Stories from Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Southbound Interstate 57 in Scott County -- from mile marker 0 to mile marker 2 near Sikeston, Missouri -- will be reduced to one lane with a 14-foot width restriction as contractor crews install a sign. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, the work will take place from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10...

Southeast Missourian Business editor Jeff Long was treated to a retirement reception Nov. 1 at Rust Center for Media in Cape Girardeau...

State Rep. John Voss of Cape Girardeau aims to become the next vice-chair of the Missouri House of Representative's budget committee. The District 147 representative currently serves on the budget committee. He also serves on the transportation accountability committee and two subcommittees for appropriations on education and health, mental health and social services...

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A Mississippi County, Missouri, jail officer faces charges of sexual conduct in the course of public duty after he allegedly received oral sex from an inmate. Martin Baker of Cape Girardeau faces the Class E felony after an investigation by state Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control...

Cape Girardeau Post Office is facing the effects of an acute, short-term emergency -- a mercury spill. A hazardous materials cleanup crew from Missouri Department of Natural Resources shut down the Hazelwood, Missouri, U.S. Postal Service distribution center to address the spill Oct. 26. The spill forced the temporary closure of the post office in De Soto, Missouri, as well...

State Rep. Jamie Burger of Benton, Missouri, has thrown his hat in the ring for the third-highest position in the Missouri House of Representatives -- majority floor leader. Burger represents District 148, which is coterminous with Scott County. He currently serves as assistant majority floor leader...

Beverly Reece is one of the most brilliant musicians I’ve ever known. For more than 40 years, Beverly has been Cape Gi- rardeau’s premier jazz and worship pianist. In addition to being a multi-genre keyboardist, she has taught hundreds of students, many who have gone on to have significant careers in music...

Nurses, doctors and clinicians are on the ground floor, caring for patients’ health and helping their families navigate the process. Their expertise and dedication are the foundation of our regional hospitals. But without leadership, there would be no system for those nurses, doctors and clinicians to operate under. The guidance of health care leaders is what keeps our region’s health care systems running smoothly. And what keeps them doing what they do best: Care for our health. Here, we get to know a few of our region’s more-recently appointed leaders in health care.

Today is Wednesday, Nov. 8, the 312th day of 2023. There are 53 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Nov. 8, 1923, Adolf Hitler launched his first attempt at seizing power in Germany with a failed coup in Munich that came to be known as the "Beer-Hall Putsch."...

At a recent Senate hearing, FBI Director Christopher Wray told lawmakers that Hamas' terror attack on Israel has given terrorists inspiration "the likes of which we haven't seen" since the rise of ISIS. He added that the ongoing war in the Middle East has raised the threat of an attack here at home "to a whole new level." Amid the major threat we face, the federal government must use every tool available to keep Americans safe. ...

Southeast Missouri State University officials have embarked on the largest capital campaign in the school's history. "Transforming Lives" aims to raise $60 million, focused on academics, technology, facilities and athletics. This campaign at once builds upon the university's strengths -- successful, growing academic programs that fit specific 21st century needs and athletic programs that have blossomed in recent years -- and targets weaknesses -- facilities past due for remakes and new infrastructure to support current and future student populations.. ...

O Father God, we lift our eyes to you, for our help comes from you alone. Amen.

CAPE GIRARDEAU Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to the following calls. Nov. 6 n Medical assists were made at 4:25 a.m. on Franks Lane; 10:46 a.m. on Walnut Street; 11:13 a.m. on West Rodney Drive; 3:09 p.m. on William Street; 4:05 p.m. on William Street; 4:23 p.m. on South Hanover Street; 5:59 p.m. on Kenwood Drive; and 8:53 p.m. on South West End Boulevard...

CAPE GIRARDEAU Cape Girardeau Police Department responded to the following calls. Arrests do not imply guilt. Arrests n A warrant arrest was reported. n A warrant arrest was reported on North Silver Springs Road. n A warrant arrest was reported. Assault...

Roger Dale Simpson, son of the late Thomas "Lewis" and Alvia Cooper Simpson, was born Jan. 5, 1947, in Chaffee, Missouri, and departed his life Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, at his home in Scott City at the age of 76. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a former security guard for Wolsey Security Co. and Westlake Rock Quarry. Roger was affiliated with Assembly of God Church...

