A middle school student walking to school by himself was grabbed by the suspect and dragged under the front porch of a house on the 700 block of 81st Street.

East St. Louis Police Chief Michael Floore rounded up policemen early this evening to form another search for the suspect.

Floore described the suspect as a black male with a medium build, 25-30 years of age, wearing black pants, a black hooded sweatshirt and a baseball cap.

Police say the victim was able to escape the attempted abduction because he screamed and fought the suspect.  When his screams were heard by other children in the neighborhood, the suspect ran off when the other kids arrived to see what was happening.

The East St. Louis school board sent parents a notice advising their children walk to school in groups.

The victim in this case normally walks to school with a friend, but was not this morning.  His quick thinking saved him from being kidnapped or worse.

Police Chief Floore also credits the neighborhood kids that heard the commotion and walked over to help a lot of credit for running the suspect off and potentially saving that young man’s life.

Interior surveillance video only shows a change in the lighting about 2:30 am.  It was not aimed at the automatic teller machine.  The business was closed for the night.

Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards said the ATM was hooked and yanked out of the building.  He said whoever did it is likely to have a damaged vehicle.

“If anyone saw someone driving an ATM machine along Route 3 or I-255 after 2:30 AM Thursday they are asked to contact police.”

In 1987, the central Illinois town of Flora was competing, for the third time, to win a new state prison.

“When they awarded the second one, Governor Thompson said he did it because that town had gone all out and painted their football field so we thought if that`s what it takes to get his attention we`ll see if we can`t top that,” said Jack Thatcher, who was the newspaper editor at the time, and played a rapping member of the press in the video.

The video became an overnight sensation, featured on most network evening newscasts, Good Morning America, and the Joan Rivers Show.

A light footed flat foot was played by police chief Willie Thompson, who is no longer busting criminals but he can still bust a move.

“I dreamed up that move up myself,” said Thompson, who is seen the the video dancing down the streer while twirling a giant night stick.  He retired, and now lives in nearby Kinmundy, Illinois.  “(The director) said just go out and something and we`ll do a retake if we need to, and fortunately I did the right thing I guess.”

The video became so popular, the so called “Barbed Wire Choir,” also cut a record, sold t-shirts, and even held a televised “is we is or is we isn`t’” parade.

But despite all the hoopla, and maybe because of it, the answer to the question “is we is”, turned out to be no you isn`t.

“There was some disappointment of course because of our unemployment but overall we recouped and moved on,” Thompson said.

In the end, the publicity helped Flora attract businesses to an industrial park on the land that would have been the prison. The town’s unemployment rate was at 18% when is was bidding for the prison, because it had recently lost its two largest employers.

But now, 25 years later, the video is resurfacing on DVD, this time not as a pitch to build a prison but rather as a way to raise money to rebuild the city`s historic train depot, which has been under restoration for 18 years.

“We have been working on restoring this depot which is a three story brick building that is the largest depot between St. Louis and Cincinnati. The railroad is the reason Flora is here,” said Thatcher.

After 25 years, most of those in the video have either moved on or passed on, but the legacy lives on, thanks to 15 minutes of fame that has lasted a quarter of a century.

If you’d like to purchase the DVD, the price is $25. Send a check to FCDC, 223 West Railroad St., Flora, Illinois, 62839.  For more about the depot, visit www.Floradepot.com.

First concerns Israel may bomb Iran and Iran could retaliate by choking off the Persian Gulf.

Second, hedge fund speculators are driving up the price.

And third, the continuing strong demand for gasoline by consumers in China and India.

And prices are rising, even though the United States is importing less oil from other countries than it has in years.

Police say Pierce went to the hospital in the Central West End, grabbing one woman by the neck on Sunday; then again on Monday with another female employee.

There will be everything from gardening demonstrations to examples of kitchen remodeling and more.

And for those interested in all things royal, there is a special exhibit about Princess Diana.

Some highlights are special dresses she wore through her time as a princess.  You also learn family secrets, like the relative that also dated Prince Charles.

Again, it runs at the Edward Jones Dome until this Sunday.

Forecast:

Thursday: Some sun but overall more and more clouds take control. Still mild though temps will fall a little during the afternoon. Winds: southwest to northwest 15-30 m.P.H. High: 62 degrees.

Thursday night: Lots of clouds and few spotty showers or sprinkles. Colder with winds: West 5-15 m.P.H. Low: 35 degrees

Friday: Partly sunny and it is a colder day. Back to average. Winds: northwest 5-15MPH. High: 45 degrees

Little change in the overall pattern. With a big low over the East and a big low over the northwest keeping us in a fast pace in the atmosphere all week long. That means some solid see-saw temps and though a series of fronts will cut by.

