Stories from Saturday, November 8, 2003

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- Bell City will play for the Class 1 state volleyball championship today after winning five games and losing one in Friday's round-robin semifinals. The Cubs (25-9-1) made quick work of their first two opponents at the Multipurpose Building on the Central Missouri State University campus...

Evangelist Luis Palau targets younger crowd with skate parks, outdoor festivals By Sarah Linn ~ The Associated Press PORTLAND, Ore. - Professional BMXer Bruce Crisman swoops up a concrete slope of Portland's Burnside Skate Park, hanging airborne for a moment before rushing down again...

PITTSBURGH -- A man hospitalized with complications from a hepatitis A outbreak that has infected more than 185 people died Friday night, hospital officials said. The man, one of five people hospitalized in the outbreak, died less than a week after Pennsylvania health officials announced cases of the infectious liver disease apparently linked to a Chi-Chi's Restaurant at the Beaver Valley Mall, about 25 miles northwest of Pittsburgh...

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The man who managed the Minnesota governor's mansion when Jesse Ventura occupied it has written a book. Dan Creed's book, "Governor Ventura: 'The Body' Exposed," is subtitled "The Man. The Mansion. The Meltdown." He's declining to talk about details of the book until a news conference Wednesday in front of the residence...

JERUSALEM -- A symbolic Mideast peace deal has won praise from Secretary of State Colin Powell, the second senior U.S. official in a week to express support for such "freelance" initiatives at a time of deadlock over a Washington-led peace plan. Powell's letter to the authors of the so-called Geneva Accord, made public Friday, was seen by some as a veiled rebuke to Israel's hard-line prime minister, Ariel Sharon, who has attacked the agreement as subversive. ...

ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkey and the United States scrapped plans to send Turkish troops to Iraq, a setback for U.S. policy after Washington failed to break resistance to the deployment from Iraq's governing council. Friday's announcement deprived the United States of a much-needed foreign force to contain an increasingly violent insurgency in Iraq. The Bush administration has been pressing Turkey for months to send what would be the first major Muslim contingent of peacekeepers...

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- The United States will close its missions in Saudi Arabia today for an undetermined period because of "credible" information that terrorists are about to carry out attacks, the U.S. Embassy said Friday. The United States also warned that Taliban insurgents in Afghanstan may attempt to kidnap American journalists working in that country. ...

WASHINGTON -- The economy has created nearly 300,000 new jobs in the past three months after a half-year drought, pushing the unemployment rate down to 6 percent in October and leaving little doubt that the jobs market is bouncing back. The Labor Department reported Friday that payrolls grew by 126,000 last month, more than economists had predicted. ...

WASHINGTON -- The Homeland Security Department is warning law-enforcement officers al-Qaida may be plotting to fly cargo planes from another country into such crucial targets in the United States as nuclear plants, bridges or dams, an agency official said Friday night...

More students may receive free meals at school under a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives this week. The School Nutrition Enhancement Act, sponsored by Rep. Jo Ann Emerson of Missouri and Rep. Christopher Shays of Connecticut, increases the number of children eligible to receive free meals by phasing out the reduced-price program and raising the income limit on participation from 130 percent to 185 percent of poverty level...

Cape Girardeau County Saturday, Nov. 8 The following items were released by the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI John L. Caldwell, 49, of Jackson, was arrested Nov. 1 on suspicion of driving while intoxicated...

Cape Girardeau Saturday, Nov. 8 The following items were released by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Ashli Shea Ayers, 19, of 900 Perry, Cape Girardeau, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of stealing and trespassing...

By Nick Swan As a chronic watcher of cable news, I have come to believe that what the world needs now is not love, sweet love, but sanity. From Gary Coleman's campaign for governor to Kim Jong Il's bouffant hairstyle, it would seem that the planet has gone mad...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Butler County jury deliberated for five and a half hours before declaring Jibril Walton guilty in the shooting death of a Cape Girardeau father of seven. Walton, 26, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action, said Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle...