Marilyn King, 59, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at her home. She was born Aug. 21, 1964, in Cape Girardeau, the daughter of Elnora King. Marilyn was a graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School. She worked as a certified nurse assistant for Ratliff Nursing Center for 17 years...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. — Lawrence "Larry" William Kiefer, 74, of Perryville died Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, at his home. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, and from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Ford and Young Funeral Home in Perryville...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. — Velma E. Davis, 94, of Perryville died Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, at Independence Care Center of Perry County. Visitation will be from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at the church, with the Rev. Matthew Marks officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery...

Willie J. Colon, 84, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 at his home. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 18, at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home. Funeral will follow at noon Saturday, Nov. 18, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Kevin Colon officiating. Burial, with full military honors by the Missouri Honors Team, will be at Lorimier Cemetery...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. — Carol Sue Clampitt, 77, of Perryville died Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at the Estates of Perryville. Private services will be held at a later date for the family. Ford and Young Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements...

WASHINGTON -- The House voted late Tuesday to censure Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan -- the only Palestinian American in Congress -- an extraordinary rebuke of her rhetoric about the Israel-Hamas war. The 234-188 tally came after enough Democrats joined with Republicans to censure Tlaib, a punishment one step below expulsion from the House. The three-term congresswoman has long been a target of criticism for her views on the decadeslong conflict in the Middle East...

KYIV, Ukraine -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy late Monday ruled out holding a presidential vote in the spring and urged his countrymen to avoid political divides, saying they must concentrate all resources on fighting Russia. Zelenskyy's comments in a video address follow increasing discussions about the possibility of a presidential election in March. ...

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Southern California authorities investigating the death of a Jewish man following a confrontation with a pro-Palestinian demonstrator over the Israel-Hamas war haven't determined whether a crime occurred and Tuesday asked for the public's help to unravel what happened...

WASHINGTON -- A man with a rifle was arrested in a park near the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, police said. Police confronted 21-year-old Ahmir Lavon Merrell of Atlanta after someone saw him with the gun in a park near Senate office buildings and told an officer, U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement. Officers demanded he drop the gun, but he refused and they used a Taser stun gun to subdue him, police said...

WASHINGTON -- The prosecutor overseeing the Hunter Biden investigation testified Tuesday that he had the ultimate authority in the yearslong case as he made an unprecedented appearance before Congress to rebut Republicans' explosive claims the probe has been plagued with interference...

NEW YORK -- WeWork has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, a stunning fall for the office-sharing company that once promised to upend the way people went to work around the world. The filing comes at a time of incredible disruption in the commercial real estate market. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a spike in vacancies and major markets, from New York to San Francisco, are still struggling...

BLIDA, Lebanon -- A top U.S. envoy said in Beirut on Tuesday that Washington doesn't want the ongoing war in Gaza to expand to Lebanon after a Lebanese woman and her three granddaughters were killed in an Israeli strike two days ago. The comments from Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden come during a previously unannounced visit to Beirut to discuss the volatile situation with Lebanon's parliament speaker and caretaker prime minister...

NEW YORK -- Donald Trump went off. Again and again. Making the witness stand at his civil fraud trial his podium, the former president laid into the judge who'll decide the case and the New York attorney general who's suing him. During 3 1/2 hours of testimony Monday, the Republican denied Attorney General Letitia James' allegations he duped banks by exaggerating his wealth on financial statements used to make deals and secure loans...

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip -- Israel said Tuesday that its ground forces were battling Hamas fighters deep inside Gaza's largest city, signaling a major new stage in the month-old conflict, and its leaders foresee controlling the enclave's security after the war...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear won reelection to a second term Tuesday, notching another significant statewide victory in an increasingly red state that could serve as a model for other Democrats on how to thrive politically heading into next year's defining presidential election...

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment Tuesday that ensures access to abortion and other forms of reproductive health care, the latest victory for abortion rights supporters since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year...

The Rev. Henry Gieschen is installed as the new pastor of Scriptural Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau during an evening service; a potluck dinner follows; Gieschen has served as pastor for 21 years and had previously pastored in Michigan. The Rev. David V. ...

The Cape Area Community Foundation (CACF) will join in a nationwide celebration for the week of Nov. 12, 2023, to recognize the increasingly important role that community foundations play in strengthening their regions by addressing high-priority challenges and betterment projects for local residents...