Region briefs 5/30

Cape police take part in seat belt project

Cape Girardeau's police department was one of many law enforcement agencies in 20 counties to participate in a statewide effort to increase safety belt use May 19 to 25.

The emphasis was the result of a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant received from the Missouri Division of Highway Safety, the Missouri Police Chief's Association and the Missouri Safety Center.

During the STEP program, Cape Girardeau officers issued 91 safety belt tickets, four child restraint violations, 88 speeding tickets and 37 tickets for other traffic and moving violations. Officers wrote 220 tickets for all moving violations.

"We are proud to participate in these statewide enforcement programs," said chief Steve Strong. "Even as we enforce traffic laws, our officers are also trying to educate the public about the importance of safe and responsible driving. This part of our work is important because we don't want to lose a single member of our community in a traffic crash."

Safe place in storm workshops set today

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Creating a safe haven in the home -- a place to seek shelter from high winds or tornados -- is the focus of two free workshops today.

Joe Klocek, a spokesman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said, "A safe room can save a life. If you have a serious tornado going through an area, the safe room can save your life."

The workshop, "Rebuilding a Safer, Stronger Community" will feature information on constructing buildings to withstand high winds, as well as retrofitting homes for the same purpose.

Creating a safe room within an existing building will also be discussed.

The workshops are scheduled today from 1 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center at Three Rivers Community College.

Those unable to attend a workshop can order FEMA's Safe Room Publication 320 by calling toll-free 1( 888) 565-3896. The booklet is also available on the FEMA Web site at www.fema.gov/mit/tsfs01.htm.

Bluff native picked for 'Price is Right' show

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Derland Ellison -- come on down! This Poplar Bluff native is the next contestant on "The Price is Right."

Airman 1st Class Ellison, the 20-year-old son of Larry and Jane Ellison of Poplar Bluff, will appear on the second prime-time special of the show, scheduled to air at 7 p.m. today on CBS. The special is a tribute to members of the U.S. Air Force.

Ellison, a 1999 graduate of Poplar Bluff High School, joined the Air Force in 2000 and is stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in California where he is a heavy equipment operator.

Harviell man charged with rape of girl, age 5

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Harviell, Mo., man remains in jail following his arrest Sunday on a warrant charging him with raping and sodomizing a young girl over an extended period of time.

Stanley Turrentine Sr., 48, was booked at the Butler County Jail on Sunday on the warrant for statutory rape and three counts of first-degree statutory sodomy.

In the complaint filed with the court, Turrentine is accused of having sexual and deviant sexual intercourse with a 5-year-old girl from September 2000 through last September.

Turrentine is being held on $25,000 bond.

Racking horse show to return to Dexter

DEXTER, Mo. -- The Dexter Chamber of Commerce hopes to attract a large crowd Saturday at the Dexter fairgrounds for the 25th annual Missouri State Racking Horse Show.

Janet Coleman, executive director of the Dexter Chamber of Commerce, said she anticipates a larger crowd than average. "We just hope people decide to make this year, the 25th year, the one they decide to come out and see the show," Coleman said.

According to Coleman, the Racking Horse show has been an event sponsored by the Dexter Chamber of Commerce for nearly half of its 25 years.

-- From staff and Southeast Missouri News Service reports