Post Staff – Page 338 – St. Joseph Post Archive

U.S. Attorney’s Office to field election complaints

Posted on October 24, 2016

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Kansas will once again be available to field complaints on election day. Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall says, a federal prosecutor will be on duty to respond to complaints of possible election fraud and voting rights violations in Kansas.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Leon Patton will be available to the public at 913-551-6730 while the polls are open on Nov. 8.

“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud,” Beall said. “We will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.”

Beall said he does not expect any problems during the voting. He noted, however, that there are penalties under federal law for any efforts to fraudulently influence the outcome of the election or to improperly prevent another person from exercising the right to vote.

Patton will join other federal prosecutors nationwide as part of the Justice Department’s election-day monitoring program. They will work in consultation with Justice Department headquarters.

The FBI’s Kansas City Field Office will also have Special Agents available to receive allegations of election fraud, intimidation, suppression, and other election abuses. The public can provide information regarding possible election crimes to the FBI’s Kansas City Field Office’s toll-free hotline, 1-855-527-2847, or email kcpctip@ic.fbi.gov.

Citizen complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or 202-307-2767, by fax at 202-307-3961, by email to voting.section@usdoj.gov, or by complaint form at http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php .

Any questions involving state or local issues may be referred to the Elections Division of the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office at 1-800-262-8683, or to the pertinent county election office.

Fifth and Francis traffic box gets colorful transformation starting Monday

Posted on October 24, 2016

Another traffic box in the downtown area will get an artistic makeover starting Monday. St. Joseph native Bradley J. Daniels was selected to give the traffic box at Fifth Street and Francis a colorful transformation. This is the fifth annual traffic box project sponsored by the Allied Arts Council.

Daniels can be found painting the traffic box at 5th and Francis Monday, October 24 thru Wednesday, October 26 from 2:00- 5:00 p.m. A celebratory reception honoring the artist will take place at Just Desserts by Mom on October 26 at 5:00 p.m. Please RSVP to Cathy Ketter at 816-233-0231 or cathy.ketter@stjoearts.org by Tuesday, October 25, 2016.

After reviewing multiple submissions, the selection committee chose St. Joseph native Bradley J. Daniels’ design as the winner. Daniels graduated from Missouri Western State University in 2012 with a BFA in Graphic Design and is currently the Graphic Designer for St. Joe Sign Co.

“I’ve always found a great passion in visual communications through creating art,” said Daniels. “I enjoy when the everyday is turned into something unique and new. I’ve been interested in becoming a commercial artist for some time now, so when I came across the opportunity to create something in my hometown, it caught my attention,” he said.

Daniels says he first became aware of the traffic box project when his friend, Hannah Greenwell, was chosen as last year’s artist. Daniels entered the 2016 contest and won with his design “Galactic Perspectives.” The artwork features a whimsical background of swirls, stars and planets resembling a galaxy, a top view of three-dimensional skyscrapers and his signature green and purple snail with the a word bubble containing the phrase “Chill out Bro.”

When asked about his design, Daniels explained that it is really all about realizing that no matter how big your problems seem to be, if you put them into perspective in the grand scheme of things, you’ll realize that your problems are rather small. “I hope people just take a minute to check it out first, but really, I’d like them to take about 10 minutes and just stop thinking about what is to come and just be,” he said. “Enjoy the simple moments and the company of your friends and family. Stop worrying about all the issues of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Just take a little bit of time and chill out, bro.”

Obituaries October 19-21

Posted on October 24, 2016October 26, 2016

Esther A. Morris (Stiles)
1926-2016

Esther A. Morris (Stiles) was born Saturday, September 11th, 1926; and passed away Wednesday, October 19th, 2016 in Atchison, Kansas. Visitation held Tuesday, October 25th, 2016, 1:00pm. Located at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home. Services held Tuesday, October 25th, 2016, 2:00pm at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Interment located at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Joseph M. Miller, Jr.
1930-2016

