Stories from Friday, July 16, 2004

LOS ANGELES -- The boy of summer is back. Since the mid-1990s, Will Smith practically has owned July, delivering hit after hit, his charm often enough to draw in audiences even for bad movies. This July, Smith is trying something different. "I, Robot," loosely adapted from the short stories of Isaac Asimov, has more smarts than the usual Smith summer movie, preserving much of the philosophy that made sci-fi master Asimov's tales a blueprint for fiction that followed about human-machine interaction.. ...

STEVE ROBERTSON * steve@robertsonsphotography.com Have a need for speed? Chrysler has the answer -- a hemi-powered, retro-style, rear-wheel-drive touring car that has the flash, and dash of a 1950s era luxury cruiser. The new 300C runs as a four-cylinder engine when cruising, but as a 345-horsepower V-8 when pressed hard. It should get 17 mpg/city and 25 mpg/highway...

LOS ANGELES -- A change in voting rules aimed at adding spice to the Emmys resulted in a nominations mix of TV's mainstream and cult favorites. A lot of the old favorites are still there: "The Sopranos," "The West Wing," "Everybody Loves Raymond," but fellow contenders this time included Fox's low-rated sardonic comedy "Arrested Development," CBS pop-spirituality drama "Joan of Arcadia" and the star of the canceled sitcom "Life With Bonnie."...

VIENNA, Austria -- Snowball fights in July. Mulled wine instead of wine coolers. Thermostats set on high. Spring has come and gone, fall approaches -- and Europeans are still waiting for summer. Much of the continent awoke to yet another day of chilly temperatures and rain Thursday, adding to the weeks of miserable weather gripping Europe from Scandinavia to parts of the Balkans...

KINSHASA, Congo -- Farmers have overrun thousands of acres in Congo's oldest national park, the latest threat to more than half the world's 700 remaining mountain gorillas, conservationists and park workers say. Stacking lava rocks, 200 workers are building a wall at the Rwandan border of Virunga National Park in a desperate effort to stop farmers, fighters and refugees from sweeping into the home of the endangered primates...

The Associated Press JERUSALEM -- Israel's premier offered a powerful ultra-Orthodox Jewish party a place in his ruling coalition Thursday, his latest attempt to shore up a government weakened by his plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. But the appeal has angered secular parties and could trigger a political upheaval that would leave the future of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his pullout plan in doubt...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq's interim prime minister said Thursday he expects insurgents to strike harder in the coming weeks and announced the creation of an intelligence service designed to combat terrorism. Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's comments to The Associated Press came amid a spate of new violence, including a car bomb Thursday that killed 10 people and wounded 40 others. ...

PINEVILLE, Mo. -- Planning to canoe the Elk River? You better keep your clothes on. McDonald County Commissioners passed a law Wednesday banning nudity on the southwest Missouri county's waters. Violators can be fined up to $1,000. Officers will begin enforcing the law immediately, McDonald County Sheriff Robert Evenson said...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Bob Holden outspent Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill and yet had 10 times as much money in the bank heading into the final month before the Aug. 3 primary elections, according to campaign finance reports released Thursday...

ST. LOUIS -- A St. Louis travel agent sold trips to Cancun, Mexico, for a reunion of Soldan High School's class of 1974, but didn't provide the trips, Attorney General Jay Nixon said Thursday. Nixon on Wednesday obtained a temporary restraining order prohibiting Tina Marie Flenoy from operating as a travel agent. ...

MIAMI -- By 7:30 a.m. Monday, the Shaquille O'Neal deal was already paying dividends for the Miami Heat. Team executive Eric Woolworth arrived at work that morning and found his season-ticket sales staff swamped. "Everybody was on the phone, and the faxes were going," Woolworth said Thursday. "The first couple of times I walked by the sales force, a guy stood and gave me a hug."...

FIGEAC, France -- Lance Armstrong's day was far from over when he stepped off his bike after finishing ninth in Thursday's stage of the Tour de France. Once again, Armstrong found himself fending off the suspicions that have dogged him since he won the first of his five straight championships after coming back from cancer...

LOS ANGELES -- Kobe Bryant's journey through free agency ended Thursday where it began -- with the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant chose the Lakers over the Clippers, remaining with the team he joined in 1996 at age 18 and later helped win three NBA championships...

