St. Joseph could get a new police chief soon.

Interim St. Joseph Police Chief Dave Hart says the process is
moving forward after four finalists came to the city to meet with residents
last week.

“We’ve made some really good progress in the police chief
hiring. They did interviews last week. We had a couple of meet and greets, a
community meet and greet with the candidates. The response was outstanding. We
had a lot of people show up, a lot of good questions, good interactions,” Hart
tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “So, we’re pretty optimistic about
where the process stands. But it should be wrapping up now and time to bring
someone new in.”

The finalists are Alliance, Nebraska Police Chief Philip Lukens;
Kansas City, Missouri Police Major Paul Luster; Beauford, South Carolina Deputy
Police Chief Stehenie Price; and Acting Kansas City, Kansas Deputy Police Chief
Rance Quinn.

Hart did not apply for the position and will return to being a
commander when the new chief is chosen. In fact, no one in the St. Joseph
Police Department applied for the job.

Hart says the city is close to making an offer to one of four
finalists.

“We’re coming up on that finish line and hopefully we can get
that person in place and really move forward with the department.”

Hart expects the hiring process to move quickly, now.

“Optimistically hoping to know who the final selection is
towards the end of this month, just the very first of next month and then it’s
just logistics from there as far as getting them here,” Hart says. “We’re
hopeful that will see somebody in June. I would say definitely no late than
July.”

Public Sector Search and Consulting has been assisting the
city in the search to replace Chief Chris Connally, who retired after 17 years
in the position.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph could get a new police chief soon.Interim St. Joseph Police Chief Dave Hart says the process is
moving forward after four finalists came to the city to meet with residents
last week.“We’ve made some really good progress in the police chief
hiring. They did interviews last week. We had a couple of meet and greets, a
community meet and greet with the candidates. The response was outstanding. We
had a lot of people show up, a lot of good questions, good interactions,” Hart
tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “So, we’re pretty optimistic about
where the process stands. But it should be wrapping up now and time to bring
someone new in.”The finalists are Alliance, Nebraska Police Chief Philip Lukens;
Kansas City, Missouri Police Major Paul Luster; Beauford, South Carolina Deputy
Police Chief Stehenie Price; and Acting Kansas City, Kansas Deputy Police Chief
Rance Quinn.Hart did not apply for the position and will return to being a
commander when the new chief is chosen. In fact, no one in the St. Joseph
Police Department applied for the job.Hart says the city is close to making an offer to one of four
finalists.“We’re coming up on that finish line and hopefully we can get
that person in place and really move forward with the department.”Hart expects the hiring process to move quickly, now.“Optimistically hoping to know who the final selection is
towards the end of this month, just the very first of next month and then it’s
just logistics from there as far as getting them here,” Hart says. “We’re
hopeful that will see somebody in June. I would say definitely no late than
July.”Public Sector Search and Consulting has been assisting the
city in the search to replace Chief Chris Connally, who retired after 17 years
in the position.

St. Joseph closing in on new police chief

St. Joseph Police are investigating a non-fatal shooting that took place Wednesday evening.

Officers received a call of shots fired in the 2600 block of Mary Street at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. About 15 minutes later, officers say an 18-year-old showed up at Mosaic Life Care with non-life threatening gunshot wounds to the legs.

Police say the victim has not been cooperative with officers, so little is known so far about the shooting, a potential suspect and what led to the conflict.

The victim's identity is not publicly known. The investigation is ongoing.

By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph Police are investigating a non-fatal shooting that took place Wednesday evening.Officers received a call of shots fired in the 2600 block of Mary Street at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. About 15 minutes later, officers say an 18-year-old showed up at Mosaic Life Care with non-life threatening gunshot wounds to the legs.Police say the victim has not been cooperative with officers, so little is known so far about the shooting, a potential suspect and what led to the conflict.The victim's identity is not publicly known. The investigation is ongoing.

St. Joseph Police investigating Wednesday night shooting

NODAWAY COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Wednesday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1992 Lexus SC300 driven by Elisea T. Downs, 22, Maryville, was northbound on U.S. 71 just south of 395th Street fifteen miles south of Maryville.&nbsp;

The front left tire deflated and the car began to skid. The car crossed the into the passing lane, traveled off the west side of the road, struck a bridge structure, returned to the road and came to rest.

A private vehicle transported Downs and a passenger Mason J. Bammer, 20, Maryville, to Mosaic in Maryville. Bammer was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

NODAWAY COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Wednesday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1992 Lexus SC300 driven by Elisea T. Downs, 22, Maryville, was northbound on U.S. 71 just south of 395th Street fifteen miles south of Maryville.&nbsp;The front left tire deflated and the car began to skid. The car crossed the into the passing lane, traveled off the west side of the road, struck a bridge structure, returned to the road and came to rest.A private vehicle transported Downs and a passenger Mason J. Bammer, 20, Maryville, to Mosaic in Maryville. Bammer was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

2 from Maryville injured after car strikes bridge structure

The St. Joseph Sports Commission officially unveiled the 2023 St. Joseph Area Sports of Hall of Fame Class on Wednesday.

The St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame recognizes individuals, families, teams, entities or significant feats/accomplishments that have made a significant impact on sports history in Buchanan County.

To be eligible for selection, the individual or team must have been born in Buchanan County, must have made their sports career or accomplished their feat in Buchanan County, or must be contributing to sports in Buchanan County currently.

The 2023 Hall of Fame Class includes College Football and NFL tight ends Dwayne Blakley and Martin Rucker,&nbsp;Elite Track &amp; Field/Cross Country Runner Ann Marie (Brooks) Chappell, tennis legend Kathleen (Heckman) Winegardner,&nbsp;Olympic Weightlifter Pete Kelley,&nbsp;World Class Amateur Golfer Brad Nurski,&nbsp;High School Coaching Legend Paul “Pop” Springer, NFL assistant coach Chris Tabor, Major League Baseball Pitcher and Coach Jim Wright, the 1976 Lafayette High School Boys Basketball State Championship team and Special Olympics Area Athlete of the Year Jane Wood.

An anonymous three-person committee selects this Hall of Fame Class. The St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame has been in existence since November 2020.

The committee selected these 10 inductees in a field of 54 nominations.

The 2023 class will be enshrined on Sunday, August 27 at Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center at 5 p.m. with a social hour starting at 4 p.m.

The Second Annual Bill Snyder Woman of Impact Award will be presented again this year at the ceremony by former Kansas State football coach and St. Joseph native Bill Snyder.

The award is named in Coach Snyder’s honor as a tribute to the impact his mother made on his life and also the impact of women in sports in celebration of Title IX.

A limited amount of tickets for the enshrinement event will go on sale in late June for $25 per person. They can be purchased at stjomosports.com.

The enshrinement ceremony is happening a month earlier than normal, because the inaugural St. Joseph marathon comes up Sunday, September 23.&nbsp;

2023 ST. JOSEPH AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS BIOS

Dwayne Blakley – College Football and NFL Tight End

Blakley was a three-year letterwinner at Central High School, competing in football, basketball and track. He was selected Second Team All-State his senior year in basketball and he signed to play football at Missouri.&nbsp; Blakley played at Mizzou for four seasons, recording 79 receptions for 868 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was named honorable mention all-Big 12 following the 1999 season.&nbsp; After spending two seasons in NFL Europe, Blakely spent four seasons in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons, appearing in 59 games including nine starts recording 21 receptions including one touchdown.&nbsp; Blakley was inducted as a member of the inaugural Central High School Hall of Fame in 2012.

Ann Marie (Brooks) Chappell – Elite Track &amp; Field/Cross Country Runner Chappell started her legacy as a three-time All-State cross country runner at Central High School. She won the 4A State title her senior season.&nbsp; On the track, she garnered six more all-state selections and was a record holder in both the 1600 and 3200 runs.&nbsp; She continued her career at Mizzou, and was a four-time Big 12 Conference Champion, earning Academic All-American five times, a NCAA National Championship (2001 indoor medley relay team) and was a four-time All-America performer. Brooks was inducted into the Mizzou Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008 and the inaugural Central High School Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.

