A 38-year-old St. Joseph man has been taken into custody,
suspected of shooting into an unoccupied car in the parking lot of the Oak
Ridge Apartments.

St. Joseph police report officers on an unrelated call nearby
heard shots coming from the 1200 block of Angelique Street around 5:20
Sunday evening.

As officers arrived, a suspect fled the scene on foot. He was
arrested a few blocks away.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA 38-year-old St. Joseph man has been taken into custody,
suspected of shooting into an unoccupied car in the parking lot of the Oak
Ridge Apartments.St. Joseph police report officers on an unrelated call nearby
heard shots coming from the 1200 block of Angelique Street around 5:20
Sunday evening.As officers arrived, a suspect fled the scene on foot. He was
arrested a few blocks away.

Man arrested after St. Joseph apartment complex shooting

Seven people suffered injuries in a two-vehicle crash in St.
Joseph Sunday evening.

St. Joseph police report a van traveling south on Noyes
Boulevard collided with a car traveling east on Jules Street. The crash injured
the driver and six passengers in the van; five of whom were children.

All were
taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSeven people suffered injuries in a two-vehicle crash in St.
Joseph Sunday evening.St. Joseph police report a van traveling south on Noyes
Boulevard collided with a car traveling east on Jules Street. The crash injured
the driver and six passengers in the van; five of whom were children.All were
taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Seven injured in 2-car crash in St. Joseph

CALDWELL COUNTY— One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Sunday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Ford F150 driven by a 16-year-old Laclede boy was westbound on U.S. 36 two miles east of Hamilton.

The pickup traveled off the north side of the road, struck a traffic sign, traveled across Sunset Road and struck another sign and rolled.

A private vehicle transported the driver to Cameron Regional Medical Center. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CALDWELL COUNTY— One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Sunday in Caldwell County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Ford F150 driven by a 16-year-old Laclede boy was westbound on U.S. 36 two miles east of Hamilton.The pickup traveled off the north side of the road, struck a traffic sign, traveled across Sunset Road and struck another sign and rolled.A private vehicle transported the driver to Cameron Regional Medical Center. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

16-year-old Mo. driver injured after pickup strikes signs

CALDWELL COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just after noon Sunday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford Ranger driven by a 17-year-old Hamilton boy was southbound on Route B five miles southeast of Hamilton.

The pickup was traveling too fast, crested a hill and the driver lost control. The pickup began to skid, traveled off the southwest side of the road, struck a driveway, overturned, struck a fence and a large rock.

Caldwell ambulance transported a 13-year-old Hamilton boy to Children's Mercy. The driver and a 14-year-old male passenger from Hamilton were transported to Cameron Regional Medical Center. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CALDWELL COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just after noon Sunday in Caldwell County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford Ranger driven by a 17-year-old Hamilton boy was southbound on Route B five miles southeast of Hamilton.The pickup was traveling too fast, crested a hill and the driver lost control. The pickup began to skid, traveled off the southwest side of the road, struck a driveway, overturned, struck a fence and a large rock.Caldwell ambulance transported a 13-year-old Hamilton boy to Children's Mercy. The driver and a 14-year-old male passenger from Hamilton were transported to Cameron Regional Medical Center. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

3 Missouri teens injured after pickup rollover crash

The state said this week it will not participate in a federal program that would provide $120 in benefits to each eligible child, citing administrative hurdles

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

After struggling for nearly a year to get federal food assistance to qualified low-income families, Missouri has decided not to participate in this summer’s program — forgoing tens of millions of dollars in federal aid.

The problems administering the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer program, or P-EBT, played a major role in the decision not to participate this year. Missouri education officials are not confident new money could be dispersed by a Sept. 30 deadline.

“As many Missouri families can attest, there have been a number of challenges throughout the process due to the federal requirements associated with accessing and administering the benefits,” said Mallory McGowin, a spokesperson for the Department of Elementary and Education, which administers the program, “coupled with the limitations of our current state and local data collection systems.”

P-EBT is&nbsp;a federal COVID relief program administered by states that has operated in various forms since 2020 to provide extra food benefits to kids, which are loaded onto cards and used like the food stamp program.&nbsp;

This summer’s program would’ve provided $120 for food to any child who was eligible for free or reduced lunch during the last school year.

McGowin said in the 2021-2022 school year, roughly 356,000 students qualified for free or reduced lunch.&nbsp;

If that held true for the next school year, that would mean the state is missing out on $42.7 million dollars in aid.

Challenges collecting and sharing data between agencies caused the major delays in getting last year’s money to eligible children.

“It’s just really upsetting to see the dysfunction in the outdated data systems and the dysfunction of the communication between different departments and sharing of data,”&nbsp;&nbsp;said Christine Woody, food security policy manager at the advocacy organization Empower Missouri.

“[That] is ultimately what they said is the reason why all these kids aren’t going to get food this summer — when lots of other states are able to make it work and make it happen,” Woody said.

April Shields, a mother of a 13-year-old in the Kansas City area just received last summer’s benefits one month ago. She called the news “ridiculous” and said that she learned the state would be turning down this summer’s money from the media instead of state officials.

“You basically just robbed us of a benefit that you didn’t have to do anything for it but just to do your job,” Shields said.

“Most of us are working class and if we don’t have a paycheck for a month, everything goes to hell,” she said. “So I think that it’s really unfortunate that a decision is being made for us when there’s children out here who don’t know what they’re going to eat when they go home in the evening.”

At least&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-guidance-coronavirus-pandemic-ebt-pebt">40 other states were approved</a>&nbsp;by the federal government to participate in this summer’s P-EBT program.

Other states not proceeding in the program, including Alaska, Mississippi, Texas, and Idaho, pinned their decision on staffing issues and the argument that the program was meant for COVID disruptions that are no longer occurring, among other reasons, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/13/politics/p-ebt-summer-food-assistance/index.html">CNN</a>.

Missouri’s education department has largely cited administrative hurdles to dispersing the benefits — which requires coordination between schools, the education department and social services department. The state needed to gather eligibility information about students in a form it didn’t previously collect and share data across platforms that didn’t necessarily share the same format.

