The following are health inspection reports for December in Saint Joseph.

El Maguey #2-4225 Commonwealth&nbsp;(12/31/25)

&nbsp;Casey's General Store #2471-2423 N. Woodbine&nbsp;(12/31/25)

River Bluff Brewery-1224 Frederick (12/30/25)

Ricky Dean's-3620 N. Village Drive (12/30/25)

Mokaska Coffee Company-617 Felix (12/30/25)

Arby's Roast Beef-1604 N. Belt (12/30/25)

The Cafe Belle Epoque-1141 Frederick (12/30/25)

Ford's Drive In-5028 Lake (12/29/25)

Mr. Goodcents Subs &amp; Pasta-4315 Commonwealth (12/29/25)

Los Compadres-815 S. Belt (12/23/25)

Taco John's-1315 S. Belt (12/22/25)

Green Hills-3225 N. Belt (12/22/25)

Panda Express-5301 N. Belt (12/19/25)

Arby's Roast Beef-4601A S. Leonard (12/18/25)

Casey's General Store-4101 N Belt (12/18/25)

Felix Street Gourmet-722 Felix (12/18/25)

Regal Hollywood-5405 N. Belt (12/17/25)

1st Barrel Brewing-510B Edmond (12/17/25)

Sodexo-Boehringer Ingelheim-3902 Gene Field (12/17/25)

Robidoux Resident Theater-615 S. 10th (12/16/25)

Taco John's-2205 N. Belt (12/15/25)

Hi Ho Bar &amp; Grill-1825 Calhoun (12/15/25)

Topsy's Popcorn-3702 Frederick #45 (12/16/25)

The Den-515, 517, 519 Felix (12/12/25)

PepperJax Grill-1908 N. Belt (12/12/25)

Sodexo-Boehringer Ingelheim-2621 N. Belt (12/12/25)

St. Joseph's Haven-610 Olive (12/12/25)

Revolutions Lanes &amp; Fun Center-6938 King Hill (12/11/25)

Dunkin' Donuts-1106 S. Belt (12/11/25)

Joyce Raye Patterson Senior Center-100 S. 10th (12/11/25)

Burger King-1517 S. Belt (12/11/25)

Domino's Pizza-2110 Messanie (12/10/25)

Starbucks Coffee-324 N. Belt (12/10/25)

Norty's Bar &amp; Grill-1123 Frederick (12/10/25)

Lisa's Roadside Diner-2414 S. 4th (12/10/25)

Kentucky Fried Chicken-813 S. Belt (12/9/25)

Hornbill Asian Market-601 S. Belt (12/9/25)

Green Hills&nbsp;(Deli)-3225 N. Belt (12/8/25)&nbsp;

Green Hills (Store)-3225 N. Belt (12/8/25)

Green Hills-7014A King Hill (12/8/25)

The following are health inspection reports for December in Saint Joseph.El Maguey #2-4225 Commonwealth&nbsp;(12/31/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations</li>
 </ul>&nbsp;Casey's General Store #2471-2423 N. Woodbine&nbsp;(12/31/25)<ul>
 <li>Non-Priority: Tomatoes stored in open box on the floor of walk-in cooler.</li><li>Non-Priority: Dirty trash cabinets, lobby salad cooler, and mop sink.</li>
 </ul>Room 108-722 Felix (12/31/25)<ul>
 <li>Critical: Dishwasher is not sanitizing.</li>
 </ul>River Bluff Brewery-1224 Frederick (12/30/25)Non-Priority:<ul>
 <li>Non-Priority: Dirty kegs in walk-in cooler due to mold dust.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Non-Priority: Dirty air vents and ceiling in walk-in cooler.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Non-Priority: Damaged floor in walk-in cooler.</li>
 </ul>Ricky Dean's-3620 N. Village Drive (12/30/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>Mokaska Coffee Company-617 Felix (12/30/25)<ul>
 <li>Non-Critical: Vent hood and covers still need cleaning</li>
 </ul>Arby's Roast Beef-1604 N. Belt (12/30/25)<ul>
 <li>Non-Priority: Hand sink had food dumped in it upon inspector arrival.</li>
 </ul>The Cafe Belle Epoque-1141 Frederick (12/30/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>Ford's Drive In-5028 Lake (12/29/25)<ul>
 <li>Priority: Hand washing sink in food prep area is draining too slowly. (Corrected)</li><li>Non-Priority: Dirty Air Vents</li>
 </ul>Mr. Goodcents Subs &amp; Pasta-4315 Commonwealth (12/29/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>Los Compadres-815 S. Belt (12/23/25)<ul>
 <li>Complaint: Ensure foods are contained separately, and that personal food is kept secure of public food.</li>
 </ul>Taco John's-1315 S. Belt (12/22/25)<ul>
 <li>Non-Priority: Dirty ice machine interior.</li>
 </ul>Green Hills-3225 N. Belt (12/22/25)<ul>
 <li>Complaint: Clean the cold holding cases in store at least weekly.</li>
 </ul>Panda Express-5301 N. Belt (12/19/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>VFW Post-821 N. 4th (12/18/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>Arby's Roast Beef-4601A S. Leonard (12/18/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>Rooftop-722 Felix (12/18/25)<ul>
 <li>Ashtray kept inside.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Buffalo meat not clearly labeled.</li>
 </ul>Room 108-722 Felix (12/18/25)<ul>
 <li>Priority: Dishwasher is not sanitizing dishes.</li>
 </ul>Casey's General Store-4101 N Belt (12/18/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>Felix Street Gourmet-722 Felix (12/18/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>Regal Hollywood-5405 N. Belt (12/17/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>1st Barrel Brewing-510B Edmond (12/17/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>Sodexo-Boehringer Ingelheim-3902 Gene Field (12/17/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>Robidoux Resident Theater-615 S. 10th (12/16/25)<ul>
 <li>Priority: Dishwasher is not sanitizing</li>
 </ul>Taco John's-2205 N. Belt (12/15/25)<ul>
 <li>Non-Priority: Holes in floor tile and wall.</li>
 </ul>Hi Ho Bar &amp; Grill-1825 Calhoun (12/15/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>Topsy's Popcorn-3702 Frederick #45 (12/16/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>The Den-515, 517, 519 Felix (12/12/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>PepperJax Grill-1908 N. Belt (12/12/25)<ul>
 <li>Complaint: Give a thorough deep cleaning.</li>
 </ul>Sodexo-Boehringer Ingelheim-2621 N. Belt (12/12/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>St. Joseph's Haven-610 Olive (12/12/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>Revolutions Lanes &amp; Fun Center-6938 King Hill (12/11/25)<ul>
 <li>Defrost cycle failing in walk-in freezer.</li>
 </ul>Dunkin' Donuts-1106 S. Belt (12/11/25)<ul>
 <li>Non-Priority: Dirty Gaskets on coolers, dirty ice machine exterior.</li>
 </ul>Joyce Raye Patterson Senior Center-100 S. 10th (12/11/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>Burger King-1517 S. Belt (12/11/25)<ul>
 <li>Complaint: Ensure employees are getting trash in trash cans, and mindful of spills.</li>
 </ul>Domino's Pizza-2110 Messanie (12/10/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>Starbucks Coffee-324 N. Belt (12/10/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>Norty's Bar &amp; Grill-1123 Frederick (12/10/25)<ul>
 <li>Priority-Dirty ice dispenser.</li>
 </ul>Lisa's Roadside Diner-2414 S. 4th (12/10/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>Kentucky Fried Chicken-813 S. Belt (12/9/25)<ul>
 <li>Complaint, Non-priority: Clean the urinal regularly.</li>
 </ul>Hornbill Asian Market-601 S. Belt (12/9/25)<ul>
 <li>Missing required sink in food prep area.</li>
 </ul>Green Hills&nbsp;(Deli)-3225 N. Belt (12/8/25)&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>Green Hills (Store)-3225 N. Belt (12/8/25)<ul>
 <li>Priority: Baby Formula past its USE BY date on shelves.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Non-priority: Dirty paper in reach of tea cooler.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Non-priority: Dirty cooler vents in meat department and milk cooler.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Non-priority: Missing latch on walk-in milk cooler.</li>
 </ul>McDonald's-3417 S. Belt (12/8/25)<ul>
 <li>No Recommendations.</li>
 </ul>Green Hills-7014A King Hill (12/8/25)<ul>
 <li>Non-Critical: Air vents in milk cooler, meat department, and cheesecake sections still need to be cleaned.</li>
 </ul>Big Biscuit-139 N. Belt (12/3/25)<ul>
 <li>Complaint: Dead cockroach found behind a&nbsp; cooling unit. Sweep the floor daily. Manager says they will switch pest control companies.</li>
 </ul>

