Post Staff – Page 593 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Former Trenton man gets 25 years for child porn charges

Posted on October 9, 2015

A former Trenton, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court Thursday for attempting to produce child pornography after secretly filming several victims in the shower.

Edward Allen Stieber, 49, of Brookfield, Mo., formerly of Trenton, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 25 years in federal prison without parole. On April 24, 2015, Stieber pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to use a minor to produce child pornography.

According to court documents, federal agents in Cheyenne, Wyoming initiated an investigation in September 2012 into the activities of a subject utilizing a peer-to-peer file-sharing network to advertise images of suspected child pornography.

Agents identified Stieber with the username “kool_uncle.” Steiber was employed as an over-the-road truck driver but at the time maintained a residence in Trenton.

Steiber was scheduled to make a delivery in Harmony, Penn., on Dec. 5, 2012. On that day, federal agents executed a search warrant on Steiber’s semi-truck and seized various electronic media containing images and videos of child pornography. Steiber was arrested and later indicted by a federal grand jury in the Western District of Pennsylvania for possessing child pornography.

Investigators examined Steiber’s computers and computer media and discovered a number of homemade videos of minor females that appeared to have been produced in his home. Agents were able to identify the minor victim, as well as an adult victim and three other minor female victims whom Steiber secretly filmed while they were using the shower in his residence.

According to court documents, Steiber also sexually abused a minor victim who was vulnerable based on issues she was facing as a teenager, and took advantage of his position of trust to exploit their relationship.

Under Department of Justice guidelines, the attempted production of child pornography is ordinarily charged in cases that involve surreptitious recordings. The statutory penalties for producing child pornography are the same as the penalties for attempting to produce child pornography.

Northeast Kansas man charged after injury accident

Posted on October 8, 2015October 8, 2015

A Wathena man has been charged after an August accident sent a St. Joseph man to the hospital with serious injuries.

30-year-old Steven Whittaker was charged Tuesday in Buchanan County with a felony for second-degree assault for operating a vehicle while intoxicated resulting in injury.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Tyler Hoffman of St. Joseph was life-flighted to KU Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries after the Aug. 28 crash in Agency, Mo.

The Highway Patrol said Whittaker’s vehicle crossed the center-line along Route-FF and hit Hoffman’s vehicle head-on. Whittaker’s vehicle then rolled over. Whittaker was also taken by ambulance to Mosaic Life Care with moderate injuries.

MWSU Police investigate sex assault on campus

Posted on October 8, 2015October 8, 2015

The Missouri Western State University Police Department is investigating the report of a sexual assault on campus last month.

According to a case report from campus police, the incident happened September 27 between 1:30 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. The report is heavily redacted. It indicates they are investigating two counts of sexual assault in the first degree.

The report lists a single victim, two suspects, a witness and another subject who was somehow associated with the incident but not directly involved. All of the names and their personal details have been blacked out of the report. It also lists miscellaneous recovered property, but the description of that property is also redacted.

Kent Heier, the assistand director of public relations and marketing, says officials will not comment on the ongoing investigation. If the evidence warrants it, a report will be forwarded to the Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for consideration of possible charges.

Obituaries Oct. 5 – 7

Posted on October 8, 2015

Tootle “Bookie” Thompson
1994-2015

Tootle “Bookie” Thompson 21, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Monday October 5, 2015 at a Saint Joseph hospital. He was born January 9, 1994 in St. Joseph, Missouri, and graduated from the Helen Davis School. He was a Christian who loved 50″s and 60″s and happy type music. Bookie was preceded in death by two brothers, Raden and Alexander Thompson. He is survived by mother, Christy (Richard) Barry of St. Joseph, MO, father, Dale Thompson, and a sister, Mariah Trauernicht of St. Joseph, MO. A memorial service will be held Thursday, October 8, 2015 at 2:00 pm at the Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm on Thursday at the Rupp Funeral Home. For those attending the service the family request that you something red which was Tootles favorite color. He will be cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the in lieu of flowers, to the Tootle Thompson Memorial Fund in care of Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

Cyler Weston Matthews
2015-2015

Cyler Weston Matthews, born on September 18, 2015 in St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Friday, October 2, 2015.
In the short time he was with us he was loved by so many.
He was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandmothers, Mary Brown and Margaret Hinckley; and paternal great-grandmother, Frankie Bish.
Survivors include parents, Devin and Nicole (Hinckley) Matthews; brother, Brayden Hinckley; sister, McKynlee Matthews; paternal grandparents, Everett Matthews (Kelley), maternal grandparents, Rogene Johnston (Steve) and David Hinckley (Candy); paternal great-grandmother, Connie Tucker; paternal great-grandparents, Richard Burge (Linda); and paternal great-grandfather; Everett Matthews Sr.; maternal great-grandfathers, James Hinckley and Spencer Brown; aunts, Traci Grove (Kyle), Kristin Hinckley (Glen Davenport) and Jessica Johnston; uncles, Christian Matthews, Tyler Fortune (Sara) and Jason Hinckley; and numerous cousins.
Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Darrell Eugene Mattox
1957-2015

