April 21, 2005
The Missouri Ethics Commission has determined that a Platte City alderman violates state conflict of interest laws. An investigation found that a company owned by Billy Knighton, alderman, has consistently done business with the city during Knighton’s time on the board. The services were performed without following competitive bidding procedures, a violation of state statute. Knighton has been ordered and agreed to cease doing business with the city and to not provide any services for the city while serving as an alderman, except pursuant to competitive bidding procedures.
A 17-year-old Park Hill South High School student is charged with threatening to blow up the Park Hill South High School. Christopher C. Abarca, of Parkville, faces one count of making a terrorist threat. According to court documents, Abarca was angry at a school administrator for taking his cell phone away. At the end of the school day on April 12, Abarca asked a fellow student if he wanted to help him blow up the school.
Platte County R-3 School District officials gave staff and students a direct order to evacuate the middle school and high school on Friday. The order came around 8:25 a.m. after a high school secretary received a phone call of a taped message stating there was an explosive device in the building. According to Superintendent Dr. Mark Harpst, the district immediately implemented its Crisis Plan procedures outlined for such an occurrence. Once law enforcement authorities determined the building to be safe, students and staff returned to both facilities.