BROWN COUNTY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of a house fire in Brown County.

Just after 7:30a.m. Tuesday,&nbsp;&nbsp;a house fire was reported&nbsp; at 668 300th in Brown County, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

Two people were reported to be inside the home. Jesse and Logan Ploeger and Rory Clements&nbsp; were able to get the residents, Henry and Carolyn Allen out of the home and took them to the Sabetha Hospital where they were treated for non life threatening injuries.

Carolyn Allen stated that their dog had alerted them to the fire and said that is what saved their lives.&nbsp; The dog unfortunately perished in the fire.

Emergency responders arrived on the scene very quickly in the frigid temperatures. The house is a total loss.&nbsp; 

According to Merchant, the family has lost&nbsp; their home, all of their possessions and a vehicle which was parked next to the house. 

Many&nbsp; have asked how they could help the family through this difficult time. Monetary&nbsp; donations or gift cards&nbsp; would be preferred and are being accepted at the Brown County Sheriff's Office, 709 Utah Street in Hiawatha or the Sabetha Hospital social worker Melinda can be contacted at 785-284-1518.&nbsp; 

This would be a start to helping them rebuild their lives.

Clothing sizes are Mens L shirts, 40X30 pants and 9 1/2 W shoes.&nbsp; Female sizes are medium shirt/pants and 6 1/2 shoes.

BROWN COUNTY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of a house fire in Brown County.Just after 7:30a.m. Tuesday,&nbsp;&nbsp;a house fire was reported&nbsp; at 668 300th in Brown County, according to Sheriff John Merchant.Two people were reported to be inside the home. Jesse and Logan Ploeger and Rory Clements&nbsp; were able to get the residents, Henry and Carolyn Allen out of the home and took them to the Sabetha Hospital where they were treated for non life threatening injuries.Carolyn Allen stated that their dog had alerted them to the fire and said that is what saved their lives.&nbsp; The dog unfortunately perished in the fire.Emergency responders arrived on the scene very quickly in the frigid temperatures. The house is a total loss.&nbsp; According to Merchant, the family has lost&nbsp; their home, all of their possessions and a vehicle which was parked next to the house. Many&nbsp; have asked how they could help the family through this difficult time. Monetary&nbsp; donations or gift cards&nbsp; would be preferred and are being accepted at the Brown County Sheriff's Office, 709 Utah Street in Hiawatha or the Sabetha Hospital social worker Melinda can be contacted at 785-284-1518.&nbsp; This would be a start to helping them rebuild their lives.Clothing sizes are Mens L shirts, 40X30 pants and 9 1/2 W shoes.&nbsp; Female sizes are medium shirt/pants and 6 1/2 shoes.

Sheriff: Dog alerts Kansas family to house fire

It has been more than two years since St. Joseph police dog K-9
Max was shot and killed chasing a suspect.

Missouri law, which relegates the killing of a police animal
to no more than a property crime, still hasn’t changed.

St. Joseph Police Officer Lucas Winder recalls choosing Max in
2019. Winder says handlers and trainers told him if you stay on him in
training, he would be a good police dog.

“Training with the KC Police Department, some of those guys that
were on their second and third dog and they said the exact same thing:&nbsp; if you stay on him, continue to work him the
way you are, he’s going to be one of the best dogs,” Winder tells KFEQ/St.
Joseph Post. “And, lo and behold, he was.”

The death of Max prompted a push to change state law to
increase the penalty for killing a police animal. Gov. Mike Parson vetoed the anti-crime
bill that included Max’s Law last year, due to an objection to an unrelated
matter.

The Missouri General Assembly will consider the measure for
the third time this year.

This is the first in a three-part series on efforts to pass
Max’s Law.

Winder initially tried out another police canine at Vohne
Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana. No bond developed between the two. Winder
then took a walk with Max.

“I go and I hook him up and then we walk out into the middle
of this field and while we were out there, he jumps up, puts both paws on my
shoulders and looks me right in the face,” Winder says. “And I’m like, yeah, I
think you’re the one buddy. So, after that, I mean, it was nothing but history.”

Max was a Czech Shepherd. Winder retains his Slovakian passport
as a memento. He answered to commands in both English and Dutch.

Max was two different dogs, according to Winder. At home, Max
acted as any house dog would. Winder’s daughter would go to his pen and greet
Max in the morning. They would play. At work, Max grew serious and understood
his mission.

Max worked narcotics, trained to detect marijuana, cocaine,
heroin, and methamphetamine. Max also did patrol work.

“In all my years in the military, all my years in the police
department, there was no better companion that I had than Max.”

Winder returns to Jefferson City to testify in favor of Max’s
Law during a Missouri Senate committee hearing. We discuss that tomorrow in
part two.

Click <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/462f5b31-c248-49dd-a7b9-e51b9539a49e">HERE</a> for Part Two:&nbsp; Testifying on Max's Law

Click <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5d112593-6ae4-487b-8fb4-0655459fed3a">HERE</a> for Part Three:&nbsp; Preserving Max's legacy

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705426035271.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph Police Dept. photo" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph Police Dept. photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostIt has been more than two years since St. Joseph police dog K-9
Max was shot and killed chasing a suspect.Missouri law, which relegates the killing of a police animal
to no more than a property crime, still hasn’t changed.St. Joseph Police Officer Lucas Winder recalls choosing Max in
2019. Winder says handlers and trainers told him if you stay on him in
training, he would be a good police dog.“Training with the KC Police Department, some of those guys that
were on their second and third dog and they said the exact same thing:&nbsp; if you stay on him, continue to work him the
way you are, he’s going to be one of the best dogs,” Winder tells KFEQ/St.
Joseph Post. “And, lo and behold, he was.”The death of Max prompted a push to change state law to
increase the penalty for killing a police animal. Gov. Mike Parson vetoed the anti-crime
bill that included Max’s Law last year, due to an objection to an unrelated
matter.The Missouri General Assembly will consider the measure for
the third time this year.This is the first in a three-part series on efforts to pass
Max’s Law.Winder initially tried out another police canine at Vohne
Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana. No bond developed between the two. Winder
then took a walk with Max.“I go and I hook him up and then we walk out into the middle
of this field and while we were out there, he jumps up, puts both paws on my
shoulders and looks me right in the face,” Winder says. “And I’m like, yeah, I
think you’re the one buddy. So, after that, I mean, it was nothing but history.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705426094688.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph Police Officer Lucas Winder and K-9 Max/St. Joseph Police Dept. photo" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph Police Officer Lucas Winder and K-9 Max/St. Joseph Police Dept. photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Max was a Czech Shepherd. Winder retains his Slovakian passport
as a memento. He answered to commands in both English and Dutch.Max was two different dogs, according to Winder. At home, Max
acted as any house dog would. Winder’s daughter would go to his pen and greet
Max in the morning. They would play. At work, Max grew serious and understood
his mission.Max worked narcotics, trained to detect marijuana, cocaine,
heroin, and methamphetamine. Max also did patrol work.Winder remembers Max fondly.“In all my years in the military, all my years in the police
department, there was no better companion that I had than Max.”Winder returns to Jefferson City to testify in favor of Max’s
Law during a Missouri Senate committee hearing. We discuss that tomorrow in
part two.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Part-1-of-3-Officer-Winder--K9-Max--and-Maxs-Law-e2ehcg0" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>Click <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/462f5b31-c248-49dd-a7b9-e51b9539a49e">HERE</a> for Part Two:&nbsp; Testifying on Max's LawClick <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5d112593-6ae4-487b-8fb4-0655459fed3a">HERE</a> for Part Three:&nbsp; Preserving Max's legacyYou can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Remembering Max: the 1st of a 3-part series on efforts to pass Max's Law

The recent weather storm also affected the Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art, delaying the launch of the 50th annual membership exhibition in the museum. 

