Stories from Thursday, April 15, 2004

April 15, 2004 Dear Leslie, It happens every spring. Not the start of baseball season. It's Cape Girardeau's annual spring cleanup week, a phenomenon that fills me with anticipation. Make that dread. California and perhaps much of the rest of the world have nothing like this, so an explanation might be necessary. ...

John E. Stephens, 69, of Scott City died Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at his home. Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau is in charge of arrangements.

MARQUAND, Mo. -- Olga Jean Yount, 76, of Marquand died Tuesday, April 13, 2004, at her home. She was born Feb. 5, 1928, at Mine La Motte, Mo., daughter of Frank and Verna Miller Cureton. She married Milford "Cub" Yount on Nov. 5, 1947, at Cornwall, Mo...

NEW HAMBURG, Mo. -- Marvine O. LeGrand, 89, of Granite City, Ill., died Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at her home. She was born Oct. 7, 1914, at New Hamburg, daughter of Arthur and Regina Dirnberger Vetter. She and Paul LeGrand were married Aug. 3, 1940...

CAIRO, Ill. -- William Davis, 87, of Cairo died Friday, April 9, 2004, at Daystar Care Center. Survivors include his wife, Mildred Hodge Davis. Friends may call at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church Friday from noon until time of service. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the church. Burial will be in Spencer Heights Cemetery at Mounds, Ill...

10 years ago: April 15, 1994 MILLER CITY, Ill. -- Len Small Levee near Miller City, which had failed during last year's record flood, gave way again Wednesday night to rising Mississippi River; by yesterday afternoon, 1,200-foot gash in southernmost part of levee had forced many area residents to flee their homes for higher ground...

Today Blood drive from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Diabetes Support Group meets at St. Francis Medical Center's Franciscan Conference Room from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Preparation Childbirth Class 3 will be held in St. Francis Medical Center's Healing Arts Conference Room from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m...

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following items on Tuesday: At 7:39 p.m., an emergency medical service at 121 S. Sprigg. At 7:34 p.m., an emergency medical service at 1844 Georgia. At 10:03 p.m., a vehicle fire at 2012 William. Firefighters responded to the following items on Wednesday:...

Cape Girardeau The following items were released by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Aaron Lee Ragan, 23, 2830 Whitener, Cape Girardeau, was arrested Tuesday on a Dunklin County warrant for probation violation on an original charge of driving while intoxicated...

Pedestrian hit by truck on highway near Fruitland A 69-year-old pedestrian was seriously injured at 11:15 p.m. Tuesday after he was struck by a truck on Highway 177 five miles east of Fruitland. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Russell Fredericks of Graham, Wash., was walking along the road when he was struck by a 1996 International tractor trailer driven by John Boan, 47, of Oran. ...

WASHINGTON -- Enormous intelligence and law enforcement gaps that contributed to the Sept. 11 attacks are being filled, but it will take years more for America to build the needed systems to effectively combat terrorists, the heads of the FBI and CIA said Wednesday...

Stoddard County looking into embezzlement case BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- An employee of a county office has been placed on leave, pending the investigation of possible embezzling charges. Stoddard County Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis and County Collector/ Treasurer Carla Moore an-nounced late Tuesday afternoon that an employee of Moore's office has been placed on leave following the discovery of discrepancies in the collector's office. ...

SHANGHAI, China -- Vice President Dick Cheney on Wednesday suggested a link between Chinese efforts to restrict self-government in Hong Kong and China's tense dealings with Taiwan. He also defended U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. "I didn't come to alter Chinese policy. I did come with the mission of making clear what our views were. I think we achieved that," Cheney told reporters after meetings with Chinese leaders in Beijing...

MADRID, Spain -- Terrorists who carried out the Madrid train bombings were members of an autonomous cell who may have had ties with fundamentalists elsewhere but got their financing chiefly from drug profits, the interior minister said Wednesday. Officials are investigating the possibility that someone with a deeper grounding in radical Islam -- and perhaps terrorist training in Afghanistan or elsewhere -- was the overall leader of the March 11 attacks that killed 191 people, but aren't sure such a person even exists, Interior Minister Angel Acebes said. ...

VATICAN CITY -- Pope John Paul II, worn out from a heavy Easter schedule, skipped a speech at his general audience Wednesday on his doctor's advice, the Vatican said. The 83-year-old pope, who suffers from Parkinson's disease and is increasingly frail, presided at the open-air audience in St. ...