St. Joseph December Health Inspections Report

The following is the complete, unedited report from the Andrew County Health Department for food-serving establishments. This report is collected quarterly.

Food Code violations are broken down into two categories: priority (critical) and core (non-critical). Priority violations are crucial as they are more likely to result in food contamination, illness, or environmental health hazards. Some examples of priority violations include improper food storage temperatures, inadequate cooking, employee hygiene, contaminated equipment and improper chemical usage. On the other hand, core violations involve issues like clean floors, walls, and ceilings, open waste bins, uncovered light bulbs in food preparation areas, and lack of thermometers for temperature control monitoring.

Violations annotated (COS) means the issue was “Corrected on Site” before health inspection was completed.

Avenue City Grocery 18172 Highway 169, Cosby, MO 64436. Routine 10.1.25. Priority: None. Core: Ice bagged on premise not labelled, dust and debris build up on ice baffle, store room freezer missing kick panel (equipment should be in good repair).

Avenue City R-9 Elementary 18069 Highway 169, Cosby, MO 64436. Routine 10.1.25. Priority: None. Core: Floor mats showing signs of distress (should be smooth and easily cleanable).

Brother’s Market Deli 402 E Price Ave, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 10.1.25. Priority: Employees not washing hands between tasks (COS). Core: Dust and debris buildup on facility walls, floors, door seals and equipment, in use utensils not stored properly between uses, wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer.

Cabin Coffee Company 402 E Price Ave, Savannah, MO 64485. 10.16.25. Priority: None. Core: Rags/paper towels used to line shelves in preparation area (contact surfaces should be smooth and cleanable).

Duncan Hills Golf Course 400 E Duncan Dr, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 10.16.25. Priority: None. Core: Accumulated crumbs and residue in kitchen and alternative refrigerators, food prepped and package on site not labelled or dated in storage freezer.

Subway 501A N US Hwy 71, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 10.16.25. Priority: None. Core: Floor mats showing signs of distress (should be smooth and easily cleanable).

Prairie Specialties LLC 2777 State Route P King City, MO 64463. Routine 10.16.25. Violations: None.

Dollar General 19319 Co Rd 281, Helena, MO 64459. Routine 10.16.25. Priority: None. Core: Damaged facility wall in storage bay, dumpster lids open at time of inspection.

Pizza Hut 202 N US Hwy 71, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 10.16.25. Priority: None. Core: Door guard for walk in fridge torn and in disrepair, dirty non-food contact surfaces including vent grates and high contact surfaces, customer lobby benches showing signs of distress.

Harry O’s 105 N 5th St, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 10.17.25. Violations: None.

Savannah R-3: Amazonia Elementary 845 6th St, Amazonia, MO 64421. Routine 10.17.25. Priority: None. Core: Hand sink used for purposes other than handwashing.

Savage Fitness 205 W Main St, Savannah, MO 64485. Opening 10.17.25. Priority: None. Core: Carpet in drink preparation space (walls, floors and ceilings should be covered or made of none absorbent materials). Approved for opening.

VFW Post 12053 53 State Route K, Amazonia, MO 64421. Routine 10.17.25. Priority: None. Core: Unsealed wood used for shelving, cardboard/paper towels used to line counter tops (all surfaces should be smooth, cleanable and made with non-absorptive materials), thermometer missing from cold units (COS), trashcans dirty (attracts pest and can cause lingering odors), cups without handles being used as ingredient scoops, dumpster lids open at the time of inspection.

Andrew County Senior Center 12737 State Hwy E, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 10.21.25. Priority: None. Core: Cardboard used to line shelf in walk in refrigerator. Approval provided for salad bar addition.

Jesse’s Last Stop #1 6101 N Belt Hwy, St Joseph, MO 64506. Routine 10.21.25. Priority: None. Core: Buildup on outside of ice chutes, ice bagged on premises not labelled, dumpster lids open at the time of inspection, damaged cabinets and missing cabinetry, counter edges showing signs of distress (unsealed particle board apparent), rags used to line counter (all surfaces should be smooth, cleanable and made with non-absorptive materials).

Saint Joseph Country Club 50 Ridgeland Rd, Country Club, MO 64505. Routine 10.21.25. Priority: None. Core: Bowls without handles being used as ingredients scoops, no towels or hand dryer available at handwashing sink in dish room, single service items stored on floor in dry storage cellar, mop heads not stored properly between uses (COS), food uncovered with risk of cross-contamination in walk-in, missing ceiling tile in food preparation area (COS).

Community Hall 325 S Holt Fillmore, MO 64449. Routine 11.5.25. Violations: None.

Trex Mart #11 4177 59 Hwy, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 11.5.25. Priority: Asian lady beetle infestation on premise, pest control procedure in affect and presence minimized in food preparation areas. Core: Floor tiles in disrepair, mops not stored properly between uses, non-food contact surfaces not clean to sight and touch (high contact surfaces, accumulated ice in freezers, door tracks and clutter), dumpster lids open at the time of inspection.

Wild Horse Café 110 S 5th St, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 11.14.25. Priority: Loose tobacco and tobacco products stored openly in food preparation space (COS). Core: Mops not stored properly between uses (COS), cloths/foil used to line food contact surfaces, personal items not stored separately from food storage.

Pizza Shoppe 410 Court St. Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 11.14.25. Priority: Unlabeled chemical bottles (COS). Core: Mop sink in disrepair, wall damage in customer lobby, no sanitizer test strips on site.

China House 101 S 4th St, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 11.14.25. Priority: None. Core: Unlabeled food products, unsealed wood used as shelving in refrigerator.

