Recent antibody testing in Buchanan County discloses a low
number of county residents have had COVID-19.

While that is good news, it also discloses the county is far
from herd immunity.

Mosaic Life Care Chief Quality Officer, Dr. Edward Kammerer,
says without herd immunity, area residents need to follow current practices.

“There are some core aspects that are necessary to continue to
control this pandemic,” Kammerer says. “It goes back to the same basics that we
started with which have been proven over time. It’s hand hygiene. It is wearing
a mask and it is social distancing that are going to make a difference.”

Antibody testing of more than 2,300 Buchanan County residents
disclosed only three percent had had COVID-19. That number could rise due to
the recent increase in new COVID-19 cases, especially those cases which have
landed more residents in the hospital.

Mosaic reported this morning it is currently treating 31
COVID-19 patients in the St. Joseph hospital, up a bit from the weekend, though
off the high set last week of 36. Mosaic has tested 30,571 area residents with
2,080 testing positive.

Kammerer says it takes a rate of at least 60% of a community to
reach herd immunity. He says without reaching that threshold, the best shot the
county has to hold down the spread of the virus is development of a vaccine.

“So, the vaccine becomes a significant aspect, especially for
our community where we have a low penetrance,” Kammerer says. “Moving forward,
until that vaccine comes up, it is essential, and I applaud the mayor for putting
in a mandatory mask mandate. This is essential for us to get back to doing what
we can do in order to keep our community safe and keep that penetrance low
until we get the vaccine and we have herd immunity.” 

COVID-19 remains a very real threat in Buchanan County, according
to Kammerer, but the seriousness of the virus depends on where it attacks the
body. Kammerer says most who contract the coronavirus won’t have to seek
hospital care.

“All these other symptoms that you here about, they are interesting,
they are fascinating to me; the loss of smell, loss of taste, you get headaches,
you get sore throats, so get fevers, you get body aches. None of those land you
in the hospital,” according to Kammerer. “You can’t taste, you don’t end up in
the hospital. But what does land you in the hospital, is when you get it down
in your lungs.”

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostRecent antibody testing in Buchanan County discloses a low
number of county residents have had COVID-19.While that is good news, it also discloses the county is far
from herd immunity.Mosaic Life Care Chief Quality Officer, Dr. Edward Kammerer,
says without herd immunity, area residents need to follow current practices.“There are some core aspects that are necessary to continue to
control this pandemic,” Kammerer says. “It goes back to the same basics that we
started with which have been proven over time. It’s hand hygiene. It is wearing
a mask and it is social distancing that are going to make a difference.”Antibody testing of more than 2,300 Buchanan County residents
disclosed only three percent had had COVID-19. That number could rise due to
the recent increase in new COVID-19 cases, especially those cases which have
landed more residents in the hospital.Mosaic reported this morning it is currently treating 31
COVID-19 patients in the St. Joseph hospital, up a bit from the weekend, though
off the high set last week of 36. Mosaic has tested 30,571 area residents with
2,080 testing positive.Kammerer says it takes a rate of at least 60% of a community to
reach herd immunity. He says without reaching that threshold, the best shot the
county has to hold down the spread of the virus is development of a vaccine.“So, the vaccine becomes a significant aspect, especially for
our community where we have a low penetrance,” Kammerer says. “Moving forward,
until that vaccine comes up, it is essential, and I applaud the mayor for putting
in a mandatory mask mandate. This is essential for us to get back to doing what
we can do in order to keep our community safe and keep that penetrance low
until we get the vaccine and we have herd immunity.” COVID-19 remains a very real threat in Buchanan County, according
to Kammerer, but the seriousness of the virus depends on where it attacks the
body. Kammerer says most who contract the coronavirus won’t have to seek
hospital care.“All these other symptoms that you here about, they are interesting,
they are fascinating to me; the loss of smell, loss of taste, you get headaches,
you get sore throats, so get fevers, you get body aches. None of those land you
in the hospital,” according to Kammerer. “You can’t taste, you don’t end up in
the hospital. But what does land you in the hospital, is when you get it down
in your lungs.”

Anti-COVID practices vital until vaccine is developed

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Acting Sec. of Labor Ryan Wright.

<div><iframe title="Forward Ever: Kansas Sec. of Labor Ryan Wright" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/fbh3r-ec207d?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Acting Sec. of Labor Ryan Wright.

🎤Forward Ever: Kan. Acting Sec. of Labor Ryan Wright

Missouri U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
insists President Trump has a constitutional obligation to nominate a replacement
for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Blunt, on CBS’ Face the
Nation Sunday, praised Ginsburg.

“Well,
first of all, I wish we did have more time to celebrate Justice Ruth Bader
Ginsburg. She was amazing; had an amazing life,” Blunt told host Margaret
Brennan. “Very smart, very determined, very dedicated to the job. You
know, in recent years, she's more often been in dissent rather than in the
majority. But when she was in dissent, the majority had to be at their very
best to explain why their opinion was what their opinion was. And so, she
served the country well; a brilliant mind, made a difference in our country.”



Blunt acknowledged it would
be difficult to get a nominee to replace Ginsburg through the Senate process
before Election Day.

“This should take as long as
it needs to take, but no longer. There is plenty of time to get this done, but
to get it done before Election Day everything has to work, I think, pretty
precisely,” Blunt said. “Ruth Bader Ginsburg was nominated and confirmed in 40
days. Other justices have taken longer than that.”

The Supreme Court announced
Ginsburg’s death Friday. Ginsburg died of complications from pancreatic cancer.
She was 87.

Blunt insisted President Trump has a constitutional obligation
to nominate a replacement for Ginsburg.

“There are good choices out there. I’m sure the president is
going to make one,” Blunt said. “I look forward to the name he sends up and
what they may add to the court.”

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5zxGeGEl2Rw"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt
insists President Trump has a constitutional obligation to nominate a replacement
for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.Blunt, on CBS’ Face the
Nation Sunday, praised Ginsburg.“Well,
first of all, I wish we did have more time to celebrate Justice Ruth Bader
Ginsburg. She was amazing; had an amazing life,” Blunt told host Margaret
Brennan. “Very smart, very determined, very dedicated to the job. You
know, in recent years, she's more often been in dissent rather than in the
majority. But when she was in dissent, the majority had to be at their very
best to explain why their opinion was what their opinion was. And so, she
served the country well; a brilliant mind, made a difference in our country.”

Blunt acknowledged it would
be difficult to get a nominee to replace Ginsburg through the Senate process
before Election Day.“This should take as long as
it needs to take, but no longer. There is plenty of time to get this done, but
to get it done before Election Day everything has to work, I think, pretty
precisely,” Blunt said. “Ruth Bader Ginsburg was nominated and confirmed in 40
days. Other justices have taken longer than that.”The Supreme Court announced
Ginsburg’s death Friday. Ginsburg died of complications from pancreatic cancer.
She was 87.Blunt insisted President Trump has a constitutional obligation
to nominate a replacement for Ginsburg.“There are good choices out there. I’m sure the president is
going to make one,” Blunt said. “I look forward to the name he sends up and
what they may add to the court.”

