Fire destroys thousands of chicks at broiler house

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Tyson Foods is investigating a fire at one of its area facilities that killed about 24,000 chicks. The fire occurred around 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at one of seven broiler houses at Tyson Complex No. 29 in rural Bloomfield, Tyson spokesman Gary Mickelson said. About 24,000 chicks had recently been brought to the facility, and all were lost in the blaze, according to Mickelson. Tyson is conducting an internal investigation into the cause and origin of the fire, but as of Friday nothing had been established, Mickelson said.

Two men charged with fleeing in stolen car

Charges were filed Friday against two men accused of fleeing Cape Girardeau police in a stolen vehicle. The driver, James Butler Jr., 21, of St. Louis, was charged with felony tampering, felony resisting a lawful stop and misdemeanor careless and imprudent driving, officer Jay Freeman said. His bond was set at $20,000, cash only. The passenger, Donnell L. Riley, 22, also of St. Louis, was charged with misdemeanor tampering and had bond set at $2,500, Freeman said. The men were arrested after a police chase that began as the result of a domestic assault at 149 S. West End Blvd. at 4:41 p.m. Thursday, police Sgt. Barry Hovis said. When police spotted the assault suspect and attempted to curb his vehicle, he refused to yield. After about a 10-minute chase, the men pulled into the Starview Trailer Park, 1927 N. Kingshighway, and fled into nearby woods where they were later apprehended, Hovis said.

-- From staff reports