Stories from Thursday, August 22, 2019

Cape Girardeau officials scrapped a provision of the city's building code that would have required the local school district to incorporate costly "storm shelters" in planned additions to its schools as protection against tornadoes. The provision also would have applied to the proposed indoor aquatic center, said city building and code enforcement manager Gary Hill. The city and the Cape Girardeau School District are partnering to build the facility next to Jefferson Elementary School...

WASHINGTON -- The federal budget deficit is expected to balloon to more than $1 trillion in the next fiscal year under the first projections taking into account the big budget deal President Donald Trump and Congress reached this summer, the Congressional Budget Office reported Wednesday...

Despite ongoing concerns of some nearby residents and business representatives, the Missouri Department of Transportation is moving forward with a Center Junction interchange construction plan that will preserve traffic flow on Highway 61 between Cape Girardeau and Jackson while closing Interstate 55 ramps north of the interchange for approximately seven months next year...

We have a unique new addition to the food scene here in Cape Girardeau: My Marie Restaurant. My Marie is serving up fresh Caribbean creole soul food at a location at West Park Mall. I tried it out the week it opened and have already made a repeat visit. I wasn't sure what to order on my first trip but, after receiving a little guidance from my server, I settled on the coconut veggie shrimp for dinner. It was the dish I never knew I needed...

A person was injured in a shooting Wednesday in the 300 block of North Park Drive in Cape Girardeau, police said. The victim was transported by private vehicle to Southeast Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police Sgt. Joey Hann said. Police responded to reports of shots fired at 2:55 p.m...

They didn't place first. But placing 33rd among 520 teams in the largest billiard tournament in the world is not too shabby. Cape Girardeau-based billiard team Spun Off was among 520 teams that competed at the American Poolplayers Association (APA) Championship at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino last week. ...

Today is Thursday, Aug. 22, the 234th day of 2019. There are 131 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On August 22, 1851, the schooner America outraced more than a dozen British vessels off the English coast to win a trophy that came to be known as the America's Cup...

We’ve all heard the news stories about debit card scams, data breaches at big box retail stores, as well as online breaches. Here are a few tips to help protect your financial information. Be careful about online purchases. When making online purchases, it’s important to make sure that you’re on a secure website from a trusted vendor...

When you think of band instruments in Southeast Missouri, you think of the name Shivelbine. The Shivelbine family, through its business, has provided musical instruments for thousands upon thousands of musicians over the years. This time of the year is particularly busy for them as they get school bands ready for their marching performances...

In a recent letter to the editor entitled "Safety becomes entanglement" the writer warned about generations who have, in his opinion, been trained to rely on the "entitlements" for food, shelter, medical care and more. It is always interesting to me that folks who are concerned about the minuscule amount we give to individuals to provide a helping hand never fret about the large amounts that are given to corporations...

Cape Girardeau County Commission 9 a.m. today 1 Barton Square, Jackson Approval of minutes n Minutes for Aug. 19 meeting Communications/ reports -- other elected officials n None at this time Public comments n Items listed on the agenda Routine business...

Contractor crews are scheduled to repair the pavement at the Interstate 55/57/U.S. 60 cloverleaf interchange in Sikeston, Missouri, at mile marker 66 in Scott County. As work progresses, motorists should anticipate ramp closures, a Missouri Department of Transportation news release said. The ramp from southbound I-57/westbound U.S. 60 onto southbound I-55 will be closed with a signed detour available...

Every region of the country has some special or unique dish associated with it that purports to define the character of its culture. But perhaps no region of the country has more of these iconic dishes than the Deep South where some of them have become so associated with that part of the country that the word South now appears in their name. Southern Fried Chicken is a case in point...

NEW YORK -- The divide between retail winners and losers is widening. That became even more evident Wednesday with the latest batch of earnings reports: Big-box stores and off-price retailers have been responding faster to shoppers' increasing shift online with expanded deliveries and better merchandise. But many mall-based clothing chains and department stores continue to suffer weak sales as they struggle to lure in shoppers...

BAGHDAD -- Iraqi paramilitary forces backed by Iran accused Israeli drones of carrying out a series of attacks on bases run by the militias, saying Wednesday they hold the United States ultimately responsible. The militias vowed to defend themselves against any future attack...

WASHINGTON -- The Trump administration is moving to end a federal agreement that limits how long immigrant children can be kept in detention. A court fight will almost certainly follow over the government's desire to hold migrant families until their cases are decided...

WASHINGTON -- The economy is slowing, the trade war is raging and the president is repeatedly attacking. Under the glare of a spotlight, Chairman Jerome Powell may signal Friday what the Federal Reserve will do -- or can do -- to strengthen the economy and restore confidence at a time of nagging uncertainties and global weaknesses...

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Escalating an international spat, President Donald Trump said Wednesday he scrapped his trip to Denmark because the prime minister made a "nasty" statement when she rejected his idea to buy Greenland as an absurdity. "You don't talk to the United States that way, at least under me," Trump told reporters in Washington. "I thought it was not a nice statement, the way she blew me off."...

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong riot police faced off briefly with protesters occupying a suburban train station Wednesday evening following a commemoration of a violent attack there by masked assailants on supporters of the anti-government movement. Near the end of the event, the police began what they called a "dispersal operation, using minimum force" after some protesters blocked roads and flashed laser pointers at officers...

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Can a governor be forced to live in the state capital? A persistent lawsuit seeking to do just that with West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice was back in a courtroom Wednesday. The Republican billionaire has been frequently criticized by members of both major parties for being absent from the Charleston statehouse as his business empire of more than 100 companies bogs down in litigation. ...

WASHINGTON -- Showing a fresh willingness to play politics along religious lines, President Donald Trump said American Jews who vote for Democrats show "either a total lack of knowledge or great disloyalty." Trump's claim triggered a quick uproar from critics who said the Republican president was trading in anti-Semitic stereotypes. It came amid Trump's ongoing feud with Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, who are Muslim...

NEW YORK -- As many as 50 people in at least six states have come down with breathing illnesses that may be linked to e-cigarettes or other vaping products. No deaths have been reported, but at least a few have come close. Some patients have likened onset of the illness to a heart attack, and others to the flu. ...

NEW YORK -- A police cruiser constantly sits a few feet from a small floral memorial to Eric Garner on the Staten Island sidewalk where he spent his dying moments five years ago. Tompkinsville Park -- which police were targeting for patrols when they encountered Garner selling loose, untaxed cigarettes -- remains a gathering place for desperate people...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Mike Parson on Wednesday directed lawmakers to undo a recent Missouri Supreme Court ruling on vehicle sales taxes during a special legislative session next month, a move one Democrat called "unnecessary." The Republican governor scheduled the special session to begin Sept. 9, the same week as a scheduled short session for lawmakers to consider overriding Parson's vetoes on bills passed this year...

PORTLAND, Maine -- Democrats vowed last year to make Republican Sen. Susan Collins pay for her vote confirming Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Republicans declared they would have her back. Neither has forgotten their promises. Money is pouring into Maine's high-profile Senate race, threatening to upend the state's reputation for genteel politics and giving way to a new era of partisanship...

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The will Jeffrey Epstein signed just two days before his jailhouse suicide puts more than $577 million in assets into a trust fund that could make it more difficult for his dozens of accusers to collect damages. Estate lawyers and other experts say prying open the trust and dividing up the financier's riches is not going to be easy and could take years...

Sheryl Lynn Kightlinger Young, 63, of Glen Allen, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born July 19, 1956, in Belleville, Illinois, daughter of James Kightlinger and Lorraine Poole Dedmon. She and Robert Young were united in marriage April 18, 1981...

Opal M. Lincoln, 97, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, at Lutheran Home. She was born Oct. 25, 1921, in Mayfield, Missouri, to John Willis and Laura M. Stevens Cook. She and Charles Clinton Lincoln were married June 10, 1939, at Cape Girardeau. He preceded her in death in October 1994...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Kim Earl Lane, 60, of Perryville died Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, at Estates of Perryville. He was born July 30, 1959, in Perryville to William E. and Katherine M. Hargis Lane. He was a member of Brazeau, Missouri, Presbyterian Church. Kim was a lifetime farmer of the ninth generation of his family farming in Brazeau. He was an avid lover of the outdoors. He also loved spending time with his family and friends and will be dearly missed by all who knew him...

