Post Staff – Page 654 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Man sentenced for bank robberies

Posted on July 6, 2015

A Kansas City man was sentenced to more than 4-years behind bars for robbing five banks in the area including one in St. Joseph.

Dale Williamson, 35, Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty to five counts of bank robbery. In his plea, he admitted driving a getaway car in the following bank robberies:

April 24, 2014, UMB Bank, 6252 Raytown Road, Raytown, Mo.
May 12, 2014, First Bank of Missouri, 7001 North Oak Trafficway, Gladstone, Mo.
May 22, 2014, Bank of America, 15811 Metcalf Ave. Overland Park, Kan.
May 30, 2014, Commerce Bank, 9501 Antioch Road, Overland Park, Kan.
May 30, 2014, Commerce Bank, 3606 Frederick Ave., St. Joseph, Mo.

Williamson was sentenced Monday to serve 55 months in federal prison.

Roadwork on I-29 continues to cause problems on bridge in Oregon

Posted on July 6, 2015July 6, 2015

OREGON, Mo. – Soon travelers will be able to drive on a new bridge on Interstate 29 at Exit 75, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Currently, both northbound and southbound motorists are being rerouted around the bridge closure at Exit 75 via the on and off ramps.

Crews plan to reopen southbound I-29 at that location as early the week of July 13, 2015.

Northbound travelers, however, will still be rerouted on the on and off ramps at Exit 75. When crews removed the old bridge deck, previously undetected damage to a girder was discovered that was the result repeated bridge hits by vehicles. A new girder was ordered and put in place, but the delay in pouring a new bridge deck means the northbound lanes will not be able to utilize the new bridge until August.

U.S. Route 59 will once again be accessible for southbound travelers. Motorists will also be able to access southbound I-29 from U.S. Route 59, but only on the west side of the project. U.S. Route 59 remains closed under the bridge and travelers on the east side of the project will still be unable to access I-29 at Exit 75.

All work is weather permitting and schedules are subject to change.

RIP: Jack Steadman, Chiefs GM and driving force behind Truman Sports Complex

Posted on July 6, 2015

Jack Steadman, the top executive at the Kansas City Chiefs for nearly five decades, died Sunday at age 86. Steadman was Lamar Hunt’s right-hand man beginning in 1960 with the founding of the team and the creation of the American Football League. The Kansas City Star calls Steadman the principal force behind the construction of the Truman Sports Complex, home to Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums. He oversaw three AFL championships and a Super Bowl victory.

Kansas City Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt issued the following statement:

“My entire family is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jack Steadman. Jack was more than a dedicated and talented businessman, but a dear friend to my family. He was one of my father’s greatest business associates and the two of them accomplished much during the more than four decades they worked together. Jack played a key role in the development of the American Football League and was also an influential figure in the success of the Chiefs. During his tenure as General Manager, the team won four championships including Super Bowl IV.

While Chiefs football was his true passion, Jack and my father had many other business ventures together, including the development of Worlds of Fun and Hunt Midwest Enterprises, both key contributors to the growth of Kansas City.

I had the privilege of knowing Jack my entire life, and he taught me much about both business and life. He always brought a strong, innovative perspective to the room. Jack was an outstanding man of character, who greatly valued his faith and family. While today we are saddened by his passing, his contributions to the Chiefs, the Kansas City community and my family will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Judy, and the entire Steadman family.”

Northwest announces next VP of IT

Posted on July 6, 2015July 6, 2015

RobThomas (Photo courtesy Northwest) — RobThomas
(Photo courtesy Northwest)

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University has announced Rob Thomas Jr. will serve as its next vice president of information technology. He will join Northwest Monday, Aug. 3.

“Rob is a dynamic leader with a range of technology and related experiences across the business, health care and non-profit sectors,” Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said. “He has been results- and action-oriented throughout his career and will provide an excellent fit to address Northwest’s needs in serving as an evangelist to drive technology solutions across the University and addresses technology disruptions across academic, student and administrative systems in a proactive manner.”

Thomas comes to Northwest from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Kansas City, Mo., where he has served as executive vice president of technology since 2013.

“I am extremely excited to join Northwest Missouri State University at such a pivotal point in the organization’s strategic plan,” Thomas said. “I look forward to hitting the ground running and starting the process of transforming our vision into reality.”

Previously, Thomas served as president and chief technology officer for Onkew Technology, based in Overland Park, Kan. He established and ran the private consulting practice from 1998 to 2013 before the business was acquired. Onkew Technology served the financial and healthcare industries.

Thomas holds a bachelor’s degree in human resources from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he was a seven-time NCAA Track and Field All-American.

Thomas succeeds Dr. Roger Von Holzen who is returning to teach in Northwest’s Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Information Systems.

Spike in violent crime prompts scrutiny of Missouri amendment; more federal prosecutions reported

Posted on July 6, 2015July 6, 2015

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Homicides are in the rise in St. Louis, and city officials are increasingly turning to the federal government for help.

The U.S. Attorney’s office in St. Louis has issued federal charges in dozens of gun possession cases since an amendment to the Missouri Constitution made it difficult to obtain state charges against convicted felons caught with guns.

Police Chief Sam Dotson says he also is taking some homicide cases to U.S. Attorney Richard Callahan in part because he believes federal judges and juries are tougher on crime.

Callahan says the increasing crime rate in the city and Amendment 5, passed by the Missouri Legislature in 2014, is evidence of a state legislature with a “complete disconnect with urban violence.”

(UPDATE) Missing girls found!

Posted on July 6, 2015July 6, 2015

(Update:) Officials announced shortly after 6am Monday that both girls had been found safe.

The Buchanan County Sheriff is hoping you can help locate two children reported missing Sunday evening. Clarity and Alicia Harding were last seen Sunday night.

Alicia is a 12-year-old, white female, 5’6″ tall, weighing 120 pounds. Officials say she has shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes.

Clarity Harding is a 7-year-old white female, 4’0″ tall, weighing 65 pounds. She has sandy blonde hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing denim shorts and a blue and white short sleeve shirt with a flower print.

If you can help find these two girls, call 9-1-1.

Princeton woman killed in head-on crash

Posted on July 6, 2015July 6, 2015

One person was killed and three others were hurt in a head-on crash east of Princeton, Missouri early Saturday morning. According to the crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a Chevy driven by Valerie Robinson of Princeton crossed the center line and crashed into a vehicle in oncoming traffic.

The driver of the other vehicle, 44-year-old Kimberly Hertzog of Princeton was killed.

Two occupants of her vehicle suffered moderate injuries and were transported to Wright Memorial Hospital. Ms Robinson was seriously hurt and was taken to mercy Hospital in Des Moines for treatment.

MoDOT plans signal work in St. Joseph

Posted on July 5, 2015July 2, 2015

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation plan to make improvements to two signals in St. Joseph next week. Motorists should not notice major changes at either intersection, but the new signal head and updates will improve the safety of both intersections and allow traffic to get through them more smoothly.

On Tuesday, July 7, at approximately 9 a.m., crews will close the southbound turn lane at Route 752 and King Hill Avenue to change the signal head. The signals will be flashing during the work, which is anticipated to last approximately one hour. Motorists should treat the intersection like a four-way stop during this time.

On Thursday, July 9, from approximately 9 to 11 a.m., crews will update the signals at U.S. Route 36 and Interstate 229. No lanes will be closed, but the signals may be dark or flashing during the work. Law enforcement officers will direct traffic through the intersection while the updates are being made.

Roadwork for Northwest Missouri for July 6-12

Posted on July 5, 2015July 2, 2015

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The following is a listing of general highway maintenance and construction work in the Northwest Missouri region for the week of July 6 – 12, from the Missouri Department of Transportation. Many projects will include lane closures, and delays can be expected. MoDOT reminds the public to buckle up, slow down, and drive with extreme caution through work zones.

For more information about a project, please contact MoDOT at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT(888-275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/northwest/. You can also follow MoDOT’s Northwest Missouri District on Twitter @ModotNorthwest and on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/MoDOTNWDistrict.