Darrell Eugene Mattox 58, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Monday, October 5, 2015 in St. Joseph, MO. He was born March 8, 1957 in St. Joseph, MO, son of Virginia and Curtis Mattox. He worked at Diversa Care Nursing home in the maintenance department. He enjoyed motorcycles, hot rods, and listening to oldies music.Darrell was preceded in death by wife, Kitty Mattox, parents, and a sister, Lori Mattox. Survivors include, two daughters, Tracy Mattox, Stacy Thomas, son, Andy Mattox (Peggy Hawkins) 6 grandchildren, three brothers, Russell, Steve, Clayton Mattox, seven sisters; Karen Eslinger, Barb Eslinger, Amy Portnier, Jill Simmons, Sandra Gray, Teresa Lawrence, and Eva Rivera. Memorial services: 2:00 PM Friday, Rupp Chapel, the family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Inurnment will be at the NO 6 Cemetery. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Rosemary (Baublits) DeVore
1919-2015

Rosemary (Baublits) DeVore, 96, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Saturday, October 3, 2015 at a local healthcare facility.
She was born September 7, 1919 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Rosemary was a Benton High School graduate, class of 1936. Afterward she attended and graduated from Platte Gard Business College.
She married Harvey M. DeVore and he preceded her in death in 1989.
Mrs. DeVore worked for 39 years at Swift & Company as the secretary for the plant manager, retiring in 1976.
She was a member of the PYKA, SEMO and Swift Girls Clubs. She was also a longtime member of Huffman Memorial United Methodist church.
Rosemary enjoyed needlepoint and trips to Taco Bell.
She was a wonderfully independent woman with a keen sense of humor. She was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Kathryn (Elkins) Baublits; and sister, Betty L. Baublits.
Survivors include numerous cousins.
Farewell Graveside Services and Interment 1:00 P.M. Friday, Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to be made to a charity of the donor’s choice or Huffman Memorial United Methodist Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Brenda J. “BJ” Blackmon
1956-2015

Brenda J. “BJ” Blackmon, 59, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Thursday, October 1, 2015 at Mosaic Life Care.
She was born March 13, 1956 in Maryville, Missouri.
She owned and operated Robidoux Realty. BJ was a member of the Ethics Realty Committee and the Chamber of Commerce. She enjoyed fishing and spending time with her family at Lake of the Ozarks. BJ also loved
antiquing, cooking and gardening.
Brenda was preceded in death by her parents, Carmie and Helen (Balkovsky) Bailey.
Survivors include husband of 25 years, Jesse Blackmon; two children, Telly Jackson (Tommy Pollard) and Rocky Jackson; and three grandchildren, DeShawn Woodard, London Pollard and Myles Brant.
Private Farewell Services were held at Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial dontations to the Disabled American Veterans. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Betty J. Carnes
1931-2015

Betty J, Carnes, 84, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at her home.
She was born February 17, 1931 in South Sioux City, Nebraska.
She was a graduate of Lafayette High School Class of 1948.
Betty married Merle Carnes on November 11, 1950.
She was a member of Francis Street First United Methodist Church. The most important things to her were family and providing a home to them.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leroy and Alice (Ash) Todd; husband of 43 years, Merle; and siblings, Margie Stephens, June Meade, Don Todd, Leroy Todd, Jr., Robert Todd and Dorothy Todd.
Survivors include children, Larry Carnes (Joyce), Smithville, Missouri and Linda Pioch (Jim), Urbandale, Iowa; five grandchildren, Jason Carnes (Krysten), Corrie Lowe (Jon), Kim Dampier (Bill), Amy Eddy (Brian) and Scott Pioch (Melissa); eight great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family and friends.
Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Boy Scouts of America or The Salvation Army. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

