January 2014 – Page 2 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Emergency services shut down at Topeka VA Hospital

Posted on January 31, 2014

(AP) — The Veterans Health Administration has ordered emergency services suspended at a Topeka VA hospital while procedures and staffing are reviewed.

The VA announced the suspension Friday at the Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center. The hospital will continue to operate as an urgent care clinic while federal officials review its policies, procedures and staffing.

Veterans reporting to the hospital will be given appropriate care but officials are advising veterans with a major medical emergency to call 911. VA officials say they have contacted Topeka hospitals to ensure veterans can get emergency care when needed.

Sen. Jerry Moran, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, called the decision “outrageous.” He says the Veterans Administration has failed to address a long-standing shortage of medical personnel at its hospitals.

Former GOP Speaker hired as Union Lobbyist

Posted on January 31, 2014

(AP) – One of Missouri’s largest labor organizations has hired a former Republican House Speaker as a lobbyist.

The Missouri AFL-CIO hired Steve Tilley this week as the labor organization prepares to combat “right to work” measures this year. The legislation would prohibit labor contracts from requiring that all employees pay union fees.

Tilley was first elected to the House in 2004 and became Speaker in 2011. While in that office he shied away from “right to work” and said it was not part of his agenda.

He left the House in 2012 to become a lobbyist when term limits barred him from seeking re-election.

“Right to work” is a top priority this year of House Speaker Tim Jones, Tilley’s successor. Jones says Missouri needs the policy to compete for jobs.

Winter Weather Prompts School Schedule Changes

Posted on January 31, 2014January 31, 2014

Winter weather is prompting some schedule changes in our area. (We will refresh this list as more information comes in, so please refresh this post) Here’s the latest list:

Cainsville R-1 Closing Early 12:50 pm

Gallatin R-5 Closing Early 1 pm

North Davies R-3 Closing Early 1:15 pm

North Harrison (Eagleville) Closing Early 12:40 pm

North Nodaway R-6 (Hopkins and Pickering) Normal Hours
Varsity Girls BB game with NEN will begin at 5:00 tonight – JV cancelled

Pattonsburg R-2 Closing Early 1:15 pm

Ridgeway R-5 Closing Early 12:30 pm

South Harrison R-II (Bethany) Closing Early 1 pm

Winston R-6 Afternoon Pre-school Canceled.
Homecoming Game & Danced will be rescheduled.

~Missouri Driver’s License Exam-St Joseph Normal Hours
WRITTEN TESTS ONLY-NO ROAD TEST

Snow And Ice Cause Traffic Problems

Posted on January 31, 2014January 31, 2014

Local authorities are specifically warning you away from two stretches of highway in St Joseph, but you will likely want to avoid driving anywhere in the area.

A winter storm continued to drop snow on St Joe by 11am.

The St Joseph Police Department is warning motorists away from two specific problem areas:

*Northbound I-29, south of Frederick between mile markers 39 and 42 is the site of several slide-off accidents.

*(UPDATE) An accident on westbound US-36 highway at South 10th, at the south curves,has been cleared. The roadway is now open (12:38pm)

A dispatcher with the Missouri State Highway Patrol says there are snow-related problems all over the area, and said if you don’t have to drive today, you probably shouldn’t.

MU Pulling Out of KC’s Innovation Park

Posted on January 31, 2014

(AP) – The University of Missouri is pulling out as the main tenant of a proposed “innovation park” in suburban Kansas City to allow the university to streamline its operations in Jackson County.

The proposed Missouri Innovation Park in Blue Springs was expected to create a business park focusing on science technology and research, possibly attracting dozens of companies.

Nothing has been done on the project since Blue Springs spent $2.3 million on 24 acres for the project, which began in 2008.

The university announced Thursday that it will vacate leased space at the site by September.

Blue Springs officials and promoters say they will redefine the goals of the project

Missouri Western’s baseball series at Harding canceled this weekend

Posted on January 31, 2014

The Missouri Western baseball opening series scheduled for this weekend in Searcy, Ark. against Harding University has been canceled due to the very poor weather forecast.

The series will not be made up.

The Griffons will hope to open their 2014 schedule next weekend in Russellville, Ark. against the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys.

