<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574088333941.jpeg">Agriculture Sec. Sonny Perdue, being interviewed at the NAFB convention/Photo by Melissa Gregory By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says the move of two research agencies at the USDA from Washington, D.C. to Kansas City puts the agencies closer to those they serve. Perdue has toured an office building near downtown Kansas City where the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture will be relocated. Perdue insists this isn’t as big a move as critics claim. “Do you know that the Economic Research Service and NIFA were the only two agencies that were not represented outside of D.C.? Ninety percent of USDA workforce is outside of D.C. and NIFA and ERS were not, but now they will be,” Perdue tells reporters during his stop at the National Association of Farm Broadcasters convention in Kansas City this weekend. Critics have claimed the two research arms of the USDA will lose valuable experience by moving out of the District of Columbia. Some contend the USDA made the move, because the Trump Administration is upset with some of their work, especially research on the potential impact of climate change. The move is an economic boost to the greater Kansas City area with 576 USDA jobs moving to the Midwest, which an average salary of between $100-and-120 thousand. Missouri Governor Mike Parson says Missouri officials worked with their Kansas counterparts to make the successful bid which landed the two agencies. “The one thing we do know, we’re hard workers and we’re going to continue to work hard and when you work hard, the results happen to be like today and this is a great moment for Kansas City,” Parson says. “It’s a great moment for our state and what it’s going to do for us in the future.” The agencies are moving to 805 Pennsylvania Avenue, just off of downtown Kansas City. The Congressional delegations of Missouri and Kansas as well as local officials across the state line worked together on the bid, winning a contest that attracted proposals from 135 locations across the country. The state of Missouri says the relocation to Kansas City puts the two agencies within 300 miles of 13 land-grant universities as well as top agricultural research universities. Melissa Gregory, KFEQ Farm Director, and the Missourinet contributed to this article.&nbsp;

USDA touting move of research agencies from DC to KC

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574018762648.png">KDOT image of flooding in Doniphan County TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — More than six months after floodwaters overwhelmed Lakeside Village’s well system, the roughly 150 residents of the northeast Kansas community drink, cook and bathe with water hauled in by the Kansas National Guard - up to 40,000 gallons daily. It’s one example of the lingering damage from floodwaters that rose across Kansas and the region earlier this year. Lawmakers at the Capitol last week heard from state and federal officials who told them to be ready for more. Kansas Adjutant General Lee Tafanelli said excess water that hasn’t evaporated, heavier snowfalls and early storms could set the conditions for a 2020 with more flooding. This year’s floods damaged at least $15 million worth of infrastructure and generated $3.8 million in federal flood insurance claims. National Weather Service meteorologist Chad Omitt said it’s hard to be sure whether Kansas can expect similar flooding in the coming years, but it’s important for the state to be ready.“This is a land of extremes,” he said. Earlier this year a March “bomb cyclone,” or a storm that grows quickly, rapidly melted snow and led to the wettest May in recorded Kansas history. Areas that typically receive 4 or 5 inches of rain got 20 inches or more that month, driving more than 90 percent of the state’s monitored rivers above flood stage. Floodwaters damaged 11 dams, mostly in eastern Kansas. Wastewater treatment facilities struggled to keep up, with some 1.3 billion gallons of sewage flowing into Kansas rivers and streams in May, according to the state Department of Health and Environment. Line breaks, water pressure loss and inundated wells prompted officials to issue 14 boil-water advisories. Lakeside Village was one of three communities that had to find alternative water sources. Village board President Jerry White said residents have been encouraged to conserve as much as possible. Water still comes out of the tap, but only because the National Guard brings in a fresh supply daily. It’s possible the community will get its well water back by the end of the year. Annual average precipitation in the United States has increased by 4 percent since 1901, according to the congressionally mandated Fourth National Climate Assessment. The frequency and intensity of heavy rain is projected to continue increasing over the next century. Extreme rainstorms once expected every 25 years may occur every five or 10 years. “It’s not just that, ‘Oh, it’s going to be wetter, or it’s going to be dryer.’ But it’s that the rain that does arrive is going to be arriving at different times in the year and at different intensities,” said Anna Weber, a senior policy analyst at the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group. Weber says governments need to examine whether infrastructure is built to handle a more punishing weather. Senate Vice President Jeff Longbine, an Emporia Republican, chaired a special committee last week that examined the Kansas floods. He said research shows more frequent flooding and flooding of longer duration. Longbine said “I don’t think we know” when asked whether the floods are a consequence of climate change. “We can often go from extremely rainy seasons to extreme drought very quickly. So it’s a matter of determining if there is anything we can do,” Longbine said. “We can’t legislate Mother Nature, but what we can do is be better prepared for the extremes.”

