Stories from Tuesday, October 29, 1991

JACKSON - The Cape Girardeau County Commission has conducted preliminary discussions with an architect about expanding the county jail. The expansion being considered would be to the north of the jail and would provide a dormitory to house up to eight female prisoners...

The city of Cape Girardeau next week will embark upon construction of a $35 million flood-control project that's expected to reduce by 70 percent damages from a 100-year flood. A ground-breaking ceremony for the Cape LaCroix Creek-Walker Branch flood-control project will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the intersection of Commercial Street, parallel to Kingshighway, and Bloomfield Road...

Of the many native American cultures in the United States, only one developed an alphabet and written language. The Cherokee, also called Ani' Yun' wiya, or the Principal People, was one of the five "civilized" tribes of the Southeastern United States and the only one to develop their own alphabet and written language...

Almost 300 Southeast Missouri State University employees and spouses are voluntarily participating in a health screening this week as part of the university's Wellness Advantage program. "We are actually overbooked," said Jacque Hooper, a member of the health management faculty at Southeast and the university's wellness coordinator. "We now have people on the waiting list."...

Jeanne White, whose son Ryan died of AIDS last year, will speak in Cape Girardeau Nov. 12. Ryan, a hemophiliac, was diagnosed in 1984 with the disease, and subsequently was shunned by friends and neighbors in his Indiana hometown. Ryan became a reluctant international celebrity and his mother, an educator on the disease...

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is asking people with any information about two hazardous waste sites near Malden and Sikeston to meet with department staff members today and Wednesday. The department is investigating soil contamination and possible contamination of ground water at the former BEE-CEE Manufacturing Co. plant in north Malden and the former Quality Plating plant four miles north of Sikeston...

The closing of the Burfordville covered bridge at Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is one of more than 1,500 threats to Missouri state parks and historical sites, a study says. Tracy Mehan, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, last week announced results of the four-year study. The study identifies 1,552 threats to 76 state parks and historical sites, said the department, which conducted the study...

Much of a high school education prepares students to make money. At Notre Dame High School, students are also getting a lesson on how to use the money they earn. Notre Dame Principal Mary Ann Fischer said: "Schools prepare students to do well in the business world, to get a good job and have money. But sometimes we neglect to teach students how to manage their money. That's what is so practical about this course."...

A two-vehicle collision Monday on Highway 51 in Perry County seriously injured two people. Bernard J. Meyer of Perryville, no age given, and Jasper N. Hollingsworth, 44, of Fredericktown, were taken to St. Francis Medical Center, said the Missouri Highway Patrol at Flat River...

"During a break in last Saturday's defiant testimony from Clarence Thomas, Sen. Edward Kennedy remarked on the bitter aftertaste that the experience would leave with the nominee. `What if he gets on the court now?' the Massachusetts Democrat asked. `What will he think about Congress?'" From a Wall Street Journal news article, Wednesday, October 16, 1991...

Ollie Amick is the state representative for the 160th District, which includes north Scott County and most of Mississippi County. I have been asked if I support Proposition B. Yes, I voted for this bill in the final days of the session. I do have reservations. ...

Bill Emerson and other congressmen are pushing legislation that's designed to increase the availability of earthquake insurance in quake-prone areas such as Southeast Missouri. That approach should be welcome news to those of us living along the New Madrid Fault, the most active seismic zone east of the Rocky Mountains. The fault runs roughly from Marked Tree, Ark., to Cairo, Ill. But in the event of a major earthquake, its impact would be felt over a much wider area...

Dear Editor: I have to question parents' knowledge of Proposition B. Have you read it yourself or did you just hear what the media has been telling you? I suggest you read the fine print. I did and this is what I found. Section 15.2 states the state board shall expend funds for ... ...

Bob Griffin represents District 10 in Missouri. He serves as Speaker of the House, and was first elected in 1970. "Preparing our children for the 21st century" Changes in the world economy and the latest computer technology is of little importance to Missouri's nine- and 10-year-olds, until we give them a dollar to go to the store or succumb to their wishes and buy them the latest video game...

