Local News – Page 289 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Missouri Department of Conservation celebrates 80th in St. Joseph

Posted on September 27, 2017

Dr. Philip Acuff of St. Joseph presented a valuable and historic J.N. Ding Darling art print Sept. 26 to MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley and Missouri Conservation Commissioner Dave Murphy. Photo by Bill Graham/MDC

(News release) St. Joseph, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) held an open house Sept. 26 in St. Joseph to celebrate 80 years of science-based conservation and to collect feedback from the public on programs and issues. A valuable piece of art tied to national and Missouri conservation history was also presented to MDC at Spratt Hall on the Missouri Western State University campus in St. Joseph.

R. Philip Acuff, a longtime St. Joseph medical doctor and duck hunter, donated a waterfowl print by J.N. Ding Darling that was signed twice by the artist in 1947 to E. Sydney Stephens and Bob Brown. Darling, who won two Pulitzer Prizes for his editorial cartoons, was a key national leader for critical conservation programs that serve nature and outdoor sports today. E. Sidney Stephens was a Columbia civic leader who led efforts to create MDC 80 years ago, and he served two terms as the first chairman of the Missouri Conservation Commission. Robert A. “Bob” Brown from St. Joseph served as a commissioner from 1945 to 1951, key early years in the development of conservation programs in Missouri.

“To Bob Brown and may he carry out the traditions which the state of Missouri has set for the USA,” Darling wrote on the print.

Brown’s son gave him the print years ago, Acuff said. He had hung it on the wall of a Holt County duck hunting club shack for years. Acuff wanted the next home for the print to be the MDC archives.

“It has Sidney Stephens name on it, and he was the initial founder of MDC,” Acuff said.

MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley and Conservation Commissioner Dave Murphy accepted the print from Acuff, thanking him for the generous donation.

The 80th anniversary open house on the Missouri Western State University campus also provided attendees a chance to view conservation exhibits, visit with MDC staff and provide input on current issues and programs. Photo by Bill Graham/MDC

“We promise to take good care of this,” Pauley said. “It’s a piece of history, and an important piece of history.”

Director Pauley thanked attendees for their support for conservation. She said the MDC staff is dedicated to the mission of protecting and enhancing Missouri’s forests, fish, and wildlife resources, and the public’s input is important to that mission.

“Your continued engagement is critically important to everything we do,” Pauley said.

Jeff Leonard, a St. Joseph sportsman and business owner, hosts the weekly radio show “Road’s End Outdoors” and made opening remarks. Leonard noted that in the Department’s 80-year history, deer and turkey made a comeback across the state and were now a valued outdoor resource. When they region’s hunters and anglers head outdoors, Leonard said, they’re often headed to MDC conservation areas or river accesses.

“Places to go were once scarce, and now we have them,” Leonard said.

Chuck Kempf, director of St. Joseph Parks, Recreation and Civic Facilities, thanked MDC for a partnership in restoring fishing opportunities for the public at a lagoon in the city’s historic Krug Park. He noted that MDC also provides nature programs and other services for the city.

“It’s been a great opportunity,” Kempf said. “I want to congratulate MDC on the 80th anniversary. They do a tremendous amount of good in St. Joseph and across the state of Missouri.”

After opening remarks, attendees visited with MDC staff at exhibits on topics such as native grassland restoration, fisheries management, white-tailed deer diseases, forestry, and volunteer opportunities. MDC staff also collected input from visitors about conservation regulations, programs and issues.

People can share comments online at mdc.mo.gov/openhouse.

Resurfacing set to begin on Frederick as sidewalk project nears completion

Posted on September 27, 2017

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The sidewalk improvement project on Route 6 (Frederick Avenue) spanning from Woodbine Road to Route AC (Riverside Road) is wrapping up and resurfacing from Riverside Road to Interstate 29 is set to begin.

Beginning Thursday, Oct. 5, the resurfacing portion of project will begin. Mega Industries Corporation of North Kanasas City, working with MoDOT, will begin milling the old roadway surface and laying the first lift (layer) of new asphalt. This will begin in the outside lanes. The inside lane each direction will remain open to traffic. This pattern will be in place around the clock until Tuesday, Oct. 10. At that time, traffic will be moved to the outside lanes while the work is completed on the inside lanes. This will be in place around the clock through Saturday, Oct. 14. During the first part of the project, no left turns from Frederick Avenue onto Leonard Road will be permitted. This will be in effect around the clock Oct. 5 – 14.

Paving the second lift of new asphalt will take place during daylight hours Oct. 14-20. This will require lane closures along the entire length of the project, however the closed lane will reopen at the end of the work day. During this second part of the project, the no left turns from Frederick Avenue onto Leonard Road provision will only be in place during daylight (working) hours.