2020 could bring more serious flooding to Kansas

ANDREW COUNTY –One person was injured in an accident just before 6p.m. Sunday in Andrew County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Dodge Caravan driven by Aaron A. Miller, 24, Rosendale, was southbound on Route C one mile south of Rosendale. The vehicle struck a deer. Andrew County ambulance transported Miller to Mosaic Life Care. &nbsp;He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

NW Missouri man hospitalized after van strikes a deer

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<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1561994575899.png">ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The following is a list of general highway maintenance and construction work the Missouri Department of Transportation has planned in the Northwest Missouri region for the week of Nov. 18 - 24. Inclement weather and continued flooding may cause schedule changes in some of the planned work. There may also be moving operations throughout the region such as pothole patching, striping, signal work, etc., in addition to the work mentioned below.All work is weather permitting and subject to change. Andrew CountyRoute O – Culvert repair in Cosby, Nov. 18 – 19 Atchison CountyRoute CC&nbsp;– CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement project through early DecemberRoute 111 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement project at the Mill Creek Bridge near Corning. The bridge will remain closed until Spring 2020.U.S. Route 136 – Bridge maintenance at the bridge over Interstate 29, Nov. 18U.S. Route 136 – Bridge maintenance at the Rock Creek Bridge, Nov. 18U.S. Route 136 – Bridge maintenance at the Cow Branch Bridge, Nov. 18U.S. Route 59 – Pothole patching from the Iowa state line to the Holt County line, Nov. 18 – 22U.S. Route 136 – Pothole patching from I-29 to Route M, Nov. 18 – 22Route C – Shoulder work from U.S. Route 59 to Westboro, Nov. 18 – 22U.S. Route 136 – Bridge maintenance at the Old Channel Nishnabotna River Bridge, Nov. 19Route Z – Bridge maintenance at the bridge over I-29, Nov. 19 Buchanan CountyU.S. Route 169 – Shoulder work from I-29 to Route VV, Nov. 18 – 22Route 116 – Chip seal project 1 mile east of Route V, Nov. 19U.S. Route 59 – Resurfacing project from Route 752 to Route 45 through early December. Carroll CountyRoute C –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;until further notice&nbsp;at the Branch of Turkey Creek Bridge due to damage from flooding. The bridge replacement project is scheduled to be a part of the February 2020 letting.U.S. Route 65 – Bridge rehabilitation at the Wakenda Creek Bridge through early December. This includes a 15-foot width restriction.U.S. Route 65 – Bridge maintenance at the Shootman Creek Bridge and Mound Creek Bridge, Nov. 18 – 21 Chariton CountyU.S. Route 24 – Bridge replacement project at the Mussel Fork River and Overflow Bridges west of Keytesville through early 2020. Traffic is being diverted over a one-lane, signalized bypass during the replacement of the Mussel Fork River Overflow Bridge. A 10-foot width restriction is in place.U.S. Route 24 – Bridge replacement project at the Middle Fork Chariton River and Overflow bridges through early 2020. These bridges are part of Governor Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program. Traffic will be directed through the work zone with temporary traffic signals. A 10-foot width restriction is in place.Route 5 – Bridge maintenance at the Cottonwood Creek Bridge, Nov. 18 – 21 Daviess CountyRoute B –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for bridge reconstruction at the I-35 overpass through early December. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/clinton-and-daviess-county-bridge-deck-replacements-over-i-35" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.modot.org/clinton-and-daviess-county-bridge-deck-replacements-over-i-35</a>Route DD –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for bridge rehabilitation at the I–35 overpass through early December. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/clinton-and-daviess-county-bridge-deck-replacements-over-i-35" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.modot.org/clinton-and-daviess-county-bridge-deck-replacements-over-i-35</a> Harrison CountyRoute P –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from Route TT to Route BB, Nov. 18, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.Route BB –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement, Nov. 19, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.Route D – Drainage work at West 200th&nbsp;Street, Nov. 19 – 20 Holt CountyRoute 111 – Resurfacing project from Route T to U.S. Route 59 through early DecemberRoute T –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;until further notice&nbsp;at Mill Bluff Road due to roadway damage Nodaway CountyRoute 46 – Shoulder work from Route W to U.S. Route 169 (Worth County), Nov. 18Route 46 – Shoulder work near the Maryville airport, Nov. 18 – 19Route 46 – Shoulder work from Route 113 to Maryville, Nov. 18 – 22Route 46 – Shoulder work from Ravenwood to Parnell, Nov. 19 – 20Route 148 – Bridge maintenance at the One Hundred and Two River Bridge, the Beard Branch Bridge, and the East Fork One Hundred and Two River Bridge Nov. 20Route NN – Bridge maintenance at the Norvey Creek Bridge, Nov. 20U.S. Route 71 – Bridge maintenance at the White Cloud Creek Bridge, Nov. 21U.S. Route 136 – Bridge maintenance at the One Hundred and Two River Bridge, Nov. 21U.S. Route 136 – Shoulder work from Mozingo Road to Route 46, Nov. 21 – 22U.S. Route 136 – Bridge maintenance at the Platte River Bridge, Nov. 22Route V – Bridge maintenance at the Elkhorn Creek Bridge, Nov. 22 Sullivan CountyRoute PP –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;until further notice&nbsp;at the East Medicine Creek Bridge after a regularly scheduled inspection revealed critical deterioration to the structure. The bridge is currently scheduled for replacement in fiscal year 2020. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/sullivan-county-route-pp-east-medicine-creek-bridge" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.modot.org/sullivan-county-route-pp-east-medicine-creek-bridge</a> Worth CountyRoute YY –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;until further notice&nbsp;at the Middle Fork of the Grand River after a regularly scheduled inspection revealed critical deterioration to the structure. The bridge is part of Governor Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program and was included in the September 2019 letting. The project was awarded to Boone Construction Co. A schedule for the project has not been determined yet. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/worth-county-route-yy-bridge-replacement-over-middle-fork-grand-river" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.modot.org/worth-county-route-yy-bridge-replacement-over-middle-fork-grand-river</a>Route 46 – Shoulder work from U.S. Route 169 to Route W (Nodaway County), Nov. 18

