YEAR IN REVIEW: NOVEMBER ELECTIONS HELD; NO EARTHQUAKE DEC. 3

GATHERING FOR AN EARTHQUAKE THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN: This was the scene Dec. 3 at New Madrid, where more than 20 network and affiliate television station satellite trucks from around the country gathered to cover the New Madrid earthquake projection story. Dr. Iben Browning had projected a major earthquake for that day along the New Madrid fault, but none occurred. Instead of reporting on an earthquake, reporters spent the day interviewing New Madrid residents, tourists, and each other.

(The following "Year in Review" articles were compiled by Sharon Sanders, Southeast Missourian librarian. They are the last installments of the 1990 monthly reviews.)

December

2. Four county courthouses in Southeast Missouri plan to close Monday because of predicted earthquake for that day: Scott, Mississippi, Bollinger and Ripley

Five-cent gasoline tax apparently won't immediately affect price Cape consumers pay for fuel at pumps; recent drop in wholesale gas prices will offset federal gas tax that took effect yesterday.

Judy Wilferth has been named new chairperson of Southeast Missouri State University Foundation Board of Trustees.

3. New Madrid For past several months, this tiny town has been focus of growing national and international attention because of Iben Browning's projection of major earthquake on New Madrid fault; on Sunday media circus came to town; more than 20 network and affiliate television station satellite trucks from around country have descended on town to cover earthquake story.

City administrators outline three-phase program to improve low-income housing in Cape at City Council study session; plan includes adoption of minimum property maintenance code, application to Missouri Community Block Grant Development program, and efforts to secure local funds for housing assistance.

4. Dreaded Dec. 3, day of projected major earthquake along New Madrid Fault, came and went without so much as quiver.

Jefferson City Missouri Army National Guard's 1137th Military Police Company of Kennett and Caruthersville was put on alert late Monday for possible call to active duty in support of operation Desert Shield.

Dexter Riding crest of comparatively large turnout and 4 to 1 victory margin in his home Stoddard County, state Rep. Jerry Howard wins special election for state senator from 25th District.

5. Southeast Missouri State University plans to spend $67,000 this fiscal year on attracting and retaining minority students and promoting ethnic diversity on campus.

Cairo, Ill. Part of Cairo became history Friday, when 119-year-old National Weather Service office officially was closed.

Terry Risko, new director of Cape Public Library, began his duties here Monday.

6. Scott City Employees of Scott City Police Department were given polygraph tests last week at cost of more than $900 to city, following string of thefts within department, according to source in city government.

City Council Wednesday remanded to Municipal Golf Course Advisory Board proposal to increase fees at course, with instructions that board hold public hearing on plan.

Airport Advisory Board has recommended that City Council renovate airport terminal building and purchase 114 acres of farmland adjacent to airport for future industrial development.

7. Jackson Cape County and state authorities Thursday arrested fugitive Kenneth D. Mayfield, who was charged with shooting Cape man last month.

Jackson Presiding Circuit Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. has empaneled grand jury in Cape County to investigate drug cases; jury was empaneled Monday, but empanelment was not listed on published docket, and no notice was given to news media.

Retiring Southeast Missouri Hospital Administrator O.D. Niswonger was honored as retirement ceremony Thursday with announcement that hospital will establish employee recognition award in his name.

9. Long-time Cape attorney, civic leader and aviation pioneer Rush H. Limbaugh Jr. died here Saturday after lengthy illness; he was 72.

Jackson John Lichtenegger, who was elected vice president of University of Missouri's board of curators, said Saturday university needs educational reform and increased efficiency, not just more money.

Southeast Missouri has perhaps 50 percent chance of getting satellite U.S. Attorney's office after next October.

10. Charleston Randal Warren, 49, of Charleston, is on his way home after hiding out in Kuwait since Aug. 2, when Iraqi army invaded that county.

Arch Johnston, seismologist who heads Center for Earthquake Research and Information at Memphis State University, says that Memphis center "has severed any ties" with Dr. David Stewart and Center for Earthquake Studies at Southeast Missouri State, because of Stewart's public support of Iben Browning.

