NEWS
CLASSIFIEDS
AUTO
HOMES
JOBS
Marshall White - Reporter

Photo of Marshall White
Contact Marshall via e-mail
Call Marshall at 816-271-8646.
RSS Feed of Marshall's stories
Property of the Past, Oct. 5, 2009
by Marshall White
Monday, Oct. 5, 2009

Property of the Past, Oct. 5, 2009

Charges added against murder suspects
by Marshall White
Friday, Oct. 2, 2009

SAVANNAH, Mo. — The state filed additional charges against two murder suspects Thursday, as an alleged co-conspirator testified under tight security about details in the May 2 killing of Antonio Jose Maravilla-Vargas.

Campaign boosts Camp Geiger
by Marshall White
Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009

Members of the Boy Scouts of America’s Pony Express Council and a variety of community leaders have conducted a seven-week campaign, raising funds for a new shooting program and other improvements at Camp Geiger.

Large crowd welcomes home twin soldiers
by Marshall White
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009

It had been May since the twins were in town. This time, one brother got attention, even if he didn’t want it. John Michael Gomez — everyone calls him Mike — stands tall and looks older than his 21 years, perhaps because of the scars around his missing right eye. He’s hoping his twin brother, Sean Patrick Gomez, won’t want to one-up his Purple Heart. A forward observer, Spc. Michael Gomez is in the Army’s 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, attached to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y. Since January, he has been working in Afghanistan’s Lowgar Province.

Property of the Past, Sept. 21, 2009
by Marshall White
Monday, Sept. 21, 2009

Every now and then, St. Joseph history shows up in some unusual places. Cindy Daffron, director of the Pony Express Museum, got quite a surprise when a member called to ask her if she’d seen the October issue of Road and Track magazine. She hadn’t, but she was glad when she did.

Library board cuts back as revenues continue fall
by Marshall White
Friday, Sept. 18, 2009

Declining revenues are forcing the St. Joseph Public Library to close on Sundays.

Katrina survivor was a fighter
by Marshall White
Friday, Sept. 18, 2009

Martha “Ann” Bubb, 68, was one of those people who never met a stranger during her life. She died here in St. Joseph on Sept. 1. “I’d lived here for two years when she came, and in one talk with the neighbors she’d learned a life history and knew more than I did about them,” said Mikal Jonasson, a longtime friend. “She always was a real people person.”

Authorities arrest 3 in marijuana raid
by Marshall White
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009

CAMERON, Mo. — Law enforcement officers made time Tuesday for a $1.3 million pot roast.
The roast was the culmination of a three-month marijuana investigation that started with a citizen’s tip to Caldwell County Sheriff Jerry Galloway.

'Living examples of Scouting values'
by Marshall White
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009

Dozens of Boy Scouts and their leaders, family members and friends filled Civic Center Park Tuesday evening. The occasion was the start of a yearlong celebration for the 100th anniversary of Scouting, a presentation of the Pony Express Council’s 2009 Eagle Scout class and the rededication of the park’s Statue of Liberty.

Third Suspect Arrested In Wal-Mart Shooting-Robbery
by Marshall White
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009

A third suspect has turned himself in to authorities.

Police seek suspect in Wal-Mart parking lot shooting
by Marshall White
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009

Police continue to search for one of the three persons allegedly involved in a parking lot shooting and robbery Friday.

Property of the Past, Sept. 14, 2009
by Marshall White
Monday, Sept. 14, 2009

The public is invited to help a local congregation celebrate the 100th anniversary of the St. Francis Xavier Parish’s church building on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 27. St. Joseph architect Edmund Eckel designed a church showing a Gothic revival influence that dominates the southwest corner of 27th and Seneca streets. The building was dedicated in February 1909.

Court consolidation causes chagrin
by Marshall White
Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009

SAVANNAH, Mo. — Court consolidation of clerical duties under one appointing authority upset Andrew County’s presiding commissioner this past week.

139th Airlift Wing to be inspected in January
by Marshall White
Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009

Scrooge may be the middle name of the 139th Airlift Wing’s new commander.

