Stories from Sunday, May 28, 2006

SHE SAID: BBHHRREEEEEEP. BBHHRREEEEEEP. BBHHRREEEEEEP. "Your call has been forwarded to an automatic voice message system. BOB MILLER is not available. To page this person, press 5 now. At the tone, please record your message." I spend more time talking on the phone to that sickeningly cheerful voice than to my husband...

Follow the rainbow path to summer fun for your children:...

Sales of sponsorships for Cape Girardeau's Wall of Fame floodwall mural are picking up, and organizers hope for completion of the project by summer's end. The Cape Girardeau River Heritage Mural Association announced its plans to update the mural with a new, more polished look in February. The Wall of Fame consists of portraits of famous people in a variety of fields with ties to Missouri...

On Saturday, local and out-of-state residents alike flocked to Highway 25 for the eighth annual 100-Mile Yard Sale. Some local homeowners, such as Debbie Landgran of Gordonville, made a casual day of selling items and spending time with extended family members. Landgran said her annual operation has been going for about four years...

By Louise Wyatt-Boyd Recently, my husband and I visited Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery where my brother is buried. This being only the third time we had been there, we were unsure of the grave location. I searched the computer for the gravesite, and when the information on his military status, along with the image of our flowing national flag came up, I thought, "This is my little brother," and I could not keep from weeping...

YANGON, Myanmar -- Flouting world opinion and a direct appeal from the head of the United Nations, Myanmar's ruling junta on Saturday extended the house arrest of pro-democracy leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The junta issued an order extending Suu Kyi's detention by another year, said a Myanmar government official who insisted on anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. No public announcement was made...

Desperate relatives searched rubble for survivors Saturday after a powerful earthquake flattened nearly all the buildings in this rice-farming town while residents slept, killing more than 3,500 people on Indonesia's densely populated Java island. The magnitude-6.3 quake wounded thousands more and was the nation's worst disaster since the 2004 tsunami. It also triggered fears that a rumbling volcano nearby would erupt...

When 58 million weekend warriors fire up gas-powered lawn mowers, trimmers and edgers this summer, they will produce more than tidy lawns. Those small engines will emit one-tenth of the total hydrocarbon emissions produced annually in the United States...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Two suspects in the videotaped rape and assault of a 41-year-old woman whose body was later found, may have had other victims as well, the Jackson County prosecutor's office said. "The investigation is continuing. But one of the items of the investigation is possible links to other missing persons," Ken Evans, spokesman for Jackson County Prosecutor Mike Sanders, said Saturday...

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. -- One of the first witnesses at the Jackson County trial of a couple accused of killing a Southern Illinois University student from Chicago testified he saw one of the defendants strike the student, then later stab him and light his car on fire...

ST. LOUIS -- A graphic artist and a repair shop operator have been indicted in a scheme to provide as many as 4,000 fake emission test certificates to motorists who needed them to register their vehicles. Earnest E. Carter, 53, of Pasadena Hills, and Donald L. Allen Sr., 46, of St. Louis, were arrested Friday and released on their own recognizance after appearing before a federal magistrate judge...

SAN DIEGO -- Albert Pujols didn't have to hit a home run to help beat the San Diego Padres. With a glance at catcher Yadier Molina, the slugging first baseman set in motion a pickoff throw that nailed Brian Giles for the final out on Saturday to seal the St. Louis Cardinals' 4-3 win over the San Diego Padres...

WEST POINT, N.Y. -- The 861 Army cadets President Bush addressed on Saturday gleefully tossed their caps into the air to mark their graduation, their futures tied to the war against terror. "The reality of war has surrounded you since your first moments at this academy," Bush told the first class to arrive at the U.S. Military Academy after the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001...

DETROIT -- Larry, a 53-year-old heroin addict, has two cardinal rules: Never shoot up alone, and shoot up only one person at a time. If one overdoses, "you need someone there to bring you back," he said. Larry, who asked that his last name not be used because of his habit, recited his rules after hearing that a mixture of heroin and a powerful painkiller has been killing users who believe they are taking heroin alone...

NEW YORK -- The Bush administration has asked federal judges in New York and Michigan to dismiss a pair of lawsuits filed over the National Security Agency's domestic eavesdropping program, saying litigating them would jeopardize state secrets. In papers filed late Friday, Justice Department lawyers said it would be impossible to defend the legality of the spying program without disclosing classified information that could be of value to suspected terrorists...

