Stories from Tuesday, February 20, 2001

The nominees have been announced, and the suspense will build until Oscar Night, March 25. Since I have seen so few movies recently, I was surprised to learn I had seen three of the "Best Picture" nominees. Of course, one of them -- "Gladiator" -- I actually saw on video. I think it would have been better on the big screen...

Editor's note: This is an installment from a chapter of Jean Bell Mosley's book "Wide Meadows" that was first published in 1960. Last week: After buying the lights, they were returned to pay for other purchases. Mom and Grandma were silent about the lighting system, which made it look more than ever like they didn't expect anything Dad planned to come about. ...

Dressed in T-shirts and shorts or sweats, they run up and down the basketball court chasing balls or trying to make a two-point shot. They aren't nearly tall enough to reach the rims or try any fancy tricks like the college athletes playing for Southeast Missouri State University, but these youngsters have just as much fun during the game -- except they never attend...

JACKSON, Mo. -- With more decisions to come, the city of Jackson and businessman Jack Priest each won one in court last week in their continuing disagreement over the truck refrigeration units stored on Priest's property along the East Main Street extension...

A group of historic-preservation students eager to see someone restore the downtown Marquette Hotel will talk to Cape Girardeau officials tonight in the hope they can dissuade the city from tearing down the 72-year-old building. Southeast Missouri State University student Jeremy Wells, former student Mandy Wagoner and others are scheduled to make a presentation to the City Council and field questions. ...

Under the worst scenario for global warming, a Cape Girardeau home could someday become oceanfront property. But the dangers of crop failure and glaciers eroding from soaring temperatures would offset that benefit. The theory that greenhouse gases are trapping some of the energy of the sun, raising temperatures and melting polar icecaps, is not universally accepted by scientists. ...

New Vision Youth and Family Services in Cape Gir-ardeau is the latest local agency to participate in the Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credit program administered by the Missouri Department of Economic Development. The social service agency, which provides counseling and other programs throughout Southeast Missouri, received more than $228,000 in tax credits from the NAP last month...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The City of Marble Hill issued a boil-water order as a precautionary measure Monday afternoon following repairs to the water system. City officials said the order, issued at 2 p.m. Monday, is in effect until further notice. Although no problems are expected, boil-water orders are issued whenever repairs to the water system are made...

Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, 401 Independence Study session at 5 p.m. Public Hearings n Proposed Capital Improvements Program for fiscal years 2001-2006. n City's submission of an application to the State of Missouri for the Community Development Block Program for funding to support the Blair Industries Industrial Project...

Marsha Toll, owner of the Bellevue Bed and Breakfast, was named Old Town Cape Volunteer of the Year, and Old Town Cape committees established goals for the coming year at the group's banquet held over the weekend. Old Town board president Judith Anne Lang presented the award to Toll, chairwoman of the group's promotions committee...

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- The Poplar Bluff High boys basketball team finally won an overtime game. And as a result, the Mules will play for a district championship. Second-seeded Poplar Bluff outscored third-seeded Jackson 11-7 in the extra period to squeeze out a 64-60 victory Monday night in the second contest on the opening day of the Class 4A, District 1 Tournament at the Farmington Civic Center...

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Cape Girardeau Central High's boys basketball team has not exactly been an offensive juggernaut this season. But Monday night the Tigers' offense proved to be particularly futile -- especially during the third quarter -- as top-seeded Farmington ended Central's year with a 54-47 victory in the Class 4A, District 1 Tournament opener at the Farmington Civic Center...

Thanks to Saturday night's thrilling victory over Eastern Illinois, Southeast Missouri State University's men's basketball team has a very real chance to enter the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament with a five-game winning streak. "That's our plan," said senior swingman Emmanuel McCuthison, whose tip-in with one second left lifted the Indians past Eastern Illinois 75-73. "We want to win our last five and then get ready for the tournament."...

Notre Dame's girls basketball team collected its 20th victory of the season Monday night with a 73-42 victory over Charleston. Lisa Millham scorched the Lady Bluejays from the outside, connecting on six of eight 3-point attempts in finishing with a team-high 18 points...

Edna Thomas, 83, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2001, at Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Services of Cape Girardeau. She was born Aug. 25, 1917, at Caruth, Mo., daughter of Marion and Lyda Allen Harmon. She and Louis Thomas were married March 2, 1934, in Cape Girardeau. He died June 20, 1977...

