St. Joseph Fire Department officials have canceled open burning today (TUE) due to high winds.

St. Joseph Fire Department officials have canceled open burning today (TUE) due to high winds.

Open burning in St. Joseph canceled today

A group is demanding an investigation of facilities accused of abuse, like Agape School in Stockton, Circle of Hope Ranch in Humansville and Kanakuk Kamps in Branson

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">ANNELISE HANSHAW</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

A group including survivors of childhood sexual abuse is hoping Missouri lawmakers will change state law to give victims more time to sue their assailants and that the attorney general will provide more oversight of boarding schools and camps.

Douglas Lay, assistant director of Missouri Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, told reporters Monday afternoon that he was abused at school as a child and didn’t tell his story for 40 years.

“The trauma is sufficient enough to stay silent,” he said alongside survivors and advocates outside the Missouri Supreme Court building.

Monday, he testified in a Missouri Senate committee in favor of extending the statute of limitations to give survivors more time to share. In town for the committee hearing, the group also delivered a letter to Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey demanding he begin investigating camps and boarding schools that have been accused of abuse.

The committee held a hearing Monday on a bill that would place&nbsp; a constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot to make the time limits for filing a civil action the same as it is for criminal prosecutions.

Currently, survivors of childhood sexual abuse can file a civil suit against perpetrators until they reach the age of 31 and against other defendants until the age of 26. There is no statute of limitations for criminal cases of rape.

A&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/14/kanakuk-abuse-survivors-urge-missouri-lawmakers-to-extend-statute-of-limitations/">similar bill last year</a>&nbsp;sought to allow survivors to file a claim until they reach 55 years old.&nbsp;

Versions of the bill have yet to clear a committee in either the House or Senate, and with the legislative session ending May 17, their odds of passing are slim.

Kathryn Robb, executive director of nonprofit child-protection advocacy group CHILD USAdvocacy, said the statute of limitations is “arbitrary.”

“When the perpetrators silence the victims, they should not benefit from the statute of limitations that cuts (lawsuits) off,” she said. “It is just bad policy.”

Richard AuBuchon, executive director of the Missouri Civil Justice Reform, testified to the Senate&nbsp; committee he believes there should be “finality” to cases.

“There should be fair process, like we do in Missouri, where the statute of limitations creates a constitutional right that the case is final,” he said.

Ken Chackes, a St. Louis-based attorney, told reporters he has represented 300 or more survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

“Many survivors told me I was the first person they ever told,” he said.

Some have waited years to share their stories, Chackes said, because they wanted to shield loved ones from pain.

“They don’t want to put their parents through the devastating impact of learning that their child… was abused and suffered this trauma,” he said.

He believes allowing them to bring civil proceedings will allow more people to share their experiences, and in turn, expose abuse.

Lay and other advocates also delivered a letter to Bailey Monday asking for an investigation of facilities like Agape School in Stockton, Circle of Hope Ranch in Humansville and Kanakuk Kamps in Branson.

<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/06/missouri-substantiated-10-claims-of-physical-abuse-at-agape-in-last-four-months/">Agape has been accused of</a>&nbsp;physical and sexual abuse, including restraint and starvation.

The daughter of the owners of Circle of Hope Girls’ Ranch came forward in 2021 with stories of abuse. The facility is now shuttered, and the owners face 100 felony counts under prosecution by the Attorney General’s Office.

Former&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/22/former-camper-suing-missouri-based-kanakuk-kamps-claiming-fraudulent-abuse-settlement/">campers have alleged sexual abuse</a>&nbsp;by a Kanakuk Kamps staffer and concealment of the abuse.

The letter submitted to Bailey reads: “Ample evidence already exists in the public record that these institutions lack oversight and sometimes attract predators who hurt kids.”

Advocates said oversight of facilities with known abuse will lead to widespread change in the child-boarding industry.

“Institutions don’t change unless there’s a threat of liability,” Robb said. “Just look at the history of time. They don’t change unless they can be sued.”

Bailey, in a statement to The Independent, said he will always “fight for Missouri to be the safest state in the nation for children.”

In 2021, former Missouri Attorney General Eric&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/09/24/missouri-ag-wants-off-agape-abuse-case-says-prosecutor-doesnt-intend-to-seek-justice/">Schmitt bemoaned local authorities for holding up the closure of Agape Boarding School</a>&nbsp;after years of abuse allegations.

