Stories from Monday, April 4, 2005

If you have a question, e-mail factorfiction@semissourian.com or call Speak Out (334-5111) and identify your call as a question for "Fact or fiction?" Q: Eating lunch at Scott City Elementary School, I noticed that after lunch unopened milk was being thrown away. It was explained that it was some sort of OPAA! guideline that even food that hadn't been opened had to be thrown away. Is that correct? -- Herline Bowers, Scott City...

NEW YORK -- It's a Friday evening, traditional kickoff time for the party scene in New York's gay community, but the 75 men packed into a small room at a gay health center aren't in a partying mood. Through a humbling 12-step program modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, they are battling to kick their addiction to methamphetamine, and in doing so escape an epidemic that is roiling urban gay communities nationwide with disease, despair, embarrassment and anger...

Columbia Daily Tribune Give Sen. Jim Talent credit for thinking federal as the best venue for increasing highway funding. ... He wants the government to issue as much as $30 billion in bonds to help states fix transportation systems. The bonds would be bought by individuals and businesses and repaid with federal income tax credits. The money raised would be in addition to the basic federal highway bill, now under negotiation in Congress. .....

Pope John Paul II inspired American Catholics with his globe-trotting, charismatic leadership, perseverance in the face of debilitating illness, and deep spirituality. But his tight grip on church leadership and unwillingness to change some unpopular teachings clashed with the more democratic approach that many of the 65 million U.S. Catholics favor...

LOS ANGELES -- "Sin City" proved an irresistible temptation for audiences as the highly stylized comic-book adaptation led the weekend box office with a $28.1 million debut. Opening in second place was Queen Latifah's comedy "Beauty Shop," a spinoff of the "Barbershop" franchise, which took in $13.5 million for the weekend, according to industry estimates Sunday. Since opening Wednesday, "Beauty Shop" had grossed $17.3 million...

DAMASCUS, Syria -- Syria plans to pull all its troops and intelligence agents from Lebanon by April 30, and a U.N. team could be dispatched to verify the withdrawal, a U.N. envoy said Sunday after meeting President Bashar Assad. The full withdrawal will mark the end of Syria's 29-year military presence in Lebanon and will comply with the demands in a U.N. resolution, helping to relieve the international pressure on Damascus...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The secret votes were read out one by one, the tally kept with black marks on a white board -- a symbol of Iraq's struggle for a transparent democracy and its attempt to reach out to the Sunni Muslim minority for the first speaker of a two-month-old parliament...

ANKARA, Turkey -- Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turkish gunman who seriously wounded the pope during a 1981 assassination attempt, is mourning the pope's death from his Turkish prison cell, his brother said Sunday. Adnan Agca said his brother told him Wednesday in Istanbul's Kartal prison that he hoped the pope lived a bit longer...

MATTOON, Ill. -- Jeff Nichols doesn't mind sharing his office space with a few hundred worms. The worms, housed in a dark tub with a secure lid, silently consume food waste while Nichols, manager of custodial services at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, researches ways for the hospital to continually help the environment through recycling...

Law enforcement authorities are looking for a suspect in the armed robbery of a local restaurant. Pizza Inn at 3333 Gordonville Road was robbed at gunpoint at around 11 p.m. Saturday, according to the Cape Girardeau police. The male suspect, described as 5-feet, 11-inches, weighing 200 to 300 pounds and wearing a gray, hooded sweat shirt, displayed a black handgun in the business and demanded money, said officer Josh Smith of the Cape Girardeau police. ...

CHICAGO -- Today's sport utility vehicles barely fit inside the Hotel LaSalle Garage, the first multilevel parking garage ever built in Chicago. The structure, which was constructed to house Model Ts back in 1918, is being razed after a city commission voted not to grant it landmark status. Demolition of the crumbling facade began Friday...

ST. LOUIS -- The Illinois big men have taken so many digs this year, it's a wonder they don't feel small. They're too puny, and not nearly nasty enough. They're one-dimensional. They're not the game-changing force their guards are. Put the Illini up against a team with a stellar frontcourt, the thinking goes, and they will get pushed aside like dust bunnies...

St. Joseph News-Press The Bush administration is ready to pull the federal feeding tube on Amtrak. It's about time. Washington created the national rail service in 1970 in hopes of keeping passenger rail service as a viable alternative to the more popular air and auto travel. Amtrak never lived up to even the most modest expectations of advocates...

