ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with gunfire at a home in Atchison.

Just after 3a.m. Saturday, police responded to a disturbance with shots fired in the 200 block Green Tree Road, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. When officers arrived they heard shots being fired behind the residence where the disturbance had occurred. 

Officers located several persons in front of the residence who had been inside the residence during the disturbance and learned shots had been fired inside the residence and the person firing the shots was then outside at the rear of the residence and firing shots, according to Wilson.

A short time later officers took 60-year-old Leodis Byers into custody. There were no injuries.

An investigation that followed determined that several people were together at the suspect’s residence when a disturbance occurred and the suspect fired multiple rounds from several firearms. No one was struck by the rounds. A 32-year-old reported being a victim of battery and aggravated assault during the disturbance but did not require medical care. Police recovered several firearms at the residence.

Byers is being held on requested charges of aggravated assault, battery, and unlawful discharge of a firearm, according to Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647800847296.png" alt="Byers-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Byers-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with gunfire at a home in Atchison.Just after 3a.m. Saturday, police responded to a disturbance with shots fired in the 200 block Green Tree Road, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. When officers arrived they heard shots being fired behind the residence where the disturbance had occurred. Officers located several persons in front of the residence who had been inside the residence during the disturbance and learned shots had been fired inside the residence and the person firing the shots was then outside at the rear of the residence and firing shots, according to Wilson.A short time later officers took 60-year-old Leodis Byers into custody. There were no injuries.An investigation that followed determined that several people were together at the suspect’s residence when a disturbance occurred and the suspect fired multiple rounds from several firearms. No one was struck by the rounds. A 32-year-old reported being a victim of battery and aggravated assault during the disturbance but did not require medical care. Police recovered several firearms at the residence.Byers is being held on requested charges of aggravated assault, battery, and unlawful discharge of a firearm, according to Wilson.

Man jailed after firing shots with several firearms at Kan. home

St. Joseph police are looking for three young men, suspected
of shooting into a car late Sunday night.

The driver, a juvenile who was the only occupant of the car, was not wounded,
but did suffer minor injuries from broken glass.

Police say the shooting began shortly before 11 o’clock last
night in the 300 block of West Valley in south St. Joseph. Police suspect three
young men were responsible. No one is in custody at this time.

St. Joseph police officers also responded to a separate
shooting call early Monday morning. Police say several residents called
9-1-1 around two o’clock this morning to report shots fired in the vicinity anywhere
from 28th and Mitchell to 22nd and Messanie.
Officers attempted to narrow the search, but were unable to locate any evidence
of a shooting in the area.

This article has been updated since first published.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph police are looking for three young men, suspected
of shooting into a car late Sunday night.The driver, a juvenile who was the only occupant of the car, was not wounded,
but did suffer minor injuries from broken glass.Police say the shooting began shortly before 11 o’clock last
night in the 300 block of West Valley in south St. Joseph. Police suspect three
young men were responsible. No one is in custody at this time.St. Joseph police officers also responded to a separate
shooting call early Monday morning. Police say several residents called
9-1-1 around two o’clock this morning to report shots fired in the vicinity anywhere
from 28th and Mitchell to 22nd and Messanie.
Officers attempted to narrow the search, but were unable to locate any evidence
of a shooting in the area.This article has been updated since first published.

Shots fired into occupied car in St. Joseph; driver suffers minor injuries

BIRMINGHAM, AL - It's been 27 years since the Missouri Western women's basketball team has been here.

Elite Eight. Big stage. National championship game in site. This 2021-22 team is in pretty 'elite' company.

This is just the third time in Missouri Western's history that the women's basketball team has played in the Elite Eight - the last two trips being in 1994 and again in '95.

The '94 team lost to eventual national champion North Dakota State, 91-74, in the national quarterfinals. A year later, the Griffons beat Florida Southern 79-77 to reach the Final Four for the first time ever.

After losing to NDSU again in the semifinals, 74-67, Western beat Stonehill out of Massachusetts 76-66 to claim third place in the national tournament.

Since then, Missouri Western made the NCAA tournament nine more times between 1997-2016. Never in that span did they get back to the Elite Eight. In fact, the Griffons got beat in the first round of the NCAA tournament six times from 1998-2016.

Suddenly, this 2021-22 team finds themselves in a unique position. In the Elite Eight after just six total wins the season prior.

Ryan Menley, who's covered the Griffons for 20 years through the lens of his video camera for KQTV and then Griffon athletics, says something special is going on this year.

"I do think it's the greatest comeback story in Missouri Western history," Menley said. "Just from where that program was one year ago. You'd thought they'd get better. You thought they'd take some steps and strides in the right direction, but I don't think anybody saw this."

Missouri Western returned nine players from last year's 6-16 squad. They also added four true freshmen and three transfers in the offseason. One of those three was Northwest transfer, grad student and St. Joseph Central alum Jaelyn Haggard, who leads the team with 59 made three-pointers this season.

A key piece in Western's runs in 1994-95 was Central alum and guard Dana Obersteadt, who came off the bench and provided a spark.

Then voice of the Griffons Bob Orf, who covered Western on KFEQ from 1989-2015, sees the similarities from then to now.

"A hometown product shows up and plays a big role," Orf said of the Obersteadt/Haggard similarity. "Haggard is a great player, there's no question about that. You only wish she played for Western for those four years she had been up north. But, yeah she's had a great fifth year and they've been amazing."

Jeff Mittie, who head coached the Missouri Western women from 1992-95, and is currently leading the Kansas State women's team on their own NCAA tournament run, described those '94 and '95 teams as 'unselfish.'

Missouri Western, this season, has scored 20 or more bench points in 23 total games. Unselfish would be a great way to describe this team as well.

"There are similarities to 1994, '95 and this year," Orf said. "It is a little bit eerie when you look at it."

There's certainly a few parallels. Mittie took the '93 team from 16 wins to 29 in '94. Current head coach Candi Whitaker went from six wins last year to 24 and counting this season.

On this current roster of 16 players, 13 of them are underclassmen. Whitaker has achieved two, 20-plus win seasons in her three years at the helm.

With the Division II women's basketball Elite Eight set to be in St. Joseph in 2023 and '24, one has to wonder if this program can build on this season's success and get back to the biggest stage in their home city.

"Who knows?" Orf remarked. "Maybe Coach Whitaker will get some great recruits and add to this team and maybe we'll be back again."

