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Missouri Western announces schedule of events for Black History Month

Missouri Western State University bannerSt. Joseph, Mo. —(News Release) The Center for Multicultural Education at Missouri Western State University will celebrate Black History Month with several events throughout the month of February.

Culture Shock, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, Kemper Recital Hall, Spratt Hall 101

Culture Shock is an innovative and groundbreaking diversity program that combines hypnosis and comedy to explore stereotypes and misconceptions. Free and open to the public.

Charles Drew Blood Drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum Student Union 218-219

Dr. Charles Drew was an American Red Cross physician and member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity who was a pioneer in the field of blood banking. The goal of the blood drive is to raise awareness of the importance of blood donation. Each unit can help save a life.

Soul Food Lunch, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, Dining Hall, Blum Student Union

Enjoy soul food while learning about the origin of the dishes during the regular cafeteria lunch. The CME will give out 50 tickets to students who don’t have a meal plan starting Feb. 21.

Movie Night: “Race,” 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, Hoff Conference Room, Blum Student Union 218

Jesse Owens, the son of an Alabama sharecropper, shattered Adolf Hitler’s assertion of Aryan supremacy by winning a record four gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Free and open to the public.

Tour of the Black Archives Museum, 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28

Black History Month will conclude with an opportunity for 15 students to take an interactive tour of the St. Joseph Museums. Students should RSVP by contacting the CME.

For more information on any of these events, contact the Center for Multicultural Education at 816-271-4150, [email protected], or in person at Blum 207.

Mardi Gras fundraiser planned for Cathedral School upgrades

cathedralCathedral of St. Joseph is planning its largest fundraising event for Cathedral School upgrades.

The annual Mardi Gras event will take place Saturday, Feb. 25 at Bishop LeBlond High School located at 3529 Frederick Ave. Cocktail hour begins at 5 p.m.

“This event is always festive, with fantastic food, fun games and an entertaining auction,” said Michelle Meierhoffer, Mardi Gras chairwoman. “Cocktails, dinner and dancing add to the event, which has the overall goal to raise important funds for Cathedral School.”

According to a news release, the event usually draws around 350 people. This year’s goal is to raise $80,000 with technology and security upgrades being two of the main focuses.

Tickets to the event are $40 each and can be purchased https://qtego.net/qlink/cathedralmardigras.  A silent auction is also a part of the fundraiser. According to the school, the event is open to the public, so those new to the community or residents considering private education are invited to attend.

Cathedral of St. Joseph school opened in 1901.

For more information on the Mardi Gras event, contact Michelle Meierhoffer at (913) 209‐4078 or [email protected].

Kansas Supreme Court upholds capital murder conviction and sentence

Sidney Gleason (KDOC)
Sidney Gleason (KDOC)
The Kansas Supreme Court on Friday upheld the capital murder conviction and death sentence of Sydney Gleason in the 2004 shooting deaths of two individuals in Barton County, Kansas. Gleason was convicted of capital murder in connection with the 2004 murders of Miki Martinez and Darren Wornkey in Barton County and was sentenced to death.

In 2014, the Kansas Supreme Court overturned his death sentence, ruling that instructions given to the jury violated the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The Kansas Attorney General’s Office asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the state Supreme Court’s decision. On October 7, 2015, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt argued the State’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, which on January 20, 2016, ruled no Eighth Amendment violation had occurred and reversed the Kansas Supreme Court’s decision.

After the U.S. Supreme Court decision, the Kansas Supreme Court ordered further arguments in the case. Today’s decision upholds Gleason’s conviction and death sentence following those further arguments.

“The decision today affirms the conviction and death sentence based on a Barton County jury’s findings and moves this case along one step further,” Schmidt said. “The wheels of justice are turning.”

Gleason becomes the fourth person in Kansas whose sentence of death has been upheld by the Kansas Supreme Court since the death penalty was reinstated. The other three are Scott Cheever, John Robinson and Gary Kleypas.

Gleason was convicted of killing Darren Wornkey and his girlfriend, Mikiala “Miki” Martinez, in what prosecutors charged was an attempt to threaten Martinez to keep her from telling police about an earlier armed robbery.

