Four lawsuits filed since mid-July argue that the state has intruded on interstate commerce and violated federal property rights protections

By RUDI KELLER&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Three major pharmaceutical companies and their national lobbying organization are suing Missouri to block&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/13/billions-at-stake-as-national-battle-over-drug-pricing-plays-out-in-missouri/">enforcement of a new state law</a>&nbsp;requiring them to give medical providers unlimited access to discounted drugs for their pharmacies.

In four federal lawsuits filed over the past month, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Abbvie and PhRMA, the lobbying arm of the pharmaceutical industry, argue that Missouri lawmakers unconstitutionally intruded into interstate commerce with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=186" target="_blank">the bill passed this year</a>.

Under the bill, drugmakers must accept orders to deliver medications to providers eligible for discounts under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/opa" target="_blank">the 340B program</a>, named for the section of law where it is authorized. The bill allows eligible providers to have an unlimited number of contracts with pharmacies to dispense their prescriptions of drugs purchased under the program.

“Under the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution, Missouri has no authority to define who has access to 340B-priced drugs,” states the lawsuit filed last week by PhRMA in the Western District of Missouri.

The law takes effect on Wednesday. The plaintiffs in each case have asked for a preliminary injunction to block enforcement, but no hearings on the requests have been scheduled and only one case, filed Aug. 2 by Novartis, has had enough activity for the judge to schedule any proceedings.

Abbvie went first, filing its lawsuit July 22 in the Eastern District&nbsp; — 10 days after Gov. Mike Parson declined to sign the bill and instead&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/12/missouri-governor-allows-flawed-bill-on-drug-discounts-to-become-law/">allowed it to become law</a>&nbsp;despite his misgivings. The other three cases are filed with the Western District, which includes Jefferson City.

The lawsuits name Attorney General Andrew Bailey and members of the state Board of Pharmacy, which is responsible for enforcing the law. The board is given authority to investigate violations of the law and the attorney general has enforcement powers through the state Merchandising Practices Act.

“It is difficult to convincingly argue that doing what a federal program requires is an irreparable harm,” Maria Lanahan, deputy solicitor general in the attorney general’s office, wrote in a filing arguing against a preliminary injunction in the Novartis lawsuit. “To the contrary, when Novartis complies with S.B. 751, it is helping covered entities that serve vulnerable populations.”

Bailey’s office did not respond to an email seeking comment on the cases.

The board is relying on Bailey to respond to the lawsuit. The law is self-enforcing and while the board could write rules about how it is to be followed, Executive Director Kimberly Brinston said.

“The board does not have a timeline to promulgate rules and has not made a decision on whether rules would be promulgated,” she said.

The Missouri Hospital Association and the Missouri Primary Care Association have asked to intervene in the Novartis lawsuit and will likely seek to join the other three, hospital association spokesman Dave Dillon said Monday.

“We are evaluating each case and intend to reinforce the work done by the General Assembly on behalf of Missouri’s hospitals, other providers and the communities they serve,” Dillon said.

The 340B program was created in 1992. It had two components — drug manufacturers had to deliver their products at a discount to eligible providers and eligible providers could only use the program to provide prescriptions to patients they treated directly.

Eligible providers included children’s hospitals, as well as hospitals that were sole providers in their community or designated “critical access hospitals” by providing care that would otherwise be absent, and those serving large numbers of indigent patients known as “disproportionate share hospitals.”

Other qualifying providers include federally qualified health care centers — clinics that receive grants to support operations so they can base charges on ability to pay — as well as clinics that serve AIDS patients, black lung victims and other debilitating diseases.

The use of contract pharmacies started in 1996, when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services began allowing one contractor per provider as recognition that many providers did not have in-house pharmacies. But a change to allow unlimited contracting increased the number of contract pharmacies from 2,321 in 2010 to 205,340 in 2024, according to data from PhRMA provided to The Independent in June.

Nationally, pharmaceutical manufacturers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/opa/updates/2022-340b-covered-entity-purchases" target="_blank">sold nearly $100 billion in discounted drugs</a>&nbsp;in 2021 and 2022. Discounts averaged 60% from regular wholesale prices, the lobbying organization stated.

The pharmaceutical companies focus their criticism on the disproportionate share hospitals, who often contract with for-profit pharmacies to dispense the drugs. Those hospitals account for about 80% of all drugs purchased through the 340B program, $41.8 billion in 2022 and $34.3 billion the year before.

Pharmaceutical companies complain that the discounts are rarely passed on to patients. Instead, insurance companies and consumers pay retail prices and the extra profit is often split between the pharmacy and the provider.

“Make no mistake, the boom in contract pharmacies has been fueled by the prospect of outsized profit margins on 340B-discounted drugs,” AstraZeneca’s lawyers wrote in the complaint filed last week. “In short, the widespread proliferation of contract pharmacy arrangements since 2010 has transformed the 340B program from one intended to assist vulnerable patients into a multi-billion-dollar arbitrage scheme.”

The drugmakers have fought the expansion of contract pharmacies in a variety of ways. When Novartis sought in 2020 to limit the contracts to pharmacies within 40 miles of an eligible provider, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a notice that it considered the limit a violation of the program’s rules.

An&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/guidance/sites/default/files/hhs-guidance-documents/340B-AO-FINAL-12-30-2020_0.pdf" target="_blank">advisory opinion on contracting</a>, later withdrawn, said the 340B program required delivery to a pharmacy on “the lunar surface, low-earth orbit, or a neighborhood…”

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pennsylvania ruled in January 2023 in a case against the federal agency that pharmaceutical companies&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/213167p.pdf" target="_blank">could impose limits</a>&nbsp;on the number of pharmacies they would allow to purchase the discounted drugs.

After the 2023 ruling, Novartis tightened its rules to allow only one contracted pharmacy per covered provider, but only if the provider did not have an in-house pharmacy. Other manufacturers have imposed variations on the Novartis policies.

State efforts to counter the limits have ramped up in the past two years. Missouri is one of eight states to pass laws requiring drugmakers to deliver discounted medications to contract pharmacies.

Arkansas was one of the first. In March, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis upheld the Arkansas law requiring drugmakers to allow covered providers to have an unlimited number of contract pharmacies.

In the motion to dismiss the Novartis lawsuit, the Missouri attorney general’s office relied heavily on that ruling, writing that it shows federal law does not prevent Missouri from passing a similar law.

The four lawsuits use a variety of legal theories to assail Missouri’s new law. Along with allegations of interfering with interstate commerce and regulating in an area reserved for federal action, the Abbvie lawsuit argues that its property rights are being violated.

“These abuses of the federal 340B program raise obvious concerns because the U.S. Constitution prohibits the government from forcing the transfer of property at confiscatory prices to private parties for their own private benefit,” the lawsuit states.

