Stories from Wednesday, September 4, 2013

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The man serving a life prison term for kidnapping three women and repeatedly raping them in his home for nearly a decade has been found dead and is believed to have committed suicide, a prison official said. Ariel Castro, 53, was found hanging in his cell around 9:20 p.m. Tuesday at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient, located south of Columbus in central Ohio, JoEllen Smith, Department of Rehabilitation and Correction spokeswoman, said early Wednesday...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- In an impassioned appeal for support both at home and abroad, President Barack Obama said Wednesday the credibility of the international community and Congress is on the line in the debate over how to respond to the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria. As Obama made his case overseas during a visit to Sweden, his appeal for military intervention ran into trouble on Capitol Hill...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The No. 1 question about President Barack Obama's health care law is whether consumers will be able to afford the coverage. Now the answer is coming in. The biggest study yet of premiums posted by states finds that the sticker price for a 21-year-old buying a mid-range policy will average about $270 a month. That's before government tax credits that act like a discount for most people, bringing down the cost based on their income...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Senate panel has voted to give President Barack Obama the authority to use military force against Syria in response to a deadly chemical weapons attack. The vote Wednesday was 10-7, with one senator voting present. The full Senate is expected to vote on the measure next week...

AffordableCollegesOnline.org has named Southeast Missouri State University to a new list of the nation's Top 30 Online MBA Programs. Only 30 of nearly 8,000 online MBA programs considered were recognized. Southeast is ranked 26th on the list of 30 online MBA programs nationally that stand out for academic excellence, student engagement, selectivity and strength of faculty. Accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business was required for inclusion on the list...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster raised concerns Tuesday about a bill attempting to nullify some federal gun-control laws, urging lawmakers to think twice before voting to override a gubernatorial veto of the measure...

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama gained ground Tuesday in his drive for congressional backing of a military strike against Syria, winning critical support from House Speaker John Boehner while administration officials agreed to explicitly rule out the use of U.S. combat troops in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack...

A Cape Girardeau man was arrested during the weekend on two charges of first-degree statutory sodomy. Charles W. Barham, 29, waived formal arraignment and was found to qualify for a public defender Tuesday. About 9 a.m. Saturday, officers went to a Cape Girardeau residence in response to a report of sexual assault, said Darin Hickey, public information officer for the Cape Girardeau Police Department...

The issue of traffic flow near the planned elementary school on Lacey Street in Jackson was an item of conversation during Tuesday's meeting of the Jackson Board of Aldermen. The discussion stemmed from the traffic-study review for the school, which was prepared by Bernardin, Lochmueller and Associates Inc. of St. Louis. Alderwoman Wanda Young questioned why the study was confined to an area adjacent the school, specifically Lacey and East Main streets and Lacey Street and East Ridge Road...

The Bulldogs won 11 of the 12 events in the season-opening meet

Unless Congress decides otherwise, Jackson no longer will qualify for Rural Development programs on Oct. 1, putting a strain on first-time homebuyers, housing developers and perhaps the city's growth. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Jackson exceeded the population limit set by the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development programs, which calculate population using a variety of factors, not just the number of people living within the city limits...

Southeast Missouri's congressional representative on Tuesday expressed concerns about a possible U.S. military strike on Syria. "In the Constitution, our Founding Fathers gave Congress the authority to authorize military action," U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, R-Salem, said in a statement. "Congress should use that authority to determine the best course of action in dealing with Syria...

This is at Alley Springs MO

Such a pretty scene after topping a hill in the country one evening. The barn and the pampas grass just set the sunset scene off!

Took this pic early one morning at a farm located in Cape Girardeau County. It was so pretty once the sun rays started shining through the tree.

Shawnee Presents, "Build Your Own Business Training" Are you ready to be part of an elite group of entrepreneurs who are realizing their dreams of small business ownership? Do you want to jump start an idea or give your current business that needed boost? If so, you cannot afford to miss this training opportunity coming to a town near you...

The Junior Achievement of Southeast MO has received a grant check in the amount of $2495 from Ronald McDonald House Charities to support their classroom programs. The classroom cirriculum teaches economic and personal finance concepts and skills to students K-12...

Area school officials are simulteanously delighted and disappointed with results from the fifth incarnation of the Missouri School Improvement Program. But everyone plans to use the data as a way to improve their districts. Eleven districts were accredited and 10 were accredited with distinction in the Southeast Missourian's coverage area. ...

