News for Sunday, December 18, 2011

Homicide investigation in Cole County

Not many details are being released about the shooting death of a Cole County man, Sunday night.

Missouri uses 19-0 start to rip William and Mary

About the only drama in Missouri’s 94-56 win against William & Mary on Sunday at Mizzou Arena was when, and at times it looked like if, William & Mary would score.

Elated, last US troops leave Iraq, ending war

KHABARI CROSSING, Kuwait (AP) — The last U.S. soldiers rolled out of Iraq across the border into neighboring Kuwait at daybreak Sunday, whooping, fist bumping and hugging each other in a burst of joy and relief. Their convoy’s exit marked the end of a bitterly divisive war that raged for nearly nine years and left Iraq shattered and struggling to recover.

Study finds fault with Missouri term limits

The Missouri Legislature has returned to the 1920s. It’s a flash to the past that is due largely to term limits.

North Korean despot Kim Jong Il dead

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Kim Jong Il, North Korea’s mercurial and enigmatic longtime leader, has died. He was 69.

Witness links Army private to secrets seen on WikiLeaks

FORT MEADE, Md. (AP) — A computer-crimes investigator testified Sunday he found more than 10,000 diplomatic cables and other sensitive information on the work computer of the Army private charged with spilling a mountain of secrets to WikiLeaks.

Maine toddler reported missing from home

WATERVILLE, Maine (AP) — Maine police appealed Sunday for the public’s help in finding a toddler who has been missing from her Waterville home since a family member saw her asleep in her bed Friday night.

Russian oil platform capsizes

MOSCOW (AP) — Rescue workers are searching for 49 men in freezing, remote waters off Russia’s east coast after their oil rig capsized and sank amid fierce storms.

Vaclav Havel, hero of anti-communist revolution, dies

PRAGUE (AP) — The end of Czechoslovakia’s totalitarian regime was called the Velvet Revolution because of how smooth the transition seemed: Communism dead in a matter of weeks, without a shot fired. But for Vaclav Havel, it was a moment he helped pay for with decades of suffering and struggle.

For Missouri students, cellphone debate isn’t academic

The text was about something innocuous: A request to go to the county fair. It set off a highway pileup that took two lives, injured dozens and left two school buses and a pickup truck in a crumpled heap.

Huntsman banking on success with NH independents

Republican Jon Huntsman's presidential fortunes may have little to do with his party's conservatives.

Congress' new terrorism rules leave open questions

After a bruising battle in Congress, the Obama administration retained the right to investigate and try suspected terrorists in civilian courts. But officials say newly enacted legislation raises a host of questions that will complicate and could harm the investigation of terrorism cases.

Chiefs ends Packers' dream of perfect season

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Romeo Crennel stood dripping wet on the sideline, a water cooler having been dumped over his head. Kyle Orton’s jersey was covered in grass stains as he took one last snap from center.

Bengals grind down Rams 20-13

Rookie A.J. Green had six catches and topped 1,000 yards for the season, and the Cincinnati Bengals held the St. Louis Rams to 2 for 13 on third downs to help keep pace in the AFC playoff race with a 20-13 victory Sunday.

Oil companies exploring south-central Kansas

Oil companies have been leasing mineral rights on thousands of acres in south-central Kansas, where they have begun drilling wells using horizontal hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” a technique that has drawn scrutiny from the Environmental Protection Agency and other states.

Mazurek named December State Employee of the Month

Renee Mazurek advocates for clients and families tirelessly, said Deana Schlesselman, who nominated her for the Missouri Department of Senior Services Employee of the Month.

Conservationists aim to provide quail with habitat

Rooster Cogburn, a Vizsla bird dog, smelled something he liked as he coursed through a grassy buffer strip at the edge of a crop field in Carroll County. Quail.

What a SC tornado ripped apart is found again

Sharon Courtney came to an old South Carolina schoolhouse on a cold December night to try to find memories of her husband Steve, who was killed last month when a tornado tore their home apart.

Santorum pursues Iowa crown old-fashioned way

In a presidential campaign marked by sharp rises and falls, Republican Rick Santorum has experienced neither.