"There's always been this underlying attention with Missouri Western women's basketball," Menley added. "I think what this group has done has brought that back to the forefront."

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647823897159.jpeg" alt="The 1994-95 Missouri Western women's basketball team. Photo courtesy of Missouri Western athletics." />
 <figcaption>The 1994-95 Missouri Western women's basketball team. Photo courtesy of Missouri Western athletics.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostBIRMINGHAM, AL - It's been 27 years since the Missouri Western women's basketball team has been here.Elite Eight. Big stage. National championship game in site. This 2021-22 team is in pretty 'elite' company.This is just the third time in Missouri Western's history that the women's basketball team has played in the Elite Eight - the last two trips being in 1994 and again in '95.The '94 team lost to eventual national champion North Dakota State, 91-74, in the national quarterfinals. A year later, the Griffons beat Florida Southern 79-77 to reach the Final Four for the first time ever.After losing to NDSU again in the semifinals, 74-67, Western beat Stonehill out of Massachusetts 76-66 to claim third place in the national tournament.Since then, Missouri Western made the NCAA tournament nine more times between 1997-2016. Never in that span did they get back to the Elite Eight. In fact, the Griffons got beat in the first round of the NCAA tournament six times from 1998-2016.Suddenly, this 2021-22 team finds themselves in a unique position. In the Elite Eight after just six total wins the season prior.Ryan Menley, who's covered the Griffons for 20 years through the lens of his video camera for KQTV and then Griffon athletics, says something special is going on this year."I do think it's the greatest comeback story in Missouri Western history," Menley said. "Just from where that program was one year ago. You'd thought they'd get better. You thought they'd take some steps and strides in the right direction, but I don't think anybody saw this."Missouri Western returned nine players from last year's 6-16 squad. They also added four true freshmen and three transfers in the offseason. One of those three was Northwest transfer, grad student and St. Joseph Central alum Jaelyn Haggard, who leads the team with 59 made three-pointers this season.A key piece in Western's runs in 1994-95 was Central alum and guard Dana Obersteadt, who came off the bench and provided a spark.Then voice of the Griffons Bob Orf, who covered Western on KFEQ from 1989-2015, sees the similarities from then to now."A hometown product shows up and plays a big role," Orf said of the Obersteadt/Haggard similarity. "Haggard is a great player, there's no question about that. You only wish she played for Western for those four years she had been up north. But, yeah she's had a great fifth year and they've been amazing."Jeff Mittie, who head coached the Missouri Western women from 1992-95, and is currently leading the Kansas State women's team on their own NCAA tournament run, described those '94 and '95 teams as 'unselfish.'Missouri Western, this season, has scored 20 or more bench points in 23 total games. Unselfish would be a great way to describe this team as well."There are similarities to 1994, '95 and this year," Orf said. "It is a little bit eerie when you look at it."There's certainly a few parallels. Mittie took the '93 team from 16 wins to 29 in '94. Current head coach Candi Whitaker went from six wins last year to 24 and counting this season.On this current roster of 16 players, 13 of them are underclassmen. Whitaker has achieved two, 20-plus win seasons in her three years at the helm.With the Division II women's basketball Elite Eight set to be in St. Joseph in 2023 and '24, one has to wonder if this program can build on this season's success and get back to the biggest stage in their home city."Who knows?" Orf remarked. "Maybe Coach Whitaker will get some great recruits and add to this team and maybe we'll be back again.""There's always been this underlying attention with Missouri Western women's basketball," Menley added. "I think what this group has done has brought that back to the forefront."<div><iframe src="https://anchor.fm/tommy-rezac/embed/episodes/Missouri-Western-womens-basketball-adds-to-prolific-history-with-2022-Elite-Eight-run-e1g0lmg" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647135657338.jpeg" alt="Missouri Western celebrates after a Central Region semifinal win over Nebraska-Kearney in Hays, Kansas on March 12. Photo by Brandon Zenner." />
 <figcaption>Missouri Western celebrates after a Central Region semifinal win over Nebraska-Kearney in Hays, Kansas on March 12. Photo by Brandon Zenner.</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

MWSU women's basketball adds to prolific history with 2022 Elite Eight run

DAVIESS COUNTY—A Missouri man died in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Saturday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Dodge Durango driven by Guy R. Stanley,89, Higginsville, was northbound on MO 13 and traveled through the intersection at MO 6 in Gallatin.

The SUV traveled off the road, collided with trees and traveled down a steep embankment.&nbsp; Stanley was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Stith Funeral Home. The MSHP did report seat belt usage information.

DAVIESS COUNTY—A Missouri man died in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Saturday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Dodge Durango driven by Guy R. Stanley,89, Higginsville, was northbound on MO 13 and traveled through the intersection at MO 6 in Gallatin.The SUV traveled off the road, collided with trees and traveled down a steep embankment.&nbsp; Stanley was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Stith Funeral Home. The MSHP did report seat belt usage information.

89-year-old Missouri man dies after SUV crash

DAVIESS COUNTY —A Missouri woman was injured in an accident just before 10:30p.m. Saturday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Chevy Silverado driven by Heather G. Michael, 36, Trenton, was southbound on MO 190 one half mile north of Route V.

The driver lost control of the pickup. It traveled off the east side of the road and rolled.

Daviess County EMS transported Michael to Wright Memorial in Trenton. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

DAVIESS COUNTY —A Missouri woman was injured in an accident just before 10:30p.m. Saturday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Chevy Silverado driven by Heather G. Michael, 36, Trenton, was southbound on MO 190 one half mile north of Route V.The driver lost control of the pickup. It traveled off the east side of the road and rolled.Daviess County EMS transported Michael to Wright Memorial in Trenton. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman injured after pickup rollover accident

BROWN COUNTY—A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just before 8a.m. Saturday in Brown County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Buick Le Sabre driven by Charlotte Louise&nbsp;VanDiver, 58, Hiawatha, was eastbound on U.S. 73 just north of Nighthawk Road.

The Buick rear-ended a John Deere Tractor driven by Timothy N.&nbsp;Lehew, 55, Horton, and came to rest in the north ditch.

