In the fall, 48 people will be selected from a lottery of up to 8,000 applicants for the chance to get a cannabis license aimed at business owners from disadvantaged communities

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

Missouri’s cannabis industry is the new “gold rush,” said St. Louis couple Tiffany and Anwar Lee, and they’re considering buying a ticket for the lottery to get in.

Their ticket is a $1,500 application fee for a spot in a lottery making them eligible for a limited number of cannabis microbusiness licenses, and it’s refundable if they don’t get picked. The program is meant&nbsp;to boost opportunities in the industry for businesses in disadvantaged communities, and it&nbsp;was part of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=XIV%20%20%202&amp;constit=y">constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;to legalize recreational marijuana that voters passed in November.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“In that industry, there’s going to always be room to make money, or at least to maintain a decent standard of living,” Anwar Lee said during an interview at an outreach event in St. Louis last week organized by state marijuana regulators.&nbsp;

The Lees were among those gathered at the event to hear from Abigail Vivas, Missouri’s new chief equity officer, who went through all the eligibility requirements for a microbusiness license. She held three other&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/outreach-education.php">outreach events</a>&nbsp;last week in Jefferson City, Lee’s Summit and Springfield.&nbsp;

But even if the Lees meet the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/microbusiness.php">eligibility requirements</a>, their shot at winning is slim.&nbsp;

In August, six license winners will be picked by the Missouri Lottery in every one of the state’s eight Congressional districts in Missouri — for a total of 48 licenses.&nbsp;

Vivas, who oversees the microbusiness program through the&nbsp;cannabis regulating agency within the Department of Health and Human Services,&nbsp;estimates there could be up to 5,000 applicants statewide. But she’s heard other estimates that it could be 1,000 per congressional district.&nbsp;

As proponents of the marijuana legalization amendment were making their case to voters last year, the microbusiness program was the primary retort when&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/01/st-louis-mayor-tishaura-jones-announces-opposition-to-missouri-marijuana-amendment/">opponents argued</a>&nbsp;the law would cement an already distrusted,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/03/09/with-legalization-looming-black-missourians-worry-about-losing-out-in-marijuana-industry/">inequitable business licensing system</a>&nbsp;in place in order to ensure the rich just get richer.&nbsp;

Supporters boasted that the microbusiness program will be the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/17/marijuana-vote-divided-missouri-social-justice-leaders-can-an-equity-officer-be-a-bridge/">first of its kind in the nation</a>&nbsp;and will help diversify the white-dominated industry.

However, Vivas said that goal wasn’t exactly spelled out in the constitution.

“Equity is not really mentioned in the microbusiness program, as far as the constitution is concerned,” Vivas said, “but I think that’s where we go back to the spirit of things.”

Adolphus Pruitt, president of the St. Louis City NAACP and one of the drafters of the microbusiness provision in the legalization amendment, said the word “equity” doesn’t need to be in the constitution’s definition of the microbusiness program.&nbsp;

“When you look at the categories and the qualifications, there’s no doubt that overwhelmingly the qualifications are geared up for people who were impacted by the unjust enforcement of marijuana laws,” Pruitt said. “No one would dispute that that population, in most cases, are African Americans.”&nbsp;

In his conversations with DHSS leaders and Vivas, Pruitt said state regulators are “clear” on that point as well.

There are seven categories where people can qualify for a microbusiness license, ranging from a lower income level or living in an area considered impoverished to having past arrests or incarcerations related to marijuana offenses.&nbsp;

Pruitt says most of the people he’s working with will apply under the category that says the applicant — their parent, guardian or spouse — has been arrested, prosecuted or convicted of a non-violent marijuana offense. That doesn’t include a conviction involving distributing of marijuana to a minor or driving under the influence of marijuana.&nbsp;

And the second category, he said, would be for the areas with high poverty and unemployment.&nbsp;

DHSS recently released ZIP codes for these two categories — areas where 30% percent or more of the population lives below the federal poverty level or where the rate of unemployment is 50% percent higher than the state average rate of unemployment.&nbsp;

However, applicants can also apply using the Census tracts where they live, and that’s what Pruitt is encouraging applicants to do. Vivas also encouraged people to look to the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mcdc.missouri.edu/">Missouri Census Data Center</a>, which helped DHSS identify the eligible ZIP codes in these two categories, as a resource to finding their Census tract.&nbsp;

The category that remains a gray area involves ZIP codes where the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/30/new-rules-stir-fear-black-missourians-will-once-again-lose-out-in-marijuana-licensing/">incarceration rates for marijuana-offenses</a>&nbsp;is 50% higher than the rate for the entire state.

Cecil King, communications director for the cannabis advocacy group Norml in St. Louis, said the intent of the microbusiness program was to “<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/19/missouri-micro-cannabis-license-rules-limit-review-of-jail-data-to-20-years/">roll back the war on drugs</a>.”

When DHSS included ZIP codes the agency considered having historic incarceration rates, they correlated to courthouses, not neighborhoods. Now there is a slim possibility that someone who lives in downtown Clayton — one of the most&nbsp;affluent suburbs in the St. Louis region where the average household income is $200,000&nbsp;— could apply and win a microlicense.

“[The microbusiness program] was to help communities impacted,” King said, “not to spread out this data so that people in Clayton could get on.”

Pruitt says if that happens, then the NAACP would legally challenge that license because the addresses of courthouses don’t reflect actual residence, which is required under the constitution.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Any court would say that the courthouse does not represent the muster of the amendment,” he said.

Coming from a law enforcement background, Vivas told the audience gathered in St. Louis last week that she knew this category was “going to be a problem” because of how criminal history is documented.

“The Department of Corrections doesn't have the data, surprisingly,” she said.&nbsp; “The other thing is other than our department, no one else is required to work on this.”

The data ultimately came from the Missouri Highway Patrol, she said, and it took time for them to retrieve the data. Some of the ZIP codes for the courthouses in rural Missouri could include the entire towns’ populations, she said.&nbsp;

However in St. Louis, the three ZIP codes that correlate to courthouses include downtown St. Louis, which is among the least residential areas in the city, and downtown Clayton and St. Charles, where the population is 90% Caucasian, according to the Census.&nbsp;

“We are not closing the door on this,” Vivas said. “But this was the data we could get and felt was the best data at the time, and within the timeframe to be able to implement this as well.”

DHSS issued a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/pdf/variance-incarceration-rate-19CSR100-1.060.4.pdf">variance</a>&nbsp;for the category in the beginning of June, saying they will accept other forms of proof, including elected officials attesting to the historical incarceration rate.

Vivas said she knows the variance isn’t completely clear, but the department is committed to being “flexible as we can” in order to meet the spirit of the law.

