Region digest 08/07/04

Report coming in murder of former Jackson man

The Carroll County, Ga., Sheriff's Department says it may send a partial case report in the murder of a former Jackson man to the district attorney as early as next week. Lt. Shane Taylor said Friday that a partial report will be enough to begin the process of prosecuting John Edward Woodham, 28, of Douglasville, Ga., for the killing of Dylan Polen. Taylor said he still cannot release the cause of death because of the continuing investigation. The body of Polen, 21, was found on a country road July 14. He was reported missing July 9 from Atlanta. The district attorney's office will hand over the report from the sheriff's office to the next grand jury, which is expected to convene Oct. 4. Woodham will be arraigned the following week, said a spokesman for the district attorney's office. He is being held in the Carroll County jail.

Emerson holding ninth annual picnic Aug. 14

Republican gubernatorial candidate and Missouri Secretary of State Matt Blunt will be the keynote speaker at the ninth annual picnic held by U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. Other speakers for the event will be lieutenant governor candidate Peter Kinder; Catherine Hanaway, candidate for secretary of state and speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives; state Sen. Sarah Steelman, a candidate for state treasurer; and Chris Byrd, who is the Republican nominee for Missouri attorney general. For more information, call 335-0033.

No injuries in Friday basement fire

A fire started near a bed in a basement apartment at 131 S. West End Blvd. around 8 p.m. Friday. Battalion chief Bob Kembel said the fire was not suspicious in origin. Kembel said there are three apartments in the two-and-a-half story brick building. All of the occupants, including a pet rabbit, were safely evacuated. The building sustained heavy fire, water and smoke damage in the basement, and moderate water and smoke damage throughout.

Part of Cape Rock Drive to be closed next week

Drivers who use Cape Rock Drive from Ridgeway Drive to Perryville Road in Cape Girardeau will need to find an alternate route Tuesday and Wednesday. The road will be closed those days for sewer line installation. The road is expected to be open Thursday. The project, next to Walker Branch from the intersection of Cape Rock Drive and Perryville Road to Parksite Drive, is to relieve overload on that section of sewer line.

Cape mayor to speak on KRCU radio show

Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson will be the guest Sunday on KRCU's "Going Public" radio show. He will be interviewed on topics ranging from city taxes to city projects. The show will air at 3 p.m. on 90.9 FM.

-- From staff reports