Other states faced administrative challenges last year to dispersing the benefits over the summer — but most dispersed them just a few months later.

Missouri began dispersing summer 2022 benefits in June of 2023 and was among the last states to do so.&nbsp;

The state needed to create a data portal from scratch to collect student eligibility information from schools to share with the education department and then the social services department and federal government. That contract wasn’t signed until last August with the vendor, Carahsoft, according to records obtained by The Independent through the Missouri Sunshine Law.&nbsp;

At that point, some states had already begun distributing the benefits.

“I know state agencies have been working really hard to get it done,” said Madison Eacret,&nbsp;coordinator of public policy at Operation Food Search,&nbsp;&nbsp;the Missouri-based hunger relief advocacy group.&nbsp;“But they need the support: to have the staff and the systems to ensure that we can accomplish the administration of the benefits.”

“It’s no small thing to say we need you to collect all this data and administer all these benefits,” Eacret said. “But it is so important that it gets done that we need to figure out a good system in order for it to happen.”

Kelsey Boone, senior child nutrition policy analyst at the D.C.-based&nbsp;Food Research &amp; Action Center,&nbsp;who has studied P-EBT policy nationally, said states varied widely in establishing the proper infrastructure to disperse the benefits.

“Some states never fully developed a permanent infrastructure to handle the disbursement of these funds,” Boone said.&nbsp;

“And what we’ve seen is some states have just had a backup…distributing these funds. Some of the systems are not fully in place, which is cause for concern, especially heading into the permanent summer EBT program that we’ll be getting next,” Boone said.

Beginning next summer, the program will be made permanent federally, with $40 in benefits per month of summer vacation. States can choose whether or not to opt in.&nbsp;

McGowin pledged that going forward the state will&nbsp;“focus on implementing the system changes necessary to facilitate participation in summer EBT programs in future years.”&nbsp;

But for Missouri to participate in next year’s program, “the state’s data collection systems need to be addressed well in advance,” McGowin said.

“The current P-EBT programs have required data to be collected from schools that DESE does not normally collect,” she said. “We must then address how the data can be most efficiently and effectively shared with DSS, and shared in a way that more seamlessly integrates with DSS’ benefit administration systems.”

Woody said the state’s pledge to make changes to better operate the program in future years is “the only bright spot.”

“’I’m hopeful that that actually happens,” Woody said, “But overall, it’s definitely disappointing.”

It is not yet clear whether the state will make a public announcement it plans not to proceed with the program — the state did not respond to the question.

For months, participants in P-EBT raised concerns about a lack of communication from the state about when to expect last summer’s benefits.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/06/still-no-timeline-for-missouri-families-awaiting-summer-2022-food-assistance/">Frustration&nbsp;</a>grew as families have sought and failed to receive information from the state, devoting hours to trying to find out where the benefits were and sharing information online, while managing tight budgets. The state provided&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/26/around-600000-missouri-kids-still-waiting-for-summer-2022-grocery-benefits/">no timeline</a>&nbsp;for months, after originally estimating the benefits would be dispersed by the end of 2022.

Eacret said she hopes the state adopts clearer communication with participants, including to inform them of this decision.

“Families just need that kind of information so they can plan for their budgets or they’re not waiting around and thinking that it will be coming at the end of the summer,” she said.

Over 100,000 children waiting for summer 2022 benefits

The state said over 259,000 children have been issued summer 2022 P-EBT benefits so far, and 55,600 have not been issued benefits&nbsp;due to data issues and missing information. That version of the program was for $391 per eligible child.

The state is still working through the student benefits before they issue benefits for kids under 6 – summer 2022 P-EBT included kids under six but summer 2023 would not have.

McGowin said they anticipate “nearly 158,000” children under six will receive the benefits.

They plan to issue benefits for kids under 6 after completing dispersal for the student population.&nbsp;

One mother of three in St. Louis, Marie Moorehead, said she’s not yet received benefits for her two kids under age six.

To hear from a reporter that the state turned down summer 2023 money added “insult to injury,” Moorehead said.

“I’m just deeply upset,” she said, “because they already took a little over a year to pay out for the previous approval for the $391 that a lot of families received and a lot more still waiting, including myself.”

Her family has struggled to afford food, Moorehead said, especially as prices have risen.

