St.
Joseph health officials report two additional deaths and 106 new cases in its
latest COVID-19 update for Buchanan County.

Two
men in their 80’s with underlying health conditions have died of the coronavirus.

Buchanan
County has now recorded 5,899 total cases since the coronavirus
pandemic began. There have been 77 coronavirus-related deaths in Buchanan
County.

Mosaic
Life Care reports it is treating 88 COVID-19 patients in its system as of
Friday morning; 79 in St. Joseph, five in Maryville, and four in Albany.

Mosaic
has tested 51,087 area residents with 5,983 testing positive. Mosaic is
awaiting results from 209 tests.

Andrew
County reports 1,139 total coronavirus cases, resulting in 13 deaths.

Doniphan
County, Kansas reports 455 cases.

Missouri
health officials report 287,263 total cases and 3,808
deaths.

Kansas
health officials report 147,797 cases and 1,503 deaths.

The
latest report from the St. Joseph Health Department came on Wednesday evening.
It will be the last local report on the coronavirus pandemic numbers until
Monday afternoon.

This article has been updated with latest Mosaic Life Care number.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt.
Joseph health officials report two additional deaths and 106 new cases in its
latest COVID-19 update for Buchanan County.Two
men in their 80’s with underlying health conditions have died of the coronavirus.Buchanan
County has now recorded 5,899 total cases since the coronavirus
pandemic began. There have been 77 coronavirus-related deaths in Buchanan
County.Mosaic
Life Care reports it is treating 88 COVID-19 patients in its system as of
Friday morning; 79 in St. Joseph, five in Maryville, and four in Albany.Mosaic
has tested 51,087 area residents with 5,983 testing positive. Mosaic is
awaiting results from 209 tests.Andrew
County reports 1,139 total coronavirus cases, resulting in 13 deaths.Doniphan
County, Kansas reports 455 cases.Missouri
health officials report 287,263 total cases and 3,808
deaths.Kansas
health officials report 147,797 cases and 1,503 deaths.The
latest report from the St. Joseph Health Department came on Wednesday evening.
It will be the last local report on the coronavirus pandemic numbers until
Monday afternoon.This article has been updated with latest Mosaic Life Care number.

Two more deaths, 106 new COVID-19 cases in Buchanan County

CHILLICOTHE, Mo. (AP) — North of town, near the planned site of a massive hog farming operation, yard signs reading “farms not factories” are staked all over, demonstrating a strong level of opposition to a project that is on track for state approval.

A group of Livingston County residents, calling themselves Friends of Poosey, after the local conservation area, has organized against United Hog Systems’ planned 10,500-pig concentrated animal feeding operation, or CAFO. They contend the facility’s air emissions and pig waste would destroy the landscape. United Hog says the concerns are unfounded.

Similar conflicts are playing out elsewhere in rural Missouri, where many residents are fighting against big agriculture operations looking to expand their footprint in the state, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/state-and-regional/in-northern-missouri-residents-worry-10-500-pig-farm-will-damage-public-land/article_1de80a5e-72be-54c3-8a64-b044f0be9a81.html">St. Louis Post-Dispatch</a>&nbsp;reports.

In the corner of meat producers is Gov. Mike Parson, who last year signed Senate Bill 391, a law nullifying about 20 county health ordinances — including Livingston County’s — that had worked to keep out large CAFOs.

The local rules required adherence to strict environmental standards that companies didn’t have to meet elsewhere, which for years steered intensive farming operations to other counties. But no more.

Proponents of Senate Bill 391 said the local rules slowed adoption of modern agriculture techniques, which require housing thousands of animals under the same roof in order to maximize productivity to feed a growing human population.

That is what worries Doug Doughty, 62, who has a small beef cow herd and grows corn, soybeans and hay on a nearby farm.

“This isn’t your typical family farm, where grandpa had 10 sows on one place and 20 sows on another,” he said of the proposed facility. “These are confined. And, you know, it’s big. It’s really big.”

“Those animals don’t have any daylight,” Bert Wire, 43, who lives an estimated 2,500 feet from United Hog’s proposed site, said of modern-day CAFOs. “The animal needs so much — I call it vitamin D.”

Upping the stakes here, residents say, is the 6,000-acre Poosey Conservation Area, about three miles from the site of the proposed CAFO. The land draws anglers, hikers and hunters from all over the country.

Though state law requires liquified manure to be applied at least 50 feet from a property boundary, residents still worry that the effects of the CAFO will discourage visitors and reduce property values.

Joe Jerek, spokesman for the Missouri Department of Conservation, said the agency hasn’t weighed in on the possible effects of the CAFO on public land nearby.

But it’s not unprecedented for agencies to comment on decisions that affect state land. In 2013, as the city of Columbia was weighing approval of a subdivision next to Rock Bridge State Park, a Department of Natural Resources official spoke out against the plan at a city planning and zoning commission meeting.

At the time, the DNR was led by Sara Parker Pauley. Pauley is now the director of the Department of Conservation.

United Hog’s growing ambitions haven’t quelled concerns.

Since winning a permit from the Department of Natural Resources in May, the company “has decided to build a larger sow farm at the same location,” according to a Sept. 9 letter a United Hog Systems attorney sent to site neighbors.

Robert Brundage, an attorney for the Marshall, Missouri-based United Hog, said only that the company’s move was a business decision.

The company’s old application said its facility would produce 3.6 million gallons of waste per year.

The company is now seeking approval for a facility that would generate 8.3 million gallons of waste per year — or 22,700 gallons per day. The facility includes three large buildings to house pigs as well as a 50-foot-by-80-foot composting barn for dead pigs.

Waste from live pigs will fall through the grated floor of a barn larger than two football fields and into an underground pit. Manure will be tanked or pumped onto local farm fields as fertilizer, according to the company’s state application.

Close to the site, last Tuesday, yard signs opposing the project outnumbered lingering signs supporting President Donald Trump; voters in Livingston County broke 78% in support of Trump in this month’s election.

Voters here, despite Parson signing the controversial law, also supported the Republican governor in similar numbers.

Susan Fair, 70, who moved back to Livingston County in 2014 and lives on land near the conservation area, said the neighbors’ group has drawn supporters of all political persuasions.

