Stories from Tuesday, March 16, 1993

The first phase of a search for a new president of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce is under way. "We have drafted a list of qualifications for the position, and will be advertising in national and state publications and regional media," said Judy Wilferth, chairperson of the chamber's search committee. "We'd like to start initial screening of applications in June, with a hiring date of September or October."...

Cape Girardeau's new fire chief says he wants to build on already strong public support and goodwill to make the fire department more community oriented in its mission to protect lives and property. To do that, Chief Robert Ridgeway, 49, envisions what he calls the "neighborhood fire station" concept that will more actively involve firefighters in the daily affairs and activities of the neighborhoods, which they now serve...

DEXTER - One of the biggest thrills in the distinguished public service career of Charles Kruse came in August of 1990 when he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and appointed assistant adjutant general for the Missouri Army National Guard...

A study of Cape Girardeau transit needs recommends the city consider expanding its current taxi coupon program to provide public transportation for a larger segment of the population. Tom Tucker, director of the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission, reported to the city council Monday that the present taxi coupon system meets about 60 percent of the transportation needs of the city's elderly population...

All full-time employees of the city of Jackson will get a pay increase this year, their first since 1991. The 5 percent increase for the 78 full-time employees is contained in the city's 1993, $11.1 million budget adopted Monday by the Jackson Board of Aldermen. The employees didn't received a pay hike last year because there was no extra money in the budget, officials said...

The featured guest on "University Conversations" Sunday will be Keith Russell, who chairs the university relations committee of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. The 30-minute program can be seen Sunday on local cable access Channel 5 at 7:30 p.m...

Lori Garrison of Poplar Bluff was crowned Mrs. Missouri United States in a pageant held at the Show Me Center Saturday night. Kelly Williams of Sikeston was first runner-up in the event, and Jean Ann Birke of Cape Girardeau was second runner-up. Also placing were Teresa Staten of Poplar Bluff, third runner-up, and Jana Jateff of Cape Girardeau, fourth runner-up...

Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar had a busy weekend. He cut a ribbon during open-house ceremonies for the new Players International Riverboat Casino at Metropolis Saturday morning and that night attended the Illinois Class A State Basketball Tournament at Champaign...

SCOTT CITY -- The Scott City Council has asked a consultant from an independent cable television company to evaluate the city's potential for running its own cable service. The city will pay the travel and lodging expenses of a consultant from Paragould, Ark., to come and do a preliminary study of the city. The city of Paragould started its own cable company a few years ago to compete with the franchise cable already available in the area...

How will the Clinton administration's tax intentions affect you and your business? Will the "shared sacrifice" he espouses truly be shared? Will spending cuts find a place on the agenda of revenue enhancements? Good questions. Unfortunately, the answers are illusive and the time it takes to settle on new strategies does little to calm a nation's collective anxieties. ...

Considering all the foreign and domestic programs he's currently facing, Bill Clinton must wonder at times why he ever thought he'd like to be president. --- In trying to fill the job of attorney general, President Clinton discovers that filling the nation's top law enforcement job is like trying to find a cop when you need one...

Private graveside service for Hellen Marie Hinck of Albany, Ore., was held March 1 at Franklin Butte Cemetery in Scio, Ore. Weddle Funeral Home in Scio was in charge of arrangements. Hinck, 84, died Thursday, Feb. 25, 1993, in an Albany hospital. She was born Jan. 12, 1909, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Joseph and Myrtle Moore Kimbel. She and Ted Hinck were married Dec. 24, 1941, in Cape Girardeau. He died in 1961...

Gerald "Gerry" Howell, 63, of Newtown, Va., died Wednesday, March 10, 1993, in a Newtown nursing home. He was born March 16, 1929, in Cape Girardeau, son of Alphonso and Ethel Dockins Howell. He and Corrine Steakley were married April 5, 1953, in Godley, Texas...

George H. Callis, 86, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Olive Branch, Ill., died Monday, March 15, 1993, at the Lutheran Home. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel. Burial will be in Dublin, Ky. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday...

LAWRENCE, Kansas Dennis Lee Statler, 90, a former resident of Cape Girardeau, died March 15, 1993, in Lawrence. He was born Nov. 10, 1902, in Cape Girardeau County, the son of David and Emily Catherine Limbaugh Statler. He grew up in Cape Girardeau, and moved to Cord, Ark., in 1942...

GIPSY -- Fred Burns, 92, of Gipsy, died Sunday, March 14, 1993, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born in Mississippi on Aug. 6, 1900. In 1942, he married Pearl Spencer, she survives of West Fork, Ark. Also surviving are four sons, Tommy Burns of Fisk, Walter Burns of Gipsy, Jerry Burns of Cape Girardeau, Wesley Burns of Whitewater; two daughters, Jessie Burns of Wappapello, Mary Bailey of Gipsy; a stepdaughter Shirley Easter of West Fork, and 21 grandchildren...

