Stories from Friday, January 21, 2011

St. Louis fell in a 3-0 hole before rallying to force overtime

Two Poplar Bluff, Mo., residents face up to 20 years in prison on felony charges involving identity theft in Cape Girardeau and Perry counties. William C. Taylor, and Danielle Lynn Luck, on Friday each pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to commit identity theft and one felony count of conspiracy to use a counterfeit debit card for acts that occurred between March 2009 and January of 2010, according to the federal prosecutor's office...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Two Republican leaders of the Missouri House of Representatives praised Gov. Jay Nixon's approach in Wednesday's State of the State message but warn there may be trouble ahead, especially for local schools, if some of Nixon's recommendations go into effect...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Natural gas customers of Ameren Missouri soon will see their rates go up. The monthly bill for a typical residential customer is projected to rise by about $3.30 under a plan approved by state regulators. The increase will take effect Feb. 1...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The first tuition increase in three years for Three Rivers Community College will be less than expected, but it's likely higher tuition will trickle down to students enrolled in the Cape Girardeau Partnership for Higher Education.

Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Scott City and Notre Dame Regional High School were among many area districts and schools that canceled Friday classes.

BONNE TERRE, Mo. -- A crash involving a passenger car and a tractor-trailer has left three people dead in Southeast Missouri. The accident happened about 1:30 p.m. Thursday on U.S. 67, a few miles north of Bonne Terre in St. Francois County. KMOV-TV reported the three people killed were all inside the full-size passenger car. Their names were being withheld while their families were notified...

Only about 3 inches of snow was dumped on Cape Girardeau on Thursday, but it was still more than enough to create headaches for motorists.

While Cape Girardeau County commissioners are keeping tight-lipped on courthouse plans, one commissioner says the topic is generating some interesting ideas from other public officials.

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- As part of their monthly National Guard training, Soldiers with the 1138th Engineer Company reviewed techniques and procedures for detecting and destroying obstacles. Obstacles can be anything from constantan wire, makeshift roadblocks and even improvised explosive devises, said Staff Sgt. Kevan Phillips, the unit's training noncommissioned officer...

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A freshman Missouri lawmaker from Jackson says her Facebook account was hacked, with someone posting an embarrassing status update on her page. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Facebook page for Republican Rep. Donna Lichtenegger displayed a message on Thursday naming gifts from lobbyists as one of the perks of her new job that she likes most...

Downy Woodpecker landed outside our window in a Japanese Maple tree waiting for his treat at the suet feeder.

With an eye on long-range planning, the Cape Girardeau County Commission on Thursday approved buying the property at 120 E. Washington St. in Jackson.

BENTON, Mo. -- Thanks to conservative spending by its elected officials and department heads, Scott County had some extra padding in its budget this year. "That allows us to have balances at the end of the year, which is what we live on [to make up for revenue shortfalls]," said Jamie Burger, presiding commissioner. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri is getting money to help small farmers become more energy-efficient. The state plans to offer low-interest loans and rebates to help farmers make their operations more energy efficient.

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Having a little less class can save money. Effective Jan. 1, New Madrid County will once again be a third-class county, like most counties across Missouri. As a third-class entity, New Madrid County no longer is required to have an auditor...

Every winter these geese make their home here at this pond in Perryville. It is somerhing to see!

My 12 year old Pom loves being out in the snow!

The Gilbert and Sullivan operetta "The Mikado" will keep audiences on their toes this weekend at the River Campus, according to the directors. Chris Goeke, chairman of the Department of Music and director of the orchestra, compared "The Mikado" to a musical comedy on Broadway. "It's really early music theater; it's very entertaining and not heavy at all," he said. "Even though we use the word 'operetta' to describe it, it's not serious like an opera."...

Enrollment continues to rise at Southeast Missouri State University.

Peter Olsen remembers feeling little panic nearly 10 years ago, the day a hijacked airplane crashed into his workplace -- the south tower of the World Trade Center complex.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A joint narcotics investigation led to the Tuesday arrest of a Bertrand, Mo., man suspected of trafficking large amounts of heroin into Southeast Missouri. Daniel Shemar Murray, 28, is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. One count is through Scott County with a bond of $100,000 cash only while the other is through Mississippi County and the bond is $75,000 cash only...

