The Allied Arts Council in conjunction with the City of St. Joseph invites sculptors to apply for the second annual St. Joseph Sculpture Walk, an exhibit of outdoor sculptures displayed year-round.
Regional, national, and international sculpture artists are invited to submit work for this one-year sculpture exhibition scheduled from June 2015- May 2016.
Selected sculptures/sculptors receive a $500 honorarium and all sculptures selected compete for up to $13,000 in cash prize awards.
Interested sculptors should visit the Council’s website for more information, and how to apply. Entry requires submission of a brief biography, concise CV/resume, one-paragraph narrative for each sculpture entered, and directions for installation and removal. A maximum of four (4) entries may be submitted, represented by three (3) images per entry. The deadline for submission is February 3, 2015, with notification of acceptance on or before March 2, 2015.
Up to twenty-five sculptures will be placed throughout Downtown St. Joseph. Some of the locations will be on business property but the majority will be placed on sidewalks and green spaces owned by the City.
Communities across the country have used sculpture walks to bring sculptures into their parks and downtowns. With the Sculpture Walk in St. Joseph, The council aims to bring life and vitality to the outdoor spaces, serve as a tool to help define downtown as an arts and entertainment district, attract artists and businesses, enhance property value, foster local development, and engage the community.
Public support is needed for a successful program. Anyone interested in supporting the program should contact the Allied Arts Council at 816-233-0231. Sculptures will arrive in St. Joseph mid-May, and be installed June 2-11, 2015. An opening reception and public unveiling for artists, sponsors will be held June 12, 2015.
Gov. Sam Brownback campaigned in 2010 on a platform that included as one of its main goals reducing childhood poverty. And since taking office, he has aggressively pursued that goal. But he’s done it his way.
Rather than putting millions more dollars into traditional public assistance programs, he has instituted policies that effectively limited access to them and instead steered would-be beneficiaries into welfare-to-work programs. The key to reducing poverty, he said, was getting people off the assistance rolls and into the workforce.
A Brownback commercial airing for his re-election campaign claims the strategy is working. It says that “welfare has been cut in half” by the governor’s welfare-to-work program.
The claim refers to a reduction in the number of Kansans enrolled in the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. According to the Kansas Department for Children and Families, TANF enrollment has fallen by 54 percent over the past four years, dropping from 38,963 in the 2011 budget year to 17,681 in the 2014 budget year.
Similarly, the number of low-income parents – single mothers, mostly – receiving monthly child care subsidy payments has dropped by 27 percent during the same four-year period.
“We’re seeing individuals moving out of poverty through employment,” said Theresa Freed, a DCF spokesperson.
Reducing the number of Kansans receiving public assistance isn’t the same thing as reducing poverty, said Shannon Cotsoradis, president and CEO of the advocacy group Kansas Action for Children. The recent KIDS COUNT report compiled by KAC shows that Kansas’ childhood poverty rate declined by 2 percent from 2012 to 2013. But other economic indicators showed more Kansas families struggling to make ends meet.
The percentage of Kansas children receiving free or reduced-price lunches at school is a good barometer, Cotsoradis said. In the 2010-2011 school year, about 47 percent of Kansas children qualified for free or subsidized lunches. Now, for the first time, more than 50 percent qualify.
“So here we have more kids relying on free and reduced school meals, and at the same time we’re seeing significant declines in the numbers of families that are accessing TANF and child care subsidies,” Cotsoradis said. “I don’t see how that’s good news. It means fewer poor people are receiving services that are meant to lift them out of poverty.”
Children are eligible for free school meals if they’re living in households with incomes below 130 percent of poverty and eligible for reduced-price meals if they’re in households with incomes between 131 percent and 185 percent of poverty.
Recently, the Brownback administration claimed in a DCF news release that its new welfare policies also had reduced poverty in the state.
Several days later the agency acknowledged it had made a mistake. The state’s poverty rate as calculated by the U.S. Census Bureau’s Supplemental Poverty Measure remained essentially flat, inching up to 11.8 percent in 2013 from 11.5 percent the year before.
