Post Staff – Page 275 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Three vie for mayor in Savannah

Posted on January 17, 2017

Just five candidates filed for three city offices up for grabs in Savannah in the municipal election in April.

Two of the races are already run. Mayor Connie George is unopposed in her bid for Alderman from the city’s East Ward, and Nick Sheppard is the only candidate to file in the West Ward.

Three people are vying for the office of Mayor: John Parker, Don Dillman, and Shawn Shuster. Parker and Dillman currently serve on the board representing the East Ward.

Tuesday was the filing deadline. The election is April 4.

Chillicothe Fire Department releases 2016 report

Posted on January 17, 2017

The Chillicothe Fire Department released its 2016 report on Tuesday showing thousands of calls for EMS or fire during the year.

According to the report, last year the fire department traveled a total of 177,450 miles. There were 2,605 total calls for EMS/Fire.

Total calls:

Carbon monoxide related calls 20

Rescue other than auto extrication 11

Customer service calls 144

Install new smoke detectors 80

Fire code/safety inspections 58

Spill leak/ hazmat no fire 06

Structure fires 24

Outside of structure fires 04

Tree/brush/grass 17

Smoke scare 07

Auto extrication/rescue 16

Automatic alarm system malfunction 24

Automobile fires 15

False alarms 04

Storm Watch 04

Mutual aide to others 05

Total miles traveled by CFD (177,450)

EMS calls 2166

That year a new cardiac monitor for transmission capabilities was acquired and it took delivery of a new ambulance paid for by the Livingston County Ambulance District. CLICK HERE to view the 2016 Chillicothe Fire Department Report

Hwy 36 closure in Hamilton extended due to weather

Posted on January 17, 2017

HAMILTON, Mo – The Missouri Department of Transportation said due to recent winter weather, the closure of U.S. Route 36 in Hamilton will extend into February.
MoDOT crews have been working 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily in the eastbound lanes of U.S. Route 36 at Route 13 for bridge maintenance since Jan. 3. Originally scheduled to take only one month to complete, the project has been extended through Feb. 20. As they’ve been doing since the beginning of the year, motorists will be rerouted up and over the ramps at Route 13.

All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Sheriff warns of aggressive sales incident

Posted on January 17, 2017January 17, 2017

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office is warning people after a resident reported an unwanted attempt to sell her a vacuum.

Sheriff Steve Cox said a woman reported an incident involving two men and a women who allegedly invaded her home in an attempt to sell a high end vacuum cleaning system.

“Woman that when greeted at the door acted quickly with the female telling the resident they were there to clean her house,” Cox said. “The two men brushed past the resident where one man remained and the other man and woman left in a white colored van.”

The man reportedly remained in the home for around an hour and refused to listen to the resident about not wanting him there.

“If you experience aggressive sales people who refuse to leave, please call your local law enforcement agency,” Cox said.

Obituaries January 12-16

Posted on January 17, 2017January 17, 2017

Leonard M. Thomas, JR Nish KA Wah Suck
1951-2017

HORTON – Leonard M. Thomas, JR, Nish KA Wah Suck, 65, of Horton, passed on Thursday, January 12, 2017.
He was born December 8, 1951, in Holton, the son of Leonard M. Thomas, Sr. and Orcelia J. Mason Thomas.
JR was a member of the Kickapoo Tribe and followed the Drum way of life. He worked in the Tribe’s Farm and Ranch Program.
JR and Karen S. Harrison were married on December 16, 1972 in Topeka. She survives, of the home.
JR was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Elwyn K. Miller and Loren J. Thomas.
Other survivors include a son, ThunderChild Thomas (Marisa Cole), Topeka; four daughters, Coleen Thomas (Andrew Pahmahmie), Jolene Thomas, Jayme Mitchell (Edward J., Jr.) and Adele Wahwassuck (Raphael), all of Mayetta; two brothers, Fred Thomas (Larene) and Moe Thomas (Cindy), both of Horton; and numerous grandchildren, nephews and nieces. JR was also an adopted father to the Wewenes family and Shayla Whitebird, and an adopted brother to Rose Allen.
Wake and drum services will be Sunday night, January 15th at the Kickapoo Community Building on the Kickapoo Reservation. Burial will be Monday morning in the Lena Mason Family Cemetery on the Kickapoo Reservation.

