Amendment would make meetings English-only
Ten years ago, the state General Assembly recognized English as the most commonly used language in Missouri. But Missourians soon will be interpreting the language issue again. In November, Missouri voters will consider a state constitutional amendment to make English the language of all official governmental proceedings.
Cute ... cuter ... and cutest
A boy dressed in a tiny navy sport coat and crisp tie burst into tears upon realizing he wouldn't be among the final nine contestants of the Little Mister East Hills contest Saturday.
Translator assists in court
Lilia White stands before St. Joseph Municipal Court Judge John Boeh early Friday morning. He reads the charges out loud, pausing periodically as Ms. White translates his English words into Spanish for the young man standing next to her. The charges consist of driving after dark without headlights and failing to provide a driver's license or proof of insurance. Mr. Boeh requests the defendant's plea, and the young man and Ms. White quietly confer in Spanish until she turns to address the judge.
Georgian native observes conflict from St. Joseph
Lasha Dalakishvili left Georgia in 1995 as tensions mounted between Russia and his homeland. At the age of 15, he traveled alone to the United States to pursue an education. He never returned home.
Camp gives girls 'a place to belong'
Known here as "Mouse," Jessica Magana began attending summer sessions at Winding Rivers Camp the summer before she entered eighth grade. "I've always been interested in animals," the 21-year-old camp instructor said. "And this is really the only place where I could learn not just about riding horses, but about taking care of them, being responsible for their well-being."
Children's home offers hope for Princeton
PRINCETON, Mo. - Off a wildflower-lined gravel road near Chloe Lowry Marsh, a freshly renovated building stands in its latest incarnation.
Couple donate caboose
In his 41 years of life, Edward Kirk had been an Eagle Scout, a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve and a Burlington locomotive engineer. Before he died, he'd initiated a hunt for a caboose to donate to his hometown of Weston, Mo.
Parking tickets draw complaints
Michael Lieffring moves his car at midday to avoid parking tickets. "The meter lady's very good at what she does," said Mr. Lieffring, owner of Mojo Cafe and Shaft Nightclub. "She's very precise." He said Downtown parking citations are excessive and bad for business.
'Save where you can'
Tim Nuzum, of White Cloud, Kan., spent Saturday morning at J.C. Penney, taking advantage of the sales tax holiday and a storewide sale.
Running on empty
Courtney Miller hears the morning regulars at Hazel's Gourmet Coffee and Tea complain about fuel prices, but nobody's kicking the caffeine habit to save for gas. "People still need coffee just to get going, kind of like gas," the barista said. "People can't stop buying gas, either." She said a few have switched from daily lattes to brewed coffee, but most customers haven't changed their routine.
Hikers follow Mormon Battalion trek
WESTON, Mo. - Except for his sneakers, Kevin Henson wears only 1846 period clothing: a light, dusty-colored cotton shirt and pants, suspenders and a haversack.
Koster emphasizes labor, civil rights in AG race
Sen. Chris Koster left the Republican party to join the Democratic party one year ago.
Obama campaign focuses on rural areas
Corey Dukes was excited to announce the opening of yet another Barack Obama presidential campaign office.
Gas prices driving some teens to park it
They meet in parking lots to make plans for the night ahead. "The adults always write to the newspaper saying that we're wreaking havoc," said 17-year-old Andrew Lewis. Andrew and his friends don't call what they do on the Belt Highway cruising. They're just driving, he said.
The floods that moved a town ... literally
PATTONSBURG, Mo. - The corn sways tall and green just yards from Lee Warford's house. It carpets the lots lining what used to be Main Street and grows like a buffer between neighbors' homes. After enduring two floods in 1993, Pattonsburg - a town of about 300 - collectively moved, but a few residents remained behind, and those who remember the old town say its new incarnation just doesn't compare.
Donor caught by surprise
Wes Remington was surprised to find his name attached to the nature center nearing completion in St. Joseph.
Economy, shoplifting correlation unclear
Sack-N-Save store manager Lana Redden has been dealing with shoplifters for years. "We haven't caught anyone for a long time," she said. "But I'm sure they're doing it. They always do." She peaks into customers' sacks, checking for concealed items, and she watches for shoppers who might eat deli products before checking out.
