Stories from Wednesday, March 14, 2018

The Marquette Tech District Foundation has received $400,000 in funding to further grow the 1ST50K Startup Competition offering support to startup companies in Cape Girardeau. Local individuals and organizations, according to a news release, will match a $200,000 grant from the Missouri Technology Corporation dollar-for-dollar, totaling the $400,000...

The iconic footbridge over Hubble Creek in Jackson City Park is out, and is being replaced by a new bridge, which should be open to foot traffic by the end of March, according to a city official. The new bridge was shipped in on a truck Monday, Jackson administrative services director Rodney Bollinger wrote in an email...

LONDON (AP) — Stephen Hawking, whose brilliant mind ranged across time and space though his body was paralyzed by disease, has died, a family spokesman said early Wednesday. "He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years," his children Lucy, Robert and Tim said in a statement...

Today is Wednesday, March 14, the 73rd day of 2018. There are 292 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On March 14, 1923, President Warren G. Harding became the first chief executive to file an income tax return, paying a levy of $17,990 on his $75,000 salary...

WASHINGTON -- Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee are sharply disagreeing with Republicans on the panel who say they don't see any evidence of collusion or coordination between President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign and Russia. California Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the panel, said Tuesday he believes there is "significant evidence" of collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia, though he couldn't say if there was criminal wrongdoing...

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump unceremoniously dumped Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday -- via Twitter -- and picked CIA Director Mike Pompeo to shift from America's spy chief to its top diplomat. The abrupt announcement ended the turbulent tenure of the man who reportedly called the president a "moron" but wanted to stay, and deepened the disarray in the Trump administration...

LOXLEY, Ala. -- Lulled asleep by the humming of their Texas-bound charter bus following a trip to Disney World, members of a high school band were jarred awake before dawn Tuesday when the rig ran off a highway and plunged into a deep ravine. One person died, driver Harry Caligone, and about three dozen others were hurt, six seriously, authorities and the bus company said. ...

WASHINGTON -- Mike Pompeo's hawkish instincts may seem at odds with traditional diplomatic norms. But after 14 demoralizing months of budget cuts and staffing reductions for the State Department, his conservative political bent and closeness to President Donald Trump could breathe new vigor into an agency all too often sidelined on many of the nation's most pressing national security matters...

WASHINGTON -- Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke bristled Tuesday under questioning by Democrats about his travel spending as the Trump administration seeks deep cuts to conservation programs and fee increases at national parks. Zinke testified before a Senate committee about the agency's proposed $11.7 billion budget for 2019...

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump is considering ousting embattled Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, who has faced an insurgency within his department and fresh allegations he used a member of his security detail to run personal errands. Trump has floated the notion of moving Energy Secretary Rick Perry to the VA to right the ship, believing Shulkin has become a distraction, according to two sources familiar with White House discussions. ...

BOSTON -- The third powerful nor'easter in two weeks slammed the Northeast on Tuesday, bringing blizzard conditions and more than a foot of snow to some communities and knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses. High winds and blowing snow led meteorologists to categorize the storm as a blizzard in parts of New England, including Boston. By afternoon, power outages climbed to more than 250,000 just in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut...

SAN DIEGO -- President Donald Trump on Tuesday eagerly inspected eight towering prototypes for his long-sought wall at the U.S.-Mexico border and accused California of putting "the entire nation at risk" by refusing to take tough action against illegal immigration...

NEW YORK -- Behind the U.S. move to block Singapore-based Broadcom's hostile bid for U.S. chip maker Qualcomm lies a new global struggle for influence over next-generation communications technology -- and fears whoever takes the lead could exploit that advantage for economic gain, theft and espionage...

MIAMI -- The former student charged with killing 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School last month will face the death penalty, prosecutors said Tuesday. Nikolas Cruz, 19, is scheduled for formal arraignment Wednesday on a 34-count indictment, including 17 first-degree murder charges. Cruz's attorneys have said he would plead guilty if the death penalty was not pursued in the Valentine's Day massacre...

AUSTIN, Texas -- Families of two people killed by package bombs left on their doorsteps in Austin knew each other and were connected through local activism in the black community, a civic leader said Tuesday. But it was not clear how they might be tied to a third household where a package bomb also exploded...

KABUL, Afghanistan -- U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Tuesday he believes victory in Afghanistan is still possible -- not necessarily on the battlefield but in facilitating a Taliban reconciliation with the Afghan government. Mattis spoke shortly before arriving in Kabul, where security concerns were so high reporters traveling with him were not allowed to publish stories until his party had moved from the Kabul airport to the U.S.-led military coalition's headquarters. ...

KATHMANDU, Nepal -- "I say again, turn!" the air traffic controller called over the radio, his voice rising, as the flight from Bangladesh swerved low over the runway at Kathmandu's small airport. Seconds later, the plane crashed into a field beside the runway, erupting in flames and leaving 49 of the 71 people on board dead...

JABALIYA, Gaza Strip -- An explosion struck the convoy of the Palestinian prime minister Tuesday as he was making a rare visit to Gaza, in what his Fatah party called an assassination attempt it blamed on Gaza militants. The explosion went off shortly after the convoy entered Gaza through the Erez crossing with Israel. ...

BEIRUT -- Turkey said Tuesday its troops and allied Syrian fighters have encircled the Kurdish-held town of Afrin in northern Syria, putting hundreds of thousands of civilians under siege and marking a significant military advance in the seven-week operation...

LONDON -- Russia on Tuesday dismissed accusations of any involvement in the poisoning of an ex-spy and his daughter as "nonsense," saying it will only cooperate with a British investigation if it receives samples of the nerve agent believed to have been used...

