Stories from Thursday, April 12, 2012

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Missouri Senate committee is expected to sign off on a budget plan that cuts funding for social services but not education. The Senate Appropriations Committee was to meet Thursday to vote on its version of a $24 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1...

Postal employees, community activists and retirees will rally outside Senate offices around the country Thursday, including at Cape Girardeau's federal building. According to a news release from the Missouri National Association of Letter Carriers, the rally is being done to protest proposed cuts to the postal service, which are expected to eliminate employees...

The 300 block of Broadway has reopened after it was shut down for much of Thursday morning. The block was shut down starting at 9 a.m. to accommodate work being done for local television station KFVS12, city officials said.

Make and model: 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Owner(s): Laurel and Chris Adkisson Owner's hometown: Cape Girardeau 6.1 liter 420 horsepower all wheel drive with factory 20 inch Alcoa Chrome wheels Laurel has wanted an SRT8 for several years and when this one showed up she had to have it. It's even her favorite color Black...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Thousands of low-income working parents in Missouri could lose their state-subsidized child care or be forced to pay more out of pocket as a result of a proposed budget cut that would make Missouri's eligibility standards the most stringent in the nation...

Some community organizations are searching for donors to commit to using their state tax credits, while others wish they had them to give. Both Lutheran Family and Children's Services and the Southeast Missouri Food Bank are looking for people interested in receiving tax credits worth 50 percent of each donation through the Missouri Department of Economic Development's Neighborhood Assistance Program in exchange for donations. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Naturalists at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center will combine GPS navigational skills with outdoor exercise and appreciation of nature at the Spring GPS Challenge, April 21 from 1-3 p.m. "Whether you're into geocaching or just want to brush up on your outdoor skills, the Spring GPS Challenge is a great way to get out for some fresh air and fun," said Greg Jacobs, a Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Nature Center Naturalist...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. --The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center will host their first canoe trip of the season at Duck Creek Conservation Area (CA) April 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Missouri offers many excellent opportunities for boating and fishing, and there are ample opportunities to leisurely kayak and canoe to enjoy the scenery, according to Greg Jacobs, a Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Naturalist. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center will hold a night fishing event for children May 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. This "Nature Center at Night" event will feature lessons on the basics of fishing. The whole family is invited to the Nature Center's kid's fishing pond to see what kind of monsters will pulled out of the pond in the twilight hours...

The deadline for the Ruth A Buckhannon Memorial RN Scholarship is Friday, April 19, 2012. This annual scholarship in the amount of $4,000 will be awarded to a 2012 graduating senior of any public high school located in Scott County who plans to become a registered nurse. Contact Chaffee High School counselor Brandi Ritter at 573/887-3226 for application forms and guidelines...

Midwest Agri-Chemico, Inc., and Midwest Grain and Barge Company of Cape Girardeau, Mo., donated a Kawasaki 4010 Mule today to the Department of Agriculture at Southeast Missouri State University. Russ Mothershead, president and chief executive officer of Midwest Agri-Chemico, Inc., and Midwest Grain and Barge, donated the utility vehicle, to support the University's agriculture program of which he and several of his employees are graduates...

Midwest Agri-Chemico, Inc., and Midwest Grain and Barge Company of Cape Girardeau have donated a Kawasaki 4010 Mule to the Department of Agriculture at Southeast Missouri State University. Russ Mothershead, president and CEO of Midwest Agri-Chemico, Inc., and Midwest Grain and Barge, donated the utility vehicle, to support the University's agriculture program of which he and several of his employees are graduates...

Our Family took this photo on Easter Sunday. In this photo: Gina & Darryl LeGrand, Jacy LeGrand & Jalen McDowell of Cape Girardeau, MO and Chris & Rosana Vaughn, Isabella Vaughn & Austin Proctor of Mansfield, TX and Jacob & Chrystal LeGrand of Plano, TX...

The state's stabilizing economy isn't good news for everyone. Missouri's declining unemployment rate now makes it ineligible to operate the Extended Benefit unemployment program. The federally-funded Extended Benefit program ended April 7, affecting 9,000 of the 112,000 Missourians currently receiving unemployment, according to the Missouri Department of Labor...

The 2012 MMS UCC Labyrinth Retreat: "The Labyrinth: A Spiritual Tool for Such a Time as This" will be held on April 27-28, 2012, at Abbey Road Christian Church (DOC), 2411 Abbey Road, Cape Girardeau, MO. It will be led by Dr. Marc A. Wessels, Associate Conference Minister with the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ. ...

