Stories from Thursday, June 29, 1995

Jackson continues to experience remarkable growth. The Board of Aldermen is approving plans for new subdivisions while builders fill out existing ones. But the town's rapid residential growth is forcing city officials to scramble to keep up. The city has had to upgrade its overall street plans to accommodate new subdivisions in previously undeveloped parts of the city limits. ...

A constitutional amendment to protect the American flag from desecration passed the House Wednesday, 312-120. Rep. Bill Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, sponsored the amendment. He said, "In excess of 80 percent of the American public support protection for the flag. It shouldn't be desecrated."...

While nearly $1 million in federal disaster housing assistance has been paid to flood victims in Missouri, Cape Girardeau County residents have taken in only about $50,000 as of Monday. Susie Stonner with the State Emergency Management Agency in Jefferson City said 27 checks for temporary housing were sent to Cape Girardeau County, which was declared eligible for individual assistance June 12 and public assistance June 20...

For the second time in three years, federal, state and local law enforcement officials are raising public awareness of the potential for consumer fraud, this time in the wake of this year's flood. "Scam artists are often ready to seize the opportunity to capitalize on the misfortune of others," said Warren Pugh Jr., federal coordinating officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency...

The Southeast District of the Veterans of Foreign Wars has elected new officers. They are James C. Westbrook, commander; George W. Holder, senior vice commander; R.C. Webb, junior vice commander; Glenn Davis, quartermaster; and Sam Smithson, adjutant...

The race is on along the Mississippi River, but this time spectators will be welcome. Visitors hoping to get a glimpse of the river stage by climbing the Cape Girardeau floodwall in May were issued a summons or stiff warning by the police department. But since the Mississippi has dropped to a benign level, everyone is welcome to witness a time-honored Fourth of July weekend tradition: The Great Steamboat Race between the Delta Queen and Mississippi Queen...

ST. LOUIS -- Ringo Starr, Gladys Knight, Tanya Tucker, Tom Jones and the band Foreigner are headlining this year's Fair St. Louis, which beings Saturday and continues Sunday and the Fourth of July. Fair St. Louis, formerly knows as the Veiled Prophet Fair, is held on the grounds of the Gateway Arch. It features air shows, amusement rides, ethnic foods and free concerts...

Cape Girardeau County residents who live along Highway 177 have seen that route closed only nine times in the past 23 years due to floodwaters from a swollen Mississippi River. But two of those times -- for 54 days in 1993 and for 24 days this year -- occurred in the past three years...

METROPOLIS, Ill. -- Country music star Lee Greenwood will perform at 7:15 p.m. Monday at the Players Casino lower parking lot. Greenwood's performance will be followed by a fireworks display on the river at Merv Griffin Landing. Greenwood's hits include "god Bless the USA," "Inside Out," and "IOU."...

In an effort to improve safety at a dangerous crossing, traffic lights are being raised today for the intersection of Interstate 55 and Highway 61 between Cape Girardeau and Jackson, also known as Center Junction. Numerous accidents at Center Junction prompted the highway department to place the traffic lights at the intersection. They should be operational in two weeks...

COMMERCE -- The volunteer experience for Colorado and Michigan teen-agers, who have helped Southeast Missouri flood victims the past three days, was as pure as the toast that anointed it. "Let's have a toast for JLC and HBC, courtesy of Anheuser-Busch," shouted Barb Lemke, pastor of Joy Lutheran Church of Parker, Colo...

June 29, 1995 Dear Julie, The thing I like about musicians is that they speak a foreign language all of us understand. It reverberates off the breastbone and goes straight into the heart. We listen with our ears and critique with our heads, but in the end all that matters is whether it moves us -- figuratively and literally...

I WAS reading my Sunday paper and we often enjoy the comic section but I was wondering did I miss something in Funky Winkerbean because I see no comedy about this. This is a very serious picture that they put in the comics for all the kids to see and if there is something there I missed, a note on the mirror that they made sure that was seen, the prescription bottle and the hand laying limp. ...

Cape Girardeau's water system changed the way it did business in April, leaving some residents confused and a few without water, at least temporarily. The confusion began when Alliance Water Resources, the company operating the city's water system, decided to make billing more efficient...

Cape Girardeau residents may think the city's new water system rules for disconnection are harsh, but the program isn't new for other cities with municipal utilities. Lester Wright, business manager for Sikeston Light and Water, said Sikeston's bills have charges for electricity, water and sewer on one bill, so people can have both their power and water cut for non-payment...

