Region digest 07/16/05

Strip club lobby launching challenge of new law

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Adult entertainment businesses plan to ask to a judge to block a new law that would prohibit lap dances and full nudity in Missouri strip clubs. The Missouri chapter of Adult Club Executives plans to seek an injunction next week against the law scheduled to take effect Aug. 28, said Richard Bryant, the attorney for the group. The legislation signed Wednesday by Gov. Matt Blunt prohibits customers or employees younger than 21 at strip clubs. It also bans nudity and requires seminude employees to remain at least 10 feet away from customers and behind a 2-foot high railing. The bill prohibits employees from touching customers. The restrictions were amended onto a bill toughening Missouri's drunken driving laws. Bryant said he plans to challenge the legislation on state constitutional grounds that it contains too many subjects not clearly expressed in its title.

Registration begins for upcoming HOG rally

Registration has begun for the 2005 Missouri State Harley Owners Group Rally from Sept. 9 to 11. The rally is expected to bring more than 3,000 Harley-Davidson owners from across Missouri and other surrounding states to the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. Scheduled activities include a ride-in bike show, bike judging, field events and grand bike parade. To register, visit www.mostatehogrally.com or call (636) 256-0681. For more information, call Kara at the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau at 335-1631 or (800) 777-0068.

Central senior, ex-resident both in 'Superstar'

A Cape Girardeau Central High School senior is a member of the cast of "Jesus Christ Superstar," now showing at the Muny in St. Louis. Catherine Moreton, who is also a member of the Southeast Missouri Music Academy at Southeast Missouri State University, is a member of the production's teen ensemble. Moreton is the daughter of John and Nancy Moreton of Cape Girardeau. Former Notre Dame Regional High School student Julia Rust is also a member of the production's acting ensemble. Rust, of Chesterfield, Mo., and formerly of Cape Girardeau, will attend the arts and drama program at Emerson College in Boston. She is the daughter of Gary W. Rust II and Suzuyo Rust of Chesterfield. Performances run through Sunday and start at 8:15 p.m. For more information on tickets, visit www.metrotix.com.

Air commission to hold hearing in Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Missouri Air Conservation Commission will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff. The commission will have a public hearing on the Appeals and Requests rule and hear testimony on an amendment to a rule that would establish the air emission fee for Missouri facilities. The commission will hear a proposal that would increase the air emission fee. For more information, call (800) 361-4827 or visit www.dnr.state.mo.us/alpd/apcp/macc.htm.

Police chase starts in Illinois, ends in Missouri

BERTRAND, Mo. -- A Florida man is in custody after a chase that began in Illinois ended in Missouri at around 6 a.m. Friday. According to police, the incident began in Williamson County, Ill., when Richard Alan Perman, 46, of Orlando, Fla., stopped at a Marion, Ill., gas station. Perman reportedly told the attendant that he was on his way to shoot some people at a college. A few minutes later, police said, Perman tried to run into a Marion police car with his sport utility vehicle. Perman fled north on Interstate 57 to Benton, Ill., then to West Frankfort, then turned around and went south past Charleston, Mo., to the Bertrand area. The Missouri State Highway Patrol placed tire deflation strips on I-57, which slowed the vehicle. Police say Perman then jumped from his vehicle while it was going about 30 mph. Sgt. Larry Plunkett of the highway patrol said Perman was injured and was being treated at an area hospital. According to the Williamson County Sheriff's Department, before the chase began, Perman left his family at a gas station in Mount Vernon, Ill.

-- From staff, wire reports