A pedestrian died on Tuesday night in Cape Girardeau after being hit by a car. The incident happened in the 2100 block of North Kingshighway. An ambulance took the woman victim to the emergency room with serious injuries. According to police, a Chevy Malibu with Nebraska plates hit the woman around 6:30 pm as she was walking from the east side of Kingshighway to the west side. The impact threw the woman onto the hood of the vehicle and the windshield. The driver was not arrested and will not face any charges.
A spokeswoman for the General Services Administration announced that the agency received final payment on the Old Federal Building in Cape Girardeau. The Old Federal Building was sold during an online auction for a total of $325,000. The new owner of the building now has to record the deed in Jackson, and then the information as to who bought the building will be revealed.
Cape Girardeau Police are looking for a suspected shoplifter at Schnuck's. Apparently on Tuesday afternoon, a man grabbed four cases of beer and a package of cigars and left without paying. The incident happened around 12:30 pm. The suspect is described as a white male in his late teens or early 20's. He put four cases of Bud Light bottles into his cart, along with a pack of Swisher Sweets cigars. He walked past all of the checkout lines and out the door to a Chevy Blazer that was waiting on him. A store clerk followed the suspect outside and confronted him, but he would not go back in and the vehicle drove away. The vehicle is described as a late 80's model Blazer, maroon to dark red in the back, dirty white in the center, and dark blue in the front. Anyone with information is asked to call the Cape Girardeau Police Department.
Route OO in Cape Girardeau County will be closed Tuesday as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a pipe under the roadway. The section of roadway being worked on is between County Road 375 and Count Road 382. Weather permitting, crews are expected to be working between 8 am and 4 pm. Motorists are encourage to use extreme caution when travelling through.
38-year old Richard O. Jenkins of Campbell, Missouri, has waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday over charges he invaded a home and kidnapped a Malden resident in December. Jenkins is charged with first-degree robbery, three counts of criminal action, two counts of first degree burglary, and kidnapping in connection with a December 19th invasion of 70-year old Terry Kitrel’s home.
Southeast Missouri State softball signee Tianna Stockley died early Sunday morning after a car accident on I-44 in St. Louis. Police say the 18-year-old Stockley was driving and lost control of the vehicle, ran off the road and into a cable barrier. Her car then overturned and came to a stop in the eastbound lanes. She was pronounced dead at Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur. SEMO Softball Head Coach said, "We are so saddened by this tragic and shocking news. Our entire Southeast Missouri family is devastated." Stockley was recruited to fill the departure at shortstop for Renee Kertz. The Sullivan (MO.) High School Grad ranked 18th in her class with a 3.83 GPA, and earned All-District and All-Conference honors in three of her prep campaigns. Coach Richmond added, "My heart goes out to Mike and Sherri Stockley, and their entire family. They are in our thoughts and prayers."
32-year old Jason Stroup, on the run from police after walking out of the Stoddard County Courthouse Wednesday, has been captured. According to the Sheriff’s department, Stroup was found at a home on the Stoddard and Bollinger County lines around 3 pm. Police report Stroup tried to run, but was eventually grabbed and apprehended. Stroup now faces additional escape charges, and could now face up to 16 years in prison.
Tonight on 1550 listen to Cape Central boys basketball as they travel to Dexter for the final regular season game. With a win the Tigers would clinch at least a share of the conference championship. Mike Scott has the call at 7:30. Over on 104.7, I and Brad McKee will have Jackson’s final game before d istricts, as Imagine College Prep visits the Indians. Pregame on 104.7 begins at 7:20 with tip at 7:30.
The Cape County Commissioners voted to approve nearly $60,000 in a grant to help build a special needs playground. Melaina’s Magical Playground will be an all-accessible playground in Cape County Park North, and will be the only playground that accommodates children with special needs in a 100 mile radius. The estimated cost of the project is $750,000, and after the grant the rest of the funds are being raised by a board overseeing the playground.
Out of 1150 total students at Cape Central High School, 158 went home or called in sick on Wednesday, an alarming 16% of the student population. School was not cancelled, and classes for Thursday will be on their regular schedule. Listen Thursday to KAPE Radio 1550 for more on this story.
On Friday February 24, the Jackson Police Department will be joining forces with statewide law enforcement for their annual “Click it or Ticket” campaign to help motorists buckle up.
Seven out of ten drivers killed in Missouri car accidents are unbuckled.
For more information on the “Click it or Ticket” campaign, visit saveMOlives.com or call 573-243-3151.
A public forum has been set for 6 pm on February 28th at the Osage Centre to discuss the ever popular urban deer hunting issue in Cape. The majority of the discussion thus far has revolved around whether to allow trained bow hunters to kill deer within city limits, but the forum will allow for all voices to be heard with questions, criticisms, or support.
26-year old Mark K. Carleton has been sentenced to the maximum of seven years in prison for setting a Mount Auburn Road business complex on fire in November. Carleton worked for RGIS Inventory Services, which occupied two of the building’s offices. He was on the scene when fire crews arrived and offered to show them where the fire was, according to the probable-cause statement. Carleton has been charged with multiple crimes prior to his arson charge.
