Stories from Friday, September 17, 2010

Central senior Keilon Moore compiled another outstanding effort Friday, finishing with three touchdowns in the Tigers' 41-6 rout of rival Jackson. Moore rushed for 95 yards and two scores and returned the second-half kickoff 98 yard ...

Fruitland residents will host an informational meeting to discuss what they say are the dangers proposed quarry developments pose in their community. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Sept. 28, at Saxony Lutheran High School, near the proposed quarry site...

Soda Pop is a 9 week old male kitty currently residing at the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri. He's really laid back and easily handled. He's just a tiny little bundle of love. Stop by the shelter and meet Soda Pop and a few of his friends at 2536 Boutin Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO. They are all anxious to meet you!...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Briney Welborn filed the necessary paperwork Wednesday to declare his intentions to seek the death penalty against a Bernie, Mo., couple accused of brutally stabbing another man to death. The Daily American Republic reported Welborn filed notices of intent to seek the death penalty with the court in the cases of Allen McCoy, aka "Smurf," along with his 38-year-old wife, Angela McCoy...

Two legendary country-music artists and their respective bands took the SEMO District Fair stage Thursday, playing for a crowd of around 2,650. Mel Tillis, who's had nine No. 1 hit songs, and Ray Price, inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996, replaced the fair's original act, Merle Haggard, who announced his cancellation Tuesday...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- AmerenUE is raising a charge on the monthly bills of its electric customers in Missouri. The Missouri Public Service Commission on Thursday approved the utility's request to increase the fuel and purchased-power adjustment charge on customers' bills...

US Bank is proud to support our men and women in the armed forces. In recognition of our U.S. troops overseas, local US Bank branches will serve as a collection site for donated items which will be sent to our soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan. Collection Dates are September 1 - October 15. ...

The Ferris Wheel in action at the 2010 SEMO District Fair.

The Jackson High School Marching Band struts its stuff down Broadway to a packed crowd during the SEMO Fair parade.

They come in hungry, homeless, often helpless, with nowhere else to go -- and they're arriving in greater numbers than ever. The Shelter of Hope in downtown Cape Girardeau is the temporary home of eight displaced men. On Thursday, the homeless shelter was filled to capacity, as it was the day before and the day before that. The emergency dwelling, which serves men, has moved four families into volunteer homes...

A lone tree watches the sunset on a recent evening.

Tracker had a great time meeting everyone at the fair.

A campaign committee that calls itself "Yes for Gaming" has formed to persuade Cape Girardeau voters that there's no reason to hedge their bets on Election Day, saying a downtown casino would create jobs, bolster tourism and generate millions in annual tax revenue.

The River City Music Festival dates changed this year, moving from September to October, but the redesign of the 14-year-old event didn't stop there. Organizers with the City of Roses Music Heritage Association, the not-for-profit that doles out scholarships and funds school music programs with money from the festival, have planned other new things and changes to old things, including hours of music, participating venues and blocking off the streets. ...

More than 200 cars and trucks will line Main Street from Broadway to Merriwether Street as well as the parking lot in front of Hutson's Fine Furniture on Sunday during the River City Rodders' 33rd annual River Tales Classic Car Show. Many eras of automotive history will be represented at the show, including a post-Depression Studebaker owned by Ford Stoecker of Cape Girardeau. ...

There certainly have been bigger running backs at Jackson High School. Nathan Norman, Glen Brunke and Devree Flint are a few 230-pound horses that have bulled over opponents the past 15 years. And there certainly have been faster running backs at Jackson, most notably fleet-footed Mario Whitney who often went untouched on his touchdown jaunts...

NEW YORK -- It wasn't long ago that the music video was on life support. MTV -- which held its 27th annual Video Music Awards on Sunday -- phased out videos in favor of reality programming and other shows that attracted better ratings. At the same time, the music industry was collapsing and slashed budgets no longer had room for elaborate clips...

Chart-topping country artist Jason Aldean will step onto the stage Thursday at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. Aldean has scored top 10 hits with his blend of energetic country with a Southern rock influence. Luke Bryan, who played the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo in 2009, and Australian group The McClymonts, who have played several times with Aldean, will be the opening acts...

CHICAGO -- Film critic Roger Ebert, who lost his ability to speak and eat after cancer surgeries, said last week that he is returning to television on a movie review show he is producing for public television. And, Ebert says, the thumbs up and thumbs down reviews made famous with his late partner Gene Siskel will return...

The SEMO District Fair draws to a close Saturday with a local act for the main entertainment. After a long day of rides, fair food and trying to win things, relaxing in the stands to the country rock of the John D. Hale Band is the way to go. The band's sound ventures closer to the country days of old, outlaw country. Its blend of folk, country, bluegrass and rock follows in the footsteps of other popular fair acts...

