Overheard

A growing number of airplanes that bounce between Springfield and St. Louis for maintenance work is the impetus for American Eagle Airlines’ return of its daily nonstop flights between the cities. Beginning April 10, the airline will put up to 37 passengers on the regional jets that receive service work at American’s 76-employee Springfield maintenance facility at Springfield-Branson National Airport. American had offered the route to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport through contract carrier Trans States Airlines until last June, when it discontinued the service because of low demand, according to airport officials.

On the Air

Longtime Springfield radio professional Curt Brown will host a Sunday morning talk show on KADI 1340 AM. Sunday Morning Chat Room – Live with Curt Brown will air 7–9 a.m. Brown was general manager for 31 years of Springfield’s KTTS, where he was a 10-time honoree of Missouri Broadcasters Association’s Best Editorial of the Year, Statewide. He also co-founded Springfield Advertising Club.

Minimum Wage Review

A Missouri Senate committee has amended Senate Bill 255 to form a joint committee to study the effects of Missouri’s recent minimum wage increase on the state’s economy. SB 255 reinstates federal standards for overtime wages. The Senate Committee on Small Business Insurance and Industrial Relations added language to the bill that creates the Joint Committee on Minimum Wage. It will be made up of five senators – three Republicans and two Democrats – and five members of the House of Representatives – also three Republicans and two Democrats. The committee is to issue a formal report by Dec. 31. Missouri voters in November approved a minimum hourly wage increase from $5.15 to $6.50. The increase took effect Jan. 1.

More goodwill stories following the Jan. 12–14 ice storm:

• Commerce Bank and the nonprofit William T. Kemper Foundation donated $5,000 to Convoy of Hope, which has spent more than $200,000 in ice-storm disaster response efforts. “We are pleased to be able to support the good work of Convoy of Hope in assisting those in their need to cope with the aftermath of the ice storm and the many challenges they face,” said Bob Hammerschmidt, president of Commerce’s Springfield region, in a news release.

• National and local Christian music artists are putting on a benefit concert and live auction to raise aid for people affected by the storm. A Shelter From the Storm is slated for Feb. 16 at Remington’s, 1655 W. Republic Road. Tickets are $10 at the door, and concertgoers are asked to bring canned food items. Convoy of Hope is the primary beneficiary of the evening, which includes performances by Caleb Rowden, Jill Parr, Air5, Justin Long Band and Jamie Koppang. Items donated by Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Candy Coburn and others will be auctioned off between performances. More information is at www.myspace.com/ashelterfromthestorm.