Region/state digest 05/29/05

Fiery Alexander Co. accident injures two

McCLURE, Ill. -- A car and a tow truck collided head-on in a fiery crash in Alexander County Friday night that injured both drivers, the Illinois State Police said. Elton Provo, 38, of Tamms, Ill., and William Tatum, 52, of McClure, Ill., suffered major injuries. Both were taken to Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, the state police said. The accident occurred at 9:38 p.m. on Grapevine near McClure. Provo's eastbound car crossed the center line and struck a tow truck driven by Tatum. Alexander County sheriff's deputy David Dover, the first officer on the scene, pulled Provo from the burning car, state police said. Dover also helped rescue Tatum from the burning tow truck, police said. Provo was charged with driving under the influence, driving while his license was revoked, improper lane usage and failure to wear a seat belt.

Early morning fire damages house in Cape

A fire early Saturday damaged a house at 916 College St. in Cape Girardeau. The renter, Audrey Bell, wasn't home at the time of the fire, fire department officials said. Firefighters responded to the call at 2:35 a.m. The front bedroom of the house suffered heavy heat and smoke damage, officials said. The house is owned by Henry Terry of Cape Girardeau. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Thousands attend opening of Crow pool

KENNETT, Mo. -- A crowd of about 4,000 jammed Kennett's downtown Saturday to welcome home the city's most celebrated daughter. Sheryl Crow joined the band The Usual Suspects on an outdoor stage to celebrate the grand opening of the Sheryl Crow Aquatic Center, a municipal swimming complex made possible by the nine-time Grammy Award winner and community donations. "This is one of the most exciting days I've had in a really long time," Crow told the audience. The Junior Olympic-sized pool is 82 feet long, 52 feet wide.

Two accidents injure four people

Two traffic accidents since Thursday -- one each in Cape Girardeau and Bollinger counties -- injured five people, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said. An accident at 11:50 p.m. Thursday injured Adam Gaspard, 35, of Advance, Mo. He suffered serious injuries and was taken to Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. The accident occurred on Highway 25 at Delta when a southbound motorcycle, ridden by Timothy Nesler, 44, of Advance struck Gaspard as he was walking in the road. An accident at 10:05 p.m. Friday on Highway 51, 10 miles north of Marble Hill, Mo., injured three Marble Hill residents. Edward Gardner, 34, Jodi Womack, 25, and Steven Sheffield, 23, suffered serious to moderate injuries. They were taken to Saint Francis Medical Center. The accident occurred as a southbound car, driven by Gardner, ran off the roadway, struck a ditch and overturned.

Gannett researcher to speak on KRCU show

Dr. Reggie Murphy, director of research services for the Gannett corporation, will discuss his research on the media on KRCU's "Going Public" radio show today. The interview show will be broadcast at 3 p.m. on 90.9 FM.

-- From staff, wire reports