One young man is dead, another is in custody after a shooting in the back lot of the Speedy's Convenience Store off South Riverside Road in St. Joseph.

St. Joseph police say a black male in his 30s was shot dead in the parking lot of the Speedy's located at 1310 South Riverside Road. Police arrested a white male in his 20s, who is in custody.

According to police, the two got into a disturbance while driving on U.S. 36 Highway. It continued as the two drove their cars off the highway onto Riverside and into the convenience store parking lot shortly after four o'clock Friday afternoon. It appears only one of the individuals fired shots. Both had a single passenger in their vehicles. The passengers were not harmed, according to police.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostOne young man is dead, another is in custody after a shooting in the back lot of the Speedy's Convenience Store off South Riverside Road in St. Joseph.St. Joseph police say a black male in his 30s was shot dead in the parking lot of the Speedy's located at 1310 South Riverside Road. Police arrested a white male in his 20s, who is in custody.According to police, the two got into a disturbance while driving on U.S. 36 Highway. It continued as the two drove their cars off the highway onto Riverside and into the convenience store parking lot shortly after four o'clock Friday afternoon. It appears only one of the individuals fired shots. Both had a single passenger in their vehicles. The passengers were not harmed, according to police.The investigation continues.

One dead, one arrested in St. Joseph shooting

The last time Jeff Mittie was the head coach in a college basketball game played in St. Joseph, Missouri, it was March 4, 1995. Some 10,506 days ago.

The Missouri Western women’s basketball team hosted Washburn for the MIAA tournament championship. The Griffons beat the Ichabods, 76-62.

After leading MWSU to a third place finish in the NCAA tournament that year, Mittie was the head coach at Division I Arkansas State by the following season.

He went to TCU in 1999 and since 2014, Mittie has been the head coach of Kansas State women's basketball.

Nearly 29 years after that MIAA championship run with the Griffons, Mittie returns to the sideline in St. Joseph - to Civic Arena, where his 13th-ranked and 8-1 Wildcats will play 7-3 Mizzou in a regular season, non-conference matchup on Saturday.

Mittie, a Blue Springs native, looks forward to this homecoming of sorts.

"It's definitely unique," Mittie told KFEQ Radio. "Yeah, excited to be a part of it. Been a long time since I coached a game in St. Joe. That'll be fun. We'll get to see some friends, family, ex-players, all of the above."

Mittie was Missouri Western’s head women’s basketball coach from 1992-95. He amassed 76 wins, two MIAA regular season titles, an MIAA tournament title and two NCAA Elite Eight appearances.

Mittie was inducted into the Missouri Western Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011 and he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University in 2016. Mittie got his undergrad degree from MWSU in 1989.

"It's always kind of cool to go back to where you went to school," Mittie remarked. "I think my players will probably be tired of me telling them, 'Hey, I used to do this. Hey, over here is this.' They may not even know. Shoot, they're so young, they may not be paying attention."

"But, I'll be excited to get back and see some familiar faces I haven't seen in awhile."

This game between K-State and Mizzou was announced back in May, and was dubbed as the inaugural “Bill Snyder Classic.”

It’s the brainchild of Brett Esely - director of the St. Joseph Sports Commission and former MWSU associate A.D. from 2007-2021.

Mittie says the connection with Esely made scheduling this game that much better.

"We've known Brett for a long time through the Missouri Western connection," he said. "Having said that, it still has to be the right fit, the right game, the right time. Everything kind of came together and it was."

The game is set for Saturday at 5 p.m. There’s a lot Mittie is looking forward to this weekend.

A chance for his Wildcats to play Mizzou for the first time in six years. A chance to see old friends and former players. A trip down memory lane.

Also, the chance to see <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/ac66de1b-f3d1-4fdd-a59e-8bb444e95a97">a revamped Civic Arena</a>, which got a much needed facelift over the last year or so - specifically to draw events like this.

"I have not been in the revamped convention center, so I'm kind of excited to see what they did with that and how that looks as well."

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702065082411.jpeg" alt="Jeff Mittie's first year at Missouri Western was 1992-93. This is a photo of that team from that year's MWSU yearbook." />
 <figcaption>Jeff Mittie's first year at Missouri Western was 1992-93. This is a photo of that team from that year's MWSU yearbook.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe last time Jeff Mittie was the head coach in a college basketball game played in St. Joseph, Missouri, it was March 4, 1995. Some 10,506 days ago.The Missouri Western women’s basketball team hosted Washburn for the MIAA tournament championship. The Griffons beat the Ichabods, 76-62.After leading MWSU to a third place finish in the NCAA tournament that year, Mittie was the head coach at Division I Arkansas State by the following season.He went to TCU in 1999 and since 2014, Mittie has been the head coach of Kansas State women's basketball.Nearly 29 years after that MIAA championship run with the Griffons, Mittie returns to the sideline in St. Joseph - to Civic Arena, where his 13th-ranked and 8-1 Wildcats will play 7-3 Mizzou in a regular season, non-conference matchup on Saturday.Mittie, a Blue Springs native, looks forward to this homecoming of sorts."It's definitely unique," Mittie told KFEQ Radio. "Yeah, excited to be a part of it. Been a long time since I coached a game in St. Joe. That'll be fun. We'll get to see some friends, family, ex-players, all of the above."Mittie was Missouri Western’s head women’s basketball coach from 1992-95. He amassed 76 wins, two MIAA regular season titles, an MIAA tournament title and two NCAA Elite Eight appearances.Mittie was inducted into the Missouri Western Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011 and he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University in 2016. Mittie got his undergrad degree from MWSU in 1989."It's always kind of cool to go back to where you went to school," Mittie remarked. "I think my players will probably be tired of me telling them, 'Hey, I used to do this. Hey, over here is this.' They may not even know. Shoot, they're so young, they may not be paying attention.""But, I'll be excited to get back and see some familiar faces I haven't seen in awhile."This game between K-State and Mizzou was announced back in May, and was dubbed as the inaugural “Bill Snyder Classic.”It’s the brainchild of Brett Esely - director of the St. Joseph Sports Commission and former MWSU associate A.D. from 2007-2021.Mittie says the connection with Esely made scheduling this game that much better."We've known Brett for a long time through the Missouri Western connection," he said. "Having said that, it still has to be the right fit, the right game, the right time. Everything kind of came together and it was."The game is set for Saturday at 5 p.m. There’s a lot Mittie is looking forward to this weekend.A chance for his Wildcats to play Mizzou for the first time in six years. A chance to see old friends and former players. A trip down memory lane. Also, the chance to see <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/ac66de1b-f3d1-4fdd-a59e-8bb444e95a97">a revamped Civic Arena</a>, which got a much needed facelift over the last year or so - specifically to draw events like this."I have not been in the revamped convention center, so I'm kind of excited to see what they did with that and how that looks as well."<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-sports/embed/episodes/Jeff-Mittie---Kansas-State-WBB-coach-e2ctlq2/a-aan4h90" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702065148753.jpeg" alt="Jeff Mittie's 1994-95 Elite Eight team that finished third in the nation was inducted into the Missouri Western Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014." />
 <figcaption>Jeff Mittie's 1994-95 Elite Eight team that finished third in the nation was inducted into the Missouri Western Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702065224232.jpeg" alt="Jeff Mittie picked up his 600th career win as a head coach last November after a season-opening win against Central Arkansas. Courtesy photo via K-State athletics." />
 <figcaption>Jeff Mittie picked up his 600th career win as a head coach last November after a season-opening win against Central Arkansas. Courtesy photo via K-State athletics.</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Mittie excited for his return to St. Joseph as K-State WBB faces Mizzou at Civic

St. Joseph looks to get a piece of the 2026 FIFA
World Cup.

