NATIONAL BRIEFS

THE MIDWEST: Residents wary of rising floods

Slowly retreating floodwaters gave Midwesterners some hope Wednesday that the worst might be over, but the earthen sandbag levees along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers could still fail. Fast-moving currents were testing makeshift protections around Dutchtown, Mo., where the Mississippi was expected to rise well above flood stage later this week and send water into the homes and businesses of the tiny, unprotected river town. In downtown Peoria, Ill., sandbags stacked 3 feet high lined blocks of the scenic riverfront, holding back Illinois River waters that have hit a 70-year high, surrounding the visitors' center and restaurants in the 114-year-old former train depot. Pedestrian access was blocked to the headquarters of heavy equipment maker Caterpillar and the city's arts and culture museum.

SOUTH CAROLINA: 4 kids dead in mobile home fire

Four children died in a fire that swept through a mobile home Wednesday near Hartsville, their bodies discovered by firefighters after they put out the flames in 10 minutes, an official said. Russell Cox, a city spokesman, said the victims were found in the charred interior.

CALIFORNIA: Fugitive caught in Mexico

A fugitive charged with abducting and sexually assaulting a 10-year-old Los Angeles girl was captured in a village in Mexico after he checked himself into rehab under a fake name and police identified him from a Superman tattoo on his chest, authorities said Wednesday. Tobias Summers, 30, was arrested by Mexican authorities acting on information from the FBI, according to bureau spokeswoman Laura Eimiller. Officers tracked Summers to a drug and alcohol treatment facility in a tiny village on the coast between Tijuana and Ensenada, according to Baja California state police.