title and overcame a 10-point deficit to nearly claim the Class 1 state championship on Saturday at the Show Me Center. With the majority of the roster remaining the same next season, St. Vincent might even make a return trip to the final four...

The Indians lost the Class 1 state championship match 22-25, 25-13, 25-20 to Winona, which took home its third consecutive title.

Kaelyn Woodall shot her 1st deer on opening day of youth firearm season. She is 9 years old. She said she was so happy and can't quit smiling!

Mariel Bisher shot a 6 point buck. Her grandpa, Roger Pierce took her hunting for the youth deer hunt.

The color of the tree was vibrant in front of The Glenn House on a beautiful fall day

Jackson senior Xominique Davis had a debt to settle with his teammates after fumbling the opening kickoff of the second half of the Indians' Class 5 District 1 semifinal game against Oakville on Friday night at The Pit in Jackson.

Today is Saturday, Nov. 1, the 305th day of 2014. There are 60 days left in the year. This is All Saints Day. A reminder: Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. local time Sunday. Clocks go back one hour. Today's Highlight in History: On Nov. 1, 1954, Algerian nationalists began their successful 7-year rebellion against French rule...

The defending Class 1 state champion Valle Catholic Warriors posted 27 points in the first quarter and ran away with a 69-7 win over the fourth-seeded St. Vincent Indians in a Class 1 District 1 semifinal Friday in Ste. Genevieve.

Top-seeded Jackson (9-1) will host No. 2 Vianney in the district championship game on Nov.7. Fifth-seeded Oakville finished its season at 5-6.

The Eastern Kentucky men's and women's cross country teams claimed the top individual and team awards at Saturday's Ohio Valley Conference championship meet. Two Southeast Missouri State runners earned all-conference honors at the race, which was hosted by Tennessee-Martin in Oxford, Alabama...

All results were reported to the Southeast Missourian on Saturday.

A costumed robber tied up a clerk and helped himself to jewelry and cash during a Halloween heist yesterday at Prime Time Rentals, 612 Morgan Oak; no one was injured in the robbery, and police have made no arrests. State Sen. Stephen Sharp of Kennett, Missouri, says he will support the appointment of John Hall Dalton as a Democrat on the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission; Dalton, a Kennett attorney, and former state senator Albert M. ...

Zhengran Xu China Southeast Missouri State University Student 1-November is National Peanut Butter Lovers Month. I feel that peanut butter has lots of calories. 2-What's your favorite movie of all time? I like Chinese movies, especially with pretty clothes and pretty costumes like Asian movies...

Scott County voters will decide Tuesday whether to re-elect their presiding commissioner for a third term or try someone new. Incumbent Jamie Burger, a Democrat, and Will Yates, a Republican, are seeking the position. The attempt to join the Scott County Commission will be the second for Yates, who tried to unseat 2nd District Commissioner Donnie Kiefer in 2012. ...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Authorities are looking for a convicted sex offender who allegedly fled from supervision last week when he cut off his electronic ankle monitor while attending a doctor's appointment in Poplar Bluff. Authorities say John L. Squires, 55, should be considered a sexual predator with violent tendencies...

On Tuesday, 8th Congressional District voters will choose their next U.S. representative from an unprecedented five candidates. Democrat Barbara Stocker, Libertarian Rick Vandeven, independent candidate Terry Hampton and Constitution Party candidate Doug Enyart are the challengers hoping to unseat incumbent Republican Jason Smith. ...

Tuesday's election marks the first time in nearly a quarter-century a race for governor, U.S. Senate or president will not be featured in Missouri's general election. Some election authorities say the lack of high-profile races might affect voter turnout...

Churning, angry cloudscapes tinged with green and purple; panoramic long exposures crackling with streaks of lightning; it was the pictures that first caught David Patterson's eye. He found himself noticing storm photos in a friend's online gallery about three years ago...

Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary near Jackson is closed after formal complaints about the care of cats and dogs at the no-kill shelter. A petition filed Oct. 22 in circuit court in Cape Girardeau County states during 2013 and 2014, inadequate veterinary care, housing and health practices were provided at the shelter for animals, mainly cats, which is in violation of the state's Animal Care Facilities Act...

Brenda Parsh, 27, was working as a fashion designer in Wisconsin when she came home to spend time with her father -- who was undergoing heart surgery -- and attend a family reunion with her mother, 58-year-old Mary Parsh. Brenda Parsh's longtime friend, Vicki Abernathy, said the former beauty queen came home on a hot Friday evening in August 1977 and planned to attend a family reunion the next day with her mother...

Hunter Baker took his first deer on Saturaday Nov. 1, 2014. An 8 point monster!!

2014 Chaffee High School Homecoming Royalty: Little Mr. Homecoming, Eli Nix; Homecoming King, Jake Perkins; Homecoming Queen, Megan Chisum; and Little Miss Homecoming, Madison Chapman.

Fall colors and a stream in the Smokies.

Today is Sunday, Nov. 2, the 306th day of 2014. There are 59 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Nov. 2, 1889, North Dakota and South Dakota became the 39th and 40th states with the signing of proclamations by President Benjamin Harrison, who deliberately shuffled the papers to make it impossible to know the exact order in which the Dakotas were admitted to the Union...

Nancy and John Moreton of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Catherine Elizabeth Moreton of Nashville, Tennessee, to William Thomas Marks of Columbus, Ohio. He is the son of Dennis and Jenna Marks of Statesville, North Carolina, and Kathryn Hallak of Charlotte, North Carolina...

While strolling I wondered whatever happened to Betty Heady. Happy birthday this week to Sandra Hibdon, Mary Chapman, Paula Hudson, Bobby Eichhorn, Mark Glastetter, Janet Kaye Loucks, Rob Abernathy, Mary Kay Shinult, Michelle Dalton, Matt Trost, Jennifer Vandeven, Olivia Gramlisch, Austin Dowd, Jeremy Pobst, Carl Odell, Amanda Hooker, Ashlee Bowman, Ron Eifert, Bill Pfefferkorn, Duncan McKinley, Katie Chasteen, Phyllis Chasteen, James Odell, Francis Wagoner, Sarah Dooley, Craig Ressel, Garner Horman, Derek Gaines, Cindy Burnett, Jack Leslie Burnett, Wayne Chapman, Judy Pobst, Ida Seyer and John Chambers.. ...

Madison Nicole Pixley and Gregory Ryan Leet were married June 8, 2014, in an outdoor ceremony at Samuel Cedars in Rogersville, Missouri. Mark Cowsert performed the ceremony. Vocalists were Ashley Bench and Justin Schrock. Flower girl was Maci Moore and ring bearer was Jasper Moore...

Beta Sigma Phi Missouri Torchbearer Iota Chapter The Torchbearer Iota Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met at the home of Dixie Jones with 12 members present. Linda Belote, Bernie Gardner and Joyce Hays were unable to attend. Carole Rhodes was a guest. Vice-president Dixie Jones presided...

When it comes to Thanksgiving, survival is more important than correct answers. And while we can't prevent your relatives from driving you to crazy, we can give you a cheat sheet to some of the most common Thanksgiving math. Now you can focus on more important things, such as how many washings it will take to remove the cranberry sauce your mother-in-law spilled on the tablecloth...

By now, you know how much I enjoy a new cookbook. And by new, it just means new to me, and not necessarily a brand new book. However, my family was surprised and honored to receive a new cookbook from our neighbor, Charlotte Shearer. Charlotte and three friends took a grand adventure to Yellowstone National Park and points of interest in the area, and, on the return trip, she picked up a cookbook from Kearney, Nebraska. ...

Do you feel bad when someone you love is upset or sad? Even though it may be their fault, do you rush to try to fix it? It's a fine line between nurturing someone and becoming co-dependent. If you're like me, you're saddened when someone in your family or friend network endures rejection or hardship. What do you do?...

If you are reading this before you needed to be anywhere today, just a reminder: You've lost an hour between yesterday and today. Not to worry; the loss in is your favor. Though the hour gained from daylights saving time's ending seems to be lost by having to reset all of my clocks...

Started two years ago and sponsored by Bethany Baptist Church, the Good News Club brings children from kindergarten through fourth grade together to learn about the Bible and its teachings. It is a ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship International, headquartered in Warrenton, Missouri. Laura Norman runs the club in Cape Girardeau, which usually meets at Alma Schrader Elementary School...

St. Francis Medical Center will offer heart and health screenings from 7 to 10 a.m. Wednesday and on Nov. 19. The heart screening includes a lipid profile plus glucose test for $29 and includes total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, cardio-risk ratio plus glucose for diabetes. ...

Put this under the heading of "In case you missed it". Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel wrote an article for The Atlantic Monthly entitled, "Why I hope to die at 75." Such an article wouldn't attract much attention except for the fact that Emanuel is a chief medical adviser to the Obama administration and one of the primary architects of the Affordable Care Act. ...

Rifle deer season begins Nov. 15 and runs through Tuesday, Nov, 25. There are a number of specific regulation in regard to harvesting a deer. These regulations are spelled out in a specific book you can either download from the Missouri Department of Conservation website, mdc.mo.gov, or pick up where licenses are sold. It is the Hunting Regulations and Information booklet. Be sure to check the regulations in regard to where you are going to hunt...

ST. LOUIS -- A new unit that investigates police shootings will soon send its report on an 18-year-old's death to prosecutors, according to the St. Louis police chief. Police chief Sam Dotson said Thursday the Force Investigation Unit will submit its report on the October killing of VonDerrit Myers Jr. this week. A report on the August fatal shooting of 25-year-old Kajieme Powell, who died before the unit was formed, will be finished by the end of November, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported...

WASHINGTON -- Their grip on the Senate majority slipping, anxious Democrats aggressively courted female voters Saturday on the final weekend of a midterm campaign that will decide the balance of power in Congress and statehouses during President Barack Obama's final years in office...

LOS ANGELES -- Authorities on Saturday tracked the owner of an SUV suspected of being used in a Halloween night hit-and-run that killed three teenage girls to a Southern California home, only to find someone else living there. The black Honda had not been reported stolen. Detectives tried to determine where the owner was and who was driving when the vehicle traveling at high speed hit the girls, including twin sisters, who were out for a night of trick-or-treating...

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- The United Nations' expert panel on climate science on Saturday finished a report on global warming the UN's environment agency said offers "conclusive evidence" humans are altering the Earth's climate system. The document, which combines the findings of three earlier reports, was adopted after all-night talks Saturday by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and is scheduled to be released to the public today...

PORTLAND, Maine -- Fire swept through a two-apartment building near the University of Southern Maine's commuter campus Saturday morning, killing five people and critically injuring one, authorities said. It was unclear whether the victims were students...

MOJAVE, Calif. -- Billionaire Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson vowed Saturday to find what caused the crash of his prototype space tourism rocket, killing one crew member and injuring another, but sounded a cautious note about any move to quickly push the project forward...

ST. LOUIS -- The family of a man who was wielding a knife when he was killed by St. Louis police in August has filed a wrongful death lawsuit. Attorney Jermaine Wooten said Friday the lawsuit filed in St. Louis Circuit Court seeks in excess of $25,000 in damages for the death of Kajieme Powell, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A Sikeston man is in custody for bank robbery after his arrest Friday evening. Quinton Turk, 24, is charged with first-degree robbery for robbery of Alliance Bank in Sikeston. Turk's arrest comes after a joint investigation by the Sikeston Department of Public Safety and the FBI to identify the suspect who robbed the bank about noon Oct. 20. The suspect stole an undisclosed amount of money, then fled on foot...

ST. LOUIS -- A Ferguson woman has pleaded guilty to using her home to run an underground brothel and strip club. Forty-three-year-old Carmen A. Fluker pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal felony charge of promoting prostitution at the "Yes We Can Social Club."...

NEW YORK -- Stocks rose across the globe Friday, capping off what has been a seesaw month for investors, after the Bank of Japan unexpectedly announced a new stimulus package to boost the country's struggling economy. Japan's stock market jumped 4.8 percent to reach its highest level since 2007...

Son to Holden Charles and Jennifer Lynn Webb of Jonesboro, Illinois, Southeast Hospital, 5:03 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014. Name, Bohde Calvin. Weight, 9 pounds, 10 ounces. Second son. Mrs. Webb is the former Jennifer Eck, daughter of Victor Eck of Pomona, Illinois and Kathy Duncan of Murphysboro, Illinois. She is a stay-at-home mom. Webb is the son of Charles and Brenda Webb of McClure, Illinois. He works at Langford Mechanical Pipefitter...

O Lord Jesus, we life up your name in praise, for you are the King of kings. Amen.

JACKSON The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Thefts n Theft was reported in the 100 block of Court Street. n Theft was reported in the 400 block of Mansfield Place. Summons n Glenn H. Elfrink, 72, of Jackson was issued a summons for failure to yield to another motor vehicle, causing a motor vehicle accident...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls Thursday: n At 12:46 a.m., a medical assist on Hackberry Street. n At 4:20 a.m., a citizen assist on Perry Avenue. n At 1:43 p.m., a medical assist on South Mount Auburn Road...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Summonses n Brandy N. Wilson, no age given, of Alton, Illinois, was issued a summons for not having insurance, striking a parked vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident...

A Cape Girardeau Public Library Foundation has been formed to raise money for the library through donations and contributions; the library board of trustees hopes the foundation will raise $1 million. St. Vincent's College might house a nutrition center for the elderly and a community center, with the grounds serving as a park; members of a special committee have focused on that idea as a way of converting the old Catholic seminary to public use...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Two men are charged in connection with the shooting death of a Charleston man. Demarcus Owens, 23, and Ronatavious Clark, 17, both of Charleston were arrested by officers with the Charleston Department of Public Safety and the Missouri State Highway Patrol in connection with the April 18 killing of Anthony Fisher...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Mildred R. "Millie" Tucker, 87, of Perryville fell asleep in Jesus on Thursday, October 30, 2014, at Independence Care Center in Perryville. She was born Nov. 4, 1926 in St. Louis to Walther and Olinda Jacobsmeyer Callies. She and George Tucker were married Sept. 29, 1955, at Little Rock, Arkansas...

Charley Jacob Sitzes, 82, of Jackson died Friday, Oct. 31, 2014, at his home. He was born Jan. 14, 1932, in Bessville, Missouri, to Charley and Lillian Rhodes Sitzes. He and Evelyn Lavon Wilson Sitzes were married March 31, 1957, at Litchfield, Illinois...

The opening scene from "Anything Goes" takes place in a smoky Manhattan bar where Reno Sweeney, portrayed by Emma Stratton, sings "I Get a Kick Out of You" to Billy Crocker, portrayed by Brian Krinsky, on Saturday in the Bedell Performance Hall at the River Campus. The touring show drew 448 people...

WARRENTON, Mo. -- Ally Jean Miller, 7, of Warrenton, born in Cape Girardeau, died Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at Martin Funeral Home, 510 E. Main St. in Warrenton. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Warrenton City Cemetery...

Lorraine M. "Lorry" Jennings, 88, of Jackson, formerly of Hemet, California, passed away Friday, Oct. 31, 2014, at the Monticello House in Jackson. She was born Aug. 2, 1926, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Ernest J. and Thelma L. Hartzell Foster. She and Roy B. Jennings were married Jan. 18, 1947, in Marion, Iowa. They had been married 58 years when Roy passed away March 4, 2005...

Jeanette Marcia Haman, 79, of Cape Girardeau went to be with her heavenly Father on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014. She was born June 18, 1935, in Perkins, Missouri, to Thurman Leon Kinder and Marcia Rendleman Kinder. She and M. William Haman were married Sunday, Dec. 26, 1958, in Cape Girardeau...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Wilma M. Buchheit, 91, of Perryville died Friday, Oct. 31, 2014, at Holiday Residential Care Facility in Perryville. She was born March 15, 1923, to Anton M. Unterreiner and Barbara M. Bohnert Unterreiner in Biehle, Missouri, She married Anton J. Buchheit on April 18, 1944, in Apple Creek, Missouri. He preceded her in death on Nov. 8, 1983...

Precious infant Frank Charles Bertrand V earned his angel wings on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014, at St. Louis Children's Hospital. He was born October 13, 2014, in St. Louis to Trae and Rachel (Hessenkemper) Bertrand. Born with a heart defect, he fought hard and earned the name of "Frank the Fighter." After a two-week battle, God called him home, where his heart could be whole and strong...

