Post Staff – Page 258 – St. Joseph Post Archive

DNA match leads to charges in 2001 rape investigation

Posted on February 10, 2017February 10, 2017

A court hearing is scheduled next week for a Weston, Missouri man who has been charged in a 15-year-old rape investigation.

According to court documents, Douglas James Nickles was linked to the case when his DNA prompted a “hit” on the Combined DNA Index System last July. Police say the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory confirmed the DNA match with a sample taken during the investigation of a sexual assault reported on October 7, 2001.

St. Joseph police arrested the suspect Thursday, according to online court records. Nickles, 47, is charged withone count of Forcible Rape – Sexual Intercourse By Forcible Compulsion. If convicted, the crime carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Forcible rape is among a list of about a dozen crimes for which there is no statute of limitations in Missouri.

A judge set bail at $50,000 cash. Nickles is being held in the Buchanan County Jail awaiting his initial court appearance Feb. 14. Online court records do not list a defense attorney in the case.

Elevated fire danger today due to wind and warm temps

Posted on February 10, 2017

A warm weekend is expected however it will not come without any concerns. Today will be warm and breezy with highs in the upper 50s to upper 60s however, this will lead to an elevated fire weather concern. Saturday will be warm as well but winds will not be as strong and the relative humidity will be higher with a slight chance of rain possible. Highs Saturday will range from the mid 50s across northern Missouri to the lower 70s across west central Missouri and east central Kansas. A cold front will move through Saturday evening cooling temperatures on Sunday to the mid 40s to lower 50s. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 64. Southwest wind 11 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. South southwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming southeast after midnight.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. East southeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming north in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. North wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 47. North northwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 49.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 47.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.

Attempted credit union robbery thwarted at front door; suspect to serve two years

Posted on February 9, 2017February 9, 2017

An Omaha man didn’t make it too far past the front door, but he’ll serve two years in federal prison for bank robbery.

Cameron Ammons, age 24, of Omaha, was sentenced February 8 by the Honorable Joseph F. Bataillon for attempting to rob a Centris Federal Credit Union branch. He was sentenced to two years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release when his incarceration ends. He had previously pleaded guilty to the charge.

U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilg says that on March 4, 2016, Ammons ran through the first door of the vestibule of the Centris Federal Credit Union, 3537 L. Street, Omaha, at approximately 9:20 a.m. As he approached the second door, the door that allows access into the bank, a uniformed off-duty officer that was working there drew his weapon and chased Ammons, who ran from the bank.

Other officers were able to catch and arrest Ammons approximately one-half hour later. Nothing was taken from the bank.

Nebraska woman pleads guilty to charges in Nigerian tax-refund fraud scheme

Posted on February 9, 2017February 9, 2017

A Nebraska woman faces up to three years in prison and a possible quarter-million dollar fine for her guilty plea to charges stemming from a Nigerian tax refund fraud scheme.

US Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Kathy Hansen, 36, of Ralston, pleaded guilty on Monday to misprision of a felony.

In 2014 Hansen opened bank accounts with financial institutions resulting in illegally obtained tax refunds, totaling approximately $11,557.00, being deposited into those bank accounts. The tax refunds were obtained as part of a tax refund fraud scheme being operated by individuals believed to be located outside the United States.

The funds deposited into the accounts were then sent by Hansen to individuals in Nigeria. The charges allege that Hansen, knowing that a crime was being committed, failed to notify law enforcement about it.

Sentencing has been set for May 1, 2017. The case was investigated by the Department of the Treasury, Criminal Investigations.

Robbery leads to stakeout, and arrest, at second auto parts store

Posted on February 9, 2017

A Kansas man was charged in federal court in two armed robberies at auto parts stores.

Brandon V. Wells, 22, Wichita, Kan., was charged with two counts of commercial robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm during a robbery U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.

The charges stem from two armed robberies at O’Reilly’s Auto Parts stores on Feb. 6.

According to court documents, Wells allegedly used a handgun to threaten employees before he and the accomplice fled the first store with stolen cash.

Two Wichita police officers who heard the robbery call set up surveillance at a nearby O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Store at 4818 E. Lincoln. The officers noted that the back door was propped open when they arrived and they soon saw the subjects leave the store. One subject escaped but they were able to arrest Wells.

If convicted, Wells faces a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each robbery charge, and not less than seven years (consecutive to the underlying sentence) on the first brandishing charge and 25 years on the second brandishing charge.

