Stories from Sunday, March 31, 2013

ST. LOUIS -- A credit card fraud problem at Schnucks supermarkets has been traced to a "cyberattack," and the chain has taken steps to block unauthorized access in the future, the company announced Saturday. Schnuck Markets Inc., based in the St. Louis suburb of Maryland Heights, in a news release said a computer forensic firm it hired discovered a computer ..

A Buffalo, N.Y., food company with products sold at Wal-Mart stores in Missouri is recalling 196,222 pounds of frozen food because of possible E. coli contamination reported in 15 states. ...

VICKSBURG, Miss. -- The Mississippi River Commission will begin its annual high-water inspection trip at 9 a.m. April 8 in Cape Girardeau. Topics are water resources infrastructure needs in the river valley, including flood control and the Mississippi River and Tributaries project, environmental issues, recreation and navigation. ...

Gov. Jay Nixon was in Cape Girardeau on Friday to sign legislation that authorizes tax breaks for some charitable donations. The signing of Senate Bill 20, held at the Southeast Missouri Food Bank on Nash Road, will reinstate tax credits for donations to food pantries, child-advocacy centers and pregnancy-resource centers.

The U. S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday released its 2013 crop planting prediction report, which showed Missouri farmers statewide were planning to plant less corn and cotton and more wheat and sorghum. Farmers in Southeast Missouri said their planting plans could change, depending on their interpretations of the market and weather....

A promising start for the Central baseball team Saturday quickly went to pot Make that Potts. Dexter's Brad Potts settled down after a shaky first inning, blanking the Tigers the rest of the way as the Bearcats prevailed 4-1. "He threw the ball real well," said Central coach Steve Williams after the Tigers dropped to 4-6 on the season. "We helped him out a little bit. We had chances in the first inning to get more runs than that."

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team finally posted its coveted first Ohio Valley Conference series sweep of the season. It did not come without adversity, which the Redhawks should be used to by now. Southeast lost starting pitcher Zack Smith to injury in the third inning Saturday afternoon against visiting Tennessee-Martin...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Despite criticism from the target of the investigation, Perryville's mayor said on Friday the city "absolutely" has confidence in the results of a probe into allegations of misconduct by the city's former police chief. "We stand behind the investigation 100 percent," Mayor Debbie Gahan said...

An array of issues and races awaits voters at the polls in Tuesday's municipal elections. Voters in Cape Girardeau will decide whether to repeal an ordinance that would allow bow hunting for deer within city limits, and they will determine which of three candidates take two seats on the Cape Girardeau School Board. In Jackson, five candidates are vying for two school board seats...

The Southeast Missouri State softball team had a rough weekend during its first Ohio Valley Conference home series of the season. SIU Edwardsville swept the three-game set in blowout fashion, romping 13-0 and 11-1 in Friday's doubleheader before rolling 9-1 Saturday...

Today is Easter Sunday, March 31, the 90th day of 2013. There are 275 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On March 31, 1943, "Oklahoma!," the first musical play by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, opened on Broadway...

King is a 1.5-year-old male lab mix. He is very sweet and loves attention. For more information, call the Humane Society 334-5837. ...

A former Southeast Missouri State University art professor has turned to a new passion: crossbreeding sheep. More specifically, Painted Desert sheep. Edwin Smith, born and raised on his family's farm, is the owner of Amity Hills Farm in Cape Girardeau. There, he crossbreeds five varieties of hair sheep, which are considered a "meat sheep" and do not require shearing, to get multicolored Painted Desert lambs...

Andrea Kathleen Wilson and Stuart Andrew Greaser were married Dec. 29, 2012, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau. The Rev. Barry L. Pfanstiel performed the ceremony. Organist was Patty Beard of Cape Girardeau, and vocalist was Jill Chrusciel of Jackson...

