Two staff members at a southeastern Nebraska prison were assaulted Sunday. One of the staffers at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution received injuries described as serious but not life threatening and required medical treatment.
The facility is secure and all staff are safe and accounted for according to an announcement by corrections officials.
During the incident Sunday morning, inmates in one housing unit gallery refused to return to their cells, but officials said they later did so without the need for force. The Nebraska Dept. of Correctional Services did not release the names of the two guards were assaulted.
Riots at the prison have claimed four lives in just over two years.
Officials at TSCI initially cancelled all visits for the day, but normal visiting schedules resumed by Sunday afternoon, except in Housing Unit 2a.
Two new temporary exhibits will feature the moon next month at the St. Joseph Museums.
According to a news release, St. Joseph Museums located at 3406 Frederick Avenue will have two new temporary exhibits opening on August 1.
One will feature a Lunar Sample (Moon Rock) from NASA that will be available for viewing during the three months surrounding the August 21, 2017, Total Solar Eclipse. The museum said St. Joseph Museum Trustee Tanner Mayhew was able fly to Houston, Texas, to bring the Moon Rock safely to St. Joseph.
The second temporary exhibit will be featured on the second floor of the Glore Psychiatric Museum and is called “The Moon and Madness,” which is an immersive exhibit that encourages visitors to imagine taking a trip to the moon.
The United States is the only country to have landed a man on the Moon. There were six successful manned lunar landings from the Apollo 11 mission in 1969 to Apollo 17 in 1972. The Lunar Sample to be exhibited at the St. Joseph Museum is number 70035,41. It is a portion of a rock brought back from the moon by Apollo 17 astronauts Harrison Schmitt, Eugene Cernan and Ronald Evans. It was collected from a boulder on the rim of a subdued crater about 45 meters east northeast of the Lunar Module in the Taurus-Littrow valley. The total weight of the rock as returned to Earth was 5,765 grams (over 12 pounds). This sample weighs 118 grams. The rock is a gray color with rounded surfaces and a flat bottom. It was opened in the Command Module and studied by Schmitt who had permission to pick it up with his bare hands. It is a basalt rock with medium grain. The age of the rock is approximately 3.7 billion years as determined by radiogenic dating methods. The Moon Rock will be taken back to Houston in October.
Does the full moon really cause people to act strangely? To explore that question the Glore Psychiatric Museum will open a special exhibit called “The Moon and Madness” on August 1. This exhibit was designed to inspire visitors to imagine taking a trip to the moon and to explore whether the Moon affects human behavior. Children and adults will learn about the solar system, phases of the moon, and how solar eclipses occur. A timely topic since St. Joseph, Missouri, is on the Path of Totality for the Total Solar Eclipse that will occur on August 21 of this year.
Visitors will be able to experience “The Moon and Madness” exhibit and to view the Lunar Sample during regular museum hours at no additional admission fee from August 1 until October. The St. Joseph Museum and the Glore Psychiatric Museum, 3406 Frederick Avenue, are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $4 for students. Museum members and children six and under are free. Admission includes the Black Archives Museum, Doll Museum, and the American Indian and History Galleries of the St. Joseph Museum. Call 816-232-8471 or visit the St. Joseph Museum website at www.stjosephmuseum.org for more information.
(Missourinet) – Missouri is ranked last in the National Safety Council’s “State of Safety” report.
The rankings are based on states’ home, community, workplace and roadway safety regulations. Highway Safety and Traffic Director Bill Whitfield tells Missourinet the report shows the state must strengthen its traffic safety policies, including a primary seat belt law. There are 34 states which allow law enforcement to pull over drivers solely for not wearing their seat belts.
“We know that’s going to increase our safety belt usage. We’re currently at 81%,” Whitfield said. “Of the fatalities that occur each year in our state, we’re averaging somewhere around 63% to 68% unbuckled fatalities. About half of those are where the occupants were ejected from the vehicle.”
Seat belt usage among men and pickup drivers is even lower than the statewide average.
Missouri is one of three states that does not ban texting while driving. Whitfield said he wants the state legislature to ban drivers from using their cell phones and texting and strengthen alcohol-related traffic laws.
“We do have an ignition interlock program in the state of Missouri, even though it doesn’t require for all first time offenders,” Whitfield said. “We could have additional strengths in that if we could get a ban on open containers for drivers and passengers.”
