Stories from Friday, May 27, 2005

Two Cape Girardeau residents received serious injuries as the result of a one-car crash Wednesday evening. Misty Conway, 23, and Trevor Jones, 20, were injured when the vehicle Conway was driving slid off Cape Girardeau County Road 525, struck a concrete bridge abutment and overturned. They were taken by ambulance to Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau...

From architecture to baton twirling to cooking, there's an alphabet-sized list of activities to keep children of all ages occupied and learning over the summer months. Local schools, community organizations and the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department all offer a variety of summer programs...

When Sunday morning rolls around, God willing and the creek don't rise, I will be standing in front of a group of people gathered at Mountain View Cemetery in Des Arc, Mo., for the annual Memorial Day service. There will be singing and praying. And me...

Commending the joint effort between both the House, Senate and his own office, Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt was in Cape Girardeau Thursday to symbolically sign the recently passed school funding bill. State legislators, city officials and administrators from local school districts gathered at Central High School Thursday for the event...

Record numbers of people will take to the roads this holiday weekend as gasoline prices have inched lower, and state agencies and law enforcement officials warn drivers to be extra vigilant. "Give the road your undivided attention, give yourself plenty of time and slow down, don't be in a hurry," said Sgt. Rick Schmidt with the Cape Girardeau Police Department. "Put your seat belt on and keep your kids in their properly installed seat."...

Center Junction will soon be under lights while Jackson officials hope MoDOT will light up even more of the city in the coming years. The Missouri Department of Transportation accepted bids on the project this week, the lowest coming in at $201,784...

George Ward of Farmington has a different way of looking at life than most people in Southeast Missouri. "Everything is just energy," Ward says. "The human body is a conductor." Ward is a self-described professional dowser and specialist in alternative therapy. He works to align energies in people -- treating them in mind, body and spirit -- and says that just by touching someone he can see deep into their subconscious...

VIENNA, Austria -- The World Trade Organization eased open its door to Iran on Thursday -- an immediate reward for Tehran's decision to stick with talks Europe hopes will reduce Tehran's potential for nuclear mischief. Iran was jubilant over the decision by the 148-member WTO in Geneva, which governs international commerce, to open membership negotiations with Tehran...

Inquiry finds five cases of Quran 'mishandling'; Four Tenn. lawmakers arrested on bribe charges; House rejects effort to shift base-closing money

WASHINGTON -- Democrats forced a postponement Thursday in a confirmation vote for John R. Bolton, yet another setback for President Bush's tough-talking choice as U.N. ambassador and a renewal of intense partisanship in the Senate after a brief respite...

SAN ANTONIO -- The fastball-like pass that set up a series-winning shot with 0.5 seconds left was gutsy. The 52-foot bank shot in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals was impressive. The behind-the-back reverse layup in the closing minutes of Game 2 was mind-boggling...

Justin Leonard took advantage of his early tee time, shooting an 8-under 62 Thursday in unusually calm conditions at TPC at Southwind in Memphis, Tenn., to take a two-stroke lead after the opening round of the St. Jude Classic. In the fourth group of the morning, Leonard shot his best round since a 61 in the final round at Colonial in 2003, where he finished second...

Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts has it all wrong. The Kansas Republican wants to renew the Patriot Act and give the government new powers to conduct secret searches. Ominously, he hasn't released a text of his bill, preferring to hold its first hearing secretly before the Senate Intelligence Committee. .....

Many sport utility vehicles are going soft, mellowing their truckish rides for more car-like cruising and lowering their ride height to help passengers get in and out easier. Not Toyota's Land Cruiser, which remains true to its 50-year heritage as an around-the-world, go-anywhere SUV...

PARIS -- Andy Roddick failed to make it through the opening week at the French Open for the fifth time in as many tries, blowing a two-set advantage Thursday and a fifth-set lead against Argentine Jose Acasuso. Roddick was broken twice after going ahead 3-1 in the last set and lost 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 8-6...

PARIS -- With his hopes for Europe on the line, President Jacques Chirac went on national television to deliver a dramatic appeal for a continent-wide constitution -- warning his countrymen that they hold "France's destiny in their hands" in a weekend referendum...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari says he's determined to take back the initiative from insurgents who have killed more than 620 people since his government was announced nearly a month ago. On Thursday, al-Jaafari made clear just how he hopes to accomplish that...

Egyptian referendum on election reforms passes; Nuclear conference comes to end with no plan; Plane crashes in eastern Congo, 26 feared dead

Dan Triller, Jackson's city engineer for the past six years, has resigned his post and accepted a position at Delta Asphalt in Cape Girardeau. "My time here was good and I enjoyed the position," Triller said. "The politics were hard to deal with sometimes, but I feel like the city got a lot of things done. I just felt that it was time to move on. I think my new job will give me more opportunities and, of course, better pay."...

