Stories from Thursday, July 23, 2015

WASHINGTON -- The 11 million Americans who receive Social Security disability face steep benefit cuts next year, the government said Wednesday, handing lawmakers a fiscal and political crisis in the middle of a presidential campaign. The trustees who oversee Social Security and Medicare said the disability trust fund will run out of money in late 2016. That would trigger an automatic 19 percent cut in benefits, unless Congress acts...

Try as she might, George Joseph's attorney, Cynthia Dryden, was unable to persuade Judge Benjamin Lewis to keep Keith Monia out of the discussion Wednesday. Much of the testimony on the third day of Joseph's murder trial focused on the defendant's financial situation, including his connection with Monia. Dryden raised several continuing objections to evidence and witness testimony throughout the day...

Southeast Missouri State University's board of regents has approved an addendum to the employment agreement with president emeritus Kenneth Dobbins, authorizing the university to pay Dobbins up to $75,000 to represent Southeast in the St. Louis area and assist president Carlos Vargas-Aburto with his transition into the presidency...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Butler County judge sentenced a Dexter, Missouri, man to 30 years in prison after saying he willingly and intentionally put sexual partners at risk for HIV. David Lee Mangum, 39, appeared before Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett for sentencing Tuesday afternoon...

It was the perfect night for a party after Post 158 run-ruled Ballwin Post 611 and won 18-4 in seven innings to advance to tonight's Zone 4 tournament winner's bracket final at Wilson Rozier Park.

Art Academy Exhibit 2016 Student art works from the Art Academy , Art Reach, and Painting with the Elderly workshops will be on display at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, 32 North Main Street, August 7- 29, with an opening reception on First Friday, August 7th from 5- 9 p.m. The Art Council is open Tuesday - Saturday from 10 a.m. -- 4 p.m...

The newly-formed Kelly football booster club has met with school administrators and new coach Lance Powers to discuss how to move the program forward in the future.

Today is Thursday, July 23, the 204th day of 2015. There are 161 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On July 23, 1945, French Marshal Henri Petain, who had headed the pro-Axis Vichy government during World War II, went on trial, charged with treason. (He was convicted and condemned to death, but the sentence was commuted to life in prison. On this date in 1951, Petain died in prison.)...

America's veterans deserve our greatest admiration and thanks. These individuals have been on the front lines of freedom and risked their lives to protect our homeland. When individuals or organizations find ways to honor these individuals, it's important to pause and say, "Thank you."...

WASHINGTON -- Seeking to engage parents more in their children's education, the Obama administration on Friday released a checklist of questions they should be asking schools. "I have never met a parent who doesn't want the best for their child; however, it can be hard for families to know how to support their child's education," Education Secretary Arne Duncan said. "Engaging with their educators is a good place to start."...

Materials n 4 markers n Popsicle stick n Large disposable 18-ounce drinking cup n AAA battery holder with switch n Two AAA batteries n Motor with spinner n Duct tape n Super glue Instructions STEP 1: Using the super glue, attach the AAA battery holder with switch to one end of the Popsicle stick and the motor with spinner to the other end of the Popsicle stick...

WASHINGTON -- The man accused of killing nine black church members in Charleston, South Carolina, was motivated by racial hatred and a desire to commit a "notorious attack" when he opened fire inside a historic house of worship last month, according to a federal grand-jury indictment issued Wednesday that makes him eligible for the death penalty...

DALLAS -- A woman whose death in a Texas jail has raised suspicions about the official conclusion she hanged herself told a guard during booking she had tried to kill herself in the past, the sheriff said Wednesday. Waller County Sheriff Glenn Smith said during a telephone interview Sandra Bland told a jailer July 10 about a previous suicide attempt while being asked a series of questions posed to each person booked into the jail. He did not provide other details about the conversation...

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Twenty Marines and two Navy corpsmen were in the middle of a mundane task, checking their equipment after a training mission, when the silver Mustang convertible came barreling through the gates of the reserve center on the banks of the Tennessee River...

NEW YORK -- Two months ahead of his first trip to the U.S., Pope Francis' approval rating among Americans has plummeted, driven mostly by a decline among political conservatives and Roman Catholics, according to a new Gallup poll released Wednesday...

Southeast Missouri State University painting students Deanna Hoffman, left, and Haleigh Givens start detailing a mural they are working on Wednesday outside Bella Italia in downtown Cape Girardeau. They hope to complete the painting next week.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A former Missouri legislative intern claims a Democratic state senator sexually harassed her, made what she felt was a request for sex and retaliated when she refused, according to a Senate report released Wednesday. The lawmaker denied any inappropriate behavior...

FERGUSON, Mo. -- Ferguson leaders introduced a new interim police chief Wednesday, tasking the black police commander from Arizona with building trust between residents of the predominantly black St. Louis suburb and its mostly white officers, nearly a year since Michael Brown's death roiled racial tensions...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Missouri wildlife officials say they euthanized a black bear in the southwest part of the state this week because someone in the area was feeding it, causing the animal to no longer avoid humans. The Missouri Department of Conservation said the 250-pound bear in Christian County couldn't be relocated to a more remote location, because once a bear associates people with food, it will continue to seek residences or neighborhoods in search of food...