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- An Amazon Indian attack on prospectors who were illegally digging for diamonds on a reservation in northern Brazil may have killed as many as 35 people, officials said Wednesday. Police are in contact with other heavily armed prospectors who entered the Roosevelt Indian reservation in Rondonia state, some 2,100 miles northwest of Rio de Janeiro. ...

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- An elderly woman wrapped in the colors of the governing African National Congress spoke for millions who lined up Wednesday to vote in South Africa's third all-race national election. "The ANC held our hand and brought us through hell," said Noluthando Nokwando, a 66-year-old woman from the squalid Cape Town township of Khayelitsha. ...

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- The leader of the party once led by Indonesian dictator Suharto claimed victory Wednesday in parliamentary elections that were a major setback to President Megawati Sukarnoputri. The Golkar party had 20.81 percent with about two-thirds the results counted from the April 5 vote. ...

ANNA, Ill. -- Mark Humphrey, 39, of Anna died Tuesday, April 13, 2004, at Anna. Arrangements are incomplete with Crain Funeral Home in Anna.

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Herman Sokolowski, 68, of Advance died Monday, April 12, 2004, at his home. He was born July 27, 1935, in Ruda, Poland, son of Fredrick and Lydia Steinke Sokolowski. Sokolowski was employed with the Missouri Highway Department 31 years. He was a member of the United Church of Christ in Cape Girardeau...

LAS VEGAS -- Most of the Bellagio resort reopened Wednesday, three days after a power outage forced a shutdown of the complex, driving out guests and gamblers. Just inside a shopping atrium at the Las Vegas Strip resort, Teresa Jankowiak learned that she wouldn't have to cash in her tickets for the night's Cirque du Soleil show...

FALLUJAH, Iraq -- U.S. warplanes strafed gunmen in Fallujah on Wednesday, and more than 100 guerrillas with rocket-propelled grenades pounded a lone Marine armored vehicle lost in the streets -- a sign of heavy battles ahead if Marines resume a full assault on this besieged city...

MOSCOW -- Attorneys for the Russian arms control researcher sentenced to 15 years for espionage appealed his case to the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Igor Sutyagin, a scholar at Moscow's USA and Canada Institute, was convicted last month on charges that he sold information on nuclear subs and missile warning systems to a British company that investigators claimed was a CIA cover...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraqi militants executed one of four Italian hostages, officials in Rome confirmed Wednesday -- the first known execution of any of the 22 foreigners being held in Iraq. The killing could further heighten fears among international aid workers, contractors and journalists, some of whom are already restricting their activities in the country...

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia on Wednesday rejected statements made by President Bush implying that Israel would be allowed to keep some West Bank settlements in a peace agreement. After meeting Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in Washington, Bush said a peace agreement must take into account realities that have developed in the decades since Israel captured the West Bank. ...

Helen Seabaugh of Jackson presented her family tree book, "From Heydon to Hayden" to Bill Eddleman vice president of the Cape Girardeau County Geneaology Society at a recent meeting. The book's completion, 20 years in the making, was an accoSoutheast Missourian...

The Cape Girardeau City Council last week approved 5 percent across-the-board fee increases for parks and recreation services. The boosts are expected to add $20,000 annually to the city's general fund, a small down payment on $500,000 in spending cuts, fee increases and fund transfers planned to ease some of the financial strain on the city...

To the editor: In response to the Speak Out comment "Right here in River City": The only reason children become a problem is when the parents don't give them the proper attention they require. I watched those programs and said those catch phrases, but neither I nor my friends who did the same things turned out in a bad way at all. Children with parents who don't care are the ones who turn out to be trouble...

To the editor: For the past several weeks some readers have been complaining about a father's rights pertaining to child support and visitation. I am sick of reading about these complaints. I live in Cape Girardeau and pay Illinois $120 a week regardless of my income. My kids live in Georgia...

To the editor: I want to clarify a comment in the article "A meal to remember." It stated, "But the requirements for who can partake in communion vary among denominations. Many Protestant churches offer 'open communion,' meaning that any Christian can participate in the service. Only members of the Lutheran and Catholic churches can participate in communion."...

