Stories from Wednesday, August 29, 2018

More than 20 volunteer firefighters turned out Saturday for Missouri’s first mental health “first aid” class for first responders, hosted by the Millersville Rural Fire Protection District. Created by the National Council for Behavioral Health, the class was designed to help first responders identify individuals with mental-health problems, including co-workers, said Lt. Michael Bell of the Millersville department...

Benton, Missouri's annual three-day Neighbor Days Festival originally debuted in 1925 and is back this week for its official 50-year celebration. "Actually, this thing started back in the 1920s," said Jim Wade, president of Benton Chamber of Commerce. "But during World War II, they stopped it, then didn't start it back up again until 1969."...

Missouri State Treasurer Eric Schmitt has unveiled a new website designed to make it easier for Missourians to see how their tax dollars are being spent. The treasurer’s office launched Show-Me Checkbook last week. During a stop Tuesday in Cape Girardeau to tout the site, Schmitt said the goal is to provide the public with easy-to-access information about every financial aspect of state government from revenue and expenditures to debt and cash flow...

A Scott County Sheriff’s deputy exceeded 120 mph and drove the wrong way on Interstate 55 to join a pursuit in progress before totaling his patrol vehicle at the Benton, Missouri, exit earlier this month, according to records provided by authorities Tuesday...

Today is Wednesday, Aug. 29, the 241st day of 2018. There are 124 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast near Buras, Louisiana, bringing floods that devastated New Orleans. More than 1,800 people in the region died...

Back in 2002, a memorial service for the late Sen. Paul Wellstone, a Wisconsin Democrat, turned into a political rally. Wellstone, his wife and daughter, were killed in a plane crash just prior to his reelection bid. The Democratic senator was a popular progressive who was gaining national attention and was contemplating a run for President...

Thomas G. Ogilvie is inducted as vicar of the Lutheran Chapel of Hope for the 1993-1994 academic year at Southeast Missouri State University; Ogilvie will serve the chapel on the university campus as well as Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel, under the supervision of its pastor, the Rev. William A. Matzat...

SCOTT CITY The Scott City Fire Department responded to the following calls: Aug. 17 to Aug. 24 n Medical assists were made Aug. 19 in the 200 block of Lula Avenue; Aug. 21 in the 400 block of North Lincoln Street and the 600 block of Main Street; Aug. ...

Despite a strong economy, about 40 percent of American families struggled to meet at least one of their basic needs last year, including paying for food, health care, housing or utilities. That's according to an Urban Institute survey of nearly 7,600 adults, which found the difficulties were most prevalent among adults with lower incomes or health issues. But it also revealed people from all walks of life were running into similar hardships...

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump wants a hug from Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. Who knew? But Trump said such a gesture would be "very nice" as he wrapped up an unusual, public speakerphone conversation with the outgoing Mexican leader. The long-distance call was a central feature of Monday's unexpected announcement of a preliminary agreement between the U.S. and Mexico on a trade pact Trump hopes will succeed the North American Free Trade Agreement, which he says is bad for America...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- With the backing of President Donald Trump and more than 100 appearances on Fox News under his belt, U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis sailed to victory in Florida's Republican primary for governor Tuesday, defeating a longtime favorite of the GOP establishment with a campaign based largely around the president...

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused Google and other U.S. tech companies of rigging search results about him "so that almost all stories & news is BAD." He offered no evidence of bias, but a top adviser said the White House is "taking a look" at whether Google should face federal regulation...

WASHINGTON -- John McCain's close friend Lindsey Graham mixed laughter and tears on the Senate floor Tuesday as he remembered "Operation Maverick," which he described as lessons in choosing "what's right at your own expense." "He taught me that honor and imperfection are always in competition," Sen. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, wants to do away with a provision in the federal tax code that bars religious organizations and pastors from endorsing or opposing political candidates...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Dozens of new Missouri laws took effect Tuesday. Here's a rundown of new legislation now on the books: Watercraft drivers now face lower fines of $25 for speeding in no-wake zones and life-jacket violations. Previously, those violations could lead to $137 fines, but lawmakers argued law enforcement rarely issued fines because they were so high...

