Memo 2/4

Economy ekes out small increase

The U.S. economy, jolted last fall by the terrorist attacks, managed to eke out a small increase in the final three months of the year in a surprising sign that the recession could be ending.

A 0.2 percent growth rate for the gross domestic product, the country's total output of goods and services, and other positive developments were enough to persuade the Federal Reserve to call a cease-fire Wednesday in its yearlong campaign to lower interest rates.

The Fed's decision left the federal funds rate, the interest that banks charge each other, unchanged at a 40-year-low of 1.75 percent, as it capped one of the most aggressive credit-easing campaigns in Fed history.

Conservation service gets certificate of merit

The Scott County Field Office of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service was presented a Certificate of Merit Award during the NRCS annual awards ceremony Dec. 5, 2001, in Jackson, Mo. This award was presented by State Conservationist Roger A. Hansen. The Natural Resources Conservation Service helps landowners plan management systems that protect their natural resources.

Government creates hoax Web sites

Bogus Web sites offering investment opportunities in phantom companies are popping up on the Internet in a government effort to point out the risks of online investing.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has created three hoax Web sites, mimicking a technique used by the con artists whom federal regulators want to stop.

Susan Wyderko, who runs the SEC's investor education office, said the trick Web sites are a legitimate and ethical approach. She said people would not be prosecuted for similar deceptive techniques as long as no fraudulent requests for money were made.

McWhortle Enterprises, the one fake company the SEC identified, touts a "Bio-Hazard Alert Detector." It is described as a battery-powered device that fits in a jacket pocket and beeps and flashes in the presence of all known biohazards, including anthrax.

Local AmerenUE receives Eagle Award

AmerenUE's Southeast District received the Eagle Award for the best overall safety performance over the past year. Ameren's president and chief operating officer Gary Rainwater, senior vice president Tom Voss, and Vice President Bill Carr presented the award to the Southeast District Joint Safety Team Jan. 15 at Ameren's annual regional safety meeting in Columbia, Mo.

The Eagle Award is based on a number of performance factors -- only one of which is success in reducing or maintaining a low frequency of injuries and accidents. Other factors include effectiveness of the district safety organization, employee involvement and management support for the safety program. Southeast District has made significant reductions in the number of injuries and accidents in their district since 1995, and in 2001 did not sustain a lost workday injury or a preventable motor vehicle accident.

"We are very pleased to receive this award," said Southeast manager Doug Groesbeck. "Our employees and safety team worked hard to improve their safety performance and I am happy to see them receive this special recognition."

Southeast District is one of nine operating districts within Ameren's Missouri regional service area. Southeast District personnel serve over 60,000 electric customers and 21,000 natural gas customers in the Southeast Missouri area.

Excelsior Optimist Club to hold round-up luncheon

The Excelsior Optimist Club of Cape Girardeau is having a spring round-up for new members from noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 27 at Cedar Street Restaurant in Cape Girardeau. The Excelsior Optimist Club is a women's service club that meet's every Wednesday at noon at Cedar Street. Programs that the club provides are girls basketball, leadership for the Cape Girardeau school system's drug and alcohol prevention program Project Charlie, Christmas party for Teen Challenge, and others. Those interested in attending the luncheon should contact Jana Jateff at (573) 651-4103.

-- From staff, wire reports