Stories from Saturday, March 19, 2005

Custom-made models of NASA spacecraft will be exhibited in Southeast Missouri State University's mobile museum starting this summer as part of a display that will cost an estimated $35,000 in federal grant money. "These are handcrafted, museum-quality models made to special scale to fit our display cases," said Dr. Ernest Kern, director of the Missouri NASA education program at Southeast...

This weekend organizers and vendors are hoping a strange mix of poker tables, greyhound dogs, free cheese-making lessons and the latest in home theater technology will help bring visitors to the Home and Garden Show at the Show Me Center. With 120 vendors displaying their wares in 200 booths, the show is expected to draw between 8,000 to 10,000 by the time it ends on Sunday. ...

CHESTER, Ill. -- Criminal charges have been dropped against Rodney Yoder, a former involuntary mental patient who drew national attention for criticizing the state's mental health system. Randolph County State's Attorney Randy Rodewald said Friday that charges were dropped Thursday because his investigation showed that he probably could not get a conviction against Yoder. The charges were filed by Rodewald's predecessor, former prosecutor Michael Burke...

Cosmo, an Italian greyhound, had been a person so long he had to be taught how to be a dog. Cosmo, who lives with Shirley Zielinski of Cape Girardeau, came within a whisker's breadth of losing his home. His former owners had made the common mistake of loving him too much and spoiling him by treating him like a little person. Cosmo didn't know who was the "alpha dog" in that household...

DUBLIN, Ireland -- More than 500,000 people lined the streets of Dublin to watch Ireland's major St. Patrick's Day on Thursday, an extravaganza of artistic skills that featured towering butterflies and teens dressed as mad professors. Across the Atlantic, celebrations took place across the United States from New York City to Blue Springs, Mo., to Savannah, Ga.,...

Rob French didn't originally intend to teach first grade. He started out as a music teacher, then switched to high school. But while finishing up a college degree, he ended up student teaching at an elementary school in Sikeston, Mo. And that's when it hit him...

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. -- With Terri Schiavo lying in her hospice bed, the world around her was in the midst of a political and legal storm: Congress was issuing subpoenas demanding she be brought before a hearing, lawyers were filing last-ditch appeals, and a politician was leveling claims of "barbarism."...

NEW YORK -- Grammy-winning hip-hop star Lil' Kim, known for her revealing outfits and raunchy raps, has been convicted of lying to a federal grand jury about a shootout outside a radio station. Lil' Kim was convicted of three counts of perjury and one of conspiracy, but acquitted of obstruction of justice. She could get 20 years -- a maximum of five years for each count -- when she is sentenced on June 24...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Shiite demonstrators raised the Iraqi flag over Jordan's Embassy on Friday after more than 2,000 people marched through Baghdad demanding an apology for the alleged involvement of a Jordanian in a suicide bombing that killed 125 people...

ST. LOUIS -- The Davis family joined a few hundred people rallying downtown Friday on behalf of about 5,000 children who could lose monthly support payments under a budget proposal by Gov. Matt Blunt. "We were preparing to adopt another child," said Leonard Davis, who along with his wife, Sheila, and 3-year-old son, Sammy, were protesting the possible loss of monthly adoption subsidies...

WASHINGTON ) -- Major League Baseball, take note: Congress will be keeping a close eye on you. Far from satisfied after an 11-hour hearing about steroids, lawmakers said Friday they will consider drawing up legislation to make changes to baseball's drug-testing policy if the sport fails to act on its own...

Charles Howell III and Stephen Ames got the best of both worlds Friday in the Bay Hill Invitational. They were among only 30 players to complete the second round, and they were atop the leaderboard in Orlando, Fla. On a day that felt like a marathon to some and a vacation to others, Howell ended his long day with another short birdie putt that gave him rounds of 71-68, giving him a share of the early lead in the rain-delayed tournament...

WASHINGTON -- Two General Motors vehicles, the Chevrolet Astro and the GMC Safari, fared the worst in government crash tests of minivans, according to results released Friday. In rollover tests, the Ford E-150 van received the worst rating and was the only vehicle among 13 models tested to tip over...

HELENA, Mont. -- David Letterman and his girlfriend thanked law enforcement officials for uncovering a plot to kidnap their 16-month-old son from their Montana ranch, saying they were "forever grateful." The man charged Thursday with hatching the scheme, Kelly A. Frank, worked as a painter at the talk-show host's 2,700-acre spread near the rugged Rocky Mountain Front. The 43-year-old Frank, according to police, had planned to hold the boy and his nanny for $5 million ransom...

HOMOSASSA, Fla. -- A registered sex offender admitted Friday that he kidnapped and killed a 9-year-old girl who disappeared from her bedroom more than three weeks ago and told police where they could find her body, authorities said. John Evander Couey, 46, had been arrested Thursday and named a "person of interest" in Jessica Lunsford's disappearance. He confessed to authorities after taking a lie-detector test, Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy said...

