HOLT COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 8a.m. Wednesday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Western Star 5700 driven by Brett M. Johnson, 57, Council Bluffs, was southbound on Interstate 29 just before U.S. 59.

The truck traveled off the road, through the median, skidded across all northbound lanes, struck an embankment, a tree, overturned and spilled cargo.

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

HOLT COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 8a.m. Wednesday in Holt County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Western Star 5700 driven by Brett M. Johnson, 57, Council Bluffs, was southbound on Interstate 29 just before U.S. 59.The truck traveled off the road, through the median, skidded across all northbound lanes, struck an embankment, a tree, overturned and spilled cargo.Atchison-Holt ambulance transported Johnson to Mosaic Life Care. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Driver hospitalized in St. Joe after semi overturns, spills cargo

A St. Joseph School District committee is working hard with community members to solve problems within St. Joseph public schools.  

The committee is called Vision Forward, and its purpose is to give the community a chance to give feedback on its biggest concerns for the school district.  

Committee co-chair Teresa Simmons says through all the meetings with parents and community members, everything centers around one main goal.  

"We're talking about directions that parents of students, what their concerns are with their students in the classrooms," Simmons tells Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. "Everything that we do and all the suggestions that we come up with are supposed to be designed to improve the education of our students in the classroom." 

Committee Co-Chair Bob Miller says, as a parent who has been a member of the district for years, he knows everyone has suggestions of what they would fix. His hope is that people coming to these meetings take the time to learn what is feasible. 

"Folks will come, yes they might come with some passionate opinions about some different things, but I think as we take in more information that there would just be a greater sense of compassion maybe, and understanding of these are complex and complicated topics that are not easy to remedy," Miller says. 

Miller says a growing problem has been the number of students in the classroom, with the number of students continually dropping.  

"The fact is we're losing students. We've lost about 1,000 students over the last five or six years in our district," Miller explains. "And that creates some challenges. We have empty seats. We have buildings that are not fully to capacity." 

The Vision Forward committee will hold a series of four community meetings over the spring semester, the first on Jan. 25 at Word of Life Church in St. Joseph.  

Following the four sessions, the committee will bring all suggestions to a creative team that will then bring options back to Vision Forward to present to the district to be implemented during the new school year. 

You can find out more information about the community engagement meetings <a href="https://fb.me/e/13VWkN7wp">HERE</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642614203886.png" alt="Photo provided by the St. Joseph School District" />
 <figcaption>Photo provided by the St. Joseph School District</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A St. Joseph School District committee is working hard with community members to solve problems within St. Joseph public schools. The committee is called Vision Forward, and its purpose is to give the community a chance to give feedback on its biggest concerns for the school district. Committee co-chair Teresa Simmons says through all the meetings with parents and community members, everything centers around one main goal. "We're talking about directions that parents of students, what their concerns are with their students in the classrooms," Simmons tells Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. "Everything that we do and all the suggestions that we come up with are supposed to be designed to improve the education of our students in the classroom." Committee Co-Chair Bob Miller says, as a parent who has been a member of the district for years, he knows everyone has suggestions of what they would fix. His hope is that people coming to these meetings take the time to learn what is feasible. "Folks will come, yes they might come with some passionate opinions about some different things, but I think as we take in more information that there would just be a greater sense of compassion maybe, and understanding of these are complex and complicated topics that are not easy to remedy," Miller says. Miller says a growing problem has been the number of students in the classroom, with the number of students continually dropping. "The fact is we're losing students. We've lost about 1,000 students over the last five or six years in our district," Miller explains. "And that creates some challenges. We have empty seats. We have buildings that are not fully to capacity." The Vision Forward committee will hold a series of four community meetings over the spring semester, the first on Jan. 25 at Word of Life Church in St. Joseph. Following the four sessions, the committee will bring all suggestions to a creative team that will then bring options back to Vision Forward to present to the district to be implemented during the new school year. You can find out more information about the community engagement meetings <a href="https://fb.me/e/13VWkN7wp">HERE</a>.

St. Joseph School District Vision Forward committee calling for community help

HOLT COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just after 12:30p.m. Tuesday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica driven by Samantha J. Kelly, 32, Oregon, Mo, was northbound on Route B one mile north of Holt 285 three miles east of Oregon.

The driver lost control on the slush covered road. The vehicle traveled off the road, struck an embankment, several small trees and landed in a creek.

Atchison-Holt ambulance transported Kelly and two passengers, a 4-year-old girl and a 1-year-old boy to Mosaic Life Care. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

HOLT COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just after 12:30p.m. Tuesday in Holt County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica driven by Samantha J. Kelly, 32, Oregon, Mo, was northbound on Route B one mile north of Holt 285 three miles east of Oregon.The driver lost control on the slush covered road. The vehicle traveled off the road, struck an embankment, several small trees and landed in a creek.Atchison-Holt ambulance transported Kelly and two passengers, a 4-year-old girl and a 1-year-old boy to Mosaic Life Care. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman, 2 children injured after minivan lands in creek

DAVIESS COUNTY —A Missouri woman died in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Tuesday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Chevy Tahoe driven by Briaunna R. Goodwin, 26, Cameron, was northbound on U.S. 59 three miles south of Winston.&nbsp;

The driver lost control on the icy road. The SUV traveled into the southbound lanes. A southbound 2013 Ford F150 driven by Linda S. Wilcox, 63, Trenton, struck the SUV.

Wilcox was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Stith Funeral Home in Gallatin. EMS transported Goodwin to Liberty Hospital. The drivers were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

DAVIESS COUNTY —A Missouri woman died in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Tuesday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Chevy Tahoe driven by Briaunna R. Goodwin, 26, Cameron, was northbound on U.S. 59 three miles south of Winston.&nbsp; The driver lost control on the icy road. The SUV traveled into the southbound lanes. A southbound 2013 Ford F150 driven by Linda S. Wilcox, 63, Trenton, struck the SUV.Wilcox was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Stith Funeral Home in Gallatin. EMS transported Goodwin to Liberty Hospital. The drivers were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

Woman from Trenton dies after 2-vehicle crash on icy road

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A former Roman Catholic priest who was named in dozens of child sexual abuse lawsuits was found dead in Kansas City on Sunday, police said.

