Region briefs 04/18/03

Senate committee sends budget to full chamber

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Teachers could be laid off, educational courses canceled and college tuition increased. And those were just some of the predicted consequences of a state budget endorsed Thursday by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The budget plan backed by the Republican-led panel cuts $587 million from what Democratic Gov. Bob Holden had proposed to spend during the fiscal year starting July 1. Nearly three-fourths of those cuts would come from elementary, secondary and higher education.

But cuts could have been deeper. Senators opted against provisions that could have pushed thousands of low-income adults off the Medicaid health-care program, ended a health-care program for children and allowed for prison closings.

Sikeston woman dies in one-vehicle accident

A Sikeston woman died Thursday afternoon as a result of injuries sustained when her car struck a bridge.

Tina L. Parker, 39, was driving westbound in a 1990 Oldsmobile on Route H in New Madrid County, about two miles east of Canalou, Mo., when her car ran off the roadway and struck the bridge, ejecting her from the car.

She was taken by helicoptor to St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, but was later pronounced dead at 1:20 p.m, according to highway patrol officials.

Annual Easter egg hunt to be held Saturday

The annual Schnuck's Easter Egg Hunt will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau.

Ages 2 and 3 will participate at 9 a.m., ages 4 through 6 at 9:30 a.m. and ages 7 and 8 at 10 a.m. Co-sponsors of the event are Zimmer Radio Group and Pepsi.

Cape county's April tax report shows decrease

For the first time this year, monthly sales tax revenue was down in Cape Girardeau County, according to a report released at Thursday's county commission meeting.

April's report -- which includes sales from part of January and February -- shows revenue of $410,303.38, compared to the 2002 total of $447,186. That's an 8.25 percent decrease.

The cumulative totals, however, still show a 1.39 percent increase. To date, the county has collected $1.84 million, compared to $1.81 million last year.

Four arrested in early morning drug bust in Cape

Four housemates were arrested early Wednesday morning in Cape Girardeau after police served a search warrant on their home at 421 S. Pacific.

Inside, police found small amounts of marijuana, crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia, said patrolman Jason Selzer.

Laura A. James, 43, and Richard L. Willis, 50, were charged with possession of marijuana. Freddy M. Wren, 55, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Joshua D. Whirl, 20, was charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute.

The search warrant was a result of informant tips and observances of the home by police and the SEMO Drug Task Force, Selzer said.

-- From staff, wire reports