Andrew County

Route Z – CLOSED from County Road 284 to County Road 264; culvert replacement, July 6, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Interstate 29 – NIGHT WORK from U.S. Route 71 to Route O (Buchanan County); pavement repair, July 6 – 10, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Includes work on the driving lanes and a 15-foot width restriction.
U.S. Route 71 – Striping, July 6 – 9
Route DD – CLOSED from County Road 456 to County Road 372; culvert replacement, July 7, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Atchison County

Route B – Pothole patching, July 6 – 8
Route D – Two miles north of U.S. Route 136; pothole patching, July 8
Route U – One mile north of Route E; pothole patching, July 9

Buchanan County

Routes C, Z, UU, 6 and 31 – Pothole patching, July 6 – 9
I-29 – NIGHT WORK from U.S. Route 71 (Andrew County) to Route O; pavement repair, July 6 – 10, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Includes work on the driving lanes and a 15-foot width restriction.
Business Loop 29 – Belt Highway from County Line Road to Ashland Avenue; sidewalk project, July 6 – 10. Various lanes will be closed at different times, including lanes on side streets.
I-229 – From just after the St. Joseph Avenue on ramp to just before U.S. Route 36; bridge maintenance, July 6 – 10 (10-foot width restriction)
U.S. Route 59 – At the Bankers Crossing Bridge; new bridge construction,July 6 – 10. U.S. Route 59 will close to all traffic July 14 – August 14.
U.S. Route 36 – At the Platte River Bridge; bridge deck replacement, July 6 – 10. Traffic is head to head in the eastbound lanes with a 14-foot width restriction.
Routes 116 and Y – Mowing, July 6 – 10
Route 752 – At King Hill; signal work, July 7, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Only the southbound turn lane will be closed.
U.S. Route 36 – At I-229; signal work, July 9, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Law enforcement will direct motorists through the work zone.

Caldwell County

Route U – CLOSED at NE Ironwood Drive; culvert replacement, July 6, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Access to NE Ironwood will be blocked during this time.
Route 116 – From the Caldwell County line to Route A; shoulder work, July 6

Carroll County

Route 139 – From Route J to U.S. Route 24; pothole patching, July 6 – 7
Various routes – Sign operations, July 6 – 10
Route WW – From U.S. Route 65 to Route YY; pothole patching, July 8
Route DD – From Route D to the Ray County line; pothole patching, July 9 – 10

Chariton County

Route KK – From U.S. Route 24 to Route WW; pothole patching, July 6 – 10
Routes F and Y – Pothole patching, July 6 – 10

Clinton County

I-35 – Southbound from mile marker 51 to mile marker 48; brush removal,July 6 – 7
Route A – CLOSED from the west city limits of Turney to 300-feet north; culvert replacement, July 7, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Route Y – From Route 116 to Route NN; milling and culvert repair, July 7 – 10
Route NN – CLOSED from Route 33 to Route Y; culvert replacement, July 9, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Daviess County

Route 13 – CLOSED at the Honey Creek Bridge; bridge maintenance, Closed thru July 24, 2015.
I-35, U.S. Route 69, Routes 6 and 190 – Pothole patching, July 6 – 10
U.S. Route 69, Routes DD, B and CC – Brush cutting, July 6 – 10
Route J – CLOSED one-half of a mile south of Route D; culvert replacement, July 8, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Route ZZ – Pothole patching, July 9 – 10

DeKalb County

Route D – Drainage work, July 6 – 7
U.S. Route 36 – Westbound at the I-35 bridge; bridge maintenance, July 6 – 8 (12-foot width restriction.)
Route 31 – One-quarter mile south of Route V; driveway entrance repair, July 8
Route H – CLOSED from NW Berlin Road (Gentry County) to King Road; culvert replacement, July 8, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
U.S. Route 36 – Eastbound at the I-35 bridge; bridge maintenance, July 8 – 10 (12-foot width restriction.)
U.S. Route 36 – Eastbound near Bob Griffin Road in Cameron; drainage work, July 9

Gentry County

Route EE – Pothole patching, July 6 – 7
Route H – From Route E to U.S. Route 136; pothole patching, July 8
Route H – CLOSED from NW Berlin Road to King Road (DeKalb County); culvert replacement, July 8, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Route M – CLOSED from County Road 452 to U.S. Route 169; culvert replacement, July 9, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Route ZZ – Pothole patching, July 9 – 10
Route V – CLOSED from County Road 500 to Walker School Trail Road; culvert replacement, July 10, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Route UU – From Route M to Route BB; sealing, July 10 – 11, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Route UU Spur – From Route UU to the end of state maintenance; July 10 – 11, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Grundy County

