Stories from Saturday, October 29, 2005

Less than two weeks ago, Dawn Whitworth was on the verge of having a dream fulfilled. Her suitcases and those of her two daughters, 9-year-old Savannah and 8-year-old Donna, were packed. They were going to Florida, to Disney World and Universal Studios, courtesy of an organization called the Dream Foundation...

Southeast Missouri State University business students got an inside glimpse of what it would be like to run a multibillion-dollar company Friday, from two high-powered CEOs who also happen to share the same alma mater. Southeast sponsored a CEO Forum, featuring two of its own graduates -- Denny Payne, president and CEO of SBC Directory Services Inc.; and C. John Wilder, president and CEO of energy company TXU Corp. Both are recipients of this year's Alumni Merit Award...

Nancy Collier teaches fine art classes and spends most of her day sitting at an easel painting. But to relieve stress at the end of her day, several times a week Collier walks along the West Independence Street recreation trail in Jackson. She likes to start in the parking lot at the city park and walk back up Independence Street. "That trail goes up and down hills, so it helps me get more of a cardiovascular workout," she said...

The books have already been selected for next year's United We Read program in Cape Girardeau, featuring one homegrown novel and another Civil War-era story. Julia Jorgensen, librarian at Central High School, said Friday the books for this year's program will be Morley Swingle's "The Gold of Cape Girardeau" and Robert Hicks' "The Widow of the South," both period novels...

America's hospitals increasingly rely on older nurses who run the risk of back injuries on the job and who may soon retire, one of the nation's top nursing experts said Friday. That could pose a staffing problem if more young adults don't go into nursing, said Peter Buerhaus, nursing professor and senior associate dean for research at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in Nashville, Tenn...

A two-vehicle accident on Thursday left one man dead and two people injured in Alexander County, Ill. The name of the driver in the first vehicle was not released pending notification of family. In the second vehicle, driver Andrew R. Beasley, 18, of Thebes, Ill., and an unknown female passenger received minor injuries and were taken to Saint Francis Medical Center...

The state auditor should work cooperatively with agencies, not seek to embarass or attack them, a Republican candidate for the job said Friday. The current auditor, Democrat Claire McCaskill, has too much of a prosecutor's approach, state Sen. John Loudon of Chesterfield said. Loudon is one of two Republican lawmakers seeking their party's nomination to replace McCaskill, who is giving up the post to run for U.S. Senate...

Southeast Missouri State has not beaten Murray State in football since 1992 -- a string of 12 consecutive losses -- but rarely during that time have the Racers been struggling as much as they are right now. The Redhawks' goal is to keep Murray State in its funk -- and also pick up their first win of the season -- when the squads square off at 1 p.m. today at Houck Stadium in Southeast's homecoming game...

In Class 1, 2 and 3 in cross country, only the top two teams from the district meet advance to state. So when a team considered to be the front-runner for a state title resides in your district, that leaves only one berth to be fought for among many teams...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The epic meeting between defending Class 1 state champion St. Vincent and perennial power Valle Catholic of Ste. Genevieve turned out to be historic -- though not exactly for the expected reasons. The Indians lost to a Class 1 team for the first time since 2003 and were shut out for the first time in 43 games dating back to 2002, as Valle posted a 26-0 victory to claim the District 1 championship and the Mississippi Area Football Conference Blue Division title...

Brother David Migliorino was a little surprised when asked to play the role of the founder of the Lutheran Church. In the end, the principal of Notre Dame Regional High School decided it worked. Martin Luther was also a Roman Catholic monk at one time, and the purpose behind Migliorino playing Luther at St. Mark Lutheran Church's reformation service this Sunday honors both denominations...

WASHINGTON -- The CIA leak case underscores a basic truth about Washington scandals: It's not who did what to whom, it's the cover-up. Vice President Dick Cheney's chief aide, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, resigned Friday after a grand jury indicted him on charges of obstructing its investigation and lying about a weeks-long effort in 2003 to learn a CIA officer's secret identity and divulge it to reporters...

Iran's president marches with anti-Israel group; Japan's ruling party OKs final draft of constitution

Inhaled insulin treatment awaits FDA review; House panel votes to slash food stamp funding

WASHINGTON -- In death, Rosa Parks is joining a select few, including presidents and war heroes, accorded a public viewing in the Capitol Rotunda. It's the place where, six years ago, President Clinton and congressional leaders lauded the former seamstress for a simple act of defiance that changed the course of race relations...