Joseph Orthwerth represents District 18 in Missouri. He serves as Assistant Minority Leader of the house. "It's Bait-and-Switch time Again in Jeff City" When it comes to the tax-and-spend schemes of government bureaucrats, the old sales tactic know as "bait-and-switch" comes in awful handy. ...

MONAHANS, Texas - Lucy Robinson, 75, of Monahans, Texas, formerly of Chaffee, died Sunday, Oct. 27, at Odessa Medical Center in Odessa, Texas. She was born in Missouri on May 28, 1916, daughter of Jim and Mary Worley. She was a member of the Life Tabernacle Church in Oran...

Raymond Grider, 77, 1113 N. Water, died Monday, Oct. 28, 1991, at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

CHARLESTON -- Edna B. Swank, 86, of Charleston, died Monday, Oct. 28, 1991, at Charleston Manor. She was born Sept. 23, 1905, at Greenville, daughter of I.M. and Ella Meloy Bounds. She and Ruel Swank were married Nov. 1, 1936. Swank had lived in Charleston 50 years. She was a member of Greenville United Methodist Church, Charleston United Methodist Women, member and past worthy matron of Eastern Star, member of American Legion Auxiliary and Charleston Women's Study Club...

BENTON -- David Weakley, 34, Benton Route 1, was found dead Sunday, Oct. 27, 1991, in a house in Ballard County, Ky. He was born March 7, 1957, at Charleston, son of Charles and Mary Virginia Ledbetter Weakley. Weakley had lived in Charleston most of his life, and was a carpenter...

WHITEWATER -- Joseph Wesley Wendel, 83, of Whitewater, died Sunday, Oct. 27, 1991 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born March 28, 1908 at Whitewater, the son of Henry and Mary Ulrich Wendel. He worked for the Ceramo Pottery Company for 23 years and retired in 1973...

Original artwork by Cape Girardeau artist Jake Wells and a print by Mark Farmer of Cape Girardeau are among big-draw items for the 11th annual Humane Society of Southeast Missouri fund-raising auction Nov. 9 at the Cape Girardeau VFW Post, 1049 N. Kingshighway...

A special two-day antique and collectibles show and market will be held in Cape Girardeau Saturday and Sunday. Exhibitors from four states will be displaying quilts, coins, jewelry, dolls, paper Americana and various Christmas-related items at the A.C. Brase Arena Building in Arena Park...

BLOOMFIELD -- Dail Kent Hill, 75, of Pensacola, Fla., died at Baptist Hospital there Saturday, Oct. 26, 1991. He was born Nov. 14, 1915, at Puxico, son of W.E. and Rose Foster Hill. He and Launa Aslin were married Sept. 14, 1942, in St. Louis. Hill was a sergant major with Missouri Army National Guard, retiring in 1975...

ANNISTON -- Pleasant Dutie Bailey, 83, of Anniston, died Monday, Oct. 28, 1991, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, following an extended illness. She was born Aug. 26, 1908, in Gainesville, daughter of Wayne and Alberta Clasky McCullough. She married Harry Reno Bailey Aug. 25, 1926...

Leoma V. Riley, 71, of Chaffee, died Sunday, Oct. 27, 1991, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Oct. 19, 1920 at Oran, daughter of Otto McGray and Mellie Robinson McGray. She married Harold L. Riley on July 14, 1939. He preceded her in death April 13, 1976...

ADVANCE -- Lucille Dunning, 73, Advance Route 2, died Monday, Oct. 28, 1991, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born July 14, 1918, near here, daughter of Willie and Martha Pixley Poe. She and Monroe A. Dunning were married Oct. 3, 1935, at Benton...

I WOULD LIKE to publicly thank the three special fellows from the fire department and one from the police department who helped me when I needed help. They're the greatest. BECAUSE OF THE pushiness and stupidity of some women in this country everybody is changing our English grammar. ...

ULLIN, Ill. -- The Louisville District Corps of Engineers will host a public meeting on the Olmsted Lock and Dam project at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at Shawnee Community College near Ullin. Representatives of the district and the Department of Labor will give a presentation and will be available to answer questions...