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- Bell City will play for the Class 1 state volleyball championship today after winning five games and losing one in Friday's round-robin semifinals. The Cubs (25-9-1) made quick work of their first two opponents at the Multipurpose Building on the Central Missouri State University campus...

In a school of only 57 students, with a sports program that is only in its second year, Saxony Lutheran already has its first state qualifying team. Saxony Lutheran's boys cross country squad, the school's first varsity team, will compete today at the state meet in Jefferson City after winning last Saturday's Class 1 district meet at Spanish Lake Park...

For the second time this season, Scott City's football team was victimized by a freshman running back. First it was Paris Tipler of East Prairie in the third week of the season. Friday night at Scott City it was Charleston's Joseph Watts who got the best of the Rams...

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- Notre Dame walked away disappointed after being swept in all three matches at the Class 3 round-robin semifinals. The losses dropped Notre Dame --which was playing for its first Class 3 title after placing fourth in Class 2 in 2001 -- into today's third-place game against Duchesne...

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Southeast Missouri State University's women's soccer team suffered another heartbreaking loss Friday night in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. The fifth-seeded Otahkians saw their season end in the semifinals as host and top-seeded Samford prevailed on penalty kicks...

On senior night for Southeast Missouri State University volleyball Friday, it was fitting that the Otahkians' three seniors played starring roles in the team's fifth straight victory. Emily Scannell, Sarah Frost and Suzanne Gundlach all sparkled as Southeast won a hard-fought, five-game match from Eastern Kentucky, prevailing 26-30, 30-20, 31-29, 26-30, 15-11 in front of nearly 300 fans at Houck Field House...

Ever since Southeast Missouri State University lost to Murray State on Oct. 25, the Indians' margin of error regarding their Ohio Valley Conference title hopes was reduced to zero. The Indians took care of business Saturday by beating Tennessee-Martin 20-7, but today the stakes will be raised considerably when first-place Tennessee State visits Houck Stadium...

Baseball The defending champion United States baseball team failed to qualify for the 2004 Athens Olympics, stunned by Mexico 2-1 Friday in a qualifying tournament. The U.S. team was among the favorites to win the gold medal again, and there was a chance Roger Clemens would have pitched for the Americans...

TIKRIT, Iraq -- An Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed Friday -- apparently shot down by insurgents -- killing all six U.S. soldiers aboard and capping the bloodiest seven days in Iraq for Americans since the fall of Baghdad. In retaliation, American troops backed by Bradley fighting vehicles swept through Iraqi neighborhoods before dawn today, blasting houses suspected of being insurgent hideouts with machine guns and heavy weapons fire...

House Speaker Catherine Hanaway says Missouri should offer a more business-friendly climate, Gov. Bob Holden should release the $198 million he withheld from the elementary and secondary education budget and Southeast Missourians should be proud to be the "epicenter" of leadership in the state legislature...

A gun returned by Cape Girardeau police to a man convicted of beating his girlfriend apparently was used in a murder last week. By following the Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney's authorization, police appear to have inadvertently violated a 1996 federal firearms law that bars people convicted of domestic assault from possessing a firearm and prohibits government agencies from transferring firearms to anyone convicted of that crime...

The metal blade enters with a squish, slicing cartilage and causing formaldehyde to squirt out. The first cut feels inhumane. But then they start to enjoy it. Before long, fins are being sliced and eyeballs are popping out. Welcome to shark dissecting in Rhonda Young's sixth-grade class at Cape Christian School...

Those attending this week's groundbreaking for the new federal courthouse on Independence Street in Cape Girardeau found much to admire in the artist's rendering and scale model of the building. The current courthouse on Broadway opened in 1968 and reflects that area's utilitarian idea of modern design. ...

Cape Girardeau's first skateboard park is on an old tennis court. There are a few metal ramps, a couple of rails and a platform. But it's there, and it's open, and that's more than skateboarders could say before. Prior to the new skateboard facility's opening in little-used Missouri Park at Fountain Street and Park Drive, skateboarders were stuck using homemade ramps, city sidewalks and streets and parking lots...

