We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Phony World Series tickets, merchandise seized

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Federal agents have seized phony World Series tickets worth tens of thousands of dollars, along with counterfeit Royals panties and Screen Shot 2014-10-22 at 4.10.13 PMother merchandise.

Before the first game of the series between the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants on Tuesday, agents for Homeland Security nabbed 126 counterfeit game tickets. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a news release that the tickets had a $43,000 street value.

Three people from New York and one from Atlanta are charged in Johnson County, Kansas, with selling fake tickets. Authorities are urging fans who bought bogus tickets to contact police.

Other counterfeit items that have been seized include T-shirts, baseball caps, cellphone cases, sweatshirts, and even baby clothes. One person suspected of selling counterfeit T-shirts is facing prosecution in Missouri’s Platte County.

Mo. school bus driver cited in collision

school busLEE’S SUMMIT (AP) – The driver of a suburban Kansas City school involved in a collision that injured 13 students has been cited for trying to make an unsafe U-turn.

Police in Lee’s Summit announced the municipal charge against the 50-year-old driver on Wednesday.

The accident occurred Monday afternoon as the bus was carrying 20 players from the Raymore-Peculiar High School volleyball team to a match at Lee’s Summit West High School.

Police said the driver missed a turn and was trying to make a U-turn near the school when the bus was hit on the side by a flatbed truck. The bus remained upright.

Twelve students were treated at hospitals for minor injuries and released. A 13th had serious but non-life-threatening injuries and remained hospitalized in stable condition Wednesday.

Pedestrian hit by law enforcement vehicle during Atchison Co. chase

pedestrian

ATCHISON, Kan.,- A pedestrian was injured in an accident just before 10 a.m. on Wednesday in Atchison County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Chevy Tahoe patrol vehicle driven by Atchison County Undersheriff Joseph R. Butner, 64, Atchison, was northbound on Walnut Street in Atchison in pursuit of a bank robbery suspect.

The vehicle was attempting a legal intervention on a fleeing vehicle and struck Trevor Lee Kiehl, 21, Leavenworth, who was standing on the northeast corner of the intersection and off of the roadway.

Kiehl was transported to the hospital in Atchison. A man suspected of robbing the bank of Weston in Weston, Missouri was taken into custody.

 

Ex-DA slams Brownback ad using Kansas murders

Foulston
Foulston

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The district attorney who prosecuted two brothers in a quadruple Wichita homicide is criticizing Gov. Sam Brownback’s use of the case in a new campaign commercial.

Brownback’s ad references Reginald and Jonathan Carr, whose death sentences for the December 2000 killings were vacated in July by the Kansas Supreme Court.

Former Sedgwick County District Attorney Nola Foulston issued a statement Wednesday saying the ad exploits the case for political gain.

Foulston says the ad is a “political last ditch effort” to undercut the qualifications and integrity of the Kansas Supreme Court and Brownback’s Democratic challenger, Paul Davis. She also says it’s disgraceful that the campaign would make the families of the murder victims relive the crime whenever they turn on their televisions.

Brownback’s campaign did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

 

School bullying; now the St. Joseph School District says there’s an App for that

Bully bookSt. Joseph School District counselors are tackling the issue of bullying during October as part of National Bullying Prevention Month.

“Bullying is something that happens. It’s been around forever and it continues to happen,” said Kim Hill, St. Joseph School District Coordinator of Counseling. “We’re always trying to prevent bullying and teach students how they can help.”

She said there are many different activities that are taking place in St. Joseph schools this months to bring awareness to bullying. She said speakers have been at several schools talking about the issues and counselors have worked on awareness projects.

“Social media has definitely added a new component to bullying. It’s providing another venue where bullying can take place,” said Hill. “Now there is 24/7 access to social media where students can continue to cyber bully outside of a school setting.”