Joseph M. Miller, Jr., 86, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Thursday, October 20, 2016 at his home after a brief illness.
He was born May 1, 1930 in St. Joseph to Joseph M. and Emma (Blankenship) Miller.
Joe was a graduate of Pickett High School, Class of 1948. Joseph was an Army Veteran, he served his country during the Korean War.
He married Lola Lou Rissel on September 15, 1956, they were married until her death in January 2007.
Joe was a hog buyer for Swift and Company for thirty-three years and after his retirement he started a new career in the building trades working for Payless Cashways and Lowes. He was a 60 year member and Past Master of the Saxton Lodge No. 508, A.F. & A.M., 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason; Moila Shrine.
He was also preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include daughters, Rhonda Hoselton (Marvin Fankhauser), St. Joseph, Shelly Chavez (Nick), Kansas City, MO; grandchildren, Regan Chavez, Paige Brandt (Kyle), Blair Finn (Jarrod), Drew Hoselton (Samantha); and three great-grandchildren.
Farewell and Masonic Services 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. The family requests donations be made to the charity of the donors choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Karen Sue “Sussie” Tworek
1954-2016

Karen Sue “Sussie” Tworek, 62, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Friday, October 21, 2016 at a local healthcare facility.
She was born March 30, 1954 in St. Joseph Missouri.
Karen married James Tworek July 4, 1981.
She was a general manager for Church’s chicken for over thiry years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Mary (Alsup) Herring; sisters, Shirley Miller, Mabel Davidson, Faye Woosley; brother, Henry Herring, Jr.; and nephew Jimmy Herring.
Survivors include husband, James; children, Mary Glidewell(Kevin), Georgia Burns(Rex), Julie Dunning, Jamie Wysling (Barrett), all of St. Joseph; sisters, Sherry Gail Stufflebean, St. Joseph, Mary Esther Davidson (Donald), Clarksdale, MO, Francie Davidson (Junior), St. Joseph; brothers, Joey Herring (Pauline), Carl Herring, St. Joseph.; sister in-law, Janice Lofton(Robert); brothers in-law, Jeff Tworek (Stephanie), John Tworek (Pam), all from St. Joseph.; fourteen grandchildren,; one great-grandchild.; and five dogs.
Farewell Services 3:00 P.M. Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Kerns-Freeman Chapel Cemetery. The family will receive friends 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the funeral home to help defray funeral expenses. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

M. Ruth Clover
1920-2016

M. Ruth Clover, 96, Amazonia, Missouri, passed away Friday, October 21, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care.
Mrs. Clover was born June 17, 1920 in El Dorado, Kansas. She had lived in Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, and Arkansas.
On September 27, 1956 she married Bobby J. Clover. He preceded her in death after 40 years of marriage on December 31, 1996.
She was retired from the former St. Joseph State Hospital where she was a Psychiatric Aid.
Mrs. Clover was a member of the First Baptist Church of Savannah. In the past she had been an active member of the Eastern Star and the Rebekah Lodge as a former officer.
Ruth was an avid gardener and loved flowers and birds. She also enjoyed sewing, baking, and cooking. Most of all she loved being with her family, especially around the holidays when she would prepare her famous spread of food and decorations weeks in advance. She helped raise many foster children.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, Grant and Inez (Blackmore) Chapin; sisters, Birdie Chapin, Thelma Thomason and Clara Morgan; and brother, Edward Chapin.
Survivors include her five children, Chester Freeborn, Jr., Norma Wenger, Helen Davis, Lois Widener and Carol Simpson (Ron); seven grandchildren: Ron and Ronda Wenger, Ronell Humble, Scott and Bryan Widener, Jennifer Millman, and Steven Simpson; six great grandchildren, Amber and Michael Wenger, Lauren and Aaron Humble, Britney Free and Natalie Millman; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Sugar Creek Cemetery, Rushville, Missouri. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, where friends may call after 3:00 P.M. Tuesday. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to First Baptist Church, Savannah, Missouri, or to the American Heart Association. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Brian K. McPherson
1956-2016

