Mosaic Life Care has announced that Epic will be the new electronic medical record platform for the entire health system. Mosaic will fully transition to Epic by March 4.

Mosaic Life Care emergency medicine physician, Dr. Crystal Macaluso, who has helped oversee this transition, says the electric medical records, or EMRs for short, is what Mosaic caregivers use to store a patient's medical information and a lot of other data.

" The ability to place orders, to care for patients, to schedule patients to make sure they get the care they need at the right time," Dr. Macaluso said. "The other piece is to be able to have that historical context. When a patient comes into the emergency room, making sure I can review things quickly is really critical to be able to care quickly for that patient."

Dr. Macaluso says this has been a project about two years in the making. She says the main goal behind this switch to Epic is to streamline information for patients and caregivers into one centralized platform. It makes information more accessible for those using it, and will simplify important tasks, such as billing.

"We've really streamlined and really improved how we do our billing process," Macaluso said. "We have our vision of one patient, one record, one bill. Instead of having all of these third party billers, our goal is that you have one and that you can pay it right there in the portal."

More than 300 million people worldwide have an electronic record in Epic, which is becoming one of the most widely implemented EMR systems nationwide. Mayo Clinic, who Mosaic is partnered with, uses the Epic EMR system.

"We really wanted to be on the cutting edge and align with other organizations like Mayo, our clinical care partner," Macaluso said. "They're on Epic. So, really it was a decision that's quite the investment, but a worthy investment for our patients and communities."

Patients will have a new patient portal powered by Epic's MyChart, starting on March 4. All current Mosaic portal users will need to create a new account on March 4 to become MyChart users.

More detailed information on how to create that account will be announced soon, and communicated with patients via text message and email.

However, starting February 17, online scheduling will no longer be available on Mosaic's current portal. Secure online messaging will also be unavailable. "Hold My Spot" and "Virtual House Calls" with Urgent Care will also be unavailable.

Dr. Macaluso says they ask for their patients to be patient during this time of transition.

"Really just being understanding as we go through a time of transition," she said. "Change is not easy and certainly as we transition, we're all going through this together and we're all one team. As we change out of one system and into another, it takes a transition period."

Patients are encouraged to call their care teams for scheduling and prescriptions. Mosaic will also provide read-only access to the old portal for at least six months after go-live with Epic. Full records can always be requested through Mosaic's Health Management Information Management departments.

Thousands of Mosaic caregivers have been trained on how to use the new Epic system over the last 14 months to prepare for this change.

"We did a 14-month month implementation which gave us a lot of time to build and configure it right, and we had plenty of time to test it and train on it."

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676403393717.jpeg" alt="Mosaic Life Care emergency medicine physician, Dr. Crystal Macaluso, explains Mosaic's transition to Epic as the new electronic medical record platform for the entire Mosaic system. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Mosaic Life Care emergency medicine physician, Dr. Crystal Macaluso, explains Mosaic's transition to Epic as the new electronic medical record platform for the entire Mosaic system. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostMosaic Life Care has announced that Epic will be the new electronic medical record platform for the entire health system. Mosaic will fully transition to Epic by March 4.Mosaic Life Care emergency medicine physician, Dr. Crystal Macaluso, who has helped oversee this transition, says the electric medical records, or EMRs for short, is what Mosaic caregivers use to store a patient's medical information and a lot of other data." The ability to place orders, to care for patients, to schedule patients to make sure they get the care they need at the right time," Dr. Macaluso said. "The other piece is to be able to have that historical context. When a patient comes into the emergency room, making sure I can review things quickly is really critical to be able to care quickly for that patient."Dr. Macaluso says this has been a project about two years in the making. She says the main goal behind this switch to Epic is to streamline information for patients and caregivers into one centralized platform. It makes information more accessible for those using it, and will simplify important tasks, such as billing."We've really streamlined and really improved how we do our billing process," Macaluso said. "We have our vision of one patient, one record, one bill. Instead of having all of these third party billers, our goal is that you have one and that you can pay it right there in the portal."More than 300 million people worldwide have an electronic record in Epic, which is becoming one of the most widely implemented EMR systems nationwide. Mayo Clinic, who Mosaic is partnered with, uses the Epic EMR system."We really wanted to be on the cutting edge and align with other organizations like Mayo, our clinical care partner," Macaluso said. "They're on Epic. So, really it was a decision that's quite the investment, but a worthy investment for our patients and communities."Patients will have a new patient portal powered by Epic's MyChart, starting on March 4. All current Mosaic portal users will need to create a new account on March 4 to become MyChart users.More detailed information on how to create that account will be announced soon, and communicated with patients via text message and email.However, starting February 17, online scheduling will no longer be available on Mosaic's current portal. Secure online messaging will also be unavailable. "Hold My Spot" and "Virtual House Calls" with Urgent Care will also be unavailable.Dr. Macaluso says they ask for their patients to be patient during this time of transition."Really just being understanding as we go through a time of transition," she said. "Change is not easy and certainly as we transition, we're all going through this together and we're all one team. As we change out of one system and into another, it takes a transition period."Patients are encouraged to call their care teams for scheduling and prescriptions. Mosaic will also provide read-only access to the old portal for at least six months after go-live with Epic. Full records can always be requested through Mosaic's Health Management Information Management departments.Thousands of Mosaic caregivers have been trained on how to use the new Epic system over the last 14 months to prepare for this change."We did a 14-month month implementation which gave us a lot of time to build and configure it right, and we had plenty of time to test it and train on it."You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Mosaic Life Care announces switch to Epic for electronic medical records

The National Corn Growers Association says higher renewable fuel volumes over the next three years would go a long way in improving energy security. 

Additionally, NCGA says higher volumes would help lower gas prices and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to recent comments submitted by NCGA to the Environmental Protection Agency. 

The Renewable Fuel Standard requires that U.S. transportation fuel contain a minimum volume of renewable fuel each year. 

NCGA’s comments were in response to EPA’s proposed volume requirements for 2023, 2024 and 2025. NCGA President Tom Haag says, “NCGA supports EPA’s proposal of annual increases in volumes, including an implied conventional biofuel volume of 15.25 billion gallons, and recognition that ethanol plays a critical role in cutting GHG emissions and our energy security.” 

NCGA also noted that renewable fuel adds more than 20 billion gallons to the nation’s fuel supply annually, lowering consumer costs, creating rural jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1 billion metric tons since the RFS was enacted.

The National Corn Growers Association says higher renewable fuel volumes over the next three years would go a long way in improving energy security. Additionally, NCGA says higher volumes would help lower gas prices and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to recent comments submitted by NCGA to the Environmental Protection Agency. The Renewable Fuel Standard requires that U.S. transportation fuel contain a minimum volume of renewable fuel each year. NCGA’s comments were in response to EPA’s proposed volume requirements for 2023, 2024 and 2025. NCGA President Tom Haag says, “NCGA supports EPA’s proposal of annual increases in volumes, including an implied conventional biofuel volume of 15.25 billion gallons, and recognition that ethanol plays a critical role in cutting GHG emissions and our energy security.” NCGA also noted that renewable fuel adds more than 20 billion gallons to the nation’s fuel supply annually, lowering consumer costs, creating rural jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1 billion metric tons since the RFS was enacted.

