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More water coming; Corps of Engineers increases releases upstream on the Missouri River

By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

Gavins Point Dam/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo

Worries about flooding have been rising the past few days, now another concern has been added.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is increasing water releases from Gavins Point Dam at Yankton, South Dakota into the Missouri River.

Chief of Missouri River Basin Water Management for the Corps, John Remus, admits the Corps doesn’t know exactly what impact that will have on the already swollen Missouri River.

“I do want to say, though, that we really don’t have an option when it comes to Gavins Point,” Remus tells St. Joseph Post. “There’s very little flood control storage in that reservoir and the runoff is pretty excessive coming in just to that reservoir itself. So, we really had no choice but to increase the releases.”

The Corps of Engineers had increased releases from Gavins point to 50,000 cubic feet per second. The Corps had planned to increase releases to 60,000 today, but last night announced it would increase flows to 90,000 to ease widespread flooding in Nebraska that has prompted evacuations of cities and left at least one person dead. Snowpack melt in the Upper Missouri Basin and recent area rain have increased the amount of water pouring into the upstream dam system. Five of the six upstream dams have been able to handle the excess water, but not Gavins Point.

Remus says the Corps is well aware of flooding fears along the Missouri River.

“We’re concerned with that all the time,” Remus says. “The water that people are going to see flooding, whether it’s on the Missouri River main stem or tributaries, is really coming from uncontrolled basins, basins without reservoirs on them. So, there’s really not a whole lot anybody can do to prevent that type of flooding.”

While confident about the federal levee system, Remus worries some of the smaller levees might not hold.

“There are some levees that may not, some privately owned levees or some non-federal levees that may not be able to handle this water,” Remus says. “It kind of depends on the timing of the runoff from the various tributaries.”

Remus says the Corps understands the anxiety its action causes and will strive to keep from worsening flooding in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas.

 

Historic flooding in Nebraska prompts Corps to increase releases upstream of the Missouri River

By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

Gavins Point Dam/US Army Corps of Engineers file photo

Widespread, historic flooding in Nebraska could have a major impact on northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers drastically increases water releases from Gavins Point Dam to relieve pressure upstream.

The Army Corps has announced it is increasing releases to 90,000 cubic feet per second from Gavins Point, nearly twice the current releases and far above the 60,000 the Corps had said earlier it would begin releasing on Friday.

In a news release, the Corps stated the increase is necessary as “unregulated inflows from the Niobrara and other watersheds continue to spill into the reservoir.”

The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency reports one death as a farmer drove a tractor into floodwaters at Shell Creek near Columbus to assist a motorist and the tractor was swept away by rushing high water.

The Corps has stated it does not know how the increased flows from Gavins Point will affect the Missouri River downstream. Atchison County emergency management officials have already urged residents living west of Interstate 29 to evacuate as fears of flooding grow with the rising of the Missouri River.

 

NW Missouri teen hospitalized after pickup overturns

LIVINGSTON COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Thursday in Livingston County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Ford Ranger driven by Skylar A. Loucks, 18, Chillicothe, was northbound on Route C one mile south of Utica. The driver failed to safely navigate a turn, traveled off the west side of the road at a curve and overturned.

Livingston County EMS transported a passenger in the Ford Sarah A. Murphy, 19, Chillicothe, to Hedrick Medical Center. Loucks was not injured. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

Students spend spring break volunteering with Habitat for Humanity

Salem State University students Kelly Cryts and Kylie Capalbo paint a Habitat for Humanity house in St. Joseph. Photo by Sarah Thomack.

By Sarah Thomack
St. Joseph Post

The sounds of paint rollers and power tools are not typically what you would expect to hear during a college student’s spring break trip.

Twenty-one students from Salem State University in Massachusetts were part of an alternative spring break trip this week. The students were in St. Joseph helping build homes with Habitat for Humanity.

Kylie Capalbo is a freshman at Salem. Capalbo said the trip was put together and advertised on campus by Community Service Initiative.

