Want to watch some fireworks this weekend? Here you go!
-In Saint Joseph, head to Heritage Park. Gates open at 7:30 July 4th. Admission is free.
-St. Jo Mustangs will have their firework display after their games Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
-Mozingo Lake in Maryville is having the “biggest display in the parks history” Monday and it’s free.
-KC Riverfest is this weekend at Berkeley Riverfront Park with Fireworks Monday night, cost of admission is $5 CASH at the gate
-Parkville has a full day of celebration at English Landing Park and it’s free.
-At Smithville Lake the place to be is the marina, no charge
-Platte City’s show takes place at Platte Ridge Park.
Author: Post Staff
St. Joseph to celebrate National Parks Month
The City of St. Joseph plans to celebrate National Parks Month with special events and discounts at Parks facilities throughout the month of July.
The scheduled is as follows:
Start off July 4, at the Aquatic Center from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., where there will be prize drawing all day. End your day with a bang at the Bill McKinney Softball Complex at Heritage Park. A free concert and Fireworks beginning at 8:30 p.m. Gates open at 7:30 p.m.
On July 7, visit the Joyce Ray Patterson Senior Center for tours from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The first 100 people to visit between 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. will receive free hot dogs, chips, & water.
Visit, explore, and learn about the history of the Missouri Theater on July 12, 13, and 14 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Missouri Theater. Take a back stage tour of this facility, hear the story about the large sculpture on the ceiling and learn about carvings on the wall, check out the green room, and take center stage.
On July 17, free admission to Heritage Park Softball Complex and $1.00 off fountain drinks from July 11-July 17.
Fairview Golf Course will be hosting specials from July 18-24. July 18 is Customer Appreciation Day, with drink specials, all day. On July 19, beginning at 8:00 -11:00 a.m. ladies can play a round of golf with Chuck Kempf, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Civic Facilities. July 20, there will be free popcorn during happy hour, 4:30-7:30 p.m. July 21, 4:30-6:30 p.m., join golf pro Greg Dillon for free golf lessons. Play the shootout at the Course beginning at 5:30 p.m. on July 22, and enjoy free appetizers after the event. $1.00 off all fountain drinks and other drink specials all day, each day on July 23 and 24. All week long, 10% off discount at the Pro Shop.
The REC Center will also have specials during the third week of July, including $3.00 fitness room passes on July 18, 22, and 24, free track passes on July 19 and 21, $3.00 open gym passes on July 20 and 23. Protein shakes will be $1.00 off the regular price all week at the REC Center.
On the fourth week of July, the Remington Nature Center will offer a senior craft event, tea light candle holders, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. on July 26 for $2.00. Bring the kids to watch the Fish Feeding Frenzy at 10:30 a.m. on July 29 and again on July 30, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. for the children’s craft event. The children will have an opportunity to make fireworks spools, and meet Remi. All craft classes are the cost of admission and include the supplies and admission to the museum.
At Bode Sports Complex, enjoy a free skate open house on July 25 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. On July 26 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. try out curling with free instruction and on-ice practice. Bring the kids out for Way Back Wednesday on July 27 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and take advantage of $1.00 admission, $1.00 skate rental, and $1.00 food and beverage specials. Try out hockey with free lessons and a practice scrimmage on July 28, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Meet your friends on July 29 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. for $2.00 admission and $1.00 skate rental. Spend a day at the rink on Saturday July 30 from 12:00-8:00 p.m., when you can skate the entire time for $5.00, with or without skates. Parks month wraps up with a Bode Beach Party on July 31 from 3:30-5:30. Wear your beach attire over your warm clothes and have fun skating for $5.00 with or without skates.
Patrols underway for Fourth of July weekend
Law enforcement agencies are out in full-force over the Independence Day holiday.
According to the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety the Fourth of July is one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to substance-impaired driving crashes.
It said law enforcement will be out in full force July 3-5 seeking impaired drivers through increased sobriety checkpoints, roving and saturation patrols and other enforcement methods.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is taking part in a special enforcement operation Friday and Monday in Troop H. During this operation, which will be conducted on Interstate 35 throughout the Troop H area, troopers will be assigned 20-mile sections of Interstate 35 to provide additional manpower during the peak travel days of the holiday period.
