Stories from Saturday, November 27, 2004

Barb Elfrink and her mother-in-law, Donna Elfrink, sped to the doctor's office in Barb's red Dodge truck. Barb reclined the seat as far back it would go and propped her feet on the dash. The image of the blood in the commode was frozen in Barb's mind, a hideous snapshot that would stain her memory forever...

At 4:47 a.m. Friday, Cape Girardeau's April Bryant peers longingly through the glass doors at the main entrance of the Westfield Shoppingtown West Park. Breath visible and rising into the cold morning air, she's waiting to make her move. She's cased this joint, been here three times over the past week to plot her course through these doors, around the corner to K-B Toys, to the shelves where the Game Boy Advance games and Easy Bake Ovens should be waiting so she can slip in and out as quickly as possible.. ...

Lowell and Laurie Peterson don't exactly know where they're going. They don't really know what they'll do when they get there. They don't know where they'll live or what they'll eat. They don't know if they'll have electricity. Right now, they pretty much know one thing: Uzbekistan...

The Cape Girardeau City Council will consider revising a proposed pay plan to include better raises for longtime police officers and firefighters. City officials are expected to disclose the revisions at a special study session at 6 p.m. Monday at the Osage Community Centre...

On the second floor of Southeast Missouri Hospital, a small embroidered bunny is perched alongside fluffy white bows on the branch of an artificial Christmas tree. Near the bottom of the ornament, "Newcomer '92" has been embroidered, but the tiny pink-and-brown thread that forms the bunny stops midstitch about halfway down. An explanation on the back reads simply: "For all my unfinished dreams ..."...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- As Iraq's Sunni Muslims ponder boycotting the Jan. 30 election and some press for a delay, the majority Shiite Muslims face another threat to their expected victory: a split in Shiite ranks that could cost them the chance to dominate the next parliament...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- U.S. forces uncovered more bodies in the northern city of Mosul on Friday, apparent victims of an intimidation campaign by insurgents against Iraq's fledgling security forces. Leading Iraqi politicians called for a six-month delay in the Jan. 30 election because of the spiraling violence...

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- Jailed Palestinian uprising leader Marwan Barghouti dropped out of the race to replace Yasser Arafat on Friday, agreeing to support the candidacy of interim leader Mahmoud Abbas in a move intended to head off a split in the ruling Fatah movement...

Mommas, don't let your babies grow up to be lawyers. Discourage them, especially, from becoming trial attorneys. And do not, under any circumstances, allow them to dream about donning a robe and becoming a judge. If political purgatory exists--and I believe it does--it's playing host to a convocation of the American Bar Association right now...

BERLIN -- The dollar reached a new all-time low against the euro Friday for the fourth straight day, briefly pushing the European currency above $1.33 before recovering slightly, amid concerns about the U.S. deficit and the lack of any central bank action to stop the dollar's decline. The dollar also dipped to a nearly five-year low against the yen, but later regained ground...

VIENNA, Austria -- Iranian negotiators at the U.N. atomic watchdog agency sought their government's approval Friday for a compromise on implementing Iran's agreement to totally freeze a nuclear program that can produce weapons-grade uranium. France, Germany and Britain, which negotiated the suspension deal, dangled both a carrot and a stick...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City police are looking for a gunman who shot and killed two women and injured a third as they traveled in separate vehicles early Friday. Police Sgt. Doug Neimeier said the shootings appeared to be random. One of the dead victims was identified as Raevena McClenton, 27, of Kansas City. The other two victims were not identified...

MACKS CREEK, Mo. -- Folks in this small central Missouri community are scratching their heads over a vote to dissolve the town that has tried for years to shake its reputation as nothing more than a speed trap. Over a cup of coffee and before the lunch rush hit at the Creekside Cafe, cook Helen Eidson speculated that many voters didn't understand what they were choosing. ...

PIERCE CITY, Mo. -- A passion for the past always distinguished downtown Pierce City, where tourists came to browse the antique stores and enjoy the 19th century architecture. It all disappeared on May 4, 2003, when a tornado smashed the historic business district to rubble...

ST. LOUIS -- Some of the first portraits of American Indians at home on the Plains will be auctioned off next month in New York, with the 28 paintings by a 19th-century St. Louisan perhaps fetching $15 million. "These are incredibly important works," Andrew Walker, curator for American art at the St. Louis Art Museum, said of George Catlin's oil paintings to be offered by Sotheby's auction house on Thursday...

