CLINTON COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Saturday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Kawasaki Vulcan driven by Cotton R. McPike, 28, Amity, was northbound on Route Y six miles north of Plattsburg.

The driver lost control when the motorcycle struck a pothole in the road. The motorcycle overturned and the driver was ejected.

A private vehicle transported McPike to Cameron Regional Medical Center. He was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Saturday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Kawasaki Vulcan driven by Cotton R. McPike, 28, Amity, was northbound on Route Y six miles north of Plattsburg.The driver lost control when the motorcycle struck a pothole in the road. The motorcycle overturned and the driver was ejected.A private vehicle transported McPike to Cameron Regional Medical Center. He was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Missouri teen hospitalized after motorcycle accident

The final numbers from last weekend's community testing clinic show a total of 34 positive cases of COVID-19 in Buchanan County, according to a press release from the City of St. Joseph.

A total of 1,593 individuals participated in the community testing clinic held over the weekend at Mosaic Life Care.

Staff from Mosaic is handling notification to those that test positive and the St. Joseph Health Department is handling contact tracing of those positive cases.

The final numbers from last weekend's community testing clinic show a total of 34 positive cases of COVID-19 in Buchanan County, according to a press release from the City of St. Joseph.A total of 1,593 individuals participated in the community testing clinic held over the weekend at Mosaic Life Care.Staff from Mosaic is handling notification to those that test positive and the St. Joseph Health Department is handling contact tracing of those positive cases.

Final numbers from testing clinic show 34 positive COVID-19 cases in Buchanan County

Missouri lawmakers approved a nearly $35 billion state budget
by the constitutional deadline.

Whether they are forced to return for a special session to
address further budget changes remains to be seen.

Senate Appropriations Committee chair, Sen. Dan Hegeman of
Cosby, says the fact that legislators returned to the Capitol to re-write the
state budget might lessen the need to revisit the budget.

“I think the fact that we did get a budget passed within our
constitutionally-mandated timeframe, which was May 8th this year, I
think that gives a lot of room for the governor to move forward in the Fiscal
Year ’21 budget,” Hegeman tells St. Joseph Post.

Lawmakers had to re-construct the state budget drafted earlier
in the session and cut $700 million from it as COVID-19 restrictions
drastically reduced state revenue. Hegeman says if Governor Mike Parson
believes lawmakers need to re-think state spending, he could call them back into
special session in September, during the annual veto session.

Agreeing is state Rep. Brenda Shields of St. Joseph, a member
of the House Budget Committee, who expects to be returning to the Capitol and
to budget work later this year.

“I think we’ll have to go back maybe during the month of September
and do some supplemental budgets to more accurately reflect what’s happening in
the state of Missouri,” Shields tells St. Joseph Post.

The Missouri General Assembly must return in September for its
annual veto session, the session required to consider whether to overturn any
vetoes issued by Gov. Mike Parson.

Shields points out that while COVID-19 restrictions devastated
the state economy and drastically cut state revenue, lawmakers still found a
way to add $12 million to expand rural broadband.

“I think through this pandemic we’ve learned that broadband is
not just for watching Netflix,” Shields says, adding some legislators didn’t
understand the difficulties 1.2 million Missourians face, because they lack
access to the Internet.

Shields says she’s disappointed legislators didn’t approve
requiring state sales tax to be collected on Internet sales. She says the
coronavirus pandemic disclosed how valuable that would be for a state that
needs revenue.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri lawmakers approved a nearly $35 billion state budget
by the constitutional deadline.Whether they are forced to return for a special session to
address further budget changes remains to be seen.Senate Appropriations Committee chair, Sen. Dan Hegeman of
Cosby, says the fact that legislators returned to the Capitol to re-write the
state budget might lessen the need to revisit the budget.“I think the fact that we did get a budget passed within our
constitutionally-mandated timeframe, which was May 8th this year, I
think that gives a lot of room for the governor to move forward in the Fiscal
Year ’21 budget,” Hegeman tells St. Joseph Post.Lawmakers had to re-construct the state budget drafted earlier
in the session and cut $700 million from it as COVID-19 restrictions
drastically reduced state revenue. Hegeman says if Governor Mike Parson
believes lawmakers need to re-think state spending, he could call them back into
special session in September, during the annual veto session.Agreeing is state Rep. Brenda Shields of St. Joseph, a member
of the House Budget Committee, who expects to be returning to the Capitol and
to budget work later this year.“I think we’ll have to go back maybe during the month of September
and do some supplemental budgets to more accurately reflect what’s happening in
the state of Missouri,” Shields tells St. Joseph Post.The Missouri General Assembly must return in September for its
annual veto session, the session required to consider whether to overturn any
vetoes issued by Gov. Mike Parson.Shields points out that while COVID-19 restrictions devastated
the state economy and drastically cut state revenue, lawmakers still found a
way to add $12 million to expand rural broadband.“I think through this pandemic we’ve learned that broadband is
not just for watching Netflix,” Shields says, adding some legislators didn’t
understand the difficulties 1.2 million Missourians face, because they lack
access to the Internet.Shields says she’s disappointed legislators didn’t approve
requiring state sales tax to be collected on Internet sales. She says the
coronavirus pandemic disclosed how valuable that would be for a state that
needs revenue.

Missouri lawmakers might return later this year to reconsider budget

St. Joseph Health Department Director Debra Bradley, in a city council work session Thursday, addressed COVID-19 testing questions and concerns from council members and the public.

Bradley says the cost of tests leftover from the recent community testing clinic will be covered by the state only if used for community testing.

"We’re running it through a commercial lab, but it’s on the state contract so the state will pay for it. So they’re restricting us to just using it out in the community."

Bradley says, as of right now, individuals are not tested unless they show symptoms.

"If your own provider agrees to test you or if you go to one of the testing sites and convince them, then you can, but most people who are asymptomatic don’t get tested unless it’s through a community testing event."

Bradley says they hope to apply for some of the funds <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5ebae211eb7f17053604c6f9">Buchanan County received through the CARES Act</a>.&nbsp;Bradley says if they receive money from the county, they could get resources to help with expanding contact tracing and buy their own test kits.&nbsp;

"We can test anyone at that point, anywhere,” Bradley says. “Also the governor and the state health director are committed to testing, if, either an employee or a person at a nursing home or any other kind of long term care facility, tests positive, then they will send in the test kits to test everybody at that location.”

