Latest news with #CassCounty
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Cass County officers called woman ‘meemaw,' made fun of age, lawsuit claims
A Missouri woman is suing Cass County after she was fired from the Sheriff's Office, where she allegedly endured harassment and discrimination from male coworkers, according to a Cass County court document. Melissa Manford is suing on counts of discrimination based on sex/gender, age, disability, hostile work environment and two counts of retaliation, according to court documents. Manford is also suing based on a violation of Missouri revised statute 590.502, which states that officers are allowed to have an attorney present during meetings that they believe may lead to 'disciplinary action, demotion, dismissal, transfer, or placement on a status that could lead to economic loss,' according to the lawsuit. Manford had been working for the sheriff's office since 2005, according to court documents. While the lawsuit doesn't name the agency directly, a Facebook post from the sheriff's department lists Manford's 2020 promotion to sergeant. Accusations against male officers include one allegedly 'forbidding' Manford to become pregnant, another repeatedly touching Manford's hair despite her asking him him to stop, and a coworker telling other employees that Manford 'doesn't belong in her position,' despite Manford being his supervisor. The lawsuit describes one instance in which Manford was working in her office and a coworker handed her a notebook, according to the lawsuit. The coworker told Manford that he and other coworkers made the notebook 'just for her,' according to court documents. The officer told Manford they had attached a pen to the notebook because she was 'forgetful.' Additionally, he said the notebook had large print so Manford could see with her 'old eyes,' and the front cover read 'GERIATRIC EDITION,' according to the lawsuit. When Manford reported the incident, a supervisor allegedly laughed at her and did not report the behavior to human resources, the lawsuit claims. On another occasion, Manford's male coworkers gave her a 'gift' of a denture cup and denture cream, the lawsuit alleges. As the men gave Manford the items, they allegedly said, 'Don't forget to clean your dentures.' When Manford reported the incident to a different supervisor, it was dismissed as the coworkers 'playing around,' according to the lawsuit. Coworkers also allegedly repeatedly implied that Manford had dementia and called her 'meemaw,' as well as trying to scare her, court documents state. Manford, who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, claims these conditions were exacerbated by the attempts to scare her, court documents state. In one instance, a coworker jumped out at her as she exited the locker room and Manford, 'acting in self-defense, reflexively slapped' the coworker, court documents allege. Manford was reprimanded for the incident; a male coworker who had done something similar a month before faced no repercussions, according to court documents. Later, Manford documented that several of her male coworkers had violated the dress code, according to court documents. The coworker who had previously attempted to scare Manford filed a complaint 'in retaliation.' Following the complaint, Manford's coworkers allegedly made comments to her that they were 'going to replace' her, according to court documents. Manford was eventually moved to the night shift and received what court documents refer to as a 'demotion.' She was fired without warning in July, according to court documents. In a phone call to the Star, The Cass County Sheriff's Office said it 'doesn't discuss pending litigation.'
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Head-on crash in northern Minnesota leaves 2 drivers dead
Head-on crash in northern Minnesota leaves 2 drivers dead originally appeared on Bring Me The News. Two drivers were killed and two passengers seriously injured in a head-on crash in northern Minnesota Thursday evening. The crash was reported around 9:20 p.m. on County Road 13 in Turtle Lake Township, with Cass County deputies arriving to find two vehicles seriously damaged. The driver of a 2009 Kia Sportage, a 61-year-old Walker man, and the driver of a 2013 Dodge Avenger, a 55-year-old Menahga woman, were both pronounced dead at the scene. Two passengers in the Dodge – a 46-year-old man and 31-year-old woman, both of Walker – were treated at the scene and airlifted to regional hospitals with serious injuries. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. The identities of the victims have not yet been released. Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcement's latest version of events, and may be subject to change. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Community Foundation set to award record $230k in grant funding
The Cass County Community Foundation Board of Directors announced Wednesday afternoon a record high of $230,000 available for this year's grant cycle. 'As we look back, the impact of our grantmaking can be witnessed throughout the county,' said Deanna Crispen, CCCF president and CEO. 'We have continued to enjoy substantial growth over the last thirty plus years, increasing our grant money from approximately $19,000 just 21 years ago to $230,000 this year. Our board has continued to work diligently to grow our funds so that every year we can offer more back to the community for important projects. This year's pool of $230,000 is an increase over 2024 and the twentieth consecutive year that the Foundation has increased the amount available.' Non-profit, 501© (3) organizations serving Cass County are encouraged to apply for funding for projects which benefit the community and improve the quality of life in Cass County. Guidelines and instructions may be picked up at the CCCF office, 729 E. Market St. or downloaded from the Foundation website at The documents are located under the publications tab. The deadline to return the completed letter of intent and materials for competitive grants or opportunity grant requests is June 20, 2025. For information about the application process, contact the CCCF office at 574-722-2200.
