Region digest 04/19/03

Cape man killed in Bollinger County crash

Joshua C. Lemons, 22, of Cape Girardeau died early Friday morning as a result of injuries sustained in a one-car crash, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Lemons was driving westbound on Route C, one mile east of Arab, Mo., when his 2000 Chevrolet ran off the right side of the road, the patrol said. He overcorrected and drove off the left side of the road and struck a guardrail. The vehicle traveled down a steep embankment, striking several trees. Lemons was ejected from the car by the impact.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by Bollinger County Coroner Charles Hutchins. The body was taken to Hutchins Funeral Home in Marble Hill.

Rally to support U.S. troops to be held today

College Republicans will hold a rally to support U.S. troops at 11 a.m. today at Freedom Corner, Broadway and West End Boulevard in Cape Girardeau. The program will include individuals from the VFW and Marine Corps League.

A new yard sign, "Support President Bush and Our Troops," will be available to take home for free.

Man charged with using Net to swindle customers

TUSCUMBIA, Mo. -- State and Miller County prosecutors have charged an Eldon, Mo., man with five counts of consumer fraud, saying he advertised computers and computer equipment for sale over the Internet but never delivered after being paid.

Joseph D. Merkle, 18, was arrested Tuesday. Bond was set at $40,000.

Meth lab seized near Frisbee; four arrested

FRISBEE, Mo. -- Law enforcement officers seized a working meth lab at a rural home east of Frisbee in Dunklin County on Thursday.

Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder said a passing motorist noticed a strong smell of ether while passing a residence on County Road 410 and called his office.

When a search warrant was granted, sheriff's officers, Bootheel Drug Task Force agents and Missouri State Highway Patrol officers searched the home and found someone "was actively in the process of making methamphetamine," Holder said.

Four people were arrested at the residence, while a fifth is believed to have fled into a field behind the home.

Central Missouri State to raise tuition, fees

WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- Central Missouri State University will increase tuition and room and board for the coming school year.

The tuition increase makes permanent a temporary surcharge of $10 per credit hour that took effect this semester. President Bobby Patton said there may be a need for another tuition increase in May, depending on how deep state budget cuts are.

Tuition for resident undergraduates will be $139 per credit hour, up from $127 last fall. In addition, students will pay $12 per credit hour in general fees to be applied to facilities, recreation areas, student activities and technology.

Judge dismisses lawsuit by KC demonstrators

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that claimed Kansas City police officers violated anti-abortion demonstrators' rights to free speech and falsely arrested them.

The American Center for Law and Justice, a law firm founded by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson, filed the lawsuit in March 2002 in U.S. District Court in Kansas City on behalf of 11 anti-abortion demonstrators.

In his ruling Thursday, U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith said those arrested were "interfering with the safe and free flow of traffic. ... The First Amendment does not entitle a citizen to trespass, block traffic, or create a hazard for others."

Attorneys for both sides could not be reached for comment.

-- From staff, wire reports