Talks of a new St. Jospeh animal shelter might not be done yet. 

Inflation proved to be a roadblock too big for the prospects of a new animal shelter to hurdle.  But one city official says he believes there's still hope. 

At Large St. Joseph City Councilmember Marty Novak says he's optimistic the city council can still come up with a plan for a new animal shelter

"And it may not be exactly the picture we were looking at, but there is a way that we can come up with a new animal shelter," Novak tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. 

Novak says while he doesn't know the exact solution like where it would be or what it would look like

"I know it's forefront that we do need a new animal shelter," Novak says.

Talks stalled after inflation pushed the total for a new animal shelter to nearly six million dollars, with the city unwilling to put more money toward it. 

Novak says everyone needs to work together to make a new animal shelter possible.

"We need to figure out what we can do in order to make this happen, I as with all the other councilmembers, are all in favor of moving forward with a new animal shelter, but we've got to be prudent about what we're doing and what we're spending," Novak says. "That money, that CIP money, is still earmarked for an animal shelter it has not gone away."

Novak hopes a work session can be called soon to discuss the shelter.

Novak says the council knows the benefit a new shelter would bring, and the purpose of the meeting would be to discuss what the council can do.

"Maybe this particular building is not the right way to go, I don't know, that was what was presented to us, maybe there's a different facility that we can go through which we can all accomplish the same thing," Novak explains. "But it's going to take everybody working together jointly to make this happen."

Novak acknowledges that this is a very important project and a meeting focusing on just the animal shelter will be vital to coming up with a solution.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696615779846.jpeg" alt="Talks of a new St. Joseph Animal Shelter seem to have stalled, but the St. Joseph City Council remains optimistic the city will get a new shelter /Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Talks of a new St. Joseph Animal Shelter seem to have stalled, but the St. Joseph City Council remains optimistic the city will get a new shelter /Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostTalks of a new St. Jospeh animal shelter might not be done yet. Inflation proved to be a roadblock too big for the prospects of a new animal shelter to hurdle. But one city official says he believes there's still hope. At Large St. Joseph City Councilmember Marty Novak says he's optimistic the city council can still come up with a plan for a new animal shelter"And it may not be exactly the picture we were looking at, but there is a way that we can come up with a new animal shelter," Novak tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. Novak says while he doesn't know the exact solution like where it would be or what it would look like"I know it's forefront that we do need a new animal shelter," Novak says.Talks stalled after inflation pushed the total for a new animal shelter to nearly six million dollars, with the city unwilling to put more money toward it. Novak says everyone needs to work together to make a new animal shelter possible."We need to figure out what we can do in order to make this happen, I as with all the other councilmembers, are all in favor of moving forward with a new animal shelter, but we've got to be prudent about what we're doing and what we're spending," Novak says. "That money, that CIP money, is still earmarked for an animal shelter it has not gone away."Novak hopes a work session can be called soon to discuss the shelter.Novak says the council knows the benefit a new shelter would bring, and the purpose of the meeting would be to discuss what the council can do."Maybe this particular building is not the right way to go, I don't know, that was what was presented to us, maybe there's a different facility that we can go through which we can all accomplish the same thing," Novak explains. "But it's going to take everybody working together jointly to make this happen."Novak acknowledges that this is a very important project and a meeting focusing on just the animal shelter will be vital to coming up with a solution.

St. Joseph City Council remains hopeful a new animal shelter can be built in the city

The cost to buy a Thanksgiving turkey could be lower this year, thanks to a drop in avian influenza cases and a recovery of the turkey population in the U.S. 

Farm Bureau economists analyzed turkey and egg prices and found that the average price for an eight-to-16-pound turkey typically served for Thanksgiving was $1.27 per pound lower than in August 2023. 

That’s 22 percent lower than the same time last year. 

“The status of HPAI is different now than it was just a year ago,” the economists say in a Market Intel Report. “Migratory birds are a major vector of this virus, which naturally makes spring and fall migration high-risk times.” 

June marked the first month with no detections since the outbreak began in February 2022. Egg production also saw a year-to-year increase, with 9.38 billion eggs produced in September 2023, a two percent increase from the same time last year.

The cost to buy a Thanksgiving turkey could be lower this year, thanks to a drop in avian influenza cases and a recovery of the turkey population in the U.S. Farm Bureau economists analyzed turkey and egg prices and found that the average price for an eight-to-16-pound turkey typically served for Thanksgiving was $1.27 per pound lower than in August 2023. That’s 22 percent lower than the same time last year. “The status of HPAI is different now than it was just a year ago,” the economists say in a Market Intel Report. “Migratory birds are a major vector of this virus, which naturally makes spring and fall migration high-risk times.” June marked the first month with no detections since the outbreak began in February 2022. Egg production also saw a year-to-year increase, with 9.38 billion eggs produced in September 2023, a two percent increase from the same time last year.- NAFB

Turkey prices falling as Thanksgiving approaches

Repayment of federal college student loans begins
this month.

Con artists are hoping to prey on those worried
about repaying their student loan debt.

The federal government suspended repayment of
federal student loans during the coronavirus pandemic. Interest on those loans
began accumulating last month with the first payments after forbearance coming
due this month.

Missouri Western State University Interim
Financial Aid Director, Jessica Hills, cautions that the con artists are
working full-time right now, playing off fear and confusion.

“So just know that you don’t have to pay for help
in applying for an income-based repayment plan or consolidation,” Hills advises
in an interview with KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So if a company is reaching out to
you and saying, ‘If you pay us a fee, we’ll fill out all this paperwork for you,’
you don’t want to do that. You always want to work specifically with your loan
servicer and they can help you with all of those.”

Hills says her office has heard from students who
have reported suspicious letters and offers.

“We have had students reach out to us that maybe
got a letter in the mail and thought, this doesn’t seem right,” Hills says. “And
so, they’ve brought it in to our office and said, ‘Can you look at this?’ And
we’ve said that’s definitely a scam. You don’t want to call them. You don’t want
to reach out to them.”

Hills says that often scams pressure students, graduates,
and their parents to give sensitive financial information or else.

“And a lot of times they try to make it sound
like you’re running out of time:&nbsp; you
have to apply by next Thursday or your time’s going to run out,” according to
Hills. “But those income-based repayment plans are always out there for you.
So, students can apply at any point in time for those.”

Hills reminds federal student loan borrowers that
they never have to pay for advice. She suggests speaking with the company that
holds your loan to work out a consolidation or an income-based repayment plan.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostRepayment of federal college student loans begins
this month.Con artists are hoping to prey on those worried
about repaying their student loan debt.The federal government suspended repayment of
federal student loans during the coronavirus pandemic. Interest on those loans
began accumulating last month with the first payments after forbearance coming
due this month.Missouri Western State University Interim
Financial Aid Director, Jessica Hills, cautions that the con artists are
working full-time right now, playing off fear and confusion.“So just know that you don’t have to pay for help
in applying for an income-based repayment plan or consolidation,” Hills advises
in an interview with KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So if a company is reaching out to
you and saying, ‘If you pay us a fee, we’ll fill out all this paperwork for you,’
you don’t want to do that. You always want to work specifically with your loan
servicer and they can help you with all of those.”Hills says her office has heard from students who
have reported suspicious letters and offers.“We have had students reach out to us that maybe
got a letter in the mail and thought, this doesn’t seem right,” Hills says. “And
so, they’ve brought it in to our office and said, ‘Can you look at this?’ And
we’ve said that’s definitely a scam. You don’t want to call them. You don’t want
to reach out to them.”Hills says that often scams pressure students, graduates,
and their parents to give sensitive financial information or else.“And a lot of times they try to make it sound
like you’re running out of time:&nbsp; you
have to apply by next Thursday or your time’s going to run out,” according to
Hills. “But those income-based repayment plans are always out there for you.
So, students can apply at any point in time for those.”Hills reminds federal student loan borrowers that
they never have to pay for advice. She suggests speaking with the company that
holds your loan to work out a consolidation or an income-based repayment plan.