Executive Director Eric Fuson says the annual exhibition shows off the talent of existing members at the museum 

"People come in all the time and say I'm just kind of blown away by the level of work," Fuson tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "There are professionals and there are kind of middle range and beginners, there's all levels in that, and it's such a great thing to put your work out in front of people and get some feedback and be able to see it in a different light, it's really, really fun." 

Fuson says over 140 artists submitted 245 works of art to the exhibition which will be in the upstairs gallery of the museum starting Friday. 

The weather also pushed back the opening of an exhibition titled Stillness and Life in Colored Pencil featuring works from Wanda Taylor. 

Executive Director Eric Fuson says the work Taylor does with a colored pencil is amazing. 

"So many times, I hear somebody say it looks like a photograph, and it really. really does, until you get really, really close and then you start to see oh it is a drawing isn't it," Fuson explains. "The downstairs galleries are just full of her work." 

Fuson says nearly every work in the downstairs gallery was done over Taylor just over the last two years. Both exhibits are scheduled to open on Friday. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The recent weather storm also affected the Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art, delaying the launch of the 50th annual membership exhibition in the museum. Executive Director Eric Fuson says the annual exhibition shows off the talent of existing members at the museum "People come in all the time and say I'm just kind of blown away by the level of work," Fuson tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "There are professionals and there are kind of middle range and beginners, there's all levels in that, and it's such a great thing to put your work out in front of people and get some feedback and be able to see it in a different light, it's really, really fun." Fuson says over 140 artists submitted 245 works of art to the exhibition which will be in the upstairs gallery of the museum starting Friday. The weather also pushed back the opening of an exhibition titled Stillness and Life in Colored Pencil featuring works from Wanda Taylor. Executive Director Eric Fuson says the work Taylor does with a colored pencil is amazing. "So many times, I hear somebody say it looks like a photograph, and it really. really does, until you get really, really close and then you start to see oh it is a drawing isn't it," Fuson explains. "The downstairs galleries are just full of her work." Fuson says nearly every work in the downstairs gallery was done over Taylor just over the last two years. Both exhibits are scheduled to open on Friday.

Albrecht Kemper to open new exhibits on Friday after weather delay

ATCHISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Tuesday in Atchison County.

At 7:30AM on Tuesday morning officers responded to a two vehicle accident in the 1300 block U.S. 59, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

A Subaru SUV driven by Kristie Atkisson, 46, St. Joseph Mo, was northbound on Ann Street and due to icy road conditions was unable to stop at U.S. 59.

The SUV struck an eastbound Ford truck driven by Hunter Wahwahsuck, 24, Atchison.&nbsp; EMS transported Wahwahsuck to Amberwell Hospital for examination.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705420559806.png" alt="Photos Atchison Police" />
 <figcaption>Photos Atchison Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Tuesday in Atchison County.At 7:30AM on Tuesday morning officers responded to a two vehicle accident in the 1300 block U.S. 59, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.A Subaru SUV driven by Kristie Atkisson, 46, St. Joseph Mo, was northbound on Ann Street and due to icy road conditions was unable to stop at U.S. 59.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705420534656.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The SUV struck an eastbound Ford truck driven by Hunter Wahwahsuck, 24, Atchison.&nbsp; EMS transported Wahwahsuck to Amberwell Hospital for examination.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

Kansas man injured after SUV, truck crash on icy highway

The Midland Empire remains in the grip of bitter cold with the
National Weather Service placing the area under a wind chill warning.

The frigid cold prompted most school districts to cancel
classes today, including the St. Joseph School District, the St. Joseph
Catholic Academy, the St. Joseph Christian Schools, and the Savannah R-3
District.

Click <a href="https://www.680kfeq.com/closing/#!/">HERE</a> for a full list of closings.

The National Weather Service reports its wind chill warning
remains in effect until noon Tuesday. Wind chills could dip to as low as 30
below zero. We should see a high today of 11. It will warm up a bit tomorrow
with a high of 28 forecast for Wednesday.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostThe Midland Empire remains in the grip of bitter cold with the
National Weather Service placing the area under a wind chill warning.The frigid cold prompted most school districts to cancel
classes today, including the St. Joseph School District, the St. Joseph
Catholic Academy, the St. Joseph Christian Schools, and the Savannah R-3
District.Click <a href="https://www.680kfeq.com/closing/#!/">HERE</a> for a full list of closings.The National Weather Service reports its wind chill warning
remains in effect until noon Tuesday. Wind chills could dip to as low as 30
below zero. We should see a high today of 11. It will warm up a bit tomorrow
with a high of 28 forecast for Wednesday.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Greater St. Joseph area remains in grip of bitter cold, many schools closed

Click <a href="https://www.680kfeq.com/closing/#!/">HERE</a> for a full list of school and other closings.

Click <a href="https://www.680kfeq.com/closing/#!/">HERE</a> for a full list of school and other closings.

Bitter cold closes schools throughout St. Joseph area - here is the full list

Weary of lobbying lawmakers to no result, six major league sports franchises will work to put a proposed constitutional amendment on the 2024 ballot

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

Frustrated with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/07/players-in-missouri-gambling-debate-chase-stakes-worth-billions/">legislative inaction on sports wagering</a>, Missouri’s major sports franchises are going directly to voters.

On Friday, a coalition that includes six major sports teams and is backed by major donations from two sports betting platforms announced&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/Elections/Petitions/2024-160.pdf">an initiative campaign</a>&nbsp;to put sports gambling on this year’s ballot. In a news release, St. Louis Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III said efforts to persuade lawmakers to legalize sports wagering have been futile.

Bills legalizing sports betting have&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/09/missouri-house-tries-again-to-prod-senate-into-passing-sports-wagering-bill/">passed repeatedly in the Missouri House</a>&nbsp;over the past few years,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/11/sports-wagering-impasse-upends-the-missouri-senate-a-day-before-adjournment/">only to die in the Senate</a>, DeWitt said.

“Therefore, as we are not optimistic that this pattern will change during the upcoming legislative session, we are currently proceeding with an initiative petition campaign to put the issue of legalized sports wagering on the ballot for Missouri voters in 2024, and, beginning this week, we are launching our campaign and will be collecting signatures to support this initiative petition,” he said.

The demand for legal sports betting clearly exists in Missouri, according to new data from GeoComply, the company that serves the industry to prevent wagers from locations where it is illegal. The company has identified more than 356,000 user accounts in the state and blocked 24.5 million attempts to place a bet in 2023.

Missourians are also crossing state lines in large numbers to make bets. GeoComply tracked 6,670 sportsbook usernames who were in Missouri and then in Kansas before a bet was placed and&nbsp;5,673 sportsbook usernames that were located in Missouri and later in Illinois before a bet was placed.

