Stories from Friday, March 14, 1997

To the editor: Regarding the unionization of Jackson city employees: I would like to correct a misunderstanding. All of the television coverage and newspaper articles have, thus far, indicated that this is something every one of the employees want. That is just not the case. ...

To the editor: In an age where teens are being labeled Generation X and many businesses are making an effort to make sure teen-agers are not allowed around their doors, the Youth Pastor Alliance wants to thank West Park Mall for its generous part in making the March Madness Lock-in a success. ...

Station Casino St. Charles in the St. Louis area doesn't know how a 12-year-old girl was able to get into the riverboat's casino and play a slot machine. The Missouri Gaming Commission, in an effort to make sure the casino doesn't let it happen again, fined the riverboat's operators a record $250,000 for the slipup...

Throughout this week -- Severe Weather Alertness Week -- there have been efforts to educate schoolchildren and others about what to do in the event of a tornado warning. One of the things that hasn't been taught this week in Cape Girardeau County is what to do when the tornado sirens go off. ...

I UNDERSTAND one of the reasons so much money was raised for Bill Clinton. Here was a man the people trusted and they wanted him to win and he is a smart man and is doing a fine job and that worries the Republicans. I hope the people will stay with Al Gore. ...

CHARLESTON -- Concerned citizens asked the Charleston Board of Education Thursday night to reconsider its decision to fire high-school principal Joe Forrest. Fifty-six people requested time to speak during the board meeting, which was held in cramped quarters in the superintendent's office at the Board of Education building. About 80 people attended the meeting...

State Rep. Gene Copeland said Thursday he didn't buy any votes and called upon federal authorities to complete an investigation into allegations of voter fraud so he can clear his name. "I did not pay anyone. I would not pay anyone," Copeland said from his vacation home in Gulf Shores, Ala...

MILLERSVILLE -- Some opponents of an effort to build a Cape Girardeau-Bollinger counties lake apparently are using coercion in their attempts to sway opinion. Following reports from state Sen. Peter Kinder and Marble Hill businessman Stan Crader that they have been cursed by lake opponents, a lake opposition group Thursday night threatened legal action against anyone using such tactics in its name...

Some savvy merchandiser in Brooklyn, N.Y., of all places, has found a niche that appeals to snake haters like me. WARNING: THIS COLUMN DESCRIBES DANGEROUS AND STUPID SITUATIONS. Among the favorite stories my sons like to tell about me are those that include snakes -- I quiver at the very mention of the word -- and the way I behave when the Devil's own brood are anywhere near. Snakes, that is, not my sons...

DEXTER -- Domestic rice programs and marketing will be among topics at the Missouri Rice Council meeting to be held tonight at the Eagles Club in Dexter. Richard Myers, USA Rice Federation vice president of domestic market promotions, will be keynote speaker at the 7 p.m. meeting. Reports on the Missouri Rice Research & Merchandising Council will also be presented...

CHAFFEE -- A group of men made a deposit 97 years ago in what would become the First Midwest Bank of Chaffee that has accrued a value far beyond its monetary worth. The building was torn down recently after being vacant for four years and deteriorating to a dangerous state. When the owners of the bank had J.W. Strock Construction in Cape Girardeau demolish the structure, they discovered a kind of time capsule within the building's cornerstone...

St. Francis Medical Center and the Otahki Girl Scout Council will sponsor a day of fun and fitness Saturday during Be Your Best Day. Health seminars will be given at Universal Physique, 505 Mount Auburn, from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday. A caravan will follow to the north side of Cape Girardeau County Park, where some 212 people will participate in a 5-kilometer walk...

No agreement was reached on property the Cape Girardeau Board of Education is interested in for a proposed vocational-technical school. A discussion was held Thursday during a closed meeting, but Superintendent Dan Tallent said negotiations are ongoing. The board meets again Monday night when another closed meeting is possible to continue discussion on the property...

President's Clinton's transportation plan gets a mixed review from U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson. "It has some good features and some not so good features," the Cape Girardeau Republican said Thursday from Washington. "I'm pleased there is an emphasis on safety, interstate maintenance and the National Highway System, which includes many of southern Missouri's projects."...

COLUMBIA -- Jackson and Springfield Glendale aren't regular opponents in girls basketball -- the teams have met just once -- but they certainly won't be strangers when they hook up for the second time. That meeting will come at 12:20 p.m. today at the Hearnes Center in Columbia. The occasion will be a semifinal game of the Class 4A High School Championships and the winner will earn a berth in Saturday's state championship contest...

