What The Hell Was That Object Next To The Moon?

A few weeks ago, I saw an extremely bright object next to the moon. I look at the sky every night and have never seen this object before and haven't seen it since. It was not a plane, it did not move and it was by far the brightest object/star in the sky x100. The moon was in the west/southwest sky that night from St. Louis, where I'm at. Did anyone else see this? What was it? I think it may have also been related to this:

[link to uk.news.yahoo.com]

I really wish I would have examined it further and posted about it that night, I wish I knew the date in question. But, I do know if any of you saw it that night, you will know exactly what Im' talking about. I know I probably won't get much for answers, but why not try.