Region/state digest 03/17/04

Route Z to be closed for drainage work

Route Z in Cape Girardeau County will be closed while the Missouri Department of Transportation replaces a drainage pipe beneath the road, state highway officials said. The road will be closed from routes F to OO, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, officials said.

State getting half a million free gun locks

ST. LOUIS -- Missouri will get a half million gun locks to dole out for free through police and gun-safety groups as part of a federal bid to prevent firearms-related deaths and injuries, especially among children, officials announced Tuesday. As part of Project ChildSafe's giveaway, about 508,300 of the gun locks -- a cable-style version that, when properly engaged, blocks the hammer of a handgun, rifle or shotgun -- have been allocated to Missouri. About 216,000 of the locks, which generally can sell for $10, already have been delivered to more than 400 law enforcement agencies statewide.

-- From staff, wire reports