CLINTON COUNTY—Two Missouri men died in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Wednesday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Ford passenger vehicle driven by Christopher C. McCubbin, 36, Polo, was eastbound on MO 116 two miles east of Lathrop.

The vehicle crossed the center of the road and struck a westbound 2017 Ford pickup driven by Lance M. Romig, 73, Kansas City, Mo., head-on.

McCubbin was pronounced dead at the scene. Tri-County EMS transported Romig and a passenger Cory H. Day, 74, Gladstone, to Liberty Hospital where Romig died. Day was not wearing a set belt, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY—Two Missouri men died in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Wednesday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Ford passenger vehicle driven by Christopher C. McCubbin, 36, Polo, was eastbound on MO 116 two miles east of Lathrop.The vehicle crossed the center of the road and struck a westbound 2017 Ford pickup driven by Lance M. Romig, 73, Kansas City, Mo., head-on.McCubbin was pronounced dead at the scene. Tri-County EMS transported Romig and a passenger Cory H. Day, 74, Gladstone, to Liberty Hospital where Romig died. Day was not wearing a set belt, according to the MSHP.

Two Missouri men dead, another injured after head-on crash

ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan. —A St. Joseph man was involved in an accident just before 7p.m. Tuesday in Atchison.

A Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Thad Jenkins, 52, St. Joseph, was eastbound on U.S. 59 at 5th Street, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The motorcycle rear-ended a Ford Fusion driven by&nbsp;Samantha Roles, 33, Atchison, as it&nbsp;was turning south onto 5th Street.

EMS and Fire responded to the scene and examined Jenkins who had an injured shoulder. He was not transported for treatment, according to Wilson.

ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan. —A St. Joseph man was involved in an accident just before 7p.m. Tuesday in Atchison.A Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Thad Jenkins, 52, St. Joseph, was eastbound on U.S. 59 at 5th Street, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.The motorcycle rear-ended a Ford Fusion driven by&nbsp;Samantha Roles, 33, Atchison, as it&nbsp;was turning south onto 5th Street.EMS and Fire responded to the scene and examined Jenkins who had an injured shoulder. He was not transported for treatment, according to Wilson.

St. Joseph man injured after motorcycle rear-ends car

With an excess amount of personal protective equipment, the United Way of Greater St. Joseph is inviting other non-profits to come and get it.&nbsp; 

United Way President Kylee Strough says the United Way will have face masks, sanitizer, and small hygiene items to give away on Thursday, March 3rd.&nbsp;

"Some of these items are things United Way has procured throughout COVID and we've been distributing all along," Strough tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "We then got a donation of a couple pallets worth of items from a local retailer and then we have had a couple recent donations of some travel size hygiene items and things like that."&nbsp;

Strough says she isn't sure what the demand is for these items now, with the CDC changing guidelines, and organizations changing their guidelines as well.&nbsp;

So Strough says the items will be handed out to whoever ends up coming in first. &nbsp;

"We're gonna do it first come first serve when we were distributing PPE since March of 2020 It's been a little more methodical and logical and we've had stock and taken requests and filled requests and whatnot," Strough explains. "But it feels like we're kind of nearing the end of this distribution and we just want to make sure it gets in the right hands."&nbsp;

Strough says the United Way has changed some of its regulations, but she isn't sure what the demand will be for these products from other non-profits. &nbsp;

"I know different non-profits have different regulations, I also don't know how many stockpiles people have that they're still working through," Strough says. "So, we want to make this available, we know it's going to help them because I've had several agencies respond that they're going to be there at 10:30 Thursday morning looking for masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant. &nbsp;

PPE will be given away by the United Way on March 3rd from 10:30am to 12:30pm at the Hazmat building, located at 312 W Colorado behind Ford's Drive-In, on a first come first serve basis. &nbsp;

Strough adds that if non-profits do need certain items that the United Way ran out of, it will work to order more and help get that product.&nbsp;

By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;With an excess amount of personal protective equipment, the United Way of Greater St. Joseph is inviting other non-profits to come and get it.&nbsp; United Way President Kylee Strough says the United Way will have face masks, sanitizer, and small hygiene items to give away on Thursday, March 3rd.&nbsp;"Some of these items are things United Way has procured throughout COVID and we've been distributing all along," Strough tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "We then got a donation of a couple pallets worth of items from a local retailer and then we have had a couple recent donations of some travel size hygiene items and things like that."&nbsp;Strough says she isn't sure what the demand is for these items now, with the CDC changing guidelines, and organizations changing their guidelines as well.&nbsp;So Strough says the items will be handed out to whoever ends up coming in first. &nbsp;"We're gonna do it first come first serve when we were distributing PPE since March of 2020 It's been a little more methodical and logical and we've had stock and taken requests and filled requests and whatnot," Strough explains. "But it feels like we're kind of nearing the end of this distribution and we just want to make sure it gets in the right hands."&nbsp;Strough says the United Way has changed some of its regulations, but she isn't sure what the demand will be for these products from other non-profits. &nbsp;"I know different non-profits have different regulations, I also don't know how many stockpiles people have that they're still working through," Strough says. "So, we want to make this available, we know it's going to help them because I've had several agencies respond that they're going to be there at 10:30 Thursday morning looking for masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant. &nbsp;PPE will be given away by the United Way on March 3rd from 10:30am to 12:30pm at the Hazmat building, located at 312 W Colorado behind Ford's Drive-In, on a first come first serve basis. &nbsp;Strough adds that if non-profits do need certain items that the United Way ran out of, it will work to order more and help get that product.&nbsp;

United Way of Greater St. Joseph offering free PPE

At its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, the St. Joseph Board of Education approved the appointments of six administrators for the 2022-23 school year. 

Five of the six appointments are promotions for individuals currently serving the district. One of the appointees will join the district from out-of-state.

Bart Hardy the Assistant Principal at Lafayette has been appointed principal.&nbsp;&nbsp;He will replace Ashly McGinnis who was selected as the Assistant Superintendent of Academics

Heather Renk a principal in the Lawrence Public School District, will join the St. Joseph School District family as the&nbsp;Central High School principal.&nbsp; She will replace Terri Godfrey who is retiring

Amanda Ueligger the current St. Joseph School District curriculum advisor, will serve as assistant principal at&nbsp; Lindbergh Elementary.&nbsp; She replaces Eric White who will serve as Lindbergh principal.&nbsp; John Davison, the current Lindbergh principal, has been appointed superintendent of the Stanberry R-2 School District.