NCGA: Higher renewable fuel volumes good security, economy and environment

St. Joseph students will have the opportunity to celebrate a Super Bowl victory for the Kansas City Chiefs. &nbsp;

Superintendent Gabe Edgar says it was decided early on that if the Chiefs were to win the big game, school would be called off to allow students and staff to attend the victory parade in Kansas City.&nbsp;

Edgar says the biggest reason for the call to cancel school was attendance.&nbsp;

"Obviously the attendance, students coming to school, has a financial impact on the school district," Edgar tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And then, we just probably couldn't have it, if you have 50 to 75 employees who request to be off that day, so it's just more of a pain than anything to try to have school."&nbsp;

Edgar says the he joined in the decision with Kansas City superintendents earlier this month to call off school if there were a parade for a Chiefs’ win. &nbsp;

Edgar says it means just as much here in St. Joseph as it does in Kansas City because the journey to the Super Bowl all started right here.&nbsp;

"We are the central piece of the Kansas City Chiefs when it comes down to it, their road to the Super Bowl started where? It started in St. Joseph, Missouri, right?" Edgar says. "So, that's why we're going to honor the parade day off."&nbsp;

Edgar says while many people have been grateful for the decision, he knows not everyone will be happy with it. &nbsp;

"It's just like any decision you make in my position, you're not going to make everybody happy, but at the end of the day you have to do what's best for the people you work for, the students and staff of the St. Joe school district," Edgar explains.&nbsp;

The school district will use one of its built-in snow days to account for the school cancellation, which Edgar says made the decision an easier one with only one of those days being used thus far.&nbsp;

Officials also announced that campuses within the umbrella of the St. Joseph Catholic Academy will also be out of school tomorrow to attend or watch the victory parade.&nbsp;

By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;St. Joseph students will have the opportunity to celebrate a Super Bowl victory for the Kansas City Chiefs. &nbsp;Superintendent Gabe Edgar says it was decided early on that if the Chiefs were to win the big game, school would be called off to allow students and staff to attend the victory parade in Kansas City.&nbsp;Edgar says the biggest reason for the call to cancel school was attendance.&nbsp;"Obviously the attendance, students coming to school, has a financial impact on the school district," Edgar tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And then, we just probably couldn't have it, if you have 50 to 75 employees who request to be off that day, so it's just more of a pain than anything to try to have school."&nbsp;Edgar says the he joined in the decision with Kansas City superintendents earlier this month to call off school if there were a parade for a Chiefs’ win. &nbsp;Edgar says it means just as much here in St. Joseph as it does in Kansas City because the journey to the Super Bowl all started right here.&nbsp;"We are the central piece of the Kansas City Chiefs when it comes down to it, their road to the Super Bowl started where? It started in St. Joseph, Missouri, right?" Edgar says. "So, that's why we're going to honor the parade day off."&nbsp;Edgar says while many people have been grateful for the decision, he knows not everyone will be happy with it. &nbsp;"It's just like any decision you make in my position, you're not going to make everybody happy, but at the end of the day you have to do what's best for the people you work for, the students and staff of the St. Joe school district," Edgar explains.&nbsp;The school district will use one of its built-in snow days to account for the school cancellation, which Edgar says made the decision an easier one with only one of those days being used thus far.&nbsp;Officials also announced that campuses within the umbrella of the St. Joseph Catholic Academy will also be out of school tomorrow to attend or watch the victory parade.&nbsp;

St. Joseph Schools superintendent explains calling off school for Chiefs parade

KFEQ began modestly enough, in the back of a bank building in
Oak, Nebraska.

This is the second of our five-part series on the history of KFEQ.

A bout of measles forced University of Nebraska engineering
student John Scroggin home to recover where he began to earn the moniker of a tinkerer. While at back in Oak,
Scroggin began to experiment with a new technology, radio. He began with
crystal sets, then in the winter of 1921, Scroggin operated a ham radio under
the call letters of 9BEY.

Scroggin passed all the federal requirements to operate a
radio station before setting up a 200-watt station in the back of his father’s
bank with transmitting towers made of lath outside. He operated under the call
letters KFEQ.

The most complete history of the radio station we have,
written by long-time KFEQ Engineer Kenny Lux in 1966, states Scroggin began the
first broadcast at three o’clock the afternoon of February 15th,
1923. A provisional “License for Land Radio Station” issued by the Department
of Commerce, Bureau of Navigation, Radio Service to Scroggin contains the date
February 16th, 1923.

Either way, KFEQ began on a cold winter afternoon in the small
town of Oak, in south-central Nebraska, approximately 190 miles from St. Joseph.
Data maintained by the National Weather Service reports a temperature of 27
degrees on the 15th in that area, and 30 degrees on the 16th
when John Scroggin and his brother, Grover, began broadcasting on KFEQ.

Mark McLaughlin, John Scroggin’s great-grandson, recalled the
family stories about the beginnings of KFEQ during a visit to Oak.

“Mom would talk about it a lot and grandma talked about it, of
course, a lot. She grew up with it,” Mark McLaughlin told KFEQ/St. Joseph Post during
an interview in the old bank building.

“We’ve seen the memorabilia and all that,” John McLaughlin,
his older brother, added. “Always wondered about it. It’s just history.”

John and Mark both got to know their great-grandfather before
he died in early 1985 at the age of 94.

“Wise man,” Mark McLaughlin says with John agreeing. “He was
not like a jokester or anything. He was always a serious guy, very nice guy. I remember
he really like ice cream. He loved ice cream.”

The bank now is empty, but full of memories for the two
great-grandsons of John Scroggin.

“I can remember when the bank was still going here. I’m not
from Oak, but I feel like I’m from Oak,” John McLaughlin says, noting the two grew
up in nearby Edgar, “but we spent a lot of time at our great-grandpa’s house
here. I can remember the grocery store here; a lot of good times here.”

Mark McLaughlin remembers spending every Christmas Eve at the Scroggin
home.

While KFEQ began in Oak, its tie to St. Joseph started from
the beginning. Scroggin or, actually his brother Grover who served as the
announcer, broadcast the market report from the St. Joseph Grain Exchange in
the afternoon; live music at night. Alex Washington would provide the market
report from St. Joseph via telegraph.

Some orchestras moved to Oak, playing on the radio as well as
at dances held in the Oak Opera House. John’s wife, Artha, played piano. Local
groups, such as the “King’s Entertainers,” performed.

Performers and visitors wrote their names on the wooden studio
door and the door to the coal room. Arlington Brugh played cello on KFEQ. He
would change his name to Robert Taylor when he moved to Hollywood to make
movies.

Few radio sets existed at the time. Those with radios would
call friends on party lines and lay the receiver next to the radio for all to
enjoy.

The station outgrew the bank, eventually moving into the
basement of the Scroggin home across the street, now owned by Derrick Drohman
and his family, who gave us a tour of the one-time studio, now empty.

“I don’t know,” Drohman said when asked about what goes
through his mind while we stood in the empty basement room that once house the
KFEQ studios. “I guess I wonder what it would have been like back however many
years ago when they were standing right here in the same spot.”

Drohman’s great-grandfather, Gottlieb Schmitt, performed live
on KFEQ in those early days as part of the Acorn Trio.

“Oak, Nebraska; one of the earliest radio stations,” Drohman
said. “Who would’ve guessed?”

In three years, KFEQ would move to St. Joseph.

“I’m proud, proud to be the roots of that,” John McLaughlin said.
“100 years.”

It is a heritage carried proudly by the great-grandsons of
John Scroggin.

“Whenever we got to South Padre (Island) or down to Kansas
City to a Chiefs game, I’ll bring it up to everybody that’s in the car,” Mark
McLaughlin said. “Great grandpa started a radio station in this town: KFEQ,
still going.”

