Stories from Sunday, August 22, 2010

ST. LOUIS -- With his team in disparate need of a win, St. Louis Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter played the role of stopper to perfection. Carpenter (14-4) outdueled Tim Lincecum, and the Cardianls snapped a five-game losing streak by beating the San Francisco Giants 5-1 Saturday night...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- For the first time since 1974, all Sikeston High School students are eating lunch under the same roof. With the new school year that began Wednesday came the final phase of the high school's transition back to a closed campus. In 2008, the Board of Education voted to close all campuses during school hours by the start of the 2010-2011 school year...

BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County is set to wrap up its blacktopping in this week. "We plan to do County Road 227 on Monday and Tuesday, and after that, we'll be pretty much on hold," Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger said while discussing the blacktopping during Thursday's county commission meeting. "We're going to clean the equipment but not put it away. We're going to look at some other issues first and then see what the weather looks like."...

Students in the Delta School District will return to class Monday after more than a week of cleanup from a fire in the high school office Aug. 13. "I appreciate all the patience of our staff and parents throughout the district," superintendent Nate Crowden said Saturday. "Everyone's looking forward to getting back in session."...

KRISTIN EBERTS ~ keberts@semissourian.com Participants release their balloons into the air during a balloon launch following a gathering in honor of Elizabeth Gill at Old St. ...

The company planning to build a wood-fueled power plant in Perry County is evaluating the impact of a new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulation for emissions from alternative fuels. The EPA rule no longer distinguishes emissions from burning biomass, which includes waste from logging and crop residues, from emissions produced from burning of fossil fuels such as coal...

Southeast Missouri State University and Farmington High School recently received grant money to help spur students toward a career in the health industry. The Missouri Foundation for Health gave the schools the grant money through its Health Care Workforce Development funding program. ...

My nephew, Drake Hartline, was carefully watch the fish at Cape Rock Koi Pond. Drake is the son of Holly and Beau Hartline from Anna, IL

Captured a photo of this beautiful Red-spotted Purple Butterfly near the fountain and fish pond on Big Bend Rd in Cape Girardeau.

My cat Miss Sniff (aka - Miss Fluffy Stuff) was posing pretty for the camera.

Beautiful sunrise taken near whitewater

Hummingbirds were captured, measured and banded at the Conservation Nature Center, then released by a lucky few.

Take one last look at another Cape Girardeau landmark that will soon bite the dust.

Cape Girardeau businessman T. Robin Cole III is president of a new organization formed to promote free market principles and fiscal responsibility in government. Based in Jefferson City, Mo., the Coalition for Economic Prosperity and Jobs is a political advocacy organization...

Jessica Lin Clary and Carl Scott Bollinger were united in marriage May 15, 2010, at Fruitland Community Church in Fruitland. Mike Perry and Craig Petzoldt performed the ceremony. Reader was Amy Bollinger of Houston, Texas, sister of the groom. Parents of the couple are David and Brenda Clary of Jackson, and Carl and Janet Bollinger of Patton, Mo...

Diana Jo Watson and Jeremiah David Townsend were married Jan. 2, 2010, at First United Methodist Church in Kennett, Mo. Greg Dowler performed the ceremony. Pianist and soloist was Daryl Wilcoxsin of Kennett. The bride is the daughter of Lanny and Monique Watson of Holcomb, Mo. The groom is the son of Jon and Tonyua Townsend of Cape Girardeau...

Melissa Ann Truitt and Derek Hoffmann were married April 17, 2010, at St. Francis Xavier College Church in St. Louis. The Revs. Nick Smith and Sam Roethemeyer performed the ceremony. Readers were Gerri Horn, godmother of the bride, and Mary Shelton, godmother of the groom. Petition reader was Karen Meentemeyer, aunt of the bride...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Staci Stone and Trae Meyr of Atlanta, Ga., announce their engagement. She is the daughter of Nanci Stone and Andy Neynaber and Robert and Karly Stone of Scottsdale, Ariz. Meyr is the son of Larry and Judi Meyr of Chaffee. Meyr is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, and received a juris doctorate from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Fla. He is an attorney with Greenberg Traurig in Atlanta...

