A Look Back at 2008 Part 2
Enter your body text here.
Editor’s Note: This is the second week of looking back at events that happened in 2008.
JULY
On Friday morning, June 27, 2008, Knox County Commissioners approved another amendment to the county health ordinance providing for capacity guidelines for a Class IV CAFO. Amendment 2.4 A Class IV CAFO is one that has a capacity of 300 to less than 1,000 AU. In October 2007, when Knox County Commissioners made the Class IV amendment to the county health ordinance, they inadvertently omitted those capacity guidelines.
Area residents woke up Wednesday morning, June 25, 2008 to find that Mississippi River residents were not the only ones plagued with high water. Area creeks and rivers across Knox County were at high water levels by mid-morning from 2-8 inches of continuous rains throughout the night. Some areas under water included Hwy. 15 south of Edina near the power substation, Hwy. 156 at Salt River west of the Knox/Macon County line, and State Hwy. F at Little Fabius.
Emergency Management Directors for Knox County and Edina requested sandbags from SEMA to protect low-lying areas around Edina and in Knox County. 22,000 sandbags were unloaded at Farm & Home Friday morning, June 27, 2008.
Helen M. Tonkinson, 63, Hurdland, sustained minor injuries in a traffic accident three miles north of LaPlata early Sunday morning. According to the MSHP, Troop B Macon, Tonkinson was northbound on US 63 in a 2001 Jeep Cherokee at approximately 5:10 a.m. when she swerved to miss a traffic cone in the drivers’ lane that wasn’t supposed to be there. She traveled off the left side of the road, overturned and came to rest on its side. No summons was issued. Tonkinson was transported by Adair County Ambulance to Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville with minor injuries. She was wearing a safety device.
Dakota L. Downing, 17, of rural Baring, MO was injured in a one-vehicle accident involving a cow on Wednesday night, July 2, 2008. According to the MSHP, Troop B, Macon, Downing was eastbound on MO 11, one-half mile west of Rt. J at approximately 11:10 p.m. when he struck a cow in the roadway. Downing was transported by Knox County Ambulance to the Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, MO with minor injuries. The 2001 Toyota Camry driven by Downing was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by Morgret’s Garage, Edina. The MSHP was assisted at the scene by the Knox County Sheriff’s Department and the Knox County Fire and Rescue Squad, in addition to the Knox County Ambulance.
The Knox County Commission and City of Edina are in cooperation on a sidewalk replacement project, which began Monday morning, to tear out and replace curbs and sidewalks on the west side of the Knox County Courthouse.
Two separate accidents occurred in Knox County over the weekend of July 12 and 13, injuring five people, one on Saturday evening and the other on Sunday afternoon. According to MSHP, Troop B, Macon, a collision of two vehicles occurred two miles west of Baring on MO 11 at approximately 7:20 p.m. A 2003 Pontiac driven by Jonathon Martin, 20, of Fennimore, Wisconsin was attempting to make a left turn into a private drive and turned into the path of an eastbound 2001 Dodge operated by Brad Mallett, 28, of Baring, MO. Mallett’s wife, Amy, also of Baring, MO sustained moderate injuries and was taken to Northeast Regional Medical Hospital in Kirksville, MO. Martin also received minor injuries, but sought his own treatment. The MSHP was assisted by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. Martin was cited for failing to yield. Both vehicles were totaled in the accident and towed by Burkholder’s Towing, Baring, MO.
Then, on Sunday afternoon, at 4:50 p.m. Raul C. Carrillo Cruz, 25, of Milan, MO was traveling westbound on MO 6 approximately 4 miles east of Edina when he ran off the right side of the roadway, and overturned coming to rest on the south side of the road. There were two other occupants of the 2002 Chevrolet, Tilar Carrillo Cruz, 10, and Maria Carrillo Cruz, 12, also of Milan, MO. The 12-year-old girl was transported by Air Evac to Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL with moderate injuries. The other two occupants sustained minor injuries and were to seek their own treatment. The totaled vehicle was towed by Robert’s Garage, Ewing, MO.
Attempts to locate a white male subject wanted by the Edina Police Department for a traffic violation and subsequent chase have remained unsuccessful due to recent high water. The chase ended at “Kennedy Bottom” where it is unknown whether or not the subject exited the water or drowned in his attempt to escape law enforcement. Police officials have yet to remove the truck, which neighbors estimate is 10-14 feet underwater. The vehicle, the cab of which was viewed Sunday morning, was totally immersed again Monday morning, Edina having received approximately 1 ½ inches of rain during the night.