Kansas City Area Development Council President,
Tim Cowden, says the World Cup is not just the biggest sporting event in the
world, it is the biggest event, period.

Cowden does believe St. Joseph will benefit from
Kansas City hosting some of the World Cup games in 2026 at Arrowhead Stadium.

“There’s a lot that’s happening right now with
the planning of the World Cup,” Cowden says. “It’s to be engaged and to listen
at this point and to be creative.”

Kansas City is one of 16 North American cities
hosting World Cup games. The World Cup will bring soccer fans from throughout
the world to the United States, creating as much as $620 million of economic
activity to host cities.

Cowden says St. Joseph needs to welcome those
traveling to the United States to watch their team.

“There will be thousands of people from around
the world that will come to the Kansas City region,” according to Cowden. “I
would be thinking of this now. How can you position St. Joe to be attractive to
all these people from far flung places around the world that will want not just
to explore Kansas City, but the region around it.”

“St. Joseph has a wonderful history and tremendous
aspects to the community, food and all sorts of things,” Cowden says. “Again,
the history of St. Joe is really interesting to people, particularly from other
counties.”

St. Joseph could possibly host a team for
practices, likely at the Chiefs Training Camp facility on the Missouri Western
State University campus.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph looks to get a piece of the 2026 FIFA
World Cup.Kansas City Area Development Council President,
Tim Cowden, says the World Cup is not just the biggest sporting event in the
world, it is the biggest event, period.Cowden does believe St. Joseph will benefit from
Kansas City hosting some of the World Cup games in 2026 at Arrowhead Stadium.“There’s a lot that’s happening right now with
the planning of the World Cup,” Cowden says. “It’s to be engaged and to listen
at this point and to be creative.”Kansas City is one of 16 North American cities
hosting World Cup games. The World Cup will bring soccer fans from throughout
the world to the United States, creating as much as $620 million of economic
activity to host cities.Cowden says St. Joseph needs to welcome those
traveling to the United States to watch their team.“There will be thousands of people from around
the world that will come to the Kansas City region,” according to Cowden. “I
would be thinking of this now. How can you position St. Joe to be attractive to
all these people from far flung places around the world that will want not just
to explore Kansas City, but the region around it.”History might be the attraction.“St. Joseph has a wonderful history and tremendous
aspects to the community, food and all sorts of things,” Cowden says. “Again,
the history of St. Joe is really interesting to people, particularly from other
counties.”St. Joseph could possibly host a team for
practices, likely at the Chiefs Training Camp facility on the Missouri Western
State University campus.

St. Joseph could benefit from Kansas City hosting the 2026 World Cup

Teresa Fankhauser, the longtime executive director of the St. Joseph Allied Arts Council, is retiring.  

Fankhauser says she's had a passion for the arts her entire life, and to be able to put that passion into action means everything 

"I've always had that access and as an adult I realized not everybody did and thought this is important," Fankhauser tells reporters. "And so, when I had the opportunity to come work for Allied Arts Council whose mission it was to bring arts and people together, it was like ok this is where I need to be, this is where I want to be."

Fankhauser has served nearly 20 years on the council, helping bring many fun art centric activities to St. Joseph.  One she's most proud of? The downtown sculpture walk.  

Fankhauser says she's extremely proud of the sculpture walk, which was conceived from a visit to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but blossomed into something of its own. 

"That first year we tried it, we didn't know for sure what was going to happen, but it was so successful and has just grown every year," Fankhauser explains.  "It has really become a community project, so if a sculpture gets moved or goes away, we're getting calls, did you know this sculpture is you know, and so it's total buy in from our community which that's how you know that something is important." 

Fankhauser says the sculpture walk was developed as a way to help downtown, with people eating at restaurants and shopping at local businesses. 

Fankhauser will retire in the Spring of 2024 to be able to spend time with family, but also continuing to advocate for the arts in St. Joseph.  

Out of all the accomplishments Fankhauser achieved during her tenure, one stands out as special, bringing at the time relatively unknown Taylor Swift to Trails West in 2008.  

"I wish we could say we had a magic bullet and crystal ball, we don't, but more often than not the talent that we brought into St. Joseph, those country artists, those what we call baby acts, a lot of them really made it onto the big stage if you will," Fankhauser points out. 

Fankhauser jokingly says that St. Joseph deserves a thank you after Swift was recently named Time Magazines 2023 Person of the Year. 

A search for the next executive director will be underway soon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702052460303.jpeg" alt="Teresa Fankhauser, the longtime executive director of the Allied Arts Council, has announced she will retire in the spring of 2024/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Teresa Fankhauser, the longtime executive director of the Allied Arts Council, has announced she will retire in the spring of 2024/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Teresa Fankhauser, the longtime executive director of the St. Joseph Allied Arts Council, is retiring. Fankhauser says she's had a passion for the arts her entire life, and to be able to put that passion into action means everything "I've always had that access and as an adult I realized not everybody did and thought this is important," Fankhauser tells reporters. "And so, when I had the opportunity to come work for Allied Arts Council whose mission it was to bring arts and people together, it was like ok this is where I need to be, this is where I want to be."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702052624184.jpeg" alt="Teresa Fankhauser speaks to public in attendance after announcing her upcoming retirement/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Teresa Fankhauser speaks to public in attendance after announcing her upcoming retirement/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>Fankhauser has served nearly 20 years on the council, helping bring many fun art centric activities to St. Joseph. One she's most proud of? The downtown sculpture walk. Fankhauser says she's extremely proud of the sculpture walk, which was conceived from a visit to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but blossomed into something of its own. "That first year we tried it, we didn't know for sure what was going to happen, but it was so successful and has just grown every year," Fankhauser explains. "It has really become a community project, so if a sculpture gets moved or goes away, we're getting calls, did you know this sculpture is you know, and so it's total buy in from our community which that's how you know that something is important." Fankhauser says the sculpture walk was developed as a way to help downtown, with people eating at restaurants and shopping at local businesses. Fankhauser will retire in the Spring of 2024 to be able to spend time with family, but also continuing to advocate for the arts in St. Joseph. Out of all the accomplishments Fankhauser achieved during her tenure, one stands out as special, bringing at the time relatively unknown Taylor Swift to Trails West in 2008. "I wish we could say we had a magic bullet and crystal ball, we don't, but more often than not the talent that we brought into St. Joseph, those country artists, those what we call baby acts, a lot of them really made it onto the big stage if you will," Fankhauser points out. Fankhauser jokingly says that St. Joseph deserves a thank you after Swift was recently named Time Magazines 2023 Person of the Year. A search for the next executive director will be underway soon.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702052556739.jpeg" alt="Allied Arts Council Board President Terri Modlin (front) speaks about Executive Director Teresa Fankhauser ahead of her retirement/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Allied Arts Council Board President Terri Modlin (front) speaks about Executive Director Teresa Fankhauser ahead of her retirement/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>

Longtime St. Joseph Allied Arts Council executive director announces retirement

ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 2p.m. Thursday in Atchison.

According to Police Chief Mike Wilson, vehicles driven by William Tirrell, and Micah Dillinger, both of Atchison, were involved in an accident in the 1300 block U.S.59. 

EMS transported a 73-year-old passenger from Dillinger's vehicle was to Amberwell Hospital. There were no other injuries or additional details reported.

ATCHISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 2p.m. Thursday in Atchison.According to Police Chief Mike Wilson, vehicles driven by William Tirrell, and Micah Dillinger, both of Atchison, were involved in an accident in the 1300 block U.S.59. EMS transported a 73-year-old passenger from Dillinger's vehicle was to Amberwell Hospital. There were no other injuries or additional details reported.

73-year-old injured after 2-vehicle crash

BUCHANAN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 6p.m. Thursday in Buchanan County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 International semi driven by Earl A. Fredrick, 60, Poinsett, Arkansas, was southbound on Interstate 29 just north of Route DD.

The semi was following a 2016 Volvo driven by Eddy A. Coto Sierra, 30, Miami, Florida, too closely. The semi rear-ended the Volvo.

Buchanan County EMS transported Fredrick to Mosaic Life Care. Coto-Sierra was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

BUCHANAN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 6p.m. Thursday in Buchanan County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 International semi driven by Earl A. Fredrick, 60, Poinsett, Arkansas, was southbound on Interstate 29 just north of Route DD.The semi was following a 2016 Volvo driven by Eddy A. Coto Sierra, 30, Miami, Florida, too closely. The semi rear-ended the Volvo.Buchanan County EMS transported Fredrick to Mosaic Life Care. Coto-Sierra was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

One injured after Buchanan Co. rear-end crash

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspect on drug allegations after a drug bust at an apartment complex in Brown County.

Justs before 9p.m. Dec. 1, sheriff's deputies initiated two search warrants simultaneously at 715 1/2&nbsp; apartments # 1 &amp; 3 Oregon Street in Hiawatha, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

At apartment # 1 deputies arrested Bryan Emary, 60, of Hiawatha was on requested charges of Possession of Meth and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.&nbsp; Brenda Emary, 60, was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia.

At apartment # 3 deputies arrested Renee Trotter, 68, Hiawatha on requested charges of Possesion of Meth and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, according to Merchant.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701985335600.png" alt="Emary-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Emary-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspect on drug allegations after a drug bust at an apartment complex in Brown County.Justs before 9p.m. Dec. 1, sheriff's deputies initiated two search warrants simultaneously at 715 1/2&nbsp; apartments # 1 &amp; 3 Oregon Street in Hiawatha, according to Sheriff John Merchant.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701985385813.png" alt="Emary photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Emary photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>At apartment # 1 deputies arrested Bryan Emary, 60, of Hiawatha was on requested charges of Possession of Meth and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.&nbsp; Brenda Emary, 60, was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia.At apartment # 3 deputies arrested Renee Trotter, 68, Hiawatha on requested charges of Possesion of Meth and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, according to Merchant.&nbsp;

Sheriff: Meth bust leads to 3 arrests at apartment building

The St. Joseph School District is exploring switching to a four-day school week. 

Advocates of moving to a four-day school week say one positive outcome could be the retention and recruitment of teachers.  

School Board Member Isaura Garcia says this has been seen in the Independence School District. 

"Like Independence, Missouri, their applications skyrocketed when they went to a four-day week, and they also had a lot of teachers that wanted to return the next year," Garcia explains to KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "So, I'm not going to say 100% it's working, but I think it is getting more teachers interested in only working four days a week." 

Mostly rural schools in Missouri used the option of switching to a four-day school week, the Independence School District was the first large school to switch to help combat a teacher shortage problem. 

Before making any move, the board wants to hear the input of the community and will be sending out a community survey to hear those opinions.  

Garcia says hearing from community members on this is very important 

"I think without the community's input then we're really making decisions that are not involving them when it's going to affect them in a way that it hasn't, really ever I don't think in the St. Joseph School District history have we even talked about this to the point where we're ready to make a decision," Garcia says. 

Parents of St. Joseph School District students should begin seeing the surveys beginning today. 

Board Member David Foster says though students would be in class for just the four days, the district would still be open five days a week 

"So, there will be the option of students being able to come for that one day, maybe get some tutoring, and see what other options are available as well," Foster points out.

Foster adds that along with students having tutoring opportunities, that fifth day could be used by teachers for lesson planning or things of that nature.

Garcia says however she's conflicted about that idea, with how quickly optional programs seem to fill up 

"So, I don't want it to ever become something where we don't have enough staff to cover the kids that actually want to attend if we're offering a day of daycare, or special program, or something like that," Garcia says.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1565308706201.jpeg" alt="sjsd st joseph school district" />
 <figcaption>sjsd st joseph school district</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The St. Joseph School District is exploring switching to a four-day school week. Advocates of moving to a four-day school week say one positive outcome could be the retention and recruitment of teachers. School Board Member Isaura Garcia says this has been seen in the Independence School District. "Like Independence, Missouri, their applications skyrocketed when they went to a four-day week, and they also had a lot of teachers that wanted to return the next year," Garcia explains to KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "So, I'm not going to say 100% it's working, but I think it is getting more teachers interested in only working four days a week." Mostly rural schools in Missouri used the option of switching to a four-day school week, the Independence School District was the first large school to switch to help combat a teacher shortage problem. Before making any move, the board wants to hear the input of the community and will be sending out a community survey to hear those opinions. Garcia says hearing from community members on this is very important "I think without the community's input then we're really making decisions that are not involving them when it's going to affect them in a way that it hasn't, really ever I don't think in the St. Joseph School District history have we even talked about this to the point where we're ready to make a decision," Garcia says. Parents of St. Joseph School District students should begin seeing the surveys beginning today. Board Member David Foster says though students would be in class for just the four days, the district would still be open five days a week "So, there will be the option of students being able to come for that one day, maybe get some tutoring, and see what other options are available as well," Foster points out.Foster adds that along with students having tutoring opportunities, that fifth day could be used by teachers for lesson planning or things of that nature.Garcia says however she's conflicted about that idea, with how quickly optional programs seem to fill up "So, I don't want it to ever become something where we don't have enough staff to cover the kids that actually want to attend if we're offering a day of daycare, or special program, or something like that," Garcia says.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/St--Joseph-School-District-discussing-moving-to-four-day-week-e2cva25" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

St. Joseph School District exploring moving to four day school week

ATCHISON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 9a.m. Thursday in Atchison.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, a 2016 Chevrolet pickup&nbsp; driven by Dennis Collier, 64, Atchison, was southbound in the 100 block South 7th Street.

The driver turned west into an apartment complex parking lot and struck a fixed object and then a parked vehicle.

The pickup exited the parking lot onto the 700 Block of Main Street where it struck an eastbound 2014 Ford SUV driven by Garret Williams, 31, Smithville Missouri.

EMS transported Collier to Amberwell Hospital. A private vehicle transported Williams to Amberwell Hospital for examination, according to Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701969328701.png" alt="Photo Atchison Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Atchison Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 9a.m. Thursday in Atchison.According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, a 2016 Chevrolet pickup&nbsp; driven by Dennis Collier, 64, Atchison, was southbound in the 100 block South 7th Street.The driver turned west into an apartment complex parking lot and struck a fixed object and then a parked vehicle.The pickup exited the parking lot onto the 700 Block of Main Street where it struck an eastbound 2014 Ford SUV driven by Garret Williams, 31, Smithville Missouri.EMS transported Collier to Amberwell Hospital. A private vehicle transported Williams to Amberwell Hospital for examination, according to Wilson.

Police: 2 injured after  pickup strikes 2 vehicles

Area small businesses will have to comply with a new federal
rule beginning with the new year, a rule aimed at cracking down on financial
fraud.

Northwest Missouri State Small Business Development Center
Director, Rebecca Lobina, says the new rule affects 30 million small
businesses. Congress approved the Corporate Transparency Act a couple of years
ago and it goes into effect next year.