To the editor: Can you imagine being wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to death under Missouri's death penalty? Can you imagine being innocent and sitting on death row year after year wondering if this year would be your last? That has happened. ...

To the editor: Thanks for the article about Shriners Hospitals for Children and their availability to help children of any color, race or creed regardless of their financial status. As stated, all care at our hospitals is completely without charge. Money to run our 22 hospitals is drawn from our endowment fund, which is maintained through the generosity of the general populace through endowments, wills and gifts. ...

MOUNDS, Ill. -- Dr. James J. Travers, 82, of Springfield, Ill., died Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at St. John's Hospice in Springfield. He was born July 13, 1921, at Mounds, son of John R. and Mary Ryan Travers. Travers retired as assistant director of finance with the Illinois Department of Special Education. He received undergraduate degrees and two master's degrees from Southern Illinois University, a master's degree from Michigan State University, and a Ph.D. from SIU...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Richard John Thele, 81, of Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, died Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Nov. 9, 1922, at Glennon, Mo., son of Henry J. and Minnie Fisher Thele...

ANNA, Ill. -- Eva Elizabeth Chamness, 86, of Anna died Tuesday, April 13, 2004, at Jonesboro Healthcare Center. She was born Oct. 30, 1917, at Beech Grove, Ill., daughter of Robert "Bob" and Elnora Modglin Kinder. She and Frank Chamness were married March 4, 1936. He died May 18, 1964...

BUNCOMBE, Ill. -- Harold Eugene "Joe" Billingsley, 94, of Buncombe died Tuesday, April 13, 2004, at Union County Nursing Home in Anna, Ill. He was born Aug. 15, 1909, at Lick Creek, Ill., son of Omer and Minnie Hood Billingsley. He and Zella Stokes were married April 12, 1929, at Lick Creek...

Dorothy Kathryn Street, 79, of Eureka, Mo., died Tuesday, April 13, 2004, at Des Peres Hospital in St. Louis. She was born March 23, 1925, at Portageville, Mo., daughter of H.R. and Minnie Curtis Thorton. She first married Herbert Scheetz March 11, 1944. She later married Joseph C. Street Dec. 9, 1988. He died May 20, 1995...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Two Woodland School District students were killed and two others were injured seriously on their way to school Wednesday morning in a crash on Highway 34 a mile west of Glenallen. Killed were Jennifer Lincoln, 18, the driver of a 1988 Pontiac, and a passenger, Jessica Dees, 15...

Associated Press WriterCOLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- The University of Missouri-Columbia student who urged her sorority sisters to lie about their health to qualify as donors in a competitive blood drive issued a letter of apology Thursday. Facing discipline from both the university and Gamma Phi Beta sorority, Christie Key wrote that she "failed to consider the consequences of my actions in suggesting that members lie about important health issues in order to earn points for our chapter."...

WASHINGTON -- About 21,000 American soldiers in Iraq who were to return this month to their home bases in Louisiana and Germany will have their tours extended at least three months to help combat the surge in anti-occupation violence, defense officials said Wednesday...

WASHINGTON -- Taxpayers working feverishly to meet the April 15 filing deadline can take some comfort knowing they are not alone when it comes to scratching their heads over this year's forms. Tax returns are getting more complicated. The government estimates that the average taxpayer filing a typical tax return with itemized deductions and income from interest, capital gains and dividends, has to spend 42 minutes more than last year doing the math and paperwork...

McALESTER, Okla. -- A gun collector testified Wednesday that a man wearing a ski mask and military-style clothing bound him and covered his eyes with duct tape during a robbery that prosecutors say financed the Oklahoma City bombing. Roger E. Moore testified at bombing conspirator Terry Nichols' state murder trial that the gunman took dozens of rifles and handguns, $8,700 in cash, and coins and jewels in the 1994 robbery at his home near Hot Springs, Ark. ...

WASHINGTON -- Rising prices for gasoline, air travel and clothing propelled consumer costs 0.5 percent higher in March, raising the possibility that the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates this summer. Wednesday's reading on the Consumer Price Index, the government's most closely watched inflation measure, revived concerns about the prospects of an inflation flare-up now that the economy is rebounding, economists said. ...