CEDAR HILLS, Mo. (AP) -- A Missouri woman can't feel too bad about her near miss in the record Mega Millions drawing from last month. After all, she still won $250,000 on a ticket she bought on a whim. The Missouri Lottery on Wednesday identified the $250,000 winner as 43-year-old Roberta Riester of Cedar Hill, near St. Louis. She bought the winning ticket at a U-Gas station in Cedar Hill for the March 30 drawing...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Democratic Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster reports raising more than $890,000 for his re-election campaign during the past three months. Koster's campaign reported Wednesday that it now has $2 million in his campaign bank account. Campaigns must report their fundraising activities since January by Monday...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- As the legislative session winds down, the leader of the Missouri Senate is still hopeful that progress can finally be made on a comprehensive tax-credit reform bill this year. On Tuesday, Republican Senate President Pro Tem Robert Mayer said there is still time to pass a bill that would end or significantly limit a number of state tax credit programs, even though similar legislation failed dramatically during a special session last year...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri House members have rewritten the ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment clearing the way for someday requiring voters to show photo identification. Lawmakers approved the photo ID measure last year and wrote a summary that would go on a statewide ballot this year...

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- Three Doniphan residents have been ordered to stand trial in connection with the deaths of two elderly couples whose bodies were found in their burned homes in 2010. David Youngblood, 47, his 19-year-old daughter, Chantale E. Youngblood, and her then-boyfriend, Keith A. Boyles, 19, appeared Tuesday morning before Associate Circuit Judge Thomas Swindle for arraignment on four counts each of first-degree murder and armed criminal action...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The Bollinger County Commission and the Bollinger County Library have taken the first steps toward building a new library. If it is feasible, the county commission will move the Extension center and county archives into the new library building...

BENTON, Mo. -- A former Malden, Mo., tanning salon owner was sentenced this week on charges that he secretly taped women at his salon. According to Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen P. Sokoloff, Joseph Layland, Jr., 37, entered guilty pleas on Monday in Scott County Circuit Court before Judge David Dolan on two counts of possession of child pornography and one count of felony invasion of privacy. ...

BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County commissioners were surprised by figures presented to the Sikeston City Council on Monday but are still hopeful a 911 consolidation can be worked out. During their Tuesday meeting, commissioners reviewed a spreadsheet prepared by Sikeston city staff which shows anticipated costs associated with the creation and operation of a joint dispatching center...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A motion to increase tuition and common fees at Three Rivers College failed Tuesday at the board of trustees monthly meeting for lack of a second. Bills for full-time students taking 12 credit hours would have increased between $72 and $144 per year under a new proposal recommended by administration. This is less than half the increase originally discussed in February...

The Notre Dame girls soccer team defeated Cape Central 3-0 on Wednesday.

DEXTER, Mo. -- A third public meeting of the Bootheel Regional Technology Planning Team is planned for 9 a.m. today at the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission office in Dexter. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the draft of a plan to expand broadband Internet service to rural areas...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- New city officials in Marble Hill are faced with some major problems starting immediately when they embark on their terms. The new board of aldermen faces rising water, sewer and trash collection rates to keep up with the costs of maintaining the city's water and sewer system. ...

Teen Challenge International of Mid America will hold its annual spring banquet for Cape Girardeau on Saturday at the Show Me Center. The banquet will begin at 6 p.m. To reserve a seat, call 335-6508. Teen Challenge International of Mid America is a long-term, residential, faith-based rehabilitation program that ministers to men ages 16 and older with drug, alcohol and other addictions...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- An investigation is underway into a fatal shooting, the Standard Democrat reported. Charleston Public Safety director Robert E. Hearnes said his officers were called to 706 Grand Ave. at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday to investigate a shooting. ...

Today is Thursday, April 12, the 103rd day of 2012. There are 263 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On April 12, 1862, during the Civil War, Union volunteers led by James J. Andrews stole a Confederate locomotive near Marietta, Ga., and headed toward Chattanooga, Tenn., on a mission to sabotage as much of the rail line as they could; the raiders were caught, and eight of them, Andrews included, were executed as spies. ...

Son to Lee Crisler and Whitney Lyn LaValle of Jackson, Southeast Hospital, 12:51 a.m. Wednesday, April 4, 2012. Name, Westin Levi. Weight, 8 pounds. Third child, second son. Mrs. LaValle is the former Whitney Wade, daughter of Mark and Sherrie Wade of New Madrid, Mo. She is a registered nurse at Southeast. LaValle is the son of Bobby and Linda LaValle of New Madrid. He is a certified registered nurse anesthetist at Southeast...

