Stories from Thursday, November 16, 2006

A Southeast Missouri State University student seeking a late night snack was shot early Thursday after leaving a North Sprigg Street convenience store. Willam T. Harvey, a sophomore from St. Louis, was released from Saint Francis Medical Center Thursday afternoon after being treated for a bullet wound in the abdomen from a 9mm Ruger pistol...

Ninety percent of the malfunctioning lights along Kingshighway and Mount Auburn Road are now fixed, according to the Cape Girardeau Public Works Department. AmerenUE, which is responsible for maintaining the lights, declined to comment on their status...

A Cape Girardeau City Council decision to give politically connected businesswoman Kathy Swan a new term on the Planning and Zoning Commission irked a former board member who tried to get the seat. Swan was automatically removed from the commission Oct. ...

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra didn't have to worry about keeping its Christmas rock opera fresh in its third trip to Cape Girardeau in as many years -- more people turned out to see TSO this year than in either of the previous two. In 2004, 4,300 attended TSO's inaugural Cape Girardeau show. Last year, about 5,000 witnessed the spectacle. This year, 5,500 attended Wednesday night's local installment of TSO's 2006 tour at the Show Me Center...

Nov. 16, 2006 Dear Julie, 1990 in San Francisco was the first time I heard of Buddy Guy. A 25-year-old co-worker came back from a concert saying she was in love with him. She meant it. So does he. The hair on your neck starts dancing when Buddy Guy plays the guitar and sings. ...

ANNA, Ill. -- Five years ago, the roof on St. Anne's Episcopal Church was in danger of collapsing. Water leaked through holes in the roof and destroyed the hardwood floor in the one-room church. Raccoons and squirrels made their home in St. Anne's...

Downtown building owners and city officials met last week for a friendly talk about structural safety. And to put everyone's mind at ease, officials got one thing out of the way quickly: Nobody's getting cited today. "We weren't there to hand out copies of codes saying, 'This is what you have to follow or else,'" said inspections services director Tim Morgan...

Former Jackson High School standout Jessica Koeper will finish her career as a three-time all-Ohio Valley Conference selection. Koeper, a senior outside hitter at Southeast Missouri State, on Wednesday was named to the all-OVC first-team for the second year in a row after she made the second team as a sophomore...

The Southeast Missouri State volleyball team barely squeezed into the Ohio Valley Conference tournament. But coach Renata Nowacki is confident the Redhawks can surprise people despite being the last seed for the six-team event that begins today in Jacksonville, Ala...

ST. LOUIS -- A season-ending injury to cornerback Travis Fisher gave the St. Louis Rams a roster spot to spend on a season-long trouble spot, kick returner. Willie Ponder, signed on Tuesday, is the fourth player the team has tried at that spot. Ponder averaged 23.5 yards per kickoff in six games with the Seahawks, including a 36-yarder against the Rams on Oct. 15. He was released later in October when Seattle needed a roster spot due to an injury to quarterback Matt Hasselbeck...

Keith A. Hitt, 40, of Cottleville, Mo., died Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006, at St. Luke's Hospital West in Chesterfield, Mo. He was born Nov. 5, 1966, in Cape Girardeau, son of Gene and Carolyn Copeland Hitt. He and Michele Sherwood were married June 30, 2001, in St. Louis...

Arraya Hope Jackson, 3 months, daughter of Frank Jackson and Brigitte Wilson of Jackson died Friday, Nov. 10, 2006, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Aug. 2, 2006, in Cape Girardeau. She is survived by her parents; a sister, Kristal Jackson; paternal grandparents, Frank and Martha Jackson; and paternal great-grandmother, Alpha Turner, all of St. Louis...

ULLIN, Ill. -- Bernice Fay Dennis, 72, of Ullin died Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born Feb. 27, 1934, in Mounds, Ill., daughter of Bonnie Franklin and Mary Ann Wildy Daniels. She married Ray Dennis, who died in April 1987...

OLMSTED, Ill. -- Merida L. Temke, 77, of Olmsted, died Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2006, at her home. She was born July 2, 1929, in Olmsted, daughter of Henry and Lilly Kisman Richards. She married George F. Temke Sr. Temke was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church...

ANNA, Ill. -- Helen R. Rendleman, 86, of Anna died Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2006, at Union County Hospital. She was born Feb. 21, 1920, in Alto Pass, Ill., daughter of Charles and Mary Lauderdale Kerley. She and Henry Rendleman IV were married Dec. 21, 1939, in Jackson. He died March 28, 2003...

25 years ago: Nov. 16, 1981 Downed electrical lines at five locations in the Good Hope Street area leave Missouri Utilities Co. customers along three blocks of Sprigg Street without power most of the morning; among customers whose power is interrupted is the Cape Girardeau Police Department, which converts to standby power...