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostAt its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, the St. Joseph Board of Education approved the appointments of six administrators for the 2022-23 school year. Five of the six appointments are promotions for individuals currently serving the district. One of the appointees will join the district from out-of-state.Bart Hardy the Assistant Principal at Lafayette has been appointed principal.&nbsp;&nbsp;He will replace Ashly McGinnis who was selected as the Assistant Superintendent of AcademicsHeather Renk a principal in the Lawrence Public School District, will join the St. Joseph School District family as the&nbsp;Central High School principal.&nbsp; She will replace Terri Godfrey who is retiringAmanda Ueligger the current St. Joseph School District curriculum advisor, will serve as assistant principal at&nbsp; Lindbergh Elementary.&nbsp; She replaces Eric White who will serve as Lindbergh principal.&nbsp; John Davison, the current Lindbergh principal, has been appointed superintendent of the Stanberry R-2 School District.

St. Joseph School District announces new hires for next school year

A chemist at Missouri Western State University who advises
local governments and the university on coronavirus policy says the current
trend looks promising.

Gary Clapp keeps up with COVID-19 numbers on a daily basis.

“Right now, we’re in a great trend for us anyway; on the way
down. Whether this be Omicron or whatever next variant might be,” Clapp tells
host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “You look at historical view back at
influenza or the Spanish Flu as what it was called then in 1918. Those waves
happened through the next couple of years and now we just sort of accept the
fact that we’re going to have a flu season in the fall.”

Still, Clapp says it might be a little early to scratch the
word ‘pandemic’ in favor of ‘endemic.’

The latest report issued by the St. Joseph Health Department
discloses a downward trend in COVID-19 cases with only 38 reported in Buchanan
County since last Thursday.

That is in stark contrast to reports issued by the health
department in late January which reported more than 350 new coronavirus cases
in a single day.

Mosaic Life Care reports it is treating 14 COVID-19 patients
in its system as of Tuesday, all in St. Joseph. Mosaic had recently reported
more than 60 COVID patients in its system with nearly 100 at the height of the
pandemic.

Clapp says it appears the very contagious Omicron variant is
loosening its grip on the area.

“This latest wave was terrible, but it wasn’t as devastating,”
Clapp says. “Maybe it was because we’re developing some sort of immunity.”

Clapp says that while another variant could emerge, he believes
the coronavirus is moving toward becoming more like influenza with less
intrusive mitigation efforts replacing the more stringent efforts put in place in hopes of checking the spread of COVID-19.

Clapp served as an associate professor of chemistry before
becoming director of the Science and Technology Incubator on the Missouri
Western campus in St. Joseph. He serves on the Missouri Western COVID-19 advisory
team and has assisted the City of St. Joseph and Buchanan County in setting
COVID-19 policy.

Clapp says that from a chemical standpoint, COVID-19 is twice
the size of influenza.

“Which means it’s not just twice the number of variants,”
Clark says. “It’s two to the X and we don’t even know what X is yet. But I
think it’s at least twice the size of influenza. So, it’s going to be around
and there are going to be variants coming. We should expect this to continue
much the same as influenza is.”

Clapp says it is also significant that the COVID-19 positivity
rate has dropped below 10%, now at 8.01% in Buchanan County.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA chemist at Missouri Western State University who advises
local governments and the university on coronavirus policy says the current
trend looks promising.Gary Clapp keeps up with COVID-19 numbers on a daily basis.“Right now, we’re in a great trend for us anyway; on the way
down. Whether this be Omicron or whatever next variant might be,” Clapp tells
host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “You look at historical view back at
influenza or the Spanish Flu as what it was called then in 1918. Those waves
happened through the next couple of years and now we just sort of accept the
fact that we’re going to have a flu season in the fall.”Still, Clapp says it might be a little early to scratch the
word ‘pandemic’ in favor of ‘endemic.’The latest report issued by the St. Joseph Health Department
discloses a downward trend in COVID-19 cases with only 38 reported in Buchanan
County since last Thursday.That is in stark contrast to reports issued by the health
department in late January which reported more than 350 new coronavirus cases
in a single day.Mosaic Life Care reports it is treating 14 COVID-19 patients
in its system as of Tuesday, all in St. Joseph. Mosaic had recently reported
more than 60 COVID patients in its system with nearly 100 at the height of the
pandemic.Clapp says it appears the very contagious Omicron variant is
loosening its grip on the area.“This latest wave was terrible, but it wasn’t as devastating,”
Clapp says. “Maybe it was because we’re developing some sort of immunity.”Clapp says that while another variant could emerge, he believes
the coronavirus is moving toward becoming more like influenza with less
intrusive mitigation efforts replacing the more stringent efforts put in place in hopes of checking the spread of COVID-19.Clapp served as an associate professor of chemistry before
becoming director of the Science and Technology Incubator on the Missouri
Western campus in St. Joseph. He serves on the Missouri Western COVID-19 advisory
team and has assisted the City of St. Joseph and Buchanan County in setting
COVID-19 policy.Clapp says that from a chemical standpoint, COVID-19 is twice
the size of influenza.“Which means it’s not just twice the number of variants,”
Clark says. “It’s two to the X and we don’t even know what X is yet. But I
think it’s at least twice the size of influenza. So, it’s going to be around
and there are going to be variants coming. We should expect this to continue
much the same as influenza is.”Clapp says it is also significant that the COVID-19 positivity
rate has dropped below 10%, now at 8.01% in Buchanan County.