College student loan repayment begins - and con artists are ready

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a business burglary in Atchison.

The burglary occurred at The Treasure Trunk Antiques and Collectibles, 1501 U.S. 59 in Atchison sometime between 4p.m. on Sunday and 10a.m. on Thursday, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Forced entry was made into the building. and cash was taken.

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a business burglary in Atchison.The burglary occurred at The Treasure Trunk Antiques and Collectibles, 1501 U.S. 59 in Atchison sometime between 4p.m. on Sunday and 10a.m. on Thursday, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.Forced entry was made into the building. and cash was taken.

Cash taken in burglary from business in Atchison

Lawmakers approved higher rates, money for school-based programs. But a late Senate filibuster killed a package of tax credits aimed at expanding space for kids

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

To pass a package of tax credits&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/21/missouri-legislator-proposes-tax-credits-aimed-at-mitigating-child-care-crisis/">designed to expand affordable child care</a>&nbsp;will require getting by the “knuckleheads” in the state Senate, Missouri Chamber of Commerce President Dan Mehan said Wednesday.

As he greeted the audience and panelists at a forum on the state’s child care needs in Columbia, Mehan blamed the defeat of a bill crafted as part of Gov. Mike Parson’s legislative package on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/11/sports-wagering-impasse-upends-the-missouri-senate-a-day-before-adjournment/">Republican factionalism</a>&nbsp;in the Missouri Senate.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB870&amp;year=2023&amp;code=R">The bill</a>, sponsored by state Rep. Brenda Shields, was one step away from advancing to the Senate floor when filibusters&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/12/missouri-senate-grinds-to-a-halt-on-final-day-of-2023-session/">first stalled, then ended</a>, its chances for passage.

He singled out Sen. Bill Eigel, a leader amongst senators who regularly engaged in filibusters and a candidate in the GOP gubernatorial primary, for scorn.&nbsp;

“You can’t go to work if your kids have nowhere to go,” Mehan told the crowd of about 100 gathered at the University of Missouri’s Center for Family Policy and Research. “Due to knuckleheads doing filibusters – Bill Eigel – it didn’t come up for a vote.”

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe for governor in 2024.&nbsp;

During the forum, panelists repeatedly called the situation a crisis for employers and focused on the benefits that could come from Shields’ legislation. The bill offered credits for donations to support child care centers, business investment in child care needs for employees and investments to expand child care facilities. It was part of a package to support child care needs.

The tax credit bill will be introduced again in 2024, said Shields, R-St. Joseph.

“The state is willing to invest in child care as long as businesses invest in child care,” she said.

Lawmakers did approve a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/24/a-78-million-boost-to-missouris-child-care-subsidy-will-reach-providers-next-month/">$78 million boost to child care subsidies</a>&nbsp;sought by Parson to encourage child care providers to offer services to low-income and foster families and another $81 million for state-funded pre-kindergarten targeted at low-income four-year-olds.

But with 90 of Missouri’s 114 counties&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/26/missouri-child-care-deserts-now-include-nearly-half-of-kids-5-and-under/">considered “child care deserts”</a>&nbsp;where there are one or fewer child care slots for every three children, the credits are needed to spur investment, said Alex Tuttle, legislative budget director in Parson’s office.

The gap between the need for child care and availability was identified in 2017, Tuttle said, and was aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, when closures cut the number of seats by 30%. A 2022 study, he said, showed that only 40% of the statewide need could be met in licensed facilities.

The administration looked at what other states were doing, Tuttle said.

“There was no silver bullet, there was no simple solution,” Tuttle said. “We picked the best of what we could find and built on top of it.”

An investigation of child care spending&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/26/missouri-child-care-deserts-now-include-nearly-half-of-kids-5-and-under/">by The Independent and MuckRock</a>&nbsp;in April found that almost half of Missouri’s children under five, or about 202,000 children, live in child care deserts.

Even in areas not considered deserts, where capacity looks plentiful on paper, many providers say waitlists abound, in part because providers struggle to hire staff.&nbsp;

Parents seeking slots for their child can wait a year or longer for placement.

The focus of Wednesday’s forum is the impact that dearth of services has on the state’s economy. A 2021 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation study found that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/sites/default/files/EarlyEd_MISSOURI_2021_DIGITAL.pdf">accessibility, quality and cost-related hurdles</a>&nbsp;to child care force many Missouri parents out of the workforce or cause disruptions to their work, costing the state more than $1.3 billion annually.&nbsp;

“We need to think of child care as critical infrastructure,” said Kara Corches, vice president of governmental affairs for the chamber.

For stories on the difficulty in finding child care placements, the panel didn’t have to leave the room because they provided them. Brenda Lohman, chair of Human Development and Family Science at MU, said she hired a new staff member who lasted 16 days on the job because a family member providing daily child care was unable to continue.&nbsp;

And Chris Riley-Tillman, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, said he can’t promise newly hired faculty and staff that they will have day care available even though his college operates the Child Development Lab, a center that takes children from across Columbia.

And, Riley-Tillman said, he turned down a request from basketball coach Dennis Gates for guaranteed slots at the lab for children of his assistants.

“This impacts people, even with resources, even in Columbia where you have more opportunities and a place where we literally have a child care facility in our unit,” Riley-Tillman said.

The state program for low-income families provides full subsidies to families at or below 150% of the federal poverty line, equivalent to an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mydss.mo.gov/media/pdf/benefit-program-limit-chart">income of $41,625 a year</a>, or about $20 an hour for a single earner, for a family of four. There is a benefits phase-out for those between 150% and 215% of the federal poverty level.

In August, roughly&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dss.mo.gov/re/pdf/cc-mmr-0823.pdf">22,000 children received the subsidy</a>&nbsp;in Missouri — a federal program, administered by states through the Child Care and Development Block Grant. Families apply for the state to directly pay a child care provider part of the cost of care.

The state will continue to review rates to move them closer to market rates but only an expansion of the type sought by the legislation will provide additional space, panelists said.

While the Senate filibuster was the bill’s death knell this year, Shields said, the initial introduction was delayed to coincide with Parson’s State of the State address advancing the program.