Emergency responders found Thomas Reardon, 80, a former priest in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, dead Sunday at the Brookdale Wornall Place, a senior living facility where he lived.

Police said there was no evidence of suspicious circumstances or foul play in Reardon's death.

Reardon resigned as a priest in 1989 and was later removed by the diocese from the priesthood.

In 2019, he was among 24 priests whose names the diocese released as being credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors.

Reardon was among 12 current and former priests named in a sexual abuse case involving 47 plaintiffs that the diocese settled for $10 million in 2008, the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article257431517.html">reported</a>.

He also was included in a $10 million settlement by the diocese in 2014 that covered 32 lawsuits involving 14 current and former priests facing allegations of sexual abuse over three decades.

Rebecca Randles, a Kansas City attorney who has filed about 30 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by Reardon, said that he “left behind a legacy of loss and shattered lives.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A former Roman Catholic priest who was named in dozens of child sexual abuse lawsuits was found dead in Kansas City on Sunday, police said.Emergency responders found Thomas Reardon, 80, a former priest in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, dead Sunday at the Brookdale Wornall Place, a senior living facility where he lived.Police said there was no evidence of suspicious circumstances or foul play in Reardon's death.Reardon resigned as a priest in 1989 and was later removed by the diocese from the priesthood.In 2019, he was among 24 priests whose names the diocese released as being credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors.Reardon was among 12 current and former priests named in a sexual abuse case involving 47 plaintiffs that the diocese settled for $10 million in 2008, the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article257431517.html">reported</a>.He also was included in a $10 million settlement by the diocese in 2014 that covered 32 lawsuits involving 14 current and former priests facing allegations of sexual abuse over three decades.Rebecca Randles, a Kansas City attorney who has filed about 30 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by Reardon, said that he “left behind a legacy of loss and shattered lives.”

Former priest named in dozens of child abuse lawsuits dies

Mosaic Life Care is working through extremely high patient
numbers as the Omicron variant raises COVID-19 numbers throughout the region.

Mosaic CEO, Dr. Mark Laney, says the health care system has
reactivated its Incident Command System to cope with the spike in patient
numbers.

“This is an internal tool that we use when we have a highly
specified or intense circumstance,” Laney tells reporters during a recent news briefing.
“More than a year ago, that Incident Command System when we were first learning
to deal with COVID was actually up for several months.”

Laney says the center helps Mosaic handle the large amount of
data flowing its way, evaluate it, and create an action plan.

Mosaic reports 54 total patients in its system as of Tuesday
morning; 50 in St. Joseph and four in Maryville.

Laney, says more patients, plus those seeking COVID tests,
have created long wait times in the Mosaic emergency room.

“Don’t be surprised if you come to the emergency room that
you’re going to wait a longer period of time, because of the number of COVID
patients that we’re dealing with,” Laney cautions. “We have a very high
inpatient census.”

Laney is quick to add that that doesn’t mean those who need
emergency treatment should avoid the ER.

“However, I would also say, if you’re having chest pain, if
you’re having stroke-like symptoms, you need to still come to the hospital,” Laney
says. “We will and can take care of you. That is not something that should not
be delayed.”

Laney says Mosaic is working to relieve the backlog on the ER
by using other means to treat patients. Laney says, overall, the Mosaic St.
Joseph hospital has 50-60 more patients than normal.

Laney says Mosaic has contingencies in place to handle the
influx of patients, both COVID and otherwise.

“We have a Plan A, a Plan B, and a Plan C, rest assured, so
that we are able to continue to care for everybody that needs our care in our
region,” according to Laney. “That is our goal. That is why we’re here and we
want to be here for you, but we also need everyone to understand we are super,
super busy.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642520651309.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMosaic Life Care is working through extremely high patient
numbers as the Omicron variant raises COVID-19 numbers throughout the region.Mosaic CEO, Dr. Mark Laney, says the health care system has
reactivated its Incident Command System to cope with the spike in patient
numbers.“This is an internal tool that we use when we have a highly
specified or intense circumstance,” Laney tells reporters during a recent news briefing.
“More than a year ago, that Incident Command System when we were first learning
to deal with COVID was actually up for several months.”Laney says the center helps Mosaic handle the large amount of
data flowing its way, evaluate it, and create an action plan.Mosaic reports 54 total patients in its system as of Tuesday
morning; 50 in St. Joseph and four in Maryville.Laney, says more patients, plus those seeking COVID tests,
have created long wait times in the Mosaic emergency room.“Don’t be surprised if you come to the emergency room that
you’re going to wait a longer period of time, because of the number of COVID
patients that we’re dealing with,” Laney cautions. “We have a very high
inpatient census.”Laney is quick to add that that doesn’t mean those who need
emergency treatment should avoid the ER.“However, I would also say, if you’re having chest pain, if
you’re having stroke-like symptoms, you need to still come to the hospital,” Laney
says. “We will and can take care of you. That is not something that should not
be delayed.”Laney says Mosaic is working to relieve the backlog on the ER
by using other means to treat patients. Laney says, overall, the Mosaic St.
Joseph hospital has 50-60 more patients than normal.Laney says Mosaic has contingencies in place to handle the
influx of patients, both COVID and otherwise.“We have a Plan A, a Plan B, and a Plan C, rest assured, so
that we are able to continue to care for everybody that needs our care in our
region,” according to Laney. “That is our goal. That is why we’re here and we
want to be here for you, but we also need everyone to understand we are super,
super busy.”

