Stories from Tuesday, March 25, 2003

s the final buzzer sounds in the Northview Elementary gymnasium in Clarksburg, W. Va., parents burst into applause and 20 children in red and blue T-shirts line up to shake hands. Their cheeks are flushed, their hair damp with sweat, and most of them are grinning. But the scoreboard is blank...

VLADIKAVKAZ, Russia -- Russian officials declared Monday that the approval of a new constitution by Chechnya's voters has completely discredited the separatist cause, further dimming hopes the Kremlin would negotiate an end to the 3 1/2-year war. The constitution, which confirms the region's status as part of Russia, was overwhelmingly approved in a referendum Sunday...

LONDON -- Crude prices surged Monday on market fears that the war in Iraq might take longer than some had anticipated and because of a disruption of supplies from Nigeria. Stiffening resistance to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq has undercut hopes for a brief war and an early rehabilitation of that country's oil industry. Iraq pumped 2.5 million barrels a day before fighting began and typically exported about four-fifths of that amount...

NADIMARG, India -- Suspected Islamic militants in Indian army uniforms dragged 24 Hindus from their homes, lined them up outside a temple and shot them to death Monday in a remote village in Indian-controlled Kashmir. It was the biggest ever terrorist attack on Hindus in the Muslim-majority state on India's northernmost tip...

KUWAIT CITY -- Firefighters attacking blazes at oil wells in southern Iraq say they've found telltale signs the valuable field was sabotaged. But it appears Iraqi troops may have disobeyed orders to blow up the wells or prepared explosives that were too weak to do serious damage...

ABOARD THE USS SHILOH -- It was the kind of day pilots dream of -- clear skies with visibility all the way to the horizon. Up in a U.S. Navy Seahawk helicopter, Lt. Sean Foss and Lt. j.g. Nate Rodenbargar were on patrol, providing an extra set of eyes for the USS Shiloh...

NEW YORK -- It takes all kinds of people, places and things to fill the interesting world we live in and such diversity is celebrated -- and explained -- in several new children's books. Like most other children, Boris, Indira, Hoshi, Jack and Habib start their day by getting ready for school, but since these youngsters are still pretty young, they go to "Little School" (Kane/Miller, $14.95, ages 2-5)...

Aiming for Saddam Hussein's seat of power, U.S.-led warplanes and helicopters attacked Republican Guard units defending Baghdad on Monday while ground troops advanced to within 50 miles of the Iraqi capital. President Bush put a $75 billion price tag on a down payment for the war...

TAMAROA, Ill. -- Federal investigators are focusing on a joint in the railroad tracks as the possible cause of a train derailment here that forced the evacuation of nearly 1,000 Southern Illinois residents for several days. "We do have information that the rail broke under the train," said Ron Hynes, an investigator at the National Transportation Safety Board's laboratory in Washington, where technicians are examining wreckage from the derailment...

Right-hander has his best spring outing in quest for spot in starting rotation. The Associated Press JUPITER, Fla. -- Garrett Stephenson pitched six innings in his best start of the spring and the St. Louis Cardinals finally got some solid relief in a 6-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday...

Kansas City's five starters combine for 23 career victories. The Associated Press SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Barry Zito won 23 games last year for the Oakland Athletics en route to winning the Cy Young Award. The Kansas City Royals' 2003 rotation -- Runelvys Hernandez, Jeremy Affeldt, Miguel Asencio, Chris George and Darrell May -- have 23 career victories...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Even though Priest Holmes has threatened to sit out the season unless his contract is reworked, the Kansas City Chiefs say a new deal isn't in the running back's future. If Holmes plays for the Chiefs next season, it will be under his current contract, Chiefs' president and general manager Carl Peterson told The Kansas City Star while in Phoenix for the NFL meetings that started Sunday...

PHOENIX -- NFL Europe will proceed as scheduled this season despite war in Iraq. "There was a strong consensus to play the season," commissioner Paul Tagliabue said after NFL owners decided overwhelmingly Monday to send players overseas. Players on the six teams have been practicing in Florida and will begin leaving Tuesday and Wednesday for Europe to begin play April 4-5. Three of the teams are based in Germany, with the others in Spain, Scotland and the Netherlands...

WASHINGTON -- Women hold nearly half the executive and managerial jobs in the United States, but they fall short of men at the top rungs of the salary ladder. Nearly 46 percent of management positions were filled by women in 2002, the Census Bureau reported Monday, up from only about a third in 1983 but virtually unchanged from the record high set in 2001...

