Stories from Thursday, February 10, 2000

Holly Dirnberger, Oran High School, 10th grade; First place in painting Brian Ellebracht, Mehlville Senior High, 12th grade; First place in drawing Lesley Martin, Cape Central, 12th grade; First place in fiber Lori Droge, Cape Central, 12th grade; First place in sculpture...

Grace Hoylard (Debbie Barnhouse), left, shared some wisdom with Elma Duckworth (Carly Pind) in a scene from "Bus Stop." Once in awhile, the planets align in such a way that a play and a cast meant for those roles arrive in the middle of a Kansas blizzard at the same place at the same time. "Bus Stop," opening Friday at the River City Yacht Club, is just such a theatrical harmonic convergence...

Two men were arrested Tuesday night in Cape Girardeau for possession of ephedrine, a precursor for manufacturing methamphetamine, despite a Missouri appeals court ruling last year that made it more difficult to prove such cases. Christopher T. Anthony, 23, of Calvert City, Ky., and Jon B. ...

Maybe it was the timing or the topic, but Cape Girardeau voters didn't really see a need in casting ballots on an $8.5 million sewer revenue bond issue Tuesday. The measure passed despite fewer than 4 percent of registered voters participating. It is likely the lowest voter turnout ever in the city...

Ruth Burchyett celebrated her 80th birthday Wednesday by doing what she does best: going to work. Burchyett, a cafeteria worker at Central Junior High School, didn't even consider staying home for the day. She preferred making her daily ration of peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches and cleaning dirty trays at school. Staying home would have meant sitting around. "And I don't sit around," she said...

The U.S. Census Bureau is willing to hire foreigners without visas in some cases to help with this year's census. But agency officials insist that only rarely will it do so. The bureau wants to count illegal immigrants, not deport them. Information disclosed by illegal immigrants in census forms won't be disclosed to the federal government's Immigration and Naturalization Service or the public for 72 years, said Debra Peebles of the bureau's regional office in Kansas City...

PERRYVILLE -- Police are investigating the death of a 33-year-old Perryville man who was shot and killed Tuesday night. The body of William H. Dial was discovered at his residence, 1138 W. St. Joseph St., after a caller told Perryville police someone at the residence was being shot. The call came at 7:45 p.m...

Feb. 10, 2000 Dear Leslie, This month is named with a word that means purification. The Romans cleansed themselves in preparation for the orgies to follow. February is more associated with love than with orgies, now. Love and purification, perfect mates...

JACKSON -- The Jackson Board of Education has hired Rita Fischer as assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. The school board voted to hire Fischer during a closed meeting Tuesday. She replaces Fred Jones, who announced his retirement last month...

A man under suspician of stealing clothes and audio equipment from a car Wednesday is being investigated along with other suspects in several similar thefts, Cape Girardeau police said. Johnathan B. Williams, 35, of 320 S. Ellis, was charged with receiving stolen property in connection with a theft, Cpl. Kevin Orr said...

Cape Girardeau has $150,000 to spend on housing renovations and is looking for homes in need of repair. Steve Williams, housing assistance coordinator for the city, is certain he'll find people to volunteer for the program. "I've got a list already started," he said...

The Cape Girardeau County Planning Commission will hold 10 hearings to discuss plans for countywide planning and zoning. The issue is on the April 4 ballot. The Planning Commission developed the proposed zoning, subdivision and mobile-home-park regulations that would be implemented if voters approve the ballot measure...

The sad headlines generated by out-of-control drinking at college fraternities have made a deep impression on school officials, fraternity members, students in general and the taxpaying -- and watchful -- public. The trend has been to ban alcoholic beverages at fraternity houses in hopes of ending needless deaths and mayhem...

Speaking of adults who drink, state legislators again are being asked to ban alcohol in the Missouri Capitol. State Rep. Bill Foster of Poplar Bluff has renewed his effort to put the statehouse off limits to beer, wine and liquor. He says it sends the wrong message to schoolchildren who are told to stay away from drugs and alcohol and then see alcoholic beverages being delivered to legislators...

Maybe I'm being an alarmist, but I'm concerned that a McCain presidency could reshape the Republican Party beyond recognition. Before you third-party people spontaneously erupt into the "Hallelujah Chorus," you should consider the ramifications of such an event. ...

Talk about a close cut. Jon Lowrance made the state cut by .1 seconds in the breast stroke and will be the only Cape Central Tiger in the state swimming meet this year. The meet will be held Friday at the City of St. Peters Rec-Plex. At the Springfield Invitational almost two weeks ago, Lowrance cut two seconds off his personal best and finished in a time of 1:06.04...