“Typically, when you’re look at a survey this size, anything under 1 percent is not statistically significant,” said Terri Friedline, an assistant professor at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare who’s studied poverty statistics. “But that’s not to say it’s not meaningful, because three tenths of a percent is thousands of people.”
The Supplemental Poverty Measure uses a formula designed to calculate the effects that regional cost-of-living variances and state public assistance programs have on household incomes.
Phyllis Gilmore, secretary of DCF, said while the official numbers don’t yet show it, the administration’s policies are working to reduce poverty.
“Although we would like to see a dramatic decrease in poverty, we know that our efforts are effective,” Gilmore said in an email. “Every day, we hear from individuals who seek benefits and with the help of our employment services, they are finding jobs and achieving self-sufficiency.”
One doesn’t necessarily follow the other, said Annie McKay, executive director of the Kansas Center for Economic Growth, a nonpartisan think tank formed as a counter to conservative groups that lobby for lower taxes and smaller government.
Many of the jobs being filled by former welfare recipients pay wages that keep them in poverty, McKay said. She said more than 25 percent of working Kansans need some kind of help to pay for food, utilities, transportation and child care.
“If we continue to funnel Kansans into low-wage jobs, it’s not going to help them get ahead,” McKay said. “It’s not a path to prosperity, it’s a detour to poverty.”
Debbie Snapp, who runs the Catholic Social Service office in Dodge City, works with struggling families every day. She said most of those who need help have jobs.
“But they’re struggling because they’re working low-wage jobs, especially single moms,” Snapp said. “They’re still poor. They still can’t put enough food on the table. But instead of asking the state for help, they’re having to turn to charitable organizations like us.”
Jan Haberly oversees The Lord’s Diner, a Catholic Diocese of Wichita-sponsored program that each day prepares and serves 2,700 evening meals to the city’s homeless and low-income.
“All of our numbers are increasing,” she said. “We’ve been reaching out to more people, but even if we weren’t, our numbers are increasing. If there’s been a drop in poverty, we’re not reflecting it.”
Haberly said she’s long questioned the practice of using the federal poverty level to define whether someone is poor.
“You can be above 100 percent of poverty and still be poor,” she said. “So when there’s a report that says poverty is down, it may mean there aren’t as many people below 100 percent of poverty. But it doesn’t mean there are fewer poor people. We see all kinds of people – people and families – who are working but who are still poor.”
Jim McLean and Dave Ranney are reporters for Heartland Health Monitor, a news collaboration focusing on health issues and their impact in Missouri and Kansas.
Francisco Javier Vargas IIIThe Platte County Sheriff’s Office continues its investigation of an apparent homicide in southern Platte County.
Officials received the report that a deceased 27-year-old Hispanic male had been found in a residence on Twin Springs Road Saturday. Investigators say the victim suffered multiple injuries.
On Monday, authorities identified the victim as Francisco Javier Vargas III.
If you have information that could help, call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
STOCKTON (AP) – The driver of a car involved in a shootout that left a passenger and a southwest Missouri sheriff’s deputy dead has been charged with two felonies.
KYTV reports 28-year-old Joshua Jay Brown, of El Dorado Springs, was charged Monday in Cedar County with drug possession and tampering with evidence. Online court records show Brown is jailed on $100,000 bond and does not have a lawyer.
Authorities say Brown sped off around 12:30 a.m. Sunday when Cedar County Deputy Matthew Chism tried to stop him for a traffic violation. Chism chased the vehicle through El Dorado Springs, where 28-year-old William Collins jumped out as the car drove away.
Chism and Collins fought before exchanging gunfire that killed both of them.
Investigators say Brown and Collins both had multiple prior convictions.
Missouri Western State University’s Convocation on Critical Issues will feature Rice History Professor Douglas Brinkley as he talks about his work on “Cronkite,” a New York Times bestselling Biography.
“A lot of fun and funny stories about Walter Cronkite’s career because he had such an amazing sense of humor and he would hate it if I came back to hist home turf and was boring and dull,” said Dr. Brinkley.
Brinkley’s book talks about Cronkite’s life. He said it took him about five years to conduct all of his research. With access to the anchorman’s private papers as well as interviews with family and friends Brinkley said he was able to compile an extensive biography.