El Rey Papi’s 421 W Main St, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 11.14.25. Priority: Raw meats stored over ready-to-eat foods in reach in fridge and freezers, potentially hazardous cold foods in prep table not being held below 41 degrees. Core: Improper methods used to thaw meats, missing handwashing signage from front handwashing sink, handwashing sink in food kitchen used for purposes other than handwashing, ice scoop not stored properly between uses, food uncovered with risk of cross-contamination on prep table, unsealed particle board used for walls, ceilings and floor in new dry storage room (building materials should be smooth, cleanable and nonabsorbent if they are a surface that can be exposed to splashes or spills).

El Rey Papi’s 421 W Main St, Savannah, MO 64485. Follow Up 11.25.25. Priority: None. Core: Improper thawing methods used to thaw meats (COS), handwashing sink in food kitchen used for purposes other than handwashing (COS), Ice scoops not stored properly between uses (COS), unsealed particle board used for walls, ceilings and floor in new dry storage room.

Dollar General 1605 N US Hwy 71, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 12.2.25. Violations: None.

Dairy Queen 108 S Hwy 71, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 12.2.25. Priority: None. Core: Equipment in disrepair (handle broken on chest freezer).

Brother’s Market Grocery 402 E Price Ave, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 12.2.25. Priority: None. Core: Water damaged ceiling tiles throughout store, build-up on beer cooler walls and around door seals in select spaces, broken door seals on walk-in freezer, towels used to line shelves in bakery.

Ivy Cottage 408 Court St, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 12.23.25. Violations: None.

Gambino’s Pizza 111 S 4th St, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 12.23.25. Priority: Insufficient sanitizer from dish machine (COS). Core: Dirty non-food contact surfaces (inside of microwave in food prep areas), insufficient light in walk-in refrigerator.

The following is the complete, unedited report from the Andrew County Health Department for food-serving establishments. This report is collected quarterly.Food Code violations are broken down into two categories: priority (critical) and core (non-critical). Priority violations are crucial as they are more likely to result in food contamination, illness, or environmental health hazards. Some examples of priority violations include improper food storage temperatures, inadequate cooking, employee hygiene, contaminated equipment and improper chemical usage. On the other hand, core violations involve issues like clean floors, walls, and ceilings, open waste bins, uncovered light bulbs in food preparation areas, and lack of thermometers for temperature control monitoring.Violations annotated (COS) means the issue was “Corrected on Site” before health inspection was completed.Avenue City Grocery 18172 Highway 169, Cosby, MO 64436. Routine 10.1.25. Priority: None. Core: Ice bagged on premise not labelled, dust and debris build up on ice baffle, store room freezer missing kick panel (equipment should be in good repair).Avenue City R-9 Elementary 18069 Highway 169, Cosby, MO 64436. Routine 10.1.25. Priority: None. Core: Floor mats showing signs of distress (should be smooth and easily cleanable).Brother’s Market Deli 402 E Price Ave, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 10.1.25. Priority: Employees not washing hands between tasks (COS). Core: Dust and debris buildup on facility walls, floors, door seals and equipment, in use utensils not stored properly between uses, wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer.Cabin Coffee Company 402 E Price Ave, Savannah, MO 64485. 10.16.25. Priority: None. Core: Rags/paper towels used to line shelves in preparation area (contact surfaces should be smooth and cleanable).Duncan Hills Golf Course 400 E Duncan Dr, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 10.16.25. Priority: None. Core: Accumulated crumbs and residue in kitchen and alternative refrigerators, food prepped and package on site not labelled or dated in storage freezer.Subway 501A N US Hwy 71, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 10.16.25. Priority: None. Core: Floor mats showing signs of distress (should be smooth and easily cleanable).Prairie Specialties LLC 2777 State Route P King City, MO 64463. Routine 10.16.25. Violations: None.Dollar General 19319 Co Rd 281, Helena, MO 64459. Routine 10.16.25. Priority: None. Core: Damaged facility wall in storage bay, dumpster lids open at time of inspection.Pizza Hut 202 N US Hwy 71, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 10.16.25. Priority: None. Core: Door guard for walk in fridge torn and in disrepair, dirty non-food contact surfaces including vent grates and high contact surfaces, customer lobby benches showing signs of distress.Harry O’s 105 N 5th St, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 10.17.25. Violations: None.Savannah R-3: Amazonia Elementary 845 6th St, Amazonia, MO 64421. Routine 10.17.25. Priority: None. Core: Hand sink used for purposes other than handwashing.Savage Fitness 205 W Main St, Savannah, MO 64485. Opening 10.17.25. Priority: None. Core: Carpet in drink preparation space (walls, floors and ceilings should be covered or made of none absorbent materials). Approved for opening.VFW Post 12053 53 State Route K, Amazonia, MO 64421. Routine 10.17.25. Priority: None. Core: Unsealed wood used for shelving, cardboard/paper towels used to line counter tops (all surfaces should be smooth, cleanable and made with non-absorptive materials), thermometer missing from cold units (COS), trashcans dirty (attracts pest and can cause lingering odors), cups without handles being used as ingredient scoops, dumpster lids open at the time of inspection.Andrew County Senior Center 12737 State Hwy E, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 10.21.25. Priority: None. Core: Cardboard used to line shelf in walk in refrigerator. Approval provided for salad bar addition.Jesse’s Last Stop #1 6101 N Belt Hwy, St Joseph, MO 64506. Routine 10.21.25. Priority: None. Core: Buildup on outside of ice chutes, ice bagged on premises not labelled, dumpster lids open at the time of inspection, damaged cabinets and missing cabinetry, counter edges showing signs of distress (unsealed particle board apparent), rags used to line counter (all surfaces should be smooth, cleanable and made with non-absorptive materials).Saint Joseph Country Club 50 Ridgeland Rd, Country Club, MO 64505. Routine 10.21.25. Priority: None. Core: Bowls without handles being used as ingredients scoops, no towels or hand dryer available at handwashing sink in dish room, single service items stored on floor in dry storage cellar, mop heads not stored properly between uses (COS), food uncovered with risk of cross-contamination in walk-in, missing ceiling tile in food preparation area (COS).Community Hall 325 S Holt Fillmore, MO 64449. Routine 11.5.25. Violations: None.Trex Mart #11 4177 59 Hwy, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 11.5.25. Priority: Asian lady beetle infestation on premise, pest control procedure in affect and presence minimized in food preparation areas. Core: Floor tiles in disrepair, mops not stored properly between uses, non-food contact surfaces not clean to sight and touch (high contact surfaces, accumulated ice in freezers, door tracks and clutter), dumpster lids open at the time of inspection.Wild Horse Café 110 S 5th St, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 11.14.25. Priority: Loose tobacco and tobacco products stored openly in food preparation space (COS). Core: Mops not stored properly between uses (COS), cloths/foil used to line food contact surfaces, personal items not stored separately from food storage.Pizza Shoppe 410 Court St. Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 11.14.25. Priority: Unlabeled chemical bottles (COS). Core: Mop sink in disrepair, wall damage in customer lobby, no sanitizer test strips on site.China House 101 S 4th St, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 11.14.25. Priority: None. Core: Unlabeled food products, unsealed wood used as shelving in refrigerator.El Rey Papi’s 421 W Main St, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 11.14.25. Priority: Raw meats stored over ready-to-eat foods in reach in fridge and freezers, potentially hazardous cold foods in prep table not being held below 41 degrees. Core: Improper methods used to thaw meats, missing handwashing signage from front handwashing sink, handwashing sink in food kitchen used for purposes other than handwashing, ice scoop not stored properly between uses, food uncovered with risk of cross-contamination on prep table, unsealed particle board used for walls, ceilings and floor in new dry storage room (building materials should be smooth, cleanable and nonabsorbent if they are a surface that can be exposed to splashes or spills).El Rey Papi’s 421 W Main St, Savannah, MO 64485. Follow Up 11.25.25. Priority: None. Core: Improper thawing methods used to thaw meats (COS), handwashing sink in food kitchen used for purposes other than handwashing (COS), Ice scoops not stored properly between uses (COS), unsealed particle board used for walls, ceilings and floor in new dry storage room.Dollar General 1605 N US Hwy 71, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 12.2.25. Violations: None.Dairy Queen 108 S Hwy 71, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 12.2.25. Priority: None. Core: Equipment in disrepair (handle broken on chest freezer).Brother’s Market Grocery 402 E Price Ave, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 12.2.25. Priority: None. Core: Water damaged ceiling tiles throughout store, build-up on beer cooler walls and around door seals in select spaces, broken door seals on walk-in freezer, towels used to line shelves in bakery.Ivy Cottage 408 Court St, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 12.23.25. Violations: None.Gambino’s Pizza 111 S 4th St, Savannah, MO 64485. Routine 12.23.25. Priority: Insufficient sanitizer from dish machine (COS). Core: Dirty non-food contact surfaces (inside of microwave in food prep areas), insufficient light in walk-in refrigerator.