Spike in COVID numbers, other illness crowd Mosaic Life Care ER

One person is dead, another injured in single-car
accident late last night in St. Joseph in which a car struck a tree and
split in half.

St. Joseph police report the impact of the accident in the 3100 block
of Faraon Street threw the passenger from the vehicle. The passenger died later
at the hospital. The driver suffered minor injuries.

Police say the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed west
on Faraon shortly after 11 o’clock when it left the roadway and struck the tree. The impact split the car in two.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostOne person is dead, another injured in single-car
accident late last night in St. Joseph in which a car struck a tree and
split in half.St. Joseph police report the impact of the accident in the 3100 block
of Faraon Street threw the passenger from the vehicle. The passenger died later
at the hospital. The driver suffered minor injuries.Police say the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed west
on Faraon shortly after 11 o’clock when it left the roadway and struck the tree. The impact split the car in two.

One dead, another injured after car hits tree in St. Joseph

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post

Due to a high number of staff absences caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other illnesses, the St. Joseph School District has opted to cancel classes Tuesday and Wednesday.

District officials have announced that classes will be canceled for Tuesday and Wednesday.  There will not be remote learning during this time. 

"The decision to close schools for the next couple of days was not taken lightly. Unfortunately, we have many administrators, teachers, support staff and bus drivers who are ill, preventing them from reporting to work," district officials say.

The St. Joseph School District will keep people updated on the return to classes as it evaluates the situation. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph PostDue to a high number of staff absences caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other illnesses, the St. Joseph School District has opted to cancel classes Tuesday and Wednesday.District officials have announced that classes will be canceled for Tuesday and Wednesday. There will not be remote learning during this time. "The decision to close schools for the next couple of days was not taken lightly. Unfortunately, we have many administrators, teachers, support staff and bus drivers who are ill, preventing them from reporting to work," district officials say.The St. Joseph School District will keep people updated on the return to classes as it evaluates the situation.

St. Joseph School District canceling classes Tuesday, Wednesday

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

Just after 9:30a.m. Friday, police arrested Brian M. Johnston, 48, Atchison, in the 500 block Kansas Avenue in Atchison on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of an hallucinogenic drug, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

&nbsp;During the arrest he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, synthetic cannabinoid, and drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642441538862.png" alt="Johnson-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Johnson-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on multiple charges after an arrest.Just after 9:30a.m. Friday, police arrested Brian M. Johnston, 48, Atchison, in the 500 block Kansas Avenue in Atchison on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of an hallucinogenic drug, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;During the arrest he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, synthetic cannabinoid, and drug paraphernalia.

Police: Kan. man was found in possession of drugs during arrest

DEKALB COUNTY—A Missouri man was injured in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Monday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Dodge 1500 driven by Dereck M. Buckles, 33, Weatherby, was westbound on Route W three miles north of Maysville.

The pickup struck a patch of ice, traveled off the road and overturned in a ditch. Lifenet transported Buckles to Mosaic Life Care. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

DEKALB COUNTY—A Missouri man was injured in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Monday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Dodge 1500 driven by Dereck M. Buckles, 33, Weatherby, was westbound on Route W three miles north of Maysville.The pickup struck a patch of ice, traveled off the road and overturned in a ditch. Lifenet transported Buckles to Mosaic Life Care. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

DeKalb County man airlifted to hospital after pickup overturns

A summary of St. Joseph crime statistics from 2021 indicates
while robberies and burglaries fell dramatically, violent crime rose.

St. Joseph Police Chief Chris Connally says a rise in murders
and aggravated assault concerns the department, while he’s pleased to see
robberies drop from 52 in 2020 to 39 in 2021 and reported burglaries fall from
560 in 2020 to 400 last year.

“We know that some things are a little bit under-reported,
post COVID,” Connally tells reporters gathered at the St. Joseph Police
Department. “People are a little more reluctant to call the police, which is
part of the problem when it comes to the increase in domestic aggravated
assaults. But some things that are traditionally reported pretty solid,
burglary being one of those, we’ve had 337 burglaries, that’s the lowest number
since the 1990s.”

St. Joseph had eight murders last year compared to only three
in 2020. Reports of aggravated assault rose from 240 in 2020 to 337 in 2021.
Police report more than 70% of the aggravated assault calls were related to
domestic assault.

Connally says there doesn’t seem to be similarities that stand
out in the homicides reported to police.

“I’d say if there’s any similarity it’s people trying to
settle things with firearms in hand instead of trying to deescalate things in
other ways.”

The Crime Analysis Report, 2021 Annual Summary reports 3,550
major crimes reported to the St. Joseph Police Department in 2021, down from
4,257 reported in 2020.

St. Joseph police say 2,285 stealing offenses were reported
last year compared to 2,779 reported in 2020.

Rape is traditionally an under-reported crime. Still, 38 rapes
were reported in St. Joseph last year compared to 28 in 2020. Connally says
some changes in how rape cases are handled might have encouraged more reports.

Whether the coronavirus pandemic played a role is difficult to
say, according to Connally.

“It’s really hard to say,” Connally says. “There’s people that
are a lot smarter than me that are going to study this years to come that are
going to make those determinations, but based on what I see and read across the
country there’s an awful lot of professionals out there that are talking about
the mental health impact, about the isolation.”

