Post Staff – Page 491 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Bridge replacement to close road in Nodaway County

Posted on April 4, 2016

HOPKINS, Mo. – Route JJ in Nodaway County will soon close for a bridge replacement project.

Contractors from Widel, Inc. of Blackwater, Missouri, working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, plan to close the road to all traffic at the bridge over the One Hundred and Two River on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. The bridge is located just west of Hopkins. The closure is anticipated to last through June 2016. Motorists will need to use an alternate route.

All work is weather permitting and schedules are subject to change.

Health Department to open late Thursday

Posted on April 4, 2016

The St. Joseph Health Department plans on opening up a little later Thursday.

The department said it plans to hold its quarterly staff meeting on the morning of Thursday, April 7. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. and is scheduled to last until 9:30 a.m. During that time the department said no services will be available and phones will not be answered.

All services will open at Patee Market Health center, located at 904 South 10th St. starting at 9:30 a.m.

No other services in the building will be impacted.

Lawyer: “A case of mistaken identity” of man formerly accused of Pony Express Coin theft

Posted on April 4, 2016April 4, 2016

The case has been dismissed against a man formerly accused of stealing gold coins from the Pony Express Museum after video footage was reviewed by the prosecutor and the defendant’s attorney.

A trial had been set for Tuesday for Richard Follett, 80 of Stewartsville who had previously been charged with felony theft/stealing in connection with coins stolen from a display case at the Pony Express Museum. The case was dismissed Friday afternoon after Follett’s lawyer Bert Godding said the evidence has cleared his client’s name.

“When they first came to my office Mr. Follett from the very beginning said he did not do this. It wasn’t him, it couldn’t be him. He told me he and his wife had went out that day and they had receipts from where they went. They went to Hy-Vee to pick up some stuff, went to Cracker Barrel and then went to the bank,” Godding said. “Obviously as a defense attorney we hear alibis of witnesses all the time saying ‘look I wasn’t there’ but they had receipts.”

Godding said during the investigation they found video footage from the businesses clearly showing that Mr. Follett and his wife could not have been at the museum when the theft occurred.

“The prosecutor and I, we looked at the video tapes and we compared the times and we compared the images of what my client looked like vs. the thief and it was clear that Mr. Follett could not have been the person at the museum because he was miles away,” Godding said. “At the exact time the theft occurred they were getting ready to leave Hy-Vee to go to Cracker Barrel.”

Godding said the charge has been dismissed completely.

“They dismissed it because he was innocent. This was clearly a case of mistaken identity,” Godding said. “Luckily we were able to prove his innocence.”

The gold coins have never been recovered.

Godding is urging anyone who may have details on the Pony Express case to contact authorities.

“We hope that the real thief does get caught. Mr. Follett is obviously innocent in this matter. The real thief is out there if anyone does have information in this theft please contact the St. Joseph Police Department,” Godding said.

Obituaries March 31- April 2

Posted on April 4, 2016April 6, 2016

Full Name Lois Marie Wilbourn (Tull)
1936-2016

Lois Marie Wilbourn (Tull) was born Friday, September 18th, 1936 and passed away Thursday, March 31st, 2016 in St. Joseph, MO. Visitation will be held Friday, April 8th, 2016, 1:00pm – 2:00pm at Becker Chapel. Services will be held Friday, April 8th, 2016, 2:00pm at Chapel, Effingham KS. Officiating Rev. Jeff Cochran. Interment located at Sunset Memory Gardens-Atchison.

Orville H. Ezzell, Jr.
1930-2016

Orville H. Ezzell, Jr., 85, Savannah, Missouri passed away Saturday, April 2, 2016 at a local healthcare facility.
He was born June 6, 1930 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Mr. Ezzell proudly served in the Navy from 1948 to 1955 during the Korean Conflict. From 1947 to 1952 he served on the USS Roosevelt.
He retired from Western Tab, now Mead.
Mr. Ezzell was a member of American Post 359, Forty & Eight Eagles.
He liked the St. Joseph Mustangs. He volunteered for the Department of Veteran Affairs. Orville loved reading, doing search word puzzles, and embroidery.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Orville, Sr. and Alta (Westbrook) Ezzell.
Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Ruthanna (Pryor) Ezzell, of the home; daughters, Carol Sue Scott, Pamela E. Perks, Cathy Ann Ezzell and Susan Stocking; sons, Orville Henry Ezzell, III, Timothy Wayne Ezzell and Patrick Ezzell; step children, Karen White, Sharon Curren and Ernest Bowen; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister, Beverly Nagle; and brother, Jerry Ezzell.
Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Ashland Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, where friends may call after 5:00 P.M. Monday. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to American Cancer Society. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Amy Jo Smith
1989-2016