Now, the counseling department is taking to social media asking people to get involved. Wednesday on Twitter @Counseling_CHS let the public know about a phone application which could help parents approach the subject of bullying with their children.

bully

“It talks about how 15 minutes a day of conversation with a parent can really help with the prevention and dealing with bullying,” said Hill. “It will help with conversation starters and will even send you a reminder to your phone to have that conversation with that child each day when they come home from school.”

The free app is provided by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. For more information on that app click here.

Hill said when dealing with bullying it’s important not to use labels like “victim” or “bully.”

“When you label students as either the victim or the bully you’re not taking into account the fact that they can change their behavior,” she said.

Hill said if there is a situation of bullying at school to let school counselors know about the issue. Another online resource for bully prevention is stopbullying.gov.

Woman pleads guilty fraud scheme that forced employer to close

fraudKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas City woman has pleaded guilty to a $3 million fraud that forced her employer to declare bankruptcy and close the business.

Federal prosecutors say 52-year-old Irene Marie Brooner pleaded guilty Wednesday to bank fraud. She admitted that for more than a decade she took the money from Galvmet Inc., a sheet metal fabrication and steel service center in Kansas City. The company closed in 2014, when it had 18 to 20 employees.

Brooner was a controller who managed payroll and accounts at Galvmet. During the scheme, she created 389 unauthorized transactions from the company’s bank account to her personal account and increased her net pay on about 108 checks.

Brooner was ordered to forfeit her home, a Lexus, jewelry and at least $2.9 million.

Obituaries for October 22, 2014

Geraldine Fisher
GOWER, Mo. – Geraldine R. Fisher, 92, passed away Monday, October 20, 2014 at the Gower Convalescent Center .
Geraldine was born to Paul W. and Rosa (Siela) Kneib on February 15, 1922 in St. Joseph. She attended Sacred Heart Convent. She married Herman A. Fisher on September 14, 1943. He passed away in 2003.
She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, a 4-H Leader, So-Dance Club and Extension Club.
Surviving family includes Rosann Stagg (Charles) Ames, Iowa; Jeanette Toms (Mick) Kearney, Mo.; Ron Fisher (Patricia) Easton, Mo.; Jerry Fisher (Linda) and Roger Fisher (Patsy), Easton, Mo.; and Diane Hendrix (Jimmy), Bentonville, Ark.; brother, Earl Kneib (Ruth), St. Joseph; sister-in-law, Ernestine Elrod (Lloyd), St. Joseph; brother-in-law, Dean Garrahan (Charlotte), Eagle, Idaho; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Geraldine was preceded in death by son, Francis and brothers Vincent and Alphonse Kneib.
Mass of Christian Burial 10 a.m. Saturday, October 25, 2014, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
Rosary 6 p.m. at Heaton-Bowman Smith and Sidenfaden Chapel in St. Joseph on Friday, October 24, 2014. Visitation following the Rosary until 8:30 p.m. Friends may call at the chapel after 9 a.m. on Friday.

