Local briefs 8/23/06

Woman charged with unlawful use of weapon

Cape Girardeau police said a woman arrested on outstanding warrants had a loaded gun in her purse. Meghann M. Vinyard, 20, of Scott City was charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon. When an officer was taking Vinyard into custody Monday morning for outstanding warrants, he conducted a search and found a loaded .22-caliber pistol revolver in her purse. Bond was set at $10,000 cash only.

Jackson man arrested for making threats with knife

A Jackson man was arrested this week in connection with a quarrel with a neighbor that stemmed from an alleged fight between their sons. Jackson police responded to a trailer park at 927 W. Independence St. at 12:55 p.m. Monday on a peace disturbance call, Sgt. Scott Eakers said. Darrell D. Helderman, 44, of the trailer park, was accused of threatening someone with a knife, Eakers said. According to a probable-cause statement, Helderman was quarreling with another man regarding a fight Sunday night between their sons. Helderman's son was accused of holding the other man's son down while a third child kicked him, the statement read. Helderman confronted the other man accusing his son, and on Monday taunted the man to come into the street to "settle the argument," the probable cause statement read. According to the other man, Helderman was holding a bone-handled knife, the statement read. No weapon was ever found and no one was injured, Eakers said. Helderman was charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon and misdemeanor peace disturbance. Bond was set at $10,000, and if secured, Helderman was to have no contact with the victim.

-- From staff reports