“To just take away that extra boost of security to ensure people were able to pay for milk for their babies, whatever it may be, vegetables, fruits, and knowing how high [the cost of food] is, is ridiculous,” Moorehead said. “These officials have let these parents and children down a lot.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617720682490.jpeg" alt="The state said over 259,000 children have been issued summer 2022 P-EBT benefits so far, and 55,600 have not been issued benefits due to data issues and missing information&nbsp; (Unsplash)" />
 <figcaption>The state said over 259,000 children have been issued summer 2022 P-EBT benefits so far, and 55,600 have not been issued benefits due to data issues and missing information&nbsp; (Unsplash)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The state said this week it will not participate in a federal program that would provide $120 in benefits to each eligible child, citing administrative hurdles</h2>By CLARA BATES <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>After struggling for nearly a year to get federal food assistance to qualified low-income families, Missouri has decided not to participate in this summer’s program — forgoing tens of millions of dollars in federal aid.The problems administering the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer program, or P-EBT, played a major role in the decision not to participate this year. Missouri education officials are not confident new money could be dispersed by a Sept. 30 deadline.“As many Missouri families can attest, there have been a number of challenges throughout the process due to the federal requirements associated with accessing and administering the benefits,” said Mallory McGowin, a spokesperson for the Department of Elementary and Education, which administers the program, “coupled with the limitations of our current state and local data collection systems.”P-EBT is&nbsp;a federal COVID relief program administered by states that has operated in various forms since 2020 to provide extra food benefits to kids, which are loaded onto cards and used like the food stamp program.&nbsp;This summer’s program would’ve provided $120 for food to any child who was eligible for free or reduced lunch during the last school year.McGowin said in the 2021-2022 school year, roughly 356,000 students qualified for free or reduced lunch.&nbsp;If that held true for the next school year, that would mean the state is missing out on $42.7 million dollars in aid.Challenges collecting and sharing data between agencies caused the major delays in getting last year’s money to eligible children.“It’s just really upsetting to see the dysfunction in the outdated data systems and the dysfunction of the communication between different departments and sharing of data,”&nbsp;&nbsp;said Christine Woody, food security policy manager at the advocacy organization Empower Missouri.“[That] is ultimately what they said is the reason why all these kids aren’t going to get food this summer — when lots of other states are able to make it work and make it happen,” Woody said.April Shields, a mother of a 13-year-old in the Kansas City area just received last summer’s benefits one month ago. She called the news “ridiculous” and said that she learned the state would be turning down this summer’s money from the media instead of state officials.“You basically just robbed us of a benefit that you didn’t have to do anything for it but just to do your job,” Shields said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689471655116.png" alt="April Shields and her 13-year-old son (Photo provided)." />
 <figcaption>April Shields and her 13-year-old son (Photo provided).</figcaption>
 </figure>“Most of us are working class and if we don’t have a paycheck for a month, everything goes to hell,” she said. “So I think that it’s really unfortunate that a decision is being made for us when there’s children out here who don’t know what they’re going to eat when they go home in the evening.”At least&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-guidance-coronavirus-pandemic-ebt-pebt">40 other states were approved</a>&nbsp;by the federal government to participate in this summer’s P-EBT program.Other states not proceeding in the program, including Alaska, Mississippi, Texas, and Idaho, pinned their decision on staffing issues and the argument that the program was meant for COVID disruptions that are no longer occurring, among other reasons, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/13/politics/p-ebt-summer-food-assistance/index.html">CNN</a>.Missouri’s education department has largely cited administrative hurdles to dispersing the benefits — which requires coordination between schools, the education department and social services department. The state needed to gather eligibility information about students in a form it didn’t previously collect and share data across platforms that didn’t necessarily share the same format.Other states faced administrative challenges last year to dispersing the benefits over the summer — but most dispersed them just a few months later.Missouri began dispersing summer 2022 benefits in June of 2023 and was among the last states to do so.&nbsp;The state needed to create a data portal from scratch to collect student eligibility information from schools to share with the education department and then the social services department and federal government. That contract wasn’t signed until last August with the vendor, Carahsoft, according to records obtained by The Independent through the Missouri Sunshine Law.&nbsp;At that point, some states had already begun distributing the benefits.“I know state agencies have been working really hard to get it done,” said Madison Eacret,&nbsp;coordinator of public policy at Operation Food Search,&nbsp;&nbsp;the Missouri-based hunger relief advocacy group.&nbsp;“But they need the support: to have the staff and the systems to ensure that we can accomplish the administration of the benefits.”“It’s no small thing to say we need you to collect all this data and administer all these benefits,” Eacret said. “But it is so important that it gets done that we need to figure out a good system in order for it to happen.”Kelsey Boone, senior child nutrition policy analyst at the D.C.-based&nbsp;Food Research &amp; Action Center,&nbsp;who has studied P-EBT policy nationally, said states varied widely in establishing the proper infrastructure to disperse the benefits.“Some states never fully developed a permanent infrastructure to handle the disbursement of these funds,” Boone said.&nbsp;“And what we’ve seen is some states have just had a backup…distributing these funds. Some of the systems are not fully in place, which is cause for concern, especially heading into the permanent summer EBT program that we’ll be getting next,” Boone said.Beginning next summer, the program will be made permanent federally, with $40 in benefits per month of summer vacation. States can choose whether or not to opt in.&nbsp;McGowin pledged that going forward the state will&nbsp;“focus on implementing the system changes necessary to facilitate participation in summer EBT programs in future years.”&nbsp;But for Missouri to participate in next year’s program, “the state’s data collection systems need to be addressed well in advance,” McGowin said.“The current P-EBT programs have required data to be collected from schools that DESE does not normally collect,” she said. “We must then address how the data can be most efficiently and effectively shared with DSS, and shared in a way that more seamlessly integrates with DSS’ benefit administration systems.”Woody said the state’s pledge to make changes to better operate the program in future years is “the only bright spot.”“’I’m hopeful that that actually happens,” Woody said, “But overall, it’s definitely disappointing.”It is not yet clear whether the state will make a public announcement it plans not to proceed with the program — the state did not respond to the question.For months, participants in P-EBT raised concerns about a lack of communication from the state about when to expect last summer’s benefits.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/06/still-no-timeline-for-missouri-families-awaiting-summer-2022-food-assistance/">Frustration&nbsp;</a>grew as families have sought and failed to receive information from the state, devoting hours to trying to find out where the benefits were and sharing information online, while managing tight budgets. The state provided&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/26/around-600000-missouri-kids-still-waiting-for-summer-2022-grocery-benefits/">no timeline</a>&nbsp;for months, after originally estimating the benefits would be dispersed by the end of 2022.Eacret said she hopes the state adopts clearer communication with participants, including to inform them of this decision.“Families just need that kind of information so they can plan for their budgets or they’re not waiting around and thinking that it will be coming at the end of the summer,” she said.<h2>Over 100,000 children waiting for summer 2022 benefits</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685114143831.png" alt="A sign noting the acceptance of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards (Google image" />
 <figcaption>A sign noting the acceptance of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards (Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>The state said over 259,000 children have been issued summer 2022 P-EBT benefits so far, and 55,600 have not been issued benefits&nbsp;due to data issues and missing information. That version of the program was for $391 per eligible child.The state is still working through the student benefits before they issue benefits for kids under 6 – summer 2022 P-EBT included kids under six but summer 2023 would not have.McGowin said they anticipate “nearly 158,000” children under six will receive the benefits.They plan to issue benefits for kids under 6 after completing dispersal for the student population.&nbsp;One mother of three in St. Louis, Marie Moorehead, said she’s not yet received benefits for her two kids under age six.To hear from a reporter that the state turned down summer 2023 money added “insult to injury,” Moorehead said.“I’m just deeply upset,” she said, “because they already took a little over a year to pay out for the previous approval for the $391 that a lot of families received and a lot more still waiting, including myself.”Her family has struggled to afford food, Moorehead said, especially as prices have risen.“To just take away that extra boost of security to ensure people were able to pay for milk for their babies, whatever it may be, vegetables, fruits, and knowing how high [the cost of food] is, is ridiculous,” Moorehead said. “These officials have let these parents and children down a lot.”