The Associated Press poll will count for one-third of each team's ranking under the new formula Bowl Championship Series officials unveiled Thursday in their latest attempt to find a simpler, more equitable way to determine a national champion. Under the new formula, which begins this season, the AP writers' poll, the coaches' poll and a combination of computer rankings will each count for one-third of a team's overall BCS ranking...

I have spent more time outdoors this spring and summer -- on purpose -- than in the last 10 or 15 years put together. In addition to the usual yard work, which I like, I've been enjoying our patio, which until this year was pretty much a haven for flowers and persistent weeds that thrive on whatever is between the patio bricks...

The Wall Street Journal If all goes as expected, the Senate today [Wednesday] will vote on the Federal Marriage Amendment. But because it is a procedural vote, we won't be getting what the American people are really entitled to here: an honest, open debate...

It could be the ultimate downtown cleanup -- a plan to turn a rugged ravine of scraggly trees, underbrush and algae-covered water that once served as a Cape Girardeau city dump into a landscaped municipal park. The proposal is part of a 3-year-old downtown improvement plan drawn up in 2001 by Minneapolis landscape architect Michael Schroeder. ...

Throughout 2003 and two months into 2004, a Jackson woman allegedly fraudulently obtained at least 4,800 tablets of Hydrocodone, a strong pain reliever, from more than 100 physicians in 17 Missouri counties as well as in counties in Illinois, Kentucky and Arkansas...

Thursday night's Cape Girardeau County Commission District 1 candidate forum was much the same as Tuesday night. But with a little more drawl. Two days after the District 2 Republican candidates -- all from the city of Cape Girardeau -- made their pitches for votes, the men from the country took the microphone...

A 25-year-old Delta man was killed Wednesday night in a one-car crash near Delta that remained undiscovered for approximately nine hours. James C. Stone was killed about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday while driving on Route N a mile north of Delta near County Road 244, according to Cape Girardeau County Coroner Mike Hurst...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The outcome of proposed state constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriages that voters in Missouri and several other states will decide this year could influence efforts in Congress to add a similar provision to the U.S. Constitution...

Southeast Missourian "A miracle" is how Cape Girardeau businessman Dan Drury describes his wife Karla's survival of a traffic accident last weekend in which she sustained 22 fractured bones and a punctured lung. According to Cape Girardeau police, Karla Drury, 51, apparently became disabled and lost control of her 1991 Chevrolet Blazer near the family business on Farrar Street around 11:30 a.m. ...

The last time Missouri Department of Economic Development director Kelvin Simmons was in Cape Gir-ardeau, he was trying to rally support for Gov. Bob Holden's Jobs Now program initiative. Over four months later, Simmons returned to the city to present the recently-passed infrastructure improvement program in its current form to public officials and one especially interested private company...

Democratic candidate for governor Jim LePage visited Cape Girardeau on Thursday as part of his campaign blitz leading up to the upcoming primary election. Although he acknowledges that he's an underdog in this four-candidate race, LePage emphasized that he presents important alternatives to the Democratic race favorites...

England's Paul Casey and France's Thomas Levet lead after opening round. By Doug Ferguson ~ The Associated Press TROON, Scotland -- The fierce wind took the day off at Royal Troon. So did the mighty Americans, who have owned this course the last five times the British Open has been played here...

St. Louis launched the second half of the season with a 7-2 victory over Cincinnati. By Terry Kinney ~ The Associated Press CINCINNATI -- Matt Morris knew he had a chance, even after a rough first inning...

The Notre Dame graduate caught the eyes of several colleges while playing for Midwest Prospects. By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian Playing with the Midwest Prospects, a select summer baseball team based out of St. Louis, has paid major dividends for recent Notre Dame High School graduate Matt Wulfers...

Southeast Missourian Harriette Myers sank a hole in one on Wednesday, then drained a 12-foot birdie putt in a playoff on Thursday to capture the 26th Annual Lassies' Classic golf tournament with teammate Diane Fowler for a record sixth time at the Cape Girardeau Country Club...

The Scott County American Legion junior team continued to roll Thursday night as Post 369 slipped past Festus 2-1 in the opening game of the Zone 4 Tournament at Harmon Field in Chaffee. Host Scott County improved to 25-12 and advances to today's 5:30 p.m. winner's bracket final of the four-team event. The second first-round game was being played late Thursday night...

It must be the ghost of Thad Bullock. "Thad would have loved this," said Thomas Meyer, the leasing manager for the Marquette Hotel downtown in the 300 block of Broadway. For the second time in a week, the building's Number 1 elevator got stuck between floors, this time with nine members of the Evening Optimist Club in it...

