January 2014 – Page 39 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Study: Nearly half of black men arrested by age 23

Posted on January 20, 2014

(AP) — Nearly half of black men and 40 percent of white men are arrested at least once on non-traffic-related crimes by the time they turn 23. That’s according to a new study.

The estimates published this month by criminologists at the University of South Carolina and the University at Albany didn’t rely on arrest records but on an annual federal survey of 7,000 young people who answered questions from 1997 to 2008.

The authors found that by age 18, 30 percent of black men, 26 percent of Hispanic men and 22 percent of white men have been arrested.

By 23, those numbers climb to 49 percent for black men, 44 percent for Hispanic men and 38 percent for white men.

Obituaries for January 20, 2014

Posted on January 20, 2014January 20, 2014

ST. JOSEPH – David Gene “Bunkie” DeSpain, Sr., 78, passed peacefully into Heaven on Thursday, January 16, 2014 surrounded by his family at home where he wanted to be.
David fell head over heels with Barbara Joanne (Slater) DeSpain, the love of his life and they shared 60 years together. She survives of the home. In April 1952 at the age of 17, David enlisted in the Marine Corp. and proudly served his country during the Korean War. During his military career he received the National Defense Medal, United States Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Expert Rifleman Medal, Expert Marksman Medal, and a prestigious Presidential Unit Citation. He was honorably discharged in April 1955.
David attended Northwest Missouri State University receiving degrees in business management and pre-law. David worked in the management profession until his retirement in 1988. He was a trouble shooter and innkeeper for the Holiday Inn Hotel chain for several years, was the first manager of the Bode Ice Arena, and the last manager for the Hotel Roubidoux. Upon his retirement, he opened the Collector’s Emporium which specialized in antiques and collectables with his son David Jr.
His hobbies included jewelry making, watching British mysteries, collecting stamps and coins, going to the casino, eating at Cracker Barrel, traveling, and holding hands with his wife. David loved the holidays and enjoyed having the responsibility of baking the pumpkin pies on Thanksgiving. He was teased about burning them and looked forward to it every year.
David loved his family and they were the most important thing to him. He made sure every day that they knew it. He had ways of making every family member feel special in their own individual way.
He would call his children and grandchildren on their birthdays to sing happy birthday and would do so in the worst out of tune singing voice he could. He never missed a birthday and even added some because he enjoyed it so much.
He enjoyed spending time with his family and highlighted that with adventures of hunting for the Keeblers and Goonie Rabbit with his grandchildren. David taught his family many life lessons one of which was to appreciate the importance of Pogiebait (junk food).
He was preceded in death by his parents, David Lewis and Reva Margaret (Sebille) DeSpain; two brothers, Alfred “Sonny” DeSpain and Richard “Dick” DeSpain; and son, Christopher Lee.
Survivors: wife; sons, David Gene Jr., Mark Scott, and Michael Charles (Leslie); daughters, Cynthia Susan Martin (Mike) and Elizabeth Anne White; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; great-great-granddaughter; his baby sister, Audrey Marie Colwell; several nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Virginia DeSpain; brother-in-laws, Richard Slater (Janet) and John Forest; and his buddy, Admiral, his pug.
Services: 1 p.m., Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment Helena Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory, where friends may call after 5 p.m. Monday. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to the Noyes Home. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com

