The St. Joseph School District wrapped up its introduction of more than 100 new teachers to the district Wednesday through its New Teacher Institute.

“The premise behind it is to provide an opportunity to acclimate staff members that are new to the St. Joseph School District,” said Brian Schindorf, Dir. Elementary Education.

This year the institute was held Monday, Aug 3 to Wednesday, Aug. 5.

“The first day they spend a lot of time getting to know the district a little better, different aspects of the district, individuals in the district they will be working with,” Schindorf said. “They spend a couple of days doing things like learning how to utilize technology in the classroom.  For those who haven’t been exposed to the types of devices we use here in the St. Joseph School District they get to get exposed to them.  We walk them through the different curriculum platforms that we utilize here so that will prepare them for writing their lesson plans and being prepared to teach.”

105 teachers went through the program.

“It’s just above average,” Schindorf said. “Typically we have just slightly less than 100 so it’s a little above average.”

New teachers will also be given the chance to “shop” for free Thursday at Crayons to Computers, a location where teachers can pick out school supplies donated by local businesses that’s only open to district employees.

The first day back to school for students in the St. Joseph School District is Monday, Aug. 17.

 

The St. Joseph Police Department is continuing its search for a murder suspect and now a reward is being offered for tips that lead to his capture.

Charles Leroy Coats Jr., 32 of St. Joseph was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder in connection with the Saturday shooting death of Jason Ginn, 32 of St. Joseph.

As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, Coats was still not in police custody.

“We’re applying a lot of resources to locating him,” said Capt. Jeff Wilson with the St. Joseph Police Department. “We are actively working along with multiple other agencies across the state to locate him.”

According to court documents, witnesses saw Coats and Ginn get into a verbal argument on Coats’ front porch Saturday around 5 p.m at 308 S. 15th St.  As Ginn started walking away witnesses said Coats pulled a handgun and began firing at him, hitting him four times.  Ginn died from a fatal gunshot wound to his head.

Wilson said police have been looking for Coats for a substantial amount of time.

“He became a person of interest within a short time frame of the incident,” Wilson said. “Anytime we have a person of interest we want to speak to that person.”

Anyone with information to Coats whereabouts is being asked to contact the TIPS Hotline at (816) 238-TIPS.  Wilson said a reward for tips that lead to Coats apprehension will be given.

The amount is determined by a board that governs the rewards.

“There’s a homicide suspect that’s on the loose so that’s of concern,” Wilson said when asked if the public should be worried that a murder suspect was still at large. “We have a lot of leads that we’re working on but we do not have him located at this time.  Any help from the community or anybody that would want to call in would be very appreciated.”

Tips can be made at (816) 238-8477.

 

A man has been charged in connection with the shooting death of 32-year-old Jason Ginn.

Charles Leroy Coats Jr., 32 of St. Joseph has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting.  The Buchanan County Prosecutor’s office said as of 5 p.m. Tuesday Coats was still not in custody.  The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to request bond be denied in the case.

According to court documents, witnesses saw Coats on the front porch of his residence at 308 S. 15th Saturday get into a verbal argument with Ginn.

“Ginn started walking away south on the sidewalk of S. 15th and Coats pulled a handgun and began firing at Ginn,” Detective Richard Shelton said witnesses reported in his sworn statement. “According to an autopsy report Ginn suffered four gunshot wounds to various parts of his body and died from a fatal gunshot wound to his head.”

Coats allegedly ran from the scene with the firearm and is still at large.

“He has family members outside of Buchanan County that he can flee to,” Shelton said. “Coats has a violent history with felony convictions of Assault 2nd Degree and felony resisting arrest.”

 

Thousands of teens in St. Joseph are finding out what their class schedule looks like for the upcoming school year.

“We’re registering our students,” said Robert Sigrist, Central High School Assistant Principal. “Students are coming in, picking up schedules, signing up for different activities, different clubs, paying their fees and everything. Basically getting all that paperwork and registration done at the beginning of the year.”

High School registration is being held Tuesday and Wednesday at Lafayette, Central and Benton.

The district expects to see around 3,500 high school students register this school year, Central could see around 1,600 of those kids.

“We’ve tried to streamline this process as much as possible,” Sigrist said. “We have different times setup for different classes to come through.”

Incoming Senior Roman Bohart said he’s looking forward to his schedule.

“Not much stress this year,” Bohart said. “I’m actually going into the Navy so I don’t have to take any pre-college classes or anything.  Pretty simple year.”

The first official day of classes for students in the St. Joseph School District begins August 17.

UPDATE: Police have identified the victim of a fatal shooting Saturday in St. Joseph.

32-year-old Jason Ginn of St. Joseph has been identified as the man shot and killed Saturday in the 300 block of S 15th.

Police have a subject of interest they are looking for. Subject is not in custody and no description had been released.

Anyone with information in the case is encouraged to call the TIPS hotline at (816) 238-TIPS.

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Saturday 6 p.m. – The St. Joseph Police Department is searching for a suspect after a person was shot and killed in midtown Saturday evening.

According to Commander Eric Protzman the shooting was reported just before 5 p.m. in 300 block of South 15th St.

Protzman said a man was shot and killed.  The victim’s identity has not yet been released.

Police are searching for a subject of interest but do not yet have the individual in custody.

No description was released.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is on scene assisting with traffic control in the area.

The City of St. Joseph is kicking off a week dedicated to encourage and promote breastfeeding.

The Health Department WIC (Women, Infants and Children) is joining organizations worldwide to encourage and promote breastfeeding during World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7th.

The department said this year World Breastfeeding Week shines a light on women combining the dual responsibilities of breastfeeding and working, and the role of employers and communities.

“Employers who are regarded as being family friendly empower employees to more easily balance family and work, and to fulfill both their family and work obligations,” the department said in a news release. “Missouri’s ‘Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite’ program encourages the inclusion of breastfeeding protection in the arsenal of family friendly worksite policies.”

The WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors invite breastfeeding moms to activities designed to promote and encourage all pregnant and breastfeeding mothers during “World Breastfeeding Week: Breastfeeding and Work, Let’s Make it Work!”

* Saturday, August 1st at the East Hills Mall Sunporch Café at 10:00 a.m.:
“St. Joe Latch MO” – all breastfeeding moms are invited to join this global event

* Wednesday, August 5th at the East Hills Library: “All About That Base” – a presentation
about cloth diapering, baby wearing and ways parents connect with and nurture babies

* Friday, August 7th at the Keatley Center: “Mothers’ Tea Party” – honoring WIC pregnant
and breastfeeding moms with a special celebration

Contact the WIC Peer Counselor’s office for more information about World Breastfeeding Week activities at 816-271-4880.