It's the finale of the regular season as Week 9 of high school football in Missouri and Week 8 in Kansas is done and now its on to districts! Below is a list of all of the games being played in the KFEQ/St. Joseph Post area!

Tune into KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3, 680kfeq.com) for Friday Night Lights with Matt Pike every Friday night of the regular season from 10- midnight. for scores and interviews with area coaches!

Benton 27 (2-7)&nbsp; &nbsp; Chillicothe 13 (4-5)

Cameron 42 (3-6)&nbsp; &nbsp; University Academy Charter 20 (3-5)

St. Pius X 49 (8-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Savannah 21 (6-3)

Maryville 42 (5-4)&nbsp; &nbsp; Lafayette 0 (2-7)&nbsp;

Bishop LeBlond 50 (7-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Plattsburg 14 (4-3)

-First Round District Bye Week, will play winner of Northland Christian/Dekalb

Park Hill South 34 (2-7)&nbsp; &nbsp; Central 16 (4-5)

Mid-Buchanan 7 (9-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; East Buchanan 3 (7-2)

-Mid-Buchanan wins KCI Conference with win

West Platte 28 (4-5)&nbsp; &nbsp; North Platte 14 (1-8)

Lawson 49 (4-5)&nbsp; &nbsp; Lathrop 0 (1-8)&nbsp;

Hamilton 35 (5-4)&nbsp; &nbsp; Trenton 13 (2-7)

 Bishop LeBlond 50 (7-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Plattsburg 14 (4-3)

Milan 28 (6-3)&nbsp; &nbsp; Putnam County 22 (5-4)

Brookfield 42 (9-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Marceline 0 (4-5)

South Harrison 48 (7-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Gallatin 8 (2-7)

Hamilton 35 (5-4)&nbsp; &nbsp; Trenton 13 (2-7)&nbsp;

 Polo 42 (5-4)&nbsp; &nbsp; Maysville 8 (0-9)&nbsp;

St. Joseph Christian 60 (6-3)&nbsp; &nbsp; Stanberry 8 (1-8)

-First round districts: St. Joseph Christian will have Bye, will play winner of Plattsburg/ Stewartsville

-First round sistricts: Stanberry @ Worth County

Worth County 86 (7-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Princeton 16 (2-6)- F/HT

-First round districts: Princeton @ Knox County

 Albany 58 (9-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; King City 42 (4-5)&nbsp;

-First round districts: Albany will have first round Bye, will play winner of King City/ Pattonsburg

-First round districts: King City vs Pattonsburg

North Andrew 74 (5-4)&nbsp; &nbsp; Pattonsburg 34 (1-8)&nbsp;

-First round districts: North Andrew vs South Holt

Platte Valley 32 (8-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Rock Port 20 (8-1)

Nodaway Valley 42 (8-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Dekalb 0 (1-8)&nbsp; - F/HT

-First round matchup: Dekalb @ Northland Christian

-Nodaway Valley first round Bye, will play winner of North Andrew/South Holt

 Mound City 44 (4-5)&nbsp; &nbsp; Stewartsville 0 (0-9)

-First round districts: Mound City will host East Atchison

-First round districts: Stewartsville @ Plattsburg

East Atchison 54 (4-5)&nbsp; &nbsp; South Holt 35 (4-5)

-First round districts: South Holt @ North Andrew

Atchison 56 (7-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Wyandotte 6 (0-7)

Perry-Lecompton 34 (3-5)&nbsp; &nbsp; Hiawatha 20 (2-6)

Troy 54 (5-3)&nbsp; &nbsp; Atchison-Maur Hill-Mount 12 (3-5)

Centralia 34 (7-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Riverside 28 (6-2)&nbsp;