Andrew County Health Inspections (October-December 2025)

As the St. Joseph School District makes the shift to its new school model next school year, district officials are reorganizing staffing within the schools.  

Superintendent Ashly McGinnis says as the district continues making staffing decisions, placement decisions for school principals have been made for next year.  

McGinnis says getting the principals placed within the buildings is important for the staff 

“A lot of our staff want to know who's going to be my supervisor, who will be my principal,” McGinnis explains on the KFEQmunnity show.  “And so, there’s some relationship pieces there and we wanted to make sure we made those announcements as soon as possible, to give some relief to our administrators but also to the staff so they know and can start thinking about where they may want to go.” 

McGinnis says the next step is giving staff the choice of where they want to be.  McGinnis says staff were asked to give their first and second choices of what school they would like, but says staffing will be chosen based on some qualifications 

“We are going to look at certification first, certification indicates that we have a highly qualified teacher in the classroom, and we all know that’s the number one predictor of success, of academic success for our students,” McGinnis explains.  “Abd so we want to make sure those teachers are certified, but then we’re also looking at how many years of service they’ve been in our St. Joseph School District.” 

McGinnis says those conversations will be taking place this month with one-on-one meetings as the district moves towards getting teachers in the classroom for next year in the new model. 

Assistant Superintendent of Academics Stacia Studer says there is a sweet spot when it comes to teaching and educators  

"So, when you think about that and you think about effective teachers in learning, we want that teacher to be in their sweet spot,” Studer says. 

As an example, Studer says with a more consistent middle school model coming, with sixth grade at the elementary schools, it's about asking teachers at the middle schools 

"Would you perhaps want to go serve at sixth grade at the elementary, or what’s your preference here?” Studer explains what’s asked of teachers.  “And so, we want to listen to our educators, we value and respect the work they do every single day.” 

Studer also emphasizes that’s why it's important teachers are giving more than one option of what school they would like to end up at.  

The St. Joseph School District will move to two high schools next year with Central and Benton, and move to four middle schools, closing Pershing and Field Elementary.

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763573342521.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph School Superintendent Ashly McGinnis &amp; Asst. Superintendent Stacia Studer/ File photo" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph School Superintendent Ashly McGinnis &amp; Asst. Superintendent Stacia Studer/ File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostAs the St. Joseph School District makes the shift to its new school model next school year, district officials are reorganizing staffing within the schools. Superintendent Ashly McGinnis says as the district continues making staffing decisions, placement decisions for school principals have been made for next year. McGinnis says getting the principals placed within the buildings is important for the staff “A lot of our staff want to know who's going to be my supervisor, who will be my principal,” McGinnis explains on the KFEQmunnity show. “And so, there’s some relationship pieces there and we wanted to make sure we made those announcements as soon as possible, to give some relief to our administrators but also to the staff so they know and can start thinking about where they may want to go.” McGinnis says the next step is giving staff the choice of where they want to be. McGinnis says staff were asked to give their first and second choices of what school they would like, but says staffing will be chosen based on some qualifications “We are going to look at certification first, certification indicates that we have a highly qualified teacher in the classroom, and we all know that’s the number one predictor of success, of academic success for our students,” McGinnis explains. “Abd so we want to make sure those teachers are certified, but then we’re also looking at how many years of service they’ve been in our St. Joseph School District.” McGinnis says those conversations will be taking place this month with one-on-one meetings as the district moves towards getting teachers in the classroom for next year in the new model. Assistant Superintendent of Academics Stacia Studer says there is a sweet spot when it comes to teaching and educators "So, when you think about that and you think about effective teachers in learning, we want that teacher to be in their sweet spot,” Studer says. As an example, Studer says with a more consistent middle school model coming, with sixth grade at the elementary schools, it's about asking teachers at the middle schools "Would you perhaps want to go serve at sixth grade at the elementary, or what’s your preference here?” Studer explains what’s asked of teachers. “And so, we want to listen to our educators, we value and respect the work they do every single day.” Studer also emphasizes that’s why it's important teachers are giving more than one option of what school they would like to end up at. The St. Joseph School District will move to two high schools next year with Central and Benton, and move to four middle schools, closing Pershing and Field Elementary.JOURNAL<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/55b8lP08nPe2NKRrn0DT5m?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

St. Joseph School District reorganizing ahead of shift next school year 

A peaceful protest and rally titled "ICE out for Good" is scheduled to take place in St. Joseph this weekend on the Belt Highway following a deadly shooting in Minneapolis. 

The event, organized by Persisterhood-St. Joseph, aims to bring attention to the killing of American citizen Renee Nicole Good by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The rally is part of a series of protests across the U.S. organized by advocacy groups to highlight what they call an abuse by federal immigration enforcement agencies. 

Participants are encouraged to bring flags and signs to show solidarity and support for the cause.

The protest takes place Sunday, Jan. 11 at the intersection of Belt Hwy and Frederick Ave from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767992900564.png" alt="Over a thousand people march along Lake Street Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 to protest the ICE killing of Renee Good, 37, in south Minneapolis, Minnesota the previous day. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)" />
 <figcaption>Over a thousand people march along Lake Street Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 to protest the ICE killing of Renee Good, 37, in south Minneapolis, Minnesota the previous day. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)</figcaption>
 </figure>A peaceful protest and rally titled "ICE out for Good" is scheduled to take place in St. Joseph this weekend on the Belt Highway following a deadly shooting in Minneapolis. The event, organized by Persisterhood-St. Joseph, aims to bring attention to the killing of American citizen Renee Nicole Good by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The rally is part of a series of protests across the U.S. organized by advocacy groups to highlight what they call an abuse by federal immigration enforcement agencies. Participants are encouraged to bring flags and signs to show solidarity and support for the cause.The protest takes place Sunday, Jan. 11 at the intersection of Belt Hwy and Frederick Ave from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

"ICE Out for Good": St. Joseph protest to be held Sunday

The Ruby Theatre in St. Joseph has announced the upcoming "Princess Tea Party," an immersive experience designed to bring fairytale royalty to life for local families. 