Suspect charged in beating, burglary
by Marshall White
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009

Prosecutors charged a convicted felon in the Sept. 1 baseball-bat beating of a local pharmacist who foiled a burglary attempt.

Guard unit returns on solemn day
by Marshall White
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009

Patriot Day held special meaning for two groups of people Friday.
About 100 family members, plus members of the 139th Airlift Wing, impatiently waited at Rosecrans Memorial Airport for a returning plane. And at the National Military Heritage Museum, more than 100 young people, local citizens, politicians, emergency responders and law enforcement officers gathered to remember those who died on Sept. 11, 2001, and those who have died in the war on terror since.

Antique mall opens
by Marshall White
Friday, Sept. 11, 2009

SAVANNAH, Mo. — A not-for-profit group celebrated the opening Thursday of another new Northwest Missouri business — Kinder Kountry Antique Mall.

Prison has been 'a huge positive' for 10 years
by Marshall White
Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009

More than 50,000 inmates have passed through the doors of the Western Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center since it opened. Even Wednesday’s rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of some 125 prison officials, legislators, city officials and employees as they celebrated 10 years of work in the 168-acre facility that includes a reception center, treatment center and minimum security prison.
“I remember, like yesterday, a cold night at the Ramada Inn, where people were pointing fingers and screaming about the possibility of a prison in St. Joseph,” said Charlie Shields, president pro tem of the Missouri Senate.

Property of the Past, Sept. 7, 2009
by Marshall White
Monday, Sept. 7, 2009

Throughout the 20th century, this brick building dominated the northeast corner of Seventh and Messanie streets. It was this city’s first central police station. Today, it’s a candidate for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.

Who controls the Guard?
by Marshall White
Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009

Missouri’s adjutant general says the National Guard is a governor’s best alternative to provide relief for both local and national disasters, and downplayed the need to have those troops under federal control.

Push to replace jail locked up by finances
by Marshall White
Friday, Sept. 4, 2009

Andrew County officials agree on two things about their county jail: The 1905 building needs to be replaced, and it can’t cost the taxpayers any more money.
County commissioners have agreed to work with Sheriff Bryan Atkins to examine the issues.
“It won’t get built if we have to raise taxes to do it,” said Larry Atkins, the presiding commissioner. Mr. Atkins worked during the 1960s as a deputy sheriff, and he said the jail was outdated then.
The real problem is, the jail doesn’t meet federal standards, said Andrew County Associate Circuit Judge Michael Ordnung.

7 suspected drug dealers arrested in raid
by Marshall White
Friday, Sept. 4, 2009

Law enforcement officers swept through the community Thursday, arresting seven suspected drug dealers. They searched four locations, arrested two additional people and searched for eight other suspects.

23 cadets take oaths during ROTC ceremony
by Marshall White
Friday, Sept. 4, 2009

Cadets from nine universities and colleges gathered Thursday to celebrate the ongoing triumphs of Missouri Western State University’s military education programs.

Man charged in robbery, suspected in others
by Marshall White
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation obtained a warrant Tuesday charging a suspect in the Aug. 4 robbery of the Goppert Financial Bank in Lathrop.

Cases mount for former grain firm owner
by Marshall White
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009

GALLATIN, Mo. — A paperwork mistake led to the dismissal of a felony bad check case against Daniel Froman, the former owner of the Gallatin Grain Co.

Sheriff to review actions of deputy involved in weekend car chase
by Marshall White
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009

Sheriff Mike Strong will review the actions of a deputy involved in a chase Saturday that led to a man being hospitalized.

New shooting range planned for Camp Geiger
by Marshall White
Monday, Aug. 31, 2009

The local Boy Scout council is moving forward with creating a new, first-class, tournament-style shooting range.
“This will open a whole new area of training for our Boy Scouts and provide off-season opportunities for the public, businesses and corporations to experience part of Camp Geiger,” said Ken Siemens, a local attorney and Boy Scout volunteer.
When everything is completed this fall, the new range will be on the way toward becoming one of the top five sporting clay facilities in the nation, said Alan Franks, Pony Express Council director.