CHICAGO -- Italian-Americans upset over a suburban school play titled "Fuggedaboutit -- A Little Mobster Comedy," performed by "The Bada Bing Players," lost their federal court bid Wednesday to halt this weekend's production. The decision came a day after a mother and son filed a civil rights lawsuit claiming that the play, written by a teacher, promoted hurtful stereotypes in its portrayal of old mobsters who look and sound like characters from "The Sopranos."...

SPICKARD, Mo. -- A 17-year-old and another young person from Kansas City were arrested after an attempted burglary turned into a shootout in which the youths allegedly fired more than 40 rounds at three men and a sheriff's deputy. The two were arrested Monday night after a chase that ended when officers used road spikes to stop their stolen car on U.S. 65 south of Spickard...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A former state health worker has sued the department and its director, claiming she was fired after raising concerns that some workers were illegally misusing federal money. Employee Rebecca Mankin, 34, of Russellville, said in her lawsuit that she was fired in July but given no reason. ...

9 a.m. today County Administration Building 1 Barton Square in Jackson Routine business n Notification from state of Missouri that one-half percent sales tax will be imposed Jan. 1. Action items n None at this time. Discussion items and appointments...

Trial date set for man accused of slashing POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Butler County judge set a February trial date for a Clubb, Mo., man accused of slashing the throats of a 22-year-old man and a 12-year-old boy while high on methamphetamine. James W. Leach faces multiple felony counts of assault, armed criminal action and stealing a motor vehicle in the Nov. ...

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- Kofi Annan will give his last major speech as the U.N. secretary-general at the Truman Presidential Museum & Library, the museum announced Wednesday. Annan chose the location to recognize Harry Truman, who helped found the United Nations during the closing days of World War II...

One of the reasons the Missouri Division of Youth Services is so highly regarded throughout the nation is the fact that it strives to provide positive reinforcement for youngsters who have the potential to be productive and successful adults even after run-ins with the law while in their teens...

ST. LOUIS -- Peabody Energy Corp. is asking a judge to settle a dispute with a Wisconsin power supplier over a $2.5 billion coal-fired power plant planned for Southern Illinois. Wisconsin Public Power Inc. has argued that its deal with St. Louis-based Peabody entitles it to buy electricity at a fixed price from the proposed Washington County, Ill., plant for 25 years starting in 2010, according to a lawsuit filed in St. Louis Circuit Court...

To the editor: I want to thank our Cape Girardeau community for supporting Shere Khan, the percussion ensemble from Central Middle School, on its recent trip to perform at the National American Orff-Schulwerk Association Conference in Omaha, Neb. The group's performance was outstanding. ...

US Airways makes hostile takeover bid ATLANTA -- US Airways made a hostile $8 billion bid for Delta Air Lines on Wednesday, despite Delta's repeated statements it isn't interested in a merger. The move could start a stampede of competing bids in a long-predicted industry consolidation. ...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A man who purports to have the cure for terminal illnesses such as cancer and AIDS must remove the claims from his Web site under a temporary injunction issued Wednesday by a circuit court judge. The Tennessee attorney general's office sought the injunction against Oludare Samuel Olomoshua, saying he's practicing medicine without a license and "making unsubstantiated claims about his products' ability to cure individuals of illnesses."...

Munoz Daughter to Alvaro and Breanna Jean Munoz of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 1:52 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, 2006. Name, Camryn Lea. Weight, 6 pounds, 13 ounces. First child. Mrs. Munoz is the former Breanna Harter, daughter of Julia Harter and Glen Harter of Cape Girardeau. She is employed at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Munoz is the son of Francisca Munoz and Acturo Munoz of Altamont, Tenn. He is employed at El Acapulco...

Pvt. Josh Beussink recently graduated from advanced individual training 62 Bravo, A Company, 169th Engineer Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He received the distinguished honor graduate certificate award. ...

Robert Harper of Jackson, instructor for the AARP Safety Drivers Program for 16 years, will leave his position due to health issues. Harper said, "I have enjoyed teaching about 500 people through the Safety Drivers Program and enjoyed seeing the smiles and happy faces when they completed the two four-hour classes and realized they could receive a discount on their auto insurance."...

Area not-for-profits benefit from mall event A Parade of Giving will be held from 6:15 to 9 p.m. Sunday at West Park Mall for shoppers who are interested in giving to area not-for-profit organizations by purchasing an exclusive shopping ticket for after-hours shopping, mallwide discounts, giveaways and family entertainment. Last year's event raised nearly $40,000 for 41 area not-for-profit organizations...

Restless Spirit will appear at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at New McKendree South Campus for a concert to benefit Habitat for Humanity. Admission is free. Donations are accepted. Light snacks, refreshments and child-care provided. For more information, call (573) 275-8611...

