State/local briefs 08/20/04

United Way prepares for campaign kickoff

The United Way of Southeast Missouri treated area media representatives to a luncheon Thursday to thank them for their help. Whether print or broadcast, area media provide the community with information about the agencies served by the United Way and its fund-raising campaign efforts, United Way officials said. The United Way campaign kickoff will be at noon Thursday at Cape West Cine.

Crane on Broadway to finish Marquette facade

Downtown motorists may have noticed the north lane of Broadway being closed to make way for a towering crane in front of the Marquette Towers. Leasing agent for the Towers, Tom M. Meyer, said that the crane is simply being used by construction crews as a means to do the iron work and decorative trim on the top parts of the recently renovated building. He said the crew expects to have that work done by the end of this week.

Posting Commandments puts official on leave

HUMANSVILLE, Mo. -- A school superintendent who posted the Ten Commandments on a school wall has been placed on administrative leave without pay. School officials would not say if Humansville Superintendent Greg Thompson would remain a district employee.

-- From wire reports