Stories from Saturday, February 21, 1998

As a child, Rebecca St. James was surrounded by the music of Christian artists like Petra and Carman. Her concert-promoter father's interest in music helped lay the foundation for her career, she said. Growing up with great music is one of the best memories of St. James' childhood. "There are few things more powerful than the Bible and music," she said, "and when you put those together, it's a powerhouse."...

The Rev. Mark Anderson, pastor of Lynwood Baptist Church, standing, visited with church members from left, Troy Hughes, Steve Sticker, Mandee Stricker and Jill Acup during a fellowship dinner. Editor's note: this is the third in a four-part series featuring area pastors...

Hundreds of area youth are expected to attend the Joshua Generation: Taking America Back rally from 1 to 4 p.m. next Saturday at the Holiday Inn Convention Center. Penny Lea is the featured speaker. Lea, a 15-year veteran on the motivational speaking circuit, promotes self-esteem while creating an awareness of the dangers of drugs and alcohol. She has visited several Southeast Missouri schools and will speak at First Assembly of God Church, 750 Mount Auburn Road, Wednesday at 7 p.m...

The Rev. David Griesemer is pastor of First General Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. He was ordained in 1981. He previously was a crusade coordinator with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and had served as pastor at New Hope General Baptist Church in Flint, Mich. He is a member of the Executive Council of the General Baptist Denomination, headquartered in Poplar Bluff...

Sharon weighed about 135 pounds when she decided she needed to lose weight because of a blood sugar problem. But somewhere along the line the diet took control, and when Sharon's weight was down to 86 pounds her doctor ordered her hospitalized for anorexia...

Nine of Southeast Missouri's 10 state representatives and a state senator plan to seek re-election this fall. State representatives who will seek re-election are Mary Kasten of Cape Girardeau; David Schwab of Jackson; Mark Richardson and Bill Foster, both of Poplar Bluff; Patrick Naeger of Perryville; Marilyn Williams of Dudley; Joe Heckemeyer of Sikeston; Denny Merideth III of Caruthersville; and Larry Thomason of Kennett...

Southwestern Bell's Local Plus calling plan could be in effect late this year if it gets approval of the Missouri Public Service Commission. Local Plus is an optional, outbound local-calling package that would provide subscribers unlimited calls to all customers within a regional calling area for a flat rate...

JACKSON -- The history of St. John AME Church is evident throughout the building: Walls of the one-room sanctuary hold pictures of beloved pastors long gone, and shiny metal placards on new pews tell of members who once took their places in that section each Sunday...

This has been an important month for me in terms of the types of stories I've covered. Being the only African-American in the newsroom, I'm especially sensitive to any mention or lack thereof of February's significance in the newspaper, so I began researching several topics in January to make sure I was prepared for the February rush...

Cape Girardeau County Clerk Rodney Miller says his job is "an every-day job that you have to do." "It is not a glamour job," Miller said. But Miller is proud of the work he does. Miller, who has served as county clerk for two decades, plans to seek re-election to another four-year term...

Someone who's a good singer and a good cook figures to have lots of friends. Kay Wolpers needs them right now. A month ago, doctors discovered massive tumors in Wolpers' brain as well as tumors in her lungs and liver. She underwent radiation treatments in the hospital and was sent home with discouraging advice...

JACKSON -- Unlike many ambitious young preachers, the Rev. James Winfrey wasn't discouraged when he learned his first full appointment would be to St. John AME Church last October. The church's 11-member congregation and location two hours away from his home and primary source of income didn't daunt him for one simple reason: Winfrey and his wife, Barbara Winfrey-MaGee, were coming home...

Cape Girardeau's police and fire chiefs recently marked their one-year anniversaries. Both Police Chief Rick Hetzel and Fire Chief Dan White began their duties last January. Both have brought a new level of professionalism to the departments and have proved to be assets to the city...

The ease with which teen-agers purchased both alcohol and tobacco in Cape Girardeau during a recent compliance check is unsettling. Under police auspices, four teen-agers ages 16 and 17 visited 15 convenience stores. These teens, all under the legal age for purchasing either cigarettes or alcohol, were able to purchase tobacco at a dozen of the stores and alcohol at eight shops...

To the editor: Oxymoron is one of my favorite words, from Greek "oxys" meaning sharp or keen and "moros" meaning foolish. An oxymoron is a contradiction in terms. I am not an expert, but by applying some Bollinger County logic, oxymoron comes to mind regarding the following...

To the editor: It is my firm belief the finest suggestion yet is that of making the apple the state emblem. I cannot think of a better way to bestow upon the apple, a favorite fruit among many, a more appropriate and deserving title. Various flowers are represented as the emblem of a number of states, but no kind of fruit has as yet been given that honor. Various kinds of fruit require peeling before eating. An apple does not...

A GREAT big congratulations to the City Council. At its meeting, the councilmen all agreed, from the looks of them and their actions, that they're going to do something about old St. Francis Hospital. I hope they build a police station over there and it lifts that end of town up. The City Council is 100 percent behind it, from their actions...

To the editor: I appreciated your recent editorial about the methamphetamine problem, especially the part about the success of Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers has a proven record that deserves all the praise it receives. I was puzzled, however, by your support of state Rep. ...

To the editor: Somewhere along the line, the neoconservatives in the right wing of the current Republican Party seem to have become dereailed. To see what I mean, one has only to compare the current conservative movement of this nation with conservative movements before and elsewhere. ...

The old `Pit' didn't want to die. But not even overtime could save Notre Dame's old gymnasium -- or the Bulldogs -- Friday night. Playing the final varsity boys game after 44 years in the tight quarters of the tiny gymnasium, Fredericktown ruined the Bulldogs' finale in the `pit' with a 58-57 overtime victory. With the opening of the new Notre Dame High School next season, the Bulldogs will play in a new facility next season...

So far this season, Southeast Missouri State University's basketball Indians have been able to exact revenge on every team that previously beat them in overtime. Tonight, the Indians will get one final chance as they close out the regular season with a road contest against Eastern Illinois...

JACKSON -- Rodney George kept firing, Clintrick Johnson kept battling. Seemingly oblivious to the scoreboard chronicling the rout, the two sophomores, who scored all but four of the Tigers' points, never ceased. But this time David was no match for Goliath...

STE. GENEVIEVE -- Cape Girardeau Central High's boys basketball team ended the regular season here Friday night with a 102-63 destruction of host Ste. Genevieve. The Tigers, who pulled away from an early battle with a 29-11 second-quarter edge, improved to 10-14...

Southeast Missouri State University's men's golf team, after a solid fall season, is now ready to turn its attentions to the spring -- and ultimately the Ohio Valley Conference Championships. The Indians will open the spring season this weekend with a three-day tournament (todayy through Monday) at the Bay Pointe Golf and Country Club in Jackson, Miss. There will be four other spring events leading up to the OVC tourney April 19-22 in Nashville, Tenn...

BENTON -- Kelly held off a spirited charge by visiting Bell City Friday night as the Hawks claimed a hard-earned 59-46 victory in their final regular-season game Friday night. The Hawks (23-3) led only 40-37 after three quarters but they outscored the Cubs (12-11) in the final period...

COLUMBIA -- Jackson's Lance Schlick and Kyle Watson are the only area wrestlers still alive as the 1998 Missouri State High School Championships enters its final rounds of competition today. Schlick, a junior competing at 125 pounds, lost in Friday night's Class 4A semifinals as Oakville's Brett Lieberoff claimed a 9-6 victory...

Because of a big win by Murray State Thursday night, Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team might be facing a must-win scenario today. The situation for Southeast entering today's 4:45 p.m. game at Eastern Illinois is this: if the Otahkians lose and Murray State beats Tennessee State, then Southeast will be left out of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament...

SCOTT CITY -- Ruby Ritchie, 88, of Scott City died Friday, Jan. 20, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

CHAFFEE -- Ruth Ann Bess, 65, of Chaffee died Friday, Feb. 20, 1998, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born June 3, 1932, at Chaffee, daughter of Jesse Forrest and Florine Mary Skelton Dudley. She and Dennis H. Bess were married May 8, 1948...

A longtime businessman, Harvey Edward Henry, 69, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Feb. 19, 1998, at Baptist Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. He was born Oct. 24, 1928, in Amarillo, Texas, son of Harry and Lillian Henry. He and Madra L. Schafer were married in 1949 in Memphis...

PAINTON -- Graveside service for Bert L. Howard of Painton will be held at 2:30 p.m. today at Morgan Memorial Park in Advance. The Rev. Fred Ritter will officiate. There is no visitation. Morgan Funeral Home in Advance is in charge of arrangements. Howard, 79, died Friday, Feb. 20, 1998, at Advance Nursing Center...

ANNA, Ill. -- Fred Granay Hileman, 86, of Anna died Friday, Feb. 20, 1998, at Jonesboro Health Care Center in Jonesboro. He was born June 10, 1911, at Mt. Pleasant, son of Gordon and Emma Granay Hileman. He and Annie Marie Penninger were married Sept. 23, 1933, at Lick Creek...

Freddie R. Ristig, 82, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Feb. 20, 1998, at his home. He was born June 1, 1915, near Jackson, son of Louis and Ida Zschille Ristig. He and Edith Woeltje were married Dec. 23, 1939. Ristig was shop foreman at Brennecke Chevrolet in Jackson 15 years, was a dairyman many years and was manager of Mid America Dairy 20 years, retiring in 1997. He was a lifelong member of Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson...

A Perryville man was in critical condition at a Cape Girardeau hospital Friday night after his vehicle struck a tree. Cory Lee, 20, suffered serious injuries in the accident, which occurred on Route T, three-tenths of a mile west of Route BB, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol...

ST. MARY -- Paul Lee Adams, 43, of St. Mary died Thursday, Sept. 19, 1998, at St. Louis University Medical Center. He was born Sept. 9, 1954, at Perryville, the son of Arthur A. and Thelma L. Cambron Adams. He married Karla J. Daume on July 4, 1975. She survives of the home...