Stories from Tuesday, April 16, 2013

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Busch Stadium in St. Louis will host its first-ever football game on Sept. 21, a matchup between Southeast Missouri State and Southern Illinois University. Details were announced Monday at the ballpark. The field will be mostly in the outfield, though a small part will be on the infield dirt...

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) -- Family members of a Michigan man whose car was found in a remote area of Mark Twain National Forest in southern Missouri have stepped up efforts to find him. Fred Byrne's brother-in-law compiled a list of more than 70 counties between Holland, Mich., and Carter County, Mo., where his car was found, and family members plan to call law enforcement agencies and others, The Holland Sentinel reported (http://bit.ly/13fd7h3 )...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama pronounced the deadly Boston Marathon explosions an act of terrorism on Tuesday as individuals close to the investigation said the two bombs were made of pressure cookers packed with ball bearings and metal shards that cut into the victims...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Republican lawmakers are raising new concerns about the way Missouri has handled a list of concealed gun permit holders after learning about a plan to share it with federal firearms officials. In a January email, an employee at the Missouri Information Analysis Center said a fraud investigator with the Social Security Administration had requested a "comprehensive list" of people with Missouri concealed gun permits. ...

There's been little doubt about who the best high school golfer in Southeast Missouri has been this spring pound for pound. The medalist for the Jackson Invitational on Monday was not so easy to figure. It took 18 holes and a three-man playoff that lasted two holes, but the best pound-for-pound golfer in the area proved he also might be the best outright after shooting a 1-under-par 70...

The man accused in a September shooting death of Darcus T. Purl in Cape Girardeau appeared in court Monday for a review of his case. Steven Lee Williams, 34, charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action, appeared with his lawyer, public defender Amy Commean, before Circuit Judge William Syler at the county courthouse in Jackson. ...

BONNE TERRE, Mo. -- An inmate from Perry County confined at the Eastern Reception Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre died Sunday morning at the institution, officials from the correctional center said. Rickey Decourley, 55, began serving his 10 year sentence Oct. 4, 2010, for possession/discharging a loaded firearm while intoxicated and first-degree arson...

ULLIN, Ill. -- The Illinois State Police have released the identity of the man killed early Friday morning on Interstate 57 in Union County. Lt. Brad Lacey of the state police said 57-year-old William Mundy of Warren, Mich., was found dead shortly after 3 a.m. in the middle of the interstate between mile markers 37 and 38...

Two motorists were hurt Sunday afternoon after a fiery crash in Stoddard County. According to Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Clark Parrott, at about 4:30 p.m., Richard Reutzel, 79, of Advance, Mo., was southbound on Highway 25 in a 2003 Ford van when he attempted a left turn onto County Road 307. ...

A Jackson teenager was injured Sunday when the four-wheeler he was driving left the road and crashed into a barbed wire fence. Hunter Jessup, 19, was taken by ambulance to Saint Francis Medical Center with moderate injuries after the crash happened about 4:45 p.m. on County Road 442, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol's crash report...

The Cape Girardeau Sheriff's Department now has an app for iPhone users. The department has provided office information through a free application for Android users, but now those with an iPhone also will be able to do so. The application will allow users to check jail records, find mug shots of people booked into the jail or find contacts within the office...

A forcible rape alleged to have occurred Friday night is being investigated by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. According to Darin Hickey, police department spokesman, at about 9 a.m. Saturday officers responded to Southeast Hospital where a 29-year-old woman reported she had been raped the night before. The suspect allegedly involved in the rape was known to the woman, Hickey said, the woman said the rape happened at a Cape Girardeau residence...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A top official in Gov. Jay Nixon's administration abruptly resigned Monday, becoming the first person to step aside amid a controversy over the way Missouri gathers information about people with concealed-gun permits. Department of Revenue director Brian Long was on the job for four months. ...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- A large crowd -- the mayor said one of the biggest he's seen at a city meeting -- attended the Advance Board of Aldermen monthly meeting Monday night, the first meeting since the mayor moved to table an ordinance limiting dog ownership...

What may have been the worst-kept secret in Southeast Missouri and the greater Washington D.C. area is now a reality. Otto Porter Jr. is leaving Georgetown after his sophomore season and declaring himself eligible for the NBA draft. "The toughest part was knowing you're going to leave a great place like this," Porter said on Monday at a news conference on campus alongside Hoyas coach John Thompson III. "I love this place."...

The Southeast Missourian will partner with Southeast Missouri State University and KFVS12 to host a debate among candidates for the 8th Congressional District. It is set for 6:30 p.m. May 28 at the River Campus. The 200-seat Shuck Recital Hall will be the venue for the event...

Customers at the Cape Girardeau Schnucks store weren't letting news of a massive security breach interfere with their grocery shopping Monday evening. The company reported Monday that the breach may have compromised up to 2.4 million customers' credit and debit card information at 79 stores, including the one in Cape Girardeau, 19 S. Kingshighway...

Among the thousands of runners participating in the Boston Marathon on Monday was Southeast Missouri State University provost Dr. Ron Rosati. "It was a wonderful experience, until the very end," he said. Rosati crossed the finish line seconds before the first bomb exploded. By the time the second bomb went off about 10 seconds later, Rosati said he was about 50 yards away...

Hey Grandpa, This will give you something to talk about with the lunch crowd at Saxony. While in Florda over the weekend, I celebrated my 15th birthday on Friday, Saturday I used my bow to get this gator.

Editor's note: The following story has been edited to reflect the correct water usage cost to Cape Girardeau residents. A wastewater rate increase to offset system improvements required by the state and to accommodate the city's growth was approved Monday night by the Jackson Board of Aldermen. Average water users will see a 56 percent increase in their bills beginning in June...

1st row L-R: Steven Peters, Hailey Yates, Taylor Seyer, Rachel Wichern. 2nd Row L-R: Bridget Schumer-State Council Representative, Brent Seyer, Morgan Crutsinger. 3rd Row L-R: Angie Crutsinger-Chaperone, Dustin Oehl-State 4-H Council President. Six Cape Girardeau County 4-H members were among over 300 youth attending the largest state 4-H Teen Conference in Missouri history, March 29-30, at the University of Missouri, Columbia. ...

ST. LOUIS -- Up to 2.4 million credit cards and debit cards used by customers at Schnucks grocery stores in four states may have been compromised during a three-month period, the suburban St. Louis chain said on Monday. Schnucks Markets Inc. for the first time outlined the potential breadth of fraud that came to light last month. Many customers have reported fraudulent charges, some in the thousands of dollars...

Today is Tuesday, April 16, the 106th day of 2013. There are 259 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On April 16, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his "Letter from Birmingham Jail" in which the civil rights activist responded to a group of local clergymen who'd criticized him for leading street protests; King defended his tactics, writing, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."...

Implanted ‘bracelet’ helps treat chronic heartburn

WASHINGTON -- Talk about a comeback. A treatment pulled off the market 30 years ago has won Food and Drug Administration approval again as the only drug specifically designated to treat morning sickness. That long-ago safety scare, prompted by hundreds of lawsuits claiming birth defects, proved to be a false alarm...

LOS ANGELES -- The MTV Movie Awards spread the golden popcorn prizes around, and even included a touch of Bollywood. "The Avengers" won three awards, including the top prize-movie of the year. "Silver Linings Playbook" also collected three awards. Several stars, including show host Rebel Wilson, won a pair of prizes...

CRUMP, Mo. -- J. "Gus" Stroder, 72, of Hillsboro, Mo., formerly of Crump, died Thursday, April 11, 2013, at Mercy Jefferson Hospital. He had been battling cancer for the last six years. He was a small-business owner. He is survived by Charlie Cagle, his partner of 40 years; three daughters, Cindy (Jean) Chard of Wildwood, Mo., Stacee (Steve) Vossen of O'Fallon, Mo., and Kirbi (Ronnie) Pemberton of Maryland Heights, Mo.; one son, Terry Robertson-Stroder of Hillsboro; and one sister Shirley (Jack) Young of Webster Groves, Mo. ...

H.W. "Bud" Obermann, 86, of Dutchtown died Monday, April 15, 2013, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

BARNHART, Mo. -- Melvin E. Lewis, 87, of Chaffee, Mo., formerly of Barnhart, passed away Sunday, April 14, 2013, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Oct. 29, 1925, in Puxico, Mo., to the late David and Frona Brewer Lewis. He and Virginia M. Duncan were married April 10, 1948. She preceded him in death May 30, 2010...

MOUNDS, Ill. -- Craig Jones, 59, of Mounds died Saturday, April 13, 2013, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Craig was an insulin-dependent diabetic for 40 years. Survivors include his father, Robert E. Jones of Mounds; mother and stepfather, Charlene and Frank Linn of Cape Girardeau; a sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Dan Pirtle of Champaign, Ill.; two nieces, Kate Pirtle De Leon (John) of Chicago and Amy Pirtle Carey (James) of Itzig, Luxembourg; and a great-nephew, Ronin De Leon.. ...

Velma L. James, 93, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, April 14, 2013, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born Nov. 23, 1919, in Campbell, Mo., to Andrew J. and Minnie Pearl Williams Harris. She and Allen Elton James were married Jan. 21, 1939, in Campbell. He died June 23, 1957...

Shirley A. Givens, 67, of Delta passed away Sunday, April 14, 2013, at the family farm in Delta. She was born Aug. 3, 1945, in Cape Girardeau to William and Margaret Matilda Kinder Birkman Jr. She and Terry Givens were married July 31, 1970. Shirley was an elementary teacher with the Delta School District, teaching various grades. She later received a master's degree specializing in remedial reading. She was a member of the Church of God of Prophecy in Delta and MSTA...

Sheila R. Caskey, 74, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, April 13, 2013, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Feb. 13, 1939, in Chicago to Raymond B. and Grace F. Meadows Caskey. Sheila received a bachelor of science degree in education and master's of science degree from Illinois State University at Normal and a Ph.D. from Purdue University...

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

Firefighters responded to the following calls Saturday:...

