A Dr. Seuss Birthday celebration will be held again in St. Joseph this March.

The Third Annual Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Brunch Bonanza will be held Saturday, March 4th, from 10:00 a.m. to Noon at the Keatley Center (1202 S. 28th St.). Parents, caregivers, and families with pre-kindergarten children ages 6 and under are welcome to attend this event, co-sponsored by the St. Joseph Public Library, Parents as Teachers, Success By 6, and the Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph, MO. No sign-up is required for this free, fun-filled morning of books, brunch and interactive play.

At Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Brunch Bonanza, families will participate in activities, crafts and games to practice early literacy skills. Families with children age 6 and under will receive a complimentary brunch, complete with pancakes and green eggs and ham. In addition to Seuss-themed activities and a free meal, the St. Joseph Public Library will provide a free book for every child in attendance. Complimentary books and food will be provided on a first-come first-served basis.

This event is part of the St. Joseph Public Library’s Racing to Read program. Racing to Read events focus on promoting early literacy skills, through low or no-cost activities that families can easily replicate at home to boost their child’s reading readiness. Parents and caregivers have the opportunity to work with local child development experts, to practice pre-reading skills with their children in this fun and friendly atmosphere.

This event, as well as the Racing to Read program, is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State. Please contact East Hills Children’s Librarian, Jess Gould, at 236-2136 for additional information about this event.
For questions or additional information, please contact the East Hills Library at 236-2136.

A calcium scoring, low-dose CT scan has been introduced at a Maryville hospital to help identify risks for heart disease.

In a news release, SSM Health St. Francis said the quick, painless screening does not require a doctor’s order, and results may be received the same day.

“That this year, one out of every two deaths in the U.S. will be the result of cardiovascular disease,”said Rita Miller, SSM Health St. Francis Community Relations Manager. “It’s the number one cause of death in America. It can strike anyone: men and women of all ages, races, and economic classes.”

The hospital said because calcium is a marker of CAD, the amount of calcium detected on a cardiac CT scan is a helpful prognostic tool.

Miller said the coronary artery calcium scoring charge is $50 and payment is required at the time of service. She said health insurance does not normally cover the cost of this screening exam.

You can make an appointment directly by calling 660-562-7907, For more information or to answer questions, contact the Imaging Services department at SSM Health St. Francis Hospital, 660-562-7907.

Two people arrested in St. Joseph in connection with a California homicide investigation waived extradition Friday.

As we reported, Coty Sutton, 26 and Amber Anderson, 22 were arrested Feb. 7 on fugitive warrants from California. Sutton was taken into custody during a police raid at a home near 30th and Angelique. He is charged with murder and robbery. In an initial court appearance before Associate Judge Rebecca Spencer, Sutton waived his right to an extradition hearing. Officials in Modesto, California now have ten days to return Sutton to California.

Anderson was arrested at a home in the 3000 block of Sylvanie Street. She is charged with being an accessory to murder. Anderson cried during her first appearance, as Judge Keith Marquart explained the charges in California and the extradition process. Anderson also waived her right to an extradition hearing, and is expected to be returned to California within ten days.

The pair are accused in connection with a homicide investigation in Stanislaus County, California. Police say the victim, Patrick Hutchings, 56, of Modesto, California, died of multiple stab wounds on November 26.

A new store featuring western apparel and decor held its grand opening Friday in St. Joseph.

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the official opening of The Fort located at 3800 S. Belt Highway.

A spokesman for the store said the building is historic to the area and has been completely remodeled and boasts 25,000 sq feet. Cars filled the parking lot Friday morning as shoppers turned out to check out the business.

St. Joseph School District Superintendent Dr. Robert Newhart says the resignation of school board member Chris Danford on Thursday took him by surprise.

“It blind-sided me,” Newhart said during a media availability Thursday afternoon in his office.  “Yeah, it blind-sided me.”

