Post Staff – Page 422 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Woman pleads guilty in I-229 traffic death

Posted on July 1, 2016July 1, 2016

Sentencing is scheduled in August for a 25-year-old St Joseph woman accused in of hitting and killing a pedestrian on I-229 in April.

According to online court records, Jacey Grom pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of involuntary manslaughter.

Investigators said Corbin Watts was hit by Grom’s vehicle while she was driving under the influence on the elevated portion of I-229.

According to prosecutors her blood alcohol level tested at .134% at the time.

Judge Daniel Kellogg scheduled sentencing August 17.

Former firefighter sentenced for attempted rape

Posted on June 30, 2016

A former St. Joseph firefighter will serve prison time for the attempted rape of a 15-year-old girl.

Jeremy Wigchert, 29 was sentenced in court today to serve 14 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Wigchert pleaded guilty to a felony for first-degree attempted rape in May.

As we previously reported, he was accused of using sexually explicit emails to arrange a sexual rendezvous with the victim.

Obituaries June 28-29

Posted on June 30, 2016July 1, 2016

Barbara Ann Budine
1945-2016

Barbara Ann Budine 70, of Faucett, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at her home. She was born July 31, 1945 in Faucett, MO, daughter of the late Ruth (Ingram) and Charles Brown. She graduated from Faucett High School 1963 and Missouri Western State University in 1981 with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She married Lloyd Budine on February 20, 1965 and he survives of the home. She worked for Parents as Teachers Program for 10 years in the Mid-Buchanan, DeKalb, Rushville School Districts. She enjoyed her Three church families were the foundation for her Christian life. First there was Faucett Christian Church where she was born, baptized as an early teen, and began raising her family. This loving church family remained a constant, loving support throughout her life. She was also a member of the Wallace Christian Church where, again, the love of our Christ helped her grow in her faith through this caring, praying church family. That church family also was a constant influence in her life. When she joined Agency United Methodist, she found yet another Christ centered church family. She found great peace and enjoyed families of all ages in this church. She also mentioned she will have such a fun reunion in heaven with those special friends who went ahead. Barb wishes many blessings to all three church families. Thanks for always being with her. She was a member of Agency United Methodist Church, and Ladies Group, Piece Corp Quilt Guild, Tuesdays Floozies, she was a volunteer driver for the Road to Recovery Program, for cancer patient transportation to Kansas City or to St. Joseph’s Mosaic Cancer Center. Survivors include, husband, Lloyd Budine of the home, daughter, Cheri (Matt) Uldrich, two sons, Daryl (Tanya) Budine, and Shawn Budine, two brothers, Charles Wesley (Linda) Brown, and Roger L. (Cindy) Brown, a sister, Marsha Lynn Brown (Dr. Robert Allen) 8 grandchildren, Elle, Skye, Bailey, Alyssa (Justin), Ally, Austin, Abby, Alex, 1 great granddaughter, Kimberlynn, and other friends and relatives, and three special aunts: Catherine Laurence, Betty Anderson, and Laurel Lee Burton.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am, on Saturday, July 2, 2016 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Pastor Paul Klepees officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Turner Cemetery, Wallace, MO. Memorials are requested to the Agency United Methodist Church, a charity of the Donors choice, or a random act of Kindness.

Charles Lee Taube, Jr.
1980-2016

Charles Lee Taube, Jr., 36, Rosendale, Missouri passed away Wednesday, June 29, 2016.
He married Rachael Ann Myers on April 30, 2011.
He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Lee Taube, Sr.; daughter, Joslin Taube; and sister, Holly Taube.
Survivors include mother, Donna Taube; sister, Windy Taube; brother, Devin Burkhart; and uncle, Larry Starrett.
Natural Farewell under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Evelyn M. Hutfles
1929-2016

