St. Joseph voters face a crowded field for at-large city
councilmember on the February primary ballot next week, with the very real
possibility only one candidate will be eliminated next week.

This is the first of our two-part series on the field.

Incumbent Kent “Spanky” O’Dell is seeking his third term and
says he has one reason to run for re-election.

“I love the town. The only reason why I’m doing this is
because I love the city and I love the citizens,” O’Dell says during his time
on the KFEQ Hotline. “That’s why I’m doing this. There’s virtually no money or
anything out of this. It’s strenuous. It’s stressful.”

O’Dell calls the council’s success a work in progress,
pointing specifically to improvements to the city’s streets and its parks
system. He says there doesn’t need to be a change, insisting the city needs
simply to keep going in the direction set by the council.

But St. Joseph School Board member, Kenneth Reeder, says he
wants to see a council overhaul.

“Thank goodness that we do have where we can flip everybody
over at the same time,” Reeder says on the Hotline. “That’s the only way you
can really institute change quickly. And that’s why we’ve been in the quagmire
for so much of the time over at the school district, because it takes so long
to have a change, to have a change, new opinions.”

Reeder says he has the time and energy to be both a council
member and a school board member.

Businessman Jeff Schomburg says he wants to bring his business
experience to the council, which he says made mistakes during the COVID
pandemic.

“I know they tried to do the money to give to the businesses
and recover, but it’s just not enough,” Schomburg says during his time on the
Hotline. “My business, if we’re down for a week, that really hurts us and
trying to get back up and pay the bills, it’s hard to do in a small business
atmosphere.”

Schomburg says he wants to be a voice for the people and says
he can bring productivity and efficiency to the council.

Downtown business owner Andy Montee says if the council
focuses on what people need, the businesses will follow.

“More people will move down there,” Montee says on the Hotline
about downtown’s development. “There’s been a lot of housing that has opened up
recently and more to come. But I think you really have to take this balanced
approach with it. You can’t only have kind of one, niche way of filling
downtown.”

Montee says St. Joseph needs to take a more diverse approach
to development to turn its population loss around.

Electrician Carl Jennings says each council member must work
with the others to promote the city as a whole. 

“You can’t go into this with a single thing on your agenda,”
Jennings tells the Hotline. &nbsp;“It’s a
four-year term. There’s way bigger things out there than one person’s single
agenda.”

Jennings wants to improve the look of the city and add
sidewalks at the locations of elementary schools.

Click <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/65e205e1-b15a-4d72-8d8f-51b7f39f3d25">here</a> to read our story on the other at-large candidates.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph voters face a crowded field for at-large city
councilmember on the February primary ballot next week, with the very real
possibility only one candidate will be eliminated next week.This is the first of our two-part series on the field.Incumbent Kent “Spanky” O’Dell is seeking his third term and
says he has one reason to run for re-election.“I love the town. The only reason why I’m doing this is
because I love the city and I love the citizens,” O’Dell says during his time
on the KFEQ Hotline. “That’s why I’m doing this. There’s virtually no money or
anything out of this. It’s strenuous. It’s stressful.”O’Dell calls the council’s success a work in progress,
pointing specifically to improvements to the city’s streets and its parks
system. He says there doesn’t need to be a change, insisting the city needs
simply to keep going in the direction set by the council.But St. Joseph School Board member, Kenneth Reeder, says he
wants to see a council overhaul.“Thank goodness that we do have where we can flip everybody
over at the same time,” Reeder says on the Hotline. “That’s the only way you
can really institute change quickly. And that’s why we’ve been in the quagmire
for so much of the time over at the school district, because it takes so long
to have a change, to have a change, new opinions.”Reeder says he has the time and energy to be both a council
member and a school board member.Businessman Jeff Schomburg says he wants to bring his business
experience to the council, which he says made mistakes during the COVID
pandemic.“I know they tried to do the money to give to the businesses
and recover, but it’s just not enough,” Schomburg says during his time on the
Hotline. “My business, if we’re down for a week, that really hurts us and
trying to get back up and pay the bills, it’s hard to do in a small business
atmosphere.”Schomburg says he wants to be a voice for the people and says
he can bring productivity and efficiency to the council.Downtown business owner Andy Montee says if the council
focuses on what people need, the businesses will follow.“More people will move down there,” Montee says on the Hotline
about downtown’s development. “There’s been a lot of housing that has opened up
recently and more to come. But I think you really have to take this balanced
approach with it. You can’t only have kind of one, niche way of filling
downtown.”Montee says St. Joseph needs to take a more diverse approach
to development to turn its population loss around.Electrician Carl Jennings says each council member must work
with the others to promote the city as a whole. “You can’t go into this with a single thing on your agenda,”
Jennings tells the Hotline. &nbsp;“It’s a
four-year term. There’s way bigger things out there than one person’s single
agenda.”Jennings wants to improve the look of the city and add
sidewalks at the locations of elementary schools.Click <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/65e205e1-b15a-4d72-8d8f-51b7f39f3d25">here</a> to read our story on the other at-large candidates.<div><link rel='stylesheet' href='https://www.680kfeq.com/wp-content/plugins/wpb-show-core/modules/jplayer_new/iframe-style.css' /><div class='audio-container embedded-advance-playlist-player'><iframe class='wpb_audioplayer advance-playlist-player-iframe' scrolling='no' width='600' height='400' frameborder='0' src='https://www.680kfeq.com/wp-content/plugins/wpb-show-core/modules/jplayer_new/jplayer_twitter_ver_1_playlist.php?podcastName=At+Large+Council+Candidates&podCastImage=&title=&siteurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.680kfeq.com&blogid=356&rss_feed_link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.680kfeq.com%2Fpodcast%2Fat-large-council-candidates%2Ffeed%2F%3Fpost_type%3Depisode&podImg_URL=&podCastId=91&episodeId=0&audioPlayerOption=advance_playlist&gmf=-6&ckd=www.680kfeq.com&embedFlag=podcast&e_id_val=0'></iframe></div></div>

Voters face crowded at-large St. Joseph city council field next week

DEKALB COUNTY — Missouri teen was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. Monday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Ford Taurus driven by a 15-year-old from Cameron was southbound on Irwin Road four miles north of Cameron.

The car was traveling too fast around a curve. The car traveled off the road and struck a tree.

Cameron ambulance transported the boy to Children's Mercy. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

DEKALB COUNTY — Missouri teen was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. Monday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Ford Taurus driven by a 15-year-old from Cameron was southbound on Irwin Road four miles north of Cameron.The car was traveling too fast around a curve. The car traveled off the road and struck a tree.Cameron ambulance transported the boy to Children's Mercy. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

15-year-old Cameron boy injured after car strikes a tree

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on new charges after a weekend arrest.