“Amazing things like his reporter’s notebook from Vietnam when he made his famous broadcast against the war,” said Brinkley. “Or his notes from when he was dealing with Neil Armstrong going to the moon.”
Brinkley said he had met with Cronkite on a number of occasions before his death.
“I would have lunch with him occasionally,” said Brinkley. “When I started my book he had stages of Alzheimer’s…So I wrote my book using mainly just 200 and some interviews of other people.”
He said he interviewed numerous friends and family members.
“Everyone from Bob Woodward, to Barbara Walters to Jimmy Carter to Gerald Ford,” said Brinkley.
Brinkley will take on the topic of “The Most Trusted Man in America: Celebrating the Life and Journalistic Integrity of Walter Cronkite.” He will speak at 10 a.m. Nov. 4 in Western’s Looney Complex on what would have been the legendary newsman’s 98th birthday.
COLUMBUS, Kan. (AP) — The state Highway Patrol says a southeast Kansas teenager has died after crashing a car while being chased by law enforcement.
Four other teens were injured when they were thrown from the car.
The patrol says the crash occurred just after 8 a.m. Monday near the Cherokee County town of Columbus while officers were chasing a car driven by 17-year-old Noah Kirsch, of Pittsburg. The car went off the road and rolled over several times.
Kirsh and passengers Autumn L. Bell, 16; Hannah N. Newcomer, 15, and Preston Herzog, 15, all of Pittsburg were transported to Freeman Medical Center. Kirsh died just after 5 p.m.
Another passenger Isaiah Beeney, 16, Pittsburg, was transported to Via Christi.
The KHP reported they were not wearing seat belts.
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COLUMBUS- Five teenagers were injured in an accident while fleeing from law enforcement just after 8 a.m. on Monday in Cherokee County.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s office said a 2002 Pontiac was reported stolen in Pittsburg.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported the Pontiac driven by Noah Kirsch, 17, Pittsburg, was westbound on Northwest Lawton Road three miles northwest of Columbus.
The vehicle left the south side of the roadway, rolled several times, ejected four occupants and partially ejected another.
Kirsh and passengers Autumn L. Bell, 16; Hannah N. Newcomer, 15, and Preston Herzog, 15, all of Pittsburg were transported to Freeman Medical Center.
Another passenger Isaiah Beeney, 16, Pittsburg, was transported to Via Christi.
The KHP reported they were not wearing seat belts.
ST. JOSEPH – Sheila Lee Richardson, 66, passed away Sunday, November 2, 2014 in a St. Joseph hospital.
She was born February 28, 1948 in St. Joseph, daughter of Norma and Harvey Busby. She graduated from Lafayette high school in 1966 and worked at Herman’s Drug Store for many years, She was also a homemaker. Sheila enjoyed bingo, watching Chiefs football and she was a Christian.
Sheila was preceded in death by husband, Ronnie Dale Richardson, Sr.; and her parents.
Survivors include: son, Ronnie Dale Richardson, Jr., and wife Lorie; two daughters, Angela Richardson, and Rosanna Burgess all of St. Joseph; six grandchildren, Joseph and Bryant Huff, Colten Richardson, Cheyenne and Thomas Anten, and Gracie Miller; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m., on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Rev. Albert Shirley officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., on Tuesday at Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, St. Joseph. Memorials are requested to the American Cancer Society. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.
MYSTIC, IOWA – Donald Ross Kelly, was born October 2, 1934 to John and Jennie (Johnson) Kelly. He passed away on Saturday, November 1, 2014, at Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Virginia Kauzlarich and Jeanette Coates; and seven brothers, Harold, Gerald, Junior, Ronald, Henry, James, and Andy.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ruth (Rhoades) Kelly, whom he married on August 30, 1959, at Lucerne Christian Church. He is also survived by his daughter, Lana Patterson (Kent) of Greenwood, Ind.; and his son, Scott Kelly (Lisa) of Overland Park, Kan.; and his five grandchildren, Blake, Logan, and Collin Patterson and John and Katie Kelly.
