Post Staff – Page 428 – St. Joseph Post Archive

OSHA investigates after utility workers were injured Monday by power lines

Posted on June 23, 2016June 23, 2016

Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation after two workers construction power lines near Union Star were injured earlier this week.

OSHA said Wednesday it has opened an investigation into a report that two employees of Capital Electric Line Builders Inc. of Riverside were injured while constructing a power line off County Road 206 near Union Star, Missouri, on June 20.

Initial reports indicate the employees were pulling down on a de-energized overhead line under tension when the device holding the line failed and they were struck by the line when it rebounded.

A 40-year-old worker was treated and released from a local hospital and a 36-year-old worker suffered a broken jaw and remains hospitalized.

“These incidents are preventable and OSHA will be conducting a thorough investigation to see if any violations of safety procedures contributed to the injuries suffered by these two workers,” said Todd Sieleman, OSHA’s Acting Area Director in Kansas City.

Sheriff’s Office encourages talking with children about online safety

Posted on June 23, 2016June 23, 2016

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office encourages parents and guardians to talk with their children about dangers online after recent area incidents.

The LCSO received information regarding one or more area juvenile females being approached on social media by a person claiming to be an adult male with a common foreign last name.

According to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office, information suggests the male is seeking explicit images and conversation from the juveniles and may be attempting to engage in additional criminal activity. This information is being shared with the Western Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force and the FBI for additional investigation.

The Sheriff’s Office said this offers an opportunity for discussions with your children and grandchildren about the dangers of social media, communicating with people online, and personal safety.

If you know anyone that is an actual victim of an offense of this nature, please contact your nearest law enforcement agency.

Utility workers injured by power lines in Nodaway County

Posted on June 23, 2016June 24, 2016

Two men were flown to the hospital Thursday morning after being shocked by power lines near Burlington Junction.

Nodaway County Sheriff Darren White said crews responded around 11:30 a.m. to a rural location several miles west of Burlington Junction.

“Apparently the workers were replacing a utility pole when somehow it became entangled in the power lines,” White said. “The extent of their injuries is yet unknown. Unfortunately with electrical burns like this it can take some time before the full extent of the injuries can really be determined.”

Both PAR Electrical workers were flown to hospitals for treatment.

“They were both conscious and talking to us when they were transported,” White said. “They were both transported by helicopter, one to a hospital in Omaha and the other to a hospital in Kansas City.”

He said the workers were on the ground when the incident took place.

It’s the second power line injury incident in northwest Missouri we’ve reported on this week. OSHA announced Wednesday it’s investigating after two workers of Capital Electric Line Builders were injured Monday near Union Star.

Woman charged after officers allegedly recover stolen gun

Posted on June 23, 2016June 23, 2016

A St. Joseph woman has been charged with a weapon violation after a traffic stop Wednesday.

Kaitlynn White, 18 is charged in Buchanan County with a felony for unlawful use of a weapon.

According to court documents, White was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped in the 500 block of Faraon for a traffic offense. White was arrested on a City of St. Joseph warrant for failure to appear in court.

“Officers retrieved the defendant’s purse from her vehicle at her request,” said Officer Jeff Pearl with the St. Joseph Police Department. “Upon her arrival at the Buchanan County Jail officers searched the defendant’s purse incident to arrest. A .22 caliber pistol was found inside.”

Pearl said the gun had been reported stolen out of Buchanan County in 2013.

(Update) Teens identified in Thursday morning crash

Posted on June 23, 2016June 23, 2016

Photo by Sarah Thomack SE 32nd & Barnett Road

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has released the names of the teenagers injured in a rollover crash south of St. Joseph Thursday morning. All of them are male and from St Joe.

Four were transported by ambulance to Mosaic Life Care for treatment of what were described as moderate injuries. They are identified as Hayden Ellison, 17, the driver; Lane Ellison, 13; Kaden Anderson, 13; and Jacob Anderson, 16.

In an online crash report, the Missouri State Highway Patrol says six teenagers were in Honda Civic that crested a hill at high speed near SE 32nd Road and SE Barnett Road at 8:19 a.m. Thursday. Traffic investigators say the vehicle careened from one side of the roadway to the other before ramming into a tree and overturning.

One of the teens was ejected in the crash. The vehicle came to rest on its top in a culvert.

Two other occupants, Jordan Anderson, 13, and Bernard Eaton, 15,suffered minor injuries but refused treatment at the scene.

Friday is “Take Your Dog To Work Day”

Posted on June 23, 2016June 23, 2016

Friday is National Take Your Dog To Work Day, in what the Humane Society of Missouri calls a canine-themed casual Friday.

Marketing Manager Angela Smith tells us that taking your dog to work is good for you.

“There are absolutely health benefits to having pets at work,” Smith said in an interview.

“It’s been proven that pets in the workplace increase productivity, help to reduce blood pressure, and just boost office morale overall.”

But Smith says you should probably check with your boss first.

