Post Staff – Page 575 – St. Joseph Post Archive

St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce picked as Missouri Chamber of the Year

Posted on November 16, 2015

Chamber of the year 2015. Photo courtesy St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce

JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry has recognized the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce as its 2015 Chamber of the Year.

Each year, the Missouri Chamber selects a local Chamber of Commerce that sets the standard in economic development, advocacy and innovation. The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce was selected from more than 200 local chambers that serve communities all across the state.

According to Patt Lilly, St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President, the ten person staff of the chamber is what makes it great.

“We have the best staff, and they have grown the membership,” Lilly says. “The chamber brings value to the community and to the members because of the staff.”

The St. Joseph Chamber recently surpassed the 1200 member maker. Ten years ago the chamber stood at 850 members.

“The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce raises the bar for chambers all across Missouri and beyond,” said Dan Mehan, Missouri Chamber president and CEO. “Their continuous support and promotion of their members, local business and community exemplify the actions of what a chamber of commerce should be doing.”

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce will be presented the award during the Missouri Chamber Annual Meeting Nov. 19 at the Intercontinental Kansas City at the Plaza.

Man who escaped prison and shot at area law enforcement found guilty

Posted on November 16, 2015November 16, 2015

A man who escaped a Kansas correctional facility and shot at law enforcement officials during a high-speed chase in Platte County has been convicted.

Scott A. Gilbert, 51, was found guilty of ten felonies by a Platte County jury on November 13, 2015.

Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said, “This defendant is a dangerous man who put countless people in harm’s way during his brazen attempt to escape from prison. Law enforcement officers from multiple departments demonstrated tremendous courage in apprehending him.“

Evidence at trial showed that Gilbert was traveling in a stolen black 1997 GMC pickup truck that left the McDonald’s in Platte City at about 10:00 am on May 10, 2013. Earlier that morning, Gilbert had escaped from the Lansing, KS Correctional Facility, allegedly with another inmate who was driving the truck.

The officer attempted to pull over the vehicle, but it refused to stop. Instead, the vehicle led several law enforcement officers on a pursuit heading northbound on 1-29 with speeds exceeding 120 miles per hour.

The chase later traveled through several rural highways. During the pursuit, Gilbert fired a shotgun multiple times and struck the vehicles of four different law enforcement officers.

Gilbert and the other inmate eventually made it to rural Clinton County, where they entered an unoccupied residence. Officers from multiple departments, including multiple tactical teams, surrounded the house, and the pair eventually surrendered.

Gilbert has more than 50 prior felonies in the state of Kansas.

Gilbert was convicted of four counts of first degree assault of a law enforcement officer, four counts of armed criminal action, resisting arrest, and tampering with a motor vehicle. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 8, 2016 at 1:00 pm. Zahnd said his office would seek multiple life sentences in the case.

“Our law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to keep the rest of us safe,” Zahnd said. “We owe them a debt of gratitude, and more importantly, we owe them justice when anyone tries to harm them in the line of duty.”

Gilbert remains in the Platte County Jail in lieu of a $5,000,000 cash bond. The other inmate also remains in custody, and his case is scheduled for a jury trial on February 1, 2016.

Gilbert’s apprehension involved officers from the Platte County Sheriff’s Department, the Platte City Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department, the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, the Cameron Police Department, and the Trimble Police Department.

Diwali celebration to take place in St. Joseph

Posted on November 16, 2015

St. Joseph, Mo. — India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year will be celebrated this week at Missouri Western State University.

During International Education Week, Missouri Western State University students from India are inviting the campus and community to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Kartika in the Hindu calendar, beginning at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17. The celebration is free and open to the public.

The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (or deepa) that Indians light to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness.

The celebration will begin with a cultural presentation from a group of Indian students at 4 p.m. in the Hoff Conference Room, Blum Student Union, room 218. At 5 p.m., the celebration will move to the South Pond, near Griffon Hall off Mitchell Avenue, for a Firecrackers and Floating Water Lanterns Ceremony.

Attendees will be able to sample authentic Indian sweets as part of the celebration.

Obituaries Nov. 13-15

Posted on November 16, 2015

Janice “Buttons” Margaret Thompson
1944-2015

Janice “Buttons” Margaret Thompson 71, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Thursday, November 12, 2015 at her home. She was born August 11, 1944 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of Margaret and Archie Chase. She was a homemaker, foster parent, and a hometown heros. Janice was preceded in death by husband, Samuel Daison Thompson, her parents, daughter, Penny Watson, infant twin children, Danny & Debbie Thompson, infant son, Dale Thompson, two brothers, Chester Chase, and Leroy Chase, and 1 great grandchild. Survivors include three daughters, Sharon Thompson, Dianna Thompson-Berry (James), Marlena Wilson, and a son Samuel D. Thompson, Jr. all of St. Joseph, MO, 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, two brothers, Billy Scoles of Nebraska City, NE, and Donald Chase of SC, a sister, Carol Cruz, and an aunt, Katherine Johnson. Graveside funeral services and interment will be conducted on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 2:00 pm, at the Memorial Park Cemetery, the family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday at the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Stephen Huffman
1953-2015