20141021-151757_MessnerArleneobitpic
ST. JOSEPH – Arlene Faye Messner, 84, passed away Monday, October 20, 2014 at her home.
She was born May 28, 1930 in St. Joseph. She graduated from Benton High School, and was a Homemaker. She enjoyed antiques, decorating, and was a loving mother and grandmother, and she was a Christian.
Arlene was preceded in death by husband, Jack Messner; her father, Clarence Halpaine; mother, Violet Davidson; and a brother, Norman Halpaine.
Survivors include, two sons, Kirk Messner and Mike Messner; a daughter, Jackie Weiser all of St. Joseph; three grandchildren, Ashley Rainsbarger, Katie Weiser, and Mitch Messner; two great-grandchildren, Hudson and Briana Rainsbarger; a brother, David Halpaine; twin sister, Darlene West; and sister, Myrna Turner.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m., on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., on Wednesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Westlawn Cemetery DeKalb, Mo. Memorials are requested to the Arlene Messner Memorial Fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Huston, Larry,. obitphoto
ST. JOSEPH – Larry L. Huston, 75, died Saturday, October 18, 2014 at Heartland Regional Medical Center.
He was born December 1, 1938 to Paul and Lottie (Armstrong) Huston in St. Joseph.
Larry married Betty Anderson on May 6, 1960. She survives of the home.
He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. Larry retired from MEAD as the Union Business Agent. Following that he was the Executive Director of AFL-CIO Community Services St. Joseph, Missouri. He was a former President of the St. Joseph Labor Council and also a member of the State Labor Board.
Mr. Huston was a member of the Brotherhood Lodge No. 269, A.F. & A.M., 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason; High Twelve Club No. 49 and Moila Shrine.
Larry was the rock of the family and built his family with absolute love. He believed in giving back to his community and was very active in numerous programs to help those in need. As most know, Larry was a beloved coach for Little League Baseball and Bantam League Football of the Northend.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Karlene.
Additional Survivors: children, Rodney Huston (Christie) of Glendale, Ariz., Rebecca Gach and Patti Cope (Gary) of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Kristina Fowler (Josh) of Olathe, Kan., Kyle Gach (Katie) of Washington, D.C., Tyson Gach of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Kaleigh Gach of Olathe; great-grandchildren, Logan and Madison Fowler and Jaxon Shoemaker; sisters, Raline Greer and Lila Thompsen; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services: 1 p.m., Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory, where friends may call after 5 p.m., Thursday. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Second Harvest Food Bank or Camp Quality Northwest Missouri. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Schneider, Marjorie. obitphoto
ST. JOSEPH – Marge Schneider, 96, died Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at a local healthcare facility.
She was born September 10, 1918 to Oscar and Rose (Wenger) Stuber in St. Joseph.
Marjorie married Oliver Louis Schneider on June 9, 1940. He preceded her in death on May 20, 1992.
She was a graduate of Oak Grove High School and attended one year of business school. She was also a Bookkeeper for Wonder Bread Bakery for over twenty-five years.
Marge was a member of Clair United Methodist Church where she was an active member since she was ten.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; brother, Wilbur Stuber; and son, Terry Schneider.
Survivors: son, Ross Schneider (Patricia), St. Joseph; daughter, Norma Schneider, Council Bluffs, Iowa; granddaughters, Dr. Brianne Schneider and Laura Schneider; grandson, Patrick Schneider; brothers, Norman Stuber and Oscar Stuber (Priscilla); and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services: 10 a.m., Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. For those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Clair United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor’s choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Wilmes, Bill
RAVENWOOD, Mo. – William Henry “Bill” Wilmes, 80, died Monday, October 20, 2014, at his home in Ravenwood.
Bill was born September 12, 1934, in Maryville, Mo., to William Henry and Laura Louise (Thompson) Wilmes.
A 1952 graduate of Maryville High School, he was a farmer. He married Patricia Madden Wilmes on February 9, 1954, at St. Patrick’s Church in Maryville.
Bill was a member of St. Columba Catholic Church, Conception Junction, Mo., and the Knights of Columbus.
Preceding in death were his wife, Pat; brother, Jim Wilmes; sisters, JoAnn Archer, Mary Ann Wilmes and Mercedes Spire.
Survivors include: six children: Jerry (Robin) Wilmes, Maryville; Cathy (Chris) Oelze, Ravenwood; Margie (Wayne) Canon, Kansas City, Mo.; Larry (Peggy) Wilmes, Ravenwood; Jerome (Karol) Wilmes, Skidmore, Mo,. and Alice (Mark) Schieffer, Maryville; 22 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; five sisters, Mary (Alvin) Luke, Maryville; Laura Luke, Maryville; Genny Jermain, Burlington Junction; Dorothy Schmitz, Parnell, Mo., and Pat (John) Schieber, Maryville; and brother Fred (Darla) Wilmes, Lawson, Mo.
A Parish Rosary will be held at 6 p.m., Thursday, at St. Columba Catholic Church, Conception Junction, with visitation to follow after the Rosary, until 8 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Friday, at St. Columba, with burial following in St. Columba Cemetery, Conception, Mo.
Memorials may be made to SSM Hospice and Homecare, 2016 South Main Street,nMaryville, MO 64468.

