Stories from Saturday, June 17, 2023

City of Cape Girardeau hotel/motel tax receipts for the month of April were $105,715.44, reportedly the first time monthly revenues for the levy have surmounted a six-figure threshold. In the nine-month period of July 2022 through April 2023, the 7.5% tax on hotel rooms within city limits had amassed $867,833.47, 8.2% ahead of the same period one year ago...

The next step for Cape Girardeau municipal officials considering a tax incentive package for a proposal to redevelop West Park Mall will occur in a few days. A public hearing is set for 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Osage Centre for the project put forth by River City Centre LLC...

Today is Saturday, June 17, the 168th day of 2023. There are 197 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On June 17, 2015, nine people were shot to death in a historic African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina; suspect Dylann Roof was arrested the following morning. (Roof was convicted of federal hate crimes and sentenced to death; he later pleaded guilty to state murder charges and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.)...

The Kage Family and Community Education Club met Thursday, June 8 at the Cape Girardeau Senior Center. The meeting was called by president Jobyna Daume. The devotional titled "celebrating you" was read by Jo Dixon. The Lord designed every detail of each of us; you have gifts that only you can give the world...

n Xander Dansby of Jackson was named to the dean's list at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. n Morgan Hankins of Benton, Missouri, was named the dean's list at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee. The following students were named to the chancellor's honor roll at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi...

I was lying in bed several weeks ago and got to thinking about the past, today and tomorrow. It's weird, but all three kind of go together or are tied together in time. All three are connected. Some would claim they aren't, but they are. I grew up on a cattle ranch in Arthur County, Nebraska, which is one of the least populated counties in the United States. ...

This is a female ruby-throated hummingbird. The males of this species have beautiful, conspicuous red feathers on their throats. The females are much less flamboyant in their coloration. It is estimated that 35 million ruby-throated hummingbirds live in North America...

Monday: Center closed for Juneteenth holiday. Tuesday: Chicken casserole with rice or Polish sausage and kraut with mashed potatoes, garden salad, Lima beans, whole-grain brea and emerald isle gelatin dessert. Wednesday: Ham and beans or chicken livers, fried potatoes and onions, tomatoes and zucchini, cornbread or whole-grain crackers and chilled peach slices or cherry cake...

Father's Day has been historically connected to a memorial service conducted in a church in West Virginia that, in 1908, chose to honor the men who died in a mining disaster the previous December. Perhaps unrelated, the following year, a woman raised by a widower named Sonora Smart Dodd rallied churches, businesses and the YMCA to establish a holiday similar to Mother's Day. On June 19, 1910, Washington State was the first to sponsor a statewide holiday for fathers...

Ramblewood Garden Club has awarded the June Yard of the Month to Gloria Kaiser, who gardens on Minnesota Street in Cape Girardeau. This small but very neat front yard is eye-catching and made colorful by the potted moss rose succulent, also known as purslane (Portulaca oleracea), growing showy in a variety of colors. ...

Delois Jackson and her three children will have a new home thanks to efforts of the Cape Girardeau Area Habitat for Humanity and Maxwell House Coffee; the home is one of 10 nationwide the coffee company is funding through the Oprah Angel Network; part of the Build a Home America program sponsored by Maxwell House, the company plans to build 100 homes in 100 weeks across the country; in conjunction with the building blitz, talk-show host Oprah Winfrey challenged her audiences to help Habitat for Humanity build a house in every city where her show can be seen.. ...

O Heavenly Father, may we earnestly follow you, always seeking your guidance. Amen.

With the most recent entry of former Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie into the presidential race, I count now 12 Republican candidates in the field. Former President Donald Trump retains a strong lead in the polls, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis a strong second...

In the wake of Donald Trump's latest indictment, two basic defenses have been offered: He did nothing wrong, and it doesn't matter that he did anything wrong. So far, most of his defenders are more comfortable making the latter argument. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is one of the few exceptions. ...

I set out chamomile seedlings on the table in my yard so neighbors could grab them. The Buy Nothing group I belong to is a form of community care, but I would have never called it that prior to reading Rainesford Stauffer's new book, "All the Gold Stars: Reimagining Ambition and the Ways we Strive." Buy Nothing groups are online communities where members can ask for what they need and share items they no longer need. All free, hence the name...

It's not unusual for prayer to play a role in sports. "Spahn, Sain, and pray for rain!" was the famous refrain of Boston Braves fans in 1948, when they wanted their exceptional pitchers Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain to start as many games as possible...

Cape Girardeau City Council 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 20 City Hall Items for discussion n Appearances by Advisory Board Applicants n Planning and Zoning Commission Report n Consent Agenda Review Communications report n City council Consent agenda n Approval of the June 5, 2023, City Council regular session...

