Region/state digest 11/26/03

Carter County murder trial site changed

VAN BUREN, Mo. -- An Ellsinore, Mo., woman will stand trial in March in Howell County instead of Carter County for her alleged role in her husband's death, a judge ruled. Citing pretrial publicity, Lori Ann Adams' attorney asked that the case be moved. Adams, 41, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with Russell Adams' death. He was reported missing Feb. 24, and his body was later found in rural Carter County.

Neelyville school considering drug tests

NEELYVILLE, Mo. -- The Neelyville School Board in Butler County will consider in December a policy to test most students for drugs. Superintendent Larry Graves proposed making the test mandatory for students in extracurricular activities and for those who drive to school. Principal Brad Hagood said he consulted policies at other schools and found an Arkansas policy that has withstood a court challenge.

St. Louis police identify driver in fiery crashST. LOUIS -- Police have identified the truck driver killed in a fiery crash on Interstate 70 in St. Louis. The victim of the Monday night accident was Clarence Fannon, 63, of Maryville, police said. The truck collided with an abandoned car on the side of the road, then struck a guard rail and concrete pillar. The tractor-trailer exploded, shutting down the interstate for a time.

Unemployment rate drops slightly in October

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The state's unemployment rate edged down again in October to a seasonally adjusted 5.2 percent. That's down from 5.4 from September, the state Department of Economic Development said Tuesday. The state rate continues to be below the national rate of 6 percent.

Twins joined at heart taken off life support

ST. LOUIS -- Two infant girls joined at the heart died Monday after being taken off life support. Teal and Infinity Sanders had been in the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Louis Children's Hospital since their birth Nov. 14. The twins shared a heart that lacked one of the usual four chambers. Doctors had said there was no chance of survival.

Two bodies found within hours in same home

ST. LOUIS -- Two bodies were discovered less than 48 hours apart in the same apartment house, but it's unclear how the people died, St. Louis County police said. The landlord came home after being away for about a week and noticed a strong odor. Authorities found a 63-year-old man dead in one of the apartments Sunday. When the smell did not abate, authorities were called back Monday, when they found a man believed to be in his 40s dead in a second apartment.

-- From wire reports