Possible property tax relief for Missouri senior citizens has
been broadened.

State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville succeeded last year
in passing Senate Bill 190 giving counties the option to freeze the property
tax assessments of senior citizens. Luetkemeyer updated it this year and it has
been signed into law.

“Before it was limited to seniors who received Social Security
benefits. We have a certain number of seniors that don’t receive Social
Security; so, teachers, firefighters, police officers, people who receive their
retirement benefits from public pensions,” Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph
Post. “And so, what the bill did this year is it clarified some provisions in SB
190 and expanded that tax relief to every senior in Missouri age 62 or older.”

It is possible property tax relief, because counties have to
approve it. The state cannot impose a tax cut on counties.

Luetkemeyer explains the tax break must be approved at the
local level, either by the county commission or a vote of the people, due to
the Hancock Amendment. Luetkemeyer says the Hancock Amendment is well known for
its limit on raising taxes without a vote of the people.

“There’s also a lesser-known provision in Hancock that
prohibits the state legislature from passing an unfunded mandate; that is something
that requires the county to implement and then lose potential tax revenue as a
result of the mandate from Jefferson City,” Luetkemeyer says. “The reason that we
put the local option in there for the county commission to implement the bill
is to get around the Hancock Amendment. So that’s the reason behind that.”

Luetkemeyer says it is up to the local county commission to
implement it.

“If a county commission is unwilling to implement an ordinance,
passing into effect SB 190, then the voters have the ability to go out and
collect signatures, put that on the next ballot, and then implement it through a
vote of the people.”

Luetkemeyer says he pushed for the tax break after learning
that some senior citizens saw their property tax bills skyrocket over the last
two assessment cycles.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostPossible property tax relief for Missouri senior citizens has
been broadened.State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville succeeded last year
in passing Senate Bill 190 giving counties the option to freeze the property
tax assessments of senior citizens. Luetkemeyer updated it this year and it has
been signed into law.“Before it was limited to seniors who received Social Security
benefits. We have a certain number of seniors that don’t receive Social
Security; so, teachers, firefighters, police officers, people who receive their
retirement benefits from public pensions,” Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph
Post. “And so, what the bill did this year is it clarified some provisions in SB
190 and expanded that tax relief to every senior in Missouri age 62 or older.”It is possible property tax relief, because counties have to
approve it. The state cannot impose a tax cut on counties.Luetkemeyer explains the tax break must be approved at the
local level, either by the county commission or a vote of the people, due to
the Hancock Amendment. Luetkemeyer says the Hancock Amendment is well known for
its limit on raising taxes without a vote of the people.“There’s also a lesser-known provision in Hancock that
prohibits the state legislature from passing an unfunded mandate; that is something
that requires the county to implement and then lose potential tax revenue as a
result of the mandate from Jefferson City,” Luetkemeyer says. “The reason that we
put the local option in there for the county commission to implement the bill
is to get around the Hancock Amendment. So that’s the reason behind that.”Luetkemeyer says it is up to the local county commission to
implement it.“If a county commission is unwilling to implement an ordinance,
passing into effect SB 190, then the voters have the ability to go out and
collect signatures, put that on the next ballot, and then implement it through a
vote of the people.”Luetkemeyer says he pushed for the tax break after learning
that some senior citizens saw their property tax bills skyrocket over the last
two assessment cycles.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Expansion of potential senior property tax relief signed into law

ATCHISON COUNTY—A Kansas man with a history of skipping court is back in jail.

On Monday, police arrested 43-year-old Richard D. Burge II of Atchison on a District Court warrant for failure to appear in court, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

In September, police arrested him on a District Court warrant for domestic battery and criminal damage to property and District Court warrants on four counts of failure to appear in court, according to Wilson.

In July of 2022, he was booked into jail in Atchison on a requested charge of domestic battery for altercation at a residence 1200 Block of Kansas Avenue in Atchison, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695820635444.png" alt="Burge photo from a 2023 arrest&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Burge photo from a 2023 arrest&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—A Kansas man with a history of skipping court is back in jail.On Monday, police arrested 43-year-old Richard D. Burge II of Atchison on a District Court warrant for failure to appear in court, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.In September, police arrested him on a District Court warrant for domestic battery and criminal damage to property and District Court warrants on four counts of failure to appear in court, according to Wilson.In July of 2022, he was booked into jail in Atchison on a requested charge of domestic battery for altercation at a residence 1200 Block of Kansas Avenue in Atchison, according to online jail records.

Kan. man with a history of crime accused of skipping court again

Continued work on the Cook Road bridge will disrupt traffic on
I-29 within the city limits of St. Joseph once again.

The Missouri Department of Transportation says both the
northbound and southbound lanes of I-29 through St. Joseph will close beginning
Tuesday morning at 4 o’clock and remain closed until very early Friday morning.

MoDOT is closing the interstate so Clarkson Construction can
demolish the existing bridge deck and then install new beams as well as paint
the girders.

This is a 72-hour closure. The detour will take the same route
on I-229 as used a month ago. Southbound I-29 traffic must exit at
I-29/I-229/U.S. Route 71 (EXIT 56B) and northbound I-29 traffic must exit at
the I-229/I-29 (EXIT 43). 

Click <a href="https://dpv85fgkqesen.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/2024-01/JI3330%20Detour%20Diagram.jpg">HERE</a> to view the detour map.

Local traffic will not be able to access I-29 at the following
locations: 

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Route 6 (Frederick Blvd.) – Exit 47

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
U.S. Route 36 – northbound Exits 46A &amp; 46B

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Business Route 71/US. Route 59 – Exit 53

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
U.S. Route 169 (Rochester Rd) – Exit 50

MoDOT says the contractor must close I-29 for the safety of
crews and motorists. There will be more closings coming. MoDOT reports this is
the second in a series of closures of I-29 that will occur during the project.

Under the project, the Cook Road bridge will be widened with
its driving surface replace. St. Joseph has added money to pay for a pedestrian
sidewalk to the south side of the bridge which will include decorative fencing
and concrete sides.&nbsp; The project is
anticipated to be completed by October.

Other future lane closures will likely occur between the hours
of 7pm and 7am at various dates. During those times there will be a 12-foot
width restriction in place.