Planned road work for northwest Missouri, Nov. 18 - 24

BROWN COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after midnight Saturday in Brown County. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Toyota Corolla driven by Andrew O. Kreek, 17, Hiawatha, was traveling at a high rate of speed on Horned Owl Road at U.S. 36. The driver lost control of the vehicle. It left the roadway on the left side, traveled into the ditch, went airborne, made one rotation across U.S. 36 into the ditch and landed on its top. Passenger Ian M. Miller 16, Hiawatha, was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported Kreek and passengers Navaeh Dishmang, 15 and Gabriel Corbett, 18, both of Hiawatha, to KU Medical Center. EMS transported passenger Andrew Timothy Woods, 19, to the Hiawatha Hospital. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Hiawatha teen dead, 4 hospitalized after Brown Co. crash

CLINTON COUNTY— One person was injured in an accident just before 7p.m. Saturday in Clinton County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Chevy Trailblazer driven by Barbara E. Carpenter, 65, Cameron, was northbound on U.S. 69 five miles east of Lathrop. The driver failed to stop at the stop sign at MO 116. The Chevy struck the passenger side of an eastbound 2006 Ford Taurus driven by Jeffrey Kipp, 57, Kingston. Tri-County Ambulance transported Kipp to Liberty Hospital. Carpenter was not transported for treatment. Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

NW Missouri man hospitalized after driver runs stop sign

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1568046671620.jpeg">Beginning next school year, Fridays will be known as 'Gold Fridays' at Missouri Western State University. Most classes will be held Monday through Thursday and the purpose of Gold Fridays will be to give students greater flexibility to engage in applied learning opportunities outside of the classroom. Missouri Western President Matt Wilson says they’re excited to offer the flexible approach to class scheduling. "Our students really do have that opportunity to engage in the classroom, outside of the classroom, to work, to do internships, to do externships, to do service in the community," Wilson says. "Fridays really can be that 'gold' day for our students where they can make a difference and we can make a difference in their lives." Wilson says the four-day class schedule may not be a change for every program, but most programs will be adapted beginning in the 2020-2021 academic year.

Missouri Western to begin "Gold Fridays" - a flexible approach to class scheduling

Sunny skies and warmer temperatures are expected. A slight chance of rain will be possible Saturday night into Sunday. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today: Sunny, with a high near 55. Light and variable wind. Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 32. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Saturday: Mostly cloudy through mid morning, then clearing, with a high near 54. South wind 5 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. South wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 52. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph. Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 58. Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Wednesday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Thursday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Temps in the 50s through the weekend

ATCHISON COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Thursday in Atchison County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Chevy Silverado driven by Mark D. Dinsmore, 60, Essex, IA., was eastbound on Highway C just east of Westboro. The pickup traveled off the road and struck a bridge twice. Atchison-Holt EMS transported Abrams to Shenandoah Medical Center. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

Driver hospitalized after pickup strikes NW Missouri bridge 

HOLT COUNTY — A Skidmore teenager was seriously injured in a crash just before 9:30 a.m. Thursday in Holt County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford Explorer driven by Chloe M. Abrams, 17, Skidmore, was southbound on U.S. 59 five miles north of Oregon. The SUV traveled off the road, returned to the road, crossed the center line, traveled off the east side of the road and overturned. Atchison-Holt EMS transported Abrams to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

Skidmore teen hospitalized after SUV overturns

ST. JOSEPH –&nbsp;It was almost nine months to the day that&nbsp;Tyrell Carroll&nbsp;said he'd make the next one and he delivered on that promise. The sophomore point guard made a floater in the lane with 1.8 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Griffons a 66-64 win over Missouri S&amp;T in OT. MWSU improves to 2-3 this season and the Miners fall to 0-2. Carroll's game-winner came five minutes after he knocked down a 3-pointer to put MWSU up 58-55 in overtime. Unfortunately, S&amp;T's Mitch Fairless had an answer at the buzzer to send the game to overtime. Carroll promised he'd make his next chance at a game winning shot after missing a game-tying 3-pointer on Feb. 23 of last season at Central Missouri. He wasn't going to let it happen again, scoring a career-high 29 points Sunday night against S&amp;T on 11 of 19 shooting with four assists.&nbsp;The teams combined for just two field goals in the overtime period, but MWSU knocked down all six of its free throw attempts in extra time. In the game, MWSU was 20 for 23 at the line with S&amp;T going 4 of 6 from the charity stripe. Missouri Western limited the Miners to 14, 3-point attempts in the game with just four makes.&nbsp;The Griffons led most of the way, including a 10-point advantage early in the game, and took a 29-24 lead to halftime. Missouri Western led 53-47 with 3:37 to go, but S&amp;T ended regulation on an 11-6 run. The Miners had taken a 37-33 lead with 13:02 to go off a 10-2 run, but Carroll scored 10 points on a 20-10 Griff run to give MWSU it's 6-point lead with 3:37 left.&nbsp;NOTABLES<ul><li>Missouri Western overcame 23 turnovers in the game, 10 more than Missouri S&amp;T.</li><li>The Griffons shot 38.5% from the floor with S&amp;T shooting 39.4%.</li><li>MWSU pulled down six more boards, 41-35, than the Miners.</li><li><a href="https://gogriffons.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4042" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: black;">Beau Baker</a>&nbsp;had a team-high 11 rebounds.</li><li>The game featured nine ties, but just two lead changes.</li></ul> UP NEXTMissouri Western hosts Nebraska Christian in Looney Arena on Wednesday before playing its next six games on the road.&nbsp;&nbsp;--- MWSU Athletics ---

