News Blog

Senator Claire McCaskill, Please Come Out Against Brett Kavanaugh

by Jaime Lees on September 13, 2018 at 9:26AM

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'Close the Workhouse' Campaign Demands Action from City Officials

by Sarah Fenske on September 13, 2018 at 8:00AM

A new campaign seeks to pressure city officials — including Mayor Lyda Krewson, Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner and the Board of Aldermen — to shut down St. Louis' notorious Medium Security Institution, better known as the Workhouse. The detention facility, which opened in 1966, is known for its hellish conditions, which include extreme temperatures (it only recently got air conditioning), infestations of vermin and cockroaches, and violence.

Sylvia Brown Killed Her Sister Rather Than Admit Debt, St. Louis County Police Say

by Doyle Murphy on September 12, 2018 at 2:29PM

A north St. Louis County woman killed her sister to hide her money problems, police say. Sylvia Brown, 57, was charged today with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Those Explosions and Gunshots You Heard Monday Night? Just the Military

by Daniel Hill on September 12, 2018 at 1:35PM

As it turns out, though, it was Army Special Forces teams that chose the closed Lakeside Center School, which consists of several vacant buildings right next to the park, to conduct urban combat and flight operations. KSDK reports that local police had been notified ahead of time about the war games — the Army gave advance notice that they'd be in town conducting similar drills in the area for most of this week.

Samuel Hays Baker Is 'Armed and Dangerous,' Washington Cops Say

by Doyle Murphy on September 11, 2018 at 2:37PM

Update: Samuel Hays Baker has been taken into custody, police say. He was charged with unlawful use of a weapon, first- and second-degree assault and first-degree property damage.

St. Louis Bought 2 New Trash Trucks, And It Has Us Feeling Sexy

by Jaime Lees on September 11, 2018 at 9:45AM

Email the author at jaime.lees@riverfronttimes.com Editor's note: We updated this post after publication to include a few additional details about the city increasing its trash truck fleet.

Lawsuit Over Mizzou's $82,222 Public Records Fees Can Go to Trial, Judge Says

by Sarah Fenske on September 11, 2018 at 6:41AM

Were they good people duped by the nonprofit — or good people thwarted by a university that sought to derail their Sunshine law requests? That question now appears headed for trial.

Ex-Washington University Director Basia Skudrzyk Embezzled $300K, Feds Say

by Doyle Murphy on September 10, 2018 at 3:45PM

She is accused of faking invoices and tax documents to bill Wash U for work done on her home. She also forged a colleague's signature to buy VISA gift cards from the university book store, which she used to eat out and shop, authorities say.

Milton Green Was Shot by a Fellow St. Louis Cop. Now He Needs Help

by Doyle Murphy on September 10, 2018 at 1:54PM

In June 2017, St. Louis Police Officer Milton Green was shot by a fellow cop while trying to help arrest a trio of car thieves. He survived, but the shooting ended his career.

Normandy Slapped with Class-Action Suit Over 'Debtor's Prison'

by Sarah Fenske on September 10, 2018 at 11:50AM

In both December 2012 and December 2013, a disabled U.S. Air Force veteran named Roelif Carter was pulled over by police on routine traffic stops. In both cases, the officers learned that Carter, now 65, had outstanding warrants for his arrest for "failure to appear" and "failure to pay" from the north-county municipality of Normandy — all because he'd been unable to pony up the money he owed for low-level traffic offenses there.

Michael Avenatti Wants to Base His Presidential Campaign in St. Louis

by Sarah Fenske on September 10, 2018 at 10:05AM

Michael Avenatti, the combative attorney representing Stormy Daniels, has been toying with the idea of running for president — because what this country totally needs is another big ego with a questionable background, a thin skin when it comes to media coverage and zero governing experience. But enough grumbling.

Belleville Lube Shop Owner's Racist Talk Led to Firing, Mass Exodus, Workers Say

by Dustin Steinhoff on September 10, 2018 at 7:00AM

," he says Beeler told him. A former employee, Ethan Haas, confirms that he also heard the exchange about Wren's pants.

Brad Bradshaw Wants to Legalize Medical Marijuana — and Tax Patients to Cure Cancer

by Danny Wicentowski on September 7, 2018 at 6:50AM

The ad was clearly aimed at dissuading area voters from supporting the two other medical marijuana proposals vying with Bradshaw's on statewide ballots. Still, both eventually gathered enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.

Post-Dispatch Sued Over Jerry Garcia Photo

by Sarah Fenske on September 7, 2018 at 6:22AM

In May, the daily was sued for a similar unauthorized use of a photo of Ted Nugent. That story also appeared in the newspaper's feature section.

'Murder Mom' Charges Dismissed Because of Police Detective's Brain Cancer

by Doyle Murphy on September 6, 2018 at 10:40AM

But recently, the conspiracy case ran into trouble. The matter is being handled by the Missouri Attorney General's Office owing to a conflict with attorneys working for the city circuit attorney.

Cort Van Ostran Is Tied with Ann Wagner Right Now in Missouri's 2nd District

by Sarah Fenske on September 6, 2018 at 6:34AM

Could U.S. Representative Ann Wagner (R-Ballwin) be headed to defeat? Cort VanOstran has reason to think so.

Our Lady Of Guadalupe Watches Over Guacamole on South Grand

by Jaime Lees on September 5, 2018 at 6:02AM

Email the author at jaime.lees@riverfronttimes.com Sign up for our weekly newsletters to get the latest on the news, things to do and places to eat delivered right to your inbox.

Judge Tosses Lawsuit Seeking to Invalidate Medical Marijuana Initiative in Missouri

by Danny Wicentowski on September 4, 2018 at 11:09AM

doctors to recommend medical marijuana to patients with debilitating illnesses," New Approach spokesman Jack Cardetti said in a press release. "Our patient and veteran-centered approach stands in stark contrast to Amendment 3 and Brad Bradshaw, who is a coalition of one that is in this strictly for himself."

It’s Going to Rain Like a MF in St. Louis All Damn Weekend

by Jaime Lees on September 4, 2018 at 10:29AM

So if you’re headed to LouFest this weekend, don’t forget your poncho (or trash-bag-as-poncho) and maybe wear your rain boots. Channeling Kate Moss at Gastonbury is a very chic festival fashion move, anyway.

Captain Was Fired After Complaining About Workhouse Conditions, Lawsuit Says

by Sarah Fenske on September 4, 2018 at 6:49AM

A former captain at St. Louis' notorious Workhouse has filed a federal lawsuit against the city and five superiors, saying he was fired because he complained about the conditions there. Melvin Diggs started at the Medium Security Institution (better known as the Workhouse) as a corrections officer in 1989, and eventually rose to captain.

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