“A lot of us have, you know, differing political backgrounds,” she said. “But we’re making friends on both sides, Democrats and Republicans, and we’re working on issues.”

Brundage, the United Hog lawyer, said Livingston County’s health ordinance, in place since the 1990s, made it “impractical” to operate a CAFO there. The passage of Senate Bill 391 changed that, but that didn’t mean there are no environmental standards, he said.

State regulations — which are less stringent than the local rules — are “designed to be protective of the environment,” he said.

“DNR is issuing a permit in accordance with their regulations,” he said. “That should give the citizens in Livingston County comfort that this facility will not pollute the environment.”

Wire is not among those who take comfort in the company assurances. He expects his property value to drop if the facility is built.

“This is my retirement, my investment, this is my 401(k),” he said. “If I go to the nursing home, I might have to sell this. Or if my wife gets sick, might have to sell it.”

Wire, down the hill from his farm, pointed to an oxbow on the Thompson River. In the spring of 2019, he said the river swelled, eating portions of a county road that remains closed after falling into the river.

The river is about two-thirds of a mile from the planned CAFO, according to state documents.

Stephen Jeffery, an attorney for the neighbors group, said holes drilled on the United Hog property in March found shallow groundwater just feet from the ground surface, indicating trouble when the company constructs its 12-foot-deep manure pit, he said.

Brundage shared a report from a Department of Natural Resources geologist that said crews dug three pits in June and didn’t encounter any water.

“Based on the topography and characteristics of the bedrock and surficial material, any shallow groundwater encountered at the barn site is expected to be temporarily perched groundwater,” Jeremiah Jackson, a state geologist, wrote. “A breach or failure of the engineered construction of the proposed concrete pit is expected to have minimal impacts to groundwater.”

Jeffery said the DNR report didn’t explain away photos of shallow groundwater from the March drilling, and he said the state’s search for groundwater was inadequate.

“All it showed was that there was no shallow groundwater where they dug their holes,” Jeffery said.

“A picture’s worth 1,000 words,” he said of the March photos. “You see the holes, and they have water in them.“

CHILLICOTHE, Mo. (AP) — North of town, near the planned site of a massive hog farming operation, yard signs reading “farms not factories” are staked all over, demonstrating a strong level of opposition to a project that is on track for state approval.A group of Livingston County residents, calling themselves Friends of Poosey, after the local conservation area, has organized against United Hog Systems’ planned 10,500-pig concentrated animal feeding operation, or CAFO. They contend the facility’s air emissions and pig waste would destroy the landscape. United Hog says the concerns are unfounded.Similar conflicts are playing out elsewhere in rural Missouri, where many residents are fighting against big agriculture operations looking to expand their footprint in the state, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/state-and-regional/in-northern-missouri-residents-worry-10-500-pig-farm-will-damage-public-land/article_1de80a5e-72be-54c3-8a64-b044f0be9a81.html">St. Louis Post-Dispatch</a>&nbsp;reports.In the corner of meat producers is Gov. Mike Parson, who last year signed Senate Bill 391, a law nullifying about 20 county health ordinances — including Livingston County’s — that had worked to keep out large CAFOs.The local rules required adherence to strict environmental standards that companies didn’t have to meet elsewhere, which for years steered intensive farming operations to other counties. But no more.Proponents of Senate Bill 391 said the local rules slowed adoption of modern agriculture techniques, which require housing thousands of animals under the same roof in order to maximize productivity to feed a growing human population.That is what worries Doug Doughty, 62, who has a small beef cow herd and grows corn, soybeans and hay on a nearby farm.“This isn’t your typical family farm, where grandpa had 10 sows on one place and 20 sows on another,” he said of the proposed facility. “These are confined. And, you know, it’s big. It’s really big.”“Those animals don’t have any daylight,” Bert Wire, 43, who lives an estimated 2,500 feet from United Hog’s proposed site, said of modern-day CAFOs. “The animal needs so much — I call it vitamin D.”Upping the stakes here, residents say, is the 6,000-acre Poosey Conservation Area, about three miles from the site of the proposed CAFO. The land draws anglers, hikers and hunters from all over the country.Though state law requires liquified manure to be applied at least 50 feet from a property boundary, residents still worry that the effects of the CAFO will discourage visitors and reduce property values.Joe Jerek, spokesman for the Missouri Department of Conservation, said the agency hasn’t weighed in on the possible effects of the CAFO on public land nearby.But it’s not unprecedented for agencies to comment on decisions that affect state land. In 2013, as the city of Columbia was weighing approval of a subdivision next to Rock Bridge State Park, a Department of Natural Resources official spoke out against the plan at a city planning and zoning commission meeting.At the time, the DNR was led by Sara Parker Pauley. Pauley is now the director of the Department of Conservation.United Hog’s growing ambitions haven’t quelled concerns.Since winning a permit from the Department of Natural Resources in May, the company “has decided to build a larger sow farm at the same location,” according to a Sept. 9 letter a United Hog Systems attorney sent to site neighbors.Robert Brundage, an attorney for the Marshall, Missouri-based United Hog, said only that the company’s move was a business decision.The company’s old application said its facility would produce 3.6 million gallons of waste per year.The company is now seeking approval for a facility that would generate 8.3 million gallons of waste per year — or 22,700 gallons per day. The facility includes three large buildings to house pigs as well as a 50-foot-by-80-foot composting barn for dead pigs.Waste from live pigs will fall through the grated floor of a barn larger than two football fields and into an underground pit. Manure will be tanked or pumped onto local farm fields as fertilizer, according to the company’s state application.Close to the site, last Tuesday, yard signs opposing the project outnumbered lingering signs supporting President Donald Trump; voters in Livingston County broke 78% in support of Trump in this month’s election.Voters here, despite Parson signing the controversial law, also supported the Republican governor in similar numbers.Susan Fair, 70, who moved back to Livingston County in 2014 and lives on land near the conservation area, said the neighbors’ group has drawn supporters of all political persuasions.“A lot of us have, you know, differing political backgrounds,” she said. “But we’re making friends on both sides, Democrats and Republicans, and we’re working on issues.”Brundage, the United Hog lawyer, said Livingston County’s health ordinance, in place since the 1990s, made it “impractical” to operate a CAFO there. The passage of Senate Bill 391 changed that, but that didn’t mean there are no environmental standards, he said.State regulations — which are less stringent than the local rules — are “designed to be protective of the environment,” he said.“DNR is issuing a permit in accordance with their regulations,” he said. “That should give the citizens in Livingston County comfort that this facility will not pollute the environment.”Wire is not among those who take comfort in the company assurances. He expects his property value to drop if the facility is built.“This is my retirement, my investment, this is my 401(k),” he said. “If I go to the nursing home, I might have to sell this. Or if my wife gets sick, might have to sell it.”Wire, down the hill from his farm, pointed to an oxbow on the Thompson River. In the spring of 2019, he said the river swelled, eating portions of a county road that remains closed after falling into the river.The river is about two-thirds of a mile from the planned CAFO, according to state documents.Stephen Jeffery, an attorney for the neighbors group, said holes drilled on the United Hog property in March found shallow groundwater just feet from the ground surface, indicating trouble when the company constructs its 12-foot-deep manure pit, he said.Brundage shared a report from a Department of Natural Resources geologist that said crews dug three pits in June and didn’t encounter any water.“Based on the topography and characteristics of the bedrock and surficial material, any shallow groundwater encountered at the barn site is expected to be temporarily perched groundwater,” Jeremiah Jackson, a state geologist, wrote. “A breach or failure of the engineered construction of the proposed concrete pit is expected to have minimal impacts to groundwater.”Jeffery said the DNR report didn’t explain away photos of shallow groundwater from the March drilling, and he said the state’s search for groundwater was inadequate.“All it showed was that there was no shallow groundwater where they dug their holes,” Jeffery said.“A picture’s worth 1,000 words,” he said of the March photos. “You see the holes, and they have water in them.“

