Stories from Thursday, October 24, 1996

To the editor: Cape Girardeau police deserve much credit for keeping mugging or street robbery of citizens at a minimum. When I moved from Scott City to Cape Girardeau, I was apprehensive about mugging, but I have since walked to the store and other places many times without any danger...

Scaring up a creepy costume this Halloween should be more ghoulish than ever this year as more people opt for traditional terrors like witches, vampires, ghosts and mummies. "We don't have a trendy item that is really selling," said Debra Moore with Younghouse Distributing. "Before it has been things like the Flintstones. This year we're selling vampire, skull masks, clowns and the Grim Reaper -- more traditional characters."...

Werewolf, furry feet find lots of treats. Use a brown jogging suit as the base for a werewolf costume and glue fake fur to the wrists and ankles. Also glue fake fur onto an old pair of sneakers for furry feet. Glue more fake fur onto an old pair of gloves for furry hands and add fake nail extensions to the fingers of the gloves. ...

People who like dancing, people who like Big Band music and people who like singing are going to love "Swing Time," a show that combines all three. Southeast students and faculty members will present "Swing Time" at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Show Me Center...

When the federal government decided last year to allow states to set speed limits above the nationally mandated 55 mph (65 mph on rural interstates), there were cautionary claims that higher speeds would surely result in more traffic fatalities. Early results indicate these warnings were right. And wrong...

It comes as no surprise to Missouri's farmers that they play an important role in the state's ranking in the nation's agricultural production. For the millions of Americans who enjoy wide selection at reasonable prices when they go to the supermarket, this is reason enough to salute the state's food and fiber producers...

To the editor: For 20 years I have felt a candidate's promise or an incumbent's practice of holding town hall meetings was the best measure of being a statesman, not just a politician. Listening to the common folks face-to-face questions on issues and legislation is the most sincere thanks for being paid to be their voice...

PERRYVILLE -- Competition is heating up in Perryville's banking industry, with one local bank expanding and a Farmington-based holding company looking at property in the city. The Bank of Perryville broke ground Wednesday on a new, two-story building at the corner of Highways 51 and 61. Bank President David Crader said a modular building, which will accept deposits only, should be open there by the end of next week. Completion of the new building is scheduled for October 1997...

Good news for presidential hopeful Bob Dole. Students at Notre Dame High School say he should be president by a four-to-one margin. The mock election, held Wednesday at the Catholic high school in Cape Girardeau, brought a near sweep for Republican candidates. Students voted for president, top state races and the 8th District congressional race...

SCOTT CITY -- There was a problem last month when Orley Jackson was escorted from a Scott City Council meeting for allegedly disturbing the peace: He wasn't technically violating a city ordinance. Although Jackson agreed to stay out of the rest of the meeting on Sept. 11, he wasn't charged with a crime by the Scott City Police Department...

In 1951, Gerd Sollid closely resembled your All-American college girl. She was fairly popular, majored in education, and was chosen as the Sagamore queen for her senior year at Southeast Missouri State University. But Sollid is not an All-American; she's Norwegian...

Oct. 24, 1996 Dear Pat, DC went to Kansas City for the weekend. It was one of the few times we've been apart in three years, and I fantasized about doing all the things I'd do if we weren't married. Well, not all the things but some of them. You know, really breaking out...

Exchange students. International students. They are basically the same thing, right? Wrong, say the people who work with these students every day. People often use these labels interchangeably, said George Dordoni, assistant director of the Campus Assistance Center at Southeast Missouri State University. But they are actually two different types of students...

State Treasurer Bob Holden spoke to about 25 local Democrats and democratic candidates in Cape Girardeau Wednesday. Holden spoke of the upcoming election. He said that despite wide leads in most races Democrats should get out and vote so that progress in education, balancing the budget and other areas can continue...

Plant expert Debbie Naeter will share tips on the care of tropical potted plants Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. at Cape Girardeau Public Library. Naeter will discuss how to deal with problems when plants are moved inside due to cool weather and what to do about browning. Those with philadendrons, dracaena and other potted plants will benefit from the program...

