Stories from Sunday, September 13, 2009

Tim Bollinger's voice boomed over the sound of an engine popping and rumbling through the grounds at the 154th SEMO District Fair on Saturday morning as Larry Womack pushed his 1939 John Deere tractor into gear. "That thing just keeps going, like a Timex watch," Bollinger told spectators as they settled in for the weekend's first grandstand event, the annual antique tractor pull, hosted by the Egypt Mills Antique Tractor Club...

Dale "Pee-Wee" Schwamborn was a 20-year-old college student when he led the way as an " advance scout" during the 1959 Airstream caravan from Cape Town, South Africa, to Cairo, Egypt, a trip that took about six months to complete. Fifty years later, Schwamborn, a California native, was again at the front of the pack as a caravan of Airstreams made their way across the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge on Friday on their way in a commemorative tribute to the original trip...

Cape Girardeau Fire Department Chief Rick Ennis remembers where he was when he learned a plane had crashed into the first of two World Trade Center twin towers on Sept. 11, 2001. The chief of an Ohio fire department at the time, Ennis was preparing to teach a training class that was scheduled to begin later that morning...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A fugitive involved in a high-speed chase to Scott City on Aug. 28 was arrested Friday near the Sikeston Bootheel Rodeo grounds.

Sounds of gospel music filled the air near Cape Community Church on Saturday. More than 10 acts from around the area performed during an all-day Gospel Jubilee to benefit KMHM 104.1 radio station in Marble Hill, Mo. Event coordinator Robin McCollough said she had noticed the gospel station had reduced live programming, and during an in-studio visit she asked a disc jockey about the changes. After discovering there was a lack of funds to help produce live programs, she wanted to help...

The annual Southeast Missouri Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk '09 was held Saturday at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau. The event, now in its 12th year, raises money for research of the treatment and cure of Alzheimer's disease. In the past two years there was rain on the day of the event, so organizers and walkers were glad to see the sun. ...

A few minutes into the newest River City Players dinner theater production "Getting Sara Married" I had already laughed and was optimistic about the rest of the play. One question remained in the back of my mind: Where are the New York accents? The play, about a New York lawyer whose crazy Aunt Martha is scheming to get her married, takes place in Sara's New York apartment. ...

A convicted sex offender currently facing felony charges of trying to lure a child to a Cape Girardeau park for sex could face up to 30 years in prison under a new law that increases the range of punishment. Larry E. Windeknecht, 50, of Cape Girardeau was charged Friday with attempted enticement of a child, a crime that formerly carried a maximum sentence of seven years' incarceration...

COMMERCE, Mo. -- A car crash on Route N in Scott County early Saturday evening claimed the life of a Scott City man. Richard E. Lashmet, 35, of Scott City, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which occurred about two miles north of Commerce...

An investigation continues into an early morning fire on Friday that began in a vehicle parked inside a carport and quickly spread to two Cape Girardeau homes. According to Fire Department Chief Rick Ennis, at 4:53 a.m. crews responded to a home at 1863 Big Bend Road. Firemen found the home and car engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading to a neighboring house at 1901 Big Bend Road...

Like many other parents sitting on the sideline of their child's soccer game, Mark and Holly Behrle often find themselves searching for their son on the field, especially when the action moves to the portion of the field normally patrolled by him. "You still look for him," Mark said. "You see his spot when somebody misses the ball and you're like 'Oh, it's not him.'"...

Shealee Gaye Smith and Blake Andrew Best were married May 2, 2009, at the Elks Lodge in Cape Girardeau. The Rev. Jeffrey S. Lowery performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Randy and Ginger Smith of Cape Girardeau. The groom is the son of Jack and Laura Taber of Cape Girardeau...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Victor Eck of Pomona, Ill., and Kathy Duncan of Grand Tower, Ill., announce the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer Lynn Eck of Jonesboro, to Holden Charles Webb. He is the son of Charles and Brenda Webb of McClure, Ill. Eck is a 2001 graduate of Shawnee High School in Wolf Lake, Ill. ...