NW Missouri residents worry pig farm will damage public land

CLINTON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 11:30a.m. Wednesday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Ford Ranger driven by Creighton J. Russell, 31, Cameron, was northbound on Interstate 35, a mile and a half north of Holt.

The driver lost control of the pickup. It entered the median, struck a guardrail. After impact, the driver was ejected and struck by a semi.&nbsp;

Russell was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 11:30a.m. Wednesday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Ford Ranger driven by Creighton J. Russell, 31, Cameron, was northbound on Interstate 35, a mile and a half north of Holt.The driver lost control of the pickup. It entered the median, struck a guardrail. After impact, the driver was ejected and struck by a semi.&nbsp;Russell was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Cameron man dies after being ejected in pickup crash

A coronavirus pandemic has changed how it operates, but hasn’t
derailed Gregg Lynn’s 19th Annual Christmas For Kids Toy Drive.

Lynn, an announcer on KESJ, Joe Town 107.5, says due to
COVID-19, there will be no Christmas party for the children this year.

“The kids won’t be coming to us and seeing Santa and getting
their gifts,” Lynn tells St. Joseph Post. “We’re going to deliver them as
contact-less as we can to all 115 or however many kids we have; we’ll deliver
them to them at home.”

Lynn says the cancellation of the party is the only change.

“Otherwise, it’s still business as usual,” according to Lynn. “There
are a lot of kids in our area (who are) not going to have Christmas unless
somebody steps up and gets them some gifts and that’s what we’ve done. We’ll
take the gifts. We’ll get them all wrapped and get them out to the kids.”

If you wish to donate, go to the Gregg Lynn Radio Show
Facebook page or on the Joe Town website [click <a href="https://www.joetown1075.com/">here</a>]. You can buy something
from any list, donate any new, unwrapped toy, or make a cash donation.

Toys and monetary donations will benefit the Noyes Home for
Children, St. Joseph children in foster care, the YWCA, and The Adopt A Family
Christmas Program.

Lynn wraps up the toy drive on Black Friday, broadcasting live
from East Hills Shopping Center.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606348209273.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA coronavirus pandemic has changed how it operates, but hasn’t
derailed Gregg Lynn’s 19th Annual Christmas For Kids Toy Drive.Lynn, an announcer on KESJ, Joe Town 107.5, says due to
COVID-19, there will be no Christmas party for the children this year.“The kids won’t be coming to us and seeing Santa and getting
their gifts,” Lynn tells St. Joseph Post. “We’re going to deliver them as
contact-less as we can to all 115 or however many kids we have; we’ll deliver
them to them at home.”Lynn says the cancellation of the party is the only change.“Otherwise, it’s still business as usual,” according to Lynn. “There
are a lot of kids in our area (who are) not going to have Christmas unless
somebody steps up and gets them some gifts and that’s what we’ve done. We’ll
take the gifts. We’ll get them all wrapped and get them out to the kids.”If you wish to donate, go to the Gregg Lynn Radio Show
Facebook page or on the Joe Town website [click <a href="https://www.joetown1075.com/">here</a>]. You can buy something
from any list, donate any new, unwrapped toy, or make a cash donation.Toys and monetary donations will benefit the Noyes Home for
Children, St. Joseph children in foster care, the YWCA, and The Adopt A Family
Christmas Program.Lynn wraps up the toy drive on Black Friday, broadcasting live
from East Hills Shopping Center.

Pandemic alters, but doesn't stop Christmas For Kids Toy Drive

Low interest rates have allowed the St. Joseph School Board to
make a move to save nearly two million dollars.

The St. Joseph School District is refinancing nearly $6.2 million
in General Obligation bonds first issued in 2014.

Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, Gabe
Edgar, says the district was able to get an interest rate below one percent,
because of its A-plus bond rating which it received due to a number of factors.

“A lot of it is driven by the economy,” Edgar tells host Barry
Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “A lot of it is driven by the stability of the
businesses that you have here in town. There are a lot of businesses that are
stable, real stable, and so that helps out as well, because they are not going
to go anywhere.”

The St. Joseph School Board authorized the refinancing of the 2014
bonds used to build Carden Park and Oak Grove Elementary Schools. The drop from
4% to an average effective rate of .93% will save the district $1.7 million,
which is $121,354 more than the savings first projected.

