Post Staff – Page 506 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Two stabbed in St. Joseph, man in custody

Posted on March 16, 2016

A man and a woman were taken to the hospital Tuesday evening with serious stab wounds after a disturbance near Downtown St. Joseph.

The St. Joseph Police Department responded to 7th and Patee near the Imperial Gas Station shortly before 7 p.m. in reference to a stabbing investigation.

Sgt. Roy Hoskins says a 34-year-old man was found with cuts to his abdomen and hands and a 31-year-old women was found with a stab wound to her abdomen. Both were taken by ambulance to Mosaic Life Care with serious injuries.

Hoskins said a 35-year-old man was taken into police custody.

The investigation continues.

Road closed in Western District

Posted on March 16, 2016

The Western District of Buchanan County plans to close SW 91 Rd. Wednesday.

Bill Brinton, Buchanan County Emergency Management Dir. said the closure will last the entire day. He said crews will be installing a tube under the road.

City to host another public meeting on fire station relocation tonight!

Posted on March 16, 2016

The City of St Joseph will host another meeting to gauge public response to their plans for relocating a pair of fire stations.

The city is currently interested in purchasing land located at 3200 Faraon, as a replacement site for Station 9 (2217 Frederick). A public meeting will be held on March 16, beginning at 6:30pm, at Hillyard Technical Center, 3434 Faraon, room 103.

Fire department staff, along with Public Works staff, will be present to give a brief overview of the project and to answer any questions or concerns the public may have regarding the construction of a fire station at the location. If you cannot attend the public meeting, please feel free to send any comments or concerns to mdalsing@ci.st-joseph.mo.us.

The 2013 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) sales tax provided for the purchase of land and the construction of new fire stations to replace two existing older stations. St. Joseph Fire Department staff completed a relocation study that recommended the relocation of Station 9 and Station 11 at 2329 South 18th Street to improve response times to residents in those service areas.

Low humidity, high winds, prompt red flag warning; Here’s your 7-day forecast!

Posted on March 16, 2016March 16, 2016

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Meteorologists say wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour, combined with low humidity levels (20 to 25%) will create an increased fire risk. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly, and the weather service discourages outdoor burning.

Today: Increasing clouds, with a high near 62. West northwest wind 8 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 36. West northwest wind 6 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the evening.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 60. West northwest wind 7 to 13 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. West northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 48. North northwest wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 49.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 53.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

Clinton, Trump win Missouri primaries

Posted on March 15, 2016March 16, 2016

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump won their Missouri presidential primaries by razor-thin margins. Ms Clinton topped Sen. Bernie Sanders by just 1,531 votes out of 626,075 votes cast in the Democratic Party primary. (49.611% to 49.366%)

The margin was also close in the Republican Party primary. Donald Trump beat Sen. Ted Cruz by just 1,726 votes (40.831% to 40.646%).

Ms Clinton won primaries in Florida, Ohio, Illinois and North Carolina. Florida is the biggest delegate prize and Clinton now has about two-thirds of the delegates needed to clinch the Democratic nomination.

Trump also picked up a lot of delegates with wins in Missouri, Florida, Illinois and North Carolina. John Kasich won in Ohio.

After losing in his home state of Florida, Senator Marco Rubio announced he was suspending his campaign. With that, Senator Cruz told supporters that “after tonight, there will be a clear choice between two candidates.”

Sanders, Trump win Buchanan County

Posted on March 15, 2016March 15, 2016

Grass roots organizing efforts in Buchanan County appeared to be paying off for supporters of Bernie Sanders, at least here in Buchanan County. Final, though unofficial, results from the Buchanan County Clerk’s Office show the senator from Vermont beating former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton among Democratic voters by more than 9% (4,148 votes to 3,443).

On the Republican side Donald Trump won in Buchanan County with 41.65% of the GOP vote. Sen. Ted Cruz was next with 34.43% of the votes. John Kasich, who won his home state of Ohio Tuesday, collected 13.12% of the Republican votes in the county. Sen. Marco Rubio collected 7% of the votes. Mr Rubio announced Tuesday that, after losing his home state of Florida to Donald Trump, he is suspending his campaign.

Among four Libertarian candidates on the ballot here, Austin Petersen collected eight votes, enough for just over one-fourth of the Libertarian total.

Countywide voter turnout was 38.52%. Shown below are the vote totals for all candidates in Buchanan County.