AUGUST
The Knox County Commission granted Marvin Penn, Penn Farms, a County Construction Permit for a Class II CAFO on State Highway AA during a public hearing on July 25, in spite of protests and requests for delays from attending citizens. Presiding Commissioner L.P. (Pete) Mayfield credited the Commission’s decision to issue the permit in spite of requests for delays to inclusive paperwork. Commissioners had in their possession an official survey and a DNR-approved permit prior to the hearing.
Last Friday afternoon, police attempted to remove the 1997 Ford F150 owned by Sterling Owens, Sr. of Hannibal, MO, which remains in the creek bed at “Kennedy Bottom” where it was driven on July 26, 2008 by Robert Dean Thompson, while trying to escape law enforcement. Investigations lead police to believe that Thompson did escape from the water and contact his cohorts, however he continues to elude police.
Two men were arrested over the weekend of August 1, 2008 for financial exploitation of an elder/disabled person in Edina recently. Brian S. Ellis, DOB 12-23-1972, of Hannibal, MO was arrested on Friday, August 1, and charged with a Class D Felony. He was picked up on a parole violation having been recently incarcerated for a similar crime. Ellis is being held in Monroe County on a $25,000 cash only bond. Daniel M. Brown, DOB 9-13-1979, of Boonville, MO was arrested on Saturday, August 2, 2008 in Cooper County and charged with a Class C Felony. He was also cited for possession of Under 35 grams of Marijuana, a misdemeanor. Brown is incarcerated in Lewis County on a $25,000 cash only bond.
Owner Jeanne Bailey reported flames behind a cooler at Bailey’s Floral and Gifts on Wednesday afternoon, August 20, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. However, the flames had died away when the fire department responded, Bailey having shut off the cooler’s power after reporting the incident. According to Bailey, the fire’s cause was related to a heating element. In addition to the Edina Fire Department, the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, Edina Police Department and Edina City employees were also at the scene.
SEPTEMBER
City employees have been busy the past couple of weeks making the city look nice for Cornfest. Midwest Mobile Washers, Morrison, IL, was in town on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 giving the water tower a much-needed cleaning. A cleaner containing bleach formula was sprayed to kill enzymes. Then the tower was power washed using approximately 2,500 lbs of pressure, followed by an enzyme barrier to deter mold from returning. The process cost the city $5,555.10; it was last cleaned in 2005.
Charlotte Parrish was honored with a reception at the Edina Country Club by her coworkers on Wednesday, August 27, 2008. Parrish retired on August 31, 2008, after working for the state of Missouri for over 32 years.
In addition to emergency personnel, approximately 70 volunteers assisted in sandbagging efforts at Edina Farm & Home on Saturday evening, September 13, 2008. Area farmers used agriculture pumps, which ran for 18 hours straight, to keep water levels under control south of Edina, near Farm & Home Saturday. Low-lying areas all over Knox County were flooded due to the excess of rains last weekend.
A red 2005 Ford quad cab, owned by George Drabant, of Bevier, MO was reported on Friday morning, September 12, 2008, having left the roadway at Milport Cemetery near Rutledge, MO. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office had no further information at that time.
A Memphis man was officially arraigned on murder charges in the Scotland County First Circuit Court on September 3rd. Michael J. Mutchler, 21, appeared before Judge Gary Dial and entered a plea of not guilty to the Class A Felony Charge of Murder in the First Degree and Felony Armed Criminal Action. A trial setting hearing was scheduled for October 6 at 8:00 a.m. Mutchler was arrested June 8th following a shooting a shooting at a rural Scotland County residence that resulted in the death of 33-year-old Joseph Alvey of Wyaconda.
During the months of August and September 2008, several law enforcement agencies in northeast Missouri received numerous reports of car stereo thefts and burglaries. After an investigation conducted by the Sheriff’s Offices of Lewis, Knox and Scotland Counties, and the Quincy Police Department, four Missouri residents and one Illinois resident have been taken into custody. These subjects are currently being held on Lewis County charges. They include: Caleb L. Schultz, age 17, of LaBelle, MO on one count of Burglary in the Second Degree
See LOOK BACK, Page 10
and one count of Tampering in the First Degree, both Class C Felonies. Schultz is being held in Lewis County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash only bond. Randy L. Roeder, age 18, of Knox City, MO on one count of Burglary in the Second Degree and one count of Tampering in the First Degree, both Class C Felonies. Roeder is being held in Lewis County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash only bond. Cris D. Tournear, age 20, of LaBelle, MO on one count of Burglary in the Second Degree. Tournear is being held in the Lewis County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash only bond. Erica J. Harvey, age 19, of Canton, MO on one count of Burglary in the Second Degree. Harvey is being held in the Lewis County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash only bond. The Illinois resident, Roland V. Johnson, age 34, of Quincy is currently being held in the Adams County Jail awaiting extradition to Missouri. His Missouri charges include Burglary in the First Degree and Tampering in the First Degree. Further arrests are pending in Knox and Scotland Counties.