Edgar says the timing couldn’t be better.

“That’s a lot of money,” Edgar says. “It’s good timing for us.
There were some things that happened at Central High School earlier this year
where we had some mold remediation, those types of things. So, it will go a
long way in helping us not to deficit spend.”

The St. Joseph School District had to close Central High
School at the beginning of the year after the Freshman building flooded, causing
widespread problems.

Edgar says the district has been making additional principle
payments on the bonds, called prepayments, which brings the total savings to more
than $4 million. It is a practice he likens to making extra principle payments
on your mortgage.

“So, if you have a principle (payment) of a thousand dollars
and you pay $3,000 that month, it’s going to go away quicker and you’re saving
that interest at the end,” Edgar says.

The district’s financial advisor, L. J. Hart and Company of
St. Louis, developed the refinancing plan. Edgar says the move clears more
space for the district to request voters allow it to issue additional bonds
without increasing taxes.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostLow interest rates have allowed the St. Joseph School Board to
make a move to save nearly two million dollars.The St. Joseph School District is refinancing nearly $6.2 million
in General Obligation bonds first issued in 2014.Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, Gabe
Edgar, says the district was able to get an interest rate below one percent,
because of its A-plus bond rating which it received due to a number of factors.“A lot of it is driven by the economy,” Edgar tells host Barry
Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “A lot of it is driven by the stability of the
businesses that you have here in town. There are a lot of businesses that are
stable, real stable, and so that helps out as well, because they are not going
to go anywhere.”The St. Joseph School Board authorized the refinancing of the 2014
bonds used to build Carden Park and Oak Grove Elementary Schools. The drop from
4% to an average effective rate of .93% will save the district $1.7 million,
which is $121,354 more than the savings first projected.Edgar says the timing couldn’t be better.“That’s a lot of money,” Edgar says. “It’s good timing for us.
There were some things that happened at Central High School earlier this year
where we had some mold remediation, those types of things. So, it will go a
long way in helping us not to deficit spend.”The St. Joseph School District had to close Central High
School at the beginning of the year after the Freshman building flooded, causing
widespread problems.Edgar says the district has been making additional principle
payments on the bonds, called prepayments, which brings the total savings to more
than $4 million. It is a practice he likens to making extra principle payments
on your mortgage.“So, if you have a principle (payment) of a thousand dollars
and you pay $3,000 that month, it’s going to go away quicker and you’re saving
that interest at the end,” Edgar says.The district’s financial advisor, L. J. Hart and Company of
St. Louis, developed the refinancing plan. Edgar says the move clears more
space for the district to request voters allow it to issue additional bonds
without increasing taxes.

Low interest rates allows St. Joseph schools to save money

St. Joseph health officials report four additional
coronavirus-related deaths and 121 new COVID-19 cases in its latest report on
Buchanan County.

All four deaths were men, one in his 50’s with no known health
complications. All the other reported deaths had underlying health
conditions:&nbsp; a man in his 50’s, another
in his 70’s, and a third in his 80’s.

Mosaic Life Care reports 94 COVID-19 patients in its system as
of Wednesday morning; 82 in St. Joseph, seven in Maryville, and five in Albany.

Mosaic has now tested more than 50,663 area residents with
5,849 testing positive. Mosaic is awaiting results from 304 tests.

Buchanan County now reports 5,793 total cases since
the pandemic began, resulting in 75 deaths.

Andrew County reports 1,099 total cases with 13
deaths.

Doniphan County, Kansas reports a total of 434 cases.

Missouri now reports 278,661 cases with 3,750 deaths.

Kansas is reporting a total of 142,059 cases,
resulting in 1,456 deaths.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph health officials report four additional
coronavirus-related deaths and 121 new COVID-19 cases in its latest report on
Buchanan County.All four deaths were men, one in his 50’s with no known health
complications. All the other reported deaths had underlying health
conditions:&nbsp; a man in his 50’s, another
in his 70’s, and a third in his 80’s.Mosaic Life Care reports 94 COVID-19 patients in its system as
of Wednesday morning; 82 in St. Joseph, seven in Maryville, and five in Albany.Mosaic has now tested more than 50,663 area residents with
5,849 testing positive. Mosaic is awaiting results from 304 tests.Buchanan County now reports 5,793 total cases since
the pandemic began, resulting in 75 deaths.Andrew County reports 1,099 total cases with 13
deaths.Doniphan County, Kansas reports a total of 434 cases.Missouri now reports 278,661 cases with 3,750 deaths.Kansas is reporting a total of 142,059 cases,
resulting in 1,456 deaths.

Buchanan County records 4 more COVID-19 deaths; 121 new cases

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 11a.m. Tuesday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Dodge Durango driven by a 16-year-old boy from Ridgeway was eastbound on Route A one mile west of Ridgeway.

The vehicle traveled off the north side of the road, struck the bottom of a steep embankment and came to rest in a field.

A private vehicle transported the teen to Harrison County Community Hospital. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 11a.m. Tuesday in Harrison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Dodge Durango driven by a 16-year-old boy from Ridgeway was eastbound on Route A one mile west of Ridgeway.The vehicle traveled off the north side of the road, struck the bottom of a steep embankment and came to rest in a field.A private vehicle transported the teen to Harrison County Community Hospital. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Missouri teen hospitalized after SUV accident

Hemp
might just be making a comeback in northwest Missouri.

United
Cooperatives has staked its claim to an emerging new crop by investing in Tiger
Fiber, which processes agricultural hemp into fiber for textiles and
composites.

United
Cooperatives President Richard Selby says when discussing hemp, there are many
myths that need to be debunked.

“Well,
first of all, it’s not marijuana. I think a lot of the listeners have heard
about CBD oil. It has nothing to do with CBD. It’s all about fiber, which is
used in the textile industry,” Selby tells host Barry Birr on a recent KFEQ
Hotline. “In the 1870’s, Platte County, Missouri and St. Charles County,
Missouri; they were the leaders in the nation in industrial hemp production for
textiles.”

Hemp
grew throughout northwest Missouri, in fact throughout the state, prior to and
after the Civil War. Production ceased during the war on drugs with the plant’s
association with marijuana.