Eggimann Feed & Seed, which was established in 1926 by O.E. Eggimann, has been sold to Rick and Patty Martin; the two plan to keep the business at 514 Independence St. intact. Planning toward a Nov. 7 vote on a proposed Cape Girardeau-Bollinger County recreational lake is derailed after the Bollinger County Commission decides to delay putting the issue before the voters of its county; the news catches Cape Girardeau County commissioners by surprise...

ATHENS, Greece -- Greece's parliament overwhelmingly approved a new batch of reforms today demanded by the country's international creditors, clearing the way for talks on a third multibillion-euro bailout without which the country faces total financial ruin...

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Amid angry demonstrations over the Confederate flag last weekend, a quiet gesture of human kindness unfolded on the steps to South Carolina's Statehouse: A white man overcome by the sweltering heat and wearing a Nazi swastika on his T-shirt was escorted to rest and shelter by a black man wearing an officer's uniform...

BISMARCK, N.D. -- A federal appeals court affirmed a ruling Wednesday that struck down one of the most restrictive anti-abortion laws in the country: a North Dakota law that bans abortions when a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which can be as early as six weeks into a pregnancy...

Daughter to Kevin Wayne Scott and Andrea Elizabeth Powell of Kelso, Missouri, Southeast Hospital, 6:27 a.m. Friday, July 10, 2015. Name, Remington Skylar Kaye. Weight, 5 pounds, 4 ounces. Third daughter. Ms. Powell is the former Andrea Baker, daughter of Sharon and Larry Frankum of Cape Girardeau and Jimmy Baker of Berryville, Arkansas. Scott is the son of Gary and Carolyn Scott of East Prairie, Missouri. He is employed by Duty Construction...

The Jackson Police Department released the following items. n Theft was reported in the 200 block of South Union Avenue. n Property damage was reported in the 800 block of North Farmington Road. n An assist was requested in the 1100 block of West Jackson Boulevard...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. n Eric T. Collins, 37, 118 S. Hanover St., was issued a summons for driving while intoxicated and careless and imprudent driving. n A suspect was in custody pending formal charges of possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a weapon and failure to signal...

KELSO, Mo. -- John Henry Weissmueller, 91, of Kelso died Wednesday, July 22, 2015, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born April 30, 1924, in Kelso, to Lawrence and Ella Pobst Weissmueller. He and Martha Agnes Elfrink were married Jan. 17, 1948...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Walter Lewis Richard Sr., 75, of rural Cairo died Wednesday, July 15, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time Saturday at First Missionary Baptist Church in Cairo. The funeral will be at noon Saturday at the church, with Jimmy Ellis officiating. Burial will be in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens in Villa Ridge, Illinois...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Thelma Jean Harvel, 89, of Marion, Illinois, formerly of Jonesboro, died Wednesday, July 22, 2015, at Hurricane Creek Assisted Living in Herrin, Illinois. She was born Feb. 6, 1926, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Arthur and Lora Haney Garrison. She and Dempsey Harry Harvel were married Sept. 27, 1941, in Jackson. He preceded her in death Nov. 18, 1988...

Kenneth Garrett, 79, of Jackson died Monday, July 20, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Oct. 24, 1935, in Friendship, Tennessee, son of Ocle Franklin and Frankie Garrett. He and Avis Hartlein were married May 15, 1958. She preceded him in death Feb. 22, 1991. He then married Alice Carnell on Jan. 4, 1992...

Patricia D. Dearinger, 91, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, July 19, 2015, at the Missouri Veterans Home. Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Friday at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield. Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Health officials in Boone County says seven suspected cases of mumps have been reported in the Columbia area. The University of Missouri said in a release Wednesday the university is helping health officials notify people, including University of Missouri students and visitors, who may have come in contact with people displaying symptoms of mumps...

The District 14 champion Jackson Post 158 Senior Legion baseball team opened up the Zone 4 tournament with a 9-6 victory over Ste. Genevieve Post 150 on Wednesday night at Wilson Rozier Park in Farmington, Missouri. Jackson, which fell behind 3-0 in the bottom of the first, tied the game with three runs in the top of the fourth only to see Ste. Genevieve score three times in the bottom of the inning...

CHICAGO -- Yadier Molina hit a bases-loaded triple off David Robertson with two out in the eighth inning, sending the St. Louis Cardinals to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night. Randal Grichuk singled, Matt Holliday was hit by a pitch and Jason Heyward reached on catcher's interference before Molina drove a 2-2 pitch into the corner in right for his third hit of the game...

NEW YORK -- The publisher of a biography of Bill Cosby has pulled blurbs from Billy Crystal, Mary Tyler Moore and other celebrities from dedicated web pages on Amazon.com and other retailers. Simon & Schuster vice president and executive director of publicity Cary Goldstein said Wednesday because of "recent events," it was removing the endorsements for Mark Whitaker's "Cosby," which came out last fall to positive reviews but soon was criticized heavily for overlooking the many allegations against Cosby of sexual assault.. ...