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

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostIt's the finale of the regular season as Week 9 of high school football in Missouri and Week 8 in Kansas is done and now its on to districts! Below is a list of all of the games being played in the KFEQ/St. Joseph Post area!Tune into KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3, 680kfeq.com) for Friday Night Lights with Matt Pike every Friday night of the regular season from 10- midnight. for scores and interviews with area coaches!MECBenton 27 (2-7)&nbsp; &nbsp; Chillicothe 13 (4-5)<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Benton-Head-Coach-Corey-Bertini-e2q5isf/a-abjls00" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>Cameron 42 (3-6)&nbsp; &nbsp; University Academy Charter 20 (3-5)St. Pius X 49 (8-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Savannah 21 (6-3)-St. Pius wins MEC Conference titleMaryville 42 (5-4)&nbsp; &nbsp; Lafayette 0 (2-7)&nbsp;Bishop LeBlond 50 (7-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Plattsburg 14 (4-3)-First Round District Bye Week, will play winner of Northland Christian/Dekalb<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Bishop-LeBlond-Head-Coach-Chuck-Davis-e2q5ibj/a-abjlrbb" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>Greater KC SuburbanPark Hill South 34 (2-7)&nbsp; &nbsp; Central 16 (4-5)KCIMid-Buchanan 7 (9-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; East Buchanan 3 (7-2)-Mid-Buchanan wins KCI Conference with win<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/East-Buchanan-Head-Coach-Dan-Ritter-e2q5is0/a-abjlrvg" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>West Platte 28 (4-5)&nbsp; &nbsp; North Platte 14 (1-8)Lawson 49 (4-5)&nbsp; &nbsp; Lathrop 0 (1-8)&nbsp;Hamilton 35 (5-4)&nbsp; &nbsp; Trenton 13 (2-7) Bishop LeBlond 50 (7-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Plattsburg 14 (4-3)GRC 11-man (East Division)Milan 28 (6-3)&nbsp; &nbsp; Putnam County 22 (5-4)Brookfield 42 (9-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; Marceline 0 (4-5)South Harrison 48 (7-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Gallatin 8 (2-7)Hamilton 35 (5-4)&nbsp; &nbsp; Trenton 13 (2-7)&nbsp; Polo 42 (5-4)&nbsp; &nbsp; Maysville 8 (0-9)&nbsp;GRC 8-man (West Division)St. Joseph Christian 60 (6-3)&nbsp; &nbsp; Stanberry 8 (1-8)-First round districts: St. Joseph Christian will have Bye, will play winner of Plattsburg/ Stewartsville-First round sistricts: Stanberry @ Worth CountyWorth County 86 (7-2)&nbsp; &nbsp; Princeton 16 (2-6)- F/HT-First round districts: Princeton @ Knox County<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Worth-County-Head-Coach-Jon-Adwell-e2q5iar/a-abjlraa" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div> Albany 58 (9-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; King City 42 (4-5)&nbsp;-First round districts: Albany will have first round Bye, will play winner of King City/ Pattonsburg-First round districts: King City vs PattonsburgNorth Andrew 74 (5-4)&nbsp; &nbsp; Pattonsburg 34 (1-8)&nbsp;-First round districts: North Andrew vs South Holt275 ConferencePlatte Valley 32 (8-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Rock Port 20 (8-1)<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Platte-Valley-Head-Coach-Johnnie-Silkett-e2q5ing/a-abjlrpj" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>Nodaway Valley 42 (8-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Dekalb 0 (1-8)&nbsp; - F/HT-First round matchup: Dekalb @ Northland Christian-Nodaway Valley first round Bye, will play winner of North Andrew/South Holt Mound City 44 (4-5)&nbsp; &nbsp; Stewartsville 0 (0-9)-First round districts: Mound City will host East Atchison-First round districts: Stewartsville @ PlattsburgEast Atchison 54 (4-5)&nbsp; &nbsp; South Holt 35 (4-5)-First round districts: South Holt @ North AndrewNortheast KansasAtchison 56 (7-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Wyandotte 6 (0-7)Perry-Lecompton 34 (3-5)&nbsp; &nbsp; Hiawatha 20 (2-6)Troy 54 (5-3)&nbsp; &nbsp; Atchison-Maur Hill-Mount 12 (3-5)<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Troy-Head-Coach-Derek-Jasper-e2q5ipo/a-abjlrs7" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>Centralia 34 (7-1)&nbsp; &nbsp; Riverside 28 (6-2)&nbsp;You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

KFEQ/St. Joseph Post Area High Schol Football Scoreboard Oct.25th

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has appointed Alex Van Zandt of
Bethany as Associate Circuit Judge for Mercer County in the 3rd Judicial
Circuit.

Van Zandt, the Harrison County Prosecuting Attorney, holds a Bachelors
of Arts in political science and business from the University of
Missouri–Columbia and a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri–Kansas
City. Van Zandt fills the vacancy created by the election of the Honorable
Matthew Krohn as Circuit Judge who is unopposed in the 2024 General Election. 

Parson also has appointed Micha Dixon of Jamesport as
Associate Circuit Judge for Daviess County in the 43rd Judicial Circuit. 

Dixon is the attorney for the 43rd Judicial Circuit Juvenile
Office and an assistant prosecuting attorney in the 43rd Judicial Circuit. She
holds a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and criminology and a Juris Doctor
from the University of Missouri–Kansas City.

Dixon will fill the vacancy created by the election of the
Honorable Daren Adkins as Circuit Judge who is unopposed in the General Election.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Gov. Mike Parson has appointed Alex Van Zandt of
Bethany as Associate Circuit Judge for Mercer County in the 3rd Judicial
Circuit.Van Zandt, the Harrison County Prosecuting Attorney, holds a Bachelors
of Arts in political science and business from the University of
Missouri–Columbia and a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri–Kansas
City. Van Zandt fills the vacancy created by the election of the Honorable
Matthew Krohn as Circuit Judge who is unopposed in the 2024 General Election. Parson also has appointed Micha Dixon of Jamesport as
Associate Circuit Judge for Daviess County in the 43rd Judicial Circuit. Dixon is the attorney for the 43rd Judicial Circuit Juvenile
Office and an assistant prosecuting attorney in the 43rd Judicial Circuit. She
holds a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and criminology and a Juris Doctor
from the University of Missouri–Kansas City.Dixon will fill the vacancy created by the election of the
Honorable Daren Adkins as Circuit Judge who is unopposed in the General Election.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Gov. Parson makes two NW Missouri judicial appointments

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with&nbsp;K9 Vests Midwest founder Emily Fawcett.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IFlaK6Fz6H8?si=iLlZJWuzDdfRGn2E" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with&nbsp;K9 Vests Midwest founder Emily Fawcett.

