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Update: Troubled Kansas hospital closes, Governor responds

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HORTON, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas hospital run by an embattled health management company has shut down operations after struggling for months without enough funds to pay its employees or buy medication and food for patients.

The city of Horton’s only medical provider, Horton Community Hospital, closed on Tuesday, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported. Residents will now have to travel 12 miles (19 kilometers) to Hiawatha for medical care.

The hospital’s chief of staff, Dr. Richard Brown, said the closure didn’t come as a surprise. Hospital staff, who have faced weekslong gaps in pay, had been working with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office and Kansas Department of Health and Environment to find a way to keep the facility open, Brown said.

Staff described trash piling up and negotiating with city officials to keep the lights on as the hospital struggled to pay overdue bills.

John Calhoon, Horton’s city administrator and chief of police, said the hospital recently made a partial payment on a utility bill that was nearly two months overdue. Calhoon expects a March invoice to go unpaid.

“It’s not anything that any of us wanted to happen, but we just have to move forward from here,” he said.

The hospital in the town of about 1,700 people was transferred to iHealthcare after being managed by EmpowerHMS, which is associated with other Kansas hospitals that have closed after being unable to pay their bills. The former EmpowerHMS-owned Oswego Community Hospital shuttered in February, and an affiliated hospital in rural Missouri was cut off from Medicare this month.

C.J. Grover, a spokesman for the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, said the agency is investigating Horton Community Hospital, but declined to comment further.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued a response to the news.

“I’m concerned for the community of Horton as they face the serious loss of their local hospital,” Kelly said. “This is becoming a far too frequent occurrence in our state. Local hospitals are key to the health of Kansas families and are often one of the largest employers in a small town. Elected leaders must work together to do more to support our local hospitals.”

Three rural hospitals have closed in the last three months. Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott closed on December 31st. Oswego Community Hospital closed in February. And Horton Community Hospital closed its doors Tuesday.

“I’ve directed our agencies to coordinate support for hospital staff during this challenging time,” Kelly said. “A closure of a hospital has ripple effects through the community and region. Our KANSASWORKS team will be in Horton Thursday to assist hospital staff with filing for unemployment benefits, as well as job applications and re-employment services.”

The Governor’s Office, Kansas Department of Commerce and Kansas Department of Labor are working to provide support to employees of the hospital, ensure unemployment benefits applications are streamlined, and re-employment opportunities are available.

In response to Tuesday’s closure, KANSASWORKS will be hosting Rapid Response Informational Meetings Thursday in Horton in conjunction with the Community Outreach Event at the Horton Public Library.

Efforts to assist affected hospital employees will include Rapid Response Informational Meetings at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday at the Horton Public Library, 809 1st Ave E. No registration is required. Information will be shared about KANSASWORKS, Workforce Center employment and training services and how to file unemployment insurance benefits.

Also, the KANSASWORKS Mobile Workforce Center will be at the Horton Public Library from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday to provide additional re-employment services. Workforce Center staff will be available to help with registering on KANSASWORKS.com, creating a resumé, job search assistance and filling out job applications.

The Rapid Response team was also sent to Oswego following the closure of its hospital last month.

Any questions about KANSASWORKS should be directed to the Department of Commerce:
Emily Fitzgerald
(785) 296-1778
[email protected]

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HORTON, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas hospital run by an embattled health management company has shut down operations after struggling for months without enough funds to pay its employees or buy medication and food for patients.

The city of Horton’s only medical provider, Horton Community Hospital, closed on Tuesday. Residents will now have to travel 12 miles to Hiawatha for medical care.

The hospital’s chief of staff, Dr. Richard Brown, says the closure didn’t come as a surprise. Hospital staff said they’ve had to negotiate with city officials to keep the lights on at the hospital, which faced mounting, overdue bills.

The hospital was transferred to iHealthcare after being managed by EmpowerHMS, which is associated with other Kansas hospitals that have struggled to pay bills.

Matthew Wilson named as Missouri Western’s fifth president

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President-Designate Matthew Wilson. Photo courtesy Missouri Western State University.

Matthew Wilson has been named as Missouri Western State University’s fifth president.

By a 5-0 vote Tuesday, the Board of Governors at Missouri Western named Matthew Wilson, J.D., as Missouri Western’s next president, starting July 1, 2019.

