Post Staff – Page 826 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Kansas, Planned Parenthood settle abortion lawsuit

Posted on December 5, 2014

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge says Kansas and Planned Parenthood have settled a lawsuit filed by the group over a requirement enacted last year for abortion providers.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn Vratil’s one-page order Friday closing the case did not provide any details. The lawsuit concerned a requirement that website home pages for abortion providers link to state materials on abortion and fetal development.

An attorney representing Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri declined comment. The organization didn’t provide details in a statement.

The Kansas attorney general’s office did not immediately return a telephone messages.

Planned Parenthood argued the requirement violated its free speech rights because providers must declare that the state’s material is objective and accurate. The state contends the rule falls within its power to ensure women have adequate information.

Obama: Defense Sec. nominee will hit the ground running

Posted on December 5, 2014

Defense Sec. nominee Carter at Friday's announcement — Defense Sec. nominee Carter at Friday’s announcement

JULIE PACE, AP White House Correspondent

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is calling Ashton Carter one of the nation’s foremost national security leaders as he nominates him as secretary of defense.

Carter was deputy defense secretary from 2011-2013 and previously was the Pentagon’s technology and weapons-buying chief.

Obama says Carter knows the Pentagon “inside and out,” which means “on day one, he’ll be ready to hit the ground running.”

Carter would replace Chuck Hagel, who resigned last month under pressure from the president. He is staying on until his successor is confirmed by the Senate.

Hagel did not attend the announcement. But Obama quoted Hagel’s praise for Carter when Carter left the Pentagon a year ago.

Obituaries for December 5, 2014

Posted on December 5, 2014December 5, 2014

ST. JOSEPH – Diana Gay (Sells) King, 55, died Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at Mosaic Life Care.
She was born June 22, 1959 to Eldon and Beatrice (Kerns) Sells in St. Joseph.
Diana married Ronnie King on January 21, 1984. He survives of the home.
She was a member of Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church, enjoyed walking her dog and loved her grandchildren dearly. Diana was loved by all.
Mrs. King was preceded in death by her sister, Gail Elaine Sells; and aunt, Sharon Walker.
Additional Survivors: sons, Austin Spalding (Sue Ann) and Lathan Spalding (Nicole); step-daughter, Stacey King Loyd (David); parents; sister, Cheryl Washington (Steven); grandchildren, Khloe, Seth, Hunter and Jessica; nieces, Taber Hamden (Michael), J’Lena, Jayden and Jylon; nephew, Brycen; dog, Samson; and best friend, Joann French.
Healing Farewell: 10 a.m. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the family to help defray funeral expenses. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

CHEROKEE VILLAGE, Ark. – Betty Mae Rogers, 89, died December 4, 2014,at Parkdale Manor Nursing Home, Maryville, Mo. She was born September 18, 1925, in Davenport, Iowa to William A. and Elizabeth (Guy) Ceperley. She was a graduate of Davenport High School.
After graduation Betty went to work for Northwestern Bell as a long distance operator. While working there she met Lawrence “Pat” Rogers who worked as a long distance line technician for AT&T. They were married on July 20, 1951, and lived in Davenport for the next 29 years.
Betty left Northwestern Bell in 1948 and went to work in the bookkeeping department of the Davenport Bank and Trust. In the early 1960’s Betty returned to Northwestern Bell where she worked in the business office as part of their customer service.
Betty and Pat retired in September, 1980, and moved to Cherokee Village. Betty was active in the Republican Party and attended gatherings in both Davenport and Cherokee Village. She enjoyed golfing and remained active in her Spring River Presbyterian Church, where she directed their Clothes and Food Pantry Mission for several years. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, in 1984; and her brothers Richard and William, Jr.
She is survived by a twin brother, Reverend Robert Ceperley, Maryville; a niece, Jennifer Schieber (Cletus), Maryville; and five nephews: David, Stanberry, Mo.; Mark (Susan), Blue Springs, Mo.; Tim, Lee’s Summit, Mo.; Jeff (Robin), Billings, Mo.; and Mike, Maryville.
Betty has been cremated under the direction of Price Funeral Home, Maryville. Funeral services will be held at Spring River Presbyterian Church, Hardy, Ark., at a later date, with committal at the Church’s Columbarium. Memorials may be made to her church, Alzheimer’s Association, or AseraCare Hospice, 301 East Price Avenue, Savannah, Missouri 64485.

