CLINTON COUNTY —A first responder was injured in an accident while responding to an emergency call just after 6p.m. Wednesday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Dodge Durango driven by Jacob I. Hutton, 25, Lathrop, and a 2023 Ford Interceptor police SUV driven by Jace T. Hickman, 23, Plattsburg, were southbound on MO 33 four miles south of Lathrop responding to an emergency call.

The Ford slowed to make a left turn and the Dodge swerved to avoid a collision. The Dodge struck the Ford in the driver's side. After impact both vehicle traveled off the road and the Dodge struck a fence.

Holt Fire and EMS transported Hickman to Liberty Hospital. Hutton was not injured. Both were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY —A first responder was injured in an accident while responding to an emergency call just after 6p.m. Wednesday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Dodge Durango driven by Jacob I. Hutton, 25, Lathrop, and a 2023 Ford Interceptor police SUV driven by Jace T. Hickman, 23, Plattsburg, were southbound on MO 33 four miles south of Lathrop responding to an emergency call.The Ford slowed to make a left turn and the Dodge swerved to avoid a collision. The Dodge struck the Ford in the driver's side. After impact both vehicle traveled off the road and the Dodge struck a fence.Holt Fire and EMS transported Hickman to Liberty Hospital. Hutton was not injured. Both were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

First responder injured after crash responding to emergency call

GENTRY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 2:30a.m. Wednesday in Gentry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Dodge Charger driven by Nicholas R. Merrigan, 38, Clarksdale, was southbound on U.S. 169 two miles south of Stanberry.

The driver failed to negotiate a curve in the road. The car crossed the center of the road, traveled off the east side of the road, struck a utility pole, became airborne, struck the ground, became airborne again, crossed 460th Road, struck the ground on the east side of the 460th Road, rolled, crossed 372th Street and came to rest off the road.

A passenger in the car identified Michael H. Perman, 44, King City, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Robertson Funeral Home in Stanberry.&nbsp;

Grand River EMS transported Merrigan to Mosaic in St. Joseph. Perman was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

GENTRY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 2:30a.m. Wednesday in Gentry County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Dodge Charger driven by Nicholas R. Merrigan, 38, Clarksdale, was southbound on U.S. 169 two miles south of Stanberry.The driver failed to negotiate a curve in the road. The car crossed the center of the road, traveled off the east side of the road, struck a utility pole, became airborne, struck the ground, became airborne again, crossed 460th Road, struck the ground on the east side of the 460th Road, rolled, crossed 372th Street and came to rest off the road.A passenger in the car identified Michael H. Perman, 44, King City, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Robertson Funeral Home in Stanberry.&nbsp;Grand River EMS transported Merrigan to Mosaic in St. Joseph. Perman was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man dies after violent rollover crash

By JASON HANCOCK,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey wants a Cole County judge to block a subpoena seeking records about how he came up with a $21 million cost estimate for a proposed abortion-rights initiative petition.

Republican political operative Jamie Corley filed an initiative petition earlier this year that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/30/new-initiative-petitions-seek-to-add-rape-incest-exceptions-to-missouri-abortion-law/">seeks to amend the state constitution to add rape and incest exceptions to Missouri’s abortion ban</a>&nbsp;and legalize the procedure through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, among other provisions.&nbsp;

Bailey argued in October that if the amendment were to be approved by voters next year,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/20/ashcroft-says-initiatives-seek-to-nullify-missouri-laws-protecting-the-right-to-life/">he would refuse to defend it</a>&nbsp;and would have to hire outside counsel — which he determined would cost $21 million.&nbsp;

Corley filed a lawsuit challenging Bailey’s estimate, along with the ballot summary written by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft. As part of that litigation, Corley’s attorneys issued a subpoena seeking records from the attorney general’s office explaining the cost estimate and the process for hiring outside counsel.&nbsp;

In a filing this week with the court, the attorney general moved to quash the subpoena and asked the judge “for a protective order as to this request.”

“The attorney general has told the public that it’s going to cost taxpayers $21 million if this measure passes,” said Chuck Hatfield, the attorney representing Corley. “And I think we’re entitled to understand how he got to that number. Basically, the attorney general has said he will not do the job we elected him to do and the taxpayers are going to have to hire other lawyers to do it.”

All the records in question should be public and readily available, Hatfield said. They would be obtainable through the Missouri Sunshine Law, but Bailey’s office has such&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/12/01/missouri-ag-set-to-finally-start-work-on-public-records-requests-submitted-this-year/">a massive backlog of requests</a>&nbsp;that it is unlikely any records would be produced until late spring.&nbsp;

Initiative petitions hoping to get on the 2024 ballot face a May deadline to collect the required number of signatures from across the state.&nbsp;

Bailey’s office confirmed earlier this month that it has almost finished work on requests filed to the attorney general’s office in 2022.&nbsp;

“We did not put in a Sunshine request because our understanding, from publicly available reporting, is that it would take several months,” Hatfield said. “And with a subpoena, we should be able to get documents within 45 days.”

A spokeswoman for Bailey declined comment.&nbsp;

The attorney general’s office is not a defendant in Corley’s lawsuit. Though Bailey’s cost estimate is part of the fiscal note, it was the auditor’s office that decided to include it in the summary that could appear on the ballot.&nbsp;

In arguing for the $21 million cost estimate, Bailey said in October that if Corley’s amendment was approved by voters and resulted in any litigation, his office would likely have to hire conflict counsel to represent the state. That’s because, Bailey said, he has “staked out a position strongly in favor of protecting the unborn, creating a positional conflict that is untenable for the Attorney General and would necessarily generate greater legal costs.”

Bailey seemed to back off that argument last month, when he told reporters he is “<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kctv5.com/2023/11/01/gop-candidate-missouri-governor-implies-hed-have-quit-if-voters-pass-abortion-rights/">committed to enforcing the law as written.</a>”&nbsp;

“I’m not a lawmaker. I’m in the executive branch,” he said. “We’ve (got a) documented history of defending state statute and state constitutional provisions, and we’ll continue to do that.”

It’s the second time Bailey has sought to inflate the cost of an abortion-rights initiative petition this year.&nbsp;