Sen. Blunt: Trump has obligation to make Supreme Court nomination

Lindbergh
Elementary School in St. Joseph plans to reopen Wednesday after a 14-day closure
due to the coronavirus.

Lindbergh
shifted to online courses after a number of staff members tested positive for
COVID-19 and had to be quarantined. School officials informed those who had
come into contact with those infected.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600707215948.jpeg" alt="Lindbergh Elementary School, St. Joseph" />
 <figcaption>Lindbergh Elementary School, St. Joseph</figcaption>
 </figure>Lindbergh
Elementary School in St. Joseph plans to reopen Wednesday after a 14-day closure
due to the coronavirus.Lindbergh
shifted to online courses after a number of staff members tested positive for
COVID-19 and had to be quarantined. School officials informed those who had
come into contact with those infected.

Lindbergh set to welcome students back Wednesday

A city manager in Texas with extensive ties to Missouri has
been named the new St. Joseph City Manager.

Gary Edwards is currently city manager of Aransas Pass, Texas
and worked to help the community recover from Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

Edwards’ contract has to be formally approved by the city
council. His first day with the city is scheduled for November 9th.
He will be paid $160,000 annually.

“Gary has the qualities the City Council was looking for in a
city manager and will be a good fit for the community. His strength in
financial management, economic development and negotiations will serve the
organization well. I look forward to Gary’s experience and leadership as we
continue to pursue the strategic goals and plans of the City Council,” St.
Joseph Mayor Bill McMurray said in a written statement issued by the city.

Gary Edwards has worked in Missouri previously, including
stints as Sedalia City Administrator and Moberly City Manager. He received an
under graduate degree from College of the Ozarks at Point Lookout, Missouri and
a graduate degree from Missouri State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600706143813.jpeg" alt="Gary Edwards/Photo courtesy of the City of St. Joseph" />
 <figcaption>Gary Edwards/Photo courtesy of the City of St. Joseph</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA city manager in Texas with extensive ties to Missouri has
been named the new St. Joseph City Manager.Gary Edwards is currently city manager of Aransas Pass, Texas
and worked to help the community recover from Hurricane Harvey in 2017.Edwards’ contract has to be formally approved by the city
council. His first day with the city is scheduled for November 9th.
He will be paid $160,000 annually.“Gary has the qualities the City Council was looking for in a
city manager and will be a good fit for the community. His strength in
financial management, economic development and negotiations will serve the
organization well. I look forward to Gary’s experience and leadership as we
continue to pursue the strategic goals and plans of the City Council,” St.
Joseph Mayor Bill McMurray said in a written statement issued by the city.Gary Edwards has worked in Missouri previously, including
stints as Sedalia City Administrator and Moberly City Manager. He received an
under graduate degree from College of the Ozarks at Point Lookout, Missouri and
a graduate degree from Missouri State University.

Texas city manager named new St. Joseph City Manager

Thanks to a grant, an annual career day-type event for high school students will switch to a virtual format this year.

Kristi Bailey with the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce says the My Success Event takes place this week.&nbsp;

“We were very fortunate to receive a Hometown Economic Recovery Grant from Evergy that is helping us bring this major workforce development event online,” Bailey says. “So kids can still learn from companies, get to talk to representatives face-to-face, just through their computer instead of in-person.”

Bailey says 1,800 area high school seniors will be participating in the My Success Event this year. The event typically features over 50 area businesses with booths set up at Wyatt Baptist Church for students to explore potential careers in the St. Joseph area.

“These high school seniors are going to graduate next spring and they’re going to need jobs or training to get jobs or go off into college, so even though there’s a pandemic, that doesn’t stop the need for students to be able to plan their futures,” Bailey says. “It's definitely very important for them to still get this information, so online is the way we chose to do that this year so they didn’t miss out.”

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce received the $10,000 grant from Evergy to transform not only the My Success Event but another workforce development program - Manufacturing Day in October - from in-person to virtual events. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600281346862.jpeg" alt="Students check out the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service display at the My Success Event in St. Joseph in 2017. File photo by Sarah Thomack." />
 <figcaption>Students check out the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service display at the My Success Event in St. Joseph in 2017. File photo by Sarah Thomack.</figcaption>
 </figure>by SARAH THOMACKSt. Joseph PostThanks to a grant, an annual career day-type event for high school students will switch to a virtual format this year.Kristi Bailey with the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce says the My Success Event takes place this week.&nbsp;“We were very fortunate to receive a Hometown Economic Recovery Grant from Evergy that is helping us bring this major workforce development event online,” Bailey says. “So kids can still learn from companies, get to talk to representatives face-to-face, just through their computer instead of in-person.”Bailey says 1,800 area high school seniors will be participating in the My Success Event this year. The event typically features over 50 area businesses with booths set up at Wyatt Baptist Church for students to explore potential careers in the St. Joseph area.“These high school seniors are going to graduate next spring and they’re going to need jobs or training to get jobs or go off into college, so even though there’s a pandemic, that doesn’t stop the need for students to be able to plan their futures,” Bailey says. “It's definitely very important for them to still get this information, so online is the way we chose to do that this year so they didn’t miss out.”The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce received the $10,000 grant from Evergy to transform not only the My Success Event but another workforce development program - Manufacturing Day in October - from in-person to virtual events.

Annual workforce development event for students moves to virtual format

One St. Joseph agency is thinking about Christmas in September as they begin discussions on how to conduct their annual holiday program during a pandemic.

The AFL-CIO Community Services Agency coordinates the Adopt-A-Family Christmas program each year which helps hundreds of families who need assistance during the holidays.

The agency's Soles for Christ shoe distribution <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/18a6a522-83a7-4924-a5bf-0bb182e22514">was postponed</a> due to COVID-19 concerns and AFL-CIO Executive Director Penny Adams says they expect the Christmas program will see some changes this year.

"We may have to start it a little bit early and we may have to do more applications by phone or some online applications," Adams tells St. Joseph Post.

Adams says they will soon be contacting adopters and volunteers who are regularly involved in the program for feedback.

"We depend on the adopters, without them we won't have our program," Adams says. "The majority of them go out and actually shop and some of them may not be willing to do that, but yet they might be willing to purchase gift certificates or things like that to give to the families. A lot of folks do online shopping so there might be a way around that shopping issue.” 

