Pumpkin Fest starts tonight with the lighting of Pumpkin Mountain. The annual fest is this weekend at Pony Express Museum, 914 Penn, and features live entertainment, a children’s costume parade, rides, games, crafts and food.
Watch the lighting of the Great Pumpkin Mountain at 8pm Friday night, when thousands of people come to view hundreds of carved, electrically lit pumpkins come to life with a flip of a switch.
For more information, visit the Pony Express Museum Web site here.
HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH, Associated Press
JOHN HANNA, Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The wedding plans of gay couples across Kansas remain in limbo, with all but one of the state’s 105 counties refusing to issue marriage licenses.
Same-sex couples began heading to county marriage license offices around the state Monday after the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for the way for its expansion.
Johnson County on Wednesday announced plans to issue licenses to gay couples, setting up a potential showdown with a conservative-led state government.
Attorney General Derek Schmidt and his spokeswoman didn’t immediately return phone calls or emails seeking comment Thursday. The general counsel for the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration is suggesting that county clerks accept applications and let judges decide whether to issue licenses.
Meanwhile, the ACLU is planning to file a lawsuit, but not until next week.
IRVING, Texas – For the 13th time in the 19-year history of the Big 12, Kansas men’s basketball has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the conference regular-season championship as the league released its coaches’ preseason poll Thursday.
Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams in the poll and KU received six first-place votes. Texas (3) and Oklahoma (1) garnered the other first-place votes and were picked to finish second and third, respectively. Kansas State and Iowa State came in fourth and fifth in the predictions. Baylor and West Virginia tied for sixth, while Oklahoma State, TCU and Texas Tech rounded out the poll.
Kansas has won, or tied for, 13 of the 18 Big 12 regular-season titles, including the last 10 consecutive, a streak which ranks tied for third all-time in NCAA Division I history. Overall, KU has won an NCAA-best 57 conference regular-season championships. Last year KU went 25-10 overall and won the league race by two games with 14-4 record.
KU will be led by junior Perry Ellis and sophomore Wayne Selden Jr., who started on the Jayhawks’ squad that appeared in the program’s 25th-consecutive NCAA tournament last season, the longest active streak in the nation. KU has 10 lettermen returning, led by Ellis who averaged 13.5 points and 6.7 rebounds a year ago. Selden scored 9.7 points per contest, including 11.3 ppg in Big 12 play. Ellis was named to the All-Big 12 Preseason Team on Oct. 2, while incoming Jayhawk Cliff Alexander shared co-Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year honors with Texas’ Myles Turner.
Historically, the preseason favorite has gone on to finish first in the regular-season 11 times, which does not include 1996-97 as a coaches’ poll was not conducted. Kansas has been the preseason favorite in 10 of its 13 Big 12 regular-season titles, missing 1996-97 (no poll), 2005-06 (third) and 2010-11 (second).
2014-15 Big 12 Preseason Poll
Team (First-place votes) – Points
1. KANSAS (6) – 78
2. Texas (3) – 74
3. Oklahoma (1) – 67
4. Kansas State – 53
5. Iowa State – 51
6. Baylor – 36
7. West Virginia – 36
8. Oklahoma State – 27
9. TCU – 15
10. Texas Tech – 13
Paving repairs are scheduled to get underway Thursday along a busy, and bumpy stretch of Frederick Avenue in St Joseph.
The milling and overlay work will require some lane closures. The intersection of Frederick and Noyes will be operated as a four-way stop from time to time during the project. The work is scheduled to last six days and effects Frederick from Noyes to Brookside Drive.
Traffic delays are expected, especially during peak travel periods. You’re advised to pick another route if possible. City officials warn that left turns into driveways in the area may be difficult, so they urge you to adjust your route to allow a right turn into those driveways.
Work is scheduled to take about six days to complete, weather permitting. Crews will likely work this Saturday, but will not work on Sunday.
FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE KANSAS CITY/PLEASANT HILL MO
...SEVERAL PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN POSSIBLE THROUGH FRIDAY.
