Stories from Thursday, March 25, 1999

March Madness hits Cape Girardeau tonight when doctors and lawyers square off for the annual Doctor-Lawyer Basketball Game. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m. at the Cape Girardeau Central High School Fieldhouse. Tickets are available at the door. Proceeds benefit the Community Counseling Center Foundation, which provides money for capital projects...

Having a big heart is only a good thing in the context of generosity. Dr. William Logue sees people with big hearts in another light -- as patients for surgery. Logue, director of cardiothracic surgery at St. Francis Medical Center, spoke Wednesday afternoon to members of the Cape Girardeau Lions Club. He explained a surgery option for patients with congestive heart failure...

Student fees were increased by the Southeast Missouri State University's Board of Regents Wednesday. Regents said the fee hikes were unavoidable. The university raised tuition and general fees and also boosted room and board charges for the 1999-2000 academic year...

Cape Girardeau school board members aren't sure if they will be able to establish elementary school boundaries in April. School board members held a public forum Wednesday to hear how the Attendance Area Study Committee developed its proposal to make changes to elementary school boundaries established in 1997. The public also was encouraged to give their input on the tentative changes and offer counterproposals...

Fire districts in Scott and southern Cape Girardeau counties will join forces to recruit people interested in becoming volunteer firefighters. The recruiting campaign is to add new members and replace those people who have retired or moved from the area. The recruiting will run through May 31...

I HAVE a comment about the Mississippi River bridge between Illinois and Missouri. The only way to save the bridge is to stop the big trucks from crossing that bridge. Those big, heavy trucks are the reason it is in the shape it is in now. So if we are going to keep it standing for three or four more years, they need to stop those trucks. ...

With the April 15 deadline bearing down on U.S. taxpayers, it's pretty easy to find folks who are more than a mite frayed over the intricacies of the income-tax code. Even the simplest of forms are difficult for many Americans who prepare their own tax returns. This is because most taxpayers fear the wrath of the IRS if they make even the simplest mistakes...

There are those among us who say they have principles. Then there are those who demonstrate how far they are willing to go to stick to their principles. In the small, southwestern Missouri town of Purdy, there is a fellow who believed his principles could not be compromised, even though it would have been easier and far less costly...

To the editor:About 20 years ago, the paper ran a daily item called Sunshine. May I submit another one?If you want to be healthy, wealthy and wise, you must know the definition of success and happiness.Success is getting what you want.Happiness is being content with what you get.DORIS YOUNGCape Girardeau...

To the editor: We have been reading the paper and watching TV with great interest concerning the plight of the Shepherd's Cove Children's Home at Gordonville. We think it is wonderful that someone has come to their aid. There is a great need for foster homes in our county...

To the editor: Defense Secretary William Cohen recently made a speech to the Illinois House of Representatives in which he stated that the American people have a moral obligation to make life better for men and women in uniform. He also said the military has shrunk by about one-third in the last decade and is having a hard time attracting and keeping recruits...

State Sen. Peter Kinder will host a town-hall meeting tonight on behalf of Missourians Against Crime. The organization is pushing for passage of Proposition B, the concealed-weapons measure on the April ballot. If passed, law-abiding Missourians could obtain permits to carry concealed guns...

A member of the British Parliament will make a return visit to Cape Girardeau. James Gray, a Conservative Party member in Great Britain, will attend the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Second Friday Coffee April 9. Gray and U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson will be speakers at the coffee...

Southeast Missouri State University has hired Chartwells College and University Dining Services to run the campus food service. The Board of Regents Wednesday awarded the contract following a closed-door meeting at the University Center. The contract is for seven years, subject to annual renewals. Dr. Ken Dobbins, Southeast's executive vice president, said the Charlotte, N.C., company will be paid about $2.3 million a year under the contract...

Because they lost numerous key seniors from last season's team, this year's spring workouts for Southeast Missouri State University's football Indians figure to be as competitive as ever. The Indians will begin spring drills Friday afternoon. Under NCAA guidelines, they are allowed to hold 15 practice sessions. The spring session will conclude April 24 with a scrimmage game...

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team tuned up for this weekend's big series with Eastern Illinois by rallying past host Memphis 4-3 Wednesday night. The Indians trailed 3-2 heading into the top of the ninth inning, but they came up with two runs to go ahead and then ace pitcher Ryan Spille closed the door on the Tigers in the bottom of the ninth...

You didn't even need to see it. The distinctive, acute piercing sound of a rawhide bullet squarely connecting with a metal club midway through an uppercut motion provided more than enough evidence that Chaffee senior catcher Jason Harrell had gotten all of it...

Earlier this year, Jerry Dement announced his resignation after six seasons as the head football coach at Cape Girardeau Central High School. And Wednesday, Dement said that he will be leaving Central all together following the conclusion of the school year...

The first home action in nearly three weeks for Southeast Missouri State University's softball team was an extremely enjoyable experience Wednesday evening. Southeast pounded struggling St. Louis University in a doubleheader, rolling past the Billikens 6-2 and 11-0. The second game was stopped after five innings because of the run rule...

Cape Girardeau Central High School broke in its new track and field complex Wednesday afternoon with a pair of easy dual-meet victories over Sikeston. Central's boys posted a 102-51 triumph while the girls romped 120-17. "It was exciting to have our first meet on the new track and we broke it in well," said Central coach Jerry Dement. "I thought the kids performed well, especially for the first time out."...

