PHONE BOOK LOSES ITS EDGE FOR ACCURACY

For many years, the telephone book was a bible. In addition to using the book to find correct telephone numbers, we used it to confirm spellings of names, and we certainly knew the phone numbers were correct.

But that changed with the latest Southwestern Bell telephone book for the Cape Girardeau region.

Users discovered that listings for individual Cape Girardeau public schools are omitted. Then they found that at least nine numbers for county government offices aren't there. Furthermore, the number listed for the sheriff's office is wrong..

A Southwestern Bell spokesperson says the matter is still under investigation, but it might be a glitch in new computer software used to compile the book. In the meantime, directory assistance for those school and county numbers will be free, but the company doesn't plan to reprint the book or a supplement.

The Southeast Missourian wants to help. If your listing was omitted or incorrectly printed in the latest book, call staff writer Mark Bliss, 335-6611, extension 123. We'll print our own supplement to the troublesome book in a future edition.