Region briefs 7-3-07

Fireworks laws in effect in Cape, Jackson

In the past two days, area police departments have responded to multiple reports of fireworks violations and issued a handful of citations. In one such incident, a juvenile was cited by Cape Girardeau police for shooting fireworks from a vehicle. Cape Girardeau and Jackson have similar laws governing the use of fireworks during the Fourth of July holiday season. A key difference is Cape Girardeau bans bottle rockets and aerial types of fireworks. Another variation between the two towns is the buffer zone between where fireworks may be set off around churches, schools and hospitals. In Cape Girardeau the distance must be 600 feet, while in Jackson it is only 300 feet. Both cities permit usage of commonly sold, or Class C fireworks, which includes sparklers, fountains, illuminating torches, wheels, firecrackers and spinners. Both cities allow permissible fireworks between the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. June 27th through July 3rd, with hours extended to midnight on the Fourth of July. Both cities ban the purchase and use of fireworks by anyone younger than 17 or allowing the fireworks to infringe upon the property of another person.

City to test tornado sirens Wednesday

The City of Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri State University will perform a test of their tornado warning system at noon Wednesday. The test will last about three minutes, and is repeated the first Wednesday of each month at noon. This test will not be conducted if threatening weather is in the area. City siren locations include Fire Station No. 1 at 1 S. Sprigg St., Arena Park, Kiwanis Park, Shawnee Park Sports Complex and Cape County Park North. These sirens provide a warning to seek shelter and check other media resources such as television, radio, Internet or other sources for weather and safety information.

Jackson student named to board of regents

Leni Fluegge, a Southeast Missouri State University junior from Jackson, has been appointed by Gov. Matt Blunt as student representative to the board of regents. "I just really wanted to represent the university and try to help the students communicate with the board and the board with the students," said Fluegge. She replaces Christopher Davis of St. Louis whose term on the board has expired. Fluegge's term will run through Jan. 1. Unlike other members of the board, the student regent has no voting power. An accounting major, Fluegge, 20, is a member of the Accounting and Finance Club and serves as a senator in student government. She acts as co-chairwoman of the spirit and special events committee of the Student Alumni Association. Fluegge said she will resign as a student government senator but will continue to attend student government meetings in her new position as student regent. Fluegge is a student office assistant in the office of the assistant to the president for equity and diversity issues at Southeast. She also works as an administrative assistant at Prestige Enterprises LLC in Cape Girardeau.

-- From staff reports