Don served in the United States Marine Corps from September 1954 through August 1957. He attended Centerville Iowa Junior College and Kirksville State Teachers College earning a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Education. He also attended the University of Missouri – Columbia earning a PhD in Educational Administration in 1970. Don served in education for 33 years as a teacher, counselor, and principal in Walnut, Iowa; as a high school principal in Clarinda, Iowa; as a supervisor in School Finance at the Missouri Department of Education in Jefferson City, Mo.; and as Associate Superintendent for Business Affairs with the St. Joseph School District from which he retired in 1995.
Don was a member of Central Christian Church in St. Joseph serving as a deacon and elder for many years. He also served on the Board of Trustees at Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, Mo., for 23 years. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be given to Central Christian College of the Bible, 911 East Urbandale Drive, Moberly, MO 65270.
Services: 10 a.m., Wednesday, Central Christian Church. Interment: 3 p.m., Wednesday, Lucerne Cemetery, Lucerne, Mo. The family will receive friends 5:30 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
NEW YORK (AP) — Wireless carrier Sprint says it is eliminating 2,000 jobs, or about 5 percent of its staff, as part of an effort to cut $1.5 billion in annual spending.
The company had announced a round of job cuts in early October, and did not say how many jobs were eliminated at that time. Sprint said Monday that job cuts would reduce its labor costs by $400 million per year.
Overland Park, Kansas-based Sprint Corp. is the third-largest cellphone carrier in the U.S. and is trying to compete better with AT&T and Verizon.
Japan’s Softbank bought a majority stake in Sprint in 2013 and the company has eliminated thousands of jobs since then. It had 38,000 employees at the end of 2013.
A resurfacing project on southbound Interstate 29 continues this week in Andrew County, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. Due to weather, some work will be completed this week, instead of Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, as previously planned.
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, contractors will complete the paving of the southbound I-29 ramps at Business 71 (Exit 53). These ramps will not be closed, as the contractors plan to pave one half of the ramp at a time. Motorists may experience delays and should exercise caution through the work zone.
On Wednesday, Nov. 5 and Thursday, Nov. 6, crews will pave the southbound ramps at the I-229 and I-29 interchange on the north end of St. Joseph (Exit 56) and finish paving the acceleration and deceleration lanes for all other interchanges. These ramps and lanes will also remain open with the contractor paving half the ramp at a time to allow for traffic flow.
Pavement Repairs Planned on Northbound Interstate 29
Interstate 29 will be narrowed starting Tuesday as crews begin pavement repairs. Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, contractors will be working from mile marker 67 near the south Oregon exit to the Iowa state line. The work will start at mile marker 67 in the northbound lanes and continue north to the state line. Crews will then move to the southbound lanes and work south from the state line to mile marker 67. The driving lane will be narrowed during the work, which should take approximately three days to complete, weather permitting.
I-29 will also be narrowed Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, for additional pavement repairs in the northbound driving lane from Business 71 at the north end of St. Joseph (Exit 53) to the south Oregon exit (Exit 67). The driving lane will be closed during the project, which should take one day to complete, weather permitting.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The sentencing hearing for a Topeka man convicted of murder has been interrupted after a juror fainted while viewing graphic autopsy photos.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the male juror passed out about 45 minutes into Monday’s hearing on the sentencing for 25-year-old Troy Allen Robinson. Shawnee County prosecutors are seeking the so-called “Hard 50” — 50 years behind bars before the possibility of parole — for the December 2012 stabbing death of 43-year-old Oma Bennett.
District Judge Nancy Parrish released the juror and ordered what’s expected to be a three-day hearing to resume Tuesday morning. An expert witness is expected to testify about Robinson’s mental health history.
A former coroner who had been testifying about the autopsy photos helped the stricken juror, who then drove home.
The Allied Arts Council in conjunction with the City of St. Joseph invites sculptors to apply for the second annual St. Joseph Sculpture Walk, an exhibit of outdoor sculptures displayed year-round.
Missouri Western State University’s Convocation on Critical Issues will feature Rice History Professor Douglas Brinkley as he talks about his work on “Cronkite,” a New York Times bestselling Biography.
