Stories from Monday, January 5, 2015

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) -- The owner of the St. Louis Rams plans to build an NFL stadium in Los Angeles County, boosting the chances that pro football could return to the region, according to a newspaper report. Stan Kroenke has partnered with Stockbridge Capital Group, owners of the 238-acre Hollywood Park site in Inglewood, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday (http://lat.ms/1BA13Ye )...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City leaders are hoping owners of older commercial properties will take advantage of a program that provides low-interest financing for energy upgrades. The Property Assessed Clean Energy program recently helped the Wornall Plaza condominiums to save $34,000 annually after the property owner spent $670,000 to upgrade old boilers and lights. The savings will eventually pay for the equipment...

ST. LOUIS -- Sprinkle was transfixed by the reindeer headband with the jingle bells. As the tortoiseshell kitten stared intently at the source of the sound, Ashton Keenan clicked away with a camera in one hand and the novelty antlers in the other, capturing the moment...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Authorities have arrested a man suspected of escaping from a series of Columbia bank robberies on a bicycle. Police said in a news release that the latest robbery happened Saturday morning at Boone County National Bank. Afterward, officers found clothing matching the suspect's attire during the robbery, as well a bicycle and a bag used to steal an undisclosed amount of money...

LABADIE, Mo. -- A proposed coal ash landfill in eastern Missouri has moved closer to construction despite the objections of environmentalists. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources granted a crucial construction permit Friday for the 167-acre landfill, which would serve Ameren Missouri's Labadie power plant, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported...

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- Jackson County taxpayers will spend $6.8 million for courtroom additions in part because of an obscure Missouri law blocking Independence cases from being tried in Kansas City. County officials say five new courtrooms are badly needed in the Independence courthouse, even though there's space in the Kansas City court 9 miles away, The Kansas City Star reported...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Kerry Hirth always enters her art studio with a sheet of music in her hand. A mild smell of dry pastels and chalk fills the studio space. Colorful sketches are scattered on the floor and pinned to the walls, looking vivid under the morning sunlight...

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. -- The emerald ash borer has already forced the removal of hundreds of trees on the grounds of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. The invasive insect is now causing worries in the suburbs. Suburban St. Louis towns are working to preserve their green space, the St. ...

Brendt Cyr leads the way for Casey Cyr of Jackson while taking their morning run to the next level, avoiding a puddle covering the Mississippi River Walk trail, on Sunday in downtown Cape Girardeau. It was 42 degrees, and temperatures fell below freezing by midafternoon. ...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Legal experts are predicting that elections to decide whether to retain judges will continue to become more politicized, both in Kansas and across the country. This year, Kansas Supreme Court justices Eric Rosen and Lee Johnson kept their seats with about 53 percent of the vote -- well below the usual margins of around 70 percent in most judicial elections. ...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's legislative leaders have proclaimed 2015 as the year they'll rein in lavish gifts from lobbyists and increase accountability for unchecked campaign donations. But even as lawmakers make a renewed push for ethics bills that have met little success in previous sessions, political scientists question how much will actually change...

Even after living out of the United States for half of her life, Mary Catherine Frazier can't escape her Southern roots. She has spent decades devoted to volunteer work, teaching English, publishing books, consulting with international schools on six of the seven continents and even teaching a world religious leader. Her knowledge of teaching English and understanding the way a language is taught and processed has lead her to write two books about it...

Admissions increases at a local water park, trash collection fees and amending city ordinances on leasing and renting are among the main issues to be considered by the Cape Girardeau City Council at its first meeting of 2015. Today, the council will vote on an ordinance that would raise admission rates to the Cape Splash Aquatic Center. The new pricing structure would increase the cost of daily admissions and group pricing packages by $1 per person. Prices for season passes also would increase...

Bluegrass and Banjo's will be ringing at the Bavarian Halle by Drury Inn on Jan 22, 23, 24th as the annual Bootheel Bluegrass Festival returns for its' yearly event. Thursday night will be an all gospel night with a special appearance by Mountain Faith, an award winning band from the mountains of North Carolina. ...

Mike Nichols was recently was hired as the new chief information officer for SoutheastHEALTH. Nichols is originally from Missouri and holds a master's degree in computer resources and information systems management from Webster University, according to a news release. He also is a certified professional in health information technology and a certified information systems security professional...

Steve Dirnberger and Joey McLane were recently chosen to serve on boards that govern the Saint Francis Healthcare System. Dirnberger, an accountant and auditor at Stanley, Dirnberger, Hopper & Associates in Cape Girardeau, was appointed to the system's board of directors after previously serving on the system's health development board, according to a news release from Saint Francis...

Today is Monday, Jan. 5, the fifth day of 2015. There are 360 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Jan. 5, 1925, Democrat Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming took office as America's first female governor, succeeding her late husband, William, following a special election...

TRAVEL The expert: Carolyn Sandgren (Kempf), president of Elite Travel Inc. FITNESS The expert: Dr. Jeremy Barnes, professor of health promotion at Southeast Missouri State University HEALTH The expert: Kevin Wood, pharmacist at Broadway Prescription Shop...

