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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Buchanan County Judge Gaddie sits on Appeals Court panel

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

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

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

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

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

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

OSHA fines Trenton roofing company in fatal fall

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

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

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

Police report shooting in St. Joseph

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

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

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

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

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

Missouri Western reports rise in enrollment for fall semester

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The United Way campaign runs through November 2nd.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This article has been edited since first published.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

People can register online at <a href="https://stjomosports.com/event/marathon/">StJoMoSports.com/marathon</a>. Full marathon participants will have the opportunity to achieve a Boston Marathon qualifying time.

The day will conclude with the Post Race Chillout presented by HyVee, featuring live music, food, drink and assorted vendors at Civic Center Park.

It's a massive event that covers a lot of ground - literally and figuratively. Planning started back in May of 2022. With just over two weeks to go before the starting gun fires, Esely looks forward to seeing how it plays out.

"We feel like we have elements of a great event here in St. Joe," he said. "Again, we only get one chance to do this the first time. Will this be our biggest event? It won't be. But, we had to start somewhere and we're very fortunate. We've had great collaboration."

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

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

St. Joseph set to host inagural marathon on September 23

Recent polling indicates Missouri voters are open to rolling back the state’s near-total ban on abortion

By JASON HANCOCK,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

Six initiative petitions filed last week seeking to add rape and incest exceptions to Missouri’s abortion ban are facing pushback from both sides of the issue, pilloried as either an anti-abortion wolf in sheep’s clothing or a clandestine push to allow abortion on demand.

Filed by Republican political operative Jamie Corley with assistance from Democratic attorney Chuck Hatfield, the proposed constitutional amendments are being pitched as a middle ground between the ban currently in place and more expansive proposals filed earlier this year by abortion-rights supporters.

Yet almost as soon as the proposals became public, anti-abortion groups claimed they are far too expansive and abortion-rights proponents argued they are punitively restrictive.&nbsp;

Corley contends that the reality is the proposals are an attempt to craft a politically palatable plan that ends a draconian ban putting women’s lives at risk.&nbsp;

“Women shouldn’t have to live in fear during pregnancy and doctors shouldn’t have to think about criminal charges when they’re treating patients,” Corley said. “We have to change this law now, and we have to give Missourians the opportunity to vote on an abortion petition that can actually pass.”

Missouri has been trending towards Republicans for a generation, giving the GOP legislative super majorities it used to enact some of the nation’s most restrictive abortion laws.&nbsp;

Yet recent polling indicates Missouri voters are&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.slu.edu/research/research-institute/big-ideas/slu-poll/data-archive/august-2022-poll/slu-poll-august-2022-crosstabs.pdf">open to rolling back the state’s near-total ban</a>, with 58% of respondents to a recent St. Louis University survey saying abortion should be legal in the first eight weeks, 75% favoring exceptions for rape and 87% when the life of the mother is endangered.&nbsp;

The poll found only 40% of those surveyed favor allowing abortion up to 15 weeks of pregnancy, though 48% said they would support an initiative petition overturning Missouri’s abortion ban, with 40% saying they would vote against repeal and 13% unsure.&nbsp;

A coalition of groups filed 11 initiative petitions earlier this year seeking to amend Missouri’s constitution to overturn the state’s abortion ban, with limited room for lawmakers to regulate the procedure after viability.

But those proposals have thus far been tied up in court over fights about potential cost and the ballot summary written by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican running for governor next year.&nbsp;

With the fate of those proposals uncertain, last week Corley filed six new initiative petitions that would enshrine “exceptions and immunity” clauses into Missouri’s abortion law.&nbsp;

Each leads by stating the right to refuse an abortion, and some include a right to refuse contraception. Three versions include language prohibiting the government from interfering with access to an abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The rape exception would only apply to victims who have reported the assault to a crisis hotline. The amendments also codify exceptions for the health and safety of the mother.

Each version also states that the rights guaranteed in the amendment “are subject to strict scrutiny,” meaning any restrictions to abortion enacted by the legislature must further a “compelling governmental interest” and must be narrowly tailored to achieve that interest.

Anyone seeking an abortion outside of Missouri could not be subject to criminal prosecution or civil penalty. The same immunity applies to health professionals or anyone assisting in seeking an abortion.&nbsp;

Some versions also contain provisions prohibiting use of taxpayer funds to be used “in support of the provision of abortion in this state.” However, in those versions the legislature would not be permitted to cut off funding for health care providers who perform abortions.