WASHINGTON -- A third or more of the government property Halliburton Co. was paid to manage for the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq could not be located by auditors, investigative reports to Congress show. Halliburton's KBR subsidiary "did not effectively manage government property" and auditors could not locate hundreds of CPA items worth millions of dollars in Iraq and Kuwait this summer and fall, inspector general Stuart W. Bowen reported to Congress in two reports...

Daily American Republic MILL SPRING, Mo. -- An apparent ongoing domestic dispute between a Wayne County couple ended on Thanksgiving with one dead and another in a St. Louis hospital recovering from gunshot wounds. Dead is Billy D. Mann, 33, while his 30-year-old girlfriend, Tomye D. Davis, is in stable condition at St. Louis University Hospital, according to Wayne County Sheriff Larry Plunkett Sr. Davis, he said, is expected to recover...

GENEVA -- The World Trade Organization gave the go-ahead Friday for punitive sanctions on U.S. exports from lobsters to industrial equipment because Washington has yet to comply with a two-year-old order to repeal a trade law that uses penalties collected from foreign manufacturers to aid their domestic rivals...

NEW YORK -- So you've been dating this guy, and it seemed to be going so well. Long dinners. Cuddly walks in the park. Flirty text messages. And then, suddenly, he just stopped calling. Your mind races for an explanation. Is he lying in a hospital bed? With amnesia? Did his house burn down with his address book inside it? Or maybe he's wounded from a previous relationship and just needs a little time?...

KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukraine's two rivals for power failed in nearly three hours of talks Friday to resolve the political stalemate over who will lead the bitterly divided nation, and opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko told a huge rally that he was insisting on a new election...

The Indians will be making their third title appearance when they plays in today's Class 1 championship game. By Jeremy Joffray ~ Southeast Missourian St. Vincent players and coaches alike are hoping the third time is the charm for the football program...

No championship trophy is being awarded during the HealthPoint Plaza Thanksgiving Classic hosted by Southeast Missouri State University. But there will be a clear-cut winner of the four-team women's basketball event that concludes today at the Show Me Center...

Wisconsin-Green Bay is coming off a lopsided loss to Michigan State. By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian Southeast Missouri State University men's basketball coach Gary Garner warns people not to be fooled by Wisconsin-Green Bay's 58-point loss Tuesday night...

St. Louis signs Kevin Stemke in a desperate attempt to upgrade its special teams. By R.B. Fallstrom ~ The Associated Press ST. LOUIS -- Shaky special teams helped cost punter Sean Landeta his job with the St. Louis Rams. Landeta, 42, is in his 20th NFL season and before being released on Friday was one of only two former USFL players still active in the NFL. ...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The University of Missouri-Columbia renamed its new sports arena with a school nickname Friday, just days after the original namesake, a 22-year-old Wal-Mart heiress, was accused of academic cheating at another college. The university's governing Board of Curators voted without dissent to rename Paige Sports Arena during a three-minute conference call...

BY WILLIAM MCCALL ~ The Associated Press AURORA, Ore. -- Joe Sharp has traveled the world but says he has never found a more perfect Christmas tree than in Oregon, the nation's largest producer in a $791 million industry and a leader in the effort to revive the holiday market for live trees...

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. -- Snowfall delayed repairs Friday to a section of Interstate 70 where a rock slide sent boulders as big as vans crashing onto the road. Road crews, under the glare of portable spotlights, toiled through the night in hopes of reopening one lane of traffic in each direction. ...

MONTE SERENO, Calif. -- For six years, Alan and Bonnie Aerts transformed their Silicon Valley home into a Christmas wonderland, complete with surfing Santa, jumbo candy canes and a carol-singing chorus of mannequins. Visitors loved it. Last year, after NBC's "Weekend Today" featured the $150,000 display of custom-designed props, more than 1,500 cars prowled the Aertses' cul-de-sac in this upscale San Jose suburb each night...

WORCESTER, Mass. -- A man was charged with stabbing two relatives after they allegedly criticized his table manners during Thanksgiving dinner. Police said the fight broke out Thursday when Gonzalo Ocasio, 49, and his 18-year-old son, Gonzalo Jr., reprimanded Frank Palacious for picking at the turkey with his fingers instead of slicing off pieces with a knife...

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Gary Qualls worried a lot after his son went off to war, so he went hunting last week to get his mind off it. When he got home, a letter was waiting. His son, Marine Lance Cpl. Louis Qualls, wrote about the Fallujah offensive, that it was expected to include some of the fiercest battles of the war, and that his unit was in the thick of it...

