Local News – Page 73 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Missouri River flooding expected later this week, Platte River flooding already closing roads

Posted on March 11, 2019March 11, 2019

Weather forecasters expect the Missouri River to begin flooding later this week while floodwaters along the Platte River have forced some road closures.

The National Weather Service in Kansas City has issued a flood warning for the Missouri River; both sides of the state line. NWS forecasters warn the Missouri River will flood at St. Joseph, affecting Doniphan County in Kansas as well as Andrew and Buchanan Counties in Missouri. The Missouri is also expected to flood at Atchison, affecting Atchison County in Kansas and Buchanan and Platte Counties in Missouri. Missouri River flooding is also forecast at Leavenworth, affecting Leavenworth County, Kansas and Platte County, Missouri.

The flood warning issued by the National Weather Service runs from Wednesday evening through Thursday, March 21st. NWS estimates the Missouri could rise to nearly 24.6 feet by early next week. Lowland flooding around the St. Joseph area occurs at 17 feet. Backwater from Missouri River flooding will overflow property along the Nodaway River at Nodaway. Riverfront Park in St. Joseph begins to flood at 21 feet.

Flooding along the Platte River has already closed several roads in Buchanan County. Emergency Management Director Bill Brinton reports the following roads have been closed due to high water:

SE Mitchell
SE Saxton Easton
68th SE
80th SE
Rock Creek SE
SE Kemmer
112th SE
SE 115
SE Horn
SE Chestnut
NE 135
NE 139
SE123rd

Motorists are warned not to drive through flowing water. NWS reports as little as six inches of water could cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Two feet of water is sufficient to carry most vehicles away.

Obituaries March 11th

Posted on March 11, 2019

Karen A. Ledbetter
1943 – 2019

Karen A. Ledbetter, 75, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2019 at her home.
She was born on October 29, 1943 in Whitehall, New York to Clayton and Marian (LaFlower) Therrien.
She married Earl Wayne Ledbetter on March 27, 1968, he preceded her in death on January 23, 2018.
She was also preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include her children, Melissa Williams (Robert), Mathew Ledbetter (Harley), and Lura Berry (David); grandchildren, Michael King (Jamie), Dawn Ledbetter, Fleisha Willaims (John), Tye Jeffers; 8 great-grandchildren; sister, Louise; nephew, Marty Graves; her beloved dogs, Uno, Sassy and Boo.

The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

St. Joseph teen injured in rollover crash on I-29

Posted on March 11, 2019

A 19-year-old St. Joseph resident was injured in a rollover crash Monday morning on Interstate 29.

According to Sgt. Chris McBane with the St. Joseph Police Department, at 9:47 a.m., the driver of a pickup truck was driving south on I-29 around the 46 mile marker when he fell asleep at the wheel. The vehicle went off the left side of the road, the driver overcorrected and the vehicle went off the right side of the road and overturned.

The driver was transported to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Sunny with temps near 50 today

Posted on March 11, 2019

Rain chances return Tuesday through Wednesday. Widespread amounts between 1 to 1.5 inches are forecast across most of western Missouri and eastern Kansas. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 49. Light and variable wind.

Tonight: A chance of rain, mainly after 4 a.m. Increasing clouds, with a low around 36. East southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tuesday: Rain likely before 7 a.m., then showers likely, mainly between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 50. South southeast wind 5 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 47. South southeast wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 63. Breezy, with a southeast wind 14 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 46. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday Night: Cloudy, with a low around 30. Blustery.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Breezy.

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

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 45.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.

Driver hospitalized after pickup overturns in Nodaway County

Posted on March 11, 2019March 11, 2019

NODAWAY COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 8p.m. Sunday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ford pickup driven by Austin M. Holloway, 22, Fremont, NE., was southbound on Mo. 46 two miles north of Ravenwood. The pickup traveled off the west side of the road and the driver overcorrected. The pickup traveled off the east side of the road, struck and embankment overturned and struck a fence.

Holloway was transported to St. Francis Hospital. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

Obituaries March 10th

Posted on March 10, 2019

Marilyn Joyce (Mounts) Bartels
1929 – 2019

Marilyn Joyce (Mounts) Bartels, 89, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Friday, March 8, 2019.

She was born November 22, 1929, in Hannibal, Missouri. Marilyn married Eugene Bartels August 12, 1951. He preceded her in death December 30, 2012. She was a homemaker.
Marilyn was a member of Huffman Memorial United Methodist Church, Order of the Eastern Star, and the choir at Living Community of St. Joseph. She enjoyed sewing and was a wonderful pianist.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Mabel (Robertson) Mounts and sister, Beverly Mounts.
Survivors include daughter, Karla Thies (Duane), St. Joseph, Missouri; granddaughter, Jennifer Thies, Trenton, Missouri; numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services are at 10 A.M. Wednesday, Huffman Memorial United Methodist Church. Interment at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8 P.M. Tuesday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations to The Gideons International or Huffman United Methodist Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Dolores Ann Helmich
1938 – 2019

Delores Ann Helmich 80, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2019 at her home.