ST. JOSEPH – Randall “Randy” Lee Hunt, 45, passed away suddenly Thursday, December 4, 2014 at Mosaic Life care in St. Joseph.
He was born March 11, 1969 in St. Joseph and graduated from Benton high school, class of 1987. He worked at P-1 Group, with Union Local 45 as a Pipe Fitter. He played baseball in high school, enjoyed playing softball, pool and golf, but most of all he enjoyed Nascar racing, and hanging out with He-man Woman Haters Club with his brother-in-law, Jimmy Gaddy. He was a Christian.
Randy was preceded in death by father, Robert “Red” Hunt; maternal grandfather, Ellis Pummell; paternal grandparents, Robert and Hazel Hunt.
Survivors include, wife, Lisa Hunt of the home; mother, Sharon Hicks and husband Jim of St. Joseph; daughters, Sara Hunt and Andrea Hunt of Agency, Mo.; and Hannah Call of St. Joseph; sons, Brian, David, and Matthew Barnes; a grandchild, Riley Call; three brothers, Mike Hicks, Scott Hicks, and Christopher Hunt all of St. Joseph; sisters, Jenny Hunt and Jamie Dudeck of St. Joseph; and his maternal grandmother, Maxine Pummell of St. Joseph.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., on Monday, December 8, 2014 at Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m., on Sunday at Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the American Kidney Foundation. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

School Launching New Program to Honor Coach Bill Snyder

Posted on December 5, 2014

The Staley School of Leadership Studies, in partnership with K-State Athletics, is introducing a new leadership development program for K-State students that honors Coach Bill Snyder’s leadership legacy.

The inaugural Snyder Leadership Legacy Fellows program will begin in May 2015 and continue through April 2016. This yearlong program will include a class of up to 50 outstanding K-State students entering their final year at K-State and has a curriculum based on Coach Snyder’s 16 Goals for Success. Snyder Fellows will participate in leadership development activities to help prepare for transition from college and for engagement as lifelong leaders. The Snyder Leadership Legacy Fellows program will:

Provide a leadership development opportunity rooted in Coach Snyder’s 16 Goals for Success, to top students of Kansas State University.
Provide opportunity for students to engage in a leadership dialogue with Coach Snyder.
Raise the visibility and importance of leadership in action, during and after a student’s formal education.
Elevate student’s passion for service, encouraging them to take on opportunities that make a difference in the world in which they live.
Provide tools and resources that will aid students in working toward a common goal, with others, as a team, in a competitive environment.
Expect a commitment from fellows, connecting them to business leaders, successful athletes and scholars who all have an interest in exercising leadership in their lives.

The application period will be open for students from Jan. 26 to Feb. 20, 2015. The inaugural class of students of the Snyder Leadership Legacy Fellows program will engage in three separate intensive leadership opportunities; the first session will take place May 27-28, 2015. Two additional leadership development sessions will occur during the 2015-2016 academic year.

For more information on the Snyder Leadership Legacy Fellows program, contact Staley School faculty member Marcia Hornung at 785-532-6085 orhornung@k-state.edu.

Ex-Fort Riley soldier to appeal murder conviction

Posted on December 5, 2014

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — An ex-Fort Riley soldier will appeal his first-degree murder conviction next week to the Kansas Supreme Court.

Daniel Parker was sentenced to life in prison in October 2013 for the death of a 21-year-old Frederick Beverly at a Manhattan clubhouse. Prosecutors say a bullet fired from Parker’s M4 rifle ricocheted off a metal fence and hit Beverly at a New Year’s party in 2012.

The Manhattan Mercury reports prosecutor Barry Disney said Parker was charged with first-degree murder because Kansas law allows it a felony act is inherently dangerous, even there is no intent to kill anyone.

Parker said he was intoxicated during the shooting but Riley County District Court Judge David Stutzman said voluntary intoxication was not a defense.

Former Chillicothe cop convicted of rape

Posted on December 5, 2014December 5, 2014

A jury in Caldwell County returned a guilty verdict against a former Chillicothe police officer charged with rape. Brent Allen Schade, 41, remains in custody awaiting sentencing on one count of Rape in the 2nd degree.

The case was heard by 43rd Judicial Circuit Judge Thomas N. Chapman in Caldwell County on a change of venue. Brady Kopek (Caldwell County Prosecuting Attorney) was assigned as Special Prosecuting Attorney on this case. The second day of the trial lasted late into the night Thursday.

In March 2014 the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation of the reported sex offense. According to court documents, the victim was lured to Schade’s home by a woman she met on Facebook

On March 05, 2014 Mr. Schade was arrested by the LCSO and charged in Livingston County with the felony allegation. Sheriff Steve cox says several current members and a former employee of his department were at the Caldwell County Courthouse under subpoena both days.

Kan. woman’s trial delayed in killing of roommate

Posted on December 5, 2014

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The trial of a young woman charged with killing her 52-year-old roommate in Lawrence will not be held in January as scheduled.

Prosecution and defense attorneys agreed on Thursday to delay the first-degree murder trial of 20-year-old Sarah Gonzales McLinn, which was scheduled to start Jan. 5.

McLinn is charged with killing and nearly decapitating 52-year-old Harold M. Sasko in January at his home. Investigators allege she put sleeping pills in Sasko’s beer, bound him and cut his neck with a hunting knife.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that McLinn’s attorney has said he is seeking a plea deal because his client has a mental illness and has never denied killing Sasko.

The court will set a new trial date at her next court appearance on Dec. 18.

