TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An American Civil Liberties Union attorney says a federal judge in Kansas has canceled a hearing scheduled Friday in the group’s lawsuit challenging the state’s ban on gay marriage.
ACLU attorney Doug Bonney said U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Crabtree is considering whether to reschedule the oral arguments or decide the case based on the parties’ written arguments.
Bonney said he told Crabtree during a 30-minute conference Thursday that the ACLU did not have time to review the state’s written response to the lawsuit because it had just been filed.
The ACLU filed its lawsuit for two lesbian couples denied marriage licenses in Douglas and Sedgwick counties.
The couples sought the licenses after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear appeals from five other states seeking to preserve gay-marriage bans.
WESTON, Mo. (AP) — A northeast Kansas man accused of robbing a northwest Missouri bank of $26,000 now faces criminal charges in federal court.
The U.S. Attorney’s office on Thursday filed a complaint charging 29-year-old Marcus Aurellius Moon, of Olathe (oh-LAY’-thuh), with bank robbery and using a firearm in a violent crime.
The holdup occurred Wednesday morning at the Bank of Weston in Weston, Missouri.
Investigators say Moon wore a ski mask and carried a semi-automatic handgun as he ordered a teller to put cash in a bag. Authorities said Moon then demanded cash from two other employees before driving over the Missouri River into Atchison, Kansas.
Police said Moon hit law enforcement vehicles while driving several blocks through Atchison. He was arrested when his car got stuck in a residential area.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican Gov. Sam Brownback is endorsing an effort to persuade Kansas voters to remove two justices from the state Supreme Court.
Brownback said during a news conference Thursday that he’s voting against retaining Justices Lee Johnson and Eric Rosen in the Nov. 4 election.
The governor has criticized the court for its July ruling that overturned the death sentences of brothers Jonathan and Reginald Carr, convicted of killing five people in Wichita in December 2000.
Members of the victims’ families formed a group to work to remove the justices.
Brownback would fill vacancies on the seven-member court. Johnson and Rosen were appointed by former Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.
Governors appoint justices after a commission names three finalists. Voters decide every six years whether a justice is retained on the bench.
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — The number of immigrants who die trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border has dropped to the lowest level in 15 years.
That’s because more Central Americans are turning themselves in to authorities in Texas and fewer are taking their chances with the dangerous trek across the Arizona desert.
The U.S. government recorded 307 deaths in the 2014 fiscal year that ended in September — the lowest number since 1999. In 2013, the number of deaths was 445.
The numbers, obtained by The Associated Press, mark the first time since 2001 that Arizona has not been the deadliest place to cross the border. The Tucson sector recorded 107 deaths, compared to 115 deaths along Texas’ Rio Grande Valley sector.
St. Joseph School District social worker Jean West will be one of the keynote speakers at the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY). West will give her keynote speech on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri. More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the conference.
“Jean West is an extraordinary asset to the students and staff in the St. Joseph School District. Her expertise in trauma, the tools and ways she connects with our homeless students and families are critical for their success,” said Dr. Fred Czerwonka, Superintendent of Schools.
“We are thrilled she can share her stories, assessments and training with other districts and professionals from across the nation,” Czerwonka added.
West’s keynote presentation is titled, “Out of the frying pan and the fire: the importance of effective assessment of trauma when working with homeless children & youth.”
Presentation points will include:
• What is trauma and situations that can potentially be traumatizing
• Research showing the connection between homelessness and trauma
• Impact of trauma on brain development, behavior, and the ability to learn
• Assessment of trauma: clinical tools that can be used
• Group 1-3 sensory based assessment techniques that can also be used as interventions
• Why assessment of trauma is critical
West received her B.S.in Psychology from Missouri Western State University and her M.S.W. from the University of Kansas. In 2011, West received the Certified Trauma Consultant of the Year award from The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children. In 2009 she was awarded SJSD Support Person of the Year.
NEW YORK (AP) — Game 2 of the World Series stayed close deeper into the night, boosting television ratings.