EMS transported&nbsp;VanDiver to Amberwell in Hiawatha. Lehew was not injured.&nbsp; VanDiver was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

BROWN COUNTY—A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just before 8a.m. Saturday in Brown County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Buick Le Sabre driven by Charlotte Louise&nbsp;VanDiver, 58, Hiawatha, was eastbound on U.S. 73 just north of Nighthawk Road.The Buick rear-ended a John Deere Tractor driven by Timothy N.&nbsp;Lehew, 55, Horton, and came to rest in the north ditch.EMS transported&nbsp;VanDiver to Amberwell in Hiawatha. Lehew was not injured.&nbsp; VanDiver was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman injured after car rear-ends tractor

HARRISON COUNTY —Two Missouri teens were injured in an accident just after 12a.m. Saturday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1988 Ford F150 driven by a 17-year-old boy from Cainsville was eastbound on East 17th Street two miles south of Blythedale.&nbsp;

The driver failed to properly negotiate a curve in the road. The pickup traveled off the road and overturned.

NTA ambulance transported the driver and a passenger 18-year-old Leon C. Nobles of Cainsville to Harrison County Community Hospital. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

HARRISON COUNTY —Two Missouri teens were injured in an accident just after 12a.m. Saturday in Harrison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1988 Ford F150 driven by a 17-year-old boy from Cainsville was eastbound on East 17th Street two miles south of Blythedale.&nbsp;The driver failed to properly negotiate a curve in the road. The pickup traveled off the road and overturned.NTA ambulance transported the driver and a passenger 18-year-old Leon C. Nobles of Cainsville to Harrison County Community Hospital. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

2 Missouri teens hospiitalized after pickup overturns

SPRINGFIELD - It was unclear for about the first three quarters of Friday's Class 4 state semifinal between Benton and Helias Catholic whether any team could pull away.

With the game knotted at 23-23 with 2:44 left in the third, neither team had led by more than three and there had been seven ties up to that point.

Then, Benton (25-5) did something late in the third that neither team could seem to do. Score on back-to-back possessions.

Sparked by back-to-back layups by senior Lauren Burright and sophomore Avery Morlock to end the third quarter, Benton&nbsp;opened up an 8-0 run into the fourth, and held on for a 47-42 win over Helias Catholic Friday, putting Benton girls' basketball back into the state title for the first time since 2016 and the third time in history.

"We knew we had left some things on the table," Benton head coach Chris Michaels said coming off of a 4th place finish at state last season. "We knew that when we got back here, because we knew we were coming back, we wanted to do better than we did last year."

The game got off to a slow start, with Helias (23-8) leading 6-4 with less than three minutes left in the first quarter. Morlock hit a big three late in the first, which helped the Cardinals take an 11-10 lead entering the second.

The first half featured six lead changes, but Benton went into the locker room up 18-17.

"We went into halftime, what, up one?" Michaels recalled. "Then to come out and kind of stick your nose in the grind and do what we need to do to seal a game - that's big time. We told them, 'Experience being here already last year was going to help them out,' so we kind of leaned on that."&nbsp;

Benton would take its largest lead of the game at 33-25 with 4:25 to go. Helias had a scoring drought of 5:08 that stretched between the third and fourth quarter, helping the Cardinals to control the clock and momentum.

The Crusaders were held to just 32.5 percent shooting on the ay (13-of-40), and were limited to seven second quarter points and only eight in the third.

"We had gotten into some things Helias had not seen us run," Michaels said. "We put some things in specifically for this tournament. So, there's new things out there that they were not used to. So, I do think that frustrated them a tad bit."

Helias fought hard in the closing minutes, getting back to within 40-37 with 56 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, senior Jaida Cox threw in a quick layup in transition and was fouled.

Cox's free throw gave Benton a 42-37 advantage with 41 seconds left. Cox and Morlock each scored seven points.

 The Cardinals shot it a bit better in the second half, going 9-of-20 from the field compared to the 6-of-21 effort in the first half.

"Back-to-back baskets, we feed off of them so much," said junior Peyton Anderson, who finished with four points and five rebounds. "Obviously, our parents are going crazy when we get back-to-back baskets. It just really hypes us up."

Burright led Benton with 12 points, including six in the fourth quarter. Junior Kelsey Johnson had 11 points and seven boards.&nbsp;

Senior Gabrielle Bax led Helias with 11 points. Senior Adalyn Keolling, a Missouri State commit, had nine points and seven boards.

Benton will now face John Burroughs (21-4) out of St. Louis for the Class 4 state title on Saturday evening at 6. The Bombers have won 16 straight, including a 51-37 win over St. James in the other Class 4 semi Friday.

The Cards, however, own a 13-game winning streak themselves and are now 19-1 in their last 20. In fact, Benton hasn't lost to a Missouri team in the year 2022. Their lone loss since Jan. 1 was to Kansas Class 6A state runner-up Olathe North (23-2).

Benton has achieved their first goal this weekend - finish higher at state than they did last year. One goal down. One more to go.

