Stories from Thursday, May 4, 2006

May 4, 2006 Dear Patty, Our beagle, Alvie, comes along when I occasionally read to children at Blanchard Elementary School. Students in their classes wave as he walks through the halls, a princely monarch trailed by his manservant. Alvie reminds me of Sean Connery in "Robin and Marion" -- battle-scarred, indomitable, hairy...

BENTON, Mo. -- A Scott City man testified Wednesday he was punched and kicked more than 100 times by three men in a March attack. David A. Turner, 21, of Scott City, Kelly R. Church, 31, of Chaffee, Mo., and Trent Tancheck, 27, of Scott City, are all charged with felony robbery, assault and tampering with a victim...

CAIRO, Ill. -- In a meeting unusual because it avoided the political bickering that has become commonplace, the Cairo City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to borrow money to settle the debt with its health insurance carrier. City employees have been working under a cloud of losing their coverage through the Laborers' Health and Welfare Fund. The town, which is paying current premiums, owes more than $140,000 for premiums dating to 2003 and 2004...

With House action stalled on a bill making wide-ranging changes in Missouri's campaign finance law, lawmakers are looking to a more narrowly drafted House-passed bill as possibly the last chance to tackle the issue this year. Just before legislators took a 10-day break in March, the Missouri Senate voted overwhelmingly to lift the caps on campaign donations, restrict the use of local party committees as conduits for political money and require more frequent campaign reporting...

Stay low in your car and head straight for the finish line. That's the advice of Hunter Shuette, last year's stock division winner of the Cape Girardeau Rotary Club's annual Soap Box Derby. The ninth annual derby will take place Saturday on North Sprigg Street in front of Blanchard Elementary School in Cape Girardeau. Cars will line up at 8 a.m. with an opening ceremony scheduled for 9 a.m. and races to follow...

Friends and family called her an angel even as they struggled to deal with Angela Hotop's sudden death. The 23-year-old Southeast Missouri State University student from Perryville, Mo., died Tuesday at Saint Francis Medical Center from a fast-acting infection that doctors couldn't pinpoint...

Organizers of the City of Roses Music Festival are trying to find ways to keep the festival alive in its 10th year, with less than six months to go before the festival's traditional September date. Early this year festival organizers approached the Old Town Cape board of directors seeking financial and organizational assistance. Last week organizers learned the board declined the proposal...

WASHINGTON -- The Postal Service said Wednesday it wants to raise the price of a first-class stamp by 3 cents -- to 42 cents -- and proposed a "forever" stamp that people could use as hedge against future rate increases. The changes would take effect in the spring of 2007 if approved by the independent Postal Rate Commission...

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Bill Worrell retired Wednesday as Tennessee Tech's women's basketball coach after 20 seasons, 408 victories, 12 Ohio Valley Conference regular season titles and eight NCAA tournament berths. "My family means a great deal to me, I'm healthy, and I've just reached a point in my life to make a change," Worrell said in a statement...

PHOENIX -- The NBA suspended Phoenix guard Raja Bell for one game on Wednesday for throwing Kobe Bryant to the floor in the fourth quarter of Tuesday night's playoff game against the Los Angeles Lakers. That means the Suns will be without Bell, the principal defender against Bryant, for Game 6 tonight in Los Angeles...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- If the NASCAR community had one universal wish for Kyle Busch on his 21st birthday, it probably would be for him to start behaving like an adult. Busch, one of the youngest drivers in the Nextel Cup series, has been under constant criticism this season for reckless or immature behavior. ...

Area men graduate from military training...

CINCINNATI -- Adam Dunn glanced around the clubhouse and saw seven -- SEVEN! -- television cameras setting up for postgame interviews. "We must be winning," he surmised. Yes, the Cincinnati Reds are winning -- more than anyone else in baseball. A two-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals left them with the major leagues' best record for at least one bright day in May...

WASHINGTON -- America's service sector expanded with gusto and the country's factories saw orders shoot up by the largest amount in nearly a year, fresh evidence the economy was pushing ahead at a good clip into the spring. The Institute for Supply Management reported Wednesday that its index of service-sector activity stood at 63 in April, up from a reading of 60.5 in March. ...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- His role as the Kentucky Derby favorite confirmed, Brother Derek now needs only to figure out how to win from the far, far outside. The front-running colt was installed as the 3-1 favorite Wednesday after drawing the No. 18 post position. Only one horse has ever won the Derby from that spot -- Gato Del Sol in 1982...

