State digest 07/19/03

Gateway Arch fire started by faulty switch

ST. LOUIS -- AmerenUE said Friday it suspects a faulty low-voltage switch caused the previous day's fire near the Gateway Arch that temporarily closed the St. Louis landmark and forced the evacuation of 3,000 tourists.

The switch threw a spark that ignited the fire that quickly spread to the insulation around an electric transformer, AmerenUE supervisor Mark Nealon said.

The transformer will be replaced next week; in the meantime, power to the Arch will be provided by two other transformers unaffected by the fire. The transformers are about 50 feet from the landmark.

Superintendent Gary Easton said the Arch will reopen at 8 a.m. today.

Dogs seized from Cass County home

BELTON, Mo. -- About 100 dogs have been seized from a rural Cass County home, where authorities say feces and urine covered the floor.

The Cass County Sheriff's Department began seizing the animals Thursday morning at the home southwest of Belton. Sheriff Dwight Diehl said 40 to 50 dogs lived inside the tidy-looking, red-brick ranch home while the rest lived in the fenced-in back yard. Cass County allows residents to own four dogs without a kennel license, Diehl said.

All of the dogs -- which included a variety of breeds -- appeared healthy and no arrests were made.

Phil Cardarella, attorney for the 36-year-old home owner, said the woman was attempting to obtain a zoning variance that would allow her to keep the animals.

Jasper Co. plans special election to replace sheriff

CARTHAGE, Mo. -- A special election was tentatively set for Sept. 30 to replace a southwest Missouri sheriff who resigned earlier this week.

Jasper County Commissioners announced plans for the election Thursday to replace Sheriff Bill Pierce.

Pierce stepped down Wednesday, following an investigation by the state attorney general into his private business at the jail in Carthage.

Pierce and his wife had operated an inmate commissary, selling snacks, hygiene items, and other products to inmates. However, county employees work at the commissary, which is also owned by the county.

Pierce's resignation brought an end to the investigation.

Police dog dies in hot patrol car

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- A police dog died of heat exposure after the air conditioning in his patrol car failed, authorities said.

The dog, Hondo, had been alone in the car for about an hour when he was found unconscious by his handler, Independence police Sgt. John Bullard, about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. Outside temperatures reached 97 degrees on Wednesday.

"It's like losing a family member," Capt. Gregg Wilkinson said. "Dogs become attuned to their handler and their family members."

Police are investigating why the police vehicle's "hot dog" system failed. The system is designed to roll down windows, turn on a fan and blare a siren to alert the dog handler when temperatures in the vehicle approach an unsafe level.

-- From wire reports