The Brown County Sheriff’s Department is tackling the issue of underage drinking after a recent incident involving numerous teens in the county.

“Almost three or four weeks ago we had a party in our county that had more than 100 kids there,” Sheriff John Merchant said. “That was a big concern that prompted this.”

He said that more than 100 young people as well as a large supply of alcohol was found at the party.

In a news release earlier this week the Sheriff’s Department talked about the issue in Brown County and some of the concerns voiced by parents and teenager.

“We have an obligation to the public any time that we have knowledge that the underage kids are having parties containing alcohol to intervene to keep everyone safe,” Merchant said.

The department is currently still investigating the case but is also trying to address future incidents from taking place.

“Back in the day, the legal drinking age for cereal malt beverage 3.2% was 18 and parties like these were tolerated to some extend for whatever reason,” Merchant said in the release. “During the course of time, it was noted that teenage drivers under the influence of alcohol were contributing to an alarming number of traffic related injuries and death.”

Merchant added that the National Minimum Drinking Age Act was enacted in 1983 after an alarming number of alcohol-related statistics to require a minimum legal drinking age of 21.

“There are some old mindsets out there that kids are going to be kids,” Merchant said. “I understand that teens have to explore and make mistakes and  from our standpoint, we don’t want one mistake to be their last. We just cannot turn a blind-eye to this or ignore this problem because it will not go away.”

Merchant said the both parents and teenagers have voiced concerns about the issue of under age parties and the safety of those attending.

“They are doing the right thing by letting us know of the situation before it’s too late.  I would much rather have a few people become upset with us for doing our job than ignore the situation and have a serious safety issue on our hands,” Merchant said.

He adds in Brown County there is zero tolerance for underage drinking.

“When we receive complaints/concerns about minors having a party where alcohol is available to them, we have no choice but to investigate,” Merchant said. “A poor choice can lead to many criminal charges such as Minor in Possession of Alcohol, Driving Under the Influence, Child Endangerment, Unlawfully Hosting Minors, Furnishing Alcohol to Minors, etc.  This is in no way meant to “pick on” or “harass” teenagers, but an attempt to bring to light the serious lifetime consequences a “little fun” can bring on. ”

Merchant said the Department takes part in public service messages to discourage underage drinking and is active in the schools.

“I feel that all law enforcement officers  have an obligation to parents and their children to do everything possible to make sure their  kids get the chance to grow in to adulthood and show the world what they have to offer,” Merchant said. “I encourage any parent or teenager to come visit with me or give me a call and I will be glad to provide information or any assistance we can offer on this or any other area of concern.”

A one vehicle accident in the 5100 block of Lake Ave Wednesday morning sent a woman to the hospital and knocked out power for a short period of time.

According to St. Joseph Police Officer Ed Sexton a woman was driving her maroon Chevy Impala southbound on Lake Ave and due to a vehicle defect her vehicle pulled to the right and hit several telephone poles.

“The driver said the vehicle suddenly pulled to the right,” Sexton said. “In doing that she hit two telephone poles, clipped one and then struck another one head on.”

Sexton said the woman driving the vehicle sustained injuries during the crash but declined to be transported by ambulance to the hospital.

“She did go by private vehicle for treatment,” Sexton said. “Someone picked her up.”

A Nixle alert sent out at 11:14 a.m. said the accident caused a power outage in the area.  However, a spokesman with Kansas City Power & Light said no power outages were reported in St. Joseph when we called them at 11:25 a.m.

While police worked the accident one lane of Lake Ave was closed for a short period of time.

Sexton said the woman was issued two tickets, one for no proof of financial responsibility and another for driving a defective vehicle.

The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department reported Wednesday that no evidence has been found in connection with a children’s abduction story reported last week.

“After an extensive investigation we’ve determined that we cannot substantiate it at this point,” Sheriff Mike Strong said. “We’ve got eye witnesses, obvious evidence at the scene that we cannot corroborate any of the complaint and at this time the case is closed.”

Three children said they were abducted last Tuesday in Buchanan County.

As we previously reported, the children’s parents originally called them in missing.  Then the kids turned up along King Hill Avenue near High Street around 8 p.m. Tuesday soaking wet.

According to Colonel Bill Puett the three children between the ages of five and eleven told their parents that a man in a white, four-door pickup truck abducted them, took them out into the county and then threw them into a pond.

However, Strong said an eyewitness saw the kids crossing a bridge at Kuck road near Lake Contrary Creek.

“We actually have an eye witness that saw the kids before they walked across the bridge, while they were walking across the bridge and after they walked across the bridge,” Strong said.

The children were also interviewed by the Northwest Children’s Advocacy Center.

“We are certain as to what happened that day and none of the physical evidence matched up right from the very start and no consistency in any of the complaints from the three different victims, alleged victims,” Strong said. “The case is closed.”

After being sworn in at the newest member of the St. Joseph School District Board of Education Monday night Eric Bruder took a stance on placing a .63 cent tax levy on the August ballot.

During the meeting Bruder referred to placing the issue up for voter approval in four months “suicide.”

