Post Staff – Page 171 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Hot and humid with a chance of storms tonight

Posted on June 15, 2017

Today will be mostly sunny and humid with temperatures reaching to the low 90s with heat index values up to 102°F with lighter winds that we have seen recently making it feel even hotter. Storms are expected to develop over eastern KS and southern Iowa in the late afternoon then make their way into our area after sunset. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 96. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 96. South wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Southwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.

“Cat-pacity” results in shelter feline fee decline

Posted on June 14, 2017June 14, 2017

“Neely is at Petsmart” Photo via City of St. Joseph Shelternet

Due to an abundance of cat and kittens in the St. Joseph’s Animal Control and Rescue shelter the City is temporarily reducing adoption fees for felines.

The City said, because the shelter is at “Cat-pacity” and has approximately 50 cats available for adoption, the Friends of the Animal Shelter of St. Joseph, LLC, is holding a feline special this weekend.
Half price for kittens and no charge for cats adopted this Friday, June 16th and Saturday, June 17th. Shelter hours are 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days.

There will be a limit of two cats (including kittens) per individual and the adoption must take place in person at the shelter during business hours. To adopt a shelter cat or kitten, an application must be completed. It can be filled out at the shelter or found on the City website by clicking on “Health Department” under “Government”, then use the left hand column to go to the “Animal Control & Rescue” page, where a link to the adoption page can be found. The fees associated with adopting a pet vary, depending upon the size of the animal and whether it is spayed or neutered.

The Friends of the Animal Shelter of St. Joseph, LLC’s, Facebook page has photos of available animals, as does the animal shelter web page CLICK HERE.

Hours this week are:.
Thursday, 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Former tribal firefighter in Brown County pleads guilty in federal probe

Posted on June 14, 2017

A former firefighter with the Kickapoo Volunteer Fire Department pleaded guilty Tuesday to concealing the fact that grass fires on the reservation were deliberately set.

Arlene M. Negonsott, 35, Horton, Kan., pleaded guilty in U.S. Court in Topeka to one count of concealing a felony. In her plea, she admitted that she did not tell investigators what she knew when they interviewed her about a series of fires on the Kickapoo Reservation in Brown County.

U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said she knew that fire chief and co-defendant Stephen D. Ramirez, Jr., arranged for the fires to be set and billed the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the Kickapoo Fire Department’s work putting out the fires.

Sentencing will be set for a later date. She faces up to three years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Co-defendant Ramirez is awaiting trial.

(Update) After two days in jail, $10 bail posted for alleged order violation

Posted on June 14, 2017June 16, 2017

(Update) By Wednesday afternoon, someone posted $10 bail for Clarence Barr, who was released from jail Wednesday.

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A hearing is scheduled Friday for Clarence Barr, who was arrested Monday for failing to pay the standard $10 fee to the Crime Victims Fund after his conviction on a misdemeanor domestic assault charge last year.

Barr pleaded guilty to domestic assault in the 3rd degree on October 5, 2016. He was sentenced to the 35 days he had already spent in jail, and released.

At that time, Associate Circuit Judge Keith Marquart waived court costs, but under the statute could not waive the Crime Victims Fund fee.

On November 7, Judge Marquart issued a warrant for Barr’s arrest for failing to pay the $10, and set bond at $10 (cash). Barr was arrested on Monday and has been in custody ever since.

The judge has scheduled a hearing on June 16 at 9 am. Officials say it’s possible Barr will then be given credit for time served again.

Chance of rain and storms through Friday

Posted on June 14, 2017

A round of showers and thunderstorms will push through the area this morning as they enter from Kansas. These storms are not expected to be severe but could have heavy downpours, frequent lightning, and gusty winds as they push through. The second round of thunderstorms expected to develop this afternoon will somewhat depend on how fast the morning storms push through. The earlier the clouds can clear out of the area the better chance for thunderstorms to develop. The storms that do develop are expected to be scattered in nature and could be strong to severe with large hail and damaging winds being the main threat. These storms are expected to push out of the area a few hours after sunset as they move off to the east. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10 a.m. High near 90. Heat index values as high as 96. South wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light west southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 98. Light south southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 6 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. South wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 p.m and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 8 p.m and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

Man pleads guilty to two armed robberies

Posted on June 13, 2017

A Topeka man pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to two armed robberies, including one in which he fired a shot into the ceiling.

U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said Gary L. Gillom, 30, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty two counts of armed robbery.

