Stories from Saturday, February 15, 1997

To the editor: The trial of O.J. Simpson has focused the nation's attention on one fact of American life. Abuse is widespread and crosses all lines. Abuse is not confined to the poor or the uneducated. Our country has always been one that has projected an image of protector of the innocent. It has also been a country of compassion and sympathy for another person...

To the editor: As chairman of the 1996 Salvation Army Tree of Lights campaign, I would like to thank all those persons in the city of Cape Girardeau and all other persons who contributed to the Salvation Army for its Tree of Lights campaign. I am pleased to announce the Tree of Lights campaign raised $160,313, which was $313 above its goal. ...

It's quite an honor. Bob Neff, vice president and managing partner of Ford Groves Co., has been selected as a finalist of the 1997 Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award. The designation signifies Neff and his business as one of the top 10 dealerships in the nation. It is considered one of the highest honors bestowed on an automobile dealer...

Tragedy has struck in the city of Charleston and Mississippi County. The 96-year-old red-brick, two-story courthouse topped with a white dome was destroyed by arson last Monday. But in the wake of the confusion, the county and residents have rallied to restore services and find the person or persons responsible for this abhorrent crime...

Debbie Sutherland, left, a nurse practitioner at St. Francis Medical Center, issued discharge instructions for Angela Varner of Tamms, Ill. Doug Bell of Eureka, a student at Southeast Missouri State University, reacted to a probe of his ear by Cathy Young, a family nurse practitioner who works at Crisp Hall...

Today's young people will get stuck with the bill for their elders' spending sprees if the federal budget isn't brought under control, U.S. Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond told Notre Dame High School students Friday. A constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget is vital to ensure future fiscal responsibility, Bond said...

The eighth annual Community Caring Conference used animal personalities to teach human-services professionals and others how to relieve stress and create balance and humor in their lives. "A personality can really limit a person on the job," said motivational speaker Beth A. Higgs. "What I do is teach people to stop in life and get things in perspective."...

The Missouri Department of Transportation is trying to get more input from local residents in the early stages of road development. Opinion-gathering meetings held recently in Cape Girardeau and Scott City concerning a possible new route between the two cities is an example of its new approach...

Tax season. Those two words are enough to make any hard-working American citizen cringe in horror, even if she knows she's paid in her allotment for the year. Files and forms, receipts and ... math! I'm sorry, I forgot myself for a moment. In the best of seasons category, tornado, lotus and even the winter of my discontent top tax season. It doesn't matter if I don't owe anything -- I've still got to put out money on a stamp and send in proof that I don't owe...

The Cape Girardeau Area Habitat for Humanity will hold an organizational meeting today at First Christian Church, 2411 Abbey Road. The meeting begins at 3:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Sharry Matthews, associate regional director of Habitat for Humanity, will give an overview of the group's mission and philosophy...

It's not all that common for a college basketball team to lose three crucial games in a row late in the season -- yet still be very much in the hunt for a high conference finish. But that's the situation Southeast Missouri State University's Indians find themselves in as they prepare for their final two regular-season home games and their final four regular-season contests overall...

Sure, there's still a sprinkle of snow on the ground in Cape Girardeau. But that won't prevent Southeast Missouri State University's baseball Indians from (hopefully) opening their season on the road today. The Indians are scheduled to begin their third season under coach Mark Hogan with a two-game weekend series at the University of Memphis. Today's 1997 opener is slated for a 1 p.m. start, as is Sunday's contest...

Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team will take one more stab at trying to get back into the hunt for a spot in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. The Otahkians will play Tennessee Tech today and Middle Tennessee State Monday (both 5:30 p.m. tipoffs) in their final home games of the season...

SIKESTON -- Cape Girardeau Central High's boys basketball team bounced back from Tuesday's loss to Jackson by rolling past host Sikeston 66-41 Friday night. The Tigers, who broke open a fairly close game in the second half, improved to 18-5 and likely wrapped up the top seed for the upcoming Class 4A, District 1 Tournament...

Funeral service for Albert F.T. Loos of Cape Girardeau will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at Trinity Lutheran Church. The Rev. Steven MacDougall will officiate, with burial in Memorial Park. Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel from 4-8 p.m. today, and Sunday from 9-11:30 a.m...

Clara May Kirtley, 79, 1506 Perryville Road, died Friday, Feb. 14, 1997, at Jackson Manor in Jackson. She was born June 16, 1917, in Vanderburgh County, Ind., daughter of Charles and Carrie M. Halwes Bosse. She and Paul William Kirtley were married Aug. 27, 1939, in Evansville, Ind. He died May 2, 1962...

Barbara Hope Kem, 59, of North Palm Beach, Fla., died Friday, Feb. 14, 1997, in St. Mary's Hospital in North Palm Beach. She is formerly of Cape Girardeau. Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

PERRYVILLE -- Arnold Carl Weinrich, 85, of Perryville died Thursday, Feb. 13, 1997, at Perry County Memorial Hospital. He was born Dec. 18, 1911, in Perry County, son of Theodore and Mary Bohnert Weinrich. He first married Flossie Faye Brewington, who preceded him in death. He and Ruby Faye Harrison were married Aug. 24, 1983 in Wayne County...

JACKSON -- John Farrow Jr., 72, of the Indian Creek area near Jackson died Friday, Feb. 14, 1997, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born Aug. 15, 1924, in Cape Girardeau County, son of John Henry and Lillie Kramer Farrow. He and Ella Mae Bennett were married April 8, 1942. She died May 28, 1974. He later married Joan McClard Dec. 18, 1979...

Daughter to Wesley Scott and Karla Gale Graviett, Oran Route 2, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, 1997. Name, Karrie Beth. Weight, 7 pounds 10 ounces. First child. Mrs. Graviett is the former Karla Patterson, daughter of Wayne and Linda Patterson of Oran. She is a teacher at Oran R-3 Schools. Graviett is the son of Eugene and Doris Graviett of Oran. He is a purchasing agent at CPS Trailers...

CAIRO, Ill. -- William B. "Mickey" Ryan, 73, of Cairo died Thursday, Feb. 13, 1997, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. He was born Feb. 24, 1923, in Cairo, son of William and Leola Walker Ryan. Ryan retired as a first mate with Mississippi Valley Line Towing Co. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Elks Lodge 651, Knights of Columbus Council 1027, VFW Post 2649, all in Cairo, and Alexander-Pulaski Sportsman Club. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II...