Click <a href="https://www.modot.org/interstate-29-bridge-rehabilitation-buchanan">HERE</a> to learn more about the project.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721069318617.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTIN and MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostContinued work on the Cook Road bridge will disrupt traffic on
I-29 within the city limits of St. Joseph once again.The Missouri Department of Transportation says both the
northbound and southbound lanes of I-29 through St. Joseph will close beginning
Tuesday morning at 4 o’clock and remain closed until very early Friday morning.MoDOT is closing the interstate so Clarkson Construction can
demolish the existing bridge deck and then install new beams as well as paint
the girders.This is a 72-hour closure. The detour will take the same route
on I-229 as used a month ago. Southbound I-29 traffic must exit at
I-29/I-229/U.S. Route 71 (EXIT 56B) and northbound I-29 traffic must exit at
the I-229/I-29 (EXIT 43). Click <a href="https://dpv85fgkqesen.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/2024-01/JI3330%20Detour%20Diagram.jpg">HERE</a> to view the detour map.Local traffic will not be able to access I-29 at the following
locations: Northbound I-29 from: •&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Route 6 (Frederick Blvd.) – Exit 47•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
U.S. Route 36 – northbound Exits 46A &amp; 46BSouthbound I-29 from: •&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Business Route 71/US. Route 59 – Exit 53•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
U.S. Route 169 (Rochester Rd) – Exit 50MoDOT says the contractor must close I-29 for the safety of
crews and motorists. There will be more closings coming. MoDOT reports this is
the second in a series of closures of I-29 that will occur during the project.Under the project, the Cook Road bridge will be widened with
its driving surface replace. St. Joseph has added money to pay for a pedestrian
sidewalk to the south side of the bridge which will include decorative fencing
and concrete sides.&nbsp; The project is
anticipated to be completed by October.Other future lane closures will likely occur between the hours
of 7pm and 7am at various dates. During those times there will be a 12-foot
width restriction in place.Click <a href="https://www.modot.org/interstate-29-bridge-rehabilitation-buchanan">HERE</a> to learn more about the project.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Caution St. Joseph commuters:  I-29 to be shut down in St. Joseph, again

An Arkansas man appears to have taken his own life this past
weekend after stopping his vehicle on I-29 at DD Highway.

Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett reports deputies found the
body of 32-year-old Shelby Ragsdale in his vehicle parked on the shoulder of I-29 very early Saturday
morning.

Puett says his department received a call from a family member
who requested a well-being check on the victim who was heading home to Arkansas.

Buchanan County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a death
near I-29 and DD Highway over the weekend.

A man is dead, possibly due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAn Arkansas man appears to have taken his own life this past
weekend after stopping his vehicle on I-29 at DD Highway.Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett reports deputies found the
body of 32-year-old Shelby Ragsdale in his vehicle parked on the shoulder of I-29 very early Saturday
morning.Puett says his department received a call from a family member
who requested a well-being check on the victim who was heading home to Arkansas.PREVIOUS VERSION:Buchanan County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a death
near I-29 and DD Highway over the weekend.A man is dead, possibly due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.This article has been updated.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Buchanan County investigating death of Arkansas man [UPDATE]

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/marymccuebell/">MARY MCCUE BELL</a>

WASHINGTON — As the number of dairy cows infected with a strain of bird flu virus grows across the country, 17 of Missouri’s roughly 60,000 dairy cows have been tested while agriculture officials and farmers keep watch for signs that the outbreak has entered the state.

So far, Missouri farmers haven’t reported any cows with the virus, called H5N1, state officials said.

However, national biosecurity and public health experts are concerned that a lack of testing in states across the country, and the economic implications of quarantining cattle, may be allowing the virus to spread undetected.

“You want to work on the assumption that it’s there, and you’re trying to find it,” said Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, who focuses on pandemic policy and the intersections of infectious disease and national security. Adalja said 17 tests aren’t enough to give him confidence that Missouri’s herds are virus-free.

“Just because you’re not looking, doesn’t mean it’s not there, that you’re going to avoid the consequences,” Adalja said.

Missouri State Veterinarian Steve Strubberg acknowledged that only a small fraction of the state’s dairy cows have been tested for the virus. Strubberg, who leads the Missouri Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division, said he believes Missouri farmers would have reported sick cows to their veterinarians if their herds were becoming infected.

Because H5N1 is a “Reportable Disease,” veterinarians and laboratories are required to disclose detections. However, while farmers are encouraged to report H5N1 symptoms, it’s not a requirement because there is no confirmation they are ill with the H5N1 virus.

“We just feel like most livestock producers, they really do a great job of watching the health of their animals,” Strubberg said. “I mean, it’s their livelihood.”

Health experts investigating the H5N1 outbreaks in Texas and Colorado told&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-dairy-farmers-barb-petersen-07bd5accb01441bc5d279464271d2371" target="_blank">The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;that because labs must report positive results to agriculture departments, many farmers may decide against testing and try to outlast the outbreak to avoid a negative stigma.

In dairy cattle, the virus causes low appetite and reduced milk production, and the milk can have an abnormal appearance. Occasionally, farmers have cows with similar symptoms, which can also be caused by other diseases.

While H5N1 is associated with high mortality rates in poultry, reports indicate infected dairy cattle rarely die. Even when cows in a herd become sick, they seem to recover rather quickly after a few weeks, as long as dairy farmers are using disease management procedures, Strubberg said.

Since&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/mammals.html#:~:text=A" target="_blank">March 25</a>, when the world first learned H5N1 had developed the ability to infect and spread among cows, infections have been reported so far in at least&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/hpai-confirmed-cases-livestock" target="_blank">140 herds in 12 states</a>&nbsp;– including Missouri’s neighboring states of Kansas and Iowa — according to the USDA dashboard updated July 3.

However, experts say the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s numbers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.statnews.com/2024/06/26/bird-flu-outbreak-avian-flu-containment-h5n1-eradication-in-cattle" target="_blank">likely underestimate the size of the outbreak</a>&nbsp;because so few cattle are being tested.

Currently, the USDA requires lactating cattle to be tested before being shipped&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/aphis-requirements-recommendations-hpai-livestock.pdf" target="_blank">across state lines</a>.

Adalja said that because of the lack of proactive testing, he said he doesn’t believe “anybody in the field would think that those 38 states could be declared non-H5N1 cow (infected) states.”

Historically, when the H5N1 virus has infected people on rare occasions,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2024-DON512" target="_blank">the death rate has been over 50%</a>. In the current U.S. dairy cattle outbreak, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p-0703-4th-human-case-h5.html" target="_blank">four farm workers with documented infections</a>&nbsp;have had mild cases, mostly including symptoms of eye redness, following&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/farm-workers.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/h5/farm-workers.html" target="_blank">direct contact with sick cows</a>. The most recent human case was announced as of last week.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/spotlights/h5n1-response-06282024.html#:~:text=To" target="_blank">health risk to the general public remains low</a>&nbsp;and has recommended&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/worker-protection-ppe.html" target="_blank">personal protective equipment</a>&nbsp;for those working with infected cows.

