Missouri's annual Show-Me State Games is ready to make a strong comeback this summer after being forced to cancel last year.

The Show-Me State Games, for years, has partnered with Shelter Insurance to put on the 'Shelter Insurance Torch Run,' a traveling event that makes its way through multiple Missouri cities, promoting the annual state games.

That Torch Run made its final stop in St. Joseph Monday.

State games officials, along with representatives from the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau, Parks and Recreation and several community members gathered at Bartlett Park for a brief torch lighting ceremony and then a quick run around the park with the torch.

Dave Fox, the Show-Me State Games executive director, says the torch lighting ceremony is always a must before the annual games get started.

"That's one thing if you go back to the very early days of the Olympics, there's one common thing and that's a torch," Fox said. "We are an Olympic-style sports festival and I think that's a common denominator between the Olympics many years ago and where we are today."

This marks the 37th year of the Show-Me State Games, which get started June 10-13 in Columbia with the Senior State Games.

The events resume with Week 1 of the state games July 16-18 and Week 2 July 23-25 - also in Columbia.

Needless to say, organizers are excited to be back and hold the in-person event again this year.

"This is the year," said Anna Hargis, a member of the Show-Me State Torch Running Committee. "Let's do this. Let's get back together. Let's hang some medals around some kids' and some seniors' necks as well."

Hargis is also the director of advertising for Shelter Insurance - one of the original sponsors of the state games. Before St. Joseph, she had traveled with the Torch Run Committee over the last few days to St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, Springfield, Joplin, Kansas City and other places.

"I love traveling the state," she said. "St. Joseph is beautiful. What a fun place to visit and to learn about the people here and to come encourage them to compete in the games."

Missourians can register for the games at <a href="https://smsg.org/">smsg.org</a>. They have more than 40 sports to pick from. From pickle ball to powerlifting. From football to fencing.

"We think we have something for everyone," Fox said. "I don't care what your ability or age is, or how good you are at something. We're about getting engaged in an active, healthy lifestyle. We're very fortunate we offer a statewide opportunity to showcase that."

Missouri has seen anywhere from 35,000-40,000 participants at the state games in the past.

While the Show-Me State Games is a statewide event, Fox says St. Joseph legend and former State Games executive director Gary Filbert had a huge influence on the games.

A graduate of Benton, Filbert was Missouri Western's first men's basketball coach and helped form the Missouri Basketball Coaches' Association.

"He has everything with me being here today," Fox said of Filbert. "There's a definitely a connection a long way back. But, we are truly a statewide organization. We'll get participation from all four corners of the state."

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623111734776.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph community members ran a lap around Bartlett Park Monday with the Show-Me State&nbsp; State Games ceremonial torch in hand. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph community members ran a lap around Bartlett Park Monday with the Show-Me State&nbsp; State Games ceremonial torch in hand. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostMissouri's annual Show-Me State Games is ready to make a strong comeback this summer after being forced to cancel last year.The Show-Me State Games, for years, has partnered with Shelter Insurance to put on the 'Shelter Insurance Torch Run,' a traveling event that makes its way through multiple Missouri cities, promoting the annual state games.That Torch Run made its final stop in St. Joseph Monday.State games officials, along with representatives from the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau, Parks and Recreation and several community members gathered at Bartlett Park for a brief torch lighting ceremony and then a quick run around the park with the torch.Dave Fox, the Show-Me State Games executive director, says the torch lighting ceremony is always a must before the annual games get started."That's one thing if you go back to the very early days of the Olympics, there's one common thing and that's a torch," Fox said. "We are an Olympic-style sports festival and I think that's a common denominator between the Olympics many years ago and where we are today."This marks the 37th year of the Show-Me State Games, which get started June 10-13 in Columbia with the Senior State Games.The events resume with Week 1 of the state games July 16-18 and Week 2 July 23-25 - also in Columbia.Needless to say, organizers are excited to be back and hold the in-person event again this year."This is the year," said Anna Hargis, a member of the Show-Me State Torch Running Committee. "Let's do this. Let's get back together. Let's hang some medals around some kids' and some seniors' necks as well."Hargis is also the director of advertising for Shelter Insurance - one of the original sponsors of the state games. Before St. Joseph, she had traveled with the Torch Run Committee over the last few days to St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, Springfield, Joplin, Kansas City and other places."I love traveling the state," she said. "St. Joseph is beautiful. What a fun place to visit and to learn about the people here and to come encourage them to compete in the games."Missourians can register for the games at <a href="https://smsg.org/">smsg.org</a>. They have more than 40 sports to pick from. From pickle ball to powerlifting. From football to fencing."We think we have something for everyone," Fox said. "I don't care what your ability or age is, or how good you are at something. We're about getting engaged in an active, healthy lifestyle. We're very fortunate we offer a statewide opportunity to showcase that."Missouri has seen anywhere from 35,000-40,000 participants at the state games in the past.While the Show-Me State Games is a statewide event, Fox says St. Joseph legend and former State Games executive director Gary Filbert had a huge influence on the games.A graduate of Benton, Filbert was Missouri Western's first men's basketball coach and helped form the Missouri Basketball Coaches' Association."He has everything with me being here today," Fox said of Filbert. "There's a definitely a connection a long way back. But, we are truly a statewide organization. We'll get participation from all four corners of the state."You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post at @StJosephPost.

Show-Me State Games concludes annual Torch Run tour in St. Joseph Monday

HARRISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 5:30p.m. Sunday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Ford Fusion driven by Abeke Abedi, 28, Rockford, IL., was northbound on Interstate 35 three miles south of Eagleville.

The car traveled off the west side of the road into the media and the driver overcorrected. The car returned to the road, traveled off the east side of the road and struck a ditch.

NTA Ambulance transported Abedi to Harrison County Community Hospital in Bethany. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

HARRISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 5:30p.m. Sunday in Harrison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Ford Fusion driven by Abeke Abedi, 28, Rockford, IL., was northbound on Interstate 35 three miles south of Eagleville.The car traveled off the west side of the road into the media and the driver overcorrected. The car returned to the road, traveled off the east side of the road and struck a ditch.NTA Ambulance transported Abedi to Harrison County Community Hospital in Bethany. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

Driver hospitalized after car lands in ditch

NODAWAY COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 6:30p.m. Sunday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Polaris Ranger driven by William R. Steins, 76, Skidmore, was northbound on Orion Road one mile west of Parnell.&nbsp;

The driver failed to yield at the uncontrolled intersection at 200th Street. An eastbound 2005 Chevy 2500 driven by Krista M. Staples, 19, Parnell, struck the ATV at an angle.

Lifenet transported Steins to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. Nodaway County EMS transported a passenger on the ATV identified as Harold W. Spire, 62, Maryville, to Mosaic in Maryville. Staples was not injured. The occupants of the ATV were not wearing helmets, according to the MSHP.