TRENTON, Mo. – Kathryn (Kay) Louise Collins Watkins, 85, joined the Lord surrounded by her family January 18, 2014. Born to Arthur and Mildred Collins (Elliott) on the family farm east of Trenton, Missouri, she graduated from Trenton High School in 1946 and attended Fayette College in Fayette, Mo.
Kay married Louis (Lou) C. Watkins of Trenton on January 26, 1947. To this union were born seven children: Greg (Gayle), Hurst, Texas; David (Linda), Blaine, Minn.; Mark (Carol), Maryville; Linda Akins, Maryville; Lori Wymore (Mark), Liberty, Mo., Lisa Watkins, Maryville, Missouri; and Lanette Grubb (Jeff), St. Joseph.
After they married they moved to Maryville, where Louis graduated from Northwest Missouri State Teachers College. In 1948 they moved to Newton, Iowa, where Kay was the organist at the First Baptist Church. They moved to Maryville in 1957 where they opened Watkins True Value Hardware.
Kay’s love for the Lord led her to assume many active roles in her church. She was the local area president of the Women’s Missionary Union, leader of the Girls in Action, vacation Bible school leader, Sunday school teacher, pianist and organist, and organizer of the International Students Banquet. She also assumed the role of Den Mother for the local Cub Scouts. While doing all of these things she also supported Lou working in the hardware.
Kay always had an open heart and an open home to the family and the community, providing a constant Christ-like example to those around her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Richard Collins, and son-in-law Gary Kirtley.
She is survived by her husband Lou; seven children; 55 grandchildren; 65 great-grandchildren; and brother, Donald and his wife Dee.
Visitation is Tuesday, January 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Maryville. Funeral Services are 1 p.m. Wednesday, January 22, also at the church. Burial is in the Rural Dale Cemetery, Trenton. In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to the Building Fund at First Baptist Church, Maryville.

ST. JOSEPH – Donna Jean Dennis, 56, passed away Saturday, January 18, 2014 in Saint Joseph, at a St. Joseph Hospital. She was born November 27, 1957 in St. Joseph, daughter of Betty Ann and Fred Dennis Sr.
She graduated from Lafayette High School and was working at Hillshire Farms (formerly Sara Lee). She enjoyed taking care of people, and was a Christian. Donna was preceded in death by her parents; a great nephew, Ethan Swett; a great niece, Baylee Martin; and two brother-in-laws, Ronnie Parton, and Earl Vandgrift.
Survivors include, two brothers, Fred Dennis Jr. and wife Cindy of Rosendale, Mo., and David W. Dennis of St. Joseph; five sisters, Virginia Grippando and husband David, Phyllis Wood, and husband Robert all of St. Joseph; Eva May Wood and husband Frank, Neva Kay Vandgrift all of Clarksdale; and Kathy Edwards and husband Tommie of St. Joseph; close friends, Bill and Maureen Reid of St. Joseph; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., on Tuesday with a funeral service to be conducted at 7 p.m., on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at Rupp Funeral Home. The Inurnment will be at the Ashland Cemetery Friday. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

ST. JOSEPH – Regina Joan Erickson, 76, passed away Sunday, January 19, 2014 in a St. Joseph health care center. She was born March 11, 1937 in St. Joseph, daughter of Musetta and John Erickson. She was a member of St. James Catholic Church. Regina was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Rose Gosney.
Survivors include four nieces, Cindy Clements of Barnard, Mo., Annie Gosney of St. Joseph, Debbie Sullivan of Liberty, Mo., and Terri Joyce of Union, Mo.; and a nephew, John Joyce of Washington, Mo.
Graveside Memorial service and inurnment will be held at a later date. Miss Erickson has been cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

Frances Beatrice Hart, 85, Maryville, Missouri, died Saturday, January 18,
2014, at St Francis Hospital.
Fran was born April 12, 1928, in Bedison, Mo., to Jesse and Gladys Reynolds Lame. She was a graduate of Grant City High School and earned her teaching certificate at Northwest Missouri State Teachers College. Before marriage she taught school and after marriage worked as an LPN.
Fran married Leon Hart February 10, 1947, in Troy, Kan. She was a member of the Laura Street Baptist Church in Maryville.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Leon Hart; daughter, Elaine Glotfelty; and son, Alan Hart.
She is survived by her daughter, Susan Vore; grandson, Kelly Vore both of Maryville; and four great-grandchildren Derrick, Shelby, Dylan and Dawson Vore.
Funeral Services will be 1:30 p.m., Thursday, January 23, 2014, at Price Funeral Home, Maryville, with burial in Prairie Chapel Cemetery, Denver, Mo. There will be no formal visitation. Memorials may be made to Laura Street Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society. www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com