Robert William Erickson
1951-2017

Robert William Erickson, 65, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Saturday, January 14, 2017 at Mosaic Life Care.
He was born February 2, 1951 in St. Joseph, Missouri, where he was a graduate of Benton High School.
Mr. Erickson was a retired truck driver.
Robert liked to barbecue and loved being with his family, especially his sons.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and great grandson, Liam Erickson.
Survivors include his sons, Timothy, Jeremy and Damien Erickson all of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Preston, Madison, Camden, Damien, Jr. and Dillon Erickson; great grandchildren, Kayden and Alice Erickson; sisters, Kathy Allen and Debbie Erickson; and nieces and nephew, April Layman and Roberta, Alberta and Thomas Dawe.
The family will gather with friends 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

David E. Blunt
1945-2017

David E. Blunt, 71, of Hiawatha, died unexpectedly Sunday morning, January 15, 2017, shortly after arrival at the Hiawatha Community Hospital.
David was born at Council Bluffs, Iowa, September 22, 1945, one of nine children born to Ray and Elizabeth O’Dell Blunt and had lived in the Northeast Kansas area nearly all of his life. David graduated from Horton High School with the class of 1963 and had worked for Flair Fold wood shutter plant in Hiawatha for 20 years prior to working at the White Cloud Casino for 10 years. In later years, David developed health problems: went on kidney dialysis in 2008, kidney transplant in 2012, and just last June a mild heart attack. Through the years, he enjoyed bowling and watching football.
He and Alice Lucas declared their love for each other April 1, 1971. She survives.
Other survivors include children: Travis (Cindy) Lucas, Ward Lucas, Patti (Dave) Brodman, Michael Blunt, Ricky Blunt, Terry Blunt; a sister Donna (Don) Harvey of Bern; and numerous grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Philip, Charles, Lawrence, and four siblings in infancy.
There will be a private family service at Mt. Hope Cemetery
Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association or the American Kidney Fund, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

Larry Lee Smith
1941-2017

Larry Lee Smith was born Thursday, August 28th, 1941; and passed away Sunday, January 15th, 2017 in Atchison, Kansas. Visitation Thursday, January 19th, 2017, 9:00am – 10:00am. Located at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Services Thursday, January 19th, 2017, 10:00am. Officiating Abbot Barnabas Senecal, OSB. Located at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Chapel. Interment located at St. Leo’s Church Cemetery.

Paul Christopher “Bud” Zacharias
1960-2017

Paul Christopher “Bud” Zacharias was born Saturday, November 19th, 1960; and passed away Monday, January 16th, 2017. Visitation Wednesday, January 18th, 2017, 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Located at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Services Thursday, January 19th, 2017, 1:00pm. Officiating Rev. Ted Lovelace. Located at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Interment located at the Round Prairie Cemetery.

Donald Roy VanHoutan
1932-2017

Donald Roy VanHoutan 84, of Bigelow, Missouri passed away Monday January 16, 2017 at his home. He was born June 26, 1932 in Allendale, Missouri son of Peggy & Mose VanHoutan. He worked at Charlie Harrison Plumbing and Faulkner Plumbing as a plumber for 40 years. He served in the United States Army, and was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed riding motorcycles, fishing, camping, and building things. Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Janice VanHoutan, son, Danny VanHoutan, his parents, a brother, Ted VanHoutan, six sisters, Lorraine, Frances, Sylvia, Barb, Georgi, and Betty. Survivors include three sons, Billy (Marla) VanHoutan, Tom and Ronnie VanHoutan all of St. Joseph, daughter, Diana Riggs of Bigelow, MO, 15 grandchildren, several great grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm on Friday, with a joint memorial service for Janice and Donald to be conducted at 2:00 PM Friday, at the Rupp Funeral Home. He will be cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home.

Leslie Eugene Smith
1931-2017

Leslie Eugene Smith, 85, Atchison, Kansas died Monday, January 16, 2017 at the St. Luke’s Hospice House surrounded by his family.
Graveside services and interment of cremated remains will be Friday, January 20, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Benedict Catholic School Endowment or St. Luke’s Hospice and may be left in care of the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home with whom the final arrangements have been entrusted.
Leslie was born on April 16, 1931 in Highland, Kansas the son of Henry and Gretha (Scofield) Smith. He graduated from the Atchison County Community High School.
He and the former Doris M. Watowa were united in marriage on November 5, 1953 at St. Joseph’s Church in Atchison.
Leslie was formerly employed for Page Airways in Atchison. Then he began working as a machinist-mechanic for Bendix Corporation, later with Allied Signal Corporation and then Honeywell, all in Kansas City, retiring in 1995.
He served his country in the United States Army from December 8, 1953 until his honorable discharge on December 7, 1955.
He was always active and enjoyed being outdoors hunting, fishing and camping. He was a dedicated husband and father to his family.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Doris M. Smith, Atchison, KS, two daughters, Sheryl (Terry) Sanders, Atchison, KS, Beverly (David) Kentzler, Atchison, KS, a son, Tom (Melinda) Smith, St. Joseph, MO, a sister, JoAnn Walton, Sabetha, KS, six grandchildren, one step grandchild, five great grandchildren, and three step grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

Suspect appears in court on charges of making sexual contact with girl, 14

Posted on January 17, 2017January 17, 2017

A 37-year-old St. Joseph man appeared before a judge Tuesday on a charge of statutory sodomy.

