‘Winning the Future’ for black businesses Obama administration official wants to connect community with opportunity
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Vol. 83 No. 4
CAC Audited APR. 28 – MAY 4, 2011
COMPLIMENTARY
stlamerican.com
“If I had not been in the basement, I would not be here.” – Former St. Louis Police Chief Ron Henderson
‘Forward, not backward, on civil rights’ Nixon suggests veto on bill to change Missouri Human Rights Act By Jo Mannies Of The Beacon
Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
On Monday former St. Louis Police Chief Ron Henderson walked away from his home, totally destroyed, three days after a tornado devastated this area of Bridgeton. The National Weather Service says a EF-4 tornado passed through North County, damaging or destroying more than 2,000 homes. The tornado, the strongest here since 1967, also hit the airport, causing a two-day shutdown. No one was killed or seriously injured.
‘Complete hell broke loose’ Tornados devastate North County, but kill no one By Rebecca S. Rivas Of The St. Louis American On Friday evening, a severe thunderstorm produced two tornadoes in the St. Louis metropolitan area – one was the strongest tornado St. Louis County has seen in 44 years, according to the National Weather Service. The more damaging twister tore a 22-mile-long path of destruction from west to east, hitting North St. Louis County and Madison County, Illinois. More
“Oh, my God,” she said, as she covered her mouth. She held out her arms. I never thought I would see her again. Then Meley sat on the floor with her dog and cried happy tears.
than 2,000 St. Louis-area homes were damaged, and more than 100 are uninhabitable, according to city officials in the affected areas. On Friday, Gov. Jay Nixon signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency in Missouri. Due to damage, a Ferguson elementary school has closed for the rest of the year, and some city hall buildings went without power for days. The tornado reached its peak, EF4 on the
“It was a like a freight train. Out of instinct, I grabbed Peggy. I threw her down, I got on top of her and I said, ‘Hold on.’” – Former St. Louis Police Chief Ron Henderson
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon indicated strongly Monday that he’ll be vetoing Senate Bill 188, a measure that alters the Missouri Human Rights Act and state laws governing employment discrimination by making it tougher to sue. Nixon issued a statement on Monday blasting the bill and adding he will “take for “We must be that mal action” on Friday a state that “in a public setting.” In continues to political code, that all move forward – but guarantees the govnot backward – ernor is planning a very public veto. when it comes “Making it easier to civil rights for Missouri companies to discriminate against and equal people with disabilities opportunity.” or cancer, and against women, older workers – Gov. Jay Nixon and minorities will not help us create jobs or be more competitive,” Nixon said. “To thrive in a global economy and uphold the values we share, we must be a state that continues to move forward – not backward – when it comes to civil rights and equal opportunity.” The bill has been approved by the Missouri House and Senate. Its backers include the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which contended the bill was needed to bring the state’s anti-discrimination laws in line with See VETO, A7
See TORNADO, A6
Cardell Jordan, Amy Meley and her long-lost Chihuahua named Stinky
Dog goes home after six long years American reporter and husband rescue and return long-lost starving Chihuahua By Sandra Jordan Of The St. Louis American A stolen Chihuahua named Stinky is back in her home in South St. Louis after six years of tumultuous travels. After hearing a gunshot on Memorial Day weekend 2005, the 8-year-old pooch ran off relatives’ property in Edwardsville, Ill. into the woods and made her way into the middle of Highway 143. Vehicles pulled over to keep from hitting the dog. One driver, described by witnesses as a blonde woman in a white Dodge
Durango, did more than pull over. She picked the dog up and put her in the window of her car. A witness told the dog’s owner, Amy Meley, that this woman said, ‘Oh, she’s so cute, I might just keep her.’” And she did. Meley was heartbroken. Someone had stolen the beloved dog she had rescued from a Chicago shelter. Fliers, newspaper ads, online posts, visits to vet offices and to animal control in two counties, even bugging the police, See DOG, A7
Photo by Sandra Jordan