Missouri turns down millions in federal food aid for low-income children

Drugs remain a stubborn problem in Buchanan County.

Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett says some recent
developments are even undercutting efforts to prevent overdose deaths. Puett
says some fentanyl is being laced with xylazine, which is resistant to Narcan.

“I know that there are different groups that really push out
Narcan to try to make sure that (if) people overdose, that they can hit them
with Narcan and hopefully bring them back until they can get medical help,”
Puett tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “But now we see that there are
chemicals being mixed to prohibit Narcan from working. So that’s pretty scary.”

Puett says some new combinations using fentanyl have been
coming across the southern border of the United States, more deadly than
before. A mixture of fentanyl with ketamine can act as a paralyzing agent.

“If it completely paralyzes your body and then you have the fentanyl
on top of it, that’s a really, really dangerous, scary mix,” according to
Puett.

Puett seeks to assure county residents his office continues to
be aggressive in enforcing the country’s drug laws. Puett says he understands
some are frustrated with the influx of drugs, especially new and more deadly
varieties.

“Sometimes people get frustrated and I can appreciate that,”
Puett says. “Well, we know that x is selling drugs out of their house. Well,
believing that we know that they’re selling drugs out of that house or that
location is different than the requirements that we have locally to legally
gather evidence and put a case together and get it to the prosecutor and make
sure they’re prosecuted.”

Puett says by the time he was warned about a new, deadly
combination of fentanyl being smuggled across the southern border, members of
the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force had already confiscated some locally.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostDrugs remain a stubborn problem in Buchanan County.Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett says some recent
developments are even undercutting efforts to prevent overdose deaths. Puett
says some fentanyl is being laced with xylazine, which is resistant to Narcan.“I know that there are different groups that really push out
Narcan to try to make sure that (if) people overdose, that they can hit them
with Narcan and hopefully bring them back until they can get medical help,”
Puett tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “But now we see that there are
chemicals being mixed to prohibit Narcan from working. So that’s pretty scary.”Puett says some new combinations using fentanyl have been
coming across the southern border of the United States, more deadly than
before. A mixture of fentanyl with ketamine can act as a paralyzing agent.“If it completely paralyzes your body and then you have the fentanyl
on top of it, that’s a really, really dangerous, scary mix,” according to
Puett.Puett seeks to assure county residents his office continues to
be aggressive in enforcing the country’s drug laws. Puett says he understands
some are frustrated with the influx of drugs, especially new and more deadly
varieties.“Sometimes people get frustrated and I can appreciate that,”
Puett says. “Well, we know that x is selling drugs out of their house. Well,
believing that we know that they’re selling drugs out of that house or that
location is different than the requirements that we have locally to legally
gather evidence and put a case together and get it to the prosecutor and make
sure they’re prosecuted.”Puett says by the time he was warned about a new, deadly
combination of fentanyl being smuggled across the southern border, members of
the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force had already confiscated some locally.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Drugs-remain-a-big-problem-in-Buchanan-County-e26upfm" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

Drug trafficking continues to plague Buchanan County

NODAWAY COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Friday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Chevy Impala driven by Kevin A. Tuttle, 36, Preston, Iowa, was southbound on MO 148 two miles north of Pickering.

The car began to skid. The driver lost control of the vehicle. It crossed the center line, traveled off the east side of the road and overturned.

Nodaway County ambulance transported Tuttle,&nbsp; Cheyenne L. Tuttle, 27, and a 5-year-old girl both from Preston, Iowa, to Mosaic in St. Joseph. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

NODAWAY COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Friday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Chevy Impala driven by Kevin A. Tuttle, 36, Preston, Iowa, was southbound on MO 148 two miles north of Pickering.The car began to skid. The driver lost control of the vehicle. It crossed the center line, traveled off the east side of the road and overturned.Nodaway County ambulance transported Tuttle,&nbsp; Cheyenne L. Tuttle, 27, and a 5-year-old girl both from Preston, Iowa, to Mosaic in St. Joseph. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

2 adults, 5-year-old hospitalized after car overturns

Kansas City is set to host the World Cup in 2026, and Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph is hoping to play a role in that.

The University hopes to be a host and practice site for a country's team. Missouri Western athletic director Andy Carter says being the home of Chiefs training camp bolsters the University's resume.

"(Kansas City) knows we know how to host," Carter told KFEQ Radio. "With the work we do with the Chiefs. Now, we're kind of in a waiting game. When the countries get put on their sites, then they'll make options to those countries. Then, as I understand it, it'll be a negotiation between us and that country."

FIFA did a site visit to Missouri Western last year. Kansas City is one of 11 U.S. cities selected to host the World Cup in 2026.

Carter says potentially hosting an international team will create more work, but also more excitement.

"There's some facility work we'll have to do on the back fields to get that up to speed, but I think that's doable," he said. "At least, they thought it was doable when they agreed to do it. Yeah, it's exciting. It'll make for a very busy summer that summer, because we'll presumably have the Chiefs (training camp) as well."

Carter says the prospect of hosting a World Cup teams speaks well to the quality of facilities and people the University has.

"It's not a big secret that we're blessed to have great facilities and we have high quality people who know how to operate events," he said. "So that not only does the participant get what they need, but then the fan interaction is good and it makes for a good experience. We're excited and looking forward to that opportunity."

