Stories from Tuesday, July 20, 1993

To the Editor: The regional publication, ~Business Today, has since it~s inception been a part of my reading regime. I have found it generally informative and factual. However, in the July 1993 issue I was taken back by the publication's ~~"Opinion Column~~" comments concerning the recently defeated riverboat gambling proposal. ...

Like many things in life, governing is a matter of learning the right words and how to play the game. Master these aspects of public service, and legislating becomes a prettier, if not more productive, exercise. The recently concluded session of the Illinois legislature demonstrates how spin control, expertly executed, can put a good face on unsteady management; when it comes to cosmetic effect, Maybelline has nothing on lawmakers...

Gene Munger, a resident of La Canada, Caoif., is president of Munger and Associates. A graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School and Southeast Missouri State University, he worked for Shell Oil Co. for 36 years. After more than 39 years, I returned recently to Camp Lewallen, Southeast Missouri's Boy Scout Council Camp, where I had spent eight summers as a scout, a counselor and a scoutmaster. ...

O.J. Miller, president of the Area Wide United Way, has appointed Dennis Marchi as general chairman of the 1993-94 campaign. Marchi will be assisted by Ron Hopkins, chairman elect. The Area Wide United Way established a goal of $500,000 to provide financial support to 25 local human care organizations in this immediate area. Volunteers are being recruited and actual solicitation will begin in mid-July and continue through October...

While floodwaters ravage homes, businesses and farms along the Mississippi River north of Cairo, Ill., cities to the south will remain dry. Caruthersville is the only city south of Cairo predicted to have a flood crest above flood stage but just by 1 foot. At New Madrid, farmers are worried about losing their crops not to flooding but to drought...

Inaccurate data from electronic equipment that transmits Mississippi River stages by telephone from the Cape Girardeau river gauge has prompted the National Weather Service to raise the expected flood crest at Cape Girardeau. The river is now expected to crest at Cape Girardeau on Wednesday at 47.7 feet. ...

JACKSON - On July 9, at a briefing to discuss flood conditions in Cape Girardeau County, Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep said he would ask for National Guard troops only as a last resort. He proudly said Cape County had a strong corps of volunteers and the resources to deal with the rising floodwaters. ...

More than 270 Cape Girardeau residents have been affected by the Mississippi flood so far, and 12 businesses have been closed. Most of the affected houses 75 are in the Red Star District, prompting Councilman Doug Richards to call on the city to begin looking at ways to better protect the district...

McCLURE, Ill. Residents traveling north or south of McClure on Route 3 are finding the going slow in some areas. Travelers going from Cape Girardeau to Chester, Ill., should add another half-hour and about 20 miles to their trip. The floodwaters of the Mississippi River, in addition to assorted thunderstorms, are playing havoc with road conditions throughout Southern Illinois, creating many impassable roads and bridges...

JACKSON -- The city of Jackson could have a new public works director and assistant city administrator before the end of the year. On Monday night the Board of Aldermen authorized the city to begin advertising for the combined position of public works director and city administrator...

SCOTT CITY -- A few concerned citizens told the Scott City Council Monday exactly what they thought about the city's ordinance concerning weight limitations on city streets. The ordinance, as it has stood for decades, restricts any vehicle weighing more than 8 tons from travelling upon city streets...

Delivering mail in areas along the flood-ravaged Mississippi River is a tough task these days. The relentless floodwaters have forced 38 post offices to relocate, but it hasn't canceled out the mail. Flooding from the river-connected Diversion Channel has closed roads to Allenville, but the small town is still getting its mail...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Funeral service for Lottie K. Humphreys of East Prairie will be held at 2 p.m. today at Shelby Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Tim Wimberley will officiate, with burial in Dogwood Cemetery. Humphreys, 86, died Saturday, July 17, 1993, at East Prairie Nursing Center...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Trecca Lucille Dillow, 75, Jonesboro Route 2, died Sunday, July 18, 1993, at Life Care Center. She was born May 30, 1918, at Wolf Lake. She and John Otis Dillow were married Sept. 17, 1972. Dillow was a cook at schools and restaurants, and was a member of the Assembly of God Church at Wolf Lake...

Dorothy Rapp-Mitchell, 74, 3120 Independence, died Sunday, July 18, 1993, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born Sept. 23, 1918, in St. Louis, daughter of Frederick William and Lottie Simon Krieger. She attended Washington University in St. Louis...

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Rose, 119 S. Benton, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 9:41 p.m. Sunday, July 11, 1993. Name, Brittany Jean. Weight, 8 pounds 1 ounce. Second daughter. Mrs. Rose is the former Deborah Sample, daughter of Lindsay and Barbara Sample of Cape Girardeau. Mr. and Mrs. Rose are employed at Concord Printing. He is the son of Helen Rose of Cape Giradeau, and the late Thomas M. Rose...

Elsie Mae Baugher, 82, 717 N. Sprigg, died Monday, July 19, 1993, at St. Francis Medical Center. She was born Jan. 25, 1911, at McClure, Ill., daughter of Benjamin H. and Ada Grace Cook Woodard. She and Lawrence Baugher were married Sept. 19, 1928, in Anna, Ill. He died Feb. 27, 1988...

Mary M. Palmer, 56, 716 Locust, died Saturday, July 17, 1993, at St. Francis Medical Center. She was born April 12, 1937, at Rockview, daughter of George W. and Cora Jane Williams Glasscock. She and James E. Palmer were married April 4, 1960, in Cape Girardeau...

BRAGG CITY -- David H. Wilkerson Sr., 69, of Bragg City, died Sunday, July 18, 1993, in Ankeny, Iowa. Prior to retiring, he was manager of Pemiscot-Dunklin Electric Co-Op. He was a member of Bakerville Church of Christ, Delta C-7 Ruitan Club, American Legion, and Pemiscot County Port Authority. He was a veteran of World War II...

PERRYVILLE -- Lyndola Berkbuegler Hurst, 74, of Rolla, died Sunday, July 18, 1993, at Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla. She was born June 21, 1919, in Perry County, daughter of Edward J. and Viola Mattingly Smith. She first married Moritz Berkbuegler Feb. 3, 1938. He died Aug. 2, 1959. She later married Floyd Hurst Oct. 30, 1971, at Perryville. He died May 20, 1978...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Funeral service for Virgil Lee Moore of East Prairie will be held at 11 a.m. today at Shelby Funeral Chapel. The Revs. Jack Bishop and Raymond Grimes will officiate, with burial in East Prairie Memorial Park. Moore, 73, died Sunday, July 18, 1993, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston...