Stories from Monday, March 19, 2012

Organizers of a new open air market in Cape Girardeau will hold a meeting for potential vendors at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Dockside: The Upper Deck, 4 N. Spanish St. The Cape Riverfront Market will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the parking lot at 35 S. Spanish St., across from Bel Air Grill. It will begin May 5 and continue every Saturday for the next 25 days...

DENVER (AP) -- Peyton Manning is negotiating to join the Denver Broncos, ESPN reported Monday. Citing anonymous sources, ESPN said that the four-time MVP has instructed agent Tom Condon to negotiate the details of a deal with Denver. Manning became a free agent when the Indianapolis Colts released him March 7 after the quarterback missed all of last season because of multiple neck surgeries...

Make and model: 1987 Pontiac Fiero GT Owner(s): Logan Ressel Owner's hometown: Cape Girardeau Two seater with a mid-mounted 2.8 liter V6 with a 3 speed automatic transmission. It also has a Viper security system, a navigation system, and a rear view camera...

A new program for county residents with developmental disabilities that wants to teach job skills and create local employment opportunities has asked the Cape County Board for Developmental Disabilities to help it get started. Three members of the Blue Sky Center Inc. board of directors, Kevin Smith, Traci Ritter and Bryan Noack, each have a child with developmental disabilities. The fourth member, Pam Deneke, is a special-education teacher in the Jackson School District...

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Georgetown's surprisingly successful season once again ended earlier than expected. Hollis Thompson scored 23 points, but the Hoyas' rally fizzled in a 66-63 loss to 11th-seeded North Carolina State in the third round of the NCAA tournament Sunday...

The now-empty second floor of the Discovery Playhouse children's museum will be transformed Friday into an elegant garden party for its third annual FUNdraiser Friday. More than 250 tickets have already been sold for this year's event, called Birdhouse Bash...

This is a photograph of our youth movie night on March 16th.

a tree in my yard.

Bald eagle sitting in walnut tree in my backyard on Sunday morning March 18. Two miles north of Lexington St on Highway 177.

About 4,500 visitors packed the Show Me Center over the weekend for the Southeast Missouri Home Builders Association's 32nd annual Home and Garden Show. Ann Brookman, chairwoman of the show for the past 23 years, said she's proud of the show and excited about some of the new vendors this year...

In honor of National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, area businesses received candy bouquets last week compliments of the Association for persons with Intellectual Disabilities (AID). It is the hope of AID that this simple gesture will provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about the vital contributions individuals with disabilities make in our communities...

For the first time in four years, no region of the country is facing a high risk of major spring flooding, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "We're not forecasting a repeat of recent historic and prolonged flooding in the central and northern U.S., and that is a relief," said Laura Furgione, deputy director of NOAA's National Weather Service, in a news release Thursday...

Whether you see her at a football game or a Valentine party she is on the move for someone but herself. Warehouse lead, wife, mother of three, care taker of her mother's needs, as well as mine. Tami Jo Rutherford, 38, white female, from Shawneetown, Mo. Incredible good samaritan...

It's being done in small towns, like Fulton, Osage Beach and Moberly. Larger communities, too: Springfield, Columbia, the St. Louis suburban areas and all of metropolitan Kansas City. When the issue of urban deer hunting lands in the lap of the Cape Girardeau City Council tonight, it will begin anew a process that has been repeated in communities across Missouri as officials almost everywhere have struggled with how best to manage deer encroachment into city boundaries...

Peaches is a beautiful dilute calico cat and she was born in 2003. She is very friendly, loves to be petted, and would be thrilled to be part of a family. If you are considering a cat for adoption, please give Peaches a chance to be part of a real home where she is loved. Please call Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary at 243-9823 to find out more about Peaches...

ST. LOUIS -- Despite dozens of incidents of testing irregularities, Missouri education officials spend nothing on test fraud detection services and have dismantled a program that had sent inspectors randomly into schools to ensure tests were administered properly...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce has lost its tax-exempt status after failing to file annual reports with the IRS. The federal tax exemption held by the organization was automatically revoked for its failure to file a Form 990 for three consecutive years...

Today is Monday, March 19, the 79th day of 2012. There are 287 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On March 19, 1962, Bob Dylan's first album, eponymously titled "Bob Dylan," was released by Columbia Records. (Of the 13 songs recorded for the album, two were Dylan originals: "Talkin' New York" and "Song to Woody," a tribute to Woody Guthrie.)...

Cape Girardeau County Tax liens and lien discharges recorded at the office of Scott R. Clark, recorder of deeds, during February are filed by the Missouri Department of Revenue, except as indicated by IRS designation. For more information, contact the recorder's office at (573) 243-8123...

FITNESS CENTER OPENS IN Poplar bluff POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting to open Ozark Private Fitness, located next to Ozark Fitness at 2705 N. Westwood Blvd. GIFT SHOP OPENS IN ADVANCE ADVANCE, Mo. ...

SCHRUMPF IS MHA DISTRICT PRESIDENT SIKESTON, Mo. -- Jason Schrumpf, president of Missouri Delta Medical Center, was elected to a one-year term as president of the Missouri Hospital Association's Southeast District Council. One of six district council presidents, he will direct input from council members on national, state and regional health care policies to the MHA Board of Trustees. District council presidents also select recipients of MHA's Excellence in Governance awards...

DARBY IS ROOKIE OF THE MONTH Kelly Darby of Jackson, a financial representative with Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, was Rookie of the Month in the Missouri East Region for January. The honor is given to a full-time representative who has been with the company fewer than three years and is leading the region in production...

Business licenses issued in Cape Girardeau during February include the following:Best Buy Mobile No. 2982, 3049 William St. 137 Deez Kuts, 709 William St. Genoa Healthcare of Missouri LLC, 402 S. Silver Springs Road 101 Ken's Handyman & Home Improvement, 610 Rockin R Ridge Lane, Oak Ridge...

Carolyn Kempf, president and owner of Elite Travel Inc., may originally be from Boring, Ore., but that's one thing she is not! "I am absolutely over the top in love with people and travel," she says. It goes without saying that she also loves traveling to new and exciting places. ...

Nicolette Brennan's heart is in public service. The city of Cape Girardeau's public information manager is mom to Tony and fiancee of John Lyle, and a volunteer superwoman. She is a board member of SEMO Court Appointed Special Advocates and Tristate Advertising & Marketing. ...

"I love to cook, and I love to help people," says Ryan Eftink, sales manager of Double D Supply Co. and co-owner of Smokin Brothers. "Love what you do and you will find success in it." That has proved true for the Oran, Mo., native who joined the family business, Double D Supply Co., in 2002 and founded Smokin Brothers as a barbecue team with his brother-in-law in 2005. ...

Blanchard Elementary kindergarten teacher Mary Ann Lewis strives to help children become "respectful, nice, loving, learning boys and girls." With 30 years teaching in Cape Girardeau Public Schools, she's done that for countless students. Outside the classroom, she gives back to the community as a volunteer in LaCroix Church's children's ministry, a member of Southeast Hospital Auxiliary, a volunteer at Southeast Hospital, a member of the Southeast Missouri State University Booster Club and a team member for Relay for Life. ...

One in four children in Southeast Missouri go to bed hungry. As children's programs manager for Southeast Missouri Food Bank, Amanda Winschel is working to change that, and she's passionate about her mission. "I love knowing that I am truly making a difference," she says. ...

Jessica King, webmaster at SoutheastHEALTH, says she's always looking for new opportunities to challenge herself and help her grow. At work, that means staying up-to-date with the latest technology and programs through classes, webinars and taking initiative to learn things on her own. ...

Doug Buchheit, general merchandise manager of Buchheit Inc., has been a part of the family business his entire working career. "My earliest memories of working in the family business are hauling soybeans and making deliveries with Rudy Buchheit, my grandfather," he says. ...

Cherie Harris is the only advanced certified contact lens technician in Missouri. "I love learning about contact lenses," she says. "I attend workshops every chance I get to stay at the top of the field." At Leet EyeCare in Cape Girardeau, Harris fits patients in contact lenses for medical or cosmetic reasons. ...

Donna Denson started at the Southeast Missourian in 1991 selling community sponsorship pages and since has worked her way up to the position of advertising director. She serves on the United Way of Southeast Missouri board of directors, as secretary of Old Town Cape's board, as an ambassador with the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce and as second vice president of the Southeast Missouri Press Association. ...

Deb Maevers was told once to use what you have to help who you can every day. She does just that, whether it's helping a customer find a vintage piece to redecorate their living room or helping raise money for victims of domestic violence. Maevers is owner Pastimes Antiques in Cape Girardeau as well as the founder and executive director of the VintageNOW Fashion Show, an annual event benefiting the Safe House for Women. ...

Instead of celebrating her 50th birthday with a lavish party in her honor, Rita Crain invited her friends and family to pick up a hammer and spend the day helping to build a Habitat for Humanity house. In addition to being owner and manager of Girardeau Ventures and Crain Industrial Properties, Crain volunteers with FISH Food Pantry, serves on the SEMO Symphony board and is a Redhawks Athletic Booster. ...

Heather Short left her banking career to take a job that allowed her to give back to the community she cares about so much. Short works as communications and marketing director for the United Way of Southeast Missouri. She's also the chairwoman of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce's ambassadors committee and recently received the organization's Go Getter Award. Originally from Dexter, Mo., Short and her husband, Jess, and their 2-year-old son Walker live in Cape Girardeau...

Greg Carda knows his health care management decisions are ultimately affecting the lives of patients. As chief market operations officer at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and Health Management Associates of Southeast Missouri, Carda has worked to establish a reputation of openness, honesty and credibility. ...

Jean M. Mason has worked with Ameren Missouri for more than 25 years, moving from its St. Louis headquarters to serve as manager of the company's SEMO Division in 2003. While her main office is in Cape Girardeau, she works throughout the region with offices in Potosi, Park Hills, Dexter and Hayti. ...

Douglas McDermott's work as president and CEO of the Farmington Chamber of Commerce puts him in the heart of his community, and that's just where he wants to be. McDermott got his start at Southeast Missouri State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in mass communications and a master's degree in higher education administration. ...

Ray Ressel is a busy man. He's the chef and owner of Ray's Restaurant in Kelso, Mo., and Ray's Plaza Banquet Center in Cape Girardeau. As if running two businesses wasn't enough, he also volunteers and donates services to several organizations. In his Who's Who nomination, Ressel was described as "the textbook definition of a great community leader, and the world is always in need of more people like him." He donates time and services to organizations such as the American Cancer Society, United Way, March of Dimes, Lutheran Family & Children's Services and many of the area's Catholic Home and School programs, among others. ...

Randy Barnhouse, a retired teacher and owner of Atlantis Swimming Pool Service since 1998, is known for his involvement in the River City Players, Elks Club and American Legion. He's also a swim instructor at Southeast Missouri State University, a treasure salvage diver for more than 26 years, and a supporter of the Humane Society, Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary and the World War II Honor Tour. Barnhouse lives in Cape Girardeau with his wife Debra. He has two stepsons, Jay and Luke Lowes...

Scott Blank was born and raised in Cape Girardeau, and in his family business, Bi-State Oil Co. He started working at Bi-State in 1997 and bought the company from his parents in 2003. Blank keeps busy with his wife Lisa and baby Benjamin, and he's served on boards for the City of Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department, Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce and Old Town Cape. ...

Stan Schultz, president of Schultz & Summers Engineering Inc. in Poplar Bluff, has done big things in his company and throughout Southeast Missouri. Whether it's organizing a rural water district or sewer services or surveying for a new highway, Schultz is committed to improving the way of life in rural areas. ...

Bankruptcies filed through February for the Southeastern Division of the Eastern District of Missouri's U.S. Bankruptcy Court are listed below with their corresponding case number. The Southeast Division includes the counties of Bollinger, Butler, Carter, Dunklin, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard and Wayne. Court is held in Cape Girardeau...

The Rev. Ron Watts, senior and founding pastor at LaCroix Church in Cape Girardeau, has been with the congregation since it started in 1988. Since then, he's led the church to serve not only in Cape Girardeau, but around the world. Locally, the church financially supports or volunteers with the Salvation Army, Safe House for Women, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, area food banks, The Bridge -- an outreach center in South Cape -- and more. ...

After graduating from the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Melissa Miller worked jobs as a reporter, photographer, editor and not-for-profit director in Missouri, Michigan and Indiana. After her first niece was born in 2009, Miller moved back to her hometown of Jackson to be near her family. ...

As care services and outreach specialist for the ALS Association, Lori Dobbs coordinates care, appointments and equipment for individuals diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease. She thinks nothing of taking calls at all hours from ALS patients, and offers just as much support for their families. ...

In his role as director of trauma and disaster services at Saint Francis Medical Center, Robert Grayhek participates in emergency operations planning and testing to make sure Southeast Missouri is prepared when disasters occur. He also works with local schools, police and the Missouri Department of Transportation to teach kids about preventing head and spinal injuries through the ThinkFirst Foundation. ...

Jodie Brunke is an account executive at IESI, an independent distributor for Premier Designs Jewelry, a mom to 4-year-old Kendall Reece and fiancee to B.J. Thompson. This busy Fruitland mom still finds time to stay active in her church, Cape County Cowboy Church, and volunteer with the March of Dimes, United Way, Red Cross, Discovery Playhouse, American Cancer Society and Muscular Dystrophy Association. ...

If you've never heard the distinct sound of the world-renowned Trans-Siberian Orchestra, another opportunity is coming up Thursday night when the band returns to Cape Girardeau to perform at the Show Me Center. Many know the band for its creative arrangements of popular Christmas songs, but the group also gives spectacular concerts and will impress the crowd on this trip with "Beethoven's Last Night," a nonholiday-themed performance...

Rush Limbaugh made a mistake, he apologized, sincerely; get over it. As usual, liberal pinheads missed the point, as proven by the woman's comments: "Contraception is the right of men and women." No one I know of is trying to take away anyone's contraception; that's a red herring put out by Obama to get away from the fact that he is trying to override the First Amendment and force churches to provide contraception. ...

Dear members of Congress:You seem to be having great difficulty in working out a budget, and I think it's because you're trying to please everyone, especially those people with the big bucks who helped you get elected. I have a suggestion. Instead of trying to make everyone happy with your budget, how about just doing something fair? How about cutting two percent from:...

Mark Twain, whose bust will be set close to Rush Limbaugh's in the state capitol, apparently anticipated Limbaugh's company: "The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain't distributed right." MICHAEL DEVANEY, Cape Girardeau...

A big thank you goes to the woman who bought my meal at the Burger King drive-thru recently in Jackson. I'll be sure to pay it forward. IF the price of gas continues like this I am going to have to join the rest of the Democrats and the Obama nation on welfare, because I can't afford to drive to work...

CHICAGO -- The public radio program "This American Life" on Friday retracted a story about what a monologist said he found while investigating Apple operations in China, citing "numerous fabrications." The show's Friday broadcast will detail inconsistencies in the highly popular Jan. 6 episode that was an excerpt from writer Mike Daisey's critically acclaimed one-man show "The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs," which currently is at the Public Theater in New York...

Vendors interested in taking part in the new Cape Riverfront Market can learn more about the project this week. The new open air market will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the parking lot at 35 S. Spanish Street, across from Bel Air Grill. It will begin May 5 and continue every Saturday for the next 25 Saturdays...

Board-certified neurosurgeon Dr. Howard L. Smith has joined the Brain & NeuroSpine Clinic of Missouri. He brings 20 years of experience to the practice. Smith graduated from medical school at the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, Okla. Smith completed a general surgery internship and residency in neurosurgery at the University of Missouri at Columbia and obtained a juris doctor's degree from the Loyola University School of Law. ...

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board hopes May Greene Garden at Themis and Fountain streets will become the city's newest park; the board has recommended to the city council that the city take over maintenance of the community landmark; to do that, however, would require the city to obtain ownership of the property or at least a long-term lease...

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

Firefighters responded to the following calls Saturday:...

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

THEBES, Ill. -- Rheta "Betty" Williams, 78, of Thebes, Ill., died Friday, March 16, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born February 3, 1934, to Sidney and Martha Clara (Waterman) Callis in Miller City, Ill. Betty was a member of Trinity Assembly of God Church and farmed all of her life...

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mo. -- Jack Ray Welker, 59, of Williamstown died Saturday, March 17, 2012, in his home after a long battle with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He was born Oct. 25, 1952, in Quincy, Ill., a son of Richard and Doris Tucker Welker. He married Shelia Kirchner on March 1, 1975, at the Shrine of St. Patrick in St. Patrick, Mo. She survives...

GLENALLEN, Mo. -- Ronald Mack McCormick, 78, of Glenallen passed away Saturday, March 17, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born June 5, 1933, at Chaffee, Mo., son of Ben and Virgie Lee McCormick. He and Shirley Jo Johnson were united in marriage March 3, 1962...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Sandra Jo Brown, 54, formerly of Cairo, Ill., died Saturday, March 17, 2012, at Parkway Regional Hospital, in Fulton, Ky. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time, and will be announced later by the Barkett Funeral Home of Cairo...

Gordon Louis Albrecht, 92, of Scott City passed away Saturday, March 17, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Oct. 5, 1919, in Illmo, son of Louis and Edna Roth Albrecht. He and Sara Idell Crouch were married June 22, 1946. She preceded him in death Feb. 7, 2002...

401 Independence St. Study session, 5 p.m. today Meeting, 7 p.m. today Items for discussion...

A home at 139 E. Cape Rock Drive sustained extensive damage during a fire Saturday night, according to the Cape Girardeau Fire Department. When firefighters arrived at the home, just after 10 p.m., they saw smoke coming from the rear of the home, said Battalion Chief Mark Starnes. East County Fire Protection District provided mutual aid...

The NCAA basketball tournament is off to another rousing start, thanks to an incredible Friday that featured arguably the most exciting early round day in tournament history. A No. 15 seed had not beaten a No. 2 seed since 2001, and it only had happened four times previously -- and never twice on the same day...

Conrad Klusmeier wanted to protect his father, who had just been released from the hospital. His background as an emergency responder told him his father's home could be hard for an ambulance to find. He knew helping emergency responders to find his father's house could save them precious seconds, and possibly save his life. ...

The Southeast Missouri State softball team gave up three unearned runs Sunday, which proved decisive. Eastern Kentucky took advantage to post a 4-2 victory in Richmond, Ky. The Colonels won the three-game Ohio Valley Conference series that saw the squads split Saturday's doubleheader...

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Authorities are searching for a New Madrid County inmate who escaped early Saturday after breaking security windows from inside the jail. According to New Madrid County Sheriff's Department personnel, the breakout by offender Michael P. ...

The returning Cardinals ace was sharp in a 4-2 victory against the Marlins

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Mitt Romney scored an overwhelming win Sunday in Puerto Rico's Republican presidential primary, trouncing chief rival Rick Santorum on the Caribbean island even as the two rivals looked ahead to more competitive contests this week in Illinois and Louisiana...

O Heavenly Father, we place our trust in you, and you alone. Amen.

NEW YORK -- Apple appears to be making less of a profit from each new iPad than it did when it launched the previous model a year ago, according to a research firm's analysis. IHS iSuppli took apart a new iPad on Friday, the day the device went on sale in the U.S. and nine other countries, and found that the components are more expensive than those of the iPad 2...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- As the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo marks its 60th year, some special events are in the works. "We really want to key in on this being our 60th anniversary and have several things planned, as well as a retro logo this year," said Zach Fayette, chairman of publicity and advertising for the Jaycees...