Gas prices plunge! $1.98 in OKC

Posted on December 5, 2014December 5, 2014

Click image for Missouri price information from AAA

A new gas station in Oklahoma City offered self-serve regular for $1.99 per gallon Thursday, marking the first offering under $2 anywhere in the U.S. since July of 2010.

Local media reports indicate that within minutes a station down the street dropped its price to $1.98. Cars were lining up at both stations.

Pump prices have been dropping steadily along with the price of oil for several months. Oil prices are more than 30% lower than they were in June, and show now signs of regaining their footing.

Gasoline prices took another tumble Thursday in St Joseph, down to a market average of $2.41 per gallon. We spotted $2.39 all over town this morning. A couple of stations were offering self-serve for $2.37 a gallon.

The national average according to AAQA dropped nearly two cents to just over $2.71/gallon Thursday. The average across Missouri was just over $2.43 per gallon, which is almost fifty cents lower than the average a year ago.

How’s the merger going? It depends on who you ask! Committee examines Water Patrol merger

Posted on December 4, 2014December 4, 2014

A hearing in St Joseph Thursday to examine the merger of the Water Patrol with the Highway Patrol brought out assertions of compromise and cooperation, as well as some harsh criticism about the lack of training, and the failure of the Nixon Administration to oversee the transition.

If you ask local officials, the transition from the Missouri State Water Patrol to the Marine Division of the Missouri State Highway Patrol has been seemless.

Buchanan County Sheriff Mike Strong told the interim legislative committee there has been no drop off in service since the merger. St Joseph Police Chief Chris Connally says until Thursday’s meeting, he had forgotten there was a transition. Connally says the service continues to be as smooth as can be, and is improving. Northwest Missouri officials and law officers pointed with pride to the working relationship between law enforcement, the Department of Conservation, and the MSHP’s new Marine Division.

That has not been the prevailing wisdom in other parts of the state where four previous hearings were held. Committee member Rocky Miller, whose 124th District encompasses a large part of the Lake of the Ozarks, says the Administration “screwed it up,” that they “messed it up bad,” and that troopers are not adequately trained for duty on the water.

“I think they dropped the ball,” the Republican Miller said in an interview. “I think it’s obvious they dropped the ball in the training after we’d gone through the committee hearings. They obviously could do a better job and they need to.”

“What we’ve seen is inconsistent training of officers, lack of training for officers. We have some people on the water that did not pass a swim test. That’s about as basic as it gets.”

Democratic Representative Pat Conway of St Joseph voted for the merger bill, which was introduced during the last day of the 2010 legislative session. At the time, lawmakers were in a hurry to find budget savings, and they were told the merger would save an estimated $3 million per year. As it turns out, the merger, so far, has cost an additional $900,000 per year.

“I’m still a little skeptical that the only reason for doing it was for saving three million dollars,” Conway said in an interview. There had to be support on both sides of the aisle to get this accomplished. Now we’re just wondering if we did the correct thing when we did it, and what can we do if it’s not working the way that it should be.”

“I always want to go back to the why? What is the problem that it’s going to fix? If the fix was the $3 million, fine, but this has been attempted, as the chair said, several times before. There is other rationale out there on why you want a much larger, combined law enforcement agency.”

The final report from the committee is still several weeks out, and Conway says he’s going to spend some of that time trying to find answers to the question “why?”

“I’m going to ask some people who are no longer with the Water Patrol, if they think that was one of the bigger elements, rather than the three million dollars, and if that should be the case then I think that has to be included in the final report.”

Sirius satellite radio accused of violating Kan. consumer protection laws

Posted on December 4, 2014

TOPEKA – The nation’s largest satellite radio provider has agreed to repay consumers after being accused of violating state consumer protection laws, Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced today.

Schmidt, along with the attorneys general of 43 other states and the District of Columbia, reached a settlement with Sirius XM Radio, Inc., to provide restitution to eligible consumers. The states alleged that the company engaged in misleading advertising and deceptive billing practices, such as automatically renewing customers’ subscriptions without sufficient notice and making cancellation difficult. In addition, the company agreed to pay $100,000 for violating the Kansas No Call Act.

“Companies that sell services to Kansas consumers must play by the rules,” Schmidt said. “Being upfront and honest about the cost of a service is essential to allowing consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. Companies must also respect the wishes of consumers who choose to list their numbers on the Do-Not-Call list.”

Sirius XM also agreed to make changes to its business practices, including:

clearly disclosing all terms and conditions, such as billing frequency, contract length and cancellation policy at the time of sale;
providing consumers advance notice via mail or email if their contract is about to automatically renew; and
revising its cancellation procedures to make it easier for consumers to cancel.
Consumers may be eligible for restitution if they have filed a complaint regarding Sirius XM’s business practices since July 28, 2008. The deadline for filing complaints is May 1, 2015. To file a complaint, Kansas consumers should contact the attorney general’s consumer protection division at www.InYourCornerKansas.org or (800) 432-2310. Consumers may also file complaints directly with Sirius XM by mail to PO Box 33059, Detroit, MI 48232 or online at www.siriusxm.com/settlementprogram.