BUCHANAN COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Sunday in Buchanan County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan driven by Samuel Q. Chapman, 25, Kansas City, was northbound on MO 371 at Skaggs one and a half miles northwest of Dearborn.

The motorcycle traveled off the road, struck a guardrail. The driver and passenger were ejected.&nbsp;

Lifeflight transported Chapman to KU Medical Center. The passenger Laci K. Shoemaker, 29, Kansas City, refused medical treatment. She was wearing a helmet, Chapman was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

BUCHANAN COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Sunday in Buchanan County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan driven by Samuel Q. Chapman, 25, Kansas City, was northbound on MO 371 at Skaggs one and a half miles northwest of Dearborn.The motorcycle traveled off the road, struck a guardrail. The driver and passenger were ejected.&nbsp;Lifeflight transported Chapman to KU Medical Center. The passenger Laci K. Shoemaker, 29, Kansas City, refused medical treatment. She was wearing a helmet, Chapman was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man airlifted to hospitalized after motorcycle accident

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The following is a list of general highway maintenance and construction work the Missouri Department of Transportation has planned in the Northwest Missouri region for the week of May 18 – 24.

All road closures for roadwork, incidents, and ongoing flooding can be viewed on the Traveler Information Map at&nbsp;<a href="http://traveler.modot.org/map/" target="_blank">http://traveler.modot.org/map/</a>.

Inclement weather may cause schedule changes in some of the planned work. There may also be moving operations throughout the region such as pothole patching, mowing, striping, signal work, etc., in addition to the work mentioned below.

Interstate 29 – Bridge replacement project over Hopkins Creek and Route T (mile marker 58-60) through January 2021. Traffic will remain head-to-head in the northbound lanes through early August. A 14-foot width restriction is in place. These bridges are part of Governor Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program.

Route A – Chip seal project from U.S. Route 71 to Route H, May 18

Route T – Scrub seal project from Route DD to County Road 401, May 20 – 22

Route U –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge rehabilitation project south of Phelps City through late May. The bridge is a part of Governor Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program.

U.S. Route 136 – Scrub seal project from east of Little Tarkio Creek Bridge to U.S. Route 71 (Nodaway County) May 18 – 19

Route Y/AA – Pothole patching from U.S. Route 136 to U.S. Route 59, May 18 – 19

I-29 – Concrete replacement northbound at the 108.8 mile marker in the driving lane, May 19 – 20. This will be an around-the-clock lane closure with a 12-foot width restriction.

U.S. Route 136 – Concrete replacement over I-29, May 20 – 21. This will be an around-the-clock lane closure with a 12-foot width restriction.

Route N – Pothole patching from U.S. Route 136 to the Holt County line, May 20 – 22

Route 116 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement project over I-29 through May 2020. There may be periodic lane closures northbound and southbound on I-29. Motorists can expect delays. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/buchanan-route-116-bridge-over-i-29-bridge-now-closed" target="_blank">https://www.modot.org/buchanan-route-116-bridge-over-i-29-bridge-now-closed</a>

Route 6 – Resurfacing project from just east of Route AC (Riverside Road) to Route 31 (DeKalb County) through June. Traffic will be narrowed to one lane and a pilot car will guide motorists through the work zone. A 10.5-foot width restriction is in place.

I-229 and U.S. Route 36 – Pothole patching, May 18 – 21

Route U – Drainage work 0.5 miles north of Day Street, May 19

I-29 – Sealing project from Pigeon Creek to U.S. Route 59 (Andrew County, May 20

Route O – Scrub seal project from Route A to Route FF, May 23

U.S. Route 36 – Resurfacing project in the westbound lanes from the Livingston County line to Route 13 through June. This includes a 14-foot width restriction.

Route U – Pothole patching from Route 13 to Route K, May 18 – 20

Route B – Pothole patching from Route 116 to the Ray County line, May 21 – 22

Route C –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;until further notice&nbsp;at the Branch of Turkey Creek Bridge due to damage from flooding. The project to replace the bridge was part of the March 2019 letting and was awarded to Gene Haile Excavating, Inc. The project schedule has not yet been determined.

U.S. Route 65 – Bridge rehabilitation project 2 miles north of the Missouri River. The contractor plans to have the bridge open to two-way traffic by May 22. Traffic will be narrowed to one lane with a 17-foot width restriction. Temporary traffic signals are in place to guide motorists through the work zone.

U.S. Route 65 – Bridge rehabilitation project 0.5 miles north of Route 10 at the Wakenda Creek Bridge. The contractor plans to have the bridge open to two-way traffic by May 22. Temporary traffic signals are in place to guide motorists through the work zone.

Route D – Bridge maintenance from Route W to Route DD (Livingston County, May 20

U.S. Route 24 – Bridge replacement project at the Mussel Fork River and Overflow bridges west of Keytesville through May. Traffic will be periodically narrowed to one lane and temporary traffic signals are in place to guide motorists through the work zone.

Route 5 – Pavement repair from Route WW to Route KK, May 18 – 19

Route KK – Pavement repair from Route 5 to U.S. Route 24, May 20 – 21

Route WW – Pavement repair from Route 5 to Route KK, May 22

I-35 – Resurfacing project from the Clay County line to just north of Route 116 through mid-July. This could include periodic ramp closures.

I-35 – Pavement repair in preparation for a resurfacing project from the DeKalb County line to Shoal Creek near Exit 48 through early June. The resurfacing project is scheduled to begin in mid-August and run through the beginning of November.

U.S. Route 169 – Milling from Route U to the Clay County line, May 18 – 22

Route Y – Culvert repair 1 mile south of Route NN, May 21 – 22

Route E –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from U.S. Route 69 to 135th Street, May 21, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Route B – Pothole patching from Route 13 to I-35, May 18 – 20

Route RA – Culvert repair 0.2 miles west of Route 190, May 20

Route T – Pothole patching, May 21 – 22

Route A –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement project over the North Fork of Lost Creek through June. The bridge is part of Governor Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/dekalb-county-route-north-fork-lost-creek-bridge" target="_blank">https://www.modot.org/dekalb-county-route-north-fork-lost-creek-bridge</a>

Route 6 – Resurfacing project from Route 31 to just east of Route AC (Riverside Road, Buchanan County) through June. Traffic will be narrowed to one lane and a pilot car will guide motorists through the work zone. A 10.5-foot width restriction is in place.

