Post Staff – Page 677 – St. Joseph Post Archive

I-29 bridge work in Andrew County causes lane closure

Posted on June 2, 2015June 2, 2015

AMAZONIA, Mo. – The northbound driving lane of Interstate 29 is now closed near Amazonia, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Local maintenance crews have one lane narrowed northbound I-29 at the Hopkins Creek Bridge near mile marker 58 for routine maintenance.

The northbound driving lane will be closed at the bridge around the clock for the remainder of the week.

The passing lane, which will remain open, will have a 14-foot width restriction until the repairs are completed.

All work and schedules are weather permitting.

Mexican man pleads guilty in Kansas to laundering $4.7 million in drug money

Posted on June 2, 2015

WICHITA, KAN. – A Mexican man pleaded guilty Monday to laundering more than $4.7 million in drug funds through his bank accounts in Kansas and elsewhere, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.

Franz Wiebe Rempel, 44, Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua, Mexico, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Wichita to one count of money laundering. In his plea, he admitted that from 2009 through July 30, 2013, he laundered drug funds through bank accounts at the Bank of America in Wichita, as well as accounts at Wells Fargo and J.P. Morgan Chase.

In his plea, he admitted he provided his bank account numbers so that another conspirator could distribute the information to others. Rempel had an understanding with the conspirator that third parties would deposit cash into his bank accounts. The deposits would be less than $10,000 in an attempt to avoid federal currency reporting requirements. Once Rempel received the funds, he would transfer or move the money through the U.S. financial system at the other conspirator’s direction. Rempel crossed the border from his home in Mexico almost on a weekly basis in order to move funds. Ultimately, most of the money wound up in the other conspirator’s hands.

Rempel’s accounts received funds deposited from Kansas City, Kan.; Kansas City, Mo.; Oklahoma City; Des Moines; Amarillo, Texas; El Paso, Texas; Knoxville, Tenn., Nashville, Tenn., Memphis, Tenn.; Charlotte, N.C., Atlanta, Ga., and Albuquerque, N.M. Rempel did not know the identities of the people making the deposits but he knew the funds were being transferred for the purpose of paying for drugs.

Sentencing is set for Aug. 17. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $500,000. Grissom commended the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service for their work on the case.

Chip & Seal scam under investigation in Livingston County

Posted on June 2, 2015

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a report of a possible driveway scam.

The department said it’s taking place in rural Livingston.

A man spoke with a senior citizen and allegedly gave her a price for doing a chip and seal on her driveway. After the work was completed the man obtained a total of $4,000 from the citizen.

The Sheriff’s Office said the apparent work performed appears to be nothing worth $4000.

The office said if you are a Livingston County resident and have had chip and seal or asphalt work done in the last week from a business with a phone number from the 573 area code, to call Sheriff Steve Cox at 660-646-0515 or email sheriffcox@gmail.com

More rain chances into the week

Posted on June 2, 2015

Today
Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. South southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind 7 to 10 mph.
WednesdayA chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. South southeast wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South southeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
Saturday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Sunday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

Postal Worker pleads guilty to stealing mail

Posted on June 1, 2015June 1, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A former northwest Missouri mail carrier faces up to five years in federal prison after admitting he threw away thousands of pieces of mail rather than deliver them.

Federal prosecutors say 54-year-old David Thompson, of Warrensburg, pleaded guilty Monday to stealing U.S. mail.

Prosecutors said that Thompson threw away an estimated 20,000 pieces of mail addressed to 5,571 recipients from May 2012 to January 2014.

Thompson’s supervisors suspected in late 2013 that he was drinking alcohol while on duty and while delivering mail on his official route. During their investigation, a covert camera was installed in his delivery vehicle.

Thompson was observed pulling mail already sorted for delivery and placing the mail in a white tub, which he hid in a carport at his personal residence. The next two days, he also pulled mail already sorted for delivery, and each day he bundled it and put it into his personal vehicle. On Jan. 11, 2014, Thompson was recorded throwing a bundle of mail into a trash container, and later placing a tub of mail underneath the carport at his residence.

On Jan. 13, 2014, he placed his coat over a tub of mail and placed the mail into his personal vehicle. On Jan. 15, 2014, he took a tub of mail and placed it under the carport at his residence. The next two days, he did the same thing. He took more mail on Jan. 18, 2014. On Jan. 17, 2014, a federal agent recovered four black plastic trash bags of mail from Thompson’s route from the dumpster behind the Elk’s Lodge (where Thompson was a member and served as Exalted Ruler) located at 822 E. Young Avenue in Warrensburg.

Thompson is no longer employed by the postal service.

(AP with Post contributions)

All roads in Northwest Missouri now open after flooding

Posted on June 1, 2015

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – All Northwest Missouri routes are now open after closing due to flooding, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Route C in Buchanan County was the final route to be reopened.

Crews were able to open it at approximately 9 a.m. today.