WASHINGTON -- Hurricanes Katrina and Rita haven't blown the economy off course. Economic growth clocked in at a surprisingly strong 3.8 percent pace in the third quarter, reflecting brisk spending by consumers and businesses despite high energy prices...

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Rarely in the 113 times Kansas and Missouri have squared off on the football field has there been such a quarterback mismatch -- at least on paper. The Tigers (5-2 overall, 3-1 Big 12) will have Brad Smith, the most productive quarterback in Missouri history, in today's game. Kansas (3-4, 0-4) will have Jason Swanson, the fourth quarterback the Jayhawks have tried in a season that has been characterized by tremendous defense and inept offense...

NEW YORK -- Rafael Palmeiro became a free agent Friday following a tumultuous season in which he became the highest-profile player suspended for steroids. Texas pitcher Kenny Rogers also filed, not wanted back by the Rangers after throwing a tantrum and shoving two television cameramen...

Steve Lowery and Bo Van Pelt, two guys who didn't earn a dime the first few months of the season, played some of their best golf Friday at the Chrysler Championship on a tough day that sent Vijay Singh home early for the second straight week. Lowery birdied three straight holes to start his back nine and finished with a 5-under 66 for a two-shot lead over Van Pelt, who played even better. ...

HAMPTON, Ga. -- When it comes to qualifying at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Ryan Newman is in a class by himself. The "Rocketman," already considered NASCAR's best qualifier ever in only his fourth full season, showed the way again Friday night, winning his sixth straight Atlanta pole with a lap of 193.928 mph and posting the 34th pole of his career and seventh of the season...

MOSCOW -- Various governments and companies are embroiled in a scandal over corruption in the U.N. oil-for-food program for Saddam Hussein's Iraq. A day after the release of a scathing report on the topic, mixed reactions are coming from governments and businesses named...

NEW ORLEANS -- Fifty-one members of the New Orleans Police Department -- 45 officers and six civilian employees -- were fired Friday for abandoning their posts before or after Hurricane Katrina. "They were terminated due to them abandoning the department prior to the storm," acting superintendent Warren Riley said. "They either left before the hurricane or 10 to 12 days after the storm and we have never heard from them."...

To the editor: I have heard much lately from the biased news media that takes our president and our country to task for engaging in the war against terrorism. In the years since terrorists attacked us, President Bush has liberated two countries, crippled al-Qaida, put nuclear inspectors in Libya, Iran and North Korea without firing a shot and captured a terrorist, Saddam Hussein, who slaughtered over 300,000 of his own people...

To the editor: Thank you for your excellent editorial in Tuesday's paper, "Old Bethel." We are excited with the work already done on this significant historic site in our area. We are trying to raise money to complete the restoration. Many people living in Southeast Missouri are descended from people buried in Old Bethel Cemetery. We are hoping they and others will want to contribute to the work we have begun...

To the editor: Old Lorimier Cemetery is a remarkable historic document recording the establishment of our community. A person can read a book about the history of the town they live in, but nothing compares to walking through a historic cemetery and being able to read the sentimental testimonies of friendship and love through the iconography created by those who lost a loved one. ...

Authority misused; Efficient system; What's the connection?; Appropriate reasons; Smoking leaves

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Joe Ury, 74, of Jonesboro died Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005, at Union County Hospital in Anna, Ill. He was born Oct. 25, 1931, in Jonesboro, son of William Glenn and Ruth Irene Lyerly Ury. He and Katie Blaylock were married May 21, 1957, in Jonesboro...

Elizabeth Gentry Bryant, 89, of Scott City died Friday, Oct. 28, 2005, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born April 25, 1916, in New Madrid, Mo., daughter of George W. and Sarah Francis Underwood Ward. She and Delbert "Brady" Bryant were married April 14, 1990, in Scott City. He died March 12, 2000...

Jack Wayne Taylor Sr., 87, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Oct. 28, 2005, at Saint Francis Medical Center. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

ANNA, Ill. -- Natalie Boyd, 76, of Anna died Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005, at Jonesboro Health Care. She was born Feb. 7, 1929, in Reynoldsville, Ill., daughter of Lloyd and Minnie Cavaness Mainer. She and Robert "Gene" Boyd were married Dec. 6, 1947. Boyd was a member of Anna Heights Baptist Church and VFW Ladies Auxiliary...