“With a long track record in higher education, including previous experience as a university president, Matt Wilson is prepared to serve Missouri Western well,” said David Liechti, chair of the Board of Governors. “As we got to know him through the interview process and in talking to people he has worked with, we appreciated his strong commitment to student success and his innovative and creative approach to problem-solving. Under his leadership, Missouri Western will continue to be a crucial part of the economic and cultural vitality of our region.”

President-Designate Wilson will be introduced to the campus and community during a formal announcement and press conference at 3 p.m., Monday, March 18, in the Remington Atrium. The announcement is open to the public.

“I am honored that the Governors have put their faith in me and incredibly excited to be joining the Missouri Western family,” President-Designate Wilson said. “I look forward to serving and working closely with outstanding MWSU faculty, students, staff and alumni as well as members of the St. Joseph community. Building on the solid foundation established by Dr. Vartabedian and others, (my wife) Noriko and I are committed to transforming the lives of students, actively engaging with the community and elevating Missouri Western to even greater heights.”

Wilson is currently a professor of law at the University of Akron School of Law after serving as president of the University of Akron from 2016 to 2018. According to a press release from Missouri Western, while president, he helped lead the university to a remarkable two-year budgetary turnaround, eliminating a projected $30 million deficit in 2016-2017 and adding $12 million to reserves. Wilson also participated in fundraising efforts that saw a substantial increase in donations including a $20 million Making a Difference Moving Forward student scholarship campaign and the largest single gift in university history. He also oversaw innovative approaches to student recruitment, retention and internationalization, including:

·         the Akron Guarantee Scholarship, which provides students with automatic yearly scholarship upgrades as long as they maintain good academic standing;

·         Five-Star Fridays, which concentrates class time Monday through Thursday so that Fridays could be dedicated to practical learning, skills development, career preparation and student success; and

·         Esports program that involves more than 1,000 students engaged in competitive video gaming varsity teams, club programs, related academic programs and career pathways.

Prior to serving as president, Wilson was dean of the University of Akron School of Law, where he oversaw a successful $21 million debt-free renovation and fundraising campaign for the law school facilities and helped achieve a 40 percent increase in new student enrollment over two years. He also served as associate dean of the University of Wyoming College of Law and senior associate dean and general counsel of Temple University Japan. He taught a wide variety of law courses at all three schools. He also served as a visiting professor at three universities in Asia and lectured extensively across the country and world.

Before beginning his higher education career, Wilson was a lawyer for Akerman Senterfitt P.A. in Orlando, Florida and general counsel for YPD.com/Advanced Telecommunications Network, Inc., in Tampa, Florida.

Wilson is a member of the Florida State Bar Association, Law & Society Association, Asian Law & Society Association, Australian Network for Japanese Law and NCAA esports working group.

Wilson received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies with a Japanese minor from the University of Utah. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law. He and his wife, Noriko, have four children and three grandchildren.

President-Designate Wilson will succeed Dr. Robert Vartabedian, who will retire July 1 after 11 years as Missouri Western’s president.

Obituaries March 13th

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Margaret M. Sewell (Williams)
1927 – 2019

Margaret M. Sewell, 91, of Kansas City, MO formerly of Lancaster, KS died on Monday, March 11, 2019 at her daughter’s home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 16th, 2019 at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home with Rev. Seth Montgomery officiating. Burial will follow in the Lancaster Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:30 am until time of services on Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Disabled American Veterans or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Margaret was born on Nov. 9, 1927 in Atchison, KS the daughter of Charles E. and Mary Ellen (Hicks) Williams, Sr. She graduated from Atchison High School in 1945. She was married to Brutus E. (Porkie) Sewell, Jr on Feb. 6, 1950 in Leavenworth, KS. He preceded her in death on Feb. 6, 2008. Margaret was a mother, housewife and homemaker. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, cooking, canning fresh vegetables raised in her garden, raising flowers, and was an avid reader. Margaret especially enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren

Survivors include, a daughter Susan C. (Sewell) Crosland, Kansas City, MO, three sons, Thomas C. (Deb) Sewell, Lenexa, KS, Allen K. (Jane Hansen) Sewell, Long Beach, CA, and Timothy S. Sewell, Lenexa, KS., three grandchildren Kira L. (Kyle) Spring, Olathe, KS, Tessa L. (Alex) Held, Olathe, KS, and Sterling Sewell, Lenexa, KS and four great grandchildren: Axel, Piper, and Jagger Held, and Apollo Spring. Her parents, two brothers, Charles E. and Thomas T. Williams, and two sisters, Ruth G. Godbey, and Louise Dunnuck preceded her in death.

