Police: Little progress yet on house fire probe

Police are making little progress in determining who started a suspicious fire that destroyed one house and severely damaged a second home on South Spanish Street. The fire, which gutted a two-apartment home at 221 S. Spanish St., was raging just minutes after being noticed by a nearby business owner. Evidence collected at the scene is still being examined at a state crime lab, Cape Girardeau fire chief Rick Ennis said Friday. Witnesses reported seeing two vehicles in the vicinity of the home shortly before the fire. Detectives with the Cape Girardeau Police Department have identified the drivers of both vehicles, Sgt. Barry Hovis said. "We have spoken to the occupants of both of those vehicles and believe they were not involved except for being in the area," Hovis said. The investigation is ongoing, but no arrests are anticipated at this time, Hovis said. Anyone with information about the fire is urged to call the state arson hotline at (800) 392-7766. Anonymity is guaranteed, and there is a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to conviction.

Flower show today at Centenary UMC

The Council of Garden Clubs of Cape Girardeau will present its Spring Flower Show today. The theme is "A Child's Garden of Verses." The show will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at the Family Life Center at Centenary United Methodist Church, 300 N. Ellis St. in Cape Girardeau.

Ill. man sentenced for selling medication

A three-year prison sentence was handed down last week to an Illinois man convicted of selling his prescription medication out of his home. Roger Cannon Sr., 49, of Jonesboro, Ill., was sentenced April 28 to three years in prison followed by two years supervised release for unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, according to a news release from the Union County State's Attorney's office. Cannon admitted to selling hydrocodone out of his public housing unit on Oct. 12, 2004, to an undercover officer. He could have received up to seven years imprisonment for the offense, State's Attorney Allen W. James said.

Area teen who fled from police waives hearing

A teenager who fled from police in Cape Girardeau questioning him about an Illinois burglary and assault was bound for circuit court Friday. During a preliminary hearing in Jackson, Perry L. Foulks, 18, of 336 N. Sprigg St., waived his preliminary hearing and Associate Circuit Judge Gary A. Kamp continued his case to May 15 in circuit court. Foulks was being questioned by police April 11 at his home about crimes in East Cape Girardeau, Ill., when he grabbed a gun and fled from the home. He was arrested about an hour later and charged with unlawful use of a weapon and misdemeanor resisting a lawful detention.

-- From staff reports