Stephen Huffman, 62, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Thursday, November 12, 2015.
He was born June 8, 1953 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his wife, LeLinda K. Hector; father, Charles Jewell Huffman; and brother, Patrick.
Survivors include daughter, Stephanie Fulton (Chris); grandchildren, Piper, Jewel and Graham; mother, Moneta Mae (Kenerson) Huffman; brothers, Marvin Huffman (Donna) and Gary Huffman (Ann); sister, Shirley Shanks (Mike); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Helena Cemetery, Helena, Missouri. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to American Diabetes Association. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Luther Francis Stewart
1930-2015

Luther Francis Stewart 85, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Thursday, November 12, 2015 at a Kansas city hospital. He was born September 5, 1930 in Burr Oak, KS, son of Artie and Elmer Stewart. He married Beulah Lorraine Kindred on January 19, 1956, she preceded him in death 1982. He served in the Army and is a veteran of the Korean War. Luther retired from Rockwell international. He enjoyed country road rides, dogs, birds, and wrestling. Luther was preceded in death by his wife, parents, six brothers, Jack, Douglas, Merle, Harold, Rollie, and Franklin Stewart, four sisters; Virginia Willis, Mabel Ellis, Wilma Eldridge, and Mary Ellen Stewart. Survivors include, three daughters, Gail Perry, Mona (Mark, Sr.) Carter, both of St. Joseph, and Mary Ellen Stewart of Tampa, FL, 10 grandchildren; Connie, Kristy, Mark, Melissa, Darrin, Amanda, Amber, Sean, Matthew and Catherine, 14 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, two brothers, Elmer “Buddy” Stewart of Troy, KS, and Virgil Stewart of Atchison, KS, and a sister, Josephine Davis of Las Vegas, NV.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am, on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Mount Auburn Cemetery. Memorials are requested to a Charity of donors choice. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Robert Wellington Clancy
1939-2015

Robert Wellington Clancy 76, St. Joseph, MO died Monday November 9, 2015. Born May 6, 1939 in Medford, Oregon. He served in the Air Force. Preceded in death by parents, Mr & Mrs Robert Clancy. Survivors: daughter, Bobbi Quarles of Coos Bay, OR. Cremated completed by Rupp Funeral Home, Graveside memorial services at the National Cemetery, Leavenworth Kansas at a later date. Memorials requested to the Robert W Clancy memorial fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

Jerry A. Smith
1960-2015

Jerry A. Smith 55, Saint Joseph, Missouri died Saturday November 14, 2015. Born March 31, 1960 in St. Joseph, Missouri. He attended Benton High School, and worked at Farmland and was a painter. He enjoyed Hunting, fishing, raising & training coon hounds & beagle dogs. Jerry was preceded in death by his mother Donna Smith. Survivors include two daughters, Ericka (Schuyler) Morton, and Ashley Smith, father, Jerry Smith of Warsaw, MO, a sister, Carry McMillian, and grandson, Cazayah Haywood, and his former wife Desiree Camron. He will be cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. There are no scheduled visitation or memorial services at this time. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

Ruth E. Gaines-Nelson
1952-2015

Ruth E. Gaines-Nelson, 63, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, November 15, 2015 after a five year battle with cancer.
She was born May 15, 1952 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Ruth grew up in Amazonia, where she attended school. She was a homemaker most of her life, but later worked in home health care, most recently with Covenant Care.
Ruth was a former member of Clarksdale Baptist Church and current member of Green Valley Baptist Church. She was very active in both, participating in Women of Faith and bible study. She loved butterflies, animals, and coloring, but cherished her family the most.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude “Ted” Gaines; father, Roy Hancock; and brother, Darrell Hancock.
Survivors include mother, Elizabeth (DeWeese) Hancock; children, John Harman (Christy), Scott Harman (Jennifer), Todd Harman, Gail Russell (John), and Jenna Wells (Travis); six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, June Gawatz and Anne Taylor; brother, David Hancock (Anita) and numerous nieces and nephews.
Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Cosby Zion Cemetery, Cosby, Missouri. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to American Cancer Society. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Showers and thunderstorms in the forecast

Posted on November 16, 2015

Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected to provide beneficial rainfall to the area today through Wednesday morning. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are expected area-wide by Wednesday night however, flooding is not expected due to recent dry conditions. Any storms that do develop will not be severe. Temperatures today will be slightly above normal in the mid to upper 50s before moving well above normal on Tuesday with highs in the mid 60s.

