Stories from Saturday, March 21, 1998

To the editor: Monsignor Joseph E. Gosche's March 14 letter, "Demolition plans: Think of people," analyzing the circumstances in which buildings might be demolished despite owner opposition was a useful contribution to the debate. Its principal policy recommendation, however, ought not to be accepted. ...

Area law enforcement officers are selling T-shirts to raise money for the Missouri Special Olympics. The shirts also promote the upcoming Special Olympics Torch Run. Officers carry a torch throughout the state promoting the Special Olympics. On May 12, the torch will be carried from Poplar Bluff to Cape Girardeau. On May 13, it will be carried from Kennett to Caruthersville...

The Cape Girardeau League of Women Voters will hold a Voters' Forum at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Southeast Missouri State University's Dempster Hall. Cape Girardeau municipal and board of education candidates have been invited. City candidates scheduled to appear are Mayor Al Spradling III; J.J. Williamson and Frank K. Stoffregen from Ward 1; Tom Neumeyer, unopposed in Ward 2; Gerald Stevens and Jay Purcell from Ward 3; and Richard "Butch" Eggiman, unopposed in Ward 6...

Much like sports fans want the best seat in the arena, area church-goers want to get the best seat in the sanctuary when attending worship services. But the definition of the best seat varies from person to person. Regardless of where they sit in the church, everyone has a favorite spot. For some it is near the front of the church, others like the back rows and still others like to sit on the side nearest the piano or organ...

Plenty of people in Cape Girardeau are bleeding from the wounds of divorce and haven't found any way to stop the hurt. While the DivorceCare program is not a bandage, it does offer help, promotes healing and gives hope for the future, said the Rev. Art Hunt of Christ Presbyterian Church...

Negativity has a way of feeding on itself. That is one reason why the current budget crisis facing the Cape Girardeau School District is so worrisome. Proposed budget cuts have fueled bickering among the ranks. Parents are concerned about what programs may be cut as the district works to tighten its belt...

To the editor: A recent proposal by the Health Care Financing Administration could mean that senior citizens and the poor will not have an anesthesiologist available during surgery. This proposed rule change for Medicare and Medicaid recipients would eliminate the long-standing requirement that nurse anesthetists be supervised by a physician. At issue is the safety of our elderly and poor patients...

After graduating from high school two years ago, Nikki Harris expected to work awhile before returning to school to gain skills she would need to open her own business. She had plans and goals. She never knew what hit her when, only a year later, she became pregnant at the age of 19...

Cape Girardeau hotels, restaurants and retail shops Friday enjoyed an increase in business brought on by three major events and a day off from school for area students. About 4,000 visitors were expected in the city. More than 1,000 Missouri Elks members have been in town since Thursday for a state convention and to dedicate a new building for Cape Girardeau Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 639...

Winter weather greeted Missourians Friday on what officially was the first day of spring. A seemingly confused Mother Nature dumped snow on parts of the state. Rain soaked an already soggy Southeast Missouri, and the region saw snow flurries. As of 4 p.m. Friday, Cape Girardeau had received nearly a half-inch of rain. That came on top of more than an inch of rain that fell on the area Thursday, the National Weather Service said...

On a night when basketball fans could have stayed on their sofas to watch NCAA Midwest Regional playoff games, many braved raw weather to enjoy the game played at an entirely different skill level. That would describe Friday night's Doctor-Lawyer Basketball Game, an annual fund raiser for the Community Counseling Center Foundation. An estimated crowd of 175 were on hand...

My birthday wish is that I never become ashamed of my age. My birthday celebration Friday was a normal day for me. Patrick and Jerry sent me off into the cold, rainy morning with an off-key rendition of "Happy Birthday" (regardless of the song, it's always off-key), then I trudged off to the gym for my daily dose of torture at my step aerobics and ab classes...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Happenings along the Mississippi River and its tributaries will be discussed during the Mississippi River Commission's "high-water" inspection trip on the Mississippi River March 30-April 3. The first of four public meetings will be held aboard the Motor Vessel, Mississippi, which will dock at the Eighth Street landing here for an 8:30 a.m. session March 30...

