Stories from Thursday, August 16, 2018

Steve Cook likes to say he has "38,000 bosses," a reference to the fact that as Cape Girardeau public works director he works for the city's residents. But by month's end he will have no bosses. Cook is retiring after more than 41 years of service with the public works department...

In an effort to break the cycle of domestic abuse, the Safe House for Women is partnering with state and local law enforcement to intervene and help educate those convicted of domestic abuse. "The court system, probation and parole systems have recognized that other methods of batterer intervention, such as anger management or couples counseling, have not resulted in positive outcomes for victims of abuse, whereas this program shows the most promise and progress toward actually creating a change," said Jessica Hill, executive director of the Safe House.. ...

Cape Girardeau police arrested a man at McDonald's restaurant on Broadway in connection with a report of a shot fired late Wednesday afternoon in the 1700 block of Woodlawn Street, according to police public information officer Rick Schmidt. Police responded to a call at 4:47 p.m. a shot had been fired. There was no report of injury. Schmidt said the shot may have been fired in the air...

Waffles: The Cadillac standard of breakfast carb loading. It seems that the rule for going to eat waffles is that it needs to be at an establishment with the name "House" in it. If the establishment's name also has "Waffle" in it then you have a safe bet that you can get some "waffle" goodness. ...

Today is Thursday, Aug. 16, the 228th day of 2018. There are 137 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On August 16, 1987, 156 people were killed when Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashed while trying to take off from Detroit; the sole survivor was 4-year-old Cecelia Cichan...

Most people are familiar with the following quote or a version of it. "Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it." If you understand and believe this quote is true, you should be upset with recent events. During World War II the United States was attacked by Japan. ...

If someone approached you and told you someone's life was at stake and you could save it with just a few minutes of your time, would you do it? Giving blood saves lives, and the American Red Cross needs more donors. For the rest of this month, the Red Cross is offering a $5 Amazon.com gift card as an incentive to give. But the real incentive should be to help others who need it...

With the flooding Mississippi River continuing to fall, the city of Cape Girardeau is distributing packets to flood victims detailing the cleanup program that will be initiated once the receding water allows; dumpsters will be placed in seven locations in both north and south Cape Girardeau to help with the removal of flood debris...

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump abruptly revoked the security clearance of ex-CIA director John Brennan on Wednesday, an unprecedented act of retribution against a vocally critical former top U.S. official. Trump also threatened to yank the clearances of a handful of individuals, including former top intelligence and law enforcement officials, as well as a current member of the Justice Department. All are critics of the president or are people whom Trump appears to believe are against him...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Paul Manafort lied to keep himself flush with cash and later to maintain his luxurious lifestyle when his income dropped off, prosecutors told jurors Wednesday in closing arguments at the former Trump campaign chairman's financial fraud trial. Jurors will begin deliberations Thursday...

HELENA, Mont. -- Republicans on Wednesday condemned a poster by Pearl Jam showing the White House in flames and a bald eagle pecking at a skeleton they say is meant to depict President Donald Trump. The National Republican Senate Committee compared it to the now-infamous photo of comedian Kathy Griffin holding a fake decapitated Trump head...

WASHINGTON -- Americans shopped at a healthy pace in July, buying more vehicles, clothes and appliances, evidence consumers are helping drive robust economic growth. Retail sales rose at a 0.5 percent annual rate in July, after a 0.2 percent increase the previous month, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. June's increase, though, was revised lower from a previous estimate of a 0.5 percent annual rate...

Lois Gladys Marie Wendel, 81, of Jackson passed away Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Lois was born April 10, 1937, in Uniontown, Missouri, the daughter of the late August Edward and Lydia Christina Jungclaus Kassel. She and Clinton Wendel were married June 29, 1963, and he passed away July 27, 2000...

Jackie "Jack" Glenn Swift, 78, of Jackson died Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018, at Monticello House. Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Jackson. Funeral will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial, with full military honors, will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery...

Michael Scott Sr., 68, of Jackson died Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Joshua Schmidt officiating...

Linda C. Rapp, 70, of Jackson died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, at her home. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Stan Hargis officiating. Burial will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson...

Phyllis G. Lukefahr, 83, of Cape Girardeau passed away Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018, at her son's home in Marble Hill, Missouri. She was born June 24, 1935, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Truman and Bessie Thomas Young. She and Thomas C. Lukefahr were united in marriage Feb. 18, 1956, and he passed away Feb. 9, 1994...

Dorothy C. Engelmann, 94, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, at Lutheran Home. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Ford and Sons Jackson Funeral Home in Jackson. Funeral will follow at noon Saturday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Bill Rhodes and Bill Joyce officiating. Burial will be at Lessley Cemetery in Marble Hill, Missouri...

Cape Girardeau County Commission 1 Barton Square, Jackson 9 a.m. today Approval of minutes n Minutes of Aug. 13 meetings Communications/reports -- other elected officials n None at this time Public comments n Items listed on the agenda Routine business...

The Kansas City Barbeque Society event is back again for its 26th year at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau as part of the free, two-day Cape Jaycees BBQ Fest this weekend. The event is put on by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees to benefit its charitable organization Toy Box, with events starting at 4:30 p.m. Friday...

ST. LOUIS -- A special prosecutor has been appointed to investigate allegations a lawyer for the ex-husband of the woman who had an affair with former Gov. Eric Greitens violated a gag order. Circuit Judge Rex Burlison said in a one-sentence order issued Tuesday that Gerard "Jerry" Carmody will investigate a "charge of indirect criminal contempt" against Albert Watkins, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported...

I live outside the Jackson city limits. I understand city resources can again be used to locate sewer lines on private property. Waiting... The main losers in Tuesday's vote on Proposition A are the rank and file union members. All conflict is over who gets the power, and the union members had a chance to take some power from union management. ...

ST. LOUIS -- A St. Louis couple has been charged in the drug overdose death of their 8-month-old daughter. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported 52-year-old Robert Hasenfratz and his girlfriend, 27-year-old Samantha Poppleton, were charged Tuesday with child endangerment resulting in a child's death...

Lord Jesus, we sing your praises, for you are our salvation. Amen.

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrest n Gregory King, 40, of Cape Girardeau was arrested on a Cape Girardeau County warrant. Assault n Assault, property damage and tampering with a motor vehicle were reported at 2700 Pioneer Drive. A suspect is in custody pending formal charges...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls: Tuesday n Medical assists were made at 7:24 a.m. on Kiwanis Drive, 9:10 a.m. on Penny Avenue; 1:13 p.m. on Linden Street and 3:33 p.m. on William Street. n At noon, smoke detector activation, no fire, was reported on North Ellis Street...

Daughter to Cody and Tara Bova of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Hospital, 11:41 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018. Name, Tegan Marie. Weight, 6 pounds, 10 ounces. First child. Mrs. Bova is the daughter of Karen Glueck of Chaffee, Missouri, and Billy Propst of Cape Girardeau. ...

HONOLULU -- U.S. Army Air Corps veteran Daniel Crowley endured more than three years of slave labor while being held prisoner by Japan during World War II. This week, the 96-year-old is in Hawaii to participate in a dedication honoring about 400 Allied prisoners killed when a Japanese ship similar to a vessel he was once on was sunk by U.S. ...