Stories from Sunday, March 1, 1992

Missouri education faces a broad spectrum of questions in these challenging fiscal times. The Missouri branch of the National Education Association, which is of late sending feelers into the Cape Girardeau area, believes it has some answers. We applaud interest in the dialogue. We've also seen no evidence the organization offers anything in the way of solutions...

Within days of Gov. John Ashcroft's signature on the 6 cent gas tax measure overwhelmingly passed by the legislature, progressive things are under way with roads and bridges in Southeast Missouri and around the state. Friday's spectacular weather was hospitable to the federal, state and local officials who turned out for initial work on the eastward extension of the Nash Road project into the SEMO Port Authority...

Pat Heckert lives in Cape Girardeau and teaches here. An open letter to Nancy Baker: I read your "Be Our Guest" article~~ earlier this month, and like Steven Mosley of Sikeston, I too feel I must respond. First, I will begin by saying that I have known and worked with a number of the outstanding educators who staff the fine parochial schools in our area. ...

One of the most active years of the El Nino weather cycle occurred in 1982. That same year a record number of tornadoes and severe storms occurred in Missouri. Of the 79 tornadoes reported in the state that year, 30 occurred in December, which is not considered to be an active tornado month. That same year there were more flash floods associated with severe thunderstorms, resulting in extensive property damage...

Marcia Walton, who teaches learning-disabled and behavior-disabled students at Cape Girardeau Central High School, says newspapers in the classroom provide a helpful option. Students who balk at reading a textbook often enjoy reading the newspaper, she said. "Maybe it's because it's not a textbook. The newspaper is readable for them."...

SCOTT CITY - A meeting Friday morning with highway officials and representatives of agencies that must issue environmental permits likely will shift into high gear final preparations for the extension of Nash Road into the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority...

The last time Missouri hosted a World's Fair and the Olympic Games, visitors were astounded to learn that soon every home would have electricity, everyone would have cars and travel along super highways, and families would be able to cross the ocean in a matter of hours on large airplanes, says Richard Pisani...

Storey's Food Giant, 201 S. Broadview, closed at about 6 p.m. Saturday in what a Storey's manager described as a permanent closing. Joel Kaye, Storey's district manager at Sikeston, said the store was forced to close because of "a breach of contract" by owners of The Centre, the shopping development in which the store is situated. He did not elaborate...

In response to student concerns about the enrollment procedure at Southeast Missouri State University, the registrar's office has announced several changes for 1992 summer and fall semester enrollment, which begins this month. "We are interested in trying to make the process better," said Jeannine McGinnis, Southeast's registrar. ...

ST. LOUIS Two companies that have borrowed heavily from First Exchange Bank have filed for protection from creditors while they reorganize under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy laws. The companies, Missouri Leather Products and Quality Business Accessories, filed for protection earlier this month. Bill Chilton of St. Louis, a brother of former First Exchange president Don Chilton, is affiliated with both companies...

SCOTT CITY - Former businesswoman Ella Jane Ferriell, 97, of Scott City, died Saturday, Feb. 29, 1992 at El Nathan Home Inc. in Marble Hill. Ferriell owned and operated Ladies Ready Wear in Cape Girardeau and Illmo for many years. She was born in Marble Hill Mary 2, 1894 to William Bennett Yount and Mary Jane Moyers. On June 20, 1953 she married Joseph Roy Ferriell, who proceeded her in death...

SCOTT CITY -- Cecil Dwayne McDowell, 54, of Scott City, died Friday, Feb. 28, 1992, at St. Francis Medical Center. He was born Oct. 25, 1937 at Swinton, son of Earl and Ada Orsborn McDowell. He married the former Judy Ann York on March 14, 1975 in Cape Girardeau. She survives of the home...

ORAN - Oran resident Thelma Christeen Hudson, of 212 Miller, died Friday, Feb. 28, 1992 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was 74. She was born at Knobel, Ark. May 25, 1917, daughter of Arphus Hart and Mae Lamb. She married John Burton Hudson on Sept. 28, 1935 at Corning, Ark. He survives...