Shirley K. Abernathy, 84, of Jackson passed away Friday, Oct. 31, 2014, at her son's home near Millersville. She was born Sept. 18, 1930, in Jackson, daughter of Jessie P. and Tishie Seabaugh Smith. She and John Albert Kinder were married in 1948 and divorced in 1961. She and Carl Abernathy were married in 1964. He passed away March 30, 1995...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A domestic disturbance call led to the alleged assault of a police officer and the subsequent arrest of a Bloomfield couple. Zachary Birkett of Campbell, Missouri, called officer Brandon Cook on Oct. 19 about a domestic dispute between him and Charlotte R. Bradley of Bloomfield, according to a police report...

Last month, we celebrated our 110th anniversary at the Southeast Missourian. Last week, we published a special section commemorating the history and news during that time. We received quite a few comments of appreciation on the special section, and we loved hearing the feedback. ...

Handsome is 1 year old. He is neutered and housebroken. Handsome is available for adoption at the Humane Society, 334-5837.

Russ and Patty Brown announce the engagement of their daughter, Monica Anne Brown of Danville, Kentucky, to Rex Allen Meyr Jr. of Jackson. He is the son of Rex and Pay Myer of Jackson. Brown graduated from Boyle County High School in 2006. She received a bachelor of science degree in accounting in 2010 from the University of Kentucky. She will work for Montgomery Bank in Cape Girardeau...

Nature often provides beauty that surprises and delights us. This monochromatic picture is simple yet majestic. I was lucky enough to capture this image Oct. 13 at the end of a stormy day at Duck Creek Conservation Area a few miles north of Puxico, Missouri...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Police say an 88-year-old central Missouri man accused of fatally stabbing his 86-year-old wife told investigators he didn't want the couple to be a burden on their family. The Columbia Daily Tribune reported Donald Marvin Rowland was charged Friday with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. The Boone County prosecutor requested cash-only bond of $1 million, but it wasn't clear if Rowland was jailed...

SEDALIA, Mo. -- What do soup pot lids, old car transmissions, wooden salad bowls and cigar boxes have in common? Well if Jack Herndon, formerly of Sedalia, has anything to do with it, they will come together in perfect harmony and play beautiful music...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- A company that grew out of research conducted at the University of Missouri is manufacturing its first product from a plant in Columbia. Nanova Biomaterials Inc. began manufacturing a fluoride dental varnish called StarBright about a month ago after the product received approval from the Food and Drug Administration. It held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday at its $1.5 million plant in Columbia...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The University of Missouri Interfraternity Council has budgeted more than $22,000 to create a sexual violence awareness program. The Columbia Tribune reported the program relies on peer educators. Council leaders sent out applications to 31 member fraternities and received 18 responses. The 18 participants will meet with organizers several times before the end of the year to finalize the curriculum for the new program...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- A new website showing contributions to Missouri lawmakers and their voting records has gone live. Developers of the Access Missouri website received a $25,000 grant from a University of Missouri fund that provides money for interdisciplinary, student-centered projects, the Columbia Daily Tribune reported. The website aggregates voting information from the House and Senate journals and financial information from the Missouri Ethics Commission...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A convicted sex offender accused of cutting off his ankle monitor during a doctor's appointment in Poplar Bluff has been captured in St. Louis County. Online court records show 55-year-old John Squires was charged Friday with violating a condition of lifetime supervision and first-degree property damage. No attorney is listed for him in online court records...

ST. LOUIS -- Near the end, when Alex Barker Permutt did not have the mental fortitude to get out of bed, he would open his laptop, log on to what was then the fledgling social network site Facebook, and scroll through his news feed. He would see the successes of his friends from John Burroughs School and Amherst College, where he was hit hard by depression his sophomore year...

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. government agreed to a police request to restrict more than 37 square miles of airspace surrounding Ferguson, Missouri, for 12 days in August for safety, but audio recordings show that local authorities privately acknowledged the purpose was to keep away news helicopters during violent street protests...

Construction easements for the business park, continuation of a sidewalks project and a grant for the Cape Girardeau Fire Department are some of the main topics on tonight's agenda for the Cape Girardeau City Council. The council will complete all three readings on an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a temporary construction easement to Union Electric Co., doing business as Ameren Missouri, to serve the Greater Cape Girardeau Business Park. ...

The label of "professional potter" is not one that is earned overnight. Creating the perfect bowl takes practice, and potter Linda Bohnsack has the practice down pat, yet she's still hesitant to call herself a professional. "I've only taken one six-week class," she admitted. "It just takes a lot of time to get better at."...

Although renovations to the Show Me Center aren't scheduled to start until summer, steps are being taken to make sure things go smoothly. Written qualifications for general and subcontractors are due to the Facilities Management Department at Southeast Missouri State University on Nov. 14...

Landen Carman age 9 of Kelso Missouri bagged his first deer Nov 2, 2014 in Scott County Missouri Youth Hunt

Pierce Bisher killed at 6 point buck his first time deer hunting with his grandpa Roger Pierce in Cape Girardeau County.

Cousins, Nathaniel Woods and Porter Gadberry from Oran both killed their first deer on opening morning of youth season! Nathaniel Woods is 9 years old from Oran. He went deer hunting with his Dad, Darin Woods and killed a big doe!! Porter Gadberry is 6 years old from Oran. He went hunting with his Dad, Andy Gadberry and his Papa, Terry Gadberry for his first time. He made the perfect shot and killed a doe!!...

Trenton and Ollie pose in their costumes on Halloween!!

River City Players last show of the season "Dracula" will open this Thursday at Port Cape in the Yacht Club. This has been a great season for RCP and you don't want to miss our last show. The production is being directed by Tana Howard and co-directed by Patti wicks. ...

10 year old Bernie Fifth Grader Kagean Owens takes her first deer, a big doe on opening day of the 2014 youth season. Eat your heart out fellas.

Today is Monday, Nov. 3, the 307th day of 2014. There are 58 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Nov. 3, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson soundly defeated Republican Barry Goldwater to win a White House term in his own right. On this date:...

If the gray, gloomy days of winter get you down in the dumps, you may be dealing with seasonal affective disorder. "Depression in the fall and winter months is caused by seasonal changes and differences in sunlight," says Shannon Anderson, owner and clinical director at Heartland Counseling Center in Cape Girardeau.

Cleda Curtis is a devoted artist who enjoys teaching the basic principles of painting as well as the elements of design to others. She owns and operates the Cleda Curtis Art School in Oran, Missouri. "I've been teaching art there for 28 years," she says...

Living a healthy life takes some resolve, but success often comes down to knowing what pays the biggest dividends for a given effort. Health coaches are great sources for this insight. They've seen it all on the job and learned a lot in their training...

After watching the teenage Jim Sullins hypnotize a subject in less than two minutes, a New York magician remarked, "Wow; you ought to go by Mr. Velvet." Sullins liked the moniker, and adopted it for the majority of his professional career as a hypnotist. Now 81, he has spent roughly the last two decades in retirement, but feels compelled now to get back into hypnotism...

January and February are known as wave season for a good reason: More cruises are booked for this time of year than any other, says Carolyn Sandgren (Kempf), owner of Elite Travel in Cape Girardeau. "The weather is cold, so people are thinking about warmer weather and they're thinking about cruising," she says...

NEW YORK -- Welcome to New York, Taylor Swift! The locals are kvetching about you already. Swift's new gig as New York City's global welcome ambassador is getting a Bronx cheer (not that she knows what that is) from locals who questioned her street cred and mocked the videos she made for the city's tourism agency, NYC & Company...

MADRID -- Shepherds guided a flock of 2,000 sheep through Madrid's streets Sunday in defense of ancient grazing, droving and migration rights increasingly threatened by urban sprawl and modern agricultural practices. Tourists and city-dwellers were surprised to see the capital's traffic cut to permit the bleating, bell-clanking parade to pass the city's most emblematic locations...

WASHINGTON -- Claiming new momentum 48 hours before polls open across America, Republicans on Sunday assailed President Barack Obama in a final weekend push to motivate voters as Democrats deployed their biggest stars to help preserve an endangered Senate majority...

DONETSK, Ukraine -- Residents of separatist-controlled regions in eastern Ukraine voted Sunday to elect legislators and executives in polls that have been denounced by the international community. Voting in the main rebel city of Donetsk proceeded in the presence of gunmen inside three polling stations visited by the AP...

JERUSALEM -- This combustible city at the center of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been edging toward a new conflagration, with politicians on both sides stoking religious fervor over an ancient Jerusalem shrine sacred to Muslims and Jews. After months of escalating violence, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday made his clearest attempt yet to cool tempers, saying he won't allow changes to a long-standing ban on Jewish worship at the Muslim-run site, despite such demands from ultranationalists in his coalition.. ...

NEW ORLEANS -- Philanthropist Bill Gates says he wants to end malaria in his lifetime and will give more money toward that goal, part of his broader fight against tropical diseases that are getting unusual public attention because of the Ebola epidemic...

I read with interest to- swat-or-not authorities discuss corporal punishment. I'll tell you from experience, if you raise a hand to your child and hit your child with your hand, he will fear you for the rest of his life. I have great experience from this, I was whipped more than anybody in Southeast Missouri. As I grew older I wanted to whip everybody around me. When you hit your child, it teaches them to lash out, and strike out and hit others, and that is not right...

SCOTT CITY The Scott City Police Department released the following items. Oct. 26-Nov. 1. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI n Driving while intoxicated was reported at East Outer Road and Warner Avenue. n Mary Bundy, 45, of Scott City was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls Saturday: n At 3:42 a.m., a medical assist on South Sprigg Street. n At 5:33 a.m., a medical assist on Themis Street. n At 6:32 a.m., a call to Edgewood Road. n At 9:33 a.m., a medical assist on South Hanover Street...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests n Ryan K. Campbell, 31, of Cape Girardeau was arrested on suspicion of two counts of possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia...

Margaret J. "Maggie" Ellis, 68, of Jackson died Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, at her home. A memorial service will be at a later date. Announcement by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

ST. LOUIS -- Nestle Purina PetCare is offering a service allowing dog owners to customize food for their pets. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the new Just Right by Purina service allows customers to formulate dog food based on characteristics of their dog -- age, breed and activity level. St. Louis-based Purina is a unit of Switzerland-based Nestle...

TOKYO -- When she came to life in 1974, she was a kitty without a name, sitting sideways in blue overalls and a big red bow, on a coin purse for Japanese girls. On Saturday, fans around the world celebrated the 40th anniversary of this global icon of "cute-cool." That is, Hello Kitty...

NEW YORK -- Wal-Mart is doing whatever it takes to rope in holiday shoppers however they want to buy. For the first time, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is offering free shipping on what it considers the season's top 100 hottest gifts, from board games to items related to Disney's hit film "Frozen" items. The move comes as rival Target Corp. began offering free shipping on all items, a program that will last through Dec. 20...

NEW YORK -- The sight is so surprising that Americans are sharing photos of it, along with all those cute Halloween costumes, sweeping vistas and special meals: The gas station sign, with a price of $2-something a gallon. "It's stunning what's happening here," said Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at the Oil Price Information Service. "I'm a little bit shocked."...

n Nigel Holderby was named executive director of the American Red Cross Southern Missouri chapter. She was named interim executive director in September when Debi Meeds left the position to become president and CEO of the United Way of the Ozarks. Holderby's career with the American Red Cross began in 2007 when she was hired as the chief communications officer for the region. She has a bachelor's degree from Missouri State University and a master's degree in communication from Drury University...

Consumers and businesses will have local access to the services offered by the Better Business Bureau starting today with the opening of a new Cape Girardeau office. Services of the organization include alerting the public to scams and fraudulent business practices, fielding consumer complaints, accrediting local businesses and charity organizations, reviewing businesses and services for consumers and remediation services to facilitate fairness in trade...

MOJAVE, Calif. -- The loss of an experimental spaceship that broke up over the Mojave Desert, killing one pilot and seriously injuring another, has renewed criticism of the way the craft's designer and Virgin Galactic handled a deadly explosion seven years ago...

Cape Girardeau County Commission Administrative Office Building 1 Barton Square, Jackson 9 a.m. today Open session n Approval of minutes of Oct. 27 meeting Communication/reports -- other elected officials n None at this time Public comments n Items listed on the agenda...

Cape Girardeau City Council City Hall 401 Independence St. Study session, 5 p.m. today n No action will be taken during the study session. Items for discussion n Employee health and dental insurance renewal presentation n Planning and Zoning Commission report...

In an effort to combat vandalism and littering, the Cape Girardeau City Council is considering the imposition of a curfew at city-owned cemeteries; under the measure being considered, people would be barred from the cemeteries between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m...

SANTA CLARA, Calif. --James Laurinaitis and the St. Louis defense read Colin Kaepernick's mannerisms and were perfectly prepared for his quarterback sneak. The Rams stuffed him short and recovered his fumble, throwing the NFC West another wrinkle. Kaepernick fumbled at the goal line with 2 seconds left trying for the go-ahead score, and the Rams sacked him eight times on the way to a 13-10 upset over the 49ers on Sunday...

The Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team will finally get a chance to face outside competition. Tonight is the first of two exhibition games for Southeast. The Redhawks host NAIA Missouri Baptist at 7 p.m. at the Show Me Center. "I'm excited about Monday night, I'm excited about getting out there under the lights and seeing if we can put together some of the improvements we've made," Southeast coach Dickey Nutt said...

Jack Litzelfelner III shot a 3-under-par 69 on Sunday to post a four-shot victory at the two-day Plantations Junior Golf Tour event at Dalhousie Golf Club. Litzelfelner, a junior at Notre Dame Regional High School, took a one-shot lead into the second round over Ben Tyrrell of Edwardsville, Illinois, after shooting a 74 on Saturday...

The historic Byrd House in Jackson will present a new dinner series this year titled "Christmas in 1820." Every Friday and Saturday between Nov. 28 and Dec. 20, Rebecca and James Beil will host holiday-themed dinners that will take their guests back in time...

Lord Jesus, we look to you, for you are our refuge. Amen.

Route AA in Cape Girardeau County, between Oak Street and West Daisy Street, will be closed today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a pipe under the roadway. The work will be done from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. All work is weather permitting. Work zones will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near those areas. For more information about these projects, contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center at 888-275-6636, or visit modot.org/southeast...

Make and model: 1972 Chevrolet C-10 Owner(s): Wayne Held Owner's hometown: Chaffee 454 with 2-4 barrel carbs; 700r4 overdrive; 2/4" drop; 4 wheel disc; 20" Boyd Coddington rims; Vintage air; shaved drip rail; wooden bed floor; 1 pc door glass; power heated leather seats; Super Chevy Winner...

BENTON, Mo. -- A Jackson man is facing charges in connection with the theft of an estimated $8,000 worth of jewelry. Alex Anthony Ressel, 20, is charged with the felonies of second-degree burglary and stealing...

This story provides the results for state and local races, as well as links to stories.

MINERAL POINT, Mo. -- A 75-year-old man who was sentenced to death for killing his wife in a 1992 shooting rampage at the St. Louis County Courthouse has died in prison, the Missouri Department of Corrections said Monday. Kenneth Baumruk died late Friday at the Potosi Correctional Center in Mineral Point of apparent natural causes, the agency said. He was the oldest inmate on Missouri's death row...

WASHINGTON -- The White House said Monday a no-fly zone the U.S. government imposed over Ferguson, Missouri, for nearly two weeks in August should not have restricted helicopters for news organizations that wanted to operate in the area to cover violent protests there...

BENTON, Mo. -- An Oran, Missouri-area man was arrested over the weekend for tampering with farm equipment. Glen David Adams, 55, is charged with felony tampering and misdemeanor first-degree trespassing. At approximately 12:20 p.m. Saturday, Scott County deputy Danny Finley and Corporal Justin Wooten responded to 1824 Highway 250 in reference to stealing...

A Jackson man faces charges of burglary and stealing in connection with an early October break-in at a relative's home near Scott City, the Scott County Sheriff's Department reported Monday. Alex Anthony Ressel, 20, of Jackson is accused of entering a residence while the family was on vacation and taking $8,000 worth of jewelry, according to a news release from the department...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A man was seriously injured in a shooting Saturday night. About 10:35 p.m., the Sikeston Department of Public Safety received a report of shots fired at 409 Clayton St. Capt. James McMillian, department public information officer, said the victim stated he was getting out of his car when he heard gun shots...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- In the two months since Poplar Bluff's new city manager took office, the city has committed to new spending and debt equal to more than a quarter of one year's budget. A nearly $5 million loan will fund technology and equipment upgrades, while at least $100,000 in new salary costs have been added to pay for a grant writer, grant writer's assistant and personal assistant for the city manager. ...

Southeast Missouri State University cybersecurity student Joe Surmeier is among select company. The 21-year-old Kansas City, Missouri, native was selected for the Secretary's Honors Program Cyber Student Volunteer Initiative. His unpaid internship was with the Department of Homeland Security in his hometown...

