The St. Joseph Police Department is investigating the death of two individuals found in a home Monday afternoon.

Police responded to 1702 S. 22nd St. around 3:45 p.m. Monday to find two bodies inside.

Capt. Jeff Wilson said the bodies are presumed to be that of elderly individuals.

“It also appears that a period of time has elapsed since the deaths occurred,” Wilson said.

He said Hazmat suits had to be worn because of the poor conditions inside the house.

Wilson said both bodies have been sent for autopsy and the results are pending.

Names and gender of the individuals are not yet being released.

Investigators are continuing to process the scene and information surrounding the incident.

Sergeant Brett Kelly told the St. Joseph Post when asked if this was a homicide investigation, that all unattended deaths are treated as potential homicides until investigation shows otherwise.

A Burlington Junction man suffered serious injuries in a single vehicle crash Monday morning.

According to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Coy Moser was driving along US-136 highway in Burlington Junction when he lost control of his Ford Explorer. The SUV left the highway, hit an embankment and overturned.

Mr Moser was transported to St Francis with serious injuries.

The St Joseph School District hopes to find a retired superintendent to serve on an interim basis while the school board searches for a permanent replacement
for Dr. Fred Czerwonka.

Board members said they hope to find potential candidates this week, interview them by the end of next week, and hire someone in two to three weeks.

Dr. Czerwonka submitted his resignation on Friday.  The Board of Education held an emergency meeting Monday to formally accept the resignation.

Dr. Czerwonka’s resignation capped off a tumultuous career in the St Joseph School District.  His resignation came on the heels of an auditor’s report that gave the district a rating of poor.   In the aftermath of that report, the district fired Dr. Czerwonka and another top administrator, and demoted a third.  The man acting as superintendent has taken work in Arkansas and will leave the district.

Associate Superintendent Jake Long, who has been acting superintendent, will leave at the end of the school year to take a job closer to his home town.

Chief Financial Officer Rick Hartigan was fired and Human Resources Director Doug Flowers was demoted.

Heavy rain caused flash-flooding in Saint Joseph Monday night, closing several low-lying streets and intersections. No major damage was caused, but drivers in some locations had to find other ways to get around until the storm drains could catch up.

The heaviest rain fell between 6 and 8 pm when just under an inch was measured officially by the National Weather Service. Altogether overnight, Saint Joseph received 1.41 inches of rain.

The City of St. Joseph Animal Control and Rescue has updated its website to assist the public with finding or adopting pets.

The City said as animals are accepted at the Animal Control & Rescue shelter their personal profile is entered into the system, helping shelter staff keep accurate records of each animal.

The program has enhanced veterinary care and medical records, notes on temperament, photos of the animal, etc.   The City said because this “animal inventory” program is linked to the
website, usually the information and pictures post online within 24 hours of the animals arrival at the shelter. It said this is the most immediate and responsive way to announce which
animals are currently at the shelter.

Postings on the website are listed under several categories: adopt; rescue; foster; lost pets; stray animals; and found animals. Lost or found animals can be posted when reported by the community. Residents who lose or find a pet should contact the shelter, and will be encouraged to bring “found” animals to be scanned for a microchip. A description and location of lost or found animals and a photo, if available, can be posted using the new software.

One of the more progressive components of the software is its mobility. This software allows Animal Control & Rescue Officers to access owner and animal information while in the field through use of a mobile laptop. The ability to search the system for animal and owner information while in the field reduces the use of resources and prevents unnecessary trips to the shelter by reuniting pets and owners quickly.

The software and its website connection identify animals at the shelter so they can quickly be reunited with their owners or find a new home. It also promotes animals at the shelter in need of foster care or placement with a rescue organization.

CLICK HERE to access the website.

Incidents:

May 03 the LCSO assisted the Chillicothe Fire and Chillicothe Police with the emergency at the School Bus Barn.

May 02 a deputy completed an investigation of harassment to a Wheeling resident. The report is being submitted to Prosecuting Attorney Adam Warren for consideration of criminal charge(s).

May 02 a deputy began an investigation of trash dumping on Liv 2356. Investigation continues.

