Category 04 22 99

Your letters

By in04 22 99

Detecting a defect

To all governmental employees regardless of agency, military or otherwise, who plan on retiring, and who at the same time, plan on applying for Social Security benefits: Beware, the Social Security system has two regulations they use to cut your benefits to almost half their amount. These are used primarily on government retirees.

These two regulations are: The government pension offset, and the windfall elimination provision. Ask the Social Security for a copy of these regulations, and judge for yourself the fairness.

Money cannot be used as an excuse when so much is given so freely to all nations, even our sworn enemies. These are defects in the system that need to be eliminated, and can be if all who fall into this category, those already retired, and all potential retirees, will continually prod our lawmakers. Their full addresses can be obtained at the library.

John Sweetle

What’s up: highlights of things to do

By in04 22 99
TODAY

Earth Day

FRIDAY

No events submitted.

SATURDAY

The March of Dimes WalkAmerica begins at 10 a.m. in Hyde Park. Registration begins at 9 a.m.

Future Farmers of America Alumni are having a 10-point pitch tournament at 7 p.m. at the vocational agriculture building on Smith Avenue in Gower. A potluck supper will be served at 5:30 p.m. There will be a $3 admission fee. 

The Weston Lions Club’s 17th annual antiques and collectibles market will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in Burley House No. 1 on Main Street. There will be 65 dealers from the four-state area displaying antiques and collectibles.

The Stanberry United Methodist Church is having a Cook-Off Contest at 2 p.m. at Park and Fourth streets in Stanberry.

SUNDAY

The Amity Lions Club is having a Smoked Pork Chop Dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Maysville, Mo., School lobby on Main Street. The cost for adults is $5 with proceeds going for sight conservation.

To list an item in What’s Up, call the city desk at 278-2556.

Vital statistics

By in04 22 99
Births

The following births were reported at Heartland Regional Medical Center. The general public visiting hours are noon to 8 p.m. daily.

Billy T. Blades and Brandy Thomas, Hamilton, Mo., a daughter, born Wednesday, April 21, 1999.

Mike and Mary Ann Moore, Gallatin, Mo., a son, born Wednesday, April 21, 1999.

Ryan and Laura Schaeffer, Wathena, Kan., a son, born Wednesday, April 21, 1999.

Cory Davis and Kandy Hodkins, St. Joseph, a daughter, born Wednesday, April 21, 1999.

Marriage licenses

Ronald Wesley Blakley, 39, and Melody Le Burtis, 51, both of St. Joseph.

Roger Dale Guinn, 30, and Regina Jolene Smith, 27, both of St. Joseph.

Scott Reese Pulham, 29, and Sandra Hughes, 32, both of St. Joseph.

Divorce suit granted

Division 2

Judge Weldon Judah

Donna Louise Coats and Joseph Duane Coats, both of St. Joseph; maintenance of $1,200 per month for 10 years; maiden name of Lambing restored to her.

Tragedies may not be preventable

By in04 22 99
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — State Rep. Randall Relford was principal of a grade school for 30 years before he retired in 1995. Only once did he encounter a student with a gun.
Mr. Relford, D-Cameron, took the gun away, and the student was suspended.
“That was one year before I retired, and I thought then, ‘It’s about time to retire,'” he said.
School shootings have dramatically increased since then. In the past 18 months, 12 people were killed at schools in Pearl, Miss., Springfield, Ore., West Paducah, Ky., and Jonesboro, Ark. And 15 people were killed in Tuesday’s shooting in Littleton, Colo.
The Missouri General Assembly has tried to address the problem. In 1996, it passed the Safe Schools Act, which created a strict, statewide policy toward weapons in schools. It outlawed guns and other weapons in schools and on school property. It also mandated the expulsion of students who bring weapons onto school property.
“But no matter what we do, or what laws we pass, you never really know where a tragedy like this might occur or how it can be stopped,” said state Rep. Glenda Kelly, D-St. Joseph, who co-sponsored the Safe Schools Act.
Another facet of the law helped local districts fund alternative schools for students with social, disciplinary, truancy and academic problems.
St. Joseph has used the funding to set up three alternative schools for troubled children, including one each for grade school, middle school and high school students. The alternative schools have counselors and more teachers per student. About 150 of the district’s 12,200 students are part of the alternative schools.
“It’s a situation where we are constantly working with the students, working out their problems with them, showing them ways to solve problems through talking and communicating rather than through physical violence,” said Dr. Vince Paolillo, the district’s director of secondary education.
Mr. Paolillo said the alternative schools are “much more expensive.” They require specially trained counselors and teachers, as well as facilities. More state funding for these types of services is one way the state might be able to help Missouri schools avoid tragedy.
Another approach Mr. Relford suggested is to help schools fund programs that train teachers to notice warning signs among students and identify developing social problems. Mr. Relford said he’d support allowing districts to use professional development money, which the state already provides to schools to help districts continue the education of their teachers, for these training programs.
“I think you have to know your student population,” Mr. Relford said. “You have to be cognizant of the students’ feelings, know who the loners are, know where the societal problems are. But teachers have to know what to look for.”
But no quick legislative fixes are available, said state Rep. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph.
“We’re not going to be able to totally legislate away these kinds of random acts of violence,” Mr. Shields said.