NB US 61 in Perry County reduced for sidewalk work Northbound U.S. 61 in Perry County, between Route E and Highway 51, will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction as contractor crews improve sidewalks in Perryville, Missouri. This project is part of the Missouri Department of Transportation's initiative to bring roadway facilities into compliance with the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a MoDOT news release said. ...

ROME (AP) -- Pope Francis was discharged Friday from the Rome hospital where he underwent abdominal surgery to repair a hernia and remove scarring from previous operations, with his surgeon saying the pontiff was "better than before" his nine-day hospitalization...

ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- The Greek coast guard on Friday defended its response to a ship that went down off the country's south coast and left more than 500 migrants presumed drowned, as criticism mounted over the years-long failure to hammer out a comprehensive policy on migration into Europe...

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) -- The weary Indigenous men gathered at their base camp, nestled among towering trees and dense vegetation that form a disorienting sea of green. They sensed that their ancestral land -- Selva Madre, or Mother Jungle -- was unwilling to let them find the four children who'd been missing since their charter plane crashed weeks earlier in a remote area in southern Colombia...

CAPE GIRARDEAU Cape Girardeau Police Department responded to the following calls. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests n A warrant arrest was reported on Hickory Street. n A warrant arrest was reported. n A warrant arrest was reported. n A warrant arrest was reported on Walnut Street...

CAIRO, Ill. -- Lynn R. Webster, 72 of Cairo died Thursday, June 15, 2023, at her home. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday, June 21, at Crain Funeral Home in Cairo. Funeral will be at noon Wednesday, June 21, at the funereal home, with the Rev. Buddy Walls officiating. Burial will follow at 1 p.m. at Mound City (Illinois) National Cemetery...

BENTON, Mo. -- Mayme Wilma Jane Ward Scowden -- "Wilma" to friends and family -- of Benton and formerly of Lowndes, Missouri, entered her heavenly home Wednesday afternoon, June 14, 2023, at age 97, surrounded by her loving family. Born Sept. 7, 1925, Wilma was the daughter of the late Edgar J. and Bertha Olive Bowers Ward. She married her soul mate, Calvin Scowden, on July 8, 1946, in Greenville, Missouri. Together they raised three cherished daughters...

DOVER, Dela. -- Van Thomas Robinson, 74, of Dover passed away Friday, May 12, 2023, at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital after a battle with cancer. He was born May 23, 1948, in Kansas City, Missouri, and adopted by the late John E. and Linnie M. Robinson...

Col. Rebecca Jo Stricker Gentry, 70, passed away Thursday, June 15, 2023, of complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), at her home in Jackson with her husband, David Gentry, at her side. Rebecca was born Sept. 12, 1952, at St. Mary's Hospital in Cairo, Illinois, to Raymond Martin and Anna Frances O'Neal Stricker of Charleston, Missouri, where she spent her childhood years. She and her family were members of St. Henry's Catholic Church...

Stephen Bruce Buck, 70, of Scott City died Thursday, June 15, 2023, at Chaffee Nursing Center in Chaffee, Missouri. He was born Aug. 9, 1952, in Cape Girardeau to Dorman L. and Georgia Smith Buck. He married Linda Zuck in 1984, and she preceded in him in death...

ORAN, Mo. -- Lucy Anne Brindley, daughter of the late Harold and Rita Margrabe Todt, was born Aug. 1, 1957, in Cape Girardeau and departed this life Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at her home in Oran at the age of 65. She worked in the financial industry for 40 years, starting as a bank teller and finishing her career as a financial advisor with US Bank...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Cecilia Amelia Arnold, 79, peacefully passed away Thursday, June 8, 2023, surrounded by family, at home in Jonesboro. She was born Aug. 15, 1943, in Cape Girardeau to Paul and Coletta Enderle. On May 4, 1963, Cecilia and Richard Arnold were married in St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso, Missouri...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- James Andorff, 74, of Sikeston died Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Hunter Acres in Sikeston. Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 20, at Lightner Cemetery in Scott City. Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City is in charge of arrangements...

Megan Kluender Perryville High School Parents: Jason and Dana Kluender. Post-graduation plans: Attend Southeast Missouri State University to study music education. High school activities: Marching band for four years (played flute, saxophone and marching snare drum), Chamber Choir and Silver Dagger Players (Drama Club). Favorite high school experience: Junior and senior year, band camp. It is 2 weeks out of the year when I can let loose and have a good time with my friends. Biggest role model: My parents and the teachers in the music department at Perryville High School. Advice to underclassmen: Turn in your work — nine times out of 10, you can do good in a class if you just turn in your work. Three words to describe high school: Memorable, individualized, significant.