2 dead in shooting at Canada’s Parliament, U.S. embassy on lockdown UPDATE

Police

JEREMY HAINSWORTH, Associated Press
ROB GILLIES, Associated Press

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — A Canadian soldier standing guard at a war memorial in the country’s capital was shot to death Wednesday, and gunfire then erupted inside Parliament, authorities said. One gunman was killed, and police said they were searching for as many as two others.

People fled Parliament by scrambling down scaffolding erected for renovations, while others took cover inside as police with rifles and body armor took up positions outside and blocked the normally bustling streets around the building.

Witnesses said the soldier was gunned down by a man dressed all in black with a scarf over his face. They said the gunman then entered Parliament, where dozens of shots rang out.

Ottawa police spokesman Chuck Benoit said two or three gunmen were believed to be involved in the attack. Gilles Michaud, assistant commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, called it a “dynamic, unfolding situation.”

Ottawa Hospital said it received two patients, both listed in stable condition, in addition to the soldier.

The attack came two days after a recent convert to Islam killed one Canadian soldier and injured another in a hit-and-run before being shot to death by police. The killer had been on the radar of federal investigators, who feared he had jihadist ambitions and seized his passport when he tried to travel to Turkey.

Canada had raised its domestic terror threat level from low to medium Tuesday because of “an increase in general chatter from radical Islamist organizations,” said Jean-Christophe de Le Rue, a spokesman for the public safety minister.

On Wednesday, Tony Zobl, 35, said he witnessed the soldier being gunned down from his fourth-floor window directly above the National War Memorial, a 70-foot, arched granite cenotaph, or tomb, with bronze sculptures commemorating World War I.

“I looked out the window and saw a shooter, a man dressed all in black with a kerchief over his nose and mouth and something over his head as well, holding a rifle and shooting an honor guard in front of the cenotaph point-blank, twice,” Zobl told the Canadian Press news agency.

“The honor guard dropped to the ground, and the shooter kind of raised his arms in triumph holding the rifle.”

Zobl said the gunman then ran up the street toward Parliament Hill.

Cabinet minister Tony Clement tweeted that at least 30 shots were heard inside Parliament, where Conservative and Liberal MPs were holding their weekly caucus meetings.

“I’m safe locked in a office awaiting security,” Kyle Seeback, another member of Parliament, tweeted.

The top spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Harper was safe and had left Parliament Hill. The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa was locked down as a precaution.

Officials also canceled two events in Toronto honoring Pakistani teenager and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, including one in which she was supposed to receive honorary Canadian citizenship. The teenager was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman in 2012 for calling for schooling for girls.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police warned people in downtown Ottawa to stay away from windows and rooftops.

Scott Walsh, 21, a construction worker working in a manhole right in front of Parliament Hill, said he heard shots go off at the War Memorial.

“We’re in construction and we’re used to loud bangs. When people started screaming and running, that’s when I clued, and I saw this guy running” with a gun, he said. “It was intense. I didn’t think it was real. ”

He said the gunman had long black hair with a scarf covering the bottom half of his face.

—————

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Police in Ottawa say shots also were fired near a shopping mall close to Parliament.

Ottawa police Constable Marc Soucy said Wednesday there have been shots fired at three places in the Canadian capital: at the National War Memorial, where a soldier was wounded, on Parliament Hill and near the Rideau Centre Mall.

All three sites are within less than a mile from each other.

He said it started at the war memorial and that it is still unclear whether there is more than one shooter. No arrests have been made.

“Most of downtown Ottawa is in lockdown,” Soucy said.

The shooting came two days after a recent convert to Islam killed one Canadian soldier and injured another in a hit-and-run before being gunned down by police.

——-

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Police and witnesses say a gunman has shot a Canadian soldier standing guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.