Advisor says Buchanan County COVID trend looks promising

The St. Joseph Youth Alliance wants everyone to know that Every Child Matters. &nbsp;

Various programs through the St. Joseph Youth Alliance seek to provide education, life skills, and experience in different things. &nbsp;

Youth Employment Program Director Anita Jolly says one of those programs is the Youth Volunteer Corps. &nbsp;

"Well, basically our Youth Volunteer Program serves young people 11 to 18" Jolly tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So, anyone in the area who wants to sign up can do that on the website, we have a separate website for that."&nbsp;

The Youth Volunteer Corps recently traveled to Benedictine College to build bunk beds with Benedictine Students. Bunk beds build in the project will be distributed around St. Joseph. &nbsp;

Jolly says the bunk bed project is a great opportunity to teach students some new life skills.&nbsp;

"It's a a great opportunity to do something, feel good about what you're doing, and learn some new skills, I mean everybody likes to run a drill every now and then and do some sanding," Jolly says. "And it's for a great cause. &nbsp;

The Youth Volunteer Corps gives students education, life skills, and experience through various projects. The next bunk bed build project will come in March. &nbsp;

Another program from the St. Joseph Youth Alliance works with older children, the Youth Employment program works with older youth; 17 to 24. &nbsp;

Jolly says some of the students the program works with are students that have dropped out of high school, and after working with a teacher to gain their high school equivalency, they start on the next step. &nbsp;

"Mostly what we do is we then teach job skills, we work on resumes, and we work with young people to get them either into a job, a training program, or into post-secondary education based on what their skills and abilities are," Jolly explains.&nbsp;

Jolly says there are certain requirements that need to be met to enroll in the Youth Employment Program. Just this year the Youth Alliance has seen great success serving 60 students.&nbsp;

You can find more information about the Youth Volunteer Corps <a href="https://www.yvcstjoseph.org/our-projects.html">HERE</a> and more about the Youth Employment Program <a href="http://youth-alliance.org/5-keys-for-kids/youth-employment/">HERE</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646157951631.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph Youth Alliance Youth Volunteer Corps website" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph Youth Alliance Youth Volunteer Corps website</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;The St. Joseph Youth Alliance wants everyone to know that Every Child Matters. &nbsp;Various programs through the St. Joseph Youth Alliance seek to provide education, life skills, and experience in different things. &nbsp;Youth Employment Program Director Anita Jolly says one of those programs is the Youth Volunteer Corps. &nbsp;"Well, basically our Youth Volunteer Program serves young people 11 to 18" Jolly tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So, anyone in the area who wants to sign up can do that on the website, we have a separate website for that."&nbsp;The Youth Volunteer Corps recently traveled to Benedictine College to build bunk beds with Benedictine Students. Bunk beds build in the project will be distributed around St. Joseph. &nbsp;Jolly says the bunk bed project is a great opportunity to teach students some new life skills.&nbsp;"It's a a great opportunity to do something, feel good about what you're doing, and learn some new skills, I mean everybody likes to run a drill every now and then and do some sanding," Jolly says. "And it's for a great cause. &nbsp;The Youth Volunteer Corps gives students education, life skills, and experience through various projects. The next bunk bed build project will come in March. &nbsp;Another program from the St. Joseph Youth Alliance works with older children, the Youth Employment program works with older youth; 17 to 24. &nbsp;Jolly says some of the students the program works with are students that have dropped out of high school, and after working with a teacher to gain their high school equivalency, they start on the next step. &nbsp;"Mostly what we do is we then teach job skills, we work on resumes, and we work with young people to get them either into a job, a training program, or into post-secondary education based on what their skills and abilities are," Jolly explains.&nbsp;Jolly says there are certain requirements that need to be met to enroll in the Youth Employment Program. Just this year the Youth Alliance has seen great success serving 60 students.&nbsp;You can find more information about the Youth Volunteer Corps <a href="https://www.yvcstjoseph.org/our-projects.html">HERE</a> and more about the Youth Employment Program <a href="http://youth-alliance.org/5-keys-for-kids/youth-employment/">HERE</a>.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646157913318.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy of the St. Joseph Youth Alliance Youth Volunteer Corps website" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy of the St. Joseph Youth Alliance Youth Volunteer Corps website</figcaption>
 </figure>

St. Joseph Youth Alliance programs show that Every Child Matters

Missouri state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer says he’s a bit
frustrated with the General Assembly that it hasn’t approved legislation
requiring photo identification to vote.

Luetkemeyer’s frustration stems from the fact that when the
Missouri Supreme Court struck down the former voter photo ID law, it outlined a
path by which the legislature could craft a constitutional law.

“They pretty much told us what they thought the legislature
got wrong in the prior photo ID bill and then created a sort of roadmap for the
legislature going forward to create one that would be constitutional,”
Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And so, I think that we should heed
the court’s advice and go back to the drawing board and draft up a bill that will
be constitutional.”

Luetkemeyer, a Republican from Parkville, has pushed his own
legislation following the court’s direction. It also would ban the use of
electronic voting machines.

Luetkemeyer is lukewarm, at best, about Gov. Mike Parson’s
push to raise state worker pay.

“I have sort of mixed feelings about that,” Luetkemeyer says. “I
think, on the one hand, we do need good people serving in state government and
we do have some of the lower paid state employees in the country.”

Luetkemeyer says he understands the state needs good people at
the DMV, Department of Corrections, and other state agencies.

“But, at the same time, I have concerns with the fact that there’s
a workforce shortage right now,” Luetkemeyer says. “The fact that we have
businesses in St. Joe and elsewhere around my district that are not able to
recruit and retain the employees that they need in order to make their small
business function.”

Luetkemeyer worries increased state pay would put Missouri in
competition with the private sector for scarce workers.

Legislators included a 5.5% cost-of-living adjustment for
state workers in the $4.6 billion supplemental budget, but hedged on the
proposal by Gov. Parson to set the state employee minimum pay at $15 an hour.
Instead, lawmakers gave the option to state agencies to increase the pay of their own
workers.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer says he’s a bit
frustrated with the General Assembly that it hasn’t approved legislation
requiring photo identification to vote.Luetkemeyer’s frustration stems from the fact that when the
Missouri Supreme Court struck down the former voter photo ID law, it outlined a
path by which the legislature could craft a constitutional law.“They pretty much told us what they thought the legislature
got wrong in the prior photo ID bill and then created a sort of roadmap for the
legislature going forward to create one that would be constitutional,”
Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And so, I think that we should heed
the court’s advice and go back to the drawing board and draft up a bill that will
be constitutional.”Luetkemeyer, a Republican from Parkville, has pushed his own
legislation following the court’s direction. It also would ban the use of
electronic voting machines.Luetkemeyer is lukewarm, at best, about Gov. Mike Parson’s
push to raise state worker pay.“I have sort of mixed feelings about that,” Luetkemeyer says. “I
think, on the one hand, we do need good people serving in state government and
we do have some of the lower paid state employees in the country.”Luetkemeyer says he understands the state needs good people at
the DMV, Department of Corrections, and other state agencies.“But, at the same time, I have concerns with the fact that there’s
a workforce shortage right now,” Luetkemeyer says. “The fact that we have
businesses in St. Joe and elsewhere around my district that are not able to
recruit and retain the employees that they need in order to make their small
business function.”Luetkemeyer worries increased state pay would put Missouri in
competition with the private sector for scarce workers.Legislators included a 5.5% cost-of-living adjustment for
state workers in the $4.6 billion supplemental budget, but hedged on the
proposal by Gov. Parson to set the state employee minimum pay at $15 an hour.
Instead, lawmakers gave the option to state agencies to increase the pay of their own
workers.