The event features appearances by the Ice Princesses and the Beauty Princess, offering a structured afternoon of interactive performances and traditional tea service at the historic venue.

The experience centers around a formal tea service where guests will be served a variety of refreshments, including tea sandwiches, fruit, and cheese, followed by a selection of sweets like cupcakes and brownies. To maintain the "royal" atmosphere, the theater will provide authentic china tea sets for all attendees, with apple juice available as a "tea" alternative for younger guests.

Beyond the dining experience, the event includes a series of live activities. Attendees will participate in singing and dancing sessions, as well as a dedicated story time hosted by the princesses. A highlight of the afternoon is a formal coronation ceremony, during which every child in attendance will be presented with a rhinestone tiara to keep.

Organizers emphasize that the event is designed for intimacy, allowing for individual photo opportunities and one-on-one time between the characters and the children. Because of the seated nature of the tea party, the theater is requesting that groups who wish to sit together notify the business office in advance of the event date.

Tickets for the Princess Tea Party are priced at $38. The theater noted that everyone in attendance, including adults, must purchase a ticket, and all children must be accompanied by a guardian. Interested parties must secure their spots by the Jan. 16 deadline. Tickets can be purchased through the Ruby Theatre’s website, by calling 816-232-1778.

The Ruby Theatre is located at 615 S. 10th Street. The event takes place at 1:00 and 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 17th.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661772063884.jpg" alt="tiara, crown, queen" />
 <figcaption>tiara, crown, queen</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHThe Ruby Theatre in St. Joseph has announced the upcoming "Princess Tea Party," an immersive experience designed to bring fairytale royalty to life for local families. The event features appearances by the Ice Princesses and the Beauty Princess, offering a structured afternoon of interactive performances and traditional tea service at the historic venue.The experience centers around a formal tea service where guests will be served a variety of refreshments, including tea sandwiches, fruit, and cheese, followed by a selection of sweets like cupcakes and brownies. To maintain the "royal" atmosphere, the theater will provide authentic china tea sets for all attendees, with apple juice available as a "tea" alternative for younger guests.Beyond the dining experience, the event includes a series of live activities. Attendees will participate in singing and dancing sessions, as well as a dedicated story time hosted by the princesses. A highlight of the afternoon is a formal coronation ceremony, during which every child in attendance will be presented with a rhinestone tiara to keep.Organizers emphasize that the event is designed for intimacy, allowing for individual photo opportunities and one-on-one time between the characters and the children. Because of the seated nature of the tea party, the theater is requesting that groups who wish to sit together notify the business office in advance of the event date.Tickets for the Princess Tea Party are priced at $38. The theater noted that everyone in attendance, including adults, must purchase a ticket, and all children must be accompanied by a guardian. Interested parties must secure their spots by the Jan. 16 deadline. Tickets can be purchased through the Ruby Theatre’s website, by calling 816-232-1778.The Ruby Theatre is located at 615 S. 10th Street. The event takes place at 1:00 and 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 17th.

A fairytale afternoon: Ruby Theatre invites area families to Royal Princess Tea Party

Missouri Western State University will officially introduce alcohol sales at all Griffon basketball games starting Jan. 10, 2026. 

The new policy follows a late-2025 decision by the university’s Board of Governors to approve the transition, aiming for a 2026 launch that prioritizes safety and fan experience.

MoWest Athletics is partnering with Aramark, the university's current dining service provider, to facilitate the sale of beer and wine inside the MWSU Fieldhouse at the Looney Complex. While the program is currently limited to basketball, university officials noted they will continue to evaluate the initiative for potential expansion to other sports and venues in the future.

Athletic Director Andy Carter noted that the shift aligns Missouri Western with broader trends in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) and college sports nationwide. Carter emphasized that the university worked closely with leadership to develop a responsible plan intended to enhance the atmosphere for spectators.

To maintain a safe environment, sales will be conducted from a designated area on the east end of the Fieldhouse. Service is scheduled to begin at the tip-off of the women’s game and will conclude when 10 minutes remain in the men’s game. All concession staff have been trained to follow local and state regulations strictly.

Under the new guidelines, fans 21 and older may consume beer and wine in both the home and visitor seating areas, provided they present a valid government ID. For safety purposes, all alcoholic beverages must be served in plastic containers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767639408843.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHMissouri Western State University will officially introduce alcohol sales at all Griffon basketball games starting Jan. 10, 2026. The new policy follows a late-2025 decision by the university’s Board of Governors to approve the transition, aiming for a 2026 launch that prioritizes safety and fan experience.MoWest Athletics is partnering with Aramark, the university's current dining service provider, to facilitate the sale of beer and wine inside the MWSU Fieldhouse at the Looney Complex. While the program is currently limited to basketball, university officials noted they will continue to evaluate the initiative for potential expansion to other sports and venues in the future.Athletic Director Andy Carter noted that the shift aligns Missouri Western with broader trends in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) and college sports nationwide. Carter emphasized that the university worked closely with leadership to develop a responsible plan intended to enhance the atmosphere for spectators.To maintain a safe environment, sales will be conducted from a designated area on the east end of the Fieldhouse. Service is scheduled to begin at the tip-off of the women’s game and will conclude when 10 minutes remain in the men’s game. All concession staff have been trained to follow local and state regulations strictly.Under the new guidelines, fans 21 and older may consume beer and wine in both the home and visitor seating areas, provided they present a valid government ID. For safety purposes, all alcoholic beverages must be served in plastic containers.

Missouri Western to offer alcohol sales at Griffon basketball games

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce will host its 106th annual banquet at 6 p.m. Saturday at the St. Joe Civic Arena. 

The event, presented by Commerce Bank, serves as the formal annual meeting for the Chamber’s 1,200 members and investors.

This year’s theme is “An Evening of Elegance: Garden Gala.” Entertainment for the night will be provided by the St. Joseph Symphony String Quartet, with food catered by Gina’s Cafe.

The program will focus on the organization's 2025 accomplishments and recognize retiring board members and key volunteers. The Chamber will also honor local businesses celebrating significant membership anniversaries.

Featured speakers include 2025 Chairman of the Board Scott Gann, of Scott Gann Construction, and 2026 Chairwoman Nancy Potter Lyle, of Taylor, Siemens, Elliott, Creedy and Lyle PC.

Kristi Bailey, director of communications and marketing for the Chamber, said more than 800 people are expected to attend the gala.

