David SweatMALONE, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities in upstate New York say a convicted killer who broke out of prison June 6 will be charged with escape, burglary and other charges, if he survives.
David Sweat was captured Sunday afternoon when a state police sergeant spotted him in the town of Constable and gave chase, shooting Sweat twice in the torso.
He’s in critical condition. Sweat and fellow convicted killer Richard Matt had eluded authorities for about three weeks.
Matt was tracked down and shot dead on Friday.
The family of the veteran state trooper who shot Sweat says he was on roving patrol when he happened to spot the convict.
Judy Cook sats her 47-year-old son, Sgt. Jay Cook, “just happened to be in the right place at the right time” when he shot David Sweat twice Sunday afternoon in the town of Constable, New York, near the Canadian border.
Cook is a 21-year veteran of the state police. He’s a native of the neighboring town of Burke, and his mother says he has been patrolling the area along the border for years.
Officials say Sweat is in critical condition at an Albany hospital.
James DespainA St Joseph man who disappeared after pleading guilty to charges of failing to register as a sex offender is back in custody.
According to online court records, 47-year-old James Despain pleaded guilty to the charge in January and was scheduled for sentencing February 20th. When he failed to appear a warrant was issued for his arrest. Deputies arrested Mr Despain June 25th.
This is not the first time he has been in trouble for failing to register.
In March of 2013 a judge ordered him to serve eight months in the county jail. He was also granted probation on a similar charge to which he pleaded guilty in 2006.
2014 Trivia Night fundraiser for AFL-CIO Photo courtesy Nichi Yeager
St. Joseph, MO – For the third year, AFL-CIO Community Services is hosting a month-long Christmas in July ‘FUNdraiser’, to raise money for the many programs supported by AFL-CIO Community Services.
Last year, more than 150 people helped to raise more than $11,000 by participating in events throughout the month of July.
Raising funds in this community has its benefits and downfalls, said agency director Penny Adams.
“People in this community are very generous with their dollars, but there are many non-profits who are looking for financial support so the competition is fierce.” Through Christmas in July the agency tries to offer something appealing to several different types of interests and age groups. “We try to give them something to do besides just make a donation. Plus the interaction gives us a chance to show them what our agency is about. We want them to know more about the agency they are investing in and who their dollars help.”
Events will include Trivia Night, Christmas in July Sale, Raffle & Toy Drive, Mustangs’ Christmas Extravaganza, and
AFL-CIO Christmas in July at the Mustangs. Photo courtesy Nichi Yeager
Scavenger Hunt & Pub Crawl.
“We had to look at new options for locations because we had outgrown the space we used for trivia last year,” Adams added.
During the Raffle & Toy Drive, for every $10 toy or cash donation, donors receive a ticket for one of three prizes: $50 or $100 K-Mart gift card or $500 CASH. Raffle tickets will be available from June 29 to July 31 at the agency office, 1203 N 6th St.
The agency will also take part in a little baseball in July.
“Santa will be in attendance at the Mustang’s game, and will be offering 6-month good behavior check-ups for children who come to the game,” Adams added.
The funds raised during these events will filter directly back into the programs of AFL-CIO Community Services. The agency said none of the donations leave the St. Joseph area.
Activities are as follows:
Trivia Night – July 11 – Come test your knowledge at our holiday-themed trivia contest. Silent auction and mini games too. Green Acres Ballroom, 3500 N. Village Dr. (by Hollywood Theaters). Each player is $20, with a 10 person team maximum. Early bird sign-up $15; deadline June 19. Doors open at 5 p.m., game starts at 7 p.m. Bring your own snacks and drinks, food and drink items will also be available for sale.
Mustangs Christmas Extravaganza – July 18 – Join us for the final game of the season and watch Santa Claus throw out the first pitch. Buy your $7 tickets through our agency and $3 will go toward our Christmas in July fund drive. We will also be selling 50/50 tickets at the game. Last year’s 50/50 winner took home more than $1,200. Game starts at 7 p.m., Phil Welch Stadium.
Scavenger Hunt. Photo courtesy Nichi Yeager
Pub Crawl & Scavenger Hunt – July 25 – You may think you know St. Joe, but this list may stump even you. Bring your car, digital camera and up to four friends to join the fun! Registration starts at 5 pm, and the hunt begins at 6 pm at the Letter Carrier’s Hall, 2301 St. Joseph Ave. Each player is $15, with a 5 person team maximum. Early bird sign-up $10; deadline June 25.
Christmas in July Sale – July 30 – We save the good stuff for one night of can’t-be-beat bargains in the Community Clothes Closet. For every $25 you spend, you’ll get $5 in Closet Cash for your next visit. The sale is scheduled for 4:30 to 7 p.m., 1203 N. 6th St.