While track and field is predominantly an individual sport, the area's two Class 4 high schools -- Central and Jackson -- have excelled at the one team event, the relays. The two schools will bring a combined seven relay groups to the Class 4 state track meet, which begins today at Dwight T. Reed Stadium in Jefferson City...

Attorney General Jay Nixon sued the Department of Natural Resources on Thursday to try to stop the dismantling of an old Missouri River railroad bridge that historic preservationists hope could someday become part of the Katy Trail State Park. The lawsuit contends the department had no authority to relinquish the state's rights to the Boonville bridge to Union Pacific Railroad Co. without getting specific approval from the federal government and the Missouri Legislature...

25 years ago: May 27, 1980 Cape Girardeau's new emergency 911 telephone system goes into effect in the morning; the new system allows police dispatchers to trace emergency calls even after the caller has hung up. A lack of bids on school bus insurance for the 1980 to 1981 school year prompts the Jackson board of education to advertise for bids a third time; two weeks ago, the board decided to re-advertise for bids after none were received, and Jackson superintendent Dr. ...

James W. Matlock Jr., 79, of Oil City, Pa., died Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Northwest in Seneca, Pa. He was born Oct. 3, 1925, in McClure, Ill., son of James W. and Ella Mae Rudolph Matlock. He and Geraldine Mae Deeter were married Sept. 1, 1951...

CONCORD, N.C. -- The late Dale Earnhardt built a race team that was supposed to win championships for his son. In his sixth full season, the team is no closer to capturing a title than it was the day it was formed. Dale Earnhardt Jr. began preparations Thursday for the Coca-Cola 600 with a new crew chief after Pete Rondeau was let go after just 11 races...

Willard R. "Willie" Petzoldt, 72, of Port Hadlock, Wash., died Tuesday, May 24, 2005, in Port Townsend, Wash. He was born May 9, 1933, in Oak Ridge, son of Rito H. and Nelta C. Ludwig Petzoldt. He and Barbara "Kitty" Cronk were married Aug. 21, 1955, in Stockton, Calif...

ORAN, Mo. -- Lavina Wilkinson, 86, of Oran died Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born March 22, 1919, in Kaiser, Ark., daughter of LeRoy and Lettie Wilkins Buell. She and Chester M. Wilkinson were married Dec. 21, 1940. He died July 21, 1986...

John Henry Luchow Jr., 85, of Hilton Head Island, S.C., died Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at Hilton Head Regional Medical Center. He was born April 22, 1920, at Grand Tower, Ill., son of Capt. John Henry and Nell Chamness Luchow. He and Mary Rose Miller were married Aug. 12, 1943, in Cape Girardeau. She died Oct. 27, 2003...

Reason for skepticism; Diverting dollars; Payment suggestion; Plagiarism in letters; Complete repudiation; Can't find assistance; A welcome compromise; Ineffective testing; University reaction?; Pool allowances; Outstanding photos; Responsible for cuts; Just going along; MoDOT's priorities

To the editor: I just read where Southeast Missouri State University is raising tuition again. Officials say it is to help balance the budget. If the university would stop its wasteful spending habits, it would not need to raise tuition. We don't need huge waterfall signs, new pools, ridiculous amounts of handouts, fountains, worthless studies like the mascot issue, presidential perks or new textbooks every time a new edition is released. ...

The flurry of graduation ceremonies is over for another year. By the end of this week, students will be setting off on summer adventures. For some students, graduation from high school or college is a life-changing milestone. Many will be entering the full-time work force for the first time. ...

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following calls Wednesday: * At 3:09 p.m., a motor vehicle accident at the 99-mile marker of Interstate 55. * At 9:38 p.m., emergency medical service at 40 S. Sprigg St. Firefighters responded to the following calls Thursday:...

Cape Girardeau The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items Thursday. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests * Edwina C. Bible, 44, of 1211 College, was arrested on a Scott City warrant for failure to appear in court on a charge of insufficient funds on a check...

Frieda Rose Schott, 92, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, May 26, 2005, at Radclift Care Center. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Robert C. Nicholas, 76, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, May 26, 2005, at Missouri Veterans Home. He was born April 30, 1929, in Cape Girardeau, son of Fred and Ethel Matthews Nicholas. He and Betty Morton were married Sept. 22, 1950, in Cape Girardeau. She died Dec. 11, 2001...

Southeast Missouri is showing just how much it hates trash. A local campaign to eradicate litter in the area has been underway since March, and to help capture some of this community momentum, the Southeast Missourian sponsored a contest to find the catchiest anti-litter slogan. Twenty-six people and agencies submitted entries before the May 13 deadline...