Dr. and Mrs. Jon Foley of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Erika Lauren Foley, to Andrew Michael Eaton, both of Kansas City, Mo. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Eaton of Cape Girardeau. Foley is a 2004 graduate of Central High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in health sciences from Baylor University in 2008, and is a student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Dental School...

Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Trock of Marshfield, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Amy Elizabeth Trock, to Arthur Louis "Tre" Wallhausen III. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur L. Wallhausen Jr. of Cape Girardeau. Trock is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. She is employed in the university's English Department...

Mr. and Mrs. Donald J. Metz of Poplar Bluff, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Kristen Judith Metz, to Justin James Friedly, both of Fort Collins, Colo. He is the son of Mrs. Roger Freischlag of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Dr. James Friedly of Peyton, Colo...

LEOPOLD, Mo. -- Roger and Theresa Nenninger of Leopold and Robert and Irene Heflin of Advance, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Katrina Nenninger of Marble Hill, Mo., to David Green. He is the son of Roy and Judy Green of Bell City...

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Kendrick of Jackson celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a luncheon and reception Sept. 12, 2009, at Dexter Bar-B-Que. Hosts were their children. Kendrick and Barbara McCrory were married Sept. 13, 1959, by Dr. W.T. Holland at First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau...

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Beel of Cape Girardeau hosted a reception Aug. 29, 2009, at Drury Lodge in observance of their 50th wedding anniversary. Beel and Shirley Schwartz were married Aug. 29, 1959, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso, Mo., by Monsignor Joseph Keusenkothen...

I have never felt such disappointment in a portion of the American people as I have felt recently over the disrespectful response to President Obama's school address. How in the world do people think that a president is trying to indoctrinate children by talking to them about the need to study and stay in school? There is something fundamentally wrong with this parental picture, not to mention with the news media that gave these parents a platform for attention. ...

Bumpy road; Further left; Bikes on the road; Tax code; Helping out; President's speech; Stop pretending; Big question

By Jennifer Loven The Associated Press WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama has never been wedded to a government-run health insurance plan. The will-he-or-won't-he obsession over how hard Obama might fight to include the so-called public option in a health care reform package has been -- let's be honest -- mostly just noise...

For time spent with family and friends, we give thanks to you, O God. Amen.

There are special indicators that mark the end of summer: the Jackson Homecomers celebration, the start of a new school year, the long Labor Day weekend and, of course, the SEMO District Fair in Cape Girardeau. This year's fair activities kicked off Saturday with a full slate of competitions and judging. The fair ends Saturday night with a grandstand performance, and the grandstand will offer special entertainment each night of the weeklong events...

The local 4B Arena will be hosting the first Cavalcade in the Dunklin County area, which will include more than 10 events, and donate a portion of the proceeds to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. The event will be hosted at 10 a.m., Sept. ...

Editor's note: This is the second in a series of stories with the United Way highlighting volunteers and agencies who are active in or funded by the United Way of Southeast Missouri. To get involved, visit the United Way online at www.unitedwayofsemo.org, at its offices at 430A Broadway or by phone at 334-9634....

Master quilters George Tucker and Helen Kreutz of Saxony Village presented Pearla Smith of Southeast Hospice and Cheryl Dietrich of Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation with a check for $1,274 Sept. 8. The money was raised by raffling tickets for a hand-stitched quilt, won by Jackie Ahrens from Cape Girardeau...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- Motorists and those strolling through downtown East Prairie have spent the last week admiring the newly installed 8-foot by 20-foot mural depicting what residents say is the true essence of their town. Lifelong East Prairie resident Lisa Brown said when she first saw the mural, she cried...

ARBOR, Mo. -- Mr. and Mrs. Hadley James of Arbor observed their 60th wedding anniversary with two celebrations. Family and friends gathered at Dexter Bar-B-Que in Cape Girardeau July 10, 2009, and a dinner hosted by their children was held July 11 at Chaffee Nutrition Center...