For more information on the Adopt-A-Family Christmas program contact AFL-CIO Community Services at (816) 364-1131 or <a href="https://helpmenow.org/programs/adopt-a-family/">click here</a>.

by SARAH THOMACKSt. Joseph PostOne St. Joseph agency is thinking about Christmas in September as they begin discussions on how to conduct their annual holiday program during a pandemic.The AFL-CIO Community Services Agency coordinates the Adopt-A-Family Christmas program each year which helps hundreds of families who need assistance during the holidays.The agency's Soles for Christ shoe distribution <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/18a6a522-83a7-4924-a5bf-0bb182e22514">was postponed</a> due to COVID-19 concerns and AFL-CIO Executive Director Penny Adams says they expect the Christmas program will see some changes this year."We may have to start it a little bit early and we may have to do more applications by phone or some online applications," Adams tells St. Joseph Post.Adams says they will soon be contacting adopters and volunteers who are regularly involved in the program for feedback."We depend on the adopters, without them we won't have our program," Adams says. "The majority of them go out and actually shop and some of them may not be willing to do that, but yet they might be willing to purchase gift certificates or things like that to give to the families. A lot of folks do online shopping so there might be a way around that shopping issue.” For more information on the Adopt-A-Family Christmas program contact AFL-CIO Community Services at (816) 364-1131 or <a href="https://helpmenow.org/programs/adopt-a-family/">click here</a>.

AFL-CIO begins planning for how to coordinate Christmas program during pandemic

GENTRY COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Saturday in Gentry County.&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Polaris Razor driven by Howard G. Patterson, 70, Nevada, Iowa, was eastbound on 305th Street three miles east of Albany.

The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The UTV traveled off the road and overturned.

Grand River EMS transported Patterson and a 12-year-old passenger from Ankeny, Iowa, to Mosaic in Albany.

GENTRY COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Saturday in Gentry County.&nbsp;The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Polaris Razor driven by Howard G. Patterson, 70, Nevada, Iowa, was eastbound on 305th Street three miles east of Albany.The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The UTV traveled off the road and overturned.Grand River EMS transported Patterson and a 12-year-old passenger from Ankeny, Iowa, to Mosaic in Albany.

2 hospitalized after UTV overturns

ANDREW COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 9a.m. Friday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Volvo semi driven by Wendel Turk, 61, Cantonment, Florida, was northbound on Interstate 29 in St. Joseph.

The vehicle lost an axel. The axel traveled across the median into the southbound lanes and struck the windshield of a 2016 Toyota Avalon driven by Becky L. Jones, 65, Maryville.

The axel traveled back across the median and struck the windshield of a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville driven by Richard A. Sites, 71, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Andrew County EMS transported Jones to Mosaic Life Care. Sites and Turk were not injured. All three were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

ANDREW COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 9a.m. Friday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Volvo semi driven by Wendel Turk, 61, Cantonment, Florida, was northbound on Interstate 29 in St. Joseph.The vehicle lost an axel. The axel traveled across the median into the southbound lanes and struck the windshield of a 2016 Toyota Avalon driven by Becky L. Jones, 65, Maryville.The axel traveled back across the median and struck the windshield of a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville driven by Richard A. Sites, 71, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.Andrew County EMS transported Jones to Mosaic Life Care. Sites and Turk were not injured. All three were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

Maryville woman hospitalized after truck's axel strikes windshield

It appears a classic case of good news/bad news in the
disclosing of results from antibody testing of more than 2,300 Buchanan County
residents.

Mosaic Life Care reports of the 2,324 county residents tested,
only 64 tested positive; 3% of the total.

But the seemingly good news might not be so good for the area,
because it discloses Buchanan County is far from herd immunity against the
coronavirus.

Mosaic Life Care Chief Quality Officer, Dr. Edward Kammerer,
says with the area far from herd immunity, precautions such as hand washing,
mask wearing, and social distancing are vital.

“So, what that tells me, unfortunately with only 3% it tells
me a few things. It tells us we’re nowhere close to herd immunity inside of St.
Joseph and the surrounding area,” Kammerer tells reporters during a news
conference at Mosaic. “It means we have to remain vigilant. We have to stay on
our game. We still have a long way to go. We have thousands of cases to become
herd immune here.”

Twenty of the 64 testing positive were Mosaic employees.
Kammerer says that is a good rate, considering that some of Mosaic’s nursing
staff and others come in contact with COVID-19 patients. Twelve of the 64 had
previously testing positive for COVID-19.

Kammerer says the number and types of persons tested provides
a good sample of Buchanan County residents.

Kammerer says though it seems counterintuitive, he is a bit
disappointed the testing didn’t disclose a higher percentage of residents
having had COVID-19 at some point.

“So, at 3%, that’s an unfortunate aspect. It’s great. It means
that our methods and our efforts to quarantine early on were very successful.
However, that’s not a sustainable aspect either. We can’t keep America shut down,”’
Kammerer says. “So, we have to learn to move forward in an environment where we
don’t have herd immunity and we’re nowhere close to herd immunity.”

The testing lags behind a current surge in both new COVID-19
cases and coronavirus hospitalizations.

St. Joseph health officials report 25 new cases on Thursday after
reporting 46 new cases on Wednesday. Mosaic reports 35 COVID-19 patients being
treated in the St. Joseph hospital as for Friday morning.

“We have definitely seen a spike in our community,” Kammerer
says, focusing especially on the hospitalizations. “All summer long, we pretty
much ran 15 to 20 in the hospital. It was like clockwork every day. We have
seen in the last two or three weeks a significant increase and we’re now up in
the 30s and high 20s on a pretty regular basis.”

Buchanan County used $250,000 of the CARES Act funding sent
the county by the state to pay for the antibody testing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600454956340.jpeg" alt="Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner Lee Sawyer speaks during a news conference as Mosaic Life Care Chief Quality Officer, Dr. Edward Kammerer, looks on./Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner Lee Sawyer speaks during a news conference as Mosaic Life Care Chief Quality Officer, Dr. Edward Kammerer, looks on./Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostIt appears a classic case of good news/bad news in the
disclosing of results from antibody testing of more than 2,300 Buchanan County
residents.Mosaic Life Care reports of the 2,324 county residents tested,
only 64 tested positive; 3% of the total.But the seemingly good news might not be so good for the area,
because it discloses Buchanan County is far from herd immunity against the
coronavirus.Mosaic Life Care Chief Quality Officer, Dr. Edward Kammerer,
says with the area far from herd immunity, precautions such as hand washing,
mask wearing, and social distancing are vital.“So, what that tells me, unfortunately with only 3% it tells
me a few things. It tells us we’re nowhere close to herd immunity inside of St.
Joseph and the surrounding area,” Kammerer tells reporters during a news
conference at Mosaic. “It means we have to remain vigilant. We have to stay on
our game. We still have a long way to go. We have thousands of cases to become
herd immune here.”Twenty of the 64 testing positive were Mosaic employees.
Kammerer says that is a good rate, considering that some of Mosaic’s nursing
staff and others come in contact with COVID-19 patients. Twelve of the 64 had
previously testing positive for COVID-19.Kammerer says the number and types of persons tested provides
a good sample of Buchanan County residents.Kammerer says though it seems counterintuitive, he is a bit
disappointed the testing didn’t disclose a higher percentage of residents
having had COVID-19 at some point.“So, at 3%, that’s an unfortunate aspect. It’s great. It means
that our methods and our efforts to quarantine early on were very successful.
However, that’s not a sustainable aspect either. We can’t keep America shut down,”’
Kammerer says. “So, we have to learn to move forward in an environment where we
don’t have herd immunity and we’re nowhere close to herd immunity.”The testing lags behind a current surge in both new COVID-19
cases and coronavirus hospitalizations.St. Joseph health officials report 25 new cases on Thursday after
reporting 46 new cases on Wednesday. Mosaic reports 35 COVID-19 patients being
treated in the St. Joseph hospital as for Friday morning.“We have definitely seen a spike in our community,” Kammerer
says, focusing especially on the hospitalizations. “All summer long, we pretty
much ran 15 to 20 in the hospital. It was like clockwork every day. We have
seen in the last two or three weeks a significant increase and we’re now up in
the 30s and high 20s on a pretty regular basis.”Buchanan County used $250,000 of the CARES Act funding sent
the county by the state to pay for the antibody testing.

