Stories from Monday, May 12, 2008

The Cape Girardeau County Commission's decision to sell a 1.24-acre section of County Park North raised questions about the legal authority for selling county land and raised the ire of the advisory board appointed to watch over park operations. The land in question, a 70-foot-wide strip of sloping property at the west end of the park, is adjacent to property owned by Dan Drury and Bob Hahn of Mid America Hotels. ...

When Central ace Garrett Stevens pitched against rival Jackson earlier this season, the Indians rallied to score two runs off him in the bottom of the seventh to win 4-3. Stevens knows he again will face a difficult challenge when he takes the hill today against Jackson, but this time with more at stake in do-or-die district action...

The roar of the galleries at a high school golf tournament is about as loud as the deafening din in a library. Quiet reigns. Most of the time. On a quiet Tuesday afternoon at Dalhousie Golf Club, during the SEMO Conference golf tournament, the silence was broken by occasional shouts...

Youth United Way members conducted campaigns this year at Central, Jackson, Notre Dame Regional, Saxony Lutheran and Scott City high schools to raise money for support of projects addressing teen pregnancy prevention and youth substance abuse. The group raised more than $15,303 and awarded $9,920 in grants at its annual banquet sponsored by Procter & Gamble and held at Dexter Bar-B-Que in Cape Girardeau. Remaining funds will be used to help families in the community...

Eastern Kentucky left the door wide open Sunday. The Southeast Missouri State baseball team stormed through with an improbable ninth-inning rally and an equally improbable series win. Southeast, trailing by three runs entering the bottom of the ninth inning, took advantage of several miscues by the visiting Colonels to score four times and pull out an 8-7 victory...

The gateway to success for Southeast Missouri State athletics -- both in competition and in the bank account -- may be in St. Louis. The review of the university's athletics department, which was presented to officials last week, stressed the importance of that market. Bill Carr, whose Carr Sports Associates firm conducted the review, and Board of Regents member James Limbaugh reiterated that point on a couple of occasions Friday during meetings...

On Friday morning, there was a grown woman sitting in the northbound lane of Main Street barking like a dog. And meowing. But don't worry. It's just another day for Sheri Grippo-Titus. Grippo-Titus is the owner of Bella Bambino Photography, a new portrait studio that opened last month at 20 N. Main St. With a focus on portraits of children and teens, Grippo-Titus takes a different approach to getting a good shot...

William Timothy "Tim" Campbell, 85, of Mounds, Ill., died Saturday, May 10, 2008, at his home. He was born July 30, 1922, in Diswood, Ill., son of Jesse Clyde and Hermie McGee Campbell. He and Wanda Essex were married, in 1940. Campbell worked at his Ford tractor dealership...

Mary Lou Starkey, 58, of Sedge¿wickville, Mo., died May 10, 2008, at Saint Francis Medical Center. She was born Aug. 11, 1949, in Sedgewickville, daughter of William D. and Goldie Rohan Pridemore. She and Jack Starkey were married Feb. 1, 1970...

Martin inducted for second term Liz Martin, materials management director at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, was inducted April 25 to her second term as the president of the Missouri Association of Healthcare Purchasing and Materials Management, a membership group of the Missouri Hospital Association. ...

Individuals considering whether to start or expand a small business may take part in a free six-week training course beginning May 20. The course, offered by the Southeast Innovation Center, will offer Operation Jump-Start, a nationally recognized program that teaches planning and preparation skills in a non-academic, practical course. ...

CALUMET, Mich. -- Police in this Upper Peninsula town had forgotten about the $1 parking ticket written on Sept. 1, 1976. But the woman who had found it on her windshield hadn't. The ticket, a $20 bill and a note arrived at police headquarters last month in a plain white envelope with no return address...

VIENNA, Austria -- The man behind the camera had three requests for his subjects: no sunglasses, no smiling and no underwear. The latest work by New York photographer Spencer Tunick gathered 1,840 people, baring it all in Austria's Happel Stadium, the home of the Austrian national soccer team, on Sunday...

