Stories from Sunday, August 7, 2011

The majority of area school districts failed this year to meet the proficiency targets under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Missouri Assessment Program scores were released Thursday, and only five of 18 districts in Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Perry and Scott counties -- Advance, Bell City, Kelso, Leopold and Oran -- met all targets this year for adequate yearly progress in communication arts and math set by No Child Left Behind. ...

Local bankers and small-business owners shared their struggles and suggestions with staff of the Delta Regional Authority during a round-table discussion Friday.

TAMMS, Ill. -- A man who police say strangled his wife before being gunned down by a sheriff's deputy spent weeks saying farewell to relatives while displaying erratic behavior involving a sword and biblical hallucinations with his spouse, one of the man's sisters said Friday.

The auction of the former federal building in Cape Girardeau has been extended again with a new bid. A bid of $490,003 was submitted in the U.S. General Services Administration's online auction of the building Saturday, adding another 24-hour extension to the auction...

When Southeast Missouri State University students return to campus this month they will see a much different student-run newspaper. The Arrow, formerly known as the Capaha Arrow, is going through an overhaul, the result of a new partnership that has developed between the university and Rust Communications, the parent company of the Southeast Missourian. ...

A new partnership to give small businesses access to capital was announced during the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee by the Delta Regional Authority and Southeast Missouri State University.

The Louis K. Juden Post 63 American Legion baseball coaches were given special recognition at the District 14 quarterly meeting held at Louis K. Juden Post 63 in Cape Girardeau on Sunday, August 7. Cape Legion Post 63 Junior Coach Jacob May led his team to a district AA championship and played host to the AA Zone Tournament. ...

We had a great time learning about the cannons at the Fort D Celebration!

Scott City Firefighters and North Scott County Ambulance Personnel assist a dog rescued from house fire.

A Frito-Lay facility in Cape Girardeau was hit by burglars twice last week. Cape Girardeau police spokesman Darin Hickey said two trucks were broken into Monday. "The delivery driver got to work at 4:20 a.m. and found two trucks with their driver's side windows broken out," Hickey said. "She said she worked on July 31 at 12:30 p.m. and returned to work on Aug. 1 around 4:20 a.m., so the incident happened somewhere between those times."...

MOREHOUSE, Mo. -- Neither rain nor snow nor dark of night can keep the postman from his rounds, but high water can run him out of his post office. On Thursday, Morehouse officials gathered to mark the reopening of the local facility at 520 Beech St., after spring floods forced its closure...

The Southeast Missouri State football team held its first preseason practice as defending Ohio Valley Conference champions Saturday.

Thao Thu Nguyen and Luke Hodgson Balsamo were united in marriage May 28, 2011, at Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach, Va. The Rev. Julia Ashby performed the ceremony. Organist was Molly Trask of Virginia Beach. Readers were Kathryn Puttroff and Joanne Staha...

Amanda Leigh Sanchez and Randy Eugene Smith II of Houston, Texas, announce their engagement. She is the daughter of Carlos Sanchez of Navasota, Texas, and the late Tammy Carrell of Shiro, Texas. Smith is the son of Randy Smith of Richmond, Calif., and Karen Smith of Cape Girardeau...

Steve and Debbie Reynolds and Mike and Tammy Hertenstein of Mt. Vernon, Ill., announce the engagement of their daughter, Casey Nicole Hertenstein, to Jason Glennon Crowell, both of Cape Girardeau. He is the son of Terry and Terry Crowell of Cape Girardeau...

David and Julie Walker of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Hannah Gale Walker, to Brandon Garret Smith, both of St. Louis. He is the son of Mackal and Cynthia Smith of Ballwin, Mo. Walker is a 2007 graduate of Jackson High School. She received a bachelor of fine arts degree from Webster University in 2011, and plans to pursue a master's degree in art therapy at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville...

Mr. and Mrs. Randy Seabaugh of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Casey Seabaugh, to Jeremy Meystedt, both of Jackson. He is the son of Denise Meystedt of Cape Girardeau and Mr. and Mrs. David Meystedt of Jackson. Seabaugh is a 2009 graduate of Jackson High School. She is employed at Cape Care for Women...

Ted and Gail Guffey of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Shanna Strickland, to Michael Usher of Goreville, Ill. He is the son of Eddie and Janet Usher of Marion, Ill. Strickland received a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Southeast Missouri State University. She is a registered nurse at Doctors Park Surgery Center in Cape Girardeau...

