Mosaic Life Care has reported an increase in RSV and other
respiratory illnesses with doctors worried about how they might spread during
holiday gatherings.

Dr. Jamie Ball with Mosaic Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
says Christmas and New Year’s gathering are great, but she says to exercise
caution.

“Everybody gets in enclosed spaces in areas where you have
lots of people and people who haven’t seen each other for a long time and especially
when you have little babies, everybody wants to love and kiss on little babies.
And that’s the biggest thing going into the holiday season,” Ball tells
reporters during a recent media gathering. “If any of your family members have
any signs of sickness, just a runny nose, a sniffle, I would keep them away
from your little babies, your older adults.”

Ball warns RSV and other viruses are contagious. She says
there is no shame in parents telling others, even relatives, to not kiss their
babies if the suspect RSV.

“There’s no shame in a parent telling them, ‘Please do not kiss
my baby. Please don’t get up in my baby’s face,’” Ball says. “That’s your
little one. That’s their pride and joy. Do whatever it takes to protect them.”

Ball says RSV normally peaks between the third and fifth day,
though a persistent cough might remain for more than a week as the body repairs
damaged lungs. Ball says parents cannot really suction out their child’s nose
too much, no matter how discomforting to both child and parent.

While Christmas gatherings are festive times when you often
see relatives you haven’t seen much during the year, it can be a breeding ground
for the germs that spread respiratory illnesses. Ball says children, even
infants, will be fine as long as parents are cautious and protective.

“While some kids do really well with RSV and these viruses, it’s
hard to predict who it’s going to hit the hardest,” according to Ball. “So,
just doing those little things to protect them when they’re in those big
gatherings.”

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMosaic Life Care has reported an increase in RSV and other
respiratory illnesses with doctors worried about how they might spread during
holiday gatherings.Dr. Jamie Ball with Mosaic Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
says Christmas and New Year’s gathering are great, but she says to exercise
caution.“Everybody gets in enclosed spaces in areas where you have
lots of people and people who haven’t seen each other for a long time and especially
when you have little babies, everybody wants to love and kiss on little babies.
And that’s the biggest thing going into the holiday season,” Ball tells
reporters during a recent media gathering. “If any of your family members have
any signs of sickness, just a runny nose, a sniffle, I would keep them away
from your little babies, your older adults.”Ball warns RSV and other viruses are contagious. She says
there is no shame in parents telling others, even relatives, to not kiss their
babies if the suspect RSV.“There’s no shame in a parent telling them, ‘Please do not kiss
my baby. Please don’t get up in my baby’s face,’” Ball says. “That’s your
little one. That’s their pride and joy. Do whatever it takes to protect them.”Ball says RSV normally peaks between the third and fifth day,
though a persistent cough might remain for more than a week as the body repairs
damaged lungs. Ball says parents cannot really suction out their child’s nose
too much, no matter how discomforting to both child and parent.While Christmas gatherings are festive times when you often
see relatives you haven’t seen much during the year, it can be a breeding ground
for the germs that spread respiratory illnesses. Ball says children, even
infants, will be fine as long as parents are cautious and protective.“While some kids do really well with RSV and these viruses, it’s
hard to predict who it’s going to hit the hardest,” according to Ball. “So,
just doing those little things to protect them when they’re in those big
gatherings.”You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Parents urged to keep infants safe during Christmas gatherings

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

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Freightliner semi driven by Randall K. Romesburg, 67, Trenton, was northbound on Highway W four miles southwest of Trenton.

The vehicle traveled off the east side of the road, struck a guardrail and overturned. A private vehicle transported Romesburg to Wright Memorial Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

GRUNDY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 6p.m. Thursday in Grundy County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Freightliner semi driven by Randall K. Romesburg, 67, Trenton, was northbound on Highway W four miles southwest of Trenton.The vehicle traveled off the east side of the road, struck a guardrail and overturned. A private vehicle transported Romesburg to Wright Memorial Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man hospitalized after truck overturns

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted Nebraska suspect on multiple allegations after an arrest.

Just after 2 p.m. Wednesday, Brown County received information that&nbsp; an individual with an active extraditable&nbsp; Nebraska Warrant was observed at 415 Goldengate in Robinson, Kansas.&nbsp; 

Deputies responded and the individual in question was attempting to load a vehicle on a trailer immediately north of the residence.&nbsp; 

Deputies took 44-year-old Walter Lee Cole, Jr. into custody on a Richardson County Nebraska Felony Failure to Appear Warrant.

Sheriff's K-9 Carla was deployed and alerted on the vehicle where Meth, and Paraphernalia were located.&nbsp; Cole also faces requested charges with Possession of Meth and Possession of Drug Paraphernallia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703181513236.png" alt="Cole-photo Brown County" />
 <figcaption>Cole-photo Brown County</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted Nebraska suspect on multiple allegations after an arrest.Just after 2 p.m. Wednesday, Brown County received information that&nbsp; an individual with an active extraditable&nbsp; Nebraska Warrant was observed at 415 Goldengate in Robinson, Kansas.&nbsp; Deputies responded and the individual in question was attempting to load a vehicle on a trailer immediately north of the residence.&nbsp; Deputies took 44-year-old Walter Lee Cole, Jr. into custody on a Richardson County Nebraska Felony Failure to Appear Warrant.Sheriff's K-9 Carla was deployed and alerted on the vehicle where Meth, and Paraphernalia were located.&nbsp; Cole also faces requested charges with Possession of Meth and Possession of Drug Paraphernallia.

Kansas deputies capture wanted Nebraska suspect 

St. Joseph resident and native Jennie McDonald was finishing up some Christmas shopping at the Sisters of Solace's Solace Market - a retail shop that sells products sourced by women-owned businesses.

It was here that McDonald, while shopping for candles,&nbsp; received the winning ticket in this year's Shop St. Joseph Program and with it, the $10,000 grand prize.

McDonald says she was honored to win, and even more honored to support a small, local business.

"We're so excited to shop local businesses this Christmas," McDonald told the media Thursday. "We have family and friends who have a small business here in St. Joseph, so we try and strongly support them as best we can. Very proud to especially support Sisters of Solace."

Sisters of Solace is a home for healing and hospitality for survivors of trauma and addiction and for those who are homeless.

Jennie's husband, Shane McDonald, says they plan to be charitable with some of this prize money during this time of year.

"I personally feel like I've been blessed far beyond what I deserve," he said. "Rest assured, some of this cash has already been decided to be used to help others in the community right now. That's one of the things we're going to do with this cash to begin with."

New this year in the Shop St. Joseph program was a $2500 prize for shopping local at small businesses - dubbed as the "Shop Small Business Bonus."

That prize was claimed by Angie Luthans of St. Joseph, who got the winning ticket at BJ’s Auto Collision and Restoration, Inc.

This was the 17th year of Shop St. Joseph. The program’s goal is to keep holiday spending in the local economy, so sales tax collected goes back into helping St. Joseph and Buchanan County projects.