At a news conference Thursday, Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden said he doesn’t expect the initiative campaign to spur action in his chamber. Supporters of a competing form of gambling — video lottery games — won’t let a sports wagering bill pass if it does not include legalizing their games. Sports wagering supporters won’t vote for a bill that includes video lottery games.

“I don’t think anything is different this year one way or the other,” Rowden said. “I don’t know that it makes a tremendous difference in this chamber. Both sides are pretty entrenched.”

Under the proposed constitutional amendment, each of the six sports franchises that play in arenas that seat 11,500 or more would be eligible for a license to receive bets on games, player performance and other elements of a contest with a variable outcome. Companies that operate Missouri’s 13 casinos would be eligible for a license, along with two online platforms with no physical presence in the state.

Wagers could be placed online, or in person at the casinos and sports venues.

The state would tax the proceeds, receiving 10% of the net revenue, with the fiscal note estimating that could be as little as nothing or as much as $28.9 million per year. After putting $5 million into a fund to deal with compulsive gambling, the remainder of the revenue would go to public schools and higher education programs.

The campaign is starting with $500,000 in the bank. On Thursday, the campaign committee, Winning for Missouri Education, reported contributions of $250,000 each from FanDuel and DraftKings, two of the biggest online sports gambling platforms.

The sports teams working together on the initiative are the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, St. Louis CITY SC, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Current.&nbsp;

Missouri’s casino companies have not yet given up on the legislative path, said Mike Winter, lobbyist for the Missouri Gaming Association. The members of his organization have not been involved in discussions of which of the 12 proposals submitted to the secretary of state’s office should be pursued, he said.

The members need to review the proposal before committing, he said.

The proposal selected seems designed to bring the casinos on board. Some of the proposals submitted for review did not grant casinos any licenses, while the one chosen allows casinos to operate a sports gambling platform on their own or in partnership with an online provider.

To make the ballot, supporters have until May 8 to gather signatures from registered voters equal to 5% of the vote for governor in 2020 in each of six congressional districts. That means acquiring between 171,592 and 188,537 signatures, depending on which of the eight districts are chosen.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down federal laws banning sports betting nationally in 2018, sports wagering has been legalized in every state adjoining Missouri except Oklahoma.

Sports wagering in Missouri promises to be a market with at least as much money available as is spent on the lottery or in casinos each year. The Missouri Lottery sold $1.8 billion in tickets each of the past three years, and casinos won $1.9 billion from players in the fiscal year that ended June 30.

Kansas recorded $1.85 billion of wagers in the first year of legalized sports betting.

In the news release announcing the campaign, organizers said it would regulate a black market within the state and keep at home residents who go to adjoining states to bet legally.

“Recent estimates suggest that Missourians place roughly $2 billion a year in bets using offshore gaming websites,” the release stated, “while other Missourians drive to neighboring states to place wagers.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705409782080.png" alt=" Bill DeWitt III, president of the St. Louis Cardinals, foreground, testifies in favor of sports wagering during a 2022 state Senate hearing alongside Todd George, executive vice president of Penn National Gaming, center, and Jeremy Kudon, president of the Sports Betting Alliance (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Bill DeWitt III, president of the St. Louis Cardinals, foreground, testifies in favor of sports wagering during a 2022 state Senate hearing alongside Todd George, executive vice president of Penn National Gaming, center, and Jeremy Kudon, president of the Sports Betting Alliance (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Weary of lobbying lawmakers to no result, six major league sports franchises will work to put a proposed constitutional amendment on the 2024 ballot</h2>By RUDI KELLER,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Frustrated with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/07/players-in-missouri-gambling-debate-chase-stakes-worth-billions/">legislative inaction on sports wagering</a>, Missouri’s major sports franchises are going directly to voters.On Friday, a coalition that includes six major sports teams and is backed by major donations from two sports betting platforms announced&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/Elections/Petitions/2024-160.pdf">an initiative campaign</a>&nbsp;to put sports gambling on this year’s ballot. In a news release, St. Louis Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III said efforts to persuade lawmakers to legalize sports wagering have been futile.Bills legalizing sports betting have&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/09/missouri-house-tries-again-to-prod-senate-into-passing-sports-wagering-bill/">passed repeatedly in the Missouri House</a>&nbsp;over the past few years,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/11/sports-wagering-impasse-upends-the-missouri-senate-a-day-before-adjournment/">only to die in the Senate</a>, DeWitt said.“Therefore, as we are not optimistic that this pattern will change during the upcoming legislative session, we are currently proceeding with an initiative petition campaign to put the issue of legalized sports wagering on the ballot for Missouri voters in 2024, and, beginning this week, we are launching our campaign and will be collecting signatures to support this initiative petition,” he said.The demand for legal sports betting clearly exists in Missouri, according to new data from GeoComply, the company that serves the industry to prevent wagers from locations where it is illegal. The company has identified more than 356,000 user accounts in the state and blocked 24.5 million attempts to place a bet in 2023.Missourians are also crossing state lines in large numbers to make bets. GeoComply tracked 6,670 sportsbook usernames who were in Missouri and then in Kansas before a bet was placed and&nbsp;5,673 sportsbook usernames that were located in Missouri and later in Illinois before a bet was placed.At a news conference Thursday, Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden said he doesn’t expect the initiative campaign to spur action in his chamber. Supporters of a competing form of gambling — video lottery games — won’t let a sports wagering bill pass if it does not include legalizing their games. Sports wagering supporters won’t vote for a bill that includes video lottery games.“I don’t think anything is different this year one way or the other,” Rowden said. “I don’t know that it makes a tremendous difference in this chamber. Both sides are pretty entrenched.”Under the proposed constitutional amendment, each of the six sports franchises that play in arenas that seat 11,500 or more would be eligible for a license to receive bets on games, player performance and other elements of a contest with a variable outcome. Companies that operate Missouri’s 13 casinos would be eligible for a license, along with two online platforms with no physical presence in the state.Wagers could be placed online, or in person at the casinos and sports venues.The state would tax the proceeds, receiving 10% of the net revenue, with the fiscal note estimating that could be as little as nothing or as much as $28.9 million per year. After putting $5 million into a fund to deal with compulsive gambling, the remainder of the revenue would go to public schools and higher education programs.The campaign is starting with $500,000 in the bank. On Thursday, the campaign committee, Winning for Missouri Education, reported contributions of $250,000 each from FanDuel and DraftKings, two of the biggest online sports gambling platforms.The sports teams working together on the initiative are the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, St. Louis CITY SC, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Current.&nbsp;Missouri’s casino companies have not yet given up on the legislative path, said Mike Winter, lobbyist for the Missouri Gaming Association. The members of his organization have not been involved in discussions of which of the 12 proposals submitted to the secretary of state’s office should be pursued, he said.The members need to review the proposal before committing, he said.The proposal selected seems designed to bring the casinos on board. Some of the proposals submitted for review did not grant casinos any licenses, while the one chosen allows casinos to operate a sports gambling platform on their own or in partnership with an online provider.To make the ballot, supporters have until May 8 to gather signatures from registered voters equal to 5% of the vote for governor in 2020 in each of six congressional districts. That means acquiring between 171,592 and 188,537 signatures, depending on which of the eight districts are chosen.Since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down federal laws banning sports betting nationally in 2018, sports wagering has been legalized in every state adjoining Missouri except Oklahoma.Sports wagering in Missouri promises to be a market with at least as much money available as is spent on the lottery or in casinos each year. The Missouri Lottery sold $1.8 billion in tickets each of the past three years, and casinos won $1.9 billion from players in the fiscal year that ended June 30.Kansas recorded $1.85 billion of wagers in the first year of legalized sports betting.In the news release announcing the campaign, organizers said it would regulate a black market within the state and keep at home residents who go to adjoining states to bet legally.“Recent estimates suggest that Missourians place roughly $2 billion a year in bets using offshore gaming websites,” the release stated, “while other Missourians drive to neighboring states to place wagers.”

