Stories from Saturday, April 3, 1999

The days are getting noticeably longer. This means getting up earlier if I want to see the sunrise which I do. I take my usual stance before an east window, in the same place every day, so that I can more readily note the passage of the sunrise as it makes its way northward along the horizon...

ANNA, Ill. -- A year ago, Anna Heights Baptist Church decided to begin a banner ministry, with a total budget of $200. To purchase one banner would cost $300, so members of the banner committee started looking for alternatives. "The best part of the story is how God provides," said Kathy Cotton, who heads the banner project. "It's an incredible ministry. He is in it, so he's going to take care over everything. It's been like loaves and fishes. Whatever we have needed has been provided."...

Steve Wright of Cape Girardeau, described as a friend of many, died in a car wreck in Tennessee Thursday night. His wife, Kathy, was seriously injured in the accident. His son Scott received minor injuries. The three were traveling to South Carolina to visit an older son, Corey, who serves in the military...

Preserving natural habitats along the Mississippi River doesn't require scientific skills; it just takes the work of some good stewards who want to help protect resources and habitat along the river. As floodplains are being developed and river navigation increases, habitat is being lost...

When my sister was a little girl, we had all the squabbles you could expect in a household of two kids. I was the oldest child, and therefore resented the cute little person who had doting godparents and stole all my thunder since she did everything before I did...

To the editor: As a father, husband and Missouri citizen, I am deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of my family, friends and neighbors in this increasingly violent society. I know I would sleep better at night knowing these people are always safe and sound, far from the often real and present dangers to which many have fallen victim. ...

Talk about a birthday party. This observance began last August with a welcome-back picnic for students. It will culminate May 15 with the spring commencement. A long list of activities has been scheduled throughout the academic year, but the celebration accelerates during April, which is being called Showcase Month...

To the editor: The debate about Proposition B can be analyzed by two fundamental principles. First, would the law increase individual freedom and liberty? Second, would the law protect our lives, homes and property? First, the issuance of permits for only law-abiding citizens to carry concealed firearms would increase individual freedom and liberty. ...

JACKSON -- The incumbents running for mayor and the Board of Aldermen in Tuesday's election are happy to run on their records. Mayor Paul Sander, who is opposed by attorney Scott Lipke in the election, likes to point out that "the city of Jackson enjoys its strongest financial position in our history."...

JACKSON -- Six candidates are running for three seats up for election Tuesday on the Jackson R-2 School District Board of Education. They include incumbents Vicky McDowell, Dr. T. Wayne Lewis and Darrell Hanschen. Also running are Mark Baker, Susan Farrow and Jewell Beauchamp. Each is competing for a three-year seat on the board...

Voters in Cape Girardeau County Water District 2 in the Burfordville and Gravel Hill areas will decide if a $1.5 million bond issue should be issued to drill a well, build a storage tower and lay water mains. If voters say yes, the district will set water rates and charges to pay for the improvements. The bonds would be retired within 35 years...

DELTA -- Nine candidates are seeking three seats on the Delta Board of Education Tuesday. Incumbents James Bowers, Aaron Helderman Jr. and Wesley Kinder Jr. hope to retain their positions on the school board for additional three-year terms. Hoping to unseat them are Roger Seabaugh, Mike Kelley, Diane Starkey Horn, Phyllis Rhodes, Troy Smith and Jerri Lynn Menz...

SCOTT CITY -- Eight Scott City residents are competing for positions on the Scott City Board of Education. On Tuesday, voters will select three people from the field of candidates to fill three-year terms. Polls open at 6 a.m. and remain open until 7 p.m...

When Benton resident Amy Arteme says she needs to run to Cape real quick, don't assume the Southeast Missouri State freshman is going to hop in a car. The Kelly High School graduate, who says she logs more miles by foot than by car, took first place in the 5,000-meter run Friday in the 18th Annual ALL SPORT Relays at Abe Stuber Track and Field Complex...

Austin Peay baseball coach Gary McClure wasn't exactly thrilled about coming to Cape Girardeau Friday. No, McClure finds nothing wrong with the city itself. It's just that his baseball team hasn't had very much luck against Southeast Missouri State University over the past few years...

SOUTHHAVEN, Miss. -- With rain threatening weekend play, Cape Central played three games in the Chamber Invitational Friday and saw its tournament record drop to 1-3 with a win and two losses. The Tigers opened tournament play Thursday with a 9-0 loss to host Southhaven...

MINER -- Victor A. Miles, 77, of Miner died Thursday, April 1, 1999, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born April 24, 1921, in Pocahontas, Ark., son of Elbert J. and Mary J. Hausmann Miles. He married the former Emolene Earnest. Miles worked for the U.S. Postal Service 30 years, and had also farmed. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sikeston...

ULLIN, Ill. -- Dora Sickling, 74, of Ullin died Friday, April 2, 1999, at her home. She was born Sept. 14, 1924, in Baker County, Florida, daughter of Delos and Emily Smith Thompson. She married Clifford Sickling, who died in 1981. Sickling was a member of Maple Grove Baptist Church at Perks...

STE. GENEVIEVE -- Funeral for Vincent Ellsworth Wall of Ste. Genevieve will be held at 1 p.m. today at Liley Funeral Home in Patton. The Rev. Kirby Grindstaff and Roger Wall will officiate. Burial will be in Patton Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until service time...

SIKESTON -- Bernice Ellen Stone, 80, of Sikeston died Friday, April 2, 1999, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. She was born Oct. 11, 1918, at Aid, daughter of Mont Russell and Dora Isabel Green Frank. She first married Robert Scott Bryant Sr. in September 1935. He died Sept. 21, 1954. She later married Myles Stone Dec. 24, 1982...

Graveside and memorial services were held Sunday for Anita B. Baker, 68, of Cape Girardeau. She died Friday, April 30, 1999, at her home. She was born May 5, 1930, at St. Louis, daughter of William T. and Alma L. Maynard Burgess. She married Hobart Baker on July 24, 1969...

Son to Staff Sgt. Brad and Stephanie Burch of Highland, Ill., Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, 1:31 a.m. Friday, March 5, 1999. Name, Alexander Michael. Weight, 8 pounds 11 ounces. First child. Mrs. Burch is the former Stephanie Pfefferkorn, daughter of Flip and Jane Pfefferkorn of Chaffee. ...

DELTA -- Funeral for Eula Marie Hester of Delta will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee. The Rev. Glen Golden will officiate, with burial in Kenyon Cemetery. Friends may call at the chapel after 4 p.m. today. Hester, 90, died Thursday, April 1, 1999, at St. Joseph Hospital in Highland, Ill...