Governor Mike Parson <a href="https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-parson-announces-plan-rapidly-increase-covid-19-testing-volume">announced Thursday</a> a plan to increase COVID-19 testing volume to 7,500 tests per day in Missouri. According to a press release, the plan will focus on "box-in outbreaks, sentinel testing, and community sampling."

by Sarah ThomackSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph Health Department Director Debra Bradley, in a city council work session Thursday, addressed COVID-19 testing questions and concerns from council members and the public.Bradley says the cost of tests leftover from the recent community testing clinic will be covered by the state only if used for community testing."We’re running it through a commercial lab, but it’s on the state contract so the state will pay for it. So they’re restricting us to just using it out in the community."Bradley says, as of right now, individuals are not tested unless they show symptoms."If your own provider agrees to test you or if you go to one of the testing sites and convince them, then you can, but most people who are asymptomatic don’t get tested unless it’s through a community testing event."Bradley says they hope to apply for some of the funds <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5ebae211eb7f17053604c6f9">Buchanan County received through the CARES Act</a>.&nbsp;Bradley says if they receive money from the county, they could get resources to help with expanding contact tracing and buy their own test kits.&nbsp;"We can test anyone at that point, anywhere,” Bradley says. “Also the governor and the state health director are committed to testing, if, either an employee or a person at a nursing home or any other kind of long term care facility, tests positive, then they will send in the test kits to test everybody at that location.”Governor Mike Parson <a href="https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-parson-announces-plan-rapidly-increase-covid-19-testing-volume">announced Thursday</a> a plan to increase COVID-19 testing volume to 7,500 tests per day in Missouri. According to a press release, the plan will focus on "box-in outbreaks, sentinel testing, and community sampling."

Local health director addresses questions about COVID-19 test availability

It’s a bit easier to travel between northwest Missouri and
southeast Nebraska; at least, once again there is a more direct route between
Big Lake and Rulo.

The Missouri Department of Transportation reports restoration
of the Little Tarkio Creek Bridge at Fortescue on U.S. Route 159 has been
completed. Floodwaters last year destroyed the bridge, so much so that guard
rails hung suspended in air with no pavement underneath. The damage forced MoDOT
to devise a work-around to get traffic flowing again between Big Lake on the
Missouri side and Rulo on the Nebraska side once floodwaters receded.

MoDOT awarded a $2.5 million contract to Emery Sapp &amp; Sons
in July of last year to restore the bridge on Highway 159 between Route 111
(Lake Shore Drive) and Route P. Weather and repeat flooding delayed work on the
project, which finally began in September.

Detour signs remain up on Highway 159 as another bridge
project gets ready to begin. MoDOT says Boone Construction Company will begin
replacing the flood-damage Penny Slu Bridge just west of Route 111 on Monday,
June 1st. MoDOT hopes that work will be completed by mid-August.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590160251570.jpeg" alt="Little Tarkio Creek bridge flood damage last year/Photo courtesy of MoDOT" />
 <figcaption>Little Tarkio Creek bridge flood damage last year/Photo courtesy of MoDOT</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostIt’s a bit easier to travel between northwest Missouri and
southeast Nebraska; at least, once again there is a more direct route between
Big Lake and Rulo.The Missouri Department of Transportation reports restoration
of the Little Tarkio Creek Bridge at Fortescue on U.S. Route 159 has been
completed. Floodwaters last year destroyed the bridge, so much so that guard
rails hung suspended in air with no pavement underneath. The damage forced MoDOT
to devise a work-around to get traffic flowing again between Big Lake on the
Missouri side and Rulo on the Nebraska side once floodwaters receded.MoDOT awarded a $2.5 million contract to Emery Sapp &amp; Sons
in July of last year to restore the bridge on Highway 159 between Route 111
(Lake Shore Drive) and Route P. Weather and repeat flooding delayed work on the
project, which finally began in September.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590160308351.jpeg" alt="Floodwaters caused the concrete on the Little Tarkio Bridge to sag/Photo courtesy of MoDOT" />
 <figcaption>Floodwaters caused the concrete on the Little Tarkio Bridge to sag/Photo courtesy of MoDOT</figcaption>
 </figure>Detour signs remain up on Highway 159 as another bridge
project gets ready to begin. MoDOT says Boone Construction Company will begin
replacing the flood-damage Penny Slu Bridge just west of Route 111 on Monday,
June 1st. MoDOT hopes that work will be completed by mid-August.

Little Tarkio Bridge, destroyed by floodwaters, reopens

A northwest Missouri manufacturer has notified the state that it may reduce its workforce this summer. Battery maker Exide Technologies has started Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings while trying to arrange the sale of the company. Exide’s plant in Forest City is hoping to avoid laying off 85 workers.

“If the Company does not enter into an agreement with a purchaser to sell the business, the Company currently expects that it will be forced to conduct reductions-in-force or plant closings. Alternatively, if the Company does enter into an agreement with a purchaser to sell the business, the purchaser may elect not to continue to operate the business as a going concern or to offer employment to all of the Company’s employees,” the letter to the state says.

The notice from Exide to the mayor of Forest City and the state says that if layoffs do occur, they could be permanent and happen towards the end of July.

The company has also notified the union representing the workers.

Forest City is a town of about 250 people.

By ALISA NELSONMissourinetA northwest Missouri manufacturer has notified the state that it may reduce its workforce this summer. Battery maker Exide Technologies has started Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings while trying to arrange the sale of the company. Exide’s plant in Forest City is hoping to avoid laying off 85 workers.“If the Company does not enter into an agreement with a purchaser to sell the business, the Company currently expects that it will be forced to conduct reductions-in-force or plant closings. Alternatively, if the Company does enter into an agreement with a purchaser to sell the business, the purchaser may elect not to continue to operate the business as a going concern or to offer employment to all of the Company’s employees,” the letter to the state says.The notice from Exide to the mayor of Forest City and the state says that if layoffs do occur, they could be permanent and happen towards the end of July.The company has also notified the union representing the workers.Forest City is a town of about 250 people.

Forest City factory sends notice it could close by summer

It is difficult to use one word to describe the just-concluded
Missouri legislative session.

You could use unusual, different, odd, even eerie; all seem to
fall short.

“Well, I will have to say with my 17 years of service, both in
the House and the Senate, this has been the most unusual session that we have
ever had,” state Sen. Dan Hegeman of Cosby tells St. Joseph Post.

Hegeman has more experience than most in these days of term
limits, having served in the Missouri House pre-term limits before winning
election to the Senate.

Legislators left on the annual week-long spring break and
didn’t return until six weeks later, due to COVID-19 concerns, losing valuable
legislative days.

Hegeman, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, says
when lawmakers did return, they faced the economic destruction COVID-19
restrictions left in their wake.

“We started out by having plenty of revenue coming in and
looking at a rosy scenario and that turned on a dime to looking at a negative
revenue situation, then having to cut the budget by $700 million from the
governor’s original recommendations,” Hegeman says.

The primary reason legislators did return to Jefferson City
was to address the state budget. Lawmakers met their constitutional deadline
and approved a nearly $35 billion state budget, which likely will have to be
revised once again later in the year. Legislators also completed work on some
major pieces of legislation, but far fewer bills passed this year than most,
despite the best efforts of many lawmakers.