In the filing seeking to intervene in the Novartis case, the hospitals and primary care associations argued that the revenue from profits on 340B medications are essential support for their operations.

“Reducing access to those savings,” the filing states, “means hospitals are unable to underwrite critical but under-reimbursed services lines.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1572037176389.png" alt="File photo -Missouri is being sued over a new law requiring drugmakers to deliver prescriptions discounted under the 340B program to any pharmacy contracting with a qualified provider.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>File photo -Missouri is being sued over a new law requiring drugmakers to deliver prescriptions discounted under the 340B program to any pharmacy contracting with a qualified provider.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Four lawsuits filed since mid-July argue that the state has intruded on interstate commerce and violated federal property rights protections</h2>By RUDI KELLER&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Three major pharmaceutical companies and their national lobbying organization are suing Missouri to block&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/13/billions-at-stake-as-national-battle-over-drug-pricing-plays-out-in-missouri/">enforcement of a new state law</a>&nbsp;requiring them to give medical providers unlimited access to discounted drugs for their pharmacies.In four federal lawsuits filed over the past month, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Abbvie and PhRMA, the lobbying arm of the pharmaceutical industry, argue that Missouri lawmakers unconstitutionally intruded into interstate commerce with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=186" target="_blank">the bill passed this year</a>.Under the bill, drugmakers must accept orders to deliver medications to providers eligible for discounts under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/opa" target="_blank">the 340B program</a>, named for the section of law where it is authorized. The bill allows eligible providers to have an unlimited number of contracts with pharmacies to dispense their prescriptions of drugs purchased under the program.“Under the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution, Missouri has no authority to define who has access to 340B-priced drugs,” states the lawsuit filed last week by PhRMA in the Western District of Missouri.The law takes effect on Wednesday. The plaintiffs in each case have asked for a preliminary injunction to block enforcement, but no hearings on the requests have been scheduled and only one case, filed Aug. 2 by Novartis, has had enough activity for the judge to schedule any proceedings.Abbvie went first, filing its lawsuit July 22 in the Eastern District&nbsp; — 10 days after Gov. Mike Parson declined to sign the bill and instead&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/12/missouri-governor-allows-flawed-bill-on-drug-discounts-to-become-law/">allowed it to become law</a>&nbsp;despite his misgivings. The other three cases are filed with the Western District, which includes Jefferson City.The lawsuits name Attorney General Andrew Bailey and members of the state Board of Pharmacy, which is responsible for enforcing the law. The board is given authority to investigate violations of the law and the attorney general has enforcement powers through the state Merchandising Practices Act.“It is difficult to convincingly argue that doing what a federal program requires is an irreparable harm,” Maria Lanahan, deputy solicitor general in the attorney general’s office, wrote in a filing arguing against a preliminary injunction in the Novartis lawsuit. “To the contrary, when Novartis complies with S.B. 751, it is helping covered entities that serve vulnerable populations.”Bailey’s office did not respond to an email seeking comment on the cases.The board is relying on Bailey to respond to the lawsuit. The law is self-enforcing and while the board could write rules about how it is to be followed, Executive Director Kimberly Brinston said.“The board does not have a timeline to promulgate rules and has not made a decision on whether rules would be promulgated,” she said.The Missouri Hospital Association and the Missouri Primary Care Association have asked to intervene in the Novartis lawsuit and will likely seek to join the other three, hospital association spokesman Dave Dillon said Monday.“We are evaluating each case and intend to reinforce the work done by the General Assembly on behalf of Missouri’s hospitals, other providers and the communities they serve,” Dillon said.The 340B program was created in 1992. It had two components — drug manufacturers had to deliver their products at a discount to eligible providers and eligible providers could only use the program to provide prescriptions to patients they treated directly.Eligible providers included children’s hospitals, as well as hospitals that were sole providers in their community or designated “critical access hospitals” by providing care that would otherwise be absent, and those serving large numbers of indigent patients known as “disproportionate share hospitals.”Other qualifying providers include federally qualified health care centers — clinics that receive grants to support operations so they can base charges on ability to pay — as well as clinics that serve AIDS patients, black lung victims and other debilitating diseases.The use of contract pharmacies started in 1996, when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services began allowing one contractor per provider as recognition that many providers did not have in-house pharmacies. But a change to allow unlimited contracting increased the number of contract pharmacies from 2,321 in 2010 to 205,340 in 2024, according to data from PhRMA provided to The Independent in June.Nationally, pharmaceutical manufacturers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/opa/updates/2022-340b-covered-entity-purchases" target="_blank">sold nearly $100 billion in discounted drugs</a>&nbsp;in 2021 and 2022. Discounts averaged 60% from regular wholesale prices, the lobbying organization stated.The pharmaceutical companies focus their criticism on the disproportionate share hospitals, who often contract with for-profit pharmacies to dispense the drugs. Those hospitals account for about 80% of all drugs purchased through the 340B program, $41.8 billion in 2022 and $34.3 billion the year before.Pharmaceutical companies complain that the discounts are rarely passed on to patients. Instead, insurance companies and consumers pay retail prices and the extra profit is often split between the pharmacy and the provider.“Make no mistake, the boom in contract pharmacies has been fueled by the prospect of outsized profit margins on 340B-discounted drugs,” AstraZeneca’s lawyers wrote in the complaint filed last week. “In short, the widespread proliferation of contract pharmacy arrangements since 2010 has transformed the 340B program from one intended to assist vulnerable patients into a multi-billion-dollar arbitrage scheme.”The drugmakers have fought the expansion of contract pharmacies in a variety of ways. When Novartis sought in 2020 to limit the contracts to pharmacies within 40 miles of an eligible provider, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a notice that it considered the limit a violation of the program’s rules.An&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/guidance/sites/default/files/hhs-guidance-documents/340B-AO-FINAL-12-30-2020_0.pdf" target="_blank">advisory opinion on contracting</a>, later withdrawn, said the 340B program required delivery to a pharmacy on “the lunar surface, low-earth orbit, or a neighborhood…”The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pennsylvania ruled in January 2023 in a case against the federal agency that pharmaceutical companies&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/213167p.pdf" target="_blank">could impose limits</a>&nbsp;on the number of pharmacies they would allow to purchase the discounted drugs.After the 2023 ruling, Novartis tightened its rules to allow only one contracted pharmacy per covered provider, but only if the provider did not have an in-house pharmacy. Other manufacturers have imposed variations on the Novartis policies.State efforts to counter the limits have ramped up in the past two years. Missouri is one of eight states to pass laws requiring drugmakers to deliver discounted medications to contract pharmacies.Arkansas was one of the first. In March, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis upheld the Arkansas law requiring drugmakers to allow covered providers to have an unlimited number of contract pharmacies.In the motion to dismiss the Novartis lawsuit, the Missouri attorney general’s office relied heavily on that ruling, writing that it shows federal law does not prevent Missouri from passing a similar law.The four lawsuits use a variety of legal theories to assail Missouri’s new law. Along with allegations of interfering with interstate commerce and regulating in an area reserved for federal action, the Abbvie lawsuit argues that its property rights are being violated.“These abuses of the federal 340B program raise obvious concerns because the U.S. Constitution prohibits the government from forcing the transfer of property at confiscatory prices to private parties for their own private benefit,” the lawsuit states.In the filing seeking to intervene in the Novartis case, the hospitals and primary care associations argued that the revenue from profits on 340B medications are essential support for their operations.“Reducing access to those savings,” the filing states, “means hospitals are unable to underwrite critical but under-reimbursed services lines.”