ATCHISON KS-MIAMI-LINN KS-DONIPHAN-LEAVENWORTH-WYANDOTTE-
JOHNSON KS-ANDREW-DE KALB-DAVIESS-BUCHANAN-CLINTON-CALDWELL-
LIVINGSTON-PLATTE-CLAY-RAY-CARROLL-CHARITON-RANDOLPH-JACKSON-
LAFAYETTE-SALINE-HOWARD-CASS-JOHNSON MO-PETTIS-COOPER-BATES-HENRY-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ATCHISON...PAOLA...MOUND CITY...TROY...
LEAVENWORTH...KANSAS CITY KS...OVERLAND PARK...OLATHE...
SAVANNAH...CAMERON...GALLATIN...JAMESPORT...ST. JOSEPH...
PLATTSBURG...KINGSTON...HAMILTON...POLO...CHILLICOTHE...
PARKVILLE...PLATTE CITY...WESTON...LIBERTY...EXCELSIOR SPRINGS...
RICHMOND...CARROLLTON...SALISBURY...KEYTESVILLE...MOBERLY...
KANSAS CITY...INDEPENDENCE...LEXINGTON...CONCORDIA...MARSHALL...
FAYETTE...NEW FRANKLIN...RAYMORE...HARRISONVILLE...
PLEASANT HILL...WARRENSBURG...SEDALIA...BOONVILLE...BUTLER...
RICH HILL...CLINTON
355 PM CDT WED OCT 8 2014
...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING THROUGH
FRIDAY EVENING...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PLEASANT HILL HAS ISSUED A
* FLOOD WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF KANSAS AND MISSOURI...INCLUDING
THE FOLLOWING AREAS...IN KANSAS...ATCHISON KS...DONIPHAN...
JOHNSON KS...LEAVENWORTH...LINN KS...MIAMI AND WYANDOTTE. IN
MISSOURI...ANDREW...BATES...BUCHANAN...CALDWELL...CARROLL...
CASS...CHARITON...CLAY...CLINTON...COOPER...DAVIESS...DE
KALB...HENRY...HOWARD...JACKSON...JOHNSON MO...LAFAYETTE...
LIVINGSTON...PETTIS...PLATTE...RANDOLPH...RAY AND SALINE.
* FROM 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING
* SEVERAL PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN ARE EXPECTED BEGINNING LATE THIS
EVENING AND CONTINUING INTO FRIDAY AFTERNOON. RAINFALL TOTALS
THROUGH THIS TIME COULD RANGE FROM ONE TO THREE INCHES WITH LOCALLY
HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE. THE POTENTIAL FOR THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL
WILL BE ACROSS AREAS NEAR AND NORTH OF INTERSTATE 70
TONIGHT...SHIFTING INTO AREAS SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 70 BY FRIDAY
MORNING.
* SEVERAL PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN COULD LEAD TO FLOODING...PARTICULARLY
ALONG FLOOD-PRONE RIVERS AND STREAMS.
A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON
CURRENT FORECASTS.
YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE
FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE
PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.
Buchanan County Sheriff Mike Strong says his office will be on the lookout October 31st for violations of the Halloween restriction. Offenders must avoid all Halloween-related contact with children, and remain inside their homes between 5pm and 10:30pm on Halloween night, unless there is just cause to leave.
Offenders must also post a sign on their residence stating “NO CANDY OR TREATS AT THIS RESIDENCE,” and leave all residential lighting off during the evening hours.
The Missouri Supreme Court recently ruled that the restrictions on sex offenders do not violate the state constitution’s prohibition against retrospective laws, which apply only to civil laws. Strong says that in recent years, his deputies have not been allowed to enforce the Halloween restrictions against some long-time offenders.
“We’ve been restricted on who we could enforce it on,” Strong says in an interview. “There was a date that we should go back to and anyone convicted before that, and required to register, we could not enforce it on them, because that law was not effective then.”