Antibody testing results: low numbers means Buchanan CO far from herd immunity

A special legislative session in Jefferson City ended with the
legislature approving only two of the seven measures sought by Gov. Mike
Parson.

State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville acknowledges the
session had a disappointing ending.

“I think the special session certainly took a little bit longer
than most of us anticipated,” Luetkemeyer tells St. Joseph Post. “We didn’t get
everything done that was part of the governor’s call. I was a little
disappointed to see that all of the items didn’t pass, but that’s the way it
sometimes works whenever you have a bicameral legislature; some things will
pass the Senate and not pass the House or vice versa.”

The Senate put all of the proposals by Gov. Parson in one
package and passed it. The bill didn’t receive a warm reception in the House,
which split all of the proposals out individually.

A bill aimed at protecting witnesses of violent crimes did
pass. It was a piece of legislation which failed to make it through the coronavirus-shortened
regular session. Luetkemeyer sponsored the measure and says its provisions
should remove a real obstacle in the prosecution of violent crime.

“What I’m hoping it will do is it will help us solve a bunch
of unsolved murder and other violent crime cases,” Luetkemeyer says. “In many
cases, particularly homicide cases, law enforcement officers are unable to
solve those crimes, because a witness is intimidated from coming forward for
fear of retribution.”

The legislature also agreed to repeal the requirement that St.
Louis police officers and other emergency responders live within the city
limits, seen as a detriment to recruiting police officers to the St. Louis
force.

Lawmakers rejected three proposals involving juveniles. One
would have enhanced penalties for adults who attempt to pawn off firearms used
in crimes to juveniles. Another would have certified juveniles as adults in
certain violent crimes.

Parson might have had a detrimental effect on the session when
he added a proposal to authorize the state Attorney General to take over
certain murder cases in St. Louis, seen as an outgrowth of the governor’s spat
with St. Louis Prosecutor Kim Gardner, likely stemming from her decision to
file charges on two homeowners who brandished guns when protestors passed their
home on the way to demonstrating in front of the mayor’s home. When the governor
amended the special session call, House leadership decided to take the issued
individually, rather than as one large piece of legislation.

Luetkemeyer
was disappointed the House failed to approve legislation which would have
allowed witnesses who feel intimated to submit written testimony during a trial.
He saw that as a companion piece with the witness protection bill. Witnesses at
trial must present testimony in person.

Luetkemeyer agrees with one suggestion that legislative
leaders and the governor should have prepared better before legislators
returned to Jefferson City.

“I think there might have been some miscommunications or lack
of communication that should have happened between the House and the Senate,
the governor’s office, and that’s not unusual. Those types of communication
breakdowns sometimes happen even during a regular session,” Luetkemeyer says. “So,
certainly I think those things could have been done differently.”

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA special legislative session in Jefferson City ended with the
legislature approving only two of the seven measures sought by Gov. Mike
Parson.State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville acknowledges the
session had a disappointing ending.“I think the special session certainly took a little bit longer
than most of us anticipated,” Luetkemeyer tells St. Joseph Post. “We didn’t get
everything done that was part of the governor’s call. I was a little
disappointed to see that all of the items didn’t pass, but that’s the way it
sometimes works whenever you have a bicameral legislature; some things will
pass the Senate and not pass the House or vice versa.”The Senate put all of the proposals by Gov. Parson in one
package and passed it. The bill didn’t receive a warm reception in the House,
which split all of the proposals out individually.A bill aimed at protecting witnesses of violent crimes did
pass. It was a piece of legislation which failed to make it through the coronavirus-shortened
regular session. Luetkemeyer sponsored the measure and says its provisions
should remove a real obstacle in the prosecution of violent crime.“What I’m hoping it will do is it will help us solve a bunch
of unsolved murder and other violent crime cases,” Luetkemeyer says. “In many
cases, particularly homicide cases, law enforcement officers are unable to
solve those crimes, because a witness is intimidated from coming forward for
fear of retribution.”The legislature also agreed to repeal the requirement that St.
Louis police officers and other emergency responders live within the city
limits, seen as a detriment to recruiting police officers to the St. Louis
force.Lawmakers rejected three proposals involving juveniles. One
would have enhanced penalties for adults who attempt to pawn off firearms used
in crimes to juveniles. Another would have certified juveniles as adults in
certain violent crimes.Parson might have had a detrimental effect on the session when
he added a proposal to authorize the state Attorney General to take over
certain murder cases in St. Louis, seen as an outgrowth of the governor’s spat
with St. Louis Prosecutor Kim Gardner, likely stemming from her decision to
file charges on two homeowners who brandished guns when protestors passed their
home on the way to demonstrating in front of the mayor’s home. When the governor
amended the special session call, House leadership decided to take the issued
individually, rather than as one large piece of legislation.Luetkemeyer
was disappointed the House failed to approve legislation which would have
allowed witnesses who feel intimated to submit written testimony during a trial.
He saw that as a companion piece with the witness protection bill. Witnesses at
trial must present testimony in person.Luetkemeyer agrees with one suggestion that legislative
leaders and the governor should have prepared better before legislators
returned to Jefferson City.“I think there might have been some miscommunications or lack
of communication that should have happened between the House and the Senate,
the governor’s office, and that’s not unusual. Those types of communication
breakdowns sometimes happen even during a regular session,” Luetkemeyer says. “So,
certainly I think those things could have been done differently.”

Special legislative ends with a thud in Jefferson City

KINGSTON, Mo.. (AP) — The trial of a Missouri man accused of killing two brothers from Wisconsin is being moved because of extensive pre-trial publicity.

