Post Staff – Page 345 – St. Joseph Post Archive

SE Kansas crash kills Yates Center man

Posted on October 15, 2016

A Kansas man was killed Thursday evening in a crash between two pickups in southeastern Kansas.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says Ira Van Arsdale was driving along Hereford Road at 190th Road in Woodson County when his truck was hit broadside by another truck.

The 69-year-old Yates Center man was killed in the crash. The other driver, Joseph Rotina, 67, of Yates Center suffered unspecified injuries and was trnasported to Coffey County Hospital.

The crash happened nearly ten miles northwest of Yates Center just before 5pm Thursday.

Two killed in Clay County crash

Posted on October 15, 2016October 15, 2016

Two people from Excelsior Springs, Missouri were killed in a single-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon in Clay County.

A crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol says Zachary Jordan, 22, was driving along Route H near Northeast 100 Street at 3:42 pm when he failed to negotiate a left turn.

His car left the right side of the roadway, struck a sign, went airborne and hit a tree. According to the crash report the vehicle then overturned and came to rest in a pond.

Jordan was killed in the crash, as was his passenger, Andrew Selby, 19. Both were prounounced dead at the scene of the crash.

Andrew County Fall Festival schedule

Posted on October 15, 2016October 14, 2016

The Andrew County Fall Festival continues Saturday celebrating its 175th Anniversary.

The festival kicked off Friday with the annual Savannah Homecoming parade. Festivities continue Saturday with a breakfast at the fire department from 6:30am-10:30am. The day will continue with a kids 1k Splatter Dash Fun Run at 10am, beginning on the corner of Chestnut Street and finishing on the corner of 5th and Main Street.

Family Fun Events will be located on the square from 10am-4pm. Events will include: super farmer contest, pony rides, petting zoo, tractor show, and much more. A vendor show and flea market will be set up on the square during this time, as well. The day will also include various performances located at the gazebo of the courthouse lawn, including a special performance from Dylan Russell.
Saturday will conclude with a Gala Celebration including a tour of the Andrew County Museum, cocktails, live music, and a dinner theater at Savannah High School.

A community church service will take place at Messick Park at 10:30am.

Schedule provided by the Savannah Chamber of Commerce as follows:

Saturday, October 15

6:30-10:30 a.m. Breakfast at the Fire Department.

10:00 a.m. Splatterdash – Kids 1K Fun Run from Messick Park to the Square. Check in by 9:30

Contact Malinda Ehrhardt at A.C. Health Dept. 324-3139, malindae@andrewcountyhealth.com

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Family Fun Day on the Square

10:00 Opening Ceremonies

10:30 Super Farmer Contest by Leadership Savannah Class of 2016

12 noon Cherry Picking Contest by Heaton Bowman Smith Savannah Chapel

12:30 Inspirations Dance Center

1:00 Little Miss & Mister Andrew County Contest

2:00 Performance by Rosendale Christian Church Praise Band

2:30 Activity with Andrew County Parents as Teachers

3:00 Performance by Dylan Russell

FREE ALL DAY – 65 Food, Drink, Art, Craft and other Vendor Booths around the Square

Petting Zoo by The Clawfoot Tub

Pony Rides by Snapps

Pumpkin Carving Contest &

Pumpkin Decorating by Girl Scouts

Cake Walk by Rosendale Christian Church

Old Tyme Photo Booth

Double Buck Saw Contest by Barnes

Construction & Remodeling

3- Leg & Sack Races by Fillmore Christian Church

Tractor Show by Kathy Roach, 816-244-1785

Face Painting by Salon on the Square

Throwing Contest by 4-H

Garden Tractor Ride by Mizzou Extension

Historical Displays around the Square and

inside the Courthouse.

11:30 -2:00 p.m. Car Show at LaVerna Village Nursing Home, 904 S. Hall.

4:00 p.m. Gala Celebration. Museum Tours, Cocktails with Live Music & Dinner Theatre

Prepaid Reservations Required. Seating is Limited.

Cocktail Hour by Heaton Bowman Smith Savannah Chapel and Ingersoll Insurance Agency.

Contact Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce. 816-324-3976, saccmo@gmail.com

Sunday, October 16

10:30 am Community Church Service in Messick Park. Contact Wakefield Hare, 816-663-9015.

Coffee & Donuts at 9:30. Fried Chicken Dinner from J. Howard’s. Preorders available.

Northwest’s Emergency Management Program has grown over the years

Posted on October 15, 2016October 14, 2016

After a winter emergency several years ago, faculty at Northwest Missouri State University noticed the need for providing training for emergencies.

John Carr is an instructor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at Northwest. He also directs the Emergency and Disaster Management Program. Carr said the program got its start after the ice storm of 2007 when several people on campus noticed a need to train people to be prepared for emergencies and disasters.

“We assembled together some of the classes that we had on campus and created a minor,” Carr said. “From that, a lot of interest grew from our existing student population, other students started hearing about this minor and coming to Northwest specifically for it. Fast forward to now, we have a bachelor’s program in Emergency and Disaster Management which is our four year program, we also have the minor in EDM as well as a number of other certifications individuals can get related to that field.”

Carr said there are 45 majors and 40 minors within the program.

“We’re always surprised at at the number of individuals that are interested in this,” Carr said. “Usually whenever I talk to other folks that are interested in the program they say, ‘Well this is a great thing, this is something that everybody needs nowadays.’ If you watch the news or you listen to the radio, you hear all these stories and we need individuals that know what to do whenever bad stuff happens. That’s really what we emphasis with our classes.”

Carr said there is a broad range of fields that students go into after completing the program including the military, local government, insurance companies, non-profits and more.

“The bottom line with our major is that we train individuals that are self-sufficient, that they are motivated that they are ready to go into some of these fields and take on some of those responsibilities,” Carr said. “So if they can take these skills that we teach here, the communities, their school districts, their businesses, wherever they’re located, are better because of that.”

Courtney Leeper is a Senior in the Emergency Disaster Management Program at Northwest. She said after graduating, she would like to work at a non-profit organization.

“I’ve always had this passion for helping people and there’s a lot of fields out there that had the ability to do that but this one stood out to me because you have the ability to help people in a way that most people don’t know how,” Leeper said. “When someone survives a disaster, there’s so much going through them and not a lot of people know how to help them get through that and get back to their normal life, but within this field you learn how to help them get back to normalcy.”

As part of the program at Northwest, an experienced based learning opportunity is offered through the Missouri Hope exercise.

The training exercise was held last weekend at Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area and featured numerous other schools, first responders and area agencies. The exercise gives students and area volunteer first responders experience in carrying out disaster response through simulations and giving them the chance to work with equipment. Carr said simulations include scenarios such as going into a damaged building following a tornado to look for individuals and provide treatment.

To learn more about the Emergency and Disaster Management Program at Northwest, click here.

SW Kansas men charged with plotting to bomb apartment complex, mosque

Posted on October 14, 2016October 14, 2016

Three men from southwest Kansas were charged in federal court with conspiring to detonate a bomb at an apartment complex in Garden City where Muslim immigrants from Somalia live and worship.

A criminal complaint unsealed Friday alleged the men conducted surveillance to size up potential targets, stockpiled firearms, ammunition and explosive components, and prepared a manifesto to be published after the bombing.

The attack, the defendants said, would “wake people up.”

“These charges are based on eight months of investigation by the FBI that is alleged to have taken the investigators deep into a hidden culture of hatred and violence,” Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said. “Many Kansans may find it as startling as I do that such things could happen here.”

Charged with one count of conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction were:
Curtis Allen, 49, Liberal, Kan.
Gavin Wright, 49, Liberal, Kan.
Patrick Eugene Stein, 47, Wright, Kan.

The complaint alleges that since February 2016 the FBI has been investigating the defendants’ activities planning a violent attack against Muslims in southwestern Kansas. A paid, confidential source attended meetings of two militia groups, called the Kansas Security Force and the Crusaders, providing the FBI with information about the groups’ activities.

After considering possible targets including pro-Somali churches and public officials, prosecutors say the defendants decided to target an apartment complex in Garden City, Kan., where Somalis lived and maintain an apartment that served as a mosque. They discussed obtaining four vehicles, filling them with explosives and parking them at the four corners of the apartment complex to create a big explosion.