Kathleen (Heckman) Winegardner – Area and National Tennis Legend

Winegardner is in rare company locally as one of few area athletes that have ever won four state championships in any sport. Her elite run began in 1978, as she teamed with her sister Mary Ann and won three consecutive doubles titles.&nbsp; She capped off her senior season with a singles title in 1981.&nbsp; She played three seasons for the University of Minnesota, earning All-Big Ten honors in both singles and doubles in 1983. She still holds the record for most doubles victories in a season (36 in 1982-83) and is sixth all-time in singles victories with 33. She played her senior season at the University of Colorado where she competed for a National Championship after winning the Big 8 Championship at #1 singles.&nbsp; Following college, she continued to compete at an elite level, winning the Colorado State Open 11 times and the Denver City Open 6 times.&nbsp; Winegardner is a member of the LeBlond High School Hall of Fame, Sportswomen of Colorado Hall of Fame and the Colorado Tennis Hall of Fame.

Pete Kelley – Olympic Weightlifter

&nbsp;Kelley carried the Olympic torch through St. Joseph as it made its way to the 1996 games in Atlanta. Kelley began lifting at the Wesley Center in 1988. Four years later, due to his performance on the Junior World Team, he accepted an invitation to be a resident and train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.&nbsp; At the training center, Kelley quickly established himself as not only one of the best lifters in the country, but in the world.&nbsp; He was a three-time member of the Junior World Team including being a United States Junior Champion.&nbsp; In qualifying for the U.S. Pan American games, he won a Gold Medal in the snatch lift and placed third for total Kilos.&nbsp; At age 22, Kelley became the youngest member of the Olympics team at the Atlanta games and broke two American records during the meet - one in the Clean &amp; Jerk and a total weight record, which led to a 14th&nbsp;place finish overall.&nbsp; Following the Olympics, Kelley continued to compete nationally for the next nine years. He was ranked No. 1 in the United States in his weight class in 2004.&nbsp; Pete was inducted into the USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame in 2018.

Brad Nurski – World Class Amateur Golfer

Nurski began his elite career at Benton High School, where he was a four-time MEC Conference Champion.&nbsp; He took his talents to Missouri Western, where he was an All-MIAA selection three times, All-Region twice and became the first MWSU player to qualify for NCAA Regionals as an individual.&nbsp; Nurski was inducted into the Missouri Western Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013. Nurski has owned amateur golf in St. Joseph and beyond for the past two decades.&nbsp; He is a 14-time Fairview Club Champion, 7seven-time St. Joseph Country Club Champion, six-time St. Joseph City Champion and winner of 13 local club invitationals.&nbsp; On the state level, Brad has won 10 Missouri Golf Association Championships, including the prestigious Missouri Amateur three times (2010, 2017, 2018), which led him to twice being named the Missouri Player of the Year.&nbsp; Nurski has competed numerous times nationally and internationally as well including a runner-up finish in the USGA Mid-Amateur in 2014.&nbsp; This past year, Nurski competed for Team USA in the prestigious Concession Cup at The Real Club Valderama in Spain and helped the Americans win in come from behind fashion.

Martin Rucker – College Football and National Football League Tight End &nbsp;A three-sport start at Benton High School who garnered numerous accolades, Rucker took his talents to Missouri where he started all but one game of his four-year career at the tight end position. He totaled 203 career receptions which ranks second on the all-time career list at Mizzou, which totaled 2,175 yards and 18 touchdowns.&nbsp; His recognitions were many including second-team Freshman All-American, Consensus first-team All-American along with first-team AFCA and AP All-American his senior season.&nbsp; Rucker was selected in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns in which his career spanned five seasons competing on five different teams.

Paul “Pop” Springer – Legendary Three Sport High School Coach A legend on the south side for more than three decades, Pop was a coach for all seasons, recording a high level of success on the gridiron, the hardwood and the track.&nbsp; He came to St. Joseph from Nebraska in 1925 and quickly became a trailblazing icon in the coaching profession.&nbsp; In his career, he coached 889 contests combined in football and basketball amassing 566 wins (150 football, 416 basketball) and in all three sports. He enjoyed the pinnacle achievement of coaching his teams to compete for a championship which included: Class B Track &amp; Field State Champions in 1928, Track &amp; Field State Runner Up in 1929, Boys Basketball State Champions in 1931 &amp; 1941 and a Football Peanut Bowl Appearance in 1946.&nbsp; As a tribute to his memory and legacy, the gym at Benton High School bears his name.

Chris Tabor – National Football League Coach A graduate of Benton High School, Tabor was a three-year starter at quarterback for Benedictine, where he graduated from in 1993.&nbsp; &nbsp;He instantly went to work at his high school alma mater as an assistant on the football team.&nbsp; The next season, he joined the junior college ranks as a running backs coach at Hutchinson Community College, then immediately became an offensive coordinator at Central Methodist for two seasons.&nbsp; Tabor then made a big jump to the staff at Mizzou, where he spent three seasons. He was then the head coach at Culver Stockton in 2001 before jumping to the FBS ranks at Utah State for three seasons and then two more at Western Michigan in 2006 &amp; 07.&nbsp; Following the '07 season, Tabor was given a shot in the NFL for the first time, working as Assistant Special Teams Coach for the Chicago Bears Dave Toub, who's now an associate head coach for the Chiefs. Tabor has spent 15 seasons in the NFL working as a Special Teams Coordinator.&nbsp; He's currently in his second season with the Carolina Panthers.&nbsp; Tabor was inducted into the Benedictine Athletes Hall of Fame in 2021.

Jim Wright – Major League Baseball Pitcher &amp; Coach Wright began his career as a two-sport athlete at Benton High School, where he was a four-year letterwinner on the baseball field and a three year letterwinner on the basketball court. Almost immediately upon graduation, he was selected in the fifth&nbsp;round of the 1973 Major League Baseball amateur draft by the Philadelphia Phillies.&nbsp; He spent seven seasons in the Phillies farm system, amassing a 65-33 career record, a resume that included throwing two no hitters, winning pitcher of the year at all three levels of the minor leagues and was the Triple-A Cy Young Award Winner.&nbsp; Wright’s chance in the Major Leagues came with the hometown Kansas City Royals, as they selected him the 1980 Rule 5 Draft away from the Phillies.&nbsp; He made 24 appearances for the Royals over the next two seasons, appearing in 23 games recording a 2-3 overall record with a 4.04 ERA and 36 strikeouts.&nbsp; Following his playing days, Wright joined the coaching ranks, spending 32 seasons as a pitching coach at the Triple A and Major League Levels with the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies. He officially retired in 2014 following 41 seasons in pro baseball.