She was born November 28, 1938 in St. Joseph, MO, daughter of the late Freda and Thomas Parker Sr. She was a preschool and Kindergarten teacher at the South Park Christian Academy for 12 plus years teaching with her mother many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and many other children. Dolores was a long time member of the South Park Assembly of God, now called the River. She also attended her brothers church’s, Jesus Apostolic Holiness Church and the Cornerstone Community Church.

Dolores was preceded in death by husband, Henry Lawrence Helmich, her parents, son, Robert Allen Ferris, sister in law, Linda May Parker, sister, Shirley J. Hoffman. Survivors include, daughters, Patty Maxon of the home and Debbie Lynn Ferris, sons, Mark Helmich, Eddie Ferris, and Roger Ferris, brothers, Rev. Ronald (Mical) Parker, and Rev. Thomas Parker, grandchildren she raised: Ben (Roseanne) Helmich, Crystal Maxon, Erin Buckler, Erica Norris, Matthew Ferris, and Lora Armstrong, as well as many more grandchildren, great grandchildren, Malynn, Kaden, Traden, and Karissa.

Funeral services are pending at this time: The Interment will be at the King Hill Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the online obituary tribute fund at ruppfuneral.com or in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Linda K. (Nold) Graff

1945 – 2019

Linda K. (Nold) Graff, 73, of St. Joseph, passed away March 8, 2019.

Linda was born on November 27, 1945, in Savannah, Missouri to the late Louis, Sr. and Katherine (Heath) Nold (later, Katherine Patrick).

She was a 1963 graduate of Savannah High School. Linda was a self-employed painter for twenty years and retired as a sales associate, from Sherwin-Williams in January 2019, after twenty years of employment. Linda was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church and the Overcomers Cancer Support Group. She enjoyed bowling, fishing, camping, traveling and attending concerts. She loved spending time with her loved ones.

In addition to her parents, Linda is preceded in death by brother, Paul Nold, Jr. and nephew, Paul Nold III.
Surviving family includes four daughters, Laura Edwards (Larry), Mary Tollenaar (David), Amy Ratcliff (Mike), Nancy Tewell (Joe); grandchildren, Andrew Edwards (Brianna), Abigail Edwards, Evan Tollenaar, Katherine Tollenaar, Avery Tewell and Merrick Ratcliff; five great-grandchildren; brothers, Charles Patrick (Robin) and Curtis Nold; sister-in-law, Deanna Nold; numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation: 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel in St. Joseph.
Funeral Service: 10:00 AM, Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society.

Entrepreneurship Week to feature new workshops, speaker Peter Ueberroth

Posted on March 10, 2019March 10, 2019

Entrepreneurship Week schedule. Image courtesy Missouri Western.

A week for entrepreneurs and anyone interested in business is coming up later this month at Missouri Western State University.

Workshops being offered during Entrepreneurship Week include Accounting for Beginners, Creating a Marketing Plan, What Your Financial Statement Can Tell You and Social Media Tools for Small Businesses.

Director for the Center for Entrepreneurship at the Missouri Western Craig School of Business Annette Weeks said this year, the speaker for the capstone luncheon on Friday will be Peter Ueberroth.

“Our benefactor, Steve Craig, was able to get him to come to St. Joseph. A little bit of background on him is he was the architect for the Los Angeles Summer Olympics (1984), he was also voted Man of the Year by Time Magazine, he was commissioner of the baseball league as well as helped an effort to rebuild Los Angeles after the riots,” Weeks said. “We’re very excited to get someone of his esteem and such a vast background especially in entrepreneurship to come to Missouri Western in St. Joseph.”

Weeks said whether or not someone has an interest in being an entrepreneur themselves, entrepreneurship affects everyone in a community.

“It’s important to know what (entrepreneurs) bring to our region, the economic stability, the job creation, the innovation, it comes from our local entrepreneurs,” Weeks said. “We really feel passionate about that and at Missouri Western, we are committed to cultivating and educating entrepreneurs for our region. Entrepreneurship Week is one of our efforts in supporting this entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Entrepreneurship Week takes place March 25-29 on the campus of Missouri Western.

For more information or to register, call (816) 271-4283 or click here.

Brent Martin named news director for Eagle Communications in St Joseph

Posted on March 10, 2019

Veteran journalist Brent Martin has been named news director for Eagle Communications in St. Joseph.