“The reason it didn’t pass,” Shields said, “is just because it got a late start.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696591909823.png" alt="State Rep. Brenda Shields, right, R-St. Joseph, speaks Wednesday during a child care forum in Columbia. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption>State Rep. Brenda Shields, right, R-St. Joseph, speaks Wednesday during a child care forum in Columbia. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Lawmakers approved higher rates, money for school-based programs. But a late Senate filibuster killed a package of tax credits aimed at expanding space for kids</h2>By RUDI KELLER,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>To pass a package of tax credits&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/21/missouri-legislator-proposes-tax-credits-aimed-at-mitigating-child-care-crisis/">designed to expand affordable child care</a>&nbsp;will require getting by the “knuckleheads” in the state Senate, Missouri Chamber of Commerce President Dan Mehan said Wednesday.As he greeted the audience and panelists at a forum on the state’s child care needs in Columbia, Mehan blamed the defeat of a bill crafted as part of Gov. Mike Parson’s legislative package on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/11/sports-wagering-impasse-upends-the-missouri-senate-a-day-before-adjournment/">Republican factionalism</a>&nbsp;in the Missouri Senate.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB870&amp;year=2023&amp;code=R">The bill</a>, sponsored by state Rep. Brenda Shields, was one step away from advancing to the Senate floor when filibusters&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/12/missouri-senate-grinds-to-a-halt-on-final-day-of-2023-session/">first stalled, then ended</a>, its chances for passage.He singled out Sen. Bill Eigel, a leader amongst senators who regularly engaged in filibusters and a candidate in the GOP gubernatorial primary, for scorn.&nbsp;“You can’t go to work if your kids have nowhere to go,” Mehan told the crowd of about 100 gathered at the University of Missouri’s Center for Family Policy and Research. “Due to knuckleheads doing filibusters – Bill Eigel – it didn’t come up for a vote.”The Missouri Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe for governor in 2024.&nbsp;During the forum, panelists repeatedly called the situation a crisis for employers and focused on the benefits that could come from Shields’ legislation. The bill offered credits for donations to support child care centers, business investment in child care needs for employees and investments to expand child care facilities. It was part of a package to support child care needs.The tax credit bill will be introduced again in 2024, said Shields, R-St. Joseph.“The state is willing to invest in child care as long as businesses invest in child care,” she said.Lawmakers did approve a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/24/a-78-million-boost-to-missouris-child-care-subsidy-will-reach-providers-next-month/">$78 million boost to child care subsidies</a>&nbsp;sought by Parson to encourage child care providers to offer services to low-income and foster families and another $81 million for state-funded pre-kindergarten targeted at low-income four-year-olds.But with 90 of Missouri’s 114 counties&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/26/missouri-child-care-deserts-now-include-nearly-half-of-kids-5-and-under/">considered “child care deserts”</a>&nbsp;where there are one or fewer child care slots for every three children, the credits are needed to spur investment, said Alex Tuttle, legislative budget director in Parson’s office.The gap between the need for child care and availability was identified in 2017, Tuttle said, and was aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, when closures cut the number of seats by 30%. A 2022 study, he said, showed that only 40% of the statewide need could be met in licensed facilities.The administration looked at what other states were doing, Tuttle said.“There was no silver bullet, there was no simple solution,” Tuttle said. “We picked the best of what we could find and built on top of it.”An investigation of child care spending&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/26/missouri-child-care-deserts-now-include-nearly-half-of-kids-5-and-under/">by The Independent and MuckRock</a>&nbsp;in April found that almost half of Missouri’s children under five, or about 202,000 children, live in child care deserts.Even in areas not considered deserts, where capacity looks plentiful on paper, many providers say waitlists abound, in part because providers struggle to hire staff.&nbsp;Parents seeking slots for their child can wait a year or longer for placement.The focus of Wednesday’s forum is the impact that dearth of services has on the state’s economy. A 2021 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation study found that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/sites/default/files/EarlyEd_MISSOURI_2021_DIGITAL.pdf">accessibility, quality and cost-related hurdles</a>&nbsp;to child care force many Missouri parents out of the workforce or cause disruptions to their work, costing the state more than $1.3 billion annually.&nbsp;“We need to think of child care as critical infrastructure,” said Kara Corches, vice president of governmental affairs for the chamber.For stories on the difficulty in finding child care placements, the panel didn’t have to leave the room because they provided them. Brenda Lohman, chair of Human Development and Family Science at MU, said she hired a new staff member who lasted 16 days on the job because a family member providing daily child care was unable to continue.&nbsp;And Chris Riley-Tillman, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, said he can’t promise newly hired faculty and staff that they will have day care available even though his college operates the Child Development Lab, a center that takes children from across Columbia.And, Riley-Tillman said, he turned down a request from basketball coach Dennis Gates for guaranteed slots at the lab for children of his assistants.“This impacts people, even with resources, even in Columbia where you have more opportunities and a place where we literally have a child care facility in our unit,” Riley-Tillman said.The state program for low-income families provides full subsidies to families at or below 150% of the federal poverty line, equivalent to an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mydss.mo.gov/media/pdf/benefit-program-limit-chart">income of $41,625 a year</a>, or about $20 an hour for a single earner, for a family of four. There is a benefits phase-out for those between 150% and 215% of the federal poverty level.In August, roughly&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dss.mo.gov/re/pdf/cc-mmr-0823.pdf">22,000 children received the subsidy</a>&nbsp;in Missouri — a federal program, administered by states through the Child Care and Development Block Grant. Families apply for the state to directly pay a child care provider part of the cost of care.The state will continue to review rates to move them closer to market rates but only an expansion of the type sought by the legislation will provide additional space, panelists said.While the Senate filibuster was the bill’s death knell this year, Shields said, the initial introduction was delayed to coincide with Parson’s State of the State address advancing the program.“The reason it didn’t pass,” Shields said, “is just because it got a late start.”

‘Critical infrastructure’: Missouri child care shortage called a crisis for employers

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug allegations.

Just before 11p.m. Sept. 30, a sheriff's deputy was searching for an individual who had a Hiawatha Police Department warrant in the vicinity of 207 Lodge Road, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

The deputy located the wanted suspect 25-year-old Elaine Moore&nbsp; in a bathroom&nbsp; at Fairbridge Inn.&nbsp;

A search warrant was obtained for Room 312 at 207 Lodge Road.&nbsp; Upon completion of the warrant deputies arrested Moore of Hiawatha on requested charges of&nbsp;charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Obstruction and the Failure to Appear Warrant. 

They also arrested 34-year-old Kevin Hall of Hiawatha on requested charges of Possession of Meth and Possion of Drug Paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696368734572.png" alt="Hall-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Hall-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug allegations.Just before 11p.m. Sept. 30, a sheriff's deputy was searching for an individual who had a Hiawatha Police Department warrant in the vicinity of 207 Lodge Road, according to Sheriff John Merchant.The deputy located the wanted suspect 25-year-old Elaine Moore&nbsp; in a bathroom&nbsp; at Fairbridge Inn.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696368709554.png" alt="Moore-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Moore-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>A search warrant was obtained for Room 312 at 207 Lodge Road.&nbsp; Upon completion of the warrant deputies arrested Moore of Hiawatha on requested charges of&nbsp;charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Obstruction and the Failure to Appear Warrant. They also arrested 34-year-old Kevin Hall of Hiawatha on requested charges of Possession of Meth and Possion of Drug Paraphernalia.

Deputy finds wanted Kansas drug suspect in motel bathroom

A grant from the National Science Foundation will give students at Missouri Western State University and three other Missouri universities money to build a new supercomputer.  