Arcadia Valley R-II - Closed Tomorrow
Bunker R-III – Closed Wednesday
Dexter Adult Education and GED – No Tuesday evening classes
East Carter County R-II – Closed Tuesday
Farmington R-VII – Closed Tuesday
Marquand-Zion R-VI – Closed Tuesday
North St. Francois Co. R-I – Closed Tuesday
South Iron County R-I – Closed Tuesday
St. Francois County Central R-3 – Closed Tuesday
Van Buren Head Start – Closed Tuesday
Van Buren R-I – Closed Tuesday
32-year old David Ray of Poplar Bluff was injured Monday after his vehicle rolled over and ejected him from the car. Ray was driving southbound on 14th street when he ran off the east shoulder of the roadway to avoid a car backing out of a driveway around 11:45 am. Ray’s vehicle hit an embankment, flipped over, and ejected him from the car. Police say the car then rolled over him. Ray was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital, and there is no word on his condition.
AN AREA OF SNOW WILL BEGIN TO MOVE INTO MUCH OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI THIS AFTERNOON. THE SNOW MAY MOVE EAST INTO SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS AND FAR WESTERN KENTUCKY LATE IN THE DAY. SOME LOCATIONS FROM POPLAR BLUFF WESTWARD MAY SEE 1 TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW BY SUNSET. THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN REPORTS FROM JUST WEST OF WEST PLAINS OF 2 INCHES OF SNOW ON THE GROUND.
TOTAL SNOWFALL FOR THIS EVENT WILL LIKELY BE IN THE 2 TO 3 INCH RANGE... WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS. THE SNOW WILL TAPER OFF... AND POSSIBLY CHANGE OVER TO FREEZING DRIZZLE OR PLAIN DRIZZLE AROUND DURING THE EVENING OR AROUND MIDNIGHT. THOUGH ICING AMOUNTS SHOULD BE VERY LIGHT... THIS STILL COULD CAUSE ADDITIONAL TRAVEL ISSUES.
This week, Dexter police arrested 23-year old Jeffrey Dean Ray and 33-year old Amy Sue Bennett, both of Dexter, for attempting to manufacture methamphetamine. Officials found two meth labs, four liquid samples of the lab, nearly 120 grams of meth oil, and many other pieces of meth and drug paraphernalia. Both Ray and Bennett are being held in Stoddard County jail on $50,000 cash-only bond.
Former Caruthersville mayor Chris Riggs pleaded not guilty to charges of forgery and stealing thousands of dollars from the city’s Criminal Investigation Funds, as reported in the Daily Dunklin Democrat. A criminal affidavit with the court details charges against Riggs of 24 counts of forgery and one count of stealing, and 11 counts of forgery against city employee Marcus Hopkins. Riggs allegedly wrote checks from $500 to $6,000 over a near two-year period. Riggs remains free after posting a $200,000 bond in October.
The quest for Fruitland to become a village now lies in the hands of the Cape Girardeau County Commission after voters rejected the proposal last week. Fruitland’s annexation has yet to be discussed in County Commission meetings, but can be placed on the agenda by calling the County Clerk. On Tuesday, 846 voters said “No” to the annexation, 56% of the voters. Those who support the annexation believe Fruitland needs to make this step as it’s growing rapidly.
For those looking for winter driving tips, Bridgestone and TeensDriveSmart.com have teamed up to provide many excellent tips. Click this link for more: http://www.teensdrivesmart.com/resource-center/winter-car-care-and-driving-tips.html
Route Z in Cape will be closed today and Friday as MoDOT workers replace a pipe under the roadway. The section of the road to be closed is between County Road 327 and Route OO; closed Friday will be sectioned between County Road 231 and Route OO. The work will be done from 8 am to 3 pm daily.
Cape Girardeau police are looking for three men who allegedly assaulted and robbed a man Tuesday night on Hanover Street. Around 8 pm Tuesday, a man was in a parking lot at 210 South Hanover Street when he was approached by three men. The men allegedly assaulted him and took his wallet, money, and lottery tickets, Cape Police report. The victim had minor injuries and declined medical attention. No suspects are in custody, and the robbery is still under investigation.
Cape Girardeau County tried out iPads for its voting polls at St. Andrew Lutheran Church on Tuesday, and everyone involved is quite pleased the with the results. 152 voters cast their ballots at the church using the iPads system produced by St. Louis-based company Know.Ink. The tablets keep track of voter information much more easily than the old system, and will require significantly less man power and work hours to do so. The county hopes to try out more iPads during the April elections, and if successful, will go to them completely.
23-year old Ryan Harkey pleaded not guilty Monday to fatally stabbing Jerry Conrad in December following a fight outside Cape’s Rumors Bar and Lounge. Harkey is charged with allegedly stabbing Conrad three times in the chest, damaging his coronary artery. Harkey’s attorney has said the evidence against his client shows Harkey acted in self defense. Harkey will be back in court March 19th.
After Monday night’s meeting, Cape Girardeau City Council officials are looking to move ahead with a $3.85 million corridor plan on Broadway that will enhance pedestrian traffic, but could remove over 60 parking spots. After reviewing the project for two weeks, a presentation was made and the go-ahead was given to the city council to progress with the option that creates a wider sidewalk, but less parking spots. The cost of the reconstruction would cost over $500,000, and would most likely be postponed until next construction season.
40-year old Krissie Payne of Caruthersville is in serious condition after being hit by a car driven by a man accused of drunken driving Saturday night. Police responded to a report of a vehicle accident around 11:50 pm Saturday, where, according to the police report, they found Payne lying in the street and unresponsive. Payne was airlifted to a Memphis hospital. Officers arrested 34-year old William “Joey” Watkins of Caruthersville, and charged him with second-degree assault and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
23-year old Ryan Harkey, charged with the stabbing death of Buddy Conrad, will face an arraignment today. Harkey faces 2nd-degree murder charges after him and Conrad got into a fight outside Rumors Bar and Lounge in Cape in December. Harkey told police he stabbed Conrad three times after hearing him walk up from behind.