Parade of flags helps Coleman Elementary celebrate its diversity

Posted on February 9, 2017

Principal Heather Gladhart (L) helps honor Counselor Brandy Karleskint

School officials at Coleman Elementary in St. Joe point out that the school is one of the most diverse in the region, with dozens of countries represented. Last week they held a multi-cultural event that included a “parade of flags” from each of those countries. On Thursday, the school held an assembly for a repeat performance, with students displaying the flags of the country they represented.

Principal Heather Gladhart points out that 22 foreign countries are represented in the student body, with students of their parents born in those countries…

“We want to recognize the variety of cultures and the diversity that we have here within our school,” Gladhart said. “Some of our students were unable attend that evening, so we wanted them to be a part of that experience and be able to share in that opportunity today.”

The project has been several weeks in the making. The students put together displays about the various countries, and flags from those countries.

“They researched those countries.” Gladhard said. “They learned about the food, the living environment, they learned about the history and the traditions of those countries.”

“Through that process, we had the opportunity to make some displays, and we used those during our event that evening, so that our students can recognize and see the various places that our kids come from,” she saidl.

Ruth Vanlalchhandami is a Coleman student who moved to the United States at age six from Myanmar. She says the project helped her learn about a lot of countries they didn’t study in Myanmar.

“Because it shows from where other people, like our friends are from, and we can learn more about them,” Ruth said.

After the assembly Thursday, students observed National School Counselors Week with some special dedications for School Counselor Brandy Karleskint. Students read testimonials of why they think Karleskint is a “super hero.” The reasons ranged from “lifting us up even though she can’t fly,” to “super strength to keep us safe,” to “smells good.”

Principal Gladhart helped as Karleskint donned a Superman cape, and then presented her with a special collage of photographs of each of the classes at Coleman.

Fine arts department unveils remodeled DeLuce art collection

Posted on February 9, 2017

Northwest foundation board members tour the Percival Deluce Collection Exhibit Aug, 4,, 2016. (Photo by Todd Weddle | Northwest Missouri State University)

The memory and work of Olive DeLuce’s father has reclaimed a prominent place at Northwest Missouri State University.

Olive DeLuce arrived in 1915 at what was then the Fifth District Normal School to establish its fine arts department and served as the department chair until her retirement in 1959. She came from a rich heritage of artists and developed her appreciation for art as a child under the tutelage of her father, Percival DeLuce. She continued to enrich those interests through her travel, reading and teaching as a faculty member at Northwest.

After Olive died in early 1970, then-Northwest President Dr. Robert Foster, on behalf of the college, accepted a collection of drawings, paintings, prints and furniture dating back to the 18th century from the DeLuce estate. By accepting what came to be known as the Percival DeLuce Memorial Collection, Northwest also agreed to maintain and exhibit the collection. In October 1971, an exhibit featuring pieces from the collection opened in the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building.

For a time, the late Robert Sunkel, an associate professor of art, curated the exhibit and started a paper inventory of the collection. But at some point during the 1980s, the collection was moved to a storage space in the basement of the fine arts building where it sat quietly until recently.

With the help of a small group of students and Lynne Gilbert, administrative specialist to the president, the existing collection of more than 800 pieces has been photographed and documented. The fine arts department is developing an online database of the collection to further enhance its accessibility to the public and make it available for scholarly activity.

“The work we’ve done within the last two and half years was to discover the magnitude of the collection and then also put it contextually into the larger picture of the University collection,” Laber said. “When we started going through that, we discovered that there’s so much more outside of the Percival DeLuce collection.”

Born in New York in 1847, Percival DeLuce was a successful and renowned artist, working most of his career there as a portrait artist and illustrator until his death in 1914. The remodeled gallery featuring the collection opens with a representation of DeLuce’s New York studio, based on a photograph Laber and Gilbert found as they were combing through the collection.

The Percival DeLuce Memorial Collection is housed on the first floor of the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building, adjacent to the Olive Deluce Art Gallery.

For more information or to schedule a viewing, contact the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at (660) 562-1326.

Obituaries February 5-7

Posted on February 9, 2017

Donald James Cook
1943-2017

Donald James Cook 73, Saint Joseph, Missouri died Sunday February 5, 2017. Born April 3, 1943, St. Joseph, MO He was preceded in death by parents Daisy & Charles Cook, brother Carey, a sister Joann. Survivors include wife, Mary Ann Cook of the home, 5 children, step-daughter, Sonya (Shawn) Wilson, step son, John A Cox, a brother, Frank (Evelyn) Cook. Cremation under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. No scheduled visitation or memorial services at this time. Memorials are requested to the Donald Cook Memorial fund in care of the Rupp Funeral home.

