Stories from Thursday, November 30, 2006

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- A tip from a Columbia pharmacy that led to the arrest of two people on methamphetamine-related charges proves that a law regulating ingredients for the drug is working, law enforcement officials said. Betty L. Linhart, 39, and James R. Price, 55, were arrested in New Franklin on Nov. 13 and charged with possessing the ingredients with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine, as well as possession of methamphetamine...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Legislature hasn't debated the deal yet, much less approved it. But the state's college loan authority is moving forward with a plan to provide $350 million to the state for campus construction projects. The Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority said Thursday that it was creating a special account -- starting off with $65 million -- to set aside money that eventually would be transferred to the state, if the Legislature approves the plan...

Weather forecasters weren't sure Wednesday when or how much freezing precipitation will fall later today and tonight, but they were certain about one thing -- it is going to turn cold. Friday will be a cold, windy day after any snow that reaches Southeast Missouri diminishes to flurries around noon, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures Friday night are expected to fall to near 20 degrees...

Nov. 30. 2006 Dear Patty, The passengers on the flight to Palm Springs, Calif., included women of a certain age whose tanned hands and arms resembled fine leather. Their faces, though, looked as if layers of skin had been peeled away in hopes of projecting a babylike freshness. The effect was disquieting...

Chris Buehrle doesn't have any worries about Cape Girardeau's work force. Not anymore. "The quality and quantity of the work force has been exceptional," said Buehrle, president and founder of National Asset Recovery Service Inc. "No concerns here."...

It's not all about sales, but merchants in downtown Cape Girardeau hope to get a boost Friday when thousands of revelers and shoppers come to Old Town Cape's annual open house. It's an event, organizers say, that combines shopping for the perfect gift with family entertainment...

Robert feels powerless over his abuse of the Internet. For years, he's spent countless hours in online chat rooms, searching for social interaction or a romantic interest. "The reality is that 99 percent of these online contacts never developed into real-life contacts," he recently wrote on an Internet addiction support group online forum...

Thanks for keys; Adoption records; Beverage proceeds; Holiday gas prices; More schooling; Help for assistants; Shopping threat; Bait and switch?; Good columns; Eyes wide open; Thanks for checkbook; Economics lesson

Americans have one of the lowest savings rates in the world. While baby boomers are waking up to this fact as they approach retirement age, most Americans in the 25-to-34 age bracket -- Generation Y -- are not only not saving, but are also overspending to an extent that has some analysts concerned...

To the editor:'Twas the days before Christmas, and all through the county Deputies were anticipating their promised new bounty. The voters had spoken, and from all we could tell A promise was a promise until the Grinch said, "Promise, hell!"...

A Chinese scholar and descendant of Confucius hopes to pick up some wisdom in Cape Girardeau from studying the manuscripts of famed American writer William Faulkner. Kong Qinghua, a professor and dean of the English department at Qingdao University in eastern China, has been conducting research at Southeast Missouri State University's Center for Faulkner Studies since early September. He plans to remain in Cape Girardeau until February...

A proposed property tax increase for the Cape Girardeau Public Library will be the topic of conversation at First Friday Coffee this week. Library director Betty Martin will be the guest speaker. The tax increase would fund a $9 million project that would double the size of the facility on Clark Avenue to 38,860 square feet. Voters will decide during a special election Feb. 6...

Citing large volume of leaves to be collected and weather conditions, the Cape Girardeau Public Works Department announced a one-week delay in leaf collection for two parts of the city, Zone C and Zone D. Zone C includes the city limits west of Kingshighway. This area was originally scheduled for this week, but will now be collected from Dec. 4 to 8...

9 a.m. today County Administration Building 1 Barton Square in Jackson n 2007 STOP Violence Against Women grant award. n Approval of IV-D Budget for 2007. Action items n Copy machine renewal for treasurer's office. n 9:30 a.m. Senior Citizens Service Fund Board requests discussion...

ST. LOUIS -- The members of Pi Kappa Alpha didn't talk to reporters after their fraternity brother died inside their burning fraternity house here Wednesday. But they did make a statement. Fraternity members dragged a charred suit of armor from near the wreckage of the house and placed it on a sidewalk. The blackened figure faced out toward the crowd of reporters, police officers and firetrucks and seemed to say: We still stand tall...

ANDERSON, Mo. -- Faulty electrical wiring may have sparked a fire that killed 10 people at a southwest Missouri group home for the elderly and mentally ill, and investigators were looking at whether there was any negligence by the facility's owners, authorities said Wednesday...

