Stories from Monday, February 11, 2019

Howard Danzig, president of Employers Committed to Control Health Insurance Costs, or ECCHIC, a St. Louis-based company, says employers are up against high costs in providing health insurance to their employees, and to address it, employers should consider breaking up insurance costs to get to the cost per unit...

In addition to skill and technique, it was vision and attention to subtlety that in many cases carried the day during the 41st annual Exhibiting Excellence high school art show at the Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus. Juror Justin Miller, who also teaches painting at the River Campus, said in whittling down this year’s hundreds of submissions from schools as wide ranging as Puxico and Farmington, Missouri, he found himself drawn to pieces that spoke to the artists’ everyday experiences. ...

In 2017, when Krispy Kreme Doughnuts franchisee Eric Schneider announced he was opening up in Cape Girardeau, the generated buzz was palpable. Facebook posts earned dozens of comments, wanting to know when and where the glazed goods would be available...

U.S. Rep. Jason Smith posthumously presented a Purple Heart and six other awards to the family of World War II veteran Eugene O. Hahs at Smith’s office Saturday in Cape Girardeau. Hahs of Sedgewickville, Missouri, died Aug. 23, 2004, at the age of 83 — one day after Hahs’ family recounted of him telling of his memories of serving...

Today is Monday, Feb. 11, the 42nd day of 2019. There are 323 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Feb. 11, 1990, South African black activist Nelson Mandela was freed after 27 years in captivity. On this date: In 1531, the Church of England grudgingly accepted King Henry VIII as its supreme head...

Lord Jesus, may we seek first your kingdom and righteousness. Amen.

LOS ANGELES -- Director Bryan Singer hasn't been involved with the Queen biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody" for over a year, but with a fresh expose alleging he sexually assaulted minors and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts "suspending" his nomination, will he be the film's Oscars Achilles heel?...

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, Minn. — Authorities said a suburban Minneapolis resident reported a strange intruder in her basement. It was a horse. Inver Grove Heights police arrived at the woman’s home late Friday night to find a pale-colored horse walking through various rooms as officers watched through windows from the outside. ...

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Back in Iowa as a full-fledged presidential candidate, Democrat Elizabeth Warren took aim at President Donald Trump on Sunday, saying he "may not even be a free person" by next year's election. The Massachusetts senator's comments came a day after Trump renewed his criticism of her past claims of Native American heritage. In a tweet, Trump called Warren "Pocahontas" and said he would see her "on the campaign TRAIL."...

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar on Sunday joined the growing group of Democrats jostling to be president and positioned herself as the most prominent Midwestern candidate in the field, as her party tries to win back voters in a region that helped put Donald Trump in the White House...

EL PASO, Texas -- People walking over the Paso del Norte Bridge linking this West Texas border city to Mexico can watch President Donald Trump's border wall getting bigger in real time. Workers in fluorescent smocks can be seen digging trenches, pouring concrete and erecting rust-colored slabs of 18-foot-high metal to replace layers of barbed wire-topped fencing along the mud-colored Rio Grande, which is usually little more than a trickle...

WASHINGTON -- Bargainers clashed Sunday over whether to limit the number of migrants authorities can detain, tossing a new hurdle before negotiators hoping to strike a border security compromise for Congress to pass this week. The White House wouldn't rule out a renewed partial government shutdown if an agreement isn't reached...

NEW YORK -- A bankruptcy judge Thursday blessed a $5.2 billion plan by Sears chairman and biggest shareholder to keep the iconic business going. The approval means roughly 425 stores and 45,000 jobs will be preserved. Eddie Lampert's bid through an affiliate of his ESL hedge fund overcame opposition from a group of unsecured creditors, including mall owners and suppliers, that tried to block the sale and pushed hard for the company's liquidation...

Food delivery services such as Uber Eats and Grubhub are taking off like a rocket. But some restaurants aren't on board. Last week, Jimmy John's sandwich chain launched a national ad campaign promising never to use third-party delivery. Jimmy John's says its own drivers -- which number around 45,000 at its 2,800 U.S. restaurants -- can best ensure fast, quality service...

If you're getting a divorce, it pays to keep quiet on social media, New York divorce attorney Jacqueline Newman says. Trashing a soon-to-be ex or boasting about your great new life can complicate divorce negotiations. One client's husband, for example, insisted he couldn't afford a proposed settlement. Then, he inadvertently gave Newman leverage to get a better deal...

SAN FRANCISCO -- Get ready to say good riddance to the checkout line. A year after Amazon opened its first cashier-less store, startups and retailers are racing to get similar technology in stores throughout the world, letting shoppers buy groceries without waiting in line...

