Stories from Wednesday, February 18, 1998

To the editor: A big thank you to the Southeast Missourian and Kim McDowell. The $100 I received through a Y.E.L.L. grant has enabled me to purchase several dozen early literacy books. These books will accompany my kindergartners home in their backpacks and will provide many early reading experiences between these young, eager readers and their parents. Thanks again for making such an opportunity possible...

Proponents of a proposed halfway house at Gibson Recovery Center have 10 days to request a public hearing on the matter or the issue is over. The Cape Girardeau City Council also voted Monday night to reject a liquor license application at the site of the former Peppy's nightclub...

"The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco," Mark Twain once quipped. He must have forgotten what winter can be like in Missouri. Though our winters are relatively mild when compared to the likes of those in Michigan or Minnesota or the Northeast, it can get cold here. And when it does, we naturally enough turn to certain foods to help warm us up -- foods like chili and hot chocolate...

Gov. Mel Carnahan has appointed Southeast Missouri State University faculty member Dr. Frank Nickell to the Mississippi River Parkway Commission. Nickell will serve the remainder of an unexpired term and could be reappointed to a five-year term later this year...

Firefighters from Cape Girardeau have teamed up with employees of a local department store to help make emergency situations a little more bearable for young children. The Cape Girardeau Target Store donated 200 teddy bears to the fire department Tuesday as a part of the Target Helping Hugs program. The program, in its seventh year, supplies emergency workers with stuffed animals to help ease children's fears and anxieties during emergencies...

I attended the Arkansas Press Association meeting last weekend in Little Rock. That state's association is a very supportive group of dedicated community newspaper people who pride themselves in the objectivity of their columns and news coverage. I enjoyed myself immensely in the home state of my father and many of my relatives. I found no support and much pain with the moral proclivities of their former governor, President BILL CLINTON...

Southeast Missouri State University is progressing with plans to transform Parker Hall into a student center. In turn, the University Center would become more of a community center. It would also house the health and leisure departments and continuing education classes...

To the editor: In order to stop Iraq from harming the United States, we must say the rosary. We will lose a war with Iraq along with many American lives if we try to defeat them with military might. The rosary is the most powerful tool against evil...

To the editor: We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to the United Way and Nancy Jernigan for allowing us to receive a Y.E.L.L. grant again this year. We purchased books that coordinate with the lesson plans we use on home visits with our 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds. In addition, we'd also like to thank all the people who stopped to buy the Southeast Missourian on such a foggy morning. Without your support, the money for this grant would not be possible...

To the editor: I'm not sure what to make of Peter Kinder's concluding remarks about the Marines in his Feb. 8 column. It appears he has a poor grasp of recent history, presidential duties and military professionalism. If he meant to question the president's use of the Marines, I hope (but seriously doubt) that he was a critical of Ronald Reagan's deployment of Marines to Lebanon where more than 240 died in 1983...

The U.S. Postal Service is considering a branch office on Cape Girardeau's west end. Such a facility makes sense for Cape Girardeau in the wake of the commercial and residential boom on the city's west side. Cape Girardeau's main post office on Frederick Street isn't conveniently located for a growing number of patrons. Growing traffic on the west end means a much longer trip to the downtown post office...

Floodwaters on a Cape Girardeau County road trapped a rural Marble Hill woman in her station wagon shortly before noon Tuesday. Personnel from the Missouri Conservation Department, the Millersville Fire Department and the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department responded...

It is too early to see any significant results, but area pastors say a community-wide Marriage Savers policy may be helping reduce the divorce rate in Cape Girardeau County. Marriage Savers isn't a policy to keep couples from marrying but to keep them married, said the Rev. Wes Wright, pastor of Mount Auburn Christian Church...

Students at Nell Holcomb School learned Tuesday that their school officially ranks among the best in Missouri. The school is the first in Southeast Missouri to receive accreditation with distinction honors for its performance in the state education department's accreditation process...

Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. hopes to get into the long-distance business, the president of Southwestern Bell Missouri said Tuesday. The president, Priscilla Hill-Ardoin, and other Southwestern Bell Missouri representatives were in Cape Girardeau to discuss the company's plans to offer long-distance service outside the 573-area code...

Fast-food restaurants, called "refreshment places" in census reports, made up about 29 percent of eating places in 1972. Twenty years later, in 1992, they accounted for 44 percent of restaurants in the U.S. That total may be up this year. The U.S. Bureau of Census can provide that information and more when results of the five-year Economic Census -- 1993-1997 -- are compiled...

Valentine's Day can be a good time to review every aspect of your "love life." Well, Valentine's Day and all the associated hype is long over by now. Either you got flowers or you didn't. Either there was a romantic dinner or there wasn't. Either you kissed somebody goodnight or you went to bed alone...

Cape Girardeau County's chief prosecutor announced before a gathering of law enforcement officers Tuesday that he intends to file next week for re-election to a fourth term. Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle, a Republican, made the announcement at the beginning of a search and seizure law training session that he was conducting for about 50 officers from throughout the county...

A Cape Girardeau Republican announced Tuesday he will run for county collector. Matthew J. Hopkins is seeking the job now held by Harold Kuehle, who is retiring. Hopkins is the second person to enter the race for county collector. Judy Beussink of Jackson earlier had announced she is running for the open seat...

Gerald Jones, presiding commissioner of Cape Girardeau County, has announced his intention to seek re-election. Jones will run for a second term on the county commission. Filings open Tuesday at 8 a.m. "Running a first class county our size requires common sense thinking and making sound judgments," Jones said. ...

Despite the fact we were only 1-1 last week, I thought we had a good week because the effort of our basketball team was outstanding. In fact, I think the effort against Murray State might have been our best effort all season. We also had a great effort from our fans in both games. When we fell behind Murray State by 15 points in the second half and then came back to take the lead, the support and encouragement of the fans was a big part in the comeback...

When Southeast Missouri State University star center Bud Eley went down -- not once, but twice -- with leg injuries that just about wiped out his entire season, many observers believed the Indians would struggle big-time at the post position. But the Indians have done anything but struggle in the middle. Instead, they have thrived, thanks to the stellar play of David Montgomery, who moved over from forward in Eley's absence -- and has played his best basketball of the season...

With Perryville High edging ahead late in the game, Notre Dame mashed the pedal to the metal, but the tank was empty. Notre Dame had two players out with injuries and two playing with the flu, and Perryville outlasted the Bulldog-tired hosts 66-55 Tuesday...

The Jackson Youth Baseball League will hold sign-ups on March 1 and March 7 in the community room at Jackson City Hall. Sign-up hours will be 1-5 p.m. on March 1 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on March 7. Registration is for youths ages 6 to 18. For more information, call 243-8895...

BENTON -- Signups for the Benton Heartland Babe Ruth Softball League will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, from 9 a.m.-noon at the Riverside Regional Library in Benton. Girls ages 9-15 who attend either St. Denis or Kelly R-4 schools are eligible to participate...

A meeting for the Jackson men's slow-pitch softball league will be held Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. in the lower level of the Jackson Elks Lodge. Sponsor fees for the 1998 season must be paid at this time. The fee is $150 for new teams and $125 for returning teams...

CAYSA will sponsor a beginner referee instruction class for people 14 years and older. Instruction will include 16 hours of classroom work plus a certification test. Cost is $20. Any participant who passes the test will be permitted to register with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). Cost of registration with the USSF is $25...

The Scott City Parks & Recreation Department will hold a Youth League baseball meeting Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. All interested coaches, parents and public are invited to attend. Coach applications are available at City Hall and will distributed at the meeting...

The Kohlfeld Capahas baseball team will hold its annual benefit auction March 21 at the Show Me Center. Doors will open at 8 a.m. and the auction will begin at 9. The Capahas will also hold a benefit golf tournament on June 19 at Bent Creek Golf Course. Cost of the four-man scramble will be $260 per team...