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

Restoration of two old locomotives in Capaha and Arena parks is nearing completion; Thomas M. Meyer, who heads the "Save the Trains" project, believes the work on one or both of the locomotives can be completed by April 23, "Friends of the Park Day."...

A piece of Jackson history continues to be preserved thanks to the efforts of the Jackson Heritage Association, volunteers and community donors. The Southeast Missourian recently reported that the Oliver House -- named after a prominent local lawyer, county prosecuting attorney and state senator -- is open for tours. According to one organizer behind the facility, the house has undergone several improvements...

Watch out, the United Nations Arms Treaty is not to be trusted. Even though liberal U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry recently praised the treaty in a statement, and said the terms only apply to international trade and does not infringe on the right of any state to regulate arms within its territory. ...

All the local high school events reported Monday to the Southeast Missourian.

Southeast Missouri State has played Southern Illinois in football more than any other opponent, a total of 80 times in a rivalry that dates to 1909. This year, for the first time, the contest will be held in St. Louis in a matchup that will also mark the first football game at the seven-year-old Busch Stadium...

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team has lost its last five mid-week nonconference games. Three were blowouts and two were one-run decisions. Southeast (19-18, 11-7 Ohio Valley Conference) will look to avenge one of those narrow non-league defeats today when Arkansas State (19-17, 6-9 Sun Belt Conference) visits Capaha Field for a 5 p.m. matchup...

Son to Wayne Thomas and Tabatha Ann Essner of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Hospital, 10:08 a.m. Thursday, April 4, 2013. Name, Zachary Scott. Weight, 5 pounds, 12 ounces. First child. Mrs. Essner is the former Tabatha Crabtree, daughter of Mike and Gayla Crabtree of Cape Girardeau. She is a commodities trader at Cargill. Essner is the son of Ralph and Donna Essner of Kelso, Mo. He is plant manager at Cargill...

PYONGYANG, North Korea -- North Koreans celebrated the birthday of their first leader Monday by dancing in plazas and snacking on peanuts, with little hint of the fiery language that has kept the international community fearful that a missile launch may be imminent...

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuela's government-friendly electoral council on Monday certified the razor-thin presidential victory of Hugo Chavez's hand-picked successor, apparently ignoring opposition demands for a recount as anti-government protests broke out in the bitterly polarized nation...

NEW YORK -- Worries about an economic slowdown in China fueled a steep drop in commodity prices Monday, spooking investors and giving the stock market its worst day of the year. The trigger for the sell-off came from China, where the world's second-largest economy expanded 7.7 percent in the first three months of the year, well below forecasts of 8 percent or better. ...

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court seemed worried Monday about the idea of companies patenting human genes in a case that could profoundly reshape the multibillion-dollar biomedical industry and U.S. research in the fight against diseases such as breast and ovarian cancer...

WASHINGTON -- A bipartisan proposal to expand background checks to more gun buyers seemed in jeopardy Monday as a growing number of Republican senators expressed opposition to the proposal, perhaps enough to derail it. But there was plenty of time for lobbying and deal-making to affect the outcome, and the sponsors seemed willing to consider carving out at least one exemption in an effort to drum up votes...

Route D in Stoddard County closed for railroad repairs Route D in Stoddard County, from Highway 25 to County Road 717, will be closed as railroad company crews make crossing repairs. The work will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday. Railroad crossing repairs close Route Z in Stoddard County...

SARS began as a mystery illness -- without name, origin or cure. In 2003, CDC and other public health scientists across the globe scrambled to understand and contain the new health threat. February 2003 CDC began working with the World Health Organization [WHO] in late February 2003 to investigate and confirm outbreaks of an unusual pneumonia in Southeast Asia. ...

The Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety is offering a free AARP driver safety class, designed for older, experienced drivers. The class will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 9, with a break for lunch, at the Missouri Department of Transportation's Southeast District Office, 2675 N. Main St., in Sikeston, Mo. The class will consist of video presentations, lecture and discussion. There are no tests, and there will be a number of breaks...

A Holocaust survivor will speak next week at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus. Rachel Miller of St. Louis will speak from noon to 1:55 p.m. April 24 as part of Holocaust Rembembrance Day. The event is free and open to the public. Miller was born and raised in France before World War II and was hidden as a child during the Holocaust...

Lord Jesus, as you washed your disciples' feet, may we also serve one another in love. Amen.

PITTSBURGH -- The St. Louis Cardinals unleashed years of frustration against Pittsburgh Pirates starter James McDonald with one big inning. Led by two-run doubles from Jon Jay and Allen Craig, the Cardinals chased McDonald with a seven-run second and then held on for a 10-6 victory Monday night...

Cape Girardeau's city council voted to move forward with steps in various projects throughout the city during Monday's meeting. Asbestos remediation is complete at the former Convention & Visitors Bureau building on Broadway that soon will be torn down. The council voted to approve final payment for the remediation, which cost just more than $20,000...

BOSTON (AP) -- The bombs that blew up seconds apart at the finish line of one of the world's most storied races left the streets spattered with blood and glass, three dead, including an 8-year-old boy, more than 140 wounded and gaping questions of who chose to attack at the Boston Marathon and why...