Carroll carries Griffons past Missouri S&T in overtime 66-64

ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western football team just missed out on making the NCAA Division II playoffs, but the Griffons will play in the postseason for a second consecutive season.&nbsp;MWSU accepted an invitation to the Agent Barry Live United Bowl in Texarkana, Arkansas for a second straight year. Missouri Western, who tied for third in the MIAA and finished the regular season 8-3, will play Henderson on December 7th at Razorback Stadium.&nbsp;The Reddies had a 9-2 regular season and finished third in the Great American Conference.&nbsp;The only other meeting between the two teams came in the 2012 NCAA playoffs as MWSU won at Henderson State 45-21. The Griffons won the Live United Bowl in 2018 as they defeated Southern Arkansas 30-25.&nbsp;This will be the 11th bowl game in Missouri Western history and the 15th postseason appearance. A press conference with the official announcement will take place in Texarkana on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. as more details will be released then.

Missouri Western accepts bid to the Live United Bowl against Henderson State

The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat football team secured the program's 24th NCAA Division II playoff bid with a berth into the 2019 field. It is the 16th straight season that Northwest will compete in the playoffs for a shot at the Division II national championship. Northwest (10-1 overall) is the No.3 seed in Super Region 3 and will play host to Harding University (10-1 overall) at noon Saturday at Bearcat Stadium in the opening round of the 2019 NCAA Div. II playoffs. Ferris State is the No. 1 seed in the region and gets a first round bye. In the other first round games, No. 2 seed Ouachita Baptist will play host to Lindenwood and No. 4 seed Central Missouri will be at home against Indianapolis. Northwest and Harding have met on two previous occasions and both occurred in the NCAA Division II playoffs. Northwest scored a 35-0 win over Harding on Nov. 17, 2012, in a first round matchup. Northwest then posted a 35-0 victory over Harding on Dec. 3, 2016, in a quarterfinal matchup. Both games took place at Bearcat Stadium. The Bearcats claimed a share of their 30th MIAA title this past Saturday with a 45-23 victory over previously undefeated Central Missouri. Northwest ranks No. 1 all-time in Division II in playoff appearances with 24.&nbsp; Northwest has reached the NCAA Division II national championship game 10 times. Northwest owns six national championships (1998, 1999, 2009, 2013, 2015, 2016). The Bearcats are 48-17 all-time in the playoffs, which marks the most victories in Division II playoff history. The Bearcats (.738) also rank No. 1 in highest winning percentage in the Division II playoffs. --- Northwest Athletics ---

Bearcats earn No. 3 seed and host Harding in Super Region 3 of NCAA Football Playoffs

ST. JOSEPH –&nbsp;There was no letdown for the Missouri Western women's basketball team in their second home game of the season. MWSU dismantled College of Saint Mary 100-51. The Griffons improve to 3-1 and Saint Mary drops to 1-6.&nbsp;Missouri Western never trailed and led by as many as 54 points in the fourth quarter. A 31-6 second quarter in favor of the Griffons really blew the game open. Missouri Western shot 57% from the field and held the Flames to 33% shooting. Four Griffons hit double-figure scoring and all 11 who played scored at least three points.&nbsp;NOTABLES<ul><li>The Griffons were dominant on the glass, out-rebounding Saint Mary 42-28.</li><li>The Griffons scored 42 points off 27 Flamed turnovers.</li><li>MWSU outscored the Flames 42-16 in the paint.</li><li>Chris Wilson&nbsp;was 9 for 9 from the field and led MWSU with 19 points and eight rebounds.</li><li>Katrina Roenfeldt&nbsp;was 7 for 11 from the field and 4 of 7 from three for 18 points.</li><li>Simone Rodney&nbsp;had a team-high five assists.</li><li>Miranda Stephens&nbsp;scored 12 points on 4 of 6 shooting from 3-point range, a high in her Griffon career.</li><li>Mychaell Gray&nbsp;had five of Missouri Western's 15 steals.</li></ul>&nbsp;UP NEXTThe Griffons get a week off before hosting the Fairfield Inn Classic Nov. 29 and 30 in Looney Arena. The Griffons play McKendree on Nov. 29 and Florida Southern on the 30th. --- MWSU Athletics ---

