Ray Scherer
Regional Reporter

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Call Ray at 816-271-8582.

A young Michael Jackson left an early impression
by Ray Scherer
Saturday, July 4, 2009

I never would have thought that a budding music star like Michael Jackson would make it to my hometown. But he and his brothers arrived in Sedalia to perform at the 1972 Missouri State Fair.

What are the benefits of art?
by Ray Scherer
Saturday, July 4, 2009

The Zimmerman Highkin Group of Salina, Kan., will hold an informational and visual presentation Thursday in Maryville on public art and how it can benefit a community.

Officials formally break ground for new bridge
by Ray Scherer
Friday, July 3, 2009

The Missouri River was a silent, flowing backdrop Thursday morning as Kansas and Missouri officials recalled history and looked forward to a modern bridge. The formal groundbreaking for a replacement Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge happened about a month after initial preparations began on pier footings. Plans call for the four-lane span to be completed in the fall of 2011.

EPA inquiry finds sludge is not threat
by Ray Scherer
Thursday, July 2, 2009

Sludge containing a toxic chemical and used as fertilizer on area farms does not pose a public health concern, government agencies reported Wednesday.
However, a second round of soil tests is planned for 15 farms this month, officials said at a news conference held at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regional office, said Bill Rice, the agency’s acting regional administrator. Those tests will attempt to determine differences in the presence of chromium 6 among fields with high, moderate and low amounts of spreading.

South Side memorial honors city’s immigrants
by Ray Scherer
Monday, June 29, 2009

The term “sweat equity” was not in vogue when immigrants Herman and Julia Fisher settled in the South Side during the early 20th century.

National music culture tour plans Northwest Missouri stops
by Ray Scherer
Saturday, June 27, 2009

Maryville and Trenton will be host cities for New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music, in 2010.

‘A lot more convenient’
by Ray Scherer
Friday, June 26, 2009

The early signs of a new Missouri River bridge already begin to stand in contrast to the aged span it will replace in two years.
Kansas Department of Transportation and Missouri Department of Transportation officials detailed plans for the new Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge Thursday morning — with the din of busy construction equipment echoing in the background.
Work began earlier in the month to begin placement of pier footings on the Missouri side of the structure. The U.S. Highway 59 bridge will be built about 78 feet south of the existing span. A formal groundbreaking ceremony is set for July 2.

Fireworks season starts off with a bang
by Ray Scherer
Monday, June 22, 2009

All indicators point to a booming fireworks sales season in the St. Joseph area with no concerns over the weak economy. Several fireworks businesses around the city expressed high optimism for 2009’s Fourth of July-related sales, and said the tally may even exceed last year. Prospects rank good for lofty sales at Kovac’s Fireworks, 7701 S.E. King Hill Road, said co-owner Becky Thomas.

Expanded highway to open by July 2010
by Ray Scherer
Saturday, June 20, 2009

A project to expand U.S. Highway 36 into four lanes through all of northern Missouri is now 60 percent complete, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Helena’s oldest citizen honored
by Ray Scherer
Thursday, June 18, 2009

Geneva Slade can’t understand all the fuss made over her role in helping Webster Park in Helena reach its centennial celebration.
In the eyes of the 98-year-old, the small eastern Andrew County community was simply the place where she and her husband, Preston, lived, attended church, farmed, raised a garden and helped folks find ways to celebrate local heritage each late June.
Geneva will be honored at noon June 27 as the oldest member of the Helena community, and people are already offering hearty congratulations. The town began celebrating the park’s first year of 1909, a festival which has remained unbroken. Her activities and contributions to Helena merited the special honor, organizers said.
“I used to help with it a lot,” Geneva said. “Those years are gone.”

Cameron trying to shoo birds away from airport
by Ray Scherer
Monday, June 15, 2009

Numerous birds have chosen to call the Cameron Municipal Airport their home, and authorities are looking for ways to boot them out of the nest.
Cameron City Council members learned Tuesday of a plan to control the airport’s nuisance bird population that would include the use of firearms, said City Manager David Watson.
A large number of Rock Doves, European Starlings and Ring-Tailed Pigeons have built nests in the airport’s T-hangars, city officials said. The birds could pose a fire and mid-flight hazard for aircraft owners if they should ever enter engine cowlings and fuselages.

