Stories from Tuesday, April 7, 1992

School reform must start in the classroom and "bubble up" to state and national improvements, according to a new approach for change pitched to local school officials Monday. The Coalition of Essential Schools, an offshoot of research into American high schools by Theodore R. Sizer, suggests an initiative called "Re:Learning, From Schoolhouse to Statehouse."...

The Cape Girardeau City Council Monday approved unanimously a local ethics ordinance designed to better prevent conflicts of interest. In other business, a split council voted 4-2 in favor of changing the city staff's budget format to give the council greater latitude to review and assess individual department programs and services...

Over the years, James L. "Jay" Thompson has given a lot of thought to running for Congress. He hasn't acted on those thoughts because of his concern about the cost of running and the difficulty of unseating an entrenched incumbent. This year though, Thompson believes things might be different and is seeking the Democratic nomination for Congress from the 8th District. ...

JACKSON -- The Jackson Board of Aldermen voted Monday to proceed with plans to improve Greensferry Road to eliminate a traffic hazard on the crest of a hill near the intersection with Clark Street. Until the project is completed late this summer or early fall, four-way stop signs will remain at the intersection. A flashing warning light has been placed over the intersection to alert drivers of the four-way stop...

CHAFFEE -- The city's Ordinance Committee will consider what should be done with stock race cars in Chaffee. Mayor Ron Moyers sent the matter to the committee at the Chaffee City Council's regular meeting Monday night after a Chaffee man complained that he had received a public nuisance notice from a police officer for "miscellaneous junk" and a stock car in the rear of his yard...

In another era, a film such as "Last Temptation of Christ" may have prompted heresy trials and burnings at the stake. During the summer of 1988, picket lines, economic boycotts and angry appearances on talk shows led the furor of people who denounced the movie as "blasphemous."...

SIKESTON - The Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission has awarded several contracts for highway construction and resurfacing projects in the Cape Girardeau area. The largest is a $2,012,785 contract for grading and paving a portion of relocated Highway 25, between Dutchtown and Blomeyer, in southwest Cape Girardeau County...

SCOTT CITY - A one-page campaign flier was distributed to many residents of Scott City Sunday night and early Monday morning in newspaper delivery bags. Shirley Young, who is district circulation manager in Scott City for the Southeast Missourian, said she was upset that the bags were used for this purpose and that she was working with city police to find out who was involved...

CHAFFEE -- Wilma Howell, 70, died Monday at her Chaffee Route 2 home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee.

CHARLESTON -- James Mitchell "Fred" Williams Sr., 65, of St. Charles, died Sunday, April 5, 1992, in an automobile accident near Potosi. He was born July 22, 1926, in Mississippi County, son of Mack and Velma Mitchell Williams. He and Darlene Marie Kreibaum were married July 23, 1966...

Funeral service for Carolyn Ann Smith of Charleston, Ill., formerly of Cape Girardeau, was held Saturday at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home in Decatur, Ill. Pastor Dave Brown officiated, with burial in Gracelend Cemetery at Decatur. Smith, 42, died Thursday, April 2, 1992, in an automobile accident in Coles County, Ill...

PERRYVILLE -- Denver A. Yamnitz, 68, of Owensville, formerly of Perryville, died Sunday, April 5, 1992, at John Cochran VA Hospital in St. Louis. He was born Sept. 25, 1923, at Patton, son of Anthony and Mary Hartle Yamnitz. Yamnitz served 20 years in the U.S. Navy, and was a member of VFW Post 4282 here...

GRAND TOWER, Ill. -- Randy Ray Masters, 32, of DuQuoin, formerly of Grand Tower, died Sunday, April 5, 1992, at Marshall Browning Hospital in DuQuoin. He was born April 18, 1959, in Murphysboro, son of Frances and Rosemary Cripps Masters. He and Sandra Curry were married Dec. 1, 1986, in Cape Girardeau, Mo...

THEBES, Ill. -- William Gifford Minor, 62, of Thebes, died Saturday, April 4, 1992, at his home. He was born July 14, 1929, at Sneedsville, Tenn., son of Emory and Ida Wilson Minor. Survivors include a daughter, Linda Holliday of Aurora, Colo.; three sisters, Joan Cook of Thebes, Mary Oviatt of Chicago, Pearl Dunn of Kingsport, Tenn., and a grandson...

In conjunction with national Alcohol and Drug Awareness month, the Gibson Recovery Center Inc. is planning an open house today. The event will be held from 1-4 p.m. at the center, 1112 Linden. Three films will be shown during the open house: "Disease Concept (David Ohlms)" at 2:30 p.m.; "The Co-Dependent Woman," 1:30 p.m.; and "The Cat Who Drank Too Much," 4 p.m...

The condition of Terry Long, 71, of Cape Girardeau, has improved considerably, said a close friend of the family and a business associate of Long's. "He's much better," the friend said. "But he's got a lot more to go through before he'll be out of the woods."...

CAIRO, Ill. -- A special luncheon will be held at Magnolia Manor, 2700 Washington Avenue, today. The luncheon, sponsored by the Cairo Historical Association, will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Magnolia Manor is a restored Victorian home listed on the National Register of Historic Places...

To the Editor: Every American should have access to affordable health care in this country. We don't deserve any less. We have the most technologically advanced system in the world, but it is too expensive for some to get even the most basic services. ...

To the Editor: There is a wealth of resources available at our Public Library. I am particularly grateful for the expansion of audio tapes. My work requires a great amount of reading in the religious area. I seldom have times to read a novel or non-fiction works. I also spend a large block of time traveling in my car, which has a tape player...

Missouri lost one of its proudest namesakes last week ... or perhaps it has only been displaced for a while. A storied American battleship, the USS Missouri, was decommissioned in Long Beach, Calif., a victim of changing politics abroad and fiscal trepidation at home. ...

H. Morley Swingle is a resident of Cape Girardeau and prosecuting attorney of Cape Girardeau County. The Missouri General Assembly is in the process of making a horrible mistake. I know, I know, what else is new. The problem is that this time it is a life and death issue. ...

To the Editor: As you have noted (Perspective, Apr. 6), health care reform is a hot political topic. The major problem is the focus seems to be on the providers. While there are significant issues with providers, the so-called solutions will quite likely be worse than our current problems...

The Region IX Council on Developmental Disabilities will host an informational meeting on the Missouri Family Trust Fund Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. at St. Francis Medical Center, conference room A. The fund offers a way for families to contribute to the care of their loved ones who have developmental disabilities without risking loss of governmental funding...

The Cape Girardeau Bicentennial Commission recently announced its policy concerning funds disbursement and logo use. Walter Wildman, chairperson of the finance committee, and Shirley Talley, vice chairperson, explained the policy. "The policy is very simple and is designed to provide accountability for funds being provided by the city of Cape Girardeau as well as funds that may be raised on behalf of the bicentennial celebration," said Wildman...

SCOTT CITY -- The city's water superintendent will soon begin testing homes in Scott City for possible lead contamination in the water. The testing was discussed at a Monday meeting of the Scott City Council. Water Superintendent Douglas Curnell said the testing is being done to comply with state regulations. The tests will be done through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources...