ATCHISON COUNTY, Mo. —One person died in an accident just before 7a.m. Sunday in Atchison County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Hyundai Sonata driven by Ryan L. Roper, 28, Atchison, Kansas, was westbound on U.S. 59 two miles east of Atchison.

The car crossed the center of the road, began to skid, slide and struck a fixed object.&nbsp;

Roper was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Arensburg-Pruett Funeral Home in Atchison. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

ATCHISON COUNTY, Mo. —One person died in an accident just before 7a.m. Sunday in Atchison County, Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Hyundai Sonata driven by Ryan L. Roper, 28, Atchison, Kansas, was westbound on U.S. 59 two miles east of Atchison.The car crossed the center of the road, began to skid, slide and struck a fixed object.&nbsp;Roper was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Arensburg-Pruett Funeral Home in Atchison. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Kansas man dies after crash in NW Missouri 

ANDREW COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 6a.m. Sunday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Ford F150 driven by a 16-year-old St. Joseph girl was westbound on CR 350 four miles north of St. Joseph.

The driver failed to yield at U.S. 169 and pulled into the path of a southbound 2017 Subuaru Impreza driven by Madison L. Nold, 18, St. Joseph.

The car struck the pickup in the passenger door. After impact the pickup traveled off the road and struck a stop sign and the car struck a building.

Andrew County EMS transported Nold to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp; The 16-year-old driver was not injured. The MSHP had incomplete seat belt usage information.

ANDREW COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 6a.m. Sunday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Ford F150 driven by a 16-year-old St. Joseph girl was westbound on CR 350 four miles north of St. Joseph.The driver failed to yield at U.S. 169 and pulled into the path of a southbound 2017 Subuaru Impreza driven by Madison L. Nold, 18, St. Joseph.The car struck the pickup in the passenger door. After impact the pickup traveled off the road and struck a stop sign and the car struck a building.Andrew County EMS transported Nold to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp; The 16-year-old driver was not injured. The MSHP had incomplete seat belt usage information.

St. Joe teen hospitalized after car, pickup crash

MERCER COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 11a.m. Saturday in Mercer County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Dodge Ram driven by Seth A. Shield, 21, Leon, Iowa, was northbound on U.S. 65 just north of Mercer.

The pickup rear-ended a 1995 Mitsubishi. Pajero driven by Jason E. Valentine, 52, Unionville,&nbsp; who was slowing to make a left turn.

Mercer County EMS transported Valentine to Wayne County Hospital. Shield was not injured. Valentine was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

MERCER COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 11a.m. Saturday in Mercer County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Dodge Ram driven by Seth A. Shield, 21, Leon, Iowa, was northbound on U.S. 65 just north of Mercer.The pickup rear-ended a 1995 Mitsubishi. Pajero driven by Jason E. Valentine, 52, Unionville,&nbsp; who was slowing to make a left turn.Mercer County EMS transported Valentine to Wayne County Hospital. Shield was not injured. Valentine was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man hospitalized after rear-end crash

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp; a Kansas felon with a history of violence on new charges.

Just before 6p.m. Sept. 1, sheriff's deputies with assistance from Horton Police, arrested Ricky Wabaunsee 44 Horton&nbsp; on&nbsp; Felony Warrant, according to Sheriff John Merchang.

&nbsp;He remains jailed on a $75,000 bond on requested charges of Aggravated Assault of a Law Enforcement Officer, Aggravated Assault and Felony Obstruction.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694203518586.png" alt="Wabaunsee has previous convictions for battery of a corrections officer, criminal threat, DUI and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Wabaunsee has previous convictions for battery of a corrections officer, criminal threat, DUI and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp; a Kansas felon with a history of violence on new charges.Just before 6p.m. Sept. 1, sheriff's deputies with assistance from Horton Police, arrested Ricky Wabaunsee 44 Horton&nbsp; on&nbsp; Felony Warrant, according to Sheriff John Merchang.&nbsp;He remains jailed on a $75,000 bond on requested charges of Aggravated Assault of a Law Enforcement Officer, Aggravated Assault and Felony Obstruction.

Kan. felon with history of violence accused of assault of an officer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The Democratic stronghold of St. Louis and other cities in the Republican-leaning state of Missouri would be blocked from cracking down on guns under a newly proposed constitutional amendment.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/Elections/Petitions/2024-119.pdf">petition</a>&nbsp;for a November 2024 vote on the proposal, filed this week, also would require parents' permission for minors to use and carry firearms. Missouri currently has no age restrictions on gun use and possession, although federal law largely prohibits minors from carrying handguns.

The proposed measure makes exceptions to the parental permission rule in case of emergencies and for members of the military. Each branch of the military requires that people be at least 17 years old in order to enlist.

Paul Berry, a suburban St. Louis Republican, filed the proposal with the secretary of state's office in response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-gun-laws-ecfe9f32b278af83f6852114c7fe7cb9">efforts</a>&nbsp;by the city to sidestep the state Legislature and impose restrictions on gun use.

“Constitutional rights should apply to all individuals of the state or the country equally, regardless of your zip code or your financial status or the style of community that you live in," Berry said.

St. Louis is annually among the cities with the nation’s highest homicide rates. City leaders have been trying for years to persuade Missouri’s Republican-led Legislature to enact stricter gun laws, but without success. The state has among the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/guns-missouri-lawsuit-republicans-laws-4596a7cc5999085db69a0c763f333ee8">most lenient gun laws</a>&nbsp;in the nation.

In February, the Missouri House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-joplin-missouri-st-louis-children-24e0b91f63d83011e1f938c8cb587786">voted down a bipartisan proposal</a>&nbsp;that would have put limits on when and where minors may carry guns. St. Louis officials renewed calls for action after one teenager was killed and 10 others were hurt at a downtown party that devolved into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/st-louis-shooting-teenager-missouri-party-ab3012ff03f5abf434ace1d611391eb0">a shootout on June 18</a>. Survivors ranged from ages 15 to 19.

While Missouri lawmakers passed a law in 2014 preventing cities and counties from enacting any gun policies, another constitutional amendment filed by St. Louis advocates would work around that law by enshrining in the constitution local governments’ right to adopt their own gun rules.

Berry is challenging those proposals in court.

He needs to gather signatures from 8% of voters in six of the state's eight congressional districts to get the proposals on the ballot in 2024.