“We're doing our best to digest that and put something out there,” she said, “so kind of the variance is like, ‘What else is out there?’”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688039717144.png" alt="Tiffany (left) and Anwar (middle) Lee at an outreach event in St. Louis on June 22, 2023, where the state’s new chief equity officer, Abigail Vivas (in green), went through all the eligibility requirements for the cannabis microbusiness program (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Tiffany (left) and Anwar (middle) Lee at an outreach event in St. Louis on June 22, 2023, where the state’s new chief equity officer, Abigail Vivas (in green), went through all the eligibility requirements for the cannabis microbusiness program (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>In the fall, 48 people will be selected from a lottery of up to 8,000 applicants for the chance to get a cannabis license aimed at business owners from disadvantaged communities</h2>By REBECCA RIVAS&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri’s cannabis industry is the new “gold rush,” said St. Louis couple Tiffany and Anwar Lee, and they’re considering buying a ticket for the lottery to get in.Their ticket is a $1,500 application fee for a spot in a lottery making them eligible for a limited number of cannabis microbusiness licenses, and it’s refundable if they don’t get picked. The program is meant&nbsp;to boost opportunities in the industry for businesses in disadvantaged communities, and it&nbsp;was part of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=XIV%20%20%202&amp;constit=y">constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;to legalize recreational marijuana that voters passed in November.&nbsp;&nbsp;“In that industry, there’s going to always be room to make money, or at least to maintain a decent standard of living,” Anwar Lee said during an interview at an outreach event in St. Louis last week organized by state marijuana regulators.&nbsp;The Lees were among those gathered at the event to hear from Abigail Vivas, Missouri’s new chief equity officer, who went through all the eligibility requirements for a microbusiness license. She held three other&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/outreach-education.php">outreach events</a>&nbsp;last week in Jefferson City, Lee’s Summit and Springfield.&nbsp;But even if the Lees meet the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/microbusiness.php">eligibility requirements</a>, their shot at winning is slim.&nbsp;In August, six license winners will be picked by the Missouri Lottery in every one of the state’s eight Congressional districts in Missouri — for a total of 48 licenses.&nbsp;Vivas, who oversees the microbusiness program through the&nbsp;cannabis regulating agency within the Department of Health and Human Services,&nbsp;estimates there could be up to 5,000 applicants statewide. But she’s heard other estimates that it could be 1,000 per congressional district.&nbsp;As proponents of the marijuana legalization amendment were making their case to voters last year, the microbusiness program was the primary retort when&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/01/st-louis-mayor-tishaura-jones-announces-opposition-to-missouri-marijuana-amendment/">opponents argued</a>&nbsp;the law would cement an already distrusted,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/03/09/with-legalization-looming-black-missourians-worry-about-losing-out-in-marijuana-industry/">inequitable business licensing system</a>&nbsp;in place in order to ensure the rich just get richer.&nbsp;Supporters boasted that the microbusiness program will be the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/17/marijuana-vote-divided-missouri-social-justice-leaders-can-an-equity-officer-be-a-bridge/">first of its kind in the nation</a>&nbsp;and will help diversify the white-dominated industry.However, Vivas said that goal wasn’t exactly spelled out in the constitution.“Equity is not really mentioned in the microbusiness program, as far as the constitution is concerned,” Vivas said, “but I think that’s where we go back to the spirit of things.”Adolphus Pruitt, president of the St. Louis City NAACP and one of the drafters of the microbusiness provision in the legalization amendment, said the word “equity” doesn’t need to be in the constitution’s definition of the microbusiness program.&nbsp;“When you look at the categories and the qualifications, there’s no doubt that overwhelmingly the qualifications are geared up for people who were impacted by the unjust enforcement of marijuana laws,” Pruitt said. “No one would dispute that that population, in most cases, are African Americans.”&nbsp;In his conversations with DHSS leaders and Vivas, Pruitt said state regulators are “clear” on that point as well.There are seven categories where people can qualify for a microbusiness license, ranging from a lower income level or living in an area considered impoverished to having past arrests or incarcerations related to marijuana offenses.&nbsp;Pruitt says most of the people he’s working with will apply under the category that says the applicant — their parent, guardian or spouse — has been arrested, prosecuted or convicted of a non-violent marijuana offense. That doesn’t include a conviction involving distributing of marijuana to a minor or driving under the influence of marijuana.&nbsp;And the second category, he said, would be for the areas with high poverty and unemployment.&nbsp;DHSS recently released ZIP codes for these two categories — areas where 30% percent or more of the population lives below the federal poverty level or where the rate of unemployment is 50% percent higher than the state average rate of unemployment.&nbsp;However, applicants can also apply using the Census tracts where they live, and that’s what Pruitt is encouraging applicants to do. Vivas also encouraged people to look to the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mcdc.missouri.edu/">Missouri Census Data Center</a>, which helped DHSS identify the eligible ZIP codes in these two categories, as a resource to finding their Census tract.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688039663878.png" alt="Map:&nbsp;Allison Kite&nbsp;&nbsp;Source:&nbsp;Missouri Census Data Center&nbsp;&nbsp;Created with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/sYx3W" target="_blank">Datawrapper</a>" />
 <figcaption>Map:&nbsp;Allison Kite&nbsp;&nbsp;Source:&nbsp;Missouri Census Data Center&nbsp;&nbsp;Created with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/sYx3W" target="_blank">Datawrapper</a></figcaption>
 </figure>The category that remains a gray area involves ZIP codes where the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/30/new-rules-stir-fear-black-missourians-will-once-again-lose-out-in-marijuana-licensing/">incarceration rates for marijuana-offenses</a>&nbsp;is 50% higher than the rate for the entire state.Cecil King, communications director for the cannabis advocacy group Norml in St. Louis, said the intent of the microbusiness program was to “<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/19/missouri-micro-cannabis-license-rules-limit-review-of-jail-data-to-20-years/">roll back the war on drugs</a>.”When DHSS included ZIP codes the agency considered having historic incarceration rates, they correlated to courthouses, not neighborhoods. Now there is a slim possibility that someone who lives in downtown Clayton — one of the most&nbsp;affluent suburbs in the St. Louis region where the average household income is $200,000&nbsp;— could apply and win a microlicense.“[The microbusiness program] was to help communities impacted,” King said, “not to spread out this data so that people in Clayton could get on.”Pruitt says if that happens, then the NAACP would legally challenge that license because the addresses of courthouses don’t reflect actual residence, which is required under the constitution.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Any court would say that the courthouse does not represent the muster of the amendment,” he said.Coming from a law enforcement background, Vivas told the audience gathered in St. Louis last week that she knew this category was “going to be a problem” because of how criminal history is documented.“The Department of Corrections doesn't have the data, surprisingly,” she said.&nbsp; “The other thing is other than our department, no one else is required to work on this.”The data ultimately came from the Missouri Highway Patrol, she said, and it took time for them to retrieve the data. Some of the ZIP codes for the courthouses in rural Missouri could include the entire towns’ populations, she said.&nbsp;However in St. Louis, the three ZIP codes that correlate to courthouses include downtown St. Louis, which is among the least residential areas in the city, and downtown Clayton and St. Charles, where the population is 90% Caucasian, according to the Census.&nbsp;“We are not closing the door on this,” Vivas said. “But this was the data we could get and felt was the best data at the time, and within the timeframe to be able to implement this as well.” DHSS issued a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/pdf/variance-incarceration-rate-19CSR100-1.060.4.pdf">variance</a>&nbsp;for the category in the beginning of June, saying they will accept other forms of proof, including elected officials attesting to the historical incarceration rate.Vivas said she knows the variance isn’t completely clear, but the department is committed to being “flexible as we can” in order to meet the spirit of the law.“We're doing our best to digest that and put something out there,” she said, “so kind of the variance is like, ‘What else is out there?’”