1976 Lafayette High School Boys Basketball State Champions Coming off a runner-up finish in Class 3A a season earlier, the 1976 Lafayette High School Boys Basketball Team reached the pinnacle achievement the following season, winning a state championship. The Irish finished the season 28-3 and defeated Joplin Memorial High School 87-82.&nbsp; The team was led by Head Coach Mel Clark and Assistant Coach Steve Neff, who used the team’s success the previous season in coming up just one game short as a motivator.&nbsp; The starting five included Jimmy Tillman, Hubert Beattie, Allen Stillman, John Embray and Charlie Brown.&nbsp; Other members of the team included Bob Cobb, Keenan Brockett, Chris Silcott, JC Stanley, Randy Rush, Steve Bundy, Bo Tillman, Greg Lie and managers Steve Shores and Scooter Tillman.&nbsp; Tillman and Beattie were both named first team All-State. Clark was named Coach of the Year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Special Olympics Area Athlete Of The Year presented by the Hook Family – Jane Wood Jane’s mother started the Special Olympics program in St. Joseph 45 years ago. Shortly after, she began her journey to SOMO fame.&nbsp; Wood has been a four-sport athlete, competing in softball for more than 25 years. She also competed in swimming and track &amp; field.&nbsp; However it was bowling where Jane established her fame.&nbsp; She attended numerous area and state bowling competitions, bringing home several gold medals over the years.&nbsp; She was key in getting the Special Olympics Unified Partner program up and running. She was also one of the first athletes selected to be a partner with a non-Special Olympics athletes to bowl in competition.&nbsp; Jane has always loved being a part of a team and as she put it “my teammates depend on me to be there and help.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684355858825.jpeg" alt="The 2023 St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame Class." />
 <figcaption>The 2023 St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame Class.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph Sports Commission officially unveiled the 2023 St. Joseph Area Sports of Hall of Fame Class on Wednesday.The St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame recognizes individuals, families, teams, entities or significant feats/accomplishments that have made a significant impact on sports history in Buchanan County.To be eligible for selection, the individual or team must have been born in Buchanan County, must have made their sports career or accomplished their feat in Buchanan County, or must be contributing to sports in Buchanan County currently.The 2023 Hall of Fame Class includes College Football and NFL tight ends Dwayne Blakley and Martin Rucker,&nbsp;Elite Track &amp; Field/Cross Country Runner Ann Marie (Brooks) Chappell, tennis legend Kathleen (Heckman) Winegardner,&nbsp;Olympic Weightlifter Pete Kelley,&nbsp;World Class Amateur Golfer Brad Nurski,&nbsp;High School Coaching Legend Paul “Pop” Springer, NFL assistant coach Chris Tabor, Major League Baseball Pitcher and Coach Jim Wright, the 1976 Lafayette High School Boys Basketball State Championship team and Special Olympics Area Athlete of the Year Jane Wood.An anonymous three-person committee selects this Hall of Fame Class. The St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame has been in existence since November 2020.The committee selected these 10 inductees in a field of 54 nominations.The 2023 class will be enshrined on Sunday, August 27 at Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center at 5 p.m. with a social hour starting at 4 p.m.The Second Annual Bill Snyder Woman of Impact Award will be presented again this year at the ceremony by former Kansas State football coach and St. Joseph native Bill Snyder.The award is named in Coach Snyder’s honor as a tribute to the impact his mother made on his life and also the impact of women in sports in celebration of Title IX.A limited amount of tickets for the enshrinement event will go on sale in late June for $25 per person. They can be purchased at stjomosports.com.The enshrinement ceremony is happening a month earlier than normal, because the inaugural St. Joseph marathon comes up Sunday, September 23.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684356035916.jpeg" alt="Director of the St. Joseph Sports Commission Brett Esely introduces the 2023 St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame Class on Wednesday at the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Director of the St. Joseph Sports Commission Brett Esely introduces the 2023 St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame Class on Wednesday at the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>2023 ST. JOSEPH AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS BIOSDwayne Blakley – College Football and NFL Tight EndBlakley was a three-year letterwinner at Central High School, competing in football, basketball and track. He was selected Second Team All-State his senior year in basketball and he signed to play football at Missouri.&nbsp; Blakley played at Mizzou for four seasons, recording 79 receptions for 868 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was named honorable mention all-Big 12 following the 1999 season.&nbsp; After spending two seasons in NFL Europe, Blakely spent four seasons in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons, appearing in 59 games including nine starts recording 21 receptions including one touchdown.&nbsp; Blakley was inducted as a member of the inaugural Central High School Hall of Fame in 2012.Ann Marie (Brooks) Chappell – Elite Track &amp; Field/Cross Country Runner Chappell started her legacy as a three-time All-State cross country runner at Central High School. She won the 4A State title her senior season.&nbsp; On the track, she garnered six more all-state selections and was a record holder in both the 1600 and 3200 runs.&nbsp; She continued her career at Mizzou, and was a four-time Big 12 Conference Champion, earning Academic All-American five times, a NCAA National Championship (2001 indoor medley relay team) and was a four-time All-America performer. Brooks was inducted into the Mizzou Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008 and the inaugural Central High School Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.Kathleen (Heckman) Winegardner – Area and National Tennis LegendWinegardner is in rare company locally as one of few area athletes that have ever won four state championships in any sport. Her elite run began in 1978, as she teamed with her sister Mary Ann and won three consecutive doubles titles.&nbsp; She capped off her senior season with a singles title in 1981.&nbsp; She played three seasons for the University of Minnesota, earning All-Big Ten honors in both singles and doubles in 1983. She still holds the record for most doubles victories in a season (36 in 1982-83) and is sixth all-time in singles victories with 33. She played her senior season at the University of Colorado where she competed for a National Championship after winning the Big 8 Championship at #1 singles.&nbsp; Following college, she continued to compete at an elite level, winning the Colorado State Open 11 times and the Denver City Open 6 times.&nbsp; Winegardner is a member of the LeBlond High School Hall of Fame, Sportswomen of Colorado Hall of Fame and the Colorado Tennis Hall of Fame.Pete Kelley – Olympic Weightlifter&nbsp;Kelley carried the Olympic torch through St. Joseph as it made its way to the 1996 games in Atlanta. Kelley began lifting at the Wesley Center in 1988. Four years later, due to his performance on the Junior World Team, he accepted an invitation to be a resident and train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.&nbsp; At the training center, Kelley quickly established himself as not only one of the best lifters in the country, but in the world.&nbsp; He was a three-time member of the Junior World Team including being a United States Junior Champion.&nbsp; In qualifying for the U.S. Pan American games, he won a Gold Medal in the snatch lift and placed third for total Kilos.&nbsp; At age 22, Kelley became the youngest member of the Olympics team at the Atlanta games and broke two American records during the meet - one in the Clean &amp; Jerk and a total weight record, which led to a 14th&nbsp;place finish overall.&nbsp; Following the Olympics, Kelley continued to compete nationally for the next nine years. He was ranked No. 1 in the United States in his weight class in 2004.&nbsp; Pete was inducted into the USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame in 2018.Brad Nurski – World Class Amateur GolferNurski began his elite career at Benton High School, where he was a four-time MEC Conference Champion.&nbsp; He took his talents to Missouri Western, where he was an All-MIAA selection three times, All-Region twice and became the first MWSU player to qualify for NCAA Regionals as an individual.&nbsp; Nurski was inducted into the Missouri Western Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013. Nurski has owned amateur golf in St. Joseph and beyond for the past two decades.&nbsp; He is a 14-time Fairview Club Champion, 7seven-time St. Joseph Country Club Champion, six-time St. Joseph City Champion and winner of 13 local club invitationals.&nbsp; On the state level, Brad has won 10 Missouri Golf Association Championships, including the prestigious Missouri Amateur three times (2010, 2017, 2018), which led him to twice being named the Missouri Player of the Year.&nbsp; Nurski has competed numerous times nationally and internationally as well including a runner-up finish in the USGA Mid-Amateur in 2014.&nbsp; This past year, Nurski competed for Team USA in the prestigious Concession Cup at The Real Club Valderama in Spain and helped the Americans win in come from behind fashion.Martin Rucker – College Football and National Football League Tight End &nbsp;A three-sport start at Benton High School who garnered numerous accolades, Rucker took his talents to Missouri where he started all but one game of his four-year career at the tight end position. He totaled 203 career receptions which ranks second on the all-time career list at Mizzou, which totaled 2,175 yards and 18 touchdowns.&nbsp; His recognitions were many including second-team Freshman All-American, Consensus first-team All-American along with first-team AFCA and AP All-American his senior season.&nbsp; Rucker was selected in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns in which his career spanned five seasons competing on five different teams.Paul “Pop” Springer – Legendary Three Sport High School Coach A legend on the south side for more than three decades, Pop was a coach for all seasons, recording a high level of success on the gridiron, the hardwood and the track.&nbsp; He came to St. Joseph from Nebraska in 1925 and quickly became a trailblazing icon in the coaching profession.&nbsp; In his career, he coached 889 contests combined in football and basketball amassing 566 wins (150 football, 416 basketball) and in all three sports. He enjoyed the pinnacle achievement of coaching his teams to compete for a championship which included: Class B Track &amp; Field State Champions in 1928, Track &amp; Field State Runner Up in 1929, Boys Basketball State Champions in 1931 &amp; 1941 and a Football Peanut Bowl Appearance in 1946.&nbsp; As a tribute to his memory and legacy, the gym at Benton High School bears his name.Chris Tabor – National Football League Coach A graduate of Benton High School, Tabor was a three-year starter at quarterback for Benedictine, where he graduated from in 1993.&nbsp; &nbsp;He instantly went to work at his high school alma mater as an assistant on the football team.&nbsp; The next season, he joined the junior college ranks as a running backs coach at Hutchinson Community College, then immediately became an offensive coordinator at Central Methodist for two seasons.&nbsp; Tabor then made a big jump to the staff at Mizzou, where he spent three seasons. He was then the head coach at Culver Stockton in 2001 before jumping to the FBS ranks at Utah State for three seasons and then two more at Western Michigan in 2006 &amp; 07.&nbsp; Following the '07 season, Tabor was given a shot in the NFL for the first time, working as Assistant Special Teams Coach for the Chicago Bears Dave Toub, who's now an associate head coach for the Chiefs. Tabor has spent 15 seasons in the NFL working as a Special Teams Coordinator.&nbsp; He's currently in his second season with the Carolina Panthers.&nbsp; Tabor was inducted into the Benedictine Athletes Hall of Fame in 2021.Jim Wright – Major League Baseball Pitcher &amp; Coach Wright began his career as a two-sport athlete at Benton High School, where he was a four-year letterwinner on the baseball field and a three year letterwinner on the basketball court. Almost immediately upon graduation, he was selected in the fifth&nbsp;round of the 1973 Major League Baseball amateur draft by the Philadelphia Phillies.&nbsp; He spent seven seasons in the Phillies farm system, amassing a 65-33 career record, a resume that included throwing two no hitters, winning pitcher of the year at all three levels of the minor leagues and was the Triple-A Cy Young Award Winner.&nbsp; Wright’s chance in the Major Leagues came with the hometown Kansas City Royals, as they selected him the 1980 Rule 5 Draft away from the Phillies.&nbsp; He made 24 appearances for the Royals over the next two seasons, appearing in 23 games recording a 2-3 overall record with a 4.04 ERA and 36 strikeouts.&nbsp; Following his playing days, Wright joined the coaching ranks, spending 32 seasons as a pitching coach at the Triple A and Major League Levels with the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies. He officially retired in 2014 following 41 seasons in pro baseball.1976 Lafayette High School Boys Basketball State Champions Coming off a runner-up finish in Class 3A a season earlier, the 1976 Lafayette High School Boys Basketball Team reached the pinnacle achievement the following season, winning a state championship. The Irish finished the season 28-3 and defeated Joplin Memorial High School 87-82.&nbsp; The team was led by Head Coach Mel Clark and Assistant Coach Steve Neff, who used the team’s success the previous season in coming up just one game short as a motivator.&nbsp; The starting five included Jimmy Tillman, Hubert Beattie, Allen Stillman, John Embray and Charlie Brown.&nbsp; Other members of the team included Bob Cobb, Keenan Brockett, Chris Silcott, JC Stanley, Randy Rush, Steve Bundy, Bo Tillman, Greg Lie and managers Steve Shores and Scooter Tillman.&nbsp; Tillman and Beattie were both named first team All-State. Clark was named Coach of the Year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Special Olympics Area Athlete Of The Year presented by the Hook Family – Jane Wood Jane’s mother started the Special Olympics program in St. Joseph 45 years ago. Shortly after, she began her journey to SOMO fame.&nbsp; Wood has been a four-sport athlete, competing in softball for more than 25 years. She also competed in swimming and track &amp; field.&nbsp; However it was bowling where Jane established her fame.&nbsp; She attended numerous area and state bowling competitions, bringing home several gold medals over the years.&nbsp; She was key in getting the Special Olympics Unified Partner program up and running. She was also one of the first athletes selected to be a partner with a non-Special Olympics athletes to bowl in competition.&nbsp; Jane has always loved being a part of a team and as she put it “my teammates depend on me to be there and help.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684356060407.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