 

William O. “Bill” Schaller
1943 – 2019

William O. Schaller, 75, of St. Joseph, Missouri, died March 11, 2019.

Bill was born to William H. and Kathryn L. (Broderick) Schaller on December 11, 1943, in Quincy, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, David McNew of St. Joseph; and a nephew, Brian Tannehill of Las Vegas, Nevada. Bill married the love of his life, Ilene F. (Sutton) Schaller on May 30, 1986, who survives of the home.
Other survivors include a daughter, Cindy McPhee (Larry) of St. Joseph; one grandson, Stephen McPhee (Kasshia) of Washington state; one granddaughter, Stephanie McPhee of St. Joseph; one sister, Barbara (Schaller) Martinec of Plainville, Illinois; and a brother-in-law, Gene Sutton (Andrea) of Savannah, Missouri.

Bill graduated from Central High School in 1962. While in high school, he was active in the drama department and played the lead in “Cheaper By the Dozen.” He attended Northwest Missouri University and Missouri Western State College. Bill then purchased the family business and was owner/operator of Schaller Paint & Wallpaper for over 50 years.

Bill was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church in St. Joseph, where he served on the Board of Deacons and Elders. He was currently a member of Wyatt Park Baptist Church. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and a 50-year member of the Downtown Lions Club, also serving on that Board of Directors. Bill was a founding member of the East Bank Investment Club, a club that is still active forty-five years later.

Farewell Services 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the charity of the donor’s choice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

 

Jean Ann Albers
1926 – 2019

Jean Ann Albers, 92, of St. Joseph, died March 9, 2019. Jean was born October 3, 1926 in St. Joseph, to Thomas and Nellie Irene (Bally) Riley.

She was raised in St. Joseph, and graduated from Benton High School and Gard Business School. She then started working at different livestock commission offices where she met her future husband Warren. They were married September 24, 1950.

She and Warren owned and operated the National Livestock Commission. When they started their family she stayed home to raise their children.

She was a member of Journey Baptist Church, Gideon’s International Auxiliary, and the Carnegie Culture Club.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; husband Warren Albers on November 27, 2015; brother T.C. Riley, Jr.; and a sister Lorraine Jackson.

Survivors include her children, David Albers (Gayle) of O’Fallon; Annette Leader (Ray) of St. Joseph; Gayla Lenhardt (Matt) of O’Fallon; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister’s-in-law; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.

Memorial contributions to Gideon’s International or Journey Baptist Church would be appreciated.

Services will be Saturday, March 16, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. Burial Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will begin Friday, March 15, 2019, after 2:00 p.m., where the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

 

Jimmy Ray Johnson
1959 – 2019

Jimmy Ray Johnson 59, of Saint Joseph, Missouri passed away Monday March 11, 2019 at Mosaic Life Care Hospital.

He was born July 21, 1959 in Irving, Texas son of Ramona & Jimmy Johnson. He married Edna on November 15, 2010 and she survives of the home. He was a Truck Driver, who enjoyed riding his Harley, and raising American Bully’s dogs, and he definitely loved his dogs.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his father, Jimmy Johnson, and brother, Eugene Michael Johnson. Survivors include: wife, Edna Johnson of the home, mother, Ramona Spillman, San Jose, CA, son, Brad (Jessica) Johnson, Wolfe City, TX, 5 grandchildren 2 great grandchildren, four step children: Victoria Carney, Jerome Carney Jr., Hali Carney, and Trevor Coffelt (Angie Dawn), several step grandchildren brother, Steven Spillman, San Martin, CA, sisters, Kathy (Michael) Rogers, Ashland, OR, and Christine Delema, San Jose, CA,.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Monday at the Rupp Funeral Home, he will be cremated under the care and direction of the Rupp Funeral Home following the services. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com

 

Charles William Parker
1923 – 2019

Charles William Parker, 95 of Highland died Sunday March 10, 2019.

