Post Staff – Page 678 – St. Joseph Post Archive

“You, Me and Zuck” book club launches in St. Joseph

Posted on May 31, 2015May 29, 2015

The Family Investment Center is taking part in a new book club to tackle financial trends to emotions toward money and investment strategies.

It’s being called, “You, Me and Zuck: A Community Book Club based on Mark Zuckerberg’s Year of Books.” The Facebook founder is challenging readers to read titles based on creativity, entrepreneurship, leadership and culture.

The first meeting in St. Joseph was held last week and discussed the book, The End of Power by Moises Naim.

There are several more meetings scheduled this years to tackle the different books. The next meeting is set for June 25 at the East Hills Public Library at 7 p.m. The second book on the list; Sudhir Venkatesh’s Gang Leader for a Day.

Other St. Joseph Dates are scheduled for July 23, August 27, September 24, and October 22nd.

The Family Investment Center said guests should bring their own copy to the meeting. For more information call 233-4100.

Oregon Missouri plans city-wide garage sale

Posted on May 31, 2015May 29, 2015

A Northwest Missouri town is gearing up for some deals.

The city of Oregon, is the county seat of Holt County. In 2010 it had a population of 857. On June 13 the city is asking people to hit the trail for Oregon for some bargains and other unusual items.

Garage sale maps and other information can be picked up at the information station located in the King and Proud Roadhouse on the square.

The sale starts at 7 a.m.

For more information CLICK HERE

Garden design tips tackled in St. Joseph Library program

Posted on May 30, 2015May 29, 2015

Planting your dream garden will be tackled during a community course today at the St. Joseph Public Library.

The Garden Design course will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Downtown Library located at 927 Felix St.

Local gardener Dee Zvolanek will present ideas for designing gardens from scratch and offer suggestions in building on a design you may already have.

Her presentation will include information about what plants work best for our local area as well as examples of effective garden designs and how you can transform your own garden.

Topics discussed will be focal points, enclosures, paths, garden scale, contrast and useful perennials.

No reservation is needed.

Great States electric mower sold at Menards recalled

Posted on May 29, 2015May 29, 2015

Earth-Wise-17-inch-Mower_800 — Courtesy CPSC

Great States has recalled its Earthwise cordless electric lawn more due to injury hazards.

The pushmower can start when the key is not in the starting position, posing and injury hazard to the user.

So far no injuries have been reported.

The recalled mowers have a silver motor housing and deck with a side discharge chute, a black foldable handle and a bright green bail lever, height adjustment lever and handle knobs. The mowers have a 24-volt removable, rechargeable battery. Brand name “Earthwise” and “17” appear on the front of the mowers. Model number 60517 is on the name plate on the back of the motor cover.

The mowers were sold at Menards stores, Seventh Avenue catalogs and online at PowerSales.com and SeventhAvenue.com from January 2014 to May 2014.

Consumers should immediately stop using the mowers, remove the battery and contact Great States Corporation for a replacement mower at (800) 633-1501.

Man accused in double shooting set to plea

Posted on May 29, 2015May 29, 2015

A plea hearing has been scheduled for a St. Joseph man accused of shooting his ex wife and shooting and killing her boyfriend.

According to court officials, 36-year-old Daron Simpson has a plea hearing slated for June 12 at 12:30 p.m.

Simpson is charged with second degree murder and first degree assault in connection with the shooting death of 36-year-old Andrew Clary.

According to court documents, officials said Simpson drove a vehicle through a garage door of the home, then made his way to the bedroom where he allegedly shot Clary and Simpson’s ex-wife Amanda.

Amanda survived and had to undergo treatment for serious facial wounds.

Missouri school buses get 88.3% approval by Highway Patrol

Posted on May 29, 2015

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has announced the results of this year’s school bus inspections.

Each year the Motor Vehicle Inspection Division conducts state-wide school bus inspections.

This year, a total of 11,986 school buses were inspected between the dates of February 2 and May 15, 2015. Of all buses inspected, 88.3% were approved upon initial inspection by inspectors, with no defective items noted during inspection.

During the annual school bus inspection program, buses found to have no defective items are rated as “approved.” Buses having one or more defective items which pose no threat to the safety of students are rated as “defective.” Buses with one or more defective items which may compromise the safe transportation of students are rated as “out-of-service.”