JACKSON -- Jackson will have its first canine unit to take an active role in drug enforcement in the community. A German shepherd from Czechoslovakia has been in training with both a dog trainer and a police officer since early summer. He will be involved in various programs on drug prevention...

Graveside service for Ethel Etta Chrismer of Cape Girardeau will be held at 11 a.m. today at Lake View Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Fairview Heights, Ill. The Rev. Ron Martz will officiate. Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel is in charge of arrangements...

WYATT -- Mary Thelma Vied, 92, of Wyatt died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 1996, at Bertrand Nursing Facility. She was born June 2, 1904, in Derby, Ind., daughter of Joshua and Anna Jane Thomas Howell. She and Percy Martin Vied were married Jan. 6, 1926. He died Nov. 27, 1966...

JACKSON -- Funeral service for Kenneth Gene Heimbaugh of Union will be held at 11 a.m. today at Midlawn Funeral Home in Union. The Revs. Lowell Welker and Donald Simmons will officiate, with burial in Midlawn Memorial Gardens. Heimbaugh, 69, died Monday, Oct. 21, 1996, at his home...

SCOTT CITY -- Funeral service for Ernest Carl Ingemanson of Scott City will be held at 2 p.m. today at Eisleben Lutheran Church. The Rev. Joel Sarrault will officiate, with burial in Lightner Memorial Cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 1 p.m. to service time...

ORAN -- Waymon Halford, 79, of Oran, died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 1996, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born April 11, 1917, in Reno, Ark., son of J.B. and Nannie Parker Halford. He and Cecile Brotherton were married Dec. 4, 1936. Survivors include his wife; a son, Norman Halford of Oran; a daughter, Margaret Kinder of Oran; a brother, Douglas Halford of Malden; three sisters, Genevieve Myers and Marie Chartrau of St. ...

Melvin W. Thorn, 72, 776 W. Rodney, died Wednesday, Oct. 23, 1996, at St. Francis Medical Center. He was born June 21, 1924, in Jackson, son of Delbert and Jewel Niswonger Thorn. He and Gertrude Tucker were married Aug. 23, 1947, at Jackson. Thorn worked at Superior Electric 36 years. He was a life member of VFW Post 3838, and attended First Assembly of God Church in Jackson. He served with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II...

Daughter to Willard Lee Rhodes Jr. and Dawn Marie Harmon of Scott City, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 6:34 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, 1996. Name, Shelby Brianne. Weight, 8 pounds 4 ounces. First child. Ms. Harmon is the daughter of Donna Elfrink of Kelso and Clay Harmon of Chaffee. Rhodes is the son of Carol Rhodes of Reno, Nev., and Willard Rhodes Sr. of Homestead, Fla. He is a cashier at Larry's Store 24...

James R. Snell, 67, died Wednesday, Oct. 23, 1996, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

SIKESTON -- Funeral service for Jack Thomas "J.T." Brown of Sikeston will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Greg Robertson will officiate, with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at the chapel from 5-8 p.m. Friday...

MARQUAND -- Myrtle Kathern "Kat" Venable, 79, of Marquand died Monday, Oct. 21, 1996, at her home. She was born Aug. 24, 1917, at Marquand, daughter of Ernest and Esther Haman. She and Roy M. Venable were married Sept. 23, 1956, in Tucson, Ariz. He preceded her in death...

ESSEX -- Hildegard "Helen" Barber, 61, of Essex died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 1996, at Doctors Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Watkins and Sons Funeral Home at Dexter is in charge of arrangements.

SIKESTON -- Megan L. Dumey, 15 days, of Sikeston died Wednesday, Oct. 23, 1996, at the St. Louis Children's Hospital. She was born Oct. 8, 1996, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Joseph and Tabitha Hughes Dumey, who survive her. She is survived by her paternal grandfather, Joseph O. ...