Stories from Thursday, October 5, 1995

There are few people who aren't at least a little disenchanted with the state of politics in America today. The popularity of campaign finance reform proposals, anti-establishment outsider politicians and throw-the-bums-out sentiment points to the public's dissatisfaction with our political system...

Parking on certain city streets will be restricted Saturday due to the Southeast Missouri State University Homecoming Parade. The restrictions will go into effect at 2 a.m. Saturday morning, according to the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Vehicles parked in restricted areas after that time will be towed...

The city of Cape Girardeau on Wednesday began welcoming new residents with information packets. "The packet is designed to provide critical information about our city government and the services we provide," said Sherri Finley, public awareness coordinator...

SIKESTON -- Residents in areas annexed by Sikeston since 1965 are using the Sikeston Public Library without paying the library tax. Instead, they are paying a tax to Riverside Regional Library, which serves Scott and other counties. A Missouri law states that property annexed into a city after 1965 shall not be included in the city's existing municipal library district...

Promise Keepers, a Christian men's organization founded in 1990 by former University of Colorado football coach Bill McCartney, will conduct a training session for ambassadors and point men in Cape Girardeau Saturday. The session begins at 9 a.m. at First General Baptist Church, 1812 Cape LaCroix Road...

A lot of newcomers are involved in the University Theatre's upcoming production of "Oleanna." Diana Mays-Nielson, a senior, is making her directorial debut, and she has cast freshman Jessica Nelms of St. Louis as Carol, one of only two roles in the play...

Pencil drawings by Michael G. Kohm will be exhibited at Gallery 100 beginning Friday and continuing through Oct. 27. An opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the gallery. This is the self-taught artist's first solo exhibit. As the titles of some of the works -- "Antique Cars," "Kimswick House Portrait," "Last Barn in the Big Field," "Union Station Train" and "Balloon to Go" -- indicate, Kohm concentrates on back roads and rural scenes...

Two Jackson High School students recently competed in the Youth Talent Contest at the Mid-South Fair in Memphis, Tenn. Alisha Walther, a junior, and senior Kristin Swinford performed vocal solos and placed in the top eight among more than 35 contestants in two separate competitions...

Tuesday evening's first of 15 Vision 2000 meetings on the future of Cape Girardeau's public schools was a success for those of us who turned out at Franklin School. A good exchange of ideas was offered by the several dozen who took the time to attend. The format involves breaking up into small focus groups, or listening sessions, where a facilitator stimulates discussion. It wasn't that time-consuming either, as we departed a meeting that began at 7 well before 8 p.m...

An industry that made its appearance on the Cape Girardeau manufacturing scene a decade ago has been honored as the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's 1995 industry of the year." Spartech of St. Louis, a familiar name nationally in the processing of thermoplastics, was recognized Wednesday night with the "Commitment to Excellence" award during the chamber's annual industrial appreciation dinner, held at the Show Me Center on the Southeast Missouri State University campus...

The Cape Girardeau public schools have joined about 30 Missouri school districts in a lawsuit fighting the state's school funding law. A suit filed July 28 in Cole County challenges an Outstanding Schools Act (SB 380) provision that changes the way railroad and utility tax money is collected...

CHICAGO -- The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has rejected the $2.3 million offer for two warehouses north of Cape Girardeau. "We did not accept the bid," said Jerry Rounds of the Chicago FDIC office. "It did not meet our reserve price." The $2.3 million offer came Monday during an auction of FDIC property at Kansas City...

Oct. 5, 1995 Dear Leslie, DC and I went to see Denzel Washington's new movie a few nights ago. "Devil in a Blue Dress" basically is about a man who's lost his job and needs to pay his mortgage. Easy's just back from fighting in WWII, has bought a house on the GI Bill and wants to do the right thing. But he's drawn into the nasty underworld of a Los Angeles political fight...

DR. BILL Atchley, this is for you. Wouldn't Kala Stroup's legacy to Southeast Missouri State University be better served by the creation of a much-needed parking lot rather than a fountain? Would this not better show her sensitivity to the students and the surrounding community?...