The Corps of Engineers hasn't made up its mind about a proposed docking site for a riverboat casino in Cape Girardeau, but it hopes to decide by this fall, said Mike Brazier, chief of the regulatory branch of the Corps office in St. Louis. "We have got to get this thing resolved," he said Wednesday...

If voters approve a transportation tax, the money will go into a trust fund to ensure it is used as intended, Cape Girardeau City Council members said Wednesday. Council members said they plan to formally establish the trust fund next month in advance of the Aug. 8 election on the five-year, half-cent sales tax measure...

PATTON -- Meadow Heights School Board President Roy Allen said a petition calling for the ouster of Superintendent Tom Waller instead prompted his re-employment for the next three years. A petition, signed by 302 people, was presented to the school board Tuesday and accepted without comment...

After running through a history of humorous foibles attributed to several of the somewhat mediocre former presidents of the United States, Mark Cook succinctly summarized the eccentricity of our leaders: "No wonder we say in God we trust." Cook served as narrator for the musical performance "I Believe in America," which opened Wednesday night at the First General Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau before an audience of about 270 people...

Hazel M. Reimer, 94, 1527 N. Spanish, died Tuesday, June 27, 1995, at St. Francis Medical Center. She was born April 7, 1901, in Hoxie, Kan., daughter of Melvin and Cora Cooper Stuart. She married Chester J. Reimer, who preceded her in death. Survivors include a sister, Blanche Karnes of Colorado, and two grandchildren...

Son to Gary and Marsha Job of Scott City, Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Crystal City, 12:39 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 1995. Name, Trevor Wayne. Weight, 5 pounds 13 ounces. Second child, first son. Mrs. Job is the former Marsha McDaniel, daughter of Joe McDaniel and Linda Stevens of Scott City. Job is the son of Paul M. and Betty Job of Cape Girardeau...

CHAFFEE -- Funeral service for Robert C. Turner of Mount Gilead, Ohio, was held June 19. Burial was in Dayton National Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio. Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Gilead was in charge of arrangements. Turner, 56, died Thursday, June 15, 1995, at his home...

SIKESTON -- Noah "Les" Wilkinson, 72, Sikeston Route 2, died Tuesday, June 27, 1995, from injuries received in a tractor accident. He was born Aug. 27, 1922, at Oran, son of William Marion and Dora Bell Bess Wilkinson. He and Thrisey Long were married Feb. 12, 1980...

SIKESTON -- Funeral service for Floyd Dillender, Sikeston Route 3, will be held at 2 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Preston Palmer will officiate, with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery. Dillender, 80, died Tuesday, June 27, 1995, at Missouri Delta Medical Center...

BENTON -- Funeral service for August L. Leist of Benton was held Monday at Jimmy Osburn Chapel in Hayti, with the Rev. Roy Edwards officiating. Burial was in Pemiscot Memorial Gardens at Caruthersville. Leist, 91, died Thursday, June 22, 1995, at Mineral Area Hospital in Farmington...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Edward D. Meisenheimer, 75, of Jonesboro, died Wednesday, June 28, 1995, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Oct. 10, 1919, at Reynoldsville, son of Henry and Sarah Lindsey Meisenheimer. Meisenheimer served more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of Carroll P. Foster VFW Post 3455 in Anna...

SIKESTON -- Lela Mae Kelley, 89, of Flint, Mich., formerly of Sikeston, died Tuesday, June 27, 1995, at Flint Osteopathic Hospital. She was born April 15, 1906, in Crittendon County, Ky., daughter of Lee E. and Nancie Davidson. She and Frank F. Kelley were married June 18, 1929, in Marion, Ill. He died May 30, 1990...

John A. Gaydos, 90, of Cape Girardeau, died Tuesday, June 27, 1995, at the Lutheran Home. He was born in Rouzian, Czechoslovakia. He married the former Anna M. Moyher. He lived in Stratford, Conn., more than 48 years, where he was custodian at Johnson Junior High School. He was a member of First Slovak Wreath of the Free Eagle, and member of the Fathers Club of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church...

GLEN ALLEN -- Laura C. Deck, 83, of Glen Allen, died Tuesday, June 27, 1995, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born March 19, 1912, at Victoria, daughter of James and Christine Briggs Huskey. She and Paul F. Deck were married Feb. 26, 1935. He died April 25, 1974...

Oscar S. "Shorty" Caldwell, 86, of rural Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, June 28, 1995, at St. Francis Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete with Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.