A.E. Birk & Son Plumbing and Heating, Inc., will close Monday after 69 years of service to the area; A.E. Birk founded the business in 1924 having moved to Cape Girardeau from Jackson in 1921 and working with Polack Plumbing Co., until he started his own operation...

n The dog responsible for fatally biting a 13-month-old girl was owned by the babysitter and not the girl's family. A story in Tuesday's edition mistakenly called it the family's dog...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Tina Marie Dohogne Nations, 58, of Chaffee passed away Sunday, February 25, 2018. A Celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Eagles Aerie No. 3775 in Cape Girardeau. Friends and family come casual and colorful. She was born on April 8, 1959, in Cape Girardeau to John Joseph and Marilyn Davis Dohogne. She married Wayne Nations on June 2, 2012, and he survives of the home...

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Ruby Miller, 96, of Olive Branch died on Monday, March 12, 2018, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Ruby was born March 2, 1922, in Miller City, Illinois, the daughter of Chris and Rovilla Bruce Farris. She and Gerald Miller married Sept. 3, 1939. He preceded her in death Feb. 26, 1994...

Lourine King was born Sept. 26, 1926, in St. Louis. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Scott City. Community involvement included PTO (president 1976-77), chairperson for Cub Scouts Pack 220, treasurer of the Bicentennial Celebration in Scott City, Red Cross flood relief volunteer and chairwoman of the Cystic Fibrosis Campaign (1975-76). She was nominated for Scott City's Woman of the Year in 1977...

Glen Joseph Grojean, 76, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, March 12, 2018, at Southeast Hospital. He was born June 8, 1941 in Chaffee, Missouri, to Anthony Charles and Wilma Mary Frederick Grojean. He and Bessie J. Vance were married July 20, 1963, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Chaffee...

Daniel Kevin Doyle, 50, of Cape Girardeau passed away at his home Saturday, March 10, 2018. Survivors include his mother, Phyllis Gray of Cape Girardeau; his fiancee, Christina Grim of Jackson; two daughters, Jennifer Doyle of Mounds, Illinois, and Danielle (Billy) Helton on Villa Ridge, Illinois; a brother, Johnny (Roxanna) Doyle of Pulaski, Illinois; three sisters, Candace Murphy of Cape Girardeau, Laurie Jo (Jeff) Elder of Wyaconda, Missouri, and Belinda Kennedy of Cape Girardeau; four grandchildren, Chaz, Blake, Vanessa and Taylor; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.. ...

Loxli Willow Sami Jean Chavez, 13 months, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, March 9, 2018, at Saint Francis Medical Center. She was born Feb. 4, 2017, in Cape Girardeau to Julian Cass Chavez and Tia LaRee Bailey. Loxli is survived by her mother, Tia Bailey of Cape Girardeau; father, Julian Cass Chavez of Jackson; two sisters, Layla Kristine Chavez and Juniper Lyric Bailey; maternal grandmother, Traci Minshew; maternal grandfather, Ilya Minshew; paternal grandmother, Michelle Seabaugh; paternal grandfather, Julian Thomas Chavez; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.. ...

KEYESPORT, Ill. -- Clay Dean Boothe, 53, of Keyesport passed away Monday, March 12, 2018,, at his home. He was born June 15, 1964, in St. Louis, son of Joseph Boothe and Dottie Kirkpatrick. He is survived by his loving fiancee Tammy Lewis of Keyesport; two brothers John (Molly) Boothe and Billy Boothe, both of Patton, Missouri; four sisters, Darlene Broshuis of Perryville, Missouri, Marlene (Elmer) Smith of Patton, Arlene (BJ) Eldridge of Jackson and Jo-Lene (Tom) Moll of Perryville; three stepchildren, Joshua Zinkgraf, Jeremy Zinkgraf and Jacob Carter; five grandchildren, Zayne, Triston, Kynzie, Hayle and Oakland; several nieces, nephews; and friend to many.. ...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- Charles Wesley Adkisson, 79, died Monday, March 12, 2018, at his home in East Prairie. He was born Jan. 17, 1939, in Mississippi County, Missouri, to the late Robert and Howard Lee Harr Adkisson. Charles was a farmer and enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a member of First Christian Church in East Prairie...

O Lord Jesus, may we speak truth to one another with grace. Amen.

NEW YORK -- Nokie Edwards, the influential lead guitarist for the "surf rock" pioneers the Ventures, has died at age 82. Ryan Greenblatt, who works on booking for the Ventures in North America and Europe, confirmed his death Tuesday but didn't immediately have further details...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests n Michael Whitney, 24, of Cape Girardeau was arrested on a Cape Girardeau County warrant. n Eric Lockett, 30, of Village Ridge, Illinois, was arrested on a Cape Girardeau warrant for speeding...

CAPE GIRARDEAU Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls: Monday n Medical assists were made at 12:13 a.m. on North West End Boulevard; 2:11 a.m. on Green Acres Drive; 3:10 a.m. on Maria Louise Lane; 9:36 a.m. on South Sprigg Street; and 12:17 p.m. on Brenda Kay Court...

MT. LEBANON, Pa. -- Democrat Conor Lamb and Republican Rick Saccone were locked in a surprisingly tight congressional election Tuesday night that pitted the strength of President Donald Trump's grasp on blue-collar America against the energy and anger of the political left...

The Missouri Jr. Beta Convention was held at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff, MO on March 8 & 9. The theme this year was "Beta on My Mind". The 7th & 8th grade Jr. Beta members of Guardian Angel School, Oran, attended on March 8 and brought items that they had created to enter several of the visual art categories and the banner competition. ...

If you're reading this column in a printed newspaper, then you may already be aware of this phenomenon. But a New York Times technology writer recently went two months getting his news only from newspapers, and what he discovered was a calmer, more informed, and more fulfilling life. The experience transformed his outlook on news, especially via social media...