Region digest 05/24/03

Part of William Street closed for construction

William Street from Main Street to Sprigg Street will be closed from Tuesday through Friday for improvement. There will be a four-way stop sign at the intersection of William and Sprigg on Tuesday and will be completely closed one day between Wednesday and Friday for paving work on William.

The plan was awarded to Nip Kelley Equipment Co. for $317,953.75. The project includes removing existing improvements, widening pavement, sidewalk installation and storm sewer inlets and piping.

Mississippi County to opt out of sales tax holiday

CHARLESTON, Mo. - Mississippi County commissioners will opt out of a sales tax holiday approved by the Missouri Legislature during the final days of its session.

The county is "already hurting for money," Presiding Commissioner Jim Blumenberg said.

The measure passed May 16, but there will be no sales tax holiday until August 2004.

Counties will have from Aug. 28 until mid-July 2004 to opt out of the tax holiday if they choose to do so.

Sikeston police face staffing problems

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston Department of Public Safety is becoming a "training camp," the department's head told the city council Friday.

Director Drew Juden said the department faces resignations from DPS and rumors of officers leaving for other departments weekly.

Without the competitive salaries and benefits, "we don't have anything to offer," Juden said.

He said his department has cut benefits and offered no cost-of-living increases in pay, essentially resulting in a 10 percent to 15 percent pay cut.

Juden said he has already shut down the city's D.A.R.E. and School Resource Officer program. His only options now are to reduce detectives in favor of patrolmen "or start closing fire stations."

Pineville police officer hurt in traffic accident

PINEVILLE, Mo. -- A Pineville police officer was injured in an accident involving an alleged drunk driver, police said.

Officer Matt Moore was injured in the accident Thursday morning when he pulled into an intersection in Pineville and his patrol car was hit by a pickup truck driven by a man from Pea Ridge, Ark., officer Bill Rataczak said.

Moore was removed from the patrol car and taken to St. John's Hospital in Joplin, where he was in serious condition Friday evening.

The driver of the car was arrested on charges of assault and driving while intoxicated. He is to be arraigned June 16.

-- From staff, wire reports