March 24, 2005
Fire struck the new Platte City Middle School being constructed on the Platte County R-3 campus last week, causing about $20,000 in damage. Cause of the blaze is still under investigation, according to officials with the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office. Dr. Mark Harpst, superintendent, said the fire will not delay the opening of the building. “We still hope to be in by the middle of July,” Harpst said. The fire started on the roof of the structure and other than a small amount of water damage to dry wall inside the building was basically contained to that area.
A 40-year-old Parkville man was arraigned this week in Platte County Associate Circuit Court after being charged late Friday night with threatening a Platte County judge. Brian E. Manges faces one count of tampering with a judicial official. Manges allegedly threatened Judge Daniel Czamanske in a profanity-laced statement to Parkville police offices as he was being arrested for driving while intoxicated. He is being held in the Platte County jail on a $75,000 cash-only bond. If convicted, Manges faces up to seven years in prison.
Despite some last efforts by Platte County R-3 School Board members Bob Shaw and Dave Holland, final approval for artificial turf was given at last Thursday’s meeting of the Platte County R-3 School Board. Out of eight bids General Sports Turf was awarded the bid totaling $526,299 by a vote of 5-2, with Holland and Shaw voting against the bid award.