“Some employers don’t allow it just due to allergies of other people in the office, out of respect for them,” she says, “but others, especially smaller businesses and employers, are all too happy to have the dogs come in just for that one day.”

If you’re going to bring your dog to work on Friday, Smith says you should “prep your pup,” and “canine-proof” your cubicle. She says you want to make sure that they’re going to be well-behaved for that day, and that you have plenty of supplies.

“You want to have a nice bowl of water for them, pack their food, make sure you have a leash for them, and that they’re on their very best behavior. You also may want to bring a blanket that they can lay down on, and some treats that maybe some of your co-workers can give them. And you want to make sure you canine-proof your cubicle if you have one. So be careful of loose cords or important papers they might chew up and anything else they might get into.”

As you might expect, some dogs should not be brought to work.

“If you have a dog that doesn’t get along with other dogs, that maybe isn’t the friendliest with people, or just gets stressed out or anxious when it has to travel, it’s probably best to leave that dog at home.

This is the 18th anniversary of the first “Take Your Dog To Work Day.” The event was created by Pet Sitters International as a way to celebrate the companionship we have with dogs, and to encourage adoption from animal shelters and breed rescues.

Cooler temperatures, more rain, on the way; here’s your 7-day forecast

Posted on June 23, 2016

Cooler temperatures are on the way, but so is more rain. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service.

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. North wind around 7 mph.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. North northeast wind around 6 mph becoming east after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. South southeast wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South southeast wind 7 to 9 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. South wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Commissioners schedule auction for sale of old Brown County Jail

Posted on June 23, 2016

Authorities have now scheduled a public auction at which they will sell the former Brown County Jail.

County Commissioners on Monday authorized public notice for the auction on Friday, July 29. Sheriff John Merchant will conduct the auction on the first floor of the county courthouse at 10am. They’re offering public tours of the historic facility on Monday, July 25.

The commission voted June 6 to put the building up for auction. It was built in 1924.

The old jail will be sold as is to the person with the highest and best bid. The commission reserved the right to reject any and all bids.

Obituaries June 20-22

Posted on June 22, 2016June 23, 2016

Robert “Bob” Charles Betts, Sr.
1935-2016

Robert “Bob” Charles Betts Sr.80, of Saint Joseph, MO passed away Monday, June 20, 2016 at Mosaic life care hospital. He was born December 15, 1935 in Winthrop, MO, son of the late Regina and Jesse Betts. He graduated from Atchison High School and married Dolores Velazquez on November 16, 1957 at St. James Catholic Church. His first job was at the LFM foundary in Atchison, KS, he then worked for Harry Harrington at Harrington Automotive, then worked 8 years for Pepsi before founding Bob Betts Auto Repair in September 1972, he retired after 44 years of faithful service. Bob was active in the community and enjoyed being a member of the Eagles Lodge, South side Lions Club, the St. James Holy Name Society, and St. James Catholic Church. He enjoyed fishing, camping, playing cards, dancing with his wife Dee, and spending time with his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Richard, Walter, Harold and Kenneth Betts, and two sisters, Barbara Freeman, and Carol Lawrence. Survivors include wife, Dolores “Dee” Betts of the home, daughter, Annette (Larry) Wells, and son, Robert “Robbie” Betts, Jr. of St. Joseph, MO, eight grandchildren: Larry (Ashley) Wells, Jr., Lachelle (Jeff) Lysaght, Kevin (Tammy) Wells, Eric (Megean) Wells, Nicholas (Kadence) Wells, Stephanie (William) Windham, Sterling Parsons, and Meka Betts, six great grandchildren, Ileana (Cody), Taylor, Elizabeth, Laura, Brandy, and Brent, five sisters, Joan (Junior) Drimmel of Atchison, KS, Teresa Ernzen of Atchison, KS, Darline O’Neal of Newton, KS, Sharon Agee of St. Joseph, MO, and Doris Hollaway of St. Joseph, MO.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 23, 2016, at 11:00 am at the St. James Catholic Church, Fr. Vincent Rogers Celebrant. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, where the Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 PM at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Inurnment will be at the Mount Olivet Cemetery. Memorials are requested to St. James School.

Isla Jean Bottom
1926-2016

HOLTON – Isla Jean Bottom, 89, of Holton, formerly of Havensville, died Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at The Pines in Holton.
She was born July 7, 1926 at Onaga, the daughter of Carl & Caroline Marten Figge.
Isla married Ralph Bottom on May 20, 1946 at Duluth. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary May 20, 2016. He survives, of the home.
She was a member of the Bucks Grove United Methodist Church and lived in the Bucks Grove community on a farm, moving to Holton six years ago. She loved having family around and working with her flowers and in the garden.
Isla was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Martin Figge.
Other survivors include four children, Ralph Eugene Bottom and wife Linda, Meriden, Charlene Reynolds and husband Garold, and Darlene Boeding and husband, Joe, all of Topeka, and Linda Bottom, Omaha, NE., ten grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 27th at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will follow in the Bucks Grove Cemetery. Isla will lie in state from 12:00 noon until 8:30 p.m. Saturday and from 10:00 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Family and friends will meet an hour before service time on Monday. Memorials are suggested to the Terry C. Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research, Jackson County Friends of Hospice, or the Bucks Grove United Methodist Church, and may be sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, PO Box 1034, Holton, 66436.