Sept. 14-18 Cape Girardeau Elementary MONDAY--Chicken nuggets & bread or turkey & cheese on bun, potato wedges, mixed fruit. TUESDAY--Crispito with nacho cheese sauce or ham & cheese on bun, candied carrots, pears. WEDNESDAY--Breaded beef steak with brown gravy or turkey & cheese on bun, whipped potatoes with brown gravy, hot roll, cinnamon applesauce...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Mr. and Mrs. Jewell Mooney of Marble Hill celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a family dinner Sept. 6, 2009, at Red Lobster. Mooney and Jean Brewer were married Sept. 3, 1949, in Pocahontas, Ark., by a justice of the peace...

Lindsey Ann Hobeck and Scott Michael Baumhoer were married Aug. 5, 2009, in Pensacola, Fla. The Rev. Virginia Morgan performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Scott and Gina Hobeck of Millersville. The groom is the son of David and Mary Baumhoer of Fulton, Mo...

Owning classic hot rods has been an important part of Mark Watson's life for many years. People in Cape Girardeau may remember Watson as the owner of Pagliai's Pizza for nearly a quarter of a century. He sold a 1967 Corvette to get the down payment to buy the restaurant. And when he needed a break from the long hours and stress of operating the business, he turned to his hobby of classic cars to escape...

Volunteer opportunities n Salvation Army: Help prepare, serve or clean up after the Meals with Friends program, which provides a free, hot meal to those who need it and anyone who wants to join. Only a two-hour commitment from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 21 to 25 at the Salvation Army...

Prayer is a fascinating subject. When a news anchor interviews a family who has just gone through a tragedy more often than not the last line they say is something like, "Our thoughts and prayers are with you." Being one of an overactive imagination and curiosity, I wonder if they really mean that...

"I wonder what's going on inside their heads," I asked myself recently as I awaited my turn for my annual physical at the doctor's office. The waiting room was filled to capacity with all kinds of people. I found myself watching the expressions on their faces...

Army National Guard Pfc. Jessica P. Hite has graduated from basic combat training in Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, Hite received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises. ...

On Oct. 10 the Heartland Down Syndrome Association will host Southeast Missouri's first-ever Buddy Walk, sponsored by Boy Scout Matt Jedlinski, Troop 16, who is organizing and coordinating the event as his Eagle project. Many Eagle projects focus on actual building with wood and cement, but Jedlinski's plans are to build what he hopes to become an annual event for the newly formed Heartland DS Association. ...

Clubs plan Ducks on the Mississippi The Cape Girardeau Southside Optimist Clubs have organized the second annual Ducks on the Mississippi in conjunction with the 32nd annual River Tales Classic Car Show organized by the River City Rodders. Businesses and people sponsor ducks to be dumped into the Mississippi River at the north end of the river walk and floated down to an established finish line. ...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Robert H. Morey, 81, of South Lyon, Mich., formerly of Perryville, died Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, at St. Joseph Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 6:30 a.m. to service time Wednesday at Young and Sons Funeral Home...

SEDGEWICKVILLE, Mo. -- James D. Jones, 62, of Sedgewickville passed away Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Dec. 19, 1946, in Rector, Ark., son of James Elmer and Carrie Adkison Jones. He and Sharon Seabaugh were married May 17, 1991, at Sargent's Chapel Church in Sedgewickville...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- Elizabeth Gail "Liz" Anderson, 67, of East Prairie died Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in Charleston, Mo. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to service time Sunday at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home...

BENTON, Mo. -- Mary Ann Wilhelm, 70, of Benton died Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born June 6, 1939, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of John A. and Stella R. Griffaw Tarr. Mary Ann and James E. Wilhelm were married May 15, 1965, in Cape Girardeau. He died Aug. 13, 2009...

TAMMS, Ill. -- Gary N. Dunning, 64, of Dukedom, Tenn., formerly of Tamms, died Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, at Volunteer Community Hospital in Martin, Tenn. He was born March 5, 1945, in Cairo, Ill., son of Walter Milford and Georgia Coleman Dunning. He and Svetiana Y. Leverett were married Oct. 18, 2006...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- George Thomas, 82, of Perryville died Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, at Independence Care Center of Perry County. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to service time Sunday at Boone Funeral Home in Greenville, Miss. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Bobby Gordon, L.C. Cunningham and Glenn Cleveland officiating. Burial will be in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens in Greenville...

