Stories from Sunday, May 10, 2015

Sharing a pair of bongos in the front pew of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church, 6-year-old Delante and his 3-year-old brother, Andrew, are taking turns banging out a rhythm. Unfortunately, it's not the one their mother is playing. Ramona Bailey is accustomed to that by now. Although she's been the pianist at St. James only a few months, she's been making music with family her whole life...

CISCO, Texas -- Multiple tornadoes tore through North Texas on Saturday, leaving one person dead and others unaccounted for in a sparsely populated farming and ranching area as the system slowly weakened while advancing toward Fort Worth. Walter Fairbanks, fire chief in Cisco -- about 100 miles west of Fort Worth, confirmed one fatality occurred when the tornado hit Saturday afternoon near the town...

In 1966, U.S. Navy airman Jeremiah Denton, a Vietnam prisoner of war, blinked in Morse code to a television camera to relay word to the U.S. he'd been tortured. When the POWs were released in 1973, Denton walked to the front of the plane, saying, "Lt. Jeremiah Denton, reporting for duty."...

The Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents on Friday set tuition and general fees for the 2015-2016 fiscal year. The board approved a tuition increase of $1.81 per credit hour -- the allowable increase for Southeast determined by the Missouri Department of Higher Education -- but fees assessed to undergraduate resident students increase only by $1.75, bringing the cost per hour from $231.25 to $233...

There are many ways a community might evaluate its economic condition. It might look at the annual number of new or expanding businesses, population or sales tax revenue. Another measurement is pull factor. It's determined using a calculation that compares a community's local sales tax numbers and population versus the state's sales tax and population...

Today is Sunday, May 10, the 130th day of 2015. There are 235 days left in the year. This is Mother's Day. Today's Highlight in History: On May 10, 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis was captured by Union forces in Irwinville, Georgia. On this date:...

LEOPOLD, Mo. -- Norman and JoEllen Jansen of Leopold announce the engagement of their daughter, Janice Rose Jansen, to Gabriel Perry Scherer. He is the son of Fred and Christy Scherer of Bell City, Missouri. Janice received a bachelor of science degree from Southeast Missouri State University in 2011. She is studio manager at Photography by Carrie...

Justin Simms, a donor from P&G, recently won a $500 grocery grab as part of the Step Up Challenge through United Way of Southeast Missouri's 2014 campaign. Instead of completing the grocery grab, Simms donated two $250 gift cards -- one to Salvation Army and one to Jackson Ministerial Alliance to use at their food banks. From left are Nicholle Hinkle, United Way Director of Donor Relations; Captain Ronnie Amick, Salvation Army; Simms, P&G; and Jon Townsend, Schnucks...

Cape Girardeau Roller Girls recently presented a check of $450 to Southeast Hospice for its patient care fund, which aids patients and families in need during their end-of-life journey. The money came from proceeds of ticket sales at the team's April 4. At left is Tessa McNally, a former skater with the Roller Girls, with Pearla Smith, and hospice volunteer coordinator...

Patty Huber of Jackson announces the engagement of her daughter, Emily Huber, to Jared Thomas. He is the son of Jimmy and Robin Thomas of Cape Girardeau. Emily is also the daughter of the late Nick Huber. Emily is a 2007 graduate of Notre Dame Regional High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in early childhood and elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University. She is a third grade teacher at Immaculate Conception School in Jackson...

BENTON, Mo. -- Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Hamm of Benton celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a luncheon May 2, 2015, at Benton Legion Hall. Hosts were their children and spouses, David and Niki Hamm of Benton, Rhonda and Steve Niebruegge of St. Louis, Rick and Emilie Hamm of Cape Girardeau, and Greg Hamm of Benton...

Shown here is a common North American mole called the eastern mole. It's natural range covers most of the eastern half of the United States. The eastern mole subsists mostly on earthworms. The mole will make a tunnel called a "run" just below ground level, often slightly pushing up the top of the soil, making the run obvious. ...

There is a scene in one of my favorite movies, "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium," in which Mr. Magorium, who is 243 years old, is about to leave the earth because he bought enough of a certain favorite kind of shoes to last a lifetime and is wearing thin his last pair. Molly Mahoney, one of his dearest friends, begs him not to leave...

