Police are investigating after a knife fight early Friday morning in the 300 block of South 12th Street in St. Joseph.
According to the St. Joseph Police Department, they received a report of a stabbing around 1:20 a.m., which turned out to be a fight between two female neighbors over a parking space in the street in front of their houses. Police said both suffered injuries and one sought medical treatment.
No arrests have been made and police are still investigating the incident.
A defendant labeled an “evil man” by the prosecutor was sentenced Thursday to for the beating death of his wife in May of last year.
Buchanan County Circuit Judge Daniel Kellogg ordered Martin Davis of St. Joseph to serve 30 years in prison for his conviction on one count of first-degree domestic assault in the death of Sandra Davis.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kristina Susan Zeit asked for a life prison term, the maximum, citing “years and years and years of abuse,” and saying Davis has not taken responsibility for anything.
Davis, 56, offered a short, tearful apology to the court before sentencing. He must serve at least 85%, or 28-1/2 years of his sentence before he can be considered for parole.
As we reported earlier, Zeit called Davis “an evil man,” during the closing arguments of the jury trial last month.
“He’s the reason she can’t come in here and tell you what happened,” Zeit told the jury. She scoffed at the notion that Sandra did it to herself, as the defendant asserted.
“She was tired. Tired of being beaten over and over,” Zeit said.
The St. Joseph School District is responding after former superintendent Dan Colgan was sentenced Thursday in federal court for wire fraud.
“Today’s sentencing brings a sense of closure for the St. Joseph School District,” said current Superintendent Dr. Robert Newhart. “This is just one step toward rebuilding as a district after several years of unrest. For the sake of our teachers, support staff and students, we need to continue to move forward. We know that this process is going to take time. This has not been easy on anyone and the work we have ahead to regain the trust of our employees and the community is of the highest priority for the district.”
Danny L. Colgan, 70, of St. Joseph, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple to one year and one day in federal prison without parole for wire fraud. Colgan admitted his salary was improperly inflated in the last years he worked for the district to increase his retirement benefits which led to an over payment of $677,313 over a 10-year period. As part of the deal Colgan also made a final payment of $608,257 Thursday to complete his court-ordered restitution.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The former superintendent of the St. Joseph School District and former president of the Board of Education was sentenced in federal court today for a fraud scheme in which he received more than $662,000 in pension payments to which he was not entitled.
Danny L. Colgan, 70, of St. Joseph, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple to one year and one day in federal prison without parole. Colgan also made a final payment of $608,257 today to complete his court-ordered restitution.
Colgan, who pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on June 13, 2016, was the superintendent of the St. Joseph School District from July 1, 1992, until his retirement on Dec. 31, 2005. Colgan was entitled to retirement benefits from the Public School and Education Employee Retirement Systems of Missouri (PSRS) with the amount of the retirement benefits based upon his highest consecutive three years of reported salary.
Colgan admitted that he caused others to falsely report his salary to the PSRS in order to increase his retirement benefits. Colgan knew that the salary figures he caused the school district to submit to PSRS on his behalf included fringe benefits and other payments to Colgan that were not eligible to be counted as salary under state statutes.
This fraud scheme began during the 1997-98 school year and lasted for eight years, until Colgan’s retirement. Colgan’s retirement benefits were calculated by using the amounts reported by the school district over the final three-year period before he retired.
During that final three-year period, the school district falsely reported that Colgan’s salary totaled $586,030. In reality, his salary totaled $343,286 – a difference of $242,744. As a result of the false statements to the PSRS, the school district made excess payments in the amount of $14,652 to the PSRS from 2003 through 2005, and Colgan was paid excess benefits that totaled $677,313 over a 10-year period.
Colgan’s salary reported for his final three years as school superintendent improperly included the following:
· Car Allowance/Travel Stipend: The $9,600 car allowance/travel stipend was a fringe benefit that was ineligible for retirement salary calculation purposes;
· Family Insurance Premiums: The family insurance benefits/premiums paid by the district of $5,225, $5,603, and $6,258 were fringe benefits that were ineligible for retirement salary calculation purposes;
· District Contribution to Taxable Annuity: The district payment for the school year 2004-2005 of $25,000 to purchase a taxable annuity for the superintendent was ineligible for retirement salary calculation purposes;
· “District Vehicle” Payments: In the final three years, the school district reported “District Vehicle” payments of $11,300, $11,300, and $28,975. The “District Vehicle” payments were separate from the $800 per month car allowance payments (described above). The “District Vehicle” payments were fringe benefits that were ineligible for retirement salary calculation purposes; and
· Unused Vacation Payment: An unused vacation payment in June 2005 of $10,820 was a fringe benefit that was ineligible for retirement salary calculation purposes.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by the FBI.
Police are investigating two related gas station burglaries early Thursday morning.
According to Sgt. Brett Kelley with the St. Joseph Police Department, officers responded to an alarm at 2:13 a.m. at U.S. Oil located at 601 South 22nd Street. They found the front door had been forced open and the cash register had been taken.