"We've done better than we did last year and now there's the icing on the cake is up there and the cherry on top is up there for us to eat that."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647644857371.jpeg" alt="Kelsey Johnson (left) dribbles in the first half of Benton's 47-42 win over Helias Catholic in the Class 4 state semifinal at the Hammond Student Center on Friday. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Kelsey Johnson (left) dribbles in the first half of Benton's 47-42 win over Helias Catholic in the Class 4 state semifinal at the Hammond Student Center on Friday. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostSPRINGFIELD - It was unclear for about the first three quarters of Friday's Class 4 state semifinal between Benton and Helias Catholic whether any team could pull away.With the game knotted at 23-23 with 2:44 left in the third, neither team had led by more than three and there had been seven ties up to that point.Then, Benton (25-5) did something late in the third that neither team could seem to do. Score on back-to-back possessions.Sparked by back-to-back layups by senior Lauren Burright and sophomore Avery Morlock to end the third quarter, Benton&nbsp;opened up an 8-0 run into the fourth, and held on for a 47-42 win over Helias Catholic Friday, putting Benton girls' basketball back into the state title for the first time since 2016 and the third time in history."We knew we had left some things on the table," Benton head coach Chris Michaels said coming off of a 4th place finish at state last season. "We knew that when we got back here, because we knew we were coming back, we wanted to do better than we did last year."The game got off to a slow start, with Helias (23-8) leading 6-4 with less than three minutes left in the first quarter. Morlock hit a big three late in the first, which helped the Cardinals take an 11-10 lead entering the second.The first half featured six lead changes, but Benton went into the locker room up 18-17."We went into halftime, what, up one?" Michaels recalled. "Then to come out and kind of stick your nose in the grind and do what we need to do to seal a game - that's big time. We told them, 'Experience being here already last year was going to help them out,' so we kind of leaned on that."&nbsp;Benton would take its largest lead of the game at 33-25 with 4:25 to go. Helias had a scoring drought of 5:08 that stretched between the third and fourth quarter, helping the Cardinals to control the clock and momentum.The Crusaders were held to just 32.5 percent shooting on the ay (13-of-40), and were limited to seven second quarter points and only eight in the third."We had gotten into some things Helias had not seen us run," Michaels said. "We put some things in specifically for this tournament. So, there's new things out there that they were not used to. So, I do think that frustrated them a tad bit."Helias fought hard in the closing minutes, getting back to within 40-37 with 56 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, senior Jaida Cox threw in a quick layup in transition and was fouled.Cox's free throw gave Benton a 42-37 advantage with 41 seconds left. Cox and Morlock each scored seven points. The Cardinals shot it a bit better in the second half, going 9-of-20 from the field compared to the 6-of-21 effort in the first half."Back-to-back baskets, we feed off of them so much," said junior Peyton Anderson, who finished with four points and five rebounds. "Obviously, our parents are going crazy when we get back-to-back baskets. It just really hypes us up."Burright led Benton with 12 points, including six in the fourth quarter. Junior Kelsey Johnson had 11 points and seven boards.&nbsp;Senior Gabrielle Bax led Helias with 11 points. Senior Adalyn Keolling, a Missouri State commit, had nine points and seven boards.Benton will now face John Burroughs (21-4) out of St. Louis for the Class 4 state title on Saturday evening at 6. The Bombers have won 16 straight, including a 51-37 win over St. James in the other Class 4 semi Friday.The Cards, however, own a 13-game winning streak themselves and are now 19-1 in their last 20. In fact, Benton hasn't lost to a Missouri team in the year 2022. Their lone loss since Jan. 1 was to Kansas Class 6A state runner-up Olathe North (23-2).Benton has achieved their first goal this weekend - finish higher at state than they did last year. One goal down. One more to go."We've done better than we did last year and now there's the icing on the cake is up there and the cherry on top is up there for us to eat that."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647644401642.jpeg" alt="Benton celebrates after Friday's win." />
 <figcaption>Benton celebrates after Friday's win.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647648567237.jpeg" alt="Benton's Andrea Simmons drives the lane." />
 <figcaption>Benton's Andrea Simmons drives the lane.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647648654411.jpeg" alt="Avery Morlock (3) attempts a shot in the first half." />
 <figcaption>Avery Morlock (3) attempts a shot in the first half.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647648688470.jpeg" alt="Lauren Burright (30) throws up a contested shot." />
 <figcaption>Lauren Burright (30) throws up a contested shot.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647649137445.jpeg" alt="Peyton Anderson puts up a three-point attempt in the second half." />
 <figcaption>Peyton Anderson puts up a three-point attempt in the second half.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe src="https://anchor.fm/tommy-rezac/embed/episodes/Benton-postgame-31822---Chris-Michaels--Avery-Morlock--Kelsey-Johnson--Andrea-Simmons--Peyton-Anderson-e1fu4pr" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Benton holds off Helias Catholic in state semis Friday, will play for state title Saturday

Improvements are underway at the Civic Arena in downtown St.
Joseph.

In fact, they got started by one of St. Joseph’s major firms.
Hillyard refurbished the basketball court for the arena.

St. Joseph City Manager Bryan Carter says the new floor is the
first step toward a renovated basketball facility.

“Of course, that was taken away, restored, and brought back,
all by Hillyard,” Carter tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.

The arena will soon get a new scoreboard.

“We’re all used to seeing the scoreboard that’s in there now,
which was modern for its time 40 years ago, but doesn’t have the video capabilities
that modern scoreboards have,” according to Carter.

Along with a new scoreboard will come new electronics for the
scorer’s table. Other infrastructure improvements are being made.

Carter says the upgrades are needed before St. Joseph hosts
the NCAA Division Two women’s tournament next year.

“We have the Division II women’s tournament coming in in 2023,”
Carter says. “We’re a year out from that and it’s better preparing the facility
for that tournament and hopefully many others like it in the future.”

The upgrades are being financed by a portion of the city parks
tax increased approved by St. Joseph voters.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647621168431.jpeg" alt="Civic Arena in downtown St. Joseph/Photo by Tommy Rezac" />
 <figcaption>Civic Arena in downtown St. Joseph/Photo by Tommy Rezac</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostImprovements are underway at the Civic Arena in downtown St.
Joseph.In fact, they got started by one of St. Joseph’s major firms.
Hillyard refurbished the basketball court for the arena.St. Joseph City Manager Bryan Carter says the new floor is the
first step toward a renovated basketball facility.“Of course, that was taken away, restored, and brought back,
all by Hillyard,” Carter tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.New basketball goals are on order.The arena will soon get a new scoreboard.“We’re all used to seeing the scoreboard that’s in there now,
which was modern for its time 40 years ago, but doesn’t have the video capabilities
that modern scoreboards have,” according to Carter.Along with a new scoreboard will come new electronics for the
scorer’s table. Other infrastructure improvements are being made.Carter says the upgrades are needed before St. Joseph hosts
the NCAA Division Two women’s tournament next year.“We have the Division II women’s tournament coming in in 2023,”
Carter says. “We’re a year out from that and it’s better preparing the facility
for that tournament and hopefully many others like it in the future.”The upgrades are being financed by a portion of the city parks
tax increased approved by St. Joseph voters.