Online court records show that a change of venue was granted Tuesday relocating Garland "Joey" Nelson's trial to Johnson County from Caldwell County, where the crime happened.

Nelson is facing the death penalty in the killings of 24-year-old Justin Diemel and 35-year-old Nicholas Diemel, of Shawano County, Wisconsin. They disappeared in July 2019 after visiting Nelson’s farm in Braymer to collect a $250,000 debt stemming from a cattle deal. Their burned remains were later found in Missouri and Nebraska. Nelson has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1564610122687.png" alt="Nelson-photo Caldwell Co." />
 <figcaption>Nelson-photo Caldwell Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KINGSTON, Mo.. (AP) — The trial of a Missouri man accused of killing two brothers from Wisconsin is being moved because of extensive pre-trial publicity.Online court records show that a change of venue was granted Tuesday relocating Garland "Joey" Nelson's trial to Johnson County from Caldwell County, where the crime happened.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1565280147807.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Nelson is facing the death penalty in the killings of 24-year-old Justin Diemel and 35-year-old Nicholas Diemel, of Shawano County, Wisconsin. They disappeared in July 2019 after visiting Nelson’s farm in Braymer to collect a $250,000 debt stemming from a cattle deal. Their burned remains were later found in Missouri and Nebraska. Nelson has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

Trial moved for NW Missouri man charged in brothers' deaths

A boil order for the city of Oregon as well as Forest City has
been extended, indefinitely.

Water to the two cities was shut off Tuesday evening so repairs
could be made to the water system between the two cities.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources regulations require
the city to issue a boil water order afterward until further notice. Oregon city
officials say they have not received the go ahead to lift the boil order, so
the boil order remains in effect until further notice. Residents should continue to boil water so it will be safe to drink.

A boil order for the city of Oregon as well as Forest City has
been extended, indefinitely.Water to the two cities was shut off Tuesday evening so repairs
could be made to the water system between the two cities.Missouri Department of Natural Resources regulations require
the city to issue a boil water order afterward until further notice. Oregon city
officials say they have not received the go ahead to lift the boil order, so
the boil order remains in effect until further notice. Residents should continue to boil water so it will be safe to drink.

Boil order for Oregon and Forest City extended

A new mask mandate in St. Joseph took effect overnight and requires individuals to wear masks or face coverings at all indoor public places. 

Interim City Manager Chris Connally says the mandate is a civil order and enforcement is handled by the city health department.

"It'll be up to businesses to let people know they need to wear a mask and that's currently how it's been done since day one, it's a civil order," Connally tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. "If there's someone who refuses to comply and somebody asks them to leave their business and they refuse to leave... well then that's a trespassing, that's a whole different matter."

Connally says he doesn’t believe they have had any trespassing calls yet related to someone not wearing a mask at a business.

"For the most part, I don't think we'll see a lot of change, at least when I've been out, just about everywhere I go, I see people wearing masks when they can't social distance," Connally says. "Most people do it, obviously there are some people that feel strongly otherwise and there are some people that have medical conditions that, for good reason, don't wear a mask."

To view the full emergency declaration,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stjoemo.info/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1099">click here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

by SARAH THOMACKSt. Joseph PostA new mask mandate in St. Joseph took effect overnight and requires individuals to wear masks or face coverings at all indoor public places. Interim City Manager Chris Connally says the mandate is a civil order and enforcement is handled by the city health department."It'll be up to businesses to let people know they need to wear a mask and that's currently how it's been done since day one, it's a civil order," Connally tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. "If there's someone who refuses to comply and somebody asks them to leave their business and they refuse to leave... well then that's a trespassing, that's a whole different matter."Connally says he doesn’t believe they have had any trespassing calls yet related to someone not wearing a mask at a business."For the most part, I don't think we'll see a lot of change, at least when I've been out, just about everywhere I go, I see people wearing masks when they can't social distance," Connally says. "Most people do it, obviously there are some people that feel strongly otherwise and there are some people that have medical conditions that, for good reason, don't wear a mask."To view the full emergency declaration,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stjoemo.info/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1099">click here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

St. Joseph mask mandate enforcement handled by health department

ANDREW COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 10p.m. Wednesday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country driven by Connie S. Harter, 52, Amazonia, was southbound on Route K two miles north of St. Joseph.

The vehicle traveled off the east side of the road, became airborne, struck the ground, traveled up an embankment and struck a utility pole.

Andrew County EMS transported a passenger Keith D. Harter, 52, Amazonia, to Mosaic Life Care. Connie Harter refused treatment at the scene. Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

ANDREW COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 10p.m. Wednesday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country driven by Connie S. Harter, 52, Amazonia, was southbound on Route K two miles north of St. Joseph.The vehicle traveled off the east side of the road, became airborne, struck the ground, traveled up an embankment and struck a utility pole.Andrew County EMS transported a passenger Keith D. Harter, 52, Amazonia, to Mosaic Life Care. Connie Harter refused treatment at the scene. Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

Man from Amazonia hospitalized after van strikes utility pole

BUCHANAN COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 5p.m. Wednesday in Buchanan County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Ford Fusion driven by Aaron D. Sheets, 27, Carrollton, TX, was southbound on U.S. 169 eight miles south of St. Joseph.&nbsp;

The car traveled off the road, overturned and struck a ditch.

Buchanan County EMS transported Sheets to Mosaic Life Care. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

BUCHANAN COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 5p.m. Wednesday in Buchanan County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Ford Fusion driven by Aaron D. Sheets, 27, Carrollton, TX, was southbound on U.S. 169 eight miles south of St. Joseph.&nbsp;The car traveled off the road, overturned and struck a ditch.Buchanan County EMS transported Sheets to Mosaic Life Care. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

Man hospitalized in St. Joseph after car overturns 

AFL-CIO Community Services Agency in St. Joseph announced it is postponing the Soles for Christ shoe distribution which was scheduled to take place next week at the Civic Arena. 

The program provides shoes for students in need, but AFL-CIO Executive Director Penny Adams says the rise in COVID-19 cases and a lack of volunteers prompted the postponement.

“We need approximately 100 people over the timespan of the program to operate it and we didn’t have near enough folks signed up. Many of our regular folks who actually have participated year after year after year... called us up and said, ‘We would love to participate but we have health issues so we’re concerned and just can’t say we’re going to do it this year,’" Adams tells St. Joseph Post.&nbsp;“It’s really been heartbreaking for us to have to make this decision, but for their safety and for our volunteers’ safety we just had to do it."

The agency plans to work with local school officials to provide shoes to students who have an immediate need.&nbsp;

“We’ll try to get the size that they need and get them to the schools or we’ll just coordinate with the schools on the delivery,” Adams says. “We feel that’s probably our safest bet and the teachers see these kids every day so they know the ones that desperately need the shoes right away and really couldn’t wait.”

Adams adds that the agency will begin holding planning meetings next week on how to proceed this year with the Adopt-A-Family Christmas program.