NODAWAY COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 6:30p.m. Sunday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Polaris Ranger driven by William R. Steins, 76, Skidmore, was northbound on Orion Road one mile west of Parnell.&nbsp;The driver failed to yield at the uncontrolled intersection at 200th Street. An eastbound 2005 Chevy 2500 driven by Krista M. Staples, 19, Parnell, struck the ATV at an angle.Lifenet transported Steins to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. Nodaway County EMS transported a passenger on the ATV identified as Harold W. Spire, 62, Maryville, to Mosaic in Maryville. Staples was not injured. The occupants of the ATV were not wearing helmets, according to the MSHP.

2 NW Missouri men injured after pickup strikes ATV

HOLT COUNTY—A Missouri was injured in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Saturday in Holt County.

The Missouri State. Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Joseph L. Rhoades, 39, Mound City, was northbound on MO 111 five miles north of Forest City.

The motorcycle began to skid, crossed the center line, overturned and struck a ditch. A private vehicle transported Rhoades to Fairfax Community Hospital. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

HOLT COUNTY—A Missouri was injured in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Saturday in Holt County.The Missouri State. Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Joseph L. Rhoades, 39, Mound City, was northbound on MO 111 five miles north of Forest City.The motorcycle began to skid, crossed the center line, overturned and struck a ditch. A private vehicle transported Rhoades to Fairfax Community Hospital. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Mound City man hospitalized after motorcycle accident

Missouri voters approved expanding Medicaid under the
provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

Missouri lawmakers refused to fund Medicaid expansion during
the legislative session.

State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, a Republican from Parkville who
serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, justifies his vote against
funding expansion, by stating those who put Medicaid expansion on the ballot in
August failed to include a funding source.

“The Missouri Constitution is very clear that an initiative
petition cannot be used to force an appropriation by the legislature absent a
funding source,” Luetkemeyer tells St. Joseph Post. “And because there was no
funding source that was included in the ballot language, there is no obligation
by the legislature to fund it.”

Missouri voters approved the measure in August by a 53% majority. Voters
in the metropolitan areas of Kansas City and St. Louis overwhelmingly favored
the measure. Voters in rural Missouri overwhelmingly voted against it.

Sen. Dan Hegeman of Cosby, the Republican chair of the
Appropriations Committee, characterizes his vote against expansion as a matter
of standing up for the legislature.

“And I felt compelled to basically stand up for the
legislative branch in defending our right to be able to appropriate funds in
the state of Missouri,” Hegeman tells St. Joseph Post. “Otherwise, we’ll have all sorts of initiative
petitions that come down with the next great idea that requires spending, but
no revenue to go along with it.”

Not every Republican voted against expansion.

Republican St. Joseph state Rep. Bill Falkner says
he voted to fund Medicaid expansion, because his legislative district voted in
favor of the ballot issue.

Still, Falkner understands the resistance to funding expansion.

“It’s fine line, because if the courts rule that the state has
to fund it then another initiative petition, can that be filed with a new
program and they don’t have to have a funding source?” Falkner asks.

Also voting in favor of funding expansion was state Rep.
Brenda Shields, a Republican from St. Joseph, who points out Missouri voters did
approve the ballot measure. Shields also argues Medicaid expansion will more
than pay for itself with a relatively small state expenditure to draw down a
huge federal reimbursement: $126 million in state General Revenue to draw down
$1.9 billion.

“I kind of follow the Missouri Chamber of Commerce belief that
in the end Medicaid expansion will pay for itself,” Shields tells St. Joseph
Post.

Shields expects the legislature to have to pay for expansion,
eventually.

But, Luetkemeyer accuses those who put the issue on the ballot
of being deceptive, purposely choosing not to include a funding source on the
ballot.

“I think the reason they did not is because they knew they
could not pass it if there was a tax associated with the ballot issue,” according
to Luetkemeyer.

A lawsuit has been filed. The issue now rests with the courts.

Luetkemeyer expects the legislature to win a court challenge.

“I think it would be a dramatic act of judicial activism for
any court in Missouri to say that the legislature is required to appropriate
money when the Constitution very clearly says that the appropriation authority rests
with the General Assembly,” Luetkemeyer says.

It’s not a sentiment shared by Shields.

“Brenda Shields ultimately believes that the courts will rule
that we need to fund Medicaid expansion.”

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri voters approved expanding Medicaid under the
provisions of the Affordable Care Act.Missouri lawmakers refused to fund Medicaid expansion during
the legislative session.State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, a Republican from Parkville who
serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, justifies his vote against
funding expansion, by stating those who put Medicaid expansion on the ballot in
August failed to include a funding source.“The Missouri Constitution is very clear that an initiative
petition cannot be used to force an appropriation by the legislature absent a
funding source,” Luetkemeyer tells St. Joseph Post. “And because there was no
funding source that was included in the ballot language, there is no obligation
by the legislature to fund it.”Missouri voters approved the measure in August by a 53% majority. Voters
in the metropolitan areas of Kansas City and St. Louis overwhelmingly favored
the measure. Voters in rural Missouri overwhelmingly voted against it.Sen. Dan Hegeman of Cosby, the Republican chair of the
Appropriations Committee, characterizes his vote against expansion as a matter
of standing up for the legislature.“And I felt compelled to basically stand up for the
legislative branch in defending our right to be able to appropriate funds in
the state of Missouri,” Hegeman tells St. Joseph Post. “Otherwise, we’ll have all sorts of initiative
petitions that come down with the next great idea that requires spending, but
no revenue to go along with it.”Not every Republican voted against expansion.Republican St. Joseph state Rep. Bill Falkner says
he voted to fund Medicaid expansion, because his legislative district voted in
favor of the ballot issue.Still, Falkner understands the resistance to funding expansion.“It’s fine line, because if the courts rule that the state has
to fund it then another initiative petition, can that be filed with a new
program and they don’t have to have a funding source?” Falkner asks.Also voting in favor of funding expansion was state Rep.
Brenda Shields, a Republican from St. Joseph, who points out Missouri voters did
approve the ballot measure. Shields also argues Medicaid expansion will more
than pay for itself with a relatively small state expenditure to draw down a
huge federal reimbursement: $126 million in state General Revenue to draw down
$1.9 billion.“I kind of follow the Missouri Chamber of Commerce belief that
in the end Medicaid expansion will pay for itself,” Shields tells St. Joseph
Post.Shields expects the legislature to have to pay for expansion,
eventually.But, Luetkemeyer accuses those who put the issue on the ballot
of being deceptive, purposely choosing not to include a funding source on the
ballot.“I think the reason they did not is because they knew they
could not pass it if there was a tax associated with the ballot issue,” according
to Luetkemeyer.A lawsuit has been filed. The issue now rests with the courts.Luetkemeyer expects the legislature to win a court challenge.“I think it would be a dramatic act of judicial activism for
any court in Missouri to say that the legislature is required to appropriate
money when the Constitution very clearly says that the appropriation authority rests
with the General Assembly,” Luetkemeyer says.It’s not a sentiment shared by Shields.“Brenda Shields ultimately believes that the courts will rule
that we need to fund Medicaid expansion.”

Though voters approved Medicaid expansion, legislators reject funding

The iconic pink cone of St. Joseph is moving a location to its neighboring college town, Maryville.  

Kris and Kate’s owner Austin Evans, a born and raised local to St. Joseph poses the question, who doesn’t know the pink ice-cream cone?  

“I always thought it was so cool because whether you’re literally two years old and talk or 90, you know what the pink ice-cream cone is, so it’s just so iconic,” Evans tells St. Joseph Post. “I loved it as a kid. As a kid, I use to joke like I want to work here I want to own it someday, like a lot of kids do and I had the opportunity to buy it and jumped all over it. Loved it.”

Evans says he enjoys the energy of Maryville and is looking forward to moving a location to the college town, although there has been some discussion among community members about the building itself.  

“There’s a lot of buzz in Maryville right now about how it's an eyesore and it’s ugly,” says Evans. “We are painting it. It will be painted pink. It will be outfitted just like the cone here in St. Joe. We’ll have really pretty landscaping around. We just had a patio poured; we’ll have nice railings. I mean the whole thing will be very, very nice, so it won’t be an eyesore for long.”  

Evans purchased the ice cream shop and reopened it for the first time in April of 2020, during the heat of the pandemic without a negative impact.  

“The support was incredible, people came out of the woodworks like crazy,” says Evans. “I think people wanted to get out of the house. I think people were excited for Kris and Kates, a St. Joe staple to be opening when it was a sort of sitting with an unsure future and so we had lines like crazy back to the Scooters coffee. It was just, it was wild so. Tons of support and it was really good. Very grateful for the way it all turned out during COVID.” 

The new location for Kris and Kate’s is going to be located in Maryville on the corner of 4th Street and Buchanan Street, behind Bank Midwest. Evans hopes the storefront will be open in mid-July. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622833825398.png" alt="The Evans Family / Photo provided by Austin Evans" />
 <figcaption>The Evans Family / Photo provided by Austin Evans</figcaption>
 </figure>By WHITNEE ICE St. Joseph Post The iconic pink cone of St. Joseph is moving a location to its neighboring college town, Maryville. Kris and Kate’s owner Austin Evans, a born and raised local to St. Joseph poses the question, who doesn’t know the pink ice-cream cone? “I always thought it was so cool because whether you’re literally two years old and talk or 90, you know what the pink ice-cream cone is, so it’s just so iconic,” Evans tells St. Joseph Post. “I loved it as a kid. As a kid, I use to joke like I want to work here I want to own it someday, like a lot of kids do and I had the opportunity to buy it and jumped all over it. Loved it.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622834004047.jpeg" alt="Kris and Kates St. Joseph location / Photo by Whitnee Ice" />
 <figcaption>Kris and Kates St. Joseph location / Photo by Whitnee Ice</figcaption>
 </figure>Evans says he enjoys the energy of Maryville and is looking forward to moving a location to the college town, although there has been some discussion among community members about the building itself. “There’s a lot of buzz in Maryville right now about how it's an eyesore and it’s ugly,” says Evans. “We are painting it. It will be painted pink. It will be outfitted just like the cone here in St. Joe. We’ll have really pretty landscaping around. We just had a patio poured; we’ll have nice railings. I mean the whole thing will be very, very nice, so it won’t be an eyesore for long.” Evans purchased the ice cream shop and reopened it for the first time in April of 2020, during the heat of the pandemic without a negative impact. “The support was incredible, people came out of the woodworks like crazy,” says Evans. “I think people wanted to get out of the house. I think people were excited for Kris and Kates, a St. Joe staple to be opening when it was a sort of sitting with an unsure future and so we had lines like crazy back to the Scooters coffee. It was just, it was wild so. Tons of support and it was really good. Very grateful for the way it all turned out during COVID.” The new location for Kris and Kate’s is going to be located in Maryville on the corner of 4th Street and Buchanan Street, behind Bank Midwest. Evans hopes the storefront will be open in mid-July. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622834030917.jpeg" alt="Kris and Kates St. Joseph location / Photo by Whitnee Ice" />
 <figcaption>Kris and Kates St. Joseph location / Photo by Whitnee Ice</figcaption>
 </figure>

Popular St. Joseph ice cream shop adds a location in Maryville

ATCHISON COUNTY— A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just before 1p.m. Saturday in Atchison.

A 2007 Toyota Cruiser driven by Shelly Hall, Meriden, was backing up from a space in the Walmart parking lot, 1920 U.S. 73, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The vehicle struck a pedestrian identified as 87-year-old Minnie Frakes.&nbsp;

A private vehicle transported Frakes to a local hospital for an exam, according to Wilson. He reported no additional details early Monday.

ATCHISON COUNTY— A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just before 1p.m. Saturday in Atchison.A 2007 Toyota Cruiser driven by Shelly Hall, Meriden, was backing up from a space in the Walmart parking lot, 1920 U.S. 73, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.The vehicle struck a pedestrian identified as 87-year-old Minnie Frakes.&nbsp;A private vehicle transported Frakes to a local hospital for an exam, according to Wilson. He reported no additional details early Monday..

87-year-old struck by vehicle in parking lot accident

Longtime St. Joseph Stockyards employee Greg Clement has many fond memories of his time with the Stockyards.

Clement recalls many memories at the St. Joseph Stockyards, but one of his fondest is how his future as an auctioneer began.

"My favorite memory was selling feeder pigs to start with and learning how to become an auctioneer." Clement says "I sold feeder pigs for the first three years with the St. Joe Stockyards, the first four actually, didn't draw a dime to do it but I learned to become an auctioneer"

But the best memory Clement adds is the day he began working full time.

"Really the best time I had was in 1987 when Jim Reynolds let me become a full time auctioneer working at the St. Joe Stockyards selling slaughter cattle." Clements says

Clement worked at the St Joseph Stockyards for 36 years and says that over the years as agriculture changed from livestock to producing more row crops, he saw his customer base shrink.  For instance, Clement says on his drive from his home in Skidmore to Tarkio, he had at least fifteen cattle customers between those two towns, but with the popularity of row crops and the shrinking cattle herds, supply has dimnished.

"That has shrunk to literally nothing, because about all those guys that had twenty to thirty to forty, fifty head of cows have gone strictly to row crop," Clement says " the shrinking cattle herds across Northwest Missouri, Southwest Iowa, Southeast Nebraska and Northeast Kansas, I mean it's definitely made a difference."

Clement can't help but make comparisons to the Kansas City Stockyards which closed in 1991 and the closing of the stockyards in Omaha. Clement points out the stockyards used to employ hundreds. but times changed, the cattle supply shrunk, and the city grew around them.