“Chris is a fighter, she’s a worker.  Obviously she has her reasons that I’m completely unaware of.”

Danford issued a terse resignation letter to Dr. Newhart and the board president Thursday that read simply “This letter is to inform you of my resignation from the SJSD school board effective immediately.”

Danford issued a news release to the media that offered a list of specific problems, ranging from students who can’t read and declining test scores to improper use of the home-schooling option for problem students, which she said inflates the district’s graduation rate, and changes funding based on the district’s average daily attendance.

Newhart took issue with that. “There were some issues there at the alternative school, in regards to home school students,” Newhart said.  “We have put a control on that in place.  We’re well on our way to some improvements at the alternative school,” he said.

“That’s not to say parents cannot still request to home school students,” Newhart said.

Newhart says the finance and HR departments are well on their way to being accountable, prudent and successful, and he says Danford was instrumental in that process.

In her news release, Danford also complained about “tumbling test scores.”  She said the district’s focus recently shifted “from the trenches to administrators,” and our schools “became fodder for doctoral research programs.”

“Local students performed above the state average before 2005 and since that time test scores have continued to descend below the state average,” Danford said.  “The 16th largest school district in the state slipping into the bottom half, sometimes the bottom third, is completely unacceptable.”

Newhart responded by saying the district has stabilized test scores.

“Is there room for improvement?,” he asked.  “Oh you bet, you bet.  Have we seen growth?  Yes we have. And it’s continued growth that we’ve got to see.””

“We’re not about test scores,” he said. “We’re about daily instruction and improvement.  That has got to be your foundation and base.”

Danford complained that the investigative report on retaliation against whistle-blower and former CFO Beau Musser will remain private, because the board voted to keep it that way. Newhart says he can’t simply release it without board approval.  He said he agrees with that, personally, because investigators offered confidentiality in some interviews, and releasing the report would violate that agreement.

Dr. Newhart says the district must move forward.  The board will formally accept Danford’s resignation during the board meeting February 27 and then begin the process of filling the vacant seat.

“There will be an open application process,” Newhart said.  “They’ll set the framework for the open application process. And then they’ll name somebody through that process, select somebody after interviews, etc, for the remainder of her term through April of 2018.”

“Chris was the watchdog,” Newhart said.  “That’s going to have to fall to others now, because we need that piece.  The arena needs to be in the boardroom.”

 

 

 

 

St. Joseph School District Board of Education member Chris Danford on Thursday submitted her resignation from the board.

The letter to Superintendent Dr. Robert Newhart and the chairman of the school board was simple: “This letter is to inform you of my resignation from the SJSD school board effective immediately.”

In a news release, Danford included a long list of problems in the district, ranging from what she called “disappointing financial progress” to plummeting student achievement and rising numbers of students who can’t read.

Superintendent Dr. Robert Newhart responded Thursday afternoon in an impromptu news conference in his office. Newhart said he was surprised by the resignation, which he called a “curve ball.” He called Danford “a fighter,” and a watchdog. (Click here for more from Dr. Newhart)

The release also included a reference to “community engagement that isn’t.”

“The board discussed community engagement at a work session last Monday.  That plan is really tax marketing strategy. Though we must keep moving forward, we will have missed an opportunity to pause and honestly listen to citizens. Listen. It seems we mainly reach out when we want more money,” according to the letter.

Danford says she will not support any tax initiative that includes a lease purchase program for capital improvements. Danford was the board member who first brought to light the administrative stipends that landed the district in hot water for the last couple of years.  Her resignation comes almost two years to the day after the report from the State Auditor was released to the public.

Danford says district taxpayers deserve to know what the $100,000 spent investigating retaliation against former CFO Beau Musser “and other district shenanigans.” Danford called for the report to be released.

She said in the resignation letter that her minority position on the board prevents her from changing the important academic and financial issues she highlighted.

The school district administration had not issued a formal reaction statement.