For more information about any of the AFL-CIO programs, contact the agency at (816) 364-1131.

by SARAH THOMACKSt. Joseph PostAFL-CIO Community Services Agency in St. Joseph announced it is postponing the Soles for Christ shoe distribution which was scheduled to take place next week at the Civic Arena. The program provides shoes for students in need, but AFL-CIO Executive Director Penny Adams says the rise in COVID-19 cases and a lack of volunteers prompted the postponement.“We need approximately 100 people over the timespan of the program to operate it and we didn’t have near enough folks signed up. Many of our regular folks who actually have participated year after year after year... called us up and said, ‘We would love to participate but we have health issues so we’re concerned and just can’t say we’re going to do it this year,’" Adams tells St. Joseph Post.&nbsp;“It’s really been heartbreaking for us to have to make this decision, but for their safety and for our volunteers’ safety we just had to do it."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594402434762.jpeg" alt="Volunteers distributing shoes at the 2016 Soles for Christ distribution at the AFL-CIO Community Services building. Photo by Sarah Thomack." />
 <figcaption>Volunteers distributing shoes at the 2016 Soles for Christ distribution at the AFL-CIO Community Services building. Photo by Sarah Thomack.</figcaption>
 </figure>The agency plans to work with local school officials to provide shoes to students who have an immediate need.&nbsp;“We’ll try to get the size that they need and get them to the schools or we’ll just coordinate with the schools on the delivery,” Adams says. “We feel that’s probably our safest bet and the teachers see these kids every day so they know the ones that desperately need the shoes right away and really couldn’t wait.”Adams adds that the agency will begin holding planning meetings next week on how to proceed this year with the Adopt-A-Family Christmas program.For more information about any of the AFL-CIO programs, contact the agency at (816) 364-1131.

Soles for Christ shoe distribution event postponed

LIVINGSTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 6:30a.m. Wednesday in Livingston County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Chevy Equinox driven by Deaven T. Eisman, 28, Kidder, was westbound on U.S. 36 one mile east of Chillicothe.

The vehicle rear-ended a 2007 Dodge Ram driven by Spencer T. Ficken, 45, Chillicothe.

A private vehicle transported Ficken to Hedrick Medical Center. Eisman was not injured. Ficken was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 6:30a.m. Wednesday in Livingston County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Chevy Equinox driven by Deaven T. Eisman, 28, Kidder, was westbound on U.S. 36 one mile east of Chillicothe.The vehicle rear-ended a 2007 Dodge Ram driven by Spencer T. Ficken, 45, Chillicothe.A private vehicle transported Ficken to Hedrick Medical Center. Eisman was not injured. Ficken was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man hospitalized after rear-end crash

A jump in the number of COVID-19 patients at the St. Joseph hospital
has the attention of Mosaic Life Care administrators.

Mosaic Chief Quality Officer Dr. Edward Kammerer points out
coronavirus hospitalizations, already high at 26, jumped to 36 on Tuesday.

“We’ve really been running 15 to 20, pretty reliably through
the summer. I mean that was pretty much a mainstay. Suddenly, we’ve had this
kind of bump up,” Kammerer tells reporters during a news conference. “This
actually is not that terribly unpredictable, based upon the fact that we had
Labor Day weekend where people tend to conglomerate together again. Also, based
upon the fact that we’ve had school starting and, of course, we know that we
started to congregate again in general.”

Mosaic on Wednesday morning reported a drop in
hospitalizations. There are currently 30 COVID-19 patients being treated at the
St. Joseph hospital.

Mosaic has tested 29,264 area residents with 1,882 testing
positive for the coronavirus. Mosaic is awaiting results from 218 tests.

St. Joseph health officials report 35 new cases of COVID-19 in
Buchanan County, bringing the total county count since the pandemic began to
1,800. Buchanan County reported 28 new cases on Monday after posting 18 new
cases on Sunday and 13 on Saturday.

Buchanan County has recorded 19 coronavirus-related deaths.

Kammerer says Mosaic has the beds and medicine to handle an
increase in hospitalizations, but the higher the number of coronavirus
patients, the more strain on the nursing staff.

“As I’ve told people before, we’ve beaten the national average
substantially. We have a less that 1% mortality rate inside of our service area
of the five counties. We’ve done extraordinarily well,” Kammerer says. “But it
requires a lot of nursing care, especially when they’re really sick.”

Kammerer says a COVID patient normally spends 2o to 50 days in
the hospital.

Kammerer says the hospital has been preparing for an increase in
coronavirus patients.

“We have beds. We have medications. The difficulty will be,
can you staff all that?”

Mosaic has converted the 5th floor of the St.
Joseph hospital into a pandemic ward with negative-pressure rooms. There are an
additional 48 beds on the 4th floor if needed.

“We have the ability to really take care of over 100 patients
at a time with COVID inside of the hospital,” according to Kammerer. “The
difficulty is that means you then you have to stop doing something else. Of
course, 90% of the people in the hospital right now don’t have COVID.”

Kammerer says the increase in hospitalizations comes as area
residents begin to congregate more. He says viral activity goes up as we get
together more.

Andrew County reports 226 total cases of COVID-19 with
Doniphan County, Kansas recording 87 cases.

Missouri health officials report a state total of 105,396,
resulting in 1,732 deaths.

Kansas health officials report 49,899 cases and 534 deaths.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600278192853.jpeg" alt="Mosaic Life Care Chief Quality Officer, Dr. Edward Kammerer, speaks with reporters during a news conference at the St. Joseph hospital./Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Mosaic Life Care Chief Quality Officer, Dr. Edward Kammerer, speaks with reporters during a news conference at the St. Joseph hospital./Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA jump in the number of COVID-19 patients at the St. Joseph hospital
has the attention of Mosaic Life Care administrators.Mosaic Chief Quality Officer Dr. Edward Kammerer points out
coronavirus hospitalizations, already high at 26, jumped to 36 on Tuesday.“We’ve really been running 15 to 20, pretty reliably through
the summer. I mean that was pretty much a mainstay. Suddenly, we’ve had this
kind of bump up,” Kammerer tells reporters during a news conference. “This
actually is not that terribly unpredictable, based upon the fact that we had
Labor Day weekend where people tend to conglomerate together again. Also, based
upon the fact that we’ve had school starting and, of course, we know that we
started to congregate again in general.”Mosaic on Wednesday morning reported a drop in
hospitalizations. There are currently 30 COVID-19 patients being treated at the
St. Joseph hospital.Mosaic has tested 29,264 area residents with 1,882 testing
positive for the coronavirus. Mosaic is awaiting results from 218 tests.St. Joseph health officials report 35 new cases of COVID-19 in
Buchanan County, bringing the total county count since the pandemic began to
1,800. Buchanan County reported 28 new cases on Monday after posting 18 new
cases on Sunday and 13 on Saturday.Buchanan County has recorded 19 coronavirus-related deaths.Kammerer says Mosaic has the beds and medicine to handle an
increase in hospitalizations, but the higher the number of coronavirus
patients, the more strain on the nursing staff.“As I’ve told people before, we’ve beaten the national average
substantially. We have a less that 1% mortality rate inside of our service area
of the five counties. We’ve done extraordinarily well,” Kammerer says. “But it
requires a lot of nursing care, especially when they’re really sick.”Kammerer says a COVID patient normally spends 2o to 50 days in
the hospital.Kammerer says the hospital has been preparing for an increase in
coronavirus patients.“We have beds. We have medications. The difficulty will be,
can you staff all that?”Mosaic has converted the 5th floor of the St.
Joseph hospital into a pandemic ward with negative-pressure rooms. There are an
additional 48 beds on the 4th floor if needed.“We have the ability to really take care of over 100 patients
at a time with COVID inside of the hospital,” according to Kammerer. “The
difficulty is that means you then you have to stop doing something else. Of
course, 90% of the people in the hospital right now don’t have COVID.”Kammerer says the increase in hospitalizations comes as area
residents begin to congregate more. He says viral activity goes up as we get
together more.Andrew County reports 226 total cases of COVID-19 with
Doniphan County, Kansas recording 87 cases.Missouri health officials report a state total of 105,396,
resulting in 1,732 deaths.Kansas health officials report 49,899 cases and 534 deaths.