2023 St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame Class unveiled Wednesday

A group of more than 100 lawmakers this week signed a letter to automakers expressing concerns about the removal and planned removal of AM radio receivers in vehicles. 

Representative Greg Pence, an Indiana Republican, led the effort, and says, “If automakers are seeking to remove access to AM radio, my constituents deserve an explanation as to how this could impact their lives and public safety.” 

The letter highlights the need of rural Americans to access AM radio, given limited internet and cell phone connectivity. 

The letter states, “We urge you to maintain AM radio receivers in all vehicles and prioritize consumers and public safety.” Federal data shows that more than 75 radio stations, mostly AM stations, cover at least 90 percent of the U.S. population and are equipped with backup communications equipment for broadcasting during public emergencies. 

There have been reports that automakers, including Ford, Volkswagen, BMW, Mazda, Volvo, Tesla, Polestar, Rivian, GM, and Mercedes Benz, removed, or are planning to remove, broadcast AM radio receivers from all-electric vehicles.

A group of more than 100 lawmakers this week signed a letter to automakers expressing concerns about the removal and planned removal of AM radio receivers in vehicles. Representative Greg Pence, an Indiana Republican, led the effort, and says, “If automakers are seeking to remove access to AM radio, my constituents deserve an explanation as to how this could impact their lives and public safety.” The letter highlights the need of rural Americans to access AM radio, given limited internet and cell phone connectivity. The letter states, “We urge you to maintain AM radio receivers in all vehicles and prioritize consumers and public safety.” Federal data shows that more than 75 radio stations, mostly AM stations, cover at least 90 percent of the U.S. population and are equipped with backup communications equipment for broadcasting during public emergencies. There have been reports that automakers, including Ford, Volkswagen, BMW, Mazda, Volvo, Tesla, Polestar, Rivian, GM, and Mercedes Benz, removed, or are planning to remove, broadcast AM radio receivers from all-electric vehicles.- NAFB

Lawmakers ask automakers to keep AM radio

The Department of Agriculture Tuesday released a dashboard demonstrating the scope of Black Sea grain and oilseed trade. 

USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service says millions of tons of grain are shipped through the region annually, making the Black Sea region a major supplier of agricultural commodities worldwide. 

The dashboard demonstrates the impacts Black Sea trade disruption can have on food access in various countries. 

The analysis focuses on key commodities, including barley, corn, soybean oil, sunflower seed oil, and wheat. For each country, the largest suppliers are shown, which allows the dashboard to illustrate the potential impact of Russia's war in Ukraine. 

USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Alexis M. Taylor, says, "By looking at the Vulnerabilities to Trade Disruption dashboard, it becomes very clear how big an impact Russia's war has on food security in countries." The dashboard and all other USDA FAS tools and reports are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fas.usda.gov/">www.fas.usda.gov</a>.

The Department of Agriculture Tuesday released a dashboard demonstrating the scope of Black Sea grain and oilseed trade. USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service says millions of tons of grain are shipped through the region annually, making the Black Sea region a major supplier of agricultural commodities worldwide. The dashboard demonstrates the impacts Black Sea trade disruption can have on food access in various countries. The analysis focuses on key commodities, including barley, corn, soybean oil, sunflower seed oil, and wheat. For each country, the largest suppliers are shown, which allows the dashboard to illustrate the potential impact of Russia's war in Ukraine. USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Alexis M. Taylor, says, "By looking at the Vulnerabilities to Trade Disruption dashboard, it becomes very clear how big an impact Russia's war has on food security in countries." The dashboard and all other USDA FAS tools and reports are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fas.usda.gov/">www.fas.usda.gov</a>.- NAFB

USDA releases Black Sea trade vulnerability dashboard

Though local state representatives give generally good marks
to the just-concluded Missouri legislative session, they all point to what
could have been during their time in Jefferson City.

State Rep. Bill Falkner, a Republican from St. Joseph, says
the area got significant funding through the state budget and he’s pleased I-70
will be expanded from Kansas City to St. Louis.

“It was still kind of a disappointing session, because we left
a lot of things that could have helped Missouri and personal agendas got in the
way,” Falkner tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

Falkner is disappointed lawmakers didn’t adopt a higher
threshold to amend the state constitution, though that seemed to gain support
throughout the session.

“I thought we made great strides in the bill that we put
forward back to the Senate and I thought that was a pretty fair bill for
initiative petitions,” Falkner says.

Rep. Dean Van Schoiack, a Republican from Savannah, says the
failure to increase the voter threshold to amend the Missouri constitution to
57% of the vote might come back to bite lawmakers.

“I’m afraid that this is going to probably allow abortion on
the ballot and will probably pass with a slight majority,” Van Schoiack
speculates during an interview with KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

Despite being disappointed in the final week of the session,
Van Schoiack views this past session more favorably than the year before.

“This year was much better than the last two years have been
in the House,” according to Van Schoiack. “The committees did more work in
committee, modifying bills, making them better in committee. We did less of
that work on the floor of the House.”

The Missouri General Assembly wrapped up work Friday in
Jefferson City. Legislation that looked promising at the beginning of last week
died as two state Senators mounted filibusters, blocking any promising
legislation from moving forward.

Rep. Brenda Shields of St. Joseph saw her effort to provide
tax credits to help the child care shortage not even get to the Senate floor
for consideration.

“We didn’t have a lot of buy-in in the beginning and so it
didn’t receive top priority at the beginning of session,” Shields explains to
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post, adding that kept her measure from surfacing in the Senate
earlier in the session, leaving it vulnerable to stalling tactics at the end.

It also caused her trouble as fellow legislators saw her
measure as the only vehicle to get their bills across the finish line. Shields
says the bill took on too many amendments at the end of the session.

“So I think if we could have gotten it through clean, it think
it absolutely would have passed,” according to Shields.