“There were a lot of bills added on to a lot of bills and they
were coming fast and furious there in the last two weeks,” state Rep. Bill
Falkner of St. Joseph tells St. Joseph Post, pointing out that since the
legislature returned with only three weeks in the session, sponsors attempted
to pass bills by combining them with others.

Some of those omnibus bills did make it to the finish line and
onto Gov. Mike Parson’s desks. Others sank under their own weight.

Though Falkner says the legislature got a lot done in a short
amount of time, it did fail to approve an online sales tax bill or a
prescription drug monitoring program, two bills which likely needed more time
to win approval.

It was the atmosphere which changed the most.

State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville says COVID-19
restrictions were evident as soon as you entered the state Capitol.

“The experience of walking in and having National Guardsmen
stationed at each of the entry points and taking everybody’s temperature and
asking you CDC health questions before you’re admitted into the building; it
just made for a very different experience,” Luetkemeyer relates to St. Joseph
Post.

State Rep. Brenda Shields of St. Joseph says some aspects of
the coronavirus-shortened session were more obvious than others.

“I wore a mask the entire time I was down there, some of my
other colleagues chose not to, but it was difficult to communicate through a
mask,” Shields tells us, adding social distancing also created communication
complications.

Other differences had more of a subtle effect, changing the
atmosphere usually associated with the final three weeks of a legislative
session, according to state Rep. Shelia Solon of St. Joseph.

“Visitors weren’t in the building,” Solon tells St. Joseph
Post. “Normally we have a Capitol full of children visiting the Capitol and
visitors and lobbyists and all kinds of people coming in to protest. The
rotunda is usually packed full of people those last few weeks of session. So,
the building was very quiet.”

Still, Solon says lawmakers were able to get some major
legislation passed, though not nearly the number of bills they usually approve.
She points out, aside from budget bills, legislators approved only around 30
bills. The usual number is at least three times that many.

Still, state Rep. Brenda Shields of St. Joseph says, despite
everything, the legislature finished the session strong.

“In the end, I think that we were extremely effective,”
Shields says. “I think that when you elect your individuals you elect those
individuals who are going to go down and work hard to represent your values in
the legislature and I think that through those last three weeks that we were
together, I think that we put our best effort together to create a good
legislative session.” 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590075822155.jpeg" alt="The Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City/Photo courtesy of Missouri House Communications" />
 <figcaption>The Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City/Photo courtesy of Missouri House Communications</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostIt is difficult to use one word to describe the just-concluded
Missouri legislative session.You could use unusual, different, odd, even eerie; all seem to
fall short.“Well, I will have to say with my 17 years of service, both in
the House and the Senate, this has been the most unusual session that we have
ever had,” state Sen. Dan Hegeman of Cosby tells St. Joseph Post.Hegeman has more experience than most in these days of term
limits, having served in the Missouri House pre-term limits before winning
election to the Senate.Legislators left on the annual week-long spring break and
didn’t return until six weeks later, due to COVID-19 concerns, losing valuable
legislative days.Hegeman, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, says
when lawmakers did return, they faced the economic destruction COVID-19
restrictions left in their wake.“We started out by having plenty of revenue coming in and
looking at a rosy scenario and that turned on a dime to looking at a negative
revenue situation, then having to cut the budget by $700 million from the
governor’s original recommendations,” Hegeman says.The primary reason legislators did return to Jefferson City
was to address the state budget. Lawmakers met their constitutional deadline
and approved a nearly $35 billion state budget, which likely will have to be
revised once again later in the year. Legislators also completed work on some
major pieces of legislation, but far fewer bills passed this year than most,
despite the best efforts of many lawmakers.“There were a lot of bills added on to a lot of bills and they
were coming fast and furious there in the last two weeks,” state Rep. Bill
Falkner of St. Joseph tells St. Joseph Post, pointing out that since the
legislature returned with only three weeks in the session, sponsors attempted
to pass bills by combining them with others.Some of those omnibus bills did make it to the finish line and
onto Gov. Mike Parson’s desks. Others sank under their own weight.Though Falkner says the legislature got a lot done in a short
amount of time, it did fail to approve an online sales tax bill or a
prescription drug monitoring program, two bills which likely needed more time
to win approval.It was the atmosphere which changed the most.State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville says COVID-19
restrictions were evident as soon as you entered the state Capitol.“The experience of walking in and having National Guardsmen
stationed at each of the entry points and taking everybody’s temperature and
asking you CDC health questions before you’re admitted into the building; it
just made for a very different experience,” Luetkemeyer relates to St. Joseph
Post.State Rep. Brenda Shields of St. Joseph says some aspects of
the coronavirus-shortened session were more obvious than others.“I wore a mask the entire time I was down there, some of my
other colleagues chose not to, but it was difficult to communicate through a
mask,” Shields tells us, adding social distancing also created communication
complications.Other differences had more of a subtle effect, changing the
atmosphere usually associated with the final three weeks of a legislative
session, according to state Rep. Shelia Solon of St. Joseph.“Visitors weren’t in the building,” Solon tells St. Joseph
Post. “Normally we have a Capitol full of children visiting the Capitol and
visitors and lobbyists and all kinds of people coming in to protest. The
rotunda is usually packed full of people those last few weeks of session. So,
the building was very quiet.”Still, Solon says lawmakers were able to get some major
legislation passed, though not nearly the number of bills they usually approve.
She points out, aside from budget bills, legislators approved only around 30
bills. The usual number is at least three times that many.Still, state Rep. Brenda Shields of St. Joseph says, despite
everything, the legislature finished the session strong.“In the end, I think that we were extremely effective,”
Shields says. “I think that when you elect your individuals you elect those
individuals who are going to go down and work hard to represent your values in
the legislature and I think that through those last three weeks that we were
together, I think that we put our best effort together to create a good
legislative session.”

COVID-19 shortened legislative session ends with a flurry of activity

Buchanan County now reports 565 cases of COVID-19; 514
confirmed and 51 probable.

Andrew County cases continue to slowly rise with the Andrew
County Health Department now reporting 21 cases; 20 confirmed with one probable.

Mosaic Life Care has tested more than 4,000 residents, 4,415
to be exact. Mosaic reports 228 confirmed cases in its network with 15
hospitalized in St. Joseph. Mosaic is awaiting results on 49 tests.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reports
11,232 COVID-19 cases statewide with 631 deaths. In Kansas, state health
officials report 8,539 cases of coronavirus with 178 deaths.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostBuchanan County now reports 565 cases of COVID-19; 514
confirmed and 51 probable.Andrew County cases continue to slowly rise with the Andrew
County Health Department now reporting 21 cases; 20 confirmed with one probable.Mosaic Life Care has tested more than 4,000 residents, 4,415
to be exact. Mosaic reports 228 confirmed cases in its network with 15
hospitalized in St. Joseph. Mosaic is awaiting results on 49 tests.The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reports
11,232 COVID-19 cases statewide with 631 deaths. In Kansas, state health
officials report 8,539 cases of coronavirus with 178 deaths.