Captain James E. McDonald, commanding officer of Troop H, St. Joseph, said Troop H officers will also be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. during the 2016 July Fourth holiday weekend. Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) is a national traffic enforcement program aimed at making holiday weekends safer. During this enforcement operation, all available troopers will be patrolling Missouri highways an aggressively enforcing traffic laws and assisting motorist with any emergency situations.
“One fatality on our highways is too many, and there is no excuse for driving while you are impaired,” said Colonel J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Over the 2015 July holiday, 14 people were killed and 46 were seriously injured in Missouri traffic crashes. Three of the fatalities and eight serious injuries involved a substance-impaired driver. “Impaired driving is an intentional, conscious decision, and it is preventable – always choose a sober designated driver,” said Johnson.
The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety recommends these simple tips to avoid an impaired-driving disaster:
Before drinking, designate a sober driver.
If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely.
If you happen to see an impaired driver on the road, don’t hesitate to call 911 or *55.
Always wear your seat belt. It’s your best defense in any traffic crash.
Major work zones to impact Fourth of July travelers
JEFFERSON CITY – Travelers taking to the roads to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday are reminded to prepare for more than a dozen major work zones on interstates across the state.
As the Lake of the Ozarks is a prime holiday destination, motorists should plan for delays at the Route 54/63 Missouri River Bridge in Jefferson City. The traffic has been reduced to two lanes in each direction over one bridge. Delays are expected Sunday and Monday.
Drivers will also encounter delays in work zones on Interstate 70 and Interstate 44 for resurfacing and bridge repairs across the state. Lane restrictions are also expected on several other interstates including I-35, I-435, I-55 and I-270. The majority of the construction work is for pavement and bridge repairs.
While most work zones will not be active over the Fourth of July weekend, it may be necessary for some lane closures to remain in place due to ongoing construction. Most routine work zones will stop at noon Friday, July 1 and will resume at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 5.
“The Fourth of July is one of the biggest travel holidays of the year, plus it’s the time when quite a bit of road work is happening. People should plan ahead and allow extra time for their trips especially if their travels take them over the Missouri River bridge in Jefferson City,” said Patty Lemongelli, construction and materials engineer with MoDOT’s Central District.
Motorists should pay attention to all signing, follow the posted speed limits, and take turns merging every other car, like a zipper, where lanes are closed. Always wear safety belts and be alert for slowed traffic, narrowed lanes or a reduced number of lanes.
Grandfather charged in death of eight year old

A court official in Doniphan County says the case has been sealed.
Officials say Meers was arrested for driving with a revoked license in Buchanan County June 22. He’s being held in the Buchanan County Jail on that case, and awaits extradition proceedings for his return to Doniphan County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported Meers let the child drive, but she lost control of the vehicle, which left the roadway, went down an embankment and overturned. Cadence was killed when she was ejected and the vehicle landed on top of her.
Meers was transported to Mosaic Life Care for treatment of unspecified injuries.
First-degree murder charge filed in 2015 shooting

A man accused of shooting and killing another man in broad daylight last year in St. Joseph is facing upgraded charges in Buchanan County.
Charles Leroy Coats Jr, 33 of St. Joseph was charged last year with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Jason Ginn, 32 of St. Joseph. Thursday the Buchanan County Prosecutor’s office filed felony charges for first-degree murder and armed criminal action against Coats. According to the felony complaint filed in the alternative to the charge of first-degree murder the defendant would be charged with murder in the second. The new filings stem from an incident that took place Aug. 1, 2015.
As we previously reported, according to court documents on Aug. 1 of 2015 witnesses said they saw Coats on the front porch of his residence get into a verbal argument with Ginn and as Ginn started walking away witnesses said Coats pulled a handgun and began firing. An autopsy found Ginn suffered four gunshot wounds to various parts of his body and died from a fatal gunshot wound to his head.
Police said Coats fled the area after the shooting. He surrendered to law enforcement in Columbia, Mo. five days later.
Coats is slated for a jury trial in September on the original charge. He’s currently being held without bail.
