ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The following is a listing of general highway maintenance and construction work in the Northwest Missouri region planned for the week of Jan. 25 – 31 from the Missouri Department of Transportation.

In addition to the work listed below, there may be pothole patching, brush cutting, guardrail repairs and other road work conducted throughout the region. Many of these will be moving operations and could include lane closures with delays. MoDOT reminds the public to stay alert, watch for road work, buckle up, slow down, and drive with extreme caution through work zones.

Caldwell County

• U.S. Route 36 – Westbound at NE Sunset Road; slope repair, Jan. 28 – 29

Carroll County

• Route 41 – CLOSED at the Wakenda Chute Bridge; bridge maintenance,Jan 25 – 29, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily

Chariton County

• U.S. Route 24 – Pothole patching, Jan. 25 – 29
• Route 5 – From Route V to Route E; pothole patching, Jan. 25 – 29 

Daviess County

• Interstate 35 – From Route T to Route AA/H; shoulder work, Jan. 25 – 29

Harrison County

• I-35 – Northbound from mile marker 87 to mile marker 92 in Bethany; milling rumble strips, Jan. 25 – 29
• I-35 – Southbound from mile marker 106 near Eagleville to mile marker 97; pothole patching, Jan. 25 – 29

Holt County

• I-29 – Southbound at the Nodaway River Bridge; bridge maintenance,Jan. 25 – 27. Includes a 13-foot width restriction.

Linn County

• U.S. Route 36 – From Route 139 to the Macon County line; pothole patching, Jan. 25 – 29

Nodaway County

• Route 46 – CLOSED at Hawk Road; culvert replacement and drainage work, Jan 27 – 29, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Access to Hawk Road will be closed during this time.

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Six Northwest Missouri State University instrumental music students have been selected as members of the 2016 Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) All-Collegiate Concert Band.

 

The students are:

 

• Daniel Bates, a senior music major; he is from Clarinda, Iowa, and a student of Monty Carter, strings
• Leah Carlson, a senior majoring in marine biology and chemistry with a biochemistry emphasis and a music minor; she is from St. Louis, Missouri, and a student of Dr. Rebecca Dunnell, flute
• Philip Elsbecker, a junior music major; he is from Forney, Texas, and a student of Dr. William Richardson, trumpet
• Ryan Gassen, a senior instrumental music education major; he is from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and a student of Robert Pippin, low brass
• Ali Snyder, a sophomore instrumental music education major; she is from El Paso, Texas, and a student of Dr. Chris Gibson, single and double reeds
• Brittany Walker, a senior instrumental music education major; she is from Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and a student of Dr. Elizabeth Dunning, horn and chamber music

 

Dr. Stephen Peterson, director of bands at the University of Illinois, will serve as the clinician and guest conductor for the band, which performs Friday, Jan. 29, at the MMEA Conference at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Missouri.

 

The All-Collegiate Concert Band brings together the finest collegiate instrumentalist from across Missouri and provides a rewarding musical experience for selected students.

John Bell, director of bands and orchestra and artist-in-residence at Northwest, nominated the students for this year’s All-Collegiate Concert Band.

 

“All of these students are among the finest musicians in the music program at Northwest,” Bell said. “It was an honor to nominate them for this prestigious event, and I know they will be excellent representatives of Northwest at the MMEA Conference. I’m looking forward to their performance.”

 

Band directors from colleges and universities in Missouri that award a minimum of an associate degree or music minor are eligible to nominate students for consideration as members of the All-Collegiate Concert Band. Members are selected based on recommendations indicating musical accomplishments during their college careers. All students audition at the conference for specific chair positions in the band.

(Jefferson City) Greg & Paula Burns, Charlie Phillips, Emily Sorensen and the Huffman family were all recognized for their outstanding contributions to Special Olympics Missouri – North Area at the SOMO Annual Awards Luncheon Jan. 16 in Branson.

Each year, Special Olympics Missouri salutes those who have made significant contributions to the Special Olympics movement. Each area nominee is submitted for statewide recognition, and the overall winners were also announced at the SOMO Summit.