While dairy cows have generally recovered during this current outbreak, the virus has proven to be fatal to cats who drank raw milk from infected cows.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration said its tests indicate that the pasteurization process used in commercial milk processing is effective at inactivating the H5N1 virus. While there is concern that the virus can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of unpasteurized, or raw, milk from infected cows, the FDA continues to emphasize its longstanding recommendations about ingesting raw milk because of its potential to be contaminated.

The fact that no farms are reporting symptoms in cows is the best indication that H5N1 is not in Missouri, state officials said. One of the reasons they believe Missouri has avoided the virus is because the state imports so few cows.

Missouri’s tests on 17 dairy cows, as of Monday, occurred because the animals were being moved across state borders. However, it remains unclear how the virus is circulating, and in some states, herds have become infected despite no movements of cattle.

It appears that farm workers may be involved in the outbreak’s spread, but Missouri has minimal shared labor between farms, state officials said.

Even so, in preparation for the 2024 Missouri State Fair, scheduled to begin Aug. 8 in Sedalia, the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Strubberg announced last week updated biosecurity protocols for exhibiting dairy cattle. All lactating dairy cattle must have a negative H5N1 test within seven days before arrival at the Missouri State Fairgrounds.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture has been doing outreach to dairy producers and veterinarians and providing updated information on the virus.

Scott Poock, a dairy and beef cattle veterinarian with the University of Missouri Extension, said he would be confident that Missouri “probably hasn’t had it.”

“Can I say 100%? Absolutely not. Never,” Poock said.

Missouri, like other states, has been battling H5N1 in poultry for some time. And as it remains unclear how the virus jumped from birds to dairy cows, Strubberg said the lack of many new H5N1 detections in Missouri poultry can provide more confidence, to a degree, that the virus isn’t in Missouri cows.

While some experts are concerned about a lack of proactive testing, there is a risk aversion for farmers who would have to quarantine lactating cattle with a positive test. The USDA has taken some actions to help farmers, including offering loans to farmers and livestock producers to alleviate biosecurity measurement costs, such as veterinary and testing expenses.

Like experts in infectious diseases, farmers are aware of the issue but have differing opinions and levels of concern, Strubberg said.

Chloe Collins, an MU Extension dairy field specialist, said that most farmers she has recently spoken with have been optimistic about the H5N1 risk. She said farmers are practicing good biosecurity and are tapping into expert resources. Collins also described the state’s dairy industry as “prepared and resilient.”

Adalja said he believes that the USDA and state agriculture departments are walking a tightrope trying to balance the economic and public health implications. This includes what stigma might occur if a farm tests positive.

“These (cows) are not pets,” Adalja said. “They are economic vessels, basically, that are important for the economies of those farms, the economies of those counties and the states.”

This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/few-missouri-dairy-cows-tested-for-bird-flu-virus/article_03ab77de-3df9-11ef-aaa3-134d712ffccc.html#tncms-source=Top%20Story" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719397041671.png" alt="File photo Holstein milking cows&nbsp; photo by Kirsten Strough/USDA" />
 <figcaption>File photo Holstein milking cows&nbsp; photo by Kirsten Strough/USDA</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/marymccuebell/">MARY MCCUE BELL</a>WASHINGTON — As the number of dairy cows infected with a strain of bird flu virus grows across the country, 17 of Missouri’s roughly 60,000 dairy cows have been tested while agriculture officials and farmers keep watch for signs that the outbreak has entered the state.So far, Missouri farmers haven’t reported any cows with the virus, called H5N1, state officials said.However, national biosecurity and public health experts are concerned that a lack of testing in states across the country, and the economic implications of quarantining cattle, may be allowing the virus to spread undetected.“You want to work on the assumption that it’s there, and you’re trying to find it,” said Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, who focuses on pandemic policy and the intersections of infectious disease and national security. Adalja said 17 tests aren’t enough to give him confidence that Missouri’s herds are virus-free.“Just because you’re not looking, doesn’t mean it’s not there, that you’re going to avoid the consequences,” Adalja said.Missouri State Veterinarian Steve Strubberg acknowledged that only a small fraction of the state’s dairy cows have been tested for the virus. Strubberg, who leads the Missouri Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division, said he believes Missouri farmers would have reported sick cows to their veterinarians if their herds were becoming infected.Because H5N1 is a “Reportable Disease,” veterinarians and laboratories are required to disclose detections. However, while farmers are encouraged to report H5N1 symptoms, it’s not a requirement because there is no confirmation they are ill with the H5N1 virus.“We just feel like most livestock producers, they really do a great job of watching the health of their animals,” Strubberg said. “I mean, it’s their livelihood.”Health experts investigating the H5N1 outbreaks in Texas and Colorado told&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-dairy-farmers-barb-petersen-07bd5accb01441bc5d279464271d2371" target="_blank">The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;that because labs must report positive results to agriculture departments, many farmers may decide against testing and try to outlast the outbreak to avoid a negative stigma.In dairy cattle, the virus causes low appetite and reduced milk production, and the milk can have an abnormal appearance. Occasionally, farmers have cows with similar symptoms, which can also be caused by other diseases.While H5N1 is associated with high mortality rates in poultry, reports indicate infected dairy cattle rarely die. Even when cows in a herd become sick, they seem to recover rather quickly after a few weeks, as long as dairy farmers are using disease management procedures, Strubberg said.Since&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/mammals.html#:~:text=A" target="_blank">March 25</a>, when the world first learned H5N1 had developed the ability to infect and spread among cows, infections have been reported so far in at least&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/hpai-confirmed-cases-livestock" target="_blank">140 herds in 12 states</a>&nbsp;– including Missouri’s neighboring states of Kansas and Iowa — according to the USDA dashboard updated July 3.However, experts say the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s numbers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.statnews.com/2024/06/26/bird-flu-outbreak-avian-flu-containment-h5n1-eradication-in-cattle" target="_blank">likely underestimate the size of the outbreak</a>&nbsp;because so few cattle are being tested.Currently, the USDA requires lactating cattle to be tested before being shipped&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/aphis-requirements-recommendations-hpai-livestock.pdf" target="_blank">across state lines</a>.Adalja said that because of the lack of proactive testing, he said he doesn’t believe “anybody in the field would think that those 38 states could be declared non-H5N1 cow (infected) states.”Historically, when the H5N1 virus has infected people on rare occasions,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2024-DON512" target="_blank">the death rate has been over 50%</a>. In the current U.S. dairy cattle outbreak, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p-0703-4th-human-case-h5.html" target="_blank">four farm workers with documented infections</a>&nbsp;have had mild cases, mostly including symptoms of eye redness, following&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/farm-workers.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/h5/farm-workers.html" target="_blank">direct contact with sick cows</a>. The most recent human case was announced as of last week.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/spotlights/h5n1-response-06282024.html#:~:text=To" target="_blank">health risk to the general public remains low</a>&nbsp;and has recommended&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/worker-protection-ppe.html" target="_blank">personal protective equipment</a>&nbsp;for those working with infected cows.While dairy cows have generally recovered during this current outbreak, the virus has proven to be fatal to cats who drank raw milk from infected cows.U.S. Food and Drug Administration said its tests indicate that the pasteurization process used in commercial milk processing is effective at inactivating the H5N1 virus. While there is concern that the virus can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of unpasteurized, or raw, milk from infected cows, the FDA continues to emphasize its longstanding recommendations about ingesting raw milk because of its potential to be contaminated.The fact that no farms are reporting symptoms in cows is the best indication that H5N1 is not in Missouri, state officials said. One of the reasons they believe Missouri has avoided the virus is because the state imports so few cows.Missouri’s tests on 17 dairy cows, as of Monday, occurred because the animals were being moved across state borders. However, it remains unclear how the virus is circulating, and in some states, herds have become infected despite no movements of cattle.It appears that farm workers may be involved in the outbreak’s spread, but Missouri has minimal shared labor between farms, state officials said.Even so, in preparation for the 2024 Missouri State Fair, scheduled to begin Aug. 8 in Sedalia, the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Strubberg announced last week updated biosecurity protocols for exhibiting dairy cattle. All lactating dairy cattle must have a negative H5N1 test within seven days before arrival at the Missouri State Fairgrounds.The Missouri Department of Agriculture has been doing outreach to dairy producers and veterinarians and providing updated information on the virus.Scott Poock, a dairy and beef cattle veterinarian with the University of Missouri Extension, said he would be confident that Missouri “probably hasn’t had it.”“Can I say 100%? Absolutely not. Never,” Poock said.Missouri, like other states, has been battling H5N1 in poultry for some time. And as it remains unclear how the virus jumped from birds to dairy cows, Strubberg said the lack of many new H5N1 detections in Missouri poultry can provide more confidence, to a degree, that the virus isn’t in Missouri cows.While some experts are concerned about a lack of proactive testing, there is a risk aversion for farmers who would have to quarantine lactating cattle with a positive test. The USDA has taken some actions to help farmers, including offering loans to farmers and livestock producers to alleviate biosecurity measurement costs, such as veterinary and testing expenses.Like experts in infectious diseases, farmers are aware of the issue but have differing opinions and levels of concern, Strubberg said.Chloe Collins, an MU Extension dairy field specialist, said that most farmers she has recently spoken with have been optimistic about the H5N1 risk. She said farmers are practicing good biosecurity and are tapping into expert resources. Collins also described the state’s dairy industry as “prepared and resilient.”Adalja said he believes that the USDA and state agriculture departments are walking a tightrope trying to balance the economic and public health implications. This includes what stigma might occur if a farm tests positive.“These (cows) are not pets,” Adalja said. “They are economic vessels, basically, that are important for the economies of those farms, the economies of those counties and the states.”This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/few-missouri-dairy-cows-tested-for-bird-flu-virus/article_03ab77de-3df9-11ef-aaa3-134d712ffccc.html#tncms-source=Top%20Story" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