Brian K. McPherson, 60, Burlington Junction, Missouri passed away Friday, October 21, 2016 at his home.
He was born June 26, 1956 to Alexander and Thelma (Stafford) McPherson in Jackson County, Missouri.
He married Kathy Louise Linville on August 14, 1990.
Mr. McPherson was a farmer his entire life.
He was a 30 year member and EMT for the 140 Rescue Squad, board member of Nodaway County Ambulance District, 30 year member of the Nodaway County Fair Board, member of the Missouri Association of Fairs and Festivals board and was leader of the Black Label Band.
Brian loved farming, hunting, football, being Santa Claus, writing and playing music, shooting fireworks and was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs especially when they are winning. He most enjoyed spending time with his wife, kids and grandkids.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Kathy McPherson, Burlington Junction, Missouri; son, Tim McPherson (Andrea), Glenwood, Iowa; daughter, Angie Lightner (Mike), Burlington Junction, Missouri, grandchildren, Aaron and Brayden McPherson and Andrew Lightner; brother, Harry McPherson (Barbara), Wheaton, Illinois; his dog, Mac; and several other family members, friends and neighbors, many of whom are working on his farm to help harvest.
Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, Burlington Junction United Methodist Church. Interment Ohio Cemetery, Burlington Junction, Missouri. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, Burlington Junction United Methodist church, Burlington Junction, Missouri. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to the 140 Rescue Squad, 12360 185th St. Burlington Junction, 64428. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Lucille H. Graves
1919-2016

Lucille H. Graves, 97, Lee’s Summit, Missouri passed away Friday, October 21, 2016 at John Knox Village House, Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
She was born June 9, 1919 to Ed and Goldie (Lake) Hess in Savannah, Missouri.
She was had worked in the assembly line at Mead Paper Products.
She loved her grandchildren and enjoyed babysitting and sewing for them.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include her two sons, Forrest Graves (Sharon) and Philip Graves; grandchildren, Caprice Dubbert (Mike), Brian Graves (Teresa), Wendi Schank (Russell), and Todd Huffman; great grandchildren, Courtney (Andrew), Carlee, Easton, Austin, Dalton Jordon and Cole; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Mt. Auburn Cemetery. The family will receive friends 12:00 noon 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Tarkio man killed in one vehicle crash Friday

Posted on October 24, 2016

A Tarkio man died in a one vehicle crash Friday evening in Atchison County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 41-year-old Thomas L. Smith was traveling north on Route O, two miles south of Westboro around 5:45 p.m., when his Chevrolet Malibu crossed the center line, went off the west side of the road, hit an embankment, started to spin, hit the embankment again, then hit a ditch and started to overturn. Smith was partially ejected and the vehicle came to rest on the driver’s side. According to the crash report, he was not wearing a seat belt.

Smith was pronounced deceased at the scene at 9:47 p.m.

Sunny skies and cooler temperatures today

Posted on October 24, 2016

Mostly sunny skies and slightly cooler temperatures are expected today, but with highs at or slightly above normal in the 60s. The next chance for rain and thunderstorms comes Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Temperatures will remain above normal through the remainder of the work week. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 65. East wind 6 to 9 mph.

Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 51. East wind around 7 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 61. South southeast wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Southwest wind around 9 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 69.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 64.

Teen arrested for murder

Posted on October 23, 2016October 23, 2016

An 18-year-old man is being held in the Buchanan County jail on murder charges

St. Joseph Police arrested Sebastian Dowell for second degree murder. Officials would not say if the charges are in connection with the death of Kaytlin Root a week ago as other news agencies are reporting.

Root’s body was found on the running trail at Krug Park October 16.

Officials say a juvenile female was also arrested. No charges have been filed against her as of yet.

Dowell was booked into the county jail on Sunday.

Planned Road Work for Northwest Missouri, Oct. 24 – 30

Posted on October 23, 2016October 21, 2016

ST JOSEPH, Mo. – The following is a listing of general highway maintenance and construction work in the Northwest Missouri region planned for the week of Oct. 24 – 30 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.