In its 110th season, Bucknell finally won its NCAA tournament game. And what a victory it was. Chris McNaughton banked in a hook shot over Wayne Simien with 10.5 seconds left, then Simien missed an open 15-foot jumper at the buzzer, giving the 14th-seeded Bison a stunning 64-63 victory over third-seeded Kansas on Friday night in Oklahoma City to shake up the Syracuse Regional...

ST. LOUIS -- Mark McGwire was so popular in St. Louis after his 70-homer season in 1998 that a stretch of Interstate 70 was named after him. Now, a St. Louis congressman who was part of the U.S. House committee questioning the retired slugger and other players over steroids in baseball says McGwire's name should be removed from the highway because he failed to "come clean" on whether he used steroids...

Southeast Missouri State's offense continued to scuffle while Central Michigan's pitching continued to dominate as the Chippewas won the opener of a three-game series. CMU (10-5) posted its seventh consecutive victory and lowered its already impressive 2.82 earned-run average with a 4-2 victory Friday afternoon at Capaha Field. The squads play again at 1 p.m. today...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Despite blowing late leads in regulation and both overtimes, Bell City coach David Heeb had few bad things to say about his team after a 92-91 double-overtime loss to St. Elizabeth on Friday in the Class 1 third-place game at Mizzou Arena...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- For the Class 1 football fans in the stands Friday at Mizzou Arena, the Class 2 boys basketball semifinal game between St. Vincent and East Buchanan must have seemed strangely familiar. Following the guidelines of its football championship win over the Bulldogs, St. Vincent again ended East Buchanan's dreams of a state championship with a heavy dose of defense...

MALDEN, Mo. -- Jennie Lind Roth, 85, of Malden died Wednesday, March 16, 2005, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter, Mo. She was born Nov. 26, 1919, in Tuckerman, Ark., daughter of Charles Spurgeon and Trella Victoria Sorrells Smith. She and James Alouis Roth were married Feb. 16, 1941, in Columbia, Mo...

WASHINGTON -- Democrats are taking President Bush up on his suggestion to spend Congress' two-week recess talking to folks in the heartland about Social Security. Some plan to venture into Republican-held districts to do it. Republicans, after raucous earlier town hall meetings, are more wary...

School's annual open house set for Tuesday; Illinois Highway 3 being resurfaced ; Another dog found hanged in St. Louis area; Rail plan over budget and behind schedule; Two Mississippi County jailers face sex charges

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following on Thursday: * At 6:46 p.m., illegal burn at 342 Hillview Street. Firefighters responded to the following on Friday: * At 5:23 a.m., emergency medical service in the 3000 block of Bernice Street...

To the editor: On March 15 at the hearing of Senate Bill 500 (the First Steps bill), some remarkable data was shared. Since July 1, when a new model for running Missouri's First Steps started up in three regions of our state, there has been an average cost savings of 33 percent. We are talking about a potential statewide annual savings of over $7 million in the First Steps early intervention program if the program is left alone. Please don't take my word for it. Check it out for yourself at:...

Trash and junk cars; Wrong education; Better benefits; Increase supply; Missouri thinking; Upsetting dispute; School concerns; Take a picture; Freedom for everyone; Just surviving; Brains are chemicals; Helping ourselves; Fuel options; Medical excuse; Stop the abuse; Picking at pieces ; Government interference; Time for support; Put car to the test

Betty June Palmer of Jackson returned to her heavenly Father Thursday, March 17, 2005, at the age of 72. She was born June 6, 1932, in England. She and Charles Palmer were married during his service in the U.S. Air Force. They lived in various states. He passed away in August 1975...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- William Downen, 96, died Friday, March 18, 2005, at the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center in Bloomfield. He was born Feb. 6, 1909, in Monette, Ark., son of Charlie and Elsie Brown Downen. He was a member of St. Joe General Baptist Church in Idalia, Mo., and was a self-employed farmer and carpenter...

Oneta B. Stallings, 81, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, March 18, 2005, at her home. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Alma Mayfield, 93, of St. Louis, formerly of Sikeston, died Friday, March 18, 2005, at Delmar Gardens in St. Louis. She was born Dec. 3, 1911, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Ben H. and Nellie Bernice Bess Hinkle. She and Martin D. Mayfield were married Oct. 10, 1936. He died July 28, 1987...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Walter A. Wills, 75, of Perryville died Friday, March 18, 2005, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born May 4, 1929, in Arriba, Colo., son of Roy and Esther E. Hohlfeld Wills. He and Dorothy Steffens were married July 8, 1951...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Aileen M. Fenwick, 96, of Perryville died Thursday, March 17, 2005, at Perry County Nursing Home. She was born June 15, 1908, in Perry County, daughter of John L. and Leona E. Moore Prevallet. She and James R. Fenwick were married April 19, 1932, in Perryville. He died Sept. 21, 1988...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- James "Bud" Spears, 71, of Advance died Thursday, March 17, 2005, at his home. He was born Feb. 26, 1934, at Hahn, Mo., son of William and Willie Blake Spears. He and Virginia O'Neal were married June 25, 1957, at Dexter, Mo. Spears was a retired electrician. He was a charter member of Advance Eagles and past member of the Masonic Lodge...