Gerald Leroy Langston, 58, of 2533 Marsha Kay in Cape Girardeau, died suddenly Friday, Feb. 28, 1992 at St. Francis Medical Center. He was born Jan. 6, 1934 in Cape Girardeau, the son of Roscoe and Aline Smith Langston. On Feb. 15, 1958 he married the former Wilma Mavers at Gordonville, and she survives...

PERRYVILLE -- William F. (Bill) Cissell, 70, of Perryville, died Saturday, Feb. 29, 1992, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Dec. 24, 1921 in Perry County, son of Frank and Mary Tucker Cissell. On May 21, 1945, he married Merle R. Pingel. She survives of the home...

MYRTLE -- Ernie Bray, 41, of Myrtle died Friday, Feb. 28, 1992, at Walnut Ridge, Ark., as a result of a traffic accident. He was born Jan. 28, 1951 in Searcy, Ark., son of Thomas and Clorean Kaylor Bray, who both survive of Jackson. He was pastor of the First Baptist Church in Myrtle and principal of Lynn High School in Lynn, Ark...

Former Cape Girardeau resident Hazel Marie Kauffman, of Montgomery City, died Saturday, Feb. 29, 1992 at Audrian Medical Center in Mexico. She was 68. She was born Sept. 14, 1923 in Cape Girardeau County, daughter of the late William and Buna Wright. She married Robert Kauffman April 22, 1981...

MARBLE HILL -- Charles Robert Davis, 70, of Pevely, died Friday, Feb. 28, 1992, at Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Festus. He was born Oct. 21, 1921 near Advance, son of Leo and Mamie Wishon Davis. He was a retired automotive mechanic and a veteran of World War II, having served in the Air Force...

LILBOURN -- Wilbur Larkin Giddens, 81, of Lilbourn died Friday, Feb. 28, 1992, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was a longtime band director and a charter member of the Southeast Missouri Band Association. He was born Oct. 13, 1910 in New London, son of Wilson N. and Gussie Larkin Giddens...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Funeral service for Golda Mae Wallace of East Prairie was held Saturday at Shelby Funeral Chapel here. Larry Smith officiated, with burial in East Prairie Memorial Park Cemetery. Wallace, 78, died Thursday, Feb. 27, 1992, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston...

Stephan Morton Gray, 32, of Alexandria, Va., died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 1992, at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. He was born June 5, 1959, in DeRidder, La., son of Col. Thomas and Arlene Gray. Gray was an announcer at KGMO Radio in 1985-86...

UNITY, Ill. -- Funeral service for Isola Ballentine of Unity was held Feb. 22 at Algee Memorial Chapel in Cairo. The Rev. J.L. Posey officiated, with burial in West Side Cemetery at Ullin. Ballentine, 76, died Friday, Feb. 14, 1992, at her home. She was born Nov. 18, 1915, daughter of Joseph and Missouri Jamison Batts. She married Joe Willie Ballentine in 1930 in Missouri...

Over 60 years of musical experience will be featured Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at a duo-piano recital in Academic Auditorium. Betty Sue Palsgrove, professor emerita, and John Shelton, professor of music at Southeast Missouri State University, will present the recital. It will feature a varied program of literature by J.S. Bach, Mozart, St.-Saens, Arensky, and Debussy...

A celebration is planned this week at Trinity Lutheran School for National Lutheran Schools Week. Robert Hartmann, principal of the school, said a week of activities are planned beginning today. The theme for the week is "Touching Lives Forever: Christ Touches Me."...

ULLIN, Ill. -- The Illinois State Police headquarters office here may be assuming more duties in the future. Under a proposed statewide reorganization plan, 40 current district and zone offices would be consolidated into 15 offices. In the Southern Illinois area, the DuQuoin office would be closed, shifting the regional duties to the Ullin District...

In a presidential election year the peccadillos of politicians are probed. The campaigner's stands on the economy are elucidated, on education exemplified. The campaigners' dreams for America will be dissected, their promises purloined. Come November the electorate will be so brain-battered and bruised by all the hoopla, hope and hype, voters will stumble into the booths and breathe a sigh of relief no matter which way things go. ...

