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Sheriff: Child wounded in NE Kansas drive-by shooting

JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a drive by shooting that sent a child to the hospital.

Just before 2a.m. Sunday, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a residence in the 13000 block of 166th Road north of Mayetta, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

Deputies and investigators arrived at the scene and found multiple rounds that had been fired into the residence.

Jackson County EMS transported a minor child from the residence to an area hospital who had been struck by a bullet. The injury is not believed to be life threatening, according to Morse.

Anyone has any information regarding the incident, you are asked to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 785-364-2251.

Planned road work for northwest Missouri, May 21 – 27

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The following is a listing of general highway maintenance and construction work in the Northwest Missouri region planned for the week of May 21 – 27 from the Missouri Department of Transportation. In addition to the work listed below, there may be pothole patching, mowing, shoulder work, bridge maintenance, striping, brush cutting, guardrail repairs, litter pick up and other road work conducted throughout the region. Many of these will be moving operations and could include lane closures with delays. All scheduled maintenance and construction projects are subject to change.

MoDOT reminds the public to stay alert, watch for road work, buckle up, slow down, and drive with extreme caution through work zones and in changing weather conditions.

For more information about a project, please contact MoDOT at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (888-275-6636) or visit modot.org/northwest. You can also follow MoDOT’s Northwest Missouri District on Twitter @ModotNorthwest and on Facebook.

Andrew County

Interstate 29 – Bridge deck replacement project at the Nodaway River Bridge. Traffic is head to head in the northbound lanes. This traffic pattern will be in place through August and includes a 13-foot width restriction.

U.S. Route 71 – Resurfacing project from Route 48 to Route A (Nodaway County), May 21 – 27

Atchison County

U.S. Route 275 – Bridge maintenance at the McElroy Bridge, May 21 – 24

U.S. Route 275 – Bridge maintenance at the East Fork of High Creek Bridge, May 21 – May 27

U.S. Route 275 – Bridge maintenance at the West Fork of High Creek Bridge, May 25

Buchanan County

U.S. Route 36 – Pavement repair from Route AC to the Missouri River, May 21 – 24

Caldwell County

U.S. Route 36 – Bridge maintenance at the Long Branch Bridge, May 22 – 27

Carroll County

Route KK – Shoulder and drainage work at County Road 101, May 21 – 25

Route M – Pavement repair, May 22 – 24

Chariton County

Route E – Pothole patching from Route 11 to Route 139, May 21

Route C – Bridge maintenance on the Hickory Branch Bridge, May 21 – 22

Routes EE and RA – Pothole patching, May 22

Route YY – Pothole patching, May 23

Route E – CLOSED for a culvert replacement from Route JJ to Route 5, May 23, 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Route D – Bridge maintenance at the Clark Branch Bridge and the Mussel Fork Creek Bridge, May 23 – 24

Clinton County

Route V – Chip seal from U.S. Route 69 to Route 33, May 21

Daviess County

Route 13 – CLOSED for a bridge replacement project at the Honey Creek Bridge. The road will be closed through September.

I-35 – Pavement repair from mile marker 64 (near Route 6) to mile marker 84 (near Route AA/H Harrison County), May 21 – 24

Route KK – CLOSED for a resurfacing project, May 21 – 23, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

Route E – CLOSED for a resurfacing project from Santa Rosa to Route D (DeKalb County), May 24 – 25, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

DeKalb County

U.S. Route 36 – Pavement resurfacing and realignment project at the Route 33 North/Route M junction. Traffic is head to head in the eastbound lanes. This traffic pattern will be in place through July 3 and includes a 14-foot width restriction.

Route E – CLOSED for a resurfacing project from Route D to Santa Rosa (Daviess County), May 24 – 25, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

Gentry County

Route C – Bridge maintenance at the Panther Creek Bridge, May 21 – 25

Grundy County

Route K – Pothole patching, May 23 – 24

Harrison County

Route AA/H – CLOSED for a bridge deck replacement at the I-35 overpass. The bridge will be closed through July. I-35 traffic will diverted up and over the on and off ramps at the exit beginning Tuesday May 29 for approximately 5 working days. No access to or from Routes AA or H will be permitted during this portion of the project.

