Region briefs 4/29/04

Sikeston man killed when motorcycle strikes vehicle

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A 21-year-old Sikeston man was killed in an accident at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday on Route HH a mile north of Sikeston. William Self's 1984 Suzuki motorcycle struck a 2004 GMC driven by Kellie Martin, 37, also of Sikeston. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Martin was attempting to make a left turn and drove into the path of Self's motorcycle. Self was flown to Missouri Delta Medical Center by Air Evac where he was pronounced dead at 7:34 p.m.

Scout Camporee planned this weekend at airport

Over 300 scouts will be camping out at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport this weekend as the Shawnee District Boy Scouts have their 2004 Boy Scouts of America Spring Camporee. On Friday, the scouts arrive in the airport and set up camp. On Saturday and Sunday, the scouts will take part in numerous space-related activities in order to obtain their space exploration merit badges. How Things Work in Space, Space Exploration, Space Travel to the Moon and Planets, Parts of Model Rocket and Model Rocket Launches are some of the areas the scouts will explore. In addition, NASA astronaut and Cape Girardeau native Dr. Linda Godwin will make an appearance.

Demand high for local foster care parents

The demand for foster care in Stoddard and Dunkiln counties is among the highest in the state. In the last ten years the number of children needing placement has increased by 23 percent. As of February 2004 the 35th Judicial Circuit had 241 children and youths in care and 86 foster homes. Of those, 10 percent are in pre-adoptive placement. May is national appreciation month for foster parents. Foster parent resource coordinator Kristina Bowlby said any adult may apply to become a foster parent, but qualifying requires an extensive interview process. Criminal background and state database checks are just two of the many screening tools used.

Gephardt on running mate background check list

WASHINGTON -- Democrat John Kerry's campaign has begun background checks of top running mate prospects, including former rivals Dick Gephardt and John Edwards, while other hopefuls anxiously await word that they're worthy of a Washington "vetting." Several Democratic officials familiar with the selection process said Wednesday that background checks have been underway for several weeks. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said individuals other than Gephardt and Edwards are under consideration, but they would not identify them -- nor say how many there were.

-- From staff and wire reports