MercyMe, born of a worship band, has had plenty of success since debuting in 2001. It has received awards from Billboard and GMA Dove, and has been nominated for a Grammy. Last year, its song "All of Creation" was named iTunes Christian Song of the Year as well as Billboard's Christian Song of the Year...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Pretenders and Faith Hill are teaming up for live episode of "CMT Crossroads." The show will take place during the NFL Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam on Feb. 5 from Grand Prairie, Texas, the night before the Super Bowl. This will be just the second live "CMT Crossroads."...

NEW YORK -- Tuesday's "Live! With Regis and Kelly" had started typically enough, with the co-hosts batting the breeze about the Golden Globes broadcast, postseason football and the icy weather outside. Guests included Angie Dickinson and Steven Tyler, there to plug his new role as a judge on "American Idol."...

A recently formed poetry writers group at the Cape Girardeau Public Library is giving local poets a new venue to share their work and help one another improve their writing. Jerry Swan, the group's organizer, said he thinks of the group as a way to bring people who write poetry at home out to a public forum, allowing them to share and develop their skills, as well as allowing an awareness of poets in Cape Girardeau...

Arts and entertainment briefs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Cellist Yo-Yo Ma is among the big names set to perform at the Kansas City Symphony in its first season at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The Kansas City Star reported that other marquee names for the 2011-2012 season are pianist Emanuel Ax, violinist Joshua Bell, Kansas City-born opera superstar Joyce DiDonato and guest conductor Christoph von Dohnanyi...

Union Pacific Railroad's "Great Excursion Adventure -- You Route the Steam" online contest wrapped up this week, and a route that includes Cape Girardeau was chosen by voters. The route, titled The Little Rock Express, will begin in Kansas City, Mo. and travel through Boonville, Jefferson City, Charnois, St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, Dexter and Poplar Bluff on its way to Little Rock, Ark...

LOOKS like the liberal left has finally gotten to the place that they no longer feel they can blame George Bush for the world's problems. They have a new outlet for their political gain, Sarah Palin. Somehow, some way she has to be to blame for a lot of things going on in the world. Way to go, Sarah. Surely you are rocking the liberal boat, or they would not be attacking you so much...

As a history professor with a special interest in the Vietnam era, I have a project that might be of interest to Southeast Missourian readers. I am researching and writing a book on the 1960s, as seen through the eyes of American children. For many Americans like myself who were born between 1956 and 1970, the "'60s experience" was a fundamental part of our childhood and remains central in our lives today...

On an a cold, wet, gray morning this week, Miss Kitty is curled into a tight ball -- about the size of a basketball -- in her wicker chair in the family room, the wicker chair with the soft cushion and a towel neatly arranged to collect whatever Miss Kitty sees fit to remove from her fur during the course of a day...

O Lord Jesus, thank you for the blessed assurance of your salvation. Amen.

Virginia L. Stewart, 90, passed away peacefully at her home Monday, Dec. 27, 2010, with family at her side. Virginia was born Nov. 8, 1920, in Cape Girardeau, to Leon and Vene Garrfield Stone Haman. She graduated from high school in Cape Girardeau and obtained her teaching degree from the Southeast Missouri State Teachers College...

Geneva E. Sitze, 92, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, at her home. She was born Feb. 4, 1918, in Oriole to John Marvin and Saddie Frances Wilhite McLain. She and Paul Franklin Sitze were married Sept. 1, 1937, at Cape Girardeau. She was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church and its Ladies Fellowship in Cape Girardeau. ...

Alta Emma Proffer, 102, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, at Saint Francis Medical Center. Alta was born March 26, 1908, on a farm near Oak Ridge. Her parents were Charles Ludwig and Josephine Dambach Ludwig. She was one of 10 children, with four brothers and five sisters. ...

