Stories from Monday, December 29, 2014

BARI, Italy (AP) -- Fighting high winds and stormy seas, helicopter rescue crews on Monday evacuated the last of the hundreds of people trapped aboard a Greek ferry that caught fire off Albania. The death toll climbed to seven as survivors told of a frantic rush to escape the flames and pelting rain...

O'FALLON, Mo. -- Police say a man took taxi to a suburban St. Louis bank before robbing it and fleeing. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported the man entered the Bank of Old Monroe in O'Fallon on Friday morning and gave a teller a note demanding money. The man left with an undisclosed amount of money...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- An incoming school administrator will be among the new faces living in on-campus housing at Missouri's Stephens College next semester. Incoming vice president for Academic Affairs Suzan Harkness will live on campus while her 13-year-old son Sebastian finishes school in Washington, D.C., the Columbia Daily Tribune reported...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's Republican legislative leaders say advancing previously unsuccessful legislation to allow students to transfer out of failing schools will be a top priority next session, and this time they're hopeful early talks with the governor will prevent another veto...

The killings of two unarmed blacks by white police officers in Missouri and New York this summer touched off protests and a national debate over police conduct that intensified after grand juries declined to indict the officers. Tensions escalated further after two New York City police officers were killed last weekend by a man who suggested in online posts that their deaths were in retaliation for the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner in New York City. ...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Columbia officials have talked to the FBI after a hacker attack shut down the city's website. Deputy city manager Tony St. Romaine says an online post said the group Anonymous was taking credit for the attack. But he told the Columbia Tribune he can't be certain the loosely organized network of activist hackers is to blame...

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Where most people might see a piece of rusted, discarded metal, Brother Blaise Bonderer of Conception Abbey sees a potential work of art waiting to be created. "About 40 years ago, they tore down an old building here. ... I saw these square nails and I was fascinated by them because I'd never seen them before," Blaise told the St. Joseph News-Press. "I just started collecting a few."...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill says Republicans have already started courting her and other moderate Democrats to be swing votes on major legislation in the next Congress. The Missouri senator said the new Republican majority seeks Democrats' help on major initiatives such as transportation legislation and corporate tax reform, the Springfield News-Leader reported. She said U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, has already approached her about teaming up...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri voters recently gave lawmakers more power over state spending decisions. Yet there's uncertainty at the Missouri Capitol over whether it's OK for lawmakers to actually start using those new powers. When the Missouri General Assembly convenes Jan. 7, one of the things that lawmakers will have to decide is whether they want to try to invoke a new constitutional provision to overturn some of the roughly $700 million of spending restrictions imposed by Gov. Jay Nixon...

A local artist is the winner of the People's Choice Award for the 2014 Cape Girardeau Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition on Broadway. Ben Pierce, a Cape Girardeau native and graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, won the competition "by a landslide," said Arts Council of Southeast Missouri gallery manager Liz Montgomery. There were more than 50 submissions in the contest, which was featured on the arts council website from October through November...

Jim Tyler has been a constant at the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament for 45 years. Or maybe it's 47. He can't exactly recall. Those aren't the details Tyler focuses on.

JOPLIN, Mo. -- A group of Missouri organ musicians and enthusiasts are traveling the area to revive the history and sound of the instrument. Members of the Joplin Area Organist's Association organize "organ crawls" to visit some of the state's best instruments, the Joplin Globe reported...

SURABAYA, Indonesia -- The search for a missing AirAsia jet carrying 162 people that disappeared more than 24 hours ago on a flight from Indonesia to Singapore expanded today with planes and ships from several countries taking part. First Admiral Sigit Setiayana, the Naval Aviation Center commander at the Surabaya air force base, said 12 navy ships, five planes, three helicopters and a number of warships were taking part, along with ships and planes from Singapore and Malaysia. ...

Blake Schlitt lost his left hand a little over a year ago, but he never even considered not returning to the Eagles' basketball team.

The employees of Havco Wood Products once again this year participated in the Toys for Tots program and collected over $1500 worth of toys. Jason Ledure, center, accepts the Commander's Award from the Marine Reserves' Toys for Tots coordinator.

