Stories from Thursday, October 31, 2013

The city of Perryville is advising that Halloween trick-or-treating will be postponed until Friday night because of the current weather and forecast. Heavy rains that began in the area overnight will make the outdoor activity a "wet and muddy mess tonight," according to a news release from the city, and postponing it will "help ensure a fun and carefree Friday evening for kids and parents alike."...

Trick-or-treaters could be in for a rainy Halloween night. According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky., an inch of rainfall is expected from the storms hitting the area Thursday. While the weather service is hopeful the storm will leave the area by 6 p.m., the forecast is always subject to change...

DORENA, Mo. -- The Dorena-Hickman Ferry was closed Thursday afternoon because of high winds and will remain closed for the rest of the day, according to a news release from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Based on the forecast, the ferry is expected to resume service on its regular winter schedule Friday morning, according to the release. ...

Power has been restored to 763 Ameren Missouri customers in southwest Cape Girardeau who lost their electric service on Thursday afternoon.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois from Thursday evening until 1 a.m. Friday. A watch means conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes. By about 5:30 p.m., rain and storms had cleared out of Southeast Missouri, but another line was forming to the west. Some area towns were asking people to postpone trick-or-treating until Friday...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A national expert on fighting poverty has been invited to the Ozarks to help an anti-poverty campaign. Twelve organizations announced Wednesday that Ruby K. Payne will visit Springfield on Feb. 11 and 12. She is the author of "A Framework for Understanding Poverty."...

LEXINGTON, Mo. -- Funeral services have been announced for former Missouri congressman Ike Skelton. Walker-Nadler-Fuller Funeral Home said visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Grondyke Hall at Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington. Skelton's funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Wikoff Hall on the Wentworth campus. A burial with military rites is to occur at the Machpelah Cemetery in Lexington...

CLAYTON, Mo. -- The police chief in St. Louis County wants his department to be the first in the St. Louis area to carry an antidote for heroin. Nearly 1,800 people have died from heroin overdoses in the St. Louis region since 2007. Typically, officers can only radio for medical help and hope the ambulance brings the drug naloxone on time. Naloxone is administered from a nasal sprayer...

VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Jury selection began Wednesday in Carter County in the trial of a former deputy facing multiple felonies, including burglaries involving two Ellsinore, Mo., homes. Once seated, the jury will hear the case against Steffanie M. Kearbey, 25, of Ellsinore, who is standing trial on the felonies of receiving stolen property, second-degree burglary, stealing and first-degree burglary. The trial is slated to run through Friday...

PATTON, Mo. -- Bollinger County authorities arrested two students on misdemeanor drug possession charges Tuesday morning in the parking lot of Meadow Heights school. Arrested were Meadow Heights students Joshua Edward Karn, 17, and Savanna Skye Smith, 17, both on charges of possession of less than 35 grams of marijuana...

GREENVILLE, Mo. -- An apparent dispute over property between two Piedmont, Mo., men escalated Monday evening, leaving one dead and his stepfather-in-law in jail charged with murder. Samuel Jerry Lee Whitaker, 44, was charged with felony first-degree murder, felony armed criminal action and felony first-degree burglary by Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney Robert Ramshur...

The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department is seeking the public's help in finding whoever shot two holes in the outer skin of a Jackson school bus. According to a news release from the department, deputies received a property damage complaint Monday from Jackson School District officials...

Local pharmacies say they have enough vaccines to battle the annual flu season as the days grow shorter and the weather turns colder. Employees at Broadway Prescription Shop, 710 Broadway; Walgreens Pharmacy, 1 S. Kingshighway; and the Cape Girardeau County Health Clinic, 1121 Linden St., said they are not experiencing a shortage in flu vaccines, such as MediCenter Pharmacy, 200 W. Washington St. in Jackson. An employee at the pharmacy said its flu vaccines will be restocked Friday...

BOSTON -- There hasn't been a party like this in New England for nearly a century. Turmoil to triumph. Worst to first. David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox, baseball's bearded wonders, capped their remarkable turnaround by beating the St. Louis Cardinals 6-1 in Game 6 on Wednesday night to win their third World Series championship in 10 seasons...

ST. LOUIS -- Saint Louis University junior Zach Grummer-Strawn has never seen "The Exorcist," the 1973 horror film considered one of the finest examples of unadulterated cinematic terror. He's only vaguely familiar with the monthlong 1949 demon-purging ritual at his school that inspired William Peter Blatty's novel and later the movie...

