Stories from Saturday, June 23, 2001

The sound of hammers pounding overhead, voices shouting out instructions that guided equipment into place and dozens of people armed with tools milled about the grounds. The construction site at Fruitland Community Church off U.S. 61 just north of the Highway 177 intersection was like any other construction site you see -- except that the crew was strictly volunteer and nearly all were Southern Baptists...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Two fugitives who shot at police before eluding them and later traded cars with friends in Bollinger County could be anywhere, an investigator said. "We've been told they said they were heading to California, some said Chicago," said detective Lt. Mark Crocker of the Sikeston Department of Public Safety. "I don't know. They're just as likely to be here as anywhere else."...

Yes, there are more real estate "for sale" signs in Cape Girardeau's front yards. But the reason is the season, those in the business say. "That's typical for this time of year," said Howard Alexander of Century 21, Ashland Realty, and president of the Cape County Board of Realtors. "Many Realtors are just ending their big listing season."...

With the Fourth of July holiday approaching, fireworks stands are popping up all over the Cape Girardeau area. "We've only been open since Wednesday," said Angela Hale, employee of the Kinder's Fireworks stand in front of Schnucks on Kingshighway. "But so far, business has been pretty good."...

New regulations on the construction of cellular phone towers could be coming to Cape Girardeau. The city's Planning and Zoning Commission crafted tentative rules at a special meeting Thursday. The commission will fine tune the proposal at its July 11 meeting, but may not have a final recomendation at that time...

WATERLOO, Ill. -- Notre Dame product Josh Eftink went 2-for-2 with a fifth-inning, three-run homer and five runs batted in as the Craftsman Union Capahas defeated Waterloo, Ill. 10-8 to avenge an earlier loss. The Capahas held several big leads in the game, including 3-0, 4-1 and 8-3 but Waterloo wouldn't go away...

Twin sons to Steve Brian and Sarah Kay Aufdenberg of Jackson, Mo., Southeast Missouri Hospital, Friday, June 15, 2001. Zachary Earl was born at 10:06 p.m. and weighed 6 pounds 8 ounces. Caleb William was born at 10:17 p.m. and weighed 7 pounds. The couple has another son and a daughter. ...

VILLA RIDGE, Ill. -- Virginia Parker, 48, of Villa Ridge died Friday, June 22, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete with Crain Funeral Home in Ullin, Ill.

ANNA, Ill. -- Funeral for Leonard C. Aden of Anna will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna. The Rev. Paul Sadler will officiate. Burial will be in Anna Cemetery with military honors by Carroll P. Foster VFW Post 3455 in Anna...

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. -- Funeral for Willis Glenwood "Bill" Wright of Fredericktown was held June 11 at Follis and Sons Funeral Home. The Revs. Art Rehkop and Carl Hutcheson officiated. Burial was in Snowdenville Cemetery at Snowdenville, Mo. Wright, 79, died Saturday, June 9, 2001, at his home...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Marion V. "Betty" Gray, 70, of Cairo died Thursday, June 21, 2001, at Daystar Care Center. She was born Oct. 25, 1930, in Mississippi County, Mo., daughter of Jobe Neekly and Florence Jones Steward. She married Al Gray, who died in 1991...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Esther L. "Sis" Tadlock, 77, died Thursday, June 21, 2001, at Eldercare in Marble Hill. She was born Jan. 4, 1924, at Hurricane, Mo., daughter of William Amos and Mary Emaline Causey Fulbright. She and Ed Long were married in 1946. He died Oct. 24, 1962. She and Bob Tadlock were married Dec. 14, 1963. He died Feb. 25, 1980...

We need power I SEE a lot of people are upset about a new power plant coming to the area. They say they don't want the noise or pollution. Keep in mind that Californians didn't want the noise or pollution, either. Consequently, no new power plants were built, and they are in the middle of an energy shortage. I think the power plant is a good idea...

A $2.6 million grant is the start of what promises to be a first-rate museum on Southeast Missouri State University's proposed River Campus. The new museum will absorb the existing museum on the university campus, represent the entire region and feature fine art as well as artifacts...

It's not a good thing when the appointed overseers of a $36 million project have to read about their own progress in the newspaper. That's what happened to the board of managers of Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus earlier this month. They read about a $2.6 million, three-year federal grant -- to be used to develop a regional Mississippi River museum on the campus -- on the front page of the Southeast Missourian...

To the editor: My children and I would like to thank the East County Fire Department for its efforts to save as much as possible of our home, the former Coker School, which burned June 7. Although the home was lost before the flames were seen and reported, the fire department's quick response and immediate action enabled firefighters to save the well house and tool shed. We are thankful to everyone who rushed to our aid and comfort...