He said tougher traffic laws would be a tool in the toolbox. Whitfield hopes the report is part of a larger discussion.
“Somewhat of the takeaway on this whole report is that regardless of laws that we have or don’t have, the responsibility for safe driving is up to the occupants and driver of the car. I think that maybe sometimes that gets overlooked more than it should,” Whitfield said. “While it would be good to have all of these laws that the National Safety Council thinks that we should have, and I agree, there are still many preventative things that the drivers of vehicles can start doing today.”
The report gave ten other states an “F” overall. No states received an “A.”
“I think they took a hard line approach on reviewing what the states had in place and knowing that strong laws are a great first step in any traffic safety initiative,” Whitfield said.
Missouri scored higher in its traffic safety efforts involving drivers 65 years and older. The state requires in-person renewals for those individuals and an evaluation could be ordered to determine if they should continue to drive.
About 52 Missouri law enforcement agencies will be patrolling the interstates through Sunday, as part of a special speed enforcement campaign. Five other states are participating in the initiative.
The City of St. Joseph is offering tips for those who plan to camp out for the Total Solar Eclipse.
The Health Department, as part of a eclipse preparation series, tackled camping out over the Aug. 21 Total Solar Eclipse. The department said camping during the eclipse won’t differ from camping at any other time of the year except for the anticipated volume of campers. Several camp sites in the area have been set up for the weekend prior to the eclipse.
“As you make lists of things you’ll need, keep in mind the conditions you’ll face during the eclipse weekend. Bring more than enough food, water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and other supplies. Plan to be out in the heat for extended periods of time, and understand there will most likely be many other people around you. Traffic is likely to be heavy and a trip to the store to stock up on supplies or pick up a forgotten item could be a challenge. Cell phone and internet service could be spotty,” the department stated.
The department’s suggested list of items includes:
A tent or camper
Sleeping bag, mat, or air mattress and pump
Food preparation items – cooking utensils, coolers, etc.
A first aid kit should include bandages, antiseptic wipes, sterile gauze pads and tape, antibiotic ointment, acetaminophen and ibuprofen, aspirin, tweezers, plastic non‐latex gloves, disposable instant cold packs, calamine lotion, alcohol wipes, and a first aid manual
Lots of water: individual bottles, gallon jugs, even non‐potable water for rinsing dishes, clothes or feet
Insect repellent and sunscreen, and use them regularly. Tick‐borne illnesses across the Nation are on the increase.
Flashlights and extra batteries
A pair of sandals you can slip on to do what you would normally do barefoot at home
Towels: Paper towels, hand towels, body towels, old grubby clean‐up‐the‐dog‐towels
Four trash can liners: One for trash, one for dirty clothes, one for wet clothes (and towels), and one for all the stuff you missed when you’re packing up the car to leave
Toiletries: a toothbrush, soap, deodorant, toilet paper, other personal hygiene items
Prescription medications
For information on camping sites around the area over the Solar Eclipse CLICK HERE.
The St. Joseph Police Department has released details into a Thursday standoff in which a man was arrested for multiple felony warrants.
Commander Eric Protzman said authorities responded to the 2100 block of Buehler searching for Theodore Marti, 32 in connection with two felony warrants. Protzman said Marti was initially uncooperative with authorities and the Special Response Team was called in to assist. Around two hours later, Protzman said authorities got the front door open and called for Marti who became cooperative and came out of the residence.
Marti was taken for treatment of injuries he has sustained to his leg during a prior incident. Protzman said a woman was initially detained at the home but has been released.
The case remains under investigation. Marti is being held in the Buchanan County Jail without bail. A court appearance is slated for Monday.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Transportation has road work plans slated for later this month on U.S. Route 169 in St. Joseph to provide for a smoother ride, especially under Interstate 29.
MoDOT said to provide a smoother ride for all travelers, asphalt repairs are planned from just west of I-29 to just east of the Leonard Road intersection on the east side of I-29. The project is slated to begin Monday evening, July 31 and should be completed by 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1.
Contractors from Herzog Contracting Corporation, working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, plan to work at night between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. to minimize the impact to traffic. They will close the off ramps at the interchange from the interstate to U.S. Route 169. One lane for through traffic on U.S. Route 169 will remain open in each direction throughout the duration of the project, though some turns may not be permitted. Motorists are advised to follow all signs and flaggers, and to use caution in the area.
