January 2014 – Page 18 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Kansas State baseball ranked in preseason Top 25 for first time

Posted on January 27, 2014

For the first time in program history, the K-State baseball team has been ranked in the Perfect Game and Baseball America preseason Top 25 polls. The Wildcats are ranked No. 22 in both polls, which is the highest K-State has ever been ranked in any preseason rankings.

The Wildcats have now been placed in three preseason polls entering the 2014 campaign after coming in at No. 28 in the Collegiate Baseball preseason Fab 40, which was released in December. The No. 28 ranking by Collegiate Baseball was at the time the best the Wildcats had ever been ranked in a preseason poll.

After winning the Big 12 title and advancing to the program’s first Super Regional, K-State finished the 2013 season No. 13 in Baseball America’s final poll and No. 14 in Perfect Game’s final season rankings. The Wildcats return 19 letterwinners from last year’s squad, including five starting position players and eight pitchers.

K-State, one of four different Big 12 teams to be ranked in Baseball America’s or Perfect Game’s preseason rankings, is the highest ranked Big 12 team in the Perfect Game polls. Texas (27-24 record in 2013) is ranked No. 18 and No. 25 by Baseball America and Perfect Game, respectively, while TCU (29-28 in 2013) is No. 19 in the Baseball America poll. Oklahoma State (41-19 in 2013) is ranked No. 23 by Perfect Game.

The Wildcats start the 2014 campaign in less than three week when they kick off an eight-game, 10-day road trip with a series at Cal Poly from Friday, Feb. 14 to Sunday, Feb. 16. K-State’s first home game at Tointon Family Stadium is on Friday, Feb. 28 against Milwaukee at 3 pm. Season tickets are available and can be purchased by calling 1-800-221-CATS, visiting kstatesports.com/tickets, or by going to the K-State Athletics Ticket Office at Bramlage Coliseum.

— KSU Sports Information —

KU’s Wiggins named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week

Posted on January 27, 2014

Kansas freshman Andrew Wiggins has been chosen the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week in a vote by a media panel which covers the league, the conference announced Monday.

Wiggins is recognized for the second time as top rookie and his award marks the eighth weekly honor for KU in 2013-14.

Wiggins had two double-figure scoring efforts as the Jayhawks extended their win streak to six games with victories over Baylor (78-68) and at TCU (91-69). The Vaughan, Ontario, Canada, guard averaged 22.0 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 55.0 percent.

He opened the week with 17 points against the Bears, including 11 points in the second half. Wiggins was then the main catalyst versus the Frogs with a career-best 27 points, including 19 in the first half. He also made 19-of-22 (.864) from the free throw line on the week and leads all Big 12 freshmen in scoring with 15.8 points per game.

— KU Sports Information —

Freightquote bringing jobs to KC area

Posted on January 27, 2014

(AP) — A freight-shipping broker plans to hire 400 workers this year in Kansas City.

Freightquote, which used incentives to move from Lenexa, Kan., to Kansas City last year, currently employs 1,000 people.

The firm moved into its new headquarters in south Kansas City after receiving a state and city incentive package valued at $64.3 million over 23 years.

In return for the incentives, Freightquote pledged to grow to 1,350 employees by 2016.

Kansas Fire district treasurer pleads in embezzlement case

Posted on January 27, 2014

(AP) — A former treasurer of a rural Kansas fire district has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $425,000 from the district and has agreed to pay the money back.

Richard Bontrager of Holton pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of embezzlement. He admitted that from 2008 to 2012 he stole money from the Mayetta fire district by issuing checks with forged signatures to a fictitious company and depositing the money into his account.

The 67-year-old also admitted falsifying loan documents obligating the fire district to make monthly lease payments on a Polaris Ranger and 1988 Chevrolet 1-ton brush truck.

Prosecutors have said the thefts left the district unable to pay its bills.

He faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine when he’s sentenced April 14.

Efforts Continue to Spare Smulls

Posted on January 27, 2014

(AP) – Attorneys for condemned inmate Herbert Smulls are pressing on with concerns about Missouri’s execution drug, even as the state prepares for its third execution since November.