Sen. Luetkemeyer frustrated by lack of movement on voter ID law

Positive cases of COVID-19
continue to stay low as the Buchanan County positivity rate continues to fall.

St. Joseph health officials
report only 38 new positive cases of COVID-19 in their latest report. Officials
saw 12 new cases on Friday and 26 cumulatively between Saturday, Sunday, and
Monday.

The Buchanan County positivity
rate has dropped by 5.31% to 8.01%.

Andrew County health
officials report only seven active COVID-19 cases and only one in the last
seven days on its COVID-19 Dashboard.

Doniphan County health
officials report only eight active cases in that northeast Kansas county.

Mosaic Life Care reports
COVID hospitalizations continue to drop, with 15 cases currently, all in St.
Joseph.

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostPositive cases of COVID-19
continue to stay low as the Buchanan County positivity rate continues to fall.St. Joseph health officials
report only 38 new positive cases of COVID-19 in their latest report. Officials
saw 12 new cases on Friday and 26 cumulatively between Saturday, Sunday, and
Monday.The Buchanan County positivity
rate has dropped by 5.31% to 8.01%.Andrew County health
officials report only seven active COVID-19 cases and only one in the last
seven days on its COVID-19 Dashboard.Doniphan County health
officials report only eight active cases in that northeast Kansas county.Mosaic Life Care reports
COVID hospitalizations continue to drop, with 15 cases currently, all in St.
Joseph.

St. Joseph area COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations continue falling

ANDREW COUNTY—A St. Joseph man was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Monday in Andrew County.&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Nissan Frontier driven by Frank W. Shores, 87, St. Joseph, was northbound on U.S. 169 at County Road 350.

The Nissan rear-ended a 2010 Chrysler Town and Country driven by Aimee E. Auxier, 30, St. Joseph, who was slowing to make a left turn.

A private vehicle transported Shores to Mosaic Life Care. Auxier was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

ANDREW COUNTY—A St. Joseph man was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Monday in Andrew County.&nbsp;The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Nissan Frontier driven by Frank W. Shores, 87, St. Joseph, was northbound on U.S. 169 at County Road 350.The Nissan rear-ended a 2010 Chrysler Town and Country driven by Aimee E. Auxier, 30, St. Joseph, who was slowing to make a left turn.A private vehicle transported Shores to Mosaic Life Care. Auxier was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

St. Joseph man injured after rear-end crash

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after a weekend arrest.

Shortly after 10p.m. Sunday an officer on patrol observed 26-year-old Weston Anderson in a parking lot in the 400 block U.S.59 and knew there to be an active warrant for him, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson

 The officer approached him and Anderson subsequently ran. After a brief foot pursuit he was taken into custody and found to be in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

He is jailed on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia; interference with law enforcement; and a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court.

Police arrested Anderson in November on requested charges of criminal trespass and criminal damage to property for an incident in the 500 block North 9th Street.

Anderson has served time in the Atchison County jail several times for theft interference with law enforcement and related charges over the past six years, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637078673856.png" alt="Anderson-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Anderson-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after a weekend arrest.Shortly after 10p.m. Sunday an officer on patrol observed 26-year-old Weston Anderson in a parking lot in the 400 block U.S.59 and knew there to be an active warrant for him, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson The officer approached him and Anderson subsequently ran. After a brief foot pursuit he was taken into custody and found to be in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.He is jailed on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia; interference with law enforcement; and a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court.Police arrested Anderson in November on requested charges of criminal trespass and criminal damage to property for an incident in the 500 block North 9th Street.Anderson has served time in the Atchison County jail several times for theft interference with law enforcement and related charges over the past six years, according to online jail records.

Kan. man with criminal history captured by police

CALDWELL COUNTY—A Missouri woman was injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Monday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Oldsmobile driven by Caitlin N. Davis, 22, Macon, was eastbound on U.S. 36 three miles east of Cameron.&nbsp; The vehicle traveled off the road to the left and into the median. The vehicle then returned to the road, traveled off the right side of the road and overturned.&nbsp;

Caldwell County EMS transported Davis to Cameron Regional Medical Center. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CALDWELL COUNTY—A Missouri woman was injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Monday in Caldwell County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Oldsmobile driven by Caitlin N. Davis, 22, Macon, was eastbound on U.S. 36 three miles east of Cameron.&nbsp; The vehicle traveled off the road to the left and into the median. The vehicle then returned to the road, traveled off the right side of the road and overturned.&nbsp;Caldwell County EMS transported Davis to Cameron Regional Medical Center. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman injured after car overturns

The St. Joseph Youth Alliance is providing safe beds for babies, to promote safe sleeping habits. &nbsp;

Youth Employment Program Director Anita Jolly says the program helps provide portable cribs as well as pack and plays to young families. Jolly says it's important to create a safe sleeping environment. . .&nbsp;

"There are a lot of instances of infant deaths from suffocation, or you know co-sleeping with a parent, improper sleep surfaces," Jolly tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So, it's easy for children to get caught up in their blankets or with a stuffed animal, or with something that shouldn't be in the crib&nbsp;

Jolly says all the education these days is providing the same message for putting children under one into bed. &nbsp;

"When your child is under the age of one, they don't have any blankets, any pillows, any stuffed animals, no bumper pads, no nothing," Jolly explains. "That you put your child in a sleeper or a sleep sack or a swaddle that is appropriate for the conditions."&nbsp;

