Thursday October 15, 2015
NORTHWEST MISSOURIAN
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NEWS BRIEF
Hostage held at St. Joseph Motel 6 St. Joseph police were called to the Motel 6 on Frederick Avenue Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. Local law enforcement and Missouri State Highway Patrol were called to the scene after it was confirmed an armed gunman barricaded himself and a female hostage in a room, according to KQ2. By 3 p.m. the standoff was still active as the St. Joseph Police department, Missouri Highway patrol, Buchanan County Sheriff department and SWAT were on location. There have been no reports of any guests of the hotel being shot or injured. Guests at the motel and neighboring hotels were told to stay inside after there were reports of gunshots being fired. Businesses and schools within the area were closed as well as Interstate 29 north and southbound between mile markers 44 and 50 according to 41 news in St. Joseph. Missouri State Highway Patrol and St. Joseph Police department both declined comment. The situation was ongoing at press time.
RELATED CONTENT See gun violence articles on A4
BRIA CREEDEN | NW MISSOURIAN
Community members celebrate the ground breaking of the newest Maryville bank, Wells Bank. Wells Bank is set to open in the Spring of 2016.
New Wells Bank site begins development JACOB MCKNIGHT News Editor | @jbmcknight93
Construction workers were on the move and the officials from Wells Banks had their golden shovels ready in the dirt. Community members gathered together on a windy afternoon to launch their groundbreaking ceremony for the new Wells Bank on 2920 South Main St. The site directly across from the Applebee’s restaurant is being managed by Loan Officer and Branch Manager Mark Quick. Quick recently moved from Oregon
to Maryville with his wife, 4 children and 8 years of financial service experience underneath his belt. This coming spring he and four additional employees will begin operations and gladly help the people of Nodaway County. “The Maryville community has been so kind to me since I moved here, I can’t wait to give some of it back. It’s much bigger than my old one, but my family and I are really enjoying this town,” Quick said. Most Wells Banks are located in Platte County. However, the idea of the new bank location became a reality because several
City Council approves speed limit reduction DARCIE BRADFORD Managing Editor | @Darcie_jeanne_7
After several complaints from concerned drivers in Maryville and recommendations from the Missouri Department of Transportation, the city council approved a change to speed limits along U.S. Highway 71. City Manager Greg McDanel said the complaints were in regards to the speed of the drivers affecting their ability to stop at lights. “Several citizens have made the request to the City of Maryville and MoDOT to reduce the speed limit on Highway 71 Bypass at the Highway 136 intersection,” McDanel said. “Drivers are concerned with northsouthbound drivers running yellow lights at a high rate of speed and fear increased accidents.” The speed limit along U.S. Highway 71, previously 60 mph with the exception of the road near Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing which was previously 45, will be changed to 55 mph in both places. A Speed Limit Study conducted by MoDOT showed that in the southbound lane, near the U.S. Highway 71 and U.S. 136 intersection, the average speed of vehicles was 52 mph. In the northbound lane near the intersection the average speed was 36 mph. McDanel said the recommended speed limit was set after deciding that one speed
throughout that stretch of highway was the safest decision. “MoDOT’s analysis shows that lowering the speed at intersection ction of question would create three separate ate speed zones, which is actually less safe fe than one consistent speed,” McDanel said. “Drivers become unaware of the speedd zones and travel at a larger range of speeds ds which can lead to worsening traffic conditions. ditions. MoDOT recommended the entire length ength of the corridor from north to south city limits to be 55 mph.” The change in the speed ed limit is not that drastic, it is only a 5 mph reduction. However, Director of Public Safety afety Keith Wood said he believes the speedd could even be lowered more. “It is not that big of a change, however at those intersections whatever we can do to drive down the speed ed limits is good. Even the reduction by just 5 mph, accidents at those speeds can make a big difference,” Wood said. “In the perfectt world, the speed at those intersections would ld be 45. But then you would be going 60, 45, 5, 60, 45, 60 and that isn’t safe either.” Statistically, the intersection rsection of U.S. Highway 71 and U.S. Highway ghway 136 has a low crash rate, 0.43 crashes hes per 1 million vehicles. The intersection n also allows for long sight distance.
SEE SPEED | A5
members of management had ties with Maryville and graduated from Northwest University. With some public assistance and development agreements, Copeland Construction jumped at the chance to build the new 3,600 square foot bank. “It all started in Platte County, and this will be the first branch outside of it. With a lot of us from Maryville, we’re very excited to bring some hometown banking,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Barmann. With the new bank coming to Nodaway County, more jobs will be created along with easier access
to Wells Bank. They offer a full line of loan accounts and with business and personal deposits. They also include fixed rate mortgages for residential and agricultural real estate. Wells Bank is also scheduled to merge with Bank CBO (formerly The Citizens Bank of Oregon) in January, 2016. Now, with the new Maryville location and the merger, Wells Bank will have banks and banking centers throughout Kansas City, Oregon, Platte City, Savannah, and Maryville.
SEE BANK | A5
Local car dealers drive funds for MHS athletics JACOB MCKNIGHT News Editor| @jbmcknight93
The Lincoln Motor Company and its dealers let others put their pedal to the metal in an effort to raise $8,000 for Maryville High School athletics with the Driven to Give Program. For every person who took to the wheel and test-drove an eligible Lincoln, Tri-State and Lincoln donated $20 to Maryville High School. Whenever a second test drive occurred in the Lincoln Navigator, Lincoln donated another $20. The program was created with the combination of the widely successful Drive Smart For Your School and Drive Smart For A Cause programs. Driven to Give is designed to help raise funding for nonprofit organizations and local communities, all the while giving others a chance to ride the new models. Maryville High School Principal Thom Alavrez was very eager to gain support for the school in any fashion. “Ford dealership supports schools and programs while increasing exposure to Ford products. It pays for test drivers, and those are donated to the school,” Alavrez said. With the help of local communities and Lincoln dealerships all over the United States, Lincoln Motor Company has successfully raised over $4.5 million for educational or charitable organizations. “In years past it’s brought multiple thousands of dollars. It’s safe to say around $20,000, and that number may be too low. It’s been a great partnership. Every time we asked, they did it,” Alavrez said. Participants had to be 18 or older with a valid driver’s license to test-drive a Lincoln. Each test drive lasted from five to 10 minutes. The vehicles featured ranged from the reimagined 2015 and 2016 Lincoln lineup. Once the test drive was over, prizes and giveaways were available for anyone who participated. “Our community is amazing. We have raised tens of thousands of dollars in the process. Our community really pulls through. And the Ford Company has been absolutely amazing. Ity really supports our school,” Alavrez said. Due to the help of Ford’s Lincoln Motor Company and the community, a generous amount of money was raised for the Maryville High School athletics.