SIDDIPET, India -- Jeremy Wayne Vemula, son of Jessey and Brittany Revelle Vemula, was stillborn Friday, Aug. 24, 2018. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his brother, Jordan Vemula; maternal grandparents, Lyndel and Elizabeth Revelle; paternal grandmother, Sheba Vemula; uncle, Joel (Mona) Vemula; and aunt, Nissey Vemula...

Juanita Lucy Russell, 101, of Oak Ridge, and better known as "Granny," passed away Monday, Aug. 27, 2018, at Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born Feb. 2, 1917, in Cape Girardeau to George and Ruby Drum Cobble. She was married to James Russell, and he preceded her in death April 27, 1969...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Barbara H. Pitcher, 87, of Cairo, formerly of Olmsted, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born June 14, 1931, in Olmsted, the daughter of George and Ruth Caster Holman. She married William T. Pitcher Jr. in 1950, and he preceded her in death Sept. 21, 1982...

For Celeste Obermiller of Cape Girardeau, the day of her birth in the Kingdom of God was Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center. She was born Oct. 10, 1920, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of William and Norma Perkinson. On March 14, 1946, she married Jack M. Obermiller of Jackson. They moved from Cape Girardeau in 1950...

Wayne Howard McPherson, 78, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, where he had been receiving treatment since 1999. He was born March 18, 1940, in Beatrice, Nebraska, to Raymond and Gladys Fischer McPherson. He and Joan See were married Aug. 18, 1962...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Dale F. Limbaugh, 79, of Advance passed away Monday, Aug. 27, 2018, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Jan. 1, 1939, at Brownwood, Missouri, the son of Emery and Dottie Mae Reynolds Limbaugh. He and Lois Bollinger were united in marriage in 1960 in Cape Girardeau, and she survives of the home...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- LaVerne Ruth Keller, 72, was granted her angel wings Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018, at her home in Chaffee, where she returned after living in the Austin, Texas, area for 32 years. She spent her final days surrounded by family, friends and two beloved dogs, Toby and Tinkerbell...

Sadie Betts, 103, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018, at Heartland Care and Rehab. There will be a memorial service at a later date. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you that by your stripes we are healed. Amen.

Route H in Bollinger County closed for culvert work Route H in Bollinger County, between county roads 507 and 702, will be closed as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a pipe under the roadway. The work will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, according to a MoDOT news release...

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump's drive to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement has taken an unexpected turn -- complicating his effort to replace the deal with one more favorable to American workers. Canada, America's longtime ally and No. 2 trading partner, was left out of a proposed deal Trump reached with Mexico and is scrambling to keep its place in the regional free-trade bloc -- and fend off the threat of U.S. taxes on its vehicles...

Miracle-Ear Centers serving Southeast Missouri is proud to announce its ninth year receiving the distinguished Platinum Club Award. This national recognition signifies franchise excellence in several categories, including exceptional patient care and satisfaction, staff education on new technology, annual recertification compliance, and market penetration...

Son to Justin and Rene Nice of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Hospital, 12:59 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. Name, Lucas Parker. Weight, 9 pounds, 2 ounces. First child. Mrs. Nice is the daughter of Tammy and Andy Coates of Jackson and Tim Newberry and Lee Hakala of Anna, Illinois. She is a teacher at Lee Hunter Elementary School in Sikeston, Missouri. Nice is the son of Jay and Dana Nice of Cape Girardeau...

I've been lucky to meet a few presidents -- and more than a few presidential candidates. One of the most tense encounters was being in the audience when Democrat presidential candidate Sen. Gary Hart made his first public appearance after the story broke about his dalliance during the 1984 campaign with a young woman not his wife on the yacht, "Money Business." The episode derailed his national ambitions, and former vice president Walter Mondale, propelled by the advertising campaign "Where's the beef?" went on to win the Democratic nomination only to lose 49 states to Ronald Reagan.. ...