"May the Lord be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it." (I Samuel 24:15) These old words, written as a plea concerning events that transpired more than 3,000 years ago in ancient Israel, got me thinking about how all of us -- in certain times and places -- want a decisive arbiter, someone to make firm, final decisions. ...

One of people's favorite garden vegetables is tomatoes. There are virtually hundreds if not thousands of different varieties. Tomatoes come in all shapes, colors and sizes. Everyone seems to have a favorite variety. The tomato is actually the fruit from the nightshade plant Solanum lycopersicum, according to Wikipedia. The plant had its beginnings in the mountains in South America and spread from there. The Spanish are credited with spreading the plant to America...

Mother's Day is a very special day for women all across America. Today is extra special, as our daughter has high-school baccalaureate today. As a mother, having a special event on Mother's Day makes it that much more special. My mother, Marilyn Kinsey, easily cooked for the six of us children with no effort at all. She could make anything from nothing and stretch food like no other person I knew. We worked hard, ate well, enjoyed meals together and had fun...

The 116th State Conference of the Missouri State Society of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was held April 9 through 12 at the Sheraton Westport Chalet in St. Louis. Twelve John Guild Chapter members atended. Chapter member and state regent Morgan Lake presided. ...

While strolling, I wondered whatever happened to Johnny Acup. Happy Mother's Day! Happy birthday to Nikki Chambers, John Menz, Martha Randall, Donald West, Margaret Rhodes, Jacob and Caleb McIntosh, Amanda Clark, Barbara Simpson, Jamie Eaker, Barbara Sanderson, Ray Wagoner, Mark Devenport, Kerrie Swain, Rachel Treadway, Billy Reinagel, Leon Kirchdoefer, Melba McCall, Connie White, Tyson Moyers, Lachelle Carroll, Ben Spane, Jessica Holland, Carol Galloway, Erma Dalton, Neal Rogers, Dedra Bader, Eddie Lair, Gail Dumey, Jimmy Roberts, Larry Glueck, David Moore, Jessie Brown, Wanda Hahn, Chris Montgomery, Shirly Jones, Leslie Herbst and Richard Sanders. ...

Submitted by Loyce Flannery Pugsy was rescued at age 3. He is now a very spoiled 7 year old. He loves his stuffed animals and going for walks.

The annual Relay for Life of Cape Girardeau County Cancer Survivors' Dinner, hosted by the American Cancer Society, will be at 6 p.m. June 2 at the Jackson Knights of Columbus Hall. Mike Metzger and US Foods are donating the food, which will be prepared by members of Jackson Knights of Columbus Council 6405. ...

Jojo is a 10 month old Cairn Terrier mix. He likes other dogs, cats and kids. He can be adopted at the Humane Society, 334-5837.

Thank you, O God, that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

More than 300 people celebrated last weekend as the Cape Girardeau County Conservation Nature Center celebrated its 10th anniversary. The center has provided countless lessons about our region's natural habitat and how to connect with it. The facility's access is free and open to the public, and it is used to hold special events. It includes a 160-seat auditorium, three classrooms, hands-on exhibits, a research lab, aquariums and a wildlife viewing area...

As we celebrate National Nurses Week May 6-12, the American Nurses Association and its constituent member associations are saluting nurses across the country with the theme "Nurses: Ethical Practice … Quality Care." Nurses recognize the importance of ethics in nursing and acknowledge the strong commitment, compassion and care nurses display in their practice and profession in advocating for the rights, health and safety of nurses and patients...

Kelly's Levi Alsup had two hits and held host Leopold two two hits in the Hawks' 10-1 baseball victory Friday. Aslup struck out nine and walked two in throwing all seven innings. Kyle Fitzgerald, Jacob McClain and Logan Hodgkiss each had two hits for Kelly, which had 12 overall. Householder had a double, while McClain had a triple...