Your Opinion: Transformation tax opposed

Dear Editor: We Jefferson City taxpayers are being asked to impose another one-half percent sales tax on ourselves to fund Chamber of Commerce dreams. If passed, our tax rate will be 8.225 percent or 9.225 percent if you shop at the east side Walmart.

Your Opinion: Extend incentives for solar industry

Dear Editor: The U.S. solar industry is thriving and now employs more than 100,000 Americans at 5,000 companies across all 50 states. The industry just enjoyed its best quarter ever and grew by 140 percent in the last year, despite a stagnant national economy. Here in Central Missouri, you are seeing solar systems popping up all over.

Your Opinion: Local initiative on global issue

Dear Editor: Please forgive a statement of obvious fact — production of food and production of energy are issues inextricably intertwined. Further, as use of fossil fuels declines and world population grows from seven to over ten billion in this century, meeting worldwide demand for food will be an ever-increasing problem — a problem destined to dominate world affairs for decades to come.

Our Opinion: Making the call on texting while driving

News Tribune editorial

When a driver sets a vehicle in motion, the safety of others — passengers, pedestrians, other motorists — must be a priority.

Official: US limits intel value of drones

A U.S. official says Iran will find it hard to exploit any data and technology aboard the captured CIA stealth drone because of measures taken to limit the intelligence value of drones operating over hostile territory.

Lohman man charged in shooting incident

Victim hospitalized in serious condition

A Lohman man was listed in serious condition late Saturday night at University Hospital in Columbia, after being shot early Saturday and undergoing surgery that included the removal of a kidney.

Kids, cops enjoy special buying spree during Operation TOYS

Once a year, the crisp, December morning stillness is pierced by what may sound like millions of law enforcement sirens — all blaring at once.

Council to consider sewer fee increase

Rate would cover additional billing, collection expenses

Sewer customers could see an increase in the base rate on their sewer bill if the Jefferson City Council approves the measure Monday night.

Payroll tax cut bill boosts cost of new mortgages

Who is paying for the two-month extension of the payroll tax cut working its way through Congress? The cost is being dropped in the laps of most people who buy homes or refinance beginning next year.

Personnel issues focus of closed school board sessions

Two closed-door sessions will highlight the Jefferson City School Board’s meeting on Monday.

Eugene high school principal retiring

The Cole County R-5 School Board accepted a retirement letter from Rob Ferguson as high school principal during its December meeting.

Legislator: Petition presents potential conflict

Barnes urges Carnahan to keep hands off new energy petition

Freshman Rep. Jay Barnes has urged Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan to let someone else handle a new initiative petition proposal dropped at her office last week.

Adult college student admits he took second go-round more seriously

After starting his career with the Missouri Department of Corrections 23 years ago, Stanley Keely graduated Saturday with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from Columbia College.

Helias falls to St. James

The Helias Lady Crusaders dropped a decision Saturday to the St. James Lady Tigers.

Fatima wins title at Linn

Fatima cruised to a victory Saturday night in the championship game of the Linn Tournament.

Business owner watches as pay phones fade away

At 62, Jim Nesselhauf is not sure which will come first, retirement or the demise of his business — pay phones.

Blair Oaks rolls to Holiday Tournament title

Falcons have three wrestling champs

The Blair Oaks Falcons captured the title Saturday at the 20-team St. Mary’s Trojan Holiday Tournament.

State Street buildings all that remain of 1800s female seminary

Once a place to educate young women in the finer points of knowledge and etiquette, today the Greek Revival-style buildings at 416-420 E. State St. are a reference for those learning about revitalization.

Occupy activists stake camp at Obama office

Occupy Des Moines activists on Saturday vowed to shut down President Barack Obama’s campaign offices and set up a camp outside they plan to maintain around the clock.

Boys Basketball: Grain Valley downs California

California traveled to Grain Valley but couldn’t come home with a win, falling Saturday.

Boys Basketball: S. Callaway defeats Calvary Lutheran

The South Callaway Bulldogs vaulted to a 13-2 lead after one quarter Saturday and defeated the Calvary Lutheran Lions at Trinity Lutheran.