Amber Nicole Schlosser and Nicholas Gerard Burger were married Oct. 20, 2012, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso, Mo. The Rev. Oliver Clavin performed the ceremony. Organist was Betty Ressel of Kelso, and vocalists were Christy Hency of Oran, Mo., and James Simmons of Benton, Mo...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Ashley Marie Siebert and Adam Harold Horrell were married June 30, 2012, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church. The Rev. Randy Tochtrop performed the ceremony. Reader was Mary Boner of Oran, Mo., aunt of the groom. Mass servers were Tommy Horrell, nephew of the groom, and Brooke Horrell, cousin of the groom. Organist was Bernice Kern and vocalist was Mary Glastetter, both of New Hamburg, Mo...

NO PHOTO Susan Stein and Don Beard announce their engagement. She is the daughter of the late Oscar Stein and LaVerne Stein. He is the son of Ella Beard and the late Kenneth Beard. Stein received a master's degree in public administration from Southeast Missouri State University. She is an eligibility specialist with state of Missouri...

Rhonda Randen of Bloomfield, Mo., and Jeff Hatton of Delta announce the engagement of their daughter, Casey Lynn Hatton, to Justin William Quade, both of Moscow Mills, Mo. He is the son of John and Ann Quade of Jackson. Hatton is a 2008 graduate of Jackson High School. She received a degree in secondary education with emphasis on social studies from Southeast Missouri State University in 2012. She is a substitute teacher with Wentzville School District...

Mark Foeste of Cape Girardeau and Julie Platz of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Ashley Foeste, to Garrett Sparkman. He is the son of Greg and Lisa Sparkman of Gordonville. Foeste is a 2005 graduate of Jackson High School. She expects to receive a degree in diagnostic medical sonography from Sanford-Brown College in Fenton, Mo., in 2014. She is an independent fashion consultant with Vault Denim...

Mark and Kimberly Hanners of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Jessica Lynn Yarbro, to Jordan Keller Cracraft. He is the son of Kevin and Rita Cracraft of Cape Girardeau. Yarbro is a 2005 graduate of Central High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in health management with a minor in nutrition from Southeast Missouri State University in 2010. ...

DEXTER, Mo. -- Cathy Christian and Dennis and Traci Christian of Dexter announce the engagement of their daughter, Tory Lee Christian, to Drew William Sherman. He is the son of Matt and Connie Sherman of Advance, Mo. Christian is a 2005 graduate of Dexter High School. ...

Bob and Alene Matthews of Cape Girardeau celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary Wednesday. They were married March 27, 1948, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Bloomfield, Mo. The couple has two children, Dr. Judith M. Gallagher and Robert L. Matthews. They have two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren...

Spring officially began March 20th. The following morning, light snow was falling in Southeast Missouri. Temperatures hovered near freezing and snow that collected only on grass and weeds was melting quickly. As I searched the forest floor for a photo opportunity, I noticed several small spider webs had collected snowflakes in them. ...

SoutheastHEALTH will host a free presentation, "Taking Control of Diabetes," by Jim Murphy at 1 p.m. April 9 at HealthPoint Fitness Center in Cape Girardeau. Murphy is a diabetes patient and will educate participants on ways to control their blood sugar. He will explain how to achieve good glucose control and how to develop a balanced, healthy lifestyle. For more information, call 339-0121...

There are gifts, and then there are gifts. On this Easter Sunday, I relate a quite unexpected bestowal made to this author. A few weeks ago, a colleague and I were in a business meeting with Cape Girardeau businessman Jim Riley. At one point in the meeting, Jim -- an energetic and enthusiastic person, reaches over and pulls from a shelf a reproduction of a painting. He hands it to me, saying, "It's yours. Take it."...

I've stopped asking God to take uncomfortable circumstances away from me. My prayer used to be that he would take away my fear, worry or whatever else I didn't want to be a part of my life so that I wouldn't be bothered by it any longer. I've realized that asking God to transform my struggles into whatever he wants them to be is infinitely more powerful than merely asking him to take "bad" feelings and circumstances away from me...