I-35 – Pavement repair from mile marker 84 (near Route AA/H) to mile marker 64 (near Route 6 Daviess County), May 21 – 24

Route U – Pothole patching, May 24 – 25

Holt County

I-29 – Bridge deck replacement at the Nodaway River Bridge. Traffic is head to head in the northbound lanes. This traffic pattern will be in place through August and includes a 13-foot width restriction.

U.S. Route 59 – CLOSED for a bridge replacement project at the Davis Creek Bridge. The road will be closed through June.

I-29 – Resurfacing project and shoulder improvements from Route 118 to Route W, May 21 – 25. This includes a15-foot Width restriction.

Linn County

U.S. Route 36 – Shoulder improvements from just east of Route 11 to Route 5, May 21 – 27

Route YY – Pothole patching from the Chariton County line to Route 130, May 23 – 24

Route 130 – Pothole patching from Route YY to U.S. Route 36, May 24 – 25

Route KK – Pothole patching from Route B to Route K (Livingston County), May 25

Livingston County

U.S. Route 65 – Pavement repair from the north city limits of Chillicothe to the Iowa state line, May 21 – 27. This includes a 12-foot width restriction.

Route K – Pothole patching, May 21 – 22

Route KK – Pothole patching from Route K to Route B (Linn County), May 25

Mercer County

U.S. Route 136 – Bridge maintenance at the Weldon Branch Grand River Bridge, May 22 – 24. This will include overnight lane closures.

Nodaway County

U.S. Route 71 – Resurfacing project from Route A to just north of Route 48 (Andrew County), May 21 – 27

U.S. Route 136 – Shoulder improvements from east of the Maryville city limits to Route 46 in Ravenwood, May 21 – 25

Worth County

Route AA – CLOSED for a culvert replacement two miles east of Route C, May 22, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Man faces life sentence for Platte County child sex crimes

PLATTE COUNTY (AP) – A Louisiana man faces multiple mandatory life sentences in prison for sexually abusing a young girl and for being a predatory sex offender.

McDonald-photo Platte Co. Sheriff

Platte County Attorney Eric Zahnd said 49-year-old Robert McDonald, of Coushatta, Louisiana, was found guilty Thursday of 10 felonies. The jury also found McDonald to be a predatory sex offender.

The victim told investigators that McDonald repeatedly sexually abused and raped her when she was between the ages of 5 and 7. The victim’s sister testified that McDonald had also touched her in a sexual way.

Zahnd says the finding that McDonald is a predatory sexual offender means he must be sentenced to life in prison on four of the 10 counts.

McDonald will be formally sentenced July 16.

Kansas’ Hispanic infant mortality increases, others decline

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Some researchers worry about the increasing Hispanic infant mortality rate in Kansas as the trend moves in the opposite direction for babies overall in the state.

Photo courtesy KU School of Medicine -Wichita

The Hispanic community has historically had low infant mortality rates despite lack of access to prenatal care.

But the director of the Center for Research for Infant Birth and Survival, Cari Schmidt, said she fears that Hispanic babies are becoming more likely to die in their first year.

“There’s something going on in that community that we need to figure out and help address,” she said.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment documented five-year averages for infant mortality rates for 1997-2016. The department says infant mortality rates have declined for babies born to white or black mothers during that time, but increased for babies Hispanic mothers.

One reason for the increase could be due to toxic stress. Researchers have investigated eating habits, obesity, prenatal care and more to explain the disparity in infant mortality between black and white infants. They’ve recently determined that it’s more likely that racial disparities come from social mechanisms and class disparities.

Researchers have also considered the impact of immigration raids on the health of babies born in Latino communities.