In July, the state Supreme Court ruled<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/20/missouri-supreme-court-rejects-ags-push-to-inflate-cost-of-abortion-rights-amendment/">&nbsp;Bailey overstepped his legal authority</a>&nbsp;when he refused to sign off on a fiscal note produced by the auditor’s office unless it was reworked to say legalizing abortion would cost the state billions.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698783687898.png" alt="&nbsp;Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey speaks to reporters outside the Western District Court of Appeals building in Kansas City while Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft waits for his turn the microphones. Bailey and Ashcroft had just attended arguments over the abortion initiative ballot titles rewritten by a Cole County judge (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey speaks to reporters outside the Western District Court of Appeals building in Kansas City while Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft waits for his turn the microphones. Bailey and Ashcroft had just attended arguments over the abortion initiative ballot titles rewritten by a Cole County judge (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>By JASON HANCOCK,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey wants a Cole County judge to block a subpoena seeking records about how he came up with a $21 million cost estimate for a proposed abortion-rights initiative petition.Republican political operative Jamie Corley filed an initiative petition earlier this year that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/30/new-initiative-petitions-seek-to-add-rape-incest-exceptions-to-missouri-abortion-law/">seeks to amend the state constitution to add rape and incest exceptions to Missouri’s abortion ban</a>&nbsp;and legalize the procedure through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, among other provisions.&nbsp;Bailey argued in October that if the amendment were to be approved by voters next year,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/20/ashcroft-says-initiatives-seek-to-nullify-missouri-laws-protecting-the-right-to-life/">he would refuse to defend it</a>&nbsp;and would have to hire outside counsel — which he determined would cost $21 million.&nbsp;Corley filed a lawsuit challenging Bailey’s estimate, along with the ballot summary written by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft. As part of that litigation, Corley’s attorneys issued a subpoena seeking records from the attorney general’s office explaining the cost estimate and the process for hiring outside counsel.&nbsp;In a filing this week with the court, the attorney general moved to quash the subpoena and asked the judge “for a protective order as to this request.”“The attorney general has told the public that it’s going to cost taxpayers $21 million if this measure passes,” said Chuck Hatfield, the attorney representing Corley. “And I think we’re entitled to understand how he got to that number. Basically, the attorney general has said he will not do the job we elected him to do and the taxpayers are going to have to hire other lawyers to do it.”All the records in question should be public and readily available, Hatfield said. They would be obtainable through the Missouri Sunshine Law, but Bailey’s office has such&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/12/01/missouri-ag-set-to-finally-start-work-on-public-records-requests-submitted-this-year/">a massive backlog of requests</a>&nbsp;that it is unlikely any records would be produced until late spring.&nbsp;Initiative petitions hoping to get on the 2024 ballot face a May deadline to collect the required number of signatures from across the state.&nbsp;Bailey’s office confirmed earlier this month that it has almost finished work on requests filed to the attorney general’s office in 2022.&nbsp;“We did not put in a Sunshine request because our understanding, from publicly available reporting, is that it would take several months,” Hatfield said. “And with a subpoena, we should be able to get documents within 45 days.”A spokeswoman for Bailey declined comment.&nbsp;The attorney general’s office is not a defendant in Corley’s lawsuit. Though Bailey’s cost estimate is part of the fiscal note, it was the auditor’s office that decided to include it in the summary that could appear on the ballot.&nbsp;In arguing for the $21 million cost estimate, Bailey said in October that if Corley’s amendment was approved by voters and resulted in any litigation, his office would likely have to hire conflict counsel to represent the state. That’s because, Bailey said, he has “staked out a position strongly in favor of protecting the unborn, creating a positional conflict that is untenable for the Attorney General and would necessarily generate greater legal costs.”Bailey seemed to back off that argument last month, when he told reporters he is “<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kctv5.com/2023/11/01/gop-candidate-missouri-governor-implies-hed-have-quit-if-voters-pass-abortion-rights/">committed to enforcing the law as written.</a>”&nbsp;“I’m not a lawmaker. I’m in the executive branch,” he said. “We’ve (got a) documented history of defending state statute and state constitutional provisions, and we’ll continue to do that.”It’s the second time Bailey has sought to inflate the cost of an abortion-rights initiative petition this year.&nbsp;In July, the state Supreme Court ruled<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/20/missouri-supreme-court-rejects-ags-push-to-inflate-cost-of-abortion-rights-amendment/">&nbsp;Bailey overstepped his legal authority</a>&nbsp;when he refused to sign off on a fiscal note produced by the auditor’s office unless it was reworked to say legalizing abortion would cost the state billions.&nbsp;

Missouri AG seeks to block subpoena in abortion amendment lawsuit

The St. Joseph City Council this week voted unanimously to approve the design and concept plan for the Krug Park renovation project.

There's about $12 million available for this project after the passage of a half-cent parks sales tax in August 2021.

Chuck Kempf, director of parks and recreation for the city of St. Joseph, says the next step is to advertise a request for design-build qualifications and get detailed drawings together before signing a contract with a design-build professional.

"There will be teams of contractors and design professionals who will bond together in some fashion," Kempf told St. Joseph Post. "That's up to them how they want to structure that. They'll make proposals that will basically tell us why we should select their team to proceed with the project."

There's another $7 million available for park improvements made possible through the capital improvement projects sales tax, which was just renewed for another five years this past August.

Kempf says the Krug Park improvement project is wide-ranging, including anything from the amphitheater, to water and sewage, playground equipment and restrooms.

"Anything from that to renovating the old bathrooms by the picnic area to creating a new playground and then historical preservation work," Kempf said, "which will involve stone work, brick work, the wood, the copula and some of the stuff around the children's circus and the castle area."

The park improvements don’t end at Krug Park. Kempf says there’s about 40 active parks projects currently - many of them smaller, maintenance projects.

But, one of the bigger triumphs lately has been Civic Arena. A newly renovated Civic has been the host of many high-profile events, especially in athletics.

It just hosted a Division I women's basketball game between Mizzou and Kansas State this past Saturday. Kempf says people are really starting to see the value in the major upgrades at Civic.

"I think people are seeing the potential and the renovations we've done already, the floor, the new scoreboard, the new seating is getting a lot of love," Kempf said. "We're getting a lot of love about the seating."

Kempf says more improvements are still in the works for Civic, including new HVAC units, improved restrooms and roof repairs.

As for other big projects to watch out for, Kempf notes ongoing Phil Welch Stadium improvements, restroom renovations across the entire St. Joseph park system and more.

"Most of the current restrooms in the park system were built in the 50s," Kempf revealed. "Those have served a good purpose for a long time, but obviously anything constructed in the 50s is probably not ADA compliant and has probably outlived its useful life."

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628191116157.jpeg" alt="Stock photo." />
 <figcaption>Stock photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph City Council this week voted unanimously to approve the design and concept plan for the Krug Park renovation project.There's about $12 million available for this project after the passage of a half-cent parks sales tax in August 2021.Chuck Kempf, director of parks and recreation for the city of St. Joseph, says the next step is to advertise a request for design-build qualifications and get detailed drawings together before signing a contract with a design-build professional."There will be teams of contractors and design professionals who will bond together in some fashion," Kempf told St. Joseph Post. "That's up to them how they want to structure that. They'll make proposals that will basically tell us why we should select their team to proceed with the project."There's another $7 million available for park improvements made possible through the capital improvement projects sales tax, which was just renewed for another five years this past August.Kempf says the Krug Park improvement project is wide-ranging, including anything from the amphitheater, to water and sewage, playground equipment and restrooms."Anything from that to renovating the old bathrooms by the picnic area to creating a new playground and then historical preservation work," Kempf said, "which will involve stone work, brick work, the wood, the copula and some of the stuff around the children's circus and the castle area."The park improvements don’t end at Krug Park. Kempf says there’s about 40 active parks projects currently - many of them smaller, maintenance projects.But, one of the bigger triumphs lately has been Civic Arena. A newly renovated Civic has been the host of many high-profile events, especially in athletics.It just hosted a Division I women's basketball game between Mizzou and Kansas State this past Saturday. Kempf says people are really starting to see the value in the major upgrades at Civic."I think people are seeing the potential and the renovations we've done already, the floor, the new scoreboard, the new seating is getting a lot of love," Kempf said. "We're getting a lot of love about the seating."Kempf says more improvements are still in the works for Civic, including new HVAC units, improved restrooms and roof repairs.As for other big projects to watch out for, Kempf notes ongoing Phil Welch Stadium improvements, restroom renovations across the entire St. Joseph park system and more."Most of the current restrooms in the park system were built in the 50s," Kempf revealed. "Those have served a good purpose for a long time, but obviously anything constructed in the 50s is probably not ADA compliant and has probably outlived its useful life."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702496764040.jpeg" alt="Civic Arena hosted the Bill Snyder Classic between K-State and Mizzou women's basketball this past Saturday. The arena has undergone significant upgrades over the last year or so. Photo by Brent Martin." />
 <figcaption>Civic Arena hosted the Bill Snyder Classic between K-State and Mizzou women's basketball this past Saturday. The arena has undergone significant upgrades over the last year or so. Photo by Brent Martin.</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Krug Park, other major St. Joseph parks projects moving forward