By about 8:40 p.m., only about 14.4% of the votes had been counted statewide, according to the Web site of the Secretary of State’s Office. Those partial totals showed Sen. Sanders leading Ms Clinton by a 49.9% to 48% margin (495 out of 3041 precincts reported). For the GOP nomination, Mr Trump was leading Sen. Ted Cruz by about 2.3% (42.6% to 40.3%)

Act named for children who died on the Lake of the Ozarks gets first Missouri House debate

Posted on March 15, 2016

Alexandra and Brayden Anderson. Photo courtesy Missourinet

(Missourinet) – Whether the state should act in response to the electric shock drowning deaths of two children on the Lake of the Ozarks last year has gotten its first round of debate in the legislature.

Representative Caleb Jones (R-Columbia) has proposed requiring that all docks with electricity have ground fault interrupters (GFIs) – devices to shut off power when there’s a short, and requiring that all Highway Patrol boats have defibrillators. Either of this things, he says, might have saved the lives of 13 year-old Alexandra Anderson and her eight-year-old brother Brayden of Ashland, who died after being shocked by power running to a dock they were swimming near on the Lake of the Ozarks.

During debate of those requirements in the House, some like Representative David Wood (R-Versailles) said the bill would be unenforceable.

“We have fire districts that cover part of the 1,300 miles of shoreline but we have a lot of shoreline that has no supervision whatsoever. You’re looking at 25-thousand different piece of property. Many of those already have docks on them,” said Wood.

Other representatives including Genise Montecillo (D-St. Louis) were passionate in saying they should become law.

“We heard comment that this would be a difficult situation to ensure on the holidays and whatever that these docks are safe. But You know what’s difficult? Planning funeral for your children and burying your children and never seeing your children again,” said Montecillo.

An amendment based on Jones’ bill was defeated, but he says the debate is not over.

“I think the big question is who is the regulator of these GFIs on docks and who is going to be tasked with checking every dock,” said Jones.

Jones said his bill would be the subject of a House committee hearing later this week in which some changes might be made and other issues fleshed out.

One lawmaker criticized a law that made Ameren immune to liability in the deaths of the Anderson children. Ameren owns and operates the Lake of the Ozarks.

A lawsuit filed by the Anderson family was dismissed because of that law. Representative Jay Barnes (R-Jefferson City) said during debate, “When people ignore plain dangers and kids die we ought not let the laws of this state sweep those actions aside … our actions have consequences. Providing civil immunity to people who know something is wrong and do nothing to protect Missourians results in things like the deaths of these two children.”

The bill would not address that immunity law.

Local Red Cross volunteer to aid in Louisiana flooding

Posted on March 15, 2016March 15, 2016

Disaster Program Manager, Karla Long, works with Peggy Gaines before she leaves for Louisiana. Photo courtesy Red Cross

A volunteer with the American Red Cross of Northwest Missouri has deployed to Louisiana to assist with devastating flooding.

The Red Cross said Peggy Gaines is assisting with Client Casework and will work directly with those impacted to provide emergency assistance. Gaines left for Louisiana Tuesday afternoon.

Hundreds of American Red Cross disaster workers are responding across the south where devastating flooding has forced thousands of people from their homes in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas.

“We need the public’s support now,” said Angie Springs, Ex. Dir. for the Northwest Missouri chapter. “Entire families have lost their homes and everything they own to these floodwaters. The Red Cross depends on the continued support of the public to help people affected by this disaster and other emergencies big and small.”

People can help by donating to Red Cross Disaster Relief by calling (800) RED-CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Also the Red Cross Heroes Campaign is currently underway. Individuals who would like to make a local contribution can CLICK HERE.

Obituaries March 13-14

Posted on March 15, 2016March 17, 2016

Bettie Sollars
1929-2016

Bettie Sollars, 87, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016.
She was born February 6, 1929 in Weatherby, Missouri.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence “Bud” Sollars; parents, Dade and Helen (Riggs) Weigler; and four siblings, Colleen Montgomery, Carl Weigler, Charles Weigler and Darlene Stanislaus.
Survivors include son, William Calvin, St. Joseph, Missouri; four grandchildren, Ranae Edwards, Phoenix, Arizona, Carrissa Feiden, St. Joseph, Missouri, Aaron Calvin, Kansas City, Kansas and Courtney Needham, Kansas City, Kansas; and four great-grandchildren.
Natural Farewell under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Chad Michael Lancaster
1975-2016

Chad Michael Lancaster, 40, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care.
He was born April 7, 1975 in Marquette, Michigan.
Chad married Melissa Ann Donaldson on May 24, 2014.
He worked for Griffin Roofing as an estimator. Chad believed in putting God first, then his family, followed by fishing as much as he could. He always enjoyed spending time outdoors, from mushroom hunting to barbecuing. Chad loved to be able to help others and was a loving father, brother, and uncle who will be missed.
Survivors include wife, Melissa; daughters, Maddison Sconyers and Alanna Lancaster; father, Joe Lancaster (Debbie); mother, Karen Lancaster; brother, Todd Lancaster; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to the American Cancer Society or Midwest Transplant Network. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Janice L. Heinz
1939-2016