FRIEDHEIM, Mo. -- Darrell and Janet Hahs of Friedheim announce the engagement of their daughter, Erin Elizabeth Hahs, to Shawn Steven Roth. He is the son of Steve and Carol Roth of Frohna, Mo. Hahs is a 2005 graduate of Oak Ridge High School. She received an associate degree in education from Jefferson College in 2007. She is assistant manager at New York and Co. in Cape Girardeau...

BENTON, Mo. -- Rick and Lisa Walter of Benton announce the engagement of their daughter, Natalie Walter, to Roy Buell. He is the son of Leroy and Debra Buell of Oran, Mo. Walter is a 2003 graduate of Kelly High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in fashion merchandising from Southeast Missouri State University. She is employed by AT&T...

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Friese of Cape Girardeau celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception July 31, 2010, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Egypt Mills. Friese and Mary McLain were married July 31, 1960, at Egypt Mills. The couple has two children, Debra Friese of Jackson and Craig (Brenda) Friese of Egypt Mills. ...

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Clippard of Cape Girardeau celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a dinner Aug. 1, 2010, at Ryan's Family Steak House. Hosts were their children. Clippard and the former Miss Wunderlich were married July 29, 1960, in Dupo, Ill...

Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Ratliff of Cape Girardeau celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception Aug. 7, 2010, at Drury Lodge. Hosts were their children and grandchildren. Ratliff and Emmagene Roberts were married Aug. 7, 1960, at First Assembly of God Church in Scott City, by the Rev. Arlie M. Roberts, father of the bride...

The Rev. and Mrs. Adam Mueller of Cape Girardeau celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a family gathering June 19, 2010. The event was held at the home of a daughter and son-in-law, Magdalene and Mark Vogel of Jackson. Hosts were the Mueller's children...

The Capaha Scottish Rite Women's Club met Aug. 9 at Delmonico's in Jackson. The evening was enjoyed with fellowship and a lively game of bingo. The next meeting will be Sept. 13 at Delmonico's with Louella Armstrong and Romona Bellis as co-hostesses...

Cape Girardeau Elementary MONDAY--Corn dog or turkey & cheese on bun, green beans, cinnamon applesauce, vanilla wafers. TUESDAY--Hot dog or ham & cheese on bun, baked beans, grapes, ice cream dream bar. WEDNESDAY--Beef steak & brown gravy or turkey & cheese on bun, au gratin potatoes, pears...

Whether it's searching for a regular baby sitter or someone to fill in on a Friday night, finding the right fit for the family isn't always easy. Flourish, the Southeast Missourian's new women's magazine, offered these tips to find sitter success. Start early. The best time to start searching for a replacement sitter is before losing the current sitter, allowing time to screen new candidates, check references and run background checks...

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Ten weeks before my wedding, I put 140 invitations -- beautifully letter-pressed on Crane lettra paper with silver ink -- into the mail, eagerly anticipating the flood of RSVP cards marked yes. Two days later, my soon-to-be-husband got laid off from his newspaper job...

I'M wondering how much money would be saved if our president and his family enjoyed one vacation a year with a few extended weekends at their Chicago home. How can anyone take so many vacations when people in this country are hurting? LET me see if I get this right. ...

It's good news for the Cape Girardeau area, but it's a sad commentary on the nation's economy. U.S. Commerce Department statistics released earlier this month showed the Cape Girardeau area was one of five metropolitan statistical areas nationwide that had more earnings growth in the private sector than in government jobs. While that was a bright spot for this area, the report painted a picture of how most of the gains in earnings were fueled by military and federal stimulus spending...

Blessed is your compassion, O God, for all who are in need of your mercy. Amen.

Fergie is a 4-year-old long-haired guinea pig. She has a blonde and black coat. For more information, contact the Humane Society at 334-5837. ...

Razzle and Dazzle are 11-week-old yellow Labrador mix pupplies that were abandoned at Safe Harbor. They are happy and healthy and should be small in size. For more information, contact Safe Harbor at 243-9823. ...