Route Z –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from Route A to 570th Road, May 21, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Route H –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from Isaac Miller Road to 540th Road, May 22, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Route 6 – Sidewalk and utility work from 4th Street to Muddy Creek Bridge in Trenton. This is part of a larger resurfacing project between I-35 and the Muddy Creek Bridge, May 18 – 23

Route T –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a slide repair job through mid-August. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/holt-county-route-t-slide-repair-job" target="_blank">https://www.modot.org/holt-county-route-t-slide-repair-job</a>.

U.S. Route 159 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement project over the Little Tarkio Creek through the end of May. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/little-tarkio-creek-bridge-replacement-holt-county-us-route-159" target="_blank">https://www.modot.org/little-tarkio-creek-bridge-replacement-holt-county-us-route-159</a>

U.S. Route 159 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement project over I-29 (Exit 79) near Mound City through early June. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/penny-slu-bridge-replacement-and-i-29-overpass-redeck-project" target="_blank">https://www.modot.org/penny-slu-bridge-replacement-and-i-29-overpass-redeck-project</a>

I-29 – Bridge deck replacement project over Route E and Kimsey Creek through early September. The bridges are a part of Governor Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program. A 12-foot width restriction is in place.

U.S. Route 36 – Bridge maintenance from Route 139 to the Livingston County line, May 18 – 19

U.S. Route 36 – Concrete replacement from Higgins Ditch to Route 139, May 18 – 22

Route O – Pothole patching, May 19 – 22

U.S. Route 65 – Bridge rehabilitation project over the Grand River through late November. The bridge is part of Governor Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program. An 11.5-foot width restriction is in place. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/livingston-us-route-65-and-route-190-bridge-deck-repairs" target="_blank">https://www.modot.org/livingston-us-route-65-and-route-190-bridge-deck-repairs</a>

Route 190 – Bridge rehabilitation project over the Thompson River through late November. The bridge is part of Governor Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program. A 10-foot width restriction is in place. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/livingston-us-route-65-and-route-190-bridge-deck-repairs" target="_blank">https://www.modot.org/livingston-us-route-65-and-route-190-bridge-deck-repairs</a>

Route D – Bridge maintenance from Route DD to Route W (Carroll County, May 20

U.S. Route 65 – Bridge maintenance at U.S. Route 36, May 21 – 22

U.S. Route 136 – Scrub seal project from U.S. Route 71 to east of Little Tarkio Creek Bridge (Atchison County, May 18 – 19

Route 46 – Resurfacing project from U.S. Route 136 to U.S. Route 169 (Worth County) through mid-July. Flaggers and a pilot car will guide motorists through the work zone. An 11-foot width restriction in place.

Business U.S. Route 71 – Intersection&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at Route 46 for signal maintenance, May 19, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Route E –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement at 150th Street, May 20, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Access to and from 150th Street at this location will also be prohibited during the work.

Route E –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from Route NN to 190th Street, May 21, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Route P –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from U.S. Route 136 to Route AF, May 22, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Route H – Drainage work from Route V to 0.25 miles south of Route V, May 18 – 19

Route 129 – Resurfacing project from the Iowa State line to U.S. Route 136 through June. Flaggers and a pilot car will direct motorists through the work zone. A 10-foot width restriction in place.

Route PP –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement project at the East Medicine Creek. The bridge is part of Governor Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/sullivan-county-route-pp-east-medicine-creek-bridge" target="_blank">https://www.modot.org/sullivan-county-route-pp-east-medicine-creek-bridge</a>

Route UU –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from Valley Road to Wizard Road, May 18, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Route MM – Pothole patching, May 19 – 22

Route YY –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement project at the Middle Fork of the Grand River through late May. The bridge is part of Governor Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program. The contractor plans to have the bridge open by May 22. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/worth-county-route-yy-bridge-replacement-over-middle-fork-grand-river" target="_blank">https://www.modot.org/worth-county-route-yy-bridge-replacement-over-middle-fork-grand-river</a>

Route 46 – Resurfacing project from U.S. Route 169 to U.S. Route 136 (Nodaway County) through mid-July. Flaggers and a pilot car will guide motorists through the work zone. An 11-foot width restriction in place.

