Stories from Monday, July 19, 1993

The floodwaters of the Mississippi penetrated a Union Electric switching station south of the city Sunday morning, causing a two-hour power outage that affected an estimated 42,000 customers in Cape Girardeau, Scott City, Kelso and Chaffee. Robert Wagner, a spokesman for the electric company, said the waters entered the switching station across from the viaduct substation at about 9 a.m., causing a low voltage control center to short circuit. ...

A group of men playing cards, reading a newspaper or perhaps puffing on cigars is the Norman Rockwell picture of a fire station, but there's much more to being a firefighter in the 1990s. Although fires still burn as they did decades ago, the nature of the firefighters' responsibilities has changed dramatically...

A foster home program for pets has greatly reduced the stress and trauma the area's domesticated animals are undergoing due to the flood of 1993, say animal welfare and animal control officials. Overall, the area's animal population is in good shape, they add...

Beginning today, there's more to do at the Central Municipal pool than just swim. Now, kids and adults can enjoy a water-sport activity in the pool during the evening hours. Randy Barnhouse, aquatics director with the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department, is hoping the water basketball and water volleyball activities for kids and adults will attract more swimmers to the pool after 5 p.m...

The Southeast Missourian asked people why they volunteered their time to help fill sandbags Sunday morning at the Red Star Baptist Church. Jim Johnson said: "We drove up from Portageville this morning. We saw the news broadcast and didn't know the flood was this intense. We decided instead of going to church this morning we would come up here and help these people out."...

JACKSON - The Jackson Public Library's "Reading Up a Storm" summer reading program is a lot more than just reading, says children's librarian Judy Holmes. And the excited voices of over 100 youngsters were ample proof last week when Science Technician Bob Green of Southeast Missouri State University lifted an 8-foot gray rat snake from a cloth bag and draped it around his shoulder...

The opening of a new industry always attracts considerable attention. With it comes promises of new jobs and a hefty payroll that largely will be spent locally and generate tax revenues. Many manufacturing industries purchase raw materials and much of their other needs locally. Generally, a new industry delivers a real boost to the local economy...

Connie Mack Stadium used to stand on the corner of 26th Street and Lehigh Avenue in downtown Philadelphia. Torn down in 1969, Connie Mack Stadium was a victim of modernization. Heaton Stadium is the home of the Augusta Pirates, a Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. ...

Ever heard of the Federal Emergency Management Agency? Washington insiders, addicted to acronyms, call it FEMA now you've heard of it, I'm sure. For the moment and only for the moment FEMA is the most popular agency of the federal government. It's going to bring relief and comfort to the hundreds of thousands of people affected by the Great Flood of 1993 or so the victims want to believe...

The Cape Girardeau City Council tonight will consider an amendment to a city law regulating address numbering on buildings. The issue arose at the council's last meeting July 7, when city officials asked the council to prohibit the practice of painting address numbers on the curb in front of buildings...

The Cape Girardeau chapter of the American Red Cross urges anyone interested in disaster service training to attend an introductory course tonight at the Red Cross building, 2610 Gerhardt. The course is being offered free of charge, and begins at 6 p.m. The class will last approximately three hours...

PERRYVILLE -- Thomas W. Waller, 51, of Perryville, died Saturday, July 17, 1993, at Skaggs Community Hospital in Branson, Mo. He was born Dec. 16, 1941 at St. Louis, son of William C. and Elizabeth E. McPeters Waller. He married Norma L. Geile, Dec. 23, 1961...

SIKESTON - As chairman of the House Insurance Committee the past three years, Rep. Dennis Ziegenhorn has advocated a rate freeze as a way of dealing with the skyrocketing increases in workers' compensation premiums. The Sikeston Democrat reasoned that freezing rates would take some pressure off businesses that had been hammered by the rising rates and would give new legislation a chance to work...

Groundwork is under way at the site of a new, $3.2 million Lowes Home Center, which will open this year in Cape West Business Park alongside Interstate 55 south of Route K. "The permit was issued last week," said city Building Inspector Rick Murray. "This is one of the two big permits we've been expecting."...

It didn't take long to get a new industry into the "Top 10" "Industries of Southeast Missouri." Arvin Automotive of Dexter was not included in the list that was announced in the Southeast Missourian last week. The company, which manufactures mufflers and tail pipes, employs about 750 people, placing it in a two-way tie for the No. 4 industry, based on employment...

JACKSON -- Warranty deeds issued at the office of Janet Robert, Cape Girardeau County recorder of deeds: Gregory Thomas and Betty Jo Ann Wulfers to the Wulfers Family Trust; the G. Keith Deimund Trust to David L. and Angela K. Kaelin; Northfield Properties Inc. to Rodney G. and Pamela D. Arnold...

JACKSON -- George Dickerson of B&B Marine Co., Highway 72 West in Jackson, is winner of the OMC and Johnson Motors Excellence Award. The award is presented in recognition of outstanding service to customers. --- Kathy Bowers of Delta has been named manager of Auto Zone, 835 N. Kingshighway...