Ahmad Safi
Public Safety Reporter

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Call Ahmad at 816-271-8592.

Pantries feel the pinch
by Ahmad Safi
Friday, Nov. 21, 2008

When her future in-laws brought canned foods over nearly two years ago so their then-6-year-old grandson would be in a household with food, Cheryl Ketchum swallowed her pride and applied for food stamps.
Then, three months ago, at age 27, pregnant and unable to stretch her long-time paycheck as a cashier, she gulped her pride when she walked into a food pantry for a cardboard box full of food rations. Her expenses are no longer manageable.
“It’s been a struggle for a while, but it’s just got to that point,” Ms. Ketchum said, seated Thursday afternoon in the receiving room at the InterServ’s Calvin Center. “Hopefully, by the beginning of next year, if we can keep prices from going up anymore ... we’ll be doing better.”

Search for the ‘forgotten’
by Ahmad Safi
Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008

Whitney Newton swears she’s seen the silhouette of two men just past the railroad crossing. Her friends shine their flashlights. Nothing.

Health Department wants countywide food code
by Ahmad Safi
Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008

Local health inspectors say they lack direct enforcement over six restaurants outside St. Joseph city limits and that ties their hands when they wish to shut down an unsafe kitchen.

Groups drop bingo as losses mount
by Ahmad Safi
Friday, Nov. 14, 2008

A smoking ban has played a part in the ending of a weekly bingo game at the Firefighter’s Local No. 77 union hall.
Two Downtown St. Joseph nonprofit organizations will stop sponsoring bingo next week, citing a sharp decline in charitable gambling revenues following the smoking ban. The AFL-CIO Community Services and Downtown Sertoma will end support for the once-profitable Thursday night bingo.
The trouble began in February, when the firefighters’ union made the controversial decision to make the hall smoke free.

Group aims to help incarcerated women
by Ahmad Safi
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008

A Christian-based program that seeks to steer women incarcerated at the Buchanan County Jail on the right path has launched. The newly formed outreach center also provides spiritual support to women separated from their families because of substance abuse, domestic violence and incarceration.

MGP faces 'triple-whammy'
by Ahmad Safi
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008

MGP Ingredients continues to ease out of the commodities market with the stop of some manufacturing operations in Illinois today.

City sells rescued birds for $1,060
by Ahmad Safi
Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008

Fifteen recently rescued birds were sold by the city of St. Joseph through sealed bidding Friday afternoon.

Volunteers ring in the holidays
by Ahmad Safi
Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008

Danny Edwards stood in the cold for eight hours on Friday to honor a debt.
After an accident blinded him, Mr. Edwards, 64, said the Salvation Army helped with utilities and food, and it bought Christmas gifts for his kids.
“I’m just returning the favor,” Mr. Edwards said.

Economy revives layaway
by Ahmad Safi
Friday, Nov. 7, 2008

Waning credit and rising unemployment these days means longer lines at layaway counters in St. Joseph’s Kmarts.
Promoted in national advertising for the first time in years, the shopping technique in which stores hold on to purchases while customers pay for them little by little is back in style.
The process dates to the Great Depression, but has received increased relevance this holiday season as consumers pinch pennies and retail experts forecast lower holiday earnings.

United Way surpasses goal
by Ahmad Safi
Friday, Nov. 7, 2008

The crowd shouted hoots and hollers Thursday evening as word reached them that the United Way topped its $3.55 million campaign goal by $42,000 this year.

Gray Manufacturing cuts 16 jobs
by Ahmad Safi
Friday, Nov. 7, 2008

Gray Manufacturing cut 16 jobs on Wednesday — about 10 percent of its work force — in reaction to shrinking credit in a global economic downturn.

80 animals rescued from home
by Ahmad Safi
Monday, Nov. 3, 2008

At the front patio to the home in which officials seized 80 animals, a person’s gag reflex kicks in at intervals to keep the stench of urine and feces from entering the body.
The home is yellow-taped — uninhabitable. St. Joseph Animal Control and Rescue officials took 31 rats, 24 cats, 15 birds, six dogs, two guinea pigs and a mouse from a 32-year-old woman’s home on Oct. 23.
Two weeks prior, the woman told an animal welfare organization in Iowa that she was taking in strays, like the rats, so they wouldn’t become snake food.

Lost in translation
by Ahmad Safi
Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008

When a police officer in China pulls over a vehicle, he expects the motorist to get out and talk with him. In the U.S., you stay in the car, hands visible, seat belt clicked.

