Around Southeast Missouri 12/28/06

One man in custody after high-speed chase

A man is in custody following a high-speed chase through Caruthersville, Mo. According to Caruthersville police, the chase began at about 3:10 p.m. Friday as officers were investigating an improperly parked car at the intersection of 13th and Walker streets. Police said a passenger, Jeffery McClemore, 22, got into the driver's seat of the vehicle and drove from the scene. A pursuit began with the fleeing vehicle reaching speeds of 90 mph in town. McClemore drove through a field, striking a 4-foot-tall berm, causing the vehicle to become airborne. The vehicle came to a stop after striking a fence on Adams Street. He then fled on foot. Acting on a tip, officers arrested him at a home on Truman Boulevard. McClemore was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, no operator's license, speeding, careless and imprudent driving, improper lane usage, failing to obey a traffic control device, failure to secure a child under 4 in a child safety seat, destruction of private property and driving without a driver's license. He is being held in the Pemiscot County Jail in lieu of $2,563 bond.

-- Standard Democrat, Sikeston

Stoddard County 911 elects new chairman

After serving as Stoddard County 911 services chairman since 2004, LaVeda Banken stepped down from that position Friday during the board's regularly scheduled annual meeting. Elected to serve as chairman for 2007 was Dexter police chief Paul Haubold. Elected to serve as vice chairman was board member Chuck Edwards. Hank Trout will again serve as the board's secretary/treasurer. Also discussed at the annual meeting was the possibility of an amendment to the bylaws that would limit a chairman's term to two years. The current amendment calls for all officers to be elected once a year at the annual meeting held in December. Banken pointed out that a limit is needed to prevent one person from being elected to the position over and over again. "I believe that this board is very important to our community, otherwise I wouldn't serve on it," said Banken about her decision to step down. "But I believe it is time to let another board member serve as chairman and I believe [Haubold] will do an excellent job."

-- The Daily Statesman, Dexter