Today
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 56. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight
Periods of showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 56. South southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tuesday
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. High near 65. South southeast wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. South southeast wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday
Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 54. West southwest wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 50.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.
Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 48.
Friday Night
A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday
A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23.
Sunday
Partly sunny, with a high near 41.

Serious injuries in Holt County crash

Posted on November 16, 2015November 16, 2015

A Nebraska man suffered serious injuries early Monday morning in a crash in Holt County. Traffic investigators say 54-year-old Andrew Pitcher of Courtland, Nebraska fell asleep while driving along I-29 near Craig, Missouri.

His SUV overturned several times.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says Mr Pitcher was transported to Community Hospital in Fairfax before being transferred to Bryan West Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Westar warns of scams by phone, by e-mail and in person

Posted on November 16, 2015

The largest utility in Kansas is reaching out to customers after a string of complaints about impostors claiming to work for the utility. Westar Energy says it has received several reports of such scams. The electric company offered a list of dos and don’ts on its Web site (here).

The con artists are contacting customers on the phone, by e-mail, and in person. Several customers have contacted Westar after receiving suspicious calls. In most cases, the caller claims to be a Westar Energy customer service representative and tries to get the customer to provide credit card information or other personal information, telling the customer a check has bounced or he/she has a past-due bill. In some cases, the caller says that the customer’s meter is defective or may catch fire.

The company urges you to be alert for fraudulent calls from people claiming to be Westar employees. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and call Westar at 800-383-1183. Suspicious activity should also be reported to local law enforcement.

Among other angles, the scammers are demandiong customers purchase pre-paid debit cards and then call back with the information. Westar insists it will never do that.

If someone visits your home in person, officials say you should not hesitate to ask for a company ID, and Westar employees will not hesitate to show theirs. When in doubt, ask to see Westar Energy employee identification. If someone appears suspicious, you can call the company at 800-383-1183, or call local law enforcement.

The company says it does make a personal collection effort before disconnecting power. They mail a disconnection notice when an account is past due. A few days before service is scheduled to be disconnected, the company will place a collection call. The number that shows up on caller ID will be 800-383-1183. If you are concerned the call is not legitimate, please hang up and dial 800-383-1183.

The service person in the field will knock on the door and attempt to collect before physically disconnecting service. Service persons generally will not enter the home. Payment should be made to Westar Energy. Company employees wear a shirt with the Westar logo, oftentimes have a hard hat, and will not hesitate to show company identification.

Identity thieves who want to collect information such as your bank account or other financial account numbers, social security number, date of birth or mother’s maiden name, sometimes use caller ID spoofing to make it appear they are calling from your bank, credit card company, or even a government agency.

The company offers some tips. Don’t assume the information on your caller ID is always accurate. Never give out personal/financial information over the phone unless you know for a fact whom you are dealing with. Don’t hesitate to hang up the phone and call Westar at 800-383-1183.

Albany man seriously injured in crash

Posted on November 16, 2015November 16, 2015

A rollover crash Friday night sent a 30-year-old Albany man to the hospital with serious injuries.

A crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol indicates Bradley Burton’s vehicle crossed the center line along Route-Z north of Worth, Missouri.

His vehicle left the roadway, hit an embankment, and overturned.

Mr Burton was transported to the Northwest Medical Center in Albany for treatment.

Road Work for Northwest Missouri, Nov. 16 – 22

Posted on November 15, 2015November 13, 2015

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 Nov. 16 – 22 from the Missouri Department of Transportation. In addition to the work listed below, there may be pothole patching, mowing, spraying, brush cutting, guardrail repairs and other road work that may be 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.

Atchison County

Interstate 29 – At the Rock Creek Bridge near mile marker 107 south of Rock Port; bridge deck replacement. Traffic is head to head in the northbound lanes through mid to late December.
I-29 – CLOSED southbound I-29 on-ramp from Route 111 at Exit 107; bridge deck replacement. Closed through mid to late December.
Route O – From the Iowa state line to Route C; pothole patching, Nov. 19 – 20

Buchanan County

I-29 – From the Bee Creek Bridge (mile marker 33.6) to mile marker 32.0; pavement repair, Nov. 16 – 20. A 14-foot width restriction will be in place.
I-229 – At the on ramp from Route 371 (22^ndStreet) to southbound I-229; pavement repair, Nov. 16 – 20
U.S. Route 59 – Northbound from Main Street to Franklin Street; pavement repair, Nov. 16 – 20
U.S. Route 36 – At the Platte River Bridge; bridge deck replacement,Nov. 16 – 23. Traffic is head to head in the westbound lanes with a 14-foot width restriction.