There was a 24% drop in motor vehicle thefts last year, from
427 reported car thefts in 2021 and 565 in 2020.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642448269690.jpeg" alt="Police Chief Chris Connally discusses the annual crime report/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Police Chief Chris Connally discusses the annual crime report/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA summary of St. Joseph crime statistics from 2021 indicates
while robberies and burglaries fell dramatically, violent crime rose.St. Joseph Police Chief Chris Connally says a rise in murders
and aggravated assault concerns the department, while he’s pleased to see
robberies drop from 52 in 2020 to 39 in 2021 and reported burglaries fall from
560 in 2020 to 400 last year.“We know that some things are a little bit under-reported,
post COVID,” Connally tells reporters gathered at the St. Joseph Police
Department. “People are a little more reluctant to call the police, which is
part of the problem when it comes to the increase in domestic aggravated
assaults. But some things that are traditionally reported pretty solid,
burglary being one of those, we’ve had 337 burglaries, that’s the lowest number
since the 1990s.”St. Joseph had eight murders last year compared to only three
in 2020. Reports of aggravated assault rose from 240 in 2020 to 337 in 2021.
Police report more than 70% of the aggravated assault calls were related to
domestic assault.Connally says there doesn’t seem to be similarities that stand
out in the homicides reported to police.“I’d say if there’s any similarity it’s people trying to
settle things with firearms in hand instead of trying to deescalate things in
other ways.”The Crime Analysis Report, 2021 Annual Summary reports 3,550
major crimes reported to the St. Joseph Police Department in 2021, down from
4,257 reported in 2020.St. Joseph police say 2,285 stealing offenses were reported
last year compared to 2,779 reported in 2020.Rape is traditionally an under-reported crime. Still, 38 rapes
were reported in St. Joseph last year compared to 28 in 2020. Connally says
some changes in how rape cases are handled might have encouraged more reports.Whether the coronavirus pandemic played a role is difficult to
say, according to Connally.“It’s really hard to say,” Connally says. “There’s people that
are a lot smarter than me that are going to study this years to come that are
going to make those determinations, but based on what I see and read across the
country there’s an awful lot of professionals out there that are talking about
the mental health impact, about the isolation.”There was a 24% drop in motor vehicle thefts last year, from
427 reported car thefts in 2021 and 565 in 2020.

Mixed bag emerges from St. Joseph annual crime statistics

Regular work during the current Missouri legislative session is off to a slow start as legislators deal with two key issues that must be dealt with early in the session.

State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville says the start of the session has been interesting, with discussions of congressional redistricting and talks of what to do with the supplemental budget upfront.  

"And that's really important, because, before we get to what we consider the normal business of the legislative session, we have to tackle both of those issues because they are time sensitive," Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And so, this session is getting off to a bit of a slower start in the sense that we have a lot of big issues that we have to clear out of the way before we get to the normal business of the state." 

Luetkemeyer says this legislative session will also deal with vaccine mandates. 

Luetkemeyer says as soon as senators are done with those two issues, they will move on to normal legislative business. And Luetkemeyer says that includes what he is calling a 'vaccine bill of rights’.

"There are future mandates that may come down, my guess is that we probably will pass, or at least attempt to pass some type of vaccine bill of rights that would give people the choice to decide whether or not the vaccine was the best decision for them," Luetkemeyer says. 

Luetkemeyer says those bills come after what he calls a victory by the Supreme Court shooting down President Bidens vaccine mandate for businesses of over 100 people.  

Luetkemeyer says with the delay as senators deal with congressional redistricting and the supplemental budget, it almost feels like legislators have lost a good amount of time to make decisions. 

"In a way, it's almost like we're going to lose a month of session, because rather than having the full four months, we're going to have closer to three months to get all the rest of the state's business done, because we're going to be focused on congressional redistricting and the supplemental budget to start with," Luetkemeyer explains. 

Luetkemeyer says it's important to start with these two issues because they are time sensitive. Congressional redistricting needs to be decided by February and the supplemental budget needs to be decided by the end of March. 

*Brent Martin contributed to this story

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Regular work during the current Missouri legislative session is off to a slow start as legislators deal with two key issues that must be dealt with early in the session.State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville says the start of the session has been interesting, with discussions of congressional redistricting and talks of what to do with the supplemental budget upfront. "And that's really important, because, before we get to what we consider the normal business of the legislative session, we have to tackle both of those issues because they are time sensitive," Luetkemeyer tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And so, this session is getting off to a bit of a slower start in the sense that we have a lot of big issues that we have to clear out of the way before we get to the normal business of the state." Luetkemeyer says this legislative session will also deal with vaccine mandates. Luetkemeyer says as soon as senators are done with those two issues, they will move on to normal legislative business. And Luetkemeyer says that includes what he is calling a 'vaccine bill of rights’."There are future mandates that may come down, my guess is that we probably will pass, or at least attempt to pass some type of vaccine bill of rights that would give people the choice to decide whether or not the vaccine was the best decision for them," Luetkemeyer says. Luetkemeyer says those bills come after what he calls a victory by the Supreme Court shooting down President Bidens vaccine mandate for businesses of over 100 people. Luetkemeyer says with the delay as senators deal with congressional redistricting and the supplemental budget, it almost feels like legislators have lost a good amount of time to make decisions. "In a way, it's almost like we're going to lose a month of session, because rather than having the full four months, we're going to have closer to three months to get all the rest of the state's business done, because we're going to be focused on congressional redistricting and the supplemental budget to start with," Luetkemeyer explains. Luetkemeyer says it's important to start with these two issues because they are time sensitive. Congressional redistricting needs to be decided by February and the supplemental budget needs to be decided by the end of March. *Brent Martin contributed to this story

Missouri legislators still working hard on key issues at start of session

A woman
died in a head-on collision on the Belt Highway in St. Joseph Friday night.

St.
Joseph police report the crash occurred in the 1500 block of South Belt Highway
Friday night near the intersection with Sacramento Street around 8 p.m.

The victim, identified by family members as St. Joseph native and Benton alum Savannah Domann, was
driving down the Belt when a truck veered into her lane, crashing into her SUV.

<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/savannah-domann-family?utm_campaign=p_cf%20share-flow-1&amp;utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer&amp;fbclid=IwAR2XV0U5kn6Wub3ISiaXaDt76K9Lh5_0pC3DVINeEAREIqM2Dl1uhHLPEJo">According to a GoFundMe</a> set up by friends of the family, Domann was also expecting her first child.