Still going as a voice of agriculture. We’ll explore that on
part three tomorrow.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676316209390.jpeg" alt="The old Scroggin Bank of Oak, Nebraska, where KFEQ started in 1923 still stands/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>The old Scroggin Bank of Oak, Nebraska, where KFEQ started in 1923 still stands/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostKFEQ began modestly enough, in the back of a bank building in
Oak, Nebraska.This is the second of our five-part series on the history of KFEQ.A bout of measles forced University of Nebraska engineering
student John Scroggin home to recover where he began to earn the moniker of a tinkerer. While at back in Oak,
Scroggin began to experiment with a new technology, radio. He began with
crystal sets, then in the winter of 1921, Scroggin operated a ham radio under
the call letters of 9BEY.Scroggin passed all the federal requirements to operate a
radio station before setting up a 200-watt station in the back of his father’s
bank with transmitting towers made of lath outside. He operated under the call
letters KFEQ.The most complete history of the radio station we have,
written by long-time KFEQ Engineer Kenny Lux in 1966, states Scroggin began the
first broadcast at three o’clock the afternoon of February 15th,
1923. A provisional “License for Land Radio Station” issued by the Department
of Commerce, Bureau of Navigation, Radio Service to Scroggin contains the date
February 16th, 1923.Either way, KFEQ began on a cold winter afternoon in the small
town of Oak, in south-central Nebraska, approximately 190 miles from St. Joseph.
Data maintained by the National Weather Service reports a temperature of 27
degrees on the 15th in that area, and 30 degrees on the 16th
when John Scroggin and his brother, Grover, began broadcasting on KFEQ.Mark McLaughlin, John Scroggin’s great-grandson, recalled the
family stories about the beginnings of KFEQ during a visit to Oak.“Mom would talk about it a lot and grandma talked about it, of
course, a lot. She grew up with it,” Mark McLaughlin told KFEQ/St. Joseph Post during
an interview in the old bank building.“We’ve seen the memorabilia and all that,” John McLaughlin,
his older brother, added. “Always wondered about it. It’s just history.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676317526301.jpeg" alt="Mark McLaughlin (l) and John McLaughlin stand in the empty room in the back of the now vacant Scroggin bank, where KFEQ made its first broadcast/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Mark McLaughlin (l) and John McLaughlin stand in the empty room in the back of the now vacant Scroggin bank, where KFEQ made its first broadcast/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>John and Mark both got to know their great-grandfather before
he died in early 1985 at the age of 94.And, what do they remember?“Wise man,” Mark McLaughlin says with John agreeing. “He was
not like a jokester or anything. He was always a serious guy, very nice guy. I remember
he really like ice cream. He loved ice cream.”Both laughed at the recollection.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676317656971.jpeg" alt="John McLaughlin (in the foreground) and Mark McLaughlin stand in the now vacant Scroggin Bank/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>John McLaughlin (in the foreground) and Mark McLaughlin stand in the now vacant Scroggin Bank/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>The bank now is empty, but full of memories for the two
great-grandsons of John Scroggin.“I can remember when the bank was still going here. I’m not
from Oak, but I feel like I’m from Oak,” John McLaughlin says, noting the two grew
up in nearby Edgar, “but we spent a lot of time at our great-grandpa’s house
here. I can remember the grocery store here; a lot of good times here.”Mark McLaughlin remembers spending every Christmas Eve at the Scroggin
home.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676317749086.jpeg" alt="Tile at the entrance of the old Scroggin Bank/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Tile at the entrance of the old Scroggin Bank/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>While KFEQ began in Oak, its tie to St. Joseph started from
the beginning. Scroggin or, actually his brother Grover who served as the
announcer, broadcast the market report from the St. Joseph Grain Exchange in
the afternoon; live music at night. Alex Washington would provide the market
report from St. Joseph via telegraph.Some orchestras moved to Oak, playing on the radio as well as
at dances held in the Oak Opera House. John’s wife, Artha, played piano. Local
groups, such as the “King’s Entertainers,” performed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676317810056.jpeg" alt="Mark McLauglin (l) and John McLaughlin stand next to the wooden doors from the old KFEQ studio in Oak. Both the studio door and the door to the coal room contain signatures from performers on and visitors to KFEQ. The doors are on exhibit at the Nuckolls County Museum in Superior, Nebraska/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Mark McLauglin (l) and John McLaughlin stand next to the wooden doors from the old KFEQ studio in Oak. Both the studio door and the door to the coal room contain signatures from performers on and visitors to KFEQ. The doors are on exhibit at the Nuckolls County Museum in Superior, Nebraska/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>Performers and visitors wrote their names on the wooden studio
door and the door to the coal room. Arlington Brugh played cello on KFEQ. He
would change his name to Robert Taylor when he moved to Hollywood to make
movies.Few radio sets existed at the time. Those with radios would
call friends on party lines and lay the receiver next to the radio for all to
enjoy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676318060637.jpeg" alt="Derrick Drohman gives Mark and John McLaughlin a tour of their great-grandfather's home in Oak, which he now owns/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Derrick Drohman gives Mark and John McLaughlin a tour of their great-grandfather's home in Oak, which he now owns/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>The station outgrew the bank, eventually moving into the
basement of the Scroggin home across the street, now owned by Derrick Drohman
and his family, who gave us a tour of the one-time studio, now empty.“I don’t know,” Drohman said when asked about what goes
through his mind while we stood in the empty basement room that once house the
KFEQ studios. “I guess I wonder what it would have been like back however many
years ago when they were standing right here in the same spot.”Drohman’s great-grandfather, Gottlieb Schmitt, performed live
on KFEQ in those early days as part of the Acorn Trio.“Oak, Nebraska; one of the earliest radio stations,” Drohman
said. “Who would’ve guessed?”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676318158644.jpeg" alt="Derrick Drohman stands in the empty basement room that once housed the KFEQ studio/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Derrick Drohman stands in the empty basement room that once housed the KFEQ studio/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>In three years, KFEQ would move to St. Joseph.The memories of KFEQ in Oak remain.“I’m proud, proud to be the roots of that,” John McLaughlin said.
“100 years.”It is a heritage carried proudly by the great-grandsons of
John Scroggin.“Whenever we got to South Padre (Island) or down to Kansas
City to a Chiefs game, I’ll bring it up to everybody that’s in the car,” Mark
McLaughlin said. “Great grandpa started a radio station in this town: KFEQ,
still going.”Still going as a voice of agriculture. We’ll explore that on
part three tomorrow.<div><iframe src="https://anchor.fm/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/KFEQ-100-Journal-2142023--A-trip-to-where-it-all-started-in-Oak--Nebraska-e1uto7a" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/z8NBSRj3-KcBmu4K3.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Kfeq Oak Ne Feb 2023" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676318246028.jpeg" alt="Signatures on the wooden KFEQ studio door/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Signatures on the wooden KFEQ studio door/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676318296078.jpeg" alt="More signatures. Performers on KFEQ would sign their names, doodle, or draw on the wooden studio door as well as the door to the coal room/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>More signatures. Performers on KFEQ would sign their names, doodle, or draw on the wooden studio door as well as the door to the coal room/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>

🎥 KFEQ, the voice of St. Joseph, actually began in a small Nebraska town

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

GREAT BEND — As the saying 
goes, choose your battles wisely. But sometimes, it's not a choice at 
all. Fifteen-year-old Owen Klug was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome, a 
degenerative form of epilepsy that can cause hundreds of seizures a day.
 When pharmaceuticals did not work, his parents found hope in hemp oil. 
With 37 states now offering medical cannabis, and 21 states allowing the
 drug to be used recreationally, Owen's mother, Kiley, simply wants 
those same opportunities for her child.

"If you would have told us
 we would have to go down this road 20 years ago, I would have said 
nope, no way, never," she said. "But when you love someone, and you do 
your research, and you're all in as a parent, this was the only path we 
had available to us. You don't understand it until you have to live it."

Dravet
 syndrome is chronic and medication-resistant. Many medications actually
 make the symptoms worse. The Klugs were hoping for a small break during
 Owen's teenage years, but improvements with seizures have been 
marginal.

"The teenage years are supposed to be that honeymoon period where 
they do get better," Kiley said. "I feel like they've gotten better. 
They have changed a little bit in presentation. Before any kind of 
therapy, he was having over 250 in an 18-hour period."

Owen has 
gone through 10 anti-epileptic medicines with little success. He's on a 
keto, high-fat, low-carb diet to help control seizures. He's had a 
feeding tube because a well-regulated diet can help with the seizures. 
And his parents use a vagal nerve stimulator (VNS), which acts like a 
pacemaker in the brain to shock the brain before the onset of a seizure.

But
 the best results have come from Haleigh's Hope, a hemp extract 
containing naturally occurring cannabinoids. By current law, the extract
 cannot have more than 0.3 percent THC content. The Klugs learned about 
medical cannabis from a California parent while attending a Dravet 
conference. Dravet parents have found Haleigh's Hope to be a more 
effective solution.

"I really feel like these children with Dravet
 syndrome have been at the forefront, these families, of the medical 
cannabis revolution," Kiley said. "This movement of, oh my gosh, this 
stuff actually can help these medical conditions where we've had 
roadblock after roadblock."

The Klugs eventually weaned Owen off all pharmaceuticals, using only 
the VNS, keto diet, and Haleigh's Hope. The results have been promising,
 but as with all drugs, Owen's body has built a tolerance to Haleigh's 
Hope, and the product has lost some of its healing power.

"He 
started gaining back these skills," Kiley said. "He started bearing 
weight again, he started vocalizing, he wasn't asleep all day, he 
started smiling when his brothers would get in trouble or make funny 
jokes. He would show meaningful, non-verbal conversation. It was such a 
gift."

Kiley has returned to teaching full-time, but she spent the
 first 11 years of Owen's life at home. During that time, she made four 
trips to Topeka to lobby and educate legislators about the importance of
 products like Haleigh's Hope, and their impact on patients. She found 
many conversations with legislators to be less than inspiring.