CBS News
26-05-2025
- CBS News
Moorhead woman charged with murder in death of her 20-month-old son
A Moorhead, Minnesota woman has been charged with murder in the death of her 20-month-old son. The woman, 32, was charged with second-degree unintentional murder while committing a felony, according to court documents filed in Clay County on Friday. According to the criminal complaint, the Cass County coroner told police during the night of May 15 that the woman brought the boy to the hospital. The boy died around 11:05 p.m. despite life-saving measures by medical staff. The coroner reported to police that the boy had bruising, charges say. Investigators who later examined his body also noticed bruising and that his belly was swollen. Court documents say an autopsy showed the boy died from complications of a blunt force injury due to an assault, noting contusions throughout his body and rib fractures. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office ruled his death a homicide. The woman told police she is the mother of three children, including the boy, and they all live in Moorhead with her partner. Charges say the woman initially told officers the boy was vomiting on the morning of May 15. She allegedly gave him Tylenol and some Gatorade, and then ran some errands with them and her partner The woman told police that the boy "basically" slept all day and was not acting like himself. She then told her partner that they should take him to a doctor, charges say. They stopped at Walmart to get some Pedialyte, with the boy and her partner staying in the vehicle. While the woman was inside the store, her partner came in and said the boy was vomiting blood. The women told police they then "sped" to the hospital, court documents say. She told police she was aware of the bruising on the boy, and said he bruises easily. Police said she changed her story as to how sick the boy was before the hospital visit when officers asked her more questions, charges say. She said the boy started vomiting on May 14, and that the vomit started out as "normal," then gradually changed to a black or dark substance. Investigators spoke with neighbors and friends who saw the boy "at various times" on May 15. Witnesses said they told the woman to bring the boy to the hospital, charges say. One of the woman's children, who also spoke with police, said she got home from school sometime between 4:30 and 5 p.m. and "immediately" saw the boy needed medical care. The woman told her child she would take the boy to the hospital after her partner came home. The child who spoke to police was holding the boy at one point, and was scared he was going to die in their arms, according to court documents. In a later interview with police, the woman said she did not hurt the boy, though she admitted to being afraid to take him in for medical care because it was "obviously neglect," and thought social services would take her children away, charges say. Surveillance video from Walmart shows the woman, the boy and her partner arriving at the store around 10:12 p.m. Note: The video above originally aired May 16, 2025. To report concerns about child abuse, neglect or sexual abuse, the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families recommends contacting the county or Tribal Nation where the child lives. You can find a list of Minnesota's county and tribal child protection agencies by clicking here. If there is an immediate concern of harm to the child, the agency recommends calling 911.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Cass County Sheriff's search for missing 4-year-old in Belton
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Cass County Sheriff's Office say they are canvasing a rural area in Belton for a missing 4-year-old. Deputies with the Cass County Sheriff's Office shared a photo of a 4-year-old boy who they say was last seen in the area of 187th and Y Highway in Belton, Friday evening. The toddler was last seen wearing a diaper and a large purple shirt, according to deputies. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Anyone with any information is asked to call 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