“If you are an existing business right now, then you have a
full year to file,” Lobina says. “So that’s good news. Beginning January 1, you
have until January 1 of 2025 to file. So you have plenty of time to do this,
just don’t let it slip off your radar.”

Small business owners must file paperwork with the federal
Treasury Department.

Lobina says the motive behind the legislation is to reduce illicit
activity, such as money laundering.

Under the law, business owners aren’t the only ones who must
comply. Anyone with an interest in the business, what the federal government calls
having a Beneficial Ownership Interest, must provide full identification. Those
included in the legislation are presidents, CEOs, and other executives within
the company. Stiff civil and criminal penalties will be assessed against those
who fail to comply.

The law applies to small businesses. It exempts businesses
with more than 20 employees with more than $5 million in gross revenues,
according to Lobina.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostArea small businesses will have to comply with a new federal
rule beginning with the new year, a rule aimed at cracking down on financial
fraud.Northwest Missouri State Small Business Development Center
Director, Rebecca Lobina, says the new rule affects 30 million small
businesses. Congress approved the Corporate Transparency Act a couple of years
ago and it goes into effect next year.“If you are an existing business right now, then you have a
full year to file,” Lobina says. “So that’s good news. Beginning January 1, you
have until January 1 of 2025 to file. So you have plenty of time to do this,
just don’t let it slip off your radar.”Small business owners must file paperwork with the federal
Treasury Department.Lobina says the motive behind the legislation is to reduce illicit
activity, such as money laundering.Under the law, business owners aren’t the only ones who must
comply. Anyone with an interest in the business, what the federal government calls
having a Beneficial Ownership Interest, must provide full identification. Those
included in the legislation are presidents, CEOs, and other executives within
the company. Stiff civil and criminal penalties will be assessed against those
who fail to comply.The law applies to small businesses. It exempts businesses
with more than 20 employees with more than $5 million in gross revenues,
according to Lobina.

New federal regulations coming to small businesses with new year

JEFFERSON CITY&nbsp;— Governor Mike Parson announced Wednesday that the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) will release new funding to help improve the health of pregnant women and support their care after childbirth to reduce maternal mortality and poor health outcomes, according to a media release from his office.

The investment includes $4.3 million in new funds proposed by Governor Parson and authorized by the Missouri General Assembly to transform the quality and increase the access of health services provided to women during pregnancy and postpartum.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Last year during my State of the State Address, we declared that it was unacceptable for Missouri to be ranked near the bottom when it comes to maternal care, and we're taking action,"&nbsp;Governor Parson&nbsp;said. "By recognizing the need to do better for Missouri mothers, this funding will help us implement a new plan to provide needed support and save lives.&nbsp;We want to thank the General Assembly for approving this funding and helping foster these partnerships that will lead to better care for Missouri mothers and babies."&nbsp;&nbsp;

In 2023, Missouri’s latest Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review (PAMR) report found that annually an average of 61 Missouri women die while pregnant or within one year of pregnancy — ranking Missouri 44th&nbsp;among states in maternal mortality. These deaths occurred along the continuum of pregnancy and early motherhood. Contributing factors include access to care challenges, missed clinical interventions to manage conditions like heart disease, and unaddressed or unresolved mental health conditions — including substance use disorders, which are the leading cause of death and long-term harm.&nbsp;

“We must do better for Missouri mothers, and this funding is granting the state unprecedented opportunities to create greater access to quality care,”&nbsp;DHSS Director&nbsp;Paula F. Nickelson&nbsp;said. “It is also crucial that we make an impact with this transformation of perinatal care. The strategies we are employing are based on what has truly worked in other states.”

Missouri’s maternal mortality prevention plan includes the following five domains: Missouri Maternal Quality Care Protocols, Maternal Care Workforce, Optimize Postpartum Care, Maternal Health Access Project, and Improved Maternal Health Data.

Missouri Maternal Quality Care Protocols&nbsp; |&nbsp; DHSS is partnering with the Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative (MO PQC), led by the Missouri Hospital Association, to develop and implement standardized evidence-based protocols for maternal-fetal health care with toolkits including a collection of best practice tools and articles, care guidelines, a hospital-level implementation guide, and professional education materials.

Maternal Care Workforce&nbsp; |&nbsp; DHSS and MO PQC are developing standardized maternal care provider trainings on trauma-informed, responsive, culturally congruent, and linguistically appropriate care, including screening, referral, and treatment of mental health conditions and substance use disorder during and after pregnancy as well as cardiovascular disorders, gestational diabetes, and other endocrinology disorders associated with pregnancy.

Optimize Postpartum Care&nbsp; |&nbsp; DHSS and MO PQC are developing a standardized Postpartum Plan of Care to include an assessment for depression and anxiety, universal screening for substance use disorder, and (as appropriate) referrals to mental health professionals, social workers, community health workers, nurse-led home visiting programs, and substance use disorder treatment programs.

Maternal Health Access Project&nbsp; |&nbsp; DHSS is working with the University of Missouri Health System to develop and implement a hub-and-spoke model Perinatal Health Access Collaborative, inclusive of perinatal mental health. The Collaborative will provide same-day specialized consultation, patient referral to community services, over-the-phone follow-up care coordination, and access to ongoing training and education for rural healthcare providers and other providers without this specialized expertise.

Improved Maternal Health Data&nbsp; |&nbsp; DHSS is establishing a maternal-child health dashboard to advance data quality and accessibility.

“The PAMR finds that nearly all maternal deaths and harms are preventable,”&nbsp;MHA President and CEO Jon D.&nbsp;Doolittle&nbsp;said. “Delivering the right care to expecting mothers during pregnancy — and extending care and support to them after childbirth when a significant share of harm occurs — can reduce maternal mortality and improve health. MHA and the Missouri PQC are honored to be providing best practices and connecting Missouri’s expecting mothers and mothers with resources to improve their health.”

Additionally, the Missouri Department of Mental Health was awarded the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/screening-treatment-maternal-mental-health-substance-use-disorders-mmhsud__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!H-p94V06KbIpymHyllbrTu81P758ytL7HSh4Olh245O1ycV_B-hMnEkgdaRhiJn2oM1sXtpJv_DhicVjbOQkqKDTo-nW36wIFiJmT3ZaMpb7Llqi$" target="_blank">Screening and Treatment for Maternal Depression and Related Behavioral Disorders Program</a>&nbsp;grant for $687,777. This additional funding will provide the ability to develop the maternal health access project infrastructure.

“Addressing mental health for pregnant and new moms begins in the primary care setting and this program is designed to give those providers access to the tools they need to respond,”&nbsp;Laine Young-Walker, MD, chair of psychiatry at the University of Missouri School of Medicine and principal investigator,&nbsp;said. “This program represents a significant opportunity to make positive progress on the leading cause of maternal mortality in our state.”