My professional mistakes haunt me. I think about them nearly every day; at least the worst ones. They replay in my mind like a dripping faucet that can't be fixed. When I was a sports reporter, working solo on the sports desk on a Wednesday night, I wrote a short, time-sensitive story involving the Southeast Missouri State University athletics program. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Democrat Brad Bradshaw is running for Missouri lieutenant governor in 2016. The Springfield doctor and lawyer announced his candidacy in a statement released Friday. Republican Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder has said he's considering a run for governor...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon on Friday signed a $26 billion budget for the next fiscal year that would increase basic aid for public K-12 schools, but he expressed disappointment the measure includes roughly $90 million in less than what he had recommended for social services and other welfare program spending...

KENNETT, Mo. -- The Kennett Street Department placed barriers on Third Street from South Anthony to Randol streets because of concerns that the street might collapse. Street commissioner Randy Carter said a concrete storm drain pipe under the street dating to the 1960s was crumbling and creating three sinkholes...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The city of Poplar Bluff does not have enough money to fund projected costs to renovate or replace its city hall, police department and city court, city manager Heath Kaplan said Thursday. It could cost about $10 million for many of the solutions being considered by the city hall feasibility study committee, according to information presented by Ben Traxel, of the architectural firm Dille and Traxel. The company is conducting the study...

BENTON, Mo. -- The parking lot and jail lobby at the Scott County Sheriff's Department in Benton is doubling as a "safe zone" to residents for Craigslist or other website transactions. "Since the parking lot is monitored 24/7, I hope this will cut down on fraud, robberies and other crimes committed through the use of these websites," Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said...

Son to Matthew Wayne and Anjelica Stroder of Jackson, Southeast Hospital, 12:56 p.m. Monday, April 27, 2015. Name, Maxwell Henry. Weight, 5 pounds, 8 ounces. Mrs. Stroder is the former Anjelica Moll, daughter of Sharon Moll of Perryville, Missouri. She is a CNA at the Missouri Veterans Home. Stroder is the son of Martin Stroder and Susan Stroder of Kelso, Missouri. He is employed in environmental services at the Missouri Veterans Home...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Southeast Missouri State University would receive about $750,000 for capital improvement projects under a bill expected to be approved by the Missouri General Assembly; the state funding includes $100,000 in planning money for a new College of Business and Public Administration building...

NEW YORK -- The U.S. stock market had its best day in two months Friday following good news about the job market. The surge was enough to push two of the three major U.S. indexes to gains for the week. Investors were encouraged U.S. employers added 223,000 jobs in April, a solid gain suggesting the economy may be recovering after a stumbling start to the year...

MONROVIA, Liberia -- Liberia is free of Ebola after going 42 days -- twice the maximum incubation period for the deadly disease -- without new cases, the World Health Organization announced Saturday. While celebrating the milestone, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said the damage wrought by the worst Ebola outbreak in history is "a scar on the conscience of the world."...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The Illinois Supreme Court forced the state Friday to find another way to fix the nation's worst government-employee pension crisis, ruling lawmakers "overstepped" by enacting a law that slashed retirement benefits to confront a budget deficit...

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. -- A veterinarian kept a dog from going out with a bang after the animal ate 23 live rifle rounds. A 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, Benno, had surgery to remove the .308 caliber ammunition from his stomach. Owner Larry Brassfield says Benno has eaten socks, magnets and marbles, but he didn't expect the animal would bother a bag of bullets by his bed. The vet removed 17 rounds from Benno's stomach but left two in his esophagus the dog would discharge on his own...

CAIRO -- A Cairo court sentenced Egypt's deposed autocrat Hosni Mubarak and his two sons to three years in prison on corruption charges Saturday -- a punishment authorities may deem as having already been served but one which, if it withstands appeal, would officially establish Mubark as a convicted criminal years after the 2011 popular uprising that toppled him...

PYONGYANG, North Korea -- North Korea said Saturday it successfully test-fired a newly developed ballistic missile from a submarine in what would be the latest display of the country's advancing military capabilities. Hours after the announcement, South Korean officials said the North fired three anti-ship cruise missiles into the sea off its east coast...

LONDON -- Standing outside 10 Downing Street the day after his election victory, Prime Minister David Cameron vowed to govern for "one nation, one United Kingdom." That will be easier said than done, as competing brands of nationalism threaten to pull the country apart...

