ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations.

On the afternoon of September 1, 2023 officers responded to an accident in the 800 block South 5th Street in Atchison where a Dodge Charger passenger car driven by 22-year-old Quinn Gamino of Horton had struck a parked vehicle, according to police Chief Mike Wilson.

While officers were investigating the traffic accident they discovered controlled substances that included hundreds of pills, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. 

A subsequent lab analysis of the seized pills determined the presence of fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl. 

On May 16, Gamino turned himself in at the Atchison County Jail for a District Court warrant for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no valid driver’s license. He is no longer in custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715975928010.png" alt="Gamino photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Gamino photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations.On the afternoon of September 1, 2023 officers responded to an accident in the 800 block South 5th Street in Atchison where a Dodge Charger passenger car driven by 22-year-old Quinn Gamino of Horton had struck a parked vehicle, according to police Chief Mike Wilson.While officers were investigating the traffic accident they discovered controlled substances that included hundreds of pills, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. A subsequent lab analysis of the seized pills determined the presence of fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl. On May 16, Gamino turned himself in at the Atchison County Jail for a District Court warrant for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no valid driver’s license. He is no longer in custody.

Police discover fentanyl pills in car after Kansas crash

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Friday in Livingston County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Chevy Silverado driven by a 16-year-old Chillicothe boy was eastbound on LIV 256 one half mile west of Chillicothe.

The driver lost control on loose gravel. The pickup traveled off the right side of the road&nbsp; and overturned.

Chillicothe transported the boy to Hedrick Medical Center. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Friday in Livingston County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Chevy Silverado driven by a 16-year-old Chillicothe boy was eastbound on LIV 256 one half mile west of Chillicothe.The driver lost control on loose gravel. The pickup traveled off the right side of the road&nbsp; and overturned.Chillicothe transported the boy to Hedrick Medical Center. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri teen injured after pickup overturns

A state budget passed by the Missouri Legislature contains funding for needed improvements at Rosecrans Memorial Airport 

Seven million dollars is designated at Rosecrans for an airplane maintenance hangar, to help ensure the Air National Guard's 139th Airlift Group can get the new modern J model planes 

St. Joseph City Manager Bryan Carter says the current hangar is technically large enough to fit the J model, but it does not meet federal standards. 

"So one of the pieces that we can do to improve our position for that J Model is to have a hangar facility that meets those required specs and really in a way kind of checks that extra box on the scoresheet that would be used for the C-130 J's," Carter tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  

The budget also designates four million dollars in funding to move the fuel farm from the north end, where the 139th has moved, to a more accessible area for other planes 

Carter says the new hanger is crucial to help qualify the 139th for new C-130 J model planes 

"The C-130 Js are going through that allocation process, they use all kinds of criteria that they look at and determine what site is going to be the best equipped to upgrade from the C-130 H to the C-130 J," Carter explains. "And one of the boxes we don't check right now is that technically large enough hangar." 

The state budget is awaiting approval from Governor Mike Parson.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709833598050.jpeg" alt="Rosecrans Memorial Airport/ file photo" />
 <figcaption>Rosecrans Memorial Airport/ file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A state budget passed by the Missouri Legislature contains funding for needed improvements at Rosecrans Memorial Airport Seven million dollars is designated at Rosecrans for an airplane maintenance hangar, to help ensure the Air National Guard's 139th Airlift Group can get the new modern J model planes St. Joseph City Manager Bryan Carter says the current hangar is technically large enough to fit the J model, but it does not meet federal standards. "So one of the pieces that we can do to improve our position for that J Model is to have a hangar facility that meets those required specs and really in a way kind of checks that extra box on the scoresheet that would be used for the C-130 J's," Carter tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. The budget also designates four million dollars in funding to move the fuel farm from the north end, where the 139th has moved, to a more accessible area for other planes Carter says the new hanger is crucial to help qualify the 139th for new C-130 J model planes "The C-130 Js are going through that allocation process, they use all kinds of criteria that they look at and determine what site is going to be the best equipped to upgrade from the C-130 H to the C-130 J," Carter explains. "And one of the boxes we don't check right now is that technically large enough hangar." The state budget is awaiting approval from Governor Mike Parson.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

State budget funds designated to help with improvements at Rosecrans Memorial Airport

It has been losing parishioners for years, but long-time
members of Seven Dolors Catholic Church never thought they’d see it close.

Seven Dolors, founded in 1870 and located just east of St.
Joseph, celebrates its final mass Sunday.

Wayne Reardon was baptized at Seven Dolors, and now at the age
of 96, says seven generations of his family have attended the church. 

“Means a lot. I grew up here. I was in this territory for all
my life, really,” Reardon tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post during a visit to Seven
Dolors. “I hate to see it close.”

A lot of emotions run through Reardon as the final mass
approaches.

“You know, I just never ever thought of this church closing,”
Reardon says. “We lost a lot of our parishioners, especially the younger ones.”

Seven Dolors, known formally as the Church of our Mother of
Sorrows Seven Dolors Catholic Church, is one of four small, rural northwest
Missouri Catholic churches closing and merging with other parishes due to a steady drop in attendance over the years. Seven
Dolors will merge with St. Joseph’s Parish in Easton.

Missouri of St. Benedict in Burlington Junction has merged
with St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Tarkio. Mission of Immaculate Heart of Mary
in Princeton soon merges with St. Joseph Parish in Trenton. Mission of St.
Aloysius in Maysville will merge with St. Munchin Parish in Cameron.

Seven Dolors anchored a community in Hurlingen. German/Irish
immigrants planted the church in 1870 on two acres donated by Joseph Wiedmaier.
Soon, a school would be erected. A small store sold general goods to area
residents. Reardon says neighbors helped neighbors butchering hogs, threshing
grain, building barns. Seven Dolors at one time held three weekend masses, one on Saturday and two on Sunday that drew approximately 300. Only about 25 to 30 regularly attend the early Sunday morning mass now.

The annual Seven Dolors picnic on the last Sunday in July drew
hundreds to the small church. It ended in 2016 when the work became too much
for a parish with dwindling population.

Wayne’s son, Steven Reardon, now lives in Cameron, but was
raised at Seven Dolors and says the pending closing of the church elicits a lot
of emotions.

“Sad, but it was expected. I was not surprised. You look at
some of these churches, like Princeton and other areas that are closing, they’re
going to drive a tremendous distance to try to get to another Catholic church,”
Reardon explains. “We are pretty lucky to be close to St. Joe, Guadalupe (Our
Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church). Actually, it’s going to be easier for us than
many of the other rural communities.”

Steven Reardon says while he is sad to hear of its closing,
there is a sense of inevitability to the decision to close Seven Dolors.