Obituaries for May 30 – June 1

Posted on June 1, 2015June 1, 2015

Donna Jean Weyer

Donna Jean Weyer 77, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, May 27, 2015 in Mosaic Life Care. She was born February 13, 1938 in Frazier, MO, daughter of Dorothy and David Russell. She worked as a bartender at Turas, Old Green Tree, Sportsmans Club, Hickory Tavern, and Blondies. She loved people, and loved helping people. She was active in the area food kitchens, and participated in several fundraising contest such as the Ugly Bartenders Contest for Multiple sclerosis, she also enjoyed traveling to Branson, Nascar, the Dallas Cowboys, and was a Dale Earnhart, and Willy Nelson Fan. Donna was a Breast Cancer survivor and a member of the ROC Fellowship Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, and an aunt Ada Ball. Survivors include, sons, Floyd (Nancy) Weyer of St. Joseph, MO, & Tom (Debbie) Weyer of Dekalb, MO, daughters, Sherry (Ted) Carpenter of St. Joseph, MO, & Terry Weyer of St. Joseph, MO, nine grandchildren: Brittney Gann, Dustin Chaney, Toni Hixon, Kyle Weyer, Melissa Roberton, Teddy Carpenter, Ashley Weyer, Kristy Weyer, and Tyler Weyer, nine great grandchildren, several cousins, and her companion, Leonard Scroggins.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am, on Monday, June 1, 2015 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Pastor Rob Diamond officiating, The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Sunday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Frazier Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Susan B. Koman foundation for Breast Cancer Research. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Zoey Marie Joyce Seever

Zoey Marie Joyce Seever 28 day infant daughter of Preston and Krystal Seever of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2015 in Kansas City, MO. She was born April 30, 2015, and was preceded in death by paternal great grandparents, Carole and Glenn Seever, maternal great grandparents, Oscar and Onieta Lammers,and Ray and Ruby Chapman. Survivors include, her parents, brother, Wyatt, sister, Sage, paternal grandmother, Tracy Enoch (Roger Scott) paternal grandfather, John Rainez, paternal great grandparents, Susie and Charles Rainez, maternal grandmother, Linda Lammers (Jacque LaTour), maternal grandfather, Steven Lammers (Lisa Flannigan).
The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Monday with a funeral service to follow starting at 2:00 pm, on Monday, June 1, 2015 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Rev. Wisdom Williams officiating. The Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Zoey Seever memorial fund in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Rev. William Lanning
1934-2015

Rev. William (Bill) Lanning, 80, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Thursday, May 28, 2015.
He was born November 2, 1934 to James and Mellissa Lanning in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Bill proudly served in the U.S. Navy. In his younger years he worked at St. Joe Charter as a bus driver, Hall Implement Company, Brown Contracting, and was a distributer of My Gifts 4 You. He later owned and operated Bill’s Trading Post. He was also a certified preacher for the Fellowship with God Church.
Survivors include children, William Lanning, Roger Lanning (Nellie), and Julie Hafley; 9 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters, Linda Casey and Margaret Smith; numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside Farewell Services & Interment 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, Memorial Park Cemetery. The procession will leave from Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the funeral home to defray expenses. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Ruby Fay (Thompson) McMillian
(07/02/1917 – 05/28/2015)

Ruby Fay (Thompson) McMillian, 97, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2015 at a local heath care facility. Ruby was born July 2, 1917 in Agency, Missouri to Julius and Mamie (Balsiger) Thompson. She was a member of Faith United Baptist Church.
In 1936, she married Joseph H. McMillian. He preceded her in death in 1974.
Ruby is survived by sons, Joseph (Muriel), Dearborn, MO, Everett, Rushville, MO, Julius (Vicky) Faucett, MO, and James H. McMillian, Windsor, MO; daughters Sandra McMillian, of St. Joseph; and Emma Wood of Dearborn, 6 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Ruby was also preceded in death by her parents, five sisters, Ruth Bloomberg, Bernice Angst, Anna Kincaid, Wilma Hanway and Sarah Wheeler, and brother, Tom Thompson.
Graveside services 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 30, 2015 at the Judy Cemetery in Wallace, MO under the direction of Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel, St. Joseph, Missouri.

Web site ranks states for military retirees

Posted on June 1, 2015

The personal finance, social-network Web site WalletHub published a new study showing Wyoming is the #1 state in the US for military retirees.

The site analyzed and ranked the states based on their economic environment, quality of life and health care.

Wyoming came in first, Montana was second and South Dakota came in third. The State of Kansas was ranked 14th, Missouri was 17th and Nebraska was 19th.

The bottom three, with the worst settings for military retirees, included the District of Columbia and Rhode Island.

But Indiana came in last in those rankings.

Find the complete list here.

Missouri man sentenced for meth

Posted on May 31, 2015May 29, 2015

A Jefferson City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

Christopher Eugene Ronimous, also known as “Rodney,” 39, of Jefferson City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to five years in federal prison without parole.

On Nov. 5, 2014, Ronimous pleaded guilty to being in possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute on July 7, 2014.

According to court documents, Jefferson City police officers stopped a vehicle for improper registration. Ronimous, a passenger in the vehicle, got out of the car while officers conducted a search. While standing outside the vehicle, an Altoids can fell from Ronimous’s shorts. Inside the can was approximately five grams of methamphetamine and three “hits” of LSD.

Ronimous was arrested and transported to the police station, where he was observed reaching into his crotch area while inside an interview room. An officer conducted a more thorough search of Ronimous and discovered two bags containing approximately 50 additional grams of methamphetamine.

Krug Pool to open

Posted on May 31, 2015June 1, 2015

Beginning Wednesday, June 3, Krug Pool will be open to the public. This public pool will be
open two days a week, Wednesday and Thursday, from noon – 6pm. Krug Pool is located at St.
Joseph Avenue and Northwest Parkway across the street from Krug Park.
Daily admission for St. Joseph residents is $3 for ages 8 and under, and $4 for 9 and above. Non-
resident admission is an additional $1. Punch cards are available. 10-punch cards are $27 for ages
8 and under and $37 for ages 9 and above. Youth 8 and under must be accompanied and
supervised at all times by an adult 18 years of age or older.
With the opening of the water park in May, there is the potential of cooler temperatures and
severe weather affecting daily openings, especially during the first several weeks of the season.
For the safety and well-being of patrons to the park, as well as staff, the city has implemented a
policy that provides guidelines for operations during unfavorable weather conditions. Signage
will be posted to remind patrons of the potential for closure during unfavorable weather conditions.