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MoDOT to halt roadwork over Thanksgiving

wpid-wpid-modot-logo-200x150-200x150.jpgST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The following is a listing of general highway maintenance and construction work in the Northwest Missouri region planned for the week of Nov. 21 – 27 from the Missouri Department of Transportation. In addition to the work listed below, there may be pothole patching, bridge maintenance, striping, brush cutting, guardrail repairs and other road work conducted throughout the region. Many of these will be moving operations and could include lane closures with delays.

MoDOT will halt temporary lane closures throughout the state to accommodate an increase in traffic due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Most temporary lane closures will stop at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 23, and resume again Monday morning, Nov. 28.

 

Andrew County

Route 48 – CLOSED at the Platte River Bridge near Whitesville for a bridge replacement project. The road will be closed through November.

U.S. Route 71 – From Route B to 340th Street (Nodaway County) for pothole patching, Nov. 21 – 23

Routes J and M – Pothole patching, Nov. 21 – 23

Atchison County

Interstate 29 – From mile marker 110 (Rock Port Exit) to the Iowa state line for pavement repairs, Nov. 21 – 23

Buchanan County

U.S. Route 36 – Northbound ramp to I-229 CLOSED for sign installation, Nov. 21, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

I-229 and U.S. Route 36 – Flushing bridges, Nov. 21 – 23

U.S. Route 36 – Eastbound under the Route AC overpass for pavement repair, Nov. 21 – 23. This includes a 12-foot width restriction.

Route HH – From Route 116 to 56th Road for drainage work, Nov. 21 – 23

U.S. Route 36 – One mile east of Route AC for a bridge project, Nov. 21 – 23

Route 116 – From I-29 to Route 371 for guardrail repair, Nov. 21 – 23

Caldwell County

Route P – CLOSED at the intersection of Route P and Old Highway 36 for a culvert replacement, Nov. 21, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Chariton County

Route 129 – From Colley Road to Torch Road for drainage work, Nov. 21 – 23

Route U – From Colley Road to Conrad School Road for drainage work, Nov. 21 – 23

Clinton County

Route 33 – From Isley Road to SE Valley View Road for drainage work, Nov. 21 – 23

DeKalb County

U.S. Route 36 – Traffic will be head-to-head at the overpass over I-35 for a bridge replacement project. During this project, no left turns from U.S. Route 36 onto I-35 will be permitted, as the medians between east and westbound U.S. Route 36 will be closed. Please follow the signed detour route. Normal traffic patterns could resume this week.

I-35 – One lane may be closed under the U.S. Route 36 overpass for a bridge deck replacement project. During this project, traffic exiting I-35 will not be permitted to turn left onto U.S. Route 36, as the medians between east and westbound U.S. Route 36 will be closed. Please follow the signed detour route. Normal traffic patterns could resume this week.

Gentry County

Route A – Shoulder work, Nov. 21 – 23

Harrison County

Route 13 – At the Pole Cat Creek Bridge for maintenance, Nov. 21 – 23. A temporary traffic signal is in place to direct traffic.

U.S. Route 69 – From the Bethany city limits to the Iowa state line for shoulder work, Nov. 21 – 23

Holt County

U.S. Route 59 – From the Atchison County line to the south Oregon exit (Exit 67) for pothole patching, Nov. 21 – 23

Route 111 – From the city limits of Forest City to the Oregon city limits for shoulder repairs, Nov. 21 – 23

Linn County

Route 5 – Form U.S. Route 36 to the Browning city limits for shoulder repair, Nov. 21 – 22

Mercer County

Route C – CLOSED from Route E to Foghorn Road for a culvert replacement, Nov. 21, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Nodaway County

Route C – Two miles west of Clearmont at the Nodaway River Bridge for a stream bank stabilization project, Nov. 21 – 23

U.S. Route 71 – From 340th Street to Route B (Andrew County) for pothole patching, Nov. 21 – 23

Route 246 – From Route E to Route 46 (Worth County) for pothole patching, Nov. 21 – 23

Putnam County

U. S. Route 136 and Route 5 – Pothole patching, Nov. 21 – 23

Sullivan County

Route EE – CLOSED from Route KK north to Route KK south for a culvert replacement, Nov. 21, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Worth County

Route 246 – From Route 46 to Route E (Nodaway County) for pothole patching, Nov. 21 – 23

Deer vs. vehicle crashes increase in northeast Kansas

Photo courtesy Kansas Wildlife, Parks & Tourism
Photo courtesy Kansas Wildlife, Parks & Tourism

An increase in crashes involving deer is being seen by authorities in northeast Kansas.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant said Tuesday that in the past few weeks deer non-injury accidents have increased in the county.  He said in most cases the accidents were unavoidable.

“Over the weekend we had like four or five,” Merchant said. “I know with people in the field, the farmers out combining and doing work I know that the deer tend to get up and travel more and with the rut I know there’s a lot of factors that contribute to the activity of the deer.”

He said the best advice is to drive at a reasonable speed for road conditions and not to try to avoid hitting the deer.