The grant was put together by professors from Missouri Western, Truman State, Southeast Missouri State, and Webster University. 

Missouri Western's Jeffery Woodford, the principal investigator for the grant, says the new supercomputer will be housed at the University of Missouri-Columbia, right next to the supercomputer the university is currently building 

"So, we'll be able to access our supercomputer as if we were a student at Mizzou, like a graduate student potentially," Woodford tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. 

Woodford says details must still be worked out with how best to communicate with the supercomputer 

"So, students here will be able to connect to that computer there and they'll be able to do their research projects, their educational projects, like they were a student at Mizzou," Woodford says. 

The computer, built of 20 different computers, will help enhance research projects at Western along with Truman State, Webster University, and Southeast Missouri State.  

Physicist Colin DeGraf from Truman State uses his research on colliding galaxies and black holes as an example of how the supercomputer will help. 

"So, you need to be able to simulate at least two galaxies that can then collide, and this scales up depending how many resources you have available to you can do cosmological simulations that will include many, many galaxies and you just sort of wait and see when they collide," DeGraf explains over Zoom. "And as you might imagine that can't be done without really nice super computers."  

The supercomputer will be housed at and maintained by IT specialists at the University of Missouri-Columbia.   

While the computer will be housed at Mizzou, Woodford says students won't even have to leave campus to access the computer. 

"You'll be able to pull up your laptop, open up an app, and then be able to connect to this supercomputer as if you were a student right at Mizzou," Woodford explains. "Maybe the latency is a little bit slower, because you're not physically there, but it should be more or less seamless." 

The hope is to have the system built and in place by next school year. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696523906660.jpeg" alt="Professor John Woodford acknowledges his colleagues from three other universities who helped in getting a nearly $700,000 grant to build a supercomputer that will aid in enhanced research/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Professor John Woodford acknowledges his colleagues from three other universities who helped in getting a nearly $700,000 grant to build a supercomputer that will aid in enhanced research/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A grant from the National Science Foundation will give students at Missouri Western State University and three other Missouri universities money to build a new supercomputer. The grant was put together by professors from Missouri Western, Truman State, Southeast Missouri State, and Webster University. Missouri Western's Jeffery Woodford, the principal investigator for the grant, says the new supercomputer will be housed at the University of Missouri-Columbia, right next to the supercomputer the university is currently building "So, we'll be able to access our supercomputer as if we were a student at Mizzou, like a graduate student potentially," Woodford tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. Woodford says details must still be worked out with how best to communicate with the supercomputer "So, students here will be able to connect to that computer there and they'll be able to do their research projects, their educational projects, like they were a student at Mizzou," Woodford says. The computer, built of 20 different computers, will help enhance research projects at Western along with Truman State, Webster University, and Southeast Missouri State. Physicist Colin DeGraf from Truman State uses his research on colliding galaxies and black holes as an example of how the supercomputer will help. "So, you need to be able to simulate at least two galaxies that can then collide, and this scales up depending how many resources you have available to you can do cosmological simulations that will include many, many galaxies and you just sort of wait and see when they collide," DeGraf explains over Zoom. "And as you might imagine that can't be done without really nice super computers." The supercomputer will be housed at and maintained by IT specialists at the University of Missouri-Columbia. While the computer will be housed at Mizzou, Woodford says students won't even have to leave campus to access the computer. "You'll be able to pull up your laptop, open up an app, and then be able to connect to this supercomputer as if you were a student right at Mizzou," Woodford explains. "Maybe the latency is a little bit slower, because you're not physically there, but it should be more or less seamless." The hope is to have the system built and in place by next school year. <div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/National-Grant-will-help-build-a-new-supercomputer-for-four-Missouri-Universities-e2a71ub" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

MWSU says new supercomputer collaboration will aid in enhanced student research

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is celebrating its many successful efforts to prevent African swine fever from reaching the United States. 

In honor of ASF Action Week, APHIS is recognizing the continuing efforts to prevent this deadly swine disease from reaching our shores. 

USDA's &nbsp;Dr. Rosemary Sifford says, “The United States has always had a system of interlocking safeguards in place to protect against foreign animal diseases, however the spread of ASF abroad made us review and strengthen our protections.” 

Some of the agency’s major accomplishments in these areas include enhancing existing safeguards, strengthening Customs and Border Protection partnerships, and further collaboration with states, industry and producers. 

APHIS continues to conduct surveillance for ASF in domestic and feral swine in the mainland United States. Since August 2021, APHIS has tested almost 6,000 samples from higher-risk domestic herds, and more than 26,000 case-compatible samples from veterinary diagnostic laboratories and production facilities.

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is celebrating its many successful efforts to prevent African swine fever from reaching the United States. In honor of ASF Action Week, APHIS is recognizing the continuing efforts to prevent this deadly swine disease from reaching our shores. USDA's &nbsp;Dr. Rosemary Sifford says, “The United States has always had a system of interlocking safeguards in place to protect against foreign animal diseases, however the spread of ASF abroad made us review and strengthen our protections.” Some of the agency’s major accomplishments in these areas include enhancing existing safeguards, strengthening Customs and Border Protection partnerships, and further collaboration with states, industry and producers. APHIS continues to conduct surveillance for ASF in domestic and feral swine in the mainland United States. Since August 2021, APHIS has tested almost 6,000 samples from higher-risk domestic herds, and more than 26,000 case-compatible samples from veterinary diagnostic laboratories and production facilities.- NAFB

APHIS celebrates ASF preparedness and prevention

Households spend more money on food as their incomes rise, but the amount spent represents a smaller share of their overall budgets, according to USDA’s Economic Research Service. 

When U.S. households were divided into five equal groups by household income, households in the lowest income group had an average after-tax income of $16,337 and spent an average of $5,090 on food, or about $98 a week, in 2022. 

Households in the highest income group, with an average after-tax income of $196,794, spent an average of $15,713 on food, about $302 a week. 

As households gain more disposable income, they often shift to more expensive food options. Food spending as a share of income rose across all income groups in 2022 as food prices increased faster than the overall inflation rate. 

In 2022, food spending represented 31.2 percent of the lowest groups’ income, 13.4 percent of income for the middle group, and 8.0 percent of income for the highest group.

Households spend more money on food as their incomes rise, but the amount spent represents a smaller share of their overall budgets, according to USDA’s Economic Research Service. When U.S. households were divided into five equal groups by household income, households in the lowest income group had an average after-tax income of $16,337 and spent an average of $5,090 on food, or about $98 a week, in 2022. Households in the highest income group, with an average after-tax income of $196,794, spent an average of $15,713 on food, about $302 a week. As households gain more disposable income, they often shift to more expensive food options. Food spending as a share of income rose across all income groups in 2022 as food prices increased faster than the overall inflation rate. In 2022, food spending represented 31.2 percent of the lowest groups’ income, 13.4 percent of income for the middle group, and 8.0 percent of income for the highest group.- NAFB

Households that earn less spend a higher share of income on food

An appeals court will be asked to take another look at whether a trade association for Missouri casinos can sue a company that puts video games offering cash prizes in convenience stores and other retailers across the state.