Leroy Cardwell, owner, and employees oversee the placement of a 12,000 pound boiler by Dille, Macon, MO on Wednesday, September 10, 2008. The boiler, which will aid in the cost of fuel in production, is part of a large expansion for Cardwell Lumber, Inc., Novelty, MO.
OCTOBER
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office reports Mike E. Powell, age 21, a resident of Edina, but who recently fled to Ava, MO in an attempt to flee charges, is in custody upon committing the Class C Felony of Forgery in Knox County. Powell was arrested on October 2, 2009 in Ava, MO. This charge results from an investigation conducted by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office after an Edina resident came forward reporting a theft of checks from the resident’s home. Along with the charges of Forgery, Powell will face other pending charges in this county and possibly other counties.
Vadah Norton, a resident of the Knox County Nursing Home, formerly of Knox City, MO celebrated her 100th birthday on September 21, 2008 with a reception held in her honor at the nursing home.
Howard Smith was hired last week as a part-time deputy for the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, as well as being employed by the Edina Police Department recently.
The Edina Police Department reports the arrest of Marlin “Sparky” Wenger, DOB 10-16-1972, of Edina, MO October 8, 2008 on charges of second-degree statutory sodomy, a Class C Felony. According to a felony complaint filed in the Knox County Circuit Court Associate Division on October 6, 2008, Wenger, being more than 21 years of age, had deviate sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 17, at his home in Edina on September 26, 2008 at approximately 9:00 p.m. Wenger was arrested on a $5,000 cash only bond of which 10%, or $500 cash, was paid upon his release. A warrant was issued for Wenger’s arrest following an investigation by the Edina Police Department, in which interviews were conducted, and hospital examination reports and sworn statements were collected. Wenger was scheduled for arraignment in Knox County Circuit Court on Tuesday morning, October 3, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.
Stephen O. Good, 17, of Edina, MO was cited for failure to drive on the right half of the roadway, which resulted in a crash on US 63 one mile south of Queen City on October 5, 2008. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Troop B, Macon, Good was traveling northbound at 4:45 p.m. in a 2007 Chevrolet truck when he crossed the centerline and struck a northbound 2001 Chevrolet driven by Stephanie A. March, 17, of Greentop, MO. March was transported by Schuyler County Ambulance to the Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, MO with moderate injuries. Both drivers were wearing safety devices.
Knox County Sheriff Mike Kite recently announced the eradication of approximately 1,200 marijuana plants with a street value of $60,000, some plants as much as 15 feet in height, from 3 different areas in Northern, Central, and Southern Knox County.
According to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 6:40 a.m. October 24, 2008 thirty-three railroad cars hauling corn grain derailed just west of Route P about five miles northwest of Edina. Both tracks were closed and crews were on location to clean up the corn and debris. The cleanup continued until both tracks were operable. Ongoing investigation will be conducted by the BNSF Railroad.
On October 24, 2008, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to northern Knox County to recover a stolen vehicle in which a concerned citizen had discovered. The vehicle was reported stolen Tuesday, October 21st in Scotland County. Deputies from Knox County also located and seized a meth lab and items used in manufacturing methamphetamine near the vehicle. A multi-jurisdictional investigation is ongoing.
NOVEMBER
Robert A. Fry, 49, of Newark, MO was the cause of a Shelby County accident on late Sunday afternoon, October 26, 2008, on Route E north of Bethel. According to the MSHP, Troop B, Macon, Fry’s westbound 1995 Chevrolet crossed the centerline and struck and eastbound 1999 Ford occupied by a man and his daughter at 5:45 p.m. Joseph P. Joseph, 50, sustained minor injuries as well as, Loren M. Joseph, 13, who was moderately injured. They were transferred to Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, MO by Salt River Ambulance. Fry was uninjured. All three involved were wearing a safety device. The Fry vehicle had moderate damage and damage to the Joseph vehicle was extensive; both were taken to Heartland. The MSHP was assisted by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. According to the Kirksville Daily Express, Fry was arrested for driving while intoxicated and with a suspended license.