Civic Arena getting a fresh, new basketball look

A historic home in St. Joseph will be opening its doors overnight for the first time ever, letting St. Joseph residents experience the paranormal. &nbsp;

The Wyeth-Tootle Mansion in St. Joseph was built in 1879, and now it's considered one of the top "haunted" places in America, with several professional paranormal teams deeming it an active location. &nbsp;

St. Joseph Museums Communications and Group Tours director Kami Jones says the mansion has been a popular site for people who want to experience the paranormal. &nbsp;

"We are booked out almost every weekend down there for some sort of paranormal investigation," Jones tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And, the home itself has a lot of history, there is a lot of things that have happened in the home, plus we keep a lot of the museum collection in the basement there."&nbsp;

Jones says the idea for this event came from the success of overnight stays at the Glore Psychiatric Museum. &nbsp;

"And we have had a few people that have come to that one saying 'you know you really should do this at the mansion too'," Jones says. "And then just with some suggestions from different paranormal teams that we've had come through, and guests that have come in, and things like that, we decided hey let's just go on ahead and try it and see what happens."&nbsp;

Jones says the reception to the overnight stay at the mansion has been great so far, and that shows, with only 30 guests allowed.&nbsp;

"We have two spots left, that is it" Jones says enthusiastically.&nbsp;

Jones says the mansion is popular site for ghost hunters to come, and she adds people around St. Joseph claim to have experienced some spooks as well. &nbsp;

"You get a lot of doors slamming, and footsteps, and things like that, I know when we go down to like clean, like right now the mansion is actually closed for the season it won't reopen until April, " Jones says. "And so, when we go down there to clean or when we have a special event going on, you hear doors opening and shutting all the time and windows slam, and yeah it's pretty eerie." &nbsp;

The overnight stay at the mansion will begin at 4pm on the evening of March 25th and go into the next morning on the 26th.&nbsp; A meal will be provided &nbsp;

You can find more information about the event <a href="https://www.stjosephmuseum.org/events-1/spend-the-night-at-the-wyeth-tootle-mansion">HERE</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647623685698.jpeg" alt="The Wyeth-Tootle Mansion, currently closed until April, will open its doors on March 25th for an overnight stay in the house that is said to be haunted/Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>The Wyeth-Tootle Mansion, currently closed until April, will open its doors on March 25th for an overnight stay in the house that is said to be haunted/Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;A historic home in St. Joseph will be opening its doors overnight for the first time ever, letting St. Joseph residents experience the paranormal. &nbsp;The Wyeth-Tootle Mansion in St. Joseph was built in 1879, and now it's considered one of the top "haunted" places in America, with several professional paranormal teams deeming it an active location. &nbsp;St. Joseph Museums Communications and Group Tours director Kami Jones says the mansion has been a popular site for people who want to experience the paranormal. &nbsp;"We are booked out almost every weekend down there for some sort of paranormal investigation," Jones tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And, the home itself has a lot of history, there is a lot of things that have happened in the home, plus we keep a lot of the museum collection in the basement there."&nbsp;Jones says the idea for this event came from the success of overnight stays at the Glore Psychiatric Museum. &nbsp;"And we have had a few people that have come to that one saying 'you know you really should do this at the mansion too'," Jones says. "And then just with some suggestions from different paranormal teams that we've had come through, and guests that have come in, and things like that, we decided hey let's just go on ahead and try it and see what happens."&nbsp;Jones says the reception to the overnight stay at the mansion has been great so far, and that shows, with only 30 guests allowed.&nbsp;"We have two spots left, that is it" Jones says enthusiastically.&nbsp;Jones says the mansion is popular site for ghost hunters to come, and she adds people around St. Joseph claim to have experienced some spooks as well. &nbsp;"You get a lot of doors slamming, and footsteps, and things like that, I know when we go down to like clean, like right now the mansion is actually closed for the season it won't reopen until April, " Jones says. "And so, when we go down there to clean or when we have a special event going on, you hear doors opening and shutting all the time and windows slam, and yeah it's pretty eerie." &nbsp;The overnight stay at the mansion will begin at 4pm on the evening of March 25th and go into the next morning on the 26th.&nbsp; A meal will be provided &nbsp;You can find more information about the event <a href="https://www.stjosephmuseum.org/events-1/spend-the-night-at-the-wyeth-tootle-mansion">HERE</a>.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647623802081.jpeg" alt="Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>

St. Joseph Museums invite you to experience the paranormal at the Wyeth-Tootle mansion

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a church break-in.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, there was unlawful entry made into the Trinity Episcopal Church in the 300 block South 5th Street that occurred sometime between 5:30p.m. on Wednesday and 4:00a.m. on Thursday. 

Although nothing was taken a safe was damaged from an attempt to open it. Police released no additional details.

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a church break-in.According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, there was unlawful entry made into the Trinity Episcopal Church in the 300 block South 5th Street that occurred sometime between 5:30p.m. on Wednesday and 4:00a.m. on Thursday. Although nothing was taken a safe was damaged from an attempt to open it. Police released no additional details.

Police: Safe damaged during break-in at church

It
appears the coronavirus pandemic continues to ease locally, with St. Joseph
health officials reporting only 20 new COVID-19 cases since last issuing a
report on Monday.

The
St. Joseph Health Department reports 12 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, only
one on Wednesday, and seven Thursday.

Andrew
County reports on its COVID-19 dashboard only three active COVID-19 cases with
only one new case reported in the last week.

Mosaic
Life Care reports its COVID-19 inpatient count is minimal on its website.
Mosaic does not issue a count when cases drop below ten.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostIt
appears the coronavirus pandemic continues to ease locally, with St. Joseph
health officials reporting only 20 new COVID-19 cases since last issuing a
report on Monday.The
St. Joseph Health Department reports 12 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, only
one on Wednesday, and seven Thursday.Andrew
County reports on its COVID-19 dashboard only three active COVID-19 cases with
only one new case reported in the last week.Mosaic
Life Care reports its COVID-19 inpatient count is minimal on its website.
Mosaic does not issue a count when cases drop below ten.

COVID-19 cases continue falling in St. Joseph, Buchanan County

A three-year-old boy was run over and killed early Thursday evening in a driveway at a home just east of Cosby.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the three-year-old
was standing in front of the passenger side of a pick-up driven by
73-year-old Timothy Sweeney of Easton when the truck moved forward and struck
the boy.

The boy was rushed to Mosaic Life Care, but pronounced dead
more than an hour later.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA three-year-old boy was run over and killed early Thursday evening in a driveway at a home just east of Cosby.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the three-year-old
was standing in front of the passenger side of a pick-up driven by
73-year-old Timothy Sweeney of Easton when the truck moved forward and struck
the boy.The boy was rushed to Mosaic Life Care, but pronounced dead
more than an hour later.

3-year-old killed when run over by pick-up in Cosby driveway

ANDREW COUNTY—A child died in a a pedestrian accident just before 6p.m. Thursday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 2003 GMC Sierra driven by Timothy F. Sweeny, 73, Easton, was stopped in a private drive at&nbsp;20722 County Road 279 two miles east of Cosby. 