“The major issues are when people leave the roadway.  That’s when a majority of the bad injuries and more damage to the vehicle.  Also, there are times when people are driving too fast,” Merchant said. “You just have to drive with caution and make sure that you’re aware of everything.”

Nebraska state agency paid $57M in fines over last 5 years

Nebraska department  of health and human services
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska state agency has paid $57 million in fines and penalties to federal agencies over the last five years.

Department officials say they’re taken steps to reduce the likelihood of future mistakes.

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services administrators told lawmakers Wednesday they have created a new review process, provided more training for staff and are working more closely with the federal government. The department could owe another $45 million, although that figure could change.

Some of the penalties were imposed because the state didn’t properly document how it used federal money. In other cases, the department changed how it calculated payments for developmental disability services without getting federal approval.

A department spokeswoman says some of the issues arose from audits dating as far back as 2003.

Hundreds to drive-thru for a Turkey Day feast

SecondHarvest_Logo2010The Second Harvest Community Food Bank is gearing up for its annual Thanksgiving distribution.

Michelle Fagerstone is the Dir. of Marketing for the agency.  She said around 1500 meals will be handed out during Monday’s distribution in St. Joseph.

“On Super Turkey Day we are scheduled to distribute right at 1500 full family turkey meals.  So they will get a frozen turkey and they will get a box of food that has basic Thanksgiving Day menu items in it.  So there will be some stuffing, some canned yams, some pie mixes, there will be some vegetables in there,” Fagerstone said.

The agency has also distributed 548 turkey meals through partner agencies in its service area.  Fagerstone said the effort is a way to make sure even those who may not be able to afford it can have a Thanskgiving meal.

“Even the cost of turkey which is generally pretty affordable with their limited income it is not affordable,” Fagerstone said. “We give the meals specifically to people who have qualified for what we call a yellow card.”

Volunteers will hand out the meals at Second Harvest starting at noon.  Fagerstone said families will drive-thru to pick-up their birds until all of meals are accounted for.  She said all of the meals have already been claimed so if someone has gotten their voucher they are guaranteed a meal.

For more information contact Second Harvest at (816) 364-3663, Ex. 218.

Realtors on track for best year in five years

NARealtors logoOctober home sales in our area showed continued growth, keeping area realtors on track for their best year in five years.

According to the St. Joseph Regional Association of Realtors, 120 home sales last month sold for more than $14.7 million, a 10.56% increase over the figures from October of last year.

Year-to-date, realtors in the association’s nine-county area have sold 1,246 residential units, up 6.95% over a year ago. Total sales through October of this year are up 9.76% at about $159 million.

Sheriff’s Office takes children shopping for the holidays

Platte County Sheriff patch jpg(News Release) – The Platte County Sheriff’s Office is gearing up for their 22nd annual “Shop With A Deputy” program.

The event will take place Dec. 3. The Sheriff’s Office has teamed up with a local Wal-Mart to bring holiday joy and cheer to 30 children and their families. Each child is allowed to spend $200.00 dollars. Of the $200.00 each child must spend at least $140.00 on clothing (underwear, socks, jeans, shoes, coats, etc.) with the balance of the money being spent on toys, small gifts for family members, or more clothing if they want or need it. Sheriff Owen states, “With the prosperity in Platte County, who would think there would be underprivileged children living in our County? This is a meaningful and wonderful program to take part in, for many of the children this is the only Christmas they will have. Not only are the Deputies involved, there are Sheriff’s Office employees from every unit who also volunteer their time to help these children.”

The “Shop With A Deputy” program started in 1995. Deputies and Department personnel have taken over 636 children Christmas shopping. The program is funded by donations from individuals, businesses, organizations and when all else failed, the department employees have paid for some of the items themselves. Sheriff Owen says, “It is a very positive experience for not only the children that are involved but also for the deputies. We all love working with the children and being able to see that we can make a difference in a child’s life. You never forget the smiles that light up the children’s faces.” If you would like to help with this program, please send your donations to:

Platte County Sheriff’s Office
Shop With A Deputy Program
C/O Captain Chad Phillips
415 3rd Street, Suite 10
Platte City, MO 64079

Or you can deliver your donation to the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Passenger injured, driver arrested after Nodaway County crash

MSHP badge goldA Stanberry man was hospitalized Friday night after a single-vehicle crash in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 33-year-old Rian R. Osborn was a passenger in a Jeep Cherokee that went off the road and into a ditch along 250th Street. The accident happened two miles east of Maryville at 10:10 p.m. Friday.

The patrol says the driver was detained by Nodaway County authorities on a 24-hour hold for possible charges of felony driving while intoxicated on drugs (aggravated offender), driving with a revoked or suspended license, and careless and imprudent driving involving an accident.

An online arrest report identifies the driver as David D. James of Maryville. By Saturday, no formal charges had been filed, according to online court records. James was not injured in the crash.

