Stories from Monday, June 12, 2000

Joe and Jane Stahly, of W. E. Walker Company, Cape Girardeau, recently attended the 8th annual Hand In Hand Society meeting, held in Killarney, Ireland. The Hand in Hand Society is made up of the top 185 property/casualty insurance agencies, out of the more than 6,200 agencies representing CGU Insurance Co...

Markets flinched but the euro soared when the European Central Bank surprised analysts Thursday by boosting its key interest rates a higher-than expected half percentage point a move criticized by some as too much too soon. The hike to 4.25 percent was the fourth this year and caught investors and economists off-guard, who were expecting a more modest quarter-point increase. Some worried that a sharper increase could stifle Europe's recovering economy...

Ryan Shelton, formerly of Cape Girardeau, has been appointed a State Farm Insurance agent in the St. Robert/Waynesville/Fort Leonard Wood area in Missouri. Shelton, who has completed the State Farm Agency Training Program and has met all the state licensing requirement, has been employed at State Farm six years...

Shannon Thompson of Cape Girardeau has been named assistant marketing director at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park. Thompson is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in public relations. Westfield Shoppingtown West Park, located near the intersection of Interstate 55 and Route K, is home to more than 85 specialty stores...

Patrick J. Higgins and Michael Beardslee, of Creative Data Systems Inc., 2129 William, in Cape Girardeau have completed the A+ Certifications Examination, a comprehensive test on computer hardware and software. Beardslee joined Creative Data Systems in 1997. He is also certified by Hewlett Packard as a technician for inkjets and LaserJet printers...

Hugh White has joined ERA Cape Realty, 1409 N. Mt. Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau, as a sales associate. White, formerly of Dunklin and Pemiscot counties in Southeast Missouri, has lived in Cape Girardeau 26 years and is currently a member of the Cape Girardeau City Council...

R. Crosby Kemper III, chairman of the board and chef executive officer of UMB Bank, Kansas City, has been elected chairman of the Missouri Bankers Association (MBA). Other officers named recently during the MBA's 110th Annual Convention at Branson were Larry L. Snyder, president of the Hamilton Bank, chairman-elect; and R. Michael Pollan, president of Farmers State Bank at Cameron, treasurer...

You had to wonder what was going on at the northwest corner of Independence and Kingshighway last week. Trucks were observed leaving the site at the Independence entrance to the seven-acre site, loaded with rocks, materials and debris from the former Wolohan Lumber Co. structures which had been demolished...

This "Financial Focus" column is prepared by Edward Jones Investments, headquartered in St. Louis. Jones includes branches throughout the nation, including Cape Girardeau and Jackson. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has turned in five straight years of double-digit returns, and many of the broader market indices have been setting records, as well. So, investment success if there for the taking, right?...

Americans are spreading out, living in larger homes, and on larger lots. During the mid-20th century, the average homestead took up about a quarter acre. That increased to a half-acre in the 1990s, and if trends continue, every home soon will take up more than a full acre this century...

Two Southeast Missouri State University graduates will launch a new Internet company, "Campusdog.com," in August. Mark Green and Chris Carl will debut the Web site to 1,300 college campuses, providing college students with localized information on everything "outside" the classroom -- music, movies, sports, dining...

The government and manufacturers agreed Thursday to phase out use of one of the most widely applied pesticides because of concern that it poses health risks to children in homes, schools and parks. Still, the product may remain on store shelves until the end of 2001, prompting complaints from some health advocates...

Spartech Corporation's Board of Directors has announced a quarterly cash dividend of 8.5 cents per share, payable July 5, to common shareholders of record on June 21. Spartech recently reported record second quarter fiscal 2000 results of $256.7 million in sales, net earnings of $23.8 million and earnings per share-diluted of 47 cents...

A larger-than-expected number of Americans filed new claims for unemployment benefits last week, pushing applications to their highest level since the beginning of the year. Many economists believe the increase mostly reflected a seasonal fluke and said that, among other things, they would need to see a sustained rise in claims to conclude that the supercharged economy is really slowing...

Two Hallmark Card stores in Cape Girardeau have been honored for specialty retailing, by Hallmark Gold Crown Stores, headquartered in Kansas City. Recognized among the top 200 stores in the national network of Hallmark Gold Crown were Carol's Hallmark Shop, in the Town Plaza Area, and Kirlin's Hallmark Shop at Westfield Shoppingtown West Park...

Johnson Insurance Group Inc., of Cape Girardeau, has been named "Advantage Agent" for 2000 by Alliance Insurance Companies in McPherson, Kan. The award is based on professionalism and profitability over five consecutive years. Alliance, established in 1888, provides a full range of property an liability insurance for homes, farms and commercial businesses...

Tuesday Jackson Chamber of Commerce "Business After Hours," 5 to 6:30 p.m. Enchanted Gardens, 175 County Road 216, off Highway 25 South of Jackson. Thursday Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission meeting. June 19 Jackson Chamber of Commerce annual installation banquet, 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, Jackson...

JACKSON, Mo. -- The days of having to peek around parked vehicles to pull onto Main Street and of all-day parking in the city's commercial district are coming to an end. The city has adopted a plan that will increase the size of no-parking zones at intersections and crosswalks and near fire hydrants and will limit onstreet parking in the area to two hours...

