A Buchanan County jury has found a 53-year-old homeless St.
Joseph man guilty of sexually assaulting a child.

The Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office reports a
jury in St. Joseph deliberated for less than an hour before finding Jeffrey Gray guilty
of two counts of first-degree sodomy and for sexual abuse of a child younger than
twelve. The abuse occurred between December 1st of 2022 and March 21st
of 2023, according to prosecutors. Gray was charged in March of last year.

Jurors reached their verdict after hearing testimony from
fourteen different witnesses, including the victim and members of her family.
Also testifying during the trial were employees of the St. Joseph School
District, St. Joseph Police Department, Missouri Children’s Division, Voices of
Courage Children’s Advocacy Center, Children’s Mercy Hospital, the Missouri
State Highway Patrol Crime Lab, and the Samaritan Center.

Gray is scheduled to be sentenced on March 4th. He
faces mandatory life sentences on each count.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705000077690.png" alt="Jeffrey Gray/Buchanan County Sheriff's Dept. photo" />
 <figcaption>Jeffrey Gray/Buchanan County Sheriff's Dept. photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA Buchanan County jury has found a 53-year-old homeless St.
Joseph man guilty of sexually assaulting a child.The Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office reports a
jury in St. Joseph deliberated for less than an hour before finding Jeffrey Gray guilty
of two counts of first-degree sodomy and for sexual abuse of a child younger than
twelve. The abuse occurred between December 1st of 2022 and March 21st
of 2023, according to prosecutors. Gray was charged in March of last year.Jurors reached their verdict after hearing testimony from
fourteen different witnesses, including the victim and members of her family.
Also testifying during the trial were employees of the St. Joseph School
District, St. Joseph Police Department, Missouri Children’s Division, Voices of
Courage Children’s Advocacy Center, Children’s Mercy Hospital, the Missouri
State Highway Patrol Crime Lab, and the Samaritan Center.Gray is scheduled to be sentenced on March 4th. He
faces mandatory life sentences on each count.

Jury finds homeless St. Joseph man guilty of child molestation

Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves says he’s pleased
with the Defense bill approved by Congress and signed into law by President
Biden.

Graves, a Republican, is pleased the bill provides a 5% pay
hike for military personnel and pays for improvements to military housing as
well as education and childcare facilities.

Yet, Graves, a member of the House-Senate conference
committee, says it doesn’t check all the boxes.

“You know, in a compromise you don’t get everything you want,
but it was a good bill,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “It’s an
authorization. We do this every single Congress and it’s the authorization, or
reauthorization, of the Defense Department and our military.”

The Defense bill also brings some money home.

“And let’s just be specific too on the 139th,”
Graves says. “It made sure that our C-130s; we maintain the fleet at exactly
what it is and we maintain that fleet for at least another, and this is a
year-to-year-to-year process, but we want to make sure that we have the funds
to being able to make sure that the 139th gets the money that they
need.”

Graves and the entire Missouri Congressional delegation is
pressing the Air Force to upgrade the C-130 fleet at Rosecrans from the C-130H
planes to the newer C-130J model.

An effort by Missouri U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley to keep
compensation to victims of radiation exposure in the Defense bill failed, but Graves
says other avenues can be found. Graves says his fellow Republican likely lost
his battle to maintain the funding in the final Defense bill due to its price
tag.

“So, it was removed in conference, unfortunately. I think that’s
as a result of the cost,” Graves says. “It was $147 billion and what we found
out was it was only four billion of those dollars were actually going to go to
families in the state of Missouri who were affected by the radiation from the
Manhattan Project many, many years ago.”

Graves says the fight isn’t over. He says Congress will
revisit the issue.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704986483571.jpeg" alt="File photo courtesy of the Air National Guard 139th Airlift Wing" />
 <figcaption>File photo courtesy of the Air National Guard 139th Airlift Wing</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNorthern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves says he’s pleased
with the Defense bill approved by Congress and signed into law by President
Biden.Graves, a Republican, is pleased the bill provides a 5% pay
hike for military personnel and pays for improvements to military housing as
well as education and childcare facilities.Yet, Graves, a member of the House-Senate conference
committee, says it doesn’t check all the boxes.“You know, in a compromise you don’t get everything you want,
but it was a good bill,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “It’s an
authorization. We do this every single Congress and it’s the authorization, or
reauthorization, of the Defense Department and our military.”The Defense bill also brings some money home.“And let’s just be specific too on the 139th,”
Graves says. “It made sure that our C-130s; we maintain the fleet at exactly
what it is and we maintain that fleet for at least another, and this is a
year-to-year-to-year process, but we want to make sure that we have the funds
to being able to make sure that the 139th gets the money that they
need.”Graves and the entire Missouri Congressional delegation is
pressing the Air Force to upgrade the C-130 fleet at Rosecrans from the C-130H
planes to the newer C-130J model.An effort by Missouri U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley to keep
compensation to victims of radiation exposure in the Defense bill failed, but Graves
says other avenues can be found. Graves says his fellow Republican likely lost
his battle to maintain the funding in the final Defense bill due to its price
tag.“So, it was removed in conference, unfortunately. I think that’s
as a result of the cost,” Graves says. “It was $147 billion and what we found
out was it was only four billion of those dollars were actually going to go to
families in the state of Missouri who were affected by the radiation from the
Manhattan Project many, many years ago.”Graves says the fight isn’t over. He says Congress will
revisit the issue.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Congressman-Sam-Graves-on-Defense-Bill-e2eaokf" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Graves pleased with Defense bill, especially military pay hike

Officials with the American Red Cross want to ensure residents stay safe as bitter cold temperatures move into the region.  

Executive Director for the Greater Kansas City and northwest Missouri area JoAnn Woody says if you are outside for any length of time, be attentive for any signs of hypothermia 

"Hypothermia, shaking uncontrollably and maybe your nose is going numb or your toes or your fingers," Woody explains to KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. 

Woody adds to also be sure to limit your exposure to the conditions outside. People should also be aware of the signs of frostbite 

"Numb fingers or discoloration of your fingers or your nose or your ear tips while you're outside," Woody says. 

Woody says you should be aware of signs of hypothermia and frostbite. Woody says if you see those signs, it's important to seek medical attention 

"Because there may be other complications from that," Woody points out. "Same thing with frostbite, flushed gray, white, blue, or yellow skin, numbness or waxy feeling those can be signs of frostbite, and not jumping into don't rub the skin vigorously trying to warm it up." 

Woody says no matter how far you're going, be sure to bundle up properly before you get out. 

"Making sure you're wearing safe walking apparel, you know nice boots that will keep you from slipping and sliding, a couple of layers of clothes, making sure you have a good, heavy durable coat on, protecting your ears and your nose so you're not breathing in that horribly, horribly, shocking cold temperature as well," Woody says. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Officials with the American Red Cross want to ensure residents stay safe as bitter cold temperatures move into the region. Executive Director for the Greater Kansas City and northwest Missouri area JoAnn Woody says if you are outside for any length of time, be attentive for any signs of hypothermia "Hypothermia, shaking uncontrollably and maybe your nose is going numb or your toes or your fingers," Woody explains to KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. Woody adds to also be sure to limit your exposure to the conditions outside. People should also be aware of the signs of frostbite "Numb fingers or discoloration of your fingers or your nose or your ear tips while you're outside," Woody says. Woody says you should be aware of signs of hypothermia and frostbite. Woody says if you see those signs, it's important to seek medical attention "Because there may be other complications from that," Woody points out. "Same thing with frostbite, flushed gray, white, blue, or yellow skin, numbness or waxy feeling those can be signs of frostbite, and not jumping into don't rub the skin vigorously trying to warm it up." Woody says no matter how far you're going, be sure to bundle up properly before you get out. "Making sure you're wearing safe walking apparel, you know nice boots that will keep you from slipping and sliding, a couple of layers of clothes, making sure you have a good, heavy durable coat on, protecting your ears and your nose so you're not breathing in that horribly, horribly, shocking cold temperature as well," Woody says.

Red Cross officials say keep safe as bitter cold temperatures strike the region

Senate education committee considers bringing MOScholars statewide, doubling salary cap

By ANNELISE HANSHAW&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>

Income and geographic restrictions would be loosened for a tax-credit program that provides scholarships to help pay for private school tuition&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=244">under a bill debated Wednesday</a>&nbsp;by the Senate’s education committee.

Sen. Andrew Koenig, a Manchester Republican and the committee’s chairman, is sponsoring the legislation seeking to expand MoScholars. Koenig is running this year to become State Treasurer, the office that oversees the MoScholars program.

“This is a win for everybody in the situation for kids, and it provides parents options,” Koenig told the committee.

The bill, which is estimated could cost the state $9.2 million, would allow students throughout Missouri to enroll in the program and raise the maximum family income from 200% of the amount needed to qualify for free or reduced lunch to 400%.&nbsp;

In 2024, the maximum family salary for a family of four that would be eligible under Koenig’s bill is $220,000.

Sen. Tracy McCreery, a Democrat from St. Louis, questioned why the legislation allowed more affluent families to access money that otherwise would go toward the state’s general fund, asking Koenig why he chose this amount.

Koenig said he would prefer to remove the income cap completely.

“When someone is going to a traditional public school, we don’t means-test them,” he said. “All kids should have this option. Obviously, that’s not what I filed because I thought that might be difficult to pass.”

Currently, the students eligible have difficulty obtaining the tax-credit scholarships because&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/21/funding-lag-creates-barrier-for-missouri-private-school-tax-credit-program/">funding lags behind the school year and student demand</a>. Some of the educational assistance organizations, which grant the scholarships, are back-funding renewal scholarships.

Audrey Baker, a parent from Kansas City who testified on Wednesday, said the program is important for students like her daughter, a young student with health issues. Her daughter received interventions in her public school during kindergarten but found more stability in her private school, Baker said.

She applied for a scholarship through the Herzog Tomorrow Foundation, one of the MOScholars providers, and didn’t receive the funds because the foundation was short on money, she said. She drained an educational savings account to pay for her daughter’s tuition.

McCreery asked Koenig why he would expand the program given its current challenges. She also requested the program prioritize students in unaccredited and provisionally accredited schools.

“We’ve got more demand for these vouchers than money,” she said. “So why wouldn’t we be focusing on where the need is.”

Koenig said the program was new, and he hoped more money would come into MOScholars.

“If your concern is that some kids might not have access to this who really need it, we can always make it part of the foundation formula and do direct funding,” he said.

His legislation does not include a state appropriation, but it would expand the cap on the amount of tax credits the program can receive. It also would increase the scholarship amount for students with poor English language skills, who qualify for free or reduced lunch or have an individualized education plan.

State Treasurer Vivek Malek testified in favor of the bill, focusing on the geographic expansion, saying that he believes students should have the opportunity enroll&nbsp; “​​whether they live in Ladue or in Laddonia, or in St. Louis City or in Sikeston.”

He did not comment on the provision that would allow families making 400% of the amount to qualify for free or reduced lunch to be eligible.

Sen. Doug Beck, an Affton Democrat, asked Malek and MOScholars program administrator David Masterson whether student achievement was being recorded. Malek said that data is collected after the third year of the program, or school year 2024-25.

Beck questioned expanding the program before this data is available.

“We raised $9 million last year. This year, we raised $17 million,” Malek said. “And as the program is expanding, I think it is more wise to expand it now than to wait.”

Opposition to the bill included education groups like Missouri Council for School Administrators and the Missouri National Education Association, a teacher’s union.

Koenig presented a second bill to the committee Wednesday that would remove the need for the MOScholars program, allowing educational expenses to be reimbursed through a tax credit if a student attends a school outside of their home district.

The bill’s fiscal note estimates that it would cost around $900 million to $1.5 billion. Koenig said Wednesday that he believes excluding homeschooled students could shave off $700 million.

Families would be able to receive up to the amount of the state adequacy target for each student, which is the amount the state calculates in state aid per pupil.

Sen. Elaine Gannon, a Republican from De Soto, asked Koenig where the money would come from.

Koenig said parents would be reimbursed for the expenses when they do their taxes. He said some of the money comes from Proposition C, a sales tax approved by voters in 1982 for schools and highways.

“You want to take funding that’s been designated for the public school system since 1982?” Gannon asked.

She accused the bill of “draining the public school money away.”