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- A man killed his two young children Saturday by throwing them off the 15th floor of a landmark South Beach hotel and then jumped to his own death, police said. Edward Van Dyk, 43, tossed his two sons, ages 4 and 8, to their deaths around 8:20 a.m., Miami Beach Police spokesman Bobby Hernandez said. Authorities did not release the names of the two boys...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Shari LaRee Curtis and Allen Michael Crites exchanged vows May 13, 2006, at First United Methodist Church in Chaffee. The Rev. Marty Blakey performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Berta Payne of Benton, Mo., and Edward Hargrove of Chaffee. The groom is the son of Roger and Debbie West of Paragould, Ark...

Millie Reynolds, 80, of St. Louis, Mo., formerly of Patton, Mo., died Thursday, May 25, 2006, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. She was born April 15, 1926, in Brilliant, Ala., daughter of John W. and Tillie Dollie Allen Howard. She worked as an operator for the Bell Telephone Co...

Roberta Cotner, 98, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, May 27, 2006, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center. Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Gladys E. Davis, 75, of Jackson died Thursday, May 25, 2006, at her home, following a lengthy illness. She was born March 25, 1931, in Randles, daughter of Harry and Essie May Smith Hutson. She and Virgil E. Davis were married March 9, 1950. He died Aug. 4, 1981...

Edward Owen Lackey, 95, of Ullin, Ill., formerly of Pulaski, Ill., died Saturday, May 27, 2006, at Union County Nursing Home in Anna, Ill. Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge, Ill., is in charge of arrangements.

Helen Louise Hecht, 79, of Jackson, died Saturday, May 27, 2006, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born June 24, 1926, in Shawneetown, daughter of Oswald Arthur and Ella Lydia Oswald Pfeiffer. Hecht was a homemaker and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Shawneetown and a member of the Trinity Lutheran Ladies Aid. She was also a former member of the church choir...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Opal A. Horn, 87, of Chaffee, Mo., beloved wife, mother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and great-aunt, died Saturday, May 27, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born March 4, 1919, in Rockview, Mo., daughter of the late Leonard "August" and Lena Caroline Hoefler Tucker. She and William David Horn were married June 29, 1942, at Chaffee, Mo., and he preceded her in death on Jan. 31, 1994...

Caring for animals; Stop discriminating; One-sided issue; Awake to reality; Revising history; Not above the law; Pure propaganda; Thanks for help; Wearisome wag; Can't fish; Reciprocal treatment; Greedy taxation; Early education; Older voters; Put up a sign; Tax holiday; More about sex; Still separated

To the editor: As the interim director of the Missouri Division of Youth Services, I want to respond to allegations and concerns appearing in a recent letter to the editor regarding our practices at Girardot Center. DYS is responsible for the care and rehabilitation of delinquent youths committed to state custody by local courts. Commitment is the option of last resort after all local juvenile court intervention efforts have been exhausted...

Melanie Elizabeth Hancock and Curtis Clinton Dow were married April 22, 2006, at First Congregational United Church of Christ at Bonne Terre, Mo. The Rev. Sally Ketterer performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Toni Hancock and Randy and Brenda Hancock of Florissant, Mo. The groom is the son of Flossie Dow of Jackson...

Laura Nicole Voszler and Jeremy Mitchell Lowery were united in marriage Sept. 17, 2005, at the Courthouse Park Gazebo in Cape Girardeau. The bride is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Richard Brent Voszler of Cape Girardeau. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Stan Lowery of Cape Girardeau...

Amanda Ann Hiler and James Dayton Seabaugh were married Sept. 3, 2005, at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Cape Girardeau. The Rev. Derek Swanson performed the ceremony. Organist was Lenny Kuper of Cape Girardeau, and music was by Shanda and Greg Seeber of Knoxville, Tenn., cousins of the bride...

Dennis and Sue Long of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer Sue Long of Pascagoula, Miss., to the Rev. LaDon Lynn Hamilton of Theodore, Ala. He is the son of Frank Hamilton of Theodore and Lois Lee of Green Valley, Ariz...

Raymond and Joan Bollinger of Bell City, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Bridgette Rae Bollinger, to Brandon Scott Beninati, both of Cape Girardeau. He is the son of Mike and Gay Halter of Cape Girardeau, and Scott and Kathy Beninati of Jacksonville, Fla...

ORAN, Mo. -- Jamie Lynn Mansker and Brandon Jeffrey Massey were united in marriage April 12, 2006, at the farm of Calvin LeGrand in Oran. Judge David Dolan performed the ceremony. Soloist was Christy Hency. The bride is the daughter of Eula Mansker and Glenn and Karen Pobst of Oran. The groom is the son of David Massey of Pekin, Ill., and Mark and Kay Kielhofner of Perkins, Mo...

