Missourians cry out for capping health care costs
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A ‘Friend’ of education
Holly Parran Cousins is 2022 Lifetime Achiever in Education By Alvin A. Reid The St. Louis American Lessons learned at an early age helped propel Holly Parran Cousins into a career in education. Her grandmother, Maimee Tyler, was an educator at Lane College during the 1930s. Cousins’ mother, Barbara, instilled the importance of education to her, and backed her words with action. She obtained a college degree after
For her lifelong devotion to the classroom and preparing young people for the future, Holly Cousins has been selected as the 2022 St. Louis American Foundation Lifetime Achiever.
raising five children, while working full time as a cartographer for the Defense Mapping Agency. After graduation from Webster High School, Cousins earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts at Webster University and then her Masters degree in teaching. She devoted more than 30 years to
See COUSINS, A6
Vol. 94 No. 23 COMPLIMENTARY
Voting to open for Board of Aldermen president race Sept. 13 Special Primary under new laws
By Alvin A. Reid St. Louis American staff While a pair of voter protection lawsuits have been filed against the state of Missouri and Attorney General Jay Ashcroft, St. Louis’ first election under now-challenged state law is Tuesday, September 13, 2022. The Special Primary Municipal Election will fill the vacant President of the Board of Alderman position. Lewis Reed resigned the post and has pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges. Alderwoman Megan Green, who is endorsed by Mayor Tishaura Jones, and Alderman Jack Coater are running for the open seat. The St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners has created a pilot program that will offer 15 Vote
Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
See VOTING, A6
Third in a series
Courts, neighbor collectives tackle vacancy scourge
Photo by Taylor McIntosh / St. Louis American
Festive dance
Members of the African dance troup Groupo Atlantica perform on stage during the Festival of Nations on Saturday, August 26 at Tower Grove Park. The festival is St. Louis’ largest multicultural celebration.
And then there were none. While former Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed, and former Aldermen John Collins-Muhammad and Jeffrey Boyd pleaded not guilty to a series of corruption charges, the trio of disgraced former office holders have all now admitted to their crimes. Each face sentencing in December, and face years in prison for their illegal deeds. Collins-Muhammad, the first to be indicted, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen Clark on August 23, 2022. In separate hearings on August 26, Reed and Boyd pleaded guilty to a series of felonies
LIVING IT
A masterpiece awaiting visitors’ touch Coloring STL, a 6,000-square-foot interactive and educational exhibit, is on display at the Missouri History Museum.
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n Federal sentencing structure says they must serve between 2½ and four years in prison. Missouri law calls for them to pay restitution and the men forfeited pension earned after August 28, 2014.
including bribery. Federal sentencing structure says they must serve between 2½ and four years in prison. Missouri law calls for them to pay restitution and the men forfeited pension earned after
By Karen Robinson-Jacobs For The American This story was reported in partnership with Type Investigations, where Karen Robinson-Jacobs is an Alfred Knobler fellow.
Reed, Boyd face lengthy sentences after guilty pleas St. Louis American staff
Non-profit groups see affordable units in crumbling building shells
August 28, 2014. Boyd also pleaded guilty in a second federal case involving insurance fraud at his used car lot. According to St. Louis Pubic Rdio, Boyd was diagnosed with PTSD in December 2020, telling Clark he had been on prescribed medications for the condition since January 2022. While he said the medications can make him forgetful, he was in the right mind to be able to enter a plea. He also admitted that he had talked to a therapist about addiction issues.
G. Fatimah Muhammad said she and husband, Donald Harden, were excited about buying one of the “beautiful vacant homes” in North City’s Hyde Park area two decades ago. In 2002, the couple paid $1,500 for a 3,000 square-foot property in the inventory of the city’s Land Reutilization Authority, the owner of last resort after properties don’t sell at tax sales. The 140-year-old four-bedroom, five-bath property would become their retirement home, but it needed work, she said. Unable to secure a rehabilitation loan, the couple funded the rehab with money from their own pockets.
See GUILTY, A6
See SALUTE, A7
BUSINESS
SPORTS
Vanity Rose in full bloom assisting post-surgery clients
Explosive Vashon tops Kirkwood
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Vanity Rose Rooted Skin Deep brings care to postoperative clients and owner Jennifer Black’s mission is providing a relaxed environment filled with comfort.
There are lofty expectations around the Vashon High football program and they passed their first big test with a thrilling 28-27 victory over Kirkwood.