Stories from Thursday, September 13, 2018

A judge has disqualified three prosecutors in a Scott County murder case after they violated a 2016 court order regarding neurological testing of the defendant. Judge Michael Pritchett issued the order last month in Butler County Circuit Court in the case of defendant and Sikeston, Missouri, resident William Henry Applewhite III...

Walking in Jackson's city park is about to be a smoother experience, officials say. In June 2017, the city received word a grant application to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources had been turned down, according to previous reporting by the Southeast Missourian. That grant would have paid to install about 3,400 feet of asphalt-paved trails along North Union Avenue, Park Street and Optimist Hill Drive, two raised crosswalks and a paved trailhead at the new restroom...

The Cape Girardeau City Council could hire a consulting group as soon as next week as planning continues for an indoor aquatics center. The Aquatics Facility Committee heard from the final two consulting groups Wednesday and will make a recommendation to the council, parks and recreation director Julia Jones said...

Today is Thursday, Sept. 13, the 256th day of 2018. There are 109 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Sept. 13, 1971, a four-day inmates' rebellion at the Attica Correctional Facility in western New York ended as police and guards stormed the prison; the ordeal and final assault claimed the lives of 32 inmates and 11 hostages...

One of the best park amenities in all of Cape Girardeau County is Melaina's Magical Playland. It's not great just because it's an impressive place for kids to play, but because it was designed for every child, especially for those who have physical limitations. They can play, too, alongside their peers...

The preliminary agreement announced recently relating to the North American Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the U.S. and Mexico holds great promise for the oil and natural gas industry. Potentially, the modernization of NAFTA could result in an agreement with Canada as a trading partner, will strengthen U.S. ...

There are many facts about the American Civil War which have been overlooked or hidden from the common history most people have been taught. There have been several books that tell about those soldiers who are referred to as "galvanized." Galvanized normally refers to steel items which have been dipped in molten tin to resist rusting. Two examples are galvanized metal pails and metal fencing...

Below is the original column I wrote about President Trump's visit, now canceled because of the hurricane aimed at the East coast. I believe the president made the right decision. With so much at peril, his attention should not be on a political rally...

WASHINGTON -- U.S. health officials are sounding the alarm about rising teenage use of e-cigarettes, calling the problem an "epidemic" and ordering manufacturers to reverse the trend or risk having their flavored vaping products pulled from the market...

HOUSTON -- As U.S. Catholic leaders head to the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis about a growing church abuse crisis, the cardinal leading the delegation has been accused by two people of not doing enough to stop a priest who was arrested this week on sexual abuse charges...

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday authorizing sanctions against foreigners who meddle in U.S. elections, acting amid criticism he has not taken election security seriously enough. "We felt it was important to demonstrate the president has taken command of this issue, that it's something he cares deeply about -- that the integrity of our elections and our constitutional process are a high priority to him," said national security adviser John Bolton...

DALLAS -- Protesters condemning the shooting death of a black man in his Dallas apartment by a white off-duty police officer disrupted a City Council meeting Wednesday, prompting a recess to quell the outbursts. Mayor Mike Rawlings temporarily halted the proceedings as dozens of demonstrators chanted "No justice, no peace," and people in the crowd repeatedly interrupted council discussions by angrily denouncing city and police officials...

MOSCOW -- President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday authorities in Russia know the identities of the two men accused by Britain of carrying out a nerve agent attack on a former spy, but he added they are civilians and there is "nothing criminal" about them...

BEIJING -- Two U.S. lawmakers are urging the extension of tougher American export restrictions to prevent sales of equipment to be used in China's massive security clampdown targeting the Xinjiang region's native Muslim population. Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. ...

TEHRAN, Iran -- It's hard not to see China wherever you look in Iran. From Chinese goods flooding markets to its business people eager for deals as Western business interests flee, Iran likely will further embrace Beijing as an alternative market for its crude oil and financial transactions amid uncertainty over the nuclear deal...

MANILA, Philippines -- The most powerful typhoon to threaten the Philippines this year roared toward the country's north Wednesday, prompting officials to order precautionary evacuations and closures of schools and offices, and farmers to quickly harvest their crops to reduce damage...

