Stories from Friday, August 26, 2011

It didn't happen as quickly as Cape Girardeau officials would have liked, but the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has approved a facilities plan for a new $66 million wastewater treatment plant expected to break ground next year.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri colleges seeking more state money could soon have to show that the extra dough will help improve graduation rates, keep down costs and enable the schools to be more accountable to taxpayers. Nearly 200 college and university presidents, provosts, governing board members, state lawmakers and other higher education leaders heard preliminary details Thursday about a move to "performance funding" at an annual higher education summit convened by Gov. Jay Nixon...

Improved access to early education in Missouri and other states could come soon in the form of federal grants, but only if the states can show efforts to improve on their own. States are now preparing applications for $500 million in Race to the Top's Early Learning Challenge grants, which according to the U.S. ...

The United Way of Southeast Missouri has set a lower campaign goal this year, at a time when local agencies say they're seeing more need than ever before.

City staff, City Council members, and the public attended a ribbon cutting event for the new shelter at Dennis Scivally Park on Wednesday, Aug. 24 at 12 p.m. The new shelter was a joint venture of the Parks and Recreation Storm Water Development projects approved by voters in 2008 and the Cape Girardeau Evening Optimist's Adopt-a-Park pledge, renovating the former structure on site...

Central Municipal Pool renovations are now complete, and the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 22, at 11:30 a.m. "The improvements that we have made to the Central Municipal Pool will positively impact our daily users, fitness users, program participants, and our serious competitors," said Recreation Division Manager Penny Williams...

Central Junior High Cheerleaders attended NCA (National Cheerleaders Association) camp at Southeast Missouri State July 25-28. During camp the 20 cheerleaders, along with their Tiger Mascot, earned three superior ribbons for cheers and chant performances, a red excellent ribbon for a cheer performance, both coaches were awarded NCA Coaches Credentialing, Herkie Team award, spirit stick, bid to NCA nationals, SPOT safety award, and overall Top Team in the Junior High/Freshman division. ...

On August 12, 2011 KFVS12 aired an interview with a man who made bath salts. The title of the story was "Maker of bath salts says he has nothing to hide". Roger Seratt of Missouri claims he makes bath salts and sells them for legitimate purposes. He says "no I cannot take responsibility for every junky on the street. ...

BENTON, Mo. -- The mother and stepfather of a Morehouse, Mo., man arrested for armed criminal action and assault on his girlfriend have been charged for interfering in their son's arrest. Angela N. Graham, 47, is charged with hindering prosecution, concealing an offense and tampering with evidence, according to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter. Tommy D. Graham, 50, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, concealing an offense and hindering prosecution...

Gov. Jay Nixon and the House budget committee chairman agree, Missouri veterans homes are not closing. At the end of Wednesday's House budget transparency committee meeting, House budget chair Rep. Ryan Silvey, R-Kansas City, and State Budget Director Linda Luebbering agreed that funding would and could be found to keep the state's seven veterans homes open...

CAIRO, Ill. -- A preliminary hearing has been postponed until Tuesday for the former Thebes, Ill., police officer who faces misconduct charges for allegedly releasing a person from custody in exchange for sexual favors. Terry Crowe, 39, of Mounds, Ill., had been scheduled to appear today, but the Alexander County Circuit Clerk's office said the state's attorney had an emergency that caused the hearing to be postponed...

A convicted Cape Girardeau County rapist will have a preliminary hearing in a 30-year-old rape case. Charles Eugene O'Howell, 50, is scheduled to appear in court at 1 p.m. on Sept. 21 on new charges for the rape of a 31-year-old Cape Girardeau woman in 1981. He is currently serving prison time for the 1982 kidnapping and rape of a 15-year-old girl in Cape Girardeau County...

The Pirates lost to Herculaneum 27-8 at home.

Jackson, which trailed 26-8 at halftime, closed the gap to 33-30 with 4 minutes, 33 seconds left in the third quarter but failed to score on its final two possessions.

Central quarterback Christian Cavaness threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more in the Tigers' 41-6 victory over host New Madrid County Central.

