The owner of a liquor store in Platte City is sitting in the Platte County Jail this week, being held on charges that she stole more than $220,000 from a business for whom she worked. Karen A. Backues, age 45, who along with her husband is owner of the Olive or Twist Liquor Stores in Platte City and Liberty, is being held with a cash-only bond set at $50,000. Backues, who lives in Platte City, faces a total of six felony counts. Three of the counts are for stealing and three for forgery. All charges are felonies.
A man charged last fall in an Interstate 29 rest stop killing that occurred in 2008 is now in custody at the Platte County Jail. John M. Hughes, 34, was brought to Platte County on Friday, Jan. 22 on a governor’s warrant. Hughes and his girlfriend, Dana K. Tutor, 34, who is currently incarcerated in Mississippi, are accused of luring Valentin G. Kirilchuk, 39, of Springfield, Mo. into a restroom at the rest area, where he was robbed and killed. Kirilchuk’s body was later found by a passerby.
Kansas City’s city council is expected to vote this week on the controversial annexation of the proposed development known as Tomahawke Ridge. The development is proposed on 316 acres of land owned primarily by Hal and Peggy Swaney along Hwy. 92 near Winan Road. The proposal is for a 657-home high density subdivision.