Southeast Missouri's women's tennis team opens its spring schedule today with a 2 p.m. match against Southwest Missouri State at the Parker Tennis Courts. Southeast takes a young squad into the season. The Othakians do not have a senior on the roster and have just one junior in captain Vicky Wood. The Otahkians will rely primarily on sophomores, which includes Brigitte Stotter, Michelle Gruber and Izabela Slowikowska...

Southeast Missouri's gymnastics team will hold its final home meet of the season today when the University of Iowa visits Houck Field House at 7 p.m. The Otahkians are coming off a stellar performance when they set two school records in Tuesday's victory over Illinois State. Southeast established a new team record with 195.650 total and saw Erin Chenier set a new all-around record at 39.425...

CHARLESTON -- Graveside service for George E. Stephenson, formerly of Charleston, will be held at 11 a.m. today at IOOF Cemetery. The Rev. Richard Lause will officiate. McMikle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Stephenson, 87, died Thursday, March 13, 1997, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau...

JACKSON -- Richard L. "Dick" Koeppel, 62, of Jackson died Wednesday, March 12, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Dec. 1, 1934, in Jackson, son of C.E. and Mary Francis Weidner Koeppel. He and Alice Faye Schweer were married June 8, 1956...

Opal Roberts, 84, of Hillsboro died Thursday, March 13, 1997, at Ratliff Care Center. She was born July 14, 1912, at Salem, daughter of Tom and Emmaline Lampkin Mounce. She and the Rev. Arley M. Roberts were married Jan. 25, 1930. Roberts assisted her husband in pastorates at Bartley, Berryman, Glory Hill, Potosi, Steele, Scott City, Webb City, Mercer, and DeSoto...

ANNA, Ill. -- Melvin Basse, 89, of Anna died Wednesday, March 12, 1997, at Union County Hospital. He was born Feb. 9, 1908, in Pulaski County, son of William and Bertha Studer Basse. He and Mary Schultz were married Dec. 23, 1937. She died July 31, 1976. He later married Dorotha Boaz April 18, 1979...

Mildred Elizabeth Morrison, 74, of Hagerstown, Md., died Wednesday, March 12, 1997, in Washington County Hospital. She was born March 10, 1923, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Silas and Ora Olive McLaughlin Neal. She married William Morrison, who died in 1963...

Clarence Dinnis McLard, 82, 2530 Ford, died Thursday, March 13, 1997, at his home, following a brief illness. He was born July 8, 1914, at Aquilla, son of Oscar D. and Willie Cotner McLard. He and Erma Lee Heuschober were married June 10, 1939, in Cape Girardeau. She died April 27, 1987...

Memorial service for Mildred Amelia Moore of Cape Girardeau will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at Marks Mortuary in Wood River, Ill. Burial will be Monday in Wanda Cemetery in Roxana, Ill. Lorberg Memorial Funeral Chapel was in charge of local arrangements...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Charles N. Smith, 75, of Paducah, Ky., died Wednesday, March 12, 1997, at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tenn. He was born Nov. 12, 1921, at Cache, son of Fred and Marie Foster Smith. Smith was a former police officer with Cairo Police Department and Cairo Auxiliary Police. He was a driver 30 years with J.D. Street Co...

DONGOLA, Ill. -- Dr. Marshall Evans Burrell, 72, of Dongola, died Wednesday March 12, 1997, at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah, Ky. He was born in Kalispell, Mont., on March 1, 1925, to Gabriel and Fern Jackson Burrell. He was a 1954 graduate of Washington State University in Pullman with a doctorate in veterinary medicine. ...

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Maurice "Bub" Willis, 60, of Olive Branch, died Wednesday March 12, 1997, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born May 10, 1936, in Miller City, to Roy Allen and Eschol Lesar Willis. He was of the Methodist faith, a member of the Illinois Agriculture Association and the Farm Bureau. He was an Air Force veteran...

Daughter to Stephen Michael and Wanda Louise Hahn, Chaffee Route 1, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 8:14 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24, 1997. Name, Abby Marie. Weight, 5 pounds 14 ounces. Second daughter. Mrs. Hahn is the former Wanda Senciboy, daughter of James Senciboy and Mildred Senciboy, Chaffee Route 1. She is employed at Chaffee Head Start. Hahn is the son of Coletta Hahn of Chaffee, and the late George Hahn...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Funeral service for Janet Grogan of East Prairie will be held at 2 p.m. today at Shelby Funeral Chapel in East Prairie. Ed Jolley will officiate, with burial in East Prairie Memorial Park Cemetery. Grogan, 38, died Wednesday, March 12, 1997, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston...