Residential real estate sales numbers for the St Joseph area were down last month.
According to the St Joseph Regional Association of Realtors, a total of 859 homes were sold this year through the month of August, down 27 from August of last year for a decline of 4.31%.
Sales in August were $14.2 million, down 13.85% from last year’s August numbers. Year to date sales totals were just over $93 million by the end of last month, down more than 7% from a year earlier.
If true, it’s news to Musser.
Mr Musser was placed on leave when he unearthed hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of administrative stipends and payments to consultants that had not been approved by the Board of Education. Some of those expenditures were approved after the fact by the board.
When he reported the stipends to a pair of school board members, Musser says the district retaliated. He was accused of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment and then placed on administrative leave.
Musser filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the district, Superintendent Dr. Fred Czerwonka, Human Resources Director Doug Flowers, and board member Dennis Snethen. The lawyer handpicked to defend the lawsuit recently withdrew from the case, citing a conflict of interests.
Off the record sources confirm the board voted last week to reinstate Musser, but so far there has been no public acknowledgement of the secret vote, which would appear to be a violation of Missouri’s Sunshine Law.
In his lawsuit, Musser demands that he be given his job back. He says he would still like to return to work for the St Joseph School District. He has not been contacted by the board or the district.
“I’d still like to return to work for the district,” Musser says in an interview, “but no one from the district has contacted me.”
The St Joseph News Press columnist writes in Monday’s edition that the first step in the settlement of Musser’s lawsuit “…would be to reverse the wrongful termination and give Mr. Musser his job back.”
There is lingering doubt in the minds of many people we contacted about whether that’s even possible, given the bad blood generated by the termination and the lawsuit. Musser would not comment on that aspect of his relationship with the district, but insisted that he’d like to return to work there.
TOPEKA – (September 15, 2014) – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is reminding citizens that a public hearing on the permanent gun signage regulations proposed in June will be this week.
The hearing will be Wednesday, September 17, at 9 a.m. in the second floor auditorium of Memorial Hall, 120 SW 10th Ave., Topeka. The hearing date originally was announced July 14.
To implement a new state law that took effect July 1, Attorney General Schmidt in June released proposed regulations for signage that may be used to restrict the carrying of firearms – open, concealed or both – into buildings. The proposed regulations were developed in consultation with interested parties. Temporary regulations adopting these signage rules were approved by the State Rules and Regulations Board and took effect July 1.
State law requires a 60-day comment period and a public hearing before the regulations can become permanent. The attorney general’s office has been accepting comments since the proposed regulations were published, and the hearing will be this week. The original notice was published in the July 10 Kansas Register (Vol. 33, No. 28).
The proposed regulations are available at http://1.usa.gov/1tFyBof. Members of the public may submit comments on the proposed regulations on the website, by email to[email protected] or by mail to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, 120 SW 10thAve., 2nd Floor, Topeka, KS 66612.
TECUMSEH, Kan. (AP) — A northeast Kansas dairy that filed for bankruptcy protection in 2012 is rebounding.
The Iwig Dairy Farm now has 100 cows near Tecumseh and sells its milk, ice cream and butter at stores on the farm, in Lawrence and in Topeka.
The family farm, which has been raising cows since 1910, expanded into processing and bottling milk and selling it in retail stores in 2005. Then a long drought began, driving up feed prices for the farm’s animals.
Two years ago, the farm filed for Chapter 12 bankruptcy, which was designed for financially distressed family farmers.
Owner Tim Iwig told The Topeka Capital-Journal that he has considered producing other dairy products, such as yogurt and sour cream, but will focus on the farm’s best sellers for now.
ST. JOSEPH – Sherri Lynn Jones, 63, passed away Sunday September 14, 2014. She was born March 11, 1951 in St. Joseph.
She graduated from Lafayette high school and attended a year at Hillyard Technical. She was worked at as a Homemaker. She enjoyed crafting and making things for her grandchildren.
Sherri was preceded in death by her mother, Louella Judd.
She is survived by daughter, Trieste (Charles) Runnels; two sons, Mark (Heather) Jones, and Kevin Chipps and companion, (Katlin Brown) all of St. Joseph; ten grandchildren: Michael, Daytona, Cera, Raven, Kimber, Breton, Jerle, Conner, Nicholas, and Damian.
She will be cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home.There will be a private family memorial service to be held at a later date. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com
ST. JOSEPH – Rev. Orval “Byron” Stewart, 93, died Monday, September 15, 2014 at a local healthcare facility.
He was born September 22, 1920 to Sanders Paul and Mary Elizabeth (Cummings) Stewart in Kansas City, Missouri.
Orval married Bertha Lee on June 1, 1941. She preceded him in death.
Mr. Stewart served in the United States Army during World War II and was a member of the Bulge Busters where he remained for the duration of the war. He was later transferred to Little Rock, Arkansas where he was charged with guarding German prisoners. He attended Southwest Baptist College and later received his Certificate of Christian Education from Midwestern Theological Seminary. Orval was the pastor for 18 years at the 11th Street Baptist Church. He also worked at Mead.
Orval loved fishing, working with flowers, and working in his garden. He also liked working on cars and even completely restored a pickup truck including the motor.
He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; son-in-law, Edward Martin; grandson, Michael Stewart; and brothers, Paul and Robert Stewart.
Survivors: sons, Jimmie Stewart, Sr. (Barbara), Paris, Mo., and Robert Melvin Stewart (Linda), St. Joseph; daughters, Norma Jean Martin, St. Joseph, Sheryl Helsel (Eddie), Easton, Mo., and Karen Pruitt (John), Shelby, Ohio; daughter-in-law, Leola Stewart, St. Joseph; ten grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; brother, Wendall Marvin Stewart, St. Joseph; and several nieces and nephews.
Services: 3 p.m., Thursday, Patee Park Baptist Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, they may be made to the family. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
HIAWATHA, Kan. – Robert L. “Bobby” Christie, 46, died Friday, September 12, 2014.
Celebration of Life 6 p.m. Saturday, September 20, 2014, Fairview Community Building, 511 West Front Street, Fairview, Kan.
Mr. Christie was a member of the Kansas Cremation Service. Online guestbook and obituary at www.kansascremation.com.
ST. JOSEPH – Opal R. Heater, 96, died Saturday, September 13, 2014 at a local healthcare facility.
She was born December 24, 1917 to Homer and Bessie (Salmons) Wheeler in Savannah, Mo. Opal married Robert Heater on September 30, 1944. He preceded her in death in 1970.
Opal’s father did not have to enlist in the Army in 1917 because he had a new infant daughter. During World War II, Opal was a “Rosie the Riveter.” She made rifle shells at Remington Arms in Independence where she met her future husband on the production line.
Mrs. Heater worked for Whitaker Cable and Sherwood Medical as an assembler. She retired at age 75 when the plant closed after the flood in 1993. She was a member of King Hill Baptist Church. Mrs. Heater was a cake decorator and enjoyed working with ceramics.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; brothers, William L and Roland Wheeler; and sisters, Doris K. Wilson and Viola Wheeler.
Survivors: son, Bob Heater (Jackie); grandsons, Justin and Preston Bruckshaw; and great-grandsons, Taylor and Bensen Bruckshaw, all of St. Joseph.
Services: 1 p.m., Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment Mount Zion Cemetery, Gower, Mo. The family will receive friends 6 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 the American Diabetes Association or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
MARYVILLE, Mo. – Dr. Elwyn K. DeVore, 94, retired Dean and Distinguished University Professor, College of Business, Government and Computer Science, passed away Saturday, September 13, 2014, at Golden Living Center in Maryville.
Dr. DeVore was born July 24, 1920, in Clarksdale, Mo., to Kyle A. and Florence (Huffman) DeVore. Elwyn and Emma Brown were married April 5, 1942, in St. Joseph.
A member of St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic Church he also served on the Parish Council. He was also a member of Maryville Country Club. He served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.
A 1938 graduate of Central High School in St. Joseph, he went on to achieve his Bachelor of Science in 1942 from Northwest Missouri State Teacher’s College and Master of Science in 1951 from Oklahoma State University. He next pursued graduate work at the University of Colorado and University of Kansas and obtained his Doctorate in Business Administration in 1959 from Indiana University.
Dr. DeVore taught and coached for high schools in Quitman, Mo., Maryville and Creston, Iowa 1946 to 1950.