Few Missouri dairy cows have been tested for bird flu virus

Missouri Governor Mike Parson has appointed a Hamilton man to
the State Milk Board.

Parson appointed Sean Cornelius to the Milk Board. Cornelius
is a partner and nutritionist at Best Axis
Consulting.

Cornelius serves as
president of Cornelius Farms and is a third-generation dairy farmer. Cornelius
also is the president of the Caldwell County Farm Bureau. 

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Governor Mike Parson has appointed a Hamilton man to
the State Milk Board.Parson appointed Sean Cornelius to the Milk Board. Cornelius
is a partner and nutritionist at Best Axis
Consulting.Cornelius serves as
president of Cornelius Farms and is a third-generation dairy farmer. Cornelius
also is the president of the Caldwell County Farm Bureau. You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Hamilton man appointed to State Milk Board

A shooting outside the First Ward House in north St. Joseph
has left a 31-year-old man with a life-threatening gunshot wound.

The St. Joseph Police Department reports the shooting just
after midnight Sunday likely started with a confrontation in the bar that continued
outside.

There is one suspect, but no one has been arrested as of yet.

The identification of the victim has not been released.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA shooting outside the First Ward House in north St. Joseph
has left a 31-year-old man with a life-threatening gunshot wound.The St. Joseph Police Department reports the shooting just
after midnight Sunday likely started with a confrontation in the bar that continued
outside.There is one suspect, but no one has been arrested as of yet.The identification of the victim has not been released.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Man severely wounded in north St. Joseph shooting

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/camikoons/">CAMI KOONS</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Early this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/01/29/1227574179/amelia-earharts-lost-plane-howland-island" target="_blank">news outlets circulated&nbsp;</a>a sonar image of what explorers believe to be Amelia Earhart’s lost Lockheed Electra plane.

Earhart enthusiasts in Atchison were excited to see the discovery, and also to see the expedition’s leader, Tony Romeo, sporting a T-shirt from the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum.

The founder of Deep Sea Vision, the exploration company that took the sonar image at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, had visited the Atchison museum to see Muriel, a plane identical to the one Earhart took on her last flight.

Romeo will return July 19-20 to Atchison with a slate of other explorers, Earhart theorists and a Smithsonian curator for a panel discussion.

The events are presented by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ameliaearharthangarmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum</a>&nbsp;as part of the annual Amelia Earhart Festival.

“It’s very exciting to get internationally known people searching for Amelia’s plane into Atchison, where she was born,” said Karen Seaberg, the museum’s founder.

“Adventure Amelia: A Conversation with Explorers in the Search for Amelia Earhart” will be moderated by Dorothy Cochrane, a curator at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. Romeo and his brother, Lloyd Romeo, are panelists alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-links-search-for-amelia-earhart-s-plane-with-iss-crew-classroom" target="_blank">Rod Blocksome</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://earharttruth.wordpress.com/tag/gary-lapook/" target="_blank">Gary LaPook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.datelinetheory.com/p/about-author.html" target="_blank">Liz Smith</a>.

Seaberg said the explorers and theorists might have a little bit of competitive tension as they take the stage at 11 a.m. Feb. 19 at the historic Fox Theatre in downtown Atchison.

“The panel itself is going to be fun, because all of these people are searching, or have ideas about Amelia Earhart’s lost plane, but they all are going about it a little different way,” Seaberg said.

At 9 a.m. July 20, Tony and Lloyd Romeo will share more about their expedition, which used marine robotics to scan more than 5,200 square miles of the Pacific Ocean floor.

