On the Street

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Stop, thief!|ret||ret||tab|

City Utilities investigated 57 cases of utility theft and 23 people were charged by the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney for the crimes in 2003, according to a theft update from CU. Most of the investigations showed a high likelihood of injuries and damage to property as tampering was done on and around electric, water and natural gas meters. |ret||ret||tab|

Restitution and community service were part of most sentences handed down to offenders. |ret||ret||tab|

First offenders are charged with a misdemeanor. Second and subsequent offences result in Class D felonies. |ret||ret||tab|

Increased focus on utility theft has two primary goals: prevention of injuries to perpetrators and the public, and prevention of economic loss to the utility, which keeps prices down for consumers. |ret||ret||tab|

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Cold-weather car theft|ret||ret||tab|

The Springfield Police Department noted in a message to the news media that with the cold weather came a string of car thefts this month. |ret||ret||tab|

During the first week of January, five vehicles were stolen during three days.|ret||ret||tab|

The thefts often occurred in the early morning hours when people were warming up their cars in their driveways, but were waiting inside their residences. Because most cars are left unlocked when warming up, thieves can easily get inside the vehicles. |ret||ret||tab|

The Police Department suggests that car owners lock the vehicle while it's warming up or stay inside the vehicle. |ret||ret||tab|

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Health care events|ret||ret||tab|

The Missouri Hospital Association has published a 2004 promotional calendar that highlights the hundreds of special health observance days, weeks and months that are designated nationally each year to promote health education prevention and awareness. |ret||ret||tab|

The free calendar is available online at http://web.mhanet.com/asp/Communica tions/Promotional_Calendar.asp. MHA is a Jefferson City-based not-for-profit organization that represents 141 Missouri hospitals. |ret||ret||tab|

It offers representation and advocacy for its members and also seeks to educate the public and legislative representatives on health care issues. |ret||ret||tab|

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Slice of Nice|ret||ret||tab|

Pizza Bowl 2004 to benefit Ozarks Literacy Council will be held 5:30-9 p.m. Jan. 27 at Remington's, 1655 W. Republic Road. Admission is $10 and tickets are available at the door. |ret||ret||tab|

Unlimited pizza will be available until 7:30 pm., and live and silent auctions also will be held. In the live auction, a performance by Jake Simpson will go to the highest bidder. Live entertainment from The Garbanzos and Mark Bilyeu of Big Smith also will be part of the event. |ret||ret||tab|

Additional information is available by calling Ozarks Literacy Council at 417-886-5499.|ret||ret||tab|

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