JEFFERSON CITY&nbsp;— Governor Mike Parson announced Wednesday that the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) will release new funding to help improve the health of pregnant women and support their care after childbirth to reduce maternal mortality and poor health outcomes, according to a media release from his office.The investment includes $4.3 million in new funds proposed by Governor Parson and authorized by the Missouri General Assembly to transform the quality and increase the access of health services provided to women during pregnancy and postpartum.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Last year during my State of the State Address, we declared that it was unacceptable for Missouri to be ranked near the bottom when it comes to maternal care, and we're taking action,"&nbsp;Governor Parson&nbsp;said. "By recognizing the need to do better for Missouri mothers, this funding will help us implement a new plan to provide needed support and save lives.&nbsp;We want to thank the General Assembly for approving this funding and helping foster these partnerships that will lead to better care for Missouri mothers and babies."&nbsp;&nbsp;In 2023, Missouri’s latest Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review (PAMR) report found that annually an average of 61 Missouri women die while pregnant or within one year of pregnancy — ranking Missouri 44th&nbsp;among states in maternal mortality. These deaths occurred along the continuum of pregnancy and early motherhood. Contributing factors include access to care challenges, missed clinical interventions to manage conditions like heart disease, and unaddressed or unresolved mental health conditions — including substance use disorders, which are the leading cause of death and long-term harm.&nbsp;“We must do better for Missouri mothers, and this funding is granting the state unprecedented opportunities to create greater access to quality care,”&nbsp;DHSS Director&nbsp;Paula F. Nickelson&nbsp;said. “It is also crucial that we make an impact with this transformation of perinatal care. The strategies we are employing are based on what has truly worked in other states.”Missouri’s maternal mortality prevention plan includes the following five domains: Missouri Maternal Quality Care Protocols, Maternal Care Workforce, Optimize Postpartum Care, Maternal Health Access Project, and Improved Maternal Health Data.Missouri Maternal Quality Care Protocols&nbsp; |&nbsp; DHSS is partnering with the Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative (MO PQC), led by the Missouri Hospital Association, to develop and implement standardized evidence-based protocols for maternal-fetal health care with toolkits including a collection of best practice tools and articles, care guidelines, a hospital-level implementation guide, and professional education materials.Maternal Care Workforce&nbsp; |&nbsp; DHSS and MO PQC are developing standardized maternal care provider trainings on trauma-informed, responsive, culturally congruent, and linguistically appropriate care, including screening, referral, and treatment of mental health conditions and substance use disorder during and after pregnancy as well as cardiovascular disorders, gestational diabetes, and other endocrinology disorders associated with pregnancy.Optimize Postpartum Care&nbsp; |&nbsp; DHSS and MO PQC are developing a standardized Postpartum Plan of Care to include an assessment for depression and anxiety, universal screening for substance use disorder, and (as appropriate) referrals to mental health professionals, social workers, community health workers, nurse-led home visiting programs, and substance use disorder treatment programs.Maternal Health Access Project&nbsp; |&nbsp; DHSS is working with the University of Missouri Health System to develop and implement a hub-and-spoke model Perinatal Health Access Collaborative, inclusive of perinatal mental health. The Collaborative will provide same-day specialized consultation, patient referral to community services, over-the-phone follow-up care coordination, and access to ongoing training and education for rural healthcare providers and other providers without this specialized expertise.Improved Maternal Health Data&nbsp; |&nbsp; DHSS is establishing a maternal-child health dashboard to advance data quality and accessibility.“The PAMR finds that nearly all maternal deaths and harms are preventable,”&nbsp;MHA President and CEO Jon D.&nbsp;Doolittle&nbsp;said. “Delivering the right care to expecting mothers during pregnancy — and extending care and support to them after childbirth when a significant share of harm occurs — can reduce maternal mortality and improve health. MHA and the Missouri PQC are honored to be providing best practices and connecting Missouri’s expecting mothers and mothers with resources to improve their health.”Additionally, the Missouri Department of Mental Health was awarded the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/screening-treatment-maternal-mental-health-substance-use-disorders-mmhsud__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!H-p94V06KbIpymHyllbrTu81P758ytL7HSh4Olh245O1ycV_B-hMnEkgdaRhiJn2oM1sXtpJv_DhicVjbOQkqKDTo-nW36wIFiJmT3ZaMpb7Llqi$" target="_blank">Screening and Treatment for Maternal Depression and Related Behavioral Disorders Program</a>&nbsp;grant for $687,777. This additional funding will provide the ability to develop the maternal health access project infrastructure.“Addressing mental health for pregnant and new moms begins in the primary care setting and this program is designed to give those providers access to the tools they need to respond,”&nbsp;Laine Young-Walker, MD, chair of psychiatry at the University of Missouri School of Medicine and principal investigator,&nbsp;said. “This program represents a significant opportunity to make positive progress on the leading cause of maternal mortality in our state.”

Gov. announces new investment plan to help minimize maternal mortality rates in Mo.

A power outage has led the Savannah R-3 School District to
close Minnie Cline Elementary and The Early Learning Center today (THU).

UPDATE:&nbsp;&nbsp;Also, the Savannah School District office has been re-opened after losing power earlier this morning.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701952060244.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A power outage has led the Savannah R-3 School District to
close Minnie Cline Elementary and The Early Learning Center today (THU).All other campuses are in session today.UPDATE:&nbsp;&nbsp;Also, the Savannah School District office has been re-opened after losing power earlier this morning.

Power outage closes Minnie Cline, Early Learning Center

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

Missouri’s Board of Education changed a rule on Tuesday that had prevented many child care providers from accessing the $26 million in grant funding allocated by lawmakers this year.

The grant money was set aside for community-based child care providers to expand access to pre-kindergarten but included certification requirements that shrank the pool of eligible providers. Around $7 million of that fund has so far been awarded or is expected to be awarded from the September and November rounds of applications.

The vote to change the requirements was unanimous, effective immediately,&nbsp;to carry out the goal of expanding access to child care across the state — “a huge priority and a huge need,” said Kari Monsees, Missouri’s deputy education commissioner.

Casey Hanson,&nbsp;director of&nbsp;outreach and engagement at the child advocacy nonprofit Kids Win Missouri, said her organization heard from many providers unable to qualify and worked closely with the department to try to fix the grant’s requirements.&nbsp;

“[The rule change] will really create a better pathway to child care providers being able to access that money,” Hanson said.

Previously, child care providers needed to prove they had a traditional teaching certification, which Hanson said is a “much higher threshold than the national standard.”&nbsp;

“In talking to providers,” Hanson said, “the reason that most of them, even accredited providers in Missouri, can’t qualify for those dollars is because of that teacher qualification piece.”

The rule change expands the qualifications that child care staff can have to be considered eligible for the state funds. That&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dese.mo.gov/media/pdf/2023-december-consideration-notice-emergency-rulemaking-and-proposed-rulemaking-adopt-5">includes</a>&nbsp;allowing teachers who have a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in childhood development to qualify.

The education department’s spokesperson, Mallory McGowin, said it has begun awarding grants in two rounds since September, totaling to just over one-quarter of the total fund.

The first round awarded grants to 51 programs to add 789 child care slots. The second round closed in November and the department expects to award grants to just 28 programs for 568 slots, she said. Those add up to around $7 million to date. The payments haven’t been processed, McGowin said, because “invoice information is currently being verified.”

