Residents from Kearney, Polo and Lathrop are among 26 persons indicted for their roles in related drug-trafficking conspiracies that distributed more than 100 kilograms of methamphetamine and three pounds of heroin over the past five years.

Steven Lee Schreier, Jr., 30, Marion Eugene Brammer, 51, Darrin Gene Berry, 50, Rodney Earl King, 49, Jackie R. Love, Jr., 58, Anthony Ray Stevenson,44, Paula Rae Scott, 46, William Dean Campbell, 34, and Jason Lee Kirtley, 42, all of Excelsior Springs, Mo.; Sabrena Lynn Morgan, 38, Elgin Eugene Dothage, 39, and Ryan A. Battagler, 36, all of Kearney, Mo.; Joshua Keith Bowers, 31, and Taylor Lee Syas, 23, both of Polo, Mo.; Jason Daniel Davis, 41, of Liberty, Mo.; Brian Michael Bowers, 32, of Richmond, Mo.; Ronald Louis Roberts, 52, of Lathrop, Mo.; Jay Harrison Lee Carder, 29, and Gary Dewayne Brown, 35, both of Cowgill, Mo.; Franklin Charles Carter, 26, of Grandview, Mo.; Jose Luis Ruiz-Salazar, 36, Gabriel Ruiz-Salazar, 32, Gregory C. Bullock, 46, Bryan D. Carroll, 27, and Caleb Dean Hayes, 34, all of Kansas City, Mo., and Brittany James Brehm, 37, of Bland, Mo., were charged in an eight-count superseding indictment that was returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, July 7, 2015.

The superseding indictment, which replaces two indictments returned on July 29, 2014, and Feb. 11, 2015, includes additional defendants and additional charges. Schreier, Morgan, Dothage, Joshua Bowers, Roberts and Carter were charged in those earlier indictments.

The superseding indictment was unsealed and made public today upon the arrest and initial court appearances of several defendants. Ten defendants arrested today were Brammer, Berry, King, Love, Stevenson, Scott, Campbell, Syas, Brown and Gabriel Ruiz-Salazar. Dothage, Joshua Bowers, Roberts, Carter and Jose Luis Ruiz-Salazar were already in custody.

The superseding indictment alleges that all of the defendants (except Bullock and Brehm) participated in a conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine from Jan. 1, 2010, to July 7, 2015. Bullock and Brehm are charged in a separate conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine from Jan. 1, 2010, to July 7, 2015.

The superseding indictment alleges that Joshua Bowers and his brother, Brian Bowers, Syas, Brown and Carder participated in a conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin from Jan. 1, 2010, to July 7, 2015.

In addition to the drug-trafficking conspiracies, Joshua and Brian Bowers and Syas are charged together in one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and one count of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute.

Joshua and Brian Bowers, Syas, Morgan and Dothage are also charged together in one count of possessing firearms during an in relation to a drug-trafficking crime. They allegedly were in possession of a loaded Springfield Armory .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun, a New England 12-gauge shotgun, a pink pump-action shotgun, a loaded 9mm Hi Point pistol, a loaded Smith & Wesson .22-caliber pistol, and various unrecovered firearms identified by numerous drug customers and co-conspirators as being in their possession during the conspiracy period.

Joshua and Brian Bowers and Dothage are also charged together in one count of being felons in possession of firearms and ammunition.

Joshua Bowers, Syas, Morgan and Dothage are also charged together in one count of maintaining their residences in Kearney and Polo for the purpose of distributing and using methamphetamine and heroin.

The federal indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require all of the defendants, jointly and severally, to forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the alleged offenses, including a money judgment of $4,359,600. This money judgment is based on a conservative street price of $1,200 per ounce of methamphetamine and the total conspiracy distribution of at least 100 kilograms of methamphetamine, as well as a conservative street price of $2,500 per ounce of heroin and an overall conspiracy distribution of approximately three pounds of heroin.

Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

The City of St. Joseph Health Department urges parents and guardians to get their child up to date on immunizations before the end of the month.

Parents are asked to review the vaccine records for their children entering kindergarten, 8th grade, or college.  The department said most will need immunizations prior to the beginning of school.

Students who are new to their school or district will also be required to provide a current immunization record and should ensure they are up to date on vaccines as soon as possible.