This conversation at the O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium at Benedictine College will be moderated by pilot and author Amelia Rose Earhart, who circumnavigated the globe in 2014.

Tickets are free but limited, so Seaberg urges folks to&nbsp;<a href="https://ameliaearharthangarmuseum.org/event/adventure-amelia/" target="_blank">register online</a>.

In addition to the panels, the<a href="https://visitatchison.com/listing/amelia-earhart-festival" target="_blank">&nbsp;Amelia Earhart Festival&nbsp;</a>offers craft vendors, live music, an airshow and fireworks above the Missouri River.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720819312481.png" alt="Tony Romeo shows off his shirt from the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum while on his 90-day expedition searching for Amelia Earhart’s lost plane. (Submitted)" />
 <figcaption>Tony Romeo shows off his shirt from the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum while on his 90-day expedition searching for Amelia Earhart’s lost plane. (Submitted)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/camikoons/">CAMI KOONS</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>Early this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/01/29/1227574179/amelia-earharts-lost-plane-howland-island" target="_blank">news outlets circulated&nbsp;</a>a sonar image of what explorers believe to be Amelia Earhart’s lost Lockheed Electra plane.Earhart enthusiasts in Atchison were excited to see the discovery, and also to see the expedition’s leader, Tony Romeo, sporting a T-shirt from the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum.The founder of Deep Sea Vision, the exploration company that took the sonar image at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, had visited the Atchison museum to see Muriel, a plane identical to the one Earhart took on her last flight.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720819354535.png" alt="Sonar images of the floor of the Pacific Ocean reveal an object that looks to be around the shape and size of the Lockheed Electra 10-E that Amelia Earhart took on her fated attempt to circumnavigate the globe. (Submitted)" />
 <figcaption>Sonar images of the floor of the Pacific Ocean reveal an object that looks to be around the shape and size of the Lockheed Electra 10-E that Amelia Earhart took on her fated attempt to circumnavigate the globe. (Submitted)</figcaption>
 </figure>Romeo will return July 19-20 to Atchison with a slate of other explorers, Earhart theorists and a Smithsonian curator for a panel discussion.The events are presented by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ameliaearharthangarmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum</a>&nbsp;as part of the annual Amelia Earhart Festival.“It’s very exciting to get internationally known people searching for Amelia’s plane into Atchison, where she was born,” said Karen Seaberg, the museum’s founder.“Adventure Amelia: A Conversation with Explorers in the Search for Amelia Earhart” will be moderated by Dorothy Cochrane, a curator at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. Romeo and his brother, Lloyd Romeo, are panelists alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-links-search-for-amelia-earhart-s-plane-with-iss-crew-classroom" target="_blank">Rod Blocksome</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://earharttruth.wordpress.com/tag/gary-lapook/" target="_blank">Gary LaPook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.datelinetheory.com/p/about-author.html" target="_blank">Liz Smith</a>.Seaberg said the explorers and theorists might have a little bit of competitive tension as they take the stage at 11 a.m. Feb. 19 at the historic Fox Theatre in downtown Atchison.“The panel itself is going to be fun, because all of these people are searching, or have ideas about Amelia Earhart’s lost plane, but they all are going about it a little different way,” Seaberg said.At 9 a.m. July 20, Tony and Lloyd Romeo will share more about their expedition, which used marine robotics to scan more than 5,200 square miles of the Pacific Ocean floor.This conversation at the O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium at Benedictine College will be moderated by pilot and author Amelia Rose Earhart, who circumnavigated the globe in 2014.Tickets are free but limited, so Seaberg urges folks to&nbsp;<a href="https://ameliaearharthangarmuseum.org/event/adventure-amelia/" target="_blank">register online</a>.In addition to the panels, the<a href="https://visitatchison.com/listing/amelia-earhart-festival" target="_blank">&nbsp;Amelia Earhart Festival&nbsp;</a>offers craft vendors, live music, an airshow and fireworks above the Missouri River.

High-profile Amelia Earhart explorers to convene in Atchison

GRUNDY COUNTY—Three teens were injured in an accident just before 8:30p.m. Saturday in Grundy County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Toyota Matrix driven by a 16-year-old Trenton girl was northbound on Route A six miles northwest of Trenton.

The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The car traveled off the north side of the road and overturned.&nbsp; A 14-year-old female passenger from Trenton was ejected through the passenger side window.

Life Flight Eagle transported the 14-year-old to Children's Mercy. Mercer County EMS transported a 15-year-old female passenger from Trenton to Wright Memorial Hospital. The driver refused treatment at the scene. The two passengers were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

GRUNDY COUNTY—Three teens were injured in an accident just before 8:30p.m. Saturday in Grundy County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Toyota Matrix driven by a 16-year-old Trenton girl was northbound on Route A six miles northwest of Trenton.The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The car traveled off the north side of the road and overturned.&nbsp; A 14-year-old female passenger from Trenton was ejected through the passenger side window.Life Flight Eagle transported the 14-year-old to Children's Mercy. Mercer County EMS transported a 15-year-old female passenger from Trenton to Wright Memorial Hospital. The driver refused treatment at the scene. The two passengers were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

NW Missouri teen airlifted to hospital after ejected in crash

BROWN COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 8p.m. Saturday in Brown County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Ford Bronco driven by Linda J. Baker, 74, Hiawatha, was northbound on Horned Owl Road&nbsp; just South of 220th Street. The SUV traveled off the roadway into the west ditch and struck a cement culvert.

EMS transported Baker to Amberwell Hospital. She was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

BROWN COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 8p.m. Saturday in Brown County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Ford Bronco driven by Linda J. Baker, 74, Hiawatha, was northbound on Horned Owl Road&nbsp; just South of 220th Street. The SUV traveled off the roadway into the west ditch and struck a cement culvert.EMS transported Baker to Amberwell Hospital. She was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman hospitalized after SUV strikes cement culvert

PLATTE COUNTY—A Missouri woman died in an accident just after 6a.m. Saturday in Platte County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Ford Fusion driven by Eyoatme S. Melaku, 19, Riverside, was southbound on Riverway&nbsp; Boulevard at MO 9. The car crossed the road, traveled off the left side, struck a bridge support, returned to the road and caught fire.

Melaku was pronounced dead at the scene and she was transported to Forensic Medical of Kansas.&nbsp; She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

PLATTE COUNTY—A Missouri woman died in an accident just after 6a.m. Saturday in Platte County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Ford Fusion driven by Eyoatme S. Melaku, 19, Riverside, was southbound on Riverway&nbsp; Boulevard at MO 9. The car crossed the road, traveled off the left side, struck a bridge support, returned to the road and caught fire.Melaku was pronounced dead at the scene and she was transported to Forensic Medical of Kansas.&nbsp; She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman dies after car crash and fire

NODAWAY COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Friday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp; 2014 Nissan Versa driven by Jacole D. Hunzinger, 21, Maryville, was eastbound on U.S. 136 just east of Neon Road eight miles east of Maryville.

