Stories from Monday, July 29, 2019

A landmark preservation project and two local businesses affiliated with Old Town Cape were honored last week by Missouri Main Street Connection Inc., in recognition of their support of downtown revitalization efforts. The recognitions took place at an awards banquet Thursday night during the annual Missouri Main Street Conference in St. Louis...

Even before the bell sounds indicating the start of transactions, Cape Riverfront Market veteran Ross Peterson said people are in line anticipating his organically grown vegetables. Peterson and his wife, Emily Scifers, of Cape Girardeau were one of the first vendors during the market’s inception, Old Town Cape event coordinator Emily Vines said Friday...

A special prosecutor will not seek charges against Stoddard County Clerk Cecil Weeks following an investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol into whether the April 2 municipal election was fraudulently certified. “After looking through reports and questioning witnesses of my own, I’ve come to the conclusion that I would not be able to meet the elements necessary to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Cecil Weeks willfully and fraudulently certified that election,” said Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kacey Proctor, who was appointed to the case. ...

EAST CAPE GIRARDEAU, Ill. — Following Friday’s re-opening of Illinois Route 146 and Route 3 — northbound from the Route 3/146 intersection to McClure — and with the remainder of Route 3 expected to reopen by the middle of the week, motorists may be able to return to their normal commutes after over a month of road closures...

More than 152 million prescription, opioid pain pills were supplied to pharmacies in Southeast Missouri counties from 2006 through 2012, according to federal Drug Enforcement Administration data. The data was obtained by and made available online by The Washington Post...

A new Jimmy John's sandwich shop will open this week in Jackson. Manager Dan Boren told me last week he expects the "freaky fast" sandwich shop will open Tuesday in the strip mall at 2066 Walton Drive in front of the Jackson Walmart. Owned by BB and V Common Ground LLC, the Jackson Jimmy John's will feature a drive-thru and a delivery service that will cover most, if not all, of Jackson. Sandwiches, chips and beverages may be ordered for delivery by calling (573) 204-0677...

Today is Monday, July 29, the 210th day of 2019. There are 155 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On July 29, 1981, Britain's Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer in a glittering ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. (The couple divorced in 1996.)...

Your word, O God, is flawless. You are a shield to those who take refuge in you. Amen.

Veterans Memorial Drive is just like every other outer road. They’re a waste of taxpayer money and only used by people too lazy to drive three miles in either direction on the interstate. ...

Johnny McGaha, a professor of criminal justice at Southeast Missouri State University, is spearheading an effort to get a national community service program established in the region; the university is seeking $400,000 annually for three years to operate a program that would involve as many as 20 AmeriCorps participants at any one time; the program would deal with public health, the environment and disadvantaged children...

George Renick, 75, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, July 26, 2019, fortified by the sacrament of the sick, at Ratliff Care Center, surrounded by his loving family. George was born July 15, 1944, in Wildwood, New Jersey, to William F. and Beverly M. Finnigan Renick. He grew up in St. Louis. George and Donna Venegoni were married May 17, 1969, at St. Anthony of Padua Church in St. Louis. ...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. — William A. Hoffmeister, 61, of Marble Hill died Saturday, July 20, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Funeral arrangements incomplete at this time at Ford and Sons Funeral Home.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. — John Michael Hoffman, 65, of Perryville died Friday, July 26, 2019, at SSM Health St. Clare Hospital in Fenton, Missouri. He was born July 8, 1954, in Perryville, son of Glennon E. and Beulah Sandler Hoffman. He and Sherry Camp were married Dec. 31, 1994. She survives in Perryville...

Kris Anthony Green, 54, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, July 26, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Ford and Sons Funeral Home.

Judith Buatte, 78, of Jackson died Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at this time at Ford and Sons Funeral Home.

APOPKA, Fla. — The case against a Florida man accused of harboring ducks and wild chickens has been dropped after he persuaded authorities that the birds are truly free-range. The Orlando Sentinel reported 59-year-old Felix Guerra won’t have to pay a fine of $1,000 a day to Orange County for illegally keeping backyard birds. Guerra’s yard has an edible jungle of avocado, banana and cherry trees, ginger plants and pineapple that attracts butterflies, bees, and an occasional bear. ...

For most of us, the clickety clack of a manual typewriter -- or the gentler tapping of the IBM Selectric -- are but memories, or something seen only in movies. But at the few remaining typewriter repair shops in the country, business is booming as a younger generation discovers the joy of the feel and sound of the typewriter -- and older generations admit they never fell out of love with it...

On Aug. 6, Cape Girardeau voters will decide whether to renew a quarter-cent “capital improvements” sales tax that is critical to our water system. Mayor Bob Fox and city manager Scott Meyer, who recently met with the Southeast Missourian editorial board, said nearly half ($18 million over 15 years) of the renewed tax would go toward replacing old, galvanized pipes with stronger PVC. ...

Approval of minutes n Minutes for July 22 meeting Communications/reports -- other elected officials n Approve purchase order for 2017 land tax sale over surplus n Approve purchase order to Little River Drainage District annual distribution of Drainage District 1...

Public Service Announcement Southeast Missouri 573-243-7872 Garden Beautification on a Budget!!! Where can one go to find a Lady Friend, a Black Magic Woman, a Drama Queen, a Gypsy Lord, or a Sharp Dressed Man? Is it possible that the Stairway to Heaven, the Queen’s Circle, your Absolute Treasure, and Jurassic Park exist in one place? While in this place, could one meet Kathy Chilton, Jeanne Clay Plank, Helen Collingwood, Mary Frances, or Edith Wolford? Yes, this place does exist and is open to any individual wishing to experience the excitement of planting one of the most rapidly growing garden trends!. ...