United
Cooperatives is based in Plattsburg and Osborn. Tiger Fiber is breaking ground
on a hemp processing plant in St. Louis and is looking for a location in
northwest Missouri for another plant.

Selby
says, at present, the company hopes to gradually introduce the crop to area
farmers.

“I
tell my farmers in my coop network and in the eastern part of the state as
well, don’t come to us and say you want to grow 300 acres,” Selby says. “Start
out with anywhere from five to 30 acres and work with us and we’ll help you
along the way.”

Selby
says hemp offers a lot of possibilities and can even benefit the environment.

“What
it does is it cleans up the soil,” according to Selby. “It doesn’t use near as much
nitrogen as corn. We plant it in narrow rows and it really helps the soil
revitalize and get some micro-nutrients.”

Selby
says hemp can be used in a wide variety of products, including clothing,
building materials, and even construction supplies.

Selby
says he has been busy talking to farmers about the possibility of growing hemp.

“We’ve
had some tough questions. Farmers are always smarter than anybody else. I swear
by that. They’re smarter than government officials, for sure,” Selby says with
a laugh. “The feedback has been great and we’ve been working with individual
farmers. They hold the licenses in Missouri to grow the hemp, but we help them
along the way. We’ve provided the seed to them. They’ve come back with
problems, but they’ve always had solutions.”

Selby
says hemp poses some problems for farmers, primarily because it is such a
thick, dense crop. 

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostHemp
might just be making a comeback in northwest Missouri.United
Cooperatives has staked its claim to an emerging new crop by investing in Tiger
Fiber, which processes agricultural hemp into fiber for textiles and
composites.United
Cooperatives President Richard Selby says when discussing hemp, there are many
myths that need to be debunked.“Well,
first of all, it’s not marijuana. I think a lot of the listeners have heard
about CBD oil. It has nothing to do with CBD. It’s all about fiber, which is
used in the textile industry,” Selby tells host Barry Birr on a recent KFEQ
Hotline. “In the 1870’s, Platte County, Missouri and St. Charles County,
Missouri; they were the leaders in the nation in industrial hemp production for
textiles.”Hemp
grew throughout northwest Missouri, in fact throughout the state, prior to and
after the Civil War. Production ceased during the war on drugs with the plant’s
association with marijuana.United
Cooperatives is based in Plattsburg and Osborn. Tiger Fiber is breaking ground
on a hemp processing plant in St. Louis and is looking for a location in
northwest Missouri for another plant.Selby
says, at present, the company hopes to gradually introduce the crop to area
farmers.“I
tell my farmers in my coop network and in the eastern part of the state as
well, don’t come to us and say you want to grow 300 acres,” Selby says. “Start
out with anywhere from five to 30 acres and work with us and we’ll help you
along the way.”Selby
says hemp offers a lot of possibilities and can even benefit the environment.“What
it does is it cleans up the soil,” according to Selby. “It doesn’t use near as much
nitrogen as corn. We plant it in narrow rows and it really helps the soil
revitalize and get some micro-nutrients.”Selby
says hemp can be used in a wide variety of products, including clothing,
building materials, and even construction supplies.Selby
says he has been busy talking to farmers about the possibility of growing hemp.“We’ve
had some tough questions. Farmers are always smarter than anybody else. I swear
by that. They’re smarter than government officials, for sure,” Selby says with
a laugh. “The feedback has been great and we’ve been working with individual
farmers. They hold the licenses in Missouri to grow the hemp, but we help them
along the way. We’ve provided the seed to them. They’ve come back with
problems, but they’ve always had solutions.”Selby
says hemp poses some problems for farmers, primarily because it is such a
thick, dense crop.

Old is new again as hemp provides a promising new cash crop 

St. Joseph health officials report six coronavirus-related
deaths since their last COVID-19 report on Friday along with 65 new cases on
Monday.

Health officials say all six people has underlying health
conditions. They include a woman in her 20’s, two women in their 80’s, a man in
his 40’s, a man in his 50’s, and a man in his 60’s.

Buchanan County has recorded 218 new cases since Friday:&nbsp; 56 on Saturday, 97 on Sunday, and 65 yesterday.

Mosaic Life Care reports it is treating 92 total COVID-19
patients in its system; 80 in St. Joseph, seven in Maryville, and five in Albany.

Mosaic has now tested 50,345 area residents with 5,720 testing
positive.

Andrew County reports 1,099 total coronavirus cases with 13
deaths.

Doniphan County, Kansas reports a total of 434 deaths.

Missouri health officials report a total of 274,897 cases
since the pandemic began, resulting in 3,561 deaths.

Kansas health officials report 142,059 total cases with 1,456
deaths.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph health officials report six coronavirus-related
deaths since their last COVID-19 report on Friday along with 65 new cases on
Monday.Health officials say all six people has underlying health
conditions. They include a woman in her 20’s, two women in their 80’s, a man in
his 40’s, a man in his 50’s, and a man in his 60’s.Buchanan County has recorded 218 new cases since Friday:&nbsp; 56 on Saturday, 97 on Sunday, and 65 yesterday.Mosaic Life Care reports it is treating 92 total COVID-19
patients in its system; 80 in St. Joseph, seven in Maryville, and five in Albany.Mosaic has now tested 50,345 area residents with 5,720 testing
positive.Andrew County reports 1,099 total coronavirus cases with 13
deaths.Doniphan County, Kansas reports a total of 434 deaths.Missouri health officials report a total of 274,897 cases
since the pandemic began, resulting in 3,561 deaths.Kansas health officials report 142,059 total cases with 1,456
deaths.

Buchanan County reports 6 deaths, 65 new cases in latest COVID-19 report

BUCHANAN COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 11p.m. Monday in Buchanan County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Ford Fiesta driven by Makenzye M. Seminara, 24, St. Joseph, was northbound on Interstate 29 one half mile south of St. Joseph.

The vehicle was following a 2017 Ford Escape driven by Tevye P. Leighr, 44, St. Joseph, too closely, was distracted and failed to notice the Ford Escape slowing.&nbsp;

Seminara lost control of the Fiesta. It traveled into the passing lane. The driver overcorrected and the Fiesta struck the Escape in the front fender.

