Stories from Saturday, March 12, 2005

At 3 p.m. Friday the names of 11 people were posted at Cape Girardeau Fire Station No. 1. Those 11 were the ones who passed the written test on Thursday and the physical agility test Friday to be considered for a full-time firefighter position -- one of three newly created jobs...

To Missouri conservation officials, legislation that would require voter approval every 10 years for the state conservation department's one-eighth-cent sales tax goes against the nature of setting public policy. The state's five-member conservation commission was in Cape Girardeau Thursday and Friday for meetings...

The river aquarium holds no water or fish, and the beehive isn't buzzing. A replica of an alligator gar is a fish out of water, lying on a wooden crate. And some of the soon-to-be exhibits are still nothing more than sheet rock, ready for paint. Cape Girardeau County's new nature center isn't yet ready for visitors, but it is coming alive on a daily basis...

Prodded by Missouri's higher education commissioner, officials at Southeast Missouri State University and Three Rivers Community College are seeking to iron out a cost-sharing agreement over the operation of three Bootheel education centers. The Cape Girardeau university and Poplar Bluff, Mo., community college have tentatively agreed to a cost-sharing plan worked out by higher education commissioner Dr. ...

The budget, tort reform, overhauling workers' compensation laws and rewriting the state's school foundation formula are top priorities in Jefferson City, state. Sen. Jason Crowell told a group of local business owners Friday. "Each and every one of these issues are vital to your success as a business owner," Crowell told the group at a luncheon in downtown Cape Girardeau...

WASHINGTON -- Cuts in food programs for the poor are getting support in Congress as an alternative to President Bush's idea of slicing billions of dollars from the payments that go to large farm operations. Senior Republicans in both the House and Senate are open to small reductions in farm subsidies, but they adamantly oppose the deep cuts sought by Bush to hold down future federal deficits...

CHICAGO -- Illinois coach Bruce Weber's mother died Friday after surgery to repair a torn aorta, leaving his status for Saturday's Big Ten tournament semifinal game uncertain, a team spokesman said. Dawn Weber, 81, underwent surgery at Rush University Medical Center after complaining of chest pains before the Illini beat Northwestern earlier Friday...

VIERA, Fla. -- Zach Day won't earn the fifth spot in Washington's rotation if he keeps pitching like this. Day allowed six runs during an erratic two-inning outing Friday as the Nationals lost 12-3 to the St. Louis Cardinals, who batted around in the first...

CHICAGO -- Just hours after his mother died following emergency surgery, Illinois' Bruce Weber decided to coach the top-ranked Illini in Saturday's Big Ten tournament semifinal game. Dawn Weber, 81, died about 6 p.m. Friday after undergoing surgery for a torn descending aorta. She was taken to Rush University Medical Center in Chicago after complaining of chest pains before the Illini beat Northwestern earlier in the day...

LAS VEGAS -- Ryan Newman was the third driver to attempt to qualify at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Once he posted his lap, the suspense was over. Newman ran a flawless lap at 173.745 mph in his Dodge Charger on Friday to win the pole for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 and knock the track off the short list of places he had yet to master...

WASHINGTON -- A boy no older than 11 was among the children held by the Army at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison, the former U.S. commander of the facility told a general investigating abuses at the prison. Brig. Gen. Janis Karpinski did not say what happened to the boy or why he was imprisoned, according to a transcript of her interview with Maj. Gen. George Fay that was released by the American Civil Liberties Union...

ST. LOUIS -- Conservation officials in Missouri are worried about a rash of eagle killings around the state. Ten eagles have been found shot to death or dead of apparent poisoning in recent months, and seven of the deaths are being investigated as suspicious, Larry Yamnitz, protection field chief for the Missouri Department of Conservation, said Friday...

The first screening of "The Passion Recut," a rerelease of "The Passion of the Christ," never showed at Cape West 14 Cine Friday because no tickets were sold. The film, released in time for Holy Week and Easter, has a softer appeal because about seven minutes of graphic footage have been cut. But the original success of the movie and DVD sales may keep many away from the big screen for a repeat viewing...

MOSUL, Iraq -- Weeping relatives gathered in small groups Friday to bury 50 people killed by a suicide bomber in this northern city, after canceling a mass funeral procession for fear of another attack. Families of the victims from Thursday's bombing at a funeral in a Mosul mosque held individual wakes and funeral services after agreeing with community and religious leaders not to hold a joint funeral procession...

Chinese imports raise U.S. trade deficit; Poll finds consumer confidence rebounding; Qwest plans to make better offer for MCI; Music company to sell $750 million in stock; Court upholds switching rules for cell numbers

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The businessman who won the nation's richest undivided lottery jackpot was sued Friday by the father of a teenager who died of a drug overdose at his home in September. The wrongful death lawsuit said Jesse Joe Tribble was led astray by Jack Whittaker's late granddaughter, and it said he should have exercised more control over her since she was in his custody. Whittaker promised to fight the case by Tribble's father, Jimmy Tribble...

ATLANTA -- A man being escorted into court for his rape trial Friday stole a deputy's gun, killed the judge and two other people and carjacked a reporter's vehicle to escape, setting off a massive manhunt and creating widespread chaos across Atlanta, police said...

