McCaffrey Speaks At SIUE's Arts & Issues Series Drugs are funding the war in the Middle East, four-star Gen. Barry McCaffrey, U.S. Army (Ret.), told the crowd gathered to hear his discussion about the war on terror at an SIUE Arts & Issues presentation Saturday night. "(Our government) has been willfully in denial of that reality." He said the majority of the 44 recognized terrorist organizations are not funded by any communist state, but rather by the international crime of drug smuggling. [continues 1002 words]
State Legislature Toughens Sentences For Convicted Manufacturers Around 5:30 p.m. on May 4, 2001 then-deputy Joe Halbrooks noticed a man driving away from anhydrous ammonia tanks parked in rural Marine where he was on patrol. The man fled north on Humbolt Street. Halbrooks followed. The pursuit followed Route 143, Interstate 255, Interstate 270 and wound up at Troy Road and Montclaire Avenue in Edwardsville, where the deputy had radioed ahead to have "stop sticks" strung across the road. The triangular pointy sticks punctured the vehicle's right front tire, although the man continued driving west to Second Street. He fled on foot, but Halbrooks was able to handcuff him after he tripped. [continues 450 words]
With a growing number of weapons, Illinois is beginning to win the war on meth, according to Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Methamphetamine, or meth, is a highly-addictive stimulant that comes in powder form and can be made rather cheaply by anyone with a recipe using ingredients that are readily available at local drug, hardware and farm supply stores. Illinois, and other Midwestern states where farming is a major endeavor, became meth hotbeds over the last decade as the drug's popularity grew. [continues 383 words]
Annual car show will take place at transit terminal The Edwardsville Police Department is gearing up for the 14th annual D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Benefit Car Show. This year's event will be conducted at the Madison County Transit Terminal, Sunday, Sept. 25, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The entry fee for cars is $10 and $8 for display only. Dash Plaques will be given to the first 200 entries. Sarah Yates, co-chair of the Car Show, said the event is more than a car show. [continues 565 words]
Darron Murphy Sr. was sentenced Tuesday to 19 1/2 years in federal prison for beating an undercover agent and for selling crack cocaine. Murphy, 44, of the 900 block of Surrey Drive in Edwardsville, had been found guilty by a federal jury of pistol whipping an undercover agent, sticking a gun in her mouth, and threatening to kill her. Prosecutors said Murphy Sr. knew the informant would testify against his son at his upcoming drug trial and tried to intimidate her. Murphy's sentencing was the first of three sentencings before Chief Judge Patrick Murphy. Darron Murphy Sr.'s accomplice in the beating, 21-year-old Jennifer Baker, was sentenced Tuesday to 6 1/2 years in prison. [continues 751 words]
Should I be relieved or dismayed that there is now -- federally -- a tax cut bill? I read a column over the weekend that listed pork -- $119.1 million -- for outrageously bodacious line items. There are not enough pages in a newspaper to print the budget, but they listed the Web site and off I ran. Of the amount my colleagues outlined, the most ridiculous is an appropriation for $500,000 for the "First Tee Program." This is a program for the federal government to familiarize juvenile delinquents with the sport of golf. In high school sports, I found this game to be one of frustration and nonsense for me. [continues 1216 words]