The car rear-ended a 2009 Kia Optima driven by Rose A. Miller, 57, Maryville, who had stopped for a 2013 Volkswagen Passat driven by Cody M. Runde, 31, Ravenwood, to make a left turn into a private drive.

After impact, the Nissan crossed the center of the road and rear-ended Volkswagen.

A private vehicle transported Hunzinger to Mosaic in Maryville. Nodaway County EMS transported a passenger in the Nissan Jonathan E. Bliley, 53, Stanberry, to Mosaic in Maryville. The other drivers were not injured. All four were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

NODAWAY COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Friday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp; 2014 Nissan Versa driven by Jacole D. Hunzinger, 21, Maryville, was eastbound on U.S. 136 just east of Neon Road eight miles east of Maryville.The car rear-ended a 2009 Kia Optima driven by Rose A. Miller, 57, Maryville, who had stopped for a 2013 Volkswagen Passat driven by Cody M. Runde, 31, Ravenwood, to make a left turn into a private drive.After impact, the Nissan crossed the center of the road and rear-ended Volkswagen.A private vehicle transported Hunzinger to Mosaic in Maryville. Nodaway County EMS transported a passenger in the Nissan Jonathan E. Bliley, 53, Stanberry, to Mosaic in Maryville. The other drivers were not injured. All four were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

2 hospitalized after 3-vehicle Nodaway County crash

GRUNDY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Friday in Grundy County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Ford Focus driven by Brenda J. Johnson, 52, Milan, was eastbound on MO 6 three miles west of Galt.

The car traveled across the center of the road and the driver overcorrected. The vehicle traveled off the right side of the road, struck a fence row and and rolled.

Grundy County ambulance transported Johnson to Wright Memorial Hospital. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

GRUNDY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Friday in Grundy County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Ford Focus driven by Brenda J. Johnson, 52, Milan, was eastbound on MO 6 three miles west of Galt.The car traveled across the center of the road and the driver overcorrected. The vehicle traveled off the right side of the road, struck a fence row and and rolled.Grundy County ambulance transported Johnson to Wright Memorial Hospital. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman injured after car strikes fence, rolls

NODAWAY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Northwest Missouri man on multiple allegations after a search of his home.

In April, investigators identified an IP address associated with 53-year-old Craig A. Roberts of Maryville, Missouri, according to a media release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control.

The IP address was of investigative interest in an active child pornography investigation.&nbsp; On July 11, investigators conducted a search of Roberts' Maryville home, pursuant to a Nodaway County search warrant.&nbsp;

Investigators found Roberts' computer and when it was examined they found multiple digital files of child pornography. Investigators also found meth.&nbsp; Officers arrested Roberts on requested charges of possession of child porn, promoting child porn and possession of a controlled substance. He is being held on a $75,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720813527719.png" alt="Roberts-photo Nodaway Co." />
 <figcaption>Roberts-photo Nodaway Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>NODAWAY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Northwest Missouri man on multiple allegations after a search of his home.In April, investigators identified an IP address associated with 53-year-old Craig A. Roberts of Maryville, Missouri, according to a media release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control.The IP address was of investigative interest in an active child pornography investigation.&nbsp; On July 11, investigators conducted a search of Roberts' Maryville home, pursuant to a Nodaway County search warrant.&nbsp;Investigators found Roberts' computer and when it was examined they found multiple digital files of child pornography. Investigators also found meth.&nbsp; Officers arrested Roberts on requested charges of possession of child porn, promoting child porn and possession of a controlled substance. He is being held on a $75,000 bond.

NW Missouri man accused of possessing and promoting child porn

The St. Joseph City Council has passed a design-build contract to start long awaited renovations at Krug Park.

The council, this week, approved a contract with E.L. Crawford Construction of St. Joseph to allow for renovation on several key areas of the park.

St. Joseph Parks and Rec director Chuck Kempf says getting this contract approved is a huge step forward in the Krug Park project.

"This is a big moment as far as, we're kind of done with that aspect," Kempf told KFEQ Radio. "We've made our decision, we know who we're going to work with now. So really, substantial design, engineering and planning can now take place."

This renovation project includes the amphitheater, children’s circus, picnic shelters, restrooms and other spaces. E.L. Crawford will get more than $11.7 million from their contract with the city to carry out the project.

Kempf says there's still more to be done before any big construction takes place.

"I don't want to raise everyone's expectations," he said. "We still have to meet with the contractor, the team and talk about the schedule and process. So, I don't want to over promise, but it's probably unlikely that there's anything substantial that'll happen this construction season."

Kempf adds the park will never be completely shut down during the construction project. He notes the new design will be ADA compliant, while also preserving the historic aspects of the area.

E.L. Crawford Construction has a three-year deadline for the project, but Kempf says the hope is to have everything done before then.

"They appreciate the three-year deadline," Kempf noted. "That gives them a lot of cushion and some flexibility in their scheduling. But, I know they really want to get that done. I think they're shooting for 2-2.5 years, and that way if there's any struggles or problems, supply chain issues or anything like that, they still have a cushion."

&nbsp;Kempf says the first things that'll be repaired at the park are the utilities, such as electrical, plumbing and sewage.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689273383809.jpeg" alt="Stock photo." />
 <figcaption>Stock photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph City Council has passed a design-build contract to start long awaited renovations at Krug Park.The council, this week, approved a contract with E.L. Crawford Construction of St. Joseph to allow for renovation on several key areas of the park.St. Joseph Parks and Rec director Chuck Kempf says getting this contract approved is a huge step forward in the Krug Park project."This is a big moment as far as, we're kind of done with that aspect," Kempf told KFEQ Radio. "We've made our decision, we know who we're going to work with now. So really, substantial design, engineering and planning can now take place."This renovation project includes the amphitheater, children’s circus, picnic shelters, restrooms and other spaces. E.L. Crawford will get more than $11.7 million from their contract with the city to carry out the project.Kempf says there's still more to be done before any big construction takes place."I don't want to raise everyone's expectations," he said. "We still have to meet with the contractor, the team and talk about the schedule and process. So, I don't want to over promise, but it's probably unlikely that there's anything substantial that'll happen this construction season."Kempf adds the park will never be completely shut down during the construction project. He notes the new design will be ADA compliant, while also preserving the historic aspects of the area.E.L. Crawford Construction has a three-year deadline for the project, but Kempf says the hope is to have everything done before then."They appreciate the three-year deadline," Kempf noted. "That gives them a lot of cushion and some flexibility in their scheduling. But, I know they really want to get that done. I think they're shooting for 2-2.5 years, and that way if there's any struggles or problems, supply chain issues or anything like that, they still have a cushion."&nbsp;Kempf says the first things that'll be repaired at the park are the utilities, such as electrical, plumbing and sewage.You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph City Council greenlights significant next step in Krug Park project

Kansas City Chiefs training camp in St. Joseph is drawing ever closer.