When a group from LaCroix Church went to Haiti on a mission trip in March 2011, they began a relationship with Barry and Becca McDonald, which led to a ministry opportunity for impoverished people in the country. The McDonalds recently came to Cape Girardeau to share their vision for HeartLine Ministries' work with maternal health care in Haiti and the Library for All...

I am thinking spring. Of course, I have been thinking that thought for a month now, but Mother Nature has had other ideas. Hopefully by the time this column publishes, she will have changed her mind and started warming up our spring. Gardeners have been quizzing me about how this cold "spring" will affect what has already been planted, and how will it affect the normal progression of events for the remainder of the spring, so here is my take on what will be the effects of our recent weather on normal spring activities.. ...

I have been asked several times this week about the resurrection cookie recipe, and wish I would have shared it with you last week. But maybe you can clip it out of this paper and plan to make it tonight, and then again next year. These two recipes were always a tradition as our children were growing up and they loved making them. The best thing is, while they are learning kitchen skills, they are also learning about the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ...

Happy Feet is a beautiful young Tabby kitty. When she was found, she was so excited her little feet were making bread [kneading]. Happy Feet would make an excellent companion! For more information, call Safe Harbor at 243-9823. ...

Pet Name: Milo Owner: David and Holly LaRose Favorite activity: Lounging on the couch and watching T.V. like a human. ...

Court Appointed Special Advocates, CASA, added two new volunteers. Tammy Johnston of Whitewater, and Pat Kaempfer of Cape Girardeau were sworn in by Judge Scott Lipke. Volunteers are screened, trained, sworn in and serve as voices for children in foster care who are victims of child abuse or neglect. ...

Chateau Girardeau employees raised $1,557 for Saint Francis Medical Center's Dig for Life. Dig for Life provides women with mammography screenings who are unable to afford them. Chateau staff raised money through bake sales and T-shirt sales and paid dress-down days. Presenting are Casey Crowell, Becky Poteete, Gayle Gorham, Tammy Washam and Cheryl Klueppel. For more information, go online to www.digforlife.com...

Five area girls high school swim teams raised $1,490 for Saint Francis Medical Center's Dig for Life program. Dig for Life provides free mammography screenings for women unable to afford them. Students from Cape Central High School, Jackson High School, Poplar Bluff High School, Saxony Lutheran High School and St. ...

James and Barbara Reitzel won $5,000 worth of grants from America's Farmers Grow Communities to donate to Delta FFA and Sports Booster Club. The money will be used for computers, student resources, sports uniforms and more. Grow Communities is supported by Monsanto Fund...

MONDAY--No classes. TUESDAY--Hamburger or cheeseburger, oven fries or cherry tomatoes or baby carrots, cinnamon applesauce. WEDNESDAY--Beef steak with or without gravy, whipped potatoes or cherry tomatoes or baby carrots. THURSDAY--Chili cheese nachos, corn-on-cob or cherry tomatoes or baby carrots, pineapple...

4th grade: Cecilia Aceves, Brendan Beasley, Nathan Boerboom, Chayton Borders, Calvin Brunkhorst, Nathan Caldwell, Lorelai Clubb, Elizabeth Clubb, Mallory Cook, Megan Davis, Sarah McKinley Davis, Evie Frazier, Marcus Gibson, Drake Henderson, Nicolas Hillman, Rachel Keele, Tanner King, Rian King, Paul Kitchen, Natalie Le, Toby Lin, Bronson Lively, Jack Maxton, Emma McDougal, Sonya Otero, Sammy Reazer, Peyton Redinger, Poulomi Rudrappa, Tori Scott, Delaney Shaffer, Kareem Shaheen, Adam Smith, Samuel Smith, Yuktee Srikant, Hope Stafford, Sandreya Straughter, Adrienne Vincent, Connor Wallace, Tamekas Whitney, Olivia Wilke, McKensi Williams, Brooke Witvoet.. ...