Land owner, city bicker over bill
by Ahmad Safi
Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008

Earlier this month, Lila Catherall-Kirby called a 21-year-old man in Excelsior Springs, Mo. She did not know him.

St. Joe market adds 900 jobs
by Ahmad Safi
Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008

St. Joseph’s job market added about 900 more workers in payroll jobs in September, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated Wednesday.

ReStore warehouse to shutter Dec. 31
by Ahmad Safi
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008

Knowing the end is near, Margaret Crawford, a 69-year-old handywoman, stood in the cool, cavernous Habitat for Humanity warehouse Saturday afternoon.

Resident soaked by $1,700 water bill
by Ahmad Safi
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008

It takes 71,000 gallons to run the Ramada Monkey Cove Water Park. With all pumpers going, the St. Joseph Fire Department uses 5,500 gallons per minute to fight a fully involved house fire. Once a year, the YWCA Fitness & Aquatic Center uses 72,000 gallons to drain and refill its pool.
But 100,000 gallons for a 1,000-square-foot, five-member home?
That’s how much Missouri American Water Co. told Joanna Burns she and family used in October at their South Side home. Total bill: $1,714.47.
She received her monthly bill Monday. Shocked, she slipped it back into the envelope, hoping she’d misread it. When she opened the bill again, the number hadn’t changed.

Towns question merger plans
by Ahmad Safi
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008

ELWOOD, Kan. — As three school boards consider a monumental proposal, the real prospect that three school districts could merge services and possibly buildings through a co-op agreement has met real turbulence by town residents.

Helping others is a full-time job
by Ahmad Safi
Monday, Oct. 27, 2008

The three women seem extremely nosy.
When a 21-year-old man calls, they ask him why he lost his job. They ask a disabled woman about her condition that makes her need extra toilet paper. They pepper child-care questions to a bewildered grandmother who asks for gas money to pick up her newborn grandchild at a Kansas prison.
The stories are real tear-jerkers.

Stock market plunge takes bite out of nonprofit endowments
by Ahmad Safi
Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008

Nearly three months into the economic downturn, panic and stock-selling among area nonprofit organizations isn’t happening. Endowment managers say they are determined to ride it out. Some call it the “wait-and-see approach;” others, “hunkerdown mode.”
But already, extreme volatility in today’s markets is being felt in the local nonprofit sector.

Program paying YMCA fees for military families
by Ahmad Safi
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008

Local YMCAs will give free memberships to military families as part of a Department of Defense initiative to help ease the stress of deployment.

So much for a getaway
by Ahmad Safi
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008

The fliers were all made up. An ad in the local newspaper. “Our tortoise is missing. Have you seen Emma?” Then, on Friday, in slow tortoise energy, Emma, a 10-year-old African Spurred tortoise, crawled into the open and trekked home. She had been hiding in a neighbor’s backyard — only a state fence prevented her from finding passage onto Interstate 229.

Gibbons aims for drug-fight funds
by Ahmad Safi
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008

In 2009, cold sufferers in Mexico will find it harder to get relief. And that will mean a headache for law enforcement in Missouri.

Details of pursuit released
by Ahmad Safi
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008

The pursuit is winding. It’s dangerous. It’s hot. And it was key in ending the career of a Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department deputy and former Republican candidate for sheriff. And it was key in ending the career of a Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department deputy and former Republican candidate for sheriff.

Cell phone celebrates 25 years in our lives
by Ahmad Safi
Monday, Oct. 13, 2008

Anyone who had a cellular phone in the 1980s was either important or wanted everyone to think they were important. Now we’re all VIPs. And today, 25 years to the day after the grandson of Alexander Graham Bell received the first commercial cellular call, these tiny devices have become inexorably connected in our lives. Now 84 percent of the U.S. population owns a cell phone, according to the Wireless Association. Global penetration is higher, with developing countries installing cell phone towers instead of traditional phone lines.

Toxicology expert links tumor cases to former plant
by Ahmad Safi
Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008

CAMERON, Mo. — Despite a state report that says otherwise, a Kansas City personal injury law firm told residents Saturday that their five-month investigation shows a larger than expected number of cancer cases among the town’s 6,500 residents. Dr. James Dahlgren, a California toxicology expert made famous by a movie about Erin Brockovich, said the high incidences are the aftereffects of the former Rockwool Industries insulation plant, which operated in Cameron for 18 years, between 1974 and 1992. Ms. Brockovich was to speak in Cameron on Monday, but organizers said she postponed due to a scheduling conflict.

