THE NEWS IN '96: DEATH OF EMERSON TOP STORY OF YEAR

A congressman died and voters elected his wife. A campaigning president stopped in Cape Girardeau. A rash of burglaries plagues the city's elderly.

The death of 8th District U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson and the subsequent election of his widow, Jo Ann, was the biggest local story of the year, according to the Southeast Missourian news staff. President Bill Clinton's visit in August was ranked second. The death of longtime lawyer Rush Hudson Limbaugh came in third.

The burglaries targeting the city's elderly, Russell E. Bucklew's escape from the Cape Girardeau County Jail, appointment of a new university president, passage of a $26.5 million water bond issue, completion of the university business building, the start of construction on the Mississippi River bridge, and replacements of Cape Girardeau's police and fire chiefs rounded out the top 10 stories.

The Southeast Missourian annually polls its editors, reporters and photographers on top stories. In 1995, the top story was the firing of Dr. Neyland Clark and his assistant, Dr. Tim Niggle, by the Cape Girardeau Board of Education.

The Top 10 stories of 1996:

1. Bill Emerson's death and Jo Anne Emerson's election.

It was a story of triumph over tragedy. It began on June 22, when Emerson, an eight-term House member, died from lung cancer at 58, just weeks after launching a re-election bid. Emerson, considered unbeatable at election time, was called a friend by most, a dedicated legislator and a man of the people.

On July 10, Emerson's widow announced she would run. After three months of vigorous campaigning, Jo Ann Emerson easily defeated Democratic opponent Emily Firebaugh and three others.

2. Bill Clinton's visit.

With just a week's notice, Cape Girardeau seemed well prepared to greet President Clinton as he swung through town on Aug. 30, as part of his campaign bus tour.

Clinton delivered an address to a crowd of about 30,000 people at Capaha Park, reiterating his theme of "Building a Bridge to the 21st Century." While Clinton swept the November election nationally, in Cape Girardeau County he lost to Republican Bob Dole.

Vice President Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton also addressed the gathering.

3. Rush Hudson Limbaugh's death.

Leaving behind a cherished legacy, Rush Hudson Limbaugh, one of Cape Girardeau's favorite sons and the nation's oldest practicing lawyer, died April 8 at the age of 104.

A local icon, Limbaugh's interest in law never waned. At his age he went to work about twice a week at the Limbaugh, Russell, Payne and Howard law firm, which he founded 50 years ago in Cape Girardeau.

In 1985, then-Missouri governor John Ashcroft declared May 17 Rush H. Limbaugh Day in the state in honor of the Cape Girardeau lawyer.

4. Burglaries of elderly residents' homes.

While 1996 was a record-setting year for burglaries in Cape Girardeau (more than 400), the most shocking were the 16 involving Cape Girardeau's elderly. In late June, incidents dubbed "home invasions" began being reported by people ranging in ages from 60 to 95. A lone man wearing a ski mask broke into the homes of elderly residents, demand money and fled. Later, victims described two men committing the break-ins.

Telephone lines were cut in some instances and the men brandished knives and hurt people who were uncooperative. A 90-year-old disabled woman was cut on the hand after being dragged across the floor by the men. Another elderly man had an arm and some ribs broken after refusing to give up his wallet.

No arrests have been made. Cape Girardeau businesses have offered a total of $6,600 in reward money for the capture and conviction of those responsible.

5. Russell E. Bucklew's escape from Cape Girardeau County jail.

Bucklew, charged with rape, first-degree murder, kidnapping, and armed criminal action, was at large June 18, after escaping from the Cape Girardeau County Jail in Jackson by placing himself inside a garbage bag and having a jail trusty put in a large trash receptacle outside.

A 68-hour massive manhunt involving many police agencies sought Bucklew, who was considered very dangerous. Sheriff John Jordan said he would not hesitate to give the order to shoot to kill if Bucklew resisted arrest or endangered lives.

Bucklew was apprehended the following day, but not until assaulting two more people who were related to the woman he allegedly raped. Bucklew is awaiting trial, which will be held in March at Columbia.

6. Southeast Missouri State University picks a new president.

On April 30, the Board of Regents unanimously chose Dr. Dale Nitzschke of Ohio to head the university. Seen by many as a no-nonsense administrator with a strong leadership style, Nitzschke became the university's 16th president, succeeding Dr. Kala Stroup, who left in 1995 for a job with the Missouri Board of Higher Education.

7. Passage of Cape Girardeau's water bonds.

On Nov. 5, Cape Girardeans overwhelmingly voted to pass a $26.5 million bond to increase water-treatment capacity. The vote was preceded by a massive education effort. City officials addressed almost 50 community groups, explaining why the city needed more water.

