Stories from Sunday, May 22, 1994

MOUNDS, Ill. -- Cora Mae Ellis, 76, of Mounds, died Saturday, May 21, 1994 at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born in Pulaski, Ill. on Aug. 4, 1917, the daughter of Henry and Josie Chapman Crippen. She was a retired cook. She was also a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mound City...

The period following adjournment of an annual session of the Missouri General Assembly should probably be designated as Political Posture Week. During this period in question, there is more political posturing occurring than at any other time of the year. It need not be pointed out that this posturing has made its traditional appearance this year, following the recent legislative adjournment...

Let's get one thing straight. I don't smoke. No member of my family smokes. I have never owned stock in a tobacco company, and I don't know a single farmer who grows the stuff. There, now ... Did you happen to see any news reports on last month's televised congressional hearings concerning the tobacco companies? I watched some excerpts on C-SPAN, and was thoroughly disgusted at the treatment accorded tobacco executives by the little Tinpot Tyrants of Capitol Hill. ...

To err is human, to "clean up" is a state legislative function ... and too often a lawmaker's self-generating necessity. The Missouri General Assembly acted during its recently completed session to refine Senate Bill 380, evidence enough that the massive tax-and-school-reform plan, passed in the waning hours of the 1993 session, was a flawed endeavor. ...

Three area residents were among 41 Missourians attending the Seventh International Parent-to-Parent Conference in Asheville, N.C. Sue Ernst and Jeanette Klobe, parents from Perryville, and Lee Trankler, director of the Region IX Council on Developmental Disabilities in Sikeston attended the April 28 to May 2 meeting...

The American Wind Symphony Orchestra is returning to Cape Girardeau in July for its seventh appearance on the Mississippi River waterfront. Its last appearance in Cape was in 1988. The Pittsburgh-based orchestra performs a variety of classical and popular music, some especially commissioned for the orchestra...

The public hates politicians with an intensity never experienced in the history of the country. The blamed endure the bombast of electronic media bomb throwers with the net effect that the American system of government sinks deeper into a sea of cynicism and disrespect. As the confidence of the people declines, so too does the ability of government to function...

WAPPAPELLO -- An 11-year-old Bloomfield boy was rescued Saturday afternoon after spending at least eight minutes under water at Eagle Point. According to Wayne County Sheriff's Deputy Dean Finch, Donald Latham of Bloomfield was swimming with his family near Eagle Point when he went under in about 15 to 18 feet of water. Apparently, Latham and a companion entered the lake from some nearby rocks and were swimming...

In what was supposed to be an afternoon of fishing Saturday, two Poplar Bluff boys drowned in the Black River. According to witnesses and Poplar Bluff Police Department reports, the two boys - Aaron R. Jones, 14, and Bobby M. Young, 11, Poplar Bluff - were fishing at the Sportsmen's Park boat ramp with two friends shortly after 2 p.m. when they decided to go wading...

PERRYVILLE -- Visitation is planned today from 2-9 p.m. at the Miller Family Funeral Home in Perryville for Augusta Anna Martens, 79, of Perryville. She died Friday, May 20, 1994, at the Perry County Hospital in Perryville. The funeral mass will be held Monday, at 10 a.m., at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Perryville, with the Rev. Kevin Fausz officiating. Burial will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery at Perryville...

CHARLESTON - Juanetia H. Estes, 80, formerly of Charleston, died Saturday, May 21, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center, where she had resided the past ten years. She was born July 13, 1913, at Marble Hill, to Robert and Tinie White Rogers. On Oct. 31, 1936, she married John Estes, at Marble Hill. He preceded her in death on Feb. 11, 1958...

SCOTT CITY -- Daphna M. Morrett, 68, of Scott City, formerly of Oran, died Saturday, May 21, 1994, at her home in Scott City. Friends may call today at 5 p.m. at the Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Oran. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

EAST PRAIRIE - Elmer O. Flick, 66, of Pekin, Ill., formerly of East Prairie, died Friday, May 20, at the Mason District Hospital in Havana, Ill. He was born in Poplar Bluff on Aug. 30, 1927, to Henry and Sarah Deal Flick. On Sept. 15, he married Faye D. Greer, who survives of the home in Pekin...

ADVANCE - Franklin Oaks Farrar, 97, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of rural Advance, died Saturday, May 21, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Oct. 14, 1896, in Marquand, to Dr. Jerome and Emma Kappler Farrar. On June 24, 1923, he married Edith Humphrey at Advance. She preceded him in death on Sept. 23, 1985...

ANNA, Ill. - Kate Williamson Britt, 83, formerly of Hopkinsville, Ky., died Friday, May 20, at the Union County Nursing Home in Anna. She was born July 29, 1910, in Ullin, Ill., to Matt and Addie Mowery Britt. She married Daniel Britt in Cape Girardeau. He survvives of the home in Anna...