Amy Jo Smith, 27, Atchison, Kansas died Saturday, April 2, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care, St. Joseph, Missouri.
Memorial services will be Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. at New Life Assembly of God Church with Pastor Kenneth Watkins officiating. Inurnment will follow in Cummings Cemetery, Cummings, Kansas. Visitation with the family will be Friday, April 8th from 7:00 until 8:30 P.M. at Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home. Memorial contributions are suggested to Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home to assist with final expenses and may be left in care of the funeral home.
Amy was born January 25, 1989 in Kansas City, Kansas the daughter of Earl and Sheri Morden Smith. She attended elementary school in Atchison, Kansas and the Atchison High School.
Amy formerly was employed with Walmart, Alps Grocery and Fargo Assembly in Atchison. Most recently she was employed as a nurse aide with Medicalodge of Atchison until her health failed.
An avid cook, she enjoyed cooking for her family and friends, participating in Zumba and spending time with her precious sons Matthew and Michael and her entire family.
Amy is survived by her fiancé Matthew Carroll, Atchison, KS, her two sons, Matthew J. Carroll, II, Atchison, KS, Michael James Carroll, Atchison, KS, her mother, Sheri Smith, Atchison, KS, her father and step-mother, Earl and Sylvia Smith, Lancaster, KS, a sister, Jessica (Joshua) Ballinger, Atchison, KS, a brother Johnathan Earl Smith, Topeka, KS, a nephew, Parker Ballinger, three nieces Ally, Jaicie and Kynleigh Ballinger and her fiance’s parents Darren and Debbie Gilliland, Atchison, KS, maternal grandmother, Margaret Ann Morden, Des Moines, IA.
Amy was preceded in death by a sister, Ann Marie Morden, her paternal grandparents, Jesse and Mildred Smith and maternal grandmother, Mildred Sherwood.

Angela Kay Vandeloo (McNeely)
1975-2016

Angela Kay Vandeloo (McNeely) was born on Monday, June 30th, 1975; and passed away Saturday, April 2nd, 2016. Visitation will be held Friday, April 8th, 2016, 10:00am – 11:00am
at the New Life Assembly of God Church. Services are Friday, April 8th, 2016, 11:00am at the New Life Assembly of God Church; officiating Rev. Ken Watkins. Interment will take place at the Mt. Vernon Cemetery.

Health Department observes National Public Health Week

Posted on April 4, 2016

The City of St. Joseph Health Department will recognize National Public Health Week 2016, April 4-10, by hosting related events and promoting this year’s theme, “Healthy Missouri 2030: Making Communities Stronger.”

“Public Health Week shows how individuals and communities can take small steps to make a big difference in improving their health,” said Debra Bradley, Director of Health. “We all have a role to play in making our community a healthier place and the City of St. Joseph Health Department is excited to help lead the way to a healthier Missouri.”

Good personal health is made easier through good public health. Public health works to make healthy individual choice the easy, safe choice in our community. Social, environmental and individual factors influence our health as well as the opportunity to make healthy choices. The City of St. Joseph Health Department works with partners within the community to assist in promoting, educating and protecting Missourians’ health and safety.

The City of St. Joseph Health Department will celebrate each day of National Public Health Week with a different theme. All events are open to the public unless otherwise noted.

Monday, April 4th – Kick Off for National Public Health Week
Event: Day in the Life of Public Health Display
When: 10am – 4pm
Where: St. Joseph Health Department, 904 S. 10th Street, Suite B
What: Visit our display in the clinic lobby to learn how public health affects your day to
day activities and see what services are available through the health department.

Tuesday, April 5th – Get Fit and have Fun!
Event: St. Joe Fit Registration Blitz
When: 8:00am – 4:30pm
Where: Register at one of these locations:
 St. Joseph Health Department, 904 S. 10th Street, Main Lobby
 St. Joseph REC Center, 2701 Southwest Pkwy
 St. Joseph Parks and Recreation Administration, 1920 Grand Ave
What: St. Joe Fit, sponsored by Parks and Recreation and the Health Department, is a FREE program that runs from April 12th – August 23rd and is designed to help participants live an active lifestyle through weekly walk/bike/runs on the trail system, as well as free class offerings at the REC Center. Pre-register for St. Joe Fit by April 11th and be entered into a drawing to win a free Fitbit!

Wednesday, April 6th – Wellness at Worksites
Event: Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Recognition
When: 9:30am
Where: Living Community of St. Joseph, 1202 Heartland Road
What: Join us as we celebrate Living Community of St. Joseph’s Bronze Level designation as a Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite!

Event: Employer Health Fair – The City of St. Joseph Health Department will be participating as a vendor at a local employer health fair this day. If your business is interested in learning about how the health department can help with your worksite wellness efforts, please give us a call at 816-236-1491.

Thursday, April 7th – Rethink Your Drink!
Event: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for a Quick Fill Water Bottle Station at St.
Joseph Christian School
When: 10:00am
Where: St. Joseph Christian School, 5401 Gene Field Road
What: Join us for the ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the installation of Quick Fill Water Bottle Station at St. Joseph Christian School. Quick fill water bottle stations are being installed at St. Joseph area high schools as a way to help kids rethink their drink and encourage them to drink water, not sugary drinks or sodas.