Buchanan County reports 565 coronavirus cases

A man wanted for murder in Kansas has been apprehended in
northwest Missouri.

Livingston County Sheriff Steve Cox says Jesse Moses Monreal
was arrested after a manhunt in southern Livingston County.

Monreal has been charged with first degree murder and
attempted robbery in Johnson County, Kansas for an incident in early May.

The manhunt began after a vehicle was stolen in Lafayette
County and the suspects fled into Livingston County. Deputies arrested Monreal,
but two men with him escaped. Authorities suspect they stole a truck from a
rock quarry in Blue Mound. Kansas law enforcement do not believe the two were
involved in the Johnson County homicide.

The Livingston and Lafayette County sheriff’s departments
continue to work with the U.S. Marshall Office on the two stolen vehicle cases.

Cox says Monreal remains incarcerated in the Daviess Dekalb Regional
Jail and once he clears extradition process, will be released to Kansas authorities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590074381554.jpeg" alt="Jesse Moses Monreal/Photo courtesy of the Livingston Co. Sheriff's Dept." />
 <figcaption>Jesse Moses Monreal/Photo courtesy of the Livingston Co. Sheriff's Dept.</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA man wanted for murder in Kansas has been apprehended in
northwest Missouri.Livingston County Sheriff Steve Cox says Jesse Moses Monreal
was arrested after a manhunt in southern Livingston County.Monreal has been charged with first degree murder and
attempted robbery in Johnson County, Kansas for an incident in early May.The manhunt began after a vehicle was stolen in Lafayette
County and the suspects fled into Livingston County. Deputies arrested Monreal,
but two men with him escaped. Authorities suspect they stole a truck from a
rock quarry in Blue Mound. Kansas law enforcement do not believe the two were
involved in the Johnson County homicide.The Livingston and Lafayette County sheriff’s departments
continue to work with the U.S. Marshall Office on the two stolen vehicle cases.Cox says Monreal remains incarcerated in the Daviess Dekalb Regional
Jail and once he clears extradition process, will be released to Kansas authorities.

Man wanted for Kansas murder arrested in northwest Missouri

HOLT COUNTY —A Kansas City teenager was killed during the early morning hours Wednesday when she walked from the median of Interstate 29 in Holt County and in front of a semi tractor-trailer.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 17-year-old Autumn Buckmaster
died at the scene, about five miles south of Oregon.

The patrol says Buckmaster
was standing in the median and walked in the path of the southbound semi.

Buckmaster was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Forensic Medical.&nbsp;

HOLT COUNTY —A Kansas City teenager was killed during the early morning hours Wednesday when she walked from the median of Interstate 29 in Holt County and in front of a semi tractor-trailer.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 17-year-old Autumn Buckmaster
died at the scene, about five miles south of Oregon.The patrol says Buckmaster
was standing in the median and walked in the path of the southbound semi.Buckmaster was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Forensic Medical.&nbsp;

17-year-old dies after she walks in front of semi on I-29

HARRISON COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just before 1p.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Polaris Sportsman driven by a 14-year-old boy from Blythedale and a Polaris Trail Boss driven by a 13-year-old boy from Trenton were westbound on County Road 172 and side by side when they collided. Both vehicles rolled and the drivers were ejected.

North Harrison Ambulance transported both boys to Harrison County Community Hospital. They were not wearing helmets, according to the MSHP.&nbsp;&nbsp;

HARRISON COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just before 1p.m. Wednesday in Harrison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Polaris Sportsman driven by a 14-year-old boy from Blythedale and a Polaris Trail Boss driven by a 13-year-old boy from Trenton were westbound on County Road 172 and side by side when they collided. Both vehicles rolled and the drivers were ejected.North Harrison Ambulance transported both boys to Harrison County Community Hospital. They were not wearing helmets, according to the MSHP.&nbsp;&nbsp;

2 Missouri boys hospitalized after ATVs collide

O'Neal Steel announced on Wednesday its expansion to St. Joseph.

Governor Mike Parson, during Wednesday's press conference, talked about the new 64,000 square-foot metal distribution center opening in St. Joseph on June 1st. 

“O’Neal Steel is part of the United State’s family-owned network of metal service centers and we are proud that it has chosen St. Joe as the location for its next distribution center,” Parson says. “This announcement shows that, even in the midst of COVID-19, there are still good things happening and Missouri is still a top location for businesses.”

O’Neal Steel will be located at South 22nd Street and Southwest Parkway.

For more information visit <a href="https://saintjoseph.com/oneal-steel-announces-st-joseph-facility/">saintjoseph.com</a>.

by Sarah ThomackSt. Joseph PostO'Neal Steel announced on Wednesday its expansion to St. Joseph.Governor Mike Parson, during Wednesday's press conference, talked about the new 64,000 square-foot metal distribution center opening in St. Joseph on June 1st. “O’Neal Steel is part of the United State’s family-owned network of metal service centers and we are proud that it has chosen St. Joe as the location for its next distribution center,” Parson says. “This announcement shows that, even in the midst of COVID-19, there are still good things happening and Missouri is still a top location for businesses.”O’Neal Steel will be located at South 22nd Street and Southwest Parkway.For more information visit <a href="https://saintjoseph.com/oneal-steel-announces-st-joseph-facility/">saintjoseph.com</a>.

O'Neal Steel announces opening of new facility in St. Joseph

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce invites area residents to grab a cup of coffee and join in their first ever virtual Public Affairs Coffee.

Chamber Director of Communications and Marketing Kristi Bailey says this is their first major event they’ve had to move online.

"It’s going to look a little different, everyone’s going to have to get their own coffee and breakfast, but the messaging will be the same from our local legislators,” Bailey says. “They will be giving us an update on what did get accomplished in Jeff City and then, of course, there might be a special session so then they’ll talk about what they hope to accomplish there."

Bailey says all local legislative delegates have been invited to join the virtual event Thursday.

“So our three representatives and then Senator Luetkemeyer and Senator Hegeman, even though he technically doesn’t cover St. Joseph, he covers part of Andrew County so he usually takes part as well,” Bailey says.

The Virtual Public Affairs Coffee will kick off at 8 a.m. on Thursday on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2927336674008886/">Chamber's Facebook page</a> and will be available to view anytime after that.

