The Potter Art Gallery at Missouri Western State University is presenting the annual Spring Art Sale Thursday and Friday.
According to a press release, artwork by students and faculty in the Department of Art will be available for purchase. The Spring Art Sale, hosted by the MWSU Clay Guild, will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
The Potter Art Gallery is located inside the front entrance of Potter Hall on the Missouri Western campus.
Nebraska City is hosting a weekend full of activities in celebration of Arbor Day.
Nebraska City Tourism and Commerce Marketing Coordinator Tammy Partsch said J. Sterling Morton, one of the early settlers of Nebraska City, was the proponent of Arbor Day, which started in 1872.
“He knew the importance of planting trees, not only for the benefit the trees give to the soil, but also for pioneers that were coming out to this prairieland,” Partsch said. “That is something you need, for that sense of community, that sense of involvement, you need the trees, you need the shade, that helps for the downtown aspect, for parks, that’s one of the first things people do is they plant trees.”
On that first Arbor Day, over one million trees were planted in Nebraska and now Arbor Day is celebrated worldwide.
“It’s a day you set aside to plant trees and care for trees and think about how they affect our environment and how they affect our communities,” Partsch said. “It is now celebrated in all 50 states and many countries throughout the world. They don’t all celebrate it on the last Friday in April, that’s when we do, because that’s our really good planting time for most trees.”
In Nebraska City, weekend activities kick off Friday and include free admission at the Arbor Lodge State Park and Mansion, the 148th Annual Arbor Day Parade, a 5K or 10K Fun Run Saturday morning, Arbor Day Fest at Kimmel Orchard and plenty of food and drink options.
You can find the full weekend schedule of events at gonebraskacity.com.
HARRISON COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 8a.m. Thursday in Harrison County.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Lincoln MKZ driven by Donna K. Luper, 68, Princeton, was southbound on Interstate 35 eight south of Bethany.
The driver fell asleep. The vehicle traveled off the road and struck a tree.
NTA Ambulance transported Luper to Cameron Regional Medical Center. She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.
Volunteers are needed to help with flood cleanup Thursday and Friday at Heritage Park.
According to the St. Joseph Parks and Recreation Department, volunteers are needed to assist with cleaning up flood debris and silt at the Heritage Park Softball Complex.
The ballfields were underwater during the spring flood and help with scraping dried silt out of the pavilion and picking up debris in all areas of the complex are necessary in order to open the facility. Volunteers must be at least 10-years-old and should wear long pants, closed-toed shoes and bring gloves, if possible.
The clean up will be from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Volunteers can check in at the front entrance of Heritage Park, 2202 Waterworks Rd.
For more information, contact the United Way at (816) 364-2381.
Several chances for showers starting today and continuing into the weekend as a series of weather disturbances move through. A few thunderstorms are even possible Sunday afternoon. Daytime temperatures will remain in the 60s and 70s with lows dipping into the 40 and 50s. Much of the region could see lows bottoming out in the mid to upper 30s late Saturday night into early Sunday morning. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:
Today: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Patchy dense fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 72. Breezy, with a light northwest wind becoming north 17 to 22 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 45. North northwest wind 12 to 17 mph decreasing to 6 to 11 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 69. North northwest wind around 8 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A chance of showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southeast wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 70. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 25 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Breezy.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.
Sunday Night: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday: A chance of showers before 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 67. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Monday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tuesday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 61. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Wednesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
First floodwaters washed over Holt County. Now, tax dollars are drying up.
Floodwaters still cover large sections of farmland in northwest Missouri, more than a month after the Missouri River exceeded its banks and caused widespread flooding in northwest Missouri.
Holt County Commissioner Carla Markt says it will take a long time for the county to return to normal. She says farmers have begun to plant in the hilly part of the county, but floodwaters still cover a lot of bottom ground.
“And then the rest of it is saturated with water,” Markt tells St. Joseph Post. “So, until that all drains out of there and goes back into the river, that’s what our situation is and we’re looking at farmers not being able to farm in that bottom this year, at all.”
