Stories from Saturday, July 31, 2004

"We lost money. We ended up being overstaffed every day. The promises of a boom just didn't work out. I'll be glad when our regulars are back." -- Waitress Colleen Duggan, 25, sighed and said she was relieved that the Democratic convention was over as she worked a shift at the Sports Grille Boston next to the FleetCenter....

It used to be that politics and religion were taboo topics for conversations, but that's not so in an election year. Religion is "more part of the party politics than it used to be," said Dr. Russell Renka, a political science professor at Southeast Missouri State University...

Church to hold prayer service for military Mount Auburn Christian Church will hold its monthly prayer service at 7 p.m. Monday for those serving in the military and their families. U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and state Rep. Jason Crowell will be guest speakers. Carly Schneider, a high school freshman who has a brother-in-law deployed with the National Guard, will sing. American Legion Post 63 will present the colors. For information, call Jeremy Ferguson at 335-9264...

SundayGroundbreaking ceremony at 12:30 p.m. for First Baptist Church at property on Lexington Avenue and Cape Rock Drive. Saved by Grace will perform at 5:30 p.m. at the Church of God in Cape Girardeau. Eisleben Lutheran Church in Scott City is holding "Lava Lava Island" vacation Bible school from 6 to 8:30 p.m. ...

WASHINGTON -- For the first time in the nearly three years since the Sept. 11 attacks, a prisoner picked up as a potential terrorist and held nearly incommunicado at a U.S. prison in Cuba got a chance Friday to convince his jailers that he should go free...

The Associated Press WASHINGTON -- Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge is considering stepping down after the November election, telling colleagues he is worn out from the massive reorganization of government and needs to earn money in the private sector to put his teenage children through college, officials said...

WASHINGTON -- President Bush on Friday announced his intention to make 20 appointments during the congressional recess, including a new chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, a manufacturing czar and three ambassadors. For FTC chairman, Bush is appointing Deborah Majoras of Virginia to replace Timothy J. Muris, who is stepping down after three years...

The Associated Press WASHINGTON -- The leaders of the Sept. 11 commission implored Congress to move quickly to reform the nation's intelligence structure, warning Friday that failure to act would leave America vulnerable to another devastating terrorist attack...

Four people were injured Friday in a two-car accident on Larch Lane, six miles north of Jackson. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred at 11:22 a.m. when Roy Joyce, 28, of Perryville, Mo., attempted to make a left turn and steered his 1995 Plymouth into the path of a 1993 Honda driven by Victoria Smith, 17, of Jackson...

WASHINGTON -- The government released revised figures for the gross domestic product Friday that showed that, under one standard definition of a recession, the 2001 downturn doesn't qualify. Under revised data released by the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis, the GDP did not decline for three consecutive quarters in 2001 as the old data had showed. In fact, the GDP didn't post consecutive declines...

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. economy slowed dramatically in the spring to an annual growth rate of 3 percent, as consumers, worried about higher gasoline prices, cut back their spending to the weakest pace in three years, the Commerce Department reported Friday...

When you pray, do you merely thank God for what he has done for you, or can you freely ask God for your needs and desires? After talking with a young man recently, I found people have different viewpoints on prayer. After hearing to Jeff's story concerning difficulties he was experiencing with a neighbor living in his apartment building, I suggested he pray about the problem. ...

Not to worry PUBLIC SCHOOL systems are prohibited by state law from deficit spending. The Cape Gir-ardeau School District is not spending more than it is taking in. It is merely reducing the surplus a bit. Quit worrying so much. Teaching about sex TEACHING ABOUT sex and relationships isn't teaching the act of sex. ...

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following items on Thursday: At 5:01 p.m., an emergency medical service at 1105 Linden St. At 10:58 p.m., an emergency medical service at 1264 Linden St. Firefighters responded to the following items on Friday:...

Cape Girardeau The following items were released Friday by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Jimmy L. Bell, 54, 223 N. Ellis St., Apt. 5, was arrested on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of cocaine...

Cape Girardeau County Sheriff The following items were released Friday by the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWIs Julie C. Schill, 24, Fenton, Mo., was arrested July 24 on suspicion of driving while intoxicated...

Since its formation in 1999, Old Town Cape has devoted most of its energy to finding ways to improve Cape Girardeau's neglected downtown. The organization has sponsored or collaborated in presenting a number of festivals and events, including Libertyfest, Tunes at Twilight, Taste of Old Town and ArtsCape. It also has fostered plans for the Fountain Street extension and has sponsored business seminars...