BAGHDAD -- Forty inmates in a prison in northeastern Iraq, including some convicted of terrorism charges, escaped amid a riot that killed at least six police officers and 30 prisoners, authorities said Saturday. There were conflicting casualty reports on the attack at the Khalis prison in Diyala province. ...

Cape Girardeau police responded to two reports of shots fired over the weekend. At 11:58 p.m. Friday, officers from the Cape Girardeau Police Department responded to the area of Spanish and William Street after receiving information shots were fired from a vehicle...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department will be cracking down on drunken driving this weekend. The department is among law enforcement agencies in Missouri participating in the statewide May DWI Enforcement Campaign and will work with the Southeast Missouri DWI Task Force for a sobriety checkpoint, according to a news release from the Cape Girardeau Police Department...

The Indiana State baseball team was shut out for 12 consecutive innings by Southeast Missouri State on Saturday night. But the Sycamores finally broke their string of zeroes on the scoreboard in the bottom of the 14th inning on a walk-off double to win Game 2 against the Redhawks 4-3 in Terre Haute, Indiana...

The Oran girls track and field team will send five of its athletes to the sectional meet after the Eagles soared to a fourth-place finish in the team standings at Saturday's Class 1 District 1 meet at Crystal City High School. Senior Kaylen Glastetter clinched first place in the 100 and 200 dashes to lead Oran, which tied Viburnum with 50 points for fourth place overall. Senior Toni Hency also won the shot put for the Eagles with a throw of 33 feet, 9 inches to advance...

Several members of the Kelly and Woodland track and field teams moved one step closer to the state meet following sectional-qualifying performances at Saturday's Class 2 District 1 meet at Central High School. The top four finishers in each event advanced to Saturday's sectional at Park Hills Central High School in Park Hills, Missouri. ...

I see where Al Sharpton is out here telling these people that "we're going to rebuild Baltimore, and we're going to rebuild Ferguson." Can someone please tell Al that they burned down Baltimore more than 50 years ago and did not rebuild back. They're not going to rebuild back Baltimore. Just like Ferguson. Here it's been eight months. Not one building. They keep talking about having a training center. What are they going to train people to do? Because those businesses are gone...

The Notre Dame boys volleyball team took fourth place at Saturday's 12-team O'Fallon Township Invitational Tournament in O'Fallon, Illinois. Pool play began Friday with the 12 teams being divided into four pools with three teams in each pool. The Bulldogs defeated Belleville West (Ill.) 25-22, 15-25, 16-14 in their first pool play game. ...

The Scott City Fire Department responded to the following calls: n Medical assist calls were made to: Second Street East at 12:14 p.m. and Wheeler Drive at 3:57 p.m. n At 9:40 a.m., a motor vehicle crash at Main and Blattel streets. n Medical assist calls were made to: Jetta Mae at 8:13 a.m.; Rushing Road at 12:16 p.m.; and Good Hope Street at 9:55 p.m...

Some members of the Southeast Missouri State track and field team got their final tune-up for the upcoming Ohio Valley Conference championships while others rested ahead of the conference meet, which begins Friday. Sarah Hall won the women's shot put event at the Huskie Outdoor Classic hosted by Northern Illinois on Saturday with a distance of 14.79 meters. Teammate Kayla Gutierrez was second with a throw of 14.41 meters...

JACKSON The Jackson Fire Department responded to the following call Thursday: * Emergency medical service on South Farmington.

ST. LOUIS -- As a fan of running back Steven Jackson, Todd Gurley passed on the opportunity to wear No. 39 with the St. Louis Rams. Instead, he settled on No. 30. He wore the jersey for the first time Friday as he took part in the rookie minicamp at Rams Park...

The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. n Michael L. Willis, 54, of Cape Girardeau was arrested on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while operator's license revoked, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and violation of ignition interlock required...

PITTSBURGH -- Jordy Mercer had a pretty good seat for baseball history, then provided a little drama of his own. The Pittsburgh shortstop broke out of a deep slump with three RBIs, including a go-ahead two-run double off St. Louis reliever Seth Maness in the sixth to propel the Pirates to a 7-5 win over the Cardinals on Saturday night...