TO THE critics of the so-called elitists of Sylvan Lane: I have never lived close by Sylvan Lane, but in all fairness to the residents I feel obliged to defend at least two highly regarded families who occupy the grounds. The heads of both households have retired after years of service and sacrifice to the deserving and less fortunate, and both continue through force of habit. ...

SIKESTON -- After more than 100 years of serving customers in Sikeston, the city's oldest private bank will soon join a four-state banking partnership. AmeriFirst Bank will merge with Mercantile Bank of Sikeston Oct. 26. But customer services will not change, said Stephen Matthews, senior vice president with AmeriFirst Bank...

ADVANCE -- Instead of putting out the fire, the Advance City Council apparently fueled the flames when it decided to terminate the city's fire chief this week. Since Monday when Jeff Romines was fired, four fire department volunteers have resigned in protest...

Gov. Mel Carnahan filled two vacancies in St. Francois County this week with appointees to the prosecutor's and county clerk's offices. David R. Orzel will be the next prosecuting attorney. He will serve out the term left by Gary Stevenson, who left office Oct. 1, citing increasing job demands and his desire for a change...

CHAFFEE -- June Rae Wood's life changed forever when her brother Richard was born. And she keeps a 13-pound basket of crayons to remind her just how much of an impact he had in his 36 years. Richard was born with Down syndrome and "was always like a child in his mind," Wood said Wednesday at the International Reading Association meeting here...

SCOTT CITY -- Adda Vera Newell, 78, of Scott City, died Wednesday, Oct. 4, 1995, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Nov. 23, 1916, at Kelso, daughter of Grover C. and Grace Mae Garvey Newell. Newell retired as a machine operator at Ely Walker Co. She was a member of Broadway Methodist Church...

CHARLESTON -- Woodrow Wilson Kidd, 82, of Charleston, died Wednesday, Oct. 4, 1995, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born Oct. 19, 1912, near Dudley, son of John Henry and Elzada E. Dodd Kidd. He and Elsie Williams were married Nov. 26, 1932. She died Feb. 23, 1956. He and Mary Frances Bush were married in 1969. She died in 1971...

Earl Edward Durham, 75, 1441 Perry, died Tuesday, Oct. 3, 1995, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was born Jan. 7, 1920, in Thebes, Ill., son of Gilbert and Annie Bass Durham. He and Rose Matlock were married Feb. 11, 1950, in Piggott, Ark. Durham worked for the U.S. Forest Service 38 years, retiring in July 1979 in Jonesboro, Ill. He was a member of the Methodist church...

PERRYVILLE -- Margaret J. Leigh, 80, of Perryville, died Wednesday, Oct. 4, 1995, at Perry County Nursing Home. She was born May 8, 1915, in Perry County, daughter of Vest and Alma Litsch Sherrill. She and Glenn Leigh were married May 26, 1934. Leigh was a retired elementary teacher. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Perryville, and Retired Teachers Association. She was a former member of Brazeau Presbyterian Church...

SIKESTON -- William Wood Jones, 90, Sikeston Route 3, died Wednesday, Oct. 4, 1995, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. He was born Aug. 4, 1905, in Fayette County, Ala., son of James P. and Annie Perry Jones. He and Annell Lambert were married Feb. 13, 1927, in Winston County, Ala...

Son to Tim and Christina Biggerstaff, 422 Bellevue, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 3:44 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, 1995. Name, Austin Michael. Weight, 6 pounds 4 ounces. Mrs. Biggerstaff is the former Christina Wilcox, daughter of Phyllis Wilcox and Kurt Wilcox of Cape Girardeau. Biggerstaff is kitchen manager at The Clubb House. He is the son of Karen Biggerstaff of Cape Girardeau...

Wilma Boren, 70, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Oct. 4, 1995, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Ford and Sons Funeral Home Mount Auburn Chapel.

A major fight has erupted within Republican ranks in Washington over the future direction of agriculture, and congressmen from this area are in the thick of it. As far as we are concerned, they are on the right side. Congressman Pat Roberts of Kansas, the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, has come forward with a bill that would essentially "decouple" or divorce farm support from commodity prices. ...