"Some
 of the responses I would get were fairly appalling," Kiley said. "I can
 recall, and this has really stuck with me, one legislator, as he's 
looking at my son and looking me in the face, he says, 'Well you know, 
I've got some of that stuff in the ditch behind my house. You're more 
than welcome to come check that out.' It just breaks my heart that the 
people who lead our state can't have the empathy to at least refrain 
from those stereotypical comments in the presence of my son, who 
struggles day-in, day-out."

The Klugs are not pushing legislation for the recreational use of 
cannabis. But they do want their son to have access to some of the 
products now available legally in Colorado and Missouri. Nebraska 
senators recently held a hearing on a revised medical marijuana bill in 
that state, and Oklahoma has already passed medical marijuana 
legislation.

"I think it's time," Kiley said. "We are surrounded 
by Colorado, Missouri, soon to be Oklahoma. They've had these laws in 
place for years now, and guess what? Those states are still standing. 
They're standing, and they're wealthy. Their schools are flourishing.

"We're
 not going to be a pioneer by any means, but I think we need to follow 
suit. I think it's time for Kansas to start looking after the people who
 need it most."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676297951566.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostGREAT BEND — As the saying 
goes, choose your battles wisely. But sometimes, it's not a choice at 
all. Fifteen-year-old Owen Klug was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome, a 
degenerative form of epilepsy that can cause hundreds of seizures a day.
 When pharmaceuticals did not work, his parents found hope in hemp oil. 
With 37 states now offering medical cannabis, and 21 states allowing the
 drug to be used recreationally, Owen's mother, Kiley, simply wants 
those same opportunities for her child."If you would have told us
 we would have to go down this road 20 years ago, I would have said 
nope, no way, never," she said. "But when you love someone, and you do 
your research, and you're all in as a parent, this was the only path we 
had available to us. You don't understand it until you have to live it."Dravet
 syndrome is chronic and medication-resistant. Many medications actually
 make the symptoms worse. The Klugs were hoping for a small break during
 Owen's teenage years, but improvements with seizures have been 
marginal.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676297981878.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"The teenage years are supposed to be that honeymoon period where 
they do get better," Kiley said. "I feel like they've gotten better. 
They have changed a little bit in presentation. Before any kind of 
therapy, he was having over 250 in an 18-hour period."Owen has 
gone through 10 anti-epileptic medicines with little success. He's on a 
keto, high-fat, low-carb diet to help control seizures. He's had a 
feeding tube because a well-regulated diet can help with the seizures. 
And his parents use a vagal nerve stimulator (VNS), which acts like a 
pacemaker in the brain to shock the brain before the onset of a seizure.But
 the best results have come from Haleigh's Hope, a hemp extract 
containing naturally occurring cannabinoids. By current law, the extract
 cannot have more than 0.3 percent THC content. The Klugs learned about 
medical cannabis from a California parent while attending a Dravet 
conference. Dravet parents have found Haleigh's Hope to be a more 
effective solution."I really feel like these children with Dravet
 syndrome have been at the forefront, these families, of the medical 
cannabis revolution," Kiley said. "This movement of, oh my gosh, this 
stuff actually can help these medical conditions where we've had 
roadblock after roadblock."The Klugs eventually weaned Owen off all pharmaceuticals, using only 
the VNS, keto diet, and Haleigh's Hope. The results have been promising,
 but as with all drugs, Owen's body has built a tolerance to Haleigh's 
Hope, and the product has lost some of its healing power."He 
started gaining back these skills," Kiley said. "He started bearing 
weight again, he started vocalizing, he wasn't asleep all day, he 
started smiling when his brothers would get in trouble or make funny 
jokes. He would show meaningful, non-verbal conversation. It was such a 
gift."Kiley has returned to teaching full-time, but she spent the
 first 11 years of Owen's life at home. During that time, she made four 
trips to Topeka to lobby and educate legislators about the importance of
 products like Haleigh's Hope, and their impact on patients. She found 
many conversations with legislators to be less than inspiring."Some
 of the responses I would get were fairly appalling," Kiley said. "I can
 recall, and this has really stuck with me, one legislator, as he's 
looking at my son and looking me in the face, he says, 'Well you know, 
I've got some of that stuff in the ditch behind my house. You're more 
than welcome to come check that out.' It just breaks my heart that the 
people who lead our state can't have the empathy to at least refrain 
from those stereotypical comments in the presence of my son, who 
struggles day-in, day-out."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676298038815.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Klugs are not pushing legislation for the recreational use of 
cannabis. But they do want their son to have access to some of the 
products now available legally in Colorado and Missouri. Nebraska 
senators recently held a hearing on a revised medical marijuana bill in 
that state, and Oklahoma has already passed medical marijuana 
legislation."I think it's time," Kiley said. "We are surrounded 
by Colorado, Missouri, soon to be Oklahoma. They've had these laws in 
place for years now, and guess what? Those states are still standing. 
They're standing, and they're wealthy. Their schools are flourishing."We're
 not going to be a pioneer by any means, but I think we need to follow 
suit. I think it's time for Kansas to start looking after the people who
 need it most."

Kansas family sees benefit of medical cannabis

ATCHISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Monday in Atchison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Chevy Silverado driven by Harley S. Lansdown, 68, Rock Port, was eastbound on Calhoun Street at MO 111 in Rock Port.

The pickup struck a northbound 2015 Kawasaki sport bike driven by Hunter A. Gordon, 18, Mound City. Gordon was ejected from the motorcycle. It came to rest partially under the pickup.

A private vehicle transported Gordon to Rock Port Family Medicine for treatment of a minor injury. Lansdown was not injured. Gordon was wearing a helmet and Lansdown was properly restrained according to the MSHP.

ATCHISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Monday in Atchison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Chevy Silverado driven by Harley S. Lansdown, 68, Rock Port, was eastbound on Calhoun Street at MO 111 in Rock Port.The pickup struck a northbound 2015 Kawasaki sport bike driven by Hunter A. Gordon, 18, Mound City. Gordon was ejected from the motorcycle. It came to rest partially under the pickup.A private vehicle transported Gordon to Rock Port Family Medicine for treatment of a minor injury. Lansdown was not injured. Gordon was wearing a helmet and Lansdown was properly restrained according to the MSHP.

Missouri man injured after pickup strikes motorcycle

St. Joseph students will get an opportunity to celebrate a Kansas City Chiefs win in Super Bowl LVII.

The St. Joseph School District says in a news release says it will join schools in the Kansas City area and will close on Wednesday to allow its students, staff, and members of the community to participate in the Chiefs victory parade and rally. 

Officials say several parents have called saying their students will not be in attendance on Wednesday. The district also worries about a lack of substitutes to fill in classrooms to take care of students.  

Some after school activities may still be in session and students should contact their coaches or activity directors for more information.  Time off will count against built in weather hours for the district.

St. Joseph Catholic Academies announced they're campuses would also be closed on Wednesday.&nbsp;

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph students will get an opportunity to celebrate a Kansas City Chiefs win in Super Bowl LVII.The St. Joseph School District says in a news release says it will join schools in the Kansas City area and will close on Wednesday to allow its students, staff, and members of the community to participate in the Chiefs victory parade and rally. Officials say several parents have called saying their students will not be in attendance on Wednesday. The district also worries about a lack of substitutes to fill in classrooms to take care of students. Some after school activities may still be in session and students should contact their coaches or activity directors for more information. Time off will count against built in weather hours for the district.St. Joseph Catholic Academies announced they're campuses would also be closed on Wednesday.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/gGnXUmqrN4">pic.twitter.com/gGnXUmqrN4</a>&mdash; SJCA (@SJCA_home) <a href="https://twitter.com/SJCA_home/status/1625190409474347034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Chiefs win Super Bowl, St. Joseph calls off school on Wednesday

St. Joseph Police say that while some sectors were up last year, overall crime was down.&nbsp;

Interim Police Chief Dave Hart says the reasons crime numbers were down last year are multi-faceted. &nbsp;

"There's been a decrease in reporting, there's been a decrease in contacts with us," Hart tells reporters at a news conference. "We have fewer officers on the street, when our officers are out doing self-initiated activity, we're generating crime numbers because we're doing things, when we have fewer officers, we're doing less self-initiated activity."&nbsp;

Hart says there has also been huge changes in society, such as people working from home which makes crime go down with everyone at home compared to out on the streets. &nbsp;

The number of car thefts in St. Joseph dropped between 2020 and 2021, but last year motor vehicle thefts were back up again. &nbsp;

Hart says many of the thefts that occurred were crimes of opportunity.&nbsp;