Route W and YY – Pothole patching, May 18 – 21

Route F –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement 0.2 miles north of Route 46, May 19, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1561994575899.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The following is a list of general highway maintenance and construction work the Missouri Department of Transportation has planned in the Northwest Missouri region for the week of May 18 – 24.All road closures for roadwork, incidents, and ongoing flooding can be viewed on the Traveler Information Map at&nbsp;<a href="http://traveler.modot.org/map/" target="_blank">http://traveler.modot.org/map/</a>.Inclement weather may cause schedule changes in some of the planned work. There may also be moving operations throughout the region such as pothole patching, mowing, striping, signal work, etc., in addition to the work mentioned below.Andrew CountyInterstate 29 – Bridge replacement project over Hopkins Creek and Route T (mile marker 58-60) through January 2021. Traffic will remain head-to-head in the northbound lanes through early August. A 14-foot width restriction is in place. These bridges are part of Governor Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program.Route A – Chip seal project from U.S. Route 71 to Route H, May 18Route T – Scrub seal project from Route DD to County Road 401, May 20 – 22Atchison CountyRoute U –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge rehabilitation project south of Phelps City through late May. The bridge is a part of Governor Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program.U.S. Route 136 – Scrub seal project from east of Little Tarkio Creek Bridge to U.S. Route 71 (Nodaway County) May 18 – 19Route Y/AA – Pothole patching from U.S. Route 136 to U.S. Route 59, May 18 – 19I-29 – Concrete replacement northbound at the 108.8 mile marker in the driving lane, May 19 – 20. This will be an around-the-clock lane closure with a 12-foot width restriction.U.S. Route 136 – Concrete replacement over I-29, May 20 – 21. This will be an around-the-clock lane closure with a 12-foot width restriction.Route N – Pothole patching from U.S. Route 136 to the Holt County line, May 20 – 22Buchanan CountyRoute 116 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement project over I-29 through May 2020. There may be periodic lane closures northbound and southbound on I-29. Motorists can expect delays. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/buchanan-route-116-bridge-over-i-29-bridge-now-closed" target="_blank">https://www.modot.org/buchanan-route-116-bridge-over-i-29-bridge-now-closed</a>Route 6 – Resurfacing project from just east of Route AC (Riverside Road) to Route 31 (DeKalb County) through June. Traffic will be narrowed to one lane and a pilot car will guide motorists through the work zone. A 10.5-foot width restriction is in place.I-229 – Bridge flushing, May 18 – 21I-229 and U.S. Route 36 – Pothole patching, May 18 – 21Route U – Drainage work 0.5 miles north of Day Street, May 19I-29 – Sealing project from Pigeon Creek to U.S. Route 59 (Andrew County, May 20Route O – Scrub seal project from Route A to Route FF, May 23Caldwell CountyU.S. Route 36 – Resurfacing project in the westbound lanes from the Livingston County line to Route 13 through June. This includes a 14-foot width restriction.Route U – Pothole patching from Route 13 to Route K, May 18 – 20Route B – Pothole patching from Route 116 to the Ray County line, May 21 – 22Carroll CountyRoute C –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;until further notice&nbsp;at the Branch of Turkey Creek Bridge due to damage from flooding. The project to replace the bridge was part of the March 2019 letting and was awarded to Gene Haile Excavating, Inc. The project schedule has not yet been determined.U.S. Route 65 – Bridge rehabilitation project 2 miles north of the Missouri River. The contractor plans to have the bridge open to two-way traffic by May 22. Traffic will be narrowed to one lane with a 17-foot width restriction. Temporary traffic signals are in place to guide motorists through the work zone.U.S. Route 65 – Bridge rehabilitation project 0.5 miles north of Route 10 at the Wakenda Creek Bridge. The contractor plans to have the bridge open to two-way traffic by May 22. Temporary traffic signals are in place to guide motorists through the work zone.Route D – Bridge maintenance from Route W to Route DD (Livingston County, May 20Chariton CountyU.S. Route 24 – Bridge replacement project at the Mussel Fork River and Overflow bridges west of Keytesville through May. Traffic will be periodically narrowed to one lane and temporary traffic signals are in place to guide motorists through the work zone.Route 5 – Pavement repair from Route WW to Route KK, May 18 – 19Route KK – Pavement repair from Route 5 to U.S. Route 24, May 20 – 21Route WW – Pavement repair from Route 5 to Route KK, May 22Clinton CountyI-35 – Resurfacing project from the Clay County line to just north of Route 116 through mid-July. This could include periodic ramp closures.I-35 – Pavement repair in preparation for a resurfacing project from the DeKalb County line to Shoal Creek near Exit 48 through early June. The resurfacing project is scheduled to begin in mid-August and run through the beginning of November.U.S. Route 169 – Milling from Route U to the Clay County line, May 18 – 22Route Y – Culvert repair 1 mile south of Route NN, May 21 – 22Daviess CountyRoute E –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from U.S. Route 69 to 135th Street, May 21, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.Route B – Pothole patching from Route 13 to I-35, May 18 – 20Route RA – Culvert repair 0.2 miles west of Route 190, May 20Route T – Pothole patching, May 21 – 22DeKalb CountyRoute A –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement project over the North Fork of Lost Creek through June. The bridge is part of Governor Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/dekalb-county-route-north-fork-lost-creek-bridge" target="_blank">https://www.modot.org/dekalb-county-route-north-fork-lost-creek-bridge</a>Route 6 – Resurfacing project from Route 31 to just east of Route AC (Riverside Road, Buchanan County) through June. Traffic will be narrowed to one lane and a pilot car will guide motorists through the work zone. A 10.5-foot width restriction is in place.Gentry CountyRoute Z –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from Route A to 570th Road, May 21, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.Route H –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from Isaac Miller Road to 540th Road, May 22, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.Grundy CountyRoute 6 – Sidewalk and utility work from 4th Street to Muddy Creek Bridge in Trenton. This is part of a larger resurfacing project between I-35 and the Muddy Creek Bridge, May 18 – 23Holt CountyRoute T –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a slide repair job through mid-August. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/holt-county-route-t-slide-repair-job" target="_blank">https://www.modot.org/holt-county-route-t-slide-repair-job</a>.U.S. Route 159 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement project over the Little Tarkio Creek through the end of May. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/little-tarkio-creek-bridge-replacement-holt-county-us-route-159" target="_blank">https://www.modot.org/little-tarkio-creek-bridge-replacement-holt-county-us-route-159</a>U.S. Route 159 –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement project over I-29 (Exit 79) near Mound City through early June. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/penny-slu-bridge-replacement-and-i-29-overpass-redeck-project" target="_blank">https://www.modot.org/penny-slu-bridge-replacement-and-i-29-overpass-redeck-project</a>I-29 – Bridge deck replacement project over Route E and Kimsey Creek through early September. The bridges are a part of Governor Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program. A 12-foot width restriction is in place.Linn CountyU.S. Route 36 – Bridge maintenance from Route 139 to the Livingston County line, May 18 – 19U.S. Route 36 – Concrete replacement from Higgins Ditch to Route 139, May 18 – 22Route O – Pothole patching, May 19 – 22Livingston CountyU.S. Route 65 – Bridge rehabilitation project over the Grand River through late November. The bridge is part of Governor Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program. An 11.5-foot width restriction is in place. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/livingston-us-route-65-and-route-190-bridge-deck-repairs" target="_blank">https://www.modot.org/livingston-us-route-65-and-route-190-bridge-deck-repairs</a>Route 190 – Bridge rehabilitation project over the Thompson River through late November. The bridge is part of Governor Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program. A 10-foot width restriction is in place. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/livingston-us-route-65-and-route-190-bridge-deck-repairs" target="_blank">https://www.modot.org/livingston-us-route-65-and-route-190-bridge-deck-repairs</a>Route D – Bridge maintenance from Route DD to Route W (Carroll County, May 20U.S. Route 65 – Bridge maintenance at U.S. Route 36, May 21 – 22Nodaway CountyU.S. Route 136 – Scrub seal project from U.S. Route 71 to east of Little Tarkio Creek Bridge (Atchison County, May 18 – 19Route 46 – Resurfacing project from U.S. Route 136 to U.S. Route 169 (Worth County) through mid-July. Flaggers and a pilot car will guide motorists through the work zone. An 11-foot width restriction in place.Business U.S. Route 71 – Intersection&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;at Route 46 for signal maintenance, May 19, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.Route E –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement at 150th Street, May 20, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Access to and from 150th Street at this location will also be prohibited during the work.Route E –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from Route NN to 190th Street, May 21, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.Route P –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from U.S. Route 136 to Route AF, May 22, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.Route H – Drainage work from Route V to 0.25 miles south of Route V, May 18 – 19Putnam CountyRoute 129 – Resurfacing project from the Iowa State line to U.S. Route 136 through June. Flaggers and a pilot car will direct motorists through the work zone. A 10-foot width restriction in place.Sullivan CountyRoute PP –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement project at the East Medicine Creek. The bridge is part of Governor Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/sullivan-county-route-pp-east-medicine-creek-bridge" target="_blank">https://www.modot.org/sullivan-county-route-pp-east-medicine-creek-bridge</a>Route UU –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement from Valley Road to Wizard Road, May 18, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.Route MM – Pothole patching, May 19 – 22Worth CountyRoute YY –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a bridge replacement project at the Middle Fork of the Grand River through late May. The bridge is part of Governor Parson’s “Focus on Bridges” program. The contractor plans to have the bridge open by May 22. More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/worth-county-route-yy-bridge-replacement-over-middle-fork-grand-river" target="_blank">https://www.modot.org/worth-county-route-yy-bridge-replacement-over-middle-fork-grand-river</a>Route 46 – Resurfacing project from U.S. Route 169 to U.S. Route 136 (Nodaway County) through mid-July. Flaggers and a pilot car will guide motorists through the work zone. An 11-foot width restriction in place.Route W and YY – Pothole patching, May 18 – 21Route F –&nbsp;CLOSED&nbsp;for a culvert replacement 0.2 miles north of Route 46, May 19, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Planned road work for northwest Missouri, May 18 - 24