JEFFERSON CITY – As the nation prepares to celebrate the July 4th weekend, the Division of Fire Safety is reminding Missourians that public fireworks displays put on by trained professionals offer the most spectacular sights and are the safest way to enjoy fireworks.
Across the U.S., Independence Day is the biggest day of the year for fireworks – and the day when the largest number of fires and injuries caused by fireworks occur.
“Fireworks safety should be one of the top considerations for all Missourians as we gather to celebrate the July 4th holiday,” Acting State Fire Marshal Greg Carrell said. “I encourage families to take advantage of the many thrilling free public fireworks shows around the state. People who choose to use consumer fireworks should be aware of the risk of injury – particularly to children – and the potential fire hazards, and take the necessary precautions.”
A 2013 U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission study of fireworks injuries during the month around July 4 (June 21 – July 21) revealed some startling facts about fireworks injuries across the nation
· On average, 240 people go to the emergency room with fireworks-related injuries in the month around July 4th.
· About 40 percent of fireworks injuries were to children 14 and younger.
· Smaller fireworks led to the most injuries of any categories of fireworks: sparklers, 31 percent; firecrackers, 11 percent.
Fireworks sales at licensed seasonal retailers are legal in Missouri from June 20 to July 10. This year, the Division of Fire Safety has licensed more than 1,150 seasonal retailers. State permits should be displayed at all seasonal retail locations. Missourians who choose to use consumer fireworks should be aware of any local ordinances related to fireworks, and should follow basic safety practices:
· Always keep young children away from fireworks. If teens are permitted to handle fireworks they should be closely supervised by an adult.
· Only light one firework at a time; never try to re-light fireworks that have malfunctioned.
· Make sure to have a garden hose or a bucket of water nearby in case of a fire.
· Dispose of fireworks by soaking them in water and leaving them in a trash can.
· Only use fireworks in a large open space that has been cleared of flammable materials. Never light fireworks indoors. Never shoot them off in a glass container.
· Don’t use fireworks while consuming alcohol.
· Always wear eye protection; use earplugs if you have sensitive ears.
· Never have any part of your body over fireworks.
· Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
· Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
· Store fireworks in a cool, dry place. Don’t save fireworks from season to season.
· Purchase fireworks only from a properly licensed retailer.
· Make sure fireworks are legal in your locality before buying them.
Anyone with concerns about a fireworks dealer or the types of fireworks being sold by a dealer should call the Division of Fire Safety at (573) 751-2930.
SWEET SPRINGS, Mo. –The Missouri Department of Conservation is holding a frog gigging, or frogging course during the month of July.
The department is inviting families to discover nature at a frog gigging clinic 6:30 to 11 p.m. on Friday, July 24, at Blind Pony Fish Hatchery, 16285 BP Hatchery Drive in Sweet Springs. The clinic is free and open to youth ages 7 to 17 and their parent or adult mentor, but registration by July 22 is required.
Sweet Springs is about two hours away from St. Joseph, just east of Concordia.
Participants will have a classroom session to learn the basics of frog gigging safety, equipment, identification, and regulations. Staff will also teach participants how to clean their catch to take home and cook. Then, the lucky frog giggers will have the opportunity to put their knowledge to the test and go frogging with the help of MDC personnel.
“Catching frogs can be a fun and exciting activity for the whole family,” said Saline County Conservation Agent Andrew Mothershead. “If all goes right, frog legs are the reward that awaits the taker after a successful night of frog gigging.”
Frogs are allowed to be harvested with either fishing or hunting permits, as long as the method matches the permit. With a fishing permit, frogs may be harvested by hand, hand net, atlatl, gig, bow, trotline, throw line, limb line, bank line, jug line, snagging, snaring, grabbing or pole and line during frog season. With a hunting permit, frogs may be harvested using .22-caliber or smaller rimfire rifle or pistol, pellet gun, bow, crossbow, atlatl or by hand or hand net.
This year’s frog season begins at sunset on June 30 and will continue through Oct. 31. Daily limit is eight bullfrogs or green frogs and 16 in possession. Children under the age of 16 and adults over 65 are not required to have a permit.
To register, or for more information, contact Agent Mothershead at Andrew.mothershead@mdc.mo.gov or 660-641-3345.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol plans to increase enforcement this week for the Independence Day holiday.
The patrol is warning drivers that if they’re thinking about driving impaired this week, the red, white and blue flashing lights of the Independence Day holiday may be those of a patrol car.
The Fourth of July is one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to substance-impaired driving crashes. Local law enforcement will be out in full force July 3-5 seeking impaired drivers through increased sobriety checkpoints, roving and saturation patrols, and other enforcement methods.
