Stories from Sunday, March 1, 1998

To the editor: Laura Johnston's shallow view of history in her Feb. 24 column is a perfect example of politically correct teaching when she says, "The professor didn't make us remember dates and places." I have a hunch that her professor was too eager to be liked, perhaps thinking of himself as her employee...

Many parents and other taxpayers aren't sure they understand exactly why Cape Girardeau administrators have to trim the fat from next year's budget. Even so, they said teachers' salaries should be one of the last budget items considered for the chopping block...

ARAB -- A McGee man was killed early Friday when his vehicle ran off Highway P and overturned several times. Garry McCain, 42, was ejected from his vehicle during the 5:30 a.m. accident, a spokesman for the Missouri Highway Patrol said. The accident occurred 7 miles west of Arab...

Until this weekend, the acting experience of Chaffee fifth-grader Nicole Lynn consisted primarily of speaking one line in a church Christmas play. But a day after seeing the troupe ACTER perform "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Friday night, she found herself playing the role of Hermia alongside Shakespearean actors...

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Southeast Missouri State University has been granted candidate for accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association...

The city of Cape Girardeau plans to demolish a former barbecue place across from Indian Park as part of its beautification efforts. The building, at 325 William Street, formerly housed Akil's BBQ. It is one of three structures slated to be torn down by a contractor hired by the city at a cost of $6,760...

Downtown Cape Girardeau is taking on a new business look. Construction activity is taking place at a structure at 1 S. Main, which currently houses Plant Lady, and will soon be home to Plant Lady, Capaha Bank corporate offices and Benchmark Construction offices...

Vicki Abernathy of Jackson is on her way back to Washington, D.C., this time to testify before Congress about the effects of the devastating disease of diabetes that she has had since 1984. She will be a part of "Rally for a Cure." She will represent the Missouri chapter of the American Diabetes Association. She is a member of the Southeast Chapter Diabetes Board...

25 years ago, 1973 Tabulations at Cape Girardeau County Office of Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation show 432 farmers have signed contracts to set aside 5,500 acres of wheat and corn land; signup, which began Feb. 5, ends March 16; it is expected about 1,400 county farmers will enter program by deadline...

Editors note: "The Sky This Month" column will be printed on the first Sunday of each month. Greetings and welcome to the inaugural addition of The Sky This Month. This column will try to keep you informed about celestial activities, which are visible in the night sky and furnish other facts that may be of interest to you...

A bill proposing a series of reforms for the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department will soon be taken up in the Senate for final passage. Senate Bill 883 is sponsored by Sen. Danny Staples, D-Eminence, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee. It seeks to enforce accountability in the department through a number of changes...

A federal judge in Kansas City last month struck down the most recent voter-approved issue relating to term limits as unconstitutional. In 1996, Missouri voters had approved, by a 58 percent margin, a constitutional amendment that required congressional candidates to state their views on term limits. ...

Two years ago this winter, in a campaign mode for his re-election effort, President Bill Clinton told Americans, "The era of Big Government is over." You wouldn't know it by his budget. Of that proposed document, House Budget Chairman John Kasich, R-Ohio, says, "It looks like the president wants to eliminate state and local government and run everything out of Washington."...

Few Missourians question the unmistakable correlation between drug use and crime and the close connection between illegal substance abuse and a shocking death rate that is higher than that for all diseases except cancer and heart problems. What many Missourians have perhaps never known is that the number of citizens in their state currently being treated for illegal drug use is one-third greater than the state's total prison population...

First, there were the virtual pets and they taught responsibility by requiring constant attention. Then parents and teachers complained and they came out with the virtual pet you could turn off. I guess the new lesson learned is--always remember Joey that when the real Fido barks we can always turn him off by taking him out back with daddy's gun, it will be just like when we ask you to turn off the virtual pet, only this time we took the batteries away from you forever...

To the editor: I'd like to use this medium to respectfully invite Gary Bunting of the Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board to spend a few days with the Paddlewheelers. If he thins all we do is "wave at riverboats," he's in for quite a surprise...

There is a woman who spends her life in the back bedroom of the home caring for her mother who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. Her life is a constant routine of changing linens, giving baths, praying with and for her mother, and providing care to one who cannot fully respond...

Debate raged this week at our State Capitol about the proper role of government in the areas of public health and safety. Clearly, we want and expect safe food and safe water. Clearly, we want and expect available medical care and standards for medical practice. ...

To the editor: Missouri legislative proposals to expand access to health insurance by letting small businesses buy into the state's Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan are as misdirected as they are well-intentioned. The proposals, embodied in the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1412 and a Senate companion bill, make a promise that can't be kept without direct or indirect subsidies from state employees and the state -- subsidies that the taxpayers will pay for...

