Stories from Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Much of northern Missouri was slip-sliding through another day of freezing rain Tuesday, weather that continued to cause travel delays, fender-benders and power outages. More than 100,000 people around the state were still without power. Travelers were still dealing with slick roads in some cases, fog in others, and flights were delayed and canceled in both Kansas City and St. Louis...

BRANSON, Mo. (AP) -- City leaders voted to officially support Christmas celebrations that are part of holiday marketing for this Ozarks resort town. The Branson board of aldermen first removed two sections that had called on local businesses and residents to put up decorations and to keep what it called the word and spirit of Christmas in the holiday...

On Monday, Jackson's board of aldermen will hold a public hearing Monday on the city's 2008 budget. According to Jim Roach, the city's administrator, next year's bills will total $30 million. The city has conservatively estimated $28 million in revenue, he said. The city is not in the red, he said...

Cape Girardeau clergyman Rev. Cecil Thomas Jr., won't appear in court in Mississippi County, Ark., until February. Thomas was originally scheduled for a jury trial today when a warrant for his arrest was issued on Nov. 9 by an Arkansas judge. That warrant was later revoked after Thomas was arrested by local police. Thomas' attorney, Roy C. Lewellen, said last week the warrant was issued for failure to appear after a mix-up on the court date in the circuit clerk's office in Arkansas...

The rain that began pelting Southeast Missouri late last week is expected to continue through most of this week, with periods of strong rain and the danger of flooding possible. Monday morning's rains didn't cause flooding problems in Cape Girardeau, Scott City or Jackson, public officials said, despite a National Weather Service flood advisory issued that morning as a line of strong rain swept through the area...

ST. LOUIS -- As he waited for U.S. District Judge Jean C. Hamilton to take the bench for his sentencing Monday, former state representative Nathan Cooper rubbed his nose, fiddled with his glasses and received a pat on the back from a family member. As he rose to take his place alongside defense attorney Joel Schwartz, Cooper wiped his face and bit his upper lip...

Two fires Monday evening left seven people looking for alternative sleeping arrangements. Erica Emanuel was returning from work when she learned her four children and their baby sitter had escaped a fire at her home, 334 N. Fountain St. Standing across the street, watching firefighters shovel the remains of a second floor bedroom to the ground below, her brown eyes filled with tears. She and her four children, Chris, 13, Kalontayus, 6, Qi'Mauryonna, 4 and Ki'ev, 2, moved in last April...

Before he killed in Cape Girardeau, he raped in Pennsylvania. Timothy W. Krajcir is 63 years old now, a confessed serial killer, a convicted rapist. He's from a small Pennsylvania town called Laury's Station. According to a psychologist's letter sent to a Pennsylvania courthouse in July 1983, he was raised by a single mother. Abandoned by his father at birth. Moved at least a dozen times in his early childhood...

Adam Zweigart, Jackson Position: Running back Year: Junior Season stats: 215 carries for 1,751 yards and 17 TDs Favorite moment this season: Going to the playoffs Pregame ritual: Pray and touch the spear Strangest supply in your athletic locker: Many socks that are stiff and don't bend...

Chase Johnson, Central Position: Quarterback Year: Senior Plans for next year: Attend a four-year university. I will run track and play receiver in football, and study sports medicine Season stats: 96-of-177 for 1,049 yards and 4 TDs passing; 96 carries for 203 yards, 3 TDs rushing...

Kris Cottner, Perryville Position: Running back Year: Senior Plans for next year: Continue playing football somewhere Season stats: 221 carries for 1,157 yards and 7 TDs; 8 catches for 48 yards Favorite moment this season: Beating Ste. Genevieve (21-14 in Week 3)...

Cantrell Andrews, Central Position: Running back Year: Junior Season stats: 104 carries for 631 yards and 10 TDs; 26 catches for 374 yards Favorite moment this season: Returning the opening kickoff against New Madrid Pregame ritual: Going to sleep before every game...

Matt Lang, Jackson Position: Wide receiver/Defensive back/Punter Year: Senior Plans for next year: There is a chance I'll play in college and I will major in agriculture business and transportation Season stats: 22 catches for 433 yards and 6 TDs; 11 interceptions and 78 tackles...

Jerrod Steger, Chaffee Position: Wide receiver/running back Year: Senior Plans for next year: My plans are to attend college to play sports or get a full-time job Season stats: 116 carries for 466 yards and 4 TDs; 19 catches for 348 yards and 5 TDs Favorite moment this season: When the Chaffee Red Devils beat Scott City on our homecoming...