MWSU women dominate College of Saint Mary 100-51

MARYVILLE, Mo. - The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats women's basketball team lost to the Maryville University Saints 68-57, to fall to 2-2 on the year. The Bearcats fell behind quickly losing the first quarter 19-12. Northwest played well defensively, forcing Maryville to commit 15 turnovers, and getting seven steals. The Bearcats struggled to find the basket shooting only 18-of-62 (29%) from the field. Jaelyn Haggard led the Bearcats with 16 points, followed by Kendey Eaton with 12 and Kylie Coleman with 11. Eaton led the Bearcats in rebounds with six. Mia Stillman and Erika Schlosser led the Bearcats with three steals each.&nbsp;&nbsp; Maryville had two scorers over 20 points, Abby Monis had 24 points and Mary Barton had 21. Monis added 10 rebounds to give herself a double-double on the game. Barton led -the Saints with nine assists and added six rebounds as well. The Saints outrebounded the Bearcats 46-23, including 15 offensive rebounds.&nbsp; The Bearcats will be back in action Thursday against Nebraska Christian in Bearcat Arena at 5:30 p.m.&nbsp; --- Northwest Athletics ---

Northwest Missouri State women lose at home to Maryville 68-57

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. –&nbsp;Without three starters, the Missouri Western football team (8-3) closed the 2019 regular season with a 71-8 trouncing of Lincoln (1-10) on Saturday. MWSU picked up its eighth win for the first time in six years and matched a program record with its 10th&nbsp;straight win away from home.&nbsp;The win was one of the most efficiently lopsided on the stat sheet in recent memory.&nbsp;Cooper Burton&nbsp;took the opening kickoff back 77 yards for a touchdown and Missouri Western led by 54 points before Lincoln got on the board early in the fourth quarter.&nbsp;With starting quarterback&nbsp;Wyatt Steigerwald&nbsp;out,&nbsp;Anthony Vespo&nbsp;stepped in for his first career start. Vespo completed 18 of his 21 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Vespo's first career touchdown pass went for 18 yards to fellow redshirt freshman&nbsp;Devon Holmes&nbsp;with 3:57 left in the first. Homes finished with eight catches for 94 yards.&nbsp;Missouri Western led 40-0 at the half and out-gained the Blue Tigers 590-225. Lincoln passed for just 57 yards and the Griffon defense limited the MIAA's leading rusher, Hosea Franklin, to 61 yards on 20 carries.&nbsp;NOTABLES<ul><li>The 71 points scored were the most by a Griffon team since scoring 81 on Lincoln in 2011.</li><li>MWSU's 10.4 yards per play were the third most ever in a game by the Griffons</li><li>Vespo's 85.7 completion percentage was the second-best ever recorded by a Griffon.</li><li>MWSU's 815 all-purpose yards were the third most in program history.</li><li>With 132 punt return yards, the Griffons tied for the second most in a game by any Griffon team.</li><li>Trey Vaval&nbsp;had 120 of those punt return yards, the second most ever in a game by a Griffon. Vaval broke an MIAA single season record, averaging 35.7 yards per kick return.</li><li>With rushing touchdowns by&nbsp;Cole Kruse&nbsp;and&nbsp;Travon Harris, MWSU ended the regular season with 19 different Griffons scoring at least one touchdown, 18 on offense.</li><li>Burton's kickoff return TD was the third by a Griffon this season. Vaval had two of the three.</li><li>Markel Smith&nbsp;rushed seven times for 146 yards and a touchdown, averaging 20.9 yards per carry.</li><li>MWSU rushed for 350 yards and five scores on the ground.</li><li>Sam Aviles&nbsp;was 3-for-3 on field goal attempts.</li></ul>&nbsp;UP NEXTAn announcement is expected, Sunday, regarding a likely second consecutive postseason appearance. --- MWSU Athletics ---&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://gogriffons.com/news/2019/11/16/football-rolls-lincoln-for-eighth-win.aspx?print=true" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: black;">Print Friendly Version</a>

Griffons dominate Lincoln 71-8 for first eight-win season since 2013

EDINA, Mo. (AP) — One person is dead after an apparent deer hunting accident in northeast Missouri, and another hunter was wounded in the central part of the state. The deadly accident happened Sunday in Knox County in a rural area 175 miles northwest of St. Louis. The Missouri Department of Conservation confirmed the accident but declined to say where specifically it happened or to release the name of the victim. Meanwhile, a 20-year-old hunter was shot in the hip just after sunset Saturday on private land near Hallsville. Scott Rice, of the Conservation Department, says the wounded man’s friend thought he was a deer. He is recovering in a hospital. The regular firearm portion of the deer-hunting season began Saturday.

1 dead, 1 wounded In Missouri hunting accidents

ST. MARTINS, Mo. (AP) — Authorities say one person has been wounded in a road-rage incident in central Missouri. Cole County Sheriff John Wheeler said Sunday in a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/SheriffWheeler/status/1196175030440382465" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 125, 165);">Tweet</a>&nbsp;that one person was taken into custody and the wounded person was transported to a hospital with injuries that weren’t believed to be life threatening. Wheeler says the incident is under investigation. It happened near St. Martins, which is about 10 miles northwest of Jefferson City. No other details were immediately released.