Missouri holds outreach events in run up to cannabis microbusiness license lottery

JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on drug allegations.

Just before 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, a deputy with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a Chrysler Sebring for a traffic infraction near 102nd and U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 During the course of the traffic stop, the deputy discovered substances and items believed to be fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.

 The driver, Kasandra Oleva Marie Alexander, 28, of Atchison was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of distribution of opiates opium narcotics or stimulants, possession of opium, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving under the influence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687958868877.png" alt="Alexander-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Alexander-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on drug allegations.Just before 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, a deputy with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a Chrysler Sebring for a traffic infraction near 102nd and U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. During the course of the traffic stop, the deputy discovered substances and items believed to be fentanyl and drug paraphernalia. The driver, Kasandra Oleva Marie Alexander, 28, of Atchison was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of distribution of opiates opium narcotics or stimulants, possession of opium, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving under the influence.

Sheriff: Kansas woman was transporting fentanyl 

Savannah city officials have ended a boil advisory.

The boil advisory covered both Savannah city water customers and the city of Fillmore, which buys water from Savannah. 

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostSavannah city officials have ended a boil advisory.The boil advisory covered both Savannah city water customers and the city of Fillmore, which buys water from Savannah.

Savannah Boil Advisory lifted

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration this week today announced allocated funding for reliable high-speed internet. 

States, D.C., and territories will use funding from the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program to administer grant programs within their borders. 

Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo says, “What this announcement means for people across the country is that if you don’t have access to quality, affordable high-speed Internet service now – you will.” 

The funding will be used to deploy or upgrade broadband networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service. 

Once deployment goals are met, any remaining funding can be used to pursue eligible access-, adoption-, and equity-related uses. States, Washington D.C., and territories will receive their formal notice of allocation on June 30, 2023. 

To view state-by-state funding across the Biden Administration's high-speed Internet portfolio, visit InternetforAll.gov.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration this week today announced allocated funding for reliable high-speed internet. States, D.C., and territories will use funding from the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program to administer grant programs within their borders. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo says, “What this announcement means for people across the country is that if you don’t have access to quality, affordable high-speed Internet service now – you will.” The funding will be used to deploy or upgrade broadband networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service. Once deployment goals are met, any remaining funding can be used to pursue eligible access-, adoption-, and equity-related uses. States, Washington D.C., and territories will receive their formal notice of allocation on June 30, 2023. To view state-by-state funding across the Biden Administration's high-speed Internet portfolio, visit InternetforAll.gov.- NAFB

Biden Administration announces allocations for high-speed internet program

With drought conditions ongoing across the Midland Empire heading into Independence Day, residents are being urged to be cautious with fireworks.&nbsp;

Most of the Midland Empire is seeing moderate to severe drought, with others abnormally dry. &nbsp;

Missouri State Fire Marshal Tim Bean says drought conditions are causing many across the state to question if they should rethink those holiday fireworks. &nbsp;

"Commissioners and officials of that nature trying to make a educated decision as to what to do to safeguard against life and property being destroyed or hurt," Bean tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.&nbsp;

Bean says before you light those fireworks, you should practice common sense and keep an eye on the weather conditions. &nbsp;

"Listen to the weather or the weather service et cetera and use that technology and information to make a good decision on that," Bean explains. &nbsp;

Much of this area is experiencing moderate to severe drought with the central part of Missouri experiencing extreme drought.&nbsp;

By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;With drought conditions ongoing across the Midland Empire heading into Independence Day, residents are being urged to be cautious with fireworks.&nbsp;Most of the Midland Empire is seeing moderate to severe drought, with others abnormally dry. &nbsp;Missouri State Fire Marshal Tim Bean says drought conditions are causing many across the state to question if they should rethink those holiday fireworks. &nbsp;"Commissioners and officials of that nature trying to make a educated decision as to what to do to safeguard against life and property being destroyed or hurt," Bean tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.&nbsp;Bean says before you light those fireworks, you should practice common sense and keep an eye on the weather conditions. &nbsp;"Listen to the weather or the weather service et cetera and use that technology and information to make a good decision on that," Bean explains. &nbsp;Much of this area is experiencing moderate to severe drought with the central part of Missouri experiencing extreme drought.&nbsp;

Be careful with those fireworks this Independence Day as drought worsens

Celebrating the 4th of July with a cookout will cost significantly more than two years ago, although prices have fallen slightly from record highs in 2022. 

Families will pay $67.73 to host an Independence Day cookout with ten family members or friends, based on the 2023 American Farm Bureau Federation market basket survey. 

The $67.73 grocery bill is down three percent from 2022, but still approximately 14 percent higher than prices were just two years ago. 

Last year set a record high since AFBF began the survey in 2013, and 2023 comes in as the second-highest cost. The cookout favorites include cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream, among other products. 

The marketbasket survey shows a year-to-year increase in the cost of hamburger buns, beef and potato salad, while there are drops in the cost of chicken breasts, lemonade and cookies. Although historically high, the cost of the cookout breaks down to less than $7 per person.

Celebrating the 4th of July with a cookout will cost significantly more than two years ago, although prices have fallen slightly from record highs in 2022. Families will pay $67.73 to host an Independence Day cookout with ten family members or friends, based on the 2023 American Farm Bureau Federation market basket survey. The $67.73 grocery bill is down three percent from 2022, but still approximately 14 percent higher than prices were just two years ago. Last year set a record high since AFBF began the survey in 2013, and 2023 comes in as the second-highest cost. The cookout favorites include cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream, among other products. The marketbasket survey shows a year-to-year increase in the cost of hamburger buns, beef and potato salad, while there are drops in the cost of chicken breasts, lemonade and cookies. Although historically high, the cost of the cookout breaks down to less than $7 per person.-&nbsp;NAFB

Cost of summer cookout down slightly from 10-year high

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before midnight Tuesday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 GMC Canyon driven by Ryan D. James, 20, Cameron, was northbound on U.S. 69 at Route EE just north of the Cameron city limits.

