(Update) A substation malfunction in St. Joseph is blamed for a power outage that initially turned off the lights for more than 17,000 homes and businesses.
According to the outage map from KCP&L that number was more than 10,000 customers without electricity in St. Joseph and areas east of town by 10:45 a.m.
Those numbers went back up again by about 10:55 a.m
The largest area affected included 9,835 customers without power in an area generally south of Frederick, north of U.S. Highway 36, east of 10th Street and west of the Belt. An area north of Frederick included more than 2,500 outages. Another area east of I-29 included 1,563 outages. A large rural area east of the city included outages that totaled 1,208 customers.
St. Joseph Police Sergeant James Langston says City Yards crews are trying to get stop signs erected at some of the city’s busier intersections which lost their traffic signals in the outage. Langston urges motorists to treat intersections without traffic lights as four-way stops and to be courteous.
He says KCP&L told police a substation in the 800 block of Woodbine malfunctioned, causing the outages. The utility is busy working to correct the malfunction.
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More than 15,000 people were without power in St. Joseph Sunday morning.
According to Kansas City Power & Light’s outage map around 10 a.m. 15,353 people were without power.
According to the map people impacted by the outage spread from S. 9th St. in downtown St. Joseph to Riverside Rd and from Gene Field Road to Highway 36.
KCP&L Power Outage Map
Many stop lights are out around town.
Country Club Village was also impacted by an outage.
Photo courtesy of Missouri Department of Conservation/Missourinet.
(Missourinet) – Missouri’s fall colors are at their peak around Mid-October.
Some northeastern and mountain states are known for their fall colors, but state Conservation Department resource forester Corey Gregg says Missouri has many more species of trees.
“Missouri has quite a few different species that show different colors,” says Gregg. “I think it probably ranks up there pretty high. I just don’t know that it’s a known state because we don’t have as much maple usually in our landscape – that gives the most diversity in color, or even sweet gum.”
Photo courtesy of Missouri Department of Conservation/Missourinet.
Gregg says Missouri is home to nearly 100 different types of trees.
“I think that Missouri has maybe a little bit more diversity in tree species and plant species than some of the other states that have maybe a primary handful of trees that dominate,” says Gregg.
He says the season’s shades are fully dependent on weather.
“The colors are already in the leaves. It just takes a certain type of weather event to basically bring those colors out,” says Gregg. “In the fall, as the days get shorter and the nights get longer, the chlorophyll breaks down so the other pigments in the leaves start showing up, mainly the yellows and the oranges.”
Gregg says plenty of sunlight and cool weather helps break down the sugars in the leaves and creates other shades like red and purple.
He expects the state’s fall colors to continue through the beginning to middle of November. Fall ends December 21.
The department’s website has fall color updates to show what the current colors are like in specific areas of the state. Click here for updates.
The investigation into a potential animal abuse case that started after a photo of a dead horse went viral is now closed in Livingston County.
Sheriff Steve Cox said the office began investigating the potential animal abuse in Livingston County earlier this week after a picture of a dead horse was posted on social media.
“This posting went viral and our office has received calls and comments from all over the area, United States, and even Canada,” Cox said.
He said the investigation is now complete
“To describe what happened was a resident from another county was pasturing a horse here in Livingston County and that property owner requested the animal be moved to a different area, basically due to it being very wild and a problem,” Cox said. “The animal owner and/or person came to move the horse off the property and once the horse was tied to the trailer the witnesses reported the animal had basically went crazy, damaged the trailer in breaking windows and was jumping and flipping around and apparently strangled. The continuous actions from the horse were too dangerous for anyone to get close enough to help or release the animal.”
The photo shows the back legs of the deceased animal being tied.
“This had not happened prior to the loading process or during the thrashing and jumping of the horse. The ropes were placed on the legs after the animal was deceased as the one adult male present used the ropes to help load the animal for removal and properly dispose of the horse,” he said. “This was when the infamous photograph was taken and later shared on social media under an alleged false profile name with a poorly worded comment. All family members and persons involved have been interviewed. Based on the investigation and supporting evidence, this case is now in-active/closed.”