Jolly says the message being spread these days is ABC when putting a child to bed.&nbsp; Alone, on your back, in the crib.&nbsp;

The St. Joseph Youth Alliance is providing portable cribs as well as pack and plays to young families in Buchanan, Andrew, Clinton and Dekalb Counties.&nbsp;

Jolly says the alliance has been providing the service for the last three years, and this year alone, they have had quite the reach. &nbsp;

"We've given out quite a few pack and plays and luckily, we had some that we had bought with some excess funds when we were license plate partners with the Children's Trust Fund, we were able to put back a little money, that's what the sale of those license plates were for," Jolly says. "And we were able to buy a few extra pack and plays so that we could meet the need."&nbsp;

Jolly says the whole goal in providing these beds is to keep infants as safe as they can.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646072883174.png" alt="Photo provided by the St. Joseph Youth Alliance&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo provided by the St. Joseph Youth Alliance&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;The St. Joseph Youth Alliance is providing safe beds for babies, to promote safe sleeping habits. &nbsp;Youth Employment Program Director Anita Jolly says the program helps provide portable cribs as well as pack and plays to young families. Jolly says it's important to create a safe sleeping environment. . .&nbsp;"There are a lot of instances of infant deaths from suffocation, or you know co-sleeping with a parent, improper sleep surfaces," Jolly tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So, it's easy for children to get caught up in their blankets or with a stuffed animal, or with something that shouldn't be in the crib&nbsp;Jolly says all the education these days is providing the same message for putting children under one into bed. &nbsp;"When your child is under the age of one, they don't have any blankets, any pillows, any stuffed animals, no bumper pads, no nothing," Jolly explains. "That you put your child in a sleeper or a sleep sack or a swaddle that is appropriate for the conditions."&nbsp;Jolly says the message being spread these days is ABC when putting a child to bed.&nbsp; Alone, on your back, in the crib.&nbsp;The St. Joseph Youth Alliance is providing portable cribs as well as pack and plays to young families in Buchanan, Andrew, Clinton and Dekalb Counties.&nbsp;Jolly says the alliance has been providing the service for the last three years, and this year alone, they have had quite the reach. &nbsp;"We've given out quite a few pack and plays and luckily, we had some that we had bought with some excess funds when we were license plate partners with the Children's Trust Fund, we were able to put back a little money, that's what the sale of those license plates were for," Jolly says. "And we were able to buy a few extra pack and plays so that we could meet the need."&nbsp;Jolly says the whole goal in providing these beds is to keep infants as safe as they can.&nbsp;

St. Joseph Youth Alliance promoting safe sleep environments for babies

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has appointed the president of Rippling
Water Farms in DeKalb to the Clean Water Commission.

Mark Pierce has been Rippling Water president since 2013 and
has owned and operated his farm since 1977. Pierce has served on the FCS Financial Board of
Directors since 2002 and has been the Vice Chairman of the Board since 2012.

Pierce also serves on
the Farm Credit Council Board of Directors and has previously&nbsp;served on
the Weston Missouri Levy District Board and Soil and Water Board of Platte
County.&nbsp;

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Gov. Mike Parson has appointed the president of Rippling
Water Farms in DeKalb to the Clean Water Commission.Mark Pierce has been Rippling Water president since 2013 and
has owned and operated his farm since 1977. Pierce has served on the FCS Financial Board of
Directors since 2002 and has been the Vice Chairman of the Board since 2012.Pierce also serves on
the Farm Credit Council Board of Directors and has previously&nbsp;served on
the Weston Missouri Levy District Board and Soil and Water Board of Platte
County.&nbsp;

Gov. Parson appoints Rippling Water Farms president to Clean Water Commission

St. Joseph police are investigating a shooting in the
24-Hundred block of Angelique Street.

The St. Joseph Police Department reports it received a call
around 7:30 Sunday night about a shooting in the area. 

When officers arrived, they found no one in the area. There is
no indication that anyone was shot.

No suspect or suspects have been arrested. The investigation
continues.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph police are investigating a shooting in the
24-Hundred block of Angelique Street.The St. Joseph Police Department reports it received a call
around 7:30 Sunday night about a shooting in the area. When officers arrived, they found no one in the area. There is
no indication that anyone was shot.No suspect or suspects have been arrested. The investigation
continues.

St. Joseph police investigating Sunday shooting

HOLT COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 10p.m. Sunday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Toyota Prius driven by Charles W. Cornwell, 74, Omaha, Nebraska, was northbound on U.S. 159 five miles north of Forrest City.

The car traveled off the road, struck a guardrail, traveled down an embankment, began to roll and struck a concrete bridge support column.

Atchison-Holt EMS transported Cornwell to Mosaic Life Care. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

HOLT COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 10p.m. Sunday in Holt County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Toyota Prius driven by Charles W. Cornwell, 74, Omaha, Nebraska, was northbound on U.S. 159 five miles north of Forrest City.The car traveled off the road, struck a guardrail, traveled down an embankment, began to roll and struck a concrete bridge support column.Atchison-Holt EMS transported Cornwell to Mosaic Life Care. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Man hospitalized in St. Joe after violent Holt County crash

CLINTON COUNTY—A Missouri teen was injured in an accident just before 11:30a.m. Sunday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Ford Focus driven by Quentin C. Hughes, 18, Osborn, was&nbsp; southbound on Route M two miles south of Osburn.

The car experienced a defect and the steering wheel locked. The vehicle traveled off the road and rolled. Cameron EMS transported Hughes to Cameron Regional Medical Center. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY—A Missouri teen was injured in an accident just before 11:30a.m. Sunday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Ford Focus driven by Quentin C. Hughes, 18, Osborn, was&nbsp; southbound on Route M two miles south of Osburn.The car experienced a defect and the steering wheel locked. The vehicle traveled off the road and rolled. Cameron EMS transported Hughes to Cameron Regional Medical Center. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Mo. teen injured when steering wheel locks and car rolls

Missouri United States Sen. Roy Blunt suggests President Biden
waited too long to put sanctions in place against Russia.

Blunt, during a stop in St. Joseph, says sanctions might have
been more effective if enacted when Russian President Vladimir Putin amassed 130,000 troops, plus military
equipment, along the border of Ukraine.