To the editor: I would like to thank the Helping Hands Ministry of La Croix United Methodist Church for the hard, dedicated work it did on my house, repairing the damage to my roof caused by squirrels. I want to especially thank Connie Hale for a great team of hard-working men, including Steve McBride, Charlie Wilson, Vernon Leible, Randy Shaw, Pat Sulser, Mike Cochran, Dan Driskell and Dennis Ray. Keep up the good work, and God bless you all...

To the editor: I read Joe Sullivan's column on Sundays in the past. It brought back memories of my youth on a farm in Perry County. I was especially intrigued by the statement about porches. I agree we have changed from sitting on our front porches, welcoming friends, family and neighbors to sit a spell and spend some time together. ...

To the editor: Once again a tragic event has taken place in Scott City, and the finger-pointing has started. The question shouldn't be "Who can we blame?" but rather "How can we prevent this from happening again?" The legal system will sort through the details and render the proper punishment. In the meantime, others should accept the blame for their roles in this situation...

Eugene W. Emmons, 90, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, July 30, 2004, at Heartland Care Rehab Center. He was born Aug. 28, 1913, at Doniphan, Mo., son of John T. and Mary Magdalene Griffith Emmons. He and Mildred Angle were married June 9, 1934, at Blodgett, Mo...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Polly C. Hornbuckle, 86, of Advance died Thursday, July 29, 2004, at her home. She was born July 20, 1918, in Tennessee, daughter of Harvel and Beadie Warner Warren. She and Mike Hornbuckle were married April 17, 1982, in Hillsboro, Mo...

10 years ago: July 31, 1994 POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. - Cape Girardeau's Ford & Sons American Legion baseball team leaves little doubt as to who is best District 14 squad; Cape Girardeau team stormed to regular-season district title, going 10-2 to earn top seed for District 14 Tournament...

CHICAGO -- Cubs fans accustomed to seeing their team's chances for reaching the World Series fall apart no longer have to worry about their beloved Wrigley Field crumbling, too. Chunks of concrete have plummeted from the ballpark's upper deck on at least three occasions since June, forcing stadium officials to install nets to protect fans from the debris. ...

The New York Mets made two big moves a day before baseball's trade deadline, getting pitchers Kris Benson and Victor Zambrano on Friday, while other contenders angled for the likes of Randy Johnson, Larry Walker and Steve Finley. "It's kind of a relief just to get it over with. It's been a tough day," Benson said after Pittsburgh sent him to the Mets. "If there was a team I'd be excited to go to, it would be them."...

GRAND BLANC, Mich. -- Vijay Singh kept a share of the lead at the Buick Open on Friday and there were plenty of big names in contention after two rounds. Singh, the first-round leader, Jim Furyk and Billy Andrade were tied for the lead at 11 under. John Daly matched his best round of the year with a 64 and was tied with three others one stroke behind the leaders. Tiger Woods had a 4-under 68 and was among four others another shot back...

ST. LOUIS -- Not long after the second round of the U.S. Senior Open was postponed due to unplayable conditions, the USGA received a flood of criticism over its plan to complete the championship with 36 holes on Sunday. A steady downpour that started Thursday night and continued into midday Friday dumped about 3 inches of rain on Bellerive Country Club, leaving the course swamped. ...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Mike Tyson was knocked out in the fourth round Friday night in a shocking end to the latest comeback of the fighter who once was the most feared heavyweight of his era. Unheralded British heavyweight Danny Williams landed a flurry of punches that sent Tyson sprawling into the ropes, perhaps ending his career...

Every coach hates to end a season on a loss. But to end the season losing four straight games and playing poorly in the process, well, that will drive a coach crazy. The Jackson American Legion team lost 9-2 to Brentwood in an elimination game at the zone tournament in Sikeston on Friday, ending its season at 25-15...

MACOMB, Ill. -- The third day of training camp was all about making contact for the St. Louis Rams. There was only one workout Friday, but it was in full pads and the highlight was a scrimmage filled with big hits. Prior to that, the emphasis had been on tempo instead of physical play...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Nathan Cooper spent nearly $57,000 during the first three weeks of July in his bid for the 158th District seat in the House of Representatives. According to campaign finance disclosure reports covering July 1 through July 22, the other two hopefuls in the Aug. 3 Republican primary spent about $15,800 combined...

BEAVERTON, Ore.-- Ken Keeley spends his Sunday mornings at church -- not just to worship, but to collect signatures for a ballot measure that would amend Oregon's constitution to ban gay marriage. Keeley, one of roughly 2,000 members at the evangelical Beaverton Christian Church, describes himself as "not that political."...

ST. LOUIS -- Defenseman Chris Pronger has agreed to a $10 million deal that will keep him with the St. Louis Blues for at least one more season. Left to question is whether right wing Brett Hull -- a former Blues captain bound someday for the Hall of Fame -- will be joining him...