"Where Kansas City and St. Joe were originally, they said, built by the stockyards, I think more or less the cities outgrew the stockyards, literally outgrew the stockyards, and instead of a great asset they became a liability." Clement says. 

The St. Joseph Stockyards have been sold. It held it's last auction on May 19th. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622837610898.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy of Dionne Bertling" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy of Dionne Bertling</figcaption>
 </figure>BY MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostLongtime St. Joseph Stockyards employee Greg Clement has many fond memories of his time with the Stockyards.Clement recalls many memories at the St. Joseph Stockyards, but one of his fondest is how his future as an auctioneer began."My favorite memory was selling feeder pigs to start with and learning how to become an auctioneer." Clement says "I sold feeder pigs for the first three years with the St. Joe Stockyards, the first four actually, didn't draw a dime to do it but I learned to become an auctioneer"But the best memory Clement adds is the day he began working full time."Really the best time I had was in 1987 when Jim Reynolds let me become a full time auctioneer working at the St. Joe Stockyards selling slaughter cattle." Clements saysClement worked at the St Joseph Stockyards for 36 years and says that over the years as agriculture changed from livestock to producing more row crops, he saw his customer base shrink. For instance, Clement says on his drive from his home in Skidmore to Tarkio, he had at least fifteen cattle customers between those two towns, but with the popularity of row crops and the shrinking cattle herds, supply has dimnished."That has shrunk to literally nothing, because about all those guys that had twenty to thirty to forty, fifty head of cows have gone strictly to row crop," Clement says " the shrinking cattle herds across Northwest Missouri, Southwest Iowa, Southeast Nebraska and Northeast Kansas, I mean it's definitely made a difference."Clement can't help but make comparisons to the Kansas City Stockyards which closed in 1991 and the closing of the stockyards in Omaha. Clement points out the stockyards used to employ hundreds. but times changed, the cattle supply shrunk, and the city grew around them."Where Kansas City and St. Joe were originally, they said, built by the stockyards, I think more or less the cities outgrew the stockyards, literally outgrew the stockyards, and instead of a great asset they became a liability." Clement says. The St. Joseph Stockyards have been sold. It held it's last auction on May 19th.

Longtime St. Joseph Stockyards employee looks back fondly on his time there

NORFOLK, Neb. (AP) — Two years after Missouri River flooding ravaged parts of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri, officials are now dealing with what’s shaping up to be one of the river’s driest years.

Significantly less water is expected to flow into the river this year because conditions remain so dry and snowpack is below normal levels. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Thursday that its forecast from last month hadn’t changed.

The Corps estimated Thursday that 17.9 million acre feet of water will flow into the river this year. That is only about 69% of the average of 25.8 million acre feet, which would make this year the 22nd driest in the upper basin since 1898.NT

Currently, the amount of water being released from Gavins Point Dam on the Nebraska-South Dakota border is around 29,500 cubic feet per second and is expected to be about 30,000 cubic feet per second through July 1. But if runoff remains low, the Corps said the release would lowered about 1,000 cubic feet per second below the full-service levels for the second half of the season.

NORFOLK, Neb. (AP) — Two years after Missouri River flooding ravaged parts of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri, officials are now dealing with what’s shaping up to be one of the river’s driest years.Significantly less water is expected to flow into the river this year because conditions remain so dry and snowpack is below normal levels. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Thursday that its forecast from last month hadn’t changed.The Corps estimated Thursday that 17.9 million acre feet of water will flow into the river this year. That is only about 69% of the average of 25.8 million acre feet, which would make this year the 22nd driest in the upper basin since 1898.NTCurrently, the amount of water being released from Gavins Point Dam on the Nebraska-South Dakota border is around 29,500 cubic feet per second and is expected to be about 30,000 cubic feet per second through July 1. But if runoff remains low, the Corps said the release would lowered about 1,000 cubic feet per second below the full-service levels for the second half of the season.

Missouri River expected to see lower flows this year

CALDWELL COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 11:30a.m. Saturday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Harley Davidson Tri-Glide driven by Thomas R. Wiarda, 80, Ackley, IA, was northbound on MO 113 four miles north of Polo.

The vehicle struck the towed unit of a 2001 Honda GL 1800 driven by Janice M. Tersehn, 72,&nbsp; Arlington, IA, who had slowed for traffic.

After impact, Wiarda was ejected and later transported by Caldwell County EMS to Liberty Hospital. Hersehn was not injured. Wiarda wa not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

CALDWELL COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 11:30a.m. Saturday in Caldwell County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Harley Davidson Tri-Glide driven by Thomas R. Wiarda, 80, Ackley, IA, was northbound on MO 113 four miles north of Polo.The vehicle struck the towed unit of a 2001 Honda GL 1800 driven by Janice M. Tersehn, 72,&nbsp; Arlington, IA, who had slowed for traffic.After impact, Wiarda was ejected and later transported by Caldwell County EMS to Liberty Hospital. Hersehn was not injured. Wiarda wa not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

80-year-old hospitalized after motorcycle crash in NW Missouri

Missouri Western State University President Elizabeth Kennedy
says the university had a good legislative session, especially with the funding
allocated the St. Joseph campus.

Not only did Missouri Western receive a 3.7% increase to its
core funding, it received $2.5 million to catch up on long delayed maintenance.

“From our perspective, it was a good year and we’re very
grateful for all of the support we’ve been getting,” Kennedy tells St. Joseph
Post.

The increase in the core budget for the St. Joseph campus adds
$820,000 to the Missouri Western $81 million annual budget.

“A little bit less than we were looking for, but nonetheless
we’re very grateful for that,” Kennedy says. “And that’s always a piece that we’ll
be looking to increase. We’re headed into the fall. We need to see what our
enrollment is, because we’re mostly tuition enrolment driven. But, overall, I
think we’re starting to turn that corner and really headed in a good direction.”

The legislature also appropriated $644,000 to complete funding
of the $1.8 million renovation of Scanlon Hall, a coed dorm used by the Kansas
City Chiefs during training camp.

Kennedy says though the improvements Scanlon Hall were
requested by the Chiefs, they will benefit the campus long after training camp
wraps up.

“We have that project well underway and I’m looking forward to
that,” Kennedy says. “It will be a good benefit for our students. They use it
nine months of the year. So, it will be wonderful to have that upgrade.”

Kennedy says the university is on a good fiscal path, due to
cost-saving measures implemented by the St. Joseph campus and extra allocations
given the university by the legislature. She acknowledges it has taken a lot of
work to right the university’s financial ship.

“We’re headed in the right direction,” according to Kennedy. “We
ended up having a balanced budget this past fiscal year. We have a balanced
budget going into the current fiscal year. Those are two things that have not
been done for quite some time. So, based on where we are with our numbers, we’ve
been conservative, we’ve been frugal, we’ve been very careful with our money.
We’re looking to be in good shape.”

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Western State University President Elizabeth Kennedy
says the university had a good legislative session, especially with the funding
allocated the St. Joseph campus.Not only did Missouri Western receive a 3.7% increase to its
core funding, it received $2.5 million to catch up on long delayed maintenance.“From our perspective, it was a good year and we’re very
grateful for all of the support we’ve been getting,” Kennedy tells St. Joseph
Post.The increase in the core budget for the St. Joseph campus adds
$820,000 to the Missouri Western $81 million annual budget.“A little bit less than we were looking for, but nonetheless
we’re very grateful for that,” Kennedy says. “And that’s always a piece that we’ll
be looking to increase. We’re headed into the fall. We need to see what our
enrollment is, because we’re mostly tuition enrolment driven. But, overall, I
think we’re starting to turn that corner and really headed in a good direction.”The legislature also appropriated $644,000 to complete funding
of the $1.8 million renovation of Scanlon Hall, a coed dorm used by the Kansas
City Chiefs during training camp.Kennedy says though the improvements Scanlon Hall were
requested by the Chiefs, they will benefit the campus long after training camp
wraps up.“We have that project well underway and I’m looking forward to
that,” Kennedy says. “It will be a good benefit for our students. They use it
nine months of the year. So, it will be wonderful to have that upgrade.”Kennedy says the university is on a good fiscal path, due to
cost-saving measures implemented by the St. Joseph campus and extra allocations
given the university by the legislature. She acknowledges it has taken a lot of
work to right the university’s financial ship.“We’re headed in the right direction,” according to Kennedy. “We
ended up having a balanced budget this past fiscal year. We have a balanced
budget going into the current fiscal year. Those are two things that have not
been done for quite some time. So, based on where we are with our numbers, we’ve
been conservative, we’ve been frugal, we’ve been very careful with our money.
We’re looking to be in good shape.”

MWSU gets big financial boost from legislative session

CALDWELL COUNTY —A Missouri man was injured in an accident just after noon Thursday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Chevy passenger vehicle driven by Kiah A. Price, 18, Altamont, was&nbsp; eastbound on NE Meadows Lane two miles west of Breckenridge.

The driver lost control on a gravel road and overcorrected. The vehicle traveled off the north side of the road, struck an embankment and overturned.&nbsp;

A private vehicle transported Price to Wright Memorial Hospital. She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

CALDWELL COUNTY —A Missouri man was injured in an accident just after noon Thursday in Caldwell County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Chevy passenger vehicle driven by Kiah A. Price, 18, Altamont, was&nbsp; eastbound on NE Meadows Lane two miles west of Breckenridge.The driver lost control on a gravel road and overcorrected. The vehicle traveled off the north side of the road, struck an embankment and overturned.&nbsp;A private vehicle transported Price to Wright Memorial Hospital. She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

Missouri teen injured after car overturns on gravel road

NODAWAY COUNTY—A Missouri man was injured in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Thursday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Ford Ecosport driven by Carla J. Taylor, 70, Skidmore, was westbound on 250th Street one mile south of Quitman.

The driver attempted to make a left turn onto MO 113. The vehicle turned into the path of a southbound 1980 MAC RD6 driven by Joshua J. Cronk, 38, Burlington Junction. The truck struck the rear drivers side of the Ford.

Nodaway County EMS transported Cronk to Mosaic in Maryville. Taylor was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

NODAWAY COUNTY—A Missouri man was injured in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Thursday in Nodaway County.The Missouri Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Ford Ecosport driven by Carla J. Taylor, 70, Skidmore, was westbound on 250th Street one mile south of Quitman.The driver attempted to make a left turn onto MO 113. The vehicle turned into the path of a southbound 1980 MAC RD6 driven by Joshua J. Cronk, 38, Burlington Junction. The truck struck the rear drivers side of the Ford.Nodaway County EMS transported Cronk to Mosaic in Maryville. Taylor was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Missouri truck driver hospitalized after 2-vehicle crash

A new program called Parks Passport is here for the summer in St. Joseph.&nbsp;

The program goal is to get people out in the community and exploring what St. Joseph has to offer with its park system.&nbsp;

Parks spokesperson Jessica Oshel says&nbsp;this year is the first year for the program.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“This year is kind of a trial run so we’ll see what works, what doesn’t work and we'll try to improve on it&nbsp;in the next couple of years, but we would really like it to be an annual thing,” Oshel tells St. Joseph Post.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Oshel says there are QR codes to scan at the playground participating in the passport program.&nbsp;

“For the park challenges, when you’re visiting the park, you will take a photo of your little adventurer completing the&nbsp;challenge or after they’ve completed the&nbsp;challenge,” says Oshel. “You will either send&nbsp;that&nbsp;to us via Facebook, Instagram or my email.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Oshel says there is no particular order that you have to complete the parks and challenges.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“If you want to do five in one weekend, you can do all five parks and challenges in one weekend, or you can do just the designated feature ones each week, or if you want to knock all of them out in one week you can do that,” says Oshel.&nbsp;“It’s all based on your&nbsp;own time line, your own availability. We really want&nbsp;to&nbsp;make this as&nbsp;flexible&nbsp;as you can so as many kids can participate.”&nbsp;

Oshel says she hopes families that can’t travel this summer due to the pandemic, can find an escape within St. Joseph and all&nbsp;its&nbsp;park system has to offer.&nbsp;To learn more information, visit the St. Joseph’s Parks department Facebook page or website.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622748744233.jpeg" alt="Parks Passport / Photo Provided by Parks Department" />
 <figcaption>Parks Passport / Photo Provided by Parks Department</figcaption>
 </figure>By WHITNEE ICE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;A new program called Parks Passport is here for the summer in St. Joseph.&nbsp;The program goal is to get people out in the community and exploring what St. Joseph has to offer with its park system.&nbsp;Parks spokesperson Jessica Oshel says&nbsp;this year is the first year for the program.&nbsp;&nbsp;“This year is kind of a trial run so we’ll see what works, what doesn’t work and we'll try to improve on it&nbsp;in the next couple of years, but we would really like it to be an annual thing,” Oshel tells St. Joseph Post.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oshel says there are QR codes to scan at the playground participating in the passport program.&nbsp;“For the park challenges, when you’re visiting the park, you will take a photo of your little adventurer completing the&nbsp;challenge or after they’ve completed the&nbsp;challenge,” says Oshel. “You will either send&nbsp;that&nbsp;to us via Facebook, Instagram or my email.&nbsp;&nbsp;Oshel says there is no particular order that you have to complete the parks and challenges.&nbsp;&nbsp;“If you want to do five in one weekend, you can do all five parks and challenges in one weekend, or you can do just the designated feature ones each week, or if you want to knock all of them out in one week you can do that,” says Oshel.&nbsp;“It’s all based on your&nbsp;own time line, your own availability. We really want&nbsp;to&nbsp;make this as&nbsp;flexible&nbsp;as you can so as many kids can participate.”&nbsp;Oshel says she hopes families that can’t travel this summer due to the pandemic, can find an escape within St. Joseph and all&nbsp;its&nbsp;park system has to offer.&nbsp;To learn more information, visit the St. Joseph’s Parks department Facebook page or website.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622748802404.png" alt="Park Challenges / Photo Provided by Parks Department" />
 <figcaption>Park Challenges / Photo Provided by Parks Department</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622748860476.png" alt="Participating Playgrounds / Photo Provided by Parks Department" />
 <figcaption>Participating Playgrounds / Photo Provided by Parks Department</figcaption>
 </figure>

St. Joseph Parks encourages residents to get out and explore this summer

OZARK - Lafayette has had a mantra they've run with since the middle of the season - win the last game. Whatever that meant. Whatever it took.