The pickup traveled westbound and struck a 3-year-old boy from Cosby who was in front of the front passenger side of the vehicle.

Andrew County EMS transported the boy to Mosaic Life Care where he was pronounced dead.&nbsp; Sweeney was not injured.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1559744286393.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ANDREW COUNTY—A child died in a a pedestrian accident just before 6p.m. Thursday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 2003 GMC Sierra driven by Timothy F. Sweeny, 73, Easton, was stopped in a private drive at&nbsp;20722 County Road 279 two miles east of Cosby. The pickup traveled westbound and struck a 3-year-old boy from Cosby who was in front of the front passenger side of the vehicle.Andrew County EMS transported the boy to Mosaic Life Care where he was pronounced dead.&nbsp; Sweeney was not injured.

3-year-old Cosby boy dies after struck by a pickup

A new respiratory therapy program at Missouri Western State University will educate students to help fill a big need in the medical field. &nbsp;

Dean of the college of health and sciences Crystal Harris says there are many needs in the respiratory therapy field due to the pandemic, but there are also major needs in all healthcare fields.&nbsp;

"Just because of what we've been through with COVID and the job market is wide open and we have a regional need for all kinds of health care professions," Harris tells reporters. "This space is going to allow our students to really get hands-on learning."&nbsp;

Missouri Western will be opening an Interprofessional lab on campus in Murphy Hall.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Director of the Respiratory Therapy program David Northrop says this new lab will give students in all fields of medicine the chance to work alongside one another on simulated patients. &nbsp;

"So, respiratory therapy, nursing, and a physician, right, so, the three of them going into an interdisciplinary lab, able to simulate what is going on in a controlled, safe, non-patient care environment," Northrop explains. "The outcomes when you go take care of patients is going to be markedly improved."&nbsp;

Mosaic Life Care and the Mosaic Foundation recently gave 500-thousand dollars to Missouri Western to help fund the lab and the new program.&nbsp;

Northrop says the COVID-19 pandemic made healthcare workers essential. &nbsp;

"And there's still a huge job shortage with respiratory therapy," Northrop says. "So first off what it (the program) offers is we need to get students in, we need to get them educated, and we frankly need to get them out into the workforce to fill the void that is out there."&nbsp;

Northrop came to Missouri Western three months ago to help develop the respiratory program and develop the lab.&nbsp;

By MATT PIKE &nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;A new respiratory therapy program at Missouri Western State University will educate students to help fill a big need in the medical field. &nbsp;Dean of the college of health and sciences Crystal Harris says there are many needs in the respiratory therapy field due to the pandemic, but there are also major needs in all healthcare fields.&nbsp;"Just because of what we've been through with COVID and the job market is wide open and we have a regional need for all kinds of health care professions," Harris tells reporters. "This space is going to allow our students to really get hands-on learning."&nbsp;Missouri Western will be opening an Interprofessional lab on campus in Murphy Hall.&nbsp; &nbsp;Director of the Respiratory Therapy program David Northrop says this new lab will give students in all fields of medicine the chance to work alongside one another on simulated patients. &nbsp;"So, respiratory therapy, nursing, and a physician, right, so, the three of them going into an interdisciplinary lab, able to simulate what is going on in a controlled, safe, non-patient care environment," Northrop explains. "The outcomes when you go take care of patients is going to be markedly improved."&nbsp;Mosaic Life Care and the Mosaic Foundation recently gave 500-thousand dollars to Missouri Western to help fund the lab and the new program.&nbsp;Northrop says the COVID-19 pandemic made healthcare workers essential. &nbsp;"And there's still a huge job shortage with respiratory therapy," Northrop says. "So first off what it (the program) offers is we need to get students in, we need to get them educated, and we frankly need to get them out into the workforce to fill the void that is out there."&nbsp;Northrop came to Missouri Western three months ago to help develop the respiratory program and develop the lab.&nbsp;

Respiratory Therapy program gets students ready for careers in growing field

St. Joseph Police Chief Chris Connally says the department is
actively recruiting, trying to fill 22 officer vacancies.

Connally says recruiting qualified applicants is always
difficult and seems especially difficult now.

“Our challenge is we’re not finding as many people that are
interested or committed to the work, because it’s not something you just get to
start the job tomorrow,” Connally tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “You’re
going to be in the academy for five months and you’re going to be in field training
for two-and-a-half to three months. And so, it’s a large training process to
get people to where they’re able to contribute.”

Connally says Missouri Western State University has stepped up
to help. The university is using American Rescue Plan Act funds to cover the approximately
$5,000 tuition to the Law Enforcement Academy for promising St. Joseph police
recruits. The university is also investing more money for upgrades to the academy,
including the modernization of equipment. A veteran of the Platte County
Sheriff’s Office, Joseph King, is the new commander of the academy.

Recruiting qualified workers has become difficult for all
positions at all levels. Recent developments have made it even more difficult for
police departments. News reports and social media traffic about high-profile
police misconduct cases haven’t helped efforts to recruit new police officers.

Connally says though police receive tremendous local community
support, the department must overcome negative national trends.

“There’s still the challenge that in this day and age on
social media anybody who’s in any kind of public service, if they’re on social
media, they’re going to see some of the day-to-day criticism,” Connally says.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph Police Chief Chris Connally says the department is
actively recruiting, trying to fill 22 officer vacancies.Connally says recruiting qualified applicants is always
difficult and seems especially difficult now.“Our challenge is we’re not finding as many people that are
interested or committed to the work, because it’s not something you just get to
start the job tomorrow,” Connally tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “You’re
going to be in the academy for five months and you’re going to be in field training
for two-and-a-half to three months. And so, it’s a large training process to
get people to where they’re able to contribute.”Connally says Missouri Western State University has stepped up
to help. The university is using American Rescue Plan Act funds to cover the approximately
$5,000 tuition to the Law Enforcement Academy for promising St. Joseph police
recruits. The university is also investing more money for upgrades to the academy,
including the modernization of equipment. A veteran of the Platte County
Sheriff’s Office, Joseph King, is the new commander of the academy.Recruiting qualified workers has become difficult for all
positions at all levels. Recent developments have made it even more difficult for
police departments. News reports and social media traffic about high-profile
police misconduct cases haven’t helped efforts to recruit new police officers.Connally says though police receive tremendous local community
support, the department must overcome negative national trends.“There’s still the challenge that in this day and age on
social media anybody who’s in any kind of public service, if they’re on social
media, they’re going to see some of the day-to-day criticism,” Connally says.