Four people were injured in a one-vehicle accident in Schuyler County, Saturday, October 25, 2008. According to the MSHP, Troop B, Macon, a 2003 Landrover Discovery operated by Eric G. Dickerson, 29, of Downing, MO was eastbound two miles west of Downing on Route V when the vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway, traveled through a fence, crossed the roadway, traveled through another fence and overturned several times. Occupants Tonya L. Kice, 29, Memphis, MO and Patricia A. Howes, 37, Memphis, MO (formerly of Edina) were seriously injured. Another occupant, Andrew J. Boyer, 23, of Memphis, MO sustained moderate injuries. All four people were transported to Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, MO by Schuyler County Ambulance. The vehicle received extensive damages and was towed by Keith’s Towing. The three occupants were not wearing safety devices and it is unknown whether or not the driver was wearing a safety device. Dickerson was charged with driving while intoxicated; additional charges are pending. The MSHP was assisted by the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office and Schuyler County Rural Fire.
A one-vehicle accident on Wednesday afternoon, October 29, 2008 causes serious damage to an Edina Senior Housing apartment occupied by Lewis Hazelwood and Eleanora Tolsen. Melissa Gramling was backing out of her driveway at 405 N. Cottey in Edina at approximately 4:45 p.m. in a 1992 Mazda wagon when the brakes failed and the vehicle struck an Edina Senior Housing apartment at 404 N. Cottey causing extensive damage. Gramling and her two children, Zach Goodwin, 32 months and Stella Goodwin, 9 months, who were restrained in car seats, were all injured. The impact of the vehicle startled Hazelwood and Tolsen, who were inside the residence causing Hazelwood to lose his footing. However, they were uninjured as well.
Pete Benner, 38, was killed in a fire at his residence one block south of the Newark Christian Church in Newark, MO early Saturday morning. At 12:52 a.m. on November 8, 2008 the Knox County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a house fire with a man trapped inside the residence. Assisting at the scene were the Newark, Lewistown, LaBelle, and Shelbyville Fire Departments. At 6:05 a.m. Benner was found in the remains of the structure fire and pronounced dead by Knox County Coroner Jeff Doss. The Missouri State Fire Marshall’s Office was called to the scene to investigate. The cause of the fire is yet undetermined.
According to the MSHP, Tiffany Bealmear, 16, of Edina, sustained serious injuries in a two-vehicle accident on MO 6, one mile east of Edina at approximately 5:20 p.m. on Monday afternoon, November 10, 2008. Bealmear was westbound in a 1994 Jeep when an eastbound 2006 Ford driven by Davin York, 16, of Edina attempted to make a left-hand turn in front of her. Bealmear’s vehicle struck York’s vehicle in the passenger side. Bealmear was transported by Air Evac to Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, MO. York, who was not injured, was issued a summons for failure to yield. Both teenagers were wearing safety devices. The MSHP was assisted by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the Knox County Rescue Squad.
On November 12, 2008, the Knox County Smokebusters teamed up with Hawkins Insurance in Edina to make Hawkins an official tobacco/smoke free business. Hawkins Insurance is owned by Delbert Hawkins and has served Knox County for over the last 50 years.
DECEMBER
First District Representative Brian Munzlinger arranged for the Missouri House of Representatives Interim Committee on Emerging Issues in Agriculture to visit the Greenley Research Center and Cardwell Lumber, Inc near Novelty and Heartland Dairy near Bethel on December 1, 2008 as part of their tour of the state to access agriculture issues.
Maywood, MO driver Shawn Putnam, 33, escaped without injury on Monday morning, December 1, 2008 in an accident caused by poor driving conditions. According to Knox County Sheriff Mike Kite, Putnam was traveling westbound on Hwy. 6 approximately five miles west of Edina at 6:50 a.m., when his 2005 Chevrolet 1500 slid out of control, ran off the west side of the roadway, struck a culvert and overturned. Putnam was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured in the accident. The vehicle was towed by Perrigo’s, Edina, MO. The MSHP was assisted by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Kite reported multiple incidents of drivers losing control, including one that struck a light pole south of Edina, causing an electric outage. Fortunately, there were no injuries.
Anna M. Ewalt, 17, of Edina, MO sustained moderate injuries in a one-vehicle accident in Lewis County on Saturday evening, December 6, 2008. According to MSHP, Troop B, Macon Ewalt was a passenger traveling northbound on Luray Road, one-half mile north of Canton at approximately 8:05 p.m. in a 1993 Plymouth when the vehicle went through a dip in the roadway. The driver, James A. Howard, 18, of Canton, Mo lost control of the vehicle and traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Ewalt received moderate injuries when she was ejected from the vehicle. Howard sustained minor injuries and both occupants were transported by Lewis County Ambulance to Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL. Neither was wearing a seatbelt. The MSHP was assisted at the scene by the Canton Police Department, Canton Fire Rescue and Lewis County Ambulance.