Drugmakers sue to block Missouri law on federal prescription discounts

With temperatures back in the 90s for the first part of the week, local group Friends of the Animal Shelter, has some tips to help keep your pets safe.

Kathy Ermler, with Friends of the Animal Shelter, recommends watching for symptoms of heat ailment, especially in dogs. "If you notice your dog is heavy panting and restless, if they have 'brick red' gums or a very fast pulse rate, those are cues to watch out for," says Ermler.

Ermler notes other signs to watch for are drooling, diarrhea, and nausea.

If your pet is experiencing symptoms due to heat ailments, such as heat stroke, you can sprinkle them with water or wrap wet towels around them to help cool off.&nbsp;

Ermler says, "The breed of dogs and cats is also dependent on how quickly they may suffer heat stroke." For example, pug nose dogs have more difficulty handling high temperatures. 

Ermler notes that cat breeds, such as Persians or Himalayans, are more prone to heat ailments than other breeds.

Ermler adds, "The best way to treat outdoor animals for heat stroke is to get them into a shady area and call the vet."

Temperatures in Northwest Missouri are expected to be in the 90s through Thursday. The forecast calls for cooler weather and a chance of rain towards the end of the week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632967379845.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By RYAN SKAITHSt. Joseph PostThe dog days of summer are here. With temperatures back in the 90s for the first part of the week, local group Friends of the Animal Shelter, has some tips to help keep your pets safe.Kathy Ermler, with Friends of the Animal Shelter, recommends watching for symptoms of heat ailment, especially in dogs. "If you notice your dog is heavy panting and restless, if they have 'brick red' gums or a very fast pulse rate, those are cues to watch out for," says Ermler.Ermler notes other signs to watch for are drooling, diarrhea, and nausea.If your pet is experiencing symptoms due to heat ailments, such as heat stroke, you can sprinkle them with water or wrap wet towels around them to help cool off.&nbsp;Ermler says, "The breed of dogs and cats is also dependent on how quickly they may suffer heat stroke." For example, pug nose dogs have more difficulty handling high temperatures. Ermler notes that cat breeds, such as Persians or Himalayans, are more prone to heat ailments than other breeds.Ermler adds, "The best way to treat outdoor animals for heat stroke is to get them into a shady area and call the vet."Temperatures in Northwest Missouri are expected to be in the 90s through Thursday. The forecast calls for cooler weather and a chance of rain towards the end of the week.

Friends of the Animal Shelter tips for keeping pets safe in high temps

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Monday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Ford Escape driven by Mary J. Runyan, 18, Stewartsville, was northbound on Route K at Route Y in Stewartsville.&nbsp;

The Ford struck a southbound 2008 Subaru driven by Larry D. Melton, 82, Stewartsville, who was making a left turn on to Route K. After impact the Subaru spun and struck a westbound 2014 Dodge Ram driven by Ray D. Veale, 67, King City.

DeKalb-Clinton EMS transported Melton to Mosaic in St. Joseph. The other drivers were not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Monday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Ford Escape driven by Mary J. Runyan, 18, Stewartsville, was northbound on Route K at Route Y in Stewartsville.&nbsp;The Ford struck a southbound 2008 Subaru driven by Larry D. Melton, 82, Stewartsville, who was making a left turn on to Route K. After impact the Subaru spun and struck a westbound 2014 Dodge Ram driven by Ray D. Veale, 67, King City.DeKalb-Clinton EMS transported Melton to Mosaic in St. Joseph. The other drivers were not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Mo. man hospitalized after 3-vehicle DeKalb Co. crash

ATCHISON COUNTY —A Kansas felon is back in custody on new allegations.

On Saturday, police arrested 31-year-old Trevor L. Kiehl of Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

He remains in custody on requested charges that include for theft that occurred in the 1000 block Main Street in Atchison and possession of marijuana.&nbsp; Kiehl has three previous drug conviction and on for interference with law enforcement, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724679242306.png" alt="Kiehl from a 2022 arrest in Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Kiehl from a 2022 arrest in Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —A Kansas felon is back in custody on new allegations.On Saturday, police arrested 31-year-old Trevor L. Kiehl of Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.He remains in custody on requested charges that include for theft that occurred in the 1000 block Main Street in Atchison and possession of marijuana.&nbsp; Kiehl has three previous drug conviction and on for interference with law enforcement, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas felon jailed for alleged theft, drug possession

He doesn’t call himself a historian, but retired Army Lt.
Colonel Milt Toratti does his best to keep the oral histories of veterans
alive.

In fact, Toratti calls himself a local veteran, experiential,
biographical historian.

“Experiential meaning that I look for the veteran’s
experiences and developed an interview process that I’ve been doing for 68
years in recording the veteran’s accurate oral histories so he or she can then
gift them to their grandkids, family, and friends,” Toratti tells host Barry
Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.

Toratti has put together a couple of new books, one on World
War II and one on the Korean War, available at various book signings.

“This year, because of the Veterans Home Assistance League
fundraising, I said, ‘Well, what if I now do a publishing of books?’ So, I did
a book on the secret war on World War II and the Korean War,” Toratti says. “And
those books are available now with the book signings and the proceeds go to the
veterans home.”

Toratti has helped write 154 books, oral histories by veterans
for their family and friends. He is working on 14 more. Toratti says many
veterans are reluctant to talk about their experiences.

“And I never recruit anybody,” Toratti says. “They find me.
And the reason is because they’re ready then. And then they’ll say now it’s
time to tell my story so my grandkids know what happened.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Toratti is in the middle of the book signing tour in which the
sale of books will benefit the Cameron Veterans Home Assistance League.

He has appearances scheduled for Hamilton Sporting Clays, the
St. Joseph Eagles Lodge, the Joyce Raye Patterson Activity Center, the Jesse
James Antique Mall, and at Cameron Regional Hospital on Veterans Day.