An accomplice in the killings, Damien Thompson, agreed to plead guilty to the first-degree murder of Martinez and testify against Gleason in exchange for a life sentence with no possibility of parole for 25 years. A jury convicted Gleason in 2006 of capital murder, premeditated first-degree murder for killing Wornkey, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and criminal possession of a firearm. The jury sentenced Gleason to death following the penalty-phase of the trial.

(Update) – Internal investigations underway at Buchanan County Jail

buchanan-county-sheriff-badge-wood(Update 12:24 p.m.)Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett has called in outside investigators to help his office look into issues relating to the destruction of former inmate property at the county jail.

Puett told reporters Friday that what he called “some employee performance issues of concern” were discovered during internal auditing and reviews in late December, 2016. An internal investigation was undertaken, and Puett said that probe uncovered the issues with inmate property.

When we asked whether theft was involved, Puett said they were trying to determine that through the investigation.

Puett says when jail detainees are transferred to the Missouri Department of Corrections to serve a prison sentence, they are asked to sign a form naming one individual to pick up their personal property being held at the jail. He said that property could be just about anything the detainees had in their possession when they were booked into jail, including jewelry and clothing. After seven days, if the property is not retrieved by the person named in the form, it becomes “abandoned,” and is marked for destruction.

Puett said some of the internal investigations have been completed, and the issues resolved, but he said other internal investigations continue, and the Missouri State Highway patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control is investigating for potential improprieties.

“We called them in for transparency,” Puett said. He would not offer specific comments on the ongoing investigations.

“Personnel issues are confidential, and I cannot discuss issues relating to the discipline or dismissal of members of the Sheriff’s Office,” he said. “I can’t comment on an ongoing investigation.”

Puett says some of the issues were discovered during the tenure of former Sheriff Mike Strong. Puett says Strong was involved with starting the investigations and that the two law officers are both “on the same page.”

“He was very well aware, and a part of making sure those issues were investigated,” Puett said. “Sheriff Strong is completely supportive of the investigation and the issues that were discovered.”

Puett said that back in December, then-Detective Tom Cates was named Acting Captain at the jail.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

News release
News release

(Update 10:20 a.m.) – Sheriff Bill Puett has called in outside investigators to look into issues relating to inmate property in the Buchanan County Jail.

According to a news release, during some internal auditing and reviews in late December of 2016 the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office discovered some employee performance issues of concern and an internal investigation was undertaken.

“The investigations recently uncovered some issues relating to the destruction of former inmate property from inmates who abandoned their property after being sent to the Department of Corrections,” Puett said.

He said currently, some of the internal investigations have been completed and issues resolved, however, some internal investigation are still ongoing. He said the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control is investigating for potential improprieties and that investigation is ongoing.

“Personnel issues are confidential and I cannot discuss issues relating to the discipline or dismissal of members of the sheriff’s office,” Puett said.

When St. Joseph Post’s John P. Tretbar asked if theft was involved Puett said they are trying to determine that.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
LEC Feature(10 a.m.) – Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett is addressing the media this morning in reference to investigations ongoing involving the Buchanan County Jail.

The media availability was scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday.  Our own John P. Tretbar is attending and will update with more information after the conference.

Refresh this post for more information as it becomes available.

 

Temperatures above normal again this weekend

weather-2-3Quiet and cold weather will continue today with decreasing clouds. We’ll be a little above normal for Saturday and well above normal for Sunday, but the quiet weather will persist through the weekend. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Isolated flurries before 9 a.m. Mostly cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 32. North northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. Calm wind becoming south southeast 5 to 8 mph after midnight.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. South southwest wind 9 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. South southwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming northwest after midnight.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the morning.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Breezy.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. Blustery.

Wednesday: A chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 33. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34.

 

Annual meeting honors community for “LIVING UNITED”

The United Way of Great St. Joseph held its annual meeting Thursday at Missouri Western State University.

According to a news release, the community stepped into a second century of caring, looked back at the last year and century, and elected leadership for 2017.

American Family Spirit of Community. Photo courtesy United Way
American Family Spirit of Community. Photo courtesy United Way

Special award winners were announced: Spirit of Community Award (honoring one exemplary business each year for outstanding community service and support of United Way)-American Family Mutual Insurance Company; Outstanding Partner Award (honoring one area business or organization each year that has shown an exceptional history of partnership with United Way)-City of St. Joseph; and the Outstanding Volunteer Award (honoring exemplary volunteers each year for outstanding volunteer service through United Way)-Chris Connally.