Caldwell County

U.S. Route 36 – From Route D (Livingston County) to Route A; shoulder work, Nov. 16 – 20

Carroll County

Route 41 – CLOSED at the Wakenda Chute Bridge; bridge maintenance,Nov. 16 – 19, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.
Route 139 – From U.S. Route 24 to Bosworth; drainage work, Nov. 18 – 20

Clinton County

Route 116 – From Lathrop to three miles east of Lathrop; guardrail installation and striping, Nov. 16.

Daviess County

Various routes – Striping, Nov. 16 – 20

Gentry County

Route 85 – From one-half mile south of Route P to County Road 350; drainage work, Nov. 16
U.S. Route 136 – From the east city limits of Albany to Route C; drainage work, Nov. 17 – 20

Grundy County

Route NN – From two miles north of Route N to Route J; pothole patching, Nov. 16 – 20

Harrison County

Route P – CLOSED from West 125^thStreet to West 135^thStreet; culvert replacement, Nov. 19, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Holt County

I-29 – At the Abandoned Railroad Bridge south of Mound City; bridge maintenance, Nov. 16 – 18

Linn County

U.S. Route 36 – From Route 139 to the Macon County line; pothole patching, Nov. 16 – 18
Route B – At the Parsons Creek Bridge; bridge maintenance, Nov. 16 – 20
U.S. Route 36 – From Route 5 to Route F and from Route TT to Route 11; pavement repair, Nov. 17 – 18

Livingston County

U.S. Route 36 – From Route D to Route A (Caldwell County); shoulder work, Nov. 16 – 20
Route CC – From U.S. Route 36 to the end of state maintenance; drainage work, Nov. 16 – 20

Nodaway County

U.S. Route 136 – From Liberty Road to Route E; shoulder work, Nov. 16 – 17
U.S. Route 136 – From the Maryville city limits to Route 46; shoulder work, Nov. 18 – 19
U.S. Route 71 – From Route CC to Route FF; shoulder work, Nov. 20

Sullivan County

Route 6 – From Route 5 (Milan) to Route 129 (Green City); resurfacing project, Nov. 16 – 20, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The road will be narrowed in two mile sections. A 15-foot width restriction will be in place.

Worth County

Various routes – Striping, Nov. 16 – 20

Wednesday to tackle Winter weather awareness

Posted on November 15, 2015November 13, 2015

JEFFERSON CITY – State agencies are promoting Winter Weather Awareness Day Wednesday to call attention to planning ahead in the event of Winter storms.

The National Weather Service said while the winter of 2014-12015 was not too bad across the state, many people likely still remember January 2014, which was a reminder of what winter can do in Missouri. Talk about the “polar vortex” was everywhere. January 6 – 7, 2014 brought some of the coldest temperatures we have seen in Missouri in many years. Lambert St. Louis International Airport fell to -8 on the 6th. That was the first time the temperature there had been below zero since 1999.

Nov. 18 is being promoted as Winter Weather Awareness Day by the NWS, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Missouri Division of Fire Safety, the State Emergency Management Agency and Missouri’s local emergency managers.

In 2011, much of Missouri was affected by record snowfall and blizzard conditions that kept many in their homes and closed I-70 across the state. In 2009, a severe ice storm knocked out power to thousands for days in southeast Missouri. Both serve as reminders of the hazards winter weather can present and the importance of preparing in advance.

The National Weather Service has prepared a webpage with lots of safety tips and information about winter weather and its impact: http://www.weather.gov/lsx/winterday.

Some of the severe winter weather preparations Missourians can make include:

· Create a family emergency plan and an emergency kit. Emergency supplies should include bottled water, canned and dry foods, battery-powered radio, flashlights, extra batteries, manual can opener and a first-aid kit.
· Know the risks of exposure to cold temperatures. Protect against frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose-fitting clothing in several layers. Limit time spent outdoors in frigid temperatures and stay indoors, if possible.
· Make sure alternate heat and power sources, such as fireplaces, woodstoves, oil heaters and generators function properly. These sources can be dangerous and must be maintained and operated. Keep the correct fuel for each source on hand in a safe location. Properly install carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home. Only operate generators outdoors.
· Assemble a separate vehicle winter emergency kit. Include a blanket, radio with spare batteries, snacks or energy-type food, jumper cables, flares, shovel and sand or shingles to give tires traction.
· Avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow or dense fog. If travel is necessary, make sure an emergency kit is in the vehicle, that cell phones are charged and emergency numbers are saved for fast dialing. Check on road conditions in advance on the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Traveler Info Map: http://traveler.modot.org/map/. If your vehicle breaks down or slides off the road, stay with your vehicle and call or wait for help.

The NWS said people should also be aware of current weather forecasts and understand the different terms the NWS uses when issuing winter weather advisories:

· Winter Storm Watch – Severe winter weather may affect your area within 12-48 hours.
· Winter Storm Warning – Severe winter weather is in the area or is imminent and could be life threatening.
· Ice Storm Warnings – Ice accumulations of a quarter-inch or more are expected in your area.