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School board expected to make superintendent choice
(Local News ~ 12/23/04)
The Cape Girardeau School Board's search for a new superintendent has played out like a game of "Guess Who?" Four months ago, board members named off certain characteristics they were looking for and, with the help of the Missouri School Boards' Association, have since eliminated those candidates who didn't fit the description...
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New law empowers state efforts to collect back taxes
(State News ~ 12/23/04)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Backed by a law passed last year, state officials have threatened thousands of professionals and state workers with the loss of their livelihood if they don't make good on their back taxes, collecting millions of dollars in the process...
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Road crews work to avoid getting stuck
(Local News ~ 12/23/04)
POPLARBLUFF, Mo. -- Battling the early Wednesday morning storm proved difficult for Butler County road crews who found themselves with two road graders stuck in ditches. "It's really treacherous. If you don't have to get out, stay home," advised Butler County Highway Department superintendent Bill Taylor. "We have been getting stuck ourselves."...
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Military blames suicide bomber for attack
(International News ~ 12/23/04)
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The U.S. military said Wednesday that a suicide bomber likely carried out the explosion at a U.S. base near Mosul, spraying a crowded mess tent with small pellets and killing 22 people -- nearly all of them Americans. The announcement raised questions about how the attacker infiltrated the base, which is surrounded by blast walls and barbed wire and guarded by U.S. ...
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British prime minister proposes Mideast peace talks in London
(International News ~ 12/23/04)
RAMALLAH, West Bank -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair offered Wednesday to host a one-day Mideast conference in the new year to help rehabilitate the battered Palestinian Authority, encourage reform and serve as a bridge to renewed peace talks, stalled by four years of violence...
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Neosho School District removes Bible from reading list
(State News ~ 12/23/04)
NEOSHO, Mo. -- A southwest Missouri school district has removed the Bible from a reading program, citing concern that it might be "an excessive entanglement of church and state." The Neosho School Board learned of the situation after Mary Alice and Chuck Nelson objected to the removal during Monday's monthly meeting...
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Majority of state misses out on heavy snowfall
(State News ~ 12/23/04)
ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Much of Missouri ducked the snowy mess that hit Southeast Missouri. And nothing much is expected in the next few days, meteorologist Jim Kramper said from the weather service's suburban St. Louis office. "It looks like everything is lining up further to the south," Kramper said, with forecasts of just 1 to 3 inches late Wednesday or early today around St. Louis...
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Final Four anxiety
(Professional Sports ~ 12/23/04)
ST. LOUIS -- One hundred days away from St. Louis' first Final Four in 26 years, organizers already are looking forward to the next one. "We want this to be a basketball town forever," St. Louis athletic director Cheryl Levick said Wednesday at a news conference that marked the proximity of the event. "And we want the Final Four back."...
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Falcons outscore Memphis
(Professional Sports ~ 12/23/04)
MOBILE, Ala. -- Omar Jacobs passed for 365 yards and five touchdowns, leading Bowling Green to a 52-35 victory over Memphis Wednesday night in the GMAC Bowl. The Falcons (9-3) turned a shootout into a blowout after leading 35-28 at halftime to win their fourth consecutive bowl game...
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Arbitrator reduces O'Neal's suspension
(Professional Sports ~ 12/23/04)
NEW YORK -- Jermaine O'Neal might be home for Christmas, back on the court with the Indiana Pacers when they play the rival Detroit Pistons. An arbitrator on Wednesday knocked 10 games off the penalty O'Neal received from commissioner David Stern for fighting with fans during the Nov. 19 Pacers-Pistons brawl. Three other suspensions were upheld...
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Economy grows at 4 percent rate in third quarter
(National News ~ 12/23/04)
WASHINGTON -- The economy revved up its engine in the third quarter and advanced at an annual rate of 4 percent-- even faster than previously thought. The new reading on gross domestic product, released Wednesday by the Commerce Department, exceeded the previous estimate of a 3.9 percent growth rate for the July-to-September quarter. It marked the best showing since the opening quarter of this year and was up from a 3.3 percent pace in the second quarter...
