St. Joseph police have identified the woman who died after a crash Friday morning at the Belt Highway and 36 Highway.

According to police, 29-year-old Cassandra D. Blackmore of Atchison, Kansas, was pronounced deceased at the hospital as a result of her injuries.

As previously reported, according to a probable cause statement, shortly after 11 a.m., 22-year-old Bronson Z. Cooper of Faucett was driving a Pontiac G6 south on the Belt Highway well above the posted speed limit and drove through a red light at the eastbound 36 Highway intersection. Blackmore was driving a Chevrolet Impala and was attempting to turn north onto the Belt from 36 Highway when the Impala was hit on the driver’s side by Cooper’s vehicle.

Blackmore was transported to the hospital where she later died as a result of her injuries. An 8-year-old passenger in the Impala was transported to Children’s Mercy Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Cooper is being held on $200,010 bond. An arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday.

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University has reinstated its Delta Nu chapter of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity and resumed its recognition of the chapter as a student organization at the University.

According to a news release, the reinstatement is the result of the collaborative work of Northwest and TKE alumni who dedicated themselves to rebuilding the chapter and ensuring its success. Additionally, Northwest continues work to implement a “Greek Life Vision” developed to ensure Greek Life is a positive and successful part of the Northwest experience.

“Northwest is thankful for all the alumni who worked hard to rebuild the chapter, have taken the time to understand the issues facing today’s fraternities and are ensuring the chapter has a strong culture moving forward,” Northwest Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Matt Baker said. “The recolonization of TKE is a testament to many Bearcat alumni who worked to sustain and refocus the chapter over the past two and a half years to ensure the chapter is open for future generations of Bearcats.”

Nathan Meeker, the acting president of the Delta Nu chapter, said the reorganized fraternity is focused on academics, leadership development, community service and personal character development.

“The alumni have been very supportive of our direction and have stepped up to fund significant scholarship money for high academic performers,” said Meeker, a senior from Council Bluffs, Iowa, who is majoring in interactive digital media with a computer science emphasis. “Without the help and support of the alumni and community, we would not be so lucky to have this new beginning, and I am ecstatic to be a part of it. I sincerely look forward to showing everyone a dedicated chapter, represented by hard-working men, in the upcoming academic year and the years to follow.

Northwest revoked its institutional recognition of the Delta Nu chapter in November 2015, citing violations of Greek Life risk management policies. After an appeal process, the University agreed to allow reinstatement of the chapter during the fall 2018 trimester.

In preparation for its reinstatement, alumni of Northwest’s TKE chapter met with city and University leaders, including the city manager, public safety director and Nodaway County prosecutor to discuss the chapter’s past and form a partnership to support the chapter in its return.

The Delta Nu chapter was founded at Northwest in 1954, and alumni of the chapter own the TKE house at 555 West Ninth St.

Northwest also launched a Greek Life visioning process in 2015, and the University is continuing its work toward enhancing its Greek Life program based on the findings of that process. Key recommendations to come out of the visioning process centered on community, accountability, performance, and communication and transparency.

For more information about Greek Life at Northwest, visit nwmissouri.edu/greek.

Charges have been filed after a crash at the Belt Highway and 36 Highway Friday morning killed one person.

According to online court documents, 22-year-old Bronson Z. Cooper of Faucett is charged with felony second degree involuntary manslaughter.

As previously reported, St. Joseph police say two cars were involved in the crash. According to a probable cause statement, shortly after 11 a.m., Cooper was driving a Pontiac G6 south on the Belt Highway well above the posted speed limit and drove through a red light at the eastbound 36 Highway intersection. A Chevrolet Impala was attempting to turn north onto the Belt from 36 Highway and was hit on the driver’s side by Cooper’s vehicle.

The Impala was driven by a 29-year-old woman who was transported to the hospital where she later died as a result of her injuries. An 8-year-old passenger in the Impala was transported to Children’s Mercy Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Cooper is being held on $200,010 bond. 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 Aug. 6 – 12 from the Missouri Department of Transportation.

In addition to the work listed below, there may be other road work conducted throughout the region. Many of these will be moving operations and could include lane closures with delays. All scheduled maintenance and construction projects are subject to change.

MoDOT reminds the public to stay alert, watch for road work, buckle up, slow down, and drive with extreme caution through work zones and in changing weather conditions.

For more information about a project, please contact MoDOT at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (888-275-6636) or visit modot.org/northwest. You can also follow MoDOT’s Northwest Missouri District on Twitter @ModotNorthwest and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MoDOTNWDistrict.

Andrew County

Interstate 29 – Bridge deck replacement project at the Nodaway River Bridge. Traffic is head-to-head in the northbound lanes. This traffic pattern will be in place through August and includes a 13-foot width restriction.

