Stories from Monday, December 7, 2015

Busy puppy parents have a new place to take their dogs for day care. Stacy Busch-Heisserer of Busch Pet Products recently opened Deer Creek Doggie Day Camp on Cape Lacroix Road in Cape Girardeau. But you won't find kennels at Deer Creek. The facility has a kitchen, a living-room setup and a large yard out back...

As dusk settled on Cape Girardeau, the holiday lights flicked on, and the 24th annual Parade of Lights began in Cape Girardeau. More than 100 area businesses, churches and organizations lined up in Capaha Park on Sunday afternoon, putting the finishing touches on their floats before the 5 p.m. start time...

The Cape Girardeau City Council will vote today on a special-use permit that would clear the way for construction of a new Drury Southwest Conference Center and hotel at 3351 Percy Drive. The project needs a special-use permit because the facility would exceed the five-story limit for buildings in a C-2 commercial district...

More than 400 volunteers packed into the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau during a Sunday afternoon shift to help prepare food to send to starving nations. La Croix United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau has been hosting the Feed My Starving Children volunteer event since 2009, and organizer Linda Watts said each year, it gets larger...

WASHINGTON -- In a rare Oval Office address, President Barack Obama vowed Sunday night the U.S. will overcome a new phase of the terror threat that seeks to "poison the minds" of people here and around the world, as he sought to reassure Americans shaken by recent attacks in Paris and California...

The Indians were voted the No. 1 seed in the 16-team field despite losing their season opener a day earlier.

Today in History Today is Monday, Dec. 7, the 341st day of 2015. There are 24 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Dec. 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese navy launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii as part of a plan to pre-empt any American military response to Japan's planned conquest of Southeast Asian territories; the raid, which claimed some 2,400 American lives, prompted the United States to declare war against Japan the next day...

While Americans tend to associate the holidays with togetherness, joyful occasions and feelings of warmth and happiness, the season can also worsen feelings of loneliness and isolation for some people -- especially older adults. Loneliness is not only bad for one's mental health -- it can affect physical well-being, too...

This year marks the seventh season for the Messiah Choir, a choral group comprised of local singers of all ages from various churches, religious organizations and the community. Since 2008, the choir has performed pieces from George Frideric Handel's "Messiah," which was originally composed in 1741. Since its inception, the composition has become a favorite for many during the holiday season...

NEW YORK (AP) -- Taking on a cat is one thing. Catifying your home to rise to true Cat Person status is another. Choosing just the right gear and tweaking your home can keep felines safe, sane and stimulated, said Kate Benjamin, a "cat style expert" who has appeared on Animal Planet's "My Cat From Hell."...

The holiday season is often dubbed "the most wonderful time of the year," but for many Americans, it can be an incredibly stressful time financially. The National Retail Federation predicts a 4.1 percent increase in sales this year, with the average American set to spend an estimated $786 in the following categories:...

If you're looking for gift suggestions for your favorite child or teen, try one of these great books: PRESCHOOLERS "How to Draw a Dragon" by Douglas Florian Everyone can be an artist with this book as inspiration. "If You Plant a Seed" by Kadir Nelson...

During cold and flu season, germs are lurking everywhere and are simply unavoidable. And where there are germs, there can often be sickness. That dreaded first cough, sneeze and sniffle surely brings about anything but joy in the home. Dr. Nina Shapiro, a leading pediatric doctor and mom of two, shares these tips for keeping families healthy during cough, cold and flu season...

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. -- A 61-year-old St. Louis County woman is dead after firing shots at police officers who entered her home after she shot a neighbor three times. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Sheilah Huck had been acting irrationally outside her home Saturday before shooting the other woman who was loading her two children into a car...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A Springfield utility is investing in wind power and renewable energy amid growing regulation on coal-fired power generation and the increasing affordability of renewable energy. Officials with City Utilities announced Thursday they have struck a deal to purchase power from a new 200-megawatt wind farm Duke Energy Renewables is building north of Oklahoma City...

ST. LOUIS -- If you want to take the tram ride to the top of the Gateway Arch, get there within the next month. Millions of dollars of renovations are underway at the Arch and its grounds. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported the trams and the underground visitors center will close for at least two months starting Jan. 4 as part of the renovation project...

Stephen T. Harris, 71, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born May 15, 1944, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Ernest and Joyce Ross Harris. He and Susan E. Harris were married March 3, 1989, at Sikeston, Missouri...

Daughter to Joel David and Christa Marie Wiersma of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Hospital, 5:27 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015. Name, Olivia Rose. Weight, 9 pounds, 4 ounces. Second daughter. Mrs. Wiersma is the former Christa Jones, daughter of John and Judy Jones of Jackson. She is a homemaker. Wiersma is the son of Dave and Betty Wiersma of Randolph, Wisconsin. He is a retail manager at Menards...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls. Thursday n Medical-assist calls were made at midnight on Broadway; 2:45 a.m. on Hackberry Street; 7:38 a.m. on North Street; 12:46 p.m. on South West End Boulevard; 1:27 p.m. on Broadway; 2:20 p.m. on Bloomfield Road; 4:30 p.m. on Marlin Avenue; 4:51 p.m. on North Silver Springs Road; 10:26 p.m. on Good Hope Street; and 11:20 p.m. on William Street...