(AP) -- Mark Twain only lived in Hannibal, Missouri, for 13 years, but many of his most famous stories were inspired by this humble Midwestern city. A visit to Hannibal today, with its excellent museums, preserved historic sites and old-timey antique shops, offers a way to appreciate the impact this place had on one of America's best-known writers. ...

What used to be marketed to boys as toys seems to have morphed into an industry of technology-sophisticated scale-model trains for hobbyists and collectors. Ralph Maxton of Cape Girardeau remembers when, as a boy, he would play with an electric train his father would set up around the Christmas tree each December. It was a seasonal thing...

You may think having golf-course green grass requires hours of work each day, but if you want the best lawn on the block, it's as easy as coming up with a plan. The secret? When it comes to lawn maintenance, it's never too early to prepare your course of action. Starting now and focusing on specific to-do's each month ensures you'll have grass you can be proud of all year long...

DES MOINES, Iowa -- As anyone who has grown up around snow knows, part of the fun of sledding is the risk of soaring off a jump or careening around a tree. But faced with the potential bill from sledding injuries, some cities have opted to close hills rather than risk large liability claims...

SURABAYA, Indonesia -- Relatives of those who died in the AirAsia crash sought strength in prayer Sunday, one week after the disaster killed all 162 on board, as rough weather again prevented searchers from reaching a large object on the ocean floor believed to be the plane's fuselage...

JERUSALEM -- Israeli leaders on Sunday threatened to take tougher action against the Palestinians over their decision to join the International Criminal Court, a day after freezing the transfer of more than $100 million in tax funds. Last week's Palestinian decision to seek membership in the international court has infuriated Israel. The Palestinians have said they intend on using their new membership in the Hague-based tribunal to press war crimes cases against Israel...

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis named 15 new cardinals Sunday, selecting them from 14 nations including far-flung corners of the world such as Tonga, New Zealand, Cape Verde and Myanmar to reflect the diversity of the church and its growth in places like Asia and Africa compared to affluent regions...

LONDON -- Bono says he now has a titanium elbow and may never play guitar again due to injuries suffered in a New York City cycling accident. The 54-year-old U2 frontman suffered multiple injuries, including fractures to his left eye socket, shoulder blade and left elbow, when he crashed his bike in Central Park in November. He required hours of surgery after what doctors called a "high-energy bicycle accident."...

EDDYVILLE, Ky. -- Sailor Gutzler, the 7-year-old girl who survived a plane crash, walked a mile through the cold, dark woods to safety and then helped authorities locate the wreckage and remains of her family, may not be done helping investigators. National Transportation Safety Board investigator Heidi Moats said Sunday that Sailor is "one remarkable young lady," and she might be able to assist them in determining what brought the plane down. ...

MIAMI -- Just starting a five-year sentence for illegally re-entering the United States, George Lewis stared at the officers staring back at him at Miami's federal detention center and considered whether he'd risk getting on another smuggler's boat -- a chance that soaring numbers of Caribbean islanders are taking -- once he's deported again...

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- An Arizona bobcat may have used up one of its nine lives after it survived getting stuck inside an oncoming car. Arizona Game and Fish Department spokeswoman Lynda Lambert said the bobcat appears to have escaped any serious injuries and is awaiting evaluation by a veterinarian at an animal sanctuary in Scottsdale...

BOSTON -- His accusers brandish a confession scribbled inside a boat during an intensive manhunt and a video they say shows him placing a backpack with a bomb a few feet from a little boy who died when it exploded seconds later. His defenders bank on the story of a difficult childhood in a former Soviet republic and his radicalization at the hands of an influential older brother who could have pressured him into participating in the deadly attack...

President Obama; Christmas Tournament; Elf photo; Gas price; Big Ten; Fiscal evaluation ; Cruze, Democrats; Henniger, politics; Budget vote; Jeb Bush, Obama; Jeb Bush; Pope and Cuba

We have a number of groups that do important work in the area to feed the hungry. Providing this nourishment for those who have minimal resources is vital. But also important are the other things many take for granted. A story in the Dec. 23 Southeast Missourian by Emily Priddy highlighted other ways people can help...

Wolohan Lumber Co. of Saginaw, Michigan, has purchased the Riverside Building Supply and Home Centers property at 120 N. Kingshighway and will open a lumber and hardware operation here this year. Rumors Inc., a popular downtown night spot that has been the target of complaints, protests and controversies during the past two years, has closed...

The Scott City Fire Department responded to the following calls: December 26 n At 1:10 p.m., a grass fire on Interstate 55, northbound mile marker 92.2. n At 5:43 p.m., emergency medical service on Jefferson Avenue. n At 9:33 p.m., smoke investigation on Main Street...

The Scott City Police Department reported the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. n Dwain E. Cooper, 45, no address given, was arrested on suspicion of failure to appear for driving while intoxicated. n Dustin T. Smith, 27, of Cape Girardeau was arrested on suspicion of assault, armed criminal action, burglary and robbery...