Leighr lost control of the Escape. It traveled off the road, down an embankment and overturned. The Fiesta also traveled off the road and down an embankment.

Buchanan County EMS transported Leighr to Mosaic Life Care. Seminara was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.&nbsp;

BUCHANAN COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 11p.m. Monday in Buchanan County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Ford Fiesta driven by Makenzye M. Seminara, 24, St. Joseph, was northbound on Interstate 29 one half mile south of St. Joseph.The vehicle was following a 2017 Ford Escape driven by Tevye P. Leighr, 44, St. Joseph, too closely, was distracted and failed to notice the Ford Escape slowing.&nbsp;Seminara lost control of the Fiesta. It traveled into the passing lane. The driver overcorrected and the Fiesta struck the Escape in the front fender.Leighr lost control of the Escape. It traveled off the road, down an embankment and overturned. The Fiesta also traveled off the road and down an embankment.Buchanan County EMS transported Leighr to Mosaic Life Care. Seminara was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.&nbsp;

St. Joseph man hospitalized after car travels down embankment, overturns

CLINTON COUNTY—Four people were injured in an accident just before 2p.m. Monday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Chevy Lumina driven by Devyn S. Robinson, 18, Lathrop, was southbound on Interstate 35 two miles south of Lathrop.

The car slid on the ice covered road, traveled across the median and struck the front of a northbound 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander driven by Elihu Tatum, 71, Braymer.

Tri-County ambulance transported Robinson, Tatum and a passenger in the Chevy Black M. Brown, 19, Lathrop, to Liberty Hospital. Cameron Ambulance transported another passenger in the Buick Kriston E. Pennington, 19, Lathrop, to North Kansas City Hospital. 

All four were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY—Four people were injured in an accident just before 2p.m. Monday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Chevy Lumina driven by Devyn S. Robinson, 18, Lathrop, was southbound on Interstate 35 two miles south of Lathrop.The car slid on the ice covered road, traveled across the median and struck the front of a northbound 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander driven by Elihu Tatum, 71, Braymer.Tri-County ambulance transported Robinson, Tatum and a passenger in the Chevy Black M. Brown, 19, Lathrop, to Liberty Hospital. Cameron Ambulance transported another passenger in the Buick Kriston E. Pennington, 19, Lathrop, to North Kansas City Hospital. All four were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

4 hospitalized after car slides on the ice in NW Missouri

CLINTON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 5:30a.m. Monday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 GMC Utility truck driven by John F. Pollock, 43, Byrnes Mill, was westbound on MO 116 four miles east of Lathrop.

The truck crossed into the eastbound lanes and struck a 2020 Kenworth semi driven by Benjamin G. Reed, 44, Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp;

After impact, Reed lost control of the semi. It traveled off the road, rolled and he was ejected.

Reed was pronounced dead at the scene. Pollock was not injured. Both drivers were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 5:30a.m. Monday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 GMC Utility truck driven by John F. Pollock, 43, Byrnes Mill, was westbound on MO 116 four miles east of Lathrop.The truck crossed into the eastbound lanes and struck a 2020 Kenworth semi driven by Benjamin G. Reed, 44, Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp;After impact, Reed lost control of the semi. It traveled off the road, rolled and he was ejected.Reed was pronounced dead at the scene. Pollock was not injured. Both drivers were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man dies after being ejected in 2-vehicle crash

ATCHISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 9:30a.m. Monday in Atchison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Ford Expedition driven by Melissa Renee Coy,&nbsp; 52, Horton, was southbound on U.S. 159 three miles south of Horton.

The driver lost control of the SUV. It left the roadway and rolled.

EMS transported Coy to the Hiawatha Hospital. She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

ATCHISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 9:30a.m. Monday in Atchison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Ford Expedition driven by Melissa Renee Coy,&nbsp; 52, Horton, was southbound on U.S. 159 three miles south of Horton.The driver lost control of the SUV. It left the roadway and rolled.EMS transported Coy to the Hiawatha Hospital. She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman hospitalized after SUV rolls

Missouri Western State University has hired a new Vice
President for Enrollment Management in an effort to reverse a decline in
enrollment on the St. Joseph campus.

Missouri Western Interim President Elizabeth Kennedy calls it
a critical position, which has been vacant for about a year.

“And I think this past fall we saw some of the effects of that,”
Kennedy says. “Our enrollment was not where we wanted it to be. We weren’t as
down as we thought we would be, but certainly we want to go in the opposite
direction.”

Melissa Mace comes to Missouri Western from Maryville University
in St. Louis, where she worked in recruitment and admissions. Mace has also
worked at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville and Missouri State
University in Springfield.

Kennedy says the task of recruitment has gotten tougher for
four-year colleges, with many high school students now looking at college
pragmatically, more as a way to obtain a good-paying career than as a life
enriching experience.

“It’s a different view of higher education, but the bottom
line is we all need to have a well-educated citizenry and that’s what we’re
doing,” according to Kennedy.

Missouri Western has a total student population of 4,911, down
nearly 10% from a year ago. There are 3,530 students seeking undergraduate
degrees at Missouri Western with 194 seeking a graduate degree. The university actually
has 1,187 non-degree seeking students, mostly dual credit/dual enrollment high
school students at the Early College Academy.

Kennedy says all of higher education has suffered enrollment
declines.

“We’ve seen this across the nation, we’ve certainly seen it in
the state, part COVID related, particularly among the freshmen numbers, because
it’s just been a completely unpredictable year,” Kennedy says. “And part also
is just the shrinking demographics, particularly when you’re looking at the
traditional college-age freshmen.”

Kennedy says 92% of Missouri Western’s enrollment is made up
of traditional freshmen.

Interim President Elizabeth Kennedy says the fact that the position
of Vice President for Enrollment Management has been vacant for about a year
likely added to the enrollment decline.

“As an open access institution in this state, we need to make
sure that we have the opportunities, the pathways for a lot more students
beyond just the traditional freshmen coming into campus,” Kennedy says. “Given
our programs, given our faculty, our staff, what we do at Missouri Western, our
focus on student success, the applied learning, the hands-on opportunities, I’m
confident that Dr. Mace will be able to get us back on the right path in short
order.”