John D. Dishon
1933-2015

John D. Dishon was born December 21, 1933 to Pearl Mae Lichliter and Byron Dishon in Troy, Kansas.
He moved to St. Joseph as a child and served in the Navy 1956–1957. John married Margot Brown in 1958. She preceded him in death in 2003. He moved to Kansas City 2004 and married Gaynel Sue Wayman on June 21, 2007.
He worked for the Highway Department in the 50’s as a surveyor, and for General Tire for several years before opening Dishon Tire in 1972. He operated it until 1998.
Active and well known in the tire industry, he served on the dealer counsel of Kelly Springfield Tire Company and Tire & Battery Corp. Board of Directors of the National Tire Dealers, president of Missouri Tire Dealers and on the Board of Directors of Tire Dealers for eight years.
John was also preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dorothy Beason, brothers, Paul and Edgar Dishon.
He is survived by wife; stepdaughters, Virginia Davis (Rick)and Alexandra Welky (David); brother, Bill Dishon; sisters-in-law, Vicki Cantu, Becki Moore, Roxi James (Bill), Lori Brown (Chris Manville); Juli Crenshaw (Steve); brother-in-law, David Brown (Pamela); brother-in-law, Jon Carper (Linda); nephew, Don Sherman; and long-time friends, Roger Wayman and Russell Adair.

The world has lost a good man.

Farewell Services 1:30 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 11:30 to 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests memorial gifts to St. Luke’s Hospice Kansas City or Noyes Home for Children. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Margie Jo VandeLinde
1941-2015

Margie Jo VandeLinde 74, of St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Saturday October 3, 2015 at her home. She was born April 27, 1941 in Dallas County, Missouri daughter of Rubenia & Peter Wilkerson. She retired from AT&T as a security officer. She enjoyed; crafts, ceramics, painting, playing cards, and watching her TV shows. She was a member of the Trinity United Brethern Church. Margie was preceded in death by her daughter, Cindy Vandelinde, two sister, Mary Page, and Nora Lee Young, and her parents. She is survived by two sons, Kenny Vandelinde of Saint Joseph, MO, John (Pamela) Vandlinde of Shawnee Mission, KS, three daughters, Mary Kate Vandelinde, Malachi Vandelinde, and Tialeigh O’Bannion, seven grandchildren; Christopher, Stephen, Amber, Jacob, Nickole, Elissa, and Shannel, and seven great grandchildren; Weston, Presley, Nathaniel, Nicholas, Carson, Brennan, and Stevie, a brother, Bob Wilkerson, and four sisters, Avis Forrester, Phyllis Stewart, Geneva Rollins, and Beverly (Ralph) Taylor. She will be cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. A memorial and celebration of her life will be held at a later date at the Trinity United Brethern Church. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

Summer warm-up and slight rain chances

Posted on October 8, 2015

Today
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Southwest wind 9 to 13 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 10pm and 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. North northwest wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. North wind 8 to 10 mph.

Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 43. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 74. Light south wind becoming south southwest 8 to 13 mph in the morning.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 56.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 84.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 59.

Columbus Day
Sunny, with a high near 74.

Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 47.

Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 74.

Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 51.

Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 77.

Flashing yellow arrows coming to Frederick Ave.

Posted on October 8, 2015October 8, 2015

Do you know what to do when you come upon flashing yellow arrows at an intersection?*

The Missouri Department of Transportation wants to make sure, so they’re holding a public outreach session on Friday in St Joseph.

Traffic engineers from MoDOT will be on hand to discuss this new type of signal. As part of MoDOT’s outreach efforts to help the motoring public understand the signals prior to their implementation, engineers will have informational booths on Friday, October 9, at the Joyce Raye Patterson Senior Citizen Center from 9 a.m. to noon, and at the East Hills Mall from 1 to 5 p.m.

A half-mile section of Route 6 (Frederick Avenue) between U.S. Route 169 (Belt Highway) and Interstate 29 has four signals that will soon be changed. Traffic engineers with the Missouri Department of Transportation plan to install flashing yellow arrow signals where Frederick intersects with Village Drive, Woodbine Road and both northbound and southbound ramps at I-29.

The traffic patterns at each intersection will not change, but the indicators directing motorists through the intersection will be slightly altered. Instead of left-turning traffic yielding to oncoming traffic when they see a solid, green ball indicator, they’ll now see a yellow flashing arrow. These new signals have been shown to increase safety, reduce crashes, and address congestion and delay.

*(A flashing yellow arrow means turns are permitted, but you must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians and then proceed with caution.)

Fog contributes to Clinton County crash

Posted on October 8, 2015

Dense fog in Clinton County may have contributed to a single vehicle crash that sent a Maysville man to the hospital.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 24-year-old Aaron Gaunt drove through a Y-intersection along Route-A west of Turney just before 7am Wednesday.

According to the crash report, his Chevy went through the intersection, hit a MoDOT sign and went into a ditch.

Mr Gaunt suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Cameron Regional Medical Center for treatment

Driver and passenger, 6, killed in rollover crash; booster seat was in vehicle but not buckled in

Posted on October 8, 2015October 8, 2015

A rollover crash along I-35 in Edgerton, Kansas last night claimed the life of two people, including a six-year-old girl.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports Ashley Nicole Towner of Wellsville, Kansas overcorrected when her vehicle went into the median shortly before 10:30pm. The car rolled, ejecting Ms Towner and her passenger, six-year-old Ilana Dawn Towner.

State troopers say the youngster’s booster car seat was in the vehicle but was not buckled in. According to the crash report, Ms Towner was not wearing a seat belt.

Both occupants were killed in the crash

Lawsuit filed over disturbance outside tavern

Posted on October 7, 2015October 7, 2015

A St Joseph woman has filed a civil lawsuit against a local businessman, claiming he assaulted her outside a local tavern last month. No criminal charges have been filed in the case, which stems from a disturbance at the Brown Bear Tavern at 2028 St Joseph Avenue on the night of September 23, 2015. In her civil court filing, Heidi Morrow of St Joe seeks in excess of $25,000 plus punitive damages in each of two civil counts filed against Kendall Randolph.

In the first count, Ms Morrow asserts that Mr Randolph pointed a firearm at her and “threatened to shoot her while yelling menacing and agressive remarks.”

In the filing, Ms Morrow says he continued to approach her while pointing a gun at her. “Notwithstanding Plaintiff’s attempts to distance herself from Defendant and his firearm, Defendant continued to approach Plaintiff while pointing the gun at her,” according to the petition for damages.

In the second count, the plaintiff says the defendant drove his vehicle toward the plaintiff and the crowd of people standing on the sidewalk outside the tavern.

“Speeding toward Plaintiff in a forward trajectory, Defendant pulled his vehicle up onto the sidewalk and, with intent to place Plaintiff in apprehension of imminent bodily harm, continued to speed in her direction, nearly striking Plaintiff with his vehicle,” according to the court filing. She says that after he failed to strike her with his vehicle the first time, he tried again, before speeding off down the road away from the tavern.

In interviews, St Joseph police said officers went to Mr Randolph’s house on 22nd Street, but he refused to come out. After a lengthy standoff involving the Special Response team, he left the house and was taken into custody. The official police department booking report lists five investigative charges. Police have turned the case over to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, but prosecutors have asked investigators for more evidence.

In both civil counts, Ms. Morrow claims she suffered fear and apprehension of imminent bodily harm. She says she suffered, and continues to suffer, fright, shock, mental anguish, anxiety, depression and nervousness requiring her to seek ongoing medical and psychological treatment from a physician.

In both counts she asserts that the defendant acted maliciously and oppressively, in willful and conscious disregard of Plaintiff’s rights and safety, and with the sole intent to harm her. The court filing asserts that she is therefore entitled to punitive damages.

The case was assigned to Judge Weldon Judah, and is scheduled on his calendar December 31.

Several calls for comment from the defendant were not returned.

Work on the Great Pumpkin Mountain begins

Posted on October 7, 2015October 7, 2015

Work begins on the Great Pumpkin Mountain. Photo by Nadia Thacker

The Great Pumpkin Mountain is being assembled in preparation for Pumpkinfest 2015.

The annual Family Arts Festival is sponsored by the Pony Express National Museum. Entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The Great Pumpkin Mountain Lighting ceremony will take place at 8 as the lights come on all at once.

“It’s been almost 20 years since we’ve done this,” said Carlene Makawski with Pumpkinfest. “Each time of course you’re always keeping your fingers crossed but you get this little twinge that says oh that’s so neat!”

Makawski said they’ll light the Great Pumpkin Mountain again Saturday night at 8. Workers started putting up scaffolding on Monday.

“The scaffolding is all there so we can walk and place the pumpkins,” said Cindy Daffron with the Pony Express Museum. “They will be gutting them and carving. Then Friday we’re going to be drilling a hole in the back of them and that’s where the little Christmas light will go in.”

Pumpkins to go up on the Great Pumpkin Mountain

Daffron said another highlight of Pumpkinfest is the Children’s Parade on Saturday morning. She said you can take your youngsters to the Patee Hall parking lot at 10 to register for the parade.

“It takes about 45 minutes from the time we leave up there and they walk and we get there then we pass out the prizes and the awards,” Daffron said.

She said there could be anywhere from 200 to 300 parade participants.

Pumpkinfest will be open from 5 until 9 pm Friday, 10 am to 9 pm Saturday, and Sunday from Noon to 5.