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 Sept. 5 – 11 from the Missouri Department of Transportation. In addition to the work listed below, there may be pothole patching, bridge deck washing, 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.

Andrew County

• Route 48 – CLOSED at the Platte River Bridge near Whitesville for a bridge replacement project. The road will be closed through mid-November.

Atchison County

• Interstate 29 – Northbound from mile marker 123 to the Iowa state line for pavement repair, Sept. 6 – 8. This includes a 15-foot width restriction.
• I-29 – Southbound from mile marker 111 (near the Rock Port Welcome Center) to mile marker 110 for pavement repair, Sept. 6 – 8. This includes a 15-foot width restriction.

Buchanan County

• Route YY (Mitchell Ave.) and U.S. Route 169 (Belt Highway) – Signing and striping with intermittent lane closures, Sept. 5 – 9
• U.S. Route 36 – One mile west of Route AC for grading work, Sept. 5 – 9
• I-229 – Pavement repair, Sept. 6 – 8
• 33rd Street Bridge over U.S. Route 36 – CLOSED for maintenance, Sept. 6 – 9. This will be an overnight closure and should open on Sept. 9 at 10 a.m.

Caldwell County

• Route 13 – CLOSED at the Log Creek Bridge near Kingston for a bridge deck replacement project. The bridge will be closed through November.
• Route KK – CLOSED from Elk Grove Road to the Carroll County line for a culvert replacement, Sept. 6, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Route A – In the city limits of Braymer shoulder repair, Sept. 7 – 9

Carroll County

• Route B, T and JJ – Pothole patching, Sept. 6 – 9

Daviess County

• Route J – From the city limits of Kidder to the Caldwell County line drainage work, Sept. 6 – 7
• Route 13 – Just north of Route 6 for shoulder work, Sept. 6 – 9
• Route 13 – From Route P to 235th Road for drainage work, Sept. 6 – 9
• Route O – Pothole patching, Sept. 6 – 9

DeKalb County

• U.S. Route 36 – Traffic will be head-to-head at the overpass over I-35 for a bridge replacement project. During this project, no left turns from U.S. Route 36 onto I-35 will be permitted, as the medians between east and westbound U.S. Route 36 will be closed. Please follow the signed detour route. This project will continue through mid-December.
• I-35 – One lane may be closed under the U.S. Route 36 overpass for a bridge deck replacement project. During this project, traffic exiting I-35 will not be permitted to turn left onto U.S. Route 36, as the medians between east and westbound U.S. Route 36 will be closed. Please follow the signed detour route. This project will continue through mid-December.
• Routes 33, N and O – Pothole patching, Sept. 6 – 9

Gentry County

• Route EE – Pothole patching, Sept. 6

Grundy County

• Route 6 – Shoulder work, Sept. 6 – 9
• Routes F, W and WW – Drainage work, Sept. 6 – 9

Harrison County

• I-35 – Southbound shoulder closed from mile marker 89 (near Route 13 exit) to mile marker 88 for culvert repairs, Sept. 6 – 7
• Routes D and ZZ – Pothole patching, Sept. 7 – 9

Linn County

• Route M – From Park Street to Route C for pothole patching and sealing, Sept. 6 – 8
• U.S. Route 36 – From Route 11 to the Macon County line for pavement repair, Sept. 6 – 8

Livingston County

• Route Y – CLOSED from Route 190 to County Road 518 for a culvert replacement, Sept. 6, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• U.S. Route 36 – From Route C to Route CC for pothole patching, Sept 6 – 9
• Route A – CLOSED from Route W to County Road 516 for a culvert replacement, Sept. 7, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Route U – CLOSED from Route 190 to County Road 516 for a culvert replacement, Sept. 8, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Mercer County