Koenig said he doesn’t think Proposition C money belongs solely to the public school system.

“I don’t view that money as owned by the institutions,” he said. “It is there to educate the children of the state of Missouri, and that’s the purpose behind it.”

Gannon pushed back, saying it belongs to the schools.

“This money was designated in 1982 for public schools, and now you’re wanting to take that money and spend it where it should not be spent,” she said, banging her hand against the desk.

Sen. Greg Razer, a Kansas City Democrat, said he wanted more information from homeschool families if they were to receive public dollars.

“I’ve always been bothered that we don’t have oversight over homeschools to make sure that the kids are getting taught,” he said. “I suspect most are. I suspect some are not.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704973428857.png" alt=" Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, answers questions about his bill that would expand MOScholars during a committee meeting Wednesday (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, answers questions about his bill that would expand MOScholars during a committee meeting Wednesday (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Senate education committee considers bringing MOScholars statewide, doubling salary cap</h2>By ANNELISE HANSHAW&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>Income and geographic restrictions would be loosened for a tax-credit program that provides scholarships to help pay for private school tuition&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=244">under a bill debated Wednesday</a>&nbsp;by the Senate’s education committee.Sen. Andrew Koenig, a Manchester Republican and the committee’s chairman, is sponsoring the legislation seeking to expand MoScholars. Koenig is running this year to become State Treasurer, the office that oversees the MoScholars program.“This is a win for everybody in the situation for kids, and it provides parents options,” Koenig told the committee.The bill, which is estimated could cost the state $9.2 million, would allow students throughout Missouri to enroll in the program and raise the maximum family income from 200% of the amount needed to qualify for free or reduced lunch to 400%.&nbsp;In 2024, the maximum family salary for a family of four that would be eligible under Koenig’s bill is $220,000.Sen. Tracy McCreery, a Democrat from St. Louis, questioned why the legislation allowed more affluent families to access money that otherwise would go toward the state’s general fund, asking Koenig why he chose this amount.Koenig said he would prefer to remove the income cap completely.“When someone is going to a traditional public school, we don’t means-test them,” he said. “All kids should have this option. Obviously, that’s not what I filed because I thought that might be difficult to pass.”Currently, the students eligible have difficulty obtaining the tax-credit scholarships because&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/21/funding-lag-creates-barrier-for-missouri-private-school-tax-credit-program/">funding lags behind the school year and student demand</a>. Some of the educational assistance organizations, which grant the scholarships, are back-funding renewal scholarships.Audrey Baker, a parent from Kansas City who testified on Wednesday, said the program is important for students like her daughter, a young student with health issues. Her daughter received interventions in her public school during kindergarten but found more stability in her private school, Baker said.She applied for a scholarship through the Herzog Tomorrow Foundation, one of the MOScholars providers, and didn’t receive the funds because the foundation was short on money, she said. She drained an educational savings account to pay for her daughter’s tuition.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704973392929.png" alt=" State Treasurer Vivek Malek testifies in support of a bill by Sen. Andrew Koenig that would expand the MOScholars program. Both are campaigning for the 2024 State Treasurer’s election (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> State Treasurer Vivek Malek testifies in support of a bill by Sen. Andrew Koenig that would expand the MOScholars program. Both are campaigning for the 2024 State Treasurer’s election (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>McCreery asked Koenig why he would expand the program given its current challenges. She also requested the program prioritize students in unaccredited and provisionally accredited schools.“We’ve got more demand for these vouchers than money,” she said. “So why wouldn’t we be focusing on where the need is.”Koenig said the program was new, and he hoped more money would come into MOScholars.“If your concern is that some kids might not have access to this who really need it, we can always make it part of the foundation formula and do direct funding,” he said.His legislation does not include a state appropriation, but it would expand the cap on the amount of tax credits the program can receive. It also would increase the scholarship amount for students with poor English language skills, who qualify for free or reduced lunch or have an individualized education plan.State Treasurer Vivek Malek testified in favor of the bill, focusing on the geographic expansion, saying that he believes students should have the opportunity enroll&nbsp; “​​whether they live in Ladue or in Laddonia, or in St. Louis City or in Sikeston.”He did not comment on the provision that would allow families making 400% of the amount to qualify for free or reduced lunch to be eligible.Sen. Doug Beck, an Affton Democrat, asked Malek and MOScholars program administrator David Masterson whether student achievement was being recorded. Malek said that data is collected after the third year of the program, or school year 2024-25.Beck questioned expanding the program before this data is available.“We raised $9 million last year. This year, we raised $17 million,” Malek said. “And as the program is expanding, I think it is more wise to expand it now than to wait.”Opposition to the bill included education groups like Missouri Council for School Administrators and the Missouri National Education Association, a teacher’s union.<h2>A new system</h2>Koenig presented a second bill to the committee Wednesday that would remove the need for the MOScholars program, allowing educational expenses to be reimbursed through a tax credit if a student attends a school outside of their home district.The bill’s fiscal note estimates that it would cost around $900 million to $1.5 billion. Koenig said Wednesday that he believes excluding homeschooled students could shave off $700 million.Families would be able to receive up to the amount of the state adequacy target for each student, which is the amount the state calculates in state aid per pupil.Sen. Elaine Gannon, a Republican from De Soto, asked Koenig where the money would come from.Koenig said parents would be reimbursed for the expenses when they do their taxes. He said some of the money comes from Proposition C, a sales tax approved by voters in 1982 for schools and highways.“You want to take funding that’s been designated for the public school system since 1982?” Gannon asked.She accused the bill of “draining the public school money away.”Koenig said he doesn’t think Proposition C money belongs solely to the public school system.“I don’t view that money as owned by the institutions,” he said. “It is there to educate the children of the state of Missouri, and that’s the purpose behind it.”Gannon pushed back, saying it belongs to the schools.“This money was designated in 1982 for public schools, and now you’re wanting to take that money and spend it where it should not be spent,” she said, banging her hand against the desk.Sen. Greg Razer, a Kansas City Democrat, said he wanted more information from homeschool families if they were to receive public dollars.“I’ve always been bothered that we don’t have oversight over homeschools to make sure that the kids are getting taught,” he said. “I suspect most are. I suspect some are not.”

