Region digest 05/31/03

Sketch made from man's bones found in Illinois

The investigation of skeletal remains found in Pulaski County, Ill., April 11 continues. Anthropological and forensic exams have determined the victim to be a white male, 45 to 65 years old, 5 foot 5 inches to 5 foot 11 inches tall, with no teeth.

A feeding tube was found near the remains.

An Illinois State Police artist has drawn a sketch of what the man may have looked like.

Anyone recognizing the sketch is asked to call the Pulaski County Sheriff Randy Kern at (618) 748-9374 or Special Agent Eileen Rochford of the Illinois State Police at (618) 845-3740, extension 229.

Cancer survivors to be honored at deli today

St. Francis Medical Center will honor cancer survivors from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. today in the Garden View Deli in the Healing Arts Center, 3250 Gordonville Road, as part of National Cancer Survivors Day.

The event also recognizes others who are helping battle cancer.

Survivors and caregivers will share their stories and enjoy a picnic-style lunch. A cancer survivors is defined as anyone living with a history of cancer, from the time of diagnosis through the remainder of life.

Reception planned for retiring St. Paul principal

There will be retirement reception for Al Lipke, principal of St. Paul School in Jackson, from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the school cafeteria.

Lipke came to St. Paul in 1979 as a teacher and was appointed full-time principal in 1981. Organizers say they want to honor him for the countless hours he has spent working with the school and local congregations.

Robbers spent night in building before robbery

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- Police believe two men who robbed an Independence bank Friday morning camped out overnight in the building that houses the bank.

Police said the robbery happened at about 7 a.m. Friday when two women arrived to open the US Bank branch. After one woman checked the interior of the bank and gave the OK for the second to enter, the two men appeared and threatened the women with semi-automatic handguns, police said.

The bank shares a building with several other businesses. Police believe the men hid out overnight in one of the areas outside the bank.

The robbers took an unspecified amount of cash.

-- From staff, wire reports