During the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo, held earlier this month in Sikeston, Mo., some of the professional rodeo clowns visited patients at Missouri Delta Medical Center. The clowns, along with the rodeo queens, made the rounds Aug. 12, providing autographed photos and some jokes for patients and staff. Pictured here, rodeo clowns Greek Ellick and Dustin Brewer vist with patient Jerome Robinson to help put a smile on his face...

The annual Southeast Missouri State University and Cape West Rotary Club Golf Tournament raised $92,000 for student scholarships. The tournament was in July at Dalhousie Golf Club. The funds raised will be distributed as scholarships, awarded to students with financial needs attending Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau or one of its regional campuses in Kennett, Malden, Perryville, or Sikeston, Mo. ...

Jackon resident Samuel Lowes of Boy Scout Troop 311 received the rank of Eagle Scout. For his Eagle Scout project Lowes constructed a bulletin board at the Pee-Wah trail in Trail of Tears State Park. Donations were given by Delta Companies Inc., Southeast Missouri Builders Supply, Ross Furniture and Eddie and Brenda Ross, David Sailing Roofing and Mary Lou Lowes. About 68 hours were spent of the project. Samuel Lowes is the son of David and Susan Lowes of Jackson...

Recently the US Bancorp Foundation donated $2,000 to Old Town Cape. Pictured from left are Jessica Mobley with US Bank, US Bank regional president Stan Penn, Old Town Cape executive director Marla Mills, Old Town Cape president Kent Zickfield and Old Town Cape board member Cory Daniels. US Bancorp Foundation gives to organizations that improve the educational and economic opportunities of low- and moderate-income individuals and families and enhance the cultural and artistic life of a community...

The Rev. James William Woeltje of the Illmo United Methodist Church in Scott City believes that power is not always in the numbers. He admits the church he pastors might be small in numbers with only 24 members, but he said what they might lack in membership they make up for with the love and sharing they illustrate not just in their church but out in the community. ...

Jackson Boy Scout Troop 11 member Kolton Schaefer recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. For his Eagle Scout project Schaefer designed, gathered timber from Hanover Lutheran Church property and supervised the construction of a nature-inspired reflection bench that sits in front of the historic Hanover Lutheran Church. Schaefer is the son of Mike and Tina Schaefer of Gordonville. More than 115 hours were spent on the project...

Holly Zoellner ran in her first 5K race in June. She has run one other since and has her third planned for Saturday, unless her breast cancer surgery prevents it. Zoellner, 32, has an HER2-positive lump in her breast, an aggressive type of cancerous tumor less responsive to hormone treatments. She was diagnosed in July after her doctor found a lump in her breast during a routine exam. Two days after that, Zoellner had a mammogram and biopsy. A positive test result came three days later...

All descendants of Wilhelm and Carolina Fluegge who originated in the Tilsit community are encouraged to attend a family reunion starting at 8:45 a.m. today. The reunion will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church fellowship hall in Jackson. Church service will start at 8:45 a.m. ...

Missouri's official reptile is the three-toed box turtle. This slow turtle is so named because it has three toes on each back foot. It is a subspecies of the box turtle family, and although not a true tortoise, the box turtle is sometimes called a tortoise...

Donald L. and Chien L. Dennis of Whitewater celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a dinner and reception Aug. 8, 2010, at Whitewater United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Hosts were the couple, her daughter, and friends. The couple was married Nov. 8, 1985, at Whitewater Church, by the Rev. Jimmie L. Dace...

James Ross of Sikeston, Mo., and Jana Ross of Matthews, Mo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Rachel Ross of Cape Girardeau, to Jonathan McNeely of Morley, Mo. He is the son of the Rev. Rick and Debbie McNeely of Morley. Ross received a bachelor of science degree in fashion merchandising from Southeast Missouri State University...

Carol Garbo of Grand River, Ohio, and Salvatore Garbo of Concord, Ohio, announce the engagement of their daughter, Jennifer Samantha Garbo, to Phillip Hays Zoffuto, both of Midlothian, Va. He is the son of Lou Ann Zoffuto of Cape Girardeau, and the late Dr. Anthony Charles Zoffuto...