Agape announced its closure in January of 2023,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/01/11/agape-boarding-school-will-close-its-doors-this-month-after-years-of-abuse-allegation/">blaming financial strains</a>. In late 2022, a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/12/21/judge-grants-injunction-keeping-longtime-agape-director-off-missouri-child-abuse-registry/">Cole County judge ruled</a>&nbsp;that the school’s director was allowed to remain off Missouri’s child-abuse registry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713271102929.png" alt="Advocates for protections for survivors of childhood sexual abuse speak in front of the Missouri Supreme Court building prior to delivering a letter to the Missouri Attorney General (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Advocates for protections for survivors of childhood sexual abuse speak in front of the Missouri Supreme Court building prior to delivering a letter to the Missouri Attorney General (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A group is demanding an investigation of facilities accused of abuse, like Agape School in Stockton, Circle of Hope Ranch in Humansville and Kanakuk Kamps in Branson</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">ANNELISE HANSHAW</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>A group including survivors of childhood sexual abuse is hoping Missouri lawmakers will change state law to give victims more time to sue their assailants and that the attorney general will provide more oversight of boarding schools and camps.Douglas Lay, assistant director of Missouri Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, told reporters Monday afternoon that he was abused at school as a child and didn’t tell his story for 40 years.“The trauma is sufficient enough to stay silent,” he said alongside survivors and advocates outside the Missouri Supreme Court building.Monday, he testified in a Missouri Senate committee in favor of extending the statute of limitations to give survivors more time to share. In town for the committee hearing, the group also delivered a letter to Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey demanding he begin investigating camps and boarding schools that have been accused of abuse.The committee held a hearing Monday on a bill that would place&nbsp; a constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot to make the time limits for filing a civil action the same as it is for criminal prosecutions.Currently, survivors of childhood sexual abuse can file a civil suit against perpetrators until they reach the age of 31 and against other defendants until the age of 26. There is no statute of limitations for criminal cases of rape.A&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/14/kanakuk-abuse-survivors-urge-missouri-lawmakers-to-extend-statute-of-limitations/">similar bill last year</a>&nbsp;sought to allow survivors to file a claim until they reach 55 years old.&nbsp;Versions of the bill have yet to clear a committee in either the House or Senate, and with the legislative session ending May 17, their odds of passing are slim.Kathryn Robb, executive director of nonprofit child-protection advocacy group CHILD USAdvocacy, said the statute of limitations is “arbitrary.”“When the perpetrators silence the victims, they should not benefit from the statute of limitations that cuts (lawsuits) off,” she said. “It is just bad policy.”Richard AuBuchon, executive director of the Missouri Civil Justice Reform, testified to the Senate&nbsp; committee he believes there should be “finality” to cases.“There should be fair process, like we do in Missouri, where the statute of limitations creates a constitutional right that the case is final,” he said.Ken Chackes, a St. Louis-based attorney, told reporters he has represented 300 or more survivors of childhood sexual abuse.“Many survivors told me I was the first person they ever told,” he said.Some have waited years to share their stories, Chackes said, because they wanted to shield loved ones from pain.“They don’t want to put their parents through the devastating impact of learning that their child… was abused and suffered this trauma,” he said.He believes allowing them to bring civil proceedings will allow more people to share their experiences, and in turn, expose abuse.Lay and other advocates also delivered a letter to Bailey Monday asking for an investigation of facilities like Agape School in Stockton, Circle of Hope Ranch in Humansville and Kanakuk Kamps in Branson.<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/06/missouri-substantiated-10-claims-of-physical-abuse-at-agape-in-last-four-months/">Agape has been accused of</a>&nbsp;physical and sexual abuse, including restraint and starvation.The daughter of the owners of Circle of Hope Girls’ Ranch came forward in 2021 with stories of abuse. The facility is now shuttered, and the owners face 100 felony counts under prosecution by the Attorney General’s Office.Former&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/22/former-camper-suing-missouri-based-kanakuk-kamps-claiming-fraudulent-abuse-settlement/">campers have alleged sexual abuse</a>&nbsp;by a Kanakuk Kamps staffer and concealment of the abuse.The letter submitted to Bailey reads: “Ample evidence already exists in the public record that these institutions lack oversight and sometimes attract predators who hurt kids.”Advocates said oversight of facilities with known abuse will lead to widespread change in the child-boarding industry.“Institutions don’t change unless there’s a threat of liability,” Robb said. “Just look at the history of time. They don’t change unless they can be sued.”Bailey, in a statement to The Independent, said he will always “fight for Missouri to be the safest state in the nation for children.”In 2021, former Missouri Attorney General Eric&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/09/24/missouri-ag-wants-off-agape-abuse-case-says-prosecutor-doesnt-intend-to-seek-justice/">Schmitt bemoaned local authorities for holding up the closure of Agape Boarding School</a>&nbsp;after years of abuse allegations.Agape announced its closure in January of 2023,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/01/11/agape-boarding-school-will-close-its-doors-this-month-after-years-of-abuse-allegation/">blaming financial strains</a>. In late 2022, a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/12/21/judge-grants-injunction-keeping-longtime-agape-director-off-missouri-child-abuse-registry/">Cole County judge ruled</a>&nbsp;that the school’s director was allowed to remain off Missouri’s child-abuse registry.

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse ask Mo. AG, lawmakers for change

Two new board members were sworn in during the Saint Joseph Board of Education meeting Monday night.

Mike Moore and Ronda Chesney won their seats on the board during the April 2 election. Board members also voted Moore as the new Vice President of the school board while re-electing LaTonya Williams as President.

Teacher pay is a top priority for the board. Moore says he supports a levy in order to increase teacher pay, and "get the district more competitive so we can retain and attract the best teachers."

Moving forward, Moore sees district finances as an issue. Moore says, "We have a little bit of deficit spending already. We have the reserves to do it, but long term that's not sustainable. Overall, district financial planning is a big part of where we have to go." Moore said it is an honor to serve on the school board and looks forward to the work ahead.

Ronda Chesney said she believes a top concern for the board is academic issues within the district and accreditation. "We need to look at ways we can support the students and the teachers to achieve that district accreditation."

LaTonya Williams won reelection earlier this month and the board voted her to a second term as Board President.

Williams echoed Moore's sentiment concerning teacher pay, "My number one goal is to increase teacher pay. I always keep my word and that is my number one goal."

Williams encouraged teamwork and compromise among board members. "Let's think about the jobs we were all elected to do. Above all of our personal agendas or feelings about each other."

The next Board of Education meeting will be held April 29, at 5:30 p.m.

St. Joseph PostTwo new board members were sworn in during the Saint Joseph Board of Education meeting Monday night.Mike Moore and Ronda Chesney won their seats on the board during the April 2 election. Board members also voted Moore as the new Vice President of the school board while re-electing LaTonya Williams as President.Teacher pay is a top priority for the board. Moore says he supports a levy in order to increase teacher pay, and "get the district more competitive so we can retain and attract the best teachers."Moving forward, Moore sees district finances as an issue. Moore says, "We have a little bit of deficit spending already. We have the reserves to do it, but long term that's not sustainable. Overall, district financial planning is a big part of where we have to go." Moore said it is an honor to serve on the school board and looks forward to the work ahead.Ronda Chesney said she believes a top concern for the board is academic issues within the district and accreditation. "We need to look at ways we can support the students and the teachers to achieve that district accreditation."LaTonya Williams won reelection earlier this month and the board voted her to a second term as Board President.Williams echoed Moore's sentiment concerning teacher pay, "My number one goal is to increase teacher pay. I always keep my word and that is my number one goal."Williams encouraged teamwork and compromise among board members. "Let's think about the jobs we were all elected to do. Above all of our personal agendas or feelings about each other."The next Board of Education meeting will be held April 29, at 5:30 p.m.

New members installed on St. Joseph Board of Education

ATCHISON COUNTY —A Kansas felon is back in jail on new allegations after a weekend arrest.

On April 14, police arrested 52-year-old Jason E. Alexander of Atchison on requested charges for aggravated domestic battery and domestic battery in the 1900 block Harper Drive, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. He was also arrested on a District Court warrants for failure to appear in court.

In July of 2022, Alexander was arrested for alleged domestic battery, burglary, theft and criminal damage to property in Atchison, according to online jail records. He has previous convictions for theft, aggravated and multiple DUIs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713193422354.png" alt="Alexander-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Alexander-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —A Kansas felon is back in jail on new allegations after a weekend arrest.On April 14, police arrested 52-year-old Jason E. Alexander of Atchison on requested charges for aggravated domestic battery and domestic battery in the 1900 block Harper Drive, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. He was also arrested on a District Court warrants for failure to appear in court.In July of 2022, Alexander was arrested for alleged domestic battery, burglary, theft and criminal damage to property in Atchison, according to online jail records. He has previous convictions for theft, aggravated and multiple DUIs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas felon accused of new crimes after arrest

Metronet has officially declared St. Joseph as a Certified Gigabit City. 

