GNM_09-11-2019

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Sept. 11, 2019 UPSP 213-200

Vol. 155, No. 16

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New storm siren for Jamesport

Daviess County Emergency Management Director David Roll has been working on behalf of the City of Jamesport to obtain a new outdoor storm siren and on Sept. 5 one was installed. The storm siren is located west of the Jamesport Fire and Rescue building. Storm sirens are designed to warn people while they are outdoors — NOT to warn people in their homes. People in the community may or may not hear the siren from within their homes. That is why when the threat of

severe weather is looming, people are advised to tune into local television and radio stations, and also have a National Weather Service weather radio handy. The effort to obtain a new storm siren for Jamesport began in late 2018 with a look at costs and location. Funding sources through federal and state grants were examined to see which would offer the best option. Early on, an opportunity to purchase and install a storm siren from a decommissioned nuclear power plant was made available at half

the cost of a brand-new siren. Blue Valley Public Safety, out of Oak Grove, had obtained these sirens and was selling them for $6,000 a piece with another $6,000 for the pole, installation, hookups, etc. The siren had been in use at the nuclear power plant for under 14 years and included all service records. It was an opportunity that could not be passed up. David Roll met with the Jamesport City Council and Davie Davis of Jamesport Fire and (continued on page 3)

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of domestic assault second degree, and one D felony count of endangering welfare of a child. Amended information was filed the morning of the trial, with two of the kidnapping charges dis-

missed. A jury panel of 42 was called. The jury was released for deliberations at 4:53 p.m. and returned at 6:18 p.m. with the verdict. (continued on page 3)

Dog dies after being stabbed by man On Sept. 9, officers responded to an emergency call from a location on Lake Viking Terrace, Altamont. Suzanne Wildman made the call, stating that her son, Bronson C. Wildman, 20, had stabbed her and their dog and that he was attempting to kick down a door at the residence. When officers arrived, Suzanne exited the residence crying and covered in blood. A white and tan dog was also located, bleeding profusely, with multiple stab wounds and lacerations. The dog later died from the injuries it had sustained. Upon entry to the residence officers found copious amounts of blood. Bronson was located inside the residence, covered in blood. A black pocket knife was located in his right front pants pocket. On further examination it was determined that Suzanne did not have injuries. A search of the residence revealed multiple marijuana plants cultivated inside the residence, as well as harvested marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia in Bronson’s bedroom. It was determined that Bronson is an authorized cultivator and user of medical marijuana with the State of Missouri as of Aug. 26, 2019. The probable cause statement, prepared by Daviess County Deputy Caleb D. Ireland, states that he believes Bronson was under the influence of marijuana and that marijuana could be a contributing factor for the crime. He also thought the dog was intentionally stabbed, mutilated and purposely killed for an unknown reason. Wildman was charged with animal abuse second/subsequent offense or by torture and/or mutilation while animal was alive, E felony. He has a suspended driver’s license, with pending driving while intoxicated charges. He was transported to DDCRJ, with bond set at $15,000.

Commissioners look to Corps of Engineers for help with Magill Daviess County Commissioners met with Damon Slaughter, project manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) out of the Kansas City District, on Sept. 6 to try to find a solution to the erosion of the Grand River on both sides of the Magill Bridge. The objective is to save the bridge through stream bank stabilization. The Corps of Engineers will evaluate if the Section 14 Streambank Protection Program can be applied to this situation. Section 14 of the Flood Control Act of 1946 provides a program through which the Corps of Engineers can plan, design, and construct measures to provide emergency protection projects for public infrastructure that is being imminently threatened by stream

erosion. Qualifying structures include but are not limited to roads, bridges, and waterlines. Protection measures often include large rocks placed to protect the toe of the stream bank, rock along the bank, and rock dikes or weirs to safely guide the flow of water. Structures are designed to allow the stream bank to restore itself over time and result in natural vegetation, which adds further protection. Many such projects have been successfully constructed over the years in partnership with MoDOT, counties and cities. Jim Ruse, Presiding County Commissioner, said 130 feet had eroded from the base of the pier of the bridge between March and August — a huge change. “We’re look-

Pictured are Daviess County Presiding Commissioner Jim Ruse; USACE Damon Slaughter; Clint Vanatta; Daviess County Commissioner Wayne Uthe; Daviess County Commissioner David Cox; Warren Hemry; MoDOT Randy Mendenhoffer. Also attending the meeting were Jon Dwiggins with Howe Company, an engineering firm, and former county commissioner for Macon County; Joe Hegeman with Congressman Sam Graves’ office; Tim Osborne and John Sterneker, both Union Township Trustees.

ing for help,” he said. “We’re all ears.” Most days, the flow of the Grand River is shallow and tranquil. But when the river rises with the rains, it roars. This has been an unusually wet year, and the Grand River has come slamming around a curve right before where the river straightens ... doing damage to the banks as it careens around. On the south side of the bridge, Saber Road is now in a cornfield; the cornfield has a couple of little lakes in it; and the field access road has been washed away. The north side has fared no better. Warren Hemry, a farmer who owns land a little way along the north side of the river, said about 40 acres of his cropland, and the willows and cottonwoods that once lined the bank of the river, have been eaten away by the channel flow. Mr. Slaughter acknowledged the problem for farmers, but said assistance through the Section 14 program cannot be used solely for privately owned lands, but is limited to publicly owned infrastructure — i.e. the bridge. Projects often provide some ancillary benefit to adjacent lands. Before visiting the site, Mr. Slaughter said he did a Google Earth search from 2015, which showed the erosion on the south bank. He did a Google Earth search for 2017, which showed the erosion on the north bank. The amount of total erosion was impressive enough for him to respond: “Holy crap!” He took measurements of how far the bank was from the bridge and will compare that to the historical Google Earth images. This will give them a rate of erosion. He said. “We can then estimate that it will be X number of years before we lose the bridge.” The commissioners contacted the Corps of Engineers and requested assistance through Section 14 program. Mr. Slaughter said his preliminary assessment, which he did during the meeting, would be at no cost. This assessment would be to determine how fast the banks are eroding; that is, how many years will it take the river to reach the abutment of the bridge. Next, the commissioners will submit a formal request for assistance. The Corps of Engineers will then confirm

Chautauqua Parade form, Schedule of Events for Sept. 20-21 now online

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Jury convicts Gallatin man on charges of endangering child, domestic assault In a one-day jury trial held Sept. 4 in Daviess County Circuit Court, Vincent Sturgeon, 28, of Gallatin was convicted of endangering welfare of a child first degree, D felony, and domestic assault fourth degree A misdemeanor. He was acquitted of a D felony second degree kidnapping charge. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 13, 2019. The jury convicted Sturgeon of the lesser included charge of fourth degree misdemeanor domestic assault rather than the original D felony charge of second degree domestic assault. Sturgeon was originally charged with five counts, three D felony counts of kidnapping second degree, one D felony count

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