Martin will oversee the team in charge of news gathering, on-air broadcasts and reporting on Eagle’s four St. Joseph radio stations — Q Country 92.7, KSJQ FM, KJO 105.5, KKJO FM, 680 KFEQ AM and ESPN 1550 KESJ AM.

In addition, he will direct news content on StJosephpost.com.

Martin comes to Eagle after serving as news director of the Nebraska News Network, based in Lincoln, Neb. He was promoted to that position in 2011 after serving 15 years as managing editor of Missouri News Network in Jefferson City.

Martin was a news reporter for 680 KFEQ from 1984 through 1995. He won numerous broadcast awards including several for coverage of the 1993 flood in St. Joseph.

A graduate of the University of Central Missouri, Martin is known for being the state journalist witness to more than 13 executions in Missouri and Nebraska.

“We are extremely excited to have Brent return to St. Joe to lead our news efforts,” said Eagle General Manager Gary Exline. “A professional of this caliber is a fantastic addition to our on-air and online news reporting.”

Martin will take over the role on March 11, 2019.

Kansas border communities need lower food sales tax in order to compete

Posted on March 10, 2019March 10, 2019

By Grant Heiman
KU Statehouse News Service

Small town communities along Kansas’ borders lose business when residents cross state lines to save money on groceries.

Marmaton Market in Moran, Kansas google image

In a February hearing on House Bill 2261, which would lower the food sales tax by 1 percent, residents of these border communities testified about the struggle to compete against businesses with lower or no food sales tax.

Some residents of Moran, Kansas, make the three-and-a-half-hour round trip to Kansas City, Missouri, to shop for food products. The selection in Kansas City, Missouri, is wider and the food sales tax is 1.225 percent, as opposed to Kansas’ current 6.5 percent tax.

“Sometimes, it is worth it to make the trip when they save a significant amount of money,” Rachel Henderson, general manager of the Marmaton Market in Moran, said. “The overall impact of this habit is huge.”

A 2016 report by the Kansas Public Finance Center at Wichita State University shows that Kansas’ sales tax on food harms economic activity, especially in border counties.

“Our community misses out on any tax revenue, and it hurts business when we have to compete with a lower sales tax,” Henderson said.

According to the report by Wichita State each percent increase in the tax, (assuming surrounding counties have a lower food sales tax), results in $101 drop in food sales per capita.

“This is a tax burden that Kansans shouldn’t have to bear,” Henderson said. “If you aren’t wealthy enough to make regular trips to the city for groceries, you are forced to have a reduced budget for food.”

Of the 105 counties in the state of Kansas, 35 share a border with at least one other state, according to the Wichita State report.

The city of Oberlin, in northwest Kansas, faces the same challenges with losing business to bordering states.

“My grocery store is the only one in the entire county, not only do I enjoy this, but I understand my business also provides a critical service,” Kirk Brown, owner of Reyes Grocery in Oberlin, said in a testimony to the committee.

Halley Roberson, Oberlin’s City Planner, also reflected the same notion.

“This independent grocery store has to try and compete with national chain stores with higher prices for delivery because of lower volume and in addition a 6.5 percent tax his competitors do not have,” Roberson said.

Roberson says a reduction in the food sales tax would help the success of businesses in border towns.

“It is a push-pull situation for sure, but a serious food tax reduction or elimination would at least give border towns like Oberlin some ground to stand on,” Roberson said.

Grant Heiman is a University of Kansas junior from Wichita majoring in journalism.

Northwest online nursing program granted pre-accreditation status

Posted on March 10, 2019March 10, 2019

MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State University online RN to BSN program has been granted pre-accreditation status by the National League for Nursing’s Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA).

Brooke McAtee, the director of the nursing program at Northwest, said the designation is an important step in the continued development and success of the program.

“I am very excited that all of our hard work is being acknowledged by the accrediting body,” McAtee said. “This is a big accomplishment for our program in such a short timeframe. I am proud of my team and all that we have done to ensure student success.”

Northwest began taking steps in 2017 to relaunch its RN-to-BSN after determining the demand and outlook for future jobs in the field is strong, at the state and national levels. Northwest also is working with Academic Partnerships, a vendor that provides support and services to help Northwest with its online enrollment, to build momentum and grow its nursing programs. Northwest began offering courses within the program in August 2018.

The National League for Nursing is dedicated to excellence in nursing and is regarded as the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. It offers faculty development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants and public policy initiatives to its more than 40,000 individual and more than 1,200 institutional members, comprising nursing education programs across the spectrum of higher education and health care organizations. Furthermore, CNEA accreditation helps programs focus on continuous improvement and ensures they are addressing the needs of employers.

For more information about Northwest’s online RN to BSN program, visit nwmissouri.edu/programs/rn-to-bsn.

– Northwest Missouri State University news release –