Stories from Saturday, April 6, 2002

The flood of sex abuse allegations against priests this year has focused attention on the Roman Catholic Church, but Protestant denominations have also faced sex scandals involving clergy over the years. In fact, while data are sketchy, at least one expert believes the incidence of clergy molesting young children may be about as frequent -- or infrequent -- in Protestantism as it is in Catholicism...

ST. LOUIS -- A defrocked priest already accused of sexual misconduct with children while working as a grade-school counselor was accused Friday of possessing child pornography that federal prosecutors say he tried to destroy. The government said that while jailed in Illinois after his arrest on Missouri sexual-misconduct charges involving children, James Beine gave another inmate a letter to mail once that man was freed. ...

CREVE COEUR, Mo. -- A city alderwoman who saw her husband gunned down during a carjacking bid joined law enforcers and a child Friday in denouncing a proposal to let motorists have concealed guns in their vehicles, calling it "nonsense legislation."...

AREA Southeast softball at home today Southeast Missouri State University's softball team will look to get back on track today when the Otahkians host Austin Peay in a 1 p.m. doubleheader at the Southeast Complex. The squads will also play a single game Sunday at 1 p.m...

ST. LOUIS -- Keith Tkachuk had two goals and an assist and played a pivotal role in a dominating three-goal first period as the St. Louis Blues beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-1 Friday night to gain some breathing room in a tight playoff race. Pavol Demitra scored twice for the Blues, who outshot the Blackhawks 20-5 in the first 20 minutes. ...

SAN FRANCISCO -- After receiving the National League MVP award, Barry Bonds showed why he could win another one. Bonds hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning, his fifth home run in the first four games of the season, to lead the San Francisco Giants over the San Diego Padres 3-1 Friday in their home opener...

WASHINGTON -- As part of a new Labor Department policy, businesses will be encouraged but not forced to make workplace changes aimed at reducing repetitive-stress injuries. Labor unions had pushed to restore tougher Clinton-era regulations that Congress, then controlled by Republicans, repealed last year after a bitter legislative battle...

WASHINGTON -- U.S. companies added jobs in March for the first time in eight months, fresh evidence the economy is on the road to recovery even though the unemployment rate edged up to 5.7 percent. The Labor Department reported Friday that payrolls grew by 58,000 during the month, a welcome sign after companies had slashed hundreds of thousands of positions as they tried to cope with the recession and the jolt of the Sept. 11 terror attacks...

WASHINGTON -- Base closings have saved the military about $16.7 billion already and are expected to generate more than $6 billion a year in future savings, government auditors said Friday. As substantial as they are, those net savings accrued from the first four rounds of military base closings -- in 1988, 1991, 1993 and 1995 -- even taken into account the costs of environmental cleanups, according to the General Accounting Office, Congress' investigative branch...

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce is actively involved in the state political system and is trying to get the government to spend less money and use tax dollars for what they were intended, state chamber president Dan Mehan told area business leaders at the Cape Girardeau chamber's First Friday Coffee...

It's been about 15 years since Kim Smith had short hair. And she wasn't going to cut it again unless she had a good reason. Smith, 30, a monitor technician on the step-down unit of the open-heart division at Southeast Missouri Hospital, donated her blond hair to cancer patients, in honor of two family members who have also suffered from the disease...

Franklin Elementary School got a new tree Friday. Members of the Cape Girardeau Council of Garden Clubs joined the second-grade class of Franklin to celebrate Arbor Day with a tree-planting ceremony in the school's back yard. On hand for the ceremony were representatives of four garden clubs -- Four Seasons, Ramblewood, Rose Hill and River Hill -- as second-grade students presented a program, highlighted by Eli Phillips' brief history of Arbor Day...

Cape Girardeau Saturday, April 6 DWIDarryl Graham, 33, of 1320 N. Missouri was arrested Thursday for driving while intoxicated, false declaration and traffic violations. ArrestsSteven Phillip Smith, 44, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., was arrested Thursday for failure to appear...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The state House completed work Friday on a $19 billion budget dependent on specialized tax increases and spending cuts but still unbalanced by an estimated $66 million. Representatives were scheduled to vote next week on whether to tap into the state's emergency savings account to cover the shortfall. But even supporters acknowledged that the required two-thirds vote will be hard to achieve...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's attorney general could lose money from his office budget if he loses court cases involving a state ban on family planning money from going to abortion-provider Planned Parenthood. The budget amendment, passed late Thursday night by anti-abortion lawmakers, is the latest in a long-running battle over family planning funding...

