Stories from Friday, January 12, 2018

Former softball coach Lana Richmond and Southeast Missouri State University have settled a federal civil suit over allegations of gender discrimination and retaliation, according to court records. The settlement was reached in late December as a result of a mediation effort, according to an "alternate dispute resolution" report filed in federal court on Dec. 22...

An elderly Perryville woman died early Thursday in a mobile home fire, Perry County Sheriff Gary Schaaf said. The blaze killed Sarah Hanks, 85, who lived in the mobile home at 88 Amber Lane, in Perryville, Schaaf said. The sheriff's department was notified of the structure fire at 3:44 a.m...

A Cape Girardeau man's daily routine paid off when he won a $50,000 top prize on Missouri Lottery's "Money Mania" Scratchers game. David Hale said he stops at Bi-State Southern Convenience Store at 612 S. Sprigg St. daily, often buying lottery tickets...

With a winter storm and temperatures below freezing on the way, local churches, businesses and community members are making sure those facing housing insecurity are not left out in the cold. The People's Shelter is a pop-up homeless shelter spearheaded by Rev. Renita Green of St. James A.M.E. Church in Cape Girardeau. Its doors opened at 6 p.m., and Green said she expects to keep them open until Wednesday or while the temperature stays below 30 degrees...

Today is Friday, Jan. 12, the 12th day of 2018. There are 353 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Jan. 12, 1948, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Sipuel v. Board of Regents of University of Oklahoma, unanimously ruled that state law schools could not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race...

It's good to know that it is still possible for Mother Nature to surprise us all, and she does it without the Internet or electronic devices of any kind. Stick with me, because this is pretty fascinating. Most of us, having just gone through another season of Advent/Christmas/College Football, have had our fill of poinsettias, those brilliant red-leafed plants that decorate our houses and give our churches a bit of cheer...

By the time you read this Friday morning, there's a very good chance the roads will be ice-covered, as freezing precipitation was expected late Thursday night and into Friday morning. So we expect that a lot of schools and businesses will be closing for the day. Travel could be hazardous...

The tactic of tweeting is an effective, direct and unfiltered strategy that the opponents to this president loathe. Donald Trump is a self-aware, bulldozer of a President who accurately views his opponents and treats them as such. In his effort to "Make America Great Again" he pulls no punches and survives where other traditional candidates would have withered. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens is facing intense political pressure after acknowledging being "unfaithful" in his marriage but denying allegations he blackmailed a woman to stay quiet. Greitens' denials followed a bombshell news report Wednesday night that overshadowed his annual address to the Legislature...

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump's puzzling tweets about a key U.S. spying law threw the House into temporary disarray Thursday, but lawmakers ended up renewing the law -- with a new restriction on when the FBI can dig into the communications of Americans swept up in foreign surveillance...

MONTECITO, Calif. -- More than two full days after mudslides ravaged the coastal town of Montecito, the search for the missing became an increasingly desperate exercise Thursday, with growing doubts about whether anyone would be found alive. Seventeen people from ages 3 to 89 were confirmed dead, and eight others were unaccounted for...

WASHINGTON -- In bluntly vulgar language, President Donald Trump questioned Thursday why the U.S. would accept more immigrants from Haiti and "s---hole countries" in Africa rather than places like Norway, as he rejected a bipartisan immigration deal, according to people briefed on the extraordinary Oval Office conversation...

NEW YORK -- Walmart confirmed Thursday that it is closing dozens of Sam's Club warehouse stores -- a move that a union-backed group estimated could cost thousands of jobs -- on the same day the company announced that it was boosting its starting salary for U.S. workers and handing out bonuses...

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump has promoted a tough-on-crime agenda at the White House. But he says the nation needs to find ways to help inmates eventually re-enter society. Searching for conservative solutions on criminal justice, Trump convened a group of governors, faith-based leaders and experts on Thursday to "break this vicious cycle" and find ways of bringing job training, mentoring and drug addiction treatment to the nation's prison population...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- After a tumultuous few months that saw numerous lawmakers accused of sexual misconduct, a majority of state legislatures across the country are considering strengthening sexual harassment policies that have gone unheeded or unchanged for years...