Missouri’s major league teams launch initiative on sports betting

With temperatures expected below 10 degrees until Wednesday and bitter wind chills striking the area, people might turn to things such as space heaters to stay warm.  

American Red Cross Executive Director for the Greater Kansas City and northwest Missouri area JoAnn Woody says to be sure to inspect the cords of those heaters before plugging them in, and ensure they have tip over protection. 

Woody also adds that you should make sure to have three feet of space around the heater. 

"That way nothing can blow across it, nothing gets draped over it, or falls on it, just making sure it has that air space and that space free of anything that may potentially cause a fire hazard," Woody tells KFEQ/ St. Joseph Post.  

Woody says around this time in the region they will see an uptick in the number of house fires. 

"I don't know the exact numbers, but it can be traced back to an alternate heat source," Woody explains. "Whether it's the oven, a stove, a space heater, there are a lot of different DIY videos out there on ways you can heat your house with candles and things like that, and so really we do see an uptick." 

Woody says it's very simple and easy to forget steps to take with a space heater when relying on that for heat.  She also adds you should be sure to turn your heater off if you leave a room or are going to sleep. 

Woody says if you do lose power be sure to stay warm with extra layers and blankets.  She adds one thing you should never utilize is a gas stove or a gas oven.  

"Gas appliances can emit and can put you at risk for carbon monoxide, so just being very careful of that," Woody points out.  

And if you have a generator to help provide power, Woody says to be sure to have that outside and not in an enclosed space 

"Even in a closed garage could be dangerous because that carbon monoxide, those fumes, could seep into the home and again cause a great deal of risk to carbon monoxide poisoning," Woody says. 

Woody says to be sure to be safe and cautious about how you are keeping yourself warm in the event of a power outage. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post With temperatures expected below 10 degrees until Wednesday and bitter wind chills striking the area, people might turn to things such as space heaters to stay warm. American Red Cross Executive Director for the Greater Kansas City and northwest Missouri area JoAnn Woody says to be sure to inspect the cords of those heaters before plugging them in, and ensure they have tip over protection. Woody also adds that you should make sure to have three feet of space around the heater. "That way nothing can blow across it, nothing gets draped over it, or falls on it, just making sure it has that air space and that space free of anything that may potentially cause a fire hazard," Woody tells KFEQ/ St. Joseph Post. Woody says around this time in the region they will see an uptick in the number of house fires. "I don't know the exact numbers, but it can be traced back to an alternate heat source," Woody explains. "Whether it's the oven, a stove, a space heater, there are a lot of different DIY videos out there on ways you can heat your house with candles and things like that, and so really we do see an uptick." Woody says it's very simple and easy to forget steps to take with a space heater when relying on that for heat. She also adds you should be sure to turn your heater off if you leave a room or are going to sleep. Woody says if you do lose power be sure to stay warm with extra layers and blankets. She adds one thing you should never utilize is a gas stove or a gas oven. "Gas appliances can emit and can put you at risk for carbon monoxide, so just being very careful of that," Woody points out. And if you have a generator to help provide power, Woody says to be sure to have that outside and not in an enclosed space "Even in a closed garage could be dangerous because that carbon monoxide, those fumes, could seep into the home and again cause a great deal of risk to carbon monoxide poisoning," Woody says. Woody says to be sure to be safe and cautious about how you are keeping yourself warm in the event of a power outage.

Check those space heaters before using them in these bitter cold temperatures

BROWN COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just after 9:30a.m. Monday in Brown County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020&nbsp; Peterbilt semi driven by Carlo Rea, 49,&nbsp;Thermopolis, Wyoming, was westbound on U.S. 36 just west of the U.S. 75 off ramp.

An eastbound 2011 Ford F150 driven by Lyle&nbsp;Broxterman, 71, Fairview, Kansas, struck the oversized load that was in the eastbound lane. After impact the pickup struck a 2016 Kia Sorento driven by Jada&nbsp;Quarles, 28,&nbsp;Sauk Rapids, Minnesota.

EMS transported Quarles to Amberwell and Broxterman to Stormont Vail in Topeka. Rea was not injured. Rea was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

BROWN COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just after 9:30a.m. Monday in Brown County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020&nbsp; Peterbilt semi driven by Carlo Rea, 49,&nbsp;Thermopolis, Wyoming, was westbound on U.S. 36 just west of the U.S. 75 off ramp.An eastbound 2011 Ford F150 driven by Lyle&nbsp;Broxterman, 71, Fairview, Kansas, struck the oversized load that was in the eastbound lane. After impact the pickup struck a 2016 Kia Sorento driven by Jada&nbsp;Quarles, 28,&nbsp;Sauk Rapids, Minnesota.EMS transported Quarles to Amberwell and Broxterman to Stormont Vail in Topeka. Rea was not injured. Rea was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

2 hospitalized after 3-vehicle crash

State officials in Missouri are participating in National
Human Trafficking Month activities, saying the state sees too many cases of
human trafficking.

Heather Luebbert, Commercial Motor Vehicle Program Manager with
the Missouri Department of Transportation, says Missouri is a transportation
hub with the 7th largest transportation system in the country.

“Which makes us fortunate in terms of just our everyday needs
to travel around, but it also puts us in a position where we have a lot of
roadway and opportunity for traffickers, Luebbert tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And
trafficking exists because they are transporting persons for the benefit of
that trafficker.”

Luebbert says Midwestern residents need to be aware of the
signs of human trafficking, such as physical abuse, branding tattoos, or someone
who can’t speak for themselves. Other signs include a younger person seen with
an adult who doesn’t appear related to them or someone who doesn’t make eye
contact and isn’t in possession of identification. Human trafficking often
takes place at rest areas and truck stops. 

Luebbert advises anyone who suspects human trafficking to call
9-1-1 and alert authorities. She says you should not directly confront a
suspected trafficker on your own.

“Allow law enforcement to deal with the traffickers and to recover
those victims. So, if you’re in a situation where you witness an individual who
appears to be in immediate danger, first and foremost, call 9-1-1,” Luebbert
says. “Get the local authorities involved so that they can interdict within
that situation.”

If you suspect human trafficking, you can also place a call to
the National <a href="https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en">Human Trafficking Hotline</a> at 1-888-373-7888 or text BeFree (233733).