In Friday's edition, information about an art exhibition currently at the Shawnee Community College Anna Center should have said the work shown is by students of Dr. Edwin Smith at Southeast Missouri State University. The students are Michael Dragoni, Laura Eubanks, Lindsay Hurtt, Ritter Seabaugh, Ashlely Smith, Mia Tashima, Jonathan Thompson, James Vandike and Karysah Wolverton. The Southeast Missourian regrets the error...

Barnhill Son to Eddie and Alison Barnhill of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 2:53 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003. Name, James Drake. Weight, 8 pounds 9 ounces. Third child, first son. Mrs. Barnhill is the former Alison Sumner. Barnhill is employed by J.C. Cable...

Not enough revenue A SPEAK Out caller recently said Southeast's athletic department "does create revenue." This is absolutely correct. The problem is that it creates $3.8 million less in revenue than it costs to run the programs. After you figure in the boosters' contributions, the ticket sales and all the other income, athletics have a net loss of $3.8 million a year, which is made up by the students and the taxpayers...

Today Holiday bazaar from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Maple United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. The bazaar will also have a silent auction. Sunday Fall Mission Festival at 9:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Friedheim, with the Rev. Dr. Stuard W. Brassie as guest...

Methodist church holds Veterans Day service Hobbs Chapel United Methodist Church will have a special service at 9 a.m. Nov. 16 in honor of the Veterans Day holiday. A flag ceremony will be presented by the Honor Guard of the Marine Corps League. The church will recognize members past and present who have served in the military...

10 years ago: Nov. 8, 1993 School board accepts retirement of Central High School principal Dan Milligan; Milligan, who has led high school for six years, will leave his post at end of school year. Marble Hill - Mayor Adrian Shell is visibly irritated after brief, nonproductive board of aldermen meeting; once again council refuses to approve Shell's nominee to fill vacancy left by death in February of alderman F.X. Peters...

NASIRIYAH, Iraq -- Iraqi doctors who treated former prisoner of war Jessica Lynch dismissed on Friday claims made in her upcoming biography that she was raped by her Iraqi captors. Although Lynch said she has no memory of the sexual assault, medical records cited in "I am a Soldier, Too: The Jessica Lynch Story" indicate that she was raped and sodomized by her Iraqi captors, according to U.S. media who said they had advance copies...

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka -- Sri Lanka's president, seeking to justify the political crisis she set off earlier this week, said Friday the prime minister had put the country "in grave danger" in negotiations with Tamil Tiger rebels. President Chandrika Kumaratunga relentlessly attacked her rival's policies in her speech -- though she concluded her appearance by calling for a government of national unity...

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- A friend of John Allen Muhammad testified Friday that Muhammad introduced Lee Boyd Malvo to him as a sniper and that Muhammad tried unsuccessfully to fashion a silencer for the rifle allegedly used in last year's sniper spree...

ST. LOUIS -- A St. Louis judge on Friday permanently barred Missouri's concealed guns law, saying it violates the state constitution. Attorney General Jay Nixon immediately appealed the ruling to the Missouri Supreme Court. The ruling by Circuit Judge Steven Ohmer made permanent his October temporary injunction against the law, narrowly adopted by the Missouri Legislature in a September override of a veto by Gov. Bob Holden...

ST. CHARLES, Mo. -- The Jackson Indians controlled half of their playoff fate entering Friday's district finale at Francis Howell High School. But in a dreadful first half that proved fatal, the Indians controlled little and suffered a 43-34 loss to the Vikings...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Clinton Lincoln, 80, of Marble Hill died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Feb. 18, 1923, son of Miles O. and Ruth A. Long Lincoln. He and Leola Bollinger were married Aug. 8, 1949, at Jackson...

NEW HAMBURG, Mo. -- Alma Anna Turpin, 89, of Houston, Texas, died Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003, at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital in Houston. She was born Oct. 18, 1914, at New Hamburg, daughter of Joseph and Anna Bollinger Compas. She and Richard E. Turpin were married June 5, 1944...