Jason and Christina Taylor of Lilbourn, Mo., received a special surprise for Christmas. Christina gave birth to a son, John Luke, on Wednesday, Dec. 24. It was the 1,000th delivery at Southeast Hospital this year. John Luke weighed 6 lbs., 12 oz., and was 19.5 inches long. "He is our Christmas blessing," Christina says, adding that the delivery date had been projected for Jan. 12, 2015...

Pepsi MidAmerica will be the first tenant at the Greater Cape Girardeau Business Park, a move that's expected to bring about 74 jobs to the region. Construction of the $3.1 million customer service center is beginning at the 18-acre site at Interstate 55 and LaSalle Avenue. The center could be open by midsummer 2015...

The ninth-seeded Oran Eagles used a 13-6 third quarter to pull away for a 59-52 win in a consolation semifinal of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament on Monday.

The fifth-seeded Bluejays jumped out to an early 10-point lead in the first quarter and never looked back in a 95-66 win over No. 8 Scott City.

Employees of American Red Cross donated $250.00 to United Way of Southeast Missouri's 2014 campaign.

Employees of Banterra Bank donated $2,555.00 to United Way of Southeast Missouri's 2014 campaign.

Employees of Commerce Bank donated $7,570.41 to United Way of Southeast Missouri's 2014 campaign.

Employees of Exel donated $1,872.00 to United Way of Southeast Missouri's 2014 campaign. This donation was matched by their corporate office for a total of $3,744.00.

Employees of First Missouri State Bank donated $4,625.00 to United Way of Southeast Missouri's 2014 campaign.

Employees and students of Jackson R-2 Schools donated $21,321.00 to United Way of Southeast Missouri's 2014 campaign.

Employees of The Bank of Missouri donated $27,751.41 to United Way of Southeast Missouri's 2014 campaign.

Saint Francis Medical Center employees presented a $24,397 donation to the Safe House for Women. From left: Jason Van de Ven, Power of Sharing Committee member; Jessica Hill, interim director, Safe House for Women; Christy Farrow, Power of Sharing Committee member; Kim Dixon, shelter director; and Tameka Kyles, Safe House for Women board member...

Saint Francis Medical Center employees presented a $6,134 donation to the United Way of Southeast Missouri. From left: Felecia Blanton, Power of Sharing Committee member; Nicholle Hinkle, director of Donor Relations, United Way of Southeast Missouri; Christy Farrow and Jason Van de Ven, Power of Sharing Committee members...

Saint Francis Medical Center employees presented a $7,798 donation to the Southeast Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross. From left: Charles Puhls, Red Cross, Southeast Missouri Chapter, board chairman; Christy Farrow, Power of Sharing Committee member; Kate Struttman, disaster program manager, American Red Cross, Southeast Missouri Chapter; Sara Gerau, executive director, American Red Cross, Southeast Missouri Chapter; and Jason Van de Ven, Power of Sharing Committee member...

Saint Francis Medical Center employees presented a $12,951 donation to the Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri. From left: Jason Van de Ven, Power of Sharing Committee member; Kyle Schott and Tyree Chapman, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri; and Christy Farrow, Power of Sharing Committee member...

Saint Francis Medical Center employees presented a $45,965 donation to the Saint Francis Cancer Care Fund to assist cancer patients with necessities they could not otherwise afford while undergoing treatment. From left: Jason Van de Ven, Power of Sharing Committee member; Dennis Van Asche, Saint Francis Cancer Service Line director; Mary Nespor, Saint Francis cancer navigator; Christy Farrow and Felecia Blanton, Power of Sharing Committee members...

Saint Francis Medical Center employees presented a $11,975 donation to Lutheran Family and Children's Services. From left: Felecia Blanton, Power of Sharing Committee member; Melody Anderson, regional director of development, Lutheran Family and Children's Services; Christy Farrow and Jason Van de Ven, Power of Sharing Committee members...

Employees of the Southeast Missourian donated $20,504.00 to United Way of Southeast Missouri's 2014 campaign.

Southeast Missouri State men's basketball coach Dickey Nutt had some concerns entering Sunday's contest against NAIA Harris-Stowe State University, and the way his team played in the first half proved that he had reason to be. Luckily for Nutt's Redhawks, who were coming off a three-game losing streak and hosting a lower level opponent at the Show Me Center in their non-conference finale, a stronger second-half performance helped them pull away for a 94-66 win to enter Ohio Valley Conference play at 6-7.. ...