The national hotline reports 240 human trafficking cases in
Missouri in 2021, involving 327 victims. Missouri ranks in the top 10 states
battling human trafficking. Nationwide in 2021, there were 10,000 cases of
human trafficking, involving 16,000 victims.

Congress approved the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in
2000. In 2018, MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna signed the Transportation Leaders
Against Human Trafficking pledge.

Still, the scourge of human trafficking continues to plague
the country.

“I don’t believe that this is a crime that’s going to go away
immediately, obviously,” Luebbert says. “It all starts with awareness and
prevention and ultimately the ability to put a stop and put a brake to the
crime that is happening.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705089114524.jpeg" alt="National Human Trafficking Hotline photo" />
 <figcaption>National Human Trafficking Hotline photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostState officials in Missouri are participating in National
Human Trafficking Month activities, saying the state sees too many cases of
human trafficking.Heather Luebbert, Commercial Motor Vehicle Program Manager with
the Missouri Department of Transportation, says Missouri is a transportation
hub with the 7th largest transportation system in the country.“Which makes us fortunate in terms of just our everyday needs
to travel around, but it also puts us in a position where we have a lot of
roadway and opportunity for traffickers, Luebbert tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And
trafficking exists because they are transporting persons for the benefit of
that trafficker.”Luebbert says Midwestern residents need to be aware of the
signs of human trafficking, such as physical abuse, branding tattoos, or someone
who can’t speak for themselves. Other signs include a younger person seen with
an adult who doesn’t appear related to them or someone who doesn’t make eye
contact and isn’t in possession of identification. Human trafficking often
takes place at rest areas and truck stops. Luebbert advises anyone who suspects human trafficking to call
9-1-1 and alert authorities. She says you should not directly confront a
suspected trafficker on your own.“Allow law enforcement to deal with the traffickers and to recover
those victims. So, if you’re in a situation where you witness an individual who
appears to be in immediate danger, first and foremost, call 9-1-1,” Luebbert
says. “Get the local authorities involved so that they can interdict within
that situation.”If you suspect human trafficking, you can also place a call to
the National <a href="https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en">Human Trafficking Hotline</a> at 1-888-373-7888 or text BeFree (233733).The national hotline reports 240 human trafficking cases in
Missouri in 2021, involving 327 victims. Missouri ranks in the top 10 states
battling human trafficking. Nationwide in 2021, there were 10,000 cases of
human trafficking, involving 16,000 victims.Congress approved the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in
2000. In 2018, MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna signed the Transportation Leaders
Against Human Trafficking pledge.Still, the scourge of human trafficking continues to plague
the country.“I don’t believe that this is a crime that’s going to go away
immediately, obviously,” Luebbert says. “It all starts with awareness and
prevention and ultimately the ability to put a stop and put a brake to the
crime that is happening.”<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Officials-in-Missouri-participating-in-Human-Trafficking-month-e2eccdv" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Missouri works to raise awareness, crack down on human trafficking

A wind chill warning has been issued by the National Weather
Service until noon Tuesday with dangerously cold wind chills, as low as 35
below zero.

Cloudy and cold today with a high of one-above.

Mostly cloudy overnight with a low of -11. Wind chills tonight
will be between -18 to -28.

Sunny and cold on Tuesday with a
high of 11.

Be cautious if outside today.
Wear appropriate clothing, gloves, and boots. The dangerously cold wind chills
could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.

Wednesday should bring us a bit
warmer weather with a high of 27 forecast, but the temperature is expected to
fall again on Friday with a high of 7-above expected. The first real rise in
temperatures is forecast for Sunday, which at present, is expected to have a
high of 30.

Missouri Western State University
is off today in observance of Martin Luther King Day. Missouri Western has
announced it will close its St. Joseph campus Tuesday as well, due to the
extreme cold. Missouri Western anticipates being open on Wednesday.

We don’t have many closings,
because of the holiday, but we do have a few.

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.680kfeq.com/closing/#!/">HERE</a>&nbsp;for a complete list of closings.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA wind chill warning has been issued by the National Weather
Service until noon Tuesday with dangerously cold wind chills, as low as 35
below zero.Cloudy and cold today with a high of one-above.Mostly cloudy overnight with a low of -11. Wind chills tonight
will be between -18 to -28.Sunny and cold on Tuesday with a
high of 11.Be cautious if outside today.
Wear appropriate clothing, gloves, and boots. The dangerously cold wind chills
could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.Wednesday should bring us a bit
warmer weather with a high of 27 forecast, but the temperature is expected to
fall again on Friday with a high of 7-above expected. The first real rise in
temperatures is forecast for Sunday, which at present, is expected to have a
high of 30.Missouri Western State University
is off today in observance of Martin Luther King Day. Missouri Western has
announced it will close its St. Joseph campus Tuesday as well, due to the
extreme cold. Missouri Western anticipates being open on Wednesday.We don’t have many closings,
because of the holiday, but we do have a few.

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.680kfeq.com/closing/#!/">HERE</a>&nbsp;for a complete list of closings.&nbsp;&nbsp;

National Weather Service issues wind chill warning

Click <a href="https://www.680kfeq.com/closing/#!/">HERE</a> for a full list of closings.

Closings for Monday

PLATTE COUNTY —A state trooper near Platte County conducted a traffic stop Sunday for an alleged violation. 

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop A, motorists are to exercise highest degree of care and&nbsp; every person operating a motor vehicle on the roads and highways of this state shall drive the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner.


The MSHP Troop A asked, "What do you think about this driver?"

The patrol did not indicate if they issued a citation to the driver.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705281544382.png" alt="Photo credit: Cpl. Villanueva in Platte County, Missouri" />
 <figcaption>Photo credit: Cpl. Villanueva in Platte County, Missouri</figcaption>
 </figure>PLATTE COUNTY —A state trooper near Platte County conducted a traffic stop Sunday for an alleged violation. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop A, motorists are to exercise highest degree of care and&nbsp; every person operating a motor vehicle on the roads and highways of this state shall drive the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner.
The MSHP Troop A asked, "What do you think about this driver?"The patrol did not indicate if they issued a citation to the driver.

MSHP: Drivers need to operate a vehicle in prudent manner

BY:&nbsp;TIM CARPENTER&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner said the federal government should investigate a company planning to locate a $94.7 million manufacturing plant in Johnson County for potentially subversive ties to the Chinese government’s campaign to access U.S. supply chains in proximity to military installations.

LaTurner, a Republican serving the 2nd District of eastern Kansas, recommended officials in the administration of President Joe Biden examine Cnano Technology USA, which announced plans for a 330,000-square-foot facility to make liquid conductive paste used in power tools, cell phones and vehicle batteries. The project would create more than 100 jobs and operate with a payroll of $7.1 million.

“Cnano USA is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and a clear threat to America’s national and economic security,” LaTurner said. “The Chinese Communist Party will stop at nothing to infiltrate American supply chains and gain insight into our most critical military operations.”

Laturner said in a letter Monday the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, should explore the issue along with officials in the U.S. Department of Defense. The letter to CFIUS, which is in the U.S. Department of Treasury, said the plant would be within proximity of military installations, including Fort Leavenworth in Kansas and Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.

The congressman said Cnano USA’s parent company in China had ties to the Chinese Communist Party or CCP. He asserted the company was part of a program in China designed to acquire U.S. technology useful in development of China’s military capabilities.

