Region/state digest 05/11/05

Jackson, Verizon erect tower near fire station

Motorists who travel past the Hope Street and West Jackson Boulevard intersection in the past few days have noticed a change in Jackson's skyline. A new cell tower has been erected at the fire and police station. The Verizon tower will allow the fire and police department to relocate some of their antennas to a more stable tower and also provide the city with $4,800 annual income for leasing the space. The tower currently at the police and fire station will be removed.

House defeats tougher law on seat belts

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The House on Tuesday soundly defeated an effort to toughen Missouri's seat-belt laws by allowing police to pull over unbuckled motorists. The House's 91-69 vote stripped the language from a bill that also repeals a law requiring adult motorcyclists to wear helmets. Supporters vowed to push for another vote on the seat-belt provision before the session ends Friday. Currently, people can be cited for not wearing seat belts only if they are first stopped for another reason.

Former priest opts to stay in prison during legal fight

ST. LOUIS -- A defrocked priest has opted to stay imprisoned while authorities challenge the overturning of his sexual misconduct convictions. The attorney for James Beine said Tuesday his client thinks living behind bars is safer than being a "sitting duck" for possible vigilantism. Beine, 63, on Friday was ordered freed on bond by the Missouri Supreme Court, 10 days after it threw out convictions on charges that he exposed himself to boys in a St. Louis school restroom.

Scott County man pleads guilty to cocaine charge

A Miner, Mo., man pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Cape Girardeau to possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute. With the plea, Travis S. Boddie, 25, admitted he owned the 19.1 grams of crack found at his home in February 2004. He faces up to 40 years in prison. Sentencing will be Aug. 8.

-- From staff, wire reports