Stories from Tuesday, April 14, 1998

Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School teacher Judy McLain said working in the speech therapy setting involves knowing how to "pull out of" and "push into" classrooms to help students. McLain, who has spent the past 20 years teaching in Southeast Missouri schools, said this is one of the greatest changes in her field over the years, but the goal of building self-esteem remains a top priority...

First-grader Megan Allen practiced vocabulary words with help from Rebecca Gotham, a volunteer at the Cape Girardeau Civic Center. Betty Freeman, left, a volunteer at the Cape Girardeau Civic Center, read a story to Amber Seabaugh, Jonathon Helm and Cherish Pettis...

Unless you live in a cave, you probably know this is the last season for Seinfeld. It's surely the most famous show about nothing ever to come about. The audience tops 30 million each Thursday night. Since the news of the end, the Internet has lit up with talk about Seinfeld and speculation about what the actors will do next...

The Missouri Legislature should pass legislation to help counties along the state's borders fight illegal drugs, Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon said Monday. "We're waging a successful and well-publicized war on methamphetamines in Missouri. As a result, many of the dealers are moving across the state line," Nixon told the Cape Girardeau Rotary Club...

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education Monday night installed new members and approve a retirement incentive that is expected to save the school district an estimated $170,000 during the next school year. Dr. Ferrell Ervin and Mark Carver were sworn in as board members following the acceptance of results from the April 7 election. Ervin, who was elected to a second term, was also re-elected school board president during the special meeting...

Springfield, Mo., businessman Trent Condellone said Monday he welcomes suggestions about how to use old St. Francis Hospital, a rehabilitation project he calls "extremely difficult." Condellone's holding company bought the long-vacant Good Hope Street property last month. He said he will try through "political motivation" to secure state involvement in the project. A one-stop government center for social-services agencies or elderly housing are two of the best options, he said...

The nylon bubble that covers the Central Pool was taken down Monday after gusty winds caused a 6- to 8-foot-long tear in the fabric just before noon. The 30 people in the swimming pool were escorted outside, and recreation coordinator Doug Gannon called 911 as a precaution...

The federal government again is trying to allow state and local governments to collect taxes on items bought and sold over the Internet. Cape Girardeau County officials say the only solution is one that is fair to all businesses: both those that sell over the Internet and those that sell at local stores...

Sometimes I think it would be great to be wealthy. Since I'm not, I can only imagine what life would be like -- traveling to faraway places and posh resorts would be top on my list. Television commercials show great cruises to the Caribbean or Alaska. These are terribly persuasive devices but aren't as tangible as brochures...

Gene H. Patterson has purchased controlling interest in River Eagle Distributing Co., a Cape Girardeau corporation that distributes Anheuser Busch products. Patterson, who was one of three partners that founded the business in 1990, was an equal partner with James A Rust before purchasing Rust's interest recently...

To the editor: In an April 10 letter, Gilbert Degenhardt proposes what others have similarly proposed as a solution to the problems of Social Security. Mr. Degenhardt's proposal essentially would change the Social Security program from a retirement-investment fund into a social welfare program by taxing all income rather than limiting it to normal working-family wages...

After a grueling, 12-hour session in which senators disposed of dozens of amendments, the Missouri Senate finally passed and sent to the House the latest version of the urban school desegregation bill. With the end of the state's obligation to fund Kansas City desegregation coming next year, any settlement in the St. Louis case will likely hinge on what the General Assembly does on Senate Bill 781...

It appears that for the second time this decade, Cape Girardeau County voters will get another crack at the controversial notion of countywide planning and zoning. In 1992, voters went to the polls and threw out the 20-year-old planning commission by an overwhelming 2-1 margin. ...

To the editor: My wife and I returned to live in Cape Girardeau in 1992 after having lived in Kirkwood 26 years. The changes in our hometown during those years were pretty dramatic. We thought the city had done a great job improving its parks and adding new ones. ...

The Four Seasons Chapter of the National Audubon Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Missouri Department of Conservation building in Cape Girardeau County Park North. Joe Garvey, forester with Missouri Department of Conservation will present the program on "Facts on Chip Mills."...

