Post Staff – Page 879 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Kansas teen admits fatally shooting his father

Posted on September 30, 2014

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A 16-year-old Kansas boy has pleaded guilty to killing his father last year during a routine custody exchange when he was 14.

WDAF-TV reports the Bonner Springs teen entered into a plea deal Tuesday that could prevent him from spending time in an adult prison.

The teen admitted shooting his 46-year-old father in July 2013 at a Shawnee auction service where the Kansas City, Kansas, man was picking the boy up.

The teen’s attorney says the boy was a victim of abuse at the hands of his father. He wasn’t tried as an adult as a result.

The Associated Press is not naming the father because his son’s case was handled in juvenile court. The teen’s lawyer will argue for 36 months in juvenile custody during sentencing in October.

Obituaries for September 30, 2014

Posted on September 30, 2014September 30, 2014

ST. JOSEPH – Carolyn “GayE” Widener, 76, passed away Saturday, September 27, 2014 at a local hospital.
GayE was born on December 31, 1937 in Gentry, Mo., to the late John and Grace (Blanton) Colvin. She was a graduate of Albany R-III High School, and lived most of her life in Stanberry, Mo., before moving to St. Joseph in 2003.
Mrs. Widener had most recently worked and enjoyed her job as a pharmacy tech at Wal-Mart. GayE was of the Methodist faith and enjoyed reading, bowling, visiting with her neighbors and always loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.
GayE married William Clinton Widener on May 2, 1959 in Reno, Nev. He preceded her in death on March 1, 2000. She was also preceded in death by her sisters: Rose, Levon, Jackie and Betty.
Survivors include a daughter, Becky (Mike) Brennan, St. Joseph; three sons, Steve (Sue) Widener, Des Moines, Iowa; Randy (Jennifer) Widener and Ronny Widener; all of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Aaron (Melodie), Justin (Jenny), Andrew (Danielle), Kaelin, Stephanie, Steven, Kaylee, Jemeca, Landon, Nicholas and Kendall; six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life 6 p.m., Friday at the Heaton-Bowman-Smith and Sidenfaden Chapel where the family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m., Friday. Memorial donations may be made in care of the funeral home on behalf of the family.

ST. JOSEPH – Robert “Bob” Hogan, 78, passed away Tuesday, September 30, 2014, at his home. Arrangements are pending at Rupp Funeral Home.

ST. JOSEPH – Faye Elisabeth Bold Hughes, 56, passed into eternal rest at Heartland Hospital in St. Joseph, on Friday, September 26, 2014. Faye succumbed to colon cancer having fought a valiant fight for over three years.
Born November 20, 1957, in Charleston, S.C., to Thomas Plane Bold and Emily Schroder Bold, Faye attended First Baptist School and graduated from the College of Charleston in 1979. She dedicated the early years of her career to caring for her parents while assisting in managing the office of a real estate company.
After the death of her parents, Faye began her own family. On June 3, 1990, she married Michaux Angelo Hughes in Charleston’s Citadel Square Baptist Church. Their three sons, Thomas Gerald Hughes, Michael Andrew Hughes, and Timothy Angelo Hughes were all born in Charleston. Besides living in Charleston, Faye and her family lived in Newington, Va., for five years before moving to St. Joseph in 2006.
Faye will be especially remembered for her devotion to her husband, Angelo, and her children, Thomas, Michael, and Timothy. Her life’s mission was to ensure their security and well-being. She made every sacrifice for them always putting their personal welfare before her own.
By all who knew her, she will be remembered for her peaceful walk and compassionate service. As a member of Grace Evangelical Church, Faye actively contributed her many spiritual gifts to “Through the Roof,” a Sunday program dedicated to serving the needs of members of the congregation with disabilities.
Anyone so fortunate to cross Faye’s path was always embraced by her exceeding courtesy and genuine kindness. Everyone who left her presence felt that they had been loved unconditionally even as the Savior would have loved them.
Perhaps Faye’s greatest legacy will be to remind us to always find the positive in our fellow travelers, to only speak of their wholesome qualities, and, in our darkest days, to seek the light of Christ. Faye enjoyed writing poetry and in the depths of her illness wrote these lines:
And now Jesus takes me home with Him,
To a New Place – Heaven,
With green meadows and
Blue water and beautiful places,
Safe – no tears – no sickness –
Just good things – worship and
Praise and a marriage supper for
Him, my Lamb King, and for
Us, his church, his sheep –
Someday – so worth the wait.
A memorial service will be held for Faye at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, at Grace Evangelical Church, 5103 South 50th Street (FF Hwy), St. Joseph (816-279-2090). Relatives and friends are invited to the service with a reception immediately following.
To enhance cancer-cure research, the family invites memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, 902 N Riverside Rd, St Joseph, MO 64507 (816-233-2558). To recognize Faye’s love for animals, the family invites memorial contributions to the Humane Society of St. Joseph, P.O. Box 6036, St. Joseph, Missouri 64502 (816-232-6955).
The family extends their gratitude to the Heartland Hospital medical team and to the St. Joseph Christian community for their compassionate care and support for Faye during her illness.