While with Northwest Missouri State, he established Small Business Administration Programs; business programs in Agri-Business, Industrial Technology and Fashion Merchandising, including M.S. and M.B.A. degrees and weekend M.B.A. programs in both Maryville and St. Joseph.
He served on many NWMSU committees, including Athletic, and Rank and Promotion; Small Business Advisory Committee for the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. He was secretary/treasurer, member of the Board of Directors and President (1968-1969) of Midwest Business Administration Association, an organization of college and university business faculty.
Preceding him in death were his parents, step-father Claude Garrow and sister June Ellis.
Surviving him is his wife of 72 years, Emma DeVore of their home in Maryville; son, Mark (Sherry) DeVore, Branson, Missouri; two daughters, Jean Ann (Wayne) Mertens, Omaha, Neb.; and Mary Sue (Dwight) Tompkins, Sacramento, Calif.; seven grandchildren: Major Jarrod A. (Charlotte) DeVore USMC, Adrien Erickson, Dathan DeVore, Jase (Heather) Johnson, Keegan (Cyndi) Johnson, Jenna (Kevin) Townsend, and Kimberly Tompkins and four great-grandchildren.
Dr. DeVore has been cremated.
A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m.,Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic Church in Maryville.
Mass of Christian Burial, 11 a.m., also at the church, followed by Inurnment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Maryville.
ST. JOSEPH – Kent L. Clark, 63, died Friday, September 12, 2014 at his home.
He was born February 3, 1951 to George and Eunice (Bumbacher) Clark in Arkansas City, Kan.
Kent married Randi Johnson on October 21, 2002 in Las Vegas, Nev. She survives of the home.
He was a graduate of Lafayette High School and worked at Altec for ten years and managed many body shops.
Mr. Clark enjoyed gardening, cooking and NASCAR, though he most enjoyed making people smile.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, George Clark; twin brother, Keith Clark; and son, Matt Maretoli.
Additional Survivors: children, Holly Keling (Todd), Cale Clark, Amanda Maretoli and Tammy Flowers (Doug), all of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Tre Flowers, Tori Flowers, Ashleigh McClurg, Macy Keling, Matti Maretoli, Maximus Maretoli and Kenlee Maretoli; brother, Joe Clark (Pam), St. Joseph; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life: 7 p.m., Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Inurnment Whispering Pines Cremation Garden at St. Joseph Memorial Park at a later date. The family will receive friends 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations to be sent to the grandchildren’s mission fund in c/o Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
CAMERON, Mo. – Steven A. Mallory, 90, died Thursday, September 11, 2014 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron.
He was born February 6, 1924 to Ray and Sally (Groom) Mallory in DeKalb, Mo.
Steven proudly served in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict. Steven saw action in the Pacific and went down on the USS O’Brien after being torpedoed by a Japanese Submarine. He worked for Quaker Oats for over forty years.
He went to a lot of the Navy and World War II reunions and kept up with his Quaker friends at their monthly coffee meetings at Betty’s Café.
Mr. Mallory was an avid hunter, fisherman, enjoyed traveling, horseback riding and square dancing. He also enjoyed board games, playing cards, jigsaw puzzles and gardening. Steven attended Brookdale Presbyterian Church.
He was preceded in death by three wives, Itrice, Mildred and Eva; his parents; two sisters, Margaret and Sarah; and one brother, Bob.
Survivors: children, Steven W. Mallory (Theresa), Scott Mallory, Wanda Vieth, Ellen Blackburn (Tom), Edward Anderson (Geneva), Larry Boeh (June) and Marsha Bumphrey; fourteen grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; sister, Leatha; numerous nieces and nephews; step-daughters, Ellen Blackburn and Marsha Bumphrey; step-sons, Ed Anderson and Larry Boeh.
Services: 10 a.m., Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
ST. JOSEPH – Wilford Elroy Searle, 62, passed away Thursday, September 11, 2014. He was born March 24, 1952 in Alva, Okla., son of Beulah and Darold Searle.
He worked at Everett Quarry’s as a Truck Driver. He was a Baptist.
Wilford was preceded in death by his parents; son, Ronald Ray Searle; two brothers, Dewayne Searle, and John Harding.