McCaskill defends CIA vote: Reasons classified

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri says that classified discussions she can’t share publicly persuaded her to vote against the new CIA director.

McCaskill is one of the few Democrats facing difficult re-elections to oppose President Donald Trump’s nomination of Gina Haspel. She was confirmed Thursday after a debate about her role in the CIA’s torture program.

McCaskill briefly addressed her vote with reporters at a campaign event Saturday. She says she was “very uncomfortable” with Haspel’s answers during a classified briefing.

McCaskill says, “If everyone in Missouri read and listened to her answers … I believe that a vast majority of Missourians would have voted the same way I did.”

Earlier Saturday, Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas said McCaskill “put partisan politics over national security” by opposing Haspel.

Northwest announces free Summer Movie Series for 2018

Northwest Missouri State University’s Office of Student Involvement and the Student Activities Council has announced its schedule for the 2018 Summer Movie Series.

Five movies comprise this summer’s series, which is free and open to the public.

All show times are 7 p.m. at the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts.

Dates, movies and film ratings appear below.

For more information, contact Northwest’s Office of Student Involvement at (660) 562-1226 or sac@nwmissouri.edu.

·         June 13: “Coco” (PG)

·         June 27: “McFarland USA” (PG)

·         July 11: “Black Panther” (PG-13)

·         July 18: “Million Dollar Arm” (PG)

·         Aug. 8: “Invictus” (PG-13)

Winning Artwork Announced in 2018 Congressional Art Competition

Kansas City, MO – Students who participated in the annual Congressional Art Competition hosted by Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) gathered at a reception, where the winners for the 6th Congressional District competition were announced.  At the gathering, which was held at Graves’ district office in Kansas City, several young artists were recognized for their work.

The following works were selected for awards:

  • First Place: The Moment After Goodbye by Collin Riggins, Staley High School, Kansas City
  • Second Place: John Doe by Brittany Armstrong, Platte County High School, Kansas City
  • Third Place: Upside Down by Olivia Mayberry, Liberty High School, Liberty

“I’m impressed every year with the high level of talent that our high schoolers display in this competition. All of the artwork that was entered this year was excellent,” Graves said.

“I’d like to thank everyone who participated and especially congratulate our winners.”

High school students from Kansas City to Louisiana, MO and everywhere in between in North Missouri submitted artwork for this years’ competition. The artwork was judged by Northwest Missouri State University’s art department. The first place artwork will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel in the US Capitol complex.

PHOTOS:

First Place: The Moment After Goodbye by Collin Riggins, Staley High School, Kansas City

 

            Second Place: John Doe by Brittany Armstrong, Platte County High School, Kansas City

 

 

            Third Place: Upside Down by Olivia Mayberry, Liberty High School, Liberty

3 Things To Know About The State Of Cannabis In Kansas

This winter we reported that Kansas is one of just four stateswith the strictest cannabis laws in the country.

Some farmers can now look at the possiblity of growing hemp — good for industrial use, no good for getting high — after changes made in Kansas law.
FILE PHOTO / HARVEST PUBLIC MEDIA

But the 2018 legislative session that ended earlier this month shook the state’s legal landscape. So what has changed and what hasn’t?

CBD is now legal

Quick recap: Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the compounds in the cannabis plant that doesn’t get people high, and that advocates say has medical benefits. Some studies have found it helps people suffering from seizures.

Shops in Kansas were certainly selling it and people were buying, but both were technically crimes because whether they get you high or not, CBD products counted as marijuana under Kansas law.

        What do we and don’t we know about the medical effects of marijuana and related products? Here’s a handy review from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine

So this year — after years of pleas from the family members of people suffering seizures — lawmakers tweaked the law.

CBD is now legal after Gov. Jeff Colyer signed legislation Monday. And unlike some states — Missouri, for instance, legalized it with tight limits on either who can sell it or who can buy it — Kansas opted for broad access.

