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Author: Stan Unruh

Mo. man charged in New Year’s Day murder

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police(AP) – A 68-year-old man has been charged in the shooting death of another man at a rural home in west-central Missouri.

Benton County prosecutors on Thursday charged Randall Rollins with second-degree murder in the death of 23-year-old Brandon Shute, of Cole Camp. The shooting occurred early Wednesday at the older man’s home in Lincoln.

Rollins did not have a lawyer Thursday, and does not have a listed phone number.

A sheriff’s deputy wrote in court documents that Shute’s wife called saying her husband had been shot. The wife said Shute had tried to choke her while she was sleeping, and that she heard a gunshot from the doorway.

The deputy also wrote that Rollins said he had gone to the bedroom with a gun but that it fired accidentally.

 

Western Mo. Man Dies in Mobile Home Fire

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(AP) – A suburban Kansas City man has died after a fire destroyed his mobile home, where authorities said he stored ammunition.

The FIRE3home was engulfed in flames by the time Belton firefighters arrived at the mobile home park around 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

The man’s name was not immediately released, and investigators were still looking for the cause Thursday afternoon.

A woman who lived next door described the victim to The Star as an older man who used two canes to get around and heated his home with space heaters.

Neighbors reported hearing popping noises as the fire burned. Belton Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Livingston said police believe the sounds were from ammunition in the home going off.

Mo. revenues up

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(AP)  missouri office of AdministrationMissouri revenues have grown by slightly less than 3 percent through the first half of the state’s budget year.

Figures released Thursday by the state Office of Administration show Missouri’s general revenues stood at nearly $3.9 billion at the end of December. That was up more than $100 million from the same period a year earlier _ a growth rate of 2.8 percent.

Missouri’s 2014 fiscal year began last July and ends this coming June 30.

Individual income tax collections mirrored the growth rate in total revenues. Sales taxes grew at a faster rate of 6.4 percent.

Corporate taxes, which comprise a smaller portion of the budget, were up nearly 22 percent compared with the first half of the previous fiscal year.

MWSU Seeks Drum Major for Justice Nominations

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Martin Luther KingThe Center for Multicultural Education and the Division of Student Affairs at Missouri Western State University are calling for nominations for the Drum Major for Justice Award, honoring the legacy and selfless leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The award will be presented to individuals who are committed to social justice, multicultural education, service and, for student nominees, academic excellence. It is given to one Missouri Western student, one Missouri Western employee, and one member of the St. Joseph community.

All nominees will be invited to the Martin Luther King Banquet on Jan. 22, 2014, where the winners will be announced.

To nominate an individual, download and complete an application form at www.missouriwestern.edu/cme. Completed forms must be returned to the Center for Multicultural Education by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15. Forms can be returned in person at Blum Union 210; by mail to 4545 Down Drive, St. Joseph, Mo., 64507, or by email at cme@missouriwestern.edu.

Two injured in Thursday head on crash

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Missouri Highway Patrol MHPTwo drivers were hospitalized following a head on crash Thursday morning that blocked traffic on US 59.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol twenty-one year old Cassandra P. Neff of Mound City, Mo. was driving a 2006 Ford Taurus south on US 59 in Holt County when the vehicle slid, crossed the centerline and hit a 1999 Dodge Ram head on.

The Dodge, driven by Brenten W. Hughes age 25 of Forrest City, Mo. suffered extensive damage.  Both vehicles came to rest in the road and briefly blocked US 59. Both drivers were transported to Heartland Regional Medical Center.

Health overhaul benefits take effect with new year

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healthcareSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — After a troubled rollout, President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul now faces its most personal test: How will it work as people seek care under its new mandates?

Most major pieces of the Affordable Care Act are taking effect with the new year.

That means people who had been denied coverage because of pre-existing medical conditions can book appointments and get prescriptions.

Caps on yearly out-of-pocket expenses will mean people shouldn’t have to worry about bankruptcy after treatment for a catastrophic illness or injury. And all new insurance policies must offer a minimum level of essential benefits.

While the federal website is apparently fixed, the start of the year still could bring plenty of confusion. For example, insurers say they are receiving thousands of erroneous sign-up applications from the government.

New Year’s baby doing fine

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2014Early Wednesday morning, St. Joseph’s first baby of the New Year was born.

Brooklyn Grace Estes arrived at 3:24 a.m. She weighed 6lbs 5 oz and her proud parents are Cody and Samantha Estes of Savannah, according to Tracey Clark at Heartland Regional Medical Center.  Mother and baby are doing just fine.

Widow of Charlie Spoonhour Starts Scholarship Fund

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Charlie Spoonhour
Charlie Spoonhour

AP) – The widow of former men’s basketball coach Charlie Spoonhour has established a scholarship fund in his honor at Missouri State University.

Spoonhour was head coach at the school in Springfield from 1983 to 1992 before moving to Saint Louis University and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. He died in February 2012.

His widow, Vicki Spoonhour, said she created the fund for the university’s men’s program because the school gave her husband his first Division I coaching job and the couple made many friends in Springfield. The Springfield News-Leader reports she declined to say how much she donated.

Spoonhour compiled a 197-81 record at Missouri State, which was then known as Southwest Missouri State, while leading the Bears to five NCAA Tournament appearances.

Missouri Man dies in New Year’s Day domestic shooting

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police(AP)  A 23-year-old man died and a suspect is in custody after an apparent domestic dispute in southwest Missouri.

The Benton County Sheriff’s office says a man from Cole Camp was found dead in a home in Henry’s Acres early Wednesday.

 A 68-year-old Lincoln resident was arrested but he is not yet charged.

No names or further details were released.

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