HOLT COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 2:30a.m. Saturday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Freightliner semi driven by Thomas B. Vrba, 65, Clarkson, NE., was northbound on Interstate 29 in a construction zone.

The semi traveled off the east side of the road, struck a guardrail, returned to the road, left the road, struck a bridge, began to slide and overturned down an embankment.

Atchison-Holt EMS trasnsported Vrba to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp; He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

HOLT COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 2:30a.m. Saturday in Holt County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Freightliner semi driven by Thomas B. Vrba, 65, Clarkson, NE., was northbound on Interstate 29 in a construction zone.The semi traveled off the east side of the road, struck a guardrail, returned to the road, left the road, struck a bridge, began to slide and overturned down an embankment.Atchison-Holt EMS trasnsported Vrba to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp; He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.

Driver hospitalized after semi overturns down embankment

No Apple Blossom Parade
or Pageant this year.

Organizers have
announced social distancing and coronavirus guidelines have forced the cancellation of
both this year.

“This
has been a difficult decision, but we have to take the safety of all
participants in the parade and pageant. into account,” Executive Director
Michelle Wolfe said in a written statement released by the Apple Blossom
Festival. “This is the first time in my 20 years with the Apple Blossom that I
wasn’t starting a parade at 9:30 a.m. the first Saturday in May.”

Apple
Blossom President Ken Rosenauer said that the parade has been on the first
Saturday in May for as long as he can recall, at least 50 years.

The
pageant had been scheduled for March 21st and then rescheduled for May 15th.
The parade had been scheduled for May 2nd and then rescheduled for June 6th.

Apple
Blossom leaders have decided to move the annual pageant to crown the 2021 royalty
of November 14th, with the rehearsal the day before on Friday, November
13th.

“Moving
the pageant to the fall will give our royalty and their attendants a better
chance to participate in some community service and some great community events
and to promote the Apple Blossom Parade for about six months,” Wolfe said.

The new pageant deadline will be November 1st. Click <a href="http://www.appleblossomparade.com/">here</a> for the
Apple Blossom Festival website for entry forms and additional information.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostNo Apple Blossom Parade
or Pageant this year.Organizers have
announced social distancing and coronavirus guidelines have forced the cancellation of
both this year.“This
has been a difficult decision, but we have to take the safety of all
participants in the parade and pageant. into account,” Executive Director
Michelle Wolfe said in a written statement released by the Apple Blossom
Festival. “This is the first time in my 20 years with the Apple Blossom that I
wasn’t starting a parade at 9:30 a.m. the first Saturday in May.”Apple
Blossom President Ken Rosenauer said that the parade has been on the first
Saturday in May for as long as he can recall, at least 50 years.The
pageant had been scheduled for March 21st and then rescheduled for May 15th.
The parade had been scheduled for May 2nd and then rescheduled for June 6th.Apple
Blossom leaders have decided to move the annual pageant to crown the 2021 royalty
of November 14th, with the rehearsal the day before on Friday, November
13th.“Moving
the pageant to the fall will give our royalty and their attendants a better
chance to participate in some community service and some great community events
and to promote the Apple Blossom Parade for about six months,” Wolfe said.The new pageant deadline will be November 1st. Click <a href="http://www.appleblossomparade.com/">here</a> for the
Apple Blossom Festival website for entry forms and additional information.

Apple Blossom Parade cancelled

The St. Joseph Health Department has been adapting contact tracing and case investigation guidelines as they learn more about COVID-19.

Health Department Public Information Officer Stephanie Malita says guidelines have been in place for contact tracing when any communicable disease is reported in the community.&nbsp;

“Say a doctor on the east side of town has two cases of giardia and a doctor on the north side of town that’s not connected has three cases of giardia and somebody on the south end has another case,” Malita says. “The reason they let us know is because, independently, those cases wouldn’t strike a chord or ring a bell, but because they report them all to the health department, we can do an investigation and find out did (they) all go camping together and get it in the water or is somebody at a food service place not washing their hands like they should be. So we do that investigation to sort of figure out where did it come from, where is it going and obviously try to stop it in its tracks.”

With COVID-19, public health staff work to contact each person who is identified as a positive case and asks them to look back two days prior to when they noticed symptoms or the date they tested positive, whether or not they had symptoms.

“And we go from there,” Malita says. “We call those people that they’ve had close contact with, we ask them about symptoms and make recommendations if they’re starting to show signs of symptoms and if they show definite signs of symptoms and they’ve been in close contact of a positive case, we turn them into <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5e9dc418eb7f17053602f79c">a probable case</a>.”

Malita says when they ask people about COVID-19 symptoms, the list originally included fever, a dry cough and shortness of breath but has expanded to include more as more is learned about the virus.

“We’ve also started to include questions about abdominal issues like abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, those can be indications of COVID-19,” Malita says. “The other one that’s just odd to me, but we hear it repeatedly, is losing your sense of smell, losing your sense of taste, so if that’s something people notice, that can be an indicator of COVID-19.”

Malita says the mass testing at Triumph Foods a couple weeks ago resulted in mass case investigation and contact tracing and they were grateful to have help from regional health departments.

“Very grateful to the community and the community of public health workers that have stepped up their game and helped us out in our time of need when we had overwhelming numbers of cases coming in," Malita says. "We would’ve been able to handle it, but it would have taken longer, in the meantime those people might have been out in the community, so it was critical that we had those calls made as soon as possible.”