Survivors include, former wife, Patricia Hatfield of Saint Joseph; two sons, Brian and Seth; two daughters, Lorie Jean Smith, and Misty Searle; eight grandchildren; two brothers, Darold Searle Jr. and Lloyd Harding.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., Tuesday, at the Rupp Chapel, Rev. Albert Shirley officiating.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Bethel Cemetery . Memorials are requested to the Wilford Searle Memorial fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.
ST. JOSEPH – JoAnn Crockett, 86, passed away Thursday, September 11, 2014 at her home. She was born February 26, 1928 in St. Joseph, daughter of Charlotte and Willard Collier.
She graduated from Benton high school (1946) with honors, and Hillyard Technical, with Nursing Degree in 1972. She married Jerry Crockett her long time companion on June 6, 2014, and he survives of the home.
She worked for Doctor Crist for many years and also was a Psychiatric Nurse. She was active in ROTC and was an Honor Student, at Benton, and enjoyed tennis when she was young, she was very athletic, she also enjoyed painting, photography, crocheting, and loved her kitty’s Misty, Patches, and Scruffy. She was a member of King Hill Christian.
JoAnn was preceded in death by first husband, Harold R. Still; second husband, Raymond Charles; her parents; and her sister, Patricia Barker.
Survivors include, husband, Jerry D. Crockett of the home; three daughters, Janet (John) Wollenman of Gladstone, Mo., Cindy (Don) Roephler of Baldwin, N.D., and Rebecca White and her companion, Tommy Tucker of Springdale, Ark.; step sons, Michael Crockett, Boise, Idaho, Jeff (Val) Crockett, Redmond, Wash., Chris (Amy) Crockett, Boise, and Scott (Danielle) Crockett of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Rachel Rochier, Melissa Parker, Jenny Rush, Philip Parton, and Kate Christgen; ten great-grandchildren; her sister, Paulette (Ivan) Schrock of Hutchison, Kan.; brother-in-law, Gene Barker of St. Joseph.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., on Monday, September 15, 2014 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Scott Jensen officiating, The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Bethel Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Meadowview Nursing Facility or Humane Society. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.
ST. JOSEPH – Milton J. “BOOB” Day, 91, passed away peacefully Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at Heartland Regional Medical Center.
He was born July 20, 1923 to Ben and Rose (Carmen) Daynovsky. He married Grace Steinberg on December 25, 1949.
“BOOB” a name his brother gave him in his youth, proudly served in the Air Force during WWII. He flew 40 missions as a navigator and ball turret gunner in a B-24, and also received the Purple Heart.
He received a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of South Dakota and his masters from the University of Missouri. He started his teaching career in Agency and Faucett and in 1954 at St. Joseph Central, where he also helped coach basketball, football, and track. In 1968, he became the Director of Secondary Education for the St. Joseph School District and retired from that position in 1984. After his retirement he went on to work at Missouri Western State University, where he supervised student teachers.
BOOB was very active in sports, especially handball, bowling, basketball, and slow-pitch softball, which he played until he was 70.
Mr. Day was a member of the St, Joseph Lodge No. 78, A.F. & A.M., Scottish Rite; Moila and also former member of the Lions Club. He served as a board member of Temple B’Nai Sholem and former board member of The American Red Cross.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Isadore Day; sisters, Sarah Silverman, Ethel Rosenstein, and Ann Defrin.
Survivors: wife, Grace; children, Douglas Day, of Los Angeles, Calif., and Allison Day and her husband, James Feltman of Coconut Grove, Fla.; grandchildren, Rachel Day of New York, N.Y., Dr. Richard Feltman and wife, Nicole of New York, and Nicole Merrill of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; two great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Bernice Day; brother-in-law, Harry Steinberg; five nieces and one nephew, numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; and his caregiver Elizabeth Ballard.
Services: 2 p.m., Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment B’Nai Yaakov Cemetery. The family will receive friends 7 to 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. For those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Temple B’Nai Sholem, American Red Cross or a charity of donor’s choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
KANSAS CITY (AP) – Newly released records showed a Missouri Highway Patrol trooper expressed concerns in a call to a supervisor that he might have made mistakes after an Iowa man drowned in custody.