Hog producers must prepare for increased scrutiny of their
herds for signs of salmonella.

Veterinarian Greg Cline with Boehringer Ingelheim reminds
producers the Food Safety Inspection Service will soon increase its salmonella
monitoring, likely at the beginning of the new year.

Cline says though new rules might be coming, old practices
remain the same.

“The things we’ve always known about reducing salmonella is the
good husbandry practices,” Cline tells KFEQ in an interview. “Good sanitation
between groups, rodent control. You know, we’ve been preaching that for a
hundred years and it’s still true.”

No hog producers should be alarmed about the new regulations,
though.

“I don’t know that I would consider them bad or ornery or
difficult,” Cline says. “Anytime we can protect and improve food safety in pork
it’s a good thing. Even though we wish it wasn’t the case, pork is still the
third most common cause of salmonella food borne illness in people.”

Perception is always important. Cline says America must
maintain its reputation for having a safe food supply. Cline points out
Boehringer Ingelheim has vaccines that can help.

Cline advises to simply be aware of the changes coming and
talk to your vet.

“Salmonella reduction on your facility is well worth doing,”
Cline says. “Salmonella’s a robber of performance. It’s a great idea to go
after reducing salmonella on your farm and in the future, it’s going to help
you and your pork going forward.”

Cline says any steps to reduce the risk of salmonella is
beneficial to the hog industry.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostHog producers must prepare for increased scrutiny of their
herds for signs of salmonella.Veterinarian Greg Cline with Boehringer Ingelheim reminds
producers the Food Safety Inspection Service will soon increase its salmonella
monitoring, likely at the beginning of the new year.Cline says though new rules might be coming, old practices
remain the same.“The things we’ve always known about reducing salmonella is the
good husbandry practices,” Cline tells KFEQ in an interview. “Good sanitation
between groups, rodent control. You know, we’ve been preaching that for a
hundred years and it’s still true.”No hog producers should be alarmed about the new regulations,
though.“I don’t know that I would consider them bad or ornery or
difficult,” Cline says. “Anytime we can protect and improve food safety in pork
it’s a good thing. Even though we wish it wasn’t the case, pork is still the
third most common cause of salmonella food borne illness in people.”Perception is always important. Cline says America must
maintain its reputation for having a safe food supply. Cline points out
Boehringer Ingelheim has vaccines that can help.Cline advises to simply be aware of the changes coming and
talk to your vet.“Salmonella reduction on your facility is well worth doing,”
Cline says. “Salmonella’s a robber of performance. It’s a great idea to go
after reducing salmonella on your farm and in the future, it’s going to help
you and your pork going forward.”Cline says any steps to reduce the risk of salmonella is
beneficial to the hog industry.

Boehringer Ingelheim warns about coming federal salmonella rules

RSV cases are on the rise and those are just the cases Mosaic
Life Care knows about.

Dr. Jamie Ball with Mosaic Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
says there likely would be more cases reported if more patients underwent a
swab. And, even then, Ball says there are a lot of viruses out there.

“RSV is kind of like the mean kid in high school,” Ball tells
reporters during a media event. “Everybody knows about RSV, but there are tons
of other viruses that do the exact same thing. So, just because I swab them for
RSV and they’re negative, there’s adenovirus, there’s rhinovirus, there’s
paraflu, there’s all these other viruses that do a lot of the exact same things
as RSV, it’s just RSV is the one everybody knows about.”

Mosaic reports its doctors treated 13 cases on the week of
November 19th. That rose to 25 the next week and 38 the week of
December 3rd.

Ball says the viruses seem to pack a punch.

“I feel like, in the last couple of years, we’ve seen strains
of it that have been stronger, they hit harder than what we’re used to or just
that, for a couple of years there we had COVID where everybody was locked away
and so we didn’t have it for a little while. Then everybody came back out and
resumed their normal lives and then we had these viruses again,” Ball says.

Ball advises a tried-and-true method to avoid RSV and other
viruses.

“A lot of it goes back to the good ole hygiene, hand hygiene, and
washing our hands and those things that mom and dad and grandparents tell us
since we’re little but then we tend to not do, just not washing our hands, not
doing those basic things to keep germs from spreading,” according to Ball.

Ball also says parents shouldn’t hesitate to keep their
children away from those, even relatives, who show signs of sickness, such as a
runny nose or persistent cough.

You can follow Brent on X (formerly Twitter) @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostRSV cases are on the rise and those are just the cases Mosaic
Life Care knows about.Dr. Jamie Ball with Mosaic Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
says there likely would be more cases reported if more patients underwent a
swab. And, even then, Ball says there are a lot of viruses out there.“RSV is kind of like the mean kid in high school,” Ball tells
reporters during a media event. “Everybody knows about RSV, but there are tons
of other viruses that do the exact same thing. So, just because I swab them for
RSV and they’re negative, there’s adenovirus, there’s rhinovirus, there’s
paraflu, there’s all these other viruses that do a lot of the exact same things
as RSV, it’s just RSV is the one everybody knows about.”Mosaic reports its doctors treated 13 cases on the week of
November 19th. That rose to 25 the next week and 38 the week of
December 3rd.Ball says the viruses seem to pack a punch.“I feel like, in the last couple of years, we’ve seen strains
of it that have been stronger, they hit harder than what we’re used to or just
that, for a couple of years there we had COVID where everybody was locked away
and so we didn’t have it for a little while. Then everybody came back out and
resumed their normal lives and then we had these viruses again,” Ball says.Ball advises a tried-and-true method to avoid RSV and other
viruses.“A lot of it goes back to the good ole hygiene, hand hygiene, and
washing our hands and those things that mom and dad and grandparents tell us
since we’re little but then we tend to not do, just not washing our hands, not
doing those basic things to keep germs from spreading,” according to Ball.Ball also says parents shouldn’t hesitate to keep their
children away from those, even relatives, who show signs of sickness, such as a
runny nose or persistent cough.You can follow Brent on X (formerly Twitter) @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Mosaic Life Care reports a rise in RSV cases

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a teen for an alleged arson fire.

Just after 2:30p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to the area of Reisner Park,  in the 700 block North 10th Street in Atchison to investigate a report that a restroom had been set on fire, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; Four people were seen fleeing the area. 