The 10th-seeded Meadow Heights cut its deficit to three points midway through the fourth quarter, but No. 11 Bell City answered by closing out the period on a 17-2 run and cruising to a 74-56 win.

After struggling to find a groove early in their previous game against Scott City, Jackson coach Darrin Scott needed to find a way to motivate the top-seeded Indians before their meeting with No. 4 Scott County Central.

Today is Monday, Dec. 29, the 363rd day of 2014. There are two days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Dec. 29, 1170, Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, was slain in Canterbury Cathedral by knights loyal to King Henry II. On this date:...

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration is on the verge of proposing long-awaited rules for commercial drone operations in U.S. skies, but key decisions on how much access to grant drones are likely to come from Congress next year. Federal Aviation Administration officials have said they want to release proposed rules before the end of this month, but other government and industry officials say they are likely to be delayed until January. ...

GUECKEDOU, Guinea -- West Africa's fight to contain Ebola has hampered the campaign against malaria, a preventable and treatable disease that is claiming many thousands more lives than the dreaded virus. In Gueckedou, near the village where Ebola first started killing people in Guinea's tropical southern forests a year ago, doctors say they have had to stop pricking fingers to do blood tests for malaria...

FRESNO, Calif. -- Farmers already scrambling to find workers in California -- the nation's leading grower of fruits, vegetables and nuts -- fear an even greater labor shortage under President Barack Obama's executive action to block some 5 million people from deportation...

LAS VEGAS -- It's easy to miss Bruce Rickerd during the "Mystere" show at Treasure Island especially when there's a man balancing upside-down on the foot of another, or a giant inflatable snail emerging from the massive moving stage or the gasp-inducing drops from acrobats above...

CASTLE HILLS, Texas -- Five people died Sunday after a fire broke out at a senior-living apartment building in the San Antonio suburb of Castle Hills, authorities said. Ten other residents of the Wedgwood Apartments remained hospitalized and others were unaccounted for Sunday evening, according to Bexar County Fire Marshal spokeswoman Laura Jesse...

We are in the midst of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament. Several days of basketball, with hoops enthusiasts filling the Show Me Center to watch their school team play. If you make it to the games, you are likely to see cheerleaders and other school spirit groups. These students do more than show up at game time. They practice, go to games, participate in camps. There is rarely down time...

Christy Smith of Rantoul, Illinois, yesterday received a handshake and the city of Cape Girardeau an assurance of another $300,000 in federal funding for improvements at the municipal airport; the 15-year-old Smith had the distinction of being counted as the 10,000th person boarding at the airport this year; the city has to have a minimum of 10,000 boardings annually to keep receiving the Federal Aviation Administration entitlement money...

In the Nov. 23 paper, the Out of the Past for 11-27-1939, it was stated that the score of 53-0 was the largest score ever made Central since the two teams played together since 1912. However, the 1942 Central team defeated Jackson by 70-0 at Jackson on Thanksgiving Day in that year. I know this to be true, as I played on the 1942 team...

The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. n Kyle D. Brown, 25, of St. Peters, Missouri, was arrested on a Jackson warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, operating a motor vehicle while suspended, careless and imprudent driving and a stop-sign violation...

* At 2:45 a.m., medical assist on Leroy Drive n At 10:09 a.m., no incident found on arrival on Interstate 55. n At 10:26 a.m., medical assist on North Fountain Street. n At 10:51 a.m., outside rubbish, trash or waste fire on North Fountain Street. n At 10:52 a.m., medical assist on South Silver Springs Road...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. n Clarissa D. Simpson, 27, of Cape Girardeau was arrested for failure to appear for a New Madrid County warrant. n Four suspects were in custody pending formal charges of possession of methamphetamine and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Roger D. Moore, 51, of Chaffee died Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home in Jackson.

Steven J. LaBruyere, 55, of Jackson died Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Oct. 2, 1959, in St. Louis to Thomas Edward and Daisy Ann Nussbaum LaBruyere Sr. He and Janie Jackman were married June 7, 1997 in Cape Girardeau...