“There should have been some
penalty, in my view, then and I supported that then,” Blunt tells reporters
after a meeting at Rosecrans Memorial Airport. “The president had the tools to
do that without any Congressional action.”

Blunt has talked with
commanders of the Air National Guard’s 139th Airlift Wing based at Rosecrans;
an update of improvements being made at the base.

Now that Russia has invaded Ukraine, how America reacts is
important, according to Blunt. 

Blunt, a Republican who serves on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, tells St. Joseph reporters it’s
important the U.S. draw a distinction between how it responds to Ukraine versus
how it would respond if a NATO country had been attacked.

“What you don’t want to do is let Putin in Europe or the
Chinese in Asia believe that we will not maintain our commitments,” according
to Blunt.

As Russian troops draw closer
to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv's mayor is filled with both pride over his
citizens’ spirit and anxious about how long they can hold out.

In an interview with The
Associated Press on Sunday, after a grueling night of Russian attacks on the
outskirts of the city, Mayor Vitali Klitschko was silent for several seconds
when asked if there were plans to evacuate civilians. He says “we can’t do
that, because all ways are blocked.” The mayor added “right now we are
encircled.”

Meanwhile, Russian President Putin
has ordered Russian nuclear forces on high alert amid tensions with the West
over his invasion of Ukraine.

The order means Putin wants
Russia’s nuclear weapons prepared for increased readiness to launch and raises
the threat that Moscow’s invasion and the West’s response to it could boil over
into nuclear warfare.

In giving the directive, the
Russian leader cited what he called “aggressive statements” by top NATO powers
along with the West's hard-hitting financial sanctions.

Even though Blunt is critical about how slowly Biden imposed
sanctions against Russia, he says sanctions might work if focused on those
truly responsible.

“It’s hard to say here that the Russians deserve this, because
this is a government that’s run by essentially a ‘thugocracy,’” according to Blunt.
“The top thug is Putin and the Oligarchs are his henchmen and they’re the ones that
need to have the penalty and pain here. And some of that is just simply by how we
impact their banking system.”

Blunt adds Europe must understand Putin and the Russian Oligarchs will not be stopped by
half measures.

“Frankly, I’m ready to look at investigating what they’ve
taken from the Russian people, where it’s been distributed all over the world;
whether that is winter places in Miami Beach or money in banks in London or New
York City,” Blunt says.

Russia has unleashed a wave of
attacks on Ukraine targeting airfields and fuel facilities in what appears to
be the next phase of an invasion that has been slowed by fierce resistance.

Huge explosions lit up the sky
early Sunday south of the capital, Kyiv, where people hunkered down in
anticipation of a full-scale assault by Russian forces. The latest targets
include an oil depot near an airfield south of the capital and a gas pipeline
in Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city.

The Associated
Press contributed to this story.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616523568857.jpeg" alt="Sen. Roy Blunt/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Roy Blunt/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTIN and MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostMissouri United States Sen. Roy Blunt suggests President Biden
waited too long to put sanctions in place against Russia.Blunt, during a stop in St. Joseph, says sanctions might have
been more effective if enacted when Russian President Vladimir Putin amassed 130,000 troops, plus military
equipment, along the border of Ukraine.“There should have been some
penalty, in my view, then and I supported that then,” Blunt tells reporters
after a meeting at Rosecrans Memorial Airport. “The president had the tools to
do that without any Congressional action.”Blunt has talked with
commanders of the Air National Guard’s 139th Airlift Wing based at Rosecrans;
an update of improvements being made at the base.Now that Russia has invaded Ukraine, how America reacts is
important, according to Blunt. Blunt, a Republican who serves on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, tells St. Joseph reporters it’s
important the U.S. draw a distinction between how it responds to Ukraine versus
how it would respond if a NATO country had been attacked.“What you don’t want to do is let Putin in Europe or the
Chinese in Asia believe that we will not maintain our commitments,” according
to Blunt.As Russian troops draw closer
to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv's mayor is filled with both pride over his
citizens’ spirit and anxious about how long they can hold out.In an interview with The
Associated Press on Sunday, after a grueling night of Russian attacks on the
outskirts of the city, Mayor Vitali Klitschko was silent for several seconds
when asked if there were plans to evacuate civilians. He says “we can’t do
that, because all ways are blocked.” The mayor added “right now we are
encircled.”Meanwhile, Russian President Putin
has ordered Russian nuclear forces on high alert amid tensions with the West
over his invasion of Ukraine.The order means Putin wants
Russia’s nuclear weapons prepared for increased readiness to launch and raises
the threat that Moscow’s invasion and the West’s response to it could boil over
into nuclear warfare.In giving the directive, the
Russian leader cited what he called “aggressive statements” by top NATO powers
along with the West's hard-hitting financial sanctions.Even though Blunt is critical about how slowly Biden imposed
sanctions against Russia, he says sanctions might work if focused on those
truly responsible.“It’s hard to say here that the Russians deserve this, because
this is a government that’s run by essentially a ‘thugocracy,’” according to Blunt.
“The top thug is Putin and the Oligarchs are his henchmen and they’re the ones that
need to have the penalty and pain here. And some of that is just simply by how we
impact their banking system.”Blunt adds Europe must understand Putin and the Russian Oligarchs will not be stopped by
half measures.“Frankly, I’m ready to look at investigating what they’ve
taken from the Russian people, where it’s been distributed all over the world;
whether that is winter places in Miami Beach or money in banks in London or New
York City,” Blunt says.Russia has unleashed a wave of
attacks on Ukraine targeting airfields and fuel facilities in what appears to
be the next phase of an invasion that has been slowed by fierce resistance.Huge explosions lit up the sky
early Sunday south of the capital, Kyiv, where people hunkered down in
anticipation of a full-scale assault by Russian forces. The latest targets
include an oil depot near an airfield south of the capital and a gas pipeline
in Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city.The Associated
Press contributed to this story.

Sen. Blunt says sanctions must be focused if they are to impact Russia

The Saint Joseph Symphony has had to cancel its chamber music concert scheduled for this afternoon.

The symphony had scheduled a three o'clock performance at Ashland United Methodist Church. It is being postponed due to the illness of one of the musicians.