Missouri Right to Life, the state’s largest anti-abortion organization, sent an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Action-Alert--More-Pro-Abortion-Initiative-Petitions-Filed---Missouri-Lifeline---8-31-23.html?soid=1103889869819&amp;aid=KKMzZfHqphM">alert to members&nbsp;</a>warning them that Corley’s proposed amendments seek to “nullify current Missouri laws that protect pregnant women and their unborn babies.”

Sam Lee, a longtime anti-abortion activist with Campaign for Life, contends that adding exceptions for “health or safety” of the mother would mean “<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/samuelhlee/status/1696988475717763117">abortion-on-demand throughout all nine months of pregnancy</a>.”

“Each of the six is devilishly crafted to confuse voters into thinking that only abortions for ‘hard case’ exceptions would be allowed,” Lee said.&nbsp; “Nothing could be further from the truth.”

Anti-abortion activists have “always claimed protecting a mother during pregnancy is paramount,” Corley said, “so I’m disappointed to see exceptions that protect women framed as some sort of loophole.”

Missouri’s abortion ban already contains protections for medical emergencies, but the opaque language has resulted in confusion in the state’s medical community. Corley notes that the abortion ban already in place doesn’t include&nbsp;gestational limits for the medical emergency exception.&nbsp;

“Either pro-life organizations got every Republican legislator but one to vote yes on a law that legalizes late-term abortion,” she said, “or they don’t actually&nbsp;believe exceptions to protect a mother can be interpreted as allowing abortion for any reason throughout all nine months.”

Corley’s proposals didn’t fare any better with advocates on the other side of the abortion debate.&nbsp;

Missouri Healthcare Professionals for Repro Rights, which supports the 11 proposed constitutional amendments filed earlier this year, said Coley’s campaign pretends to be a “moderate” alternative when in reality it places “more restrictions on the doctor-patient relationship.”

The initiative petitions would enshrine the right to deny contraceptives into the constitution, the group argues, and would punish rape victims who are unable to report their assault.&nbsp;

Each is written in a way that “early abortion would be legal on paper, but not available in reality.”

Mallory Schwarz, executive director of Abortion Action Missouri formerly known as Pro Choice Missouri, called the six initiative petitions “an anti-abortion trap.”

“Rape and incest exemptions to abortion bans,” Schwarz said, “are a political strategy created by anti-abortion politicians to increase support for, and falsely signal compassion in, broadly banning abortion.”

Exceptions don’t actually make abortion accessible for survivors, Schwarz said, and allow anti-abortion politicians to “falsely signal compassion while displaying none.”

“Are pro-choice groups really saying exceptions for rape and incest aren’t legitimate?” she said. “I think the more than 14,000 victims who annually seek services for sexual violence in Missouri would find these exceptions very real.”

Missouri law requires petitioners to collect more than 170,000 signatures by May 2024 in order to put a constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot.&nbsp;