1 wounded, 1 arrested in Missouri road-rage incident

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574019099301.png">Saousoalii P. Siavii Jr., -photo Jackson Co. KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Additional charges have been filed against a former Kansas City Chiefs football player and eight co-defendants for their roles in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that operated primarily in Eastern Jackson County, according to the United State's Attorney. Saousoalii P. Siavii Jr., also known as “Junior,” 41, of Independence, Missouri, was charged in a nine-count superseding indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 13. The superseding indictment replaces the original indictment against Siavii and includes additional charges and eight additional defendants. The indictment was unsealed today following the arrests and initial court appearances of some of those defendants. The federal indictment alleges that Siavii, along with Marion D. McCrorey, also known as “Doug,” 40, Andrew A. Tofaeono, also known as “Drew,” 35, Isaac M. Butler, 34, Michelle M. Andrews, 37, Katie M. Thompson, also known as “Muneca,” 25, Michelle L. Morris, 25, and James J. Leach, 39, all of Independence; and Kristannie Casteel, 31, of Blue Springs, Missouri; participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from July 11, 2018, to Nov. 13, 2019. In addition to the conspiracy, Siavii is charged with two counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Siavii allegedly possessed a Sturm Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun on Aug. 4, 2019, and a Smith and Wesson 9mm semi-automatic pistol on Aug. 24, 2019. Siavii and Andrews are also each charged with one count of being a drug user in possession of a firearm. Siavii allegedly possessed a Phoenix Arms .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol on April 7, 2019. Andrews allegedly possessed a Kel-Tec .380-caliber pistol July 10, 2019.Siavii is also charged with two counts of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Tofaeono is also charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.Leach is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Leach, who has prior felony convictions, allegedly possessed a Ward’s Western Field 12-gauge pump-action shotgun on Sept. 30, 2019.According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Siavii was arrested on Aug. 24, 2019. Independence police officers responded to parking lot on U.S. 40 Highway, where a witness said he located his friend’s stolen 2017 Jeep Wrangler Sport. The witness told police he saw a man, later identified as Siavii, getting out of the driver’s seat of the vehicle.Officers contacted Siavii, the affidavit says, who disregarded their commands, and an officer deployed his Taser on Siavii. Siavii, who is six feet, five inches tall and weighs approximately 330 pounds, fell to the ground. Officers attempted to gain control as he began to actively resist arrest. Siavii began pushing himself up off the ground, at which time a loaded Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol fell directly in front of him within his reach An officer drew his duty weapon and put it to Siavii’s back, due to him not being under physical control, while another officer grabbed Siavii’s firearm and threw it several feet away. Officers continued to fight with Siavii, the affidavit says, while giving him commands to stop resisting and to place his hands behind his back. An officer deployed his Taser on Siavii again with little effect. Siavii was able to get on top of the officer, who was on the ground at this point. Another officer was eventually able to put Siavii in a neck restraint and render him unconscious long enough to handcuff him. Siavii continued to resist even after being handcuffed. In addition to the Aug. 24 incident, the affidavit cites several more incidents in which Siavii was arrested while in possession of illegal drugs and firearms. In one incident, when officers responded to a report of a stolen Chevrolet Silverado that was tracked by On-Star to a motel parking lot, Siavii attempted to flee on foot, then resisted arrest, and fought with officers. In another incident, Siavii led officers in a vehicle pursuit that reached speeds up to 101 m.p.h. Siavii’s vehicle eventually left the roadway and he fled on foot before being located by officers and taken into custody. The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Additional charges filed against former KC Chief in drug-trafficking conspiracy 

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574083378866.png">Watters photo Joplin Police KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Authorities say an autopsy has found no signs of foul play in the death of a man whose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ca01eb1124834865ac6f70457b423b07" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 125, 165);">body was found in a freezer</a>&nbsp;in his wife’s bedroom inside the couple’s southwest Missouri home. Joplin police say the autopsy also confirmed that the man was Paul Barton, whose wife, 67-year-old Barbara Watters, is charged with abandonment of a corpse. The body was found last week after a witness told police that Barton’s body had been in Watters’ freezer since his death on Dec. 30, 2018. No details were provided about how the witness knew the couple. No charges have been filed in Barton’s death. Police said before Watters’ arrest on Thursday that she has unspecified “mental disorders” and is known to carry firearms. Police say the investigation is ongoing.