Chris and Chris Bess of Millersville announce the engagement of their daughter, Ashley Anne-Marie Bess, to Holt Allen Walker. He is the son of Allan and Sharon Mansell and Gary and Crystal Walker of Jackson. Bess is a 2010 graduate of Jackson High School. She expects to receive a bachelor of science degree in psychology from Southeast Missouri State University in December. She is employed at Pizza Inn...

The John Guild Chapter, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution accepted a challenge from State DAR Trails chairman, Lemira Parks to locate the 33 markers on the Booneslick Trail. The markers were placed there by the DAR 100 years ago in 1913...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- The Mississippi County Detention Center's ICE revenue has been melting away, but it now has something else arranged to keep those beds from getting cold. Mississippi County Sheriff Keith Moore advised Mississippi County commissioners during their regular weekly meeting Thursday that the Sikeston Department of Public Safety is ready to start boarding prisoners at Mississippi County's jail...

By Erin Anthony Three years ago this month President Barack Obama signed into law a sweeping overhaul of our nation's health-care system. More than 1,000 days later, farmers, ranchers and other families and small business owners are still waiting for the "care" and "affordability" that the name of the law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, implies...

A miraculous event 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem changed the world. On this Easter morning, the story is presented again from the Holy Bible (the Gospel according to St. Matthew, Chapter 28):In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. ...

Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Air Force says it cost $2.1 million to send two nuclear-capable B-2 bombers on a training exercise over South Korea that was widely viewed as a show of force in response to weeks of threats from North Korea...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri lawmakers have approved additional spending authority for the current fiscal year, including a $14 million increase for a fund that reimburses schools for the cost of educating children with special needs. The High Needs fund reimburses school districts for expenses related to special needs students who cost more than three times the amount of a typical student. ...

Southeast Missourian ~ Dr. Michael Aide, chair of the Department of Agriculture at Southeast Missouri State University, will present a program, "21st Century Agriculture in Southeast Missouri," at the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee...

Martha Pickett Payne, 92, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, March 29, 2013, at Life Care Center of Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the chapel, with the Rev. Donny Ford officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Linda Susan Lewis, 64, of Barnhart, Mo., passed away Thursday, March 28, 2013, at Festus Manor in Festus, Mo. She was born March 9, 1949, in St. Louis, to Melvin E. and Virginia M. Duncan Lewis. Linda was a medical secretary at Mount Saint Rose Hospital in St. Louis before becoming disabled. She was an avid reader having read thousands of books. She loved to be around her family and had a special relationship with her grandmother, Alice...

Billy Lee Estes, 78, of Jackson passed away Friday, March 29, 2013, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born April 7, 1934, in Jackson, son of Owen M. and Ruby M. Mason Estes. Billy served more than 20 years in the U.S. Navy, primarily working in aviation mechanics. ...

BENTON, Mo. -- Ron Baldwin, 67, of Benton died Thursday, March 28, 2013, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born March 23, 1946, in Charter Oak, Mo., son of the late Arzie and Bertie Barnett Baldwin. He was a self-employed foreign-car mechanic. He attended Wesley United Methodist Church and was a member of the Sikeston, Mo. Elks Lodge, the American Legion and the Sikeston Eagles...

Blue Daughter to Barry Clayton and Mandee Lee Blue of Scott City, Saint Francis Medical Center, 3:46 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2013. Name, Emmie Jo. Weight, 6 pounds, 14 ounces. Sixth daughter. Mrs. Blue is the former Mandee Perry, daughter of Arnold and Louise Byam of Franklin, Vt. She is a registered nurse at Saint Francis. Blue is the son of Jim Blue of Randles, Mo., and the late Joyce Blue. He is systems administrator at Manac Trailers...