33-year old Jeremy Ellis has been charged with two counts of domestic assault after a domestic incident led to him being stabbed in the leg. Poplar Bluff police were called to a home at the 2400 block of Baught Lane around 2 pm Sunday over a domestic violence complaint. Police say Ellis threatened to kill his wife after an argument escalated, with Ellis throwing a cigarette ash tray at his wife. Police say the 19-year old son of Michelle Miller, Carson, stepped in-between the two, resulting in a fight with Jeremy. Michelle stabbed Jeremy in the leg to stop the fight. Ellis was booked into Butler County Jail.
A 27-year old Caruthersville woman was arrested on charges of robbery and third degree assault following an incident at Walmart in Kennett on Thursday, according to the Daily Dunklin Democrat. Officers responded to a call from the Walmart Supercenter regarding a woman attempting to leave the store without paying for merchandise, according to the Kennett Police Department report. When an attempt was made to prevent the woman from leaving, she allegedly assaulted the police officer and left the store. She was later stopped by police with $250 worth of merchandise found in her car.
Four Perryville teens were arrested this week after the theft of two vehicles led officers to them. Two vehicles were reported stolen Monday, according to the sheriff department’s news release. 17-year old Danny B. Harvill III was charged with leaving the scene of a crime after wrecking one of the stolen vehicles and fleeing. Garrett D. Baker, also 17, was charged with tampering a vehicle. 19-year old Britnee Terbrak and 17-year old Selena Bunbar, both of Perryville, were charged with second-degree tampering of a motor vehicle.
The mother of the Cape Central High student who was allegedly choked out by a Central teacher is considering pulling her child out of the school. 32-year old Roman D. Smith has been charged with misdemeanor third-degree assault after engaging in a “play fight” with a student last month. Penny Coleman has said her 16-year old son has been harassed about the ordeal and has considered removing her child from the school. According to online court records, Smith will appear in court March 6th.
Watch the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks take on the lone Division I unbeaten, #9 Murray State, tonight at 7 on ESPNU at Buffalo Wild Wings. The Redhawks, currently 2nd in the OVC (7-2), will look to knock off the Racers and gain ground the battle for the regular season crown. BWW will have special food and drink promotions during pre- and post-game. Go Redhawks!
47-year old Jeffrey L. Green and 33-year old Homer G. Blankenship, both of Park Hills, were arrested on accusations they produced methamphetamines. A woman called police to a storage unit at 804 North Saint Joe Drive in Park Hills after seeing a man going through it with the lock missing. When officers arrived, they found Green and Blankenship in the unit, one with a knife. A noticeable chemical smellwas coming from inside the unit, and officers noticed chemicals commonly used to make meth. Green and Blankenship face charges manufacturing a controlled substance and possession of a chemical with intent to create a controlled substance.
17-year old Jonathan Ervin of Sikeston was found guilty of first-degree statutory sodomy of a 21-month old child following his trial Tuesday. On June 4th, 2010, the victim’s mother picked her child who was being watched by Ervin, who told the child’s father there was an injury to the child’s bottom. Sentencing for Ervin is scheduled for March 13.
Jason Mitchell of Jackson, charged with swindling half a million dollars from a Sikeston-based company, will go to trial this summer. Mitchell allegedly transferred money from DeWitt Company into his own bank account while he was an employee there. He allegedly operated a “kickback” system of purchases with an employee from KT America, from whom Mitchell was directed by his employer to purchase materials. The trial will begin June 19th in Cape Girardeau County.
Allen Walker Jr. of Cape Girardeau, charged with 2nd-degree murder and child endangerment, pleaded guilty to 2nd-degree murder charge today in a plea deal. His trial was scheduled to start later this week, but instead will serve 15 years in prison as part of the plea. Investigators say Walker's 7-week old son died in August 2010 from severe brain hemorrages and skull fractures, according to the autopsy.
32-year old Shannon Babers of Benton and 31-year old Janet Sadler of Chaffee are charged with multiple counts of drug possession and stealing after police say they stole a purse from the Knights of Columbus in Jackson. The two are charged with class C felony possession of a controlled substance, and class A misdemeanor stealing. After receiving a call from the K of C about a man coming in, stealing a purse, and leaving with a female, Jackson police found the vehicle on I-55 and pulled it over with both suspects in the car.
In Charleston, five area residents are charged with multiple drug-related charges after a traffic stop by a Mississippi County deputy. 26-year old Mark J. Owens of East Prairie, the driver of the vehicle, pulled over after he attempted to flee from the officer, and a search of his car uncovered drug paraphernalia, including marijuana and syringes. Along with Owens, the four other passengers, 23-year old Stephanie Schoffner and 21-year old Laeklynn Scott of East Prairie, 26-year old Brian Hayne of Charleston, and 21-year old Brook Logan Deroush of Sikeston, are all retained in the Mississippi County Detention Center in Charleston.
Three southeast Missouri men were arrested in Advance and charged with possessing precursors to manufacture meth. A clerk at the Advance Dollar General stores notified police that a man had bought a number of items commonly used to produce methamphetamines. Advance Police Chief Donnie Bonsack followed the car, where permission to search was given by the driver, 41-year old John Moon of Poplar Bluff. 23-year old Jesse Wayne Wessel of Poplar Bluff admitted he purchased a box of pseudoephedrine pills, another common ingredient in meth. Another passenger, 26-year old Jerry Lee Burgener of Dexter told officers a spoon with residue left on it belonged to him. All three suspects remain in Stoddard County Jail.
