Body found in condemned building that caught fire
BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) – Law enforcement officials say a body was found in a condemned house that burned in southwestern Illinois. The Belleville News-Democrat reports that investigators were trying to determine the identity of the body. Firefighters say it appears to be an adult male but it was significantly burned. Deputy fire Chief Bud Jacobs…
SIU recycles concrete, asphalt, saves $40,000 a year
CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) – Southern Illinois University at Carbondale is recycling its roads and saving up to $40,000 a year. The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan reports (http://bit.ly/21BTWL5) that the university is grinding up concrete and asphalt roads and sidewalks for re-use. The leftover material can be used in maintenance of roads and parking lots and for future…
Woman’s rings, valued at $500,000, salvaged from trash
CLARKSON VALLEY, Mo. (AP) – Bernie and Carla Squitieri have two very valuable rings back, against almost incomprehensible odds. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (http://bit.ly/1PevqbJ ) reports that Carla took off the rings while washing dishes at their St. Louis County home on March 13 and put them on a paper towel to dry. Bernie later…
Judge orders ex-US Rep. Aaron Schock to provide records
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – A federal judge has ordered former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock to provide some records to prosecutors as part of a grand jury probe into the Illinois Republican’s spending. U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough’s ruling, issued Feb. 12, was unsealed Wednesday. Among the 16 records Schock must turn over are documents related…
Missouri lawmakers worry police technology invades privacy
( KTRS ) Lawmakers are looking at changing the ways police collect and store the enormous amount of data that comes from relatively new technology, including video, audio and location. Missouri lawmakers have filed at least 10 bills, though most have not yet received a committee vote. Some lawmakers say they worry devices like body cameras…
Almost 60 percent of Illinois school districts deficit spend
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – New state data shows most school districts across Illinois are spending more than they’re taking in and dipping into reserves or borrowing to stay afloat. The Chicago Tribune (http://trib.in/1pLQv8J ) reports that the 2016 School District Financial Profile Scores was released Wednesday by the Illinois State Board of Education to gauge…
Woman presses for freedom for mother’s convicted killer
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The daughter of a St. Louis woman slain more than three decades ago is pressing for the release of the man imprisoned for the killing, saying he didn’t commit the crime. The Post-Dispatch reports Melissa Davis told a judge Friday that she was wrong to identify Rodney Lincoln as the…
Bill would allow annual utility rate increases
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow utilities to raise customers’ rates every year with less control by regulators. Proponents of the measure say the increases will be more predictable and subject to yearly limits. The Kansas City Star reports that opponents say customers would almost be guaranteed…