The Jackson Police Department released the following items. n Dustin Overbey, 27, of Marble Hill, Missouri, was arrested on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and failure to maintain single lane of traffic. n Justin W. Doles, 20, of Jackson was issued a summons for a stop-sign violation...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department reported the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. n A suspect was in custody pending formal charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. n A suspect was in custody pending formal charges of stealing a credit card and fradulent use of a credit device...

Son to Kevin and Jennifer Gerhardt of Jackson, Southeast Hospital, 9:12 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014. Name, Lincoln Hale. Weight, 7 pounds, 2 ounces. Fourth child, second son. Mrs. Gerhardt is the former Jennifer Biri, daughter of Walter and Donna Biri of Jackson. She is an IIS specialist at Community Counseling Center. Gerhardt is the son of Kermit and Cheryl Gerhardt and Darlene Daniel of Jackson. He is a central sterile tech at Southeast...

COMMERCE, Mo. -- Imogene Mayberry, 82, of Commerce died Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, at the Chaffee Nursing Center in Chaffee, Missouri. She was born Sept. 27, 1931, in Portageville, Missouri, the daughter of William and Aby Williams Moore. She married Riley "Tutor" Mayberry on March 29, 1947, in Piggott, Arkansas. He preceded her in death Oct. 21, 2001...

Niclous "Nick" H. Leist, 74, of Jackson died Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St Louis. Arrangements are incomplete at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

ORAN, Mo. -- Wesley D. Harris, 80, of Oran died Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Chapel in Oran.

Joyce Eaker, 86, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Anna, Illinois, died at 12:05 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, at Southeast Hospital. Joyce was born Oct. 15, 1928, in Commerce, Missouri, to George and Gertrude Peel Johnson. She married Verlee Eaker on July 10, 1950...

Wilma Louise Busciglio, 80, of Cape Girardeau passed away Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center. She was born Dec. 24, 1934, in Delta, daughter of the late William Sherman and Grace Belle Gibbons Morrison. She and Joseph Busciglio were married July 3, 1974, in Perryville, Missouri...

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- After scoring two goals, T.J. Oshie was determined to get linemate David Backes a goal of his own as a reward for all his hard work.

NEW YORK -- Small business owners may get more help from Washington in 2015. Gridlock in Washington in recent years has stalled tax bills and other legislation aimed at helping small companies, but such proposals are expected to be on the agenda in the Republican-led Congress. Democrats have opposed some proposals because of concerns about the effect of those tax breaks on the federal budget...

HELENA, Mont. -- Problems with the 2014 malt barley crop in the western United States have resulted in the worst year for malting production in the nation, but beer drinkers likely won't have to shell out extra dollars for their favorite brews. Much of the nation's large-scale brewing is in the Midwest, says Collin Watters of the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee, but barley growing has been pushed farther west as corn and soy have become more profitable to grow...

NEW YORK -- Fast-food chains have a New Year's resolution: Drop the junk. As people express distaste for food they think is overly processed, McDonald's, Taco Bell and other chains are trying to shed their reputation for serving reheated meals that are loaded with chemicals. That includes rethinking the use of artificial preservatives and other ingredients customers find objectionable...

The collapse in oil prices over the past few months won't derail the railroads' profit engine even if it slows the growth in crude shipments seen in recent years. Carloads of crude oil spiked well over 4,000 percent between 2008 and last year -- from 9,500 carloads to 435,560 -- as production boomed and the cost for a barrel of oil soared into the triple digits...

1 Barton Square, Jackson 9 a.m. today n None at this time n Items listed on the agenda n Purchase orders n Recorder of deeds monthly report n The Rite Group Agreement--Prosecutor office n Postage report n Bank reconciliation--November 2014 n Statement of monthly collections--October...

City hall 401 Independence St. Study session, 5 p.m. today n No action will be taken during the study session. n Cape Girardeau County Facilities Study Committee -- chairman Mike Seabaugh n Planning and Zoning Commission report n Appearances regarding items not on the agenda...

NEW YORK -- Thousands of police turned their backs Sunday as Mayor Bill de Blasio eulogized an officer shot dead with his partner, repeating a display of scorn for the mayor despite entreaties to put anger aside. The show of disrespect came outside the funeral home where officer Wenjian Liu was remembered as an incarnation of the American dream: a man who had emigrated from China at age 12 and devoted himself to helping others in his adopted country. ...

Northbound Interstate 55 in Cape Girardeau County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews make deck repairs to the bridge over the Diversion Channel. This section of road is between Highway 74 at Cape Girardeau and Route AB, according to a MoDOT news release. The work will take place from 7 p.m. Saturday through 7 a.m. Jan. 12, and from 7 p.m. Jan. 17 through 7 a.m. Jan. 19...

LODI, N.J. -- The New Jersey strip club that was the real-life stand-in for the Bada Bing on HBO's "Sopranos" has been hit by criminals again. Satin Dolls in Lodi was robbed by two armed men a few days before Christmas. Now, police say someone broke into the club early Friday morning...

Lord Jesus, may we serve others and show them your love. Amen.

The Jackson Fire Department responded to the following call Saturday