The World Cup is the most viewed sporting event in the world, with last year's final drawing 1.5 billion viewers worldwide. There were around five billion total viewers over the course of the month-long World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

The 2026 World Cup could generate up to $695 million of economic activity in the state of Missouri.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689358346578.jpeg" alt="Stock photo." />
 <figcaption>Stock photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostKansas City is set to host the World Cup in 2026, and Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph is hoping to play a role in that.The University hopes to be a host and practice site for a country's team. Missouri Western athletic director Andy Carter says being the home of Chiefs training camp bolsters the University's resume."(Kansas City) knows we know how to host," Carter told KFEQ Radio. "With the work we do with the Chiefs. Now, we're kind of in a waiting game. When the countries get put on their sites, then they'll make options to those countries. Then, as I understand it, it'll be a negotiation between us and that country."FIFA did a site visit to Missouri Western last year. Kansas City is one of 11 U.S. cities selected to host the World Cup in 2026.Carter says potentially hosting an international team will create more work, but also more excitement."There's some facility work we'll have to do on the back fields to get that up to speed, but I think that's doable," he said. "At least, they thought it was doable when they agreed to do it. Yeah, it's exciting. It'll make for a very busy summer that summer, because we'll presumably have the Chiefs (training camp) as well."Carter says the prospect of hosting a World Cup teams speaks well to the quality of facilities and people the University has."It's not a big secret that we're blessed to have great facilities and we have high quality people who know how to operate events," he said. "So that not only does the participant get what they need, but then the fan interaction is good and it makes for a good experience. We're excited and looking forward to that opportunity."The World Cup is the most viewed sporting event in the world, with last year's final drawing 1.5 billion viewers worldwide. There were around five billion total viewers over the course of the month-long World Cup in Qatar in 2022.The 2026 World Cup could generate up to $695 million of economic activity in the state of Missouri.Full Andy Carter interview<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tommy-rezac/embed/episodes/MWSU-A-D--Andy-Carter-on-World-Cup--Chiefs-training-camp-e26utna" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689358980276.jpeg" alt="Stock photo." />
 <figcaption>Stock photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Missouri Western looking to be a host site for a team during 2026 World Cup

A 29-year-old St. Joseph man struck and injured while
attempting to cross South Belt Highway in the early morning hours of Thursday
remains in serious condition.

The St. Joseph Police Department identifies the victim as
Brecken Hobson.

The accident remains under investigation 

Police say Hobson attempted to cross the 2500 block of South
Belt Highway just after three o’clock in the morning Thursday. A vehicle struck
and injured him.

The driver stayed on the scene and cooperated with officers.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA 29-year-old St. Joseph man struck and injured while
attempting to cross South Belt Highway in the early morning hours of Thursday
remains in serious condition.The St. Joseph Police Department identifies the victim as
Brecken Hobson.The accident remains under investigation Police say Hobson attempted to cross the 2500 block of South
Belt Highway just after three o’clock in the morning Thursday. A vehicle struck
and injured him.The driver stayed on the scene and cooperated with officers.

Young St. Joseph man remains in serious condition after being hit by vehicle

UPDATE:&nbsp; The Noyes Home had to cancel due to weather. It will be re-scheduled.

<a href="https://noyeshome.org/">Noyes Home</a> welcomes St. Joseph area residents to a block party
this afternoon, a chance to celebrate with workers at the home, tour the
facilities, and eat free food.

Noyes Home Executive Director Chelsea Howlett says the Noyes
Home has held a block party every year since 2013, that is, until 2020.

“Obviously, the pandemic affected that,” Howlett tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post in an interview. “We were hopeful to have one last year,
but we ended up with COVID cases in-house and had to cancel last minute. So, we’re
supper excited to finally have a block party again this year.”

The Noyes Home is located at 801 North Noyes Boulevard. It
offers both short-term and long-term care for troubled youth.

The block party will feature free food and drink, plus games.
A farmer’s market will be on site and children’s artwork will be on display.

Howlett says another feature of the block party is a tour of
the facilities.

“You’re going to get to see a home,” Howlett says. “A lot of
times people say it seems like a really sad place and the reality is, it’s a
really joyful place. We have an amazing staff who truly care about our kids and
while the kids are going through really hard times, you hear more laughter than
you see tears.”

The Noyes Home block party at 801 North Noyes Boulevard begins
at five o’clock this afternoon and runs until 7pm.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689356468157.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostUPDATE:&nbsp; The Noyes Home had to cancel due to weather. It will be re-scheduled.<a href="https://noyeshome.org/">Noyes Home</a> welcomes St. Joseph area residents to a block party
this afternoon, a chance to celebrate with workers at the home, tour the
facilities, and eat free food.Noyes Home Executive Director Chelsea Howlett says the Noyes
Home has held a block party every year since 2013, that is, until 2020.“Obviously, the pandemic affected that,” Howlett tells
KFEQ/St. Joseph Post in an interview. “We were hopeful to have one last year,
but we ended up with COVID cases in-house and had to cancel last minute. So, we’re
supper excited to finally have a block party again this year.”The Noyes Home is located at 801 North Noyes Boulevard. It
offers both short-term and long-term care for troubled youth.The block party will feature free food and drink, plus games.
A farmer’s market will be on site and children’s artwork will be on display.Howlett says another feature of the block party is a tour of
the facilities.“You’re going to get to see a home,” Howlett says. “A lot of
times people say it seems like a really sad place and the reality is, it’s a
really joyful place. We have an amazing staff who truly care about our kids and
while the kids are going through really hard times, you hear more laughter than
you see tears.”The Noyes Home block party at 801 North Noyes Boulevard begins
at five o’clock this afternoon and runs until 7pm.

The Noyes Home block party returns in St. Joseph

The “Keep Missouri Farming” Tractor Cruise enters its 10th
year Saturday.

The cruise takes off from Mid Buchanan school in Faucett for
the Frazier Baptist Church in Agency, then back. The cruise raises money for
the Missouri Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture.

Former Missouri Farm Bureau board member Vernon Hart of Buchanan
County says the foundation works to raise awareness of agriculture among a
public more and more detached from the farm.