The man
who was driving the truck has been taken into custody and might have been
under the influence of alcohol. Police say the man suffered a minor leg injury.

30-year-old Steven Anthony Ayala was booked at the Buchanan County Jail on Saturday, facing a felony DWI charge, causing the death of another.

By BRENT MARTIN and TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostA woman
died in a head-on collision on the Belt Highway in St. Joseph Friday night.St.
Joseph police report the crash occurred in the 1500 block of South Belt Highway
Friday night near the intersection with Sacramento Street around 8 p.m.The victim, identified by family members as St. Joseph native and Benton alum Savannah Domann, was
driving down the Belt when a truck veered into her lane, crashing into her SUV.<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/savannah-domann-family?utm_campaign=p_cf%20share-flow-1&amp;utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer&amp;fbclid=IwAR2XV0U5kn6Wub3ISiaXaDt76K9Lh5_0pC3DVINeEAREIqM2Dl1uhHLPEJo">According to a GoFundMe</a> set up by friends of the family, Domann was also expecting her first child.The man
who was driving the truck has been taken into custody and might have been
under the influence of alcohol. Police say the man suffered a minor leg injury.30-year-old Steven Anthony Ayala was booked at the Buchanan County Jail on Saturday, facing a felony DWI charge, causing the death of another.The
investigation is ongoing.

Woman dies in head-on collision on Belt Highway Friday night

DAVIESS COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before noon Saturday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer driven by Brooke M. Sanuw, 21,&nbsp; Bethany, was westbound on MO 6 at Prairie Avenue three miles west of Weatherby.

The car rear-ended a 2020 Dodge Durango driven by Faron R. Keeter, 65,&nbsp; Pattonsburg, as the SUV attempted a right turn.

Daviess County EMS transported Sanuw&nbsp; to Cameron Regional Medical Center. A female passenger&nbsp; in the pickup refused treatment. Faron Keeter was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

DAVIESS COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before noon Saturday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer driven by Brooke M. Sanuw, 21,&nbsp; Bethany, was westbound on MO 6 at Prairie Avenue three miles west of Weatherby.The car rear-ended a 2020 Dodge Durango driven by Faron R. Keeter, 65,&nbsp; Pattonsburg, as the SUV attempted a right turn.Daviess County EMS transported Sanuw&nbsp; to Cameron Regional Medical Center. A female passenger&nbsp; in the pickup refused treatment. Faron Keeter was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman injured after rear-end crash

HOLT COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before 11:30p.m. Friday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Chevy Traverse driven by Sylvana Y. Meza, 29, Springdale, Arkansas, was northbound on Interstate 29 two miles south of Craig.&nbsp;

The SUV began to slide on the snow covered road. It traveled off the road into a ditch and came to rest in a culvert.

Atchison-Holt ambulance transported Meza and a 9-year-old passenger to Mosaic. The child was not properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

HOLT COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before 11:30p.m. Friday in Holt County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Chevy Traverse driven by Sylvana Y. Meza, 29, Springdale, Arkansas, was northbound on Interstate 29 two miles south of Craig.&nbsp;The SUV began to slide on the snow covered road. It traveled off the road into a ditch and came to rest in a culvert.Atchison-Holt ambulance transported Meza and a 9-year-old passenger to Mosaic. The child was not properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Woman, 9-year-old hospitalized after SUV slides into ditch

Mosaic Life Care CEO, Dr. Mark Laney, is pleased the United
States Supreme Court upheld the Biden Administration requirement that health
care workers be vaccinated against COVID-19.

While the court struck down the administration’s mandate that
businesses require vaccination, it upheld the rule requiring medical facilities
that receive federal funds mandate workers be vaccinated.

“This is consistent with what we have been talking about. It’s
consistent with the actions,” Laney tells reporters during a news briefing. “Our
main reason in mandating was to make sure that we provide the best and safest
care to our patients. CMS is given authority over hospitals to ensure safety of
patients and that is why the mandate held on the health care side.”

Prior to the Biden Administration mandate, Mosaic had issued
its own mandate, telling its workers they had to be vaccinated to continue
working there, unless they were given a medical or religious exemption.

“We’re pleased with our own actions,” Laney says. “We feel
like we’ve done the right and moral thing and that has been vindicated by the Supreme
Court.”

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, under
orders from President Joe Biden, issued a requirement that all businesses with more
than 100 employees require their employees to get a vaccine or test regularly
and wear a mask on the job.

The Supreme Court ruled the administration overstepped its
authority by seeking to impose the vaccine-or-test rule.

“It only makes sense that we would require COVID immunizations,”
Laney says. “I’m not surprised at all that it was overturned on the OSHA
business side of things. That was probably a bit too stretchy for many folks
and probably was considered a burden, especially to small business.”

Laney says Mosaic had widespread compliance with its rule and
lost very few employees due to its vaccine mandate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642193904465.jpeg" alt="Dr. Mark Laney/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Mark Laney/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMosaic Life Care CEO, Dr. Mark Laney, is pleased the United
States Supreme Court upheld the Biden Administration requirement that health
care workers be vaccinated against COVID-19.While the court struck down the administration’s mandate that
businesses require vaccination, it upheld the rule requiring medical facilities
that receive federal funds mandate workers be vaccinated.Laney welcomes the ruling.“This is consistent with what we have been talking about. It’s
consistent with the actions,” Laney tells reporters during a news briefing. “Our
main reason in mandating was to make sure that we provide the best and safest
care to our patients. CMS is given authority over hospitals to ensure safety of
patients and that is why the mandate held on the health care side.”Prior to the Biden Administration mandate, Mosaic had issued
its own mandate, telling its workers they had to be vaccinated to continue
working there, unless they were given a medical or religious exemption.“We’re pleased with our own actions,” Laney says. “We feel
like we’ve done the right and moral thing and that has been vindicated by the Supreme
Court.”The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, under
orders from President Joe Biden, issued a requirement that all businesses with more
than 100 employees require their employees to get a vaccine or test regularly
and wear a mask on the job.The Supreme Court ruled the administration overstepped its
authority by seeking to impose the vaccine-or-test rule.“It only makes sense that we would require COVID immunizations,”
Laney says. “I’m not surprised at all that it was overturned on the OSHA
business side of things. That was probably a bit too stretchy for many folks
and probably was considered a burden, especially to small business.”Laney says Mosaic had widespread compliance with its rule and
lost very few employees due to its vaccine mandate.