WASHINGTON -- The family life, education and health of America's children are generally improving, though child poverty has risen for the first time in a decade, according to the government's broadest measure of children's well-being. The report Friday by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics finds that children are doing better for the most part. ...

Barbara E. Horton, 85, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, July 15, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Richard Lewis, 95, of Jackson died Thursday, July 15, 2004, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Alan N. Weber, 66, of Marble Hill died Thursday, July 15, 2004, at his home. He was born June 1, 1938, in Brooklyn, N.Y., son of Joseph and Jeanette Rosenbaum Weber. He and Patricia Burke were married April 27, 1960. Weber retired as a printer with Stinson Press in Poplar Bluff, Mo...

PEVELY, Mo. -- William J. Keller, 45, of Pevely died Monday, July 12, 2004, in Pevely. He was born Nov. 19, 1958, in St. Louis, son of Hubert J. and Virginia L. Glaub Keller. Keller was a landscaper. Survivors include a daughter, Amanda Howard of Hampstead, N.C.; stepmother, Bernice Keller of Pevely; three brothers, Jerry Keller and Don Wilson of Collinsville, Ill., Hubert Keller Jr. of Hillsboro, Mo.; two sisters, Norma Jones of St. Ann, Mo., and Susan Keller of House Springs, Mo...

Crow Daughter to Scott and Heather Crow of Frisco, Texas, Plano Presbyterian Hospital in Plano, Texas, 12:55 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, 2004. Name, Audrey Landen. Weight, 7 pounds 14 ounces. First child. Mrs. Crow is the daughter of Joe and Saundra Miller of Granbury, Texas, and formerly of Cape Girardeau. She is an elementary school teacher. Crow is the son of Jim and Pat Crow of Waco, Texas. He is employed at Texas Instruments...

Four stars (out of four) Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) is the lead anchorman for The Channel 4 news team until his job is jeopardized when a female co-anchor (Christina Applegate) comes on board. Anchorman is hilarious from start to finish. Will Ferrell goes on a roller coaster of comedy and takes the audience along for the ride. Christina Applegate gives her best performance since the television show "Married with Children."...

10 years ago: July 16, 1994 Large, enthusiastic crowd last night enjoyed concert on Mississippi River waterfront by American Wind Symphony Orchestra; last time director Robert Boudreau brought his floating stage to Cape Girardeau was in 1984. Jane O'Connell and other residents along East Cape Rock Drive want to keep flag flying high at Cape Rock Park; in effort to combat vandalism that repeatedly has claimed flags and flag poles there, O'Connell and other residents have formed Ward 1 Neighborhood Association.. ...

'I, Robot' Starring Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, Alan Tudyk, Chi McBride, James Cromwell, Bruce Greenwood and Shia LeBeouf. The story, set in 2035, focuses on a detective named Del Spooner, who is investigating the murder of a scientist, an employee at U.S. ...

FORCED MARCH FEATURED IN MURAL The latest Mississippi River Tales mural features Cherokee tribe members traveling through the harsh winter during their forced relocation known as the Trail of Tears...

Poetry. For many, the word conjures either negative memories of high school English classes or ridicule-inducing images of romantic tortured souls. Shawn McClain and Michael Howell are aware of this. Both know that they are not what people expect of a poet, but judging by the success of their work, appearances can be deceiving...

'Star-Spangled Girl' comes to Port CapeThe River City Players Community Theater is bringing Neil Simon's "The Star-Spangled Girl" to Port Cape starting tonight. Set in the 1960s, this play follows the love triangle formed between Andy (Steve Rueppel) and Norman (Kyle Van Pool), who publish a protest magazine, and their all-American neighbor Sophie (Meagan Edmonds). ...

By Jamie Wachter ~ Southeast Missourian More than 28,000 athletes from across Missouri are expected to invade Columbia, Mo., over the next three weekends for the Show-Me State Games. The Games will begin its 20th year today, with opening ceremonies scheduled for 7 p.m. at Hearnes Center...

Dear Tom and Ray: About two months ago, the Toyota dealer left a clamp off my radiator hose after servicing my car. After almost making it home (about 22 miles), the car began to steam. This was my first hint that the car was overheating. I pulled off the road and called for a tow truck. ...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Adam L. Newell, 71, of Bloomfield died Thursday, July 15, 2004, at his home. He was born Nov. 10, 1932, in the Oak Ridge community, son of John A. and Dessie Welker Newell. He and Bertha Jaco were married Nov. 1, 1952. Newell worked for the former Jaco Brothers Timber Buyers before starting his own business, Newell Logging. ...