Lost tax revenue from empty farm fields would be bad enough, but Holt and Atchison Counties as well as Andrew County are suffering financially for something happening in Iowa. The Missouri Department of Transportation has closed Interstate 29 to through traffic, because the flood heavily damaged the interstate just across the state line, shutting it down.
Traffic might just pass through those counties to other destinations, but that traffic brings in needed sales tax revenue for rural counties which rely on it.
“It’s closed down, will be closed down for quite a while now, yet. And we’re losing out on those tax dollars,” Markt says about I-29’s closure. “It’s all very important to our schools and our roads and everything that we support as a county.”
A disaster aid package which could help offset some of the losses has stalled in Congress as Democrats press for more money to be allocated to Puerto Rico still trying to recover from Hurricane Maria which devastated the island in 2017.
Markt says those in the area cannot expect Congress to understand the devastation flooding has caused, without becoming advocates for recovery. She doesn’t hold out much hope that Congress understands the situation.
“No, I don’t think Congress will reach out to us at all about our situation,” Market says. “It will be our duty, as individuals, to reach out to them and educate them about our situation.”
Markt says she would like to host members of Congress and give them a tour of the flood damage. She has floated the idea of northwest Missouri officials compiling a small booklet to mail to members of Congress, explaining and illustrating the devastation left behind by the Missouri River flood.
NODAWAY COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Wednesday in Nodaway County.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria driven by John F. Schieber, 90, Ravenwood, was southbound on Highway E six miles east of Maryville.
After stopping at the stop sign at U.S. 136, the vehicle traveled into the path of a westbound 2012 Mazda 3 driven by Corey D. Money, 36, Maryville. The Mazda struck the Ford on the passenger side.
EMS transported Schieber to Mosaic Life Care. Money was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.
JEFFERSON COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Wednesday in Jefferson County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Chevy Impala driven by Hannah L. Lager, 24 Atchison, was southbound on Kansas 4 Highway on the inside lane two miles north of Valley Falls.
The driver attempted to pass a semi traveling in far-right was attempting to merge into the inside lane.
The Chevy attempted to pass the semi in the opposing northbound lane. She overcorrected and lost control of the Chevy and began to skid counter clockwise into the northbound lane of traffic.
The semi then collided with the Chevy
Lager was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics. The semi driver Warren E. Hollis, 75, Valley Falls, was transported to the hospital in Topeka.
By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
A lot of work and a little luck spared St. Joseph when the Missouri River reached record levels in March.
St. Joseph City Manager Bruce Woody says projections provided the city from the National Weather Service that the river would rise only half a foot the evening of March 23rd due to upstream levee breaks were off base. The river rose a full foot late that night and another foot the next morning.
“And that’s because they finally determined that enough of that water that had left the system upstream was making its way back into the system, was pushing the river back up again,” Woody tells Barry Birr, host of the KFEQ Hotline. “So, if the community sensed not having as much notice as they would have liked and a sense of being surprised, everybody was surprised and that was the challenge.”
The Missouri River had already exceeded its banks and caused widespread flooding throughout northwest Missouri by the time it rose to its record crest of 32.12 feet at St. Joseph March 24th, exceeding the previous record from July of 1993, when it reached 32.07 feet on the 26th.
Flooding caused widespread damage in Atchison and Holt Counties. It didn’t cause as much damage in Buchanan County.
Emergency management officials from both the county and the city today released the official damage assessment. Sixty-seven residences and 12 businesses suffered damage from floodwaters. Of the 67 residences, 53 were located in the county and 14 in the city of St. Joseph. One of the businesses impacted by the flood was located in the county with 11 in the city.
Woody says it could have been worse if it weren’t for 800 volunteers who re-enforced the levee with 100,000 sand bags over a three-day period.
“Yes, at its crest, the Missouri River would have overtopped that low section had it not been for those sand bags,” according to Woody.
Woody says without the sandbagging effort, the flood would have been much worse in St. Joseph.
“It would have been a 1993 all over again.”
In 1993, the levee protecting Elwood was breached, flooding the entire community, including Rosecrans Airport.
Much of the volunteer work took place on the Elwood, Kansas side of the river, but whether the effort took place on the Kansas side or the Missouri side doesn’t matter much, according to Woody.