Shop St. Joseph was presented by First Option Bank.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703200972784.jpeg" alt="Jennie McDonald (center) with husband Shane (plaid shirt) pose with the $10,000 Shop St. Joseph prize check, presented by the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. Presenting the check were representatives from the presenting sponsor, First Option Bank, and Don Tolly - Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce board. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Jennie McDonald (center) with husband Shane (plaid shirt) pose with the $10,000 Shop St. Joseph prize check, presented by the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. Presenting the check were representatives from the presenting sponsor, First Option Bank, and Don Tolly - Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce board. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph resident and native Jennie McDonald was finishing up some Christmas shopping at the Sisters of Solace's Solace Market - a retail shop that sells products sourced by women-owned businesses.It was here that McDonald, while shopping for candles,&nbsp; received the winning ticket in this year's Shop St. Joseph Program and with it, the $10,000 grand prize.McDonald says she was honored to win, and even more honored to support a small, local business."We're so excited to shop local businesses this Christmas," McDonald told the media Thursday. "We have family and friends who have a small business here in St. Joseph, so we try and strongly support them as best we can. Very proud to especially support Sisters of Solace."Sisters of Solace is a home for healing and hospitality for survivors of trauma and addiction and for those who are homeless.Jennie's husband, Shane McDonald, says they plan to be charitable with some of this prize money during this time of year."I personally feel like I've been blessed far beyond what I deserve," he said. "Rest assured, some of this cash has already been decided to be used to help others in the community right now. That's one of the things we're going to do with this cash to begin with."New this year in the Shop St. Joseph program was a $2500 prize for shopping local at small businesses - dubbed as the "Shop Small Business Bonus."That prize was claimed by Angie Luthans of St. Joseph, who got the winning ticket at BJ’s Auto Collision and Restoration, Inc.This was the 17th year of Shop St. Joseph. The program’s goal is to keep holiday spending in the local economy, so sales tax collected goes back into helping St. Joseph and Buchanan County projects.Shop St. Joseph was presented by First Option Bank.You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Jennie McDonald wins Shop St. Joseph grand prize, Small Business Bonus also claimed

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson says the legislature missed a couple
of opportunities during the previous session.

“I think the initiative petition process, the reform in that,
is an issue that we really need to get done and across the finish line,” Parson
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post in a phone interview.

Republicans in Jefferson City have talked about increasing the
voter threshold to amend the state constitution as well as changing some of the
requirements for gathering signatures for ballot initiatives.

Parson, a Republican, wants to see changes to the entire
initiative petition process.

“So, half the states in the United States have this, half of
them don’t,” Parson says of the initiative petition process. “I just think it needs
to be more difficult to change the constitution and change the law in the state
of Missouri than currently what we’re doing right now. I just think long-term it’s
going to get problematic as the years go forward if we don’t do something with
it.”

Parson wants the state initiative petition process to change,
contending it no longer serves as a grass roots check on the legislature. Critics
have contended that such efforts merely mask a desire to thwart the will of the
people.

&nbsp;“I mean when you say
that, I would say that most of them anymore are driven by money, no matter what
the issue is, whichever side of the aisle you’re on,” Parson says. “I don’t
know that the everyday person, when you talk about taking away the people’s
voice, I don’t know how many citizen-driven initiative petitions are out there
anymore that there’s not backers and money behind it getting people to sign up
and getting the requirements to do that.”

Parson suggests the last real citizen-driven petition campaign
was the Hancock Amendment. The amendment won 55% of the vote in November of 1980,
limiting the taxing and spending authority of state government.

Parson says initiative petitions now are pushed by special
interest groups and funded with out-of-state money.

“I think we want to protect the people’s choice, but I think
the reality of it is most things that are going on today are special interests
that are using the initiative petition process.”

The new Missouri legislative session begins next month.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703187265571.jpeg" alt="Missouri Gov. Mike Parson/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Gov. Mike Parson/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Gov. Mike Parson says the legislature missed a couple
of opportunities during the previous session.“I think the initiative petition process, the reform in that,
is an issue that we really need to get done and across the finish line,” Parson
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post in a phone interview.Republicans in Jefferson City have talked about increasing the
voter threshold to amend the state constitution as well as changing some of the
requirements for gathering signatures for ballot initiatives.Parson, a Republican, wants to see changes to the entire
initiative petition process.“So, half the states in the United States have this, half of
them don’t,” Parson says of the initiative petition process. “I just think it needs
to be more difficult to change the constitution and change the law in the state
of Missouri than currently what we’re doing right now. I just think long-term it’s
going to get problematic as the years go forward if we don’t do something with
it.”Parson wants the state initiative petition process to change,
contending it no longer serves as a grass roots check on the legislature. Critics
have contended that such efforts merely mask a desire to thwart the will of the
people.&nbsp;“I mean when you say
that, I would say that most of them anymore are driven by money, no matter what
the issue is, whichever side of the aisle you’re on,” Parson says. “I don’t
know that the everyday person, when you talk about taking away the people’s
voice, I don’t know how many citizen-driven initiative petitions are out there
anymore that there’s not backers and money behind it getting people to sign up
and getting the requirements to do that.”Parson suggests the last real citizen-driven petition campaign
was the Hancock Amendment. The amendment won 55% of the vote in November of 1980,
limiting the taxing and spending authority of state government.Parson says initiative petitions now are pushed by special
interest groups and funded with out-of-state money.“I think we want to protect the people’s choice, but I think
the reality of it is most things that are going on today are special interests
that are using the initiative petition process.”The new Missouri legislative session begins next month.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Gov. Parson wants changes to the initiative petition process

We now have both winners in the
reworked Shop St. Joseph Holiday Program.

It took no time for the grand
prize winner to step forward and, now, the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce says
the second winner of the new Shop Small Business Bonus has come forward.

News conferences have been
scheduled for this afternoon.

The grand prize winner gets
$10,000. The Chamber created a new prize this year, an incentive to shop local,
small businesses. That prize is $2,500.

Even if you didn’t win either
prize, hang on to your tickets. There are several second-chance prizes.

This is the 17th year for the local holiday
shopping program. The program’s goal is to keep holiday spending in the local
economy, so sales tax collected goes back into helping St. Joseph and Buchanan
County projects. Shop St. Joseph is presented by First Option Bank.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573662212087.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostWe now have both winners in the
reworked Shop St. Joseph Holiday Program.It took no time for the grand
prize winner to step forward and, now, the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce says
the second winner of the new Shop Small Business Bonus has come forward.News conferences have been
scheduled for this afternoon.The grand prize winner gets
$10,000. The Chamber created a new prize this year, an incentive to shop local,
small businesses. That prize is $2,500.Even if you didn’t win either
prize, hang on to your tickets. There are several second-chance prizes.This is the 17th year for the local holiday
shopping program. The program’s goal is to keep holiday spending in the local
economy, so sales tax collected goes back into helping St. Joseph and Buchanan
County projects. Shop St. Joseph is presented by First Option Bank.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703171081496.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703171102653.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703171122451.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

We now have both Shop St. Joe winners; 2nd chance prizes announced

ATCHISON COUNTY —Police in Atchison found a 14-year-old girl who was reported as a runaway by the Leavenworth Police Department, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Officers took the girl into custody on Wednesday evening at an Atchison residence.&nbsp; She was later released to Leavenworth authorities.

