Tagged: st louis county

The Missouri senate passed legislation Monday that would prevent local municipalities from making laws regarding mediation in home foreclosures.

A conservative advocacy group says more than 200 local governments across Missouri are trying to raise taxes.  The tally includes proposals such as property tax hikes, sales taxes, and bond issues that are up for votes on the ballot in April.  Patrick Werner heads the Missouri chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a group that advocates for lower taxes and limited government.

Discrimination because of gender identity and sexual orientation is now illegal in the St. Louis County town of Creve Coeur.

The town's city council voted unanimously Monday to update a non-discrimination ordinance. The amendment prohibits discrimination in matters such as housing, employment and use of public spaces.

Five other St. Louis-area cities have passed similar measures. They are St. Louis, University City, Olivette, Richmond Heights and Clayton.

Crime is on the decline in St. Louis County.

County police on Wednesday announced that the overall crime rate is down 12.5 percent for the first six months of 2012, compared with the same period in 2011. Violent crime is down 7.2 percent.

The county had 12 homicides in the first half of 2011, compared to two through June of this year. Forcible rapes are down 25 percent, arson 22.2 percent, burglary 28.1 percent, robbery 11.5 percent and aggravated assault 1.1 percent.