Stories from Tuesday, April 30, 1996

BENTON -- When Reatha Paul tells her students the world is within their reach -- she literally means it. With connections to the Internet, her students can travel the world with the help of a computer and modem. Paul teaches computer technology and business classes at Kelly High School in Benton...

The hand movements are an important part of the lessons. Anne McDonaugh concentrated on a movement during her 10th week of class. In the Taoist philosophy, "chi" is an intrinsic energy which flows through everyone and everything in the universe. Through the practice of t'ai chi ch'uan, people harness their chi to enhance relaxation and personal health...

In his 37 years of gauging river stages, Andy Juden hasn't seen the Mississippi River rise as quickly as it will this week. Forecasters warned Monday that the river will rise at least 12 feet in the next 72 hours. Much like the sudden rains on Sunday caused widespread flash flooding, the Mississippi is expected to flood areas in Southeast Missouri just as quickly...

The Board of Regents will choose a new president for Southeast Missouri State University today from among two finalists rather than three. The field narrowed Monday when Dr. William C. Merwin withdrew as a finalist because he has been offered the job of president of Salisbury State University at Salisbury, Md...

It's a simple event that has drawn national attention from Congress and presidents during its 45-year history. On Thursday, millions of Americans will gather around the country for the National Day of Prayer. In Cape Girardeau, a community service will be held at noon on the steps of City Hall at 401 Independence. In case of rain, the service will be at Christ Episcopal Church at 101 N. Fountain...

Joni and I are taking a parenting class. It's the thing to do in the '90s when thirty-something and forty-something parents are trying to figure out just what to do with those bundles of joy that are running circles around us. As parents of a 4-year-old and a 4-month-old, we figured it couldn't hurt to get some expert advice...

JACKSON -- Cape Girardeau County commissioners are looking for ways to make tax-funded transportation services for senior citizens more efficient. Commissioners Monday asked two representatives of the Community Caring Council's Transportation Committee to draw up a proposal for putting all of the transportation services funded through the Senior Citizens Service Tax under a single administration...

Animals do a lot for humans -- provide companionship, protect property and even sniff out illegal drugs. People get a chance to return the favor during Be Kind to Animals Week, slated this year for May 5-11. The Humane Society of Southeast Missouri is leading the effort to remind area residents they should appreciate their pets...

The Southeast Missouri State University Concert Band and the newly formed Southeast Community Symphonic Band will perform Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Academic Auditorium. The Concert Band will perform "Gavorkna Fanfare" by Jack Stamp; "Toccata" by Frank Erickson, with Traci Baker as guest conductor; "Crystals" by Thomas C. Duffy; and "George Washington Bicentennial March" by John Phillip Sousa...

Southeast Missouri State University's provost, Dr. Charles Kupchella, is one of four finalists for president of Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colo. Kupchella told the Southeast Missouri State University executive staff Monday that he was a finalist...

IN RESPONSE to the person who was upset about the priest's sermon about late-term abortion, I tell you need to examine your reasons for embracing Catholicism and be glad we have priests like that one in the church. He has earned the right to respect as a priest more than Clinton to be respected as president. ...

When the regents of Southeast Missouri State University meet today, they will have a final review of the three finalists seeking to become the university's next president. In all likelihood, the five regents will choose one man and make a job offer...

There is little question that a major recreational lake near Cape Girardeau would be a welcome development. It is this keen interest that keeps alive the prospects for such a lake near Millersville on the line that divides Cape Girardeau and Bollinger counties...

To the editor: I've just read the letter to the editor in the April 26 newspaper from Susan Estes, president of the Cape Girardeau County Democratic Women's Club discussing "the Clinton administration's accomplishments on behalf of women and their families."...

To the editor: How pleased we are with the added feature of "Today's Prayer" to the Opinion page of the Southeast Missourian. Praise God! We at Grace United Methodist Church are currently celebrating a Season of Prayer with renewed emphasis on the importance and power of prayer. ...

To the editor: The Missouri Senate will very soon be voting on House Bill 849. This bill is purported to be a way to prevent predatory pricing of petroleum products. This bill is a smoke screen to prevent real independent brands from using vigorous price competition in their marketing of gasoline and other petroleum products...

ADVANCE -- Joe N. Benson, 60, of Advance, died Sunday, April 28, 1996, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Nov. 25, 1935 in Morse Chapel, Tenn., to the late Everett and Gladys Alexander Benson. He married Carolyn Turner on Nov. 28, 1953, at Corinth, Miss...

PERRY COUNTY -- A Frohna woman was carried from an accident by LifeBeat helicopter Monday after she lost control of her car. Sharon Meyer, 34, was driving on Highway 61 two miles north of Route A around 4:50 p.m. Monday. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, her vehicle ran off the road, struck an embankment and overturned. He sustaining serious injuries...