The pickup struck a pedestrian identified as Bobby R. Blair, 62, St. Joseph, who was walking in the middle of the highway.

DeKalb County EMS transported Blair to Liberty Hospital. James was not injured and properly restrained, according to the MSHP.&nbsp;

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before midnight Tuesday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 GMC Canyon driven by Ryan D. James, 20, Cameron, was northbound on U.S. 69 at Route EE just north of the Cameron city limits.The pickup struck a pedestrian identified as Bobby R. Blair, 62, St. Joseph, who was walking in the middle of the highway.DeKalb County EMS transported Blair to Liberty Hospital. James was not injured and properly restrained, according to the MSHP.&nbsp;

St. Joseph man injured in pedestrian accident

GRUNDY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 8p.m. Tuesday in Grundy County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Honda 4-wheeler driven by Karen E. Wilson, 27, Humphreys, was northbound on Whan Street in Galt.&nbsp;

The vehicle began sliding, traveled off the west side of the road and overturned.

Grundy County EMS transported Wilson to Wright Memorial Hospital.

GRUNDY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 8p.m. Tuesday in Grundy County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Honda 4-wheeler driven by Karen E. Wilson, 27, Humphreys, was northbound on Whan Street in Galt.&nbsp;The vehicle began sliding, traveled off the west side of the road and overturned.Grundy County EMS transported Wilson to Wright Memorial Hospital.

Missouri woman injured in ATV accident

SAVANNAH - It was a homecoming fit for a hero.

Charlie Phillips, a four-time medalist at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin this past week, landed in Kansas City Tuesday afternoon and came home to Savannah, where hundreds of people were waiting in downtown to see him and congratulate him.

The Savannah Fire Department drove Phillips around the downtown square several times Tuesday evening, with people waving, cheering, snapping pictures and throwing confetti.

Phillips proudly waved back and also waved the American flag, riding in the bucket of a ladder truck.

He later signed autographs and took photos with anyone who asked.

"The whole town came out," he grinned, medals clanking on his chest. "It was so amazing. It was wonderful, seeing everyone I know come out. I got my picture and signed it for them, signed their shirts. It was pretty cool."

Phillips' mother, Tina Schoonmaker, was equally touched by the turnout on Tuesday.

"This is...larger than life," she said gratefully. "Then again, Charlie larger than life. This is Savannah, too. This community is so supportive and loving and accepting of Charlie. I wouldn't expect anything less from them."

Phillips, a 26-year-old power lifter,&nbsp;won three silver medals and a bronze medal on Friday at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.

He earned silver in men’s squat, men's bench press and men's all around competition, while also winning bronze in men's deadlift.

Phillips spent about two weeks in Berlin, preparing for competition. He did two live interviews on ESPN while, including one last Monday with football legend Tim Tebow.

"We even got interviewed by a couple of other countries," Schoonmaker said. "It just blew us away and it brought a lot of coverage to the powerlifting event."

Phillips' interviews went viral, both locally and nationally. In those conversations, Phillips shared touching messages of perseverance, hard work, excitement, passion, dedication and achieving your dreams.

Phillips' story is now internationally known.

"I touched many peoples' lives while I was on ESPN," he said. "I got interviewed after I got done dead lifting. That felt amazing. My emotions were high and...it felt amazing."

Phillips has been a Special Olympian for over 15 years and has been lifting since he was 10. He had said for many of those years that getting to a World Games was his dream.

That dream was realized, and he has four Olympic medals to show for it.

"Special Olympics is one big family," he said. "It doesn't matter who you are, what you're doing. We all come together as one big family. It doesn't matter if it's Savannah, St. Joe...Las Vegas. Wherever you're from. We're all just one big family.

"It was such a pleasure to see his dream finally come true," Schoonmaker said. "The icing on the cake to see him lift and be on that podium. It just did our hearts good."

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687917998973.jpeg" alt="Charlie Phillips salutes his fans on Tuesday night in a welcome back parade in downtown Savannah Tuesday night. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Charlie Phillips salutes his fans on Tuesday night in a welcome back parade in downtown Savannah Tuesday night. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostSAVANNAH - It was a homecoming fit for a hero.Charlie Phillips, a four-time medalist at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin this past week, landed in Kansas City Tuesday afternoon and came home to Savannah, where hundreds of people were waiting in downtown to see him and congratulate him.The Savannah Fire Department drove Phillips around the downtown square several times Tuesday evening, with people waving, cheering, snapping pictures and throwing confetti.Phillips proudly waved back and also waved the American flag, riding in the bucket of a ladder truck.He later signed autographs and took photos with anyone who asked."The whole town came out," he grinned, medals clanking on his chest. "It was so amazing. It was wonderful, seeing everyone I know come out. I got my picture and signed it for them, signed their shirts. It was pretty cool."Phillips' mother, Tina Schoonmaker, was equally touched by the turnout on Tuesday."This is...larger than life," she said gratefully. "Then again, Charlie larger than life. This is Savannah, too. This community is so supportive and loving and accepting of Charlie. I wouldn't expect anything less from them."Phillips, a 26-year-old power lifter,&nbsp;won three silver medals and a bronze medal on Friday at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin. He earned silver in men’s squat, men's bench press and men's all around competition, while also winning bronze in men's deadlift.Phillips spent about two weeks in Berlin, preparing for competition. He did two live interviews on ESPN while, including one last Monday with football legend Tim Tebow."We even got interviewed by a couple of other countries," Schoonmaker said. "It just blew us away and it brought a lot of coverage to the powerlifting event."Phillips' interviews went viral, both locally and nationally. In those conversations, Phillips shared touching messages of perseverance, hard work, excitement, passion, dedication and achieving your dreams.Phillips' story is now internationally known."I touched many peoples' lives while I was on ESPN," he said. "I got interviewed after I got done dead lifting. That felt amazing. My emotions were high and...it felt amazing."Phillips has been a Special Olympian for over 15 years and has been lifting since he was 10. He had said for many of those years that getting to a World Games was his dream.That dream was realized, and he has four Olympic medals to show for it."Special Olympics is one big family," he said. "It doesn't matter who you are, what you're doing. We all come together as one big family. It doesn't matter if it's Savannah, St. Joe...Las Vegas. Wherever you're from. We're all just one big family."It was such a pleasure to see his dream finally come true," Schoonmaker said. "The icing on the cake to see him lift and be on that podium. It just did our hearts good."Photos<figure>
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 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Savannah welcomes Special Olympian Charlie Phillips home Tuesday with parade