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- A Dutch nurse was convicted Monday of murdering four patients and sentenced to life in prison, a punishment rarely imposed in the Netherlands. Judges said Lucy de Berk, 41, had been "calculating and refined" as she plotted to kill three terminally ill children and an elderly woman at two hospitals in The Hague...

One soldier described himself as simply a mechanic, someone who fixes things. Another's family thought she was an Army cook, relatively safe from the horrors of the front lines. A third was planning to leave the service to join the U.S. Border Patrol...

An open forum at Jackson High School Monday evening gave school board candidates a chance to offer their views on current issues affecting the school district. The American Business Women's Association sponsored the forum, during which the five candidates vying for two vacancies on the school board took the stage at the high school auditorium to answer five questions submitted by community members...

An Illinois grandmother pleaded guilty Monday to conspiring to kill her son-in-law, admitting she illegally bought a gun from an undercover officer in a Cape Girardeau mall parking lot with deadly intentions. Linda L. Myers, 50, of Jonesboro, Ill., appeared in the courtroom of Circuit Court Judge John Heisserer in Jackson for a pretrial conference. She pleaded guilty to the felony charge of conspiracy to commit murder and was sentenced to six years in prison...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- For the last three years, legislation intended to crack down on abuse of nursing home residents has breezed through the House only to get bogged down in the Senate. This year supporters are hopeful that a nursing home bill will enjoy success in the upper chamber where its leader, Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, is leading the reform effort...

Southeast Missouri State University students couldn't ignore the war, even on spring break. Marcus Birk, 21, spent last week partying in Cancun, Mexico. But he still found time to watch the war with Iraq unfolding on CNN. Birk, a senior who lives in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house, said he and his friends eagerly sought out news of the war once the United States began bombing Baghdad. ...

Consider yourself forewarned: West Nile virus will return in 2003, and state and local officials are already working to inform the public to take precautions while stepping up their own efforts to fight the deadly disease. "There's no reason to think it won't be back," said Karen Yates, the insect-borne disease program coordinator for the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services in Jefferson City, Mo...

A main commuter artery leading into Jackson and Cape Girardeau will be closed for at least three days this week as workers repair a bridge that was damaged when a large vehicle apparently struck the structure about two weeks ago. Motorists, mail carriers and bus drivers will have to drive at least 10 minutes out of their way around the construction site Wednesday, Thursday and Friday...

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Take away that tee shot Tiger Woods hooked into the tennis courts at Riviera and he might be 4-for-4 since his return to the PGA Tour. OK, so he's not perfect. Woods will have to be satisfied with three victories in the four tournaments he has played since a two-month layoff for knee surgery...

Bulldogs score four runs in third inning on way to 6-3 win over Jackson. By David Wilson ~ Southeast Missourian Notre Dame scored four runs in the third inning on its way to a season-opening 6-3 over Jackson on Monday at Legion Field in Jackson, Mo...

INDIANAPOLIS -- Of all the schools from this basketball-crazy state to reach the round of 16, Butler probably would seem the least likely. Then again, this is the school where "Hoosiers" was filmed. "If you ask me, I think we play a little like the team from 'Hoosiers.' We play very fundamentally sound. They were the type of team that played together, and they're a small school," guard Brandon Miller said...

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Shyra Ely had 17 points and nine rebounds and Gwen Jackson added 13 points as Tennessee advanced to its 22nd straight round of 16 with an 81-51 win over Virginia in the Mideast Regional on Monday night. The top-seeded Lady Vols (30-4) improved their NCAA home record to 42-0...

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Joe Theismann was headed to North Carolina State before he changed his mind and chose Notre Dame. "I just felt like this is where I belong," the Fighting Irish quarterback said after being selected to the College Football Hall of Fame on Monday...

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. -- When her 85-year-old father became ill, Brenda Campbell grabbed a telephone book and looked up the number for a local ambulance service. For her, dialing 911 wasn't an option. "We just don't bother," said Campbell, who didn't want to be routed to emergency dispatchers up to 100 miles away. "It's quicker to look up the number you need."...

Homeowners staying current with mortgages WASHINGTON -- Fewer homeowners were late paying their mortgages in the final quarter of 2002, but economists worry that a worsening jobs market could be making that more difficult now. The seasonally adjusted percentage of mortgage payments 30 or more days past due for all home loans dipped to 4.53 percent in the fourth quarter of last year, down from 4.66 percent in the third quarter, the Mortgage Bankers Association of America reported Monday...