In the end, it likely didn’t matter, because the last-week
filibuster in the Senate left no time to move any legislation.

“Well, I think what I’m most disappointed in that is that the
Senate just basically shut down for the last week of session so it didn’t even
have an opportunity to be discussed on the Senate side.”

Shields’ bill would have provided tax credits to businesses
helping employees cover child care costs. The bill also would have allowed
child care providers to claim a tax credit of up to 30%. Child care centers
would also have been allowed to keep the withholding tax of their employees.

The legislation limited the tax breaks to $20 million
annually.

Other legislation that ran out of time at the end of the
session included banning the foreign ownership of farmland as well as sports
wagering.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostThough local state representatives give generally good marks
to the just-concluded Missouri legislative session, they all point to what
could have been during their time in Jefferson City.State Rep. Bill Falkner, a Republican from St. Joseph, says
the area got significant funding through the state budget and he’s pleased I-70
will be expanded from Kansas City to St. Louis.“It was still kind of a disappointing session, because we left
a lot of things that could have helped Missouri and personal agendas got in the
way,” Falkner tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.Falkner is disappointed lawmakers didn’t adopt a higher
threshold to amend the state constitution, though that seemed to gain support
throughout the session.“I thought we made great strides in the bill that we put
forward back to the Senate and I thought that was a pretty fair bill for
initiative petitions,” Falkner says.Rep. Dean Van Schoiack, a Republican from Savannah, says the
failure to increase the voter threshold to amend the Missouri constitution to
57% of the vote might come back to bite lawmakers.“I’m afraid that this is going to probably allow abortion on
the ballot and will probably pass with a slight majority,” Van Schoiack
speculates during an interview with KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.Despite being disappointed in the final week of the session,
Van Schoiack views this past session more favorably than the year before.“This year was much better than the last two years have been
in the House,” according to Van Schoiack. “The committees did more work in
committee, modifying bills, making them better in committee. We did less of
that work on the floor of the House.”The Missouri General Assembly wrapped up work Friday in
Jefferson City. Legislation that looked promising at the beginning of last week
died as two state Senators mounted filibusters, blocking any promising
legislation from moving forward.Rep. Brenda Shields of St. Joseph saw her effort to provide
tax credits to help the child care shortage not even get to the Senate floor
for consideration.“We didn’t have a lot of buy-in in the beginning and so it
didn’t receive top priority at the beginning of session,” Shields explains to
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post, adding that kept her measure from surfacing in the Senate
earlier in the session, leaving it vulnerable to stalling tactics at the end.It also caused her trouble as fellow legislators saw her
measure as the only vehicle to get their bills across the finish line. Shields
says the bill took on too many amendments at the end of the session.“So I think if we could have gotten it through clean, it think
it absolutely would have passed,” according to Shields.In the end, it likely didn’t matter, because the last-week
filibuster in the Senate left no time to move any legislation.“Well, I think what I’m most disappointed in that is that the
Senate just basically shut down for the last week of session so it didn’t even
have an opportunity to be discussed on the Senate side.”Shields’ bill would have provided tax credits to businesses
helping employees cover child care costs. The bill also would have allowed
child care providers to claim a tax credit of up to 30%. Child care centers
would also have been allowed to keep the withholding tax of their employees.The legislation limited the tax breaks to $20 million
annually.Other legislation that ran out of time at the end of the
session included banning the foreign ownership of farmland as well as sports
wagering.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Missouri-State-Representatives-discuss-legislative-session-e247jcu" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

Area lawmakers:  disappointing end to otherwise successful session

Repairs to the roof of the Buchanan County Courthouse may take a bit more time and be a bit more expensive than initially expected. &nbsp;

Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner Scott Nelson says the roofing bids came in much more costly than expected.&nbsp;

"What was budgeted for, and the thing that I found strange was the bid that we opened didn't include dome work, so it's bid plus dome," Nelson tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. &nbsp;

Nelson says all the bids separate roof repair and work to be done on the dome work, rather than lumping them together. &nbsp;

"They were having a hard time even bidding the dome, so they just bid the roof and then said whatever work needs to be done on the dome, x amount per linear foot of calk, x amount per square foot of paint or spackle or whatever they use up there, it's like an unknown," Nelson explains.&nbsp;

Nelson says currently he and his team are working together to figure out some other solutions for how to repair the roof. &nbsp;

"Let's identify where the leaks are in the slope, let's look at that, yeah they have to be fixed but do you have to replace the whole roof to fix that," Nelson says. "But we obviously need to do something to the dome and before we do that, I'd like to get a real good idea of what that's going to cost."&nbsp;

Nelson says to do that they may need to bring in an engineer to look at the dome and roof to figure out the costs&nbsp;

By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;Repairs to the roof of the Buchanan County Courthouse may take a bit more time and be a bit more expensive than initially expected. &nbsp;Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner Scott Nelson says the roofing bids came in much more costly than expected.&nbsp;"What was budgeted for, and the thing that I found strange was the bid that we opened didn't include dome work, so it's bid plus dome," Nelson tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. &nbsp;Nelson says all the bids separate roof repair and work to be done on the dome work, rather than lumping them together. &nbsp;"They were having a hard time even bidding the dome, so they just bid the roof and then said whatever work needs to be done on the dome, x amount per linear foot of calk, x amount per square foot of paint or spackle or whatever they use up there, it's like an unknown," Nelson explains.&nbsp;Nelson says currently he and his team are working together to figure out some other solutions for how to repair the roof. &nbsp;"Let's identify where the leaks are in the slope, let's look at that, yeah they have to be fixed but do you have to replace the whole roof to fix that," Nelson says. "But we obviously need to do something to the dome and before we do that, I'd like to get a real good idea of what that's going to cost."&nbsp;Nelson says to do that they may need to bring in an engineer to look at the dome and roof to figure out the costs&nbsp;

Oops, roof bids for Buchanan County Courthouse leave out dome

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

A few days before the unofficial marijuana holiday of April 20, as retailers prepared for the biggest sales day since legalization, Austin Monroe says he was fired by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://shangriladispensaries.com/columbia-south/">Shangri La South dispensary</a>&nbsp;in Columbia.

Monroe is one of 16 employees of the cannabis dispensary who signed an organizing petition seeking union representation by Local 655 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nlrb.gov/case/14-RC-315558">petition for a representation election was filed April 5</a>&nbsp;with the National Labor Relations Board, and he says his employment troubles began after bosses found out who had signed.

“I got suspended,” he said, and was later fired.

Monroe was among two dozen current and former employees and union organizers who picketed Tuesday outside the marijuana retailer. Organizers said nine of the 16 have either been suspended, fired or have quit because of employer hostility.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nlrb.gov/search/case/shangri">Six complaints</a>&nbsp;alleging unfair labor practices have been filed with the NLRB.&nbsp;

The picket lines could become more common.&nbsp;

With sales&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/05/missouri-marijuana-sales-top-350-million-during-first-three-months-of-legalization/">far outstripping expectations</a>, Missouri’s booming cannabis industry is seeing incredible&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/03/missouri-sees-surge-in-cannabis-jobs-after-legalization-vote/">job growth</a>&nbsp;since voters approved a constitutional amendment legalizing recreational mairjuana in November.&nbsp;

With that job surge has also come a rising interest to protect worker rights, union President David Cook said.

“We have had more interest in workers unionizing for a fair contract, wages, benefits and working conditions than in any industry that I’ve seen in my career,” Cook said. “The interest there is unbelievable.”

Monroe said he began working for Shangri La about a year ago, when only medical marijuana sales were legal. He said he had no discipline issues until the union petition was filed.

He suspected trouble when he was asked to come in and talk while he was suspended and refused, saying it could wait for his upcoming shift&nbsp;

Soon, he received an email that he was fired for accumulating 10 points on a disciplinary scale he says he never saw.

“I loved working with all these folks,” Monroe said.

The dispensary on the south side of Columbia is one of three in Missouri by Nevil Patel under the name Shangri La. There is a second Columbia location and one in Jefferson City.

Shangri La “respects” the rights of employees to organize, the company stated in response to questions submitted via email. It denied firing any employee for participating in union activities.

Every business dismisses employees as a disciplinary action and in the highly regulated cannabis business, Shangri La must make sure no polices or laws are violated, the company stated.

“It is worth noting that the state of Missouri requires all legal cannabis dispensaries to hold certain safety and compliance standards and all the disciplinary actions were related to that,” the company stated. “In certain cases, we had to respond to multiple team member complaints about hostile work environments created by some of our former employees. No employees have been released from employment due to showing union support.”