Craig Zimmerman, Metronet Government Affairs Manager, says to be eligible to be classified as a gigabit city at least half the residents and businesses have to have access to a fiber network.  

"Which we have surpassed at this point," Zimmerman tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "We've got still some work left to do to continue our build throughout the city, but over half of the residents and businesses now have access to our fiber network." 

St. Joseph Mayor John Josendale says the honor of being named a gigabit city is exciting when you think about how just two years ago, no fiber internet was available in the city.  

"I guess it really came to light during the pandemic and being able to see that speed matters when it comes to the internet," Josendale says. "So, whether its business or personal, I mean it's really important and it's exciting for us, because as people see it then it becomes more of a real event for them." 

Metronet began the $30 million project in 2022 and to date has installed more than 240 miles of fiber-optic internet throughout the city. 

Zimmerman also recalls when the project began, they were the only ones working to bring fiber internet to the city. 

"Shortly thereafter a competitor has joined us, which is great for this city right?" Zimmerman explains. "I mean there's going to be so much choice, they can decide speeds, pricing, who serves them the best, and we're hopeful that Metronet is the provider of choice in that journey."

That competitor, United Fiber of Savannah, has been serving the business community in St. Joseph since 2015 and expanded greatly a couple of years ago to serve St. Joseph area residents.

Construction on Metronet fiber cables is estimated to be completed by summer next year.

This article has been updated since first published.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713211351844.jpeg" alt="Metronet Government Affairs Manager Craig Zimmerman (at podium) declares St. Joseph as a Certified Gigabit City Powered by Metronet during a news conference as Second Harvest Executive Director Chad Higdon (left), Mayor John Josendale, Chamber of Commerce President Natalie Hawn, and Metronet Executive Vice President of Construction Kyle Hamilton (all on right) watch on/ Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Metronet Government Affairs Manager Craig Zimmerman (at podium) declares St. Joseph as a Certified Gigabit City Powered by Metronet during a news conference as Second Harvest Executive Director Chad Higdon (left), Mayor John Josendale, Chamber of Commerce President Natalie Hawn, and Metronet Executive Vice President of Construction Kyle Hamilton (all on right) watch on/ Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Metronet has officially declared St. Joseph as a Certified Gigabit City. Craig Zimmerman, Metronet Government Affairs Manager, says to be eligible to be classified as a gigabit city at least half the residents and businesses have to have access to a fiber network. "Which we have surpassed at this point," Zimmerman tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "We've got still some work left to do to continue our build throughout the city, but over half of the residents and businesses now have access to our fiber network." St. Joseph Mayor John Josendale says the honor of being named a gigabit city is exciting when you think about how just two years ago, no fiber internet was available in the city. "I guess it really came to light during the pandemic and being able to see that speed matters when it comes to the internet," Josendale says. "So, whether its business or personal, I mean it's really important and it's exciting for us, because as people see it then it becomes more of a real event for them." Metronet began the $30 million project in 2022 and to date has installed more than 240 miles of fiber-optic internet throughout the city. Zimmerman also recalls when the project began, they were the only ones working to bring fiber internet to the city. "Shortly thereafter a competitor has joined us, which is great for this city right?" Zimmerman explains. "I mean there's going to be so much choice, they can decide speeds, pricing, who serves them the best, and we're hopeful that Metronet is the provider of choice in that journey."That competitor, United Fiber of Savannah, has been serving the business community in St. Joseph since 2015 and expanded greatly a couple of years ago to serve St. Joseph area residents.Construction on Metronet fiber cables is estimated to be completed by summer next year.This article has been updated since first published.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph declared a Certified Gigabit City by Metronet

Missouri Western State University has hired Ashton Feldhaus as the next head women's basketball coach, becoming the 10th head coach in the history of the program.

Seen as a rising star in the coaching ranks, Feldhaus comes from Eckerd College - a Division II school in St. Petersburg, Florida. She joined the staff as an assistant in July 2019 and was elevated to associate head coach in 2022.

She spent five seasons with the Tritons, helping them to an NCAA tournament bid and a 20-plus win season in each of those five years. The Tritons have posted a 91-28 overall record during her five-year tenure.

"I am beyond excited to join Griffon Nation as the next head women's basketball coach," Feldhaus said in a statement. "I am thankful to Andy (Carter), (President) Elizabeth Kennedy and the MWSU athletics staff for this opportunity to build on the great tradition at Missouri Western."

"As soon as I stepped on campus, it was clear that the support from the administration and the community is paramount to the success of Griffon Athletics. I am ready to get to St. Joseph and get to work!"

Feldhaus, just this year, was named to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Annual Thirty Under 30 Class. She served as the team's academic advisor, as the Tritons ranked third nationally on the WBCA Academic Top 25 Honor Roll with a 3.78 GPA in the 2019-20 season.

"We are so excited to welcome Ashton to the Griffon family," Missouri Western athletic director Andy Carter said in a statement.

"The national search process brought forth an incredibly talented candidate pool. With the current wave of momentum in our women's basketball program, we were meticulous in our search for talent, fit and a proven winner. Ashton checks all the boxes. She is a rising star in the profession. Her maturity, knowledge, preparation and energy is contagious. She is a natural leader who understands the expectations."

In her first year on the Triton sidelines, Feldhaus helped lead the team to the Sunshine State Tournament Championship and Eckerd's fourth ever NCAA Tournament appearance.

In the 2021-22 season, she helped lead the program to another record setting season, including their fifth consecutive trip to the&nbsp;NCAA Tournament.

In the 2022-23 season, she helped guide the program to new heights, including their sixth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament and the program's first Sweet 16 appearance. Eckerd ended the season at No. 9 in the WBCA Poll.

A native of Richmond, Kentucky, Feldhaus boasts a strong playing resume at the NCAA Division I level, making stops at both Butler University and the University of Tennessee-Martin.

Her first season with the Skyhawks saw Feldhaus earn Second Team All-OVC honors and OVC All-Newcomer honors and was a six-time conference newcomer of the week while averaging 11.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.

As a senior, she earned a repeat selection to the All-OVC second team despite being slowed by injury.

Feldhaus received a Bachelors Degree in Communications and a Masters Degree in Family and Consumer Science from UT-Martin.

She succeeds Candi Whitaker, <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/2d7a1e70-209e-4807-aa1c-23ab926ff51b">who left Missouri Western to take the Division I coaching job</a> at North Alabama on March 25.

A formal press conference and public reception to officially introduce Coach Feldhaus will take place next week with dates and times to be announced soon, per Missouri Western athletics.

Griffon women's basketball has enjoyed great success the last few years, winning a Central Region title in 2022 and then an MIAA regular season title this past season.

