They're Here...Ass Clowns of the Week, April 18-24

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There's no "I" in "ass clown" -- which is why this week's nominees all feature teams of candidates instead of any one individual. Because, you know, what they say: "It's easier to act a fool when you're surrounded by jokers."

Continue reading to see all four nominees and cast your vote. Back at you Monday with the results.

1. Hoodlums at Imagine College Preparatory High School: Police were called to the St. Louis City charter school for the eighth time in six months this week following a fight that ended with one student stabbed, two students arrested and four police, security and school officials injured in the melee.

2. Lee Enterprises: The owner of the Suburban Journals, which fired journalist Todd Smith last week. Smith gained notoriety in February 2008 when he was shot in the hand while covering the Kirkwood City Council during a meeting interrupted by gunman Cookie Thornton. Says Smith: "My family is obviously really not happy that I took a bullet for a business. But I guess in these economic times that isn't enough to save you."

3. Meramec-Arnold Elks: The philanthropic organization is up in arms after one of its members called police to report a fellow Elk driving home drunk from the lodge. The man is accused of breaking the coveted Elk creed: "When you're an Elk, what you see here, stays here. We police our own. You don't take things to the outside."

4. U.S. Fidelis: Owners of the Wentzville auto-warranty firm are under attack from the Better Business Bureau, several state attorneys general and the Missouri Department of Insurance for deceptive sales tactics. Meanwhile one of the owners of the company, Darain Atkinson, is building a $17-million home in Lake Saint Louis.