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Local elections
(Editorial ~ 12/23/04)
Open seats on area school boards, city councils and boards of aldermen are drawing attention to public office. The filing periods for candidates seeking office has opened with a flurry of activity. Two seats on the Cape Girardeau City Council already have drawn enough candidates that a primary could be necessary in April with a special election in June. The filing period closes Jan. 18 to fill the seats for wards 3 and 4...
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Keep up good work on autism
(Letter to the Editor ~ 12/23/04)
To the editor: In response to "Gene flaw may link autism, vaccine additive": My daughter lives in Jackson and has an autistic son, so at various times she sends me links to your paper because Bob Miller has had some very insightful articles on autism. Keep up the good work, because it is an interesting subject, and the autistic children are really quite fascinating...
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Jackson PD thankful for toy drive
(Letter to the Editor ~ 12/23/04)
To the editor: On behalf of the Jackson Police Department, I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who donated toys or money to our toy drive this year. We received so many donations that it would be impossible for me to list all of you, but you know who you are, and it was greatly appreciated...
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Danforth makes Missouri proud
(Letter to the Editor ~ 12/23/04)
To the editor: The comments about John Danforth are wonderful. However, I think they left out some things about our fellow Missourian. Not only has he served our state and our nation, but also our world. I can think of no other Missourian in my lifetime who has earned the respect and admiration of so many. ...
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French journalists home after captivity in Iraq
(International News ~ 12/23/04)
PARIS -- Two French journalists freed from a four-month hostage ordeal in Iraq came home Wednesday, saying they had feared for their lives -- sometimes being moved bound and blindfolded in the back of a truck amid the sounds of nearby explosions -- but had never lost hope...
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'Anti-imperialist' images face U.S. mission in Cuba
(International News ~ 12/23/04)
HAVANA -- Cuban art students and cartoonists painted an American eagle cartoon Wednesday on the asphalt of Havana's coastal highway so cars can drive over it as they pass the U.S. diplomatic mission, the latest salvo in a spat over pro-dissident Christmas decorations hung by the Americans. ...
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Gift cards push retail holiday into new year
(National News ~ 12/23/04)
NEW YORK -- The increasing popularity of gift cards is shifting an ever-larger percentage of holiday sales past Christmas into January and even later -- and that's both good and bad news for merchants. On the plus side, gift cards help stores reduce returns because customers pick out what they want, unlike gift givers who often are guessing what they need. ...
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A perfect crime?
(International News ~ 12/23/04)
BELFAST, Northern Ireland -- On an icy, black Sunday night, police officers brought terrible news to the rural idyll of Kevin McMullan's home: A relative had just been killed in a car crash, they said. It was a lie -- and it launched one of the world's biggest bank robberies...
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Suspect's friends wonder if they should've seen signs
(State News ~ 12/23/04)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- In the community of dog breeders where Bobbie Jo Stinnett was well liked and respected for her knowledge of rat terriers, the feelings held about Lisa Montgomery were quite different. People were skeptical about some of the things Montgomery said in her postings on Internet message boards -- including claims she was pregnant. Jason Dawson, a 29-year-old dog breeder from Kansas City, said Montgomery "made some enemies with her lies."...
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Ten votes separate race for Wash. governor
(National News ~ 12/23/04)
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- More than seven weeks after the election, Democrat Christine Gregoire took the lead in Washington's governor's race for the first time Wednesday, gaining a 10-vote advantage over Republican Dino Rossi after King County officials announced results of a hand recount...
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SMS turns back Southeast
(Local News ~ 12/23/04)
Southwest Missouri State coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson wanted to let anybody but Tatiana Conceicao beat the Bears. The rest of Southeast Missouri State University's team came close, but in the end Abrahamson-Henderson's strategy paid off Wednesday night...
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Illinois passes Tigers' test
(Professional Sports ~ 12/23/04)
ST. LOUIS -- Top-ranked Illinois faced adversity for the first time this season. That means a coaching opportunity for Bruce Weber the next time he puts in a game tape. "Usually it's 16-2 and there's nothing to watch because we're winning so easily," Weber said after Illinois' 70-64 victory over Missouri on Wednesday night. "It's good to win a game and have a chance to teach."...