"You know you go by and check a door, doors unlocked, you get in, oh look there's keys," Hart explains. "Do we have some your standard car theft where they're broken into, yes, but a vast majority of these are crimes of opportunity."&nbsp;

Hart says it's the responsibility of the community to make it harder for these crimes of opportunity to occur by locking their vehicles and making it more difficult for thieves&nbsp;

Hart says it's hard to tell if this is an encouraging sign of what's to come in 2023, even with the passage of a police sales tax in November. &nbsp;

Hart says while it is a wait and see of what's to come this year, it's also important to manage the community’s expectations.&nbsp;

"This is not a snap your fingers and the police departments back to fully staffed, this is going to be a process, to hire and train a new person is almost a year, so it's going to be a slow process of getting us back," Hart says. "And, nobody really knows what the future is going to bring, as far as coming out of this post pandemic era, the changes that we've seen across all aspects of society."&nbsp;

Hart says the department strives to hire the best people that they can and will not take any shortcuts just to ensure that they fill the departments staffing needs.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676310254571.jpeg" alt="Interim Police Chief Dave Hart gives an update on crime numbers from 2022 to media members last week/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Interim Police Chief Dave Hart gives an update on crime numbers from 2022 to media members last week/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;St. Joseph Police say that while some sectors were up last year, overall crime was down.&nbsp;Interim Police Chief Dave Hart says the reasons crime numbers were down last year are multi-faceted. &nbsp;"There's been a decrease in reporting, there's been a decrease in contacts with us," Hart tells reporters at a news conference. "We have fewer officers on the street, when our officers are out doing self-initiated activity, we're generating crime numbers because we're doing things, when we have fewer officers, we're doing less self-initiated activity."&nbsp;Hart says there has also been huge changes in society, such as people working from home which makes crime go down with everyone at home compared to out on the streets. &nbsp;The number of car thefts in St. Joseph dropped between 2020 and 2021, but last year motor vehicle thefts were back up again. &nbsp;Hart says many of the thefts that occurred were crimes of opportunity.&nbsp;"You know you go by and check a door, doors unlocked, you get in, oh look there's keys," Hart explains. "Do we have some your standard car theft where they're broken into, yes, but a vast majority of these are crimes of opportunity."&nbsp;Hart says it's the responsibility of the community to make it harder for these crimes of opportunity to occur by locking their vehicles and making it more difficult for thieves&nbsp;Hart says it's hard to tell if this is an encouraging sign of what's to come in 2023, even with the passage of a police sales tax in November. &nbsp;Hart says while it is a wait and see of what's to come this year, it's also important to manage the community’s expectations.&nbsp;"This is not a snap your fingers and the police departments back to fully staffed, this is going to be a process, to hire and train a new person is almost a year, so it's going to be a slow process of getting us back," Hart says. "And, nobody really knows what the future is going to bring, as far as coming out of this post pandemic era, the changes that we've seen across all aspects of society."&nbsp;Hart says the department strives to hire the best people that they can and will not take any shortcuts just to ensure that they fill the departments staffing needs.&nbsp;

St. Joseph crime down overall, with some exceptions

Doug McKalip, the new agriculture trade boss in the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office, says he’s given Mexico until February 14 to explain the science behind the country’s planned ban on GMO corn imports. 

Market Screener says the response will help the agency decide the next steps to resolve the long-running disagreement over Mexico’s biotechnology policies when it comes to agriculture. 

The next steps could include escalating the dispute settlement process under the USMCA. 

If it continues, the dispute threatens to disrupt the billions of dollars worth of corn trade between the United States and Mexico. McKalip says Mexico rejected 14 agricultural product traits that were submitted to them, and they didn’t provide any justification. 

“We want to make sure that they do the science, show their work, and make decisions based upon risk assessments,” he says. U.S. officials recently warned Mexican officials that America may take formal steps under USMCA.

Doug McKalip, the new agriculture trade boss in the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office, says he’s given Mexico until February 14 to explain the science behind the country’s planned ban on GMO corn imports. Market Screener says the response will help the agency decide the next steps to resolve the long-running disagreement over Mexico’s biotechnology policies when it comes to agriculture. The next steps could include escalating the dispute settlement process under the USMCA. If it continues, the dispute threatens to disrupt the billions of dollars worth of corn trade between the United States and Mexico. McKalip says Mexico rejected 14 agricultural product traits that were submitted to them, and they didn’t provide any justification. “We want to make sure that they do the science, show their work, and make decisions based upon risk assessments,” he says. U.S. officials recently warned Mexican officials that America may take formal steps under USMCA.

U.S. wants science from Mexico on GMO corn ban

Senators Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Chuck Grassley of Iowa sent a letter to President Biden urging him to use an upcoming meeting with Brazil’s president to discuss the country’s tax on U.S. ethanol imports. 

The letter comes after Brazil’s Foreign Trade Chamber reinstated an import tariff on American ethanol shipped to Brazil. 

The new 16 percent tariff rate, which will increase to 18 percent in 2024, is a sharp departure from the zero percent tariff rate previously shared between the two nations. 

“Our American ethanol industry should not be subject to prohibitive tariff and non-tariff barriers while Brazilian ethanol producers enjoy duty-free access to our market and biodiesel programs,” the senators said in the letter. 

“We believe this imbalance in tariffs and access to Brazil’s biofuels program is unwarranted and unfair, and we urge you to discuss this issue with the president directly.” Eight other senators signed on to the letter.

Senators Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Chuck Grassley of Iowa sent a letter to President Biden urging him to use an upcoming meeting with Brazil’s president to discuss the country’s tax on U.S. ethanol imports. The letter comes after Brazil’s Foreign Trade Chamber reinstated an import tariff on American ethanol shipped to Brazil. The new 16 percent tariff rate, which will increase to 18 percent in 2024, is a sharp departure from the zero percent tariff rate previously shared between the two nations. “Our American ethanol industry should not be subject to prohibitive tariff and non-tariff barriers while Brazilian ethanol producers enjoy duty-free access to our market and biodiesel programs,” the senators said in the letter. “We believe this imbalance in tariffs and access to Brazil’s biofuels program is unwarranted and unfair, and we urge you to discuss this issue with the president directly.” Eight other senators signed on to the letter.

Senators ask President Biden to address Brazil’s tariff on U.S. ethanol

KFEQ celebrates 100 years on the air this week.

To celebrate, we will run a series of stories on the rich
history of the station each day this week.

But, what does it mean for a radio station to celebrate its
100th birthday?

“It is a remarkable achievement. In fact, I believe this is
the first centennial that I’m aware of in radio stations that I know about,
certainly here in the rural Midwest,” retired Kansas State media professor
Steve Smethers of Manhattan says, who adds a misperception is that broadcasting
started in the East and moved westward.

“And KFEQ was likely one of those radio stations that was put
on as an experiment,” Smethers says. “It was probably put on with the idea
that, gee, isn’t it fun to play with radio without any kind of an idea of what
it was going to be used for.”

Smethers, who also taught at Northwest Missouri State
University in Maryville and knows KFEQ well, says that in 1923 there was no
formula, no guidance for radio. 

“KFEQ would have gone on at a time preceding all of the
standards of local programming and broadcasting and that’s what makes, I think,
your centennial so significant,” Smethers says.

Put this in perspective:&nbsp;
KDKA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was the first commercial radio station
in the United States. It first hit the airwaves on November 2nd of
1920, broadcasting the Harding-Cox presidential election results. KFEQ would
come on the air less than three years later.

Smethers says though KFEQ was born at a time of no rules or
regulations, nevertheless radio stations sought to serve their communities.

“People would turn on the radio to hear information,” Smethers
says. “There was no mandate that radio stations would have done news back when
KFEQ was in the kind of the pre-Federal Radio Act. That didn’t happen until
1927.”

The Encyclopedia Britannica reports that by two years after
that first broadcast by KDKA, the federal government would issue licenses to
more than 500 radio stations. Those early years proved to be chaotic,
unplanned, and unregulated, according to Britannica.

Retired Eagle St. Joseph General Manager, Gary Exline, says
the fact that KFEQ turns 100 says a lot in and of itself.

“Well, it means it was one of the early players on the air,
period,” Exline says. “It’s a 1920s radio station, right? There’s not a lot of
those, let alone not a lot of those that are high-powered stations like KFEQ
is.”

It might have power. It might broadcast to that mass audience.
It’s the one-to-one connection that makes it special, according to Exline.