The event officially released the 2016 United Way Annual Report and included the first United Way Board meeting of 2017, recognizing retiring Board members and electing new Board members and officers.

Retiring United Way Board members were: Mike Dalsing, Jason Horn, and Bob Pritchett.

Chief Chris Connally Outstanding Volunteer.  Courtesy United Way
Chief Chris Connally Outstanding Volunteer. Courtesy United Way

Volunteers who led United Way Committees in 2016 were: Tom Burke-Profit In Education Council Co-Chair; Pat Dillon-Success By 6 Partners Chair; Steve Johnston-Marketing Committee Chair; Michelle Margulies-Community Investment Co-Chair; Roger Martin-Funding Model Review Team Chair and Community Initiatives Chair; Brad McAnally-Nominating Committee Chair; Bob Pritchett-Finance Committee Chair; Dennis Rosonke-Campaign Chair; Mark Wyble-Community Investment Co-Chair; and Betty Wymore- Profit In Education Council Co-Chair.
At the meeting, Renee Hurd, Gia Scruggs, Gary Silvey, and Mark Wyble were elected to the United Way Board, and the following Board members were elected for a second, three-year term: Ron Auxier, David Brax, Patti Eiman, Ron Hook, Dennis Rosonke, and Lisa Weil.

2017 United Way Board officers elected at the meeting are: Debra Bradly, Chair; Dennis Rosonke, Vice Chair; Tom Burke, Secretary; and Ann Hoy, Treasurer.

City Outstanding Partner.  Photo courtesy United Way
City Outstanding Partner. Photo courtesy United Way

This year’s annual meeting highlighted United Way’s progress over the past year and concluded the agency’s centennial year while stepping into a new century, emphasizing that caring never grows old. More than 600 people who volunteered their time through United Way in 2016 were thanked. Special guests for the event were 24 Lafayette and Benton High School freshmen students participating in United Way BEST (Business and Education Succeed Together), a program of United Way Profit In Education©.

The public was invited to the event, and 233 people RSVPed.

Obituaries January 30 – February 1

Phillip James Malone
1943-2017

unnamedPhillip James Malone, 73, of Plattsburg, Missouri, passed away Monday, January 30, 2017 at Mosaic Life Care hospital. He was born December 30, 1943 in Pittsburg, California, son of the late Phil W. Malone and Helen M. Zulauf. He graduated from Plattsburg High School, Highland Community College, and Peru State Teachers College, Peru, NE. He retired from Johnson Controls after 37 years of service. He was an avid hunter and loved fishing, he was a spectator of all sports, especially football and enjoyed coaching little league baseball. In his college years he was an All-American Football Player at Highland Junior College in Highland, KS., and All -American Honorable Mention for Peru State Teachers College in Peru, NE. He also played football on the farm club for the Green Bay Packers. Phil was a former member of St. James Church, where he served as president of the Holy Name Society and on the Parish Council.
He was preceded in death by his father, Phil W. Malone, mother, Helen M. Zulauf, and a brother, Larry Malone. Survivors include two daughters, Catherine (Kevin) Echterling of St. Joseph, MO, Debora (Ken) Bell of Virginia Beach, VA, son, Bill (Jenny Pham) Malone of Katy, TX, sister, Sue Malone of Plattsburg, MO, loving companion of 19 years, Sue A. Garner, former wife, Ida M. Schiffbauer of Seneca, KS, 4 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and his good friend Brad Ferris. A memorial service will be held Friday, February 3, 2017 at 7:00 pm at the Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Friday at the Rupp Funeral Home. He has been cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the Relay for Life – American Cancer Society in care of the Rupp Funeral Home.

Harold E. Seever
1925-2017

Harold E. Seever was born Wednesday, November 11th, 1925; and passed away Tuesday, January 31st, 2017 in Atchison, Kansas. Visitation Friday, February 3rd, 2017, 1:00pm – 2:30pm. Located at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. Services Friday, February 3rd, 2017, 2:30pm. Located at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. Interment located at Moray Cemetery.

