Stories from Sunday, February 21, 2010

More than 9,000 horsepower total rumbled the walls and lit up the eyes of fans of all ages at the Show Me Center Friday night. The Monster Truck Winter Nationals and Bad Boy Arenacross Racing presented by Checkered Flag Productions returned to the Show Me Center after a three-year hiatus, much to the delight of the 2,261 monster truck and arenacross fans who watched the show Friday...

Missouri's transportation system needs $750 million to $800 million more each year to make needed improvements, a group of Cape Girardeau area business and political leaders was told Friday. During an hourlong discussion at the Show Me Center, Jewell Patek of the Missouri Transportation Alliance outlined the goals for improved roads, airports and river ports developed by the alliance over the past year. ...

Local business leaders gathered to appreciate the art of advertising Friday night at the Tri-State Advertising and Marketing Professionals' annual Addy Awards banquet at Drury Lodge. Members of the advertising industry in Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky were presented with 53 awards recognizing their work in various forms including print media, television, radio and online. Mike Tenholder, general manager of Concord Printing Services, received the night's highest honor, the American Advertising Federation's Silver Medal Award.

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- About 50 Bollinger County residents, many of whom signed nearly 60 pages of petitions asking for state attention to the unsafe conditions of highways 34 and 51, crowded into the meeting room at the Bollinger County Library on Friday morning to tell the Missouri Department of Transportation, U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and state Rep. Shelley Keeney their concerns about the safety of the roads. They also told them of their frustrations with what they say is a lack of attention from those who control the purse strings.

Missouri's senior republican senator came to Cape Girardeau on Friday to rally against the direction of politics in Washington, D.C. "There have been some people saying the recession is over," said Sen. Kit Bond. "My answer is, where are all the jobs?" Bond spoke in front of a room full of city and county leaders from Cape Girardeau and Scott counties at Dexter Bar-B-Que. He was critical of how the Democratic majority in Congress is handling policies, including cap-and-trade legislation, health care reform and the economy.

The Missouri Housing Development Commission on Friday approved tax credits to build low-income housing that will cost the state treasury $135 million over 10 years. If history is any guide, less than $54 million of that amount will actually be spent on construction, with the remainder going into the pockets of investors and Uncle Sam...

Nature at it's best.

Cat Nap

My son, Cash Kidd, and myself taking a ride on the General Hazzard at the recent monster truck event at the Show Me Center on 02/20/2010. I'm in the black shirt and Cash is to my left.

The Optimist Club of Jackson is proud to present the winners of the Oratorical Contest of 2010. Pictured from left to right is: Steven Sebaugh (Oratorical Chairman), Kyle Randolph (2nd Runner Up), Cole Blanton (Winner), Riley Bauer (1st Runner Up), and Ashley Laurentius (Winner). ...

In April 2008, a Cape Girardeau County official's infatuation with a buxom actress started a chain of events that on Wednesday will put before the Missouri Supreme Court the question of whether county commissions legally exist. Tom Ludwig, the Jackson attorney paid $23,000 by the Cape Girardeau County Commission to take the case, says they don't...

"He didn't lose because he made a mistake, he just ran into a tough, tough kid," Central coach James Brake said. "We've got to tip our hat to him."

Katherine Hope Belcher and Joshua Fredrick Reimann were married Aug. 1, 2009, at Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. Gary Belcher, father of the bride, and Philip Davidson performed the ceremony. Pianist was Eric Mathis of Pasadena, Calif., cousin of the groom, and vocalists were Dan and Stephanie Odle of Louisville, Ky...

Marsha Suzanne Yancey and James Matthew Lewis were married Nov. 7, 2009, in Ivy Hall at the historic Roswell Mill in Roswell, Ga. Mark Lewis of Hendersonville, Tenn., brother of the groom, performed the ceremony. Readers were Kelly Paynter of Marietta, Ga., and Anne Manning of Decatur, Ga. Violinist was Amanda Kapousouz and guitarist was Jesse Flavin, both of Athens, Ga...

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Moyers of Cape Girardeau were honored with a dinner Feb. 6, 2010, in observance of their 67th wedding anniversary. The event was held at their home, hosted by their daughter and son-in-law, Emily and Nic Jiran. The Moyers son, Brian and his wife Ronna led music with Brian on bass, Ronna on vocals and lead guitar, granddaughter Sarah McLemore on violin, grandson Christian Howell on percussion, and Mr. ...

Kevin and Amy Cain of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Rachel Nicole Cain, to Zachary Ryan Long. He is the son of Kevin and Terri Haake of Carlyle, Ill., and Mike Long of Danville, Ill. Cain is pursuing a degree in early childhood education at Southeast Missouri State University. She is employed at Christian School for the Young Years...

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Flannery of Jackson celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a dinner and dance July 18, 2009, at the American Legion Hall in Jackson. Hosts were their children and grandchildren. Guests attended from Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee...

There are many reasons the United Way of Southeast Missouri is $100,000 short of its annual campaign goal of $1.2 million. And most of those reasons are why demands for services provided by United Way-supported organizations have shown significant increases in the past year...