St. Louis Post-Dispatch A recent study by the Manhattan Institute says that high school graduation rates in Missouri ... aren't improving, and that about one-third of the students who do graduate don't have the course credits to apply to a four-year college. .....

ST. LOUIS -- The best team in the country all season is an underdog today. By now, Illinois is used to it. Even though they've only lost once, have tied the NCAA record for wins and have been ranked No. 1 in the country since December, the Illini (37-1) have had trouble getting their due much of the season...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- As the nation comes to grips with how to care for those who can't make their own decisions, Missouri lawmakers are considering a handful of proposals to address end-of-life care. One piece of legislation was introduced Thursday, the day Terri Schiavo died after a long legal battle that ended after a court-ordered removal of her feeding tube. She had left no written instructions in the event she became disabled...

ALBANY, N.Y. To somebody peeking into this little room, I'm just a middle-aged guy wearing a polka-dotted blue shower cap with a bundle of wires sticking out the top, relaxing in a recliner while staring at a computer screen. But in my mind's eye, I'm a teenager sitting bolt upright on the black piano bench of my boyhood home, expertly pounding out the stirring opening chords of Chopin's Military Polonaise...

In 10 short columns, there's no way to even scratch the surface of economic knowledge. I'll simply end the series with a discussion of a few popular sentiments that have high emotional worth but make little economic sense. I use some of these sentiments as a teaching device in my undergraduate classes...

The Sears store on William Street has been a staple of the Town Plaza Shopping Center since it opened. But when the department store relocates to the city's west side later this year, the 43-year-old Sears building may be demolished to make way for a new tenant, according to the St. Charles real estate company that owns the property...

NEW YORK -- No longer is search just about finding stuff on the Internet. The battleground has moved to individual PCs as leading search companies develop free tools for cataloguing your computer. The three I tried are all good at finding files -- even ones I thought I had long deleted (whoops!)...

Finally at rest after years of crippling disease, Pope John Paul II's body lay in state Sunday, his hands clutching a rosary, his pastoral staff under his arm. Millions prayed and wept at services across the globe, as the Vatican prepared for the ritual-filled funeral and conclave that will choose a successor...

There is no last-minute cramming for the MAP. As local schools and those throughout Missouri begin taking the state's achievement tests this week, educators say the focus is on keeping students calm and confident, not hardcore review of lessons. "Preparation is a yearlong thing. If you haven't prepared for the MAP throughout the year, you can't prepare for it," said Dr. Rita Fisher, assistant superintendent of the Jackson School District...

The Jackson Board of Aldermen and city officials have found themselves holding a $150,000 pot of money, thanks to a road and bridge tax settlement with Cape Girardeau County. This $150,000 is taxpayer money, funds that have come out of property and real estate taxes from the residents of Jackson. It must go toward road and bridge improvements in the city...

Southeast Missouri State's late-inning trouble reared its ugly head again Sunday. Jacksonville State scored four runs in the top of the ninth to stun the host Redhawks 8-7 and lift the Gamecocks to an Ohio Valley Conference series victory, after the squads had split Saturday's doubleheader...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Tampa Bay outfielder Alex Sanchez was suspended 10 days for violating baseball's new policy on performance-enhancing drugs, the first player publicly identified under the major leagues' tougher rules. The suspension begins Monday when Tampa Bay opens its season against Toronto, the commissioner's office said Sunday...

Top-ranked LSU and perennial power Tennessee fell in the semifinals. The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS -- Michigan State's climb to national prominence took over Rocky Top. The Spartans rallied from a 16-point deficit in the second half -- tying a Final Four record -- to upset Tennessee 68-64 on Sunday night, setting up a title game with Baylor, another unlikely championship contender...

DULUTH, Ga. -- Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Ernie Els skipped the BellSouth Classic to focus on the Masters. Not Phil Mickelson. Tuning up for his Masters defense, Mickelson shot a 7-under 65 on Sunday to move within a stroke of leader Scott McCarron with one round to play in the rain-delayed BellSouth Classic...

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. -- Taking on stylish Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal showed up with the flashier outfit and the game to match -- for two sets, at least. Twice two points from defeat, the top-ranked Federer rallied and won the Nasdaq-100 Open by beating the 18-year-old Nadal 2-6, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-1 Sunday for his fifth title of the year...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Larry Walker and Albert Pujols hit consecutive homers in a five-run fifth inning and four other Cardinals homered in St. Louis' 18-6 victory over Double-A Springfield on Sunday. Jim Edmonds, Scott Rolen, Yadier Molina and Hector Luna also homered for St. Louis, which will open the regular season Tuesday night in Houston in a rematch of the Cardinals' seven-game victory last year in the NL championship series...