Leona Schwettman, 82, formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Sunday, March 14, 1993, at Brandywood Nursing Home in Gallatin, Tenn. She was born Aug. 19, 1910, at Trenton, Tenn., daughter of James A. and Nora Grace Goodwin. On April 7, 1949, she married Homer Schwettman in Piggott, Ark. He died June 30, 1986...

JACKSON - Dorotha Lee Brussels, 86, of Jackson, died Sunday, March 14, 1993, at Jackson Manor. She was born Oct. 18, 1906, in Union County, Ill., daughter of Julious and Ethel Lazley Hartline. She married Harry Brussels, who preceded her in death in 1977...

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Scott, 1730 Oakley, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 9:19 a.m. Saturday, March 13, 1993. Name, Laura Elizabeth. Weight, 5 pounds 12 ounces. Second daughter. Mrs. Scott is the former Peggy Brockmeier, daughter of Allan and Elizabeth Brockmeier of Festus. She is a staff writer with the Southeast Missourian Newspaper. Scott is a deputy with Cape Girardau County Sheriff's Department, and is the grandson of Ernest and Gilberta Scott of Crystal City...

ANNA, Ill. -- Plans for a local petition drive to support a new state super-maximum-security prison for the area will be discussed during an 8 a.m. meeting here Wednesday. "We have been in contact with the Illinois Task Force on Crime and Corrections," said Jerry L. Reppert, head of a recently-formed Union County Economic Development Corporation. "One of the things that the task force is looking at is a super-maximum facility. We want to be in the running for that facility."...

The American Red Cross will conduct a series of blood drives in the Cape Girardeau area this month. The drives will be held: - Tuesday, Jackson High School, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. - Thursday, Marquand High School, 1-6 p.m. - Friday, Oak Ridge High School, 2-7 p.m...

ORAN -- Amy M. Bryeans of Oran has been awarded a Regents' Scholarship and Missouri Leadership Award to attend Southeast Missouri State University during the 1993-1994 academic year. The Regents' Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who graduate in the top 10 percent of their class and who have achieved an ACT score of 28 or SAT score of 1160 or have been named the valedictorian or salutatorian of their class and who have achieved an ACT score of 25 or SAT score of 1030. ...

SCOTT CITY -- Amy M. Page of Scott City has been awarded a Regents' Scholarship to attend Southeast Missouri State University during the 1993-1994 academic year. The Regents' Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who graduate in the top 10 percent of their class and who have achieved an ACT score of 28 or SAT score of 1160 or have been named the valedictorian or salutatorian of their class and who have achieved an ACT score of 25 or SAT score of 1030. ...

Julia Ruth Lufcy of Cape Girardeau has been selected as a finalist in the 1993 Pre-Teen Missouri Scholarship and Recognition program to be held in July at Jefferson City. She is the daughter of Ruth Ann Simon. Pre-Teen Missouri is an invitation scholarship and recognition event involving girls ages 7-12 who rank in the top 10 percent of the state academically. Girls are also invited to participate based on personal achievements, leadership abilities or creative talents...

SCOTT CITY -- Bryan Burger of Scott City has been selected to represent his school at the annual Sophomore Pilgrimage. Burger is the son of Mike and Judy Burger of Scott City. He is being sponsored by the Coalesce MFWC Club in Cape Girardeau. Burger is a member of 4-H Club, Pep Club, Model U.N., Future Business Leaders of America, Science Club, Student Council, varsity football team, baseball and track teams...

The Mathcounts team from L.J. Schultz Middle School in Cape Girardeau captured first place during the annual Southeast Chapter competition. The team from Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School placed third, and St. Vincent de Paul Grade School in Cape Girardeau earned fifth place...

The Four Seasons Chapter of National Audubon Society will meet Thursday at 7 p.m. The chapter will meet in the conservation Building at Cape Girardeau County Park North. Devin Amelunke, taxidermist from Jackson, will give the program on "The Natural History of the Ruffed Grouse."...

ULLIN, Ill. -- Anna-Jonesboro High School won the 1992 Regional Scholar Bowl, held March 4 at Shawnee College in Ullin. Egyptian High School was the second place winner, and Vienna High School won the consolation bracket. High scorers for each team were recognized with individual plaques. ...

The Scott City Chamber of Commerce will hold a dinner meeting tonight at 7 at Henson's Cafe'. The Scott City High School Future Business Leaders of America organization is expected to report on the annual "Buy Local" project. After the meeting, the chamber will be given a tour of the Blair Industries facilities...