ST. JOSEPH – Harold L. Jones, 78, died Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Heartland Regional Medical Center.
He was born February 23, 1935 to Ethel Eugenia Ball in Osceola, Mo. He graduated from Savannah High School in 1953 and worked at the Missouri State Hospital as an engineer, where he later retired.
Harold married Susan Lewis on September 6, 1963. She survives of the home. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, VFW Post 1668 and Knights of Columbus. He had a passion for all seasons of sports, and never missed a game or practice for his children and grandchildren.
Mr. Jones was preceded in death by his mother; and sister, Capitola Giseburt.
Additional Survivors: daughter, Lisa Jones, St. Joseph; son, LTC David Jones (Becky), St. Joseph; grandchildren, Alexander Giffin (Elizabeth), Amelia Scalise, Brycen Jones, Noah, Samuel, Alli and Sarah Jones; great-grandson, Landon Giffin; brothers, Floyd (Pat) Jones, Norman (Marilyn) Jones and Bill (Vicki) Jones; sister, Mary (Dean) Rethemeyer; and an abundance of nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial: 1 p.m., Wednesday, St. Patrick Catholic Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. Parish Rosary 6 p.m. Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will receive friends 6:30 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Darline Hendricks, 90, was born on July 27, 1923, to Henry and Josie Jackson Sweigert in Rosendale, Mo.
Darline graduated from Rosendale High School in 1941 and married Kenneth Lee Hendricks in that same year. They were married for 50 years before his passing in 1992. Darline and Kenneth were engaged in farming before moving to Mound City, Mo., in 1959. In 1961, Darline became a cashier at the local grocery store in Mound City where she worked for 28 years. She was a member of the First Christian Church and the Order of the Eastern Star.
As an avid reader, Darline was a regular at the city library. She enjoyed quilting, crocheting, and spending time with her family. She was a loving mother and grandmother who had a playful nature that made them all smile. “Mimi” will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.
Darline was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a brother, Floyd Sweigert; son-in-law, Gary Rowlett; and great-grandson, Robert Fierros.
Survivors include four children, Larry (Gwen) Hendricks, Easton, Mo.; Darla Rowlett, Savannah; Joella Mehrhof, Emporia, Kan.; and Joyce Clark, St. Joseph; six grandchildren, Clifton (Angie) Rowlette, Clark (Heather) Rowlette, St. Joseph; Christina (Ted) Fierros, Savannah; Lori Hendricks, Michelle (Mike) Ritter, and Josie Clark, all of St. Joseph; 12 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and two step-sisters, Luella Gallinger, Kearney, Mo., and Joy Ozretich, Streeter, Ill.
Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Pettijohn and Crawford Family Funeral Service. Interment Mount Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mound City Nutrition Site. Online guest book and obituary at www.pettijohncrawford.com.

Police investigating weekend fireworks, gunshots

Posted on January 20, 2014January 20, 2014

Authorities are investigating at least two reports of what are believed to be fireworks north of downtown St. Joseph over the weekend. Loud explosions were reported on Saturday and Sunday evenings.
Officers responded to Washington and St. Joseph Avenue but were unable to determine just what caused the noise.

In addition, there was a report of a gunshot in the 1900 block of S. 22nd Street on Sunday. These incidents may all be related. Police continue to investigate.

If you have information on the noise, please call St. Joseph Police.

Monday Explosion at Nebraska plant, 10 injured UPDATE

Posted on January 20, 2014January 20, 2014

1:55 p.m. UPDATE (AP) — Officials say at least 10 people have been hospitalized and others could be trapped after an explosion and partial building collapse at an Omaha animal feed processing plant.

Interim Omaha Fire Chief Bernie Kanger said he’s not sure how many workers could be trapped in the wreckage of the International Nutrition plant. The fire that followed the explosion around 10 a.m. Monday has been extinguished. Firefighters are gingerly searching the structure, fearing that more debris could rain down.

Kanger says one firefighter was among those injured. At least two of the injured were sent to a burn center in Lincoln.

Kanger declined to comment on possible fatalities. At the time of the blast there were 38 employees at work.

12:31 p.m. (AP) — At least nine people have been hospitalized and others could be trapped after an explosion and partial building collapse at an Omaha animal feed processing plant.