The Irish (20-8) did that on Thursday with gusto, taking down Hollister 12-2 in five innings to win the Class 4 third place game at US Baseball Park in Ozark.

Lafayette grabbed an 8-0 lead by the end of the second inning and never looked back.

"When we scored those seven runs in that second inning, I was like, 'This game is ours,'" said senior Zach Langley, who got the win a complete game effort on the mound, striking out two and allowing only four hits.

After watching Kennett hit a three-run homer off of him the day before in the semifinal, Langley says Thursday's game was a refreshing end to an all around memorable season.

"Adrenaline, happiness, excitement all in my body is so surreal," he said. "Coming out in this game, there's a lot we were anticipated to do. We said after last night, 'We have to wipe it. We have to come ready to play today.' So, coming out with a W shows how hard we had to fight this year."

Langley is one of six seniors who played their final game in an Irish uniform Thursday. It's a class that has left its mark on this season, and on their high school's history, helping to bring Lafayette baseball its first Final Four berth and now its first win in a Final Four game.

"We've stuck to this motto 'win the last game' since the middle of the season," said senior Jayden Little, who went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. "We've really been playing like that. We came out yesterday, thought we had it and it slipped away from us toward the end. We went back last night, put our heads on straight and said, 'That is not how we want to go out. We can't go out like that.'"

The Irish gave themselves an early cushion, scoring seven runs on eight hits in the second inning, highlighted by senior Dayne Koch's base-clearing, three-run RBI double to left. Koch went 3-for-3 with two runs scored.

In all, eight Irish got a hit and eight Irish scored, as Lafayette outhit the Tigers 14-4.

"It really helped," Little said of the fast start. "One through nine today, we were really solid. No one was missing. Everyone was spraying the field all over, and it put all of the pressure on them. We felt as if we had no pressure today. Just come in, have fun, play the best to your ability and we know if we do that, we can hang with anybody in the state."

Leading 8-2 entering the bottom of the fifth, Langley, Koch and senior Chance Herie all doubled to get the scoring started in that frame. With bases loaded and one out, junior Xavion Page hit a pop fly to left deep enough for Koch to score from third and end the game via mercy rule.

Head coach Matt Jansen and the staff say goodbye to six seniors - all of whom were starters. But, three junior starters - Page, Cade King and Kobe Jones - all return next year, along with three freshmen and two sophomores.

The 2021 team has set the bar high for the future of Lafayette baseball, and Jansen, who just wrapped up his first season as head coach, is excited to see how it transpires.

"The seniors set the foundation for the next class," said Jansen. "Not only are they talented, but they showed them how to work and how to do things and kind of set them up for the future. I'm proud of them, and am excited for the future and beyond for sure."

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622771810026.jpeg" alt="The Lafayette senior class, from left to right - Preston Bowers, Jayden Little, Brayden Luikart, Chance Herie, Zach Langley and Dayne Koch hold the third place trophy after beating Hollister 12-2. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>The Lafayette senior class, from left to right - Preston Bowers, Jayden Little, Brayden Luikart, Chance Herie, Zach Langley and Dayne Koch hold the third place trophy after beating Hollister 12-2. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostOZARK - Lafayette has had a mantra they've run with since the middle of the season - win the last game. Whatever that meant. Whatever it took.The Irish (20-8) did that on Thursday with gusto, taking down Hollister 12-2 in five innings to win the Class 4 third place game at US Baseball Park in Ozark.Lafayette grabbed an 8-0 lead by the end of the second inning and never looked back."When we scored those seven runs in that second inning, I was like, 'This game is ours,'" said senior Zach Langley, who got the win a complete game effort on the mound, striking out two and allowing only four hits.After watching Kennett hit a three-run homer off of him the day before in the semifinal, Langley says Thursday's game was a refreshing end to an all around memorable season."Adrenaline, happiness, excitement all in my body is so surreal," he said. "Coming out in this game, there's a lot we were anticipated to do. We said after last night, 'We have to wipe it. We have to come ready to play today.' So, coming out with a W shows how hard we had to fight this year."Langley is one of six seniors who played their final game in an Irish uniform Thursday. It's a class that has left its mark on this season, and on their high school's history, helping to bring Lafayette baseball its first Final Four berth and now its first win in a Final Four game."We've stuck to this motto 'win the last game' since the middle of the season," said senior Jayden Little, who went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. "We've really been playing like that. We came out yesterday, thought we had it and it slipped away from us toward the end. We went back last night, put our heads on straight and said, 'That is not how we want to go out. We can't go out like that.'"The Irish gave themselves an early cushion, scoring seven runs on eight hits in the second inning, highlighted by senior Dayne Koch's base-clearing, three-run RBI double to left. Koch went 3-for-3 with two runs scored.In all, eight Irish got a hit and eight Irish scored, as Lafayette outhit the Tigers 14-4."It really helped," Little said of the fast start. "One through nine today, we were really solid. No one was missing. Everyone was spraying the field all over, and it put all of the pressure on them. We felt as if we had no pressure today. Just come in, have fun, play the best to your ability and we know if we do that, we can hang with anybody in the state."Leading 8-2 entering the bottom of the fifth, Langley, Koch and senior Chance Herie all doubled to get the scoring started in that frame. With bases loaded and one out, junior Xavion Page hit a pop fly to left deep enough for Koch to score from third and end the game via mercy rule.Head coach Matt Jansen and the staff say goodbye to six seniors - all of whom were starters. But, three junior starters - Page, Cade King and Kobe Jones - all return next year, along with three freshmen and two sophomores.The 2021 team has set the bar high for the future of Lafayette baseball, and Jansen, who just wrapped up his first season as head coach, is excited to see how it transpires."The seniors set the foundation for the next class," said Jansen. "Not only are they talented, but they showed them how to work and how to do things and kind of set them up for the future. I'm proud of them, and am excited for the future and beyond for sure."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622771842196.jpeg" alt="Zach Langley." />
 <figcaption>Zach Langley.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622771895855.jpeg" alt="Kobe Jones connects in the third inning. The junior went 2-for-3 with a run scored Thursday." />
 <figcaption>Kobe Jones connects in the third inning. The junior went 2-for-3 with a run scored Thursday.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FLHSIrish%2Fposts%2F3012832209042950&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="722" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Lafayette wins big in Class 4 third place game in Ozark Thursday

Missouri lawmakers generally look back fondly on
the recently concluded legislative session, with one glaring exception.