Richard and Brenda Stroer of Jackson and Dale and Dennie Palmer of Harrisburg, Ill., announce the engagement of their daughter, Melissa Palmer, to Erik Harper. He is the son of Barbara Harper of Cape Girardeau. Palmer is a graduate of Jackson High School, and received an associate degree from Mineral Area College. She is employed at Orthopaedic Associates in Cape Girardeau...

Rebecca Terry of Jackson and Gregory Terry of Grassy, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Sarah Jane Terry, to Casey Logan Brinlee. He is the son of Kathie Williamson of Rolla, Mo., and Eddie Brinlee of Chelsea, Okla. Terry is a 2006 graduate of Jackson High School...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Paul and Christine Long of DeSoto, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Alisa Aleen Long, to Ross Daniel McFerron. He is the son of Kenny and Jan McFerron of Advance. Long is a 2001 graduate of DeSoto High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in public relations from Southeast Missouri State University in 2004. She is resource development manager at the Girl Scouts Heart of Missouri Council in Jefferson City...

Janet Jones of Marshall, Texas, announces the engagement of her daughter, Lauren Kay Jones, to Jeffrey J. Maurer. He is the son of Jim and Teresa Maurer of Cape Girardeau. Jones is also the daughter of the late Dr. Roger Jones. Jones is a graduate of Marshall High School. ...

Michael P. and Martha Stephens of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Sarah Jane Stephens, to James W. Dix. He is the son of James W. and Jennie Dix Sr. of Festus, Mo. Stephens received a bachelor of science degree in business administration and a master of arts degree in counseling from Southeast Missouri State University. She is a counselor at Herculaneum High School in Herculaneum, Mo...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Leo and Norma Nenninger of Marble Hill announce the engagement of their daughter, Dana Elaine Nenninger, to Alan Joseph Beussink. He is the son of Ralph and Sandy Beussink of Leopold, Mo. Nenninger is a graduate of Leopold High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University in 2004. She is a teacher at Perry County Middle School...

Southeast Missouri State junior sprinting standout Miles Smith ran his fastest 400 meters of the year Saturday night but failed to repeat as NCAA Mideast Regional champion. Smith's collegiate season will continue at the NCAA championships June 7 through 10 in Sacramento, Calif...

Jacksonville State won the Ohio Valley Conference baseball tournament in dramatic fashion. The second-seeded Gamecocks scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat top-seeded Samford 8-7 Saturday in Paducah, Ky. Clay Whittemore's two-run double ended the contest...

MONTREAL, Canada -- A new roller coaster, a garden show and the annual Jazz Festival are among the noteworthy attractions in Montreal this spring and summer. A one-time event for garden-lovers, Flora Montreal -- www.floramontreal.ca -- takes place at the Old Port, June 16-Oct. ...

When the first ceremonies were held following the Civil War to honor those soldiers who had laid down their lives in battle, communities sought to pay proper respect to fallen heroes. Over the years, those observances have been adopted nationwide as Memorial Day. Several special events are planned throughout this holiday weekend, which also traditionally marks the start of summertime activities...

Cape Girardeau...

Cape Girardeau...

Marty and Nancy Niswonger of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Andrea Marie Niswonger, to Matthew Dean Welker. He is the son of Larry Welker and Connie Welker of Cape Girardeau. Niswonger is a 2004 graduate of Central High School. She is a waitress at Cracker Barrel...

Located in a well-established neighborhood near to Southeast Missouri State University and the city of Cape Girardeau, one advantage homebuyers may consider is the move in condition of this home. A Jenn-aire range, refrigerator, dishwasher and washer and dryer are already in place upon occupancy...

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Boundary-bending roller coasters, a killer whale ballet and a toppling 65-foot tower that simulates splashing into a 5,000-square foot pond below are among scores of new attractions opening this summer at theme parks around the country...

INDIANAPOLIS -- Forget about Danica Patrick, Michael Andretti and all those other drivers back in the pack today. After several years of what had to be considered a wide-open race, the real contenders in the 90th edition of the Indianapolis 500 will be easy to spot...

MIAMI -- The 12-point lead Miami held minutes earlier was whittled to a single point, and Antonio McDyess rose for a dunk that would have given the Detroit Pistons the lead and all the momentum. Dwyane Wade chose that moment to take over. "Guys look at me and say, 'It's your time,'" Wade said. "That's all you need."...