Berry, a 45-year-old businessman, also on Friday announced he is running for lieutenant governor in 2024 in a GOP primary that includes state Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The Democratic stronghold of St. Louis and other cities in the Republican-leaning state of Missouri would be blocked from cracking down on guns under a newly proposed constitutional amendment.A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/Elections/Petitions/2024-119.pdf">petition</a>&nbsp;for a November 2024 vote on the proposal, filed this week, also would require parents' permission for minors to use and carry firearms. Missouri currently has no age restrictions on gun use and possession, although federal law largely prohibits minors from carrying handguns.The proposed measure makes exceptions to the parental permission rule in case of emergencies and for members of the military. Each branch of the military requires that people be at least 17 years old in order to enlist.Paul Berry, a suburban St. Louis Republican, filed the proposal with the secretary of state's office in response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-gun-laws-ecfe9f32b278af83f6852114c7fe7cb9">efforts</a>&nbsp;by the city to sidestep the state Legislature and impose restrictions on gun use.“Constitutional rights should apply to all individuals of the state or the country equally, regardless of your zip code or your financial status or the style of community that you live in," Berry said.St. Louis is annually among the cities with the nation’s highest homicide rates. City leaders have been trying for years to persuade Missouri’s Republican-led Legislature to enact stricter gun laws, but without success. The state has among the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/guns-missouri-lawsuit-republicans-laws-4596a7cc5999085db69a0c763f333ee8">most lenient gun laws</a>&nbsp;in the nation.In February, the Missouri House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-joplin-missouri-st-louis-children-24e0b91f63d83011e1f938c8cb587786">voted down a bipartisan proposal</a>&nbsp;that would have put limits on when and where minors may carry guns. St. Louis officials renewed calls for action after one teenager was killed and 10 others were hurt at a downtown party that devolved into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/st-louis-shooting-teenager-missouri-party-ab3012ff03f5abf434ace1d611391eb0">a shootout on June 18</a>. Survivors ranged from ages 15 to 19.While Missouri lawmakers passed a law in 2014 preventing cities and counties from enacting any gun policies, another constitutional amendment filed by St. Louis advocates would work around that law by enshrining in the constitution local governments’ right to adopt their own gun rules.Berry is challenging those proposals in court.He needs to gather signatures from 8% of voters in six of the state's eight congressional districts to get the proposals on the ballot in 2024.Berry, a 45-year-old businessman, also on Friday announced he is running for lieutenant governor in 2024 in a GOP primary that includes state Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder.

Mo. constitutional amendment would ban local gun laws, limit minors' access to firearms

Noyes Home invites area
residents to a block party Sunday.

The block party at the Noyes
Home scheduled for July had to be canceled due to inclement weather, but it’s
back on. This is the 11th Annual Block Party.

Several companies are contributing
to the party which will be held Sunday at the Noyes Home for Children from 4 to
6pm.

Evergy sponsors the block
party. South Side Sertoma is providing homemade pork tenderloin sandwiches and
sides. Pepsi Americas of St. Joseph is donating drinks. Cub Scouts Pack 801 will
also be selling Trail’s End Popcorn to support upcoming scouting events for the
children through the coming year. 

Noyes Home children have
created watercolor and mixed media artwork, which will be available to
purchase.

Games will be on hand,
including the Celebrity Kickball Tournament, a highlight of the event, with St.
Joseph Celebrities vs the Noyes Home children and staff.

“The Noyes Home is truly a home filled with love.&nbsp; Love from our staff, our families, and our
amazing supporters”, Chelsea Howlett, Noyes Home Executive Director, said in a
written statement.&nbsp; “We are so grateful
for the support we receive and truly could not continue to keep our doors open
without their generosity.&nbsp; We want to
celebrate and share Our Home with this amazing community.”&nbsp; Tours of the home will also be provided
during the event and all proceeds from the event benefit the Noyes Home. 

The Noyes Home says the Annual
Block Party is one of many events open to everyone in the community and says if
you are unable to come, make plans to attend the Annual Holiday Party in
December. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694190993204.jpeg" alt="Noyes Home for Children/Photo by Noyes Home" />
 <figcaption>Noyes Home for Children/Photo by Noyes Home</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNoyes Home invites area
residents to a block party Sunday.The block party at the Noyes
Home scheduled for July had to be canceled due to inclement weather, but it’s
back on. This is the 11th Annual Block Party.Several companies are contributing
to the party which will be held Sunday at the Noyes Home for Children from 4 to
6pm.Evergy sponsors the block
party. South Side Sertoma is providing homemade pork tenderloin sandwiches and
sides. Pepsi Americas of St. Joseph is donating drinks. Cub Scouts Pack 801 will
also be selling Trail’s End Popcorn to support upcoming scouting events for the
children through the coming year. Noyes Home children have
created watercolor and mixed media artwork, which will be available to
purchase.Games will be on hand,
including the Celebrity Kickball Tournament, a highlight of the event, with St.
Joseph Celebrities vs the Noyes Home children and staff.“The Noyes Home is truly a home filled with love.&nbsp; Love from our staff, our families, and our
amazing supporters”, Chelsea Howlett, Noyes Home Executive Director, said in a
written statement.&nbsp; “We are so grateful
for the support we receive and truly could not continue to keep our doors open
without their generosity.&nbsp; We want to
celebrate and share Our Home with this amazing community.”&nbsp; Tours of the home will also be provided
during the event and all proceeds from the event benefit the Noyes Home. The Noyes Home says the Annual
Block Party is one of many events open to everyone in the community and says if
you are unable to come, make plans to attend the Annual Holiday Party in
December.

Noyes Home reschedules block party for this Sunday

CalfDex now available for IPhone, Android devices

K-State Research and Extension news service

Kansas State University agricultural economics and veterinary medicine staff are taking their knowledge on animal record-keeping to mobile phones with an app that is now available in app stores for IPhone and Android devices.

K-State livestock economist Ted Schroeder said the app, called CalfDex, is free to download. It was developed by agricultural economist master’s graduate Jake Hefley (who now works at the University of Missouri), master’s candidate Audrey Marchek, K-State veterinarian Bob Larson and Schroeder.

The project was funded by a grant from the USDA Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program.

“Our team is eager to provide users with a convenient and easy-to-use modern animal data management tool to keep pace in an ever-changing industry,” Schroeder said. “Considering the growing importance of information exchange in the beef supply chain, there is value in an application that has the ability to store and upload data at the whole-herd and individual animal levels, while also facilitating easy downstream data sharing.”

The app is designed for use in the field even where cell phone service is not available. Schroeder said CalfDex enables producers to maintain efficient and accurate calving, weaning and treatment records – mitigating the risk of clutter, data loss and misplacement that is commonly seen with paper records. The data is also stored across calving seasons for easy access.

Schroeder said the app allows users to protect information with a unique email address and password, established by the user.

“Because it has the capability to track multiple herds and individual animal information, CalfDex is tailored to meet the needs of all sizes of calving operations, from large purebred enterprises to a 4-H or FFA student beginning their first beef breeding project,” Schroeder said.

More information on the app, including a description of its functions,&nbsp;<a href="https://agmanager.info/livestock-meat/cross-subject-areas/introduction-and-emerging-features-calfdex-new-calving">is available online</a>, as well as on&nbsp;<a href="https://agmanager.info/">AgManager,</a>&nbsp;a website maintained by K-State’s Department of Agricultural Economics.