• U.S. Route 65 – Shoulder work, Sept. 6 – 9

Nodaway County

• Route U – CLOSED at the One Hundred and Two River Bridge for a bridge deck replacement project. The bridge will be closed through September.
• U.S. Route 71 – Northbound single-lane closure at the White Cloud Creek Bridge, just north of the Andrew County line, for a bridge deck replacement project. This includes a 12-foot width restriction. The project will continue through September.
• Routes AH, TT and ZZ – Pothole patching, Sept. 6 – 9

Putnam County

• Routes E, H, K, EE and UU – Pothole patching, Sept. 6 – 9

Sullivan County

• Route PP – At the Medicine Creek Bridge for maintenance, Sept. 6

Worth County

• Route 46 – At the Marlowe Brook Bridge for maintenance, Sept. 6 – 8
• Route 46 – From U.S. Route 169 to U.S. Route 69 for pothole patching,Sept. 6 – 9

 

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Missouri has more than 10,000 bridges across the state and each is part of a program of inspection, repair and maintenance to keep them in the best condition possible for those who travel Missouri’s highways. In-depth under-bridge inspections are part of that program and the schedule of these inspections for several bridges in Northwest Missouri over the next few weeks has changed. Please see the list below for the most up-to-date schedule.

Crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation may close a single lane on the bridges and ramps listed below as they conduct routine under-bridge inspections. All work is weather permitting and could be rescheduled. Some of these work zones may be moving operations and motorists are advised to be alert for work zone signs and extra equipment on the roadways around these bridges and ramps.

Week of September 5 (no work on Labor Day Monday)

• Andrew County
  • Twin bridges on I-29 over Route DD
  • Route K over I-29

Week of September 19

• Caldwell County Route D over Shoal Creek
• Daviess County Route 13 over Honey Creek
• Gentry County Route A over the Grand River
• Worth County Route YY over Middle Fork

Week of September 26

• Buchanan County U.S. Route 36 bridge over Interstate 229
• Chariton County
  • Route D over Mussel Fork
  • Route D over Clark Branch
  • Route PP over middle Fork

For more information about this and other MoDOT projects, call 1-888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636) or visit modot.org/northwest and view the online Traveler Information Map.

The Remington Nature Center’s Insect-O-Rama will feature a wide variety of insects and cuisine and education on the Zika virus. 

Shelly Cox is a naturalist with the Nature Center. Cox said the annual event on Saturday is for all ages and offers the opportunity to learn more about insects and spiders native to Missouri and their benefits. 

“We will have some ladies here with caterpillars in different stages of development,” Cox said. “We’ll have the health department here talking about some insects of concern like bed bugs and right now, of course, mosquitoes with all the Zika concern that’s going around.” 

Cox said there will also be an entomophagist, or insect chef, preparing some “insect cuisine” to sample. 

“They find insects in the field and they bring them in and they clean them, prepare them and fix them in different types of dishes,” Cox said. “So he might take, like, meal worms and put them in Rice Krispies treats. Or he might take stink bugs and sauté them in General Tso sauce and provide those. So he just fixes them in a variety of different ways and he’ll have them here for people to sample and try.” 

The Insect-O-Rama takes place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Remington Nature Center on Saturday. The event is included in the standard admission rates.

For more information, go to the Insect-O-Rama Facebook event page.

St. Joseph, MO — It’s National Preparedness Month and the American Red Cross of Northwest Missouri encourages people to create a fire escape plan so everyone in the household knows what to do if a fire occurs. 

“Large-scale disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes and floods always make the news, but the most common disaster threat people face across the country is a fire in their home,” said Angie Springs, Executive Director of the Northwest Missouri Chapter. “Here in Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas, we have helped at the scene of 153 fires. We urge residents to develop a fire escape plan and practice it with everyone in their household.” 

Steps for people to create a fire escape plan include:  

• Walking through the home and looking at all exits and possible escape routes, including windows; 
• Listing two ways to get out of every room in case fire blocks one of the paths; 
• Picking a place to meet outside, a safe distance away from the home; 
• Conducting drills. Practice until every member of the household, including children, can escape the home in less than two minutes;
• Making sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1; and 
• Teaching everyone to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire. 