May 01 Deputy Perez responded to a careless and imprudent call on U.S. 36. Deputy Perez located the vehicles and the Chillicothe Police were able to get one stopped which turned into Chillicothe and the deputy got the other vehicle which had continued east on U.S. 36. The CPD officers identified problems with the stop in town and seized a sizeable quantity of alleged methamphetamine and loaded firearm. The vehicle driver Deputy Perez stopped was found to only be violating traffic safety and issued a citation for Careless and Imprudent Driving. Good job by all involved.

April 30 Deputy Sheriff/School Resource Officer Mike Lewis filed a report with our office regarding an alleged juvenile at a Chillicothe School that was in possession of a large knife and was showing this to other students. The knife was confiscated and the juvenile detained. Parent(s) and Juvenile authorities were notified and the school is following administrative procedure. Report is being submitted to the Juvenile Officer for review.

April 28 Deputy Sheriff/School Resource Officer Mike Lewis investigated a reported drug crime at a local public school. A juvenile was allegedly in possession of a small amount of marijuana and scheduled prescription medication. Parent(s) and juvenile authorities were contacted. The school administration is handling administrative procedure and the juvenile office will receive the case file.

April 28 a deputy investigated a reported theft of a solar electric fencing panel from private property in the northeast part of Livingston County. Investigation continues.

April 24 theft or attempted theft of Anhydrous Ammonia was made. Crime scene shows suspect(s) may have stolen anhydrous ammonia but left the tank open and the victim lost about 1200 gallons of Anhydrous valued at $2500. Investigation continues.

April 20 deputies helped a person that seemed to need some type of mental health intervention. They were able to get the person to the local hospital and family was summoned.

April 20 an investigation in Wheeling began of alleged stalking and tampering with a vehicle. The victim reported having brake lines cut on their vehicle. Investigation continues.

April 17 Deputy Sheriff/School Resource Officer Mike Lewis filed a report with this office of alleged vandalism at the stadium. Report indicated 2 juveniles were caught adding some type of coloring to an area at the stadium. Both juveniles were subsequently working diligently to remove the coloring. Between their hard work and recent rainfall the marking is now gone. School Officials are following administrative policy and parent(s) have been notified.

April 15 Deputy Sheriff/School Resource Officer Mike Lewis filed a report of an alleged assault investigation on school property. Parent(s) were notified and all persons were interviewed while neither party wants any prosecution. School Officials are following administrative procedure.

Arrests:

April 24 an Oklahoma felony warrant was served on Brandi Irene Bowen, 34, Purdin for alleged Bad Check violation(s). Ms. Bowen was transferred to the Daviess Dekalb County Regional Jail in lieu of bond.

Other Information:

May 02 a deputy issued a DeWitt Mo man a citation for traveling 62 in a 35.

April 23 a deputy issued a Las Vegas NV resident a speeding citation for 85 in a 65 on U.S. 36 at Liv 261.

A deputy recently issued an Illinois driver a speeding citation for 83 in a 65 on U.S. 36 at Liv 269.

April 24 a deputy stopped a motorist for excessive speed at Highway 190 and Liv 235 and issued a Chillicothe man a speeding citation for 90 in a 55 mph limit.

April 24 a deputy issued a Winston MO man a speeding citation for alleged 94 in a 55 on Highway 190 at the Thompson River.

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University awarded 945 students diplomas Saturday during its spring commencements.

During two ceremonies, Northwest conferred 647 undergraduate degrees, 294 graduate degrees and four specialist in education degrees.

The top undergraduate degrees of the spring class were business management, elementary education and psychology. The top graduate degree was applied consumer science.
Northwest graduates included 617 Missouri residents, 90 from Iowa and 75 from Nebraska. Additionally, graduating international students represented 11 different countries, including: Brazil, Canada, Ghana, India, Ireland, Korea, Netherlands, People’s Republic of China, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Additionally, 54 percent of the graduates were female, and they ranged in age from 20 to 67.

During his remarks, Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski encouraged the graduates to celebrate their pasts but focus on their futures. Invoking Northwest’s tagline, “Bearcats Connect,” Jasinski also encouraged graduates to be active citizens.

“Your role has been to learn, grow, challenge yourself, expand your horizons, ask questions and ask more questions, and be discerning in the way of leading with integrity, treating others with respect, having sound reasoning, and providing facts as you address and solve issues of all types,” Jasinski told the graduates. “I’m confident that each of you have found a variety of meaningful connections in your time at Northwest, and I encourage you to keep connecting.”