Stories from Sunday, November 16, 2014

Two Cape Girardeau teenagers were arrested Friday in connection with an armed robbery at a home on Ranney Avenue. Emanuel M. Crespo, 17, and Felix Malik Jones, 18, face multiple felony charges. A warrant issued in the case alleges Crespo and Jones entered a home at 1110 Ranney Ave. on Monday, displayed a gun, fired it at the resident and stole a shotgun...

To help raise money for animals this winter, the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri is trying a different type of fundraiser. "Well, it was really the idea of the workers, the shelter staff," said Cheryl Ellis, the not-for-profit organization's director. "We were just looking for something different that hasn't been done before."...

Employees of the local U.S. Postal Service processing and distribution center staged a rally Friday in front of the Cape Girardeau post office as part of a national day of action for union postal workers. The day of action coincided with the last meeting of the year for the postal service's board of governors. Union organizers estimated about 100 rallies were held throughout the country to encourage the postal service to stop making cuts that are closing or scaling back services at centers...

SoutheastHEALTH on Friday announced the retirement of its chief operating officer, Sly Moore. Moore will be the fifth member of SoutheastHEALTH's senior management team to leave through retirement or other circumstances since April. The changes, according to a news release from the SoutheastHEALTH marketing department, "are part of a significant effort to position the health care system for the challenging times ahead in healthcare."...

Once the Presidential Search and Screening Committee at Southeast Missouri State University narrows down candidates for the school's top job, interviews are expected to be held off-site Feb. 2 and 3, with campus interviews later that month. Committee chairman Doyle Privett said plans are to make an offer to someone during the last week of February or no later than the first week of March...

An alert farmer may have saved Liz Lockhart's life. Lockhart, broker-owner of Riverbend Realty, was running an open-house event at a home she was trying to sell in a rural area when an unwelcome visitor arrived. "A man came and stayed way too long, obviously wasn't interested in the house and was asking all kinds of strange questions," Lockhart said...

The Pirates scored six second-half goals and went on to defeat Soldan International Studies 7-0 in the Class 2 state title game at Blue Springs High School.

Today is Sunday, Nov. 16, the 320th day of 2014. There are 45 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Nov. 16, 1914, the newly created Federal Reserve Banks opened in 12 cities. On this date: In 1776, British troops captured Fort Washington in New York during the American Revolution...

Many historic homes in the area will be bedecked and bedazzled and open for touring during the holiday season. Here's a look at what you'll see this season: THE GLENN HOUSE...

Goofy gift? Another gift card -- again? Sometimes a practical present is the answer. We all know "that person." It's "that person who has everything," or someone you genuinely would like to present with a present, who really doesn't need or want anything, and certainly not a silly something they'll have to pretend is cute and appreciated...

As the holidays draw near, many families make plans to get together for a festive meal. If you're the one hosting the family gathering this year, how much food should you buy or prepare? And, what if you run out? Or make too much?...

The time is now for those sending holiday gifts and care packages to military men and women deployed overseas. What items are most appreciated by service members? "Probably the most appreciated is entertainment -- DVDs, video games and the like," says Dru Reeves, who after a 27-year Army career now is Sgt. 1st class in the U.S. Army Reserves. He is general manager of Horizon Screen Printing in Cape Girardeau...

The lineup of films hitting movie theaters this holiday season brings some much-anticipated sequels, family-friendly animated features and action-packed, high-energy dramas. Coming to theaters in November is .....

While the holidays just wouldn't be the same without certain traditions, some traditions could use a new twist from time to time. When preparing for a gathering, many hosts go with the stand-bys: Cheese, sausage and veggie trays...

Re-purposed and vintage decorations. Shoppers are buying parts and pieces to build their own decorations, say Amy Beussink and Janey Foust of Cobblestone Corner in Jackson. Vintage ornaments, old toys and costume jewelry can all be re-purposed in your holiday decor while adding a touch of nostalgia...

Fall and early winter are peak season for fresh cranberries, so it's no wonder the colorful berries play a starring role in many holiday dishes. Look for cranberries in the produce section of your grocery store, and pick out bright-colored, firm berries. ...

