Stories from Sunday, June 14, 2015

A Cape Girardeau man was in custody after an alleged assault Monday night. A 50-year-old man, also of Cape Girardeau, arrived about 10 a.m. Tuesday at police headquarters with a large laceration on the side of his neck, Sgt. Adam Glueck of the Cape Girardeau Police Department wrote in an email...

Two men were in custody after an investigation into a burglary on Cape Girardeau County Road 444. Christopher Overy, 28, of Oak Ridge and Zackary Stewart, 26, of Springfield, Missouri, each were charged with one count of burglary and stealing, according to the Facebook page Saturday of the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office. Stewart also was charged with property damage...

Police are searching for a suspect in connection with an armed robbery Saturday afternoon in downtown Cape Girardeau. Cape Girardeau Police Sgt. Rick Schmidt said police responded to a reported robbery near the intersection of Independence and Main streets...

Murder suspect George Joseph was in court Friday in one of his last appearances before his case goes to trial next month. During the motion hearing Friday, Jospeh's attorney, Cynthia Dryden, sought to revisit motions that had been overruled. The first was a motion to suppress, which Judge Benjamin Lewis overruled...

Southeast Missouri State University on Friday announced its lineup for the 2015-2016 season at the River Campus. Bob Cerchio, assistant director of the Earl and Margie Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts who booked the touring series, said this will be one of its strongest seasons...

The sitting and the waiting. That was the most difficult part for recently graduated high school athletes Tyler Slinkard and Trevor Morehead.

Hundreds of local cancer survivors, caretakers and family members gathered at noon Saturday to walk in the 30th annual Relay for Life. People planned to walk around a track at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau from noon until midnight to raise money for cancer research, treatments and other services for cancer patients...

Southeast Missouri State University has joined with Three Rivers College and two other universities to offer bachelor's degrees at Three Rivers' Poplar Bluff campus. Southeast, with Central Methodist University and Hannibal-LaGrange University, will contribute $30,000 a year to create a new university center, plus $150 per course taught at Three Rivers' campus...

After months of discussion and review, the Cape Girardeau City Council will vote Monday night to take another step to selecting a partner for a new indoor sports complex. The resolution up for vote announces the selection of Midamerica Hotels Corp. to design and build the facility. It also calls for choosing a first alternate and authorizes the city manager to negotiate a development agreement to present to the council for approval...

Sheri Dozier Cape Girardeau Receptionist A Missouri teen recently tied as winner of the National Spelling Bee. How would you rate your spelling ability? I would say a "D" because I'm an awful speller. Tell me about your summer vacation plans. I plan on going to Arizona for a week and that's about it. We are going to Flagstaff to do some hiking...

Braeden Walton won the 8U homerun derby on Sat. June 13th in Chaffee, MO.

Scott City's 8U team won the Chaffee Tournament this past weekend. Good job boys!!

Today is Sunday, June 14, the 165th day of 2015. There are 200 days left in the year. This is Flag Day. Today's Highlight in History: On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, adopted the original design of the Stars and Stripes, specifying a flag containing thirteen red and white stripes and thirteen stars...

Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Eller of Cape Girardeau celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a buffet and party June 6. Hosts were their daughters. Gordon and the former Ann Hauck were married June 6, 1965, in Beloit, Kansas. George W. Eller, father of the groom, performed the ceremony. Their attendants were Judy Swain and Ruth Eller...

Jennifer Lynne Kasten and Daniel Joseph Hoskins were married June 14, 2014, at Trinity Lutheran Church. The Rev. Douglas Breite performed the ceremony. Organist was Marty Roth of Cape Girardeau and soloist was Alisha Curtis of Jackson. Reader was Blake Kasten of Jackson, nephew of the bride...

"You've got to have an identity," and the Rock 'N' Roll Church has found it, said Pastor Billy Garner. Six and a half years ago, he and eight others were "the core group" who launched the church known for its music, motorcycles and mission of "reaching those on crack, full of cracks and in the cracks!"...

David and Diana Smith of St. Louis announce the engagement of their daughter, Katie A. Smith, to Robert Michael Cuba, both of St. Louis. He is the son of Richard and Rhonda Cuba of Cape Girardeau. Katie is a 2004 graduate of Bishop DuBourg High School in St. Louis. She received a bachelor's degree in special education and elementary education from Fontbonne University in St. Louis in 2009. She is a fifth grade teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School in Imperial, Missouri...

