Region briefs 2/5/04

Jackson man waives preliminary hearing

A Jackson man waived his preliminary hearing Wednesday in associate circuit court on a charge of felony child abuse. Ronald L. Garmon, 31, of Jackson, was arrested Jan. 9 after a child complained to school officials about a bruise she suffered while Garmon allegedly struck her with a belt, according to court records. His next court appearance was set for Feb. 17 in circuit court. He is currently free on bond.

First Friday Coffee to feature internships

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce will hold its First Friday Coffee this week. A continental breakfast is available at 7:15 a.m.; program begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. The sponsor is St. Francis Medical Center. The program is on Southeast Missouri State University internship opportunities.

Filibuster broken over Southwest name change

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A 24-hour filibuster spread over five days was broken early Wednesday as the Senate endorsed legislation that would change the name of Southwest Missouri State University to Missouri State University. The Springfield institution has sought the change for about 20 years. The filibuster was broken only as Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, a Cape Girardeau Republican, offered a compromise. It would delay the name-change bill until separate legislation to sell $190 million in bonds for the University of Missouri has passed both the House and Senate.

-- From staff reports