After being announced as the new St. Joseph police Chief last month Paul Luster has officially begun his tenure as the chief of police this week. &nbsp;

Luster says a goal of his in this new position is to get the community involved in helping discover the issues affecting them. &nbsp;

An immediate short-term goal for Luster is to hold listening sessions both internally and externally to learn about these issues. &nbsp;

"Obviously it's always going to be a goal to make St. Joe safer, so when I start getting that input, I think there will be a lot more clarity to that plan," Luster tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "I don't want it to be the Paul Luster plan, I want it to be a plan that the community has input on, that this department has input on, and we can work together collaboratively to make St. Joe safer."&nbsp;

Luster says listening sessions will be held over time, both formal and informal, that members of the community should watch for announcements of.&nbsp;

Luster hopes to learn more about the issues that are happening in the city from residents as his time in St. Joseph goes on.&nbsp;

Luster says it can be hard to build relationships with the community when there is a slight disconnect between residents and the police. &nbsp;

"But I think as long as we are transparent as an organization, as long as we're honest as an organization, as long as I'm accessible as a leader of this agency, I think that's what helps build those relationships," Luster says. "Listening to them, taking their input, and working really creatively together to solve issues."&nbsp;

Luster also hopes to modernize the St. Joseph Police Department to help address the issues affecting the community. &nbsp;

Luster says modernizing policing simply means to use the technology and data at their fingertips to address problems. &nbsp;

"For a lot of times, the police department would go into a neighborhood and the police department would tell the community what the problem was and how we're going to fix it, and that's not right," Luster explains. "We need to go in there, we need to listen to what they say the problems are and ask them how we can help them."&nbsp;

Luster says after getting that information is when the department goes back to use their technology and data&nbsp;

"Where are our problem locations, who are our problem people, what are our pattern crimes, and use that data so we can really I call it fish with a spear instead of a net," Luster says. &nbsp;

Luster says this method will help police address the issues the public believes are important rather than what the police says is important.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687881385253.jpeg" alt="New St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster speaks to city officials, fellow officers, and the community following his swearing in/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>New St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster speaks to city officials, fellow officers, and the community following his swearing in/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;After being announced as the new St. Joseph police Chief last month Paul Luster has officially begun his tenure as the chief of police this week. &nbsp;Luster says a goal of his in this new position is to get the community involved in helping discover the issues affecting them. &nbsp;An immediate short-term goal for Luster is to hold listening sessions both internally and externally to learn about these issues. &nbsp;"Obviously it's always going to be a goal to make St. Joe safer, so when I start getting that input, I think there will be a lot more clarity to that plan," Luster tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "I don't want it to be the Paul Luster plan, I want it to be a plan that the community has input on, that this department has input on, and we can work together collaboratively to make St. Joe safer."&nbsp;Luster says listening sessions will be held over time, both formal and informal, that members of the community should watch for announcements of.&nbsp;Luster hopes to learn more about the issues that are happening in the city from residents as his time in St. Joseph goes on.&nbsp;Luster says it can be hard to build relationships with the community when there is a slight disconnect between residents and the police. &nbsp;"But I think as long as we are transparent as an organization, as long as we're honest as an organization, as long as I'm accessible as a leader of this agency, I think that's what helps build those relationships," Luster says. "Listening to them, taking their input, and working really creatively together to solve issues."&nbsp;Luster also hopes to modernize the St. Joseph Police Department to help address the issues affecting the community. &nbsp;Luster says modernizing policing simply means to use the technology and data at their fingertips to address problems. &nbsp;"For a lot of times, the police department would go into a neighborhood and the police department would tell the community what the problem was and how we're going to fix it, and that's not right," Luster explains. "We need to go in there, we need to listen to what they say the problems are and ask them how we can help them."&nbsp;Luster says after getting that information is when the department goes back to use their technology and data&nbsp;"Where are our problem locations, who are our problem people, what are our pattern crimes, and use that data so we can really I call it fish with a spear instead of a net," Luster says. &nbsp;Luster says this method will help police address the issues the public believes are important rather than what the police says is important.&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/New-St--Joseph-Police-Chief-excited-to-get-things-started-e268o5o" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

New police chief wants to get out and meet the people of St. Joseph

A Democratic lawmaker announced plans to reintroduce a bipartisan bill that would get electric vehicles into the national biofuel blending program. 

The legislation would allow electricity generated from renewable biomass to qualify for credits under the Renewable Fuel Standard. 

The White House recently stopped plans to do so for fear of lawsuits. Under the bill, companies that produce power generated from renewable gas used for charging EVs would be eligible to generate lucrative credits under the RFS. 

That’s a slight but important difference from the Environmental Protection Agency’s approach, which would have allowed EV manufacturers like Tesla to generate the credits. 

“The manufacturers don’t produce the electricity,” says California Representative John Garamendi, the bill’s sponsor. 

“We know that the biomass/biogas industry can produce electricity in a way that benefits the overall economy and ecology of the nation.” The bill directs the EPA, which oversees the RFS, to implement the plan.

A Democratic lawmaker announced plans to reintroduce a bipartisan bill that would get electric vehicles into the national biofuel blending program. The legislation would allow electricity generated from renewable biomass to qualify for credits under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The White House recently stopped plans to do so for fear of lawsuits. Under the bill, companies that produce power generated from renewable gas used for charging EVs would be eligible to generate lucrative credits under the RFS. That’s a slight but important difference from the Environmental Protection Agency’s approach, which would have allowed EV manufacturers like Tesla to generate the credits. “The manufacturers don’t produce the electricity,” says California Representative John Garamendi, the bill’s sponsor. “We know that the biomass/biogas industry can produce electricity in a way that benefits the overall economy and ecology of the nation.” The bill directs the EPA, which oversees the RFS, to implement the plan.- NAFB

Lawmaker reintroducing bill to get EV industry into biofuel program

The USDA is planning to invest up to $500 million to increase the availability of domestic biofuels and give Americans additional cleaner-fuel options at the pump. 

“By expanding the availability of homegrown biofuels, we’re strengthening our energy independence, creating new market opportunities and revenue streams for American producers, and bringing good-paying jobs and other economic benefits to rural and farm communities.” 

The first group of applicants for funding through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program will receive $25 million for 59 infrastructure projects.&nbsp;&nbsp;In July, the USDA will start accepting applications for another $450 million in grants through the HBIIP.&nbsp;&nbsp;

These grants will support the infrastructure needed to lower out-of-pocket costs for transportation, fueling, and distribution facilities to install and upgrade biofuel-related infrastructure like pumps, dispensers, and storage tanks. Grants cover up to 75 percent or $5 million of total project costs to help facilities convert to higher-blend fuels.

