A northwest Missouri teenager has drowned after wading into deep water in the 102 River.
The Missouri Highway Patrol reports 16-year-old Lindsey Allee of Maryville was not able to swim after getting into the water.
According to the patrol, Allee entered the 102 about a quarter mile west of Barnard early Thursday afternoon. The Midwest Regional Dive Team out of Clarinda, Iowa arrived at the scene and recovered the body in about nine feet of water, upstream from the Route M bridge, two hours later.
Nodaway County Coroner Vince Shelby pronounced Allee dead at the scene.
After a relatively quiet week, thunderstorm chances will increase today with an initial round of showers and thunderstorms this morning, and another round of strong storms possible later this afternoon. This active pattern continues through the weekend with strong to severe storms possible Saturday and again on Sunday for portions of the forecast area. Primary hazards will consist of frequent lightning, hail, and strong to damaging winds. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:
Today: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Breezy, with a south wind 11 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South southwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
A juvenile was taken to the hospital Thursday night after being shot.
According to Sgt. Chase Cotter with the St. Joseph Police Department, shortly before 10:30 Thursday night, they received calls reporting a juvenile male had been shot and was found in an alley behind the 2300 block of Lafayette.
He was transported to Mosaic Life Care for treatment of his injuries. The incident is under investigation and no other information is being released at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 238-TIPS.
Agriculture Sec. Sonny Perdue speaks at an EPA hearing./EPA photo by Eric Vance
A big win for the greater Kansas City area, one which could benefit the entire four-state region.
The United States Department of Agriculture has announced it will move its Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture from Washington, D.C. to Kansas City.
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says it’s a natural fit for the two USDA branches.
“The Kansas City region has proven itself to be a hub for all things agriculture and it is a booming city in America’s heartland,” Perdue tells reporters during a conference call. “There’s already a significant presence of USDA and federal government employees in the region, including the Kansas City Ag Bank, Federal Reserve.”
The USDA estimates it will save $300 million over a 15-year period by moving from DC to Kansas City. More than $26 million in incentives have been offered USDA to make the move. The savings will be plowed back into research, according to the USDA.
Perdue says USDA hopes to complete the move by the end of September.
Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves is pleased with the decision.
“Oh, I was very happy about it,” Graves tells St. Joseph Post. “This is something that we’ve been working on for some time and then Kansas City was announced as one of three (finalists) and obviously there was a lot more excitement and, now, being picked; it’s a great fit. It’s good for the agency, because it’s going to make it more efficient. It brings those agencies closer to the people that they obviously serve and so I think it’s just a great win for everyone.”
Graves expects Missouri to reap benefits from the decision, but adds Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa should benefit as well.
“A lot of people commute to Kansas City for work and you can go five and six counties deep outside the Kansas City area and it’s going to have a big impact, because there’s just a lot of jobs and they’re good paying jobs,” Graves says. “To get them out of Washington, D.C. and into the heartland, it’s going to make them a lot more efficient.”
The USDA announced in August it would move the two agencies, the only two of its branches wholly located in Washington, D.C. The Department of Agriculture heard from 136 locations and narrowed those applying to three finalists: Kansas City, the state of Indiana, and the research triangle in North Carolina.
Here’s the latest booking activity from the Buchanan County Jail. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. These are courtesy photos.
This information is provided by the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The St Joseph Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information.
BOOTH DYLAN NON SUPPORT 1000 BOND
CRUZ XAVIER STEALING 10000 BOND
DOTSON MARY NON SUPPORT 5000 BOND
DREDGE ROGER PAROLE VIOLATION NO BOND
FAULKNER CHRISTOPHER POSSESSION 5000 BOND
FETTY PATRICK NON SUPPORT 1500 BOND
HAKE SETH POSSESSION 10000 BOND
HON PAGE STEALING 10000 BOND
HURT CHRISTIAN POSSSESSION 10000 BOND
KIESER RANDALL POSSESSION NO BOND
LINEBARGER JOHN NON SUPPORT 2500 BOND
LOCKLIN MARVIN FAIL TO REGISTER PR BOND
NEWMAN CHAD BURGLARY 5000 BOND
RHYNE BRENT STEALING 5000 BOND
RIDEAUX AUSTIN FUGITIVE FROM OUT OF STATE 25000 BOND
GRUNDY COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 5:30a.m. Thursday in Grundy County.
The Misssouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Ford F250 driven by Russell Louderback, 61, Trenton, was westbound MO 6 three miles west of Trenton. The vehicle crossed the centerline and struck a 1999 Chevy Cavalier driven by Eric S. Virtue, 38, Jamesport, head-on.