LaDonna Garner of Festus, Mo., began researching her family ancestry when she was 13 years old. More than 25 years later, she is still searching for long-lost ancestors who may have been brought to America centuries ago as slaves. Garner has traced her paternal family history back to 1870, but that is where her search grows cold...

On Nov. 18, Leo Baumhardt, an in-home service aide through the SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence, lost his home to a fire. Along with his home Baumhardt also lost his beloved pet chihuahua, Cha-chi. After hearing about his loss, SADI reached out to Sonnie Fulkerson at Crown Nissan and Jama Beussink and her sales team at AT&T, and they helped raise money to get a new pet chihuahua for Baumhardt from the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri. ...

In a wagon that surely has seen better days and a driver looking as shaggy and disheveled as the two giant Percherons that accompany him, Will "Webe" Frost rolled into Dexter on Feb. 12. The sight of the horse-drawn buggy making its way east along U.S. ...

The Rev. Mike Parry has been the pastor of Fruitland Community Church since its creation in September 1999. The position has allowed him to share his passion of teaching God's word and seeing it in people's lives. Parry said he loves working with people and has a strong desire to invest in the spiritual lives of others. He added his church's passionate worship, small Bible groups and the congregation's desire to reach the world are what makes his job and church so special...

Terry Wildman has a heart for people who have fallen through the cracks of society. That's because he came precariously close to falling through himself. Having been at the precipice, he has not forgotten what it felt like to nearly fall into the abyss of homelessness...

We love and root for the underdog. In some ways, being the underdog is easier than being the champion. Champions tend to have the have the best facilities, the best coaches and massive amounts of resources. Each of those blessings is accompanied with the expectation that the team who has the best will do the best. As for the underdog, if they just show up and compete, then they are doing well. No one expects them to win...

It is not a small group that wants smoking in public places banned. It's a large group. Why should your addiction physically harm other people? Go on the Internet and read up on what secondhand smoke does to others. If you want to kill yourself, go ahead. But it's not fair for the men, women and children who are forced to be around secondhand smoke...

I would like someone to tell me why we didn't get to vote on Cape Girardeau's new trash system. We are the ones being charged for this. Shouldn't we get a say? Is this America or not? Where have our freedoms gone? ROBIN SLINKARD, Cape Girardeau...

WHEN did schools take out recess? I have three grandchildren in the Cape Girardeau School District, and they have never mentioned this to me. I resent being called riffraff because I go to a casino. PLEASE, remember to say a prayer for those who go out in bad weather for long hours while the rest of us hurry home to safety, food and warmth...

Gretchen is a 3-year-old Labrador mix. She has a friendly personality. Gretchen is spayed, up-to-date on shots, and is heartworm negative. For more information, contact Safe Harbor at 243-9823. ...

The Salvation Army will be serving Meals with Friends from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 701 Good Hope St. Carry-outs will be available from 5:30 to 6 p.m. each day. Everyone is welcome to enjoy a hot meal and friendly atmosphere at no cost. ...

When all is dark around us, O God, give us hope and the will to overcome. Amen.

Blanco is a 6-month-old male kitten. For more information, contact the Humane Society at 334-5837. ...

Pet name: Katie Owner: Annabeth Miller Favorite activity: Taking naps ...

Army Spec. Ryan A. Blandford has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga. The training consists of basic infantry training and advanced individual training, which is designed to train infantry soldiers to perform reconnaissance operations; employ, fire and recover anti-personnel and anti-tank mines; locate and neutralize land mines and operate target and sight equipment; operate and maintain communications equipment and radio networks; construct field firing aids for infantry weapons among other things. ...

The following information was released by the U.S. attorney's office for defendants appearing in federal court before U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr. PLEADED GUILTY Name: George R. Chesnut Age: 47 Residence: Alton, Ill. Charge: Two felony counts of armed bank robbery...

The following information was released by the U.S. attorney's office for defendants appearing in federal court before U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr. PLEADED GUILTY Name: David E. Koeller Age: 26 Residence: Jackson Charge: A felony count of being a felon in possession of a firearm...

WASHINGTON -- Soldier and statesman Alexander Haig died Saturday at age 85, having held high posts in three Republican administrations and some of the U.S. military's top jobs. Haig was a four-star Army general who served as a senior adviser to three presidents and had presidential ambitions of his own. ...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Charges were filed Saturday in connection with a Friday night robbery at a fast food restaurant in Sikeston in which a gun was also used. Cleveland Roberson, 17, and Traversial Scott, 17, both of Sikeston, were charged with first-degree robbery and armed criminal action. They are being held at the Scott County jail on $100,000 cash or surety...

Cape Girardeau The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Thefts Burglaries Property damage Cape Girardeau County The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt....

ORAN, Mo. -- Mark Mosebach, 60, of Oran died Friday, Feb. 19, 2010, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He was born Nov. 26, 1949, in Kirksville, Mo., son of Dr. Herbert J. and Nancy Roy Mosebach. He and Rebecca Eastwood were married July 30, 1977...