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Western State University has hired a new Vice
President for Enrollment Management in an effort to reverse a decline in
enrollment on the St. Joseph campus.Missouri Western Interim President Elizabeth Kennedy calls it
a critical position, which has been vacant for about a year.“And I think this past fall we saw some of the effects of that,”
Kennedy says. “Our enrollment was not where we wanted it to be. We weren’t as
down as we thought we would be, but certainly we want to go in the opposite
direction.”Melissa Mace comes to Missouri Western from Maryville University
in St. Louis, where she worked in recruitment and admissions. Mace has also
worked at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville and Missouri State
University in Springfield.Kennedy says the task of recruitment has gotten tougher for
four-year colleges, with many high school students now looking at college
pragmatically, more as a way to obtain a good-paying career than as a life
enriching experience.“It’s a different view of higher education, but the bottom
line is we all need to have a well-educated citizenry and that’s what we’re
doing,” according to Kennedy.Missouri Western has a total student population of 4,911, down
nearly 10% from a year ago. There are 3,530 students seeking undergraduate
degrees at Missouri Western with 194 seeking a graduate degree. The university actually
has 1,187 non-degree seeking students, mostly dual credit/dual enrollment high
school students at the Early College Academy.Kennedy says all of higher education has suffered enrollment
declines.“We’ve seen this across the nation, we’ve certainly seen it in
the state, part COVID related, particularly among the freshmen numbers, because
it’s just been a completely unpredictable year,” Kennedy says. “And part also
is just the shrinking demographics, particularly when you’re looking at the
traditional college-age freshmen.”Kennedy says 92% of Missouri Western’s enrollment is made up
of traditional freshmen.Interim President Elizabeth Kennedy says the fact that the position
of Vice President for Enrollment Management has been vacant for about a year
likely added to the enrollment decline.“As an open access institution in this state, we need to make
sure that we have the opportunities, the pathways for a lot more students
beyond just the traditional freshmen coming into campus,” Kennedy says. “Given
our programs, given our faculty, our staff, what we do at Missouri Western, our
focus on student success, the applied learning, the hands-on opportunities, I’m
confident that Dr. Mace will be able to get us back on the right path in short
order.”

MWSU looks to new vice president to turn enrollment numbers around

NODAWAY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 11p.m. Saturday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Chevy Silverado driven by a 16-year-old boy from Ravenwood was southbound on MO 148 five miles north of Maryville.

The vehicle crossed the center line and struck a northbound 2003 Ford F350 driven by Dean L. Reid, 63, Bedford, Iowa.

Nodaway County EMS transported the teen driver to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. Reid was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

NODAWAY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 11p.m. Saturday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Chevy Silverado driven by a 16-year-old boy from Ravenwood was southbound on MO 148 five miles north of Maryville.The vehicle crossed the center line and struck a northbound 2003 Ford F350 driven by Dean L. Reid, 63, Bedford, Iowa.Nodaway County EMS transported the teen driver to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. Reid was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

Missouri teen hospitalized after Nodaway Co. crash

ST. JOSEPH, MO – The Missouri Western football game scheduled for this Saturday, November 21st at the University of Nebraska-Kearney has been canceled due to COVID-19. The Griffons do not have enough available student-athletes at one position group that would allow the game to be played safely.

The contest between the Griffons and Lopers was set to be the final game of a modified fall football season. Griffon Football will now break until 2021 with the University's fall academic semester concluding next week. Missouri Western, Nebraska-Kearney and Pittsburg State partnered to form an alliance that allowed the three Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association members to play a partial 2020 schedule that began in late October.

Missouri Western football's amount of positive tests have remained incredibly low all season, with just three positive tests among active student-athletes this week and an overall average of approximately 2% since mandatory weekly testing began in early October.

"We chose to cancel Saturday's game simply for safety," said MWSU vice president for intercollegiate athletics Dr. Josh Looney. "This is a result of prior injuries combined with the three positive student-athlete tests along with the ripple-effect of contact tracing and subsequent quarantining of individuals within a position group. The health and safety of our student-athletes will always be prioritized as we navigate protocols associated with this pandemic."

Griffon Football is expected to announce its plans for modified spring 2021 competition in the coming weeks, including an additional home appearance at Spratt Stadium.

ST. JOSEPH, MO – The Missouri Western football game scheduled for this Saturday, November 21st at the University of Nebraska-Kearney has been canceled due to COVID-19. The Griffons do not have enough available student-athletes at one position group that would allow the game to be played safely.The contest between the Griffons and Lopers was set to be the final game of a modified fall football season. Griffon Football will now break until 2021 with the University's fall academic semester concluding next week. Missouri Western, Nebraska-Kearney and Pittsburg State partnered to form an alliance that allowed the three Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association members to play a partial 2020 schedule that began in late October.Missouri Western football's amount of positive tests have remained incredibly low all season, with just three positive tests among active student-athletes this week and an overall average of approximately 2% since mandatory weekly testing began in early October."We chose to cancel Saturday's game simply for safety," said MWSU vice president for intercollegiate athletics Dr. Josh Looney. "This is a result of prior injuries combined with the three positive student-athlete tests along with the ripple-effect of contact tracing and subsequent quarantining of individuals within a position group. The health and safety of our student-athletes will always be prioritized as we navigate protocols associated with this pandemic."Griffon Football is expected to announce its plans for modified spring 2021 competition in the coming weeks, including an additional home appearance at Spratt Stadium.

Missouri Western football game against Nebraska Kearney canceled ;end fall 0-2

The annual Farm City Breakfast will go on, but in a virtual manner this year. The event, presented by LifeLine Foods, is a fundraiser for scholarships for students going into the agriculture industry and a celebration of our area’s strong ag economy. It will be at 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 24.

This year the event is free, but it has still raised $25,000 in scholarship funds through event sponsorships. Jay Truitt will talk about post-election effects on agriculture.

Truitt was born in Lamesa, Texas, as a young man his family moved their cattle operation to Vernon County, Missouri. After a short stint with the Missouri Soybean Programs and some campaign work in 1995, he became the Executive Vice President of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and CEO of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Foundation in Columbia, Missouri. During his tenure, MCF built the beautiful Missouri Cattle Industry Headquarters in Columbia—a hallmark to the states leading agriculture enterprise. 