Motorists are encouraged to use caution during both the sidewalk and resurfacing projects, as crews will be working in close proximity to the traveling public.

Police say paper delivery man’s vehicle was stolen while on the job

Posted on September 27, 2017September 27, 2017

The St. Joseph Police Department is investigating after a paper delivery man was reportedly injured when his vehicle was stolen early Wednesday morning.

Capt. Jeff Wilson with the St. Joseph Police Department said shortly after 3 a.m. a Tan 2005 Chevrolet Uplander with Missouri license plate #KL6E2G was reportedly stolen in midtown.

“Basically, suspect got in van while the victim was filling a paper machine. As victim approached van the suspect began to flee in vehicle and struck the victim,” Wilson said. “He did sustain injury.”

The vehicle was last seen heading west on Frederick Ave. and then south on Kemper Street. Police said witnesses gave two descriptions. The first description that of a white man around 6’01”, slender build, 180 lbs with brown hair wearing light colored clothes and possibly a stocking cap. Another witness described the suspect as a black man with an afro.

Anyone with information is asked to call police or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 238-TIPS.

St. Joseph elementary school tries out co-teaching concept

Posted on September 27, 2017

Carden Park Elementary School is trying out a new teaching concept on a small scale this school year.

According to the St. Joseph School District, a 5th grade classroom at the school has four teachers working together to try to meet each student where they are. The concept is called co-teaching or team teaching.

“Instead of four individual classrooms, we are teaching together. There are different models of that teaching that we are doing,” said 5th grade teacher Tish Thomas in a story written by the district.

Some teachers are grouping students to work with them according to their individualized needs. The district said the concept is spreading throughout the building at Carden Park. Third and fifth grade teachers are using co-teaching for all subjects, while other grade levels are in the beginning stages of launching this style for writing and science.

Western touts growth in freshmen enrollment

Posted on September 27, 2017

(News release) – Missouri Western State University has a total of 5,562 students enrolled as of the official census date Sept. 25, an increase of 3.2 percent over 2016-17, including a remarkable 16.2 percent growth in the number of new freshmen. That total includes 5,321 undergraduate students and 241 graduate students.

“I’m extremely proud of the efforts by our staff, faculty, students and alumni and community to address the enrollment challenges we have faced for many years,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president. “I’m excited that more students are discovering our outstanding academic programs and the many things that make our campus special. It really is an exciting time to be a Griffon.”

The increase was led by the surge in the number of new freshmen, from 854 last year to 992 this year.

“We would have been thrilled with an increase of 5 to 10 percent in new freshmen,” said Dr. Paul Orscheln, associate vice president for enrollment management and student retention. “This kind of an increase is really remarkable, especially in today’s highly competitive environment for higher education. Our admissions staff and the many folks they work with across campus should be applauded for all that they do to provide prospective students with the information they need to choose Missouri Western.”

The addition of six new sports contributed to the enrollment growth as well. Missouri Western started competing in men’s and women’s cross country this fall, and will field men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field teams next semester.

In addition to attracting new students, Missouri Western continues to meet its goals for retaining current students.

“For many years, we have made a concerted effort to help our students persist and succeed,” said Dr. Jeanne Daffron, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “I am pleased we continue to meet our retention goals, and we continue to seek new ways to help that number continue to grow.”

Another area of growth was in dual credit enrollment, with about 18 percent more high school students taking class for credit at Missouri Western compared to last year.

“More and more students and parents are recognizing the value of getting college credit before high school graduation,” said Dr. Gordon Mapley, dean of the Western Institute, which oversees the dual credit program. “Our faculty and staff have done an outstanding job of working with high school teachers to develop high-quality dual credit programs and making them available to a growing number of students.”

Graduate school enrollment set a record at 243 last year, and nearly matched it this year, with 241 students enrolled.

Students from Missouri account for 86 percent of Missouri Western’s total enrollment, with 33 percent from Buchanan County.

Obituaries September 27, 2017

Posted on September 27, 2017

Rupert B. “Pat” Patterson
1921-2017

Rupert B. “Pat” Patterson, 96, St. Joseph, Missouri, went home to be with his Lord Sunday, September 24, 2017.
He was born February 3, 1921 in Wathena, KS to Hobart and Verba Patterson.
Pat proudly served in the U.S. Army during WWII and retired from Mead Products. He was a member of Bible Baptist Temple, American Legion and Rock Club.
He enjoyed painting, drawing, fishing and woodworking.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; parents; brother, Bufford Patterson; sister, Bula Summa; and brother, Ishmael Patterson. Survivors include numerous nieces and nephews.
Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, Bible Baptist Temple. Interment Frazier Cemetery. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family request donation’s made to Bible Baptist Temple. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Grace I. “Ivalou” Backhus
1925-2017

Grace I. “Ivalou” Backhus, 91, of Hiawatha, died Saturday, September 23, 2017, at Maple Heights Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Hiawatha.