Juanita Marie Kneisel
1920-2017

unnamedJuanita Marie Kneisel, 96, of Hiawatha, died early Wednesday morning, February 1, 2017, at Maple Heights Nursing Home, where she had been a resident for over eight years.
Juanita was born at Hiawatha, December 30, 1920, one of eight children born to the late Orion and Bertha Lupold Welsh and was a lifelong Hiawatha resident. She attended schools here, graduating with the class of 1939. Juanita worked many years at the Hiawatha Daily World where she assisted putting the paper together, by hand. That was when the World was printed 5 days a week. She later worked at the Sears Catalog Store in Hiawatha for several years before retiring.
Mrs. Kneisel was a longtime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of rural Fairview; and the Dorcas Society of the Church. She also was a member of the ladies auxiliary to Homer-White Post #66, Hiawatha American Legion. Juanita was a kind and giving person, always had a smile and was always concerned about the other person. If she had a bad day, it never showed.
She married George “Shorty” Kneisel, June 14, 1945, at the Powhattan Lutheran Church. They made Hiawatha their home where they raised their three daughters. He died November 1, 2000. Juanita was also preceded in death by her siblings: Nelson, Cleda, Eugene, Marvin, Harlan, Carol Joan, infant sister Betty; and son in law Larry Brockhoff.
Survivors include her daughters: Diane Brockhoff of rural Fairview, Nancy (Ronald) Jones of Hiawatha, Peggy (Brian) Estes of Marysville; grandchildren: Mike 9Kellie) Brockhoff, and Cathy Brockhoff, Jason Rosenberger, Tara Lockhart; great-grandchildren: Casey, MaKayla, Megan, Spencer, Deryk, and Chase.
A Celebration of Juanita’s life is planned for 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 3, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha, with Pastor Michael Dunaway and Pastor Sean Kilgo, will officiate. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha.
Friends may call after 12 noon Thursday, where the family will meet from 6 until 7:30 that evening.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Maple Heights Activity Fund, which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

Helen R. Kadera
1921-2017

kadera-helen-obit-photoHelen R. Kadera, born January 29, 1921 in St. Joseph, Missouri passed away February 1, 2017 at a local healthcare facility.
She was a life-long resident of St. Joseph, a graduate of Central High School and Platt-Gard Business University. Employed at the former Midwest Federal Savings and Loan Association and retired from Iowa-Missouri Walnut Company in 1986.
She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and of the former Elizabeth Prescott Club. She was an active member of Frederick Blvd Baptist Church. Helen enjoyed traveling, she visited nine countries in Europe, Hawaii, Australia, Israel, Canada, forty-nine states and especially liked classical music.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Sr. and Bessie (Hack) Kadera; sisters, Viola M. Soule (Noel), Mary Elizabeth Cook (Floyd), and Dorotha J. Curd (William Hugh) all of St. Joseph Missouri; one brother, Joseph, Jr. of Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Survivors include close friends, Sharon and Cary Cornelius; her Sunday school class at Frederick Blvd. Baptist Church; her church family and Rev. Chad Crooks; sister-in-law, Christal Kadera of Rancho Palos Verdes, California; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Farewell Services 3:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 1:30 to 2:30 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Huntington Disease Society of America, 158 W. 29th New York, New York, 10001-5300 or Frederick Blvd. Baptist Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Northwest students selected as legislative interns

Northwest Missouri State University logo with tower via twitterFour Northwest Missouri State University students have been named legislative interns to work alongside state lawmakers this spring and learn about Missouri government directly from the source.

The University’s legislative internship program, which began in early January and ends in May, sends Northwest students to Jefferson City to gain experience in the legislative process and an understanding of how Missouri is governed.

Northwest’s 2017 legislative interns and the legislative offices they serve are:

*Kyle Brewster, a senior business economics major from Parkville, Missouri; serving in the office of Rep. Allen Andrews, R-District 1
*Anthony Ealy, a senior political science major from Kansas City, Missouri; serving the minority leadership in the office of Rep. Gail McCann Beatty, minority floor leader
*Chloe Haffarnan, a senior history major from Mount Pleasant, Iowa; serving in the office of Sen. Dan Hegeman, R-District 12
*Zakiah Marshall, a senior psychology major from Kansas City, Missouri; serving in the office of Sen. S. Kiki Curls, D-District 9

Each intern is placed in the office of a state senator or state representative. The students track legislation, conduct research, attend committee hearings, assist with constituent issues and lead tours of the Capitol.