ATCHISON COUNTY —Police in Atchison found a 14-year-old girl who was reported as a runaway by the Leavenworth Police Department, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.Officers took the girl into custody on Wednesday evening at an Atchison residence.&nbsp; She was later released to Leavenworth authorities.Police released no additional details.

Police find 14-year-old reported as runaway

St. Joseph city officials are opening up federal COVID relief funds to local nonprofits affected by the pandemic.  

The city plans to distribute a total of up to 150-thousand dollars of American Rescue Plan funds. 

Planning and Community Development Director Clint Thompson says public feedback indicated more money should be going to nonprofits. 

"Based on the particular requirements for the use of funds and the fact that this use is an eligible use, the council felt that there was still some need within the community that these funds could be allocated to those who may be impacted and still need some assistance," Thompson tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. 

Thompson says the funds that will be distributed will serve an at-risk population. 

"Unemployed individuals, those maybe with unstable housing, or just looking for assistance to get them to a point where they can self-sustain and be a positive impact to our community," Thompson explains. 

Thompson says when the city partners with agency it's with an understanding the agencies have a good handle on needs for those people in the community 

"Who are in need and can really benefit those individuals or families and reach as many of those who are in need as opposed to maybe just the city partnering with a particular project or an entity, these agencies are involved in the community and really know the needs of the community," Thompson says. 

Eligible nonprofits can submit for funds until February 9th by contacting the city.  After the deadline the city will discuss and review the proposals. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post St. Joseph city officials are opening up federal COVID relief funds to local nonprofits affected by the pandemic. The city plans to distribute a total of up to 150-thousand dollars of American Rescue Plan funds. Planning and Community Development Director Clint Thompson says public feedback indicated more money should be going to nonprofits. "Based on the particular requirements for the use of funds and the fact that this use is an eligible use, the council felt that there was still some need within the community that these funds could be allocated to those who may be impacted and still need some assistance," Thompson tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. Thompson says the funds that will be distributed will serve an at-risk population. "Unemployed individuals, those maybe with unstable housing, or just looking for assistance to get them to a point where they can self-sustain and be a positive impact to our community," Thompson explains. Thompson says when the city partners with agency it's with an understanding the agencies have a good handle on needs for those people in the community "Who are in need and can really benefit those individuals or families and reach as many of those who are in need as opposed to maybe just the city partnering with a particular project or an entity, these agencies are involved in the community and really know the needs of the community," Thompson says. Eligible nonprofits can submit for funds until February 9th by contacting the city. After the deadline the city will discuss and review the proposals.

Federal funds being made available to nonprofits affected by COVID pandemic

It didn’t take long for someone
to step forward and claim the $10,000 grand prize in this year’s Shop St.
Joseph Holiday Program.

The St. Joseph Chamber of
Commerce reports the winning ticket has been verified and a news conference
will be held this afternoon.

New this year was a $2,500 prize for shopping local and shopping small. The Chamber created the Shop
Small Business Bonus this year for the first time. That number is 1722584. No
winner has stepped forward to claim it.

Even if you didn’t win the $10,000 or the $2,500 shop small business bonus, hang on to your tickets.
There are several second-chance prizes that will be announced later.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703157403748.jpeg" alt="The winning number for the Shop Small Business Bonus during the Shop St. Joseph program/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>The winning number for the Shop Small Business Bonus during the Shop St. Joseph program/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostWe have a winner, already.It didn’t take long for someone
to step forward and claim the $10,000 grand prize in this year’s Shop St.
Joseph Holiday Program.The St. Joseph Chamber of
Commerce reports the winning ticket has been verified and a news conference
will be held this afternoon.New this year was a $2,500 prize for shopping local and shopping small. The Chamber created the Shop
Small Business Bonus this year for the first time. That number is 1722584. No
winner has stepped forward to claim it.Even if you didn’t win the $10,000 or the $2,500 shop small business bonus, hang on to your tickets.
There are several second-chance prizes that will be announced later.This is the 17th year for the local holiday
shopping program. The program’s goal is to keep holiday spending in the local
economy, so sales tax collected goes back into helping St. Joseph and Buchanan
County projects. Shop St. Joseph is presented by First Option Bank.

Shop St. Joseph grand prize claimed, but not small business bonus

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an alleged violent crime.

On Tuesday, police arrested Lamarr N. Brant, Jr., 48, Atchison, on a requested charge of domestic battery in the 200 block North 9th Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

He remains in custody on a $2500 bond, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703083975507.png" alt="Brant-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Brant-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an alleged violent crime.On Tuesday, police arrested Lamarr N. Brant, Jr., 48, Atchison, on a requested charge of domestic battery in the 200 block North 9th Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.He remains in custody on a $2500 bond, according to online jail records.

Kansas man jailed for alleged domestic battery

The winning number for the Shop St. Joseph Holiday Program is:

The shopper with the winning ticket has 24 hours to come forward to claim the $10,000 prize. Shoppers are urged to keep their tickets because if the winner hasn’t come forward by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, another number will be announced. This process will continue at 5 p.m. on weekdays until a winner comes forward with the winning ticket.

The winner MUST call the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce at (816) 232-4461 during business hours or (816) 261-3610 after business hours to arrange a time to verify the ticket. He or she MUST come to the Chamber office at 3003 Frederick Ave. before 5 p.m. Thursday to claim the prize. The person with the winning ticket should come to the Chamber to have the ticket verified, not a member of the media. Media members cannot verify a winning ticket.

For the first time ever,&nbsp;On top of the $10,000-thousand dollar grand prize, there's a new, extra cash prize of $2,500-hundred dollars this year for shopping at small businesses&nbsp;

The winning number for the Shop Small Business Bonus is:&nbsp;

The winner will be responsible for any applicable taxes.

The winner must be 18 or older. Proof of age, Social Security number, home address and place of employment (if applicable) is required to claim the prize. Chamber of Commerce staff, Chamber officers and their immediate family members (dependents living at the same address) are not eligible to win the grand prize. Participating business owners, managers and employees are eligible to win, with the exception of tickets distributed through their own place of business (including other participating locations).

One winning number per each second-chance prize were also drawn today. Those numbers will be announced after the grand prize ticket has been verified.

Certified public accountants provided oversight of the program. About 1.9 million tickets were distributed this year through the 127 participating merchants. This is up from 119 merchants last year.

