Friday, June 10, 2011
Federal Court dismisses charges in meth lab exposure case
Mark Frost, Diana Lynn Frost, Harold "Chad" Anderson, Courtney Anderson, Kenneth Rush and Lisa Ann Rush filed complaints on Nov. 24th, 2010 against former police chief Jeff Blom, former police chief Jim Garnett and former Butler Mayer, the late Jerry Cook, after serving a search warrant on Nov. 25th, 2007 at a residence suspected to contain a meth lab.
The charges stated "That harm to them resulted in failing to ensure that the plaintiffs received training in using personal protective equipment, and as a result, Frost, Anderson and Rush were exposed to toxic chemicals while executing a search warrant on an active meth lab".
Charges were filed by the plaintiffs after police officers entered the suspected meth lab not wearing protective masks. Upon their entrance, one of the persons in the home began pouring chemicals into the sump pump, which when mixed with water created a vapor of sulfuric acid, Coleman fuel and ammonia.
The plaintiffs alleged that exposure the the fumes caused them harm and they had not received training in using personal protective equipment, and as a result, Rush, Anderson and Frost were hospitalized for chemical pneumonia and heart murmurs.
However, in Federal Court on May 17th, 2011, the Chief United States District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan Jr. stated "that the allegations against Garnett, Cook and Blom did not meet the standards of constitutional allegations and that the charges were dismissed from federal court."
-courtesy FM 92.1 the Bullet
The charges stated "That harm to them resulted in failing to ensure that the plaintiffs received training in using personal protective equipment, and as a result, Frost, Anderson and Rush were exposed to toxic chemicals while executing a search warrant on an active meth lab".
Charges were filed by the plaintiffs after police officers entered the suspected meth lab not wearing protective masks. Upon their entrance, one of the persons in the home began pouring chemicals into the sump pump, which when mixed with water created a vapor of sulfuric acid, Coleman fuel and ammonia.
The plaintiffs alleged that exposure the the fumes caused them harm and they had not received training in using personal protective equipment, and as a result, Rush, Anderson and Frost were hospitalized for chemical pneumonia and heart murmurs.
However, in Federal Court on May 17th, 2011, the Chief United States District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan Jr. stated "that the allegations against Garnett, Cook and Blom did not meet the standards of constitutional allegations and that the charges were dismissed from federal court."
-courtesy FM 92.1 the Bullet
Relay for Life - "Betting on a Cure" starts at 5 p.m. this evening
5:00 - Concessions start at team campsites...Silent Auction begins
6:00 - Opening Ceremonies (Color Guard, Pledge done by Adrian boy scouts, Prayer done by Brad Powell, National Anthem sang by Austin Douty, Celebration Ceremony, Survivor recognition)
6:30 - Sugar Ridge Bluegrass Band
6:55 - Introduce Relay Drag Queens
7:00 - Live Auction and announcement of silent auction winners
7:50 - Drag Queens turn in money raised
8:00 - Announcement of Scholarship winners for the following: Debra Bledsoe Trail of Memories Health Care, Bates County Community Health Foundation, Louis & Alice Gehm Memorial
8:15 - Drag Queen winner announced
8:30 - Dunlap Trio sings
9:00 - Fight Back Ceremony
9:10 - Taressa Keating sings
9:40 - Announcement of Grand Prize Give Away (Raffle Ticket Winner)
9:45 - Luminary Ceremony with Fireworks from D&D to follow (Fireworks will be cancelled if it is too hot/dry)
5:30 am - Closing Ceremonies
Some of the Auction items include:
THEMED BASKETS
- BBQ Basket
- Gardening Basket
- Fishing Basket
- Photography/Jewelry Basket
- Scrapbooking Basket
- LOTS AND LOTS of OTHER THEMED BASKETS
Other Items:
- Handmade Quilts
- Camping Gear
- Silpada Jewelry
This is a VERY short list of the items that will be available for auction - don't miss it!
-our thanks to Amy McVey
From the desk of Senator David Pearce
During the legislative session, my time in the 31st District can be somewhat limited. So, during the interim, it is nice to be able to visit places close to home, get caught up with what I have missed, and visit with local, dedicated state employees. Recently, I was reminded that, sometimes, the most overlooked beauty is right in your own backyard, when I had the chance to visit a few of our local conservation areas in Cass and Bates counties.
I had the pleasure of visiting two farms, one in Cass and one in Bates County, that were proud to show me the ways in which they were utilizing conservation efforts to enhance their farms, and the land surrounding their property. Tom Lampe of Garden City gave me a tour of the wildlife areas he has set up around the perimeter of his land using state, federal and conservation partner cost-share programs and in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), in an effort to encourage wildlife to return to the area, as well as to stem the erosion process in those areas. I also learned those kinds of programs are free services offered by the MDC for all landowners in Missouri.