The Textile Rental Services Association of America has endorsed Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's re-election bid, citing her concern for entrepreneurialism in a difficult economy. Emerson is seeking re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in Missouri's 8th District...

In a leap of faith backed by spiritual interest, a Cape Girardeau ministry is forging a partnership with a Hannibal, Mo., liberal arts college to create an associate of divinity degree program. The Midwest Center for Spiritual Transformation, a ministry of Lynwood Baptist Church, this week unveiled details of the program, which would be accredited through Hannibal-LaGrange College...

Owners of a New Hamburg grocery store reported up to 40 carton of cigarettes and their cash register stolen Thursday morning, according to the Scott County Sheriff's Department. Branden Caid, sheriff's office investigator, said the break in at Kern's Grocery occurred overnight and because there was no forced entry, they believe a door to the business was left unlocked...

For this neck of the woods, one of the biggest sporting events of the year is on tap tonight. It's the football matchup between neighborly rivals Cape Girardeau Central High School and Jackson High School. Fans rooting for both schools will pack Houck Stadium at Southeast Missouri State University with a sea of orange and red. ...

Obesity in children is a fast-growing epidemic that has captivated the media, the medical community and, of course, politicians. This September is the first-ever National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. How sad. Do we really expect that we can have healthy children and unhealthy adults?...

I attended the skateboard competition Sunday at Jackson. It was sad to see the judges and band members drinking. This is supposed to be for children. What is the Cape Skateboard Association saying to them? ALL these Jackson folks who are so upset about the change in the names of grades are concerned about the wrong thing. ...

Robert Eugene Boitnott Sr., 72, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, at Saint Francis Medical Center. He was born Dec. 2, 1937, in Charleston, Mo., to Elmer and Rose Scheffer Boitnott. He and Mary L. Parkhill were married Jan. 30, 1987, in Cape Girardeau...

Pearl Watkins, 92, longtime Butler County resident, died Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Mrs. Watkins was born March 10, 1918, in Butler County. She enjoyed quilting and needlework. She was a member of Calvary General Baptist Church...

Lonnie F. Phelps, 58, of Randles died Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010, at the family home. He was born Aug. 1, 1952, in Cape Girardeau County, son of Sheldon Franklin and Stella Irene Chapman Phelps. He married Minnie F. Mansker on April 18, 1973. She preceded him in death July 26, 1989...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI Arrests...

Six companies submitted proposals to the Cape Girardeau County Commission Thursday for benefit consultation and brokering. The benefit consultant or broker will assist in review, placement and support of the county's group health, dental, vision and long-term disability insurance. They will also support the county in the selection of programs and carriers, implement the approved recommendations and provide ongoing support for these benefits...

TAMMS, Ill. -- Don Martin, 67, of Tamms died Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010, at his home. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms and after 10 a.m. Tuesday at Union Church of Villa Ridge, Ill. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Larry Buckles officiating. Interment will be in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens in Villa Ridge...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Ewald H. Ochs, 95, of Perryville died Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010, at Independence Care Center of Perry County. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today and from 6:30 to 8 a.m. Saturday at Young and Sons Funeral Home...

An access road to the site of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port should be completed in about 10 days, weather permitting; repairs are being made to a section of the road that sank last July. The Cape Girardeau City Council has approved a request by Jehovah's Witnesses and the Internal Medicine Real Estate Co. to rezone property at Bloomfield Road and Interstate 55 from residential to commercial; a regional dialysis center could be in operation there as early as mid-October...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Frank E. Graham, 71, of Jonesboro died Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2010, at Union County Hospital in Anna, Ill. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the Rev. John Cripps officiating. Interment will be in Jonesboro Cemetery...

McCLURE, Ill. -- David W. Pearce, 54, of McClure died Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Lindsey Cemetery at McClure...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Thelma Dorothy Herrington, 90, of Marble Hill passed away Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill. The funeral will be at 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be at 11:15 a.m. Monday in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis...

Son to Alex Charles and Amanda Marie Little of Delta, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 5:03 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010. Name, Donovan Ethan. Weight, 10 pounds. First child. Mrs. Little is the former Amanda Neldon, daughter of Wayne and Dottie Neldon of Painton, Mo. Little is the son of Greg and Jeanette Little of Cape Girardeau. He is a cook at Southeast Missouri Hospital...

Firefighters responded to the following calls Wednesday:...

We thank you, OGod, for friends and family that you have placed in our lives. Amen.

The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Theft Firefighters responded to the following calls Wednesday:...

Everyone has something to dread. Maybe you have a fear of going to the dentist. Or having blood drawn for lab work. A shot of any kind. Large dogs that bare their teeth and growl. Snakes. Anything made with raw fish that costs more than cooked fish. Insects that sting...