Historic mansion in St. Joseph opens for a tour

"The Pines" at #3 Hundley Drive. Photo courtesy Saint Joseph Symphony.
“The Pines” at #3 Hundley Drive. Photo courtesy Saint Joseph Symphony.

A historic mansion in St. Joseph will be decorated for the Thanksgiving holiday and open for a tour Saturday.

The Saint Joseph Symphony Thanksgiving Historical Mansion Tour takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday at a mansion that Sharon Kosek with the Symphony said they’ve been trying to get on the tour for the last three years.

“They have large family gatherings, beautiful, historical, festive times and they decorate splendidly for the Thanksgiving holiday and we have wanted so much to have this gorgeous mansion on the tour,” Kosek said. “It takes so much time to go through it and see all the beautiful things they have inside that we decided this would be a great time to have this fabulous home called “The Pines” on the tour.”

Kosek said the house was built in 1850 as a wedding gift from former U.S. Senator Robert Wilson of Andrew County to his daughter Mary Ann McDonald. Kosek said Senator Wilson brought guests from Jefferson City to the mansion in St. Joseph.

“Fort Sumter had just been bombed and they were afraid of staying in Jefferson City so they moved the meeting to this beautiful home in the front yard and they decided there that Missouri would go with the North. So it has this very historic presence,” Kosek said. “Back then they had many a historic party and political meeting and they still today have many a party and historical meeting by the way of political meetings at this home because it’s a very spacious home and makes for a beautiful location to have gatherings.”

The tour takes place from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday. The house is located at #3 Hundley Dr., north of the Noyes Boulevard-Ashland Ave. intersection west off of Ashland.

Advance tickets are $20 and tickets at the door are $25. Tickets are available at the St. Joseph Hy-Vee store service center, Jamie’s Secret Garden, at the Saint Joseph Symphony Office or online.

All the proceeds from the tours will benefit the Saint Joseph Symphony and its programs.

St. Joe man who stole the van of a stranger who gave him a ride sentenced for his murder

Paul Belding
Paul Belding
Paul Belding of St. Joe was sentenced on Friday to 30-years in prison for murder. Belding pleaded guilty to 2nd degree felony murder after trying to steal the van of a 77-year-old stranger who’d offered him a ride.

Richard Marion Gray was killed June 13 trying to prevent Belding from stealing his van at the U.S. Oil convenience store at 22nd and Messanie. Gray died five days later from a traumatic head injury.

Prosecuting Attorney Dwight Scroggins described the “remarkable contrast” between the defendant and the victim, reciting Belding’s lengthy history of drug abuse and prior offenses including multiple charges of tampering with a motor vehicle, for which he went to prison and was paroled in March of 2016.

“…and three months later he does it again, ending the life of this remarkable man,” Scroggins told the judge.

Scroggins told Circuit Judge Patrick Robb that Marion Gray was “a man of God, a man of love, who spent every waking moment trying to make people’s lives better.”

Friends and family members offered many details, describing a man devoted to his church, to his family and to helping others less fortunate. His pastor called him passionate, humble, shy, smart and wise, a storyteller and a listener, and “a fixer of just about anything.”

His daughter described the fatal irony of trying to steal her father’s tools.

“Chances are if you see a wheelchair ramp around the city, his hands were involved in building it, and the tools Belding stole helped build it,” said Penny Anderson of her father.

But as to Belding, Scroggins said “he made awful choices, and awful choices have awful consequences.” Scroggins asked for the maximum sentence.

Public Defender Rinne asked Judge Robb to consider a different contrast, between the opportunities life had afforded each man. Rinne said the defendant had been molested as a child, had no role models, and had family members involved in drug abuse.

Rinne said her experience with Mr Belding was that he was a “nice guy.” She said he never said a negative thing to anybody, appeared to be truly remorseful, and was adamant about taking responsibility for his actions.

But Judge Patrick Robb told Belding that at age 28 he had shown no desire to change his behavior.

“You have failed, in my perception, to make any effort to change, to become a law abiding citizen,” Robb said. “Prison is where you belong.”

Robb ordered Belding to serve 30 years in the Department of Corrections. Belding must serve at least 85% of that, or 25-1/2 years, before he could become eligible for parole.

Belding’s lawyer acknowledged that, because of his priors, he client is very likely to serve 100% of his sentence.

Man charged after Grant St. shooting

Terry Labrozzi
Terry Labrozzi

A St. Joseph man is facing multiple charges after police responded to a shooting incident Thursday.

Terry Labrozzi has been charged with felonies for second-degree domestic assault and unlawful use of a weapon in connection with an incident that took place Thursday in the 6400 Block of Grant.

As we previously reported, authorities responded to that location around 11 a.m. after a report of a disturbance with possible shots fired.

According to court documents, two victims were at that location when Labrozzi arrived and shoved one victim into a fence and hit another in the face with his hand while holding a firearm. Sgt. Daniel Sweiger said Labrozzi then allegedly got into a physical fight with one of the victims and shot the weapon injuring that victim with a bullet.

Labrozzi is being held without bail.  An arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday.

 

 

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