Every employee is aware of the point system for disciplinary actions, the company stated.

“All the disciplinary actions at Shangri-La, dating back to before these union efforts started, have been based on poor performance and poor attendance,” the company stated.

The organizing efforts are well underway in the eastern part of Missouri where Local 655 operates and beginning in the west under Local 2, the union said.

Picketing will be used to draw attention to the effort, especially where there is union-busting activity, Cook said.&nbsp;

“We want to let the employer know that the workers aren’t going away,” Cook said about the Tuesday action. “They have rights under the National Labor Relations Act… And if you don’t want to sit down and do what is fair, we will continue to have these types of actions.”

An active campaign means the employees have signed agreements with the union authorizing Local 655 to represent them. It also means union leaders believe workers have a good shot at succeeding.

“We don’t sign a card with somebody unless we believe there’s a path for them to unionize,” he said. “If it’s one disgruntled employee, we’re not gonna sign a card because there’s no way we can move that to a win for union representation.”

Shangri La is attempting to disrupt the organizing campaign through a variety of methods, said Sean Shannon, a field organizer for the union. Along with targeting some of the petitioners, he said the company has begun assigning employees from its other locations to work at the south Columbia dispensary.

Each dispensary is organized as a separate entity under Missouri business law. Prior to the petition, each operated separately as well, Shannon said.

The company, in its response to The Independent, said it employs more than 100 people at its three locations and all are employees of the same company, paid from the same account since before the recognition petition was filed.

Any bargaining unit should cover all three locations, the company stated.

“The NLRB has given us very positive feedback for providing all details, so they can make the proper decision on the bargaining unit,” the company said.

The union is prepared to continue fighting but would prefer cooperation, he said.

“The next step is for the company to cease its union-busting tactics and allow for a free and fair election,” Shannon said.

If an election is ordered, Shangri La wrote in its response, it will accept the results.&nbsp;

The main push is for better working conditions and recognition of the skills marijuana workers must possess, Cook said.

The most common concern Cook hears is that budtenders are treated like low-skilled workers.&nbsp;

“This is a skilled workforce that is not being treated the way they should be,” Cook said. “These individuals have to have knowledge and an education in all the different strains and uses of cannabis in today’s world.”

So far, the union has not signed a bargaining agreement. But talks are furthest along with employers at Root 66 dispensary in St. Louis, where the employees&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ufcw.org/actions/victories/cannabis-workers-make-history-in-missouri-by-joining-local-655/">became the first to unionize</a>&nbsp;by joining UFCW 655.

There, eight workers employed as budtenders joined the union in April 2022 because they were concerned about the lack of a consistent company policy and wanted better wages and benefits, including paid time off for sick leave or vacation, he said.

The union’s goal is to set the industry standard for cannabis workers — just as they do with grocery workers in St. Louis, he said. There, they represent about 40% of grocery workers, having bargaining agreements with Schnucks and Diebergs.

“Even though we don’t have the other 60%,” he said, “having that much of the industry kind of sets the standard as to what the compensation package for that industry looks like.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://missouriindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Shangri-La-II-20230516-1-1024x529.jpeg" alt="- Employees and supporters working to organize a union at Shangri La South dispensary in Columbia picket Tuesday outside the store (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>- Employees and supporters working to organize a union at Shangri La South dispensary in Columbia picket Tuesday outside the store (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>By RUDI KELLER&nbsp;AND&nbsp;REBECCA RIVAS&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>A few days before the unofficial marijuana holiday of April 20, as retailers prepared for the biggest sales day since legalization, Austin Monroe says he was fired by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://shangriladispensaries.com/columbia-south/">Shangri La South dispensary</a>&nbsp;in Columbia.Monroe is one of 16 employees of the cannabis dispensary who signed an organizing petition seeking union representation by Local 655 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nlrb.gov/case/14-RC-315558">petition for a representation election was filed April 5</a>&nbsp;with the National Labor Relations Board, and he says his employment troubles began after bosses found out who had signed.“I got suspended,” he said, and was later fired.Monroe was among two dozen current and former employees and union organizers who picketed Tuesday outside the marijuana retailer. Organizers said nine of the 16 have either been suspended, fired or have quit because of employer hostility.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nlrb.gov/search/case/shangri">Six complaints</a>&nbsp;alleging unfair labor practices have been filed with the NLRB.&nbsp;The picket lines could become more common.&nbsp;With sales&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/05/missouri-marijuana-sales-top-350-million-during-first-three-months-of-legalization/">far outstripping expectations</a>, Missouri’s booming cannabis industry is seeing incredible&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/03/missouri-sees-surge-in-cannabis-jobs-after-legalization-vote/">job growth</a>&nbsp;since voters approved a constitutional amendment legalizing recreational mairjuana in November.&nbsp;With that job surge has also come a rising interest to protect worker rights, union President David Cook said.“We have had more interest in workers unionizing for a fair contract, wages, benefits and working conditions than in any industry that I’ve seen in my career,” Cook said. “The interest there is unbelievable.”Monroe said he began working for Shangri La about a year ago, when only medical marijuana sales were legal. He said he had no discipline issues until the union petition was filed.He suspected trouble when he was asked to come in and talk while he was suspended and refused, saying it could wait for his upcoming shift&nbsp;Soon, he received an email that he was fired for accumulating 10 points on a disciplinary scale he says he never saw.“I loved working with all these folks,” Monroe said.The dispensary on the south side of Columbia is one of three in Missouri by Nevil Patel under the name Shangri La. There is a second Columbia location and one in Jefferson City.Shangri La “respects” the rights of employees to organize, the company stated in response to questions submitted via email. It denied firing any employee for participating in union activities.Every business dismisses employees as a disciplinary action and in the highly regulated cannabis business, Shangri La must make sure no polices or laws are violated, the company stated.“It is worth noting that the state of Missouri requires all legal cannabis dispensaries to hold certain safety and compliance standards and all the disciplinary actions were related to that,” the company stated. “In certain cases, we had to respond to multiple team member complaints about hostile work environments created by some of our former employees. No employees have been released from employment due to showing union support.”Every employee is aware of the point system for disciplinary actions, the company stated.“All the disciplinary actions at Shangri-La, dating back to before these union efforts started, have been based on poor performance and poor attendance,” the company stated.The organizing efforts are well underway in the eastern part of Missouri where Local 655 operates and beginning in the west under Local 2, the union said.Picketing will be used to draw attention to the effort, especially where there is union-busting activity, Cook said.&nbsp;“We want to let the employer know that the workers aren’t going away,” Cook said about the Tuesday action. “They have rights under the National Labor Relations Act… And if you don’t want to sit down and do what is fair, we will continue to have these types of actions.”An active campaign means the employees have signed agreements with the union authorizing Local 655 to represent them. It also means union leaders believe workers have a good shot at succeeding.“We don’t sign a card with somebody unless we believe there’s a path for them to unionize,” he said. “If it’s one disgruntled employee, we’re not gonna sign a card because there’s no way we can move that to a win for union representation.”Shangri La is attempting to disrupt the organizing campaign through a variety of methods, said Sean Shannon, a field organizer for the union. Along with targeting some of the petitioners, he said the company has begun assigning employees from its other locations to work at the south Columbia dispensary.Each dispensary is organized as a separate entity under Missouri business law. Prior to the petition, each operated separately as well, Shannon said.The company, in its response to The Independent, said it employs more than 100 people at its three locations and all are employees of the same company, paid from the same account since before the recognition petition was filed.Any bargaining unit should cover all three locations, the company stated.“The NLRB has given us very positive feedback for providing all details, so they can make the proper decision on the bargaining unit,” the company said.The union is prepared to continue fighting but would prefer cooperation, he said.“The next step is for the company to cease its union-busting tactics and allow for a free and fair election,” Shannon said.If an election is ordered, Shangri La wrote in its response, it will accept the results.&nbsp;The main push is for better working conditions and recognition of the skills marijuana workers must possess, Cook said.The most common concern Cook hears is that budtenders are treated like low-skilled workers.&nbsp;“This is a skilled workforce that is not being treated the way they should be,” Cook said. “These individuals have to have knowledge and an education in all the different strains and uses of cannabis in today’s world.”So far, the union has not signed a bargaining agreement. But talks are furthest along with employers at Root 66 dispensary in St. Louis, where the employees&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ufcw.org/actions/victories/cannabis-workers-make-history-in-missouri-by-joining-local-655/">became the first to unionize</a>&nbsp;by joining UFCW 655.There, eight workers employed as budtenders joined the union in April 2022 because they were concerned about the lack of a consistent company policy and wanted better wages and benefits, including paid time off for sick leave or vacation, he said.The union’s goal is to set the industry standard for cannabis workers — just as they do with grocery workers in St. Louis, he said. There, they represent about 40% of grocery workers, having bargaining agreements with Schnucks and Diebergs.“Even though we don’t have the other 60%,” he said, “having that much of the industry kind of sets the standard as to what the compensation package for that industry looks like.”