PERRYVILLE -- Emily "Marie" Wallis, 74, of Perryville, died Monday, April 29, 1996, at her home. She was born March 16, 1922, in Jackson, daughter of Bennit T. and Emily Judith May Jaco. She married Stanley Wallis, who preceded her in death. Wallis had been an office manager at the Credit Bureau. She was a member of St. Vincent's Catholic Church, Bird Club, Art Club and was an election judge at Highland...

MOUNDS, Ill. -- Alden H. Wisely, 80, of Yazoo City, Miss., died Monday, April 29, 1996, at Kings Daughters Hospital in Yazoo City. He was born in 1915 in Vergennes. Wisely was a retired painter and former alderman in Mounds. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Mounds Volunteer Fire Department, and a member of Calendonia Masonic Lodge 47 in Pulaski...

SIKESTON -- Elisha H. Littleton, 73, died Monday, April 29, 1996, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Ponder Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

SIKESTON -- Funeral service for Ruby V. Mercer Owens of Sikeston will be held at 2 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Ted Winberley will officiate, with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery. Owens, 83, died Sunday, April 28, 1996, at Missouri Delta Medical Center...

PUXICO -- Hazel Leona King, 88, of Puxico, died Saturday, April 27, 1996, at Puxico Nursing Center. She was born June 8, 1907, in Carmi, Ill., daughter of Clyde and Bertie Shipley Phelps. She and Gail W. King were married Jan. 31, 1924, at Peach Orchard. He died Jan. 5, 1974...

Son to Mr. and Mrs. John Hampton of Florissant, 11:47 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 1996. Name, Austin John. Weight, 8 pounds 1 ounce. Second child, Mrs. Hampton is the former Jean Ann Cochrane, daughter of Shirley Cochrane of Cape Girardeau. Hampton is employed at McDonnell Douglas...

CHARLESTON -- Mea Carr Butler, 69, of Charleston died Monday, April 29, 1996, at St. Francis Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

Amy C. Winkler received the fall 1996 scholarship from the Girardot Chapter of Professional Secretaries International. Winkler is a junior at Southeast Missouri State University and is studying business administration. She is the daughter of Larry and Nancy Winkler...

Members of the school board at St. Mary's Cathedral School recently held a planning workshop. The workshop was a way for the board to review its long-range plan and identify issues facing the school, said Principal Carol Strattman. Dr. Stanley Stough, professor of management at Southeast Missouri State University, led the workshop...

Superintendent Doug Berry will be honored Sunday at a retirement reception at Scott City High School. It will be held from 2-5 p.m. The Scott City Board of Education will sponsor the event for Berry who will retire at the end of the school year. Berry was an administrator in the district for more than 20 years...

The St. Joseph Catholic School Home and School Association will sponsor a barbecue dinner Saturday from 4-8 p.m. The meal costs $4 per plate for adults and $2 for children under 12. The menu includes barbecue pork steak, hamburgers, baked beans, slaw, potato salad and dessert...

Michelle Wagner recently received the Dorothy Dykema Scholarship from the College of Education at Southern Illinois University. She was presented the award at the Scholastic Honors Day convocation April 14 at Shyrock Auditorium. More than 1,700 students were recognized during the ceremony...

Four area high school students were recently named as winners of the United States National achievement awards. The students will appear in a yearbook of the United States Achievement Academy. Less than 10 percent of American high school students receive the award...

BENTON -- Several students from St. Denis School recently won awards at local science, math and essay contests. Janessa Burford, a fourth-grade student, won second place in the math concepts division at the regional math contest last month. She is eligible to attend the state contest held in Columbia in May...

BENTON -- Two teachers at St. Denis Catholic School in Benton were recently honored for their years of service. The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau presented the honors to Angela Klueppel and Patricia Moore at a spring teachers' meeting. Klueppel has taught 25 years in the area. She has been teaching 15 years at St. Denis and taught 10 years at St. Lawrence School in New Hamburg. She received a watch for her service...

OAK RIDGE -- The Oak Ridge Athletic Booster Club will hold its annual chicken and beef dinner Sunday. The meal begins at 11 a.m. and will be served until 1:30 p.m. at the school cafeteria. A National Honor Society auction will begin at 1 p.m. in the gym...

Several area students and schools placed in competitions during the 1996 FFA Convention this month in Columbia. Justin Jones of Oran was elected a regional vice president for the state. Michael Johnson of Advance received awards for star area agribusiness, emerging agricultural technologies and an honorary state degree...

PEORIA, Ill. -- High school juniors or seniors interested in nursing, engineering, business and theater can study for one week this summer at Bradley University in Peoria. The summer enrichment program to be held June 16-22 allows students to visit the campus for a trial run at college life...

The Tractor Supply Company of Cape Girardeau has donated an all-terrain vehicle seeder to the Southeast Missouri State University demonstration farm. Dr. William Ellis, a faculty member who supervises the farm, said the donation will permit continued improvement of the forage program at the farm...