Mosaic Life Care CEO pleased with Supreme Court vaccine ruling

Mosaic
Life Care is offering an alternative to the Emergency Room for area residents
who break a bone, dislocate a shoulder, experience pain in their joints, or
suffer similar injuries.

Dr.
John Weitlich, an orthopedic traumatologist, says the Orthopedic and Sports
Medicine Office at 3107 Frederick Avenue is available for walk-ins.

“We
want to let everybody know for any musculoskeletal injury such as hip pain,
back pain, knee pain; if you have an ankle sprain or a fracture, those are all
types of injuries that we treat here and we can actually see you on the same
day without an appointment,” Weitlich tells reporters during a news briefing. “We
have a walk-in clinic that you can come in to from 7am until 4pm.”

Mosaic
has been experiencing a high volume of patients in its ER as well as in its
Urgent Care facility. The Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Office can take some
of those patients who normally would go to the ER.

“Any
way we can decrease that burden, keep people out of the Emergency Department,”
Weitlich says. “There are sick people there with either COVID or non-COVID
illnesses and if we can keep people out of the waiting rooms and out of
positions like that and enable them to come here and decrease that burden, I
think it’s a great help to our entire community, but also it’s great for our
patients and our community to have access to that care in a quick and timely
fashion.”

Weitlich
says for those suffering certain injuries, especially fractures or sprains, the
Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Office might offer a better option.

“Oftentimes
they’re treated temporarily in the Emergency Room and sent home,” Weitlich
says. “We have the capability to place splints and stabilize fractures and we
can also help with pain control, pain medicine, and pain management. So, we
have all the capabilities and access for that here.”

The
office is located at 3107 Frederick Avenue and is open to walk-in patients from
7am until 4pm. Residents can also call ahead of time to schedule an
appointment. No referral is necessary.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642175048533.jpeg" alt="Dr. John Weitlich/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Dr. John Weitlich/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMosaic
Life Care is offering an alternative to the Emergency Room for area residents
who break a bone, dislocate a shoulder, experience pain in their joints, or
suffer similar injuries.Dr.
John Weitlich, an orthopedic traumatologist, says the Orthopedic and Sports
Medicine Office at 3107 Frederick Avenue is available for walk-ins.“We
want to let everybody know for any musculoskeletal injury such as hip pain,
back pain, knee pain; if you have an ankle sprain or a fracture, those are all
types of injuries that we treat here and we can actually see you on the same
day without an appointment,” Weitlich tells reporters during a news briefing. “We
have a walk-in clinic that you can come in to from 7am until 4pm.”Mosaic
has been experiencing a high volume of patients in its ER as well as in its
Urgent Care facility. The Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Office can take some
of those patients who normally would go to the ER.“Any
way we can decrease that burden, keep people out of the Emergency Department,”
Weitlich says. “There are sick people there with either COVID or non-COVID
illnesses and if we can keep people out of the waiting rooms and out of
positions like that and enable them to come here and decrease that burden, I
think it’s a great help to our entire community, but also it’s great for our
patients and our community to have access to that care in a quick and timely
fashion.”Weitlich
says for those suffering certain injuries, especially fractures or sprains, the
Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Office might offer a better option.“Oftentimes
they’re treated temporarily in the Emergency Room and sent home,” Weitlich
says. “We have the capability to place splints and stabilize fractures and we
can also help with pain control, pain medicine, and pain management. So, we
have all the capabilities and access for that here.”The
office is located at 3107 Frederick Avenue and is open to walk-in patients from
7am until 4pm. Residents can also call ahead of time to schedule an
appointment. No referral is necessary.

An alternative to the ER for certain types of injuries now offered in St. Joseph

A new year brings new exhibits to the Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art in St. Joseph.  

The first big exhibit will begin tomorrow as the museum presents the 48th annual membership exhibition.  

Museum Executive Director Eric Fuson says members are limited in how much art they can submit to the exhibit, but there is a chance they could bring something else home. 

"Each member is allowed two pieces, if they have a family membership, they can have three, so they can have three different artists on those, we do limit it a little bit that way, but otherwise it's the artists choice what they get to put in," Fuson tells Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. "Then we have three outside jurors that come in and anonymously rate the work, and then we give awards." 

Fuson says he himself has had pieces on display in the annual exhibit, and says it's truly incredible as an artist to get the chance to watch people as they view his works.  

"Been in the show many times over the years, and it's wonderful to be a fly on the wall, because artists create so much in their own spaces, at home and stuff, and then to put it out and in front of people and to get some feedback you know," Fuson says. "And if you enter in with an open mind and listen, it's amazing the perspective that you get on what you make, you looked at it one way, but you see multiple ways that people see it." 

Running alongside the membership exhibit will be pieces by Benjamin Parks and Kathy Liao titled Returning/Belonging.  That exhibit will run until April 17th. 

Aspiring artists will also get a chance to bring out their artistic side at the Albrecht Kemper. Fuson says he is excited to help present a beginner's course at the museum on Wednesdays beginning January 19th.  

Fuson says this course is designed specifically for beginner's, focusing on some of the very basic tips to begin drawing.  

"We're gonna start off right down to, you know, how do you sharpen that pencil correctly, how do you hold it, how do you sit to draw right, you know there's all kinds of things you don't even think about," Fuson says. "But we're gonna kind of go over proportions, and how to create lines and then shadows, and all kinds of stuff, so we'll take you from the very beginning right on up." 

