Habitat for Humanity has big plans this week in St. Joseph with a sneak peak, fundraiser and the re-opening of its ReStore.

The ReStore is a retail outlet that sells donated new and used building materials, furniture, and other home goods. For more than a year now, Habitat workers and volunteers have been renovating the old Vatterott College building off of Frederick Ave.

“Our volunteers have done everything from demolition to rebuilding, painting, cleaning, building displays, knocking down walls, tearing out floors you name it.  It’s a brand new building in here,” said Christy George, Habitat Development Dir.

“There were 20 different rooms out here, 20 different classrooms at one time,” said Melissa Koch, Habitat Ex. Dir.  “We have completely gutted the entire lower level to make room for the store.”

The agency purchased the building in November of 2015.  As we previously reported, the ReStore on S. 9th Street closed earlier this month as crews began the process of moving from that location to 3131 Frederick which boasts 4,300 square feet.

Tickets are being sold for a fundraising event for Habitat for Humanity that will give people a sneak peak at the new facility before its grand re-opening.  More than 400 people are expected to attend the “Unlock the Dream” open house Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.  The cost is $35 per person and includes participation in a silent auction and hors d’oeuvres. Koch said tickets can still be purchased by calling (816) 279-2552 or at the door.  The new location will officially open to the public Friday at 10 a.m.

Koch said they are expecting to see more people coming in to use the ReStore.

“We expect to at a minimum have a 50-percent increase in our sales,” Koch said. “With the study we had done we went from having 900 to 5,000 just traffic count on the street.”

In addition to space for the ReStore the new building hosts office space for Habitat employees as well office space for St. Joseph Safety Council after Jan 1 and more.

The store will open with new hours as well; Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Demolition and salvage operations continued on Tuesday in the 300 block of  S. 3rd Street in downtown St Joe.  But the owners of the Home Style Furniture and America’s Mattress are still waiting for word on whether they can remain in the building.

As we reported, Bob and Deana Hand sold all of the inventory already in the store to a salvage company.  The firm was busy hauling it away Tuesday.  Outside the building, the Hands huddled with engineers, adjusters and lawyers as an inspection continued.  The south wall of their store may have sustained structural damage during the fire at the Mitchell Seed building next door just over a month ago.

The couple expects to find out soon just how bad the damage to their facility is, and whether they can continue to occupy the building.  Meanwhile, they are searching for a new location, just in case.

“We’re looking,” said Deanna Hand.  “But, it will be hard to replace this building.”

A Fillmore man is facing several felony charges after allegedly firing a rifle at a home in Andrew County.

Cody Martin, 31 is charged with two felonies for first-degree assault, a felony for discharge/shooting firearm at a structure, a felony for unlawful use of a weapon, a felony for armed criminal action, and a felony for first-degree property damage.  All of the charges allegedly stem from an incident that took place early Monday morning in the 8800 block of County Road 58 in Savannah.

According to court documents a man reported his home had been shot at shortly before 2:30 a.m. waking up himself and his wife.  Deputy Grant Gillett with the Andrew County Sheriff’s Office reported in court documents to finding several apparent bullet holes in the front door and front window.

“Andrew County Deputies and members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol later located several spent shell casings on County Road 58.  It was also discovered that the post for the mail box had been hit, along with a business sign that would have possibly caused damage to the suspect vehicle,” Gillett said.

The victim allegedly told officers he believed it was Martin who shot his house up due to an ongoing feud.  Another deputy allegedly responded to the house where Martin lives in Fillmore a little before 4 a.m.

“Deputy Hudson did make note that a maroon Ford F-150 sitting in the driveway was still warm in the engine compartment, and the windows did not have frost on them,” Gillett said. “Cody invited him into the residence.  While speaking to him in the living room, he noticed a rifle sitting next to a chair, along with two other firearms.”

Gillett said he then responded to that location.

“Cody gave written consent to officers to search his residence and his Ford F-150 sitting in the driveway.  During the search two .22 rifles were seized one being the gun Cody stated he was shooting earlier in the night,” Gillett said.

Officers allegedly recovered shell casings in the truck that matched shell casings found at the scene of the shots fired.

“Cody stated that he was just so mad that his life was ruined…and that he just wants some justice done,” Gillett said in a probable cause statement. “Cody stated that he was the sole person in the vehicle and that he never planned this, it just happened.”

Martin is currently being held in the Andrew County Jail on $50,000 bail. A court date is not yet shown on online court documents.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says motorists should be ready for anything as the winter driving season approaches. As we reported earlier, a patch of ice in the road contributed to a serious crash Monday morning on Missouri Highway 6 in Dekalb County, and authorities say we can expect a lot more similar crashes as cold weather moves in.