Workers picket dispensary in push to unionize Missouri marijuana workers

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted suspect on an alleged probation violation.

According to Police Chief Mike Wilson, officer arrested 37-year-old&nbsp;Amy M. Cash of Atchison on a Pulaski County Missouri warrant for probation violation.&nbsp;

She is being held without bond, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684246641540.png" alt="Cash-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Cash-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted suspect on an alleged probation violation.According to Police Chief Mike Wilson, officer arrested 37-year-old&nbsp;Amy M. Cash of Atchison on a Pulaski County Missouri warrant for probation violation.&nbsp;She is being held without bond, according to online jail records.

Kansas woman jailed on a Missouri warrant

CALDWELL COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 2p.m. Tuesday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford Expedition driven by Michael J. Schieber, 71, Hamilton, was northbound entering U.S. 36 from the crossover at Route P two miles west of Hamilton.

The driver failed to yield to a westbound 2018 Hyundai Sonata driven by Phillip L. Payne, 66, Champaign, Illinois.

The Ford struck the drivers side of the Hyundai. The impact pushed the Hyundai into a 2022 Kenworth semi driven by Michael H. Miller, 57, Wayne, Maine.

Caldwell County EMS transported Schieber and Payne to Cameron Regional Medical Center.&nbsp; Miller was not injured. Schieber and Payne were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CALDWELL COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 2p.m. Tuesday in Caldwell County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford Expedition driven by Michael J. Schieber, 71, Hamilton, was northbound entering U.S. 36 from the crossover at Route P two miles west of Hamilton.The driver failed to yield to a westbound 2018 Hyundai Sonata driven by Phillip L. Payne, 66, Champaign, Illinois.The Ford struck the drivers side of the Hyundai. The impact pushed the Hyundai into a 2022 Kenworth semi driven by Michael H. Miller, 57, Wayne, Maine.Caldwell County EMS transported Schieber and Payne to Cameron Regional Medical Center.&nbsp; Miller was not injured. Schieber and Payne were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

2 hospitalized after 3-vehicle NW Missouri crash

Missouri Western State University strives to provide students several applied learning opportunities to help in their future success&nbsp;

But one important tie into the Applied Learning program is giving students volunteer opportunities in the community. &nbsp;

Missouri Western President Elizabeth Kennedy says giving students the opportunity to get out and volunteer is a great addition to the university's applied learning programs&nbsp;

"Getting our students out to see the impact that they can make as young adults in our community, to make it look better, to make it a better place for people to live, and to create that sense of community which is so important," Kennedy tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. &nbsp;

Kennedy says when you take the applied learning and mix it with volunteerism it helps put students ahead and gives them a competitive edge.&nbsp;

Kennedy says she's seen more of a focus on the importance of volunteering in the community. &nbsp;

"You know we have our football players that are going into the elementary schools and reading books or doing whatever kinds of activities, it is important, and I think as a community we're really coming together to see the value of that," Kennedy says. "And I'm just pleased that our students have that experience."&nbsp;

Kennedy says when you can get students who continue to volunteer it shows the impact that has on not only the student, but the community.&nbsp;

By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;Missouri Western State University strives to provide students several applied learning opportunities to help in their future success&nbsp;But one important tie into the Applied Learning program is giving students volunteer opportunities in the community. &nbsp;Missouri Western President Elizabeth Kennedy says giving students the opportunity to get out and volunteer is a great addition to the university's applied learning programs&nbsp;"Getting our students out to see the impact that they can make as young adults in our community, to make it look better, to make it a better place for people to live, and to create that sense of community which is so important," Kennedy tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. &nbsp;Kennedy says when you take the applied learning and mix it with volunteerism it helps put students ahead and gives them a competitive edge.&nbsp;Kennedy says she's seen more of a focus on the importance of volunteering in the community. &nbsp;"You know we have our football players that are going into the elementary schools and reading books or doing whatever kinds of activities, it is important, and I think as a community we're really coming together to see the value of that," Kennedy says. "And I'm just pleased that our students have that experience."&nbsp;Kennedy says when you can get students who continue to volunteer it shows the impact that has on not only the student, but the community.&nbsp;

Volunteering an important aspect of applied learning at Missouri Western

St. Joseph police have identified the body found in a storage
unit at the Brittany Village Apartments on North 36th Street last
week.

The St. Joseph Police Department identify the man found dead
by residents as 41-year-old Terry Everett Calvin, who was listed as homeless.

Police officers responded to the apartment complex after
residents reported they had discovered a body in a storage unit. The body was badly decomposed, according to police. Police say Calvin died of natural causes.

This article has been updated since first published.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph police have identified the body found in a storage
unit at the Brittany Village Apartments on North 36th Street last
week.The St. Joseph Police Department identify the man found dead
by residents as 41-year-old Terry Everett Calvin, who was listed as homeless.Police officers responded to the apartment complex after
residents reported they had discovered a body in a storage unit. The body was badly decomposed, according to police. Police say Calvin died of natural causes.This article has been updated since first published.

Police release identity of body found at Brittany Village

The National Corn Growers Association supports the Fuels Parity Act introduced in the House of Representative's Monday. 

NCGA President Tom Haag says the legislation "Recognizes the declining carbon intensity of today's low-carbon ethanol and helps level the playing field." 

Published analysis from the Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory concludes corn ethanol's carbon intensity decreased 23 percent from 2005 to 2019 due to increased corn yield, reduced fertilizer intensity and improved ethanol production efficiency, with corn ethanol now between 44 and 52 percent lower in carbon intensity than the gasoline it replaces. 

Argonne's analysis is consistent with recent research from Environmental Health and Engineering that corn ethanol today is 46 percent lower in carbon intensity than gasoline, with the potential for further reductions from additional corn feedstock and production process improvements. 

Under the law, advanced biofuels must deliver a 50 percent or more reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to gasoline, a requirement today's ethanol now meets.

The National Corn Growers Association supports the Fuels Parity Act introduced in the House of Representative's Monday. NCGA President Tom Haag says the legislation "Recognizes the declining carbon intensity of today's low-carbon ethanol and helps level the playing field." Published analysis from the Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory concludes corn ethanol's carbon intensity decreased 23 percent from 2005 to 2019 due to increased corn yield, reduced fertilizer intensity and improved ethanol production efficiency, with corn ethanol now between 44 and 52 percent lower in carbon intensity than the gasoline it replaces. Argonne's analysis is consistent with recent research from Environmental Health and Engineering that corn ethanol today is 46 percent lower in carbon intensity than gasoline, with the potential for further reductions from additional corn feedstock and production process improvements. Under the law, advanced biofuels must deliver a 50 percent or more reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to gasoline, a requirement today's ethanol now meets.- NAFB

NCGA: Ethanol bill would level the playing field

New legislation introduced Monday in the House of Representatives would allow for ethanol from corn starch to qualify as an advanced biofuel. 

The Fuels Parity Act would also require the Environmental Protection Agency to use the Argonne GREET model to determine the greenhouse gas emission profile of biofuels under the RFS. 

Corn is currently prohibited from qualifying as an advanced biofuel, even if it can meet the required scientific thresholds, by a provision in the 2007 RFS expansion known as the “corn discrimination clause.” 

No other feedstock is limited – only corn starch used for ethanol. Allowing corn to qualify as an advanced biofuel would incentivize lower emissions from ethanol production and allow corn to access another bucket of the RFS. 

If ethanol can meet the scientific thresholds, then it should be allowed to qualify as an advanced biofuel and generate an advanced biofuel RIN, according to lawmakers introducing the legislation.