Southeast Missouri State University's volleyball program has signed its final recruit for next season as Emily Wahlman, a 6-foot middle blocker, has committed to the Otahkians. Wahlman is a senior at Jennings County High School in Dupont, Ind. She led her squad in solo blocks and digs while being named all-area. She also excelled in the classroom and will graduate second in her class...

ANNA, Ill. -- Leonard Choate, 94, of Anna died Tuesday, March 23, 1999, at his home. He was born Feb. 26, 1905, in Union County, son of Charles G. and Rosa Houston Choate. He and Gladys Cerney were married Aug. 9, 1930. Choate was a member of Operating Engineers Local 318, Anna Masonic Lodge 520 AF&AM, and attended Anna United Methodist Church. He served in the U.S. Navy...

Donald Leroy Hanebrink, 68, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, March 24, 1999, at Beverly Health and Rehab Center. He was born April 9, 1930, at Egypt Mills, son of William F. and Elda Hoffman Hanebrink. He and Betty L. Schweppe were married March 15, 1952, in Piggott, Ark. She died Sept. 21, 1982...

SIKESTON -- Sammy Dean Matthews, 60, of Sikeston died Monday, March 22, 1999, at his home. He was born Aug. 10, 1938, at Dexter, son of Sam J. and Vealer McBroom Matthews. He and Joann Dewitt were married Nov. 11, 1961, at Gray Ridge. Matthews had been water production superintendent with city of Sikeston since 1981. He was an airman first class in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era...

PUXICO -- Everette P. Phillips, 78, of Puxico died Wednesday, March 24, 1999, at his home. He was born June 20, 1920, at Broseley, son of James and Ada Yeley Phillips. He and Eva Mae Hazel were married May 1, 1952, in Arkansas. Phillips was a member of the Church of Christ...

Verna A. Gross of Cape Girardeau passed away on Monday, March 22, 1999 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born in Cape Girardeau on Nov. 4, 1932, the daughter of Arthur and Helen Bertling Kelpe. In 1996 she retired as appointment receptionist at Regional Primary Care, earlier known as Seabaugh Clinic and Family Physicians. ...

SIKESTON -- Wilfred J. "Willie" Scherer, 77, of Sikeston died Wednesday, March 24, 1999, at Clearview Nursing Center in Sikeston. He was born Dec. 25, 1921, in Tanner, son of Theodore P. and Florence Frey Scherer. He and Ruth Struwe were married March 4, 1944, in Sikeston...

COBDEN, Ill. -- Virgil Ray Miller, 78, of Cobden died Tuesday, March 23, 1999, at Portage Hospital in Hancock, Mich. He was born April 30, 1920, in Paragould, Ark., son of James Henry and Minnie Summers Miller. He and Willadine R. Shasteen were married Aug. 28, 1945, in Jonesboro. She died June 1, 1987...

ZALMA -- Iva Jane Gribler, 74, of Zalma died Tuesday, March 23, 1999, at Puxico Nursing Center in Puxico. She was born July 9, 1924, at McGee, daughter of John and Henrietta Fagger Gribler. Survivors include two sisters, Mary Smith of McGee, Betty Gribler of Zalma; two brothers, Jim Gribler of Zalma, and Henry Gribler of St. Louis...

BERNIE -- Rudolph Adkins, 73, of Bernie died Tuesday, March 23, 1999, at Dexter Memorial Hospital in Dexter. He was born June 6, 1925, at Bernie, son of Ezra Gather and Carrie May Anthony Adkins. He and Wanda Robinett were married Jan. 10, 1948, in Piggott, Ark...

BENTON -- Helen Geneva Miles, 84, of Benton died Thursday, March 24, 1999, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born March 2, 1915, at Morley, daughter of George and Birdie O'Neal Miles. Miles had been a clerk in the ASC Office at Benton. She was a member of Benton United Methodist Church...

ANNA, Ill. -- Geraldine "Gerry" Blaylock, 70, of Anna died Wednesday, March 24, 1999, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born May 12, 1928, in Anna, daughter of William A. and Gertrude Anderson Caraker. She and Fred W. Blaylock were married Oct. 30, 1948. He died Oct. 25, 1998...

Gladys W. Blank, 92, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, March 24, 1999, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born June 16, 1906, at Oriole, daughter of Charley and Cora Ellen Shirley Whitticre. She married Charles Paul Blank at Benton. He died in 1962...

JACKSON -- Olga J. Kahnert, 100, of Jackson died Tuesday, March 23, 1999, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born Dec. 1, 1898, at Pocahontas, daughter of Henry William and Christiana Johana Ruehling Putz. She and Leo H. Kahnert were married June 24, 1917. He died Nov. 18, 1972...

Daughter to Bradley P. and Regina L. Ellis of Sikeston, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 2:05 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 1999. Name, Payton Nicole. Weight, 7 pounds 6 ounces. Second daughter. Mrs. Ellis is the former Regina Pratt, daughter of Jim and Anna Pratt of Mountain Home, Ark. Ellis is the son of Jim and Margaret Ellis of Hot Springs, Ark. He is principal at Sikeston Junior High School...

ANNA, Ill. -- Jesse Masters, 78, formerly of Peoria, Ill., died Wednesday at his home near Lick Creek. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna. Funeral and burial will be held at a later date at the Parkview Cemetery in Peoria...

"Carbonado I," by St. Louis artist Seitu James Smith, was purchased by Schreiver last summer at an art fair in St. Louis. This watercolor of New York's Union Square on a rainy day was painted by New York artist Violet Baxter. With his latest donation of four paintings and three pieces of Biedermier furniture, a New Yorker who spent his career in the arts has become the University Museum's "most significant living patron," according to Director Dr. Jenny Strayer...