A Florissant, Mo., man pleaded guilty Wednesday to felony possession of anabolic steroids and a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated in Cape Girardeau County circuit court. Jason O. Stevens, 35, of 30 Marquette Drive, was arrested by Missouri State Highway Patrol on April 21 on U.S. 61 and subsequently charged with class C felony of possession of a controlled substance and class B misdemeanor of driving while intoxicated...

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- The death of a teen who was roughed up by guards at a juvenile boot camp has prompted a shake-up in Florida's criminal justice system, the resignation of its top law enforcement officer and now charges against seven former guards and a nurse...

NEW YORK -- Investigators believe two mysterious men -- one of whom may have had a gun -- could hold the key to learning why police unleashed a 50-bullet barrage that killed a groom leaving his bachelor party at a strip club hours before his wedding...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Preparations are on schedule for NASA's first nighttime space shuttle launch in four years as the space agency readies Discovery for a mission to the international space station, managers said Wednesday. NASA plans to launch Discovery at 9:35 p.m. Dec. 7 for the third shuttle flight of the year and the fourth since the Columbia disaster killed seven astronauts in 2003...

MODESTO, Calif. -- A former pastor was arrested on suspicion of murder, with police saying he caused a car accident that killed an 85-year-old man in a scheme to inherit his trust fund. Doug Porter, 55, was being held without bail after getting detained at a checkpoint near San Diego on Monday as he tried to re-enter the United States. Porter also was charged with attempted murder, elder abuse and grand theft, said Stanislaus county chief deputy district attorney John Goold...

AMMAN, Jordan -- By the time President Bush's long motorcade roared up the private road to King Abdullah II's hillside palace, the Iraqi prime minister's motorcade had already roared down it. So much for the first of two high-expectation meetings between Bush and Nouri al-Maliki...

UNITED NATIONS -- Iran's president urged the American people in an open letter Wednesday to demand the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and reject what he called the Bush administration's "blind support" for Israel and its "illegal and immoral" actions in fighting terrorism...

ISTANBUL, Turkey -- Under a bright morning sun near the Aegean Sea coast, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass on Wednesday outside the ancient stones that some believe were once the home of the Virgin Mary. He then walked slowly through a hand-picked congregation from the tiny Christian communities across Muslim Turkey. They chanted "Benedetto" -- his name in Italian -- and reached out to touch his gold and white robes...

How much is Southeast Missouri State struggling right now during the early stages of Scott Edgar's coaching tenure? Seemingly average teams are even routing the Redhawks at the Show Me Center. Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne, a sixth-year NCAA Division I program, rolled to an 84-65 victory Wednesday night in front of 2,695 mostly stunned fans...

Fowler records aceat Kimbeland Dan Fowler needed just one shot to finish off the sixth hole at Kimbeland Country Club on Wednesday. Fowler, a Cape Girardeau resident, used a 7-iron on the 150-yard hole for his third career hole in one. Witnesses were David Little and Bill Beard...

I recently reported on those yogurt-eating (actually matsoni- eating) Abkhazians and their "long-living" ways. A little song, some nuts and, most importantly, a respect for aging all have powerful effects on living the long life back in old southern Russia...

A February city council primary election has been assured by the filing of three more council candidates; the three newest council candidates bring the number of those running for one of six councilman positions to 13, with two others vying for the mayoral post; the latest to throw their hats in the ring are Billy J. Keele, W.R. Becker and Dr. Peter D. Hilty...

Briefly Southeast Missouri Hospital surgeon wins state award Southeast Missouri Hospital cardiac and vascular surgeon Randy G. Brown received the 2006 Missourian Award at an annual dinner in Jefferson City in October. The Missourian Award is an acknowledgment of the most accomplished citizens in Missouri, including past recipients Harry S. ...

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Delphia Jane Duff Schauwecker, 91, of Olive Branch died at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, 2006, at Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau. Mrs. Schauwecker was born March 19, 1915, in Benton, Ill., daughter of the late Richard Ernest and Ruth Ethel Dickerson Duff. She married Anton Schauwecker, who preceded her in death Oct. 4, 1974...

Claud M. Keesee, 100, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006, at Ratliff Care Center. He was born Dec. 26, 1905, in Perkins, Mo., son of Thomas and Mary Shrum Keesee. He and Erthel Lufcy were married in 1925. She survives. He later married Marvine Hensley, who died Aug. 30, 2000...

