Jackson breaks ground for multipurpose facility

JACKSON, Mo. -- After two years of planning, ground was finally broken Thursday for the $6 million classroom and multipurpose facility addition at R.O. Hawkins Junior High School in Jackson.

The school was originally built in 1963 with additional space added in 1975.

Enrollment for this school year has topped the 800 mark, exceeding the approximate capacity by 200 students.

When the new addition is completed next fall, the building will have an additional 22 classrooms and will be able to accommodate 1,150 students.

Dexter man killed when vehicle strikes tree

DELTA, Mo. -- A Dexter, Mo., man was killed in a one-vehicle accident Wednesday evening.

Pronounced dead at the scene was Paul Watkins, 43.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that at 7:54 p.m. Wednesday, four miles north of Delta, Watkins was driving southbound on Highway 25 when his vehicle ran off the east side of the road and struck a tree.

The body was taken to Rainey Funeral Home in Dexter.

Human bones discovered in East Prairie yard dig

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- Bones discovered in the back yard of a residence have been identified as those of a human being.

An East Prairie official said a sewer line was being dug in the backyard of a house on Folk Street and during the excavation several small bones were unearthed.

The bones were identified as those of a human being and taken to the SEMO Crime Lab in Cape Girardeau for further examination.

Authorities expect to continue excavation early next week.

Ex-police officer pleads guilty to sex crimes

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A former Dexter, Mo., police officer pleaded guilty Wednesday to three separate offenses involving improper sexual behavior.

Robert Kennedy, 31, of Bloomfield pleaded guilty to two counts of statutory rape and one count of deviant sexual intercourse; all three are Class C felonies in Missouri.

Kennedy's plea brings to a close a case that began in July when Kennedy resigned from the Dexter Police Department and was arrested by Stoddard County authorities. Kennedy was charged with allegedly having sexual relations with young women under age 17 as well as a charge centering on a sexual liaison between Kennedy and a 40-year-old woman. Statutory rape in Missouri is defined as an adult having sexual contact with a person under age 17.

-- From staff and Southeast News Service reports