A national community service program -- President Bill Clinton's vision of a domestic Peace Corps -- is taking shape locally through the efforts of Southeast Missouri State University officials and other civic leaders; workers will receive $7,400 a year in wages plus health insurance; for each year of service, the government will give a worker $4,725 to attend college at a post-secondary vocational school...

James Richard Wink, 78, of Jackson passed away Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, at Jackson Manor. He was born March 6, 1940, in Monticello, Iowa, the son of Milo Dale and Mildred Doris Eilers Wink. Jim had been a food broker. He took pride in his job, and through the years made many friends and was respected by all who worked with him...

John T. Smothers, 97, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019, at the Missouri Veterans Home. He was born Aug. 22, 1921, near Swinton, Missouri, to Orble and Minnie Mann Smothers. He and Lelia Geraldine McLain were married June 19, 1943. She preceded him in death April 28, 2004...

Michael Loyd Slinkard, 69, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, at his home. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jim Matthews officiating. Burial will be at Lorimier Cemetery, with full military honors...

Marilyn Ruth Seyer, 71, of Jackson died Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, at Chaffee Nursing Center in Chaffee, Missouri. She was born Feb. 14, 1947, in Cape Girardeau to Woodrow Wilson and Dorothy Helen Baker Dudley. She and Ronnie Gene Seyer were married June 3, 1967, in Cape Girardeau. He passed away Nov. 24, 1997...

Elvia Percival, 88, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, at Southeast Hospital. A memorial visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jim Matthews officiating...

McCLURE, Ill. -- Evelyn Matlock, 85, of McClure died Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, at Jonesboro Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Jonesboro, Illinois. She was born Dec. 31, 1933, in Blodgett, Missouri, to Claude and Mayme Jane Chappell Taylor. She and Rollie S. Matlock were married in December 1952 in Paragould, Arkansas. He passed away May 25, 2014...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. — Melvin J. Blechle, 72, of Perryville died Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, in Bollinger County, Missouri. He was born May 30, 1946, in Biehle, Missouri, son of Valentine “Wally” and Mildred Pingel Blechle. He and Linda M. Thieret were married May 28, 1994. She survives in Perryville...

Wanda Sue Austin, 80, of Scott City, formerly of Mounds, Illinois, passed away peacefully at 12:40 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Wanda was born Oct. 21, 1938, in Cairo, Illinois, to the late Leonard and Erma Daniels Crow. She was a retired Walmart greeter, retiring from Walmart in Cape Girardeau...

The Scott City Fire Department responded to the following calls: Feb. 1 n At 4:52 p.m., emergency medical service in the 2500 block of James Street. n At 8:05 p.m., illegal burn in the 300 block of Missouri Boulevard. n At 9:04 p.m., a gas leak at Perkins and August streets...

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Missouri lawmakers are expected to consider legislation to restrict the use of drones near state prisons after recent sightings sparked concern among corrections officials weapons or drugs were being dropped inside the grounds. Republican Rep. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Some parents are praising legislation that would expand charter schools in Missouri, while administrators for traditional public schools are raising concerns they will drain resources. Republican Rep. Rebecca Roeber of Lee's Summit has introduced a bill that would allow charter schools in any city with more than 30,000 residents, the Columbia Missourian reported. ...

Two street projects start today that will affect Cape Girardeau motorists: n The 1800-block of westbound Broadway will be reduced to one lane, as the right lane is closed. n The 2100-block of westbound William Street westbound will be reduced to one lane, as the right lane is closed...

Approval of minutes n Minutes for the Feb. 4 meeting Communications/reports -- other elected officials n None at this time Public comments n Items listed on the agenda Routine business...

LOS ANGELES -- Women returned at the Grammys on Sunday as female acts won album of the year and best new artist, while rap also triumphed, with Childish Gambino's "This Is America" becoming the first rap-based song to win record and song of the year...

The Washington Post Super Bowl ad aimed to remind people across the country the importance of journalism in a free society. From the civil rights movement, to terrorist attacks to international journalists who were killed for reporting the news, the ad served as a reminder journalists are placed in the middle of controversial and sometimes dangerous stories. ...

Super Bowl was more of a Pooper Bowl. Puppy Bowl XV was more exciting by far! Go, team Ruff. ...

For almost 15 years now Bayside has delighted fans from coast to coast. Hailing from Queens, New York this is a band that sticks true to its moniker of a "cult phenomenon." With a loyal fan base and heart felt lyrics it is no wonder that their sound and message comes through loud and clear even with a toned down acoustic set. ...