Officers located the four several blocks from the park. It was determined that a fire had been set in a porta potty causing minor damage. The Fire Department had responded to the park and extinguished the fire. 

Police determined 18-year-old Odessa L. Ellison of Atchison was one of the four persons&nbsp;at the park together and he was responsible for setting the fire.

Police arrested&nbsp; Ellison on requested charges of arson&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702477660417.png" alt="Ellison-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Ellison-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a teen for an alleged arson fire.Just after 2:30p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to the area of Reisner Park, in the 700 block North 10th Street in Atchison to investigate a report that a restroom had been set on fire, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; Four people were seen fleeing the area. Officers located the four several blocks from the park. It was determined that a fire had been set in a porta potty causing minor damage. The Fire Department had responded to the park and extinguished the fire. Police determined 18-year-old Odessa L. Ellison of Atchison was one of the four persons&nbsp;at the park together and he was responsible for setting the fire.Police arrested&nbsp; Ellison on requested charges of arson&nbsp;

Teen accused of setting fire in park bathroom

CLINTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Tuesday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Jeep Renegade driven by Payton W. Christiansen, 22, Liberty, was westbound on MO 116 at U.S. 169.

The driver made a left turn into the path of a northbound 2022 Honda Insight driven by Bryan A. Kretzinger, 45, Gower. The Honda struck the drivers side of the Jeep.

Tri-County EMS transported Kretzinger to Liberty Hospital. Christiansen was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Tuesday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Jeep Renegade driven by Payton W. Christiansen, 22, Liberty, was westbound on MO 116 at U.S. 169.The driver made a left turn into the path of a northbound 2022 Honda Insight driven by Bryan A. Kretzinger, 45, Gower. The Honda struck the drivers side of the Jeep.Tri-County EMS transported Kretzinger to Liberty Hospital. Christiansen was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man injured after 2-vehicle Clinton Co. crash

The inagural Bill Snyder Classic, a Division I women's basketball game between Mizzou and Kansas State played at St. Joseph's Civic Arena, came and went this past Saturday with a terrific reception.

Over 3,500 fans packed into a sold out Civic Arena to watch the Tigers and Wildcats do battle in the first known Division I game of any kind played in St. Joseph's city limits.

Brett Esely, director of the St. Joseph Sports Commission, says both the teams' and fans' experiences were an overall positive.

"Everything had to be perfect for this event," Esely told KFEQ Radio. "There was a lot that went into it. But, once the clock hit 0:00 at the end, I think the folks who were there, the teams, even though there's only one winner, I think it was a really, really good positive experience."

<a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/1d3ae8d3-526f-4c9e-b4a6-91700e3ea88f?utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=facebook">The game saw 13th-ranked Kansas State pull away from Mizzou in an 84-56 victory</a> for the Wildcats - head coached by former Missouri Western <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/e547b736-a825-4fcb-9e1a-c8703c2cca32">women's basketball coach Jeff Mittie</a>. Maryville native Serena Sundell scored 11 points in the win for K-State as well.

This game, which was a regular season matchup, felt like a major event in and of itself, and was named the Bill Snyder Classic.&nbsp;Coach Snyder, a St. Joseph native, was at the arena and honored on the court during Saturday's contest.

Esely says the whole event served as a key opportunity to make a strong impression for the fans, the city and the teams participating.

"You only get one shot to do it the first time," he said. "If we want this to be an annual, we had to knock the first time out of the park. I think fan experience is one thing, but the experience of the teams is another. By all accounts, even hearing what the coaches said on the record in the postgame press conference, we did that."

Esely went onto say that&nbsp;hosting the game was a huge point of pride for not only the city, but for the teams and all of the personnel who participated and helped run it.

"I think it's really neat that St. Joseph was able to serve as a backdrop and those teams were able to go about their business and I think they thought it was a big deal to come here," Esely said. "But, it's only a big deal if you make it a big deal."

"And I think everyone involved in the game, no matter what your role was, treated it that way and that showed to both travel parties."

Esely says he's confident that more Division I games in St. Joseph will be announced in the not-so-distant future. But until such time, he hopes the community can be proud of what it pulled off on Saturday.

"I think it's really cool to have the opportunity to do that here and we can never underestimate that opportunity we were able to provide our community on Saturday evening in downtown."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702417741068.jpeg" alt="Hall of Fame Kansas State football coach and St. Joseph native Bill Snyder (left) with director of the St. Joseph Sports Commission Brett Esely (right) during Saturday's Bill Snyder Classic between Kansas State and Mizzou women's basketball. Photo by Brent Martin." />
 <figcaption>Hall of Fame Kansas State football coach and St. Joseph native Bill Snyder (left) with director of the St. Joseph Sports Commission Brett Esely (right) during Saturday's Bill Snyder Classic between Kansas State and Mizzou women's basketball. Photo by Brent Martin.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe inagural Bill Snyder Classic, a Division I women's basketball game between Mizzou and Kansas State played at St. Joseph's Civic Arena, came and went this past Saturday with a terrific reception.Over 3,500 fans packed into a sold out Civic Arena to watch the Tigers and Wildcats do battle in the first known Division I game of any kind played in St. Joseph's city limits.Brett Esely, director of the St. Joseph Sports Commission, says both the teams' and fans' experiences were an overall positive."Everything had to be perfect for this event," Esely told KFEQ Radio. "There was a lot that went into it. But, once the clock hit 0:00 at the end, I think the folks who were there, the teams, even though there's only one winner, I think it was a really, really good positive experience."<a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/1d3ae8d3-526f-4c9e-b4a6-91700e3ea88f?utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=facebook">The game saw 13th-ranked Kansas State pull away from Mizzou in an 84-56 victory</a> for the Wildcats - head coached by former Missouri Western <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/e547b736-a825-4fcb-9e1a-c8703c2cca32">women's basketball coach Jeff Mittie</a>. Maryville native Serena Sundell scored 11 points in the win for K-State as well.This game, which was a regular season matchup, felt like a major event in and of itself, and was named the Bill Snyder Classic.&nbsp;Coach Snyder, a St. Joseph native, was at the arena and honored on the court during Saturday's contest.Esely says the whole event served as a key opportunity to make a strong impression for the fans, the city and the teams participating."You only get one shot to do it the first time," he said. "If we want this to be an annual, we had to knock the first time out of the park. I think fan experience is one thing, but the experience of the teams is another. By all accounts, even hearing what the coaches said on the record in the postgame press conference, we did that."Esely went onto say that&nbsp;hosting the game was a huge point of pride for not only the city, but for the teams and all of the personnel who participated and helped run it."I think it's really neat that St. Joseph was able to serve as a backdrop and those teams were able to go about their business and I think they thought it was a big deal to come here," Esely said. "But, it's only a big deal if you make it a big deal.""And I think everyone involved in the game, no matter what your role was, treated it that way and that showed to both travel parties."Esely says he's confident that more Division I games in St. Joseph will be announced in the not-so-distant future. But until such time, he hopes the community can be proud of what it pulled off on Saturday."I think it's really cool to have the opportunity to do that here and we can never underestimate that opportunity we were able to provide our community on Saturday evening in downtown."<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-sports/embed/episodes/Brett-Esely---121223-e2d4f0e" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702418244655.jpeg" alt="Photo by Brent Martin." />
 <figcaption>Photo by Brent Martin.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fstjoepost%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02Yw9MreVz7QkT2AaHP6PEnEfnfayWCV4tNe3MVfwnweSt37JvxnWpNZV9hGdPt86hl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="664" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Esely: inaugural Bill Snyder Classic at Civic Arena 'had to be perfect'

AFL-CIO Community Services is still looking for people to adopt families, but officials feel confident they will meet the need.  