Legislators failed to extend the Federal
Reimbursement Allowance, known as the FRA, crucial to the funding of the state
Medicaid program.

Gov. Mike Parson has been asked to call a special
legislative session to address the issue, but tells Missourinet in an interview
he’s hesitant to call lawmakers back unless assured an agreement has been
reached.

“I think it’s going to really be up to the House
leadership and the Senate leadership and Cody (Rep. Cody Smith, House Budget
Committee chair) and Dan (Sen. Dan Hegeman, Senate Appropriations Committee
chair), the people really involved in this, to come to me and tell me they have
a plan in place and they’re going to get it passed,” Parson tells Missourinet.
“Short of that, we’re not going to call a special session.”

Sen. Dan Hegeman of Cosby tells St. Joseph Post negotiations
are progressing to give the governor the assurance he wants.

“See if we can find some resolution to some of the
concerns that are out there, including concerns the governor has expressed, as
well as others,” Hegeman says. “I think the urgency to get this done and to
fill the $3 billion hole that could be created in our budget is necessary for
us to be able to work out these differences and move forward.”

Missouri could be heading toward a financial
crisis if state lawmakers cannot reach agreement.

The Missouri Hospital Association reports the
provider tax was first created in Missouri in 1991, due to state budgetary
problems. It was expanded and enacted into laws as a provider tax in 1992. The
tax on hospitals provides the state match to draw down federal funds. Together,
the funds total approximately $3 billion.

Hegeman points out the FRA sunsets at the end of
September. If not renewed, the state would be forced to cut its budget
drastically and, perhaps, reduce services.

“I don’t know that either one of those is
acceptable if we can find a resolution to this and move forward,” Hegeman says.

The House approved extension, but the issue got
hung up in the Senate over an abortion dispute.

As for reaching an agreement that would give the
governor enough confidence to call legislators back to Jefferson City, Hegeman
hesitates.

“We’re working on it right now,” Hegeman says. “It’s
a work in progress and we’ll continue to work for it and hopefully we’ll have
something put together by the end of the month.”

Hegeman says he has been in touch with the
governor.

“We’ll continue to talk with the governor and the
senators involved and see if we can find a path forward.”

“Not there yet, but we will get there.”

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri lawmakers generally look back fondly on
the recently concluded legislative session, with one glaring exception.Legislators failed to extend the Federal
Reimbursement Allowance, known as the FRA, crucial to the funding of the state
Medicaid program.Gov. Mike Parson has been asked to call a special
legislative session to address the issue, but tells Missourinet in an interview
he’s hesitant to call lawmakers back unless assured an agreement has been
reached.“I think it’s going to really be up to the House
leadership and the Senate leadership and Cody (Rep. Cody Smith, House Budget
Committee chair) and Dan (Sen. Dan Hegeman, Senate Appropriations Committee
chair), the people really involved in this, to come to me and tell me they have
a plan in place and they’re going to get it passed,” Parson tells Missourinet.
“Short of that, we’re not going to call a special session.”Sen. Dan Hegeman of Cosby tells St. Joseph Post negotiations
are progressing to give the governor the assurance he wants.“See if we can find some resolution to some of the
concerns that are out there, including concerns the governor has expressed, as
well as others,” Hegeman says. “I think the urgency to get this done and to
fill the $3 billion hole that could be created in our budget is necessary for
us to be able to work out these differences and move forward.”Missouri could be heading toward a financial
crisis if state lawmakers cannot reach agreement.The Missouri Hospital Association reports the
provider tax was first created in Missouri in 1991, due to state budgetary
problems. It was expanded and enacted into laws as a provider tax in 1992. The
tax on hospitals provides the state match to draw down federal funds. Together,
the funds total approximately $3 billion.Hegeman points out the FRA sunsets at the end of
September. If not renewed, the state would be forced to cut its budget
drastically and, perhaps, reduce services.“I don’t know that either one of those is
acceptable if we can find a resolution to this and move forward,” Hegeman says.The House approved extension, but the issue got
hung up in the Senate over an abortion dispute.As for reaching an agreement that would give the
governor enough confidence to call legislators back to Jefferson City, Hegeman
hesitates.“We’re working on it right now,” Hegeman says. “It’s
a work in progress and we’ll continue to work for it and hopefully we’ll have
something put together by the end of the month.” 
 
Hegeman says he has been in touch with the
governor.“We’ll continue to talk with the governor and the
senators involved and see if we can find a path forward.”Not there yet, though.“Not there yet, but we will get there.”

Legislators scramble to avoid $3B Medicaid budget hole

National Dairy Month kicked off Tuesday with World Milk Day.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dairy Farmer Amy Bunse of Savannah says this month provides an opportunity for her to thank everyone in the industry.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It takes a community to run a dairy farm,” Bunse tells St. Joseph Post. “There’re&nbsp;so many people that help make a dairy farm well run.”&nbsp;

Bunse says a day in a life of a dairy farmer varies day to day with a few things staying the same.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Every day we have the morning milking, the evening milking, and then getting everybody fed,” says Bunse.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bunse says her brother farms and produces the feed&nbsp;for their animals.&nbsp;

“Their meal is produced on farm and then we just purchase whatever we need to complete their meal,” says Bunse.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bunse says&nbsp;this month is an opportunity to share why dairy is important to her.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“My favorite part are the baby calves. I just love getting a calf on her feet for the first time, helping her figure out how to drink her bottle,” says Bunse. “That’s just something I love to do.”&nbsp;

Bunse encourages everyone to participate in recognizing June Diary Month. She says if you are interested in visiting a dairy farm, contact Midwest Dairy to get connected to your local farms.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By WHITNEE ICE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;National Dairy Month kicked off Tuesday with World Milk Day.&nbsp;&nbsp;Dairy Farmer Amy Bunse of Savannah says this month provides an opportunity for her to thank everyone in the industry.&nbsp;&nbsp;“It takes a community to run a dairy farm,” Bunse tells St. Joseph Post. “There’re&nbsp;so many people that help make a dairy farm well run.”&nbsp;Bunse says a day in a life of a dairy farmer varies day to day with a few things staying the same.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Every day we have the morning milking, the evening milking, and then getting everybody fed,” says Bunse.&nbsp;&nbsp;Bunse says her brother farms and produces the feed&nbsp;for their animals.&nbsp;“Their meal is produced on farm and then we just purchase whatever we need to complete their meal,” says Bunse.&nbsp;&nbsp;Bunse says&nbsp;this month is an opportunity to share why dairy is important to her.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“My favorite part are the baby calves. I just love getting a calf on her feet for the first time, helping her figure out how to drink her bottle,” says Bunse. “That’s just something I love to do.”&nbsp;Bunse encourages everyone to participate in recognizing June Diary Month. She says if you are interested in visiting a dairy farm, contact Midwest Dairy to get connected to your local farms.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It's National Dairy Month