Tyler McNabb, Central Position: Tight end/Place-kicker Year: Senior Plans for next year: I plan to attend Saint Louis University and play soccer on a scholarship. I plan on going into the field of health sciences Season stats: 37 catches for 466 yards and 2 TDs; 4 FGs, 15 XPs, 6 touchbacks on 31 kickoffs...

John Pinkston, Scott City Position: Offensive lineman Year: Senior Plans for next year: I'm going to college and I will study landscaping Favorite moment this season: The East Prairie game when I broke the school record for sacks Pregame ritual: Listening to music...

Brian Hill, Jackson Position: Offensive lineman Year: Senior Plans for next year: I am going to college and I want to play. I'm going to study construction management Favorite moment this season: Being the fourth team in school history to go 10-0 in the regular season...

Ethan O'Connell, Jackson Position: Offensive lineman Year: Senior Plans for next year: Go to college, I don't know Favorite moment this season: When we beat Eureka Pregame ritual: Eat Typical pre-game meal: Subway Your best game: Eureka, because it was our biggest game...

Walker Rice, Chaffee Position: Offensive lineman Year: Senior Plans for next year: I plan on attending college and playing football. I plan on studying biology Favorite moment this season: Beating Scott City on homecoming Pregame ritual: Sitting in the weight room listening to my iPod and going over plays in my head...

Ray Bucher, Jackson Position: Offensive lineman Year: Senior Plans for next year: Start working Favorite moment this season: When we beat Eureka Pregame ritual: Go to someone's house and sleep, then go sit in the locker room Strangest supply in your athletic locker: Dirty practice jersey...

Cole Rodgers, Jackson Position: Linebacker Year: Sophomore Season stats: 83 tackles, 1 sack Favorite moment this season: When Matt Lang intercepted a pass against Eureka to end the game Pregame ritual: To be alone to get ready Typical pre-game meal: Subway...

Cody Carlyle, Scott City Position: Linebacker Year: Senior Plans for next year: I'm going to college and planning to play either baseball or football. I want to study to be a physical therapist or athletic trainer Season stats: 65 tackles Favorite moment this season: Beating East Prairie for the first time since I moved from East Prairie to Scott City...

Adam Collier, Jackson Position: Defensive lineman Year: Senior Plans for next year: I hope to play football in college and study radiology Season stats: 62 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries Favorite moment this season: When I stripped the ball during the Poplar Bluff game and ran it back for a TD...

Quent Robinson, St. Vincent Position: Defensive lineman Year: Senior Plans for next season: Going to MAC and taking business management classes while working for my dad Season stats: 90 tackles Favorite moment this season: Beating Valle Pregame ritual: Spaghetti dinner at someone's house, then watch a football-related movie...

Kevin Pridemore, Jackson Position: Defensive lineman Year: Junior Season stats: 60 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries Favorite moment this season: Beating Eureka Pregame ritual: Eat and listen to my iPod Typical pre-game meal: Three large sandwiches...

Blake Peiffer, Jackson Position: Linebacker Year: Junior Season stats: 112 tackles Favorite moment this season: Winning the Eureka game Pregame ritual: Go home, sleep, go to the locker room and dress out Typical pre-game meal: Subway Funniest moment this season: Matt Lang's Farmer's Dance at Central...

Drew Bucher, Jackson Position: Linebacker Year: Junior Season stats: 9 sacks Favorite moment this season: The bus rides home from games, and being 10-0 in the regular season Typical pre-game meal: Subway chicken bacon ranch Funniest moment this season: When Antonio Garritano jumped a kid in the Eureka game, looked up at the camera and smiled...

Michael Spies, Chaffee Position: Linebacker Year: Senior Plans for next year: Go to Southeast Missouri State or work for Drury Construction Season stats: 77 tackles, 5 sacks Favorite moment this season: Beating Scott City Typical pre-game meal: School lunch...

Dylan McAlister, Chaffee Position: Linebacker Year: Senior Plans for next year: I plan to attend college and hopefully play football for a small school. I'm not sure what I will study Season stats: 76 tackles Favorite moment this season: Beating Scott City at homecoming...

Jamie Schumacher, Jackson Position: Defensive back Year: Senior Plans for next year: Most likely going to Southeast Missouri State and studying sports management Season stats: 92 tackles Favorite moment this season: Being 10-0 in regular season Pregame ritual: Listening to music on my iPod...