ATLANTA -- Jimmy Carter said Sunday his most recent brain scan showed no signs of cancer, more than three months after he began treatment for four melanoma tumors. "My most recent MRI brain scan did not reveal any signs of the original cancer spots, nor any new ones," Carter, 91, said in a statement...

Here's a look at how area members of Congress voted over the last week. Along with roll call votes, the House also passed the Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act (H.R. 3490), to authorize the National Computer Forensics Institute; and passed the Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act (S. 611), to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to reauthorize technical assistance to small public water systems...

CHICAGO -- The U.S. Justice Department is expected to launch a wide-ranging investigation this week into the patterns and practices of the Chicago Police Department after recent protests over a video showing a white Chicago police officer shooting a black teenager 16 times, according to a person familiar with the matter...

Presiding Circuit Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. has empaneled a grand jury in Cape Girardeau County to investigate drug cases. Outgoing Southeast Missouri Hospital administrator O.D. Niswonger gained a bit of immortality yesterday. Niswonger, an administrator at Southeast for about 30 years, was honored at a retirement ceremony in the afternoon; at the same time, James W. Wente, his replacement, announced the hospital would establish an employee recognition award in honor of Niswonger...

Cape Girardeau County Commission 1 Barton Square, Jackson 9 a.m. today Approval of minutes n Minutes of the Dec. 3 meeting Communications/reports -- other elected officials n None at this time Public comments n Items listed on the agenda Routine business...

Cape Girardeau City Council City Hall 401 Independence St. Study Session, 5 p.m. today n No action will be taken during study session. Discussion items n Planning and Zoning Commission report n Magnet recruitment presentation n Downtown Sidewalk Replacement Project...

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. -- Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster sought to distinguish himself from the four Republican candidates for Missouri governor during a Sunday question-and-answer session, but on some agriculture issues, he shared similar views with the GOP hopefuls...

ST. LOUIS -- As part of Michelle Obama's healthy-eating initiative, a group of major food retailers promised in 2011 to open or expand 1,500 grocery or convenience stores in and around neighborhoods with no supermarkets by 2016. By their own count, they're far short...

SEDALIA, Mo. -- A proposal by the Missouri Beef Industry Council to establish a state beef checkoff fee is the subject of what could be a heated public hearing this week in Sedalia. The beef council has petitioned for a referendum on whether to establish a $1 per head state beef checkoff fee for cattle producers, in addition to an existing $1 per head fee for a federal beef checkoff program...

Dan Presson wakes up every day passionate about making student connections on Southeast Missouri State University's campus. After all, he once was in the same boat himself. Presson graduated from Southeast in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in mass communication with an emphasis in advertising. He went on to Lindenwood University and completed a master's degree in communication with an emphasis in promotions and marketing in 2012...

The Southeast Missourian has added several employees to its newsroom staff. Josh Mlot is the Missourian's new sports editor. Mlot graduated Miami (Ohio) University in Oxford, Ohio, with a journalism degree in 2004. He has been covering sports for eight years, most recently as sports editor with a trio of newspapers in Hattiesburg, Mississippi -- The Hattiesburg Post, The Lamar Times and The Petal News. ...

MALDEN, Mo. -- Two people died in a traffic accident Saturday on Highway 25 south of Malden. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the accident happened at 5:20 p.m. when a vehicle driven by John Abbott, 68, of Clarkton, Missouri, ran off the road and struck a tree...

The Missouri Football Coaches Association released its 2015 All-State Football teams this weekend, with a local contingent peppering the rosters. Cape Central dominated the area scene with six players honored with a spot on one of the three Class 4 rosters, while Jackson had one player in the Class 5 mix...

The Cardinals dominated St. Louis on its home field, winning 27-3.

ST. LOUIS -- Imagine packing up the kids and heading for that dream vacation to a Disney theme park ... in St. Louis. It almost happened a half-century ago, when Disney drew up plans for an indoor theme park in downtown St. Louis before giving up in a dispute over money and turning attention to Florida...

PHOENIX -- Authorities say a man was shot accidentally at a gun show but is expected to recover. Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman Raul Garcia said the shooting happened about 11 a.m. Saturday at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. According to Garcia, the man's friend was looking at a semi-automatic handgun he had bought when it discharged. The bullet went through the man's upper torso. He suffered injuries that weren't life-threatening but was taken to a hospital...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Kenneth J. Erzfeld, 62, of Perryville died Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015, at his home. All services are private. Miller Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

JACKSON The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests n William J. McAtee, 43, of Greenville, Missouri, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests n Formal charges of unlawful use of drug paraphernalia were pending against a suspect at Jefferson Avenue and South Sprigg streets...

Friends of Cape Girardeau firefighter Tyler Grovenor have come together in an incredible display of support. After responding to emergency calls daily, rescuing people and property, who would imagine that Grovenor would find himself in the position of responding to a call that led him to his own house? That blaze not only destroyed his home, but took the life of his grandfather, 73-year-old Zeno Blattel, as well...

Longer school year Would a 10 or 11 month school year ever be feasible? This would make use of school facilities instead of sitting empty of students; but still time for yearly maintenance. This would still give families vacation time and lessen the child care issue for working parents. Probably wouldn't be acceptable to the educators, but who else gets this lengthy of a vacation from their employment?...

O God, protect those in harm's way and thank you for those who have fought for freedom. Amen.