Stories from Thursday, June 11, 1992

Riots resulting from the verdict in a celebrated California court case have started a ripple effect of racial tension across the nation. As much as we would like to think society's defects have been resolved in the 1990s, these are admittedly restless times. ...

Youngsters attending Riverfest this weekend will have plenty to do. A parade, turtle races, a riverboat ride and a safety talk with several characters like McGruff the Crime Dog are just a few of the many activities that will be available to children Friday and Saturday, said Susan Helwege of the Children's Activities Committee for Riverfest...

Approximately 20 working craftsmen will present demonstrations during Riverfest '92 both Friday and Saturday. Arts and crafts demonstrations and sales have been a traditional part of the downtown celebration. The working craft demonstration area will be on the Courthouse lawn, and is free. General hours for the working craft area are Friday from 3-9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m...

Area fitness and leisure runners and walkers will have a chance to participate in the 10th annual Kohlfeld Riverfest Run Friday. The 5-mile run is sponsored by Kohlfeld Distributing and organized by the Cape Road Runners, which also hosts a one-mile Fitness Walk and Fun Run...

Making downtown Cape Girardeau a more attractive area and helping promote restoration of buildings and new businesses are the goals of the Cape Girardeau Development Corp. The organization is funded by donations and from a tax property owners voted on themselves several years ago when a special business district was formed...

The 40th Annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo again will include an impressive list of country stars. Scheduled for August 5-8, the rodeo is the nation's largest that weekend and typically draws more than 35,000 people. In addition to rodeo action, popular country stars are the featured stage entertainment each night...

A free outdoor concert will be held Sunday at the Bollinger Mill, off Highway 34 in Burfordville. Music will be provided by Paul and Win Grace and family at 4:30 p.m. The Grace's sing, dance and perform American old time and folk music with fiddle, mandolin, guitar and accordion. They also feature traditional and contemporary folk music...

Marble Hill native Lisa Lauryn was recently hailed in the Springfield News Leader with having the voice of an angel. Lauryn, who sings in Branson at Celebration Theater, made her debut in Branson at Presley's last year. Entertainment reviewer Ron Sylvester of the News-Leader said Lauryn "has an almost angelic voice with a gospel-blues feel that can give you chills."...

Kids can be fingerprinted for safety and identification purposes on Tuesday by the Cape Girardeau police and fire departments. Fingerprinting will take place at Pizza Hut at 215 South Kingshighway. There is no charge. Each child who is fingerprinted will receive a free Nickelodeon Kid's Cup with their favorite beverage. No purchase is necessary...

The annual Miss Riverfest Queen Contest celebrates its fifth year this weekend, which also will feature the first Little Miss Riverfest Contest. Riverfest '92 will be held Friday and Saturday in downtown Cape Girardeau. Both the older and younger contestants will be competing on stage at the same time. The competition begins at 5 p.m. Saturday...

Special summertime activity won't stop in downtown Cape Girardeau with the close of Riverfest. The weekend following the annual celebration will mark the start of a farmer's market, which will be held every Friday and Saturday starting at about 8 a.m. It is being sponsored by the Downtown Merchants Association...

A downtown Cape Girardeau building constructed in the early 1900s will have a new life and purpose. Commonly referred to as the Green Warehouse at 11-15 S. Spanish, it was renamed earlier this month by its new owners as the Alliance Building. The Spanish Street building is one of several structures in the downtown area that will be or have undergone renovation during the past year...

When it comes to tourist attractions, there's nothing quite like the Mississippi River. "It is an attraction in itself," said Lyn Muzzy, director of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau. "A lot of people would give their right arm to be on a river, any river...

Entertainment, fireworks, riverboat cruises, contests, games and good old-fashioned fun will be "Rollin' on the River" at Riverfest '92. Riverfest is scheduled Friday and Saturday on Cape Girardeau's riverfront. Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the 14th annual event...

The Riverfest '92 fireworks show, sponsored by River Eagle Distributing, will be one of the highlights of Riverfest's final day. The show is scheduled for Saturday at 9:30 p.m., and will last approximately 30 minutes. Organizers said the pyrotechnics will be easily visible from virtually anywhere in downtown Cape Girardeau, including the riverfront and the Common Pleas Courthouse terraces...

