Stories from Thursday, October 27, 2016

The quiet pond reflects the cacophony of color as the mountain catches the morning sun.

Cutest pumpkin ever!!

Skilled workers in fields such as health care, automotive and manufacturing continue to be in high demand. Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center offers courses for high-school students as well as adults seeking new skills for a new career in those fields and others...

U.S. Rep. Jason Smith criticized the federal Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday for investigating alleged misuse of herbicides containing dicamba in Southeast Missouri. "I don't believe the EPA needs to be down here," Smith said before speaking at a meeting of the Cape Girardeau Lions Club...

Today in History Today is Thursday, Oct. 27, the 301st day of 2016. There are 65 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Oct. 27, 1787, the first of the Federalist Papers, a series of essays calling for ratification of the United States Constitution, was published...

Senior Night games are always special for high school athletes. You're recognized prior to the game alongside members of your family and teammates who feel like family from years of going to school or playing together. For Cape Girardeau Central senior Garrett Jones, the Tigers' 54-20 win over Soldan on Senior Night on Oct. ...

In 1911, the U.S. military adopted a new firearm for use in all branches. Put into use during the U.S. Philippine conflict, the firearm, as were so many other military weapons, was designed by John Browning and manufactured by Colt Firearms. The M1911 and later the M1911A1 .45 caliber automatic pistol, noted for its stopping power, would remain the standard issue U.S. ...

Chris Miller, interim assistant director of facilities and operations in the Office of Residence Life at Southeast Missouri State University, spends his time assisting with the basic needs of students, from plumbing to air conditioning. "Every day is different," he said. ...

MOUNT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST, Ore. -- Each year, thousands of Oregon parents hug their children goodbye and send them tramping into the wilderness for up to a week to learn about their state's natural wonders. The Outdoor School program was groundbreaking when it started more than a half-century ago...

n Dry ice n Large bowl n Dish towel n Dish detergent n Water n Ruler n STEP 1: Fill the bowl halfway with warm water. Describe and classify the water by using its observable properties. n STEP 2: Using gloves, add a piece of dry ice to the bowl of warm water. Describe and classify the dry ice by using its observable properties...

The following students have been awarded scholarships to attend Southeast Missouri State University for the 2017-2018 academic year. Lindsay Peters, Krista Martin and Madison Sitzes of Cape Girardeau and Matthew Woodfin of Marble Hill, Missouri, received scholarships.Samantha Schnicker of Jackson was awarded the Regents' Scholarship. ...

Since the late 1800s, Marxist Rhodes scholars, and since the 1920s, the Communist ACLU, have all but destroyed our Constitution, Judeo-Christian Morals, our Institutions and our Justice System. In 2009, Hillary said, "Our nation is run by a few (oligarchy); and it is time for a new form of government."...

WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon worked Wednesday to stave off a public-relations nightmare, suspending efforts to force California National Guard troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan to repay enlistment bonuses that may have been awarded improperly...

WASHINGTON -- His presidential dreams in question, Donald Trump pushed his business empire to the center of his political campaign Wednesday. Taking a break from battleground states, he made the case at his newest hotel that all Americans should look to his corporate record for evidence of how well he'd run the country...

NEW YORK -- Hillary Clinton appears on the cusp of a potentially commanding victory over Donald Trump, fueled by solid Democratic turnout in early voting, operational advantages and rising enthusiasm among her supporters. An Associated Press-GfK poll released Wednesday finds the Democratic nominee has grabbed advantages over her GOP rival with 12 days left before Election Day. Among them: consolidating support of her party and even winning some Republicans...

QAYARA, Iraq -- Islamic State militants have been going door to door in villages south of Mosul, ordering people at gunpoint on a mileslong trek into the city and using them as human shields as the extremists prepare to defend it from Iraqi forces, according to residents swept up in the forced evacuations...

More than 15 years ago, 17 babies were born after an experimental infertility treatment that gave them DNA from three people: Mom, Dad and an egg donor. Researchers have checked to see how the babies are doing as teenagers. The preliminary verdict: The kids are all right...

UNITED NATIONS -- The United States abstained for the first time in 25 years Wednesday on a U.N. resolution condemning America's economic embargo against Cuba, a measure it always had opposed. The U.S. was joined in abstaining by Israel, the only other country to vote against the embargo resolution in the General Assembly last year. When the vote -- 191-0 with two abstentions -- was shown on the electronic board, diplomats from the 193 U.N. member states burst into applause...