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs have found themselves a new phenom. Make that an old phenom. Three weeks removed from his 40th birthday, Greg Maddux is pitching like the ace of old. He's 5-0 for the first time in his illustrious career, and his miserly 1.35 ERA is second best in the majors...

PHILADELPHIA -- Two students were wounded Wednesday in a shooting at a convenience store across the street from their high school, police said. The victims, an 18-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy, ran into Olney High School for help after being shot, police spokeswoman Beth Skala said...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Al-Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui escaped the death penalty Wednesday as a jury decided he deserved life in prison instead for his role in the bloodiest terrorist attack in U.S. history. "America, you lost," Moussaoui taunted...

The Council of Garden Clubs of Cape Girardeau will hold a spring flower show from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Family Life Center at Centenary United Methodist Church, 300 N. Ellis St. There will be four divisions including artistic design, horticulture, junior and special exhibits...

WASHINGTON -- Call it the stamp that just keeps on delivering. The Postal Service is planning a "forever" stamp that would remain valid for mailing a letter despite future rate increases. That means folks could say goodbye to those annoying 2- or 3-cent stamps that have to be added to letters every time rates go up. Sheets, rolls, books or loose stamps in the drawer would still be good...

To the editor: I have a problem with two-faced individuals who work for retail companies. I have seen and heard individuals talk about other co-workers and customers. People are my main concern. I don't care to hear the garbage that comes out of someone's mouth about somebody else. ...

Heather West is glad a change of heart led her back to Southeast Missouri State. If not, she would never have had the opportunity to win an Ohio Valley Conference championship and help Southeast's women continue their OVC track and field dominance...

Southeast Missouri State hopes to soon add to its large bounty of Ohio Valley Conference track and field titles --this time without having to leave home. The OVC outdoor championships will be in Cape Girardeau for the first time since 2002. Competition on Friday and Saturday will take place at the Abe Stuber Complex. Events begin at 1 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday...

To the editor: The criticisms from retired generals recently directed at Defense Secretary Rumsfeld are telling but misdirected. Although their respect for military traditions prevents these loyal Americans from climbing the chain of command with their criticism, they should be directing comments at commander in chief Bush. The secretary serves at his whim and follows his bidding...

St. Vincent's duo of Corey Brueckner and Zach Richardet were steady again Wednesday, using top-10 finishes at the Class 1 District 1 golf tournament at Piney Valley Golf Course in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., to qualify for the state tournament. Brueckner and Richardet, both juniors, had led the Indians throughout the season. It was Brueckner who had the edge Wednesday, finishing one shot off the lead for a 4-over 76 and a third-place finish. Two players tied for medalist honors at 75...

For those who experience it, the power of prayer is beyond words. On this, the National Day of Prayer, special observances will be held across the nation seeking divine guidance and intervention for the leaders of our country and those who make decision that affect our lives...

Creative license; Taking time to march; Changing the country; They know all of that; Worthy cause; Miracle of birth; Viewpoints, choices; Turning socialist; Finding alternatives; Take active role; End is coming; Learn English; Waiting for posing; Immigration lesson; Slow to accept; Unscientific elections; Learn the language; Midwest stereotype; Capitalist pricing

25 years ago: May 4, 1981 A committee that analyzed the bids for a bus system in Cape Girardeau will recommend this week that the city council reject bids and that alternate transit system plans be developed; two bids for one-year contracts for a fixed-route bus system were submitted, one by Rustman Bus Co. of St. Louis for $457,123, and the other from R.W. Harmon and Sons Inc., of Belton, Mo., for about $270,000...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Angela M. Hotop, 23, of Perryville died Tuesday, May 2, 2006, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born June 4, 1982, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of David M. and Joan M. Schnurbusch Hotop. Hotop worked in fund development at Saint Francis and was a writer for the News Bureau at Southeast Missouri State University, where she was a graduate student. She formerly worked at Hoeckele Bakery in Perryville...

MALDEN, Mo. -- Joe Wayne Cowart, 62, of Malden died Tuesday, May 2, 2006, at Beverly Health and Rehab in Malden. He was born July 14,1943, at Malden, son of John and Jacqueline Scales Cowart. He and Ruth Rice Moore were married Nov. 23, 1960. He and Jan Daniel were married Dec. 31, 1991, in Malden...