Angela Abate Thomas Kelly High School Parents: John Abate and Tina Abate. Post-graduation plans: Attend Cape Career and Technology Center for LPN license. High school activities: Enrolled in Cape Career and Technology Center Senior year for CNA license. Favorite high school experience: Senior prom. Biggest role model: Mrs. DeRossest, practical nursing teacher. Advice to underclassmen: Take the time in high school to explore your interests and passions — that will help you find the perfect career. Three words to describe high school: Growth, memories, impactful.

Brianna Pennington Thomas Kelly High School Parents: April Pennington and Richard Beppler. Post-graduation plans: Attend Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, to major in political science on the pre-law track. High school activities: BETA (president), Drama Club (president), FBLA, pep club and Student Council. Favorite high school experience: BETA convention. Biggest role model: Coach Rod. Advice to underclassmen: Get involved and don’t let high school pass you by. It will be over before you know it! Three words to describe high school: Unpredictable, brief, challenging.

Josy Cook Woodland High School Parents: Jason and Holly Cook. Post-graduation plans: Attend Evangel University on a fishing scholarship and pursue a degree in business.. High school activities: baseball, basketball, fishing, FFA, FBLA, FCA, pep club and BETA. Favorite high school experience: I would have to say it was all the pranks we pulled on our principal, Mr. Kinder. Biggest role model: It’s hard for me to pick one. I’ve always looked up to my parents, and on the fishing side, Dustin Connel has shown me the true values of fishing and giving back to others. Advice to underclassmen: High school is what you make it. If you think it sucks, it will suck, but if you have a positive mentality you can make it a lot more fun — like I did. Three words to describe high school: Four influential years.

Isabella Foltz Meadow Heights High School Parents: James and Traci Foltz. Post-graduation plans: I plan on attending University of Missouri-Columbia in the fall. My intended major is animal science. I hope to finish my undergraduate and then apply for the university’s veterinary program. I hope to become a large animal veterinarian and eventually open my own practice. High school activities: I have been a part of our school publications for three years and am one of the editors. I have been a member of our Beta club for four years, and I have served as secretary and vice president. I have been a member of Student Council for four years, and I have served as secretary and president. I have been a part of FCCLA for four years, and I have served as reporter and vice president. I have been involved in FFA for four years, and I have served as secretary for two years and president for one year. I have been a member of Smokebusters for four years. I also helped reform our school pep club this year. I was a cheerleader for one year. I played the alto saxophone in our high school band for two years, and I played the tenor saxophone for one year. I have been very active in all of the clubs and activities that I participate in. I have competed in multiple events, such as speaking events and showing steers in the fair for FFA. I have participated in academic competitions for Beta and went on to go to nationals. Favorite high school experience: My favorite high school experience was when the senior class planned a senior sunrise where we got up super early to go buy doughnuts at Hoeckele’s, and then we all drove to the school parking lot and watched the sunrise together. We brought chalk and drew on the concrete. It was a lot of fun. Biggest role model: My biggest role models are my parents. I admire each of them for carving out their own paths and finding careers that they love. I appreciate everything that they have done for me as well as all of my other siblings. Advice to underclassmen: My advice to underclassmen is to make the most of high school because you only have four years, and then it’s over. Join anything that you think will be fun. Just enjoy this time while it lasts. Also take all of the dual-credit classes that you can while you’re in high school. Three words to describe high school: Exciting, tiring and motivating

Oftentimes genealogical researchers want to know more about their relatives than the matter-of-fact information they can get from public records. Sometimes insight into people's lives and personalities may be glimpsed in court case or probate files, but details for some of them are in manuscript collections. This is rarely the case, but if there are papers related to an ancestor in an archive, they can be a gold mine for learning these details...

This story comes from an oral history regarding the first female officers on the Cape Girardeau police force. Alice Ireland, president of the Cape Girardeau County Historical Society, brought this story to me while doing some research for Judy Correll Sander of Texas, and it was confirmed by David Giles, a retired administrator for the Cape Girardeau School District...

Father's Day used to be an irrelevant holiday for me. I grew up without knowing much about my father. My parents separated before I was born. I did not know details until I was 17 years old, but I was always told that my father loved me and would have been part of my life if things were different. I was also aware I had two older sisters from his first marriage but assumed I would never meet them...

After five years of planning, country music star Willie Nelson will headline the grandstand entertainment at this year's SEMO District Fair with a performance Sept. 17; the 143th annual fair runs Sept. 13 to 19 in Cape Girardeau's Arena Park; also scheduled to appear are Kenny Chesney Sept. 15 and Lonestar with Brad Hawkins Sept. 16...

CAPE GIRARDEAU Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls. June 14 n Medical assists were made at 7:31 a.m. on Pioneer Drive; 9:57 a.m. on Randol Avenue; 3:09 p.m. on Jefferson Avenue; and 10:04 p.m. on South Spring Avenue. n At 5:16 a.m., hazardous condition at South Kingshighway and South Silver Springs Road...