There were numerous local winners in the Missouri Lottery's Jackpot 86 game yesterday, the first day of lottery ticket sales, not the least of which were merchants who sold the tickets; initial estimates indicate that somewhere between 30,000 and 40,000 lottery tickets were bought Monday in Cape Girardeau and the immediate area...

Son to Gary A. and Cyndy C. Wrigley of Imperial, Mo., Missouri Baptist Medical Center, 5:31 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010. Name, Dane William. Weight, 8 pounds, 15 ounces. Second child. Mrs. Wrigley is the former Cyndy Wiles, daughter of Charles and Judy Wiles of Cape Girardeau, and Ryland "Dutch" Meyr and the late Sharon Meyr of Jackson. ...

Mae Ervin, 79, of Midland, Texas, passed away Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. She was born Oct. 15, 1931. She and Harold Ervin, formerly of Old Appleton, were married June 2, 1949. Survivors include her husband of Midland; a daughter, Debbie Ervin Longo of Midland; two sons, Harold "Butch" Ervin (Toby) of Tishamingo, Okla., Duane Ervin of Midland; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Agnes Wachter of Old Appleton...

The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrest Firefighters responded to the following calls Monday:...

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Former president George H.W. Bush and top officials from his administration are remembering the Gulf War as a time in history when the world stood united against a tyrant as well as a "textbook example" of how to go to battle...

LONDON -- What happens in the palace stays in the palace. A new British law that took effect Wednesday makes Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Prince William exempt from freedom of information laws, meaning many private details of their lives won't be made public for decades...

SEOUL, South Korea -- South Korea said Thursday it accepted a North Korean proposal to hold high-level defense talks a day after the leaders of the U.S. and China called for better communication between the two Koreas. The talks could prove significant if Seoul and Pyongyang can put aside military and political tensions that soared to their worst level in years in 2010 and lay the groundwork for a resumption of long-stalled international negotiations on ending North Korea's nuclear programs. ...

NAIROBI, Kenya -- Erik Prince, whose former company, Blackwater Worldwide, became synonymous with the use of private U.S. security forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, has quietly taken on a new role in helping to train troops in lawless Somalia. Prince is involved in a multimillion-dollar program financed by several Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates, to mobilize some 2,000 Somali recruits to fight pirates who are terrorizing the African coast, according to a person familiar with the project and an intelligence report seen by The Associated Press.. ...

MELBOURNE, Australia -- A surging river Thursday flooded and isolated the latest community hit in Australia's deadly flood disaster, straining a levee serving as the main protection between the muddy waters and residents' homes. The flooding in Kerang, in the southeast state of Victoria, follows weeks of massive flooding in northeastern Queensland that the government says could be the nation's most expensive natural disaster ever. ...

WASHINGTON -- Chinese President Hu Jintao sought to assure U.S. business leaders Thursday that his country is an economic partner and not a military threat to America or anyone else. But he rejected foreign interference on issues such as Tibet and Taiwan...

WASHINGTON -- NASA doesn't know yet where it will get the money, but Thursday the space agency officially added another space shuttle launch to its schedule -- the final one for the fleet. The space agency set a target launch date of June 28 for shuttle Atlantis and started preparations for the 135th and last shuttle flight. The crew will take supplies to the International Space Station, make one spacewalk and return a faulty pump...

WASHINGTON -- The number of people who bought previously owned homes last year fell to the lowest level in 13 years, and economists say it will be years before the housing market fully recovers. High unemployment and a record number of foreclosures are deterring potential buyers who fear home prices haven't reached the bottom. Job growth is expected to pick up this year, but not enough to raise home sales to healthier levels...

WASHINGTON -- Fifty years ago Thursday, President John F. Kennedy told the world "the torch had been passed to a new generation of Americans" whom he challenged to "ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country."...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A year and a half after enacting a law to prohibit teens and young adults from texting while driving, the state legislature is considering expanding the law to drivers of all ages. A pair of bills introduced in the House and the Senate would seek to remove the age restriction in the law, which currently applies only to drivers younger than 21. Supporters argue that drivers who text are a danger on the road at all ages...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Dexter mother charged with neglecting her infant daughter entered a guilty plea in court Wednesday afternoon. Amanda Knight Garrett, 20 of Dexter, pleaded guilty to felony endangering the welfare of the child. Stoddard Prosecuting Attorney Russell Oliver said Wednesday that no deal was made in regard to sentence and she will have a sentencing hearing on Feb. 16...