This is the 17th year for the local holiday shopping program. The program’s goal is to keep holiday spending in the local economy, so sales tax collected goes back into helping St. Joseph and Buchanan County projects. Shop St. Joseph is presented by First Option Bank.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703113072873.jpeg" alt="The winning number for the Grand Prize of $10,000 during the Shop St. Joe program/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>The winning number for the Grand Prize of $10,000 during the Shop St. Joe program/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>The winning number for the Shop St. Joseph Holiday Program is:0608606The shopper with the winning ticket has 24 hours to come forward to claim the $10,000 prize. Shoppers are urged to keep their tickets because if the winner hasn’t come forward by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, another number will be announced. This process will continue at 5 p.m. on weekdays until a winner comes forward with the winning ticket.The winner MUST call the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce at (816) 232-4461 during business hours or (816) 261-3610 after business hours to arrange a time to verify the ticket. He or she MUST come to the Chamber office at 3003 Frederick Ave. before 5 p.m. Thursday to claim the prize. The person with the winning ticket should come to the Chamber to have the ticket verified, not a member of the media. Media members cannot verify a winning ticket.For the first time ever,&nbsp;On top of the $10,000-thousand dollar grand prize, there's a new, extra cash prize of $2,500-hundred dollars this year for shopping at small businesses&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703113509361.jpeg" alt="The winning number for the Shop Small Business Bonus during the Shop St. Joseph program/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>The winning number for the Shop Small Business Bonus during the Shop St. Joseph program/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>The winning number for the Shop Small Business Bonus is:&nbsp;1722584The winner will be responsible for any applicable taxes.The winner must be 18 or older. Proof of age, Social Security number, home address and place of employment (if applicable) is required to claim the prize. Chamber of Commerce staff, Chamber officers and their immediate family members (dependents living at the same address) are not eligible to win the grand prize. Participating business owners, managers and employees are eligible to win, with the exception of tickets distributed through their own place of business (including other participating locations).One winning number per each second-chance prize were also drawn today. Those numbers will be announced after the grand prize ticket has been verified.Certified public accountants provided oversight of the program. About 1.9 million tickets were distributed this year through the 127 participating merchants. This is up from 119 merchants last year.This is the 17th year for the local holiday shopping program. The program’s goal is to keep holiday spending in the local economy, so sales tax collected goes back into helping St. Joseph and Buchanan County projects. Shop St. Joseph is presented by First Option Bank.

And the winning numbers are.....

Triumph Foods is expanding in St. Joseph.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development
reports Triumph will add 88 jobs to its pork processing plant in south St. Joseph.

Triumph opened its 800-Thousand-square-foot
plant in 2006. The facility processes 1-point-5(B)Billion pounds of pork
products annually.

Triumph executives say the pork processor works
to better the St. Joseph area, donating more than 100-Thousand pounds of pork
products to local food banks this year.

Triumph used the Missouri Works program to
finance the expansion. The program provides access to capital for expansion
through tax withholdings or tax credits.

Triumph Foods employs approximately 2,400 workers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703097311473.jpeg" alt="Triumph Foods/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Triumph Foods/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostTriumph Foods is expanding in St. Joseph.The Missouri Department of Economic Development
reports Triumph will add 88 jobs to its pork processing plant in south St. Joseph.Triumph opened its 800-Thousand-square-foot
plant in 2006. The facility processes 1-point-5(B)Billion pounds of pork
products annually.Triumph executives say the pork processor works
to better the St. Joseph area, donating more than 100-Thousand pounds of pork
products to local food banks this year.Triumph used the Missouri Works program to
finance the expansion. The program provides access to capital for expansion
through tax withholdings or tax credits.Triumph Foods employs approximately 2,400 workers.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Triumph Foods to add 88 jobs in St. Joseph

The former president of the St. Joseph area Fraternal Order of
Police has been placed on probation for defrauding the organization.

Michael Hardin has been sentenced by a federal judge to five
years of probation. He has been ordered to repay $15,000 to the
FOP.

Earlier, his wife, Sarah Hardin, had also been sentenced to
five years probation and ordered to make more than $88,000 in
restitution.

The Hardins pleaded guilty in April to three counts of wire
fraud, confessing to use FOP debit cards for personal expenses at gas stations,
stores, hotels, and restaurants.

Michael Hardin, a former St. Joseph Police Officer, served as FOP
Lodge #3 president for nearly 10 years. Sarah Hardin, who served on the
Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department, was FOP treasurer.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostThe former president of the St. Joseph area Fraternal Order of
Police has been placed on probation for defrauding the organization.Michael Hardin has been sentenced by a federal judge to five
years of probation. He has been ordered to repay $15,000 to the
FOP.Earlier, his wife, Sarah Hardin, had also been sentenced to
five years probation and ordered to make more than $88,000 in
restitution.The Hardins pleaded guilty in April to three counts of wire
fraud, confessing to use FOP debit cards for personal expenses at gas stations,
stores, hotels, and restaurants.Michael Hardin, a former St. Joseph Police Officer, served as FOP
Lodge #3 president for nearly 10 years. Sarah Hardin, who served on the
Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department, was FOP treasurer.

Former St. Joseph FOP President placed on probation for fraud

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

Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin expects energy regulation to be a ‘hot topic’ in the upcoming legislative session

One of Missouri’s highest-ranking lawmakers hopes to stop state regulators from forcing electric utilities to charge a premium for power used at times of high demand.

The l<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=107">egislation filed by Senate Majority Leader</a>&nbsp;Cindy O’Laughlin was inspired by Evergy’s roll out of time-of-use pricing plans to its customers last summer, which included a plan that would have quadrupled customers’ charges for energy used at times of high demand.&nbsp;

The new rates were mandated by the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://psc.mo.gov/">Public Service Commission</a>, a five-member board appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate that oversees investor-owned utilities in Missouri.

The goal of time-of-use rates is to save consumers money in the long run by limiting demand on the energy grid. But they immediately inspired public backlash, including from O’Laughlin, R-Shelbina.&nbsp;

“It’s not the job of the Public Service Commission to dictate to consumers the time of day that they can use power,” O’Laughlin said in an interview last week.&nbsp;

O’Laughlin said she expects energy regulation to be a&nbsp; “hot topic” when the Missouri General Assembly returns to Jefferson City. In addition to her time-of-use legislation, she’s also sponsoring a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=55">bill she says would ensure grid reliability</a>&nbsp;by requiring utilities to add at least an equivalent amount of energy generation to the grid before decommissioning a power plant.&nbsp;

Environmental advocates, however, fear that proposal would hamper utilities’ efforts to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.&nbsp;

Evergy, which is the largest energy provider in Western Missouri, began informing customers in June that power used between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. during the summer would cost four times as much as it does during other months.