Snow and ice shut down many Cape Girardeau businesses during last year's holiday shopping season, but the sales were still rolling in at Philanthropy -- even though its Broadway storefront was closed...

Cathy Dietl loves to send and receive Christmas cards, but as a professional organizer, she doesn't let them sit around for long. Instead, she likes to display them in a creative way, then find another use for them post-holidays...

The holidays bring twinkling lights and brightly wrapped packages, but they also bring wonderful aromatic scents to fill your home. Candles are popular scented home decorations all year round, but they really take center stage during the holiday season...

On chilly winter days, nothing beats warming up by a nice, cozy fire. If you are considering having a fireplace installed in your new or existing home, there are some things to consider. "Think about the square footage that you are wanting to heat," says Quent Kasten, general manager of Kasten Masonry in Jackson. "Also, consider if you are going for looks or warmth and how efficient you want it to be."...

Editor's note: This is a partial list of holiday events available at press time. To search for or add a holiday event, go to www.semoevents.com. Christmas Sing! 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, at Sedgewickville Lutheran Church in Sedgewickville, Missouri Join the church for favorite carols, special music and a good old-fashioned holiday celebration...

Editor's note: This is a partial list of holiday events available at press time. To search for or add a holiday event, go to www.semoevents.com. Christmas Sing! 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, at Sedgewickville Lutheran Church in Sedgewickville, Missouri Join the church for favorite carols, special music and a good old-fashioned holiday celebration...

A servant's heart. Courage. Vision. All are words to describe what we hope to see in a leader. It's what inspires people, provides direction and a framework for success. On Monday night St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny will speak at the Show Me Center for the Arrow Leadership and Success Summit. This one-hour talk will feature Matheny speaking on leadership and its connection to Cardinals baseball. There also will be a question-and-answer session for the audience...

** Handrails, please; ** Football, Jesus; ** Priorities; ** Gas in Cape; ** Ferguson; ** No-call

O Lord Jesus, may we proclaim your name to the world. Amen.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The leader of the Roman Catholic Church's new commission to fight child sex abuse said the Vatican needs to "address urgently" the position of Kansas City Bishop Robert Finn, the highest-ranking church official in the U.S. to be convicted of failing to take action in response to abuse allegations...

BOSTON -- From Boston to Los Angeles, police departments are bracing for large demonstrations when a grand jury decides whether to indict a white police officer who killed an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri. The St. Louis County grand jury, which has been meeting since Aug. 20, is expected to decide this month whether officer Darren Wilson is charged with a crime for killing 18-year-old Michael Brown after ordering him and a friend to stop walking in the street Aug. 9...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Springfield city clerk has certified a referendum petition opposing expansion of the city's nondiscrimination ordinance. The Springfield News-Leader reported the decision makes it likely the question will go before voters in April...

Phyllis "Kay" Duncan, 76, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, at Southeast Hospital. She was born May 7, 1938, in Mount Vernon, Illinois, to the late Gleason Marshall and Ruth Martha Wetzer Hodges. She and Carl D. Duncan were married Sept. 18, 1954, in Corinth, Mississippi...

ORAN, Mo. -- Jessie Lola Shrum Urhahn, 87, of Oran passed away Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, at Chaffee Nursing Center in Chaffee, Missouri. She was born Aug. 9, 1927, in Sikeston, Missouri, to Jesse E. and Frances Black Shrum. She married Francis A. Urhahn on Feb. 7, 1948...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Kim Anderson didn't have this in mind when he signed on to return to his alma mater as its head coach in April. After leading Central Missouri to a 30-5 record last season en route to a Division II title, the 1977 Big Eight Player of the Year and former Missouri assistant watched his team lose its season opener to Missouri-Kansas City 69-61 on Friday...

Mae Ellender Neubauer, 98, of Scott City died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, at Chaffee Nursing Center in Chaffee, Missouri. She was born Dec. 6, 1915, in Beloit, Wisconsin, to Lee and Martha Kever Elliott. Mae was raised on the Frank Lloyd Wright Farm in Spring Green, Wisconsin, where her father was foreman. She married Howard Kohl Oct. 24, 1932. After his death, she moved to Scott City in 1975. She later married S.J. Neubauer on Nov. 23, 1979. He also preceded her in death...

