Stories from Thursday, January 27, 2005

A Bollinger County man was sentenced in U.S. District Court Tuesday to seven years and three months on a felony drug charge. It is his third felony conviction for drug-related offenses since 1977. Joseph P. LaChance, 42, was sentenced on a felony count of unlawful possession of pseudoephedrine knowing it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine. After he completes his sentence, LaChance will be placed on supervised release for three years...

A man is shot in East Cape Girardeau, Ill. An ambulance is called and the man is rushed to a Cape Girardeau hospital. His heart stops beating on the Missouri side of the bridge. He is pronounced dead in the emergency room. An Illinois state attorney needs an autopsy to describe the course of the bullet through the body, to verify the entrance and exit wounds, to retrieve the bullet, examine gunshot residue and conduct toxicology tests...

Over the past several years, the state's child welfare system has failed to adequately address the needs of children in its care. Child abuse and neglect offend the basic values of our state. We have a responsibility to provide safe settings for at-risk children and facilitate permanent placement for children who cannot return home. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Matt Blunt proposed $1.1 billion in core state budget cuts -- including to the Medicaid program -- so the savings can be used to increase funding for public schools and other priorities he outlined in his first State of the State address Wednesday...

The construction cranes at Southeast Missouri Hospital's new parking garage remained still Wednesday, a day after a concrete slab accidentally dropped on a worker. The 1700 block of Broadway was cordoned off and traffic routed around the construction site, where work has ceased pending completion of an investigation into the stability of the structure...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The father of one of three drug overdose victims found dead in December is among six people arrested on drug-related charges. None of the arrests has been directly linked to the deaths, said Perryville police chief Keith Tarrillion. A result of the investigation into the accidental deaths is an increase in drug-related arrests in the two months since then, Tarrillion said...

Cape Girardeau's municipal government once viewed established trees near sidewalks and street curbs as little more than a public nuisance best solved by cutting them down. But that was before the city council, sparked by public criticism over the city's wholesale destruction of some mature trees along city sidewalks and streets, established a tree board and adopted a tree ordinance in November 1998...

MEXICO CITY -- U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza told Mexican leaders Wednesday he is concerned that growing drug-related violence and kidnappings on the border between the two countries will have a "chilling" effect on trade and tourism. Garza's comments in a letter directed to Mexican Foreign Relations Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez and federal attorney Rafael Macedo de la Concha explained the motives behind a public announcement from the U.S. ...

LONDON -- The British government Wednesday proposed sweeping new powers to control suspected terrorists, including electronic tagging, curfews and house arrest of people who have not been convicted of crimes. Home Secretary Charles Clarke said the new "control orders" would apply to both foreigners and British nationals, and he promised to introduce legislation as soon as possible...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A U.S. helicopter crashed in a desert sandstorm in the early morning darkness Wednesday, killing the 30 Marines and one Navy sailor aboard. Six other troops died in insurgent ambushes in the deadliest day for Americans since the Iraq war began nearly two years ago...

GLENDALE, Calif. -- A suicidal man parked his SUV on the railroad tracks and set off a crash of two commuter trains Wednesday that hurled passengers down the aisles and turned rail cars into smoking, twisted heaps of steel, authorities said. At least 10 people were killed and more than 180 injured...

JERUSALEM -- Israeli and Palestinian negotiators achieved significant progress Wednesday toward ending violence and resuming peace talks, completing a plan for deploying Palestinian forces in the southern Gaza Strip and aiming for a summit within two weeks between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders. And there were signals that Condoleezza Rice, the Bush administration's newly confirmed secretary of State, would be joining the peace process soon...

OSWIECIM, Poland -- Vandalized Jewish graves in western Europe. Growing support for extreme-right parties in Germany. Comments by France's far-right leader playing down the evils of the Nazi occupation. Decades after World War II, many think the lessons of the Holocaust still need reinforcing in Europe. Survivors from Auschwitz, gathered for today's 60th anniversary of the Nazi death camp's liberation, vowed to keep telling their story to make sure that happens...

LEXINGTON, Mo. -- A Lexington woman was charged Wednesday with elder abuse after her 85-year-old mother was found dead on the living room floor of the home the two shared. Suzanne H. Skrzelewski, 56, was charged in Lafayette County after police on Sunday found Longina Skrzelewski, who had Alzheimer's disease, lying in her own waste and covered with a sleeping bag...

WASHINGTON -- A much-delayed federal highway and transit bill that would provide huge funding for Missouri's bridges, roads and public transportation is getting another push this year from Sen. Kit Bond. Bond is an author of the $318 billion highway bill, which failed last year despite the senior senator's prodding, sometimes against the White House, which wanted a less expensive measure...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- As Gov. Matt Blunt called for changes to Missouri's workers' compensation system, Republican senators took quick action Wednesday to make that happen. A bill that would overhaul the state's workers' compensation system won senate committee approval on a partisan vote, making it the first of the Republicans' legislative priorities to advance to the Senate floor...

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Racy scenes are being edited out of soap operas, newscasters are weighing their words carefully and the jokes have largely faded from programs that once poked fun at Venezuela's government. It's all because of a new law restricting violence and sexual content over the airwaves...

