A man who was seriously injured by electric shock Wednesday in St. Joseph is still receiving treatment.

According to an official with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration it’s Kansas City, Missouri office is investigating the serious injury of the 43-year old service technician.

Preliminary reports indicate the technician was injured while testing electrical parts at a commercial facility for Greg’s Appliance Mart of St. Joseph. He is currently hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his family,” said Barbara Theriot, OSHA Area Director in Kansas City. “These are preventable incidents and OSHA is currently investigating to determine if any violations of safety regulations contributed to this tragedy.”

OSHA’s electrical standards are designed to protect employees exposed to dangers such as electric shock, electrocution, fires, and explosions. It is imperative that employees working with electricity are trained about these hazards and how to protect themselves, to include locking out the electrical source and using the proper protective tools and personal equipment provided by the employer.

Fire officials are investigating a fire as ‘suspicious’ after the church was burglarized and vandalized.

According to David Vincent, Acting Fire Chief with the Savannah Rural Fire Department crews were called out to a fire around 6:45 a.m. at St. John’s Church in Amazonia.

“The first fire truck reported heavy smoke coming from the building,” Vincent said. “Made entry into the east side, found the fire in the basement and quickly extinguished it.”

He said there was significant fire damage to the basement and the sanctuary and upstairs received smoke damage.

“The main fire was out within 10 minutes,” Vincent said. “We’ve been on scene this long just making sure it’s completely out and doing some cleanup.”

However, Vincent said there were signs that the fire was not an accident so the Andrew County Sheriff’s Department and the State Fire Marshall’s Office were called in to investigate.

The church’s pastor told the St. Joseph Post the church was burglarized before the fire.  He said electronic equipment was taken and that the fire may have been an attempt to cover up the evidence.  He also said it looked as if the burglars tried to paint 666 on the side of the church.

Maryville has been named one of the top 50 Safest College Towns in America by Safewise.

The town came in 32 out of 50. The college town landing the number 1 spot, Brookings, South Dakota.

Safewise said on the list that Maryville not only has a beautiful setting but that the city has developed an integrated Public Safety Department.

“The department provides community members with student-friendly, online documents like ‘How to Party Safe.’ It’s no secret that alcohol abuse and sexual assault are two of the biggest safety issues on college campuses today. With the latter issue in mind, Wellness Services at NMSU has developed the Lighthouse Project—a resource dedicated to assisting victims of sexual assault,” Safewise said.

“Maryville Public Safety would like to thank our citizens, law enforcement partners, and Northwest Missouri State University for joint efforts in community betterment initiatives,” said Keith Wood, Maryville Director of Public Safety. “Maryville Public Safety continues to work with the Nodaway County Sheriffs Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Northwest Missouri State University Police Department and various support services to ensure an ongoing commitment toward community safety.”

To view the full list CLICK HERE.

A 76-year-old man was taken to the hospital Tuesday morning in critical condition after a one-vehicle accident.

According to Sgt. Chris McBane with the St. Joseph Police Department Donald Parker was taken by ambulance to Mosaic Life Care with critical injuries after a late morning crash.

McBane said around 10:19 a.m. Parker was driving a Ford F-150 when he ran off the northside of Karnes near the 2300 block, over-corrected went into a skid and ran off the southside of the road and into about a 10-foot deep drainage ditch.

The St. Joseph Fire Department was called in to extricate Parker from the vehicle.

McBane said Parker was not wearing a seat belt. As of 4:20 p.m. Tuesday McBane said Parker was currently in ICU.

Police are still investigating the crash.

The Missouri State Auditor has released an audit report for DeKalb County listing its overall performance rating as “fair.”

The report released Tuesday identified findings related to records and review processes to ensure accuracy of the property tax system, tracking and documenting of seized property in the sheriff’s office and inappropriate additional compensation paid to the county’s presiding commissioner.

The Presiding Commissioner was paid $8,000 in additional compensation during 2014 to serve as the county’s Emergency Management Director. The report said payments to the Presiding Commissioner for serving in this position is not in accordance with state law and should be discontinued.

“The residents of DeKalb County deserve a government that is efficient and accountable to its citizens,” said State Auditor Nicole Galloway. “My office’s report provides clear recommendations to improve procedures and operations in county offices.”

Inadequate computer controls and safeguards in multiple county offices were also identified in the audit. The report said neither the County Clerk nor the County Commission adequately reviews the financial activities of the County Collector-Treasurer.

To view the complete report click here.

Performance audits receive a rating on a scale of excellent, good, fair and poor.