As of 2:30 pm Friday, Southbound lanes on I-55 at mile marker 98 are open after closing for 30+ minutes to clean up an accident.
Southeast HealthPoint Plaza, 2126 Independence in Cape Girardeau, was evacuated without incident this morning, Jan. 27, as a precaution following a mixing error involving laundry chemicals. About 200 people are inside the building normally at this time of day.
The area involved was the facility’s laundry area. Three HealthPoint employees were taken by private vehicle to Southeast Hospital’s Emergency Services for precautionary reasons. They are being treated for minor chemical irritation and most likely will be released from Emergency Services later today.
The incident occurred about 11:15 a.m. The Cape Girardeau Fire Department was called to remove a 15-gallon container of the mixed chemicals from the building and remove fumes from the building. The container removal was completed by the fire department at 12:36 p.m.
All HealthPoint Rehab appointments for today have been rescheduled. HealthPoint Fitness reopened at 2 p.m. today.
Southeast HealthPoint Plaza was evacuated today after cleaning chemicals were incorrectly mixed, creating unhealthy fumes. The entire building was evacuated, forcing 200 people to wait outside until the Cape Girardeau Fire Department cleaned the building. Shortly after officials began letting people back into the building to retrieve their belongings. The building will re-open at 2 p.m.
Just when you think paper is still needed for voting polls, think again – Cape Girardeau County poll workers may soon eliminate paper logbooks for iPads. Beginning with the February and April elections, some Cape county poll workers will use the Apple tablets to track and save voter information. The county commission plans to test St. Louis-based Know.Ink’s poll books in February and more in April before purchasing them, with the number of iPads purchased depending on how effective they perform. If they perform up to code, the county will pay just over $97,000 for the devices and software.
Scott County Sheriff’s Office is reporting 41-year old Ronnie G. Newell of Sikeston has been charged with child molestation and is in jail on bond. The police department reports Newell had been taking inappropriate photographs of a 10-year old girl. During the investigation, it’s also reported Newell inappropriately touched the 10-year old girl while at his residence in October 2010. The investigation revealed Newell was a boyfriend to the biological mother of the girl. Newell was arrested on drug charges, as well, when a search of his home uncovered numerous articles of drug paraphernalia. Bond is set at $75,000.
Despite rumors swirling about, it was confirmed Thursday that the Cape Girardeau County Commission is not the high bidder for the former federal building in Cape. The top bid stood uncontested for a day before the auction closed January 12th, and presiding commissioner Clint Tracy said he hadn’t made a higher bid in that time. As we reported yesterday, the top bidder’s identity is still anonymous per rules set forth by the General Services Administration. The deal must be paid in full by February 21st for the GSA to release the high bidder’s identity.
The Southeast Missouri football program will reveal its 2012 recruiting class during a signing day party on Feb. 1. The event will take place at Port Cape, beginning at 5:30 p.m., CT.
The signing day party, which is open to the public, will feature complimentary hors d'oeuvres. Southeast head coach Tony Samuel will speak and show highlights of the new recruits. The rest of the football coaching staff will also be on hand.
Next Wednesday is national signing day. A complete list of Southeast's 2012 signees will be available online at GoSoutheast.com.
Scott County and Oran Police Departments are investigating two burglaries that occurred Tuesday night in Oran. One Oran company was broken into and had money stolen from it, while a building behind a home was also broken into. Police say they quickly identified two suspects and arrested them, whose names are being withheld until formal charges are filed.
Police are reporting a break-in and theft at Marco Construction Products at 824 South Kingshighway. The company reported a 2000 Ford f-350 silver flatbed truck and a 2010 Mouser Steel blue flatbed trailer were driven through the fence that surrounds the company grounds Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. Both vehicles had “Marco Construction Products” painted on them. Police are currently investigating the incident.
The General Service Administration has accepted the high bid of $325,015 for the former Cape Girardeau federal building. Officials have tried to sell the building at 335 Broadway since December 2009, and were finally able to send out an award letter to the highest bidder, who will remain anonymous until the closing date. The bidder has until February 21st to pay for the building.
After compiling the rankings of safest schools in Missouri, Southeast Missouri State has come out on top. The website StateUniversity.com based the Safest Schools findings on incidents of campus crime as reported by campus security. The website analyzed crime statistics for 450 colleges and universities and assigned a safety rating to each of them. After taking the number of various incidents that could occur, they compiled a probability of each happening on campus. Visit StateUniversity.com for the complete listing of schools.
The Cape Chamber of Commerce was notified this morning by Mr. Todd Marchi with Marco Construction Products that their delivery truck and trailer were stolen from their Cape location last night and he has asked us if we could pass this information along to our chamber members. Here are the descriptions and:
Descriptions:
2000 Ford F-350 Silver 1-Ton Flatbed
2010 Mouser Steel 26' Blue Flatbed Trailer
Both had "Marco Construction Products" on them.
Please contact Mr. Marchi at 314-406-3118 (cell) or 573-837-4347 (office) if you have any information on the stolen items.
During the weekly meeting of The Optimist Club Jackson, Mayor Barbra Lohr updated members on the upcoming vote on annexation.
As this annexation is friendly the City of Jackson has to provide services that are required to meet the needs of the population in the area. As this will be an industrial area public safety and general city inspection services are what will be provided first.
This vote is about only annexation. The quarries will be going into operation as the State of Missouri has approved the permit. The state will also oversee the quarry operations .
As noted by Jackson business man Don Sievers the calls being made stating the vote can stop the quarries are wrong. This vote is only about the annexation.