<h2>CalfDex now available for IPhone, Android devices</h2>K-State Research and Extension news serviceKansas State University agricultural economics and veterinary medicine staff are taking their knowledge on animal record-keeping to mobile phones with an app that is now available in app stores for IPhone and Android devices.K-State livestock economist Ted Schroeder said the app, called CalfDex, is free to download. It was developed by agricultural economist master’s graduate Jake Hefley (who now works at the University of Missouri), master’s candidate Audrey Marchek, K-State veterinarian Bob Larson and Schroeder.The project was funded by a grant from the USDA Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program.“Our team is eager to provide users with a convenient and easy-to-use modern animal data management tool to keep pace in an ever-changing industry,” Schroeder said. “Considering the growing importance of information exchange in the beef supply chain, there is value in an application that has the ability to store and upload data at the whole-herd and individual animal levels, while also facilitating easy downstream data sharing.”The app is designed for use in the field even where cell phone service is not available. Schroeder said CalfDex enables producers to maintain efficient and accurate calving, weaning and treatment records – mitigating the risk of clutter, data loss and misplacement that is commonly seen with paper records. The data is also stored across calving seasons for easy access.Schroeder said the app allows users to protect information with a unique email address and password, established by the user.“Because it has the capability to track multiple herds and individual animal information, CalfDex is tailored to meet the needs of all sizes of calving operations, from large purebred enterprises to a 4-H or FFA student beginning their first beef breeding project,” Schroeder said.More information on the app, including a description of its functions,&nbsp;<a href="https://agmanager.info/livestock-meat/cross-subject-areas/introduction-and-emerging-features-calfdex-new-calving">is available online</a>, as well as on&nbsp;<a href="https://agmanager.info/">AgManager,</a>&nbsp;a website maintained by K-State’s Department of Agricultural Economics.

K-State app for animal record-keeping now available

The Biden administration has announced another
billion-dollar aid package for Ukraine; only a portion of which is military aid.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the
package during a trip to Ukraine to assess the country’s counteroffensive to
repel Russian forces.

Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves, a
Republican, supports the Biden administration’s move to shore up Ukraine’s
military force and supply aid to the war-torn country.

“People criticize me because of my support in
giving Ukraine the resources that they need,” Graves says. “But, here’s the
thing, that worries me. If Russia moves through Ukraine and then they go into
the Baltic states, and that’s Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, they are a part
of NATO which means we will have boots on the ground and we will have men and
women in uniform in there fighting the Russians.”

Graves says the United States has a vested
interest in the war in Ukraine if nothing else than to stop Russia from attacking
a NATO country.

“We have to do everything we can to prevent them
from ever doing that and that is Ukraine,” according to Graves.

The latest aid package to Ukraine includes $275 million
for the military, with the majority to help provide food and aid to the
Ukrainian people.

Graves says the war in Ukraine is much more of a
problem for the United States than most might realize.

“Because if they go into a NATO country, it’s a
big problem for the United States, a big problem,” according to Graves.

Graves is puzzled the Biden administration has
been hesitant to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets.

“When it comes to decisions like that, I have a
hard time questioning the president on them, because I don’t know what
intelligence that he is getting that is contrary to what I’m getting.”

A Russian missile
tore through an outdoor market in eastern Ukraine, killing 17 people and
wounding dozens. The attack unfolded Wednesday as Secretary of State Blinken
returned to the country with more than $1 billion in new American funding for
Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the Russian attack on a
civilian target. Blinken’s visit was aimed at assessing Ukraine’s 3-month-old
counteroffensive and signaling continued U.S. support as some Western allies
express worries about Kyiv’s slow progress against invading Russian forces.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694199476705.jpeg" alt="Ukraine war/AP photo" />
 <figcaption>Ukraine war/AP photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostThe Biden administration has announced another
billion-dollar aid package for Ukraine; only a portion of which is military aid.Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the
package during a trip to Ukraine to assess the country’s counteroffensive to
repel Russian forces.Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves, a
Republican, supports the Biden administration’s move to shore up Ukraine’s
military force and supply aid to the war-torn country.“People criticize me because of my support in
giving Ukraine the resources that they need,” Graves says. “But, here’s the
thing, that worries me. If Russia moves through Ukraine and then they go into
the Baltic states, and that’s Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, they are a part
of NATO which means we will have boots on the ground and we will have men and
women in uniform in there fighting the Russians.”Graves says the United States has a vested
interest in the war in Ukraine if nothing else than to stop Russia from attacking
a NATO country.“We have to do everything we can to prevent them
from ever doing that and that is Ukraine,” according to Graves.The latest aid package to Ukraine includes $275 million
for the military, with the majority to help provide food and aid to the
Ukrainian people.Graves says the war in Ukraine is much more of a
problem for the United States than most might realize.“Because if they go into a NATO country, it’s a
big problem for the United States, a big problem,” according to Graves.Graves is puzzled the Biden administration has
been hesitant to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets.“When it comes to decisions like that, I have a
hard time questioning the president on them, because I don’t know what
intelligence that he is getting that is contrary to what I’m getting.”A Russian missile
tore through an outdoor market in eastern Ukraine, killing 17 people and
wounding dozens. The attack unfolded Wednesday as Secretary of State Blinken
returned to the country with more than $1 billion in new American funding for
Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the Russian attack on a
civilian target. Blinken’s visit was aimed at assessing Ukraine’s 3-month-old
counteroffensive and signaling continued U.S. support as some Western allies
express worries about Kyiv’s slow progress against invading Russian forces.The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Graves backs latest aid package to Ukraine

Buchanan County
Associate Circuit Judge Chad Gaddie sat in on a panel of the Missouri Court of
Appeals, Western District this week as the court convened in Kansas City.

Gaddie served as
a panel member by special appointment from the Missouri Supreme Court.

Chief Judge Gary
Witt and Judge Cynthia Martin from the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western
District sat on the panel with Gaddie.

“Judge Gaddie has
such a strong reputation as a smart, dedicated, and thoughtful member of the
judiciary, and we felt he was an excellent person to sit with us on this docket,”
Chief Judge Witt said in a written statement released by the court. “His
insight as a sitting trial judge into the issues before us was invaluable to
our process.&nbsp; It was an honor to have Judge
Gaddie sit with us today."

Gaddie earned his
law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in
1997.&nbsp; Gaddie was elected to serve as an
associate circuit judge in the 5th Judicial Circuit of Buchanan County
in 2022.

Prior to
taking the bench, Gaddie practiced law throughout northwest Missouri. Gaddie
also served as the county attorney for Buchanan County. Gaddie is a former
president of the St. Joseph Bar Association and served on the Board of
Governors for the Missouri Bar Association.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694192023633.jpeg" alt="Judge Chad Gaddie (right) sits on Western District Court of Appeals/Photo courtesy of Western District Court of Appeals" />
 <figcaption>Judge Chad Gaddie (right) sits on Western District Court of Appeals/Photo courtesy of Western District Court of Appeals</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostBuchanan County
Associate Circuit Judge Chad Gaddie sat in on a panel of the Missouri Court of
Appeals, Western District this week as the court convened in Kansas City.Gaddie served as
a panel member by special appointment from the Missouri Supreme Court.Chief Judge Gary
Witt and Judge Cynthia Martin from the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western
District sat on the panel with Gaddie.“Judge Gaddie has
such a strong reputation as a smart, dedicated, and thoughtful member of the
judiciary, and we felt he was an excellent person to sit with us on this docket,”
Chief Judge Witt said in a written statement released by the court. “His
insight as a sitting trial judge into the issues before us was invaluable to
our process.&nbsp; It was an honor to have Judge
Gaddie sit with us today."Gaddie earned his
law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in
1997.&nbsp; Gaddie was elected to serve as an
associate circuit judge in the 5th Judicial Circuit of Buchanan County
in 2022.Prior to
taking the bench, Gaddie practiced law throughout northwest Missouri. Gaddie
also served as the county attorney for Buchanan County. Gaddie is a former
president of the St. Joseph Bar Association and served on the Board of
Governors for the Missouri Bar Association.