911 Ceremony: Sept. 11th, at St. Joseph City Hall, 11am

Central High School- 1st FB game, Sept. 13th, 6pm

Jesse James Antique Mall: Sept. 28th 8am-4pm

Joyce R. Patterson Sr Ctr:  Galen Johnson-“Appreciation of History” Oct. 14th 1:00-3:30pm

                                                                                                               Pronto Café: Sept. 25th (Wed.) 9am-1pm

Office Depot  (TBA)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Reed Auto Center, St. Joseph: Veterans Appreciation Nov 9th

                                                                                                                                                                                Cameron Regional Hospital, Cameron:  Nov., 11th (Veterans Day)                       

Secret
War Soldiers…Abandoned But Not Forgotten

Serendipity
Stories From The Greatest Generation

This article as been updated since first published.

You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostHe doesn’t call himself a historian, but retired Army Lt.
Colonel Milt Toratti does his best to keep the oral histories of veterans
alive.In fact, Toratti calls himself a local veteran, experiential,
biographical historian.“Experiential meaning that I look for the veteran’s
experiences and developed an interview process that I’ve been doing for 68
years in recording the veteran’s accurate oral histories so he or she can then
gift them to their grandkids, family, and friends,” Toratti tells host Barry
Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.Toratti has put together a couple of new books, one on World
War II and one on the Korean War, available at various book signings.“This year, because of the Veterans Home Assistance League
fundraising, I said, ‘Well, what if I now do a publishing of books?’ So, I did
a book on the secret war on World War II and the Korean War,” Toratti says. “And
those books are available now with the book signings and the proceeds go to the
veterans home.”Toratti has helped write 154 books, oral histories by veterans
for their family and friends. He is working on 14 more. Toratti says many
veterans are reluctant to talk about their experiences.“And I never recruit anybody,” Toratti says. “They find me.
And the reason is because they’re ready then. And then they’ll say now it’s
time to tell my story so my grandkids know what happened.” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Toratti is in the middle of the book signing tour in which the
sale of books will benefit the Cameron Veterans Home Assistance League.He has appearances scheduled for Hamilton Sporting Clays, the
St. Joseph Eagles Lodge, the Joyce Raye Patterson Activity Center, the Jesse
James Antique Mall, and at Cameron Regional Hospital on Veterans Day.Book signings:911 Ceremony: Sept. 11th, at St. Joseph City Hall, 11amCentral High School- 1st FB game, Sept. 13th, 6pmEagles Lodge: Sept. 20th, 5–8 pmJesse James Antique Mall: Sept. 28th 8am-4pmJoyce R. Patterson Sr Ctr: Galen Johnson-“Appreciation of History” Oct. 14th 1:00-3:30pm Pronto Café: Sept. 25th (Wed.) 9am-1pmTractor Supply Co. (TBA)Office Depot (TBA) Reed Auto Center, St. Joseph: Veterans Appreciation Nov 9th Cameron Regional Hospital, Cameron: Nov., 11th (Veterans Day) Book Titles
Include:Secret
War Soldiers…Abandoned But Not ForgottenClose to Frozen Earth, Closer to DeathSerendipity
Stories From The Greatest GenerationThis article as been updated since first published.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph veteran story chronicler now raising money for Cameron Vet Home

The state constitution now requires regulators to put more rules in place to protect children from accidental consumption and poisoning

By REBECCA RIVAS &nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Marijuana companies face a hard deadline to meet Missouri’s new plain packaging requirements on Sept. 1 — more than a year after the rule was initially put in place.&nbsp;

For decades, there’s been a&nbsp;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120320142534/http://www.acosh.org/resources/GenericPackaging.pdf" target="_blank">global movement</a>&nbsp;urging “plain packaging” on tobacco products — or packaging with limited colors and frills — after numerous studies found it makes cigarettes less appealing to young people.&nbsp;

Missouri is now a<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/22/missouri-to-be-testing-ground-on-plain-packaging-for-cannabis-products/">&nbsp;testing ground</a>&nbsp;to see if plain packaging has the same impact for recreational marijuana.

When voters passed the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=XIV%20%20%202&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;to legalize recreational marijuana in 2022, it included a provision that labels and packaging for marijuana-related products, “shall not be made to be attractive to children.”

Now under new state rules, packaging can only be one primary color, and it can have up to two logos or symbols that can be a different color or several different colors.

“This approach to packaging is familiar to all of us,” said Amy Moore, director of Missouri’s Division of Cannabis Regulation, during a legislative committee hearing last year. “You think about the cereal aisle versus tobacco packaging or over-the-counter medicines.”

The initial deadline for compliance was May 1, but regulators heard from licensees that potential delays in global shipping could impact their ability to receive the packaging in time.&nbsp;

Now starting on Sept. 1, marijuana manufacturers must package and label all products in division-approved designs before sending them to a dispensary.&nbsp;

Dispensaries can continue to sell non-compliant products they already have in the store until Nov. 1.

The new rules also require the division to pre-approve the labels, a process that didn’t exist under medical marijuana rules.&nbsp;

Nick Rinella,&nbsp;CEO of Hippos Cannabis, said companies have seen delays in the state’s approval of their submitted designs.

“The state just doesn’t have the manpower to go through and approve them,” Rinella said. “And until they’re approved, they can’t go onto the shelves in their new packaging.”

Since the approval process opened on Sept. 1, 2023, the division has received nearly 150,000 submissions, said Lisa Cox, spokeswoman for the division.

Half of those were submitted within the last 60 days.

“Licensees have had a year to submit applications for approval,” Cox said, “and five months’ notice that they should not expect another extension.”

Cox said all applications are being processed within 60 days.

The constitution says that no marijuana facility can sell edible marijuana-infused candy in shapes or packages that are attractive to children or that are easily confused with commercially sold candy that does not contain marijuana. Penalties include fines of up to $5,000 and a loss of a business license.&nbsp;

The packaging requirements are part of Missouri’s new&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/pdf/19csr100-proposed-rules-filed-051523.pdf" target="_blank">cannabis regulation rules&nbsp;</a>that went into effect on July 30, 2023.&nbsp;

In the division’s first draft of proposed rules last year, it required companies to have only one color on the label.&nbsp;

That&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/08/marijuana-industry-state-regulators-at-odds-over-rules-targeting-packaging-aimed-at-kids/">caused an uproar</a>&nbsp;from the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, which argued in a letter to lawmakers that marijuana businesses had already invested “many millions” in packaging designs. And companies did so, the trade association contends, because “attractive, interesting, and attention-grabbing packaging is essential to effectively advertise and promote marijuana product sales.”

After the pushback from both MoCann Trade and some legislators, the agency changed the rule to allow “limited colors.” Another compromise, Moore told lawmakers, was allowing for QR codes on the labels to send consumers to their website for more information.&nbsp;

Missouri becomes one of few states that require plain packaging in the adult-use cannabis market, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.networkforphl.org/resources/cannabis-regulation-resource-collection/" target="_blank">Network for Public Health Law</a>. The others include Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey.&nbsp;

Moore said the rules align with what voters asked for in the constitutional amendment. The requirements regarding children’s safety are more stringent than what was included in the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=XIV++++1&amp;bid=51540&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana</a>&nbsp;in 2018.