CFIUS is a federal agency responsible for reviewing investments in sensitive U.S. businesses and those controlled by foreign individuals.

“I have strong concerns about granting a company with proven and significant ties to the CCP permission to operate as a critical component supplier to the burgeoning field of electronics and battery production and within such close proximity to United States’ military bases,” LaTurner said.

In August, the Kansas City Area Development Council announced Cnano USA would locate its facility at New Century Commerce Center in Johnson County. The building to be occupied was created as part of a public-private partnership.

Shawn Montgomery, president of Cnano USA, said the company was “proud to bring cutting-edge technology, investment dollars and, most importantly, jobs to the region.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705067271210.png" alt="U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner of Kansas says the Biden administration should investigate China-based Cnano Technology USA's plan for a manufacturing facility in Johnson County that could be used to access U.S. supply chains close to military installations. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner of Kansas says the Biden administration should investigate China-based Cnano Technology USA's plan for a manufacturing facility in Johnson County that could be used to access U.S. supply chains close to military installations. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;TIM CARPENTER&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner said the federal government should investigate a company planning to locate a $94.7 million manufacturing plant in Johnson County for potentially subversive ties to the Chinese government’s campaign to access U.S. supply chains in proximity to military installations.LaTurner, a Republican serving the 2nd District of eastern Kansas, recommended officials in the administration of President Joe Biden examine Cnano Technology USA, which announced plans for a 330,000-square-foot facility to make liquid conductive paste used in power tools, cell phones and vehicle batteries. The project would create more than 100 jobs and operate with a payroll of $7.1 million.“Cnano USA is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and a clear threat to America’s national and economic security,” LaTurner said. “The Chinese Communist Party will stop at nothing to infiltrate American supply chains and gain insight into our most critical military operations.”Laturner said in a letter Monday the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, should explore the issue along with officials in the U.S. Department of Defense. The letter to CFIUS, which is in the U.S. Department of Treasury, said the plant would be within proximity of military installations, including Fort Leavenworth in Kansas and Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.The congressman said Cnano USA’s parent company in China had ties to the Chinese Communist Party or CCP. He asserted the company was part of a program in China designed to acquire U.S. technology useful in development of China’s military capabilities.CFIUS is a federal agency responsible for reviewing investments in sensitive U.S. businesses and those controlled by foreign individuals.“I have strong concerns about granting a company with proven and significant ties to the CCP permission to operate as a critical component supplier to the burgeoning field of electronics and battery production and within such close proximity to United States’ military bases,” LaTurner said.In August, the Kansas City Area Development Council announced Cnano USA would locate its facility at New Century Commerce Center in Johnson County. The building to be occupied was created as part of a public-private partnership.Shawn Montgomery, president of Cnano USA, said the company was “proud to bring cutting-edge technology, investment dollars and, most importantly, jobs to the region.”

 LaTurner raises security concerns about China-based manufacturer locating in Kansas

The Missouri Western women's basketball team jumped on Northwest Missouri State from the get-go, leading 20-10 after one quarter.

The Griffons (11-4, 6-3 MIAA) never trailed, leading by as many as 16 points, and rolling to a 61-47 win over the Bearcats on Saturday at the MWSU Fieldhouse in St. Joseph.

Missouri Western held Northwest's offense in check all game, as the Bearcats were only 16-of-58 from the field, including 4-of-20 from three.

The Griffons, winners in six of their last seven games, shot 44.2 percent (23-of-52) Saturday, and forced 23 turnovers on the defensive end.

Missouri Western scored 29 points off of those giveaways.

Tiani Ellison led the Griffons with a career-high 18 points to go with six rebounds and three steals. Connie Clarke had her second double-double of the season, logging 16 points and 10 rebounds. Clarke also had three steals, three blocks and two assists.

Jayme Jackson finished with 13 points, three boards, three assists and two steals.

Caely Kesten did the heavy lifting for Northwest, scoring 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting.

Missouri Western has now won the last four meetings against Northwest and eight of the last 11 against the Bearcats.

MWSU men, at long last, get one against Northwest Missouri State

Not much more needs to be said than that. Missouri Western (12-3, 6-3 MIAA), after losing their last 24 matchups against Northwest Missouri State, finally got one on the Bearcats, beating the No. 14 team in the country, 76-70, at the MWSU Fieldhouse Saturday.

Missouri Western, now on a four-game winning streak, jumped out a 16-5 start in the first 6.5 minutes and they never trailed in the game.

The Griffons led by seven points at halftime and led 60-46 with 6:17 to go.

Northwest (11-4, 7-2 MIAA) didn't go quietly, as the Bearcats got to within 68-64 with 1:21 to play.

Missouri Western was solid at the free throw line throughout, however, making 27-of-33 at the stripe, including 15-of-17 in the second half.

Northwest, the No. 1 free throw shooting team in the MIAA, missed 11 at the foul line, going 26-of-37.

JaRon Thames led four Griffons in double figures with 16 points, including a 10-of-11 effort at the foul line. Thames also led the team with eight rebounds and four assists.

Julius Dixon dropped 14 points. Taye Fields added 12 points, while Zion Swader finished with 10.

Swader and Fields, who both finished with four fouls, were somewhat limited in minutes early, as they both picked up two first half fouls.

Kiani Saxon is also to be credited, as he scored nine points to go with four blocks, two steals and two assists.

Missouri Western shot a solid 46.8 percent (22-of-47) on the day.

Wes Dreamer led Northwest with 24 points and eight boards. Bennett Stirtz had 13, Jack Ratigan scored 12 off the bench, while Isaiah Jackson added 12 points to go with five boards and five assists.

It's Missouri Western's first win over Northwest in men's basketball since Jan. 12, 2013 - 4,018 days ago. The teams will meet again in Maryville on February 24.

Both Griffon teams stay home this Thursday to host Newman. The women's game is at 5:30, the men's at 7:30. Both are on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3, 680kfeq.com, KFEQ app).