Virtue was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Slater Funeral Home. EMS transported Louderback to Wright Memorial Hospital and he was later transferred to St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.
U.S. Agriculture Sec. Sonny Perdue /USDA Photo by Preston Keres
Kansas City pulls off a coup, winning an intense competition to land two branches of the United States Department of Agriculture.
United States Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced this morning the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute for Food and Agricultural Policy (NIFA) will move from their current location in Washington, D.C. to Kansas City.
“Following a rigorous site selection process, the Kansas City Region provides a win win – maximizing our mission function by putting taxpayer savings into programmatic outputs and providing affordability, easy commutes, and extraordinary living for our employees,” Secretary Perdue said in a written statement released by the USDA. “The Kansas City Region has proven itself to be hub for all things agriculture and is a booming city in America’s heartland. There is already a significant presence of USDA and federal government employees in the region, including the Kansas City ‘Ag Bank’ Federal Reserve. This agriculture talent pool, in addition to multiple land-grant and research universities within driving distance, provides access to a stable labor force for the future. The Kansas City Region will allow ERS and NIFA to increase efficiencies and effectiveness and bring important resources and manpower closer to all of our customers.”
The USDA estimates it will save $300 million over a 15-year period by moving the agencies to the Midwest. The savings can be used for additional research. State and local governments have offered the USDA $26 million in incentives to move to Kansas City.
The two agencies employ about 500 people.
“We are thrilled that Secretary Perdue chose to relocate ERS and NIFA to the heartland. We appreciate all the hard work and commitment from Secretary Perdue, President Trump’s Administration, and the large Kansas City coalition in making this happen,” Gov. Mike Parson said in a written statement released by his office. “Missouri agriculture has unrivaled diversity, access to cutting-edge research at our land grant universities, and a thriving agribusiness environment. By choosing a location close to their farmer-constituent base, these offices will remain rooted in agriculture and, as a result, will be better able to make decisions that serve American agriculture well.”
Congressman Sam Graves, who lobbied for the re-location to Kansas City, also applauded the decision.
“It just makes sense to move these USDA agencies out of Washington, D.C. to the Midwest—the heart of farm country,” Graves said in a written statement. “This move underscores the quality of life that we have here and the economic value that the Midwest brings to the table. This will be a great boost for our economy and help bring USDA research closer to the people it serves while saving the taxpayers an incredible amount of money in the process.”
Perdue announced last year the Trump Administration planned to move the agencies out of Washington. Nearly 140 locations from 35 states expressed interest with the USDA narrowing the list to three finalists, including Kansas City. The other two were the state of Indiana and Research Triangle Park in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Graves, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler and Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver, joined in a letter touting Kansas City as a prime spot for relocation.
“While there are many potential relocation options, we believe Kansas City provides the perfect balance between the various needs of the USDA,” the member of Congress wrote Perdue. “With the department’s Risk Management Agency and the Food Safety Administration already located in the Kansas City area, USDA understands the importance of having its core functions outside of the Washington Metro area and the unique benefits of operating in the Kansas City region.”
Economic Research provides data which the USDA uses to decide policy. The Institute of Food and Agriculture awards more than a billion dollars’ worth of competitive grants on sustainable agriculture.
United States Senators in both Missouri and Kansas also campaigned on behalf of Kansas City, including Sen. Pat Roberts, the chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
“I am excited to hear USDA selected Kansas City as the new location for the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Agricultural research is a critical function of USDA, and I am committed to ensuring we continue to support and strengthen the research mission that our US producers rely on. Kansas City is an obvious choice, as many other USDA agencies in the area partner closely with stakeholders,” Sen. Roberts said in a written statement included in a joint news release issued by all four senators. “The vital research that will occur at the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility (NBAF) and already occurs throughout the KC Animal Health Corridor makes Kansas City a natural fit. I am pleased that USDA recognizes the rich resources the heartland provides.”
“Today’s announcement is great news for the Kansas City region and our state,” Sen. Roy Blunt stated. “These agencies will bring hundreds of good-paying jobs to the area and enhance Missouri’s role as a national leader in ag research. Secretary Perdue made the right choice in selecting Kansas City, which is a great place to live and work. The challenges and opportunities have never been greater than they will be in the next 25 years. These research agencies do great work, and will be at the cutting edge of agriculture and well located for assistance and examples as they do their job.”
“After months of advocating to Secretary Perdue that NIFA and ERS ought to be relocated to the Kansas City area, I’m thrilled that USDA has selected Kansas City to house these critical research agencies,” Sen. Jerry Moran stated. “The animal health corridor, stretching from Manhattan, Kansas to Columbia, Missouri, is the largest concentration of animal health companies in the world, and Kansas is also the home of the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility – and today’s decision further bolsters Kansas City’s status as a national leader in the ag industry. It is always positive when our government can operate outside of Washington and closer to the people it serves, and I am certain that the decision to relocate NIFA and ERS to Kansas City is a good one. I look forward to helping welcome these USDA agencies and employees to Kansas City.”
