Region briefs 3/6/07

Broadway, West End Blvd. intersection closed

Beginning at 6 a.m. today, the intersection at West End Boulevard and Broadway will be closed for two weeks. Cape Girardeau city engineer Jay Stencel said the closure is due to the reconstruction of Broadway from Perry Avenue to Park Avenue and the Broadway and Clark Street intersection. Eastbound traffic will continue to be detoured north of Capaha Park to Parkview and further to Henderson Avenue. Westbound traffic will be detoured at Pacific Street south to Independence Street. Northbound traffic on West End Boulevard will be detoured east on Harmony Street, then north on Normal Avenue and south on Henderson Avenue. Local traffic will be permitted to residents and businesses within the affected area, and signs will be posted alerting motorists to use alternate routes and detours. Broadway will reopen to two-way traffic March 19.

Cape Girardeau County issues no-burn order

The Cape Girardeau County Commission issued a restricted burn order for the county Monday afternoon, citing warmer weather and dry conditions that create a danger of planned fires getting out of control. County residents should avoid field fires for agricultural purposes and wood lot fires, the commission said in the order. Grasses along roadways are extremely dry and easy to ignite, so motorists who smoke are urged to be extremely careful discarding smoking materials. The county's order follows a similar ban issued Friday by the Cape Girardeau Fire Department banning open burning within city limits until further notice.

Optimists serve chili at Arena Wednesday

An All-you-can-eat chili dinner, served with crackers, drink, dessert and cheese, will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Arena Building. Dr. Bob Fox's mild and hot varieties will be available. Hot dogs cost extra. Children under 12 get a discounted price. Local musicians, in their seventh year performing at this venue, will perform during the dinner. Proceeds will support teens activities in Cape Girardeau.

Scott Co. guard charged with witness tampering

A Scott County corrections officer has been arrested and charged with attempting to tamper with a witness. According to a release issued by the Scott County Sheriff's Office, Sarina Watkins, 29, of Sikeston, Mo., was charged with two counts of attempting to tamper with a witness. No date of arrest or charges filed were provided in the release. Sheriff Rick Walter did not return phone calls for further information. According to the release, Walter said an investigation revealed Watkins was attempting to get witnesses to change statements they had made against a county inmate. Walter said he "is very upset with the conduct of Watkins" and "the job of a corrections officer requires honesty and integrity, which are qualifications Watkins apparently does not possess." Watkins was released on a $10,000 bond.

Two arrested for trying to steal copper wire

Cape Girardeau police have arrested two people and are seeking another in the attempted theft Sunday of about $390 worth of copper wire at AmerenUE, 45 S. Minnesota Ave. Sgt. Barry Hovis said police received a call at 9:59 p.m. from a security officer saying he saw two suspects attempting to steal coils of copper wire from an interior lot. Police arrested Curtis L. Jordan Jr., 45, of Anna, Ill., and Shirley A. Seals, 37, of Wolf Lake, Ill., at the scene. Hovis said a second male suspect got away. Jordan is charged with misdemeanor stealing and misdemeanor first-degree trespassing. Seals is charged with misdemeanor stealing. Both are in Cape Girardeau Jail on a $4,000 cash bond.

Cape man bound over for court in 2004 rape case

Samuel C. Taylor, 28, 2804 Themis St., Apt. 2, was bound over to trial Friday charged with the March 12, 2004, rape and robbery of a 58-year-old woman. The case was unsolved until the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported in January that Taylor's DNA matched sperm found on the victim's clothing. His DNA had been collected following a 2006 conviction of felony failure to pay child support. Taylor was arrested Jan. 13 and remains in Cape Girardeau County Jail on a $100,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear Monday for arraignment before Circuit Judge Benjamin Lewis. Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said the victim testified in associate court Friday that at about 1:30 a.m., March 12, 2004, Taylor allegedly approached her on South Frederick Street offering to sell her drugs, Swingle said. When she refused the offer, she said she was struck from behind and beaten unconscious, Swingle said. Taylor testified in court that he didn't know the victim and didn't have to force anyone to have sex with him, Swingle said. Taylor faces 10 to 30 years in prison if convicted, with state law mandating that he serve at least 85 percent of his sentence because both the rape and robbery charges are classified as dangerous felonies.

Man will repay real estate overpayment

A Cape Girardeau man who took advantage of a real estate transaction error agreed to repay the money to avoid a four-year prison term. Evan S. Batterton, 24, of 520 S. Sprigg St., Apt. 1, was placed on a five-year probation Friday after supplying $12,000 toward the repayment of the $47,649 he owed the victim, said Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle. Circuit Judge Joe Satterfield ordered the probation on the condition Batterton pay $600 every month beginning June 1 until the entire amount is refunded, Swingle said. Batterton pleaded guilty Jan. 21 to defrauding a secured creditor.

Preliminary hearing set for two accused of threats

Two Jackson men have a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 23 in the Jackson courthouse they reportedly threatened to bomb. Duane H. Haffner, 23, and Leotis S. Allen, 21, were charged Feb. 22 with making a terrorist threat, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison. According to the probable cause statement, the men admitted to police that the bomb threat was a ploy to get officers to tackle a man so he could fake an injury and sue police and court officials. Both are in Cape Girardeau County Jail, each with a $50,000 cash-only bond.

Scott County bridge to be closed for repairs

MoDOT will close a Scott County bridge this week for repairs. The bridge, located between Route BB and Route Z, will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday, weather permitting, for routine repairs. The repairs will be performed by the MoDOT bridge crew. The work zone will be marked with signs, and motorists are urged to use extreme caution while driving in the area. For more information, visit www.modot.org.

Man shot in his home on Jefferson Street

A Cape Girardeau man was shot in his Jefferson Street home early Monday as he attempted to flee several men who reportedly broke into his house. The 58-year-old victim told police that he was awakened about 1:19 a.m. by sounds at his front door, said Sgt. Barry Hovis. When he looked out the window he saw a black man wearing a mask kicking on the door. Hovis said as the victim attempted to run down the stairs to the basement to escape, the man followed with two or more other men broke in and one fired a round, hitting the victim in the lower back. The victim continued to flee into the basement, out an exit, and ran about a block to 416 S. Benton St. where police were called. He was transported to Saint Francis Medical Center, Hovis said.

--From staff reports