LONDON -- Terrorism, crime and climate change will dominate Prime Minister Tony Blair's final legislative agenda, set out Wednesday by Queen Elizabeth II in a speech at an opulent annual ceremony in Parliament. As Britain's head of state, the queen lays out proposals for new laws on the prime minister's behalf, but has no role in drafting them. Blair has said he would step aside next year, making the queen's address her last official speech to lawmakers on his behalf...

Dear children, It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking my name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate my birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival -- although I do appreciate being remembered any time...

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. -- A teen accused of killing his sleeping stepfather with two blows from a samurai sword admitted it later that day, the son of ex-New York Mets star Bud Harrelson testified Wednesday. Troy "T.J." Harrelson, the key prosecution witness against Zachary Gibian, 19, recalled their macabre meeting on the morning of Feb. 27, 2005. "He told me he killed his father," Harrelson testified...

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- One of four U.S. soldiers accused of raping a 14-year-old Iraqi girl last spring and killing her and her family pleaded guilty Wednesday, and agreed to testify against the others. Spc. James P. Barker agreed to the plea deal to avoid the death penalty, said his civilian attorney, David Sheldon...

WASHINGTON -- The top U.S. commander in the Middle East warned Congress Wednesday against setting a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, putting him at odds with resurgent Democrats pressing President Bush to start pulling out of the violence-torn country...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Kidnappers released about 70 people snatched in a mass abduction by suspected Shiite militiamen who answer to a key backer of the prime minister -- a sign the militants went too far and Iraq's leader may be yielding to intense U.S. pressure to crack down on sectarian violence...

"Why is thinking something women never do? "And why is logic never even tried? "Straightening up their hair is all they ever do. "Why don't they straighten up the mess that's inside?" Hopefully you realize this is not a quote attributable to me. These are the much beloved lyrics from Alan Jay Lerner's "My Fair Lady," in which the immortal question is posed: "Why can't a woman be more like a man?"...

Within minutes of smoking the last cigarette, the body begins a series of changes that continues for years. After 20 minutes n Blood pressure drops to normal n Pulse rates drops to normal n Body temperature of hands and feet increases to normal After eight hours...

Briefly Family history month Gov. Matt Blunt declared November Family History Month in Missouri and encourages all residents to learn more about the diseases and causes of death affecting at least three generations of family members. Family gatherings, such as holidays, are a great time to catch up on family news and to learn about your family's health history, said Julie Eckstein, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. ...

NEW YORK -- A small bone fragment that scientists initially ignored has produced a bonanza: enough Neanderthal DNA to start mapping the genetic code of the stocky and muscular relative of modern humans, scientists report. Genetic material from the specimen has let researchers identify more than a million building blocks of Neanderthal DNA so far, and it should be enough to derive most of the creature's 3.3 billion blocks within the next two years, said researcher Svante Paabo...

Amish girl shot at school not likely to recover HARRISBURG, Pa. -- One of the five Amish girls who survived last month's school shooting is fully disabled and unlikely to recover. The other four probably have permanent disabilities. "They're kids who are pretty damaged and will have long-term consequences for these wounds," said Dr. ...

CALGARY, Alberta -- While Calgary goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff was shutting out the St. Louis on Tuesday night, the Blues' goalkeeper situation took a turn for the worse. Kiprusoff made 24 saves for his second shutout in three games and third of the season as the Flames reeled off their fifth straight victory, 3-0 over the Blues...

Davis captures 5Kin Cairo, Ill. Notre Dame sophomore Logan Davis followed up his recently completed cross country season with a first-place finish Saturday in the Cairo Levee Footrace at St. Mary's Park in Cairo, Ill. Davis, from Scott City, set a record for the 12- to 15-year-old age division with his time of 17 minutes, 7 seconds on the 5-kilometer course along the Mississippi River levee...

Jackson Bowling From Nov. 6 through Nov. 10 MEN High games: Jim Brown 279, Doug Dickerson 277, Mike Edgar 269, Mike Boone 268, Tim Burroughs 268, Ron Hinkebein 267, Greg Proffer 267, Tom Shandfelter 267, Chuck Bertrand 265, John Litz 264, Bill Funkhouser 258, Jim Burnett 257, Dennis Hacker 257, Jeremy Hunt 256, Eric Sadler 256, John Wondel 256, Donnie Glueck 256, Kyle Bruce 253, Stacey Cook 249, Steven Luttrell 249, Bill Gaddy 248, Ken Leimbach 248, Craig Petzoldt 248...

Basketball n Points For Pizzas: The Jackson Parks and Recreation Department's annual Points For Pizzas Basketball Hot Shot Contest will be Saturday at the Jackson High School multipurpose building. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. with the competition starting at 10 a.m. The event will have divisions for ages 9 through 11, 12 through 14 and 15 through 17. The event is free. Info: (573) 204-8848...