Friday, April 8th – Growing Community Gardens
Event: The Crossing Garden and Greenhouse Project
When: 9:00am
Where: The Crossing Outreach Ministry, 629 S 8th St.
What: The Crossing Outreach Ministry and the St. Joseph Health Department will be
sponsoring a community work day to help spring clean the community garden to get it
ready for planting. The Crossings will also showcase the up and coming greenhouse and
will give special recognition to J & R Fencing for their in-kind donation of time and talent
for fencing installation with the Greenhouse Project.

Event: Tiller Delivery! Parkway Elementary School Garden
When: 2:00pm
Where: Parkway Elementary, 2900 Duncan
What: Join us at parkway elementary for the delivery of the new tiller for their community garden. The Parkway Student Council will be there to help us celebrate!

Since 1995, communities nationwide have celebrated National Public Health Week each April with hundreds of events to help showcase the value of supporting prevention and the role that public health agencies, organizations and practitioners play in making prevention possible. For more information about the St. Joseph Health Department activities, call 816-236-1491. Information about National Public Health Week can be found at www.nphw.org.

(News Release)

Rain on the way Tuesday? Here’s your 7-day forecast

Posted on April 4, 2016April 4, 2016

Today: Sunny, with a high near 62. North wind 7 to 9 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. North northeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming southeast after midnight.

Tuesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Southeast wind 8 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. South wind 10 to 13 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Breezy, with a northwest wind 11 to 16 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Breezy.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Breezy.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 57.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 65.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 30%

Police investigate two stabbings and an armed robbery within a one-day period

Posted on April 4, 2016April 4, 2016

It was a busy weekend for St Joe police, who are investigating two stabbings and an armed robbery over the weekend.

On Saturday night, a man tried to force his way into the home of his ex-wife on South 27th Street, but likely didn’t count on the response of her boyfriend. The ex was stabbed and seriously injured by the boyfriend. The intruder suffered serious injuries and was rushed to Mosaic Life Care for emergency surgery. He was arrested and awaits possible charges.

Police are investigating a stabbing incident Sunday, though the victim would not name the suspect. The incident happened at about 3:00 p.m. at the Cottonwood Creek Apartments near Gene Field and Woodbine. The man suffered injuries that were not believed to be life threatening. Authorities say several people may have been involved.

Police continue their search for suspects in an armed robbery that happened on Sunday. Three men with weapons entered a home in the 700 block of North 24th Street (corrected) and robbed the homeowner. The men were wearing masks and gloves. A police investigation continues.

If you can help with any of these investigations, officials urge you to call the TIPS hotline at (816) 238-TIPS.

Three hurt in rollover crash in Grundy County

Posted on April 4, 2016

A rollover crash south of Spickard, Missouri left three people hurt Saturday night.

A Pontiac Grand Am left U.S. Highway 65 shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday.

The rear-end of the vehicle hit an embankment and it rolled several times before striking a concrete barrier.

Kiersten Allen, 20 of Browning and William Grimes, 25, of Kansas City, Missouri suffered moderate injuries, according to the report. Tristan Vencill, 19 of Trenton, suffered what were described at the scene as minor injuries. All three were transported to Wright Memorial Hospital.

According to the crash report, it was not immediately clear to investigators who was driving.

Kansas AG to visit NE Kansas Monday

Posted on April 4, 2016April 4, 2016

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt will visit three Northeast Kansas counties Monday as part of an agricultural industry listening tour he plans to conduct throughout the state this spring.

“Agriculture is our state’s largest industry,” Schmidt said in a news release, “and it is important to hear from Kansas producers about the legal and regulatory issues they are facing.

“I look forward to visiting with farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses throughout the state in the coming weeks.”

Schmidt serves as a member of the agriculture committee for the National Association of Attorneys General. During his time as attorney general, Schmidt has fought harmful federal regulations, including water regulations and labor rules. As a former member of the Kansas Senate, Schmidt previously served as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

On Monday, April 4, Schmidt will visit Nemaha, Brown and Doniphan counties. The schedule is as follows:

Monday, April 4
9:30 a.m.
Nemaha County – Visit J-Six Farms, Seneca
11:30 a.m.
Brown County – Visit Ag Partners Coop, Hiawatha
1:30 p.m.
Doniphan County – Visit Geiger Cattle, Troy

Two youngsters injured, one seriously, in ATV crash

Posted on April 4, 2016

Two young boys were injured, one of them seriously Saturday night when the ATV they were riding rammed into a tree.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report says a pair of ten-year-olds were riding on private property in Princeton, Missouri just before 7:30 p.m. when the Yamaha Grizzly four-wheeler veered off a trail and struck a tree.

Triston Jennings and Andrew Matthews, both of Princeton, were transported to Wright Memorial Hospital. Matthews suffered serious injuries and was transported to Children’s Mercy Hospital. Jennings’ injuries were described as moderate.