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Pace only St. Louis player in Pro Bowl
(Professional Sports ~ 12/23/04)
ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Rams offensive tackle Orlando Pace was voted to his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl, making him the only representative from this year's 6-8 team scrambling to make the playoffs. Pace, in results announced Wednesday, became the first Rams player to earn six consecutive Pro Bowl invitations since Hall of Fame offensive lineman Jackie Slater accomplished the feat from 1985 to 1990...
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Taguchi strikes deal to stay with St. Louis
(Professional Sports ~ 12/23/04)
ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to one-year contracts with outfielder So Taguchi and pitcher Mike Myers, the club announced Wednesday. Taguchi will earn $550,000 plus performance bonuses. Myers agreed to $600,000. Taguchi, 35, returns to the Cardinals after batting .291 with 26 runs and 25 RBI in 109 games for the club last season. Taguchi, who arrived from Japan in 2002, has spent three seasons with the Cardinals. He has batted .290 in 171 career games with the club...
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College student raises $30,000 to benefit orphans in Uganda
(National News ~ 12/23/04)
NORFOLK, Va. -- George Srour was visiting an orphanage in Kampala, Uganda, this summer when he turned a corner and was swarmed by a group of "double orphans" -- children who lost both parents to AIDS and were infected themselves. All they wanted was to shake his hand...
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Heavy snow swings across path from N.M. to Ohio
(National News ~ 12/23/04)
EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- A foot or more of snow was possible in parts of Indiana and Ohio as a storm spanning the nation's midsection arrived in the region Wednesday, and motorists already were sliding off roads. Snow was falling from New Mexico, where some schools were closed, to the lower Great Lakes...
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Day-old winter brings snow from New Mexico to Ohio
(National News ~ 12/23/04)
A winter storm battered states from the Plains through the Midwest on Wednesday, sending travelers slipping and sliding over icy roads, dumping a foot of snow over some areas and pushing temperatures to bitter-cold levels. What may guarantee a white Christmas for some was a pre-Christmas nightmare for others...
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Civilians help Marines get toys to tots
(National News ~ 12/23/04)
CHICAGO -- Civilian volunteers have rushed in to help run the Marine Corps' annual Toys for Tots drive because the soldiers have their hands full in Iraq, making sure tens of thousands of gifts reach children around the country in time for Christmas...
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Speak Out 12/23/04
(Speak Out ~ 12/23/04)
Hold our noses; Overbooked visits; Pay for hard work; Substantial complaint; Lights in Jackson; Living in evil times; Hang out at home; No respect for neighbors; Where's the oversight?
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Carol Unnerstall
(Obituary ~ 12/23/04)
Carol Ann Graves Unnerstall, 67, died at 4:55 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004, at her home, after an illness of some months. She was born Aug. 12, 1937, in Gary, Ind., daughter of David A. and Mary Campbell Graves. She and K.J. "Sam" Unnerstall were married Aug. 23, 1957, in Cape Girardeau...
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Fannie Mae problems should be no blow to future mortgage rates
(National News ~ 12/23/04)
WASHINGTON -- The forced departure of Franklin D. Raines as chief executive of Fannie Mae hardly ends the turmoil at the nation's second largest financial institution. Civil, criminal and congressional investigations are underway as the mortgage giant's interim managers begin what could be a lengthy process of cleaning up the books and re-establishing its credibility...
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New system seeks to save crashing planes with giant parachutes
(National News ~ 12/23/04)
WASHINGTON -- Canadian rancher Albert Kolk's small plane banked uncontrollably in darkness over the Monashee mountains, then began spiraling toward earth. "Seat belts!" he barked to his teenage grandson and two young friends. Then he reached for a red lever in the cockpit...
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Ex-correctional officer pleads guilty to charge
(State News ~ 12/23/04)
ST. LOUIS -- A former St. Louis city correctional officer pleaded guilty Wednesday to a federal charge that he tried to distribute crack cocaine to an inmate. Bobby Peter Gipson, 48, pleaded guilty to a felony count of attempting to distribute a controlled substance. ...
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Woman sentenced for defrauding employer
(State News ~ 12/23/04)
ST. LOUIS -- A St. Louis-area woman was sentenced Wednesday to two years and nine months in federal prison on a charge that she diverted $631,000 from her employer to pay her online gambling debts. Natalie Birmingham, 35, also was ordered to reimburse Automated Installment Systems Inc., the Creve Coeur company where she had worked as an accounts manager. ...
