Region briefs 6/12

Girl Scouts to collect old flags for burning

The Girl Scout Otahki Council is collecting worn American flags for a flag-burning ceremony.

They can be dropped off Thursday at Sunny Hill Gardens and Florist at 206 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau.

The ceremony is at 1 p.m. Friday, which is Flag Day, at Camp Sacajawea. It is north of Cape Girardeau. For more information, call the Girl Scout office at 334-7741.

Son born to widow of pilot who died in war

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Daniel Gardner McCollum Jr., son of a Marine pilot killed during the early days of Operation Enduring Freedom, was born at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday at the San Diego Naval Hospital.

Capt. Daniel McCollum was one of 14 Marines who died when their transport plane crashed into a mountain in Pakistan on Jan. 9. He was the plane's co-pilot.

The 7-pound, 7-ounce boy is the son of Jennifer McCollum, a former Cape Girardeau resident who is the daughter of Jenny and Bill Harkey of Cape Girardeau.

Both the blond-haired, blue-eyed boy and his mother are reported in good condition.

Performance to aid area's disaster victims

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- In light of the recent catastrophes that have hit Poplar Bluff and Butler County, Cheerful Heart Ministries is living up to its namesake and the belief that laughter is the best medicine to help raise funds for the unmet needs of disaster victims.

Cheerful Heartand several area businesses will sponsor the Caring Communities Unmet Needs Disaster Relief Concert featuring comedian Aaron Wilburn.

"This concert is our way to help raise community awareness to the fact that people are still in need," said Jim Hoyt, president of Cheerful Heart Ministries.

The concert will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church across from the Poplar Bluff High School football stadium.

There will be no admission and tickets aren't needed, but everyone attending is encouraged to make a donation.

Nine counties eligible for state flood relief

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Nine Missouri counties are eligible for disaster assistance because of May flooding, Gov. Bob Holden's office said Tuesday.

The counties are Boone, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Douglas, Livingston, Mississippi, Perry, Scott and Stoddard.

State, local and eligible non-profit organizations in the counties may receive funds on a 75 percent federal, 25 percent non-federal basis for the repair or replacement of public facilities damaged by the storm.

Governments and organizations also may be eligible to receive funding for projects intended to reduce the potential damage from future disasters.

Carnahan will play host for Tipper Gore visit

WASHINGTON -- Tipper Gore dropped the idea of running for Senate herself, but she's helping Democratic Sen. Jean Carnahan run for election.

Gore will visit St. Louis and Kansas City on July 12 and 13, Carnahan's campaign spokesman said Tuesday.

The spokesman, Dan Leistikow, said that fund raisers are planned in each city but that details still are being worked out.

Republican Jim Talent, who is seeking to oust Carnahan, was the host to President Bush at a money-raising dinner Tuesday in Kansas City.

Carnahan, 68, was appointed to the seat won posthumously by her husband, the late Gov. Mel Carnahan, and must be elected in November to finish out the term. Talent, 45, narrowly lost the 2000 governor's race.

As of March 31, when the most recent campaign fund-raising reports were due, Carnahan had reported raising more than $5.57 million and had nearly $3.47 million cash on hand.

Talent had raised more than $3.1 million and had more than $2.12 million cash on hand.

-- From staff and wire reports