(Update) Odd behavior leads to bond revocation for child-endangerment suspect

A Maryville man is back in custody after a judge revoked his bond.
Prosecutor Kate Schaefer filed a motion this week to revoke bail for Jeffrey Scott Meyer. In the motion, Schaefer said Meyer was engaging in illegal behavior. She asserted that the defendant was using methamphetamine and trying to break into houses.
According to the motion he “…went to several homes in Maryville attempting to get inside, and then talked about being kidnapped, and being chased by a district judge with a shotgun.”
Meyer was arraigned Thursday. He entered a plea of not guilty to one count of child endangerment. Judge Daniel Kellogg scheduled the case for a trial setting August 11. Bail is now set at $75,000 cash.
Meyer and Christon Chambers, also of Maryville, were charged with child endangerment for allegedly contributing to the death of an infant child with whom they shared a bed.
According to court documents, the pair consumed alcohol and then fell asleep in the same bed as the youngster and another child a year ago. The 7-week-old child was found unresponsive early the next morning, and was pronounced dead at Mosaic Life Care.
Officials believe one or both of the parents rolled on top of or against the infant while sleeping. The charges were filed in Buchanan County last month.
Chambers is free on bail awaiting jury trial in February.
Heavy rain predicted in your 7-day forecast
Heavy rain expected this weekend has prompted flash flood watches starting tonight and continuing through Sunday night. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service.
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. North northeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 67. East wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 61. East northeast wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 74. East northeast wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Independence Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 81.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 94.
Trails West! buttons on sale now
Admission buttons for this year’s Trails West! festival are now on sale. The buttons are $8 in advance, and $10 at the gate. All festival guests under the age of 10 are free while accompanied by an adult. All others will need a button, or this year’s t-shirt to gain admission to Civic Center Park. The festival is August 19-21.
You can buy your festival buttons at the Allied Arts Council office, your local bank, or at one of the local businesses listed below.
Buttons can also be purchases online through St. Joseph Big Deals.
“There’s nowhere else in the Midwest offering this caliber of entertainment at the price of just under $3 a day,” said Teresa Fankhauser, Allied Arts Council Executive Director.
This year’s button artwork comes from Tim Griffin, a graphic designer and illustrator from St. Joseph, Mo. Griffin says he is honored to be the featured artist for Trails West!®, and he is grateful for the opportunity to showcase his talent and share his passion for art.
Button Locations (St. Joseph, Mo.):
– Allied Arts Council
– Altec
– Apple Market (all locations including Savannah)
– Bank Midwest
– Beauty First
– Citizen’s Bank & Trust
– City Hall
– Commerce Bank
– CVS – N Belt
– CVS – S Belt
– Eagle Communications (Radio)
– East Hills Shopping Center
– Farmer’s State Bank
– Fast Gas (all locations)
– First Bank of Missouri
– Goetz Credit Union
– Hy-Vee
– Mitchell Park Plaza
– Mosaic Life Care of St. Joseph, MO
– NASB
– Nodaway Valley Bank
– Rolling Hills Library
– Speedy’s (all locations)
– St. Joe Teacher’s Credit Union
– St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce
– St. Joseph City Hall
– St. Joseph Museum
– St. Joseph Public Library – (East Hills, Carnegie, and Downtown)
– St. Joseph Visitors Bureau – Downtown
– St. Joseph Visitors Bureau – Woodbine
– Suddenlink
– UMB Bank
Lots of options for Independence Day fireworks displays
Want to watch some fireworks this weekend? Here you go!
-In Saint Joseph, head to Heritage Park. Gates open at 7:30 July 4th. Admission is free.
-St. Jo Mustangs will have their firework display after their games Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
-Mozingo Lake in Maryville is having the “biggest display in the parks history” Monday and it’s free.
-KC Riverfest is this weekend at Berkeley Riverfront Park with Fireworks Monday night, cost of admission is $5 CASH at the gate
-Parkville has a full day of celebration at English Landing Park and it’s free.
-At Smithville Lake the place to be is the marina, no charge
-Platte City’s show takes place at Platte Ridge Park.