Listen to that engine purr
by Marshall White
Monday, Aug. 31, 2009

It was a perfect Sunday for a car show in the Triumph Foods parking lot.

Property of the Past, Aug. 31, 2009
by Marshall White
Monday, Aug. 31, 2009

St. Joseph has a museum about death and the funeral business, called the Heaton-Bowman-Smith and Sidenfaden Funeral Museum. Cincinnati cabinetmaker David Heaton founded the Heaton Undertaking WareRooms in Sparta, Mo., in 1842. He moved his business to St. Joseph and became the country’s first full-time licensed undertaker. The company is the oldest funeral firm in Missouri and the oldest business firm in Buchanan County.

Suspects have long criminal pasts
by Marshall White
Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009

Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney Dwight Scroggins charged two convicted felons Friday with second-degree murder in the shooting death Tuesday of a local businessman, Larry Norris.
“The St. Joseph Police Department officers and detectives have worked tirelessly since this senseless killing occurred to identify those responsible,“ said Mr. Scroggins. “They continue to work to complete their investigation on this case but no additional defendants are anticipated at this time.”
In a sworn statement filed with the courts, Detective Richard Shelton stated that Christopher William Lee Helton, 35, and Michael Wayne Limley, 36, went to Valvoline Express Care, 3419 Gene Field Road on Tuesday morning to commit a robbery.

Compliance checks net arrests
by Marshall White
Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009

With support from the U.S. Marshal’s office and seven other law enforcement agencies, sheriff’s deputies began compliance checks Friday on all Buchanan County registered sex offenders.

Individual detained in Norris’ slaying
by Marshall White
Friday, Aug. 28, 2009

An individual was taken into custody on Thursday as part of an ongoing police investigation into Tuesday’s slaying of a 64-year-old local businessman, and police say they are close to solving the city’s first homicide this year.
“The department detained a person of interest and detectives are questioning the individual,” said Capt. Kevin Castle, a St. Joseph Police Department spokesman.
A Deffenbaugh Disposal trash hauler discovered owner Larry Norris’ body at 6:49 a.m. Tuesday behind Valvoline Express Care, 3419 Gene Field Road.

Lawhon to be inducted into hall of fame
by Marshall White
Friday, Aug. 28, 2009

A retired News-Press photographer whose decades of work chronicled ordinary life and historic moments throughout Northwest Missouri will be inducted into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame.

Suspect being questioned in Norris murder
by Marshall White
Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009

Its not television, but a methodical police investigation into Tuesday’s slaying of a 64-year-old local businessman resulted in the arrest of a suspect Thursday. Police believe they are close to solving the city’s first homicide of 2009.

Judge sets suspect’s bail at $250K
by Marshall White
Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009

A 44-year-old man who allegedly robbed a Platte City discount store Tuesday was taken to court Wednesday on another charge.
No charges were filed against Michael Sandgren, 44, in the Platte County robbery or any other robberies. However, the state did take him to court on a warrant filed in June, charging him with forgery.
The original bond had been $4,500. Prosecutors argued Wednesday that no bond should be allowed in the case. Associate Circuit Judge Ronald Taylor denied the prosecution motion, but upped the bail to $250,000.

Standoff ends up being training exercise for police
by Marshall White
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009

Police officers used extreme caution when an employee of Valvoline Express Care discovered a barricade at the entrance to his mobile home Tuesday.
Officers were interviewing Valvoline employees and acquaintances of the company owner to develop leads in a homicide case. The body of owner Larry Norris was discovered Tuesday near the business.
Chris Hilton had invited officers to enter his home, and the barricade indicated to him that someone might be in the residence.

Auction draws crowd at D&G Restaurant
by Marshall White
Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009

Collectors and onlookers, more than 400 strong, packed themselves like sardines into a back room for the start of Saturday’s memorabilia auction at the D&G Restaurant. Before the gavel fell on the last item, Dirk Soulis Auctions hammered down more than $50,000 in sales for the items that had lined the walls of the former St. Joseph institution.