The 12.9 million viewers Wednesday on Fox for the Kansas City Royals’ 7-2 win over the San Francisco Giants were an increase of 6 percent from Game 1. The 7.9 rating with a 14 share was still the second-lowest ever for a Game 2. The Giants’ 2-0 win over the Detroit Tigers in 2012 drew a 7.8/12.
The Giants’ 7-1 victory Tuesday earned a 7.3, a record low for a Game 1. San Francisco led 5-0 after four innings. On Wednesday, the game stayed tied into the sixth.
Ratings measure the percentage of homes with televisions tuned to a program, while shares represent the percentage of TVs in use at the time.
Second United Way report at Grace Evangelical Church. Photo courtesy United Way of Greater St. Joseph
Community leaders gathered today to hear up-to-date progress on the 2014 United Way Campaign during a lunch meeting at Grace Evangelical Church.
Volunteers who lead 14 different Campaign Divisions shared pledge totals reported to them from their divisions. United Way of Greater St. Joseph aims to raise $3,145,000 to be used to impact lives in Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas through education, health, and financial stability. As of today, $1,458,605.97 has been pledged to the Campaign, which is 46% of the goal with two weeks remaining.
Donations to the 2014 United Way Campaign may be sent to United Way of Greater St. Joseph, PO Box 188, St. Joseph, MO 64502 or delivered to 118 South 5th Street. Online donations may be made by clicking on GIVE at stjosephunitedway.org. For more information about how to donate, people may call (816) 364-2381 Monday through Friday. The Campaign will conclude on Nov. 6.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal investigators say the IRS and the states should improve how they protect the security of confidential tax information of people getting benefits under the 2010 health care law.
A report released Thursday said states operating health insurance exchanges — where consumers can buy coverage — should be required to get independent assessments of the security of tax information they get from the IRS. It said states also must do a better job of making sure managers ensure that the systems are secure.
The IRS provides data on lower-income people who apply for tax credits to help pay for their health insurance.
The report said IRS officials agreed with the recommendations.
The report was by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, which audits the IRS.
19-year-old Codi Burgess charged with counterfeiting
Charges have been filed against a man arrested on Missouri Western’s campus Wednesday in connection with a series of counterfeit bills which have been circulated throughout the city.
According to court records, 19-year-old Codi Burgess of St. Louis, Mo. has been charged with counterfeiting, a class A misdemeanor.
As we previously reported, the St. Joseph Police Department said the first incident of the fake $20 bills was reported on Oct. 21 with six other reports followed a short time later that day within only a few hours of each other. Convenience stores and fast food restaurants appear to be the choice targets for the suspects.
Sgt. Gary Murphy said the bills are of good quality and were accepted by clerks for payment, some went unnoticed as being counterfeit until being discovered by business management during money count.
Suspects and vehicle descriptions were acquired by police during the investigation. Several black males and one black female were sought in connection with the case. One black male was described as having a facial tattoo and numerous tattoos on his arms who was seen passing a fake $20 at the South Riverside McDonald’s on Oct. 22.
The Financial Crimes Unit is currently in the process of obtaining video surveillance from businesses his by the fake $20-bills.
PARNELL- Three students were taken to a hospital after an accident just before 8 a.m. on Thursday in Nodaway County.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 School Bus driven by Amy L. Page-Cline, 36, Ravenwood, was eastbound on 200th Street one mile east of Parnell.
The bus began to slide on a mud-covered road, traveled off the right side of the road and overturned.
Stephanie M. Price, 16, Parnell, was transported by Nodaway County Ambulance to St. Francis Medical Center.
Tessa Privett, 8, and Tierney Privett, 11, both of Parnell, were transported by private vehicle to St. Francis for check up.
Cassy A. Redden, 11, Ravenwood, was to seek medical treatment later.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An American Civil Liberties Union attorney says a federal judge in Kansas has canceled a hearing scheduled Friday in the group’s lawsuit challenging the state’s ban on gay marriage.