“People are so many generations away from agriculture they
think their food comes from the store, their milk comes from that jug,” Hart
tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “They don’t realize what goes into
raising an animal.”

Missouri Farm Bureau board member Jason Kurtz of Holt County
says the money raised by the cruise goes to the Farm Bureau Foundation which
raises awareness about agriculture among a public that knows little about
farming.

“As the years go by, and even from when I was in high school,
the urban-rural divide is getting wider each and every year,” Kurtz says. “So,
I think it is really important for people to understand where their food does
come from.”

It costs $35 for an open-cab tractor to be part of the cruise
and $50 if the tractor has a cab. Organizers expect at least 60 tractors to
participate.

Check in begins at 7:30 Saturday morning at the Mid-Buchanan
school at Faucett. The cruise will travel to Frazier Baptist Church in Agency
for lunch before returning to Mid-Buchanan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689355494268.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostThe “Keep Missouri Farming” Tractor Cruise enters its 10th
year Saturday.The cruise takes off from Mid Buchanan school in Faucett for
the Frazier Baptist Church in Agency, then back. The cruise raises money for
the Missouri Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture.Former Missouri Farm Bureau board member Vernon Hart of Buchanan
County says the foundation works to raise awareness of agriculture among a
public more and more detached from the farm.“People are so many generations away from agriculture they
think their food comes from the store, their milk comes from that jug,” Hart
tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “They don’t realize what goes into
raising an animal.”Missouri Farm Bureau board member Jason Kurtz of Holt County
says the money raised by the cruise goes to the Farm Bureau Foundation which
raises awareness about agriculture among a public that knows little about
farming.“As the years go by, and even from when I was in high school,
the urban-rural divide is getting wider each and every year,” Kurtz says. “So,
I think it is really important for people to understand where their food does
come from.”It costs $35 for an open-cab tractor to be part of the cruise
and $50 if the tractor has a cab. Organizers expect at least 60 tractors to
participate.Check in begins at 7:30 Saturday morning at the Mid-Buchanan
school at Faucett. The cruise will travel to Frazier Baptist Church in Agency
for lunch before returning to Mid-Buchanan.

Tractors, old and new, riding for a purpose Saturday

Students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in social work from Missouri Western State University will soon have an opportunity to also get their master's on the St. Joseph campus. &nbsp;

President Elizabeth Kennedy says they saw about 80 to 85% of students graduating with an undergraduate degree looking for a master’s program, signaling the need.&nbsp;

"So, we developed a master's program working with people in the behavioral health community to kind of refine that, and we've just recently got that pre accreditation when you first start your program, so we've opened that up to students in the fall," Kennedy tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. "We're very excited about that as a way to increase the mental health professionals in our community which there's such a need for." &nbsp;

Kennedy says the social work field has really evolved from the days of a social worker just connecting people with social services.&nbsp;

"Social workers work everywhere, they work in schools, they work in hospitals, they have their own practices," Kennedy explains. "And so having more individuals who have that training who know how to address not only the social issues but the more mental health problems and help people to become mentally healthy, thriving, productive citizens."&nbsp;

Missouri Western also received re accreditation for the social work bachelor's program for a maximum of eight years.&nbsp;

By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;Students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in social work from Missouri Western State University will soon have an opportunity to also get their master's on the St. Joseph campus. &nbsp;President Elizabeth Kennedy says they saw about 80 to 85% of students graduating with an undergraduate degree looking for a master’s program, signaling the need.&nbsp;"So, we developed a master's program working with people in the behavioral health community to kind of refine that, and we've just recently got that pre accreditation when you first start your program, so we've opened that up to students in the fall," Kennedy tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. "We're very excited about that as a way to increase the mental health professionals in our community which there's such a need for." &nbsp;Kennedy says the social work field has really evolved from the days of a social worker just connecting people with social services.&nbsp;"Social workers work everywhere, they work in schools, they work in hospitals, they have their own practices," Kennedy explains. "And so having more individuals who have that training who know how to address not only the social issues but the more mental health problems and help people to become mentally healthy, thriving, productive citizens."&nbsp;Missouri Western also received re accreditation for the social work bachelor's program for a maximum of eight years.&nbsp;

Missouri Western State University launching new master's program for social work

A bipartisan group of lawmakers wants to lower the cost of complying with biofuel-blending mandates. 

Reuters says legislation was introduced that would direct the White House to let oil refiners purchase compliance credits (RINs) for biofuel blending laws at a lower cost than they’d pay on the open market. 

The group behind the bill says it would help struggling refineries stay afloat during a time of upheaval in the energy markets across the globe. 

Refiners have said for years that the costs of complying with the Renewable Fuel Standard mandates is too high. However, biofuel proponents like ethanol producers and corn farmers say the RFS increases the marketplace for their products. 

A news release says under the proposal, refiners could buy those biofuel credits at a fixed price only if they aren’t able to purchase them at cost-effective levels on the open market. The bill’s introduction caused RIN prices to drop.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers wants to lower the cost of complying with biofuel-blending mandates. Reuters says legislation was introduced that would direct the White House to let oil refiners purchase compliance credits (RINs) for biofuel blending laws at a lower cost than they’d pay on the open market. The group behind the bill says it would help struggling refineries stay afloat during a time of upheaval in the energy markets across the globe. Refiners have said for years that the costs of complying with the Renewable Fuel Standard mandates is too high. However, biofuel proponents like ethanol producers and corn farmers say the RFS increases the marketplace for their products. A news release says under the proposal, refiners could buy those biofuel credits at a fixed price only if they aren’t able to purchase them at cost-effective levels on the open market. The bill’s introduction caused RIN prices to drop.- NAFB

Legislation would lower the cost of biofuel-blending compliance

The USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service is making $21 million in technical assistance grants available through the Rural Energy for America Program. 

The funds will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses access federal funds for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. 

“This will make sure rural Americans get access to the grants to make energy more affordable, create new economic opportunity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” says Rural Business-Cooperative Service Administrator Dr. Karama Neal. 

