Stories from Tuesday, January 30, 2007

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Democratic state Rep. John Bowman, of St. Louis, has been indicted with 16 others in a $1.2 million bank and credit card fraud scheme, the U.S. attorney's office said. According to the indictment, unsealed Monday, former Bank of America Vice President Robert Conner recruited Bowman and others to submit false applications for small-business credit cards, then received kickback payments...

DITTMER, Mo. (AP) -- No children were seriously hurt, but the driver of another vehicle was injured when a school bus overturned Tuesday morning in Jefferson County. About two dozen children in kindergarten through sixth grade were on the bus heading to Maple Grove Elementary and Cedar Hill Intermediate schools in the Northwest R-1 School District south of St. Louis, a school official said...

Before Paxton Williams entered Iowa State University as a freshman in fall 1996, about the only thing he knew about George Washington Carver was his famous work with peanuts. More than 10 years later, Williams now becomes Carter for audiences in several states and even overseas on a regular basis. ...

U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Missouri, says while Washington lawmakers are focused on opposing the costly war in Iraq, people need to be reminded that local and national economies are going strong. Bond delivered a spirited talk during a lunch visit to the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Monday touching on subjects of transportation, business and the war in Iraq...

In July, an 81-year-old Cape Girardeau woman passed out at her kitchen table and died, the victim of carbon monoxide sucked into her home through an air conditioner attached to her garage. She had left the car running and forgotten about it. In January 2006, thirty-two inmates in F-pod of the Cape Girardeau County Jail were evacuated when the inmates -- and shortly thereafter their jailers -- began complaining of headaches and nausea. ...

Broadway in Cape Girardeau was closed Monday between Perry Avenue and West End Boulevard for the first of 40 consecutive days. It's the first part of a two-phase project to widen Broadway by 12 feet and add turn lanes at the intersection with Clark Avenue...

DNA evidence puts Bernie man in prison DNA evidence taken from blood smears and saliva samples from an open beer can left at the scene of the crime have sent a Bernie, Mo., man to prison for the next 12 years. Tim Swinney, 45, of Bernie, pleaded guilty to the Class B felony of first-degree burglary Jan. ...

A 26-year-old Cape Girardeau woman who reportedly stabbed her boyfriend was bound over to Cape Girardeau circuit court Thursday. Beverly D. Haley, of 617 Boxwood Court., Apt. 4, is charged with first-degree domestic assault, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years if convicted...

The Cape Girardeau School District would have to find a new home for its Alternative Education Center if the school board sells Schultz School as intended. School officials say that won't pose a hurdle to selling the building. Patrick Morgan, who oversees facilities as executive director of administrative services for the school district, said Monday that one option is to relocate the alternative center to the central administrative offices building on Clark Street...

Federal officials need more information about Cape Girardeau County's plans for the soon-to-be-surplus federal courthouse in downtown Cape Girardeau. In a memo sent to the county, the U.S. Department of Justice is seeking to know the law enforcement purpose of housing juvenile authorities in the courthouse and which county offices would be moved into the building...

Monday Routine business n Received and filed letter from 911 Board regarding county repeater system n Received and filed public officials bond on Collector Diane Diebold Action items n Reappointed of R.J. McKinney to County Park Board n Approved Informal bid for $424 for a scanner/copier/fax for Division IV, circuit court...

More than 70 police, educators, prosecutors and representatives from child advocate agencies and victim service providers attended a workshop Monday to learn how to prevent and investigate online crimes against children. The workshop at the Osage Community Centre in Cape Girardeau was part of a new U.S. ...

Southeast Missourian A Cape Girardeau woman was bound over for trial in circuit court Jan. 22 after pleading not guilty to first-degree felony assault of a law enforcement officer. Lillie A. Dry, 39, of 1400 S. West End Blvd., is accused of biting the finger of a Cape Girardeau police officer trying to remove a bag of drugs from her mouth in December...

Arrests; Summonses; Thefts; Assault; Jackson: Arrests; Assault; Miscellaneous

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Martha Jean Kassel, 75, of Perryville died Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, of which she had been a resident since July 2001. She was born March 11, 1931, at Uniontown, Mo., daughter of Ernst Christian Kassel and Emma Whillamina Bertina Tuschhoff...

Mary Ellen Emmons, 66, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007, at her home. She was born Oct. 3, 1940, in Blodgett, Mo., daughter of Eugene W. and Mildred M. Angle Emmons. Emmons had lived in Cape Girardeau since 1948, having moved from Benton, Mo. She was a 1978 charter member of River City Workers of the Blind. She was also a member of Missouri Council of the Blind and TOPS 259. She was of the Baptist belief...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Modean Polivick, 77, of Cairo died Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007, at her home. She was born April 4, 1929, in Berkley, Ky., daughter of Paul and Elsie Collier Todd Polivick retired as a cook with Mid South Towing Co. She was a member of Mighty Rivers Regional Worship Center...