The Missouri Gaming Association said in a news release Wednesday that it will appeal the decision that dismissed its claims against Torch Electronics. That same decision, issued Monday by Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green, also&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/02/judge-tosses-torch-lawsuit-seeking-to-block-missouri-highway-patrol-gambling-investigations/">dismissed the case raised by Torch</a>&nbsp;and convenience store operator Warrenton Oil accusing the Missouri State Highway Patrol of harassing the company by investigating its games.

“Torch Electronics is an illegal competitor and its illegal gaming devices are harming our members,” the gaming association said in its statement.

Chuck Hatfield, the attorney for Torch and the other plaintiffs, said in a text message he will also file an appeal of Green’s decision.&nbsp;

“We look forward to our day in court and a determination that these amusement devices are legal,” Hatfield said.

Torch f<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/02/10/missouri-company-accused-of-illegal-gambling-has-sued-the-state/">iled the lawsuit in early 2021</a>, when it faced&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-rules-e-raffle-machines-must-face-trial-in-missouri-illegal-gambling-case/">felony charges of promoting gambling</a>&nbsp;in a Linn County case. That charge was dropped early this year by a newly elected prosecutor.

In a written decision issued late Monday, Green said that there were other venues, aside from his court, where Torch could raise its objections to the patrol’s investigations.

“(T)he controversy is not ripe and plaintiffs have adequate remedies at law,” Green wrote.

He also ruled he didn’t have the power to grant what Torch wanted.

“(T)he relief sought is outside the jurisdiction of this court in which it is asked to invade/limit the exercise of legitimate police power by the defendant the Missouri State Highway Patrol,” Green wrote.

Green dismissed the case the afternoon before a four-day trial was scheduled to begin. If an appeals court revives the case, it would most likely order Green to conduct the trial rather than rule on any of the substantive issues involved.

Torch and other vendors&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/unregulated-gaming-machines-spreading-throughout-columbia/article_7b6e46ee-bd0c-11e8-b55d-a382c7e78e1c.html">in 2018</a>&nbsp;started placing video games offering cash prizes in retail locations around the state. In court filings, Torch calls the games “amusement devices” and the state and the gaming association call them illegal slot machines.

Torch argues that a “pre-reveal” feature, showing the outcome of the next play, makes its games legal because it allows players to walk away from the game if they would lose money. The company also argues that because the outcomes are not generated randomly the games do not violate state law.

One vendor of the games, Integrity Gaming, was convicted of felony promotion of gambling&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newspressnow.com/news/local_news/gambling-machines-ruled-illegal-in-platte-county/article_a18bda38-fe7a-11ea-8750-9745493d72eb.html">in 2021 in Platte County</a>. The company paid a fine and pulled its machines from the state.&nbsp;

The patrol since 2019 has been investigating complaints and seeking charges in hundreds of cases, usually seizing games made by Torch and other manufacturers as illegal gambling devices. But few prosecutions have been filed and almost none have continued to a final verdict.

The case before Green was seen by many as a way to get a definitive answer on the games’ legality. Efforts by leading lawmakers to clarify the law to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/04/28/defeat-of-gambling-bill-likely-dooms-legislative-push-against-gray-market-machines/">define the games as illegal</a>&nbsp;have failed. The legislative question has become mixed into the debate over sports wagering and authorizing the Missouri Lottery to offer video games that would replace the so-called “gray market” machines.

Taxes on casino profits and the lottery’s net after paying prizes and vendors are used to support education programs. Surplus funds from the state’s portion of a $2 entry fee paid by casinos for every person who enters the gambling floor is used to pay operating costs at state veterans’ nursing homes.

Almost 40 million customers entered casinos during the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2018. Only 28.9 million gamblers entered casinos in the most recent fiscal year, which ended June 30. The average amount lost by each patron has increased by 51% in the same period, keeping casino revenue stable despite the lower numbers and indicating that small-dollar patrons have stopped visiting.

“Torch’s illegal gaming devices take money away from veterans, local cities and education in the form of lost tax revenue and admission fees, and this needs to be stopped,” the gaming association said in announcing the appeal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696501676282.png" alt="The NCG on this machine’s display means it is a “no-chance gaming” machine that owners contend does not violate Missouri laws against gambling (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>The NCG on this machine’s display means it is a “no-chance gaming” machine that owners contend does not violate Missouri laws against gambling (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>By RUDI KELLER,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>An appeals court will be asked to take another look at whether a trade association for Missouri casinos can sue a company that puts video games offering cash prizes in convenience stores and other retailers across the state.The Missouri Gaming Association said in a news release Wednesday that it will appeal the decision that dismissed its claims against Torch Electronics. That same decision, issued Monday by Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green, also&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/02/judge-tosses-torch-lawsuit-seeking-to-block-missouri-highway-patrol-gambling-investigations/">dismissed the case raised by Torch</a>&nbsp;and convenience store operator Warrenton Oil accusing the Missouri State Highway Patrol of harassing the company by investigating its games.“Torch Electronics is an illegal competitor and its illegal gaming devices are harming our members,” the gaming association said in its statement.Chuck Hatfield, the attorney for Torch and the other plaintiffs, said in a text message he will also file an appeal of Green’s decision.&nbsp;“We look forward to our day in court and a determination that these amusement devices are legal,” Hatfield said.Torch f<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/02/10/missouri-company-accused-of-illegal-gambling-has-sued-the-state/">iled the lawsuit in early 2021</a>, when it faced&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-rules-e-raffle-machines-must-face-trial-in-missouri-illegal-gambling-case/">felony charges of promoting gambling</a>&nbsp;in a Linn County case. That charge was dropped early this year by a newly elected prosecutor.In a written decision issued late Monday, Green said that there were other venues, aside from his court, where Torch could raise its objections to the patrol’s investigations.“(T)he controversy is not ripe and plaintiffs have adequate remedies at law,” Green wrote.He also ruled he didn’t have the power to grant what Torch wanted.“(T)he relief sought is outside the jurisdiction of this court in which it is asked to invade/limit the exercise of legitimate police power by the defendant the Missouri State Highway Patrol,” Green wrote.Green dismissed the case the afternoon before a four-day trial was scheduled to begin. If an appeals court revives the case, it would most likely order Green to conduct the trial rather than rule on any of the substantive issues involved.Torch and other vendors&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/unregulated-gaming-machines-spreading-throughout-columbia/article_7b6e46ee-bd0c-11e8-b55d-a382c7e78e1c.html">in 2018</a>&nbsp;started placing video games offering cash prizes in retail locations around the state. In court filings, Torch calls the games “amusement devices” and the state and the gaming association call them illegal slot machines.Torch argues that a “pre-reveal” feature, showing the outcome of the next play, makes its games legal because it allows players to walk away from the game if they would lose money. The company also argues that because the outcomes are not generated randomly the games do not violate state law.One vendor of the games, Integrity Gaming, was convicted of felony promotion of gambling&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newspressnow.com/news/local_news/gambling-machines-ruled-illegal-in-platte-county/article_a18bda38-fe7a-11ea-8750-9745493d72eb.html">in 2021 in Platte County</a>. The company paid a fine and pulled its machines from the state.&nbsp;The patrol since 2019 has been investigating complaints and seeking charges in hundreds of cases, usually seizing games made by Torch and other manufacturers as illegal gambling devices. But few prosecutions have been filed and almost none have continued to a final verdict.The case before Green was seen by many as a way to get a definitive answer on the games’ legality. Efforts by leading lawmakers to clarify the law to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/04/28/defeat-of-gambling-bill-likely-dooms-legislative-push-against-gray-market-machines/">define the games as illegal</a>&nbsp;have failed. The legislative question has become mixed into the debate over sports wagering and authorizing the Missouri Lottery to offer video games that would replace the so-called “gray market” machines.Taxes on casino profits and the lottery’s net after paying prizes and vendors are used to support education programs. Surplus funds from the state’s portion of a $2 entry fee paid by casinos for every person who enters the gambling floor is used to pay operating costs at state veterans’ nursing homes.Almost 40 million customers entered casinos during the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2018. Only 28.9 million gamblers entered casinos in the most recent fiscal year, which ended June 30. The average amount lost by each patron has increased by 51% in the same period, keeping casino revenue stable despite the lower numbers and indicating that small-dollar patrons have stopped visiting.“Torch’s illegal gaming devices take money away from veterans, local cities and education in the form of lost tax revenue and admission fees, and this needs to be stopped,” the gaming association said in announcing the appeal.