The USDA is planning to invest up to $500 million to increase the availability of domestic biofuels and give Americans additional cleaner-fuel options at the pump. “By expanding the availability of homegrown biofuels, we’re strengthening our energy independence, creating new market opportunities and revenue streams for American producers, and bringing good-paying jobs and other economic benefits to rural and farm communities.” The first group of applicants for funding through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program will receive $25 million for 59 infrastructure projects.&nbsp;&nbsp;In July, the USDA will start accepting applications for another $450 million in grants through the HBIIP.&nbsp;&nbsp;These grants will support the infrastructure needed to lower out-of-pocket costs for transportation, fueling, and distribution facilities to install and upgrade biofuel-related infrastructure like pumps, dispensers, and storage tanks. Grants cover up to 75 percent or $5 million of total project costs to help facilities convert to higher-blend fuels.- NAFB

USDA investing $500 million to expand domestic biofuels

An online seminar is being held to instruct northwest Missouri
small business owners on the best way to protect their intellectual property.

<a href="https://www.nwmissouri.edu/services/sbdc/">The Missouri Small Business Center</a> in St. Joseph will host the
seminar being taught by officers with the federal Patent and Trademark Office.

Regional Director Rebecca Lobina says using a trade mark, a
patent, or a copyright doesn’t just protect a business’ finance, but its
reputation.

“So, if you think of your business reputation or your name as
your reputation, if you’re an author or someone like that,” Lobina says during
an appearance on the KFEQ Hotline. “So, yes, it protects your reputation as
well as your business and your financial interests.”

The intellectual property online seminar sponsored by the Northwest
Missouri State University center will be held July 6th from 11am to
12:30pm. It is free. You can register by contacting the Small Business Center
office at the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce or through Rebecca Lobina’s
Facebook page.

Lobina says it’s a really good idea for small business owners
to protect their intellectual property through a trade mark.

“If you have created a logo for your business or, your
business has a unique business name, right? And so that’s registered with the
Secretary of State, but you can also trademark that name as well so that it
goes beyond the scope of just the state of Missouri,” Lobina says. “It’s a
national protection for it.”

A patent is more complicated and more expensive. Trade secrets
can be protected as well.

Lobina says it can be a wise business decision to establish a
trade mark so that others cannot coast on your good name.

“That’s where you end up getting people’s reputations or business
reputations sullied if someone else has a very similar likeness, if you will,”
Lobina says. “They drive it downhill and then you think it’s one and the same,
but it’s not the same business.”

As for copyright, there is a prominent example of what happens
when that lapses after 95 years into public domain.

“A recent incident with that was Winnie the Pooh,” Lobina
points out. “It was good for 95 years and so, last year, in ’22 I believe was
the first year that anybody could use Winnie the Pooh.”

And, use Pooh they did; nothing like the children’s books.
Movie producers jumped on the opportunity of Winnie the Pooh entering the public domain to create a horror movie of all
things:&nbsp; Winnie the Pooh:&nbsp; Blood and Honey.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAn online seminar is being held to instruct northwest Missouri
small business owners on the best way to protect their intellectual property.<a href="https://www.nwmissouri.edu/services/sbdc/">The Missouri Small Business Center</a> in St. Joseph will host the
seminar being taught by officers with the federal Patent and Trademark Office.Regional Director Rebecca Lobina says using a trade mark, a
patent, or a copyright doesn’t just protect a business’ finance, but its
reputation.“So, if you think of your business reputation or your name as
your reputation, if you’re an author or someone like that,” Lobina says during
an appearance on the KFEQ Hotline. “So, yes, it protects your reputation as
well as your business and your financial interests.”The intellectual property online seminar sponsored by the Northwest
Missouri State University center will be held July 6th from 11am to
12:30pm. It is free. You can register by contacting the Small Business Center
office at the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce or through Rebecca Lobina’s
Facebook page.Lobina says it’s a really good idea for small business owners
to protect their intellectual property through a trade mark.“If you have created a logo for your business or, your
business has a unique business name, right? And so that’s registered with the
Secretary of State, but you can also trademark that name as well so that it
goes beyond the scope of just the state of Missouri,” Lobina says. “It’s a
national protection for it.”A patent is more complicated and more expensive. Trade secrets
can be protected as well.Lobina says it can be a wise business decision to establish a
trade mark so that others cannot coast on your good name.“That’s where you end up getting people’s reputations or business
reputations sullied if someone else has a very similar likeness, if you will,”
Lobina says. “They drive it downhill and then you think it’s one and the same,
but it’s not the same business.”As for copyright, there is a prominent example of what happens
when that lapses after 95 years into public domain.“A recent incident with that was Winnie the Pooh,” Lobina
points out. “It was good for 95 years and so, last year, in ’22 I believe was
the first year that anybody could use Winnie the Pooh.”And, use Pooh they did; nothing like the children’s books.
Movie producers jumped on the opportunity of Winnie the Pooh entering the public domain to create a horror movie of all
things:&nbsp; Winnie the Pooh:&nbsp; Blood and Honey.Tigger is safe, for now.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Protecting-Intellectual-Property-Seminar-e267imf" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

NW MO businesses to learn more about intellectual property

Judge Jon Beetem says expedited hearing at Missouri Supreme Court will resolve the case in a timely manner

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

A Cole County judge on Monday rejected a call from the ACLU of Missouri that he direct Attorney General Andrew Bailey to comply with a court order to certify the fiscal summary on an abortion rights initiative.

Circuit Judge Jon Beetem last Tuesday gave Bailey 24 hours to certify the fiscal summary to the auditor’s office, stating in his decision that Bailey had “<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/20/judge-missouri-ag-had-absolute-absence-of-authority-to-question-abortion-initiative-cost/">an absolute absence of authority</a>” to refuse the certification.

On Monday, Beetem said he agreed with Bailey that the appeal filed within 24 hours of the original order resulted in an automatic stay of his ruling. He added that the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/23/missouri-supreme-court-sets-hearing-date-for-abortion-rights-petition-case/">schedule set by the Missouri Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;for an appeal of that order will bring a quick resolution.

That final decision may not come as fast as the ACLU of Missouri would like, Beetem noted, but it is speedy in court terms. The Supreme Court set oral arguments for July 18, and Beetem said he would expect a decision by the end of July.

“So it’s still a question that every day of delay prejudices the petitioners,” Beetem said. “But I don’t know that we could make it move any faster.”

