Region/state digest 06/30/04

Cape band has patriotic theme at concert today

The Cape Girardeau Municipal Band will perform at 8 p.m. today at the Capaha Park Band Shell. The theme is a patriotic one, and special entertainment will be provided by the Shade Tree Folk Company, which includes Barney Hartline, David Giles, Stephanie Fridley and Terry Wright. Admission is free. Guests should bring lawn chairs.

Cape woman killed in Wayne County accident

A Cape Girardeau woman was killed in a one-vehicle accident at 4:10 p.m. Monday in Wayne County. Barbara Caraway, 61, was a passenger in a 1992 Toyota van traveling west on Highway 34, six miles east of Silva. The driver of the Toyota, J.C. Grant, 73, of Cape Girardeau, lost control when the van ran off the right side of the road and he overcorrected. Caraway was ejected through the passenger window. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Grant was taken to Madison County Memorial Hospital in Fredericktown with moderate injuries.

Man sentenced for meth; another enters plea

A Whitewater man was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau on drug and weapons charges, and a New Madrid, Mo., man pleaded guilty to a methamphetamine charge Tuesday. Gary Brink, 34, of Whitewater received nearly six years in prison on a felony count of aiding and abetting the attempted manufacture of methamphetamine and a felony count of being in possession of a firearm. Brink has previous conviction for second-degree burglary and stealing. Steven A. Lawrence, 39, of New Madrid, pleaded guilty to a felony count of possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. He now faces a maximum of life in prison and a $4 million fine. He will be sentenced Sept. 28.

Casino wins round in tax dispute with Pemiscot Co.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A state appeals court has sided with Casino Aztar in a long-running dispute with Pemiscot County over back property taxes that to date total $2.5 million. The money covers taxes Pemiscot County Assessor Donna Snider says the casino owes for the 1999 through 2003 tax years. Snider hasn't decided whether to appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court. Aztar general manager George Stadler couldn't be reach for comment. Aztar contended the assessed values Snider set for its real estate and personal property for the 1999 tax year were too high. The casino challenged the assessment and won favorable rulings from both the Missouri State Tax Commission and circuit court Judge Fred Copeland.

Red Cross honors volunteers at meeting

The Southeast Missouri chapter of the American Red Cross gave its first Circle of Philanthropy Award to Bob Cox of Cape Girardeau at its 87th annual meeting Tuesday at Centenary United Methodist Church's Family Life Center. He was among the individual and corporate volunteers the chapter honored.

Holden accepts two debate invitations

Gov. Bob Holden has agreed to two broadcast debates with Democratic primary challenger Claire McCaskill in July, his campaign manager said Tuesday. The two candidates will debate in Kansas City on July 19 and in St. Louis in July 20. The Democratic primary is Aug. 3. McCaskill, the state auditor, had previously accepted the debate invitations.

Barbecue champ gets back stolen $18,000 grill

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- In a town where barbecue is an art, some consider what happened to Paul Kirk a tragedy. Someone stole his grill. "It was a slap across the face of mankind," said David Klose, the Houston man who built the giant custom-made barbecue cooker. Over the weekend, Kirk, of Roeland Park, Kan., was robbed of his custom-made $18,000 grill and the $8,000 van that pulled it. The grill was recovered Tuesday after a call to Merriam, Kan., police led officers to an apartment complex where they found the cooker and the van. Kirk, a seven-time barbecue champion, makes a living teaching barbecue classes and catering.

-- From staff, wire reports