WASHINGTON -- President Bush is expected to ask Congress for $74.7 billion to pay for the war with Iraq, assuming a month of combat, and for strengthening counterterrorism efforts at home, lawmakers and aides said Monday. The money measure, which the president planned to describe to congressional leaders he invited to the White House, was dominated by $62.6 billion for the Department of Defense. ...

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court rejected on Monday a case that challenged how the government spies on terror suspects in America, a blow to people who say the administration has used the Sept. 11 terror attacks to encroach on personal freedoms. It was the first terrorism appeal to reach the high court. The justices will have other opportunities to hear cases set in motion by Bush administration efforts to give law enforcers latitude to track and hold potential terrorists...

To the editor: Conventional versus nonconventional? I am speaking about the new wave of fighting in Iraq. Our coalition troops found out that conventional ways of fighting may no longer be the way to go after the Iraqis lured our troops into a trap. Many are surprised at this, but I am not. After seeing what people will do to kill Americans after Sept. 11, 2001, this unconventional type of fighting is no surprise...

To the editor: In response to the column "Debarking dogs" by veterinarian Dr. John Koch: I read your newspaper online as I have friends and family in the area. The problems Koch noted about debarking happen with a small percentage of debarks, and most often occur with vets who have less experience at debarking than those who specialize...

To the editor: In response to the editorial "TIF plan now up to commission, council": I probably should have attended one of the hearings, but I am puzzled why Jackson people would attend in opposition to the TIF project. I suspect the reason is it would be good for Cape Girardeau and bad for Jackson based on the fact that Cape has not grown for the past 20 years and Jackson has...

JUST TO update you on the potholes on Mount Auburn Road and Route K, I actually saw a squirrel taking refuge in one of the potholes on Mount Auburn to keep from getting hit. Cost of business I WAS just reading the guest column about malpractice insurance and how the insurance companies are losing money and raising rates. ...

Robert L. Brown, 81, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, March 24, 2003, at Missouri Veterans Home. He was born May 9, 1921, at Bloomfield, Mo., son of Floyd William and Pearl Zenoba Byrd Brown. He and Wanda Lee Masters were married Nov. 22, 1967, in Cape Girardeau...

Retired U.S. Army Major Charles W. Friend Jr., 55, passed away Saturday, March 22, 2003 at Southeast Missouri Hospital, following a brief illness. Visitation will be at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau on Wednesday, March 26, from 4 to 8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home at 10 a.m. Thursday, conducted by the Rev. Bill Matzat, D.Min...

Bradley Francis Kleffner, 6, of Edwardsville, Ill., died Saturday, March 22, 2003, at Alton Memorial Hospital in Alton, Ill. He was born Dec. 27, 1996, in St. Louis, son of Steven Francis and Margaret Renee Byram Kleffner. Bradley attended Delta Gamma Foundation in St. Louis and was in the special education program at Jackson R-2 School District...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Z.T. Jackson, 88, of Sikeston died Sunday, March 23, 2003, at Clearview Nursing Center. He was born Nov. 26, 1914, in Charleston, Mo., son of W.E. and Mary Jackson. He and Mary Strack were married June 1, 1940, in Sikeston. She died Dec. 11, 2002...

DEXTER, Mo. -- Ronnie Gene Gregory, 60, of Dexter died Monday, March 24, 2003, at his home. He was born July 19, 1942, near Bernie, Mo., son of Howard and Venita Tucker Gregory. He and Judy Adkins were married Aug. 13, 1961, at Bernie. Gregory formerly worked at Purolator Filter Co., and was a member of Second General Baptist Church...

William C. Stubbs, 68, of Anna died Sunday, March 23, 2003, at his home. He was born April 16, 1934, at Elm River, Ill., son of William and Lula Fitch Stubbs. He and Eleanora Taormina were married Dec. 16, 1961, in Elgin, Ill. She died July 30, 1992...

Artie Jane Greable, 82, formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Monday, March 24, 2003, at Bethany Terrace Nursing Center in Morton Grove, Ill. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

10 years ago: March 25, 1993 Board of Regents at Southeast Missouri State University will consider raising incidental fees when it meets next week; regents will consider raising fees by $5 for Missouri resident graduates and undergraduates and $10 for out-of-state students for 1993-94 fiscal year...

Buchannan Twin daughters to Jason Edward and Tara Marie Buchannan of Coralville, Iowa, University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City, Wednesday, March 19, 2003. Jocelyn Cristine was born at 1:50 a.m. and weighed 6 pounds 2 ounces. Liliana Marie was born at 2:12 a.m. ...