McCLURE, Ill. -- Greg and Amy Reynolds of McClure announce the engagement of their daughter, Jessie Nicole Reynolds, to Andrew David Livesay, both of Wolf Lake, Illinois. He is the son of David and Mindy Livesay of Wolf Lake. Jessie is a 2012 graduate of Shawnee High School. She expects to receive a registered nursing degree from Shawnee Community College in May 2016...

Sarah Christine Polen and Bradley Marshall Main were married April 25, 2015, at Chicago Cultural Center. A justice of the peace performed the ceremony. Parents of the couple are Cord and Martha Polen and Dr. Jim and Marge Main of Cape Girardeau. Maid of honor was Emily Polen of Cape Girardeau...

Michael and Terralyn Kahle of Jackson announce the engagement of their daughter, Rachel Marie Kahle, to Dr. Mark Andrew Rucker. He is the son of Dr. Thomas and Cynthia Rucker of Savannah, Missouri. Rachel is a 2007 graduate of Jackson High School. She received a bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences from Southeast Missouri State University in 2011, a master's degree in bioethics from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in 2012, and is a fourth year medical student at Kansas City University.. ...

Mr. and Mrs. Bo Catrino of Sikeston, Missouri, announce the engagement of their daughter, Sarah Louise Catrino, to Tyler Herrick Cuba, both of Cape Girardeau. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Cuba of Cape Girardeau. Sarah is a 2007 graduate of Notre Dame Regional High School. ...

At their home, nestled in the countryside of northern Cape Girardeau County, Janet and Leonard Fiedler always keep a pair of binoculars handy to get a closer look as wildlife wanders through a nearby field. From their kitchen window or sunroom, the Fiedlers frequently spot deer and turkeys crossing the clearing as they approach a small pond to have a drink...

We often think of the male cardinal as our red bird, but there is another songbird in our woods whose feathers are all red. It's the male summer tanager. The summer tanager migrates south for winter, going to Central America and northern parts of South America...

Silver Haired Legislature elects officers Southeast Missouri Silver Haired Legislature delegates, meeting June 3, elected officers: Connie Larrew of Poplar Bluff, chair; Ray Freeman of Doniphan, vice chair; and Doug Austin of Cape Girardeau, recording secretary. ...

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- It's not uncommon to see floral patterns on quilts. But how about flowers planted in a quilt pattern? The quilt garden at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville is designed to mimic the shapes and colors found in traditional quilt block patterns...

Today is Flag Day, when we fly our nation's colors proudly. Here is a chance to bring out your red, white and blue and show off your patriotism to all of your neighbors. For our family, today is also a very special day as we celebrate two birthdays. My brother-in-law of almost 40 years, Wynn Bollinger, and my nephew, who is also Wynn's son-in-law, William Zickfield, both have birthdays today...

This past week my wife and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. Despite research that identifies marriage is on the decline and those who choose to marry do so at a later age in life than in years past, the wisdom found in Proverbs 18:22, which says, "The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and received favor from the Lord" rings true...

When you begin a project, does it seem insurmountable? Or do you begin with a burst of enthusiasm that would be impossible to keep up and then, like a sizzling fire, burn out? How often have you possessed huge dreams and scarcely could wait for morning so you could make them come true -- become realities? Perhaps you wanted to lose weight and were dying to begin the new diet you just heard about. You planned to exercise every day and get into better shape, too...

June 14th each year is set aside as Flag Day in the United States. There are many stories written about our flag but none could rival the drama of Francis Scott Key's writing of the poem that became our National Anthem. It was about the battle for Ft. McHenry in Baltimore Harbor during the War of 1812. Our flag played a prominent role in the story he told...

While strolling, I wondered whatever happened to James Wetzel. Happy birthday to Amanda Horrell, Billy Davis, Lynn Felton, Bridgett Rains, Chad Beard, Jody Rister, Don Sheeley, Andy Wilhite, Esten Cooper, Candi Hargrove, Maxine Scott, Nathan McIntosh, Bill Dysinger, Sammie Poe, Berta Payne, Shawn Nix, Stephanie Phillips, Beth Eichhorn, Thomas Moore, Janice Trankler, Chris Qualls, Ryan Dirnberger, Amber Schlitt, Jason Umfleet, Amanda Ford, Frank Proffer and Carl Kagle. ...

