In an effort to improve security the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office began training employees and elected officials in Livingston County how to use and deploy Pepper Spray.
Sheriff Steve Cox and County Commission had discussed ideas how safety and security could possibly be improved at the courthouse. The sheriff earlier this week said it offered to have an OC/PepperSprayInstructor provide 2-hour blocks of training for the all our county employees and elected officials for free.
Instruction includes discussion on proper use, techniques, personal safety, and deployment. The students will be exposed to a certain level of pepperspray and provided with a new canister to carry with them.
The United Way of St. Joseph said all parents of children who will enter kindergarten this fall at Mid-Buchanan Elementary School are invited to register now for its KinderClub program.
“United Way KinderClub is a free series for parents and children, designed to ease the transition into kindergarten. Meetings will cover important school readiness skills and provide parents with the information and resources they need to help their child become ready for school,” said Jay Martin, United Way Program Dir. “Sessions will be led by outstanding school district teachers and staff. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend sessions at the school which their child will enroll in for kindergarten.”
Each school tailors its own meeting schedule. The first school to begin will be Mid-Buchanan Elementary on January 6 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. To see the other school district schedules and to enroll, visit stjosephunitedway.org or call Jay Martin at United Way, 816-364-2381.
A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to attempting to distribute child pornography over the Internet.
Steven H. Taylor, 25, of Kansas City-North, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to the charge contained in a Jan. 29, 2013, federal indictment.
According to today’s plea agreement, an undercover federal agent identified Taylor’s computer as sharing images of child pornography over the Internet through a peer-to-peer file-sharing network. The agent downloaded a video file of child pornography from Taylor’s computer.
The agent executed a search warrant at Taylor’s residence and seized his electronic media. According to the plea agreement, investigators identified more than 600 images of child pornography on Taylor’s computers.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Taylor will not seek a sentence of less than six years in federal prison without parole and the government will not seek a sentence of more than 10 years in federal prison without parole. Taylor must pay $5,000 in restitution to one of the victims portrayed in the child pornography collection, or $3,000 if he can pay the latter sum within 30 days of the sentencing date. Taylor must forfeit two desktop computers, which were used to commit the offense, to the government. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
Oct. 14, 2015 an 11-hour standoff took place in St. Joseph at the Motel Six after police said 44-year-old Roderick Ellis kidnapped a woman and forced her at gunpoint to drive to the motel and shot her in the arm when she cried for help. The standoff prompted evacuations and lockdowns around the area as well as business and highway closures.
2. Increase in violent crimes in St. Joseph and Buchanan County
In 2015 there were eight murders in the city and another four in the county. That’s up almost three times from 2014.
3. Turmoil continues in the St. Joseph School District
SJSD Superintendent Dr. Robert Newhart settles into his office.
“Dr. Newhart has proven he can make tough decisions and has tackled extremely difficult projects since July,” stated board president Brad Haggard on Nov. 17. “He continues to work through the 22- point board priority checklist, streamline the district finances, align the business office and human resources office with updated policies and procedures, all while getting to know our students and staff. It hasn’t been easy and we recognize our district needs his strong leadership at this critical time.”
Newhart was hired during the middle of an ongoing FBI Investigation into the district. On Dec. 11 a seventh grand jury subpoena was received by the district to produce documents for review.
In Oct., a 12-year-old girl was charged with a class D felony for assault on school property. The charge is in connection with an assault that allegedly took place at Hosea Elementary School and gained national attention after the video footage went viral on social media.
The video depicts a young girl repeatedly punching and kicking another girl, and dragging her by the hair some 30 feet or more across the asphalt pavement.
5. St. Joseph business owner pleads guilty to misdemeanor after bar assault
Kendall Randolph pleaded guilty in Nov. to two misdemeanors for third degree assault. The charges stem from an incident outside the Brown Bear on St Joseph Avenue. In sworn court documents, Detective Frank Till with the St. Joseph Police Department cites witness statements asserting Mr Randolph grabbed the victim by the throat and slammed him against the side of a building. In the second count, the affidavit asserts that Mr Randolph “intentionally drove approximately 6-8 feet toward the victim in an attempt to strike the victim with his vehicle.”
The charges stem from an argument outside the Brown Bear Tavern at 2028 St. Joseph Avenue on the night of September 23. After the argument, police went to Mr Randolph’s home, but were held at bay for hours when he refused to come out. He later surrendered and was taken into custody.
Video footage of the incident outside of the bar circulated online and drew a lot of public outcry for the misdemeanor charges.
Officers are hitting the road in an effort to keep people safe over New Year’s.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said this year’s 102-hour counting period will be from 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2015, to 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 3, 2016.
Over the 2015 New Year’s 102-hour holiday counting period, there were 1,378 traffic crashes, which injured 504 people. There were 11 fatalities during the 2015 New Year’s holiday counting period.