Missouri’s weather forecast changes regularly, especially when winter is approaching. Depending on where you live in Missouri, the weather may be sunny, foggy, or include rain, hail, sleet, ice, or snow! The Missouri State Highway Patrol encourages motorists to plan ahead and drive safely or not at all during inclement weather. Winter weather will affect driving conditions and traffic patterns. Please remember to buckle up, stay alert, be courteous, and obey all traffic laws.

Section 304.012 RSMo. directs motorists to exercise the highest degree of care while driving on Missouri’s roadways. When inclement weather hits, please adjust how you drive, so that you continue to “exercise the highest degree of care.” For instance: Stopping quickly in the winter on snow-covered or icy roads is next to impossible. Use care by increasing your following distance as you drive. Ask yourself if the speed you’re traveling is safe for the weather conditions. Slow down when driving in snow or on ice. Driving the speed limit may not be “exercising the highest degree of care” during inclement weather; driving over the speed limit never is.

Take time to make sure your vehicle is in good working condition before winter arrives and before you travel. The Missouri State Highway Patrol suggests keeping your fuel tank at least half full. Place an ice scraper, tire chains, battery booster cables, blankets, extra coats, gloves, water, non-perishable food, flashlight, and a bag of sand or cat litter in your trunk. Emergencies cannot be predicted, but planning ahead can help you if one should arise. Missouri’s Road Condition Report (1-888-275-6636) can help you plan your route–before you leave. You may also view MoDOT’s Road Condition Map by going to the Patrol’s website www.mshp.dps.mo.gov and clicking on the Road Condition icon. When road conditions become slick from ice and snow the Patrol encourages motorists to refrain from driving unless absolutely necessary.

Take the time to make sure the windows are completely cleared to ensure visibility. Clear your driveway so that your vehicle enters the roadway safely. Allow extra driving time for you to reach your destination at a slow, safe speed. Remember: Missouri law states if you’re using your windshield wipers, your headlights must be turned on. It takes only a second to turn on your vehicle’s headlights. That second could make you more visible to other drivers and prevent a traffic crash.

If you have a cell phone, make sure it’s fully charged and with you when you travel. Please do not use your cell phone when you are driving; park your vehicle well off the roadway or in a parking lot before placing a call. The Missouri State Highway Patrol emergency number is 1-800-525-5555 (or *55 on a cellular phone). These numbers ring at the nearest troop headquarters.

One child was killed and three others were injured in a crash Monday morning in Doniphan County.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol 11-year-old Kay-Lynn Drinkert was killed in the crash. Drinkert was a passenger in a 2003 Jeep Liberty driven by 17-year-old Cierra Waitt of Wathena. Also passengers in the vehicle were 15-year-old Elijah Waitt and 14-year-old Trinity Waitt all of Wathena. Cierra, Elijah and Trinity were each transported to Mosaic Life Care with injuries.

According to the crash report, Cierra was driving southbound on Randolph Road and 36 Highway and Alan Quint, 55 of Boonville was driving a semi westbound on 36 Highway around 7:30 a.m. Cierra allegedly lost control of her vehicle and it spun counter clockwise and re-entered the westbound lane of 36. The semi hit the Jeep head-on. Quint was not injured in the crash.

All of the children were reportedly students at Riverside. The Kansas State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

In a statement on Riverside USD 114’s website Superintendent Mike Newman said the school is saddened by the tragic death of a Riverside 4th grade girl.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends,” Newman said. “We also had three high school siblings receive non-life threatening injuries with two of these students being transferred to Children’s Mercy Hospital for pending surgeries. The school district will be providing counselors for students needing to talk about the accident. We ask that everyone keep all of the children and students and their families in your thoughts and prayers.”

The highway was shutdown while crews worked the scene and traffic was redirected onto Saratoga.  The highway reopened at 1:20 p.m.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

36 Highway is closed in Doniphan County as crews work the scene of a fatal crash.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a fatal crash has taken place on the highway.  An 11-year-old girl has been reported deceased.  Three people including a Sophomore and a Freshman from Riverside were reportedly injured in the crash and transported to the hospital.  A truck driver involved in the crash was not injured.