After trial, life goes on
by Ahmad Safi
Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008

As Ava Martinez is wheeled closer, the suspension on the Honda minivan slackens. The vehicle drops and a ramp pops out. Like so many things in the 5-year-old’s life, the van is specialized to her needs. She’ll need total care for her remaining shortened life span. Two weeks after a Buchanan County jury found her mother’s former fiance Joshua Blinde innocent in causing her injuries, life goes on for the severely brain-damaged girl and her caretakers, who are still bitter over the verdict.

Nature Center may open in November
by Ahmad Safi
Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008

The anticipated launch date over Fourth of July weekend came and went without the new Remington Nature Center of St. Joseph. Reason: The Missouri River flooded.
The second week in August launch date came and went too. Reason: setup of the 7,000-gallon aquarium.
Now, the grand opening is slated for mid-November. Reasons for delay: to bring in more taxidermal animals, to put the final touches on exhibits and to acclimate marine life in the aquarium.

All in the family: Hausman defends contracts to relatives
by Ahmad Safi
Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008

Dan Hausman’s signature has approved several county contracts since he was elected Buchanan County Eastern District commissioner in 2005. And with some 300 cousins, nephews and nieces in the St. Joseph area, some relatives have benefited from those contracts.
It is a fact that Mr. Hausman acknowledges: “I just have a large family.”

Jury returns not guilty verdict in Blinde trial
by Ahmad Safi
Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008

Emotions overflowed into a scuffle after a jury found Joshua Blinde innocent of intentionally assaulting a 2-year-old girl.
Ava Martinez’s father Brad Whitford twice yelled “You’ll go to (expletive) hell,” Friday morning as he tried to advance toward Mr. Blinde. He was held back by family members and two courtroom bailiffs, who were joined by other deputies and police detectives to wrestle Mr. Whitford out of the courtroom.
Mr. Blinde, 28, stood unfazed during the confrontation. He sobbed quietly afterward as he embraced his attorneys and family while waiting for the OK to leave the courtroom.

‘Vicious’ dogs won’t be euthanized
by Ahmad Safi
Friday, Sept. 26, 2008

The owner of two Old English bulldogs that attacked two girls in the summer will be able to keep her dogs as long as she leaves St. Joseph city limits.

Lawson admits taking $118,000
by Ahmad Safi
Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008

With a hard gulp and murmur of “guilty,” Bonnie Sue Lawson, former Buchanan County public administrator, pleaded guilty to federal charges she defrauded 120 disabled clients out of their Social Security payments.
On Wednesday afternoon in Kansas City, Ms. Lawson, 68, waived her right to a grand jury. She pleaded guilty to the charge of defrauding the Social Security Administration, a felony. She faces up to 10 years in prison without parole, plus a fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. District Judge Gary Fenner also may order restitution on about $118,000 she admitted to stealing when Ms. Lawson is sentenced within 90 days. She was released Wednesday on a federal personal recognizance bond.

Man pleads guilty to armed robbery
by Ahmad Safi
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008

A 19-year-old Kansas City man pleaded guilty for his role in a McDonald’s armed robbery in which he was shot by police on Feb. 21, 2008.

Witnesses testify against shaken baby syndrome
by Ahmad Safi
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008

Two medical experts testified Tuesday that a short fall could have caused the severe brain injuries suffered by a 2-year-old girl while in the care of her mother’s fiance.

Woman pleads guilty in fatal crash
by Ahmad Safi
Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008

PLATTSBURG, Mo. — Forgiveness didn’t come easy for the parents of a 21-year-old man killed in a car wreck two years ago.

Academy adopts new approach for recovering young offenders
by Ahmad Safi
Monday, Sept. 22, 2008

In the training video, a man with a history of getting into fights is seated next to his counselor. They talk about his problem.
The counselor asks how he can avoid fights. The young man’s eyebrow creases. Perhaps if he doesn’t roll with the same crowd, he says.
“Good,” the counselor responds. “Let’s write that down. Stay away from the situation.”
For about 15 years, the Buchanan County Academy used a military boot camp model in its treatment of juvenile offenders. But that approach has changed in the past two years to a more cognitive approach.

Voter responsibility high for election
by Ahmad Safi
Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008

Buchanan County’s 65 percent projected voter turnout for the presidential election in November is pretty good for the county.