Charles was born to Eugene “Spike” and Florence “Flossie” Street Parker on August 31, 1923 in Highland, Kansas not 1 ½ blocks from the home he lived in for 90 years. Charlie Bill was preceded in death by his parents, 5 sisters, two brothers, son-in-law Scott Souder, a great grand-daughter and his beloved wife of 67 years, Nadine Marie (Nickels) Parker. Survivors include sister Helen Gilmore of Highland, sons, Mike (Mari Ann) Parker of Highland, Chris (Katy) Parker of rural Stockton, Missouri and daughter Linda Ann Souder of Wildwood, Missouri, seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Charles enjoyed growing up in Highland with many friends and family and would spend hours sharing memories of those wonderful years with his family, friends and visitors. He attended Highland’s grade school, high school and spent a year at Highland Junior College before enlisting in the Army Air Corps in WW II serving in England as a bombardier/navigator in B-24 bombers. After the war he married Nadine Nickels, the love of his life, in 1956 in Indianapolis, Indiana. They soon bought the house he grew up in from his father, living there the rest of their lives. He was appointed postmaster of the Highland post office in 1946, the position he held until his retirement from the postal service. Later, he served as Highland City Clerk for seven years until forced to retire from the position the result of losing his sight from Macro-degeneration.

Charles became a member of the Highland Christian Church after his marriage and served the church as an elder and church treasurer for many years. He and Nadine enjoyed membership in the Sunday school PEP class and loved socializing with the class members at monthly class parties held at various members homes or the church. They were life-long friends with Sid Hargis, Bill Crabtree and Virgil Bauer families and spent every New Year’s Eve together for over 65 years as well as many summer vacation trips. Charles took up fishing after retirement from the post office and spent many days and nights for years on the river and pond banks of northeast Kansas with friends Chuck Miller, Dave Simmons and Leonard Blevins catching fish ( or not), swapping tales and pulling tricks on one another.

Charles was a past member and president of the USD #425 school board in Highland during the 1960’s . He was also a member of Dillon-Bales American Legion Post #358 of Highland. He was one of the founding roster of the Highland Pride organization and as the city clerk was instrumental in helping to form the organization for Highland.

He enjoyed working with his hands and remodeled their home and built and installed numerous kitchen cabinets for friends and relatives as well as his garage and famous front lawn tree-house for grandson Andy.

Visitation will be at the Highland Christian Church Friday March 15, 2019 at 10 am with the service in the church at 11 a.m. Tony French and Tom Carter will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow at the Highland Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Highland Christian Church Women’s Council or Macro-degenerative Eye Research, sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 33, 66035.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Thursday.

 

Emilee Rose Williams
2017 – 2019

Emilee Rose Williams, one year old, passed away March 11, 2019, at Children’s Mercy Hospital.

She was born September 6, 2017 in Kansas City, MO, to Alexander and Morgan (Ballard) Williams. Emilee enjoyed watching the movie “Trolls”. She loved being read too, dancing, and music therapy.

Survivors include her parents, Alex and Morgan Williams; maternal grandfather Roger Ballard; paternal grandparents Jean and Jeff Williams; maternal great-grandmothers, Ora Lee Taylor and Rosalie Ballard; paternal great grandmother, Betty Akers; and paternal great-grandfather John Frank.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother Juanita Ballard; two maternal great-grandfathers, Jerry Taylor and William Ballard; and paternal great-grandfather Harold Akers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Children’s Mercy Hospital Ward Family Heart Center would be appreciated.

Visitation will be Sunday, March 17, 2019, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. Services will follow the visitation at 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

 

Avis Yvonne Harris
1925 – 2019

CENTRALIA – Avis Yvonne Harris, 93, of Centralia, died Monday, March 11, 2019 at the Community Hospital in Onaga.

She was born June 25, 1925 the daughter of David John and Francoise Generva Swisher Ayers at Centralia, KS. She was married to Byron Lee Harris on June 25, 1946 at Westmoreland, KS. She lived most of her life in Centralia and moved back there from Wamego in 1957.

She grew up helping with the farming and animals. This developed her love for being outdoors. She loved to garden, swim and fish. She could be found outside pulling weeds or picking up sticks any day that it was nice. She taught the scouts how to swim at Nemaha Lake for many years. She was also active with the Boy Scouts and later let them use her garage to sell fireworks.

She was always an active reader and read a book about every day. She liked to play cards and was a member of several bridge groups. She also played the piano and liked working puzzles.

Survivors include daughters, Jo Ann Casebier, Topeka and Vicki Harris, Wichita; a son Byron L. Harris, Jr. (Rose Marie), Manhattan; a sister-in-law, Maxine Harris, Raytown, MO; a grandson, Brian Casebier (Libby), Topeka, two great grandchildren, Cody Casebier and Riley Brown and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Byron in 1987, and two sisters, Audrey White and Jean Griffin.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 18th at the Centralia Community Church. Inurnment will follow in the Centralia Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Monday. Memorials are suggested to the Centralia Community Church or the Eastridge Nursing Facility, and may be sent in care of the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, PO Box 312, Onaga, KS 66521.