The LCSO was assisted by the juvenile office, school resource officer, and others.
“Our office takes all animal abuse reports and investigation very seriously. We appreciate the input and information from everyone who notified us of the potential problem,” Cox said.
Fire crews poured water on hotspots at 3rd and Sylvanie
Utility crews continued to work on electrical problems by 6am
A huge fire lit up the night in downtown St. Joseph Friday night, causing damage to at least four buildings. PIO Mike Neylon of the St. Joseph Fire Department says the initial fire was first reported at about 9:30pm at the Mitchell Hill Seed building at Sylvanie and Third Street.
Within just a few minutes, the fire spread to an adjacent building. Both were believed to be vacant. Both collapsed. At least two other buildings caught fire in the 300 block of North Third and the 300 block of North Fourth Street.
The historic Mitchell Hill building was a total loss. A brick skeleton of the original structure was all that remained standing by early Saturday morning.
Embers from the fire drifted more than a block and ignited the roofs on a pair of nearby buildings, including structures owned by American Electric and Hillyard. The fire department says the roofs of those buildings were damaged.
Neylon says there were no injuries reported. A huge contingent of firefighters included crews from Dekalb and Andrew counties, as well as Elwood and Rosecrans Airport joined the effort to put out the fires.
A number of streets in downtown St. Joseph remained blocked for the firefighting effort. During the firefighting effort, ramps to and from I-229 at 3rd Street were closed. Crews from the St. Joseph Fire Department said they would be on scene for several hours, well into Saturday morning, as they poured water on the remaining hot spots. Utility crews were working on damage to the electrical infrastructure in the area.
Area residents have an opportunity today to safely dispose expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs.
The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, St. Joseph Police Department, and the St. Joseph Youth Alliance will be taking back unwanted prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the East Hills Mall between Sears and Dillard’s.
According to a news release from the St. Joseph Youth Alliance, the service is free and anonymous. Anyone can bring controlled, non-controlled, over-the-counter substances and sharps but not illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine.
The Prescription Take Back event is a way for the community to help protect youth from accidental poisoning and limit access to drugs that could be misused or abused. Outdated and unused prescriptions in the home can be more difficult to monitor as closely as those in use, creating dangerous opportunities for youth access.
“Many people aren’t aware of what constitutes safe or unsafe disposal of prescriptions and don’t consider the dangers that accompany unsafe disposal,” said Robin Hammond, Executive Director of the St. Joseph Youth Alliance. “Beyond providing an avenue for safe prescription disposal, we want to educate the community about the seemingly harmless actions that can actually enable a youth’s substance abuse problem or cause accidental harm.”
Americans are also now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — both pose potential safety and health hazards.
ATCHISON, Kan. (AP) — More than 50 people sought medical attention after a chemical spill at a distilling plant that released a noxious cloud in northeast Kansas.
The Kansas Department of Emergency Management says the cloud occurred Friday morning when two chemicals were mistakenly combined at the MGP Ingredients plant in Atchison. The department says people were allowed back into their homes after the cloud dissipated a few hours later.
Atchison Hospital spokeswoman T.C. Roberts says 52 people sought care at the hospital’s emergency room for upper respiratory discomfort. Roberts says one person remained in intensive care Friday afternoon. She says some were treated and released but did not know how many. Mosaic Life Care is reporting it treated 18 people Friday for respiratory issues due to the plume. It said patients ranged from children to older adults.
MGP produces premium distilled spirits. It employs about 300 people at the Atchison plant, about 50 miles from Kansas City.
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11:50 a.m.
Authorities say it’s safe for residents to return home and for students to go back to school now that a noxious cloud that formed over their northeast Kansas community has dissipated.
