State briefs 11/19/04

Hospital system bans smoking on its property

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Workers, patients and visitors were banned from smoking anywhere on SSM Health Care properties starting Thursday. The health-care system made its 20 hospitals and three nursing homes in Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Oklahoma smoke free.

Three injured in accident near Cape Girardeau

Three people were injured in a one-vehicle accident at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday on Cape Girardeau County Road 203, a mile west of Cape Girardeau. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 1993 Chevrolet driven by Charles Motley, 15, of Jackson, ran off the road and hit a utility pole. Motley was taken to Saint Francis Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. Two passengers were also injured: Adam Elfink, 16, of Scott City and Carolyn Reed, 56, of Jackson. Both were taken to Saint Francis. Elfink's injuries were listed as moderate; Reed was seriously injured.

State employment up in past decade

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The number of state government employees has risen more than 9 percent in the past decade. Data provided by the Office of Administration showed state employment increased 9.2 percent from 59,899 in October 1994 to 65,421 last month, including part-time and temporary workers. Counting only full-time positions, the rise is about 9.5 percent.

-- From wire reports

Gecko officers indicted for telemarketing fraud

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The co-owner and six managers of a telemarketing company are accused in a federal indictment returned Wednesday of defrauding consumers out of $12.5 million by offering them pre-approved credit cards for a fee. Charged in the 24-count indictment are co-owner of Gecko Communications Inc. Zachery T. Whitehill, 27, of Johnston, Iowa; and managers at Gecko offices in Kansas City, Mo.; Shawnee, Kan.; Lawrence, Kan.; Des Moines, Iowa; Stanton, Iowa; and Brooklyn, Iowa.

-- From wire reports