Buchanan County Judge Gaddie sits on Appeals Court panel

Federal officials have fined a northwest Missouri roofing
company $205,369 for its part in the fatal
fall of an employee in March.

The Department of Labor reports an 18-year-old employee of
Troyer Roofing and Coatings of Jamesport fell more than 22 feet on March 27th
while applying sealant to a commercial building’s roof. The employee died after
spending five days in a coma.

Inspectors with the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration report Troyer allowed a foreman and another worker to complete
the shift without fall protection after the fatal fall. OSHA also accuses
Troyer of allowing employees to decide whether or not to use fall protection.

“Troyer Roofing &amp; Coatings could have prevented this
young worker’s death by requiring their employees to use fall protection
equipment. Disturbingly, the employer allowed other workers to go back to work
on the same roof without fall protection,” OSHA Area Director Karena Lorek said
in a written statement. “Employers have an obligation to comply with
requirements that are designed to prevent tragedies such as this from
occurring.”

OSHA claims Troyer failed to require employees to use fall
protection and failed to train them how to use it. Investigators also say the
company failed to train employees on property forklift operations, failed to provide workers with face and eye
protection, and did not have a written hazard communication program for
sealants and other chemicals.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostFederal officials have fined a northwest Missouri roofing
company $205,369 for its part in the fatal
fall of an employee in March.The Department of Labor reports an 18-year-old employee of
Troyer Roofing and Coatings of Jamesport fell more than 22 feet on March 27th
while applying sealant to a commercial building’s roof. The employee died after
spending five days in a coma.Inspectors with the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration report Troyer allowed a foreman and another worker to complete
the shift without fall protection after the fatal fall. OSHA also accuses
Troyer of allowing employees to decide whether or not to use fall protection.“Troyer Roofing &amp; Coatings could have prevented this
young worker’s death by requiring their employees to use fall protection
equipment. Disturbingly, the employer allowed other workers to go back to work
on the same roof without fall protection,” OSHA Area Director Karena Lorek said
in a written statement. “Employers have an obligation to comply with
requirements that are designed to prevent tragedies such as this from
occurring.”OSHA claims Troyer failed to require employees to use fall
protection and failed to train them how to use it. Investigators also say the
company failed to train employees on property forklift operations, failed to provide workers with face and eye
protection, and did not have a written hazard communication program for
sealants and other chemicals.

OSHA fines Trenton roofing company in fatal fall

St. Joseph police report a shooting late Thursday night with
no one wounded and no property damage.

Police report officers found shell casings in the 2600 block of Felix Street after the shooting was reported just before 11 o’clock. 

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph police report a shooting late Thursday night with
no one wounded and no property damage.Police report officers found shell casings in the 2600 block of Felix Street after the shooting was reported just before 11 o’clock.

Police report shooting in St. Joseph

Missouri Western State University reports a slight increase in
enrollment with 3,824 students on the St. Joseph campus.

Missouri Western officials report overall enrollment increased
by nearly one percent with 800 freshmen or transfer students enrolling for the fall semester.

Most
of the 618 first-time students come from the state of Missouri,
mostly from Buchanan, Jackson, Andrew, and Clay Counties as well as the city of Saint
Louis. Overall, the first-time students come from 17 states.

&nbsp;The top declared
majors are nursing, psychology, management, marketing, exercise science, and
computer science. About half of the new students say they are the first in
their family to go to college.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Western State University reports a slight increase in
enrollment with 3,824 students on the St. Joseph campus.Missouri Western officials report overall enrollment increased
by nearly one percent with 800 freshmen or transfer students enrolling for the fall semester.Most
of the 618 first-time students come from the state of Missouri,
mostly from Buchanan, Jackson, Andrew, and Clay Counties as well as the city of Saint
Louis. Overall, the first-time students come from 17 states.&nbsp;The top declared
majors are nursing, psychology, management, marketing, exercise science, and
computer science. About half of the new students say they are the first in
their family to go to college.

Missouri Western reports rise in enrollment for fall semester

Party Chairman Russ Carnahan says cash-poor party has donors ready to underwrite heavy cost of holding election with polling sites in every county

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

Democrats in Missouri, like&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/12/02/democrats-strip-iowa-of-first-in-the-nation-prize-tap-south-carolina-for-first-primary/">their counterparts nationally</a>, will use 2024 to test a new system for determining the party’s presidential preference now that the public primary for all parties has been abolished.

Instead of reverting to a caucus-only system, the process used in most elections prior to 2000, the Missouri Democratic Party is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://irp.cdn-website.com/022fb584/files/uploaded/2024%20MDP%20Delegate%20Selection%20Plan%20(Public%20Comment%20Period).docx%20(1).pdf">seeking comment on a plan</a>&nbsp;that will use mail-in ballots and four hours of in-person voting on a Saturday – March 23 – to gauge party sentiment.

Russ Carnahan, chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party, said in an interview Wednesday that the cash-strapped party has a projected budget, along with donors lined up to help finance the party-run primary, but he declined to reveal either.

According to the latest disclosure filings, the party had $14,277 in an account for federal elections and $9,184 on hand in its state account. The state report to the Missouri Ethics Commission, for the quarter ending June 30, showed expenses exceeding income.

“It is a daunting task,” Carnahan said. “It’s different. We were sort of served this cow pile, to put it mildly, stuck with this state law the way it is.”

To cast a vote in the primary, Democratic voters will have to ask the party for a ballot that will be returned by mail for tabulation. The plan calls for the party to have at least one in-person voting location open for four hours on March 23, with extra polling locations in the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas.

“There is an expense, but we think it is worth it to allow for more participation and more engagement with the public,” Carnahan said.

The party is also experimenting with ranked-choice voting. Anyone casting a ballot will be asked to rank their three preferences among the listed candidates.&nbsp;

A candidate must receive 15% of the vote in a congressional district to win district delegates and 15% statewide to win at-large delegates. Votes for candidates ranked as the first preference who do not meet those thresholds will be distributed based on second and third preferences until every vote is assigned to a candidate meeting or beating the threshold.

“The bottom line is that the very important piece of this is voter education, so we’re gonna have to do a lot of training for our local folks,” Carnahan said.

The first modern presidential primary, with delegates pledged to a candidate by the outcome, was held in 1912 in North Dakota. Democrats nationally this year are rearranging their primary schedule, moving Iowa and New Hampshire, traditionally the first states to vote, behind South Carolina and Georgia.

Missouri’s first primary was in 1988, a one-off contest enacted by a Democratic legislature to benefit then-St. Louis Congressman Dick Gephardt.

Gephardt won the primary but lost the presidential nomination.&nbsp;

A permanent primary was created for the 2000 election. There was bipartisan support for the primary, with Gephardt again in the contest for the Democratic nomination and then-U.S. Sen. John Ashcroft seemingly prepared to enter the GOP contest.

