Stories from Tuesday, March 30, 1993

Although members of the new Cape Girardeau Charter Review committee feared they were treading on precarious ground, they agreed Monday to proceed warily with plans to analyze the city's constitution. The 13-member committee, appointed earlier this month by the city council, held its first meeting Monday night. But members were uncertain as to their charge...

Fee hikes are on the agenda when the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents meets today. The regents will consider raising incidental fees by $5 per credit hour for in-state students and $10 for out-of-state students. The board will also be asked to raise fees for its two off-campus apartment buildings on Washington Street...

TCI Cablevison of Missouri announced Monday that it will raise expanded basic cable television rates throughout the service area "to keep pace with the regional cost of living index, plus an increase from program suppliers." Basic expanded cable service rates will go up 81 cents to $11.11 per month. Basic service will remain at $10 per month. The change in rates will become effective in April...

DELTA -- Voters in the Delta R-V School District face a quandary in the April 6 election. Their deteriorating high school needs replacing, but no one knows whether students will even be attending high school in Delta within a few years. About 60 people turned out Monday for an informational meeting at the school about the upcoming $1.05 million school bond election, and many of them sounded concerns about keeping a school in the town...

Elizabeth R. Ader will begin her duties as new director at the Cape Girardeau Public Library Thursday. Ader, who comes to Cape Girardeau from Lee's Summit, is filling a vacancy that was created in June when Terry Risko left the director's position. "I've moved into town and am looking forward to my new position at the library," said Ader Monday. "I'm very excited about being here. I feel this a wonderful opportunity for me."...

State Rep. Mary Kasten says she is disappointed that the Missouri House rejected her amendment that would have ended the incentive for people on welfare to have additional children to receive increased AFDC payments. The proposal was originally introduced by Kasten as a separate bill, but was offered as an amendment to a broad welfare reform package considered by the full House last week...

Steps are being taken to set up a pilot program at Washington Elementary School that could lead to more parental involvement in the education of the students. "It takes a whole village to raise a child," said Franklin School Principal Jim Watkins, quoting an African proverb that sums up the essence of the Comer school-development program...

It often takes a high-profile accident to call attention to dangers many people overlook. Such is the case of the recent deaths of two Cleveland Indians pitchers who died last week in a boating mishap on a Florida lake. Grim as the incident seems, with the deaths of two young men in violent circumstances, it might serve as a reminder that recreational boating carries its risks, and not paying homage to them can have tragic results...

In an administration where symbolism carries considerable weight, a decision made last week earned a nice bit of self-congratulations. However, the true measure of President Clinton's reversal of opinion on taxing ethanol as part of his energy package would be the extension of his thinking to several succeeding steps ... such as, deciding an energy tax is no way to close the budget gap...

To the Editor: As chairman of the Facilities Committee of the Citizen Advisory Commission on Education, I feel I have an obligation to the community to clarify some issues on the upcoming bond issue. Some often-asked questions from people I see every day are: Why do we need to build two schools at once? Why do we have two items on the ballot? Why does it cost so much? Is it really necessary?...

MOUNDS, Ill. -- Janet Schneider of Mounds died Monday, March 29, 1993, at her home. She was born in Jackson, Tenn., daughter of Archie and Minnie Hugg Burr. Schneider was a retired teacher of Mound City Community High School. She was a member of Congregational Church here, and served as organist many years. She was past president of Mounds Library Board and the Mounds Business and Professional Women's Club...

CHARLESTON -- M. Geraldine Black, 58, of Granite City, Ill., died Saturday, March 27, 1993, at her home. She was born Nov. 21, 1934, in Charleston, daughter of Kit Nard and Mildred Adel Medlock Jones. She and James "Randy" Black were married Oct. 29, 1949...

SIKESTON -- Clifford N. LaPlant, 75, of Sikeston, died Sunday, March 28, 1993, at Sikeston Convalescent Center. He was born Juy 18, 1917, in New Madrid County, son of George W. and Clara Tanner LaPlant. He and Doris Cutliph were married Nov. 23, 1936, at Dexter...

CHAFFEE -- Funeral mass for Alma Dohogne Best of Poplar Bluff was held March 22 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Poplar Bluff. The Revs. Ralph Dufner and John Braun officiated, with burial in the church cemetery. Fitch Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements...

MOREHOUSE -- Nellie Selph, 83, of Bourbon, died Sunday, March 28, 1993, at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. She was formerly of Morehouse. She was born Dec. 23, 1909, in Saltilo, Tenn., daughter of Charles and Emily Frazier Burns. She married Elvis Selph April 24, 1927. He died June 14, 1976...

William R. Beard, 72, of 625 Louis, died Monday, March 29, 1993, at his residence. Ford and Sons Funeral Homes are in charge of funeral arrangements which are incomplete at this time.

PERRYVILLE -- Harry Rader, 79, of Perryville died Saturday, March 27, 1993, at Perry County Memorial Hospital in Perryville. He was born Sept. 18, 1913, at Ste. Genevieve County, the son of Brooks B. and Essie Rimbock Rader. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Perryville...

SIKESTON -- A talent contest called Starmania will be held Wednesday at Country Nites nightclub on Highway 60 East in Sikeston. The contest features competition for male and female vocalists, dancers, female models, comedy and variety acts. Winners have the opportunity to go on to national competition. Doors open at 7 p.m. and showtime is at 8 p.m...

Three Southeast Missouri high school students won the right to advance to the state Citizen Bee Competition April 17 in Jefferson City by capturing the top spots at the Regional Citizen Bee Competition held in March at Southeast Missouri State University...