The two teams will play doubleheaders on Saturday, Feb. 8 and Sunday, Feb. 9. First pitch for both days is scheduled for 1:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Man pleads guilty to manslaughter in Kansas death

Posted on January 31, 2014

(AP) — A man whose first conviction in a 1999 death in Topeka was overturned pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter.

Russell Lee Shumway was scheduled for a March trial for second-degree murder in the death of 28-year-old Mitchell Davis at his Topeka home in October 1999.

Prosecutors say Davis was beaten with a 2-by-4 after he woke up while Shumway and another man trying to steal from him.

Shumway’s first conviction in 2000 was overturned last year by the Kansas Court of Appeals, over questions about the credibility of prosecution witnesses, claims of ineffective counsel and because no physical evidence tied Shumway to the slaying.

Shumway has been in prison since his conviction.

KCK man dies after being hit by car on interstate

Posted on January 31, 2014

(AP) — Kansas Highway Patrol troopers are investigating the death of a pedestrian who was hit by a car as he tried to cross Interstate 435 in Shawnee.

The patrol says 26-year-old Shaun P. Robinson, of Kansas City, Kan., was walking west trying to cross the highway when he was hit Thursday night.

The driver stopped after the collision.

The patrol is working to determine why Robinson was on the highway.

Obituaries for January 31, 2014

Posted on January 31, 2014January 31, 2014

ST. JOSEPH – Margie A. Turner, 77, passed away Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at Carriage Square Health Care Center.
Margie was born on March 7, 1936 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to Homer Patrick and Dorothy (Kettring) Keairnes. Margie was a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University and received her Master’s Degree from University of Southeast Missouri State University. She later worked for the Buchanan County and Maryville R-2 School Districts as a school teacher.
She was a member of Wyatt Park Christian Church and MSTA. Margie was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Robert Patrick Keairnes.
Surviving family includes daughter, Beth Sue (Mark) Wharton, Blue Springs, Mo.; sons, Thomas Scott (Kimberly) Turner, of Liberty, Mo.; and Mike (Janet) Turner, Parkville, Mo.; and seven grandchildren.
Services 11:30 a.m., Saturday at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at our chapel.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Hands of Hope Hospice or to Wyatt Park Christian Church.

ST. JOSEPH – Alva L. “Sonny” Angst, 78, died Thursday, January 30, 2014 at Heartland Regional Medical Center.
He was born August 17, 1935 to Albert and Iva (Wheeler) Angst. He married Barbara Stevenson, May 26, 1951.
Sonny worked at Crouch Brothers and Mid America Truck lines. He also owned and operated Same Day Service Delivery Service and Southside Glass Repair. Sonny was a member of Lake Avenue Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. He enjoyed auctions, antiquing, bowling, and coaching softball and basketball.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Larry Angst; and sister, Mary Troeh.
Survivors: wife; children, Deborah Wilson (Steve) and Rick Angst; grandchildren, Dana Smith (Nick), Derek Wilson (Jennifer), Rick Angst (Brenda) and Ericka Frieden (Dustin); great-grandchildren, Chloe Soehren, Ethan Angst, Chase Frieden, and Max Smith; brother-in-law, Ronnie Stevenson; and sister-in-law, Linda Avery.
Memorial Service: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, February 2, 2014, Lake Avenue Baptist Church. Care provided by Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com