Buses rated as “defective” may continue to be operated for the purpose of pupil transportation until repair is made. School districts are allowed 10 days following initial inspection to repair identified defects before being re-inspected by Highway Patrol motor vehicle inspection personnel. Buses placed out-of-service must be repaired, then re-inspected and placed back into service by Highway Patrol motor vehicle inspection personnel prior to being used for the purpose of pupil transportation. Buses not presented for re-inspection within the required 10-day period are reported to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Statewide results of the 2015 annual school bus inspection program are as follows:

Buses approved upon initial inspection — 10,579
Buses identified as defective upon initial inspection — 1,150
Buses placed out-of-service upon initial inspection — 257

“Transporting students safely is a priority for school districts, contracting agencies, and the Patrol. The day-to-day maintenance of school bus fleets brings many challenges, and the public should be pleased with the 2015 statewide results of the annual school bus inspection,” said Colonel J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “Our children deserve the safest transportation possible. The positive working relationship that exists among the agencies involved in this program–the Patrol, Missouri’s school districts, and contracting agencies–is directly responsible for the success of the annual school bus inspection program.”

A total of 291 Missouri school districts earned the Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence Award for an approval rating of 90% or higher with no buses placed out-of-service. During the 2015-2016 school year, 5,758 buses in these award-winning fleets will be allowed to display the Total Fleet Excellence sticker in the lower corner of the first window on the passenger-entry side of the bus.

Obituaries for May 29

Posted on May 29, 2015May 29, 2015

William Bishop
1964-2015

William Bishop, 50, Kansas City, Missouri died Tuesday, May 26, 2015.
He was born August 6, 1964.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Karen Thompson; brother; three nieces; nephew; great niece; and sister-in-law.
Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Kansas City, Missouri. Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

JoAnn H. Wood
1929-2015

JoAnn H. Wood, 85, of St. Joseph, passed away Wednesday, May 27, 2015 in her home.

She was born June 26, 1929 in St. Joseph to John R. Whalen and Icea (Bumphrey) Whalen.
She graduated from the Convent of the Sacred Heart. She then worked for the State Hospital as a secretary for 35 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Surviving family includes son, John Wood, daughters, Linda Wood, both of St. Joseph; and Mary, and husband, Phillip Lombardo, of St. Louis, Missouri; granddaughter, Jennifer Mahl.

Prayer Service 10:00 AM Saturday at Horigan Chapel.
Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Visitation will begin after 12:00 Noon Friday at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel, where the family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 PM Friday at our chapel.

Parish Rosary 7:00 PM Friday at our chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Mosaic Life Care Hospice.

Ruby F. (Thompson) McMillian
1917-2015

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 at the Judy Cemetery in Wallace, MO under the direction of Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel, St. Joseph, Missouri.

Judy Mae Hughes
1939-2015

Judy Mae Hughes 75, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at Mosaic Life Care. She was born June 28, 1939 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of Connie and John Groce. She attended Lafayette High School, and worked at the St. Joseph State Hospital as a Psychiatric Aide II. She loved her dogs, Gibs and Abby, and enjoyed crochet, gardening and spending time with her grandkids. Judy was preceded in death by husband, Kenneth Lee Hughes, daughter, Debbie Stewart, her parents, granddaughter, Destiny Nicholson, nine brothers and sisters. Survivors include, two daughters, Regina Lenhart (Cartha Keep) of St. Joseph, MO, Connie Lenhart (Candy Dozier) of Savannah, MO, three sons, Alvie (Kerri) Dennis, Jr., Teddy (Virginia) Dennis both of Savannah, GA, and Patrick (Tara) Nicholson of St. Joseph, MO, two brothers Everett (Sharon) Groce of St. Joseph, MO, and Ted (Mary Lee) Groce of Tempe, AZ, a sister, Barbara (Wilbert) Taylor of St. Joseph, MO. eleven grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am, on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Rev. Albert Shirley officiating, The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Inurnment will be at the Kerns – Freeman Cemetery at a later date. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Velma Lucetta Baxter

