Stories from Saturday, September 27, 1997

To the editor: I have been reviewing the Missouri Department of Transportation's proposed Scenic Byway Program, and I do not like what I see. The department is using the enticement of increased tourism while wrecking private-property rights as we now have in Missouri. The 84-page plan calls for designation and management of "corridors" that are as wide as the eye can see from the state highways and county roads...

To the editor: The article on walnuts was a most delightful thing, for I have been gathering walnuts from a tree my mother planted in 1904. It came from a walnut my grandfather brought from Georgia and is one of the most prolific walnut trees in existence...

To the editor: It does one good to say thank you, especially when so many special people have supported you during a challenging time. My challenging time was major heart surgery on Sept. 3. The support came from the people of Cape Girardeau and surrounding area in so many wonderful ways: intercessory prayers from individuals and churches, professional medical care during surgery and recovery, lots of uplifting cards and notes, visits, floral arrangements and a host of kind deeds (random acts of kindness) and expressions of love.. ...

Southeast Missouri State University recently upheld its decision to suspend the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity for verbally hazing pledges. The university dealt with the fraternity firmly -- a three-year suspension. The action sends a strong message to the student body: Don't haze in any way...

Cape Girardeau is the birthplace of the Missouri state flag, which was conceived, designed and created by Marie Elizabeth Watkins Oliver of Cape Girardeau. This state flag, which was adopted in 1913, remains a symbol of Missouri's indomitable spirit...

Gibbs walks down the hall from the Generations Center at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He has published a book on Internet medical sites. Cape Girardeau neurosurgeon Scott Gibbs is leading his colleagues and patients on a cyberspace safari through the medical information available on the Internet...

San Francisco is a safer place to be than Boston during a major earthquake, a new risk index says. Rachel Davidson, a civil engineer and doctoral candidate at Stanford University's John A. Blume Earthquake Engineering Center, created the risk index, called the Earthquake Disaster Risk Index, or EDRI...

The housing market in the Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City areas is about the best is has been in some time, real-estate agents said. "We're surprised more people are not buying homes," said Martha Hamilton of Coldwell Banker Hamilton Realty. "There are a number of homes available at affordable prices, with good interest rats."...

A petition drive aimed at gathering the signatures of more than 1 million people calling for repeal of the U.S. Tax Code is gaining momentum. "The timing is right," said Jack Faris, president of the National Federation of Independent Business. "There's peace abroad and good economic conditions at home."...

Silver gray hair, deep brown eyes The maker of scratch biscuits and blackberry pies A mother of 14, and a great-grand as well Her knees are bad but the mind's clear as a bell. An octogenarian in body and mind but her Christian soul can't be broken by time...

Marshall County (Ky.) coach Jim Shelton made a triumphant return to Houck Field Friday night with a 29-6 win over the previously undefeated Cape Central Tigers. Shelton, the 1972 Golden Helmet Award-winner for the Southeast Indians as the team's leading tackler, has apparently passed those traits on to his team as they kept the Tigers' explosive running game under control. ...

Marshall Co. 29, Cape Central 6 Jackson 34, Graves Co. 7 Scott City 34, Grandview 6 Hillsboro 34, Perryville 13 Herculaneum 33, St. Vincent 0 New Madrid 46, Charleston 0 Farmington 42, Fredericktown 27 CBC 34, Sikeston 21 Poplar Bluff 27, Beaumont 6...

Southeast Missouri State University's football team shouldn't be lacking for motivation tonight when the Indians play at the University of Tennessee-Martin. The Indians, after winning their season opener, have lost their last two games and any hopes they have of putting together a strong, breakthrough campaign would be severely damaged with an upset loss to the winless Skyhawks...

When touted quarterback Heath Graham transferred into the Southeast Missouri State University football program this year, hopes were high that he would help lift a struggling offense and also help propel the Indians to a breakthrough season. Although they are currently just 1-2, the Indians still have a shot at that breakthrough season. But if it happens, it won't be with Graham at the controls of the offense...

SCOTT CITY -- Grandview High's football team wears the "G" of the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers on its uniforms, but that's where the similarity between the two teams ends. Scott City took advantage of Grandview's "greenness" -- the Eagles have only three starters from last year's 1-9 team -- by scoring twice in the first 27 seconds of the game and holding Grandview to a microscopic five yards total offense in the first half...

Southeast Missouri State University's volleyball team extended its long Ohio Valley Conference winning streak Friday night. The Otahkians rolled past Morehead State 15-11, 15-13, 15-4 at Houck Field House for their 32nd consecutive regular-season OVC victory...

Meadow Heights and Notre Dame played it to the wire in a high school volleyball match Friday night, with the visiting Lady Panthers squeezing out a 12-15, 15-1, 16-14 victory over the Lady Bulldogs. "It was a well-fought match," said Notre Dame coach Janet Buchheit. "Both teams battled hard. We just came up a little short."...

MAYFIELD, Ky. -- Jackson High's football team had little trouble keeping its undefeated record intact Friday night. The Indians cleared their bench early as they built up a 28-0 halftime lead, then let the reserves play most of the second half as they cruised to a 34-7 victory over host Graves County...

Daughter to Robert William Deen and Lisa Gaye Garrett of East Prairie, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 7:08 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, 1997. Name, Julianna Mariel Elisabeth. Weight, 7 pounds 13 ounces. Second child, first daughter. Ms. Garrett is the former Lisa Banks, daughter of Harold and Ellen Banks of East Prairie. She is an administrative partner at St. Francis Medical Center. Deen is the son of Betty Deen of Matthews and the late Vernie Deen. He is a mail carrier with East Prairie Post Office...

ULLIN, Ill. -- James P. "Jim" Rarrick, 68, of Ullin died Thursday, Sept. 25, 1997, at his home. He was born Feb. 21, 1929, at Barlow, Ky., the son of Maurice and Opal Horn Rarrick. He married Evelyn McHarry on July 31, 1954. He was a member of Caledonia Lodge 47 AF & AM of Pulaski, where he served as Worshipful Master. ...

Funeral service for Cline Lee Reynolds, 83, 1460 N. Main, will be at 10 a.m. today at Lorberg Memorial Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Ron Watts will officiate. Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery. Reynolds died Thursday, Sept. 25, 1997, at St. Francis Medical Center...

Kenneth W. Hartle, 76, of Cape Girardeau died of lung cancer Thursday, Sept. 25, 1997, at his home. He was born April 6, 1921, at Sedgewickville, son of Jesse Monroe and Shabie Sophia Niswonger Hartle. He and Doris E. Friese were married Nov. 18, 1950, in Cape Girardeau...

ANNA, Ill. -- Funeral service for Avat L. Pygett of Anna will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna. The Rev. Rick Hertenstein will officiate. Burial will be in Alto Pass Cemetery, with graveside rites by Anna VFW Post 3455...