The event is open to Chamber members and their guests. Late registration is available for $85 per person and can be completed online at <a href="https://saintjoseph.com/">saintjoseph.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710257124627.jpeg" alt="Civic Arena_side view.JPG" />
 <figcaption>Civic Arena_side view.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHThe St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce will host its 106th annual banquet at 6 p.m. Saturday at the St. Joe Civic Arena. The event, presented by Commerce Bank, serves as the formal annual meeting for the Chamber’s 1,200 members and investors.This year’s theme is “An Evening of Elegance: Garden Gala.” Entertainment for the night will be provided by the St. Joseph Symphony String Quartet, with food catered by Gina’s Cafe.The program will focus on the organization's 2025 accomplishments and recognize retiring board members and key volunteers. The Chamber will also honor local businesses celebrating significant membership anniversaries.Featured speakers include 2025 Chairman of the Board Scott Gann, of Scott Gann Construction, and 2026 Chairwoman Nancy Potter Lyle, of Taylor, Siemens, Elliott, Creedy and Lyle PC.Kristi Bailey, director of communications and marketing for the Chamber, said more than 800 people are expected to attend the gala.The event is open to Chamber members and their guests. Late registration is available for $85 per person and can be completed online at <a href="https://saintjoseph.com/">saintjoseph.com</a>.

St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce to host 106th annual banquet Saturday

Influenza cases are on the rise across the country, including Northwest Missouri.

Nearly 9,000 new influenza cases were reported statewide during the last week of 2025. Kansas also saw a rise in cases at the end of the year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported "very high" flu-like activity levels in 30 states, prompting a reminder to take preventive measures.

Clinic supervisor with the St. Joseph Health Department, Kristi Billings, says for the last count in December, there were 568 cases of flu in the area. "We're still getting daily numbers from the end of December, so that number will probably rise from this point forward."

Billings says there are several precautions to take in order to combat the flu. "If you're sick, stay home. Distance yourself from other sick people. Wash your hands thoroughly, and get the flu vaccine to minimize or prevent symptoms."

Nearly 40% of Missouri adults have received their annual flu vaccine, but only about 35% of children age six months - 17 years old have received theirs.

Flu shots are available at the St. Joseph Health Department, Monday - Friday, from 8:00 - 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. The health department is located at&nbsp;904 S. 10th Street.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767660552159.png" alt="Most recent flu map from the CDC" />
 <figcaption>Most recent flu map from the CDC</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHInfluenza cases are on the rise across the country, including Northwest Missouri.Nearly 9,000 new influenza cases were reported statewide during the last week of 2025. Kansas also saw a rise in cases at the end of the year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported "very high" flu-like activity levels in 30 states, prompting a reminder to take preventive measures.Clinic supervisor with the St. Joseph Health Department, Kristi Billings, says for the last count in December, there were 568 cases of flu in the area. "We're still getting daily numbers from the end of December, so that number will probably rise from this point forward."Billings says there are several precautions to take in order to combat the flu. "If you're sick, stay home. Distance yourself from other sick people. Wash your hands thoroughly, and get the flu vaccine to minimize or prevent symptoms."Nearly 40% of Missouri adults have received their annual flu vaccine, but only about 35% of children age six months - 17 years old have received theirs.Flu shots are available at the St. Joseph Health Department, Monday - Friday, from 8:00 - 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. The health department is located at&nbsp;904 S. 10th Street.

Flu cases are on the rise; area residents encouraged to take precautions

UPDATE: All ramps, along with I-29, I-229, and U.S. 71 are now reopen.

An area road is closed due to a traffic accident.

The Andrew County Sheriff's Dept. and MoDOT's Northwest District Office says Southbound Interstate 29 north of St. Joseph at the 56-mile marker is closed due to an overturned semi-truck completely blocking the highway. 

All traffic southbound is being diverted to I-229. The accident also has the ramp from southbound U.S. 71 to I-29 closed, and the ramp from I-229 to southbound I-29. 

Officials says the timeframe is unknown when the highway will reopen.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1766522483065.jpeg" alt="Road Closed Sign" />
 <figcaption>Road Closed Sign</figcaption>
 </figure>UPDATE: All ramps, along with I-29, I-229, and U.S. 71 are now reopen.An area road is closed due to a traffic accident.The Andrew County Sheriff's Dept. and MoDOT's Northwest District Office says Southbound Interstate 29 north of St. Joseph at the 56-mile marker is closed due to an overturned semi-truck completely blocking the highway. All traffic southbound is being diverted to I-229. The accident also has the ramp from southbound U.S. 71 to I-29 closed, and the ramp from I-229 to southbound I-29. Officials says the timeframe is unknown when the highway will reopen.

Southbound I-29 closed due to a vehicle crash north of St. Joseph

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/28IkQoED6A1NNEf5s6bDIF?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning Sports

By RYAN SKAITH<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0KdR16cFnThuXwlWS5qY2W?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning News 01/09/2026

State Rep. Jeremy Dean should be ordered to stay 50 feet away from the recipient and be denied committee assignments during this year’s session, the Ethics Committee report recommends

BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

The Missouri House should order a Democratic lawmaker who sent a “vulgar and sexual” message to a colleague&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-house-democrat-faces-ethics-inquiry-loses-committee-seats-over-obscene-text/">during the September special session</a>&nbsp;to stay at least 50 feet away from her, the Ethics Committee recommended Wednesday.

The committee, with a unanimous vote of its five Republican and five Democratic members during&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/10/29/missouri-house-ethics-hearing-focuses-on-obscene-text-sent-by-democratic-lawmaker/">an Oct. 29 hearing</a>, also recommended that state Rep. Jeremy Dean, a Democrat from Springfield, lose his committee seats, undergo sexual harassment prevention training and have his seat on the House floor and his parking spot moved.

The committee’s report and recommendations were made public for the first time after they were published Wednesday in the&nbsp;<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills261/jrnpdf/jrn001.pdf" target="_blank">journal for the opening day</a>&nbsp;of this year’s session.&nbsp;

Ethics Committee Chairman Lane Roberts, a Republican from Joplin, said the recommended punishment is in line with punishments recommended during past actions of the committee. The ethics committee can recommend a range of punishments, including censure and expulsion from the House.

“Our goal here is to make sure that what we do is balanced, and part of that balance is looking back through our history, how we handled such things in the past,” Roberts said.

Dean was given 15 days to object to the sanctions and did not.

In an interview with The Independent, Dean said he did not object because he accepts that the texts were inappropriate. But he added that he thinks the ethics complaint was motivated by politics.

“It seems more to me that the Republicans saw this as an opportunity to bash a Democrat in the news while they knew that they were continuing to get bad press and losing elections across the country,” Dean said. “And so this is an opportunity for them to continue to try and hold on to the state of Missouri when they know things are going downhill for them.”

On Sept. 4, while Dean was engaged in a sit-in on the House floor, he sent a text message to state Reps. Cecelie Wiliams, a Republican from Dittmer, while she was participating in a hearing of the House Elections Committee.

Lawmakers were in special session in response to a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/25/trump-white-house-pressing-missouri-republicans-to-redraw-congressional-map/">call from President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;to gerrymander Missouri’s congressional districts to make it likely a Republican could win the 5th District seat held by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Kansas City Democrat.

At the time of the text, the Elections Committee was taking testimony on a proposal to change how majorities are counted for constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petition.

In the text, Dean included a description of an oral sex act with the president and questioned how Republicans could talk while engaged in it. The text message became public when a screenshot of it was shared on social media by former Republican state Rep. Adam Schwadron.