With 880 families up for adoption this holiday in the Adopt a Family program, 365 have been adopted thus far.  

Executive Director Nichi Seckinger says this next week will be very telling for how things will go.  

"It's kind of funny, either we see a really significant uptick from here on out, where people really start getting involved because they've finished up with their own Christmas shopping and their deciding to hop in and help," Seckinger tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "Or, we see unfortunately a real drop, because the help that we're getting has been here." 

Seckinger says with 50 more families adopted this year than at this point last year, there's optimism at the agency.  

"We're seeing more folks come in and be interested in adopting, we may not have them adopting as many families, but we are seeing more adopters," Seckinger explains. "And we're seeing more people drop off items for the gift room, so that's always a good thing." 

Seckinger says donations to the gift room are just as valuable as people coming in and adopting an entire family.  

Seckinger says the program is set up in a way that people can help however they can.  

"You can buy one toy, and it goes further than you can imagine to help us complete this program," Seckinger says. 

Seckinger says whether it's a new toy, or maybe one that was bought, and you planned to take it back to the store.  

"We will take it in the gift room, because I guarantee you there is somebody in our 880 families that are going to be more than happy to have that item under their tree," Seckinger points out. 

Toys for the gift room can be brought to the AFL-CIO Community Services offices right up until Christmas.  Families can be adopted online or by visiting the offices as well. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post AFL-CIO Community Services is still looking for people to adopt families, but officials feel confident they will meet the need. With 880 families up for adoption this holiday in the Adopt a Family program, 365 have been adopted thus far. Executive Director Nichi Seckinger says this next week will be very telling for how things will go. "It's kind of funny, either we see a really significant uptick from here on out, where people really start getting involved because they've finished up with their own Christmas shopping and their deciding to hop in and help," Seckinger tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "Or, we see unfortunately a real drop, because the help that we're getting has been here." Seckinger says with 50 more families adopted this year than at this point last year, there's optimism at the agency. "We're seeing more folks come in and be interested in adopting, we may not have them adopting as many families, but we are seeing more adopters," Seckinger explains. "And we're seeing more people drop off items for the gift room, so that's always a good thing." Seckinger says donations to the gift room are just as valuable as people coming in and adopting an entire family. Seckinger says the program is set up in a way that people can help however they can. "You can buy one toy, and it goes further than you can imagine to help us complete this program," Seckinger says. Seckinger says whether it's a new toy, or maybe one that was bought, and you planned to take it back to the store. "We will take it in the gift room, because I guarantee you there is somebody in our 880 families that are going to be more than happy to have that item under their tree," Seckinger points out. Toys for the gift room can be brought to the AFL-CIO Community Services offices right up until Christmas. Families can be adopted online or by visiting the offices as well.

Adopt a Family program still needs adopters as Christmas draws near

St. Joseph police are looking for two suspects in the
shooting and wounding of a young man. 

Police report 23-year-old man Jacob Gann showed up at the Mosaic Life
Care Emergency Room around 12:30 Tuesday morning, suffering from a
non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his shoulder. Gann told police the shooting took place
at 14th and Penn.

When detectives and the SWAT team arrived at 1401 Penn Street,
they discovered evidence of a shooting outside and received a warrant to search the residence.

No one has been arrested in the shooting, but police are trying to find two suspects.

If you have any information that might lead to an arrest, call
the tips hotline at 816-238-TIPS or online at <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/community/index.htm">P3TIPS.com</a>.

This story has been updated with a correction on the last name.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph police are looking for two suspects in the
shooting and wounding of a young man. Police report 23-year-old man Jacob Gann showed up at the Mosaic Life
Care Emergency Room around 12:30 Tuesday morning, suffering from a
non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his shoulder. Gann told police the shooting took place
at 14th and Penn.When detectives and the SWAT team arrived at 1401 Penn Street,
they discovered evidence of a shooting outside and received a warrant to search the residence.No one has been arrested in the shooting, but police are trying to find two suspects.The investigation continues.If you have any information that might lead to an arrest, call
the tips hotline at 816-238-TIPS or online at <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/community/index.htm">P3TIPS.com</a>.This story has been updated with a correction on the last name.

St. Joseph police looking for two suspects in shooting (UPDATED)

Tips have helped the St. Joseph Police Department as well as
the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department solve crime, but those tips have fallen
off sharply.

St. Joseph Police Officer Gregg Lewis, president of the Greater
St. Joseph Crimestoppers Board says it appears some residents believe they are
providing tips by logging on to various crime social media pages, but that
isn’t the case.

“All the tips you give through the TIPS Hotline are anonymous.
If you’re putting this information out on the crime pages, it’s not anonymous
for the most part. Your name’s attached to it somewhere,” Lewis tells reporters
after a board meeting. “So, people know that you’re putting the information out
there. If you use the TIPS Hotline, it’s an anonymous tip that we get. &nbsp;We have no way to know who’s giving that
information.” 

Lewis says while the hotline used to receive more than 600
calls a year, it now receives around half that.

Also, there is an incentive to call or log on to the TIPS
Hotline.

“Rewards are offered, up to $1,000,” Lewis says. “We’re happy
to pay the rewards. We don’t pay a whole lot of rewards anymore. We used to pay
a lot more rewards, also. And just because the numbers are down with the calls
coming in, the rewards are down also. Not that we don’t want to pay it, it’s
just that people aren’t requesting the rewards.”

Lewis says the Greater St. Joseph Crimestoppers Board wants to
raise awareness about the TIP Hotline.

“Raise awareness that it’s still there,” Lewis says. “It’s
still a vital piece of the police department and law enforcement is using this
TIPS Hotline.”

You can leave tips by calling 816-238-TIPS or online at
P3TIPS.com or by downloading the
P3 TIPS app on your phone.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702405275925.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostTips have helped the St. Joseph Police Department as well as
the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department solve crime, but those tips have fallen
off sharply.St. Joseph Police Officer Gregg Lewis, president of the Greater
St. Joseph Crimestoppers Board says it appears some residents believe they are
providing tips by logging on to various crime social media pages, but that
isn’t the case.“All the tips you give through the TIPS Hotline are anonymous.
If you’re putting this information out on the crime pages, it’s not anonymous
for the most part. Your name’s attached to it somewhere,” Lewis tells reporters
after a board meeting. “So, people know that you’re putting the information out
there. If you use the TIPS Hotline, it’s an anonymous tip that we get. &nbsp;We have no way to know who’s giving that
information.” Lewis says while the hotline used to receive more than 600
calls a year, it now receives around half that.Also, there is an incentive to call or log on to the TIPS
Hotline.“Rewards are offered, up to $1,000,” Lewis says. “We’re happy
to pay the rewards. We don’t pay a whole lot of rewards anymore. We used to pay
a lot more rewards, also. And just because the numbers are down with the calls
coming in, the rewards are down also. Not that we don’t want to pay it, it’s
just that people aren’t requesting the rewards.”Lewis says the Greater St. Joseph Crimestoppers Board wants to
raise awareness about the TIP Hotline.“Raise awareness that it’s still there,” Lewis says. “It’s
still a vital piece of the police department and law enforcement is using this
TIPS Hotline.”You can leave tips by calling 816-238-TIPS or online at
P3TIPS.com or by downloading the
P3 TIPS app on your phone.