“This makes it retroactive, where we can go back and enforce the regulations on all registered sex offenders.”
Strong says Buchanan County currently has 272 registered offenders.
“We’re going to have several people specifically on this,” Strong says. “We’ve always maintained zero-tolerance for this program.”
“We’re going to commit our resources, and several of us will be out enforcing that. We’ll be making sure they have the right sign posted, that their lights are out, and you know, they’re not giving candy.”
SAVANNAH, Mo. – Dorothy Faye Mick, 87, formerly of Hopkins, Mo., died Sunday, October 5, 2014, at Shady Lawn Nursing Home in Savannah.
Dorothy was born December 31, 1926 in Hopkins, the daughter of William Riley and Nora Naomi (Oxley) Williams. A graduate of Hopkins High School, she married Hilton Lorree Mick August 25, 1943 in Kansas City, Kan.
A homemaker, Dorothy was a member of the Wray Memorial United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women and Willing Workers Club, all of Hopkins.
After Rita, Sandra and Paula were born, the family moved back to Hopkins and resided in the house across the street from the park. Except for a short period of time, Dorothy did not work outside the home. She was a wife, mother and homemaker. She was always busy enough with laundry, baking bread, making clothes for her family, the garden and canning. She saved S & H Green Stamps to make sure her children had something under the tree on Christmas. Once her children were grown, she started making quilts for her children and grandchildren. In 1991 when Hilton died, she made 17 quilts. She also had a very large library. She loved to read. She shared her books with family and friends-anyone who loved to read liked her.
In 2007, Dorothy sold the house by the park and moved to Savannah. She lived in the senior housing there until 2013 when she moved to Shady Lawn Care Center. She completed her circle of life on October 5, 2014.
Preceding her in death: her husband, Hilton Mick ( March 26, 1991); parents; son, Seth William Mick (1976); daughters, Debbie Mick (1953); Nancy Mick (1955) and Tina Mick (1959); step-sons, Francis and Raymond Mick; step-daughter, Hellen Hayes; brothers, Paul and Herman Williams; sisters, Vivian Fansler; Evelyn Birkenholz, Helen Sample, Nora Belanger, and Frances Espey; a half-brother, Edgar Williams; and two half-sisters, Berneice Williams and Nellie Hickenbottom.
Survivors include: her sons, Randall Mick, Libby, Montana and Thebes David Mick, Colorado Springs, Colo.; daughters, Rita Montgomery, Savannah; Sandra Youmans, Kansas City, Mo.; Paula Jean Mick, Leavenworth, Kan.; and Mary Lou Hurtado, Lyons, Kan.; step-son, Allen Mick, Shenandoah, Iowa; step-daughters: Dorothy Hartman, Yorktown, Iowa and Pearl Lilly, Flemmington, Misssouri; 50 grandchildren; many great-grand-children and great-great-grandchildren; a brother: George Williams, Omaha, Neb.
Funeral Services are 2 PM, Friday, October 10, 2014 at the Wray Memorial United Methodist Church, Hopkins, Missouri with burial in Hopkins Cemetery, Hopkins.
A visitation will occur 1 to 2 p.m., prior to the funeral service. Memorials may be made to the Wray Memorial United Methodist Church, Hopkins.
SKIDMORE, Mo. – Gary Lynn Walker, 69, died Tuesday, October 7, 2014, at the University of Kansas Hospital, Kansas City, Kan.
Gary was born November 28, 1944, in Maryville, Mo., to Kay and Della Mae (Colwell) Walker. He graduated with the class of 1962 from West Nodaway High School.
He served his country in Vietnam with the United States Army. A Pioneer Hybrid seed corn salesman, Gary was a member of the Maryville Elk’s Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, William, Ivan and Jim Walker.
Gary is survived by: his son, Jason (Amanda) Walker, Skidmore; two grandchildren, Madalyn and Izabella Walker; brother, Phillip (Judith) Walker, Skidmore; sister, Margaret (Donald) Cordell, Maryville, Mo.; and Janet Kimble, Deepwater, Mo., mother of Jason.
Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, October 10, 2014, Price Funeral Home, Maryville.
Funeral Services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, October 11th, also at Price Funeral Home.
Burial is at Hillcrest Cemetery, Skidmore, with Military Services by Rolla Dicks American Legion Post #315.
Memorials may be made to the Gary Walker Agricultural Scholarship, c/o Nodaway-Holt R-VII, Graham, Mo.
www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com
MWSU Athletic Media Relations
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Griffon Football hits the road this weekend with a trip to Hays, Kansas looking to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time since the 2010 season. Missouri Western has won the last nine against the Tigers and will see a Fort Hays team with a winning record for the first time since 2009. Both teams are coming off losses last week. MWSU fell at home to Pittsburg State 23-13, while Fort Hays lost, 27-24, in overtime at Washburn. The Griffons find themselves outside the top-25 in both the d2football.com poll and the American Football Coaches Association poll for the first time since October 2011.
The Series
The Griffons have won nine straight in the series and hold a 13-10-1 advantage all-time over the Tigers. Fort Hays last win in the series came in 2000 when Jerry Partridge faced the Tigers for the first time as the Griffons head coach. Prior to MWSU’s current win-streak, Fort Hays held a 10-4-1 lead in the all-time series. The Tigers still hold the advantage in games played in Hays, 7-5.
The Griffons
Missouri Western boasts one of the MIAA’s top defenses. The Griffons are second in the MIAA in sacks (15) and interceptions (8). The defense is also third in the leage in scoring defense (13.4), red zone defense (62.5) and total defense (347.8). It’s a defense that has the capability of finding the end zone themselves, while holding opponents out of it. Three diferent defenders have found the end zone for the Griffon D and Kirk Resseguie has accounted for two defensive scores with a fumble recovery and a sack for a safety.
Raphael Spencer came up short of another 100-yard performance last week, but the junior running back still sits second in the MIAA with 549 rushing yards this season. Spencer is also climbing the record books at MWSU. He has jumped two spots already this season on the career rushing chart and now sits seventh with 2.469 career rushing yards. The Kansas City native is on pace to move into third by season’s end.
The Tigers
A sack happy defense and a dyanamic quarterback have led the Tigers to a 3-2 record, which included a 7-6 upset win over Pittsburg State two weeks ago. Treveon Albert is among the MIAA leaders in total offense, averaging 108 yards through the air and 42 on the ground per game. Albert has thrown for 541 yards with five touchdown passes and three interceptions. Edward Smith is the only Tiger with more rushing yards than Albert (313). Smith has three rushing touchdowns and Albert has two. Joita Te’i leads the MIAA with four solo sacks. Not far behind is teammate Justin McPhail, who has 3.5 total. Brock Long leads the Tiger defense with 41 total tackles.
The Kansas State University football team is 4-1 going into this weekends bye week, and the defense is rising to the top of the rankings nationally for the top rushing defense.
Bill Snyder said Tuesday during his weekly press conference that he does feel that the defense has been consistent through the first 
five games of the season.
“That’s what we hope for,” said Snyder. “They’re easy to work with because they work hard on the practice field, they’re committed to their preparation and they are committed to trying to improve day in and day out. They are a good group of young guys.”
Currently the Wildcats are at the top of the Big 12 rankings for rushing defense and senior linebacker Jonathan Truman explained that the defense does take pride in that.
“Obviously the total defense is very important to us, but obviously the points on the board is what matters so we need to stop that. But a huge focus that we have is to stop the run. We take some pride in that and we just have to continue to get better each week,” said Truman.
K-State is off this week and will spend the extra time preparing for their match-up with the 9th ranked Oklahoma Sooners next Saturday, October 18th. That game is scheduled for an 11 a.m. kickoff from Norman, Oklahoma.
ST. JOSEPH – Reinhard “Whitey” Mausolf, 78, died Monday, October 6, 2014 at a local healthcare facility.