St. Joseph Police Dept. still finding it hard to fill vacancies

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen on new charges after a second arrest in seven months.

On Tuesday, police arrested Kaleb S. Marshall, 18, Leavenworth, on a District Court warrant for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

In August, officers responded to the Walmart Store at 1920 U.S.73 in Atchison to investigate a theft, according to Wilson.

It was determined that a Marshall, had stolen $221 in merchandise that included a backpack and clothing. 

The suspect left the area in a vehicle. Authorities issued an alert for that vehicle and a short time later sheriff’s deputies stopped the vehicle at 262nd and Ottawa Road, according to Wilson.

Officers arrested Marshall for the theft at Walmart and subsequently found methamphetamine on his person.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647456075568.png" alt="Marshall photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Marshall photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen on new charges after a second arrest in seven months.On Tuesday, police arrested Kaleb S. Marshall, 18, Leavenworth, on a District Court warrant for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.In August, officers responded to the Walmart Store at 1920 U.S.73 in Atchison to investigate a theft, according to Wilson.It was determined that a Marshall, had stolen $221 in merchandise that included a backpack and clothing. The suspect left the area in a vehicle. Authorities issued an alert for that vehicle and a short time later sheriff’s deputies stopped the vehicle at 262nd and Ottawa Road, according to Wilson.Officers arrested Marshall for the theft at Walmart and subsequently found methamphetamine on his person.

Kan. teen jailed a second time for alleged meth possession

A new respiratory therapy program at Missouri Western State University will open up a pipeline of students that Mosaic Life Care hopes will work for them once their studies are done.&nbsp;

Associate Director of Respiratory at Mosaic Danielle Steele says that Mosaic Life Care is excited about the new Respiratory Therapy Program at Missouri Western.&nbsp;

"Mosaic is a great place to work at, and I think that they will be able to see that as they start out training as students," Steele tells reporters. "Once they get past their second clinical, we will actually be able to hire them on as student hires."&nbsp;

Steele says what health workers have seen is that where a student trains, they are more likely to want to continue working at that hospital or facility. &nbsp;

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Edward Kammerer echoes that, saying a common theme he has seen in health education is that where you train is most likely where you will start your career. &nbsp;

"So, the concept has been, whether it's from respiratory care, from nursing, to our medical school, is to get a continuum of a pipeline of people who have actually trained inside of our institution to help us carry our institution forward into the future, as well as to provide the future workforce," Kammerer explains. "And so, we're very excited about the idea of a respiratory program, this is one of the underserved fields."&nbsp;

Kammerer says the COVID-19 pandemic showed Mosaic a couple things, one of those being how important respiratory therapy is and how few workers the department has. &nbsp;

Mosaic Life Care and the Mosaic Foundation recently gave 500-thousand dollars to Missouri Western. The money will help pay for a new Interprofessional Lab, as well as the new Respiratory Therapy program.&nbsp;

Steele says students that come to work in the respiratory therapy department at Mosaic get a very hands-on learning experience. &nbsp;

"We allow them to do whatever they've been checked off in school, they can be part of the COVID population and be able to see those kinds of patients too and see what we have to deal with on a daily basis," Steele says. "We work as a great team with nursing."&nbsp;

By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;A new respiratory therapy program at Missouri Western State University will open up a pipeline of students that Mosaic Life Care hopes will work for them once their studies are done.&nbsp;Associate Director of Respiratory at Mosaic Danielle Steele says that Mosaic Life Care is excited about the new Respiratory Therapy Program at Missouri Western.&nbsp;"Mosaic is a great place to work at, and I think that they will be able to see that as they start out training as students," Steele tells reporters. "Once they get past their second clinical, we will actually be able to hire them on as student hires."&nbsp;Steele says what health workers have seen is that where a student trains, they are more likely to want to continue working at that hospital or facility. &nbsp;Chief Medical Officer Dr. Edward Kammerer echoes that, saying a common theme he has seen in health education is that where you train is most likely where you will start your career. &nbsp;"So, the concept has been, whether it's from respiratory care, from nursing, to our medical school, is to get a continuum of a pipeline of people who have actually trained inside of our institution to help us carry our institution forward into the future, as well as to provide the future workforce," Kammerer explains. "And so, we're very excited about the idea of a respiratory program, this is one of the underserved fields."&nbsp;Kammerer says the COVID-19 pandemic showed Mosaic a couple things, one of those being how important respiratory therapy is and how few workers the department has. &nbsp;Mosaic Life Care and the Mosaic Foundation recently gave 500-thousand dollars to Missouri Western. The money will help pay for a new Interprofessional Lab, as well as the new Respiratory Therapy program.&nbsp;Steele says students that come to work in the respiratory therapy department at Mosaic get a very hands-on learning experience. &nbsp;"We allow them to do whatever they've been checked off in school, they can be part of the COVID population and be able to see those kinds of patients too and see what we have to deal with on a daily basis," Steele says. "We work as a great team with nursing."&nbsp;

Mosaic hopeful for new workers from new Missouri Western program

The Allied Arts Council is set to kick off its Arts Fund Campaign next month which will help support the arts around St. Joseph. &nbsp;

The Arts fund campaign drive supports six arts organizations in St. Joseph.&nbsp;

Allied Arts Council Executive Director Theresa Fankhauser says the goal for this year’s fund drive is 245-Thousand, after the council exceeded its goal last year of 240-Thousand dollars. &nbsp;

"We always like to stretch and challenge, you know so we don't remain stagnant, because our costs are going up," Fankhauser tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "And we raised that goal before we knew of the inflation that was headed our way."&nbsp;

Fankhauser says that inflation will make it even more important for people to increase their contributions if they have given before. &nbsp;

Fankhauser says while COVID-19 impacted many things in the city, one thing it didn't affect, surprisingly, was donations helping support the arts.&nbsp;

"I think people rallied, truthfully, because they recognized that this was important, that even though all of the organizations could not do what they had hoped to do for the last two years, they had to adjust or even cancel, it was important for them to keep their money coming in so that they could survive," Fankhauser explains.&nbsp;

Fankhauser says donations in the midst of the pandemic helped keep ticket prices down, allowing more people to go to the theatre, which showed most recently at Robidoux Resident Theatre's production of 'The Little Mermaid', which sold out. &nbsp;