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The newly installed Democratic presidential team of John Kerry and John Edwards defended their ticket from President Bush's charge that his challenger has no "signature achievements" as they drew thousands of supporters Friday, the first official day of the general election campaign...

The following message is a service of the Jackson Emergency Traffic System: The Jackson Traffic Service has issued a Severe Traffic Watch for the north and northwest parts of Jackson. The watch will remain in effect for the entire month of August...

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- President Bush attacked John Kerry's 19-year record in the Senate on Friday, answering the Democratic convention mantra "America can do better" with a new GOP refrain: "Results matter." Bush repeated the slogan to crowds here and in Springfield, Mo., the first two stops on a swing through four key election states. ...

Karen Stupples, in the lead by three strokes after two rounds of the Women's British Open, was talking about missed opportunities Friday. Stupples played a bogey-free round for the second straight day in Sunningdale, England, this time shooting a 2-under 70 that moved her to 9-under 135...

After two years of struggling with a problematic heating and cooling system at the new Central High School, the Cape Girardeau School District is considering legal action against the companies involved in its design and installation. The district already has a $240,000 contract to improve the inefficient system, which was designed by Wm. B. Ittner Inc. of St. Louis, the architectural firm hired to plan the new high school...

MACOMB, Ill. -- Leonard Little's first interview session since his arrest for drunken driving in April shed no light on the legal troubles he faces, or much of anything else. The St. Louis Rams' defensive end is talking once a week during training camp, and the ground rules restrict the questioning to football. Thus, Friday's session was short and sweet...

ATHENS, Greece -- Doctors do it. Journalists, too. Lawyers, cab drivers and even priests take part. Strikes and labor protests in Greece come in just about every fashion. But a new one could be brewing: walkouts during the Summer Games that begin in two weeks...

NEW YORK -- Houston second baseman Jeff Kent was suspended for three games Friday for his angry actions earlier this week. Kent appealed the penalty, and can play pending a hearing. He was fined an undisclosed amounts by Bob Watson, vice president of on-field operations for Major League Baseball...

ST. LOUIS -- A St. Louis school bus driver was injured Friday when he was hit by flying glass after someone shot a pellet, shattering his driver's-side window. There were no children on the bus at the time; they already had been dropped off at Euclid Elementary School for the last day of summer school...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Secretary of State Colin Powell promised Iraqi leaders Friday that the United States will speed up spending to rebuild the country's infrastructure and create jobs, and said doing so will help make Iraq safer. Powell didn't announce specific figures. But Iraq's deputy prime minister, Barham Saleh, who joined Powell at a news conference, said $9 billion in U.S. reconstruction money will be disbursed by December...

NEW YORK -- A camouflaged architect, children screaming "You're fired!" and hundreds of business-suited wannabe moguls flocked to the Trump Tower for "The Apprentice 3" auditions Friday. "I'm looking for someone with great drive," Trump said...

A Sikeston, Mo., man was sentenced Friday to more than 10 years in prison on drug-trafficking charges. Eldridge Sumlin, also known as "Gwish," 32, was sentenced in Cape Girardeau federal court to 121 months for a count of distribution of cocaine base, three counts of distribution of 5 grams or more of cocaine base, a count of possession with the intent to distribute 5 grams or more of cocaine base and a count of conspiracy to distribute at least 50 grams of cocaine base...

Editor's note: Nate Hinchey, 18, of Jackson is the youngest member of the Missouri delegation at the Democratic National Convention in Boston. This is the last of his daily reports from the convention. By Nate Hinchey ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian...

WASHINGTON -- This year's federal deficit will soar to a record $445 billion, the White House projected Friday in a report provoking immediate election-season tussling over how well President Bush has handled the economy. The administration's annual summertime budget update forecasts shortfalls falling to $331 billion next year, then fading to $229 billion by 2009. For each year, the red ink was smaller than the White House envisioned six months ago...

Usually when a business owner wants to compliment an employee, he gives him a raise. Or a day off. Maybe a pat on the back and a "job well done." Donnie Holley, owner of RV America in Scott City, acknowledged parts and service manager Jeremy Henson by donating $2,000 to the Delta Fire District. Henson is a mechanic and firefighter for the volunteer department and often talks with Holley about his second occupation...

When Southeast Missouri State University begins football practice next weekend, a familiar area face who wasn't expected to play for the Indians will be on hand to compete for a starting position. Seth Harrell, one of the state's premier linebackers as a senior on Jackson High School's 2001 team that reached the Class 5 semifinals, this week enrolled at Southeast for the fall semester and will be a member of the Indians' 2004 squad...