The Cape Girardeau City Council approved an emergency reading of a measure to allow electrical work to begin at the Greater Cape Girardeau Business Park. The council completed all three readings on the ordinance -- minus the vote of absent member Wayne Bowen -- to execute a temporary construction easement to Union Electric Co., doing business as Ameren Missouri, to serve the business park. The 50-foot-wide easement will extend necessary electrical service and infrastructure to the park...

A Cape Girardeau man accused of killing his wife and son is scheduled to be examined Friday by a forensic neuropsychologist, court records show. George Joseph, 49, faces charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the May 30, 2013, shooting deaths of his wife, Mary, and 18-year-old son, Matthew, at their home on West Cape Rock Drive...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Justin Hepburn was still alive and snoring when Mia Scott went to check on him at 12:30 a.m. Dec. 11, 2011, but the volume and pace of his snoring had changed, Scott testified Monday in Union County, Illinois, Circuit Court. Scott, then 14, lived in the neighborhood with Sacha Brown -- whose then-boyfriend, Chris Hepburn, is Justin's father -- and had agreed to spend the night at Brown's home in Ware, Illinois, and watch the 4-year-old so Brown could get some sleep before an early shift at work.. ...

Following court approval of an agreement with Attorney General Chris Koster that Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary cease operations for 30 days, shelter officials say the majority of the alleged violations have been corrected. Koster filed a lawsuit against Safe Harbor Oct. 22 for violations of the Animal Care Facilities Act, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Agriculture...

When it comes to voters statewide, the question isn't so much who you're voting for, but what. This election cycle finds Missouri with just one statewide elected office on the ballot. Republican Auditor Tom Schweich is heavily favored over two third-party candidates who haven't reported spending any money against him...

Abandoning your usual day-to-day eating and drinking habits to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas may have all sorts of untoward effects, which hospital dietitians say can be avoided with a more sophisticated approach to the euphoric period. Southeast HealthPoint Fitness Group Nutrition Services Coordinator Raina Childers and Saint Francis Medical Center dietitian Janet Anders say celebrants should have a light snack before attending a holiday feast and then select the less highly caloric alternatives when they arrive there, among other advice.. ...

A new program called Reading Plus is being auditioned at Central Academy, and educators can already tell it's increased engagement and enthusiasm for the written word. With what's learned this year, the Cape Girardeau School District hopes to implement the web-based reading intervention program at other campuses, said Sherry Copeland, assistant superintendent for academic services...

Neonatologist Paul A. Caruso, MD, medical director of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Southeast Hospital, poses for a photo with Obie, the Hospital's OB mascot, during an event at IHOP restaurant on Tuesday, Nov. 4. The owners of this new Cape Girardeau restaurant, Andy and Anissa Patel, donated 100 percent of gross proceeds from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. to aid the NICU and Southeast's Women's and Children's Services...

Cape Girardeau firefighters and police officers showed up at the new IHOP restaurant on Monday, Nov. 3, in support of SoutheastHEALTH's breast cancer campaign. The restaurant donated 100 percent of its gross proceeds from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. to the Southeast Cancer Patient Experience Fund. Members of the Fire Department, pictured from left: firefighter Drew Goodale, Capt. Paul Breitenstein, Assistant Chief Mark Hasheider and firefighter Drew St. John...

The Redhawks defeated Missouri Baptist 97-69 Monday night at the Show Me Center.

Today is Tuesday, Nov. 4, the 308th day of 2014. There are 57 days left in the year. This is Election Day. Today's Highlight in History: On Nov. 4, 1924, President Calvin Coolidge, who'd succeeded the late President Warren G. Harding, was elected to a full term of office; Nellie T. Ross of Wyoming was elected the nation's first female governor to serve out the remaining term of her late husband, William B. Ross...

"Do good, be good, have fun, help others." It's what Sheree Pursley tells her children every day, and the mantra she follows in her own life as well. Another one: "You are beautiful, you are smart, you are important."...

You spend a good portion of your week at your office, so why not make it an enjoyable place to be? Read these tips on making your workplace a happy place: From the interior designer ... Being clean and organized goes a long way toward improving your physical work environment, says Cindy Buchheit of Unique Ambiance. "It helps you stay focused on the task at hand," she says. Look for attractive shelves, baskets and other to corral the items in your office or at your desk, and don't let things pile up where they don't belong...

What are some of the makeup trends for fall and winter? From the runways in Paris to the silver screen in L.A., makeup for this upcoming season is a melting pot of color and creation. It is everything from a pop of bright aquatic blue eyeliner to a dark, sultry, smoky eye, even down to the barely there "no makeup" makeup look. ...

Text messages and emails are great, but there's something special about getting an actual card in the mail on your birthday or other special occasion. Some card enthusiasts take this a step further by designing their own cards by hand...

"As far as her mom was concerned, tea fixed everything. Have a cold? Have some tea. Broken bones? There's a tea for that, too. Somewhere in her mother's pantry, Laurel suspected, was a box of tea that said, 'In case of Armageddon, steep three to five minutes'."~Aprilynne Pike, from "Illusions"...

I put absolutely no thought into getting a puppy. I admit it. It was a completely spur-of-the-moment decision that I cleared with my husband only with a photo of a super-cute puppy in a text message: "For Bray?" Why I felt I needed to get a puppy for our kid when I truly wanted one for myself was beyond me. ...

"Never grow up." ~Peter Pan Last year, as my husband turned 39, we began hatching a plan for a really fantastic way to celebrate his 40th birthday. I discovered there was a nighttime race at Disney World the weekend of his birthday: The Tower of Terror 10-Miler on Oct. 4. Is there a better place to turn 40 than a place that reminds you never to grow up?...

It's Christmas at the in-laws' house. Your 7-year-old is opening her presents from the family. She picks up the next package. "From Great-Aunt Susan," she proudly reads. Your stomach hits the floor. You sit on the edge of your seat, biting your nails. "Here we go again," you think. "Great-Aunt Susan has yet to give her a gift she likes. Last year we got the silent treatment for the rest of the evening after my daughter loudly announced to the room that she hated Elmo."...

When Sheree Pursley's son Izaac was diagnosed with dwarfism at birth, it rocked the young family's daily routine and plans for the future. In many ways, Izaac is an ordinary 6-year-old boy who goes to school, plays kickball and is occasionally sent to time-out. But he also must be hooked up to a tangle of wires and alarms to breathe while he sleeps, he ends up in the hospital for several weeks each year, and he has a motorized wheelchair to help him keep pace with others...

Everyone hears how fantastically beneficial yoga is, but it also can be intimidating. The concepts are foreign. The poses call for flexibility. It seems to involve publicly sticking one's butt in the air. To have a shot at reaping the health benefits of yoga, one has to be comfortable enough to try it -- but where to start?...

On a September afternoon, SuAnne Remely's Equestrian Center looks perfect. The smartly dressed riders, the finely tended horses, the wide exhibition arena nestled in the rising green hillocks of rural Cape Girardeau -- it's almost too picturesque...

Start with amenities like a monster TV or fire pit, add a never-ending supply of munchies and a relaxed attitude toward your kids bringing home a friend -- or five -- and you may just find that your place has become THE place where the tweens and teens want to be...

Want to avoid the crowds and save money when traveling? Then consider a trip during the fall and winter months of the year. Shari Elfrink, owner of 1st Class Travel in Cape Girardeau, has two favorite destinations that she recommends to travelers in the cooler months...

As parents, we want to protect our kids from any sad or disturbing news -- but we also need to prepare them to deal with that kind of news when it arises, whether it be war, violence, death or something else. Sue Cook, counselor at Clippard Elementary School in Cape Girardeau, says parents shouldn't wait until a sad or scary situation comes up before they discuss such things with their kids...

Many women accustomed to getting an annual Pap test for most of their adult lives were caught by surprise when medical organizations began altering their recommendations in the past couple years. In 2012, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force began recommending that women ages 21 to 65 have a Pap test every three years. ...

Winter weather is on the way-- is your skin ready? Stacey Peters, who makes all-natural bath products at Brickhouse Soaps in Cape Girardeau, says many nourishing products can be found right in your kitchen or the nearest grocery aisle. Here are some of her ideas:...

Albert Jack Crader, 83, of Jackson passed away Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born July 8, 1931, in Allenville, to William Leo and Lenora Drennan Crader. He and Nelda Dalton were married Jan. 21, 1955, in Morley, Missouri...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. n Charles W. Gardner, no age given, of Farmington, Missouri, was issued a summons for failure to yield and operating a motor vehicle with license plates from another vehicle. n Assorted items were reported stolen at 2100 William St...

Jerry Murrel Dockins, 85, of Jackson passed away Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, at his home. He was born Dec. 6, 1928, in Burfordville, son of A. Fred and Maple S. Turner Dockins. He married Idell Brown in 1949. Jerry worked for the city of Cape Girardeau more than 25 years as a mechanic and shop foreman. ...

Ally Jean Miller, 7, of Warrenton, Missouri, received her angel wings Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014, when she passed away peacefully with her family at her side. She and her twin sister, Lakely, were born May 20, 2007, in Cape Girardeau, to Holly Cotner Benson...

NEW YORK -- Thirteen years after the 9/11 terrorist attack, the resurrected World Trade Center has again opened for business -- marking an emotional milestone for both New Yorkers and the nation. Some staffers of publishing giant Condé Nast began working at 1 World Trade Center on Monday. The 104-story, $3.9 billion skyscraper dominates the Manhattan skyline. The publishing giant becomes the first commercial tenant in America's tallest building...

LOS ANGELES -- A space tourism rocket broke apart in flight over California's Mojave Desert after a device to slow the experimental spaceship's descent deployed too soon, federal investigators said. The cause of Friday's crash of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo has not been determined, but investigators found the "feathering" system -- which rotates the tail to create drag -- was activated before the craft reached the appropriate speed, National Transportation Safety Board acting chairman Christopher Hart said.. ...

ST. GEORGE, Utah -- Order is being restored to the courthouse in St. George with the removal of dozens of bats from the building. The Brazilian free-tailed bats were discovered when employees arrived for work Thursday at the 5th Judicial District Courthouse...

On behalf of the clients, staff, volunteers and board of directors of the Safe House for Women, I would like to convey our sincere appreciation and gratitude for the community's support of the 2014 Vintage NOW 5 Fashion Show. The vision of the Safe House for Women is a community in which residents live free from abuse and violence. As our largest fundraiser, the support raised through Vintage NOW contributes significantly to our ability to provide client services that meet our vision...

Today Americans have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote. To have free and fair elections is a centerpiece of our democracy. It's our opportunity to influence our government. In Missouri each of the congressional district seats is up for election. ...

CAIRO -- Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait are discussing the creation of a military pact to take on Islamic militants, with the possibility of a joint force to intervene around the Middle East, The Associated Press has learned...

NEW YORK -- Jay Leno is coming back to the "Tonight" show -- at least for one night. The show's former host will be a guest on Jimmy Fallon's version of "Tonight" on Friday. It will be the first time he's been back at the NBC institution since signing off after nearly 22 years as host in February...

Don't forget to exercise one of the most important privileges we have as U.S. citizens -- the right to vote. Today is Election Day. Be sure to vote. October has been a busy month as we observed Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a proclamation, many fundraising activities and the Pink Moon Run/Walk on Sunday. ...

Twin daughters to Joseph Paul Parker and Beth Dianne Murray of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Hospital, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014. Madison Renea was born at 3:28 p.m. and weighed 7.3 pounds. Maci Jo was born at 3:33 p.m. and weighed 5.4 pounds. Ms. Murray is the daughter of Donald Murray and Lisa Murray of Anna, Illinois. Parker is the son of Karen Parker of Cape Girardeau...

Scott City The Scott City Fire Department responded to the following calls Oct. 26 through 31: Oct. 26 n At 2:46 a.m., a medical assist on Jetta Mae Drive. n At 12:44 p.m., a medical assist on Grand Avenue. n At 4:03 p.m., a medical assist on Linden Avenue...

ST. LOUIS -- A group of thieves appears to be targeting musical acts while they are performing in the city, St. Louis police said. The recent rash of thefts is giving the city a reputation among musicians that it's not a safe place to perform, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. St. Louis police Capt. Dan Howard said investigators believe the same group has targeted several bands in recent months. In most cases, vans holding valuable equipment were broken into...

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls Sunday:

O Lord Jesus, we pray those who seek public office that they will look to you for wisdom. Amen.

WASHINGTON -- Federal regulators announced Thursday they were suing Gerber, the well-known baby food maker, for claiming that its Good Start Gentle formula can prevent or reduce allergies in children. That claim is bogus, and the company misled consumers by suggesting that its formula was the first to meet government approval for reducing the risk of allergies, the Federal Trade Commission alleged in a complaint filed in federal court. ...

Route AA in Cape Girardeau County, between county roads 422 and 266, will be closed today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a pipe under the road. The work will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to a MoDOT news release...

MANLIUS, N.Y. -- Robyn DeCuffa was a toddler when her father was killed in Vietnam, so she was devastated when his Purple Heart medal disappeared from her Syracuse-area home. Today DeCuffa will be reunited with Army Pfc. Thomas McGraw's Purple Heart, awarded after his death in an ambush in 1966...

TAMMS, Ill. -- Donald Eugene Ellison, 71, of Tamms died Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. A memorial gathering for family and friends will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Tom's Place Restaurant in Tamms. Announcement by McCombs Funeral Home of Cape Girardeau...

BREWER, Mo. -- Joy Darlene Laws, 81, of Brewer died Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, at Perry County Memorial Hospital in Perryville, Mo. Service will be private. Young & Sons Funeral Home in Perryville is in charge of arrangements.

Bailey Marie Koch was born at 26 weeks old, weighing only 1 pound and 15 ounces. "She fit in the palm of our hand," says her mother, Kate Koch. Bailey was in a neonatal intensive care unit for 67 days, on oxygen until she was 3 1/2 months old and on an apnea monitor until she was 5 months old...

Cape Girardeau councilmen David Limbaugh and Jim Rust both announce they will seek re-election. CHESTER, Ill. -- Illinois Transportation secretary Greg Baise announces his state will provide an additional $175,000 to the previous commitment of $250,000, matching the action of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission yesterday to complete the financing required for the bridge to receive a new paint job and minor deck repairs; in the future, maintenance of the bridge will be assumed by Illinois and Missouri, as the states take over ownership.. ...

Regardless of the industry, winning over and retaining consumers is the name of the game when it comes to business. Writing coach and publisher Linda Culbreth says being able to position oneself as an expert in a given field can make a powerful impression on a consumer. That idea inspired her to start Diamonds of Knowledge, her own personal publishing label geared toward business writing...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Attorneys for murder suspect Sacha Brown lost their bid to have some evidence excluded from her trial Tuesday after a judge overruled objections involving investigators' record-keeping practices. Brown, 32, faces charges of murder, aggravated battery of a child younger than 13 and concealing a homicide in connection with the Dec. 11, 2011, death of 4-year-old Justin Hepburn...

Cape Girardeau County's roster of elected officials will remain solidly Republican, voters decided Tuesday. Presiding Commissioner Clint Tracy took 76 percent of the vote, easily defeating Pat Wissman, a Democrat. Wissman, who received 23 percent of the vote, was the only Democrat to file for any Cape Girardeau County office this year, and the race for presiding commissioner was the only county-level race on the ballot in Tuesday's election. ...

Scott City school district's bond extension was approved by a wide margin in Tuesday's election. Superintendent Diann Ulmer said 692 people voted for the extension and 258 voted against it. Unofficial results show the percentages at 72.84 percent for what was dubbed Proposition Kids and 27.16 percent against...

Bollinger County Presiding Commissioner Travis Elfrink won re-election to a second term Tuesday by a vote of 1,652 to 1,347 votes for Democratic challenger Ronald Davis. Only the presiding commissioner had a race; other offices were unopposed. Soon after Davis congratulated Elfrink on his victory, Elfrink said he was grateful to those who supported him...

WASHINGTON -- Riding a powerful wave of voter discontent, resurgent Republicans captured control of the Senate and tightened their grip on the House on Tuesday night in elections certain to complicate President Barack Obama's final two years in office...

On Tuesday, Republican Kathy Swan defeated Democrat Gary Gaines and Libertarian Greg Tlapek in her run for re-election in the 147th House District. "[I'm feeling] thankful, so thankful for the voters sending me back to Jefferson City and for them having the confidence in me to continue representing them," Swan said...

For the second year in a row, Republican Jason Smith came out victorious over multiple opponents to represent Missouri's 8th Congressional District. Smith assumed the seat in June 2013 by winning a special election to complete the unexpired term of Jo Ann Emerson, who resigned earlier that year. He was up for re-election this year...