The internship is open to all majors, and applicants must meet a minimum grade-point average. Candidates are selected based on an essay addressing why they should be placed in the program and an interview with a panel of Northwest faculty and staff.

Selected students can receive up to 12 credit hours of academic credit and be eligible for a $3,000 stipend to assist with living expenses in Jefferson City.

Past interns have remained active in the halls of the capitol or gone on to successful careers in politics at all levels of government including public relations and law.

“The legislative internship is an incredible opportunity for our students,” Daniel Smith, assistant professor of political science, said. “They get hands-on experience in the legislative process and see up close what we cannot replicate in the classroom.

“More important, the skill development and application opportunities are extraordinary, and the networking has led to dozens of careers for our interns.”

Solidarity rally planned for Saturday in St. Joseph

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File Photo Civic Center Park
File Photo Civic Center Park

(Updated) – A solidarity rally to show support for local immigrants and Muslims will take place Saturday in St. Joseph.

Derek Evans is an organizer for the solidarity event, hosted by a group called Our Revolution St. Joseph. The gathering begins Saturday at 3 p.m. at Civic Center Park on the south side of City Hall. Evans said the purpose is to show support for the local immigrant and Muslim population.

“Both of those groups are feeling a little bit uneasy with the current administration and particularly uneasy with the executive orders that were passed last week,” Evans said. “But more than anything we wanted it to be an opportunity to show solidarity with like-minded community members and those particular groups just to show that we care, we want them here, we value and recognize the importance.”

Last week, the Trump administration signed an executive order placing a temporary ban on immigration from seven countries with majority-Muslim populations. The order also suspended the entire refugee program in the United States which set off nationwide protests over the weekend, including a protest at KCI.

Adel Aljedaani is a Missouri Western State University graduate and currently employed in St. Joseph.  He is from Saudi Arabia which is not one of the countries impacted by the ban. Aljedaani said while the executive order signed last week does not impact him he is worried that that could change at any minute.

“It concerns me to one day be a part of those countries that are banned just because we are Muslims or come from an Islamic country,” he said. “It concerns me because I’m here on a visa.  One day if they just decide to cancel anyone who comes from my country that would mean my visa would be canceled and I would be deported to another country.”

Aljedaani said there is a feeling of fear at times within the local Muslim community.

“We felt unwelcome at one time.  Especially during the election.  After that some of them still had the fear of going in public,” Aljedaani said. “Hate crimes.  We’ve already seen it in different states.”

Evans said this Saturday at the Solidarity event in St. Joseph there will be a voter registration table and speakers from various organizations. He said representatives from St. Joseph Interfaith Alliance for Immigrants, InterServ, the Islamic Center, YWCA and several other organizations will be in attendance.

“We’re going to have a small PA system and we’re going to have folks stand up and share from those organizations,” Evans said. “Then hopefully we have a peaceful demonstration. We’re hoping to do this somewhere along the sidewalk. We’ve reached out to the folks at City Hall and they don’t have a problem as long as we’re not in people’s way.”

According to OurRevolution’s post in the Solitary Rally event on Facebook they plan to provide an opportunity for members of the community to speak to the crowd and express concerns about or support for immigrants and Muslims living in the area.

“We are trying to create a sense of safety and warmth and embrace of those individuals in our communities who have immigrated here and are already probably pretty scared and have worries being an immigrant or even being a Muslim in St. Joseph,” Evans said. “We want those groups to feel welcome.”

Aljedaani said regardless of current events he sees the United States as the land of dreams.

“So far the U.S. is the greatest country in the world.  The freedom, the opportunities,” he said. “Everything is so far better than anywhere else.  Yes there are some issues here and there but every country is suffering from issues.”

 

Bowling fundraiser nets more than $11,000 for cancer care

File photo of flyer
File photo of flyer

A bowling fundraiser raised thousands of dollars to benefit the Mosaic Life Care Cancer Care Patient Assistance Fund.

Strike Out Cancer, held Oct. 21, 2016 at Belt Bowl raised $11,807. A check will be presented to Mosaic Life Care for the Patient Assistance Fund Thursday afternoon.

Strike Out Cancer is an annual event held to benefit the Patient Assistance Fund. According to Mosaic, funds are used to assist patients with transportation to and from appointments, prescription assistance and other basic needs to help them stay on track during treatment.

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