Mayor Lohr also noted the tax revenue will benefit the city. Jackson City population makes up 18% of the county while Jackson only takes in 9% of the county’s tax revenue. This additional tax will benefit the City.
All in attendance where urged to make up their mind and vote so the Board of Alderman and Mayor have clear view of what the citizens of Jackson want.
The open air market concept in downtown Cape Girardeau may not be limited to just produce. About 75 people gathered at the First Presbyterian Church to discuss various other ways to help vendors and local businesses. Among the topics discussed were selling various works of art at the market, along with different kinds of activities and entertainment. A study was presented from Iowa State University that found there’s a 60% increase in local business the day a local market is open, and an 80% increase in local economic impact.
The Big Brothers Big Sisters program will adopt the system created by the Cape Girardeau organization and put it in place across the nation. The ABC Education Initiative partnership began locally in 2006 with students in the Cape Girardeau School District being served by the organization. The program collected data on the students with regards to attendance, punctuality, discipline, and grades. Big Brothers Big Sisters brings together students and mentors. 180 students in the kindergarten through 12th grade were connected with mentors through the 2010-2011 school year.
The Cape Girardeau School Board approved Rex Crosnoe as Cape Central Middle School principal during a closed session meeting Monday night. Crosnoe has served as interim principal since former principal Mark Kiehne was placed on administrative leave before resigning. Crosnoe has been the assistant principal since 2007.
The Cape Girardeau School Board voted unanimously Monday night to adopt the proposed administrative procedure JFCA-AP into proposed policy JFCA. The addition was made to allow the board to review all aspects of the proposal, which is passed would require uniform dress beginning in the fall. The administration can put procedures that are proposed into action without approval from the school board. Policies often contain procedures and are often approved by the school board. The district has been working with the Missouri School Board Association on the details of the proposal.
At last night’s dress code forum held at the Cape Girardeau Junior High School, many views were shared on both sides of the debate. Members of the committee shared research that showed a dress code would help cut down on issues in the school, but wouldn’t eliminate them entirely. Also of concern were cost to families, enforcement of the code, and whether or not the faculty and staff would adhere to a similar dress code. Tonight the Cape dress code committee will discuss the results and comments from last night, and will present their findings to the school board at Thursday’s meeting.
23-year old Kenneth Hollis of Ullin, Illinois, was sentenced to five years supervised probation Tuesday. Hollis pleaded guilty to third-degree assault in November after being found guilty in connection with a stabbing incident at a Cape Girardeau house party.
Also last night, the Jackson Alderman let known how the city would handle various civic duties to the part of land that is up for a vote of annexation. James Roach, city administrator, said Jackson would supply emergency and non-emergency services to the quarry if annexed, but would not supply water, electricity, or waste removal, none of which are presently needed. MoDOT would tend to road repairs or construction as usual on state roads, while county officials would be in charge of maintaining county roads. More than two hours of discussion and comments were heard from both the Aldermen and residents. The quarry up for annexation will be voted on February 7th.
Tonight at 6 pm at the Osage Center in Cape Girardeau, come see past and present St. Louis Cardinals at the Cardinals Caravan. The players will enjoy a question and answer session, sign autographs for Children only, and offer memorabilia. Admission is $5 and benefits the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation foundation. The doors open at 5:30, and the program begins at 6.
Shortly after 4 am Sunday morning, Cape Girardeau firefighters were called to an electrical fire that destroyed a local home. Firefighters say the blaze at 1030 South Pacific Street started in one bedroom and spread through the rest of the house. The home owner said no one was sleeping in the room where the fire started, causing heavy smoke and fire damage as it spread. Five people were at the home, and no one was injured. Crews were on the scene until 6 am, and they say it was accidental.
Tomorrow night, Jackson residents will have the chance to debate the annexation of a quarry into the city, a vote that will take place February 7th. A petition that was signed by at least 5-percent of city voters blocked a resolution approved to annex a 240-acre area on October 17th, forcing the issue to go to ballot. The meeting will take place at 7 pm Tuesday at Jackson City Hall.
Beginning with the February 7th presidential primary polls, Cape Girardeau’s voting locations will have a new look. The ten Cape polling spots will be consolidated into five, which is a move that will save taxpayers nearly $40,000 in voting equipment, according to election officials. Over 8,000 of the city’s 25,000 registered voters will be voting at a new location, with letters going out to those voters in the last two weeks. The decision for change was brought about when the city purchased new voting machines – with the consolidation, the city only had to purchase 60 machines instead of 70.
On January 24th, a public forum will be held to discuss the feasibility of an open-air market near the Cape Girardeau riverfront. The forum is a chance for input to be drawn from vendors, artists, downtown business owners, and local residents about how to draw more people downtown and how to create a new burgeoning riverfront market. The organizers of the meeting want to hear what should be offered at the market, where the best location is, and what kinds of entertainment would draw people to this market. The forum will begin at 6 pm in the fellowship hall of the First Presbyterian Church at 235 Broadway.
After being extended 48 hours by two last-minute bids, the auction for the former federal building in Cape Girardeau closed, and officials have a difficult decision to make. The final price of $325,000 was less than half the suggested asking price of $750,000, leaving a decision whether to accept or reject the offer in the hands of the General Services Administration. If it is accepted, the building would be closed on within 30 days.
If you are concerned about the possible closure of Cape Girardeau’s US Postal Service facility, Friday is the last day for comments, questions, and concerns to be mailed to the USPS. Send your feedback to Manager, Consumer, and Industry Contact, Mid-America District, 300 West Pershing Road, Suite 207, Kansas City, Missouri, 64108-9631.