ATLANTA -- Only about half of the teenage girls in the U.S. have rolled up their sleeves for a controversial vaccine against cervical cancer -- a rate well below those for two other vaccinations aimed at adolescents. The vaccine hit the market in 2006. ...

WICHITA, Kan. -- A federal judge on Thursday dismissed all charges against a Kansas man convicted of lying to U.S. immigration officials about his whereabouts during the 1994 Rwandan mass killings, ending a case that was the first in the nation to require proof of genocide...

CHICAGO -- Wrestling with the challenges of documents in the digital age, U.S. officials are destroying millions of paper federal court records to save storage costs -- but the effort is raising the ire of some historians, private detectives and others who heavily rely on the files...

BEIRUT -- A renowned political cartoonist whose drawings expressed Syrians' frustrated hopes for change was grabbed after he left his studio early Thursday and beaten by masked gunmen who broke his hands and dumped him on a road outside Damascus...

TRIPOLI, Libya -- Beneath the grassy courtyard of Moammar Gadhafi's private compound, long tunnels connect bunkers, command centers and spiral staircases that lead to a luxurious home filled with Gadhafi family photos. The electric lights are out and the banks of telephones have gone dead...

PESHAWAR, Pakistan -- A bomb planted in a child's tricycle exploded outside a shop in northwestern Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least eight people and damaging several stores and hotels, police said. The attack occurred in the main bazaar in the town of Risalpur in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said Mohammad Hussain, police chief for surrounding Nowshera district. ...

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- Gaza militants early Friday called their second truce in less than five days in an attempt to keep more than a week of hostilities with Israel from escalating. A leader of the Islamic Jihad faction, Mahfez Azzam, said Egypt mediated the cease-fire, which is to go into effect at 1 p.m. today...

MADRID -- Spain has asked El Salvador to clarify the legal status of nine former military officers indicted in Madrid over the slayings of six Jesuit priests during the Central American country's 1980-1992 civil war, a court official said Thursday...

WASHINGTON -- America is swiftly becoming a granny state. Less frail and more involved, today's grandparents are shunning retirement homes and stepping in more than ever to raise grandchildren while young adults struggle in the poor economy. The newer grandparents are mainly baby boomers who are still working, with greater disposable income. ...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Doyle Winfred Hahs, 86, of Marble Hill passed away Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born May 11, 1925, son of John Renzo and Cecelia Mae Hartwick Hahs. He and Ann Smith were married in 1946. He and Verdetta Louise Schrock Borchelt were married in 1968...

Donald J. Turner of Cairo, Ill., died Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011, at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo is in charge of arrangements.

CAIRO, Ill. -- Sandra Burnadette Hopkins, 62, of Cairo died Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011, at Methodist Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to service time Saturday at Massie Funeral Home in Mounds, Ill. The funeral will be at noon Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. J.L. Posey officiating. Burial will be in Spencer Heights Memorial Park in Mounds...

Jerry Lee Erlbacher, 64, of St. Louis, formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011, at St. Alexis Hospital in St. Louis. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Lorimier Cemetery. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements...

GLENALLEN, Mo. -- Fay Elaine Cox, 83, of Glenallen died Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011, at her home. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Pellegrino Park in Marble Hill, Mo. Inurnment will be at a later date in Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, Calif...

Midwest row crop farmers -- already faced with the threat of the lowest market prices they'll be paid for their corn, soybeans and milo in the past 10 to 20 years -- now have a new problem: where to store this year's bumper crops of grain; a critical shortage of crop storage space...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Tornado victims left homeless could benefit from $100 million in tax credits approved Thursday to rebuild low-income rental housing in the Joplin, Mo., and St. Louis areas. The state's latest housing plan includes new incentives to develop homes for people with mental and physical ailments...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City police said a family escaped injury when a sport utility vehicle flew off a street and landed on the roof of their house. Police said the accident Wednesday night occurred when the driver of the SUV blew through an intersection and went into the home's yard, which acted like a ramp and launched the vehicle 10 to 15 feet off the ground...