Justin L'Hote, St. Vincent Position: Defensive back Year: Junior Favorite moment this season: The first touchdown pass I threw against McAuley Pregame ritual: Eat and watch a movie Typical pre-game meal: Pasta Your best game: Crystal City because it was the first time I played safety and I had 12 tackles. I also had a receiving touchdown...

Position: Outfield Year: Senior Plans for next year: I would like to attend a four-year college and play softball or basketball. And I would love to study marine biology Season stats (through districts): .405 avg., 16 RBIs, 23 SBs Favorite moment this season: When Casey Kern laid a bunt down and the team knew we were going to state...

Position: Catcher Year: Senior Plans for next year: I'd like to play college softball for Southeast Missouri State and study pre-chiropractic or pre-med Favorite moment this season: When Amanda Nichols backed the Kia over one of the wooden posts on the gravel road leading to the field and then we tried pounding it back into the ground with a bat...

Position: Outfield Year: Junior Season stats: .413 avg., 4 HRs, 32 RBIs, 12 2Bs, .674 slg. pct. Favorite moment this season: Winning the Jackson tournament for the first time Pregame ritual: Listening to my iPod on the way to the game Strangest supply in your athletic locker: Deodorant...

Position: Infield Year: Senior Plans for next year: I am going to college at Jefferson College and will play softball Season stats: .421 avg., 4 2Bs, 6 3Bs, 22 RBIs, 19 runs Pregame ritual: Listen to music as we put on our socks and shoes and then head to the field to run, stretch and throw...

Position: Infield Year: Junior Season stats (through districts): .410 avg., 1 HR, 15 RBIs, 5 SBs Favorite moment this season: Winning districts and proving to everyone that we would come back Strangest supply in your athletic locker: Solar blanket, in case of fire...

Position: Pitcher Year: Junior Favorite moment this season: During our first game of districts, when we finally beat Poplar Bluff and advanced for the first time in awhile Pregame ritual: I listen to music and we all try to pump each other up by doing cheers and focusing on the game ahead...

Position: Infield Year: Senior Plans for next year: Go to college and become a teacher. I don't plan on playing softball in college Season stats: .363 avg., 13 2Bs, 22 RBIs, 10 SBs Pregame ritual: Crank up the music in my car and sing my heart out Strangest supply in your athletic locker: Toothpaste...

Position: Infield Year: Senior Plans for next year: Plan to play ball in college and study athletic training or physical therapy Season stats: .455 avg., 9 RBIs, 12 SBs, .492 OBP, 4 2Bs Favorite moment this season: Winning the district championship for the first time at Oran High School and getting a banner...

Position: Outfield Year: Junior Season stats: .558 avg., 7 RBIs, 32 SBs Favorite moment this season: When we beat Affton in the quarterfinals, which put us into the Class 3 final four Pregame ritual: The team would warm up, then we would pray with our right arm over left, then we did a break down. After that I would sprint down the line to get my legs going...

Position: Pitcher Year: Junior Season stats: 10-6, 1.21 ERA, 7 shutouts, 1 perfect game, 72Ks, 15 BBs Pregame ritual: Listen to music in somebody's car as we put shoes and socks on, then warm-up jog, stretch, and throw Strangest supply in your athletic locker: Our food for the bus rides...

Position: Pitcher Year: Sophomore Season stats: 28-1, 0.55 ERA, 253 Ks, 13 shutouts, 61 BBs, .394 batting average, 5 3Bs, 1 HR, 22 RBIs Favorite moment this season: Winning sectionals because that's where we stopped last year Pregame ritual: We would bat in the cages, then I would warm up with one of the catchers...

Position: Hitter Year: Senior Plans for next year: I am planning on becoming a massage therapist. I would love to play volleyball in college, but I don't think I'm tall enough Season stats (through districts): 165 kills, 177 digs Favorite moment this season: Beating Crystal City in sectionals to move on to state...

Position: Hitter Year: Junior Season stats: 240 kills/.312 hitting percentage, 67.5 blocks, 154 digs Favorite moment this season: The excitement in the gym from all the fans after winning sectionals Typical pre-game meal: Pasta Funniest moment this season: Watching Maddy Hutchings play defense during practice...

Position: Setter Year: Senior Plans for next year: Next year, I plan on going to play college volleyball, hopefully at Shawnee Community College Season stats: 650 assists, 166 digs, and 33 aces Favorite moment this season: The feeling of accomplishment after sectionals. I loved the community support before sectionals...