Beginning August 1st, Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston will become a tobacco-free hospital. The policy will apply to all forms of smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, and snuff, and will apply to all employees, patients, visitors, volunteers, and anyone else who works or visits the hospital. It will also ban tobacco use on the grounds of Missouri Delta-owned property, and while inside personal vehicles that are on hospital grounds.
For the second straight day, a last-minute bid on the former federal building in Cape Girardeau kept the auction alive for 24 more hours. An anonymous bidder upped the price by $25,000 to just over $325,000 at 2:30 pm, only 13 minutes before the auction was to conclude. While not quite at the halfway mark of the suggested $750,000 selling price, after receiving only 2 bids from the starting date of November 9th to Jan 9, eight bids have been received in the last two days. The 45-year old building has been vacant since May 2010.
After being stolen on Saturday, a 10-week old Chihuahua has finally been returned to the Southeast Missouri Humane Society. A young woman who appeared to be in her late teens or early 20’s went to the Humane Society looking for a dog, and took the Chihuahua outside to play with in a pen. The woman never returned with the puppy, which was returned Wednesday afternoon by a man believed to be the young woman’s boyfriend. The young man claimed to have found the puppy, which was in good condition. Multiple requests to adopt the Chihuahua have been made, and will likely be adopted by the end of this week.
Highway 25 in Jackson was blocked off this morning after multiple minor car accidents due to slick roads. Police say none of the accidents near South Elementary were serious, and that crews cleared the roads in a short amount of time. Also, the Dexter Police Department reports some bridges have frozen over, causing slick driving. The street crews have spread solution and salt along the roads near the schools to reduce the hazard and will continue to help eliminate ice and slush on all roads in the town.
Two Southeast Missouri USDA offices will be closed in the company’s “Blueprint for Stronger Service” reorganization. In Jackson, the Rural Development office will be closed, along with the Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Dexter. They are among 259 offices that will close, ten of which will be in Missouri. The Jackson office has two full-time employees, and the Dexter facility has three, and all of them will be given the option to stay with the department. The “Blueprint” reorganization will take place in late winter and early spring, with the aim to complete the closures by the end of September.
On February 21st, three of the five suspects in the Southeast Missouri Counterfeiting ring will stand trial. Darius Robinson, Bryant Trice, and Jessica Gross are accused of manufacturing and using fake $10, $20, and $50 bills at various locations in Cape, Dexter, Sikeston, and Poplar Bluff in October. Robinson and Gross have pleaded not guilty to their charges, and Trice was arraigned but did not enter a plea, according to court documents.
For two hours Tuesday night, four officials from the Missouri Department of Conservation met with Cape Girardeau’s Deer Management Committee, and unfortunately for everyone involved, no easy solution was found. The committee discussed many different lethal and non-lethal ways to stem the urban deer population, and the Conservation members made it known that if nothing was done, the deer population would continue to increase. The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for February 7th at 7 pm at the Cape Girardeau Police Department.
On January 19th at 5 pm, a special work session will be held by the Cape Girardeau School Board to discuss and analyze the much-discussed dress code proposal. Just two days before that will be the second of two public forums regarding the proposal that students would have to dress according to a much stricter dress code beginning with the 2012-2013 school year. The meeting on January 19th will be held in the upstairs meeting of the central district office, and will be open to the public but no comments will be allowed.
After reaching just over $184,000 in its auction, the former federal building in Cape Girardeau received a bid at the last moment of over $300,000. This bid will keep the auction open another 24 hours, with hope still remaining the bid can reach the suggested selling price of $750,000. If no new bids come in by 2:43 pm today for the building built in 1967, the auction will end.
26-year old Mark K. Carleton, charged with destroying the office complex in Cape Girardeau at 1707 North Mount Auburn Road, pleaded guilty to those charges of arson Monday night. He took an open plea, which means the prosecuting attorney can recommend to the judge that Carleton serve the maximum sentence of seven years in prison. Carleton will be sentenced February 14th.
Since 1992, Cape Girardeau has worked with Alliance Water Resources out of Columbia for its water services, but with changes on the way, many city leaders think the time for change is now. At Monday’s city council meeting, a two-year contract was authorized to allow city leaders time to re-evaluate their deal and the changes upcoming. The current five-year contract with Alliance expires June 30th.
A day before the auction is scheduled to end, the bidding on Cape Girardeau’s former federal building has reached nearly $184,000. Four bids were made Monday, moving the total up considerably, but still well short of the $750,000 target amount the General Services Administration hoped to reach. The building has been vacant for two years, and this is the second attempt to auction it off. If new bids come in today, the closing day, the auction is expected to be extended for 24 hours until no bids are received.
With the Cape School District dress code a hot topic, many parents, teachers, students, and administrators showed up at Monday night’s school district meeting. Many parents argued the new dress code would be too expensive, while others argued it wouldn’t decrease bullying, as many expect it would. Superintendent Jim Welker said the Dress Code Committee will review community input before making a final presentation to the School Board sometime in February.
After a November lawsuit challenging Jackson’s proposed annexation along US 61 and Interstate 55, the city has responded saying the state statute prohibiting annexations is unconstitutional. The original suit, which was filed by residents of both Jackson and Fruitland, requested a decision on a 2009 Jackson city ordinance that annexed the highway land wasn’t legal according to state law. To meet the legal guidelines for annexation, the land must be “contiguous and compact” to the city limits. The annexation prohibits annexation of areas connected to the city by only “a strip of real property less than one-quarter mile in width.” The issue will be put on ballot for voters February 7th, while a hearing of the case is scheduled for April 9th in Cape Girardeau.