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama's embattled top health official declared herself accountable Wednesday for failures of the much-maligned health insurance website as a newly surfaced government memo pointed to security concerns just days before its launch...

A retired narcotics officer's Facebook comments have prompted a challenge from the leader of an organization advocating marijuana legalization in Missouri. Sgt. Kevin Glaser, a retired Missouri State Highway Patrol officer and a member of the Missouri Narcotics Officers Association's board of directors, posted comments on his Facebook page, criticizing participants who showed up for an Oct. 21 town hall meeting sponsored by Show-Me Cannabis...

In honor of Veteran's Day, Southeast Missouri State University Athletics will host Military Appreciation Day during the Redhawks Football game at Houck Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, sponsored by the Missouri National Guard. As a "thank you for your service to our country," all active, reserve or veteran military personnel with a service I.D. can receive 2 free tickets to the game...

Many Cape Girardeau County schools have adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward zeros. The program is called ICU, like the acronym for intensive care unit at hospitals. The idea is not to let apathetic students off the hook when it comes to finishing their work. The program is based on the book "The Power of ICU," by Danny Hill, a Lebanon, Tenn., educator. Hill travels to schools nationwide talking about the program...

Although college costs continue to climb, University of Missouri System president Tim Wolfe stopped Wednesday at R.O. Hawkins Junior High School in Jackson to bring the message that higher education still is a good value. The visit was part of Wolfe's Show Me Value Tour, which he began in March. About 750 eighth- and ninth-graders made their way to the school's new gym to hear Wolfe's presentation, "Find Your Path to Success."...

This a photo of the Bollinger Mill.

I took this photo of a very big cloud formation a few storms ago this summer.

I took this photo of a very big cloud formation a few storms ago this summer.

Retired faculty of SEMO University enjoy a Homecoming party at the home of Ms. Jane Stacy.

Retired faculty of SEMO University enjoy a Homecoming party at the home of Ms. Jane Stacy.

Retired faculty of SEMO University enjoy a Homecoming party at the home of Ms. Jane Stacy.

Jackson High School, Jackson, Missouri--Members of the Jackson Chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America hit the streets on October 29, 2013 to "Trick or Treat" for canned food to be donated to the Jackson Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry. Seventy-five Jr. High and Sr. High FBLA members participated in the event to collect a total of 3,155 food items! After two hours of going door to door, FBLA members dropped their collections off at the Food Pantry to benefit families in our area...

Logan working the Apple Cider Press at Heritage Day on Saturday October 26th in Ste. Genevieve. He had a good time working the press and then drinking the apple cider.

Grandson Logan dressed up as a Civil War Soldier in the Period Children's Activities area during Heritage Days in Ste. Genevieve, Mo on Saturday October 26th.

(Story and photo by Randy McWilson) The last official Cape Girardeau shots for Gone Girl ended at 1:00 A.M. last Thursday morning, but less than 9 hours later, the impact of the filming was still being felt by students at the Cape Career & Technology Center. Eric Williams, production assistant (PA) for 20th Century Fox, visited the CTC and presented a two-hour discussion and Q&A about his experiences in film and television...

Today is Thursday, Oct. 31, the 304th day of 2013. There are 61 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Oct. 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Palace church, marking the start of the Protestant Reformation in Germany...

Does anyone know what MoDOT has spent erecting and repairing the cables on I-55? I honestly would like to know where I could find this information. Personally, I believe they are a hazard and defeat the purpose of an open, straight and obstruction-free highway system. The cables create a no-escape zone...

Depending on weather conditions this evening, there could be a number of children in costume knocking on doors. While for many the night is about collecting candy, it's important to know a few basic safety tips before heading out the door. Southeast Missourian reporter Emily Priddy wrote a front-page story for Wednesday's edition that included several tips from local law enforcement. These include:...

ST. LOUIS -- Anheuser-Busch InBev and the Teamsters union are about to begin contract talks for the first time since the Belgian brewer InBev purchased the maker of Budweiser, Bud Light and other beers five years ago. Meetings will start early next month, both sides said in a joint statement Tuesday, though a specific time and place were not disclosed. Anheuser-Busch InBev commands a 47.6 percent share of the U.S. beer market...

Ruby Aleene Sander, 95, of Jackson passed away Monday, Oct. 28, 2013, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born March 24, 1918, daughter of William and Mabel Rice Illers. She and Leonard F. Sander were married March 20, 1938. Aleene was an active member of New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson 83 years, where she taught Sunday school more than 30 years. ...