People should also install smoke alarms on every level of their home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. They should test the alarms monthly, install new batteries at least once a year or according to the alarm manufacturer’s instructions, and replace alarms every ten years. 

You can also download Red Cross apps. The Red Cross Emergency App contains information on how to prevent home fires and what to do if one occurs. Children can learn about fire prevention and safety through gaming with the Monster Guard: Prepare for Emergencies App. Designed for 7 to 11-year-olds, the app teaches them safety tips for a variety of disasters by having them role-play as different monster characters. Both apps are available to download for free in app stores or at redcross.org/apps. 

Additional fire safety tips and resources are available at redcross.org/homefires.

A rising a capella vocal group, political comedy and a legendary jazz orchestra will all be a part of the 2016-17 Encore performance series schedule at Northwest Missouri State University.

According to Northwest’s Office of Student Involvement, the schedule also includes performances by the University’s own vocal and theater ensembles.

“The Encore performance series continues this year with a focus on providing marquee programming for our students and the community with a limited number of large-scale, nationally touring performances,” Anthony Maly, a coordinator in Northwest’s Office of Student Involvement, said. “We hope this will attract a larger population of both students and community members while also promoting performing arts we host at Northwest.”

Season tickets are now available for patrons to purchase at costs of $70 for adults, $60 for Northwest employees and $50 for youth 12 and under.

Tickets for individual shows will be available for purchase and pickup on dates listed below. Tickets are free for all Northwest students, and Northwest employees may purchase discounted tickets.

Encore tickets may be purchased between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday in the cashiering office on the first floor of the Administration Building. You can also call (660) 562-1212 or click here.

 

The 2016-17 Encore lineup and single ticket pricing is provided below. For more information about the Encore performance series, contact the Office of Student Involvement at (660) 562-1226.

Wednesday, Sept. 28: The Filharmonic

7:30 p.m., Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts

This event is co-sponsored by the Student Activities Council. Tickets are available Sept. 14 and are free but required for all patrons to attend.

With Los Angeles as its home base, The Filharmonic consists of vocalists VJ Rosales, Joe Caigoy, Trace Gaynor and Barry Fortgang, vocal bass Jules Cruz and beat boxer Niko Del Rey. Unique in their musical talent and cultural diversity, the six-piece group of Filipino-American youngsters was featured on NBC’s hit musical competition “The Sing-Off” and performed with the first “Sing-Off” national tour. They have shared the stage with Linkin Park, Black Eyed Peas and Pentatonix in addition to an appearance in “Pitch Perfect 2.” Their melodic vocal style exemplifies an urban-esque hip hop sound with ’90s nostalgia.

For more information, visit www.thefilharmonic.com.

 

Wednesday, Oct. 5: The Capitol Steps, “What To Expect When You’re Electing”

7:30 p.m., Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts

Tickets are free for Northwest students, $32 for adults ($27 for Northwest employees); tickets for children 12 and under are $15. They are available for purchase Sept. 14.

Since its founding 35 years ago, the Capitol Steps has earned a reputation for “putting the mock in democracy.” The comedy troupe began as a group of Senate staffers who set out to satirize the very people and places that employed them. In the years that followed, many of the Steps ignored conventional wisdom and – although not all current members of the Steps are former Capitol Hill staffers – have worked in a total of 18 Congressional offices and represent 62 years of collective House and Senate staff experience.

Their latest production, “What to Expect When You’re Electing” spoofs the greatest hits of the 2016 campaign, including Donald Trump singing a rock song, Bernie Sanders singing a show tune, and Hillary Clinton doing stand-up comedy.

For more information, visit www.capsteps.com.

 

Friday, Nov. 11: El Grupo Folklorico Atotonilco

7 p.m., J.W. Jones Student Union Ballroom

This event is part of the University’s Intercultural Festival and is free for all patrons to attend.