Mosaic says it is prepared as COVID-19 hospitalizations increase

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

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 1500 driven by Derek S. French, 30, St. Joseph, was southbound on U.S. 69 at Route Y in Winston.

The truck traveled off the west side of the road, struck an embankment, continued across a parking lot, struck a light pole, struck a second light pole and came to rest in the middle of the parking lot.

Daviess County ambulance transported French to Cameron Regional Medical Center. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

DAVIESS COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before noon Tuesday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 1500 driven by Derek S. French, 30, St. Joseph, was southbound on U.S. 69 at Route Y in Winston.The truck traveled off the west side of the road, struck an embankment, continued across a parking lot, struck a light pole, struck a second light pole and came to rest in the middle of the parking lot.Daviess County ambulance transported French to Cameron Regional Medical Center. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

Man from St. Joe hospitalized after pickup crash

The City of St. Joseph has issued an emergency declaration requiring individuals to wear masks or face coverings at all indoor public places.&nbsp;

The order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday and will be in place for 30 days.

St. Joseph Mayor Bill McMurray says the&nbsp;<a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/9e13f064-32a3-4ca7-b7fb-dda53a494e00">number of COVID-19 patients at Mosaic Life Care</a> is what prompted the expansion of the mask order.

“They’ve gone from like 16 up to 36 and that’s a huge spike, so we have to tamp those numbers back down and this is just a risk management method to do that," McMurray says. "We’ve built in some exceptions, but we really need people to take this seriously. This virus has had a huge spike here in our community and we have to fight back, we cannot just go on with business as usual, at least for the next 30 days, and hopefully by doing that, we’ll get these numbers back down.”

Health Director Debra Bradley says they are very concerned at the St. Joseph Health Department about the spike in COVID-19 cases and individuals in the hospital.

"We want to do what we can to protect our community as a whole so that’s why we’re supporting this mask mandate, we’ve been asking for it for awhile anyway, hopefully this will help turn the corner on the numbers while also keeping our businesses open,” Bradley says. “They’re not the most comfortable thing to wear, but we’re in this together, we’re here to help each other out.”&nbsp;

The mask mandate put in place <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/fe5ee223-76bf-41f4-96df-b88e36767a18">July 13th</a> in St. Joseph required individuals to wear a mask in retail stores of 10,000 square feet or more. The new emergency declaration requires masks be worn in all indoor public places if a six-foot distance cannot be maintained. Exceptions include children under the age of five, those with certain medical conditions or while eating food at a restaurant or bar.

Deputy Mayor Kent O’Dell says, in recent meetings, he was on the side of not issuing a more expanded measure.

“We’ve tried holding back the city mandates for five, six weeks now and I’ve been a big part of that, but the numbers have gotten out of hand so therefore, the time has come,” O’Dell says. “It’s unfortunate, but it’s time for everybody to show a little compassion, a little consideration for others for a small period.”

O’Dell, during a press conference at City Hall Tuesday, said he wanted to apologize to healthcare professionals.

“I never thought that this would happen or it would explode like the way it has,” O’Dell says. “I was planning on acting before these kind of (COVID-19) numbers hit. It’s unfortunate now that nurses and doctors are being hit, overwhelmed with these numbers now. Normal hospital operations and now 36 COVID patients on top of everything else so I want to apologize to those guys for what’s happening.”

Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph has 48 rooms on the 4th floor and 48 rooms on the 5th floor that are negative pressure rooms available for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, if needed.&nbsp;

To view the full emergency declaration and press release, <a href="https://www.stjoemo.info/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1099">click here</a>.

by SARAH THOMACKSt. Joseph PostThe City of St. Joseph has issued an emergency declaration requiring individuals to wear masks or face coverings at all indoor public places.&nbsp;The order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday and will be in place for 30 days.St. Joseph Mayor Bill McMurray says the&nbsp;<a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/9e13f064-32a3-4ca7-b7fb-dda53a494e00">number of COVID-19 patients at Mosaic Life Care</a> is what prompted the expansion of the mask order.“They’ve gone from like 16 up to 36 and that’s a huge spike, so we have to tamp those numbers back down and this is just a risk management method to do that," McMurray says. "We’ve built in some exceptions, but we really need people to take this seriously. This virus has had a huge spike here in our community and we have to fight back, we cannot just go on with business as usual, at least for the next 30 days, and hopefully by doing that, we’ll get these numbers back down.”Health Director Debra Bradley says they are very concerned at the St. Joseph Health Department about the spike in COVID-19 cases and individuals in the hospital."We want to do what we can to protect our community as a whole so that’s why we’re supporting this mask mandate, we’ve been asking for it for awhile anyway, hopefully this will help turn the corner on the numbers while also keeping our businesses open,” Bradley says. “They’re not the most comfortable thing to wear, but we’re in this together, we’re here to help each other out.”&nbsp;The mask mandate put in place <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/fe5ee223-76bf-41f4-96df-b88e36767a18">July 13th</a> in St. Joseph required individuals to wear a mask in retail stores of 10,000 square feet or more. The new emergency declaration requires masks be worn in all indoor public places if a six-foot distance cannot be maintained. Exceptions include children under the age of five, those with certain medical conditions or while eating food at a restaurant or bar.Deputy Mayor Kent O’Dell says, in recent meetings, he was on the side of not issuing a more expanded measure.“We’ve tried holding back the city mandates for five, six weeks now and I’ve been a big part of that, but the numbers have gotten out of hand so therefore, the time has come,” O’Dell says. “It’s unfortunate, but it’s time for everybody to show a little compassion, a little consideration for others for a small period.”O’Dell, during a press conference at City Hall Tuesday, said he wanted to apologize to healthcare professionals.“I never thought that this would happen or it would explode like the way it has,” O’Dell says. “I was planning on acting before these kind of (COVID-19) numbers hit. It’s unfortunate now that nurses and doctors are being hit, overwhelmed with these numbers now. Normal hospital operations and now 36 COVID patients on top of everything else so I want to apologize to those guys for what’s happening.”Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph has 48 rooms on the 4th floor and 48 rooms on the 5th floor that are negative pressure rooms available for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, if needed.&nbsp;To view the full emergency declaration and press release, <a href="https://www.stjoemo.info/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1099">click here</a>.