The Kansas City Star reported it obtained a video recording of the call from the Missouri State Highway Patrol as part of a massive records release.
The release came after a special prosecutor decided last week that Trooper Anthony Piercy wouldn’t face criminal charges in the death of Brandon Ellingson. The 20-year-old drowned May 31 as Piercy was transporting him from the Lake of the Ozarks on suspicion of boating while intoxicated.
Responding patrol boats captured Piercy talking. At one point, Piercy apologized and said he “probably did a bunch of things wrong.”
Missouri Western State University
St. Joseph, Mo. —Family and friends of Missouri Western State University students will come to campus on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19 and 20, for the annual Family Weekend celebration. The weekend includes home volleyball and football games as well as activities for the family. Except for the games, all events are free and open to the public.
Friday’s events include:
· Paint It Gold Rally, noon-1 p.m., Kelley Commons. Free snacks and prizes, entertainment by the Golden Griffon Marching Band and speeches by Griffon fall sports coaches get you ready for the weekend.
· Magician Daniel Martin, 7 p.m., Kemper Recital Hall Spratt 101. Martin’s high-energy blend of magic and comedy has led to his recognition by “Campus Activities Magazine” as the top rated/best reviewed touring act in the country for three consecutive years.
· Griffon volleyball vs. Emporia State, 7 p.m., MWSU Fieldhouse, Looney Complex.
Saturday’s events include:
· President’s Pancake Brunch, 10 a.m., Remington Atrium. Must RSVP by emailing [email protected] by Wednesday, Sept. 17.
· Planetarium shows (get tickets at the brunch)
o 11 a.m.: Secret of the Cardboard Rocket (for children)
o Noon: Forces of Nature
o 1 p.m.: Sea Monsters
· VIP Tours of the Walter Cronkite Memorial, every 30 minutes starting at 11 a.m. Get tickets at the brunch.
· Carnival games, 11:30 a.m. outside Remington Atrium.
· Griffon volleyball vs. Washburn, 1 p.m., MWSU Fieldhouse, Looney Complex.
· Comedic sensation Frangela, 2 p.m., Kemper Recital Hall, Spratt 101. Frances Callier and Angela V. Shelton are real-life best friends who talk to each other all day long. Frangela appeared on NBC’s “I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.” Twentieth Century Fox’s show “Wedlock or Deadlock,” and VH1′s “Best Week Ever,” and they brought hilarity to the big screen in the hit film “He’s Just Not That Into You.”
· Tailgating, 3 p.m., Parking Lot H
· Griffon football vs. Northeastern State, 6 p.m., Spratt Stadium
BETH J. HARPAZ, AP Travel Editor
NEW YORK (AP) — Do you leave a tip in your hotel room for the maid?
Marriott is placing envelopes in 160,000 hotel rooms beginning this week to encourage guests to leave tips.
The program is called “The Envelope Please.” The name of the person who cleans the room will be written on the envelope.
So how much should you tip? Marriott CEO Arne (Ar-nee) Sorenson says $1 to $5 per night, depending on room rates, with more for high-priced suites.
Cornell Hotel School professor Michael Lynn has done research that found 30 percent of hotel guests don’t tip the maid.
Marriott is launching the program with Maria Shriver, who founded an organization called A Woman’s Nation to help empower women.
Shriver says many travelers don’t know that tipping room attendants is customary.
COLUMBIA (AP) – Education officials are notifying Missouri community colleges that the state might reduce reimbursements for the A+ scholarship program.
The A+ program gives high school graduates who meet certain criteria reimbursements for two years of classes at a community college in the state.
Education deputy Leroy Wade said the department has told schools to prepare students for a reduction of about three or four credit hours per student. He says the warning is “very pre-emptive” and would take effect in January at the earliest.
Wade says the reductions might be necessary because the number of students using A+ money is increasing, making the program more expensive for the state.
The Columbia Daily Tribune reports the state spent $30.4 million on the program in fiscal 2014.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The University of Missouri’s flagship Columbia campus celebrates its 175th anniversary this week with five days of events that include the inauguration of new Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin.
Loftin came to the university in February but will be formally installed in office Thursday at the Missouri Theatre in downtown Columbia.
Other activities include a series of lectures and a Monday night speech by author Jon Meacham, also at the Missouri Theater.