Missouri Senate panel debates expanding tax credit scholarships for private school tuition

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Missouri lawsuit accusing China of hoarding masks and other protective gear during the COVID-19 pandemic can move forward, federal judges ruled Wednesday.

A panel of the U.S. Eighth District Court of Appeals panel, however, otherwise agreed with a lower court's 2022 ruling that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-missouri-cape-girardeau-d21087f6aa9ed088de0f58a042b142ee">tossed out Missouri's case</a>&nbsp;entirely, finding that federal rules prohibit a sovereign foreign entity from being sued in American courts. The state alleged that China's officials were to blame for the pandemic because they didn't do enough to slow its spread.

The appeals panel found that only&nbsp;<a href="http://media.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/24/01/222495P.pdf">one claim may proceed</a>: an allegation that China hoarded personal protective equipment.

“Missouri’s overarching theory is that China leveraged the world’s ignorance about COVID-19,” Judge David Stras wrote in the ruling. “One way it did so was by manipulating the worldwide personal-protective-equipment market. Missouri must still prove it, but it has alleged enough to allow the claim to proceed beyond a jurisdictional dismissal on the pleadings.”

Chief Judge Lavenski Smith dissented, writing that the whole lawsuit should be dismissed.

“Immunity for foreign states under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, while not impenetrable, is quite stout and stronger than the claim alleged in this case,” Smith wrote. “It is certainly not strong enough to justify judicial intervention into an arena well populated with substantial political and diplomatic concerns.”

Missouri Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey, whose office filed the lawsuit, lauded the ruling Wednesday on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“We are headed back to court to pursue remedies,” he posted.

The lawsuit,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-virus-outbreak-lawsuits-us-news-mo-state-wire-63d743a7e29a6c03742319c4cb4fefa4">filed in April 2020</a>, alleged that Chinese officials were “responsible for the enormous death, suffering, and economic losses they inflicted on the world, including Missourians.”

Neither the Chinese government nor any other Chinese defendant named in the case has responded to the lawsuit in court.

The Lawyers for Upholding International Law and The China Society of Private International Law filed briefs defending China against the lawsuit. Associated Press emails and voice messages left with lawyers for the groups were not immediately returned Wednesday.

China has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-lawsuits-ap-top-news-michael-brown-virus-outbreak-0d28f84369c35ebcd9184b3a48cad0a1">criticized the lawsuit</a>&nbsp;as “very absurd” and said it has no factual and legal basis. Legal experts have mostly panned it as a stunt aimed at shifting blame to China for the COVID-19 pandemic.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681466878038.png" alt="Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Missouri lawsuit accusing China of hoarding masks and other protective gear during the COVID-19 pandemic can move forward, federal judges ruled Wednesday.A panel of the U.S. Eighth District Court of Appeals panel, however, otherwise agreed with a lower court's 2022 ruling that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-missouri-cape-girardeau-d21087f6aa9ed088de0f58a042b142ee">tossed out Missouri's case</a>&nbsp;entirely, finding that federal rules prohibit a sovereign foreign entity from being sued in American courts. The state alleged that China's officials were to blame for the pandemic because they didn't do enough to slow its spread.The appeals panel found that only&nbsp;<a href="http://media.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/24/01/222495P.pdf">one claim may proceed</a>: an allegation that China hoarded personal protective equipment.“Missouri’s overarching theory is that China leveraged the world’s ignorance about COVID-19,” Judge David Stras wrote in the ruling. “One way it did so was by manipulating the worldwide personal-protective-equipment market. Missouri must still prove it, but it has alleged enough to allow the claim to proceed beyond a jurisdictional dismissal on the pleadings.”Chief Judge Lavenski Smith dissented, writing that the whole lawsuit should be dismissed.“Immunity for foreign states under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, while not impenetrable, is quite stout and stronger than the claim alleged in this case,” Smith wrote. “It is certainly not strong enough to justify judicial intervention into an arena well populated with substantial political and diplomatic concerns.”Missouri Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey, whose office filed the lawsuit, lauded the ruling Wednesday on X, formerly known as Twitter.“We are headed back to court to pursue remedies,” he posted.The lawsuit,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-virus-outbreak-lawsuits-us-news-mo-state-wire-63d743a7e29a6c03742319c4cb4fefa4">filed in April 2020</a>, alleged that Chinese officials were “responsible for the enormous death, suffering, and economic losses they inflicted on the world, including Missourians.”Neither the Chinese government nor any other Chinese defendant named in the case has responded to the lawsuit in court.The Lawyers for Upholding International Law and The China Society of Private International Law filed briefs defending China against the lawsuit. Associated Press emails and voice messages left with lawyers for the groups were not immediately returned Wednesday.China has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-lawsuits-ap-top-news-michael-brown-virus-outbreak-0d28f84369c35ebcd9184b3a48cad0a1">criticized the lawsuit</a>&nbsp;as “very absurd” and said it has no factual and legal basis. Legal experts have mostly panned it as a stunt aimed at shifting blame to China for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Missouri lawsuit accusing China of hoarding pandemic gear can proceed

With the area experiencing the first winter storm of the year and temperatures dropping below 20 degrees most nights, St. Joseph has opened its cold weather shelters.  

Community Missions Executive Director Rachael Bittiker says its overnight shelter helps keep the homeless from freezing to death by getting them off the streets at night.  

"The overarching goal of that is just to be able to provide that service for individuals to be able to come in, they're able to shower, they're able to get hygiene items, they're able to have a nice warm meal, and really just be able to be safe and be able to sleep and get a good night's rest while being able to stay out of the elements," Bittiker tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. 

Bittiker says staff at the shelter will also work with individuals on how they can get off the streets.  

Bittiker says Community Missions hadn't planned to open the shelter until next week, but with the first winter storm of the year coming early, it acted quickly, opening the shelter Monday night.  

Bittiker says the shelter served 20 people the first night and expects more in the coming nights as people become aware the shelter is open. 

"You know last year we did 1,800 approximately nights of stay, we operated for 77 days, we had an average of close to 24 individuals every night, and we served over 175 individuals," Bittiker explains. "So, we will continue to grow those numbers." 

The emergency shelter, located at 700 Olive Street, is open from 6pm to 7am every night to homeless adults.&nbsp; You can also find a list of other St. Joseph warming centers and shelters <a href="https://socialwelfareboard.org/warming-centers/">HERE</a>.