ST. JOSEPH – Leona Christine “Tina” Swigart, 51, died Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at her home.
She was born May 25, 1962 to Oscar Mattson and Leona (Miller) Mattson. She enjoyed fishing, reading, dancing, and county music. She was a free spirit and cared very much for her family. She lived life on her terms and left on her terms.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors: daughters, Nikki and Heather Swigart; five brothers, Marvin (Mary), Melvin (Martha), Eddie (Debbie), and Ralph (Janice) Harness, and Kevin Hamilton; three sisters, Judy Thompson (Tommy), Mary Ann Wright (Gary), and Heidi Burkhart (Frank); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life to be held at a later time. Care provided by Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Hands of Hope Hospice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Willa Ilene Parsley, 76, passed away Wednesday January 29, 2014 at a Kansas City hospital. She was born July 4, 1937 in St. Joseph. She attended Lafayette high school. She retired from J.C. Penny from the credit and catalog department. She enjoyed camping, gardening and Christmas time and loved her little Yorkie Chewie. Willa was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Parsley; father, Melvin Poage; mother, Lucille Russell; step-father, Burt Russell; grandson, Kodi Parsley; two sisters Phyllis Willmore and Candace Wolfe; and daughter-in-law, Candida Parsley.
She is survived by daughter, Julie (Carl) Dreier of Agency, Mo.; son, Brian Parsley; grandchildren, Kelli, Josh, Nicholas and Fiance, Charlie Leach, Johnathan, and Heidi; great grandchildren, Haley, Aidan, Hunter, Caleb and Abby; sister-in-law, Betty (Marvin) Kempf; brother-in-law, John Wolfe.
She will be cremated under the care of Rupp Funeral Home.There are no scheduled visitation or memorial services at this time. Memorials are requested to the Willa Parsley memorial fund in care of Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

CAMERON, Mo. – Mary Lou Stevens, 82, died Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at Cameron Nursing and Rehab, Cameron.
She was born November 19, 1931 to George Earl and Addie Ellen (Winford) Burton in Lonestar, Ark. She married Chuck Stevens. He preceded her in death.
Mrs. Stevens was a member of the Missouri Cremation Service. Online guestbook and obituary at www.missouricremation.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Tommy Dennis Thompson, 46, passed away Friday, January 31, 2014 at his home. He was born October 2, 1967 in St. Joseph. He graduated from Benton High School. He was working at MFA Feeds in St. Joseph in the maintenance department. He married Bobbie Blanton on June 18, 1994 and she survives of the home. He enjoyed working on cars, and fixing everything. He will be sadly missed by all his family; many friends; and his dogs, Dandy, Smokey and Willy. He was a Catholic.
Tommy was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Ruth and Charles “Chuck” Thompson; maternal grandparents, Edgar and Peggy Presnell.
Survivors include, wife, Bobbie Thompson of the home; his mother, Barbara Maddox and husband Raymond (Sonny) Maddox of St. Joseph; his father, Tommy A Thompson and wife Judy of St. Joseph; his daughter, Amanda Blanton; two brothers, Michael (Sarah) Harris-Maddox and Raymond Maddox; a sister, LeAnn Maddox; mother-in-law, Betty Blanton; father-in-law, Floyd Blandon; sisters and brother in laws, Debbie and Mike Gillispie, Billy and Terry Verbick, and Richard and Sue Blanton; aunts, Penny Miller and Sandra Kay Dugger; uncles, Rick Presnell and Lawrence Presnell; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Monday, February 3, 2014 at Rupp Funeral Home with David Mejia officiating. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to a Charity of the donors choice. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

Outdoor Reading Space for Parkway Elementary

Posted on January 31, 2014

Parkway Elementary school recently received a $5,000 Lowe’s “Toolbox for Education” grant to build an outdoor reading garden for their school. The “Toolbox for Education” grant is a national grant through Lowe’s, awarded for permanent facilities enhancement and landscaping projects that encourage community involvement.

Laura Stites, a fifth grade teacher at Parkway, worked closely with the Parkway PTA to make this grant a reality. Stites was approached by the PTA President and Vice President last fall to help write the grant.

“When I saw ‘reading garden’ in the list of sample projects on the site, I said ‘I’m in!’” said Stites. “We have such a beautiful location here at Parkway, and we had been looking to do something for the outside of our building that would help beautify and update our school.”

Parkway plans to convert a large median in front of the school into the outdoor reading area. Currently, the median is grass with a few trees and bushes. A committee formed of staff and PTA members will be working to design the median for multi-purpose use.

“We want it to be a functional space,” said Stites. “We don’t want it to sit empty, because that’s what it does now. For most of the year we’ll have another space where teachers can take kids to do outdoor science experiments or have reading time.”

Stites hopes to get the whole school and the community involved. “Our Lowes in town has already been awesome about contacting us to get involved. We hope to involve our students through the student council, and we plan to reach out to the community and get them involved, too. We want to make it fun for the community.”

The school plans to begin work on the area in the spring, once plans are finalized, with the goal of finishing work by the start of school in the fall.