SAVANNAH, Mo. – Arda N. Thornton, 89, died Sunday, January 5, 2014 at her home.
She was born August 4, 1924 to Charles and Blanche (Livingston) Kessler in Buchanan County, Mo.
She married Billy Thornton on August 14, 1942. He preceded her in death on May 5, 1990.
Arda was a lifetime member of the Christian faith and served on the Andrew County Election Board for many years.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Charles Kessler and William Kessler; and son, Charles Thornton.
Survivors: son, John Thornton (Sheri), Savannah; grandson, John Thornton, Jr., Savannah; sisters, Dean Byrd and Iva Rittman (Richard); numerous nieces and nephews; and many excellent neighbors.
Services: 1 p.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 5:30 p.m., Tuesday. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com
Month: January 2014
Shirley M. Brown | 1931-2014
ST. JOSEPH – Shirley Marie Brown, 82, passed away Saturday, January 4, 2014 in North Kansas City, Mo. She was born July 9, 1931 in Detroit, Mich., daughter of Nancy and Homer Catron.
She married Robert James Brown on July 28, 1950 in St. Joseph. She was a Homemaker. Shirley was a member of VFW # 6760 Ladies Auxiliary. Shirley was an active volunteer at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron, Mo., and Saxton Nursing Home in St. Joseph, with the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and was a Christian. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, Charles L. Catron, James H. Catron, John Joseph Catron, Lloyd Lester Catron; two sisters, Bonnie Murnett Miller and Doris Ann Kernes; son-in-law, Ron Snyder; and grandsons, Curtis & Corey Snyder.
Survivors include, husband, Robert James Brown of St. Joseph; two daughters, Theresa (Rick) Aldridge of Oregon, Mo., and Sharon Snyder of St. Joseph; son, Rodney (Lorretta) Brown of St. Joseph; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bill Lee Catron and Roger Catron, both of St. Joseph; and a sister, Martha Viola Marriott of St. Joseph.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Dr. Darrell Jones officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., on Monday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the King Hill Cemetery.
Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com
Northwest Missouri State’s home games Monday have been postponed
The scheduled MIAA men’s and women’s basketball games between the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats and the Northeastern State RiverHawks has been postponed.
Poor road conditions have led to Northeastern State unable to travel safely for Monday’s contest. The two teams will make up the game in Maryville, Mo., at a later date and time.
The Bearcats will head to Nebraska-Kearney on Thursday, Jan. 9, for a double header against the Lopers. The women’s game will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by the men’s game at 7:30 p.m.
— Northwest Sports Information —
Jayhawks upset by San Diego State to end 68-game non-con win streak
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — It was so loud inside Allen Fieldhouse that San Diego State’s players could barely hear what coach Steve Fisher was saying, yet they knew what the message would be as the timeout ended.
No matter the situation, it’s always the same.
”He just tells you to think something positive, whether it’s basketball, family, whatever. Think something positive,” Xavier Thames said. ”I think that really helps.”
It sure seemed to settle down the Aztecs.
Thames scored 16 points, and calmly made four straight free throws in the closing seconds Sunday, helping No. 21 San Diego State knock off No. 16 Kansas 61-57, ending the Jayhawks’ 68-game non-conference winning streak at their venerable on-campus arena.
Skylar Spencer added 13 points and Josh Davis had 10 for the Aztecs (12-1), who have won 11 straight since losing to No. 1 Arizona on Nov. 14. That streak is tied for the second-best in school history, trailing only the 20-0 start of the 2010-11 team.
”Our coach never gets rattled,” San Diego State forward Winston Shepard said. ”He’s always even keeled, whether we’re up 20 or it’s a close game in here. After every timeout, he tell us to take a good thought out there.”
Think happy thoughts? Why didn’t those other 68 teams try that at the Phog?
Kansas (9-4) still had a chance to tie the game when Perry Ellis went to the free throw line with 11.9 seconds left. He made his first free throw but, after San Diego State called a timeout to ice him, Ellis missed the second and the Jayhawks were forced to foul.
Thames made both free throws to give San Diego State a three-point lead, and the Aztecs fouled rather than allow Kansas to attempt a tying 3. Frank Mason missed the first and made the second, and Thames made two more free throws with 4.6 seconds left to seal the win.
”This is a great win for us,” Thames said. ”A lot of teams don’t come in here and get victories. I’m just blessed to be a part of this one.”