For a “Safe Schools” guide, visit the following Internet site:
http://www.air-dc.org/cecp/guide/textonly.htm

St. Joseph police briefs

By in04 22 99

Arrests

Karla Jean King, 32, 1614 Faraon St., about 4:45 p.m. Tuesday at 3600 Frederick Ave. on a state warrant charging her with violating school compulsory attendance law.

Marlee Ann Dowlen, 32, 3517 S. 41st Terrace, about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday at the Law Enforcement Center, 501 Faraon St., on a city warrant charging her with failure to appear in court and a Lafayette County warrant charging her with passing bad checks.

Tameeka A. Busey, 22, 732 S. 16th St., about 11 p.m. Tuesday at 24th and Olive streets on a city charge of disorderly conduct.

Derrick Micheal Newson, 17, 3115 Penn St., about 11 p.m. Tuesday at 24th and Olive streets on a city charge of disorderly conduct.

Sharon Kay Baynham, 47, 916 S. 14th St., about midnight Wednesday at Frederick and Ashland avenues on a city charge of driving while intoxicated.

Jermaine Tallie, 19, North Kansas City, Mo., about 12:15 a.m. Wednesday by Buchanan County sheriff’s deputies on a state warrant charging him with driving while license revoked.

Randy Dewayne Martin, 36, DeKalb, Mo., about 8:45 a.m. Wednesday at 224 N. Seventh St. on a charge of parole violation.

Shaun Evan Tompkins, 19, 1105 Oscar St., about 1 p.m. Wednesday at 300 E. Highland Ave. on a state warrant charging him with failure to appear in court.

Assault reported

Camilo Amador, 30, told police he was struck in the eye with a beer bottle by a man unknown to him on Sunday at 11th and Penn streets.

Summonses issued

Ryan D. Pike, 13615 State Route MM, about 5:15 p.m. Monday at North Belt Highway and Oakland Drive for a charge of failure to yield from private drive.

Lori L. Seward, 22021/2 S. 12th St., about 4:30 p.m. Monday at 12th and Sycamore streets for charges of left turn/U-turn in front of another vehicle and driving while license revoked.

Thefts reported

Family Dollar, 809 N. 22nd St., two pairs of tennis shoes from store.

Debra A. Fragee, 714 S. 11th St., two speakers from vehicle at residence.

Keith A. Schmitz, Bolckow, Mo., cellular phone from truck at residence.

Bryan Shroyer, 4602 Heatherwood Court, $10, driver’s license and ATM card from wallet at Noyes Tennis Court.

Ronald Smith, Bolckow, Mo., metal brake from construction site at 3805 Patee St.

Vandalism reported

Gregory K. Pierpoint, 5005 Stonecrest Terrace, side scratched on two vehicles at residence.

Jammie D. Reynolds, 3627 Gene Field Road, tires cut on bicycle on patio of residence.

Kevin P. Yates, 208 E. Highland Ave., tire cut on vehicle at residence.

Fire calls

1516 Felix St., 4:59 p.m. Tuesday, vehicle fire.

1703 Tiffany Square, 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, unconfirmed alarm, no fire or smoke.

2204 Strader Place, 7:46 p.m. Tuesday, transformer fire, line down.

Right Now

By in04 22 99
2 women arrested in incident
involving gun, metal pipe

Two women were arrested after a disturbance allegedly involving a loaded gun and a pipe about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in an apartment building at 1206 Angelique St.

“It could have been bad,” Officer Scott Vanover of the St. Joseph Police Department said.

One of the women allegedly pointed a gun at another woman who allegedly tried to attack her with a metal pipe, Mr. Vanover said. A loaded .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol was recovered at the scene, he said.

Neither of the women were injured, but a 7-year-old boy allegedly was assaulted in the incident. He had a hand mark on his face, Mr. Vanover said.

One of the women was held Wednesday night at the Law Enforcement Center for investigation of assault and the other was held for investigation of unlawful use of a weapon, he said.

Police withheld their names pending charges.

Police plan North Side survey

By in04 22 99
St. Joseph News-Press
The St. Joseph Police Department, in partnership with the Regional Policing Institute at Missouri Western State College, is planning to conduct a survey in a North Side neighborhood, and the Police Department is inviting residents to participate.
On Saturday, officials sponsored a clean-up day in a South Side neighborhood bordered by Missouri Avenue and Colorado, Blake and Williams streets. The clean-up day was a result of a similar survey. Residents in the neighborhood identified trash and debris as a problem in the survey.
Officials from the city of St. Joseph’s community services department attended a meeting to discuss the problem, and the clean-up day was planned.
Businesses in the area chipped in for Dumpsters and refreshments, and officials from the Police Department and the community policing institute helped cook food and unload trash. Two bicycles were given away to neighborhood children who picked up trash.
Residents who’d like their neighborhood to participate in the next survey are asked to call Cmdr. Mike Hirter of the Police Department at 287-5247 to make arrangements.