Dennis and Lois Shearrer of Poplar Bluff, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Kelly Jeanette Shearrer, to Albert Marion Spradling IV, both of Poplar Bluff. He is the son of Albert M. Spradling III and Pam Spradling of Cape Girardeau. Shearrer is a 1995 graduate of Bernie High School in Bernie, Mo. ...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Richard and Carol Hodge of Chaffee announce the engagement of their daughter, Jodi Hodge, to Andy Palisch, both of Scott City. He is the son of Clayton and Susan Palisch of Scott City. Hodge is a 2005 graduate of Chaffee High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University in 2009. She is a third grade teacher with Scott City School District...

Mr. and Mrs. Ed Sebaugh of Sedgewickville celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house July 24, 2011, at Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville. Sebaugh and Joan Nothdurft were married July 23, 1961, at Zion Church, by the Rev. Tillman Nussbaum. Their attendants were Karen Nothdurft Kuehle, Wanda Sebaugh Hale, Sylvia Sebaugh Sander, Irv Berry, the late Dan Sebaugh, and Perry Sebaugh...

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Cheek of Cape Girardeau celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with a luncheon at Dalhousie, hosted by a son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Cathy Cheek. Cheek and Evelyn Ferguson were married Aug. 1, 1941, in Perryville, Mo. Their attendants were Bill and Beulah Gnann...

Steve and Geta Parker of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Angela Dawn Kimmich, to Daniel Milas Randol. He is the son of Patricia Randol of Jackson, and the late Richard "Dick" Randol. Kimmich is a 1993 graduate of Jackson High School. She is a nurse with Visiting Nurse Association...

Photographer Aaron Horrell spends most of his time outdoors. He hikes through forests to capture birds in the trees, crawls quietly on his belly to approach snakes and sneaks up to wildflowers to capture bees getting pollen -- all in the name of photography. ...

I recently happened upon this young whitetail buck resting in the sun on a hot evening. Sometimes a wild animal will "hide" in an unlikely place. This deer was in a shallow ditch out of sight until I peered in. It seemed strange to me that he would lie in the hot sun when trees and shade were nearby. But then I realized he might have left the woods for the same reason I had. Mosquitoes and gnats were thick in the shade but nonexistent out in the sun...

US Bank donated $1,750 to Southeast Hospital Foundation to go toward their Youth Healthcare Professional Education camp program. The camp provides underserved youths the first step toward a future in health care. Pictured are Steve Green, market president of US Bank, and Mary Burton-Hitt, executive director of the foundation...

US Bank donated $1,500 to the Southeast Missouri University Foundation for scholarships to students from underserved populations. US Bancorp Foundation donates to organizations that offer support to programs that improve the educational and economic opportunities of low- and moderate-income families and enhance the cultural and artistic life of the community. ...

I've been writing this column for about five years and have only used this space once to do a movie review. It's about to happen again. If you have roughly two hours free sometime and you enjoy popping a film into your DVD or Blu-ray player, allow me to recommend the 2011 film "The Adjustment Bureau," starring Matt Damon. It has done excellent in the box office for a fairly low-budget (by Hollywood standards) motion picture. It is out of theaters and is available to rent...

Last Thursday Gov. Jay Nixon visited Nordenia USA in Jackson, announcing the company's eligibility for more than $350,000 in state tax credits -- through the Missouri Quality Jobs program -- for creating 50 jobs at its facility off U.S. 61...

About two weeks ago I went to the annual FreedomFest -- "The great place to talk, argue, listen, celebrate the trimmings of liberty, assess the dangers to liberty, and provide that eternal vigilance that is the price of liberty." -- Milton Friedman...

O Lord, we seek your face and ask for your divine blessing on our lives. Amen.

The Special Olympics Missouri Outdoor State Championship Games will be Aug. 12 to 14 in Cape Girardeau. Hundreds of Special Olympic athletes and their families will be in Cape Girardeau for the games. The community is invited to sign a Wall of Well Wishes at the Southeast Missourian. ...

I read the Rod Jetton column in last Sunday's newspaper and was repulsed by his grandstanding. But his later columns and your story really put it all into context. Thank you for sharing his writing. I still have problems with what he did as a man, husband and politician, but God saves all of us if we open our eyes and look to him. My prayer is Jetton lives the way he now professes...