The course will run through March 9th and will be led by Fuson.  

You can learn more about the membership exhibit <a href="https://albrecht-kemper.org/events/48th-annual-membership-exhibition/">HERE</a>, the Return/Beginning exhibit <a href="https://albrecht-kemper.org/events/returning-belonging/">HERE</a>, and the Beginner's drawing course <a href="http://albrecht-kemper.org/events/drawing-for-beginners/">HERE</a>.

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A new year brings new exhibits to the Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art in St. Joseph. The first big exhibit will begin tomorrow as the museum presents the 48th annual membership exhibition. Museum Executive Director Eric Fuson says members are limited in how much art they can submit to the exhibit, but there is a chance they could bring something else home. "Each member is allowed two pieces, if they have a family membership, they can have three, so they can have three different artists on those, we do limit it a little bit that way, but otherwise it's the artists choice what they get to put in," Fuson tells Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. "Then we have three outside jurors that come in and anonymously rate the work, and then we give awards." Fuson says he himself has had pieces on display in the annual exhibit, and says it's truly incredible as an artist to get the chance to watch people as they view his works. "Been in the show many times over the years, and it's wonderful to be a fly on the wall, because artists create so much in their own spaces, at home and stuff, and then to put it out and in front of people and to get some feedback you know," Fuson says. "And if you enter in with an open mind and listen, it's amazing the perspective that you get on what you make, you looked at it one way, but you see multiple ways that people see it." Running alongside the membership exhibit will be pieces by Benjamin Parks and Kathy Liao titled Returning/Belonging. That exhibit will run until April 17th. Aspiring artists will also get a chance to bring out their artistic side at the Albrecht Kemper. Fuson says he is excited to help present a beginner's course at the museum on Wednesdays beginning January 19th. Fuson says this course is designed specifically for beginner's, focusing on some of the very basic tips to begin drawing. "We're gonna start off right down to, you know, how do you sharpen that pencil correctly, how do you hold it, how do you sit to draw right, you know there's all kinds of things you don't even think about," Fuson says. "But we're gonna kind of go over proportions, and how to create lines and then shadows, and all kinds of stuff, so we'll take you from the very beginning right on up." The course will run through March 9th and will be led by Fuson. You can learn more about the membership exhibit <a href="https://albrecht-kemper.org/events/48th-annual-membership-exhibition/">HERE</a>, the Return/Beginning exhibit <a href="https://albrecht-kemper.org/events/returning-belonging/">HERE</a>, and the Beginner's drawing course <a href="http://albrecht-kemper.org/events/drawing-for-beginners/">HERE</a>.

New year marks new fun events at Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art in St. Joseph

CALDWELL COUNTY –One person was injured in an accident just before 9a.m. Thursday in Caldwell County.

The Missouri State Highway&nbsp; Patrol reported a 2002 Ford Taurus driven by Abigail M. Cline, 18, Polo, was southbound on Pikes Road four miles west of Polo.

The Ford crossed the center line and struck the drivers side of a northbound 2019 Toyota Tacoma driven by Justin c. Wilson, 45, Lee's Summit.

A private vehicle transported a 5-year-old boy in the pickup to Excelsior Springs Hospital. The drivers were not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CALDWELL COUNTY –One person was injured in an accident just before 9a.m. Thursday in Caldwell County.The Missouri State Highway&nbsp; Patrol reported a 2002 Ford Taurus driven by Abigail M. Cline, 18, Polo, was southbound on Pikes Road four miles west of Polo.The Ford crossed the center line and struck the drivers side of a northbound 2019 Toyota Tacoma driven by Justin c. Wilson, 45, Lee's Summit.A private vehicle transported a 5-year-old boy in the pickup to Excelsior Springs Hospital. The drivers were not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

5-year-old Mo. boy hospitalized after 2-vehicle crash

St. Joseph health officials report 609 new cases of COVID-19 in Buchanan County.

Health officials report 147 new cases on Tuesday, 205 on Wednesday and 257 on Thursday. 

Mosaic Life Care reports it is treating 80 COVID-19 patients system-wide with 74 in St. Joseph, five in Maryville and one in Albany

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph health officials report 609 new cases of COVID-19 in Buchanan County.Health officials report 147 new cases on Tuesday, 205 on Wednesday and 257 on Thursday. Mosaic Life Care reports it is treating 80 COVID-19 patients system-wide with 74 in St. Joseph, five in Maryville and one in Albany

Positive COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Buchanan County

If you wanted to go back to college, but haven’t gotten around
to it, this might be your day.

Missouri Western State University is hosting its walk-in
registration on the St. Joseph campus from 10am to 3:30pm.

Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management,
Melissa Mace, says this walk-in registration is a prime time for
non-traditional students to enroll in classes.

“They thought a lot about it over the holidays, made some New
Year’s resolutions, and they’ve decided that going back to school is on the top
of their list,” Mace tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.

Mace suggests those coming to walk-in registration bring their
high school transcript. Missouri Western will be requiring masks and applicants
must maintain social distance.

Normally about 75 to 150 aspiring students take advantage of
walk-in registration. It is held in Eder Hall, just off Mitchell Avenue.

Law enforcement might be a career for you.

In the midst of an uncertain time for law enforcement,
Missouri Western reports the Law Enforcement Academy on the St. Joseph campus
is attracting large classes. Mace says enrollment for the next semester that
begins on the 18th has been strong.

“We just graduated our largest class in several years,” Mace
says. “I had the opportunity to go to that graduation and it was quite
impressive to say the least.”

Though the academy has already held its orientation and
classes begin soon, says the academy is taking applications now.

“Of course, classes start on the 18th, just like
with all of the other students,” Mace says. “Anyone thinking about a law
enforcement career, the Law Enforcement Academy is a good route.”