The North Area recognized:

OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER: Greg & Paula Burns, NAMED BEST IN THE STATE

This husband and wife duo has volunteered for Special Olympics Missouri for more than 15 years. They started out as day-of volunteers at local events. Staff noticed a great potential with both of them, so they were asked to be on the Polar Plunge committee, then venue coordinators, and the relationship has grown from there. Paula and Greg are key members on the Polar Plunge committee, being there from the first committee meeting to the day of the event to set-up, tear down and wrap-up meeting. Paula is the head volunteer at the Plunge in the registration tent. Greg is always right beside Paula at the events doing whatever is needed behind the scenes. Paula has served on our Ladies Night Out committee for three years and has contributed so many ideas to grow this event, which doubled in its second year. Greg is there right along Paula, setting up tables, moving chairs and ladders, bringing in our decorations and then he is a celebrity waiter for the evening. Paula and Greg also travel around the state attending state games as venue coordinators for track & field, softball, basketball and bowling. They are at the celebrity softball game selling tickets, working gates, etc. They help staff all think outside the box and make the program grow each time they are involved. They volunteer for whatever is needed; whether it is loading the truck, selling souvenirs, raking the long jump pits, serving lunch or handing out medals, they have done it all.

OUTSTANDING ATHLETE: Charlie Phillips

Charlie moved to Savannah less than a year ago. It didn’t take him long to make friends and for an entire school to get to know him. He joined the high school wrestling and football teams while also being a part of the Special Olympics powerlifting and flag football teams. His coaches constantly comment on his positive, “Never give up,” “I can do anything” attitude. Charlie immediately made an impact on his Special Olympics teams, his school, and his community. He is always supportive, happy and determined. Charlie gives meaning to the term sportsmanship and defines character. He is a friend, teammate and an example of how just one person can make a positive influence and bring unity to so much more than just a high school. When he is not participating in sports, he volunteers for many Special Olympics events. Charlie is a new member of the Youth Activation Committee in the North Area and is very excited to start spreading the word of inclusion in his school and community.

OUTSTANDING COACH: Emily Sorensen

Two years ago, Emily Sorensen stepped into the lead position in organizing and coaching Special Olympics athletes in the Kirksville area. She had to step into some very big shoes as Jaime Janes had built a strong program in the area. Since that time, Emily has continued to grow this program, nurture and advocate for athletes and Unified Partners, expand coach involvement and promote positive relationships with athletes, parents and community. Emily is now working with interested parties to build a program for adult athletes in the area. She is growing and expanding a solid program in Kirksville – her genuine kindness, clear thinking and absolute fairness merge with professional skills that build our athletes’ confidence, skill set (from language development, personal growth and educational goals) and opportunities. As the speech pathologist for some of the athletes, Emily has a gracious professionalism that impacts those she works with. She challenges her athletes in a positive way and allows them to experience new opportunities and spread their wings while holding them to a higher standard. Now that she leads the program, it’s reassuring to know she always has the best interest of the athletes (personally, athletically and educationally) in mind!

OUTSTANDING FAMILY: The Huffman family

The Huffmans have been involved with Special Olympics in almost every way possible. Cary and Deanna are always available, if needed, to help at fundraising or program events. Although they have been long-time event managers, they recently started coaching the Predators flag football team when the previous coaches stepped down. They took the team on as if it was their own family. The time and effort put into making this team the best it could be was unbelievable. Jake Huffman, the son of Cary and Deanna, is a Unified Partner and a member of the regional Youth Activation Committee. Not only is he a partner on the field, but he has been extremely influential in promoting inclusion in his school community. They recently hosted a Unified football event at Savannah High School to raise funds for their team to go to state and to raise awareness for Special Olympics. The Huffmans have served as volunteers in almost every program and development events held in the North area. On top of that, they have been involved in the growth and development of the Young Athletes Program in St. Joseph.

MARYVILLE, Mo. – John Bell, director of bands and orchestra and artist-in-residence at Northwest Missouri State University, will be awarded the 2016 Collegiate Educator Award, presented by the Missouri Chapter of the American String Association (MO-ASTA), Jan 28 at the 2016 Missouri Music Educators Association Conference.

Bell was selected through an open nomination process of MO-ASTA members with at least five years of teaching experience in Missouri. Recipients also must have taught and exhibited exemplary work at the collegiate level.

“In his time at Northwest, John has done excellent work as director of the Northwest Symphony Orchestra and teaching our string methods, conducting and music education courses,” said Dr. William Richardson, professor of music and assistant chair of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts. “He is a fine conductor, rehearsal technician, musician, mentor and colleague, and I know that he appreciates the hard work of our orchestra students and the music faculty – particularly Monty Carter and Dr. Ernest Kramer – who contribute to the success of the Symphony Orchestra. We are very proud of Mr. Bell and his contribution to strings and music education at Northwest.”

Bell joined the Northwest faculty in 2013. In addition to conducting the Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra at Northwest, his duties include teaching instrumental conducting, advanced instrumental conducting and string methods. He also supervises instrumental music education student teachers, and is a co-director of the Northwest Summer Music Camp.