Evelyn Marie Hutfles, 87, of Auburn, Kansas, died Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at the House at Midland Care surrounded by her family.
Evelyn was born March 22, 1929, in Kelly, Kansas, to Bernard (Barnie) and Mary Agnes Knipper Niehues. She graduated from St. Bede’s High School in Kelly, Kansas.
On August 21, 1947 she married the love of her life, Clarence F. Hutfles. They resided and farmed in Corning, Kansas, until 1956, when they moved to a farm at Wetmore, Kansas, where they farmed until 1979. In retirement, they resided at Netawaka, Holton and Topeka, Kansas. They enjoyed 61 years of life together. After the death of Clarence, she recently resided at The Homestead in Auburn, Kansas, where everyone there became her second family.
Evelyn was a homemaker and helped Clarence on the farm. After they sold the farm in 1979 she began her own home cleaning business, continuing this until 2001. She loved to cook, sew, play cards, bingo and assemble jigsaw puzzles. She was a beautiful seamstress. She loved her family and loved to have fun at whatever she did. She will be fondly remembered for her great sense of humor which she maintained even in her last days. She was always strengthened by her deep abiding faith in the Lord. She was previously a member of St. James Catholic Church, and Altar Society, in Wetmore, Kansas; St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton, Kansas; and since 2002, Christ the King Catholic Church in Topeka, Kansas.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence, in 2008, her granddaughter, Kendra Askren, her parents and 11 brothers and sisters. She is survived by her three sons, William Hutfles and wife, Jane, Omaha, NE; Sam Hutfles and wife Sandy, Seneca, KS; Lewis Hutfles and wife Lupe, Topeka, KS; her five daughters, Mary Boggs and husband Bob, Wakarusa, KS; Lora Barnett and husband Lee, Wakarusa, KS; Sandy Biggs, Topeka, KS; Jackie Askren and husband Kent, Rossville, KS; and Jenny Ohlsen and husband Eric, Whiting, KS; 17 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, her brother, Eddie Niehues, Seneca, KS, and her sisters, Antionette Hermesch, Kelly, KS and Josepha Altenhofen, Lincoln, NE.
Visitation will be July 3, 2016 at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton, KS from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a rosary being said at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 4, at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, Topeka, KS. Interment will follow at the Wetmore Cemetery, Wetmore, KS.
Memorial contributions may be made to The House at Midland Care, 120 SW Frazier, Topeka, KS 66606, or Christ the King Catholic Church, 5973 SW 25th Street, Topeka, KS 66614.

Leroy Ed Blocker
1921-2016

HOLTON – Leroy Ed Blocker, 95, of Holton, formerly of Wetmore, died Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at Vintage Park in Holton.
He was born February 1, 1921 at St. Benedict, the son of Clemens A. and Mary E. Levings Blocker.
Ed graduated from Atchison County Community High School at Effingham in 1939. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. While serving he transferred to the Army Air Corps and was discharged from the U.S. Air Force. Ed served on a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber which was shot down. He was captured by the German Army and was held as a prisoner-of-war in Stalag 17B.
After being discharged from the Air Force Ed went into agriculture. He later served as Postmaster at the Wetmore Post Office, retiring in 1979.
He was a former member of St. James Catholic Church in Wetmore, and currently a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton. He was also a life member of Levick-Barrett Post No. 282 of the American Legion at Wetmore and Holton Memorial Post No. 1367 of the V.F.W., and a member of the Disabled American Veterans and American Ex-POW’s.
Ed married Elenora F. Wiltz August 7, 1945 at Fidelity. She died March 4, 2011.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Mary Margaret Blocker and Patricia Blocker, who died in childhood, and Angela Madden and Felicia Boeckmann, and three brothers, Joseph Blocker, Kevin Blocker and James Blocker.
Survivors include three sons, Ronald Blocker and wife, Patricia, Wathena, Robert Blocker and wife, Linda, Gladstone, MO, and Gary Blocker, Topeka; one daughter, Joyce Blocker, Topeka; two brothers, Murty Blocker, Topeka, and Regis Blocker, Lucerne, MO; one sister, Joan Rezac, Emmett; five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, three step-great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and one on the way, and one step-great-great grandchild.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 2nd at St. Dominic Catholic Church. Burial with military honors will follow in the Wetmore Cemetery. Ed will lie in state at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton where a Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, followed by visitation until 8:30. Memorials are suggested to St. Dominic Catholic Church, Holton Community Hospital Hospice or the Wetmore American Legion, and may be sent in care of the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1034, Holton, 66436.

William “Bill” H. Frederick
1961-2016

William “Bill” H. Frederick 54, of Agency, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, June 29, 2016 in Agency, MO. He was born August 20, 1961 in St. Joseph, MO, son of Jerry Ann and Paul Frederick. He attended Mid-Buchanan High School served in the United States Army. He worked at Barlow Truck Line as a Truck Driver. He enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, and was a member of Midwest R.V. Camping Club, Boy Scouts – Tribe of Mic-O-Say and he was a Christian. Bill was preceded in death by his father, Paul Alson Frederick, abrother, Paul A. Frederick, Jr., maternal grandparents, William and Maxine Linville, paternal grandparents, Hurcle and Isabelle Sparks. Survivors include, mother, Jerry Ann Frederick of Agency, MO, son, Jason Frederick of MD, brother, Jim Frederick of St. Joseph, MO, nephews, Taylor Schmitz, Michael Frederick, Zachary Frederick, niece, Savana Frederick, as well as many aunts, uncles, and loads of friends.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Saturday, with a funeral service celebration of life starting at 3:00 pm, on Saturday, July 2, 2016 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Pastor Mike Hannaman officiating. Memorials are requested to the Disabled Vets or Faucett Christian Church. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Dearborn bank robbery suspect arrested in southern Missouri

Posted on June 30, 2016

Authorities said the man believed to be tied to bank robberies in two states including one last week in Dearborn has been arrested in southern Missouri.