Andrew County

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

Atchison County

Route C – From U.S. Route 59 to Route O for shoulder work, Oct. 24 – 28
Route F – Sealing, Oct. 26
Route 111 – At the Interstate 29 Overpass Bridge for sealing, Oct. 26. Includes a 12-foot width restriction.

Buchanan County

Route A – At the I-229 Overpass Bridge for maintenance, Oct. 24 – 28
U.S. Route 36 – One mile east of Route AC for a bridge project, Oct. 24 – 30

Caldwell County

Route 13 – CLOSED at the Log Creek Bridge near Kingston for a bridge deck replacement project. The bridge will be closed through November.

Carroll County

U.S. Route 65 – From Route Z to Route UU for shoulder work, Oct. 24 – 28

Chariton County

Route KK – CLOSED from Cazzell Road to Flat Road for a culvert replacement, Oct. 24, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Clinton County

Route Y – From the city limits of Plattsburg to Route NN for sealing, Oct. 24
I-35 – From Route 116 to U.S. Route 69 for pavement repair, Oct. 25 – 26
Route Y – From the city limits of Plattsburg to Route NN for sealing, Oct. 28

Daviess County

I-35 – Southbound at mile marker 88 (Route N) for a slide repair, Oct. 27 – 28

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. This project will continue through mid-December.
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. This project will continue through mid-December.
Route O – CLOSED from Route J to Route N for a culvert replacement,Oct. 24 – 28, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily

Gentry County

U.S. Route 136 – From Stanberry to five miles west of Stanberry for pothole patching, Oct. 25 – 26

Grundy County

Route 6 – Just east of the Route WW and P Junction for pavement repair,Oct. 26 – 27

Harrison County

Route 13 – At the Pole Cat Creek Bridge for maintenance, Oct. 24 – 27. A temporary traffic signal is in place to direct traffic.
Route B – CLOSED from East 222^nd Street to East 210^th Street for a culvert replacement, Oct. 25, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Route T – From Route UU to the Iowa state line for pothole patching, Oct. 25 – 28
U.S. Route 69 – From the Iowa state line to Route M for a resurfacing project, Oct. 26 – 28. A pilot car will guide traffic through the work zone.

Linn County

Routes V, FF and PP – Pothole patching, Oct. 26 – 27

Livingston County

Route DD – CLOSED east of Ludlow for railroad crossing repairs, Oct. 24 – 25. The road will be closed from 8 a.m. on Oct. 24 until noon on Oct. 25.
U.S. Route 36 – From U.S. Route 65 to Route 139 for sealing, Oct. 24 – 26
U.S. Route 36 – From U.S. Route 65 to Route C for sealing, Oct. 26 – 28

Nodaway County

U.S. Route 71 – Northbound from Route M to Route A for pavement repair, Oct. 24 – 25
Routes C, NN and VV – Sealing bridges, Oct. 25
U.S. Route 136 – From the One Hundred and Two River Bridge to Route 46 for shoulder work, Oct. 26 – 28

Sullivan County

Route 139 – Sealing, Oct. 24 – 28

Worth County

Route 46 – From Route 246 to U.S. Route 169 for shoulder work, Oct. 27 – 28

Hillcrest event celebrates another year of breaking generational poverty

Posted on October 23, 2016October 24, 2016

An annual fundraiser will also highlight the Hillcrest Transitional Housing’s work in the community over the years.

The theme of this year’s third annual Fall Ball is ‘Fire and Ice.’ The event is Hillcrest’s largest fundraiser of the year and features dinner, a silent and live auction and more.

Hillcrest Executive Director Shannen White said also at the event, one of the graduates of the program will speak about his experience with Hillcrest.

“He has just done a phenomenal job throughout the program and he is now two years removed from the program, so this is an opportunity for him to give his testimony of how Hillcrest has influenced his life and ultimately changed it for the better,” White said. “His story is just absolutely amazing. He was living on the streets before coming to Hillcrest and now he’s proud to say he’s a college graduate all because of the things we have taught him through the Hillcrest program.”

Hillcrest’s 90 day program works to help individuals and families suffering from severe poverty and homelessness.

