MLM Counties News. Notices. Need-to-know Information.

Former St. George Police Chief Scott Uhrig was found not guilty on July 7 of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter. The jury deliberated just under three hours in what was the second trial for Uhrig; the first one in January ended in a mistrial.

Sgt. Jason Grellner, commander of the Franklin County Narcotics Enforcement Unit, was hoping the statewide ban on the sale of products containing pseudoephedrine without a prescription would be approved, but the bill died in the Missouri Senate, after passing in the House 86-64 during the final week of the session. So Grellner has been traveling to communities in the state to encourage them to enact local ordinances to make pseudoephedrine available by prescription only.

A second trial began Wednesday in Jefferson County for the former police chief of a St. Louis County community. Scott Uhrig, 46, of Imperial, was charged in December 2009 with statutory sodomy and sexual misconduct involving a child under the age of 15. Although the St. George police department was disbanded in late 2008, the charges allege that the crimes took place while Uhrig was chief of the department.

Jefferson Regional Medical Center has named Dan Eckenfels as the chief financial officer. Eckenfels fills the vacancy created when Jim Muehlhauser was promoted to chief executive officer and president last October. Muehlhauser maintained the title of CFO following his promotion to CEO and president, until a replacement could be found. Steve Weiss, who had been providing financial consulting services to Jefferson Regional since 2003, expanded his services to provide additional support as the interim assistant CFO.

David Fugate made a last-ditch effort to defend himself, even after he was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the death of Michael Crutchfield last year. At the sentencing hearing Tuesday, Fugate said that he did not get a fair trial and was not well-represented by his attorneys

A Personnel Administration Program that includes a merit system was approved by the Jefferson County Council just prior to the July 1 deadline. The Charter states that the County Council must establish a merit system by ordinance prior to July 1.

A temporary restraining order was issued June 20 that will allow Samir Musleh of Magic Food Inc., known as Majik Market, to continue selling liquor at his store. The motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction was filed on June 16 by his attorney, Laurence G. Schmidt, after the store’s liquor license was revoked by the City of Festus.

Two Jefferson County men were sentenced in federal court for their roles in separate fraud schemes. On June 16, Joseph B. Van Gronigen, 41, of Hillsboro, was sentenced to 20 months in prison on mail fraud charges involving the embezzlement of approximately $500,000, from his employer, Cepia. Cepia is the Clayton-based company that makes the popular Zhu Zhu Pets.

Former Judge M. Edward Williams is teaming up with the law firm of Rosenblum, Schwartz, Rogers & Glass to open a satellite office in Hillsboro. Williams, who served as a judge in the 23rd Judicial Circuit for 16 years before retiring in December, will manage the new office at 401 First St. N. Scott Rosenblum had tried a lot of cases in Williams’ courtroom over the last few years and they got to be “pretty good friends,” Williams said.

John’s Butcher Shoppee in Festus is barred from selling certain kinds of meat under a preliminary injunction Jefferson County Circuit Judge Troy Cardona issued. Attorney General Chris Koster filed a lawsuit June 21 to stop the local meat processor from selling meat products that he alleges have been intentionally mislabeled and contain animal organs not allowed by state and federal law. In the civil suit, Koster is seeking full restitution for customers as well as penalties.

The city of Festus revoked the liquor license of a business after the owner of the store was arrested for soliciting prostitution. A June 8 administrative hearing before the Festus City Council seemed more like a court trial with witnesses, cross-examinations and a court reporter.