The city of Cape Girardeau's planning and zoning commission meets twice on Wednesday. At 5:30 p.m., the board will talk about peripheral planning. Section 89.145 of the Missouri Revised Statutes allows for cities the size of Cape Girardeau to implement rules up to two miles from the city limits, if the county commission approves. The county is required by law to hold a public hearing before deciding the matter...

KATMANDU, Nepal -- Police detained more than 600 female Tibetan protesters, including many Buddhist nuns, Sunday after breaking up several demonstrations against China's recent crackdown in Tibet. It was the largest number of protesters detained on a single day since Tibetan exiles began almost daily protests in March against Chinese policies in Tibet and the first time that only women demonstrated...

BELGRADE, Serbia -- Serbia's pro-Western president declared victory in Sunday's parliamentary elections -- an upset over ultranationalists who tried to exploit anger over Kosovo's independence. But his rivals vowed to fight on, and it was unclear if he could stave off their challenge...

The recent review of Southeast Missouri State athletics that cost the university $45,000 was interesting. Southeast women's sports will apparently get a boost financially, which is nice, although considering the success of the majority of those teams, I'd say they're doing pretty good as it is...

LOS ANGELES -- "Speed Racer" was lapped in its opening weekend at the box office as "Iron Man" continued to fire its jets with $50.5 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. The anime-inspired race movie edged into the No. 2 spot with $20.2 million, slightly ahead of the 20th Century Fox comedy "What Happens in Vegas," which debuted at $20 million...

SENECA, Mo. -- Search efforts were called off Sunday evening in southwest Missouri after a killer tornado swept through this sparsely populated countryside, leaving at least 15 people dead. Rescue operations ended after a day of searching through demolished homes and debris-strewn fields along the 12-mile-long path of the tornado, said Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Dan Bracker...

CHICAGO -- Dozens of students from the University of Chicago returned Sunday from a four-day multistate trek dubbed the world's largest scavenger hunt after trying to find Barack Obama's haircut and a car horn that plays "La Cucaracha," among other things...

YANGON, Myanmar -- Myanmar's monumental task of feeding and sheltering 1.5 million cyclone survivors suffered yet another blow Sunday when a boat laden with relief supplies -- one of the first international shipments -- sank on its way to the disaster zone...

WASHINGTON -- Families claiming that a mercury-based preservative in vaccines triggers autism will challenge mainstream medicine today as they take their case to a federal court. They seek vindication and financial redress from a government fund that helps people injured by shots...

Harvey W. Protzel died May 9, 2008, at his son's home in Cape Girardeau. He was born June 30, 1919, in St. Louis, the dear son of the late Irving and Henrietta Protzel. Beloved husband of the late Shirley Protzel. Dear father of Edward (Janet Jourman) Protzel, Hugh (Donna) Protzel and Jerre (the late Elmo) Crowell. ...

WACO, Texas -- President Bush spent months joking about being a father of the bride, but on Sunday he was downright wistful about giving his daughter Jenna away to her longtime beau. "Our little girl, Jenna, married a really good guy, Henry Hager," Bush said, standing next to First lady Laura Bush at an airport in Waco where he boarded Air Force One for his flight back to Washington. "The wedding was spectacular. It's just -- it's all we could have hoped for."...

Immunologist offers seminar in Cape Registration for a seminar on immunology will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the State Room of the Drury Lodge in Cape Girardeau. At 7 p.m., immunologist and microbiologist Dr. Hellen Greenblatt will speak on the importance of supporting the immune system to sustain health, proper weight and vitality. ...

SAN FRANCISCO -- When Maulit Shelat heard about the Bush administration's plan to pump up the economy by sending out stimulus checks, he sat down with his wife and drew up a list of priorities: first up, remodeling the bathroom. But Shelat is married to a foreigner who hasn't completed the often years-long process that allows her to apply for a Social Security number. ...

Following a highly successful fundraising campaign, the United Way of Southeast Missouri's board of directors approved a total of $1,046,017 in 2008 program allocations. An all-time high of 41 partner agencies and organizations will use funding to support 53 programs that meet a variety of needs in the area...

Roughly 30 animals whose owners took them to the canceled blessing of the animal ceremony Sunday were blessed anyway in Capaha Park. The second meeting of the Blue Sky Church was titled "All Creatures Great and Small" and was canceled Sunday afternoon because of strong winds that blew through the area all day...