No word yet on when it will be rescheduled.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645976948346.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Saint Joseph Symphony has had to cancel its chamber music concert scheduled for this afternoon.The symphony had scheduled a three o'clock performance at Ashland United Methodist Church. It is being postponed due to the illness of one of the musicians.No word yet on when it will be rescheduled.

St. Joseph Symphony forced to cancel today's concert due to illness

CLINTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 1p.m. Saturday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Nissan Murano driven by Beverly J. Honeycutt, 75, Hempstead, Arkansas, was southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 35 four miles south of Cameron.

The SUV struck a 2022 Kenworth semi driven by Darnell K. Hawkins, 47, Phoenix, Arizona, that had come to stop.&nbsp;

Cameron Ambulance transported Honeycutt to Cameron Regional Medical Center. Hawkins was not injured. Honeycutt was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 1p.m. Saturday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Nissan Murano driven by Beverly J. Honeycutt, 75, Hempstead, Arkansas, was southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 35 four miles south of Cameron.The SUV struck a 2022 Kenworth semi driven by Darnell K. Hawkins, 47, Phoenix, Arizona, that had come to stop.&nbsp;Cameron Ambulance transported Honeycutt to Cameron Regional Medical Center. Hawkins was not injured. Honeycutt was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Woman hospitalized after wrong-way crash in Clinton County

NODAWAY COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Saturday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Dodge Caliber driven by David M. McClure, 42, was northbound on South 2nd Street. The driver failed to yield to a 2007 Chevy Cavalier driven by Sarah N. Rowland, 38, Hopkins,&nbsp; who was westbound on Morehouse. The Dodge struck the Chevy at the uncontrolled intersection.&nbsp;

Nodaway County EMS transported Rowland and a 13-year-old male passenger from the Chevy to Mosaic in Maryville. McClure was not wearing a seat belt and not injured, according to the MSHP.

NODAWAY COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Saturday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Dodge Caliber driven by David M. McClure, 42, was northbound on South 2nd Street. The driver failed to yield to a 2007 Chevy Cavalier driven by Sarah N. Rowland, 38, Hopkins,&nbsp; who was westbound on Morehouse. The Dodge struck the Chevy at the uncontrolled intersection.&nbsp;Nodaway County EMS transported Rowland and a 13-year-old male passenger from the Chevy to Mosaic in Maryville. McClure was not wearing a seat belt and not injured, according to the MSHP.

Nodaway Co. woman, teen injured after 2-car crash

PLATTE CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man who killed four family members and burned their bodies was sentenced Friday to four life sentences without parole plus 115 years, Platte County authorities said.

Grayden Denham, 30, was convicted in December of shooting and killing his grandfather, his grandmother, his sister and her 3-month-old son at their home near Edgerton on Feb. 19, 2016.

He was arrested two days later when he was found walking naked near Seligman, Arizona, police said.

Firefighters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/e7079be18f184ac9accd09010ae1c489">found the bodies</a>&nbsp;of Russell Denham, 82; Shirley Denham, 81; Heather Ager, 31; and her son, Mason Schiavoni, all of whom had been shot and set on fire, Platte County prosecutors said. A family dog was also killed and burned, authorities said.

Denham stole his grandparents' car and drove to Arizona.

Witnesses testified during the trial about increased tension between Denham and his family before the murders. He was seen arguing with his grandfather the day before the killings and evidence also showed he was using methamphetamine, the Platte County Prosecutor's office said in a news release.

The jury convicted Denham of four counts of first degree murder, four counts of armed criminal action, animal abuse, second degree arson, and stealing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639604794631.png" alt="Denham-photo Platte Co." />
 <figcaption>Denham-photo Platte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PLATTE CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man who killed four family members and burned their bodies was sentenced Friday to four life sentences without parole plus 115 years, Platte County authorities said.Grayden Denham, 30, was convicted in December of shooting and killing his grandfather, his grandmother, his sister and her 3-month-old son at their home near Edgerton on Feb. 19, 2016.He was arrested two days later when he was found walking naked near Seligman, Arizona, police said.Firefighters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/e7079be18f184ac9accd09010ae1c489">found the bodies</a>&nbsp;of Russell Denham, 82; Shirley Denham, 81; Heather Ager, 31; and her son, Mason Schiavoni, all of whom had been shot and set on fire, Platte County prosecutors said. A family dog was also killed and burned, authorities said.Denham stole his grandparents' car and drove to Arizona.Witnesses testified during the trial about increased tension between Denham and his family before the murders. He was seen arguing with his grandfather the day before the killings and evidence also showed he was using methamphetamine, the Platte County Prosecutor's office said in a news release.The jury convicted Denham of four counts of first degree murder, four counts of armed criminal action, animal abuse, second degree arson, and stealing.

Mo. man sentenced in death of grandparents, sister and her infant son

HARRISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 3a.m. Friday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 International semi driven by Jacciah L. Bluntt, 40, Las Vegas, NV., was north bound Interstate 29 seven miles north of Craig.

The driver lost control and and rear-ended a 1997 Peterbilt semi that was disabled and unoccupied on the shoulder of the highway.

Atchison-Holt ambulance transported a passenger Jesreal L. Bluntt, 35, Las Vegas, NV, to Mosaic Life Care. The driver was not injured.

HARRISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 3a.m. Friday in Harrison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 International semi driven by Jacciah L. Bluntt, 40, Las Vegas, NV., was north bound Interstate 29 seven miles north of Craig.The driver lost control and and rear-ended a 1997 Peterbilt semi that was disabled and unoccupied on the shoulder of the highway.Atchison-Holt ambulance transported a passenger Jesreal L. Bluntt, 35, Las Vegas, NV, to Mosaic Life Care. The driver was not injured.

One hospitalized in St. Joe after semi rear-ends disabled semi

A new and different bridge project is underway in St. Joseph.

It’s a bridge project that will connect Wyeth Hill and the
Missouri River bluffs in north St. Joseph, expanding what is becoming an
attractive hiking and biking trail.

St. Joseph City Manager Bryan Carter has high hopes the
Highland Avenue pedestrian bridge project will become a real attraction for the
city.

“Having seen some of the photos of the initial work that’s done,
it just has that initial look of something that could become iconic in the future,
just a really neat gateway,” Carter says.

