Region/state digest 04/10/05

Mural to be discussed on KRCU show today

Thomas Melvin, Chicago artist and designer of the Mississippi River Tales floodwall mural in Cape Girardeau, will be the guest today on KRCU's "Going Public" radio show. The show will be broadcast at 3 p.m. on 90.9 FM, the region's Public Radio affiliate station.

Tyson to close plant blamed for odor problem

NOEL, Mo. -- Tyson Foods Inc. is closing a plant decried by local residents because of foul odors they said drove tourists away and forced people to stay indoors. The River Valley Protein Plant in Noel, part of Tyson's chicken processing operation in the southwest Missouri community, will close no later than June 3, the company said last week. "It makes sense from an economic standpoint, given the age of the plant and the investment needed to upgrade it," Tyson spokesman Gary Mickelson said. "This is a happy day for Noel," said Gary Poyner, owner of River Ranch Resort.

-- From staff, wire reports