The Jackson R2 Elementary Schools have received a grant in the amount of $2495 from the Ronald McDonald House Charities to purchase iPads for the kindergarten and first grade reading program. The iPads will provide one-on-one reading curriculum and help students develop strong reading skills...

For motorists making their way through the maze of orange cones around the construction of a roundabout on Lexington Avenue, Friday the 13th may actually be a highly anticpated day. According to Missouri Department of Transportation resident engineer Brian Holt, Sept. 13 is the estimated completion date for the multilane roundabout, at the Route W/Lexington/Kingsway Drive intersection...

ST. LOUIS -- It's time to unwrap quarterback Sam Bradford's new toys in a game that matters. The St. Louis Rams expect to have a much more dangerous offense given Bradford's familiarity with the system in Year 2 with coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Plus, they've got Tavon Austin, Jared Cook and Jake Long now...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- After cutting a 51-yard path through Murray State's defense, Russell Hansbrough wanted to play it cool. He exchanged a few hugs with teammates in the end zone, then jogged back to the sideline to receive some more. He had scored only his second career touchdown, but there was no need for theatrics -- his first score came just three minutes earlier...

STEELVILLE, Mo. -- James Crocker had grown weary of the partying canoeists and rafters who encroached on his neatly kept property along Missouri's Meramec River. When he caught a man about to relieve himself on a gravel bar by his yard in July, a nasty confrontation ensued that ended with one person dead and Crocker accused of killing him...

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Rams have waived outside linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar rather than wait for the second-leading tackler from last season to serve a four-game suspension to open the season. But coach Jeff Fisher said after practice Wednesday that there's always a chance the Rams could re-sign Dunbar...

CINCINNATI -- Cardinals first baseman Allen Craig sprained his left foot while rounding first base and left the game in the fourth inning on Wednesday night. Craig hit a grounder to Reds first baseman Joey Votto, who threw too high to pitcher Bronson Arroyo covering the base. Craig twisted his foot and ankle while rounding the base and fell hard, allowing the Reds to retrieve the ball and tag him out while he was still down...

Today is Wednesday, Sept. 4, the 247th day of 2013. There are 118 days left in the year. Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, begins at sunset. Today's Highlight in History: On September 4, 1888, George Eastman received a patent for his roll-film box camera, and registered his trademark: "Kodak."...

There's no shortage of cheering at sporting events. When our favorite athlete or team excels, we celebrate -- and with good reason. It's just as important, however, to celebrate the good things athletes do off the playing field. The Southeast Missouri State women's gymnastics team has reason to be excited. ...

According to reports, quite a few of our educators are lobbying legislators to prevent the override of Gov. Nixon's veto of the state tax cut (HB 253). The legislation (painfully) slowly implements a small income tax cut among other tax changes. The only way the tax cuts go into effect is if the prior year tax revenue received by the state goes up by $100 million (over the prior three years)...

As America faces the prospect of warring in Syria, we need to first ask "What's in it for us?" In Iraq, the United States sacrificed thousands of American lives on the doubtful claim of weapons of mass destruction. Despite the extraordinary efforts of our troops, both countries still suffer from the invasion...

As John Q. Public sits in front of the TV and listens to the information that is being given to him in regard to House Bill 253 in the so-called "Grow America" ads, he is getting a dose of a multimillionaire devised and very much supported (to the tune of more than $2 million) bill that would help rich folks get richer and some large businesses pay less taxes...

If you Google the phrase "Indecision is the hallmark of mediocrity," you'll likely come up empty. That's because it was a conclusion on the business world I concocted many years ago. As I watched businessmen run their operations, it was those who were willing to make tough decisions -- some unpopular -- who succeeded...

BENTON, Mo. -- An accused murderer's preliminary hearing on a separate charge was continued Tuesday when his attorney couldn't make it to court. The hearing for Neil Howland Jr., of Scott City, on assault and weapons charges was continued to Sept. 25 when Howland's attorney could not be present, citing medical reasons...

The case against a Jackson man accused of causing an accident that killed a Glenallen, Mo., teenager has been continued to Sept. 16 to give him time to hire an attorney. Bobby Joe Abernathy, 34, appeared in court Tuesday via a video linkup to the Cape Girardeau County Jail for an initial arraignment on charges of involuntary manslaughter and second-degree assault in connection with an April 5 crash that killed 17-year-old Amelia Fisher...