The Highland Bridge project, according to the city, will construct
a 530-foot elevated pedestrian bridge from Wyeth Hill to Riverbluff Trail. It
will tie together the gravel trail system in north St. Joseph along the
Missouri River.

“Well, it will connect over to the river bluff,” Carter says. “So,
provide access to the River Bluff Trail Park. It’s all part of that system.
That’s an exciting system in and of itself and this is just going to be one more
element of it.”

Two spans north of Highland Avenue have been set. The third
span goes up next week, weather permitting.

Beginning Monday, Highland will close to traffic between I-229
and MacArther Drive while construction continues on the project.&nbsp; Highland Avenue will be open on the weekends
during construction; reopening to traffic at four o’clock on Friday afternoons
until 7am on Mondays. Traffic that normally takes Highland will be diverted
south on I-229 exiting onto 2nd and Felix Street, then north to
Jules and west to MacArthur. Traffic leaving the riverfront will reverse the
detour.

Carter says the Highland bridge could make a growing
attraction to the city even bigger.

“I had a chance to go up there fairly early in the
construction process and once you get up there you really grasp what it’s going
to bring and the recreational amenity that it will provide.”

Carter says St. Joseph is beginning to have a reputation as a
great city for hiking and biking, which is a growing tourism attraction.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645811292116.jpeg" alt="Nomad Trails, Riverbluff Trail/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Nomad Trails, Riverbluff Trail/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA new and different bridge project is underway in St. Joseph.It’s a bridge project that will connect Wyeth Hill and the
Missouri River bluffs in north St. Joseph, expanding what is becoming an
attractive hiking and biking trail.St. Joseph City Manager Bryan Carter has high hopes the
Highland Avenue pedestrian bridge project will become a real attraction for the
city.“Having seen some of the photos of the initial work that’s done,
it just has that initial look of something that could become iconic in the future,
just a really neat gateway,” Carter says.The Highland Bridge project, according to the city, will construct
a 530-foot elevated pedestrian bridge from Wyeth Hill to Riverbluff Trail. It
will tie together the gravel trail system in north St. Joseph along the
Missouri River.“Well, it will connect over to the river bluff,” Carter says. “So,
provide access to the River Bluff Trail Park. It’s all part of that system.
That’s an exciting system in and of itself and this is just going to be one more
element of it.”Two spans north of Highland Avenue have been set. The third
span goes up next week, weather permitting.Beginning Monday, Highland will close to traffic between I-229
and MacArther Drive while construction continues on the project.&nbsp; Highland Avenue will be open on the weekends
during construction; reopening to traffic at four o’clock on Friday afternoons
until 7am on Mondays. Traffic that normally takes Highland will be diverted
south on I-229 exiting onto 2nd and Felix Street, then north to
Jules and west to MacArthur. Traffic leaving the riverfront will reverse the
detour.Carter says the Highland bridge could make a growing
attraction to the city even bigger.“I had a chance to go up there fairly early in the
construction process and once you get up there you really grasp what it’s going
to bring and the recreational amenity that it will provide.”Carter says St. Joseph is beginning to have a reputation as a
great city for hiking and biking, which is a growing tourism attraction.The project could be done this spring.

A bridge will connect trails in north St. Joseph; could attract tourists to city

The Axe Factor opened up in St. Joseph in 2019, and now the owners are expanding the business to open Illuminate Entertainment, which will feature fun new entertainment options.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645746123389.jpeg" alt="A new black light mini golf course will be a big feature at Illuminate Entertainment in Downtown St. Joseph/ Photo provided by Illuminate Entertainment" />
 <figcaption>A new black light mini golf course will be a big feature at Illuminate Entertainment in Downtown St. Joseph/ Photo provided by Illuminate Entertainment</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;The Axe Factor opened up in St. Joseph in 2019, and now the owners are expanding the business to open Illuminate Entertainment, which will feature fun new entertainment options.&nbsp;Co-owner of Axe Factor and Illuminate Entertainment Matt Wieners says he and his business partner were preparing to originally open this new entertainment venue in Maryville.&nbsp; &nbsp;But, Wieners says, when plans fell through and a space opened up in the upstairs area of Axe Factor, new plans became evident. &nbsp;"And so, we were like well, what if we did our entertainment stuff upstairs in the same building, it would be perfect," Wieners tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So, we kind of threw it at the wall to see if it stuck, and it did, and now we've got the black light minigolf, and the virtual reality, and the axe throwing those are the three big pillars we wanted to set as a foundation."&nbsp;Wieners says with very few places in St. Joseph for teenagers to hang out, came the inspiration for opening Axe Factor. &nbsp;But Wieners says now, with the likes of Joetown Enterprises and B &amp;J Skate Rink, there is no such thing as having to many options.&nbsp;"We're all separate venues, but we all bring something a little bit different, and I think that's what's great," Wieners says. "I mean you never hear Branson complaining about having to many entertainment options for guests and stuff, so why not have it here in St. Joe."&nbsp;Wieners says people he's talked to love having an entertainment venue like this to bring people downtown.&nbsp;"I think a lot of people enjoy it, most business owners I've talked to love that we're down here, they're crazy about the idea that we're bringing in more entertainment to get people down here," Wieners says. &nbsp;And Wieners says he never stops seeing familiar faces coming in.&nbsp;"We keep having people come back, we have repeat customers all the time saying they love that we're down here, they love that we're non-alcoholic, we're a family type of place and everything, so I think people really enjoy it," Wieners proudly says.&nbsp;Illuminate Entertainment is opening a blacklight mini golf course and a virtual reality gaming area today.&nbsp; Arcade games, a rage room, and an arena for things such as dodgeball are set to open in the future. &nbsp;You can find more information on Illuminate Entertainment <a href="https://illuminate-entertainment.com/">HERE </a>and Axe Factor <a href="https://www.theaxefactorstj.com/?fbclid=IwAR2CBn4yQroHxCxuPtCoJOalcxhUAuKa9xpQ14ETm0085x0wRJxtgTQ6w3Q">HERE</a>.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645746191781.jpeg" alt="Photo provided by Illuminate Entertainment" />
 <figcaption>Photo provided by Illuminate Entertainment</figcaption>
 </figure>

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