Mace says in the recent graduation ceremony, many of those
graduating wore the uniforms from the agencies that had hired them.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642015895908.jpeg" alt="Missouri Western State University/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Western State University/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostIf you wanted to go back to college, but haven’t gotten around
to it, this might be your day.Missouri Western State University is hosting its walk-in
registration on the St. Joseph campus from 10am to 3:30pm.Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management,
Melissa Mace, says this walk-in registration is a prime time for
non-traditional students to enroll in classes.“They thought a lot about it over the holidays, made some New
Year’s resolutions, and they’ve decided that going back to school is on the top
of their list,” Mace tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.Mace suggests those coming to walk-in registration bring their
high school transcript. Missouri Western will be requiring masks and applicants
must maintain social distance.Normally about 75 to 150 aspiring students take advantage of
walk-in registration. It is held in Eder Hall, just off Mitchell Avenue.Law enforcement might be a career for you.In the midst of an uncertain time for law enforcement,
Missouri Western reports the Law Enforcement Academy on the St. Joseph campus
is attracting large classes. Mace says enrollment for the next semester that
begins on the 18th has been strong.“We just graduated our largest class in several years,” Mace
says. “I had the opportunity to go to that graduation and it was quite
impressive to say the least.”Though the academy has already held its orientation and
classes begin soon, says the academy is taking applications now.“Of course, classes start on the 18th, just like
with all of the other students,” Mace says. “Anyone thinking about a law
enforcement career, the Law Enforcement Academy is a good route.”Mace says in the recent graduation ceremony, many of those
graduating wore the uniforms from the agencies that had hired them.

Missouri Western invites you to walk in and register for class

One man is dead, another is in custody as St. Joseph police
investigate a deadly early morning shooting on Wednesday.

St. Joseph police say the shooting occurred in the 300 block
of East Missouri Avenue shortly before five o’clock yesterday morning.

The victim is identified as 64-year-old Victor Hicks by the St. Joseph
Police Department.

No identification has been released on the man taken into
custody. Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter charges are pending. The Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is reviewing the case.

This article has been updated since first published.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostOne man is dead, another is in custody as St. Joseph police
investigate a deadly early morning shooting on Wednesday.St. Joseph police say the shooting occurred in the 300 block
of East Missouri Avenue shortly before five o’clock yesterday morning.The victim is identified as 64-year-old Victor Hicks by the St. Joseph
Police Department.No identification has been released on the man taken into
custody. Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter charges are pending. The Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is reviewing the case.This article has been updated since first published.

One dead, one in custody in deadly St. Joseph shooting

As positive COVID-19 cases continue to spike in St. Joseph, the Pony Express Museum is cancelling its Tuesday Night Talks in January. 

Museum Executive Director Cindy Daffron says that at first the talks were going to transition to Facebook Live, but after talking to other people and the speakers, the museum decided to postpone the start until February 

"Just listening and hearing, and we went to four or five different sources, before we ever just said exactly what we feel like, and then an executive committee finally said, after the speakers both said we really wanna come so would you move us to February or March, that's when the decision came to just wait for January and let things, hopefully, do the turn around," Daffron tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. 

Daffron says that Tuesday Night Talks, or as she calls them TNT, are a fun social event to gather at. The event was supposed to start its 23rd year earlier this week 

Daffron says these talks are a very popular event for the museum. 

"That was a great social time, it's a great outreach for the museum," Daffron explains. "One lady told me one time, she said Cindy you don't even realize the impact that your museum does, she said my husband went to Vietnam, he's had Agent Orange, and the only thing that he will tell me time after time is, we've got to go to TNT." 

Daffron says the museum is still allowing visitors, on a somewhat limited basis.  The number is posted on the door for people to ask if they can get in, but the goal right now is to protect museum visitors and staff.  

"We've kind of adapted and learned how to make it work, and we're just appreciative that we're still here, the doors are open, and we survived, and we're coming up," Daffron proudly says. "And when they say your building back, that's exactly what we're doing, we're building her back." 

Daffron says that the museum is also still doing private tours, for entities such as schools, closing the museum to clean it so that school district is safe from anything visitors might have brought in.  

Tuesday Night Talks will resume, hopefully Daffron says, in February as COVID numbers begin to hopefully start going down again. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post As positive COVID-19 cases continue to spike in St. Joseph, the Pony Express Museum is cancelling its Tuesday Night Talks in January. Museum Executive Director Cindy Daffron says that at first the talks were going to transition to Facebook Live, but after talking to other people and the speakers, the museum decided to postpone the start until February "Just listening and hearing, and we went to four or five different sources, before we ever just said exactly what we feel like, and then an executive committee finally said, after the speakers both said we really wanna come so would you move us to February or March, that's when the decision came to just wait for January and let things, hopefully, do the turn around," Daffron tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. Daffron says that Tuesday Night Talks, or as she calls them TNT, are a fun social event to gather at. The event was supposed to start its 23rd year earlier this week Daffron says these talks are a very popular event for the museum. "That was a great social time, it's a great outreach for the museum," Daffron explains. "One lady told me one time, she said Cindy you don't even realize the impact that your museum does, she said my husband went to Vietnam, he's had Agent Orange, and the only thing that he will tell me time after time is, we've got to go to TNT." Daffron says the museum is still allowing visitors, on a somewhat limited basis. The number is posted on the door for people to ask if they can get in, but the goal right now is to protect museum visitors and staff. "We've kind of adapted and learned how to make it work, and we're just appreciative that we're still here, the doors are open, and we survived, and we're coming up," Daffron proudly says. "And when they say your building back, that's exactly what we're doing, we're building her back." Daffron says that the museum is also still doing private tours, for entities such as schools, closing the museum to clean it so that school district is safe from anything visitors might have brought in. Tuesday Night Talks will resume, hopefully Daffron says, in February as COVID numbers begin to hopefully start going down again.

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