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Funeral for Travis Nancy Tadlock of New Madrid was held Monday at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie, Mo. Dennis Lowe officiated. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery near Charleston, Mo. Tadlock, 78, died Saturday, Feb. 17, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau...

Funeral for Alan J. Chesley of Wakarusa, Ind., was held Feb. 10 at Bible Baptist Church in Wakarusa. The Rev. David Harper officiated. Burial was in Olive East Cemetery. Thompson-Lengacher and Yoder Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Chesley, 51, died Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2001, at his home...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Herbert B. Steinbecker, 88, died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2001, at Perry County Nursing Home. He was born May 14, 1912, at Belgique, Mo., son of Peter and Pauline Modde Steinbecker. He and Barbara C. Bauwens were married July 26, 1934, at Belgique. She died Sept. 19, 1986...

SCOTT CITY, Mo. -- Charles T. Scherer, 88, of Mays Landing, N.J., died Friday, Jan. 19, 2001, at Bishop McCarthy Residence in Vineland, N.J. He was born June 20, 1912, at Fornfelt, Mo., son of Nicholas and Bertha Scherer. He and Marcella Crowley were married Feb. 1, 1947, in Chicago...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Mary Ida Northern Cummins, 83, of Sikeston died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. She was born Oct. 25, 1917, at Poplar Bluff, Mo., daughter of Clyde Claude and Hattie Heath Wilson. She first married John W. "Buck" Northern June 15, 1933, at Charleston, Mo. He died Feb. 6, 1961. She and Woodrow Cummins were married July 23, 1961, at Poplar Bluff. He died April 9, 1989...

DEXTER, Mo. -- David Clevenger, 83, of Central Gardens died Friday, Feb. 16, 2001, at Dexter Memorial Hospital. He was born Nov. 3, 1917, at Cassville, Mo. Clevenger worked at Stoddard County Sheltered Workshop. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and a sister...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Doris L. Fritsche, 79, of Perryville died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Jan 21,1922, at Farrar, Mo., daughter of Gottleib M. and Martha K. Mangels Verseman. She and Elmer O. Fritsche were married June 24, 1945. He died Dec. 4, 1988...

ANNA, Ill. -- Helen C. Parker, 88, of Anna died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2001, at her home. She was born Nov. 9, 1912, in Anna, daughter of James E. and Mary R. Smith Waggle. She and Arnold Parker were married June 23, 1962, in Anna. Parker was a licensed practical nurse, having worked at Union County Hospital, Anna Mental Health and Lincoln State Hospital. She was a member of First Christian Church in Henry, Ill...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- Agusta Leola Totty, 67, of East Prairie died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo. She was born Aug. 19, 1933, at Matthews, Mo., daughter of Samuel and Lillie Peridore Bolden. She and Donald Totty were married Dec. 16, 1993...

NEW HAMBURG, Mo. -- Louie L. Schmitt, 87, of New Hamburg died Monday, Feb. 19, 2001, at his home. He was born Sept. 26, 1913, at New Hamburg, son of Frank and Katherine Hagan Schmitt. He and Ursaline Glueck were married May 11, 1937. She died Oct. 10, 1996...

I REALLY don't understand why they're having a drive for the policemen. I am sure they have good medical insurance, sick days and time off that they wouldn't lose any pay. Not that I'm not for the police department, but I just can't see why they would be taking up a collection for this for no reason. Not unless KFVS is just doing it for publicity...

Over the weekend, the U.S. Navy announced it will conduct a court of inquiry into the actions of the three top officers of the USS Greeneville, the submarine that collided Feb. 9 with a Japanese fishing boat near Hawaii. Among the questions the inquiry will try to answer is why two of the 16 civilians aboard the sub were at key controls when the sub made a rapid ascent and crashed into the 190-foot Ehime Maru, which quickly sank. ...

What appear to be serious voting problems in St. Louis are finally getting attention from news media across the nation -- the kind of attention that is likely to pressure state and federal officials to take action that is long overdue. By now, the litany of irregularities has become familiar...

To the editor: A psychologist was evaluating a client using Rorschach inkblots. Psychologist (displaying inkblot to client)?: "What does this remind you of?" Client (concentrating): "It reminds me of sex." The psychologist shows several more inkblots, and the client says they all remind him of sex. ...

To the editor: On behalf of the Cape Girardeau Police Department, I would like to extend our deepest appreciation for the outpouring of community support for officers Keith May and Brad Moore, their families and the police department. This unfortunate and tragic event shocked many and underscored the dangers faced by law enforcement in the fight against crime and illegal drugs...