El Grupo Folklorico Atotonilco fills the stage with an exuberant array of the regional dances and music of Mexico, performing nationally and internationally. Established in 1979, El Grupo Folklorico Atotonilco has garnered a reputation as one of the best Mexican folk dance companies in the U.S., and the Asociacion Nacional de Grupos Folklorico has named this troupe the Premiere Mexican Folk Dance Company in the U.S.

 

Sunday, Nov. 20: Tower Choir and University Chorale

3 p.m., Ron Houston Center of the Performing Arts

This event is free for all patrons to attend.

The Northwest Tower Choir and University Chorale perform choral music for audiences throughout the Midwest. Under the direction of Dr. Stephen Town, the Tower Choir frequently appears at peer-reviewed, invitation-only performances throughout the United States.

The University Chorale, conducted by Dr. Brian Lanier, is Northwest’s large, non-auditioned choral ensemble on campus.

Both ensembles feature students from a wide variety of majors and fields of study at Northwest.

 

Friday, Feb. 24: The Count Basie Orchestra

7:30 p.m., Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts

Tickets are free for Northwest students, $32 for adults ($27 for Northwest employees); tickets for children 12 and under are $15. They are available for purchase Feb. 3.

In the history of jazz music, there is only one bandleader who has the distinction of having his orchestra still performing sold-out concerts throughout the world, with members personally chosen by him, more than 30 years after his passing. Pianist and bandleader William James “Count” Basie was and still is an American institution that personifies the grandeur and excellence of jazz. The Count Basie Orchestra, today directed by Scotty Barnhart, has won every respected jazz poll in the world at least once, won 18 Grammy Awards, performed for kings, queens and other world royalty, appeared in movies, television shows, at every major jazz festival and major concert hall in the world.

This 18-member orchestra is continuing the excellent history started by Basie of stomping and shouting the blues, as well as refining those musical particulars that allow for the deepest and most moving of swing.

For more information, visit www.thecountbasieorchestra.com.

 

April 6-9: “The Learned Ladies” presented by Theatre Northwest

7:30 p.m. April 6-8, 2 p.m. April 9, Mary Linn Auditorium in the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts

Tickets are $8.

Henriette is in love with Clitandre, a perfect match approved by her bourgeois father, Chrysale. But Chrysale is overruled by his domineering wife, Philaminte, who has plans for Henriette to marry another – the pompous, preening Trissotin, a fraudulent poet intent on stealing the family’s fortune. Moliere’s madcap farce – full of physical humor, silliness and enormous wigs – satirizes the pretentious salon movement of the late 17th Century. Written in 1672, this restoration comedy was one of Moliere’s most popular plays, and remains a classic favorite among theatre-goers today.

A trip to Branson in November will feature holiday lights and shows.

Branson has been ranked as one of the best vacation destinations for viewing holiday lights. With that in mind, the Friends of Rolling Hills Library and the St. Joseph Museum are co-sponsoring a trip that will feature a driving tour of the Christmas lights, plus a variety of Branson attractions, and holiday dinner shows.

According to a press release, the trip will include a visit to the Relics Antique Mall, the Titanic Museum, the Hughes Brothers Christmas Show, the Dixie Stampede Christmas Dinner and Show and more. 

The motor coach leaves from the St. Joseph Museum, 3406 Frederick Avenue, at 8 a.m. on November 2nd and returns to the museum by 6 p.m. on November 4. 

The cost is $425 per participant, which includes luxury motor coach transportation, two-night stay at the Center Pointe Inn, six meals, all admission fees, Hughes Brothers Christmas Show, and the Dixie Stampede Christmas Show. There will be some walking required.  Space is limited and reservations can be made at the St. Joseph Museum admission desk or by calling 816-232-8471.

Pre-paid reservations are due by October 1. For more information, click here.