“We suddenly lose all these designations of what city or county or jurisdiction you’re from,” Woody says. “It’s just neighbor helping neighbor.”
Gail Helen Drag
1950 – 2019
Gail Helen Drag, 68, of St Joseph, passed away Sunday, April 21, 2019 at Mosaic Life Care in St Joseph.
She was born July 8, 1950 in St. Joseph, Missouri daughter of Doris & Eugene Drag. She attended Benton High School.
Gail was preceded in death by her father, Eugene Drag, mother, Doris Wasson, son, Dale Knaebel, son, Jeffrey Johnson, daughter, Kimberly Johnson and sister, Angela Crockett.
She is survived by son, Jim Knaebel of Gower, daughter, Mary Stegall of St. Joseph, brother, Mark (Melissa) Drag of St. Joseph, sister, Toni (Rodney) Taylor of Bolckow, MO, sister, Mary (Richard) Rainez of St. Joseph, brother-in-law, Jim Crockett, 8 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at the Rupp Funeral Home. Ms. Drag has been cremated under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home.
Christine Jeanette Montgomery
1949 – 2019
Christine Jeanette Montgomery 70, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Saturday April 20, 2019.
She was born January 7, 1949 in St. Joseph, Missouri daughter of the late Gladys & Ivan Ball. She married Donald “Don” Montgomery on March 17, 1972, and he survives of the home. She graduated from Lafayette High School, spent 2 years at the Salvation Army Seminary college. She enjoyed puzzle books and spending time with her animals and pets, and she was a Pastor with The Salvation Army and a homemaker.
Christine was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Janice Helton.
Survivors include: husband, Don Montgomery, daughters, Faye Montgomery and Dawn (Walter) Collum all of the home, brothers, Robert Ball, Stewartsville, MO, Eddie (Doylene) Ball, sisters; Sharon (Frank) Phinney, and Debra (Mike) Pasley.
Memorial services Sunday, April 28, 2019 at 1:00 pm at the Salvation Army. She has been cremated under the care and direction of the Rupp Funeral Home.
John Daniel Corcoran, Jr., Ph.D., M.B.A.
1940 – 2019
Dr. John Daniel Corcoran, Jr., Ph.D., M.B.A., passed away Saturday, March 24, 2019 at Bethesda Home Care Center in Cookeville, Tennessee.
He was born April 26, 1940 to John Daniel Corcoran, Sr. and Emma Louise Vienhage. He was educated in St. Joseph, Missouri at The Cathedral Elementary School and Christian Brothers High School, Class of 1958. Class Valedictorian, Senior Class Treasurer, and Aerie Yearbook Editor. He was awarded a four-year scholarship to attend St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, where he graduated in May 1962 with a B.S. in Chemistry. He then went to The University of Wisconsin – Madison where he completed a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry in January 1967. In May 1980 he was awarded an Executive Masters in Business Administration from The Carlton School of Business, University of Minnesota. At that time fewer than one thousand persons held both a Ph.D. degree in a physical science and an M.B.A.
Dr. Corcoran began his research career at General Mills, Inc., Golden Valley, Minnesota from 1967 to 1976 where his interest was in the development of new food additives. He then studied ultraviolet curable coatings at the Adhesives, Sealants and Coating Division of 3M Company at 3M’s Research Center in Maplewood, Minnesota. He accepted an offer in 1980 from Ethyl Corporation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to lead a Research & Commercial Development team that obtained one of the first approvals by the US Environmental Protection Agency under their newly established Toxic Substances Control Act for the successful commercialization of a new polyurethane chemical. In 1993 he moved to Orangeburg, South Carolina and supervised the Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Department of Ethyl’s Albemarle Corporation. Together with a specialty team he formed, they obtained approval from the US Food & Drug Administration in 1997 for Propofol, the most widely used pharmaceutical anesthetic. After retirement in 2005, he and his wife moved to Cookeville, Tennessee to be closer to his daughter and her family.
Dr. Corcoran was an emeritus member of the American Chemical Society with more than 50 years of service. The Rotary Club of Orangeburg, South Carolina in 2006 selected him as a Paul Harris Fellow. From 1994 to 1998, he was a member of the Sertoma International’s chapter in Orangeburg, South Carolina. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Cookeville, Tennessee.