Scott County Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger will serve a third term after defeating Will Yates in Tuesday's election. Burger, a Democrat, took 56 percent of the vote, with 4,312 to Republican Yates' 3,269. Leading up to the election, Burger said he was confident he could retain his position because of headway the county has made on infrastructure, such as expanding the water district into more rural areas, construction of bridges and other improvements to roads and drainage systems. ...

Missouri voters re-elected Republican Tom Schweich as State Auditor by more than 76 percent with 2,014 of 3,331 precincts reporting Tuesday evening. "I'd like to thank Missourians for entrusting me once again to be their State Auditor," Schweich said. "It's a tremendous honor. I've tried to be an aggressive but nonpartisan auditor and my focus has been rooting out waste, fraud and abuse, wherever they rear their heads in Missouri government."...

Craig Brewer, running as an independent, defeated Republican Jason Tilley on Tuesday to win the Perry County judicial seat being vacated by Associate Circuit Judge Michael Bullerdieck, who is retiring. Unofficial election results showed Brewer won with 2,731 votes to Tilley's 2,307...

Local election authority predictions for low voter turnout came true Tuesday night. The Missouri ballot was lacking any major races, such as governor or U.S. Senate, which was expected to play a role in the low turnout. Unofficial election results show slightly more than 33 percent of Cape Girardeau County voters cast ballots, meaning only 17,410 of the county's 52,485 registered voters went to the polls. ...

Perryville's Eann Bergman and Luke Schlichting have been working well together all season long. So much so that Perryville coach Jerry Fulton called them "the best duo he had ever coached."

Cape Girardeau voters gave new life to the fire sales tax as they voted Tuesday night to approve a 21-year extension. The quarter-cent tax -- which was divided into an ongoing portion and a renewable portion -- initially was approved by voters in June 2004 by nearly 81 percent. The one-eighth-cent renewable portion hit its 10-year sunset this year, and nearly 60 percent of voters approved its renewal, according to unofficial results released by the Cape Girardeau County clerk's office...

Amendment 3, a proposal to base teacher evaluations on student performance data and limit future teacher contracts to three years, was overwhelmingly rejected in Tuesday's general election. With 2,760 of 3,329 precincts reporting, 926,753 people, or nearly 77 percent, voted against the proposal and 277,763, or 23 percent, voted for it...

For Immediate Release Greater St. Louis Area Council, BSA November 3, 2014 Contact: Christine Dieckmann, Director of Marketing and Communications O: 314-256-3030, C: 314-660-9042 Scouts To Deliver 30th Annual Scouting For Food Bags Saturday ST. LOUIS, Mo. ...

Four Cape Girardeau County 4-Her's participated in the State 4-H Public Speaking Contest on October 4, 2014 at the University of Missouri campus in Columbia. Those participating include Anthony Kobak, Joshua Koenig, Samuel Koenig, and Renee Peters, all are members of the Tilsit 4-H Club...

Taken outside of Advance Mo

Last week of October, 2014, North Myrtle Beach Sunrise. Taken from the 8th floor balcony of the Beach House.

Final fall practice for SEMO Univ. baseball team.

Final fall practice for the SEMO Univ. baseball team.

Today is Wednesday, Nov. 5, the 309th day of 2014. There are 56 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Nov. 5, 1914, Britain and France declared war against the Ottoman Empire; Britain also annexed Cyprus. On this date: In 1605, the "Gunpowder Plot" failed as Guy Fawkes was seized before he could blow up the English Parliament...

BELL CITY, Mo. -- Paulette Bell, 68, of Bell City passed away Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, at her home. She was born Aug. 19, 1946, at Marquand, Missouri, daughter of Charlie and Iona Skaggs Cureton. She and Bobby Bell were married Aug. 22, 1964, at Hunter Gin. He preceded her in death Oct. 29, 1993...

Marjorie Kaiser Rister, 96, of St. Augustine, Florida, passed away Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, at Brooks Rehabilitation in St. Augustine. She was born June 28, 1918, in Cape Girardeau. Survivors include a daughter, Candace Rister; and grandchildren Max and John Antelo...

THEBES, Ill. -- Willie Jo Ann Cohen, 42, of Thebes passed away Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Nov. 20, 1971, in Cairo, Illinois, daughter of the late Lester Ray and Donna Johnson Cohen. Survivors include a daughter, Jessica M. Kelley; a sister, Sheila Acup; and three grandchildren, all of Thebes...

JACKSON The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests n Desiree S. Abbott, 36, of Jackson was arrested on suspicion of assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and endangering the welfare of a child...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls Monday: n At 12:38 a.m., an unintentional smoke detector activation at Towers. n At 12:48 a.m., a call to Dearmont dormitory. n At 1:11 a.m., a call on South Benton Street...

NEW YORK -- The ongoing slump in oil prices weighed on stocks again Tuesday, pushing energy companies to another day of big losses. Disappointing earnings outlooks from a range of companies, including Priceline and Michael Kors, also dragged down the market...

Son to William Charles and Christa Ann Andersen of Cape Girardeau, Saint Francis Medical Center, 3:42 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014. Name, Tristan Allen. Weight, 5 pounds, 10 ounces. Third child, first son. Mrs. Andersen is the former Christa Ward, daughter of Karen Ward of Cape Girardeau. Andersen is the son of Tom and Tina Andersen of Jackson. He is employed by Exel Logistics...

Since Southeast Missouri State quarterback Kyle Snyder missed the 2012 season with a torn ACL, the option for him to apply to gain an extra year of eligibility has been looming. Snyder, who had already used a redshirt year two years prior to that as a freshman at Ohio University, tore his ACL during preseason camp as a redshirt sophomore in his first season at Southeast...

NEWARK, N.J. -- Red-hot Vladimir Tarasenko scored a power-play goal early in the third period and the St. Louis Blues extended their winning streak to six games with a 1-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night. Jake Allen stopped 26 shots in earning his second straight shutout and ending the Devils' two-game winning streak...

William "Bill" Kurre, 74, of Friedheim died Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

WASHINGTON -- Three federal appeals court judges struggled Tuesday over whether the National Security Agency's phone data surveillance program is an intelligence-gathering tool that makes the nation safer or an intrusive threat that endangers privacy...

PHILADELPHIA -- A bank card belonging to a woman abducted Sunday night from a Philadelphia street was used Tuesday morning in Maryland, police said as relatives tearfully pleaded for her return. Detectives said security images showed a man using Carlesha Freeland-Gaither's card at 6 a.m. at an ATM off a highway exit for Aberdeen, about 75 miles from Philadelphia...

PORT CHESTER, N.Y. -- A man faces charges after state police say he tried to eat his DWI test results. Troopers say Kenneth Desormes, 40, of Greenwich, Connecticut, was stopped for speeding on Interstate 95. The troopers determined he was intoxicated. Troopers say when his breathalyzer tests results were printing, Desormes grabbed the paperwork and tried to eat it. He is charged with driving while intoxicated, obstructing governmental administration and criminal tampering...

BEIRUT -- Al-Qaida-linked militants pressed an offensive Monday against Western-backed rebels in northern Syria, closing in on a vital border crossing with Turkey and exposing the weakness of mainstream opposition groups the U.S. hopes to forge into a fighting force to take on Islamic extremists...

RICHMOND, Va. -- A Russian member of the Taliban made his first appearance in a federal court Tuesday, marking the first time a military detainee from Afghanistan has been brought to the U.S. for trial. Irek Hamidullin's appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Novak represents the Obama administration's latest attempt to show it can use the criminal court system to deal with terror suspects. ...

A mother hippopotamus, Mara, and her newborn calf relax in their enclosure Saturday at the Los Angeles Zoo. Mara went into labor Friday and gave birth to a healthy calf over the weekend. This is the first hippopotamus calf the zoo has had in 26 years...

WASHINGTON -- Republican and Democratic candidates alike had to overcome voters' displeasure with their party leaders Tuesday as glum Americans expressed little faith that either side could get the U.S. back on course. More than a third of those who voted for a Republican House candidate were dissatisfied or even angry with GOP leaders in Congress, according to preliminary exit polls. A quarter of Democratic voters were similarly upset with President Barack Obama...

NEW YORK -- Shy bladder sufferers want DirecTV to stop airing a television ad where a "painfully awkward" actor Rob Lowe says he can't urinate in public. The satellite TV company suggests its critics should be able to take a joke. Part of a campaign to encourage people to switch from cable, the ad features two Lowes: a handsome one in a slick suit who claims to be a DirecTV customer, and a goofy-looking Lowe wearing a fanny pack with his hair parted in the middle. ...

MEXICO CITY -- The hunt for a fugitive ex-mayor and his wife accused of running their Mexican town as a narco-fiefdom and ordering an attack that killed six people and left 43 college students missing ended Tuesday in a rough-and-tumble neighborhood of Mexico City where they were hiding...

LONDON -- Oil prices slumped to multiyear lows Tuesday after Saudi Arabia cut the price of oil sold to the U.S., a move that is shaking an already volatile market but will likely give the world economy an unexpected stimulus. The 25 percent or so slide in oil prices since summer could boost consumer spending and business investment in many economies around the world as fuel bills fall...

MONROVIA, Liberia -- The Ebola outbreak has spawned a "silent killer," experts say: hidden cases of malaria, pneumonia, typhoid and the like that are going untreated because people in the countries hardest hit by the virus cannot find an open clinic or are too afraid to go to one...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri conservation officials say hunters took nearly 5,700 turkeys during fall firearms season, down about 200 from last year. The season ran Oct. 1 through Oct. 31. The Conservation Department said Monday that Greene County had the highest number of turkeys checked at 165, followed closely by Franklin and St. Clair counties...

PUXICO, Mo. -- A 35-year-old Puxico man was discovered dead Friday morning in a wrecked pickup truck he was driving along Route J in Stoddard County. It is believed the accident took place about 8:40 p.m. Thursday. A 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck driven by Jacob G. Hemby reportedly ran off the roadway and struck a ditch on Route J, five miles from Puxico, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Stoddard County Coroner Kenny Pope...

KENNTT, Mo. -- Kennett firefighters were called to a house fire at 1113 Peach St. early Monday morning -- the third such report since early October. Firefighters arrived at 3:37 a.m. to find heavy smoke coming from all openings of the house and flames shooting from the roof and through the rear of the building. Kennett Fire Department Capt. Paul Swain said 12 firefighters remained on the scene for approximately two hours, battling the blaze...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A developer withdrew plans to renovate Kemper Arena after the American Royal Association threatened a lawsuit, a letter obtained by The Kansas City Star shows. An attorney for American Royal, which hosts livestock exhibitions and professional rodeos, told Foutch Brothers in the Oct. ...

ST. LOUIS -- An annual charity boxing and mixed martial arts event that pits police officers against firefighters to raise money for fallen first responders has been postponed amid concerns of further Ferguson unrest. KTVI-TV reported that The Backstoppers organization has postponed the Guns 'N Hoses event at Scottrade Center in St. Louis. The charity bouts drew about 17,000 people last year and were scheduled for Nov. 26 this year, the night before Thanksgiving...

WASHINGTON -- Adding to signs of distress in the nuclear force, the Air Force fired two commanders and disciplined a third in response to internal investigations of leadership lapses and misbehavior at two of its three intercontinental ballistic missile bases...

NEW YORK -- All those snazzy plays by Alex Gordon, Eric Hosmer and Salvador Perez earned them more than tips of the hat from their Kansas City teammates. The Royals trio wound up snagging Gold Gloves, too. "It was something that was pretty special to watch," Gordon said...

The Redhawks face Missouri Valley at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Show Me Center.

The top-seeded Redhawks face the winner of Thursday's first-round game between UT-Martin and Jacksonville State at 7 p.m. Friday at Houck Stadium

Freshman goalkeeper Kindra Lierz headlined a group of five Southeast Missouri State soccer players to earn All-Ohio Valley Conference honors, which were announced at the OVC soccer championship banquet Wednesday night. Lierz was named the Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, which marks the first time the awards have been won by the same player in the same season. She was also a first-team all-conference and all-newcomer selection...

ST. LOUIS -- Robert Quinn is back to harassing quarterbacks. This week, he'll try to keep the Cardinals' Carson Palmer from sitting in the pocket. The St. Louis Rams mustered just one sack, by rookie Aaron Donald, in the first five games. In the last three games, they've piled up 14 and Quinn has six of them along with three forced fumbles...

Cape Rock Church of God has named John Stephens of Scott City as Man of the Year; Stephens, a single parent with five children, serves as administrator of Caring Hands Food Pantry. The addition of a fourth anchor store is being considered at West Park Mall; the 65,000-square-foot store would be built between Famous Barr and Venture...

ST. LOUIS -- A state judge overturned Missouri's constitutional ban on gay marriage Wednesday in a ruling that immediately set off a rush among some same-sex couples to apply for marriage licenses. St. Louis Circuit Judge Rex Burlison said in a written ruling that Missouri's measure recognizing marriage only between a man and woman violates the due process and equal protection rights of the U.S. Constitution. The decision mirrored ones handed down recently in several other states...

Setting goals, believing in themselves and avoiding poor choices were a few of the messages given to Scott City High School students Wednesday by former NFL linebacker Devon McDonald. McDonald, president and CEO of Sports World Ministries, is in town to speak at several area schools this week. ...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- State capitols across the country will be more Republican than at any point since the Roaring '20s when victorious legislators and governors take office next year. That could result in lower taxes and perhaps fewer dollars flowing to social safety net programs...

As cold weather approaches, the Missouri Department of Social Services is reminding Missourians in need the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program can help them with heating bills this fall and winter. The program offers help paying heating bills through March. Payment amounts can range from $45 to $450, based on household size, income and type of fuel used for home heating. Payments are generally made directly to the utility company...

The Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team will be without its coach for the next two games due to self-reported NCAA violations.

ST. LOUIS -- A state judge overturned Missouri's constitutional ban on gay marriage Wednesday in a ruling that immediately set off a rush among some same-sex couples to apply for marriage licenses. St. Louis Circuit Judge Rex Burlison said in a written ruling that Missouri's measure recognizing marriage only between a man and woman violates the due process and equal protection rights of the U.S. Constitution. The decision mirrored ones handed down recently in several other states...

For students at Jefferson Elementary School, congratulations were given Wednesday as about 140 students celebrated their success in the ABC Today program. The program was put in place last year by the ABC Today Network, a partnership of the school district and other community organizations...

Pictured with their dad, Sid Atkins, Peyton and Kade Atkins pose here with the deer they killed during youth gun season. Peyton's deer was a 9 pointer and Kade's was a 7 pointer. The deer were killed on a farm near Leopold, MO.

How many ducks can you find?

Visit to Horseshoe Lake on Nov 6th

Time to move on for these ducks on Horseshoe Lake

A Holiday Feast/Fest will be held Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Maple UMC, located at Cape Rock and Jean Ann Drive. Something different from the annual Holiday Bazaar is being offered and will feature a ham and bean dinner, complete with homemade desserts and drinks. ...

Today is Thursday, Nov. 6, the 310th day of 2014. There are 55 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Nov. 6, 1984, President Ronald Reagan won re-election by a landslide over former Vice President Walter Mondale, the Democratic challenger...

ST. LOUIS -- The estate of a former publisher and his wife, the longtime mayor of Ladue, Missouri, is donating more than 200 works of art to the St. Louis Art Museum. Charles Claude Johnson Spink, the former publisher of The Sporting News, died in 1992 at 75. His wife, Edith, retired as Ladue's mayor in 1995 and died in 2011. She was 90...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The only person to have served as chief of staff for Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is stepping down. Nixon said Wednesday that chief of staff John Watson will be replaced in December by Chris Pieper, who currently is the governor's senior legal and policy adviser...

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- A two-month investigation has ended with the arrest of six people in connection with a marijuana growing operation. New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens reported the joint investigation between the New Madrid County Sheriff's Department and the New Madrid Police Department concluded Sunday evening when a search warrant was served in Catron, Missouri, with help from the SEMO Drug Task Force...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff man may face weapons charges after he allegedly fired multiple shots from his second-story bedroom window at an occupied vehicle early Tuesday. About 1:10 a.m., an officer from the Poplar Bluff Police Department was sent to the area of Harper and Garfield streets for shots fired...

After Tuesday's election turned control of the Senate over to the Republican party, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt said the GOP now has a chance to make the government more efficient and transparent. The Republican senator said in a Wednesday conference call with reporters that the election was largely about the Democratic president and that Republicans had managed to present themselves as an "acceptable alternative" to try to move the country forward...

The Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, starts its 30th annual Scouting For Food Drive on Saturday with the distribution of bags to more than 1 million homes. More than 30,000 scouts, parents and volunteers throughout the council, including many from Cape Girardeau, are expected to participate. The St. Louis Area Council's footprint covers the area from the Bootheel north to St. Charles, Missouri...

City manager Heath Kaplan was expected to release a newsletter Wednesday explaining his recent financial decisions and responding to community concerns. "I want to provide the background on the decisions I am making. There is a lot of bad information being circulated in the public," Kaplan said. "The newsletter is eight pages long. It goes through all the major financial decisions I have made."...

NEW YORK -- The farewell to the Broadway musical "Motown" may get upstaged by a concert from some original Motown stars -- The Temptations and The Four Tops. The two groups will play the Palace Theatre together for seven shows between Dec. 29 and Jan. 4. Tickets, which range from $52 to $142, go on sale Nov. 14...

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- To Arnold Abbot, feeding the homeless in a public park in South Florida was an act of charity. But to the city of in Fort Lauderdale, the 90-year-old man was committing a crime. Arnold and two South Florida ministers were arrested last weekend as they handed out food. They were charged with breaking a new ordinance restricting public feeding of the homeless, and each faces up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine...

PHILADELPHIA -- A woman seen on surveillance video being abducted off a street was found safe outside Baltimore on Wednesday, and the man who snatched her was arrested, police said. Carlesha Freeland-Gaither was spotted in Jessup, Maryland, in a car with the man and was rescued soon after, police said, without going into details. The man was nabbed after he stepped out of the car, they said...

SEATTLE -- Police say a man killed his girlfriend, posted pictures of her body online with descriptions of the slaying and wrote he wanted authorities to find him and kill him. Amber Lynn Coplin's body was found in a Port Orchard apartment hours after her teenage son heard her arguing with her live-in boyfriend, David Kalac. An arrest warrant was issued Wednesday for Kalac, who is suspected of second-degree murder...

** Rails needed; ** Nazi, Social Security

As fall moves on and temperatures cool, we often think of things to do within the comforts of home. But for some people, homelessness and the realty of living in the cold are all too real. Vic and Therese Pierce talked about a way to help those seeking warmth in the 1990s. ...

Southeast Missouri State University quartet Solomon Melchior, left, Coco Bollig, second from left, Nicholas Smentkowski on standup bass and Andrew Bailey rehearse for the upcoming Southeast Music Academy's Standing Ovation benefit concert. The concert is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday at the Shuck Recital Hall...

As families begin preparing for their Thanksgiving meals, the Salvation Army of Cape Girardeau is gearing up to feed thousands of people in the community. At its last Thanksgiving lunch, the not-for-profit organization, along with community volunteers, spooned out bowls of chicken and dumplings and cut slices of pumpkin pie for 2,132 visitors. It was a record number served by the organization, which has been hosting the holiday meal since 1983...

Son to Matthew David Cameron and Cassondra Nicole Tackett of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Hospital, 8:46 a.m. Monday, Oct. 27, 2014. Name, Matthew David Jr. Weight, 6 pounds, 10 ounces. Second son. Ms. Tackett is the daughter of Kay Pruitt of Cape Girardeau. Cameron is the son of David Cameron of Steele, Missouri, and Robin Norwood of Cape Girardeau...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls Tuesday: n At 1:55 a.m., motor vehicle accident on Broadway. n At 3:21 a.m., medical assist on Linden Street. n At 4:23 a.m., medical assist on Montgomery Street. n At 5:48 a.m., call to Interstate 55...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI n Cody W. McCallister, 24, of McClure, Illinois, was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated/failure to drive in traffic lane...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Velma Mae Webb, 88, of Marble Hill passed away Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Dec. 4, 1925, at Lutesville, Missouri, to Joseph Edward and Delphia Louise Bollinger Harris. She was married to Collin Johnson in 1944, who preceded her in death. She then married Doyle Edward Webb in 1951. He passed away in 1981...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Billie Jean Vogel, 96, of Perryville died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, at Perry County Memorial Hospital in Perryville. She was born March 22, 1918, in Odessa, Missouri, daughter of William E. and Venita Whitsitt Bumgarner. She married Curt M. Vogel on Feb. 7, 1941. He preceded her in death June 29, 2007...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Robert C. "Bob" Smith, 60, of Chaffee, our dearest husband, daddy, paw paw, brother, uncle and friend, went into the Father's arms Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. He was born July 8, 1954, in Cape Girardeau, to the late Clyde Harold and Kathryn Ruth Edwards Smith. He married Georgia Ann Kirchdoerfer on Aug. 30, 1975...

Donald Edwin Ostendorf, 76, of Scott City passed away Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Dec. 22, 1937, in Dutchtown, son of Walter and Lorine Keller Ostendorf. He and Rita Clayton were married Aug. 27, 1966...

Raymond A. Lange, 93, of Jackson died Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, at his home. There is no service. Announcement by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

William "Bill" Kurre, 74, of rural Friedheim passed away Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, at his home. He was born April 18, 1940, in Friedheim, son of Alonzo E. and Ella Hobeck Kurre. He and Jacqueline "Jackie" Crites were married Dec. 24, 1961, at Sargents Chapel...

Patsy L. Atchley, 80, of Greenville, South Carolina, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014, at The Palmettos Assisted Living in Greenville. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time Saturday at Centenary United Methodist Church. A celebration of life memorial service will be at 2 p.m...

Making Coke see through takes only one item you probably have in your refrigerator. n 12oz Bottle of Coca-Cola n 2-percent milk STEP 1: Open the bottle of Coca-Cola. STEP 2: Carefully pour enough milk into the bottle until the bottle is completely full...

* Breda Crank and Jennifer Myracle of Cape Girardeau and Amanda Massey of Sikeston, Missouri have been named Term 1 Academic Achievement Award recipients at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri. Students on the list achieved a perfect 4.0 grade-point average for the term as a full-time student. Academic Achievement Award students at Central Methodist also must possess at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA at the university...

Some exciting and some stressful, the rites of passage from high school to adulthood are coming quickly, but mostly gradually, for many area students. The pleasant rites include planning and attending the senior prom, taking senior photos, getting class rings and imagining an entirely new life, but on the more demanding side are getting accepted to college and keeping up grades for scholarship applications...

James Johannes, owner of Johannes Auto Sales in Jackson, was fed up with thefts at his business; over the weekend, he conducted surveillance at the salvage yard and caught three teenagers; Johannes tied them up and held a shotgun on them until police arrived...

O Father God, may we focus on that which is good and honors you. Amen.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Many Missouri counties are declining to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples a day after a judge in St. Louis ruled that the state's ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional. The president of the Recorders' Association of Missouri said the group was advising county officials Wednesday that the ruling by St. Louis Circuit Judge Rex Burlison applies only to that city and not the rest of the state...

Every Veterans Day for the past 14 years, I have tried to honor and remember veterans by writing an original column for Veterans Day. To accomplish this I have read or listened to countless speeches, researched facts and figures about those who have served, and drawn on my own relationships with friends, comrades and family who were in military service. ...

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court agreed Friday to hear a new challenge to President Barack Obama's health care law -- a case that threatens subsidies that help millions of low- and middle-income people afford their health insurance premiums. The justices said they will review a federal appeals court ruling that upheld IRS regulations that allow health-insurance tax credits under the Affordable Care Act for consumers in all 50 states. Opponents argue that most of the subsidies are illegal...

Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Officials in the Kansas City area said they will begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples Friday after a federal judge struck down Missouri's ban on gay marriage, marking the second such ruling in a week...

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama has chosen a federal prosecutor in New York to become the next attorney general. The White House says in a statement that Obama intends to nominate federal prosecutor Loretta Lynch to replace Eric Holder as the leader of the Justice Department...

Report cards for school buildings and the elimination of lottery funding for schools are some of the items school officials should keep an eye on this year, according to a speaker at Thursday night's Missouri School Boards' Association fall regional meeting...

CINCINNATI -- The rush toward gay marriage across the U.S. hit a roadblock Thursday when a federal appeals court upheld laws against the practice in four states, creating a split in the legal system that increases the chances the Supreme Court will step in to decide the issue once and for all...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Many local officials, including in Southeast Missouri, were declining to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples Thursday, saying a court ruling invalidating the state's gay-marriage ban applies only to St. Louis. Officials in Missouri's most populous area of St. ...

Central swimming coach Dayna Powell has anxiously been waiting for this opportunity. Powell watched a pair of talented swimmers rise through the middle-school ranks, showing glimpses of what they might be capable of accomplishing at the varsity level.

JONESBORO, Ill. -- A Ware, Illinois, woman was acquitted Thursday of the murder of her former boyfriend's 4-year-old son. Sacha Brown, 32, had been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery of a child younger than 13 and concealment of a homicide in connection with the Dec. 11, 2011, death of Justin Hepburn...

The committee tasked with prioritizing a list of facilities to be funded by Cape Girardeau's restaurant and hotel/motel taxes officially voted Thursday afternoon to recommend an indoor sports complex. The City of Cape Girardeau/Midamerica Hotels Corp. ...

The same rule applies for persimmons that applies to fish--you catch them, you clean them. This kettle of persimmons yielded 17 cups of pulp for the freezer.

Mr. Rascal is all ready for his photo, just not sure why! Owners of Mr. Rascal are Rodger and Jean Rice.

Employees of Montgomery Bank donated $13,684.92 to United Way of Southeast Missouri's 2014 campaign.

SoutheastHEALTH's Jane Unterreiner has received the Devoted Efforts Award from the Southeast Missouri Division of the March of Dimes. Unterreiner, nurse navigator for Women's & Children's Services at SoutheastHEALTH, received the award at the March of Dimes' Signature Chefs Auction on Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Plaza Conference Center in Cape Girardeau...

15th annual Veteran's Honor Service, Sunday, Nov 9th at 11 am at First Pentecostal Church 3054 Lexington Ave. Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 The service consists of several components, tributes and participating professionals and Service support groups including, musical homages by Trumpeter Larry Herron [Army Veteran] a Flag Line by the Patriot Guard Riders, an antique military vehicle display by the SEMO Military Vehicles Group, an M.I.A. ...

New McKendree United Methodist Women General Meeting November 4, 2014 The New McKendree United Methodist Women met Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the church fellowship hall with 14 members and 4 guests present. The meeting was called to order by Vice President Doris Dace after which the unit recited the UMW Purpose...

Longtime Southeast Missouri State fans will see a familiar face when the Redhawks take the court Saturday night for their final exhibition game. Anthony "Butch" Hall, who was a member of coach Ron Shumate's Southeast teams that reached the NCAA Division II quarterfinals in 1985 and the championship game in 1986, enters his first season as the Fontbonne men's basketball coach...

The Redhawks held on for an 81-68 victory over the Vikings in their lone exhibition game Thursday.

The top-seeded Jackson Indians and top-seeded Central Tigers will each take their home fields at 7 p.m. today with district championships in their sights. Jackson and the second-seeded Vianney Golden Griffins will meet in the Class 5 District 1 title game for the second straight season, while Central and the third-seeded Hillsboro Hawks will square off in the Class 4 District 1 championship game for the third consecutive year.

Today is Friday, Nov. 7, the 311th day of 2014. There are 54 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Nov. 7, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt won an unprecedented fourth term in office, defeating Republican Thomas E. Dewey. On this date:...

Kent Library will unveil 45 pieces of stained glass by artist G. Owen Bonawit and offer tours of its Rare Book Room to celebrate its 75th anniversary from 6 to 9 p.m. today. These 75-year-old works of art have been taken out of storage and remounted to commemorate their installation and the 75th anniversary of the dedication of Kent Library. ...

Supporters of an east-west travel corridor that eventually could be built to connect Cape Girardeau with Paducah, Kentucky, through Southern Illinois are ramping up efforts to get like-minded comments sent to the Illinois Department of Transportation...

Five Missouri schools, including Jefferson Elementary in Cape Girardeau, each will receive five computers as a part of the U.S. Senate's "Computers for Schools" program. "Ensuring students' access to basic technology is vital in preparing them to succeed in their education," U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill said in a news release. "This program is a great way to connect young Missouri students with resources that can expand learning opportunities in the classroom and beyond."...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- After six days of testimony for the prosecution, a circuit judge on Thursday acquitted Sacha Brown of the murder of her former boyfriend's 4-year-old son. Brown, 32, had been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery of a child younger than 13 and concealment of a homicide in connection with the Dec. 11, 2011, death of Justin Hepburn...

Walter Dearing, former Democratic candidate for Missouri's 150th district state representative seat, is in Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett, Missouri, after overnight surgery Monday to repair a tear in his colon. "We're lucky we still have him, and we're just glad he's all right," said Dearing's wife, Susan...

Dec. 10, 2011 n About 8 a.m.: Chris Hepburn drops his son, Justin, off at baby sitter Sekara Zoromski's home before leaving on a business trip. n About 2:30 p.m.: Sacha Brown picks Justin up and takes him to visit her father, Bobby Jackson, who reports Justin was unusually quiet and sleepy...

A Missouri group advocating for legal recreational marijuana use filed a petition Wednesday to amend the state's constitution to legalize, tax and regulate cannabis. Secretary of State Jason Kander announced Thursday his office received an initiative petition from Show-Me Cannabis amending Article I of the Missouri Constitution and the petition is open for public comment...

ELLISVILLE, Mo. -- A St. Louis suburb is considering whether to revise an animal ordinance after a family requested to keep goats in its backyard. The Ellisville City Council on Wednesday decided not to immediately force the Munnerlyn family to remove the animals. Council members are expected to take up the issue again Nov. 19...

Members of three Southeast Missouri State University Department of Art student organizations will feature their art in an exhibition that will display work completed during students' courses and independent studies. The three organizations -- Art Guild, American Institute of Graphic Art and Clay Club -- will show ceramics, digital art, sculptures and graphic design. This is the first time the organizations have exhibited their works together...

A new writer may be coming to the Hollywood scene. Jackson native Randy McWilson last month published the first of four installments of his novel "Back to Normal: Paradigm Rift," and with a little luck, he's hoping to see it hit the big screen. McWilson began "Paradigm Rift" as a screenplay, and from there, the idea quickly grew...

WASHINGTON -- House Speaker John Boehner on Thursday sketched out an agenda for the new, all-Republican Congress, promising approval of the Keystone XL pipeline and changes in the health care law while issuing a warning to President Barack Obama on immigration...

PHILADELPHIA -- A woman snatched off the streets was rescued with the help of a GPS tracking device that had been installed on the suspect's car by the dealer in case it needed to be repossessed, authorities said Thursday. It was the latest arrest made possible by the surveillance technology that is seemingly everywhere nowadays. And it involved not just GPS but surveillance video, traffic-camera imagery and a left-behind cellphone...

The Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee event has a program change in store for today. Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster was set to speak, but canceled Monday, according to chamber staff. The cancellation happened days after the New York Times reported Koster was one of many state attorneys general possibly influenced by campaign contributions and lobbyists. ...

Michael Edwards, 8, picks out "The Fire Thief" with his grandmother Pat Edwards on Thursday at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. One hundred years ago today, a library opened in the Ellingood Building at Themis and Spanish streets in Cape Girardeau that served as the precursor to the Cape Girardeau Public Library...

Last weekend's cold, frosty conditions were nearly ideal for hunting, but the harvest for the first segment of the youth deer season was down from a year ago. Youngsters killed 18,091 deer statewide, a 3 percent drop from last year's 18,676. Even with the drop, the harvest was the third-largest since the season was split into two segments in 2008...

Halloween may be behind us, but that doesn't mean the fright, dread and panic have to end. "Dracula" is in town. While the River City Players' production of "Dracula" is in keeping with the classic story by Bram Stoker, this production, with the script by Crane Johnson, is described as a fast-moving version with heightened action...

When the Jackson cross country team began its season, coach Andrea Talley could not have predicted her team would fare so well. According to Talley, the Indians had struggled to "gel" over the summer and the idea of advancing to the state meet seemed like a long shot for Jackson.

ST. LOUIS -- Vladimir Tarasenko stretched his goal-scoring streak to four games and the St. Louis Blues extended their NHL-best winning streak to seven with a 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night. Jake Allen made 24 saves for the Blues and ran his shutout streak to 184 minutes before giving up his first goal in two weeks...

Nine of the past 11 meetings between the Southeast Missouri State football team and Tennessee Tech have been decided by a margin of seven points or less. One of the two exceptions came last year when Tennessee Tech picked up its first conference win of the season with a 41-16 defeat of the Redhawks...