11. Scott City Scott City Councilman Ron Oller has called spending of more than $900 in municipal funds for polygraph tests given to city's police department employees "waste of taxpayers' money"; Oller says result of tests are not admissible in court of law and, therefore, "were not necessary."

Lone Star Industries, which has one of its largest cement manufacturing plants here, has filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of bankruptcy.

City's Golf Course Advisory Board has recommended that City Council approve compromise proposal to increase fees at course; compromise lessens increase that had been suggested for senior citizen annual passes and eliminates stipulation prohibiting non-residents from buying annual passes.

12. Randal Warren, 49, former Southeast Missouri man who spent four months hiding out in his Kuwaiti apartment, returned home Tuesday to delight of about dozen relatives who greeted him at Cape airport.

Dr. David Stewart, who recently has come under attack for his support of Dr. Iben Browning, has resigned as director of Center for Earthquake Studies at university.

Final two phases of cleanup at Kem-Pest Superfund site near Cape may begin next summer and will cost nearly $770,000.

13. Scott City Suspended Scott City police officer has filed allegations of misconduct against Scott City Police Chief David Beck.

Trustee sale of former Cape Girardeau WISER Inc. building Wednesday netted sham bids of $1 and $2 from disgruntled former employees before First Exchange Bank of Cape, note-holder, submitted winning bid of $711,773.83.

City's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board has recommended that city build underpass for fitness trail beneath new Bloomfield Road bridge; in doing so, board shunned city staff's advice to install pedestrian signal light at trail's Bloomfield Road intersection just east of Kingshighway.

14. Golfers of Jaycee Municipal Golf Course Thursday told members of Golf Course Advisory Board that proposed fee increase might actually reduce course revenue and that poor management and not low user fees is root of course's financial problems.

University's Board of Regents voted unanimously Thursday to terminate school's intercollegiate soccer program.

Toybox organizers do not have enough toys to provide toys to all children on list; program spokesman said between 150 and 200 families have no toys yet.

16. New Department of Education policy that would make scholarships for minorities illegal under civil rights laws may affect two such scholarships at Southeast Missouri State.

City Council Monday will consider recommendation by Golf Course Advisory Board to increase fees at Municipal Golf Course; it will also consider resolution authorizing contract for renovation of Municipal Airport terminal building.

17. Scott City Suspended Scott City Police Department employee faces city allegations that she switched urine sample of another employee during routine urine testing in department.

Jackson By unanimous vote, Jackson Board of Aldermen selects Capt. Larry Koenig, 14-year member of Jackson Police Force, to become chief of department when current Chief Robert "Red" Clifton retires at end of year.

18. St. Francis Medical Center will begin offering open heart surgery program by April 1; move means that both Cape hospital will be offering open heart surgery.

Scott City Buildings constructed or renovated after January 1991 in Scott City will be required to be in compliance with seismic building codes.

City Parks and Recreation Advisory Board ranks renovation of city softball fields as top priority for five-year parks capital improvement plan.

19. Scott City No decision was announced Tuesday following hearing that lasted nearly six hours before Scott City Police Personnel Board concerning suspended police dispatcher.

Toybox 1990 will be success, thanks to contributions that have flowed in this week.

Republican members of Missouri House of Representatives are suggesting that lawmakers review core budgets of state agencies and, rather than talk about new taxes, find ways to insure tax money is spent wisely.

20. Eighteen members of Army Reserve medical detachment here are among 400 reservists from four Missouri medical units who have been called to active duty in support of Operation Desert Shield.

State and local school officials say Missouri education faces funding "crisis" and teeters on "brink of disaster"; over half of state's school districts are spending more than they receive in revenue this year, forcing them to dip into district savings accounts; those districts include Cape, Jackson and Oak Ridge.

City Council Wednesday approved plan to build underpass for fitness trail as part of new Bloomfield Road bridge; underpass will be part of nine-mile fitness trail; council also rejected hike in golf fees at Jaycees Municipal Golf Course.

Jackson Recalling all pain he and his mother suffered, Bryan K. Crews has admitted beating his step-father, William W. Lowes, with ax handle, killing him.

21. Scott City Police Personnel Board here has decided not to dismiss dispatcher Joy Venable, but does give her 120-day suspension, demotion and cut in pay.