“We have to notice that,” she said, “and say, ‘Apparently we’re to do more, we’re to do better for children and for health.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724690719448.png" alt=" Under Missouri’s new cannabis regulations, labels and packages for marijuana-related products must have limited colors and can’t appeal to children or resemble candy. (Photo by Rebecca Rivas/The Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption> Under Missouri’s new cannabis regulations, labels and packages for marijuana-related products must have limited colors and can’t appeal to children or resemble candy. (Photo by Rebecca Rivas/The Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The state constitution now requires regulators to put more rules in place to protect children from accidental consumption and poisoning</h2>By REBECCA RIVAS &nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Marijuana companies face a hard deadline to meet Missouri’s new plain packaging requirements on Sept. 1 — more than a year after the rule was initially put in place.&nbsp;For decades, there’s been a&nbsp;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120320142534/http://www.acosh.org/resources/GenericPackaging.pdf" target="_blank">global movement</a>&nbsp;urging “plain packaging” on tobacco products — or packaging with limited colors and frills — after numerous studies found it makes cigarettes less appealing to young people.&nbsp;Missouri is now a<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/22/missouri-to-be-testing-ground-on-plain-packaging-for-cannabis-products/">&nbsp;testing ground</a>&nbsp;to see if plain packaging has the same impact for recreational marijuana.When voters passed the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=XIV%20%20%202&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;to legalize recreational marijuana in 2022, it included a provision that labels and packaging for marijuana-related products, “shall not be made to be attractive to children.”Now under new state rules, packaging can only be one primary color, and it can have up to two logos or symbols that can be a different color or several different colors.“This approach to packaging is familiar to all of us,” said Amy Moore, director of Missouri’s Division of Cannabis Regulation, during a legislative committee hearing last year. “You think about the cereal aisle versus tobacco packaging or over-the-counter medicines.”The initial deadline for compliance was May 1, but regulators heard from licensees that potential delays in global shipping could impact their ability to receive the packaging in time.&nbsp;Now starting on Sept. 1, marijuana manufacturers must package and label all products in division-approved designs before sending them to a dispensary.&nbsp;Dispensaries can continue to sell non-compliant products they already have in the store until Nov. 1.The new rules also require the division to pre-approve the labels, a process that didn’t exist under medical marijuana rules.&nbsp;Nick Rinella,&nbsp;CEO of Hippos Cannabis, said companies have seen delays in the state’s approval of their submitted designs.“The state just doesn’t have the manpower to go through and approve them,” Rinella said. “And until they’re approved, they can’t go onto the shelves in their new packaging.”Since the approval process opened on Sept. 1, 2023, the division has received nearly 150,000 submissions, said Lisa Cox, spokeswoman for the division.Half of those were submitted within the last 60 days.“Licensees have had a year to submit applications for approval,” Cox said, “and five months’ notice that they should not expect another extension.”Cox said all applications are being processed within 60 days.The constitution says that no marijuana facility can sell edible marijuana-infused candy in shapes or packages that are attractive to children or that are easily confused with commercially sold candy that does not contain marijuana. Penalties include fines of up to $5,000 and a loss of a business license.&nbsp;The packaging requirements are part of Missouri’s new&nbsp;<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/pdf/19csr100-proposed-rules-filed-051523.pdf" target="_blank">cannabis regulation rules&nbsp;</a>that went into effect on July 30, 2023.&nbsp;In the division’s first draft of proposed rules last year, it required companies to have only one color on the label.&nbsp;That&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/08/marijuana-industry-state-regulators-at-odds-over-rules-targeting-packaging-aimed-at-kids/">caused an uproar</a>&nbsp;from the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, which argued in a letter to lawmakers that marijuana businesses had already invested “many millions” in packaging designs. And companies did so, the trade association contends, because “attractive, interesting, and attention-grabbing packaging is essential to effectively advertise and promote marijuana product sales.”After the pushback from both MoCann Trade and some legislators, the agency changed the rule to allow “limited colors.” Another compromise, Moore told lawmakers, was allowing for QR codes on the labels to send consumers to their website for more information.&nbsp;Missouri becomes one of few states that require plain packaging in the adult-use cannabis market, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.networkforphl.org/resources/cannabis-regulation-resource-collection/" target="_blank">Network for Public Health Law</a>. The others include Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey.&nbsp;Moore said the rules align with what voters asked for in the constitutional amendment. The requirements regarding children’s safety are more stringent than what was included in the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=XIV++++1&amp;bid=51540&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana</a>&nbsp;in 2018.“We have to notice that,” she said, “and say, ‘Apparently we’re to do more, we’re to do better for children and for health.”

Deadline for Missouri’s new marijuana plain packaging is Sept. 1

Editor's note: The KHP crash log originally indicated the child had died. The story has been updated.

ATCHISON COUNTY—A child was critically injured an accident during a police pursuit just after 5:30p.m. Sunday in Atchison County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Toyota Corolla driven by&nbsp; &nbsp;Maria&nbsp; Papalas, 28, Atchison, was southbound on Sherman Road at&nbsp; 244th Road five miles south of Atchison at a high rate of speed. 

The driver was attempting to elude law enforcement. Due to the speed, the driver lost control on a curve. The car entered the west ditch and rolled multiple times before coming to rest on its top.

EMS transported a passenger identified as 1-year-old Mixalis&nbsp;Papalas-Schulpz of Atchison to Children's Mercy for treatment of critical injuries.

&nbsp;EMS transported Papalas to Stormont Vail for treatment of minor injuries.&nbsp; She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Editor's note: The KHP crash log originally indicated the child had died. The story has been updated.ATCHISON COUNTY—A child was critically injured an accident during a police pursuit just after 5:30p.m. Sunday in Atchison County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Toyota Corolla driven by&nbsp; &nbsp;Maria&nbsp; Papalas, 28, Atchison, was southbound on Sherman Road at&nbsp; 244th Road five miles south of Atchison at a high rate of speed. The driver was attempting to elude law enforcement. Due to the speed, the driver lost control on a curve. The car entered the west ditch and rolled multiple times before coming to rest on its top.EMS transported a passenger identified as 1-year-old Mixalis&nbsp;Papalas-Schulpz of Atchison to Children's Mercy for treatment of critical injuries.&nbsp;EMS transported Papalas to Stormont Vail for treatment of minor injuries.&nbsp; She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

1-year-old Kan. boy hospitalized after crash during police chase

HOLT COUNTY—One person died and two were injured in an accident in an accident just before 3:30a.m. Sunday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Chevy Malibu driven by Chelsey J. Guyer, 21, Fillmore, was northbound on U.S. 59

The car crossed the center line and struck a southbound 2018 Ford Ecosport driven by Angela S. Woods, 57, Oregon, Missouri.&nbsp; After impact both vehicles traveled into the ditch.