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostWith the area experiencing the first winter storm of the year and temperatures dropping below 20 degrees most nights, St. Joseph has opened its cold weather shelters. Community Missions Executive Director Rachael Bittiker says its overnight shelter helps keep the homeless from freezing to death by getting them off the streets at night. "The overarching goal of that is just to be able to provide that service for individuals to be able to come in, they're able to shower, they're able to get hygiene items, they're able to have a nice warm meal, and really just be able to be safe and be able to sleep and get a good night's rest while being able to stay out of the elements," Bittiker tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. Bittiker says staff at the shelter will also work with individuals on how they can get off the streets. Bittiker says Community Missions hadn't planned to open the shelter until next week, but with the first winter storm of the year coming early, it acted quickly, opening the shelter Monday night. Bittiker says the shelter served 20 people the first night and expects more in the coming nights as people become aware the shelter is open. "You know last year we did 1,800 approximately nights of stay, we operated for 77 days, we had an average of close to 24 individuals every night, and we served over 175 individuals," Bittiker explains. "So, we will continue to grow those numbers." The emergency shelter, located at 700 Olive Street, is open from 6pm to 7am every night to homeless adults.&nbsp; You can also find a list of other St. Joseph warming centers and shelters <a href="https://socialwelfareboard.org/warming-centers/">HERE</a>.

Winter weather prompts Community Missions to open emergency shelter

Legislation heard by a House committee Wednesday would allow public school districts to enroll neighboring students

A proposal to allow Missouri’s public school districts to open their boundaries is back this legislative session as the first education bill to get a hearing in the state House.

The House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education opened its first hearing of the year by considering Sedalia Republican Rep. Brad Pollitt’s open enrollment bill.

“This bill allows the 899,000 students in the state of Missouri in the public school system the opportunity to have choice within the very system that their parents pay taxes to,” Pollitt told committee members.

He&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/06/lawmakers-lament-failure-of-bills-aimed-at-addressing-missouri-teacher-shortage/">told The Independent at the close of last year’s session</a>&nbsp;that there was a plan in place to pass his bill through the Senate, latching it to state Rep. Ed Lewis’s bill on teacher recruitment and retention.

But in a fit of filibusters in the session’s closing days, the bills never made it to the full Senate for debate.

Pollitt wrote what he calls a “compromise” into the bill, capping the number of transfers annually at 1% of the student population in districts with a high number of free-and-reduced-lunch students. He thought this would help it pass the Senate, but he told the committee on Wednesday that policy leaders in the Republican caucus recommended removing the provision.

Otto Fajen, lobbyist for the Missouri branch of the teachers union National Education Association, said removing the compromise language caused him to oppose the bill. Otherwise, the association would have a more neutral stance.

“Because the committee is now poised to remove any protection against resegregation… you need to be thoughtful about that,” Fajen said. “You need to have some kind of break if you start to see things going in the wrong direction.”

Some lawmakers last year voiced concerns that the bill would resegregate schools if minority students stayed in their home districts while others left. Rep. Paula Brown, a Democrat from Hazelwood, repeated this concern Wednesday.

“Do you worry that we could face another desegregation plan from the feds at all with any of this?” she asked.

“I can’t look into a crystal ball and say that only non-minority students would leave the district,” Pollitt responded.

The bill has a 3% limit on the proportion of students that can leave a school district annually.

Some are worried the limit isn’t enough protection for school districts.

Mike Lodewegen, lobbyist for the Missouri Council of School Administrators, said the students and teachers that are left in a district after some leave “have to deal with the ramifications.”

The district will want to make cuts when the state funding leaves, he said, but the students leaving will likely be spread across grade levels.

“Now you’re looking at cutting programs and options available to students,” Lodewegen said.

When students enroll in a neighboring district, according to the bill, state aid — but not local aid — will follow them. It also calls for a $80 million fund to reimburse transportation costs for students that qualify as free and reduced lunch or enrolled in special education.

Pollitt said the $80 million was based on the number of students he anticipates will participate in enrollment, looking at surrounding states’ open-enrollment programs.

The number of special education students participating in this program may be stifled by a provision that says school districts are not required to add staff or programs if they opt into open enrollment.

Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Columbia Democrat, asked if that would be akin to discrimination based on disability.

Pollitt said he wrote this provision based on a case out of Wisconsin where a court ruled school districts didn’t have to add staff for its open-enrollment program.

He asked superintendents during his travels around the state about this provision, inquiring whether it should be mandatory to accept students in special education.

“Absolutely not,” he said he was told. “Because we know in this state that our special ed teachers have their case votes that are already full.“