The Republican-controlled legislature repealed the law authorizing the primary in 2022. An attempt was made to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/23/lawmakers-consider-bill-switching-missouri-back-to-a-presidential-primary/">revive the primary</a>&nbsp;in this year’s session – Carnahan and GOP state Chairman Nick Myers testified in favor of it – but the bill died in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/push-to-reinstate-missouri-presidential-primary-stalls-in-senate/">gridlock that gripped the state Senate</a>&nbsp;during the final week of this year’s legislative session.

On average, 480,000 Democrats and 450,000 Republicans voted in each of the six primaries since 2000. The actual number varied widely, depending on whether there was an incumbent seeking a second term.

In 2008, when both parties had contested nominations, 1.4 million people voted in the primary, including more than 825,000 Democrats. In 2016, when both nominations were again open contests, almost 1.6 million voted, including more than 935,000 Republicans.

Only 73,000 Democrats voted in 2012, as President Barack Obama was seeking re-election and only 123,000 Republicans voted in 2004 when President George W. Bush was running for a second term.

In 2024, President Joe Biden so far faces no strong challenge renomination, so Democratic turnout would likely not be very high. But that is not a reason to return to the caucus system, Missouri’s traditional method of selecting convention delegates, Canahan said.

“The problem with the caucus is such limited participation in overall numbers,” he said.

Only about 1% of voters take part in caucuses, he said. There are many reasons people who would vote in a primary can’t get to a caucus, he said.

“If you’re handicapped, elderly, you’re in the military, you’re going to work, you’ve got family obligations, you’re out of town,” Carnahan said. “You can name all the reasons people have a hard time getting to a meeting.”

While the primaries in recent election years have divided the state’s national convention delegates, the caucus system has continued to select the individual delegates.

With small numbers of participants, caucuses are also susceptible to well-organized groups seeking to control delegate selection. In 2012,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/03/police-intervene-arrest-ron-paul-backers-at-missouri-caucus">police were called</a>&nbsp;to the St. Charles County Republican caucus after supporters of Ron Paul – who received 12.7% of the county’s primary vote – disrupted proceedings in an effort to control the meeting.

Carnahan said he doesn’t see any likelihood of a repeat of that scene when Democrats hold their mass meetings in April 2024.

“I have a really very minimal concern with that,” Carnahan said.

The Democratic State Committee must adopt a delegate selection plan and will consider the party-run primary at a meeting that has not yet been scheduled. Afterwards, it must be submitted to the national party for approval.

The Republican Party has not released its delegate selection plan, but it seems likely to use a caucus-only system.

The Democratic Party is working with vendors and talking to other state parties, some of which have run primaries, to work through the logistics, he said.&nbsp;

The goal will be to avoid a debacle like the 2020 Iowa caucuses, where that state’s Democratic Party adopted a virtual voting system that would be used alongside its traditional caucuses. It failed horribly and three weeks after the vote&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/how-iowa-caucuses-fell-apart-tarnished-vote-n1140346">no one had valid results</a>.

The party is using paper ballots and centralized tabulation of the mail-in ballots, augmented by the local counts after in-person voting concludes. The results should be available soon but the most important aspect of the primary is for voters to feel they had a voice in the process, Carnahan said.

“The best option for a hybrid system is to do the caucus, with the mail-in ballot, and that accommodates a lot of people that have a hard time getting to an actual meeting,” he said. “So it’s just for our engagement in reach and participation. Given the limitations of the current state law, it looks like the best we can do.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694168749371.png" alt="Russ Carnahan, chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party, said in an interview Wednesday that the cash-strapped party has a projected budget, along with donors lined up to help finance the party-run primary (photo courtesy of Missouri Democratic Party)." />
 <figcaption>Russ Carnahan, chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party, said in an interview Wednesday that the cash-strapped party has a projected budget, along with donors lined up to help finance the party-run primary (photo courtesy of Missouri Democratic Party).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Party Chairman Russ Carnahan says cash-poor party has donors ready to underwrite heavy cost of holding election with polling sites in every county</h2>By RUDI KELLER,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Democrats in Missouri, like&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/12/02/democrats-strip-iowa-of-first-in-the-nation-prize-tap-south-carolina-for-first-primary/">their counterparts nationally</a>, will use 2024 to test a new system for determining the party’s presidential preference now that the public primary for all parties has been abolished.Instead of reverting to a caucus-only system, the process used in most elections prior to 2000, the Missouri Democratic Party is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://irp.cdn-website.com/022fb584/files/uploaded/2024%20MDP%20Delegate%20Selection%20Plan%20(Public%20Comment%20Period).docx%20(1).pdf">seeking comment on a plan</a>&nbsp;that will use mail-in ballots and four hours of in-person voting on a Saturday – March 23 – to gauge party sentiment.Russ Carnahan, chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party, said in an interview Wednesday that the cash-strapped party has a projected budget, along with donors lined up to help finance the party-run primary, but he declined to reveal either.According to the latest disclosure filings, the party had $14,277 in an account for federal elections and $9,184 on hand in its state account. The state report to the Missouri Ethics Commission, for the quarter ending June 30, showed expenses exceeding income.“It is a daunting task,” Carnahan said. “It’s different. We were sort of served this cow pile, to put it mildly, stuck with this state law the way it is.”To cast a vote in the primary, Democratic voters will have to ask the party for a ballot that will be returned by mail for tabulation. The plan calls for the party to have at least one in-person voting location open for four hours on March 23, with extra polling locations in the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas.“There is an expense, but we think it is worth it to allow for more participation and more engagement with the public,” Carnahan said.The party is also experimenting with ranked-choice voting. Anyone casting a ballot will be asked to rank their three preferences among the listed candidates.&nbsp;A candidate must receive 15% of the vote in a congressional district to win district delegates and 15% statewide to win at-large delegates. Votes for candidates ranked as the first preference who do not meet those thresholds will be distributed based on second and third preferences until every vote is assigned to a candidate meeting or beating the threshold.“The bottom line is that the very important piece of this is voter education, so we’re gonna have to do a lot of training for our local folks,” Carnahan said.<h2>Primary history</h2>The first modern presidential primary, with delegates pledged to a candidate by the outcome, was held in 1912 in North Dakota. Democrats nationally this year are rearranging their primary schedule, moving Iowa and New Hampshire, traditionally the first states to vote, behind South Carolina and Georgia.Missouri’s first primary was in 1988, a one-off contest enacted by a Democratic legislature to benefit then-St. Louis Congressman Dick Gephardt.Gephardt won the primary but lost the presidential nomination.&nbsp;A permanent primary was created for the 2000 election. There was bipartisan support for the primary, with Gephardt again in the contest for the Democratic nomination and then-U.S. Sen. John Ashcroft seemingly prepared to enter the GOP contest.The Republican-controlled legislature repealed the law authorizing the primary in 2022. An attempt was made to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/23/lawmakers-consider-bill-switching-missouri-back-to-a-presidential-primary/">revive the primary</a>&nbsp;in this year’s session – Carnahan and GOP state Chairman Nick Myers testified in favor of it – but the bill died in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/push-to-reinstate-missouri-presidential-primary-stalls-in-senate/">gridlock that gripped the state Senate</a>&nbsp;during the final week of this year’s legislative session.On average, 480,000 Democrats and 450,000 Republicans voted in each of the six primaries since 2000. The actual number varied widely, depending on whether there was an incumbent seeking a second term.In 2008, when both parties had contested nominations, 1.4 million people voted in the primary, including more than 825,000 Democrats. In 2016, when both nominations were again open contests, almost 1.6 million voted, including more than 935,000 Republicans.Only 73,000 Democrats voted in 2012, as President Barack Obama was seeking re-election and only 123,000 Republicans voted in 2004 when President George W. Bush was running for a second term.In 2024, President Joe Biden so far faces no strong challenge renomination, so Democratic turnout would likely not be very high. But that is not a reason to return to the caucus system, Missouri’s traditional method of selecting convention delegates, Canahan said.“The problem with the caucus is such limited participation in overall numbers,” he said.Only about 1% of voters take part in caucuses, he said. There are many reasons people who would vote in a primary can’t get to a caucus, he said.“If you’re handicapped, elderly, you’re in the military, you’re going to work, you’ve got family obligations, you’re out of town,” Carnahan said. “You can name all the reasons people have a hard time getting to a meeting.”While the primaries in recent election years have divided the state’s national convention delegates, the caucus system has continued to select the individual delegates.With small numbers of participants, caucuses are also susceptible to well-organized groups seeking to control delegate selection. In 2012,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/03/police-intervene-arrest-ron-paul-backers-at-missouri-caucus">police were called</a>&nbsp;to the St. Charles County Republican caucus after supporters of Ron Paul – who received 12.7% of the county’s primary vote – disrupted proceedings in an effort to control the meeting.Carnahan said he doesn’t see any likelihood of a repeat of that scene when Democrats hold their mass meetings in April 2024.“I have a really very minimal concern with that,” Carnahan said.<h2>Next steps</h2>The Democratic State Committee must adopt a delegate selection plan and will consider the party-run primary at a meeting that has not yet been scheduled. Afterwards, it must be submitted to the national party for approval.The Republican Party has not released its delegate selection plan, but it seems likely to use a caucus-only system.The Democratic Party is working with vendors and talking to other state parties, some of which have run primaries, to work through the logistics, he said.&nbsp;The goal will be to avoid a debacle like the 2020 Iowa caucuses, where that state’s Democratic Party adopted a virtual voting system that would be used alongside its traditional caucuses. It failed horribly and three weeks after the vote&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/how-iowa-caucuses-fell-apart-tarnished-vote-n1140346">no one had valid results</a>.The party is using paper ballots and centralized tabulation of the mail-in ballots, augmented by the local counts after in-person voting concludes. The results should be available soon but the most important aspect of the primary is for voters to feel they had a voice in the process, Carnahan said.“The best option for a hybrid system is to do the caucus, with the mail-in ballot, and that accommodates a lot of people that have a hard time getting to an actual meeting,” he said. “So it’s just for our engagement in reach and participation. Given the limitations of the current state law, it looks like the best we can do.”

