Post Staff – Page 339 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Gun burglary a family matter

Posted on October 22, 2016October 21, 2016

A 24-year-old Kansas City, Kansas resident was sentenced for a residential burglary at a relative’s home in which firearms, cash and personal items were taken. In a news release, Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson said relatives the of 24-year-old Andrew Amundsen complained to the Sheriff’s Office that their home had been burglarized on January 27, 2016.

They explained to authorities that the nature of the burglary led them to suspect Amundsen.

On January 28th, officers observed Amundsen and a passenger speeding in excess of 100 miles an hour. Multiple Sheriff’s Deputies pursued the vehicle with their lights and sirens on. The car did not stop, and proceeded through intersections without slowing down.

One deputy noted a shotgun thrown from the car. The shotgun was later identified as one taken in the January 27th burglary. Officers were finally able to stop the vehicle in Wyandotte County and found Amundsen driving.

According to Thompson, this is not the first time for Amundsen. He has been convicted previously of a series of burglary cases, theft of firearms, and drug related offenses. Judge Gunnar Sundby sentenced Amundsen to consecutive counts of burglary and attempting to flee and elude for a controlling sentence of 32 months in prison.

Hit-and-run crash takes out traffic light

Posted on October 22, 2016October 22, 2016

St. Joseph Police say someone rammed their vehicle into a downtown traffic light and then left the scene early Saturday morning during the massive firefighting effort just down the street.

Sgt. Kevin Cummings says they received the call from the fire department at about 5:28 a.m. The traffic light and pole on the southwest corner of 4th Street and Francis was laying on its side, but appeared to be functioning.

The driver left the scene. Cummings says they don’t know who did it or whether they were injured. The crash during the effort to put out a huge fire at several buildings near 3rd and Sylvanie overnight. (click here)

Nevada, Missouri stench identified, Missouri DNR orders fix

Posted on October 22, 2016

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has identified the parties responsible for recent odors in the area of an animal feed ingredient processing facility in Nevada, Mo. and issued an Abatement Order to require the companies to take action to address air quality violations. Nutra-Flo Company, Inc., Kay-Dee Feed, LLC, NF Protein, LLC, and Custom Drying Solutions, LLC, own and operate the plant.

The plant’s manufacturing process involves drying and evaporating ingredients, the emissions of which are then directed to a scrubber and vented out of the facility through a stack.

Strong odors have been reported throughout the City of Nevada as a result of activities at the plant. On Sept. 2, an odor violation was documented and, on Sept. 28, a Letter of Warning was issued. The Department has continued to receive odor complaints from residents and identified another odor violation on Oct. 19. Today’s order compels the companies to take corrective action and address the air quality violations.

The companies are required to submit a response by Nov. 4. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will continue to ensure appropriate actions are taken to protect human health and the environment.

Governor makes $8.7M in court settlement funds available for current budget

Posted on October 22, 2016

JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Jay Nixon Friday announced that following Volkswagen’s settlement of a multi-state consumer protection settlement he is making Missouri’s $8.7 million share of the settlement available for the current fiscal year budget.

“Now that these funds are available as a result of yesterday’s settlement, I am making the money available so we can provide additional funding to school transportation, first responders and Missouri’s agricultural producers,” Gov. Nixon said. “Because of Missouri’s fiscal discipline we are able to immediately release these funds to support these important budget priorities.”

The funds made available today include $4.5 million for school transportation, as well as $3 million for a previously deferred biodiesel subsidies transfer.

In addition, the Governor released $1.2 million in funding to the State Emergency Management Agency for Missouri Task Force 1 to support disaster response.

(News Release)

Crews to restock fish at Krug Park Lagoon and you’re invited

Posted on October 22, 2016

The City of St. Joseph and Missouri Department of Conservation invite you to watch as they begin restocking fish at the Krug Park Lagoon.

Officials say they’ll add between 400 and 500 fish to the lagoon on Wednesday, October 26, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm.

These are mature fish from overpopulated ponds around the area as well as smaller fish from a fishery.

Stocking the lagoon with the mature fish from the overpopulated ponds will allow for fishing of Krug Park Lagoon next spring. Please join us at this event and watch the fish being introduced into the lagoon.

MGP releases statement on Friday chemical release

Posted on October 22, 2016

MGP management issued this statement about Friday’s chemical release in Atchison.

“MGP cares deeply about the health and safety of our employees and our community. Following the incident Friday morning, Oct. 21, at our plant in Atchison, Kansas, we have worked hard to make sure the immediate situation has been resolved.

“Likewise, we continue to work closely with the appropriate regulatory agencies to fully understand the cause and mitigate the chance of a similar incident occurring in the future.