The bill&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/07/open-enrollment-legislation-wins-first-round-approval-in-missouri-house/">passed the House last session</a>&nbsp;in a 85-69 vote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704913616821.png" alt="Rep. Brad Pollitt, R-Sedalia, presents his open enrollment bill to the House Elementary and Seconday Education Committee Wednesday morning (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Rep. Brad Pollitt, R-Sedalia, presents his open enrollment bill to the House Elementary and Seconday Education Committee Wednesday morning (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>By ANNELISE HANSHAW&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a><h2>Legislation heard by a House committee Wednesday would allow public school districts to enroll neighboring students</h2>A proposal to allow Missouri’s public school districts to open their boundaries is back this legislative session as the first education bill to get a hearing in the state House.The House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education opened its first hearing of the year by considering Sedalia Republican Rep. Brad Pollitt’s open enrollment bill.“This bill allows the 899,000 students in the state of Missouri in the public school system the opportunity to have choice within the very system that their parents pay taxes to,” Pollitt told committee members.He&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/06/lawmakers-lament-failure-of-bills-aimed-at-addressing-missouri-teacher-shortage/">told The Independent at the close of last year’s session</a>&nbsp;that there was a plan in place to pass his bill through the Senate, latching it to state Rep. Ed Lewis’s bill on teacher recruitment and retention.But in a fit of filibusters in the session’s closing days, the bills never made it to the full Senate for debate.Pollitt wrote what he calls a “compromise” into the bill, capping the number of transfers annually at 1% of the student population in districts with a high number of free-and-reduced-lunch students. He thought this would help it pass the Senate, but he told the committee on Wednesday that policy leaders in the Republican caucus recommended removing the provision.Otto Fajen, lobbyist for the Missouri branch of the teachers union National Education Association, said removing the compromise language caused him to oppose the bill. Otherwise, the association would have a more neutral stance.“Because the committee is now poised to remove any protection against resegregation… you need to be thoughtful about that,” Fajen said. “You need to have some kind of break if you start to see things going in the wrong direction.”Some lawmakers last year voiced concerns that the bill would resegregate schools if minority students stayed in their home districts while others left. Rep. Paula Brown, a Democrat from Hazelwood, repeated this concern Wednesday.“Do you worry that we could face another desegregation plan from the feds at all with any of this?” she asked.“I can’t look into a crystal ball and say that only non-minority students would leave the district,” Pollitt responded.The bill has a 3% limit on the proportion of students that can leave a school district annually.Some are worried the limit isn’t enough protection for school districts.Mike Lodewegen, lobbyist for the Missouri Council of School Administrators, said the students and teachers that are left in a district after some leave “have to deal with the ramifications.”The district will want to make cuts when the state funding leaves, he said, but the students leaving will likely be spread across grade levels.“Now you’re looking at cutting programs and options available to students,” Lodewegen said.When students enroll in a neighboring district, according to the bill, state aid — but not local aid — will follow them. It also calls for a $80 million fund to reimburse transportation costs for students that qualify as free and reduced lunch or enrolled in special education.Pollitt said the $80 million was based on the number of students he anticipates will participate in enrollment, looking at surrounding states’ open-enrollment programs.The number of special education students participating in this program may be stifled by a provision that says school districts are not required to add staff or programs if they opt into open enrollment.Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Columbia Democrat, asked if that would be akin to discrimination based on disability.Pollitt said he wrote this provision based on a case out of Wisconsin where a court ruled school districts didn’t have to add staff for its open-enrollment program.He asked superintendents during his travels around the state about this provision, inquiring whether it should be mandatory to accept students in special education.“Absolutely not,” he said he was told. “Because we know in this state that our special ed teachers have their case votes that are already full.“The bill&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/07/open-enrollment-legislation-wins-first-round-approval-in-missouri-house/">passed the House last session</a>&nbsp;in a 85-69 vote.

Open enrollment is the first education bill considered this year by Missouri House

A St. Joseph manufacturer has expanded into Iowa, hoping to
expand into the Defense industry.

Van-Am Tool and Engineering has acquired a 75,000 square foot
factory in Waverly, Iowa from GMT Manufacturing.

Van-Am CEO Keith Mills says initially the company traveled to
Iowa to buy equipment, but then discussed the acquisition. The Iowa plant will
be known as Van-Am Defense Systems with its first customer being Lockheed
Martin.

“So, we service quite a few different markets and we plan to
continue that, but it’s nice to have some diversification across markets,”
Milles tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “So in any particular
downturn, you still have supporting work so that your revenue doesn’t take a
dive if one industry doesn’t do well.”

Van-Am began in St. Joseph in 1981 and employs about 120
workers in the city. It has 18 in the Waverly plant. Mills says the two
facilities will be able to work together as the company expands its customer
base.

Mills says many of the company’s customers hope to ramp up
production not only this year, but next.

“Right now, we have to figure out the labor shortage,” Mills
says. “Personally, how do we recruit effectively? And then there’s a training
piece of it. So there’s a lot of pieces that go into building this out. But the
demand’s there at least from what we are seeing. It’s now satisfying that
demand in a timely manner.”

To meet the demand, Van-Am needs more high-skilled labor. That
could prove difficult Mills points out the company has an immediate need for 15
high-skilled workers.

“It doesn’t sound like a lot,” Mills says with a chuckle. “But
15 skilled tradesmen, it’s tough to fill. We’re doing it, but it’s one or two
at a time, three at a time. But we can’t just call up and say, ‘Hey, we need 15
people over here immediately. Hop in, let’s go.’”

Mills says Van-Am has 50 primary customers, mostly within the
two-and-a-half hours from St. Joseph. The company serves up to 150 businesses
total with some as far away as Ireland.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704912220157.jpeg" alt="Van-Am Defense Systems plant in Waverly, Iowa/Photo courtesy of Van-Am Tool &amp; Engineering" />
 <figcaption>Van-Am Defense Systems plant in Waverly, Iowa/Photo courtesy of Van-Am Tool &amp; Engineering</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA St. Joseph manufacturer has expanded into Iowa, hoping to
expand into the Defense industry.Van-Am Tool and Engineering has acquired a 75,000 square foot
factory in Waverly, Iowa from GMT Manufacturing.Van-Am CEO Keith Mills says initially the company traveled to
Iowa to buy equipment, but then discussed the acquisition. The Iowa plant will
be known as Van-Am Defense Systems with its first customer being Lockheed
Martin.“So, we service quite a few different markets and we plan to
continue that, but it’s nice to have some diversification across markets,”
Milles tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “So in any particular
downturn, you still have supporting work so that your revenue doesn’t take a
dive if one industry doesn’t do well.”Van-Am began in St. Joseph in 1981 and employs about 120
workers in the city. It has 18 in the Waverly plant. Mills says the two
facilities will be able to work together as the company expands its customer
base.Mills says many of the company’s customers hope to ramp up
production not only this year, but next.“Right now, we have to figure out the labor shortage,” Mills
says. “Personally, how do we recruit effectively? And then there’s a training
piece of it. So there’s a lot of pieces that go into building this out. But the
demand’s there at least from what we are seeing. It’s now satisfying that
demand in a timely manner.”To meet the demand, Van-Am needs more high-skilled labor. That
could prove difficult Mills points out the company has an immediate need for 15
high-skilled workers.“It doesn’t sound like a lot,” Mills says with a chuckle. “But
15 skilled tradesmen, it’s tough to fill. We’re doing it, but it’s one or two
at a time, three at a time. But we can’t just call up and say, ‘Hey, we need 15
people over here immediately. Hop in, let’s go.’”Mills says Van-Am has 50 primary customers, mostly within the
two-and-a-half hours from St. Joseph. The company serves up to 150 businesses
total with some as far away as Ireland.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph manufacturer expands into Iowa & into Defense industry

Most schools in this area remain closed today as we
emerge from the first winter storm of the area, including St. Joseph public
schools, St. Joseph Catholic schools, St. Joseph Christian schools, and Savannah schools.

