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Missouri Senate considers ‘Chris Sifford Day’ honoring Carnahan aide who died in plane crash

Published

2 years ago

April 14, 2023

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In the fall of 2000, tragedy struck Missouri politics when an airplane carrying then-Gov. Mel Carnahan, his son Randy Carnahan and adviser Chris Sifford crashed in bad weather.

The death of Carnahan as he closed out eight years as governor during a monumental struggle with then-Sen. John Ashcroft grabbed the attention of the state and the nation. Family, friends and coworkers, however, also deeply mourned the death of Sifford, 37 at the time, who had been at Carnahan’s side throughout his two terms as chief executive.

Born in Puxico in Stoddard County, educated at what was then called Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Sifford worked as a journalist before joining Carnahan’s 1992 campaign for governor.

Sifford is recalled as funny, humble and devoted to his family. On Wednesday, Sen. Greg Razer, D-Kansas City, said that legacy and his hard work in public service should be honored by designating his birthday, Aug. 6, as “Chris Sifford Day.”

The Senate Progress and Development Committee held a hearing on the bill Wednesday. At the end of the hearing, the proposal was combined with another bill designating a day to honor an historic Missourian, Edith Cunnane, who founded the St. Patrick Center in 1983 to help homeless individuals. Cunnae died in 2020.

The combined bill was approved by the committee but has not yet been reported to the Senate for debate.

The bill would not create a formal holiday. For Sifford, it says the day would be a time for Missouians “to reflect on the lives and legacies of these three men, and to recognize and appreciate the hardworking public servants of this state.”

“We don’t want to forget Chris and the contributions he made to the people of Missouri,” said Razer, who also grew up in southeast Missouri.

In the weeks after his death, stories about his life focused on his humble beginnings and devotion to his family. Throughout the time he worked for Carnahan, Sifford would regularly return home.

“A preacher and cousin back home in Sundays service said he told him ‘you may be important to the governor, and you’re his chief of staff, but here you’re just cousin Chris’, and Chris said ‘I know that’s why I come home,’” cousin Tiffany Binford told The Standard, the Southwest Missouri State University student newspaper, after an October 2000 memorial service.

A scholarship in Sifford’s name funded by a golf tournament helps journalism students attending Missouri State University and a book about his life, “18 Minutes and a Lifetime…” details how his affable and witty personality touched the lives of those around him.

Lobbyist Ron Berry, who worked for Robin Carnahan, Mel Carnahan’s daughter, when she was secretary of state, said the bill would honor a person who was an example of public service.

“Chris had a much longer effect on many of us beyond his short life,” Berry said.

Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com. Follow Missouri Independent on Facebook and Twitter.

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Man attacks Jeff Co. deputy with screwdriver during attempted arrest

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Two people are behind bars after a man reportedly attacked a Jefferson County deputy with a screwdriver during an attempted arrest over the weekend.

Prosecutors have charged Nicholas Davis, 47, and Amanda Davis, 45, of Dittmer, Missouri, with felonies in the investigation.

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The alleged attack followed a traffic stop of a driver in the 9500 block of Jones Creek Road on July 7, though the driver was not Nicholas or Amanda.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Nicholas reportedly came out of his nearby home, yelled at a deputy and started approaching him while holding a screwdriver. The deputy initially ordered Nicholas to back away, then used pepper spray.

Per court documents, the deputy attempted to arrest Nicholas, who then struck him in the chest with the screwdriver. Amanda reportedly approached the deputy and pulled him away from Nicholas before both ran inside their home.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says the situation prompted an hours-long standoff involving negotiators, a SWAT team and a K-9 deputy. The situation led to Nicholas refusing warnings and being bitten by a K-9.

Nicholas and Amanda are both jailed in the Jefferson County Jail without bond. Nicholas is charged with first-degree assault on a special victim and armed criminal action. Amanda is charged with resisting/interfering with arrest.

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St. Louis Public Schools superintendent to be sworn in

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2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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ST. LOUIS — The new St. Louis schools superintendent will be officially sworn into office today. Dr. Keisha Scarlett took over the job in July after the retirement of Dr. Kelvin Adams. She was assistant superintendent in the Seattle Public School District. The installation ceremony is at 6:15 p.m. before the regular school board meeting.

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Gas tanker crashes into St. Louis Metro transit center

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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ST. LOUIS — A gasoline tanker truck crashed into a Metro transit center near Riverview and Hall Streets early Tuesday morning and knocked over a power pole. The pole is leaning on other power lines. Police have the area blocked off here because there is a downed power line. Ameren and Metro crews are also on the scene.

The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. It’s still unclear exactly what caused the crash, but we do that there was a second vehicle somehow involved. The airbags on that second vehicle did deploy.

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Police at the scene have not been able to give us a lot of details. Metro officials tell FOX 2 that the transit center here is operating this morning for passengers and buses. Access to certain areas will be limited here as clean up unfolds.

A Metro spokesperson says half of the station isn’t being used right now because of safety issues. It isn’t impacting overall bus operations, everything is just happening on the other side of transit center.

The extent of the damage to the actual transit center is still unclear, but I’m told it does not appear to be extreme. A Metro spokesperson tells me there were no injuries to any metro workers or passengers. The tanker driver also was not injured.

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