“At this time, we understand residents and several employees were treated and released from the hospital. One employee is receiving further treatment. We are extremely grateful for the support the community offers us, especially in terms of the local firefighters, law enforcement and hospital staff.

More information will become available as the company is able to provide additional details.”

(News Release)

Donut Dash returns to St. Joe

Posted on October 22, 2016

The second annual Donut Dash is Saturday.

Organizers say the walk/run starts at Gold-N-Glaze Donuts and Coffee Shop at 8am. The route is now nearly four miles long, and includes legs through Mount Mora Cemetery, and past the Robidoux Row Museum and Patee House Museum.

During the family-friendly 5K, participants can stop at designated spots for a quick drink and a donut.

“What a perfect way to highlight and raise money for some of St. Joseph’s gems: Mount Mora Cemetery, Robidoux Row and the Patee House, than to walk or run past them on a nice fall morning,” said Natalie Redmond, Vice President of Membership for the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. “Adding a trip down Mausoleum Row adds a bit of spookiness and extra bit of history to the October event, and the extra length may allow runners to have an extra donut.”

The run was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. at Gold-N-Glaze, 1825 Frederick Ave. The entry fees support the cemetery and museums.

Huge fire lights up downtown St. Joe

Posted on October 22, 2016October 22, 2016

The Mitchell Hill Seed Company collapsed

Fire crews poured water on hotspots at 3rd and Sylvanie

Utility crews continued to work on electrical problems by 6am

A huge fire lit up the night in downtown St. Joseph Friday night, causing damage to at least four buildings. PIO Mike Neylon of the St. Joseph Fire Department says the initial fire was first reported at about 9:30pm at the Mitchell Hill Seed building at Sylvanie and Third Street.

Within just a few minutes, the fire spread to an adjacent building. Both were believed to be vacant. Both collapsed. At least two other buildings caught fire in the 300 block of North Third and the 300 block of North Fourth Street.

The historic Mitchell Hill building was a total loss. A brick skeleton of the original structure was all that remained standing by early Saturday morning.

Embers from the fire drifted more than a block and ignited the roofs on a pair of nearby buildings, including structures owned by American Electric and Hillyard. The fire department says the roofs of those buildings were damaged.

Neylon says there were no injuries reported. A huge contingent of firefighters included crews from Dekalb and Andrew counties, as well as Elwood and Rosecrans Airport joined the effort to put out the fires.

A number of streets in downtown St. Joseph remained blocked for the firefighting effort. During the firefighting effort, ramps to and from I-229 at 3rd Street were closed. Crews from the St. Joseph Fire Department said they would be on scene for several hours, well into Saturday morning, as they poured water on the remaining hot spots. Utility crews were working on damage to the electrical infrastructure in the area.

Event provides safe option to dispose unused prescription drugs

Posted on October 22, 2016October 21, 2016

Area residents have an opportunity today to safely dispose expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs.

The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, St. Joseph Police Department, and the St. Joseph Youth Alliance will be taking back unwanted prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the East Hills Mall between Sears and Dillard’s.

According to a news release from the St. Joseph Youth Alliance, the service is free and anonymous. Anyone can bring controlled, non-controlled, over-the-counter substances and sharps but not illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine.

The Prescription Take Back event is a way for the community to help protect youth from accidental poisoning and limit access to drugs that could be misused or abused. Outdated and unused prescriptions in the home can be more difficult to monitor as closely as those in use, creating dangerous opportunities for youth access.

“Many people aren’t aware of what constitutes safe or unsafe disposal of prescriptions and don’t consider the dangers that accompany unsafe disposal,” said Robin Hammond, Executive Director of the St. Joseph Youth Alliance. “Beyond providing an avenue for safe prescription disposal, we want to educate the community about the seemingly harmless actions that can actually enable a youth’s substance abuse problem or cause accidental harm.”

Americans are also now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Buchanan County Jail experiencing overcrowding

Posted on October 21, 2016

Buchanan County, MO – The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department is asking the community for patience when attempting to schedule a visitation or meeting with inmates in the Buchanan County Jail as they are experiencing overcrowding.

According to a press release, at this time the jail population is at 248 inmates. The normal average for the jail population is between 170 and 200 inmates.

The Sheriff’s Department said it is happy to see enforcement levels are very high but adds the high number of inmates can be very tasking on the jail. High numbers of inmates can cause complex problems for the jail, such a shortage of food, bedding and clothing. The Sheriff’s Department said there are currently plans in place to combat the shortages.

The Department is contemplating temporarily extending visitation hours in the jail. The department is looking into their resources and will let the community know as soon as next week if they will be able to extend the visitation hours.