A man serving time for a DWI out of Andrew County has died while incarcerated.

According to a news release from the Missouri Department of Corrections, 63-year-old Vaughn Utterback died Thursday, May 18 at 1:35 p.m. at an area hospital. Utterback was serving a three-year sentence for DWI from Andrew County. He has been confined at the Western Reception Diagnostic and Correctional Center in St. Joseph. MDC said Utterback died of natural causes.

Utterback was first received into the Missouri Department of Correction on July 24, 2013.

Officers are questioning two men after a report of a possible hostage situation Thursday morning.

Commander Eric Protzman said officers responded to a home in the 6200 block of Grant Street for a check well-being after a woman reported she believed her boyfriend was being held against his will.

Officers arrived on scene around 6:15 a.m. and within the hour two men came out of the house and surrendered to police. Protzman said the Special Response Team was called out but the situation was resolved before SRT arrived on scene.

As of 10:30 a.m. Protzman said police had detained both men and where questioning them to try to determine if there had even been a hostage situation.

A man was seriously injured in a one vehicle crash Wednesday night in Daviess County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 44-year-old Christopher J. Russmann of Farmersville, Texas, was driving south on I-35 about three miles west of Winston shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday. Russmann’s 1936 Ford Coupe traveled off the east side of the road into the grass median. The vehicle skidded, rotated 90 degrees and overturned at least five times before coming to rest on the driver’s side in the median.

Russmann was transported by Daviess County ambulance to Liberty Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

According to the crash report, Russmann was wearing a seatbelt.

St. Joe residents will have to wait a little longer to enjoy public swimming facilities. Because of cooler temperatures forecast this week, the City of St. Joseph announced it will delay opening the facilities until June 2.

They were originally scheduled to open this Saturday, May 27, but officials say they decided to wait until the water temperatures reach 70 degrees or more.

The water temperature at the Aquatic Park was 60 degrees at mid-morning Wednesday. Officials looked at the forecast, which call for daytime highs not expected to top the 70s this week, and for chilly overnight lows. They decided that it’s not likely they’ll achieve a comfortable and safe water temperature to allow for opening this weekend.

Officials point out that water temperatures at 70 degrees still feel cold, and could cause some problems. There is still some risk of hypothermia, cramps, blue lips, shivering, problems speaking, dizziness and nausea if swimming in cold water for prolonged periods of time, officials said.

The announcement also noted that the availability of lifeguards will impact the hours of operation at both Krug Pool and the Aquatic Park.

“The city does not, currently, have an adequate number of lifeguards to keep both facilities open during regularly scheduled hours of operation,” according to the announcement. “As a result, the operational hours of the Aquatic Park will be reduced Friday through Sunday, unless additional staffing can be secured.”

The facilities will open for the season on June 2. The Aquatic Park hours will be 11am-7pm Monday – Thursday, Noon-6pm Friday and Saturday, and 1-5pm on Sunday. Krug pool hours will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Noon-6pm.

At the request of area citizens the Missouri State Auditor’s Office will begin looking into the Smithville Area Fire Protection District.

State Auditor Nicole Galloway announced Wednesday that her office has started the audit of the fire protection district which serves both Clay and Platte counties. Her office said the audit was requested by citizens through the petition process, which allows Missouri citizens to request a local government audit by collecting and submitting a number of signatures based on the number of voters in that area.

“Citizens have asked for and we will provide a thorough and impartial review of operations of their local fire protection district,” Auditor Galloway said. “Government works best when citizens are engaged, and I encourage residents to contact our office if they have input or information.”

The Smithville Area Fire Protection District petition audit required 759 signatures from registered voters within the district. Individuals who would like to provide information for consideration during the audit may contact the State Auditor’s Whistleblower Hotline at 800-347-8597 or moaudit@auditor.mo.gov. Concerns may also be submitted anonymously online at auditor.mo.gov/hotline.

A Wheeling man is behind bars after the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office allegedly seized Marijuana plants from his home.

Alan Thompson, 61 is charged with a felony of possession of a controlled substance.

According to a news release, Sheriff Steve Cox said on Monday the sheriff’s office completed a drug investigation with a search warrant at a home on Liv 236 near Wheeling.

“A reported 8 ounces of high grade marijuana was seized along with other items,” Cox said. “Prior to obtaining the search warrant the LCSO seized 5 marijuana plants from the home.”

Thompson is currently being held in the Livingston County Jail on $15,000 bail. He was due in court Wednesday morning for an arraignment.