Grant recipients can include state, tribal, or local governments, colleges and universities, electric cooperatives and utility companies, and for-profit and non-profit organizations. 

“The technical assistance grants will provide hands-on support to farmers, ranchers, and rural small business owners seeking federal funds for renewable energy systems like wind and solar,” she says. 

“This will help small businesses and producers lower energy costs and strengthen their operations.” Interested applicants should contact their USDA Rural Development state Office for information.

The USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service is making $21 million in technical assistance grants available through the Rural Energy for America Program. The funds will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses access federal funds for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. “This will make sure rural Americans get access to the grants to make energy more affordable, create new economic opportunity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” says Rural Business-Cooperative Service Administrator Dr. Karama Neal. Grant recipients can include state, tribal, or local governments, colleges and universities, electric cooperatives and utility companies, and for-profit and non-profit organizations. “The technical assistance grants will provide hands-on support to farmers, ranchers, and rural small business owners seeking federal funds for renewable energy systems like wind and solar,” she says. “This will help small businesses and producers lower energy costs and strengthen their operations.” Interested applicants should contact their USDA Rural Development state Office for information.- NAFB

USDA investments in lowering energy costs for Rural America

NODAWAY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Thursday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 GMC Yukon driven by a 17-year-old Hopkins boy was westbound at the intersection of 280th Street and Katydid Road two miles southeast of Maryville.

The SUV traveled straight off the road at the T intersection and struck an embankment. Nodaway County Ambulance transported the driver to Mosaic in St. Joseph. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

NODAWAY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Thursday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 GMC Yukon driven by a 17-year-old Hopkins boy was westbound at the intersection of 280th Street and Katydid Road two miles southeast of Maryville.The SUV traveled straight off the road at the T intersection and struck an embankment. Nodaway County Ambulance transported the driver to Mosaic in St. Joseph. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Mo. teen hospitalized after SUV strikes embankment

DAVIESS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Thursday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Randall D. McKee, 64, Chillicothe, was northbound on MO 190 four miles south of Jamesport.

The motorcycle struck a southbound horse and rider that crossed the center of the road.

Life-Flight Eagle transported McKee to Truman Medical Center. The rider on the horse was not injured. McKee was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

DAVIESS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Thursday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Randall D. McKee, 64, Chillicothe, was northbound on MO 190 four miles south of Jamesport.The motorcycle struck a southbound horse and rider that crossed the center of the road.Life-Flight Eagle transported McKee to Truman Medical Center. The rider on the horse was not injured. McKee was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Mo. man injured after motorcycle strikes horse, rider

NODAWAY COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Thursday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Sterling Trash Truck driven by Cody A. Marriott, 33, Maryville, was southbound on Route Y two miles southeast of Graham.

The truck crossed the center line, began to skid, partially traveled off the west side of the road, returned to the road, began to overturn and came to rest in the road on the passenger side.

Nodaway County EMS transported Mariott and a passenger Enoch E. Ross, 28, Burlington Junction, to Mosaic in Maryville.&nbsp; They were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

NODAWAY COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Thursday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Sterling Trash Truck driven by Cody A. Marriott, 33, Maryville, was southbound on Route Y two miles southeast of Graham.The truck crossed the center line, began to skid, partially traveled off the west side of the road, returned to the road, began to overturn and came to rest in the road on the passenger side.Nodaway County EMS transported Mariott and a passenger Enoch E. Ross, 28, Burlington Junction, to Mosaic in Maryville.&nbsp; They were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

2 injured after trash truck overturns

St. Joseph Parks and Recreation is holding the first of three community open house events at the Missouri Theater Thursday to share ideas about renovations at Krug Park.

Parks and Rec spokesperson Jessica Oshel says this event will provide a lot of information on several different areas of Krug.

"We're going to have different community surveys they can fill out," Oshel said. "Interactive tables which will really highlight the children's circus, castle, amphitheater, playground area, stonewalls and tunnels and the overall park itself. We really want to get the input from the community about what they want to see there."

The event is from 4-7 p.m. Thursday evening at the Missouri Theater downtown. A community survey is available on the St. Joseph Parks and Rec website to give people a chance to provide their input on Krug. That survey is available through July 24.

Oshel says gathering the public's input is vital and it's a way to show their tax dollars going toward something useful.

"It's a huge piece of the parks sales tax," she said. "It's going to be a multi-year project with multiple aspects of the renovation. For us, it's going to be a very large visual for people to be able to see towards the parks tax. That the money is actually going toward something."

Krug Park will receive up to $12 million in funding from the half-cent parks sales tax that was overwhelmingly approved by St. Joseph voters in 2021. That tax will sunset after 10 years.

Oshel says the biggest priorities at Krug are the castle, children's circus, picnic pavilions and the amphitheater. And again, she says the public’s input is key.

"They're able to be a part of the process and they understand that participating is really going to help us out and they're going to be able to have a say on what is happening to the park."

Oshel says there are several parts of the park that will be worked on very soon.

"The aspects that'll be worked on first are the upper tunnel and the amphitheater," Oshel said. "The castle improvements will begin and that'll include ADA solutions for the castle. The children's circus and castle restrooms, all of those projects will be started in FY 2023."