Ciara Cheyenne Coomer, daughter of Jack and Penny Coomer of Delta, was awarded the Mary Maud and Norvell Hosea Memorial Scholarship by the Whitewater Order of the Eastern Star No. 174 of Whitewater. A Delta High School graduate, Coomer plans to pursue a degree in nursing at the Career and Technology Center in Cape Girardeau...

What a spring it was for local sports in Southeast Missouri. Last week wrapped with Notre Dame Regional High School's resounding state championship win, 17-0 over Sullivan, ending its fantastic season with an overall record of 28-4. Notre Dame was simply dominant, having beat five of its six postseason opponents by the mercy rule on its way to the title. ...

As Saint Francis Medical Center expands and Southeast Health gets back on its feet, I think we are lucky to have two great medical facilities in Cape. I hope both keep expanding and upgrading because that means better care for all of us. Competition breeds excellence. I saw Poplar Bluff go from three hospitals to two to one, and the results haven't been great. As long as our two hospitals compete, we all win with better care, lower cost and state-of-the art facilities...

NORRISTOWN, Pa. -- A suburban Philadelphia county made an embarrassing misspelling on signage posted around the community: the word "commissioners" with only one "m" on 26 signs. Montgomery County officials say it will take about 10 days and $4,000 to correct the error with adhesive labels. The 6-foot-tall signs bear the county's website and the names of the three county commissioners. A county employee noticed the error and reported it to officials...

CLEVELAND -- Investigators have found no hard evidence a Cleveland police officer who fatally shot a 12-year-old boy carrying a pellet gun ordered him to raise his hands before opening fire. Documents released Saturday by the prosecutor handling the racially charged case detail the moments before the brief, deadly encounter -- and how the responding officers seemed almost shell-shocked as Tamir Rice lay dying outside a rec center...

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Spokane NAACP leader Rachel Dolezal said she will speak about the furor over racial identity sparked after her parents said she has falsely portrayed herself as black for years. KHQ-TV in Spokane reported Dolezal sent a message to NAACP members saying she would address the situation at a Monday night meeting of the group...

NEW YORK -- Hillary Rodham Clinton formally kicked off her presidential campaign Saturday with an enthusiastic embrace of her potential to become the first woman to win the White House, asking supporters gathered at an outdoor rally to join her in building an America "where we don't leave anyone out, or anyone behind."...

DALLAS -- A man planted pipe bombs outside of Dallas' police headquarters early Saturday before opening fire on the building and officers who tried to stop him, spraying the building and a squad car with bullets during a street battle but injuring no one...

Son to Jason William Newton and Misty Dawn Becker of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Hospital, 7:16 a.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2015. Name, Becker Jase. Weight, 6 pounds, 1 ounce. First child. Ms. Becker is the daughter of Dave and Toni Becker of Williamsville, Missouri. She is employed by J.C. Penney. Newton is the son of Jack and Kay Crow of Webb City, Missouri, and John Newton of Pittsburg, Kansas. He is employed by T.J. Maxx...

Cape Girardeau's Planning and Zoning Commission met last night to consider a request to amend the city's billboard ordinance only to have the request withdrawn; Bob Drury of Drury Development Corp. withdrew a request to allow the erection of 672-square-foot billboards along Interstate 55 within the city limits because the matter "isn't worth the aggravation."...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Geraldine M. Tharp, 76, of Perryville died Friday, June 12, 2015, at Perry County Memorial Hospital. She was born Dec. 2, 1938, in Cape Girardeau to the late Byron and Gladys Holmes Lorenz. She married John Wilburn Tharp on March 3, 1957 at Cedar Fork Church...

The Rev. C.W. Randol, 88, of Canton, Georgia, passed away Sunday, June 7, 2015, at Canton Nursing Center. He was a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II. Survivors include siblings, Richard (Jane) Randol of Canton, Doyle Randol of Cape Girardeau, Ramona Easton of Canton and Genevieve Randol of McClure, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews...