ROME -- Two strong aftershocks shook central Italy late Wednesday, crumbling churches and buildings, knocking out power and sending panicked residents into rain-drenched streets just two months after a powerful earthquake killed nearly 300 people. But hours after the temblors hit, there were no reports of serious injuries or signs of people trapped in rubble, said the leader of Italy's civil-protection agency, Fabrizio Curcio...

OKLAHOMA CITY -- An Oklahoma man who has been on the run since Sunday, wanted in a string of killings, shootings and carjackings, likely intends to attack several people linked to a sexual-assault case against him, authorities said Wednesday. Michael Dale Vance Jr. is wanted on multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder...

SHIJIAZHUANG, China -- Two years after the leaders of his village razed his home to make way for new development, farmer Jia Jinglong took his revenge with a nail gun. In a country that bans personal ownership of firearms, Jia modified a nail gun and used it to shoot and kill the local chief, who he believed ordered the demolition without adequately compensating him. He was tried and sentenced to death...

NEW YORK -- Back in the day, before cars could drive themselves and phones could send stickers and animations, a Japanese phone company released a set of 176 emojis. The year was 1999, and the tiny 12-by-12 pixel designs -- smiley faces, hearts of the intact and broken variety, cats and so on -- were mainly popular in Japan...

The weather is being blamed for the smaller-than-hoped-for turnout yesterday at the Southeast Missouri State University open house, sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's University Relations Committee; an estimated 100 to 125 people visited the campus during the afternoon...

GLENALLEN, Mo. -- Bill J. Simmons, 88 of Glenallen entered his heavenly home Monday, Oct. 24, 2016. He left this earthly abode and now is sitting on his heavenly porch swing, no doubt telling stories and cracking jokes. On Oct. 9, 1948, he married Lettie Idella Eaker, the love of his life and soul mate for over 67 years, and she passed away April 21, 2016. ...

HOUSTON -- Donna Ruth Richardson Pope was born July 6, 1927, and died peacefully Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, in Houston at the age of 89. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lowell S. Pope. She is survived by her sons, Gary L. Pope and wife, Susan, of Kingwood, Texas, and Alan B. Pope and wife, Cheryl, of East Peoria, Illinois; grandchildren, Jodi, Haley, Marcy, Amy, Todd, Julie, Danielle, Heather and Kimberly; and her adored 18 great-grandchildren...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- James Miget, 72, of Perryville died Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Young and Sons Funeral Home in Perryville...

Richard Kester, 73, of Gordonville passed away Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born Aug. 10, 1943, in Cape Girardeau, son of Herman Rudolph and Augusta Minnie Ahrens Kester. Richard was raised on the family farm near Friedheim. ...

Martin D. Heroux, 52, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was born Feb. 7, 1964, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, to Richard and Barbara Gaulin Heroux. Martin was a machinist for Wahlco D.W. Tool in Jackson since 1990. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and, overall, just loved being outdoors...

LaDonna Blechle, 86, of Jackson died Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with Dr. Rodney Pensel officiating. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau...

Daughter to Dustin Ryan and Kelsey Leah Deckerd of Friedheim, Saint Francis Medical Center, 1:33 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016. Name, Kynlee Lynn. Weight, 8 pounds, 6 ounces. Third child, second daughter. Mrs. Deckerd is the former Kelsey Schaper, daughter of Tom and Shirley Schaper of Old Appleton, Missouri. She is employed by SAS Retail. Deckerd is the son of Belinda Voelker of Perryville, Missouri. He is employed by SEMO Tank/Baker Equipment...

What if a blood test could reveal your child is at high risk for early heart disease years in the future, giving you a chance to prevent it now? A big study in England did that -- screening thousands of babies for inherited risk -- and found it was twice as common as has been thought...

WASHINGTON -- Republican Senate candidates are jumping on news of sharply rising premiums under President Barack Obama's health-care law as they seek advantage in the closing days of the election. The unpopular law was already an issue in some key Senate races, a recurring attack line for GOP candidates and in some cases another way to tie Democrats to Hillary Clinton...

CANNON BALL, N.D. -- Law enforcement officials said Wednesday they are poised to remove about 200 protesters trying to halt the completion of the Dakota Access oil pipeline in North Dakota after the demonstrators refused to leave private land owned by the pipeline company...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Supreme Court has disbarred a Columbia lawyer accused of misusing client trust accounts. The Columbia Daily Tribune reported Michael Blum was disbarred Tuesday and fined $2,000. Blum was found to have violated rules for attorney conduct 17 times, including 14 violations of misusing trust accounts at the firm Blum and Ray...