CHICAGO -- A former chief fundraiser for ousted Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich died Saturday, just days before he was to report to prison to begin a three-year sentence for tax offenses that included using his company's money to pay gambling debts and claiming it as a business expense...

Cape Girardeau: DWI; Arrests; Summons; Assaults; Burglary; Thefts; Property damage; Miscellaneous; Jackson: Property damage; Cape Girardeau County: DWI; Arrests

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following calls Friday: Firefighters responded to the following calls Saturday: Jackson Firefighters responded to the following call Thursday: Firefighters responded to the following calls Friday: Firefighters responded to the following calls Saturday:...

WATERLOO, Iowa -- The Rev. Franklin Vernon Moore, 74, of Waterloo died Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, at Covenant Medical Hospital in Waterloo. He was born July 10, 1935, in Lucerne, Mo., son of William Franklin and Leta May Moore. He and Joanne Happekotte were married Dec. 9, 1961, in Waterloo...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Mrs. Claudia J. Dunn, 55, of Jonesboro passed away at 9:40 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, at Saint Francis Medical Center. She was born Nov. 5, 1953, in Anna, Ill., daughter of Willie and Glenda Lingle Arnold. She and Lloyd R. "Red" Dunn were married on March 5, 1971, in Cape Girardeau...

ANNA, Ill. -- Robert Louis Stroehlein Jr., 29-day-old son of Robert L. Stroehlein Sr. and Anita Marie Rowan (Elliot) Stroehlein, died Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, at Union County Hospital in Anna. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to service time Monday at Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna...

Criddle; Nanney; Popp; Ashworth; Stovall; Lucas; Henderson; Allen

Chase Montgomery, 25, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, at his home. He was born May 14, 1984, in Cape Girardeau to Michael D. and DeRenda J. Gillam Montgomery. He attended Lynwood Baptist Church. Survivors include his parents, Michael and DeRenda Montgomery of Jackson; a brother, Blake (Haley) Montgomery of Columbia, Mo.; a niece, Emma Blake Montgomery of Columbia; maternal grandmother, Joyce Gillam of Caruthersville, Mo.; paternal grandmother, Molene Montgomery of Jonesboro, Ark.; and uncle, Mickey Gillam of Raymore, Mo.. ...

25 years ago: Sept. 13, 1984 The Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority has asked the Cape Girardeau and Scott county courts to submit to voters in March separate proposals to enact a special quarter-of a cent sales tax for four years to help finance initial development of a Mississippi River port...

When Cape Girardeau County voters in 2006 were being asked to approve a new sales tax to improve county roads and raise salaries in the sheriff's department, quite a few promises were made. The biggest promise was that almost 55 miles of roads would be paved by the end of 2012. Another promise was that the turnover rate among deputies would be dramatically reduced and more deputies would patrol rural areas...

HOLLISTER, Mo. -- A man who was driving a packed church van when it overturned into a creek last week in southwest Missouri has died after he stopped breathing at his home. Taney County Coronor Kevin Tweedy said 32-year-old Nathaniel David Mitchem was having a normal conversation with a relative Friday night when he asked the relative to call 911. Mitchem was rushed to a hospital, where he died...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The leading cause of missed work days for adults younger than 45 is back pain. Studies show that at some point in their adult life, four in five U.S. adults report having had back pain, and about 4.6 million Americans will need back surgery...

Road work to cause lane closures in area...

Southeast Missourian Timothy Drake, 31, of Cape Girardeau was sentenced to 8 years and four months in federal prison Friday for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. In May 2008, while executing a search warrant at Drake's residence on Village Drive, officers found .22-caliber ammunition and a round of 9 mm ammunition. A subsequent search of Drake's car uncovered two pistols. As a convicted felon, Drake is barred by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition...

KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.com Cape Girardeau police officers David Valentine, left, and Kevin Eudy investigate a Suzuki 1000 motorcycle at the scene of a single-vehicle accident Friday, September 11, 2009, along N. ...