No signs of foul play in death of man found in Missouri freezer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas City school district is increasing the pay of its substitute teachers in a move to address a shortage that is plaguing classrooms around the metro. Michael Weishaar, interim superintendent of the Center School District, said the district decided to increase its pay rate for substitutes from $100 a day to $110 over the summer. But the district decided to bump up pay to $130 a day just a few months into the school year. "I think this makes us, hopefully, more attractive to not only substitute teachers but other individuals who are outside of education," Weishaar said. Weishaar noted that the number of available substitutes has declined gradually over the last few years. “But this year in particular is a more dire situation,” he added.Center High School Principal Edward Tate said that the lack of substitute teachers can create a significant burden on teachers who then must fill in when there are not enough substitutes. "Last week, we had a day where we had 13 teachers out," Tate said. "We're hoping with this new incentive we will see an increased presence of subs and jobs that are filled so we don't put the added stress on our teachers who have taught most of the day.”The high school had 10 teachers out sick on Tuesday, but was only able to get nine substitutes, which meant other teachers had to forgo their planning period to fill in. Steve Parker, a world history teacher at Center High School, said that time is vital is for grading papers and making lesson plans, among the other responsibilities for teachers. "Taking away that time here in school that was allotted to us really kind of adds to the already tough job of being a teacher," Parker said.He added that he hopes the pay increase will help bring in quality substitutes for the district and its students."They need consistency,” Parker said, “and if you are here for them, they love you.”

Kansas City school district increases substitute teacher pay

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573925606451.png">Reese photo Jackson County KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man who fatally shot an argumentative robbery victim has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Twenty-seven-year-old Danzel Reese of Kansas City was sentenced Thursday for involuntary manslaughter and first-degree robbery in the 2010 fatal shooting of Lance Rutter. One witness told police the original plan was to rob a drug dealer. But when the dealer didn’t show up, the witness returned to a vehicle, where he got a call from Reese saying he was “just gonna rob anybody.” The witness says he then saw Reese point a handgun at two people on a porch and fire once. The surviving victim told police that he handed his wallet to one suspect, who then took off running. The man said Rutter was shot when he argued with the other suspect.

Kansas City man killed argumentative robbery victim

<img src="https://newshub.eagleradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Screen-Shot-2019-11-17-at-1.39.11-PM-300x235.png" height="235" width="300"> Leavenworth Detention Center is owned and operated by CoreCivic, the biggest private operator of prisons and detention centers in the United States.CREDIT REBEKAH HANGE / Kansas News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The head of a giant private prison company says his firm is prepared for the “worst case scenario” should a Democratic presidential candidate win the 2020 election and attempt to abolish private involvement in the prison sector. CoreCivic CEO Damon Hininger addressed such a potential scenario in the company’s latest earnings conference call last week when asked about the number of top Democratic presidential candidates who favor ending federal private prisons. He said Tennessee-based CoreCivic remains upbeat that the company would continue to earn money in such a scenario and noted the federal government currently does not have the infrastructure to house inmates without relying on private facilities. “In worst case scenario, knowing half our business is with the states, nothing is going to change,” Hininger later said in a Friday phone interview with The Associated Press, echoing comments he made on the earnings call. On the call, he said CoreCivic had reported $509 million in earnings for the third quarter. He said that CoreCivic would still earn money should the federal government ever end its contract, saying his company would be able to sell or lease its real estate if that were to occur — stressing that such an effort would likely take years to phase-out and approval from Congress on appropriating enough funding to build new facilities and resources. CoreCivic currently owns an estimated 59% of all private-owned prison beds in the U.S. and manages nearly 39% of the country’s privately managed prison beds. The company operates 51 correctional and detention facilities including the Leavenworth Detention Center in northeast Kansas. They own 44 with a total capacity of roughly 73,000 beds. This has resulted in the company becoming the largest private owner of real estate used by U.S. government agencies. “We think that an option could be if there is a big push not only at federal but at state level to eliminate use of the private sector to provide real estate and services,” Hininger said. “That maybe the option that they ask us to consider is to either buy our existing assets or capacity or lease our facilities.” Top private prison firms across the country have been closely watching the growing backlash from the top Democratic presidential contenders — ranging from former Vice President Joe Biden, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders — who strongly favor ending federal private prisons. These companies recently formed an advocacy group known as the Day 1 Alliance to rebut the criticism. Meanwhile, unease in the industry continues to linger about negative public opinion on private prisons. For example, in a recent SEC filing, Florida-based GEO Group noted that resistance to private prisons “could result in our inability to obtain new contracts or the loss of existing contracts, impact our ability to obtain or refinance debt financing or enter into commercial arrangements.” Hininger also added on the call that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Marshals do not own or operate any detention centers, making them reliant on private companies like CoreCivic to house detainees. But even if the federal government became opposed to privatization, Hininerg said state governments are increasingly showing more interest in the area. “In the last two years, we’ve had contracts with Ohio, Vermont, Wyoming, South Carolina, Kansas and Kentucky. These are states with both Democratic and Republican governors, both ends of the spectrum,” Hininerg told AP on Friday. “They’ve engaged us with solutions and I don’t see that changing.” CoreCivic’s involvement with ICE, however, has come under fire from the left as one of two private companies that operate migrant detention centers for ICE. According to CoreCivic's financial statements, ICE detention accounted for 25 percent of the company's $1.8 billion in total revenue in 2018. CoreCivic has defended contracting with ICE by countering that it doesn’t run facilities for immigrant children separated from parents, but it does have ones that detain adult immigrants, as well as one center that houses migrant mothers and their children together. In 2016, then President Barack Obama’s administration announced the Federal Bureau of Prisons would no longer use private prisons and unveiled a plan to phase-out of the contracts. That decision was quickly overturned after President Donald Trump took office.

