(12:30 p.m. Update) – Traffic flow has resumed as normal.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(10 a.m.) – A crash is tying up the southbound lane of I-29 in St. Joseph near the Shoppes at North Village.
Around 10:30 a.m. Friday traffic was backed up on the interstate in-between 169 Highway and Frederick Ave.
Northbound traffic was moving as normal.
(Update) – Charges have been filed after another large drug bust in Andrew County.
It’s the second drug seizure in two days. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, around 3 p.m. Thursday a trooper stopped a southbound 2017 Ford Fusion on I-29 at the 50 mile marker. After a search of the vehicle 20 pounds of marijuana was discovered.
As we previously reported, on Wednesday, just three miles up the road a trooper searched a vehicle and found 47 pounds of marijuana.
In the latest bust, the patrol said the driver, Joseph Fartantonio, 29 of California was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. He has since been charged and is being held on $35,000 bail in the Andrew County Jail.
No court date was listed on online court documents Friday afternoon.
Another warm day is expected with areas of rain and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon hours. Chances of rain will continue into Saturday as a slow-moving storm system departs the area. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:
Today: A chance of showers before 10 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10 a.m. and noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. South wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. South southeast wind 5 to 9 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday: Showers likely, mainly between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 55. North wind 10 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. North northwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph.
Sunday Night: Showers likely, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Monday: A chance of showers before 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 61. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Wednesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Wednesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Thursday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
InterServ has officially turned the dirt on the construction of its new multi-million dollar Wesley Center.
A ground breaking ceremony was held Thursday at the corner of King Hill Ave. and Cherokee Street for the construction of the $5 million facility. Dave Howery, InterServ Ex. Dir. said the project should be completed in about 18 months.
“Once they start the construction in the next few weeks on the property it will take about 13 to 18 months. So mid-2018 is kind of where we’re at,” Howery said.
Designs for the new building include a gym, commons area, fitness and weight room and a food pantry.
“There will be sort of two fronts to it…and each will have a level entrance,” Howery said. “There will be a canopy where mobile meals drivers will pick up the meals.”
He said InterServ has played an important role in the community for more than 100 years and that the new center will allow that role to continue. As we previously reported, fundraising for the facility started in 2015. For more information concerning “Building InterServ” contact The InterServ Foundation at (816) 238-4511, ext. 222 or at www.theinterservfoundation.org.
Police are searching for two people after a patrol car was damage Thursday morning at a gas station in St. Joseph.
Capt. Jeff Wilson with the St. Joseph Police Department said around 1:15 a.m. two patrol vehicles pulled up next to a vehicle at the Speedy’s on St. Joseph Ave. Wilson said officers were trying to serve a warrant.
Wilson said the suspect vehicle backed out at a high rate of speed and into one of the patrol vehicles. The suspect vehicle then allegedly left the parking lot and was last seen heading south on N. 4th St. A woman was reported to have been driving the vehicle with a man in the passenger seat.
One officer received minor injuries but was not treated at the time of the incident. The patrol vehicle received extensive front end damage.
Wilson said police have a person of interest and are not releasing a description at this time. As of 12:30 p.m. officers had not yet located the vehicle or made an arrest.
A Climax Springs, Missouri man is scheduled to face a judge in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of a teenager last year.
Joseph Sousley was charged last week with felony first-degree sodomy.
In court documents police accuse the 33-year-old of abusing the teen in June of last year. Authorities said Sousley would not disclose his current residence.
Delayed posting of online court documents indicate Sousley was arrested March 18, but is now free on a $20,000 bail bond.
(Note: because of a change of judge in the case, the arraignment was rescheduled to March 31.)
The Board of Education announced the selection of Dr. Eric Kurre as the new Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Kurre comes our way with nine years’ experience as Superintendent at Marion C. Early R-V District in Morrisville, Missouri and over 30 years in Education. He is married with three children.
Kurre replaces Dr. David Brax who retires July 1.
“Dr. Kurre comes highly recommended and has proven effective leadership in developing a shared mission and vision, staff development, fiscal responsibility, and strategic planning,” said Board President Jim Vega.
“We believe he will be a great asset to the future of our district and hope that you will join us in welcoming him.”
A teenager in Andrew County is accused of making a threat at school and then attacking a deputy with a sword and an arrow.
Eion Andrew Coats, 17 of Bolckow is charged in Andrew County with a felony of second-degree assault, a felony of resisting arrest, a misdemeanor of institutional vandalism and a misdemeanor for third-degree terrorist threat. The Andrew County Sheriff’s Office said Coats is a Junior at North Andrew High School.
According to court document, deputies with the Andrew County Sheriff’s Office responded to North Andrew School Tuesday regarding a vandalism on a white board in the boy’s locker room. Deputy M.C. Donahoo said the words “DIE NA DIE” were found written on the damaged white board.
“I made contact with suspect Eion Andrew Coats at his Residence,” Donahoo said. “Coats had admitted to family members that he wrote the message and hit his head on the board.”
After advising Coats of his rights, Donahoo said the teenager became agitated and cursed when asked what the statement meant. He said Coats took off running when he pulled out his handcuffs to detain him.
“Through the kitchen, up the stairs to a bedroom. Upon entering the bedroom he grabbed a sword approximately 2-3 ft in length, pointed it at me, started towards me,” Donahoo said. “As he got near the doorway of his room he stopped. I pulled my taser, told him to drop it. He slammed the door.”
Donahoo said after he entered the room Coats no longer had the sword but refused to comply.
“I deployed my taser with no effect,” Donahoo said. “I grabbed Eion’s right arm to place him in cuffs. He continued to struggle and pull away. I then grabbed Eion to take him to the floor.”
Donahoo said while on the floor Coats tried to head butt him.
“(He) then grabbed an arrow from an archery set, broke the arrow and was stabbing me in the left leg/thigh area,” Donahoo said.
The deputy said the arrow caused a small puncture wound about six inches below his left hip.
“Upon getting Eion in cuffs he continued to try to headbutt me, striking me once in the right shoulder. I also had a cut on my left index finger and a cut on my left wrist,” Donahoo said. “Eion attempted several times to kick me during and after the struggle.”
Coats is being held on $100,000 bail. A court date was not yet listed on online documents.
A Tarkio man was taken to the hospital after a one vehicle crash in Holt County Wednesday night.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 64-year-old Marmer D. King was driving a Ford SUV north on US 59, four miles north of Craig around 10 p.m., when the vehicle went off the west side of the road, hit a concrete embankment and jackknifed before coming to rest.
King was taken to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph for treatment of moderate injuries.
(Update) – Charges have been filed after a large drug bust was made in Andrew County Wednesday on I-29.
Around 5:21 p.m. a trooper with the Missouri State Highway Patrol stopped a 2013 Honda Civic heading southbound on I-29 at the 53 mile marker in Andrew County. After a consent search of the vehicle the trooper allegedly found 47 pounds of marijuana and two handguns.
Elias Ramirez-Aguilar, 22, of Wenatchee, Washington, and passengers Guillermo Cortez-Guzman, 21, of Fellsmere, Florida; Rosario Perez-Rodriguez, of Wenatchee, Washington; and Beatriz Luna-Serato, of Wenatchee, Washington, have been charged in Andrew County with possession of a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, and unlawful use of a weapon.
The suspects were transported to the Andrew County Sheriff’s Department. Each are being held on $35,000 bail.