Janice L. Heinz, 76, Gladstone, Missouri passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016 at North Kansas City Hospital.
She was born November 3, 1939 in Cosby, Missouri.
Janice graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 1961. The following spring she started teaching at Meadowbrook Elementary School in North Kansas City. She spent her whole career there as the First grade teacher, retiring in 1997.
She was a longtime and active member of Gashland United Methodist Church. She participated in various charitable functions and was always available to help anyone. Janice also enjoyed traveling with her good friends and spending time with family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Amelia (Ladage) Heinz; and siblings, Elmer Heinz, Leona Gaddis, Connie Heinz, Wilma Perkins, Velma Kellogg, Eileen Howard, Charles Heinz and Marvin Heinz.
Survivors include brother, Melvin Heinz (Doris), Troy, Missouri; sister, Bonnie Perkins, Pawnee City, Nebraska; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Graveside Farewell Services & Interment 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, Cosby Zion Cemetery, Cosby, Missouri. The family suggests memorial gifts to Gashland United Methodist Church, 7715 N. Oak Traffic way, Kansas City, MO 64118. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Diane Colleen Rukavina
1961-2016

Diane Colleen Rukavina, 54, Oregon, Missouri passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care.
She was born October 9, 1961 in Burlington, New Jersey.
Diane married Gregory David Rukavina on October 22, 1988.
Diane never met a flower she didn’t like and spent hours in her greenhouse coaxing them to perform their best. She also loved being a flower and vegetable vendor at the Pony Express farmers market, where she never left before new friends were made. Diane pursued the morel mushroom this time of year and was fondly referred to as the fungus queen by her competition.
Survivors include husband, Gregory; daughters, Colleen Rukavina, Chere Faris and Christina Rukavina; grandchildren, Grant, Alexandria and Brody; parents, Chalmas Dronsfield and MaryAnn (Kelly) Margarite; grandmother, Carol Spielberg; sisters, Donna Nava and Anita Reaza; brother, John Dronsfield; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Natural Farewell under the direction of Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests memorial gifts to the Holt County Cancer Fund, Inc., 202 N. Harrison Street, Oregon, MO 64473. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Levi Livingston
1931-2016

Levi Livingston 84, of Faucett, Missouri, passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016 at his home. He was born December 25, 1931, son of Hattie and Charles John Livingston. He attended the Family Worship center. Levi was preceded in death by wife, Carmelita Livingston, son, step son, parents, a grandson, and a brother. Survivors include, daughter, Dorothy Hemphill of Newton, KS, step daughter, Patsy Kusch of St. Joseph, numerous grandchildren, and great grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Tuesday at the Rupp Funeral Home, with a graveside funeral service and interment to be conducted at 2:30 PM Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at the Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Thelma “T.J.” June Goin
1933-2016

Thelma “T.J.” June Goin 82, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016 in Topeka, KS. She was born June 23, 1933 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of Verna and James Johnson. She was a homemaker and a Christian. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, two sons, Johnny White and Michael Leroy Grooms, four brothers, Ralph, Roy, Ed and Otis Johnson, two sisters, Dollie and Roxie Johnson, three husbands, Claude E. Grooms, Charles White, and William Goin. Survivors include, two sons, James (June) Grooms of Topeka, KS, and Claude (Rayida) Grooms of St. Joseph, three daughters, Sharon (Gerald) Guyer of Phoenix, AZ, Patty (Danny) Armstrong of St. Joseph, MO, and daughter, Ramona Finley of St. Joseph, MO, and a sister, Rose White of St. Joseph, MO, nine grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 AM Thursday at the Rupp Chapel, with Rev. Albert Shirley officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery.