Andrew Wiggins and Mason scored 14 points apiece for the Jayhawks, who had won 112 of their last 114 games at Allen Fieldhouse. Joel Embiid finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
The Jayhawks struggled against the long, lanky Aztecs right from the start, missing eight of their first nine shots and allowing San Diego State to dictate the tempo.
After a 3-pointer by Naadir Tharpe gave Kansas a 9-8 lead, the Jayhawks had just one more field goal over the next 8-plus minutes. Thames and Davis had no such trouble for San Diego State, hitting a series of jumpers and contested layups as the Aztecs built a 29-23 halftime lead.
Kansas wound up shooting 20.7 percent (6 of 29) in the first half.
”I think everybody, we all missed shots we usually make,” Wiggins said, ”and that’s going to happen from time to time with a young team.”
The Aztecs kept up the intensity in the second half, forcing the Jayhawks to misfire on eight of their first 10 shots with their in-your-face, man-to-man defense. The lead slowly grew to 44-33 when JJ O’Brien converted after two misses, once more silencing a packed house.
The Jayhawks finally started to build some momentum midway through the second half, closing within 58-56 on a basket by Wiggins and 50-48 on Tharpe’s scooping layup.
It seemed as if every time Kansas went on a run, though, the Aztecs had an answer.
Spencer scored after Tharpe’s basket, and Thames curled in a 3-pointer to give San Diego State a 55-48 lead with 3 minutes to play. Kansas made one more salvo, getting within 57-55 on a 3-pointer by Mason and seemingly getting the ball back after O’Brien missed a free throw.
During a stoppage in play, the officials determined that the ball went off Kansas with 44.8 seconds left. And even though the Jayhawks got a stop, it cost them precious time.
Kansas coach Bill Self called a timeout with 20 seconds left and decided to go with Ellis, the sure-handed sophomore. He drove to the basket and was fouled, but the 72 percent free throw shooter could only make the first of his two attempts, and San Diego State eventually held on to win.
”Every play we made, it seemed like they came down, they got something positive out of the next possession,” Mason said. ”Whether it was free throws or a made basket, we just couldn’t get the stops we needed.”
— Associated Press —
Extreme Cold Changes Snow Removal
Saint Joseph Streets have been forced to change plowing tactics because it’s too cold for salt to melt snow and ice. Plows will focus on removing wind-blown drifts from emergency routes rather than attempting to clear snow from secondary streets.
Here’s how city spokeswoman Mary Robertson described the problem:
The city received approximately 2 – 2 1/2″ of snow yesterday afternoon and evening. Phase II was put into effect at 10:30pm, and since that time crews have been busy plowing Emergency Routes. These are presently being finished up. However, due to the extremely cold temperatures forecasted and high winds, the city has decided to apply heavy salt to all other remaining streets and refrain from plowing at this time in order to continue to focus on Emergency Routes and drifting issues within the next 24 – 48 hours.
Normally, as plows pass over the pavement, a layer of compacted snow is left behind, which, if left untreated, can result in a ‘glazing’ effect. This usually is not an issue, as salt is also applied during the plowing process, and the salt melts this layer resulting in a cleared street. However, due to the extremely low temperatures St. Joseph is forecast to experience, this melting will not occur, and could result in potentially slick streets if general plowing is continued.
Street supervisors believe that leaving some snow on the streets will provide more traction to vehicles than the compacted glazed snow layer left behind as a result of plowing. Once temperatures begin to rise, the salt that will be applied throughout today and tomorrow will begin to take effect and start to melt the snow from the streets. This is not an issue on the Emergency Routes, as they have been cleared and had salt applied in time avoid these low temperatures and high winds.
City crews will be on hand all night addressing known drift areas and responding to slick calls. During this extremely cold period, crews will be applying a mixture of salt (with Geomelt added) and chat, mainly for traction. A supervisor will be on duty to check all slick calls for prioritization and as support for the crews in the field.
We thank the community for continued patience and support of plowing efforts. Please drive carefully if out, and stay inside if at all possible during this extremely cold weather.
NWS: Wind Chill WARNING
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE KANSAS CITY/PLEASANT HILL MO
551 PM CST SUN JAN 5 2014
...LIFE-THREATENING WIND CHILLS TONIGHT INTO TUESDAY MORNING...
.THE SNOW OVER CENTRAL MISSOURI HAS MOVED EAST AND OUT OF THE REGION.
HOWEVER...STRONG NORTHERLY WINDS GUSTING TO 25 MPH WILL CREATE AREAS
DRIFTING SNOW TONIGHT WHICH WILL TAPER OFF BY MORNING.