Residents raise concerns about ambulance district
by Marshall White
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009

Andrew County residents and employees turned out Monday to gather information and complain about their tax-supported ambulance district. The No. 1 issue involved response times.

Man charged with felony abuse of infant
by Marshall White
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009

The state charged a registered sex offender Saturday with felony abuse of an infant only 7 weeks old as a result of a police investigation.

Jesse James rides again?
by Marshall White
Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009

It’s not the famous outlaw resurrected from the dead, but Jesse James is sitting in a Northwest Missouri jail after an alleged two-state crime spree.

Kansas firm turns nose up to bad smells
by Marshall White
Friday, Aug. 14, 2009

Local companies don’t have to worry about creating offensive smells, according to a firm in Mission, Kan.

Pilots share love of flying
by Marshall White
Friday, Aug. 14, 2009

Since the 1940s, when they first learned to fly, two pilots have lifted off with regularity into the skies around St. Joseph.
On a nice day, Harry Wallace, 81, might be sitting in an easy chair beside a Bonanza A-35 he keeps in a city T-hangar at Rosecrans Memorial Airport. His buddy, Jerry Acord, 80, can often be found seated at a table in the Airport Cafe.
“Harry’s our airport mechanical guru,” said Dr. Ron Wade, a retired veterinarian and longtime pilot. “If we need advice, his experience can usually help.”

Camp Woodland closes for good
by Marshall White
Friday, Aug. 14, 2009

The Girl Scouts’ temporary closing of Camp Woodland at Albany, Mo., will become permanent, while leaders maintain that commitment to the region remains strong.

Plenty of excitement over Savannah school
by Marshall White
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009

Contractors and staff at the Savannah R-III School District’s new $12 million middle school scrambled in and out of the facility Tuesday. Meanwhile, graders and other construction equipment were creating a new outdoor track area. All were working to ensure everything is ready for next Wednesday’s start of a new academic year.

Big surprise highlights Guard unit's return
by Marshall White
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009

A marriage proposal ended one citizen/soldier’s tour Monday when he flew in to Rosecrans from a two-month assignment in Afghanistan. Tech. Sgt. Josh Thomas was the first airman to step off the bus when it pulled up Monday. Waiting for her boyfriend was Allie Thebeau, Mr. Thomas’ best friend for the last three years. With a kiss and a hug, the returning veteran, an avionic’s specialist who works with guidance control systems, gave Miss Thebeau a dozen yellow roses. Before his sweetheart could catch her breath, the sergeant was on one knee and proposing with a diamond ring. Miss Thebeau couldn’t hold back the tears as she nodded up and down, accepting the proposal with a big smile. “It was a complete surprise,” she said.

Property of the Past, Aug. 10, 2009
by Marshall White
Monday, Aug. 10, 2009

Before MP3 players, electronic games and a host of other children’s distractions, wooden toys were the playthings for American children. Some of the best wooden toys came from a German immigrant who made toy pianos, dolls, doll houses and blocks in Philadelphia.

Rural areas not immune to cyber attacks
by Marshall White
Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009

Foreign criminals continue to attack city governments, utilities, businesses and charities while using increasingly sophisticated computer programming attacks or mail fraud, all in an attempt to take money. A cyber attack allegedly based in Ukraine successfully wormed its way into the coding systems of the Trenton Municipal Utility in May. The attack used a Trojan horse hidden in a legitimate e-mail to creep into the utility’s account that handles the state revolving loan funds, said Kerry Sampson, the city administrator.

Patee improvements precede anniversary
by Marshall White
Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009

The 150th anniversary of the start of the Pony Express will be in full swing next April and two local institutions are sprucing up for the coming events that could bring out-of-town visitors to St. Joseph.

Vandals target area near Webster School in spree
by Marshall White
Friday, Aug. 7, 2009

Vandals struck a neighborhood near Webster Elementary School on North 18th Street early Thursday and spray-painted more than a dozen cars with white and red paint.

Vandals strike neighborhood around Webster school
by Marshall White
Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009

Vandals struck a neighborhood near Webster School early Thursday morning and spray-painted more than a dozen cars with white and red paint.