Young deer now in the spring of their road-roaming flight
by Ray Scherer
Monday, June 15, 2009

Believe it or not, deer are on the move in Northwest Missouri, well ahead of fall’s arrival.
There are reasons why the animals have been discovered moving about in the region’s urban and rural areas, according to Missouri Department of Conservation officials. The deer’s cycle of life during spring also is resulting in wrecks, tales of near misses and the sight of carcasses along highways.
Certain factors spur deer’s increased activity, said Mitch Miller, wildlife regional supervisor at Conservation’s St. Joseph office. A bounty of food on farms and elsewhere in nature is one reason. Growing deer who lose their preferential family roles is another. Next to fall, it’s the second biggest time of the year for deer — more than likely the young — to move around, Mr. Miller said.

Event celebrates child’s life
by Ray Scherer
Monday, June 15, 2009

MARYVILLE, Mo. — Hundreds of children spent Sunday afternoon immersed in their favorite warm-weather pastimes, all to benefit youth who may feel lonely at the hospital.

Helena prepares to observe park centennial
by Ray Scherer
Saturday, June 13, 2009

The small Andrew County town of Helena will observe the centennial of the opening of its park June 27.

Initial work begins on new Earhart bridge
by Ray Scherer
Wednesday, June 10, 2009

The first steps to build a new Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge across the Missouri River are taking shape this month. Transportation officials said the early phases of the project this summer will include geological and archaeological surveys on both sides of the river. Work began last week to prepare for the construction of pier footings, the demolition of properties that cross the construction’s path, and right-of-way studies. “They’ve got to get an accessway built down to the river” for the use of equipment, said Kansas Department of Transportation spokeswoman Kimberly Qualls.

4-county animal shelter under study
by Ray Scherer
Wednesday, June 10, 2009

The four counties that surround Cameron continue to express interest in joining with the city to create a regional animal shelter.

Re-enactors honor fallen Confederate raiders
by Ray Scherer
Monday, June 8, 2009

KINGSTON, Mo. — Two Confederates — executed by Union forces for their role in raiding Caldwell County during the Civil War — finally received a proper burial Sunday afternoon.

Severe storms with large hail rake Daviess, Holt counties
by Ray Scherer
Monday, June 8, 2009

OREGON, Mo. — Large hail caused extensive damage in parts of Daviess and Holt counties Sunday night.

Environmental upgrades reduce Iatan emissions
by Ray Scherer
Saturday, June 6, 2009

Kansas City Power & Light officials recently rolled out the first phase of environmental upgrades at its coal-fired power plant site in northern Platte County.
A new 850-megawatt coal-fired Iatan II plant — set to go on line in summer 2010 — will have identical environmental controls with the existing Iatan I facility, according to project director Brent Davis. For now, KCP&L’s current plant has been retrofitted with systems to remove carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and other toxic emissions.

New GIS group sets inaugural meeting
by Ray Scherer
Saturday, June 6, 2009

The inaugural meeting of a Geographic Information Systems Users’ Group will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 26 at the Remington Nature Center of St. Joseph, 1502 MacArthur Drive.

Nodaway County opens new administration center
by Ray Scherer
Tuesday, June 2, 2009

MARYVILLE, Mo. — Nodaway County officials have followed in their predecessors’ footsteps through a new government building to resolve a longstanding problem with space.

Flea market helps Edgerton prepare for fall event
by Ray Scherer
Monday, June 1, 2009

EDGERTON, Mo. — A weekend flea market helped a small northern Platte County community promote its major festival set for September.

Clinton County Library to hold fundraiser
by Ray Scherer
Saturday, May 30, 2009

The Clinton County Library Friends will host a barbecue tonight at the Youth Building, located one mile east of Plattsburg on Missouri Highway 116.

Farmers want answers about money
by Ray Scherer
Friday, May 29, 2009

Area grain farmers listened Thursday night to state officials explain a process for returning money they invested in a defunct Daviess County elevator.
The Missouri Department of Agriculture administrative hearing, held at the Gallatin High School gym, drew residents who didn’t hide their unhappiness over their lost money.
The hearing was held to propose payouts to grain farmers who invested in the Gallatin Grain Co., formerly owned by Daniel F. Froman.

Music among longtime teacher’s many talents
by Ray Scherer
Friday, May 29, 2009

Happy melodies were a great ally in Jan Beeman’s kindergarten classroom.