Malita says the health department will again be doing contact tracing and case investigations after results come back from a <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5ebc2adaeb7f17053604dfb0">drive-thru testing event</a> at Mosaic Life Care this weekend.

by Sarah ThomackSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph Health Department has been adapting contact tracing and case investigation guidelines as they learn more about COVID-19.Health Department Public Information Officer Stephanie Malita says guidelines have been in place for contact tracing when any communicable disease is reported in the community.&nbsp;“Say a doctor on the east side of town has two cases of giardia and a doctor on the north side of town that’s not connected has three cases of giardia and somebody on the south end has another case,” Malita says. “The reason they let us know is because, independently, those cases wouldn’t strike a chord or ring a bell, but because they report them all to the health department, we can do an investigation and find out did (they) all go camping together and get it in the water or is somebody at a food service place not washing their hands like they should be. So we do that investigation to sort of figure out where did it come from, where is it going and obviously try to stop it in its tracks.”With COVID-19, public health staff work to contact each person who is identified as a positive case and asks them to look back two days prior to when they noticed symptoms or the date they tested positive, whether or not they had symptoms.“And we go from there,” Malita says. “We call those people that they’ve had close contact with, we ask them about symptoms and make recommendations if they’re starting to show signs of symptoms and if they show definite signs of symptoms and they’ve been in close contact of a positive case, we turn them into <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5e9dc418eb7f17053602f79c">a probable case</a>.”Malita says when they ask people about COVID-19 symptoms, the list originally included fever, a dry cough and shortness of breath but has expanded to include more as more is learned about the virus.“We’ve also started to include questions about abdominal issues like abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, those can be indications of COVID-19,” Malita says. “The other one that’s just odd to me, but we hear it repeatedly, is losing your sense of smell, losing your sense of taste, so if that’s something people notice, that can be an indicator of COVID-19.”Malita says the mass testing at Triumph Foods a couple weeks ago resulted in mass case investigation and contact tracing and they were grateful to have help from regional health departments.“Very grateful to the community and the community of public health workers that have stepped up their game and helped us out in our time of need when we had overwhelming numbers of cases coming in," Malita says. "We would’ve been able to handle it, but it would have taken longer, in the meantime those people might have been out in the community, so it was critical that we had those calls made as soon as possible.”Malita says the health department will again be doing contact tracing and case investigations after results come back from a <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5ebc2adaeb7f17053604dfb0">drive-thru testing event</a> at Mosaic Life Care this weekend.

Health Dept. adapts contact tracing, investigations as more is learned about COVID-19

Buchanan County is moving toward 500 cases of COVID-19.

Buchanan County and St. Joseph health officials report 485
coronavirus cases; 444 confirmed and 41 probable with two deaths. Andrew County
now reports 13 COVID-19 cases.

Mosaic Life Care now reports testing more than 3,553 people with 176 testing positive for COVID-19. Twelve have been hospitalized
in St. Joseph with one hospitalized in Albany. Mosaic is awaiting results from 138 tests.

Mosaic is offering free COVID-19 testing this weekend at its
St. Joseph hospital. Missouri state officials have provided 2,000 test kits. About 600 spots remain for Buchanan County residents.

Mosaic asks those interested to register online. Click <a href="https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/community-testing.php">here</a> for registration information.&nbsp; Or, you can call 877-435-8411, option 3 to register.
Testing will be conducted between 8am and 4pm in the northeast parking garage.

Missouri reports 10,317 COVID-19 cases with 562 deaths.

Kansas reports 7,886 cases with 172 deaths.

This story has been update since first published.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostBuchanan County is moving toward 500 cases of COVID-19.Buchanan County and St. Joseph health officials report 485
coronavirus cases; 444 confirmed and 41 probable with two deaths. Andrew County
now reports 13 COVID-19 cases.Mosaic Life Care now reports testing more than 3,553 people with 176 testing positive for COVID-19. Twelve have been hospitalized
in St. Joseph with one hospitalized in Albany. Mosaic is awaiting results from 138 tests.Mosaic is offering free COVID-19 testing this weekend at its
St. Joseph hospital. Missouri state officials have provided 2,000 test kits. About 600 spots remain for Buchanan County residents.
Mosaic asks those interested to register online. Click <a href="https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/community-testing.php">here</a> for registration information.&nbsp; Or, you can call 877-435-8411, option 3 to register.
Testing will be conducted between 8am and 4pm in the northeast parking garage.Missouri reports 10,317 COVID-19 cases with 562 deaths.Kansas reports 7,886 cases with 172 deaths.This story has been update since first published.

Buchanan County moves toward 500 COVID-19 cases; free tests Saturday

DEKALB COUNTY — Two people were injured in a crash just after 2 p.m. Thursday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1995 Dodge Dakota driven by a 16-year-old boy from DeKalb was northbound on NE Heimbraugh Road five miles north of Cameron.&nbsp;

The driver lost control due to excessive speed. The driver overcorrected, the pickup traveled off the road, struck a culvert, became airborne and came to rest on the west side of the road.

A private vehicle transported the driver and a 16-year-old&nbsp; passenger from Cameron to Cameron Regional Medical Center. They were properly restrained at the time of the crash, according to the MSHP.

DEKALB COUNTY — Two people were injured in a crash just after 2 p.m. Thursday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1995 Dodge Dakota driven by a 16-year-old boy from DeKalb was northbound on NE Heimbraugh Road five miles north of Cameron.&nbsp;The driver lost control due to excessive speed. The driver overcorrected, the pickup traveled off the road, struck a culvert, became airborne and came to rest on the west side of the road.A private vehicle transported the driver and a 16-year-old&nbsp; passenger from Cameron to Cameron Regional Medical Center. They were properly restrained at the time of the crash, according to the MSHP.

Two teens from Cameron hospitalized after pickup crash

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in a crash just after 8:30 a.m. Thursday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Ford Edge driven by Jessica L. Stark, 26, Princeton, was westbound on U.S. 136 six miles east of Bethany.

The car traveled off the road, struck an embankment and overturned.

NTA ambulance transported Stark to Harrison County Community Hospital. She was properly restrained at the time of the crash, according to the MSHP.

HARRISON COUNTY—One person was injured in a crash just after 8:30 a.m. Thursday in Harrison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Ford Edge driven by Jessica L. Stark, 26, Princeton, was westbound on U.S. 136 six miles east of Bethany.The car traveled off the road, struck an embankment and overturned.NTA ambulance transported Stark to Harrison County Community Hospital. She was properly restrained at the time of the crash, according to the MSHP.

Woman from Princeton hospitalized after car overturns

Benton High School’s principal, Dr. Beery Johnson earned recognition this week as the 2020 High School Principal of the Year for northwest Missouri. 

