Region digest 05/13/06

Circus in Scott City moved from park

Due to logistical problems, the Culpepper and Merriweather Circus in Scott City today has changed locations. The circus will now set up at the city Public Works Department grounds off Main Street, instead of the city park. Signs will be posted directing visitors. For more information, call 264-3187.

Man gets probation on statutory rape charge

BENTON, Mo. -- A 25-year-old man was sentenced to probation this week on charges of statutory rape. Mississippi County Circuit Judge David A. Dolan on Tuesday sentenced Daniel L. Phillips of Oak Ridge to five years' probation for two counts of felony statutory rape. The charges resulted from a Scott County Sheriff's Department search for a missing girl from Oran in January, a release from the department stated. The girl was found in a Cape Girardeau motel. The investigation revealed that Phillips had sexual relations with the girl beginning in 2002 when she was 13 years old, according to the release. In exchange for Phillips' guilty plea in March, prosecutors dropped 15 other charges.

Repairs on William St. in Cape begin Monday

Pavement repairs on William Street in Cape Girardeau are set to begin Monday night, Missouri Department of Transportation officials said. The improvements will begin near Kingshighway and extend west to Siemers Drive. Work is expected to take place from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. Monday through Friday each week, officials said. The subcontractor should complete the initial work within a few weeks; a contractor will resurface the road this summer, said MoDOT construction inspector Rick Lamb. The work will be at night to reduce traffic problems, he said.

Postal carriers picking up food donations today

Today is the 14th annual "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive sponsored by the U.S. Postal Service. Residents are encouraged to leave bags of nonperishable food items next to mail boxes for letter carriers to collect on their normal route. The food will be donated to the Fish Volunteers food bank at 106 S. Sprigg St. Acting manager of customer service Don Farrow said, "It's extra work, but most carriers are pretty happy to give something back to the community." He said Cape Girardeau letter carriers generally pick up 12,000 to 15,000 pounds of food.

-- From staff reports