City officials say spike in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations prompted mask mandate

Water will be shut off for the residents of Oregon and Forest
City late tonight to make repairs to the water system between the two cities.

The city water supply will be shut off at 10 o’clock this
evening. Oregon city officials expect the water to be shut off for up to three
hours. Missouri Department of Natural Resources regulations require the city to
issue a boil order afterward until further notice.

City officials had planned to make the repairs last week, but
had to postpone them until tonight.

Water will be shut off for the residents of Oregon and Forest
City late tonight to make repairs to the water system between the two cities.The city water supply will be shut off at 10 o’clock this
evening. Oregon city officials expect the water to be shut off for up to three
hours. Missouri Department of Natural Resources regulations require the city to
issue a boil order afterward until further notice.City officials had planned to make the repairs last week, but
had to postpone them until tonight.

Water to be shut off tonight for Oregon-Forest City residents

An officer with the Air National Guard 139th
Airlift Wing in St. Joseph hopes to inspire girls as well as boys to set their
sights high.

Colonel DeAnna Franks is Commandant of the Advanced Airlift
Tactics Training Center at Rosecrans Memorial Airport and hopes to walk the
crowd at the Air Show next year and talk to young people about flying and the
military.

“If I get a chance to talk to any little girl or any little
boy and I tell them I fly C-130s and I point to the plane and I tell them what
my career has been like and how I started just like them, loving airplanes, but
more importantly loving the Air Force,” Franks tells St. Joseph Post.

The Sound of Speed Air Show is set for May at Rosecrans
Memorial Airport, featuring the Air Force Thunderbirds.

Franks is hopeful COVID-19 concerns will be lowered enough by
the time of the Air Show to allow her to walk the crowd in her flight suit and
talk with girls and boys.

“That’s the connection that is just so precious that I really
enjoy and you can just see their eyes really open and get excited, but you have
to take just that little extra 30 seconds and give that attention,” according
to Franks. “Once you give somebody 30 seconds of attention, they’re pretty bought
in. So, it’s awesome.”

She transitioned in 2007 from active duty to serving in the
Air Force Reserve at Pope Field in North Carolina. Franks trained cadets at the
Air Force Academy and advised Air Force brass on teaming with foreign
militaries in multinational operations. She served for a time at the Pentagon.

Franks anticipates the Sound of Speed Air Show in May will be
just the thing area residents need after coping with COVID-19 this year.

“It’s exciting. It’s patriotic. It’s fun,” Franks says. “And
the families just love it, too.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600192462926.jpeg" alt="139th Air Guard C-130 airplanes on a training mission/Photo courtesy of the Air National Guard" />
 <figcaption>139th Air Guard C-130 airplanes on a training mission/Photo courtesy of the Air National Guard</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAn officer with the Air National Guard 139th
Airlift Wing in St. Joseph hopes to inspire girls as well as boys to set their
sights high.Colonel DeAnna Franks is Commandant of the Advanced Airlift
Tactics Training Center at Rosecrans Memorial Airport and hopes to walk the
crowd at the Air Show next year and talk to young people about flying and the
military.“If I get a chance to talk to any little girl or any little
boy and I tell them I fly C-130s and I point to the plane and I tell them what
my career has been like and how I started just like them, loving airplanes, but
more importantly loving the Air Force,” Franks tells St. Joseph Post.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600192616290.jpeg" alt="139th Air Guard, training mission/Photo courtesy of Air National Guard" />
 <figcaption>139th Air Guard, training mission/Photo courtesy of Air National Guard</figcaption>
 </figure>The Sound of Speed Air Show is set for May at Rosecrans
Memorial Airport, featuring the Air Force Thunderbirds.Franks is hopeful COVID-19 concerns will be lowered enough by
the time of the Air Show to allow her to walk the crowd in her flight suit and
talk with girls and boys.“That’s the connection that is just so precious that I really
enjoy and you can just see their eyes really open and get excited, but you have
to take just that little extra 30 seconds and give that attention,” according
to Franks. “Once you give somebody 30 seconds of attention, they’re pretty bought
in. So, it’s awesome.”Franks has had quite a career.She transitioned in 2007 from active duty to serving in the
Air Force Reserve at Pope Field in North Carolina. Franks trained cadets at the
Air Force Academy and advised Air Force brass on teaming with foreign
militaries in multinational operations. She served for a time at the Pentagon.Franks anticipates the Sound of Speed Air Show in May will be
just the thing area residents need after coping with COVID-19 this year.“It’s exciting. It’s patriotic. It’s fun,” Franks says. “And
the families just love it, too.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600192664329.jpeg" alt="Col. DeAnna Franks with her daughter at the 2018 Air Show/Photo courtesy of the Air National Guard" />
 <figcaption>Col. DeAnna Franks with her daughter at the 2018 Air Show/Photo courtesy of the Air National Guard</figcaption>
 </figure>

Air Guard officer hopes to help youth set their goals high

St. Joseph city officials will expand the mask mandate,
beginning Thursday.

St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce officials have issued a news
release to members stating the city will issue a declaration requiring individuals
to wear face coverings or masks when indoors with the exception of residences.

Employees will be required to wear masks unless a six-foot
distance can be maintained from customers and other employees.

The Chamber has informed members all customers entering a
business will be required to wear a mask. Children and people with medical
conditions will be exempt. Those sitting at in a restaurant or bar will not be
required to wear a mask nor will those receiving services which require the
face covering to be removed.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph city officials will expand the mask mandate,
beginning Thursday.St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce officials have issued a news
release to members stating the city will issue a declaration requiring individuals
to wear face coverings or masks when indoors with the exception of residences.Employees will be required to wear masks unless a six-foot
distance can be maintained from customers and other employees.The Chamber has informed members all customers entering a
business will be required to wear a mask. Children and people with medical
conditions will be exempt. Those sitting at in a restaurant or bar will not be
required to wear a mask nor will those receiving services which require the
face covering to be removed.Face coverings will not be required outdoors.The order goes into effect at 12:01am Thursday and will be in place for 30 days.

Local