Correction from Cali WE ENJOY the articles on Southeast Missouri State baseball. Thank you for keeping us up to date on the Redhawks. FYI: Omar Padilla is from the small, northern California coastal town of Point Reyes. Padilla and Kevin Ballatore played ball together at Tomales High School. Their graduating senior class was comprised of 60 students. Congratulations to Levi Olson and Padilla for earning first-team OVC honors...

25 years ago: May 28, 1981 The city of Cape Girardeau is cracking down on sewer tax delinquencies which city collector John M. Gilbert says amount to $90,000 to $100,000 and date in some cases as long as 10 years; for the first time, sewer users who have failed to pay their bills over an extended period are being summoned to municipal court on charges of violating city ordinances...

Click it or ticket. It's a simple message, but one highway patrol officials hope will save lives this Memorial Day weekend. Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Illinois State Police are out in force this weekend and will have zero tolerance for seat-belt violations...

RENO, Nev. -- Over the years, families have used religious symbols such as the Jewish Star of David, the Christian cross and the Islamic crescent and star to honor their loved ones on headstones and markers. For Sgt. Patrick Stewart's family, the symbol of choice was also from his religion: the Wiccan pentacle...

CONCORD, N.C. -- Jeff Gordon knows some people believe he's more interested in walking red carpets with his model girlfriend than he is in winning championships. He's heard the talk from former champions Darrell Waltrip and Rusty Wallace, who allege Gordon's focus is on his next vacation -- not on his next race...

Road construction along Highway 34/72 in Jackson will force road and lane closures beginning this week, the Missouri Department of Transportation announced Friday. Penzel Construction will working on box culverts along the highway project, forcing the closures...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- An Iraqi tennis coach and two of his players were shot to death this week in Baghdad because they were wearing shorts, authorities said Saturday, reporting the latest in a series of recent attacks attributed to Islamic extremists. A U.S. ...

PITTSBURGH-- Attorneys for a slain Pennsylvania dentist are seeking a posthumous divorce decree, saying that's what their client would have wanted. Dr. John Yelenic and his wife separated in 2002, agreed to a divorce and even hammered out a property settlement. ...

I don't think a whole lot was expected out of the 2006 Southeast Missouri State baseball team, other than from people within the program who are always going to be optimistic. When a squad has to rely on so many young, inexperienced players -- which the Redhawks did -- there are going to be plenty of bumps in the road...

KUBU SIMBELANG, Indonesia -- The biggest case yet of humans infecting others with bird flu prompted the World Health Organization to put the maker of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu on alert for possible shipment of the global stockpile for the first time, officials said Saturday...

Memorial Day is Monday. It is a time of mixed emotions for me. I often wonder what the people in heaven think of us during Memorial Day. Are they upset that we still mourn over the loved ones we've lost? Are they happy that we take the time to remember them? Are they worried about the world we are building in their absence?...

To the editor: I apologize to keep expressing my views toward the Central High School baseball team. However, I would like to respond to a recent letter from a Cape Girardeau resident stating that columnist Marty Mishow did not know what he was writing about regarding Central coach Steve Williams...

THEBES, Ill. -- As the midday sun beat down on the open, almost treeless fields of the Thebes riverfront, Jerry Whitaker could see shadows of the past. The images he saw from the balcony of the Thebes Historic Courthouse recalled the time before flooding forced the destruction of small businesses, homes and other buildings near the river...

A spiky white caterpillar crawled up Russell Grammer's outstretched arm as his fourth-graders crowded around to get a better look. Elsewhere in the classroom, students practiced their math skills with handheld computer games. In Grammer's Jefferson Elementary School classroom, students get an education on everything from earthworms to a pet garter snake. Grammer has a large black tray of earthworms and a terrarium is home to the snake...

PARIS -- Roger Federer pays attention to what people think. He hears what's said about his game, his legacy. He also considers what's said about Pete Sampras, the player to whom his skills, drive and body of work are most often compared. And here's what sticks with Federer, what motivates him to work harder and improve the tennis game that's made him No. 1 in the rankings for the past 121 weeks and counting:...

Gil Morgan shot an even-par 71 in windy conditions on his home course Saturday to take a one-stroke lead in the Senior PGA Championship. The 59-year-old Morgan had three birdies and three bogeys on the Oak Tree course in Edmond, Okla., but fared better than Peter Jacobsen and Brad Bryant to move closer to winning his first Champions Tour major since the 1998 Senior Players Championship...

Central junior Nicole Jackson came to Jefferson City this weekend as the top returning 200-meter runner in Class 4. Jackson left Dwight T. Reed Stadium on Saturday as the 200 state champion, edging Michelle Gay of Notre Dame de Sion by three-hundredths of a second at the state track and field championships for classes 3 and 4...