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Governor to again discuss 'friendly fire' incident
(State News ~ 12/23/04)
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the state's top National Guard official agreed Wednesday to talk again with a pilot whose family says the military is wrongly trying to cut off his flight pay after he was involved in the bombing of friendly troops...
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'Friends' harassment suit takes on Hollywood tradition
(Entertainment ~ 12/23/04)
LOS ANGELES -- Writer Janis Hirsch faced a painful ritual at one sitcom: She'd get a tap on the shoulder from one or another male colleague, turn around and find them exposing themselves. "You learn to laugh with it even if it steals your soul," she says...
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Group of road racers at center of Maryland arson investigation
(National News ~ 12/23/04)
WALDORF, Md. -- Wednesday nights were race nights in Charles County, when people from around the Washington, D.C., area gathered in a Wendy's parking lot on warm nights to compare souped-up cars and test them out on the country roads. Among the drivers were a group of men in their early 20s who dubbed themselves the UnSeen Cavaliers, named for the Chevy Cavalier car. Their purpose, according to their Web site, was to just "chill with other Cavalier owners."...
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North Texas' clutch shot knocks off Southeast
(Local News ~ 12/23/04)
DENTON, Texas -- North Texas guard Calvin Watson spoiled Dainmon Gonner's homecoming with one clutch shot Wednesday night. Gonner and the Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team were locked in a back-and-forth game with the Mean Green when Watson hit a 3-point shot that gave North Texas the momentum it needed to pull away for a 69-62 win at The Super Pit...
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Winter makes strong first impressions
(Local News ~ 12/23/04)
A winter storm dumped 9 inches of snow on the Cape Girardeau area Wednesday, forcing schools and some businesses to close and making travel difficult. Most people still hadn't shoveled out from the season's first snowstorm before a second storm hit the area Wednesday night...
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Driving tips to handle worst winter conditions
(Local News ~ 12/23/04)
In terms of holiday travel, the white Christmas dreams have turned into nightmares. If you're preparing to travel, it's best to brace for the worst. Josh Goodin, a tow truck operator for Carnell's Garage, said his operation had 40 to 50 calls by early afternoon Wednesday. Mostly, he helped pull people stuck in parking lots, but he also helped pull vehicles up exit and entrance ramps and pull out snow plows and road graders...
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Snow slows Christmas shopping as retailers await final rush
(Local News ~ 12/23/04)
White Christmas? For area retailers, it's a holiday nightmare. The snowstorm that blanketed Southeast Missouri Tuesday night and Wednesday left area retailers wondering if their holiday sales would freeze. "The only way it could be worse is if it keeps snowing and keeps people away on Christmas Eve too," said J.C. Penney Co. store manager Gary McDowell. "Any day close to Christmas is bad. Every day is like a huge Saturday. You just can't make it up."...
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Community Q&A 12/23/04
(Local News ~ 12/23/04)
* Name: Pete DeLuca * Lives in: Cape Girardeau * Family: Wife, Sarah; daughter, Alexa, 8 months old. * Job: Marketing director at HealthSouth, a position that allows me to interact with and educate the community on benefits of outpatient and industrial rehabilitation in Southeast Missouri...
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Video message program links troops and families
(Local News ~ 12/23/04)
E-mails and letters from home mean a lot to soldiers in war zones. Care packages make them smile, too. But sometimes what they miss the most is seeing their family and friends. The Southeast Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross, along with MedAssets Supply Chain Systems and Westfield Shoppingtown West Park, have tried to alleviate that longing by helping local residents send video greetings to troops...
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Melson Morris
(Obituary ~ 12/23/04)
MOUNDS, Ill. -- Melson David "Hoot" Morris, 64, of Mounds died Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004, at his home. He was born Dec. 29, 1939, in Kennett, Mo., the son of Silas and Versa Goebel Morris. He was a retired farmer. Survivors include his wife, Zelpha, of Mounds; seven daughters, Sue Masters, Laura Bone and Julia Housman, all of Mounds, Judy Coonrod and Vickie Green, both of Mound City, Jackie King of Waynesville, Mo., and Alice Whiteside of San Antonio, Texas; a son, David Morris of Mound City; four sisters, Peggy Baumann of Marmaduke, Ark., Carol Hicks of Rector, Ark., Sharon Belcher of Holcomb, Mo., and Glenda Williams of Mounds; two brothers, Oscar Barnes and Van Morris, both of Kennett; 28 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.. ...
