State briefs 8/26/06

Oran man charged with attempt to make meth

BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County sheriff officers arrested an alleged would-be methamphetamine manufacturer. James W. Hendrix, 58, of Oran, Mo., was charged with felony attempt to manufacture a controlled substance, possession of chemicals with intent to manufacture and possession of drug paraphernalia. A Sikeston Department of Public Safety detective contacted Scott County sheriff's drug investigators and told them Hendrix had purchased controlled over-the-counter drugs at Sikeston drugstores, a news release from the sheriff's department stated. The drugs were later found in Hendrix's car, and a search of his home revealed other items commonly used in the manufacture of meth, according to the release. A $100,000 bond was set for Hendrix.

New Cape street maps for sale at city hall

New, updated city street maps are available through the Cape Girardeau Division of Planning Services. Copies of the map cost 50 cents and may be purchased from the Customer Service Office on the first floor in city hall at 401 Independence St. The map includes all new streets added in city subdivisions or otherwise constructed since August 2003, when the last map was issued. The map also shows new roads and streets constructed in the county within the immediate environs of the city.

Power outage hits rush-hour Jefferson City

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Nearly the entire capital city metropolitan area lost power Friday morning, just as people were heading into work and school. The electricity went out for about two hours around 30,000 Ameren Corp. customers as storms passed through the area shortly after 7:30 a.m. A witness saw "a huge fireball" at an electric substation about the time the power outage started, he said. "We suspect lightning struck the substation west of Jefferson City," Cleary said.

-- From staff, wire reports