Stories from Sunday, August 2, 1992

The momentum of current American politics seems to ebb and flow in tidal waves. Poll numbers don't creep, they gyrate. Is it an electoral rout in the making? Not necessarily. If President Bush "lurches" (as his friend Bill Bennett put it on TV last Sunday) through the rest of the campaign, it will be. ...

CAIRO, Ill. -- The appearance of King River and a queen pageant and ball will be the highlights of Riverboat Days here. Dates and events have been announced for the fourth annual gala that will be held in October this year. "We used to schedule Riverboat Days with a Fourth of July celebration," said George Bell, a spokesman for the Cairo Chamber of Commerce committee, which is sponsoring the two-day event. "We decided to go with a fall scheduling this year."...

OLMSTED, Ill. -- James Burd is anxious to see his town grow, but he wants to avoid a "ghost town syndrome." "We don't want to be a boom town today and ghost town tomorrow," said Burd, mayor of this small Southern Illinois community for 24 years. Olmsted, population 350, and several other Southern Illinois communities are expected to share in an economic boom during the construction of the billion-dollar plus Ohio River dam that will extend from just above the Olmsted boat ramp to the Kentucky shore.. ...

One statewide ballot proposition you should be familiar with prior to Tuesday's voting is Amendment 7. Let's take a look at this little-understood amendment, which, if passed, could have truly farreaching implications: School districts, city and county governing bodies may adopt property tax rates authorized in this section by majority vote. ...

One of the catchphrases of the 1992 campaign season is "family values," and the concern with this is not misplaced. Many of society's problems are rooted in the declining influence of traditional beliefs. In too many cases, personal responsibility seems to have become an optional, rather than obligatory, aspect of American behavior. ...

It's official: Sam's Club is coming to Cape Girardeau. Sam's Club officials confirmed plans last week to build a 134,900- square-foot warehouse adjacent to the Wal-Mart Supercenter near the Route K/Siemers Drive intersection. "We are extremely excited about our plans to open a Sam's Club in the Cape Girardeau area," said Al Johnson, Wal-Mart vice chair~man/Sam's chief executive officer. "Building a club in the Cape market will contribute greatly to the area's long-term growth...

When they embarked last fall on an ambitious plan aimed at accommodating new state solid waste regulations, Cape Girardeau officials knew some of their efforts would be controversial. But few expected the flood of criticism unleashed against the plan by some Cape Girardeau citizens...

Missouri's 1992 primary election campaign comes to a close Tuesday as voters across the state go to the polls to choose final slates for the Nov. 3 general election. This year's primary has been an especially active one with five major candidates running for governor and the four other statewide offices on the ballot this year being vacated by incumbents seeking the chief executive's job...

It will be business as usual at many stores that sell tobacco products when a new anti-smoking law goes on the books Aug. 28. That's because many businesses already refuse to sell cigarettes and other tobacco products to minors as a matter of store policy...

Barlow's Self Service in Delta used to sell cigarettes to minors. But not anymore. Since mid-July, clerks at the gas station and convenience store have refused to sell tobacco products to those under 18 years of age. Their policy reflects a new state law, which takes effect Aug. 28...

A new Missouri solid waste law enacted in 1990 has been blamed for rising solid waste costs throughout the state, but many cities regard the measure as a necessary burden. The law, often referred to as Senate Bill 530, is aimed at minimizing landfill use by promoting recycling, market development for recycled products and the recovery and reuse of energy from trash...

A group of Southeast Missouri business leaders believe they have come upon a way to curb rising health insurance costs by linking businesses with medical providers and insurance carriers. The Southeast Missouri Business Group on Health is unveiling a new health insurance program based on quality care and cooperation, said Mary Dunn, executive director of the group...

CHAFFEE -- A Chaffee man suffered injuries when the vehicle he was riding in ran off the roadway and into a fence and trees. Marion Yahn, 22, was reported in stable condition at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston Saturday. The vehicle, driven by James Gonzales of Delta, was traveling north on Highway 61 a mile south of Morley about 2 a.m., when it crossed the center line and ran off the road...

In brief stops at Cape Girardeau to wind down their campaigns, the two leading Democrats for governor agreed their race is close, that many voters are still making up their minds and that people will base their decision on issues of leadership and vision...