Today at 9 a.m., some area Christians are planning to be less segregated than they typically are on Sunday mornings. The Downtown Council of Churches is sponsoring a workshop today from 9 a.m. to noon in the Harrison Room at Southeast Missouri Hospital that deals with the issues of racism. Called "Dismantling the matrix of racism," the workshop will address the differences between racism and prejudice and what the faith community can do to combat both...

To the editor: Thank you for your article on Harry Spiller's new book, "Murder in the Heartland." I had seen the interview with Spiller on KFVS-TV and wanted to let some friends know about the book. But it is so new that I couldn't find out anything until I did a search on Spiller and came up with your article...

To the editor: I read with interest a comment in Speak Out on proposed deer legislation and the caller's frustration. I will give an analogy that may bring some clarity to this. At present it is illegal for anyone to drive out to our farm and shoot a cow. ...

To the editor: Last Tuesday, a very important issue was put before the voters in the Jackson School District. I want to extend our appreciation for this vote of support for the public school system here in Jackson. The positive results reflect the tremendous pride this community has in our schools...

To the editor: After reading the Southeast Missourian stories about the proposed neighborhood improvement district for the Prestwick development, I have the following observations: What are the guidelines for the bond issue for Prestwick development? The bond issue must be specific on how the money is to be spent. Due to the risky venture, a performance bond should be made in the amount of the bonds issued...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Ruth Allene Buckhannon, 94, passed away Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, with daughters Darla and Wilmajo at her side. She was born Nov. 24, 1908, in St. Louis, daughter of Walter P. and Elizabeth Stausing Masters. Mrs. B. and William J. Buckhannon were married June 21, 1939. He preceded her in death April 9, 1967...

DEXTER, Mo. -- Laura Matthews, 91, formerly of Dexter, died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, at Fountainbleau Lodge in Cape Girardeau. She was born Sept. 24, 1912, at Dexter, daughter of George Washington and Martha Ann Cooper Miller. She and Frank Cranston Matthews were married May 17, 1931, in Waterloo, Ill. He died Nov. 9, 1983...

Bernard J. "Ben" Broshuis, 83, of Jackson passed away Friday, Nov. 7, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Oct. 2, 1920, in Marble Hill, Mo., son of Ben and Elizabeth Wubker Holzum Broshuis. He and Johanna Holzum were married Feb. 27, 1943, at Guardian Angel Church in St. Louis...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- James Bird, 75, of Jonesboro died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, at Jonesboro Healthcare Center. He was born Nov. 23, 1927, in Pinckneyville, Ill., son of Wilford and Nora Wolfe Bird. Survivors include a brother, Arthur Bird of Pinckneyville, and a sister, Creneilia Bird of Alabama...

Charles T. Wilson, 74, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, at Ratliff Care Center. He was born Dec. 8, 1928, in Cape Girardeau, son of Edward T. and Mildred Doughty Wilson. He and Margaret J. Cotner were married May 18, 1947, in Cape Girardeau. She died March 18, 2002...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Joyce Louise Reitzel, 54, of Perryville died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, at her home. She was born April 15, 1949, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Howard and Cleora Pingel Blair. She and Michael Reitzel were married Aug. 30, 1975. Reitzel was employed at Wal-Mart in Perryville, and had been a child care provider. She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church...

CHICAGO -- A state report that estimates Illinois could save $91 million a year by buying drugs from Canada inflates the savings and wrongly assumes Canadian health authorities can guarantee the safety of drugs sent to the United States, the Food and Drug Administration said Friday...

"Father, mother and me, Sister and auntie say; All the people like us are WE; And everyone else is THEY."Wise words written by Rudyard Kipling many years ago. Still true today! Everyone like us is a WE! We have grown up with a set of standards and values. We have been taught well; we know what we believe, and we believe what we stand for. We are comfortable with our way of living. We believe that we have the best form of government. The "American way" is the only way.