He was born July 14, 1936 to Gilbert and Ora (Althoff) Mausolf in St. Paul, Minn.
Whitey met his wife Gretchen Jan Mueldener in Lyons, Kan. They were married on July 21, 1958. She survives him at their home in St Joseph.
He proudly served for the United States Air Force from 1955-2000. Fifteen years of his service were devoted to the same work as a civilian. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War for which he received a Bronze Star. He retired as a Chief Master Sergeant.
Whitey was a member of St Joseph’s Wyatt Park Christian Church. The far most important things to him were taking care of his family and serving his country.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Audrey Dudley, Alvador Mausolf and Marvin Mausolf.
Additional Survivors: sons, Dean Mausolf and Mark Mausolf (Lori); daughter, Diana Mausolf-Hughes (Kirk); grandchildren, Meghann, Dean, Joseph, Heather and Krysten, Nichole and Adam; and great-grandchildren, Eliza, Emma and Isa.
Memorial Services: 3:30 p.m., Friday, at Wyatt Park Christian Church; 2623 Mitchell Ave, St Joseph. The family will receive friends at the church before the service from 2 to 3:15 p.m. For those wishing to make a contribution in Whitey’s name, they are to be made to Wyatt Park Christian Church India Fund. (http://www.gsm-wpcc.blogspot.com/) Checks made to Wyatt Park Christian Church India Fund. Flowers are appreciated. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
QUINCY, Ill. – Joan M. Loyd, 85, passed away on October 6, 2014, at a healthcare facility in Quincy.
She was born August 26, 1929, in Horton, Kan., to Gustav T. Larson and Bernice Larson, the second of three children. She had attended the University of Kansas. Joan married Harold L. Loyd in 1949. They moved from Brown County, Kan., to St. Joseph in 1953. Harold preceded her in death in 2011.
Joan was an avid reader and skilled painter who enjoyed sharing her talents with others. Her family, friends, and Christian faith were cherished parts of her life. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Joan is survived by three children, Jere (Sheridan) Loyd, St. Joseph; Janice Jackson, St. Joseph; and David (Leslie) Loyd, Quincy; and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Services: 1 p.m., Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory, St. Joseph. Interment, Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America are encouraged, in care of the funeral home.
AMITY, Mo. – Erma L. Griffith, 86, died Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at a healthcare facility in Maysville, Mo.
She was born November 10, 1927 to Herman and Emma (Ladage) Linder in Cosby, Mo.
Erma married James Griffith on April 2, 1953. He preceded her in death on February 14, 1997.
She was a graduate of Savannah High School in 1945 and Northwest Missouri State University. Erma was a member of Maysville United Methodist Church and UMW, Psi Phi Sorority. She was also a past member of MSTA.
Mrs. Griffith was also preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Glenna Lee Nold.
Survivors: son, Lynn Griffith (Connie), Amity; grandsons, James (Clemma), Justin (Danielle), Brandon and Barry Griffith; great-grandchildren, Zach, Eli, Asher and Harper; sister, Dorothy Salisbury; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services: 10 a.m., Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to Maysville United Methodist Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
ST. JOSEPH – James “Jammer” Carl Good Lamar, 52, passed away Monday October 6, 2014 at his home.
He was born August 15, 1962 in Denver, Colo. He married Patricia on May 20, 1998, and they shared 16 years together. He worked at the Deluxe Truck Stop for 13 years. He loved his dogs and mowing grass.
Jammer was preceded in death by his parents, Homer Good and Anetta.
He is survived by wife, Patricia Lamar of St. Joseph; daughter, Tisha (David) Worley; son, Nathaniel Rollett (Rachael Ferguson) of St. Joseph; grandson, Mike who was raised in the home; four other grandchildren, Dominick, Delany, Austin, Ceyton; two step-grandchildren, Meia and Shelby; a brother, Michael Leonardo of Dallas, Texas; and step-father, Bob Leonardo of St. Joseph.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., on Thursday to celebrate Jammers life at Rupp Funeral Home. He will be cremated under the direction of Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com
