Thanks to a generous artist, a new peace of artwork is coming to Atchison Kansas and will be unveiled Wednesday.

The unveiling is set for Wednesday afternoon for the large highway art in memory of Amelia Earhart south of Atchison, just in time for the Amelia Earhart Festival this weekend.

It all started when the artist, John Cerney, asked if the city was interested in an art peace about Amelia.  Cerney does one project are year based his interest for free, according to Jacque Pregont, President of the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce.

“In the conversation we talked about the Amelia Earhart festival and the fact that Amelia was born here and spent a lot of her childhood here, this was home. Also about the fact that we’ve done an Amelia Earhart festival 16 years and this is the 75th anniversary of her disappearance,” she said. “And so he said I think it’s just meant to be.”

The artwork will be on U.S. 73 Highway just south of Atchison. It will be unveiled Wednesday afternoon and will serve as a welcome to Atchison. It’s titled, Amelia comes home.

“it’s Amelia’s plane, Amelia, Fred Noonan, their gas can and their map like that’s were they landed,” she said. “So it’s kind of a whimsical approach to where Amelia is.”

The artwork will be a permanent fixture for more than a decade. It could last 15 to 20 years, according to the artist. He also plans to check on the artwork frequently.

The large artwork will be unveiled at 4:00 pm this afternoon at its permanent location along highway 73 south of Atchison.

 

Atchison County, Missouri is now under an outdoor burn ban due to the severe fire-safety threat during current drought  conditions.

The Rock Port Fire Chief met with the County Commission this morning and requested the Commissioners consider a burn ban.   Atchison County residents are encourage to NOT to do any outside burning.

Not only can a small fire become a huge problem within a short time, but Fire Fighters could easily be overwhelmed and overcome while fighting fire.

The USDA on Tuesday approved the state of Missouri’s request to declare all 114 counties in the state agricultural disaster areas due to ongoing drought conditions.

Also Tuesday, Gov. Jay Nixon surveyed the severe drought conditions devastating crops and livestock throughout the state.

 

The tour of hard-hit areas began in northeast Missouri at a farm near Ewing, Mo., followed by visits to Tarkio and Bolivar.

“My administration will continue to work with Missouri farmers as they endure a drought that is severely affecting our crops and livestock,” Gov. Nixon said. “Today, Secretary Vilsack issued that designation for all 114 counties affected by drought, providing access to low-interest loans and other assistance that will help our farmers recover.

“As a state, we will continue to stand with Missouri farmers at every step of this disaster and throughout the recovery process. Together, we will ensure that a strong agriculture industry remains the backbone of Missouri’s economy.”

While near Tarkio Gov. Nixon toured the Hurst family farm and met with Brooks Hurst and other area farmers to assess the hardships they have faced so far during these extremely dry conditions. The Hurst family farms more than 5,000 acres of corn and soybeans in northwest Missouri.

The Governor also said it was important to remember that the hardships for farmers also are coming at the same time that the prolonged heat and drought have led to hundreds of fires across the state.

“I’ve stood up the State Emergency Management Agency for the coordination of the state response to the fires, and we’ve seen hundreds of firefighters, both professional and volunteer, as well as conservation agents and others, responding to these threats with tireless efforts,” Gov. Nixon said.

“The long-range forecast means not only will our fire responders need to continue their vigilance, Missouri farmers also must be ready for the long haul with this weather, even as we head into harvest season.”

The father of two brutally murdered Western Missouri girls is very thankful the alleged killer is in custody.

Paul Haarup spoke Monday when charges were announced against a 31-year-old Trimble Mo. Man. For the murder of his two daughters.

22-year-old Ashley Key and 19-year-old Britny Haarup were killed Friday in the Edgerton home of Haarup. Clifford Miller was charged Monday with two counts of first degree murder. The bodies of the two were found on a farm Sunday in Clinton County.

The father, Paul Haarup, said he will be taking care of his three granddaughters who lost their mothers.

“My daughters were very wonderful people. Their short lives will never be forgotten,” Haarup said. “Our duty is to make sure that the three granddaughters who are left behind know how special their mothers were.  They’re never going to have a chance to see their mothers smile in person.”

Key was staying at her sister’s house because she was starting to turn her life around, Haarup said.

“She finally made the decision that it was time to get up and dust herself off and lead a good life for her daughter and her family. And it was very apparent that she was making an attempt to project her sister,” Haarup said.

Platte County prosecutors charged Miller Monday and they have yet to decide whether or not to seek the death penalty. He’s held on a $500,000 cash only bond.

 

The messages going out to Missouri Residents that the government will pay your utility bills really is too good to be true.

The Missouri Public Service Commission is warning residents they are targeted by scam artist attempting to obtain your identification.

Public Service Commission Chair Kevin Gunn says he doesn’t know if anyone has fell for the scam yet in Missouri.

“I think that the folks that have reported it on, obviously have been savvy enough not to be taken in by it. We certainly want to send to message so we can limit the number of people who have been taken advantage of.”

The scam is nationwide and Gunn says officials are trying to track down where the messages are coming from. He says they come by phone calls, Facebook or text messaging.

 

Charges were filed today against a Missouri man in the deaths of two sisters from Platte County.

Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd says Clifford D. Miller of Trimble was charged today in the deaths of 19-year-old Britny Haarup and 22-year-old Ashley Key on Friday.

Miller is charged with two counts of first degree murder.  The death penalty is being considered.

The bodies of the sisters were found Sunday near Trimble in Clinton County, not far from where a truck owned by one of the sisters was spotted earlier in the weekend.

The sisters were reported missing Friday after Haarup’s fiance, Matt Meyers, came home to find his 6 and 18 month old daughters alone in the same crib at their home at 406 Perry Street in Edgerton.

A white pickup truck and some firearms were also reported missing. That truck was spotted in the Trimble area Saturday morning. Investigators say Miller was seen driving it. Authorities also say he was selling some firearms similar to those reported missing.

Sheriff Richard Anderson told reporters they pursued an “intense investigation,” that included searches in three counties, but he says based on the evidence, the women were dead before the search began.

Miller was arrested Sunday. Authorities say he admitted to being high on methamphetamine and going to Haarup’s residence to sexually assault her. His plans allegedly changed when he found and confronted Key in the house. He told police he beat and smothered the two women.  According to the affidavit, Miller smoked some more methamphetamine after he had killed the women.  He told detectives he then put the women’s bodies in the truck and dumped them along a tree line in the 7500 block of SW County Line Road in Clinton County.

Miller is being held in the Platte County Jail on a $500,000 cash bond.

A memorial fund has been setup for Haarup and Key.

Donations can be made to:

The Haarup and Key Memorial
Kansas City Police Credit Union
2800 East 14th St.
Kansas City, MO 64127