Charlotte Elizabeth Bertrand Dunn of Cape Girardeau left this Earth surrounded by her family Monday, Jan. 29, 2007, at Ratliff Care Center. She was born Dec. 24, 1927, to Frank and Zetta Essner Bertrand of Cape Girardeau. She was preceded in passing by her parents; husband, Alvin Dunn of Whitewater; a sister, Georgia Mae Haman of Cape Girardeau; and a brother, William Alvin Bertrand of Cape Girardeau...

Kathryn E. Ruggles, 91, of Jackson, formerly of Aurora, Mo., died Monday, Jan. 29, 2007. She was born Sept. 11, 1915, in Verona, Mo., daughter of John and Esther Anderson Engeldorf. She and Elmo W. Ruggles were married Jan. 30, 1932. He died Feb. 17, 2002...

ANNA, Ill. -- Mary Ann Willis, 93, of Lake of Egypt, formerly of Anna, died Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007, in Williamson County. She was born in Alexander County, daughter of John and Beulah Miller Abercrombie. She and Kendall Willis were married May 25, 1933. He died Aug. 14, 2004...

Retired Lt. Gen. Charles M. Kiefner, 76, of Dothan, Ala. formerly of Perryville, Mo., died Saturday, Jan. 27, 2006, at the Flowers Hospital in Dothan. Arrangements are incomplete at Young and Sons Funeral Home in Perryville.

With the ground still saturated with melted snow and heavy rain from a week ago, Cape Girardeau County was hit with a second weekend of flash flooding; 23 county roads are closed by high water and at least two bridges are washed out. MOUND CITY, Ill. ...

Children who get a good start on learning at a very young age have a better chance of doing well when formal classes begin on the first day of kindergarten. Missouri's Parents As Teachers program fosters that kind of early learning, and the success of the program has become a national model. Gov. Matt Blunt would like to see PAT receive additional funding in next year's state budget...

To the editor:My happiest childhood memories are of my daily walk to the public library in Nebraska City, Neb., where I grew up. As a retired senior citizen, I moved to Cape Girardeau 10 years ago. I use the Cape Girardeau Public Library at least once a week to check out books, and I attend book and discussion groups and informational programs often. ...

Bless the soldiers; Radio fairness; Less control; Great mail carriers; Hurting, not helping; Flag respect; Testing comes first; Follow the corn; Population border; Gospel attraction; Trashy community; Looking foolish; Fitting punishment; Cheerleaders were there; Illegal entry

By Bill Springer Outside a dog a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog it is too dark to read. -- Groucho Marx Some people dream the mundane, and some dream the spectacular. When my friend and colleague presented the idea of a community read to me six years ago, I knew this was a one of those big dreams. I am the sidekick like Gabby Hayes to Roy Rogers, Sancho Panza to Don Quixote, Boris to Natasha and Puck to Oberon. I listened, reacted, suggested and provided comic relief...

To the editor:What is the legal way an adult is allowed to discipline a young child, say age 7 years to 10 years? Is it legal for an adult to whip a child of this age with a wood paddle? I would like to see comments on this subject from Division of Family Services officials as well as other citizens...

To the editor:In 1964 we took our family to the New York World's Fair. We toured exhibits from countries around the world. The American exhibit was titled "Library of the future." We expected to see rooms full of books, but were we ever surprised. ...

To the editor:The story "Bill would end bans on carrying guns openly" explains the truly exasperating and unfortunate legislation sponsored by state Sen. Jason Crowell of Cape Girardeau that would allow untrained people to publicly carry guns on their hips, shoulder holsters or in their waistbands after passing a background check...

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. -- A retired electrician and World War II veteran is the winner of the largest lottery jackpot ever sold in Missouri -- worth more than a quarter of a billion dollars. Jim Wilson II, 84, and his wife, Shirley, 79, say they will share the money with three sons. One of those sons, Terry Wilson, who said he hasn't had a vacation in 30 years, likely will be headed to Australia for some rest and recreation...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq's army said Monday it killed the leader of a heavily armed cult of messianic Shiites in a fierce gunbattle aimed at foiling an attack on leading Shiite clerics and pilgrims in the city of Najaf on the holiest day of the Shiite calendar...

WASHINGTON -- Making nuclear power plants crash-proof to an airliner attack by terrorists is impracticable and it's up to the military to avert such an assault, the government said Monday. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, in a revised security policy, directed nuclear plant operators to focus on preventing radiation from escaping in case of such an attack and to improve evacuation plans to protect public health and safety...