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705197297542.jpeg" alt="Tiani Ellison (21) had a career-high 18 points in a 61-47 win over Northwest Missouri State Saturday. Photo by A.J. Robbins." />
 <figcaption>Tiani Ellison (21) had a career-high 18 points in a 61-47 win over Northwest Missouri State Saturday. Photo by A.J. Robbins.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe Missouri Western women's basketball team jumped on Northwest Missouri State from the get-go, leading 20-10 after one quarter.The Griffons (11-4, 6-3 MIAA) never trailed, leading by as many as 16 points, and rolling to a 61-47 win over the Bearcats on Saturday at the MWSU Fieldhouse in St. Joseph.Missouri Western held Northwest's offense in check all game, as the Bearcats were only 16-of-58 from the field, including 4-of-20 from three.The Griffons, winners in six of their last seven games, shot 44.2 percent (23-of-52) Saturday, and forced 23 turnovers on the defensive end.Missouri Western scored 29 points off of those giveaways.Tiani Ellison led the Griffons with a career-high 18 points to go with six rebounds and three steals. Connie Clarke had her second double-double of the season, logging 16 points and 10 rebounds. Clarke also had three steals, three blocks and two assists.Jayme Jackson finished with 13 points, three boards, three assists and two steals.Caely Kesten did the heavy lifting for Northwest, scoring 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting.Missouri Western has now won the last four meetings against Northwest and eight of the last 11 against the Bearcats.Candi Whitaker interview<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-sports/embed/episodes/Candi-Whitaker---Northwest-postgame---11324-e2edn9m/a-aarf50v" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>Full audio broadcast<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-sports/embed/episodes/MWSU-WBB-vs--Northwest---11324-e2edn2b/a-aarf4j9" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>MWSU men, at long last, get one against Northwest Missouri StateFinally.Not much more needs to be said than that. Missouri Western (12-3, 6-3 MIAA), after losing their last 24 matchups against Northwest Missouri State, finally got one on the Bearcats, beating the No. 14 team in the country, 76-70, at the MWSU Fieldhouse Saturday.Missouri Western, now on a four-game winning streak, jumped out a 16-5 start in the first 6.5 minutes and they never trailed in the game.The Griffons led by seven points at halftime and led 60-46 with 6:17 to go.Northwest (11-4, 7-2 MIAA) didn't go quietly, as the Bearcats got to within 68-64 with 1:21 to play.Missouri Western was solid at the free throw line throughout, however, making 27-of-33 at the stripe, including 15-of-17 in the second half.Northwest, the No. 1 free throw shooting team in the MIAA, missed 11 at the foul line, going 26-of-37.JaRon Thames led four Griffons in double figures with 16 points, including a 10-of-11 effort at the foul line. Thames also led the team with eight rebounds and four assists.Julius Dixon dropped 14 points. Taye Fields added 12 points, while Zion Swader finished with 10.Swader and Fields, who both finished with four fouls, were somewhat limited in minutes early, as they both picked up two first half fouls.Kiani Saxon is also to be credited, as he scored nine points to go with four blocks, two steals and two assists.Missouri Western shot a solid 46.8 percent (22-of-47) on the day.Wes Dreamer led Northwest with 24 points and eight boards. Bennett Stirtz had 13, Jack Ratigan scored 12 off the bench, while Isaiah Jackson added 12 points to go with five boards and five assists.It's Missouri Western's first win over Northwest in men's basketball since Jan. 12, 2013 - 4,018 days ago. The teams will meet again in Maryville on February 24.Both Griffon teams stay home this Thursday to host Newman. The women's game is at 5:30, the men's at 7:30. Both are on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3, 680kfeq.com, KFEQ app).Will Martin interview<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-sports/embed/episodes/Will-Martin---Northwest-postgame---11324-e2ednhs/a-aarf5oj" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>JaRon Thames interview<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-sports/embed/episodes/JaRon-Thames---Northwest-postgame---11324-e2ednlq/a-aarf61d" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>Full audio broadcast<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-sports/embed/episodes/MWSU-MBB-vs--14-Northwest---11324-e2ednb7/a-aarf5it" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705200399453.jpeg" alt="Zion Swader (2)." />
 <figcaption>Zion Swader (2).</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705200465754.jpeg" alt="JaRon Thames (24) steps back for a baseline shot." />
 <figcaption>JaRon Thames (24) steps back for a baseline shot.</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

MWSU WBB dominate Bearcats, Griffon men break long streak against Northwest

BUCHANAN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Saturday in Buchanan County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Dodge Caravan driven by Edward J. Shepperd, 37, Great Bend, Kansas, was northbound on Interstate 29 one mile south of St. Joseph.

The van rear-ended a 2022 Freightliner semi driven by Harrison J. Cole, 29, Sidney, Iowa. After impact the van traveled off the left sie of the road, struck the cable barrier and overturned.

Buchanan County EMS transported Shepperd to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. Cole was not injured. BOth drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

BUCHANAN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Saturday in Buchanan County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Dodge Caravan driven by Edward J. Shepperd, 37, Great Bend, Kansas, was northbound on Interstate 29 one mile south of St. Joseph.The van rear-ended a 2022 Freightliner semi driven by Harrison J. Cole, 29, Sidney, Iowa. After impact the van traveled off the left sie of the road, struck the cable barrier and overturned.Buchanan County EMS transported Shepperd to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. Cole was not injured. BOth drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Kansas man hospitalized in St. Joe after rear-end crash

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/old-wounds-inflamed-over-modot-adopt-a-highway-sign-on-i-44/article_8f5a7cfc-effe-11ed-b6f0-f3f3683140a0.html#:~:text=After%20years%20of%20failed%20appeals,at%20the%20end%20of%20April.">Last year</a>, a sign on Interstate 44 near Kirkwood in St. Louis County told motorists they were driving on a highway where litter cleanup was done to honor Kevin “Rockhead” Johnson.

The sign was up until a motorist recognized the name as a man&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/2022-11-29/missouri-executes-kevin-johnson-37-for-2005-slaying-of-kirkwood-officer">executed by the state in November 2022</a>&nbsp;for the killing of Kirkwood Police Sergeant William McEntee in 2005. A social media post sparked outrage and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.firstalert4.com/2023/05/03/road-sign-honoring-cop-killer-removed-i-44-kirkwood/">news stories</a>.&nbsp;

“We immediately took the sign down and suspended the program,” Ed Hassinger, deputy director of MoDOT, said Thursday to the House Transportation Accountability Committee.

Hassinger&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1694&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R">testified on a bill</a>&nbsp;sponsored by state Rep. Justin Sparks, a Wildwood Republican who is also a former police officer. Sparks’ bill would make it illegal for MoDOT to post a sign designating a highway “named for any person who has been convicted of the killing of, or the attempted killing of, a law enforcement officer or permit any signage in convicted person’s memory.”

The sign was placed because the Missouri Department of Transportation approved an application to the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.modot.org/adopt-highway">state’s Adopt-a-Highway program</a>&nbsp;from Johnson’s family.

Under the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.modot.org/sites/default/files/documents/SummaryofRulesandRegulations%5B1%5D.pdf">rules governing the program</a>, no one can adopt a highway who was convicted of a violent crime until 10 years after they complete their sentence and any organization that includes such a person cannot adopt a highway. The rules on what can be on the sign bar political or commercial messages but are silent on whether the highway can be adopted to honor a violent felon or other lawbreaker.

Johnson was a teenager when he killed McEntee, who&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.stlamerican.com/news/columnists/guest_columnists/the-kevin-johnson-story/article_bd459da6-5f51-11ed-99e7-23aad45cadb1.html">Johnson believed had been involved in the death of his then 12-year-old brother</a>. At the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/2022-11-29/missouri-executes-kevin-johnson-37-for-2005-slaying-of-kirkwood-officer">time of his execution</a>, Johnson’s attorneys said he was “an amazing father” and “a completely rehabilitated man.”&nbsp;

In their attempts to reverse his death sentence, attorneys argued he was convicted by a jury stacked against him by former St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch. A&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/22/kevin-johnsons-attorneys-special-prosecutor-ask-missouri-supreme-court-to-stay-execution/">special prosecutor on the case</a>&nbsp;claimed McCulloch deliberately excluded Blacks from the jury, and his supporters argued Johnson may not have received the death penalty if he had gotten a fair trial.&nbsp;

While it is suspended, MoDOT is reviewing the entire Adopt-a-Highway program, Hassinger said.

