Stories from Wednesday, April 17, 2019

STEELVILLE, Mo. — A Cape Girardeau man pre-empted his upcoming murder trial by pleading guilty Monday to a lesser charge in connection with the 2015 shooting death of a man. Having earlier been granted a change of venue from Wayne County, Michael D. Burkman pleaded guilty to felony second-degree murder before Circuit Judge Kelly Parker in Crawford County, according to Casenet...

The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday affirmed the conviction of a Van Buren, Missouri, man who had sought to set aside his 2009 conviction and death sentence for killing a Missouri State Highway Patrol sergeant. In an opinion, written by Judge George W. Draper III and joined by five judges, the court found Circuit Judge Kelly Parker did not err in denying relief to Lance Shockley’s various claims raised in his most recent appeal...

Carlos Diaz of Jackson, with 1st Choice Roofing & Construction, fights against the wind while working on the roof of a house Tuesday on County Road 318 in Cape Girardeau. ...

Several years ago, when Laura Schumpert transitioned to a plant-based diet, she noticed several consequences. “I felt great. You start feeling different; start feeling better,” she said. “But you lose any way of eating out at all. You just lose that option.”...

The halls at Egyptian High School in Tamms, Illinois, are quiet this week as faculty, staff and students observe their spring break. But when the school reopens Tuesday, reality will set in. Students will realize two of their classmates aren’t returning from spring break...

Feral hogs have long been known in Missouri as an invasive species capable of mass destruction of agriculture. Their aggressive rooting can lay waste to a field in a single night, costing farmers dearly. Several counties in Southeast Missouri have become a primary battleground in recent years in the fight to eliminate feral hogs. ...

Elizabeth Shelton, the director of the United Way of Southeast Missouri, has a wonderful, thoughtful way of communicating. She eloquently packs meaning -- and, at times humor -- into her sentences. This talent was on display last week during a United Way Celebration to recognize volunteers, campaign champions, staff and those involved in United Way agencies...

Today is Wednesday, April 17, the 107th day of 2019. There are 258 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On April 17, 1972, the Boston Marathon allowed women to compete for the first time; Nina Kuscsik was the first officially recognized women's champion, with a time of 3:10:26...

You don't have to be a golfer to appreciate what Tiger Woods accomplished on Sunday. Heck, you don't even have to like the game of golf to put in perspective what his winning means to the sport. But there he was, the most recognizable name in all of sports doing what fans had seen in the past...

WASHINGTON -- The special counsel's Trump-Russia report will be out Thursday for all to see. But not all of it. The Democrats' demands for a full, unredacted version of Robert Mueller's report are likely to prompt a political and legal battle lasting for months, if not much longer...

Lisa Love hasn't seen her doctor of 25 years since she discovered telemedicine. Love tried virtual visits last summer for help with a skin irritation and returned for another minor problem. She doesn't feel a pressing need to seek care the old-fashioned way, especially since she also gets free health screenings at work...

PARIS -- The inferno raging through Notre Dame Cathedral for more than 12 hours destroyed its spire and its roof but spared its twin medieval bell towers, and a frantic rescue effort saved the monument's "most precious treasures," including the relic revered as Jesus' Crown of Thorns, officials said Tuesday...

PARIS -- I started running toward the source of the yellow smoke without knowing what it was -- only that it was coming from the island in the middle of the Seine at the heart of so much of Paris' history. Past bookshops and cafes, I rounded the corner to see flames creeping across the rooftop of Notre Dame Cathedral. I caught my breath and rubbed my stinging eyes...

The Rev. Barry L. Pfanstiel is installed as pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel in Cape Girardeau; preacher for the service is the Rev. Paul Donner of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Paducah, Kentucky, and first vice president of Mid-South District Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod...

Ray E. Schreiner, 82, of Old Appleton died Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and from 8 a.m. to service time Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church in Uniontown, Missouri...

NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- Jerry D. Ryan passed away peacefully Friday, April 12, 2019, one month shy of his 91st birthday, at his home in Naperville. He was born in St. Louis to the late Cecil and Lillie Lay Ryan. Jerry and Jo Ella Mae Mullins were married by her grandfather, the late Rev. William Wittrock, on April 18, 1951, in Hanover Lutheran Church...

Kathryn R. "Jakie" Riddle, 97, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, at Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau. A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. April 27 at Christ Episcopal Church in Cape Girardeau. Attendees are welcome to wear red in honor of Jakie's favorite color...

Michael David Perry, 69, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, April 8, 2019. He was born Sept. 20, 1949, in Cape Girardeau to Jessie and Kirllian Perry. He and Isabell Maglone were married June 29, 1988, and enjoyed 25 happy years together, until she passed March 25, 2013...

** Georgene Newell EAST ALTON, Ill. -- Georgene E. Newell, 84, died Monday, April 15, 2019, at her home. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. Thursday at Paynic Home for Funerals in East Alton.

TAMMS, Ill. -- Kalyn Grace Mouser, 16, of Tamms died Sunday, April 14, 2019. She was born Jan. 19, 2003, in Carbondale, Illinois, to Andrew Avery and Robyn Krystine Ford Mouser. She played volleyball, softball and basketball. She loved to ride the four-wheeler, get her nails done, go shopping and take family vacations...

David Lee Lyons, 66, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, April 14, 2019, at his home. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church of Ballwin, Missouri...

BENGHAZI, Libya -- Libya is on the verge of an all-out war involving a rogues' gallery of militias, many of which are little more than criminal gangs armed with heavy weapons. The country slid into chaos after the 2011 uprising, in which rebels overthrew and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi and looted his vast arsenal. ...

The President's idea of releasing illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities and states is not without precedent. In 2014 when a wave of unaccompanied children flooded into the Rio Grande Valley, Obama attempted to bus them to Marietta, California. Why this small city, with only five holding cells, instead of San Diego with plenty of beds to accommodate the kids? Was it political payback? What is the difference between 2014 and now? Nothing...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls: Monday n Medical assists were made at 8:54 a.m. on Interstate 55, 11:01 a.m. on South Kingshighway and 12:49 p.m. on Themis Street. n At 8:08 a.m., a motor vehicle accident with injuries was reported on South Mount Auburn Road...

CAPE GIRARDEAU The Cape Girardeau Police Department released the following items. Thefts n Stealing was reported in the 600 block of Bellevue Street. n Stealing was reported in the 3400 block of William Street. n Stealing and property damage were reported at West End Boulevard and Broadway. Suspect was in custody pending formal charges...

O Hosanna in the highest, praises be to you, our God. Amen.

Daughter to Nicholas Waldo and Lindsay Christian of Benton, Missouri, Southeast Hospital, 7:13 p.m. Monday, April 8, 2019. Name, Kendall Renee. Weight, 7 pounds, 2.8 ounces. First child. Christian is the daughter Bryan Harris and Brandi Harris of Dexter, Missouri. Waldo is the son of Ronnie Wheatley and Pamela Wheatley of Benton. He works for Stovall Underground...

Hello! I don't have a complete story written out, however I thought this could be an interesting and fun article. My sister, Chelsea Vinson, tried out for and is now playing professional women's football in St. Louis. She plays for the St. Louis Slam, which is a part of the WFA (Womens Football Alliance). ...