Community digest 10/2/01

Mentoring program chief to speak at Friday coffee

Marge Sullivan, director of the Missouri Mentoring Center, will be the guest speaker at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee program, to be held at the Show Me Center at 7:30 a.m. Friday.

The Missouri Mentoring Project provides job training skills and professional help to people ages 16 to 22 continue their education and secure jobs.

Sikeston man pleads guilty to selling drugs

A 48-year-old Sikeston man pleaded guilty Monday to distributing crack cocaine.

Walter Rainey pleaded guilty to three felony drug counts before U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel in Cape Girardeau.

He reportedly sold cocaine base in Sikeston to an informant on three occasions this year.

Rainey faces a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine on each count. Sentencing has been set for Jan. 7.

Coroner's jury to decide cause in prisoner's death

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- A coroner's jury has convened to investigate the death of Steven Eugene Reid, who was found dead Friday morning at the Portageville City Jail.

Reid, 41, was pronounced dead at the scene by New Madrid County Coroner Tim Clayton. Portageville police had taken the man into custody at 3:27 a.m. Friday, Police Chief Ronnie Adams said, on charges of driving while his license was revoked and driving while intoxicated.

The coroner said Reid apparently hanged himself while a prisoner at the jail. He was alone in the cell at the time.

Clayton declined to give further details on the cause of death, saying the information will be part of the corner's jury.

The date for the jury to reconvene has not yet been set. Following the hearing and testimony the jury will rule on the cause of death.

-- From staff, Southeast Missouri News Service reports