Two men from the Kansas City area were injured when a fuel problem sparked an explosion in their Seadoo.

The Missouri Water Patrol reports the men were injured in the explosion Saturday afternoon at the Lick Creek Cove at Lake of the Ozarks.

Investigators say they fueled up the watercraft at the marina, but it would not start.

A spark then ignited fumes within the engine compartment causing the explosion.

According to the incident report, Ronald Dodson, 60, of Lee’s Summit, suffered serious injuries. Blake Samskey, 19 of Olathe, sustained what were described as moderate injuries. Both were taken to Lake Regional Hospital.

Also at Lake of the Ozarks Saturday, a tubing accident that sent a Lee’s Summit teenager to the hospital with serious injuries.

Investigators say Jessica Dennis, 16, was riding an inner tube when it crossed the wake of a large boat, sending her airborne. According to a report from the Missouri State Water Patrol, Dennis landed back on the inner tube, causing her injuries.

She is currently being treated at Children’s Hospital.

A Raytown man suffered moderate injuries in a separate Seadoo mishap at Lake of the Ozarks Sunday. Officials say Douglas Williams, 33, slowed to a stop in his PWC when he was run over by a second man on another Seadoo. Daniel Williams, 55, of Tonganoxie, Kansas, was not hurt in the accident at 9:45 a.m. Sunday.

The Water Patrol reports Douglas Williams was taken by ambulance to Lake Regional Hospital.

The body of an American tourist missing in Israel since last week has been found by Israeli police.

Herman Kuehn, 80, of Platte County, Missouri, got separated from his group on May 26, while visiting antiquities sites in Beit Shean. His body was discovered Tuesday in an industrial zone north of the city.

According to Israeli news reports, there were no signs of violence or foul play.

Kuehn and his wife, Mary, were in Israel for a tour through the St. Paul School of Theology.

They are members of the Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church.

The family tells Israeli media, Kuehn had suffered a head injury several years ago and sometimes became confused. The family on Monday released a statement thanking people who had been praying for the return of their family patriarch.

A large-scale search was mounted over the weekend for the missing tourist.

An assistant professor of music at Missouri Western has won a prestigious musical performance competition. Dr. Nathaniel May is the winner of The American Prize in Piano Performance-Solo Division in the professional category 2012.

“I was really excited to have been chosen, and humbled to know of the other pianists who were finalists,” Dr. May said. “This competition provides feedback/evaluation from judges for those who are selected as finalists.”

 

“For me, this represents a unique opportunity to receive constructive criticism on my work from colleagues in the discipline, which I really feel is a validating experience.”

Dr. May has performed recitals throughout the United States and Europe, presenting research on piano music of the modern era at the World Piano Conference and the Euro-Mediterranean Music Conference, with master classes in Turkey, Serbia, the Netherlands and Italy. He is also the founder and artistic director of the soundSCAPE festival in Italy, at which more than 200 new works have been premiered.

Dr. May believes his experience and success as a performer is helpful as he teaches students at Missouri Western.

“It really motivates students to achieve their potential, knowing that they are studying with an active and recognized artist,” he said.

“It is much more evident to them in private lessons that their teacher has the ability to demonstrate, or ‘back up’ his words with performance at the instrument.”

 

The American Prize was founded in 2009 and is awarded annually in many areas of the performing arts.  Organizers sponsor a series of new, non-profit national competitions designed to recognize and reward the very best performing artists and ensembles in the country based on recorded performances.

Dr. May was selected from applications from all across the United States.

 

“Most artists may never win a Grammy award, or a Pulitzer, or a Tony, or perhaps even be nominated, but that does not mean they are not worthy of recognition and reward,” said David Katz.

The conductor, composer, playwright, actor and arts advocate serves as chief judge of The American Prize.

“Quality in the arts is not limited to the coasts, or to the familiar names, or only to graduates of the most famous schools. It is on view all over the United States, if you take the time to look for it. The American Prize exists to encourage and herald that excellence.”

Transportation officials are moving forward with plans to demolish a pair of rest areas along I-29 in Holt County.

According to an announcement from MoDOT, demolition of the northbound rest area at the 84 mile marker near Mound City will begin June 4, weather permitting.

 

Officials say the existing buildings and picnic areas will be removed and replaced with expanded truck parking.  It will be signed as having unimproved facilities.

Demolition of the southbound rest area will start when the new welcome center at Rock Port is completed.  Authorities expect the new facility south of Rock Port at mile marker 109 to be completed in mid-June.