It will feature wood earrings by Colorado artist John Murphee. 821A Broadway, 334-8530 It will feature the artwork of Wanakee Pugh through Nov. 29. Reception runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Also, Bill Bradley will perform from 5 to 9 p.m. Dancers from Southeast Missouri State University will give a preview of "Fall for Dance."...

WILSONVILLE, Ore. -- A 23-year-old man met a woman for the first time in person Monday night after they talked online. She hopped into his vehicle at a restaurant and suggested he buy her a milkshake. Sgt. Dan Kraus said the man got two $1 bills in change and put them into his wallet, which he left on the center console. Kraus says the woman grabbed the wallet, got out of the car and ran away. Police arrested her early Tuesday and recovered the wallet -- with the two $1 bills inside...

The Mississippi River Hills Wine Trail will host its two-day Taste of the Holidays event from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Each of the wineries will serve a holiday dish paired with one of its wines. The four trail wineries are Apple Creek Vineyard and Winery in Friedheim, Hemman Winery in Brazeau, Missouri, The Barrens Winery in Perryville, Missouri, and Hunter Valley Winery in Cape Girardeau. More information, a map and tickets are available at mississippiriverhillswinetrail.com...

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Australian rock band AC/DC says the arrest of its drummer in an alleged murder-for-hire plot won't affect its upcoming tour or album release. Phil Rudd, a band member for nearly three decades, was accused Thursday of trying to arrange two killings as well as possession of drugs...

In a world where electronic devices provide much information, it's easy to overlook libraries. But our local libraries are treasures for infomation-seekers. Today Southeast Missouri State University celebrates Kent Library's 75th anniversary. The library, which is positioned across from Academic Hall on campus, is more than a building with books. There are places to study, research and, yes, read...

An opportunity to help rural small businesses The most difficult opportunity is sometimes the one that's right in front of you. And in every rural town across the Mississippi River Delta region there is an opportunity, namely, an economic opportunity, that all of us need to do a better job at seeing: helping small business owners and entrepreneurs access affordable capital...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama on Thursday recognized the heroism of a Union Army officer who was killed during the Battle of Gettysburg, an honor that was more than 150 years in the making. Obama said he was mindful that he may not be president today if it weren't for the bravery of First Lt. Alonzo H. Cushing and his fellow troops as he awarded First Lt. Alonzo H. Cushing a posthumous Medal of Honor...

Time for common sense about time: Look to China There are many reasons to think about China. For one thing, it has a huge and growing population. It has a huge and growing economy (No. 1 in the world as of last month). It has a huge and growing military. It owns a huge and growing amount of foreign debt, particularly U.S. debt...

DEXTER, Mo. -- C.H. "Trey" Parsons III, 47, of Dexter departed this life Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014. He was born May 3, 1967, in Cape Girardeau, oldest son of C.H. and Betty Sue Parsons Jr. He and Kathryn Elizabeth Matthes were married Dec. 29, 1994. Trey graduated from Dexter High School in 1985. ...

Barbara Allen Dirnberger, 63, of Cape Girardeau passed away peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, at Ratliff Care Center, with family and the support of Southeast Hospice by her side. She was born June 8, 1951, at Fredericktown, Missouri, to Billy N. and Pearl E. Ferguson Huffman. She and Glen Dirnberger were married May 23, 1997, at St. Lawrence Church in New Hamburg, Missouri...

A broken natural gas line near William Street and Henderson Avenue forces authorities to wake up nine families around 3 a.m. as a precautionary measure; Union Electric workers have gas restored by 5 a.m. Real estate broker Gerald McElrath last night accused the Jackson Board of Aldermen of discriminating against him by refusing to reconsider rezoning his property at 810 U.S. ...

Powderly Son to Nicholas Edward and Megan Elizabeth Powderly of Chaffee, Missouri, Southeast Hospital, 1:42 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014. Name, Lucas William. Weight, 7 pounds, 9 ounces. Second son. Mrs. Powderly is the former Megan McFerron, daughter of William and Alice McFerron of Chaffee. She is employed at Chaffee Head Start. Powderly is the son of Joe and Debbie Dennis of Chaffee. He is employed at Semo Box Co...

With no time left on the clock, a five-yard facemask penalty gave Hillsboro quarterback Sam Mock one final shot at a desperation Hail Mary pass that sailed toward the end zone but fell short. Standing underneath was Central junior Al Young, who hauled in the interception and ran several yards before dropping to a knee and securing the Tigers' second consecutive Class 4 District 1 championship with a 42-35 victory over the Hawks on Friday at Tiger Stadium.

Trailing by 32 points at halftime, the top-seeded Indians reeled off five unanswered touchdowns in the second half, to defeat No. 2 seed Vianney 39-35.

The 6-foot-6, 230-pound Jacksonville State basketball commit visited recently visited Mizzou and spoke with offensive coordinator Josh Henson.

Pablo Mattingly scored the game's only goal with five minutes remaining to lead the Pirates past John Burroughs in a Class 2 quarterfinal.

Sonja Statler's first dear. Hunting with her Uncle Curtis on November 1st 2014

2014 NDHS Varsity Boys Cross Country (From Left to Right) Rudy McClellan, Brock Kasten, Michael Peters, Matt Gibbs & Tyler Pech proudly displaying the MSHSAA Class 3, Second Place Trophy they earned at the Missouri State Cross Country Championship in Jefferson City, MO Saturday, November 8, 2014...

Notre Dame sophomore Rudy McClellan posted an 11th-place all-state time of 16 minutes, 42.46 seconds to help lead the Bulldogs to a second-place team finish at Saturday's Class 3 state cross country meet at the Oak Hills Golf Center in Jefferson City, Missouri.

The Indians fell five points short of the state championship when the scores of the teams' sixth runner were used to determine the winner, which went in the Hornets' favor.

There wasn't much, if any, game tape of sophomore quarterback Jared Davis because the Golden Eagles had primarily played senior Darian Stone in the last four games.

Six scorers in double figures. A 52-38 advantage on the boards. Shooting 50 percent from the field. Nineteen points and six assists from his new point guard. Toss in nine blocked shots and just eight turnovers despite a frantic up-tempo offensive pace, and it was hard for Southeast Missouri State men's basketball coach Dickey Nutt to find anything to criticize in Saturday's 103-61 exhibition win over Division III Fontbonne University, the Redhawks' second exhibition win to open the season.

Jackson junior Chelsea Drum finished in the top 10 at Saturday's Class 4 state cross country with an all-state ninth-place time of 18 minutes, 39.53 seconds to help lead the Indians to an eighth place finish in the girls' team standings at the Oak Hills Golf Center in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Today is Saturday, Nov. 8, the 312th day of 2014. There are 53 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Nov. 8, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln won re-election as he defeated Democratic challenger George B. McClellan. (Lincoln had seriously doubted he would prevail, but the fall of Atlanta to Union forces in September helped ensure his victory.)...

Woodland senior Garret Reynolds closed out his high school cross country career with another state medal at Saturday's Class 2 state meet. Reynolds posted a 21st-place finish with an all-state time of 17 minutes, 31.38 seconds at the Oak Hills Golf Center in Jefferson City, Missouri. The result was an improvement place-wise from his performance last year. As a junior, Reynolds finished 25th with a time of 17 minutes, 27.03 seconds...

Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep told Treasurer Bill Reynolds yesterday to "ignore" a memo from the Missouri Office of Prosecuting Services advising the county it must pay $6,500 into a prosecutors retirement fund; Huckstep declared, "Tell them to sue us; there will be no money forthcoming from Cape Girardeau County"; the county's prosecutor is already covered under a different retirement plan...

ST. LOUIS -- The Nashville Predators expected a tough game when came to St. Louis to face the streaking Blues. They were more than up to the challenge. James Neal and Filip Forsberg each had a goal and an assist as Nashville beat St. Louis 2-1, snapping the Blues' seven-game winning streak and moving past them into first place in the Central Division...

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The St. Louis Rams' pass rush has come alive just in time to harass the streaking Arizona Cardinals. After sacking Colin Kaepernick eight times in their 13-10 win at San Francisco, the Rams will zero in on Arizona's Carson Palmer. He has thrown for 11 touchdowns and been intercepted just twice while going 5-0 as a starter this season...

ST. PETERS, Mo. -- Brogan Davis made the statement loud and clear. He has arrived. The Central freshman showed no nerves on the state's biggest stage Saturday with a second-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly at the Missouri State High School Activities Association Boys Swimming and Diving Championships at the Rec-Plex...

The Southeast Missouri State volleyball team was swept in a pair of matches to close out its home schedule over the weekend. Austin Peay swept Southeast 25-20, 25-21, 30-28 on Friday night. The Governors never led by more than five points in the opening set, and Southeast trimmed the deficit to 22-20, but an Austin Peay kill and service ace and an attack error by the Redhawks closed out the set...

The Saxony Lutheran soccer team had all the momentum heading into halftime of a Class 1 quarterfinal against Crossroads on Saturday at Washington University in St. Louis. With a little over a minute to play before the break in a scoreless game, Jacob Wunderlich took a shot from the 18-yard mark, which was deflected by the Crossroads goalie. Freshman Jakota Walther sprinted into the box and one-timed a rebound into the top right corner to give the Crusaders a 1-0 lead...

1. When do you start your Christmas shopping? 2. At the end of a really long day, what do you like to do? 3. Who is your most memorable teacher? 4. Tuesday is Veterans Day. What are your thoughts? Andria Thurm Fruitland Clerk, Ophelia I start in mid-November. I've started thinking about it, and have an idea of what I'm going to get. I go home and do all kinds of chores, and cook dinner for the family. Then we sit down together. He was my freshman history teacher at Century, Ullin, Illinois, but I can't remember his name. He made history come to life and made it really fun...

ST. LOUIS -- The nation's Heartland is ridding itself of the scourge of homemade methamphetamine, with lab seizures down by nearly half in many high-meth states. Any celebration is muted: Meth use remains high, but people are increasingly turning to cheaper, imported Mexican meth rather than making their own...

In celebration of what speakers said is the "heart and soul" of Southeast Missouri State University, Kent Library's 75th anniversary was marked Friday evening with remembrances and the unveiling of stained glass windows by noted artist G. Owen Bonawit...

When winter weather hits, keeping the roads clear involves more than throwing out salt. That's good, because many municipalties hold the bare minimum. In Cape Girardeau County, preparation begins long before the first forecasts of snow and ice. Now is the time county and city governments start checking trucks and running through plans with employees to prepare for the months ahead...

The driver of a GMC Sierra pickup was taken to a hospital Friday afternoon, Nov. 7, 2014 after the vehicle crashed through a guard rail on the southbound bridge over Ramsey Branch at mile marker 94.0 of Interstate 55, south of Cape Girardeau. The truck came to a stop in the median. (Fred Lynch)...

The Southeast Missouri State football team's road game against Tennessee Tech on Saturday came down to a 62-yard field goal attempt in the final minute of regulation.

A Cape Girardeau man was found dead Saturday morning in Elk's Lake north of Cape Girardeau. The body was identified as Terry Dale Dalton, 64. Capt. David James of the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department was unable to provide the exact time the body was found in the lake, which is behind the Cape Girardeau Elks Lodge 639...

Today is Sunday, Nov. 9, the 313th day of 2014. There are 52 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Nov. 9, 1989, communist East Germany threw open its borders, allowing citizens to travel freely to the West; joyous Germans danced atop the Berlin Wall...

BENTON -- After months of extensive renovation, a Scott County church is ready once again to open its doors to the community. In early October, the LaCroix Church Benton had its first "pre-launch" service to give the public a glimpse into some of the changes made over the summer...

Xi Nu Phi Xi Nu Phi chapter of Beta Sigma Phi was held Nov. 4 at the home of Linda Biri. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved with one change being made. Pat Leech was welcomed as a guest. Plans continue to be made for the Valentine's Day social that the chapter will host for the other chapters in the Cape Girardeau area...

Mindy Robert and Brad Crader were married Nov. 30, 2013, at St. Denis Catholic Church in Benton, Missouri. The Rev. Michael Casteel performed the ceremony. Organist was Angela Klueppel, and vocalists were Joanie Kerby and Jim Simmons, all of Benton...

Mr. and Mrs. Leon Blattel of Cape Girardeau will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary Wednesday with a reception at the Lutheran Home, hosted by their children. Leon and the former Anna C. Dyer were married Nov. 12, 1949, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Scott City, by the Rev. Little. Their attendants were Ella Friese, Loretta Scherer, Gene Friese and Gene Hasse...

PHOTO Terry Hadder of New Madrid, Missouri, announces the engagement of his daughter, Kristi Hadder, to Jordan Tatum, both of Sikeston, Missouri. He is the son of Jim and Teresa Tatum of Cape Girardeau. Kristi is also the daughter of the late Cynthia Hadder...

Some would say gardening tools are just tools, but for me they are a kind of an old friend, in a weird sort of way. I've got a couple of shovels with the fiberglass handles, but I just don't care for them. There is something about an American-made tool with a hickory handle. One is just a tool, but the latter is more than a tool...

While strolling, I wondered whatever happened to Alva Anderson. Happy birthday this week to Mike Razer, Bud Diggs, Charlotte Dirnberger, Laura Estes, Judy Marshall, Margaret Obermann, Mary Jo Pfefferkorn, Shawn Powderly, Jeff Daugherty, Kathy Bishop, Gene Cummins, Mary Chambers, Fred Bollinger, Justin Anderson, Brandy Seabaugh, JoNell Schaefer, Jessica Grojean, Georgia Cox, Rodger Seyer, Hank Golightly, Armella Glastetter, Carolyn Munyon, Linda Yarbro, Lana Rister, Jim Miller, Sharon Crowden, Randall Hibdon, Don Reischman, Steve Wall, Reta Mantel, Blake Perry, Jason Harrell, Bill Hagan III and Walker Rice.. ...

Cape Girardeau's Texas Roadhouse restaurant is inviting veterans and active members of the U.S. military to enjoy free lunch on Tuesday, which is Veterans Day. Active, retired or former U.S. military members may choose one of 10 entrees, side-dishes and a beverage. Proof of service includes military or VA card, or discharge papers. The free lunch is available fro 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the restaurant, 13 Doctors Park Drive...

My mind seems to go immediately to the Bible when I'm asked a question that has to do with morality or ethics or, especially, the character of God. It's dangerous for a human being to comment about God's attitude about anything -- which is why it's necessary just to fall back on Scripture...

Two weekends ago I went to Skopje, Macedonia, which turned out to be one of my favorite places I've ever been, as well as the birthplace of Mother Teresa, two really nice surprises to me. While there, I was able to go to the Mother Teresa memorial house, where I bought a cross with this saying of hers on it: "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."...

The Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee event gave local researchers a platform for presenting an analysis of regional entrepreneurship and innovation. Brian Tapp, director of outreach for the Institute for Regional Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Southeast Missouri State University, explained to attendees of the event Friday at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau the analysis was done to help improve entrepreneurship in Cape Girardeau...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Plans for more than $50 million in new construction for the Poplar Bluff VA hospital facilities were highlighted during a town hall meeting last week, where veterans shared concerns over wait times. John J. Pershing VA Medical Center will spend about $15 million to add an urgent care and dental clinic to the south side of the main campus, hospital officials said...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- A mother and daughter from East Prairie face felony charges after a burglary investigation by the Mississippi County Sheriff's Department. Janet Marie Williams, 53, and Laura Jean Williams, 28, both are charged with second-degree burglary and stealing, both felonies punishable by up to seven years in the state prison...

PARMA, Mo. -- A Parma man died last week after his vehicle was struck by a tractor-trailer early Tuesday in New Madrid County. Charles A. Powell, 64, of Parma was pronounced dead at 10:22 a.m. Wednesday at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Powell was traveling south on Route 153 half a mile south of Parma at 6:35 a.m. ...

SEATTLE -- The FBI's creation of a fake news story and impersonation of an Associated Press reporter during a criminal investigation undermine media credibility, blur the lines between law enforcement and the press and raise questions about whether the agency followed its guidelines, free press advocates say...

PHOENIX -- A federal judge has struck down Arizona's 2005 immigrant smuggling law on the grounds that it's trumped by federal statutes. The ruling Friday by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton marked the latest in a string of restrictions placed by the courts on Arizona's effort to get local police to confront illegal immigration...

PITTSBURGH -- A University of Pittsburgh researcher charged in the cyanide poisoning death of his wife last year was convicted Friday of first-degree murder. Dr. Robert Ferrante, who hung his head when the verdict was read in court, faces a mandatory life sentence in the April 2013 death of 41-year-old neurologist Dr. Autumn Klein...