“It’s an amazing thing,” according to Exline. “And, you know,
they say the more things change the more they stay the same and the great thing
about radio, while it brags about reaching all these thousands and thousands of
people, there are many, many cases and KFEQ certainly has those cases, where
being the one-to-one friend to the listener is the most important thing.”

Eagle Communications Chairman Gary Shorman says KFEQ’s power,
a 5,000 watt station located at the low end of the AM dial that covers
northwest Missouri, northeast Kansas, southeast Nebraska, and southwest Iowa, often
called the Midland Empire, attracted Eagle to add KFEQ to its radio stations in
1969.

“But, when KFEQ came on, it took that to a different level,
because of the signal strength of KFEQ during the day,” according to Shorman.

Shorman remembers coming to St. Joseph to visit KFEQ.

“You’d walk up the steps of the station and take a look around
and the big KFEQ sign that was there; it was an institution in St. Joe,” Shorman
says.

But, KFEQ didn’t start in St. Joe – it actually started in a
small town in Nebraska.

We’ll have that story when the series continues tomorrow.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676145699394.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostKFEQ celebrates 100 years on the air this week.To celebrate, we will run a series of stories on the rich
history of the station each day this week.But, what does it mean for a radio station to celebrate its
100th birthday?“It is a remarkable achievement. In fact, I believe this is
the first centennial that I’m aware of in radio stations that I know about,
certainly here in the rural Midwest,” retired Kansas State media professor
Steve Smethers of Manhattan says, who adds a misperception is that broadcasting
started in the East and moved westward.“And KFEQ was likely one of those radio stations that was put
on as an experiment,” Smethers says. “It was probably put on with the idea
that, gee, isn’t it fun to play with radio without any kind of an idea of what
it was going to be used for.”Smethers, who also taught at Northwest Missouri State
University in Maryville and knows KFEQ well, says that in 1923 there was no
formula, no guidance for radio. “KFEQ would have gone on at a time preceding all of the
standards of local programming and broadcasting and that’s what makes, I think,
your centennial so significant,” Smethers says.Put this in perspective:&nbsp;
KDKA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was the first commercial radio station
in the United States. It first hit the airwaves on November 2nd of
1920, broadcasting the Harding-Cox presidential election results. KFEQ would
come on the air less than three years later.Smethers says though KFEQ was born at a time of no rules or
regulations, nevertheless radio stations sought to serve their communities.“People would turn on the radio to hear information,” Smethers
says. “There was no mandate that radio stations would have done news back when
KFEQ was in the kind of the pre-Federal Radio Act. That didn’t happen until
1927.”The Encyclopedia Britannica reports that by two years after
that first broadcast by KDKA, the federal government would issue licenses to
more than 500 radio stations. Those early years proved to be chaotic,
unplanned, and unregulated, according to Britannica.Retired Eagle St. Joseph General Manager, Gary Exline, says
the fact that KFEQ turns 100 says a lot in and of itself.“Well, it means it was one of the early players on the air,
period,” Exline says. “It’s a 1920s radio station, right? There’s not a lot of
those, let alone not a lot of those that are high-powered stations like KFEQ
is.”It might have power. It might broadcast to that mass audience.
It’s the one-to-one connection that makes it special, according to Exline.“It’s an amazing thing,” according to Exline. “And, you know,
they say the more things change the more they stay the same and the great thing
about radio, while it brags about reaching all these thousands and thousands of
people, there are many, many cases and KFEQ certainly has those cases, where
being the one-to-one friend to the listener is the most important thing.”Eagle Communications Chairman Gary Shorman says KFEQ’s power,
a 5,000 watt station located at the low end of the AM dial that covers
northwest Missouri, northeast Kansas, southeast Nebraska, and southwest Iowa, often
called the Midland Empire, attracted Eagle to add KFEQ to its radio stations in
1969.“But, when KFEQ came on, it took that to a different level,
because of the signal strength of KFEQ during the day,” according to Shorman.Shorman remembers coming to St. Joseph to visit KFEQ.“You’d walk up the steps of the station and take a look around
and the big KFEQ sign that was there; it was an institution in St. Joe,” Shorman
says.But, KFEQ didn’t start in St. Joe – it actually started in a
small town in Nebraska.We’ll have that story when the series continues tomorrow.<div><iframe src="https://anchor.fm/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/KFEQ-Journal-Part-1-of-5--KFEQ-Celebrating-100-years-of-Radio-e1utduv" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676145744032.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Celebrate with us:  KFEQ turns 100 this week! - the 1st of a 5-part series

By RUDI KELLER <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/10/missouri-judge-orders-steps-to-avoid-waiting-lists-for-public-defenders/">Missouri Independent</a>

Indigent
 defendants facing imprisonment must be represented by a public defender
 no later than two weeks after they qualify, a judge ruled this week in a
 case over waiting lists in thousands of criminal cases across Missouri.

Phelps County Circuit Judge William 
Hickle, overruling the state’s attempt to dismiss the case as moot 
because waiting lists are not currently in use, found that making a 
person facing incarceration wait for an attorney is unconstitutional.

“The issue of delaying appointment of
 counsel for an indigent defendant by placing the defendant on a waiting
 list is virtually certain to occur in the future,” Hickle wrote in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Jennifer+David+v+State+Final+Judgment_FINAL.pdf?courtCode=19&amp;di=2681498">the ruling issued Wednesday</a>.
 “The waiting list is at zero, not because respondents have renounced 
its use, but because the state is currently providing sufficient funding
 to avoid resorting to it.”

The class-action lawsuit on behalf of
 all defendants on waiting lists was filed in February 2020 by the 
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, the ACLU of Missouri, the 
Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center, and the law firm Orrick, 
Herrington and Sutcliffe.&nbsp;

“For decades, Missouri’s public 
defender system has been overworked and under-funded,” Amy Breihan, 
co-director of the MacArthur Justice Center’s Missouri office, said in a
 news release. “This decision is a solid step in the right direction of 
ensuring even the poorest residents have competent legal counsel when 
charged with a crime because justice deferred is justice denied.”

Hickle was appointed to hear the Cole
 County case by the Missouri Supreme Court after all Cole County judges 
recused themselves. He declared the wait lists <a target="_blank" href="https://stlrecord.com/stories/579549177-judge-rules-public-defender-waitlist-is-unconstitutional-must-be-eliminated-by-june-30?fbclid=IwAR1ITJWoitcolsZ9P16GIOvR8xm1OnaYuzR4AQ0ZD79-aioCFcS1jgE7YIA">unconstitutional in a ruling issued in March 2021</a>, but stayed the ruling to give lawmakers time to appropriate additional funds to the public defender system.

The lengthy time between his initial 
ruling and the final order was frustrating, said Tony Rothert, director 
of integrated advocacy at the ACLU of Missouri. But Hickle was deferring
 to the legislature and executive branch to solve the issue. Rothert 
said he interprets the final ruling as a response to the state’s 
unwillingness to renounce the use of waiting lists in the future.

“It’s not everything we asked for but
 with the changes the legislature and the public defender commission 
have implemented it puts things in a far better position than when the 
lawsuit started,” Rothert said.

The Attorney General’s office, which 
represented the Office of Public Defender in the lawsuit, did not 
respond for comment on the ruling or whether it would be appealed.

The lawsuit was filed after the 
waiting list reached 5,800 in November 2019, involving 16 public 
defender district offices across 29 counties. Of that number, 1,546 had 
been waiting six months or longer, including almost 600 who waited more 
than a year.

The use of waiting lists <a target="_blank" href="https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/news/crime/2018/02/21/public-defender-waiting-list-nears/14162475007/">began in 2017</a> as the public defender system <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article237036709.html">struggled with chronic low funding</a> and a decision to limit caseloads for each attorney after a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/news/crime/2017/09/08/public-defender-says-health-caseload/18873365007/">Boone County defender was disciplined</a> for poor representation due to health issues and overwork.

Lawmakers have added nearly 100 
attorney and staff positions to the Office of Public Defender’s budget 
since the use of wait lists began in the fall of 2017. The agency has 
been generally successful in filling those jobs, using 93% of its 
budgeted employee hours in fiscal 2022, compared to an average across 
all state agencies of 87.5%.

Thanks to the additional staffing, the waiting list was eliminated by the end of November 2021.

The office is nearly at full staffing
 and has flexibility to use appropriations to hire contract attorneys to
 take cases when necessary, said Mary Fox, director of the state public 
defender office.

