St Joseph police say a man was arrested this morning after trying to rob a woman in the WalMart parking lot and then flee in a city bus.

At about 10:30 Friday morning, the woman with three kids was accosted by a man in the parking lot of the WalMart on the South Belt Highway.

Another woman noticed the confrontation, and police were called to the scene.

Police Captain Kevin Castle says the man may or may not have had a gun.  He did not have a well-planned getaway.  The suspect was arrested in a city bus that was still idling in the parking lot when officers arrived.

Passengers were removed from the bus and the man was taken into custody. Authorities say the man is well known to police.

There were no injuries.

Three people are jailed and charged in the death of a Richmond Mo. woman who was found dead in her home Wednesday morning.

The body of Michelle Rheuport of Richmond, Missouri was discovered shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday by one of her three children.

The Ray County prosecutor on Thursday charged 25-year-old Brandon Scott Simpson with first-degree murder. Two others – 25-year-old James Gant and 23-year-old Lauren Gabbard – are charged with second-degree murder. All three are also charged with stealing and burglary.

The suspects, all from Richmond, were jailed on $1 million bond. Court records did not list attorneys for them Thursday afternoon.

Authorities have not said how Rheuport died.

It was the first homicide since 1996 in Richmond.  The town is roughly 70 miles south east of St Joseph near Excelsior Springs.

St Joseph police credit three citizens with stopping a suicidal woman from jumping off the Pony Express Bridge Thursday morning.  Captain Kevin Castle says the 41-year-old woman was intent on jumping.

Three people, Dave W. Williams, Heidi R. Utt, and Marilee Dishon, are credited with hold the woman long enough for officers to arrive.   She had climbed over the railing.   The officers and citizens worked together to pull the female back over the railing to safety.  They later found her car parked on the bridge.

“Their actions likely prevented a death, and the caring and empathetic attitude they displayed is inspiring,” Captain Castle said.

“The Police Department would like to say ‘thank you’ for their heroic acts today.”

After eight weeks of one class a week, the few students of the Citizens Law Enforcement Academy graduated from the free program Wednesday night in St Joseph.

The Program started as a joint effort between the St Joseph Police Department and the Buchanan County Sheriffs office as a way to educate the community on law enforcement.

“We hope that people walk away with a better feeling of what we do and why we do it,” St Joseph Police Chief Chris Connally said.  “As well as how the members of our community can work with us to be more effective in law enforcement.”

It stars off with a tour of the Law Enforcement Center downtown and ends the chance to feel the power of a law enforcement Taser.  Two of this years participants volunteered for the Taser demonstration.

The classes included presentations from nearly all departments from St Joseph Police and the Buchanan County Sheriffs office.

Members from each unit came out to the class for the presentation.  Class participants also got to witness training for the special response team.  The S.R.T. is what most would think of as a SWAT team.

Participants also were allowed to shoot the same version of the St Joseph Police Departments officer issued handguns.  Its a Sig Sauer .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol.  The participants were allowed to take a few shots downrange inside the L.E.C. indoor range.

Investigators also were able to show off some of the tools they use during crime scene investigations and how they work a case.  Participants were also  allowed to tour the county courthouse and watch a K-9 demonstration.

Around 20 participants graduated from Wednesday night.  Several participants expressed their thanks to the two departments for allowing them the chance for a inside view.

The next class will be in the spring of next year.  Prior to the start of the class, organizers will publicize details and registration information about the class.  Attendee’s next year may see a few tweaks to the program.

“We have those who are attendees evaluate each class and so we look very closely at those evaluations,” Connally said.  “So we kind of tweak it a little bit each year.”

 

 

The governing body of Missouri Western State University raised tuition and some fees in an effort to get out from under its funding and budget problems.

The Board of Governors on Wednesday approved tuition and general fee rates for the 2012-2013 school year.

An undergraduate in-state student taking 15 credit hours a semester will pay $97.20 more per semester. The board also approved a new fee passed by the Student Government Association earlier this spring.

“Affordability is a top priority for Missouri Western, so raising tuition is never our first choice,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian,Missouri Western’s president. “However, in the current budget climate, raising tuition and fees is necessary to maintain the quality of education we provide. I’m pleased that even with the new rates our costs remain well below the state, regional and national averages.”