“What I mean by that is that I think the ballot is important but I think the timing of this in August is totally wrong,” Bruder said.  “The public needs to see that actions have been taken properly on the State Auditor’s report in each case that those have been corrected.  They need to see that we have the administration headed in the right direction as far as accountability is concerned not just with the audit but from an accounting and financial perspective. Once that’s done I know the public will more than support whatever tax levy is needed.”

Bruder said he’s advocating that the vote get put off long enough that there’s buy-in from the whole school district.

“A big part of what needs to be done is determine whether what’s needed is 63-cents or 48-cents or 72-cents…That needs to be determined by a thorough run-through of the budget itself,” Bruder said. “I’m not advocating that that vote gets put off from August to April but more along the lines that it gets put off long enough that one that it’s in the school district so you get complete buy-in and complete involvement by all the students and parents and teachers that work in the administration while school’s on-going.”

A loss of the operating levy would cost the district almost $6.5 million dollars.

“I think it’s important that all those issues get addressed and then we’ll determine what needs to be done and then I think when the public has full confidence in the administration, the district and the board that it’ll move forward where it needs to go,” said Bruder.

Bruder said he feels his addition to the school board will give the board a fresh look at issues they are faced with.

“I think the board members are fantastic it’s a good group of people but I always think that a fresh perspective is good,” Bruder said. “Someone who doesn’t know everything and have been involved in everything is always healthy.”

The St. Joseph Fire Department is attributing the cause of a Monday evening house fire to a lit cigarette.

According to fire inspector Steve Henrichson firefighters responded to the 1300 block of Jackson St. just after 10:20 Monday evening.

When crews arrived the first floor of the home was already fully involved.

Henrichson said they believe the fire started after the homeowner fell asleep on the couch while smoking a cigarette.

“He said he was smoking and figured he dropped his cigarette because when he woke up his feet were hot and the smoke detectors were going off,” Henrichson said.

He said the homeowner went outside of the house to try and grab a hose to put out the fire but when he came back the fire had quickly gotten out of control.

“He had all the windows in the house open and he lived at the top of the hill so he had a really good breeze at the top of the house,” Henrichson said. “Of course when you have oxygen it feeds a fire.”

The homeowner was able to escape with one of his dogs but was still looking for a second dog Tuesday morning.

“We didn’t find the other dog in the structure and one of the neighbors said they saw the other dog out running around,” Henrichson said.

The home is estimated to be a complete loss of around $85,000 with the structure and contents.

Family is assisting the homeowner at this time.

The Platte County Sheriff’s Office has announced it may be conducting DWI checkpoints throughout the month of May.

The announcement comes just days after the department made 19 arrests during a DWI checkpoint held overnight Friday at Mo. 9 Highway and N. Mattox Rd.

A location was not released for the possible May checkpoints.

Sgt. Jerin Almond said the locations of checkpoints are selected based on a variety of factors including, “The volume of vehicle traffic, the number of alcohol-related crashes and the number of DWI arrests made in those areas.”

Friday 10 arrests were made for impaired drivers.

Platte County Sheriff Mark Owen said it’s a way to make area roadways safer.

“DWI checkpoints are aimed at taking impaired drivers off our roadways by arresting those found to be impaired. Between court costs, bond fees and the loss of your driver’s license, to name a few reasons, the risk is not worth it. If you are going to drink, plan ahead for a safe and sober way home,” Owen said.

The St. Joseph Police Department arrested a man at gunpoint Monday afternoon.

According to Capt. Jeff Wilson officers arrested 29-year-old Brian David Grooms who was wanted on a warrant for a probation and parole violation just before 1 p.m. at a home located in the 3100 block of Olive St.

Wilson said the Grooms refused to cooperate so officers had enter the residence with guns drawn.  Animal Control & Rescue was also called in to assist because of a dog that was out of control.

Mark Twain Elementary School and Truman Middle School were both placed on voluntary lockdown during the incident as a precaution.

Within a half hour Wilson said officers were able to safely take the suspect into custody.

The St. Joseph School Board of Education will swear in its newest board member Monday evening.

The board selected Eric Bruder Friday to fill the vacant spot on the board left by the resignation of Dr. Dan Colgan last month.

Bruder was selected unanimously by the Board out of a pool of 16.

He will be officially sworn in during today’s meeting after taking his oath of office.

Bruder is currently the President and CEO of Van Am Tool & Engineering in St. Joseph and the former Ex. VP and COO of WireCo World Group.

Bruder graduated with a B.S. in Electronics Engineering and a MBA from Rockhurst University.

The ceremony is scheduled to take place during the board’s meeting which will begin at 5 p.m. at Troester Media Center located at 3401 Renick St.

The meeting is expected to be live streamed on the district’s YouTube page.

 

19 people were arrested during a checkpoint held Friday in Platte County.

According to Sgt. Jerin Almond with the Platte County Sheriff’s Office a sobriety checkpoint was held from from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. at Mo. 9 Highway and N. Mattox Rd. in southern Platte County.

The checkpoint was conducted with deputies from the Platte County Sherriff’s Office and assistance from the Northland DWI Task Force.

Almond said officials stopped 451 vehicles and arrested 19 on a total of 20 charges including 10 charges for DWI, two on outstanding arrest warrants and five for driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license and three for no valid driver’s license.

Almond said some individuals were arrested on multiple charge.