|
News
|
|
Written by Brian McCauley
|
|
Wednesday, 18 August 2010 08:00 |
The Miami County Veterans Memorial, which is majestically displayed near the intersection of Baptiste and Hospital drives in Paola, soon may have a new addition.
The memorial’s committee is formulating plans to erect a monument to veterans in Miami County who have earned America’s top military honors in combat.
|
|
News
|
|
Written by Brian McCauley
|
|
Wednesday, 18 August 2010 08:00 |
Miami County youths interested in joining Cub Scouts soon will get the chance to learn everything they want to know about the organization.
The Twin Rivers District will have informational meetings in Paola, Louisburg and Osawatomie as part of the School Night for Scouting campaign. The Scouts are looking to recruit students in grades one through five. Anyone interested in scouting is encouraged to attend.
|
|
News
|
|
Written by Brian McCauley
|
|
Wednesday, 11 August 2010 08:00 |
One of two Miami County men charged with involuntary manslaughter for allegedly causing a fatal accident April 25 has reached a plea deal agreement and is set to be sentenced for the crime.
Lee Byrd, 45, of Osawatomie appeared in Miami County District Court on July 29 and pled no contest to involuntary manslaughter. The court found him guilty of the crime, but the remaining charges of driving with a suspended license and no liability insurance were dismissed.
A sentencing hearing is set for 3 p.m. Aug. 26.
Byrd and Walter J. Medlin, 83, of Paola both have been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of James M. Richardson, 22, of Stilwell.
According to a Miami County Sheriff’s Office report, Byrd was driving a 1963 Chevrolet C60 truck south on Osawatomie Road at 5:49 p.m. April 25 when he failed to stop at a stop sign and hit a 1967 Ford Mustang driven by Richardson, who was traveling east on Kansas Highway 68.
The Mustang was upside down when emergency officials arrived, and Richardson died at the scene. Byrd told officials at the scene that the brakes were out on the vehicle he was driving, according to the accident report.
Medlin witnessed the accident from another vehicle and is the owner of the truck.
Miami County Attorney David Miller said both involuntary manslaughter charges stem from the condition of the truck that was involved.
Medlin, who also is charged with driving with no liability insurance, has a plea hearing scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 2.
Involuntary manslaughter is punishable by two years and seven months to 11 years and four months in prison and a fine up to $300,000.
James A. Richardson, the father of the victim in the accident, also recently filed a civil lawsuit against both Byrd and Medlin.
The civil suit, which was filed July 21, asks for $250,000 in damages for mental anguish suffering and bereavement, loss of companionship, funeral expenses and other costs.
The lawsuit claims that Byrd was negligent because he failed to stop at the stop sign and should have realized the danger of the truck’s inadequate braking system. It also claims that Medlin was negligent because he failed to properly maintain the braking system on the truck, and he allowed Byrd to drive the truck at a time when it was not properly licensed and was in unsafe condition. |
|
News
|
|
Written by Staff Report
|
|
Wednesday, 11 August 2010 08:00 |
Six of the seven men accused of committing several burglaries throughout the county have pled guilty to the crimes in Miami County District Court, with some charges being dismissed in each of the cases as part of plea deals.
The men were arrested June 2 and booked into the Miami County Jail thanks in part to the efforts of a task force made up of detectives from the Paola and Osawatomie police departments, as well as the Miami County Sheriff’s Office.
The arrests stemmed from an investigation of a string of more than 20 rural burglaries, many of which occurred in the initial months of this year. Ultimately, the investigation resulted in more than $50,000 in recovered stolen property, according to a news release.
Those arrested were: Michael Pearce Jr., 20, Gary Colston, 18, Dusty Weers, 36, Curtis Zollar, 36, all of Osawatomie; Danny Harper, 46, of Paola; Paul Kraft, 40, of Bucyrus, and George Colston Jr., 47, of Spring Hill.
Pearce originally was charged with seven counts of burglary and three counts of theft. He pled guilty July 27 to four counts of burglary and one count of theft, with the remaining counts being dismissed. A sentencing hearing is set for 11 a.m. Aug. 26.
Colston was charged with one count of theft, and he has been found guilty. A sentencing hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 9.
Weers originally was charged with eight counts of burglary and two counts of theft. He pled guilty July 15 to three counts of burglary, with the remaining counts being dismissed. A sentencing hearing is set for 11 a.m. Aug. 20.
Colston Jr. originally was charged with eight counts of burglary and one count of theft. He pled guilty July 23 to three counts of burglary, with the remaining counts being dismissed. A sentencing hearing is set for 11 a.m. Aug. 26.
Zollar originally was charged with five counts of burglary and one count of theft. He pled guilty July 14 to three counts of burglary and one count of theft, with the remaining counts being dismissed. A sentencing hearing is set for 11 a.m. Sept. 14.
Kraft originally was charged with 13 counts of burglary, three counts of theft and one count of criminal damage to property. He pled guilty July 15 to eight counts of burglary, with the remaining counts being dismissed. A sentencing hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 9.
Harper is charged with eight counts of burglary and five counts of theft. He remains in custody, and a no-go preliminary hearing was set to take place Monday. |
|
|
