…Rapidly Falling Temperatures And Possible Icy Roads This Evening…
A Few Snow Showers Are Expected Late This Afternoon And Early This Evening…Possibly Starting Off As A Brief Period Of Rain. Any Snowfall Amounts Should Be Less Than An Inch.
This Precipitation Will Be Accompanied By A Rapid Drop In Temperatures…And Some Locations Could See Temperatures Fall From The Lower 40s Into The Middle 20s In Less Than 2 Hours. Any Rain That Falls…Or Any Snow That Initially Melts Upon Falling…May Quickly Turn To Ice Once Temperatures Fall Below Freezing. This Combined With Light Snow Later This Evening Could Cause Some Roadways To Become Hazardous Especially If Left Untreated. Motorists Are Therefore Urged To Use Caution While On The Road This Evening And Be Alert To Potentially Rapid Changes In Conditions.

Today A chance of rain after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 50. South southeast wind 8 to 11 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight Rain and snow before midnight, then a chance of snow. Low around 12. Wind chill values between -5 and 5. Blustery, with a north wind 9 to 19 mph increasing to 19 to 29 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Thursday Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 16. Wind chill values between -6 and zero. Blustery, with a north wind 14 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 0. Wind chill values between -3 and -8. North wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 17. North wind around 6 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 5.

Saturday A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday Night Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 21. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday A chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 31. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday Night A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Monday Night A chance of rain or freezing rain. Cloudy, with a low around 25. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tuesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35.

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University has combined two of its most successful networking events into one day of valuable experience for students. Both the University’s spring Career Day and the annual Education Expo will take place Tuesday, March 10, at Lamkin Activity Center.

Career Day will be 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Education Expo will be 1 to 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public; all majors are welcome. Attending individuals should dress professionally.

The events are designed to give potential candidates an opportunity to interact with employers regarding full-time, summer and internship positions. Representatives from a variety of graduate schools and professional programs also will distribute information to students interested in continuing their education.

Registrations are received daily from companies attending the Career Day and often total more than 100 employers and graduate schools. Students also have the opportunity to visit with representatives of Northwest’s Graduate School at the north end of Bearcat Arena from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Attending employers will represent an array of industries, including representatives from Cerner, Garmin International, Hy-Vee, Inc., Stine Seed Company, Farmers Insurance. Schools districts attending the Education Expo hail from Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas.

Northwest’s Career Services website offers a complete list of registered employers, school districts, graduate schools and preparatory materials that include resume and cover letter writing guides as well as instructional videos, ranging in topics from “How to Attend a Northwest Career Day” to self-marketing and networking skills. The website also offers interview tips and services designed to assist candidates in almost every facet of career exploration and preparation.

With the assistance of resources offered by Northwest Career Services, 98 percent of Northwest bachelor’s degree earners and 99 percent of master’s degree earners secure employment or continue their education within six months of graduation, according to the most recent data.

For more information about Career Day, Education Expo or the Graduate Information Fair as well as other services offered by Northwest Career Services, call 660.562.1250 or visit www.nwmissouri.edu/careerserv.

Former Caldwell County Deputy Brett O’Dell attributes his time behind bars to an addiction to prescription medications that he said started after a back problem he sustained during working hours.

“Helping the Fire Department do a lift assist for and elderly man,” said O’Dell. “He started to slip out of my hands.  I went to catch him so he wouldn’t fall and when I caught him I started to lift back up and felt pops in my back.”

In 2014 O’Dell pleaded guilty to stealing around $5,000 and prescription drugs from the Caldwell County evidence vault.  He was placed on five years suspension and was ordered to surrender his peace officer license and pay restitution.

“Had I not been addicted to drugs or alcohol I mean there’s really no doubt in my mind that none of this would have happened,” said O’Dell during Part 1 of this 5 part series.

After putting off his back pain for five years he said he got to a point where he simply couldn’t deal with it anymore on his own.

“I went to the doctor,” he said. “They diagnosed me with a couple of herniated disks, a couple of bulging disks that were getting worse.”

It was the beginning of a problem that he said would end up causing more than just back pain.

“They said I was too young for surgery,” he said. “I would have been I think 26 at the time and they told me they would prescribe me pain medication.”

O’Dell said he quickly became addicted to the pain killers.  He was taking the narcotics Oxycodone and Hydrocodone.  While working drug cases in the past he recalls dealing with many addicts but it didn’t occur to him until much later that he had become one.