Three siblings ages 8, 4 and 2 have specific requests for Santa Claus this holiday season. The youngest child, Brianna, wants dolls, coloring books, Barbies and some educational games suitable for toddlers. Her older brother, Brian, wants Spider-Man toys, Hot Wheels, books, remote-control cars and other learning games. The oldest child, Brittany, wants Bratz dolls and accessories, hair accessories for herself and a new pair of house slippers. She'd also like pencils, pens and notebooks...

** Chinese police detain man in school knife attack BEIJING -- Police have detained a man accused of slashing as many as nine boys to death as they slept in their high school dormitory in central China, state media reported Saturday. Yan Yanming, 21, was reported to police by his mother after he tried unsuccessfully to commit suicide following the attack late Thursday in the city of Ruzhou, the Xinhua News Agency said. ...

Hester Mae Ledbetter, 90, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, at the Life Care Center in Cape Girardeau. Friends may call after 9:30 a.m. Monday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Bonnie A. Grass-Bauman, 83, of Southern Illinois, died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, at Herrin Hospital. She was born May 8, 1921, in Buncombe, Ill., daughter of Otis and Mary Jenkins White. She and Elmer "Red" Grass were married in 1938 in Ste. Genevieve, Mo. He died in 1980. She and George Bauman were married in 1981. He died in 1997...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Lorn S. Johnson, 81, of Metropolis, Ill., died Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004, at Southgate Health Care Center in Metropolis. He was born Jan. 4, 1923, in Cypress, Ill., son of Adam and Dollie Alexander Johnson. He and Bertha G. Helm were married June 26, 1943, at Caruthersville, Mo. She died Feb. 17, 1975. He and Kathryn Land were married in 1978 in Jackson...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Walter Lee Farmer, 72, of Sikeston died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, at his home. He was born Oct. 23, 1932, in Newton County, Ark., son of Simon and Tilda Smith Farmer. He and Violet Abernathy were married Nov. 12, 1954, at Benton, Mo...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Wayne G. Wibbenmeyer, 41, of Perryville died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Nov. 27, 1962, in Perryville, son of Anton T. and Merle A. Emmendorfer Wibbenmeyer. He and Pam A. Brown were married Aug. 17, 1991, in Perryville...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Morris Dale Hazel, 86, of Sikeston died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. He was born Feb. 14, 1918, in Springfield, Mo., son of Arthur Dale and Ruby Gale Letterman Hazel. He and Helen Birdie Stiles were married in January 1986 in Seattle, Wash...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Sandy Lise McFarland, 30, of Marble Hill died Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004, at Eldercare of Marble Hill. She was born May 4, 1974, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Billy Dale and Lula Bernice Hendrix McFarland. Survivors include her father; four brothers, Billy McFarland of Wills Point, Texas, Louie McFarland of Hamilton, Ohio, Thomas McFarland of Glenallen, Mo., the Rev. ...

BENTON, Mo. -- Elmer "Johnny" Wiedefeld, 84, of Benton died Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, at his home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton.

Leonard Lee Slinkard, 68, of Concord, N.C., died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, at his home. He was formerly of Chaffee, Mo. He was born March 15, 1936, in East Prairie, Mo., son of Orville and Edna Brightwell Slinkard. He and Essie Annetta Hitt were married Sept. 5, 1955, in Scott City...

Lillian J. Smith, 78, of Jackson died Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, at Heartland Care and Rehab in Cape Girardeau. She was born Nov. 4, 1926, in Advance, Mo., daughter of Comelous and Althea Zimmerman Cox. She and Harry Smith were married in August 1947 at Sikeston, Mo...

Ethel Mason, 93, of Scott City died Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born Sept. 2, 1911, in Bell City, Mo., daughter of William Grant and Nellie Gilles Pyle. She and William Thomas "Bill" Mason were married May 15, 1938, at Dexter, Mo. He died May 14, 1993...

** Statler Daughter to Kelly Dale and Tabitha Ann Statler of Perryville, Mo., Saint Francis Medical Center, 10:22 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, 2004. Name, Sonja Renee. Weight, 7 pounds 1 1/2 ounces. First child. Mrs. Statler is the former Tabitha Rumley, daughter of Sonja Swofford of Cape Girardeau. She is a cashier at Smokes to Go. Statler is the son of Dan and Renee Statler of Perryville...

** 25 years ago: Nov. 27, 1979 Opposition is already mounting to Gov. Joseph P. Teasdale's plan to give $200 million in surplus state money back to Missouri taxpayers; Rep. Jerry Ford, D-Cape Girardeau, says, "It is absolutely irresponsible. He's trying to snow the people"; "He's hoodwinking the public," says Rep. Marvin E. Proffer, D-Jackson...