EDINBURGH, Scotland -- Pope Benedict XVI waded into the hostile atmosphere Thursday of highly secular Britain, admitting the Catholic Church did not act decisively or quickly enough to remove priests who molested children in his strongest comments yet on the worldwide sex abuse crisis shaking his church...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A man accused of stabbing a Kansas City college official intended to instead attack Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and mistakenly believed he had done so, police said Thursday. The suspect, 22-year-old Casey Brezik, did not know Nixon and had no particular beef with the governor, but he decided to attack him because he was a top government official, Kansas City police spokesman Darin Snapp said...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- The Bloomfield School Board voted to not have a summer school session following the 2010-11 school year due to a lack of state funding at their regular meeting Monday night, the Daily Statesman reported. Dr. Nicholas Thiele, superintendent of the Bloomfield School District, recommended that the district not offer summer school in 2011. ...

LOS ANGELES -- Lenders took back more homes in August than in any month since the start of the U.S. mortgage crisis. The increase in home repossessions came even as the number of properties entering the foreclosure process slowed for the seventh month in a row, foreclosure listing firm RealtyTrac Inc. said Thursday...

WASHINGTON -- The economy may have a long way to go, but at least two big threats are fading. Economists are less worried that the U.S. will experience another round of mass layoffs and its first bout of deflation since the 1930s after the release of two government reports Thursday...

ST. LOUIS -- Just a few more steps and Clifton Ryan scores a touchdown for a St. Louis Rams franchise starved for success. Don't think the defensive tackle isn't beating himself up about how a play that would have been a career achievement turned out so sour...

The Redhawks and Salukis will square off Saturday evening

The Bulldogs scored seven runs in the first inning and beat Jackson 14-2

All the scores from Thursday that were reported to the Southeast Missourian.

The football coach who rebuilt the Marshall University football program after the devastating plane crash in 1970 preached the importance of setting goals and developing a list of core values during a speech to local coaches Thursday. Jack Lengyel, who was portrayed by Matthew McConaughey in the movie, "We are Marshall," was the keynote speaker at Saint Francis Medical Center's coaches clinic...

Everybody likes a little sneak peek, right? The Symphony Sampler at the River Campus on Sunday will give Southeast Missourians just that. The Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra will play selections from a few of its upcoming concerts. If you've never been to an orchestra concert -- here or otherwise -- go to this one. It's like a free variety show starring the Symphony Orchestra...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Billy L. Barnett, 79, of Chaffee died Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010, at Chaffee Nursing Center. Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee is in charge of arrangements.

WASHINGTON -- A majority of Americans today are very confident in -- nobody. Of what confidence there is in institutions, the military and small business are at the top in an Associated Press-National Constitution Center poll released Thursday. But even they get very confident or better ratings from well under half the people...

Route Y in Bollinger County from Highway 34 to the end of state maintenance will be reduced to one lane Tuesday and Wednesday while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs. Weather permitting, the work will be done from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The work zone will be marked with signs...

Route MM in Bollinger County from Highway 34 to the end of state maintenance will be reduced to one lane Monday while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs. Weather permitting, the work will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily...

Northbound Interstate 57 in Scott County will be reduced to one lane Monday, while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform routine bridge maintenance. The bridge is between Interstate 57 and Route CC (the bridge over north cut ditch). Weather permitting, the work will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The work zone will be marked with signs...

Route FF in Cape Girardeau County from U.S. 61 to County Road 439 will be reduced to one lane Monday through Wednesday while Missouri Department of Transportation crews patch and mill the road. Weather permitting, work will done from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily...

Highway 72 in Bollinger County from Route O to the Madison County line will be reduced to one lane Wednesday and Thursday while Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a drainage pipe under the road. The work will take place from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily...

U.S. 61 from Route Y in Sikeston, Mo., to Highway 77 near Morley, Mo., will be reduced to one lane with a 14-foot width restriction Wednesday and Thursday, while Missouri Department of Transportation crews grind the pavement to make a smoother driving surface. Weather permitting, the work will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The work zone will be marked with signs...

East Central Missouri Tractor Pullers Association Class 9300 SF First place: Leon Hellebusch of Marthasville, Mo. Second place: Roger Liermann of Marthasville, Mo. Third place: Cole Stanbury of Auxvasse, Mo. Class 8200 PS...

A look at the games for the six teams in the Southeast Missourian's coverage area.

St. Louis won 4-0 as San Diego's Ludwick faced his former team for the first time

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- While the pros are trying to catch some prize-winning catfish, there is plenty for the public to catch during Saturday's Cabela's King Kat Tournament and Festival. New Madrid Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Christina McWaters noted this year's event is bigger, offering a wider range of activities for children and adults...

A Chaffee, Mo., woman received moderate injuries in a single-vehicle accident Friday morning. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the 1997 Saturn driven by 21-year-old Mallory J. Estes ran off the road and overturned on County Road 205 west of Scott City at 1:30 a.m...