“I thought it was a better option than sitting around, doing nothing at home,” Capalbo said. “It’s a lot of hands-on, it is hard work and you’re going to get dirty, but it’s so worth it at the end, seeing the results and knowing that you made a difference… It’s definitely been a good way to spend my spring break and I would absolutely do it again in a heartbeat.”

Twenty-one Salem State University students spent their spring break volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in St. Joseph. Photo by Sarah Thomack.

The rain and wind this week didn’t stop the students as the projects were based indoors. Habitat Construction Supervisor Harlan Woodward said the students are painting the inside of one house in the 1000 block of S. 16th Street and hanging sheetrock at another.

“We’re on the painting crew here and we’re having a good time,” Woodward said. “Working with these kids is a neat experience, they spend their spring break here instead of partying somewhere so I appreciate them coming and helping us.”

The students will wrap up work on the houses Friday morning.

Obituaries March 14th

Josephine Starcher
1934 – 2019

Josephine Starcher, 85, of St. Joseph, MO, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at a local healthcare facility.

Josephine was born in St. Louis, MO on March 11, 1934 to Anthony and Charlotte (Mais) Cusumano and spent most of her adult life in Kansas City, MO. She moved to St. Joseph 8 years ago. She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

Josephine was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Pauline (Ken) Frederich, Geraldine Cusumano, Jean Allen, Genevieve Cusumano and Joyce Cusumano and brother, Herb Cusumano.

She is survived by daughters, Linda Brady, Gina Vega, Dana Lackey, Sandra Jinkens; son, Donald Starcher; brothers, Robert (Cathy), Raymond (Betty) and Michael (Kate) Cusumano; sister Rose Cusumano; 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

A special thank you to Jim Dugan, David Hurst and Bob Rzepkowski. Your kindness and compassion meant the world to our mother. She loved each one of you. God bless all of you.

Mass of Christian burial 10:00 AM Thursday, March 21, 2019 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Visitation will be one hour prior with Rosary at 9:40 AM. Celebrant Father Christian Malewski.

 

Robert L. “Bob” Steele
1948 – 2019

Robert L. “Bob” Steele, 70, of Hiawatha, passed away March 12, 2019 at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, Seneca, Kansas. He previously had been a resident of the Crestview Manor in Seneca.

He was born on August 13, 1948 at the Horton Hospital, the only child born to Theodore and Dorothy (Felts) Steele. He lived all of his life in Hiawatha, Kansas where he joined the Boy Scouts and in later years, obtained the rank of Eagle Scout. Bob graduated from Hiawatha High School in 1966. He served in the US Army as a mechanic from January 1968 until being discharged in August 1969, at the rank of E-5 during the Vietnam War. Bob worked at the Chevrolet garage as a mechanic for many years until he retired. He had a passion for cars, motorcycles, remote control planes, and model trains. He loved working on engines of any size. When he was younger he raced cars and motorcycles. He has several trophies from his experiences. Bob’s biggest passion was Harley-Davidson Motorcycles the faster the better.

He married Dorothy Dale (Rosenberger) Lambert on February 24, 2014, she survives at home.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Theodore and Dorothy.

A visitation to Celebrate Bob’s life is planned for 1 until 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, Hiawatha. Flag presentation a courtesy of the Brown County Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Brown County Veterans Honor Guard, sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

 

Eusona A. “Tony” (Field) Robinson
1930 – 2019

Eusona A. “Tony” (Field) Robinson, 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 11, 2019, at Living Community Assisted Living in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Tony was born February 4, 1930, in Forest City, Missouri, and grew up near Mound City, where she graduated high school.

After she married her beloved husband Jack E. Robinson on April 7, 1948, they moved to St.Joseph; the couple remained inseparable for 68 years. In addition to raising two sons, Tony worked in food service for the St. Joseph School District, retiring as Cafeteria Manager after 25 years.

Tony was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother, she enjoyed going to antique stores, collecting teddy bears and crocheting in her free time.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Robinson; parents, George and Daisy (Hunt) Field; and brother, Rex Field.