You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713206463171.jpeg" alt="Ashton Feldhaus (back row, top right) is the next head coach of Missouri Western State University. Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Ashton Feldhaus (back row, top right) is the next head coach of Missouri Western State University. Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostMissouri Western State University has hired Ashton Feldhaus as the next head women's basketball coach, becoming the 10th head coach in the history of the program.Seen as a rising star in the coaching ranks, Feldhaus comes from Eckerd College - a Division II school in St. Petersburg, Florida. She joined the staff as an assistant in July 2019 and was elevated to associate head coach in 2022.She spent five seasons with the Tritons, helping them to an NCAA tournament bid and a 20-plus win season in each of those five years. The Tritons have posted a 91-28 overall record during her five-year tenure."I am beyond excited to join Griffon Nation as the next head women's basketball coach," Feldhaus said in a statement. "I am thankful to Andy (Carter), (President) Elizabeth Kennedy and the MWSU athletics staff for this opportunity to build on the great tradition at Missouri Western.""As soon as I stepped on campus, it was clear that the support from the administration and the community is paramount to the success of Griffon Athletics. I am ready to get to St. Joseph and get to work!"Feldhaus, just this year, was named to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Annual Thirty Under 30 Class. She served as the team's academic advisor, as the Tritons ranked third nationally on the WBCA Academic Top 25 Honor Roll with a 3.78 GPA in the 2019-20 season."We are so excited to welcome Ashton to the Griffon family," Missouri Western athletic director Andy Carter said in a statement."The national search process brought forth an incredibly talented candidate pool. With the current wave of momentum in our women's basketball program, we were meticulous in our search for talent, fit and a proven winner. Ashton checks all the boxes. She is a rising star in the profession. Her maturity, knowledge, preparation and energy is contagious. She is a natural leader who understands the expectations."In her first year on the Triton sidelines, Feldhaus helped lead the team to the Sunshine State Tournament Championship and Eckerd's fourth ever NCAA Tournament appearance.In the 2021-22 season, she helped lead the program to another record setting season, including their fifth consecutive trip to the&nbsp;NCAA Tournament.In the 2022-23 season, she helped guide the program to new heights, including their sixth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament and the program's first Sweet 16 appearance. Eckerd ended the season at No. 9 in the WBCA Poll.A native of Richmond, Kentucky, Feldhaus boasts a strong playing resume at the NCAA Division I level, making stops at both Butler University and the University of Tennessee-Martin.Her first season with the Skyhawks saw Feldhaus earn Second Team All-OVC honors and OVC All-Newcomer honors and was a six-time conference newcomer of the week while averaging 11.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.As a senior, she earned a repeat selection to the All-OVC second team despite being slowed by injury.Feldhaus received a Bachelors Degree in Communications and a Masters Degree in Family and Consumer Science from UT-Martin.She succeeds Candi Whitaker, <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/2d7a1e70-209e-4807-aa1c-23ab926ff51b">who left Missouri Western to take the Division I coaching job</a> at North Alabama on March 25.A formal press conference and public reception to officially introduce Coach Feldhaus will take place next week with dates and times to be announced soon, per Missouri Western athletics.Griffon women's basketball has enjoyed great success the last few years, winning a Central Region title in 2022 and then an MIAA regular season title this past season.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713207325987.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo." />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

MWSU taps Ashton Feldhaus as next women's basketball coach

A local branch of the popular Kona Ice franchise is giving residents a sweet treat to relieve the stress of Tax Day.   

For eight years, 'Chill Out' Day hosted by the Kona Ice franchise, has given out complimentary shaved ice, to help get past the stress of tax deadline day 

Owner Kristi Porter says the idea for 'Chill Out' Day came from Kona Ice founder Tony Lamb, who wanted to find a way to give back to the communities they serve on an already stressful day 

"And we're like well gosh this is a small gesture that we can do that we feel like would have a big impact on communities just to kind of connect us to all as a community to be like hey we're going through it to and let's celebrate, let's do something fun for you guys as a community, and let's give back with Kona Ice," Porter tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  

Porter says the event is very popular and brings out people from all sorts of different places.  

"It's always fun because it's that commonality, that common thread that we have, you know did you get your taxes done? Got 'em done. Okay here we go let's celebrate, you know. Cheers! I always like to do cheers with my people when I serve them just to have fun with them with a Kona Ice," Porter says.  

"It's a really great way for us just to meet people and let them know that we're all in this together." 

Porter owns five different Kona Ice operations in St. Joseph and Bonnor Springs, Kansas.  

Porter says 'Chill Out' day is part of the businesses give back program, in which it finds ways to give back some proceeds to the people they serve 

"We give them back to like the local schools and organizations, so it's really important to us to build our partnerships up, especially with schools, we do a lot with schools and a lot with giving back on the school level," Porter explains. "But it's not just at schools, I mean we'll do it with corporations, we have give back programs with our youth sports, different leagues." 

The Kona Ice truck will be in St. Joseph at the East Hills Mall beginning at 1pm.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713194311082.jpeg" alt="Kona Ice will be giving away complimentary Kona Ice's today starting at 1pm at the East Hills Mall/ Photo courtesy of Kona Ice" />
 <figcaption>Kona Ice will be giving away complimentary Kona Ice's today starting at 1pm at the East Hills Mall/ Photo courtesy of Kona Ice</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A local branch of the popular Kona Ice franchise is giving residents a sweet treat to relieve the stress of Tax Day. For eight years, 'Chill Out' Day hosted by the Kona Ice franchise, has given out complimentary shaved ice, to help get past the stress of tax deadline day Owner Kristi Porter says the idea for 'Chill Out' Day came from Kona Ice founder Tony Lamb, who wanted to find a way to give back to the communities they serve on an already stressful day "And we're like well gosh this is a small gesture that we can do that we feel like would have a big impact on communities just to kind of connect us to all as a community to be like hey we're going through it to and let's celebrate, let's do something fun for you guys as a community, and let's give back with Kona Ice," Porter tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. Porter says the event is very popular and brings out people from all sorts of different places. "It's always fun because it's that commonality, that common thread that we have, you know did you get your taxes done? Got 'em done. Okay here we go let's celebrate, you know. Cheers! I always like to do cheers with my people when I serve them just to have fun with them with a Kona Ice," Porter says. "It's a really great way for us just to meet people and let them know that we're all in this together." Porter owns five different Kona Ice operations in St. Joseph and Bonnor Springs, Kansas. Porter says 'Chill Out' day is part of the businesses give back program, in which it finds ways to give back some proceeds to the people they serve "We give them back to like the local schools and organizations, so it's really important to us to build our partnerships up, especially with schools, we do a lot with schools and a lot with giving back on the school level," Porter explains. "But it's not just at schools, I mean we'll do it with corporations, we have give back programs with our youth sports, different leagues." The Kona Ice truck will be in St. Joseph at the East Hills Mall beginning at 1pm.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Kona Ice turns Tax Day into Chill Out Day

Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett says laws must
be changed to reduce repeat offenders.

