Region briefs 6/4/04

Charges filed against Stoddard County sheriff

DEXTER, Mo. -- Stoddard County Sheriff Steve Fish and chief deputy Ricky Cook both were charged Wednesday with separate counts of Class C Felony of stealing in violation of state law. The complaint against Fish stated the sheriff reportedly sold a county-owned vehicle for $1,500 but reported it was sold for salvage for only $133.30. In the case against Cook, records show he submitted expense reports totaling $1,352.72 between January 2001 and June 2003 for mileage he incurred while serving court documents in his personal vehicle. The papers were later proven to have been served by other deputies in county vehicles.

Hearing set for teacher misconduct case

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A hearing before the Poplar Bluff School Board has been set for a high school science teacher who was placed on administrative leave from his teaching position May 3 after being accused of "inappropriate" conduct with a 16-year-old female student. Charles "Sonny" Rickman and his attorney are scheduled to meet with the board at 1 p.m. Tuesday. The hearing will be open to the public unless otherwise requested by Rickman.