Speller stung in third round
by Ray Scherer
Thursday, May 28, 2009

A second year of competition among nearly 300 elite spellers proved to be more of a blessing and joy for Morgan Brown.
Morgan failed to advance beyond the third round of the 2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., incorrectly spelling “thesmothete” — which refers to a lawmaker or legislator. She represented Northwest Missouri in the bee and was sponsored by the News-Press.
She completed an initial written exam Tuesday and then succeeded in her first verbal answer of the day by spelling “hitherto” amid fellow competitors from the United States, Canada and China. The 293 spellers constituted the largest-ever number of entrants for the bee.

St. Joseph gains seats in Silver Haired Legislature
by Ray Scherer
Wednesday, May 27, 2009

For the first time in six years, St. Joseph will have a say in the Missouri Silver Haired Legislature.

Few serious wrecks mark holiday weekend
by Ray Scherer
Tuesday, May 26, 2009

A few traffic crashes marked the Memorial Day weekend on the region’s highways.

Opinions favor leaving detainees at Gitmo
by Ray Scherer
Monday, May 25, 2009

A random survey of local and area residents shows sentiment running against President Obama’s plan to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay by January. All five people interviewed by the News-Press on Sunday said moving terrorism suspects from the facility to the United States would be wrong. Mr. Obama has said it would be feasible to transfer the detainees to maximum-security prisons in the U.S. and is working on details of the process. Among prisons mentioned as potential sites for the suspects is the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., about 60 miles south of St. Joseph. Mr. Obama also has said that continuing to keep the detainees at the site serves as a cause for U.S. enemies.

New restrictions in Kansas await teen drivers in 2010
by Ray Scherer
Sunday, May 17, 2009

Kansas will not be the last state in the nation to levy a graduated driver’s licensing system upon its teenagers.
A new set of requirements favored by the state’s safety advocates will greet new drivers as of Jan. 1, 2010. Kathleen Sebelius signed the measure into law before leaving office as governor.
Supporters say the new law will address the greatest risks to young motorists: inexperience, multiple passengers and late-night driving. Insurance costs also will be reduced.

OATS plans new regional headquarters
by Ray Scherer
Saturday, May 16, 2009

Missouri Older Adults Transportation Services is planning to build new regional headquarters in St. Joseph that could open sometime in 2010.

St. Joseph auto dealership escapes Chrysler’s cuts
by Ray Scherer
Friday, May 15, 2009

Chrysler announced its intention Thursday to close three of its vehicle dealerships in the region, but its St. Joseph franchise will remain open.
The company said it will seek to end its affiliation with the following dealerships: Atchison Automotive Group Inc., Atchison, Kan.; Tony Martens Dodge Inc., Platte City; and Stan Boos Auto Sales Inc., Hiawatha, Kan.
The three proposed closings are part of an effort to reduce the nation’s 3,200 Chrysler dealerships by about a quarter by early June. Low sales at many of the businesses were cited as a factor in the announcement that could impact 789 dealerships in the U.S. The decisions are subject to appeal.

Tarkio man pleads guilty to manslaughter
by Ray Scherer
Thursday, May 14, 2009

MARYVILLE, Mo. — A 30-year-old Tarkio man pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action Wednesday morning in the stabbing death of a Nodaway County man last year.

New church to rise after devastating fire
by Ray Scherer
Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Catholics in Effingham, Kan., have had more than a year to contemplate their vision for a new church after fire destroyed a longtime house of faith.

Area county gets failing grade
by Ray Scherer
Monday, May 11, 2009

Kansas City’s thriving industry and heavy traffic continues to spill dirty air over into Clinton County’s rural atmosphere.
County officials received the bad news — an academic-style “F” — from the American Lung Association more than a week ago, but are taking it in stride. After all, they and everyone else realize it’s a problem inherited by the whims of wind from its greater southern neighbors.
It is the only failing pollution grade the Lung Association reported for a Northwest Missouri county included in the survey.

Fishing clinic set at Smithville Lake
by Ray Scherer
Saturday, May 9, 2009

The Clay County Parks Department is partnering with the Missouri Department of Conservation to host the Clay County Fish Clinic May 16 at Smithville Lake.

Fowl breeder alleges strays harass his business
by Ray Scherer
Friday, May 8, 2009

Donald Hudgins says stray dogs have come close to wiping out his business of raising chickens and other fowl on his DeKalb County farm. Mr. Hudgins, who raises free-range chickens and other birds on property west of Maysville, allegedly shot and killed a Golden Labrador Retriever May 1 owned by one of his neighbors. Dave Taylor, the dog’s owner, alleges that numerous other dogs have been shot in the vicinity.