WAPPAPELLO -- Some changes have been made in the 1998 use fee program in the Lake Wappapello area, but rates for boat-launching and swimming areas remained unchanged. However, the use fees do not affect the Lake Wappapello State Park boat ramp and beach...

The Collegiate Ringers of Centenary United Methodist Church will present a spring concert Thursday at 8 p.m. at the church. The group is directed by Jonathan Stewart, a Southeast graduate and Marble Hill native. Selections include "Chopin's Nocturn," "Simple Gifts" and "Sing a New Song." In addition, the Collegiate Handbell Quartet will perform "Renaissance Dance."...

Dr. Alonzo Hamby, distinguished professor of history at Ohio University, will speak at the annual Copper Dome Society dinner. The dinner is scheduled for May 8 at the Show Me Center. The event, which recognizes Southeast Missouri University Foundation members, will begin with a social at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m...

Agenda Tuesday, April 14, 7:30 p.m. Board of Education and District Administration Office Action Items: -- Accept certified election results. -- Oath of office administered to newly elected members. -- Election of president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer...

Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team will host the Missouri Tigers at 7 p.m., in only the second night game at Capaha Field this season. Coming off a three game sweep by Georgia Tech this past weekend, Southeast (20-16, 9-6 in OVC) will be looking to break a four-game losing slide in the nine-inning contest. Mizzou is 24-10 after going 1-2 in a weekend series against Big 12 opponent Baylor...

Southeast Missouri State University outfielder Kim Palmer became the third consecutive Otahkian softball player to be named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week, sharing the honor with Middle Tennessee State's Melanie Manley. Palmer batted .529 (9-for 17) last week with 10 RBIs, three home runs and three doubles. Southeast teammates Jenny Oermann and Chris Sheltey won the previous two weeks...

In just his second year at Fulton's Westminster College, Perryville native Scott Pingel is making quite an impact on the school's athletic program. During an awards dinner April 7, Pingel was named the school's 1997-98 Male Athlete of the Year as selected by the Westminster coaching staff...

MEMPHIS -- The United States volleyball team will be looking to even its series with the Russian National team tonight at the Show Me Center after losing the initial match of the five-game series Monday at the University of Memphis. After dropping the opening set 12-15, Russia won the final three 15-6, 15-7 and 16-14. The match was the first of the year for the Russian team, ranked No. 1 in the world...

POPLAR BLUFF -- The host Mules claimed the 12-team Poplar Bluff Invitational with Jackson finishing in a surprising tie for third place with the Poplar Bluff junior varsity Monday at Westwood Country Club. Poplar Bluff won the 18-hole tournament with a four-player score of 316, followed by Sikeston in second place with a 323. Jackson and the Mules' JV tied for third with scores of 324. Cape Central finished in sixth place with a 332...

PERRYVILLE -- Funeral Mass for Clara Schindler of Perryville has been changed to 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Vincent's Catholic Church. The Rev. Kevin P. Fausz will officiate, with burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends may call at Miller Family Funeral Home from 4-8 p.m. today, and Wednesday from 6:30-10:50 a.m. The parish wake is at 7 tonight, and the rosary will be recited at 9 a.m. Wednesday...

Funeral for Dollie A. Lowves of Indianapolis, Ind., will be held today at Flanner and Buchanan-Decatur Mortuary in Indianapolis. Burial will be in Fairfield Friends Cemetery in Camby, Ind. Lowves, 89, died Friday, April 10, 1998, in an Indianapolis hospital...

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Zola Ollis, 94, died Monday, April 13, 1998, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms.

Opal F. Goslee, formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Sunday, April 12, 1998, at Ozark Medical Center in West Plains. She was born in Swinton, daughter of John William and Louia Almer Graham Proffer. She and Harold H. Austin were married in Cape Girardeau in 1929. He died in July 1965...

DEXTER -- Otto C. Lape, 75, died Sunday, April 12, 1998, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Oct. 20, 1922, in Stoddard County, son of Cooper and Ida McKinney Lape. He and Beulah Edwards were married Dec. 14, 1943, at Sikeston...

DEXTER -- Hazel Mullen Clippard, 84, died Saturday, April 11, 1998, at Dexter Memorial Hospital. She was born Aug. 31, 1913, at Avelon, Miss., daughter of Henry Buford and Ethel Embry Mullen. She and Wallis Andrew Clippard were married June 16, 1938, at Blodgett. He died Jan. 5, 1996...