DETROIT -- A judge Friday approved Detroit's plan to get out of bankruptcy, ending the largest public filing in U.S. history and launching the city into a turnaround that will require discipline after years of corruption, budget-busting debt and an exodus of residents...

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Deputies in Florida say an 81-year-old man picked thousands of tangerines -- 11 truckloads worth -- and then sold the stolen bounty at a nearby market. Herman Southall was charged Wednesday with 11 counts of transporting citrus without a certificate, grand theft of more than 2,000 pieces of citrus and trespassing. He is being held at the Polk County Jail, Florida, on $8,500 bond...

WASHINGTON -- Two Americans held by North Korea were on their way home Saturday after their release was secured through a secret mission by the top U.S. intelligence official to the reclusive Communist country. Matthew Miller of Bakersfield, California, and Kenneth Bae of Lynnwood, Washington, were flying back to the West Coast with James Clapper, director of national intelligence, according to U.S. officials. Clapper was the highest-ranking American to visit Pyongyang in more than a decade...

WASHINGTON -- Loretta Lynch was a federal prosecutor in New York when she encountered an astonishing case of police brutality: the broomstick sodomy of a Haitian immigrant in a precinct bathroom. The 1997 assault on Abner Louima set off street protests, frayed race relations and led to one of the most important federal civil-rights cases of the past two decades -- with Lynch a key part of the team that prosecuted officers accused in the beating or the subsequent cover-up...

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court agreed Friday to hear a new challenge to President Barack Obama's health-care law -- a case that threatens subsidies that help millions of low- and middle-income people afford their health insurance premiums. The justices said they will review a federal appeals court ruling that upheld IRS regulations that allow health-insurance tax credits under the Affordable Care Act for consumers in all 50 states. Opponents argue most of the subsidies are illegal...

WASHINGTON -- The Veterans Affairs Department is considering disciplinary action against more than 1,000 employees as it struggles to correct systemic problems that led to long wait times for veterans seeking health care and falsification of records to cover up delays, VA Secretary Robert McDonald said...

SNIZHNE, Ukraine -- Associated Press reporters saw more than 80 unmarked military vehicles on the move Saturday in rebel-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine, indicating that intensified hostilities may lie ahead. Three columns were seen -- one near the main separatist stronghold of Donetsk and two outside the town of Snizhne, 50 miles east. ...

VATICAN CITY -- American Cardinal Raymond Burke, who championed campaigns to deny Communion to Catholic politicians who support legalized abortion, was removed by Pope Francis from another top Vatican post on Saturday. The removal of Burke as leader of the Holy See's supreme court was expected in church circles...

A trash can fire at Franklin Elementary on Friday morning prompted a campuswide evacuation and resulted in two 8-year-olds being cited by the Cape Girardeau Police Department for behavior injurious to self and others and second-degree property damage...

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- New Zealand authorities made an embarrassing about-face Friday when prosecutors dropped a murder-for-hire charge against AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd, saying there was not enough evidence to proceed. But the 60-year-old member of the popular Australian band still faces a serious charge of threatening to kill, which comes with a maximum prison term of seven years. He also faces charges of possessing methamphetamine and marijuana...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The financial exploitation case against Herbert Miller is headed to trial next month. Miller -- who has served as Perry County, Missouri, coroner since 1995 -- was charged in January with one count each of theft and financial exploitation of the elderly, both Class B felonies punishable by five to 15 years in prison...

Students at Southeast Missouri State University joined hands and sang "We are the World" at the close of an anti-racism rally at noon yesterday in the University Center; representatives of campus organizations spoke to the gathering, and Dumisani Kumalo, a South African journalist, presented a preview of his speech about apartheid...

SCOTT CITY The Scott City Fire Department responded to the following call Oct. 31: n At 6 p.m., a call to East Maple Street. The Scott City Fire Department responded to the following calls Nov. 1: n At 12:46 a.m., a medical call to Warner Avenue. n At 12:29 p.m., a medical call to Main Street...

JACKSON The Jackson Fire Department responded to the following calls Thursday: n Emergency medical service on Kasten Drive. n Emergency medical service on South Shawnee Boulevard. n Emergency medical service on Eastview Court. n Cleanup on Eastview Court...

JACKSON The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests to not imply guilt. DWI n Randy G. Hopkins, 57, of Bloomfield, Missouri, was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Arrests n Steven J. Maxim, 31, of Cape Girardeau was arrested on a Cape Girardeau County warrant...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls Thursday: n At 1:51 a.m., medical assist on Robin Hood Circle. n At 2:59 a.m., carbon monoxide detector activation on David Street. n At 3:44 a.m., medical assist on North Sprigg Street...

CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests n Shawn A. Hammock, 23, of Jackson was arrested for suspicion of driving while suspended and possession of marijuana; and on a Cape Girardeau warrant for assault...

Herbert William "Schimmel" Rellergert, 89, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born Aug. 3, 1925, in Old Appleton, to August Andrew and Louise Mary Trapp Rellergert. He and Mary Chaffin were married May 24, 1958, at St. Joseph Church in Apple Creek, Missouri...

Myrtle Lee "Mert" Patterson, 93, of Cape Girardeau went to be with the Lord on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014. Mert was born Feb. 1, 1921, in Kennett, Missouri, to the late Arlie and Pauline Fisher Boyt. She was blessed with two wonderful husbands. Forest Parks was Mert's first husband; they were married May 7, 1939. ...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Bruce P. Manche Sr., 73, of Perryville died Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 6:30 a.m. until service time Wednesday at Young and Sons Funeral Home...

Margaret Ellen Lough, 90, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center. She was born Nov. 1, 1924, in Charleston, Missouri, to Roger Q. and Cordova Walker Brown Sr. She and Charles M. Lough were married Nov. 21, 1945, in Charleston. He preceded her in death Jan. 26, 2012...

Robert Charles "Bud" Diamond Sr., 86, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, at Southeast Hospital. He was born Feb. 20, 1928, in Cape Girardeau, to Robert V. and Maude Bequette Diamond. He and Violet M. Morlan were married Sept. 9, 1954, in Cape Girardeau...

ORAN, Mo. -- Vennie Marie Daniel, 93, of Oran passed away Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, at her home. She was born Aug. 26, 1921, in Hartman, Arkansas, to Hiram and Minnie Acord Ritchie. She and Mathie D. Daniel were married March 19, 1941. He preceded her in death Aug. 29, 2000...

BELL CITY, Mo. -- Joseph R. Brown, 92, of Bell City passed away Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, at his home. He was born July 18, 1922, in Bell City, the son of B. Rust and Louise E. Vollmar Brown. Joe and Mary Marcella Hasty were united in marriage March 7, 1953, in Bell City...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Edmar E. "Ed" Aurich, 92, of Perryville died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, at Independence Care Center of Perry County in Perryville. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Monday at Immanuel Lutheran Church...

Lynn Eugene Aufdenberg, 67, of Jackson died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, at Southeast Hospital. He was born June 28, 1947, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to Arnold H. and Esther Edna Grebing Aufdenberg. He and LaVerne Winchester were married July 1, 1978, in Cape Girardeau...

Daughter to Brendon Glenert and Sonya Nicole Wright of Perryville, Missouri, Southeast Hospital, 11:50 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014. Name, Naomi Lee. Weight, 7 pounds, 12 ounces. Second daughter. Mrs. Wright is the former Sonya Staggs, daughter of Brenda McCain and Darrell Arnold of Perryville, and the late Henry Staggs. She is employed by Mary Jane Burgers and Brew. Wright is the son of Robert and Jane Wright of Perryville. He is employed by TG Missouri...

Southeast Missouri State soccer coach Heather Nelson and senior midfielder Torey Byrd embraced on the field for several seconds immediately following the top-seeded Redhawks' semifinal game of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament. The No. 5-seeded Jacksonville State Gamecocks celebrated nearby while other members of the Southeast soccer team consoled each other after Southeast's conference championship season came to an end with a 1-0 loss at Houck Stadium on Friday night...

Those who follow baseball closely know that analytics are playing a huge role in how professional baseball teams build their teams. The book and movie, "Moneyball," introduced to the masses the idea that advanced statistics, much as was being done on Wall Street, could be used to better identify the value of a player. Teams that did not closely study advanced statistics were overpaying players who possessed skills that did not necessarily translate into wins. The numbers have changed the game...

O Lord Jesus, thank you for grace and the gift of salvation through you. Amen.

** Risky behavior; ** 'Anything Goes'; ** Minimum wage

A few days ago I was talking with a young couple who had just moved into their first home. They had been driving around the community and were just amazed at the spectrum of fall colors that were evident in the vegetation they had seen. They wanted to add some of those fall colors to their landscape, but didn't know where to begin...

Fall is here, the time has changed and my recipe choices turn to all of those wonderful dishes we reserve for just this time of year. Turkey, cranberries, apples and peppermint are ingredients in today's recipes -- all for your enjoyment and new for your recipe files...

The scaly little eastern fence lizard may look like a miniature alligator, but it is harmless. I photographed the one here Nov. 2, when the temperatures hovered around 50 degrees, after coaxing it to climb onto my finger. There are several subspecies of the North American native fence lizard. The eastern fence lizard is the only subspecies found in Southeast Missouri. It can most often be discovered on wooden board fences and sides of old wooden sheds where its gray colors are camouflaged best...

Oreo is 6 years old. She is medium in size, spayed and housebroken. She is available for adoption at the Humane Society, 334-5837.

It's either the creative process or the coffee she's nursing -- or perhaps both -- that has Crystal Wagner wide-eyed, almost giddy, hop-scotching between the piles of neon plastic strewn across the gallery's hardwood floor. "I don't usually sleep once we really get started," the artist explains, evidently enjoying herself. "Maybe one or two hours a night until it's done."...

THESSALONIKI, Greece -- Stooped and unsteady, Djordje Mihailovic walks among rows of discolored marble crosses of Serb soldiers slain a century ago in the horrors of World War I. For over half a century, the 86-year-old has been a caretaker at Thessaloniki's Allied War Cemetery in northern Greece. In the centenary year of the start of World War I, Mihailovic is more the embodiment of remembrance as another Nov. 11 Armistice Day approaches...

BERLIN -- It's been 25 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, but Harald Jaeger has no trouble remembering where he was when the first border crossing was opened. He was the East German border guard commander who decided to open Berlin's Bornholmer Strasse checkpoint -- telling his men to stand aside and let the throng of people through...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Officers from the Advance Police Department, Stoddard County Sheriff's Department, Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force and the Missouri State Highway Patrol executed two search warrants on Halloween that resulted in the arrests of five Advance residents...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- An upscale Kansas City restaurant leveled by a gas explosion that killed one worker and injured several others will reopen this week less than a block from its original location. Brothers Jimmy and David Frantze, owners of JJ's restaurant, have spent nearly a year recreating the original restaurant in a 5,000-square-foot lobby space of a new 10-story building. ...

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- While most high school students have tests and social activities on the brain, 15-year-old Gabe Dawson has Olympic-sized dreams. Gabe is a freshman at Benton High School and a member of the Wesley Weightlifters, an after-school program offered through InterServ's Southside Youth Program at Wesley Center. ...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- When young children first try to throw a bowling ball, they usually push it toward the pins with both hands in hopes of striking at least one. From an early age, Devin Klotz could throw the ball down the lane one-handed and knock down eight pins out of 10...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City said it has received permission to begin performing pediatric heart transplants. The United Network for Organ Sharing, a not-forprofit that oversees organ allocation and transplant programs for the federal government, recently approved the hospital's program, The Kansas City Star reported. More than 50 other programs nationwide perform heart transplants on patients younger than 18...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Not every bride wears three wedding dresses. The third was an unplanned purchase on their honeymoon in Rome, Italy, when Katie Gilbert and her husband, Jordan, were given the unexpected opportunity to be blessed by Pope Francis...

ST. LOUIS -- It's more than six decades overdue, but a Korean War veteran from Missouri finally has his Purple Heart and three other medals. Sen. Claire McCaskill on Friday hosted the ceremony at Soldiers' Memorial in downtown St. Louis to honor Leo Hardin...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo -- Missouri voters have handed Republican state lawmakers an immense amount of power. As a result of the recent elections, Republicans will have some of their largest-ever majorities when the House and Senate convene in January. They also will carry new authority to override the budget decisions of Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon, thanks to voter approval of a constitutional amendment...

Members of the Southeast Music Academy's Suzuki Violin Ensemble perform during the Standing Ovation fall faculty recital Sunday in Shuck Music Recital Hall at the River Campus. The 15th annual concert was a fundraiser for the academy, which has provided music lessons to people of all ages in the community since 1985. (Fred Lynch)...

A $10 billion-a-year effort to protect sensitive government data, from military secrets to Social Security numbers, is struggling to keep pace with an increasing number of cyberattacks and is unwittingly being undermined by federal employees and contractors...

Gov. Jay Nixon's release of $2 million for Missouri's A+ Scholarship program could soften the blow of a potential reimbursement reduction. The Missouri Department of Higher Education had said state budget restrictions and growing use of A+ could reduce reimbursement for tuition and fees by up to four credit hours...

In today's bustling society, it's rare to find a business owner who remembers your name. Shop owners see so many faces daily, the chance they recognize a repeat customer is slim. But that's not the case at Zickfield's Jeweler and Gifts, owner Kent Zickfield said. There, he connects with his customers on a personal level and ensures his products are more than satisfactory. This is the result of placing 75 years of dedication into a line of work he finds rewarding, he said...

It was Dec. 24, 1921, and the biggest opening night ever for a Cape Girardeau theater at that time. The Broadway Theater at 805 Broadway was premiering "The Sheik" -- a silent romantic drama starring Rudolph Valentino, Agnes Ayres and Adolphe Menjou -- for its first film since the theater's remodel, with approximately 6,000 moviegoers attending the silent film...

Staff and students of Jefferson Elementary donated $3,596.86 to United Way of Southeast Missouri's 2014 campaign.

There likely aren't many things that would've caused the smile on Jasmine Robinson's face to disappear following the Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team's exhibition game Thursday night. The mood of Robinson, who exclaimed "I'm just excited to play," was drastically different from a year ago when the senior Alabama transfer was forced to sit back and watch due to NCAA transfer rules...

The Cape Girardeau and Bollinger County Major Case Squad announced Sunday afternoon the death of a man whose body was found in a lake Saturday was a suicide. The body of Terry Dalton, 64, of Cape Girardeau was found in Elk's Lake behind Cape Girardeau Elks Lodge 639...

Taken last Saturday late afternoon

Today is Monday, Nov. 10, the 314th day of 2014. There are 51 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Nov. 10, 1944, during World War II, the ammunition ship USS Mount Hood (AE-11) exploded while moored at the Manus Naval Base in the Admiralty Islands in the South Pacific; the blast annihilated the Mount Hood and damaged nearby vessels, leaving 45 confirmed dead and 327 missing and presumed dead...

WASHINGTON -- With a bright look to its rebuilt website, version 2.0 of President Barack Obama's health insurance overhaul represents another chance to win over a skeptical public. But more than possible computer woes lurk as HealthCare.gov's second open enrollment season begins Saturday...

WESTMINSTER, Mass. -- The cartons of Marlboros, cans of Skoal and packs of Swisher Sweets are hard to miss stacked near the entrance of Vincent's Country Store, but maybe not for much longer: All tobacco products could become contraband if local health officials get their way...

PORTLAND, Maine -- The Maine nurse who defied quarantine attempts after treating Ebola patients in West Africa is looking forward to stepping out her front door -- "like normal people." Kaci Hickox's plans for the end of the deadly disease's 21-day incubation period include a dinner out with her boyfriend, but she said she's worried about what type of a reception she'll get after being hailed by some and vilified by others after battling state-ordered quarantines in New Jersey and Maine...

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama says he intends to issue an order easing the threat against deportation for immigrants in the country illegally. He'd act despite warnings from Republican leaders that he would be poisoning the well with a newly elected GOP-controlled Congress...

BOISE, Idaho -- Hummingbirds are giving up some of their secrets. The perfecting of placing tiny numbered bands on their legs in the last decade has led researchers to discover hummingbirds can live longer than 10 years as opposed to the two or three once thought likely. ...

WASHINGTON -- The unemployment rate no longer seems to reflect America's mood. Friday's strong jobs report showed that the jobless rate -- the most closely watched gauge of the economy's health -- is down to 5.8 percent. A year ago, the rate was 7.2 percent. Five years ago, it was 10 percent...

November is National Adoption Month. Several events over the past couple of weeks have celebrated and elevated the virtues of adopting a child. Adopted people and adoptive parents have shared their stories in an effort to raise awareness. In the Missouri Children's Division Cape Girardeau circuit, there are 43 foster homes, a group home, 56 relative or kinship homes and 216 children in state custody...

