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Patrol reports seven fatalities during New Year’s counting period

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The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that there were seven fatalities during the New Year’s holiday counting period.

The counting period runs from 6 p.m., Friday, December 29, 2017 to 11:59 p.m. Monday, January 1, 2018.

According to a news release, troopers investigated 229 traffic crashes, which included 77 injuries and five of the seven fatalities. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and Sullivan (MO) Police Department each investigated one traffic crash fatality during the counting period. In addition, troopers made 129 arrests for driving while intoxicated and 49 drug arrests during the 2018 New Year counting period. There were no boating crashes or drownings during the 2018 New Year’s holiday counting period.

Last year over the New Year’s holiday counting period, Missouri law enforcement agencies reported 539 traffic crashes, which injured 302 people. There were eight fatalities during the 2017 New Year’s holiday counting period. In addition, troopers made 103 arrests for driving while intoxicated and 67 drug arrests. There were no boating incidents or drownings during the 2017 New Year’s holiday counting period.

Three traffic crash fatalities occurred in the Troop C, Weldon Spring, area; two traffic crash fatalities occurred in the Troop E, Poplar Bluff area, and one traffic crash fatality occurred in each of the Troop G, Willow Spring area and the Troop H, St. Joseph area.

There were no traffic crash fatalities during the counting period Friday, December 29, 2017.

Three people died in traffic crashes on Saturday, December 30, 2017. Gregory A. Reynolds, 73, of Clarkton died when the vehicle he was driving began sliding, ran off the roadway, and overturned. The crash occurred in Dunklin County on Missouri Highway 25 north of Clarkton. Dunklin County Coroner James Powell pronounced Reynolds dead at the scene of the crash. Reynolds was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Gary D. Greenwood, 19, of Mountain Grove died when he overcorrected, causing the vehicle he was driving to travel off the roadway and overturn. Greenwood was ejected from the vehicle. The crash occurred in Texas County on Missouri Route AM east of Mountain Grove. Texas County Coroner Marie Lasater pronounced Greenwood deceased. It is unknown whether or not Greenwood was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Phillip G. Hoenig, 49, of St. Charles died when another vehicle ran a red light and struck Hoenig’s vehicle as he was turning left. The crash occurred in St. Louis at the intersection of Hall Street and Adelaide Avenue. Hoenig was transported to St. Louis University Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Dr. Jennifer La’Plant pronounced Hoenig deceased at the hospital. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department investigated the crash.

Two people died as a result of traffic crashes on Sunday, December 31, 2017. Bonita D. Fuller, 67, of Jackson died when the vehicle she was driving traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a utility pole and a ditch, went airborne, then struck a tree and a house. The crash occurred in Cape Girardeau County on U.S. Highway 61 in Fruitland, MO. Cape Girardeau County Deputy Coroner David Taylor pronounced Fuller dead at the scene. Fuller was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Cole Watson, 20, of Sullivan died when the vehicle he was driving drove off the roadway. Watson was ejected from the vehicle. The crash occurred on Vine Street in the city of Sullivan. Watson was pronounced deceased at Missouri Baptist Hospital. Watson was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The Sullivan Police Department investigated the crash.

Two people died as a result of traffic crashes on New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1, 2018. Brandon M. Scott, 28, of Independence died after the vehicle he was driving failed to stop at the intersection of Missouri Route A and Missouri Route H in Turney in Clinton County. The vehicle then traveled off the edge of the intersection and struck a hedge post, coming to rest on its driver’s side. Clinton County Coroner Lee Hanks pronounced Scott dead at the scene. Scott was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Clinton County Sheriff’s Department and Lathrop Fire Department also responded.

Gerald J. Beers, 79, of Festus died when the vehicle he was driving failed to yield while attempting to cross northbound U.S. Highway 67. A northbound vehicle struck Beers’ vehicle which rotated counter-clockwise into the left lane and was struck by a second vehicle. The crash occurred in Jefferson County on U.S. Highway 67 at Montauk Drive. Dr. Evans at Mercy Hospital pronounced Beers deceased at the hospital. Beers was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The driver and a passenger in the first vehicle that struck Beers’ vehicle sustained minor injuries; neither were wearing seat belts. The driver of the second vehicle that struck Beers’ vehicle was not injured; he was wearing a seat belt.

Cause of overnight apartment fire under investigation

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The cause of an apartment fire that began Monday night is under investigation.

According to the St. Joseph Fire Department, the call originally came in around 10 p.m. and was reported as an explosion at 720 North 7th Street.

All residents were accounted for and got out of the seven-unit apartment safely. The building was a total loss.

As of 9 a.m., fire crews were still on scene.

 

Wind chill advisory in effect until noon

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Temperatures will start out cold this morning but will climb into upper teens to lower 20s this afternoon, ending the main blast of arctic air we have been under for the last few days. Temperatures will remain consistent through the end of the work week with highs in the lower 20s and lows in the single digit to teens with Thursday morning being the coldest this week. A real warm up finally moves into the area this weekend as temperatures climb above freezing for the first time in two weeks. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 18. Wind chill values between -6 and 4. Light south southwest wind becoming southwest 6 to 11 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight: Clear during the early evening, then becoming mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. South southwest wind around 9 mph becoming northwest after midnight.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 17. Wind chill values between -3 and 5. North northwest wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around -1. Wind chill values between -5 and -10. North wind 3 to 7 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 17. Light and variable wind.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 3.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 21.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 7.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Sunday: A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday Night: A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 31.