The deep cold continues to stay well to the north and limited moisture working up from the South. Still mild for Thursday…A little fall off in temperature during the afternoon…Back to average weather for Friday and Saturday…Then we start to climb again on Sunday. Some big storms over the nation this week…Just not for us…But there are some signs we could see an impressive storm come out of the southwest on Monday…Limited moisture to pick up…Looks like a fast mover…Lets think some rain on Monday and into Monday night…Maybe ending as some wet snowflakes…Very iffy right now…However…I still have a lot of interest with two watchers in the Wednesday to Sunday time frame of next week…Could this be the time frame we see the link between the cold and the moisture…Two systems and each has the potential for snow…This could get interesting…More later.

Jerome J. Taylor slipped out of the building still wearing flex handcuffs.  “At some point today the detective bureau was processing him for an interview and he was able to manipulate our security system and escape the facility,” said Chief Clark.

Clark called in help from nearby police departments, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department and the Illinois State Police.  Officers used canine dogs to search vacant buildings but found no sign of the escape.

Taylor was arrested Wednesday night after a fight in a local business on Caseyville Rd.  Officers determined he had illegal drugs and marijuana in his car.

Thursday afternoon Taylor was last seen on foot in the 20-hundred block of 55th Street.  He is described as a black male, five feet six to five feet ten inches  tall and wearing baggy pants and a black and yellow striped shirt.

The team played soccer with Tim on the Thursday 9 am show, to promote their next game and bring out the fans.

If you want to learn more about the team, head to:  www.ilfire.org

If you have seen Charles Roe or know of his whereabouts please contact the Madison County Police at  618-692-4433.

Actress and mother, “Punky Brewster” Soleil Moon Frye, join the Mid Day show to talk about it.

Read Across America
Target Stores Nationwide
Saturday, February 25th
9am-11am
Reading Nooks Inspired By Dr. Seuss
Activity Backpacks For Children

Man Dances on Crutches
Slap Fighting
Boxer Knocks Himself Out
Cat Massaging a Dogs Back

The Michigan based business has over 150 complaints nationwide.  At least 20 of those complaints have come from Missouri and Illinois. Consumers seem to have a problem with the company’s pricing.

The BBB says the company uses bait and switch tactics.  Desperate consumers searching the internet after a lock-out, may find the company “Run Local Locksmith”.   Dialing the toll free number sends the consumer to a call center in Center Line Michigan.   The business then taps its pool of locksmiths around the country.   While their website shows a $15 service call fee, a company spokesperson says circumstances vary with each lock out.  Therefore the final price varies.  Some consumers are surprised once they’re in and they get the bill according to Jim Judge of the BBB.

‘When the locksmith actually come out they`re finding its 100, 200, 300 dollars instead of 15 dollars. So it`s really a classic bait and switch kind of set up.’
Judge says you may find more satisfaction using a local locksmith.

‘If you don`t have the individual name the company doing the work, because they`re subcontracted, you really don`t know that much about them.  Are they insured?  What kinds of checks do they do on employees?  What kind of training do employees have?  What kind of certification do they have?’

In addition to pricing, complaints have come in related to damaged property.
‘A lot of complaints allege, while trying to unlock doors, car doors, homes that they`re breaking windows causing damage.’

Some consumers might dispute it, but a spokesperson for the company says its policy gives customers a chance to accept or decline charges.     And the company has paid out thousands in refunds where a claim has merit.   Be sure you check out a company with the Better Business Bureau you hire them.

List Of Items To Checkout Locksmiths
If you are locked out of your car and have roadside assistance service such as AAA, call them first.

Research locksmith companies before you need them. Keep that information in your purse or wallet in the event you need such services in the future.

Get an estimate from the locksmith for all work and replacement parts before work begins.  Do not trust estimates given over the phone.

Ask for identification. Make sure you have a locksmith’s full name, the company name and contact information before agreeing to work. Reputable locksmiths should ask for your identification before accessing a vehicle or building.

Make sure the locksmith has insurance coverage in case there is damage to your home or vehicle.

Pay by credit card in the event you want to challenge the charge.

Contact the BBB for a company’s Business Review by calling 314-645-3300 or going to www.bbb.org.

How to Properly Dispose of a U.S. Flag

Read the U.S. History Flag Code

They will be sponsoring a fundraiser at Cowboy Pizza/Double Deuce Saloon in Imperial, MO. Saturday from 8 pm to Midnight, to cover the expense to compete in Orlando.