Around Southeast Missouri

Neelyville teen pleads guilty to killing mom

NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- An 18-year-old man pleaded guilty Thursday in Butler County circuit court to voluntary manslaughter last week in connection with the June 2003 shooting death of his mother. Cody Lewis Harris is accused of killing his 37-year-old mother, Ginny H. Grandberry, in their Neelyville home at 428 Main St. just after 7 a.m. on June 17, 2003. Harris entered his plea after Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour filed an amended information with the court. If convicted, Harris faces up to 15 years in prison. His next court appearance is 10 a.m. Feb. 1.

~-- Daily American Republic

Emergency management director appointed

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Danny Harris of Charleston is the new Mississippi County emergency management director. Harris replaces Brenda Bickford, who officially resigned Thursday after county commissioners accepted her resignation during their regular meeting. Commissioners also approved an annual salary of $3,000 plus mileage reimbursement for the emergency management director position. Harris has been director of the Mississippi County Rescue Squad for three years and has a total of 13 years with the squad. In her letter of resignation, Bickford said she was unable to dedicate enough time to the position due to her job as court marshal for the drug court.

~-- Sikeston Standard Democrat

Biodiesel plant to be completed in January

Global Fuels' new plant on County Road 731 is not operational yet. Owners Harold Williams and Jerry Bagby had expected the plant to be up and running by Thanksgiving. Bagby said Thursday the plant is "pretty much finis hed" and should be ready for testing by Monday. Weather and holidays are to blame for the delays, he said. The plant is expected to produce biodiesel later in January.

~-- The Daily Statesman