Region briefs 11/15/02

Stolen car sunk in Diversion Channel

Scott City police responded Thursday afternoon to an emergency call near the city limits at the Headwater Diversion Channel, where a 1998 Dodge sedan sat submerged in water up to its roof, said Sgt. Rob Elledge.

An assistance call then was made to the Cape Girardeau Fire Department, which sent down a boat and divers wearing insulated wet suits.

The original call to police reported people had been seen in the car, but the divers did not find anyone inside, said battalion chief Steve Niswonger. A wrecker was used to pull the car out of the channel.

When officers ran the license plates, the car was determined to have been stolen a month ago in Scott City, Elledge said. No suspects are in custody for the theft.

Charges filed following school fight in Charleston

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A fight that broke out at Charleston High School this week has resulted in charges filed against a 17-year-old.

Wednesday, felony charges were filed against Jacqueline Johnson for assault on school property.

Court documents said a fight broke out at the school between Johnson and Laskeika Hollis, 17. School officials attempted to separate the girls and after placing them in separate rooms, Johnson ran toward Hollis and continued assaulting her.

Hollis suffered a head injury from the assault. Police said Johnson was then taken into custody. Officials said Johnson could face up to five years in prison.

Area residents honored by Special Olympics

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Recently two area residents were nominated for induction into the Special Olympics Missouri Hall of Fame and their wait of knowing who won will come to an end on Saturday, when the inductees are announced.

Vicky Dannenmueller of Oran, Mo., is one of three finalists in the volunteer category throughout the state, and Greg Swinney of Sikeston is one of four finalists in the athlete category.

Although Dannenmueller is honored to be a finalist, she doesn't want to talk about her nomination -- just Swinney's.

"I just want Greggie to win," Dannenmueller said. "I'd rather see him get it than me."

County being sued in woman's death

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Stoddard County is being sued by a local family for what they call a "wrongful death" of a family member.

The Stoddard County Commission announced the lawsuit during its regular meeting Tuesday.

The lawsuit, filed last week by Danny West, alleges the county is liable for the death of his wife, Doris West, a Stoddard County resident.

Doris West died June 10 as a result of injuries sustained from a single-vehicle accident when her 1991 Land Rover went over the edge of a bridge on County Road 524 and landed in a rain-filled ditch. The suit claims Stoddard County failed to post warning signs concerning hazardous conditions on the bridge and also alleges the bridge suffered from negligence as it had vegetation grown up along its sides.

County officials declined comment on their course of action, but said the matter would be turned over to the county's insurance company and dealt with from there.-- From staff, wire reports