Court documents suggest strong anti-government, anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim attitudes among the three defendants. Wiretaps and other recordings, and the statements of “a reliable, paid Confidential Human Source” included quotes from the defendants referring to the bomb-making process used by the Oklahoma City courthouse bombing suspects, and the death of Lavoy Finicum who was killed in a shoot-out with officers following the occupation of an Oregon wildlife refuge.

On Oct. 12, defendant Stein met with the confidential FBI source in rural Finney County to examine automatic weapons the source had brought from an FBI lab in Quantico, Va. After trying out two of the weapons, Stein took the source to see the apartment building the defendants were targeting in Garden City. Officials assert that Stein said he would provide ammonium nitrate for the bomb and contribute $200 to $300 for other materials.

Stein also talked with the source about defendant Allen’s arrest in a domestic violence case in Liberal the previous day, Oct. 11. Stein said he was concerned that Allen’s girlfriend would give Liberal police information about the defendants’ plans.

If convicted, the defendants face up to life in federal prison. Investigating agencies included the FBI, the Liberal Police Department, the Seward County Sheriff’s Office, the Ford County Sheriff’s Office, the Garden City Police Department, the Dodge City Police Department, the Finney County Sheriff’s Office, and Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The charges merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

Strike force rounds up nearly two dozen drug suspects

Posted on October 14, 2016October 18, 2016

The Buchanan County Drug Strike Force and four other law enforcement agencies on Thursday and Friday rounded up nearly two dozen people suspected of drug crimes. Captain Shawn Collie, commander of the strike force, says the arrests came at the end of a lengthy series of investigations.

“We had 24 warrants,” Capt. Collie said. “Of those 24 warrants 22 are in custody and we have two outstanding that we’re looking for.”

“The cases involve the distribution of heroin, the distribution of methamphetamine, and the distribution of various prescription pills.”

Collie says two of the suspects are in custody of the Department of Corrections, and their warrants have not yet been served. Two suspects remain at large. One man was being held in the Doniphan County Jail after his arrest in Wathena. Collie says that man has since been transported to the Buchanan County Jail.

Officers also arrested two suspects for outstanding warrants unrelated to the strike force investigations.

Officials say the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Andrew County Sheriff’s Office and the Wathena, Kansas police department joined in the effort to round up the suspects.

The team served warrants against these individuals:

Sherrie Baldwin
Nancy Briggs
Rafael Guerra
Kelsie Gann
Thomas “Zack” Cooper
Jonathan Campbell
Scott Campbell
Steven Ingram
Richard Patel
Patricia Patel
Felicia White
Tammy Huffman (aka Joswick)
Mindy Rice
James McGlothlin
Lacy Arrendondo.
Bart Painter
Candi Stallard
Timothy Talbot
Terrence Throckmornton

(Most of the suspects’ booking photographs are available here. Terrence Throckmornton was just transported to the Buchanan County Jail, so his local booking photo is not yet available)

Obituaries October 10-13

Posted on October 14, 2016October 17, 2016

Leona Mae Hale
1925-2016

Leona Mae Hale 90, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Monday, October 10, 2016 in a Saint Joseph, MO health care center. She was born November 12, 1925 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of Flossie and Charles Teschner. She worked at Whitaker cable, and Noma Lites. Leona was preceded in death by her parents, son, Bob Hale, three brothers, Charles, Clyde and Buss Teschner, four sisters, Hazel Canterberry, Juanita Roberts, Lorene Mace, and Betty Green. Survivors include, daughter, Debby Perry, son, Ricky Hale, daughter-in-law, Sandie Hale all of St. Joseph, MO, grandchildren: Heather (Doug) Richmond Weatherby Lake, MO, Tammi Hale, and Jeff (Irene) Hale, and a brother, Bob Teschner of St. Joseph, MO.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Thursday, with a Celebration of life to begin at 2:00 pm, on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery.