Woods was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Chamberlin Funeral Home in Oregon.&nbsp; Atchison-Holt ambulance transported Guyer to Mosaic in St. Joseph. She was later air-lifted to Truman Medical Center.

Andrew County EMS transported a passenger in the Chevy Peyton A. Ohnemus, 28, Oregon, Missouri, to Mosaic Life Care. Guyer was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

HOLT COUNTY—One person died and two were injured in an accident in an accident just before 3:30a.m. Sunday in Holt County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Chevy Malibu driven by Chelsey J. Guyer, 21, Fillmore, was northbound on U.S. 59The car crossed the center line and struck a southbound 2018 Ford Ecosport driven by Angela S. Woods, 57, Oregon, Missouri.&nbsp; After impact both vehicles traveled into the ditch.Woods was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Chamberlin Funeral Home in Oregon.&nbsp; Atchison-Holt ambulance transported Guyer to Mosaic in St. Joseph. She was later air-lifted to Truman Medical Center.Andrew County EMS transported a passenger in the Chevy Peyton A. Ohnemus, 28, Oregon, Missouri, to Mosaic Life Care. Guyer was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman dead, 2 injured after car, SUV crash

A new class of individuals and one legendary team have been officially inducted into the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame.  

Two of those individuals are Charlie Shields and Dirck Clark, who had a large role in bringing Chiefs Training Camp to St. Joseph back in 2010.  

Both Chiefs President Mark Donovan and CEO Clark Hunt have said if it wasn't for Shields and Clark, the Chiefs would not be in St. Joe.  Shields says while that's nice to hear, it was a true team effort. 

"Not just myself, but Dirck Clark who was President of the Board of Governors at Missouri Western, a bunch of people made this happen and the Chiefs realize that and it's great that they recognize the accomplishment for this community," Shields tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post following the enshrinement ceremony. 

Shields says no one ever thought the Chiefs would be in St. Joseph for 14 years, but the way the community has embraced camp keeps them coming back.

One legendary St. Joseph basketball team has also found its way to its rightful place, among the greats in the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame. 

The 2007 Benton Girls basketball team made history, going an unprecedented 30-0 and winning a state championship, the first ever in Benton history. 

Current Benton Athletic Director and coach of that team Brett Goodwin says what made that group of girls so special was how determined they were on the court 

"There was no telling them that they can't do this, or they can't do that, they truly felt like every single time that they walked on the floor that they were better than everybody that they were going to play," Goodwin explains.  "And they did that by showing up every day, working hard, making no excuses, and just playing to the best of their abilities." 

The '07 Cardinals team was also inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame last year, but Goodwin says this one feels a bit more special having everyone who supported them in attendance.

Along with a new group of area athletes and coaches being inducted into the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame, two individuals were also honored with awards. 

One of those awards was the Bill Snyder Woman of Impact Award, presented to Bishop LeBlond Volleyball Coach and Principal Kimberly Huss.  

Huss says she was honored to represent the community in being presented with the award.  

"I think I go quietly about my day just doing things with kids every day and didn't expect anything big like this," Huss says.  

Huss says she feels it's important to understand the impact that you have. . .  

"It stands as a great reminder for me of the work that I do every day to know that that is such an important part of lots of lives," Huss says.  

Also honored was Savannah's Charlie Phillips with the Special Olympics Area Athlete of the Year Phillips earned four medals during the Special Olympic World Games in Berlin.  

10 individuals and one team were enshrined into the Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center.

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724638029505.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph Sports Commision Director Brett Esely speaks to a crowd gathered at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph Sports Commision Director Brett Esely speaks to a crowd gathered at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A new class of individuals and one legendary team have been officially inducted into the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame. Two of those individuals are Charlie Shields and Dirck Clark, who had a large role in bringing Chiefs Training Camp to St. Joseph back in 2010. Both Chiefs President Mark Donovan and CEO Clark Hunt have said if it wasn't for Shields and Clark, the Chiefs would not be in St. Joe. Shields says while that's nice to hear, it was a true team effort. "Not just myself, but Dirck Clark who was President of the Board of Governors at Missouri Western, a bunch of people made this happen and the Chiefs realize that and it's great that they recognize the accomplishment for this community," Shields tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post following the enshrinement ceremony. Shields says no one ever thought the Chiefs would be in St. Joseph for 14 years, but the way the community has embraced camp keeps them coming back.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724638068155.jpeg" alt="Charlie Shields and Dirck Clark/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Charlie Shields and Dirck Clark/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>One legendary St. Joseph basketball team has also found its way to its rightful place, among the greats in the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame. The 2007 Benton Girls basketball team made history, going an unprecedented 30-0 and winning a state championship, the first ever in Benton history. Current Benton Athletic Director and coach of that team Brett Goodwin says what made that group of girls so special was how determined they were on the court "There was no telling them that they can't do this, or they can't do that, they truly felt like every single time that they walked on the floor that they were better than everybody that they were going to play," Goodwin explains. "And they did that by showing up every day, working hard, making no excuses, and just playing to the best of their abilities." The '07 Cardinals team was also inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame last year, but Goodwin says this one feels a bit more special having everyone who supported them in attendance.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724638285799.jpeg" alt="Coach Brett Goodwin (at podium) and members of the 2007 Benton Girls basketball team" />
 <figcaption>Coach Brett Goodwin (at podium) and members of the 2007 Benton Girls basketball team</figcaption>
 </figure>Along with a new group of area athletes and coaches being inducted into the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame, two individuals were also honored with awards. One of those awards was the Bill Snyder Woman of Impact Award, presented to Bishop LeBlond Volleyball Coach and Principal Kimberly Huss. Huss says she was honored to represent the community in being presented with the award. "I think I go quietly about my day just doing things with kids every day and didn't expect anything big like this," Huss says. Huss says she feels it's important to understand the impact that you have. . . "It stands as a great reminder for me of the work that I do every day to know that that is such an important part of lots of lives," Huss says. Also honored was Savannah's Charlie Phillips with the Special Olympics Area Athlete of the Year Phillips earned four medals during the Special Olympic World Games in Berlin. 10 individuals and one team were enshrined into the Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724638106411.jpeg" alt="United States Figure Skater Ryan Bradley" />
 <figcaption>United States Figure Skater Ryan Bradley</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724638124719.jpeg" alt="Missouri Southern Softball coaching legend Pat Lipira" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Southern Softball coaching legend Pat Lipira</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724638138376.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph Mustangs Owner and General Manager Ky Turner with Brett Esely. Turner spoke on behalf of the late Dan Gerson who was part of the 2024 Hall of Fame class." />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph Mustangs Owner and General Manager Ky Turner with Brett Esely. Turner spoke on behalf of the late Dan Gerson who was part of the 2024 Hall of Fame class.</figcaption>
 </figure>

New class of Hall of Famers enshrined into St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 10:30a.m. Saturday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 GMC Canyon driven by 17-year-old boy from Weatherby was northbound on Route D near NE King Road five miles west of Old Pattonsburg.

