Region briefs 3/11/04

Local DISH customers caught in Viacom flap

Subscribers to DISH Network who want their MTV or are wanting to soak up some SpongeBob will have to wait a little longer as a major cable network corporation and the satellite company haggle a deal. Charles Conrad, a DISH Network dealer in Cape Girardeau said he is confident a deal will be worked out soon. He said DISH Network is trying to prevent driving up the costs of programming to its customers. EchoStar, based in Englewood, said it planned to give $1 monthly credits to customers who lose CBS programming, and another $1 for those who subscribe to additional Viacom channels. Viacom officials said EchoStar was fighting over what amounted to 6 cents more per customer per month. "We're not stupid," said Viacom spokesman Ergen. "If it were 6 cents per customer, we would have signed that deal and been happy to do so."

Two dead, one injured in Bernie train wreck

BERNIE, Mo. -- Two people are dead and a third seriously injured following a truck-train crash in Stoddard County. The accident occurred at about 8:10 p.m. Tuesday in the heart of downtown Bernie. A Ford pickup truck with three passengers was eastbound on Route Z when it crossed Union Pacific railroad tracks and was hit by a southbound freight train. Killed in the crash were Michael Frey, 49, and Tyler Frey, 14, both of Malden. A third individual, James W. Frey, 46, of Malden, was air evacuated from the scene and flown to St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau with serious injuries. According to emergency officials at the scene, the railroad crossing gate was down and the emergency signals were flashing at the time of the accident.

-- From wire reports