NORRISTOWN, Pa. -- A prosecutor investigating a fondling allegation against comedian Bill Cosby said Wednesday that the woman's yearlong delay in coming forward, and their contact in the past year, weighed in Cosby's favor. Detectives have interviewed Cosby and expect to know in two weeks whether they will bring charges in response to the allegation he fondled the woman in his suburban Philadelphia home, Bruce L. Castor Jr., the Montgomery County district attorney, said at a news conference...

TRENTON, N.J. -- Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey said Wednesday he threatened to take a radio show host outside after the shock jock made dismissive comments about postpartum depression, an ailment that has afflicted first lady Mary Jo Codey. Codey said NJ 101.5 should take action against the talk show host, Craig Carton, and defended Tuesday's aggressive rebuke at the station's Ewing Township studios...

Christy Laxton scored a team-high 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting Wednesday night for Scott City, but the Rams fell 50-45 to Ste. Genevieve. The Rams (6-11) fell into a 13-4 hole after one quarter. The Rams trailed by 12 early in the fourth quarter but cut the gap to two, 47-45, with 1:17 remaining...

Dexter had a few problems early Wednesday night but came together in the end to defeat the Kelly 64-54. The Bearcats' win not only solidified their No. 8 state-ranking among Class 4 schools but also dealt Kelly (14-2), the No. 7 team in Class 3, its second loss of the year...

As much as things seem to be falling into place for Southeast Missouri State's women, they realize now is not the time to ease off the throttle. The Redhawks (11-6, 5-1), coming off romps past two of their biggest Ohio Valley Conference rivals and boasting a four-game winning streak, resume their homestand today when Jacksonville State (6-9, 3-3) visits the Show Me Center for a 5 p.m. tipoff...

Jacksonville State's Mike LaPlante says it's remarkable just how happy his fellow Ohio Valley Conference basketball coaches have been to see him so far this season. That's what a winless league record will do for a coach's popularity. "It's been amazing. One of the things I didn't realize is how popular and well liked I was within the league," LaPlante said with a laugh. "I see coaches just smiling, they're so happy to see me."...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The two space station astronauts left their orbiting home in the hands of ground controllers Wednesday and floated outside to install an experimental robotic arm and inspect vents that might be causing air-supply equipment breakdowns...

Accuser spells out church sex abuse charges; AG nomination pushed through to Senate vote; Thirteen children, drivers injured in bus crashes; Student is 27th homicide in Baltimore this month; HUD gives $1.4 billion to homeless programs

LOS ANGELES -- Take seven brainy nerds and seven dim beauties, add Ashton Kutcher as a matchmaker and what do you get? A television reality series, of course. Kutcher, the brains behind MTV's "Punk'd," is producing the new series for the WB network this summer...

WASHINGTON -- Condoleezza Rice won confirmation as secretary of state Wednesday despite blistering criticism from Senate Democrats who accused her of misleading statements and said she must share the blame for mistakes and war deaths in Iraq. The tally, though one-sided at 85-13, was still the largest "no" vote against any secretary of state nominee since 1825...

WASHINGTON -- President Bush publicly prodded Republicans on Wednesday to follow his lead and approve personal accounts under Social Security, conceding some lawmakers are concerned about whether it will be worth the political price. "I think it is," he said...

COMMERCE, Mo. -- Betty Jane Gibbar, 69, of Commerce died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005, at her home. She was born April 30, 1935, at Lilbourn, Mo., daughter of Albert and Gladys Jones Vincent. She and John "Mike" Gibbar were married Sept. 23, 1950, in Piggott, Ark...

Wanda Hunter Kretchmar, 89, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of St. Louis and Sun City, Ariz., died Monday, Jan. 24, 2005, at the Lutheran Home. She was born Sept. 23, 1915, in Morgantown, W.Va., daughter of Erwin G. and Ethel Collins Hunter. She and Harold H. Kretchmar were married Aug. 24, 1940...

Steve Bender, 61, of Memphis, Tenn., died Monday, Jan. 24, 2005, at his home. He was a former engineer with Burlington Northern Railroad. Bender was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Survivors include his wife, Bobbie; a daughter, Tammi Elliott of Olive Branch, Miss.; a son, Eric Bender of Memphis; his parents, Arthur and Jo Bender of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Nancy Richards of Tampa, Fla.; a brother, Tim Bender of Cape Girardeau; and two grandchildren...

STURDIVANT, Mo. -- Hurshel E. "Gene" Smith, 79, of Sturdivant died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born April 7, 1925, in Pyletown, Mo., son of William Francis and Minnie Kay Eaves Smith. He and Wanda Lee Gaines were married Nov. 22, 1948, in Piggott, Ark. She died Nov. 13, 1996. He and Ruby W. Swift Howard were married Nov. 27, 1997, at Sturdivant...

CANALOU, Mo. -- The Rev. Jerry Lloyd Hicks, 66, of Canalou died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo. He was born March 31, 1938, in Elkland, Mo., son of Jesse Leroy and Laura Lipe Hicks. He and Frankie Mae Jones were married Feb. 27, 1960, in Sikeston...