“Well, we’ve declined so much in membership that it’s not
going to be as difficult as would have been years ago,” Reardon says. “We’ve
lost the schools. They’re not individually located at churches; just change in
the fabric of society.”

You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715887392974.jpeg" alt="Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Hurlingen/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Hurlingen/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostIt has been losing parishioners for years, but long-time
members of Seven Dolors Catholic Church never thought they’d see it close.Seven Dolors, founded in 1870 and located just east of St.
Joseph, celebrates its final mass Sunday.Wayne Reardon was baptized at Seven Dolors, and now at the age
of 96, says seven generations of his family have attended the church. “Means a lot. I grew up here. I was in this territory for all
my life, really,” Reardon tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post during a visit to Seven
Dolors. “I hate to see it close.”A lot of emotions run through Reardon as the final mass
approaches.“You know, I just never ever thought of this church closing,”
Reardon says. “We lost a lot of our parishioners, especially the younger ones.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715887633357.jpeg" alt="Seven Dolors Catholic Church/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Seven Dolors Catholic Church/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>Seven Dolors, known formally as the Church of our Mother of
Sorrows Seven Dolors Catholic Church, is one of four small, rural northwest
Missouri Catholic churches closing and merging with other parishes due to a steady drop in attendance over the years. Seven
Dolors will merge with St. Joseph’s Parish in Easton.Missouri of St. Benedict in Burlington Junction has merged
with St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Tarkio. Mission of Immaculate Heart of Mary
in Princeton soon merges with St. Joseph Parish in Trenton. Mission of St.
Aloysius in Maysville will merge with St. Munchin Parish in Cameron.Seven Dolors anchored a community in Hurlingen. German/Irish
immigrants planted the church in 1870 on two acres donated by Joseph Wiedmaier.
Soon, a school would be erected. A small store sold general goods to area
residents. Reardon says neighbors helped neighbors butchering hogs, threshing
grain, building barns. Seven Dolors at one time held three weekend masses, one on Saturday and two on Sunday that drew approximately 300. Only about 25 to 30 regularly attend the early Sunday morning mass now.The annual Seven Dolors picnic on the last Sunday in July drew
hundreds to the small church. It ended in 2016 when the work became too much
for a parish with dwindling population.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715887454161.jpeg" alt="Wayne (left) and Steven Reardon review the history of Seven Dolors outside the church in Hurlingen/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Wayne (left) and Steven Reardon review the history of Seven Dolors outside the church in Hurlingen/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>Wayne’s son, Steven Reardon, now lives in Cameron, but was
raised at Seven Dolors and says the pending closing of the church elicits a lot
of emotions.“Sad, but it was expected. I was not surprised. You look at
some of these churches, like Princeton and other areas that are closing, they’re
going to drive a tremendous distance to try to get to another Catholic church,”
Reardon explains. “We are pretty lucky to be close to St. Joe, Guadalupe (Our
Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church). Actually, it’s going to be easier for us than
many of the other rural communities.”Steven Reardon says while he is sad to hear of its closing,
there is a sense of inevitability to the decision to close Seven Dolors.“Well, we’ve declined so much in membership that it’s not
going to be as difficult as would have been years ago,” Reardon says. “We’ve
lost the schools. They’re not individually located at churches; just change in
the fabric of society.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715887544108.jpeg" alt="Wayne Reardon's Grandmother is buried in the Seven Dolors cemetery/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Wayne Reardon's Grandmother is buried in the Seven Dolors cemetery/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Seven-Dolors-Church-celebrates-final-mass-e2joh1i" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Seven Dolors Church, founded in 1870, celebrates final mass Sunday

&nbsp;Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is getting attention for comments he made during a commencement address at Benedictine College last weekend in which he railed against Pride month along with President Biden’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his stance on abortion.

The Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica responded to what they heard from the Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro kicker.&nbsp; On their facebook page the sisters wrote:

"The sisters of Mount St. Scholastica do not believe that Harrison Butker’s comments in his 2024 Benedictine College commencement address represent the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts college that our founders envisioned and in which we have been so invested."

"Instead of promoting unity in our church, our nation, and the world, his comments seem to have fostered division. One of our concerns was the assertion that being a homemaker is the highest calling for a woman. We sisters have dedicated our lives to God and God’s people, including the many women whom we have taught and influenced during the past 160 years. These women have made a tremendous difference in the world in their roles as wives and mothers and through their God-given gifts in leadership, scholarship, and their careers."

(Click below to watch Butker's commencement address)

"Our community has taught young women and men not just how to be “homemakers” in a limited sense, but rather how to make a Gospel-centered, compassionate home within themselves where they can welcome others as Christ, empowering them to be the best versions of themselves. We reject a narrow definition of what it means to be Catholic. We are faithful members of the Catholic Church who embrace and promote the values of the Gospel, St. Benedict, and Vatican II and the teachings of Pope Francis."

"We want to be known as an inclusive, welcoming community, embracing Benedictine values that have endured for more than 1500 years and have spread through every continent and nation. We believe those values are the core of Benedictine College."

"We thank all who are supportive of our Mount community and the values we hold. With St. Benedict, we pray, “Let us prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he lead us all together to life everlasting.”

&nbsp;Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is getting attention for comments he made during a commencement address at Benedictine College last weekend in which he railed against Pride month along with President Biden’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his stance on abortion.The Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica responded to what they heard from the Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro kicker.&nbsp; On their facebook page the sisters wrote:"The sisters of Mount St. Scholastica do not believe that Harrison Butker’s comments in his 2024 Benedictine College commencement address represent the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts college that our founders envisioned and in which we have been so invested.""Instead of promoting unity in our church, our nation, and the world, his comments seem to have fostered division. One of our concerns was the assertion that being a homemaker is the highest calling for a woman. We sisters have dedicated our lives to God and God’s people, including the many women whom we have taught and influenced during the past 160 years. These women have made a tremendous difference in the world in their roles as wives and mothers and through their God-given gifts in leadership, scholarship, and their careers."(Click below to watch Butker's commencement address)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-JS7RIKSaCc?si=tD9Xdp0euYzGBc2_" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>"Our community has taught young women and men not just how to be “homemakers” in a limited sense, but rather how to make a Gospel-centered, compassionate home within themselves where they can welcome others as Christ, empowering them to be the best versions of themselves. We reject a narrow definition of what it means to be Catholic. We are faithful members of the Catholic Church who embrace and promote the values of the Gospel, St. Benedict, and Vatican II and the teachings of Pope Francis.""We want to be known as an inclusive, welcoming community, embracing Benedictine values that have endured for more than 1500 years and have spread through every continent and nation. We believe those values are the core of Benedictine College.""We thank all who are supportive of our Mount community and the values we hold. With St. Benedict, we pray, “Let us prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he lead us all together to life everlasting.”

Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica respond to remarks of Harrison Butker

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen for alleged driving under the influence and for skipping court.

Just after 6:30p.m. Wednesday, police booked 19-year-old&nbsp; Morgyn L. Gerber of Atchison into the county jail, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

She was arrested on a District Court warrant for driving under the influence, that occurred in July 2023, and a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court.&nbsp; She bonded out of jail Wednesday night, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715869376001.png" alt="Gerber-photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Gerber-photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen for alleged driving under the influence and for skipping court.Just after 6:30p.m. Wednesday, police booked 19-year-old&nbsp; Morgyn L. Gerber of Atchison into the county jail, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.She was arrested on a District Court warrant for driving under the influence, that occurred in July 2023, and a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court.&nbsp; She bonded out of jail Wednesday night, according to online jail records.

Kansas teen accused of DUI, skipping court appearance

Local and state authorities conducted a search in western Nodaway County Wednesday for a possible connection to a Skidmore man who disappeared more than 20 years ago.

Now, they wait for assistance from the federal level.

Nodaway County Sheriff's captain Austin Hann says an FBI team will arrive in Quitman on Monday to help with the search.

Officers received a "credible tip" that may lead to more information regarding Branson Perry, who mysteriously disappeared in April 2001. Hann says there's not much activity at the site right now.

"We're going to get some different resources in there to continue with this investigation," Hann told KFEQ Radio Thursday. "Right now, we're kind of just waiting for those resources to show up. Maintaining possession and control of that property until they get there. That kind of puts us to where we are now."

The Nodaway County Sheriff's Office has never closed the case regarding&nbsp; Perry, who was only 20 years old when he mysteriously disappeared after walking out of his house in Skidmore.

Hann says gathering new evidence in this case is important, as the family seeks closure.

"The other aspect is getting evidence to move forward with prosecution in this case," he said. "So, I think there's really two end results there - one is providing that closure to family and the other is moving forward with a criminal case."

You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715804328504.jpeg" alt="Branson Perry was reported missing in April 2001, having last been seen outside of his home in Skidmore." />
 <figcaption>Branson Perry was reported missing in April 2001, having last been seen outside of his home in Skidmore.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostLocal and state authorities conducted a search in western Nodaway County Wednesday for a possible connection to a Skidmore man who disappeared more than 20 years ago.Now, they wait for assistance from the federal level.Nodaway County Sheriff's captain Austin Hann says an FBI team will arrive in Quitman on Monday to help with the search.Officers received a "credible tip" that may lead to more information regarding Branson Perry, who mysteriously disappeared in April 2001. Hann says there's not much activity at the site right now."We're going to get some different resources in there to continue with this investigation," Hann told KFEQ Radio Thursday. "Right now, we're kind of just waiting for those resources to show up. Maintaining possession and control of that property until they get there. That kind of puts us to where we are now."The Nodaway County Sheriff's Office has never closed the case regarding&nbsp; Perry, who was only 20 years old when he mysteriously disappeared after walking out of his house in Skidmore.Hann says gathering new evidence in this case is important, as the family seeks closure."The other aspect is getting evidence to move forward with prosecution in this case," he said. "So, I think there's really two end results there - one is providing that closure to family and the other is moving forward with a criminal case."You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

FBI to assist Nodaway County authorities in search for evidence in Branson Perry case

A surging problem, fentanyl pills disguised as prescription medication, has made its way to St. Joseph.  

Police Chief Paul Luster says a surge in fentanyl overdoses from these counterfeit pills shows fuels the opioid epidemic 

"Last year, this was nationally, there were 115 million pills containing fentanyl were seized by law enforcement," Luster tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. "And if you take that back to 2017, that number was about 50,000." 

Luster says these pills are specifically designed to look like prescription drugs but can end up being far more dangerous. 

Luster wants to make sure the public is aware of the growing danger.  

"Even if you think you're obtaining oxycodone by illicit means, you could be getting fentanyl made in a lab of God knows where, and you don't know what you're getting into with it," Luster explains. 

Luster says these counterfeits add to the ongoing opioid epidemic, and that wherever it's coming from, people are finding creative ways to get it into the mainstream.  

Luster says unless you get medication from a verified prescriber, there is a chance of danger. 

"The counterfeit pills, they're cheap for these organizations to make and they're easy to offload, but it could be this dose that could kill you," Luster says. 

Luster said data in 2021 showed that 40% of overdose deaths in the United States involved fentanyl, and many of those were these fentanyl pills.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715878193645.jpeg" alt="Fentanyl Cutting Table /DEA photo" />
 <figcaption>Fentanyl Cutting Table /DEA photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A surging problem, fentanyl pills disguised as prescription medication, has made its way to St. Joseph. Police Chief Paul Luster says a surge in fentanyl overdoses from these counterfeit pills shows fuels the opioid epidemic "Last year, this was nationally, there were 115 million pills containing fentanyl were seized by law enforcement," Luster tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. "And if you take that back to 2017, that number was about 50,000." Luster says these pills are specifically designed to look like prescription drugs but can end up being far more dangerous. Luster wants to make sure the public is aware of the growing danger. "Even if you think you're obtaining oxycodone by illicit means, you could be getting fentanyl made in a lab of God knows where, and you don't know what you're getting into with it," Luster explains. Luster says these counterfeits add to the ongoing opioid epidemic, and that wherever it's coming from, people are finding creative ways to get it into the mainstream. Luster says unless you get medication from a verified prescriber, there is a chance of danger. "The counterfeit pills, they're cheap for these organizations to make and they're easy to offload, but it could be this dose that could kill you," Luster says. Luster said data in 2021 showed that 40% of overdose deaths in the United States involved fentanyl, and many of those were these fentanyl pills.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Fentanyl-disguised-as-prescriptions-now-in-St--Joseph--too-e2jo7fh" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Fentanyl disguised as prescriptions becoming a St. Joseph problem, too

ATCHISON, Kansas (AP) —Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker may have stirred controversy in some quarters for his proclamations of conservative politics and Catholicism on Saturday, but he received a standing ovation from graduates and other attendees of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-harrison-butker-e00f6ee45955c99ef1e809ec447239e0">May 11 commencement ceremony</a>&nbsp;at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.

The fast-growing college is part of a constellation of conservative Catholic colleges that tout their adherence to church teachings and practice — part of a larger&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-church-shift-orthodoxy-tradition-7638fa2013a593f8cb07483ffc8ed487">conservative movement</a>&nbsp;in parts of the U.S. Catholic Church.