“My addiction told me that I was different,” said O’Dell. “Because I wasn’t like them. I wasn’t like the people that were addicted to whatever the drug might be, meth, whatever when in all actuality there was no difference between the two of us other than drug of choice.”

Then, he said his addiction got worse.

“It had snowballed to the point of I was using the medication not just for pain but for anything,” said O’Dell. “To keep me going, to keep me moving. If I was stressed out I was using the medication to ease my stress. It was really a catch-all it would be a lie to say the medication was at that point just for my back.”

Then one day O’Dell said he got in his patrol car and everything else was a blur.

“I was 50 yards from a T-Intersection which I would have driven right through the intersection I pulled off the road and stopped, car still in gear,” he said. “I didn’t hurt anybody, I didn’t hurt myself, physically. And then like I said I woke up to the man knocking on the window and then I remember seeing the sheriff’s truck pulling up. I was put in an ambulance and taken to the hospital. They searched my patrol car and found…I don’t know what they found I know they found prescription pills in my car without bottles.”

After being released from care O’Dell said he realized he could no longer be a law enforcement officer.  He said he went in and resigned.

“They told me that the Highway Patrol wanted to speak with me,” he said. “Wouldn’t tell me about what, but I’m not stupid either.”

Check back with the St. Joseph Post Wednesday for Part 3 of this 5 Part Series on how this former Caldwell County Deputy ended up on the other side of the law.  Audio also airing on 680 AM KFEQ at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

The Atchison County Community Elementary School is warning parents about the possible outbreak of scabies.

The letter issued to parents Monday was written by school nurse Cheri Hawk to inform parents that a confirmed case of scabies was found in the school.

The letter informs parents about symptoms and treatments of the skin infestation caused by a human itch mite.

“The microscopic scabies mite burrows into the upper layer of the skin where it lives and lays its eggs. The most common symptoms of scabies are intense itching and a pimple-like skin rash. The scabies mite usually is spread by direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies,” the letter stated. “On a person, scabies mites can live for as long as 1-2 months. Off a person, scabies mites usually do not survive more than 48-72 hours.”

Click here to read full letter.

The school said an infected child is allowed to return to school the morning after their first treatment which can only be prescribed by a doctor.

“In addition to the infested person, treatment also is recommended for household members, particularly those who have had prolonged skin-to-skin contact with the infested person,” the letter said. “All persons should be treated at the same time in order to prevent re-infestation. Retreatment may be necessary if itching continues more than 2-4 weeks after treatment or if new burrows or rash continue to appear.”

The school assures parents it is taking all precautions to prevent the spread of scabies.

St. Joseph, MO – Todd Brockett, a social studies teacher at Robidoux Middle School and president of the St. Joseph National Education Association, is calling for the suspension of superintendent certifications for Dr. Fred Czerwonka, Dr. Melody Smith and Dr. Dan Colgan.

In a news release issued Tuesday by the St. Joe NEA said the suspension of certification is among the most severe penalties the State Board of Education can administer to an individual and would prevent the three from serving as administrators in any Missouri school district.

Click here to read the letter in full.

“A 13-year pattern of financial abuse, neglect and mismanagement by Dr. Czerwonka, Dr. Smith and Dr. Colgan demonstrates they forgot students should be at the center of everything educators do,” Brockett said. “Their actions have undermined the education of our students and shaken the St. Joseph’s community’s faith in its local schools. These administrators must be held accountable.”

This comes after findings from Missouri State Auditor’s Office were released last week which found a staggering $25 million in stipends were paid over the last eight years that were according to the report, “either unapproved, unauthorized or improper.” State Auditor Tom Schweich estimated that total to be in excess of $40 million dating back to 2001. $3.8 million in stipends were paid in 2013-2014.

The news release issued by the St. Joseph NEA went on to state that the pattern of payouts continued through multiple administrations ran by Dr. Czerwonka, Dr. Smith and Dr. Colgan.

“Suspending the certifications of Czerwonka, Smith and Colgan immediately is an important first step in healing our community,” Brockett said. “After a thorough investigation is complete, the State Board should consider if permanent revocation is appropriate.”

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (Rosecrans Air National Guard Base) – The 139th Airlift Wing is deploying a portion of its C-130 airlift fleet and more than 100 Airmen to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar Wednesday morning.

The Airmen will be supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.