A Cape Girardeau woman was arraigned Tuesday on an involuntary manslaughter charge in connection with a July 19 accident on Fountain Street. Angelia J. Hanson, 29, is accused of backing a 2001 Dodge Durango over Jody L. Lane, 43, outside their home at 612 N. Fountain St...

WASHINGTON -- It was an accident investigators say didn't have to happen: Five years ago a commuter train collided head-on with a freight train near Los Angeles, killing 25 and injuring more than 100. Technology is available to prevent the most catastrophic collisions, but the railroad industry and its allies in Congress are trying to push back a deadline for installing the systems until at least 2020...

PYONGYANG, North Korea -- Former NBA star Dennis Rodman landed Tuesday in North Korea and said he plans to hang out with authoritarian leader Kim Jong Un, have a good time and maybe bridge some cultural gaps -- but not be a diplomat. Rodman was greeted at Pyongyang's airport by Son Kwang Ho, vice-chairman of North Korea's Olympic Committee, just days after Pyongyang rejected a visit by a U.S. ...

BEIRUT -- As the Obama administration tries to prod Congress into backing armed action against Syria, the regime in Damascus is hiding military hardware and shifting troops out of bases into civilian areas. Politically, President Bashar Assad has gone on the offensive, warning in a rare interview with Western media that any military action against Syria could spark a regional war...

The Missouri School Improvement Program 5 is the state's accountability system, an alternative to adequate yearly progress that was part of the federal No Child Left Behind law. The report shows how well each public school and school district is meeting the state's education standards and are used to accredit Missouri's school districts...

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.com Bob Sheets, left, Nita Sheets and Jan Anderson watch for chimney swifts to arrive at the old Notre Dame building at dusk Tuesday, Sept. ...

A Jackson man waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday on drug charges in connection with the discovery of a methamphetamine lab at a Cape Girardeau home. Thomas Hamilton, 46, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of amphetamine or methamphetamine paraphernalia and possession of anhydrous ammonia in a nonapproved container and misdemeanor unlawful use of drug paraphernalia after police found evidence of a methamphetamine lab at a house he owns at 1467 Kingsway Drive, court records show.. ...

A Cedar Hill, Mo., man accused of using a video camera in a women's restroom waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday in Cape Girardeau County Circuit Court. Frank Fuchs, 52, faces a felony charge of invasion of privacy. His next court appearance is set for Sept. 16...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- The Missouri Department of Conservation will host several public meetings to discuss the impact of chronic wasting disease on the state's white-tailed deer population. The department says hunters, landowners, conservation groups and hunting-related businesses are all invited to the meetings. ...

Son to Anthony Lee and Suanne Lee Stallings of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Hospital, 9:03 a.m. Monday, Aug. 26, 2013. Name, Lucas Terry. Weight, 7 pounds, 6 ounces. Third child, first son. Mrs. Stallings is the former Suanne Baker, daughter of Melanie Carr of Cape Girardeau and Luke Baker of Hawkins, Texas. ...

The Rev. Helmuth Sylvester, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Egypt Mills, celebrates 50 years in the ministry during the Sunday service; a son-in-law, the Rev. Edward Bruning of Oklahoma City, delivers the sermon. Mr. and Mrs. Czeslaw Zielinski of Nashville, Tenn., formerly of Cape Girardeau, are in concert at Bloomfield Road Baptist Church during the morning worship service; the couple is accompanied at the piano by Dr. John Shelton, a professor at Southeast Missouri State University...

How many of your readers remember the carillon bells that played at SEMO? It was so delightful to hear them play two songs at 4 p.m. each day. They also struck on the hour and quarter hours from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. It gave citizens a little reminder of the university and it told students that another day is done. I wish SEMO could install another set of them again...

Marilyn Prill, 89, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Jackson, died Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, at the Lutheran Home. She was born July 14, 1924, in Brunswick, Mo., to William Arthur and Nettie Irene Schaefer Hackward. Her parents moved to Webster Groves, Mo., where she grew up and graduated from Webster Groves High School. Marilyn and Max K. Prill were married Nov. 4, 1944, in Webster Groves. He died Sept. 25, 2006...