Garett Schaefer wished his monster performance had come in a victorious effort. But Scott City's junior tailback, who rushed for 202 yards on 24 carries during Friday's 35-13 loss to visiting East Prairie, said he believes the winless Rams still will turn out to be a solid team...

First-year cross country program Scott City edged out Oak Ridge for the boys title at the Kelly Invitational on Saturday. The Rams scored 46 points to 47 for the Blue Jays. Delta's boys were third with 77 points. Fourteen schools participated, although not all fielded full teams...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Crystal City's air attack proved too powerful for Chaffee's defense Friday night. The Hornets' short passes quickly turned into big gains as Crystal City rolled to the 40-20 victory. "We just did little short plays and we have athletes on our team," Crystal City quarterback Neal Slabby said. "Pretty much we just want to get the ball to them and let them run. ... We wanted to get the ball immediately out there so they could make a move on them, make them miss."...

When a Jackson defender knocked Gateway Tech tailback Anthony Pierson into the aluminum bench along the Jaguars' sideline on a late hit, it looked like the night might be over for the biggest weapon in the Jaguars' arsenal. In hindsight, his night was just beginning...

The Southeast Missouri State volleyball team found the going rough over the weekend against major-conference squads. Southeast dropped all three of its matches at the Georgia Tech Courtyard Classic in Atlanta. The Redhawks (3-6) finished tournament play with two losses Saturday, falling to host Georgia Tech 26-24, 22-25, 25-13, 25-20 and Clemson 25-16, 25-12, 25-17...

The Southeast Missouri State football team learned the hard way why Cincinnati is the nation's 23rd-ranked Division I-A squad. Southeast set a modern-day school record for most points allowed and biggest margin of defeat during Saturday's 70-3 road blowout...

Central Tigers Coach: Dan Martin Last season's record: 17-10 Last season's postseason results: Lost to Seckman 2-1 in the Class 3 District 1 title game Returning starters: Erik Allen, sr., B; Josh Compas, sr., F; Mike Denmark, sr., F; Josh Hiett, sr., M; Dillon Huber, sr., M; Jesse Hurt, jr., F; Zach Ray, sr., M; Dominique Jones, sr., B; Derek Parker, sr., B; Jamie Pickel, sr., G; Trenton Sanders, sr., B...

It's hard to imagine the Notre Dame volleyball team having a better weekend. The Bulldogs went 7-0 to win the SEMO Spike tournament, a 48-team affair that wrapped up Saturday night at the Show Me Center. "Our school had never won this tournament before," said Notre Dame coach Tara Stroup, whose squad is 14-1 overall. "They're excited."...

This is our lhasa apso Buddy relaxing outside. He likes to lay on the table to keep an eye on things! His favorite activity (besides eating) is getting his belly scratched and playing with his toys.

Josh McKinley graduated from the Missouri Welding Institute in Nevada,Mo. with a Master of Structural Steel and Fitting Certification. Josh is the son of Kathy Wallace of Benton,Mo and the late Preston McKinley of Cape Girardeau. He is the grandson of Henry and Betty Coffer of Charleston.and Joyce McKinley of Bertrand, Mo. McKinley is 2008 graduate of Kelly High School in Benton,Mo...

Taken inside the Cape Girardeau city limits. This buck is still in velvet and has a rare "drop tine"

Karie Stroder with cat

The winning team at the SEMO District Fair Draft Horse Pull.Sponsored by JW Strack Stone

Central senior Clinton Sargent is a man in training. But as the high-spirited Sargent talked to coach Mark Hahn and assistant Bryan Kelpe in the training room recently with a running shoe in his hand, it was hard to tell whether the slender runner was preparing for the cross country season or a career in shoe sales or podiatry...

The Rev. Paul J. Short took a break from church during college and a stint in the U.S. Air Force but returned to the Lutheran Church and eventual heard the call to become a pastor. He received his bachelor's in psychology in 1970 from the University of Houston and a master's of divinity in 1974 from Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Ill., and has been a pastor for 35 years. He became the pastor at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau in September 1996...