Many St. Louisans have been waiting for a decision in the court case involving Circuit Judge Robert H. Dierker and the city's red light camera program. Last week, a judge dismissed Dierker's efforts to have the case thrown out on constitutional grounds. Dierker had argued that red light cameras violate the constitution because they presume a person is guilty. Now, Dierker's case will go to trial to determine if there was a red light violation.

The ruling in the Dierker case is similar to a previous decision on red light cameras in Arnold. In July, a federal court found that Arnold's red light camera program is constitutional.

The drive from Chesterfield to Downtown and from Clayton to The Hill will get a whole lot easier in just a few weeks. The Missouri Department of Transportation announced that I-64/Highway 40 will reopen on December 7, 2009. That's actually a few weeks ahead of schedule. The five-mile stretch of the highway from I-170 to Kingshighway has been closed for nearly a year.

Dinosaurs are taking over the St. Louis Science Center. A new special exhibit Dinosaurs Unearthed opens on November 7, 2009. It features animatronic dinosaur models and five life-size skeletons including a 62-foot long Omeisaurus. The special exhibit also has realistic recreations of the habitats where dinosaurs lived millions of years ago.

General admission tickets for Dinosaurs Unearthed are $12.50 for adults and $10.50 for children. For Science Center members, tickets are $6.25 for adults and $5.25 for children.

Today is Election Day in St. Louis County. Residents are voting on several issues including a smoking ban that would prohibit smoking in most indoor public places. Voters are also deciding whether to approve a tax increase to pay for emergency communications equipment for police and firefighters. The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, check out the St. Louis County Board of Elections website.

St. Louis residents can get free firewood to help heat their homes this winter. Starting today, the St. Louis Parks Department is offering free firewood each work day after 3 p.m., at the lower parking lot of the Muny in Forest Park. The wood comes from trees removed from city streets and parks. It's available on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents are welcome to take as much as they need, but no commercial vehicles or trailers are permitted in the park. For more information, call the St. Louis Forestry Division at 314-613-7200.

The City Museum in Downtown St. Louis has a lot for your kids to do. They can check out circus acts, model trains, Toddler Town and more. But City Museum is also a good place to go without children. There are many unique exhibits that adults can enjoy including caves, vintage posters and other artwork. The museum is open until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. At 11 p.m., they turn off the lights and visitors can explore by flashlight.

The City Museum is located at 701 North 15th Street. General admission is $12 for anyone 3 and older. After 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, admission is $10. For more information, visit the City Museum website or call 314-231-2489.

The Board of Aldermen in St. Louis City recently passed a smoking ban by a vote of 20 to 7. The ban would prohibit smoking in indoor public places, but there are exemptions for casinos, tobacco stores and some hotel rooms. Bars less than 2,000 square feet would also be exempt for the first five years.

Okay, now here's the catch. The city smoking ban will go into effect in January 2011, but only if St. Louis County approves a similar ban. County residents will vote on the issue next week on the November 3 ballot.

Here's an idea if you're looking for a fun, safe way to celebrate Halloween with your kids. The St. Louis Mills Mall in Hazelwood is hosting a free Halloween party and costume contest on Friday, October 30, 2009. The party is for children ages eight and younger. There will be a Halloween story time, goody bags and costume contest. Registration starts at 9:15 a.m., and the party begins at 10 a.m. near Archivers.

Gold coins, jewels, family heirlooms. You'll find all kinds of treasure at the Missouri History Museum. The new exhibit Treasure! is all about the history of treasure hunting, from pirates on the high seas to the gold rush in the American West. See treasure hunting techniques from the past and learn how modern technology can help preserve antiques, heirlooms and other treasures today.

Treasure! is at the Missouri History Museum from October 18, 2009 through January 3, 2010. Admission to this special exhibit is $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. Children 12 and younger get in free.

Ozzie's Restaurant & Sports Bar at Westport may be closed, but you can still own a piece of it. There is an auction of the restaurant's equipment, furnishings and sports memorabilia this weekend.

The two-day auction begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 24. Items auctioned the first day will be equipment and furnishings, including more than 25 flat screen TVs, plus sound and DJ equipment. The auction of sports memorabilia, collectables and decor is Sunday, October 25, starting at 10 a.m.

BCL Auctioneers is conducting the auction. According to their website, there are more than 100 sports items up for bid including autographed jerseys and photos from Ozzie Smith, Kurt Warner, Troy Aikman and many others. For more information, check out the auction website.

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