There is a <a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=600.063&amp;bid=30404&amp;hl=">statute allowing a judge to initiate waiting lists</a>
 after determining that a public defender’s caseload means additional 
defendants would not receive effective assistance. Hickle’s decision 
declared that law unconstitutional in situations where the defendant 
waits longer than two weeks after applying for help or if it is not 
provided before “an earlier critical stage, such as a bail or bond 
hearing or a decision of whether to request a change of judge or venue.”

“He properly finds the state’s 
responsibility is to provide counsel,” she said. “I think the state has 
done a good job in the last few years with the public defender system 
with fulfilling those responsibilities.”

There were nine named petitioners in 
the case. Hickle used the examples of two to illustrate the unfairness 
of making defendants wait for representation.&nbsp;

Travis Herbert of Springfield was on 
the waiting list for 147 days while in the Greene County Jail charged 
with three felonies. He went through six bond hearings without an 
attorney before being released on his own recognizance. Dakota Wilcox of
 Holts Summit was on the waiting list in jail for five months, charged 
with several felonies, and released on bond two days after a public 
defender entered the case.

The legislature could address 
caseloads by reducing the number of laws that have a possible penalty of
 jail or prison time, Fox said. Traffic laws that are misdemeanors 
rarely result in jail time but it is a possibility and the public 
defender must represent any indigent defendant who could be incarcerated
 if convicted.

“That is an area that Missouri could 
look at,” Fox said. “And we are all well aware we have a different 
understanding of addiction than we had 20 years ago.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676064784756.png" alt="The Cole County Courthouse in downtown Jefferson City (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>The Cole County Courthouse in downtown Jefferson City (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>By RUDI KELLER <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/10/missouri-judge-orders-steps-to-avoid-waiting-lists-for-public-defenders/">Missouri Independent</a>Indigent
 defendants facing imprisonment must be represented by a public defender
 no later than two weeks after they qualify, a judge ruled this week in a
 case over waiting lists in thousands of criminal cases across Missouri.Phelps County Circuit Judge William 
Hickle, overruling the state’s attempt to dismiss the case as moot 
because waiting lists are not currently in use, found that making a 
person facing incarceration wait for an attorney is unconstitutional.“The issue of delaying appointment of
 counsel for an indigent defendant by placing the defendant on a waiting
 list is virtually certain to occur in the future,” Hickle wrote in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/Jennifer+David+v+State+Final+Judgment_FINAL.pdf?courtCode=19&amp;di=2681498">the ruling issued Wednesday</a>.
 “The waiting list is at zero, not because respondents have renounced 
its use, but because the state is currently providing sufficient funding
 to avoid resorting to it.”The class-action lawsuit on behalf of
 all defendants on waiting lists was filed in February 2020 by the 
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, the ACLU of Missouri, the 
Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center, and the law firm Orrick, 
Herrington and Sutcliffe.&nbsp;“For decades, Missouri’s public 
defender system has been overworked and under-funded,” Amy Breihan, 
co-director of the MacArthur Justice Center’s Missouri office, said in a
 news release. “This decision is a solid step in the right direction of 
ensuring even the poorest residents have competent legal counsel when 
charged with a crime because justice deferred is justice denied.”Hickle was appointed to hear the Cole
 County case by the Missouri Supreme Court after all Cole County judges 
recused themselves. He declared the wait lists <a target="_blank" href="https://stlrecord.com/stories/579549177-judge-rules-public-defender-waitlist-is-unconstitutional-must-be-eliminated-by-june-30?fbclid=IwAR1ITJWoitcolsZ9P16GIOvR8xm1OnaYuzR4AQ0ZD79-aioCFcS1jgE7YIA">unconstitutional in a ruling issued in March 2021</a>, but stayed the ruling to give lawmakers time to appropriate additional funds to the public defender system.The lengthy time between his initial 
ruling and the final order was frustrating, said Tony Rothert, director 
of integrated advocacy at the ACLU of Missouri. But Hickle was deferring
 to the legislature and executive branch to solve the issue. Rothert 
said he interprets the final ruling as a response to the state’s 
unwillingness to renounce the use of waiting lists in the future.“It’s not everything we asked for but
 with the changes the legislature and the public defender commission 
have implemented it puts things in a far better position than when the 
lawsuit started,” Rothert said.The Attorney General’s office, which 
represented the Office of Public Defender in the lawsuit, did not 
respond for comment on the ruling or whether it would be appealed.The lawsuit was filed after the 
waiting list reached 5,800 in November 2019, involving 16 public 
defender district offices across 29 counties. Of that number, 1,546 had 
been waiting six months or longer, including almost 600 who waited more 
than a year.The use of waiting lists <a target="_blank" href="https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/news/crime/2018/02/21/public-defender-waiting-list-nears/14162475007/">began in 2017</a> as the public defender system <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article237036709.html">struggled with chronic low funding</a> and a decision to limit caseloads for each attorney after a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/news/crime/2017/09/08/public-defender-says-health-caseload/18873365007/">Boone County defender was disciplined</a> for poor representation due to health issues and overwork.Lawmakers have added nearly 100 
attorney and staff positions to the Office of Public Defender’s budget 
since the use of wait lists began in the fall of 2017. The agency has 
been generally successful in filling those jobs, using 93% of its 
budgeted employee hours in fiscal 2022, compared to an average across 
all state agencies of 87.5%.Thanks to the additional staffing, the waiting list was eliminated by the end of November 2021.The office is nearly at full staffing
 and has flexibility to use appropriations to hire contract attorneys to
 take cases when necessary, said Mary Fox, director of the state public 
defender office.There is a <a target="_blank" href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=600.063&amp;bid=30404&amp;hl=">statute allowing a judge to initiate waiting lists</a>
 after determining that a public defender’s caseload means additional 
defendants would not receive effective assistance. Hickle’s decision 
declared that law unconstitutional in situations where the defendant 
waits longer than two weeks after applying for help or if it is not 
provided before “an earlier critical stage, such as a bail or bond 
hearing or a decision of whether to request a change of judge or venue.”Fox said the ruling was well-reasoned.“He properly finds the state’s 
responsibility is to provide counsel,” she said. “I think the state has 
done a good job in the last few years with the public defender system 
with fulfilling those responsibilities.”There were nine named petitioners in 
the case. Hickle used the examples of two to illustrate the unfairness 
of making defendants wait for representation.&nbsp;Travis Herbert of Springfield was on 
the waiting list for 147 days while in the Greene County Jail charged 
with three felonies. He went through six bond hearings without an 
attorney before being released on his own recognizance. Dakota Wilcox of
 Holts Summit was on the waiting list in jail for five months, charged 
with several felonies, and released on bond two days after a public 
defender entered the case.The legislature could address 
caseloads by reducing the number of laws that have a possible penalty of
 jail or prison time, Fox said. Traffic laws that are misdemeanors 
rarely result in jail time but it is a possibility and the public 
defender must represent any indigent defendant who could be incarcerated
 if convicted.“That is an area that Missouri could 
look at,” Fox said. “And we are all well aware we have a different 
understanding of addiction than we had 20 years ago.”

Mo. judge orders steps to avoid waiting lists for public defenders

A precaution is being issued for those partying during the
Super Bowl.

Sergeant Shane Hux with the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s
Troop H reminds those watching the game to watch how much alcohol they consume
during that Super Bowl party.

“We are worried about the watch parties that people are going
to have as far as if their plans do include alcohol to make sure that they are
responsible and make adult decisions and designate a sober driver or call for a
ride service company,” Hux tells KFEQ, St. Joseph Post.

Hux says it’s alright to drink alcohol during the game, but
it’s not alright to get drunk and get behind the wheel. Hux, says if you do
drink during the party, have a sober chauffer or call a cab. 

“So, be responsible,” Hux says. “Even if you don’t partake in alcohol,
there may be others out there that have. So, if you do see somebody out on the
roadway that is driving in a reckless manner, be sure to call that in. Call
either 911 or Star 55.”

Hux says whether the Chiefs win or lose doesn’t make much difference
on whether a fan drinks a bit too much.

“No. It makes no difference at all,” Hux says. “Chiefs’ fans,
they’re going to be excited either way to be in the Super Bowl. If they win, it’s
just going to be that much bigger.”