To the editor: I read the Feb. 5 report and saw the photos in the Southeast Missourian about Tower Rock. My father grew up there. There is a cemetery north of Tower Rock where the tombstone inscriptions are in German. As you head back toward Jackson and Fruitland, you pass through a few small farm settlements where the people mostly speak German. ...

To the editor: In response to the column "Debarking dogs": The negative description of the dog debarking operation is very misleading. When done by a vet trained in the technique, it is much safer than most other kinds of operations. The result is not a silent dog. It can still bark as much as it likes, but it is much quieter...

WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department lifted a requirement Monday that the FBI ensure the accuracy and timeliness of information about criminals and crime victims before adding it to the country's most comprehensive law enforcement database. The system, run by the FBI's National Crime Information Center, includes data about terrorists, fugitives, warrants, people missing, gang members and stolen vehicles, guns or boats...

Cape man receives 15-year sentence A Cape Girardeau man was sentenced to 15 years in prison Monday in federal court on a methamphetamine charge. Benjamin Slicer, 24, was sentenced to 180 months on one felony count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He appeared before U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber...

JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD AGENDAToday 7 p.m. Board Office, 614 E. Adams St. Presentation by MAP facilitators Recognition of student selected for 2003 Missouri Scholars 100 program Consider amendment to current school year calendar...

Cape Girardeau Tuesday, March 25 The following items were released by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI James A. Snell Jr., 28, of 255 E. Cape Rock Drive, Cape Girardeau, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and driving while revoked.Arrests...

Cape Girardeau Tuesday, March 25 Firefighters responded Sunday to the following items: At 4:20 p.m., illegal burn at 2339 Belle Ridge Pike. At 10:31 p.m., emergency medical service at 1112 Linden. At 11:44 p.m., leaves smoldering at Bloomfield and Albert...

For years, console fans have been waiting for the ultimate combat flight simulator. Unfortunately, Sega's "Aero Elite: Combat Academy" for the PlayStation 2 isn't it. It's got a lot of promise, but in the end it just bogs the would-be combat pilot down in training mission after training mission, some of which are so hard you'll be ready to slam into the side of a mountain to end the torture...

Since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision 30 years ago, the never-ebbing debate about abortion has been torturous for those on both sides of the issue and especially for women struggling with the decision about whether to have one. It also has been haunting the halls -- as it has again and again -- of lawmakers at both the state and federal levels. ...

Snake Hill Road is about to become less venomous. The Cape Girardeau County Special Road District has already begun straightening a portion of the stretch of Cape Rock Drive known as Snake Hill Road. It's been the site of many accidents in the 70-some years since it was built...

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Melvin Scott scored a career-high 20 points and Raymond Felton added 14 assists to lead North Carolina past Wyoming 90-74 in the second round of the NIT Monday night. The Tar Heels (19-15) can clinch another 20-victory season in the quarterfinals against Georgetown, which beat Providence 67-58. The Hoyas play in Chapel Hill on Wednesday night...

The Central Tigers boys baseball team banged out 14 hits and received solid pitching from starter John Thies and went on to defeat CBC 9-3 Monday at Washington University in the team's season opener. "We got some real good pitching," Central coach Steve Williams said. "Thies was very good today."...

P Study reveals 10 of the the 'Sweet 16' fail to graduate half their players. By Steve Wilstein ~ The Associated Press For all the profits and fun of the men's NCAA basketball tournament, too many players wind up with nothing more than memories...

To the editor: In response to the letter "Photo of woman praying at bar was inappropriate": It is my understanding that we should not be condemning this woman for doing something Jesus taught us to do, which was pray. I don't think there is any Scripture saying where one could or could not pray...

Briefly Baseball The Expos acquired Livan Hernandez from the Giants on Monday night, uniting the former World Series MVP with his half brother, Orlando Hernandez. Montreal acquired Livan Hernandez and catcher Edwards Guzman and $3.2 million in exchange for pitcher Jim Brower and a player to be named. The money will pay all of Livan Hernandez's salary but the $300,000 minimum....

HONG KONG -- A mystery disease spread new fears across Asia on Monday as Singapore quarantined hundreds of people, and Hong Kong and Vietnam reported more deaths amid closed schools and growing fear. At the same time, scientists in Geneva and the United States said they believe the cause of the flu-like ailment that has stymied them for weeks could be one of the viruses that causes the common cold...