On Sunday, police arrested Austin L. Lurquin, 23, Atchison, in the 400 block U.S. 59 on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

 During that arrest he was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia and faces additional charges. He is being held in the Atchison County Jail for the third time since June of 2020.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643639555055.png" alt="Lurquin-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Lurquin-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on new charges after a weekend arrest.On Sunday, police arrested Austin L. Lurquin, 23, Atchison, in the 400 block U.S. 59 on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. During that arrest he was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia and faces additional charges. He is being held in the Atchison County Jail for the third time since June of 2020.

Kan. man arrested on a warrant was in possession of drugs

Four candidates are running for the 2nd District
seat on the St. Joseph City Council.

Two will move on from the February 8th primary to
the April 5th General Election, unless one receives a majority of
the votes in the primary.

Aaron Armstrong, who works at Walmart, wants to see the city
invest in the police department.

“Our law enforcement is short-staffed, many of which left
their community to go to a neighboring city for better pay and so, we need to
work to raise their wages to align those wages with other neighboring cities,”
Armstrong says during his time on the KFEQ Hotline.

Armstrong sees a disconnect between the St. Joseph City
Council and city residents. He vows to listen to the people.

“Our people feel very much ignored,” Armstrong claims. “Our
people feel like their voices ain’t heard. I’ve been out there on the streets
with a lot of them, even during the flood of south St. Joe about a couple of
years back. Many of those people are like, city hall doesn’t hear us. They don’t
care about us.”

Armstrong says he wants to work beside the people on raising
wages, cleaning up the city, and reducing crime.

Insurance agent Taylor Crouse says the city needs to
concentrate on renovating the south end corridors.

“We have a great business down there at Alabama and King Hill,
Darcee’s dance school,” Crouse tells the KFEQ Hotline. “A lot of people from
all over town go there. It’s a bright shining star down there. But there are
also blighted properties in that area.”

Crouse says the 2nd District council member must
represent the district while pursuing the best interest of the city as a whole.

“First and foremost, I’m a south sider and I want to work for
my district,” Crouse says. “I want to work to make my district cooperative with
the rest of the city, because it’s only going to reap benefits for my district
by doing that.”

Crouse says the city has piled up too much deferred
maintenance. He would like to see federal American Rescue Funds used on
long-term projects.

Every candidate expressed an interest in keeping the I-229
double decker bridge.

Former city council member and businessman Ben Burtnett wants
the council to preserve the double decker bridge.

“To me, for the south end to get to the north end, that’s
essential to have that bridge there like it is now,” Burtnett tells the KFEQ
Hotline. “And it carries about 22,000 cars a day down through there and I
cannot see tearing that bridge down.”

Burtnett has served two terms on the city council,
representing the old south-end district from 1994 to 1998 and as an at-large
council member from 2002 to 2006.

“I’d just like to serve the city of St. Joe again,” Burtnett
says. “I think outside the box and I bring my own ideas, fresh ideas to the
city.”

Burtnett says his experience sets him apart from the other
candidates.

Electrician Mike Bodde wants to see the city tap into the
potential south St. Joseph offers by generating more business in the area.

“So we can see our families working at businesses in the south
end and promoting us and expanding on what our potential is down there,”
Burtnett says during his KFEQ Hotline appearance. “And there’s great potential
and there’s great energy, and there’s great passion.”

This is Bodde’s first time to run for political office.

“It’s been eye-opening. There’s a learning curve. It’s a grind,”
according to Bodde. “You start off this with great fire and find things along
the way to keep your fire going.”

Bodde wants to see the city use zoning and grants to spur
economic development in south St. Joseph.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostFour candidates are running for the 2nd District
seat on the St. Joseph City Council.Two will move on from the February 8th primary to
the April 5th General Election, unless one receives a majority of
the votes in the primary.Aaron Armstrong, who works at Walmart, wants to see the city
invest in the police department.“Our law enforcement is short-staffed, many of which left
their community to go to a neighboring city for better pay and so, we need to
work to raise their wages to align those wages with other neighboring cities,”
Armstrong says during his time on the KFEQ Hotline.Armstrong sees a disconnect between the St. Joseph City
Council and city residents. He vows to listen to the people.“Our people feel very much ignored,” Armstrong claims. “Our
people feel like their voices ain’t heard. I’ve been out there on the streets
with a lot of them, even during the flood of south St. Joe about a couple of
years back. Many of those people are like, city hall doesn’t hear us. They don’t
care about us.”Armstrong says he wants to work beside the people on raising
wages, cleaning up the city, and reducing crime.Insurance agent Taylor Crouse says the city needs to
concentrate on renovating the south end corridors.“We have a great business down there at Alabama and King Hill,
Darcee’s dance school,” Crouse tells the KFEQ Hotline. “A lot of people from
all over town go there. It’s a bright shining star down there. But there are
also blighted properties in that area.”Crouse says the 2nd District council member must
represent the district while pursuing the best interest of the city as a whole.“First and foremost, I’m a south sider and I want to work for
my district,” Crouse says. “I want to work to make my district cooperative with
the rest of the city, because it’s only going to reap benefits for my district
by doing that.”Crouse says the city has piled up too much deferred
maintenance. He would like to see federal American Rescue Funds used on
long-term projects.Every candidate expressed an interest in keeping the I-229
double decker bridge.Former city council member and businessman Ben Burtnett wants
the council to preserve the double decker bridge.“To me, for the south end to get to the north end, that’s
essential to have that bridge there like it is now,” Burtnett tells the KFEQ
Hotline. “And it carries about 22,000 cars a day down through there and I
cannot see tearing that bridge down.”Burtnett has served two terms on the city council,
representing the old south-end district from 1994 to 1998 and as an at-large
council member from 2002 to 2006.“I’d just like to serve the city of St. Joe again,” Burtnett
says. “I think outside the box and I bring my own ideas, fresh ideas to the
city.”Burtnett says his experience sets him apart from the other
candidates.Electrician Mike Bodde wants to see the city tap into the
potential south St. Joseph offers by generating more business in the area.“So we can see our families working at businesses in the south
end and promoting us and expanding on what our potential is down there,”
Burtnett says during his KFEQ Hotline appearance. “And there’s great potential
and there’s great energy, and there’s great passion.”This is Bodde’s first time to run for political office.“It’s been eye-opening. There’s a learning curve. It’s a grind,”
according to Bodde. “You start off this with great fire and find things along
the way to keep your fire going.”Bodde wants to see the city use zoning and grants to spur
economic development in south St. Joseph.<div><link rel='stylesheet' href='http://itmwpb.com/wp-content/plugins/wpb-show-core/modules/jplayer_new/iframe-style.css' /><div class='audio-container embedded-advance-playlist-player'><iframe class='wpb_audioplayer advance-playlist-player-iframe' scrolling='no' width='600' height='400' frameborder='0' src='https://www.680kfeq.com/wp-content/plugins/wpb-show-core/modules/jplayer_new/jplayer_twitter_ver_1_playlist.php?podcastName=Election+Candidates&podCastImage=&title=&siteurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.680kfeq.com&blogid=356&rss_feed_link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.680kfeq.com%2Fpodcast%2Felection-candidates%2Ffeed%2F%3Fpost_type%3Depisode&podImg_URL=&podCastId=90&episodeId=0&audioPlayerOption=advance_playlist&gmf=-6&ckd=www.680kfeq.com&embedFlag=podcast&e_id_val=0'></iframe></div></div>

Four candidates run for south St. Joseph city council seat

The Savannah School District is lifting the mask mandate put in place for two elementary schools and the middle school tomorrow.

The mask requirement was in place for the John Glenn and Amazonia Elementary Schools, as well as the Savannah Middle School.

District spokesperson Jess Gillett says the decision to lift the mandate came earlier than expected on Friday, as the district looked at the number of students who had tested positive, that would be returning to school on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Meaning that our positive rate was really going to drop later this week," Gillett tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And so, district administration felt like it was appropriate to go ahead and lift that mask mandate for now."

The district had initially planned for the mask mandate to be in place for at least the next two weeks after the three schools had over five-percent of students on the campuses testing positive.

Gillett says the decision also came after consulting with local health officials.

"You know, we really want to work closely with them, we know education and they know public health, and so we really want to rely on their knowledge," Gillett says. "And that's really what they're seeing, is that the newer variant of the virus is coming on quickly. It's spreading very quickly, but then it's also not sticking around as long." 

Gillett says for now the districts approach will stay the same monitoring the number of students that are testing positive and having to miss school.  

Gillett says people were receptive about the mask mandate put into place, but like most things schools have done during the ongoing pandemic, it's hard to make everyone happy.

"So, any decision that we make, you know, we've got half of our population that's not happy about it and the other half thinks it's great, thinks we should be doing a little more," Gillett says "But the thing about having so many of our kids sick right now, is that it's hard to argue with putting another layer of protection in place."

The school district will reconvene in February and will discuss if any changes need to be made to the district COVID policy.

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe Savannah School District is lifting the mask mandate put in place for two elementary schools and the middle school tomorrow.The mask requirement was in place for the John Glenn and Amazonia Elementary Schools, as well as the Savannah Middle School.District spokesperson Jess Gillett says the decision to lift the mandate came earlier than expected on Friday, as the district looked at the number of students who had tested positive, that would be returning to school on Tuesday and Wednesday."Meaning that our positive rate was really going to drop later this week," Gillett tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And so, district administration felt like it was appropriate to go ahead and lift that mask mandate for now."The district had initially planned for the mask mandate to be in place for at least the next two weeks after the three schools had over five-percent of students on the campuses testing positive.Gillett says the decision also came after consulting with local health officials."You know, we really want to work closely with them, we know education and they know public health, and so we really want to rely on their knowledge," Gillett says. "And that's really what they're seeing, is that the newer variant of the virus is coming on quickly. It's spreading very quickly, but then it's also not sticking around as long." Gillett says for now the districts approach will stay the same monitoring the number of students that are testing positive and having to miss school. Gillett says people were receptive about the mask mandate put into place, but like most things schools have done during the ongoing pandemic, it's hard to make everyone happy."So, any decision that we make, you know, we've got half of our population that's not happy about it and the other half thinks it's great, thinks we should be doing a little more," Gillett says "But the thing about having so many of our kids sick right now, is that it's hard to argue with putting another layer of protection in place."The school district will reconvene in February and will discuss if any changes need to be made to the district COVID policy.

Savannah schools lifting mask mandate on Tuesday as students begin to return

A state representative from St. Joseph who serves on the House
Budget Committee says this year’s budget process might be tougher than in years
past, all because the state has more money.

Rep. Brenda Shields says when times are tight, state agencies
understand and adjust their expectations accordingly.

But, when there is a surplus, everybody has their hand out.

“I think that we will spend a lot of time in the budget
process,” Shields tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “I didn’t think that we could
spend any more than we spend now, but I think we will as we study the merits of
each of the projects that are presented to us.”

Shields says she wants to make sure that the state doesn’t
squander the extra money it has.

A strong state economy, coupled with money flowing to
Jefferson City from Washington, has swelled state coffers, giving Missouri a
General Fund balance of $2 billion.

Shields, who serves on the House Budget Committee, says
several state lawmakers will be seeking money for local projects. And, she has
one of her own she hopes to fund.

“I’m hopeful that we appropriate money for our new medical
school that we have, the UMKC Medical School at Mosaic Life Care,” Shields
says. “I’m hoping that we can get about $1.3 million appropriated for it. We
will hopefully be receiving some additional dollars from the feds.”

Education will be a big issue in this legislative session in
Jefferson City.

Shields says the legislature needs to deal with open
enrollment, because parents want more choice of public schools to send their
children.

“COVID has made parents more aware of how their schools
operate,” according to Shields. “They want that opportunity as well and I think
it’s a great way that we can continue to control those public dollars that we
spend for education.”

Shields says other education issues need to be addressed.

“I think, not I think, I know that we have a crisis with
teacher recruitment and retention. We had that before the pandemic.”