Linda Marie VanStaveren
1974-2016

Linda Marie VanStaveren was born Monday, February 18th, 1974; and passed away Tuesday, June 21st, 2016 in Kansas City, Kansas. Visitation Friday, June 24th, 2016, 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Located at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home.

Anita M. Dickeson
1917-2016

Anita M. Dickeson, 98, a lifelong resident of Atchison, Kansas died Tuesday, June 21, 2016.
Memorial services for Anita and her son Michael will be Monday, June 27, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. at First Christian Church with Rev. Russell Cooper officiating. Burial for both Anita and Michael will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to First Christian Church or Christian Women’s Fellowship and may be left in care of Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home with whom the final arrangements have been entrusted.
Anita was born October 22, 1917 the oldest of three children of William H. and Gladys Scott Harrison. She attended schools in Atchison.
She was married to Chester O. Dickeson on October 16, 1937 in Troy, Kansas. Mr. Dickeson preceded her in death on June 6, 1977.
Anita worked for the Atchison Hospital in the delivery room and later at the Atchison Courthouse.
Anita was a member of First Christian Church. Anita was always known throughout the years as a lady who was very concerned with making sure she presented herself with proper manners and appearance to her friends and acquaintances. She had a passion for making quilts, and shared those works of art with her many relatives over the years. Anita cultivated many lifelong friendships over the years including her relationships with Joyce Nolan, Louise Pruett, Sue Van Gordon and Chubby Darrenkamp, to name just a few, who were very attentive to her in her final years.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1977 and their only child, Michael P. Dickeson on April 21, 2016, a sister Maxine and a brother, William A. “Red” Harrison.

William “Bill” Sneddon, Sr.
1945-2016

William “Bill” Sneddon, Sr., 71, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at a local healthcare facility.
He was born May 25, 1945 in Loveland, Colorado.
He enjoyed watching Western Movies, walking everywhere and listening to country music. Bill loved playing cards, especially Solitaire and was always there for his family. His family meant the most to him.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice (Callaway) Sneddon; and parents, William and Ruth (Gray) Sneddon.
Survivors include four children, Tina Baublit, Sue Furgeson (Jason), William Sneddon, Jr. (Linda) and Ernest Sneddon, all of St. Joseph, Missouri; thirteen grandchildren, Mike and Ricky Billings, Brittany and Corbett Baublit, Amber Vaughn, Camey and Kendra Furgeson, April and Christina Sneddon and Alicia, Tiffany, Devin and Kayla Royle; thirteen great-grandchildren; brother, Jimmy Sneddon, Denver, Colorado; and sisters, Cathy Rouse (Bill), Denver, Colorado, Rose Hyden, Fort Worth, Texas and Judy Harron, Denver, Colorado.
Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Vaughn W. Rupe
1963-2016

Vaughn W. Rupe, 53, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care.
He was born January 6, 1963 in Horton, Kansas.
He worked at Mosaic Life Care at the Cancer Center for 29 years as a Radiation Therapist.
Vaughn enjoyed listening to classic rock music, fishing and going out on the boat. His family was most important to him and was an avid KU Fan. He played baseball in his earlier years as catcher and he was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Hiawatha, Kansas.
Survivors include three children, Hillary Simpson (Andrew), Wathena, Kansas, Jacob Rupe, Wathena, Kansas and Braedyn Rupe, St. Joseph, Missouri; one granddaughter, Landrie Simpson; parents, James and Barbara (Peterson) Rupe, Hiawatha, Kansas; sister, Christy Metz (John), Washington, Kansas; niece, Britany Metz; nephew, Cody Metz; aunt, Janet Howard, LeCompton, Kansas; and the mother of his children, Lynn Rupe, Hiawatha, Kansas.
Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Hiawatha Cemetery, Hiawatha, Kansas. The family will gather with friends 10:00 to 12:30 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests memorial donations to be sent to The Cancer Center at Mosaic Life Care in memory of Vaughn 902 N. Riverside Rd. Suite 201 St. Joseph, MO 64507. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Buchanan County Inmate dies in hospital

Posted on June 22, 2016June 22, 2016

A Buchanan County inmate has died several weeks after being transported to the hospital.

DeWayne Anthony Thomas was pronounced deceased Tuesday morning at the hospital. Sheriff Mike Strong said Thomas was transported May 29th after injuring himself in his cell.

“He received immediate medical treatment here and was then transported there,” Strong said.

Thomas was booked into the Buchanan County Jail on Oct. 9 of 2015 for second-degree domestic assault.

Strong said Thomas was in a cell by himself and guards were checking on him periodically. He said the injuries were believed to be internal.

An autopsy is being performed and the department has conducted an investigation.