Detectives, doctors testify in trial
by Ahmad Safi
Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008

Ava Martinez was wheeled into the courtroom by her father Wednesday morning, not saying a word, but bringing some jurors to tears. The 5-year-old girl smiled in her wheelchair as her left arm involuntarily moved up and down and she looked around the courtroom.

Property tax rate set slightly higher
by Ahmad Safi
Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008

Buchanan County Commissioners have set the property tax rate 2 percent higher for 2008 — meaning the average resident with a $100,000 home will pay an extra $1.58 this year.

Kerns loses appeal; will begin prison term
by Ahmad Safi
Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008

A St. Joseph man who was found guilty in the death of a 17-month-old boy last year has lost his appeal. He now will begin serving his seven-year prison sentence. The Missouri Western Appellate Court in Kansas City on Tuesday denied the appeal of Christopher M. Kerns, 28, and issued a warrant for his arrest.

Trial starts for man accused of shaking tot
by Ahmad Safi
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008

Before leaving his 2-year-old granddaughter for the night, Dick Martinez made a request to his daughter’s fiancé: “Take it easy on her.”
Ava Martinez was tired and fussy, and didn’t want to leave her grandparents’ home.
The next day, Ava underwent emergency brain surgery.

County money transfer remains a mystery
by Ahmad Safi
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008

It may never be known if one or all three county commissioners signed off on an unauthorized check two years ago that now leaves Buchanan County $300,000 in the hole.
What is clear is the decision to tap the reserve Law Enforcement Center fund was made verbally — no definitive county record exists in the Buchanan County Courthouse. The county must now pay the money back after discovering it had no right to touch the LEC Maintenance Fund.
“That’s the problem with no documentation, especially when you’re dealing with taxpayer money,” County Auditor Nancy Nash said.
County records show two county commissioners — Eastern District Commissioner Dan Hausman and Western District Commissioner Bud Crockett — signed off on the check on May 2, 2006. At least two commissioner signatures are required to approve expenses.

Questions arise over LEC payment
by Ahmad Safi
Monday, Sept. 15, 2008

A check issued in 2006 is causing Buchanan County a new $300,000 headache, and no one is stepping up to take the blame. In late 2005, the county needed to make a payment to E.L. Crawford Construction for renovating and expanding the Law Enforcement Center. At the time, one or all three county commissioners decided to tap a county-controlled fund that contains leftover bond money from a 3/8-cent sales tax voters passed in 1983.

Leaving the force after 25 years
by Ahmad Safi
Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008

Amid a presidential disaster declaration, the Flood of 1993 was hardly fertile ground for love. Cathy Bartram, a Texan who was sent up as part of the federal response, was snapping random photos at Civic Arena one day while awaiting a state political delegation when in he walked. Max Bartram had been coordinating local relief efforts in Buchanan County.

Audit costs could mount
by Ahmad Safi
Friday, Sept. 12, 2008

Buchanan County must settle about 110 cases stemming from Bonnie Sue Lawson’s last year as public administrator.

County officials brace for difficult budget year
by Ahmad Safi
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008

Like most everyone else, Buchanan County is bracing for an upsurge in utility rates and inflation in 2009.

Lawson agrees to plead guilty
by Ahmad Safi
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008

Former Buchanan County Public Administrator Bonnie Sue Lawson has a federal court date set — more than two years after an investigation into her office began. Current Public Administrator Bill McMurry said he received a call from the FBI on Tuesday confirming Ms. Lawson will plead guilty in Kansas City on Sept. 24. It is unclear what she will plead guilty to as no charges have been filed by John F. Wood, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

Lawson has federal court date set
by Ahmad Safi
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008

Former Buchanan County Public Administrator Bonnie Sue Lawson has a federal court date set — more than two years after an investigation into her office began.

County may sell land for new development near Shoppes
by Ahmad Safi
Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008

The Buchanan County Commission is in discussions with an out-of-state developer to market 15 acres near the Shoppes at North Village.
The new retail development will be just northwest of the Interstate 29 and North U.S. Highway 169 intersection.
The county will sell the land to the developer, and use that money to lay road, utilities and sewer lines to the land. Unlike past projects at the Shoppes, the development will not involve tax increment financing.

Sheriff looks into wrongdoing claim at county road barn
by Ahmad Safi
Friday, Aug. 29, 2008

A county road barn that had four employees cut last week is under investigation for possible misappropriations.