“This is outstanding news for the Kansas City region. We’re home to some of the hardest working farmers in the country, so this is a fantastic decision by the USDA,” Sen. Josh Hawley stated. “As the new home of the Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Missouri and Kansas will continue to lead in the research and development of American agricultural policy for the 21st century. We are grateful for the job opportunities and renewed partnership this move creates for our state.”
A teenager has pleaded guilty in Andrew County Circuit Court to making terroristic threats through a social media post in which he claimed he would commit a mass shooting at an area school.
The Andrew County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says 17-year-old Andrew Lemon, a Lafayette High School student, has been placed on four years of probation. He also has been ordered to serve 120 days of shock time in jail.
Lemon on April 28th sent messages to five friends on Snapchat, claiming he planned mass shootings at several schools, including Benton, Central, Lafayette, and Savannah High Schools as well as Truman Middle School.
The threat prompted school officials and law enforcement to have a number of area schools go into lock down. Extra security guards were posted at schools.
Prosecutors accused Lemon of using racial slurs against black students and threatening that he would commit a mass shooting at either Savannah, Lafayette, Benton High Schools, or Truman Middle School. The threat, deemed credible by police, caused those schools to go into a soft lock down and add security. Central High School, Bode Middle School, and Truman Middle School also went into a soft lock down as a precaution.
Officers with the Country Club Village Police Department took Lemon into custody after St. Joseph police officers detained him in the Lafayette High School Vice Principal’s office.
In the statement of probable cause, Andrew County prosecutors state Lemon reluctantly confessed to sending the message and stated he did not intend to carry out the threat.
No one was injured at any of the schools. The soft lock down at area school was lifted Monday afternoon.
St. Joseph Police are investigating a stabbing death Wednesday night as a homicide.
According to Capt. Jeff Wilson, officers responded around 8 p.m. Wednesday to the 2500 block of Mitchell Avenue to a report of a disturbance. While in route, officers were advised there was a stabbing. When officers arrived, they learned there was a fight between two men and one was stabbed in the chest with a knife. Officers located both men in the 1300 block of South 26th.
The 39-year-old man who was stabbed was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
A 39-year-old black male was arrested on scene. The names of the victim or suspect have not yet been released.
Renewed flooding crippled efforts by road crews to recover from the initial flooding.
Area Engineer Adam Watson with the Northwest District of the Missouri Department of Transportation says MoDOT had issued emergency contracts to repair flood damage to reopen U.S. 136 and U.S. 159 between northwest Missouri and southeast Nebraska.
“Contractor had to pull out of those areas, because they re-flooded,” Watson tells St. Joseph Post. “So, it brought that work to a standstill. It also slowed down some of the assessments of the original damage. The water had never receded enough for us to assess all of the damage. So those areas we’ve still never gotten to.”
Major roads had been reopened after water receded from the mid-March floods. Then, flooding returned at the end of May, closing roadways and bridges throughout northwest Missouri, greatly disrupting traffic.
Interstate 29 remains closed to through traffic. Flooding has shut the interstate down in southwest Iowa. Local traffic can drive I-29, through traffic is being re-routed north of St. Joseph at U.S. 71.
Watson says MoDOT is at the mercy of Iowa and Mother Nature.
“We don’t want to be the bad neighbors that send people up there where there’s nowhere to go,” Watson says. “I really want to encourage people who are going to northwest Missouri. Still, northwest Missouri is still open for business. It’s just an interstate is for traffic traveling through and right now, there’s no through.”
MoDOT had let emergency contracts to make repairs to U.S. 136 and U.S. 159 in northwest Missouri to allow travel between northwest Missouri and southeast Nebraska. The contractors had to pull out when renewed flooding made road work impossible.
“We’re still waiting to assess the damage from the second event. (U.S.) 136, we had several scours, deep holes, as well as on (U.S.) 159, and we had started filling those and even had gotten one hole filled before the contractor had to pull out. But, we’re waiting to reassess, as the water goes down, how much more damage,” according to Watson.
Initial flood damage to northwest Missouri roads and bridges was pegged at approximately $20 million. That is sure to go up once floodwaters from the second event recede enough to actually inspect the damage.
MoDOT has reopened Route 45 in southern Buchanan County from U.S. Route 59 into Platte County. Route 59, a major route into Kansas, remains closed between Rushville and Atchison, Kansas.