It is very cold this morning, but is expected to creep above
the freezing mark by this afternoon.

There is a slight chance of more snow tomorrow afternoon. It
is more likely Thursday night when the bitter temperatures begin to show up in
the forecast.

The storm caused multiple accidents, including one that
blocked the northbound lanes of I-29 north of St. Joseph Tuesday afternoon. A semi tractor-trailer jackknifed at the 61 mile marker in Andrew
County, about 10 miles north of St. Joseph.

A wreck blocked both southbound lanes and one northbound lane
at the intersection of 169 and A Highways yesterday afternoon.

A northeast Kansas man suffered injuries in an accident,
though it wasn’t in northeast Kansas, but rather south of Wichita.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports 38-year-old Anthony Juliana
of Hiawatha lost control of his car on the Kansas Turnpike in Sumner County.
His car struck a guardrail, went into a ditch, and rolled.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704891815297.jpeg" alt="A semi tractor-trailer jackknifed on I-29, blocking the northbound lanes north of St. Joseph for hours/Photo courtesy of the Missouri State Highway Patrol" />
 <figcaption>A semi tractor-trailer jackknifed on I-29, blocking the northbound lanes north of St. Joseph for hours/Photo courtesy of the Missouri State Highway Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMost schools in this area remain closed today as we
emerge from the first winter storm of the area, including St. Joseph public
schools, St. Joseph Catholic schools, St. Joseph Christian schools, and Savannah schools.It is very cold this morning, but is expected to creep above
the freezing mark by this afternoon.There is a slight chance of more snow tomorrow afternoon. It
is more likely Thursday night when the bitter temperatures begin to show up in
the forecast.The storm caused multiple accidents, including one that
blocked the northbound lanes of I-29 north of St. Joseph Tuesday afternoon. A semi tractor-trailer jackknifed at the 61 mile marker in Andrew
County, about 10 miles north of St. Joseph.A wreck blocked both southbound lanes and one northbound lane
at the intersection of 169 and A Highways yesterday afternoon.A northeast Kansas man suffered injuries in an accident,
though it wasn’t in northeast Kansas, but rather south of Wichita.The Kansas Highway Patrol reports 38-year-old Anthony Juliana
of Hiawatha lost control of his car on the Kansas Turnpike in Sumner County.
His car struck a guardrail, went into a ditch, and rolled.For a full list of closings click <a href="https://www.680kfeq.com/closing/#!/">HERE</a>.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Most St. Joseph area schools remain closed, storm causes wrecks

DAVIESS COUNTY—A Missouri man died in an accident just after 4:30p.m. January 8, in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Buick LeSabre driven by Robert S. Henderson, 67, Coffey, was southbound on MO 13 five miles south of Coffey.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The driver lost control in the snow. The car traveled off the west side of the road, traveled down an embankment and struck a tree limb.

Henderson was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Stith Funeral Home. The MSHP had incomplete seat belt usage details.

DAVIESS COUNTY—A Missouri man died in an accident just after 4:30p.m. January 8, in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Buick LeSabre driven by Robert S. Henderson, 67, Coffey, was southbound on MO 13 five miles south of Coffey.&nbsp;&nbsp; The driver lost control in the snow. The car traveled off the west side of the road, traveled down an embankment and struck a tree limb.Henderson was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Stith Funeral Home. The MSHP had incomplete seat belt usage details.

Missouri man dies after he lost control of car in the snow

Click <a href="https://www.680kfeq.com/closing/#!/">HERE</a> for the latest closing announcements.

Click <a href="https://www.680kfeq.com/closing/#!/">HERE</a> for the latest closing announcements.

Snow closings

UPDATE: The Patrol reports that shortly after 3pm both northbound lanes of I-29 have been cleared and are open.

A jackknifed semi tractor-trailer has blocked both northbound
lanes of I-29 about 10 miles north of St. Joseph.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the accident
occurred at the 61 mile marker in Andrew County. Northbound lanes are being
rerouted north on US 71 at miles marker 57.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704828184359.jpeg" alt="Semi blocked northbound lanes of I-29 north of St. Joseph/Photo courtesy of the Missouri State Highway Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Semi blocked northbound lanes of I-29 north of St. Joseph/Photo courtesy of the Missouri State Highway Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostUPDATE: The Patrol reports that shortly after 3pm both northbound lanes of I-29 have been cleared and are open.A jackknifed semi tractor-trailer has blocked both northbound
lanes of I-29 about 10 miles north of St. Joseph.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the accident
occurred at the 61 mile marker in Andrew County. Northbound lanes are being
rerouted north on US 71 at miles marker 57.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

UPDATE: Northbound lanes of I-29 have been reopened

SUMNER COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 10:30 p.m. Monday in Sumner County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Nissan Altima driven by&nbsp; Anthony Juliano, 38, Hiawatha, was southbound in the right lane of the Kansas Turnpike in Sumner County.

The driver lost control of the car. It struck a guardrail, entered the west ditch and rolled.

EMS transported Juliano to Via Christi in Wichita. He was p roperly restrained, according to the KHP.

SUMNER COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 10:30 p.m. Monday in Sumner County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Nissan Altima driven by&nbsp; Anthony Juliano, 38, Hiawatha, was southbound in the right lane of the Kansas Turnpike in Sumner County.The driver lost control of the car. It struck a guardrail, entered the west ditch and rolled.EMS transported Juliano to Via Christi in Wichita. He was p roperly restrained, according to the KHP.

NE Kansas man injured after car overturns

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

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

Full list of snow closings here

Cold weather moving into the area has
prompted the US Army Corps of Engineers to increase flows upstream on the
Missouri River.

The Corps has issued a statement that it
increased the flows from Gavins Point Dam from 13,000 cubic feet per second to
15,000 at noon Monday. The Corps says the increased flows downstream on the
Missouri River will lessen the chances of ice jams forming. It also will
replace some of the water that forms into ice.