Shields says teacher recruitment and retention isn’t just
about salaries, but also is about the classroom environment.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA state representative from St. Joseph who serves on the House
Budget Committee says this year’s budget process might be tougher than in years
past, all because the state has more money.Rep. Brenda Shields says when times are tight, state agencies
understand and adjust their expectations accordingly.But, when there is a surplus, everybody has their hand out.“I think that we will spend a lot of time in the budget
process,” Shields tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “I didn’t think that we could
spend any more than we spend now, but I think we will as we study the merits of
each of the projects that are presented to us.”Shields says she wants to make sure that the state doesn’t
squander the extra money it has.A strong state economy, coupled with money flowing to
Jefferson City from Washington, has swelled state coffers, giving Missouri a
General Fund balance of $2 billion.Shields, who serves on the House Budget Committee, says
several state lawmakers will be seeking money for local projects. And, she has
one of her own she hopes to fund.“I’m hopeful that we appropriate money for our new medical
school that we have, the UMKC Medical School at Mosaic Life Care,” Shields
says. “I’m hoping that we can get about $1.3 million appropriated for it. We
will hopefully be receiving some additional dollars from the feds.”Education will be a big issue in this legislative session in
Jefferson City.Shields says the legislature needs to deal with open
enrollment, because parents want more choice of public schools to send their
children.“COVID has made parents more aware of how their schools
operate,” according to Shields. “They want that opportunity as well and I think
it’s a great way that we can continue to control those public dollars that we
spend for education.”Shields says other education issues need to be addressed.“I think, not I think, I know that we have a crisis with
teacher recruitment and retention. We had that before the pandemic.”Shields says teacher recruitment and retention isn’t just
about salaries, but also is about the classroom environment.

St. Joseph state rep sees tougher budget process, because the state has money

The US Army Corps of Engineers is receiving infrastructure funding that will give a boost to projects along the Missouri River, especially to rebuild and improve the Missouri River levee system heavily damaged in the 2019 flood.

The Kansas City district of the Corps is set to receive $278 million dollars in infrastructure funding from the infrastructure package approved by Congress.

Program Manager for Missouri River Navigation and Restoration Dane Morris says the levees will not only be rebuilt, but improved. 

"We are going back to modify and make those structures more sustainable," Morris tells reporters during a conference call. "We're going to both be building the structures up to reduce flow into those side channel chutes so that more water is pushed into the navigation channel, to make those projects more sustainable." 

Much of the repair on the Missouri River will shore up dykes and stabilize the bank of the Missouri River between Rulo, Nebraska and St. Louis, which is within the Corps' Kansas City district.

Morris says close to $248 million dollars of these funds will go towards Missouri River infrastructure repairs. 

"The funds that are being provided in the infrastructure bill are primarily to restore the functionality of the channel to what it was pre-2019, so prior to that high water event," Morris says. "We've been approaching these repairs in three phases; the first phase was to repair and remove the known restrictions to the navigation channel." 

The repairs being made by the Corps are currently in the second phase, in which they are rebuilding the navigation system to pre-flood conditions. 

Morris says this large amount of funding will help tremendously with the needed repairs. 

"This amount of funding is a much larger slug of funds then we have received previously for repairs or maintenance along the river," Morris says. "So, I think it is going to go a long way in helping stabilize the river and repair the navigation channel to what is was prior to the flood." 

Morris says typically the Corps budget for repairs is around $10 million dollars, so having $248 million to work with is a huge boost. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643642335520.jpeg" alt="A massive sandbagging effort along the Missouri River kept 2019 floodwaters from spilling over into Elwood, Kansas and onto Rosecrans Memorial Airport/file photo" />
 <figcaption>A massive sandbagging effort along the Missouri River kept 2019 floodwaters from spilling over into Elwood, Kansas and onto Rosecrans Memorial Airport/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The US Army Corps of Engineers is receiving infrastructure funding that will give a boost to projects along the Missouri River, especially to rebuild and improve the Missouri River levee system heavily damaged in the 2019 flood.The Kansas City district of the Corps is set to receive $278 million dollars in infrastructure funding from the infrastructure package approved by Congress.Program Manager for Missouri River Navigation and Restoration Dane Morris says the levees will not only be rebuilt, but improved. "We are going back to modify and make those structures more sustainable," Morris tells reporters during a conference call. "We're going to both be building the structures up to reduce flow into those side channel chutes so that more water is pushed into the navigation channel, to make those projects more sustainable." Much of the repair on the Missouri River will shore up dykes and stabilize the bank of the Missouri River between Rulo, Nebraska and St. Louis, which is within the Corps' Kansas City district.Morris says close to $248 million dollars of these funds will go towards Missouri River infrastructure repairs. "The funds that are being provided in the infrastructure bill are primarily to restore the functionality of the channel to what it was pre-2019, so prior to that high water event," Morris says. "We've been approaching these repairs in three phases; the first phase was to repair and remove the known restrictions to the navigation channel." The repairs being made by the Corps are currently in the second phase, in which they are rebuilding the navigation system to pre-flood conditions. Morris says this large amount of funding will help tremendously with the needed repairs. "This amount of funding is a much larger slug of funds then we have received previously for repairs or maintenance along the river," Morris says. "So, I think it is going to go a long way in helping stabilize the river and repair the navigation channel to what is was prior to the flood." Morris says typically the Corps budget for repairs is around $10 million dollars, so having $248 million to work with is a huge boost.

Infrastructure funds give boost to Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City district

NODAWAY COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident while fleeing law enforcement just after 10p.m. Sunday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Nissan Versa driven by Justin J. Atton, 19, Oak Grove, was westbound on 330th Street at U.S. 71 two and one half miles west of Arkoe.

The car traveled off the road, struck a MODOT sign. After the crash, the car continued south on U.S. 71, traveled into the median, then continued northbound on U.S. 71 before coming to a controlled stop.

Nodaway County EMS transported Atton and a passenger 18-year-old Lillian K. Beverly of Oak Grove to Mosaic in Maryville. Atton was not wearing a seat belt. He was also arrested on requested charges of resisting arrest, DWI-drugs, exceeding the posted speed limit by 26mph or more, failure to yield to emergency vehicle and failure to drive on the right half of the road involving a motor vehicle crash, according to online arrest records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593190532467.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NODAWAY COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident while fleeing law enforcement just after 10p.m. Sunday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Nissan Versa driven by Justin J. Atton, 19, Oak Grove, was westbound on 330th Street at U.S. 71 two and one half miles west of Arkoe.The car traveled off the road, struck a MODOT sign. After the crash, the car continued south on U.S. 71, traveled into the median, then continued northbound on U.S. 71 before coming to a controlled stop.Nodaway County EMS transported Atton and a passenger 18-year-old Lillian K. Beverly of Oak Grove to Mosaic in Maryville. Atton was not wearing a seat belt. He was also arrested on requested charges of resisting arrest, DWI-drugs, exceeding the posted speed limit by 26mph or more, failure to yield to emergency vehicle and failure to drive on the right half of the road involving a motor vehicle crash, according to online arrest records.

Missouri man arrested after chase, crash in Nodaway County

Savannah
school officials plan to lift the mask mandate for two elementary schools and
the middle school Tuesday.