A new congregation has been established in Cape Girardeau that is affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America; the Evangelical Free Church of Cape Girardeau is holding services at Trinity Lutheran School; pastor is George Jewell. Bishop Abel T. Muzorewa, resident bishop of the Zimbabwe area, speaks in the evening at Centenary United Methodist Church...

Using a few materials from around the house, you can create a potato gun. STEP 2: Push the other end of the copper tube into the potato. Pull the tube out of the potato. STEP 3: Use the wooden dowel rod to push one of the potato plugs about 6 inches into the copper tube...

SCHOLARSHIPS HONORS, ACHIEVEMENTS -- From staff reports Susan Matthews...

In sports and business, when circumstances go the wrong way for an organization, stakeholders dismiss their leaders outright. Curiously, when it comes to incumbent congressmen, with an 8 percent approval rating, Americans repeatedly send the same poor performers back to Washington...

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

Firefighters responded to the following calls Tuesday:...

FRIDAY "The Cabin in the Woods," rated R @ Cape West 14 Cine "Lockout," rated PG13 @ Cape West 14 Cine "October Baby," rated PG13 @ Cape West 14 Cine "The Three Stooges," rated PG @ Cape West 14 Cine SATURDAY Sunday NEXT WEEK...

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

On Wednesday, the Cape Girardeau Central High School baseball team will host Kelly High School at 4 p.m. at the Central baseball complex. This game has been dubbed the "Come Home to Central" game and is a part of the yearlong centennial celebration here at Central. ...

Last May Cape Girardeau lost a talented musician and first-class gentleman, Dr. Gary Miller. Miller, who at the time of his death served as the associate dean and director of the Earl and Margie Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts, frequently appeared in local performances. Though the organ and harpsichord were his primary instruments, Miller could also impress on the oboe, cello and piano...

IF the Republican Party is the "party of no," then the Democrats must be the "party of nothing," as in do-nothing on the budget. At a time when our country faces a spending and debt crisis of staggering proportions, how does the president and the Democrat-controlled Senate justify sitting on their collective rumps and doing absolutely nothing? The president has not submitted a realistic budget that even his loyal senators could pass, and on its own, the Senate has done nothing. ...

By the end of next week, 10 high school juniors and seniors in the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center's aviation program won't have to wonder what it's like to fly high in the cockpit of a commercial airliner. They'll have done it during the school day as a job shadowing activity...

WASHINGTON -- The government says avid best-seller readers who use electronic books have been getting ripped off. Tina Fey's "Bossypants," Tim Tebow's "Through My Eyes" and Keith Richards' "Life" -- maybe they should have cost less. The Justice Department and 15 states sued Apple Inc. ...

Lord God, we praise you, for you are our hiding place, surrounding us with songs of deliverance. Amen.

The Iraq War is over, with the last U.S. forces withdrawn at the end of 2011. American and allied forces continue to fight in Afghanistan, but the Obama administration has signaled it intends to end that mission beginning in 2014. After more than 10 years of the War on Terror, however, the United States is on the downward slope in this global military engagement...

Odis Edward Shultz, 49, of Scott City passed away Monday, April 9, 2012, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, after a brief fight with cancer. Left on earth to cherish him is a son, Justen of Scott City; two daughters, Sierra of Cape Girardeau, Elisabeth Morris of Durant, Okla.; a brother, Herman of Scott City; two sisters, Margie (Sam) Pequeno of Scott City, Rose Pickett of Arlington, Texas; three nieces, Jessica Bolt, Sarah and Samantha Pequeno; a nephew, Christopher Pequeno; and seven great-nieces and nephews.. ...

James "Randy" Seabaugh, 66, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, April 9, 2012, at Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis. There will be no services. McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson is in charge of arrangement.

KELSO, Mo. — Maxine Messmer, 76, of Kelso died Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at her home. Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City is in charge of arrangements.

WITTENBERG, Mo. -- Charles David Holley, 59, of Wittenberg died Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at his home. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to time of service Saturday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Stan Hargis officiating...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Clara M. Dohogne, 97, of Chaffee died Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at the family home. She was born Jan. 4, 1915, in Commerce, Mo., to Otto and Elizabeth LeDure Vetter. She married August J. Dohogne on Nov. 21, 1946. He preceded her in death July 7, 1998...

OLMSTED, Ill. — Gene Dixon, 80, of Olmsted died Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at Massac Memorial Hospital in Metropolis, Ill. Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge, Ill., is in charge of arrangements.