Mail-in ballots, ranked-choice voting part of Missouri Democrat plan for presidential primary

CALDWELL COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Thursday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Ford Escape driven by Elaine J. McCallop, 25, Polo, was westbound on Diamond Ridge Drive one mile south of Polo.

The SUV crossed the center line and struck an eastbound 2008 Ford F150 driven by Robert D. Bennett, 66, Polo, head-on.

Caldwell County EMS transported MCCallop and a 5-year-old male passenger in the SUV to Cameron Regional Medical Center. Bennett was not injured. He was also not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

CALDWELL COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Thursday in Caldwell County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Ford Escape driven by Elaine J. McCallop, 25, Polo, was westbound on Diamond Ridge Drive one mile south of Polo.The SUV crossed the center line and struck an eastbound 2008 Ford F150 driven by Robert D. Bennett, 66, Polo, head-on.Caldwell County EMS transported MCCallop and a 5-year-old male passenger in the SUV to Cameron Regional Medical Center. Bennett was not injured. He was also not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Mo. woman, 5-year-old hospitalized after head-on crash

An annual campaign by the United Way of Greater St. Joseph to raise money to put back into the community kicked off on Thursday.  

More than 200 people gathered at the Fulkerson Center on the campus of Missouri Western State University to start the campaign.  

President Kylee Strough says the dollars raised through the campaign improve lives through the network of United Way partner agencies 

"There's 17 agencies and then seven initiatives that United Way runs as well as we're able to make grants to emerging and emergency issues that happen in the community," Strough tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And all that is decided by volunteers." 

Strough says the staff of United Way simply help facilitate a way for people to care about each other in the community and bring people together during the campaign.

Before volunteers head out into the public, several businesses around St. Joseph help set the pace for United Ways annual campaign.  

To date Pacesetter companies have raised a record amount coming in at $900,349 

Campaign Co-Chair Michelle Clark says the biggest contributor to that amount is a community effort.  

"It's a lot of volunteer effort that goes into the Pacesetters, it's individuals within those companies that really advocate for United Way and set up those meetings with the employees to help educate them on what United Way does and how they can give," Clark tells reporters following the kickoff breakfast.  

Strough says these Pacesetter numbers help give an early idea of how the community is feeling 

"If the pacesetter results company by company are looking lower than the year before, we're going to ask have the community members lost trust in United Way, or is there something else at play," Strough explains. 

Such as higher prices.  But on the other hand, Strough says if the Pacesetter number is higher than in the past 

"We're going to want to find out why did you choose to give this year and not before, or why did you choose to increase your gift, because we want to do more of what you love in this community and we need you to tell us what that is," Strough says. 

The United Way campaign runs through November 2nd.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694110152690.jpeg" alt="Campaign Co-Chairs Brendon and Michelle Clark speak during the United Way 2023 Campaign Kickoff /Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Campaign Co-Chairs Brendon and Michelle Clark speak during the United Way 2023 Campaign Kickoff /Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post An annual campaign by the United Way of Greater St. Joseph to raise money to put back into the community kicked off on Thursday. More than 200 people gathered at the Fulkerson Center on the campus of Missouri Western State University to start the campaign. President Kylee Strough says the dollars raised through the campaign improve lives through the network of United Way partner agencies "There's 17 agencies and then seven initiatives that United Way runs as well as we're able to make grants to emerging and emergency issues that happen in the community," Strough tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And all that is decided by volunteers." Strough says the staff of United Way simply help facilitate a way for people to care about each other in the community and bring people together during the campaign.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694110305015.jpeg" alt="United Way of Greater St. joseph President Kylee Strough speaks during the 2023 Campaign Kickoff /Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>United Way of Greater St. joseph President Kylee Strough speaks during the 2023 Campaign Kickoff /Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>Before volunteers head out into the public, several businesses around St. Joseph help set the pace for United Ways annual campaign. To date Pacesetter companies have raised a record amount coming in at $900,349 Campaign Co-Chair Michelle Clark says the biggest contributor to that amount is a community effort. "It's a lot of volunteer effort that goes into the Pacesetters, it's individuals within those companies that really advocate for United Way and set up those meetings with the employees to help educate them on what United Way does and how they can give," Clark tells reporters following the kickoff breakfast. Strough says these Pacesetter numbers help give an early idea of how the community is feeling "If the pacesetter results company by company are looking lower than the year before, we're going to ask have the community members lost trust in United Way, or is there something else at play," Strough explains. Such as higher prices. But on the other hand, Strough says if the Pacesetter number is higher than in the past "We're going to want to find out why did you choose to give this year and not before, or why did you choose to increase your gift, because we want to do more of what you love in this community and we need you to tell us what that is," Strough says. The United Way campaign runs through November 2nd.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694110258872.jpeg" alt="An expected crowd of nearly 200 people gathered to eat breakfast and kick off the 2023 United Way Campaign /Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>An expected crowd of nearly 200 people gathered to eat breakfast and kick off the 2023 United Way Campaign /Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>

United Way of Greater St. Joseph kicks off annual fundraising camapign

A grocery store could soon be coming to downtown
St. Joseph.