Corley formed a non profit in June called Missouri Women and Family Research Fund to work towards getting an amendment on the 2024 ballot, though she has not offered any specifics about who else is involved in the effort or where she will raise the millions needed to fund a successful initiative petition campaign.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693425446976.png" alt="Photo Planned Parenthood Action" />
 <figcaption>Photo Planned Parenthood Action</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Recent polling indicates Missouri voters are open to rolling back the state’s near-total ban on abortion</h2>By JASON HANCOCK,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Six initiative petitions filed last week seeking to add rape and incest exceptions to Missouri’s abortion ban are facing pushback from both sides of the issue, pilloried as either an anti-abortion wolf in sheep’s clothing or a clandestine push to allow abortion on demand.Filed by Republican political operative Jamie Corley with assistance from Democratic attorney Chuck Hatfield, the proposed constitutional amendments are being pitched as a middle ground between the ban currently in place and more expansive proposals filed earlier this year by abortion-rights supporters.Yet almost as soon as the proposals became public, anti-abortion groups claimed they are far too expansive and abortion-rights proponents argued they are punitively restrictive.&nbsp;Corley contends that the reality is the proposals are an attempt to craft a politically palatable plan that ends a draconian ban putting women’s lives at risk.&nbsp;“Women shouldn’t have to live in fear during pregnancy and doctors shouldn’t have to think about criminal charges when they’re treating patients,” Corley said. “We have to change this law now, and we have to give Missourians the opportunity to vote on an abortion petition that can actually pass.”Missouri has been trending towards Republicans for a generation, giving the GOP legislative super majorities it used to enact some of the nation’s most restrictive abortion laws.&nbsp;Yet recent polling indicates Missouri voters are&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.slu.edu/research/research-institute/big-ideas/slu-poll/data-archive/august-2022-poll/slu-poll-august-2022-crosstabs.pdf">open to rolling back the state’s near-total ban</a>, with 58% of respondents to a recent St. Louis University survey saying abortion should be legal in the first eight weeks, 75% favoring exceptions for rape and 87% when the life of the mother is endangered.&nbsp;The poll found only 40% of those surveyed favor allowing abortion up to 15 weeks of pregnancy, though 48% said they would support an initiative petition overturning Missouri’s abortion ban, with 40% saying they would vote against repeal and 13% unsure.&nbsp;A coalition of groups filed 11 initiative petitions earlier this year seeking to amend Missouri’s constitution to overturn the state’s abortion ban, with limited room for lawmakers to regulate the procedure after viability.But those proposals have thus far been tied up in court over fights about potential cost and the ballot summary written by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican running for governor next year.&nbsp;With the fate of those proposals uncertain, last week Corley filed six new initiative petitions that would enshrine “exceptions and immunity” clauses into Missouri’s abortion law.&nbsp;Each leads by stating the right to refuse an abortion, and some include a right to refuse contraception. Three versions include language prohibiting the government from interfering with access to an abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.&nbsp;&nbsp;The rape exception would only apply to victims who have reported the assault to a crisis hotline. The amendments also codify exceptions for the health and safety of the mother.Each version also states that the rights guaranteed in the amendment “are subject to strict scrutiny,” meaning any restrictions to abortion enacted by the legislature must further a “compelling governmental interest” and must be narrowly tailored to achieve that interest.Anyone seeking an abortion outside of Missouri could not be subject to criminal prosecution or civil penalty. The same immunity applies to health professionals or anyone assisting in seeking an abortion.&nbsp;Some versions also contain provisions prohibiting use of taxpayer funds to be used “in support of the provision of abortion in this state.” However, in those versions the legislature would not be permitted to cut off funding for health care providers who perform abortions.Missouri Right to Life, the state’s largest anti-abortion organization, sent an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Action-Alert--More-Pro-Abortion-Initiative-Petitions-Filed---Missouri-Lifeline---8-31-23.html?soid=1103889869819&amp;aid=KKMzZfHqphM">alert to members&nbsp;</a>warning them that Corley’s proposed amendments seek to “nullify current Missouri laws that protect pregnant women and their unborn babies.”Sam Lee, a longtime anti-abortion activist with Campaign for Life, contends that adding exceptions for “health or safety” of the mother would mean “<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/samuelhlee/status/1696988475717763117">abortion-on-demand throughout all nine months of pregnancy</a>.”“Each of the six is devilishly crafted to confuse voters into thinking that only abortions for ‘hard case’ exceptions would be allowed,” Lee said.&nbsp; “Nothing could be further from the truth.”Anti-abortion activists have “always claimed protecting a mother during pregnancy is paramount,” Corley said, “so I’m disappointed to see exceptions that protect women framed as some sort of loophole.”Missouri’s abortion ban already contains protections for medical emergencies, but the opaque language has resulted in confusion in the state’s medical community. Corley notes that the abortion ban already in place doesn’t include&nbsp;gestational limits for the medical emergency exception.&nbsp;“Either pro-life organizations got every Republican legislator but one to vote yes on a law that legalizes late-term abortion,” she said, “or they don’t actually&nbsp;believe exceptions to protect a mother can be interpreted as allowing abortion for any reason throughout all nine months.”Corley’s proposals didn’t fare any better with advocates on the other side of the abortion debate.&nbsp;Missouri Healthcare Professionals for Repro Rights, which supports the 11 proposed constitutional amendments filed earlier this year, said Coley’s campaign pretends to be a “moderate” alternative when in reality it places “more restrictions on the doctor-patient relationship.”The initiative petitions would enshrine the right to deny contraceptives into the constitution, the group argues, and would punish rape victims who are unable to report their assault.&nbsp;Each is written in a way that “early abortion would be legal on paper, but not available in reality.”Mallory Schwarz, executive director of Abortion Action Missouri formerly known as Pro Choice Missouri, called the six initiative petitions “an anti-abortion trap.”“Rape and incest exemptions to abortion bans,” Schwarz said, “are a political strategy created by anti-abortion politicians to increase support for, and falsely signal compassion in, broadly banning abortion.”Exceptions don’t actually make abortion accessible for survivors, Schwarz said, and allow anti-abortion politicians to “falsely signal compassion while displaying none.”Corley balked at the criticism.&nbsp;“Are pro-choice groups really saying exceptions for rape and incest aren’t legitimate?” she said. “I think the more than 14,000 victims who annually seek services for sexual violence in Missouri would find these exceptions very real.”Missouri law requires petitioners to collect more than 170,000 signatures by May 2024 in order to put a constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot.&nbsp;Corley formed a non profit in June called Missouri Women and Family Research Fund to work towards getting an amendment on the 2024 ballot, though she has not offered any specifics about who else is involved in the effort or where she will raise the millions needed to fund a successful initiative petition campaign.&nbsp;