New legislation introduced Monday in the House of Representatives would allow for ethanol from corn starch to qualify as an advanced biofuel. The Fuels Parity Act would also require the Environmental Protection Agency to use the Argonne GREET model to determine the greenhouse gas emission profile of biofuels under the RFS. Corn is currently prohibited from qualifying as an advanced biofuel, even if it can meet the required scientific thresholds, by a provision in the 2007 RFS expansion known as the “corn discrimination clause.” No other feedstock is limited – only corn starch used for ethanol. Allowing corn to qualify as an advanced biofuel would incentivize lower emissions from ethanol production and allow corn to access another bucket of the RFS. If ethanol can meet the scientific thresholds, then it should be allowed to qualify as an advanced biofuel and generate an advanced biofuel RIN, according to lawmakers introducing the legislation.- NAFB

Lawmakers introduce legislation to classify corn as an advanced biofuel

Another Missouri legislative session has wrapped up in
Jefferson City with mostly positive reviews from local lawmakers.

State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville, who represents
Platte and Buchanan Counties, is pleased his anti-crime bill contained a
provision of special local interest.

“Obviously, Max’s Law is something that’s very important and
near and dear to the hearts of the St. Joseph community, named after K-9
Officer Max, who was shot and killed in the line of duty a couple of years ago,”
Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “What that legislation does, it
increases the penalty for killing a law enforcement canine in the line of duty.”

Current law treats the killing of a police dog as a property
crime, according to Luetkemeyer.

Other provisions of the anti-crime measure increase the
penalty for those using firearms to commit acts of violence against the public
as well as makes firing a celebratory round that accidently kills a person a
felony. That portion is called Blair’s Law, named for 11-year-old Blair
Shanahan Lane, killed in a 2011 Independence Day celebration that got out of
hand. Michele Shanahan DeMoss, Blair’s mother, has been driving back and forth
to Jefferson City from Kansas City, pleading with lawmakers to change state
law.

“We actually had Blair’s mom who’s been down at the Capitol
the last 12 years trying to pass that bill and she came into my office right before
we went to the floor and said that with Mother’s Day coming up this weekend,
the only thing that she wanted to see is to see Blair’s Law finally pass out of
the Missouri General Assembly and so I was really happy we were able to get
that done on my bill,” Luetkemeyer tells us.

<a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5b7112be-e745-419e-bd8d-707d6b26e45d">A budget kind to St. Joseph</a> also contains a $2.8 billion financing
package to expand Interstate 70.

“Just from an ease of travel, from an economic development
perspective, I think that the expansion of I-70 to three lanes between Kansas
City and St. Louis is going to be one of the historic things that this General
Assembly is remembered for, something that’s going to outlive us for generations
to come,” Luetkemeyer says.

More could have been done, though, according to freshman state
Sen. Rusty Black, a Republican from Chillicothe, who says filibusters mounted
in the Senate last week killed some good legislation.

“The last, I don’t know, about two weeks, we got into what I
felt like (was) a lot of antics about trying to get individuals’ priorities
done and we didn’t get everything finished that I would have enjoyed to,”
according to Black.

Black is disappointed the legislature did not pass a ban on
foreign governments owning Missouri agricultural land.

The legislature also failed to approve a higher voter
threshold to amend the state constitution, though that was a priority of
majority Republicans.

Work at the Capitol, which had been clipping along, ground to
a halt the last week of the legislative session when the Missouri Senate once
again stalled due to filibusters mounted by two members.

Sen. Mike Moon, a Republican from Ash Grove, kicked off the
talk session at the beginning of the week by blocking all action in the Senate,
angered that the legislature approved a postpartum Medicaid bill during his
absence dealing with a family illness.

That set the tone, carried through by Sen. Bill Eigel, a
Republican from Weldon Spring, who blocked debate on all legislation in the
Senate, attempting to force a vote on his proposed personal property tax cut.
His filibuster brought a rebuke from Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin of
Shelbina, who accused Eigel of grandstanding as part of his campaign for
governor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684246378360.jpeg" alt="The Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City/House Communication photo" />
 <figcaption>The Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City/House Communication photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAnother Missouri legislative session has wrapped up in
Jefferson City with mostly positive reviews from local lawmakers.State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville, who represents
Platte and Buchanan Counties, is pleased his anti-crime bill contained a
provision of special local interest.“Obviously, Max’s Law is something that’s very important and
near and dear to the hearts of the St. Joseph community, named after K-9
Officer Max, who was shot and killed in the line of duty a couple of years ago,”
Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “What that legislation does, it
increases the penalty for killing a law enforcement canine in the line of duty.”Current law treats the killing of a police dog as a property
crime, according to Luetkemeyer.Other provisions of the anti-crime measure increase the
penalty for those using firearms to commit acts of violence against the public
as well as makes firing a celebratory round that accidently kills a person a
felony. That portion is called Blair’s Law, named for 11-year-old Blair
Shanahan Lane, killed in a 2011 Independence Day celebration that got out of
hand. Michele Shanahan DeMoss, Blair’s mother, has been driving back and forth
to Jefferson City from Kansas City, pleading with lawmakers to change state
law.“We actually had Blair’s mom who’s been down at the Capitol
the last 12 years trying to pass that bill and she came into my office right before
we went to the floor and said that with Mother’s Day coming up this weekend,
the only thing that she wanted to see is to see Blair’s Law finally pass out of
the Missouri General Assembly and so I was really happy we were able to get
that done on my bill,” Luetkemeyer tells us.<a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5b7112be-e745-419e-bd8d-707d6b26e45d">A budget kind to St. Joseph</a> also contains a $2.8 billion financing
package to expand Interstate 70.“Just from an ease of travel, from an economic development
perspective, I think that the expansion of I-70 to three lanes between Kansas
City and St. Louis is going to be one of the historic things that this General
Assembly is remembered for, something that’s going to outlive us for generations
to come,” Luetkemeyer says.More could have been done, though, according to freshman state
Sen. Rusty Black, a Republican from Chillicothe, who says filibusters mounted
in the Senate last week killed some good legislation.“The last, I don’t know, about two weeks, we got into what I
felt like (was) a lot of antics about trying to get individuals’ priorities
done and we didn’t get everything finished that I would have enjoyed to,”
according to Black.Black is disappointed the legislature did not pass a ban on
foreign governments owning Missouri agricultural land.The legislature also failed to approve a higher voter
threshold to amend the state constitution, though that was a priority of
majority Republicans.Work at the Capitol, which had been clipping along, ground to
a halt the last week of the legislative session when the Missouri Senate once
again stalled due to filibusters mounted by two members.Sen. Mike Moon, a Republican from Ash Grove, kicked off the
talk session at the beginning of the week by blocking all action in the Senate,
angered that the legislature approved a postpartum Medicaid bill during his
absence dealing with a family illness.That set the tone, carried through by Sen. Bill Eigel, a
Republican from Weldon Spring, who blocked debate on all legislation in the
Senate, attempting to force a vote on his proposed personal property tax cut.
His filibuster brought a rebuke from Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin of
Shelbina, who accused Eigel of grandstanding as part of his campaign for
governor.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Missouri-State-Senators-reflect-on-legislative-session-e245ejb" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

Local Missouri legislators give session high marks, though it had its disappointments

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations

Just after midnight Monday, police arrested 45-year-old Cory E. Wabski of Atchison&nbsp;in the 100 block South 5th Street on a District Court warrant for fleeing and attempting to elude, driving while suspended, reckless driving, and other traffic charges, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

On May 11, a vehicle driven by Wabski was involved in an accident in the 1000 block U Street. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a guide wire to a utility pole. Wabski was cited for leaving the scene, driving while suspended, and driving left of center, according to Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684245627393.png" alt="Wabski has two previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections-photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Wabski has two previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections-photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegationsJust after midnight Monday, police arrested 45-year-old Cory E. Wabski of Atchison&nbsp;in the 100 block South 5th Street on a District Court warrant for fleeing and attempting to elude, driving while suspended, reckless driving, and other traffic charges, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.On May 11, a vehicle driven by Wabski was involved in an accident in the 1000 block U Street. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a guide wire to a utility pole. Wabski was cited for leaving the scene, driving while suspended, and driving left of center, according to Wilson.On February 20, an officer on patrol attempted to stop a Pontiac sedan in the 800 block Spring Street that was being driven by Cory Wabski. The vehicle fled from the officer and drove into Missouri.Wabski is also being held on an Atchison District Court warrant for failure to appear in court, a Leavenworth District Court warrant for failure to appear in court, Jackson County Kansas District Court warrants for failure to appear in court, and a Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation District Court warrant for failure to appear in court.&nbsp;In August of 2020, police arrested him on requested meth and marijuana possession charges, according to online jail records. He has two previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.