A newly formed Cape Girardeau development company wants to construct 17 luxury townhouses around a planned courtyard on now vacant ground north of Broadway in a move that the developers say would help revitalize the city's downtown. But the planning and zoning commission on Wednesday night tabled the request of developers Jim and Michaele Riley and Jerri and John Wyman for the special use permit needed to proceed with the $4 million Spanish Court development at 210 N. ...

What's significant about the 25 Gift of Life rose bushes planted Monday at the Cape Rose Garden in Capaha Park is they serve as a reminder of organ and tissue donation -- the gifts of life. This special memorial rose garden has been added to honor organ and tissue donors and their families. "These individuals are our family, friends and neighbors," said Breita Church, Mid-America Transplant donor program specialist. "They are not strangers, they are from our communities."...

Brain Injury Association of Missouri Presents Point of Light Award Scott Gee executive director of the Brain Injury Association of Missouri, left, recently presented Billie Sue Graves head injury service coordinator for the Southeast Missouri region, right, with the Point of Light Award at a recent meeting of the Cape Girardeau Area Brain Injury Resource Group. The presentation recognized Graves' outstanding service to brain injury survivors and their families in our area...

The old Mississippi River bridge at Cape Girardeau will be coming down at a cost of nearly $2.23 million later this year, but the demolition company must work around the spawning season of an endangered fish, state highway officials said Wednesday. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded the demolition contract to Midwest Foundation Corp., doing business as Tremont Foundation Corp. of Tremont, Ill., at its regular meeting in Jefferson City on Wednesday...

The first day of college basketball's spring signing period brought the Southeast Missouri State University women's team three players, including Charleston High School senior Missy Whitney. And Southeast's men, while not officially signing any players on Wednesday, did apparently land an athletic guard from the junior college ranks...

ST. LOUIS -- Wade Miller walked a career-high seven, which usually comes back to haunt a pitcher. Not this time. Miller worked around the wildness to win his fifth consecutive start against St. Louis, leading the Houston Astros over the Cardinals 11-1 Wednesday for a three-game sweep...

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- If the St. Louis Blues fail to regain their knack for winning in San Jose, they're headed home for the summer. The Blues were among the San Jose Sharks' least favorite opponents over the past three seasons, largely because St. Louis had success at the Shark Tank, winning nine of 11 games at one point...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A gay man pleaded with state legislators Wednesday not to place a ban in the state Constitution that would bar him from marrying his partner of 11 years. The House Committee on Children and Families heard the Senate version of legislation that would ask Missouri voters to define marriage as only between a man and a woman...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The House gave initial approval Wednesday to a bill capping the size of some tax credit programs, closing others to new applicants and excluding Missouri's two largest newspapers from a break on sales taxes. Part of the bill reflects Gov. Bob Holden's "Jobs Now" initiative, which proposes to repeal some credits against income taxes and put the savings into public works projects...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Because one-time expenses related to last year's opening of the final wing of the Southeast Correctional Center are in the past, the state looks to spend about $700,000 less on the Charleston prison this year. The House of Representatives last week approved a nearly $11.2 million budget for the prison for the fiscal year beginning July 1, down from the roughly $11.9 million appropriated for the current fiscal year. ...

ST. LOUIS -- The Rams open their 10th season in St. Louis with a home game Sept. 12 against the city's former team, the Cardinals. Arizona will be playing its first game with its new coach, Dennis Green. The Rams released their regular season schedule Wednesday. The opener marks the first time the Rams have started the regular season at home since 2000...

BOSTON -- A worrisome national surge in multiple births linked to test-tube technology is easing, largely because doctors are implanting fewer embryos during each attempt to make a woman pregnant, a study suggests. Doctors routinely place several embryos in the womb at once to improve the odds of producing a baby -- a technique that sometimes works all too well and leads to twins, triplets or other multiple births...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- State conservation officials believe it was a bobcat, and not a mountain lion, that was spotted near the Clay-Platte county line last weekend. A woman saw the big cat, the size of a large dog, on Sunday near a church. It ran away as she walked closer, conservation officials said. A search for tracks Wednesday turned up nothing, but late last week a bobcat or mountain lion killed a whitetail deer near the Missouri River close to Parkville...

Merideth Medlin stole the ball and scored on a breakaway with less than five minutes left in the game Wednesday night, as host Notre Dame polished off rival Central 2-0 in girls soccer action. Katie Palmer recorded her seventh shutout of the season in the nets for the Bulldogs (7-1-1). Palmer had some help from her defense, which held Central (6-5) to only six shots on goal...