“We help them transition into a place of self-sufficiency, meaning completely off of government assistance, working full time in the community and ultimately giving back to the community,” White said. “We offer budgeting and finance courses that are mandatory. All of our residents have to work full time while they’re in the program and remain working full time, so they can remain being self-sufficient.”

White said while individuals are in the program, they have no expenses.

“We provide their apartment free of charge, we provide a pantry with hygiene and food,” White said. “All of our church sponsors throughout the community that support the program, that’s how they’re able to be there and not spend any money while they’re there. We set them up on a financial plan when they come in where we pull a credit report and we know exactly where they’re at in their finances and set them up on a plan so they can be self-sufficient and ultimately debt free when they leave our program.”

White says they have a 95% success rate with 80% of graduates remaining self-sufficient after being out of the program for five years.

Hillcrest Transitional Housing’s Third Annual Fall Ball takes place Thursday, October 27th, at the St. Joseph Civic Arena. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner begins at 6.

To make a reservation or find out more, click here.

Thousands without power in St. Joseph

Posted on October 23, 2016October 23, 2016

(Update) A substation malfunction in St. Joseph is blamed for a power outage that initially turned off the lights for more than 17,000 homes and businesses.

According to the outage map from KCP&L that number was more than 10,000 customers without electricity in St. Joseph and areas east of town by 10:45 a.m.

Those numbers went back up again by about 10:55 a.m

The largest area affected included 9,835 customers without power in an area generally south of Frederick, north of U.S. Highway 36, east of 10th Street and west of the Belt. An area north of Frederick included more than 2,500 outages. Another area east of I-29 included 1,563 outages. A large rural area east of the city included outages that totaled 1,208 customers.

St. Joseph Police Sergeant James Langston says City Yards crews are trying to get stop signs erected at some of the city’s busier intersections which lost their traffic signals in the outage. Langston urges motorists to treat intersections without traffic lights as four-way stops and to be courteous.

He says KCP&L told police a substation in the 800 block of Woodbine malfunctioned, causing the outages. The utility is busy working to correct the malfunction.

***

More than 15,000 people were without power in St. Joseph Sunday morning.

According to Kansas City Power & Light’s outage map around 10 a.m. 15,353 people were without power.

According to the map people impacted by the outage spread from S. 9th St. in downtown St. Joseph to Riverside Rd and from Gene Field Road to Highway 36.

Many stop lights are out around town.

Country Club Village was also impacted by an outage.

For the latest on the outages CLICK HERE.

Sheriff’s office closes case on alleged animal abuse investigation

Posted on October 22, 2016October 21, 2016

The investigation into a potential animal abuse case that started after a photo of a dead horse went viral is now closed in Livingston County.

Sheriff Steve Cox said the office began investigating the potential animal abuse in Livingston County earlier this week after a picture of a dead horse was posted on social media.

“This posting went viral and our office has received calls and comments from all over the area, United States, and even Canada,” Cox said.

He said the investigation is now complete

“To describe what happened was a resident from another county was pasturing a horse here in Livingston County and that property owner requested the animal be moved to a different area, basically due to it being very wild and a problem,” Cox said. “The animal owner and/or person came to move the horse off the property and once the horse was tied to the trailer the witnesses reported the animal had basically went crazy, damaged the trailer in breaking windows and was jumping and flipping around and apparently strangled. The continuous actions from the horse were too dangerous for anyone to get close enough to help or release the animal.”

The photo shows the back legs of the deceased animal being tied.

“This had not happened prior to the loading process or during the thrashing and jumping of the horse. The ropes were placed on the legs after the animal was deceased as the one adult male present used the ropes to help load the animal for removal and properly dispose of the horse,” he said. “This was when the infamous photograph was taken and later shared on social media under an alleged false profile name with a poorly worded comment. All family members and persons involved have been interviewed. Based on the investigation and supporting evidence, this case is now in-active/closed.”

The LCSO was assisted by the juvenile office, school resource officer, and others.

“Our office takes all animal abuse reports and investigation very seriously. We appreciate the input and information from everyone who notified us of the potential problem,” Cox said.