The patrol said many Missourians plan special gatherings to bring in the New Year. Tips for safe travel include: If you’re driving to a New Year’s gathering, remember to buckle up and obey all traffic laws. As you make your way to the party, be a courteous driver. When in doubt, yield the right-of-way. Pay attention and use your turn signal to communicate your intentions to other drivers. The posted speed limit is not a suggestion and reflects the roadway’s classification. There’s no reason to speed—the party starts after you arrive safely.
Be aware of the weather forecast. If inclement weather is expected, allow extra time for traveling or be flexible with your plans. The Road Condition Report number is 1-888-275-6636. Depending on the weather, staying home might be your best option. If you do travel over the New Year’s holiday, remember to take the time to clean snow and ice completely from your vehicle. Making sure the windows are completely cleared increases visibility. Remember: Missouri law states if you’re using your windshield wipers, your headlights must be turned on. It takes only a second to turn on your vehicle’s headlights. That second could make you more visible to other drivers and prevent a traffic crash.
If your plans include alcohol, remember that nothing ruins a party like a DWI arrest or a drinking-related traffic crash on your way home. Designate a sober driver before the party starts. The roadway is no place for a driver who has been drinking. If you cause a traffic crash, your New Year might begin with being arrested, facing legal fees and medical bills, and perhaps jail time.
The City of Maryville has announced locations for the disposal of real Christmas Trees.
Three locations will be available for the disposal of Christmas Trees until Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016.
Those locations include: The City of Maryville’s Street Garage, located at 2nd Street and North Newton Street; the lower parking lot behind City Hall, at 415 North Market Street; or the Maryville Transfer Station at 1860 North Main Street, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The Transfer Station will be closed on Monday, Jan. for Martin Luther King Day.
The City asks that lights, ornaments and tree stands be removed before disposal.
A one vehicle crash on I-35 south of Cameron Tuesday sent a Texas man to the hospital.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Joshua Rojas, 24 was driving a 2004 Ford Ranger Pickup northbound on I-35 around 6:34 a.m. when his vehicle slid off the west side of the roadway at the 51 mile marker, about two miles south of Cameron. The Ranger rolled over once and came to rest on its left side. Rojas was taken by ambulance to the Cameron Regional Medical Center with a serious injury. The vehicle was listed as totaled.
Bayer has donated nine acres needed for the construction a new interchange in Buchanan County, the last piece in the puzzle that will allow for new access off Highway 36 for the development of the Ag Expo.
“Through the donation of these nine acres, Bayer aims to help the region accelerate its economic growth and continue its central role in agriculture and animal health,” says Ian Spinks, president and general manager, Bayer HealthCare Animal Health.
The interchange will be located about a mile east of Riverside Road and serve the Ag-Expo and 36 corridors. Ag Expo has worked with Bayer to secure the right of way needed for the project, and Sharon Cornelius, Expo president, explains this is a big win for the area. “This new interchange will not only grant easy access for the Ag Expo but help relieve congestion at the Riverside exit. We are thankful for Bayer’s support, and excited about what this endeavor means for the community.”
This will be first new interchange in Northwest Missouri in several years, and is part of an economic development grant from Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDot). The bid letting for the interchange, which is a folded diamond design and includes a stylized overpass, will take place on Jan. 22, 2016.
Construction should begin soon after, and Ag Expo is planning a ground-breaking event to celebrate this milestone.
The Agri-Business Expo Center aims to celebrate agriculture and improve the quality of life in the region. The Center will be a multi-use campus focused on agriculture, commerce, entertainment, cultural activities and educational interests. A gathering place in the heart of America, Ag Expo Center will host conventions, youth activities, trade shows, concerts, exhibitions, etc., and have an annual impact of $54 million.
A St. Joseph man has been charged in connection with an attempted robbery at US Oil Monday morning.
Henry Burney, 61 is charged in Buchanan County with a felony for unlawful use of weapon.
According to court documents, Burney pointed a gun to a woman at the convenience store located at 601 South 22nd Street and made a statement that made her fear for his life.
“Stating ‘you know what I want and I’m gonna get it,” said Det. Davis with the St. Joseph Police Department. “According to the victim, the defendant then pulled a black handgun from his left breast pocket and pointed it at her. He then placed the handgun back into his pocket. He previously told the victim that he ‘had just shot up his wife’s house.'”
Davis said the victim told responding officers she was in fear for her life.
“The defendant was taken into custody on the parking lot, and was found to be highly intoxicated,” Davis said. “A black handgun was recovered from the defendants vehicle.”
Burney has a criminal history that includes arrests for DWI.
He is currently being held on $25,000 bond. An arraignment is set for Jan. 5.