Begun in 1987, the program is intended to keep highways beautiful by recruiting groups to collect litter and do other labor-intensive clean up along Missouri roads. Groups must agree to maintain a half-mile of urban highway or two miles of rural highway.

While the program has generally operated smoothly, there have been moments of controversy.

The Ku Klux Klan&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.stlpr.org/other/2005-01-11/u-s-supreme-court-lets-kkk-adopt-a-mo-highway">successfully sued the state</a>&nbsp;after its application to adopt a stretch of Highway 21 near Potosi was rejected in 2001. The U.S. Supreme Court said refusing the Klan’s application violated the organization’s free speech rights.

The entire program is being reviewed both to prevent a recurrence of the latest controversy and to determine if it is still a valuable help to the department, Hassinger told the committee.“There has been a change in the behavior of drivers and we have a concern as to whether this is still a viable program,” he said.

State Rep. Tim Taylor, a Republican from Bunceton, said he sees the program as a community-building exercise and has worked with student groups and others to adopt sections of a road.

“I encourage you not to make a blanket policy because we heard instances of one or two bad actors here,” Taylor said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705147855118.png" alt=" The Missouri Department of Transportation headquarters in Jefferson City. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption> The Missouri Department of Transportation headquarters in Jefferson City. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RUDI KELLER,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/old-wounds-inflamed-over-modot-adopt-a-highway-sign-on-i-44/article_8f5a7cfc-effe-11ed-b6f0-f3f3683140a0.html#:~:text=After%20years%20of%20failed%20appeals,at%20the%20end%20of%20April.">Last year</a>, a sign on Interstate 44 near Kirkwood in St. Louis County told motorists they were driving on a highway where litter cleanup was done to honor Kevin “Rockhead” Johnson.The sign was up until a motorist recognized the name as a man&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/2022-11-29/missouri-executes-kevin-johnson-37-for-2005-slaying-of-kirkwood-officer">executed by the state in November 2022</a>&nbsp;for the killing of Kirkwood Police Sergeant William McEntee in 2005. A social media post sparked outrage and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.firstalert4.com/2023/05/03/road-sign-honoring-cop-killer-removed-i-44-kirkwood/">news stories</a>.&nbsp;“We immediately took the sign down and suspended the program,” Ed Hassinger, deputy director of MoDOT, said Thursday to the House Transportation Accountability Committee.Hassinger&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1694&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R">testified on a bill</a>&nbsp;sponsored by state Rep. Justin Sparks, a Wildwood Republican who is also a former police officer. Sparks’ bill would make it illegal for MoDOT to post a sign designating a highway “named for any person who has been convicted of the killing of, or the attempted killing of, a law enforcement officer or permit any signage in convicted person’s memory.”The sign was placed because the Missouri Department of Transportation approved an application to the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.modot.org/adopt-highway">state’s Adopt-a-Highway program</a>&nbsp;from Johnson’s family.Under the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.modot.org/sites/default/files/documents/SummaryofRulesandRegulations%5B1%5D.pdf">rules governing the program</a>, no one can adopt a highway who was convicted of a violent crime until 10 years after they complete their sentence and any organization that includes such a person cannot adopt a highway. The rules on what can be on the sign bar political or commercial messages but are silent on whether the highway can be adopted to honor a violent felon or other lawbreaker.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705147936714.png" alt="Kevin Johnson Jr. with his daughter, Corionsa Ramey, and his grandson (Photo courtesy of the ACLU of Missouri)." />
 <figcaption>Kevin Johnson Jr. with his daughter, Corionsa Ramey, and his grandson (Photo courtesy of the ACLU of Missouri).</figcaption>
 </figure>Johnson was a teenager when he killed McEntee, who&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.stlamerican.com/news/columnists/guest_columnists/the-kevin-johnson-story/article_bd459da6-5f51-11ed-99e7-23aad45cadb1.html">Johnson believed had been involved in the death of his then 12-year-old brother</a>. At the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/2022-11-29/missouri-executes-kevin-johnson-37-for-2005-slaying-of-kirkwood-officer">time of his execution</a>, Johnson’s attorneys said he was “an amazing father” and “a completely rehabilitated man.”&nbsp;In their attempts to reverse his death sentence, attorneys argued he was convicted by a jury stacked against him by former St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch. A&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/22/kevin-johnsons-attorneys-special-prosecutor-ask-missouri-supreme-court-to-stay-execution/">special prosecutor on the case</a>&nbsp;claimed McCulloch deliberately excluded Blacks from the jury, and his supporters argued Johnson may not have received the death penalty if he had gotten a fair trial.&nbsp;While it is suspended, MoDOT is reviewing the entire Adopt-a-Highway program, Hassinger said.Begun in 1987, the program is intended to keep highways beautiful by recruiting groups to collect litter and do other labor-intensive clean up along Missouri roads. Groups must agree to maintain a half-mile of urban highway or two miles of rural highway.While the program has generally operated smoothly, there have been moments of controversy.The Ku Klux Klan&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.stlpr.org/other/2005-01-11/u-s-supreme-court-lets-kkk-adopt-a-mo-highway">successfully sued the state</a>&nbsp;after its application to adopt a stretch of Highway 21 near Potosi was rejected in 2001. The U.S. Supreme Court said refusing the Klan’s application violated the organization’s free speech rights.The entire program is being reviewed both to prevent a recurrence of the latest controversy and to determine if it is still a valuable help to the department, Hassinger told the committee.“There has been a change in the behavior of drivers and we have a concern as to whether this is still a viable program,” he said.State Rep. Tim Taylor, a Republican from Bunceton, said he sees the program as a community-building exercise and has worked with student groups and others to adopt sections of a road.“I encourage you not to make a blanket policy because we heard instances of one or two bad actors here,” Taylor said.The committee did not vote on the bill.

Missouri ‘Adopt-a-Highway’ program in limbo over sign honoring convicted murderer

CLINTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Friday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Econoline van driven by Diego Hernandez-Bustos, 53, Mounds View, Minnesota was northbound on Interstate 35 three miles south of Cameron.&nbsp;

The vehicle began sliding on the ice covered road. The van and its towed unit jackknifed, traveled off the west side of the road, overturned in the median and came to rest on its top.

Cameron EMS transported a passenger Maria Lopez-Hernendez to Liberty Hospital. The driver was not injured. Both were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Friday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Econoline van driven by Diego Hernandez-Bustos, 53, Mounds View, Minnesota was northbound on Interstate 35 three miles south of Cameron.&nbsp;The vehicle began sliding on the ice covered road. The van and its towed unit jackknifed, traveled off the west side of the road, overturned in the median and came to rest on its top.Cameron EMS transported a passenger Maria Lopez-Hernendez to Liberty Hospital. The driver was not injured. Both were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Woman hospitalized after van overturns on icy Mo. highway

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on new allegations after an arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705077729508.png" alt="Camp-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Camp-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on new allegations after an arrest.On Friday, police arrested 28-year-old Riley M. Camp of Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. He is being held on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court.&nbsp; In 2018 he was accused in a theft and jailed, according to online jail records. In 2019 and in February of 2023 he was arrested on warrants.Police released no additional details in connection with the arrest on Friday.

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