Region briefs 4/20/07

Kennett man arraigned on robbery charges

A Kennett, Mo., man accused of two armed robberies and a theft in February was arraigned Monday in Cape Girardeau County court. Damarius A. Wells, 17, is charged with first-degree robbery, attempted first-degree robbery and armed criminal action. Wells displayed a handgun in stealing cash and cell phones from two victims Feb. 17 in the 300 block of Broadway, according to the probable cause statement, and is accused of stealing money from a tip jar at the Cup 'N' Cork, 46 N. Main St., on Feb. 19. Wells will appear before Circuit Judge William Syler April 30 for a case review.

Store worker pleads innocent to robbery

A Cape Girardeau woman accused of participating in an armed robbery of the Dollar General Store, 64 S. Plaza Way, in January pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of first-degree robbery and false imprisonment. Patricia A. Sutton, 42, of 925 William St., was an employee of the store when she masterminded the robbery, according to the probable-cause statement. Sutton told police she conspired with Gregory Williams, 32, of 321 Albert St., to rob the store after tying up two employees while Williams brandished a gun. Sutton's next court date is May 7 for a case review before Circuit Judge William Syler.

Minnesota woman misses court date

BENTON, Mo. -- A Minnesota resident charged with stealing and possession of drugs and who was released on her own recognizance has missed at least one court date. Nicole L. Beaulieu, 28, was scheduled to appear in Scott County court April 12 facing charges of felony possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of marijuana before Scott County Circuit Judge David Dolan. Her case has been continued until April 27, at which point her bond may be revoked if she does not appear in court.

Area man killed, 3 injured in accident

A Cape Girardeau man was killed Thursday night and three other Cape Girardeau residents injured in a single-car accident on County Road 318, two miles east of Jackson. Robert Garcia-Lopez, 24, was one of three passengers in a 1993 Ford driven by Juan P. Vargus, 24, that was eastbound at about 9:50 p.m., according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. The report said the driver failed to negotiate a curve and ran off the roadway, striking a tree. Garcia-Lopez was pronounced dead at the scene by Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton at 10:50 p.m. Vargus and passenger Jose M. Gomez-Alvarez, 20, were taken by ambulance to Saint Francis Medical Center with serious injuries, the highway patrol said. Passenger Ruben Garcia-Sanchez, 20, was taken to Saint Francis with moderate injuries. Garcia-Lopez was the only occupant wearing a seat belt, the report said.

Perryville school board hires superintendent

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Assistant superintendent Kevin Dunn will succeed his boss as superintendent of Perryville public schools. The school board voted in closed session Wednesday to promote Dunn. School officials announced the hiring Thursday. Dunn will replace Beverly Schonhoff, who resigned to take a job as superintendent of the Hillsboro, Mo., public schools. Dunn has 25 years of experience in three Missouri school districts. He has served as assistant superintendent in the Perryville school system for five years.

Kettle-cooked beef served in Pocahontas

St. John's Lutheran Church in Pocahontas is serving a kettle-cooked beef supper starting at 3 p.m. Sunday at the church. The cost of the meal for children is discounted, and carry-outs will be available.

SEMO presents awards to St. Louis alumni

The Southeast Missouri State University Alumni Association honored five of its alumni at a luncheon Thursday in St. Louis. The association honored Gregg Billmeyer, Michael Grojean, William McKenna and Glen Mehrhoff, and posthumously honored Stephen Jerabek. The awards were presented at the "Southeast Salutes" luncheon at the Sheraton Westport. The St. Louis chapter of the university's alumni association created the "Southeast Salutes" awards in 2001 to honor outstanding St. Louis area alumni who have brought distinction to themselves and the university through career and community achievements.

-- From staff reports