A Cape Girardeau man was found guilty of cocaine possession in a jury trial Tuesday afternoon, although a jury foreman's mistake gave him some momentary hope of freedom. Joshua D. Whirl, 21, was found guilty of Class C felony possession of crack cocaine. He faces a possible sentence of one day to one year in the county jail or one to seven years in prison, and/or a fine not exceeding $5,000...

MARSHFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- A southwest Missouri sheriff is disputing claims made by the state Attorney General that he should be removed for failure to perform his duties since taking office in 2001. Webster County Sheriff Ron Worsham said Wednesday that no one from Attorney General Jay Nixon's office questioned him before filing a petition Friday seeking his removal...

Adam Bird * Associated Press Samantha Clair is the first of Michigan's first surviving set of sextuplets to go home with her parents Ben and Amy Van Houten from Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Wednesday. The occurance of multiple births through in-vitro fertilization is declining, a study says, as doctors follow voluntary guidelines regarding the number of potential embryos implanted in a womb.By Tony Rehagen ~ Southeast Missourian...

BUDAPEST, Hungary -- The mosque run by a man detained on suspicion of planning to bomb a Jewish museum received money from an organization allegedly linked to al-Qaida, an Islamic community leader said Wednesday. The Dar-Assalam mosque, run by Palestinian-born dentist Tayseer Saleh, 42, received funds from the Saudi-based Al-Haramain charity after the mosque broke away from Hungary's main Islamic group, the Hungarian Islam Society, according to society leader Zoltan Bolek...

NEW YORK -- Lil' Kim, the rapper known for her outrageously revealing outfits and sexually charged lyrics, was charged Wednesday with lying to a grand jury about a 2001 shootout involving her entourage. The 29-year-old star, whose real name is Kimberly Jones, surrendered in federal court. She pleaded innocent and was released on $500,000 bail. Her attorney, Mel Sachs, called the charges "baseless." She declined to comment...

"Crazy For You" is a relatively new musical, debuting in 1992, that features old songs by George and Ira Gershwin, but instead of being awkward, the story, presentation and songs blend seamlessly together, or they should. Notre Dame Regional High School's performance of "Crazy For You" manages to bring the three elements together well enough to provide for an enjoyable, fun show...

FUQUAY-VARINA, N.C. -- Police said a man in a white T-shirt and boxer shorts mowed down five pedestrians with stolen vehicles in separate hit-and-run incidents Wednesday, leaving a dying man pinned under the vehicle and another victim critically injured...

Starting Friday, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey is bringing its extended family of clowns, acrobats, daredevils and elephants to Cape Girardeau to entertain families with the "hometown edition" circus. "We're a big family, we really are," said circus production manager Brian Newman...

About 60 local doctors responded to a medical crisis in the parking lot behind the surgical clinic at Doctor's Park Wednesday afternoon. But these physicians left their first-aid kits at the office in favor of placards and buttons reading "Critical Condition: Patient Access to Care."...

A Wayne County religious reform school should compensate a former student who claims a school employee shoved him against a sink, a federal jury in Cape Girardeau decided Wednesday. However, Mountain Park Baptist Boarding Academy in Patterson, Mo., did not violate federal labor laws when it required Jordan Blair to do chores without pay, U.S. District Judge Charles Shaw ruled on Tuesday...

Last week, I looked at how to develop more physical balance. Today, I want to see if we can find that illusive bugger in our lives. I call balance "illusive" because that is exactly what it seems like in the lives of so many of my contemporaries. As one friend remarked: "The only balance I have seen lately is that pseudo-candy bar I buy at the store."...

Southeast Missouri State University's track program received an impressive honor on the eve of the three-day Kansas Relays that begin tonight. It was announced Wednesday that, according to USA Track and Field, Southeast's women are ranked 19th nationally in the organization's Team Power Rankings...

Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader Stashed away in a closet at Springfield police headquarters, as though someone had wanted to hide them from public view, were the noose, hood and an invitation to Greene County's last public execution in 1935. That's not a bad metaphor for executions themselves. Once public spectacles, they too have been moved deep inside state prisons, hidden from view. Out of sight, out of mind. .....