George and Fred Naeter were such strong leaders for Cape Girardeau and the newspaper industry it only makes sense to nominate them for the Missouri Press Association Newspaper Hall of Fame. The brothers "did so many things that people don't even know," said John Blue, who nominated them for the award. Blue worked for 40 years in the newspaper business and was an employee of the Naeters, who owned a Cape Girardeau newspaper...

BENTON, Mo. -- A tanker overturned on Interstate 55 Sunday morning, spilling about 8,000 gallons of gasoline and diverting traffic into the late afternoon. The truck driver, Marvie Dunn, 30, of Sikeston, injured in the accident, was admitted to St. Francis Medical Center...

Starting today, the Southeast Missourian will have an expanded daily comics page. Additions include Lola, Funky Winkerbean, Dennis the Menace and Rose Is Rose. Dear Abby, Out of the Past, Astrograph and movie listings will now have their own feature page. That page will also include a bridge column, Dr. Gott and Today in History...

A short walk in the woods, along the river, or just in the back yard will tell you they're back. The good, the bad, the ugly. Creeping, crawling, flying. Call them what you want, but it's that time of year when you have to share your time and space with ticks, spiders, beetles and more...

Every young golfer dreams of becoming a pro. For three or four days, 115 young golfers from the Midwest will get a taste of a professional tournament format as they compete in the Heartland Junior Championship at Bent Creek Golf Course in Jackson. The event is sponsored by the Friends of St. Francis...

By early Sunday evening, Cape Girardeau's Ford & Sons American Legion baseball team was a weary yet extremely satisfied group. Cape played three consecutive games Sunday and won them all, including a come-from-behind 7-5 victory over Ballwin in the championship game of the third annual Capaha Classic Tournament...

GOREVILLE, Ill. -- The McDowell Capahas ran their record to 13-3 Sunday with a convincing doubleheader sweep over host Goreville. The Caps took the first game 11-4 and won the second game 10-2. In the opener, Ronnie Lewellen got the win in seven innings. He allowed three earned runs on seven hits and two walks, while striking out seven...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Mary Smith, 71, of Cairo died Saturday, June 10, 2000, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born March 21, 1929, in Sheffield, Ala., daughter of William A. and Lena McGee Ryan. She and Garfield Smith were married. He died in 1986...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Elsie Kamp Shafer, 85, died Saturday, June 10, 2000, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born April 16, 1915, at Tilsit, daughter of Albert Kamp Sr. and Nora Bodenstein Kamp. She and Ernest Shafer were married Nov. 28, 1954, at Tilsit. He died April 23, 1977...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Eugene J. Zahner Sr., 61, of Perryville died Saturday, June 11, 2000, at his home. He was born Oct. 5, 1938 in Perry County, son of Wallace S. and Agnes Bernice Mowry Zahner. Zahner was a night watchman at the Association of the Miraculous Medal office in Perryville. He was a musician who played guitar and fiddle...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Charlie R. Haynes, 39, of Marble Hill died Sunday, June 11, 2000, at J & J Assisted Living in Marble Hill. He was born March 18, 1961, in Mendota, Ill., son of Robert and Marzie Harper Haynes. He was a member of New Salem Baptist Church in Marble Hill...

OLMSTED, Ill. -- Lee Hannon, 76, died Friday, June 9, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born the son of Mike and Adalia Krigsheuser Hannon. Hannon had served in World War II. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mound City and VFW Post 8891 at Mounds. He was also a member of the Retired Postmasters Association and the Concord Cemetery Board...

ZALMA, Mo. -- Jeff Pack, 93, of Zalma died Saturday, June 10, 2000, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Morgan Funeral Home in Advance is in charge of arrangements.

To the editor: The U.S. Supreme Court has indicated it will be examining the delicate balance between producing economical goods and services while preserving a strong environment which benefits all Missourians. Associated Industries of Missouri has long advocated this type of assessment before the Legislature, Congress and federal and state regulatory agencies...

The first trial in Illinois' licenses-for-sale scandal resulted in a guilty verdict against a driving-school instructor accused of bribing state employees to get truckers' licenses in a scheme that poured money into Gov. George Ryan's campaign fund...

With gasoline prices in Illinois above the $2 mark in some places and approaching that amount elsewhere, lawmakers could find no better time than present to eliminate the state's 5 percent sales tax on gasoline. The Illinois House Republican Caucus said it will introduce legislation this month to eliminate the gas sales tax, which generates about $280 million a year in state revenue. ...

Former U.S. Sen. John Danforth of St. Louis is being considered as George W. Bush's possible running mate, which seems to be a better choice than his father's selection of a Danforth in Quayle family. Democrats traveling around the state to congratulate themselves on the new highway bonds wisely decided to fly rather than drive...

IF CLINTON and Reno acted within their legal authority in denying Elian's asylum petition, then why do we even have the INS or the courts? We don't need them anymore. It looks like all the power is in the hands of Clinton and Reno. These comrades are co-conspirators...

To the editor: I have found a major problem that has only been getting worse as time goes on. The problem is this: Mostly everyone in this world is very self-centered and greedy, and they don't care about the repercussions that everything they do affects everyone in one form or another like a domino effect...