The regional&nbsp;<a href="https://moassp.org/index.php" target="_blank">Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals</a>&nbsp;group posted the following video:

Benton High School’s principal, Dr. Beery Johnson earned recognition this week as the 2020 High School Principal of the Year for northwest Missouri. The regional&nbsp;<a href="https://moassp.org/index.php" target="_blank">Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals</a>&nbsp;group posted the following video:<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rfFMa0hjU4k" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Benton HS principal named northwest Missouri High School Principal of the Year

An
investigation into the death of a 21-year-old Independence woman whose body was
stuffed in a bag and dumped on a Buchanan County road continues, though the
sheriff admits it has become a very difficult case to work.

Buchanan
County Sheriff Bill Puett says the circumstances present investigators many challenges.

“This
has been a very difficult investigation, because we don’t really have a crime
scene. We have a dump site where the body was dumped along the side of the
road,” Puett tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.

An
employee of the Missouri Department of Transportation found the body of Ariel
Starcher in mid-February off the side of Vincent Road. Puett says Buchanan
County has received help from Kansas City, Independence, and Kansas law
enforcement.

The
sheriff says the background of the victim hasn’t helped, either, though Puett says
he hesitates to discuss much about the lifestyle of the victim.

“Unfortunately,
our victim was in a very high-risk lifestyle and it’s proving to be very
difficult to get people to cooperate, provide information,” according to Puett.

Puett
says relatives have disclosed Starcher used drugs and had been sexually
assaulted. He says those who knew Starcher have not been cooperative. He says the
county is waiting on lab results, which could help.

Puett
says another case has proven difficult as well.

Buchanan
County deputies discovered the body of 59-year-old Timothy McDowell of Gower earlier
this month during a wellness check. Puett says the department is waiting on a
determination of the cause of death. For now, it is being termed “suspicious.”

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAn
investigation into the death of a 21-year-old Independence woman whose body was
stuffed in a bag and dumped on a Buchanan County road continues, though the
sheriff admits it has become a very difficult case to work.Buchanan
County Sheriff Bill Puett says the circumstances present investigators many challenges.“This
has been a very difficult investigation, because we don’t really have a crime
scene. We have a dump site where the body was dumped along the side of the
road,” Puett tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.An
employee of the Missouri Department of Transportation found the body of Ariel
Starcher in mid-February off the side of Vincent Road. Puett says Buchanan
County has received help from Kansas City, Independence, and Kansas law
enforcement.The
sheriff says the background of the victim hasn’t helped, either, though Puett says
he hesitates to discuss much about the lifestyle of the victim.“Unfortunately,
our victim was in a very high-risk lifestyle and it’s proving to be very
difficult to get people to cooperate, provide information,” according to Puett.Puett
says relatives have disclosed Starcher used drugs and had been sexually
assaulted. He says those who knew Starcher have not been cooperative. He says the
county is waiting on lab results, which could help.Puett
says another case has proven difficult as well.Buchanan
County deputies discovered the body of 59-year-old Timothy McDowell of Gower earlier
this month during a wellness check. Puett says the department is waiting on a
determination of the cause of death. For now, it is being termed “suspicious.”

Two Buchanan County death investigations proving to be difficult

Most area schools have wrapped up their virtual
classes and ended their remote lunch programs, so the Second Harvest Community
Food Bank has stepped in.

Second Harvest Development Specialist Christy
McGuire expects a lot of families to take advantage of the No Hunger Summer
program which offers a free meal for those younger than 18.

McGuire says the lunch is similar a school lunch.

“It is. It is. We pride ourselves, though, that
the food is very good,” McGuire says&nbsp;
with a chuckle.

The lunch normally consists of a sandwich, a
vegetable, a piece of fruit, and a drink, usually milk.

McGuire says the free lunch might be needed now
more than ever with the coronavirus pandemic leaving many without jobs.

“We’re hoping that people utilize the service,”
McGuire says. “We’re hoping that people know that it’s out there if they need
it and their utilizing it, because that is what it is there for.”

Lunch will be served at several locations in St.
Joseph and throughout the Second Harvest 19-county region in northwest Missouri
and northeast Kansas.

Click <a href="https://www.shcfb.org/what-we-do/nourishing-children/no-hunger-summer.html">here</a> for locations and times.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589464480561.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. JosephMost area schools have wrapped up their virtual
classes and ended their remote lunch programs, so the Second Harvest Community
Food Bank has stepped in.Second Harvest Development Specialist Christy
McGuire expects a lot of families to take advantage of the No Hunger Summer
program which offers a free meal for those younger than 18.McGuire says the lunch is similar a school lunch.“It is. It is. We pride ourselves, though, that
the food is very good,” McGuire says&nbsp;
with a chuckle.The lunch normally consists of a sandwich, a
vegetable, a piece of fruit, and a drink, usually milk.McGuire says the free lunch might be needed now
more than ever with the coronavirus pandemic leaving many without jobs.“We’re hoping that people utilize the service,”
McGuire says. “We’re hoping that people know that it’s out there if they need
it and their utilizing it, because that is what it is there for.”Lunch will be served at several locations in St.
Joseph and throughout the Second Harvest 19-county region in northwest Missouri
and northeast Kansas.Click <a href="https://www.shcfb.org/what-we-do/nourishing-children/no-hunger-summer.html">here</a> for locations and times.

No school lunch, no problem; 2nd Harvest offers No Hunger Summer

St. Joseph bars and taverns will be allowed to reopen, starting Thursday, with social distancing and safety regulations in place.

During a city council work session on Wednesday via Zoom, City Attorney Bryan Carter said the regulations are similar to those for restaurants but with a few requirements unique to bars.

“They do have to assign parties to tables or to marked standing areas, unlike a restaurant, a bar doesn’t always have tables for everyone to sit at but they will be able to create a - I’ll call it a virtual table - by marking off a standing room area and assigning parties to those areas,” Carter says. “They would also limit bar stool seating to one stool every six feet.”

Councilmember Kent O'Dell says St. Joseph could set standards for other cities.

“We’re having faith in all of our business owners and our own citizens to abide by the rules and let’s see if we can’t show the rest of everybody else what can be done with social distancing,” O’Dell says.

The council will meet again next week to get an update on how things are going and discuss potential test results from a <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5ebc2adaeb7f17053604dfb0">drive-thru testing event</a> to be held over the weekend.

The city council will meet again for a work session at 4 p.m. on May 21st.