The Arts Fund campaign will kick-off on April 1st and run through April 30th. &nbsp;

The Allied Arts Council has been around since 1963 and has seen residents support and demonstrate love to the arts, such as the St. Joseph Symphony and Roubidoux Resident Theatre.&nbsp;

Fankhauser says one thing she's seen that St. Joseph really loves is the Creative Arts Productions.&nbsp;

"Which is the children's theatre group, they do an educational theatre workshop in the summer that ends with a performance," Fankhauser says. "And it is amazing the quality of the work that they produce, the children have a great time."&nbsp;

Fankhauser says it varies how many children the production can take, depending on the size of the production. &nbsp;

The Allied Arts Funds campaign will kick-off on April 1st and run through April 30th. &nbsp;

You can find more information about the Allied Arts Council and also donate to the funds <a href="https://stjoearts.org/wp/arts-fund-2/.">HERE</a>.&nbsp;

By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;The Allied Arts Council is set to kick off its Arts Fund Campaign next month which will help support the arts around St. Joseph. &nbsp;The Arts fund campaign drive supports six arts organizations in St. Joseph.&nbsp;Allied Arts Council Executive Director Theresa Fankhauser says the goal for this year’s fund drive is 245-Thousand, after the council exceeded its goal last year of 240-Thousand dollars. &nbsp;"We always like to stretch and challenge, you know so we don't remain stagnant, because our costs are going up," Fankhauser tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "And we raised that goal before we knew of the inflation that was headed our way."&nbsp;Fankhauser says that inflation will make it even more important for people to increase their contributions if they have given before. &nbsp;Fankhauser says while COVID-19 impacted many things in the city, one thing it didn't affect, surprisingly, was donations helping support the arts.&nbsp;"I think people rallied, truthfully, because they recognized that this was important, that even though all of the organizations could not do what they had hoped to do for the last two years, they had to adjust or even cancel, it was important for them to keep their money coming in so that they could survive," Fankhauser explains.&nbsp;Fankhauser says donations in the midst of the pandemic helped keep ticket prices down, allowing more people to go to the theatre, which showed most recently at Robidoux Resident Theatre's production of 'The Little Mermaid', which sold out. &nbsp;The Arts Fund campaign will kick-off on April 1st and run through April 30th. &nbsp;The Allied Arts Council has been around since 1963 and has seen residents support and demonstrate love to the arts, such as the St. Joseph Symphony and Roubidoux Resident Theatre.&nbsp;Fankhauser says one thing she's seen that St. Joseph really loves is the Creative Arts Productions.&nbsp;"Which is the children's theatre group, they do an educational theatre workshop in the summer that ends with a performance," Fankhauser says. "And it is amazing the quality of the work that they produce, the children have a great time."&nbsp;Fankhauser says it varies how many children the production can take, depending on the size of the production. &nbsp;The Allied Arts Funds campaign will kick-off on April 1st and run through April 30th. &nbsp;You can find more information about the Allied Arts Council and also donate to the funds <a href="https://stjoearts.org/wp/arts-fund-2/.">HERE</a>.&nbsp;

Allied Arts Council fund drive coming up next month to help support the arts

Mosaic Life Care has brought in an interim CEO as it searches
for the successor of Dr. Mark Laney, who took early retirement.

Mosaic Life Care Board of Trustees chair Serena Naylor says
Mosaic has seen strong interest in the position.

“When you’ve got an outstanding organization like Mosaic, with
a really strong balance sheet and wonderful positions and caregivers, you’re
going to attract the best and that’s what we’ve been doing. We’re really
excited about this list so far that we’ve already received,” Naylor tells
reporters. “We’re hoping to have some kinds of an announcement by early
summer.”

Naylor says Mosaic is fortunate to have Mike Poore as interim
CEO, a position he has served at other hospitals. Poore will serve in the role
until a permanent CEO is hired.

Mosaic’s board announced early last month that Laney had taken
early retirement and that Chief Operating Officer Michael Pulido also left
Mosaic.

Naylor declines to disclose why the board believed a change of
leadership was needed.

“There were several reasons why and we just feel like we need
to be the best possible outcomes for our caregivers and our physicians and we
had to make those choices and that’s what we did.”

Naylor will not say why the board decided to move on from
Laney.

“Those are personnel matters and I think we understand how
that works,” Naylor says. “We don’t have any burning platforms. We are super
strong financially. There’s nothing of malfeasance. There’s nothing ill towards
the organization at all. It was just time for a change and that’s what
happened.”

Naylor says Mosaic hopes to have a new Chief Operating Officer
in place by the fall.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647438739626.jpeg" alt="Mosaic Life Care Board of Trustees chair, Serena Naylor, addresses the news media as interim CEO Mike Poore listens/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Mosaic Life Care Board of Trustees chair, Serena Naylor, addresses the news media as interim CEO Mike Poore listens/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMosaic Life Care has brought in an interim CEO as it searches
for the successor of Dr. Mark Laney, who took early retirement.Mosaic Life Care Board of Trustees chair Serena Naylor says
Mosaic has seen strong interest in the position.“When you’ve got an outstanding organization like Mosaic, with
a really strong balance sheet and wonderful positions and caregivers, you’re
going to attract the best and that’s what we’ve been doing. We’re really
excited about this list so far that we’ve already received,” Naylor tells
reporters. “We’re hoping to have some kinds of an announcement by early
summer.”Naylor says Mosaic is fortunate to have Mike Poore as interim
CEO, a position he has served at other hospitals. Poore will serve in the role
until a permanent CEO is hired.Mosaic’s board announced early last month that Laney had taken
early retirement and that Chief Operating Officer Michael Pulido also left
Mosaic.Naylor declines to disclose why the board believed a change of
leadership was needed.“There were several reasons why and we just feel like we need
to be the best possible outcomes for our caregivers and our physicians and we
had to make those choices and that’s what we did.”Naylor will not say why the board decided to move on from
Laney.“Those are personnel matters and I think we understand how
that works,” Naylor says. “We don’t have any burning platforms. We are super
strong financially. There’s nothing of malfeasance. There’s nothing ill towards
the organization at all. It was just time for a change and that’s what
happened.”Naylor says Mosaic hopes to have a new Chief Operating Officer
in place by the fall.

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