Region briefs 11/30/05

Chaffee sanitation workers call in house fire

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- City sanitation workers called in a fire shortly before 8 a.m. Tuesday when they noticed that the windows were blackened on a house at 222 Frates St., said fire chief Mike Lee. By the time firefighters arrived, flames were coming from two windows. Firefighters had the fire under control within minutes, Lee said. The fire remained in the living room, though the rest of the house sustained extensive heat and smoke damage. Investigators suspect the cause to be electrical, Lee said. No one was home at the time of the fire.

Scott City woman waives hearing in theft case

A Scott City woman waived her preliminary hearing on Tuesday for allegedly stealing more than $47,000 from her former Cape Girardeau employer and fraudulently obtaining prescription medications. Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp set Melissa D. James' arraignment for Dec. 19. Cape Girardeau County prosecutors charged James on Oct. 6 with three class C felony counts of forgery and four class D felony counts of fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance. If convicted, she faces up to seven years in prison for each class C count and up to four years in prison for each class D count. According to a sworn affidavit submitted by detective Brad Smith, James, 32, was accused of printing and cashing 107 checks, totalling $47,806.08, that were made out either to herself or the Family Support Payment Center, while she was employed by Dr. Paul W. Clarke at 1319 N. Mount Auburn Road. Clarke also alleged that James obtained various prescription medications without his consent from numerous pharmacies in Cape Girardeau.

Cape Girardeau man to be tried for robbery

Dameon W. Oakley, 22, of 2853 Whitener St., Apt. 6, waived his preliminary hearing on Tuesday for robbing a man who later identified Oakley as having a tattoo reading "Droopy." Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp set arraigment for Dec. 12. Cape Girardeau County prosecutors charged Oakley on Nov. 2 with first-degree robbery. He is being held on a $100,000 bond and faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted. The incident occurred Nov. 1 in an alley near William Street, according to a sworn statement submitted by patrolman Shaun Smelser. Oakley, armed with a handgun, reportedly robbed the victim of money and cigarettes.

Cape man waives hearing in molestation case

Robert L. Payne, 48, of 215 rear N. Henderson Ave., waived his preliminary hearing on Tuesday for charges on molesting a 5-year-old girl. Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp set arraignment for Dec. 12. Cape Girardeau County prosecutors charged Payne on Nov. 3 with a felony count of child molestation. He is being held on a $100,000 bond and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Suspect in attempted KFC robbery appears in court

Charles W. Williams, 19, of Thebes, Ill., waived his preliminary hearing on Tuesday for attempted robbery of the KFC at 2101 William St. Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp set arraignment for Dec. 12. Cape Girardeau County prosecutors charged Williams on Nov. 2 with one count each of attempted robbery, armed criminal action, felony assault, resisting arrest and misdemeanor assault. Bond was set at $100,000. Authorities say Williams attempted to rob the KFC at knifepoint Nov. 2. Employees thwarted the robbery.

Suspect in crack cocaine case waives hearing

One of five suspects in a crack cocaine case appeared in court Tuesday. Darrell D. Wiseman, 24, of 927 Jefferson Ave., waived his preliminary hearing for a felony count of trafficking drugs and a felony count of manufacturing drugs. Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp set arraignment for Dec. 19. If convicted, Wiseman faces up to 15 years for each count. Before the hearing, County Prosecutor Morley Swingle dropped trafficking and manufacturing drugs charges against Dorothy M. Lawrence, 40, also of 927 Jefferson Ave. The defendants were arrested Sept. 30, when Cape Girardeau police executed a search warrant at the home, according to a sworn affidavit submitted by detective William Bohnert. Officers discovered two coffee mugs, one with cocaine and one with baking soda. Crack cocaine was also found in the house. On Oct. 25, charges were dropped against Charles A. Wiseman, 30, of the Jefferson Avenue residence. Brent S. Johnson, 19, of 1836 Good Hope St., pleaded not guilty Nov. 3 to a felony charge of trafficking drugs. He faces a jury trial on Jan. 5. Anthony R. Bell, 21, of 337 N. Ellis St., Apt. 1, pleaded not guilty Nov. 22 to a felony count of trafficking drugs. He requested a change of venue and a change of judge.

Earthquake drill being prepared

Preparations are underway for a large-scale earthquake drill and an early meeting to discuss the emergency exercise will be held Thursday, U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson announced. The discussion will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the University Center at Southeast Missouri State University.

March of Dimes holding chef fund-raiser today

The March of Dimes will hold its first Signature Chef Event tonight at the N'Orleans restaurant. The event will raise money for the not-for-profit organization. Dinner and wine will be provided for $70 per person. For more information, call 651-6033.

Pedestrian injured north of Marble Hill

A pedestrian was struck by a car in Bollinger County on Tuesday, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Leo J. Soucie, 29, of Cape Girardeau was taken by helicopter to Saint Francis Medical Center with serious injuries. Driver Glenda M. Livers, 66, of Marble Hill, Mo., was not injured. The accident occurred at 9:44 a.m. on Route CC, six miles north of Marble Hill. According to the patrol, Soucie crossed into the path of Livers' 1983 Chevrolet.

Skeletal remains found in field north of Cairo

CAIRO, Ill. -- Hunters found human skeletal remains Tuesday in a field north of Cairo, law enforcment officials said. The discovery was reported approximately 10:45 a.m., Illinois state trooper Dale Poole said. State police took over the investigation at the request of Alexander County Sheriff Warren Mitchell. No other information was available about the remains.

Islam to be focus of two panel discussions

Two panel discussions will focus on explaining Islam. The first will be at 7 p.m. today in Dempster Hall's Glenn Auditorium. The second will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. The free presentations are open to the public.

Woman accused of forging probation officer letter

A Cape Girardeau woman allegedly excused herself from work by forging a letter from her probation officer. Cape Girardeau County prosecutors charged Thea M. Snider, 27, of 1453 Luce Drive, on Oct. 6 with forgery. On Tuesday, she appeared for a preliminary hearing before Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp, who found sufficient evidence to bind her over for arraignment Dec. 10. On Sept. 9, prosecutors say, Snider faxed to her employer a letter containing numerous misspelled words, no letterhead and the signature of her probation and parole officer. Snider faces up to seven years in prison if convicted. Snider also faces up to five additional years for probation violation on Perry County drug charges that she pleaded guilty to on Jan. 27.

-- From staff reports