The last time a vacancy occurred on the board was with the resignation of Dr. Dan Colgan, the former superintendent who is currently serving prison time for inflating his retirement income from the district.

We reached out to Danford as well, but she was on her way to the school district offices to deliver her resignation. You can read the entire resignation letter here.

The school board is expected to formally accept Danford’s resignation at its meeting Feb. 27, at which time they will set the wheels in motion for an open application for the seat from members of the public.  Dr. Newhart suggested the seat could be filled within about 45 days.

One of four people allegedly involved in a road rage incident that led to shots fired earlier this week has been charged.

Jerad Carr-Green, 32 of St. Joseph is charged in Buchanan County with a second-degree felony for assault.

As we previously reported, Tuesday officers responded to what was  initially reported as an accident on Easton Road near 29th St.  shortly after 7:30 a.m.  Sgt. Kevin Cummings said when officers arrived they began investigating it as a road rage incident involving shots fired. Sgt. Wayne Byrom said someone in a black Dodge Avenger fired at a Chevrolet S-10 pick up truck.  The vehicles then collided resulting in a crash. No one was hit by bullets in the incident.

According to court documents, Carr-Green was driving the truck at high speeds while chasing and ramming the car knowing his ex-girlfriend was inside.

“According to the witness, the car involved in the crash was being chased, at high speeds by the truck which also crashed and rolled over.  Three occupants from the car fled on foot, two of which were later caught by police,” said Det. Doug Howard with the St. Joseph Police Department. “Shots were fired from the car prior to both vehicles crashing.”

Following the crash police said Carr-Green was transported to Mosaic Life Care for treatment of minor injuries.  One of the two women taken into police custody after allegedly running from the scene was also taken to the hospital for evaluation of an injury.  The man driving the dodge has not been taken into custody.

Carr-Green is being held on $25,000 bail.  An arraignment is set for Friday.

As of Wednesday morning no additional charges have been filed in this case.

Two men face murder and other charges in connection with the discovery of a body in Clinton County last weekend. Sheriff Larry Fish identified the skeletal remains as those of Donald “DC” Hadden of Liberty, who had been reported missing in July of 2015. Last Sunday, a resident called authorities to report finding the remains near Cannonball Road and Missouri Highway 33.

Clinton County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Gagnon said charges were filed against two suspects this week. Joseph “Chaos” Seward and Micha Wynes are each charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. A judge set bail in each case at $500,000.

Court documents filed in the cases tell a story of heroin, theft and murder. According to court affidavits, the victim was a heroin user who was believed by his accused killers of being a confidential informant, a “snitch.” They believed Hadden stole identification, cash and drugs from fourth man, while that man was suffering from a heroin overdose.

Out for revenge, the man threatened Wynes if he didn’t help locate Hadden, according to the affidavit.

The probable cause statement describes how the killing allegedly unfolded in July, 2015. The defendants allegedly offered to “get DC to a bus station to get him out of town,” but “DC responded that he wasn’t going anywhere” and that “he wasn’t going to run.” Then, according to the affidavit, they drove around “in the middle of nowhere” until they ran out of gas.

In an interview with investigators, Seward allegedly told authorities he saw Wynes shoot Hadden.

According to the affidavit, Wynes was then able to flag down a female motorist, who left and later returned with gasoline so they could leave the scene.

The new investigation began, and was linked to the missing persons case, after a resident called authorities on Sunday to report spotting the skull and other bones. The victim was originally reported missing by his mother on July 9, 2015. According to the affidavit, the mother called his cell phone and spoke with a restaurant manager who says the phone was found in the parking lot. It was returned to the victim’s girlfriend, who says she discovered through his text messages that the victim was a confidential informant and the girlfriend believed he was killed by one of the defendants.

Police say they recovered a wallet near the remains of the victim, which turned out to belong to the man who suffered the OD. Police say they also found spent shotgun shell casings at the scene.

Online court records do not reflect any scheduled hearings in the case or legal representation for the two defendants.