Dr. Earl W. Johnson, 92, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, June 12, 2015, at Southeast Hospital. Visitation will be from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Karen Nothdurft officiating. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau...

Addie R. Hall, 87, of Cape Girardeau passed away Friday, June 12, 2015, with her family, whom she dearly loved, at her bedside. She was born Aug. 13, 1927, near Water Valley, Kentucky, daughter of Amos and Vinnie Stokes. She grew up near East Prairie, Missouri, and later moved to Cape Girardeau. She and Roy Odell Johnson were married Jan. 24, 1946. He passed away Oct. 27, 1988. She married John Hall, who preceded her in death in 1994...

David Valentine Hajduk, 81, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, June 11, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center. He was born Feb. 14, 1934, in Pittsburgh to Charles G. and Frances Wasecko Hajduk. David pursued theological studies, a master's in education and a license in professional counseling. ...

Barbara Ann Litzelfelner Gorski, 77, of Jackson passed away Thursday, June 11, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born Nov. 27, 1937, in Cape Girardeau to the late Odis and Ethel Masterson Litzelfelner. Barb was a graduate of Jackson High School and the University of Missouri. She was an executive secretary for Monsanto 37 years...

Betty Erson, 97, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, June 11, 2015, at the Lutheran Home. She was born Oct. 16, 1917 in Garrison, Iowa, the daughter of the late Clair and Hazel Hollingsworth. On Nov. 14, 1941, she married Roy J. Erson in Minneapolis. He preceded her in death Jan. 14, 2005...

Rosemary Elizabeth Diebold, 83, of Benton, Missouri, died Friday, June 12, 2015, at The Arbors of Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Benton. A rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Denis Catholic Church in Benton, with the Rev. Michael Casteel officiating...

Southeast Missouri State sophomore Chris Martin, a graduate of Central High School, finished 21st out of 24 qualifiers in the triple jump at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Friday evening. It was the first appearance at the national meet, held annually in Eugene, Oregon, for Martin...

The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. n Robert L. Crader Jr., 60, of Cape Girardeau was arrested on a Cape Girardeau County warrant. n Tyler P. Hawn, 49, 323 E. Washington St., No. B, was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication...

* Medical assist calls were made to: Franks Lane at 7:31 a.m.; South Broadview Street at 10:36 a.m.; South Kingshighway at 12:16 p.m.; South Ellis Street at 5:30 p.m.; Washington Avenue at 8:50 p.m.; and Sonnet Drive at 10:24 p.m. n At 12:51 a.m., unauthorized burning on East Cape Rock Drive...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. n Tyler J. Clark, 28, 3009 Mosley Lane, was arrested on a probation warrant for parole violation and on a Cape Girardeau warrant for failure to appear. n A suspect was in custody pending formal charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Dexter, Missouri, man who admitted to exposing as many as 300 people to HIV has pleaded guilty. David L. Mangum entered the plea of guilty to two counts of recklessly risking infection of another person of HIV on Tuesday at the Butler County Courthouse...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Donald Lafferty is due in court in January after being originally scheduled to stand trial this month. The former minister faces charges of first-degree attempted murder, first-degree arson, armed criminal action and financial exploitation of an elderly/disabled person...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff man is in serious condition after being allegedly stabbed several times by his girlfriend's 17-year-old son as she held him down. Butler County Sheriff's Deputies arrested Desean R. Bell and April L. Noyes, 37, both of the 600 block of Hart Street in Neelyville, Missouri, on suspicion of first-degree assault at 1:15 a.m. Friday in the 100 block of Lyla Lane...

BIEHLE, Mo. -- Orval C. Bellm, 99, of Biehle died Thursday, June 11, 2015, at his home. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Young and Sons Funeral Home in Perryville, Missouri...

Protect us, O God, from evil and give us wisdom to forgive when asked. Amen.

Lately, there has been a great deal of confusion concerning the fate of the local mail processing plant, the Richard G. Wilson Processing and Distribution Facility. At this point, there have been no details provided as to how this plant will be affected by the U.S. ...

It seems as if, through the winter, we grumble about the cold, the snow and the ice, but when the really hot days of summer arrive, we don't like that any better. When the daytime highs are in the 90s, with nights in the 70s, we know summer is here in true form. With the hot temps come added responsibility...