DEXTER, Mo. -- A Dexter man lost his life in a one-vehicle accident at the U.S. 60 and Highway 25 overpass Wednesday. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 62-year-old Billy H. Gromer died at the scene after his 1991 Ford Ranger ran off the roadway and overturned several times. The vehicle had reportedly been eastbound on U.S. 60 and approached Highway 25 by exiting at the overpass ramp but failed to negotiate a turn onto Highway 25...

Firefighters responded to the following calls Wednesday:...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Summons...

The Southeast Missouri State softball team has been picked to finish eighth in the Ohio Valley Conference. Defending OVC tournament champion Jacksonville State is the favorite to win the 11-team league, according to the preseason poll released Thursday. Voting was done by the OVC coaches...

Southeast prepares to open its fifth season under coach Mark Elliott

The Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team saw Tennessee-Martin take control early in the second half Thursday night. Southeast never recovered and suffered a 79-69 loss in Martin, Tenn. The Redhawks, losers of three straight games, fell to 5-14 overall and 4-5 in Ohio Valley Conference play. They fell to eighth place in the 10-team league...

The former Broncos coach wanted a quick return to the NFL after getting fired with four games left in the season

TUNIS, Tunisia -- Tunisia's fragile new government sought Thursday to calm compatriots seething at the party that reigned supreme for 23 years and to reunite a country scarred by deadly riots. The army fired warning shots to calm a noisy but peaceful protest in front of the long-ruling RCD party's headquarters, where demonstrators took down a huge sign and demanded that the government -- dominated by members of the old guard -- be dismantled, too...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A woman whose natural voice could have been silenced forever because of vocal cord damage is able to talk again after undergoing a rare voice box transplant. Brenda Charett Jensen, 52, reunited Thursday with the team of surgeons who performed the delicate operation last October, only the second surgery of its kind performed in the United States...

Route U in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane from Route MM to one mile west of Route MM while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform ditching. Weather permitting, the work will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling near the area. For more information, contact the MoDOT's Customer Service Center at 888-275-6636...

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Gabrielle Giffords on Thursday felt the sunshine on her face for the first time since she was shot, as doctors prepared her to leave behind the Arizona hospital where she dazzled them with her rapid recovery. Her next stop will be a Houston rehab center, where she will face an even more arduous task: Getting life back to normal...

taken in crump, missouri

Pup loves playing in the snow.

Bailey & Lain Rees riding in a intertube behind Paw Paw Craig's 4-wheeler Thursday afternoon.

NEW YORK -- Federal authorities orchestrated one of the biggest Mafia takedowns in FBI history Thursday, charging 127 suspected mobsters and associates in the Northeast with murders, extortion and other crimes spanning decades. Past investigations have resulted in strategic strikes aimed at crippling individual crime families. ...

In a blast from the past, Thorlock will perform at Pitter's Cafe and Lounge today. The metal/rock group is returning to play in Cape Girardeau before heading to St. Louis to play Saturday night at Lemp Brewery. Tonight's show will be the unveiling of Thorlock's new 7-inch, Crumbling Fortress. Popular punk rockers Guy Morgan and the FT Crew will open up the show. The show costs $5; it starts at 8 p.m...

Mark Sparks loves the flute sound and the poetic meaning to many pieces of music. He picked up the flute at age 8 and is now the solo flutist for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. He released his second solo CD, "fantasie," in 2010 and will entertain an intimate audience at the next Sundays at 3 concert. Sparks said he likes artists, yoga and Radiohead...

A vibrant old friend is coming to town in May. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra released dates to its fan club for an American tour this spring. The organization is currently playing in Europe. While the date hasn't been announced to the public, TSO tells its fan club members that May 12 will be the Cape Girardeau date...