Stories from Monday, April 19, 1993

Mussel shells in Missouri? Yes, but not nearly enough to meet the soaring demand, says the Missouri Department of Conservation. Although mussel shells naturally bring thought of an ocean setting to mind, Missouri is a prime resource for the musseling industry...

Prompted by new information gathered at Wickliffe Mounds, university archaeologists and students will begin searching this summer for ancient Indian villages they believe are still hidden among the region's farmlands. "We know some of those sites have to be out there," says Kit Wesler, director of the Wickliffe Mounds Research Center in Wickliffe, Ky...

We have all seen at least one commercial for a certain credit card that boasts - "don't leave home without it." But in Cape Girardeau, it's checkbooks people won't leave behind. "This is a check-based community practically no one carries cash," said Pat Ferrell, senior vice-president in charge of operations at Boatman's Bank of Cape Girardeau. "We handle an unbelievable volume of checks on a daily basis."...

The Southeast Missourian asked people what they thought about the verdict in the Rodney King case. Clarence Walker said, "I thought it was unjust. They should all have been convicted. They violated Rodney King's rights. It was no different than clansmen beating Rodney King except they had blue uniforms instead of white sheets. It's like going back two or three hundred years."...

A forum on riverboat gambling held Sunday afternoon at the Show Me Center drew an audience of 15 people and a panel of three speakers who oppose gambling. No one spoke in favor of riverboat gambling during the two-hour program, which was sponsored by the Cape Girardeau County branch of the conservative Christian American Family Association...

Kathryn Balsamo and Matt Strohmeyer have been named Students of the Month by the Cape Girardeau Elk's Lodge. Balsamo is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Charles Balsamo of Cape Girardeau. She is a senior at Cape Girardeau Central High School. She is a member of Student Council, National Honor Society, varsity swimming and diving, Beta Club and the marching band...

The Cape Duplicate Bridge Club held its regular Open Pairs game on April 9. Winners were: first, Jessie Brown and John Whitehead; and second, Peggy and Milton Sadler. Club games are open to all. The club meets in the Hirsch room at the Cape Girardeau Public Library on the second and fourth Fridays of each month...

Several steps must still be taken before a law enacted back in 1991 and scheduled to go into effect last January can actually be set in motion. The statute in question is the Ethics in Government Act, a finely tuned piece of legislation that got its impetus following the arrest and conviction of a former state representative whose substance abuse problems embarrassed and tarnished the reputation of an entire state legislature. ...

Selection by NASA of four Southeast Missouri State University instructors to participate in its Joint Venture Program virtually puts certain components of America's space program at the doorstep of the university and other schools in its service region...

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Teddy Scholl of Jackson, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 2:29 p.m. Saturday, April 10, 1993. Name, Jacob William. Weight, 8 pounds 10 ounces. Second son. Mrs. Scholl is the former Debra Clingingsmith, daughter of Alvin and Alma Clingingsmith of Jackson. She is patient accounts manager for Dr. Richard L. Kies. Scholl is sanitation foreman with city of Jackson, and is the son of Henry and Dolores Scholl of Altenburg...

Ruby Wagoner, 74, of 128 Garden Lane died April 18, 1993, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Chapel.

Lorraine C. Scheller, 69, of 1907 Marrietta, died Sunday, April 18, 1993, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born Sept. 14, 1923, at St. Louis, daughter of Harry S. and Francis Sauter Dailey. She was married to Charles Scheller, Feb. 23, 1961, at Union, Mo...

SCOTT CITY -- Mary Louise Schoen, 81, of Scott City, died Saturday, April 17, 1993, at her residence. She was born Aug. 4, 1911, at Indiana, daughter of Archie and Neava Highman Schoen. She was married to Robert Donet Schoen, April 25, 1929. He died Oct. 2, 1964...

SCOTT CITY -- Bobby Edward Ray, 56, of Commerce, died Saturday, April 17, 1993, at Saint Louis University Hospital in St. Louis. He was born May 6, 1936, at Pike County, Ky., son of William Bennett and Gertrude Williamson Ray. He was married to Mary Helen Upchurch...