ANNA, Ill. -- William L. "Bill" Brown, 51, of California, Mo., formerly of Anna, died Monday, May 1, 2006, at California Care Center. He was born June 20, 1954, in Anna, son of Oliver E. and Golda Howell Brown. He and Diane Gibbs were married Sept. 28, 1974, in Jonesboro, Ill...

Keshawn Amere King, infant son of Stacey King of Cape Girardeau, died Monday, May 1, 2006, at St. Louis Children's Hospital in St. Louis. He was born March 2, 2006, in Cape Girardeau. Survivors include his mother; a brother, Taylor King; and grandmother, Joan King, all of Cape Girardeau...

Terry McIntosh, 53, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, May 2, 2006, at his home. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Minnie "Tiny" Hoover, 80, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, May 1, 2006, at her home. She was born June 9, 1925, at Qulin, Mo., daughter of Andrew Jackson and Callie Hendrix. She and Charles Hoover were married Nov. 7, 1942, in Cape Girardeau. Hoover was of the Jehovah's Witnesses belief...

Jeffrey Dale Henry, 41, was born Sept. 5, 1964, in Cape Girardeau, the son of Harley Dale and Betty Lorraine Poe Henry of Jackson. He passed away peacefully from cancer, May 2, 2006, at home, with his mother, sister and brother at his side. Jeff attended Jackson Schools and graduated from Jackson High School in 1982. ...

Rounding up animals for scientific research has become a big business for some suppliers. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous dealers get their animals by driving through your neighborhood and snatching your pet cat or dog. In many cases, records are falsified to make it appear the animals came from licensed breeders...

James Boomer Cossiboom, 48, of Scott City died Tuesday, May 2, 2006, in Olive Branch, Miss. Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee, Mo., is in charge of arrangements.

The Cape Lions Club met recently to approve a new slate of officers and receive an update on Mid-South satellite hospitals. Brad Baker, a sight-and-hearing Mid-South representative presented the program. Mid-South encourages, assists and promotes the rehabilitation of indigent persons or those handicapped by defective vision or hearing who might be rehabilitated through medical treatment or surgery...

The Jackson Heritage Association will host an open house at the Oliver House Museum, 224 East Adams St., Jackson beginning with 1:30 p.m. tours Saturday, May 6. The newly landscaped gardens around the home's perimeter are dedicated to Marie Oliver, designer of the Missouri state flag, and were recently planted by Cape Girardeau County Master Gardeners. ...

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly First Friday Coffee at the Show Me Center this week. This month, the 2006 class of Leadership Cape will present its projects, which are intended to improve the community. The program will begin at 7:40 a.m. Friday after a continental breakfast. The room opens at 7 a.m...

If high school students ran city government, agenda items might address attracting better stores in the mall, improving the skate park and providing better ways for students to spend their time. Students from Central High School, Notre Dame, Saxony Lutheran, Oak Ridge and Delta high schools shadowed Cape Girardeau city staff members and participated in a mock city council meeting on Wednesday. The students were participating in the 21st annual Optimist Youth in Government Day...

Like many who return home from a vacation, Celia had lost that stressed-out, furrowed-brow pallor of modern life. Her natural merry smile was back. I figured a week back in the land of cell phones and bumper-to-bumper traffic would leach that sunlight right out of her face...

Briefly The Spears Foundation and OptionCare of Cape Girardeau -- in cooperation with Cross Trails, Roche Pharmaceuticals and LabCorp --will offer free hepatitis C screening to the entire community of Cape Girardeau and surrounding counties, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 10 at OptionCare, 61 Doctors Park...

Nearly 10 years ago, Vickie Sadler of Cape Girardeau tried to get up to go to bed and found that she couldn't. "My arm and leg on my right side wouldn't work," Sadler recalled. "They felt like they went to sleep. I tried to shake off the feeling, but it wouldn't come back. I pulled myself up against the wall to get to the bedroom. I tried to talk to my husband, but I couldn't make the sounds."...

The average American home has more than doubled in size since 1950. That's led to super-sized structures that critics refer to as "McMansions." The ballooning American homes need to be trimmed down to a more livable size, some architects and builders say...