I-29 – CLOSED for sign work at the ramp from southbound I-29 to northbound U.S. Route 71 (Exit 56A), Aug. 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Atchison County

Route N – Pothole patching, Aug. 6

U.S. Route 275 – Resurfacing project from the Iowa state line to U.S. Route 136, Aug. 6 – 10

U.S. Route 136 – Pothole patching near the four-way stop in Rock Port, Aug. 7

U.S. Route 136 – Pothole patching through the city limits of Tarkio, Aug. 8 – 10

Buchanan County

U.S. Route 36 – Resurfacing project at the Route AC (Riverside Road) interchange on and off ramps, Aug. 6 – 9

U.S. Route 169 – Pedestrian crossing improvement projects at Route AC and Pickett Road intersection, Commons Road (near Menards and Bucky’s) and South Belt Wal-Mart, Aug. 6 – 10

U.S. Route 36 – Bridge maintenance at the Missouri River Bridge, Aug. 6 – 9

Route 759 – CLOSED for bridge maintenance at ramp onto westbound U.S. Route 36, Aug. 7, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Caldwell County

Route B – Pothole patching from Nettleton Road to Route U, Aug. 6 – 8

Routes U and K – Pothole patching, Aug. 9 – 10

Carroll County

Route YY – Pothole patching from Route M to Route J, Aug. 6 – 7

Route U – Pothole patching from Route Z to U.S. Route 65, Aug. 8

Route Z – Pothole patching from Route U to U.S. Route 65, Aug. 9 – 10

Clay County

Route C – Resurfacing and shoulder project from Route CC to Route 116 (Clinton County), Aug. 6 – 10. A pilot car and flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone.

Clinton County

Route C – Resurfacing and shoulder project from Route 116 to Route CC (Clay County), Aug. 6 – 10. A pilot car and flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone.

Daviess County

Route 13 – CLOSED for a bridge replacement project at the Honey Creek Bridge. The road will be closed through September. A signed detour is in place.

Route E – Pothole patching, Aug. 6

Route 6 – Pothole patching from U.S. Route 69 to Route P, Aug. 6 – 10

DeKalb County

I-35 – Concrete replacement southbound from mile marker 56 to 52 through Cameron, Aug. 6 – 10

U.S. Route 36 – Resurfacing project from Grindstone Creek to just east of U.S. Route 69, Aug. 6 – 10.

Gentry County

Route H – CLOSED for a culvert replacement from Isaac Miller Trail to 540th Road, Aug. 6, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Route O – Pothole patching from Route U to Route B, Aug. 6

Route H – CLOSED for a culvert replacement from 395th Street and 410th Street, Aug. 7, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Route F – Pothole patching, Aug. 7 – 8

Route N – CLOSED for a culvert replacement from 290th Street to 280th Street, Aug. 9, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Route N – CLOSED for a culvert replacement from 260th Street to 250th Street, Aug. 10, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Grundy County

Route M – Pothole patching, Aug. 6 – 10

U.S. Route 65 – Pavement marking, Aug. 6 – 11. This includes a 12-foot width restriction.

Harrison County

I-35 – Resurfacing project from the Iowa state line to Route N at Eagleville, Aug. 6 – 11. This includes a 16-foot width restriction and will include overnight lane closures.

Route AA – Pothole patching, Aug. 7

Route MM – Pothole patching from Route 146 to Route 13, Aug. 8 – 9

Holt County

I-29 – Bridge deck replacement at the Nodaway River Bridge. Traffic is head-to-head in the northbound lanes. This traffic pattern will be in place through Aug. and includes a 13-foot width restriction.

Linn County

Route FF – Pothole patching, Aug. 6

U.S. Route 36 – Guardrail work from east of Route 11 to east of Route 5 near Bucklin, Aug. 6 – 11. This includes a 16-foot width restriction.

U.S. Route 36 – Pothole patching in the eastbound lanes from Route 139 to Monaco Drive, Aug. 7

U.S. Route 36 – Pothole patching in the westbound lanes from Route F to Route TT, Aug. 8

Mercer County

U.S. Route 136 – Bridge maintenance at the West Muddy Creek Bridge, Aug. 6 – 10

U.S. Route 65 – Sealing project from the north city limits of Chillicothe to the Iowa state line, Aug. 6 – 11. This includes a 12-foot width restriction.

Nodaway County

Routes Y and V – Pothole patching, Aug. 7 – 10

Route ZZ – CLOSED for pothole patching from Route A to 330th Street, Aug. 8, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Route AA – CLOSED for pothole patching from 330th Street to Route V, Aug. 9, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Putnam County

U.S. Route 136 – CLOSED for a bridge replacement project at the West Locust Creek Bridge. The road will be closed through September. A signed detour is in place.

U.S. Route 136 – CLOSED for a bridge replacement project at the Elm Branch Bridge. The road will be closed through September. A signed detour is in place.

Worth County

Route 46 – Pothole patching, Aug. 6

Routes W and K – Pothole patching, Aug. 7 – 10

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Dr. John Jasinski, president of Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, has been elected by his peers to serve as vice chair of the Council on Public Higher Education (COPHE), in addition to an appointment by the commissioner of higher education’s advisory team.

Zora Mulligan, the commissioner for the Missouri Department of Higher Education, appointed Jasinski to the advisory group, which meets on a quarterly basis to discuss major initiatives impacting higher education.