Leona May Hale
1925-2016

Leona May Hale, 90, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2016. She was born November 12, 1925 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of Flossie and Charles Teschner. Previously working at Armours, Whitaker Cable and Noma Lites, she became a lifelong, devoted, full-time caregiver to her injured son.
Leona was preceded in death by her parents; son Bob Hale; three brothers, Charles, Clyde and Buss Teschner; and four sisters, Hazel Canterbury, Juanita Roberts, Lorene Mace, and Betty Green. Survivors include son Ricky Hale, daughter Debby Perry, and daughter-in-law Sandie Hale, all of St. Joseph, MO; grandchildren Tammi Hale of St. Joseph, MO, Jeff (Irene) Hale of Hamilton, NJ, and Heather (Doug) Richmond of Weatherby Lake, MO; and brother Bob (Shirley) Teschner of St. Joseph, MO.
Leona loved the outdoors – from barefoot childhood adventures, climbing trees to savor homemade pickles, to late life tending of pristine rose bushes and flower pots while watching her favorite birds on the front porch. She enjoyed shopping – whether at garage sales for the perfect gem to redecorate her home or East Hills Mall for the latest fashions and gifts for her family. Leona was also competitive – she’d calculate for hours to get the highest point word in Scrabble and never let anyone else win, including her grandchildren!
The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Thursday, with a Celebration of Life to begin at 2:00 pm, Thursday, October 20, 2016 at Rupp Funeral Home. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Jennifer Anne (Murphy) Pyatt
1960-2016

Jennifer Pyatt, 56, Faucett, Missouri passed away Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at her home.
She was born March 26, 1960 in Maryville MO.
Jennifer married Robert E. “Rob” Pyatt November 17, 1990.
She was a financial analyst at Truman Medical Center and enjoyed gardening and cooking.
Jennifer was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Helen (Brownell) Murphy; and father-in-law, Robert F. Pyatt.
Survivors include husband, Rob, Faucett MO; sons, Robert Charles and Alexander Murphy Pyatt, Faucett MO,; mother-in-law, LaVaughn Pyatt; uncle G.L. ”Cowan” Brownell (Angie); and cousins Neil and Bonnie Faucett.
Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 A.M. Monday, St. Francis Xavier Church. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Prayer Service at 6:00P.M. Sunday. The family will receive friends 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to St. Francis Xavier Endowment Fund. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Carol Sue Mullins
1944-2016

Carol Sue Mullins, 71, Atchison, Kansas died Wednesday, October 12, 2016, surrounded by her family at her residence.
Mass of Christian burial will be Monday, October 17, 2016, at 10:30 A.M. at Sacred Heart Church with Fr. Jeremy Heppler, OSB as celebrant. Interment will follow in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery. A parish rosary will be recited Sunday, October 16, 2016 at 3:30 P.M. at the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home with visitation to follow until 5:00 P.M. Memorial contributions are suggest to Atchison Hospice or Mosaic Oncology and may be left in care of the funeral home.
Carol was born November 9, 1944, in Atchison, Kansas, the daughter of William “Bill” and Della Mae Barker Franzel. She attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and graduated from Atchison High School.
She and Michael A. “Mike” Mullins were united in marriage on August 28, 1970, at St. Benedict’s Church in Atchison, Kansas.
Carol was a member of St. Benedict Parish in Atchison.
Survivors include her husband Mike of the home, a son Robert Anthony Mullins, Atchison, Kansas, and two grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her three sisters, Judy Helmick, Patricia Franklin, and Olive Fisher.

Joseph Eugene Fry
1949-2016

Joseph Eugene Fry 67, of St. Joseph, Missouri, went to be with his Lord and Savior Thursday, October 13, 2016 from his home in St. Joseph, MO. surrounded by his loving family. He was born October 1, 1949 in Wathena, KS, son of Genevieve and Elmo Fry. He graduated from Benton High School 1967 and married Judy Decker on August 7, 1970 and she survives of the home. He served in the Army, 1st Infantry Div, Big Red One and is a veteran of the Vietnam War, and a recipient of the Purple Heart. he then enlisted in the Missouri Air National Guard and retired after 21 years of service. He worked at Crouse Milling, and Stone Container retiring after 22 years of service. Joseph enjoyed traveling spending time with his friends and family, history, and telling stories, and going on numerous Mission trips to help the Navajo Indian nations. He was a member of the Faith Valley Church of God. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Roberta Fry, and Adaline Fry. Survivors include, wife Judy of the home, two sons, Jeffrey E. Fry of St. Joseph, MO, and Randy J. (Melissa) Fry of Agency, MO, daughter, Amy J. (Michael) Wiedmaier of St. Joseph, MO, nine grandchildren, Ethan, Cayden, Haley, Hannah, Holly, Lily, Maddox, Elsa, and Emery, three great-grandchildren, Maycie, Landon, and Scarlett, and his brother-in-law, Steve Decker of St. Joseph, MO.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 pm, on Monday, October 17, 2016 at Faith Valley Church of God, with Pastor Mark Smith officiating, The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Westlawn Cemetery . with Military honors provided by the Missouri Air National Guard. Memorials are requested to the Faith Valley Church of God Mission Fund.

