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“All clear” in feared hostage taking brings relief in Jefferson City

November 10, 2009 By

A reported hostage taking in downtown Jefferson City turned out to be nothing serious, but the investigation continues as authorities try to determine what led to the situation that saw law enforcement descend on the Governor Office Building to determine whether there was any validity to the report they had received.

In a late afternoon news conference at the Jefferson City Police Department, three hours after the “all clear” sign had been given and roads that had been blockaded were opened to traffic again, police could verify what led to their being called to the building, but made it clear they were still looking for answers as to exactly what happened. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Miscellaneous

New Blue Book is out

November 10, 2009 By

Missouri’s new Blue Book has been released.

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan hosted members of the Missouri National Guard — whom the official manual honors this year — in the Capitol Rotunda.

The book is made available to schools, libraries, the press and the public. Carnahan says this year’s edition features photos from around the state and information about our Missouri state symbols in addition to the overview of state government services and contact information for government officials.

The blue book is available online but can also be ordered by the public at no cost. For more, visit www.mobluebook.com.

Carnahan says the book itself is also being made available online, and the Secretary of State’s archives team is scanning in old editions of the blue book — all the way back to 1878. Many of them are already viewable online, as well as hundreds of historic photos.

This year’s edition, Carnahan says, is the state’s greenest yet.

The cost for this year’s books is about $316,000. Sen. Kevin Engler has criticized the printing of the books, saying it’s a waste of taxpayer money, but Carnahan’s office says it’s distributed according to the law. Carnahan says it’s an important service to the state, providing vital information about government to the public.

Filed Under: Military, Politics & Government

German diplomat says fall of Wall breeds hope

November 10, 2009 By
Bernd von Muenchow-Pohl speaks at Westminster fall of Wall celebration

Bernd von Muenchow-Pohl speaks at Westminster fall of Wall celebration

A German diplomat says no one should underestimate what the fall of the Berlin Wall meant for Germany and for all who live under oppressive regimes.

German Information Center USA Director Bernd von Muenchow-Pohl says the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Wall at Westminster College in Fulton was a great experience. He says the enthusiasm of the students to celebrate an event that occurred before most of them were born truly impressed him.

Westminster students took part in a series of events leading up to the big celebration Monday night. As part of the celebration, the students created a temporary replica of the Berlin Wall, erected next to the sculpture “Breakthrough” created by Sir Winston Churchill’s granddaughter Edwina Sandys out of sections of the actual Berlin Wall. The sculpture sits next to the National Churchill Museum which commemorates the life of the British Prime Minister who made the phrase “Iron Curtain” famous in his 1946 speech given at Westminster.

Bernd von Muenchow-Pohl says the fall of the Wall 20 years ago was a great experience, one he anticipated would happen one day.

“Well, I believed that German division would not last and that the Wall would have to go,” von Muenchow-Pohl tells the Missourinet.

But von Muenchow-Pohl admits he didn’t expect it in 1989, recalling a conversation he had with a friend in Berlin about a month before the Wall came down. They made a bet. von Muenchow-Pohl bet that the Wall would come down in 20 years. His friend bet it would be gone in ten.

“Not only was I completely off the mark, but I’m sure he also would not have envisioned it happening so soon,” von Muenchow-Pohl says.

He says those of us who grew up in a free society take it for granted. He says for those who try to obtain freedom even now, the fall of the Wall gives them hope.

Download/listen Brent Martin reports (:60 MP3)

Download/listen Bernd von Muenchow Pohl speech at Westminster College (20 min MP3)

Filed Under: Human Interest

All clear given for downtown Jefferson City office building

November 10, 2009 By
Downtown Jefferson City

Downtown Jefferson City

Jefferson City and State Highway Patrol SWAT teams have found nothing in their floor-by-floor search of an office building about a block and a half from the State Capitol and south of the Governor’s Mansion and have given an all clear signal.

Apparently, there was nothing to a call reporting a possible hostage situation at the Governor’s Office Building in downtown Jefferson City.

Law enforcement swarmed downtown Jefferson City shortly after 10am. An evacuation of the building began shortly thereafter.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Crime & Courts

Ressel nominated for Groza Award

November 10, 2009 By

Missouri sophomore placekicker Grant Ressel, a native of Jackson, MO. is a semifinalist for the 2009 Lou Groza Award, which goes to the nation’s top placekicker. Ressel is one of 20 semifinalists up for the award.

[Read more...]

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