Vera Cooper, 73, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, at Life Care Center. She was born March 12, 1940, in New Madrid, Mo., to Pete and Ruth Cooper. Survivors include two daughters, Karen Blakemore and Pam Hotze of St. Louis, a brother, James Cooper of Cape Girardeau; a dear friend, Julie Rhodes of Cape Girardeau; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She expressed her loving appreciation for the support of the entire Cooper family...

Michael H. Blechle, 66, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, at his home. He was born July 21, 1947, in Biehle, Mo., to Valentine and Mildred Pingel Blechle. He and Carolyn Fornkohl were married July 27, 1968, in Cape Girardeau. Michael served his country in the U.S. Army and National Guard...

Eileen Hoskin, 93, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, at the Lutheran Home. Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Cape Girardeau County Sheriff Norman Copeland says he is seeking another term because he wants to continue the same level of quality law enforcement his office has provided the last two-and-a-half-years he has held office; William Stone says he is running for sheriff because the department has become stagnant under Copeland...

Daughter to David Andrew Baumgartner and Kassondra Lea Hess of Jackson, Saint Francis Medical Center, 6:31 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013. Name, Michelle Marie. Weight, 8 pounds, 11 ounces. First child. Ms. Hess is the daughter of Brad and Sarah Hess of Chaffee, Mo. Baumgartner is the son of Marsha Hilburn of Carthage, Mo., and Chuck and Teresa Baumgartner of Oak Ridge. He is employed by Wal-Mart in Jackson...

ORAN, Mo. — Bernard Anthony "Barney" Tenkhoff, 92, of Oran died Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Oran is in charge of arrangements.

*** JACKSON The Jackson Fire Department responded to the following calls Wednesday: * A citizen's assist on Bel Air Drive. * A motor vehicle accident clean up on East Jackson Boulevard.

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. -- A stream of thick, blowing dust crossing an Arizona highway led to a chain-reaction crash that killed three people in an area where gusting winds often stir up towering clouds of dirt that can reduce visibility to zero. Twelve other people were injured Tuesday in the 19-vehicle pileup on Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson...

The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Summonses Assaults Property damage Miscellaneous...

1 Barton Square, Jackson 9 a.m. today Open session 1 Barton Square, Jackson, Mo...

GREENWOOD, S.C. -- A South Carolina man in a custody dispute with a onetime girlfriend broke into her parents' home and fatally shot the woman, her parents and two children, the sheriff said. The man then killed himself. Investigators found the bodies of six people ranging in age from 9 to 51 when they responded Tuesday to a call from a man who said he was thinking about hurting himself...

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A bus driver is being hailed as a hero for preventing a woman from jumping off a Buffalo highway overpass. About 20 McKinley High School students had just stepped aboard Darnell Barton's Metro bus Oct. 18 when he spotted a woman who had climbed over a guardrail and stood leaning over the afternoon traffic zipping along the Scajaquada Expressway below...

IRWINDALE, Calif. -- It looked like things were really starting to heat up for this little Southern California factory town when the maker of the Sriracha chili sauce known the world over decided to open a sprawling 650,000-square-foot factory within its borders...

WASHINGTON -- A trip down the grocery store produce aisle soon could feel like a stroll down "Sesame Street." Under an agreement announced Wednesday by Michelle Obama, the not-for-profit organization behind the children's educational program will allow the produce industry to use Elmo, Big Bird and Sesame Street's other furry characters free of charge to help market fruits and veggies to children...

BOSTON -- President Barack Obama chose the site where Massachusetts' health care system became law to promote his signature health insurance program, arguing the state plan also faced initial setbacks and low enrollment but in time gained popularity and became a success...

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Saudi authorities have detained a columnist who supported ending his country's ban on women driving, activists said Wednesday. The activists, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, said Tariq al-Mubarak was called by investigators in the capital Riyadh concerning a stolen car over the weekend. ...

BRUSSELS -- The backlash in Europe over U.S. spying is threatening an agreement that generates tens of billions of dollars in trans-Atlantic business every year -- and negotiations on another pact worth many times more. A growing number of European officials are calling for the suspension of the "Safe Harbor" data-sharing agreement, which is vital to more than 4,200 American companies doing business in Europe, including Apple, Google, Facebook and Amazon...