Thomas J. “Tom” Manning
1962-2016

Thomas J. “Tom” Manning, 53, of Morrill, surrounded by his loving family, went to be with his Lord, Monday, March 14, 2016.
He was born April 14, 1962, at Grand Rapids, Michigan, one of six children born to David and Ruth Visser Manning. Tom attended various schools due to his Dad being a pastor, with the family making Morrill their home during his teenage years. He graduated from Sabetha High School with the class of 1981. Tom worked a number of years for Mid Am Dairy at Sabetha prior to going to work at Sabetha Schools as a custodian, working the last 10 years at the elementary school.
He was faithfully attending the Woodlawn Baptist Church for some time.
Tom married Mary Bertus, November 11, 1989, at Avon, South Dakota. They have made Morrill their home all of their married life where they raised their family. Mary survives of the home.
Also surviving are their children: Matthew Manning, Abby Manning, both of Morrill, Kristen Manning of Topeka; his parents: David and Ruth Manning, of Morrill; three brothers: David Manning, Jr. of Mulvane, KS, Tim Manning of Morrill, Dan Manning of Humboldt, NE; two sisters: Karen Bronson of Unionville, IA, Kathy Manning of Lee’s Summit, MO; with numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will meet with friends from 6 until 8 Thursday evening at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha.
A private celebration of Tom’s life will be at Woodlawn Baptist Church, with Pastor Duane Tramp officiating. Private inurnment will be at a later date at Morrill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Tom Manning Memorial Fund, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

Amanda Lucianne Groce
1989-2016

Amanda Lucianne Groce 27, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Monday, March 14, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care hospital. She was born March 4, 1989 in St. Joseph, MO. She attended Benton High School. She worked at RGIS and at the Holiday Inn St. Joseph. She was artist, and had a beautiful voice and loved to sing, but most especially she loved her children. She was a Christian. Amanda is survived by mother, Sarah McGill-Brown(Ricky), father, Raymond Groce, three children: Christian Rowles, Abigail Canterbury. and Duke Canterbury, two brothers, Tyler Groce, and Aubrey Brown two sisters, Holly Groce and Karen (Anthony) Gray all of St. Joseph, MO.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am, on Friday, March 18, 2016 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Pastor Dave Hugger officiating, The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Odd Fellows Public Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Amanda Groce Memorial Fund c/o Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Duane Jack Snethen
1932-2016

Duane Jack Snethen, 83, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Monday, March 14, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care.
He was born December 10, 1932 in Davis City, Iowa. Duane was a graduate of Leon High School in Davis City, Iowa, Class of 1949. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War, where he received a Bronze Star.
Duane married Mary Eileen George on July 3, 1954 and she preceded him in death in 2004.
He worked at Armour for 29 years and later as a Federal Meat Inspector for the USDA.
He enjoyed camping and fishing and seeing all the activities at the Wesley Center. Duane also attended the Savannah Avenue Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Theora and Mary (Latta) Snethen; wife, Mary; sons, Jeffrey Allen and Michael Snethen; great-grandson, Herschel Snethen; and granddaughter, Amanda Snethen.
Survivors include son, Dennis Snethen (Becky); grandchildren, Heather Snethen and Trent Snethen (Becca), Jamie Snethen, Kyle Corcoran and Bradley and Tangie Ferguson; sister, Theora Proctor; brother-in-law, James George (Kathy); five great-grandchildren and extended family members; and longtime companion, Mildred Warner.
Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests memorial donations to InterServ Wesley Weightlifters. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Mark Benitz
1961-2016

Mark Benitz, 54, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Monday, March 14, 2016 at Mosaic Life Care.
He was born September 6, 1961 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
He could make anyone laugh with his unique sense of humor. He enjoyed spending time with his loved ones as well as his hobbies especially hunting, fishing, and golfing. Mark loved his three grandchildren with a passion. He was a well-known Lafayette High School athlete and was proud to be a Union pipefitter for 25+ years and made many friends from that association.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Eugene Benitz.
Survivors include daughters, Stephanie Sage (Jared), Blue Springs, Missouri and Lisa Benitz, St. Joseph, Missouri; grandchildren, Caitlen and Weston Sage and Alaina Sullivan; mother, Verda (Lovitt) Benitz, St. Joseph, Missouri; sister, Bethany Hawkins (Warren); brothers, Robert Benitz, David Benitz (Julie) and Timothy Benitz; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Farewell Services 11:00 A.M. Friday, St. Peter Lutheran Church. Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, St. Peter Lutheran Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Patrol Operation targeting unsafe drivers nets tickets in Buchanan County

Posted on March 15, 2016

A Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program conducted by the Missouri Highway Patrol in Buchanan County resulted in several tickets and warnings Friday.

Capt. James E. McDonald, commanding officer Troop H, St. Joseph said the operation targeted Interstate 29, Interstate 229, U.S. Highway 59, and U.S. Highway 36. The operation was held from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2016.

“Officers assigned placed special attention to those violations that contribute to commercial motor vehicle crashes, such as speed, following to close, unsafe lane changes, careless driving, impaired driving, and distracted driving (texting and handheld cell phone use),” Capt. McDonald said.

As a result of the project, officers issued 10 citations for traffic violations and 24 warnings, conducted 15 commercial motor vehicle inspections, and placed one driver out-of-service and one commercial motor vehicle out-of-service.