Fourth convicted in airport taxi bribe case ST. LOUIS -- A former St. Louis County employee who worked as a supervisor of airport taxicab "starters" at Lambert Airport admitted in federal court Friday that he took bribes from a taxi company, U.S. Attorney Ray Gruender said...

It took a fire to build Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall. A fire 100 years ago destroyed the turreted, brick Third District Normal School in Cape Girardeau and sparked construction of the limestone edifice that has become a landmark for Southeast Missouri State University...

NEW YORK -- It's offspring time for Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker: They're expecting their first child. Syndicated columnist Liz Smith reported Friday that Parker, 37, is pregnant, and is due to give birth in the fall. Parker's publicist wasn't immediately available for comment...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- A public defender said trial was never an option for convicted child molester Walter Alex Jones. He wanted to plead guilty "from day one." Jones, 42, was sentenced Friday to a pair of 11-year prison terms for two counts of first-degree child molestation. The sentences will run concurrently...

CLEVELAND -- Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. rested his case Friday without taking the stand to defend himself against corruption charges and complaining that the judge was biased against him. U.S. District Judge Lesley Wells denied his motion to dismiss the charges on the grounds that she violated his constitutional rights several times during the trial. He flew into a rage as the judge limited testimony of his witnesses...

HOUSTON -- A group of insurers among the plaintiffs in a civil lawsuit against Enron wants to stop Arthur Andersen from selling off its assets as the accounting firm fights to raise cash. U.S. District Judge Melinda Harmon has set a Monday hearing on the request. Her ruling came hours after Andersen announced it was ready to send some of its U.S. tax partners and professionals to a rival firm in an effort to stay alive...

Envoy warns: Extradite war crimes suspects BELGRADE, Yugoslavia -- Warning that patience is running out, the American envoy monitoring war crimes in the Balkans urged Yugoslav leaders on Friday to hand over suspects to a U.N. tribunal or face sanctions that could ruin the country's economy...

CRAWFORD, Texas -- President Bush said Friday the U.S. quest for peace in the Middle East can succeed without Yasser Arafat because "there are others in the region who can lead." He also said Iraqi President Saddam Hussein "needs to go" and he was confident he could build a coalition to make that happen...

Postal chief: No more rate hikes for two years WASHINGTON -- Following a 3-cent rate increase expected this summer, the cost of sending a letter won't go up again for at least two years, Postmaster General John Potter said Friday. Once the new rates are in place, "I am committed to maintain that rate schedule until at least calendar year 2004," Potter told a National Press Club audience...

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan's military leader launched a campaign Friday to extend his hold on power, setting a referendum for early May to determine whether voters want him to remain in office after the restoration of civilian rule. President Pervez Musharraf said the referendum would be aimed at introducing "real democracy" in Pakistan, which has lived under military rule for half of its 54-year history...

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- Breaking Yasser Arafat's isolation, a U.S. envoy met with the Palestinian leader at his tank-encircled headquarters Friday on the bloodiest day of fighting since the beginning of the week-old Israeli military offensive. At least 40 Palestinians -- including the suspected mastermind of a Passover attack that triggered the offensive -- died Friday and early Saturday as gunmen and Israeli forces fought in Nablus, Tubas and Jenin in the West Bank. ...

JERUSALEM -- In their outrage over Palestinian terror attacks, Israelis have overwhelmingly backed Ariel Sharon's military offensive -- but the fighting can only put off the prime minister's political troubles for so long. Once "Operation Defensive Shield" ends -- no matter when or how -- Sharon will have new choices to make: resume negotiations with the Palestinians or rebuff U.S. peace efforts?...

BAGRAM, Afghanistan -- Al-Qaida and Taliban supporters in Afghanistan are offering rewards of up to $100,000 for capturing or killing Westerners, U.S. Army officials said Friday. Pamphlets slipped under people's doors during the night promise $50,000 for any Westerner delivered dead, and double that for people taken alive, said Maj. Iris Hurd, an officer with the Army's Information Operations division...