Democrats who once called Sessions 'unqualified' now want him to stay. Democrats who once used the rising stock market as evidence of an improved economy now ignore the record setting indexes. Democrats who once agreed that middle class tax breaks are a good thing now denounce them. Democrats once said they needed to "pass the bill before it could be read" now suddenly want committee hearings. The only thing that hasn't changed is that we don't trust Democrats to govern...

O Lord Jesus, we praise you, our Wonderful Counselor and Everlasting Father. Amen.

NEW GLOUCESTER, Maine -- Officials at a Maine outdoor center are warning skiers to watch out for an "aggressive dive-bombing" owl that recently struck a man. Pineland Farms says in a Facebook post the owl cut the man's head when it attacked, and neither skiers nor trail groomers have seen the bird since. Pineland said the owl is protecting a nest near a cross-country ski trail. They believe the bird is either a barred owl or a great horned owl...

CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests n Jason D. Goodman, 35, of Marble Hill, Missouri, was arrested on suspicion of possession of marijuana/synthetic cannaboid of 10 grams or less...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls: Thursday n Medical assists were made at 1:49 a.m. on North Spanish Street; at 8:06 a.m. on Clark Street; at 9:03 a.m. on Brenda Kay Court; at 9:06 a.m. on Aquamsi Street; at 11:46 a.m. on Washington Street; at 5:30 p.m. on Trenton Lane; at 5:46 p.m. on Perry Avenue; and at 9:26 p.m. on Locust Street...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests n Steven Voorhees, 24, of 708 N. Sprigg St. was charged with resisting arrest and prohibited pedestrian crossing at South Benton and William streets...

Freezing drizzle early yesterday left an icy glaze on highways and sidewalks that made going rough for both motorists and pedestrians; the ice nearly paralyzed rush-hour traffic; most schools called off classes. Cargo moved through the Southeast Missouri Regional Port on the Mississippi River near Scott City increases substantially in 1992; Mysie Keene, new president of the port authority's board of directors, says total tonnage moved in and out of the port in 1992 increased more than 50 percent over 1991.. ...

METROPOLIS, Ill. -- Clayton Bernard Bierbaum, 73, of Metropolis and formerly of Mound City, Illinois, died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, at Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center in Paducah, Kentucky. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge, Illinois, with a rosary service at 8 p.m. Visitation will continue from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday at the Louis Phares American Legion Post No. 178 in Villa Ridge...

Evelyn Marie Wiseman, 94, of Cape Girardeau passed away Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, at the Lutheran Home Assisted Living West. She was born April 14, 1923, in Cape Girardeau to Alvin and Florence Edna (Scherf) Ringwald. She married Ben Wiseman, and he preceded her in death...

SAINT CHARLES, Mo. -- Wanda M. Boswell, 84, of Saint Charles died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, at Saint Joseph Health Center. She was born March 5, 1933, in Cape Girardeau to Murrie and Mildred Crump Engram. She graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School in 1951 and attended Southeast Missouri State University...

Beatrice "Betty" Ann Bogenpohl, 78, of Jackson died Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018, at the Monticello House in Jackson. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Zion Lutheran Church in Pocahontas and from 9 a.m. until service time Monday at the church...

James Henry Kremer, 90, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are pending at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

ORAN, Mo. — Amy Marie Howell, 43, died Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. Arrangements are incomplete with Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Oran.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Bernice M. Schnurbusch, 89, of Perryville died Jan. 11, 2018, at Independence Care Center in Perryville. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and 6:30 to 8:45 a.m. Monday at Young and Sons Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville with Rev. Matthew Marks officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Judi Childers, 66, of Cairo died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Aug. 16, 1951, in Cairo, the daughter of William Strong and Mary (Myers) Winter. She married Donald "Donnie" Childers on June 11, 1971. He preceded her in death Feb. 2, 2016...

Freddie Ford, 77, of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, at his home, with family by his side. He was a beloved husband, devoted father, adored grandfather and a dear friend to many. Freddie will be deeply missed. He was born June 11, 1940, in Nacogdoches, Texas, to Jewel and Llewellyn Townsend Ford...