Casinos plan appeal of ruling in unregulated slot machine lawsuit

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on child sex allegations.&nbsp;

On Tuesday police arrested 24-year-old&nbsp; Jayln C. Cluke of Atchison on a District Court warrant charging him with aggravated criminal sodomy, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

This warrant is the result of a May 2021 police investigation involving a victim under the age of 14. Cluke is being held on a $50,000 bond, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696438270226.png" alt="Cluke photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Cluke photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on child sex allegations.&nbsp;On Tuesday police arrested 24-year-old&nbsp; Jayln C. Cluke of Atchison on a District Court warrant charging him with aggravated criminal sodomy, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.This warrant is the result of a May 2021 police investigation involving a victim under the age of 14. Cluke is being held on a $50,000 bond, according to online jail records.

Kansas man accused of child sex crimes.

A vice president with the Kansas City Federal Reserve says a
tight labor market continues to fuel inflation.

Kansas City Fed Executive Vice President Joseph Gruber says
four factors play the largest role in pushing prices higher in the United
States:&nbsp; energy costs, supply chain
problems, workforce, and rental costs.

Gruber says the lack of workers seems to be the biggest driver
of inflation.

“So, we’ve heard a lot about the tightness of the labor market.
We know that there’s a lot of vacancies relative to the number of unemployed
people,” Gruber tells reporters. “These are things that are making it difficult
for firms to hire the workers they need in order to increase the output that
would help bring prices down.”

Gruber spoke to reporters after delivering remarks at the 2023
Economic Development Summit sponsored by the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce
held on the Missouri Western State University campus Wednesday.

Gruber speculates that the September labor report that comes
out Friday will weigh heavily as the Federal Reserve Board of Governors decides
whether to increase interest rates as part of the Fed’s work to rein in
inflation. Gruber does say the Fed will also have to take into account any impact
the current UAW strike against American auto manufacturers might have on the
report.

Everyone anticipated a recession this year, but the economy
kept pushing forward. Gruber says the economy has surprised a lot of forecasters.

“It is interesting that at the end of the last year I think
there was a high expectation that there would be a recession sometime in the
course of 2023,” Gruber says. “And as the economy has proven much more
resilient than people are expecting, I think that recession expectation has
been pushed back.”

Gruber says inflation still plagues the economy. Gruber says
inflation has been fueled by four sources:&nbsp;
energy costs, housing costs, supply chain issues, and the tight labor
market.

Gruber says the economy in the Midwest has been holding its
own.

“If you look at the unemployment rates and the labor market,
for most of the region, unemployment rates are fairly low and labor markets still
remain fairly strong,” Gruber says. “If you look at the consumption GDP data, I
think the region is doing very well.” 

Gruber acknowledges the agricultural economy has been hurt by
the drought.

“So, I think the drought has been difficult, particularly for
the more western parts of our region,” according to Gruber. “We have seen a
decline in farm incomes this year relative to last year. But overall, farm economy
still appears to be fairly healthy.”

Gruber also serves as Director of Research of the Federal
Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696453133824.jpeg" alt="KC Federal Reserve Executive Vice President Joseph Gruber delivers remarks during the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Summit/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>KC Federal Reserve Executive Vice President Joseph Gruber delivers remarks during the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Summit/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA vice president with the Kansas City Federal Reserve says a
tight labor market continues to fuel inflation.Kansas City Fed Executive Vice President Joseph Gruber says
four factors play the largest role in pushing prices higher in the United
States:&nbsp; energy costs, supply chain
problems, workforce, and rental costs.Gruber says the lack of workers seems to be the biggest driver
of inflation.“So, we’ve heard a lot about the tightness of the labor market.
We know that there’s a lot of vacancies relative to the number of unemployed
people,” Gruber tells reporters. “These are things that are making it difficult
for firms to hire the workers they need in order to increase the output that
would help bring prices down.”Gruber spoke to reporters after delivering remarks at the 2023
Economic Development Summit sponsored by the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce
held on the Missouri Western State University campus Wednesday.Gruber speculates that the September labor report that comes
out Friday will weigh heavily as the Federal Reserve Board of Governors decides
whether to increase interest rates as part of the Fed’s work to rein in
inflation. Gruber does say the Fed will also have to take into account any impact
the current UAW strike against American auto manufacturers might have on the
report.Everyone anticipated a recession this year, but the economy
kept pushing forward. Gruber says the economy has surprised a lot of forecasters.“It is interesting that at the end of the last year I think
there was a high expectation that there would be a recession sometime in the
course of 2023,” Gruber says. “And as the economy has proven much more
resilient than people are expecting, I think that recession expectation has
been pushed back.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696453241374.jpeg" alt="Gruber speaks to an attendee of the economic summit after his speech/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Gruber speaks to an attendee of the economic summit after his speech/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>Gruber says inflation still plagues the economy. Gruber says
inflation has been fueled by four sources:&nbsp;
energy costs, housing costs, supply chain issues, and the tight labor
market.Gruber says the economy in the Midwest has been holding its
own.“If you look at the unemployment rates and the labor market,
for most of the region, unemployment rates are fairly low and labor markets still
remain fairly strong,” Gruber says. “If you look at the consumption GDP data, I
think the region is doing very well.” Gruber acknowledges the agricultural economy has been hurt by
the drought.“So, I think the drought has been difficult, particularly for
the more western parts of our region,” according to Gruber. “We have seen a
decline in farm incomes this year relative to last year. But overall, farm economy
still appears to be fairly healthy.”Gruber also serves as Director of Research of the Federal
Reserve Bank of Kansas City.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Kansas-City-Fed-VP-on-the-economy-e2a5trb" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

KC Fed VP tells St. Joseph audience tight labor market fuels inflation

The Dance Arts Center is getting ready to bring Wonderland to the stage in St. Joseph.   

The Dance Arts Center Performing Company is taking audiences into the mystical world of Alice in Wonderland in January.  

Director Marla Heeler says the company started around 2016, first performing The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  Just last year they took on a bigger hit, bringing The Nutcracker to the Missouri Theatre for the first time in a long time.  

