Stories from Friday, February 28, 2020

Perry County Sheriff Gary Schaaf faces at least one challenger in the Aug. 3 primary election: Teresa Cox Worthington, according to information from County Clerk Jared W. Kutz on Thursday afternoon. Public administrator Tammy Tarrillion will face challenger Jennifer Freeman...

Actor Jay Wade will reprise the role of Omari in the Cincinnati Ensemble Theatre production of "Pipeline" March 11 through April 4, according to a university news release. Wade first performed the role while studying at Southeast Missouri State University, in the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ASF) production of "Pipeline" in October 2019 in Montgomery, Alabama...

Races are beginning to form in Scott County for local county and state offices, but one race apparently won’t happen. Incumbent Sheriff Wes Drury refiled for the position as did challenger Carl Rose. On Wednesday, however, Rose issued a statement on his personal Facebook page saying he was withdrawing from the race...

“What language do you dream in?” As she pondered the question posed by Judith Crenshaw, who teaches foreign language classes at Cape Girardeau Central High School, 17-year-old Jowairia Khalid paused, thought for a moment and said, “Urdu.” A heartbeat later, she added, “It depends on who I’m talking to in my dream.”...

Recognizing accomplishments of the past year and looking forward to continued growth, Old Town Cape held its annual awards dinner Thursday night at the Century Casino Event Center. “This is an opportunity to celebrate some wonderful people that have gone above and beyond to make our downtown community a better place,” OTC board president Danny Essner told the gathering of more than 300, including downtown merchants, residents and community leaders...

From noon to 2 p.m. today at Southeast Missouri State University's University Center, 388 N. Henderson in Cape Girardeau, guests are invited to view historical exhibits, talk with historians, archivists, and other experts, and enjoy pizza and other refreshments in the UC Lobby...

One thing I learned at Trinity Lutheran School: our teachers cared about us and were inspired by their Christian faith to set a good example. My TLS experience began with kindergarten in 1958, with two nurturing young women who taught us the solid foundations of education...

Today is Friday, Feb. 28, the 59th day of 2020. There are 307 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Feb. 28, 1953, scientists James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick announced they had discovered the double-helix structure of DNA. On this date:...

Fourteen students recently pitched ideas on how to increase foot traffic in downtown Cape Girardeau as part of a local hackathon. The event was modeled after IBM's Blue Hack competition. Participants were split into six teams where they were challenged to come up with ideas and pitch them to local individuals similar to the TV show "Shark Tank." The winning team secured $400 in prize money for their idea -- Cape Club, a lounge meant to provide synergy between local businesses and the university with student meal plans.. ...

LOS ANGELES — It has all the hallmarks of an only-in-Los Angeles crime: A thief stole a hearse — with a body inside — that went on a wild ride, ending with a chase and a crash on a busy freeway. Authorities say they found the body undisturbed inside a casket Thursday morning and took a male into custody after the crash, which closed the 110 Freeway during the morning commute. The person’s identity was not immediately released. ...

MILWAUKEE -- A Milwaukee electrician who police identified Thursday as the man who fatally shot five co-workers at one of the nation's largest breweries enjoyed building guns, according to neighbors. Authorities said 51-year-old Anthony Ferrill opened fire at the Molson Coors Brewing Co. ...

Asian stock markets fell further today on spreading virus fears, deepening an global rout after Wall Street endured its biggest one-day drop in nine years. Tokyo's benchmark fell by an unusually wide margin of 3.4% and Shanghai, Hong Kong and Seoul all dropped by more than 2%. Oil prices slumped further on expectations industrial activity and demand might decline...

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 2.1% in the final quarter of last year, but damage from the spreading coronavirus is likely depressing growth in the current quarter and for the rest of the year. The overall pace of growth in the October-December quarter was unchanged from its initial estimate a month ago, though the components were slightly altered, the Commerce Department said Thursday. ...

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Bernie Sanders will swing through North Carolina, Virginia and Massachusetts in the coming days. Elizabeth Warren will make stops in Texas and Arkansas. Amy Klobuchar will be in Tennessee and Virginia. The South Carolina primary is just two days away, but the race is quickly going national as candidates pivot to the 14 states that vote Tuesday...