James “Jim” Nelson Jann
1936-2016

James “Jim” Nelson Jann, 80 of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 13, 2016 at his home. He was born March 18, 1936 in St. Joseph, MO. He married Mary C. Hazelrigg on October 6, 1961 and she survives of the home.
He grew up on a farm outside of St. Joseph and graduated from Savannah High School. He worked as a salesman for Goetze Dental for over 45 years and was a part time farmer.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Terry Jann of Syracuse, NY, and David Jann of St. Joseph; two grandchildren, Matthew Jann and Derek Jann; two sisters, Gaile DuBois of Boonville, MO and Louise Cummings of St. Joseph. Jim was preceded in death by his parents.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00PM, on Monday, October 17, 2016 at Breit-Hawkins Funeral Home, Savannah, MO, with visitation 2:00-4:00PM Sunday, October 16, 2016 at Breit Hawkins Funeral Home, Savannah, MO. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Joseph.

Suspicious death investigation in Chillicothe

Posted on October 14, 2016

A man’s death is being investigated as suspicious in Chillicothe.

According to the Chillicothe Police Department, officers responded Thursday around 9:45 p.m. to 1020 S. Washington Street in reference to an unresponsive individual.

When they arrived officers attempted lifesaving measures on the man until Chillicothe EMS arrived and transported him to Hedrick Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.

The department said an investigation is currently being conducted with assistance from Livingston County. The man’s name is not yet being released as authorities continue to look into the case.

According to a news release at this time police are looking at two or possibly three individuals in reference to the investigation for involuntary manslaughter, and distribution of a controlled substance.

The department said a woman and a man have been arrested on unrelated drug charges and transported to the Daviess/DeKalb Regional Jail.

Suspect accused of using Taser on officer arrested in Kansas

Posted on October 14, 2016October 14, 2016

A suspect on the run for more than a month after allegedly tasing a strike-force officer has been arrested in Kansas.

According to Captain Shawn Collie, Commander of the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force, members of the U.S. Marshal’s Service arrested Justin Wolf on Wednesday in Leavenworth.

“We had information that he had left the area,” Collie said, “and so we requested assistance from the United States Marshall’s Service, who took over the case for the apprehension of Wolf.”

As we reported earlier, the suspect was spotted by an investigator who tried to arrest him near 12th and Highland in St. Joseph on September 2.

“The investigator had actually caught up to Wolf, went to take Wolf into custody at which time Wolf was able to take control of the Taser while the deputy was trying to handcuff him,” Collie said.

“Wolf used the Taser on the deputy and then ran again, with a second foot pursuit, where Wolf jumped into a car that was waiting for him,” he said.

That car was later spotted at the St. Joseph REC Center, where a witness said he saw Wolf get into another vehicle. The deputy was not seriously injured.

Collie says Wolf is being held in Leavenworth pending extradition on charges relating to the alleged officer assault, some property damage, and the alleged theft of a student’s car at Missouri Western.

Gallatin woman injured in Clinton County crash

Posted on October 14, 2016

A Gallatin woman was injured after a two vehicle crash on I-35 in Clinton County Thursday evening.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, 22-year-old Amanda G. Hommertzheim of Gallatin was traveling north on I-35 about three miles east of Lathrop at 9:30 p.m. Thursday when her vehicle traveled off the roadway, through a median and was struck by a vehicle in the southbound lane of I-35. Both vehicles traveled off the west side of the road.

Hommertzheim was not wearing a seatbelt and was transported by ambulance to Cameron Regional Medical Center with moderate injuries. No injuries were reported for the other driver, 61-year-old Linda S. Reeve of Excelsior Springs.