The driver failed to negotiate a left curve. The pickup traveled off the east side of the road, overturned and the driver was ejected.

DeKalb-Clinton ambulance transported the teen to Mosaic in St. Joseph. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 10:30a.m. Saturday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 GMC Canyon driven by 17-year-old boy from Weatherby was northbound on Route D near NE King Road five miles west of Old Pattonsburg.The driver failed to negotiate a left curve. The pickup traveled off the east side of the road, overturned and the driver was ejected.DeKalb-Clinton ambulance transported the teen to Mosaic in St. Joseph. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Mo. teen hospitalized after ejected in pickup rollover crash

ANDREW COUNTY —Two women died in an accident just after 10a.m. Saturday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Dodge Caravan driven by Christie L. Petersen, 70, Sheridan, was northbound on U.S. 71 at CR 36 twenty-two miles south of Maryville.

The van traveled off the right side of the road, struck an embankment, became airborne, struck a road sign, struck the ground and rolled onto its top.

Peterson and a passenger Kelly A. Taute, 47, Merced, California, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Bram Funeral Home. Taute was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

ANDREW COUNTY —Two women died in an accident just after 10a.m. Saturday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Dodge Caravan driven by Christie L. Petersen, 70, Sheridan, was northbound on U.S. 71 at CR 36 twenty-two miles south of Maryville.The van traveled off the right side of the road, struck an embankment, became airborne, struck a road sign, struck the ground and rolled onto its top.Peterson and a passenger Kelly A. Taute, 47, Merced, California, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Bram Funeral Home. Taute was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Two women dead after violent van rollover crash

GRUNDY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 12:30a.m. Saturday in Grundy County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Chevy Impala driven by Madison A. Weiseman, 23, Chula, was southbound on Route K two miles southeast of Laredo.

The car struck a cow in the road.&nbsp; Grundy&nbsp; County EMS transported Weiseman to Wright Memorial Hospital. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

GRUNDY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 12:30a.m. Saturday in Grundy County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Chevy Impala driven by Madison A. Weiseman, 23, Chula, was southbound on Route K two miles southeast of Laredo.The car struck a cow in the road.&nbsp; Grundy&nbsp; County EMS transported Weiseman to Wright Memorial Hospital. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Mo. woman hospitalized after car strikes cow in the road

ANDREW COUNTY—Four people were injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Friday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Honda Civic driven by Robert G. Dafford, 71, St. Joseph, was eastbound On John Glenn Road at&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Business 71 one mile north of St. Joseph.

The driver pulled into the path of a southbound 2018 Kia Forte driven by Jaya Venkata Sidda, 26, Maryville. The Kia struck the driver side door of the Honda.

Andrew County EMS transported Dafford to Mosaic. Buchanan County EMS transported two passengers in the KIA Manchandra Kuntala, 23 and&nbsp; Datta Karikeya, 24, both of Maryville to Mosaic. Sidda refused treatment for minor injuries at the scene.

All four were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

ANDREW COUNTY—Four people were injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Friday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Honda Civic driven by Robert G. Dafford, 71, St. Joseph, was eastbound On John Glenn Road at&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Business 71 one mile north of St. Joseph.The driver pulled into the path of a southbound 2018 Kia Forte driven by Jaya Venkata Sidda, 26, Maryville. The Kia struck the driver side door of the Honda.Andrew County EMS transported Dafford to Mosaic. Buchanan County EMS transported two passengers in the KIA Manchandra Kuntala, 23 and&nbsp; Datta Karikeya, 24, both of Maryville to Mosaic. Sidda refused treatment for minor injuries at the scene.All four were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

4 injured after 2-car Andrew County crash

Optimism seems to be fading that a cease fire proposed by the
United States will be accepted to pause the fighting between Israel and Hamas.

Kansas U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Republican member of the
Senate Intelligence Committee, says these are difficult negotiations between
long-time enemies.

“Well, I don’t know, there have been lots of efforts at trying
to put in place a cease fire. None of them have worked to date. And it seems
both sides are difficult to deal with,” Moran tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post during
a recent visit to Elwood.

Moran is doubtful this latest attempt by the United States to
bring the two sides together will work.

“I hope that there can be some kind of coming together for
peace or a better circumstance for people,” Moran says.

Still Moran holds out hope the United States can bring the two
sides together this time.

“So, we hope and pray that there’s solution that protects the
Israeli citizens and provides a safe and secure place for everyone.”

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the Middle East and
had thought Israel and Hamas had agreed to terms for a pause in the fight and
the release of hostages.

The conflict ignited after Hamas attacked Israeli citizens in
October, killing more than a thousand, taking more than 100 hostage. Israel
launched an all-out war against Hamas. It is estimated more than 40,000 have
been killed in the war.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716140421905.png" alt="Sen. Jerry Moran/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Jerry Moran/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostOptimism seems to be fading that a cease fire proposed by the
United States will be accepted to pause the fighting between Israel and Hamas.Kansas U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Republican member of the
Senate Intelligence Committee, says these are difficult negotiations between
long-time enemies.“Well, I don’t know, there have been lots of efforts at trying
to put in place a cease fire. None of them have worked to date. And it seems
both sides are difficult to deal with,” Moran tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post during
a recent visit to Elwood.Moran is doubtful this latest attempt by the United States to
bring the two sides together will work.“I hope that there can be some kind of coming together for
peace or a better circumstance for people,” Moran says.Still Moran holds out hope the United States can bring the two
sides together this time.“So, we hope and pray that there’s solution that protects the
Israeli citizens and provides a safe and secure place for everyone.”Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the Middle East and
had thought Israel and Hamas had agreed to terms for a pause in the fight and
the release of hostages.The conflict ignited after Hamas attacked Israeli citizens in
October, killing more than a thousand, taking more than 100 hostage. Israel
launched an all-out war against Hamas. It is estimated more than 40,000 have
been killed in the war.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Sen. Moran cautious on whether Israel/Hamas cease fire will be reached

KANSAS CITY — A Former Kansas City Police officer has been charged in a deadly shooting that occurred Wednesday afternoon in the parking lot of a Walmart in Kansas City.

Taquiza Johnson, 47,&nbsp; is charged with second-degree murder and Armed Criminal Action, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

Just after 4p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a shooting in the 8600 block of North Boardwalk Avenue, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

First responders found a man later identified as 71-year-old Ronald Barnett suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.The initial investigation indicates that the shooting followed a verbal dispute in the parking lot of Walmart, according to DiMartino.