ST. CLAIR, Mo. -- A fat cat from Missouri whose owner turned him over to a shelter now is living at a sanctuary for hard-to-place animals. Biscuit weighed 37 pounds when he was taken to the St. Charles, Mo., shelter in suburban St. Louis. Media reports of his weight and homelessness prompted an outpouring of sympathy -- more than 110 people offered to adopt him. He was placed with Ed and Lisa Pyatt of St. Louis suburb Eureka, Mo...

LAS VEGAS -- Police chased a former lawmaker on a freeway between Las Vegas and Los Angeles and arrested him at gunpoint following a struggle, hours after he became the first person ever expelled from the Nevada Legislature. Steven Brooks was jailed in California's San Bernardino County after being subdued with punches and a Taser. Police alleged he attacked a police dog with a wrench...

ATLANTA -- Juwanna Guffie sat in her fifth-grade classroom taking a standardized test when, authorities say, her teacher offered information and asked the students to rewrite their answers. Guffie rejected the help. On Friday, Guffie -- now 14 -- watched as Fulton County prosecutors announced that a grand jury had indicted the Atlanta Public Schools' ex-superintendent and nearly three dozen former administrators, teachers, principals and other educators on charges arising from a standardized-test cheating scandal that rocked the system.. ...

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis celebrated a trimmed back Easter Vigil service Saturday after having reached out to Muslims and women during a Holy Week in which he began to put his mark on the Catholic Church. Francis processed into a darkened and silent St. Peter's Basilica at the start of the service, in which the faithful recall the period between Christ's crucifixion on Good Friday and resurrection on Easter Sunday...

Nolan Fisher collected his first collegiate hit less than two weeks ago during the first start of his Southeast Missouri State baseball career. The sophomore reached an even more notable career milestone Friday night. Fisher's first collegiate home run, a solo shot leading off the fourth inning, broke a tie and sparked a six-run frame as the host Redhawks beat Tennessee-Martin 9-6 in the middle contest of a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series.

The Jackson girls soccer team remained undefeated Saturday, beating Francis Howell 2-0 at the Parkway Showcase in suburban St. Louis. Rachel Crites scored both goals for the Indians, who improved to 8-0. Aly Baker recorded an assist while Sarah Blanton posted the shutout in the nets...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Charges were filed Wednesday against two Bollinger County men authorities say were involved in a Tuesday night shooting. Robert Edward Morgan, 58, was charged with armed criminal action and first-degree assault in connection with the shooting of Nichole Morgan, 31. His son, Robert Keller Morgan, 24 -- the husband of Nichole Morgan -- was charged with second-degree domestic assault....

401 Independence St. Study session, 5 p.m. Monday No action will be taken during the study session. Items for discussion Closed session Items for discussion Regular session, 7 p.m., Monday Presentations Communications/reports Public hearings Appearances...

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A Confederate battle flag hung inside the old North Carolina State Capitol last week to mark the sesquicentennial of the Civil War is being taken down after civil rights leaders raised concerns. The decision was announced Friday evening, hours after The Associated Press published a story about the flag, which officials said was part of a historical display intended to replicate how the antebellum building appeared in 1863. ...

The last U.S. combat troops left Vietnam 40 years ago Friday, and the date holds great meaning for many who fought the war, protested it or otherwise lived it. While the fall of Saigon two years later is remembered as the final day of the Vietnam War, many had already seen their involvement in the war finished -- and their lives altered -- by March 29, 1973...

NEW YORK -- Marilyn Monroe's letter of despair to mentor Lee Strasberg and Dwight D. Eisenhower's heartfelt missives to his wife during World War II are among hundreds of historical documents being offered in an online auction. Monroe's handwritten, undated letter to the famed acting teacher is expected to fetch $30,000 to $50,000 in the May 30 sale...

Aides, friends and colleagues are expressing surprise over Rep. Bill Emerson's admission to a drinking problem, but support for his respnse; Emerson has admitted himself to the Betty Ford Clinic in California for treatment of alcohol abuse. The Cape girarddeau County Commission appoints Walter K. ...