Schools take top honors in teen seat-belt usage
by Ray Scherer
Friday, May 8, 2009

ALBANY, Mo. — Eight “Seat Belt Sisters!” fashioned their own pink T-shirts to help preach safety awareness to their classmates.

Pastor pleads innocent to sex charges
by Ray Scherer
Wednesday, May 6, 2009

LIBERTY, Mo. — A rural St. Joseph church pastor charged with attempted statutory rape and child enticement was bound over to a higher Clay County court Tuesday morning.

State files charges against former grain company owner
by Ray Scherer
Wednesday, May 6, 2009

The state of Missouri has filed criminal charges against the former owner of a Gallatin, Mo., grain dealership, alleging he stole from numerous farmers.

Samples collected in sludge investigation
by Ray Scherer
Tuesday, May 5, 2009

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and two state offices collected samples at area farms last week in an effort to discover the presence of a suspected chemical in sludge fertilizer.

Shooting death of dog boils over into rural dispute
by Ray Scherer
Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Dave Taylor regarded Sophie, his 10-month-old Golden Labrador Retriever, as part of the family until she was shot to death last Friday.

Making the old new again
by Ray Scherer
Monday, May 4, 2009

Uptown St. Joseph was the place to be Sunday afternoon for all sorts of budget managers to share opinions on the joys of historic preservation.

Silver-Haired Legislature, aging board elections set
by Ray Scherer
Saturday, May 2, 2009

Elections for local representatives to the Missouri Silver-Haired Legislature and Northwest Missouri Area Agency on Aging board are set for Tuesday.

Bargains brewing in Kansas
by Ray Scherer
Friday, May 1, 2009

Knickknacks galore will beckon thrifty shoppers to two traditional flea markets in Doniphan County this weekend. The biannual White Cloud Flea Market is observing its 39th full year of operation, composed of almost 80 sales events, said promoter Jan Tracy. A shrinking economy and the popularity of Internet-based sales have hurt the venture, Mrs. Tracy admitted. High gas prices in recent years haven’t helped, either.

Tannery owner blocked from destroying records
by Ray Scherer
Thursday, April 30, 2009

A Clinton County judge Wednesday ordered a St. Joseph tannery to retain its past and present papers related to the use of sludge on area farmland.
Circuit Judge Brent Elliott made the decision after hearing a motion for a temporary restraining order filed on behalf of two victims and several law firms. The firms represent a Cameron man and a Gallatin woman in a lawsuit against Prime Tanning Co. and National Beef Leathers — past and current owners of a South Side hide tanning operation.

Crowning beauty
by Ray Scherer
Monday, April 27, 2009

Children were permitted to cheer on their mothers as 10 women vied for the title of Mrs. Missouri United States 2009 Sunday night in St. Joseph.

Archives program explores Ioway Indians
by Ray Scherer
Saturday, April 25, 2009

Author Greg Olson discussed his recent book, “The Ioway in Missouri,” Thursday night at the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City.

‘It smelled like death’
by Ray Scherer
Friday, April 24, 2009

Chuck Tripp still recalls the odor that permeated Clarksdale on days that a sludge was spread over nearby farm fields.
“It smelled like death,” he said while dining Thursday at the Hill Top Stop in Stewartsville. “I didn’t like it then and I don’t like it now.”
Mr. Tripp lived on Clarksdale’s south side for more than 25 years and was familiar with the agricultural use of sludge from a St. Joseph tannery as a protein-rich fertilizer. A lawsuit claims the sludge contained a compound called chromium 6 that causes health problems.

Answers in Cameron?
by Ray Scherer
Thursday, April 23, 2009

CAMERON, Mo. — Northwest Missouri residents learned of a theory Wednesday that numerous brain tumors may be linked to a chemical byproduct used by a St. Joseph tannery.
Sludge that contains hexavalent chromium may be responsible for the tumors and other health problems that have cropped up in Cameron and the surrounding area, environmental activist Erin Brockovich told a large crowd at the Goodrich Auditorium.
Ms. Brockovich visited Cameron last fall to hear residents’ concerns about the tumors and pledged to use her resources in a bid to uncover the cause. She told the audience she and her team of investigators are more confident that they have found the cause.
In light of their research, a lawsuit was filed against National Beef Leathers and the past owners of the St. Joseph hide tanning operation located on the South Side and formerly known as Prime Tanning Co.