To view the guidelines, <a href="https://www.stjoemo.info/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1012">click here</a>.

by Sarah ThomackSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph bars and taverns will be allowed to reopen, starting Thursday, with social distancing and safety regulations in place.During a city council work session on Wednesday via Zoom, City Attorney Bryan Carter said the regulations are similar to those for restaurants but with a few requirements unique to bars.“They do have to assign parties to tables or to marked standing areas, unlike a restaurant, a bar doesn’t always have tables for everyone to sit at but they will be able to create a - I’ll call it a virtual table - by marking off a standing room area and assigning parties to those areas,” Carter says. “They would also limit bar stool seating to one stool every six feet.”Councilmember Kent O'Dell says St. Joseph could set standards for other cities.“We’re having faith in all of our business owners and our own citizens to abide by the rules and let’s see if we can’t show the rest of everybody else what can be done with social distancing,” O’Dell says.The council will meet again next week to get an update on how things are going and discuss potential test results from a <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/5ebc2adaeb7f17053604dfb0">drive-thru testing event</a> to be held over the weekend.The city council will meet again for a work session at 4 p.m. on May 21st.To view the guidelines, <a href="https://www.stjoemo.info/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1012">click here</a>.

St. Joseph bars and taverns allowed to reopen starting Thursday

A Mosaic Life Care Emergency Room physician says Mosaic has
learned a lot about the coronavirus in the last few months.

Dr. Jeremy Hunter adds what doctors in the ER are learning
about COVID-19 changes day-by-day, hour-by-hour.

“So, it’s a continual learning process. The symptomatic care
remains true,” Hunter tells reporters during a news conference at the St.
Joseph hospital, saying they have to approach treatment unlike what they
typically do with pneumonia or viral pneumonia. “So, we’re really learning
daily, almost hourly how medical management is different.”

Hunter says Mosaic’s St. Joseph Emergency Room has been able
to handle the workload. Mosaic has 18 ER rooms dedicated to potential COVID-19
cases, which are quickly separated from the rest of the patients coming to the
Emergency Room. He says no one who has an emergency not related to the
coronavirus should hesitate to come to the ER. Hunter says procedures make the
ER safe and needed treatment should not be delayed.

The St. Joseph hospital also is prepared to turn the 4th
and 5th floors into COVID-19 wards, with 48 units on each floor.

Hunter warns that no one should dismiss the coronavirus or act
as if it is nothing more than the flu. Hunter say COVID-19 is real and has not
been hyped.

“This is different than influenza. This is presenting
different,” Hunter says of COVID-19 patients. “They’re in ICU for much longer.
It’s not all hype and this is a different disease with higher virulence in a
certain subset of the population, it seems, and it’s worth being concerned
about.”

Hunter does say he wishes the city could test more people.

“When this started, we had very limited testing,” according to
Hunter. “But now it’s getting much better to where we can really test people.
It might not be a 15-minute answer. It might be a 24-hour answer, but in the
right patient population, that’s okay.”

As of Wednesday, Mosaic had tested 3,223 people with 157
testing positive for COVID-19. Ten of those patients have been hospitalized.
Mosaic is awaiting results from 125 tests.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589400420097.jpeg" alt="Dr. Jeremy Hunter/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Jeremy Hunter/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA Mosaic Life Care Emergency Room physician says Mosaic has
learned a lot about the coronavirus in the last few months.Dr. Jeremy Hunter adds what doctors in the ER are learning
about COVID-19 changes day-by-day, hour-by-hour.“So, it’s a continual learning process. The symptomatic care
remains true,” Hunter tells reporters during a news conference at the St.
Joseph hospital, saying they have to approach treatment unlike what they
typically do with pneumonia or viral pneumonia. “So, we’re really learning
daily, almost hourly how medical management is different.”Hunter says Mosaic’s St. Joseph Emergency Room has been able
to handle the workload. Mosaic has 18 ER rooms dedicated to potential COVID-19
cases, which are quickly separated from the rest of the patients coming to the
Emergency Room. He says no one who has an emergency not related to the
coronavirus should hesitate to come to the ER. Hunter says procedures make the
ER safe and needed treatment should not be delayed.The St. Joseph hospital also is prepared to turn the 4th
and 5th floors into COVID-19 wards, with 48 units on each floor.Hunter warns that no one should dismiss the coronavirus or act
as if it is nothing more than the flu. Hunter say COVID-19 is real and has not
been hyped.“This is different than influenza. This is presenting
different,” Hunter says of COVID-19 patients. “They’re in ICU for much longer.
It’s not all hype and this is a different disease with higher virulence in a
certain subset of the population, it seems, and it’s worth being concerned
about.”Hunter does say he wishes the city could test more people.“When this started, we had very limited testing,” according to
Hunter. “But now it’s getting much better to where we can really test people.
It might not be a 15-minute answer. It might be a 24-hour answer, but in the
right patient population, that’s okay.”As of Wednesday, Mosaic had tested 3,223 people with 157
testing positive for COVID-19. Ten of those patients have been hospitalized.
Mosaic is awaiting results from 125 tests.

Mosaic ER doctor says COVID-19 presents different challenges

Don’t worry about
having to pay Missouri state income taxes on those stimulus checks.

State lawmakers
have approved a bill that would exempt the $1,200 checks Congress doled out as
part of the COVID-19 relief package.

“This is a huge
win for Missouri taxpayers. Missouri is one of only six states that because of
a quirk in our tax code was going to tax the COVID-19 stimulus checks that many
people who make under $75,000 a year receive,” State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of
Parkville tells St. Joseph Post.

Luetkemeyer says
the state had no business taking a piece out of those checks.

“That money was
meant to go in the pockets of working Missouri families, particularly in this
time of great economic uncertainty.”

Luetkemeyer
attached an amendment to another tax bill he sponsored. That bill gives
property owners more time to appeal increases in their property assessments and
requires county assessors to do a physical inspection of any property subject
to more than a 15% increase in assessment.

The bill is now on
the governor’s desk.

Luetkemeyer wasn’t
all that surprised his legislation passed the Senate unanimously and received
only token opposition in the House.

“I think this was
one of those unifying things that in the midst of the pandemic with everybody
struggling the legislature, regardless of what party you were from, realized
that was something that we needed to do for hardworking Missourians and, again,
I’m very pleased that we were able to get it done,” according to Luetkemeyer.

Congress approved
an emergency legislative package which totaled more than $2.2 trillion to help
prop up an economy hit hard by restrictions imposed to limit the spread of the
coronavirus. In that package, Congress authorized individuals making $75,000 or
less annually to receive $1,200. Couples making $150,000 or less will receive
$2,400, plus $500 for each dependent child.

Luetkemeyer also is
working to get his anti-crime package through in the waning days of the
session, arguing Missouri needs to address its violent crime problem.

