Region digest 01/26/05

Old Town Cape receives bank grant for software

Old Town Cape hopes to better market vacant downtown Cape Girardeau buildings with a new computer software program that will provide an inventory and map of all businesses and buildings in the district. A $2,500 grant from US Bank is being used to buy the program and help operate the Old Town Cape office. The inventory of buildings could be online by June, said Tim Arbeiter, executive director of Old Town Cape. The area includes nearly 280 businesses and more than 9,000 residents, Arbeiter said.

GED classes have openings available

The Adult Learning Center has openings for 10 new students during the afternoon sessions. The center is open until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. People 16 years old and older who are not in a public school may enroll. Adults may study for their GED as well as for employment tests or post-secondary tests. There is no charge, and textbooks are furnished for use in the classroom. Eight openings are available for a class on weekends. The Heartland GED class is open 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays at the Christ Church of the Heartland, 720 Bertling St. For more information, call 334-3669.

Unemployment rate falls as jobs increase

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's unemployment rate dropped from November to December as job growth rose, according to federal labor data released Tuesday. The state's unemployment rate dipped to 5.5 percent, seasonally adjusted, from 5.8 percent a month earlier. But Missouri's rate was again higher than the national average of 5.4 percent. The state reported 2,727,400 nonfarm jobs, seasonally adjusted, in December, up 47,300 from a year earlier and 4,600 higher than November's level.

MoDOT crews making concrete repairs on I-55

Missouri Department of Transportation maintenance crews will repair concrete pavement on the northbound lanes of Interstate 55 in Cape Girardeau this week, state highways officials said Tuesday. The repairs will be made from the Dutchtown exit to the old Highway 74/Kingshighway exit. Traffic delays of 30 minutes are possible during the morning rush hour, MoDOT officials said. Traffic will be reduced to one lane while the work is done. The repairs should be completed by 4 p.m. Friday, officials said.

Texas woman sentenced to jail on meth charge

A Texas woman was sentenced in federal court to eight years in prison on a charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine that originated in Scott County. According to the court, Kathleen M. Atkinson, 38, of Rhome, Texas, admitted that between Jan. 7 and 10, 2004, she and Steven A. Lawrence worked together to distribute a pound of meth in Tennessee and Missouri. The two were arrested when a search warrant was executed at the residence of Connie Floyd in Sikeston, Mo. Floyd was also arrested. Lawrence and Floyd previously entered guilty pleas and were sentenced Dec. 20. Lawrence drew a six-year sentence; Floyd was sentenced to nearly four years.

State police arrest eight at area checkpoints

Eight people were arrested Friday as a result of two sobriety checkpoints in Scott and Cape Girardeau counties. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the checkpoints were held in cooperation with the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Of the eight arrests, two were felonies, three were for minor in possession of alcohol, and one was arrested for felony possession of marijuana. Thirty-seven motorists were issued warnings for various violations.

Kennett student charged in sexual assault

KENNETT, Mo. -- A Kennett High School student was sexually assaulted by another student during school hours last week, police said. Mario Adaway, 17, of Kennett is being held in the Dunklin County Jail on a $25,000 bond on a charge of forcible sodomy. Police said the assault occurred Jan. 19 after music class, behind a curtain on the stage at the high school. According to police reports, the incident lasted about 10 minutes.

-- From staff, wire reports