ST. LOUIS -- Hardee's has given McDonald's something to chew on by signing Big Mac. The St. Louis-based fast-food chain has signed former baseball slugger Mark "Big Mac" McGwire as its pitchman in a new television commercial touting Hardee's Thickburger...

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The Stetson hat factory in St. Joseph will close by the end of June, eliminating 110 jobs, the company announced Wednesday. Parent company Hatco Inc., based in Garland, Texas, blamed the closure on poor sales. "I don't know if it has to do with the economy or the lack of interest in western wear in general," said Scott Bengel, the plant manager in St. Joseph. "I feel horrible about it. This is the best bunch of people I've ever had the pleasure of working with."...

9:30 a.m. today County administrative building Routine business Mental Health Board minutes Erroneous assessments Balance sheet for March 2004 Action items Request to purchase a typewriter Discussion None Appointments 9:30 -- Stan Murray and Gerald Bryan, Byrd Creek structure...

More finger-pointing I WAS just curious about Southeast Missouri State University changing its mascot. Why don't we appoint a committee so we can do the same thing they're doing in Washington, trying to place the blame on who did it or who might have stopped it or who did what? It turns out to be a finger-pointing thing. We'll get a committee, and it can look just as stupid as the people in Washington...

Kaci Menz, a 15-year-old freshman at Delta High School, already has made a name for herself in the area in high school sports. Her accomplishments in rodeos, on the other hand, have made Menz's name known throughout the state. Menz, an important player on Delta's varsity basketball and softball teams, said it's not easy to balance books, sports and rodeos...

Notre Dame Regional High SchoolThese names were inadvertently omitted. B Honor Roll 9th grade -- Rachel Seyer, amanda siebert, Christine Stokes, Madeline Story, Tyler Stratman, Jordan Voss, Jack Wedemeier, Emily Welker, sarah Wibbenmeyer, Abigail Willett...

Cape Girardeau County tax liens and lien discharges recorded at the office of Janet Robert, Cape Girardeau County recorder of deeds, during the month of March are filed by the Missouri Department of Revenue except as indicated by IRS designation. For more information contact the recorder's office at 243-8123...

Scott County tax liens and lien discharges recorded at the office of Tom Dirnberger, Scott County recorder of deeds, during the month of March are filed by the Missouri Department of Revenue except as indicated by IRS designation. For information concerning the dollar amount of the liens, contact the recorder's office at 545-3551...

The Small Business Development Center of Southeast Missouri State University will be conducting counseling sessions for area small businesses in Cape Girardeau, Perryville and Sikeston in April. Counselor Gil Degenhardt will be available for free one-hour sessions by appointment at:...

By Jill Bock Special to Business Today SIKESTON - It's been a tough few years for the Sikeston Riggs Wholesale Co. There was a devastating fire then an economic downturn. Some companies might have just closed their doors. But Dolph Riggs will be the first to tell you his family's history goes back too far in Sikeston to walk away from customers who have come to depend on the home supply company...

Verizon Wireless presented JCS/TEL-LINK of Cape Girardeau a 2003 Lifetime Agent Achievement Award on Feb. 19 at Verizon's regional meeting. The award was presented in recognition of many years of quality and quantity contributions to Verizon Wireless, having continuously achieved sales targets and recognition of community service...

JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri experienced growth in new business formations last year with 14,930 new businesses created in nearly 100 different industries. The breadth of industries reporting new formations demonstrates the state's economic diversification, with 11 of Missouri's major industry sectors reporting more than 500 new businesses formed for the year...

For years I thought an "eagle" was a national symbol of freedom and a "birdie" was something resulting from poor car-driving habits. I now realize these terms are part of an incantation which has cast a spell over kings and commoners for more than 600 years...

Bankruptcies filed through April 10 for the Southeastern Division of the Eastern District of Missouri's U.S. Bankruptcy Court are listed below with their corresponding case number. The Southeastern Division includes the counties of Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Dunklin, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscott, Perry, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard and Wayne. Court is held in Cape Girardeau...

Southeast Missouri employers expect to hire at a strong pace during the second quarter of 2004, according to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey. From April to June, 30 percent of the companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while 3 percent intend to reduce their workforce, according to Manpower spokesperson Peggy Gates. Another 67 percent expect to maintain their current staff levels...