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Eugenia A. "Jeanie" Beshears, 59, of Grand Chain, Ill., formerly of Olive Branch, died Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at her home. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to service time Saturday at Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge, Ill...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Charles J. Besand, 87, of Perryville died Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born Sept. 24, 1924, in Perryville, son of Alphonse and Louise Rollet Besand. He and Alice A. Walter were married Oct. 5, 1946. She preceded him in death April 10, 2012...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missourians who serve in the military could get a break on some taxes under a proposed constitutional amendment endorsed by the House. The measure would provide an exemption on personal property that active-duty military personnel from Missouri don't use while they're stationed outside the country. The measure needs another vote before moving to the state Senate...

NEW YORK -- The price of natural gas has fallen to its lowest level in more than a decade, a remarkable decline for a commodity that not long ago was believed to be in short supply. The country's supply of natural gas is growing so fast that analysts worry the country's underground storage facilities could be full by fall and lead to further price declines...

BEIRUT -- Syria promised to comply with a U.N.-brokered cease-fire beginning Thursday but carved out an important condition -- that the regime still has a right to defend itself against the terrorists that it says are behind the country's year-old uprising...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- The neighborhood watch volunteer who shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was arrested and charged with second-degree murder Wednesday after months of mounting tensions and protests across the country. George Zimmerman, 28, could get up to life in prison if convicted in the slaying of the unarmed black teenager.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A company that lost its Medicaid contract with Missouri is suing over the bid award process, alleging that state officials violated competitive bidding laws and changed the rules to favor certain companies, including a major donor to Gov. Jay Nixon...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri House members on Wednesday approved legislation that supporters hope will reduce lawsuits stemming from suicides at jails. The measure would require that anyone who sues because of a suicide prove the jail or detention center was grossly negligent -- a legal standard that Rep. Mike Kelly said is designed to be tougher and block meritless lawsuits...

The team of Judi Brey, Catharine Weed and Wendi Carns tied the team of Kathy Morris, Janet White and Lisa Bjelich for first place in the Cape Girardeau Country Club's Women's Golf Association's weekly outing. The team of Dana Underwood, Shirley Moore, Irene Thomas and Phyllis Seabaugh finished third...

CINCINNATI -- The St. Louis Cardinals tried to sneak out of the Great American Ball Park with a series sweep despite missing three starters. Joey Votto ruined the plan. Votto tied a career best with four hits and scored the go-ahead run on pinch-hitter Chris Heisey's ninth-inning single to cap a comeback from a three-run deficit and lead the Cincinnati Reds over the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 on Wednesday...

ST. LOUIS -- Ken Hitchcock's big decision decided itself. It was no surprise when the St. Louis Blues coach announced Jaroslav Halak would start in goal in the playoff opener against the San Jose Sharks. After all, his other option, Brian Elliott, didn't practice because of an unspecified upper-body injury sustained about a week ago...

Southeast Missouri State seniors Kody Campbell and Emily Mann take pride in having been able to juggle athletics and academics during their college years. Their diligence was recognized earlier this week when they earned top honors during Southeast's annual scholar-athlete reception...

News from around the world of Southeast Missouri State athletics.

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

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Route K in Stoddard County will be closed today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a culvert pipe under the road from Highway 25 to Route BB. The work will be done from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., weather permitting. The work zone will be marked with signs. For more information, contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center at 888-275-6636, or visit www.modot.org/southeast...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Eastbound U.S. 60 in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane, between One Mile Road and Highway 25, as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs next week. Weather permitting, work will begin at 6 a.m. Monday and end at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. The work zone will be marked with signs. For more information, contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center at 888-275-6636, or visit www.modot.org/southeast...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Southbound Interstate 55 in Scott County will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction from Route M at Scott City to Highway 77 at Benton, Mo., as contractor crews begin the asphalt overlay. Weather permitting, the work will be done from 6:30 a.m. ...

HANNIBAL, Mo. (AP) -- A Hannibal landmark turns 100 next year, and the northeast Missouri town is already making plans for the centennial celebration. The Hannibal Courier-Post (http://bit.ly/Hs00gI ) reports that the Mark Twain statue that overlooks the Mississippi River in Riverview Park was erected by the state in 1913 to honor the hometown author...

WASHINGTON -- After an entire century that included two high-profile government investigations and countless books and movies, we're still debating what really caused the Titanic to hit an iceberg and sink on that crystal-clear, chilly night. Maybe there's more to blame than human folly and hubris. ...