Charlotte E. Huber
1916-2017

Charlotte E. Huber, 100, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Monday, February 6, 2017 at a local healthcare facility.
She was born November 12, 1916 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
She enjoyed embroidering on tea towels and pillow cases and helping her husband, Francis with the family butcher shop.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Huber; parents, Charles and Mamie (Eggers) Heater; and siblings, Georgia, James, Edward, Charles, Oliver, Benjamin, Virginia, and Mary Jane.
Survivors include children, Billy Brundige, Ramon Brundige (Kay), Patricia Barnes (Ray), Elizabeth Miller (Clarence), Michael (Huber) Kanyon and Paul Huber; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Farewell Services 3:00 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Mount Auburn Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 1:30 to 2:30 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Mary Lou Wolfe
1934-2017

Mary Lou Wolfe 83, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at Mosaic Life Care Hospital. She was born January 8, 1934 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of the late Ada and Leo Sexton. She graduated from Benton High School class of 1952, and married Lawrence “Larry” Wolfe on February 12, 1966 and he survives of the home. They were the owners and operators of Hadley’s Bar 3 restaurant in the Live Stock Exchange Building for 10 years until they sold their business in 1983 she was also a homemaker. She enjoyed quilting and crocheting., and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and St. Paul Lutheran Church. Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Leo Sexton Jr., and sister, Norma Compton. Survivors include, husband, Larry Wolfe of the home, daughters, Deola Wolfe, Sheryl Wolfe, grand-daughter raised in the home Olivia Wolfe-Williams, daughter Beth (Tom) Fletcher, sons, Theodore (Rosanne) Wolfe, Mark Wolfe, all of St. Joseph, and Jack (Debbie) Wolfe of Tenn, 11 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, niece, Susan Sexton raised in the home and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am, on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, with Pastor Joel Cundiff officiating, The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials are requested In lieu of flowers, to the St. Paul Lutheran Church. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Alfred T. Adkins
1944-2017

Alfred T. Adkins, 72, of Hiawatha, died Tuesday morning, February 7, 2017, at the Hiawatha Community Hospital.
Alfred was born on a farm near Leona, September 22, 1944, one of fifteen children born to Samuel Franklin and Maude Randall Adkins, and had lived nearly all of his life in the Doniphan-Brown county area. He grew up in the Leona-Denton area where he attended country school. After he married, Alfred farmed south of Troy for nearly twenty years. He later worked as a janitor and drove the activity school bus for Troy schools for a number of years, prior to working for Doniphan County Road Dept where he retired.
He married Carolyn Mae Baxter, March 7, 1965, in Blair, KS. They owned and operated for twenty years “Carolyn’s Place” in Troy. She died April 11, 2005. Alfred was also preceded in death by his parents; a sister Erma Pole; four brothers: Sam, Melvin, Jack, Dick, and infant brother.
Survivors include three sons: Samuel Adkins of Hiawatha, Jeff Adkins of Junction City, Bobby Adkins of Holton; four brothers: Delbert Adkins of Hiawatha, Danny Adkins of Severance, Art Adkins of Troy, John Adkins of Beeville, Texas; four sisters: Betty Meyers of Bendena, Gert Hamilton of White Cloud, Cleo Stewart and Joyce Moppin, both of Severance. Also surviving are 8 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter.
Funeral Services are planned for 10 a.m. Saturday, February 11, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Highland, with Don Harter officiating. Interment will follow at the Iola Cemetery, south of Sparks.
Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Friday, where the family will meet from 6 until 8 that evening.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Alfred Adkins Memorial Fund to be designated later by the family, sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 33, Highland 66035.

Harrison County rollover crash injures Bethany man

Posted on February 9, 2017

A Bethany man was injured Wednesday evening in a single-vehicle rollover crash.

A crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol says Jarod Hillyard was driving along Route F about two miles northwest of Bethany at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday when his pickup left the south side of the roadway.

The vehicle then skidded back across the road and traveled down an embankment off the north side. The vehicle rolled over onto its top.

Hillyard, 30, was transported to Harrison County Community Hospital for treatment of what were described at the scene as moderate injuries.

Chilly temps today with a warmer weekend ahead

Posted on February 9, 2017

It feels like it’s below zero in northern MO and single digits everywhere else. Today will be the last day of these temperatures below normal though. The main concern is the elevated fire danger Friday and Saturday which is due to gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels. Therefore, outdoor burning is discouraged during this time. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 33. North northeast wind 5 to 9 mph becoming south in the morning.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. South southeast wind 8 to 13 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 62. Southwest wind 10 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. South southwest wind 5 to 8 mph.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Southeast wind around 7 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 47.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 50.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 49.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 47.