UNITED NATIONS -- The United Nations said Wednesday it has received assurances from the U.S. government that U.N. communications networks "are not and will not be monitored" by American intelligence agencies. But chief U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky would not comment on whether the world body had been monitored in the past, as reported by the German magazine Der Spiegel...

WASHINGTON -- Social Security benefits will rise 1.5 percent in January, giving millions of retired and disabled workers an average raise of $19 a month to keep up with the cost of living. The increase is among the smallest since automatic adjustments were adopted in 1975, and reflects the fact consumer prices haven't gone up much in the past year...

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Reserve says the U.S. economy still needs support from its low interest-rate policies because it is growing only moderately. In a statement Wednesday after a policy meeting, the Fed said it would keep buying $85 billion a month in bonds to keep long-term interest rates low and encourage borrowing and spending...

WASHINGTON -- No one knows how often the youngest athletes suffer concussions. It's not clear whether better headgear is the answer, and it's not just a risk in football. A new report reveals big gaps in what is known about the risk of concussion in youth sports, especially for athletes who suit up before high school...

BENTON, Mo. -- Nixle may not have all the features offered by CodeRED, but the price is right for the Scott County Emergency Management Agency: free. Tom Beardslee, emergency management director for the county, said during the regular county commission meeting Tuesday that CodeRED submitted a proposal for the county to consider...

The Cape Girardeau School Board made several hires this week after a closed session at its meeting Monday night. April Garner was hired as a principal intern and Billie Kiester was hired as a part-time special education teacher's assistant, both at Jefferson Elementary; and Mike Church as assistant men's basketball coach at Central High School. ...

For 33 years, Danny Hill was an educator in Lebanon, Tenn. Now Hill travels across the country preaching "The Power of ICU," a program he developed that holds students accountable for the quality of their work and turning it in. He and Jayson Nave, part of the ICU team, co-wrote a book called "The Power of ICU." The program has caught on in hundreds of schools across the country. ...

ST. LOUIS -- Robert Quinn has been spending so much time in opponents' backfields and getting there so fast, even St. Louis Rams teammates who see him every day in practice are impressed. "He's something like a superhero," backup defensive end Eugene Sims said Wednesday...

Cross country runners from 26 teams will flock to Jackson City Park on Saturday to compete in the Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 1 and Class 2 District 1 meets. The meet, hosted by Saxony Lutheran High School, will begin at 10 a.m. ...

Class 4 District 1 (7) Farmington (1-8) at (2) Central (5-4) Last week: Central 62, Festus 56; Affton 62, Farmington 28 Outlook: Central will be looking for its second win of the season over Farmington after it jump-started its current four-game winning streak with a 59-21 win over the Knights in Week 6...

The Indians advanced to the title game for the first time since 2009

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

The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests Summonses Assaults Burglaries Property damage Miscellaneous...

O Heavenly Father, may we be a shining light and point others to you, our Almighty God. Amen

Up to 140 youngsters ages 9 to 14 will participate in the inaugural FIRST LEGO League robotics competition Nov. 9 at the University Center at Southeast Missouri State University. FLL is a nationwide elementary and middle-school robotics event aimed at students who want to compete head to head using a sports model, a university news release said. ...

We typically use the vacuum cleaner hose to help clean the house, but did you know your vacuum cleaner hose and packing peanuts can be used to help teach an important science lesson? Materials Instructions STEP 1: Place several Styrofoam packing peanuts on a table...

The following area students were awarded scholarships to attend Southeast Missouri State University for the 2013-2014 academic year: Andrew Yeakley of Cape Girardeau, a community college scholarship; Tanner Werner of Jackson, a community college scholarship; Michaela Haley of Sedgewickville, Mo., a community college scholarship; Katelyn Glodo of McClure, Ill., a Midwest achievement award; Brent Forck of Benton, Mo., a regent's scholarship; Justin Deen of Sikeston, Mo., a community college scholarship; Daniel Bollinger of Cape Girardeau, a dual enrollment scholarship; Ethan Gibbons of Jackson, a university scholarship; Michaela Penrod of Dongola, Ill., a Midwest achievement award-transfer; Erin Vargas of Cape Girardeau, a university scholarship and education access program merit; Ashley Craver of McClure, Ill., a Midwest achievement award; Ashley Davie of Cape Girardeau, a community college scholarship; Andrew Miller of Cape Girardeau, a university scholarship; and Emma Steffens of Jackson, dual credit scholarship.. ...