House committee to approve military bill WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon would be permitted to add thousands of ground troops under a House bill, reflecting lawmakers' concerns that U.S. forces must be increased, particularly during wartime. The provision is part of a massive measure the House Armed Services Committee planned to approve on Wednesday. ...

From staff and wire reports In a deal announced Wednesday by the William J. Clinton Foundation, the nation's largest beverage distributors agreed to stop selling non-diet sodas to most public schools, where childhood obesity has become an increasing concern...

Cape Girardeau...

Cape Girardeau...

Cape Farmers' Market opens for 21st season The Cape Farmers' Market begins their 21st season from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. today (or when vendors are sold out) at the Plaza Galleria parking lot. Items offered for sale have been grown locally. Strawberries, lettuce, asparagus, onions, radishes, rhubarb, spinach, greenhouse tomatoes and cucumbers, herbs, pickles, relishes, honey, eggs, flowers and bedding plants available. Call Marilyn at 579-0166 for more information...

Chad president expected to win re-election N'DJAMENA, Chad -- Chadians voted for president Wednesday despite no real alternatives to incumbent Idriss Deby, who rebuffed calls to delay the election in this emerging African oil exporter in favor of peace talks with rebels. ...

Kern, Elfrink place first in horseshoes opener Rose Kern and Tyler Elfrink teamed up for a first-place finish in the Southeast Missouri Horseshoes Association's season-opening tournament Sunday. The event took place at the American Legion in Benton, Mo., and attracted 17 teams...

NEW YORK -- Cam Ward is riding a wave few could've anticipated. The Carolina Hurricanes' new No. 1 goalie has his first playoff series win behind him ... and a huge challenge in front of him: Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils, the owners of a 15-game winning streak...

Bolen wins first place in turkey contest Thirteen-year-old Stephen Bolen II of Friedheim earned top honors in the first Buchheit Youth Turkey Contest, which took place April 8 and 9. Bolen's award-winning bird weighed in at 25 pounds. He earned a $50 Buchheit gift card...

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia came to Southeast Missouri State's Show Me Center Wednesday armed and ready for constitutional battle. The battle, he said, began under the court of Earl Warren and only now are "people finally discovering that basically the Supreme Court is rewriting the Constitution on the basis of the votes of five judges."...

Earl Woods, who was more determined to raise a good son than a great golfer and became the architect and driving force behind Tiger Woods' phenomenal career, died Wednesday morning at his home in Cypress, Calif. He was 74. "My dad was my best friend and greatest role model, and I will miss him deeply," Tiger Woods said on his Web site. ...

NEW YORK -- Serena Williams could miss the French Open and Wimbledon while she takes several months off to recover from a chronic left knee injury. "What I can tell you today, based on what I am being told by my doctors, is that I should be in a position to be playing again by the end of this summer," Williams said in a statement released Wednesday by her publicist...

A ham and fried chicken supper begins at 4 p.m. May 13 at New Salem United Methodist Fellowship Hall at Daisy, Mo. Menu is ham, fried chicken, potato salad, green beans, corn, slaw, bread, cake and drink. Children five and under eat free...

The Southeast Missouri State softball team continued to struggle Wednesday, losing 7-1 to host Eastern Illinois. Southeast, which suffered its seventh consecutive defeat, fell to 27-19 overall and 14-10 in Ohio Valley Conference play. The Redhawks remained third in the 10-team league...

HOUSTON -- Maybe Brad Lidge can shake those incessant Albert Pujols questions now. Lidge got past Pujols on Wednesday night and picked up the save in the Houston Astros' 5-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. It was his first meeting with the home run leader since Pujols tagged him for a three-run homer to give the Cardinals a 5-4 win over Houston in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series...

Antonin Scalia is the third sitting Supreme Court justice to visit Cape Girardeau. On Nov. 30, 1965, William O. Douglas spoke to approximately 1,200 at Academic Auditorium on the subject of "Communism vs. Democracy." Douglas hailed from Maine and was a renowned "new dealer," appointed to the court in 1939 by Franklin Roosevelt...

NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga -- A magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck early today near the South Pacific nation of Tonga, prompting tsunami warnings for as far away as Fiji and New Zealand. The warning was lifted after a tsunami of less than 2 feet was recorded. There were no reports of injuries or damage from the quake or tsunami. ...