Manning’s sexual orientation is raised at hearing

The young Army intelligence specialist accused of leaking government secrets spent his 24th birthday in court Saturday as his lawyers argued his status as a gay soldier before the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” played an important role in his actions.

Lincoln drops decision to Lindenwood

The Lincoln men’s basketball team decided to host the Lions a year before Lindenwood enters the MAIAA to help gain some semblance of familiarity. Lindenwood was a rude guest Saturday afternoon, defeating Lincoln at Jason Gym.

LU women now 8-1

The Lincoln Blue Tiger women matched the best start in program history, improving to 8-1 with Saturday’s win over the University of Missouri-St. Louis Tritons.

Gingrich 2.0: Ex-speaker offers new Newt for 2012

Newt Gingrich's becoming Professor Gingrich was Step 1 in a carefully laid plan that would propel the 27-year-old father of two from Carrollton to Congress within eight years, on an audacious quest, as he saw it, to save Western civilization.

National sports scene has little to offer right now

Sports Commentary

If a tree falls in the forest and there’s no one to hear, does it make a sound? Likewise, if a worthless addition to the sporting scene gets started and there’s no one to watch it, does it actually exist?

Missouri preps for William & Mary

It was the question on everybody’s mind. But Missouri coach Frank Haith didn’t want to take the bait.

Missouri receiver receives an early Christmas present

When it was announced Missouri would play in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La., it was a tossup who was more excited: Tiger receiver L’Damian Washington, or his three brothers. Christmas came early for the Shreveport native and his family.

9-year-old NYC boy chokes in school cafeteria

Family members and a witness say a New York City fourth grader choked on meatballs during lunch earlier this month while school cafeteria workers stood by. The boy later died.

Two Civil War generals featured on ornaments

The Cole County Historical Society’s annual Christmas ornament this year features two Civil War generals with ties to Mid-Missouri.

Grants to fund device for remote health diagnosis

Two of the biggest spenders on global health innovation are hoping that $38.5 million will be enough money to create a handheld device that doctors could use to diagnose patients far from medical labs.

Driftwood Outdoors: A sense of responsibility

Hunters and poachers are not the same

A letter to the editor of a newspaper I had picked up made my temperature rise quite bit. It was from a local reader who was upset about the illegal dumping of deer carcasses in a creek.

Mizzou research helps create chicken substitute

A Maryland-based company using University of Missouri research plans to launch a new soy-based chicken substitute that tastes just like, well, chicken.

Loepke leads Shootout

Ryan Loepke averaged 215.9 to lead the 12 finalists Saturday in the Bud Light Coca-Cola Old School Shootout at West Gate Lanes in Jefferson City.

Adkins coordinating donations for Huffman family

After Thursday’s announcement that Lance Cpl. Tyler Huffman and his family have accepted the offer of a new house near Scott Station Road, some Mid-Missourians have asked how they can support that effort.

KC police seek man who raped 71-year-old woman

Kansas City police say someone broke into the apartment of a 71-year-old woman and repeatedly raped her.

Hawaii parade honors Japanese-American WWII vets

Hundreds of Japanese-American veterans of World War II were honored Saturday with a parade in Honolulu — nearly 70 years after they volunteered to fight for their country even as the government branded them “enemy aliens.”

Utah lawmaker resigning due to fundraising ban

A law prohibiting fundraising during Utah’s legislative session has at least one Republican resigning his post and another considering stepping down instead of challenging the ban, as candidates have successfully done in other states.

Bengals look to re-launch push vs. Rams

No doubt, the Cincinnati Bengals have some issues. While losing four of five against a succession of division leaders, they’ve sprung leaks in the secondary and on the offensive line. Once a promising postseason contender, they’ve fallen a game back in a packed contest for the last wild card berth in the AFC.

Packers chasing perfection, Chiefs looking to regroup

Aaron Rodgers will throw for a slew of yards and a bunch of touchdowns. Some unheralded running back will start to resemble Jim Taylor. Clay Matthews will harass the opposing quarterback and Charles Woodson will probably force a turnover.