Interim Omaha Fire Chief Bernie Kanger (KANG’-ur) said Monday that nine workers have been sent to hospitals. He says firefighters are searching the building for anyone who may have been trapped by the blast or the falling debris. He declined to comment on possible fatalities.

Family members who have gathered outside the International Nutrition plant say they’ve received cellphone calls from their loved ones inside who told them one or two people may be missing or trapped.

The fire and explosion were reported at 10 a.m. Plant officials declined to comment to The Associated Press.

11:a.m. (AP) — Firefighters and other rescue workers have been sent to the site of an explosion and partial building collapse in south-central Omaha.

There are reports from the scene Monday morning that some workers have been trapped or injured and taken to hospitals, but police and fire officials have not released any official information.

The fire and explosion were reported at 10 a.m. Monday at International Nutrition, which makes animal products. Smoke had been coming from the plant, but that has stopped. There appears to be some structural damage to the top of the building. Plant officials declined to comment.

Jolley: How the farm bill is like taking out the trash

Posted on January 20, 2014January 20, 2014

We have to presort our trash here in Kansas City so we three trash cans in our garage. One is for previously defined recyclables, another is for previously defined garbage and the third is a catchall for everything that hasn’t been previously defined. The first two cans have to be set out on the street late Sunday for Monday morning pick up.

So here’s the Sunday evening ritual: “Hey, honey what’s this and which can do we toss it in?”

“I have no idea, Put it in that third container.”

So, over the course of several weeks, that third container gets filled to the brim with all kinds of undefined stuff because we can’t make a decision about where those things really belong.

Does that remind you of the farm bill? Over the years it grew with things that were made part of it ‘just because.’ I was reminded of the trash can analogy when I was browsing through ‘Beyond the Farm Bill,’ a website powered by organically minded foodies. One of their comments struck me as completely sensible even if much of the rest of the information I found there didn’t pass muster: “The Farm Bill was designed to reign in price volatility, manage supply and protect nature while providing vital nutrition programs for the country’s poor. Instead, it’s been ravaged by constant corporate assault and a Congress too emboldened with industry money to stand up for our best interests.”

Chuck Jolley is president of Jolley & Associates, a marketing and public relations firm that concentrates on the food industry.

“Providing vital nutrition programs for the nation’s poor” was redefined last year and split off from the farm bill to stand on its own. It should have been fairly easy, then, to look at the real farming issues that were left and pass the remaining bill on its own merits – or demerits, if that’s you political bent. The problem, of course, is we’re talking about a Congress whose only notable achievement was an almost total lack of achievement. The House and Senate could give expert lessons on grid locking to everyone involved in the George Washington Bridge scandal. At least a few cars per minute were allowed to cross over to the other side, unlike anything trapped inside the Beltway.

The problem is the special interests groups lining up outside every congressperson’s office to offer their heart-felt pleas for special consideration and their ‘assistance’ in the next election cycle remind me of the photos of all those cars trying to get out of Ft. Lee last year. There is a traffic jam of incredible proportions. Many of those groups are at odds with each other, leaving our elected officials at a loss as to whom they should sell their souls.

The farm bill seems like it might become a victim of yet another ‘continuing resolution’ until the auctioning of elected officials’ votes is done, giving a broader meaning to the term ‘sale barn.’ The latest best guess from House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) is final action won’t happen until late January. In fact, the committee meeting is not expected to happen until at least January 27.

To fully understand who stands for what, though, is it time to break up the farm bill again and redefine what goes into each container? Do we need one bill to manage price volatility, another to protect nature, etc. etc. etc.? Or if we have to accept that Washington is incapable of passing one bill after several years of wrangling, is offering up half-a-dozen in its place a fool’s errand?

By the way, that promised Monday morning pickup? It usually doesn’t happen until Monday afternoon.

Kansas lawmaker meetings would be broadcast under bill

Posted on January 20, 2014

(AP) — Audio and video of Kansas legislative committee sessions would be streamed live over the Internet under a bill introduced in the House.