The
Savannah School District issued a statement, saying a drop in positive COVID-19
cases and the shorter incubation period for the Omicron variant prompted the
decision. The current requirement to wear masks at Amazonia Elementary and John
Glenn Elementary Schools as well as the Savannah Middle School will be dropped
beginning tomorrow. School officials continue to strongly encourage students
and staff to wear masks.

School
officials do ask parents to keep students at home if they are sick.

Andrew
County health officials report 167 active COVID-19 cases in the county with 90
in the last seven days.

Meanwhile,
Mosaic Life Care reports it is treating 62 total COVID-19 patients in its
system; 54 in St. Joseph, 7 in Maryville, and 1 in Albany.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSavannah
school officials plan to lift the mask mandate for two elementary schools and
the middle school Tuesday.The
Savannah School District issued a statement, saying a drop in positive COVID-19
cases and the shorter incubation period for the Omicron variant prompted the
decision. The current requirement to wear masks at Amazonia Elementary and John
Glenn Elementary Schools as well as the Savannah Middle School will be dropped
beginning tomorrow. School officials continue to strongly encourage students
and staff to wear masks.School
officials do ask parents to keep students at home if they are sick.Andrew
County health officials report 167 active COVID-19 cases in the county with 90
in the last seven days.Meanwhile,
Mosaic Life Care reports it is treating 62 total COVID-19 patients in its
system; 54 in St. Joseph, 7 in Maryville, and 1 in Albany.

Savannah school district to drop mask mandate

A motorcyclist died in a late afternoon wreck Sunday at the
intersection of North Belt Highway and North Ridge Drive.

St. Joseph police report 21-year-old Chaz Newman of St. Joseph
crashed into a sport utility vehicle at the intersection.

The fatal crash remains under investigation.&nbsp;

This article has been updated to identify the victim.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA motorcyclist died in a late afternoon wreck Sunday at the
intersection of North Belt Highway and North Ridge Drive.St. Joseph police report 21-year-old Chaz Newman of St. Joseph
crashed into a sport utility vehicle at the intersection.The fatal crash remains under investigation.&nbsp;This article has been updated to identify the victim.

Motorcyclist dies in Belt Highway crash Sunday in St. Joseph

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — State parks in Missouri are proving to be more popular than ever, with record numbers of visitors.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/state-and-regional/missouri-state-parks-report-record-attendance-campsite-and-cabin-rentals-in-2021/article_5492c89f-e69c-57e9-b8ae-5f908388f69e.html#tracking-source=home-top-story">St. Louis Post-Dispatch</a>&nbsp;reports that 22.5 million people visited Missouri state parks in 2021, a nearly 7% increase from 2020 and an all-time high for the state's 92 parks and historic sites.

The state also reported a 24% increase in campsite rentals and a 17% increase in lodging units rented.

Division of State Parks Director David Kelly says the biggest complaint the division gets is that the parks are so popular people can't always get into them.

The popularity is driving the state to plan new parks, build new cabins and take other steps such as increase internet connectivity and upgrade existing campsites. Much of that work will be funded with money from the American Rescue Plan Act.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — State parks in Missouri are proving to be more popular than ever, with record numbers of visitors.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/state-and-regional/missouri-state-parks-report-record-attendance-campsite-and-cabin-rentals-in-2021/article_5492c89f-e69c-57e9-b8ae-5f908388f69e.html#tracking-source=home-top-story">St. Louis Post-Dispatch</a>&nbsp;reports that 22.5 million people visited Missouri state parks in 2021, a nearly 7% increase from 2020 and an all-time high for the state's 92 parks and historic sites.The state also reported a 24% increase in campsite rentals and a 17% increase in lodging units rented.Division of State Parks Director David Kelly says the biggest complaint the division gets is that the parks are so popular people can't always get into them.The popularity is driving the state to plan new parks, build new cabins and take other steps such as increase internet connectivity and upgrade existing campsites. Much of that work will be funded with money from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Record attendance at Missouri state parks in 2021

BUCHANAN COUNTY—Five people were injured in an accident just before 1:30p.m. Friday in Buchanan County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2018 International truck driven by Johnathan A. Nichols, 32, Liberty, TN., was southbound on Interstate 29 two miles south of Faucett.

The vehicle rear-ended a 2018 Nissan Rogue driven by Sharice L. Scott, 26, Kansas City, that was in the driving lane traveling at a slow rate of speed.&nbsp; After impact, the Nissan traveled off the road and struck a guardrail.

Buchanan County EMS transported Scott and an infant to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp; Northland Regional transported a Janice D. Ross, 20, Kansas City, and two other children in the Nissan to Mosaic. Nichols was not injured. All were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

BUCHANAN COUNTY—Five people were injured in an accident just before 1:30p.m. Friday in Buchanan County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2018 International truck driven by Johnathan A. Nichols, 32, Liberty, TN., was southbound on Interstate 29 two miles south of Faucett.The vehicle rear-ended a 2018 Nissan Rogue driven by Sharice L. Scott, 26, Kansas City, that was in the driving lane traveling at a slow rate of speed.&nbsp; After impact, the Nissan traveled off the road and struck a guardrail.Buchanan County EMS transported Scott and an infant to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp; Northland Regional transported a Janice D. Ross, 20, Kansas City, and two other children in the Nissan to Mosaic. Nichols was not injured. All were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

2 adult and 3 children hospitalized after rear-end crash

By RON FIELDS <a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/post-news-network">Post News Network</a>

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health challenges among young people were the leading causes of disability and poor life outcomes,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-youth-mental-health-advisory.pdf">according to the U.S. Surgeon General.</a>

But now after almost two years of enduring a life-changing pandemic, area mental health professionals say the need for mental health services has increased dramatically — compounded by factors such as social media, political divisions in communities and an overloaded mental health care system.

"Especially toward the fall of 2020, we were starting to see an increase after kids were at home for six months," said Carie Brown of Great Bend-based&nbsp;<a href="https://heartofkansas.com/">Heart of Kansas Family Heath Care</a>. "Symptoms have been more exacerbated by the pandemic."

Brown, a licensed specialist clinical social worker and licensed clinical addictions counselor, said the isolation caused by stay-at-home orders was traumatic for many young people.

"We have kids whose home lives are not good. Food is an issue or safety is an issue," said Brown, a Fort Hays State University graduate and Logan, Kan., native. "During that pandemic time, they were all alone in that."

If you’re in crisis, get immediate help: Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273- 8255,&nbsp;<a href="https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/">chat</a>&nbsp;with trained counselors 24/7, or&nbsp;<a href="https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/">get help in other ways through the Lifeline.</a>&nbsp;You can also contact the National Crisis Textline by texting HOME to 741741.

