State digest 09/23/05

Two plead guilty to firearms charges

Two men will be sentenced Dec. 19 after pleading guilty in federal court Wednesday to illegal possession of firearms. Terrance L. Anderson, 29, of Cape Girardeau faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, while Terrance Wilson, 26, of Caruthersville, Mo., faces a maximum of life in prison and a $25,000 fine, federal prosecutors said. Cape Girardeau police seized two firearms at Anderson's home at 918 College St. on Sept. 6, 2004. He was on probation at the time for separate felony cases of burglary and owning a sawed-off shotgun. Wilson admitted that on May 7, he fled police who were called to his home to investigate a man displaying a gun. Wilson ran into his home, but before police could apprehend him, he tossed a .410 shotgun through a window.

Man faces 40 years in prison on meth charges

A Caruthersville, Mo., man caught attempting to make methamphetamine pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday. Jessie A. McClemore, 34, admitted conspiracy to make meth and one felony count of possessing pseudoephedrine with the intent to make methamphetamine. He faces up to 40 years in prison with a possible fine of up to $2 million. Sentencing will be Dec. 19 in Cape Girardeau. The ingredients and equipment to make meth were found June 6 at McClemore's home.

Warm temperatures will hurt fall color display

This year's unseasonably warm temperatures portend a dull autumn. "Fall color will be terrible," said Charlotte Wiggins, spokeswoman for the Mark Twain National Forest. Tim Smith, a naturalist at Roaring River State Park near Cassville, said heat and dryness have put a lot of stress on trees. That means fewer reds, oranges and purples, and more yellows and browns, said Jon Skinner, an urban forester with the Joplin office of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Blunt says anti-abortion law will prevail in court

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Matt Blunt said Thursday that Missouri's new anti-abortion law -- already blocked by a federal judge -- should ultimately be upheld by the courts. Blunt held a ceremony outside the Open Arms Pregnancy Resource Center, the first of seven stops Thursday and today to highlight the new restrictions. Blunt signed the bill last week.

-- From staff, wire reports