Aircrews, maintenance and support personnel from the 180th Airlift Squadron and 139th Maintenance Group provide airlift capabilities for U.S. and coalition forces in U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

The Missouri Air National Guard’s 139th Airlift Wing is comprised of approximately 1,100 citizen-Airmen from local communities throughout the region. The unit operates the C-130H Hercules cargo aircraft and has a dual mission to the state of Missouri and the federal government. Rosecrans Air National Guard Base is located at Rosecrans Memorial Airport, St. Joseph, Mo.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol a driving while intoxicated saturation held Saturday in Daviess County lead to two arrests and numerous warnings.

The saturation was held from 10 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday.

During that time span Troop H said it had an enforcement operation of four officers patrolling specific areas with a goal of detecting impaired drivers and other traffic violations that contribute to traffic crashes.

As a result of the operation, officers made two arrests for driving while intoxicated, issued 18 citations and 54 warnings.

“The Missouri State Highway Patrol is dedicated to removing intoxicated drivers from Missouri roadways,” said Captain McDonald, commanding officer Troop H, St. Joseph. “Anytime your plans include alcohol, please have a sober designated driver.”

 

A man has been taken into custody in Clinton County after allegedly abducting two children from their home in Buchanan County Monday evening.

According to Clinton County Sheriff Porter Hensen 32-year-old Jason A. George was taken into custody shortly after 5 p.m. Monday at his residence located at 7169 NW 308th St. in Gower, Mo.

“Call went out that there was an abduction and they might be heading to an address in our county and we responded,” said Hensen. “As my deputy pulled into the driveway he saw a man going into the back of the house or up the steps and he took him into custody.”

Hensen said Buchanan County authorities had contacted Clinton County around 4:53 to alert them to the alleged custodial abduction of two girls, age 10 and 13 who had been taken from a home off of Bigham Road in Buchanan County.

“We had a warrant for him anyway so we arrested him on our warrant and then started the investigation,” said Hensen.

According to online court documents George is charged with Felony Abuse or Neglect of a Child from February 18, 2015 in Clinton County.  Court documents indicate the warrant for his arrest was issued Feb. 23, 2015.

Hensen said they had been notified that George was in possession of a number of weapons. He said when George was originally taken into custody he denied possessing any firearms however, after a search warrant was obtained for the property Clinton County deputies located several weapons.

Hensen said the girls were recovered at the residence in Gower and were unharmed.

George is currently being held in Clinton County.  Charges have not yet been filed in Buchanan County.

 

In 2014 former Caldwell County Deputy Brett O’Dell pleaded guilty to stealing around $5,000 and prescription drugs from the evidence vault.

“I lost my career but I am grateful I could have lost more,” said O’Dell.

The court placed him on five years supervised probation. He surrendered his peace officer licence and will pay restitution.

“Had I not been addicted to drugs or alcohol I mean there’s really no doubt in my mind that none of this would have happened,” said O’Dell

O’Dell said being a law enforcement officer was something he’s wanted to do since he was a kid so as soon as he could he joined the police academy.

“I Graduated at 20 and I had a year before I could be certified. I went to Platte County and worked as a civilian in the jail which is pretty common,” said O’Dell. “I worked there for about a year and then I went to the Hamilton Police Department once I turned 21. I wanted to be on the road. Nobody goes to the academy to work in a jail so I wanted to be on the road. I was there for about a year and a half and then I left and went to Caldwell County.”

He worked at Caldwell County for around five years.

“I started out as a road deputy. Worked the road for about three years and then I was starting to get groomed to be an investigator,” said O’Dell. “Once our investigator left and went to Clay County I took over investigations and basically did that that last two years I was there.”

O’Dell said he quickly moved his way up the ranks until one day he blacked out and lost almost everything.

“I don’t remember anything up until the point I got into my patrol car and then I don’t remember driving my patrol car until I was at the intersection of Missouri 13 or Missouri 116 with a gentleman knocking on my window.”

Check back with the St. Joseph Post Tuesday evening to read part two of a five part series on O’Dell’s struggle with prescription drugs and how this former Caldwell County Deputy found himself behind bars.   Audio from series also airing on 680 AM KFEQ during 5:30 hour.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The ramp from eastbound U.S. Hwy 36 to northbound Interstate 29 will be closed briefly on Wednesday, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Local crews will close the ramp to all traffic at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, to replace highway lighting bulbs.

Signs will be in place to alert motorists to use an alternate route during the closure, which is anticipated to last approximately 30 minutes.