The Kansas Department of Emergency Management says the cloud occurred Friday morning when sulfuric acid and sodium hypochlorite were mistakenly combined at the MGP Ingredients plant in Atchison.
Emergency officials ordered the evacuation of schools and homes near the plant earlier Friday, but lifted the evacuation order when the chemical cloud cleared later in the morning.
MGP produces premium distilled spirits and employs about 300 people at the plant in Atchison, 50 miles northwest of Kansas City.
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(Post Staff) – The City of Atchison, Kan has been given the all-clear after a chemical spill Friday morning at MGP Ingredients.
The all clear was issued shortly before 11 a.m. This came after a chemical plume was caused around 8 a.m. when two chemicals were inadvertently mixed together during delivery at MGP near the sewer plant.
“One chemical was delivering and was inadvertently put into the wrong holding tank which caused the reaction,” Cocking said.
Cocking said MGP employees are heading back to work.
“We are working with the company and toxicology officials,” said City Manager Trey Cocking. “They have advised us that people can go ahead and return at this time. It’s just a matter of it dissipating at this time. Since we’ve had no injuries it’s just a matter of it dissipating.”
Cocking said around 18 people including five city workers are being treated for respiratory discomfort and the injuries appear to be minor. He said those people are being kept for observation.
“The plume covered good portions of the city. As the wind shifted downtown was affected early this morning and then the wind shifted more to the west,” Cocking said.
MPG is a distillery which supplies distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches.
Cocking said the plume is moving northwest out of the city and that it does not seem to be a threat. While the plume was over the city residents were urged to shelter indoors, keeping their windows closed and AC or furnace off. Shelter locations were set up at Walmart and the Atchison Event Center. Children have since been returned to schools however some schools were evacuated and others sheltered inside for a while.
The Atchison Fire Department is asking people returning to their homes or businesses after evacuation to call 911 if they notice a strong smell of bleach or visible fog so that the fire department can assist with ventilating homes or businesses.
Roads closed off in Atchison. Photo by John P. Tretbar
UPDATE – Plume is dissipating and roads are being reopened. CLICK HERE for the newest information on this story.
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Atchison Kansas residents are being urged to stay inside if they’re in town and everyone else is being asked to stay out of town as crews work a chemical spill at MGP Ingredients.
Atchison County Emergency management said on social media that there has been a chemical spill at MGP Ingredients between 10th and 14th Streets south of Main Street. The plume is moving north of this area.
“Please avoid this area,” Atchison Emergency Management said on Facebook. “Atchison residents: please shelter in place. If you are not in Atchison, please stay out of town.”
The City of Atchison Kansas is currently urging resident to stay inside as crews work the incident.
Mosaic Life Care is on alert and said it has been notified and that emergency personnel are standing by and will assist patients at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.
We are getting reports that they are evacuating the Benedictine College Campus by bus and classes are canceled.
If you are currently in the fog, seek shelter. If you are East of 17th Street or K-7 and North of Main Street it is good time to seek shelter at the Atchison Event Center, Walmart or South of town.
Avoid the areas near Main Street, 17th Street, Division and the river.
The City posted on its Twitter feed asking everyone until further notice to close all their windows, turn off their air and furnaces and stay indoors.
For Shelter information from the Red Cross released by Atchison County Emergency Management CLICK HERE.
After a cool start to the weekend today with highs in the upper 50s and lower 60s, temperatures will move above normal this weekend with highs in the upper 60s to mid 70s under sunny skies. Mild conditions will continue into early next week with the next chance for storms coming late Tuesday into Tuesday night. Here’s your 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:
Today: Areas of frost before 9 a.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 62. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 43. South wind around 7 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 71. South wind 5 to 7 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 50. South southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 74. Southwest wind around 7 mph becoming north northwest in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 70.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
The K-Jo 105.5 Costume Contest sprang from the observation that the rescheduled South Side Fall Festival at Hyde Park this weekend falls fairly close to Halloween.