Butker's 20-minute speech hit several cultural flashpoints.

Butker, a conservative Catholic himself, dismissed Pride month as consisting of the “deadly sin sort of pride" while denouncing abortion and President Joe Biden's handling of the pandemic. He said women are told “diabolical lies” about career ambition when “one of the most important titles of all” is that of homemaker. He said this is not time for “the church of nice” and in particular blasted Catholics who support abortion rights and “dangerous gender ideologies.”

Benedictine College is a Catholic college in Atchison, Kansas, that traces its roots to 1858. It is located about 60 miles north of Kansas City., and has an enrollment of about 2,200.

LOTS OF COLLEGES ARE CATHOLIC. WHAT MAKES IT DISTINCTIVE?

In some ways, Benedictine College sounds like a typical Catholic college. Its “mission as a Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts, residential college is the education of men and women within a community of faith and scholarship,” according to its website.

But its home to more traditional expressions of Catholicism, such as the Latin Mass, all-night prayer vigils and a strict code of conduct. Its mission statement further cites its commitment to "those specific matters of faith of the Roman Catholic tradition, as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ and handed down in the teachings of the Church.”

The school gets a high ranking from the Cardinal Newman Society, a group that touts nearly two-dozen conservative colleges that exhibit what it calls “faithful Catholic education." That includes upholding church teachings and Catholic identity while providing ample Masses and other devotional activities in shaping their students.

The society seeks to differentiate schools that “refuse to compromise their Catholic mission” from those that have become “battlegrounds for today’s culture wars.” Others praised by the society include Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., Ave Maria University in Florida and Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio.

The society's ranking says Benedictine benefits from having monks in residence, multiple Masses and prayer groups, spiritually focused organizations and theology programs with professors with a “mandatum" of approval from the local bishop.

Benedictine's enrollment has doubled in the past 20 years. Some 85% of its students are Catholic, according to the Cardinal Newman Society.

Students told The Associated Press in interviews they embrace the college's emphasis on Catholic teaching and practice.

“It’s a renewal of, like, some really, really good things that we might have lost,” one student told the AP in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-church-shift-orthodoxy-tradition-7638fa2013a593f8cb07483ffc8ed487">recent article</a>&nbsp;on the revival of conservative Catholicism.

Annual tuition for full-time undergraduates is $35,350, but Benedictine says 100% of its students receive some form of financial aid.

Benedictine’s sports teams, called the Ravens, compete in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Its athletics department says it is committed to ”setting the highest standards for academic success, athletic competition, ethical behavior, fiscal responsibility, and spiritual development.”

HOW DID GRADUATES REACT TO BUTKER’S SPEECH?

Video of the commencement shows virtually all the graduates and spectators rising to a standing ovation, but student interviews showed a more mixed reaction.

ValerieAnne Volpe, 20, who graduated with an art degree, lauded Butker for saying things that “people are scared to say.”

“I was thinking about my dad, who was also here, and how he’s probably clapping and so happy to see what he would say is a real man (reflecting) family values, good religious upbringing and representation of Christ to people,” she said. “You can just hear that he loves his wife. You can hear that he loves his family.”

Kassidy Neuner, 22, said the speech felt “a little degrading” and gave the impression that only women can be a homemaker.

“I think that men have that option as well,” said Neuner, who will be spending a gap year teaching before going to law school. “And to point this out specifically that that’s what we’re looking forward to in life seems like our four years of hard work wasn’t really important.”

Elle Wilbers, 22, who is heading to medical school in the fall, said the Catholic faith focuses on mothers, so that portion of the speech wasn’t surprising. She was more shocked by his criticism of priests and bishops “misleading their flocks” and a quip comparing LGBTQ+ Pride month to one of the seven deadly sins.

“We should have compassion for the people who have been told all their life that the person they love is like, it’s not okay to love that person,” Wilbers said. “It was sort of just a shock. I was like, ‘Is he really saying this right now?’”

ATCHISON, Kansas (AP) —Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker may have stirred controversy in some quarters for his proclamations of conservative politics and Catholicism on Saturday, but he received a standing ovation from graduates and other attendees of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-harrison-butker-e00f6ee45955c99ef1e809ec447239e0">May 11 commencement ceremony</a>&nbsp;at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.The fast-growing college is part of a constellation of conservative Catholic colleges that tout their adherence to church teachings and practice — part of a larger&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-church-shift-orthodoxy-tradition-7638fa2013a593f8cb07483ffc8ed487">conservative movement</a>&nbsp;in parts of the U.S. Catholic Church.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-JS7RIKSaCc?si=4UKRDwuXWso1g_8g" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Butker's 20-minute speech hit several cultural flashpoints.Butker, a conservative Catholic himself, dismissed Pride month as consisting of the “deadly sin sort of pride" while denouncing abortion and President Joe Biden's handling of the pandemic. He said women are told “diabolical lies” about career ambition when “one of the most important titles of all” is that of homemaker. He said this is not time for “the church of nice” and in particular blasted Catholics who support abortion rights and “dangerous gender ideologies.”WHAT IS BENEDICTINE COLLEGE?Benedictine College is a Catholic college in Atchison, Kansas, that traces its roots to 1858. It is located about 60 miles north of Kansas City., and has an enrollment of about 2,200.LOTS OF COLLEGES ARE CATHOLIC. WHAT MAKES IT DISTINCTIVE?In some ways, Benedictine College sounds like a typical Catholic college. Its “mission as a Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts, residential college is the education of men and women within a community of faith and scholarship,” according to its website.But its home to more traditional expressions of Catholicism, such as the Latin Mass, all-night prayer vigils and a strict code of conduct. Its mission statement further cites its commitment to "those specific matters of faith of the Roman Catholic tradition, as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ and handed down in the teachings of the Church.”The school gets a high ranking from the Cardinal Newman Society, a group that touts nearly two-dozen conservative colleges that exhibit what it calls “faithful Catholic education." That includes upholding church teachings and Catholic identity while providing ample Masses and other devotional activities in shaping their students.The society seeks to differentiate schools that “refuse to compromise their Catholic mission” from those that have become “battlegrounds for today’s culture wars.” Others praised by the society include Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., Ave Maria University in Florida and Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio.The society's ranking says Benedictine benefits from having monks in residence, multiple Masses and prayer groups, spiritually focused organizations and theology programs with professors with a “mandatum" of approval from the local bishop.HOW HAS THAT RESONATED WITH STUDENTS?Benedictine's enrollment has doubled in the past 20 years. Some 85% of its students are Catholic, according to the Cardinal Newman Society.Students told The Associated Press in interviews they embrace the college's emphasis on Catholic teaching and practice.“It’s a renewal of, like, some really, really good things that we might have lost,” one student told the AP in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-church-shift-orthodoxy-tradition-7638fa2013a593f8cb07483ffc8ed487">recent article</a>&nbsp;on the revival of conservative Catholicism.OTHER FACTSAnnual tuition for full-time undergraduates is $35,350, but Benedictine says 100% of its students receive some form of financial aid.Benedictine’s sports teams, called the Ravens, compete in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Its athletics department says it is committed to ”setting the highest standards for academic success, athletic competition, ethical behavior, fiscal responsibility, and spiritual development.”HOW DID GRADUATES REACT TO BUTKER’S SPEECH?Video of the commencement shows virtually all the graduates and spectators rising to a standing ovation, but student interviews showed a more mixed reaction.ValerieAnne Volpe, 20, who graduated with an art degree, lauded Butker for saying things that “people are scared to say.”“I was thinking about my dad, who was also here, and how he’s probably clapping and so happy to see what he would say is a real man (reflecting) family values, good religious upbringing and representation of Christ to people,” she said. “You can just hear that he loves his wife. You can hear that he loves his family.”Kassidy Neuner, 22, said the speech felt “a little degrading” and gave the impression that only women can be a homemaker.“I think that men have that option as well,” said Neuner, who will be spending a gap year teaching before going to law school. “And to point this out specifically that that’s what we’re looking forward to in life seems like our four years of hard work wasn’t really important.”Elle Wilbers, 22, who is heading to medical school in the fall, said the Catholic faith focuses on mothers, so that portion of the speech wasn’t surprising. She was more shocked by his criticism of priests and bishops “misleading their flocks” and a quip comparing LGBTQ+ Pride month to one of the seven deadly sins.“We should have compassion for the people who have been told all their life that the person they love is like, it’s not okay to love that person,” Wilbers said. “It was sort of just a shock. I was like, ‘Is he really saying this right now?’”