I stopped at North Lake, north of Harrisonville, for a brief tour of the Community Assistance Program (CAP) currently utilized there. This is another program is sponsored by the MDC. It provides fisheries’ management and assistance to the local community, while helping to develop and upgrade recreational facilities. In order to preserve this sponsorship, the community maintains the area and opens the lake to the public. This way, it is mutually beneficial, in that there is a well-maintained conservation area close to home that provides recreation opportunities and a sense of community responsibility in a joint effort with the city of Harrisonville.
After my time there, I headed to the Settle’s Ford Conservation Area. This structured nature-specific area, both river bottom wetlands and prairie-like uplands, provides food, shelter, and nesting habitats for many varieties of wildlife. Fishing is available in the South Grand River, as well as small, permanent and intermittent streams and several ponds. There are hiking trails and roads in the conservation area, which also make for good bird watching, given the diversity of the landscape. Hunting is allowed during the appropriate seasons, and even trapping is permitted with a special use permit from the MDC.
Then I traveled a short distance to the Settle’s Ford Gun Club Range, a shotgun range east of Adrian. They are open from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, and 10:00 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Although my visit was not during those hours, I did have the chance to explore the facility and shoot a few sporting clays. I will be sure to go back to work on my aim during regular business hours.
Information on these areas, as well as other conservation areas in the 31st District and throughout the state, is available online at www.mdc.mo.gov. After my enjoyable experience visiting these conservation areas in Bates and Cass counties, I was impressed with both the quality of conservation programs and the abilities of the state employees
In today’s economy, the term “staycation” is used often. To me, a “staycation” means the opportunity to stay close to home and enjoy local points of interest. It’s also a chance to take advantage of local areas and parks, such as the ones I visited, which are wonderful ways to spend time with family and friends. After all, these areas are provided for Missourians and other visitors to our state to educate us and to keep us in tune with our world. Let’s fulfill their promise to us.
As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.
Senator David Pearce serves Bates, Cass, Johnson and Vernon counties in the 31st State Senatorial District.
Tour Battle of Island Mound June 18th at the Bates County Museum
Missouri State Archaeologists Welcome Visitors to
The Battle of Island Mound Site
On Saturday, June 18th, visitors are invited to tour the Battle of Island Mound site and learn what Missouri State Archaeologists have discovered during their week-long survey and exactions at the location. The group arrived in Butler on June 11th and has conducted an archaeological survey of the 40 acre site owned by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Their work is a vital step in the process of developing the area into a Missouri State Historic Site. Plans call for building a parking lot, walking trails, and placing interpretive signs that will detail the battle.
Although the story is well-known to the residents of Bates County, the significance of the site continues to gain national notoriety as the location of the first military engagement by African-American troops during the Civil War. The 150th anniversary of the battle will be in October 2012 and the goal is to have the work completed by then in order to welcome visitors. Planning for a commemoration event has begun and details will be made available once confirmed.
A temporary artifact laboratory has been established at the Bates County Museum in Robertson Hall and all artifacts from the site will be cleaned and catalogued during the week. Visitors will be able to view the items found, travel to the site, hear an overview of the battle, learn about the current excavations, and tour the archaeological work. All those interested in taking advantage of this unique opportunity are encouraged to call the museum and make a reservation. 660-679-0134. The Museum is located at 802 Elks Drive, Butler, Missouri. The schedule for Saturday, June 18th is as follows:
10:00 – 10:20 am – Gather at the Museum and Tour the Laboratory
10:20 – 10:40 am – Carpool to the Battle of Island Mound site
10-40 – 11:00 am – Battle Overview – Jim Rehard
11:00 – 11:20 am – Overview of the excavations to date - Ann Raab & Jane Lee
11:20 – 12:00 noon – Q&A – Tour of Archaeological Work
Butler Saddle Club parade June 18th
This year's theme is 'Riding for a Reason' and your entry could score you some prize money. The parade will be a noon on June 18th as part of the Ram Rodeo Series as the Bates County Fairgrounds.
For more information contact Pam Craft at 660-679-4202. Call in for barrel racers will be June 13th from 5 to 10 p.m. at 660-679-5745.
Contestants needed for Rich Hill Talent Show...
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Hit and run accident reported near Passaic
Around 6:15 this evening, an alleged hit and run left one car in the ditch along the northbound lanes of 71 Highway. At this time, authorities are searching for a white full size pickup allegedly involved in the accident that is thought to still be in the Passaic area.
No injuries were reported.
No injuries were reported.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