Pediatric psychologist Matthew Wassom of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.katieswaymanhattan.com/">Katie's Way</a>&nbsp;in Manhattan agreed.

"From March 2020 through the summer and into the fall of 2020 ... they were losing the routine and structure of life," he said. "And then, obviously, you take away one of the most valuable things, which is social functioning.

"Children were spending more time with family. ... That's nice for some families, but not for all families, especially in vulnerable populations," he said.

In rural northwest Nebraska, Catherine Jones-Hazledine, a psychologist with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.westernnebraskabehavioralhealth.com/">Western Nebraska Behavior Health</a>, said mental health issues among her patients have been magnified by current circumstances.

"We see all of the normal things that we would see, but they are just intensifying. A lot of us as providers are worried about parent-child interactions because there were no breaks, worried about parents coping and increases in maladaptive parenting," she said. "We are seeing depressed kids, really lonely kids, especially in high school, where those kids lost milestone after milestone after milestone."

School referrals make up a significant portion of the juvenile patient loads for most mental health providers. Brown said that during the early days of the pandemic, juvenile cases actually saw a slight decrease.

"Kids with behavior or emotional issues, those issues tend to come out in a school setting, in a a structured setting," Brown said. "During that March of 2020 to the fall, there were not a lot of new referrals. But once kids got back into schools, that's when we really started seeing that influx in referrals."

Wassom said his patient load was a mixed bag during that time period.

"Some vulnerable populations had less access to care ... but kids with better resources, more involved parents, more financial resources, we saw them seeking out care for the first time," he said.

The situation was different for Jones-Hazledine, whose practice is integrated in medical settings along with other health providers.

"The doctors are still the first person that people call when they're concerned about their kids out here, that and their pastors and priests," she said. "The kids were still finding their way to us."

Jones-Hazledine said the politics of COVID, coupled with other events on a national scale, have "coalesced into this big ball of conflict" — adding to the stressors for young people.&nbsp;

"We're in a very rural red areas, and there's a lot of division about what it all means and what to think. That's been hard for everybody, but especially to the young people. It's super confusing," she said. "There are kiddos out there whose family believes in the science, and those kids go to school and go to class with kids who believe differently. ... And can be teased or mocked.

"Bullying is always something with young people, but it's jut different now," she added. "The kids see there are adults often engaging in conflict over medical issues, issues of what students should learn."

Social media and "screens" also have played an enormous role in mental health challenges, the providers said.

"Electronics are a huge issue. They've become the babysitter. They've become an easier method than actively engaging and trying to do things as a family," Brown said. "As parents, we all have to look at that and be honest about it. ... It creates more obstacles than people realize."

During the isolation period, young people used social media increasingly to stay connected with their peers, but also faced a heightened risk of being bullied or engaging in risky online behavior.

"Digital stuff is always worse," said Jones-Hazledine. "As a society, we'll say things to each other and treat each other on social media that we would never say in person. It's grown over time, and there is no consequence. "

One of her student patients recently paraphrased a quote from Oscar Wilde: "Give a man a mask, and he'll tell you the truth."

"Not just the positive, but the negative. ... It's more honest, but we are also more harsh," she said.

While Wassom said he doesn't have "blanket hate" for screens and social media, he agreed the isolation drove more kids to increased screen time, often to the detriment of those children.

"If a family system doesn't have a good process set up, then you see the negative side of social media and the internet," he said. "We've seen a higher rate of tech addiction-type behaviors and a lot of issues of negative side effects of social media platforms."

Wassom compared device use among young people to driver's education.

"It's about social media literacy, trying to teach children before they ever lay hands on a device how to use that device in an healthy manner," he said, noting no one would give the keys to a car to an untrained child an expect them to drive safely away.

While those in junior high and high school are experiencing a "new normal," some younger children will retain little, if any, recollection of what life was like pre-COVID — which could be a positive, Wassom said.

"If you have a 5- or 6-year-old who is now 8 or 9, they have a good stretch of their early elementary development done during a pandemic," he said. "They may not have a clear picture of how things are when there is not a pandemic, and maybe some of them are doing a bit better, and they've adapted in their resilience."

In Jones-Hazledine's area of western Nebraska, one of the most troubling aspects of COVID is what she is hearing from teachers and schools.

"We have heard over and over again that the kids they're teaching right now are a good year behind socio-emotionally. The year of isolation really took a toll on everything," she said. "Kids are resilient, but to hear that across the board in all different kinds of schools, it's kind of mind-blowing.

In a June 2021 study, the U.S. Surgeon General's office reported depressive and anxiety symptoms double during the pandemic, with 25 percent of young people experiencing depressive symptoms and 20 percent experiencing anxiety. Suspected suicide attempts increased 51 percent for girls and 4 percent for boys compared to 2019.

"It's a combination of everything we've talked about — feelings of isolation, exposure to things through screen time, this extremely difficult situation for kids and for parents," Brown said. "There's been an increase in suicidal behaviors and that is very concerning."

Like most every sector in the U.S. economy, mental health health providers are struggling with staffing issues in their clinics.

"We are absolutely overwhelmed, much more so than we were in the first year of the pandemic. The need is through the roof," Jones-Hazledine said. "Most practices out here, there are two- to three-month waiting lists. This is source of great stress to the providers in my practice."

Wassom said Katie's Way sees patients from eastern to far western Kansas.

"It speaks to the shortage of certain types of providers across the whole state," he said.

Brown agreed, noting her clinic is seeking an additional behavior health professional, as well a additional nursing staff.

Jones-Hazledine said she had to enforce a mandated break over the holidays. Her staff is dealing with what she called "compassion fatigue," and battling their own symptoms of burnout.&nbsp;

The U.S. Surgeon General's office said "there is much to be done" to support the mental health of children, including:

•&nbsp;Recognizing mental health is an essential part of overall health. •&nbsp;Empowering youth and their families to recognize, manage and learn from difficult emotions. •&nbsp;Ensuring every child has access to high-quality, affordable and culturally competent mental health care. •&nbsp;Supporting the mental health of children in educational, community and child care settings. •&nbsp;Addressing economic and social barriers to care. •&nbsp;Increasing data collection to more rapidly identify mental health needs.

Brown said access to services is crucial, as well as shaking the concept that mental health concerns is viewed through a stigmatized lens.

"Mental health has been seen like it's something to be ashamed of forever. The reality is it's nothing to be ashamed of," she said. "Everyone has felt sad, anxious, depressed —&nbsp;but there is help. It's important for people not to enter with that bias that it's something wrong.