Why the speech by KC Chiefs kicker was embraced at Benedictine College's commencement

St. Joseph police are investigating a shooting in the parking
lot behind the Frog Hop at 2001 Messanie Street.

Police say it appears unknown subjects shot into the air from
the parking lot. Officers recovered two shell casings. No one was harmed in the
shooting. No property damage has been discovered.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph police are investigating a shooting in the parking
lot behind the Frog Hop at 2001 Messanie Street.Police say it appears unknown subjects shot into the air from
the parking lot. Officers recovered two shell casings. No one was harmed in the
shooting. No property damage has been discovered.The investigation continues.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Shots fired, no one hurt at Frog Hop in St. Joseph

DAVIESS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8:30p.m. Wednesday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ford Edge driven by Marjorie J. Holcomb, 34, Gallatin, was southbound on MO 13 just north of 240th three mile south of Jameson.

The SUV traveled off the east side of the road, across a creek and struck a tree. Daviess County EMS transported to Cameron Regional Medical Center. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

DAVIESS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8:30p.m. Wednesday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ford Edge driven by Marjorie J. Holcomb, 34, Gallatin, was southbound on MO 13 just north of 240th three mile south of Jameson.The SUV traveled off the east side of the road, across a creek and struck a tree. Daviess County EMS transported to Cameron Regional Medical Center. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman hospitalized after SUV strikes a tree

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for skipping court.

On Tuesday, police arrested 38-year-old Jackie L. Busey of&nbsp; St. Joseph on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

He was jailed in 2019 on a requested charges of counterfeiting, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715781782443.png" alt="Busey-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Busey-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for skipping court.On Tuesday, police arrested 38-year-old Jackie L. Busey of&nbsp; St. Joseph on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.He was jailed in 2019 on a requested charges of counterfeiting, according to online jail records.

St. Joseph man jailed for skipping court in Kansas

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's GOP-led Legislature on Wednesday renewed a more than $4 billion Medicaid program that had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-senate-medicaid-42928944fde4b20c47390b4d8473d92f">blocked</a>&nbsp;for months by a Republican faction that used it as a bargaining tool.

The bill which now heads to Gov. Mike Parson will renew a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/planned-parenthood-medicaid-abortion-db9adee20b60b625ea7b2709e5149704">longstanding tax on hospitals</a>&nbsp;and other medical providers.

Money from the tax is used to draw down $2.9 billion in federal funding, which is then given back to providers to care for low-income residents on Medicaid health care.

Because the tax is crucial to the state's budget, the Senate's Freedom Caucus had been leveraging the bill to pressure Republican leaders to pass a bill kicking Planned Parenthood off the state’s Medicaid program, which the Legislature did&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/planned-parenthood-abortion-missouri-defunding-3e09e1517bf9c1cfa8fa92306a63a404">last month</a>.

Later, the Freedom Caucus also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-senate-medicaid-42928944fde4b20c47390b4d8473d92f">demanded</a>&nbsp;that the Legislature pass a measure to raise the threshold for amending the state constitution. Currently, amendments need support from 51% of voters stateswide.

If approved by voters, the Republican proposal would make it so constitutional amendments also need support from 51% of voters in a majority of congressional districts.

Senate Freedom Caucus members allowed a final Senate vote of approval on the Medicaid tax last week, even though the constitutional amendment change&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-constitution-ballot-democracy-67bea9bcf4aeeb8d47aff8c716e2298a">still has not passed the Legislature</a>.

The House took the hospital tax renewal up Wednesday, voting 136-16 to send the measure to Parson.

Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade on Wednesday told colleagues on the chamber floor that the tax is essential “to function as a government” and “provide the most basic services.”

“This shouldn’t be used as a hostage in a terrorist negotiation,” Quade said.

Republican Rep. Tony Lovasco argued that Missouri's reliance on the tax, and on federal Medicaid funding, hurts the state.