Tim and Krista Doyle with Restoration Church have
a building and a name, and hope to soon be selling groceries to those who live,
work, or visit downtown.

The Doyles have formed a nonprofit separate from
the church, Gateway City Trading Company, to operate a grocery store at an
historic address:&nbsp; 101 Main Street.

Tim Doyle says the building might not look like
much, especially compared with other stunning historic buildings in St. Joseph,
but it is one of the oldest in town. In fact, the name chosen for the grocery
store reflects that history. The Doyles say the store will be called Planters
House Market, a nod to the old Planters House Hotel in the early days of St.
Joseph.

Steps still must be taken before food will be
sold there. A market study is being conducted to determine the feasibility of
operating a grocery store in downtown St. Joseph.

Krista Doyle says the couple has been anxious to
get the store up and running.

“This is going slower than what we want, but each
step is an important step that we’re taking,” Doyle tells host Barry Birr on
the KFEQ Hotline. “So, the next step we’re taking is the market study that we
have to do in order to bring a grocery store to our building.”

As for Tim Doyle, he says the lack of a grocery
store downtown is a problem.

“We need sources for fresh, nutritious, healthy
food that helps people fit the budget as well,” Doyle says during the couple’s
guest appearance on the Hotline. “So I think, again, it’s a great partnership
that will benefit not just downtown, but St. Joseph as a whole.”

Tim Doyle says the effort checks off three points
for St. Joseph:&nbsp; addressing food
insecurity in the city’s core, convenience for those living and working
downtown, and historic preservation.

He admits the two haven’t got everything figured
out as the move forward.

“I’ve never really had it all figured out before
I went in. I just kind of followed it one step at a time, followed the bread
crumbs, if you will,” Tim Doyle says. “And this grocery store, we just
recognized such a vital need for downtown and if we can help provide that, to
be a blessing, a resource, and an amenity, especially to place that into a
historic building. So, we’re winning on so many fronts.”

The building at the corner of Francis and Main is
on the same block as the Restoration Church location.

This article has been edited since first published.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694105849483.jpeg" alt="101 Main Street, the proposed home of a downtown St. Joseph grocery store/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>101 Main Street, the proposed home of a downtown St. Joseph grocery store/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA grocery store could soon be coming to downtown
St. Joseph.Tim and Krista Doyle with Restoration Church have
a building and a name, and hope to soon be selling groceries to those who live,
work, or visit downtown.The Doyles have formed a nonprofit separate from
the church, Gateway City Trading Company, to operate a grocery store at an
historic address:&nbsp; 101 Main Street.Tim Doyle says the building might not look like
much, especially compared with other stunning historic buildings in St. Joseph,
but it is one of the oldest in town. In fact, the name chosen for the grocery
store reflects that history. The Doyles say the store will be called Planters
House Market, a nod to the old Planters House Hotel in the early days of St.
Joseph.Steps still must be taken before food will be
sold there. A market study is being conducted to determine the feasibility of
operating a grocery store in downtown St. Joseph.Krista Doyle says the couple has been anxious to
get the store up and running.“This is going slower than what we want, but each
step is an important step that we’re taking,” Doyle tells host Barry Birr on
the KFEQ Hotline. “So, the next step we’re taking is the market study that we
have to do in order to bring a grocery store to our building.”As for Tim Doyle, he says the lack of a grocery
store downtown is a problem.“We need sources for fresh, nutritious, healthy
food that helps people fit the budget as well,” Doyle says during the couple’s
guest appearance on the Hotline. “So I think, again, it’s a great partnership
that will benefit not just downtown, but St. Joseph as a whole.”Tim Doyle says the effort checks off three points
for St. Joseph:&nbsp; addressing food
insecurity in the city’s core, convenience for those living and working
downtown, and historic preservation.He admits the two haven’t got everything figured
out as the move forward.“I’ve never really had it all figured out before
I went in. I just kind of followed it one step at a time, followed the bread
crumbs, if you will,” Tim Doyle says. “And this grocery store, we just
recognized such a vital need for downtown and if we can help provide that, to
be a blessing, a resource, and an amenity, especially to place that into a
historic building. So, we’re winning on so many fronts.”The building at the corner of Francis and Main is
on the same block as the Restoration Church location.This article has been edited since first published.

Couple anxious for downtown St. Joseph grocery store to become reality

Despite two new hotels coming to the north end of St. Joseph and the new downtown hotel under construction, there is still a need for more rooms in the city.  

Executive Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau Marci Bennett says there is not only a food desert in St. Joseph, there is also a hotel desert. 

"In that, we do not have enough rooms to accommodate the people that are coming here," Bennett tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "Our occupancies are so high you can't get a hotel room in St. Joseph right now for less than $200 a night, it's because we don't have supply." 

Bennet also says along with a need for rooms, there is a big need for event spaces. 

"Either up north or at the other group of hotels down on Fredrick Avenue area, and that's evidenced by we had our Sports Hall of Fame event last Sunday and we had over 400 people at Stoney Creek and there was standing room only and there was no parking," Bennett points out.  

Bennett says if that event were to continue to grow, there is not enough event space in the city available for it.  

Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesperson Christian Mengel says while some St. Joseph residents might be disappointed when they learn another hotel is being built, he suggests that should be viewed as economic growth. Mengel says hotel rooms are necessary when the city hosts events such as the Division Two Women's Elite Eight. 

"That was such a great event, we were such great hosts, and they can't wait to come back here, but we almost couldn't have that if for example one hotel had to shut down because they had to redo a whole floor or something if that happened, we might have lost it," Mengel explains. "Because we're that close on the edge of not being able to host those events, and the more hotels we get, the more event space we get, the bigger, the more we can bring and that's just more dollars back into Buchanan County." 