New initiative petitions draw criticism from both sides of Missouri abortion debate

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged forgery.

On Monday, police arrested 21-year-old Dreyona K. Seymore of Atchison, on a District Court warrant for forgery and theft, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

These charges are the result of a police investigation focusing on a safety deposit box being fraudulently accessed at a local bank on March 3, 2023 and cash being taken. Seymore is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

In October,  police arrested her on requested charges of possession of marijuana and speeding.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694006462736.png" alt="Seymore-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Seymore-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged forgery.On Monday, police arrested 21-year-old Dreyona K. Seymore of Atchison, on a District Court warrant for forgery and theft, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.These charges are the result of a police investigation focusing on a safety deposit box being fraudulently accessed at a local bank on March 3, 2023 and cash being taken. Seymore is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.In October, police arrested her on requested charges of possession of marijuana and speeding.&nbsp;

Kan. woman accused of theft from bank safe deposit box

CALDWELL COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Wednesday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Honda Civic driven by Fredrick M. Ferola, 84, Hamilton, was southbound on Business 36 two miles west of Hamilton.

The driver failed to stop at a posted stop sign. The car traveled into the side of a towed unit of a 2012 Kenworth semi driven by Clifford L. Denning, 66, Henderson, Nevada.

Caldwell County EMS transported Ferola to Cameron Regional Medical Center. Denning was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CALDWELL COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Wednesday in Caldwell County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Honda Civic driven by Fredrick M. Ferola, 84, Hamilton, was southbound on Business 36 two miles west of Hamilton.The driver failed to stop at a posted stop sign. The car traveled into the side of a towed unit of a 2012 Kenworth semi driven by Clifford L. Denning, 66, Henderson, Nevada.Caldwell County EMS transported Ferola to Cameron Regional Medical Center. Denning was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Mo. man hospitalized after crash with semi's trailer

An Endangered
Person Advisory issued by the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department for a teen-age
girl has been canceled.

The sheriff’s
department reports 15-year-old Alexis Humes has been located and is safe.

Humes had been
missing from her home in DeKalb since late last night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694030761762.jpeg" alt="Alexis Humes/Buchanan County Sheriff's photo" />
 <figcaption>Alexis Humes/Buchanan County Sheriff's photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAn Endangered
Person Advisory issued by the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department for a teen-age
girl has been canceled.The sheriff’s
department reports 15-year-old Alexis Humes has been located and is safe.Humes had been
missing from her home in DeKalb since late last night.

Endangered Person Advisory canceled:  teenage girl from DeKalb found safe

The third annual Leadership Northwest Missouri Music Jam saw record attendance and brought in nearly $12,000 during its recent benefit concert.

Country music artist Greylan James, and Trenton locals, Charlie Bacon, Travis Mullenix, and Sam Gibson, drew a crowd of approximately 315 attendees to the concert on Saturday night, which is the largest crowd to date at the event over the last three years. 

All ticket proceeds benefited the Leadership Northwest Missouri program and raised $11,615 for the organization.

“This year’s Leadership Northwest Music Jam was fantastic,” said Kendra Pickering, LNWMO Class of 2022 and LNWMO Executive Director in a news release. “There was entertaining live music, good food, and wonderful company getting together to benefit a great organization.”