Phillip P. Bone, 59, of Millersville died Wednesday, March 16, 2005, at his home. He was born Feb. 23, 1946, in Granite City, Ill., son of Raymond P. and Marie Cozart Bone. He married Dee A. Montgomery. Bone worked for Granite City Steel in the 1970s...

25 years ago: March 19, 1980 State Rep. Jerry Ford files for re-election to a second two-year term; the Cape Girardeau Democrat is the first candidate to file for the 156th District House seat. The last of the four hangars which were part of Harris Field during World War II is demolished, leaving only one of the field's original 40 buildings still standing at municipal airport...

To the editor: I am a Three Rivers Community College student, and I have been disappointed at the decision that Southeast Missouri State University has made in regard to severing ties with Three Rivers. Many dreams of finishing college will be lost forever...

On Good Friday, Christians around the world will stop to reflect on Jesus' betrayal and suffering on the cross. They participate in prayer services, observe moments of silence and spend time in quiet meditation and reflection. But in Cape Girardeau, one of the day's traditions has become a two-mile walk through the city's downtown. For the fifth year, the Downtown Council of Churches will sponsor the walk, beginning at noon at Old St. Vincent's Church...

To the editor: Congratulations to Gestle Green for the March 9 letter. We sometimes need to be reminded of the basic values of the liberals. The billboard stating "That 'love thy neighbor' thing -- I meant it. -- God" means just that: Love our neighbors as ourselves. Doesn't that mean helping those who have less and those who are sick and cannot afford health care?...

Baseball; Football; Skating; Track and field; Tennis; Wrestling

The Notre Dame girls swimming team bounced back from Tuesday's narrow season-opening loss to city rival Cape Girardeau Central by rolling past Poplar Bluff 131-51 Thursday afternoon. Notre Dame won 10 events, with Ashly Ducharme nabbing a pair of individual victories as she captured the 200 freestyle relay and 200 individual medley...

Cape Girardeau The following items were released Friday by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests * Paul A. Hagler, 21, 2650 Lisa Drive, was arrested on suspicion of domestic assault. * Andre Bridges, 32, 925 S. Ellis St., was arrested on suspicion of stealing, trespassing and driving while revoked...

Just as the full effects of the term-limit law approved by Missouri voters in 1992 are being seen, the House Elections Committee is considering a bill that would extend legislative term limits from the current eight years per chamber to 12 years. State Rep. ...

HOLY WEEK SERVICES MONDAY N FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH WILL HOLD A BREAKFAST AND DEVOTION SERVICE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK. EACH DAY'S SERVICE STARTS AT 7 A.M. WEDNESDAY N CHRISM MASS AT 7:30 P.M. AT ST. MARY CATHEDRAL PARISH. THURSDAY N SERVICE OF MORNING PRAYER AT 9 A.M. AT ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHURCH. MASS WILL BE CELEBRATED AT 7 P.M...

"I didn't really mean it" or "I've had a bad day" are common phrases people use to excuse themselves for treating others badly. The emotional damage people can inflict was abruptly brought to my attention a few weeks ago as I listened to a friend vent her frustration and anger...

Sooner or later, Americans will realize that sue-for-anything justice erodes their freedom. First it was diving boards that disappeared, then seesaws. Businesses stopped giving references, and doctors started quitting....

Stand by for more episodes of "Star Wars: Clone Wars" on Cartoon Network. A hit last year, it's back with five new chapters airing 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, to set the stage for the upcoming theatrical release "Star Wars: Episode III (Revenge of the Sith)."...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Child advocacy groups say proposed changes to the state's child-protection laws could decrease the number of neglect and abuse cases reported in Missouri by making the criteria for reporting such crimes too specific. Under the legislation, doctors, teachers, social workers and others who are required to report certain kinds of abuse would have to recognize specific signs before calling the state's hot line. ...

KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukrainian weapons dealers smuggled 18 nuclear-capable cruise missiles to Iran and China four years ago, prosecutors said Friday, revealing fresh details of a probe that will test the new government's commitment to cleaning up corruption. Closed-door legal proceedings were underway...

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. escaped criminal charges but agreed Friday to pay a record $11 million to settle federal allegations it used hundreds of illegal immigrants to clean the floors at its stores in 21 states. A dozen outside contractors that actually hired the laborers for work inside stores for the world's largest retailer agreed to plead guilty to criminal immigration charges and together pay an additional $4 million in fines...