Grace Catherine Menz, 95, of Scott City died Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, at Chaffee Nursing Center in Chaffee, Missouri. She was born Sept. 9, 1919, in Fornfelt (Scott City) to Charles A. and Lavada Harmon Miller. She married Silverius Francis "Spats" Menz on April 24, 1944, in Scott City. He preceded her in death Jan. 24, 2002...

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Porter Jackson Hensley, 78, of Farmington passed away Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, at St. John's Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. He was born Nov. 19, 1935, in Cave Creek, Arkansas, son of James Robert and Arlie Henson Hensley. He and Margarette A. "Margie" Wann were married May 29, 1959...

ORAN, Mo. -- Ralph S. Heisserer, 89, of Oran passed away Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born June 1, 1925, at Oran, son of the late Raymond G. and Alma C. Dirnberger Heisserer. He married Mary Lou Enderle on May 8, 1948, at St. Augustine Church in Kelso, Missouri. She preceded him in death March 21, 2014...

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. -- Melba Dillender, 80, of Fredericktown died Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, at Claru DeVille Nursing Home in Fredericktown. She was born Jan. 18, 1934, in Sikeston, Missouri, daughter of Virgil and Ellen Tidwell Williams. She and Frank Dillender were married June 6, 1953, at Benton, Missouri...

Robert L. Givens, 71, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center. A memorial service will be at a later date. Arrangements by McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Ariell Todt, 21, of Cape Girardeau, fell asleep in death on Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, after a courageous battle against cancer. Ariell was one of Jehovah's Witnesses and served as a full-time volunteer minister. She dedicated her life to the service of Jehovah God on April 27, 2008. She enjoyed helping others learn about the hope that she now entertains, that of a resurrection to life on a paradise earth. (John 5:28, 29) Teaching others about God's will was her life's passion...

A group of people opposed to construction of a recreational lake in Cape Girardeau and Bollinger counties has concluded that more opponents must be found, if the lake is to be stopped; the group agreed that the 160 landowners who would be directly affected by the lake should be polled on their positions...

ANNA, Ill. -- Dariel "Brad" A. Jordan, 96, of Anna died Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, at the Union County Hospital in Anna. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Jones Funeral Home in Tamms, Illinois, with the Rev. Bryant Harris officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery in rural Dongola, Illinois...

THEBES, Ill. -- Gary Michael Wilburn, 65, of rural Thebes died Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, at his home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Jones Funeral Home Tamms.

Ivan L. Myers, 79, of Patton, Missouri died Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born June 19, 1935, in St. Louis, son of Norman William and Metta Johnson Myers. He and Alice "Pete" Johnson were married Nov. 21, 1956, in St. Louis. Ivan had worked as a heavy equipment operator for Operating Engineers Local No. 513. He was a member of West View Masonic Lodge, Millersville, Missouri, and Operating Engineers Local No. 513...

John William Weissinger, 70, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, at his home. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel, with the Rev. John Schlager officiating. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery...

Karen DeAnn Wood, age 51, of Burfordville, Missouri, died at 4:20 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Nov. 19, 1962, in Collinsville, Mississippi, to Wilton and Tiny Ann Moore Doerner. She married Brian Wood on Nov. 13, 1998...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Harry R. Phillips, 79, of Perryville died Nov. 14, 2014, at his home. All services are private. Arrangements by Miller Family Funeral Home.

Even if I couldn't read the calendar, dwindling daylight and cooler temperatures would tell me that fall has brought its chill to Southeast Missouri. I grew up in Chaffee just at the edge of the Delta region of the Mississippi, just north of that section of Southern Missouri we affectionately call he Bootheel. ...

In this photo, the wind appears to be visibly blowing in from the upper left, carrying autumn leaves and even causing a swirl of leaves in the lower left. It is not possible to capture the wind itself in a photo, but its effects on objects such as falling leaves can be captured...

Rita was angry at the world. She felt put upon, as if nothing was working out, and she didn't know what to do. She could continue to fret and stew, and then boil some more, but she knew that was impossible. That is, if she continued to live healthily and happily. Rita knew she had to come up with a solution to her troubles...