"The more open people are to getting help, the more likely it is that it can be overcome and it can get better."

Wassom said there might be a silver lining in the pandemic for some children.

"I've got some hopeful optimism. When you look at research of adverse events, there are still a lot of kids out there who have good resiliency, good support and positive relationships," he said. "They can come through fairly stressful situations fairly well developed. They could be strengthened and have developed new skills that other generations don't have."

<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-youth-mental-health-advisory.pdf">The U.S. Surgeon General's report</a>&nbsp;issued a series of recommendations for schools, families, communities, the media, providers and others to help more young people navigate mental health issues.

"If we each start reorienting our priorities to create accessible space in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities for seeking and giving assistance, we can all start building a culture that normalizes and promotes mental health care," the report said. "This is the moment to demand change — with our voices and with our actions. Only when we do will we be able to protect, strengthen, and support the health and safety of all children, adolescents, and young adults — and ensure everyone has a platform to thrive."

Cover image by&nbsp;<a href="https://unsplash.com/@vesky?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Vesky</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/teen-depression?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>

By RON FIELDS <a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/post-news-network">Post News Network</a>Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health challenges among young people were the leading causes of disability and poor life outcomes,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-youth-mental-health-advisory.pdf">according to the U.S. Surgeon General.</a>But now after almost two years of enduring a life-changing pandemic, area mental health professionals say the need for mental health services has increased dramatically — compounded by factors such as social media, political divisions in communities and an overloaded mental health care system."Especially toward the fall of 2020, we were starting to see an increase after kids were at home for six months," said Carie Brown of Great Bend-based&nbsp;<a href="https://heartofkansas.com/">Heart of Kansas Family Heath Care</a>. "Symptoms have been more exacerbated by the pandemic."Brown, a licensed specialist clinical social worker and licensed clinical addictions counselor, said the isolation caused by stay-at-home orders was traumatic for many young people."We have kids whose home lives are not good. Food is an issue or safety is an issue," said Brown, a Fort Hays State University graduate and Logan, Kan., native. "During that pandemic time, they were all alone in that."If you’re in crisis, get immediate help: Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273- 8255,&nbsp;<a href="https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/">chat</a>&nbsp;with trained counselors 24/7, or&nbsp;<a href="https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/">get help in other ways through the Lifeline.</a>&nbsp;You can also contact the National Crisis Textline by texting HOME to 741741.Pediatric psychologist Matthew Wassom of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.katieswaymanhattan.com/">Katie's Way</a>&nbsp;in Manhattan agreed."From March 2020 through the summer and into the fall of 2020 ... they were losing the routine and structure of life," he said. "And then, obviously, you take away one of the most valuable things, which is social functioning."Children were spending more time with family. ... That's nice for some families, but not for all families, especially in vulnerable populations," he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643306004920.png" alt="Wassom" />
 <figcaption>Wassom</figcaption>
 </figure>In rural northwest Nebraska, Catherine Jones-Hazledine, a psychologist with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.westernnebraskabehavioralhealth.com/">Western Nebraska Behavior Health</a>, said mental health issues among her patients have been magnified by current circumstances."We see all of the normal things that we would see, but they are just intensifying. A lot of us as providers are worried about parent-child interactions because there were no breaks, worried about parents coping and increases in maladaptive parenting," she said. "We are seeing depressed kids, really lonely kids, especially in high school, where those kids lost milestone after milestone after milestone."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643306047888.jpeg" alt="Brown" />
 <figcaption>Brown</figcaption>
 </figure>School referrals make up a significant portion of the juvenile patient loads for most mental health providers. Brown said that during the early days of the pandemic, juvenile cases actually saw a slight decrease."Kids with behavior or emotional issues, those issues tend to come out in a school setting, in a a structured setting," Brown said. "During that March of 2020 to the fall, there were not a lot of new referrals. But once kids got back into schools, that's when we really started seeing that influx in referrals."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643306132278.png" alt="U.S. Surgeon General" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Surgeon General</figcaption>
 </figure>Wassom said his patient load was a mixed bag during that time period."Some vulnerable populations had less access to care ... but kids with better resources, more involved parents, more financial resources, we saw them seeking out care for the first time," he said.The situation was different for Jones-Hazledine, whose practice is integrated in medical settings along with other health providers."The doctors are still the first person that people call when they're concerned about their kids out here, that and their pastors and priests," she said. "The kids were still finding their way to us."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643306082797.jpeg" alt="Jones-Hazledine" />
 <figcaption>Jones-Hazledine</figcaption>
 </figure>Jones-Hazledine said the politics of COVID, coupled with other events on a national scale, have "coalesced into this big ball of conflict" — adding to the stressors for young people.&nbsp;"We're in a very rural red areas, and there's a lot of division about what it all means and what to think. That's been hard for everybody, but especially to the young people. It's super confusing," she said. "There are kiddos out there whose family believes in the science, and those kids go to school and go to class with kids who believe differently. ... And can be teased or mocked."Bullying is always something with young people, but it's jut different now," she added. "The kids see there are adults often engaging in conflict over medical issues, issues of what students should learn."<h2>Social media</h2>Social media and "screens" also have played an enormous role in mental health challenges, the providers said."Electronics are a huge issue. They've become the babysitter. They've become an easier method than actively engaging and trying to do things as a family," Brown said. "As parents, we all have to look at that and be honest about it. ... It creates more obstacles than people realize."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643306305522.png" alt="U.S. Surgeon General" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Surgeon General</figcaption>
 </figure>During the isolation period, young people used social media increasingly to stay connected with their peers, but also faced a heightened risk of being bullied or engaging in risky online behavior."Digital stuff is always worse," said Jones-Hazledine. "As a society, we'll say things to each other and treat each other on social media that we would never say in person. It's grown over time, and there is no consequence. "One of her student patients recently paraphrased a quote from Oscar Wilde: "Give a man a mask, and he'll tell you the truth.""Not just the positive, but the negative. ... It's more honest, but we are also more harsh," she said. While Wassom said he doesn't have "blanket hate" for screens and social media, he agreed the isolation drove more kids to increased screen time, often to the detriment of those children."If a family system doesn't have a good process set up, then you see the negative side of social media and the internet," he said. "We've seen a higher rate of tech addiction-type behaviors and a lot of issues of negative side effects of social media platforms."Wassom compared device use among young people to driver's education."It's about social media literacy, trying to teach children before they ever lay hands on a device how to use that device in an healthy manner," he said, noting no one would give the keys to a car to an untrained child an expect them to drive safely away.<h2>Outcomes</h2>While those in junior high and high school are experiencing a "new normal," some younger children will retain little, if any, recollection of what life was like pre-COVID — which could be a positive, Wassom said."If you have a 5- or 6-year-old who is now 8 or 9, they have a good stretch of their early elementary development done during a pandemic," he said. "They may not have a clear picture of how things are when there is not a pandemic, and maybe some of them are doing a bit better, and they've adapted in their resilience."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643306361441.png" alt="U.S. Surgeon General" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Surgeon General</figcaption>
 </figure>In Jones-Hazledine's area of western Nebraska, one of the most troubling aspects of COVID is what she is hearing from teachers and schools."We have heard over and over again that the kids they're teaching right now are a good year behind socio-emotionally. The year of isolation really took a toll on everything," she said. "Kids are resilient, but to hear that across the board in all different kinds of schools, it's kind of mind-blowing.In a June 2021 study, the U.S. Surgeon General's office reported depressive and anxiety symptoms double during the pandemic, with 25 percent of young people experiencing depressive symptoms and 20 percent experiencing anxiety. Suspected suicide attempts increased 51 percent for girls and 4 percent for boys compared to 2019."It's a combination of everything we've talked about — feelings of isolation, exposure to things through screen time, this extremely difficult situation for kids and for parents," Brown said. "There's been an increase in suicidal behaviors and that is very concerning."<h2>Staffing</h2>Like most every sector in the U.S. economy, mental health health providers are struggling with staffing issues in their clinics."We are absolutely overwhelmed, much more so than we were in the first year of the pandemic. The need is through the roof," Jones-Hazledine said. "Most practices out here, there are two- to three-month waiting lists. This is source of great stress to the providers in my practice."Wassom said Katie's Way sees patients from eastern to far western Kansas."It speaks to the shortage of certain types of providers across the whole state," he said.Brown agreed, noting her clinic is seeking an additional behavior health professional, as well a additional nursing staff.Jones-Hazledine said she had to enforce a mandated break over the holidays. Her staff is dealing with what she called "compassion fatigue," and battling their own symptoms of burnout.&nbsp;<h2>Solutions</h2>The U.S. Surgeon General's office said "there is much to be done" to support the mental health of children, including:•&nbsp;Recognizing mental health is an essential part of overall health. •&nbsp;Empowering youth and their families to recognize, manage and learn from difficult emotions. •&nbsp;Ensuring every child has access to high-quality, affordable and culturally competent mental health care. •&nbsp;Supporting the mental health of children in educational, community and child care settings. •&nbsp;Addressing economic and social barriers to care. •&nbsp;Increasing data collection to more rapidly identify mental health needs.Brown said access to services is crucial, as well as shaking the concept that mental health concerns is viewed through a stigmatized lens."Mental health has been seen like it's something to be ashamed of forever. The reality is it's nothing to be ashamed of," she said. "Everyone has felt sad, anxious, depressed —&nbsp;but there is help. It's important for people not to enter with that bias that it's something wrong."The more open people are to getting help, the more likely it is that it can be overcome and it can get better."Wassom said there might be a silver lining in the pandemic for some children."I've got some hopeful optimism. When you look at research of adverse events, there are still a lot of kids out there who have good resiliency, good support and positive relationships," he said. "They can come through fairly stressful situations fairly well developed. They could be strengthened and have developed new skills that other generations don't have."<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-youth-mental-health-advisory.pdf">The U.S. Surgeon General's report</a>&nbsp;issued a series of recommendations for schools, families, communities, the media, providers and others to help more young people navigate mental health issues."If we each start reorienting our priorities to create accessible space in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities for seeking and giving assistance, we can all start building a culture that normalizes and promotes mental health care," the report said. "This is the moment to demand change — with our voices and with our actions. Only when we do will we be able to protect, strengthen, and support the health and safety of all children, adolescents, and young adults — and ensure everyone has a platform to thrive."Cover image by&nbsp;<a href="https://unsplash.com/@vesky?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Vesky</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/teen-depression?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>