Puett illustrates his point by recalling a recent
arrest by his deputies.

“We had deputies in south county, caught a guy in
the act of a burglary who was in a stolen car and had 19, 19, outstanding
felony warrants for robbery, burglary, and all kinds of stuff, because he’d
been getting arrested and then, he’d turn around and get released and go out
and commit more crimes,” Puett tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.

Puett says the 19 outstanding felony warrants
were from other jurisdictions, not Buchanan County. Puett says that large number
of outstanding warrants illustrates that far too often criminals don’t have to
pay the consequences of their crimes.

“If they’re selling drugs or doing violence,
whatever, they’re making a choice,” Puett says. “They want to be involved in
that activity and they’re purposely doing that activity. So, if they’re doing
that and they’re victimizing our citizens, then, they should be held
accountable. They should be held to task.”

Another problem, according to Puett, is a rise in
mental illness. Puett says treating the mentally ill needs to become more of a
priority for law enforcement. Puett says it is a problem affecting all of
Missouri.

“Typically, any one day, there are 280, plus
people incarcerated in the state of Missouri, in county jails, that should be
in the custody of the Department of Mental Health, but they’re waiting on what
they call a bed date,” Puett says.

A bed date is established by the Department of
Mental Health, but the department has had difficulty establishing bed dates,
due to a shortage both of beds and the staff to take care of more mentally ill
patients.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713192616998.jpeg" alt="Law Enforcement Center/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Law Enforcement Center/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostBuchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett says laws must
be changed to reduce repeat offenders.Puett illustrates his point by recalling a recent
arrest by his deputies.“We had deputies in south county, caught a guy in
the act of a burglary who was in a stolen car and had 19, 19, outstanding
felony warrants for robbery, burglary, and all kinds of stuff, because he’d
been getting arrested and then, he’d turn around and get released and go out
and commit more crimes,” Puett tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.Puett says the 19 outstanding felony warrants
were from other jurisdictions, not Buchanan County. Puett says that large number
of outstanding warrants illustrates that far too often criminals don’t have to
pay the consequences of their crimes.“If they’re selling drugs or doing violence,
whatever, they’re making a choice,” Puett says. “They want to be involved in
that activity and they’re purposely doing that activity. So, if they’re doing
that and they’re victimizing our citizens, then, they should be held
accountable. They should be held to task.”Another problem, according to Puett, is a rise in
mental illness. Puett says treating the mentally ill needs to become more of a
priority for law enforcement. Puett says it is a problem affecting all of
Missouri.“Typically, any one day, there are 280, plus
people incarcerated in the state of Missouri, in county jails, that should be
in the custody of the Department of Mental Health, but they’re waiting on what
they call a bed date,” Puett says.A bed date is established by the Department of
Mental Health, but the department has had difficulty establishing bed dates,
due to a shortage both of beds and the staff to take care of more mentally ill
patients.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Sherrif-Bill-Puett-on-Crime-e2ie5f4" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Buchanan CO Sheriff Puett says change needed to reduce repeat offenders

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on new allegations after a weekend arrest.

On Sunday, police arrested 41-year-old Michael T. Leach of Atchison,&nbsp; on requested charges of domestic battery and criminal threat in the 900 block North 11th Street, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Leach has been in custody in Atchison almost two dozen times since 2000, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713192797594.png" alt="Leach-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Leach-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on new allegations after a weekend arrest.On Sunday, police arrested 41-year-old Michael T. Leach of Atchison,&nbsp; on requested charges of domestic battery and criminal threat in the 900 block North 11th Street, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.Leach has been in custody in Atchison almost two dozen times since 2000, according to online jail records.

Kan. man accused of domestic battery, criminal threat

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Sunday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Freightliner Semi driven by Anthony Hill, 29, El Paso, Texas, was westbound on U.S. 36 two miles west of Stewartsville. The semi traveled off the south side of the road and struck a guardrail.

DeKalb-Clinton EMS transported Hill to Mosaic. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Sunday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Freightliner Semi driven by Anthony Hill, 29, El Paso, Texas, was westbound on U.S. 36 two miles west of Stewartsville. The semi traveled off the south side of the road and struck a guardrail.DeKalb-Clinton EMS transported Hill to Mosaic. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Driver hospitalized after semi strikes guardrail

HARRISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 2p.m. Sunday in Harrison County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1997 GMC Sierra driven by Lloyd D. Johnson, 73, Gillman City, was eastbound and stopped at the stop sign on Route MM at Route C ten miles north of Gillman City.

As the pickup turned. north onto Route C, it struck a southbound 2012 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Susan B. Habben 56, Bethany.

NTA ambulance transported Habben to Harrison County Community Hospital. Life Flight Eagle then airlifted her to University Health. Johnson was not injured.&nbsp; Habben was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

HARRISON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 2p.m. Sunday in Harrison County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1997 GMC Sierra driven by Lloyd D. Johnson, 73, Gillman City, was eastbound and stopped at the stop sign on Route MM at Route C ten miles north of Gillman City.As the pickup turned. north onto Route C, it struck a southbound 2012 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Susan B. Habben 56, Bethany.NTA ambulance transported Habben to Harrison County Community Hospital. Life Flight Eagle then airlifted her to University Health. Johnson was not injured.&nbsp; Habben was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Mo. woman airlifted to hospital after pickup strikes motorcycle

GENTRY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8p.m. Saturday in Gentry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Harley Davidson driven by David A. Bartholomew, 54, Des Moines, Iowa, was northbound on U.S. 169. four miles south of Stanberry. The motorcycle crossed the center line, began to skid and overturned.

Grand River EMS transported Bartholomew to Mosaic in St. Joseph. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

GENTRY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8p.m. Saturday in Gentry County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Harley Davidson driven by David A. Bartholomew, 54, Des Moines, Iowa, was northbound on U.S. 169. four miles south of Stanberry. The motorcycle crossed the center line, began to skid and overturned.Grand River EMS transported Bartholomew to Mosaic in St. Joseph. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Man hospitalized in St. Joe after motorcycle accident

Monday is the deadline to file your tax returns or request an extension on your taxes.  

IRS Spokesman Cesar Yabor says if needed, an extension is vitally important, because the IRS charges a higher penalty for late tax filing versus tax paying 

"So, it's very important that taxpayers file their extensions by right before midnight on April 15th, in order to avoid those penalties all together," Yabor tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "They compound, it's a bit of a complex formula on how the penalties themselves are calculated, but a critical element in that is they compound month to month to month." 