WASHINGTON -- Call it Obamacare or call it Clintoncare. But don't call it "socialized medicine." And don't think that the health-care systems that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have promised to put into effect if they get into the White House would be anything like the universal health coverage offered in Great Britain or Canada...

ANNA, Ill. — Maxine Reed King, 89, of Anna died Saturday, May 10, 2008, at Union County Hospital in Anna. She was born May 19, 1918, at Higby, Mo., daughter of Clyde E. and Pattie Lucy Boyd Reed. She and Robert P. King were married March 4, 1942, at Tacoma, Wash. He died July 16, 1988...

25 years ago: May 12, 1983 A rash of dog thefts has occurred in the Cape Girardeau area recently, prompting some concern by animal owners; the dogs have been almost exclusively purebred, registered animals, which as puppies can be worth $50 to $500 and up...

Last August, the Cape Girardeau School district started a preschool program, hoping money invested now will improve the long-term academic standing of students in the district. The premise of the program is solid: Children who learn letters and sounds before kindergarten are more likely to read basic words by the end of kindergarten and get a healthy start on their education...

Thomas A. Taylor of Cape Girardeau has served on the security staff of four different Missouri governors and later head of the Governor's Security Division of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a division established by Sen. Kit Bond during his term as Missouri governor...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- As quick as a camera flash, Republican lawmakers have resurrected a plan to require photo identification for voters. They will press to pass it this week, lest their political opportunity to do so disappears. With only five days remaining in the 2008 legislative session, Republicans who control the House, Senate and Governor's Mansion have come to realize that this may be their last, best chance to enact certain parts of their agenda...

DARLINGTON, S.C. -- The crowd booed him. He called his car pathetic. His crew missed a lug nut, and he couldn't stay off Darlington Raceway's wall. Despite it all, Kyle Busch found Victory Lane once again. NASCAR's least popular driver raced to his third Sprint Cup Series victory of the season Saturday night, winning a battle of attrition at the track "Too Tough to Tame."...

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- An Ireland-based company that uses DNA technology to test and track meat to the original animal and prove that it's what the label promises is now targeting U.S. retailers. IdentiGEN Ltd., which has opened U.S. operations in Lawrence, Kan., wants retailers here to use its DNA TraceBack technology on hamburger, steak, pork and other meats that end up in stores. ...

Cape Girardeau The Cape Girardeau Police Department reported the following incidents. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI n Kristen M. Mack, 23, of St. Peters, Mo., received a summons for driving while intoxicated. Assault n An assault was reported. Theft...

Web promotion THE WEB site for Cape Girardeau County is financed by taxpayers' money. How in the world can two county commissioners justify allowing Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle to promote his books on this Web site? That is wrong. I can't imagine Mr. Swingle wanting to do that or the county commission allowing him to do that. Jay Purcell, 2nd District commissioner, is right on the money...

Sunday at Sawgrass felt tougher on Sergio Garcia than what he faced last summer at the British Open, a playoff loss that seemed to define a career filled with more talent than trophies. He was tormented by a suspect putter. He heard questions whether he could win a big one...

By Omar Davis There has been a great deal of discussion over the past month regarding the prices of motor-vehicle and driver's-license records the Missouri Department of Revenue is required to make available to those qualified under state and federal law...

Finding a job that will support yourself and your family can be tough. For someone who's been in prison, it can be a lot tougher. But exactly how difficult? One Leadership Cape group is using their project to find out. The eight-member team asked for businesses to take part in a survey about policies for hiring ex-offenders and awareness of programs that may take some of the risk out of the decision...

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- An overloaded ferry capsized off the coast of southern Haiti, killing at least 11 people, U.N. and Haitian authorities said Sunday. U.N. peacekeeping mission spokesman David Wimhurst said most of the 100 people aboard the vessel were able to swim to safety. The boat sank after taking on water about 150 yards from shore late Saturday...

MILWAUKEE -- The ninth inning for the Milwaukee Brewers' new closer by committee was as adventurous as some of Eric Gagne's recent outings. There was one difference, though: the Brewers held on for the win. With Gagne yanked from the closer's role Sunday after faltering in back-to-back outings, relievers Salomon Torres and Brian Shouse helped make Jeff Suppan's seven solid innings stand up by holding on for a 5-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals...