For more information on how to submit questions ahead of the event, visit the <a href="https://members.saintjoseph.com/events/PublicAffairs%20Coffee2020%20Legislative%20Session%20Wrap%20Up-1677/details">Chamber's website</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2927336674008886/">Facebook page</a>.

by Sarah ThomackSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce invites area residents to grab a cup of coffee and join in their first ever virtual Public Affairs Coffee.Chamber Director of Communications and Marketing Kristi Bailey says this is their first major event they’ve had to move online."It’s going to look a little different, everyone’s going to have to get their own coffee and breakfast, but the messaging will be the same from our local legislators,” Bailey says. “They will be giving us an update on what did get accomplished in Jeff City and then, of course, there might be a special session so then they’ll talk about what they hope to accomplish there."Bailey says all local legislative delegates have been invited to join the virtual event Thursday.“So our three representatives and then Senator Luetkemeyer and Senator Hegeman, even though he technically doesn’t cover St. Joseph, he covers part of Andrew County so he usually takes part as well,” Bailey says.The Virtual Public Affairs Coffee will kick off at 8 a.m. on Thursday on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2927336674008886/">Chamber's Facebook page</a> and will be available to view anytime after that. For more information on how to submit questions ahead of the event, visit the <a href="https://members.saintjoseph.com/events/PublicAffairs%20Coffee2020%20Legislative%20Session%20Wrap%20Up-1677/details">Chamber's website</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2927336674008886/">Facebook page</a>.

St. Joseph Chamber hosting virtual Public Affairs Coffee with local legislators

It passed the Missouri Senate early in the legislative
session, got derailed by COVID-19, then got back on track and passed the
legislature on the last day of the session.

<a href="https://www.house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=SB600&amp;year=2020&amp;code=R">Senate Bill 600</a>, the anti-crime measure sponsored by Sen. Tony
Luetkemeyer now awaits the decision of Gov. Mike Parson.

The bill has three main provisions. One would enhance the
crime of Armed Criminal Action, which is attached to charges files against
anyone using a firearm to commit a felony. Another provision would make it much
tougher for someone committing a serious felony to be placed on probation
rather than sent to prison.

“What the change in Senate Bill 600 does is it says very
simply if you commit homicide, if you commit a dangerous felony using a gun or
other weapon or you’re a repeat dangerous felon, you have to spend time in prison,”
Luetkemeyer tells St. Joseph Post. “You don’t get to go out on probation.”

The third main provision makes changes to the state RICO and
conspiracy statutes to give prosecutors additional tools to crack down on gang
violence.

Though the bill passed the Senate early, it got bogged down in
a legislative process derailed for nearly seven weeks by the coronavirus pandemic.
Luetkemeyer worried about its chances and looked for other vehicles which
seemed to have an easier path through the session. He attached its main
provisions to House Bill 1450.&nbsp; That
bill, though, began to take on amendments which ruined its prospects of passage.

With days dwindling in the session, Luetkemeyer had to change
strategies once again.

“I had a conversation with the Majority Floor Leader of the
House and we decided that it was very important for us to get something done on
crime and public safety this session and that the easiest path forward to do
that was to simply strip back the original Senate bill to its original version
that passed out of the Senate and to send it directly to the governor and that’s
what we ended up doing,” according to Luetkemeyer.

Luetkemeyer says he’s just glad is passed.

“Given that we had an already abbreviated session, because of
COVID-19, it was a tough year,” Luetkemeyer says. “This year, I think, we
passed about 14, maybe 15, pieces of legislation that were not budget-related
that went to the governor’s desk. By frame of reference, in a normal year we
would probably pass 60 or more statutes. This year, we’re talking about 14 or 15
bills actually making it to the governor’s desk.”

A recent survey ranked St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield
high on a list of most violent cities in the nation. St. Joseph, once prominent
on the list, has since improved.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostIt passed the Missouri Senate early in the legislative
session, got derailed by COVID-19, then got back on track and passed the
legislature on the last day of the session.<a href="https://www.house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=SB600&amp;year=2020&amp;code=R">Senate Bill 600</a>, the anti-crime measure sponsored by Sen. Tony
Luetkemeyer now awaits the decision of Gov. Mike Parson.The bill has three main provisions. One would enhance the
crime of Armed Criminal Action, which is attached to charges files against
anyone using a firearm to commit a felony. Another provision would make it much
tougher for someone committing a serious felony to be placed on probation
rather than sent to prison.“What the change in Senate Bill 600 does is it says very
simply if you commit homicide, if you commit a dangerous felony using a gun or
other weapon or you’re a repeat dangerous felon, you have to spend time in prison,”
Luetkemeyer tells St. Joseph Post. “You don’t get to go out on probation.”The third main provision makes changes to the state RICO and
conspiracy statutes to give prosecutors additional tools to crack down on gang
violence.Though the bill passed the Senate early, it got bogged down in
a legislative process derailed for nearly seven weeks by the coronavirus pandemic.
Luetkemeyer worried about its chances and looked for other vehicles which
seemed to have an easier path through the session. He attached its main
provisions to House Bill 1450.&nbsp; That
bill, though, began to take on amendments which ruined its prospects of passage.With days dwindling in the session, Luetkemeyer had to change
strategies once again.“I had a conversation with the Majority Floor Leader of the
House and we decided that it was very important for us to get something done on
crime and public safety this session and that the easiest path forward to do
that was to simply strip back the original Senate bill to its original version
that passed out of the Senate and to send it directly to the governor and that’s
what we ended up doing,” according to Luetkemeyer.Luetkemeyer says he’s just glad is passed.“Given that we had an already abbreviated session, because of
COVID-19, it was a tough year,” Luetkemeyer says. “This year, I think, we
passed about 14, maybe 15, pieces of legislation that were not budget-related
that went to the governor’s desk. By frame of reference, in a normal year we
would probably pass 60 or more statutes. This year, we’re talking about 14 or 15
bills actually making it to the governor’s desk.”A recent survey ranked St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield
high on a list of most violent cities in the nation. St. Joseph, once prominent
on the list, has since improved.

Anti-crime legislation makes it through session with no time to spare

More results from the drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinic in St. Joseph over the weekend show 14 more positive cases.

According to a press release from the City of St. Joseph, results are back&nbsp;for 1,351 tests so far, with a cumulative total of 23 positive cases of the coronavirus for Buchanan County. <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5ec2eed3eb7f1705360542b3">Almost 1,600 were tested</a> at the clinic Saturday and Sunday at Mosaic Life Care.

The remaining 242 tests results will be shared when available.

Staff from Mosaic Life Care is handling notification to those that test positive and the St. Joseph Health Department is handling contact tracing of those positive cases.