Yabor says if you are granted an extension, you will then have until October 15th to file all your paperwork. 

"That is the tax filing itself, that gives you time to get your documents if you hadn't already gotten them together by that point, but October 15th is the deadline to file your paperwork if you do get the extension, which in most cases you would," Yabor explains. 

Yabor says as for tax payments what you'll pay on Monday is an estimated tax amount that you believe you owe, which is very important because the IRS does charge for late payments. 

Yabor says despite the tax season starting 10 days later than normal, it's gone pretty well.  

"At this point in tax season consumers are actually seeing the average tax return is amounting to about $3,050 versus I believe about $2,900 last year, so they're getting about $150 on the average more this year versus last year, so that's a great thing for the taxpayers," Yabor says. 

The deadline to file your taxes or request an extension is midnight on Monday 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Monday is the deadline to file your tax returns or request an extension on your taxes. IRS Spokesman Cesar Yabor says if needed, an extension is vitally important, because the IRS charges a higher penalty for late tax filing versus tax paying "So, it's very important that taxpayers file their extensions by right before midnight on April 15th, in order to avoid those penalties all together," Yabor tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "They compound, it's a bit of a complex formula on how the penalties themselves are calculated, but a critical element in that is they compound month to month to month." Yabor says if you are granted an extension, you will then have until October 15th to file all your paperwork. "That is the tax filing itself, that gives you time to get your documents if you hadn't already gotten them together by that point, but October 15th is the deadline to file your paperwork if you do get the extension, which in most cases you would," Yabor explains. Yabor says as for tax payments what you'll pay on Monday is an estimated tax amount that you believe you owe, which is very important because the IRS does charge for late payments. Yabor says despite the tax season starting 10 days later than normal, it's gone pretty well. "At this point in tax season consumers are actually seeing the average tax return is amounting to about $3,050 versus I believe about $2,900 last year, so they're getting about $150 on the average more this year versus last year, so that's a great thing for the taxpayers," Yabor says. The deadline to file your taxes or request an extension is midnight on Monday

Tax deadline day approaches even if you need an extension 

Two
houses, one vacant, received minor damage during the grass fire at Sugar Lake
that spread quickly due to high winds on Thursday afternoon.

The Southwest
Buchanan County Fire Department with help from neighboring fire departments fought
the fire from early in the afternoon into the early evening before containing
it. The department returned to the fire twice overnight to deal with flare-ups
and hot spots.

As the
fire spread, officials first warned drivers to stay away from Route 45 Highway
and Route 59 before closing portions of the highways for a while. High winds spread
the fire from southern Buchanan County into northern Platte County.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712948840995.jpeg" alt="Firefighters tamp down Sugar Lake fire/Photo courtesy of Missouri State Highway Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Firefighters tamp down Sugar Lake fire/Photo courtesy of Missouri State Highway Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostTwo
houses, one vacant, received minor damage during the grass fire at Sugar Lake
that spread quickly due to high winds on Thursday afternoon.No one
was harmed in the fire.The Southwest
Buchanan County Fire Department with help from neighboring fire departments fought
the fire from early in the afternoon into the early evening before containing
it. The department returned to the fire twice overnight to deal with flare-ups
and hot spots.As the
fire spread, officials first warned drivers to stay away from Route 45 Highway
and Route 59 before closing portions of the highways for a while. High winds spread
the fire from southern Buchanan County into northern Platte County.The
cause is under investigation.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Firefighters return overnight to keep Sugar Lake fire from reigniting

Before you dig on that next project, make sure you call Missouri 811.  

The hotline, established in 1986, locates utility lines so you don't cut into any cables or pipes.  

Executive Director Randy Norden says the hotline has been very effective 

"In 2023 we received nearly 1.2 million excavation requests," Norden tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And so, in the form of notifications as a rule of thumb it's about 5-1, so for every request we get that's about five utilities that we're notifying." 

April is Safe Dig Month, and the Missouri 811 hotline is using that platform to remind everyone that it's the law to contact the hotline before you dig.  

Norden says if you hit a line, you can be held liable. 

"Now for something like an old copper wire phone line, it's fairly inexpensive, but if you happen to break into fiber that can get into thousands of dollars to repair," Norden explains. "Then there's the element of striking a gas line, or an electric line, which can really ruin someone's day, so we really don't want anybody striking those." 

"Where an excavator did damage to a gas line, which blew up a house," Norden says. 

Fortunately, Norden says, no one was inside the home.  Norden also recalls smaller instances, such as recently in Springfield 

"Where a gas line was struck, and although nobody was hurt, a backhoe was burned," Norden says. 

Norden reminds everyone it's the law to contact Missouri 811 before you dig either by phone or online.

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Before you dig on that next project, make sure you call Missouri 811. The hotline, established in 1986, locates utility lines so you don't cut into any cables or pipes. Executive Director Randy Norden says the hotline has been very effective "In 2023 we received nearly 1.2 million excavation requests," Norden tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And so, in the form of notifications as a rule of thumb it's about 5-1, so for every request we get that's about five utilities that we're notifying." April is Safe Dig Month, and the Missouri 811 hotline is using that platform to remind everyone that it's the law to contact the hotline before you dig. Norden says if you hit a line, you can be held liable. "Now for something like an old copper wire phone line, it's fairly inexpensive, but if you happen to break into fiber that can get into thousands of dollars to repair," Norden explains. "Then there's the element of striking a gas line, or an electric line, which can really ruin someone's day, so we really don't want anybody striking those." Norden recalls an instance in O'Fallon. "Where an excavator did damage to a gas line, which blew up a house," Norden says. Fortunately, Norden says, no one was inside the home. Norden also recalls smaller instances, such as recently in Springfield "Where a gas line was struck, and although nobody was hurt, a backhoe was burned," Norden says. Norden reminds everyone it's the law to contact Missouri 811 before you dig either by phone or online.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Call-Missouri-811-before-you-dig-e2iapoj" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Don't dig until you know - call Missouri 811

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/quinncoffman/">QUINN COFFMAN</a>

The Missouri Senate Judiciary Committee briefly debated a House crime bill this week that mirrors legislation vetoed by Gov. Mike Parson last year.

The sponsor of the bill, Republican state Rep. Lane Roberts of Joplin, said he crafted the bill to update Missouri criminal law in multiple ways while avoiding the veto that befell last session’s version.

One new provision added to the bill&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills241/hlrbillspdf/3849H.02P.pdf">would keep 12- and 13-year-old felony offenders</a>&nbsp;from being tried as adults.

Currently, offenders between the ages of 12 and 18 can be certified to stand trial as adults if they are charged with a “dangerous felony,” defined as murder, serious injury, or an attempt at either.