Keith A. Harris, 57, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, July 14, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was born Oct. 3, 1946, in St. Louis, son of Allen and Janet Dickemper Harris. He and Linda Ford were married July 29, 1977, in Cape Girardeau. Mr. Harris was a graduate of Lindbergh High School in St. Louis. He moved to Cape Girardeau 29 years ago from St. Louis...

Spanish judge:Morocco is al-Qaida hotbed MADRID, Spain -- Europe's biggest terrorist threat is Morocco -- seething with as many as 1,000 al-Qaida adherents capable of suicide attacks and skilled at slipping through the continent's southern gateway, Spain's leading anti-terrorism judge testified Thursday. ...

WASHINGTON -- President Bush signed a tough new identity theft bill into law Thursday, legislation passed by Congress in response to evidence that the problem is growing rapidly as more Americans use the Internet to shop and manage their personal finances...

Pastor who vanished now faces sodomy charge SARCOXIE, Mo. -- A southwest Missouri pastor who disappeared for several days last month is charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy in 1996. Donald Peckham, the 71-year-old pastor of Jubilee Christian Fellowship Church in Sarcoxie, was arrested Wednesday on a charge of second-degree sodomy. ...

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following item on Wednesday: At 6:37 p.m., an illegal burn at 1300 N. Spanish St. Firefighters responded to the following items on Thursday: At 10:17 a.m., an emergency medical service at 2037 Pear Tree Court...

Cape Girardeau The following items have been released by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Todd M. Beasley, 31, 310 Cypress Lake Road, Burfordsville, was arrested Wednesday on a warrant for probation violation...

The Missouri Legislature last year approved a bill establishing a Sentencing Advisory Commission to recommend criminal punishment guidelines for judges across the state. The aim of the commission's suggestions, which are now being implemented, is to give judges information that will result in proportionate sentences that protect victims and society...

For Jackson native Ty Atchison, high school rodeo has provided him a stepping stone to bigger and better things. Atchison has earned a rodeo scholarship to the University of Tennessee-Martin, and he recently bought his pro card so he can enter the professional circuit and earn some money on the side...

College Cincinnati basketball coach Bob Huggins will be reinstated at the end of August after fulfilling legal requirements stemming from a drunken driving conviction. Huggins was placed on paid, indefinite suspension June 12, following his arrest for driving under the influence. The 50-year-old coach pleaded no contest, was fined $350 and given a suspended six-month jail sentence that required him to attend a three-day education course...

To the editor: An NBC poll in late June found that 51 percent of respondents favored a constitutional amendment making gay marriage unconstitutional. However, a CBS poll in late May found that 57 percent of respondents favored either gay marriage or civil unions, while 40 percent were opposed to both. ...

To the editor: Since much of the dark veil of secrecy has at last been lifted about our leaders' decision to send our valiant troops into battle in Iraq, the Bush administration seems desperate to seize the opportunity to further exploit the poor work of the CIA in its own defense. Questions still remain regarding the apparent pressure the administration brought to bear on the intelligence community to produce the rationale for making war against Iraq...

To the editor: While on the road, the motor home I was driving to Alabama decided it wanted to get a new water pump in Cape Girardeau. This could not have happened in a friendlier, more hospitable place. AAA Motor Club contacted Sperling's Garage and Wrecker Service, which arrived within 20 minutes and towed the RV to the garage. ...

More faulty info HOW MANY people know the United States declared war on Spain in 1898 because of a faulty report concerning the destruction of the USS Maine? Spanish people are still bitter about the mistake. Most Americans are probably not aware of this and couldn't care less...

James Chad Stone, 25, of Delta died Wednesday, July 14, 2004, in a single car accident along Route N north of Delta. He was born March 11, 1979, at Farmington, Mo., son of James L. and Linda Cobb Stone. Stone attended Alma Schrader Elementary and Central Junior High School in Cape Girardeau, and Delta High School. He was employed at Botkin Lumber Co. and was a member of West Side Church of God, both in Cape Girardeau...

Actors make best of Neil Simon's script in River City Players' show By Kathryn Alfisi ~ Southeast Missourian The cast of "Star-Spangled Girl" is full of talent and energy. It's Neil's Simon's play that comes up lacking...