ST. JOSEPH – Robert A. Turner, Jr., 64, died Thursday, September 25, 2014 at his home.
He was born March 12, 1950 to Robert Sr. and Edith (Evans) Turner in Baltimore, Md.
Robert married Sondra Sue Petty on July 23, 2000. She survives of the home.
He worked as a CNA for over twenty years in several nursing homes. He was a member of the 25th Missouri Civil War reenactment group for the VFW. Robert loved horses, fishing and his cats and dogs.
Mr. Turner was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Timmy Turner.
Additional Survivors: children, Gil, Jason, Steven, Brandie and Michael Turner, all of St. Joseph; brothers, Tommy and Eddie Turner; sisters, Katherine Mauzey and Tammy Turner; and several grandchildren.
Services: 1 p.m., Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory. Inurnment 2 p.m. Saturday, 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 a charity of the donor’s choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

ST. JOSEPH – Clara Belle Bish, 85, passed away Monday September 29, 2014 at a St. Joseph hospital.
She was born November 22, 1928 in Bucklin, Mo., daughter of Ethel and William Admire. She was a homemaker, and was an excellent cook. She enjoyed working in her garden, hunting, fishing and loved to gamble.
Clara was preceded in death by her husband, Philip Bish; her parents; a daughter, Connie Braman; four brothers, Kenny, Raymond, Luther, and Perry Admire; four sisters, Violet Huff, Bobbie Steen, Betty Wilcoxson, and Erma Nichols.
She is survived by son, Philip (Lori) Bish; three daughters, Carol Newcomer, Linda Newberry, and Phyllis Bish all of Saint Joseph; ten grandchildren, Danny, Lesa, Kris, John, Leah, Nicki, Eddie, P.J, Bruce, and Jeremy; 15 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m., on Thursday, with a funeral service to be conducted at 2 p.m., Thursday at Rupp Funeral Home.
She will be cremated under the care of Rupp Funeral Home following the funeral service, the Inurnment will be at a later date at the Odd Fellow public cemetery.
Memorials are requested to the Susan B. Koman Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

Officials confirm first Ebola case diagnosed in US

Posted on September 30, 2014September 30, 2014

DALLAS (AP) — Federal health officials have confirmed that a patient being treated at a Dallas hospital has tested positive for Ebola.

The case announced Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control is the first Ebola case diagnosed in the United States.

Officials at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital say the unidentified patient is being kept in isolation. Presbyterian Hospital officials say they’re following CDC recommendations to keep doctors, staff and patients safe

Kansas tax collections $21M short in September

Posted on September 30, 2014

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas says its tax collections fell $21 million short of expectations in September.

The lower-than-anticipated collections were disclosed Tuesday in the state Department of Revenue’s monthly preliminary revenue report. The development could cause a short-term increase in the state’s predicted budget shortfall of $238 million by July 2016.

The department emphasized that even with overall taxes falling short, the state saw higher-than-expected corporate income tax collections.

The state anticipated collecting $542 million in taxes in September and instead took in $521 million, a difference of 4 percent.

Since the fiscal year began in July, the state has collected about $1.35 billion in taxes, against expectations of $1.37 billion. The difference there is $23 million, or 1.7 percent.

The biggest shortfall is in personal income tax collections.

School District Defends Charges For Documents, Even To Member Of BOE

Posted on September 30, 2014October 1, 2014

The St Joseph School District defends its practice of charging for copies and research time associated with large requests for documents under the Missouri Sunshing Law, even if the person making the request is a member of their school board.

School board member Chris Danford made such a request and last week received notice that she would be charged nearly $150. Danford has been a vocal critic of recent practices by the district administration relating to secret and unapproved stipends, insider promotions, and contracts with outside consultants.

The school district’s Director of Communications Joey Austin says charging Danford for the documents is appropriate.

“We have received many Sunshine requests in the past few months,” Austin said in an interview. “So if it is information that we can email to a citizen who requests that we will certainly do that at no charge.

“When we get a Sunshine request and it is extensive, and it does take time to research, and make copies, scan those copies and then send, it has become appropriate for us to pass those charges on, no matter who requests the documentation.”

Even though this is a member of the school board?

“Any citizen can request information under the Sunshine Law,” Austin says. “Again, no matter who requests the information, if it is deemed excessive, if we take hours to fulfill it, if it is a large amount of copies that we need to pass that charge on, we will pass that charge on.”