The first phase of a $12 million to $15 million, 70,000-square-foot expansion of Southeast Missouri Hospital's Harrison Annex is expected to start after the first of the year; the addition, to house clinical services, will be added to the north front of the Harrison Annex, which faces Lacey Street...

Cape Girardeau County Commission Administrative Office Building 1 Barton Square, Jackson 9 a.m. today Open session n Approval of minutes of Nov. 6 meeting Communications/reports -- other elected officials n None at this time Public comments n Items listed on agenda...

I want to thank everyone who called, sent cards and congratulated me in person during my recent induction into the new Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame and Museum in Champaign, Illinois, Oct. 18. While I was originally inducted in 1985, this was special because my family was present, especially my children and grandchildren...

Well, well, well. The American people have spoken and spoken loudly. Our arrogant, narcissistic president and his congressional lap dogs didn't get the message in 2010. The nation tried to tell them then that they weren't happy with the far-left, Big Government agenda, but the uber-liberals, as usual, didn't listen. They are so absorbed with themselves and their fervent, almost maniacal belief that they are right and everyone who disagrees with them is ignorant and uninformed...

LOS ANGELES -- A team of animated Marvel characters rocketed past a group of wormhole-bound astronauts at the weekend box office. Disney's animated adventure "Big Hero 6," featuring the inflatable robot Baymax and his prodigy pal Hiro from the Marvel comic book, debuted in first place with $56.2 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. ...

JACKSON The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Summonses n Joanne R. Dudley, 57, of Whitewater was issued a summons for failure to register a motor vehicle. n Susan K. Richmond, 52, of Cape Girardeau was issued a summons for a stop-sign violation...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls Saturday: n At 12:34 a.m., call on Limbaugh Lane. n At 1:14 a.m., smoke or odor investigation on North Sprigg Street. n At 2:14 a.m., motor vehicle accident on North End Boulevard...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Assault n Domestic assault and property damage were reported. n Assault was reported. Theft n Various items were reported stolen from 225 S. Henderson Ave. Property damage...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Robert J. "Bob" Thomason, 90, of Charleston died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at Charleston Manor. He was born April 26, 1924, in Bertrand, Missouri, to the late Robert L. and Mary Edith Johnson Thomason. A graduate of Diehlstadt High School, he served with the U.S. ...

PERRYVILLE Mo. -- Melvin A. Moldenhauer, 80, of Perryville died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at Perry County Memorial in Perryville. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 6:30 to 8:15 a.m. Wednesday at Young and Sons Funeral Home. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church in Crosstown, with the Rev. Roger Abernathy officiating. Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Perryville...

PERRYVILLE Mo. -- Nora A. Kiefer, 78, of Perryville died Nov. 8, 2014, at Holiday Residential in Perryville. She was born Feb. 17, 1936, in Beemer, Nebraska, daughter of Martin and Marie Pagels Roth. She and Leroy S. Kiefer were married March 2, 1957. He preceded her in death July 3, 2005...

THEBES Ill. -- Richard G. Grapentin, 72, of rural Thebes died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014, at his home. Cremation services have been selected with disposition in California at a later date. Jones Funeral Home in Tamms, Illinois, is in charge of arrangements...

THEBES Ill. -- Mary F. Baugher, 73, of Thebes died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014, at her home. A memorial service will be at a later date. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

NEW YORK -- A snaggletooth 8-year-old. A middle schooler with a punk rocker bob cut and big earrings. Tween siblings with a penchant for playing. These are among the young power brokers who will determine toys that will be under Christmas trees this year...

n Sara Gerau has been named executive director of the Southeast Missouri chapter of the American Red Cross. The appointment was effective Nov. 1, according to a news release from the organization. Gerau is a native of Southeast Missouri and has a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia. ...

Businesses in Cape Girardeau and Jackson are trying to draw holiday shoppers by participating in Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29. The day is designated the Saturday after Black Friday, and was established in 2010 by American Express to help encourage the patronage of small establishments, according to a news release from the local downtown revitalization organization Old Town Cape...

CAIRO -- On a chilly night, bearded militants gathered at a stage strung with colorful lights in Darna, a Mediterranean coastal city long notorious as Libya's center for jihadi radicals. With a roaring chant, they pledged their allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State group...

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- After Carson Palmer went down with an injured left knee in the fourth quarter, the Arizona Cardinals perked up. In a little under four minutes, backup quarterback Drew Stanton and the defense combined to score three touchdowns that rallied the Cardinals past the St. Louis Rams 31-14 on Sunday and improved their record to an NFL-best 8-1...

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Firefighters in northern Ohio came to the rescue of a dog that neighbors say had been stuck on a roof for three days. Dozens watched as Youngstown firefighters and police officers brought the Rottweiler to safety Saturday. It took them about an hour to rescue the dog that had escaped from a hole in the attic of the three-story house. ...

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- A Florida mother is home and tending to her new infant less than a month after surviving without a pulse for 45 minutes following complications from a routine cesarean section. A spokesman for Boca Raton Regional Hospital said Sunday that a team of medical workers spent three hours attempting to revive the woman after a rare amniotic fluid embolism...

BERLIN -- The citizens of Berlin on Sunday released almost 7,000 balloons into the night sky, many carrying messages of hope to mark the 25th anniversary since the fall of the wall that once divided their city. The symbolic act recalled the giddy night of Nov. 9, 1989, when thousands of people from the communist East streamed through the Berlin Wall to celebrate freedom with their brethren in the West...

Lord God, blessed be your name, the name above all names. Amen.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A state panel will consider pay raises for Missouri lawmakers and executive officers but is unlikely to recommend higher salaries for judges, the commission's newly elected chairman said during the group's first meeting Monday...

VAN BUREN, Mo. -- A cultural archive that contains more than 500,000 pieces of Ozark history is getting a digital face-lift. A database created by the Ozark National Scenic Riverways tracks the people, places and times preserved in artifacts and oral histories collected over the last four decades...

ST. LOUIS -- The winner of a $202.6 million Powerball jackpot drawn Saturday has yet to come forward, Missouri Lottery officials said Monday, noting that the ticket was sold at a downtown St. Louis newsstand. The winner has until May 7 to claim the jackpot at lottery headquarters in Jefferson City, choosing to take a lump sum -- roughly $126.5 million before taxes -- or 30 annual payments...

BENTON, Mo. -- An argument between a couple escalated into assault and eventually, a man's arrest. Jesse S. Brown, 38, of Chaffee, Missouri, was charged with felony domestic assault after an incident that began late Sunday. According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, at approximately 12:05 a.m. ...

The Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce is asking that local businesses approached to buy advertisements or share information for maps be wary of such requests from outside groups. Chamber executive director Brian Gerau said several businesses that are chamber members have recently inquired whether sales calls they received were connected with a publication or map being produced or distributed by the chamber...

A new children's assistance program may be making its way to Cape Girardeau County. Care to Learn provides funds for children to help them succeed in school, advocate for Care to Learn and Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder said "[Care to Learn] focuses on three areas: health, hunger and hygiene," he said...

It's been a rollercoaster year for Cape Girardeau County's sales tax numbers, but county officials are hoping it ends on a high note. Numbers early in the year didn't appear too promising, but a more robust summer has helped the county stay ahead of 2013 figures. The sales-tax revenue total for 2013 was more than $6.7 million and numbers for 2014 are expected to be slightly higher...

A rally protesting a possible slowdown of mail delivery because of cuts planned by the U.S. Postal Service is set for Friday in Cape Girardeau. The rally is part of a national day of action organized by postal unions, according to a news release from the Missouri Rural Letter Carriers Association. The date coincides with the last meeting this year of the U.S. Postal Service's board of governors...

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis County police said they have spent around $100,000 stocking up on riot gear and other items they may need if protests turn violent after prosecutors announce whether a Ferguson, Missouri, officer will face criminal charges in the shooting death of Michael Brown...

WASHINGTON -- On the eve of Veterans Day, the Veterans Affairs Department announced a reorganization Monday designed to make it easier for veterans to gain access to the sprawling department and its mazelike websites. VA Secretary Robert McDonald called the restructuring the largest in the department's history and said it will bring a singular focus on customer service to an agency that serves 22 million veterans...

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama on Monday embraced a radical change in how the government treats Internet service, coming down on the side of consumer activists who fear slower download speeds and higher costs but angering Republicans and the nation's cable giants who say the plan would kill jobs...

Jarekious Bradley hadn't spent more than one year at the same school since his days at Memphis East High School in Memphis, Tennessee.

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- With a debt service of more than $200,000 and expenses that loom beyond revenue, the Bollinger County Commission held a special meeting Monday night with a chosen list of county residents. The objective, according to Presiding Commissioner Travis Elfrink, was to gauge whether county residents would support a half-cent sales tax that would support the county's road and bridge department...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- In 1943, 18-year-old Judson Willis Jr. wanted to be a pilot in the Army Air Corps, but Uncle Sam had other plans. After a year of training in Texas, Willis graduated as a navigator. And navigate he did -- from Texas across the country to Virginia then across the ocean to southern Italy. His stint in the military would also take him to Germany as a prisoner of war, after liberation onto France before returning to the U.S., where Willis eventually would settle in Sikeston...

The Cape Girardeau School Board on Monday approved medical, dental, vision and term life insurance for its employees, effective Jan. 1. The district provides insurance at no cost to its employees. A partially self-insured plan means the district could limit its risk per individual and employee, but also limit its risk per aggregate of Cape Girardeau School District employees...

Combat experiences often draw men closer together than brothers. The same is true for Ivan Lee and James Mansker, two World War II Army veterans whose friendship has spanned about 70 years...

Marines from Corporal Mason O. Yarbrough Marine Corps League provide the rifle salute for the Veteran's Day Service at Freedom Corner, Cape Girardeau.

The annual Toybox and Christmas for the Elderly drives are in full swing, and the need this year is greater than in years past, one of their organizers says. This year the Cape Jaycees' Toybox project is celebrating its 40th year of collecting toys for children in the area, and organizers are hoping to provide for even more children in need...

Today is Tuesday, Nov. 11, the 315th day of 2014. There are 50 days left in the year. This is Veterans Day in the U.S., Remembrance Day in Canada. Today's Highlight in History: On Nov. 11, 1918, fighting in World War I came to an end with the signing of an armistice between the Allies and Germany...

Today we honor America's veterans. A day set aside to remember the sacrifice made by men and women, and countless families, who served the U.S. in war and during peacetime. The men and women in uniform are a special group of people. As we gather with friends and family later this month for Thanksgiving and next month for Christmas and New Year's, there will members of the armed forces who are away from family. ...

There was a birthday last week that went largely unnoticed outside his family and close friends. An American hero and exemplar of the Greatest Generation turned 98. Seth McKee was born and raised in what is now known as Scott City in 1916. By the time he reached Southeast Missouri State Teachers College, as it was then known, he was in the National Guard. After Pearl Harbor, he ended up in the Army, assigned to the Air Corps. An entire world was at war...

DARDENNE PRAIRIE, Mo. -- Loeta Lavern Eaker, 83, of Dardenne Prairie passed away Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at her home. She was born Sept. 27, 1931, at Gravel Hill, Missouri, daughter of Otto and Lillie Bollinger Huffman. She and Welbert Vandrew "Bill" Eaker were married Feb. 21, 1948. He preceded her in death Nov. 21, 1964...

THEBES, Ill. -- Elsie Mae Pulley, 78, of Eads, Tennessee, formerly of Gale, Illinois, and Thebes, died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014, at St. Francis Hospital in Bartlett, Tennessee. She was born Aug. 6, 1936, in Warren, Arkansas, to Jimmie Horn and Reda Estelle Vining Allen. She and Raymond Gregg Pulley were married June 13, 1952, in St. Louis. He passed away April 6, 2003...

Gregory Dean Riehn, 50, of Marietta, Georgia, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014, in Marietta. He was born Sept. 11, 1964, in Florence, Alabama, son of the late Doyle and Carol Sue Lincoln Riehn formerly of Jackson. Greg graduated from McEachern High School in Marietta in 1982. ...

CHICAGO -- Accidental poisonings from squishy laundry detergent packets sometimes mistaken for toys or candy landed more than 700 U.S. children in the hospital in just two years, researchers report. Coma and seizures were among the most serious complications...

Katherine Stueve, 95, of Jackson passed away peacefully Sunday, Nov. 10, 2014, at Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau, with her family by her side. She was born Dec. 19, 1918, in New Baden, Illinois, daughter of Thomas and Mary Anna Puntmann Shafer. She and John Stueve were married Jan. 27, 1946. He passed away Jan. 16, 1970...

Mitchell Calvin "Mitch" Conner, 53, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, at his home. He was born June 29, 1961, in Dexter, Missouri, son of Betty Stoker Taylor and the late Calvin Granvil Conner. Mitchell was a network administrator with Associate Electric in New Madrid, Missouri...

Doris Slagle Pickett of Jefferson City, Missouri, passed away Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014, at Oak Tree Villas. She was born in Charleston, Missouri, daughter of the late Oran and Altha Lee Mouser Slagle. She and Charles E. Pickett Jr. were married Feb. 1, 1953, in Cape Girardeau. He preceded her in death Oct. 27, 1995...

Son to Brendon Van and Sarah Elaine Whitlock of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Hospital, 1:38 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014. Name, Jack William. Weight, 7 pounds, 4 ounces. Second son. Mrs. Whitlock is the former Sarah Huey, daughter of Darrell and Deborah Huey of Cape Girardeau. She is a shift leader at Culver's. Whitlock is the son of Ron and Angel Skaggs of Cape Girardeau. He is a student at SEMO Law Enforcement Academy...

JACKSON The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrest n Damiel L. Cook, 20, of Jackson was arrested on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and being a minor in possession by consumption. Summonses n Jacob K. Stephens, 18, of Jackson was issued a summons for failure to register a motor vehicle...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls Sunday: n At 3:47 a.m., a call to Broadway. n At 10:40 a.m., a medical assist on William Street. n At 11:14 a.m., a medical assist on Jefferson Avenue. n At 11:48 a.m., a call dispatched and canceled en route to North Mount Auburn Road...

Clyde Little, 59, of Millersville died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014, at his home. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Thursday at Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill, Missouri. A memorial service will be at noon Thursday at the chapel...

Wow, how lucky are we to live in a town with so much good live theater? Thought the university production of "Hairspray" was really good, with students and adults doing such a great job. Then, Saturday night, I saw an amazing production of "Anything Goes." Just like sitting in a New York theater. Some touring companies aren't nearly as good as this one. Now, I look forward to seeing Central High School's production of "Godspell" some time the week before Thanksgiving. Yay, Cape Girardeau!...

Two military officers urge people at separate Veterans Day ceremonies to take time to express their appreciation to members of the armed forces; they are urged to do so by Marine Corps Reserve Maj. Thomas C. Shoger of Cape Girardeau, who addresses a Cape Girardeau Joint Veterans Council ceremony at Cape County Park, and by Air Force Capt. Mary C. Hough of Cape Girardeau, who speaks at a Jackson American Legion Post 158 ceremony at Jackson Elementary School...

Jackson will play its Class 5 quarterfinal football game against Ladue at 1 p.m. Saturday at Saint Louis University High School.

WICHITA, Kan. -- A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary after a Wichita woman found him eating cookie dough from her freezer. The Wichita Eagle reported the woman came out of her bedroom shortly before 3:30 a.m. Thursday and found the stranger in her kitchen. ...

NEW YORK -- While today he may be thought of with misgivings, if at all, Bob Hope reigned for much of the last century as America's wisecracking avatar of comedy. By the time he died in 2003 at age 100, Hope had conquered vaudeville, Broadway, recordings, live concerts, radio, films and, from its infancy, TV, where he remained a welcome presence into his 90s...

Lord Jesus, thank you for our veterans. Bless each one and their families. Amen.

Terry Dale Dalton, 64, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, in Cape Girardeau. He was born July 19, 1950, in Sikeston, Missouri. He and Glenda Basler were married May 10, 2002, in Las Vegas. Terry served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He had worked for the U.S. Postal Service 32 years. He was a member of VFW Post 3838, Eagles Aerie 3775 and Elks Lodge 639, all in Cape Girardeau. He was an avid Cardinals fan and loved sports. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family...

DARMSTADT, Germany (AP) -- The European Space Agency celebrated a cosmic touchdown Wednesday by successfully landing a spacecraft on a comet for the first time in history. The agency said it has received a signal at 1603 GMT (11:03 a.m. EST) from the 100-kilogram (220-pound) Philae lander after it touched down on the icy surface of the comet named 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko...