Stories from Saturday, October 30, 2021

A community fundraising effort has raised enough money to place wreaths on veterans' graves. The John Guild Chapter of the National Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) has met its $18,000 fundraising goal to place wreaths on 1,200 graves of veterans found in Jackson City and Russell Heights cemeteries...

Cape Girardeau has been celebrating fall and preparing for Halloween with spooky lawn decor, trunk or treats and pumpkin picking. The annual "Nightmare on Brookwood Drive" returned with spooky Halloween decorations across many yards on Brookwood Drive behind Dennis Scivally Park in Cape Girardeau. By the effort of Kevin Groves, each yard has a different theme - from skeleton pirates to aliens, it's a scary sight day and night...

Cape Girardeau officials will hold a public hearing Monday for consideration of a 3.15-acre community improvement district (CID) off South Kingshighway. The proposed CID, Bloomfield Crossing Community Improvement District, resides at the northeast corner of the intersection of South Kingshighway and Bloomfield Street...

The Stars and Stripes Museum based in Bloomfield, MIssouri, will be celebrating the newspaper's 160th anniversary this year through the second annual Spirit of Democracy Celebration and Dinner and Silent Auction in Cape Girardeau at the Osage Centre on Nov. 6...

Attendance at various governmental meetings is part of my work for this newspaper. All such gatherings begin with a pledge to the U.S. flag. Alumni of the American educational system will note every class day begins with recitation of the pledge -- a vow of national commitment which does not trace its origins back to the founding of the American republic...

I took this photo in late October. The early morning sun was rising over tall trees almost directly in front of me. This accounts for the dark background in the photo. The sun was lighting up the dew-laden asters in a slow progression. I found a favorable composition and waited. There were carpenter bees, small yellow butterflies, a few Monarch butterflies, small gnats, bee-fly mimics and a few other bugs enjoying the flowers...

Barry and Sharon Urhahn of Benton, Missouri, announce the engagement of their daughter, Madeline Paige of Benton, to Andrew Michael LeGrand of Benton. He is the son of Donnie and Gera LeGrand of Benton. Madeline received a Bachelor of Exercise and Movement Science in 2019 from Missouri State University. She is a student in Missouri State University's Doctor of Physical Therapy program...

Submitted by Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary This 2-year-old cat has a great personality and is in need of just the right home. Come see for yourself! If you are ready for a rewarding experience, come see us at Safe Harbor. Call (573) 243-9823.

Submitted by Mary Ann Kagle Attending the 2021 Chaffee (Missouri) Alumni which was held at Chaffee High School on Sept. 25 were Mark L Hopkins, Betty Cline Montgomery, Betty Seyer Gladtetter, Sue Gremar Ivy and Mary Ann Duncan Kagle. Other classmates were unable to attend because of COVID.

The Cape Girardeau Eagles will hold a Halloween bash and dart tournament as a fundraiser for Gary Stevenson on Oct. 30. The dart tournament sign up begins at 5 p.m. with darts in the air at 6:30 p.m. The Halloween meal will be served form 5 to 7 p.m.. The menu includes smoked ribs and brats, fried chicken and all the sides...

Monday: Tortellini with ham and peas or almond Dijon chicken, glazed carrots, steamed squash, whole-grain hot roll and pineapple tidbits or honey bun cake. Tuesday: Sloppy Joe on bun or pork chop with apple stuffing, 1/2 baked potato, steamed broccoli and Mandarin oranges or banana pudding with cookies...

For most people, Oct. 31 is Halloween. It is not a favorite holiday for many Christians due to its evil and dark themes. Many churches, such as mine, have offered safe alternatives to door-to-door trick or treating -- usually calling them "Fall Festivals." We intentionally hold our Fall Festival on Oct. ...

Back when I was little, Mom, Dad, Mick and I would all pile in the car and head to some lake to go fishing. If it was a close lake, there was no big deal. But if it was to a lake farther away, it just seemed like it took forever. Dad drove really slow, and he wasn't in any hurry. ...

Are you bored with your life, need to get away, start anew, or, don't know what you want? Almost everyone has felt this way at one time or another. Thinking those thoughts isn't a bad thing, but what we do with them can be. We can act irrationally and make mistakes that may impact our world for many years, or for a lifetime. We are particularly vulnerable if we have lost a spouse or, another, that's been a source of comfort and confidence for us...

As a teenager, I frequently walked to St. Stephen Cemetery after school to sit by my mom's headstone. She died in a car accident when I was 7 and I didn't confront what that meant for me until adolescence. A local cemetery frequently hosts events and entertainment in their space, and it didn't sit with me well at first. It seemed flip. Disrespectful at the least. An exploitation of death at worst. It bothered me and I had questions. Luckily, I knew just who to ask...

In a controversial passage in Plato's "Republic," Socrates introduced the idea of the "noble lie" ("gennaios pseudos"). A majestic fiction, he says, could sometimes serve society by persuading uninformed citizens of something good for them. Ever since, many prevaricators have used the excuse that they lied for the common good...

A specter haunts the Democratic Party -- the possibility of a Glenn Youngkin victory in the Virginia gubernatorial race. The former business owner and political neophyte is running neck and neck with Terry McAuliffe, the longtime Democratic fixture who is seeking a return to the governor's mansion after serving one term from 2014 to 2018...

Although Virginia has been a politically blue state for years, this year's election has the Democrats' governor facing a serious challenge. One of the reasons is that many Virginia parents are outraged by the "woke" propaganda their children are being subjected to in the public schools -- and the governor has sided with the education bureaucrats and the teachers union...

On behalf of the clients, staff, and board of directors of the Safe House of Southeast Missouri, I would like to convey my sincere appreciation and gratitude for our community's tremendous support of VintageNOW 11: A Tale of Time held Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021 at the Show Me Center...

O Lord God, may our attitudes toward others reflect your love and mercy. Amen.

CAPE GIRARDEAU Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls. Oct. 28 n Medical assists were made at 3:19 a.m. on South West End Boulevard; 9:05 a.m. on East Rodney Drive ; 10:27 a.m. on Margaret Street; 10:57 a.m. on North Middle Street; 6:38 p.m. on William Street; and 8:40 p.m. on Vantage Drive...

CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests n Osha A. Williams, 25, of Memphis, Tennessee, was arrested on suspicion of delivery of a controlled substance. n Joshua D. Moore, 35, of Oak Ridge was arrested on suspicion of third-degree domestic assault...

Son to Brandon Paul and Kara Marie Gendron of Jackson, Saint Francis Medical Center, 6:53 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. Name, Barrett McCoy. Weight, 7 pounds, 9 ounces. Second son. Mrs. Gendron is the former Kara Thompson, daughter of Buzz and Linda Thompson of Jackson. She is a broker sales executive with Realty Executives Edge. Gendron is the son of Rodney and Denise Gendron of Jackson. He is a boat captain with Knight Hawk Coal.

Boyd Dewayne Simpkins, 66, of Oak Ridge passed away Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, at his home. He was born Nov. 22, 1954, in Cape Girardeau, son of Boyd and Doris Cope Simpkins. He and Terry Culbertson were married Feb. 14, 1974, in Scott City. She survives...

Mildred Seboldt, 93, of Gordonville died Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday, Nov. 6, at Zion Lutheran Church in Gordonville...

CHESTER, Ill. -- Pacer Lee Schaupert, 42, of Chester died Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, at his home. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday. Nov. 1 and 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2 at Ford and Young Funeral Home in Perryville, Missouri. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2 at the funeral home, with the Rev. Steve Francis officiating. Burial will follow at Bethlehem Baptist Cemetery in Crosstown, Missouri...

LEHI, Utah -- Scott Allen Kramer, 65, died Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, surrounded by his wife and three children in Lehi. He was born March 17, 1956, in Flint, Michigan, to Jack O. Kramer and the late Marjory L. Kramer. Scott moved with his parents to Cape Girardeau in July 1960. He graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School, where he lettered in both baseball and football...

Dwight "Cob" Keller, 78, of Scott City died Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

Ella Dee Keith, 90, of Jackson, passed away Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, at Life Care Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born May 28, 1931, in Oak Ridge, daughter of Walter and Freda Barks Martin. She and Donald LeRoy Keith were married in 1950, in Paragould, Arkansas. He passed away Feb. 3, 2004...

SEDGEWICKVILLE, Mo. -- Tom G. Hanners, 92, of Sedgewickville passed away Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born March 22, 1929, in Bollinger County, Missouri, to Julius Loyd and Maude Ethel Johnson Hanners. He and Flora Jean Garrison were married in May 1955. A son, David, was born to their union. They had been married nearly 50 years when Flora Jean passed away...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Deborah J.Burton, 66, of Poplar Bluff peacefully passed away at her home Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, surrounded by her family, after a brief battle with cancer. Debbie was born Nov. 7, 1954, in Cape Girardeau and was the daughter of Ronald and Joanna Jones of Jackson. They survive...

Cape Girardeau County Commission 9 a.m. today 1 Barton Square, Jackson Approval of minutes n Minutes of stated meeting of Oct. 25, 2021 Communications/reports -- other elected officials n COVID-19 Update: In an effort to keep Cape Girardeau County residents safe and aware regarding the status of the virus, Emergency Management Agency (EMA) director Mark Winkler will be issuing an update at County Commission meetings. ...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A 53-year-old man sustained serious injuries in a two vehicle accident at 4:43 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 60 and Highway FF. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Ralph W. Weight, 63, of Doniphan was operating a 2017 International ProStar truck northbound when it made a left turn into the path of a westbound 2008 GMC Yukon operated by Herbert A. Brown, 53, of Sikeston...

Cape Girardeau officials will hold a public hearing Monday for consideration of a 3.15-acre community improvement district (CID) off South Kingshighway. The proposed CID, Bloomfield Crossing Community Improvement District, resides at the northeast corner of the intersection of South Kingshighway and Bloomfield Street...

City of Jackson mayor and Board of Aldermen Regular meeting 6 p.m. Monday Action items Power, Light, and Water Committee n Motion setting a public hearing for Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, at 6 p.m., to consider the proposed 2022 city of Jackson Annual Budget, which includes proposed sewer utility service rate adjustments and other utility service rate adjustments...

Cape Girardeau City Council 5 p.m. Monday City Hall 401 Independence St. Study session n No action will be taken during the study session Presentations Communications/reports n city council staff Items for discussion n Appearances by Advisory Board applicants...

With the weather turning cold and rain in the forecast, many of the most fashionable trick-or-treaters will be heading for the halls of West Park Mall this evening; mall merchants are gearing up for the thousands of costumed children who will be storming their stores in search of candy, and shelter from the weather...

Last night's march route was only from Academic Hall to the corner and back, but the participants said they made their point: Women shouldn't have to be afraid of the dark; about 25 people gathered for Take Back the Night events at Southeast Missouri State University; after role-playing on dealing with sexual assault, they gathered to begin their protest; a driving rain threatened to end the march, but the mostly female group decided to attempt a short walk; holding a huge Take Back the Night banner, they climbed down the steps of Academic Hall and returned a few minutes later, their clothes dripping.. ...