Velma Lucetta Baxter 89, of Rosendale, Missouri passed away Wednesday May 27, 2015 at a home in Plattsburg, MO. She was born April 8, 1926 in St. Joseph, Missouri. She was a Homemaker. Grams was loving and sweet to all, whether they be two or four legged, and her wonderful smile will especially be missed. Velma was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Baxter, her father Loren Knowles, mother and step father Mary and Lester Tollard, son, Richard (Nadine) Smith, son-in-law, Larry Mullins, and a sister, June Ward. She is survived by three daughters, Anne Mullins of Rosendale, MO, Betty Hahn (Steve Louder) of Plattsburg, MO, and Carin (Eddie) Jones of Forrest City, MO, grandchildren: Michael D. Kittrell, Erik Kittrell, Earl, Leah, Sadie, Kimberly, Michaela, Eddie L., Randy, Cecil, Leora, Melinda, and Elmer, numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, two brothers, Bill Knowles of Las Vegas, NV, and Billy Tollard of CA, four sisters, Francis June Carpenter of Columbia, MO, Karen Webster of CA, Shirley Taylor of UT, and Lorene Towsend of St. Joseph, MO. A memorial service will be held at a later date, She will be cremated under the direction and care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

Donna Jean Weyer

Donna Jean Weyer 77, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Wednesday May 27, 2015 at Mosaic Life Care in Saint Joseph, MO.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 A.M. Monday, June 1, 2015 at the Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 pm on Sunday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Frazier Cemetery, Frazier, MO. Services are under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

Eugene B. “Tex” Blankenship
1922-2015

Eugene Brandon “Tex” Blankenship, 93, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away May 26, 2015 in San Antonio, Texas. He was born on February 10, 1922 to Glen and Beatrice Blankenship of Athens, Alabama

Tex served in the United States Army during WWII in Germany. While still in the service he married Clara Mae Gentzell of St. Joseph, Missouri in 1948. After leaving the Army he moved his family to St. Joseph. He was a member of the St. Joseph, Missouri Fire Department from 1950 to 1981. He also worked part time for many years at St. Joseph Tent & Awning.

His retirement years were spent in San Antonio, Texas, where he enjoyed his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Clara Mae of 42 years, his parents, brother, John T. Blankenship (Louise) and sister, Mattie Lee McGough (Wilford).

Surviving family includes daughter, Barbara Baber, of St. Joseph; sons, Eugene Blankenship, Jr., and William Dale Blankenship (Mary), of San Antonio; grandson, Wayne Cunningham (Candi) of St. Joseph; granddaughter, Ashley Pollard (Ray) of Kansas City, Missouri; and great-grandchildren, Jaxon and Harper Pollard, of Kansas City, Missouri.

Tex was also loved by numerous other family members and friends. He has been welcomed home by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Graveside Services will be held 10:00 Am Monday, June 1, 2015 at Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Joseph, MO.

Visitation will be held Sunday, May 31, 2015 beginning at 1:00 PM at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. Family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Sunday at our Chapel.

Family suggest memorials be made to Deer Park Grace United Methodist Church or St. Joseph Fire Museum.

Venis D. McDowell
1931-2015

Venis D. McDowell, 84, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at a regional health care center.
Born March 12, 1931, in Sparta, Missouri to James and Etta (Hawkins) McDowell, Venis was a dedicated son. He loved his siblings. He stated repeatedly how proud he was of the differences his Christian children and grandchildren are making. Venis was passionate about God, family, farming, and sports. A 1948 Benton High School graduate, Venis was a standout Cardinal basketball player. Venis furthered his education at St. Joseph Junior College. He enjoyed hosting the annual Benton 1948 class picnics at his farm. Venis was an animal health research technologist with Anchor Serum, helping develop groundbreaking serums and vaccines, before retiring as a supervisor with Seitz Foods in 1996. He briefly entered politics. He raised cattle and crops, farming until age 80. A member of the former King Hill United Methodist Church, Venis chaired various boards, was trustee for many years, was a leader in building projects, coached youth sports teams, and taught the Fidelis Sunday School Class. Later a member of the former Hyde Valley UMC, Venis was a current member of Liberty United Methodist Church.
The last sole surviving child of nine children, Venis was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, James, Matthew, Raymond, Kenneth and Pawnee McDowell; three sisters, Sue Fankhauser, Nouriee Kerns and Louris Boyer; and his former wife of 31 years Lorene McDowell-Fitzpatrick.
Survivors include his daughters, Venny (Alan) Pruitt of Kansas City, Terri (Tim) Dixon of Kansas City; eight grandchildren, Joshua Pruitt, Teddi (Billy) Combs, Alexandria (Louie) Malaponti, Nathaniel (Dana) Anderson, Caleb (Molly) Dixon, Bricker Dixon, Amy Fulton and Andrea Ryan; eight great-grandchildren and numerous relatives, nieces, nephews.
Services 3:30pm Monday, June 1, 2015 at the Sparta United Methodist Church. Interment Sparta Cemetery, Faucett, Missouri. The family will receive friends Sunday, May 31, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00pm at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. The family suggests memorials to the Wesley Youth Center or Crossroads Hospice.