 Staff and equipment have started arriving from One Arrowhead Drive to the Missouri Western campus. Missouri Western athletic director Andy Carter says the Chiefs’ arrival is always a highly anticipated moment each summer - a moment that takes weeks of preparation and many people’s assistance.

"It takes a lot of preparation for our campus and community to get them here and treat them in the way they've grown to expect from us at a high level," Carter said on KFEQ Radio's The Hotline. "It's about a three-week buildup of products and equipment and people arriving, and then in 24 hours, poof! They're gone on the end of it."

This year will mark the 14th season of training camp at Missouri Western.

Chiefs quarterbacks and rookies will report and begin practice on July 16, with the first full practice open to the public on July 21. There’ll be 19 team practices in all with camp wrapping up on August 15.

Carter says the Chiefs appreciate coming to St. Joseph, not only because of proximity, but also because of how the community embraces camp each year.

"Close enough that if they have to go back for something, it's not a big deal," Carter said. "Even their admin people and executives can run up for a day and go back. But, I think it's also the commitment by the community and University leadership that this is important."

Talk of the Chiefs leaving Missouri has ramped up this year with Kansas trying to lure the team across the river.

Voters in Jackson County, Missouri this past April voted down a sales tax renewal that would have funded Arrowhead Stadium renovations and a new Royals ballpark in downtown Kansas City.

Carter says he doesn't know what will happen if the Chiefs leave the Show-Me State, but says there's been talks with the Chiefs about signing a multi-year agreement to keep training camp in St. Joseph for at least a few more years.

"What I can speak to is, they still need a place to train," Carter said of the Chiefs' future. "We've had some conversations about a three or five year agreement that keeps them here when they figure that part out. That's 100% their decision on where they're going to go."

Kansas governor Laura Kelly signed legislation in June that will help both professional sports teams pay for new stadiums if they move to Kansas.

 The Chiefs' and Royals' current lease at the Truman Sports Complex runs through 2031.

Regardless of what happens next with the stadiums, Carter says the pageantry and anticipation of training camp is very real and exciting, considering what the players go through.

"This is part of their job," Carter said. "They're going to work and some of them are here to fine tune themselves for the season. Some are here, trying to make the club. There's high stakes over the weeks that they're here."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691058864161.jpeg" alt="Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross (8) makes a catch during training camp in St. Joseph, Mo. on&nbsp; August 2, 2023. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross (8) makes a catch during training camp in St. Joseph, Mo. on&nbsp; August 2, 2023. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostKansas City Chiefs training camp in St. Joseph is drawing ever closer. Staff and equipment have started arriving from One Arrowhead Drive to the Missouri Western campus. Missouri Western athletic director Andy Carter says the Chiefs’ arrival is always a highly anticipated moment each summer - a moment that takes weeks of preparation and many people’s assistance."It takes a lot of preparation for our campus and community to get them here and treat them in the way they've grown to expect from us at a high level," Carter said on KFEQ Radio's The Hotline. "It's about a three-week buildup of products and equipment and people arriving, and then in 24 hours, poof! They're gone on the end of it."This year will mark the 14th season of training camp at Missouri Western.Chiefs quarterbacks and rookies will report and begin practice on July 16, with the first full practice open to the public on July 21. There’ll be 19 team practices in all with camp wrapping up on August 15.Carter says the Chiefs appreciate coming to St. Joseph, not only because of proximity, but also because of how the community embraces camp each year."Close enough that if they have to go back for something, it's not a big deal," Carter said. "Even their admin people and executives can run up for a day and go back. But, I think it's also the commitment by the community and University leadership that this is important."Talk of the Chiefs leaving Missouri has ramped up this year with Kansas trying to lure the team across the river.Voters in Jackson County, Missouri this past April voted down a sales tax renewal that would have funded Arrowhead Stadium renovations and a new Royals ballpark in downtown Kansas City.Carter says he doesn't know what will happen if the Chiefs leave the Show-Me State, but says there's been talks with the Chiefs about signing a multi-year agreement to keep training camp in St. Joseph for at least a few more years."What I can speak to is, they still need a place to train," Carter said of the Chiefs' future. "We've had some conversations about a three or five year agreement that keeps them here when they figure that part out. That's 100% their decision on where they're going to go."Kansas governor Laura Kelly signed legislation in June that will help both professional sports teams pay for new stadiums if they move to Kansas. The Chiefs' and Royals' current lease at the Truman Sports Complex runs through 2031.Regardless of what happens next with the stadiums, Carter says the pageantry and anticipation of training camp is very real and exciting, considering what the players go through."This is part of their job," Carter said. "They're going to work and some of them are here to fine tune themselves for the season. Some are here, trying to make the club. There's high stakes over the weeks that they're here."You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

MWSU ready to roll out red carpet as Chiefs get on campus next week

The downtown St. Joseph library has a new occupant.  

Northwest Health Services will be filling in the office space that has been left vacant since the St. Joseph School District moved its office in 2022.  

Director Mary Beth Revels says a main aspect of the new partnership is having someone to help preserve the historic building. 

"This is a historic building that needs tender, loving, care and we needed help in order to take care of the building in the way that it should be taken care of," Revels tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  

In fact, Revels says Northwest Health Services has already contracted with Rosin Preservation in Kansas City to ensure any work on the building is done to its historic specifications.  

Revels says the library is excited to have someone else in the building that is passionate about preserving history.  

"The St. Joseph Public Library has been part of St. Joseph since 1890, and we've been in this building since 1902, we love St. Joseph history," Revels explains. "And I love having historic buildings that are part of this community and are just going to continue to be a part of this community." 

In fact, Revels says Northwest Health Services has already contracted with Rosin Preservation in Kansas City to ensure any work on the building is done to its historic specifications 

The partnership between the library and Northwest Health Services will bring its offices and downtown health center to the building.  

Revels says while the two will work separately, there is synergy between the two entities.  

