Headlines and newscasts warned of gridlock, but drivers on Kingshighway these days say it’s less congested now than it was three months ago, before construction at Highway 40 started. According to Barnes Jewish Hospital, lane closures have been a “non-event.” Ambulance drivers say it’s easier now than before to get to the ER.

A similar non-event occured when Pope John Paul II visited St. Louis in 1999. News stories predicted the scene would be insanely crowded, but when the Popemobile finally made its way downtown there was only a handful of bystanders.

Did the media blow this issue out of proportion? Or…

After years of decline, Missouri highways are getting better. A report from the Reason Foundation released  today says the state’s road conditions rank 17th, compared to 38th in 2000. Illinois ranks 33rd, up from 35th in 2000. Missouri still fares poorly in bridges and fatalities.

With Highway 40 looking like an obstacle course right now it’s difficult to see any good in the local highways, but consider the state of Missouri as a whole: What improvements have you seen in the past seven years? Do you think Missouri deserves to be in the top third (almost)? Does it deserve to be ranked…

It’s been awhile since we’ve tested your poetry chops. In fact, we haven’t done it since December. Do you miss it?

We’ve had plenty of things to wax poetic about.

Aren’t you just dying to write something about the orange paint on the highway? Or the St. Louis School Board? How about the flooding Missouri River a few weeks ago? Or the merger of Wachovia and A.G. Edwards? How about the work that’s ramping up on Highway 40?

Yes, there’s been plenty of news in Our Town in the past few months.

You know how this works: Match your current events comments to the meter of…

Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock died in a collision on Highway 40 on April 29. His blood alcohol level was nearly twice what the law allows. Today, his family filed a lawsuit against Shannon’s Steaks and Seafood restaurant, where Hancock was seen drinking before the crash.

The suit also names manager, Patricia Shannon Van Matre, Eddie’s Towing and its driver, Jacob E. Hargrove, and the driver of the car Hargrove stopped to help, Justin Tolar, of Collinsville. Tolar’s car had struck a median wall shortly before Hancock came along.

According to our first story, the lawsuit says the restaurant, operated by Cardinals broadcaster…

In Monday’s story, Eads won’t close for festivals, we learn that St. Louis officials will keep traffic flowing this summer during its various events.

“We don’t want the public to perceive that we are uncaring as far as the traffic that is going to be caused by Highway 40 construction,” said Ann Chance, the city’s director of special events.

This summer, Live on the Levee events begin the first weekend of July and run through Aug. 4.

Vendors who in previous years set up on the bridge, will this year wind up on Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard along the riverfront or…