Hux says troopers will be out in force after the Super Bowl Sunday
evening to get drunk drivers off the road.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA precaution is being issued for those partying during the
Super Bowl.Sergeant Shane Hux with the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s
Troop H reminds those watching the game to watch how much alcohol they consume
during that Super Bowl party.“We are worried about the watch parties that people are going
to have as far as if their plans do include alcohol to make sure that they are
responsible and make adult decisions and designate a sober driver or call for a
ride service company,” Hux tells KFEQ, St. Joseph Post.Hux says it’s alright to drink alcohol during the game, but
it’s not alright to get drunk and get behind the wheel. Hux, says if you do
drink during the party, have a sober chauffer or call a cab. “So, be responsible,” Hux says. “Even if you don’t partake in alcohol,
there may be others out there that have. So, if you do see somebody out on the
roadway that is driving in a reckless manner, be sure to call that in. Call
either 911 or Star 55.”Hux says whether the Chiefs win or lose doesn’t make much difference
on whether a fan drinks a bit too much.“No. It makes no difference at all,” Hux says. “Chiefs’ fans,
they’re going to be excited either way to be in the Super Bowl. If they win, it’s
just going to be that much bigger.”Hux says troopers will be out in force after the Super Bowl Sunday
evening to get drunk drivers off the road.

HW Patrol: if drinking during Super Bowl party, don't get behind the wheel

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a series of burglaries and thefts in Kansas have a suspect in custody.

Just after 2:30a.m. Friday, police in St. Joseph police arrested 39-year-old&nbsp; Joshua L. Hosier of Atchison on an Atchison District Court warrant charging him with three counts of burglary, two counts of criminal damage to property, and theft related to unlawful entries and criminal damage to vehicles parked in the area of 9th and Commercial in Atchison that occurred on January 2, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Hosier is being held in the Buchanan County Jail awaiting extradition.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676136567276.png" alt="Hosier-photo Buchanan Co." />
 <figcaption>Hosier-photo Buchanan Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a series of burglaries and thefts in Kansas have a suspect in custody.Just after 2:30a.m. Friday, police in St. Joseph police arrested 39-year-old&nbsp; Joshua L. Hosier of Atchison on an Atchison District Court warrant charging him with three counts of burglary, two counts of criminal damage to property, and theft related to unlawful entries and criminal damage to vehicles parked in the area of 9th and Commercial in Atchison that occurred on January 2, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.Hosier is being held in the Buchanan County Jail awaiting extradition.

Kansas man accused in series of burglaries jailed in Buchanan Co.

By JASON HANCOCK <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/10/as-missouri-republicans-gather-in-springfield-2024-primary-fights-begin-piling-up/">Missouri Independent</a>

With nearly every statewide office up
 for grabs next year, Missouri Republicans are jockeying for position in
 what promises to be crowded primary campaigns.&nbsp;

Gov. Mike Parson will leave office 
because of term limits. Two Republicans have already jumped into the 
race to replace him, with a third waiting in the wings and expected to 
join at any time.&nbsp;

Attorney General Andrew Bailey and 
State Treasurer Vivek Malek are technically incumbents, but neither has 
ever run for public office before. They both were appointed to their 
jobs when their predecessors were elected to other offices.&nbsp;

Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft are both eyeing the GOP gubernatorial primary.&nbsp;

With the GOP dominating Missouri 
politics for the last two decades, the party is brimming with ambitious 
candidates looking for a promotion. And this weekend, they’ll all gather
 in Springfield for Lincoln Days, the Missouri GOP’s largest annual 
event.&nbsp;

“The people who go to statewide 
Lincoln Days, all of them are going to vote next year,” said Elijah 
Haahr, a former Missouri House speaker. “These are dedicated voters who 
will help spread the word about candidates they like. This is the chance
 for candidates to reach an audience that really provides a bang for 
your buck.”

Several candidates are revealing their intentions to the party faithful this weekend.

Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller 
is expected to announce a run for secretary of state. Ashcroft hasn’t 
officially announced whether he’s running for governor, but he has said 
he won’t seek a third term in his current office.&nbsp;

Schoeller, who ran unsuccessfully for secretary of state in 2012, is <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/brettdinkins/status/1623801758299394048">scheduled to make an announcement Friday evening</a>.&nbsp;

Another potential Ashcroft successor 
is state Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, who teased a statewide run 
on Twitter this week but didn’t specify which office. As an accountant, 
he’s also considered a possible candidate to take on Malek for state 
treasurer.&nbsp;

“I look forward to continuing my conservative fighting spirit statewide,” Hoskins tweeted.&nbsp;

Senate President Pro Tem Caleb 
Rowden, R-Columbia, is also rumored to be considering the secretary of 
state race. Last year he flirted with a run for Congress before <a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-leader-decides-against-run-in-4th-district-congressional-primary/">ultimately staying out of the race</a>.&nbsp;

House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres, has publicly confirmed he’s gearing up to run for lieutenant governor.&nbsp;

Another name bandied about as a 
possible candidate for lieutenant governor or state treasurer is state 
Sen. Holly Rehder, R-Sikeston. She was considered for the treasurer job 
before the governor decided to appoint Malek.&nbsp;

By JASON HANCOCK <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/10/as-missouri-republicans-gather-in-springfield-2024-primary-fights-begin-piling-up/">Missouri Independent</a>With nearly every statewide office up
 for grabs next year, Missouri Republicans are jockeying for position in
 what promises to be crowded primary campaigns.&nbsp;Gov. Mike Parson will leave office 
because of term limits. Two Republicans have already jumped into the 
race to replace him, with a third waiting in the wings and expected to 
join at any time.&nbsp;Attorney General Andrew Bailey and 
State Treasurer Vivek Malek are technically incumbents, but neither has 
ever run for public office before. They both were appointed to their 
jobs when their predecessors were elected to other offices.&nbsp;Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft are both eyeing the GOP gubernatorial primary.&nbsp;With the GOP dominating Missouri 
politics for the last two decades, the party is brimming with ambitious 
candidates looking for a promotion. And this weekend, they’ll all gather
 in Springfield for Lincoln Days, the Missouri GOP’s largest annual 
event.&nbsp;“The people who go to statewide 
Lincoln Days, all of them are going to vote next year,” said Elijah 
Haahr, a former Missouri House speaker. “These are dedicated voters who 
will help spread the word about candidates they like. This is the chance
 for candidates to reach an audience that really provides a bang for 
your buck.”Several candidates are revealing their intentions to the party faithful this weekend.Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller 
is expected to announce a run for secretary of state. Ashcroft hasn’t 
officially announced whether he’s running for governor, but he has said 
he won’t seek a third term in his current office.&nbsp;Schoeller, who ran unsuccessfully for secretary of state in 2012, is <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/brettdinkins/status/1623801758299394048">scheduled to make an announcement Friday evening</a>.&nbsp;Another potential Ashcroft successor 
is state Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, who teased a statewide run 
on Twitter this week but didn’t specify which office. As an accountant, 
he’s also considered a possible candidate to take on Malek for state 
treasurer.&nbsp;“I look forward to continuing my conservative fighting spirit statewide,” Hoskins tweeted.&nbsp;Senate President Pro Tem Caleb 
Rowden, R-Columbia, is also rumored to be considering the secretary of 
state race. Last year he flirted with a run for Congress before <a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-leader-decides-against-run-in-4th-district-congressional-primary/">ultimately staying out of the race</a>.&nbsp;House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres, has publicly confirmed he’s gearing up to run for lieutenant governor.&nbsp;Another name bandied about as a 
possible candidate for lieutenant governor or state treasurer is state 
Sen. Holly Rehder, R-Sikeston. She was considered for the treasurer job 
before the governor decided to appoint Malek.&nbsp;Kehoe and state Sen. Bill Eigel, 
R-Weldon Spring, are already in the race for governor. Ashcroft is 
widely expected to join the race as well.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Bailey is facing a primary
 challenge from Will Scharf, a former U.S. attorney who worked as policy
 director in Gov. Eric Greitens’ brief administration. Other candidates —
 state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville and former U.S. Attorney Tim 
Garrison — are also considering a run for attorney general.&nbsp;Friday night, the party will 
celebrate the fact that it holds every statewide office in Missouri for 
the first time since the Civil War. U.S. Sens. Josh Hawley and Eric 
Schmitt will speak, along with Kehoe, Ashcroft and Auditor Scott 
Fitzpatrick. Haahr will moderate the discussion.&nbsp;The next night will feature a keynote
 speech from Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and
 Congressman Byron Donalds of Florida.