Judge refuses to move Cheatham murder trial

Posted on September 30, 2014

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge has refused to move the capital murder trial of a man whose two murder convictions were thrown out earlier this year because of incompetent counsel.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Shawnee County District Judge Richardson on Tuesday denied a motion for a change of venue for Phillip Cheatham Jr.

His attorney had argued that news stories about the case and Cheatham’s earlier defense attorney, Dennis Hawver, warranted a move to Wyandotte County.

Hawver has faced a lengthy disciplinary action tied to his handling of Cheatham’s first trial. Cheatham was found guilty in 2005 of killing two women and severely wounding a third in 2003.

The Kansas Supreme Court overturned Cheatham’s conviction in January after determining that Hawver wasn’t prepared to handle a death penalty case.

Group: US gambling had $240 billion impact in 2013

Posted on September 30, 2014

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Gambling industry officials say U.S. casinos had a $240 billion economic impact and employed 1.7 million people in 2013.

The American Gaming Association is expected to announce the results of its economic study Tuesday morning at a news conference. The group’s annual G2E Global Gaming Expo kicks off this week at the Sands Expo and Convention Center.

Oxford Economics studied the industry’s impact and included spending and revenue that might be linked but not directly connected to a casino. An example is a traveler who visits an area for a casino but also spends at a nearby gas station.

The Associated Press obtained an early copy of the report. G2E is a trade show and conference where new slot machine designs, wagering technology and food and beverage concepts often debut.

St Joseph School District Agrees To Provide Info To Board Member, For A Price

Posted on September 30, 2014September 30, 2014

The St Joseph School District is trying to charge a school board member for her request for information under the state’s Sunshine Law.

Board Member Chris Danford, a vocal critic of district spending, has consistently demanded transparency in financial actions taken by the district. Danford recently asked the district for information on spending and contracting in seven areas.

On September 26, Danford received a letter from the school district’s lawyer Steve Briggs saying she would have to pay for the information.

Danford believes she may be the first board member to be charged for requesting information. Briggs says the bill would be $146.56, for “research and copy time.” He notes that the law and the board’s policy permit the district to charge for research and copy time, and for the copies themselves. According to a letter from Briggs, the district estimated the time would be eight hours, billed at $18.32 per hour, for a total of $146,56.

Danford says the board never voted on the issue of charging a member for the information.

“It’s not the amount that is the issue,” Danford says, “it is the principle that a board member would have to pay to get information needed to do the job they were elected to do–which is to provide oversight for taxpayer dollars.”

We have witnesse3d board violations with secret stipends and promotions–doled out with money from an insurance rebate check that again, the board didn’t know about. In our investigationwe found even more secret stipends. The FBI started an investigation. The State Auditor’s Office showed up to investigate. The US Department of Education has an eye on the district. Where is the transparency?”

She tells us it is her duty to understand the budget, but the budget book is quite vague. Danford says she will continue to ask for information needed to make the best decisions for the district, its students, its staff and the community.

Danford provided a copy of the letter from Mr Briggs. Read it here.

Danford’s initial requests were for information that would appear to be needed to do her job.

1. Contracts with the OPAA food-service company

2. A list of all district-owned vehicles and the names of employees and their position in the district.

3. A list of all out-of-district travel for all administrators paid for by the SJSD.

4. A list of purchases made by SSI School Specialty Industries.

5. The total costs involved with the investigation of Beau Musser by Freeman and Fowler in June and July of 2014.

6. A list of all costs paid for any attorney services dating back to July of 2009.

7. A list of all settlements and their amounts dating back to July of 2009.

Kansas woman pleads guilty to embezzlement

Posted on September 30, 2014

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Lawrence woman faces up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to embezzling between $750,000 and $1 million from her employer.

U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom announced in a news release Tuesday that 58-year-old Sharon Ann Holladay pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from Westheffer Company, which manufactures and sells agricultural chemical spray equipment.

Holladay was office manager and transferred money from the operations account to a petty cash fund she controlled. She also gave herself unauthorized bonuses and commissions and made unauthorized purchases with the company’s credit card.

Sentencing has not been scheduled.

‘Home on the Range’ cabin rededication set

Posted on September 30, 2014

ATHOL, Kan. (AP) — After three years of mostly fundraising and labor, the cabin in northern Kansas where the lyrics for “Home on the Range” were written will be officially rededicated this weekend.

The cabin in Smith County was the home of Brewster Higley in the 1870s. While living there, he wrote a poem called “My Western Home,” which became the lyrics for “Home on the Range.” That later became the official song of Kansas.

The Wichita Eagle reports the cabin was crumbling three years ago, when Kansas was celebrating its 150th anniversary. A grassroots effort raised $133,000 in donations and the cabin was restored, along with construction of nature walks, footbridges and handicapped accessible efforts.

A weekend of activities is planned, with the rededication ceremony on Sunday.