Calls to St. Joseph crime TIPS Hotline have fallen off dramatically

Sixteen
finalists have been announced for this year’s Cotillion for Achievement.

They
are Lenora Brumm of Mid Buchanan High School, Teddi Dixon of
East Buchanan High School, Allison Gentry of Central High School, Ryanna
Hatfield of North Andrew High School, Lola Hofmann of East Buchanan High School,
Riley Langner of Benton High School, and Carter Shreve of East Buchanan High
School, and Payton Rodgers of Savannah High School.

Walker Cave of Lafayette High School,
Jonathan Eckstein of Bishop LeBlond High School, Owen Estes of Lafayette High
School, Anthony Johnson of Central High School, Elliot McCoy of Benton High School,
Gavin Rhode of East Buchanan High School, Judson Smith of St. Joseph Christian
High School, and Michael Tang of Central High School.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702393646056.jpeg" alt="Seated from left: Lenora Brumm of Mid Buchanan High School, Teddi Dixon of East Buchanan High School, Allison Gentry of Central High School, Ryanna Hatfield of North Andrew High School, Lola Hofmann of East Buchanan High School, Riley Langner of Benton High School, and Carter Shreve of East Buchanan High School. Standing from left: Walker Cave of Lafayette High School, Jonathan Eckstein of Bishop LeBlond High School, Owen Estes of Lafayette High School, Anthony Johnson of Central High School, Elliot McCoy of Benton High School, Gavin Rhode of East Buchanan High School, Judson Smith of St. Joseph Christian High School, and Michael Tang of Central High School. Not pictured:&nbsp; Payton Rodgers of Savannah High School." />
 <figcaption>Seated from left: Lenora Brumm of Mid Buchanan High School, Teddi Dixon of East Buchanan High School, Allison Gentry of Central High School, Ryanna Hatfield of North Andrew High School, Lola Hofmann of East Buchanan High School, Riley Langner of Benton High School, and Carter Shreve of East Buchanan High School. Standing from left: Walker Cave of Lafayette High School, Jonathan Eckstein of Bishop LeBlond High School, Owen Estes of Lafayette High School, Anthony Johnson of Central High School, Elliot McCoy of Benton High School, Gavin Rhode of East Buchanan High School, Judson Smith of St. Joseph Christian High School, and Michael Tang of Central High School. Not pictured:&nbsp; Payton Rodgers of Savannah High School.</figcaption>
 </figure>St. Joseph PostSixteen
finalists have been announced for this year’s Cotillion for Achievement.They
are Lenora Brumm of Mid Buchanan High School, Teddi Dixon of
East Buchanan High School, Allison Gentry of Central High School, Ryanna
Hatfield of North Andrew High School, Lola Hofmann of East Buchanan High School,
Riley Langner of Benton High School, and Carter Shreve of East Buchanan High
School, and Payton Rodgers of Savannah High School.Walker Cave of Lafayette High School,
Jonathan Eckstein of Bishop LeBlond High School, Owen Estes of Lafayette High
School, Anthony Johnson of Central High School, Elliot McCoy of Benton High School,
Gavin Rhode of East Buchanan High School, Judson Smith of St. Joseph Christian
High School, and Michael Tang of Central High School.

Finalists chosen for this year's Cotillion for Achievement

NODAWAY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 9:30p.m. Monday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported Andrew County Sheriff's Deputies were in pursuit of a 2008 GMC Envoy driven by Michael D. Riley, 43, Lee's Summit, was northbound on U.S. 71 two miles north of Midway.&nbsp;

The SUV traveled off the east side of the road, struck a fence, a utility pole and overturned.

Nodaway County EMS transported Riley to Mosaic Life Care. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.&nbsp; The patrol did not release details on what prompted the chase.

NODAWAY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 9:30p.m. Monday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported Andrew County Sheriff's Deputies were in pursuit of a 2008 GMC Envoy driven by Michael D. Riley, 43, Lee's Summit, was northbound on U.S. 71 two miles north of Midway.&nbsp;The SUV traveled off the east side of the road, struck a fence, a utility pole and overturned.Nodaway County EMS transported Riley to Mosaic Life Care. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.&nbsp; The patrol did not release details on what prompted the chase.

Missouri man injured after SUV overturns during chase

ANDREW COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 9a.m. Monday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Dodge Ram driven by Joseph G. Montgomery,80, Oregon, was northbound on Business 71 just north of Savannah.

The driver swerved to avoid a collision with a stopped vehicle. The pickup traveled off the north side of the road and struck a dich.

Andrew County EMS transported Montgomery to Mosaic Life Care. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

ANDREW COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 9a.m. Monday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Dodge Ram driven by Joseph G. Montgomery,80, Oregon, was northbound on Business 71 just north of Savannah.The driver swerved to avoid a collision with a stopped vehicle. The pickup traveled off the north side of the road and struck a dich.Andrew County EMS transported Montgomery to Mosaic Life Care. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Mo. man injured after pickup swerves, strikes ditch

The house minority leader said she supports putting the most expansive abortion access amendment possible on the 2024 ballot

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

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade believes abortion can win on the ballot in Missouri. And Planned Parenthood, which announced its endorsement of the Springfield Democrat’s campaign for governor on Monday, believes Quade can win, too.

Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes is endorsing<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/democratic-legislative-leaders-launches-campaign-for-missouri-governor/">&nbsp;Quade, who announced a campaign for governor in July</a>. In a state where nearly all abortions have been illegal since Roe v. Wade was overturned, two rival coalitions are working to put the issue on the statewide ballot — placing the debate front and center heading into the 2024 campaign.

“This really is a crisis, and, regardless of political affiliation, Missourians are feeling that,” Quade said.

One other Democrat, Mike Hamra Springfield, the CEO of Hamra Enterprises,&nbsp;joined the gubernatorial race in October. The&nbsp;Republican field includes&nbsp;Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft,&nbsp;Lt. Gov. Mike&nbsp;Kehoe, state Sen. Bill Eigel and Army veteran and businessman Chris Wright.&nbsp;

“There are some pretty scary candidates out there for us,” said Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, whose coverage includes the Kansas City metro. “It’s not lost on us that we have candidates actively trying to undermine the democratic process and focused for years on keeping Planned Parenthood out of public programs like Medicaid, and so Crystal’s going to be in that fight on behalf of the patients and Missourians who need access to care.”