Children's mental health an increasing concern as COVID lingers

ANDREW COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after noon Friday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Honda Accord driven by Darian A. Ceballos, 18, Milstadt, IL., was northbound on Route D six miles east of Savannah.

The driver lost control of the car when he saw a deer and slammed on the brakes. The car traveled off the road and overturned.

Andrew County EMS transported Ceballos to Mosaic Life Care. He was properly restrained according to the MSHP.

ANDREW COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after noon Friday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Honda Accord driven by Darian A. Ceballos, 18, Milstadt, IL., was northbound on Route D six miles east of Savannah.The driver lost control of the car when he saw a deer and slammed on the brakes. The car traveled off the road and overturned.Andrew County EMS transported Ceballos to Mosaic Life Care. He was properly restrained according to the MSHP.

Teen injured after car overturns in attempt to avoid a deer

DAVIESS COUNTY —A Missouri man was injured in an accident just after 9a.m. Friday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ford F 250 driven by Jeremy A. Wells, 44, Weatherby, was eastbound on U.S. 69 five miles south of Pattonsburg.

The driver failed to stop at the intersection at Route E. The pickup traveled across U.S. 69 and struck a tree.

Daviess County ambulance transported Wells to Cameron Regional Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

DAVIESS COUNTY —A Missouri man was injured in an accident just after 9a.m. Friday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ford F 250 driven by Jeremy A. Wells, 44, Weatherby, was eastbound on U.S. 69 five miles south of Pattonsburg.The driver failed to stop at the intersection at Route E. The pickup traveled across U.S. 69 and struck a tree.Daviess County ambulance transported Wells to Cameron Regional Medical Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man injured after pickup strikes a tree

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 4a.m. Friday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Freightliner semi driven by Montora A. Johnson, 38, Waterloo, IA, was southbound on Interstate 35 six miles north of Eagleville.

The semi's left front tire detached. The vehicle crossed the media and struck a northbound 2015 Freightliner semi driven by Thomas C. Einerson, 58, Olivia, Minnesota.

Lifeflight Eagle transported Einerson to Unity Point Health in Des Moines. Johnson was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained according to the MSHP.

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 4a.m. Friday in Harrison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Freightliner semi driven by Montora A. Johnson, 38, Waterloo, IA, was southbound on Interstate 35 six miles north of Eagleville.The semi's left front tire detached. The vehicle crossed the media and struck a northbound 2015 Freightliner semi driven by Thomas C. Einerson, 58, Olivia, Minnesota.Lifeflight Eagle transported Einerson to Unity Point Health in Des Moines. Johnson was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained according to the MSHP.

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