The Corps plans to return winter
discharges at Gavins Point to 13,000 once the possibility of ice forming on the
Missouri River stabilizes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704800254391.jpeg" alt="Gavins Point Dam/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Gavins Point Dam/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostCold weather moving into the area has
prompted the US Army Corps of Engineers to increase flows upstream on the
Missouri River.The Corps has issued a statement that it
increased the flows from Gavins Point Dam from 13,000 cubic feet per second to
15,000 at noon Monday. The Corps says the increased flows downstream on the
Missouri River will lessen the chances of ice jams forming. It also will
replace some of the water that forms into ice.The Corps plans to return winter
discharges at Gavins Point to 13,000 once the possibility of ice forming on the
Missouri River stabilizes.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Army Corps of Engineers increases flows on MO River to cope with cold weather

The St. Joseph School District has canceled classes for Tuesday as a major winter storm bears down on northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas.

The St. Joseph Catholic Academy and St. Joseph Christian Schools have canceled classes for Tuesday as well. St. Gianna Center will plan on a 9am start at this time, but that may change

The Savannah R-3 School District will be closed on Tuesday as well. There will be no professional development.

Missouri Western State University is closed.

Most school districts in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas have canceled classes for Tuesday.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph School District has canceled classes for Tuesday as a major winter storm bears down on northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas.The St. Joseph Catholic Academy and St. Joseph Christian Schools have canceled classes for Tuesday as well. St. Gianna Center will plan on a 9am start at this time, but that may changeThe Savannah R-3 School District will be closed on Tuesday as well. There will be no professional development.Missouri Western State University is closed.Most school districts in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas have canceled classes for Tuesday.For a full list of closings click <a href="https://www.680kfeq.com/closing/#!/">HERE</a>.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph, Savannah schools closed Tuesday due to winter storm

LIVINGSTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 6:30p.m. Monday in Livingston County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Ford F150 driven by a 16-year-old Bogard girl was northbound on U.S. 65 eight miles south of Chillicothe.&nbsp;

The pickup traveled into the southbound lane and struck a 2017 Ram 3500 driven by Davie J. Allen, 57, Carrollton, head-on.

A private vehicle transported the teen driver to Carroll County Hospital. Allen was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 6:30p.m. Monday in Livingston County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Ford F150 driven by a 16-year-old Bogard girl was northbound on U.S. 65 eight miles south of Chillicothe.&nbsp;The pickup traveled into the southbound lane and struck a 2017 Ram 3500 driven by Davie J. Allen, 57, Carrollton, head-on.A private vehicle transported the teen driver to Carroll County Hospital. Allen was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri teen hospitalized after head-on pickup crash

DAVIESS COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 3p.m. Monday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Nissan driven by Anette M. Mathenia, 63, Lake Viking, was northbound on Route DD four miles north of Gallatin.&nbsp;

The driver lost control of the SUV in the snow. The vehicle traveled off the east side of the road and overturned.

Daviess County ambulance transported Mathenia to Cameron Regional Medical Center. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

DAVIESS COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 3p.m. Monday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Nissan driven by Anette M. Mathenia, 63, Lake Viking, was northbound on Route DD four miles north of Gallatin.&nbsp;The driver lost control of the SUV in the snow. The vehicle traveled off the east side of the road and overturned.Daviess County ambulance transported Mathenia to Cameron Regional Medical Center. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman injured after SUV overturns in the snow

ATCHISON COUNTY —A woman accused of domestic battery last month is in jail for missing a court appearance.&nbsp;

On Friday, police arrested 20-year-old Alexis L. Ellison, 20, Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

She is being held on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court. 

On Nov. 26, Ellison was arrested on a requested charge of domestic battery, bodily harm, according to online jail records. She was scheduled for a court appearance on De c. 8.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704725466652.png" alt="Ellison-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Ellison-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —A woman accused of domestic battery last month is in jail for missing a court appearance.&nbsp;On Friday, police arrested 20-year-old Alexis L. Ellison, 20, Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.She is being held on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court. On Nov. 26, Ellison was arrested on a requested charge of domestic battery, bodily harm, according to online jail records. She was scheduled for a court appearance on De c. 8.

Kan. domestic battery suspect jailed for skipping court

The Missouri State Highway patrol cautions drivers to be cautious during the first major snowstorm of the year. 

Seargent Shane Hux with Troop H in St. Joseph says the key as you get out and travel is to be prepared for the worst. 

"Make sure that you have water in there, nonperishable food, a cell phone charger, we always recommend maintaining at least half a tank of fuel during these type of conditions, and any medications that you may need," Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "Extra blankets, extra coats, hats, gloves, shovel, a bag of kitty litter in your trunk, all of those things will be useful." 

Hux adds if you do find yourself in an accident or off the road, the safest place you can be is staying in your vehicle. 

Hux says with the snow you probably won't be able to travel the speed limit. 

"You're going to have to decrease your speed, increase your following distance," Hux points out. "And don't crowd the snowplows, every year during this time of year we work several motor vehicle crashes involving snowplows where they get rear ended and people pass them whenever they're throwing snow."  

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The Missouri State Highway patrol cautions drivers to be cautious during the first major snowstorm of the year. Seargent Shane Hux with Troop H in St. Joseph says the key as you get out and travel is to be prepared for the worst. "Make sure that you have water in there, nonperishable food, a cell phone charger, we always recommend maintaining at least half a tank of fuel during these type of conditions, and any medications that you may need," Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "Extra blankets, extra coats, hats, gloves, shovel, a bag of kitty litter in your trunk, all of those things will be useful." Hux adds if you do find yourself in an accident or off the road, the safest place you can be is staying in your vehicle. Hux says with the snow you probably won't be able to travel the speed limit. "You're going to have to decrease your speed, increase your following distance," Hux points out. "And don't crowd the snowplows, every year during this time of year we work several motor vehicle crashes involving snowplows where they get rear ended and people pass them whenever they're throwing snow." "There's going to be some reduced visibility, I also believe they're calling for some high winds out there." Hux adds there may also come a time where travel may not be a possibility. "Zero visibility out there, sometimes it's safest just to stay home, and if you are out on the roadways and you get caught in it, you may just have to find the nearest exit where there's facilities and get a hotel room for the night, rather than becoming stranded," Hux says. Hux says you can always monitor roadway conditions on the MoDOT traveler information map to see how your route is impacted. If you do become stranded during your travel, you can contact *55 to get in contact with your nearest troop headquarters for assistance.

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