Beginning April 6, getting a new driver's license in Cape Girardeau will take just a matter of minutes instead of the usual four to six weeks. A new system is being introduced that will produce laminated driver's licenses on the spot. The state began switching to the Over the Counter Driver's License System last September and is scheduled to complete the process by fall. So far, about 120 of the 167 license offices in the state now offer the instant licenses...

The city of Cape Girardeau and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will pursue federal condemnation procedures against four property owners in order to get land needed for a planned detention basin north of the city. The city wants to build a 157-acre dry detention basin on County Road 620 north of Route W as part of the Cape La Croix Creek/Walker Branch Flood Control Project...

John Earle, a former NFL lineman, will be giving a series of inspirational speeches to area students next week. On Monday, he will meet with students at Central High School, Central Junior High School and Notre Dame High School in Cape Girardeau. On Tuesday, Earle will meet with students at Cairo High School, Kelly High School in Benton and Schultz Middle School in Cape Girardeau...

Despite all the recent bad weather, Southeast Missouri State University's baseball Indians are planning to play today's Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader against Eastern Kentucky. The twin bill is scheduled to get under way at 1 p.m. at Capaha Field. The teams will also have a 1 p.m. single game Sunday...

CHARLESTON -- Alma L. Williams, 53, of Charleston died Thursday, March 19, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born Jan. 3, 1945, in Forrest City, Ark., daughter of L.S. and Leria Sisk McCain. She had lived in Missouri for more than 45 years...

SIKESTON -- L.G. "Bud" Rodgers, 71, of Sikeston died Thursday March 19, 1998, at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. He was born July 3, 1926, in Leachville, Ark., son of Robert Lee and Hettie V. Fretwell Rodgers. He and Virginia Stout were married Sept. 9, 1996, in Piggott, Ark...

PERRYVILLE -- Lester J. Cissell, 86, of Perryville died Thursday, March 19, 1998, at Perry County Nursing Home. He was born Dec. 28, 1911, at Perryville, son of George Joseph and Rose Huber Cissell. He married Wilma M. Voelker, who died in August 1977...

Jacque LeMone, 61, of Columbia, former Cape Girardeau businessman and Southeast Missouri State University employee, died Friday, March 20, 1998, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. He was born Jan. 18, 1937, in Columbia, son of David V. and Margaret H. Meyer LeMone. He and Priscilla Aird were married June 2, 1962...

Longtime businessman Vinson L. Rueseler, 77, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, March 20, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He owned and operated Rueseler Chevrolet Co. from 1953-69, and joined Aetna Life Insurance Co. in March 1971. Rueseler Motor Co. was established in 1925 by Rueseler's father, A.P. Rueseler...

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. -- Helen Elizabeth Schoenberger, 81, of Murphysboro died Thursday, March 19, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born Sept. 12, 1916, in Murphysboro, daughter of Sebastian and Frances Salpher Hauner. She and John Henry Schoenberger were married Nov. 15, 1938, in Murphysboro. He died Jan. 6, 1974...

Daughter to Kari Ann Del Vecchio and Anthony Edward Ross of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 6 p.m. Monday, March 9, 1998. Name, Taylor Elizabeth. Weight, 7 pounds 3 ounces. First child. Ms. Del Vecchio is the daughter of Steve and Carole Del Vecchio of Cape Girardeau. She is a student at Central High School. Ross is the son of Hubert and Carol Rutherford of Cape Girardeau. He is stationed in Bosnia with the U.S. Army...

SIKESTON -- Vivian M. Parks, 92, of Sikeston died Friday, March 20, 1998, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. She was born Nov. 5, 1902, at Bloomfield, daughter of George and Mary Alta Eaton Reynolds. She married Charlie C. Parks in Bloomfield on Nov. 21, 1924. He died Oct. 30, 1985...