Police release suspect in shooting; another sought

Police release suspect in shooting, seek another

Police released one suspect and were searching for another in a shooting in Cape Girardeau that injured a 23-year-old man. A 22-year-old man was arrested around 10:15 p.m. Tuesday for the shooting hours earlier at Benton Street and Jefferson Avenue. He was later released, according to police spokesman Jason Selzer. New evidence, in addition to speaking with the victim, pointed investigators toward another suspect, Selzer said. No arrests had been made as of Wednesday afternoon. "We're confident a suspect will be charged," Selzer said, adding they had information on the second person. He would not provide any additional details on the new suspect. The victim was shot in the lower back around 7:20 p.m., police Sgt. Kevin Orr said. He was in "stable condition" Wednesday afternoon, Selzer said. The shooting is believed to be drug-related, he added.

Felon pleads guilty to possessing three guns

A Lesterville, Mo., man pleaded guilty Wednesday to being a felon in possession of three firearms. Troy D. Sencibaugh, 41, entered his plea during an appearance before U.S. District Judge Catherine D. Perry, according to a news release from the office of federal prosecutor Catherine L. Hanaway. He could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine at sentencing May 10.

State grant funds radios for rural fire district

The East Perry County Rural Fire Protection Association received a $37,200 state grant last week. The money was used to pay off a loan that bought them 42 new handheld radios and 12 mobile radios, fire chief Jared Unterreiner said. The association applied for the grant two years ago and received it a year later. The association had to use a loan to buy the equipment and later present the receipts to receive the loan, Unterreiner said. In addition to the new equipment allowing firefighters to communicate better, five mobile radios were placed in new locations throughout the county to create new command posts, including at two lumber companies where local firefighters work, he said.

MOHELA board hires law firm for Nixon's suit

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. -- Missouri's college loan authority says it hired St. Louis law firm Thompson Coburn LLP one day after Attorney General Jay Nixon sued the board of directors for allegedly holding secret meetings. At issue is the board's approval of a plan to sell part of the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority's portfolio as a way to generate $450 million for Gov. Matt Blunt's higher education initiatives. Nixon alleges the board violated the state Sunshine Law 12 times, including by holding private meetings before approving the plan in a four-minute public meeting Jan. 31.

-- From staff reports