The department, McGowin said, expects to announce the next round of grants later in December.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701948513473.png" alt=" The Downtown Children's Center in St. Louis (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> The Downtown Children's Center in St. Louis (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>By CLARA BATES&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri’s Board of Education changed a rule on Tuesday that had prevented many child care providers from accessing the $26 million in grant funding allocated by lawmakers this year.The grant money was set aside for community-based child care providers to expand access to pre-kindergarten but included certification requirements that shrank the pool of eligible providers. Around $7 million of that fund has so far been awarded or is expected to be awarded from the September and November rounds of applications.The vote to change the requirements was unanimous, effective immediately,&nbsp;to carry out the goal of expanding access to child care across the state — “a huge priority and a huge need,” said Kari Monsees, Missouri’s deputy education commissioner.Casey Hanson,&nbsp;director of&nbsp;outreach and engagement at the child advocacy nonprofit Kids Win Missouri, said her organization heard from many providers unable to qualify and worked closely with the department to try to fix the grant’s requirements.&nbsp;“[The rule change] will really create a better pathway to child care providers being able to access that money,” Hanson said.Previously, child care providers needed to prove they had a traditional teaching certification, which Hanson said is a “much higher threshold than the national standard.”&nbsp;“In talking to providers,” Hanson said, “the reason that most of them, even accredited providers in Missouri, can’t qualify for those dollars is because of that teacher qualification piece.”The rule change expands the qualifications that child care staff can have to be considered eligible for the state funds. That&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dese.mo.gov/media/pdf/2023-december-consideration-notice-emergency-rulemaking-and-proposed-rulemaking-adopt-5">includes</a>&nbsp;allowing teachers who have a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in childhood development to qualify.The education department’s spokesperson, Mallory McGowin, said it has begun awarding grants in two rounds since September, totaling to just over one-quarter of the total fund.The first round awarded grants to 51 programs to add 789 child care slots. The second round closed in November and the department expects to award grants to just 28 programs for 568 slots, she said. Those add up to around $7 million to date. The payments haven’t been processed, McGowin said, because “invoice information is currently being verified.”The department, McGowin said, expects to announce the next round of grants later in December.

Mo. ed board approves emergency rule freeing up money to expand child care

An annual remembrance event at Meierhoffer funeral home aims to help those coping with the loss of a loved one during the holidays. 

Jane Graves with Meierhoffer says many people have made the event a tradition, whether it's a recent loss or not.  

"It just helps to have a place to go where you know that there are others that are dealing with the same kind of things you're dealing with, they're having just as hard a time as you are trying to get in the holiday mood and to celebrate the things that they've done for years when someone important in their life has passed," Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post 

Graves says attendees of the event will hear from David Mejia, the funeral home's Certified Celebrant.  

"He puts the holidays in what he's going through in perspective as to what you are as well" Graves explains. "So, he does a great job of telling you how to move on, ways to keep that memory alive." 

Also, on hand for the first time this year, will be some furry friends to help out those in attendance.  

"There will be a couple of just the sweetest dogs that you've ever met that are going to be there to greet folks when they get there, just to provide a source of comfort," Graves says. 

The St. Joseph Community Chorus will perform during the event, which begins at 5:30pm tomorrow at Meierhoffer Funeral Home, located at 5005 Frederick Ave in St. Joseph.  

Graves says the event is always well attended, by new and old visitors alike. 

"We'd love to get as many people that want to come there, it's not a requirement that you even had your funeral at Meierhoffer Funeral Home, it's for anyone in this area or around St. Joseph that have suffered a loss and want to come and just help get through the holidays after they've suffered a loss," Graves says. 

Attendees are encouraged to bring a special ornament to honor their loved ones on the Tree of Remembrance in the lobby at Meierhoffer. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post An annual remembrance event at Meierhoffer funeral home aims to help those coping with the loss of a loved one during the holidays. Jane Graves with Meierhoffer says many people have made the event a tradition, whether it's a recent loss or not. "It just helps to have a place to go where you know that there are others that are dealing with the same kind of things you're dealing with, they're having just as hard a time as you are trying to get in the holiday mood and to celebrate the things that they've done for years when someone important in their life has passed," Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post Graves says attendees of the event will hear from David Mejia, the funeral home's Certified Celebrant. "He puts the holidays in what he's going through in perspective as to what you are as well" Graves explains. "So, he does a great job of telling you how to move on, ways to keep that memory alive." Also, on hand for the first time this year, will be some furry friends to help out those in attendance. "There will be a couple of just the sweetest dogs that you've ever met that are going to be there to greet folks when they get there, just to provide a source of comfort," Graves says. The St. Joseph Community Chorus will perform during the event, which begins at 5:30pm tomorrow at Meierhoffer Funeral Home, located at 5005 Frederick Ave in St. Joseph. Graves says the event is always well attended, by new and old visitors alike. "We'd love to get as many people that want to come there, it's not a requirement that you even had your funeral at Meierhoffer Funeral Home, it's for anyone in this area or around St. Joseph that have suffered a loss and want to come and just help get through the holidays after they've suffered a loss," Graves says. Attendees are encouraged to bring a special ornament to honor their loved ones on the Tree of Remembrance in the lobby at Meierhoffer.

Annual rememberence event hopes to help those suffering from loss during the holidays

A young Ravenwood man suffered minor injuries after attempting
to take photos of an alleged shoplifter in St. Joseph.

St. Joseph police report the man, who is in the his 30s,
followed another man suspected of shoplifting from the Big Lots store off the
Belt Highway Tuesday night into the parking lot. While the victim took
photos with his cell phone, the alleged shoplifter hit the man with his vehicle
and drove off.

Police say the victim suffered minor injuries and refused
medical attention.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA young Ravenwood man suffered minor injuries after attempting
to take photos of an alleged shoplifter in St. Joseph.St. Joseph police report the man, who is in the his 30s,
followed another man suspected of shoplifting from the Big Lots store off the
Belt Highway Tuesday night into the parking lot. While the victim took
photos with his cell phone, the alleged shoplifter hit the man with his vehicle
and drove off.Police say the victim suffered minor injuries and refused
medical attention.

Young man hurt in hit-and-run after confronting St. Joseph shoplifter

A state investigative team has helped locate 628 foster kids this year who were missing from state custody in Missouri, state lawmakers were informed at a House budget hearing Monday.&nbsp;

That effort began officially in 2022, after the Department of Social Services was under fire for the high number of children in foster care who had gone missing. Since then, the team has helped locate more than 1,200 missing foster children, said Frank Tennant,&nbsp;director of Missouri State&nbsp;Technical Assistance Team — the law enforcement agency within the state’s social services department that works on child maltreatment issues and has focused on locating missing foster kids over the last few years.&nbsp;

“We have been so successful that we have been approached by the Missouri State Highway Patrol,” said&nbsp;Tennant — to help with their list of missing kids, too.

He cited the team’s success using tools like social media to locate children.&nbsp;

“There’s been several cases where they’ve gone out, found kids, got them back to where they needed to be and back in care to where they’re safe and secure,” Tennant told lawmakers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There are 74 missing foster kids as of Monday morning, Tennant said, though the state could not immediately make available comparable data over time.

State Rep. John Black, R-Webster, who chairs the social services appropriations subcommittee in the Missouri House, said he “appreciate[s]” hearing about the department’s successes along with the budget information.&nbsp;

“This can be a circumstance where good things that happen can get lost in numbers,” Black said. “And so we want the committee to be able to understand some things that the department is pleased about.”

A 2021 federal watchdog report found&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region7/72006095.pdf">there were 1,780 instances of foster kids going missing in Missouri</a>&nbsp;from&nbsp; July 2018 to December 2020, spurring lawmakers’ scrutiny.

There were&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/05/23/%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8Bfederal-watchdogs-report-sheds-new-light-on-scope-of-missouris-missing-foster-kids/">978 children</a>&nbsp;missing at some point from Missouri foster care in 2019.

Part of the issue was that the state’s system couldn’t distinguish between missing kids and kids whose location was known but unauthorized — which they said has been since&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://abc17news.com/news/abc-17-news-investigates/2023/07/17/two-out-of-three-recommendations-to-protect-missing-children-still-open-for-missouri-foster-care-system/">fixed</a>. The monthly&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dss.mo.gov/re/pdf/csmr/2023/oct-2023.pdf">data</a>&nbsp;the agency publishes still combines both categories, spokesperson Caitlin Whaley said.