GORDONVILLE -- The Rev. Paul W. Ludwig Sr., 93, of Ft. Wayne, Ind., died Monday, July 20, 1992, at Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne. He was born Dec. 28, 1898, at Appleton, son of the Rev. Reinhold and Hedwig Huebner Ludwig. He married Thekla C. Fredrich, who died Feb. 3, 1978...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Funeral service for Eleanora T. Stubbs of Anna, Texas, formerly of Jonesboro, will be held at 1 p.m. today at Norris and Son Funeral Home. Burial will be in Jonesboro Cemetery. An Eastern Star service was held Saturday at the funeral home...

PERRYVILLE -- Funeral mass for Coena M. LaNier of Fairmont City, Ill., was held Saturday at St. Vincent's Catholic Church. The Rev. Charles Rice officiated, with burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Young and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements...

BLOOMFIELD -- Funeral service for Stella M. Wyatt of Bloomfield will be held at 2 p.m. today at Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home. The Rev. Dallas Reagan will officiate, with burial in West Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Wyatt, 67, died Thursday, July 30, 1992, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston...

SIKESTON -- Emma Trabert, 77, of Sikeston, died Thursday, July 30, 1992, in Sikeston. She was born Nov. 29, 1914, in St. Louis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Trabert. Friends may call at Crews-Welsh & Ponder Funeral Home from 1-2 p.m. Monday. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Monday in Garden of Memories Cemetery...

Leona Egson, 67, 1105 Linden, died Thurday, July 30, 1992, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born Feb. 1, 1925, in Grenada, Miss., daughter of John Henry and Hazel King. She married Sam Egson in 1942 at Sikeston. Egson had been a cook and supervisor at University Hall at Southeast Missouri State University, and a cook at Southern Cafe. She was a member of New Life Fellowship...

SIKESTON -- Nettie Brooks Watkins, 89, of Sikeston, died Saturday, Aug. 1, 1992, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center, where she had resided for two months. She was born March 17, 1903 in Sikeston, daughter of Walter J. and Mary Jane Ramsey Brooks. She had lived in Naples, Fla., where she was owner of a resort facility. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Charleston...

JACKSON -- Jesse Norman Smith, 79, died at Jackson Manor Saturday, Aug. 1, 1992. He was born May 1, 1913, in the Millersville community, son of Rowan and Idona Hartle Smith. He Married Nov. 18, 1933 to Flossie Blanche Wilson. She survives. Other survivors included a brother, Sherman Smith, Flint, Mich; one granchild; and one great grandson...

ANNA, Ill. -- Lura Howerton, 94, of Anna, died Saturday, Aug. 1, 1992, at Union County Hospital in Anna. She was born near Anna Aug. 9, 1897, daughter of Gordon and Emma Granay Hileman. She was married to Frank Howerton Sept. 21, 1913. He preceded her in death Dec. 23, 1971...

Alice M. Robinson, formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Thursday, July 30, 1992 at the Bonds Nursing Home in Marble Hill, Mo. Ford & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, which will be announced later.

CHARLESTON -- Willie Triplett, 63, of Charleston, died Friday, July 31, 1992, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born May 21, 1929 in Lake Village, Ark., son of Hansey Triplett Sr. and Susie Ousley Triplett. He was a retired farmer...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Graveside service for Dorothy M. Evans of Cairo was held Saturday at Green Lawn Memorial Gardens in Villa Ridge. The Rev. Earnest Brown officiated, with Barkett Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Evans, 81, died Thursday, July 30, 1992, at Daystar Care Center...

The dean of the College of Business Administration at Southeast Missouri State University has resigned to take a similar administrative position at a small Catholic university in Miami. Richard Schmidt, who helped push Southeast's business program along the road toward national accreditation, said Friday that the resignation will take effect in September. He said an interim dean will be appointed to direct the college until a new dean can be hired...

The two leading contenders for the Democratic nomination for state treasurer are wrapping up their campaign with a confrontation over the size of a contribution one received. Former State Rep. Bob Holden of St. Louis said he was outraged to learn that his primary opponent, Cole County Auditor Jim LePage, had accepted $314,000 - representing 92 percent of his campaign receipts - from one source...