She is survived by her sons, Richard Robinson (Catherine), Greg Robinson (Ganyapat); granddaughters, Jamie Gromatzky (Benjamin), Jada Pankau Brawner; great-grandchildren, Samuel and Jack Gromatzky; Rowyn and Kegan Brawner; a great-great-grandson, Mario Harris III; and sister, Virginia Thurnau.

Farewell Services will be held at Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory on Monday, March 18, 2019. The family will gather with friends 11:00 am to 12:30 pm followed with services at 1:00 pm. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

 

Charlotte A. McDowell
1934 – 2019

Charlotte A. McDowell, 84, Easton, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2019.

She was born December 27, 1934 in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Charlotte married Harvey Wendell McDowell November 5, 1954. He preceded her in death November 25, 2017.
She was a member of Grace Evangelical Church. Charlotte attended Benton High School. She worked at American National Bank as a teller for many years, then later retired from East Buchanan School District, where she worked in food services. She enjoyed spending time with family, cookouts, golfing, bowling, cards and going out on their pontoon at Grand Lake in Grove, OK.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Thelma (West) Dykes; siblings, Larry, Dodie, Harold Dykes and Evelyn Edwards.

Survivors include children, Ronda Mann (Roger), Gower, Missouri, Jennifer O’Brien (Terry), Sally McDowell and David McDowell, all of Easton, Missouri; grandchildren, Jesse, Joshua (Melanie), Rachel (Derek), Shannon, Abbi (Danny), James, Everett (Kierstin), William (Haylee); 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Jim Dykes (Pat); and her beloved dog, Missy

Farewell Services 10:00 A.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Mount Auburn Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

 

Betty Lindquist-Leider
1926 – 2019

Betty Lindquist-Leider, 92, Savannah, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at Shady Lawn Nursing Home.
She was born March 26, 1926 in Conception, MO.
Betty married Harold Lindquist June 11, 1943, while on a 3 day pass before he was sent overseas to war. They were married for 63 years; he preceded her in death May 8, 2005. She later married William Leider; who preceded her in death.

She was of the Catholic faith and attended Cathedral School. Betty enjoyed antiques, gardening, flowers; especially roses. She loved to dance and was one of the best fisherwomen around.

Betty and Harold were unable to have children, but had so much love to give, they went above and beyond to adopt their beloved daughters to make their family complete.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Emma (Steren) Leidy; sister, Alberta Johnson, and brother, Tom Leidy.

Survivors include her daughters, Terry Turbak (Bob), Sandra Crom (Robert); grandsons, Daniel Ray Crom, Thomas Allen Crom; 5 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and extended family.

Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 A.M. Monday, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery. Parish Rosary 5:00 P.M. Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory.

Evacuations urged as Missouri River threatens to reach a record crest in extreme northwest Missouri

By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

Residents in extreme northwest Missouri are being urged to leave their homes in anticipation of flooding along the Missouri River.

“At 5 o’clock yesterday (Wed) afternoon, Atchison County declared a state of emergency and, as such, we have also recommended that anybody west of Interstate 29 evacuate due to the potential of floodwaters coming in here in the near future,” Atchison County Emergency Management Deputy Director Mark Manchester tells St. Joseph Post.

Manchester says the emergency declaration was issued after the National Weather Service forecast a record crest on the Missouri River in northwest Missouri, higher even than the record crest during the 2011 flood.

Manchester points out the Missouri River in northwest Missouri reached a record crest of 44.8 feet in 2011.

“And, currently, the Weather Service, as of the last update, was predicting 46.3 feet, which would be another foot and a half above that level,” Manchester says. “So, the concern is obviously there that we could see some possibility catastrophic damage.”

The Tarkio River rose to just under 25 feet on Wednesday, forcing the closure of Highway 59 between Tarkio and Fairfax. Manchester says other tributaries of the Missouri River are running bank-full.

