Illinois can't sell vaccine purchased from Europe

CHICAGO -- Illinois has been unable to sell any of the 700,000 doses of flu vaccine that Gov. Rod Blagojevich and other state and city governments agreed to buy from Europe, raising the possibility that taxpayers could get stuck paying millions for the unused vaccine. To make matters worse, officials in New York City and Cleveland, who signed onto the deal to import the vaccine, now say they don't need their share of the doses and do not want to make payments for them.

Jackson man arrested on sodomy charges

A 29-year-old Jackson man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of statutory sodomy and child molestation and later charged with three counts of the statutory rape of a 12-year-old child. According to Jackson police, Chadwick L. Fulton, 402 E. Adams St., was arrested after Jackson officers conducted an investigation into alleged sex acts that had reportedly taken place in Jackson in 2003. Fulton is in the Cape Girardeau County Jail in lieu of a $75,000 bond.

Sikeston tipsters foil drug sales

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Acting on tips from Sikeston residents, police arrested two men Wednesday evening on drug-related charges. Names of the arrested men are being withheld pending the filing of formal charges. Police made contact with the two men on Stoddard Street. While speaking with them, officers discovered a small amount of narcotics in the suspects' possession. Following arrest, one of the suspects allegedly admitted to having more narcotics at his residence on South Scott Street.

Branson school worker to pay restitution

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A former employee of the Branson school district has been ordered to repay more than $124,000 she embezzled from the district. Janette McSpadden, 42, of Branson, was sentenced Thursday in federal court in Springfield.