That means, on a hot summer afternoon, running an air conditioner would become far more expensive.&nbsp;

Other pricing options, imposed by the Public Service Commission, were less dramatic. But that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/17/missouri-utility-regulators-plan-for-peak-pricing-prompts-pushback-from-top-republican/">pricing plan caught O’Laughlin’s attention</a>. She railed against what she referred to as “woke” energy policies.

Time-of-use pricing is meant to encourage customers to limit their energy consumption at times when energy demand is high. By limiting the peaks of demand, the idea is to save utilities from having to build more power generators, which customers end up paying for.&nbsp;

Citing the pushback, Evergy asked the Public Service Commission in September to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/12/evergy-asks-missouri-regulators-to-let-customers-opt-out-of-time-of-use-pricing/">allow it to make time-of-use pricing optional</a>, citing the “substantial” number of complaints it received where customers accused the company of trying to “spike customer bills to increase profits.”&nbsp;

The Office of the Public Counsel, which represents ratepayers before the Public Service Commission, argued that the rates should still go into effect, citing Evegy’s studies that show customers will largely benefit.&nbsp;

Clean energy advocates with Renew Missouri put it more starkly, saying Evergy needed to better communicate with its customers “rather than succumbing to negative Facebook comments by reversing course and attempting to upend a binding commission order.”&nbsp;

O’Laughlin isn’t trying to ban time-of-use pricing, but rather simply require it to be optional for customers.

<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/19/evergy-withdraws-request-to-make-time-of-use-pricing-optional-in-missouri/">Evergy withdrew the request</a>&nbsp;to make time-of-use pricing optional but did succeed in making the default pricing plan one more similar to the previous flat-rate pricing rather than the plan that quadruples rates on summer afternoons.

Because of that, O’Laughlin said, the issue isn’t as urgent as it appeared this summer. But she still wants to send the Public Service Commission a message.&nbsp;

“If they made a decision like that once,” she said, “the likelihood that they might try to do that again I would say is fairly high.”

Evergy’s spokeswoman said the company hadn’t seen the bill and could not comment on it.&nbsp;

O’Laughlin is also sponsoring a grid reliability bill she says is a response to the federal government’s efforts to force “death by a thousand cuts” on coal plants.&nbsp;

“I cannot imagine that we want to allow our citizens and our businesses to run out of power basically because of political activism,” she said.

The legislation, she said, is inspired by the impending closure of the Rush Island Energy Center, owned by Ameren Missouri, which serves electric customers in the greater St. Louis area.

Ameren was ordered by a federal court to install pollution controls at Rush Island after being found in violation of the Clean Air Act. Instead, the utility plans to shut the coal plant down.

Last month,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/28/ameren-seeks-to-shutter-missouri-coal-plant-early-recoup-investment-from-ratepayers/">Ameren asked the Public Service Commission for permission</a>&nbsp;to use a new financing law known as securitization to recoup its investment at Rush Island and shutter the plant.&nbsp;

Ameren and other utilities belong to regional grid operators. In Ameren’s case, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator that coordinates power production to ensure there’s enough electricity to support the grid. Those organizations impose complicated capacity requirements on utilities, and MISO has raised concerns about the planned closure of Rush Island.

Ameren Missouri’s vice president of regulatory and legislative affairs, Warren Wood, said in a statement that the company would monitor O’Laughlin’s bill as it moves through the legislative process.&nbsp;

&nbsp;“Delivering safe, reliable and affordable energy to our customers and the communities we serve is our top priority,” Wood said. “We aim to do that by having a diversified generation portfolio that supports the overall reliability and resiliency of the energy grid.”

State Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, said a lot of the state’s residents want environmental responsibility, but it’s important to ensure that when Missourians “turn on the switch, they have reliable, safe energy.”

“I’m certainly wanting to make sure that I’m doing things that leave the state of Missouri in a better place than I found it,” she said, “but we’ve got to be responsible about that.”&nbsp;

Jenn DeRose, Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign representative for Missouri, said the idea behind O’Laughlin’s bill makes sense at first glance, but ensuring reliability is MISO’s job.&nbsp;

She’s not sure the state has the ability to wade into that complicated calculation.