Smulls is scheduled to die by injection one minute after midnight Wednesday for killing St. Louis County jeweler Stephen Honickman in 1991. On Sunday, attorneys for Smulls filed a motion with U.S. District Court. It alleges that the state’s refusal to name the compounding pharmacy that makes Missouri’s execution drug prohibits them from proving that the execution method could cause pain and suffering for the inmate.

His attorneys have also asked for clemency from Gov. Jay Nixon.

St. Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch says Smulls callously planned the killing, and deserves to be executed for the crime.

Alliance Formed To Boost Saint Joseph Workforce

Posted on January 27, 2014

A Saint Joseph Workforce Development Alliance will coordinate training and education initiatives to support a prepared and engaged workforce.

The Alliance is a group effort by the Saint Joseph Chamber of Commerce, Saint Joseph School District, Hillyard Technical Center, Missouri Western State University, the United Way, and local businesses.

Chamber President and CEO Patt Lilly says the Chamber keeps hearing about the need for an educated and skilled workforce for jobs today and in the future. He says these key organizations working together will put the focus on what’s needed to fill the gaps in workforce development.

Obituaries for January 27, 2014

Posted on January 27, 2014January 27, 2014

BUTLER, Mo. – Ronald Lee Oliphant Sr., 69, passed away Saturday, January 25, 2014 at his home. He was born May 21, 1944 in San Francisco, Calif. He attended Lafayette High School, and worked for the Teamsters Union as a heavy machine driver.
Ronald was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Essex Oliphant; mother, Esther Lorene Miller; and a brother, Don Oliphant. Survivors include two sons, Ron Oliphant Jr. and wife Michelle of Butler; and Ryan Oliphant of Saint Joseph; four grandsons, Dylan Oliphant, Jason Mauzey, Sean Oliphant and Chad Oliphant; a granddaughter, Miranda Oliphant; and five great-grandchildren, Ryan, Chad Jr., Madison Traice, and Tristan.
Graveside funeral services and interment will be conducted on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at 2 p.m., at the Ashland Cemetery, There is no scheduled family visitation, friends may call to sign the register after 10 a.m., Monday at Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

ST. JOSEPH – Charlotte M. Parr, 66, formerly of Michigan for 18 years, died Friday, January 24, 2014 at her home.
She was born July 5, 1947 to Bert and Lucille (McCoy) Barnes in St. Joseph. She married Dean Parr on August 30, 1963. He survives of the home.
Charlotte was co-owner of DGS Total Range LTD. She was a member of St. James Catholic Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, George Barnes; and daughter-in-law, Cynthia L. Parr.
Survivors: husband, Dean Parr; three children, Tammy VanSullen (Tim), Port Huron, Mich., J.D. Parr, Fort Leonardwood, Mo., and Rhonda Collins (Joey), St. Joseph; sister, Dixie Jordan, St. Joseph; brother, Leon Barnes, Gallatin, Mo.; seven grandchildren, Christopher, Shawn, Jeremy, Cassie, Felicia, Ashley and Jamie; six great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Patsy L. Miller, St. Joseph; numerous nieces and nephews; and close friend, Vickie Rohwer.
Services: 10 a.m., Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory where friends may call after 5 p.m., Tuesday. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Sarah Ellen Morris, 90, formerly of DeKalb, Mo., passed away Sunday, January 26, 2014 at a local health care facility.
Sarah was born March 5, 1923 to William and Emma Cozad Stubbs in Camden Point, Mo. She grew up in Camden Point and Edgerton, Mo., areas, attending Edgerton High School.
On February 14, 1950, she married Wilbur “Sonny” Morris in Elwood, Kan., and resided in St. Joseph later moving to DeKalb in 1965, where she resided for most of her life and was a member of DeKalb Christian Church. Sarah worked several years for Standard Brand and was also a homemaker and enjoyed working outdoors.
In 1982 she was preceded in death by her husband, Sonny. Also preceding her in death are her parents and nine siblings, Gilbert, Garland, Clifford, David, James and Val Jean Stubbs, Henry and Frank Bressman, and Berthy Hershley.
Survivors include two children, James (Theresa) Morris, of DeKalb and Valleria (Marvin) Steele, of St. Joseph; brother, Robert Stubbs, of West Plains, Mo.; sisters, Maxine Deatherage and Bessie Frisbie, both of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Jordan and Cody Steele and Derek Cook, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday at Clark-Sampson Funeral Home with interment following in Westlawn Cemetery, DeKalb.
Visitation will be after 3 p.m. today, at Clark-Sampson Funeral Home where family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association or Hands of Hope Hospice.
Online obituary and condolences at www.clarksampson.com