He married Mary Denise Johnson on June 24, 1967 in her hometown of Polson, Montana, the first couple to be married at the new Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. They met in June 1965 when they were both students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. They were blessed with a son, John Michael in and a daughter, Carol Louise. He and his wife, Mary, enjoyed travel, especially their visit to the historical and religious sites in Israel in 1993 and ten years later to find their ancestors’ birthplaces in Austria, Ukraine, Poland, Ireland, and Germany. Dr. Corcoran traced his genealogy to a maternal fifth great-grandfather, Thomas Gordon, Sr., who fought in General Washington’s Virginia Continental Army and survived the 1787-1788 winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania; he is related to Archbishop Daniel McGettigan, who was the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Ireland from 1873 until 1887.
Dr. Corcoran is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Johnson Corcoran of Cookeville, TN; son John Michael Corcoran (Dianne Wilkinson) of Cranston, Rhode Island; daughter Carol Louise Lynam (Mark Lynam) of Cookeville, TN; granddaughters Enid, Mathilda, and Thora Corcoran and Bridget and Clara Lynam; his stepbrothers and sisters: David Carroll (Rita Lager) of Maitland, Missouri; Jane Carroll England (John) of Blue Springs, Missouri; Barbara Carroll Nielson (Ed Nielson) of Maryville, Missouri; Joe Carroll (Roberta) of Platte City, Missouri.
Wilberta E. Smith
1919 – 2019
Wilberta E. Smith, 99, Tempe, AZ, passed away on April 17, 2019 a few days away from her 100th birthday.
She began life in Mound City, Missouri at her Grandparents (Brown) home on May 14, 1919. Soon after she moved to the farm near Fairfax, Missouri with parents Wilber and Minnie Means. In 1921 her sister Ann joined the family, and all worked hard to keep things going during the depression years. Wilberta went to College in Maryville, Missouri and received a teaching degree. She was a lifetime member of Tri Sigma sorority. Later she attended Tarkio College and Arizona State University for advanced degrees. She began teaching in country schools where she arrived early to get the fire going to warm the classroom. She then taught in Rockport and Tarkio, Mo.
She met her husband Maurice Smith thru a mutual college friend, and they married in 1943 and enjoyed 37 years of marriage until his death in 1980. In 1945, they moved to Joplin and in August of 1947 they moved to Tempe, AZ. near his sister, Helen.
Wilberta lived in the same house for 61 years. Each summer the family returned to Missouri to work on the farm until 1975. She enjoyed teaching and resumed her career in 1955. She taught on the Indian reservation as well as many years at Mitchell School and then Thew. She served as a supervising teacher for student teachers as they prepared to begin their own careers.
Wilberta and Maurice traveled in the U.S and South America having fun visiting family, friends and exploring new places. After her husband’s death she continued traveling the world with family and friends. When at home, they loved playing bridge with friends. After her husband passed, she played with a group of ladies for over 30 years.
She was a longtime member of the Congregational Church of Tempe. She and her husband were very involved in the church on many levels. She was also a member of the Tempe Lion’s Club for years and served as an officer. She held the record for selling the most roses year after year for their annual fundraiser.
She was a wonderful, caring and kind individual who was always willing to help and had a positive outlook on life. She was a great role model. Her family will forever miss her homemade chicken and noodles, biscuits and many other specialties. She was an excellent cook who prepared everything to perfection.
She is survived by her sons C.W. (Jan), Robert (Kwang), grandchildren Kami Fockler (Jack), Marci Leith (Larry) and Robert Smith II, great grandchildren Morgan, Zach, and Adam Fockler, Cooper, Senna, Mika and Kaia Leith, niece Donna Ball and great niece Tiffany Miller and many other beloved family members.
Our family would like to express its deepest gratitude to her neighbors (especially Diane and David) as well as the Keith and Mack families for all their help and support over the years. In addition, we would like to thank Robert and Kwang for providing daily loving care for mom in her last two years.
Farewell Services 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 3, 2019, Sharps Grove Church, Craig, Missouri. Interment Tharp Cemetery. Donations can be made to Tempe Meals on Wheels where she was a driver for many years as well as a recipient in the last few years.
