Region digest 06/22/03

Robin Carnahan to run for secretary of state

ST. LOUIS -- Robin Carnahan, the daughter of the late Gov. Mel Carnahan and former U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan, said she will make her first foray into politics by running for Missouri secretary of state.

The St. Louis attorney, a 41-year-old Democrat, said last week she has formed a committee and is raising money for next year's election.

Republican state Sen. Sarah Steelman of Rolla said earlier this year she also plans to run for the office.

The office's incumbent, Republican Matt Blunt, is the likely Republican challenger to Democratic Gov. Bob Holden in 2004.

One of Robin Carnahan's brothers, state Rep. Russ Carnahan, launched his bid this week to fill the St. Louis-area congressional seat being vacated by Dick Gephardt. The former House minority leader is not seeking re-election in 2004 as he bids for the White House.

English teacher to file as House candidate

COOTER, Mo. -- Shirley T. Johnson of Cooter has announced her candidacy for the Missouri House of Representatives District 162 seat made available by the resignation of Rep. Denny Merideth.

Johnson is an English teacher at Cooter schools and an adjunct teacher at Mississippi County Community College in Blytheville, Ark.

Johnson has degrees from Mississippi County Community College and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She was also employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 25 years.

Technology enters third grade at Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A group of Poplar Bluff third-graders will be given hand-held computers this fall in an effort to find out if such high-tech devices can be of any use for children.

"Everything in technology is moving towards the hand-helds," said superintendent Randy Winston said. "This is kind of our first venture into that area."

Winston said the program was part of the districtís Technology Classroom Program, aimed at keeping Poplar Bluff schools in step with advances in technology.

Trash hauler accused of dumping near state park

SEDALIA, Mo. -- Attorney General Jay Nixon has sued a trash hauler he claims is operating an illegal trash dump next to the Katy Trail State Park.

Nixon filed a lawsuit Thursday in Pettis County Circuit Court against the family owners of Heaper Sanitation. He claims the company picked up household trash for several years and sorted it on Heaper property.

Katy Trail State Park is a biking and walking trail built on a former railroad route.

-- From wire reports