ST. LOUIS -- The charitable foundation for suburban St. Louis-based Enterprise Rent-A-Car is giving $60 million to food banks and organizations that feed the hungry. The world's largest rental car company said Wednesday it will donate $10 million each year for the next six years to organizations including Feeding America, Food Banks Canada, The Global FoodBanking Network and hundreds of local food banks and pantries in communities served by Enterprise...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A southwestern Missouri juvenile justice center has teamed up with a university in offering weekly music therapy sessions to troubled teenagers in hopes it improves their behavior. The Greene County Juvenile Justice Center and Drury University partnered up on the project that began Aug. 1, the Springfield News-Leader reported. Another group from a day-treatment program for young offenders meets separately with a music therapist on Drury's campus...

ST. LOUIS -- The Municipal League of Metro St. Louis plans to vote today on a proposal to allow the city of St. Louis to become the 91st municipality in the county. The vote would be only an endorsement of the idea. Any plan to allow the city to become a county municipality would either have to be approved by city and county residents, or a petition would be needed to have the issue decided by a statewide vote, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported...

ST. LOUIS -- An infant was killed and four other people, including two small children, were hurt following a house fire Wednesday in St. Louis. The fire was reported about 3:30 a.m. Fire chief Dennis Jenkerson said the multi-family home already was engulfed in flames by the time crews arrived. People on the street were yelling to firefighters children were trapped inside...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Eric Greitens supports changing the system Missouri uses to select its judges to give the governor and Legislature more influence in the process. Greitens believes the system, which was established in 1940, puts too much power over judicial selections into the hands of trial lawyers, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Attorney General Chris Koster, the Democratic candidate for governor, favors the current system...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Democratic Party said Wednesday it would ask the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to review a mysterious donation to Republican Eric Greitens' gubernatorial campaign to determine whether it violated "pay to play" rules...

The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Summons n Darin M. Thurston, 48, of Jackson was issued a summons for public nuisance -- weed and vegetation control. Miscellaneous n A domestic disturbance was reported in the 400 block of East Lane...

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls Tuesday: n Medical assists were made at 6:40 a.m. on Interstate 55; 11:01 a.m. on Good Hope Street; 2:04 p.m. on South Fountain Street; and 10:24 p.m. on Themis Street...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. Assault n Assault was reported. Thefts n A wallet and contents were reported stolen from a building at Siemers Drive and Cape West Parkway...

Former NBA player Adrian Branch will talk to students at six local schools and speak for three Christian organizations Wednesday through Nov. 5. Branch talks about his life experiences and delivers a message about striving for excellence and avoiding life’s pitfalls, according to organizer Bob Nations...

An annual event that helps connect people with opportunities to serve others is heading into its fifth year. On Nov. 6, MissionFest will take place at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau. It runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cheryl Mothes, the event’s chief organizer, said she’s hoping at least 250 visitors will attend — especially those who have been thinking about volunteering but didn’t know where to go or whom to call...

North- and southbound Interstate 55 between exits 96 and 99 in Cape Girardeau County will be closed Wednesday as contractor crews perform utility repairs. Work will take place between 2 and 3 a.m., according to a Missouri Department of Transportation news release. Message boards and signs will direct travelers to detours using William Street, Mount Auburn Road and Kingshighway...

PORTLAND, Maine -- A man arrested for blocking traffic while dressed as an evergreen tree said the public display was intended to be performance art. Asher Woodworth, 30, said his embodiment of a tree inching across a busy downtown Portland intersection was designed to reflect a contrast in the "energies of economy and efficiency and the energies of slowness and magic." He was arrested Monday for obstructing traffic when he failed to heed a warning by police officers...

O God, may we always thank you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

The accident on 55 southbound was a horrible tragedy. What made things worse is the traffic in the right hand lane passing cars that were slowly moving because of the posted emergency signs. If ever there was a reason why early voting is not a great idea it would be this year’s race for president and frankly it is never a good idea. A lot of things can happen in the days before election day...

Three candidates vying for the 145th Missouri House seat this fall have differing views on the constitutional amendments on the ballot and how to improve the state’s economy. Republican Rick Francis of Perryville, and Democrat Ronald Pember and Constitution Party candidate Victoria “Tori” Proffer, both of the Fredericktown area, are running for the open seat. The district covers Bollinger and Madison counties and part of Perry County...

River City Players Patriotic Follies will open on Thursday, November 3 and run the 4,5,6. This will be our last production of the season. It will be an entertaining evening with singing, comedy, dancing opera, joke telling and more. Uncle Sam (Randy Barnhouse) will be the MC of the show. ...