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C OU R I E R T R I BU N E
Thursday, MARCH 22, 2018
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Volume 171, No. 51
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www.mycouriertribune.com
Proudly serving the communities of Kearney, Liberty and Smithville, Missouri, since 1846.
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CRIMINAL CHARGES
DNA leads to felony charges in rape case Accused faces multiple life sentences due to prior criminal history
BY SEAN ROBERTS sean.roberts@mycouriertribune.com
CLAY COUNTY — DNA evidence collected at the scene of a rural Smithville residence lead to eight felony charges against a Liberty man in connection with the rape Michael E. of an elderly Whitford woman that
occurred last year. On Tuesday, March 20, Micheal E. Whitford, 57, was charged with rape, robbery, sodomy, burglary and four counts of armed criminal action stemming from a home invasion that occurred May 12, 2017. Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Dan White, who filed the charges against
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Chase interrupts interstate traffic on St. Patrick’s Day
Whitford, said the victim suffered horror and humiliation as a result of the attack. According to the probable cause statement, the incident began when Lifeline received a help alert from an 89-year-old victim’s residence just outside the city limits of Smithville. Local law enforcement was also contacted by the
victim’s family. At the scene, the victim allegedly told investigators she had been sleeping when an unknown white male entered her residence, woke her in bed and threatened her with a knife, stating he was there for sex and to rob her, the probable cause form states. The victim also told
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investigators she was missing a white envelope of cash and her purse, which contained her identification and credit cards. The woman was transported to an area hospital for treatment and evaluation. Forensic analysts discovered “hair on the hinge lift collected from the floor alongside of the bed where
(the victim) was assaulted,” the probable cause form states. “From the root hair, a male DNA profile was developed.” The profile matched Whitford, who has prior felony convictions for burglary, assault and armed criminal action. Smithville detectives also later recovered the victim’s missing items after FELONY/Page A11
EXPANSION
Signature Psychiatric ready to open at Liberty Hospital BY KELLIE HOUX
BY KELLIE HOUX
kellie.houx@mycouriertribune.com
kellie.houx@mycouriertribune.com
LIBERTY — Area law enforcement officials said it was mostly quiet during St. Patrick’s Holiday patrols, with the exception of one driver that caused a commotion on an area interstate requiring lanes to be shut down for safety. On Saturday, St. Patrick’s Day, at about 3:40 p.m., Claycomo Police requested help from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office while officers were in pursuit of a suspected intoxicated driver. The chase went through the Liberty area and back south on Interstate 35 to southbound Interstate 435. During the chase, a Claycomo Police vehicle was struck by the suspect, Clay County Sheriff’s Office representative Jon Bazzano said. Police used a tire deflation device, known as stop sticks, and the driver was taken into custody on southbound I-435 south of I-35. HOLIDAY/Page A11
AMANDA LUBINSKI/Staff Photo
Event emcee Dan Holt is dressed for the holiday while announcing door prize winners during Kearney Business Group’s annual Home, Health and Business Expo, held on St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17, at Kearney High School, 715 E. 19th St. More event photos are on Page A2.
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LIBERTY — Signature Psychiatric Hospital will open officially Saturday, March 24. On that day, the hospital within Liberty Hospital can start taking patients. “We anticipate that we will receive patients on that first day,” said Carrie Dermody, director of nursing. “Our North Kansas City Hospital location is always full, and often we are seeking other facilities for patients. I have even had med techs come in and stay all night in a waiting room to help a patient.” Dermody has been with Signature since the North Kansas City Hospital facility opened in September 2013. Signature Marketing Director Brenda Clevenger said the Liberty location has been in the works for two years. With the addition of Liberty, the employee count has moved from 100 to 150. “One thing we all know is that through community
NEW BUSINESS
Kearney fire captain Area family breathes new life retires after 26 years into former Smithville sports bar
BY AMANDA LUBINSKI
amanda.lubinski@mycouriertribune.com
KEARNEY — After more than two decades in service, Capt. Robert Looper hung up his gear with the Kearney Area Fire Protection District. To celebrate his retirement, an open house was held in his honor on Tuesday, March 13, at the district station at 201 E. Sixth St. “I’ll be 54 this year and I’ve been here 26 years. I thought, ‘It’s time for someone else to take over,” Looper said of the reason for his retirement. Former Kearney Fire Chief Larry Pratt said Looper started his Kearney career as a volunteer in March of 1992. Looper
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then worked his way up, becoming full time in 1995, and a shift captain in 2008. Pratt said he would classify Looper as dedicated, having been involved in a number of district efforts including car seat installments and community education efforts. Current Chief Kevin Pratt said Looper was a respected member of the crew and a gifted paramedic. “His passion is really EMS. He’s a very highly-skilled paramedic,” Kevin Pratt said. Bobby Higgins, one of the longtime crew members who worked with Looper on the C shift, took a few minutes at the open RETIRE/Page A3
HOSPITAL/Page A12
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BY AMANDA LUBINSKI amanda.lubinski@mycouriertribune.com
facebook.com/MyCourierTribune
SMITHVILLE — After seeing a vacant brick restaurant space on the corner of Bridge in downtown and learning of the population growth of Smithville, James Kennedy and his family jumped at the chance to bring their style of food and hospitality to the city. Kennedy, who owns Kennedy’s Family Restaurant in nearby Plattsburg, is selling the business there and relocating it to Smithville, bringing with it a plethora of lunch and dinner options that are served up in a family-friendly environment. “We have a lot of people from Smithville who come to our place in Plattsburg now. ... The food will be a lot of what they get at the AMANDA LUBINSKI/Staff Photo restaurant now, but we are adding a lot more steaks to the menu,” Kennedy said, adding James Kennedy, owner of Kennedy’s Family his restaurant is known for hand-cut steaks Restaurant, works to unload lumber to be such as rib eyes and prime rib; hand-breaded used to build more accessible booth spaces RESTAURANT/Page A2
in his family restaurant opening in downtown Smithville in April.
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Index Classifieds .................... C2 Obituaries ..................... A9 Calendars .................. B7-8 Puzzles.......................... B6 Sports ........................... B1 Voices ........................A4-5