Cape Girardeau Fire Department Firefighters responded to the following calls Saturday: n At 9 p.m., emergency medical service in the 300 block of Edgewood Drive. n At 9:38 p.m., emergency medical service in the 200 block of Franks Lane. n At 11:10 p.m., emergency medical service in the 3000 block of Mimosa Drive...

Helen Morrison died Sunday, May 11, 2008, at her residence. Arrangements are incomplete at Young and Sons Funeral Home in Perryville, Mo.

Next year, more Cape Girardeau students with disabilities will be placed in traditional classrooms, under the expansion of a pilot program aimed at "mainstreaming." Students who previously were educated in a "self-contained" classroom have been attending class with traditional students this year in certain classes at Central Junior High and Central High School...

Children at the Cape Area Family Resource Center after-school program and those enrolled in the upcoming summer day camp will tend the tomatoes, lettuce, chives, cucumber, nasturtium, peppers and collard greens planted alongside and toward the front of their building...

DE SOTO, Mo. (AP) -- Crews are working to reassemble a traveling Vietnam Wall that was toppled by strong winds over the weekend in De Soto. Crews with the American Veterans Traveling Tribute have been touring the country since 1997. They said this was the first time the wall has been knocked down by wind...

HANNIBAL, Mo. (AP) -- Hannibal's floodgates are staying put for a while. John Hark, Hannibal's emergency management director, says the decision was forced by weekend rains that spiked water levels along the Mississippi River. Last week, he said he planned to take out the gates Monday...

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Missouri lags behind the rest of the nation when it comes to cycling and walking as a means of commuting. That's according to the Missouri Bicycle Federation which just released its first annual "Bicycling and Walking in Missouri -- A Report Card."...

Cape Girardeau County's prosecuting attorney, Morley Swingle, is calling for the Missouri attorney general's office to investigate 2nd District commissioner Jay Purcell for secretly recording county commission meetings. In documents faxed to the Southeast Missourian on Monday afternoon, Swingle announced he wants the special prosecutor to investigate and possibly prosecute Purcell "and/or any others involved in alleged criminal activity in regard to the secret taping of closed sessions of the Cape Girardeau County Commission.". ...

SENECA, Mo. (AP) -- Trapped in his car on the way to a friend's wedding, Rick Rountree and his family never stood a chance once a tornado packing winds of 170 mph hit southwest Missouri. "It's like taking a handful of Matchbox cars and rolling them across the kitchen floor," said Sgt. Dan Bracker of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, surveying the damage in Newton County near the Oklahoma border, the hardest hit area. "This is devastating."...

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama will visit Tuesday with employees of Thorngate Ltd. for a town-hall meeting about the economy, his campaign announced Monday. The event will be limited to Thorngate employees and those who receive invitations, the campaign said. There will be no public speech or rally to accompany the event...

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Limited outpatient surgeries have resumed at a Southern Illinois Veterans Affairs hospital more than eight months after the entire surgical unit was shut down because of a reported spike in post-surgical deaths, officials said Monday...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Missouri State Highway Patrol has identified 250 illegal immigrants since last summer. Gov. Matt Blunt ordered the patrol to check the immigration status of those whom they arrest. From Aug. 27 through the end of last week, the patrol says it identified 250 illegal immigrants from among the people it arrested...

KIRKWOOD, Mo. (AP) -- Former Kirkwood Mayor Mike Swoboda is back in the hospital. A spokeswoman at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in suburban St. Louis said Swoboda was in satisfactory condition after being brought in Sunday. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, citing unnamed sources in a story on its web site, stltoday.com on Monday, reports he fell at his home and fractured his skull...

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Thousands of Ameren UE customers are still in the dark after severe storms downed trees and power lines in St. Louis. A wind advisory was in effect for much of Sunday, with sustained winds averaging 30 mph and gusts reaching up to 50 mph in some areas...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Senate Republicans push forward with a proposed constitutional amendment requiring photo identification for voting. Monday's vote by the Senate elections committee sends the measure to the full chamber for debate before Friday's end of the legislative session...