More results from the drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinic in St. Joseph over the weekend show 14 more positive cases.According to a press release from the City of St. Joseph, results are back&nbsp;for 1,351 tests so far, with a cumulative total of 23 positive cases of the coronavirus for Buchanan County. <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5ec2eed3eb7f1705360542b3">Almost 1,600 were tested</a> at the clinic Saturday and Sunday at Mosaic Life Care.The remaining 242 tests results will be shared when available.Staff from Mosaic Life Care is handling notification to those that test positive and the St. Joseph Health Department is handling contact tracing of those positive cases.

More drive-thru clinic results show 23 total positive cases so far

GENTRY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 3p.m. Tuesday in Gentry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Pontiac Torrent driven by Candy N. Roberts, 36, King City, was southbound on U.S. 169 three miles north of King City.

The Pontiac struck the towed unit of a 2005 Volvo semi driven by Willard D. Miller, 58, Easton, that was stopped to make a left turn.&nbsp;

After impact the Pontiac traveled into the northbound lane and struck the rear drivers side of a northbound 2012 Dodge Ram driven by&nbsp; William J. Lynch, 57, Redding, Iowa.

Life Flight transported Roberts to Mosaic. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

GENTRY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 3p.m. Tuesday in Gentry County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Pontiac Torrent driven by Candy N. Roberts, 36, King City, was southbound on U.S. 169 three miles north of King City.The Pontiac struck the towed unit of a 2005 Volvo semi driven by Willard D. Miller, 58, Easton, that was stopped to make a left turn.&nbsp;After impact the Pontiac traveled into the northbound lane and struck the rear drivers side of a northbound 2012 Dodge Ram driven by&nbsp; William J. Lynch, 57, Redding, Iowa.Life Flight transported Roberts to Mosaic. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman airlifted to hospital after 3-vehicle crash

The Andrew County Health Department will be offering a drive-thru COVID-19 testing event on Friday.&nbsp;

Andrew County currently has 17 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with five reported as recovered.&nbsp;

Jayne White is the Communicable Disease Nurse at the Andrew County Health Department. White says the health department has been wanting to do community testing for awhile.

"Andrew County is a neighboring community with Buchanan County so, with the increases in cases there, while our number is still low, we have seen a significant increase in the last week, week and a half,” White says. “So (we're) just trying to get a better pulse on what’s going on exactly in our community and if we’re seeing a community outbreak or community spread problem or if this is just kind of to be expected."

White says anyone can get tested even if they don’t have symptoms.

"Any of our high risk populations, especially the folks that feel they could have potentially been exposed or have those kind of situations where they are a high risk for exposure, even if they’re asymptomatic,” White says. “Obviously, if you’re having symptoms at all we encourage those folks to get signed up so we can test them and find out what’s going on. But it’s ultimately open to anybody within the community, we just want to get a good picture of our community and what’s going on and what our case volume really looks like."

White says as of Monday evening, a little over 100 people were signed up for the 150 tests available. White adds, if all the spots are filled, they will plan another testing event. 

The drive-thru testing will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday. Pre-registration is required. For more information visit <a href="http://www.andrewcountyhealth.com/index.php/resources/news/570-covid-pr-5-15-20">andrewcountyhealth.com</a>.

The event is being conducted by the health department along with Mosaic Life Care-Maryville, Northwest Health Services, the National Guard and community volunteers.

by Sarah ThomackSt. Joseph PostThe Andrew County Health Department will be offering a drive-thru COVID-19 testing event on Friday.&nbsp;Andrew County currently has 17 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with five reported as recovered.&nbsp;Jayne White is the Communicable Disease Nurse at the Andrew County Health Department. White says the health department has been wanting to do community testing for awhile."Andrew County is a neighboring community with Buchanan County so, with the increases in cases there, while our number is still low, we have seen a significant increase in the last week, week and a half,” White says. “So (we're) just trying to get a better pulse on what’s going on exactly in our community and if we’re seeing a community outbreak or community spread problem or if this is just kind of to be expected."White says anyone can get tested even if they don’t have symptoms."Any of our high risk populations, especially the folks that feel they could have potentially been exposed or have those kind of situations where they are a high risk for exposure, even if they’re asymptomatic,” White says. “Obviously, if you’re having symptoms at all we encourage those folks to get signed up so we can test them and find out what’s going on. But it’s ultimately open to anybody within the community, we just want to get a good picture of our community and what’s going on and what our case volume really looks like."White says as of Monday evening, a little over 100 people were signed up for the 150 tests available. White adds, if all the spots are filled, they will plan another testing event. The drive-thru testing will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday. Pre-registration is required. For more information visit <a href="http://www.andrewcountyhealth.com/index.php/resources/news/570-covid-pr-5-15-20">andrewcountyhealth.com</a>.The event is being conducted by the health department along with Mosaic Life Care-Maryville, Northwest Health Services, the National Guard and community volunteers.

Andrew Co. hosting drive-thru COVID-19 testing to get better idea of local cases

For the second consecutive week, the national average price of gasoline has increased, rising 6.4 cents to $1.83 per gallon. The average price of diesel, meanwhile, fell 1.6 cents to $2.41 per gallon. 

Patrick DeHaan of GasBuddy says the increase is attributed to a near five percent increase in gasoline demand. DeHaan says, "as long as states continue to loosen restrictions, it'll mean more motorists on the roads and filling their tank." 

Crude oil prices continue to march higher as demand for gasoline weighs on the market, with a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude oil fetching $24.99 Monday morning, up from $19.19 a week ago, an increase of over $5 per barrel. 

Brent crude oil was last at $31.11 per barrel, up from $26.01 a week ago. Oil's rally has come as OPEC and other oil-producing countries limit production and as U.S. gasoline demand has rallied as motorists in reopened states and others alike take to the road.

For the second consecutive week, the national average price of gasoline has increased, rising 6.4 cents to $1.83 per gallon. The average price of diesel, meanwhile, fell 1.6 cents to $2.41 per gallon. Patrick DeHaan of GasBuddy says the increase is attributed to a near five percent increase in gasoline demand. DeHaan says, "as long as states continue to loosen restrictions, it'll mean more motorists on the roads and filling their tank." Crude oil prices continue to march higher as demand for gasoline weighs on the market, with a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude oil fetching $24.99 Monday morning, up from $19.19 a week ago, an increase of over $5 per barrel. Brent crude oil was last at $31.11 per barrel, up from $26.01 a week ago. Oil's rally has come as OPEC and other oil-producing countries limit production and as U.S. gasoline demand has rallied as motorists in reopened states and others alike take to the road.

Some states see double-digit gains in gas prices

🎥Tuesdays Around Town: St. Joseph Strong Virtual 5k

Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves says some flood
victims from last year could be victimized twice if Congress doesn’t act.

Graves says the Federal Emergency Management Agency is
attempting to reclaim some federal disaster assistance it allocated last year.

“This may not be a whole lot of money to FEMA, but in one case
I know for instance it was $12,000 for an individual to be able to fix their
home, to be able to repair their home, and then what happens is FEMA comes back
and says we gave that to you mistakenly; we want it back,” Graves tells host
Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.

