Stories from Wednesday, May 29, 1991

Topmost among the latest buzzwords is Political Correctness, also known as PC. As readers of this newspaper must have observed, even the nation's cartoonists have joined the movement. In last week's Missourian, a cartoon originating in Cincinnati pictured a girl-child about to leave for a party, with her mother reminding her not to forget her political correctness. ...

There was a time when the federal government encouraged, and often paid, farmers to drain and fill swamps and wetlands. This acreage was viewed as a source of disease. In 1970, under the federal water bank program, farmers and ranchers were paid not to crop wetlands. The Comprehensive American Wetlands Act of 1990 goes a step further. It protects wetlands, which are now considered as a valuable resource in their natural state...

Denying favored-nation trade status to China will not force China to alter its actions, U.S. Sen. John Danforth said Tuesday. "If we discontinue trade with China, it will not accomplish the results those who want to stop it believe that it will," said Danforth...

John J. Keusenkothen, president of St. Francis Medical Center since 1976, announced Tuesday he will retire from his position, effective Sept. 30. In making his announcement, Keusenkothen added that he has agreed to continue in a consulting capacity following his retirement to help ensure a smooth transition for his successor, who has not yet been named...

Don Strohmeyer gets a charge out of Riverfest. But he admits that as chairman of the event's fireworks committee, finding a good site to ignite the pyrotechnic display can be a major headache. Last year, the idea of shooting the fireworks off a barge in the Mississippi River fizzled because of high water and insurance problems, said Strohmeyer...

JACKSON -- There will be no pay increase for teachers in the Jackson School District next year. The school board voted Tuesday to freeze the salaries of its certified staff because there won't be enough money in the teachers fund next year. However, teachers will be allowed to continue to advance through the new salary schedule adopted Tuesday. The 1991-92 schedule is identical to this year's pay schedule...

BILLY SISCO Occupation: Cape barber/stylist. Pet Peeve: The words: "It' Can't be done." I've always looked up to: "Almost everyone. I'm five feet six and 3/4 inches tall." The best part of my life was when: "I married my wife, Sandy, who gave me my daughters, Kathy and Debbie. After that I was proud to be grandpa."...

CHARLESTON -- A weekend fire at Charleston Junior High School has caused a school district tax-levy vote to be put on hold. An election to decide a tax increase that would raise $4.9 million for the district was planned for June 4. But school board members Tuesday decided to ask the Mississippi County Circuit Court to postpone the election for at least a couple of months...

The condition of Cape Girardeau's Jaycees Municipal Golf Course generally is as good as it's been in years, according to golfers who use it and the course consultant. Paul Bray, 1603 Bessie, a regular golfer at the course, said Tuesday he thought obvious efforts have been made to improve the condition of the course. "It's looking pretty good now," Bray said. "Of course, we've had excellent weather for growing. The fairways and greens are in good shape...

SCOTT CITY - Raymond J. Tomlinson, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Scott City, died Tuesday, May 28, 1991, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. He was 83. Tomlinson, who formerly had been at the Chateau Girardeau Nursing home in Cape Girardeau, was born Sept. 13, 1907, at Morley. On June 13, 1931, he married Juanita Losse, who died Nov. 24, 1981...

Daughter to Joel and Bobbi Jean Shock of Charleston, S.C., Naval Hospital there, Thursday, April 18, 1991. Name, Kayla Wesley-Ann. Mrs. Shock is the daughter of Leonard and Rose Myers of Holton, Kan. Shock is the son of Bobby and Linda Shock of Conway, Ark., formerly of Cape Girardeau...

Melvin B. Lyng, 56, 827 Jefferson, died Monday, May 27, 1991, at his home. He was born Nov. 8, 1934, in Seattle, Wash., son of John B. and Anna J. Grebstad Lyng. Lyng was office administrator at Fru-Con Corp. He received bachelor and master degrees from the University of Washington at Seattle. He was a member of Evening Optimist Club and ABC Bowling Association...

CHARLESTON -- Everett Gordon Jr., 9 months, of Charleston Route 3, died Friday, May 24, 1991, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. He was born Aug. 20, 1990, in St. Louis. Survivors include his mother, Anchylus Watts of Charleston Route 3; his father, Everett Gordon Sr. of Charleston; a brother, Noliver Davis of the home; a sister, Chala Davis of the home, and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Lee H. Davis of Charleston Route 3...

