Christopher Sands admitted getting into a drunken fight with his brother in June and firing a .22-caliber handgun into the ceiling in anger. He also admitted his conviction for robbery 18 years ago, making it illegal for him to have the weapon.

Sands apologized for his actions, and told the judge that alcohol abuse has “messed my life up for years.”

Circuit Judge Daniel Kellogg accepted found Sands guilty on one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. Kellogg suspended imposition of sentence and ordered four years probation, to include an alcohol treatment program.

Colburn taught physical education in the North Platte R‐I School District for 10 years. He began his teaching career in the King City R‐I School District, where he also coached.

Colburn was a member of North Platte’s professional development committee and led the implementation of a character education and volunteering/mentoring program at the intermediate school.

Colburn earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Missouri Western State University in 2005. He earned his master’s degree in Administration from William Woods University in 2008.

Colburn is excited to take on this new role with the support of his wife Lyndsey and two sons, Camden and Carter.

The Board of Education approved Colburn’s hiring during a special board meeting on July 18, 2017.

A Wathena man was injured Sunday after hitting a deer while operating a motorcycle.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, around 8 p.m. Todd Hailey Sr. was driving a 1994 Kawasaki MC northbound on K7 when a deer crossed eastbound over the highway. After hitting the deer just north of Deer Run Creek, Hailey and the motorcycle slid to the west shoulder. The patrol said Hailey was transported to Mosaic Life Care for treatment. He was reported to be wearing a helmet and eye protection.

A St. Joseph man is facing a burglary charge after a man and his son allegedly chased the defendant from their property.

Kenneth Wayne Griffin Jr., 26 is charged in Buchanan County with a felony of second-degree burglary.

According to court documents, on Saturday the victim drove by a building he owned and saw Griffin exiting the property.

“The defendant fled on foot and was chased and caught by the victim and his son inside an apartment at 303 Illinois,” said Det. Frank Till with the St. Joseph Police Department. “When they caught the defendant inside the apartment they recognized numerous items that belonged to the victim that had earlier been locked in his building.”

Police said reports, photographic evidence, recovered stolen items and statements have been compiled in connection with the burglary investigation. Det. Till said Griffin has numerous arrest and convictions including stealing, unlawful use of a weapon and first-degree robbery.  He said Griffin was just released from prison July 10.

Griffin is being held in Buchanan County Jail on $5,000 bail.  He’s due in court Tuesday for an arraignment.

Capt. Jeff Wilson with the St. Joseph Police Department recommends the public call authorities for assistance in the event of a burglary. 

A teenager accused of making a death threat at school and then assaulting an officer pleaded guilty Monday.

Eion Coats, 17, of Bolckow, Missouri, is due back in court in Andrew County in September for sentencing on felony charges of assault and resisting arrest, as well as misdemeanor counts of institutional vandalism and making a terrorist threat.

Andrew County Deputy Sheriff M.C. Donahoo said in court documents he responded to North Andrew School in Rosendale on February 21, after a threatening message was found written on a white board in the boys locker room.

As we reported, Donahoo went to the defendant’s home, where he says Coats threatened him with a sword and attacked him with an arrow. Donahoo was able to arrest Coats, but not before he suffered a puncture wound to his left thigh.

On Monday, Coats pleaded guilty before Circuit Judge Daniel Kellogg. The judge ordered a Sentencing Assessment Report and scheduled sentencing September 25.

The most serious charge, 2nd-degree assault (special victim), is a class-b felony.  The charge carries a range of sentences of from five to 15 years in prison.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Resurfacing planned for U.S. Route 169 at the Exit 44 interchange, from just west of I-29 to just east of the Leonard Road intersection on the east side of I-29, has been pushed back one day.

Contractors from Herzog Contracting Corporation, working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, plan to work at night between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. to minimize the impact to traffic. They will close the off ramps at the interchange from the interstate to U.S. Route 169. One lane for through traffic on U.S. Route 169 will remain open in each direction throughout the duration of the project, though some turns may not be permitted. Motorists are advised to follow all signs and flaggers, and to use caution in the area.

The project is now slated to begin Tuesday evening, Aug. 1 and should be completed by 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 2. Schedules are 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.