The Lawrence Journal-World reported Republican State Rep. Stephanie Clayton, of Overland Park, says her bill would help citizens stay current on matters that affect their lives and ensure legislators are paying attention.

The bill also would require video broadcasts of House and Senate sessions. Audio of the sessions already is streamed on the Internet.

Clayton says all the committee rooms in the renovated Statehouse are wired to provide audio and video, so the state would only have to purchase cameras. She said she thought the equipment could be purchased for $10,000.

The bill has been referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

Kansas’ Tharpe, Embiid earn weekly Big 12 honors

Posted on January 20, 2014January 20, 2014

Kansas teammates Naadir Tharpe and Joel Embiid have been named the Big 12 Player and Newcomer of the Week after Jayhawk victories against two top-10 opponents last week the conference office announced Monday. The duo was selected by a media panel which covers the league.

Tharpe was the catalyst as Kansas recorded victories at No. 8 Iowa State (77-70) and versus No. 9 Oklahoma State (80-78). The Worcester, Mass., junior guard averaged 22.0 points, 5.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds while making 82.4 percent (14-of-17) of his shots from the field. He started the week with a career-high 23 points at ISU on 7-of-9 shooting before adding 21 points against the Cowboys, making 7-of-8 shots from the floor in that game. Tharpe was 6-of-8 (.750) from three-point range during the week and connected on 9-of-10 (.900) from the free throw line.

Embiid made his presence felt in the two Jayhawk wins by averaging a double-double (14.5 ppg, 10.0 rpg) while adding 13 blocked shots. The Yaounde, Cameroon, center had 16 points, nine rebounds and five rejections at Iowa State before adding 13 points, 11 rebounds and eight blocks versus Oklahoma State. Against the Cowboys, he became the first freshman in Big 12 history to have 10 or more points, 10 or more rebounds and eight blocked shots in a game. The eight rejections broke his own KU freshman single-game record, tied the Big 12 freshman record for all contests and broke the mark for a conference game. Embiid has 49 blocks this season, third on the Kansas single-season freshman list.

It is the first weekly accolade for Tharpe, while Embiid is the top rookie for the second time.

— KU Sports Information —

Cattle trailer fire reported

Posted on January 20, 2014January 21, 2014

UPDATE Officials say the cattle truck collided with a trash truck at 1173 US 169 Highway on Monday afternoon. The resulting fire damaged the cab of the cattle truck. The blaze was extinguished before it did further damage. No additional injuries were reported. The cattle were transferred to another trailer.

12:30 p.m. Monday First responders have been dispatched to report of a vehicle fire at 1173 south 169 Highway.

A cattle trailer with a full load of cattle is reportedly on fire. Stay tuned to Eagle Radio and check St. Joseph Post for details as they become available.

Nixon Recommends Hospital Renovation for Classes

Posted on January 20, 2014January 20, 2014

(AP) – Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is asking the Legislature for $10 million to renovate a hospital for classes at Lincoln University.

Nixon says the project will allow the state capital’s historically black college to expand its nursing and culinary programs.

The proposed funds would let the state acquire and renovate St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City. The hospital is moving to a new site at the end of this year.

The governor has previously said he would recommend a $36 million increase for all of Missouri’s public universities and colleges for the fiscal year beginning in July. He has also urged the four-year institutions, including Lincoln, to freeze undergraduate tuition for the next academic year.

Nixon will present his entire budget plan Tuesday before his State of the State address. Listen to the address live on 680 KFEQ radio and watch it live on St. JosephPost.com. The broadcast is sponsored by The Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.

MGE Warns Of Scam

Posted on January 20, 2014

Have you received a confusing gas bill from a company with whom you don’t do business? You’re not alone.

Missouri Gas Energy is warning customers of an email scam that could lead to identity theft.

Some customers are reporting receiving fake utility bills through email. The account statement appears to be from a utility provider other than MGE providing false account information with links for payment.

“Sadly, scammers try these techniques on natural gas customers during the cold winter months. If you are concerned about a suspicious email, phone call or any contact from someone claiming to be an MGE representative, call MGE immediately,” said Ron Crow, vice president, customer experience. “Our team is here to help.”