A Cape Girardeau man died Saturday night following an all-terrain vehicle accident. 28-year old Derrick Bramlett was riding an ATV around 11 pm westbound on County Road 310 when it ran off the road and overturned, throwing him from the ATV, according to the crash report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Bramlett was airlifted to Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau where he was pronounced dead at 12:34 am. According to the report, Bramlett was not wearing a helmet.
A Dudley man died yesterday after a motorcycle accident in Stoddard County. Around 1 pm on Route J in Asherville, 58-year old August J. Scherer was airlifted to a Cape Girardeau hospital, where was later pronounced dead. Police officers say Scherer drifted over the center line and hit a vehicle driven by 84-year old Georgia A. Graves of Dexter. Graves was taken by EMS to a Poplar Bluff hospital with moderate injuries.
A search warrant in a Scot City home results in the arrest of three people. Around 10:30 pm Thursday, Scott City officers searched the home at 405 Sycamore St., following an investigation, according to a news release from the police department. The search came up with 1,200 containers of synthetic marijuana, six large plastic bags of the substance, and nearly $3000 cash. Matthew Thompson, Stewart Thompson, and Regina Thompson were all arrested and charged with distribution and possession of a controlled substance.
With the new year upon us, progress on Jackson’s redevelopment program is in full force. The Uptown Jackson Redevelopment Organization, which promotes uptown merchants while working with the state to receive a $180,000 grant, is nearing completion on the group’s first set of goals. The donation would be provided by the Missouri DREAM Initiative, which would require a three-year contract with the state, who would analyze various residential and business developments in that time. The group is planning various events and projects that will have immediate impact, and will lay the foundation for long term growth.
Fruitland’s request for a portion of the town to become a village will have to wait, according to the Cape Girardeau County Commission. The county received a petition for Fruitland to incorporate the parts surrounded by U.S. 61, I-55, Highway 177, and Routes Y, W, and FF into a village, but will have to sort through various legal issues before a decision can be resolved.
61-year old Bobby D. Harper of East Prairie was arrested for trying to entice a 12-year old Sikeston girl into his van. Scott County Judge Scott T. Horman arraigned Harper on the felony charge of enticement of a child. According to the Sikeston Public Safety Department, the child was walking down Olive Street to a relative’s house when Harper pulled up next to her and asked if he could give her a ride. She said no, and Harper circled the block and asked again, this time offering money for her to get into the van. Harper is currently on $100,000 bond and is ordered to have no contact with children.
A fire at 106 Ruth Street in Sikeston caught fire Friday morning. Around 12:15 am, firefighters were called to the fire inside a room of the abandoned home. According to the news release from the Scott City Fire Department, they along with the Scott City Police and North Scott County Ambulance were all called to the scene. The fire was contained to one room, and no cause for the fire has been determined.
After testing positive for cocaine in their systems, three Cape Girardeau children were taken into protective custody on Sunday. 31-year old mother Brooke Whitener took her daughter to Southeast Hospital when she suffered from seizures and high fever, and the child showed traces of cocaine after a drug screening. Whitener’s 12 and 14 year old daughters also tested positive for cocaine after a urine test. Whitener was charged with three counts of child endangerment and faces seven years in prison for each charge. The $20,000 bond for Whitener was posted Wednesday.
A mobile home fire in Cape Girardeau injured one and destroyed the home Wednesday night. The fire broke out around 5:30 pm at 555 Spring Avenue, and when firefighters arrived they found the mobile home torched by the blaze. One person was treated for minor injuries after being burned in the blaze. All four Cape fire stations responded to the scene.
New evidence in the trial of Clay Waller shows a history of violent threats towards women. Evidence was submitted but not heard at Tuesday’s hearing, and it contains statements from Waller’s girlfriend in 1993, who says she was threatened repeatedly by Waller. A restraining order was also filed on July 27th of last year from a former girlfriend, who claimed Waller threatened to kill her after she came home from work. Judge Stephen Limbaugh sentenced Waller to 5 years in prison after hearing 24 pieces of evidence, significantly longer than the recommended 6 to 12 months.
A new pipeline that will stretch over 1200 miles will work its way through Cape Girardeau. Enterprise Products L.P. will stretch its new pipeline from Appalachia to Cape to Texas using existing pipeline in Cape and a terminal and pump that already exists in Scott City. The ATEX Express Pipeline project will pump ethane fuel to manufacturers in the Gulf of Mexico, and will create about 4,000 construction jobs. The pipeline is scheduled to begin operating in early 2014.
A homeless man was arrested after he allegedly punched a security guard at Southeast Hospital on December 29th. 24-year old Cory Gabelman was arrested on a warrant just before 10 pm Monday, according to Cape Girardeau police. Gabelman was intoxicated and being treated for an unrelated injury when he became upset and punched the guard in the side of the head. He is charged with third-degree assault and pleaded not guilty to the charge Tuesday. Gabelman remains in Cape Girardeau jail with a $2,500 bond.
Illinois State Police District 22 personnel responded to a two vehicle crash that occurred this morning at 8:03 at US 45 and the westbound ramps of Interstate 24, Exit 14.
A west-bound maroon 2012 Ford Fusion, driven by Dale N. Snyder, age 52, of Beaver Dam, Kentucky, crossed US 45 from the Exit 14 off-ramp to access the Interstate 24 on-ramp. A yellow 2004 Freightliner truck tractor semi-trailer combination driven by David R. Reisenbichler, age 52, of Jackson, Missouri, was travelling north on US 45. The Freightliner struck the Fusion, which came to rest north of the ramps.