An Excessive Heat Warning continues for the entire area today and Saturday for temperatures in the upper 90s and heat index values as high as 110. Some heat relief will arrive with a cold front Saturday evening with highs on Sunday expected to be around 90 degrees. A few storms are possible with the front Saturday evening. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:
Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 109. South southwest wind 6 to 11 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. South wind 6 to 11 mph.
Saturday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 107. South southwest wind 7 to 9 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 90.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
(Update 10:49 a.m.) – The St. Joseph Police Department said one of three victims has died after an overnight shooting at Brittany Village Apartments.
Capt. Jeff Wilson said officers responded shortly before 3 a.m. Thursday in response to a call of shots fired at the complex located at 1605 N. 36th St. He said when officers arrived on scene they located three victims with gunshot wounds and notified EMS immediately.
“At this time there is a language barrier that is creating a communication issue in the investigation,” Wilson said. “Detectives are in the process of obtaining interpreter assistance.”
The victims were around the ages of 42, 37 and 31. After being transported to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries one of the victims has been confirmed deceased.
Wilson said at this point in time the investigation is at its early stages to no further information is currently available for release.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> (5:30 a.m.) – The St. Joseph Police Department is investigating an overnight shooting that seriously injured three people.
According to Sgt. Brad Kerns, reports of shots fired at Brittany Village Apartments on 36th Street came in around 3 a.m. Thursday. Kerns confirmed there were three victims who were transported to Mosaic Life Care with serious injuries.
Kerns said as of 5 a.m., they had no suspect information.
The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office has released additional information into a Tuesday morning crash in which a man was killed and a woman seriously injured.
Sheriff Bill Puett said in a news release Wednesday, that the vehicle involved in the crash was actively fleeing from a Buchanan County deputy sheriff, who had attempted to stop the vehicle for traffic violations. He said the vehicle was being pursued by a deputy sheriff when the vehicle lost control, left the roadway, and crashed.
As we previously reported, around 1 a.m. Tuesday the Missouri State Highway Patrol said Corrine Smith, 24 of St. Joseph was driving a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier southbound on Missouri 371 about 10 miles south of St. Joseph when she lost control in a curve went off the west side of the road and hit a tree. Brandon Nolan, 24 also of St. Joseph was a passenger in the vehicle. Nolan was pronounced dead at the scene. Smith was transported by ambulance to Mosaic Life Care for treatment of what was described as a serious injury. Smith and Nolan were not reported to be wearing a seat belt.
Puett said at this time an investigation is underway by the Missouri State Highway Patrol at the request of the sheriff’s office.
“This is all the information we have to release until the investigation is concluded,” Puett said.
The St. Joseph Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit is urging residents to take preventative measures and utilize police services to protect their home.
Sgt. Roy Hoskins recommends signing up with the St. Joseph Police Department’s residence watch program prior to going on vacation this summer.
“An officer will go by and get out and physically check your house a minimum of once a day when you’re gone,” Hoskins said.
(Click Here for the watch residence/business online application provided by the St. Joseph Police Department.) Hoskins said he is also available to check out residential properties to suggest security improvements.
“I would be glad to come by to any residence or business and look it over and let you know where you might be able to improve in your security. Whether it’s with camera or lighting, things like that,” Hoskins said.
He said the cost for personal home surveillance systems have come down dramatically in recent years.
“For as little as a couple of hundred dollars and all the way up to whatever you want to spend you can get a system that you run through your router wirelessly. You don’t have to run any hard wires at all. They have some that are color, black and white, infrared, night-vision, all kinds of different things,” Hoskins said. “You can get them where they will signal your phone if there’s a problem. Some just let you know that there’s a motion sensor that’s been tripped, some actually hook into a camera and you can see what’s in your house and that allows you to call us immediately.”
Police Chief Chris Connally said for the first six months of 2017 burglaries were down 5 percent in St. Joseph from 2016. Burglaries in 2016 were also lower than 2015. Connally attributes the decrease in burglaries, in part to an increase in crime prevention efforts.
For more information on securing a residence contact Hoskins in the Crime Prevention Department at (816) 236-1473.
Two staff members at a southeastern Nebraska prison were assaulted Sunday. One of the staffers at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution received injuries described as serious but not life threatening and required medical treatment.