Some new releases on DVD of television shows, modern and classic:"Dallas: The Complete Sixth Season" In an age of sky-high gas prices, it's good to have the wholesome Ewing family to remind us that not everyone in the oil industry is a vicious back stabber. A five-disc set packs all 28 episodes of the prime-time soap opera about the clan of conniving oil robber barons. DVD set, $39.98. (Warner Bros.)...

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. -- Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was euthanized Monday after complications from his gruesome breakdown at last year's Preakness, ending an eight-month ordeal that prompted an outpouring of support across the country. A series of ailments -- including laminitis in the left rear hoof, an abscess in the right rear hoof, as well as new laminitis in both front feet -- proved too much for the gallant colt. The horse was put down at 10:30 a.m...

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Tony Dungy was ready to get to work in South Florida, even if Indianapolis had one less day to do it. Arriving a day after the Chicago Bears, and later than most recent Super Bowl teams, Dungy explained Indianapolis' delayed arrival as wanting to make this as normal a week as possible...

They crisscross the globe, dominating on almost every continent, one whacking a small, white ball better than anyone in the world, the other wailing away on a fuzzy green one with equal aplomb. Tiger Woods and Roger Federer are making history in their respective sports, owning golf and tennis the way very few ever have. Over the weekend, they wrote new chapters in their march toward sports history...

I ventured into my teenage daughter's room the other day, but only for a second. It was too messy, even for a dad like me. Becca's room looked like a mini tornado had ripped through it. I felt like I had been instantly transported into the "Twilight Zone."...

The dangers of MySpace and other social networking sites have been exhausted to the point that I feel being molested has become another certainty in life, like death and taxes. The media has portrayed the Internet as nothing more than a watering hole for perverts, and any teenager who signs up for an account on one of these sites is presumably "fresh meat" for the lonely and disturbed...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- An ice storm that blasted across Missouri this month caused an estimated $107 million in damage to counties, cities and other public agencies in its path, the State Emergency Management Agency said Monday. The figure comes from preliminary damage assessments from public bodies like local governments, fire departments and school districts in 38 counties and the city of St. Louis...

Less than two weeks ago, Southeast Missouri State's women routed a team at the Show Me Center that they had lost to on the road. Things were considerably tougher Monday night, but the Redhawks used the same formula to avenge another previous defeat and pull into a first-place Ohio Valley Conference tie...

The Delta girls basketball team is currently ranked No. 1 in Class 1 with an undefeated mark of 17-0. The Bobcats' success this season has helped coach Randy White surpass the 400-win mark for his coaching career. White currently sits in 18th place all-time among girls basketball coaches according to the Missouri State High School Activities Association record book...

Balky hamstrings are about the only things that have been able to slow down Miles Smith so far during his brilliant track career at Southeast Missouri State. That problem cropped up again Saturday while Smith competed in the 200-meter dash at the Indiana University Invitational...

Southeast Missouri State bounced back from Saturday's debacle against Murray State with a strong performance. Yet all the Redhawks had to show for it was another gut-wrenching Ohio Valley Conference loss. Austin Peay got a go-ahead 3-point basket with 18 seconds remaining Monday night and beat the host Redhawks 75-73...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri judges, statewide officials and lawmakers soon will be getting a raise after the final chance for lawmakers to reject the pay plan died Monday. A state salary commission last year called for raises of $1,200 plus 4 percent for judges and elected officials. Under the state constitution, the raises take effect unless two-thirds of the legislature rejects the plan by Wednesday...

Delta's top-ranked girls basketball team remained unbeaten with a 45-11 win Monday over visiting Meadow Heights. The Bobcats, ranked No. 1 in Class 1, improved their record to a perfect 17-0 behind Ashley Deprow's 10 points. Kayla Seabaugh also added seven points and Sarah keys netted six points for Delta...

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals signed free agent outfielder Preston Wilson to a one-year contract on Monday, retaining a member of their first World Series championship team in 24 years. Wilson, 32, batted .243 with eight home runs and 17 RBIs in 32 games with the Cardinals after signing as a free agent in August. He totaled 17 homers and 72 homers last season with St. Louis and Houston, which released him earlier in August...

Twin sisters Katie and Hannah Beaton already have their sights set on a future career in medicine. Both girls, 15 years old and freshmen at Central High School, love children and want to tie that into their health care professions. Hannah thinks she wants to be a pediatric nurse and Katie's goal is to become an obstetrician/gynecologist...

Scholarship Clay Tummins, son of Joyce Stroup-Tummins of Cape Girardeau, has been awarded the Cape West Rotary Club and Southeast Missouri State University Working Student Scholarship Award for the spring semester. Honors lists n Christopher Floyd Ramsey of Cape Girardeau was named to the president's list at Pensacola Christian College in Florida for the 2006 fall semester...