“The fact that we are yet again leaning on the federal government and their manufactured, printed money in order to get by in Missouri is just not a positive,” Lovasco said on the House floor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715797758373.png" alt="The Missouri House chamber during debate on March 12, 2023 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption>The Missouri House chamber during debate on March 12, 2023 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUMMER BALLENTINE&nbsp;JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's GOP-led Legislature on Wednesday renewed a more than $4 billion Medicaid program that had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-senate-medicaid-42928944fde4b20c47390b4d8473d92f">blocked</a>&nbsp;for months by a Republican faction that used it as a bargaining tool.The bill which now heads to Gov. Mike Parson will renew a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/planned-parenthood-medicaid-abortion-db9adee20b60b625ea7b2709e5149704">longstanding tax on hospitals</a>&nbsp;and other medical providers.Money from the tax is used to draw down $2.9 billion in federal funding, which is then given back to providers to care for low-income residents on Medicaid health care.Because the tax is crucial to the state's budget, the Senate's Freedom Caucus had been leveraging the bill to pressure Republican leaders to pass a bill kicking Planned Parenthood off the state’s Medicaid program, which the Legislature did&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/planned-parenthood-abortion-missouri-defunding-3e09e1517bf9c1cfa8fa92306a63a404">last month</a>.Later, the Freedom Caucus also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-senate-medicaid-42928944fde4b20c47390b4d8473d92f">demanded</a>&nbsp;that the Legislature pass a measure to raise the threshold for amending the state constitution. Currently, amendments need support from 51% of voters stateswide.If approved by voters, the Republican proposal would make it so constitutional amendments also need support from 51% of voters in a majority of congressional districts.Senate Freedom Caucus members allowed a final Senate vote of approval on the Medicaid tax last week, even though the constitutional amendment change&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-constitution-ballot-democracy-67bea9bcf4aeeb8d47aff8c716e2298a">still has not passed the Legislature</a>.The House took the hospital tax renewal up Wednesday, voting 136-16 to send the measure to Parson.Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade on Wednesday told colleagues on the chamber floor that the tax is essential “to function as a government” and “provide the most basic services.”“This shouldn’t be used as a hostage in a terrorist negotiation,” Quade said.Republican Rep. Tony Lovasco argued that Missouri's reliance on the tax, and on federal Medicaid funding, hurts the state.“The fact that we are yet again leaning on the federal government and their manufactured, printed money in order to get by in Missouri is just not a positive,” Lovasco said on the House floor.Parson is expected to sign the bill.

Missouri lawmakers renew crucial $4B Medicaid tax program

As the summer months arrive, more people will be pulling out their motorcycles to ride in the warm weather.  

Seargent Shane Hux, with Troop H of the Missouri Highway Patrol, says last year 175 crashes involving motorcycles resulted in deaths. 

Hux says that the increase in fatalities is in large part due to the repeal of the Missouri helmet law. 

"Safety is our number one priority and your number one safety device on a motorcycle is your helmet," Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So that's why we stress the importance of wearing that, even if you're not required to by law." 

In Missouri it is optional for anyone 26 or older that qualifies to wear a helmet when out on their motorcycle.  

During May, the Missouri Highway Patrol is promoting awareness of motorcyclists as part of Motorcycle Safety Awareness month. 

Hux says as you pull your bike out of storage, be sure to check that everything on it is still operational 

"Make sure you check the tires, the brakes, make sure your headlights are working, because as a motorcycle operator you want to make sure you're running your headlight day and night, just to increase your visibility," Hux explains.  

"And also make sure your turn signals are working, your brake lamp, make sure everything's in good working order and road worthy before you take it out onto the roadway." 

For newer bikers, Hux says when you purchase a motorcycle, make sure it's one that fits you, and that you enroll in a training course to know how to operate it properly.  

Hux says drivers are used to being aware of other cars on the roads, but aren't always looking out for motorcycles 

"So just take extra time whenever you come up to an intersection, look both ways, look again, and always be aware of motorcycles," Hux says. "Know that they're out there and share the road with them." 

Hux also encourages bikers to wear protective and reflective clothing to ensure they are visible to other drivers on the road.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715787291048.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post As the summer months arrive, more people will be pulling out their motorcycles to ride in the warm weather. Seargent Shane Hux, with Troop H of the Missouri Highway Patrol, says last year 175 crashes involving motorcycles resulted in deaths. Hux says that the increase in fatalities is in large part due to the repeal of the Missouri helmet law. "Safety is our number one priority and your number one safety device on a motorcycle is your helmet," Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So that's why we stress the importance of wearing that, even if you're not required to by law." In Missouri it is optional for anyone 26 or older that qualifies to wear a helmet when out on their motorcycle. During May, the Missouri Highway Patrol is promoting awareness of motorcyclists as part of Motorcycle Safety Awareness month. Hux says as you pull your bike out of storage, be sure to check that everything on it is still operational "Make sure you check the tires, the brakes, make sure your headlights are working, because as a motorcycle operator you want to make sure you're running your headlight day and night, just to increase your visibility," Hux explains. "And also make sure your turn signals are working, your brake lamp, make sure everything's in good working order and road worthy before you take it out onto the roadway." For newer bikers, Hux says when you purchase a motorcycle, make sure it's one that fits you, and that you enroll in a training course to know how to operate it properly. Hux says drivers are used to being aware of other cars on the roads, but aren't always looking out for motorcycles "So just take extra time whenever you come up to an intersection, look both ways, look again, and always be aware of motorcycles," Hux says. "Know that they're out there and share the road with them." Hux also encourages bikers to wear protective and reflective clothing to ensure they are visible to other drivers on the road.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/MSHP-Advises-Motorcycle-Safety-during-May-e2jo76f" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

MSHP urges motorists to watch out for motorcyclists 

A St. Joseph man received a non-life-threatening stab wound
during a confrontation at the intersection of Hickory and South 13th
very early Wednesday morning.

St. Joseph police report the stabbing took place shortly after
one o’clock this morning.

Police say 44-year-old Ronnie Davis, Jr. suffered a wound to his hand.

No one has been arrested. The investigation continues.

This article has been updated since first published.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA St. Joseph man received a non-life-threatening stab wound
during a confrontation at the intersection of Hickory and South 13th
very early Wednesday morning.St. Joseph police report the stabbing took place shortly after
one o’clock this morning.Police say 44-year-old Ronnie Davis, Jr. suffered a wound to his hand.No one has been arrested. The investigation continues.This article has been updated since first published.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph man wounded in stabbing

A St. Joseph man suspected in a domestic assault has been
taken into custody after a nearly five-hour standoff.

St. Joseph police report officers arrived at a residence in
the 2500 block of South 15th Street after receiving a report
about a domestic assault/robbery.

Police say the victim made a report at 6:30 Tuesday night. Officers located the suspect, a 28-year-old man, at a residence in the 2300 block of Felix Street, but he refused to give himself up. The Special Response
Team surrounded the residence and he finally gave up to police without
incident shortly before two o’clock Wednesday morning.

This article has been updated since first published.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA St. Joseph man suspected in a domestic assault has been
taken into custody after a nearly five-hour standoff.St. Joseph police report officers arrived at a residence in
the 2500 block of South 15th Street after receiving a report
about a domestic assault/robbery.Police say the victim made a report at 6:30 Tuesday night. Officers located the suspect, a 28-year-old man, at a residence in the 2300 block of Felix Street, but he refused to give himself up. The Special Response
Team surrounded the residence and he finally gave up to police without
incident shortly before two o’clock Wednesday morning.This article has been updated since first published.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Suspect in domestic dispute gives up to St. Joseph police after 5-hour standoff

St. Joseph police are investigating a shooting in which a St.
Joseph man suffered a non-life-threatening wound.