Snyder was taken to Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah, Kentucky, by Johnson County EMS with non-life threatening injuries. Reisenbichler refused medical treatment at the scene. Both were wearing seat belts.
Snyder was cited for Failure to Yield at an Intersection
CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO– Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) recently awarded Cape Central Middle School a grant to increase after-school programming for students. The grant awarded the school a total of $90,000 to be paid over the next three years.
The school received the grant with help from the United Way of Southeast Missouri and its Leading and Inspiring Families to Excel (LIFE) program. The LIFE program helps support after school programs throughout Cape Girardeau and Jackson.
The Middle School was selected due to the success of their existing after school tutoring program referred to as the Cub Club. Over 150 students have participated in the Cub Club each year since it’s inception in 2009 and resulted in a significant increase in their MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) test scores. The Cub Club operates Monday through Thursday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:30.
Cub Club Plus has been established with the grant funds to offer more enrichment activities and tutoring for reading before school and after Club Club.
Jo Peukert , Coordinator of the LIFE program at the United Way, is working with Middle School administration to coordinate the grant activities. “The after-school programs are a great resource for working parents to offer their child a safe haven after school that enriches their lives both academically and socially. A recent study shows that more than 27 million parents of school age children are employed, and of that 23 million work full time,’” Peukert said.
“Programs like the Cub Club Plus fall directly in-line with our commitment at the United Way to strengthen families by focusing on education for children beyond the regular school day,” Peukert added.
The United Way has tapped existing youth development programs for the Cub Club Plus program including the THRIVE 40 Developmental Asset program, Junior Achievement, and Girl Scouts. Future programming hopes to include more sports and cultural activities. Programming is refreshed each semester with a celebration for students and their families at the close of the semester.
“We are using this as a pilot program to discover how collaboration and coordination among existing youth development programming can be expanded into our schools,” stated Nancy Jernigan, Executive Director of the United Way. “We feel that more of our students can access the wonderful programming that already exists in our community if it can offered in the school setting”, added Jernigan.
The grant will provide for assistance from the Afterschool Alliance whose vision is to ensure that all youth in the United States have access to affordable, quality afterschool programs. Their data indicates that 32% of K-12 youth in Missouri are responsible for taking care of themselves after school and that many of these children would particiapte in aftershoool programming if it were available in their community.
“Central Middle School is thrilled to receive this grant from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education,” stated Rex Crosnoe, Interim Principal at Cape Central Middle School. “The grant will allow us to provide educational opportunities for our students that they would not have had otherwise. It is a prvilege to work with our local United Way to help our students receive quality after school programs,” added Crosnoe.
Dexter police are looking for a man who approached a woman while wearing nothing but a fake beard. Around 7 pm Tuesday night, the man allegedly rolled down the window to his car and asked the woman for directions while she was unpacking boxes. He then got out of the car, and after seeing he was completely naked with a fake beard on, she ran into her house. He then back into his car and left. Police have no clues beyond he’s white, 6 feet tall, and had on a fake beard.
On Tuesday night, the Jackson Board of Aldermen chose a firm that will prepare an engineering report costing roughly $75,000 that will direct a new expansion to the city’s water system. After updating the system in 2007, Jackson is looking to support and enhance their water system facility by discontinuing lime softening and perspective expansion north of the city. The report will be created by Horner and Shifrin of St. Louis, who developed the plan 5 years ago and has created similar models for other cities.
Clay Waller has been sentenced to 5 years in prison for making threats to his sister-in-law over the Internet. Judge Stephen Limbaugh gave Waller the maximum sentence after hearing testimony from Cheryl Brennecke, Jacque Waller’s sister, and a plea from federal prosecutor Larry Ferrell to lengthen the suggested 12-month sentence. Jacque Waller has been missing since June 1, and Cape Girardeau County Attorney has made known that the state anticipates filing a murder charge against Clay Waller.
When 2012 rolls around, commercial drivers will face a brand new law – no cellphones while driving. Starting January 3rd, all cell phone and push-to-talk phones will be banned for commercial drivers, including school bus drivers, while driving. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is implementing the change, citing research that shows drivers distracted by cell phones cause a great threat to road safety. Violators can face up to a $3000 fine, while companies who allow their drivers to use cell phone could face up to an $11,000 fine.
Four Southeast Missouri young adults were arrested in connection with a robbery and a series of burglaries following a week-long investigation by law enforcement officers. 23-year old Steven Doss Culp of Steele is charged with first degree robbery, armed criminal action and first degree burglary. 22-year old Aaron Lamant Welch and 29-year old Alan Keith Jones, both of Caruthersville, as well as 19-year old Johnny Marie Johnson of Senath, are each charged with first degree robbery and first degree burglary.
22-year old Darius Robinson, believed to be one of the five counterfeit dollar bill producers in Southeast Missouri, waived his pre-trial motions, indicating all evidence against him was obtained within his rights. The prosecution notes in its case that it has fake bills, surveillance video of Robinson trying to pass the bills at two locations, and an interview Robinson did with an investigator November 4th. The five suspects were indicted November 17th, but federal court documents remained sealed until Friday because at least one suspect was still at large.
Today is the last day of classes for the Cape Girardeau School District until January 4th, but students at Blanchard Elementary will have to wait a little longer before returning to the school. Superintendent Dr. Jim Walker says pushing the target date back to February 1st results from not being able to get the proper equipment in the school in the allotted amount of time. The fire on December 6th began in a teacher workroom, and while it’s believed to have been a copier that overheated, the cause is undetermined. With repairs and transportation to Lynwood Baptist Church, and other costs, the total price of the fire could total one million dollars.