“This bill is trying to fix a problem that doesn’t exist,” DeRose said. “It’s just fear mongering.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703075349044.png" alt="Senate Majority Leader Cindy O'Laughlin wants to prohibit state energy regulators from forcing time-of-use pricing on utilities and customers (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Senate Majority Leader Cindy O'Laughlin wants to prohibit state energy regulators from forcing time-of-use pricing on utilities and customers (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALLISON KITE&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a><h2>Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin expects energy regulation to be a ‘hot topic’ in the upcoming legislative session</h2>One of Missouri’s highest-ranking lawmakers hopes to stop state regulators from forcing electric utilities to charge a premium for power used at times of high demand.The l<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=107">egislation filed by Senate Majority Leader</a>&nbsp;Cindy O’Laughlin was inspired by Evergy’s roll out of time-of-use pricing plans to its customers last summer, which included a plan that would have quadrupled customers’ charges for energy used at times of high demand.&nbsp;The new rates were mandated by the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://psc.mo.gov/">Public Service Commission</a>, a five-member board appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate that oversees investor-owned utilities in Missouri.The goal of time-of-use rates is to save consumers money in the long run by limiting demand on the energy grid. But they immediately inspired public backlash, including from O’Laughlin, R-Shelbina.&nbsp;“It’s not the job of the Public Service Commission to dictate to consumers the time of day that they can use power,” O’Laughlin said in an interview last week.&nbsp;O’Laughlin said she expects energy regulation to be a&nbsp; “hot topic” when the Missouri General Assembly returns to Jefferson City. In addition to her time-of-use legislation, she’s also sponsoring a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=55">bill she says would ensure grid reliability</a>&nbsp;by requiring utilities to add at least an equivalent amount of energy generation to the grid before decommissioning a power plant.&nbsp;Environmental advocates, however, fear that proposal would hamper utilities’ efforts to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.&nbsp;Evergy, which is the largest energy provider in Western Missouri, began informing customers in June that power used between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. during the summer would cost four times as much as it does during other months.That means, on a hot summer afternoon, running an air conditioner would become far more expensive.&nbsp;Other pricing options, imposed by the Public Service Commission, were less dramatic. But that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/07/17/missouri-utility-regulators-plan-for-peak-pricing-prompts-pushback-from-top-republican/">pricing plan caught O’Laughlin’s attention</a>. She railed against what she referred to as “woke” energy policies.Time-of-use pricing is meant to encourage customers to limit their energy consumption at times when energy demand is high. By limiting the peaks of demand, the idea is to save utilities from having to build more power generators, which customers end up paying for.&nbsp;Citing the pushback, Evergy asked the Public Service Commission in September to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/12/evergy-asks-missouri-regulators-to-let-customers-opt-out-of-time-of-use-pricing/">allow it to make time-of-use pricing optional</a>, citing the “substantial” number of complaints it received where customers accused the company of trying to “spike customer bills to increase profits.”&nbsp;The Office of the Public Counsel, which represents ratepayers before the Public Service Commission, argued that the rates should still go into effect, citing Evegy’s studies that show customers will largely benefit.&nbsp;Clean energy advocates with Renew Missouri put it more starkly, saying Evergy needed to better communicate with its customers “rather than succumbing to negative Facebook comments by reversing course and attempting to upend a binding commission order.”&nbsp;O’Laughlin isn’t trying to ban time-of-use pricing, but rather simply require it to be optional for customers.<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/19/evergy-withdraws-request-to-make-time-of-use-pricing-optional-in-missouri/">Evergy withdrew the request</a>&nbsp;to make time-of-use pricing optional but did succeed in making the default pricing plan one more similar to the previous flat-rate pricing rather than the plan that quadruples rates on summer afternoons.Because of that, O’Laughlin said, the issue isn’t as urgent as it appeared this summer. But she still wants to send the Public Service Commission a message.&nbsp;“If they made a decision like that once,” she said, “the likelihood that they might try to do that again I would say is fairly high.”Evergy’s spokeswoman said the company hadn’t seen the bill and could not comment on it.&nbsp;<h2>Grid reliability&nbsp;</h2>O’Laughlin is also sponsoring a grid reliability bill she says is a response to the federal government’s efforts to force “death by a thousand cuts” on coal plants.&nbsp;“I cannot imagine that we want to allow our citizens and our businesses to run out of power basically because of political activism,” she said.The legislation, she said, is inspired by the impending closure of the Rush Island Energy Center, owned by Ameren Missouri, which serves electric customers in the greater St. Louis area.Ameren was ordered by a federal court to install pollution controls at Rush Island after being found in violation of the Clean Air Act. Instead, the utility plans to shut the coal plant down.Last month,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/28/ameren-seeks-to-shutter-missouri-coal-plant-early-recoup-investment-from-ratepayers/">Ameren asked the Public Service Commission for permission</a>&nbsp;to use a new financing law known as securitization to recoup its investment at Rush Island and shutter the plant.&nbsp;Ameren and other utilities belong to regional grid operators. In Ameren’s case, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator that coordinates power production to ensure there’s enough electricity to support the grid. Those organizations impose complicated capacity requirements on utilities, and MISO has raised concerns about the planned closure of Rush Island.Ameren Missouri’s vice president of regulatory and legislative affairs, Warren Wood, said in a statement that the company would monitor O’Laughlin’s bill as it moves through the legislative process.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Delivering safe, reliable and affordable energy to our customers and the communities we serve is our top priority,” Wood said. “We aim to do that by having a diversified generation portfolio that supports the overall reliability and resiliency of the energy grid.”State Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, said a lot of the state’s residents want environmental responsibility, but it’s important to ensure that when Missourians “turn on the switch, they have reliable, safe energy.”“I’m certainly wanting to make sure that I’m doing things that leave the state of Missouri in a better place than I found it,” she said, “but we’ve got to be responsible about that.”&nbsp;Jenn DeRose, Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign representative for Missouri, said the idea behind O’Laughlin’s bill makes sense at first glance, but ensuring reliability is MISO’s job.&nbsp;She’s not sure the state has the ability to wade into that complicated calculation.“This bill is trying to fix a problem that doesn’t exist,” DeRose said. “It’s just fear mongering.”

Mo. legislative leader files bill targeting time-of-use utility pricing plans

St. Joseph Central High School promoted from within as they sought a successor for now former head football coach Regi Trotter.

Sheldon Farrell, a 2009 Central alum and offensive coordinator for the Indians, was named as the 31st head coach in program history Tuesday.

Farrell has served as offensive coordinator under coach Trotter for each of the last five seasons. Taking over as the head coach is a dream that was born more than 14 years ago back when Farrell himself was the Indians' quarterback.

"It started with coach Tony Dudik," Farrell said. "He was an amazing mentor, a loving father figure. He kind of built my desire to want to come back and give back to Central. This is where my heart is. This is where it's always been."

Farrell brings plenty of playing and coaching experience to the table. He played quarterback at Central under coach Dudik. He spent two years playing college ball at Buena Vista University and two more at Baker University.

Before coming back to Central, Farrell spent two seasons as an assistant at Bonner Springs High School and two more as offensive coordinator at Leavenworth - both in Kansas.

Through all of those stops, Farrell knew he wanted to ultimately come back home one day.

"The last 24 hours, I've thought about the people who have impacted me here," he said. "Coaches, teachers, former players. It's all kind of coming back full circle and it's kind of cool."

Farrell takes over after Trotter announced his resignation in November as Central's head football coach after six seasons.

Trotter and Farrell both helped lead the Indians to a 7-3 record this fall - the first winning season for Central football since 2013 and the program's most regular season wins since 1989.

"I feel like we put Central football back into the limelight a little bit," Farrell said about the 2023 season. "Teams are respecting us and they know it's going to be a hard fought game. Just continue to build on that and take it even farther than we already have."

Seeing the Indians set a handful of offensive school records over the last couple of years, Lau is confident that Central picked the right man for the job.

"We have kind of been grooming Sheldon for the last couple of years under Regi," Lau said. "Knowing Coach Trotter was going to be <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/66deb83c-9c85-40cf-b2a6-392eb98b4a63">moving on to his family</a> (in Minnesota). This was opened internally."

"Knowing what he's done with the offensive coordinator position here and with our offense setting some new school records the last few years, to us there was no question who our next head football coach needed to be."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703021221959.jpeg" alt="New Central head football coach Sheldon Farrell (center) is introduced at a press conference Tuesday with athletic director David Lau (right) and principal Heather Renk (left). Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>New Central head football coach Sheldon Farrell (center) is introduced at a press conference Tuesday with athletic director David Lau (right) and principal Heather Renk (left). Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph Central High School promoted from within as they sought a successor for now former head football coach Regi Trotter.Sheldon Farrell, a 2009 Central alum and offensive coordinator for the Indians, was named as the 31st head coach in program history Tuesday.Farrell has served as offensive coordinator under coach Trotter for each of the last five seasons. Taking over as the head coach is a dream that was born more than 14 years ago back when Farrell himself was the Indians' quarterback."It started with coach Tony Dudik," Farrell said. "He was an amazing mentor, a loving father figure. He kind of built my desire to want to come back and give back to Central. This is where my heart is. This is where it's always been."Farrell brings plenty of playing and coaching experience to the table. He played quarterback at Central under coach Dudik. He spent two years playing college ball at Buena Vista University and two more at Baker University.Before coming back to Central, Farrell spent two seasons as an assistant at Bonner Springs High School and two more as offensive coordinator at Leavenworth - both in Kansas.Through all of those stops, Farrell knew he wanted to ultimately come back home one day."The last 24 hours, I've thought about the people who have impacted me here," he said. "Coaches, teachers, former players. It's all kind of coming back full circle and it's kind of cool."Farrell takes over after Trotter announced his resignation in November as Central's head football coach after six seasons.Trotter and Farrell both helped lead the Indians to a 7-3 record this fall - the first winning season for Central football since 2013 and the program's most regular season wins since 1989."I feel like we put Central football back into the limelight a little bit," Farrell said about the 2023 season. "Teams are respecting us and they know it's going to be a hard fought game. Just continue to build on that and take it even farther than we already have."Seeing the Indians set a handful of offensive school records over the last couple of years, Lau is confident that Central picked the right man for the job."We have kind of been grooming Sheldon for the last couple of years under Regi," Lau said. "Knowing Coach Trotter was going to be <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/66deb83c-9c85-40cf-b2a6-392eb98b4a63">moving on to his family</a> (in Minnesota). This was opened internally.""Knowing what he's done with the offensive coordinator position here and with our offense setting some new school records the last few years, to us there was no question who our next head football coach needed to be."Press conference audio<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-sports/embed/episodes/Sheldon-Farrell--David-Lau---121923-e2df4bd" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703023003524.jpeg" alt="Sheldon Farrell speaks to the media Tuesday. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Sheldon Farrell speaks to the media Tuesday. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Central alum Sheldon Farrell named as the Indians' new head football coach

The Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art will host an annual exhibition coming up early in January, an exhibition it has hosted for the past 50 years. 

Marketing and Communications Manager Dansare Marks says this exhibition will feature works from current Albrecht members. 

"This is a chance for all the members to really showcase what they've been working on over the last year, it gives every member a chance to submit artwork and be in an exhibition, it's kind of a big deal," Marks tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. "You don't have to be a professional, you don't have to meet any criteria, as long as you're a member you can submit works." 

Members are allowed to submit two works between January 2nd and 7th.  The exhibition will open in the upstairs gallery on January 13th, with an opening ceremony on the 12th. 

Executive Director Eric Fuson says last year the exhibit featured 225 works of art, and he's expecting even more to show up this year.  

"We've been pushing really hard on the idea that it's the 50th anniversary, it's going to be upstairs, that really has kind of triggered everybody's creativity," Fuson says. "I've had more people this year come up and say I'm working on something, I'm going to have something ready, I'm working on it, and we're very fortunate to keep this tradition going." 

The membership exhibition will run until April 14th. 

Another new exhibit coming to the Albrecht next month will feature works of art done in a unique form.  

The exhibit, called Stillness and Life in Colored Pencil, features pieces from Wanda Taylor.  

Marks says she's seen some of the art pieces and has been blown away by how realistic colored pencil can look. 

"I think anyone who would come into this who's not really familiar with colored pencil work might be surprised that this is what medium she works in," Marks explains. 

Taylor will also be teaching a class at the museum, coming up this Thursday.  Marks says Taylor will lead Colored Pencil Happy Hour. 

"That's just a fun evening for you to bring a friend, get your colored pencils out, very low pressure, but she usually has some sort of guide and there's a theme to it," Marks says. "We have a cash bar available, so it's a really fun evening to just kind of let loose." 

Taylors exhibit will also open on January 13th and will run until February 18th.  An opening ceremony for the exhibit will be held on January 12th. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art will host an annual exhibition coming up early in January, an exhibition it has hosted for the past 50 years. It's the annual membership exhibition. Marketing and Communications Manager Dansare Marks says this exhibition will feature works from current Albrecht members. "This is a chance for all the members to really showcase what they've been working on over the last year, it gives every member a chance to submit artwork and be in an exhibition, it's kind of a big deal," Marks tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. "You don't have to be a professional, you don't have to meet any criteria, as long as you're a member you can submit works." Members are allowed to submit two works between January 2nd and 7th. The exhibition will open in the upstairs gallery on January 13th, with an opening ceremony on the 12th. Executive Director Eric Fuson says last year the exhibit featured 225 works of art, and he's expecting even more to show up this year. "We've been pushing really hard on the idea that it's the 50th anniversary, it's going to be upstairs, that really has kind of triggered everybody's creativity," Fuson says. "I've had more people this year come up and say I'm working on something, I'm going to have something ready, I'm working on it, and we're very fortunate to keep this tradition going." The membership exhibition will run until April 14th. Another new exhibit coming to the Albrecht next month will feature works of art done in a unique form. The exhibit, called Stillness and Life in Colored Pencil, features pieces from Wanda Taylor. Marks says she's seen some of the art pieces and has been blown away by how realistic colored pencil can look. "I think anyone who would come into this who's not really familiar with colored pencil work might be surprised that this is what medium she works in," Marks explains. Taylor will also be teaching a class at the museum, coming up this Thursday. Marks says Taylor will lead Colored Pencil Happy Hour. "That's just a fun evening for you to bring a friend, get your colored pencils out, very low pressure, but she usually has some sort of guide and there's a theme to it," Marks says. "We have a cash bar available, so it's a really fun evening to just kind of let loose." Taylors exhibit will also open on January 13th and will run until February 18th. An opening ceremony for the exhibit will be held on January 12th.

New exhibits coming to Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art next year

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

A&nbsp;wide-ranging bill passed by the state legislature last year banning sleeping on public land was struck down on Tuesday by the Missouri Supreme Court for violating the constitution’s single subject requirement.&nbsp;

Missouri lawmakers last year made<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/01/17/advocates-providers-scramble-as-missouris-new-homelessness-law-goes-into-effect/">&nbsp;sleeping on state-owned land a Class C misdemeanor</a>&nbsp;and restricted state funds for combating homelessness. The legislation was passed as an amendment in a broader&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills221/hlrbillspdf/3703H.08T.pdf">bill</a>&nbsp;relating to political subdivisions just before the end of the 2022 session.

Critics of the bill&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/01/17/advocates-providers-scramble-as-missouris-new-homelessness-law-goes-into-effect/">feared</a>&nbsp;it essentially criminalized homelessness. Supporters characterized it as reducing the prevalence of encampments they deemed dangerous to unhoused people and surrounding communities.

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, along with Public Citizen Litigation Group and a Springfield homeless shelter, filed a lawsuit last year against the state, arguing the homelessness provisions did not fit within the bill’s overarching subject of “relating to political subdivisions.”

The case centered on whether the way the law was passed — as an amendment in a bill pertaining to “political subdivisions”&nbsp; — violates constitutional requirements that legislation have a single subject, clear title and adhere to its original purpose. Those requirements were designed to support transparency and discourage legislative maneuvering to tack amendments that wouldn’t pass as stand-alone bills onto popular bills in order to pass.

In March, Cole County Circuit Court Judge Cotton Walker ruled in favor of the state, and the plaintiffs appealed to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court unanimously overturned the circuit court’s decision Tuesday, with Judge Paul C. Wilson authoring the opinion.