The health department said it has all vaccines students need for school entry. The immunization clinic is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 -11:00 a.m. and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to bring children for immunizations during the month of July in order to avoid the crowd in August.

The department offers the following tips:

* Bring a current immunization record on your visit – your child’s shot
record will be updated immediately for you to present to the school
* Prepare children for their immunization visit with age-appropriate honesty
* Don’t use the vaccination experience as a threat or punishment
* If possible, do not bring other children to the clinic if they are not getting
immunized
* Most importantly, complete this school readiness task before July 30th

The Andrew County Museum announced Monday it has hired Cathy Campbell as its new Executive Director.

The museum said Campbell comes to the area from the University of Washington, Seattle. Campbell holds an MA from Johns Hopkins University and specialized in community outreach and non-profit management. She replaces Harold Johnson who has been serving as Interim Director.

“Cathy has many ideas for moving our museum forward and the ACM Board looks forward to working with her,” said Jan Glenn, Board of Directors’ President.

Campbell will serve as the main public contact for the museum and collaborate with the board of directors, volunteer groups and Andrew County residents.

“I am looking forward to becoming involved in the community and presenting new museum events,” Campbell said.

An open house will be held for area residents to meet Campbell on Sunday, July 19th from 2-4 p.m. at the Andrew County Museum located at 202 E. Duncan Dr. Savannah, MO. 64485.

A crash Sunday between two ATVs injured three teenagers, one of them seriously.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report says the accident happened Sunday afternoon on 330th Street south of Arkoe in Nodaway County.  One vehicle tried to make a U-turn and was hit by the other.

Brooke Dahman, 18, of Fort Worth, Texas, was flown to Mosaic Life Care with serious injuries.

The other two victims were transported to St Francis Hospital. David Hartman, 19, of Trimble, Missouri suffered moderate injuries, while 19-year-old Blake Schneider of Euless, Texas suffered minor injuries.

 

If your workday travel plans include a drive along U.S. Route 59 south across Bankers Crossing Bridge we want to remind you of a closing set to begin Monday.

The Missouri Department of Transportation announced last week it plans to close the old Bankers Crossing Bridge on Route 59 a day ahead of the previously scheduled closure to being work in tieing in the new bridge to the existing roadway.  Route 59 will be closed for up to a month while crews work to get that done.

MoDOT said traffic will be directed along a detour on Routes 752, 371 and 116.  It said that detour is marked with signs to let travelers know.

The department said while the closure will be an inconvenience for many it will bring a much needed update to that route.

“The old bridge, built in 1936, carries more than 5,000 cars per day and is structurally deficient,” said Marcia Johnson, MoDOT Communications Specialist. “It is 24-feet wide with no shoulders and has limited sight distance, due to the curve of the highway. The new bridge is wider, provides shoulders for safety and realigns the roadway.”

An unusual motorcycle accident sends a Maryville man to the hospital with serious injuries.

The Misssouri State Highway Patrol says 37-year-old Gregory Brumley of Maryville was riding south of Pickering on Missouri 148 highway Friday night when the kickstand on his Honda malfunctioned.

The motorcycle careened off the roadway and onto its side.

Brumley was transported to St Francis for treatment.

The Trenton Police Department is taking applications for its third annual “Citizens Academy” course to give the public a better understanding of the department’s role in the community.

“The purpose of the Trenton Police Department Citizens Academy is to increase understanding between the community and police department through education,” said Tommy Wright, Chief of Police.”Course topics include various aspects of police work, narcotics, administrative functions, use of force, investigations, tactical operations, road patrol, traffic, and other functions of the Criminal Justice system.”

The class beings August 6 and will run every Thursday night from 7 to 10 p.m.om until September 24th.  Classes will be held at the Grundy County Law Enforcement Center.

“Participants who complete the course will receive a certificate of completion from the Trenton Police Department,” Wright said. “Class size is limited to 15 students, who must be 18 years or older.”

Participants will also be given the opportunity to participate in a ride along that will allow them to be part of an actual shift with the police department.

There is no cost to attend, however pre-registration is required and space is limited. Application deadline is August 5th, 2015 at 5:00 pm.

To register contact the Trenton Police Department by calling 660-359-5557