Missouri Western saw its state appropriation cut more than $3 million over fiscal years 2011 and 2012. An appropriations bill that would increase the university’s state appropriation by approximately $516,000 for fiscal year 2013 is awaiting the governor’s signature. That move toward equity for the institution, which receives the lowest appropriation per full-time equivalent student, is appreciated, Dr. Vartabedian said. However, he pointed it out that it won’t even cover the estimated $767,000 in increased mandatory costs, such as utilities and health insurance, let alone make up for the decreased appropriations of the last two years.

The tuition for in-state undergraduate students approved by the board complies with the Higher Education Student Funding Act, or HESFA, which
ties tuition increases to the yearly increase in the Consumer Price Index.

The board also approved tuition and fee increases of $20 per credit hour for resident graduate, non-resident undergraduate and non-resident graduate. Tuition for on-line courses will go up $10 per credit hour for undergraduate and non-resident graduate students and $15 for resident graduate students. Those categories are not covered by HESFA.

The board also approved the “Student Success Act” fees passed by the Student Government Association in April. The fee will be $75 for students with 12 credit hours or more per semester, $50 for those with fewer than 12 credit hours, and $25 for summer school sessions. Student-approved fees are not subject to HESFA limitations.

“We’re extremely grateful to the student leaders who recognize the value they’re receiving and volunteered to help maintain our quality,” Dr. Vartabedian said.

Livingston County authorities are investigating a disturbing case of animal abuse in Wheeling.

Sheriff Steve Cox says a caller saw the dog shot by an arrow and struck multiple times with a pitchfork and a hammer.

In a news release, Cox said a caller May 21 reported hearing a dog yelping in pain and then saw a black colored dog with an arrow sticking out of it. The dog was walking towards a man who then began stabbing the dog multiple times with a pitch fork.

Deputies have dealt with the on several prior occasions. The animal attacked and injured a young person several months ago, and at that time Cox says the owner refused to put the animal down.

This time, the animal attacked the owners brother, and became agressive when the owner tried to put a shock collar on the dog.

Cox says the animal owner basically reported being concerned for the safety of the public and his family, and felt it was best to put the dog down.

Not having a firearm, Cox says the animal owner then shot the dog with a bow and arrow. Then he used both a pitch fork and hammer to stab and strike the dog multiple times, and finally shot the animal a second time with the bow and arrow, Cox says.

The deputy took photos of the dog and other evidence along with statements from those involved.

On May 20, the department began an investigation in Utica of a report of animal abuse/neglect. The caller was concerned the dogs were not being fed and watered properly. The investigating deputy discovered several dogs without food and water.

The animal’s owner advised he purchases dog food each month and also provides food scraps to the dogs. One specific dog did not appear to be properly nourished. Photos were taken of the animals and the animals were fed while the deputy was present.

Cox says follow-up checks are pending and the investigation continues. The animal owner claimed to have been in trouble in the past for not properly caring for animals.

Cox says reports on both cases will be submitted to Livingston County Prosecuting Attorney Adam Warren for his review and consideration.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon issued a proclamation setting the vote on a constitutional right to pray for the Aug, 7, 2012, ballot.

House Joint Resolution No. 2, passed by the General Assembly in 2011, proposes a constitutional amendment to Article I, Section 5, of the Missouri Constitution, guaranteeing the right to pray.

 

Without the Governor’s action the proposed constitutional amendment would have appeared on the Nov. 6, 2012, ballot.

Because the provisions of the amendment would be effective immediately if approved by voters, Gov. Nixon chose to set the election in August.

Summertime is almost here, and for thousands of Missourians that means swimming at one of the many state park beaches.

State officials say with a few exceptions Missouri state park beaches will open Friday, May 25.

Water quality checks by the Department of Natural Resources have been okay. The state usually tests the water at state park swim beaches every week.

 

Click here for an interactive map showing the status of all the state park beaches.

Samples for state park beaches are taken the first of each week and processed and analyzed at DNR’s Environmental Services Program laboratory in Jefferson City. Full beach data will be updated by 1 p.m. Friday, though some closure notifications may be made before that time, as results are available.