With one water plant's expansion, capacity will be increased from 7.3 million gallons per day to more than 12 million gallons per day over the next 20 years. Water system manager Tom Taggart had warned that the city could run short of water within the next two years if the issues did not pass. Work on the treatment system will begin at the first of the year. Construction may begin in fall 1997.

8. Southeast Missouri State University business building.

After over a year of fund-raising, planning and construction, the business building at Southeast Missouri State University, Robert A. Dempster Hall, was dedicated on Sept. 16. The state-of-the-art building cost $15.8 million to build. It is technologically one of the best-equipped higher education buildings in the state.

9. Construction on the Mississippi River bridge.

Funding came through for construction of the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge at Cape Girardeau. The existing two-lane bridge is considered too narrow and structurally deficient. Traffic is restricted to 45 mph on the 68-year-old bridge. Flooding in 1993 and 1995 also took its toll on the span.

The new, $78 million concrete-and-steel bridge will be four lanes wide. It will be built south of the existing bridge. Steel cables will hold up the bridge deck. The new route will connect to Interstate 55. Federal funds will pay 80 percent of the cost; Missouri and Illinois will pay the remainder.

Construction began in 1996 and should be in full swing this year. The bridge is expected to be finished in 2000.

10. New police and fire chiefs chosen.

The resignations of Cape Girardeau's fire and police chiefs left a sizable hole in city leadership. While interim chiefs filled in, city administrators picked two men to fill the shoes of police chief Howard "Butch" Boyd Jr. and fire chief Robert Ridgeway.

Daniel White, fire chief in Springdale, Ark., will take over the Cape Girardeau Fire Department on Thursday. Richard Hetzel, police chief in Norcross, Ga., starts his job as police chief in Cape Girardeau Jan. 13.

THE NEWS IN '96

1. U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson of Missouri's 8th District succumbed to a battle with cancer June 23. His wife, Jo Ann, was elected in November to the seat he had held since 1980.

2. On Aug. 30, Bill Clinton became the sixth president to visit Cape Girardeau. He spoke to a crowd of about 30,000 people in Capaha Park. Vice President Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, 8th District congressional candidate Emily Firebaugh, and Gov. Mel Carnahan also addressed the gathering.

3. Rush Hudson Limbaugh, one of Cape Girardeau's favorite sons and the nation's oldest practicing lawyer, died April 8. Limbaugh is the grandfather of nationally syndicated radio-talk-show host Rush Limbaugh III.

4. In June, a rash of burglaries at the homes of elderly Cape Girardeau residents began. Six months later there have been 16 such burglaries with no arrests. There is $6,700 in reward money being offered.

5. On June 18, Russell E. Bucklew, an inmate awaiting a murder trial in the Cape Girardeau County Jail, escaped by placing himself inside a trash bag. During the 64 hours he was free he assaulted two people.

6. On April 30, the Board of Regents unanimously chose Ohio education consultant Dr. Dale Nitzschke as Southeast Missouri State University's president.

7. On Nov. 5, voters in Cape Girardeau approved the sale of $26.5 million in bonds to increase water-treatment capacity. The bonds will be financed by a new quarter-cent sales tax voters also approved.

8. On Sept. 16, the $15.8 million Robert A. Dempster Hall was dedicated on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. The concrete and glass structure was constructed in 13 months.

9. A new Mississippi River bridge at Cape Girardeau received funding and construction began.

10. With the resignations of Cape Girardeau's police and fire chiefs, city administrators scurried to replace them by year's end. The replacements begin in early 1997.

OTHER TOP NEWS OF 1996

* On Jan. 12, the Cape Girardeau Board of Education picked Dan Tallent superintendent of schools.

* Cape Girardeau County prepared to become a first-class county on Jan. 1, 1997.

* An amendment to the city charter was passed, creating an ethics committee.

* Several area citizens got the chance of a lifetime as they carried the Olympic Torch through the area in May.

* Republican vice presidential candidate Jack Kemp visited Jackson days before the election

* The Nov. 5 election saw the re-election of most incumbents. County Commissioner Joe Gambill was ousted by Democrat Max Stovall, who takes over Wednesday.

* The speed limit rose from 65 mph to 70, despite protests from those who said a higher limit would increase accidents.

* A big issue was the lack of a full-time federal judge in Cape Girardeau. Local lawyers said one is needed and having one could affect the proposed new federal building here.

* Vince and Jan Kelley, owners of a local construction company, were indicted for embezzling money from a local union. After a weeklong jury trial, the couple were convicted of several counts of mail fraud. Embezzlement charges against Vince Kelley were thrown out by the judge. They are to be sentenced in January.

* Three Cape Girardeau men were implicated in the Texas killing of a convenience store clerk. One of the men hanged himself while in the City Jail being held on other charges. The other two men are being extradited to Texas where they could face the death penalty.