Patricia Ann Birkel
1943-2015

Patricia Ann Birkel, 72, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Saturday, May 23, 2015.
She was born March 6, 1943 to Bennett Sayers and Anna Appling in Mexico, Missouri.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; and two granddaughters.
Survivors include children, Marty Rieser of Moscow Mills, Missouri, Theresa Aston (James), Victoria Goll (Michael), both of St. Joseph, Missouri; three brothers; one sister; nine grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren.
Memorial Services 4:00 P.M. Saturday, at the home of Theresa Aston. Inurnment Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Jacksonville, Missouri at a later date. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Arts fund recipients named

Posted on May 29, 2015May 29, 2015

A fund dedicated to supporting the arts in St Joseph has singled out two events for this year’s awards.

The Allied Arts Council announces this year’s recipients of the David H. Morton Memorial Fund for the Arts.

Trustees selected the Performing Arts Association’s production of “The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra Workshop & Performance” and St. Joseph Museums for “Confluence: The Great Flood of 1993”

The purpose of the fund is to sponsor at least one arts event annually to pay tribute to Mr. David Morton’s leadership in the St. Joseph arts community. The fund can award grants to any public or private organization that has received or applied for tax-exempt status. Projects considered for the grant included, music, exhibitions, public art, and theatre projects.

The Morton Fund accepts contributions at any time, as memorials, tributes, or just to support the arts. For more information about the fund, call the Allied Arts Council at 233-0231.

Omaha man convicted of committing robberies while wearing tracking device

Posted on May 29, 2015

A US court jury this week found an Omaha man guilty on three counts of bank robbery. Authorities say the suspect was wearing an electronic tracking bracelet and they were able to track him at some key times during the crime spree.

United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg says Quantal Blake, age 28, was convicted of three counts of bank robbery following a jury trial this week, in front of the Honorable Laurie Smith Camp.

On February 4, 2014, two men ran into one bank, with partially covered faces, and demanded money. They took the loot and fled. A vehicle they had stolen the night before was used and was recovered, abandoned, a few blocks away.

On March 20, 2014, at approximately 8:40 a.m., two men with masks drove up to the front door of the same bank. The passenger got out of a vehicle that had been stolen the day before, and attempted to enter the bank. The lobby was not yet open. They fled the area, striking another vehicle in the process and abandoned the vehicle a short distance away.

Later that same day, at approximately 1:17 p.m., two males entered the First Westroads Bank located at 612 North 98th Street. The men had their faces obscured and one had his hand under a coat as if he had a weapon. They got money from the bank, fled the area, and abandoned the vehicle they used near 96th and Western.

As part of his parole in an earlier case, Mr Blake was required to wear an electronic monitoring device on his ankle. The device was tracked by time and location to the places where each robbery occurred, from the locations where both vehicles had been stolen and where all three vehicles had been abandoned after the robberies.

Sentencing has been set for August 24, 2015. The defendant faces a maximum of life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on each count.

Mother sentenced for her infant son’s death

Posted on May 28, 2015May 28, 2015

A St. Joseph woman has been sentenced in connection with the death of her 7-month-old son.

23-year-old Macayla Jo Armstrong was sentenced Thursday to 15-years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for Abuse or Neglect of a Child Resulting in Death.

Armstrong was charged Dec. 13, 2014 in connection with the apparent malnutrition death of her infant.

According to a court affidavit, the she failed to provide reasonable and necessary care to maintain the physical health of the child. Officials said she failed to provide healthy and sanitary living conditions, food, nourishment and medical care and that neglect resulted in the death of the child by malnutrition