In his plea, he admitted that on June 26, 2016, he brandished a firearm while robbing the Arby’s restaurant at 1187 Southwest Gage in Topeka. He ordered restaurant employees to hurry with the cash and fired a round into the ceiling of the restaurant.

Gillom also admitted that on June 27, 2016, he brandished a firearm when he robbed the Long John Silver’s restaurant at 2746 Southwest Fairlawn in Topeka. He was arrested on June 29, 2016, after investigators identified a car used in the robberies.

Co-defendant Darien E. Fulton, 25, Topeka, Kan., was sentenced to six years in federal prison.

Gillom is set for sentencing Sept. 11. He faces a maximum penalty of up to 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.

Ottawa Man Charged With Attempted Child Sex Trafficking

Posted on June 13, 2017

A Kansas man was charged in federal court Monday with attempted sex trafficking of a child.

Michael David Mitchell, 63, Ottawa, Kan., was charged with one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child, six counts of electronic solicitation, one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, and one count of interstate travel for the purpose of having sex with a minor.

U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said a criminal complaint and affidavit alleges Mitchell told undercover investigators he was looking for a mother and children to enslave for sex and he was willing to pay for it. In a text exchange with an undercover investigator posing as a woman with a daughter, he said: “I will take care of you, but it won’t be easy on either of you. I’m a sadist and enjoy inflicting pain. Neither of you will ever be allowed to say no to me.”

Mitchell agreed to a meeting at the Adams Mark Hotel in Kansas City, Mo. He was arrested when he arrived.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years on the attempted sex trafficking count, up to five years on each electronic enticement count, not less than 10 years on the coercion and enticement count, and up to 30 years on the interstate travel charge.

Sex crime suspect appears in court on multiple new charges

Posted on June 13, 2017

A 41-year-old St. Joseph man appeared before a judge by video from jail Tuesday on four new sex-crime charges, after bonding out on an original charge involving a 16-year-old girl. The new charges concern the same girl on the same night as the first complaint.

William Marshall was free on $25,000 bond on the first charge when he was booked into jail again, this time with bail set at $50,000 with a $5,000 cash deposit. Marshall appeared by video before Associate Circuit Judge Keith Marquart Tuesday on three new counts of 1st degree sodomy and one count of 1st degree sexual abuse.

Judge Marquart scheduled the case for the preliminary hearing docket June 16 at 11 am.

In the original case, a jury trial is scheduled October 10 in the court of Circuit Judge Patrick Robb on one count of 1st degree sodomy.

(UPDATE) Northeast Kansas residents warned of potential scams

Posted on June 13, 2017June 13, 2017

Northeast Kansas authorities are warning residents about a possible door-to-door scam involving individuals allegedly posing as Rainbow Communications representatives.

According to an alert on Rainbowtel’s website, the company said it has learned from concerned customers that individuals are going door-to-door claiming to work with the company and that is not the case. Rainbowtel is a telecom company located in northeast Kansas. According to a post on the company’s Facebook, the individuals are not necessarily presenting themselves as a Rainbow employee but instead saying, ‘They are working with Rainbow customers.’

“Our field technicians and customer sales team can be easily identified through Rainbow logoed attire and vehicles, and they do not ask for money while at a customer’s house,” the company stated.

Anyone who thinks they might have been victimized or lied to is asked to call the Customer Protection Hotline: 1-800-432-2310 or file a compliant at the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.

(UPDATE 4 p.m.) According to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, there was another scam reported in the area Tuesday. Merchant said there have been at least three reports of people receiving text messages on their cell phones stating their account is about to close and they are being asked to go to another site to provide information.

“The site is asking for personal information such as a date of birth, social security number, verification information such as that. It’s something that, thank goodness, people are calling in about because they just don’t have any idea what accounts they’re even referring to,” Merchant said. “So what we’re telling folks is, this is a scam and we want to advise them, once they send out their information over text message, it can’t be retrieved. So we’re asking people, if you do have a concern about any of your accounts, call these people directly, like your bank or whoever you think this might be coming from.”

Weekend water rescue performed at Kansas’ Perry Reservoir

Posted on June 13, 2017

A woman was rescued from Perry Reservoir this weekend after a Kansas warden located an overturned Kayak.

According to a Facebook Post from the Kansas Wildlife, Parks & Tourism Game Wardens, a warden and his boat holder saw an overturned kayak and a person without a life jacket struggling in the waves from the 35 mile per hour wind gusts. The department said they were able to get a lifejacket to the woman and use a rescue bag to get her on board the patrol boat.

To view the Facebook Page CLICK HERE.