* Medical assist calls were made to: North Kingshighway at 7:30 a.m.; Gordonville Road at 8:44 a.m.; Village Drive at 9:37 a.m.; North Pacific Street at 10:58 a.m.; Good Hope Street at 12:59 p.m.; Howell Street at 1:28 p.m.; Bertling Street at 4:13 p.m.; Victoria Drive at 6:39 p.m.; and South Park Street at 8:24 p.m...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. n Cartez Shavon Wallace, 35, 414 S. Benton St., was arrested on a Sikeston, Missouri, warrant for failure to appear for traffic offenses. n Joan Elizabeth Renard, 56, 511 Bellevue St., was arrested on a warrant...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Shirley Ann Tomlinson, 76, of Chaffee died Thursday, May 7, 2015, at her home. She was born April 17, 1939, in Quincy, Illinois, to Amuel and Hazel Daniels Compton. She married Charles Tomlinson on Nov. 12, 1981. He preceded her in death...

Milton "Mike" Shoss, 91, died peacefully in his sleep Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at his home in Houston. Born a first-generation American on Sept. 14, 1923, Milton grew up above his family's dry-goods store on Canal Street in Houston. He graduated at 16 from Sam Houston High School, then from Rice University and Baylor Medical School. ...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Carolyn S. Hill, 65, of Advance passed away Friday, May 8, 2015, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. She was born Nov. 2, 1949, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Wade and Cora Trousdale Brooks. She and John Hill were married Aug. 2, 1969, in Advance...

Mabel M. Green, 91, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, May 8, 2015, at the Lutheran Home. She was born March 7, 1924, in Egypt Mills, to Sherman and Leona Foeste Maevers. She and James Green were married Oct. 10, 1941, at Egypt Mills. He preceded her in death June 6, 2014...

Rose Marie Niederkorn Fuechtman, 80, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, May 7, 2015. Visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Notre Dame Church, 64 Norfolk Ave., Clarendon Hills, Illinois. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the church. Interment will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery...

Raymon Lewis Franklin, 88, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at Life Care Center. He was born Dec. 2, 1926, in Huntsville, Missouri, to Lewis Henry and Cora Bell Vass Franklin. He and Marilyn L. Porter were married Jan. 26, 1948, in Moberly, Missouri. She died Aug. 1, 2010...

John David Ford, 55, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at his home. He was born March 6, 1960, in Cape Girardeau, to Billy Gene and Ruth Ann Ford. He and Sharon Little were married March 12, 1983, in Cape Girardeau. David was a graduate of Central High School and held the high-jump record at the school several years. ...

MOUNDS, Ill. -- James F. "Head" Connell Jr., 82, of Mounds died Friday, May 8, 2015, at his home surrounded by family. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at Crain Funeral Home in Cairo, Illinois. The rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. today...

Reynolds is a four-year letterman in baseball and basketball, a two-year all state runner in cross country and a member of the Cardinals' inaugural track and field team.

MILLVILLE, Mass. -- This is the story of a loving tribute from a soldier preparing for war to his mother on the other side of the continent, who didn't know whether she would see her boy again. The elaborate pillow sham he sent her, lost for more than 70 years, has finally come home, just in time for Mother's Day...

A Leopold, Missouri, man was seriously injured in a one-vehicle accident early Friday in Bollinger County. Claeb Wolpers, 23, was driving his 2015 Hyundai north on Route B in Scopus when the vehicle ran off the right side of the road, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol online crash report. ...

"All that I am or ever hope to be," said Abraham Lincoln, "I owe to my angel mother." Today is the day we take time out to reflect on that sentiment. In addition to paying tribute to our own mothers, however, today might also be a good time to celebrate mothers who have made a difference in the lives of many besides ourselves: women like Marie Curie, the Mother of Modern Physics; Rosa Parks, the Mother of the Modern Civil Rights Movement; or even Anna Jarvis, the Mother of Mothers Day, to name just a few.. ...

"The purpose of this church shall be the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ and His Gospel by following the teaching and practice of the New Testament in worship, proclamation of the Gospel, Christian education and training, benevolent work, missionary labor, and ministry."...