Stories from Friday, August 28, 1998

To the editor: Jo Ann Emerson's position as a lobbyist and the possibility of conflict of interest have not been issues in the congressional campaign. In the Republican-dominated media's efforts to protect Emerson from facing up to her history of conflicts of interest, they have been reluctant to reveal to the public facts that would affect all taxpaying citizens. Or perhaps the media are as confused as the average person would be in trying to understand such a complicate issue...

To the editor: In March 1991 I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. I have received numerous surgeries, some of which were extremely long and difficult, as my friends and relatives know. I have always been very outspoken about the great quality of care I received, beginning with Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, and St. John's Mercy Medical Center and St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis...

To the editor: While visiting my daughter in Cape Girardeau, I experienced chest pain. My husband and daughter thought it best to go to the hospital to check the pain out. We were here from West Plains, and going to a strange hospital was a little difficult...

The announcement Wednesday that Cape Girardeau's two hospitals have agreed that merging would be in the best interest of health care in this area was major news. The hospitals, both of which are proud of their excellent facilities and staffs, face new challenges in today's medical environment. ...

THIS IS a news commentary, but maybe it's a something you ought to do a news story on. I have a 12-year-old son who ran away from home last night because he was court ordered to go to visitation with a man who had threatened to hunt him down and break his neck if he kept refusing to go to visitation. ...

Southeast Missouri State University is offering a series of workshops introducing basic computer skills. The series is called "Mini Workshops for Busy People" and will teach Windows 95, Office 97, Outlook, Web Page Development and Business Writing Basics...

Enrollment is now under way for "What a Novel Idea II: Plotting in Three Acts," a one-day workshop for writers of popular fiction. The workshop will be held Sept. 26 in Sikeston. Advance registration ends Sept. 16 but walk-in registration will be permitted...

Cape Girardeau's two hospital administrators are working hard to sell their merger plan to area employers, but selling the plan to the federal government would take more work. James Wente, administrator of Southeast Missouri Hospital, and James Sexton, president and chief executive officer of St. Francis Medical Center, expect the Federal Trade Commission or Department of Justice to investigate the hospitals' merger plan...

A tornado drill at the Procter & Gamble plant Thursday proved to be a breeze even for the "victims" dressed in fake blood and carried out on stretchers. The morning exercise had officials smiling at the sprawling paper products plant north of Cape Girardeau. They said it was the most extensive disaster drill at the plant in 20 years...

SCOTT CITY -- Erika Glock has been named city administrator at Scott City., Glock, a St. Louis native who has been working at Indiana University for four years, becomes the city's second administrator. The position has been vacant more than two years...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Mississippi County will vote Sept. 22 to determine the Democratic primary winner for presiding commissioner. In the August primary election, presiding commissioner Jim Blumenberg lost to former county commissioner Steve Ledbetter by five votes, but a recount and subsequent hearing did not settle the issue...

The first physical evidence of the new downtown golf course would only cost a few dollars. Maybe the county can help. Although the night air in these parts has turned mercifully cool in the last days of August, it is still possible to accumulate a trickle of sweat in the small of your back at midday, if you happen to be outdoors for any reason...

GLENNONVILLE -- A $5 million generator that had been shipped from Germany to rural Glennonville in Dunklin County was destroyed when it was dropped from a crane onto a platform. The generator was part of the equipment needed in the construction of a $100 million, 250-megawatt conbined-cycle electric generation plant...

GORDONVILLE -- Danielle Bellew has one wish for the four foster children she and her husband care for: She wants them to have a chance at a normal childhood. "These kids deserve every bit of a chance, and that's what they're getting," she said. The Bellew's four foster children will be joined by others at a new children's home, Shepherd's Cove...

VIP Industries will start a year-long celebration today. More than 250 employees of the not-for-profit company which assembles, packages and mails a number of products at four facilities in the immediate Southeast Missouri area -- Cape Girardeau, Fruitland, Perryville and Marble Hill -- will turn out for the annual VIP Fair, to be held at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau...

It's Jamboree time for high school football teams across the state. And area coaches couldn't be more pleased. After nearly three weeks of practicing among themselves, squads will tonight have the opportunity to go against other teams in scrimmages that feature game-type situations and officials...

We often hear in sports of teams going for a repeat or even a `three-peat,' in reference to squads that are out to defend championships. But a `six-peat?' Don't laugh. That's what Southeast Missouri State University's volleyball program will be shooting for this season...

HILLSBORO -- Jackson High's softball team evened its record at 1-1 by beating host Hillsboro 7-4 in extra innings Thursday. The Lady Indians scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning to break a 4-4 tie. Emily Sander had the game-winning hit, a two-run single...

GRAND CHAIN, Ill. -- Funeral for Dora Mae Oliver of Grand Chain will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak. The Rev. Joey Dunning will officiate, with burial in Ohio Chapel Cemetery. Oliver, 75, died Wednesday, Aug. 26, 1998, at Good Samaritan Care Center in Metropolis...

DEXTER -- Funeral for Pearl Marie Petzoldt of Dexter will be held at 11 a.m. today at St. John's United Church of Christ near Fruitland. The Rev. David Schaffner will officiate, with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 10 a.m. until service time...

Ralph Jeffrey Woods, 43, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Aug. 27, 1998, at his home, following a year-long illness. Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

MOREHOUSE -- Doris Pemberton McNew, 73, of Morehouse died Thursday, Aug. 27, 1998, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. She was born Sept. 10, 1924, in Ellsinore, daughter of Noah C. and Millie M. Freer Aubuchon Sr. She and Leo Pemberton were married May 4, 1946. He died Oct. 12, 1972. She and Ivan McNew Sr. were married July 1, 1991...

ANNA, Ill. -- Robert L. Brown, 62, of Anna died Thursday, Aug. 27, 1998, at his home. He was born June 21, 1936, in McClure, son of Orvil and Maggie Smiddy Brown. Survivors include a daughter, Beverly Ferry of Fort Wayne, Ind.; his mother of Anna; four brothers, Gerald Brown of Anna, Lonnie Brown of Dongola, Bert Brown of Jackson, Tenn., Rockie Brown of Milan, Tenn.; three sisters, Remonia Wright of Anna, Shirley Downey of El Cajon, Calif., Carolyn Coryell of Granite City; and three grandchildren.. ...

ANNA, Ill. -- Leona Agnes Miller, 83, of Anna, formerly of Ullin, died Thursday, Aug. 27, 1998, at City Care Center in Anna. She was born Aug. 3, 1915, in Ullin, daughter of Walter and Ethel Barnhart Miller. She married Clyde "Hammer" Miller on Dec. 23, 1934, in Cairo. He died Oct. 6, 1970...

Daughter to Artie J. and Jeanette Lawson of Jackson, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 7:52 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, 1998. Name, Nicole Paige. Weight, 7 pounds 5 ounces. Second daughter. Mrs. Lawson is the former Jeanette McGeachy, daughter of Thomas McGeachy and Margaret McGeachy of Campbeltown, Scotland. She is office manager at KRCU Radio. Lawson is the son of Betty Lawson of Sugar Notch, Pa., and the late Norris Lawson. He is an electrician at Mac Electric Inc...

An evening of tunes and jovial speeches was climaxed Thursday night by a poignant moment as longtime Cape Girardeau musician Lou Hobbs received the Southeast Missouri Music Award for lifetime achievement. Earlier this year, Hobbs was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He accepted the award from last year's recipient, Vi Keys...