Just because you can do something doesn't necessarily mean you should. In the movie "Schindler's List," businessman Oskar Schindler tries to persuade -- unsuccessfully -- a Nazi officer that real power sometimes means not doing something. Real power, he attempts to say, often means restraining yourself. St. Paul had a similar idea in telling the church at Rome about what foods to eat. All food, the apostle said, is clean, but there will always be those who will never be persuaded...

One of my favorite proverbs is "Where there is no vision, the people perish." In other words, where there is not a clear picture of the future, all that is left is destruction. Vision creates a picture of what the future could be. When there is freedom to be a visionary, there is the freedom to dream of the possibility. Vision looks at an abandoned store front and says what could be. Vision draws inspiration from others and grows confidence saying "I could do that."...

WASHINGTON -- At times subtle, at times loud, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is spending record amounts on lobbying and in election battlegrounds, elbowing into the nation's politics in unprecedented ways for the business community. The country's largest business lobby has pledged to spend $75 million in this year's elections. That's on top of a lobbying effort that already has cost the organization nearly $190 million since Barack Obama became president in January 2009...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri plans to appeal a ruling striking down regulations against the use of dogs and vehicles in hunting deer. The Missouri Conservation Commission voted Friday to proceed with an appeal of the ruling made earlier this month by a Ripley County judge...

Bradford struggled in his second preseason game, but the Rams won 19-17 By TOM WITHERS The Associated Press CLEVELAND -- The Browns may need umbrellas, ponchos and boots to survive their next practice. After a sloppy performance in the pouring rain, coach Eric Mangini intends to soak his players so they stop letting the ball slip away...

Susan Beth Scott of Cape Girardeau ran her medal count to four Friday at the IPC Swimming World Championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Scott won her second relay gold as her USA team won the 400-meter medley event. Earlier in the day Scott claimed a bronze medal in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1 minute, 13 seconds. She already had captured a silver in the 400 freestyle earlier in the week...

Scott City scored the lone touchdown in Friday's three-team jamboree

Central debuts with crisp scrimmage following winless season

Southeast Missouri State men's basketball coach Dickey Nutt said Saturday he has not yet determined any possible disciplinary action toward Rae-Vonn Banks following his recent arrest on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Banks, a 6-foot-8 junior walk-on forward, was arrested late Wednesday night. He turned 21 that day...

The three quarterbacks all saw action in Southeast's final scrimmage

Arrests...

Aaliey Sophia Schwartz, 17 inches, 3 pounds and 12 ounces, infant daughter of Eric Joseph and Myra Jean Hester Schwartz, was stillborn Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She is survived by her parents; a sister, Josie Marie Schwartz of Chaffee, Mo.; maternal grandparents, David and Nancy Hester of Delta; paternal grandparents, Joseph and Yvonne Schwartz of Scott City; maternal great-grandparents, Lawrence and Betty Brucker of Delta; and paternal great-grandmother, Genevieve Schwartz of Kelso, Mo.. ...

Mahala Gilliam, 99, of Cape Girardeau, died Aug. 19, 2010, at the Life Care Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Sept. 1, 1910 at Marvell, Ark., to the late Bob Herbert and Mammie Kines. She was united in marriage to Son Smith, who preceded her in death. On March 29, 1939, she was united in marriage to Garland Gilliam, who also preceded her in death, in 1992...

Goldie Emily Pickett, 93, of Advance, Mo., was born May 5, 1917, near Greenbrier, Mo., the daughter of James and Nellie Umfleet Ladd, and passed away Aug. 21, 2010, at the Advance Nursing Center. Goldie was a homemaker. She was a charter member of Ladd Chapel Church...

Winifred "Winnie" Traw, 95, of Chaffee, Mo., passed away Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born June 4, 1915, to the late Emanuel and Leona Robinson Richardson in Corning, Ark. Winifred married Ross A. Traw on July 7, 1934, and he preceded her in death Nov. 27, 1973...