Private prison firm preps for 2020 ‘worst case scenario’

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The University of Missouri-Kansas City says the removal of a controversial work of art from the school’s fine arts building display was long planned and not a response to complaints. The work is a statement on the current unrest in Hong Kong and features a depiction of an altered, torn Chinese flag, with yellow stars arranged to form a swastika. On the image is written “#CHINAZI.” The other half of the image depicts a yellow raincoat and gas mask with the words “FREE HONG KONG.” Chinese students complained Thursday to the art department and asked that the piece be removed.It was removed, but the university said Friday in a statement that student artwork is displayed on three-week cycles, and the piece had already been set for removal on Thursday.

UMKC: Removal of controversial artwork was planned

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573926755496.png"> Jones photo Johnson County KANSAS CITY (AP) — A 43-year-old Kansas City man previously freed from prison in a case of mistaken identity is facing a possible return to confinement after pleading guilty to illegal possession of a firearm. Richard Anthony Jones pleaded guilty Thursday. He wasn’t allowed to have weapons because of prior felony convictions for burglary and robbery. Jones was released from prison in 2017 after his conviction for snatching a woman’s purse at a Kansas Walmart in 1999 was overturned, in what became known as the “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/5f7dddb5a5fb495cbcb6b54b627b9f03" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 167, 218);">doppelganger</a>&nbsp;case.” Supporters said another man, who looked like Jones, was the likely robber. Kansas paid Jones $1 million in 2018 for his wrongful imprisonment. Prosecutors say officers found handguns on Jones during two confrontations in February and March.Jones faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

Kan. man released in mistaken identity case facing return to prison

<a href="https://www.hayspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/gram___dun.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.hayspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/gram___dun.jpg" height="600" width="800"></a> Gram &amp; Dun on the Country Club Plaza. Dan Margolies BY DAN MARGOLIES <a href="https://www.kcur.org/post/two-kansas-city-area-restaurant-chains-file-bankruptcy-five-days-apart#stream/0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kansas News Service</a> The two operators of about a dozen well-known Kansas City restaurants sought bankruptcy protection within days of one another, with both saying the restaurants will remain open for business. On Saturday, Bread &amp; Butter Concepts LLC, which owns and operates Gram &amp; Dun on the Country Club Plaza, Urban Table in Prairie Village and the Stock Hill steak restaurant just south of the Plaza, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Kansas. And on Thursday, HRI Holding Corp., which owns Leawood-based Houlihan’s Restaurants Inc., a casual dining chain, filed for Chapter 11 in Delaware. Houlihan’s operates 47 restaurants, including Houlihan’s, J. Gilbert’s and Bristol Seafood Grill, in Kansas, Missouri and 12 other states. The company was founded in 1992 and is owned by affiliates of York Capital Management, an investment management company that bought Houlihan’s about three years ago. Houlihan’s plans to sell its assets to Landry’s LLC, a Houston-based restaurant group, for $40 million, according to its bankruptcy filing. Landry’s made a “stalking horse” bid for Houlihan’s, establishing a floor for other offers that might emerge. In a court filing, Houlihan’s chief restructuring officer, Matthew Manning, attributed the filing to “various industry headwinds," including senior management changes, expensive leases and a tight labor market. Coincidentally, the founder and CEO of Bread &amp; Butter Concepts, Alan L. Gaylin, is a former Houlihan’s executive. The two bankruptcy filings were unrelated, although the same industry headwinds may have been a factor in Bread &amp; Butter’s filing. Bread &amp; Butter ran into lease problems recently with The Oliver, another restaurant it operated on the Plaza. After negotiations for a new lease with the Plaza’s owner fell apart, the restaurant closed earlier this year. <a href="https://www.hayspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/stock_hill.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.hayspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/stock_hill-300x225.jpg" height="225" width="300"></a> The Stock Hill steak restaurant just south of the Plaza. Credit Dan Margolies The company’s bankruptcy attorney, Sharon Stolte, said Bread &amp; Butter’s current restaurants, along with its separate catering service, event venue and Happy Belly Food Truck, will remain open while Bread &amp; Butter seeks to restructure its debts. “Our plans are to reorganize and to do it as quickly as possible,” she said. Bread &amp; Butter got its start nearly a decade ago when it opened BRGR Kitchen + Bar in Prairie Village. It recently sold its various BRGR restaurants, as well as its Taco Republic restaurant, to the parent company of Louie’s Wine Dive. In a declaration filed with the bankruptcy court, Gaylin said two of his business partners, both Texas residents, suffered financial reverses in the oil industry and were no longer able to fund Bread &amp; Butter’s losses or underwrite its losses. Bread &amp; Butter listed about $4.1 million in assets and $5.1 million in liabilities. In a statement, the company said, “We have every intention of coming out on the other side a much stronger company, and one that will be in Kansas City for another ten years and beyond. We will continue to operate as usual with no interruptions to our service, or our continuing commitment to our customers.” Dan Margolies is a senior reporter and editor at KCUR. You can reach him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/DanMargolies" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@DanMargolies</a>.

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