Cape Girardeau Saturday, April 6 Firefighters responded to the following calls Thursday:At 6:40 p.m., an emergency medical service at 429 N. Frederick. At 8:12 p.m., an emergency medical service at 619 N. Spanish. Firefighters responded to the following calls Friday:At 2:41 a.m., an emergency medical service at 431 Olive...

It's easiest to walk in the path that's already been broken. But on Tuesday, Sikeston voters said they want to take the path that's best for them, even if it means chopping through the underbrush. For decades, the city has operated under a somewhat patriarchal system of an all-white, all-male council with very few exceptions. ...

There was a great television commercial not long ago that asked, "What if other athletes were treated like skateboarders?" It showed a jogger being shouted at by an angry man on the street and similar scenes involving other sports. Skateboarding has been here for at least two generations and isn't going away anytime soon...

Feeling fine at 85 I WAS sitting here reading a Speak Out comment that said "you're not old at 75." I guess not. I'm 85 and I'm sitting here reading this comment, and I feel just fine. Hiding tax truth I READ the comment about money from the highway department going to other uses. ...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Helen Lucille Loos, 82, of Baxter, Tenn., formerly of Jackson, passed away Thursday, April 4, 2002, at Bethesda Health Care Center in Cookeville, Tenn. Friends may call at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson from 4-8 p.m. today. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral Home. The Rev. David Schaffner will officiate. Interment will be in St. John's United Church of Christ Cemetery near Fruitland, Mo...

SCOTT CITY, Mo. -- Naomi Inez Miller, 88, of Scott City died Thursday, April 4, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Sept. 19, 1913, at Grays Point, Mo., daughter of George William and Ambie Selena Bennett Keesee. She and Ralph Miller were married March 28, 1934, in Jonesboro, Ill. He died Dec. 12, 1995...

Carl Mack Estes, 78, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, April 4, 2002, at his home. Born Aug. 16, 1923, at Marble Hill, Mo., he was the son of Sylvester and Maude McGloghlin Estes. On Dec. 9, 1951, in Piggott, Ark., he married Helen Phelps Merritts. She preceded him in death Aug. 13, 1991...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Funeral for Fredrick "Frog" Ellis of Sikeston will be at 1 p.m. today at Freewill Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Roosevelt Weakley will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset of Memories Cemetery. Friends may call at the church from noon until time of service...

Mildred Esther Brown, 91, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, April 5, 2002, at her home. She was born March 4, 1911, at Crosstown, Mo., daughter of John C. and Esther E. Cox Davis. She and Everett Franklin Brown were married June 27, 1940, in Cape Girardeau. He died Oct. 23, 1967...

Forrester Daughter to Kristin Marie Forrester and Avery Edward Ennis of Marble Hill, Mo., Southeast Missouri Hospital, 2:33 p.m. Saturday, March 2, 2002. Name, Summer Breann. Weight, 6 pounds 7 ounces. Ms. Forrester is the daughter of Albert and Sharon Forrester of Marble Hill. Ennis is the son of Howard and Clara Ennis of Marble Hill. He is employed by Bollinger County Sheriff's Department...

An editorial welcoming Cape Girardeau's new mayor and city councilmembers in Thursday's Southeast Missourian inadvertently omitted the name of Charlie Herbst, who is the new councilman representing Ward 2. Herbst was unopposed in Tuesday's election. The Southeast Missourian regrets the error...

10 years ago: April 6, 1992 State Coordinating Board for Higher Education will meet in Cape Girardeau this week and will discuss enacting stricter admission requirements for Missouri's public colleges and universities; eight-member board regularly schedules one or more meetings at college campuses throughout state each year; it hasn't met in Cape Girardeau since 1986...

Southeast Missouri State University students elected Ross McFerron as Student Government president in two days of voting that ended Thursday. Election results were announced at noon Friday in the University Center as McFerron and other candidates for various student offices looked on...

By Dale Findlay KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chances are this year, someone you know will be involved in a car crash. And if he or she is not wearing a seat belt, that person is 50 percent more likely to be injured or killed. It's a fact that seat belts save lives, yet 33 percent of Missourians decide to travel unbelted in vehicles...