SIKESTON - Mattie M. Resenbeck, 86, of Sikeston, died Saturday, May 21, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. She was born March 11, 1908, in Clarksville, Tenn., to Matthew A. and Arty Welker St. John. On Oct. 26, 1956, she married Earl E. Resenbeck, in Evansville, Ind. He preceded her in death on May 20, 1989...

As Cape Girardeau police officer Danny Niswonger recovered in a St. Louis hospital Saturday from surgery, fellow officers and members of the Cape Girardeau Fire Department replaced the roof on his home. More than 40 police officers and firefighters turned out early Saturday at the Niswonger home -- determined to do what they could for their fallen friend. ...

For an additional $41 a year, Cape Girardeau school district taxpayers could pay for new computer labs, improved libraries, updated electrical systems, better lighting, plumbing, heating, roofs, fire protection, handicap accessibility. The school board wants voters on June 7 to waive the property-tax rollback provided by Proposition C, the state sales tax for education...

When Tom Miller settles into the seat of his 21-speed Cannondale Mountain Bicycle, it's generally for more than just a ride around the block. During his six years as an avid bicycle fan, Miller has logged more than 20,000 miles on two-wheelers, including several "century" treks, including 117 mile from start to finish of Death Valley in California...

Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling III isn't ready to cane anyone. Besides, he and local criminal justice experts doubt it's legal. A St. Louis alderman suggested Thursday that vandals, who spray-paint graffiti, be publicly caned. Alderman Freeman Bosley Sr., whose son is mayor of St. Louis, said he would introduce a resolution asking the state attorney general and city attorneys to see whether there is any legal reason why criminals couldn't be caned...

New local money generated if voters waive the Proposition C rollback will be dedicated to building improvements. the master list of projects follows. Vocational Lighting, roofs, improved fire protection, communications systems, computer labs, Vo-Tech equipment, furniture replacement, parking lots, upgrade of libraries & media center, replacement of chalkboards, state matching funds energy grant, state matching technology, ADA requirements...

With a homemade dress and homespun answers, 7-year-old Amanda Adkins charmed judges to win the Miss Junior Pre-Teen St. Louis pageant. Amanda seems an unlikely beauty pageant contestant. But her mother said the contest judged girls on what is in their hearts, not on their backs...

The Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope, will be serving Means With Friends from this week from 4:30 pm to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Any individual is welcome to some and enjoy a hot, nutritious meal in a cool, friendly atmosphere at no cost The following menu will be served:...

BENTON -- New voter I.D. cards will be mailed to Scott County voters this week. Missouri election law requires the county clerks throughout the state to issue the cards in each even numbered year prior to the statewide primary. County Clerk Bob Kielhofner said registered voters, who do not receive new I.D. cards, should contact his office in Benton to correct their addresses and ensure they are legally registered in the proper precinct...

A 10-year-old Cape Girardeau girl is among Missouri youngsters scheduled to participate in the Missouri Safe Kids Summit Monday in Jefferson City. Christina Leimer and a number of other youngsters will meet with the governor's wife Jean Carnahan and Dr. Coleen Kivlahan, director of the Missouri Department of Health...

Valerie Todt was positively glowing for the week before her senior prom. "I'm just so excited," she said. "I want everything to be perfect." Todt and her date, Jeff Grimes, attended the prom last year, but this year would be different, Todt promised...

The quality of life in May is high. Prime Time, I'd call it; "Glad Days and Peaceful Nights," being broadcast on all stations with rhubarb pie and strawberry shortcake separating main events. The dawn comes in green-gold. Sunbeams glance off leaves which reflect on neighboring leaves, multiplying the glittering facets. No wonder May is called the Emerald month...

ALTENBURG -- The 23rd reunion of the Palisch family will be held June 12 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Altenburg. The Ladies Aid of the church will prepare the buffet dinner, which will be held at noon. The church service is at 9 a.m., and the new Palisch genealogy book will be available...

The Lutheran Home celebrated Homes for the Aging Week by hosting a recent tea to recognize the ladies auxiliary and volunteers. A thank you message was presented by William Winkler, president of the board of directors. Eemployees Sharon Welker, business office manager, and Kaye Lee, a nurse, were honored for 20 years of service. Also honored were Cindy Grebing, business office, and Brenda Farrow, CNA and CMT, for 15 years of service...

The city of Cape Girardeau solid-waste task force and solid-waste division of public works have developed an informational video on recycling and solid waste. The 15-minute video is a guide to recycling for schools to use in their educational programs. The solid-waste task force members solicited donations from various organizations to help fund the development of the video...