Dionne Hoffmeister is accustomed to being busy. She has three jobs, is the single mother of two children, coaches a basketball team, recently chaired the Downtown Merchants Association Auction and is a Girl Scout leader. But Friday night was busier than most. One-hundred-ninety Girl Scouts showed up with sleeping bags for a bunking party Hoffmeister organized...

More than 1,000 people cheered for God at a Christian youth rally Saturday afternoon in Cape Girardeau. Many of the participants at "The Joshua Generation: Taking America Back" rally were of high-school age and younger. They came to the Holiday Inn Convention Center from Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana...

FRUITLAND -- It's hard to find an unhappy face where people are dancing to polkas. "It's happy music," says Richard Kump. "This is why we love it." Kump, who teaches German at Southeast, and has wife Gardis were two of hundreds at the Bavarian Halle Friday night for Winterfest, a celebration of bratwurst, sauerkraut, lederhosen and upbeat accordion music...

Administrators of Cape Girardeau School District are not paving a new path by considering budget freezes, including a proposed freeze on salaries, to correct a $1 million fund deficit, said Vic Slaughter of the state's school finance office. Throughout the state, salaries and benefits of all school employees generally comprise some two-thirds of district expenditures, and administrative and teacher salaries take up more than half of that figure on average, said Slaughter. ...

In honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday, the Rotary Club of Cape Girardeau and the Cape Girardeau Public Library are sponsoring a celebrity reading program at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Monday is Read Across America, a nationwide campaign for every child to be in the company of a book at 7 p.m...

I confess, I haven't stayed tuned to the Monica-and-Bill Show. When you are rowing in shark-infested waters in the middle of your dining room, it is tough to keep track of affairs of state. Our daughters, Becca and Bailey, have a vivid imagination. They lined up our dining-room chairs in the first-floor hallway the other day so they could pretend they were riding a train...

Erin Chenier's dad couldn't advance beyond the starting block in the post-meet handstand contest. During the meet, his daughter won everything. Chenier, a junior from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, performed in front of her parents for Southeast Missouri State University for the first time Saturday night in the Wellness in Motion meet at the Show Me Center...

I don't know about you, but as a college basketball fan(atic), this is definitely one of my favorite weeks of the year. Actually, the week is a bit longer than that -- nine days to be exact. During a span that began Saturday and runs through March 8 -- Selection Sunday -- ESPN will broadcast 60 games, including more than 20 tournament championships that decide automatic NCAA bids...

Kyle Yount has had some game-winning home runs before, but never on the collegiate level. That's why he figures the blast that left Capaha Field Saturday afternoon against Bradley was really his first "big one." "I've hit ones like that a few times in summer league ball, but never in college," said Yount with a smile. "I'd say this is really my first one. It was pretty exciting."...

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University's track and field program had a big day Saturday as the women finished first while the men placed third during the Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Championship Meet. The Otahkians scored 126.5 points to defend their OVC indoor title. Eastern Kentucky was second (104.5) while host Middle Tennessee placed third (95) among the 10 teams...

BLOOMFIELD -- Sometimes promises are hard to keep. But Notre Dame girls basketball coach Jerry Grim was a man of his word -- barely -- as his top-seeded Lady Bulldogs rolled past eighth-seed East Prairie 95-10 in Saturday's opening round of the Class 2A, District 2 Tournament...

With Class 2A district basketball action already under way, area 1A schools will get things started Monday. Delta earned No. 1 seeds in both the boys and girls brackets, but both Scott County Central squads might have something to say about that. A look at the area 1A districts:...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- When your leading scorer has only two points at halftime, you can be forgiven if you start worrying. Not Murray State coach Mark Gottfried. De'Teri Mayes rewarded his coach's confidence by hitting five 3-pointers in the second half and finishing with 25 points as top-seeded Murray State routed Austin Peay 81-56 Saturday in the semifinals of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament...

The Southeast Missouri Horseshoe Pitchers Association will hold its annual meeting March 1 at 2:45 p.m. at the KC Hall in Jackson. There will be discussion of rule changes. All officers and interested parties are invited to attend.

The Southeast Missouri women's tennis team opened the season Saturday at home with a solid 8-1 victory over Tennessee State. The Otahkians won five of the six singles matches and all three doubles to capture the OVC match. "The girls all played real hard and it was a good opening match for us," said Southeast interim coach Donna Ryan...

The Jackson Youth Baseball League will hold sign-ups on March 1 and March 7 in the community room at Jackson City Hall...

The Jackson Men's Slow-Pitch Softball League is having a special offer inviting teams to join without paying a sponsor or team entry fee. The only cost will be a $15 per player fee. Limited entries are available to join the league, which starts April 13 and features a minimum of 28 games...

