Among the victims of the terror attacks in Brussels, Belgium last week was an employee of Wenger Manufacturing Inc., a Sabetha, Kansas company.

In a statement, the company confirmed that Nic Coopman, 58, was killed in the attack on the Brussels airport, where he was awaiting a flight. Mr. Coopman is a native of Belgium, and has worked for Wenger since April of 2000. He is survived by his wife.

In the statement, the company lamented Coopman’s death.

“His calm manner, professionalism and a dry sense of humor earned him significant respect and admiration from his clients and colleagues alike, and he will be sorely missed.”

Mr Coopman began his career with Wenger working as a Service Technician from the Wenger Overseas office in Antwerp. In this role he furnished clients with commissioning, training and technical support; particularly specializing in electrical systems and process automation.

Wenger Manufacturing, Inc., headquartered in Sabetha, Kansas USA, is a global supplier of extrusion and related process equipment for the food and feed industries. Sales and service personnel operate from offices in Sabetha; Kansas City, Missouri; Taiwan; Brazil; Belgium; China; and India.

After questions from the public the Missouri Department of Transportation is shedding light on the “mysterious” tarps that have began appearing at some bridges in Putnam County.

“Mysterious tarps and sheets have begun appearing at some bridges in Putnam County prompting some passersby to wonder what was going on. Is the circus coming to town and performing under the bridge? Is someone setting up permanent residence under the bridge and wants a bit more privacy,” MoDOT said in an email Thursday. “It turns out that the answer is pretty simple and fairly mundane.”

Contractors working with the Missouri Department of Transportation are tarping the bridges for an upcoming bridge painting project. The bridges have received a new bridge deck or been rebuilt recently and painting them protects them from the elements and extends the life of the bridge.

Contractors plan to begin today, March 31, 2016, weather permitting, cleaning and painting three bridges in Putnam County. One bridge is on U.S. Route 136 over Shoal Creek, one on Route 129 over Shoal Creek and one on Route E over the Branch of Medicine Creek. They anticipate that it will take about one week to complete set up, cleaning and painting of all three bridges. After the work in Putnam County, the crew will move to bridges in Atchison, Daviess, Harrison, Holt and Nodaway counties. Some of the bridges will take longer as they receive more extensive paint work, while others will move quickly as they just need some maintenance of the steel around the bridge joints and girders where the weather had begun to flake off the paint, exposing the steel. All work and schedules are weather permitting.

A convicted sex offender is accused of exposing himself to numerous children in Buchanan County.

Leroy Weathers, 32 of St. Joseph was charged last week in Buchanan County with a misdemeanor for first-degree sexual misconduct.

According to court documents the charge stems from an incident that took place on Jan. 22 in the 6800 block of Washington, Ave.

“According to reports and statement, on January 22, 2016 Weathers exposed his genitals to numerous children ages 6-8 knowing that children would be alarmed by this exposure,” Detective Briana Mendell with the St. Joseph Police Department said. “Weathers moved to Wheatland, Missouri (Hickory County) within the last month aware that the investigation was pending.”

Weathers is a registered sex offender.

“Weathers has a conviction for sexual misconduct from Jasper County, Missouri that occurred in 2006 in which he exposed his genitals to numerous neighborhood children causing them alarm,” Medell said.

Bail for Weathers was set Thursday at $5,000 cash.  A court date has not yet been set according to online documents.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Evening signal work will affect motorists exiting northbound Interstate 29 on Thursday, March 31, 2016.

Crews working with the Missouri Department of Transportation will close the left-turn lane on the exit ramp at northbound I-29 and south U.S. Route 169 (Exit 44). Motorists traveling northbound on I-29 will only be able to access southbound U.S. Route 169 and will be unable to make a left turn off the ramp onto northbound U.S. Route 169 between the hours of 8 p.m. and midnight.

Travelers on northbound U.S. Route 169 will be able to progress through the intersection as usual. Motorists should use extra caution and may encounter delays during this work.

All work is weather permitting.

An Amish minister from Kentucky charged in his wife’s 2006 death in Harrison County appeared in court Wednesday and has waived his preliminary hearing in his case.

Samuel Borntreger, 39, was Jan. 10 in Harrison County with a first-degree murder.

According to court documents Borntreger allegedly admitted to deputies in Kentucky to killing his then wife Anna Borntreger by giving her battery acid up her rectum twice in one day and antifreeze in her drinks sometime between Nov. and Dec. of 2006.

Borntreger allegedly went to Kentucky authorities in January and told them about the case. No foul play was suspected when she died.

In court hearings, Borntreger’s attorney has said he and his client are in plea negotiations with prosecutors.

You’ll be able to enjoy drive-in movies in the parking lot at the East Hills Mall this summer. The idea fostered by the Regular Joe newspaper gained momentum and support from the mall and the St Joseph Public Library.

In a news release on the shopping center’s Web site, officials said the East Hills Drive-In Theater will feature films on four dates this summer in the parking lot east of the East Hills Library.

Gates open at 7 p.m. Films will begin 5 minutes after sundown. Rain dates will be the following Sunday.

Film schedule:
May 14 – Space Jam
June 4 – The Good Dinosaur
July 23 – Jaws
August 27 – Top Gun