Jesse Bud Leaverton, 58 of Okla. was arrested Thursday around 6 a.m. by the Missouri Highway Patrol and the Northern District of Oklahoma United States Marshals Services Fugitive Task Force on a federal warrant. Leaverton was taken into custody without incident near the intersection of Highway 60 and South Farm Road 119 between Republic and Springfield.

On June 21,a Federal Arrest Warrant was issued for Leaverton, for the bank robbery on June 18 at the Arvest Bank in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Leaverton is a person of interest in additional bank robberies in Oklahoma and Missouri including the Platte Valley Bank robbery last week in Dearborn.

FBI releases photo from Platte Valley Bank robbery in Dearborn

Special 4th of July enforcement operation begins Friday

Posted on June 30, 2016

The Missouri State Highway Patrol plans to take part in special enforcement operations starting Friday for the Fourth of July weekend.

Troop H officers will participate in a special enforcement operation on Friday, July 1, 2016, and Monday, July 4, 2016. 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.

“Many motorists will be traveling over the holiday weekend, and we want everyone traveling on Missouri roadways to be safe,” Capt. McDonald said. “Make sure everyone in your vehicle is properly restrained and never drink and drive.”

Students earn manufacturing certificates in program’s first year

Posted on June 30, 2016June 30, 2016

Class taught at Hillyard Technical Center

Manufacturing certifications have been earned by nine area students after the launch of a pilot program last year in St. Joseph.

18 students have completed the Manufacturing Technician Certification (MT1) program, with half of those earning certification.

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, the Western Institute at Missouri Western State University, the St. Joseph School District and the Innovation Stockyard in the Kit Bond Science and Technology Incubator at Missouri Western came together last year to establish the MT1 program, a highly specialized course based on the techniques and interrelationships found in high performance manufacturing and production. The class taught at Hillyard, focuses on the critical actions, knowledge, systems, and processes necessary to participate in an advanced manufacturing enterprise. Activities include a focus on math and measurement; quality and continuous improvement practices; and advanced manufacturing processes and production.

Seven of the 18 students who completed the course passed all three tests to earn their MT1 certificate. Two others passed two of the three to earn a Manufacturing Specialist (MS) certificate.

“This certification gives students the tools to be productive in the modern manufacturing environment, and tells employers that these people have the drive and abilities to be successful,” said Dr. Gary Clapp, coordinator of workforce development at the Western Institute. “Some of our graduates have already landed great jobs in local companies, including Gray Manufacturing, Hillyard Chemical, Herzog, Reardon Machine , IBEW Local 124, Altec and Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica.”

Base lifts lockdown except for medical building

Posted on June 30, 2016June 30, 2016

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. (AP) — The Latest on reports of an active shooter at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington (all times local):

10:45 a.m.

A military post near Washington says a lockdown has been lifted, except for the medical building where an active shooter was reported.

Joint Base Andrews said in a tweet Thursday morning that the all-clear was given for the base except for the medical building. The base did not say why the building remained on lockdown.

A law enforcement official says no active shooter was found at a military post outside Washington.

The law enforcement official was not authorized to discuss the matter by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The base had been placed on lockdown after an active shooter was reported. The base is home to Air Force One and is about 20 miles from Washington.

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10:35 a.m.

A law enforcement official says no active shooter was found at a military post outside Washington.

The law enforcement official was not authorized to discuss the matter by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Joint Base Andrews had been placed on lockdown Thursday morning after an active shooter was reported. The base is home to Air Force One and is about 20 miles from Washington.

An active shooter exercise had also been planned at the base, but officials said the situation became “real world.”

The situation unfolded at a medical facility on the post. Joint Base Andrews issued a tweet telling all personnel at the base in Washington’s Maryland suburbs to shelter in place.

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Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report from Washington.

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10:30 a.m.

Vice President Joe Biden was scheduled to leave from Andrews on Thursday morning, but his trip has been delayed by the lockdown.

The vice president’s office says he is waiting out the delay at his residence at the Naval Observatory in Washington.

Biden was due in Columbus, Ohio for a midday campaign event for former Gov. Ted Strickland, who is running for Senate.

The president, vice president and other senior government officials fly in and out of Joint Base Andrews. The base is the home of Air Force One and other aircraft used for official travel.

President Barack Obama was last at the base Wednesday night when he returned from a trip to Ottawa, Canada.