Police say they received multiple calls around 7:30 Tuesday night about shots being fired in the area of 9th and Powell.
Officers found 55-year-old Jeff Epps of St. Joseph wounded from a gunshot. Epps was treated and released from the local hospital. Investigators have
information on a suspect, but no one has been arrested at this time.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph police are investigating a shooting in which a St.
Joseph man suffered a non-life-threatening wound.Police say they received multiple calls around 7:30 Tuesday night about shots being fired in the area of 9th and Powell.
Officers found 55-year-old Jeff Epps of St. Joseph wounded from a gunshot. Epps was treated and released from the local hospital. Investigators have
information on a suspect, but no one has been arrested at this time.This article has been updated since first published.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph man shot and wounded

PLATTE COUNTY—Thieves targeted portions of Platte County on Tuesday.

 The Links Apartment Complex, Walnut Creek Subdivision and Thousand Oaks Subdivision were victim to suspects stealing from vehicles, according to a media release from the Platte County Sheriff. 

Crash, credit cards, electronics and firearms were the most common items taken. The preliminary time of occurrence is believed to be between 11:00p.m. on Monday and 3:30a.m. on Tuesday. 

 The Sheriff’s Office received reports from at least 20 victims from those apartment complexes.  Detectives are in the process of investigating leads to identify the suspects.

The sheriff reminds the public to be sure to keep your vehicle secured at all times and items of value either hidden or not in the vehicle at all.  A locked door is a deterrent, not a guarantee.

If you have any information related to these crimes, please contact us at 816-858-2424 or the Tips Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (816-474-8477).

PLATTE COUNTY—Thieves targeted portions of Platte County on Tuesday. The Links Apartment Complex, Walnut Creek Subdivision and Thousand Oaks Subdivision were victim to suspects stealing from vehicles, according to a media release from the Platte County Sheriff. Crash, credit cards, electronics and firearms were the most common items taken. The preliminary time of occurrence is believed to be between 11:00p.m. on Monday and 3:30a.m. on Tuesday. The Sheriff’s Office received reports from at least 20 victims from those apartment complexes. Detectives are in the process of investigating leads to identify the suspects.The sheriff reminds the public to be sure to keep your vehicle secured at all times and items of value either hidden or not in the vehicle at all. A locked door is a deterrent, not a guarantee.If you have any information related to these crimes, please contact us at 816-858-2424 or the Tips Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (816-474-8477).

20 victims report theft from vehicles in Platte County 

A wide-ranging education bill signed by Gov. Mike Parson last week will further press a reduced education budget with mandated lunch for preschoolers and items causing anxiety about the future

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

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education anticipates asking lawmakers for more money later this year in order to meet the demands of a massive new education law and make up for reduced federal funding.

“My gut is… because you have a lot of federal authority deleted… ​​you’ll see the mother of all supplemental budgets, probably in a special session,” State Board of Education Chair Charlie Shields, of St. Joseph, said during Tuesday’s board meeting.

The budget approved by lawmakers for the fiscal year that begins July 1 is more than $1 billion short of the current year’s appropriation, despite a 3.2% bump in pay for the education department’s employees.&nbsp;

This is before any possible vetoes or budget withholds by Gov. Mike Parson.

Kari Monsees, the department’s commissioner of financial and administrative services, told the board that a “common theme” of the budget was reductions in federal funding. And that impacts the amount of general revenue required next year, he said.

“Is that normal?” Mary Schrag, a board member from West Plains asked. “Is it considered realistic that we’re not going to use all those federal funds moving forward from year to year?”

Some items usually funded by federal money may be part of a supplemental request, Monsees said. He is most worried about the child-care-subsidy program, which encourages child care providers to serve low-income families.

The budget approved by lawmakers last week gives the department almost $260 million for two child care subsidies — a reduction of $23.4 million from current funding. The amount pulled from the state’s general revenue fund is stagnant between the fiscal years, showing a reduction in federal funding.

“We are seeing the case loads increase to the point where we’re going to need some of that capacity moving forward,” Monsees said. “It lowers the overall state budget by reducing some of those federal funds. The question is, is there enough left there?”

House Budget Chair Cody Smith, a Republican from Carthage, told reporters in a press conference last week that the House consolidated federal fund requests based on how much was used in the previous year. According to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/FY_2025_Department_of_Elementary_and_Secondary_Education_Budget_Request_with_Governor%27s_Recommendations.pdf">budget documents</a>, the program has a projected 92% utilization rate in the upcoming fiscal year. .

The budget, which squeaked through hours before the constitutional deadline, doesn’t include provisions of an omnibus education&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=244">bill</a>&nbsp;recently signed into law by Parson.&nbsp;

The bill at its core expands the K-12 tax-credit scholarships called MOScholars. But it also includes public-education priorities like a raise to the base teacher pay and scholarships for future educators. House lawmakers, in a floor debate on the legislation, wondered if there would be enough money in the state’s budget in future years to help districts raise teacher salaries and other costly provisions.

Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge, a board member from Pasadena Hills, noted the law’s projected price tag of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://senate.mo.gov/FiscalNotes/2024-1/3329S.24P.UPD.pdf">$468 million</a>&nbsp;when fully implemented.

“Do you feel like this budget adequately incorporates all the mandates that are outlined in this bill?” she asked Monsees. “There is a lot of concern from the educational community that there are a lot of unfunded mandates in this bill.”

A couple items, like expanding the small school grant program and providing lunch to pre-k students, are unfunded, Monsees said. He anticipates requesting the funding in a supplemental budget.

The mandated raise to teachers base pay doesn’t take effect until fiscal year 2026, he said. The state has been offering an opt-in matching grant program to raise teacher pay to $38,000, subject to annual reappropriation. This year, that amount will bump up to $40,000 before the new law forces districts to raise salaries with a grant program that will also require funds annually.

“The requests that you’re gonna see for fiscal year (2026) will be significant,” Monsees told board members. “It was going to be significant anyway, and (the new law) makes it where it will be an even bigger request.”

“I think you are two to three years out from having a huge challenge,” he said.

Shields and Monsees agreed that they had never seen a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/09/missouri-senate-avoids-impasse-over-budget-to-make-constitutional-deadline/">budget process like the one that occurred last week</a>, with closed-door negotiations and without a conference committee where lawmakers openly compromise on the budget.