The focus of the case is 11 versions of a proposed initiative petition&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/09/group-files-ballot-measures-adding-abortion-protections-to-missouri-constitution/">seeking to roll back Missouri’s ban on abortion</a>&nbsp;submitted in March to Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office.&nbsp;

Ashcroft sent the submissions to the attorney general and to the state auditor’s office for review as required by law.

For every initiative, the attorney general reviews the petition to make sure it meets the legal requirements for circulation while the auditor works to summarize the cost. The auditor’s estimate is referred to the attorney general to make sure it, too, meets the legal requirements – a discussion of the projected cost in 50 words or less that are neutral on the merits of the proposal.

That process, supposed to take no more than 56 days, has now doubled that amount because Bailey refused to accept Fitzpatrick’s fiscal summary.

By first demanding&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/04/missouri-auditor-says-ag-trying-to-falsely-inflate-projected-cost-of-abortion-amendment/">changes to Fitzpatrick’s original estimate</a>, and then refusing to certify it when the auditor declined to make changes, Bailey has effectively stalled the abortion initiative before signature-gathering can begin.

The auditor cited several state agencies in concluding the state would face “no costs or savings” as a result of the proposed constitutional amendment. The summary did say one local government entity estimates losing at least $51,000 in reduced tax revenues, and that opponents of the proposal contend it could lead to significant loss in state revenue.&nbsp;

Bailey, Beetem noted in his court order, wanted Fitzpatrick to quote one opponent who estimated the cost to the state at $6.9 trillion.

In court on Monday, ACLU of Missouri attorney Tori Schafersaid Beetem should require Bailey to certify Ftizpatrick’s original fiscal summary. If Bailey succeeds in the Supreme Court, he can ask for an order directing it to be sent back, she said.

Bailey should not have assumed filing the appeal resulted in an automatic stay, she said.

“He has concluded that he can ignore this court order because he filed a notice of appeal,” Schafer said. “The mere filing of a notice of appeal, however, does not excuse him from this court’s directive.”

In response, Assistant Attorney General Jason Lewis said the mandatory nature of Beetem’s order generated the automatic stay when the notice of appeal was filed.

“This court order operates as an injunction and therefore we think it has been automatically stayed,” Lewis said. “And again, that is why the attorney general acted so swiftly to file a notice of appeal with the Missouri Supreme Court within 24 hours.”

Under regular court operating rules, the judgment from Beetem would not have been final for 30 days. As he discussed his reasons for recognizing the automatic stay, Beetem said he would have granted a stay if requested and that could have meant Bailey could wait until late July before filing the notice of appeal.

And, Beetem said, the actual briefings for that appeal and the argument date would have been pushed off into the fall if Bailey had taken all the time allowed.

“It appears to the court that things are moving in the proper direction,” Beetem said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687827676398.png" alt="Cole County Judge Jon Beetem (screenshot of pool video courtesy of KRCG-TV)." />
 <figcaption>Cole County Judge Jon Beetem (screenshot of pool video courtesy of KRCG-TV).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Judge Jon Beetem says expedited hearing at Missouri Supreme Court will resolve the case in a timely manner</h2>By RUDI KELLER&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>A Cole County judge on Monday rejected a call from the ACLU of Missouri that he direct Attorney General Andrew Bailey to comply with a court order to certify the fiscal summary on an abortion rights initiative.Circuit Judge Jon Beetem last Tuesday gave Bailey 24 hours to certify the fiscal summary to the auditor’s office, stating in his decision that Bailey had “<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/20/judge-missouri-ag-had-absolute-absence-of-authority-to-question-abortion-initiative-cost/">an absolute absence of authority</a>” to refuse the certification.On Monday, Beetem said he agreed with Bailey that the appeal filed within 24 hours of the original order resulted in an automatic stay of his ruling. He added that the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/23/missouri-supreme-court-sets-hearing-date-for-abortion-rights-petition-case/">schedule set by the Missouri Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;for an appeal of that order will bring a quick resolution.That final decision may not come as fast as the ACLU of Missouri would like, Beetem noted, but it is speedy in court terms. The Supreme Court set oral arguments for July 18, and Beetem said he would expect a decision by the end of July.“So it’s still a question that every day of delay prejudices the petitioners,” Beetem said. “But I don’t know that we could make it move any faster.”The focus of the case is 11 versions of a proposed initiative petition&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/09/group-files-ballot-measures-adding-abortion-protections-to-missouri-constitution/">seeking to roll back Missouri’s ban on abortion</a>&nbsp;submitted in March to Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office.&nbsp;Ashcroft sent the submissions to the attorney general and to the state auditor’s office for review as required by law.For every initiative, the attorney general reviews the petition to make sure it meets the legal requirements for circulation while the auditor works to summarize the cost. The auditor’s estimate is referred to the attorney general to make sure it, too, meets the legal requirements – a discussion of the projected cost in 50 words or less that are neutral on the merits of the proposal.That process, supposed to take no more than 56 days, has now doubled that amount because Bailey refused to accept Fitzpatrick’s fiscal summary.By first demanding&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/04/missouri-auditor-says-ag-trying-to-falsely-inflate-projected-cost-of-abortion-amendment/">changes to Fitzpatrick’s original estimate</a>, and then refusing to certify it when the auditor declined to make changes, Bailey has effectively stalled the abortion initiative before signature-gathering can begin.The auditor cited several state agencies in concluding the state would face “no costs or savings” as a result of the proposed constitutional amendment. The summary did say one local government entity estimates losing at least $51,000 in reduced tax revenues, and that opponents of the proposal contend it could lead to significant loss in state revenue.&nbsp;Bailey, Beetem noted in his court order, wanted Fitzpatrick to quote one opponent who estimated the cost to the state at $6.9 trillion.In court on Monday, ACLU of Missouri attorney Tori Schafersaid Beetem should require Bailey to certify Ftizpatrick’s original fiscal summary. If Bailey succeeds in the Supreme Court, he can ask for an order directing it to be sent back, she said.Bailey should not have assumed filing the appeal resulted in an automatic stay, she said.“He has concluded that he can ignore this court order because he filed a notice of appeal,” Schafer said. “The mere filing of a notice of appeal, however, does not excuse him from this court’s directive.”In response, Assistant Attorney General Jason Lewis said the mandatory nature of Beetem’s order generated the automatic stay when the notice of appeal was filed.“This court order operates as an injunction and therefore we think it has been automatically stayed,” Lewis said. “And again, that is why the attorney general acted so swiftly to file a notice of appeal with the Missouri Supreme Court within 24 hours.”Under regular court operating rules, the judgment from Beetem would not have been final for 30 days. As he discussed his reasons for recognizing the automatic stay, Beetem said he would have granted a stay if requested and that could have meant Bailey could wait until late July before filing the notice of appeal.And, Beetem said, the actual briefings for that appeal and the argument date would have been pushed off into the fall if Bailey had taken all the time allowed.“It appears to the court that things are moving in the proper direction,” Beetem said.