Brett Patrick Philip, 33, of Pauls Valley, Okla., passed from this life Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013, near Pauls Valley. He was born Dec. 2, 1979, in Kingston, N.Y., to Harry Michael and Donna Merle Parsells Philip. Brett grew up in Cape Girardeau, where he attended Notre Dame and Central high schools, graduating in 1997. He attended colleges in Missouri and Indiana, where he studied computer technology...

Mary Jo Neeley, 57, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Olmsted, Ill., died Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013, at Saint Francis Medical Center. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of service Thursday at Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge, Ill. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mike Sharp officiating. Burial will be in Masonic Cemetery at Olmsted...

MORLEY, Mo. -- Gary L. Medley, 56, of Morley passed away Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Nov. 5, 1956, in Cape Girardeau, to the late Gilbert Lynn and Barbara Lacy Medley. He and Bobbie McBride were married May 22, 1975...

PAINTON, Mo. -- JoAnn R. Johnson, 82, of Painton passed away Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She was born Jan. 6, 1931, at Messler, Mo., daughter of Gabe and Georgia Goodman Rendleman. She and John F. Johnson Sr. were married July 15, 1950, at Bell City, Mo...

DEXTER, Mo. -- Sheila Renee Fry, 47, of Dexter departed this life Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013, at her home. She was born Dec. 20, 1965, in St. Louis, daughter of Melvin Jaco of Farmington, Mo., and Connie Waters DeBerry of Bloomfield, Mo. She and Ricky Fry were married June 16, 1984, at Bloomfield. He preceded her in death Nov. 2, 2001...

SAN FRANCISCO -- Microsoft's acquisition of Nokia's troubled smartphone business represents a daring $7.2 billion attempt by the software giant and a once-influential cellphone maker to catch up with the mobile computing revolution that threatens to leave them in the technological dust...

The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Summonses...

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls Monday:...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWIs The Department of Public Safety at Southeast Missouri State University released the following items. DWI...

All the local high school events reported Tuesday to the Southeast Missourian.

Southeast Missouri State junior Rebekah Lawson has been named the Ohio Valley Conference female runner of the week for cross country. Lawson opened the season by winning the Washington University Early Bird meet in St. Louis on Saturday. She covered the 4K course in 14 minutes, 45 seconds to place first in a field of 66 competitors...

CINCINNATI -- Even with their recent slump, the St. Louis Cardinals still lead the National League in scoring runs -- by a wide margin, too. That slump can't last very long, can it? Homer Bailey pitched the first seven innings of a two-hitter, and Billy Hamilton got his first steal in the majors and scored on Todd Frazier's double in the seventh inning Tuesday night, sending the Cincinnati Reds to a 1-0 victory...

NEW YORK -- Katie Couric is getting married to her financier boyfriend John Molner. Couric's spokesman Matthew Hiltzik confirmed the engagement Tuesday morning following a report by People magazine. Molner gave 56-year-old Couric, the former host of "Today," a diamond ring over the weekend in East Hampton. ...

The Cape Girardeau County Republican Women will host a discussion of controversial House Bill 253 at noon Friday at Dexter Bar-B-Que, 236 Broadview St. Republican State Rep. Shelley Keeney, House Majority Caucus Chair, will be the featured guest. Keeney will offer her insight into House Bill 253, which passed both houses of the legislature but was vetoed by Gov. ...

O Lord Jesus, blessed Savior, may we always fix our eyes on you. Amen.

MILWAUKEE -- Pinch-hitter Travis Snider homered in the ninth inning to lift Pittsburgh to a 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night that clinched the Pirates' first non-losing record in 21 seasons. Snider drove a 2-2 pitch from Jim Henderson (3-5) over the wall in center for his second pinch-hit homer of the season. He also accomplished the feat against the Chicago Cubs on May 21...

Bob Talley and Tyson Mele won a playoff against the team of Tom Hamilton and Jack Smith to win the Championship Flight in the Cape Girardeau Country Club Member-Member Tournament held Aug. 24-25. Both teams tied with a score of 138 before Talley and Mele won on a playoff hole...

NEW YORK -- A minor league infielder in the St. Louis Cardinals' organization has been suspended 50 games after a positive drug test. Second baseman Brett Wiley of Class A State College was banned Wednesday by the commissioner's office. He tested positive for an amphetamine...

For the Southeast Missourian Cape Girardeau members of Zonta International learned Tuesday night that their philanthropy in Haiti has helped a pre-K-through-sixth-grade school expand from 65 to 350 students since the island's catastrophic January 2010 earthquake...