Briefly

I-55 down to one lane between Cape, Scott City

Interstate 55 from Route AB to Highway 74 will be reduced to one lane starting today as MoDOT crews work to replace a guardrail. The work will begin at 8 a.m. today and is expected to continue daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 14. The northbound section of I-55 will be reduced to one lane. For more information, call MoDOT at 1-888-275-6636.

Scott County leaders discuss inmate work

BENTON, Mo. -- At the Scott County commissioners' regular meeting Thursday, Commerce, Mo., mayor Bill Bailey discussed using inmates to rid trees from the river line, according to the Sikeston Standard-Democrat. Commissioner Dennis Ziegenhorn noted that the county doesn't have the proper equipment for such work. Commissioners are looking into contracting with Southeast Correctional Center in Charleston, Mo., to do the cleanup project. Also on Thursday, at the 911 Advisory Board monthly meeting, commissioners told members of plans to develop a regional 911 call center out of the county. The county's Miner call center will be shut down beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday. The commission made more board appointments at the meeting, as well. Sheila Eftink of rural Sikeston, Mo., was appointed to a three- year term. Gerald Settles and Donna Tippy, both of Sikeston, were re-appointed for three-year terms.

Five more arrests made in copper thefts

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner announced Friday that five more arrests have been made in the county for copper wire thefts, reports the Dexter Daily Statesman. "The Stoddard County Sheriff's Department has completed an investigation into numerous thefts of copper wire and metals associated with farming operations in Stoddard county," Hefner said. Arrested were 20-year-old Bradley Jenkins, $7,500 cash-only bond; 17-year-old Robert Stoner, $7,500 cash-only bond; 22-year-old Michael Shramek, $7,500 cash-only bond; 27-year-old Erik Zerr, $15,000 cash-only bond; and 30-year-old Jeffery Schultz, no bond set at this time. Hefner said that more investigations are currently being conducted and other arrests are anticipated.

-- From staff reports