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Volume 104 • Number 11 • Thursday, January 16, 2014 • PO Box 188 • 111 E. Jenkins • Maryville, MO
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Veterans assistance office opens at CIE MARYVILLE, Mo. — Veterans in northwest Missouri have a new resource to help then pursue claims through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Northwest Missouri State University recently entered into a partnership with the Missouri Veterans Commission that establishes a Veterans Service Officer presence at the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. VSO Jesse Campbell will keep regular hours at the CIE, located on the north end of campus, from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on the first and third Monday of each month.
‘We really want veterans to know they have representation in Maryville.’ — VSO Jesse Campbell Veterans don’t need an appointment and will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. The office is located in CIE room 1222. The office phone number is (660) 562-1710 and veterans can also email Campbell at jesse. campbell@mvc.dps.mo.gov. The office’s services are available free of charge. “We really want veterans to know they have representation in Maryville,” Campbell said. “The University was more than happy to allow us the space and become more active in assisting veterans, not only at the university but in the community as well.”
The Missouri Veterans Commission, which previously maintained an office on Summit Drive in Maryville, is a state-based organization that assists veterans with benefit claims and serves as a bridge between veterans and the VA. “Without this partnership, local veterans would have to travel to St. Joseph to connect with a VSO,” said Jennifer Kennymore, a health educator with Northwest’s office of Wellness Services. “This partnership is important not only because it is the right thing to do, but it helps veterans at Northwest and in the community connect with the resources they need.” Campbell said many veterans are unaware of the benefits to which they are entitled. “The most common issue is that veterans don’t know what their benefits are,” Campbell said. “They may know what some of them are, and they may think they’re utilizing their VA benefits to the full extent, but they find after they’ve talked with a VSO that there are so many other benefits they’re eligible for.” Other services available to veterans on the Northwest campus include regular visits by Nate Whiters of the Kansas City Vet Center. Whiters, who is trained to provide former military personnel with readjustment counseling, is at Northwest from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the third Friday of each month in room 2440 of the Student Engagement Center on the second floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union. Individuals interested in meeting with Whiters should call (816) 753-1866 for an appointment.
Former professor arraigned on charge
Planning for the worst, hoping for the best
Arnie Kreek, acting director of the Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments, speaks before the Nodaway County Commission on Wednesday with regard to a recently completed natural disaster mitigation plan. The commissioners also considered a funding request from the New Nodaway Humane Society in preparation for enacting the county’s 2014 budget later this month.
Humane society makes bid for county funding By TONY BROWN News editor
In what amounts to a wintertime ritual, the Nodaway County Commission this week continued to hear requests from local agencies seeking tax dollars to help support operations during 2014. Nodaway’s general operations budget is expected to total something over $7 million this year, and the commission will likely accept the spending plan, now being prepared by County Clerk Beth Walker, during its regular Wednesday session set for 9 a.m. Jan. 22. Agencies standing in line for appropriations include such entities as the University of Missouri
farming operation complete with grow lights, pot-filled baggies and smoking paraphernalia. During this week’s hearing, associate Circuit Judge Glen Dietrich determined that authorities had probable cause to believe that Rouch had produced See PROFESSOR, Page 3
See SCHOOL, Page 3
News editor
Matt Rouch
Extension Council, the Missouri Department of Conservation, Nodaway County Economic Development, the New Nodaway Humane Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Missouri Enterprise Facilitation. On Tuesday Doug Sutton of the New Nodaway Humane Society appeared before the three-member commission to request a $20,000 contribution from county coffers. Sutton told the governing board that an increase in the minimum wage has added $10,000 to the annual cost of running the society’s animal shelter, which faces expenditures this year amounting to around $240,000. See HUMANE, Page 3
St. Gregory to celebrate Catholic Schools Week MARYVILLE, Mo. — St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic School in Maryville will celebrate Catholic Schools Week Sunday, Jan. 26, through Friday, Jan. 31. This year’s theme is “Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” A summary of events planned for the week is given below: • Sunday, Jan. 26. Pancake meal by Chris Cakes, 8:30 a.m.-noon in St. Gregory’s Church’s Parish Hall. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted on behalf of the St. Gregory’s Teachers Professional Development Fund. All-school begins at 10:30 a.m. • Sunday, Jan. 26. Open House for prospective school families, noon to 1:30 p.m.Tours will be offered along with information regarding curriculum, extracurricular activities, school accreditation and tuition assistance. • Monday, Jan. 27. Maryville Mayor Jim Fall will read a Catholic Schools Week proclamation at 8:15 a.m. in the school gymnasium.
By TONY BROWN
Former Northwest Missouri State University mass media professor Matt Rouch was in the associate division of Nodaway County Circuit Court this week for a preliminary hearing in connection with a pair of felony drug charges. Rouch was arrested in September after making comments in a classroom building corridor and on Facebook during which he joked about having a bomb in his briefcase and going “to the top of the bell tower with a high powered rifle — with a good scope, and probably a Gatling gun as well.” Though authorities later determined the comments were made in jest, and therefore did not constitute a criminal threat, officers did obtain a warrant in order to search Rouch’s home for weapons. Instead, they found what Prosecuting Attorney Robert Rice alleges to be an indoor marijuana
TONY BROWN/DAILY FORUM
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Celebrating Catholic Schools
The Rev. Martin DeMeulenaere, priest and pastor for the St. Gregory Barbarigo Parish in Maryville, is shown with a group of students at St. Gregory’s School during Catholic Schools Week. This year’s celebration of parochial education, and the children and families served by St. Greg’s, will take place Jan. 26-Jan. 31.
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