Missouri General News from Missouri's Top Leading News Source

Missouri News: Attorney General’s Office to Aid Consumers Affected by the Flood

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (STL.News) - The Attorney General’s Office is joining with local and state agencies to help those affected by the devastating flood in Northwest Missouri. Investigators from the Attorney General’s office will provide resource materials with tips on selecting reputable contractors, avoiding price gouging, protecting personal information from identity fraud, and warning of other scams seen after natural disasters. “Unfortunately, there are individuals who see natural disasters as a way to cheat people who are just trying to get their lives back to normal,” Schmitt said. “We will provide Missourians with information on how to avoid scams, instruct citizens on what to do if they’ve fallen victim to a scam, and will be ready to go after those that take advantage of our cit...

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Branson Sex Offender, Bill Lawrence, Jr., Sentenced to 15 Years for Child Pornography

SPRINGFIELD, MO (STL.News) - A Branson, Missouri sex offender has been sentenced in federal court for receiving and distributing child pornography. Bill Lawrence, Jr., 57, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark on Friday, April 5, to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Lawrence to 15 years of supervised release following incarceration. Lawrence, who pleaded guilty on Aug. 28, 2018, has prior convictions for possessing child pornography and promoting child pornography. According to court documents, the investigation began with two CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Lawrence had attached images of child pornography to at least two emails that were sent from his Google account. The images depicted prepub...

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St Louis News: Sun Country Airlines Announces Las Vegas Flights for St. Louis

Sun Country Airline launching service from STL as part of broader network expansion ST LOUIS, MO (STL.News) - Sun Country Airlines announced its fall 2019 schedule with the addition of new flights between St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) and McCarren International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, NV. Sun Country’s new seasonal schedule to Vegas begins Thursday, September 5. This new service will run 2x/week on Thursday and Sunday. Sun Country Airlines has already announced its summer schedule with flights beginning June 7 between St. Louis and Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN (MSP) at 4x/week (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday) and 2x/week (Monday, Friday) to Portland, OR (PDX). The Portland service ends September 4 while the MSP flights continue along with the new flights to Las Vegas...

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Kathleen Marie Hydar Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine Conspiracy that Resulted in Shooting Death of Co-Conspirator

St. Louis, MO (STL.News) – Kathleen Marie Hydar, 31, of Jefferson County, pled guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine and sentencing has been set for July 9, 2019. According to court documents, in the evening hours of October 10, 2017 and into the early morning hours of October 11, 2017, Hydar invited co-defendant Courtney Brown to come from the City of Saint Louis to Jefferson County, Missouri. Hydar had informed Brown that she knew of a way for them to “make some money” that evening. Brown picked up Hydar in a vehicle being driven by Ramone Thomas. Also in the car were co-defendants Paris Devine, Raymond Seay, and an unindicted subject. When Hydar got into the vehicle, she informed Devine and other members o...

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St Louis News: Gateway Arch Book, The Making of an Icon, 2nd Edition Offers a Variety of Ways to Enjoy The Arch This Spring

ST. LOUIS, MO (STL.News) - The warmer spring weather means more outdoor activities in St. Louis, especially around the iconic Arch area. Jim Merkel, author of The Making of an Icon, 2nd Edition, offers even more lore and new information on the Arch grounds and museum, including some fun things to do in the coming months. Below are some suggested spring activities centered around the Gateway Arch: Relax, unwind and watch the St. Louis skyline come to life during a Skyline Dinner Cruise. Take a free yoga class with a beautiful view of the Arch in Kiener Plaza. Indulge in a brunch buffet while you watch the city go by on a Sunday Brunch Cruise. Kick back and relax for happy hour on the dock of the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch to celebrate the end of your workday and enjo...

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Missouri News: Jury Convicts Former Kansas City Business Owner, Barrett Prelogar, of Tax Crime

KANSAS CITY, MO (STL.News) - An owner of a former Kansas City business, Barrett Prelogar, 48, was convicted by a federal trial jury today of corruptly endeavoring to impede the due administration of the internal revenue laws. Prelogar was a founding par tner of the now-defunct Winntech Digital Systems, Inc. The company primarily produced electronic displays used in stores or at trade shows. Prelogar failed to pay over to the government the payroll taxes withheld from Winntech employees’ paychecks in 2002 and 2003. He then obstructed the TRS’s collection process of the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty, which had been assessed against him personally for the unpaid trust fund taxes of Winntech. He also obstructed the IRS’s collection of the income taxes he owed for 2008. On Oct. 28, 2009, Pr...

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Missouri News: Attorney General Eric Schmitt, Better Business Bureau to Host Springfield “Shred Day” on Saturday

? Jefferson City, MO (STL.News) - On Saturday, April 6, 2019, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., representatives of the Missouri Attorney General’s office and the Better Business Bureau are offering a free “Shred Day” to safely dispose of sensitive documents, cell phones, tablets and laptops. This is a great opportunity for citizens to safely and properly dispose of sensitive information to avoid opening themselves up to potential scams or fraud. Representatives will be located at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, 3001 N. Grant Ave., Springfield, MO 65803. “Identity theft remains a huge problem in our state and country, and any opportunity we can take to further protect the citizens of this state is crucial,” said Attorney General Eric Schmitt. “I urge Springfield citizens to stop by our shred ...

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Missouri News: St. Louis County Man, Ramiz Zijad Hodzic, Pleads Guilty to Providing Material Support to Terrorists

St. Louis, MO (STL.News) - Ramiz Zijad Hodzic, 44, of St. Louis County, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and one count of providing material support to terrorists. Hodzic appeared yesterday before Judge Catherine D. Perry who accepted his plea and set his sentencing for June 18, 2019. U.S. Attorney Jeffrey B. Jensen for the Eastern District of Missouri, Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn of the FBI’s St. Louis Division and Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers made the announcement. Charged in the indictment are: Ramiz Zijad Hodzic, his wife Sedina Unkic Hodzic, and Armin Harcevic, all of St. Louis County, Missouri, Nihad Rosic, of Utica, New York, and Mediha Medy Salkicevic, of Schiller Park, Illi...

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Missouri News: Former Police Officer, Mark Taylor, Sentenced for Corruption Charge

St. Louis, MO (STL.News) - Mark Taylor, 50, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 30 days in prison for accepting bribes in exchange for un-redacted accident reports while a police officer with the City of St. Louis. He appeared in federal court yesterday before U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh, Jr. According to court documents, between 2007 and 2016, Dr. Mitchell Davis owned and operated Davis Chiropractic Clinic, now known as City Health and Chiropractic. Located on Lindell Blvd in St. Louis, the clinic primarily provided services to accident victims. Galina Davis assisted Dr. Davis in identifying, soliciting, and scheduling potential accident victims. According to SLMPD policy, the SLMPD will provide un-redacted accident reports only to persons involved in the accidents, the companies...

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Missouri News: Missouri Auditor Nicole Galloway releases audit of St. Louis City Board of Public Service

Report identifies concerns over fuel and maintenance invoicing that resulted in an undetected $380,000 error JEFFERSON CITY, MO (STL.News) - Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released an audit of the City of St. Louis Board of Public Service. The audit outlined concerns with fuel and maintenance invoices and recommended increased oversight of inventory. The City of St. Louis Board of Public Service is responsible for planning and construction of public works for the City of St. Louis. The Board of Public Service also manages the city's Equipment Services and Facilities Management Divisions and Soldier's Memorial Military Museum. Findings in the audit related to the Equipment Services Division, which is responsible for the maintenance and repair of city vehicles and controls fo...

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Missouri News: Columbia Fire Department K9 Izzo has been awarded “Healthcare for K9 Heroes” Grant

COLUMBIA, MO (STL.News) - Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) nationwide charity located in East Taunton, MA, whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit is pleased continue their "Healthcare for K9 Heroes" medical insurance program for 2019 which covers annual policy premiums. Since 2016, the charity has donated over $60,000 towards medical reimbursement programs for self-funded K9 units. Selected as 2019 recipients to date are: Columbia Fire Department, MO, K9 Izzo, Elizabethtown Police Department, KY, K9 Lola, Petersham Police Department, MA, K9 Bleu, Natchitoches Paris Sheriff’s Office, LA, K9 Bessi, King and Queens Sheriff’s Office, VA, K9 Tyson, ...

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Missouri Lottery News: Steedman Woman, Sherry Akers, Calls $100,000 Prize ‘Big Blessing’

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (STL.News) - Sherry Akers says she typically doesn’t buy a lot of Scratchers, but with some extra cash and the new “I LOVE LUCY™” game out, she picked up four tickets for fun. When those four tickets won her some money, she used the win to play four more. After winning again, she decided to stick with her new lucky number of four, and this time one of her four tickets revealed a much larger prize – $100,000. “I thought I won $5,000, and I was jumping around in the parking lot,” said the Steedman resident, as she recalled the day she and her family were in the car together scratching the ticket. “We kept going and it was $10,000, $20,000 and then $100,000. I was crying like a baby.” Akers explained that her daughter had major surgery last year, which put much needed...

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Missouri News: Jury Convicts Independence Man, William C. McGee, of Illegal Firearm After He Shoots His Girlfriend

KANSAS CITY, MO (STL.News) - An Independence, Missouri man was convicted by a federal trial jury today of illegally possessing a firearm that he used to shoot his girlfriend. William C. McGee, 43, was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was charged as a career criminal due to his prior felony convictions. Police officers were called to the Great Western Motel in Independence on June 13, 2018, in response to a report from a motel guest who heard gunshots. The caller also told police that the suspected shooter was in a green Toyota Camry, last seen traveling west on 24 Highway. Officers located the green Toyota Camry in a nearby driveway. McGee was standing beside the vehicle. When he saw the police officers, McGee reached behind his back, pulled out a black H...

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Missouri News: AG Eric Schmitt Applauds Conviction of Bollinger County Man for Sodomy and Rape of a Minor

Jefferson City, MO (STL.News) - Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt is applauding the conviction of Daniel Martin for sodomy, rape, and molestation of a minor. On March 27, 2019, a Wayne County jury convicted Daniel Martin, 30, of three counts of Statutory Sodomy 1st Degree, one count of Statutory Rape 1st Degree, one count of Attempted Statutory Rape 1st Degree, one count of Attempted Statutory Sodomy 1st Degree, and three counts of Child Molestation 3rd Degree. “Protecting Missouri’s most vulnerable citizens – especially children – is one of my most important duties as Attorney General,” said AG Schmitt. “Bringing Daniel Martin to justice is another example of my dedication to ensuring that those who seek to harm Missouri’s most vulnerable will be put behind bars. I’m grateful to ...