NEW ORLEANS -- A federal jury on Friday convicted five current or former New Orleans police officers of civil rights violations in one of the lowest moments for city police in the chaotic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: the shooting deaths of a teenager and a mentally disabled man as they crossed a bridge in search of food and help...

FULLERTON, Calif. -- Police should have been intimately familiar with Kelly Thomas and his history of mental illness. Thomas had symptoms of schizophrenia and a 16-year string of arrests for everything from assault with a deadly weapon to public urination to jaywalking. But somehow, things ended differently this time...

COVINGTON, La. -- Authorities in suburban New Orleans said Friday they uncovered a plot by three teenagers for "an incredible and devastating" attack at their high school during the first day of classes, with plans for two specific targets, indiscriminate shooting and suicide...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Two Sikeston children were airlifted to St. Louis Children's Hospital following an accident Thursday afternoon on U.S. 60 that also involved a Dexter, Mo., woman. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the children were riding in a vehicle driven by their mother, Kimberly D. ...

BIR AYAD, Libya -- Rebels launched a new offensive Saturday out of their stronghold in Libya's western mountains, battling regime forces in a drive toward the heartland of Moammar Gadhafi's rule on the Mediterranean coast. Opening a new front, the rebels are aiming to break a monthslong deadlock and eventually fight their way to the capital, Tripoli...

DADAAB, Kenya -- Only 10 days ago, Minhaj Gedi Farah was too weak to cry and his skin crumpled liked thin leather under the pressure of his mother's hands. Now doctors say the severely malnourished 7-month-old appears out of danger of joining the more than 29,000 children who already have died in the famine...

WASHINGTON -- Top officials of Standard & Poor's on Saturday defended their decision to downgrade the U.S. government's credit rating after the Obama administration called the move a hasty decision based on faulty math. The administration had tried to head off the downgrade announced late Friday. It told S&P that the agency had made wrong calculations about the federal budget...

Walter Copeland Jr., 79, of Cape Girardeau, died Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011, at home. Arrangements are incomplete at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Jane A. Wedekind Morrill, 56, of Kansas City, Kan., died Friday, Aug. 5, 2011, at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo. Arrangements are pending at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Daughter to Louisea Jo Dietiker and Roger Dale Raines of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Hospital, 9:32 a.m. Thursday, July 21, 2011. Name, Lydia Rhea. Weight, 8 pounds, 4 ounces. Ms. Dietiker is the daughter of Frank and Pat Dietiker of Cape Girardeau. She is a registered nurse in the PACU at Southeast. Dietiker is the son of Roger and Jane Raines and Joe and Terri Prost of Cape Girardeau. He is a partner with Stanley, Dirnberger, Hopper and Associates CPA firm...

A tentative decision has been made to cancel the Senior Fun Fest scheduled for Aug. 23; the decision is due to a combination of problems but primarily a lack of funding. The Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation holds its summer meeting at Port Cape Girardeau; the council is considering the nomination of Hanover Lutheran Church to the National Register of Historic Places...

WASHINGTON -- With tens of thousands of jobs, more than $1 billion and their reputations on the line, Senate Democrats gave way Friday to a power play by House Republicans in order to end a partial two-week shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration...

*** Eagle Ridge Christian THURSDAY—Pizza, salad, fruit. FRIDAY—Barbecued chicken, tater tots, fruit.

Linda Farrow was hostess when the Kage FCE met at the Cape Girardeau Senior Center for their regular monthly meeting. President Dortha Strack presided. Dortha's tip of the day was "wrap onions and peppers in paper towels, put in a zip-lock bag and refrigerate."...

There is a lot of suffering in the world. God has been opening my eyes to this lately. People we love die, and it hurts. People are without a home and hope, passed by day after day. Elderly spouses who have loved each other all their lives are separated, and it hurts not only them but their children as well. Women in our country and other countries are abused. Drought. Loneliness. Not knowing how to comfort someone we love. It all hurts...

HOUSTON -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry asked Christians to turn to God for answers to the nation's troubles as he held court Saturday over a national prayer rally attended by thousands of evangelical conservatives, an important constituency should the Republican seek the GOP presidential nomination...

Pet name: Chloe and Snooki Owner: Andy Weiss Favorite activity: Hanging out under the bed and hiding toys.

Grover is 7 years old. This big boy is neutered and declawed. For more information, contact the Humane Society at 334-5837.

Monte is a Mountain Cur mix. He is approximately 1 year old and is a friendly and playful dog. For more information, contact Safe Harbor at 243-9823.