Witnesses also said the gunman entered Parliament and shots rang out. Royal Canadian Mounted Police warned people in downtown Ottawa to stay away from windows and rooftops. Buildings across the area including the U.S. Embassy are on lockdown.

The shooting, which happened shortly before 10 a.m., comes just two days after two Canadian soldiers were run over — and one of them killed — in Quebec by a man with jihadist sympathies.

Walter Cronkite memorabilia on temporary display at Western

one of several Cronkrite memorabilia items on display
one of several Cronkrite memorabilia items on display

St. Joseph, Mo. —Oct. 22, 2014—Memorabilia on loan from the Walter Cronkite family will be temporarily displayed during the public meeting of the Missouri Western State University Board of Governors on Thursday, Oct. 23. The memorabilia will be displayed from 1 to 3 p.m. in the hallway outside Blum Union room 220, where the board meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. The one-time display is free and open to the public. Also on Thursday, there will be a free public performance of “Cronkite,” a live multimedia presentation, at 6 p.m. in the Kemper Recital Hall, inside Spratt Hall.

Eric Fuson, artist in residence, had no idea what treasures awaited when he traveled in September to Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., to meet with Kate Cronkite, the daughter of Walter and Betsy, who had been sorting through a family storage unit.

Kate had contacted Missouri Western with an offer to loan memorabilia to the Walter Cronkite Memorial inside Spratt Hall. When he arrived, Kate asked Fuson what kinds of items the university might be interested in. He replied the university would welcome things related to her father’s career, but also would love to have personal items that reflected his private life and interests.coinfront

When Fuson returned to St. Joseph a couple of days later, he brought along a selection that included cartoons and caricatures featuring Walter Cronkite and signed by the artists, several awards and honors (including a trophy from a rooster calling contest in Omaha, Neb., in 1960), a medallion presented to Cronkite by Dwight D. Eisenhower on the 20th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, signed photographs from astronauts and politicians, and many more items.

One of the most unique parts of the collection: a selection of belts worn by Cronkite.

“It sounds strange, but they actually say a lot about Mr. Cronkite, especially his love of sailing,” Fuson said. “One is decorated with the flag of his yacht and semaphore flags. Another has a belt buckle from a sailing race to the Bahamas. You can tell these items were used and appreciated by the man, and it’s pretty cool to be able to see and touch them yourself.”

Fuson said it’s been gratifying to work with the family on a project that has meaning to him and to them, and additional items may be loaned to the Memorial in the future.

Walter Cronkite was born in St. Joseph on Nov. 4, 1916. The Walter Cronkite Memorial, in the atrium of Spratt Hall on the Missouri Western campus, was dedicated last year on what would have been his 97th birthday. The 5,000 square-foot display features images and videos of Cronkite’s life and the many historic events he covered as a journalist. The Walter Cronkite Memorial is open daily except Christmas, New Year’s Day and Easter, and admission is always free. Learn more at www.waltercronkitememorial.org.

The memorial is complemented by a live, multi-media performance called “Cronkite,” based on a 2002 appearance by the former CBS anchorman on CNN’s “Larry King Live” one year after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. Public performances of “Cronkite” are currently scheduled at 6 p.m. Oct. 23 and 8 p.m. Nov. 3. Admission is free, but reservations are requested by calling 816-271-4100.

CDC: Monitoring now for all coming from Ebola nations

CDC logoCONNIE CASS, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials are significantly expanding the breadth of vigilance for Ebola, saying that all travelers who come into the U.S. from Ebola-stricken West African nations will now be monitored for symptoms of illness for 21 days.

The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the program will begin Monday and cover visitors as well as aid workers, journalists and other Americans returning from Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea.

The program will start in six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey and Georgia.

CDC Director Tom Frieden says state and local health officials will check daily for fever or other Ebola symptoms.

Passengers will get kits to help them track their temperature and will be told to inform health officials daily of their status.

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File