Anyone who has visited our nation's capital has been likely affected. Whether it's a trip to the White House, Capitol Building, Arlington National Cemetery or any number of the magnificent memorials, one gains a greater appreciation of our country's relatively short, in world terms, but magnificent history...

As a paddler, my family and I have gained great enjoyment from our trips to the Current River and other areas in Southern Missouri. As an Iowan, I appreciate the opportunity to visit great outdoor areas in surrounding states. I will be visiting the Current River this week to paddle for two days, rent campground space and canoes, and spend money at local restaurants and attractions. ...

This summer has been difficult for Missourians and for people around the world. Severe weather has plagued America's heartland; the U.S. economy continues to be a struggle; and partisan politics is pulling Washington, D.C., apart. However, half a world away, in the Horn of Africa, a more dire crisis has escalated. ...

I respect the mayor's quick turnaround on nixing the welfare utility proposal. Good. Smart mayor, good decision. Anyone can make a mistake, but it takes a big person to acknowledge it this fast. I'M calling about the Speak Out comment titled "GOP candidates," where this person is talking about all the Republican candidates combined wouldn't make a good president and that they're only in it for the money. ...

I wonder what would happen if big news organizations realized how they are subverting the American political process. I'm talking about TV networks and metropolitan newspapers. Newspapers, especially, have a history of fact-finding and digging for the truth. Major TV networks have, from time to time, proudly carried on that tradition...

I served six years in the Missouri Legislature as a state representative and now over 40 years in the newspaper business. I've had experiences on the Governor's Reform Committee of over 30 members just seven years ago. I know how hard it is to get some in the media to report on the content of bills and recommendations. ...

LOS ANGELES -- Al Pacino says he got burned while making "Scarface." Literally, he grabbed the hot barrel of a gun that had just shot 30 rounds during one of Tony Montana's violent scenes. "My hand stuck to that sucker," the 71-year-old actor recalled. He couldn't work for two weeks...

NEW YORK -- Guillermo del Toro may be the mastermind of "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark," in theaters this weekend, but he says his own scariest time is during broad daylight. Del Toro acknowledged in a recent interview that his nighttime dreams are actually "very boring." Instead, the Oscar-winning producer, director and screenwriter said he has "an overactive imagination in the day" -- a "horrible" condition because he's always overreacting to something...

NEW YORK -- A three-day stock rally ended much like it began, with a steep and sudden turn. Stocks started higher early Thursday but turned lower within 20 minutes. Indexes in the U.S. and Europe sank after Germany's main stock index, the DAX, suddenly dipped 4 percent. Traders struggled to explain the dive...

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- The next court appearance for the man accused of killing Caruthersville police officer Evan Burns is scheduled for Monday, when a preliminary hearing date will be set. Deonta Williamson, 29, of Hayti and O'Fallon, Mo., made his first appearance Aug. ...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A judge sentenced a Poplar Bluff man to 10 years in prison Tuesday for the March 2010 death of his sister-in-law's longtime boyfriend. Randy Paul Johnson, 56, of the 1500 block of County Road 428 was convicted in June by a Butler County jury of voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in connection with the March 17, 2010, death of Gary Williamson, 60...

MATTHEWS, Mo. (AP) -- A 63-year-old Southeast Missouri woman is dead after the vehicle she was driving was struck by a train. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says Susan Beardsley of Sikeston died in the accident Wednesday afternoon in New Madrid County. The patrol says Beardsley was crossing tracks on a county road when her 2003 Dodge was struck by a Burlington Northern-Santa Fe train. Beardsley was pronounced dead at the scene...

O Lord, protect our friends facing stormy weather and seeking shelter. Amen.

The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Summonses...

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

Firefighters responded to the following calls Wednesday:...

The Cape Girardeau art community welcomed a new friend this week, but it's only one of a few changes recently. Eustis Studios opened Wednesday with the art of Karen Cauvin Eustis and Eddie Granger. The gallery on Independence Street will also host a First Friday reception Sept. 2...