The Jackson Women's Slow-Pitch League will hold a meeting March 4 at 7 p.m. at the Riverside Regional Library in Jackson. For more information, call Michelle Slath at 243-0269.

Signups for the 1998 Girls Softball/Tee Ball season will be held March 21 and March 28 at Jackson City Hall. Registration hours for both days will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration fee is $40 per player. Checks should be made payable to Jackson Girls Softball League...

The Cape Youth Baseball League will hold registration on three upcoming dates at the Venture Courtyard at West Park Mall. Signing dates and times: March 7, noon-5 p.m.; March 12, 6-9 p.m.; March 14, noon-5 p.m. Registration is for youths ages 7-18. Cost is $45 for 12 and younger and $55 for 13 and older...

Did your dogs find fewer quail coveys to point this year? Did your beagles have fewer rabbits to run? You were probably not alone. Truth is, small game populations across Missouri have generally seen a decrease in recent years. Hunters and biologists alike have debated the causes. Predators, ranging from hawks to coyotes, have been blamed. Weather has been blamed. Overharvest has been blamed. Pesticides have been blamed...

MCGEE -- Garry L. McCain of McGee died Friday, Feb. 27, 1998, in an automobile accident near his home on Highway P in Wayne County. He was 42. He was born July 3, 1955, in St. Louis, son of Alfred and Freda Mitchell McCain. He married Donna Duniphan on Oct. 24, 1994, at McGee. She survives...

CLINTON, Ill. -- Martha "Cleta" Hastings, 87, of Clinton, formerly of Moark, Ark., died Saturday, Feb. 28, 1998, at John Warner Hospital in Clinton. She was born April 13, 1913, at Supply, Ark., daughter of General Price and Zadie Wallace Johnson. She was baptized in the United Pentecostal Church by the Rev. C.P. Kilgore in 1929...

OLMSTED, Ill. -- James Frederick Higgins, 91, of Olmsted died Saturday, Feb. 28, 1998, at the Meridian Manor Nursing Home in Mounds. He was born on Jan. 24, 1907, at Grand Chain. He was a retired construction laborer. He was of the Baptist denomination...

DONGOLA, Ill. -- William Tell Penrod of Dongola died Saturday, Feb. 28, 1998, at the Jonesboro Healthcare Center. He was 100. He was born Sept. 7, 1897, in Trigg County, Ky., the son of Charlie and Nannie Avert Penrod. He married Pearl Blanks in Ripley County, Mo., on March 18, 1916. She preceded him in death...

Danny E. Brand of 527 Spanish St. died Friday, Feb. 27, 1998, at St. Francis Medical Center. He was 58. He was born March 12, 1939, in St. Louis, son of Edward and Thelma Reed Brand. He did insulation work on construction projects. He is survived by three sons, Rick and Rob Brand, both of St. Louis, and James Brand of Sullivan; a brother, Ronald Reed of St. Louis; and two grandchildren...

SIKESTON -- Billy Gene Western, 56, of Sikeston died Friday, Feb. 27, 1998, at his home. He was born on Feb. 15, 1942, at Miner, son of Jim and Carrie Caryle Western. He was an assembly worker for General Motors in Wentzville for 25 years. He was a member of the Bement Baptist Church and the American Legion post in House Springs...

CHARLESTON -- James C. Maxey, 66, of Charleston died Friday, Feb. 27, 1998, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born March 14, 1931, at Myrle, Miss., son of Edgar C. and Fannie Mae Warren Maxey. He lived in Mississippi County most of his life. He was a member of the New Bethel Baptist Church near Charleston...

Jean Bell Mosley's new autobiography, "For Most of the Century," is only available in serialized form in the Southeast Missourian. Return each week for her continuing story. 1940-1950 By 1940 the Depression was receding, but something worse was asserting itself into our lives. Hitler...

The All Stars Band played at the Arena Building during a ballroom dance. Tillie Boswell has been dancing most of her life and has no plans to retire from her hobby now. She still remembers learning when she was a high school student during the big band era of World War II...

Advance: Julie J. Bagwell, Brandi Payne, Alissa B. Swindell, Jennifer R. Westbrook, Cathy R. Wiseman. Altenburg: Mark E. Gihring, David W. Mirly, Terri L. Wachter. Benton: Elizabeth Bearsdlee, Lashea S. Bohnannon, Kevin W. Brown, Richard T. Daniel, Kari A. Essner, Adam V. Glueck, Ladonna F. Gregory, Kassandra L. Jones, Mary K. Richards, Julie E. Stewart, Jaclyn D. Welter, Ryan J. Ziegler...