Leadership Northwest Missouri would like to thank the attendees for supporting the music event and making it the most successful year yet. Also, a very special thank you to all the sponsors for their ongoing generosity and support for the event and organization. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694024183473.jpeg" alt="Greylen James on the stage at the Leadership Northwest Missouri Music Jam/ Photo provided by Leadership Northwest Missouri" />
 <figcaption>Greylen James on the stage at the Leadership Northwest Missouri Music Jam/ Photo provided by Leadership Northwest Missouri</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe third annual Leadership Northwest Missouri Music Jam saw record attendance and brought in nearly $12,000 during its recent benefit concert.Country music artist Greylan James, and Trenton locals, Charlie Bacon, Travis Mullenix, and Sam Gibson, drew a crowd of approximately 315 attendees to the concert on Saturday night, which is the largest crowd to date at the event over the last three years. All ticket proceeds benefited the Leadership Northwest Missouri program and raised $11,615 for the organization.“This year’s Leadership Northwest Music Jam was fantastic,” said Kendra Pickering, LNWMO Class of 2022 and LNWMO Executive Director in a news release. “There was entertaining live music, good food, and wonderful company getting together to benefit a great organization.”Leadership Northwest Missouri would like to thank the attendees for supporting the music event and making it the most successful year yet. Also, a very special thank you to all the sponsors for their ongoing generosity and support for the event and organization. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694024008658.jpeg" alt="Charlie Bacon, Travis Mullenix, and Sam Gibson perform at Black Silo Winery in Trenton during the Leadership Northwest Missouri music jam/ Photo courtesy of Leadership Northwest Missouri" />
 <figcaption>Charlie Bacon, Travis Mullenix, and Sam Gibson perform at Black Silo Winery in Trenton during the Leadership Northwest Missouri music jam/ Photo courtesy of Leadership Northwest Missouri</figcaption>
 </figure>

Leadership Northwest Missouri Music Jam sees record attendance, draws in nearly $12,000 

A concert in Trenton tomorrow (Thu.) will help benefit the northwest Missouri chapter of the Dream Factory.  

Advisory Board member Ron Dougan says the group grants dreams to chronically ill children aged three to 18. 

"We try to provide a dream that the child wants whether it is Disney World, or a trip to some exotic place, or meet some big star, sports or otherwise," Dougan tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  

Dougan says the difference between the Dream Factory and Make A Wish is that the children that get granted their dreams do not have to be terminally ill.  

The Dream Factory granted its first dream in 1980 and since then has helped hundreds, if not thousands, of children achieve their dreams.  

Dougan says one difference between Dream Factory and Make a Wish is children do not have to be terminally ill.  And another major difference is Dream Factory is not all over the country.  

"We all volunteer, we have three and a half totally employed in Lexington, Kentucky," Dougan explains. "And so therefore we are able to almost 93 cents of every dollar donated to the Dream Factory goes to the kids for dreams." 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694021760843.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A concert in Trenton tomorrow (Thu.) will help benefit the northwest Missouri chapter of the Dream Factory. Advisory Board member Ron Dougan says the group grants dreams to chronically ill children aged three to 18. "We try to provide a dream that the child wants whether it is Disney World, or a trip to some exotic place, or meet some big star, sports or otherwise," Dougan tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. Dougan says the difference between the Dream Factory and Make A Wish is that the children that get granted their dreams do not have to be terminally ill. The Dream Factory granted its first dream in 1980 and since then has helped hundreds, if not thousands, of children achieve their dreams. Dougan says one difference between Dream Factory and Make a Wish is children do not have to be terminally ill. And another major difference is Dream Factory is not all over the country. "We all volunteer, we have three and a half totally employed in Lexington, Kentucky," Dougan explains. "And so therefore we are able to almost 93 cents of every dollar donated to the Dream Factory goes to the kids for dreams." An event Thursday in Trenton will help benefit the northwest Missouri chapter. Bluegrass artist and Missouri Native Rhonda Vincent will perform in Trenton. Dougan says events like the concert tomorrow are very popular and bring many people out to give back to the charity. "We'll probably have 40 Dream Factory families there Thursday night," Dougan says. "In fact, the auctioneer at break time is a former Dream Factory recipient." The event will take place at 7pm, with doors opening at 6pm, at the Fine Arts Building at Trenton High School.

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