CHARLESTON -- Cape Girardeau Central High's boys basketball team put up a good fight for a half but Charleston ultimately proved too strong Tuesday night. The host Blue Jays pulled away from a 40-34 halftime lead and coasted to an 81-67 SEMO Conference victory...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Funeral for Brice Jordan Morgan, infant son of John Paul and Melesa Taflinger Morgan, will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at Crain Funeral Home in Anna. The Rev. Paul Sadler will officiate, with burial in St. Johns Cemetery. Friends may call today after noon at the funeral home...

PERRYVILLE -- Funeral Mass for Lawrence J. Meyer of Perryville will be held at 1 p.m. today at St. Vincent's Catholic Church. The Rev. Gerry Kelly will officiate, with burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery. There is no visitation. Young and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements...

Millicent McDade Jetton of Greenville, S.C., died Thursday, Feb. 12, 1998. She was a certified substance abuse counselor. Survivors include her husband, Dr. Robert L. Jetton; a daughter, Millicent Wilson of Blandon, Pa.; a sister, Betty McDade Belote of Cape Girardeau; and two grandchildren...

SCOTT CITY -- Catherine Thompson, 62, of Scott City died Monday, Feb. 16, 1998, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel at Scott City is in charge of arrangements.

SIKESTON -- Wanda McFall Hill, 74, of Plumerville, Ark., died Sunday, Feb. 15, 1998, at St. Anthony's Hospital in Morrilton, Ark. She was born Jan. 26, 1924, in Lamar, Ark., daughter of Garland Grover and Ola May Voss McClaine. She married Delbert Hill...

CHARLESTON -- Elgia Ramsdell, 73, of Paducah, Ky., died Monday, Feb. 16, 1998, at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah. She was born Dec. 23, 1924, at Concord, daughter of Harold and Beulah Cook Buntin. Ramsdell was formerly of Mississippi County. Survivors include a daughter, Sherrie West of Eddyville, Ky.; and five grandchildren...

CHARLESTON -- Ida B. Hamilton, 82, of Atlanta, Ga., died Sunday, Feb. 15, 1998, at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. She was born Feb. 23, 1915, in Moorhead, Miss., daughter of Jasper and Evelina Harrison Spears. She and Andrew Hamilton were married Aug. 25, 1953. He died March 24, 1994...

SCOTT CITY -- Millie Adams, 91, of West Alton, Ill., died Saturday, Feb. 14, 1998, at Village North Manor in Florissant. She was born Dec. 19, 1906, daughter of Axel T. and Hannah G. Davis Kjer. She and Harry Adams were married Dec. 24, 1928. He died May 5, 1993...

Daughter to Stephen Clarke and Stacy J.K. Christiansen of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 2:46 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, 1998. Name, Kyra Deane. Weight, 6 pounds 3 ounces. Mrs. Christiansen is the former Stacy Kingsbury, daughter of Deane Kingsbury and Nancy Kingsbury of Fremont, Neb. She is a graphic artist at Southeast Hospital. Christiansen is the son of Clarke Christiansen and Shirley Christiansen of Huron, S.D. He is an attorney with Bradshaw, Steele, Cochrane and Berens...

JACKSON -- Doris Matthews, 86, of Jackson died Tuesday, Feb. 17, 1998, at St. Francis Medical Center. Arrangements are under the direction of Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home in Jackson.

JACKSON -- The University of Missouri Extension Service plans to build a new office in a 20-acre commercial tract along Jackson Trail. The multi-story building, to be occupied by the end of 1998, would house offices for Cape Girardeau County extension staff along with meeting rooms that will be available to the public. The service has five people on its staff...

The Southeast Missourian asked students at Jackson Middle School about the possibility of Martian bacteria that might be encountered through space exploration. Kyle Strickland: "There probably is no bacteria or anything alive on Mars. Even if there was, space suits would protect astronauts on Mars."...