Miles Smith's trip to the NCAA Division I Indoor Championships track and field meet was as much about getting experience as it was about reaching the finals. Now, following Friday's preliminary run in the 400 meters, Smith has a foundation from which to build. Or the Southeast Missouri State sophomore has some appreciation of what it takes if he decides to take up auto racing...

In three previous trips to the Class 1 state quarterfinal round, the Bell City boys basketball team is 3-0. Bell City will try to continue its quarterfinals success today at the West Plains Civic Center. The defending Class 1 state champion Cubs (20-9) will face Eminence (17-13) at 2:45 p.m...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Win, lose or draw, Notre Dame's boys basketball came up to the Class 4 state final four with the notion of going out and having some fun. Despite an 84-72 loss to O'Hara in the semifinals Friday at Mizzou Arena, there were plenty of smiles from the Bulldogs faithful. After a 6-20 record last season and a 9-16 regular season, the Bulldogs have little to complain about...

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Too many easy baskets. That was the theme of Notre Dame's 84-72 loss to O'Hara on Friday in the Class 4 boys basketball state semifinals at Mizzou Arena. After running its last two opponents into the ground, Notre Dame found itself against a quicker ballclub Friday. The Bulldogs (14-17) turned the ball over 26 times, leading to countless fast breaks and layups...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Terrell Everett seems to be in the right place at the right time whenever Oklahoma needs him. The 6-foot-4 junior had 18 points, seven assists and two steals Friday in leading the Sooners to an 83-79 victory over Missouri in a second-round Big 12 game that could stand as a clinic in the art of shooting free throws...

PITTSBURGH -- A child plucks a Twinkie from a tree, as if it grew there. Another Twinkie is used in a re-imagining of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper." Such are the interpretations of the snack by members of the American Society of Media Photographers' Pittsburgh chapter...

Last bridge pier to be blasted today; Multiple sclerosis rally being held today at mall; I-55 ramps at Route KK to be closed two days; Man gets jail, fine for molasses-induced fish kill

Cape Girardeau Firefighters responded to the following on Thursday: * At 5:03 p.m., an illegal burn at Capaha Park. Firefighters responded to the following on Friday: * At 6:15 a.m., emergency medical service in the 1700 block of Cape Meadows Drive...

THEBES, Ill. -- Kenny Monahan, 51, of Thebes died Thursday, March 10, 2005, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. He was born Dec. 20, 1953, in Cape Girardeau, son of Jimmie and Marvalee Bryant Monahan. He and Connie Woodruff were married Dec. 13, 1974...

Dorothy D. Watson McBride, 83, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, March 10, 2005, at her home. She was born April 9, 1921, at Morley, Mo., daughter of William Homer and Flora Maud Williams Watson. She and Harold Jennings McBride were married Aug. 2, 1936, in Murphysboro, Ill. He died May 2, 1986...

COBDEN, Ill. -- Everett Rollie "Diz" King, 87, of Linton, Ind., formerly of Cobden and Anna, Ill., died Thursday, March 10, 2005, at Linton Nursing and Rehab center. He was born March 21, 1917, in Pomona, Ill., son of Rollie and Millie Lance King...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Irene E. Schuessler, 91, of Perryville died Friday, March 11, 2005, at Perry County Nursing Home. She was born Jan. 9, 1914, at New Wells, daughter of Albert J. and Hulda Wunderlich Ladreiter. She and Edgar F. Schuessler were married Oct. 12, 1934. He died Jan. 11, 1985...

ANNA, Ill. -- James Oliver "Jim" Casper, 65, of Anna died Friday, March 11, 2005, at Jonesboro Health Care Center in Jonesboro, Ill. He was born Oct. 6, 1939, in Cobden, Ill., son of Edward and Cecile Earnhart Casper. Survivors include a sister, Lou Ella Pender of Anna, and a brother, Frank Casper of Gurnee, Ill...

MCCLURE, Ill. -- Arthur E. "Bucky" Jacobs, 81, of Caseyville, Ill., formerly of McClure, died Friday, March 11, 2005, at the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna. Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau is in charge of arrangements.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Martin H. "Max" Funke, 98, of Perryville died Friday, March 11, 2005, at Perry County Nursing Home. He was born Nov. 6, 1906, at Longtown, Mo., son of Michael Gustav and Barbara Louise Springer Funke. Funke was a postal worker in St. Louis until moving back to Longtown, and then was custodian at Zion Lutheran Church. He was a lifetime member of Zion Church...

BROOKPORT, Ill. -- Christopher Austin Bagby, 2, of Brookport died Wednesday, March 9, 2005, at Cardinal-Glennon Hospital in St. Louis. He was born Jan. 31, 2003, in Paducah, Ky., son of Christopher Robyn Bagby and Crystal Dawn Fasolo. Survivors include his parents; a brother, Anthony Fasolo of Brookport; paternal grandparents, Ronnie and Martha Everly of Olmsted, Ill., Albert "Duke" and Jackie Bagby of Metropolis, Ill.; maternal grandparents, Michael and Linda Fasolo of Brookport; paternal great-grandparents, John and Judy Clark of Olmsted, and Albert and Connie Bagby of Mounds, Ill.. ...