 

Kenneth Allen Guy
1937 – 2019

DEATHS…ROBINSON, KS Kenneth Allen Guy Sr. born June 10, 1937 died March 11, 2019. Kenny was preceded in death by his parents Pleas and Ada Ayres Guy, 3 siblings and a granddaughter Amanda Marie.

Kenneth married Elsie Mae Miller 60 years ago on December 14, 1958.

Kenneth passed away at his home with many family and friends to say goodbye to him. Kenneth was 81 years old and had many titles on his resume of things he did. He worked at the Robinson Co-op for many year, also ran Ken’s Pool Hall. He was a Shade Tree Mechanic and a big part in Robinson Lion’s Club for 29 years. He enjoyed his family that he and Elsie had together. He enjoyed his grandkids and great grandkids and great-great grand babies more than his life and when he was told “I Love You” we all knew his answer was “Unhuh”

Their family began with Barbara and Kenny Loper of Fairhope, AL, with Bridgette, Courtney and 3 great grandkids, Kenneth Guy Jr. of Robinson, KS, Betsy and Gary Armstrong of Tulsa, OK, with Brandon, Corrine and their 2 great grandkids from St. Paul, KS. Adam Jennings of Tulsa, OK, Betsy also had Amanda who preceded Kenneth in death. Amanda had two sons Hunter and Joshuah who remains with Betsy and Gary. Gail and Samuel, Hiawatha, KS, and have 4 kids, Jeremy and Marie, Hiawatha had 3 kids and 2 Great Granddaughters. Rhonda Armstrong, Hiawatha, had 2 kids Andrew and Laura Armstrong from Robinson, Ks had 3 kids. Jase Stanton of El Dorado, KS, Scott and Paula Guy of Olathe has 3 kids. Kyle is from Olathe, and his 1 great grandchild, Jessica Guy of Robinson, Lillian Guy also of Olathe.

Kenneth and Elsie had 5 children, 12 grandkids and 2 great-great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Kenny’s life is planned for later this spring/summer.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Kenneth Guy Memorial Fund, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

Share the Harvest program benefits Second Harvest

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Missouri deer hunters donated 259,414 pounds of venison to the state’s Share the Harvest program this past deer season. Photo courtesy Missouri Dept. of Conservation.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) are sending out their thanks to the thousands of Missouri deer hunters who donated venison to the state’s Share the Harvest program.

According to a press release from the MDC, 259,414 pounds of venison was donated, including 4,855 whole deer.

The donated deer meat goes to local food banks and food pantries to help feed hungry Missourians all around the state.

Second Harvest Community Food Bank in St. Joseph is one of the food banks that benefits from Share the Harvest. Second Harvest Chief Development Officer Michelle Fagerstone said the program helps hunters donate surplus venison to those in need.

“A hunter simply takes their deer to an approved meat processor and lets the processor know how much venison they wish to donate,” Fagerstone said. “Then the processor packages the meat and either contacts the charitable agency directly or has a sponsoring organization that delivers the donation to that charitable organization.”

Fagerstone said, through the program, Second Harvest received 1,500 pounds of venison in November that they distributed out to their partner agencies.

“We’re always in need of protein for those that are food insecure. So a program like this that brings in pound packages of high protein, high nutritious food is very easy for us to distribute and it generally comes during the winter time when we have a larger call for people who need help because they have outstanding utility bills they have to contend with, they have higher levels of illness going on,” Fagerstone said. “So when we can supplement our budget with donated protein of this level, it really does help us save money and it helps us get that protein out to those in need.”

For more information about the Share the Harvest program, you can call Second Harvest at (816) 364-3663 or go to the MDC’s website.

Parade and Irish History Trolley Tours planned for Saturday in Atchison

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St. Patrick’s Day weekend parade in Atchison, Kansas. File photo courtesy Atchison Chamber of Commerce.

Atchison, Kansas, will host several St. Patrick’s Day weekend activities on Saturday.

The day will include a Shamrock Hunt on Commercial Street for kids from noon until 2 p.m. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 2 p.m. at 4th and Commercial. It travels to Kansas Avenue to 7th Street and will end at 7th and Commercial.

According to Atchison Chamber of Commerce President Jacque Pregont, that day, there will also be an opportunity to take a ride on the Irish History Trolley Tours.