Chaplains at Mosaic Life Care have been recognized for their work in supporting organ donors and their families.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Midwest Transplant Network recognizes Mosaic Life Care with the Excellence in donations Award.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mosaic Chaplain Dan Mefford says first and foremost the organ donor is a person.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“This is not just a donor. This is a person,” Mefford tells St. Joseph Post.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mefford says he hopes people talk to their families about their decision to donate organs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“If a person is a first person consented donor, we’re going to do it, but we’re not going to treat the family any differently,” says Mefford. “We are going to support them in any which way we can.”&nbsp;

Mefford&nbsp;says something they have for the donor families is the donor tree.&nbsp;

“We’ve got another 45 or 50 that&nbsp;are going&nbsp;up this year, because it’s any donor&nbsp;not just organ donors but tissue, eyes, those kinds of things,” says Mefford. “If&nbsp;families give the&nbsp;consent&nbsp;to put their loved&nbsp;one's&nbsp;name on the wall it goes on the wall on a leaf.”&nbsp;

Midwest Transplant network presents the Excellence in Donation Awards to individuals who go above and beyond in their support and work for organ, eye, and tissue donations.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622662823470.jpeg" alt="Photo by Whitnee Ice" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Whitnee Ice</figcaption>
 </figure>By WHITNEE ICE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;Chaplains at Mosaic Life Care have been recognized for their work in supporting organ donors and their families.&nbsp;&nbsp;The&nbsp;Midwest Transplant Network recognizes Mosaic Life Care with the Excellence in donations Award.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mosaic Chaplain Dan Mefford says first and foremost the organ donor is a person.&nbsp;&nbsp;“This is not just a donor. This is a person,” Mefford tells St. Joseph Post.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mefford says he hopes people talk to their families about their decision to donate organs.&nbsp;&nbsp;“If a person is a first person consented donor, we’re going to do it, but we’re not going to treat the family any differently,” says Mefford. “We are going to support them in any which way we can.”&nbsp;Mefford&nbsp;says something they have for the donor families is the donor tree.&nbsp;“We’ve got another 45 or 50 that&nbsp;are going&nbsp;up this year, because it’s any donor&nbsp;not just organ donors but tissue, eyes, those kinds of things,” says Mefford. “If&nbsp;families give the&nbsp;consent&nbsp;to put their loved&nbsp;one's&nbsp;name on the wall it goes on the wall on a leaf.”&nbsp;Midwest Transplant network presents the Excellence in Donation Awards to individuals who go above and beyond in their support and work for organ, eye, and tissue donations.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mosaic Life Care Chaplains recognized for their work in organ donations

DEKALB COUNTY—A St. Joseph man was injured in an accident just before 4a.m. Wednesday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 BMW 750 driven by John W. Rothwell, 52, St. Joseph, was westbound on U.S. 36 at Sharp Road at the city limits of Stewartsville.&nbsp;

The vehicle left the road, struck an embankment.&nbsp; DeKalb County EMS transported Rothwell to Mosaic Life Care. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

DEKALB COUNTY—A St. Joseph man was injured in an accident just before 4a.m. Wednesday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 BMW 750 driven by John W. Rothwell, 52, St. Joseph, was westbound on U.S. 36 at Sharp Road at the city limits of Stewartsville.&nbsp;The vehicle left the road, struck an embankment.&nbsp; DeKalb County EMS transported Rothwell to Mosaic Life Care. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

St. Joseph man hospitalized after early morning crash 

Local legislators give the recently concluded session in
Jefferson City high marks, though tempering that assessment by noting a few
hiccups.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostLocal legislators give the recently concluded session in
Jefferson City high marks, though tempering that assessment by noting a few
hiccups.The 2021 session stood in contrast to the coronavirus
pandemic-disrupted 2020 session.State Sen. Dan Hegeman of Cosby counts as success passage
of the Internet sales tax collection bill, the gas tax increase, and a
prescription drug monitoring program to combat opioid abuse.“Having a more full session, having greater debate on the
floor and hearing the discussions fully and completely I think helped moved
some pieces of legislation along and others, we still struggled to get some
things passed,” Hegeman tells St. Joseph Post.Disappointments, according to Hegeman, include failure to
extend the Federal Reimbursement Allowance and passing on a bill to act on
unregulated lottery terminals.The allowance, known as FRA, is a tax on hospitals critical to
funding the state Medicaid program. Failure to extend the FRA could leave a $3
billion hole in the state budget.“It got tangled up into some right-to-life issues which then a
certain portion of the Senate had concerns about that,” Hegeman, the Senate Appropriations
Committee chair, says. “These were amendments that were added to the bill that,
like I say, some of the senators had difficulties with.”As for the unofficial lottery terminals, which Hegeman calls
“gray market machines,” they continue to pop up at convenience stores
throughout the state.“And so, I certainly think that that’s taking money away from
the lottery system and therefore taking money away from our education system
and our kids and certainly supportive of trying to rein those machines in and
regulate them,” Hegeman says.As for State Rep. Bill Falkner of St. Joseph, he
characterizes the past session as a “different session,” primarily due to the
shortened session last year.“We were trying to actually get a year and a half in into one
year, I believe,” Falkner tells St. Joseph Post. “I think there were 1,300 –
1,400 bills filed, but a lot of them were from the carryover.”That gave the session a different feel than normal.“There were some strange twists and turns, some things that we
thought were going to go through, without much of a problem became problems,”
Falkner says. “At the end, a couple of major ones went through.”Falkner was especially pleased the legislature acted to
require Internet retailers to collect the state sales tax, the so-called Wayfair
decision, named after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling which allowed states to
force online retailers to collect the state sales tax. He says that puts online
retailers on a level playing field with traditional, local retailers.An aspect of the legislative session lawmakers feared when first
traveling to Jefferson City in January never materialized. The state budget
didn’t take the hit anticipated from the coronavirus pandemic. Restrictions imposed
on businesses dampened the state economy, but didn’t send it into a freefall.State Rep. Brenda Shields of St. Joseph, a member of the House
Budget Committee, says the budget turned out much better than initially
anticipated.“When we ended last year, we budgeted for doom and gloom,” Shields
tells St. Joseph Post. “And the governor then withheld a lot of funds, because
we had no idea what was really going to happen when we started the pandemic.
But Missouri stayed steady and strong.”Shields says Missouri Western State University benefitted, not
only with an increase to its core budget, but also through allocations to fund
capital projects on the St. Joseph campus.