The Trustees of the David H. Morton Memorial Fund for the Arts recently announced awards of $1,000 each to three projects in the St. Joseph community.

According to a press release from the Allied Arts Council, the first award went to the Performing Arts Association, in cooperation with the St. Joseph School District, to present assembly-style programs for elementary school students that will use comedy, ventriloquism, and audience participation to impart such messages as: using one’s time wisely, turning talents into lifelong skills, using the library and reading, respecting ourselves and others, and making good choices that keep us safe and healthy.

The Robidoux Row Museum received a Morton Fund award for a new exhibit, “Saving the Buildings that Built St. Joe.” Robidoux Row is in the process of revitalization effort with the goal of increasing both the number of St. Joseph residents and out-of-town visitors who tour the museum.  The new exhibit will address the importance of preserving our historic buildings and will tell the stories of the people who lived and worked in those buildings.

A third award went to the Southside Development Corporation for a mural project at the east elevation of 401 Illinois.  The project is associated with the Development Corporation’s revitalization plans for the area.  This mural is to be created and completed by Sam Welty, an artist who has designed numerous projects across the United States, including downtown St. Joseph.

“We are happy to carry on the tradition of the Morton Fund to use the power of the arts to entertain, inspire, and uplift our community,” said Nick Robb, chairman of the Trustee’s Committee.

The David H. Morton Memorial Fund for the Arts was established in 1986 to honor the legacy of David H. Morton, a community leader and enthusiastic advocate of the arts.  Since that time, some 35 arts-related projects have received support from the Morton Fund.

For more information about the fund, call the Allied Arts Council at (816) 233-0231.

Mosaic Life Care recently celebrated 64 nominees for the 2018 Nurse Excellence Award with a banquet and ceremony.

At the ceremony, the 2018 Nurse Excellence Award recipients were announced. According to a press release from Mosaic, in years past, all nurses were eligible for one annual award, the Nurse Excellence Award. This year, the Nurse Excellence Awards program included four awards:

• Nurse of the Year (formerly Nurse Excellence Award) — Recognizing a nurse for outstanding service to patients
• Humanitarian of the Year — Recognizing a nurse who goes above and beyond to give back to the community
• Mentor of the Year — Recognizing a nurse who goes above and beyond to guide fellow nurses
• Rising Star of the Year — Recognizing a new nurse who is excelling in the nursing field or at Mosaic Life Care

2018 Rising Star of the Year Award Winner
Taylor Courtney, RN, BSN, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), was named the 2018 Rising Star of the Year Award winner. Taylor has worked for the ICU for two years. Her nomination reads, “It is amazing to observe how she has developed into the outstanding ICU nurse she is today in such a short period of time. Taylor delivers true, compassionate, connected care to her patients and their families. She takes the time to explain to them on an understandable level and ensure that their needs are met in such a stressful time.”

2018 Mentor of the Year Award Winner
Samantha Collier, LPN, Family Care North Pointe, was named the 2018 Mentor of the Year Award Winner. Samantha received numerous nominations from fellow caregivers and providers in her clinic. She is described as kind, understanding, highly talented and always willing to help those in need. “She is identified as a mentor, formally and informally,” reads one nomination. “She mentors new nurses while other nurses in the clinic look to her with questions and guidance.”

2018 Humanitarian of the Year Award Winner
Glenda Rodgers, RN, BSN, Maternity, was recognized as the 2018 Humanitarian of the Year. Glenda has spent more than ten years educating nurses and medical manufacturers on the dangers of universal connectivity and bring awareness to this patient safety issue. “Her journey began after the tragic loss of her daughter and unborn grandchild — a senseless nursing error due to the universal connectivity of tubing,” says one fellow caregiver. “She tirelessly perseveres going above and beyond to make sure she is giving the best of herself, providing education and care in Robin and Addison’s memory to ensure that no other family loses a loved one unnecessarily.”

2018 Nurse of the Year Award Winner
Natalie Maupin, RN, Forensic Trauma Program, was named the 2018 award winner. Natalie was nominated by a fellow caregiver, not only for her dedication to patient care but also for her dedication to bettering the St. Joseph community through helping those affected by sexual and domestic assault. Her nomination reads, “She took an idea and passion she had for forensic nursing and built our Forensic Program basically from the ground up. She dedicates so much of her time to this program and helping nurses feel comfortable performing exams and collecting evidence.” Her director, Sarah Cassity, RN, Emergency Department, describes her as an amazing person who truly seeks to do what is best for her patients and the community. “She works with organizations across the state and the nation to improve the care and wellbeing of our sexual assault patients, domestic assault patients, and our child abuse/neglect patients — Natalie is a great asset to the ED team, the organization, and the community!”

(Press release)

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Pavement repairs planned for next week require the closure of one lane of Interstate 29 in St. Joseph.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, local maintenance crews will have intermittent lane closures on both north and southbound I-29 between Frederick Avenue and Easton Road beginning at 6 a.m. Monday, May 14. Work will continue through Thursday, May 17 at approximately 4:30 p.m. Some lane closures will remain in place around the clock to allow the concrete to cure. Throughout the work a 12-foot width restriction will be in place.

All scheduled roadwork is weather permitting and subject to change.

MoDOT encourages all motorists to slow down, buckle up, eliminate distractions and drive safely to ensure everyone is able to Arrive Alive.

For more information on this and other MoDOT projects, call 1-888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636) or visit modot.org/northwest and view the online Traveler Information Map. In addition, MoDOT provides updated information on Twitter @MoDOTNorthwest and Facebook.

(UPDATE) According to police, one of the drivers involved in the head-on crash Thursday night was killed.

The victim has been identified as 33-year-old Elvin Garcia-Silvestry of St. Joseph.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

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Two people are in the hospital with critical injuries after a head-on crash at South Belt and 36 Highway Thursday night.

According to the St. Joseph Police Department, the crash occurred shortly after 8:30 p.m. at 2200 South Belt. The southbound lanes of traffic were blocked for a couple hours. The drivers of each vehicle were transported to the hospital for treatment of critical injuries.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

A 58-year-old Pleasant Hill man faces charges in an apparent road rage fatal stabbing of Cody M. Harter of St. Joseph.

According to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, Nicholas M. Webb faces 2nd degree murder and armed criminal action charges.

As previously reported, just after 7:30 p.m. Saturday, emergency crews were dispatched to the area of northbound M-291 Highway near the Interstate 470 merger on the report of a man stumbling in traffic, according to Lee’s Summit Police. They found Harter with a large wound and his vehicle was still at the scene. Witnesses and surveillance video of the victim’s and the suspect’s vehicles led police to the suspect. On Wednesday, Lee’s Summit police took Webb into custody.

Prosecutors have requested a $500,000 bond.

Webb had been arrested Saturday night in Liberty for possession and DUI. According to information from that arrest, Webb had a knife in his pants pocket.

According to charging documents, Webb had previous convictions for murder in 1981 and multiple convictions for assault.

Funeral services for Harter take place Friday morning in St. Joseph.