David “Dave” B. Sharpe.
1949 – 2019
David “Dave” B. Sharpe, 69, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2019.
He born in New York City, New York on November 1, 1949. Dave was the son of William and Frances Sharpe. He spent most of his childhood and all of his adulthood in St. Joseph, Missouri. When Dave was diagnosed with cancer, he resided with his brother, Dennis Sharpe and his wife, Susan, in Lee’s Summit, Missouri where he remained until the time of his death on April 16, 2019. Dave graduated from Central High School in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1969. He spent most of his life working in janitorial services. He was known as a hard worker and took great pride in doing his jobs. Dave enjoyed working with his hands and possessed numerous skills. Dave was an artist and loved to paint landscapes with acrylics. He loved cars, Harley Davidson motorcycles, western movies, nature and helping others. He had a heart of gold and would do anything for anybody. Dave always put others before himself. Our world has lost a wonderful, kind man and our Lord, Jesus Christ has gained another angel.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; father, William G. Sharpe; and great-nephew.
Survivors include mother, Frances Sharpe, Platte City, Missouri; son, Justin Montgomery, St. Joseph, Missouri; step-daughter, Lisa Dallen (Ted); three siblings, Dennis Sharpe (Susan), Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Kim Nichols (Steve), Platte City, Missouri, Kevin Sharpe (Julie), Carver, Minnesota; two step-grandchildren; two nephews; three nieces; six great-nieces and nephews; and one step great-grandchild.
Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Friday, May 17, 2019, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
R. Philip Acuff, M.D.
1931 – 2019
R. Philip Acuff, M.D., 87, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Monday, April 22, 2019.
He was born November 1, 1931 in Columbia, Missouri. Dr. Acuff married Diane Davis July 19, 1955. She preceded him in death November 7, 2015. He graduated from Hickman High School where he was student body president. Dr. Acuff attended University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Master’s Degree in Medicine in 1955. He then earned his Medical Degree in 1957. Dr. Acuff completed his residency training in Radiology in San Antonio, Texas, Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Denver, Colorado. He then moved to St. Joseph in 1969 and joined the radiology practice of Dr. Joseph Fisher. In addition to his office practice he worked for Methodist Hospital and Sisters of St. Joseph Hospital as well as other surrounding hospitals. He obtained his private pilots license and flew to many surrounding hospitals to serve. Dr. Acuff was a member of the U.S. Army Medical Corps where he served his residency.
He was long-time member of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society of the United Way of Greater St. Joseph. Dr. Acuff and his wife, Diane, endowed a professorship in medical research at the School of Medicine of University of Missouri, Columbia and in 1995 dedicated the Acuff Auditorium, also at the School of Medicine University of Missouri, Columbia. Along with their son, Michael, they also established the Acuff handicapped-accessible duck blind at the Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area in Boone County, Missouri.
Dr. Acuff was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, where he attained the rank of Life. He was also a member of Beta Theta Pi Social Fraternity, University of Missouri Alumni Association, Buchanan County Medical Society, Missouri Wildlife Federation, lifetime member of Ducks Unlimited and inductee of the Waterfowlers Hall of Fame, Mound City, Missouri. Dr. Acuff was also past president of the Benton Club. As an adult he was active in Troop 47 and on the Council Level and achieved the rank of Chieffain in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Dr. Acuff was certified in scuba diving, which he enjoyed with his wife. He was an avid outdoorsman, hunter and fisherman. Dr. Acuff was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, Robert Lee and Ida (Cohen) Acuff; and son, Robert Philip Acuff, Jr.
Survivors include son, Michael E. Acuff, M.D. (Milly), Columbia, Missouri; grandchildren, Ruth Acuff Mueller, Abigail Diane Acuff, Mary Acuff Leibovich, Robert Davis Acuff, Silas Johnathan Acuff, Nelson Davis Acuff, Susan Danielle Acuff and Sarah Catherine Acuff; six great-grandsons; and two great-granddaughters.
Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Friday, May 10, 2019, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 11:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Friday, May 10, 2019, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and for those wishing to make a contribution, the family requests they be made to the donor’s choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