The Independent’s Rudi Keller contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715729851386.png" alt=" Missouri State Board of Education members look line by line at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education budget Tuesday morning during their board meeting (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Missouri State Board of Education members look line by line at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education budget Tuesday morning during their board meeting (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A wide-ranging education bill signed by Gov. Mike Parson last week will further press a reduced education budget with mandated lunch for preschoolers and items causing anxiety about the future</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">ANNELISE HANSHAW</a><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education anticipates asking lawmakers for more money later this year in order to meet the demands of a massive new education law and make up for reduced federal funding.“My gut is… because you have a lot of federal authority deleted… ​​you’ll see the mother of all supplemental budgets, probably in a special session,” State Board of Education Chair Charlie Shields, of St. Joseph, said during Tuesday’s board meeting.The budget approved by lawmakers for the fiscal year that begins July 1 is more than $1 billion short of the current year’s appropriation, despite a 3.2% bump in pay for the education department’s employees.&nbsp;This is before any possible vetoes or budget withholds by Gov. Mike Parson.Kari Monsees, the department’s commissioner of financial and administrative services, told the board that a “common theme” of the budget was reductions in federal funding. And that impacts the amount of general revenue required next year, he said.“Is that normal?” Mary Schrag, a board member from West Plains asked. “Is it considered realistic that we’re not going to use all those federal funds moving forward from year to year?”Some items usually funded by federal money may be part of a supplemental request, Monsees said. He is most worried about the child-care-subsidy program, which encourages child care providers to serve low-income families.The budget approved by lawmakers last week gives the department almost $260 million for two child care subsidies — a reduction of $23.4 million from current funding. The amount pulled from the state’s general revenue fund is stagnant between the fiscal years, showing a reduction in federal funding.“We are seeing the case loads increase to the point where we’re going to need some of that capacity moving forward,” Monsees said. “It lowers the overall state budget by reducing some of those federal funds. The question is, is there enough left there?”House Budget Chair Cody Smith, a Republican from Carthage, told reporters in a press conference last week that the House consolidated federal fund requests based on how much was used in the previous year. According to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/FY_2025_Department_of_Elementary_and_Secondary_Education_Budget_Request_with_Governor%27s_Recommendations.pdf">budget documents</a>, the program has a projected 92% utilization rate in the upcoming fiscal year. .The budget, which squeaked through hours before the constitutional deadline, doesn’t include provisions of an omnibus education&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=244">bill</a>&nbsp;recently signed into law by Parson.&nbsp;The bill at its core expands the K-12 tax-credit scholarships called MOScholars. But it also includes public-education priorities like a raise to the base teacher pay and scholarships for future educators. House lawmakers, in a floor debate on the legislation, wondered if there would be enough money in the state’s budget in future years to help districts raise teacher salaries and other costly provisions.Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge, a board member from Pasadena Hills, noted the law’s projected price tag of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://senate.mo.gov/FiscalNotes/2024-1/3329S.24P.UPD.pdf">$468 million</a>&nbsp;when fully implemented.“Do you feel like this budget adequately incorporates all the mandates that are outlined in this bill?” she asked Monsees. “There is a lot of concern from the educational community that there are a lot of unfunded mandates in this bill.”A couple items, like expanding the small school grant program and providing lunch to pre-k students, are unfunded, Monsees said. He anticipates requesting the funding in a supplemental budget.The mandated raise to teachers base pay doesn’t take effect until fiscal year 2026, he said. The state has been offering an opt-in matching grant program to raise teacher pay to $38,000, subject to annual reappropriation. This year, that amount will bump up to $40,000 before the new law forces districts to raise salaries with a grant program that will also require funds annually.“The requests that you’re gonna see for fiscal year (2026) will be significant,” Monsees told board members. “It was going to be significant anyway, and (the new law) makes it where it will be an even bigger request.”Shields also foresees budget woes.“I think you are two to three years out from having a huge challenge,” he said.Shields and Monsees agreed that they had never seen a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/09/missouri-senate-avoids-impasse-over-budget-to-make-constitutional-deadline/">budget process like the one that occurred last week</a>, with closed-door negotiations and without a conference committee where lawmakers openly compromise on the budget.The Independent’s Rudi Keller contributed to this report.

Missouri education department prepares for ‘mother of all supplemental budgets’

St. Joseph voters will be asked in August to increase the
school levy by 59-cents to increase teacher pay.

Assistant Superintendent Robert Sigrist says the increase in
the school levy will also pay for raises for all St. Joseph School District
employees, such as cooks and janitors.

“Our staff that are at the lower end of those pay scales, we
would really like to bring those pay scales up, at the bottom especially,”
Sigrist tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So this would be a good step in doing
that.”

In fact, the St. Joseph School Board has indicated it wants to
give district employees a flat $2,400 to $2,750 pay raise the first year if
voters approve the levy increase. That would provide St. Joseph School District
employees making the least the largest percentage pay raise.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph voters will be asked in August to increase the
school levy by 59-cents to increase teacher pay.Assistant Superintendent Robert Sigrist says the increase in
the school levy will also pay for raises for all St. Joseph School District
employees, such as cooks and janitors.“Our staff that are at the lower end of those pay scales, we
would really like to bring those pay scales up, at the bottom especially,”
Sigrist tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So this would be a good step in doing
that.”In fact, the St. Joseph School Board has indicated it wants to
give district employees a flat $2,400 to $2,750 pay raise the first year if
voters approve the levy increase. That would provide St. Joseph School District
employees making the least the largest percentage pay raise.The St. Joseph School District proposes giving up its
Proposition C waiver in favor of the 59-cent increase to its levy. Proposition
C created a special statewide sales tax Missouri school districts could use for
teacher pay. Nearly all of Missouri’s school districts have given up their Prop
C waiver in favor of larger local levies.Sigrist says the St. Joseph School District no longer has competitive
salaries as compared with the 32 comparable districts. Sigrist says the St.
Joseph district has fallen behind in teacher pay.“Again, that would be a large step in that direction of making
us much more competitive,” Sigrist says. “It’s not going to put us anywhere near
the top of those 32 districts that we kind of compare to, but at least would
put us in a much more competitive space than what we are right now.”Right now, St. Joseph ranks near the bottom of those 32
districts in teacher pay, despite the school board moving to add $1,300 to the base
pay for teachers in the district.Sigrist says the St. Joseph district needs to catch up with comparable
districts.“Education jobs are very competitive right now as a whole,
from an industry-wide place, especially in the state of Missouri,” according to
Sigrist. “We have a lot more teachers at retirement age than we do have teachers
coming in out of colleges right now. And so, that space has become very, very
competitive in the last few years and I think that will continue to become more
competitive over the next several years.”The tax increase is expected to raise $7.1 million annually.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.