In 2000, he replaced Dale Moore as the Senior Lobbyist for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and later served as the Vice President for Public Policy for NCBA. Since that time, he has served as the President and CEO of Policy Solutions and Truitt Inc. providing government affairs and political analysis services for over 100 different companies—mostly food and agriculture-- in the US.

Registration is required and a Zoom link will be e-mailed before the event for viewing. Go to&nbsp;<a href="https://members.saintjoseph.com/events" target="_blank">https://members.saintjoseph.com/events</a>&nbsp;and click on 16th Annual Farm City Breakfast to register.

The annual Farm City Breakfast will go on, but in a virtual manner this year. The event, presented by LifeLine Foods, is a fundraiser for scholarships for students going into the agriculture industry and a celebration of our area’s strong ag economy. It will be at 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 24.This year the event is free, but it has still raised $25,000 in scholarship funds through event sponsorships. Jay Truitt will talk about post-election effects on agriculture.Truitt was born in Lamesa, Texas, as a young man his family moved their cattle operation to Vernon County, Missouri. After a short stint with the Missouri Soybean Programs and some campaign work in 1995, he became the Executive Vice President of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and CEO of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Foundation in Columbia, Missouri. During his tenure, MCF built the beautiful Missouri Cattle Industry Headquarters in Columbia—a hallmark to the states leading agriculture enterprise. In 2000, he replaced Dale Moore as the Senior Lobbyist for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and later served as the Vice President for Public Policy for NCBA. Since that time, he has served as the President and CEO of Policy Solutions and Truitt Inc. providing government affairs and political analysis services for over 100 different companies—mostly food and agriculture-- in the US.Registration is required and a Zoom link will be e-mailed before the event for viewing. Go to&nbsp;<a href="https://members.saintjoseph.com/events" target="_blank">https://members.saintjoseph.com/events</a>&nbsp;and click on 16th Annual Farm City Breakfast to register.

Annual Farm City Breakfast going virtual this year

The city of St. Joseph has issued a revision to their current COVID-19 restrictions with the state of emergency being in effect, and the current mask mandate in place.&nbsp;

The revision applies only to indoor restaurants, bars and taverns.&nbsp; Previously the only exemption to being required to wear a mask or some sort of face covering in these establishments was having some form of medical condition that prevented you from wearing one.

The revision to the mandate states now that that exemption is no longer allowed.&nbsp; Stating that people with medical conditions should refrain from entering these establishments.

The city of St. Joseph has issued a revision to their current COVID-19 restrictions with the state of emergency being in effect, and the current mask mandate in place.&nbsp;The revision applies only to indoor restaurants, bars and taverns.&nbsp; Previously the only exemption to being required to wear a mask or some sort of face covering in these establishments was having some form of medical condition that prevented you from wearing one.The revision to the mandate states now that that exemption is no longer allowed.&nbsp; Stating that people with medical conditions should refrain from entering these establishments.

City of St. Joseph revises mask mandate

New St. Joseph City Manager Gary Edwards says he is talking
with the mayor, city councilmembers, and community leaders as he refines his
goals for the position.

Edwards took over as city manager on the 9th.

Edwards has experience in running a city. It came after he
worked for three separate members of Congress, including a stint as the late
Congressman Ike Skelton’s Chief of Staff.

Still, he says he prefers city work over work in Congress.

“I’ve noticed that you get things done at the local level that
you can’t – I’ve been at the other levels – you can’t do that to that degree
that you can get things done at the local level,” Edwards tells host Barry Birr
on the KFEQ Hotline. “That makes it fun. And that’s what has been an attraction,
for me anyway, to local government. I love local government and working with
local government.”

Edwards comes to St. Joseph after serving as city manager of
Aransas Pass, Texas where he helped the Gulf Coast community recover from
Hurricane Harvey.

Edwards says, though difficult, it was one of the best
experiences of his life.

“We got to rebuild a city and had the experience of rebuilding
a city, quite literally,” according to Edwards. “We had access to millions of
dollars in grant dollars. You have to apply for them and you have to do a
decent job of applying for them and showing how it was hurricane related. But,
had access to millions of dollars to rebuild this important city on the Gulf
Coast.”

Edwards says he led a city team working with state and federal
officials to put the city back together.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605818852659.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph City Manager Gary Edwards speaks with Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph City Manager Gary Edwards speaks with Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNew St. Joseph City Manager Gary Edwards says he is talking
with the mayor, city councilmembers, and community leaders as he refines his
goals for the position.Edwards took over as city manager on the 9th.Edwards has experience in running a city. It came after he
worked for three separate members of Congress, including a stint as the late
Congressman Ike Skelton’s Chief of Staff.Still, he says he prefers city work over work in Congress.“I’ve noticed that you get things done at the local level that
you can’t – I’ve been at the other levels – you can’t do that to that degree
that you can get things done at the local level,” Edwards tells host Barry Birr
on the KFEQ Hotline. “That makes it fun. And that’s what has been an attraction,
for me anyway, to local government. I love local government and working with
local government.”Edwards comes to St. Joseph after serving as city manager of
Aransas Pass, Texas where he helped the Gulf Coast community recover from
Hurricane Harvey.Edwards says, though difficult, it was one of the best
experiences of his life.“We got to rebuild a city and had the experience of rebuilding
a city, quite literally,” according to Edwards. “We had access to millions of
dollars in grant dollars. You have to apply for them and you have to do a
decent job of applying for them and showing how it was hurricane related. But,
had access to millions of dollars to rebuild this important city on the Gulf
Coast.”Edwards says he led a city team working with state and federal
officials to put the city back together.“My goal there was to help the community, of course it was a
joint effort with the citizens and mayor and council and staff, to make the city,
working with everyone, stronger after the hurricane than even before the
hurricane and we succeeded.”Edwards says his top priorities in St. Joseph so far are
reviewing a recent audit of city books, studying how the coronavirus pandemic
impacted the city budget, and mapping out the future of Interstate 229.

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