I was really pleased with the play of our team on Tuesday night against Middle Tennessee. You never know how a team will react after a couple of tough losses, but I was really proud of how our team came out very focused and really did a great job on defense against a good Middle Tennessee team that had won five straight games...

It's one down and one to go for Southeast Missouri State University's basketball Indians as they attempt to take care of business prior to Saturday's nationally televised showdown with Murray State. The Indians began this week's huge three-game homestand by blistering Middle Tennessee 76-56 Tuesday night. Southeast came out focused and jumped on the Raiders early, just as coach Gary Garner had hoped...

Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball coach Ed Arnzen knows time is running out for the Otahkians in the Ohio Valley Conference race. The Otahkians have only two home games remaining and, considering they are winless in conference road tests so far this season, they can ill afford to let any more opportunities slip away...

Southeast Missouri State University baseball coach Mark Hogan figures offense will be no problem for the Indians this year. "I think we're going to have a really good offensive team, and I think we'll be deeper (offensively) than we've been in the past," said Hogan...

POPLAR BLUFF -- After an emotional and hard-fought win over Jackson on Tuesday night, the Cape Central Tigers couldn't keep up with Poplar Bluff on Wednesday, losing a SEMO Conference game 68-57. Central coach Brett Reutzel, however, was pleased with his team's effort. He just thought the Tigers got a bit tired...

The Southeast Missouri State gymnastics team hits the road this weekend to compete at Centenary College in Shreveport, La. Southeast is 2-6 overall after finishing third out of four squads at the University of Missouri Cat Classic last Friday. Southeast has battled injuries all season, losing Ericka Harrison, Candace Spicer, Michelle Walker and Melanie Krehl at different points of the year...

JACKSON -- Leo P. Sticht, 74, died Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born Nov. 2, 1925, at Farrar, son of John A. and Bertha Angel Seidel Sticht. He and Hazel Marie Morlan were married Aug. 2, 1969. Sticht was employed 35 years at the former Lenco Manufacturing Co., retiring in 1988. ...

CRUMP -- A memorial service for David C. Jones of Crump will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at Bethlehem General Baptist Church. Jones, 46, died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2000, at his home.

ANNA, Ill. -- Funeral for Gladys Hood Bilyeu of Huntsville, Texas, will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Anna United Methodist Church. The Rev. Richard Sullins will officiate. Burial will be in Masonic Cemetery at Metropolis. Friends may call at the church from noon until service time...

PERRYVILLE -- Rose A. Brown, 84, of Perryville died Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000, at Perry Oaks Healthcare Center. She was born Jan. 28,1916, at Kaskaskia Island, Ill., daughter of James J. and Mamie Grace Hicks Grabe. She and Russell Brown were married July 13, 1933. He died May 30, 1987...

WHITEWATER -- Tommy Keith Thompson, 59, of Whitewater died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. He was born July 29, 1940, at Yount, son of Leo P. and Ruth Ann Harris Thompson. Thompson owned and operated a gasoline station. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army...

ANNA, Ill. -- Mary Evelyn Hill Orr, 78, of Anna died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born Feb. 16, 1921, in Jonesboro, daughter of Samuel and Delphia Mae Dillard Littlejohn. She married George W. "Bud" Hill Oct. 2, 1938, in Anna. He died Dec. 17, 1975. She then married Carl Orr Feb. 14, 1988, in St. Louis...

SIKESTON -- Funeral for Lucile Mount will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church. Dr. Jim Davis will officiate. Burial will be in Sikeston City Cemetery. Friends may call at Ponder Funeral Home from 6:30-8 p.m. today. Mount, 92, died Monday, Feb. 7, 2000, at Sikeston Convalescent Center...

ROCKVIEW -- John Benton Long, 76, of Rockview died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000. Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel at Chaffee is in charge of arrangements.

MORLEY -- Joe Dollins, 60, of Morley died Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born Sept. 7, 1939, at Blodgett, son of Van Authur and Addie Irene Connelley Dollins. He and Louise Hagar were married Oct. 15, 1960...

ANNA, Ill. -- Juanita Toler, 90, of Anna died Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000, at Parkway Manor Nursing Home in Marion. She was born Oct. 14, 1909, in Dongola, daughter of Jacob H. and Iva Miles Osman. She and Bon Elmer Toler were married Nov. 12, 1943, in Anna. He died Dec. 7, 1958...