Position: Hitter Year: Junior Season stats: 166 digs, 67 aces, 280 kills Favorite moment this season: When we played Jackson. Even though it was a loss, we played extremely well Pregame ritual: Before the game, we pray and we get pumped by listening to music and by focusing on what we need to do...

Position: Hitter Year: Senior Plans for next year: Go to Missouri State in Springfield. I won't play in college, and I want to major in sociology Season stats: 208 kills, 54 aces, 217 digs, .306 hitting percentage, 137 assisted blocks, 66 solo blocks...

Position: Hitter/setter Year: Senior Plans for next year: Go to the University of Mississippi to study pharmacy. I will not play volleyball Season stats: 137 kills, 352 assists, 135 digs Favorite moment this season: When we beat Crystal City in sectionals to go to state...

Position: Setter Year: Junior Season stats: 641 assists, 70 kills, .403 hitting percentage, 165 digs, 94 percent serving Favorite moment this season: The annual sleepover before districts Typical pre-game meal: Spaghetti Funniest moment this season: All of Jenny Lathum's sweet dancing and when Mallory Dockins tried to climb the wall unsuccessfully...

Position: Hitter Year: Senior Plans for next year: I have a volleyball scholarship to Shawnee Community College, and I plan on becoming a nurse Season stats: 253 kills, 55 serving aces, .355 hitting percentage Favorite moment this season: When I made the mile time the first day of preseason...

Position: Hitter Year: Junior Season stats: 141 kills, 314 digs Favorite moment this season: The Woodland tournament with our cheering section and all the chants they had for us Typical pre-game meal: Fruit and a walnut salad from McDonald's Funniest moment this season: Diving on my head during the Dexter game. I was on the ground holding my head and seeing spots while everyone else was still playing...

Position: Hitter Year: Senior Plans for next year: I am planning on attending Shawnee Community College on a volleyball scholarship and studying zoology Season stats: 258 kills/.339 percent, 94.5 blocks, 50 aces Favorite moment this season: Playing in the championship match at the SEMO Classic...

Position: Libero Year: Senior Plans for next year: Attend Murray State University and major in accounting Season stats: 208 digs, 25 aces Favorite moment this season: Winning sectionals, realizing we were going to state and having our whole town there to hug when we won...

The Southeast Missourian sports staff put together a team of the most talented high school volleyball players in the newspaper's coverage area. Below is the roster, with links to each player's page. Hitter -- Brooke Brown, St. Vincent Hitter -- Casey Bucher, Leopold...

The Southeast Missourian sports staff put together a team of the most talented high school softball players in the newspaper's coverage area. Below is the roster, with links to each player's page. P -- Amanda Nichols, Central P -- Jessica Tuschhoff, Jackson...

The Southeast Missourian sports staff put together a team of the most talented high school football players in the newspaper's coverage area.

Fifteen Missouri counties, including Cape Girardeau, are declared disaster areas by President Reagan, clearing the way for residents, business owners and farmers to receive financial assistance; most have been ravaged by flooding, but some were hit early in the month by freak tornadoes...

In its 33rd year, Toybox, sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees and the Southeast Missourian, will deliver toys to children this holiday season Donations for Toybox can be dropped off at the Southeast Missourian office at 301 Broadway and should include the name of their recipient. Those who wish to donate cash or a check should make it payable to Toybox, P.O. Box 4, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- More than 100,000 customers were without power in freezing temperatures Monday after an ice storm crossed central and southern Missouri, causing at least two deaths as the state braced for another wave of freezing rain. The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued an ice storm warning for central Missouri from Monday evening through early Wednesday, saying residents should prepare for up to half an inch of ice, additional power outages and heavy damage to trees...

The DREAM Initiative sur-vey on downtown Cape Gir-ardeau drew 851 responses, according to Tim Arbeiter of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce. The survey, which ended Nov. 30, started with 3,000 questionnaires being mailed to a list of randomly selected Cape Girardeau residents. Researchers hoped for 300 responses, and included a Web site address for those who wanted to respond online...

BRIDGEPORT, Ohio -- A litterbug became a walking warning not to mess with Bridgeport -- or its mayor. Tommy LaShare and his girlfriend were caught emptying their ashtrays on the street, police said. That landed LaShare in the court of Mayor John Callarik, who is waging a battle against litter...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A man who lied about being the father of sextuplets so he and his wife could solicit donations was sentenced Monday to three years in prison for violating probation. Kris Everson, 35, and his wife, Sarah, 46, had been sentenced in August 2006 to four years probation after each pleaded guilty to one count of felony stealing by deceit. They were required to pay restitution of $3,661 and perform 40 hours of community service...

