A Kansas woman was sentenced to three years on supervised release and ordered to pay more than $19,000 in restitution for filing false tax returns and violating a federal law prohibiting her from having a gun.

U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom says Rhonda J. Simmons, 41, Hutchinson, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of presenting a false tax claim and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. In her plea, she admitted that on April 15, 2012, she prepared a false income tax return seeking a refund of $3,014.

On Aug. 14, 2012, the Hutchinson Police Department executed a search warrant on the residence where she was living in Hutchinson. They seized a 20 gauge shotgun belonging to Simmons. She was prohibited from possessing a firearm because she had been convicted of a felony in 2007 in Georgia.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has seen a spike in traffic fatalities and drownings so far this year.

There have been 437 fatal traffic accidents so far in 2015, compared to 412 reported at this time last year. Colonel J. Bret Johnson, the Superintendent of the Patrol says that’s a six percent increase.

Only about 63 percent of those required to use seat belts were using them at the time of the crashes. The Patrol urges motorists to protect themselves and their passengers by making sure everyone is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Inattention, speed, and impaired driving continue to be the leading causes of traffic crashes in Missouri.

A total of 30 drownings have occurred on Missouri’s lakes and rivers so far in 2015, compared to 29 in all of 2014. There have been four drownings in the last five days and one near drowning. None of the victims were wearing life jackets. Colonel Johnson says flood waters have proven to be very dangerous this year to motorists as well as those in and around Missouri’s lakes and streams.

Motorists should never drive through fast-moving water; even a small amount of fast-moving water can sweep a slow-moving vehicle off the roadway. If your vehicle becomes stuck in rising water, get out quickly and move to higher ground. Flooded rivers and streams with strong current present some of the most dangerous situations a boater can encounter.

Fast moving water can easily capsize a boat, especially when combined with floating debris or fixed objects such as trees. Boaters should take the time to research existing water conditions which could potentially be hazardous. As temperatures rise, more people will utilize our waterways to cool off. Be smart, don’t overestimate your swimming ability. Life jackets should be worn when in or around Missouri’s waterways, and if not worn, within reach.

Nevaeh Boston of St Joseph was pulled from the water last Thursday, after wandering away from her family while swimming. She died two days later at Children’s Mercy Hospital.

Visitation is scheduled Wednesday from 6pm to 8pm at the Clark-Sampson Funeral Home at 120 Illinois Avenue in St Joe. A funeral service will be held Thursday July 30 at 11am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 7 North Carriage Drive in St Joseph. Interment is set for Thursday at Memorial park Cemetery at 5005 Frederick.

The interim superintendent of the St. Joseph School District is now the Northwest Region President of the Missouri Association of School Administrators.

As a regional president, Dr. Robert Newhart will organize monthly meetings for superintendents in northwest Missouri. The goal of the meetings is to provide superintendents with the latest local, state, and national education information.

The sessions also aim to provide professional development opportunities that will allow the superintendents to positively impact the lives of the students they serve.

MASA Executive Director Roger Kurtz says, “Our regional presidents are leaders of leaders.”

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says a one-vehicle accident in Grundy County Saturday night claimed the life of a Galt, Missouri man.

Officials say Jason Nickell, 53, was driving along Missouri Route 6 east of Trenton when the tires of the SUV rolled onto some gravel.   According to investigators, Mr Nickell over-corrected.

The vehicle flipped over, killing Mr Nickell.

A passenger, Sharon Nickell, suffered serious injuries.