As Riverfest grows, so does the need for Riverfest parking in downtown Cape Girardeau. Riverfest organizers encourage people planning to attend Riverfest Friday and Saturday to avoid the anticipated traffic congestion in the downtown area by using the free Riverfest shuttle bus service...

The Spirit of Riverfest riverboat promises to be a highlight of Cape Girardeau's Riverfest for the second year in a row. The boat, officially known at the Spirit of St. Charles, made its first appearance at the Cape Girardeau riverfront at last year's Riverfest. Because of the good response from festival-goers, the boat is returning and the number of outings has increased...

One of the truly unique features of Cape Girardeau's annual Riverfest celebration is the opportunity to enjoy the diverse dining and entertainment opportunities offered by downtown establishments. From Mexican to Cajun, seafood to barbecue, Cape Girardeau's downtown area has something for every palate. And many of the restaurants offer lounges with weekly entertainment...

Local artists soon will have a new place to display their creations. John and Evelyn Boardman are preparing to open Gallery St. Avit in mid-June. The downtown art gallery will be housed at 119 Independence, in a structure previously renovated by John Boardman, who is an architect...

Old is suddenly "in" in downtown Cape Girardeau. Travelers on Interstate 55 and other highways in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois are turning their attention to a number of businesses in the downtown area as they search for everything from Depression-era glassware to Elvis and, or, Marilyn Monroe memorabilia...

The Show Me Center will broadcast live Evander Holyfield's June 19 heavyweight title defense against Larry Holmes. The scheduled 12-round fight will air one closed circuit video beginning at 8 p.m. with three preliminary bouts. This marks the third title fight for the 29-year-old Holyfield, who acquired the heavyweight crown by defeating James "Buster" Douglas in 1990. Holyfield's career record is 27-0 with 22 knock outs...

The Southeast Missouri State University summer touring theater is taking "LUV" on the road. Every summer, members of the university theater department choose a play to perform for people in area communities, according to Tara Wendenect, publicity assistant for the theater...

BENTON -- A new registration-identification card will be mailed to Scott County voters this week. Voters who do not receive the ID cards should contact the county clerk's office to correct their address and ensure they are properly registered, said County Clerk Bob Kielhofner...

The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department this summer will offer aerobics classes at the A.C. Brase Arena Building. The class is for anyone 16 or older, and the first session will run from June 16 to Aug. 6. The class will be held from 5:30-6:30 a.m. or 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday...

Visitors to Cape Girardeau's annual Riverfest celebration this weekend will have an opportunity to visit some new businesses that have made their appearances in downtown Cape Girardeau during the past year. No less than five new names can be found in structures that were vacant during Riverfest '91...

Mainstage entertainment at Riverfest promises some local favorites along with some better-known, up-and-coming performers. The group, Yesterday, as the Beatles, is the headline act on Saturday. The group was a hit last year, and Riverfest organizers say that's why they asked the fab-four impersonators back...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson said Wednesday he is still confident the House of Representatives will pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. The House began debate on the amendment Wednesday and could vote on the measure later today. A two-thirds favorable vote is required since it is a constitutional amendment...

In the days of silent movies shown at the Orpheum Theater in Cape Girardeau, a four-piece all-girl orchestra, called the "Kempe Kids," provided the music. One of the founders of the group, Paula Kempe, said news reports about Tuesday's collapse of the old theater brought back memories of her first job as a musician...

Area school officials are studying Missouri Mastery and Achievement Test results to determine if students are learning the basic skills they need. The statewide test, called the MMAT, evaluates students mastery of specific skills in areas of reading, math, science and social studies...

A backhanded compliment awaited Hunter Cook Wednesday when he finally scaled the fourth station on the climbing wall at Southeast Missouri State University's Student Recreation Center. A message printed in white chalk at the top of the station simply said: "You made it punk."...

The Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission resolved Wednesday that a home day care center in a residential neighborhood converts into a business when its operators move out. The commission unanimously recommended denial of a request by Jerry and Melba Keele for a special-use permit to operate a day care center at 1820 Delwin St...