From the start, Quade has campaigned on restoring abortion rights.&nbsp;

Wales said she grew up in Missouri and remembers when, not too long ago, the state had more bipartisan leadership. She believes Quade, as governor, would send a message to lawmakers that Missourians overwhelmingly want better access to reproductive health care, including abortion.&nbsp;

Missouri was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/06/24/abortion-is-now-illegal-in-missouri-in-wake-of-u-s-supreme-court-ruling/">the first state to enact its trigger law&nbsp;</a>after Roe fell, only permitting abortions in medical emergencies.

Quade said since then, her constituents in southwest Missouri – where it used to be suggested that she not broach the topic of abortion – have been increasingly concerned about government overreach, regardless of political affiliation.

Last election cycle, after the abortion decision, she knocked on the door of a 67-year-old white Republican who said while he opposed abortion, Missouri had gone too far.

“He just went off on how this is an attack on freedoms, talking about rape and incest victims, talking about how government has no business doing this,” Quade said. “I really do think Missourians as a whole are the type of people who don’t like government meddling in their business.”

Quade said in the past year she has also heard from Missouri women who were sent home from the doctor’s office while miscarrying because they were not in enough danger yet to qualify for an abortion. She increasingly gets news of doctors leaving the state, she said, making maternal health care access even more scarce in some rural areas.

“When the Republicans who wanted to pass these extreme bills wanted the rights to go to the states, I don’t know that they recognized what the citizens of the states were actually going to do,” she said of those speaking out against the abortion ban.

‘Let folks have access to care’&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.slu.edu/research/research-institute/big-ideas/slu-poll/data-archive/august-2022-poll/slu-poll-august-2022-crosstabs.pdf">Polling completed by St. Louis University&nbsp;</a>in the months after abortion became illegal showed Missouri voters could be supportive of loosening the state’s&nbsp; ban.&nbsp;

Now, two groups are attempting to push forward initiative petition campaigns that could put abortion on the ballot in Missouri next year.&nbsp;

One campaign, launched by Republican Jamie Corley, would make abortion legal up to&nbsp; 12 weeks of pregnancy and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/27/missouri-rape-hotline-reporting-requirement-in-abortion-rights-petition-draws-criticism/">add exemptions for victims of rape and incest.&nbsp;</a>

A separate coalition, called Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, filed eleven other initiative petitions that include varying abortion restrictions, ranging from 24 weeks gestation to “fetal viability.”

But the process to start gathering signatures was held up for both coalitions. The initiative petitions from both have been<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/17/jay-ashcroft-to-appeal-abortion-ballot-summary-ruling-to-missouri-supreme-court/">&nbsp;in litigation with Ashcroft&nbsp;</a>after he submitted ballot summary language the courts deemed inaccurate and partisan.&nbsp;

“The patient’s served by Planned Parenthood are right in the crosshairs,” Wales said of her organization’s reasoning for supporting Quade. “What an opportunity to have a partner sitting in the governor’s office who wants to work with us to better their lives and not attack them.”

Meanwhile, Quade said she soon plans to file legislation seeking to put the most expansive version of the 11 initiative petitions filed by Missourians for Constitutional Freedom on the 2024 ballot. The language would give voters the option of taking down Missouri’s abortion ban with no gestational limits, and it would protect patients and medical providers from prosecution.

Quade knows passing her proposal&nbsp; through the Republican-dominated legislature is unlikely, but said she wants to keep the discussion alive in the upcoming legislative session.

If Missourians for Constitutional Freedom decides to move forward with a more restrictive initiative petition, Quade said she would still support its campaign.&nbsp;

As for Corley, Quade said she understands the desire for a more moderate version, but she is confident a more expansive version would pass “overwhelmingly.” Quade said she would not comment on whether she would support Corley’s initiative until after the ballot language was done being litigated.

“If we are going to put something to the vote of the people, I would like it to be just the basics: Let folks have access to care, and we don’t need to get into the nitty gritty of how many weeks that is and what that language looks like.” she said. “Let’s trust the doctors to do their jobs.”

Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes also endorsed Democrat&nbsp;Nicole Galloway for governor in 2020. She was defeated by nearly 17 percentage points by incumbent Republican Gov. Mike Parson, who can’t run again because of term limits.