Dean was watching the committee meeting on an online livestream and sent another text after seeing Williams’ reaction, the report states. The report does not describe the content of the second message.

Williams “was shocked by these messages, which were unprofessional and disruptive to the legislative process,” the report states.

House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Democrat from Kansas City, removed Dean from his committee assignments and has not placed him on any committees for this year’s session.

Both Dean and Williams testified during the Oct. 29 hearing and Dean admitted sending the text, the report states.

Dean “stated that he recognized that the messages were inappropriate and unprofessional, and that he regretted sending them,” the report states. Dean “denied any intent to disrupt the legislative process, intimidate (Williams), or improperly influence her participation in the committee hearing.”

The Ethics Committee is the only House committee with equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats and a minority member vice chairman. The 10 members all approved the sanctions.

The committee’s unanimous vote shows members thought “the conduct was significantly egregious and that we needed to address it,” Roberts said. “Very serious consequences needed to be commensurate with the conduct, but again, it needed to be balanced with what we’ve historically done, so that we’re not guilty of treating one person differently than another.”

In the interview with The Independent, Dean said he sent the text to Williams because he thought he could joke with her. The are both serving their first terms in the House.

“Since the freshman bus tour, Rep. Williams and I had what I would consider a very good working friendship, and I obviously crossed the line with that text message,” he said. “I totally accept that.”

The biggest lesson learned is “that you’ve got to watch your back,” Dean said. “There are people in this city that you think are your friends, people that you can joke around with, but at the end of the day, a lot of people are here for their own political gain.”

<h2>State Rep. Jeremy Dean should be ordered to stay 50 feet away from the recipient and be denied committee assignments during this year’s session, the Ethics Committee report recommends</h2>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>The Missouri House should order a Democratic lawmaker who sent a “vulgar and sexual” message to a colleague&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-house-democrat-faces-ethics-inquiry-loses-committee-seats-over-obscene-text/">during the September special session</a>&nbsp;to stay at least 50 feet away from her, the Ethics Committee recommended Wednesday.The committee, with a unanimous vote of its five Republican and five Democratic members during&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/10/29/missouri-house-ethics-hearing-focuses-on-obscene-text-sent-by-democratic-lawmaker/">an Oct. 29 hearing</a>, also recommended that state Rep. Jeremy Dean, a Democrat from Springfield, lose his committee seats, undergo sexual harassment prevention training and have his seat on the House floor and his parking spot moved.The committee’s report and recommendations were made public for the first time after they were published Wednesday in the&nbsp;<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills261/jrnpdf/jrn001.pdf" target="_blank">journal for the opening day</a>&nbsp;of this year’s session.&nbsp;Ethics Committee Chairman Lane Roberts, a Republican from Joplin, said the recommended punishment is in line with punishments recommended during past actions of the committee. The ethics committee can recommend a range of punishments, including censure and expulsion from the House.“Our goal here is to make sure that what we do is balanced, and part of that balance is looking back through our history, how we handled such things in the past,” Roberts said.Dean was given 15 days to object to the sanctions and did not.In an interview with The Independent, Dean said he did not object because he accepts that the texts were inappropriate. But he added that he thinks the ethics complaint was motivated by politics.“It seems more to me that the Republicans saw this as an opportunity to bash a Democrat in the news while they knew that they were continuing to get bad press and losing elections across the country,” Dean said. “And so this is an opportunity for them to continue to try and hold on to the state of Missouri when they know things are going downhill for them.”On Sept. 4, while Dean was engaged in a sit-in on the House floor, he sent a text message to state Reps. Cecelie Wiliams, a Republican from Dittmer, while she was participating in a hearing of the House Elections Committee.Lawmakers were in special session in response to a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/25/trump-white-house-pressing-missouri-republicans-to-redraw-congressional-map/">call from President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;to gerrymander Missouri’s congressional districts to make it likely a Republican could win the 5th District seat held by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Kansas City Democrat.At the time of the text, the Elections Committee was taking testimony on a proposal to change how majorities are counted for constitutional amendments proposed by initiative petition.In the text, Dean included a description of an oral sex act with the president and questioned how Republicans could talk while engaged in it. The text message became public when a screenshot of it was shared on social media by former Republican state Rep. Adam Schwadron.Dean was watching the committee meeting on an online livestream and sent another text after seeing Williams’ reaction, the report states. The report does not describe the content of the second message.Williams “was shocked by these messages, which were unprofessional and disruptive to the legislative process,” the report states.House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Democrat from Kansas City, removed Dean from his committee assignments and has not placed him on any committees for this year’s session.Both Dean and Williams testified during the Oct. 29 hearing and Dean admitted sending the text, the report states.Dean “stated that he recognized that the messages were inappropriate and unprofessional, and that he regretted sending them,” the report states. Dean “denied any intent to disrupt the legislative process, intimidate (Williams), or improperly influence her participation in the committee hearing.”The Ethics Committee is the only House committee with equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats and a minority member vice chairman. The 10 members all approved the sanctions.The committee’s unanimous vote shows members thought “the conduct was significantly egregious and that we needed to address it,” Roberts said. “Very serious consequences needed to be commensurate with the conduct, but again, it needed to be balanced with what we’ve historically done, so that we’re not guilty of treating one person differently than another.”In the interview with The Independent, Dean said he sent the text to Williams because he thought he could joke with her. The are both serving their first terms in the House.“Since the freshman bus tour, Rep. Williams and I had what I would consider a very good working friendship, and I obviously crossed the line with that text message,” he said. “I totally accept that.”The biggest lesson learned is “that you’ve got to watch your back,” Dean said. “There are people in this city that you think are your friends, people that you can joke around with, but at the end of the day, a lot of people are here for their own political gain.”

Bipartisan Mo. House ethics panel seeks sanctions for obscene text sent by Democrat

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on drug allegations. 

Just before 1p.m. Wednesday an officer was dispatched to a hotel at 4th and Main in Atchison where a person was on the property who had previously been trespassed from there, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The officer located and took into custody 43-year-old Aaron Oberg. During the arrest Oberg was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and marijuana. He was booked into the county jail on requested charges of criminal trespass and possession of methamphetamine and marijuana.&nbsp; He has two previous convictions for theft.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767885533382.png" alt="Oberg photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Oberg photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on drug allegations. Just before 1p.m. Wednesday an officer was dispatched to a hotel at 4th and Main in Atchison where a person was on the property who had previously been trespassed from there, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.The officer located and took into custody 43-year-old Aaron Oberg. During the arrest Oberg was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and marijuana. He was booked into the county jail on requested charges of criminal trespass and possession of methamphetamine and marijuana.&nbsp; He has two previous convictions for theft.

Kansas felon back in jail on new allegations

As Missouri observes National Human Trafficking Prevention Month this January, the Missouri Department of Transportation is calling on residents to join the effort to identify and report exploitation. 

With National Human Trafficking Awareness Day approaching on Sunday, Jan. 11, state officials are highlighting how public vigilance at transit hubs can save lives.

