Colin Jeffery
HIGHLAND, Ill. (AP) - One of seven Marines killed last month during a Nevada training exercise is being remembered in his southwestern Illinois hometown as an inclusive person concerned for people.
The body of 26-year-old Cpl. Aaron Ripperda was laid to rest Wednesday after a funeral Mass at St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland, east of St. Louis.
The 2005 Highland High School graduate was killed March 18 when a mortar shell exploded in its firing tube at the sprawling Hawthorne Army Depot.
His father says his son expected to return home for good next month.
The Belleville News-Democrat (http://bit.ly/10rgMaZ) reports that Rev. Scott Snider told mourners that Ripperda is at peace, and "we look forward to the day when the warriors' work is done and the light of peace breaks across the world."
Biotech seeds fuel growth in Monsanto earnings
Wednesday, 03 April 2013 12:36 Published in Local NewsWASHINGTON (AP) - Monsanto says its net income increased 22 percent in the second quarter on strong sales of its biotech seeds.
The agricultural products company boosted its full-year earnings guidance, citing its strong performance in the first two quarters.
The St. Louis company says it earned $1.48 billion, or $2.74 per share in the three months ended Feb. 13. That compares to earnings of $1.21 billion, or $2.24 per share, a year ago.
Revenue climbed 15 percent to $5.47 billion.
Analysts polled by FactSet expected Monsanto to report earnings of $2.56 per share on sales of $5.27 billion in revenue for the quarter.
Monsanto has dominated the bioengineered-seed business for more than a decade. In recent years the company has focused on growing business in emerging markets like Argentina, Brazil and other Latin American countries.
Prosecutors: Metro east man used jobless benefits for Hooters' bill
Wednesday, 03 April 2013 11:56 Published in Local NewsEAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) - A southwestern Illinois businessman who prosecutors say was illegally using jobless benefits to pay tabs at a Hooters restaurant and a hotel in Costa Rica faces more federal charges.
A new indictment Tuesday added four counts against 58-year-old James Quirin of Sauget. Those alleged felonies include tax evasion and false filing.
Quirin's already facing eight counts related to his alleged theft of government money after investigators say he misused a debit card given to people collecting unemployment benefits. Authorities say Quirin charged his Hooters tab and hundreds of dollars in hotel expenses to the debit card in March 2010.
Quirin is accused of working for an excavating firm and fraudulently getting more than $44,000 in unemployment benefits.
A message was left Wednesday with his attorney, Ronald Jenkins.
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