Gasoline prices continue to tumble, dropping to a national average of $1.78 per gallon.

The auto club AAA notes that the price for a gallon of regular nationwide dropped seven tenths of a cent on the day, and about 21 cents cheaper than a month ago.

In St. Joseph, retailers dropped their prices dramatically on Wednesday, to a market low of $1.34 at three locations. Quite a few stations were advertising $1.39 per gallon, which is down about a dime on the day.

The average price across Missouri was $1.476, about 23 cents cheaper than a month ago. The average in Kansas was $1.54/gallon.

AAA says the average cost to fuel a vehicle with a 15-gallon tank in St Joseph was $21.45, which is $4.47 cheaper than the average last month.

Oil futures prices on Wednesday staged a small rally, after a whopping 11 percent drop during the last two trading sessions. Oil prices are at their lowest levels since 1999, brought on by a glut of crude oil supplies. According to Bloomberg, oil rose despite government reports that U.S. crude inventories rose to more than 500 million barrels for the first time since 1930.

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office is warning people to look out for scams on their social media accounts.

Sheriff Steve Cox said a local citizen allegedly had their social media account hacked. He said the scammer claims to be a person with a very common name and portrays to be with a program called grants.gov.

“The suspect allegedly made posting(s) on our citizens account (possibly hacked the account) claiming they have recently received thousands of dollars in free grant money. Intended victims are directed to sign up and do NOT share the information with anyone until they have received their own grant money. The intended victim is requested to wire or send money to get the process going and the free grant money will be distributed within a few days,” Cox said. “These scams have different variations but in sense they are all the same. They want you to send them money.”

Cox advises residents to be smart and not get ripped off.

“Think about it, what Federal Government Program works this fast? These criminals pray on our citizens and exploit their individual needs and hope,” Cox said. “If you have been a victim you are urged to call your local law enforcement agency and make a timely report. Most likely if you have sent money you will never see it again.”

The Chillicothe Police Department is looking into an attempted child abduction after a report of an 11-year-old boy who was chased by a man at a bowling alley.

On Tuesday around 8:30 p.m. the department said an attempted child abduction was reported at the Fastlanes Bowling Alley.

It said it was reported that an 11-year-old boy was chased by a white male, 5’9″ to 6′ in height, in his 20’s-30’s with black hair, wearing a grey jacket and jeans. The boy did not see if the man had facial hair or anything else. The man jumped into a white Chevrolet truck, possibly operated by another person.

On Facebook the department said it’s looking for a possible witness. It was reported that there was a woman wearing a tan hooded jacket & a tan fleece stocking cap, possibly in her 40’s who was outside smoking during the incident.

The boy said that the man did not say anything during the incident.

The Chillicothe Police Department said it is following up on any and all leads and that they would like to first identify the witness in this incident, but also if anyone has any suspect information to let them know.

An investigation continues after residents near Lafayette High School reported hearing shots fired early Wednesday morning.

Offers were dispatched to the north-side neighborhood at about 4:20 a.m.  Witness accounts varied, with callers describing anywhere from seven to nine shots fired.

An officer did find several spent shell casings in the street along Washington Ave.

Within the next hour, one resident called authorities to report they had a bullet hole in their house.  Officials have not found any other damage, and have reported no injuries.

Decay dangled dangerously over the Duffle Bag downtown, held in place by rusted fragments on rotted bricks.

The incident shut down traffic at Eighth and Francis and prompted a fruitless search for the owners of the building.

St Joseph Emergency Management Director Julie Alt says part of the eaves of the building had come loose, and it appeared dangerous.

Ms Alt says the Public Works Department confirmed the dangling damage was dangerous.

“There was a huge piece of eave dangling,” she said “Very dangerous, especially with the gusts of wind.”

The fragment was about twenty feet long, and swayed in the wind just feet above the traffic light at Eighth Street and Francis.

The intersection was closed as officials tried to reach the owners of the building. Ms Alt says they were not able to do so.

“The city took it upon itself that it was enough of a danger that we needed to have it removed.”

They called in two workers for Penn Street Signs, who tied off the wayward fragment, then cut away the last shards still holding it to the building. They then used their aerial lift to lower the frayed and rusted monolith to the ground. (see video)

The city’s Public Works Department will pay Penn Street Signs, and collect that expense from the owners of the building.

Fire destroyed a house in the Uptown St Joseph area Tuesday afternoon, killing at least one pet cat, and leaving 14 people homeless.

No one was injured in the fire Tuesday afternoon at 701 Powell Street.

A family member said the large extended family had recently completed renovations in the house.

(Refresh this post for updates as they become available)

The corner of 8th and Francis has been closed as a safety precaution for pedestrians and motorists.

St. Joseph Post’s John P. Tretbar was on scene at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday and reports that St. Joseph Street Crews and City Emergency Management are evaluating the situation.  He said the corner is closed because of a building moulding that has partially come loose creating a safety hazard.

As we learn more we will update this story.