“One fatality on our highways is too many, and there is no excuse for driving while you are impaired,” said Colonel J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “Over the 2014 July holiday, troopers arrested 155 people who made the decision to drink and drive and put others at risk. If you’re going to include alcohol in your holiday plans, choose a sober designated driver.”
The community has a chance to talk with St. Joseph city officials Monday.
The June City Talk meeting will be held Monday at the Fairview Golf Course Clubhouse located at 3302 Pacific in St. Joseph.
The open forum for questions to the mayor and council begins at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be provided at 6:30 p.m. and allow for residents to visit with councilmembers.
The city said this is a chance for residents to meet and talk with the mayor, deputy mayor and District V councilmember Barbara LaBass, and other councilmembers.
The emerald ash borer (EAB) is a narrow, metallic emerald-green beetle about one inch long. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) urges everyone to get firewood locally near where you will burn it to help avoid the spread of invasive pests like EAB in firewood. Photo courtesy MDC
Missouri’s northern borders continue to be on the front lines of stopping the spread of invasive tree pests.
In early June, the emerald ash borer (EAB) was found in Davis County, Iowa, near the town of Bloomfield, which is less than 20 miles from the Missouri border. EAB, which kills ash trees with its tunneling under bark, has been found in 24 counties in Iowa and 11 counties in Missouri including Platte and Clay counties in northwest Missouri. Many invasive forest pests threaten to enter Missouri and cause serious damage to our forests and ornamental trees.
“Unfortunately, EAB is only one of many invasive, non-native pests that threaten Missouri’s trees,” MDC Forest Entomologist Rob Lawrence said. “ Another threat is thousand cankers disease (TCD) of black walnut.”
TCD has caused widespread death of walnut trees in many western states and has been detected in seven eastern states. Fungal cankers (infections) develop in branches around the tunnels and feeding sites of tiny walnut twig beetles, causing tree dieback and eventual death after several years. While TCD has not been detected in Missouri, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) estimates if the disease is introduced, the economic loss could be $851 million over 20 years.
The gypsy moth, whose caterpillar voraciously feeds on the leaves of oaks and over 250 other trees and shrubs, has been slowly moving across the eastern U.S. and has become established in northeastern Iowa and northern Illinois. The pine shoot beetle, which tunnels inside of new shoots of pines, has been found in five counties in northeastern Missouri.
There are many places in northern Missouri that are destinations for outdoor recreation, such as Union Ridge Conservation Area and Thousand Hills State Park, and many people enjoy having a campfire or use wood to heat their homes. However, bringing firewood from long distances may also bring unwanted pests that can seriously damage the natural resources we enjoy.
“One thing that all of these forest pests have in common is how easily they can move to new places via the movement of firewood,” said Lawrence. “Various stages of these pests are hidden on or under bark. The best way to avoid introducing these pests to new areas is to obtain and burn firewood locally.”
MDC urges everyone to get firewood locally near where you will burn it. Moving firewood less than 10 miles from its origin is best.
Volunteers sought in Clinton area to teach fishing skills and maintain equipment. Photo courtesy MDC
Clinton, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Discover Nature Fishing Program is looking for volunteers in the Clinton and Warsaw areas to help teach the program.
A training session for volunteers will be held 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, at the MDC Clinton Office, 2010 South Second Street.
Discover Nature Fishing is free and designed to make participants confident and successful anglers. The program is presented in a series of four classes. The two-hour sessions cover all aspects of fishing such as gear, knot tying, lures, bait, regulations and conservation. MDC provides fishing gear for participant use.
Volunteers are needed to assist with the training sessions. Also, volunteers are needed to help maintain the rods, reels and tackle boxes provided for use by participants.
To learn more about the volunteer training in Clinton, call Deanna Rittel at 816-525-0300, ext. 1245. The MDC Clinton Office can be reached at 660-885-6981.
A St. Joseph man charged after allegedly exposing himself while watching a teenage girl made his first court appearance in connection with the case.
Timothy Davis, 38 of St. Joseph appeared by video conference from the Buchanan County Law Enforcement Center for his arraignment Friday.
Davis is charged with a misdemeanor for first-degree sexual misconduct in Buchanan County.
Court documents allege that on Monday, Davis was standing on the sidewalk in front of a residence in the 2400 block of Jules St. A witness reported Davis had the front of his sweatpants pulled down and was holding his penis which was out of his pants and exposed. The witness said that while Davis was exposing himself he was looking towards a teenage girl who was standing on her porch across the street.
Judge Rebecca Spencer has schedule a trial setting for July 16.
Davis was out on parole and had been living in a halfway house at the time of the incident but has since been kicked out of the residence according to court documents.
He has prior convictions for burglary, stealing, resisting arrest, property damage and possession of a controlled substance.
Davis is currently being held in the Buchanan County Jail on $7500 cash bond.
