Region/state briefs 03/14/03

Venue changed in case of shooting suspect

Shooting suspect Zatron Twiggs, 17, of Cape Girardeau, was granted a request that his criminal case be moved to Mississippi County.

Circuit Court Judge John Heisserer granted a change of venue Tuesday to Twiggs, who faces a first-degree assault charge for allegedly shooting Erica Hempstead, 20, in her back in January following a dispute on South Ellis Street. Hempstead underwent surgery at Southeast Missouri Hospital to have the bullet removed and was released several days afterward.

Jackson to switch stop signs near school

Beginning Tuesday in Jackson, traffic traveling east and west on Alpine Street in the Cantaberry Estates subdivision near West Lane Elementary and the middle school will not be required to stop at the intersections of Aaron Drive and Aspen Drive.

Local northbound and southbound traffic on both Aaron Drive and Aspen Drive will be required to stop.

The city says the reasoning behind the modification is that the north ends of Aaron and Aspen will soon be terminated with the construction of cul-de-sacs due to the development of a new subdivision north of Cantaberry Estates. By switching the stop control on these streets, Alpine Street will flow freely east and west between Broadridge Drive and North West Lane.

County tax revenue up 4.56 percent

Cape Girardeau County sales tax revenue is up 4.56 percent from a year ago, according to a monthly financial report issued by the state to the county commission.

So far, the county has collected $1.43 million in sales tax revenue reported so far this year, compared to $1.37 million a year ago.

County Auditor David Ludwig said the report was encouraging. The county saw revenue decrease last year.

Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones said it's not like some reports during the boom years when the county would see up to 10 percent increases, but said the county "will take 4 percent any day."

Meth lab discovered in Perryville; one arrested

Upon executing a search warrant at a Perryville residence Wednesday, officers discovered a methamphetamine lab and numerous items of drug paraphernalia.

The warrant was served at 1109 W. Grande St. by the Perry County Sheriff's Department, Perryville police and the SEMO Drug Task Force.

Resident Milissa A. Kabo was arrested at the home. Her two small children were placed with a friend temporarily. She has been charged with two counts of attempting to manufacture a controlled substance, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, one count of possession of precursory chemicals, two counts of child endangerment, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $50,000.

The other resident of the home, Michael A. Clifton, has not been located at this time, and a warrant for his arrest has been issued, investigators said. He is charged with two counts of attempting to manufacture a controlled substance, one count of possession of precursory chemicals and two counts of child endangerment. His bond has been set at $50,000.

Teen to stand trial in shooting death

CUBA, Mo. -- A 17-year-old girl was ordered to stand trial on charges that she killed her friend as part of a suicide pact, but then decided against killing herself.

Elizabeth A. Connelly of Cuba faces charges of first-degree murder in the August shooting death of Heather Thorson, 16. Connelly is jailed on $1 million bond.

Authorities said Thorson, as part of a suicide pact with Connelly, was shot once in the head in her Cuba home with a .357-Magnum pistol kept there. Police said Connelly changed her mind about turning the gun on herself.

No one else was home at the time of the shooting.

-- From wire reports