NEW YORK -- Inspired by that colorful homemade gingerbread on Instagram or the hand-painted coasters on Pinterest, but worried about your skills? Don't fret. Craft stores and websites are targeting novice crafters this holiday season and beyond with how-to online videos and projects that don't take hours to make...

The menu for this week's Meals With Friends, which takes place at noon daily, is as follows: Monday -- chili, fruit, dessert and crackers; Tuesday -- baked chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, dessert and fruit; Wednesday -- spaghetti, green beans and fruit dessert; Thursday -- shepherds pie, fruit and dessert; and Friday -- leftovers. Meals are held at the The Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope St...

In the next couple of months, I have two 40,000-foot goals. First, I plan on enjoying all the flavors of fall, from dining on the Halloween candy warm-ups to indulging in the New Years-Eve appetizer feasts without -- and here is the key -- needing larger pants in January. Secondly, I plan on trying to be as generous as possible. I hope, though, that my giving far exceeds my consuming...

I don't know about you, but good jerky is hard to find. There are a thousand different makes and models hanging in grocery stores or convenience stores, and some are pretty good. But what I find is that most of it is so tough it's downright hard to chew. I'm not an expert at making jerky, but let me share how I make jerky...

While strolling, I wondered whatever happened to Lois Roush. For now, birthdays and anniversaries are not being listed. We do, however, encourage you to pass along milestones and special celebrations so we can share them with our readers. The cold front that blew through last week brought out the rakes again. Once the leaves fall, however, we bird lovers can more easily see the birds and spot old bird and hornet nests...

For as long as people have walked the earth, legends of a mythical white stag have followed close behind them. The stag's symbolism even is seen today, from the logos on common beer bottles to C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" -- even the Warcraft series of computer games and the popular "Harry Potter" books by British author J.K. Rowling...

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Cat lovers in Northern California are pouncing at the chance of spending time with feline company at a new cat cafe in Oakland. Cat Town Cafe is giving dozens of visitors a chance to mingle with furry friends while sipping coffee and nibbling on cat-themed cookies...

MONDAY--Oven-fried chicken or chuckwagon steak, broccoli casserole, mixed veggies, hot roll, sugar-free blushing pears or chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting. TUESDAY--Beef stroganoff or stuffed cabbage roll, carrot-raisin salad, steamed cauliflower, hot roll, sugar-free chocolate pudding or lemon-lime dessert...

Dear Taylor, Welcome Taylor Azalee. You decided to come into the world a little early, Oct. 27, 2014, at 5:30 p.m. at Madison Hospital in Madison, Alabama. You almost hit your mom and dad's first anniversary, but missed by a day. Your mom and dad, Britton Azalee and Daniel Stephen Robert, were so excited to finally meet you! You were 20 days early but a healthy 6 pounds 3 ounces and 20 inches. ...

NEW YORK -- Special materials are going into the most colorful New York real estate development: 3,550 pounds of royal icing, 700 pounds of candy and 600 pounds of dough. That's what Manhattan chef Jon Lovitch needs to build a gingerbread village complete with houses, trees, a skating rink, a hotel and even an underground subway station...

Catholics on campus Ministry marks 100 years

BOISE, Idaho -- A biology teacher is facing possible disciplinary action after killing and skinning a rabbit to show students where their food comes from. Nampa School District spokeswoman Allison Westfall says the teacher killed the rabbit in front of 16 students by snapping its neck Nov. 6 at Columbia High School. The rabbit was skinned and cut up in front of the 10th-graders. Westfall says the demonstration isn't part of the biology curriculum. The teacher's name hasn't been released...

LOS ANGELES -- About halfway through the first televised Hollywood Film Awards, Chris Rock took the stage to accept a trophy for his film "Top Five." "Wow, do you feel the excitement in the room?" he asked facetiously. The remark elicited the first real laughter of the night from a restrained audience...

OMAHA, Neb. -- A surgeon who contracted Ebola while working in Sierra Leone arrived in Nebraska on Saturday for treatment at a biocontainment unit where two other people with the disease have been treated successfully. Dr. Martin Salia, who was diagnosed with Ebola on Monday, landed at Eppley Airfield in Omaha on Saturday afternoon and was taken by ambulance to the Nebraska Medical Center...