Grace was born December 21, 1925, at Upland, Kansas, one of nine children of the late Raymond and Minnie Sherman Bender.

Grace married Alvin Backhus at St. John’s Lutheran Church at Tampa, KS August 11, 1946. After discharge from the service of World War II, they lived/ farmed near Tampa a few years (Alvin’s family at Tampa calls Grace “Shorty”) before moving to the Kansas City area in 1954 to live until 1988, where Grace worked at Ben Franklin, TG &Y, and the fountain at Woolworth Department Store. She would start work as a clerk, later becoming manager. They both retired and moved to the Phoenix, AZ area to make their home. About nine years ago, the couple moved to Brown County, KS near Robinson/Hiawatha to be near family. They recently celebrated their 71st anniversary at Maple Heights Nursing Home where Alvin resides.

Upon making their home in the Hiawatha area, they became members Zion Lutheran Church.

Other survivors include a daughter Edna Lehew (Robert) of rural Hiawatha; a son Edward Backhus (Tina) of Sarasota, FL; a living sister Twila Lee Poulson of Charlotte, NC; 5 grandchildren: Dan Backhus, Doug Backhus, Dawn Perdomo, Billy Baker, and Cheryl Tarwater; with 18 great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by 3 brothers and 4 sisters.

A Celebration of Grace’s life is planned for 1 p.m. Wednesday, September 27, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Tampa, KS, with the Reverend Michael Dunaway officiating. Interment will follow at the Church Cemetery, with a visitation/reception immediately following back in the Church basement.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 3-7 p.m. Tuesday.

Memorial contributions are suggested to NEK Hospice, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha, KS 66434.

Norma Jane Blasing (Harvey)
1935-2017

Norma Jane Blasing, 82 of Manhattan, KS passed away Monday, September 25, 2017 at Meadowlark Hills Collins House Care Facility, Manhattan, KS.

Memorial service and burial will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS. Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association or Meadow Lark Hill, Manhattan KS and may be sent in care of the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home who is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.beckerdyer.com

Norma was born on March 24, 1935 in Lawrence, NE the daughter of Jesse and Marie (Robinson) Harvey. She was housekeeper for Benedictine College and the laundry department at Mt. St. Scholastica. Norma was a member of the United Methodist Church in Manhattan. She had pride in keeping a clean house and enjoyed the outdoors. Norma’s greatest joy was her kids and grandchildren.

Norma married Max Blasing on June 29, 1957 in Manhattan, KS. He preceded her in death on January 9, 2005. Survivors include her children; Kevin and Darlene Blasing, Atchison, KS, Carolyn and Bill Hall, Gower, MO, Keith Blasing and Debbie Wishart, Manhattan, KS, Kimberly Blasing, Manhattan, KS, Kurtis Blasing, Manhattan, KS, Karen and Steve Bartlett, Camden Point, MO, Leah Gerdes and Bruce Kimmi, Atchison, KS, eleven grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren with one on the way, numerous nieces and nephews and her extended family at Meadowlark Hill Collins House, Manhattan, KS.

She was also preceded in death by her parents and siblings.

Jerry Dean Porter
1935-2017

Jerry Dean Porter, 81, of St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Thursday, September 14, 2017 at his home in St. Joseph. He was born October 7, 1935 in St. Joseph, Missouri son of Vera and Opal Porter. He graduated from Benton High School in 1955. He worked at AGP for several years. He was a United States Marine. He enjoyed dance classes, dancing, bowling, and when he was younger he liked to hunt and fish. He also liked going to car shows and playing the organ. He was a member of the Eagles Lodge. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by 2 sisters, Betty Jean Klepees, St. Joseph, MO and Virginia Gerber, a niece, Bette (Terry) Munger, St. Joseph, MO, and several other nieces and nephews. Memorial Service: 7:00 pm Thursday, September 28, 2017, Rupp Funeral Home. He will be cremated under the care of the Rupp Funeral Home.

