The Board of Governors at Missouri Western State University approved two bids for work in Popplewell Hall this summer.

In a telephone poll, the board accepted the low bid of $144,960 from St. Joseph Plumbing and Heating for phase two of the installation of Daikin HVAC units on the first and second floors of Popplewell.

The board accepted the low bid of $367,425 from Jim Walters Construction Company to do renovation work on the first and second floors of Popplewell. The work includes new fixtures, floor and ceiling tile replacement, painting walls and improvements to the restrooms.

Both projects will be paid for by Building Affordability, the 2015 legislation also known as House Bill 19 that appropriated $4.8 million in state money to Missouri Western for capital improvements.

The telephone poll will be ratified at the next regular board meeting on June 22.

A St. Joseph man told a judge Thursday that he fled from law officers because he and his female passenger both had warrants, and his girlfriend would have left him if they got caught.

Lance Pollard pleaded guilty to one count of resisting a lawful stop by fleeing, a class-e felony. He admitted fleeing from officers on Mar. 30 after seeing them trying to pull him over. He said the chase started at about 11th and Blake and ended near Belt and Pear, about five miles.

He admitted hitting the strike force vehicle “and one or two others.” As we reported, one of the Strike Force officers required medical attention, but officials say he was not seriously hurt.

During a court hearing Thursday, Circuit Judge Daniel Kellogg asked Pollard why he didn’t stop.

“The woman with me had warrants, I had warrants, my girlfriend would have left me,” Pollard said.

Pollard waived a pre-sentence investigation, and as part of an agreement with prosecutors was sentenced to four years in prison.

A judge has rejected a plea agreement for a recent break in at a local ballpark, saying it would set up the defendant for failure.

Allen Roach was one of three people charged with misdemeanor theft for the incident May 15. Authorities said a woman convinced Roach and another man to go to St Joe’s dog park with the woman’s dog, then break into the nearby concession stand at 2303 Marion Road. There a utility vehicle was allegedly taken, fully loaded with concession items and baseball equipment.

In court Wednesday, Roach tried to plead guilty, in an agreement requiring 30-days shock time, probation, and an order to make full restitution. The amount of restitution is still very much up in the air. Officials say a pitching machine and cases of baseballs, worth about $1,000, are still missing. The utility vehicle was recovered.  Current estimates point to a total loss of between $4,000 and $5,000 for Pony Express Baseball, the owner.

Associate Circuit Judge Keith Marquart looked at the defendant’s current situation and rejected the deal. Roach does not have a high school diploma, a job, or a home. Marquart said Roach would be set up for failure to eventually make any restitution.

The court allowed Roach to withdraw his guilty plea. His case is now scheduled for a trial-setting June 21 at 3pm. He remains behind bars, unable to post $5,000 cash bail.

Kallista Allen, the alleged ringleader, has posted a $10,000 hybrid bond and is scheduled to appear before Associate Judge Rebecca Spencer June 29 for a trial setting or plea. Co-defendant Michah Boykin is scheduled for a trial-setting hearing June 20 and is being held in the Buchanan County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail..

At last check, a GoFundMe campaign has raised about $220 in donations to help Pony Express Baseball.