The driver of an SUV that hit and killed highway patrolman Jay Sampietro last month has been charged with manslaughter. The charge says Wendye Chesher failed to slow slow down, failed to yield to an emergency vehicle, and failed to follow Sampietro’s directions. The Webster County Prosecutor says Chesher was running about 60 miles an hour when she swerved into the median and hit Sampietro. He was the first of two troopers killed recently in southern Missouri. The Texas County Proscutor is waiting for a full crash report before he decides whether to file a charge against the motorist who hit and killed Trooper Kevin Floyd, who was killed during a traffic stop last week.
Soldier Of Fortune
September 30, 2005 By
The battle around the city of Rivas had been fierce before the American unit was forced to retreat. One of the men left badly wounded and unconscience was a lieutenant from Missouri. It was night when he regained consciousness. Despite a leg wound, he pulled himself upright and stumbled in the darkness out of the city and found a horse on the outskirts of town. He rode it sixty-five miles to safety and a long life of adventure. He was James Carson Jamison, a soldier of fortune who had missed the Mexican War because he was too young. He was born in Pike County, near Paynesville. When he was fifteen, his father died and he was shipped off to a cousin when the large family had to break up.
Roberts’ Easy Confirmation No Surprise to MU Prof
September 29, 2005 By
The confirmation of Chief Justice John Roberts passed easily in the U.S. Senate, but a University of Missouri law professor says the next one won’t be so easy. Richard Reuben says Roberts passed easily because he’s a conservative replacing a conservative. But Reuben says retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Conner is a moderate and a moderate is not likely to be chosen by President Bush. Reuben says that could mean a much more contentious confirmation process this time around.
Public Schools Note Big Increase in Expulsions
September 29, 2005 By
The rise of zero tolerance in the schools might be behind it – the State Education Department doesn’t have a firm handle on what’s behind the 69 percent increase in expulsions of public school students in the last five years. The Education Department says 193 of the 900,000 public school students in Missouri were expelled in the last school year. The Department’s Stan Johnson says it takes serious behavior problems to lead to an expulsion. The youngest student expelled last year was in the second grade.
British Debaters Completing Tour of Missouri
September 29, 2005 By
The two top collegiate debaters of Great Britian wrap up a week in Missouri tonight at Truman State University in Kirksville. Sion Owen of Oxford University and Kenny Fleming of Glasgow University have debated in St. Louis and at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg. Those were the first legs of their 26-college tour of America. Owen says he has been noticing a difference in how the British and the Americans approach debate. He says Americans put forward more evidence, while the Brits use a lot of passion. Owen is from Wales; Fleming from Scotland. They say they hope to learn more about America during their tour, and hope to bust a few stereotypes about the British.