Norman Roland Attebury
1933-2017

Norman Roland Attebury 84, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday September 24, 2017 in Saint Joseph. He was born February 7, 1933 in St. Joseph, Missouri son of the late Opal & Virgil Attebury. He married Madge Clark Attebury and she survives of the home. He worked at North Town Auction and was the owner operator of the N R Attebury Sod Company. He enjoyed tinkering with appliances in his retirement. Norman was preceded in death by his parents, son, Curtis Attebury, and step son, Joe Goin Jr., and his sister, Myrtle Hayes. He is survived by wife Madge Attebury of the home, sons, Norman Lee (Roxanne) Attebury, Mike (Mary) Attebury, and Mark Attebury all of Saint Joseph, MO, daughters, Debbie (Clarence) Cox, Bethany, MO, and Wendy Bray, Port Angeles, WA, step daughter, Debbie Weir, his special caregivers and grand daughters, Shelly Dulin, and Stacy Lucker, as well as other grandchildren, Megan, Kyle, Mark, Tyler, Donna, Felicia, Drew, Luke, Joey, Dana, Savannah, Austin, Christopher, Tanner, and numerous great grandchildren and friends. He will be cremated under the care and direction of the Rupp Funeral Home. There are no scheduled visitation or funeral services at this time.

Pamela Louise Palmer
1960-2017

Pamela Louise Palmer 57, Plattsburg, Missouri died September 24, 2017. Born January 14, 1960 in St. Joseph. Preceded in death: husband, Fred Palmer, father, James White, mother & step father, Margaret (Wilber) Stains, brothers, Jimmy White, Michael Stains, step brothers, Larry & Steve Stains. Survivors: sisters, Vickie Clark, Crystal Stains. Cremation under the care and direction of the Rupp Funeral Home, She will be buried with her husband at the Leavenworth National Cemetery.

Lois Marie (Wilson) Hager
1929-2017

Lois Marie (Wilson) Hager, 87, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, September 26, 2017.
She was born October 22, 1929 in Guilford, Missouri to Chester and Getha (Laughlin) Wilson.
Lois married James Hager September 30, 1950, he preceded her in death August 10, 1993.
She was a member of Ashland United Methodist Church, Beta Sigma Phi and Soroptomist International. Lois was an office manager at St. Joseph Memorial Park Cemetery for 46 years.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; infant brother, Cleo Dale Wilson; sister-in-law, Rosemary Wilson; brother-in-law, Afton Oliver. Survivors include brother, Arthur Wilson; nephews, David Oliver (Mary), Wayne Oliver, and Keith Johnson (Janet); niece, Shirley Oliver.
Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations made to Ashland United Methodist Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

(Update) – Fire destroys midtown apartment complex

Posted on September 27, 2017September 27, 2017

Neighbors said they could see the flames from a block away. Photo by Libby Waltemath

A fire destroyed a building Tuesday night in midtown St. Joseph.

The St. Joseph Fire Department responded to the complex located at 1810 Faraon St. shortly before 8:30 p.m. Flames were seen shooting from the roof.

Inspector Steve Henrichson said the structure included six units but only one was occupied. Henrichson said the resident was not home at the time of the fire.

Due to the fire, crews closed off roads in the area. Fire crews cleared the scene shortly after midnight.

Henrichson said the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Property loss is estimated at $85,000 for the property and $10,000 for contents.

70s continue

Posted on September 27, 2017

Today

A chance of sprinkles between noon and 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. North northeast wind 6 to 8 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 50. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. North northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.

Sunday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Monday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday Night

A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

St. Joseph man facing federal drug charges after Plattsburg high-speed chase

Posted on September 26, 2017September 26, 2017

(News release) – St. Joseph, Mo., man has been charged with possessing methamphetamine to distribute following a high-speed pursuit that resulted in his arrest and the seizure of more than two kilograms of methamphetamine.

James Patrick Pardee, II, 27, of St. Joseph, was charged in a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., on Monday, Sept. 25, 2017. Pardee remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, Plattsburg, Mo., police officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop for a lane violation on a black Audi A4 driven by Pardee on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017. Pardee fled from officers at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour for approximately nine miles, the affidavit says, until his vehicle crashed into a guardrail.

Pardee and a female passenger got out of the vehicle; Pardee was arrested and the female passenger escaped. Officers found a backpack inside the vehicle that contained numerous clear plastic baggies with a total of more than two kilograms of methamphetamine. Investigators later determined that he had recently sold approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine, the affidavit says.
Tom Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri cautioned that the charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusations and not evidence of guilt.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Rhoades. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Plattsburg, Mo., Police Department, the Clinton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

Grandson appears in court on murder charge

Posted on September 26, 2017

A St. Joseph man accused of killing his 77-year-old grandmother appeared in court Tuesday morning for an arraignment.

28-year-old Robert Forrester was charged Friday with a felony of second-degree murder in connection with the death of Beverly Forrester.

As we previously reported, officers responded to a home on Yale St. Thursday evening in reference to a disturbance call and found Beverly dead. Court documents stated Robert was also found in the home with what appeared to be blood on his person.

Robert appeared before Judge Rebecca Spencer Tuesday. Robert will apply for a public defender. A preliminary hearing has been set for Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. He remains behind bars in the Buchanan County Jail without bail.