JACKSON -- Mary T. Eftink, an attorney at law with the Jackson firm of Buerkle, Beeson and Ludwig, will keynote the Women of the '90s program Friday at the St. Francis Medical Center at 2122 East jackson Boulevard (Highway 61 East) in Jackson. The luncheon program begins at noon...

The American Red Cross, in conjunction with four area organizations, will hold blood drives. The first of these blood drives will be held at the St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church. The parish center, located at 742 Forrest, will be the site of the drive Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Babysitting will be provided...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department is reminding people that certain downtown streets will be closed this weekend for Riverfest. The annual celebration will be held from 3 to 11 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. These street sections will be closed from 6 a.m. Friday until noon Sunday:...

At Monday's meeting of the Cape Girardeau Board of Education, reports were presented from three committees of the Project Partnership endeavor. Over the course of three days, beginning Wednesday, the Southeast Missourian is publishing those reports verbatim. Today's report is from the Education Programs Committee. In Wednesday's edition, the Facilities Committee report was published. On Friday, the Finance Committee report will be published...

BERTRAND -- Ellen O. "Tillie" Swinney, 77, of Bertrand, died Wednesday, June 10, 1992, at her home. She was born Dec. 21, 1914, in Pontotoc, Miss., daughter of John and Virginia Savely Peters. She married Leon Swinney Oct. 26, 1932, at Sikeston. He died Nov. 6, 1970...

DELTA -- Funeral service for Howard Ransome Followell Jr. of Kalamazoo, Mich., was held Monday at Langeland Memorial Chapel in Kalamazoo. The Rev. Herb Hutchinson officiated, with burial in Mt. Ever Rest Cemetery. Followell, 67, died Friday, June 5, 1992, in a Kalamazoo hospital...

JACKSON -- The Rev. Harley Statler, 88, of Jackson, died Tuesday, June 9, 1992, at St. Francis Medical Center. He was born Sept. 2, 1903, at Sedgewickville, son of Marvin and Hannah Hahs Statler. He and Lucille Seabaugh were married Jan. 12, 1922. She died Oct. 18, 1985...

Whynonna Dawn Caudle, infant daughter of Glenn and Sandra Squires Caudle of Cape Girardeau, died Tuesday, June 9, 1992, at Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Survivors include grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert (Peter) Squires of Waggoner, Ill., Pearl Caudle of Waggoner, and Claude Caudle of Farmersville, Ill.; great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Gorhan of Cape Girardeau; great-great-grandmothers, Pauline Dyer of Cape and Lorinina Gorhan of Bloomington, Ill...

MARBLE HILL -- Charles W. Russell of St. Charles died Tuesday, June 9, 1992, at his home. He was 67. He was born in Ellisburg, Ky., on July 19, 1924. He married Edna Mansker, who is from Bollinger County. She survives of the home. Surviving also are three daughters, Rita C. ...

Lydia Caroline Jordon, 86, of Cape Girardeau, died Tuesday, June 9, 1992, at Cape LaCroix. She was born March 8, 1906, at Gordonville, daughter of Henry and Sophia Voss Muster. She married Trentis Jordon Aug. 17, 1929, in Cape Girardeau. He died Oct. 23, 1979...

BERTRAND -- Mabel Florence Moit, 80, of Bertrand, died at her home on Tuesday, June 9, 1992. She was born July 2, 1911 in Cuba, Mo., daughter of William M. and Minnie McIntire Spurgeon. She had lived in Mississippi County most of her life, and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bertrand...

Daughter to William Bruce Ford Jr. and Brenda Lee Williams of Tamms, Ill., Southeast Missouri Hospital, 7:57 a.m. Friday, May 29, 1992. Name, Christy Lynn. Weight, 8 pounds. Miss Williams is the daughter of Ralph J. and Mary A. Williams of Tamms. She is a student. Ford is also a student, and is the son of William B. and Theresa S. Ford Sr. of Tamms...

JACKSON - A contractor installing an underground telephone cable in the Bent Creek subdivision accidently slashed an underground 12.5 kilovolt electrical distribution cable Tuesday afternoon. The mishap knocked out electrical service for nearly 10 hours to about 130-150 Jackson residents who live along Ridge Road...