Region briefs 2/22/08

House on county road goes up in blaze

Firefighters from East County Fire Department responded to a home fire on County Road 630 around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Fire chief Jim Hanks said the fire began in the garage. It took 45 minutes for firefighters to extinguish the flames that destroyed about 75 percent of the house.

Man trapped in grain bin recovering in hospital

Bruce Robinson of New Madrid is recovering Thursday at a Cape Girardeau hospital after being rescued from a grain bin Monday in New Madrid, according to the Standard Democrat of Sikeston, Mo. "I'm doing a lot better," Robinson said. Robinson celebrated his 52nd birthday Tuesday with his family. Robinson said he hopes to be released from the hospital today.

Kit Bond endorses John McCain for president

ARLINGTON, Va. -- U.S. Sen. Kit Bond has endorsed his Republican Senate colleague John McCain as his preference for the party's presidential nominee, according to a news release sent out Thursday afternoon by McCain's campaign. "I am pleased to support John McCain as our nominee for president," Bond was quoted in the release.

Man pleads guilty to manslaughter in crash

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- After nearly a year of proclaiming his innocence, James Jankowski has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, the Dexter Daily Statesman reported. Jankowski pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in an appearance before Presiding Circuit Judge Stephen R. Sharp Wednesday morning. As part of the plea agreement, the state dropped the previous charges of second-degree murder and driving while intoxicated. Jankowski admitted that on March 30 he operated a vehicle in a criminally negligent manner while under the influence of alcohol and marijuana and hit a vehicle being driven by 48-year-old Richard "Rick" Watkins head-on.

-- From staff reports