Jimmie Fischer, 74, of Washington, Mo., formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010, at Grandview Nursing Home in Washington. He was born Aug. 13, 1936, in Cape Girardeau, son of Raymond and Ellen Ward Fischer. Jimmie was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau. He was a cosmetologist and owned his own shop from 1959 to 1979. He was a member of the Cosmetologist Association...

Alpha C. "Pete" Plumb Hutson, 89, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2010, at the Lutheran Home. She was born July 23, 1921, in Allenville, to John Wesley and Dora Belle Gilder Surlet. She first married Burnett O. Plumb Sr., who preceded her in death Feb. 24, 1965...

Ronald "Dean" McCormick, 72, of Scott City died Friday, Aug. 20, 2010, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born May 25, 1938, at Illmo, to Forrest Columbus and Alma Idell O'Guin McCormick. McCormick was a truck driver 37 years, most recently employed by Jim Irwin Trucking of Cape Girardeau...

Cheryl Ann Emerson Young, 54, of Virginia Beach, Va., passed away Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2010, at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Va. She was born March 29, 1956, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of the late Raymond Emerson Jr., and Lucille Isaacs Emerson of Oran, Mo...

ANNA, Ill. -- Opal Casper, 98, of Anna, formerly of Dongola, Ill., died Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010, at Anna Rehabilitation and Care Center. The funeral was held Saturday at Crain Funeral Home in Anna, with the Rev. Randy Carstens officiating. Burial was in Friendship Cemetery...

The Rev. Lloyd Bollinger, 82, of Jackson, passed away Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home in Jackson. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jimmie Corbin officiating...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Joseph Edward "Red" Hayden, 98, of Perryville died Friday, Aug. 20, 2010, at Independence Care Center. He was born Oct. 27, 1911, in Perry County, son of Lon and Lunette Brewer Hayden. He and Helen L. Cissell were married Nov. 22, 1932, in Brewer, Mo. She preceded him in death April 8, 2002...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Letha M. Brewer, 82, of Perryville died Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010, at Independence Care Center in Perryville. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. Monday at Miller Family Funeral Home. The rosary will be recited at 9 a.m. Monday at the funeral home...

Wally Lage, 66, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010, at Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, Maine. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. David Hulshof officiating...

U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson of Cape Girardeau may face a challenge next year for the 8th District seat from former state treasurer Mel Carnahan of Rolla, Mo. The Cape Girardeau County Commission presents awards in appreciation of emergency services to Philip Leible for 20 years of service with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Charles Mills, for more than 36 years of service with the Cape Girardeau Fire Department, 11 of which he was chief...

A wild horse may take more work to train, but those who own them say the effort is worth it. Volunteers from around the region who have adopted wild horses, or mustangs, showed off their animals' abilities Saturday during an adoption event sponsored by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management at Flickerwood Arena in Jackson. "We want to show people these are usable animals," said Walt Gentry of Mount Vernon, Ill. "These horses will do anything you ask them to."

Route FF between Interstate 55 and County Road 439 in Cape Girardeau County will be closed Wednesday and Thursday while Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a pipe under the road. The work zone will be marked with signs.

Route W in Cape Girardeau County will be closed Thursday and Friday while MoDOT crews replace a pipe under the road. The closure will be north of County Road 618 and south of LaSalle Avenue beginning at 7 a.m. and ending at 7 p.m. In case of bad weather, reschedule dates will be shown on message boards at the intersections of LaSalle and Lexington avenues...

Route D in Cape Girardeau County will be closed from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday while crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation replace a pipe under the road. The first section of road is from County Road 432 to just south of County Road 440, and the second section is from 1,000 feet on both sides of County Road 444. The work zone will be marked with signs...

Jackson coach Van Hitt said his Indians played hard but made mental mistakes.

Pet name: Gewinnen Owners: Amy and David Callaway Favorite activity: Playing in the park. ...

NEW YORK -- Like millions of other parents this time of year, I'm about to embark on the annual scavenger hunt known as back-to-school shopping. I thought this dreadful ritual would get easier when my youngest son reached middle school, but in fact it merely multiplied from one nerve-racking list, to six -- along with the number of teachers he has...