Region digest 11/11/05

Riverside library system turns 50 years old

Riverside Regional Library will celebrate its 50-year anniversary at its Jackson branch, 204 S. Union St., on Sunday. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., past and present library staff members will share memories of the library's history. The public is invited to attend. In the early 1950s, residents of Cape Girardeau, Perry and Scott counties expressed a desire for some type of rural library service. In April 1955, the issue was placed on a ballot to establish a tax to fund the libraries. The issue passed by a 2-to-1 margin. Today, Riverside Regional Library has branches in Jackson, Scott City, Oran and Benton.

Check forger sentenced to seven years in prison

A burglar and check forger received a seven-year prison term last month from Circuit Judge William Syler. Justin D. Roach, 20, of Cape Girardeau will serve concurrent sentences for four felony counts. Roach pleaded guilty to burglarizing homes, stealing checks and then cashing them for large amounts to pay for drugs and clothing. The checks ranged in amounts from $56 for restaurant take-out food to $3,250 cash from an account at Regions Bank.

Robbers who used deputy badge get prison terms

Two Cape Girardeau residents accused of using a sheriff deputy's badge to rob a man on the parking lot of Kentucky Fried Chicken will serve prison terms. Trisie A. Egson, 50, of 528 N. Fountain St., and Mark A. Brown, 30, of 315 N. Frederick St., pleaded guilty in September to one count each of stealing and impersonation. They used a badge lost by a Cape Girardeau County deputy to convince a man they were police. Brown approached the man in the parking lot of KFC, 2101 William St., on July 29, frisked him and took money from his wallet. The deputy lost the badge while moving. He did not know it was missing until Brown and Egson were arrested, sheriff's officials said at the time. Brown was sentenced to four years by Circuit Judge Benjamin Lewis. Egson received a two-year prison term from Circuit Judge William Syler.

Charges for robbery role dropped against cook

Robbery charges against a KFC cook were dropped Wednesday when a key witness could not be located, Cape Girardeau prosecutor Morley Swingle said. Adam C. Norris, 35, of 501 Bellevue St., Apt. 1, avoided a preliminary hearing on robbery and armed criminal action charges. He was released from the county jail and transferred to the Cape Girardeau city jail because of pending city charges, jail officers said. Charges will be refiled as soon as the witness is found, Swingle said. Norris was accused of opening the door of KFC, 2101 William St., so two teenage robbers could enter. The two accused robbers, Semaj B. Lumas, 16, and Isaiah M. Lane, 15, will be in circuit court Nov. 22 for a case review on felony robbery and armed criminal action charges. The thieves got away with almost $2,200.

-- From staff reports