CHICAGO -- High school freshman Leslie Meigs has a simple message for children about the scary disease that struck out of the blue and within hours almost killed her: Get the new meningitis shot. Children who are 11 to 12, students entering high school and college freshmen headed for dorm life should be vaccinated, federal health officials and the American Academy of Pediatrics announced Thursday. ...

A former Cape Girardeau businessman is being sued for allegedly orchestrating a fraudulent "pump and dump" scheme involving the stock of Quality of Life Health Corp. The Securities and Exchange Commission has obtained a temporary restraining order and frozen the assets of George A. Todt, who currently resides in Malibu, Calif...

Myers scores ace at Cape Country Club Harriette Myers aced hole No. 16 at the Cape Girardeau Country Club on Sunday. Myers, a guest, used a 7-wood on the 170-yard par-3 hole. Witnesses were members Robyn Young and Alice Temm and guest Maradale Myers...

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The General Assembly agreed Thursday to allow the Charlotte area to raise its hotel tax to help pay for a proposed NASCAR Hall of Fame. Without debate, the House voted 92-18 to give Mecklenburg County the right to raise its occupancy tax from 6 percent to 8 percent...

FROHNA, Mo. -- Milda I. Lorenz, 79, of Frohna died Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born June 24, 1925, at Frohna, daughter of Anton and Esther Mueller Petzoldt. She and Arnold Lorenz were married Oct. 9, 1948...

Notre Dame senior Katie Daniel hates to lose. Over the past two years, Daniel hasn't had to worry about feeling that disappointment very often. Competing in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles, Daniel has dominated those events around the area. So when Daniel finished second in the 300 hurdles at the district meet on May 14, she knew there was a settle to score. Daniel showed no mercy on the sectional field, blowing away her competitors by more than 1.5 seconds in a time of 46.57 seconds...

'NEW AT THE THEATERS 'The Longest Yard' Starring Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, James Cromwell, Nelly, William Fichtner and Burt Reynolds. Former pro quarterback Paul Crewe and ex-college coach Nate Scarborough are stuck doing time in the same prison. ...

Cape Municipal Band begins season Monday; First Friday to feature Myka Bohnsack; Fine art, music festival scheduled in Paducah; Member of film group wins AFI internship ; Artists group to hold collective show June 3; Shawnee Winery kicks off summer season ; Antique Show and Sale coming to Ste. Gen.; Randy Leiner music festival June 4 in Scott City

SUDBURY, Mass. -- David McCullough, Pulitzer-Prize winning historian, sits in a small blue swivel chair and prepares to discuss the meaning of the American Revolution. His audience is not an assembly of scholars or reporters, but a gathering of fifth-graders at the Josiah Haynes Elementary School...

ST. LOUIS -- During Yadier Molina's excruciating 1-for-31 start at the plate as the St. Louis Cardinals' new starting catcher, manager Tony La Russa never wavered in his confidence that good times lay ahead. The foundation of skills for the youngest of three major league catching brothers was evident when he backed up Mike Matheny last year, convincing La Russa and general manager Walt Jocketty to allow Matheny to leave as a free agent. ...

After coming up with its share of clutch hits in the district tournament, the Jackson baseball team ran out of offensive magic on Thursday, dropping a 5-2 decision to Eureka...

PADUCAH, Ky. -- Southeast Missouri State was hopeful a hot stretch to end the regular season would lead to a strong Ohio Valley Conference Tournament showing. But that didn't even come close to happening for the Redhawks, who were bounced from the six-team, double-elimination event in two games...

WASHINGTON -- Fliers beware: This summer vacation season could rival 2000, the worst ever for flight delays, cancellations and cranky travelers crammed into airport terminals. Takeoffs are now returning to pre-Sept. 11, 2001, levels, and millions of tickets have already been sold. Security-related delays are a concern, and so is one thing that no one controls: Mother Nature...

Those who visit the Southeast Missouri Regional Museum at Southeast Missouri State University this summer will immediately be struck by an awesome sight. A relic of enormous girth stands watch over the entrance of the museum: the pilot wheel of the steamer Betsy Ann, 9 feet in diameter...

Southeast Missouri State track and field already has had a sensational year, with the men and women both recently winning Ohio Valley Conference outdoor titles after the women also claimed the league's indoor championship. But now the program will strive for some individual glory when 11 athletes will take part in the NCAA Mideast Regional in Bloomington, Ind. Competition is set for today and Saturday on the campus of Indiana University...

Three stars (out of four) Once again director George Lucas has done an amazing job. He has woven a world that only a master storyteller could hope to create. Lucas has brought back the compelling and interesting dialogue of the originals. The action scenes are exciting and well-staged. There are chases and lightsaber fights and battles with creatures and robots in the air, in the water, and over rivers of hot lava...