A major issue is developing in most every state, including Missouri and Illinois, over who controls photos taken at high school sporting events sanctioned by activities associations such as the Missouri High School Activities Association and the Illinois High School Association...

Grateful family; Thanks to city workers; Double-booking; System breakdown; Special workers; GOP blocks progress; License issues; Standing in line; School money; Educate everyone; Prosecutor's job

Clarence Cantrell, 96, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007, at the Lutheran Home Assisted Care Facility in Cape Girardeau. Clarence was born Oct. 8, 1911, in Thayer, Mo., son of Charley and Lottie Risner Cantrell. He and Mary Allard were married Oct. 3, 1936, in Charleston, Mo...

Venita Evans Morris, 88, of McClure, Ill., died Friday, Dec. 7, 2007, at Fountainbleau Lodge in Cape Girar-deau. She was born Feb. 1, 1919, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Charles T. and Josephine Stillwell Clark. She married William B. Evans on March 21, 1936, in Cairo, Ill. He died April 13, 1972. On Aug. 25, 1973, she married Edwin Morris in Wisconsin. He died Nov. 28, 1977...

ST. LOUIS -- Bill M. Faris, 67, of St. Louis died Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007, at St. Louis VA Medical Center. He was born July 12, 1930. He passed away peacefully in his sleep after a brief battle with liver cancer. Beloved son, husband, father, grandfather and brother, he is survived by his mother, Jewel; first wife, Pansy and their children Laura (Tom), Lisa (John), and Eric (Renate); wife Colleen and their son, Bill (Traci); grandchildren Gabriel (Annie), Ashley, Emily, John and William; great-grandchild Caroline; siblings, Patricia (Emery), Jim (Betty), John (Brenda), Dave (Cindy) and Betty (Arwin) who preceded him in death.. ...

ST. LOUIS -- Steven Van Allen, 54, of Barnhart, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He was born April 14, 1953, in Cape Girardeau, son of Benjamin and Inez Hickam Allen. He married Debbie Benham on March 10, 1979...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Amanda Emma Lacy, 88, of St. Petersburg, Fla., died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007, at Largo, Fla. She was born Dec. 9, 1918, in Point Rest, Mo., daughter of Henry C. and Martha Cornehlsen Wichern. She married Clifford Marion Lacy on April 9, 1953. He died Nov. 19, 1991...

Clarence William "Bill" Seabaugh, 78, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girar-deau. He was born May 7, 1929, in Perryville, Mo., son of Clarence Walter and Bertha Seabaugh. He married Genette Holzhauer on May 27, 1950, in Nashville, Ill. She died Oct. 17, 1981. He then married Kaye Lee July 23, 1982...

DONGOLA, Ill. -- Grace Maxine Rendleman, 86, of Dongola died Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007, at Union County Hospital in Anna. She was born Sept. 14, 1921, in Green Forest, Ark., daughter of Issac O. and Una Torrence Rowley. She and Jefferson S. Rendleman were married Aug. 17, 1940 in Jackson. He died April 15, 1997...

n At 5:48 p.m., an odor investigation at 800 S. Ellis St. n At 12:28 a.m., emergency medical service in the 1300 block of North West End Boulevard. n At 6:46 a.m., an alarm sounding in the 300 block of North Sprigg Street. n At 7:51 a.m., emergency medical service in the 3000 block of Mimosa Drive...

Arrests; Theft; Thefts

Finish your juice. Staying hydrated is important for good health and bodily functions. It regulates body temperature, removes waste, carries nutrients and oxygen to cells, helps convert food to energy and has many other vital functions. But it can be nearly impossible to get children to drink up...

Baby it's cold outside, but the holiday parties, feasts and treats make exercising a necessity in the winter months and the easiest way to burn some calories is by getting outside and taking a walk, run or bike ride. The benefits of that outdoor activity are numerous, but so are the woes. Your nose tends to run as much as you do; your knuckles go numb from the wind; and inevitably you overdress and end up burning up halfway through the route...

calendar Today n Grief support group: 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church. The meeting will include a separate group for grieving parents. The focus will be on holiday rituals. For more information, call Julie Metzger or Vicky Hyslop at 651-5549 or Connie Griswold at 651-5519...

JERUSALEM -- Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised Monday to "forge a historic path" toward a final settlement with the Palestinians at this week's first peace talks in nearly seven years. Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are set to meet Wednesday to begin talks aimed at reaching a peace agreement by the end of 2008...

