State officials are working out the details for including same-sex couples under state health insurance and retirement plans. A Kansas City Circuit Court ruling cleared the way for the state to recognize the unions of same-sex Missouri couples married in states where same-sex marriage is legal. 680KFEQ’s Barry Birr reports on the latest in the debate over healthcare coverage for same-sex couples.
Month: October 2014
St. Joseph School District receives Standards & Poor’s rating
The Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has given the St. Joseph School District an A+ rating.
In a news release from the district it says the rating was assigned for the school issuer credit rating for the 2014 general obligation of school building bonds.
“The rating rationale affirms the District’s bond rating and outlook,” said Todd Goffoy, Manager Dir., Public Finance Investment Banking Piper Jaffray & Co. “S&P continues to view the District favorably and recognizes the stable economy, strong fund balances, strong financial management and low debt burden.”
The A+ ICR took into consideration the District’s creditworthiness in diversifying economy, cash balance, financial management and net debt burden.
According to the district bonds also received an enhanced bond rating of AA+ through participation in the Missouri Direct Deposit Program.
The bonds are the final series of $42-million approved by voters in 2012 for the construction of two elementary schools and air-conditioning improvements at other district facilities.
Rent-to-own business to pay $28 million settlement
Aaron’s Inc. has been court-ordered to pay millions in refunds for overcharging customers.
According to the Associated Press the California attorney general has announced a $28-million settlement with the furniture and computer rental business that allegedly violated consumer protection and privacy laws.
Kamala Harris said Monday that Aaron’s Inc. overcharged customers, omitted important contract disclosures and installed software that could spy on laptop computer users.
A spokeswoman says the company admitted no wrongdoing or liability and was committed to following the law.
last year Aaron’s settled a case with the Federal Trade Commission over spyware installed on computers.
The Atlanta-based business is the nation’s second-largest rent-to-own business. It operates approximately 75 stores in California.
Harris says about 100,000 customers are eligible for $25 million in refunds for leases signed over the past four years. The company also will pay $3.4 million in civil penalties and fees.
Aaron’s also has a chain store located in St. Joseph at 1902 S Belt Hwy.
Police: More than 30 arrested in Ferguson protest
ALAN SCHER ZAGIER, Associated Press
JIM SALTER, Associated Press
FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) — More than 30 people have been arrested during a large rally to protest the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.
Clergy members led several hundred people during a march Monday from a church to police headquarters, marking the third straight day of recent protests in the St. Louis suburb.
St. Louis County Police spokesman Shawn McGuire says about 25 people were arrested on charges of peace disturbance, while six others were later arrested for failing to disperse.
Ferguson has been the site of frequent protests since Brown was fatally shot by a police officer on Aug. 9. Brown, who was black, was unarmed when he was killed by a white officer.
Chai Latte Milk to hit grocery store shelves
Shatto Milk Company is releasing Chai Latte as a new special edition flavor.
Only 4,000 bottle will be made. The flavor will only be around as long as supplies last and will hit store shelves October 13.
Shatto Milk said the new flavor can be consumed hot or poured over ice.
HyVee and Apple Market in St. Joseph will both carry the new flavor.
Shatto Milk Company is a local family dairy farm located just north of Kansas City.
YWCA to hold “Week without Violence”
The YWCA is hosting a “Week without violence” with special speakers to bring awareness to issues in the community.
This week numerous events will take place around St. Joseph addressing violence issues and prevention.
Violence Prevention Speaker
Violence Prevention Specialist, Speaker Jeffery Bucholtz will make numerous appearances around town to talk about the impact of sexual and domestic violence and ways the community can contribute to preventing it.
The community is invited to attend Bucholtz’s first appearance which is scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Grace Evangelical Church. The issue of sexual and domestic violence and how to prevent it through the examination of ideologies and attitudes will be addressed during the presentation.
Bucholtz will also be talking to students at every public high school in St. Joseph this week.
Take Back The Night will wrap up the “Week without Violence”, Thursday at 7 p.m. at Missouri Western.
Mo. lawmakers could debate prosecutors’ role in police shootings
JEFFERSON CITY (AP) – Missouri lawmakers could consider legislation next year that would take local prosecutors off the case whenever a police officer shoots someone.
Republican Rep. Jay Barnes, of Jefferson City, said he plans to file legislation that would give the state attorney general the responsibility for determining whether charges should be filed against police officers involved in deadly shootings.
The legislation comes after the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a police officer in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson on Aug. 9.
St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch is presenting the case to a grand jury to decide whether to charge officer Darren Wilson.
Some Democratic senators from St. Louis were among those who wanted McCulloch to step aside from the case because of family connections to police agencies.