Routes M, JJ and W – Pothole patching and sealing, July 6 – 10
Routes Y and NN – Drainage work, July 6 – 10
Routes W, WW, 146 and 190 – Spraying, July 6 – 10

Harrison County

Route F – CLOSED at the Little Creek Bridge; bridge replacement. Closed through July 2015.
Route B – From Route Y to Route A; pothole patching, July 6
Route N – From Route T to Route B; pothole patching, July 7
Route UU – Pothole patching, July 8
Route NN – Pothole patching, July 9 -10
Route T – From Route UU to the Iowa state line; pothole patching, July 9 – 10
Route ZZ – Pothole patching, July 9 – 10

Holt County

I-29 – CLOSED at U.S. Route 59 (Exit 75); bridge deck replacement. Closed through August 2015. Traffic is being rerouted to the on and off ramps. No access to U.S. Route 59 via Exit 75.
U.S. Route 59 – CLOSED at I-29; bridge deck replacement. Closed through August 2015. No access to I-29.
I-29 – From the city limits of Mound City to the city limits of Corning; pothole patching, July 6 – 10
U.S. Route 59 – From the Oregon city limits to I-29; pavement repair, July 6 – 10

Linn County

Routes DD, Y, V and CC – Pothole patching, July 6 – 9
Route 129 – In the Bucklin city limits; drainage work, July 7

Livingston County

U.S. Route 65 – From U.S. Route 36 to Route Z; pavement repair, July 6 – 7
Route 139 – From Route H to the Carroll County line; July 6 – 9
Routes A and W – Pothole patching, and sealing, July 6 – 10
U.S. Route 36 – From Route C to Route B; pavement repair, July 8 – 9

Mercer County

Route C – Pothole patching, July 6 – 10
Routes B, N, V, WW and 145 – Mowing, July 6 – 10
Various routes – Sign operations, July 6 – 10

Nodaway County

U.S. Route 136 – From U.S. Route 71 to Route 46; milling, July 6 – 7
U.S. Route 71 – Striping, July 6 – 9
Route C – At the Nodaway River Bridge; bridge maintenance, July 6 – 10
Various routes – Pothole patching, July 6 – 10
Route 148 – Milling, July 8 – 9
Route NN – At the Platte River Bridge; bridge maintenance, July 9 – 10 ( 9-foot width restriction.)

Putnam County

Route 5 – From U.S. Route 136 to the Iowa state line; shoulder work, July 6 – 7
U.S. Route 136 and Route 5 – Spraying and drainage work, July 6 – 10
Routes A, C, N, Z, DD and NN – Mowing, July 6 – 10
Routes E, NN and 139 – Pothole patching, July 8 – 10

Sullivan County

Route N – CLOSED at the Little Yellow Creek Bridge; bridge maintenance,July 6, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Route M – CLOSED from Route 129 to Route B; culvert replacement, July 6, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Route 6 – CLOSED at Field Drive between Route 6 and Route Y; culvert replacement, July 6 – 8, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily (Access to Field Drive will be closed at both Route 6 and Route Y during the above hours.)
Route N – At the East Locust Creek Bridge; bridge maintenance, July 7 – 8
Route 129 – CLOSED from Wagon Road to Vannoy Road; culvert replacement, July 9, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Route BB – CLOSED at Rooks Bridge; bridge maintenance, July 9, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Worth County

Route B – Pothole patching, July 6 – 7
Route Y – Pothole patching, July 8
Route H – From Route 246 to the Iowa state line; chip sealing, July 9, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Media to meet new interim superintendent in St Joseph School District on Monday; your chance is Wednesday

Posted on July 5, 2015July 5, 2015

The new interim superintendent for the St Joseph School District officially starts work on Monday.

Dr. Robert Newhart is offering short interviews with media outlets Monday on the subject of his first day on the job.

On Wednesday the public gets a chance to meet Dr. Newhart.

The public is invited to a welcome reception on Wednesday July 8, from 4 to 5:30pm. The reception will be held at the Troester Media Center at 3401 Renick in St Joseph.

Dr. Newhart is the third superintendent for the district so far this year. He was named to the interim post to fill in for Dr. Jake Long after he was named superintendent of schools in the Mountain Home, Arkansas School District. Long assumed the job of acting superintendent in St Joseph when Dr. Fred Czerwonka resigned. Czerwonka came under fire after the state auditor’s office released a report that was critical of the school district.