Pilot injured in crash released

By in04 22 99
St. Joseph News-Press
A 76-year-old Doniphan, Kan., man injured in a plane crash on April 9 near Atchison, Kan., has been released from the hospital.
George W. Donaldson had been in stable, then good, condition at Heartland Regional Medical Center since the crash.
A nursing supervisor on Saturday said he’d been transferred to the hospital’s downtown campus. A hospital spokesman could not say Wednesday on which day Mr. Donaldson was released from the downtown campus.
The crash is thought to have happened when Mr. Donaldson took off about 6 p.m. from his private airstrip about 10 miles northwest of Atchison in his two-seat plane. Neighbors said the plane clipped some trees at takeoff, lost power and crashed in a wooded area in the valley below his airstrip.

Obituary services

By in04 22 99
Gala Joan (Love) Morrison Adams, 62, Lawson, Mo., formerly of Gallatin, Mo., 10 a.m. today, Bram Funeral Home, Gallatin. Burial: McCrary Cemetery, Gallatin. Family visitation: 9 to 10 a.m. today at the funeral home.
Pablo Becerra, 103, St. Joseph, Mass of Christian Burial: 10 a.m. today, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, St. Joseph. Burial: Mount Olivet Cemetery, St. Joseph. Arrangements: Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel, St. Joseph.
Ordo Frank Berges, 87, Atchison, Kan., 11 a.m. today, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Atchison. Burial: Mount Vernon Cemetery, Atchison. Family visitation: 10 to 11 a.m. today at the church. Arrangements: Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home, Atchison.
Thomas F. Curtin, 77, St. Joseph, Mass of Christian Burial: 1:30 p.m. today, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, St. Joseph. Burial: Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Joseph. Arrangements: Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel, St. Joseph.
Paul R. Corpstein, 57, Nortonville, Kan., Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m. today, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Nortonville. Burial: church cemetery, Nortonville. Arrangements: O’Trimble Funeral Home, Nortonville.
Billie Davidson, 70, Montgomery, Ala., formerly of Trenton, Mo., 1 p.m. today, Whitaker-Eads Funeral Home, Trenton. Burial: Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery, Edinburg, Mo., with military rites by members of the honor guard from Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
Helen (Gordon) Foley, 80, Lakewood, Colo., formerly of St. Joseph, graveside service and burial: 1 p.m. today, Ebenezer Cemetery, St. Joseph. Arrangements: Meierhoffer Family Funeral Care, St. Joseph.
John A. Fries, 82, St. Joseph, 10:30 a.m. today, Rupp Funeral Home, St. Joseph. Burial: St. John’s Cemetery, Amazonia, Mo.
Bernice Mary (Duncan) Hartley, 96, Mercer, Mo., 1 p.m. today, Greenlee-Middleton Funeral Chapel, Princeton, Mo. Burial: Early Cemetery, Mercer. There is no scheduled family visitation.
Ethel G. (Tharp) Jennings, 96, Savannah, Mo., 1:30 p.m. today, Wright-Baker-Hill Funeral Home, Brookfield, Mo. Burial: Laclede, Mo., Cemetery.
Lawrence E. “Larry” McCrary, 63, St. Joseph, 1 p.m. today, McCarthy Baptist Church, St. Joseph. The body will be taken to the church one hour before the service. Burial: 3:30 p.m. today, McCrary Cemetery, Gallatin, Mo. Arrangements: Meierhoffer Family Funeral Care, St. Joseph.
Leona L. (Colson) Sandrock, 87, Falls City, Neb., 10 a.m. today, First United Methodist Church, Falls City. The body will be taken to the church at 8:30 a.m. today. Burial: Steele Cemetery, Falls City. Arrangements: Dorr Funeral Home, Falls City.
Jeanne M. (Libby) Temps, 81, Marysville, Kan., formerly of St. Joseph, graveside service and burial: 11 a.m. today, Marysville City Cemetery. Arrangements: Kinsley Mortuary, Marysville.
Mary F. (Dawson) Taylor, 66, Chillicothe, Mo., 1:30 p.m. today, Mount Zion Baptist Church, Chillicothe. Burial: Meadville, Mo., Cemetery. Visitation: 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. today at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe; and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today at the church, where the family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. today.

Obituary list

By in04 22 99

City Deaths

Robert W. Beaufort

Dorothy M. Eichholz

Keith L. Evans

F. Delores Fisher,* Page B3

Burnsville, Minn.

Eugene R. Hughes, Page B3

Claude C. Newton,* Page B3

Des Moines, Iowa

Charles P.
Ozenberger, Page B3

*Former St. Joseph resident

Missouri Deaths

Howard Boydston

Gladstone, Mo.

Lorene A. Clayton

Savannah, Mo.

Anthony Enderle

Plattsburg, Mo.

Victor L. Knepper

Tarkio, Mo.

Thelma M. McMillen

Grant City, Mo.

Ralph E. Ottmann

Omaha, Neb.

Kansas Deaths

Aurelia G. Hampton, Page B3

Hoyt, Kan.

Kenneth L. Schwope, Page B3

Atchison, Kan.

Area Death

Ivan H. Bieck

Falls City, Neb.