WASHINGTON -- Federal judges have broad leeway to impose shorter prison terms for crack cocaine and other crimes, the Supreme Court said Monday in a pair of cases that bolster arguments for reducing differences in sentences between crack and powder cocaine...

In the big picture -- players performing well in class -- this is a good week for the Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team to not have any games. But as hot as the Redhawks are right now, coach Scott Edgar admits it might be nice for them to avoid such a lengthy break...

Notre Dame sophomore Lauren Reinagel said her best performance during her first varsity season came at the Jackson Invitational, when she pitched four games in one day, winning every one. Reinagel's dominance was the main reason the Bulldogs won that tournament for the first time in school history. Afterward she declared her arm felt just fine...

The Central girls basketball team put on a dominant performance at home against Charleston, allowing only nine points in the second half, in the Tigers' 71-27 victory Monday. Four Central players scored in double digits, including Wendi Zickfield, who led the way with 14 points...

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- The man who was charged with robbery after stealing a doughnut has been placed on probation. Scott Masters, 41, of Park Hills, Mo. pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree robbery and was placed on five years of supervised probation...

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Stinging from the playoff loss, Jerry Kill didn't care much for the question about whether it was his last game coaching Southern Illinois. The reporter's query could have been the ultimate compliment for Kill, who in seven seasons on the Saluki sidelines has sculpted the program from a doormat in disarray to, this season, within a game of playing for a national championship...

ST. LOUIS -- Coach Scott Linehan won't lose his job because of the St. Louis Rams' 3-10 record. Team president John Shaw told Linehan on Monday it would be unfair to judge his performance this season, given the team's lengthy injury list. Later in the day, Linehan said he was looking forward to an end-of-season meeting in early January...

RICHMOND, Va. -- Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison Monday for running a "cruel and inhumane" dogfighting ring and lying about it. The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback could have been sentenced to up to five years by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Vick, who turned himself in Nov. 19 in anticipation of his sentence, was wearing a black-and-white striped prison suit...

In July 1982, police Sgt. John Brown stood before the Cape Girardeau Business and Professional Women's Club talking to members about how to keep themselves from being murdered. Mildred Wallace, a 65-year-old member of the club, had been found shot to death in her home less than a month earlier, the fifth woman in the city in five years to become the victim of an unsolved homicide. ...

Saint Francis Medical Center, Cape Girardeau, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday West Park Mall, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday Metro Business College, Cape Girardeau, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Henry Gerecke was the police chief in Cape Girardeau when women began being murdered in the city during the late 1970s. Gerecke retired in September 1981 agonizing over his inability to solve the crimes. He had a 35-year career as a military policeman and the Criminal Investigation Department in the U.S. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's computer chief said Monday that it could cost more than $1 million to keep backup copies of the hundreds of thousands of e-mails that get sent and received daily by government workers. Gov. Matt Blunt last month directed his administration to come up with a way of permanently retaining e-mails. The move came as Blunt was facing growing scrutiny over the e-mail deletion practices of his office...

Like many in Cape Girardeau, the families and friends of Mary and Brenda Parsh, Sheila Cole, Margie Call and Mildred Wallace already knew before Monday's news conference that someone had confessed to killing the five women some three decades ago. For the 100 or so family members, friends, neighbors and law enforcement officers who worked to solve the murders, the overwhelming feeling Monday was one of relief that the crimes had been solved...

ATLANTA -- The Falcons awoke to news of their disgraced quarterback being sentenced to nearly two years in prison for dogfighting. The day never got any better. With Reggie Bush watching from the sideline, Drew Brees passed for 328 yards and three touchdowns as the New Orleans Saints bounced back from a devastating loss with a 34-14 rout of Atlanta on Monday night...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A group representing state parks supporters sued Tuesday to stop the reconstruction of the Taum Sauk reservoir, two years after its collapse devastated a popular park. The lawsuit by the Missouri Parks Association claims the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission failed to adequately study the environmental effect of reopening the hydroelectric plant or alternatives to rebuilding it...

While watching the news over breakfast one morning, Detective Jim Smith saw that DNA evidence had tied Timothy W. Krajcir to the unsolved 1982 murder of Debborah Sheppard. Hoping against hope, Smith, who since March had worked solely on six unsolved murders in Cape Girardeau, called the Carbondale, Ill., police department to see if there could be some connection between the killings...

The Illinois side of the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge is not visible after heavy fog hit Cape Girardeau Tuesday