“We hadn’t done it for several years, and we resurrected our Irish Trolley Tours, kind of a take-off on our regular historic tours that we do,” Pregont said. “Something different, talk about our Irish heritage that we have in this part of the country and it was so well received, people seemed to be really excited about it, so we’re happy to do that again this year.”

The tour includes historic homes and businesses built by the Irish and a tour of St. Patrick’s Church – the state’s oldest Catholic Church in continuous use.

For more information, or to reserve a spot on the Irish History Trolley tour, you can call 800-234-1854 or go to visitatchison.com.

Business licenses now required for all St. Joseph landlords

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All St. Joseph landlords will be required to pay a $1.50 business license fee for each rental unit they own under a change approved by the St. Joseph City Council.

Previously, landlords only had to obtain business licenses for buildings with three or more units.

The council has chosen to delay a decision on whether to require inspections of each rental unit when a new tenant moves in. A work session is planned to discuss the proposed change. The council could take up the proposal during its meeting March 25th.

The city council has approved a requirement that all residential units with fuel-fired appliances or attached garages have carbon monoxide detectors installed.

 

Rain and storms likely with temps near 60

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Gusty winds up to 45 to 50 mph are possible today and Thursday, which may lead to tree and/or structural damage. Additional rainfall amounts of half an inch to three quarters of an inch are expected before rain comes to and end Thursday afternoon. Ongoing river flooding will persist into the weekend time frame. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 3 p.m. High near 61. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 18 to 23 mph increasing to 24 to 29 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 48 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tonight: A slight chance of showers after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 22 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday: A chance of showers, mainly after 7 a.m. Cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 39 by 3 p.m. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 21 to 28 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain showers, mixing with snow after 11 p.m., then gradually ending. Cloudy, with a low around 29. Blustery, with a northwest wind 17 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 43. Northwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 48.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 50.

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

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 50.

Monday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 51.

Motorists warned not to cross flood-covered roads as Missouri River reaches flood stage

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By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

Northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas residents are being urged to take seriously flood warnings issued by the National Weather Service.

Buchanan County Emergency Management Director Bill Brinton worries about how well the federal and farm levee system will hold.

“The problem around this area has always been the farm levee the past few years,” according to Brinton. “And so, we just have to monitor and make sure because this is going to be a pretty major flood stage down near Atchison. So, we just have to keep an eye on it.”

Area motorists are being warned to not cross floodwaters.

The National Weather Service forecasts the Missouri River to reach its official flood stage of 17 feet this morning, rising to nearly 30 feet by early next week. The Platte River is already out of its banks.

Brinton says too many motorists ignore the barricades erected in front of flooded roads. He says it doesn’t take much floodwater to take over control of a vehicle.

“Don’t drive around our barricades and if you see any standing water, please don’t drive off into it, because it is very dangerous and it is pretty simple, especially this time of year when it is so cold and there is ice on the Missouri River, still ice on the Platte River, your survival time is really cut to a minimum,” Brinton says.

Brinton wants motorists to respect floodwaters and not cross them. Brinton says some motorists have ignored barricades erected after flooding along the Platte River covered roadways.

“It happens all the time in the county,” Brinton says. “Where we have our county barricades on the Platte River, on the different roads that are closed, people drive around them all the time.”

 

 

Kan. man hospitalized in St. Jo after wrong-way crash with semi

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NODAWAY COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just before 9p.m. Tuesday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Plymouth Voyager driven by Atanasio J. Harris-Ham, 22, Olathe, was southbound in the northbound lane of U.S. 71 and struck a northbound semi driven by Kevin A. Grant, 26, Raytown.

Nodaway County EMS transported Harris-Ham to Mosaic Life Care for treatment of serious injuries. Grant was transported to St. Francis Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Dick’s to halt sales of hunting rifles, ammo at 125 stores

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CYBERSPACE (AP) — Dick’s Sporting Goods says it will stop selling hunting rifles and ammunition at 125 of its stores — replacing those items with merchandise it believes will sell better at those locations.

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CEO Edward Stack says the move comes after the retailer replaced hunting merchandise in 10 of its stores in last year’s third quarter.

Those stores posted strong sales and profit margin numbers in the fourth quarter. Dick’s made headlines last year after the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida — when it banned the sale of assault rifles and the sale of all guns to anyone under 21.

Authorities have not released whether the stores in St. Joseph is included.

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