Governor Blunt touts the success of the anti-meth law he signed last year. Highway Patrol Sergeant Jason Clark with the Highway Patrol confirms that there is a 40 percent decline in methamphetamine production in Missouri. But, some law enforcement officials say meth users are skirting the law by simply importing the drug. Sergeant Clark confirms meth use in Missouri hasn’t really changed. Nonetheless, Clark says that the anti-meth laws do help prevent meth production and allow officers to focus on combating other methamphetamine problems.
FEMA Denies Disaster Request for 12 Counties
October 20, 2006 By
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied Governor Matt Blunt’s disaster request for the 12 counties impacted by the tornadoes and other violent weather that struck September 22nd and 23rd. The Governor says he’s disappointed by the denial and is gathering additional information to present to FEMA on appeal. Disaster Assistance had been requested for Butler, Crawford, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Madison, New Madrid, Perry, Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley, and St. Francois Counties. Blunt’s original request noted over 600 homes and over 75 businesses sustained damages from tornadoes, hail, high winds, and flooding. The state has until November 18th to appeal the FEMA decision.
McKee Makes Way Back On Ice Tonight
October 20, 2006 By
The Blues are back on the ice tonight to cap off their four-game homestand. St. Louis (2-4) will welcome Vancouver to the Scottrade Center, and also get to see defenseman Jay McKee for the first time this year.
McKee led the NHL in blocked shots (241) last season, but a sprained right knee forced to sit out the Blues first six games. He will make his Blues debut after signing a four-year, $16 million free agent contract over the offseason.
McCaskill Complains Talent Has Distorted Her Stance
October 20, 2006 By
Democrat Claire McCaskill claims Senator Jim Talent is distorting her stance on two important pieces of legislation. McCaskill says Talent, the incumbent Republican, has accused her of not supporting ethanol, because she opposed the Energy Bill approved by Congress. McCaskill says she opposed the Energy Bill, because it gave too many subsidies to oil companies. McCaskill claims the bill contains $9 billion in tax breaks to oil companies at a time when those companies are making record profits. She says Congress should have rejected the bill until it got rid of the oil company subsidies and put more money into ethanol production.McCaskill quips that Big Oil got the steak, while ethanol got the saltine crackers. Talent insists McCaskill is just flat wrong that the bill gives $9 billion dollars in subsidies to oil companies. Talent says he has given up trying to correct McCaskill’s assessment. He says the bill contains two billion dollars for refinery expansion, not nine billion for oil companies. Talent also points out that every midwestern US Senator voted for the bill, both Republican and Democrat. He says that demonstrates that McCaskill is out of touch, even with senators from her own party. Talent also dismisses criticism McCaskill had of the Meth Bill he pushed through Congress. McCaskill says the bill should have had money for multijurisdictional meth task forces. Talent says those are more properly funded through appropriations bills. The bill forces stores to keep cold medicine containing pseudoephedrine behind the counter, so it will be harder for meth cooks to obtain.
Related web sites:
Talent for Senate
McCaskill for Senate
Cardinals Win National League Pennant
October 20, 2006 By
In a game that filled with suspense, it was the Cardinals battery that outlasted the Mets in Game 7 of the NLCS. Jeff Suppan provided the pitching, while his battery-mate Yadier Molina provided the offense in the Redbirds 3-1 win Thursday night. Suppan, named the series MVP, gave up just one run on two hits in seven innings. It was his second Game 7 victory; he beat Roger Clemens in the 2004 NLCS. In this series, Suppan was dominant. In two starts totaling 15 innings, Suppan held the Mets to one run on five hits. None of the two hits given up Thursday came after the first inning. The Cardinals offense was stuck in neutral as well. Other than Ronnie Belliard’s sacrifice that scored Scott Rolen in the second, St. Louis found it hard to muster up any threats. Their best chance to score came when Rolen smacked a ball over the left field fence in the sixth, but left fielder Endy Chavez made a leaping grab to rob Rolen of a home run. Well, what goes around comes around. Chavez, who undoubtedly made the best defensive play in the playoffs, could only stand and watch as Molina jacked a two-run homer to left field in the ninth, essentially robbing the Mets of a World Series appearance. The round-tripper gave St. Louis a 3-1 lead with only three outs to go, but without a reliable closer, no lead was safe. Adam Wainright, who had been filling the void left by the injured Jason Isringhausen, entered the game in the ninth for the Redbirds. He looked to be in good shape with the Mets 7-8-9 hitters due up. But in good Izzy fashion, Wainright did not finish the game without a scare. Jose Valentin and Chavez led off the inning with consecutive singles. After Cliff Floyd and Jose Reyes both got out, Paul Lo Duca drew a walk to load the bases. The man set to bat next was one the Cardinals did not want to see. Carlos Beltran walked to the plate having torched the Cardinals in the past. He already had three home runs in the series, and that was after he batted .417 and hit four dingers against the Birds in the 2004 NLCS for the Astros. Wainright was able to start Beltran off with a strike looking. The second pitch was fouled off. St. Louis was one pitch away from their second trip to the World Series in three years. Pitch No. 3 hit Molina’s glove and the Cardinals were champions of the NL. Beltran struck out looking.Game 1 of the World Series is Saturday in Detroit.
Related web sites:
St. Louis Cardinals Web Site