Jack Donahoe appeared via video before Associate Judge Rebecca Spencer.

Judge Spencer entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf, and scheduled the case for the preliminary hearing docket january 26.

As we reported, officials accuse Jack Donahoe of making sexual contact with a girl under the age of 14 for the purpose of sexual gratification. In court documents, Detective Dustin Robinson of the St. Joseph Police Department asserts that Donahoe has failed to appear on a past charge of shoplifting. and was a suspect in other crimes. Bail was set at $50,000 cash.

Donahoe told the judge he would apply for a public defender. He remains in custody in the Buchanan County Jail.

Suspect appears before judge for alleged escape attempt

Posted on January 17, 2017January 17, 2017

A man accused of trying to escape from custody during a court hearing last week appeared in court Tuesday on a new charge of attempted escape.

As we reported, Daniel Embrey was in court last Thursday for a routine trial-setting when witnesses say he tried to bolt from the courtroom. According to witnesses and court documents, Embrey allegedly jumped onto the defense table and then tried to leap over the rail separating the court from the gallery.

Instead, witnesses say he landed flat on his face. It took six deputies to take him back into custody.

As he was being escorted out of the courtroom, witnesses say he apologized, saying “sorry about that, Judge.”

Associate Circuit Judge Rebecca Spencer set the new case for a preliminary hearing docket February 2.

In the original case, Embrey is accused of ramming a stolen car into a Drug Strike Force vehicle at a convenience store last year. The trial setting in that case will be rescheduled.

Northwest’s Student Senate sponsors blood drive this week

Posted on January 17, 2017January 17, 2017

MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Student Senate at Northwest Missouri State University is sponsoring its annual winter blood drive in cooperation with the Community Blood Center to boost blood supplies in northwest Missouri.

The Community Blood Center is the primary supplier of blood and blood components in the region, serving more than 65 local hospitals and medical centers.

Blood from volunteer donors assists cancer patients recovering from the rigors of chemotherapy, auto accident victims needing blood for emergency surgeries or mothers needing blood as the result of traumatic birth deliveries. It is estimated three lives are saved with every unit collected.

In September, for the second consecutive year, the Community Blood Center recognized Northwest and its Student Senate as the top university among participating institutions in the area during the previous calendar year. Northwest donors provided 768 units of blood, more than 530 more than the second-place university in 2015.

For more information, contact Student Senate’s Civic Committee at (660) 562-1218 or the Community Blood Center at (800) 245-7035.

The blood drive will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday in the Tower View Room, located on the third floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union.

Interested donors may register online by visiting www.savealifenow.org. There, click the “Schedule an appointment” icon and enter the code: NWMSU.

Temps will continue to climb throughout the week

Posted on January 17, 2017

Cloudy skies and a bit of patchy drizzle will linger across the region through the morning hours making today a little cooler than Monday. However, temperatures will return to slowly climbing upwards this week as highs lift into a range more normal for March than January. The next chance for widespread precipitation looks to arrive at the tail end of the weekend (Sunday), but at least temperatures late this weekend look warm enough to preclude much threat of wintry weather. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Patchy drizzle before 9 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. West northwest wind 7 to 11 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. West wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the morning.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. South wind 3 to 6 mph.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. South southeast wind 3 to 6 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53.

Friday Night: A chance of rain between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 53.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Sunday: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 47. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday Night: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Aldermen to run for mayor’s office in Savannah

Posted on January 16, 2017January 16, 2017

You still have one more day to file as a candidate for mayor or alderman in Savannah.

So far, just two candidates have filed to run for mayor in advance of Tuesday’s deadline. They are John Parker and Don Dillman. Each is currently serving as Alderman in the city’s East Ward.

It appears that the current mayor is about to trade jobs with one of the two men. So far, the only candidate to file for East Ward Alderman is Mayor Connie George.

The deadline to file as a candidate in the April municipal election is the close of business Tuesday, January 17.