"It will be wonderful to be able to refer some of our patrons to Northwest Health for any assistance that they might need," Revels says. "And we do a lot of programming, it will be nice to be able to provide more health-related programming than we have in the past because we'll have some resources right upstairs and right downstairs to turn to." 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720729481189.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph Public Library/ Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph Public Library/ Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The downtown St. Joseph library has a new occupant. Northwest Health Services will be filling in the office space that has been left vacant since the St. Joseph School District moved its office in 2022. Director Mary Beth Revels says a main aspect of the new partnership is having someone to help preserve the historic building. "This is a historic building that needs tender, loving, care and we needed help in order to take care of the building in the way that it should be taken care of," Revels tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. In fact, Revels says Northwest Health Services has already contracted with Rosin Preservation in Kansas City to ensure any work on the building is done to its historic specifications. Revels says the library is excited to have someone else in the building that is passionate about preserving history. "The St. Joseph Public Library has been part of St. Joseph since 1890, and we've been in this building since 1902, we love St. Joseph history," Revels explains. "And I love having historic buildings that are part of this community and are just going to continue to be a part of this community." In fact, Revels says Northwest Health Services has already contracted with Rosin Preservation in Kansas City to ensure any work on the building is done to its historic specifications The partnership between the library and Northwest Health Services will bring its offices and downtown health center to the building. Revels says while the two will work separately, there is synergy between the two entities. "It will be wonderful to be able to refer some of our patrons to Northwest Health for any assistance that they might need," Revels says. "And we do a lot of programming, it will be nice to be able to provide more health-related programming than we have in the past because we'll have some resources right upstairs and right downstairs to turn to."

St. Joseph Library announces new occupant to fill vacancy

Max’s Law, made official during a bill signing in Jefferson
City this week, was part of a huge anti-crime bill approved during this past
legislative session.

Gov. Mike Parson has signed into law the massive public safety
measure that included Max’s Law, named after St. Joseph’s K-9 Max killed in the
line of duty in the summer of 2021.

State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville carried the bill the
last three years and finally got to see it signed into law as K-9 units from
throughout the state stood by.

“We had different departments, both police departments,
sheriff’s departments, the Highway Patrol, the Conservation Department,”
Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “They all had police K-9s there for the
signing of the bill. And so, it was really great to have the animals who we’re
trying to protect in this legislation to have some representatives from the K-9
community at the bill signing.”

Max’s Law was only a portion of the bill. Several amendments
made it onto the bill, including a provision called Blair’s Law.

“Blair’s Law outlaws celebratory gunfire, something that we
see a lot of the times during either during the 4th of July or New
Year’s Eve as people will indiscriminately fire bullets up into the air and
sometimes those bullets will come down and strike and injure or kill another
person.”

It is named for 11-year-old Blair Shanahan Lane, struck and
killed by July 4th celebratory gunfire in Independence 13 years ago.
Blair’s mother, Michelle Shanahan DeMoss, lobbied hard for passage of the bill,
driving to Jefferson City year after year to testify before committees and talk
with lawmakers.

Another provision of the bill contains Valentine’s Law.

“Named after Antonio Valentine, who was a police officer in
St. Louis County. He was killed in the line of duty in a high-speed chase. What
Valentine’s Law does is it creates a separate felony offense for fleeing from
law enforcement in an automobile,” Luetkemeyer says. “One of the things we know
is that when people engage in these high-speed chases with law enforcement it
poses a huge risk to public safety for everybody else out on the road.”

St. Louis County Police Officer Antonio Valentine died from
his injuries after being hit by a fleeing vehicle on December 1st of
2021. He was 42 years old.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720734011192.jpeg" alt="Gov. Mike Parson poses with K-9 officers and others during bill signing./Photo courtesy of the Gov. Parson's office" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Mike Parson poses with K-9 officers and others during bill signing./Photo courtesy of the Gov. Parson's office</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMax’s Law, made official during a bill signing in Jefferson
City this week, was part of a huge anti-crime bill approved during this past
legislative session.Gov. Mike Parson has signed into law the massive public safety
measure that included Max’s Law, named after St. Joseph’s K-9 Max killed in the
line of duty in the summer of 2021.State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville carried the bill the
last three years and finally got to see it signed into law as K-9 units from
throughout the state stood by.“We had different departments, both police departments,
sheriff’s departments, the Highway Patrol, the Conservation Department,”
Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “They all had police K-9s there for the
signing of the bill. And so, it was really great to have the animals who we’re
trying to protect in this legislation to have some representatives from the K-9
community at the bill signing.”Max’s Law was only a portion of the bill. Several amendments
made it onto the bill, including a provision called Blair’s Law.“Blair’s Law outlaws celebratory gunfire, something that we
see a lot of the times during either during the 4th of July or New
Year’s Eve as people will indiscriminately fire bullets up into the air and
sometimes those bullets will come down and strike and injure or kill another
person.”It is named for 11-year-old Blair Shanahan Lane, struck and
killed by July 4th celebratory gunfire in Independence 13 years ago.
Blair’s mother, Michelle Shanahan DeMoss, lobbied hard for passage of the bill,
driving to Jefferson City year after year to testify before committees and talk
with lawmakers.Another provision of the bill contains Valentine’s Law.“Named after Antonio Valentine, who was a police officer in
St. Louis County. He was killed in the line of duty in a high-speed chase. What
Valentine’s Law does is it creates a separate felony offense for fleeing from
law enforcement in an automobile,” Luetkemeyer says. “One of the things we know
is that when people engage in these high-speed chases with law enforcement it
poses a huge risk to public safety for everybody else out on the road.”St. Louis County Police Officer Antonio Valentine died from
his injuries after being hit by a fleeing vehicle on December 1st of
2021. He was 42 years old.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Max's Law - only one provision in huge public safety bill

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Thursday in Livingston County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Can-Am UTV driven by Justin K. Stuart, 24, Hale, was westbound on LIV 320 at LIV 377 four miles west of Hale.

The driver failed to negotiate a turn. The UTV overturned and both occupants were ejected. A private vehicle transported Stuart to Hedrick Medical Center. Livingston County ambulance transported a passenger Jesus J. Berumen, 33, Edgerton, Kansas, to Hedrick Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Thursday in Livingston County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Can-Am UTV driven by Justin K. Stuart, 24, Hale, was westbound on LIV 320 at LIV 377 four miles west of Hale.The driver failed to negotiate a turn. The UTV overturned and both occupants were ejected. A private vehicle transported Stuart to Hedrick Medical Center. Livingston County ambulance transported a passenger Jesus J. Berumen, 33, Edgerton, Kansas, to Hedrick Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

Two men hospitalized after UTV accident

NODAWAY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Thursday in Nodaway County.

NODAWAY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Thursday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Dodge Dakota driven by Cody J. Scopel, 37, Maryville, was westbound on MO 46 two miles west of Maryville.The pickup traveled off the south side of the road and rolled. Nodaway County EMS transported Scopel to Mosaic in Maryville. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.