Missouri State chief sorry for band playing ’Dixie’

Missouri State University’s interim president has apologized for the school’s Pride Band playing the song “Dixie” on Springfield’s downtown square last month.

Michael Jackson house contents sell for nearly $1M

The contents of the home where Michael Jackson lived with his three children just before his death have sold for nearly $1 million at auction.

Gingrich says rivals’ criticism taking a toll

Newt Gingrich tried to quiet unrelenting campaign criticism that he acknowledged had taken a toll as Mitt Romney stepped up insider attacks Saturday in hopes of regaining front-runner status with the first presidential vote little more than two weeks away.

LA-area freeway torched by tanker truck now open

All lanes of a vital Southern California freeway were open again Saturday, three days after a shutdown was forced by a huge tanker truck fire that left an overpass badly damaged.

NY man pleads guilty to selling fake tickets

A New York man has pleaded guilty in federal court in St. Louis to selling counterfeit World Series tickets.

Rapper’s slaying in Ga. music studio investigated

Atlanta police are continuing to try to piece together what led to the slaying of rapper Slim Dunkin, who was gunned down Friday evening in a city music studio as he was preparing to record a video.

Saturday's Top 25 College Men's Basketball Capsules

COLLEGE MEN'S BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Dion Waiters scored a career-high 22 points to help No. 1 Syracuse beat North Carolina State 88-72 on Saturday.

Saturday's Top 25 College Women's Basketball Capsules

COLLEGE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Nnemkadi Ogwumike had 22 points and 12 rebounds for No. 4 Stanford in a hard-fought 85-66 victory over Princeton on Saturday.

Legwand lifts Preds to shootout win against Blues

In a matchup of teams riding four-game winning streaks something had to give. The Nashville Predators needed a little extra time to stretch their run to five.

Saturday's NHL Capsules

NHL ROUNDUP: The Boston Bruins scored four first-period goals and snapped the Philadelphia Flyers’ seven-game winning streak with a 6-0 victory on Saturday.

Neighbor describes Illinois mom shooting child in yard

A burst of gunfire sent Annelise Fiedler running out of her home to see what the noise was. In the yard next door, she saw 30-year-old Sara McMeen hovering over her baby as if she had dropped her. Fiedler asked McMeen if everything was all right.

Woman set afire in elevator of her NYC building

A woman burned to death in the elevator of her Brooklyn apartment building Saturday after a man ambushed her, sprayed her with liquid and set her afire with a Molotov cocktail, police said.

Obama wants payroll tax extended for entire year

President Barack Obama, rebuffed by Congress on a yearlong extension of a Social Security payroll tax cut, said Saturday that it would be “inexcusable” for lawmakers not to lengthen the short-term deal when they return from their holiday break.

GM ’cannot support’ plans to save Saab

Bankruptcy proceedings remain on the cards for troubled Swedish car maker Saab after former owner General Motors Corp. said Saturday that proposals presented so far to salvage the troubled brand are unacceptable and won’t be supported.

Lowe’s pulling ads from Muslim show sparks protest

Protesters descended on a Lowe’s store in one of the country’s largest Arab-American communities on Saturday, calling for a boycott after the home improvement chain pulled its ads from a reality television show about five Muslim families living in Michigan.

Senate OKs payroll tax cut, huge spending bill

The Senate voted Saturday to temporarily avert a Jan. 1 payroll tax increase and benefit cutoff for the long-time unemployed, forcing a reluctant President Barack Obama to make an election-year choice between unions and environmentalists over whether to build an oil pipeline through the heart of the country.

Employee shoots 4 others, self at LA-area office

A man who shot four people, killing two, at a utility office east of Los Angeles before turning the gun on himself was a 48-year-old company employee from Southern California, authorities said Saturday.

Big endorsement: Romney picks up SC governor's aid

Challenging Newt Gingrich's claim to South Carolina, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney charged into the state Friday with a key endorsement from the tea party-aligned governor, a packed campaign schedule and plans to start airing TV ads in the early primary state.