The 19th annual Cape BBQ Fest starts today at 4:30 p.m. and concludes Saturday afternoon. This Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned event hosted by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees fills Arena Park with teams trying to barbecue the best chicken, pork ribs, pork shoulder/butt/picnic and beef brisket. ...

ST. LOUIS -- David Freese had a go-ahead two-run single in the fifth and Matt Holliday hit a three-run homer, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night. The Cardinals ended a three-game losing streak and moved within 9 1/2 games of idle Milwaukee in the NL Central. Pittsburgh lost for the sixth time in nine games...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The third preseason game typically is the most important for NFL teams. Starters often play into the second half in their most comprehensive dress rehearsal before the season opener and then take it easy in their final preseason game to guard against injuries...

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

In its history, the 5-H Ranch in Jackson has seen its share of events. This Saturday, the grounds will be covered with campers, music lovers, friends and families from all over as the fourth annual John D. Hale Barn Party commences. For this year's event, Liz Hale, coordinator of the barn party, said they have moved the party to accommodate a growing fan base...

A look at the Week 1 football games involving teams in the Southeast Missourian's coverage area.

BENTON, Mo. -- Author Shirley Coleman, a native of Miner Switch, Mo., will speak at the Kelly Middle School gymnasium Monday evening. A reception will be held at 6:30 p.m., followed by her speech and a book signing at 7 p.m. She will be signing copies of her new book, "You Can't Go Back." The book is filled with poems, sayings and stories to inspire the heart. For more information, contact Acclaim Press at 573-472-9800...

Northbound Interstate 55 from Highway 77 at Benton, Mo., to Route K at Scott City will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction while contractor crews underseal the pavement. Weather permitting, the work will be done Tuesday through Sept. ...

WASHINGTON -- Americans are angry at Congress in the aftermath of the debt crisis and Republicans could pay the greatest price, a new Associated Press-GfK poll suggests. The poll finds the tea party has lost support, Republican House Speaker John Boehner is increasingly unpopular and people are warming to the idea of not just cutting spending but also raising taxes -- anathema to the GOP -- just as both parties prepare for another struggle with deficit reduction...

The current exhibit at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri represents both ends of the artist spectrum. Pieces by students in the Summer Arts Academy hang in one gallery while pieces selected for the Mid-America Juried Arts Exhibition hang on the opposite side of the wall. The Mid-America Juried Arts Exhibition drew artists from Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Iowa...

BUXTON, N.C. -- Hurricane Irene barreled toward the Eastern Seaboard on Thursday, sending thousands of vacationers fleeing and threatening up to 65 million people from the Carolinas to New England. The Category 3 storm with winds of 115 mph -- the threshold for a major hurricane -- would be the strongest to strike the East Coast in seven years, and people were already getting out of the way...

NAGS HEAD, N.C. (AP) -- Hurricane Irene began lashing the East Coast with rain Friday ahead of a weekend of violent weather that was almost certain to heap punishment on a vast stretch of shoreline from the Carolinas to Massachusetts. For hundreds of miles, people in the storm's path headed inland, made last-minute preparations and monitored the hurricane's every subtle movement. ...

Quarterback Jordan Yahn rushed for three short touchdowns and threw for another score as Chaffee defeated visiting Grandview 42-7.

Park Hills Central scored 16 points in the fourth quarter and won 28-13.

The Notre Dame softball team defeated Naylor 15-0 in four innings Thursday.

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (AP) -- Hurricane Irene caused extraordinary disruption Friday as it zeroed in for a catastrophic run up the Eastern Seaboard. More than 2 million people were ordered to move to safer places, and New York announced plans to shut down its entire network of subways for the first time because of a natural disaster...

NEW YORK -- Americans eager to give after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks poured $1.5 billion into hundreds of charities established to serve the victims, their families and their memories. But a decade later, an Associated Press investigation shows that many of those not-for-profits have failed at those goals...

JENA, La. -- One wants to be a lawyer. One, a soldier. Another, a sports agent. Some don't care to talk about their future or that part of their past, five years ago, when they faced up to 40 years in prison in the beating of a white classmate, an episode that sparked the biggest civil rights demonstration the nation had seen in years...