In 2022, a program called the Unaccounted for Foster Children went into effect in Missouri to help find children missing from state care and custody. Roughly 600 children were located and returned to state care last year, according to data included in the state budget.&nbsp;

In many states, overburdened caseworkers have been hard-pressed to protect all the children they are responsible for monitoring — and when kids go missing, caseworkers often struggle to prevent it from happening again, Stateline&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/10/states-lose-track-of-thousands-of-foster-children-each-year/">reported</a>&nbsp;this year.&nbsp;

Robert Knodell, director of the Department of Social Services, said during another discussion that staffing issues department-wide have improved since COVID but haven’t rebounded entirely.

“We’re filling positions at a higher rate today than we have since prior. So, we are having success,” he said. “But we’ve got a long way to go. We have a less experienced workforce than we’ve historically had.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701865400501.png" alt=" The House’s Subcommittee on Appropriations – Health, Mental Health, and Social Services on Dec. 4 (Clara Bates/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> The House’s Subcommittee on Appropriations – Health, Mental Health, and Social Services on Dec. 4 (Clara Bates/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>By CLARA BATES&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>A state investigative team has helped locate 628 foster kids this year who were missing from state custody in Missouri, state lawmakers were informed at a House budget hearing Monday.&nbsp;That effort began officially in 2022, after the Department of Social Services was under fire for the high number of children in foster care who had gone missing. Since then, the team has helped locate more than 1,200 missing foster children, said Frank Tennant,&nbsp;director of Missouri State&nbsp;Technical Assistance Team — the law enforcement agency within the state’s social services department that works on child maltreatment issues and has focused on locating missing foster kids over the last few years.&nbsp;“We have been so successful that we have been approached by the Missouri State Highway Patrol,” said&nbsp;Tennant — to help with their list of missing kids, too.He cited the team’s success using tools like social media to locate children.&nbsp;“There’s been several cases where they’ve gone out, found kids, got them back to where they needed to be and back in care to where they’re safe and secure,” Tennant told lawmakers.&nbsp;&nbsp;There are 74 missing foster kids as of Monday morning, Tennant said, though the state could not immediately make available comparable data over time.State Rep. John Black, R-Webster, who chairs the social services appropriations subcommittee in the Missouri House, said he “appreciate[s]” hearing about the department’s successes along with the budget information.&nbsp;“This can be a circumstance where good things that happen can get lost in numbers,” Black said. “And so we want the committee to be able to understand some things that the department is pleased about.”A 2021 federal watchdog report found&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region7/72006095.pdf">there were 1,780 instances of foster kids going missing in Missouri</a>&nbsp;from&nbsp; July 2018 to December 2020, spurring lawmakers’ scrutiny.There were&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/05/23/%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8Bfederal-watchdogs-report-sheds-new-light-on-scope-of-missouris-missing-foster-kids/">978 children</a>&nbsp;missing at some point from Missouri foster care in 2019.Part of the issue was that the state’s system couldn’t distinguish between missing kids and kids whose location was known but unauthorized — which they said has been since&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://abc17news.com/news/abc-17-news-investigates/2023/07/17/two-out-of-three-recommendations-to-protect-missing-children-still-open-for-missouri-foster-care-system/">fixed</a>. The monthly&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dss.mo.gov/re/pdf/csmr/2023/oct-2023.pdf">data</a>&nbsp;the agency publishes still combines both categories, spokesperson Caitlin Whaley said.In 2022, a program called the Unaccounted for Foster Children went into effect in Missouri to help find children missing from state care and custody. Roughly 600 children were located and returned to state care last year, according to data included in the state budget.&nbsp;In many states, overburdened caseworkers have been hard-pressed to protect all the children they are responsible for monitoring — and when kids go missing, caseworkers often struggle to prevent it from happening again, Stateline&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/10/states-lose-track-of-thousands-of-foster-children-each-year/">reported</a>&nbsp;this year.&nbsp;Robert Knodell, director of the Department of Social Services, said during another discussion that staffing issues department-wide have improved since COVID but haven’t rebounded entirely.“We’re filling positions at a higher rate today than we have since prior. So, we are having success,” he said. “But we’ve got a long way to go. We have a less experienced workforce than we’ve historically had.”

Missouri child welfare agency reports increased efforts to find missing foster kids

Board of Education selects state senator to take over after retirement of Margie Vandeven

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

State Sen. Karla Eslinger will be Missouri’s next commissioner of education beginning in June, the State Board of Education announced during its meeting Tuesday.

Board President Charlie Shields told reporters Eslinger was the only candidate the board considered.

The board has met in closed session twice since the last public meeting — in which current Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven revealed her&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-commissioner-of-education-announces-resignation/">plans to retire at the end of June</a>. The board also began its meeting Tuesday in closed session for an hour.

“We had a set of unique circumstances with a unique candidate,” Shields told reporters. “Once we were presented with the quality of candidate that we had, in Dr. Eslinger, we wanted to move forward very, very quickly.”

In previous years, the board opened applications for the position, but Shields said that was not necessary after they found Eslinger.

He said the board has used the three closed-door meetings to discuss the transition between commissioners. Vandeven and Eslinger will overlap through the month of June.

“There are just different things that I think would be helpful for anyone coming into the position to know and understand about the agency itself,” Vandeven said of the transition. “So I plan to be as helpful as I can and then get out of her way.”

Eslinger received a standing ovation from attendees of the meeting Tuesday.

“We all want the same thing,” Eslinger said of various education stakeholders. “We want our children to be successful. We want our communities to be successful. We want our state to be successful. I believe in intentionally working directly with and respecting each of these various groups.”

Eslinger, a Republican from Wasola, is in her first term as state senator for the 33rd District and has been raising money to run for reelection next year. State Rep. Brad Hudson, fellow Republican and Cape Fair resident, was the only other potential candidate with a campaign committee for the 33rd district.

She will continue her work as a state senator until June 1, when she will join Vandeven in the commissioner’s spot and begin the transition.

Her experience in education ranges from her beginning as an elementary-school teacher in a rural Ozark County school, through the ranks of administration in a couple Missouri schools and a three-year stint as the assistant commissioner in the office of educator quality.

Vandeven and Eslinger worked together within the department during Eslinger’s time as assistant commissioner from 2010 to 2013.

“I’ve seen (Eslinger’s) work,” Vandeven told reporters. “I’ve seen how she is so committed to the children and the family in the state. And I’ve seen that in action.”

State Board member Donald Claycomb, of Linn, said “her experience and her credentials are probably hard to beat, if not impossible to beat” during the announcement.

Her latest role before serving in Missouri’s General Assembly was as a senior analyst for education services with the AEM Corporation, where she advised U.S. Department of Education officials, according to her&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/Senators/member/33">Senate bio</a>.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from The College of the Ozarks before attaining a master’s degree in education and a specialist’s degree in superintendency and the educational system from Missouri State University. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri-Columbia, as listed in her Senate bio.

Her two daughters are also Missouri educators, with one serving as a principal and the other as a teacher, according to her Missouri Ethics Commission filing. Eslinger, talking to the board Tuesday, said her “whole family is public school people.”

“In such an environment as this, we are incredibly blessed to have such a strong candidate, and when that blessing is before you, you have to move with deliberate speed,” Pamela Westbrooks Hodge, a board member from Pasadena Hills, said during the meeting. “I just don’t think we could ask for a candidate with a richer cadre of experiences.”

In the 2023 legislative session, Eslinger filed five bills related to education, with a particular focus on education funding. None of these bills made it to the Senate floor, though provisions of legislation signed by the governor mirror&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/23info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=1933312">a bill she wrote on nursing education</a>.