Quade is also backed by the Missouri Women’s Leadership Coalition, the National Women’s Political Caucus, the Missouri Chapter of the Sierra Club and several labor groups, including the Missouri-Kansas-Nebraska Conference of Teamsters, Missouri AFL-CIO.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702301437196.png" alt=" Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes endorsed House Minority Leader Crystal Quade's 2024 campaign for Missouri governor (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption> Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes endorsed House Minority Leader Crystal Quade's 2024 campaign for Missouri governor (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The house minority leader said she supports putting the most expansive abortion access amendment possible on the 2024 ballot</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>House Minority Leader Crystal Quade believes abortion can win on the ballot in Missouri. And Planned Parenthood, which announced its endorsement of the Springfield Democrat’s campaign for governor on Monday, believes Quade can win, too.Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes is endorsing<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/democratic-legislative-leaders-launches-campaign-for-missouri-governor/">&nbsp;Quade, who announced a campaign for governor in July</a>. In a state where nearly all abortions have been illegal since Roe v. Wade was overturned, two rival coalitions are working to put the issue on the statewide ballot — placing the debate front and center heading into the 2024 campaign.“This really is a crisis, and, regardless of political affiliation, Missourians are feeling that,” Quade said.One other Democrat, Mike Hamra Springfield, the CEO of Hamra Enterprises,&nbsp;joined the gubernatorial race in October. The&nbsp;Republican field includes&nbsp;Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft,&nbsp;Lt. Gov. Mike&nbsp;Kehoe, state Sen. Bill Eigel and Army veteran and businessman Chris Wright.&nbsp;“There are some pretty scary candidates out there for us,” said Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, whose coverage includes the Kansas City metro. “It’s not lost on us that we have candidates actively trying to undermine the democratic process and focused for years on keeping Planned Parenthood out of public programs like Medicaid, and so Crystal’s going to be in that fight on behalf of the patients and Missourians who need access to care.”From the start, Quade has campaigned on restoring abortion rights.&nbsp;Wales said she grew up in Missouri and remembers when, not too long ago, the state had more bipartisan leadership. She believes Quade, as governor, would send a message to lawmakers that Missourians overwhelmingly want better access to reproductive health care, including abortion.&nbsp;<h2>Campaigning on abortion access</h2>Missouri was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/06/24/abortion-is-now-illegal-in-missouri-in-wake-of-u-s-supreme-court-ruling/">the first state to enact its trigger law&nbsp;</a>after Roe fell, only permitting abortions in medical emergencies.Quade said since then, her constituents in southwest Missouri – where it used to be suggested that she not broach the topic of abortion – have been increasingly concerned about government overreach, regardless of political affiliation.She gives one such example often.Last election cycle, after the abortion decision, she knocked on the door of a 67-year-old white Republican who said while he opposed abortion, Missouri had gone too far.“He just went off on how this is an attack on freedoms, talking about rape and incest victims, talking about how government has no business doing this,” Quade said. “I really do think Missourians as a whole are the type of people who don’t like government meddling in their business.”Quade said in the past year she has also heard from Missouri women who were sent home from the doctor’s office while miscarrying because they were not in enough danger yet to qualify for an abortion. She increasingly gets news of doctors leaving the state, she said, making maternal health care access even more scarce in some rural areas.“When the Republicans who wanted to pass these extreme bills wanted the rights to go to the states, I don’t know that they recognized what the citizens of the states were actually going to do,” she said of those speaking out against the abortion ban.<h2>‘Let folks have access to care’&nbsp;</h2><a target="_blank" href="https://www.slu.edu/research/research-institute/big-ideas/slu-poll/data-archive/august-2022-poll/slu-poll-august-2022-crosstabs.pdf">Polling completed by St. Louis University&nbsp;</a>in the months after abortion became illegal showed Missouri voters could be supportive of loosening the state’s&nbsp; ban.&nbsp;Now, two groups are attempting to push forward initiative petition campaigns that could put abortion on the ballot in Missouri next year.&nbsp;One campaign, launched by Republican Jamie Corley, would make abortion legal up to&nbsp; 12 weeks of pregnancy and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/27/missouri-rape-hotline-reporting-requirement-in-abortion-rights-petition-draws-criticism/">add exemptions for victims of rape and incest.&nbsp;</a>A separate coalition, called Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, filed eleven other initiative petitions that include varying abortion restrictions, ranging from 24 weeks gestation to “fetal viability.”But the process to start gathering signatures was held up for both coalitions. The initiative petitions from both have been<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/17/jay-ashcroft-to-appeal-abortion-ballot-summary-ruling-to-missouri-supreme-court/">&nbsp;in litigation with Ashcroft&nbsp;</a>after he submitted ballot summary language the courts deemed inaccurate and partisan.&nbsp;“The patient’s served by Planned Parenthood are right in the crosshairs,” Wales said of her organization’s reasoning for supporting Quade. “What an opportunity to have a partner sitting in the governor’s office who wants to work with us to better their lives and not attack them.”Meanwhile, Quade said she soon plans to file legislation seeking to put the most expansive version of the 11 initiative petitions filed by Missourians for Constitutional Freedom on the 2024 ballot. The language would give voters the option of taking down Missouri’s abortion ban with no gestational limits, and it would protect patients and medical providers from prosecution.Quade knows passing her proposal&nbsp; through the Republican-dominated legislature is unlikely, but said she wants to keep the discussion alive in the upcoming legislative session.If Missourians for Constitutional Freedom decides to move forward with a more restrictive initiative petition, Quade said she would still support its campaign.&nbsp;As for Corley, Quade said she understands the desire for a more moderate version, but she is confident a more expansive version would pass “overwhelmingly.” Quade said she would not comment on whether she would support Corley’s initiative until after the ballot language was done being litigated.“If we are going to put something to the vote of the people, I would like it to be just the basics: Let folks have access to care, and we don’t need to get into the nitty gritty of how many weeks that is and what that language looks like.” she said. “Let’s trust the doctors to do their jobs.”Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes also endorsed Democrat&nbsp;Nicole Galloway for governor in 2020. She was defeated by nearly 17 percentage points by incumbent Republican Gov. Mike Parson, who can’t run again because of term limits.Quade is also backed by the Missouri Women’s Leadership Coalition, the National Women’s Political Caucus, the Missouri Chapter of the Sierra Club and several labor groups, including the Missouri-Kansas-Nebraska Conference of Teamsters, Missouri AFL-CIO.

Planned Parenthood backs Crystal Quade with abortion a focus of Mo. governor race

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

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Chevy Malibu driven by Sadie A. Enloe, 23, Cameron, Cameron, was westbound on MO 6 two miles east of Gallatin.&nbsp;

The Chevy struck a 2015 Toyota Tacoma driven by Randy M. Johnson, 74, Gallatin, who was stopped at the intersection of MO 13 and MO 6 and failed to yield when turning right onto MO 6.

Daviess County EMS transported Enloe to Cameron Regional Medical Center. Johnson was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

DAVIESS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8:30a.m. Monday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Chevy Malibu driven by Sadie A. Enloe, 23, Cameron, Cameron, was westbound on MO 6 two miles east of Gallatin.&nbsp;The Chevy struck a 2015 Toyota Tacoma driven by Randy M. Johnson, 74, Gallatin, who was stopped at the intersection of MO 13 and MO 6 and failed to yield when turning right onto MO 6.Daviess County EMS transported Enloe to Cameron Regional Medical Center. Johnson was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Mo. woman injured in 2-vehicle Daviess Co. crash

The St. Joseph City Council is evaluating building a new indoor and outdoor sports megaplex to help bring a variety of new sports opportunities to the city.  

Mayor John Josendale says the new facility would be a great asset for the community. 

"We would use it, we being the city, would use it during the week and it would be very positive," Josendale tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "Right now, we hear a lot of feedback where kids are having to practice very late into the evening because we just don't have enough facilities for it." 

Josendale says the council is also looking at the possibility of making it a public private facility where tournaments could come on weekends to utilize the facility.  

A feasibility study has been conducted and the city recently held a work session to discuss the project which is estimated to cost between $90 and $120 million.  

Josendale says he's aware that is a large cost, but Josendale adds when you look at how it will benefit the city it makes sense.  

"Bring tourism, bring people to St. Joe, we have a lot of people in St. Joe now that are on traveling teams and go to Kansas City to practice or to Omaha," Josendale explains. "The number of families that you hear that travel out of town on weekends, and this can allow them to stay home and do some of these activities." 

Josendale says it will also give the opportunity to open up athletics to more people and allow participation in sports throughout the week.  

Josendale says the outdoor aspect of the facility would be multipurpose fields.  

"It's where you can use the field for, whether it be baseball, softball, soccer, and you can use it for lacrosse, another sport that's coming on," Josendale says. "It gives you the opportunity, and these are artificial turf so that you don't have the weather effect on a lot of these fields, it gives us the ability to use them more and keep kids active." 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The St. Joseph City Council is evaluating building a new indoor and outdoor sports megaplex to help bring a variety of new sports opportunities to the city. Mayor John Josendale says the new facility would be a great asset for the community. "We would use it, we being the city, would use it during the week and it would be very positive," Josendale tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "Right now, we hear a lot of feedback where kids are having to practice very late into the evening because we just don't have enough facilities for it." Josendale says the council is also looking at the possibility of making it a public private facility where tournaments could come on weekends to utilize the facility. A feasibility study has been conducted and the city recently held a work session to discuss the project which is estimated to cost between $90 and $120 million. Josendale says he's aware that is a large cost, but Josendale adds when you look at how it will benefit the city it makes sense. "Bring tourism, bring people to St. Joe, we have a lot of people in St. Joe now that are on traveling teams and go to Kansas City to practice or to Omaha," Josendale explains. "The number of families that you hear that travel out of town on weekends, and this can allow them to stay home and do some of these activities." Josendale says it will also give the opportunity to open up athletics to more people and allow participation in sports throughout the week. Josendale says the outdoor aspect of the facility would be multipurpose fields. "It's where you can use the field for, whether it be baseball, softball, soccer, and you can use it for lacrosse, another sport that's coming on," Josendale says. "It gives you the opportunity, and these are artificial turf so that you don't have the weather effect on a lot of these fields, it gives us the ability to use them more and keep kids active."

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