Judge declines to order Missouri AG to comply with order on abortion initiative

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged theft.

On Sunday police arrested 38-year-old&nbsp;Sidney I. Kye, Jr., of Atchison, on requested charges&nbsp; of criminal trespass and theft at Stop and Go, 405 U.S.59 Highway, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Police arrested in May on a requested charges of possession of stolen property, according to online jail records. He has also been jailed for failure to appear numerous times over the past year, following a dometic battery allegation in 2020.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687828293661.png" alt="Kye-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Kye-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged theft.On Sunday police arrested 38-year-old&nbsp;Sidney I. Kye, Jr., of Atchison, on requested charges&nbsp; of criminal trespass and theft at Stop and Go, 405 U.S.59 Highway, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.Police arrested in May on a requested charges of possession of stolen property, according to online jail records. He has also been jailed for failure to appear numerous times over the past year, following a dometic battery allegation in 2020.

Kansas man with a history of crime accused of theft

ANDREW COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 9:30a.m. Monday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2022 GMC Sierra driven by&nbsp; Enrique Guzman Ortega, 29, Wichita, was turning left from northbound Business 71 three miles south of Savannah.&nbsp;

The pickup traveled into the path of a 2013 Ford Focus driven by Angel. P. Valera, 60, Savannah. The Ford struck the passenger side of the pickup.

Andrew County EMS transported Valera to Mosaic Life Care. Guzman was released at the scene. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

ANDREW COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 9:30a.m. Monday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2022 GMC Sierra driven by&nbsp; Enrique Guzman Ortega, 29, Wichita, was turning left from northbound Business 71 three miles south of Savannah.&nbsp;The pickup traveled into the path of a 2013 Ford Focus driven by Angel. P. Valera, 60, Savannah. The Ford struck the passenger side of the pickup.Andrew County EMS transported Valera to Mosaic Life Care. Guzman was released at the scene. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Savannah woman injured after 2-vehicle crash

In what's becoming an unfortunate trend, the St. Joseph Animal Shelter is overflowing with cats and dogs that are up for adoption.  

Friends of the Animal Shelters Melanie Barnes says currently there is a desperate need for people to adopt or foster pets. 

"We are full all the time, as are other shelters and rescues around the state of Missouri and the Midwest," Barnes tells guest host on the KFEQ Hotline Brent Martin. "I don't know if like post COVID it's hard to get into your vet and get them spayed and neutered and then we end up with accidental litters, more puppies on the ground, more cats on the ground." 

Barnes says there is limited space available at the shelter with the need for adoption growing. 

Barnes says there are several types of cats and dogs available. 

"If there's any way, you're potentially looking for a pet go down there, there's no application, go down its first come first serve," Barnes explains. "We also have pets in foster care, dogs in foster care, and we have dogs in our Puppies for Parole program so out at the prison." 

Barnes says even if you don't find a pet you like at the shelter, there could be one online that's available. 

"Make sure you're looking online as well as going down there for a potential adoptable pet," Barnes says.  

Barnes says if you can't adopt, you can always help the Friends of the Animal Shelter with donations of product 

"Or donating money, obviously we're paying for a lot of the adoption fees and medical fees, so we're always looking for monetary donations as well," Barnes points out.  

You can view pets available for adoption, volunteer at the animal shelter, and donate at pet-for-u dot com. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post In what's becoming an unfortunate trend, the St. Joseph Animal Shelter is overflowing with cats and dogs that are up for adoption. Friends of the Animal Shelters Melanie Barnes says currently there is a desperate need for people to adopt or foster pets. "We are full all the time, as are other shelters and rescues around the state of Missouri and the Midwest," Barnes tells guest host on the KFEQ Hotline Brent Martin. "I don't know if like post COVID it's hard to get into your vet and get them spayed and neutered and then we end up with accidental litters, more puppies on the ground, more cats on the ground." Barnes says there is limited space available at the shelter with the need for adoption growing. Barnes says there are several types of cats and dogs available. "If there's any way, you're potentially looking for a pet go down there, there's no application, go down its first come first serve," Barnes explains. "We also have pets in foster care, dogs in foster care, and we have dogs in our Puppies for Parole program so out at the prison." Barnes says even if you don't find a pet you like at the shelter, there could be one online that's available. "Make sure you're looking online as well as going down there for a potential adoptable pet," Barnes says. Barnes says if you can't adopt, you can always help the Friends of the Animal Shelter with donations of product "Or donating money, obviously we're paying for a lot of the adoption fees and medical fees, so we're always looking for monetary donations as well," Barnes points out. You can view pets available for adoption, volunteer at the animal shelter, and donate at pet-for-u dot com.

St. Joseph Animal Shelter once again overflowing with adoptable pets

The badge has officially been pinned on and new St. Joseph police chief Paul Luster has been sworn into duty. &nbsp;

A swearing in ceremony was held today at the Law Enforcement Center in downtown St. Joseph as Luster begins his duties as chief. &nbsp;

Following his swearing in, Luster addressed members of the community.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687796011167.jpeg" alt="New St. Joseph police chief Paul Luster takes the oath of office as he is sworn in to duty during a ceremony today at the Law Enforcement Center/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>New St. Joseph police chief Paul Luster takes the oath of office as he is sworn in to duty during a ceremony today at the Law Enforcement Center/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;The badge has officially been pinned on and new St. Joseph police chief Paul Luster has been sworn into duty. &nbsp;A swearing in ceremony was held today at the Law Enforcement Center in downtown St. Joseph as Luster begins his duties as chief. &nbsp;Following his swearing in, Luster addressed members of the community.&nbsp;"I will work every day to exceed your expectations as your police chief," Luster says. "I realize we exist as a police department to serve you and we cannot do our jobs effectively or efficiently without your partnerships, without your input, without your engagement."&nbsp;With several city officials, family members, and officers from both St. Joseph and Kansas City in attendance, Luster was sworn into duty during a ceremony today. &nbsp;Also following the oath of office and being sworn in Luster addressed the officers of the St. Joseph Police Department. &nbsp;"When you're out there doing great work, doing your best work, I will support you at all costs," Luster says. "On days when that work isn't quite good enough, I will support you, I will get you the training, the tools, the mentorship that you need so we can do great work together."&nbsp;Luster comes to St. Joseph as a 25-year veteran of the Kansas City Police department.&nbsp; He succeeds Chris Connally who retired from the position in September.&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fstjoemo%2Fvideos%2F795995175390885%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

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