Heeler says the company will often choose the performance before it knows how many performers it will have.  

"So, it's a little bit of a gamble I guess, my production team and I just kind of brainstorm some different ideas that we'd like to do and then figure out what we think we can actually make happen, what resources we have," Heeler tells KFEQ/St. joseph Post. 

Heeler says the company gives students pre professional experience in putting on a full-scale production, from creating costumes, to prop design, to creating their characters. 

"So, it kind of just gives them a whole different perspective of a full show performance of telling a story through dance and not just a dance recital or a dance competition, and so they really have to bring their characters to life more," Heeler explains. "We have kids who they love that more than they love even competing and things like that." 

The company will put on a performance of Alice in Wonderland in January.  This Saturday, the Dance Arts Center will host its fifth annual Coffee Crawl to raise money for the performance.  

Heeler says the event helps raise money for the dance studio, but it's also a way for them to collaborate with downtown businesses. 

"Which we love, and they really enjoy it too," Heeler says. "And we've had great weather, the last two years we've had great weather, the very first year was actually the worst it rained, and it was cold."  

Heeler says they also hand out a themed mug during the event to participants. Heeler says it’s really a wonderful collaboration. 

"With our dancers there and all the shops as well in their character costumes for the show and it kind of helps promote our show, promote downtown businesses, it's just like a win-win for us and for St. Joe," Heeler points out. 

16 downtown businesses will give out Alice in Wonderland themed drinks during the event on Saturday. You can find more information at <a href="https://thedanceartscenter.com/">thedanceartscenter.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696448427075.jpeg" alt="The Dance Arts Center Performing Company will put on a performance of Alice in Wonderland in January. An annual coffee crawl on Saturday will help raise funds to put on the show/ Photo courtesy of the Dance Arts Center Facebook page" />
 <figcaption>The Dance Arts Center Performing Company will put on a performance of Alice in Wonderland in January. An annual coffee crawl on Saturday will help raise funds to put on the show/ Photo courtesy of the Dance Arts Center Facebook page</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The Dance Arts Center is getting ready to bring Wonderland to the stage in St. Joseph. The Dance Arts Center Performing Company is taking audiences into the mystical world of Alice in Wonderland in January. Director Marla Heeler says the company started around 2016, first performing The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Just last year they took on a bigger hit, bringing The Nutcracker to the Missouri Theatre for the first time in a long time. Heeler says the company will often choose the performance before it knows how many performers it will have. "So, it's a little bit of a gamble I guess, my production team and I just kind of brainstorm some different ideas that we'd like to do and then figure out what we think we can actually make happen, what resources we have," Heeler tells KFEQ/St. joseph Post. Heeler says the company gives students pre professional experience in putting on a full-scale production, from creating costumes, to prop design, to creating their characters. "So, it kind of just gives them a whole different perspective of a full show performance of telling a story through dance and not just a dance recital or a dance competition, and so they really have to bring their characters to life more," Heeler explains. "We have kids who they love that more than they love even competing and things like that." The company will put on a performance of Alice in Wonderland in January. This Saturday, the Dance Arts Center will host its fifth annual Coffee Crawl to raise money for the performance. Heeler says the event helps raise money for the dance studio, but it's also a way for them to collaborate with downtown businesses. "Which we love, and they really enjoy it too," Heeler says. "And we've had great weather, the last two years we've had great weather, the very first year was actually the worst it rained, and it was cold." Heeler says they also hand out a themed mug during the event to participants. Heeler says it’s really a wonderful collaboration. "With our dancers there and all the shops as well in their character costumes for the show and it kind of helps promote our show, promote downtown businesses, it's just like a win-win for us and for St. Joe," Heeler points out. 16 downtown businesses will give out Alice in Wonderland themed drinks during the event on Saturday. You can find more information at <a href="https://thedanceartscenter.com/">thedanceartscenter.com</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696448519366.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Transport yourself to Wonderland with St. Joseph's Dance Arts Center Coffee Crawl

Four St. Joseph women, all professionals in their field, hope
to resurrect vacant housing and introduce residents to home buying as they push
the recently formed <a href="https://housingimprovementinitiative.com/">Housing Improvement Initiative</a>.

One of them, Ashley Albers, Vice President of Human Resources
for Nor-Am Cold Storage, says the initiative isn’t just focusing on
rehabilitating houses left vacant, but also educating employees of Nor-Am and
Lifeline Foods on the ins and outs of buying and owning a home, some of whom have
never even thought about owning before.

“And that’s kind of the response we got from our employees
was, I didn’t think that was an option for me. No one in my family has ever
bought a house before. We’ve just always been renters. Is that even an option?”
Albers tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.&nbsp; “That’s been really kind of heartwarming to
talk to people that never thought they had that choice.”

At present, the educational courses are offered to employees
of Nor-Am and Lifeline, but Albers says the group would like to expand the
courses to others.

Albers recalls a conversation she had with someone getting
ready to complete the course.

“One of them said I have my eye on a house over in this
neighborhood. I’m not ready for probably the next six months, but I’m going to
buy a house in the next six to 12 months,” Albers says. “And he had been
renting for seven years and had no idea that he even had that as an option.”

Albers says she along with Sarah Weaver, a commercial real
estate agent, and Lifeline Foods CFO Michelle Clark, and Buchanan County
Auditor Tara Horn began talking last spring about how St. Joseph could expand
short-term rentals for the bicyclists coming to St. Joseph to ride the newly
created River Bluff Trails Park. Albers says the four considered how to get
their hands on some of the dilapidated houses in the city, fix them up, and
create new short-term rental units.

That conversation snowballed and the Housing Improvement
Initiative was formed.

The initiative, a nonprofit, has two main goals. One is to
acquire rundown property with potential and upgrade them for resell. The second
is to educate life-long renters on how they can become home owners. Together those
goals will work to increase the housing stock in St. Joseph as well as get
residents more vested in the community through home ownership.

The group will acquire property through a number of avenues,
including the Buchanan County property tax sale and use of the Missouri
Abandoned Housing Act. It will educate would-be homeowners through an intense
training course that teaches the basics of buying a home as well as the
budgeting needed to keep up with mortgage payments and maintenance.

Weaver tells Birr the group began by surveying what St. Joseph
properties might fit their criteria.

“So, if there are homes in this community that have been
vacant for six year, 10 years, 12 years and they’re not paying their property
taxes, there’s obviously property maintenance that has been deferred, those are
the ones we have identified as properties that we would really like to acquire
and work on putting back onto the tax roll and instilling pride of ownership
back in that neighborhood, too,” Weaver says.