LOS ANGELES -- Mel Gibson showed the world the mercilessly bloody end of Jesus Christ's mortal life in "The Passion of the Christ." Now the makers of "The Nativity Story" offer Christ's sweet, humble beginnings in a stable -- which, remarkably, Hollywood has not focused on before...

Jean E. Blechle, 79, of Cape Girardeau passed away Monday, Nov. 27, 2006, at Life Care Center. She was born Dec. 17, 1926, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of the late Fred and Velma Clark Blechle. Jean worked at the former Blechle Distributing Company. She then worked as a bookkeeper and secretary at the former Mineweld Company in Cape Girardeau, and was most recently employed with the Cape Girardeau School District as safety personnel for the handicapped school bus...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Rheta Winona Bentley, 58, of Chaffee died Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006, at her home, where she spent the last 36 years and was loved dearly by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Rheta was born Jan. 8, 1948, in Cairo, Ill., daughter of Albert Gene and Patsy Ruth Abney Casper of Mounds, Ill. She married Gary Wayne Bentley Oct. 8, 1970...

Willie C. Sides, 92, formerly of Jackson, died Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006, at Lutheran Services Center in St. Charles, Mo. McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson is in charge of arrangements.

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Doug Wallace, 74, of Jonesboro died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006, at Union County Hospital in Anna, Ill. He was born Feb. 17, 1932, in New York, N.Y., son of Douglas Ormond and Christina Helen Cordes Wallace. Wallace had been an engineer on a towboat, and an electrician at Scott Air Force Base. He was a member of McClure American Legion...

Opal N. Truitt Sandlin, 87, of Jackson died Monday, Nov. 27, 2006, at Monticello House. She was born Feb. 8, 1919, at Menfro, Mo., daughter of William Edward and Lacie Alice Truitt Sandlin. She and Roy Golden were married Feb. 4, 1939. He died in 1953. She later married Charles Edward Lyons...

David Ray Cossiboom, 51, of Scott City died Monday, Nov. 27, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born May 30, 1955, in Cape Girardeau, son of Henry Alonzo and Bessie Arleen Huffman Cossiboom. Cossiboom was material manager in the operating room at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was a member of Chaffee Elks 1810. He moved to Scott City 12 years ago from Altus, Okla...

Kay Riley, 81, of Arkansas, formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Monday, Nov. 27, 2006, at the home of a niece in Troy, Ill. She was born June 12, 1925, in Arkansas, daughter of Willie and Pearl Pearman Lewis. She married Floyd Riley. Survivors include her husband; and three sisters, Jane McDaniel of Cape Girardeau, Pat Harwon of Granite City, Ill., and Shirley Dean VanGennip of Jackson...

n At 7:33 a.m., alarm sounding at 300 N. Ellis Street. n At 7:40 a.m., emergency medical service in the 300 block of West Lorimier Street. n At 7:43 a.m., alarm sounding in the 100 block of Towers Complex. n At 7:47 a.m., alert at Airport Road. n At 4:22 p.m., emergency medical service in the 1500 block of North Spanish Street...

Cape Girardeau: Arrests; Assaults; Theft; Property damage; Miscellaneous; Jackson: Assaults; Thefts; Property damage; Miscellaneous

King; Figueroa; Ressel; Deck; Duncan; Strong

Withers Broadcasting Company, radio station MIX 96.5, Schnucks, Lutheran Family And Children's Services and the Salvation Army are teaming up for a campaign called "96 Hours of Caring." MIX 96.5 afternoon drive personality Steve Thomas will broadcast live from Schnucks starting at noon today and will continue his "camp out" for 96 hours...

Boys and Girls Club board meets today Anyone wanting to learn about the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors can attend an informational meeting set for today. There are many ways to affect the teens in the community. Find out about them at 7 p.m. today at First Presbyterian Church, 235 Broadway. Refreshments will be served. Call 335-7141 or (573) 587-1190...

Immaculate Conception School eighth-grade students wanted to leave a legacy to the school and decided on an outdoor play area that would be a safe spot for preschoolers. "I want people to remember me," said Josh Sellers, a student at Immaculate Conception since kindergarten...

1991 Central graduate promoted to major Mark Thompson, a 1991 graduate of Central High School, son of William and Mary Thompson, was promoted to the rank of major in the U.S. Army. Thompson was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Military Intelligence Corps in 1996 from Vanderbilt University's Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) in Nashville, Tenn. ...

The Trinity Ladies Junior Aide will hold a chicken and dumplings luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church's fellowship hall, 100 N. Frederick St. Carryouts will be available. Discounted price for children 3 to 12...