Another alarm went off at 2:59 a.m. at Riverside 66 located at 5430 Frederick. Officers again found the front door forced open and the cash register taken.
Kelley said the suspects are three black males of unknown age, possibly driving a newer dark colored SUV.
Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS hotline at (816) 238-TIPS.
St. Joseph’s annual holiday shopping program is kicking off just a day after the 2016 Presidential Election.
The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce kicked off its 10th annual Shop St. Joseph Holiday Program on Wednesday. The shopping program, designed to encourage residents to do their holiday shopping in St. Joseph, concludes on Dec. 19. On Dec. 20 one lucky shopper will win a $10,000 grand prize. Shoppers also have a chance to win second-chance prizes from some participating merchants.
“We knew the kick off would be right after a major election. We figured it could get people talking about the holidays a little earlier ,”said Natalie Redmond, Vice President of Membership for the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. “Maybe switching up the Facebook posts a little bit.”
99 merchants are participating this year, which is three more than in 2015, Redmond said.
“Shop St. Joseph is the Chamber’s way to help keep holiday spending in St. Joseph,” she said. “We hope you all spend your dollars with the participating merchants as a thank you for supporting this program.”
No purchase is required to win. Customers may receive one free ticket for visiting any participating merchant and one additional ticket for every $10 increment of purchase. A maximum of 100 tickets may be issued per transaction.
A winning ticket will be announced at 5 p.m. on Dec. 20. Once a ticket has been announced for the grand prize, the winner has 24 hours to claim their prize before another number is announced. Shoppers are encouraged to keep their tickets. Many merchants are offering second chance prizes, so even if you don’t win the $10,000 prize, you may be a winner of another prize. Only one number will be drawn for secondary prizes. (A list of second chance prizes will be released when it’s available.) For more information go to saintjoseph.com.
Participating merchants to date include:
AUTO
Castrol Premium Lube Express
3302 Pear St.
House of Sound
1112 S. Belt Highway
Mark’s Tire & Automotive
1208 N 6th
Summers Motors
510 N. Belt Highway
T.B.A. and Service LLC
405 S. 36th St.
BEAUTY SALONS
BeautyFirst Professional Products & Salon
3833 Frederick Blvd.
Kevin’s Nails & Spa
5107 N. Belt Highway, Ste 111, (Shoppes at North Village)
Loox
214 S. Belt Highway
Mastercuts
East Hills Shopping Center
Regis
East Hills Shopping Center
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Goetz Credit Union
1905 Howard St.
HNB Bank
1602 S. Riverside Road
6102 N. Belt Highway
301 W. Main St., Savannah
United Consumers Credit Union
724 N. Belt Highway
FLORISTS
Butchart Flowers, Inc.
3321 S. Belt Highway
St. Joseph Hy-Vee Flowers by Rob
5005 Frederick Ave. (Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory)
FOOD RETAIL
Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
East Hills Shopping Center
Country Cookie
206 S. Belt Highway
Hickory Farms
East Hills Shopping Center
Topsy’s Popcorn
East Hills Shopping Center
Windy Wine Company
9478 S.W. State Highway J, Osborn, MO
FURNITURE
Colony House Furniture & Bedding
Frederick Boulevard & Riverside Road
GROCERY STORES
Hy-Vee St. Joseph
201 N. Belt Highway
Ray’s Green Hills
3225 N. Belt Highway
JEWELRY
Creviston & Son Jewelry
510 N. Belt Highway
Kay Jewelers
East Hills Shopping Center
Kristen’s Coin & Jewelry
3855 Frederick Ave.
Niche of Time Jewelry
2221 N. Belt Highway, Suite D
Zales
East Hills Shopping Center,
MISCELLANEOUS
Goin’ Postal
3831 Frederick Ave.
Merry Maids
1006 Pacific Street
Move It with M&S LLC
415 N. Third Street #506
St. Jo Frontier Casino
777 Winners Circle
St. Joseph News-Press Circulation
825 Edmond St.
Schneitter Fireworks
12801 County Road 352, Exit 53 off of I-29
Title Boxing Club
139 N. Belt Highway, Ste. M.
Quality Hearing & Audiology Center
2227 N. Belt Highway
Weaver Overhead Door
2324 Locust Street
Optical
Dr. Rosenak’s Optical Options
2229 A N. Belt Highway
Vision Works
East Hills Shopping Center
RESTAURANTS
Five Guys
3700 Frederick Ave.
Fredrick Inn Steakhouse
1627 Frederick Ave.
Golden Corral
715 N. Belt Highway
Lino’s Original Pizza
East Hills Shopping Center
Pappy’s Grill & Pub
2501 Messanie St.
Planet Sub
5301 N. Belt Highway, Ste. 115
Pronto Cafe
2513 Frederick Ave.
Texas Roadhouse
925 N. Belt Highway
Whiskey Creek
4016 Frederick Ave.
RETAIL
Books Revisited
Rolling Hills Consolidated Library, 1912 North Belt Highway
Brown Shoe Fit St. Joseph
1403 N. Belt Highway
Cutting Edge Supplements
3714 N. Belt Highway
East Hills Shopping Center (participating non-food or service mall stores listed below)
3702 Frederick Ave.
Bath and Body Works
Best Buy Mobile
The Buckle
Charlotte Russe
Charming Charlie
The Children’s Place
Christopher & CJ Banks
Claire’s
Dillards
Family Christian
Foot Locker
Go Calendars!