People all over St. Joseph report feeling an earthquake shortly after 7am Saturday. As it turns out, the temblor was about 300 miles away.

Police report they felt it at the Communications Center downtown, and residents all over the city are reporting feeling their homes move. We have heard no reports of any significant damage or injury here.

The earthquake has rattled a swath of the Great Plains from Nebraska to North Texas.

The United States Geological Survey said that a 5.6 magnitude earthquake happened at 7:02 a.m. Saturday in north-central Oklahoma. It also tweeted that aftershocks may occur.

The quake was reported about 8 miles north of Pawnee, Oklahoma at a depth of about four miles. The quake was one of at least nine recorded across the U.S. during the last 24 hours.

Local media reports indicate structural damage to some buildings in the town of Pawnee.  Within about an hour of the initial reports, there have been no reports of serious injury.

(staff and wire reports)

St. Joseph police responded to a disturbance early Saturday morning that sent one man to the hospital and another into police custody.

Sgt. Brad Kerns says the incident was reported at 1:15am in the 2200 block of North Third St. Kerns says the two parties involved in the fight were acquaintances, but he would not go into detail as to what sparked the fight.

One man, described as a St. Joe resident in his 20s, was taken to Mosaic Life Care for treatment of serious injuries. Another, described as a St. Joe man in his 20s, was taken into police custody.

Their names were not released. The investigation continues.

A 400 mile traveling event this month takes participants across the state of Kansas in search of treasure. 

The US Highway 36 Association has put on a “Treasure Hunt” for 11 years with over 30 towns participating from Elwood to St. Francis, Kansas. 

Christiane Cole is the Highway Association Marketing Coordinator and Secretary. Cole said back in 2005, the Highway 36 Association came up with the idea. 

“The Association decided that it needed an event or something to help boost the use of Highway 36 and to reflect on its history – it is 103 years old,” Cole said. “Highway 36 is a very important viaduct through six states and since we wanted to boost traffic we decided that one way to do it would be to have this Treasure Hunt which is garage sales, antique sales, estate sales, auctions, different towns do different things.” 

Cole said treasure hunters comes to Kansas from Louisiana, Minnesota, Oregon, Florida and other places around the country. 

“We started noticing they were arriving as early as Tuesday and starting on one end of the state and working their way across,” Cole said. “It is still advertised as a Friday, Saturday, Sunday event but we know that some antiquers and some shoppers do come into our state early. So, on the positive side, the travelers are here early enough in the week which means an economic impact which lingers throughout that week and beyond, so Kansas benefits from our travelers visiting us early.” 

Cole said the Treasure Hunt is a good event for any antique enthusiasts and bargain hunters. 

“We have a lot of antique stores in every county, all the towns,” Cole said. “We’ve had women who have called and said, ‘About four of us get together every year from Texas and we load up our truck and load up the trailer and we come up and have a grand old time.’” 

Cole said anyone wanting to join in the Treasure Hunt to set up a garage sale or other sale can contact their local chamber office. 

The 2016 Treasure Hunt takes place September 16 – 18. Maps and more can be found online on the Highway 36 website.

An officer with the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force got more than he bargained for trying to serve an arrest warrant Friday morning.

Captain Shawn Collie tells us the officer was trying to serve a warrant at 12th and Highland at about 10am when a struggle ensued. Collie says the suspect managed to take the officer’s taser and use it on the officer. The officer shook it off and gave chase through the neighborhood, but the suspect managed to call an acquaintance, who picked him up and drove off. The taser was recovered.

That vehicle, a black Honda Civic, was later located at the St. Joseph REC Center. Authorities believe the suspect left that area in an unknown black four-door. The suspect remains at large.

Captain Collie identifies the suspect as 21-year-old Justin Wolfe of St Joseph. If you can help, call the TIPS hotline at (816)238-TIPS, or call the Strike Force at (816) 233-3377.