Cape man named manager at Krieger's...

Tales about heroes are usually so incredible that few people think such persons even exist in today's world -- except, maybe, in movies and cartoons. But a Perry County couple encountered a real-life hero recently who saved them from a fire and put himself at risk in the process...

Southeast's tennis team suffered its second OVC home loss of the weekend as a tough Eastern Kentucky squad prevailed 6-1 Sunday. The Redhawks (5-12, 2-5) posted their only victory at No. 1 singles as Bryce Kristal defeated Meredith Giles. The players split sets, then decided things in a super tie-breaker since the team outcome had already been determined...

ST. LOUIS -- It's been 30 years since the top two teams in The Associated Press poll met in college basketball's national championship game. No matter what happens Monday night when top-ranked Illinois faces North Carolina, it won't affect the sport the way the last 1-2 title matchup did...

Baseball...

No classes during tests?; Inmates? No thanks; Parking eyesore; Keep trash in trucks; Excited about sidewalks; Building trust; Support for the future; It's not a minimum; Self-correcting; Clean up after pets; Makes no sense; Photo IDs for voters; Keep up good work; Slap in the face; Seeing too much; Didn't work out; Too rational

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Albert James Elfrank of Advance was born Nov. 25, 1919, in Perkins, Mo., and passed away Saturday, April 2, 2005, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau at the age of 85 years. He was the son of the late William and Amanda St. Cin Elfrank...

Earl Charles Younghouse, 77, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, April 3, 2005, at the Chateau Girardeau Health Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Nov. 27, 1927, in Cape Girardeau, son of Earl Charles and Alma Popp Younghouse. He and Mildred Rauh were married April 17, 1949, in Pocahontas, Mo...

John Frank "Pete" Kelly, 75, of Jackson died Sunday, April 3, 2005, at his home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Ford and Sons Funeral Home.

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Mary E. Britt, 82, of Jonesboro died Saturday, April 2, 2005, at her home. She was born Jan. 27, 1923, in Jonesboro, daughter of Lee and Mary Brown Dover. She and Spillman Britt were married March 29, 1941, in Jackson. He died April 10, 2002...

Bill Rice, 63, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, April 3, 2005, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete with McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

Donavon Delores Snider, 71, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, April 3, 2005, at the Lutheran Home. She was born Sept. 11, 1933, in Sturgess, S.D., daughter of Earl and Clarrissa Ness Collins. Snider worked as an LPN in area nursing homes. She was also the owner and operator of a porcelain doll hospital. She attended Commerce Baptist Church in Commerce, Mo. She was a graduate of Central High School in Cape Girardeau...

Henry "Butch" Claude Boley, 62, of Randles died Saturday, April 2, 2005, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born June 20, 1942, in Randles, son of Johnnie and Flossie Menz Boley. Boley was a painter for Stockade Buildings Inc. in Morley, Mo. He was a member of Free Trinity Pentecostal Church of Randles...

Ruth Vernetta Wallace, 87, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, April 2, 2005, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born on March 28, 1918, in Lilbourn, Mo., daughter of Oscar and Bessie Lancaster Mize. She and Billie Ira Wallace were married Oct. 1, 1939. He died Dec. 12, 2002...

CAPA to hold spring conference April 20...

Cape Girardeau The following items were released Sunday by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests * Tracy Maria Boyd, 40, of 413 S. Ellis St., was arrested on a New Madrid County warrant for fraud. * Beverly Ann Nathaniel, 44, of 28 N. Fountain St., was arrested on a Taney County warrant for forgery...

According to the Cape Girardeau Police Department, Joshua Rideout, 24, of Cape Girardeau, was arrested and charged with four felony counts of child pornography, including two counts of promoting and two counts of possessing. Cape Girardeau officer Paul Zajicek received information that the suspect had child pornography on his computer. ...

WASHINGTON -- Shirts, pants, underwear and a lot of other clothes made abroad have arrived in the United States by the bulging boatload since Jan. 1, when more than three decades of quotas ended. Consumers are rejoicing over the lower prices. But the domestic textile and apparel industry is complaining about the loss of thousands of jobs from what it contends is unfair competition. It wants the Bush administration to move quickly to limit the soaring number of shipments from China...