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Ten years after starting Arabic-language broadcasts that angered leaders in the region and Washington, Al-Jazeera on Wednesday launched an English-language news channel available in more than 80 million homes but lacking major U.S. distribution...

Contrary to comments that have been published on various message boards, Southeast Missouri State athletic director Don Kaverman said there were never any plans to raise banners for the university's women's basketball team Tuesday night. Kaverman said he believes confusion arose when a local radio station promoted that the Redhawks' 2005-06 Ohio Valley Conference regular-season and tournament championships would be officially celebrated prior to the home opener...

Mark Elliott has an extensive resume of coaching tennis, but one thing had been missing. Not any longer, however, as Elliott on Wednesday was announced as Southeast Missouri State's new women's coach. "I've wanted to get into college coaching for a while but nothing in the past ever seemed to come up at the right time," Elliott said. "I'm very excited about this opportunity."...

ST. LOUIS -- Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder Wednesday, five days after signing a two-year contract with the World Series champions. The Cardinals expects Edmonds, 36, to be ready for opening day next season. He is scheduled to begin a rehabilitation program within a week...

NEW YORK -- Stem-cell injections worked remarkably well at easing symptoms of muscular dystrophy in a group of golden retrievers, a result that experts call a significant step toward treating people. "It's a great breakthrough for all of us working on stem cells for muscular dystrophy," said researcher Johnny Huard of the University of Pittsburgh, who wasn't involved in the work...

NEW YORK -- Sometime soon, Joe Girardi will go looking for another job in a major league dugout. And when he does, he'll have a Manager of the Year award at the top of his resume. Six weeks after he was fired by Florida, Girardi won the National League honor Wednesday for keeping the rookie-laden Marlins in contention nearly all season...

ST. LOUIS -- The novelty of an automated political call from former President Clinton, Sen. Kit Bond or other political celebrities apparently wore off quickly for some Missourians this political season. Attorney General Jay Nixon, urging protection from automated political calls on Wednesday, said some Missourians reported receiving as many as eight of them in a single night in the final days of the midterm elections...

Seldom do local high school drama groups try their hands at real, mysterious ghost tales. If ghosts do pop up in their plays, the spirits are usually funny or mischievous. And those productions that do rely on fear and suspense rarely employ the supernatural as a device to inspire those emotions...

Amber M. Seyer, Miss Missouri 2007, will promote "Holiday Hugs, Happiness and Hopes" to bring attention to her holiday program of collecting toys and care packages during this holiday season. Her appearance is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Bavarian Halle's Crafts, Gifts and Collectibles Show. ...

University competition LET ME get this right. Southeast Missouri State University lives through a prolonged and controversial funding battle to build a performing arts center in Cape Girardeau. The smoke is finally clearing, and we can see the development of the River Campus. ...

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Marchello Vealy hit his first seven 3-point shots and Oral Roberts stunned No. 3 Kansas 78-71 on Wednesday night at Allen Field House. Vealy, only 1-for-13 in 3-pointers last year as a freshman, was 7-for-8 from behind the arc and finished with 22 points...

During Central senior Hannah Kinder's three-year high school career, in which she only started swimming year-round following her freshman season, Kinder has turned herself into one of the top swimmers in the state and a factor on the national level...

NEW YORK -- In an account his publisher considers a confession and some media executives call revolting, O.J. Simpson plans a book and TV interview to discuss how, hypothetically, he could have killed his ex-wife and her friend. Two weeks before the book, "If I Did It," goes on sale, scorn was already being heaped Wednesday on Simpson, the publisher and Fox, which plans to air the Simpson interview in two parts Nov. 27 and 29...

Tinker Atkins knows it would take only one cigarette and she'd be hooked. The 59-year-old Charleston, Mo., woman doesn't plan to touch another cigarette in her life -- and she encourages other smokers to put out their cigarettes today for the Great American Smokeout...

TOKYO -- A powerful undersea earthquake prompted tsunami warnings Wednesday for Japan, Russia and Alaska, but the danger passed after a series of tiny waves hit the northern Japanese coast. Several thousand people fled to higher ground on Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido. The waves, however, did not swell higher than 16 inches and rapidly diminished in size, and Japan's meteorological agency later withdrew its tsunami warning after about three hours, although it urged continued caution...

The following items were released by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. n Jessica E. Yeo, 30, of 138 Green Acres Drive, was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, failure to provide proof of insurance and failure to signal a turn...

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls Tuesday: n At 7:40 p.m., emergency medical service in the 600 block of South Sprigg Street. The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls Wednesday: n At 2:50 a.m., emergency medical service in the 1200 block of North Spanish Street...