Heavy rain in the area has combined with snowpack runoff up north to raise the Missouri River significantly the past few days.

Manchester says many area residents have already been packing, because they have been through this before.

“They knew as they were hearing things that things had the potential to get bad,” according to Manchester. “So, out of an abundance of caution on their part, a lot of them had started to make preparations on their own, but we just felt it would be best to make an official declaration.”

 

 

MoDOT moves to close several northwest Missouri roads due to flooding

By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

Several roads have been closed in northwest Missouri due to flooding.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has released a list of roads which it has closed, because of high water.

Andrew County

  • Route 48 between Elm Street and County Road 168 (One Hundred and Two River)
  • Route 48 between County Road 149 and Line Street (One Hundred and Two River)
  • Route B between Richardson and County Road 141 (One Hundred and Two River)
  • Route C between Route 48 and Lake Street (One Hundred and Two River)
  • Route C between Prospect and County Road 177 (One Hundred and Two River)

Atchison County

  • Route A between Watson and B Avenue (Excess runoff)
  • Route BB is not closed, but water does cover one lane. Use caution. (Excess runoff)

Buchanan County

  • Route C between U.S. Route 36 and Easton Saxton road (Platte River)
  • Route H between Route FF and SE 90th (Platte River)

MoDOT says its crews are closely monitoring conditions as melted ice and snow has saturated the ground, making potential flooding more likely. The National Weather Service has forecast the Missouri River could reach its third-highest create of 28.5 feet. The record crest is just over 32 feet.

Roads can be closed or re-opened on short notice during flash floods, according to MoDOT.

Road conditions are available by clicking here for the Traveler Information Map. You can also call MoDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service line:  888 ASK MODOT (1-888-275-6636)

Winter weather fails to stop participants in K-JO 105.5 Pound Plunge from losing weight

By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

A celebration of weight loss and wellness as Mosaic Life Care concludes the 14th year of the K-J0 105.5 Pound Plunge.

Mosaic Life’s Claire Clark says those participating this year had to overcome poor weather to stick to their diet and exercise plans.

“I mean, they lost over 81-hundred pounds in eight weeks, which is amazing,” Clark says. “And, specifically, because they had all those weather issues and it was a really cold season and people wanted to be at home, rubbed up with comfort food, but they still lost all that weight.”

Winter weather forced the cancellation of four weeks of weigh-ins during the eight-week program.

Clark says she hopes the program gets area residents to focus more on wellness.

“We just want to make our community healthier and provide knowledge for people to do that and provide the resources and, if not the resources, the knowledge, the motivation to do so,” Clark says.

Clark says the key to weight loss is better eating habits and an exercise program.

“However, will power doesn’t last forever and people have to figure out a way to keep it going,” according to Clark.

Clark says that’s where the Pound Plunge comes in, providing participants with consistency and accountability.

Next year, the Pound Plunge enters its 15th year.

 

Windy today with a chance of rain

The storm system that brought high winds to the middle of the country yesterday will track through Iowa today. This will lead to strong and gusty winds continuing through the day across the region. Winds may gust to 45 to 50 mph through the day Thursday. That storm system will be exiting the region Friday with a clearing trend to the clouds by the afternoon hours. The rest of the week looks dry with sunny to partly cloudy skies but cooler than normal temperatures. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: A chance of rain, mainly after 10 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 43. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 23 to 25 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight: A chance of rain before midnight, then a slight chance of snow between midnight and 1 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 30. Blustery, with a northwest wind 18 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday: Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 46. Northwest wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming light west after midnight.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 50. Light west wind increasing to 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 53.

Tuesday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.

Two St. Joseph men hospitalized after van overturns

ANDREW COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Wednesday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 International Box Van driven by Chris D. Larsen, 53, St. Joseph, was southbound on Route Z at the junction of Route O four miles south of Helena. The vehicle traveled off the west side of the road and overturned.

Andrew County EMS transported Larsen and a passenger Nicholas Bundy, 26, St. Joseph to Mosaic Life Care. Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

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