State briefs 12/30/04

Three teens accused in grandmother's slaying

ST. LOUIS -- Three teenage girls have been accused in the robbery bludgeoning of a 62-year-old grandmother, a retired biology teacher known by neighbors to befriend youngsters. The suspects -- two age 14, the other 13 -- were arrested Monday and Tuesday, with hearings in family court eventually to determine if any of them should be charged as adults in Joann Foster's death. Under Missouri law, children of any age may be certified to be tried as adults in a murder case, with hearings on those matters mandatory in cases involving charges of first- or second-degree murder.

Peru offers company more time for cleanup

LIMA, Peru -- The Peruvian government on Wednesday published a decree that could give U.S.-based Doe Run Co. more time to clean up toxic emissions from a metallurgical plant that has contaminated La Oroya, a bleak, smoke-choked town high in the central Andes. The decree, published in El Peruano, the official gazette, will allow companies to modify their environmental clean-up programs for "exceptional reasons," and receive specific project extensions for three years, with the possibility of an additional year. Doe Run Peru, owned by the St. Louis-based Doe Run Co., has threatened to close its operations if the government does not grant a five-year extension to complete an environmental upgrade that includes construction of a $100 million sulfuric acid plant by 2007.

-- From staff, wire reports

Escapee vows not to go back to jail

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A man who escaped from the Henry County jail has told people he will resist any efforts by law enforcement to arrest him, police said. Timothy Younce, 29, is believed to be in the Kansas City area, after escaping with two other inmates on Christmas Day, police said. Law enforcement officers have been told that Younce has no desire to go back to jail and will resist arrest, police said Wednesday. Because he is believed to be armed, police officers are being cautioned to use extreme caution when approaching anyone they believe might be Younce. Younce, Jason Eric Peek, 22, and Bobbie Ray Bailey, 23, escaped by overpowering a jailer in Henry County. Peek and Bailey have been recaptured. Younce was being held for assault.

Firms supply MREs to meet religious restrictions

CHICAGO -- U.S. military food is not renowned for its taste, but now soldiers who want to adhere to Jewish or Islamic dietary requirements can do so with prepackaged rations produced by two Chicago companies. The kosher firm My Own Meals Inc. and its Islamic spinoff, J&M Co., are the military's sole providers of "meals-ready-to-eat" that meet the standards of Jewish and Muslim diets. The meals are produced under the supervision of Jewish or Muslim inspectors, who ensure they follow guidelines for observant troops. For example, Muslims may not consume food prepared with alcohol, while Jews may not eat shellfish, or dairy and meat together.