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- The latest draw for visitors in eastern Missouri has a stripe of a different color: The owners of an increasingly popular winery have acquired a tiger habitat and opened a bed-and-breakfast and upscale restaurant on the property...

Dahms earns bronze star in Afghanistan...

Cape County Chapter of AARP meets today; Dollmaking workshop offered at the Red House; Benefit for Billy Tedder to be held at Stooges; Senator's listening post slated for Wednesday ; Meeting set for parents of seventh-graders; Old sports memorablilia from the area wanted; Grandparents support group held April 13

Fish and chicken supper planned in Bell City; Lions Club holds annual pancake jamboree; Fried chicken supper with country store at Altenburg

25 years ago: April 4, 1980 Circuit Judge Stanley A. Grimm has ordered that a grand jury be impaneled to investigate the county sheriff's office. Ousted Circuit Judge Gerald L. Briggs has made it clear that he intends to ignore State Attorney General John D. Ashcroft's opinion that he cannot enter the race for his former post in the November election...

Today, 7 p.m. City hall, 401 Independence St. Study session at 5 p.m. Public hearing * A public hearing regarding the request of Robert A. Drury to rezone 2948 Bloomfield Road from R-1, single family residential district, to C-2, general commercial district...

CAIRO, Ill. --The George Drouillard Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation met recently at Fort Defiance at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, south of Cairo, to dedicate the Peter Geery Memorial Kiosk. The George Drouillard Chapter LCTHF is a joint effort by Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois and western Kentucky Lewis and Clark enthusiasts to keep the story alive in this area...

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- In the past months, Danes have lived in a true Hans Christian Andersen frenzy which some say has been no fairy tale. As his countrymen celebrate his bicentennial, the image of Andersen, who wrote such classics as "The Emperor's New Clothes" and "The Little Mermaid," can be seen everywhere -- on coins, in post offices, on beer labels, on posters announcing shows celebrating the Dane, on dinnerware and on baby clothes and accessories especially designed for the jubilee...

HOME VALLEY, Wash. -- The engine of an Amtrak train derailed Sunday along the Columbia River, sending at least 26 passengers to hospitals with mostly minor injuries, officials said. The Portland, Ore.-bound train was carrying 115 people when the locomotive's wheels left the track, leaving four passenger cars leaning upright against an embankment in the Columbia River Gorge, about 45 miles east of Portland, Ore., Amtrak spokeswoman Marcie Golgoski said...

WASHINGTON -- A new organization created to defeat President Bush's plans for Social Security intends to open a television ad campaign this week depicting the proposal as the tip of an iceberg that will cut benefits and raise the national debt. Erik Smith, a spokesman for ProtectYourCheck.org, said the group will spend nearly $1 million to show the commercial on cable stations nationally over the next three weeks. ...

PHOENIX -- Volunteers for an effort to patrol the Mexican border reported their first sighting of suspected illegal immigrants, resulting in 18 arrests, authorities said Sunday. Participants in the Minuteman Project spotted the migrants Saturday near Naco as the volunteers were surveying the border to familiarize themselves with area. When agents arrived, they apprehended 18 people, Border Patrol spokesman Andy Adame said...

WASHINGTON -- AirTran, Atlantic Southeast, JetBlue and United improved their service last year, but were the only airlines to do so among the 14 major carriers rated in 2003 and 2004, according to private researchers who relied on government measures...

MOSCOW -- Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev said he will formally step down today, a move that would help pave the way for elections and solidify order in his impoverished Central Asian country less than two weeks after he was forced to flee to Russia amid mass protests...

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- After weeks of hesitation, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has finally made moves to challenge the powerful militant groups sowing chaos across the West Bank. In the end, he was spurred into action by domestic concerns, including an audacious rampage by gunmen through Ramallah and the very real fear of impending electoral defeat, rather than by persistent U.S. and Israeli demands that he crack down on armed groups...

MEXICO CITY -- As cardinals rushed to the Vatican on Sunday to begin the process of selecting a new pope, many back home were asking a pointed question: If most of the world's Roman Catholics live in the developing world, why has every pope been European?...

No surprise, Adrienne Wade spent a portion of her day last week with her ear glued to her tiny, silver cell phone that doubles as a camera to take snapshots of her dog, cat and three birds. Wade may not qualify as a cell-phone junkie but she's close...