Briefs 5-23

Malden bank robbed; three suspects sought

MALDEN, Mo. -- Police on Wednesday were searching for three armed men in connection with a bank robbery at First State Community Bank in Malden, authorities said.

Initial information was sketchy but there were no injuries reported in the robbery, which occurred at about 9:15 a.m., said Troy Karlish, a Malden police officer.

Two vehicles stolen from Kennett, Mo., that police think were used in the robbery were later found abandoned, Karlish said.

Law enforcement agencies were working together to search the area, and believe a third vehicle may have been involved, Karlish said.

Sikeston robbery suspect's trial moved

BENTON, Mo. -- A Sikeston, Mo., armed robbery case will be heard by jurors in St. Charles County.

Stoddard County Associate Circuit Judge Joe Satterfield ordered the case of Troy Fenton, who is charged with the Oct. 13 robbery of the Super D Drug Store in Sikeston to be tried in St. Charles.

Following the robbery, Fenton exchanged gunfire with police at the Mini-Farms Subdivision north of Sikeston off Highway HH. During the exchange of fire, Sikeston police Lt. Mark Crocker was shot in the lower leg.

From that incident, Fenton was arraigned in April on charges including first-degree robbery of a pharmacy and first-degree assault of a law enforcement officer.

Following the arraignment, Jacob Zimmerman, who is Fenton's attorney, filed a motion requesting a change of venue. The Missouri Supreme Court assigned Satterfield to determine what county the case would be venued to after hearing requests by both parties.

Bluff schedules country music show for July 3

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A huge country music party, featuring six top-name acts will be featured during the Black River Festival on July 3 at the Black River Coliseum.

Coliseum director Calvin Rutledge announced the acts Wednesday during a news conference at the coliseum, saying it's "the greatest country show that's ever been in Southeast Missouri."

Country Music Television and the coliseum will present the Rockin' Roadhouse Tour with Joe Diffie, Mark Chesnutt and Tracy Lawrence. The second group will be the Honky Tonk Tailgate Party with Rhett Akins, Daryle Singletary and Wade Hayes.

Rutledge said the doors will open at 6 p.m., with the concert beginning at 7 on July 3. The show will last at least four hours and may be broadcast on CMT.

Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. June 1 at the coliseum.

Charleston native to speak at service

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Former Charleston, Mo., resident, retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jack Waggener, will be the guest speaker for a Memorial Day service at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Veterans Park in Sikeston.

Local veterans from AMVETS, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars will also participate in the event.

Maj. Roger Alsup, former commander of Company C in Sikeston, will place the wreath during the ceremony while Spc. Steve Alexander of Sikeston will present the colors at the ceremony.

-- From Southeast Missouri News Service reports