Two new hotels are under construction in the north end of St. Joseph at the North Village Shoppes, while work is progressing on the downtown hotel near the Civic Arena. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694103146572.jpeg" alt="The old Red Lion Hotel in downtown St. Joseph, which was demolished earlier this year, the site will be the home of a new Courtyard by Marriot hotel which is currently under development/ File photo" />
 <figcaption>The old Red Lion Hotel in downtown St. Joseph, which was demolished earlier this year, the site will be the home of a new Courtyard by Marriot hotel which is currently under development/ File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Despite two new hotels coming to the north end of St. Joseph and the new downtown hotel under construction, there is still a need for more rooms in the city. Executive Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau Marci Bennett says there is not only a food desert in St. Joseph, there is also a hotel desert. "In that, we do not have enough rooms to accommodate the people that are coming here," Bennett tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "Our occupancies are so high you can't get a hotel room in St. Joseph right now for less than $200 a night, it's because we don't have supply." Bennet also says along with a need for rooms, there is a big need for event spaces. "Either up north or at the other group of hotels down on Fredrick Avenue area, and that's evidenced by we had our Sports Hall of Fame event last Sunday and we had over 400 people at Stoney Creek and there was standing room only and there was no parking," Bennett points out. Bennett says if that event were to continue to grow, there is not enough event space in the city available for it. Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesperson Christian Mengel says while some St. Joseph residents might be disappointed when they learn another hotel is being built, he suggests that should be viewed as economic growth. Mengel says hotel rooms are necessary when the city hosts events such as the Division Two Women's Elite Eight. "That was such a great event, we were such great hosts, and they can't wait to come back here, but we almost couldn't have that if for example one hotel had to shut down because they had to redo a whole floor or something if that happened, we might have lost it," Mengel explains. "Because we're that close on the edge of not being able to host those events, and the more hotels we get, the more event space we get, the bigger, the more we can bring and that's just more dollars back into Buchanan County." Two new hotels are under construction in the north end of St. Joseph at the North Village Shoppes, while work is progressing on the downtown hotel near the Civic Arena.

Despite new hotels coming, St. Joseph is called a hotel desert

The first ever St. Joseph marathon is coming up on September 23rd, and city officials are working hard to make sure the city is ready to host the event.

The event features five different distances for participants to choose from, including a full marathon, half marathon, 10K race, 5K race and a five-person relay team element that encompasses the full route.

The full and half-marathon and relay event start at 7 a.m., with the 5 and 10K portions starting at 7:45. The races are expected to be finished by about 2 p.m.

Director of the St. Joseph Sports Commission Brett Esely says roughly 400 runners have registered to date, with people signing up from 25 different states thus far.

"You have marathoners from all over the country who are bucket list people who say, 'I'm going to run a marathon in all 50 states,'" Esely said. "I don't exactly know what that looks like in the demographic of this race, but when you have people signed up from New Hampshire, Washington, Utah, Wisconsin just to name a few.

"I don't know if those folks haven't run marathons before, but I don't know if they have run marathons before."

So far, there are 89 full marathon runners, 112 running the half and 20 relay teams.

The route will begin and end behind Civic Center Park in downtown St. Joseph, and will take participants from north to south. It includes numerous landmarks like Krug Park, Hyde Park, Lovers Lane, Ashland Avenue, Pony Express Museum and the Museum Hill Area, all incorporating the 12 miles of the city’s historic parkway system.

Esely encourages participation, whether that means running or helping out.

"We'd love for you to run, no matter what segment of the race that is," Esely said. "If you don't want to run, then darn it, volunteer. There's a number of ways to do that. When it's all said and done, we're probably going to be in the 300-400 count when it comes to volunteers."

Beyond volunteers, Esely says many other city and county entities are helping to manage an event of this scale.

"We have multiple medical entities working on the event," he said. "Law enforcement staff, public works, traffic. Just think about everything that goes into controlling a 26.2 mile race route."

In preparation for the race, the St. Joseph Sports Commission mailed 1,043 postcards to homes and business all along the route that stretches 13 miles north to south across town. The route encompasses 17 cross streets as well.

"Obviously with a first time event on this particular stretch of road in St. Joseph, we wanted those folks to know that, 'Hey, there's an event taking place on the 23rd of September and this is how it could affect you."

The economic impact of this event is estimated at $172,000.

Registration for the race opened back on January 30th and will stay open until September 22nd.

Packet pick-up for participants will be at the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau from 2-7 p.m. on the 22nd. Participants can also get their packets at Civic Center Park on the morning of the race from 6-6:45 a.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694041359415.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph marathon medals which will go to every participant of the event. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph marathon medals which will go to every participant of the event. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe first ever St. Joseph marathon is coming up on September 23rd, and city officials are working hard to make sure the city is ready to host the event.The event features five different distances for participants to choose from, including a full marathon, half marathon, 10K race, 5K race and a five-person relay team element that encompasses the full route.The full and half-marathon and relay event start at 7 a.m., with the 5 and 10K portions starting at 7:45. The races are expected to be finished by about 2 p.m.Director of the St. Joseph Sports Commission Brett Esely says roughly 400 runners have registered to date, with people signing up from 25 different states thus far."You have marathoners from all over the country who are bucket list people who say, 'I'm going to run a marathon in all 50 states,'" Esely said. "I don't exactly know what that looks like in the demographic of this race, but when you have people signed up from New Hampshire, Washington, Utah, Wisconsin just to name a few."I don't know if those folks haven't run marathons before, but I don't know if they have run marathons before."So far, there are 89 full marathon runners, 112 running the half and 20 relay teams.The route will begin and end behind Civic Center Park in downtown St. Joseph, and will take participants from north to south. It includes numerous landmarks like Krug Park, Hyde Park, Lovers Lane, Ashland Avenue, Pony Express Museum and the Museum Hill Area, all incorporating the 12 miles of the city’s historic parkway system.Esely encourages participation, whether that means running or helping out."We'd love for you to run, no matter what segment of the race that is," Esely said. "If you don't want to run, then darn it, volunteer. There's a number of ways to do that. When it's all said and done, we're probably going to be in the 300-400 count when it comes to volunteers."Beyond volunteers, Esely says many other city and county entities are helping to manage an event of this scale."We have multiple medical entities working on the event," he said. "Law enforcement staff, public works, traffic. Just think about everything that goes into controlling a 26.2 mile race route."In preparation for the race, the St. Joseph Sports Commission mailed 1,043 postcards to homes and business all along the route that stretches 13 miles north to south across town. The route encompasses 17 cross streets as well."Obviously with a first time event on this particular stretch of road in St. Joseph, we wanted those folks to know that, 'Hey, there's an event taking place on the 23rd of September and this is how it could affect you."The economic impact of this event is estimated at $172,000.Registration for the race opened back on January 30th and will stay open until September 22nd.Packet pick-up for participants will be at the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau from 2-7 p.m. on the 22nd. Participants can also get their packets at Civic Center Park on the morning of the race from 6-6:45 a.m.People can register online at <a href="https://stjomosports.com/event/marathon/">StJoMoSports.com/marathon</a>. Full marathon participants will have the opportunity to achieve a Boston Marathon qualifying time.The day will conclude with the Post Race Chillout presented by HyVee, featuring live music, food, drink and assorted vendors at Civic Center Park.It's a massive event that covers a lot of ground - literally and figuratively. Planning started back in May of 2022. With just over two weeks to go before the starting gun fires, Esely looks forward to seeing how it plays out."We feel like we have elements of a great event here in St. Joe," he said. "Again, we only get one chance to do this the first time. Will this be our biggest event? It won't be. But, we had to start somewhere and we're very fortunate. We've had great collaboration."Map and timing grid<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694055235236.png" alt="St. Joseph Marathon Timing Chart.png" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph Marathon Timing Chart.png</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694055265985.png" alt="" />
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694055282829.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694055457319.jpeg" alt="Race director Brett Esely addresses the media about the St. Joseph Marathon at the CVB Building. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Race director Brett Esely addresses the media about the St. Joseph Marathon at the CVB Building. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

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