With worries growing about the new coronavirus in the U.S., state officials are ramping up efforts to prepare for a possible outbreak while simultaneously trying to assure the public that they are well-positioned to handle it. Governors and legislators in several states have proposed pumping millions of dollars into programs to combat the virus that causes the Covid-19 illness. ...

David Daniel Simmons, 90, of Glen Allen, Missouri, died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, at Cox Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Hutchings Funeral Chapel. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in McGee Chapel Cemetery near Glen Allen...

Weldon H. "Coach" Hager, 94, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Jan. 8, 1926, in Cape Girardeau, the son of Walter and Christine Hager. He married Mary Deevers Brockmire in 1961. She passed away in 2003...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Annie May Lund Francis, 90, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, at Jefferson City Nursing and Rehabilitation, where she had been a resident for the past 5 1/2 years. Annie was born Aug. 17, 1929, in Hagarville, Arkansas, a daughter of Martin and May Graves Lund. Annie and Doyle Robert Francis were united in marriage Aug. 24, 1946, at Grassy, Missouri. He preceded her in death Oct. 25, 2000...

John Howard Counts, 83, of Scott City died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

Doris V. Birk, 92, of Jackson went to her eternal home with Christ on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. She resided with a daughter in Raleigh, North Carolina, the past four years. She was born Dec. 9, 1927, in Jackson to Alvin A. and Clara M. Deimund Kaminskey. She attended the former Sandy Ridge Elementary School and St. Paul Lutheran School, and was a 1945 graduate of Jackson High School...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Ray Edward Berkbigler, 86, of Perryville died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, at Independence Care Center of Perry County. He was born June 28, 1933, in Apple Creek, Missouri, to Andrew and Regina Buchheit Berkbigler. He and Myra K. Blechle were married May 25, 1963. She survives in Perryville...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri public health officials said Thursday they have been keeping tabs on several dozen people who may have been exposed to the new coronavirus or traveled to places that put them at risk, but none has become ill. Missouri Health director Randall Williams said he has been in the nation's capitol this week meeting with health officials in President Donald Trump's administration about preparations for a potential outbreak of the virus that causes the COVID-19 illness. ...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Civil rights advocates filed a lawsuit to end Missouri's use of public defender "wait lists," a practice they contend deprives thousands of people of their right to court-appointed counsel. A petition filed Wednesday in the Circuit Court of Cole County seeks a court order forcing Missouri to immediately stop the practice by either appointing counsel or dropping charges against criminal defendants who have not been provided a defense attorney...

O Lord Jesus, may we walk in light, as you are in the light. Amen.

I watched the Democrat candidates debate Tuesday night in South Carolina and in my opinion President Trump was the winner again. The Democrats were all pathetic. Trump-Pence 2020. Jackson Indian football had a super season and they'll have another good one if they can get the offense to work against teams like Staley and Carthage. They've got to be able to pass and get open against great defenses or history will repeat itself...

Nine Cape Girardeau firefighters and a police officer receive awards of valor in a brief ceremony at Fire Station No. 1; they were honored for their actions in battling four major fires last year; awards are given to assistant fire chief Max Jauch, training officer Mark Hasheider, captains Paul "Butch" Lufcy, Fred Vincel and Steve Besand, firefighters Harry Schumer, David Scherer, Ed Serandos and Charles Johnson, and police officer Homer Markhart...

The Jackson Police Department released the following items. Arrest does not imply guilt. Arrest n Layne Pombert, 36, of Jackson was arrested on a Jackson warrant. Thefts n Theft was reported in the 500 block of Vail Drive. n Theft was reported in the 300 block of East Monroe Street...

Breawna Austin, a senior at Central High School, headed up a drive for local foster children in conjunction with Black History Month. Suitcases, backpacks, toiletries, books and other need supplies were collected from the students. The items will be donated to Hope For One More in Cape Girardeau that serves foster families and foster children in our area...