In Doniphan County, as of 7:58 a.m., Highway 36 west of Wathena at Randolph Road was closed due to an accident.  As 9:15 authorities said the highway will remain closed for hours and traffic will continue to be

redirected while crews are on scene. Officials with the Elwood Police Department and the Doniphan County Sheriff’s Department were redirecting traffic, west bound traffic onto Saratoga to 190th, east bound Peck to 190th to Saratoga.  Shortly before 10 a.m., officials anticipated the highway to be closed for another four hours.

As we learn more we will update this post.  We are currently awaiting a call from the Kansas Highway Patrol for further details.

A teenager has been charged as an adult in Buchanan County court for burglary after a series of home invasions in August in St. Joseph.

Te’Avion Hawkins, 16 of Platte City was charged Friday in Buchanan County Circuit Court with a felony for first-degree burglary.  Prosecuting Attorney Dwight Scroggins said Hawkins was certified as an adult Friday and charges were filed after the certification order was issued by Judge Patrick Robb.

According to court documents, on August 15th, officers with the St. Joseph Police Department responded to a home in St. Joseph after two men allegedly forced their way in and stole items after displaying a firearm to the victim.

“The victim stated she knew the male who knocked on the door was Te’Avion (T-Man) Hawkins,” Det. Doug Howard said in court documents. “Other co-defendants in this case also stated Te’Avion Hawkins was with them at the time of the burglary.”

As we previously reported, around the time frame of Aug. 15 in St. Joseph officers responded to a series of situations around town.  Police responded to four home invasions within 36 hours.

Jabin Bullock, 20 who was arrested in connection with the series of home invasions pleaded guilty in October to a burglary that took place on Aug. 15.  According to online court documents, a sentencing hearing for Bullock is slated for Thursday.

As we previously reported, a 15-year-old was also allegedly charged in juvenile court in connection with the series of home invasions.

Hawkins is currently being held without bail in Buchanan County Jail.  An arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The following is a listing of general highway maintenance and construction work in the Northwest Missouri region planned for the week of Dec. 5 – 11 from the Missouri Department of Transportation. In addition to the work listed below, there may be pothole patching, bridge maintenance, striping, brush cutting, guardrail repairs and other road work conducted throughout the region. Many of these will be moving operations and could include lane closures with delays. With the possibility of winter weather, scheduled maintenance and construction projects will be postponed.

 

Atchison County

U.S. Route 136 – Shoulder repair, Dec. 5 – 7

Interstate 29 – Pavement repair, Dec. 5 – 9

Buchanan County

I-29, I-229 and U.S. Route 36 – Flushing bridges, Dec. 5 – 9

Route 116 – From Route 371 to I-29 for guardrail repair, Dec. 5 – 9

U.S. Route 36 – One mile east of Route AC for a bridge project, Dec. 5 – 9

Carroll County

U.S. Route 24 – From Route B to Route V for drainage work, Dec. 5 – 7

Chariton County

U.S. Route 24 – From the city limits of Keytesville to the city limits of Salisbury for shoulder work, Dec. 5 – 9

Clinton County

Route 33 – From Isley Road to SE Valley View Road for drainage work, Dec. 6 – 8

DeKalb County

Route N – CLOSED from Route 6 to Route O for culvert replacements, Dec. 7 – 9, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Route N – CLOSED from Route O to U.S. Route 36 for a culvert replacement, Dec. 9, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Route A – From south of Fairport to Maysville for shoulder work, Dec. 8 – 9

Gentry County

U.S. Route 169 and Route B – Shoulder work, Dec. 5 – 9

Route J – CLOSED from 615 Road to 602 Road for a culvert replacement, Dec. 7, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Route O – From Route F to Route U for drainage work, Dec. 8 – 9

Harrison County

Route 46 – Pothole patching, Dec 9

Holt County

I-29 – Pavement repair, Dec. 5 – 9

U.S. Route 59 – From the city limits of Oregon to the city limits of Craig for shoulder repair, Dec. 5 – 9

Linn County

U.S. Route 36 – Westbound from Route 5 to Route F for pavement repair, Dec. 5 – 6

Route B – From Route 139 to Route 5 for pothole patching, Dec. 6 – 9

Nodaway County

Route C – Two miles west of Clearmont at the Nodaway River Bridge for a stream bank stabilization project, Dec. 5 – 9

U.S. Route 136 – From the One Hundred Two River to Route 46 for shoulder repair, Dec. 5 – 9

Route 246 – From Route 46 (Worth County) to Route E for pothole patching, Dec. 6 – 8

Putnam County

U.S. Route 136 and Route 5 – Shoulder repair, Dec. 5 – 9

Worth County

Route 246 – From Route 46 to Route E (Nodaway County) for pothole patching, Dec. 6 – 8