Graves says the problem seems to be most pronounced in Holt
County, especially in the city of Craig. He says the problem arose when the
state of Missouri made two separate flood disaster assistance requests to the
president that created a 15-day gap in which victims weren’t technically
eligible for federal aid.

The bill Graves is pushing would not apply to efforts by FEMA
to recoup federal disaster assistance obtained through fraud.

“These are not fraud situations. These are individuals,
through no fault of their own, they applied, they were told that they should
apply, and FEMA granted them those dollars,” according to Graves. “And, then,
to come back and say that well, now you have to pay it back is just flat out
wrong. And so, what we have said is if this is not the fault of the individual,
if this is FEMA’s fault, then FEMA’s going to have to bear it.”

Concerns about the coronavirus have dominated Washington, D.C.
and delayed work on other issues. Graves’ legislation made it out of the Transportation
Committee in February, then got pushed aside as Congress worked to address the
pandemic.

A spokesman for the Congressman says Graves hopes to revive
the measure whenever Congress returns to regular order and will push for flood
action in the United States House.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589903620352.jpeg" alt="Flooding in Craig last year/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Flooding in Craig last year/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNorthern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves says some flood
victims from last year could be victimized twice if Congress doesn’t act.Graves says the Federal Emergency Management Agency is
attempting to reclaim some federal disaster assistance it allocated last year.“This may not be a whole lot of money to FEMA, but in one case
I know for instance it was $12,000 for an individual to be able to fix their
home, to be able to repair their home, and then what happens is FEMA comes back
and says we gave that to you mistakenly; we want it back,” Graves tells host
Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.Graves says the problem seems to be most pronounced in Holt
County, especially in the city of Craig. He says the problem arose when the
state of Missouri made two separate flood disaster assistance requests to the
president that created a 15-day gap in which victims weren’t technically
eligible for federal aid.The bill Graves is pushing would not apply to efforts by FEMA
to recoup federal disaster assistance obtained through fraud.“These are not fraud situations. These are individuals,
through no fault of their own, they applied, they were told that they should
apply, and FEMA granted them those dollars,” according to Graves. “And, then,
to come back and say that well, now you have to pay it back is just flat out
wrong. And so, what we have said is if this is not the fault of the individual,
if this is FEMA’s fault, then FEMA’s going to have to bear it.”Concerns about the coronavirus have dominated Washington, D.C.
and delayed work on other issues. Graves’ legislation made it out of the Transportation
Committee in February, then got pushed aside as Congress worked to address the
pandemic.A spokesman for the Congressman says Graves hopes to revive
the measure whenever Congress returns to regular order and will push for flood
action in the United States House.

Congressman Graves: some flood victims in danger of being victimized twice

KINGSTON, MO. (AP) —&nbsp;The family of two&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/wisconsin">Wisconsin</a>&nbsp;brothers who were killed in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/missouri">Missouri</a>&nbsp;last year has reached a $2 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the man charged with killing them and against the man's mother.

The family of Nicholas and Justin Diemel of Shawano County, Wisconsin, filed the lawsuit in December against Garland Nelson of Braymer, his mother, Tomme Feil, and the family's cattle business, J4S Enterprises.

A Callaway County judge approved the settlement Friday, The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/kansas">Kansas</a>&nbsp;City Star reported.

Nelson is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and several other counts in the killing of the brothers, whose burned remains were found in Missouri and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/nebraska">Nebraska</a>. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

Nelson has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

At the time of the brothers' deaths, Nelson was on parole after serving 17 months in federal prison for an October 2016 conviction for cattle and insurance fraud.

The lawsuit alleges that Feil and the company “should have known that allowing Nelson to return to the cattle business created an unreasonable risk of harm to others.”

The brothers’ father reported them missing July 21 after they didn’t return from a visit to Nelson’s northwestern Missouri home, where they had gone to collect a $250,000 debt, according to court records. The lawsuit alleges that Nelson meant to kill the brothers if they came to Missouri to collect payment for their cattle.

Authorities allege in a probable cause statement that after Nelson killed the brothers, he abandoned a pickup truck they had rented, then used a skid loader bucket to move large metal barrels containing the brothers’ bodies to a pasture, where he burned them. He said he dumped what was left of the remains on a manure pile and used the skid loader to crush the barrels.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1564610122687.png" alt="Garland Nelson photo Callaway Co." />
 <figcaption>Garland Nelson photo Callaway Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KINGSTON, MO. (AP) —&nbsp;The family of two&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/wisconsin">Wisconsin</a>&nbsp;brothers who were killed in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/missouri">Missouri</a>&nbsp;last year has reached a $2 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the man charged with killing them and against the man's mother.The family of Nicholas and Justin Diemel of Shawano County, Wisconsin, filed the lawsuit in December against Garland Nelson of Braymer, his mother, Tomme Feil, and the family's cattle business, J4S Enterprises.A Callaway County judge approved the settlement Friday, The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/kansas">Kansas</a>&nbsp;City Star reported.Nelson is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and several other counts in the killing of the brothers, whose burned remains were found in Missouri and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/nebraska">Nebraska</a>. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.Nelson has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.At the time of the brothers' deaths, Nelson was on parole after serving 17 months in federal prison for an October 2016 conviction for cattle and insurance fraud.The lawsuit alleges that Feil and the company “should have known that allowing Nelson to return to the cattle business created an unreasonable risk of harm to others.”The brothers’ father reported them missing July 21 after they didn’t return from a visit to Nelson’s northwestern Missouri home, where they had gone to collect a $250,000 debt, according to court records. The lawsuit alleges that Nelson meant to kill the brothers if they came to Missouri to collect payment for their cattle.Authorities allege in a probable cause statement that after Nelson killed the brothers, he abandoned a pickup truck they had rented, then used a skid loader bucket to move large metal barrels containing the brothers’ bodies to a pasture, where he burned them. He said he dumped what was left of the remains on a manure pile and used the skid loader to crush the barrels.___

Family of missing Wisconsin brothers settles lawsuit

<a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5ec45b88eb7f170536055a9b">Click here for updated numbers.</a>

Almost 1,600&nbsp;individuals participated in the weekend COVID-19 community testing clinic held at Mosaic Life Care.

According to a press release from the city of St. Joseph, on Saturday, 834 tests were conducted, and 759 tests were conducted on Sunday.

Results have been received from 814 of the tests so far. Of those, nine were returned as positive.

Staff from Mosaic Life Care is handling notification to those that test positive, and the St. Joseph Health Department is handling contact tracing of those positive cases.