JACKSON -- Funeral service for Milton H. Frentzel of Bridgeton, formerly of Jackson, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Sam Roethemeyer will officiate, with burial in Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4-8 p.m. today...

THEBES, Ill. -- Charles R. Benefield, 64, of Thebes, died Monday, May 27, 1991, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born July 9, 1926, in McClure, son of Clarence and Bertha Phillips Benefield. He and the former Ollie Brown were married Aug. 12, 1954...

LEOPOLD -- Harriet Krussel, 82, of Leopold, died Monday, May 27, 1991, at St. Francis Medical Center. She was born July 20, 1909, in Tomah, Wis., daughter of Frank and Helen Borkowrez Rozynek. She married Paul Krussel Aug. 29, 1953. He died May 20, 1982...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Ruby L. Holleman, 80, of East Prairie, died Monday, May 27, 1991, at her home, following an extended illness. She was born Sept. 16, 1910, at McCrory, Ark., daughter of Lee and Dora J. Lovins Jeffries. She married William Holleman Sept. 30, 1930. She had lived here since 1955...

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- William W. "Blackie" Bradshaw, 72, of Galesburg, died Sunday, May 26, 1991, at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was born Oct. 31, 1918, in Olive Branch, son of Samuel and Mary Hahn Bradshaw. He and the former Joan Stambaugh were married Aug. 2, 1951, in Chicago...

SIKESTON -- Tennie Morris, 74, of Sikeston, died Sunday, May 26, 1991, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. She was born Feb. 17, 1917, at Portageville, daughter of Bailey and Jessie White Lovins. She married James Paul Morris Sr. Oct. 3, 1931, at New Madrid. He died Feb. 22, 1982...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Grace A. Conley, 93, of Cairo, died Tuesday, May 28, 1991, at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Ky. She was born Aug. 13, 1897, in Belding, Mich., daughter of Martin and Kate Stalin Shannon. She married Dr. Charles P. Conley, who died Dec. 17, 1988...

WHITEWATER -- Brian M. Pope of Whitewater, a senior at Delta High School, has been awarded a Regents' Scholarship and Missouri Leadership Award to attend Southeast Missouri State University. The scholarship is awarded to high-school seniors who graduate in the top 10 percent of their class and who score above the 90th percentile on the ACT or SAT test...

Government solutions to problems don't come easily. They are usually the painstaking result of feasibility studies, public hearings, draft reports, second draft reports, environmental impact analyses, budget haggling (whether it is funded or Superfunded), leaks to the news media and all varieties of other impediments found on the bureaucratic stairs...

The Major Case Squad of Cape Girardeau and Bollinger County has compiled some pretty impressive numbers in its eight-year existence. The squad's success underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation in solving crimes. Of the five homicides the squad has investigated, four have ended in convictions. Prosecution of a fifth case is pending...

JACKSON -- Two junior teams from the Cape Girardeau County Trail Blazers 4-H Club have placed fourth and eighth in state 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl Competition. The senior team placed fifth in state, and a junior member, Darren Harris, placed fourth for having the most correct answers...

The Southeast Missourian includes many special features in the daily and Sunday editions that appeal to the varied interests of readers. One feature with high readership is comics. Almost everyone who sees the paper, even children, who cannot read but look at pictures, turn first to the comics. All comics have fans, and to them their day is not complete until they see what their favorite comic-strip folks are doing...

"I always wanted to be a teacher," says Debbie Eich, "as long as I can remember." Eich teaches second grade at St. Vincent de Paul Grade School in Cape Girardeau. She is in her fourth year at St. Vincent's. Before that, she taught pre-school in Cape Girardeau for six years and for one year in Hanau, Germany to American children...

The Roll-A-Ways Square Dance Club of Cape Girardeau received a certificate of appreciation from Gov. John Ashcroft for their participation in the Adopt-A-Highway program. Ashcroft commended the club for their efforts to improve and enhance the appearance of Missouri's roadsides...

Dr. Clifford R. Talbert will discuss coronary heart disease during Thursday's "Ask Your Doctor" program on cable channel 13. The program begin at 8 p.m. This locally-produced medical show featured local doctors answering questions from local viewers who call in. Hosts are Martha Muench and Dr. Jean Chapman...