Hope for America Crusade Doors open at 6 p.m. and the crusade begins at 7 p.m. each night. There is no admission charge. An offering will be taken each night. Monday The Rev. Jerry Falwell, evangelist and pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va...

To the editor: Congratulations to Melvin Gateley and Jay Knudtson. Both ran a positive campaign to become mayor of Cape Girardeau. I have known and worked with both of these candidates. What they said about themselves was the truth. Their message was focused on improving Cape Girardeau. In a day when the campaign centers on an opponent's negatives, these men showed respect for the positive contributions of each other. They presented their strengths without belittling their opponent...

Denver Stuckey is hitting the baseball so well, even he can hardly believe it. "I don't think I've ever been this hot," Southeast Missouri State University's junior third baseman said. And Stuckey is definitely sizzling. The former Kelly High School standout has pounded 15 hits in his last 25 at-bats. After a slow start at the plate, Stuckey -- riding an eight-game hitting streak -- has lifted his batting average to a robust .356...

It hasn't taken Heather Jenkins long to make her mark on the college level. The freshman from Central High School has already established herself as one of the premier weight throwers in Southeast Missouri State University history, with several of the track and field program's all-time top distances in the discus and shot put...

La Croix Church changes worship times La Croix United Methodist Church will change its worship times beginning this weekend. Services will be at 5:30 p.m. today and at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m. Sunday. Seminar for clergy to be held in Cape Wednesday A seminar on preaching and communication will be held via satellite from noon to 3:30 p.m. ...

Today Pork sausage supper from 3 to 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Egypt Mills. The meal is served buffet-style. Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for children 3-12 and will be sold at the door. Carry-outs are available. Raffles also will be held for $1 per ticket...

Dotty Behring of Cape Girardeau submits a favorite verse that has touched her life recently: "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."...

The current standoff between the Palestinians and the Israelis is making top headlines and it's also likely to be a topic addressed from the pulpit during a crusade coming to Cape Girardeau Monday. The five-night Hope for America crusade begins at 7 p.m. Monday with nationally-known preachers and biblical prophecy experts...

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Whether it is singing a hymn to calm her soul or reading a devotion in silence, Dotty Behring tries to stay focused on her relationship with Jesus Christ. And because she wants to make sure her life is a reflection of Christ's love, Behring uses every opportunity to share that message...

Have you ever wondered what your image would reflect if you became "transfigured?" "And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and become white as light." (Matthew 17:2). It is highly unlikely that we will ever become transfigured in the same manner in which Christ experienced transfiguration, as his face and clothes dazzled with light. ...

NEW YORK -- The stench of smoke lingered for weeks after the Sikh Cultural Society was gutted by fire -- an early morning blaze that destroyed the first Sikh temple on the East Coast, home to a congregation of thousands. Half of the two-story building that housed the temple collapsed, leaving a gaping hole in the ground and debris all around...

Over the years, Central has raised the bar on expectations for the high jump. The school produced boys state champions Jay Meystedt and Travis Clark in the event. The girls recently had notables like Courtney Haman and Marissa Uzoaru, both competing in college now...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Central's girls' soccer team pulled away from a 1-1 halftime tie and knocked off Ozark 3-1 Friday in the opening round of the Springfield Kickapoo Tournament, a 16-team affair that includes two eight-team divisions. Allie McGinty, Kate Miller and Megan McDonald scored goals for the Tigers (4-1). Megan Freeze contributed an assist...

CENTRAL SLIPS PAST POTOSI 10-8 POTOSI, Mo. -- Central baseball rallied from a one-run deficit and held on to defeat Potosi 10-8 Friday. Central (3-3) scored five runs in the fifth inning to overcome a 5-4 Potosi lead...

New Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball coach B.J. Smith has filled out his staff for next season with the addition of a familiar face to him and the retention of two familiar faces to Otahkian followers. Smith, who was hired to replace the retired Ed Arnzen on March 25, announced Friday that Rick Karr will be his top assistant coach with the Otahkians...

In the end, it wasn't even close. After a two-year campaign, registered nurses at St. Francis Medical Center overwhelmingly voted to reject the proposal to join the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 655. Of the 387 registered nurses at St. Francis, only 76 voted yes, with 281 voting against joining the St. Louis-based union. Fifteen of the votes were challenged, and 15 others didn't vote...