Thomas George Tennant, 54, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, March 2, 2005, in an apartment fire at his home. He was born Feb. 5, 1951, in Aberdeen, Md., son of Charles W. and Mme Mae Green Tennant. Tennant was a cab driver 17 years with Kelley Transportation. He received a degree from the University of Indiana...

Volkerding; Garmon; Fitzsimmons; Smith; Brown; Besand; Popp; Cox; Dockins; Maxwell

In Friday's edition, Trinity Lutheran School principal Terry Fark's name was mispelled. The Southeast Missourian regrets the error.

25 years ago: March 12, 1980 Adoption of a teacher salary schedule calling for a median increase of 12.7 percent and discussion of teacher recommendations of benefit changes attracted the largest crowd in almost a year at the Cape Girardeau Board of Education last night...

Performing arts; School support; Girl Scout camp; Choose better way; Art of politics; Make or break; Focus on negative; Walk on concrete; Thanks for purse

To the editor: My shower chair wore out, and now I'll never get another shower chair all because of Gov. Matt Blunt. That tells me that he's not for handicapped persons at all. I also reckon he thinks all crippled people are rich too. He needs to come up with a way for people like us to get the medical supplies we need...

Cape Girardeau The following items were released Friday by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWIs * Jeremy Scott Dohogne, 22, 106 Iva Mae, Delta, was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. * Troy Edward Starwalt, 21, 505 Cypress Drive, Effingham, Ill., was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated...

To the editor: The Missouri Legislature's vote to allow Southwest Missouri State University to be renamed Missouri State University has the possibility of producing lasting detriment. In an institution, the budget is a statement of values. Continuous cuts to higher education in Missouri make it hard for state universities to maintain high academic standards. In recent years, most states have increased funding to higher education, but Missouri has continued to cut higher-education funding...

To the editor: More front-line troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are National Guard member and reservists now than ever, including 9,750 troops from Missouri. Sadly, many families of citizen-soldiers face declining household income since the breadwinner's military pay is often less than his civilian salary. Many employers won't cover the difference, so some families face unexpected financial hardships...

To the editor: Everywhere you look these days you see support ribbons for our troops, breast cancer awareness, POW-MIA and so forth. Amen to them all. They have my support too. But how many SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and infant-loss support ribbons do you see? They are nearly nonexistent. I suppose that's why someone stole mine off my car...

Anabolic steroids are synthesized drugs that mimic the effects of the male hormone testosterone. Anabolic steroids became Schedule III controlled substances in the U.S. in 1990. Possession carries a minimum fine of $1,000 and/or a year in prison, but athletes in various sports still use them to build muscle mass...

Only the altar and the rock of the baptismal at Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel are the same after a nearly five-month renovation project at the Cape Girardeau church. The congregation is holdng an open house Sunday to show off its completed building renovations. The project updates the sanctuary, kitchen, office and youth areas...

Baseball...

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- The judge in the Michael Jackson trial delivered the punch line Friday that Jay Leno has been wanting to hear: The comedian is allowed to crack jokes at Jackson's expense. Judge Rodney S. Melville made his ruling about Leno as he clarified a gag order preventing everyone involved in the case from discussing it. Leno has been subpoenaed to testify at the trial, and the comedian feared that the order would apply to his monologues on "The Tonight Show."...

MADRID, Spain -- Some posted letters. Others tossed flowers. All stood quietly for five minutes. "Who will give me back my will to live, which died here a year ago?" read a note stuck to a wall at the El Pozo station. The sheet was signed by a woman who identified herself simply as Susana, among those wounded on March 11, 2004 in the Madrid train bombings...

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration on Friday softened its hard-line stance on how to thwart Iran's suspected nuclear arms program, agreeing to support a European plan that offers economic incentives for the Tehran government to give up any weapons ambitions...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. On Sundays, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver retires the power suits and ties he wears to work in Congress and dons the ornate robes of a pastor. The Missouri Democrat is among the few members of the House to hold a second job. He spends up to 30 hours a week preaching and managing affairs at St. James United Methodist Church in Kansas City, where he has been senior pastor for three decades...

TAMPA, Fla. -- A man fighting to have a feeding tube removed from his brain-damaged wife on Friday rejected a California businessman's offer to pay him $1 million to give up his right to decide her medical treatment. Thursday's offer, which the husband's attorney labeled "offensive," came hours after a judge refused to let the state's social services agency intervene -- a move that would have delayed next week's scheduled removal of the tube...

SHREVEPORT, La. -- In state after state along President Bush's Social Security road campaign, hand-picked audiences cheer him, leaving the impression that the nation wholeheartedly backs his ideas for reform. The reality is different. While a majority of Americans approve of Bush's handling of terrorism and foreign policy, just 37 percent like his approach to Social Security, an Associated Press poll found...

"Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and all it contains; Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy." -- Psalm 96:11,12 Praise God forevermore! The Hebrew word for "rejoice" is "agila," meaning "to spin around."...