Mark Anthony Johnson, 63, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019, at Life Care Center. Services will be held Saturday at Great Dimension Ministries in Cape Girardeau. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour at the church. The funeral will be conducted at noon. Cremation services will be accorded following the funeral ceremony...

Louis Christ Geldmacher, 100, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, at Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Fairmount Cemetery in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. Dan Johnson officiating. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements...

We praise and worship you, O Lord Jesus. We trust and give Thee thanks forever. Amen.

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Thefts n Theft was reported in the 500 block of North Fountain Street. n Stealing was reported in the 900 block of South Benton Street. n Stealing was reported in the 2000 block of Allen Drive...

If Trump and Company use every weapon in their economic arsenal for a recession that "isn't a recession," what do they plan to do when the next big one hits? Pass the popcorn. This is going to get interesting. Uptown Jackson businesses are the only businesses operating in the world whose owners think additional foot traffic (compliments of Homecomers) is a bad thing. Here's your sign...

A few new entree recipe ideas and a lot of fresh produce to use in recipes highlight this week's recipe column. As I was thinking about what to include here today, I kept finding recipes I wanted to try, and then before I knew it I had an entire column written...

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- At the age of 99, James McManus embraces his partner and grabs the spotlight when he glides across the floor with his elegant two-toned shoes at the World Tango Championship in Argentina's capital. It's a dream come true for the Scotland-born tango aficionado...

BERLIN -- A German city that's been the subject of a long-running online light-hearted conspiracy theory claiming it doesn't really exist is offering big bucks to whoever proves that's true. Officials in Bielefeld said Wednesday they'll give 1 million euros ($1.1 million) to the person who delivers solid proof of its non-existence. ...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Hundreds of millions of dollars in federal student loan debt owed by tens of thousands of disabled military veterans will be erased under a directive President Donald Trump signed Wednesday. Trump ordered the Education Department to "eliminate every penny of federal student loan debt" owed by American veterans who are completely and permanently disabled...

The Southeast Missouri State University Foundation has received a sizable donation earmarked for the Charles H. Daues Scholarship Fund; George and Placide Shriever of New York recently donated $50,000 to the fund; the fund is named for Placide Schriever's father, a graduate of the Third District Normal School...

Son to Matthew and Megan Lang of Jackson, Southeast Hospital, 2:27 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019. Name, Asher Joseph. Weight, 6 pounds, 10 ounces. First child. Mrs. Lang is the daughter of Lori Williams of Jackson and the late Ted Williams. She is a registered nurse at Silver Springs Surgery Center. Lang is the son of Roger and Lisa Lang of Jackson. He is a driver/dispatcher with Byran Lang Trucking...

ABO, Mo. -- Authorities say a man has drowned while fishing in southern Missouri. The Missouri State Highway Patrol identified the victim as 62-year-old Benny Wilson of Lebanon. The patrol said he was fishing from an elevated location around 1 p.m. Tuesday when he slipped. He fell into about 10 feet of water about 1 mile up from the Hull Ford Access on the Osage Fork of the Gasconade River...

NAYLOR, Mo. -- Authorities say a 3-year-old girl has drowned in a private pond in Southeast Missouri. The Missouri State Highway Patrol identified the girl as Reese Ainley of Naylor. The patrol said she was found in the pond Monday after wandering away from a home...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Missouri authorities said a shirtless man reportedly dragging a topless, unconscious woman through downtown Kansas City was actually lugging around a life-size doll. Police said in a tweet callers reported Tuesday the man looked like he wanted to throw the woman over a bridge, he had dropped her and he appeared to be trying to dress her. One caller said he was yelling "savior" while holding the woman...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Missouri appeals court has ruled the former superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol overstepped her authority when she fired a trooper who was driving a boat when a handcuffed Iowa man fell out and drowned. The appeals court Tuesday sent the case back to the patrol to determine proper punishment for Trooper Anthony Piercy in the 2014 death of 20-year-old Brandon Ellingson, of Clive, Iowa, at the Lake of the Ozarks...

The 51st annual Benton Neighbor Day pageant will be held Thursday, Aug. 29, at 6 p.m. at Benton ballpark.