 

Report: Regional economic conditions open 2018 strong

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A business conditions index for nine Midwest and Plains states rose over the past month, pointing to continuing improvement in regional economic conditions, an economist said in a report released Tuesday.

The Mid-America Business Conditions Index climbed to 59.0 from 57.2 in November, the report said. The October figure was 58.8.

In Missouri, the overall index fell to 55.3 last month from 59.2 in November. Index components were new orders at 60.5, production or sales at 54.6, delivery lead time at 46.4, inventories at 55.6 and employment at 59.2.

In Kansas, the overall index climbed to 62.0 last month, a regional high, and up from November’s 58.0. Index components were new orders at 72.4, production or sales at 63.9, delivery lead time at 57.0, employment at 60.5 and inventories at 56.3.

“Although the inflation gauge is elevated, I would characterize the region as having a ‘goldilocks’ economy,” said Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey. “That is not so hot as to push the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates at a stepped-up pace, but not so cool as to slow employment gains.”

The regional wholesale inflation gauge cooled to a still strong 71.3 from November’s 71.4, reflecting the regional inflationary pressures.

“Even though both our regional wholesale inflation index and the U.S. inflation gauge are elevated, I expect the Federal Reserve to forgo a short-term interest rate hike at the next meeting of their rate-setting committee on Feb. 1.” Goss said. But he also said he expected a quarter-point increase at the March 15 meeting.

The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth in that factor. A score below that suggests decline. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Looking ahead six months, the December business confidence index rose to 73.2 last month from 71.9 in November.

“Healthy profit growth, still low interest rates and the recently passed tax reform package pushed business confidence to its highest level since January 2011,” Goss said.

The regional jobs picture showed improvement as well, as the December employment index climbed to 57.7, compared with 53.6 in November.

“Over the past 12 months, the regional manufacturing sector has added approximately 29,000 jobs, a 2.1 percent expansion,” Goss said. “This annual regional manufacturing growth rate significantly exceeds the 1.5 percent growth for U.S. manufacturing.”

 

 

Police: NE Kan. man jailed after taking stolen gun to ex-wife’s home

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Almanza -photo Shawnee Co.

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on weapons charges.

Just after 4p.m. on New Year’s Eve, a subject armed with a handgun was reported in the 1000 Block SW 33rd terr. in Topeka, according to Lt. Colleen Stuart.

The subject was reported to be at the residence of the subject’s former spouse. The family members were able to leave the home safely and call police.

As officers arrived the subject called into the dispatch center and was transferred to an on-scene officer.

After speaking for several minutes, the subject came outside and was taken into custody without incident. The firearm was secured and confirmed as stolen. The subject was determined to have a felony history.

Police transported David Almanza, 36, to the Department of Corrections for theft and criminal possession of a firearm.

Man killed in New Year’s crash in Clinton County

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CLINTON COUNTY —A Missouri man died in an accident just after 1 a.m. New Year’s Day in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford Mustang driven by Brandon M. Scott, 28, Independence, was northbound on Route A.

The driver failed to stop at the intersection of Route H. The vehicle traveled off the north edge of the road and struck a hedge post.

Scott was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics.

He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Man arrested in woman’s alleged accidental NE Kan. shooting death

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Lei Ala Turner-courtesy GoFundMe

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A man has been arrested in the shooting death of a woman at a Lawrence apartment.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the man had been sought since the death Wednesday night of 30-year-old Lei Ala Turner.

The suspect identified as Willie Kenith Franklin, 27, Lawrence, was booked into jail early Monday morning on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

 

 

Franklin-photo KDOC

Police have said initial information indicated the shooting might have been accidental but did not explain further.

Franklin has previous convictions for drugs, DUI and robbery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Friends have established a fundraiser for the Turner family.

Police arrest Kansas man for alleged New Year’s Eve stabbing

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Brown-photo KDOC

TOPEKA— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stabbing and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 11p.m Sunday, police responded to the 2100 Block of  SW High in Topeka on a report of several male subjects armed with knives in a parking lot beating another man, according to Lt. Colleen Stuart.

All involved subjects had left prior to officer’s arrival. Officers were then called to a local hospital for a subject with injuries consistent with having been stabbed.

The victim advised officers he was struck several times with a knife after having an altercation with a known subject over a game. The victim’s injuries were considered non-life threatening. Officers responded back to the 2100 Block SW High to locate the suspect in this incident.

Deques Brown 35, was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Department of Correction for aggravated battery and a warrant from another county. Brown has previous convictions for drugs, aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer and flee, attempted flee-elude law enforcement, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

2nd Mo. suspect in fatal Christmas eve shooting caught

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Jordan-photo Joplin PD

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) – A second suspect has been arrested in the Christmas Eve slaying of a man in Joplin.

The Joplin Globe reports that police arrested 47-year-old Artilius Jordan without incident Thursday evening. Police say he fatally shot 47-year-old Sean Harris at apartment complex Dec. 24. Police say Jordan believed Harris has engaged in sex with Jordan’s girlfriend.

Another Joplin man, 27-year-old Moses Ramsey, was arrested Tuesday. Both are charged with first-degree murder, felony assault and armed criminal action. It’s unclear whether they have attorneys who could comment for them.

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