Hemp is back

Growing this crop used to be legal and common. In 2014, the federal government began allowing it again in limited circumstances. Hemp is in a bunch of products — fabrics, foods, building materials, you name it — but right now the U.S. mostly imports from places like Canada and China.

Hemp comes from the same plant species as marijuana, just a different variety with taller stalks (to maximize fiber yield) than the one people use to get high.

Kansas is taking the federal government up on its offer to allow regulated pilot programs for growing, researching and selling hemp. The state agriculture department is working on finding farmers and setting up that program.

Want more background on hemp and other products? Read our primer

Among the questions they’ll be exploring are which hemp seeds best suit Kansas growing conditions and how drought-tolerant they are.

Marijuana is still a no-no

So here’s a good rule of thumb now for cannabis-related products in Kansas: if it gets you high, it’s definitely illegal.

At least 30 states let people use marijuana. In most of them, you need a doctor’s prescription.

Kansas advocates of medical marijuana continue to push for that, but neither their House bill nor Senate bill got a hearing this year.

Celia Llopis-Jepsen is a reporter for the Kansas News Service. You can reach her on Twitter @Celia_LJ.

Border to Border seat belt initiative kicks off Click It or Ticket week

To kick off the 2018 Click It or Ticket seat belt initiative with the highest level of support, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is spearheading an awareness event.

According to a press release from the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, Border to Border (B2B) is a one-day national seat belt awareness kickoff event coordinated by participating state highway safety offices and their respective law enforcement liaisons. B2B aims to increase law enforcement participation by coordinating highly visible, seat belt enforcement and providing seat belt fact sheets for drivers at heavily traveled locations at state lines.

The B2B event will be held Monday, May 21, beginning the Click It or Ticket week which runs through June 3 and covers the busy Memorial Day holiday weekend.

“Past Border to Border initiatives have proved helpful toward our overall goal of spreading the message about the importance of buckling up,” said Colonel Sandra K. Karsten, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The B2B kickoff will include a four-hour enforcement crackdown from 4 to 8 p.m. on May 21.

The B2B program is also a successful study in collaboration between local law enforcement offices: During the 2017 B2B program, participating nationwide law enforcement offices issued citations for 5,695 seat belt and child car seat violations, as well as 14,619 citations for other traffic infractions. 

According to NHTSA, nearly half (48%) of the passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in 2016 were unrestrained. From 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., that number soared to 56 percent of those killed. That’s why one focus of this year’s B2B and Click It or Ticket campaigns is nighttime enforcement. During the week of Click It or Ticket, participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night. In Missouri the maximum penalty for a seat belt violation is $10.

“In 2016, 947 people died in Missouri traffic crashes, and 62 percent of the drivers and passengers killed were not wearing their seat belt. Many of those community members would have survived if they’d made the choice to buckle up,” said Colonel Karsten. “If one of your friends or a family member does not buckle up when they drive, please ask them to change their habit. Help us spread this life-saving message before one more friend or family member dies needlessly. Seat belts save lives, and everyone—front seat and back, child and adult—needs to remember to buckle up—every trip, every time.”

For more information on the Click It or Ticket mobilization, please visit www.saveMOlives.com or nhtsa.gov/ciot.  

Man sentenced for terrorizing Mo. woman, granddaughter

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) – A man who terrorized a woman and her 2-year-old granddaughter in Branson has been sentenced to 20 years in prison without parole.

Colina -photo Greene Co.

Federal prosecutors say 35-year-old Alberto Colina Jr., of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced Friday for being a felon in possession of a firearm and stealing a firearm.

Investigators say in January 2016, Colina carjacked a truck and also terrorized a 63-year-old woman and her granddaughter in an apartment for nearly two hours. He hit the woman with the weapon and forced her take drugs while ransacking the apartment.

Colina was eventually arrested after officers used a stun gun on him when he refused to come out of a Springfield church.

Colina has pleaded guilty in a separate state case to robbery, two counts of armed criminal action and assault.

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