This bill would raise the minimum age to 14 for a child to be charged as an adult.

Marcia Hazelhorst, executive director of the Missouri Juvenile Justice Association, testified in favor of raising the minimum age.

“Certifying a young person as an adult is a pretty serious event,” Hazelhorst said. “One that you only do as the last resort when the court has determined there are no existing resources within the juvenile court system to support trying to rehabilitate a young person.”

Legislative leaders hope to pass an omnibus crime bill that would address a variety of issues without drawing Parson’s veto.

While the governor was largely in favor of last year’s omnibus crime bill, his office took umbrage with a provision that would require the state to pay out restitution to offenders who were exonerated with DNA evidence after their initial trial.

The governor’s office highlighted that such trials take place on the local level, with a locally elected prosecutor and locally selected jury, so the burden of paying restitution to exonerated offenders should come from local budgets — not the state’s.

Finally, there was concern that it would be possible for some sex offenders, including those who committed sexual exploitation of a minor, to have their records expunged.

The bill doesn’t include any of the same provisions that caused the governor heartburn.

However, a Senate version of the crime bill with a similar focus includes a criminal exoneration provision&nbsp; that would disallow expungement for sex offenders convicted of promoting sexual performance of a child.

“There’s still plenty of time left in the session. If (the legislation) could get out of the Senate in its current position, then it has a real shot,” Roberts said. “I think the governor will look at this bill, and the provisions that are in the bill are such that he would sign it.”

Other provisions in the crime bill include:

This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/senate-committee-hears-omnibus-crime-bill/article_9afcc226-f5df-11ee-b82e-87885819ea37.html#tncms-source=Top%20Story">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712918938798.png" alt=" State Rep. Lane Roberts, R-Joplin, speaks on the House floor during the 2022 session (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption> State Rep. Lane Roberts, R-Joplin, speaks on the House floor during the 2022 session (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/quinncoffman/">QUINN COFFMAN</a>The Missouri Senate Judiciary Committee briefly debated a House crime bill this week that mirrors legislation vetoed by Gov. Mike Parson last year.The sponsor of the bill, Republican state Rep. Lane Roberts of Joplin, said he crafted the bill to update Missouri criminal law in multiple ways while avoiding the veto that befell last session’s version.One new provision added to the bill&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills241/hlrbillspdf/3849H.02P.pdf">would keep 12- and 13-year-old felony offenders</a>&nbsp;from being tried as adults.Currently, offenders between the ages of 12 and 18 can be certified to stand trial as adults if they are charged with a “dangerous felony,” defined as murder, serious injury, or an attempt at either.This bill would raise the minimum age to 14 for a child to be charged as an adult.Marcia Hazelhorst, executive director of the Missouri Juvenile Justice Association, testified in favor of raising the minimum age.“Certifying a young person as an adult is a pretty serious event,” Hazelhorst said. “One that you only do as the last resort when the court has determined there are no existing resources within the juvenile court system to support trying to rehabilitate a young person.”Legislative leaders hope to pass an omnibus crime bill that would address a variety of issues without drawing Parson’s veto.While the governor was largely in favor of last year’s omnibus crime bill, his office took umbrage with a provision that would require the state to pay out restitution to offenders who were exonerated with DNA evidence after their initial trial.The governor’s office highlighted that such trials take place on the local level, with a locally elected prosecutor and locally selected jury, so the burden of paying restitution to exonerated offenders should come from local budgets — not the state’s.Finally, there was concern that it would be possible for some sex offenders, including those who committed sexual exploitation of a minor, to have their records expunged.The bill doesn’t include any of the same provisions that caused the governor heartburn.However, a Senate version of the crime bill with a similar focus includes a criminal exoneration provision&nbsp; that would disallow expungement for sex offenders convicted of promoting sexual performance of a child.“There’s still plenty of time left in the session. If (the legislation) could get out of the Senate in its current position, then it has a real shot,” Roberts said. “I think the governor will look at this bill, and the provisions that are in the bill are such that he would sign it.”Other provisions in the crime bill include:<ul>
 <li>“Blair’s Law,” which would create harsher punishments for those who endanger others with celebratory gunfire.</li><li>“Max’s Law,” which would create harsher punishments for offenders who injure or kill law enforcement animals.</li><li>Creation of a “Stop Cyberstalking and Harassment Task Force,” responsible for making recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on how to prevent specific cyber crimes.</li><li>A provision that would allow a municipality to create a division of civilian oversight within its police department.</li>
 </ul>This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/senate-committee-hears-omnibus-crime-bill/article_9afcc226-f5df-11ee-b82e-87885819ea37.html#tncms-source=Top%20Story">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

Missouri Senate committee debates wide-ranging crime legislation

Federal hearing delves into allegations of loan mismanagement and servicer’s role in a U.S. Supreme Court case

A U.S. Senate committee on Wednesday dug into complaints against a Missouri-based student-loan servicer, though the organization’s executive director refused to attend.&nbsp;

Wednesday’s meeting of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs focused on the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, or MOHELA, and other loan servicers that have received widespread criticism in recent years.&nbsp;

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, is the committee’s chair and has made student loan cancellation a key part of her political platform.

The hearing follows an explosive&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.mohelapapers.org/">investigative report</a>&nbsp;by the Student Borrower Protection Center (SBPC) and the American Federation of Teachers alleging four in 10 people with a loan serviced by MOHELA have been impacted by servicing failures.

MOHELA, in a cease-and-desist letter dated March 25 to the SBPC, said the report contained “false, misleading and sensationalized claims.”

Yet committee members often looked to the SBPC’s deputy executive director and managing counsel, Persis Yu, to describe MOHELA’s conduct during Wednesday’s hearing.

Yu repeated elements of the SBPC’s report, saying Wednesday that, “MOHELA chose a complex call-deflection scheme, a Byzantine loop of misinformation and false promises.”

MOHELA’s “call deflection” was outlined in a playbook for the return-to-repayment period in the fall, but the servicer said it was given directions to use call deflection from the federal government. In fact, the FSA’s communications playbook sent to servicers in July 2023 mentions call deflection 13 times.

Some witnesses on Wednesday called for statutory fixes, saying that complaints against MOHELA stem from problems at a federal level.

There are&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/29/mohela-faces-accusations-it-mismanaged-federal-student-loan-forgiveness-program/">two class-action lawsuits alleging MOHELA mismanaged loans</a>. One additionally names the federal government as a plaintiff.

“Recent accusations suggesting servicers are responsible for a large backlog of public service loan forgiveness applications and that the backlog is intentional are also false,” Scott Buchanan, executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance, told the committee. “Today, FSA makes all decisions about whether to approve or deny forgiveness. So the vast majority of the backlog resides at a resource-constrained FSA.”