Seventeen Jaycees Santas delivered toys to nearly 800 children Thursday night; youngsters received their Christmas wishes through Toybox program.

Circuit Judges A. J. Seier and Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. began handling court docket in Perry County this week under six-month assignment from Missouri Supreme Court Justice Charles Blackmar; move was made to take pressure off of 24th district circuit judges who have struggled with rapidly growing caseload.

23. First full day of winter jolted area residents from nearly two months of unseasonably mild weather; winter made its debut at 9:07 p.m. Friday, and five minutes later wind at airport shifted to northwest, heralding arrival of slow-moving arctic cold front that quickly changed day-long downpour of rain over to freezing rain by early Saturday.

Fort Leonard Wood Military police unit with Missouri Army National Guard has been called up to serve as part of Operation Desert Shield; 1137th Military Police Company has elements in Kennett, Caruthersville and Jefferson Barracks.

New federal rules indicating return to some cable television regulation likely will have little effect on what consumers pay for most local cable programming.

24. New ethics law that could force hundreds of local and state officials to file annual financial disclosure reports is causing headaches for those trying to interpret law and establish compliance regulations.

Cape area is caught up in winter's deep-freeze, as residents battle cars that won't start and slippery roads; high temperature at Cape Sunday was 14 degrees, after morning low of 10; mixture of freezing rain, sleet and snow that fell Saturday left two-inch accumulation on ground Sunday and frigid temperatures assure Cape of white Christmas.

Municipal officials are trying to pin down founding date of Cape; city's bicentennial should provide economic shot in arm if local historians, university officials and others can agree on founding date of 1792, 1793, 1806, or 1808.

26. Cold arctic air that settled over most of United States Monday and Tuesday is taking its toll on man and machines in Cape area; number of injury accidents during past three days have been blamed on icy weather here.

Salvation Army officials are smiling; local Tree of Lights campaign raised about $81,000 in Cape and Jackson area, exceeding goal by about $1,000.

Inclement weather late last week curbed Trans World Express Airline fights in Cape and threatened to leave airport boardings short of annual goal of 10,000.

27. City officials are disappointed with Christmas gift they received from Census Bureau; bureau reviewed its results of housing units, but found its original count almost unchanged.

Mount Vernon Nancy Cruzan, whose case led to landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision on right to die, died Wednesday, 12 days after feeding tube implanted in her stomach nearly eight years ago was removed at her parents' request.

New federal tax has created something of buyers' rush at two Cape dealerships Ford Groves Motor Co. and Cadillac Olds Inc. whose automotive lines include luxury cars; as of Jan. 1, consumers who pay more than $30,000 for new car will be assessed 10 percent tax on amount over $30,000.

28. Weather man says area residents can expect brief respite from wintry weather today and Saturday, before more cold arctic air, freezing rain, sleet and snow return late Sunday afternoon and continuing on Monday.

Check of area stores shows that two essentials of snow season are in short supply in Cape: snow sleds and rock salt.

Area Wide United Way campaign has raised about $430,000 this year, increase over last year, but about $70,000 less than drive's $500,000 goal.

30. Preliminary U.S. Census Bureau figures for some Southeast Missouri cities show slight increase, but city officials say they still don't measure up.

Scott City Decision likely won't be reached until mid-January concerning allegations of misconduct against Scott City Police Chief David Beck; member of police department has accused Beck of failing to investigate reported thefts within department.

New Missouri solid waste law that goes into effect Tuesday, won't significantly alter city's waste disposal program for now; starting Tuesday, city will no longer be able to take certain materials to area landfills, including appliances, lead acid batteries, waste oil, and whole, waste tires.

31. Sheila Lee, Dr. Mike Brown and Glenn McFadden are among three Cape residents who are among 60 area Naval Reserve hospital fleet members who will be leaving Friday and next Monday for active duty in Persian Gulf as part of Operation Desert Shield.

With process of hiring new superintendent under way and two current board members planning to leave, Dr. Patrick Ruopp plans to file for reelection to fourth term on Cape Board of Education.

Excise tax increases will take effect Tuesday on liquor, beer and wine; tax will double from 16 cents to 32 cents on six-pack of beer, soar to 21 cents for bottle of table wine, and increase from $2 to $2.16 on fifth of 80-proof liquor.