Go Games & Toys!
J.C. Penney
Journeys
Lady Foot Locker
Leibowitz Fine Menswear
Maurices
Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse
Party City
Piercing Pagoda
Pony Express Sports and More
Rally House
Rue 21
Sears
Spencer’s Gifts
Stitches Alterations
The Sweet Spot
Eckard’s Home Improvement
2402 N. Belt Highway
Fit Republic
1331 S. Belt Highway
Gypsy’s Jewelry & Gifts
3302 Mitchell Ave.
Hillcrest Thrift Shoppe
4826 Frederick Ave.
Hunterland Antique Mall
3201 S. Belt Highway
Jamie’s Secret Garden
811 N. Woodbine Road
Jesse James Antique Mall & Rusty Chandelier
Exit 53 at Interstate 29 & Highway 71
The Lucky Tiger
718 Francis St.
Mod Podge
624 Francis St.
Moffet Nursery & Garden Shop
6451 State Route 6 N.E.
Nesting Goods
817 Francis St.
PBE’s Toys and Dolls
2247 N. Belt Highway, (Woodlawn Shopping Center)
St. Joe Boot Co.
3749 Pacific St.
St. Joe Harley-Davidson
4020 S. Highway 169
St. Joseph Auction & Antique Mart
3600 S. Leonard Road
Stetson Outlet Store
3601 South Leonard
UPCO
3705 Pear Street
Wild Layne Boutique
3500 N Village Drive #220, (In the Historic Green Acres Building)
A 31-year-old St. Joseph man is due in court next week to face charges stemming from a fire Tuesday morning at a local apartment complex.
Rydell Rawls is charged with knowingly burning or exploding, a class-d felony. A judge set bail at $10,000 cash. Rawls is scheduled to appear before Associate Circuit Judge Keith Marquart on November 15th.
In court documents, St. Joseph police say that on Tuesday morning, Rawls set several items on fire in his apartment at 1602 Brookside. According to the affidavit, this caused a large disruption to the other building residents and the fire department had to respond.
There were no injuries reported in the fire, which was started in a couch in Rawls’ apartment. The building was evacuated shortly after 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. A woman told authorities that the man who started the fire was causing a disturbance in the parking lot. Police soon took him into custody after a brief foot chase.
He’s being held in the Buchanan County Jail.
Clear skies will continue through the weekend. Temperatures will drop to near freezing early Saturday. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:
Today: Areas of frost before 9 a.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 61. Light and variable wind.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 37. South southwest wind 3 to 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 68. Southwest wind 6 to 11 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 43. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming north after midnight.
Veterans Day: Sunny, with a high near 59.
Friday Night: Patchy frost after 3 a.m. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 34.
Saturday: Areas of frost before 9 a.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 56.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 64.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
Missouri’s polling places closed at 7 p.m. after the General Election Tuesday. Here’s the unofficial results for Buchanan County. Refresh this page for the latest updates as they come in.
Polls are open until 7 p.m. in Missouri, but all ballots were in before lunch at Eugene Field Elementary School.
The school held a mock election and each class, Kindergarten through 6th grade, voted for who they would like to see as the next president of the United States.
“I think everyone should get to vote and I think it was important for our school to vote so we could see who would win for our school since we don’t get to vote,” Logan Shoots, Student Council Secretary and sixth grader said. “But I think it was important for people to vote for their opinions.”
Shoots and other 6th graders in Mrs. Clinton’s class (no, not THAT Mrs. Clinton) said what they know about politics or this election they’ve learned from their family or the news. Shoots said he thinks it’s important for everyone to get out and vote today.
“Because America needs a leader and we need a leader to guide us so nothing bad happens,” Shoots said. “But if something bad happens we need someone to fix it.”
Sixth grade teacher Taylor Clinton said the Student Council was behind the mock election held Tuesday morning. They created the ballots that were distributed to all the classes. In Mrs. Clinton’s class, students voted two by two at a table in the corner of the room and then put their ballots into an empty Kleenex box and received a sticker.
In addition to voting, Clinton said they have a morning exercise called, “Writing into the Day.”
“Since the election is today, the prompt is, ‘Why is it important for Americans to vote?’ and then, ‘How much do you know about politics and where do you learn your information?’”
Clinton said the important part of the mock election is making sure students know their vote counts.
“We just really try to stress that every vote matters,” Clinton said. “A lot of the kids think, ‘Oh I’m just one person and my vote’s not going to make a difference.’ So we want them to know that when they do get to the voting age, that every vote counts and that they need to get out there and be heard, it’s important to stay informed and it’s never too young to start that process.”
Trump won by just 19 votes. Students cast 161 votes for Trump and 142 for Clinton.