RALEIGH, N.C. -- An Army veteran beaten by a man he met at a bar died Saturday afternoon, nearly a week after being hospitalized with burns so bad that parts of both arms had to be amputated, police and his partner said. Veteran Stephen Patrick White, 46, died at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, authorities said...

BERLIN -- The pioneering lander Philae completed its primary mission of exploring the comet's surface and returned plenty of data before depleted batteries forced it to go silent, the European Space Agency said Saturday. "All of our instruments could be operated, and now it's time to see what we got," ESA's blog quoted lander manager Stephan Ulamec as saying...

BAGHDAD -- America's top military leader arrived in Iraq on a previously unannounced visit Saturday, his first since a U.S.-led coalition began launching airstrikes against the extremist Islamic State group. The visit by Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, came just two days after he told Congress the United States would consider dispatching a modest number of American forces to fight with Iraqi troops against the extremist group...

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Police arrested 90 protesters Saturday as a traditional Dutch celebration of the arrival of Saint Nicholas was disturbed by demonstrators who say his faithful sidekick, "Black Pete," is a racist caricature, and by supporters of the popular children's figure...

Daughter to Daniel Stephen and Britton Azalee Robert of Madison, Alabama, Madison Hospital, 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, 2014. Name, Taylor Azalee. Weight, 6 pounds, 3 ounces. First child. Mrs. Robert is the former Britton Williams, daughter of Amy Williams of Andalusia, Alabama, and the late Taylor Williams. She is employed at Regions Bank. Robert is the son of Richard and Linda Robert of Cape Girardeau. He is a missile systems engineer with Dynetics...

Soup's on! It's time to open your recipe files and pull out all of those wonderful soup recipes that you have clipped and torn from magazines and newspapers. Some of us enjoy soup all year long, but for some, they reserve only the cold winter months for a bowl of steaming hot soup...

Duke is a 3 1/2-month-old husky mix. He is available for adoption at the Humane Society. Call 334-5837 for more information.

Although it has existed 100 years, Catholic Campus Ministry on the Southeast Missouri State University campus has changed with the times, becoming more active in its mission of bringing people to a relationship with Jesus Christ through the church. It does this through missionaries, Masses and social gatherings for special occasions...

CHICAGO (AP) -- Jane Byrne became part of Chicago history when she was elected its first female mayor. She became part of city lore because of how she won: beating an incumbent who voters thought had bungled the reaction to a blizzard that paralyzed the streets...

The pearly coat of a white deer offers a striking contrast to the gray-brown pallet of the fall forest. If natural predators were present, they likely would take notice and kill the deer before it could achieve maturity. The prevalence of albino whitetail deer in the Cape Girardeau area has captured the interest of hunters and non-hunters. ...

Jessica LeeAnn Seyer and Darin Wayne Fronabarger were married May 3, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Apple Creek, Missouri. The Rev. Anthony Dattilo performed the ceremony. Pianist was Robyn Morton of Jackson. Parents of the couple are Andrew "Sonny" and Lisa A. Seyer III and Wayne and Marilyn Fronabarger, all of Oak Ridge...

Daniel and Karen Welker of Cape Girardeau announce the engagement of their daughter, Emily Marie Welker, to Joshua Lee Glueck. He is the son of Martin and Malinda Priggel of Oran, Missouri. Emily is a 2007 graduate of Notre Dame Regional High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College in St. Louis. She is a registered nurse at SoutheastHEALTH...

Mr. and Mrs. Perry Amelunke of Whitewater recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Perry and the former Jolene Long were married Sept. 27, 1964, in Marble Hill, Missouri. They have two daughters, Trenna (Ellis) Bradshaw and Tonya (Kent) Koch of Whitewater; a granddaughter, Logan (Derrick) Schlosser; three grandsons, Brandon (Sara) Bradshaw, Clint Bradshaw and Colten Koch; and a great-granddaughter, Hadley Bradshaw...

J.T. Graham of Advance, Missouri, and Durwood and Lavonda Thurman of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Jay J. Johnson, to Billy M. Williams, both of Cape Girardeau. He is the son of Darlene Williams of Cape Girardeau, and the late Bob Williams. Jay is also the daughter of the late Suzanne Graham...