Because MoDOT employees work daily on the state’s highways and at rest areas, they occupy a unique position on the front lines of this crisis. Common locations for trafficking activity include gas stations, convenience stores, hotels, and fast-food establishments. To address this, MoDOT provides specialized training to its workforce to ensure they can recognize the subtle indicators of a trafficking situation and know how to contact the proper authorities.

The urgency of these efforts is underscored by a recent rise in statistics. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Missouri identified 272 cases involving 539 victims in 2024, an increase from the 247 cases reported the previous year. This trend reflects a broader national crisis, where nearly 12,000 cases and 22,000 victims were identified within the same 12-month period.

MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger emphasized that the department’s training programs have already proven effective in real-world scenarios. Hassinger noted that there have been multiple instances where employees noticed something was wrong and used their training to call in reports that prevented terrible situations. He challenged the public to take similar initiative by learning the common warning signs of exploitation.

Potential indicators of trafficking include signs of physical abuse, branding tattoos, or an individual wearing clothing that is clearly inappropriate for the weather or their location. Victims may also show specific behavioral cues, such as a lack of eye contact with anyone except their trafficker, body language indicating extreme discomfort, or an inability to speak for themselves. In many cases, the victim will not be in possession of their own money or identification documents.

Authorities urge anyone who suspects someone is being forced into commercial sex, housework, farm work, or any other activity they cannot leave to take immediate action. 

Reports can be made by calling the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or by texting BeFree (233733).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1566589245645.jpeg" alt="Missouri Department of Transportation MoDOT Northwest district" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Department of Transportation MoDOT Northwest district</figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHAs Missouri observes National Human Trafficking Prevention Month this January, the Missouri Department of Transportation is calling on residents to join the effort to identify and report exploitation. With National Human Trafficking Awareness Day approaching on Sunday, Jan. 11, state officials are highlighting how public vigilance at transit hubs can save lives.Because MoDOT employees work daily on the state’s highways and at rest areas, they occupy a unique position on the front lines of this crisis. Common locations for trafficking activity include gas stations, convenience stores, hotels, and fast-food establishments. To address this, MoDOT provides specialized training to its workforce to ensure they can recognize the subtle indicators of a trafficking situation and know how to contact the proper authorities.The urgency of these efforts is underscored by a recent rise in statistics. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Missouri identified 272 cases involving 539 victims in 2024, an increase from the 247 cases reported the previous year. This trend reflects a broader national crisis, where nearly 12,000 cases and 22,000 victims were identified within the same 12-month period.MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger emphasized that the department’s training programs have already proven effective in real-world scenarios. Hassinger noted that there have been multiple instances where employees noticed something was wrong and used their training to call in reports that prevented terrible situations. He challenged the public to take similar initiative by learning the common warning signs of exploitation.Potential indicators of trafficking include signs of physical abuse, branding tattoos, or an individual wearing clothing that is clearly inappropriate for the weather or their location. Victims may also show specific behavioral cues, such as a lack of eye contact with anyone except their trafficker, body language indicating extreme discomfort, or an inability to speak for themselves. In many cases, the victim will not be in possession of their own money or identification documents.Authorities urge anyone who suspects someone is being forced into commercial sex, housework, farm work, or any other activity they cannot leave to take immediate action. Reports can be made by calling the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or by texting BeFree (233733).

MoDOT joins fight against human trafficking as Missouri cases rise

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement&nbsp; investigating alleged vandalism in Brown County have identified two suspects.

Just after 2:30 p.m. December 27, two individuals were caught on surveillance camera vandalizing a vehicle belonging to USD #430 in Everest, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.

The windshield was broken due to rock or objects being intentionally thrown at the vehicle as well as verbage scratched into the paint.&nbsp;

Neither of the juvenile suspects are residents of Brown County. The public had a huge impact on solving the case, according to Merchant.

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement&nbsp; investigating alleged vandalism in Brown County have identified two suspects.Just after 2:30 p.m. December 27, two individuals were caught on surveillance camera vandalizing a vehicle belonging to USD #430 in Everest, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.The windshield was broken due to rock or objects being intentionally thrown at the vehicle as well as verbage scratched into the paint.&nbsp;Neither of the juvenile suspects are residents of Brown County. The public had a huge impact on solving the case, according to Merchant.

Sheriff: Suspects identified in school district vandalism

During its annual Griffs Giving Day last month, Missouri Western State University raised money to help several different programs.  

One important effort the funds helped was the on-campus food pantry, which helps students who battle food insecurity get the meals they need while on campus.  

President Elizabeth Kennedy says living in a time of food insecurity the food pantry is vitally important because of how it trickles down to students 

“Our campus has free, we stock it with nutritious food, we have fresh, we have more canned and longer shelf items, but it keeps our students healthy, they don’t have to worry about a meal, it’s very easy for them to come in and get, so I appreciate that,” Kennedy says on the KFEQmunnity show. 

Kennedy says for nearly a decade the pantry has existed and has grown in helping students get the healthy food they might need while in St. Joseph.  

Kennedy says the pantry helps students have access to food in an easy way and with no stigma attached 

“We’re not doing anything like that, it’s like come in and grab what you need,” Kennedy explains.  “We’ve got fresh produce, those kinds of things, we’ve got frozen items, we’ve got canned things, and we try to keep it healthy because it’s important.” 

MoWest  is also tackling food insecurity in other ways as well.  Kennedy points out students through the Center for Service, help out at places such as Second Harvest Community Food Bank 

“Where we’re helping folks in the community who need it, but we also provide that, it really helps people appreciate that we’re here as a family to help everyone,” Kennedy says.  “And we’re invested, not only in our students, but in the community.” 

Kennedy says in November alone, around 100 students utilized the campus food pantry to get food.   

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1767893697564.jpeg" alt="Missouri Western State University has done its part to combat food insecurity both among students and in the community/ Photo by Justin Peacock" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Western State University has done its part to combat food insecurity both among students and in the community/ Photo by Justin Peacock</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostDuring its annual Griffs Giving Day last month, Missouri Western State University raised money to help several different programs. One important effort the funds helped was the on-campus food pantry, which helps students who battle food insecurity get the meals they need while on campus. President Elizabeth Kennedy says living in a time of food insecurity the food pantry is vitally important because of how it trickles down to students “Our campus has free, we stock it with nutritious food, we have fresh, we have more canned and longer shelf items, but it keeps our students healthy, they don’t have to worry about a meal, it’s very easy for them to come in and get, so I appreciate that,” Kennedy says on the KFEQmunnity show. Kennedy says for nearly a decade the pantry has existed and has grown in helping students get the healthy food they might need while in St. Joseph. Kennedy says the pantry helps students have access to food in an easy way and with no stigma attached “We’re not doing anything like that, it’s like come in and grab what you need,” Kennedy explains. “We’ve got fresh produce, those kinds of things, we’ve got frozen items, we’ve got canned things, and we try to keep it healthy because it’s important.” MoWest is also tackling food insecurity in other ways as well. Kennedy points out students through the Center for Service, help out at places such as Second Harvest Community Food Bank “Where we’re helping folks in the community who need it, but we also provide that, it really helps people appreciate that we’re here as a family to help everyone,” Kennedy says. “And we’re invested, not only in our students, but in the community.” Kennedy says in November alone, around 100 students utilized the campus food pantry to get food. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

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