Frederick T. Janzow will present the address during summer commencement exercises Friday at Southeast Missouri State University. Janzow is a professor of biology at Southeast. Pandora Taylor of Jackson will lead the 1992 class of 207 undergraduates. Taylor has a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and will receive a bachelor of science degree in education...

For nearly 30 years, the Jackson Men's Garden Club has cultivated a simple goal good gardening. But since the club was formed in 1963 it has evolved, making its name wrong on two counts: members come from Advance to Altenburg and women now make up about half the membership...

Cucumbers, resting in brine, lend a "harvesty" odor to the kitchen. They remain "brined" for seven days then go through a daily process of being bathed in a hot, spicy solution for seven more days, for they are to be the renown 14-day pickles, so coveted as a relish any time of the year...

How can it be August so soon? Where has the summer gone? Such a short time ago it was Valentine's Day, Easter and Independence Day? In spite of the high temperatures, August is still a busy time in the garden and with garden activities. This is the weekend of the Japanese Festival at Missouri Botanical Garden in St. ...

The 45,000-square-foot building at 760 S. Kingshighway that housed Rust & Martin Furniture for a number of years is taking on a new look. "It's like a new building inside," said James Rust. "We have completely remodeled the interior of the building. We've redone and added walls, rewired the entire building, added all the new facilities called for by the disability code, and are in the process of adding a new roof."...

A 7-year-old Cape Girardeau girl has changed dramatically from a "big grouch" to a mature little girl with improved speech and attitude, said her mother. "Other kids used to shun her," her mother said. "But now she's just like a normal kid." At the age of 3, the girl, Alisha Schwartz, daughter of Robert and Lisa Schwartz, could only say a few words and wouldn't turn around when her name was called...

JACKSON -- Warranty deeds issued at the office of Janet Robert, Cape Girardeau County Recorder of Deeds: Greenwood Land Company to James E. and Donna McDonald; James E. and Donna McDonald to Linda K. Kaiser; Stephen C. and Karen J. Strong to Stephen C. and Karen J. Strong...

STE. GENEVIEVE Gramex Corp. plans to expand beyond the St. Louis area for the first time by opening a GrandPa's store in Ste. Genevieve. A 72,000-square-foot store to be built near the intersection of Highways 61 and M will be the 10th GrandPa's, said Rob Voss, president of GrandPa's...

JACKSON -- Construction is under way for Bent Creek On The Green, a condominium development by Bent Creek Developers. Situated on a 4.5 acres between the 10th and 18th fairways of the Bent Creek Golf Club, "Bent Creek on the Green will offer a unique style of living to people in Southeast Missouri," said Mike Litzelfelner, who announced the project last week...

David L. Hahs of Cape Girardeau has been cited for sales excellence by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. of Milwaukee. Hahs, who received the ~Top 100 award for the 100 best sales performers, is associated with Northwestern's T. Ronald Hahs district agency in Cape Girardeau...

Raben Tire Co. Inc. opened operations here recently. "We recently purchased Richardson Tire Co., 3480 Nash Road," said Herman Lintner, general manager of the Missouri Division of Raben Tire. "We have added a large inventory of truck, auto and farm equipment tires."...

Janet Job recently joined MetLife, and has completed training from MetLife Career Success School at Tulsa. Job formerly worked as a cosmetologist and beauty adviser at Famous Barr. Job and her husband, John Job, reside in Cape Girardeau. They are parents of three children: Angela, Donnie and Kelsea...

"We've been providing transportation for people for five years," said Ray Duffey, president and manager of Bootheel Area Rapid Transportation (BART), which is observing its fifth anniversary this year. Headquartered at 1707 Mount Auburn Road, BART was founded in June 1987 by John Marek and Duffey, with two vans to provide transportation from Cape Girardeau to and from St. Louis International Airport...

Stephen C. Del Vecchio, manager of Hillin and Clark, PC, of Cape Girardeau, has been elected chapter president of the 200-member Southeast chapter of the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants. Other officers for the 1992-93 year are Stephen M. ...

A local jewelry designer has returned to Cape Girardeau with the "new look" in jewelry for the fall season after attending a New York jewelry show July 18. Chuck McGinty, owner of C.P. McGinty Jewelers, and his wife, Laura, spent three days scrutinizing jewelry of designers and manufacturers from around the world. They've now traveled to five New York jewelry shows...