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Four St. Clair men have been arrested in connection to a major copper theft ring.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Department says the four men stole copper cables from AT&T phone lines and caused $140,000 in damage. The stolen lines affected service in several towns in Franklin County.

Deputies say the suspects were arrested at their home, while in the process of preparing the stolen cable for sale. Authorities say there could be more arrests related to the ring.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Registered sex offenders would have to vote at their local county clerk's office under a bill under consideration in the Missouri House.

The House Elections Committee held a hearing on the measure Tuesday. Republican Rep. Tim Remole, of Excello, is sponsoring the legislation. He says it will protect voting rights for registered offenders while also protecting children in schools that are designated as polling places.

No one testified in opposition to the proposal, but the Missouri Association of County Clerks says it would cost money to turn local election offices into polling places on election day.

If offenders can't make it to the clerk's office on the election day, they would be required to cast an absentee ballot.

JACKSON, Mo.—AP—A 73-year-old jail inmate is dead after collapsing in a southeast Missouri courtroom.

The Southeast Missourian reports that Daniel Stroder of Wappapello, Mo., died Monday. He was in court in Jackson, Mo., for arraignment on felony charges that he violated probation by writing a bad check.

Coroner John Clifton says an autopsy is planned.

Sheriff John Jordan says Stroder was in court in front of a judge when he began to feel ill. The judge was preparing to furlough Stroder when he collapsed. Bailiffs offered aid until medical personnel arrived and took Stroder to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.