But Gary Pettis says he and the other festival organizers are already hoping to have one next September in next year’s festival.
“We’re planning on making it an annual event,” Pettis said. “The baby show stops at 24 months (zero to 24 months) so the costume contest is going to pick up there. So, if they’re over 24 months they can be in the costume contest, and it will go up to the age of 12.”
K-Jo will present ribbons for first, second and third prizes. The contest is Saturday night from 6-7 pm at the Gazebo at Hyde Park. No registration is required.
Sister station Q-Country 92.7 presents the Baby Show on Sunday from 1-3, also at the Gazebo. You must register your baby to take part. You can do that at the east entrance to the park on Friday from 6-8pm, and on Saturday from 1-5pm. Baby Show contestants can be from one day to two years of age.
The park was flooded a month ago, but Pettis says it’s ready for the weekend.
“The park’s looking really good,” he said. “The Parks Department has been working very hard on it, and getting it all cleaned up. At this time there’s no water standing anywhere.”
Will the later schedule affect attendance?
“We’ve never had to postpone it before, we’re not sure what to expect, but we’re hoping everybody gets the news and they’ll show up just as normal,” Pettis said.
Pettis said there was one change on timing, and that was the parade. “We had to move the parade back one hour, because of an event that was already scheduled. So the parade will start at 11 o’clock instead of 10 o’clock” he said.
The parade route will start at King Hill Plaza, site of the new Apple Market store, and runs north on King Hill to Missouri Ave.
For the most part, the schedule of the delayed festival will be the same as that of the original. All of the musical acts and other attractions will be at the same time and same day of the week as originally scheduled.
FRIDAY October 21
1:00 pm Main Stage…………………..No Limits
1:00 pm Gazebo…………Chad Elfrits Country
3:30 pm Gazebo……………Bill Boswell Band
4:00 pm Main Stage……………………Jeff Lux
6:00 pm Gazebo OPENING CEREMONIES
7:00 pm Main Stage…………..Missouri Detour
7:00 pm Gazebo.Forney Paxson & Betts Band
9:15 pm……………FIREWORKS by Aerial FX
SATURDAY October 22
10:00 am…………….SSFF/Home Depot Parade
1:00 pm…………….. Gazebo Variety Pack
1:00 Main Stage……………..Country Way
3:30 pm Main Stage……Phil Vandle Band
4:00 pm Gazebo………………I-35 Express
6:00 pm Main Stage………The licious Brothers
7:00 pm Gazebo………………Manda Lynn
8:00 pm Main Stage……………The Motors
SUNDAY
9:00 am / Gazebo………..Worship Service – The Journey
12:30 / Main Stage……….Loozin Sleep & Southern Vixen
1:00 pm / Gazebo………….92.7 Q-Country Baby Show
KARAOKE 4 pm – Close on Friday
Noon-Close on Saturday
At the West Shelter
United Way Progress Report Luncheon at East Hills Mall. Photo by Nadia Thacker
More than a million dollars still needs to be collected for the United Way of Greater St. Joseph’s Centennial Campaign with only two weeks to go.
So far, around $1.4 million has been raised towards the more than $3.1 million goal. In total the agency still needs to raise $1,708,211.
Around 100 people gathered Thursday at East Hills Shopping Center for the United Way Campaign Progress Report. Campaign Chair, Dennis Rosonke said the funds raised go to benefit the United Way’s 18 partner agencies and 7 initiatives to help with causes in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas.
“This is a really busy time of year and time in the campaign so I’m cautiously optimistic,” Rosonke said. “But we really do need all the folks in the community if they haven’t given to the United Way yet please help advocate for the United Way.”
The campaign kicked of Sept. 3 and will end Nov. 3. Rosonke said there is still time for those who want to help donate.
Anyone interested in donating can call the United Way at (816) 364-2381.
(Update) A substation malfunction in St. Joseph is blamed for a power outage that initially turned off the lights for more than 17,000 homes and businesses.