 

St. Joseph, Mo.  – Heartland Foundation announced several new members Friday as well as their 2016 officers serving on the community-led board of trustees for its nonprofit public charity. New members who were approved and have accepted the commitment to serve the mission of being a champion of education and empowering people include the following:

Col. Ed Black, USAF, vice commander, 139th Airlift Wing, Missouri Air National Guard and resident of Atchison, Kan.; Julie Gaddie, Ph.D., principal of Lindbergh Elementary School and senior associate faculty member of Creighton University and St. Joseph, Mo. resident; Emily Hilsabeck, CPA, principal and tax manager with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP and St. Joseph, Mo. resident; Larry Lee, director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Northwest Missouri State University and involved in both Maryville, Mo. and St. Joseph, Mo.; Kyle Malter, DVM MPH DACVPM, technical manager of the Pet Division of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. and involved in both Smithville, Mo. and St. Joseph, Mo.; and, Shane McDonald, CTFA, vice president of Commerce Trust Company and resident of St. Joseph, Mo.

Incumbent trustees Carol Burns, a community volunteer, and Tom Richmond, parts manager for Altec industries, both of St. Joseph, Mo., were re-elected to another three-year term. And, Robert Newhart, Ed.D., superintendent of the St. Joseph School District, is serving as an education advisor to the Heartland Foundation board of trustees for a one-year term.

Filling the chairperson role for 2016 is Jeanne Daffron, provost and vice president of academic affairs for Missouri Western State University. Steve Johnston, director of the Community Alliance of St. Joseph, is serving as the first vice chairperson and Bill Grimwood, SAP projects manager for Hillyard Companies, is serving as the second vice chairperson. Dr. Mark Laney is the chief executive officer, Mosaic Life Care; Judith K. Sabbert, CFRE, is the president of Heartland Foundation; and, John P. Wilson, chief financial officer of Mosaic Life Care, is serving as Heartland Foundation’s secretary/treasurer. All officers currently reside in St. Joseph, Mo.

Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its 69th Annual Banquet on Saturday, January 23 at the Sisters of St. Francis Mother Pia Center in Savannah.

The Chamber will honor retiring Board Members and Administrator Christy Sipes. The 2016 Board and new Director Mary Ingersoll will be introduced.

The evening will begin at 6:00 pm with a Social Hour sponsored by Heaton Bowman Smith Savannah Chapel. Dinner, catered by Green Hills, will be served about 7:00 and will include roast beef and fried chicken. After dinner presentations will be given followed by the entertainment, a casino night presented by the Moila Wrecking Crew.

About 100 attendees including new and experienced Chamber members, government officials, and residents are expected for the popular event.

The Platte County Sheriff’s Office said is no longer asking for help in an assault investigation after it was determined a false report was made.

On Wednesday the department issued a press release asking the public for assistance after a man claimed he was assaulted in his vehicle on Jones-Myer Road just east of MO 45 Highway.  However, another release was issued Thursday night in which the department said upon further investigation the Sheriff’s Office has determined the reporting party provided false information to authorities.

The individual had initially described two vehicles that were involved in the assault and the Sheriff’s Office had asked anyone who was one Jones-Myer Road on Saturday between 7:15 a.m. and 8 a.m. to contact authorities.

“The Sheriff’s Office will be reviewing the case with the Platte County Prosecutor’s Office for possible charges against the reporting party,” said Erik Holland with the Platte County Sheriff’s Office.

 

A judge on Thursday revoked the Concealed Carry Endorsement of a St. Joseph man who served ten days in jail for a fight outside a local nightclub last year.

Associate Judge Keith Marquart ordered the permit for Kendall Randolph revoked. The case was transferred to Judge Marquart after Associate Judge Rebecca Spencer recused herself. Mr. Randolph pleaded guilty in November to two misdemeanor charges and was sentenced to ten days in jail for the widely publicized fight outside the Brown Bear Tavern last September.

Click here for a copy of the order to revoke. 15BU-CV04344 order to revoke

A surveillance video of the altercation was widely circulated on social media.  Photographs from that video appear below.

 

St. Joseph police are hoping you can help them locate the lone gunman who robbed a convenience store in south St. Joe early Friday morning.

According to Sergeant Brad Kerns, the suspect is described as a black male with a light complexion in his late teens or early 20s.  He was 5’8″ to 6’0″ tall and had an average build.

Sgt. Kerns says the suspect was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, red tennis shoes, blue jeans and a black stocking cap.

The suspect brandished a semi-automatic weapon and demanded cash from the clerk at the Trex Mart at 3625 King Hill Ave., shortly after 2:30 a.m. Friday.  Sgt. Kerns says the man then fled on foot in an unknown direction.  There were no injuries reported.

If you can help police find the suspect, call the TIPS hotline at (816) 238-TIPS.

 

Sgt Brad K