Latest news with #CapeGirardeau
The Independent
21-05-2025
- The Independent
A man who burned down a Missouri church has been sentenced to more than 9 years in prison
A man who admitted in federal court to setting the fire that destroyed an eastern Missouri church has been sentenced to more than nine years in prison and ordered to pay the church nearly $7 million. The sentence for Christopher Scott Pritchard, 49, was imposed Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp over the April 2021 fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints building in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, about 115 miles (185 kilometers) southeast of St. Louis. Pritchard pleaded guilty in December to one felony count of arson and another felony count of arson to a building used in interstate commerce. The federal public defender representing Pritchard declined comment Wednesday. The interstate commerce charge came with a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years, and the judge ordered Pritchard to serve nine years and three months. Prosecutors dropped two other felony charges involving damage to religious property. Authorities have said that two days before the fire, Pritchard threatened to assault a bishop and 'burn the church down.' Officers found more than $1,000 in items belonging to the church in Pritchard's backpack, including a laptop, tools and 21 apples, and he smelled like smoke, police said.
Associated Press
21-05-2025
- Associated Press
A man who burned down a Missouri church has been sentenced to more than 9 years in prison
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) — A man who admitted in federal court to setting the fire that destroyed an eastern Missouri church has been sentenced to more than nine years in prison and ordered to pay the church nearly $7 million. The sentence for Christopher Scott Pritchard, 49, was imposed Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp over the April 2021 fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints building in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, about 115 miles (185 kilometers) southeast of St. Louis. Pritchard pleaded guilty in December to one felony count of arson and another felony count of arson to a building used in interstate commerce. The federal public defender representing Pritchard declined comment Wednesday. The interstate commerce charge came with a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years, and the judge ordered Pritchard to serve nine years and three months. Prosecutors dropped two other felony charges involving damage to religious property. Authorities have said that two days before the fire, Pritchard threatened to assault a bishop and 'burn the church down.' Officers found more than $1,000 in items belonging to the church in Pritchard's backpack, including a laptop, tools and 21 apples, and he smelled like smoke, police said.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Governor Kehoe requests federal aid after storm damage in Missouri
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe requested for President Donald Trump to approve a major disaster declaration, which will provide federal assistance to 26 counties in the state. This request for the president is in response to the widespread storms, tornadoes and flooding that impacted Missouri from March 30 to April 8, claiming about six lives. 'While Missourians and faith-based and volunteer organizations have been supporting their neighbors and local and state governments are working hard at recovery, the cost of these efforts—often because of repeated damage in the same counties—is beyond the capacity of local communities and the state to bear in full,' Kehoe said in the release. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The Governor's Office said that these counties were requested FEMA Individual Assistance by Kehoe: Bollinger Butler Cape Girardeau Carter Cooper Dunklin Howell Iron Mississippi New Madrid Oregon Ozark Reynolds Ripley Scott Shannon Stoddard Vernon Washington Wayne This form of assistance allows residents to get federal assistance that is for temporary housing, housing repairs, qualifying expenses and replacement for damaged belongings. The Governor's Office also said that these other counties were requested FEMA Public Assistance by Kehoe: Bollinger Butler Cape Girardeau Carter Cooper Douglas Dunklin Howell Iron Madison Maries Mississippi New Madrid Oregon Ozark Pemiscot Reynolds Ripley Scott Shannon Stoddard Texas Vernon Wayne Webster With Public Assistance, the Missouri government, as well as qualified nonprofit agencies, will be able to seek federal assistance for reimbursement of emergency response and recovery costs. Missourians who face unmet needs, depending on their circumstances, are asked to contact United Way at 2-1-1 or the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-276. Further details about disaster recovery in Missouri can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