“Those are things
right now that are still very much alive, both in the House and the Senate. I’m
going to be very focused on trying to get those things across the finish line,
but, as you know, the last week of session is very unpredictable and there is a
very finite amount of time that we have to get some of those priorities across
the finish line and many ideas, including many good ideas, will not end up making
it to the governor’s desk,” Luetkemeyer says.

Luetkemeyer says
Senate and House negotiators have hung up on a provision which would require
DNA tests for those arrested on felony charges. The Senate wants it. The House
doesn’t. Luetkemeyer worries the dispute could sink the bill.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostDon’t worry about
having to pay Missouri state income taxes on those stimulus checks.State lawmakers
have approved a bill that would exempt the $1,200 checks Congress doled out as
part of the COVID-19 relief package.“This is a huge
win for Missouri taxpayers. Missouri is one of only six states that because of
a quirk in our tax code was going to tax the COVID-19 stimulus checks that many
people who make under $75,000 a year receive,” State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of
Parkville tells St. Joseph Post.Luetkemeyer says
the state had no business taking a piece out of those checks.“That money was
meant to go in the pockets of working Missouri families, particularly in this
time of great economic uncertainty.”Luetkemeyer
attached an amendment to another tax bill he sponsored. That bill gives
property owners more time to appeal increases in their property assessments and
requires county assessors to do a physical inspection of any property subject
to more than a 15% increase in assessment.The bill is now on
the governor’s desk.Luetkemeyer wasn’t
all that surprised his legislation passed the Senate unanimously and received
only token opposition in the House.“I think this was
one of those unifying things that in the midst of the pandemic with everybody
struggling the legislature, regardless of what party you were from, realized
that was something that we needed to do for hardworking Missourians and, again,
I’m very pleased that we were able to get it done,” according to Luetkemeyer.Congress approved
an emergency legislative package which totaled more than $2.2 trillion to help
prop up an economy hit hard by restrictions imposed to limit the spread of the
coronavirus. In that package, Congress authorized individuals making $75,000 or
less annually to receive $1,200. Couples making $150,000 or less will receive
$2,400, plus $500 for each dependent child.Luetkemeyer also is
working to get his anti-crime package through in the waning days of the
session, arguing Missouri needs to address its violent crime problem.“Those are things
right now that are still very much alive, both in the House and the Senate. I’m
going to be very focused on trying to get those things across the finish line,
but, as you know, the last week of session is very unpredictable and there is a
very finite amount of time that we have to get some of those priorities across
the finish line and many ideas, including many good ideas, will not end up making
it to the governor’s desk,” Luetkemeyer says.Luetkemeyer says
Senate and House negotiators have hung up on a provision which would require
DNA tests for those arrested on felony charges. The Senate wants it. The House
doesn’t. Luetkemeyer worries the dispute could sink the bill.

Looks like Missouri won't be taxing those stimulus checks

A drive-thru only COVID-19 testing site for Buchanan County residents will be&nbsp;open this weekend at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.

According to a press release from Mosaic, the testing will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Testing will take place in the parking garage located on the northeast side of the hospital. Vehicles should enter off of Heartland Road by Plaza 2.

About 2,000 tests will be provided by the state of Missouri. Testing will be available at no cost for individuals over the age of 18 regardless of symptoms. Mosaic asks anyone wanting to be tested, to visit <a href="https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/community-testing.php">health.mo.gov/communitytest</a> or call (877) 435-8411, option 3 to register.&nbsp;

Tests used will be a nasopharyngeal swab. Once samples are collected, they will be sent to Quest Diagnostics for testing.&nbsp;Results should be available within 72 hours after testing.

For detailed information, including a directional map, please visit <a href="https://www.mymlc.com/corona">myMLC.com/corona</a>.

A drive-thru only COVID-19 testing site for Buchanan County residents will be&nbsp;open this weekend at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.According to a press release from Mosaic, the testing will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Testing will take place in the parking garage located on the northeast side of the hospital. Vehicles should enter off of Heartland Road by Plaza 2.About 2,000 tests will be provided by the state of Missouri. Testing will be available at no cost for individuals over the age of 18 regardless of symptoms. Mosaic asks anyone wanting to be tested, to visit <a href="https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/community-testing.php">health.mo.gov/communitytest</a> or call (877) 435-8411, option 3 to register.&nbsp;Tests used will be a nasopharyngeal swab. Once samples are collected, they will be sent to Quest Diagnostics for testing.&nbsp;Results should be available within 72 hours after testing.For detailed information, including a directional map, please visit <a href="https://www.mymlc.com/corona">myMLC.com/corona</a>.

Mosaic Life Care hosting drive-thru COVID-19 testing this weekend

A spike in COVID-19 cases, mostly from the mass testing of
Triumph Foods workers, apparently has Buchanan County and St. Joseph on the radar of the White
House.

NBC News reports documents it describes as originating from
the White House pandemic task force listing Buchanan County and the Kansas City
area as areas to watch. The documents also list Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska as
areas to watch due to a recent rise in coronavirus cases.

The documents indicate federal health officials are keeping a
close eye on St. Joseph, especially with the 412 cases arising from the mass
testing of Triumph Foods employees. The Kansas City Star reports 70 of those
workers testing positive live in the Kansas City area.

Leavenworth County, Kansas also has the attention of federal
officials, due to a spike in coronavirus cases, mainly at the Lansing State
Prison.

Buchanan County, St. Joseph health officials report 461 total
cases, 420 confirmed and 41 probable. There have been two deaths in Buchanan
County. Andrew County reports 12 cases; 11 confirmed and 1 probable.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA spike in COVID-19 cases, mostly from the mass testing of
Triumph Foods workers, apparently has Buchanan County and St. Joseph on the radar of the White
House.NBC News reports documents it describes as originating from
the White House pandemic task force listing Buchanan County and the Kansas City
area as areas to watch. The documents also list Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska as
areas to watch due to a recent rise in coronavirus cases.The documents indicate federal health officials are keeping a
close eye on St. Joseph, especially with the 412 cases arising from the mass
testing of Triumph Foods employees. The Kansas City Star reports 70 of those
workers testing positive live in the Kansas City area.Leavenworth County, Kansas also has the attention of federal
officials, due to a spike in coronavirus cases, mainly at the Lansing State
Prison.Buchanan County, St. Joseph health officials report 461 total
cases, 420 confirmed and 41 probable. There have been two deaths in Buchanan
County. Andrew County reports 12 cases; 11 confirmed and 1 probable.Mosaic Life Care now has tested 3,082 people
with 152 testing positive for COVID-19. Ten of those have been hospitalized. Mosaic
is awaiting results from 116 tests.Missouri now has slightly more than 10,006 cases with 524
deaths.Kansas health officials report 7,116 cases with 158 deaths.

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