ANNA, Ill. -- Pauline Choate, 94, of Tucson, Ariz., formerly of Anna, died Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005, in Tucson. Crain Funeral Home in Anna is in charge of arrangements.

Bob Chitty, 77, of St. Charles, Mo., formerly of Scott City, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005, in St. Charles. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. Announcement courtesy of Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

LEOPOLD, Mo. -- Ruby Opal Snider, 88, of Leopold died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born Oct. 29, 1916, at Glennon, Mo., daughter of John and Katie Ann Mabrey Thiele. She and John F. Snider were married Dec. 21, 1935. He died May 3, 1996...

Herman Lucey, 67, of Cape Girardeau, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete with McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

BENTON -- Jerome Ervin Bucher, 67, of Benton, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete with Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton.

Johnson; Heisserer; Norton; Phillips; Klughart

Perpetual partisanship; Like parent, like child; Not so funny; Complex issues; No longer supplemental; Dialing for death; Scary stuff; Action, not words; Starry-eyed utopian; Pointing a gun; Trust the Bible; Anniversary rematch; Ready for change; Disgusting litter; Focus on academics; It's a sales tool; Clean is good; Thanks for billfold; Athletics or academics?; Focusing on issues; They're all important; Noise in Jackson; Put it online; A good neighbor; Privately funded; Have money, will spend

To the editor: In addition to enduring the anti-government tirades of Walter E. Williams in his regular opinion columns, thanks to the Missourian we are now going to be taught basic economics by Williams. In the interest of truth in packaging, why don 't you label Williams' 10-part series "Economics 101 From a Libertarian Perspective"?...

To the editor: Clint E. Lacy's response to the charges that the League of the South was simply promoting Southern culture was disingenuous. The league is promoting the dismantling of our beloved country. Its enemies include both right and left. The league's Web site (www.dixienet.org) features quotes of the day such as: "We all have a common enemy -- an enemy that is dangerous, powerful and relentless. I refer, of course, to the federal government." -- D. Barry...

WASHINGTON -- President Bush pleaded for Americans' patience Wednesday on what he conceded was "a very discouraging day" of death and violence for U.S. troops in Iraq. He urged Iraqis to defy terrorist threats and vote in Sunday's elections. Bush held a White House news conference hours after American troops perished in a helicopter crash and insurgents killed six others...

Notre Dame serving flapjacks to help Kenyans...

* Name: Sharon McCune * Lives in: Cape Girardeau * Family: Husband, Sam; two daughters, three grandchildren. * Job: Secretary at First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau. * What do you like most about the area? The region has things available to do and is close enough to St. Louis to do things there...

Aiello completes Marine Corps training...

Texas Hold'em proceeds help March of Dimes; Rummage sale will pay for Haiti mission trip; Story times, other events planned in Jackson; Pageant to choose next Mrs. Missouri; Quilters' guild makes plans for 2005; Students can color, draw for MoDOT contest

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following items on Tuesday: * At 4:52 p.m., illegal burn at 111 N. Sprigg St. * At 5 p.m., emergency medical service/building collapse at 1701 Lacey St. * At 11:54 p.m., detector sounding at 409 Albert St...

Cape Girardeau The following items were released Wednesday by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests * Phil Vincent Mattingly, 36, 2814 Whitener St., was arrested on suspicion of stealing. * Joseph Lynn Heck, 23, 756 W. Rodney Drive, was arrested on a Cape Girardeau County warrant for failure to appear in court...

Following through on a 2003 marketing study that identified the Mississippi River as Cape Girardeau's best asset, the city council last week approved spending $106,500 on tourism projects with a decided downtown and riverfront focus. The eight projects to be funded over the next year include a trolley bus that will convey tourists and residents through the city's downtown and stop at museums and tourist sites. ...

Interesting, isn't it, how our "drug of choice" changes with the years. These days (if you are of a "certain age") we are more concerned about medicating our aches and pains than ... say ... birth control. With all of the recent controversy over Vioxx and other "Cox 2 Inhibitors," the choices for pain relief have just gotten smaller...

Ready to run a mile or two? Considering a water aerobics class as a way to beat the post-holiday weight gain? n Cardio workouts like jogging, aerobics and brisk walking are a key component to weight loss, experts say. But many people are confused about what kind of exercise to try and how long to exercise for proper health benefits...

Southeast Missouri State softball coach Lana Richmond has no complaints about the Ohio Valley Conference preseason softball poll released Wednesday that has her squad tabbed for sixth place among 10 teams. It's just that Richmond doesn't expect the Redhawks to finish sixth, which is where they placed last year when they went 16-36 overall and 10-14 in league play...

25 years ago: Jan. 27, 1980 SEDGEWICKVILLE, Mo. -- The Sedgewickville Baptist Mission holds a dedication service for its new mobile chapel in the afternoon; the dedication sermon is preached by the Rev. G.D. Parrack, superintendent of missions for the Cape Girardeau Baptist Association...