The remaining results will be shared when available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589834074532.jpeg" alt="Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph held a drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinic over the weekend. Photo by Sarah Thomack." />
 <figcaption>Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph held a drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinic over the weekend. Photo by Sarah Thomack.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5ec45b88eb7f170536055a9b">Click here for updated numbers.</a>Almost 1,600&nbsp;individuals participated in the weekend COVID-19 community testing clinic held at Mosaic Life Care.According to a press release from the city of St. Joseph, on Saturday, 834 tests were conducted, and 759 tests were conducted on Sunday.Results have been received from 814 of the tests so far. Of those, nine were returned as positive.Staff from Mosaic Life Care is handling notification to those that test positive, and the St. Joseph Health Department is handling contact tracing of those positive cases.The remaining results will be shared when available.

Drive-thru clinic results so far show nine test positive for COVID-19

Missouri Western State University hopes to welcome students
back to the St. Joseph campus this fall.

Missouri Western President Matt Wilson says online learning
just cannot replace the college campus experience, both for the student and the
university.

“If you don’t have anybody in your dorms, you have nobody
eating your meals, you have nobody on your campus for athletic events, conferences,
conventions, those types of things, there are staff that typically would be
handling those that no longer have a job,” Wilson tells host Barry Birr on the
KFEQ Hotline. “And so, I’m hoping and praying that we’re at a point where we’re
going to be able to open in the fall, open to the community, open to our
students.”

Wilson says the decision by the University of California
system to continue online instruction this fall due to COVID-19 sent shockwaves
through higher education.

Wilson says it is the intent of Missouri Western to reopen this
fall.

Wilson says a university just isn’t the same if classes are
conducted online and not on campus.

“That’s one of the magical aspects of a university is an
experience that you have on a campus, the interaction that you have in a
classroom, the extracurricular activities that are out there as well,”
according to Wilson. “That really is the big question mark and the big factor
that’s out there, not only for Missouri Western, but for all universities across
the state and the nation.”

Wilson acknowledges the campus will have to make changes if it
is to be ready for students once again. He says one thing tops the list in
preparing a college campus in the age of coronavirus.

“I mean a big part of it is cleanliness. The amount of
cleaning, sanitation, those type of things that have occurred on our campus to
date and will continue is something that truly is unprecedented,” Wilson says. “You’ll
see a lot more flexibility. There will be professors I am sure that are
uncomfortable being in a classroom, because of their health history and
conditions.”

Also, administrators are preparing the university in case
another bout of COVID-19 breaks out, Wilson says.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589567736951.jpeg" alt="Missouri Western State University/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Western State University/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Western State University hopes to welcome students
back to the St. Joseph campus this fall.Missouri Western President Matt Wilson says online learning
just cannot replace the college campus experience, both for the student and the
university.“If you don’t have anybody in your dorms, you have nobody
eating your meals, you have nobody on your campus for athletic events, conferences,
conventions, those types of things, there are staff that typically would be
handling those that no longer have a job,” Wilson tells host Barry Birr on the
KFEQ Hotline. “And so, I’m hoping and praying that we’re at a point where we’re
going to be able to open in the fall, open to the community, open to our
students.”Wilson says the decision by the University of California
system to continue online instruction this fall due to COVID-19 sent shockwaves
through higher education.Wilson says it is the intent of Missouri Western to reopen this
fall.Wilson says a university just isn’t the same if classes are
conducted online and not on campus.“That’s one of the magical aspects of a university is an
experience that you have on a campus, the interaction that you have in a
classroom, the extracurricular activities that are out there as well,”
according to Wilson. “That really is the big question mark and the big factor
that’s out there, not only for Missouri Western, but for all universities across
the state and the nation.”Wilson acknowledges the campus will have to make changes if it
is to be ready for students once again. He says one thing tops the list in
preparing a college campus in the age of coronavirus.“I mean a big part of it is cleanliness. The amount of
cleaning, sanitation, those type of things that have occurred on our campus to
date and will continue is something that truly is unprecedented,” Wilson says. “You’ll
see a lot more flexibility. There will be professors I am sure that are
uncomfortable being in a classroom, because of their health history and
conditions.”Also, administrators are preparing the university in case
another bout of COVID-19 breaks out, Wilson says.

Missouri Western plans to reopen St. Joe campus this fall

Buchanan County COVID-19 cases have topped 500 as the county has
become one of the hot spots for coronavirus cases in Missouri.

Buchanan County and St. Joseph City health officials report
501 COVID-19 cases; 460 confirmed and 41 probable. There have been two deaths
attributed to Buchanan County. State health officials, who have slightly
different criteria, count 505 cases in Buchanan County. Buchanan County cases
spiked after the mass testing at Triumph Foods.

Mosaic Life Care has tested 3,864 people in its network with
194 testing positive for the coronavirus. Thirteen of those testing positive
have been hospitalized in St. Joseph with one hospitalized in Albany. Mosaic is
awaiting results from 40 tests.

The Mosaic count released Monday morning does not include the free testing from this past weekend in which Mosaic tested 1,593 people total; 834 on Saturday and 759 on Sunday. Results from those tests will be released later.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostBuchanan County COVID-19 cases have topped 500 as the county has
become one of the hot spots for coronavirus cases in Missouri.Buchanan County and St. Joseph City health officials report
501 COVID-19 cases; 460 confirmed and 41 probable. There have been two deaths
attributed to Buchanan County. State health officials, who have slightly
different criteria, count 505 cases in Buchanan County. Buchanan County cases
spiked after the mass testing at Triumph Foods.Mosaic Life Care has tested 3,864 people in its network with
194 testing positive for the coronavirus. Thirteen of those testing positive
have been hospitalized in St. Joseph with one hospitalized in Albany. Mosaic is
awaiting results from 40 tests.The Mosaic count released Monday morning does not include the free testing from this past weekend in which Mosaic tested 1,593 people total; 834 on Saturday and 759 on Sunday. Results from those tests will be released later.The St. Louis area reports the most coronavirus cases in
Missouri, by far.The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reports 1,573
COVID-19 cases in St. Louis with 4,140 cases in St. Louis County, Missouri’s
largest county with nearly one million residents. Neighboring St. Charles
County has 688 cases.Kansas City has 895 cases, according to state health
officials. Jackson County has 446 cases. Clay County records 114 cases with
Platte County reporting 52 cases.Greene County, which includes Springfield, reports 96 cases
while Boone County, the home of Columbia, has 104 cases.There remain counties in Missouri which have not recorded any coronavirus cases, including four in northern Missouri. The northwest,
north-central Missouri counties of Mercer, Grundy, and Putnam have yet to
record a case of COVID-19. Knox County in northeast Missouri reports no cases at this time.Saline County, a smaller county in central Missouri which has
a meatpacking plant, reports 246 cases. Moniteau County, also in central
Missouri with a meatpacking plant, reports 44 cases.This story has been updated to correct a mistake when first published.