The latest&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://studentaid.gov/data-center/student/loan-forgiveness/pslf-data">Public Service Loan Forgiveness report</a>, dated June 2023, shows a backlog of almost 890,000 applications. This report does not say where the applications are in the approval process and whether they are waiting on federal approval or action from MOHELA.

MOHELA said in its March 25 letter to the SBPC that it has fewer than 15,000 new forms to process.

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, said he felt like Buchanan was making excuses for MOHELA.

“​When I hear (issues) with this frequency and depth and stories, then you know something is wrong,” he said. “I support additional funding for the Office of Student Aid, but I don’t believe MOHELA was living up to its customer service commitments under its existing contract.”

Menendez mentioned legislation, like one that sought to eliminate student-loan relief as taxable income. The concept and perceived perks of loan forgiveness was part of the discussion.

Mayor of Kansas City Quinton Lucas was in Washington, D.C., to testify on Wednesday, telling the committee&nbsp; he had a loan serviced by MOHELA but focusing primarily on federal relief programs.

“Student debt relief fundamentally would alleviate the financial burden on our residents, helping families cover rising costs of living and encouraging them importantly to invest in our local economies and their own futures,” he said.

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat from Georgia, lauded President Joe Biden’s administration’s efforts to trim student debt, adding the administration had “its hands tied behind its back” after a first attempt at loan forgiveness.

He brought up&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/30/missouri-company-plays-central-role-in-downfall-of-biden-loan-forgiveness-program/">Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s successful case</a>&nbsp;before the U.S. Supreme Court last year that blocked pandemic-induced loan forgiveness.

Warren noted that MOHELA was the crux of that case.

“The Republican states challenging President Biden’s plan basically couldn’t explain how they were harmed by student debt cancellation, and without an explanation of how they were harmed, they didn’t have legal standing to sue,” she said. “So their answer was MOHELA.”

<h2>Federal hearing delves into allegations of loan mismanagement and servicer’s role in a U.S. Supreme Court case</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">ANNELISE HANSHAW</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>A U.S. Senate committee on Wednesday dug into complaints against a Missouri-based student-loan servicer, though the organization’s executive director refused to attend.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I’ve been blessed, being able to pay off student loans and live the American dream 80,000 Kansas Citians, however, hold $575M in student loan debt—many in vital roles like healthcare, public safety, and teaching. Debt relief and better lender oversight helps all in our community <a href="https://t.co/hKgN3yLjUU">pic.twitter.com/hKgN3yLjUU</a>&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1778377617361535233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Wednesday’s meeting of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs focused on the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, or MOHELA, and other loan servicers that have received widespread criticism in recent years.&nbsp;U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, is the committee’s chair and has made student loan cancellation a key part of her political platform.The hearing follows an explosive&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.mohelapapers.org/">investigative report</a>&nbsp;by the Student Borrower Protection Center (SBPC) and the American Federation of Teachers alleging four in 10 people with a loan serviced by MOHELA have been impacted by servicing failures.MOHELA, in a cease-and-desist letter dated March 25 to the SBPC, said the report contained “false, misleading and sensationalized claims.”Yet committee members often looked to the SBPC’s deputy executive director and managing counsel, Persis Yu, to describe MOHELA’s conduct during Wednesday’s hearing.Yu repeated elements of the SBPC’s report, saying Wednesday that, “MOHELA chose a complex call-deflection scheme, a Byzantine loop of misinformation and false promises.”MOHELA’s “call deflection” was outlined in a playbook for the return-to-repayment period in the fall, but the servicer said it was given directions to use call deflection from the federal government. In fact, the FSA’s communications playbook sent to servicers in July 2023 mentions call deflection 13 times.Some witnesses on Wednesday called for statutory fixes, saying that complaints against MOHELA stem from problems at a federal level.There are&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/29/mohela-faces-accusations-it-mismanaged-federal-student-loan-forgiveness-program/">two class-action lawsuits alleging MOHELA mismanaged loans</a>. One additionally names the federal government as a plaintiff.“Recent accusations suggesting servicers are responsible for a large backlog of public service loan forgiveness applications and that the backlog is intentional are also false,” Scott Buchanan, executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance, told the committee. “Today, FSA makes all decisions about whether to approve or deny forgiveness. So the vast majority of the backlog resides at a resource-constrained FSA.”The latest&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://studentaid.gov/data-center/student/loan-forgiveness/pslf-data">Public Service Loan Forgiveness report</a>, dated June 2023, shows a backlog of almost 890,000 applications. This report does not say where the applications are in the approval process and whether they are waiting on federal approval or action from MOHELA.MOHELA said in its March 25 letter to the SBPC that it has fewer than 15,000 new forms to process.U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, said he felt like Buchanan was making excuses for MOHELA.“​When I hear (issues) with this frequency and depth and stories, then you know something is wrong,” he said. “I support additional funding for the Office of Student Aid, but I don’t believe MOHELA was living up to its customer service commitments under its existing contract.”Menendez mentioned legislation, like one that sought to eliminate student-loan relief as taxable income. The concept and perceived perks of loan forgiveness was part of the discussion.Mayor of Kansas City Quinton Lucas was in Washington, D.C., to testify on Wednesday, telling the committee&nbsp; he had a loan serviced by MOHELA but focusing primarily on federal relief programs.“Student debt relief fundamentally would alleviate the financial burden on our residents, helping families cover rising costs of living and encouraging them importantly to invest in our local economies and their own futures,” he said.U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat from Georgia, lauded President Joe Biden’s administration’s efforts to trim student debt, adding the administration had “its hands tied behind its back” after a first attempt at loan forgiveness.He brought up&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/06/30/missouri-company-plays-central-role-in-downfall-of-biden-loan-forgiveness-program/">Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s successful case</a>&nbsp;before the U.S. Supreme Court last year that blocked pandemic-induced loan forgiveness.Warren noted that MOHELA was the crux of that case.“The Republican states challenging President Biden’s plan basically couldn’t explain how they were harmed by student debt cancellation, and without an explanation of how they were harmed, they didn’t have legal standing to sue,” she said. “So their answer was MOHELA.”Warnock had a similar view of the court’s decision, adding he believes MOHELA was “complicit” in the takedown of loan forgiveness because the company “stayed silent” during legal proceedings.Internal communications released last year show employees were troubled about the quasi-governmental nonprofits inclusion in the lawsuit.Tuesday,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/09/missouri-attorney-general-leads-coalition-challenging-biden-student-debt-relief/">Bailey filed a lawsuit against another student-debt-relief plan</a>, also naming MOHELA. It does not appear that the nonprofit consented to this lawsuit, either.

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