ST. JOSEPH – Raymond C. Bernard, 77, passed away Saturday, January 25, 2014 in St. Joseph hospital. He was born March 18, 1936 in St. Josep, son of Josephine and Augustine Bernard. He worked at St. Joseph Structural Steel and Central States Supply. He was a Christian. Raymond was preceded in death by his wife, Vera Mae Bernard; a son, Raymond Bernard Jr.; a brother, Nate Bernard; and two sisters, Angel Orozco, and Margaret Potter.
Survivors include, six daughters, Tammy Hawkins, Brenda Allman, Rachelle Bernard, Frances Bernard, Ramona McDaniel and Carla Bernard; a step-son, Robert Funk Jr.; and two step-daughters, Penny Canchola and Vickie Funk; 29 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; three brothers, Alex, Hector and Willy Bernard; eight sisters, Luisa Vasquez, Honoracia “Lulu” Young, Nazaria “Sadie” Crail, Rose Devinney, Julia Barnes, Virginia Blythe, Susanna Bernard and Paula Deets.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Pastor Rob Diamond officiating, The family will receive friends from 9 to 11 a.m., on Wednesday at Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Mount Olivet Cemetery at a later date. Memorials are requested to the Raymond Bernard Memorial fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

Legislation proposed to name St. Jo highway for Cronkite

Posted on January 27, 2014January 27, 2014

(AP) — A proposal to name part of a highway in St. Joseph after late television news icon Walter Cronkite is expected to go before a joint transportation committee in the Missouri Legislature this week.

The effort is being promoted by Missouri Western State University, where a display tracing the native St. Joseph journalist’s life and career opened in November. The proposal has the required endorsement of at least 100 people.

An application will be presented Tuesday at a hearing of the Missouri General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight. That panel will decide on the issue, rather than a vote of all state lawmakers.

All members of St. Joseph’s statehouse delegation are sponsoring the application, including Rep. Delus Johnson, whose district includes Missouri Western.

Students upset that university stops project

Posted on January 27, 2014

(AP) — Some Missouri State University students who worked for more than a year on a solar project are disappointed that school officials have stalled the project.

The students spent 18 months devising a way to put solar panels on top of Meyer Library on the Springfield campus. It was approved by student groups and was to be paid for with funds from a $2 per semester student sustainability fee.

The Springfield News-Leader reports (http://sgfnow.co/1fq8g2m ) the school’s Planning, Design and Construction Department stopped the project by making changes that greatly increased the cost. The main disagreement was over how to install the panels to the library’s roof.

One of the students, Shane Franklin, plans to meet with the university’s architect in February to see if the project can revived.

Agency launches $380K problem gambling effort

Posted on January 27, 2014January 27, 2014

(AP) — A Kansas agency is collaborating with other groups to launch a $380,000 problem gambling campaign aimed at raising public awareness and helping addicts receive treatment.

The program announced Monday is called “Know Your Limits” and is using television, radio and social media sites to spread the word statewide.

Shawn Sullivan, head of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, said the campaign was part of $1.3 million the state was spending on problem gambling issues.

Sullivan said the agency’s research indicates that most problem gamblers also suffer from other addictions, such as alcohol, drugs or tobacco use.

Last year, 118 people were treated for problem gambling through programs offered by the state agency. Funds for the programs are provided by state-owned casinos.