For 10 years, the Cape River Heritage Museum has worked to preserve Cape Girardeau's history with displays, archives, a library and special projects. Situated at the corner of Lorimier and Independence streets in the former police and fire headquarters, the River Heritage Museum opens for its 10th season Saturday, March 7...

Could it have been an old-timer who said, "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb?" It probably was, because it is one of those old homey sayings that has been with us for so very long. March seems to be a bit different every year. It can have raw, bitter cold days--even sleet and snow. It can be beautiful and spring-like and the flowers pop out of the ground...

The Cape Girardeau County Christian Women's Club will meet twice on March 9 in the Jackson Room at Holiday Inn. The regular luncheon will be held from noon to 2 p.m. It will feature a fashion show by Howard's, with music by Robyn Hosp. An evening dessert meeting will be held from 7-9. Jean Ann Burke will sing and show porcelain dolls from That's My Baby. All working women in the community are invited to attend the evening meeting...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Construction of a 20,000-square-foot mega-clinic, which officials say will take care of 75 percent of the Cairo area's medical needs, is progressing ahead of schedule. The medical clinic, which will include outpatient surgery, a dental clinic, and emergency room, is on a five-acre plot near the Interstate 57-Route 3 intersection north of Cairo...

Larry Shafer, marketing representative with the Cape Girardeau Post Office, will be guest speaker at the Professional Secretaries International meeting March 17. Shafer will discuss the new automated mail-processing system during the 6:30 p.m. meeting at Drury Lodge...

The doors of the Wal-Mart Supercenter opened over a week ago, and official grand-opening ceremonies will be held at the new facility Tuesday. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned at 8 a.m. Tuesday with local officials and Wal-Mart executives from Bentonville, Ark., participating...

JACKSON -- Jackson Dental opened here recently. The business, situated on Highway 61 East, offers complete dental service six days a week, said Dr. Stan Williams, one of the dentists involved in the operation. Williams, a Dexter native, and Dr. Benjamin Goodier of Jackson teamed up to open the office...

Daina Rae's, a craft supplies and gift shop, opened Saturday at 130 N. Main in Cape Girardeau. "We offer many craft supplies patterns, paints, lace and ribbon," said Daina Eyler, owner of the store. "Our gift selections include Victorian-era gifts, greeting cards, lace doilies, aprons, baskets, and the Wyndham collection of bath products."...

Ronald W. Koeppel has joined Credit Bureau Services Inc. as marketing director. Koeppel will direct sales and services for the credit bureau in 17 counties of Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. Koeppel has seven years of experience in direct sales to financial institutions throughout Southeast Missouri. He is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University...

Big Al's Nightclub opened recently at 619 S. Kingshighway. The club, owned by Bisher Enterprises Inc., is open from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. five nights a week: Wednesdays through Saturdays and on Mondays. "We have live entertainment featuring country and rock 'n' roll Wednesday, Friday and Saturday," said Alan Bisher, president of the firm. "We use a sound system Monday and Thursday featuring dance music on Monday and rock 'n' roll on Thursday."...

METROPOLIS, Ill. -- W. Virgil Hargan of Metropolis, formerly of Mounds, Ill., agency manager of the Country Companies Pulaski-Alexander-Massac Agency, has been honored for 30 years service with the insurance firm. Hargan started his career with the Country Companies in 1962 as an agent in the Jackson County Agency. He was named agency manager of the Massac Agency in 1964, and became the manager of the Pulaski-Alexander-Massac Agency in 1986...

Dan D. McLean, formerly of Cape Girardeau, has been named chief operating officer of Safeco Property and Casualty Insurance Companies of Seattle, Wash. McLean will become president of Safeco at the end of the year, when its president, James W. Cannon, retires...

JACKSON -- Precious Memories Bridal and Fashion Boutique has expanded. "We have added a prom and party room," said Vanita Jones, owner of the business at 125 S. High in Jackson. "We were getting too crowded. The new room shows our large selection of party dress in a more relaxed atmosphere."...