Obituaries for October 13, 2014
ST. JOSEPH – Kristie Lynette Wright Lewis, 48, daughter of RC and Bertha Jewel (Short) Wright, both late of St. Joseph and Benton High School Class of 1984, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved friends and family Thursday October 2, 2014 at Heartland Regional Medical Center.
She had been recovering from a prolonged illness. She had moved from Alabama and Tennessee where she lived for several years due to this illness. She had returned to St. Joseph to care for her Mother when she fell ill.
Kristie was a member of Amazing Grace Worship Center in Alabaster, Ala., where she was active and loved teaching her Sunday School Class. Kristie had began attending Cornerstone Community Church in Savannah, Mo. She loved Country Gospel music and had been a fan for many years. Her favorite groups included personal friends; Full Life Trio of Savannah, Mark 209 of Nashville, Tenn., and The Kingsmen Quartet.
She is survived by her husband of 11 years, James Alan Lewis; her step-son, James Alan Lewis Jr.; and step-daughte,r Carrielegh Ann Lewis, of Alabama.
There will be a Home going celebration Friday, October 24, 2014 at 7 p.m., at Cornerstone Community Church 16100 Hwy 71 Savannah, MO 64485. For further info you can call 205-746-7546 In lieu of flowers, make donations in her memory to Feed the Children, or Alzheimer’s foundation in memory of her father.
MARYVILLE, Mo. – James N. Gray, 67, died Thursday, October 9, 2014 at Heartland Regional Medical Center.
He was born February 21, 1947 to Everett and Wilma (Pruitt) Gray in Maryville.
He was a member of Calvary Pentecostal Church and a CB Radio Hobbyist.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, Baby Gray; and brothers, Everett Gray, Jr. and Virgil Gray.
Survivors: son, Michael Gray, Conception, Mo.; daughter, Wendy Peterson (Christopher Mejia), St. Joseph; two granddaughters, Clarissa and Mariah Peterson; sister, Wilma Louise Goodson (Laton); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside Services and Inurnment: 10 a.m., Tuesday, Ohio Cemetery, Burlington Junction, Mo. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Foundation for the Blind. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jocelyn Cecilia White, was born sleeping October 1st 2014 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City. She was the beloved child of Adam and Ashlee and will be in our hearts forever.
Sweet little flower of heavenly birth you were too fair to bloom on earth.
Survived by parents Adam and Ashlee; sister, Ava Jane; maternal grandparents, BJ and Vicki Rosmolen; paternal grandparents, Bill White, Diane White; great-grandparents, Margaret Lakin, Tom and Verna White; several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Joining heaven with great grandparents, Bastian and Johanna Rosmolen; Dale Lakin, Arthur and Geri Johns; great-aunt, Mary Conn.
A private service was held Friday October 10th at Memorial Park in St. Joseph. Care provided by Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
ST. JOSEPH – Marjorie Jean Davis, 89, passed away Friday, October 10, 2014 at Carriage Square.
She was born on April 3, 1925 to Isaac and Marjorie (Miller) Price in St. Joseph.
Marjorie married Robert W. Davis on November 29, 1969. He preceded her in death on March 11, 2005. She was also preceded in death by her parents.
She formerly lived in Lincoln, Neb., Wichita, Kan., and St. Louis, Mo. While in St. Joseph she was a teller at the American National Bank for ten years and manager/waitress at Les Restaurant.
Marjorie was a member of Wyatt Park Baptist Church. She was an active member of the Seniorette Bowling League.
Survivors: three stepchildren, Victoria (Davis) Kaehler, Phoenix, Ariz.; Michael Davis, Olathe, Kan.; and Debra (Davis) Thue, Mesa, Ariz.; five step-grandchildren; and seven step-great-grandchildren.
Graveside Services and Interment: 1 p.m., Thursday, Memorial Park Cemetery. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Three Rivers Hospice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
CDC urges all US hospitals to ‘think Ebola’
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health authorities are telling the nation’s hospitals to “think Ebola.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Tom Frieden is urging hospitals to watch for patients with fever or symptoms of Ebola who have traveled from the three Ebola-stricken African nations in the past 21 days. He spoke Monday after a nurse in Dallas became the first person to catch the disease within the United States. She had treated a Liberian man who died at the hospital after bringing the disease from Liberia.
The CDC is now monitoring all hospital workers who treated the Liberian man. Frieden says he wouldn’t be surprised if another hospital worker who cared for that patient when he was very sick becomes ill. Ebola patients become more contagious as the disease progresses.
Police ID man who died in weekend lawnmower accident
LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — An 18-year-old man from Olathe was killed when a car hit the standing lawn mower he was using during the weekend.
Police say Wyatt Punzo died in the accident Saturday morning in Lenexa. His identity was released Monday.
Police say Punzo was traveling against traffic in Lenexa when the wreck occurred. The investigation is continuing, but police said they did not expect any charges to be filed.