Jasinski begins his COPHE role immediately and will serve a one-year term with the statewide organization, which is composed of the presidents and chancellors of public higher education institutions in Missouri.

“Dr. Jasinski is highly respected among his colleagues in COPHE, and they were very happy that he agreed to serve as vice chair,” Paul Wagner, COPHE’s executive director, said. “His experience and skill will be crucial to continuing the organization’s success in promoting the value of higher education across Missouri.”

Dr. Mun Choi, president of the University of Missouri System, was elected the chair of COPHE. Jasinski previously was COPHE’s vice chair from 2011 to 2013 and was chair of the organization from 2013 to 2015.

“Public higher education offers such great value in the state of Missouri, and it is humbling to be elected by my peers to help lead the state agenda,” Jasinski said. “I look forward to working with higher education leaders as we continue advancing higher education in these times of sector disruption and addressing stakeholder needs.”

COPHE, a nonprofit association of the presidents and chancellors of Missouri’s 13 public college and university campuses and the president of the University of Missouri System, supports and advances the mission of those institutions by facilitating information sharing and collaboration. It encourages increased understanding by the public and public officials of the value of higher education to the state’s people and economy.

For more information about Jasinski, visit nwmissouri.edu/aboutus/president.

Community members from St. Joseph and the surrounding area donated 22,465 school supply items during the United Way Stuff the Bus school supplies drive.

The drive was held Friday and Saturday at both St. Joseph Walmart locations.

In addition, community members donated nearly $3,000 to allow United Way to purchase supplies that were not donated. According to a press release from United Way, community members have donated more than 200,000 school supply items since United Way Stuff the Bus began in 2009.

The collected school supplies will be distributed through United Way Partner Agencies and Programs including The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army Back to School Fair equips children with the supplies they need, and might not have otherwise had, to start the school year off prepared. The Salvation Army is prepared to serve more than 700 children at their Back to School Fair on August 9.

“In this, the tenth year of the event, the community has once again stuffed the bus many times over and we couldn’t be more grateful,” said United Way of Greater St. Joseph President, Kylee Strough. “We wish to extend our sincere appreciation to Walmart, hundreds of volunteers, thousands of shoppers & donors, our presenting sponsor, Mosaic Life Care and other sponsors, for making this weekend’s event a great success! Thank you to the community for coming together to ensure children can start school with the tools and supplies needed to be successful in the classroom.”

Families who may need assistance with school supplies collected from this year’s United Way Stuff the Bus School Supplies Drive are encouraged to call The Salvation Army at (816) 232-5824 on Friday, August 10. United Way Stuff the Bus School Supplies Drive is a project of the United Way Volunteer Center.

For more information about United Way, go to stjosephunitedway.org, like United Way of Greater St. Joseph on Facebook or
follow UnitedWayStJoe on Twitter.

SEDALIA, Mo. – Discover nature with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia Aug. 9-19.

According to a press release, visitors can go to the MDC’s Conservation Building from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug 9-18 and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug 19 to see live fish and other native animals such as snakes, turtles, and amphibians. Learn about and see displays of native plants that help butterflies and other important pollinators.

MDC’s air-conditioned Conservation Kids’ Discovery Room will be open between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and features hands-on fun discovering nature through crafts and other activities.

Enjoy these free conservation-related programs at MDC’s outdoor pavilion:

• WATCH RAPTORS: See a live eagle and other birds of prey up close at the Raptors of Missouri presentation Aug. 9 and Aug. 18 at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m.
• LEARN TO CLEAN AND COOK FISH: Learn how to prepare a fresh catch at the Fish Cooking and Cleaning demonstration Aug. 10 and Aug. 11 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• MUSHROOM ID: Learn about Missouri mushrooms Aug. 16 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• HISTORIC SAWMILL: See a working model sawmill in operation at Forest Products: The Circular Sawmill Aug. 17 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• DUTCH OVEN DEMO: Learn about Dutch oven cooking and watch a live demonstration on Aug. 19 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Don’t miss the special program, “Invasive Species: Stop the Invasion. Join the Fight,” Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. next door to the outdoor pavilion at the Missouri Department of Transportation Highway Gardens. It will include displays and activities on invasive plants and animals and how they harm native species and habitats, as well as Missouri’s agricultural, roadsides, and our backyards.

The Robidoux Resident Theatre in St. Joseph will be showcasing its greatest hits next weekend.

RRT’s Greatest Hits is a fundraising event to help with remodeling costs of the Ruby Theatre, which will be the new home for the Robidoux Resident Theatre.

RRT’s Greatest Hits will feature songs from performances over the past 39 years.

Mike Pittman with the Robidoux Resident Theatre said people from around the country are planning to come back to take part in the event.

“We have people coming from the West Coast, from Colorado, Texas, different areas of the country where they’ve gone out and ended up and they’re going to come back and join the people in our community and Kansas City who are coming back to perform songs from the shows that they were in,” Pittman said.

RRT’s Greatest Hits will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 11th, at the Missouri Theatre in St. Joseph.

For more information or tickets, click here or call (816) 232-1778.