Lawana Lee Wulfers, 76, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004, at the Lutheran Home. She was born May 28, 1928, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Albert and Aline O'Dean Pedigo Foreman. She and Leo Wulfers were married July 5, 1948, in Cape Girardeau...

** Equitable pay I AM a city employee of 25 years and a former trash man, I've recently read two Speak Out comments about how garbage collectors are lower than the police. They have just as many risks as a police officer, only in a different environment. ...

To the editor: Recently Bob Krone wrote about senior centers. He is correct to point out that "taxpayer-supported senior centers in Missouri openly practice age discrimination while unfairly competing with taxpaying restaurants and social clubs." The problem is that our population has become too dependent upon government. From cradle to grave, we expect the government to care for us. And this is reflected in every aspect of our lives. Government takes on the role of educator and caregiver...

** Cape Girardeau The following items were released Friday by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI James A. Holman, Box 2173, Wappapello, Mo., was issued a summons for driving while intoxicated following an accident at Kingshighway and Independence Street...

** Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following items Wednesday: At 8:41 p.m., fire alarm in the 500 block of William Street. Firefighters responded to the following items Thursday: At 2:19 a.m., fire alarm at 1230 W. Cape Rock Drive. At 3:02 a.m., fire alarm at 429 N. Frederick St...

Homelessness in Cape Girardeau? Not in the City of Roses, the city of murals, this city of shopping malls and multitudes of churches. Where could our homeless be? Homelessness looks different in Cape Girardeau than it does in a big city, where housing for some is a cardboard box on a sidewalk...

If the heavens declare the work of God, then Bill Matzat's ecclesiastical artwork reflects the divine. Matzat recently completed several panels of stained glass in wooden doors that adorn the entrance to the sanctuary at St. Andrew Lutheran Church...

Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" But Simon Peter answered him, "Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." (John 6:67-68) Peter, self-reliant fisherman, tough alpha male of the first century, had lived long enough and seen enough of life to know when he had Life. And he knew not to let go...

Lynwood takes part in annual Parade of Lights Lynwood Baptist Church will not have evening services or activities Sunday so that members can participate in the Christmas Parade of Lights. AWANA and WAK children and their parents are invited to walk with the church's choir float...

Jackson's girls basketball team opened its season by winning two games Friday in the round robin West Plains Zizzer Classic in West Plains, Mo. The Indians defeated Ava, Mo., 65-47 and Ponpotic, Miss., 46-32. They'll play host West Plains at 2:30 p.m. today for the title as both squads are undefeated...

ST. LOUIS -- Jairus Byrd threw for three touchdowns and ran for one more as Clayton won the first overtime game in Show Me-Bowl history by defeating Webb City 27-26 in the Class 4 state championship Friday. Clayton (13-1) took the lead on its first possession of overtime when Byrd hit Torrey Tate on a 19-yard scoring pass. Kit Szybala's point-after made it 27-20...

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- There are subplots galore surrounding Southern Illinois' NCAA Division I-AA playoff game agasint Eastern Washington at McAndrew Stadium this afternoon. The game, which begins at 1:30 p.m., could be billed as a shootout between the two most prolific quarterbacks in Division I-AA. Eastern Washington junior Erik Meyer is the nation's top-ranked passer, while SIU junior Joel Sambursky is No. 2...

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State had just lost to Texas A&M 34-3 early last month and coach Dan McCarney was scrolling through his e-mail. Up came one from a fan in California. "He said, 'Coach McCarney, I really appreciate what you've done at Iowa State,"' McCarney said. "'You've had a great 10-year run. Things probably aren't going to work out for you this year, but I think you belong on the search committee for your replacement.'...

Colleges n LaMar Owen had a game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Stetson Hairston added 15 Friday night as Southern Illinois topped Vanderbilt 67-53 in the third round of the Las Vegas Holiday Invitational at Valley High School. Darren Brooks added 11 for Southern Illinois (3-0), and the Salukis shot 71 percent from the field in the second half in opening the season with a third straight win...

To the editor: If the Jackson School Board can find $108,000 in salary, $10,000 in annual annuity, $600 a month car allowance plus additional benefits for the superintendent, how can it have the nerve to cram another huge bond issue down our throats for another new school?...

To the editor: In response to the letter "All of Scripture condemns sins": I believe all of us can agree on this statement: We are against sin. The problem with being against it is that we can't seem to stop it. No matter how many efforts to amend the Constitution to prove that we are against sin, sin will always be with us. ...

Standard Democrat CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 20 for a man charged in the beating deaths of a woman and her son. Andre Clark, 41, of Charleston, who is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action and one count of first-degree assault, waived his right to a formal arraignment earlier this week...