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Donald Raymond Drury, 70, of Olive Branch died Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005, on Highway 3 near Olive Branch from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born Feb. 17, 1935, in Cahokia, Ill. Drury retired as a truck driver with a road construction company in Perryville, Mo...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The Rev. Eddie Long, 45, of Marble Hill died Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005, at Glenallen, Mo. He was born Aug. 24, 1960, son of William Paul and Shirley W. Harmon Long. He and Jackie Welker were married May 7, 1983, at Patton, Mo. Long was pastor of Lutesville General Baptist Church in Marble Hill, and worked in tire sales at Purcell Tire and Rubber Co. in Cape Girardeau. He was a member of Old Liberty Association...

College; Hockey

25 years ago: Oct. 29, 1980 Vice President Walter Mondale is scheduled to visit Cape Girardeau Saturday, and Nancy Reagan, wife of Republican presidential nominee Ronald Reagan, plans a visit here Friday; Mondale will be here on behalf of U.S. Rep. Bill D. Burlison...

Central's hopes of a Class 4 District 1 title were dashed Friday night when host West Plains routed the Tigers 42-20. The Tigers (2-7, 1-1) can still finish in a three-way tie for the district title if they beat Sikeston next week and West Plains (5-4, 2-0) loses to Poplar Bluff...

St. Ann's Sodality to hold annual festival; Whitewater United Methodist Church in Whitewater will hold a fall festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ; Sunday; Judgement House at Lynwood Baptist Church through Oct. 30.; Monday; Blood drive at First Christian Church in Cape Girardeau with the American Red Cross from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Tuesday; United Methodist Women of Centenary United Methodist Church meet at noon at the church.

Have you ever considered turning your vehicle around and going home because you experienced a bumpy road, an unending highway work or a detour? You've found the inconvenience too overwhelming, troublesome or dangerous to bother with. You've thrown up your hands and said, "Forget the trip!"...

Southeast Missouri State University has at least two extra reasons to celebrate during its Homecoming festivities this weekend. Academic Hall is 100 years old this year. The university is offering rare tours of the dome in Academic this weekend. And the university is finishing construction of a new main entry to the campus at the intersection of Broadway and Henderson Ave. ...

Cape Girardeau...

NEW YORK -- Picking winners will be tough enough on Breeders' Cup day. Picking the race with the most impact is a little easier. Just look to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, the 1 1-16th-mile race for 2-year-olds that usually determines the early favorite for next year's Kentucky Derby...

A Cape Girardeau man is being held for allegedly sodomizing a 12-year-old girl. Jeremy T. Guyton, 20, was charged on Friday with one count of felony statutory sodomy with a child under 14 years old. He is being held on a $50,000 cash or surety bond. The incident reportedly occurred on Sept. 1, at the victim's home. According to reports, a relative let Guyton in to use the bathroom, where the rape allegedly occurred...

A new Medicare option that offers prescription medication coverage is voluntary, affordable and is open to everyone regardless of income, said Sen. Jim Talent. The Republican senator visited the Cape Girardeau Senior Center on Friday to discuss the basics and to answer questions about the new plan called Part D. About 20 seniors attended the informal meeting...

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan -- U.N. helicopters ferrying supplies to South Asia's earthquake survivors will be grounded within a week and relief operations scaled back unless aid agencies receive more funding and donors make good on pledges worth millions of dollars, officials said Friday...

Southeast Missouri State's soccer team ended its regular season and celebrated senior night Friday by scoring two late goals to beat South Dakota State 2-0 at Houck Stadium. The Redhawks (12-5-1) will carry a two-match winning streak into Tuesday's 7 p.m. home contest against Jacksonville State in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament...

The Jackson football team played its most inspired defensive game of the season at home Friday on senior night against Eureka. But the Indians (5-4) could not overcome six turnovers -- with two fumbles returned for scores -- and fell to 0-2 in Class 5 District 1 play with a 24-10 loss to the Wildcats...

St. Vincent High School had plenty of success in boys sports last season, winning a state title in football and taking runner-up honors in basketball. This year, a girls program is trying to get in on the act, as the Squaws volleyball team claimed its first district title since 1987 on Tuesday with a win over defending District 3 champion Bismarck...