OMAHA, Neb. -- Zac Taylor has been instrumental in infusing a throwing mentality into a Nebraska program with a long tradition of running the football -- bringing the Huskers from a losing record in 2004 to within one win of a BCS bowl this season. On Wednesday, the senior quarterback was selected as The Associated Press Big 12 offensive player of the year...

Tyler Hansbrough started and ended host North Carolina's game-breaking 17-2 run in the second half, and the Tar Heels posted a 98-89 victory over Ohio State on Wednesday. Ohio State played without top freshman Greg Oden, who is injured. That allowed Hansbrough, a preseason All-America as a sophomore to take over down low. Hansbrough finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds...

NEW YORK -- Times Square has never seemed quite so vibrant to Jimmie Johnson. A short drive through the central part of Manhattan by NASCAR's top 10 drivers in their race cars has already become part of "Champion's Week" in New York -- a celebration of the new Nextel Cup champion...

Good weather and an abundance of deer enabled hunters in Missouri to shoot a record number of deer during the state's regular firearms deer season Nov. 11 through 21. The Missouri Department of Conservation recorded 235,054 deer taken during the November portion of the firearms deer season. The figure represented an increase of 29,594 (14.4 percent) from last year and 12,725 (5.7 percent) from the previous record, which was set in 2004...

Della is the stay-at-home mother of 2-year-old Christopher and 3-year-old Anthony. Her husband has been out of work for six months with no date for a future return to work from his employer. Della believes staying home with her children is a better plan for the family, but lately has been seeking employment to try to make ends meet. Helping to provide this family with toys for their children would give them some hope until they can get back on their feet...

MIAMI -- The mild 2006 Atlantic hurricane season draws to a close today without a single hurricane striking the United States -- a stark contrast to the record-breaking 2005 season that killed more than 1,500 people and left thousands homeless along the Gulf Coast...

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court stepped carefully into the national debate over global warming Wednesday, asking how much harm would occur if the Environmental Protection Agency continues its refusal to regulate greenhouse gases from new vehicles. In the first case about global warming to reach the high court, a lawyer for 12 states and 13 environmental groups pressed the justices to make the government act, saying the country faces grave environmental harm...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A state salary commission called Wednesday for pay raises for judges, statewide elected officials and legislators. The panel of citizens approved a plan to give officeholders a $1,200 raise, plus a 4 percent raise, essentially restoring the same pay increase that other state employees received in the past few years...

Rosalie Burnett knows there's a need. Almost seven years ago, her nephew was in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Immediately after the accident, he was rushed to the hospital. "He needed blood, and we were told there was a shortage," said Burnett, of Jackson. "I vowed I would never let that happen again."...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- As far as Mike Anderson goes, Missouri's matchup with Arkansas today is just another game. Or so he says. The first-year coach has the Tigers off to a 7-0 start, but the Razorbacks will be the first opponent from a major conference -- and the team that gave Anderson his start, as an assistant under Nolan Richardson...

The most consistently successful athletic program at Southeast Missouri State is ready to begin another season. Southeast track and field athletes open their indoor campaign at the Arkansas State Kickoff Classic in Jonesboro, Ark., Friday and Saturday...

Southeast Missouri State baseball player Matt Carter has been selected as one of six individuals to receive the Ohio Valley Conference's prestigious Scholar-Athlete Award for 2006-07. The award is the highest individual honor that can be earned by OVC student-athletes, and is given annually to three male and three female juniors or seniors for their accomplishments in both the classroom and athletic arena, and because of their leadership qualities...

ST. LOUIS -- Under new management, the St. Louis Blues boosted the roster. So far, the results have been the same. Goals are still hard to come by, and so are victories. The Blues have 13 regulation losses, scoring two or fewer goals in all of them, and they're in 12th place in the Western Conference, and only two points from the bottom...

ST. LOUIS -- Mark Setterstrom was in street clothes for the St. Louis Rams' first nine games, a typical fate for a rookie seventh-round pick. All of those weeks on the sideline were evidently well-spent, because he gave the team's battered offensive line a much-needed boost in Sunday's comeback victory over the 49ers. A patchwork unit kept Marc Bulger upright so he could lead the late-game drive that ended the Rams' five-game losing streak...

Central captured its first win under rookie head coach Drew Church on Wednesday night with a 56-45 victory against Lutheran South in the consolation semifinals at the Farmington Invitational. "It was really a team effort," Church said. "Everybody that played contributed well and everybody gave us something in some aspect. ...