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This story has been corrected to show that Strickland is former, not current, Ohio governor.

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10:20 a.m.

Emergency vehicles with lights on but no sirens are in the area of a military base on lockdown after an active shooter was reported on the post.

At least three people in camouflage and helmets could be seen walking working dogs around the three-story medical building at Joint Base Andrews. The post is home to Air Force One and is about 20 miles outside Washington.

The base was put on lockdown Thursday morning after an active shooter was reported. An active shooter exercise had been planned, but officials say reports of a real-world active shooter came in.

Around 10:15 a.m., a few people could be seen walking out of the building, including a person being wheeled in a wheelchair.

Helicopters hovered overhead, but it is unclear if they are news or military helicopters.

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10:10 a.m.

Officials say first responders are trying to secure the scene of an active shooter report at a military post near Washington.

Joint Base Andrews, which is about 20 miles outside the nation’s capital and is home to Air Force One, said in a tweet Thursday that the base is reacting to the active shooter report to ensure the safety of all personnel.

It was not immediately clear if any shots were fired or if anyone was wounded.

Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson says there is an “unfolding situation” at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland but is providing no further details.

The base tweeted Thursday morning that it was on lockdown after reports of an active shooter.

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10 a.m.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson says there is an “unfolding situation” at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland but is providing no further details.

The base, which is home to Air Force One, tweeted Thursday that the base is on lockdown due to a report of an active shooter.

The tweet instructs all personnel at the base in Washington’s Maryland suburbs to shelter in place and says more information will be released as it comes.

Johnson is testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee. He says he may have to take a break from the hearing as the situation at Andrews develops.

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9:55 a.m.

An employee at a medical facility at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington says an active-shooter drill had been planned, but officials later told workers it was a “real-world” situation.

Rodney Smith is a patient advocate at the military post’s medical facility. He said Thursday that he was on lockdown and didn’t have any more information.

Smith said by phone: “First it was an active-shooter exercise. Then it came back ‘real world.'”

Smith said the situation was unfolding at the newer of two buildings at the Malcolm Grow Medical Facility on the base. He was in the older building.

Joint Base Andrews said in a tweet that the incident is ongoing and that first responders are on scene.

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9:50 a.m.

Joint Base Andrews tweets that the base is on lockdown due to a report of an active shooter.

The tweet sent Thursday morning instructs all personnel at the base in Washington’s Maryland suburbs to shelter in place and says more information will be released as it comes.

A second tweet from the base says the incident is ongoing at the Malcolm Grow Medical Facility and first responders are on the scene. It instructs everyone to continue to shelter in place, a precaution meant to keep people safe while remaining indoors.

Salsa Summer Standoff seeks competitors for a hot party

Posted on June 30, 2016

Hillcrest Transitional Housing announces a hot new way to raise money.

They’re holding what they call the “Salsa Summer Standoff,” and they’re looking for contestants. You can enter your salsa in the competition.

They’re looking for teams, businesses, restaurants and individuals to compete.

The Salsa Summer Standoff will be held on August 13th at the Hillcrest Thrift Shoppe at 4826 Frederick Ave. Attendance is expected to be roughly 2,000 people that will be coming to taste salsa, listen to live music, and enjoy the children’s area.

The event will include performances by two of St. Joseph’s most popular bands, Dolewite and Blue Oyster Culture Club.

Officials say they have received responses from many vendors to participate, but so far there have not been a lot of contestants to enter their salsa.

Click here for an application.

Contestants can find more information here.

For more information on sponsorship levels, click here.

Traffic stop yields 34 pounds of meth

Posted on June 30, 2016

A Mexican man was indicted Wednesday on charges that he was stopped in Shawnee County, Kansas with 34 pounds of methamphetamine in his car.

Acting U.S. Attorney for Kansas Tom Beall says Luis Manuel Mojarro-Lopez, 33, is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

An affidavit filed in the case alleges that on June 18 the defendant was driving a 2007 Ford Mustang when a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper pulled him over for running a stop sign on the I-70 eastbound exit ramp at Wanamaker.

A search of the vehicle turned up 34 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a false compartment behind the rear seat. Investigators learned Mojarro-Lopez was being paid $2,000 to drive the vehicle from Los Angeles to Kansas City, Kan. He was told to call his contact for further directions after he arrived.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million.

Campers be warned, flash flooding possible this weekend

Posted on June 30, 2016June 30, 2016

Skies are expected to clear off for your Independence Day fireworks displays, but in the meantime, rain could cause some real problems. There are flash flood watches in effect through the weekend. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service.

Today: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. North northeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. East wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 74. East wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms. Low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Independence Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 82.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.