Region briefs 5/8/07

DREAM Initiative Focus groups meet tonight

Cape Girardeau will play host to four focus groups tonight in connection with the Missouri DREAM Initiative. The focus groups, organized by Old Town Cape, will collect the opinions of about 70 people selected to represent a cross-section of those who live, work and shop in the downtown district. The information from the meeting will be used to compile a downtown strategic plan for the area, which should be complete by the end of 2008, said Marla Mills, Old Town Cape director. The meetings are by invitation only and not open to the public.

Meth awareness program set for Thursday

Union County will hold a presentation Thursday to promote awareness of the dangers of methamphetamines from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Anna-Jonesboro Community High School in Anna, Ill. Speakers will include medical and law enforcement personnel. Also in attendance will be Jack Bridges, father of the late Shawn Bridges. Shawn Bridges, a meth addict who died March 26 at age 35, gained worldwide notoriety after he had the physical damage caused by the drug filmed for a documentary. The 29-minute documentary, "No More Sunsets, The Last Days of a Meth Addict," will be shown in its entirety during the Thursday event. To register for the event or for more information, call (618) 833-6488.

Jackson thefts prompt warnings to lock up

Jackson police are warning residents to lock their garages, cars and homes after two thefts from an unlocked garage and vehicle happened within a block of each other, likely Saturday night or early Sunday morning. Jackson Police Department Lt. Rodney Barnes said police believe the thefts are related because they occurred around the same time in the same area. No suspects had been identified as of Monday afternoon, but Barnes urged people to lock their homes and cars, even in neighborhoods they feel are safe.

-- From staff reports