BLODGETT, Mo. -- Walter David "Dub" Deason Jr., 82, of Blodgett passed away peacefully Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014, at his home. Dub was born Feb. 12, 1932, in Blythville, Arkansas, to the late Walter David Deason and Lela Victoria Riggs Deason. On Dec. 9, 1960, he married Ella Virginia Gardner who preceded him in death Aug. 24, 2003...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Sandra Kay Brown, 59, of Marble Hill died Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, at her home. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. today at Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill. Burial will be in Pulliam Cemetery near Patton, Missouri...

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. economy flexed its old muscles in 2014. More than five years removed from the recession, worries had taken hold at the start of the year that perhaps the world's largest economy had slid into a semi-permanent funk. But consumers, businesses and investors, after enduring a brutal winter, showed renewed vigor as the year progressed and set the United States apart from much of the world...

A longtime local dealer of car stereo equipment and electronics in Cape Girardeau is shifting its business focus, according to a release from Stereo One Inc. Stereo One will stop selling car audio mobile electronics at the end of the year, said owner John Selby in a news release. ...

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -- Western Colorado goat farmers say Christmas trees make great snacks for their herds, and they're offering to collect them from homes in the Grand Valley. Nevelle Hopper of the Lil Moo Ranch said Friday the trees are a natural de-wormer for goats, and pine needles have vitamin C...

ATHENS, Greece -- Italian and Greek military and coast guard rescue crews battled gale-force winds and massive waves Sunday as they struggled to rescue hundreds of people trapped on a burning ferry adrift between Italy and Albania. At least one person died and two were injured...

KABUL, Afghanistan -- The war in Afghanistan, fought for 13 bloody years and still raging, came to a formal end Sunday with a quiet flag-lowering ceremony in Kabul that marked the transition of the fighting from U.S.-led combat troops to the country's own security forces...

SEATTLE -- For a half, the St. Louis Rams were on the verge of throwing the NFC playoff picture into turmoil. When the Seattle Seahawks started forcing turnovers in the fourth quarter, the gap that remains for the Rams to join the NFC West elite became obvious...

Year after year, coaches repeat the same goal for their team at the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament: Make Day 4. Whether a team is falls into the loser's bracket or is competing for the title, the goal is to be on the court for championship night...

NEW YORK -- If you're looking for signs the U.S. economy is growing and that the job market is improving, just talk to small business owners. After cutting back on spending for years, people are splurging again. That's evident at Lady M Cake Boutiques...

The Scott City Fire Department responded to the following calls. December 12 n At 11:25 a.m., emergency medical service on North Lincoln Street. n At 2:23 p.m., emergency medical service on Second Street East. December 13 n At 10:37 a.m., emergency medical service on Country Club Drive...

Cape Girardeau County Commission 1 Barton Square, Jackson 9 a.m. today Communications/reports -- other elected officials n None at this time Public comments n Items listed on the agenda Routine business n Purchase orders Appointments and possible action items...

Lord Jesus, Blessed Redeemer, thank you that we have hope through you. Amen.

KELLY (52) -- Dalton Huffman 13, Ty Householder 11, Cayden Williams 10, Conner Dittlinger 6, Kade Proctor 4, Jacob McClain 4, Maurice Davis 2, Levi Alsup 2. FG 19-62, FT 8-13, F 19. (3-pointers: Williams 3, Householder 2, Huffman 1. Fouled out: Davis.)...

BELL CITY (74) -- Nate Finney 17, Logan Yates 14, Cole Nichols 14, Peyton Maddox 13, Bobby Wright 6, Austin Hicks 4, Brandon Abner 4, Kolten Siebert 2. FG 25-66, FT 22-38, F 15. (3-pointers: Finney 1, Nichols 1. Fouled out: none.) MEADOW HEIGHTS (56) -- Jacob Hunt 24, Jacob Douglas 11, Justin McGuire 7, Spencer Bragg 6, Lane Baremore 4, Nick Mayfield 2, Devin Wilfong 2. FG 23-60, FT 5-14, F 29. (3-pointers: Hunt 3, Douglas 2. Fouled out: McGuire, Hunt.)...

Sixth-seeded Woodland advanced to the fifth-place game with a 56-52 win against No. 7 Advance on Monday.