A MUCH COLDER SURGE OF ARCTIC AIR WILL COMBINE WITH THE THE STIFF
NORTHERLY WIND AND RESULT IN LIFE- THREATENING WIND CHILLS FROM 25 BELOW
OVER EAST CENTRAL KANSAS AND WEST CENTRAL MISSOURI TO NEAR 40 BELOW
ZERO ALONG THE MISSOURI AND IOWA BORDER BY MONDAY MORNING.
DONIPHAN-ATCHISON MO-NODAWAY-WORTH-GENTRY-HOLT-ANDREW-DE KALB-
DAVIESS-BUCHANAN-CLINTON-CALDWELL-LIVINGSTON-RAY-CARROLL-CHARITON-
SALINE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...TROY...TARKIO...MARYVILLE...
GRANT CITY...ALBANY...STANBERRY...MOUND CITY...OREGON...
SAVANNAH...CAMERON...GALLATIN...JAMESPORT...ST. JOSEPH...
PLATTSBURG...HAMILTON...POLO...CHILLICOTHE...RICHMOND...
CARROLLTON...SALISBURY...KEYTESVILLE...MARSHALL
551 PM CST SUN JAN 5 2014
...WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST MONDAY...
A WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST MONDAY.
* TIMING...A SECOND SURGE OF ARCTIC AIR WILL OVERSPREAD THE
REGION TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY.
* WIND CHILLS...LIFE THREATENING WIND CHILLS BETWEEN 30 AND 40
BELOW ZERO ARE EXPECTED FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY
MORNING.
* WINDS...NORTHERLY WINDS FROM 15 TO 25 MPH AND GUSTY. WINDS
WILL DIMINISH SOME MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY.
* IMPACTS...THE DANGEROUSLY COLD WIND CHILLS WILL RESULT IN
FROST BITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA OR DEATH IF PRECAUTIONS ARE
NOT TAKEN. FROST BITE CAN OCCUR ON EXPOSED SKIN IN A MATTER OF
MINUTES.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WIND CHILL WARNING MEANS THE COMBINATION OF VERY COLD AIR AND
STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND CHILL VALUES. THIS
WILL RESULT IN FROST BITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA OR DEATH IF
PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.
Kansas universities unite in budget fight
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas universities are uniting in an appeal to restore slashed higher education spending.
The political debate about the future of taxpayer financing of the 32-school Kansas Board of Regents system returns to the forefront in mid-January when the 2014 Legislature assembles in Topeka.
Officials at Washburn University, Kansas State University and the University of Kansas say they won’t be shy about laying down arguments at the Capitol for stronger state investment in higher education. They want to see the restoration of $23 million in the current fiscal year and $25 million that was scheduled to be withdrawn in the upcoming fiscal year.
Kansas State president Kirk Schulz says industry will go elsewhere if the state can’t produce the workforce it needs.
Cold weather prompts widespread school closings at SJSD and beyond
All SJSD classes have been canceled for Monday January 6th, due to extreme weather conditions, including Hillyard Tech day and evening classes. All SJSD buildings and offices will be closed, and staff should not report.
School is also canceled for
Atchison USD 409
Savannah RIII
Stewartsville CII
Osborn R-O
Riverside USD 114
Troy USD 429
Doniphan West USD 111
St. Joseph Catholic Schools
Clinton RIII
Buchanan RIV
Polo RVII
St. Joseph Christian School
20-year-old driver arrested in fatal crash
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man involved in a single-vehicle crash that killed a 17-year-old boy has been taken into custody.
Riley County police arrested the 20-year-old suspect Friday on charges of involuntary manslaughter and failure to stop at an injury accident. He was released on $10,000 bond.
The Oct. 19 crash two miles northeast of Leonardville killed Trevor Redding. Authorities said the accident happened when the suspect’s vehicle skidded, entered a ditch and struck a rock wall. The vehicle then rolled, ejecting Redding, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Health law leaves volunteer firefighting in limbo
(AP) — Fire chiefs and lawmakers are working to protect the system of volunteer firefighting that has served rural America for more than a century but is threatened by an ambiguity in the federal health overhaul.
Volunteer firefighters are considered employees for tax purposes because they’re often offered such incentives as stipends, retirement benefits and gym memberships.
That leaves open the question of whether they’ll fall under the health care law’s requirement that employers with 50 or more employees working at least 30 hours a week must provide health insurance for them.
Small-town fire chiefs say they can’t afford to pay for health insurance for volunteers.
But others say it’s too early to ring the alarm. The federal government is expected to release its regulations this year that could answer the question.