Those who have been holding on to compost bags, limbs and other yard waste until the Cape Girardeau Public Works Department resumes its special collections won't have to wait much longer. The city plans to begin compost, limb and brush collection services in the next week, bringing an end to a monthlong suspension...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department has announced locations for its next six Neighborhood Roll Call events. They will be today at Linden and Benton streets; Monday at Henderson Avenue and Butler Street; July 30 at Lisa and Longview drives; Aug. 6 at Washington Avenue and Middle Street; Aug. 13 at Good Hope Street and Minnesota Avenue; and Aug. 20 at Lorimier and Merriwether streets...

This week, the police department reported two accounts of rape in the Cape Girardeau area. However, the reports aren't believed to be related, said Sgt. Adam Glueck. Both reports were delayed. The first, which came Monday, was delayed "a considerable amount of time," Glueck said...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Poplar Bluff City Council began advertising Wednesday for applications to fill the seat of Dr. Jack Rushin, a council member at large. Applications will be accepted until July 30 and are expected to be presented for a vote at the Aug. 3 city council meeting...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The city of Poplar Bluff will issue nearly $17 million in bonds after a vote Monday of the city council, refinancing debt owed to Eight Points developers after months of delays and costly interest penalties. A little less than $13.8 million of the money goes to fulfill contractual obligations to reimburse developers for expenses, which include infrastructure and utility work...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- New city manager Mark Massingham of Poplar Bluff warned council members Monday to expect budget amendments in the coming months as he continues to go through spending proposals left by former city manager Heath Kaplan. Among the first will be a change in the city's plans to buy police cars...

There will be plenty of activities for residents of Scott City to attend in August. At the Scott City Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting Wednesday, representatives from the Boys and Girls Club, the Interactive Parks Program and school board attended the meeting to help coordinate each other's events...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff woman is to be arraigned in U.S. District Court on Friday morning after her recent indictment for bank fraud. Stephanie Ann McCane, a former assistant to a loan officer at Southern Bank in Poplar Bluff, is to appear at 10:45 a.m. Friday in Cape Girardeau before U.S. Magistrate Judge Abbie Crites-Leoni on the two-court indictment, which recently was handed down by a federal grand jury...

Charges have not been filed after a July 16 crash at Broadway and Clark Street that killed a Cape Girardeau woman. Florence James, 81, died at Saint Francis Medical Center after being injured when her northbound car was struck by a minivan. The minivan, driven by John J. Kelly of Cape Girardeau, was traveling east through the intersection, according to the Cape Girardeau Police Department...

LEMAY, Mo. -- St. Louis County is considering selling about 38 acres of parkland to the federal government for the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, which is expected to run out of space for graves in the coming years. But opponents say the plan is at best a short-term fix, and they view selling portions of Sylvan Springs County Park as an encroachment on a neighborhood asset, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported...

PORTLAND, Maine -- A Maine brewer is offering a quicker way to consume two of the state's summertime staples: beer and lobster. Oxbow Brewing is serving up beer brewed with live Maine lobsters and a dash of sea salt. Brewmaster Tim Adams says the lobsters were placed in a mesh bag and suspended in a kettle full of boiling wort during brewing. He says the lobsters add a subtle brininess and sweetness lobster fans will recognize...

Name: Drake Kesler School: Scott County Central High School Parents' names: Kim and Eric Kesler What extracurricular activities were you involved in? Can you tell us a little bit about your experiences? My extracurricular activities included band, Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), National Honor Society (NHS), baseball and basketball...

It is not my intent to dirty my hands by writing a political column, but I also cannot stand by while jerks insult veterans, wounded vets and active military. Especially when those jerks themselves avoided and lacked the courage to serve. During a recent interview with Donald Trump by Frank Luntz at the 2015 Family Leadership Conference in Ames, Iowa, Trump made an offensive and disrespectful comment about John McCain's military service, when Luntz pointed out that McCain was a war hero who spent six years as a prisoner of the North Vietnamese. ...

O Lord, we ask you for wisdom and that you would direct our steps each day. Amen.

For teenagers heading off to college, it's both a design dream and a challenge: What to do with a small, nondescript dorm room -- a space you may have to share? A space that may include furniture you can neither remove nor alter? Do-it-yourself projects are a great, low-cost way to inject personality into a temporary space...

After seven months of uncertainty, the Perryville Senior Center Board received the news its funding had been reinstated -- a relief for which it has been patiently awaiting. In January, $55,000 in planned cuts were applied to the Perryville Senior Center and the East Perry County Senior Center in Altenburg, Missouri. At the next meeting in April, a decision was scheduled to be made but was postponed because not enough information was available...

Their improbable run in the Missouri state tournament may have come as a surprise to some, but the Wayne County Lumberjacks are confident it wasn't a fluke and aren't ready to let it end. They'll compete in their first ever Midwest Plains Regional on Friday in Lyons, Kansas, where they'll enter play as the fresh face of the tournament with hopes of advancing to the Senior Babe Ruth World Series...