The Housing Improvement Initiative is working with public
officials as well as representatives in the banking, real estate, and insurance
industries.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostFour St. Joseph women, all professionals in their field, hope
to resurrect vacant housing and introduce residents to home buying as they push
the recently formed <a href="https://housingimprovementinitiative.com/">Housing Improvement Initiative</a>.One of them, Ashley Albers, Vice President of Human Resources
for Nor-Am Cold Storage, says the initiative isn’t just focusing on
rehabilitating houses left vacant, but also educating employees of Nor-Am and
Lifeline Foods on the ins and outs of buying and owning a home, some of whom have
never even thought about owning before.“And that’s kind of the response we got from our employees
was, I didn’t think that was an option for me. No one in my family has ever
bought a house before. We’ve just always been renters. Is that even an option?”
Albers tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.&nbsp; “That’s been really kind of heartwarming to
talk to people that never thought they had that choice.”At present, the educational courses are offered to employees
of Nor-Am and Lifeline, but Albers says the group would like to expand the
courses to others.Albers recalls a conversation she had with someone getting
ready to complete the course.“One of them said I have my eye on a house over in this
neighborhood. I’m not ready for probably the next six months, but I’m going to
buy a house in the next six to 12 months,” Albers says. “And he had been
renting for seven years and had no idea that he even had that as an option.”Albers says she along with Sarah Weaver, a commercial real
estate agent, and Lifeline Foods CFO Michelle Clark, and Buchanan County
Auditor Tara Horn began talking last spring about how St. Joseph could expand
short-term rentals for the bicyclists coming to St. Joseph to ride the newly
created River Bluff Trails Park. Albers says the four considered how to get
their hands on some of the dilapidated houses in the city, fix them up, and
create new short-term rental units.That conversation snowballed and the Housing Improvement
Initiative was formed.The initiative, a nonprofit, has two main goals. One is to
acquire rundown property with potential and upgrade them for resell. The second
is to educate life-long renters on how they can become home owners. Together those
goals will work to increase the housing stock in St. Joseph as well as get
residents more vested in the community through home ownership.The group will acquire property through a number of avenues,
including the Buchanan County property tax sale and use of the Missouri
Abandoned Housing Act. It will educate would-be homeowners through an intense
training course that teaches the basics of buying a home as well as the
budgeting needed to keep up with mortgage payments and maintenance.Weaver tells Birr the group began by surveying what St. Joseph
properties might fit their criteria.“So, if there are homes in this community that have been
vacant for six year, 10 years, 12 years and they’re not paying their property
taxes, there’s obviously property maintenance that has been deferred, those are
the ones we have identified as properties that we would really like to acquire
and work on putting back onto the tax roll and instilling pride of ownership
back in that neighborhood, too,” Weaver says.The Housing Improvement Initiative is working with public
officials as well as representatives in the banking, real estate, and insurance
industries.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Initiative-launched-to-improve-housing-in-St--Joseph-e2a5g03" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

4 women survey St. Joseph housing needs and decide to act

St. Joseph city and park officials are working to combat a growing vandalism problem at the city’s parks.  

District One Councilmember Madison Davis says much of this vandalism can be senseless at times 

"Restrooms, you know they try to break a mirror or rip the sink off the wall or bend the dividers, just silly things," Davis tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "It's just there's I don't think any way to describe it other than senseless and stupid." 

Davis says it's up to everyone to try to help stop the problem 

"Trying to if we see these things or see individuals who are doing these things, trying to call them out and report those things," Davis says. "Not to say that's going to fix every problem." 

Davis says this is not a problem as small as littering 

"We've got to have the education and the sense in our community that it harms us more than anybody," Davis explains. "And I think that's hard to get across to folks at times." 

Davis says the problem is not just contained to city parks, it's also happening at city businesses and homes as well. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post St. Joseph city and park officials are working to combat a growing vandalism problem at the city’s parks. District One Councilmember Madison Davis says much of this vandalism can be senseless at times "Restrooms, you know they try to break a mirror or rip the sink off the wall or bend the dividers, just silly things," Davis tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "It's just there's I don't think any way to describe it other than senseless and stupid." Davis says it's up to everyone to try to help stop the problem "Trying to if we see these things or see individuals who are doing these things, trying to call them out and report those things," Davis says. "Not to say that's going to fix every problem." Davis says this is not a problem as small as littering "We've got to have the education and the sense in our community that it harms us more than anybody," Davis explains. "And I think that's hard to get across to folks at times." Davis says the problem is not just contained to city parks, it's also happening at city businesses and homes as well.

Vandalism a growing problem in St. Joseph

Harold Wolle, a Minnesota farmer, officially took over as the new president of the National Corn Growers Association. 

Wolle has several goals in mind, saying that reauthorizing a farm bill that reflects the priorities of corn growers will be a pressing concern. 

He also plans to push for more support of the Next Generation Fuels Act in the House and Senate while making ethanol a go-to biofuel in the aviation sector. 

“My theme as president is ‘Shaping the Future,’ and nothing shapes the future like effective advocacy,” Wolle says. “And no other group does advocacy as well as our state corn grower groups and the NCGA.” Wolle has a lot of experience in many issues important to corn growers. 

He's served on NCGA committees and the organization’s board, including as a board liaison to the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Advisory Board. He’s also past president of the Minnesota Corn Growers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696433178804.jpeg" alt="Photo of Harold Wolle courtesy of the NCGA" />
 <figcaption>Photo of Harold Wolle courtesy of the NCGA</figcaption>
 </figure>Harold Wolle, a Minnesota farmer, officially took over as the new president of the National Corn Growers Association. Wolle has several goals in mind, saying that reauthorizing a farm bill that reflects the priorities of corn growers will be a pressing concern. He also plans to push for more support of the Next Generation Fuels Act in the House and Senate while making ethanol a go-to biofuel in the aviation sector. “My theme as president is ‘Shaping the Future,’ and nothing shapes the future like effective advocacy,” Wolle says. “And no other group does advocacy as well as our state corn grower groups and the NCGA.” Wolle has a lot of experience in many issues important to corn growers. He's served on NCGA committees and the organization’s board, including as a board liaison to the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Advisory Board. He’s also past president of the Minnesota Corn Growers.- NAFB

Wolle takes over as new NCGA president

U.S. pork producers tasked the National Pork Producers Council with leading an effort to update the existing swine traceability system. 

NPPC wants swine producers, veterinarians, cull swine and breeding operators, and show pig enthusiasts to comment on the draft standards by October 27. 

“Approximately one million pigs are in transit every day, giving diseases plenty of opportunities to spread,” says Scott Hays, NPPC president and Missouri pork producer. 

“With the growing threat of a foreign animal disease reaching the U.S., the need to address gaps in our existing traceability system is important for our farms and industry.” 

International markets would close immediately if a foreign animal disease were discovered in the U.S. “With $7.7 billion worth of pork being sold to international consumers, we need to assure our trading partners that we can identify disease-free animals and provide products from unaffected farms,” Hays adds. For more information, go to nppc.org/trace.

U.S. pork producers tasked the National Pork Producers Council with leading an effort to update the existing swine traceability system. NPPC wants swine producers, veterinarians, cull swine and breeding operators, and show pig enthusiasts to comment on the draft standards by October 27. “Approximately one million pigs are in transit every day, giving diseases plenty of opportunities to spread,” says Scott Hays, NPPC president and Missouri pork producer. “With the growing threat of a foreign animal disease reaching the U.S., the need to address gaps in our existing traceability system is important for our farms and industry.” International markets would close immediately if a foreign animal disease were discovered in the U.S. “With $7.7 billion worth of pork being sold to international consumers, we need to assure our trading partners that we can identify disease-free animals and provide products from unaffected farms,” Hays adds. For more information, go to nppc.org/trace.- NAFB

Local