Stories from Monday, April 18, 1994

Contrasting scenes told the tale of the capricious hand of Mother Nature Sunday, turning the ebb and flow of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers into alternate paths of peril and peace. Residents of Cape Girardeau, who held their collective breath throughout a week of flood-like forecasts, were able to draw a sigh of relief upon learning that the river had crested at 41.6 feet Sunday morning...

A health care reform bill, so controversial the sponsor attached an amendment to change the bill number, likely will be debated on the floor of the Missouri House this week. Not even the strong support of Gov. Mel Carnahan and the sponsorship by powerful House Speaker Bob Griffin was enough to overcome massive controversy that clouded House Bill 1622. ...

Minimum housing standards, a parking dilemma on Louisiana Street and a traffic study request for a new Sonic Drive-In will be among items on the agenda of the new Cape Girardeau City Council Monday. James J.J. Williamson, Richard L. "Butch" Eggimann and Tom Neumeyer, all elected via the ward system, will address such issues for the first time as members of the council. Al Spradling III will preside as the newly-elected mayor...

The Southeast Missourian asked people if they think the Mississippi River will rise as high this year as it did last year. Matt Winegardner, Neosho: "There is absolutely no way to tell because we can't predict the weather more than a few weeks in advance, so there is really no way to tell at all if the river's going to get as high as last year."...

A high school English assignment proved to be a winner for Cape Girardeau Central student Bryn McDougall, who finished third in a recent Optimist International essay contest involving more than 1,000 entries. "I'm glad I had to do it," said an excited McDougall, who won a $2,000 scholarship for her effort. "It turned out really nice."...

Following the April 5 defeat of the proposed amendment to expand the limits of riverboat gambling, a press release from the General Assembly was headed: "Education Funding Loses $68 Million." These funds were "earmarked exclusively for education in the state of Missouri," one legislative official noted with sadness, and in effect, "opponents have succeeded in killing the golden eggs while only wounding the goose."...

United States fighter jets under NATO command bombed Serbian positions outside of the Bosnian city of Gorazde last week. President Clinton's words afterward were revealing: "We have no interest in using NATO's air power to affect the outcome of the war."...

To the Editor: I applaud the two articles in the paper today (April 16), regarding St. Francis building a Medical Office Building (MOB) in that it will greatly increase medical costs. The letter from the Business Group on Health is also excellent, and gives many reasons for not getting into such a competitive expensive situation as building offices close to either hospital...

To the editor, In a recent commentary published by the Southeast Missourian I called Gov. Carnahan's health care plan a Trojan Horse. Given the space restraints inherent to creating clear and concise commentary, I chose to temporarily hold back on what else had not been fully disclosed...

Opal Whitworth, 77, died at his home in Parma, Mo., April 16. He was the son of the late W.T. and Myrtle Lee Burns Whitworth and lived in Parma since 1944 where he was a retired grocery store clerk. On Aug. 14, 1944 he married Lucille Wakefield at Risco, Mo., and had two children. Suriving are his wife, Lucille Whitworth of Parma, two daughters, Frances Fay Pipkins of Selmer, Tenn., and Theresia Whitworth of Parma, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren...

Son to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth W. Lincoln of Jackson, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 11:25 a.m. Friday, April 8, 1994. Name, Nathaniel Wayne. Weight, 7 pounds 6 ounces. First child. Mrs. Lincoln is the former Laura Unterreiner, daughter of Robert and Dolores Unterreiner of Jackson. She is employed at Mercantile Bank. Lincoln is a self-employed concrete foundation contractor, and is the son of Jimmie and Dorthey Lincoln of Marble Hill...

Roy Harold Collins, 70, of 3501 Hopper Road in Cape passed away Saturday, April 16, at the Cape Girardeau Nursing Center. He was born on April 26, 1923 in Cape. His father is Samuel Collins. His mother is Mary Elizabeth Wolters Collins. Collins was a graduate of University High School in 1940...

ADVANCE -- Carl McIntyre, 46, died April 17 at Dexter Memorial Hospital. McIntyre was born June 14, 1947 in Sikeston. He was preceded in death by his father Leonard McIntyre, one brother and one sister. He is survived by his mother, Burnadetta Eastabrooke of Bell City and wife, Carol Daniels McIntyre, who married him Aug. 1, 1992...

Gwendolyn "Billie" Johnson, 62, died at the Shawnee-Mission Medical Center in Shawnee, Kan., April 15, 1994. She was the daughter of the late Joe Clyde and Era Lee McGarrity Lucius and was born April 28, 1931, at the Sandy Ridge Community near Blytheville, Ark...

April 17, 1994 At 4:53 p.m. Saturday, firefighters responded to an ambulance call at 627 S. Benton. At 8:03 p.m. Saturday, firefighters responded to an ambulance call at 1701 Rand. At 9:13 p.m. Saturday, firefighters responded to an ambulance call at 1953 Delwin...

Southeast Missourian circulation manager Michael Sturm, 46, died Sunday, April 17, 1994, of an apparent heart attack. News of his sudden death left associates and friends with a sense of deep loss. "We're all stunned by this," said Southeast Missourian publisher Wally Lage. "We knew Mike had health problems in the past, but he just bought a treadmill to use at his home and seemed to be getting in shape. If anything we thought he was doing better."...

Tommy Hilfiger has come a long way. Less than a quarter-century ago, in 1970, Hilfiger had $150, 20 pairs of jeans and an idea. Today, the name, "Tommy Hilfiger," is one of the most recognizable names in American sportswear. He presides over one of the largest and most successful men's sportswear companies, "Tommy Hilfiger U.S.A. Inc.," with stores in New York City, Washington and Connecticut, and he is widely acclaimed as the leading American menswear designer of the 1990s...

Spring may be nature's way of smiling, but for many homeowners, nature's gentle spring smile turns into a monstrous, weedy glare. As busy homeowners struggle to maintain the fresh look of their lawns and gardens, crabgrass, dandelions and wild onion shoots need not win the battle...

The Small Business Development Center will conduct counseling sessions in three areas this month. Gil Degenhardt, counselor, will be available April 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce office. The counseling sessions (about one hour each) are free. Call 335-3312 for an appointment...

Paul Hawkins is new manager at the Sears Roebuck and Co. store at Town Plaza Shopping Center, 2102 William, in Cape Girardeau. Hawkins, who has been with Sears 20 years, has been auto service manager at the St. Ann store in the St. Louis area. Graeme Wilson, who has been manager here two years, will become manager at the St. Ann Sears store...