The homelessness provisions added on to the bill “introduced at least one impermissible&nbsp; additional subject, i.e., homelessness,” Wilson wrote.

The “primary inquiry,” he wrote, is whether all provisions of the bill “fairly relate to, have a natural connection with, or are means to accomplish [the bill’s] subject, i.e., ‘political subdivisions.’”

Even though some of the homelessness provisions regulate state funds that would apply to political subdivisions receiving those funds, Wilson wrote, the provisions also apply to nonprofits and private developers.

Other homelessness-related provisions in the bill, he wrote, don’t relate to political subdivisions at all.&nbsp;

With the homelessness provisions found unconstitutional, the court then weighed whether that required it to strike down the rest of the sprawling bill.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It takes an extraordinary showing to convince this court to engage in judicial surgery to save a bill infected with the otherwise fatal constitutional disease of multiple subjects” Wilson wrote, “and no effort was made by any party to make such a showing here.”

As a result, the rest of the bill — including provisions related to county financial statements, county coroners’ salaries, and more — were also struck down Tuesday, with the court arguing it was unable to determine whether the bill would’ve passed without the homelessness provisions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689729912291.png" alt="The Missouri Supreme Court Building in Jefferson City (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>The Missouri Supreme Court Building in Jefferson City (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>By CLARA BATES&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>A&nbsp;wide-ranging bill passed by the state legislature last year banning sleeping on public land was struck down on Tuesday by the Missouri Supreme Court for violating the constitution’s single subject requirement.&nbsp;Missouri lawmakers last year made<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/01/17/advocates-providers-scramble-as-missouris-new-homelessness-law-goes-into-effect/">&nbsp;sleeping on state-owned land a Class C misdemeanor</a>&nbsp;and restricted state funds for combating homelessness. The legislation was passed as an amendment in a broader&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills221/hlrbillspdf/3703H.08T.pdf">bill</a>&nbsp;relating to political subdivisions just before the end of the 2022 session.Critics of the bill&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/01/17/advocates-providers-scramble-as-missouris-new-homelessness-law-goes-into-effect/">feared</a>&nbsp;it essentially criminalized homelessness. Supporters characterized it as reducing the prevalence of encampments they deemed dangerous to unhoused people and surrounding communities.Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, along with Public Citizen Litigation Group and a Springfield homeless shelter, filed a lawsuit last year against the state, arguing the homelessness provisions did not fit within the bill’s overarching subject of “relating to political subdivisions.”The case centered on whether the way the law was passed — as an amendment in a bill pertaining to “political subdivisions”&nbsp; — violates constitutional requirements that legislation have a single subject, clear title and adhere to its original purpose. Those requirements were designed to support transparency and discourage legislative maneuvering to tack amendments that wouldn’t pass as stand-alone bills onto popular bills in order to pass.In March, Cole County Circuit Court Judge Cotton Walker ruled in favor of the state, and the plaintiffs appealed to the Supreme Court.The Supreme Court unanimously overturned the circuit court’s decision Tuesday, with Judge Paul C. Wilson authoring the opinion.The homelessness provisions added on to the bill “introduced at least one impermissible&nbsp; additional subject, i.e., homelessness,” Wilson wrote.The “primary inquiry,” he wrote, is whether all provisions of the bill “fairly relate to, have a natural connection with, or are means to accomplish [the bill’s] subject, i.e., ‘political subdivisions.’”Even though some of the homelessness provisions regulate state funds that would apply to political subdivisions receiving those funds, Wilson wrote, the provisions also apply to nonprofits and private developers.Other homelessness-related provisions in the bill, he wrote, don’t relate to political subdivisions at all.&nbsp;With the homelessness provisions found unconstitutional, the court then weighed whether that required it to strike down the rest of the sprawling bill.&nbsp;&nbsp;“It takes an extraordinary showing to convince this court to engage in judicial surgery to save a bill infected with the otherwise fatal constitutional disease of multiple subjects” Wilson wrote, “and no effort was made by any party to make such a showing here.”As a result, the rest of the bill — including provisions related to county financial statements, county coroners’ salaries, and more — were also struck down Tuesday, with the court arguing it was unable to determine whether the bill would’ve passed without the homelessness provisions.

Missouri Supreme Court strikes down law banning sleeping on public land

The Buchanan County Sheriff's Department was out in full force this morning; giving gifts rather than taking people to jail.&nbsp;

The department raised money throughout the year to adopt several people in need.  

Sheriff Bill Puett says every year deputies make the gift distribution a sort of spectacle to bring Christmas cheer to needy families. 

"For the family, especially those that are struggling and everything else, so usually there's lots of vehicles and lights and those types of things," Puett tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  

The Buchanan County Sheriff's Department distributed several gifts to families in need that were adopted by the department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703020989237.jpeg" alt="Members of the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department prepare to distribute gifts during their annual event giving gifts to people adopted by the department/ Photo by Matt Pike." />
 <figcaption>Members of the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department prepare to distribute gifts during their annual event giving gifts to people adopted by the department/ Photo by Matt Pike.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The Buchanan County Sheriff's Department was out in full force this morning; giving gifts rather than taking people to jail.&nbsp;The department raised money throughout the year to adopt several people in need. Sheriff Bill Puett says every year deputies make the gift distribution a sort of spectacle to bring Christmas cheer to needy families. "For the family, especially those that are struggling and everything else, so usually there's lots of vehicles and lights and those types of things," Puett tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. The Buchanan County Sheriff's Department distributed several gifts to families in need that were adopted by the department.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703021308731.jpeg" alt="Buchanan County Sheriff deputies load up a patrol car with gifts to distribute to adopted families/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Buchanan County Sheriff deputies load up a patrol car with gifts to distribute to adopted families/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>Puett says it's extremely special to get to do something like this every year. "All of our staff does an excellent job all year, I mean they focus on this, raising money throughout the whole year just so we can try to help some that are less fortunate in the community," Puett explains to KFEQ/St. Joseph Post following the distribution. "And it's a special thing for us to be able to that and help people who just need help this time of year, so we're just really happy to do it."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703021368843.jpeg" alt="Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett prepares his staff before heading out to distribute gifts to adopted families/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett prepares his staff before heading out to distribute gifts to adopted families/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>Puett says the annual distribution is a great effort by many members of the department. "We just like to do things to help, it's not all about going out and taking people to jail, we like to help people and there's some folks that are just in need of a little help this time of year," Puett says. "So, we were happy we could help some of those folks." Donning his Santa hat, Puett and several of his deputies and staff hit the streets to hand out the gifts, and even sang carols to help put people in the holiday spirit.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703021422939.jpeg" alt="Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703021243411.jpeg" alt="Sheriff Bill Puett (Santa hat) and deputies sing Christmas carols after dropping off gifts at the home of an adopted family/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Sheriff Bill Puett (Santa hat) and deputies sing Christmas carols after dropping off gifts at the home of an adopted family/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>

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