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Irma Schlegel
(Obituary ~ 12/23/04)
Irma Dell Schlegel, 86, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004, at the Lutheran Home. She was born March 20, 1918, at Allenville, daughter of Noah and Adelia Kinder Young. She and Waldo A. Schlegel were married in 1936 in Blytheville, Ark. He died Aug. 10, 1990...
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Ella Smith
(Obituary ~ 12/23/04)
SIKESTON, Mo. -- Ella Irene Smith, 90, of Sikeston died Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. She was born Sept. 18, 1914, at Senath, Mo., daughter of Harve Franklin and Pearl Jenkins Campbell. She and Lige "Hawk" Smith were married Dec. 27, 1930. He died Feb. 19, 1976...
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Out of the past 12/23/04
(Out of the Past ~ 12/23/04)
25 years ago: Dec. 23, 1979 The Union of Concerned Christians of Evangelical United Church of Christ sponsors a live nativity pageant in the evening in the church yard at 37 S. Ellis St.; animals for the pageant are supplied by 5-H Ranch. ALTENBURG, Mo. -- The annual Christmas Concert of Trinity Choral Society of Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg is held in the evening; the program is under the direction of Vernon R. Meyr, organist and choir director...
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Births 12/23/04
(Births ~ 12/23/04)
Windbigler; Clippard; Lee; Meador; Iverson; Jones; Hampton
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Health calendar 12/23/04
(Obituary ~ 12/23/04)
Monday; Tuesday; Wednesday; Upcoming
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Area sports calendar 12/23/04
(Other Sports ~ 12/23/04)
Baseball Lessons available: Southern Premier Sports is accepting registrations for individual and team lessons to be offered in January. Registration also is being accepted for baseball hitting and pitching camps Jan. 13 and Jan. 15. Info: Jim, (800) 593-5454 or (618) 435-4314...
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Finding the secret of happiness
(Community ~ 12/23/04)
Other people collect seashells or Beanie Babies. I like to collect bits and pieces of wisdom about happiness. It's a worthwhile hobby: Happy people live longer, make better lovers and are generally more generous. I was speaking about my search for the key to happiness with my pal Paul. He told me that his gardener once said something that actually sounded like the Secret of Happiness: "Find someone to love, some work to do and something to look forward to."...
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Tips for keeping kids active and healthy during holidays
(Community ~ 12/23/04)
As if keeping children fit and trim isn't challenging enough, now you have dreams of dancing sugar plums to contend with. n But helping the tykes get through the holidays without developing bellies like bowls full of jelly will involve more than just keeping tabs on the sweets and treats of the season...
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Cape/Jackson police reports 12/23/04
(Police/Fire Report ~ 12/23/04)
Cape Girardeau The following items were released Monday by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrest * Brittany D. Purl, 30, of Cape Girardeau, was arrested Tuesday at 127 S. Lorimier, on charges of manufacturing a controlled substance and possession of marijuana...
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Cape fire report 12/23/04
(Police/Fire Report ~ 12/23/04)
Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following calls Tuesday: * At 3:48 p.m., emergency medical service at a motor vehicle accident at Broadway and Perry Avenue. * At 5:23 p.m., emergency medical service at a motor vehicle accident at Broadway and Kingshighway...
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Delta Growers building destroyed by fire
(Local News ~ 12/23/04)
EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- The cause of a blaze that destroyed a building at Delta Growers, Highway 105, is still under investigation. A representative from the state fire marshal's office is expected on the scene to investigate the incident. The fire was reported at 10:53 p.m. ...
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Nation briefs 12/23/04
(National News ~ 12/23/04)
Toned and trim better than fat and fit; Visions of good food dance in Stewart's head; Multiple explosions after tanker crash in Virginia; FDA: Cholesterol drug ad is getting nowhere; No more uncomfortable patdowns for female fliers
Stories from Thursday, December 23, 2004
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