Online jail records do not list a bond amount for Johnson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724374780429.png" alt="Johnson-photo Platte Co." />
 <figcaption>Johnson-photo Platte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY — A Former Kansas City Police officer has been charged in a deadly shooting that occurred Wednesday afternoon in the parking lot of a Walmart in Kansas City.Taquiza Johnson, 47,&nbsp; is charged with second-degree murder and Armed Criminal Action, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.Just after 4p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a shooting in the 8600 block of North Boardwalk Avenue, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.First responders found a man later identified as 71-year-old Ronald Barnett suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.The initial investigation indicates that the shooting followed a verbal dispute in the parking lot of Walmart, according to DiMartino.Online jail records do not list a bond amount for Johnson.

Former KCPD officer held in Platte Co. for deadly shopping center shooting

St. Joseph's Noah Cameron has had quite the journey since being drafted by the Royals in 2021.  

An alum of Central High School, Cameron jumped from High A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas last year. 

Cameron finished last year 3-10 with a 6.10 ERA, striking out 74 batters in 17 starts.  After the season, Cameron made some adjustments, including adding a new pitch, the cutter. 

A new pitch and a better feel for better talent led to better results for Cameron who went 4- 4 for Northwest Arkansas in 16 starts.  Then, came the call from Triple A Omaha  

Cameron had a no decision in his first game with Omaha throwing 6.2 innings, striking out 10, giving up one run.  

The first win for Cameron, a left-handed pitcher, evaded him through his first three starts, before finally earning it this past Sunday.  

Cameron says it felt good to get that first win. 

"You know to have that record, just on record and you get six wins in a row and you're like wow that's awesome and you're 6-0 and it looks good and all that stuff for sure," Cameron tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post during a phone interview while the Stormchasers are in a series in Buffalo,. "So, it's definitely nice."

In the win, Cameron pitched six innings and gave up just one hit while striking out seven and walking three.&nbsp; Before giving up a triple to the second batter he faced in the sixth inning, Cameron pitched 5.1 hitless innings.

Cameron says since arriving in Omaha, he's leaned on a number of veterans, who have various years of major league experience such as Alec Marsh, Daniel Lynch, and Dinelson Lamet. 

"They're at the same level as I am right now, so it's interesting to just see how it's like they were in the big leagues for years and years and their experience up there, and then it's like ok now they're kind of on the grind of they're not happy to be here cause they want to be up in the big leagues cause that's where they were," Cameron explains. "So, it's definitely really cool to just talk to them and see how everything works." 

Along with working alongside many veterans in Omaha, he also gets to work with legendary manager Mike Jirschele, who has won over 1,000 games in Omaha, and also has a World Series ring. 

Cameron says working with 'Jirsch', as he's more commonly known, has been amazing 

"You know the first thing he told me when I came in, he was like "Noah, we win here, you ready to do that?" and I was like absolutely let's do it," Cameron says. "So, it was cool to just see that's just the culture he wants to just have in the clubhouse, and obviously that's what we're doing this year, which is awesome, so yeah he's a good dude."

The Stormchasers clinched a playoff spot after a 9-4 win over the Louisville Bats on June 18th, also securing home field advantage in the International League Championship series, it's the teams first playoff trip in 10 years.

In four starts with Omaha, Cameron is 1-0 with a 1.07 ERA and 30 strikeouts. He currently ranks as the Royals #12 prospect

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724357942438.jpeg" alt="Noah Cameron/ Photo courtesy of the Omaha Stormchasers" />
 <figcaption>Noah Cameron/ Photo courtesy of the Omaha Stormchasers</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post St. Joseph's Noah Cameron has had quite the journey since being drafted by the Royals in 2021. An alum of Central High School, Cameron jumped from High A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas last year. Cameron finished last year 3-10 with a 6.10 ERA, striking out 74 batters in 17 starts. After the season, Cameron made some adjustments, including adding a new pitch, the cutter. A new pitch and a better feel for better talent led to better results for Cameron who went 4- 4 for Northwest Arkansas in 16 starts. Then, came the call from Triple A Omaha Cameron had a no decision in his first game with Omaha throwing 6.2 innings, striking out 10, giving up one run. The first win for Cameron, a left-handed pitcher, evaded him through his first three starts, before finally earning it this past Sunday. Cameron says it felt good to get that first win. "You know to have that record, just on record and you get six wins in a row and you're like wow that's awesome and you're 6-0 and it looks good and all that stuff for sure," Cameron tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post during a phone interview while the Stormchasers are in a series in Buffalo,. "So, it's definitely nice."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Noah has been lights out 😤 <a href="https://t.co/TUvOYDlMoK">pic.twitter.com/TUvOYDlMoK</a>&mdash; Omaha Storm Chasers (@OMAStormChasers) <a href="https://twitter.com/OMAStormChasers/status/1825573942993605095?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In the win, Cameron pitched six innings and gave up just one hit while striking out seven and walking three.&nbsp; Before giving up a triple to the second batter he faced in the sixth inning, Cameron pitched 5.1 hitless innings.Cameron says since arriving in Omaha, he's leaned on a number of veterans, who have various years of major league experience such as Alec Marsh, Daniel Lynch, and Dinelson Lamet. "They're at the same level as I am right now, so it's interesting to just see how it's like they were in the big leagues for years and years and their experience up there, and then it's like ok now they're kind of on the grind of they're not happy to be here cause they want to be up in the big leagues cause that's where they were," Cameron explains. "So, it's definitely really cool to just talk to them and see how everything works." Along with working alongside many veterans in Omaha, he also gets to work with legendary manager Mike Jirschele, who has won over 1,000 games in Omaha, and also has a World Series ring. Cameron says working with 'Jirsch', as he's more commonly known, has been amazing "You know the first thing he told me when I came in, he was like "Noah, we win here, you ready to do that?" and I was like absolutely let's do it," Cameron says. "So, it was cool to just see that's just the culture he wants to just have in the clubhouse, and obviously that's what we're doing this year, which is awesome, so yeah he's a good dude."The Stormchasers clinched a playoff spot after a 9-4 win over the Louisville Bats on June 18th, also securing home field advantage in the International League Championship series, it's the teams first playoff trip in 10 years.In four starts with Omaha, Cameron is 1-0 with a 1.07 ERA and 30 strikeouts. He currently ranks as the Royals #12 prospect<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724358099235.jpeg" alt="Noah Cameron leaves the mound after striking out seven over six innings /Courtesy of Omaha Stormchasers" />
 <figcaption>Noah Cameron leaves the mound after striking out seven over six innings /Courtesy of Omaha Stormchasers</figcaption>
 </figure>Journal<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Noah-Cameron-journeys-through-the-Royals-farm-system-e2ngihi" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>Full Interview with Noah Cameron<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Full-Interview-Noah-Camerons-journey-through-the-Royals-farm-system-e2nge10" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

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