Technology And Networking of Scott City has recently introduced a new service to their company that will allow remote 24/7 monitoring and reporting on critical devices. IT Arsenal is targeted at businesses who want to free themselves from the day-to-day routine management of their IT infrastructure. These clients would typically have a small or non-existent IT staff complement yet be responsible for delivering important IT services to a range of users...

Missouri Hospice and Palliative Care Association (MHPCA) recently awarded the Heart of Hospice Employee of the Year to Scott Miskelly, VNA of Southeast Missouri Hospice director, at a luncheon at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. The MHPCA Heart of Hospice Awards are designed to honor the people affiliated with member hospices that in 2003 gave above and beyond the call of duty, giving of themselves; thus enhancing the quality of life for hospice patients...

suntimesnews.com PERRYVILLE - A Ste. Genevieve man has been named the new executive director of the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission. Chauncy Buchheit succeeds Thomas Tucker who was the commission's only previous executive director until his death in January...

Capital Bank became Union Planters Bank. Aldi Food Inc., headquartered at O'Fallon, Mo., opened its doors in new location and new building, 209 S. Kingshighway. Jackson Glass Inc., specializing in auto, residential and commercial glass, opened at 326 E. Jackson Blvd. in Jackson...

By Kelvin Simmons Missouri Division of Tourism The staff at the Missouri Division of Tourism works hard to promote our state to travelers all over the world through innovative marketing campaigns and advertising. The division, which is part of the Department of Economic Development, often receives requests for information from individuals interested in visiting the Show-Me State...

Big River Telephone, a local provider of telecommunication solutions for business and residential users headquartered in Cape Girardeau, has announced the release of the area's newest telephone book. The company, in conjunction with Hometown Directories, is delivering more than 40,000 White and Yellow Page phone books to the Cape Girardeau community...

Business Today Garber's Men's Wear in Town Plaza Shopping Center in Cape Girardeau recently received the Elite Retailer of the Year Award from Jim's Formal Wear. Jim's in the largest formalwear distribution network in the U.S. with more than 4,000 independent retailers. They provide tuxedo rental services for weddings, proms and black tie events...

Business Today Filling up at the pump has become harder on the wallet in recent months. The spike in gas prices has caused some less-scrupulous citizens to resort to leaving the money in their pocket and making a quick get-away. Ronald Leone, executive vice president for Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association (MPMCSA) was quick to answer when asked about the recent rise in drive-offs across the state...

200 jobs to be added Business Today DEXTER -- ArvinMeritor Inc. will increase its light vehicle systems manufacturing operations in Dexter through a six-year lease of a 221,000-square-foot facility owned by the city of Dexter. The $10 million capital investment, including the addition of 200 workers, will be made over the next five years. It will expand the current Air and Emissions Technologies' North American past model service and special products business already located in Dexter...

Business Today Saxony Village, a sprawling retirement community off Bloomfield Road in Cape Girardeau, has completed the third phase of its expansion. Construction began about one and one-half years ago and finished in January when the exercise pool opened...

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI Peggy McDonald is a new residential lighting specialist at Poplar Bluff Electrical Supply in Poplar Bluff. Donna Miller and Theresa Biri, physical therapists, have joined the staff at Southeast Missouri Hospital's outpatient rehabilitation facility...

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI CAPE GIRARDEAU Close Environmental Consultants at 106 Farrar Drive has moved from Suite 101 to Suite 108. Gospeland Christian Outlet has relocated to 245 S. Broadview. FARMINGTON The Cup & Saucer, a cafe at Jefferson and West Columbia, has been sold. Rob Miller bought the business from Stephanie Hom...

IImagine that tomorrow you suddenly become severely ill or incapacitated. Who would take care of your finances? How would they do it? If you don't have a durable power of attorney, others -- even your spouse -- may not be able to conduct all your financial needs on your behalf...

The University of Missouri's Business Development Program recently recognized Technology and Networking Inc. of Scott City with the 2004 Celebration of Excellence in Business Award. The award was presented at the University of Missouri Development Program's annual meeting Feb. 9 in Jefferson City...

Business Today The decorative lights intended to illuminate the cables and towers of the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge in Cape Girardeau will remain dark for a few more weeks. Hubbell Lighting of Christiansburg, Va., has a branch location that is remaking the trim that holds the lens in place, said Keith Robinson, project manager for the contractor, Sachs Electric...