LOS ANGELES -- Excited about Monday's 70th Emmy Awards? Probably not. That's an educated guess based on shrinking interest in entertainment's back-slapping ceremonies generally and television's biggest night in particular. Last year's Emmys drew 11.4 million viewers, a smidge above 2016's worst-ever 11.3 million. The 2018 Oscars dipped to an all-time low with 26.5 million viewers -- still more than double its small-screen sibling...

Cape Girardeau County Commission 1 Barton Square, Jackson 9 a.m. today Approval of minutes n Minutes of Sept. 10 meetings Communications/reports -- other elected officials n None at this time Public comments n Items listed on the agenda Routine business...

The National Weather Service has revised the level and date of the 1993 record flood crest that occurred last month along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers; the preliminary record flood crest for Cape Girardeau was revised upward to 48.49 feet, nearly one-half foot higher than the 47.9 foot flood crest first announced Aug. 7; the revised flood crest here also occurred one day later, on Aug. 8...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri lawmakers failed in a bid Wednesday to override several line-item budget vetoes affecting services for critically ill patients, troubled youths and the deaf after senators declined to challenge the decisions made by Gov. Mike Parson...

HARRISONVILLE, Mo. -- A 10-year-old Missouri boy is recovering after he was attacked by insects and tumbled from a tree, landing on a meat skewer that penetrated his skull from his face to the back of his head. But miraculously, that's where Xavier Cunningham's bad luck ended. The skewer had completely missed Xavier's eye, brain, spinal cord and major blood vessels, The Kansas City Star reported...

Ingrid Ellermeier, 6, rides the carousel Wednesday at the SEMO District Fair in Cape Girardeau. The fair continues through Saturday.

Holly Thomas, 56, of Oak Ridge died Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, at her home. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Friedheim. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Roger Steinbrueck officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery...

ULLIN, Ill. -- Ollie M. Smith McFarland, 83, of Ullin passed away Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale in Carbondale, Illinois. Ollie was born Feb. 23, 1935, in Tamms, Illinois, to the late Edward C. and Mildred Thompson Smith. She was a retired nurse and caregiver...

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- People who thought they were relatively safe from the onslaught of Hurricane Florence began boarding up, and Georgia's governor declared a state of emergency Wednesday as uncertainty over the path of the monster storm spread worry along the Southeastern coast...

Lord Jesus Christ, we give you all praise and glory now and forevermore. Amen.

Son to Sean and Akina Winstead of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Hospital, 1:27 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018. Name, Kai Liam Ohashi. Weight, 7 pounds, 9 ounces. First child. Mrs. Winstead is the daughter of Keiko Ohashi and Yoichi Ohashi of Japan. She is employed by the Community Counseling Center. Winstead is the son of Elaine Carlson of Jackson and Dean Winstead of Cape Girardeau. He works for the National Entertainment Network...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI n John Duperier, 54, of Jackson was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Arrest n Ashlee Adams, 23, of Cape Girardeau was arrested on a probation and parole warrant...

The city of Jackson will hold a public auction of surplus equipment at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 29, officials said. The auction will be held at the fleet maintenance department, 412 Florence St. in Jackson, and will include five vehicles, a tractor, air compressor and other equipment...

Fair food. Carnival food. Festival food. There are so many delicious options to indulge in. If you are on a health kick, I highly recommend taking a brief hiatus before the SEMO District Fair leaves town. Fried Oreos. Turkey legs. Cotton candy. Taffy. ...

This year's SEMO District Fair ushered in nearly 30 food vendors -- some new and some old -- with several offering a rare take on traditional fair favorites. Local vendor Agnes Eyler's food truck Chuck Wagon Concession offers hamburgers, Frito pies and other homemade goodies. This is the first year she has been part of the fair, Eyler said...

Long-time Marble Hill resident Geraldine Barks celebrated her 100th birthday on September 12, 2018, at her residence of the past year,The Villas of Jackson. Highlights of the day included an interview by KFVS, a leisurely ride in a 1930 Ford coupe and being stopped by a Jackson police officer for traveling too fast, and a ride with Jackson firefighters in their ladder truck with horns blasting and lights flashing...