She told reporters she turned down a spot on the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee in 2023, saying her focus was “economic development, infrastructure, broadband, roads and that kind of stuff” to help her constituents.

Charter-school and tax-credit-scholarship advocates are eyeing the position of commissioner to expand their programs in Missouri. In 2021, Eslinger voted against the bill that created the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/21/funding-lag-creates-barrier-for-missouri-private-school-tax-credit-program/">state’s K-12 tax-credit scholarship program</a>.

Co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Education Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, and Rep. Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, wrote a letter to the State Board of Education laying out the values they expect for the next commissioner.

“We need to downsize (the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education), focus singularly upon classroom instruction, value ed choice, remove woke activism, and regain parental trust and confidence,”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DougRicheyMO/status/1714734078371451338/photo/1">Richey wrote on social media</a>, with the co-chairs’ letter.

Eslinger described herself as a supporter of “good schools” when talking to the board Tuesday.

“I support work towards good schools, period. Good schools,” Eslinger said to the board. “I support parent choice. I support public charters. I support rural schools, I support urban schools, K-12 systems, early childhood education, you name it.”

Eslinger’s 2023 bills included legislation that, if passed, would’ve&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://senate.mo.gov/23info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=1452622">reduced funding for charter schools</a>&nbsp;in years that the state transportation aid is not fully funded.

She also proposed the creation of a patriotic and civics class for teachers with a $3,000 incentive for educators who complete the program. Koenig asked for a similar course in a multifaceted bill that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/14/missouri-senate-conservatives-stray-from-party-on-sweeping-education-bill/">passed the Senate early in the 2023 session</a>&nbsp;before dying at legislative deadline.

Board members praised Vandeven’s work as a “strong foundation” for Eslinger to build on.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701811381798.png" alt=" Karla Eslinger enters the State Board of Education meeting Tuesday. Eslinger will succeed Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven, the board announced Tuesday (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Karla Eslinger enters the State Board of Education meeting Tuesday. Eslinger will succeed Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven, the board announced Tuesday (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Board of Education selects state senator to take over after retirement of Margie Vandeven</h2>By ANNELISE HANSHAW<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>State Sen. Karla Eslinger will be Missouri’s next commissioner of education beginning in June, the State Board of Education announced during its meeting Tuesday.Board President Charlie Shields told reporters Eslinger was the only candidate the board considered.The board has met in closed session twice since the last public meeting — in which current Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven revealed her&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-commissioner-of-education-announces-resignation/">plans to retire at the end of June</a>. The board also began its meeting Tuesday in closed session for an hour.“We had a set of unique circumstances with a unique candidate,” Shields told reporters. “Once we were presented with the quality of candidate that we had, in Dr. Eslinger, we wanted to move forward very, very quickly.”In previous years, the board opened applications for the position, but Shields said that was not necessary after they found Eslinger.He said the board has used the three closed-door meetings to discuss the transition between commissioners. Vandeven and Eslinger will overlap through the month of June.“There are just different things that I think would be helpful for anyone coming into the position to know and understand about the agency itself,” Vandeven said of the transition. “So I plan to be as helpful as I can and then get out of her way.”Eslinger received a standing ovation from attendees of the meeting Tuesday.“We all want the same thing,” Eslinger said of various education stakeholders. “We want our children to be successful. We want our communities to be successful. We want our state to be successful. I believe in intentionally working directly with and respecting each of these various groups.”Eslinger, a Republican from Wasola, is in her first term as state senator for the 33rd District and has been raising money to run for reelection next year. State Rep. Brad Hudson, fellow Republican and Cape Fair resident, was the only other potential candidate with a campaign committee for the 33rd district.She will continue her work as a state senator until June 1, when she will join Vandeven in the commissioner’s spot and begin the transition.Her experience in education ranges from her beginning as an elementary-school teacher in a rural Ozark County school, through the ranks of administration in a couple Missouri schools and a three-year stint as the assistant commissioner in the office of educator quality.Vandeven and Eslinger worked together within the department during Eslinger’s time as assistant commissioner from 2010 to 2013.“I’ve seen (Eslinger’s) work,” Vandeven told reporters. “I’ve seen how she is so committed to the children and the family in the state. And I’ve seen that in action.”State Board member Donald Claycomb, of Linn, said “her experience and her credentials are probably hard to beat, if not impossible to beat” during the announcement.Her latest role before serving in Missouri’s General Assembly was as a senior analyst for education services with the AEM Corporation, where she advised U.S. Department of Education officials, according to her&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/Senators/member/33">Senate bio</a>.She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from The College of the Ozarks before attaining a master’s degree in education and a specialist’s degree in superintendency and the educational system from Missouri State University. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri-Columbia, as listed in her Senate bio.Her two daughters are also Missouri educators, with one serving as a principal and the other as a teacher, according to her Missouri Ethics Commission filing. Eslinger, talking to the board Tuesday, said her “whole family is public school people.”“In such an environment as this, we are incredibly blessed to have such a strong candidate, and when that blessing is before you, you have to move with deliberate speed,” Pamela Westbrooks Hodge, a board member from Pasadena Hills, said during the meeting. “I just don’t think we could ask for a candidate with a richer cadre of experiences.”In the 2023 legislative session, Eslinger filed five bills related to education, with a particular focus on education funding. None of these bills made it to the Senate floor, though provisions of legislation signed by the governor mirror&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/23info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=1933312">a bill she wrote on nursing education</a>.She told reporters she turned down a spot on the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee in 2023, saying her focus was “economic development, infrastructure, broadband, roads and that kind of stuff” to help her constituents.Charter-school and tax-credit-scholarship advocates are eyeing the position of commissioner to expand their programs in Missouri. In 2021, Eslinger voted against the bill that created the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/21/funding-lag-creates-barrier-for-missouri-private-school-tax-credit-program/">state’s K-12 tax-credit scholarship program</a>.Co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Education Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, and Rep. Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, wrote a letter to the State Board of Education laying out the values they expect for the next commissioner.“We need to downsize (the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education), focus singularly upon classroom instruction, value ed choice, remove woke activism, and regain parental trust and confidence,”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DougRicheyMO/status/1714734078371451338/photo/1">Richey wrote on social media</a>, with the co-chairs’ letter.Eslinger described herself as a supporter of “good schools” when talking to the board Tuesday.“I support work towards good schools, period. Good schools,” Eslinger said to the board. “I support parent choice. I support public charters. I support rural schools, I support urban schools, K-12 systems, early childhood education, you name it.”Eslinger’s 2023 bills included legislation that, if passed, would’ve&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://senate.mo.gov/23info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=1452622">reduced funding for charter schools</a>&nbsp;in years that the state transportation aid is not fully funded.She also proposed the creation of a patriotic and civics class for teachers with a $3,000 incentive for educators who complete the program. Koenig asked for a similar course in a multifaceted bill that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/14/missouri-senate-conservatives-stray-from-party-on-sweeping-education-bill/">passed the Senate early in the 2023 session</a>&nbsp;before dying at legislative deadline.Board members praised Vandeven’s work as a “strong foundation” for Eslinger to build on.“​​We start at the basis of where Dr. Vandeven has taken this department,” board member Peter Herschend, of Branson, told fellow members.Vandeven said she was “thrilled” with the board’s pick.“I have worked with Dr. Eslinger in various capacities over a decade,” she said after the announcement. “So I have seen her proven leadership, and I understand her commitment to the students in Missouri, which is so very essential.”

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