ORAN, Mo. -- Vellen J. Patterson, 82, of Oran died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, at Chaffee Nursing Center in Chaffee, Mo. She was born Feb. 5, 1928, in Casa, Ark., daughter of Zannie and Myrtle L. Moore Cody. She and Charlie Patterson were married Dec. 7, 1946. He died April 13, 1975...

Lucille Beatrice Carter, 90, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Feb. 19, 2010, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born Nov. 20, 1919, in Lilbourn, Mo., to John D. and Hester French Ivie. She and Paul D. Carter were married March 1, 1936, in Risco, Mo. He preceded her in death in 1981...

BENTON, Mo. -- Mary Cope, 68, of Benton died Friday, Feb. 19, 2010 at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be at 5 p.m. today at the Victory Life Center United Pentecostal Church in Oran, Mo. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church. Burial will be in the Blodgett City Cemetery...

Kathryn Koester, 97, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, at Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Crain Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Cathedral. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery...

The Cape Girardeau City Council and the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents approve a site plan and agree to advertise for bids for site work on the multipurpose building project. Cape Girardeau Mayor Howard C. Tooke is seldom in the minority when it comes to council decisions; but last night Tooke was all alone in casting a symbolic "no" vote against seeking federal funding for construction of a riverfront amphitheater and multi-use courts in three city parks; in voting against the projects, Tooke said Cape Girardeau's sewer problems need to be addressed before city money is spent on any other capital improvement projects.. ...

COBDEN, Ill. -- Laura Lee Britton, 71, of rural Cobden died Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010, at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis. She will be remembered privately and cremated for later burial with her husband. Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Anna, Ill., is in charge of arrangements...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Marcus Denmon was feeling it Saturday, pouring in a career-high 24 points to lead Missouri past Nebraska 74-59. Denmon, who had 22 points against Colorado on Feb. 6 but only two against Texas on Wednesday, said it just happened to be his day to lead the Tigers...

The Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team saw its chances of making the Ohio Valley Conference tournament take a major hit Saturday. The injury-riddled Redhawks suffered their seventh straight loss, 65-43 at Tennessee-Martin. Southeast (7-19, 4-12) is last in the 10-team OVC and two games out of eighth place with two contests left. The top eight finishers qualify for the conference tournament...

All the scores from Saturday that were reported to the Southeast Missourian.

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team got its season off to a rousing start with a 13-8 win at Auburn.

Smith poured in 28 points for the highest total by a Southeast player this season, but the Redhawks lost for the ninth time in their last 10 games.

Jackson freshman Kyleigh Troxel missed the 500-yard final but won the consolation race.

Alpha Mu chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met at the home of Mary Schwab with Marilyn Schwab serving as co-hostess. Lt. Col. Chris Mickham of the Missouri National Guard, spoke on his experiences in Iraq. He spoke of the three main groups there who do not get along with each other and how that causes many problems. He also spoke about their customs. He is the nephew of Marilyn Schwab...

All the scores from Friday that were reported to the Southeast Missourian.

This little bird is a hermit thrush. Migrating to the southern half of the U.S. to spend winter, it lives the rest of the year in the woods of Canada, Alaska, the far northeastern and mountainous western U.S. During the hermit thrush's winter vacation to Southeast Missouri, it will spend most of its time close to or on the ground looking for small berries and insects found by searching under fallen leaves. ...

SIKESTON -- Southeast Missouri residents can get a sneak peek of a court TV show pilot featuring former Sikeston lawyer and circuit judge Tony Heckemeyer. A video clip of "Judge Heck" is available online at the Web site of the show's distributor, Trifecta Entertainment. Trifecta is pitching the show to stations for the fall season and promoting Heckemeyer as an experienced, charming Southern judge with equal parts justice and compassion...

Art by Woodland third-grader Nathan Kaminskas was chosen by the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri to hang in his state representative's office. The arts council chooses art from children in Southeast Missouri as part of the Children's Arts Festival. ...

Longtime music educator Dr. Robert Gifford of Cape Girardeau was recently recognized for his commitment to fine arts education by the Missouri Arts Council by receiving the 2010 Missouri Arts Award for Arts Education. Throughout his career, Gifford has worked to create quality arts education opportunities for students in all grade levels. ...

PERRIS, Calif. -- Opee is only 8, but he's already a popular veteran in the down and dirty sport of motocross. He can pull 6 Gs. He's been the centerfold for Cycle News and poses regularly for fan photos. He's a survivor of the grueling Baja 500 and has racked up more than 10,000 hours on a dirt bike...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri lawmakers and university presidents are painting a bleak picture of future higher education funding as student enrollment rises across the state. Federal stimulus funds targeted for education are expected to run out in 2012, meaning states may have make deep cuts to higher education if tax revenue does not rebound quickly...

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Most experts believe it's just a matter of time before another big earthquake strikes along the New Madrid fault line, and Gov. Jay Nixon says Missouri and neighboring states need to be ready. Nixon on Friday convened a panel of a dozen state and local officials who are on the front lines of disasters. ...