POPLAR BLUFF -- Dr. Harold Allen Poe, 79, died Saturday, April 11, 1998, at Lucy Lee Memorial Hospital. He was born June 3, 1918, in Flint, Mich., son of Myrtle Thorn and Dr. James Allen Poe. He and Jacqueline Ringer were married. He and Sally Vivian Young were married in 1956. She preceded him in death...

SCOTT CITY -- Pauline Virginia Menees, 59, died Saturday, April 11, 1998, at the home of a niece in Piedmont, where she resided. She was born Sept. 21, 1938, at Commerce, daughter of Jess and Artie Bracken Dakin. She and James Robert Menees were married May 20, 1954...

MATTHEWS -- Graveside service for Desarae Guardado will be held at 11 a.m. today at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston. The Rev. Dwayne Coleman will officiate. Ponder Funeral Home at Sikeston is in charge of arrangements. The infant died Thursday, April 9, 1998, at St. Louis Children's Hospital...

ANNA, Ill. -- Ricky E. Fox, 38, of Anna died Sunday, April 12, 1998, at his home. He was born Feb. 24, 1960, in Lincoln, Neb., son of Gene W. and Grace M. Salyers Fox. He and Cathy Drummond were married Aug. 19, 1979. Fox was a member of First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, and Ironworkers Local...

DEXTER -- Funeral for Charles Eugene Shipley of Dexter will be held at 11 a.m. today at Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield. The Rev. Kathern Medlin will officiate, with burial in Baker Cemetery at Marble Hill. Shipley, 66, died Saturday, April 11, 1998, at his home...

SIKESTON -- Maude Latham, 92, of Sikeston died Sunday, April 12, 1998, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. She was born Sept. 16, 1905, in Sikeston, daughter of Joseph and Effie Johnson. She married Melvin Latham, who died April 23, 1974. Latham was a member of Old Bethel Baptist Church...

GIPSY -- Jessie Mae Irvin, 86, Gipsy Route 4, died Sunday, April 12, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born Dec. 14, 1911, in Falls of Rough, Ky., daughter of James and Cora Cummings Morgan. She and Benjamin F. Irvin were married in February 1948 in Morganfield, Ky...

Daughter to Frank and Jacqueline Rodriguez of Atlanta, Ga., Georgia Baptist Medical Center in Atlanta, 10:14 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, 1998. Name, Christina Marie. Weight, 4 pounds 9 ounces. Third child, second daughter. Mrs. Rodriguez is the former Jacqueline Urhahn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Urhahn of Benton. Rodriguez is the son of Gloria Ralick of Seattle, Wash., He is employed by Overnite Transportation Co. in Atlanta...

LEOPOLD -- William August Trankle, 45, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Sunday, April 12, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Dec. 19, 1952, in Cape Girardeau, son of Fred W. and Agnes Elfrink Trankle. He and Gloria Weyer were married Sept. 16, 1980, at Fort Leonard Wood...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Mildred Evelyn Keene, 77, of New Madrid died Sunday, April 12, 1998, in an automobile accident on Interstate 55 near Matthews. She was born June 20, 1920, in Fulton County, Ky., daughter of Jeff Melton and Mandy Ethel Love Darnall. She and Andrew S. Keene Sr. were married Nov. 15, 1939. He died March 13, 1978...

RANDLES -- Cedric D. Dooley, 76, of Randles died Sunday, April 12, 1998, at his home. He was born Dec. 4, 1921, at Micola, the son of R. C. and Madge Holdman Dooley. He and Pearline Moore were married on Sept. 25, 1948, in Piggott, Ark. Dooley was a flight instructor at Anderson Air Activity in Malden from 1951- 1961. He crop dusted from 1961-1973. He then farmed until 1990 when he retired...

Greg Tlapek, resident promoter of the Libertarian party, has filed for Cape Girardeau County Clerk. He will face incumbent Rodney Miller in the general election. Miller is a Democrat. "I think Rodney does a great job," Tlapek said. "He's a great county clerk. I really hate to put him to the trouble of running a campaign."...