The parks department will hold another community open house in late summer and again in early fall.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689273431604.jpeg" alt="Krug Park's fountain. Photo by Brent Martin." />
 <figcaption>Krug Park's fountain. Photo by Brent Martin.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph Parks and Recreation is holding the first of three community open house events at the Missouri Theater Thursday to share ideas about renovations at Krug Park.Parks and Rec spokesperson Jessica Oshel says this event will provide a lot of information on several different areas of Krug."We're going to have different community surveys they can fill out," Oshel said. "Interactive tables which will really highlight the children's circus, castle, amphitheater, playground area, stonewalls and tunnels and the overall park itself. We really want to get the input from the community about what they want to see there."The event is from 4-7 p.m. Thursday evening at the Missouri Theater downtown. A community survey is available on the St. Joseph Parks and Rec website to give people a chance to provide their input on Krug. That survey is available through July 24.Oshel says gathering the public's input is vital and it's a way to show their tax dollars going toward something useful."It's a huge piece of the parks sales tax," she said. "It's going to be a multi-year project with multiple aspects of the renovation. For us, it's going to be a very large visual for people to be able to see towards the parks tax. That the money is actually going toward something."Krug Park will receive up to $12 million in funding from the half-cent parks sales tax that was overwhelmingly approved by St. Joseph voters in 2021. That tax will sunset after 10 years.Oshel says the biggest priorities at Krug are the castle, children's circus, picnic pavilions and the amphitheater. And again, she says the public’s input is key."They're able to be a part of the process and they understand that participating is really going to help us out and they're going to be able to have a say on what is happening to the park."Oshel says there are several parts of the park that will be worked on very soon."The aspects that'll be worked on first are the upper tunnel and the amphitheater," Oshel said. "The castle improvements will begin and that'll include ADA solutions for the castle. The children's circus and castle restrooms, all of those projects will be started in FY 2023."The parks department will hold another community open house in late summer and again in early fall.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689273487195.jpeg" alt="Photo by Brent Martin." />
 <figcaption>Photo by Brent Martin.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689273511306.jpeg" alt="Krug Park Amphitheater. Photo by Brent Martin." />
 <figcaption>Krug Park Amphitheater. Photo by Brent Martin.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Officials-hopeful-public-input-will-help-with-Krug-Park-improvements-e26tl5m" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph Parks and Rec holding Open House Thursday on Krug Park projects

ANDREW COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 10a.m. Thursday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Hyundai Tucson driven by Mary J. Kerner, 65, St. Joseph, was southbound on BUS Loop 29 just south of U.S. 71 in Country Club Village.

The driver lost consciousness. The SUV traveled off the left side of the road, struck the crossover at Willer Road and came to rest in the median.

A private vehicle transported Kerner to Mosaic Life Care. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

ANDREW COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 10a.m. Thursday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Hyundai Tucson driven by Mary J. Kerner, 65, St. Joseph, was southbound on BUS Loop 29 just south of U.S. 71 in Country Club Village.The driver lost consciousness. The SUV traveled off the left side of the road, struck the crossover at Willer Road and came to rest in the median.A private vehicle transported Kerner to Mosaic Life Care. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

St. Joe woman lost consciousness before SUV crash

With highs staying in the mid to upper 90's this summer it’s important to remain vigilant of the dangers of heat exhaustion. &nbsp;

American Red Cross spokesperson Angie Springs says one of the best ways to avoid heat exhaustion is to stay hydrated and drink water.&nbsp;

"Water is the best thing for you to use to hydrate yourself," Springs tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "Make sure that you are not only just drinking water when you're outside, but before you go outside, make sure that you're staying hydrated so that you can ensure that you don't hopefully get overheated when you're outside or that you get dehydrated."&nbsp;

Springs says it’s also important to make sure you don't overwork yourself in the heat and you wear loose clothing.&nbsp;

Springs says people often might not keep the dangers of the heat top of mind while out in it. &nbsp;

"Most of the time when you're outside you think I need to drink water, I need to stay hydrated maybe grab that electrolyte drink whatever the case may be, but really get in tune with your body and know when you really need to take a break," Springs explains. "You need to step out of the hot, you need to cool down, really being in tune to listening to your body when you need to stop."&nbsp;

Springs advises if you have to work outside to do it early in the morning or later in the afternoon and not in the hottest parts of the day. &nbsp;

While you're outside in the summer heat being sure to take care of yourself, you should also be sure to keep an eye on those four-legged friends. &nbsp;

Springs says it’s also important to keep an eye on your pets this summer&nbsp;

"Make sure that you're not taking your dog out for a walk during the hottest part of the day, making them walk on hot concrete that sort of thing," Springs explains. "Make sure that if you're animals are outside, they have plenty of fresh water to drink and that they have shade, something to get out of the hot sun if they are outdoors."&nbsp;

Springs says pets’ health is just as important as our own and you should make sure to take care of your entire family during the dog days of summer. &nbsp;

Highs for the remainder of the week will gravitate around 90.&nbsp; They'll jump back up to the mid-90s in the middle of next week.&nbsp;

By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;With highs staying in the mid to upper 90's this summer it’s important to remain vigilant of the dangers of heat exhaustion. &nbsp;American Red Cross spokesperson Angie Springs says one of the best ways to avoid heat exhaustion is to stay hydrated and drink water.&nbsp;"Water is the best thing for you to use to hydrate yourself," Springs tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "Make sure that you are not only just drinking water when you're outside, but before you go outside, make sure that you're staying hydrated so that you can ensure that you don't hopefully get overheated when you're outside or that you get dehydrated."&nbsp;Springs says it’s also important to make sure you don't overwork yourself in the heat and you wear loose clothing.&nbsp;Springs says people often might not keep the dangers of the heat top of mind while out in it. &nbsp;"Most of the time when you're outside you think I need to drink water, I need to stay hydrated maybe grab that electrolyte drink whatever the case may be, but really get in tune with your body and know when you really need to take a break," Springs explains. "You need to step out of the hot, you need to cool down, really being in tune to listening to your body when you need to stop."&nbsp;Springs advises if you have to work outside to do it early in the morning or later in the afternoon and not in the hottest parts of the day. &nbsp;While you're outside in the summer heat being sure to take care of yourself, you should also be sure to keep an eye on those four-legged friends. &nbsp;Springs says it’s also important to keep an eye on your pets this summer&nbsp;"Make sure that you're not taking your dog out for a walk during the hottest part of the day, making them walk on hot concrete that sort of thing," Springs explains. "Make sure that if you're animals are outside, they have plenty of fresh water to drink and that they have shade, something to get out of the hot sun if they are outdoors."&nbsp;Springs says pets’ health is just as important as our own and you should make sure to take care of your entire family during the dog days of summer. &nbsp;Highs for the remainder of the week will gravitate around 90.&nbsp; They'll jump back up to the mid-90s in the middle of next week.&nbsp;

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