On Tuesday, portions of Bainbridge Road and South Old Orchard Road in Jackson will be reduced to one lane to allow the city's contractor to perform asphalt rejuvenating maintenance on the roadways. On Bainbridge, the project area is between Donna Drive and South Oak Hill Road. ...

Weather permitting, Cape Girardeau Public Works Department crews will begin replacing a storm line at the intersection of Kingsway Drive and Kingsbury Road on Monday. Repairs should take about a week to complete, barring complications. Detours will be set up by the traffic division. For more information, contact storm-water supervisor Stacey Beasley at 339-6351 or sbeasley@cityofcapegirardeau.org...

Ahmad Sheikh, left, helps hand out backpacks and school supplies at the Islamic Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, Aug. 5, 2011. The center worked with the ICNA Relief program to hand out 700 backpacks and school supplies to local families.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Work to replace the Route B bridge over Buzzard Creek in Ripley County has been delayed one week. Weather permitting, work will begin Aug. 15. Route B will remain closed as construction is underway. Completion is anticipated in late September. ...

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Insurgents shot down a U.S. military helicopter during fighting in eastern Afghanistan, killing 30 Americans, most of them belonging to the same elite unit as the Navy SEALs who killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, U.S. officials said Saturday. It was the deadliest single loss for American forces in the decade-old war against the Taliban...

LONDON -- The group known as Anonymous said Saturday it has hacked into some 70 mostly rural law enforcement websites in the United States, a breach that one local police chief said had leaked information about an ongoing investigation. The loose-knit international hacking collective posted a cache of data to the Web early Saturday, including emails stolen from officers, tips which appeared to come from members of the public, credit card numbers and other sensitive information...

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

Firefighters responded to the following calls Thursday:...

Alex Rhodes uses his love for the outdoors to help with the lawn care at his church, Christ Episcopal Church in Cape Girardeau. The son of Joel and Jeanie Rhodes, Alex will be a junior this year at Cape Girardeau Central High School. He participates in pole vaulting, wrestling and cross country. He also enjoys hunting and hanging out with friends. Here he shares about how he lives his faith through works of service...

MIAMI -- One-year-old Alice Di Giovanni asks for "banane," not banana, when she's in the mood for one. She'll bid you farewell with a "ciao." And if she wants more, she says "mas." The Miami toddler is one of an increasing number of Americans living in homes where a language other than English is spoken, and her parents want her to learn as many languages as she can. So her Polish-Canadian mother speaks to her in French, her father in Italian and her Honduran nanny in Spanish...

Mike Davault and Lachelle Cook claimed first place in a SEMO Horseshoe Association event last weekend that featured 12 teams at the Oran Jaycees. Larry Glastetter and Marvin Margrabe placed second, while Allan Moore and Melody Williams finished third...

MIAMI -- A disputed play involving the first batter of the game left Florida Marlins manager Jack McKeon suggesting Major League Baseball add more instant replay. Rafael Furcal led off with a single -- although replays seemed to show the ball was caught -- and Albert Pujols homered later in the inning, sending the St. Louis Cardinals to a 2-1 win over the Marlins on Saturday night...

CANTON, Ohio -- Prime Time has come to Canton -- with an extra touch of gold. And a black do-rag. Deion Sanders strutted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday night sporting a pair of gold shoes to go with the gold jacket emblematic of the special company he has become a part of...

ST. LOUIS -- Offensive lineman Adam Goldberg agreed to a contract with the St. Louis Rams on Friday night and was on the practice field the next afternoon. "It was miserable," said Goldberg, the Rams' player representative during the NFL lockout. "It was really an enjoyable time when you're checking your phone every two minutes."...

Wednesday marks 150 years since Nathaniel Lyon was killed by a bullet through the heart in a battle in southwest Missouri, becoming the first Union general to die in the Civil War.

BEIRUT -- The Syrian military tightened its siege on the city of Hama on Saturday in its drive to crush the main center of the anti-regime uprising in the country, even as the foreign minister promised that free parliamentary elections would be held by the end of the year in a gesture of reform...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests...

Charges are pending against three people, two of whom were taken to the hospital, following a series of car accidents and gunshots in Cape Girardeau early Saturday. At about 1:35 a.m., Cape Girardeau police officers responded to a report of a fight at Rhodes 101, 1126 N. Sprigg. St. While they were en route, officers received a report of shots being fired at the same location...