🎤Forward Ever: K9 Vests Midwest founder Emily Fawcett

A shocking murder case in which a St. Joseph teenager was
killed near the St. Joseph REC Center has concluded with the final defendant
receiving the exact 30-year prison sentence received by his accomplices.

After entering a guilty plea earlier, 18-year-old Teontre Kirby
of St. Joseph, learned his fate this week.

Kirby, along with 19-year-old Jackson Lee Griffith of Country
Club and 17-year-old Kaden Wilfong of St. Joseph, confessed to the killing of
15-year-old Carter Smith in June of last year. All three pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. All three have been sentenced to
30 years in prison.

Authorities discovered Smith’s body at the intersection of 28th and
Commercial Streets, near the REC Center June 15th, 2023. 

A search of Wilfong’s home turned up bloody clothes and guns
related to the fatal shooting. Officers also found Smith’s bag in Wilfong’s
residence.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA shocking murder case in which a St. Joseph teenager was
killed near the St. Joseph REC Center has concluded with the final defendant
receiving the exact 30-year prison sentence received by his accomplices.After entering a guilty plea earlier, 18-year-old Teontre Kirby
of St. Joseph, learned his fate this week.Kirby, along with 19-year-old Jackson Lee Griffith of Country
Club and 17-year-old Kaden Wilfong of St. Joseph, confessed to the killing of
15-year-old Carter Smith in June of last year. All three pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. All three have been sentenced to
30 years in prison.Authorities discovered Smith’s body at the intersection of 28th and
Commercial Streets, near the REC Center June 15th, 2023. A search of Wilfong’s home turned up bloody clothes and guns
related to the fatal shooting. Officers also found Smith’s bag in Wilfong’s
residence.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Third teen sentenced in last year's St. Joseph REC Center murder

A former Missouri Western women's basketball standout is making strides in the coaching world 

Former Missouri Western player and graduate assistant Chelsea Dewey, from Gower and an alum of East Buchanan High School, is preparing for a new season as head coach at junior college Arizona Western. 

Dewey went 21-10 as an interim head coach last season, ultimately falling in the Region 1 semifinals to eventual champion Cochise College 

Dewey says it may sound a bit hard-headed of her, but she feels the team should have made the final last year, and she doesn't consider her first season as coach successful. 

"You know anything short of the Region 1 final is not success, I feel like this year we can be in that Region 1 final," Dewey tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So that's what I'm shooting for in who I recruit and how I coach them." 

In May, Arizona Western Athletic Director Jerry Smith stripped the interim title from Dewey and officially named her just the second head coach in Lady Matador's history.

Dewey says at such a young age it’s exciting to have this opportunity leading the junior college program 

"Being in a leadership role for these young women as well, I mean a woman leading young women just showing that they can be leaders in whatever they dream to be next is kind of the goal of this," Dewey explains. "And just showing that you can make mistakes and still be successful in what you're doing and still send the message to get the bigger picture across at that young age." 

Dewey says after falling short of the Region 1 finals last year, the goal is to make it there this year, and always be one of the toughest teams on the schedule 

"Compete every night, and I can't thank them enough because I have a lot of coaches compliment how hard we play, so keeping that motive in mind," Dewey says.  "And just trusting the process to make sure whatever we're doing every day is setting us up for success, we're not going to earn the championship tomorrow so how are we getting 1% better every day to take the championship." 

Before becoming the head coach at Arizona Western she served three years as assistant under head coach Patrick Cunningham, after serving three years as a graduate assistant under former Missouri Western coach Rob Edmisson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729872564026.jpeg" alt="Former Missouri Western player and graduate assistant Chelsea Dewey is now the head coach of the Arizona Western women's basketball program officially, after having the interim title stripped in May/ Photo courtesy of Arizona Western College" />
 <figcaption>Former Missouri Western player and graduate assistant Chelsea Dewey is now the head coach of the Arizona Western women's basketball program officially, after having the interim title stripped in May/ Photo courtesy of Arizona Western College</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A former Missouri Western women's basketball standout is making strides in the coaching world Former Missouri Western player and graduate assistant Chelsea Dewey, from Gower and an alum of East Buchanan High School, is preparing for a new season as head coach at junior college Arizona Western. Dewey went 21-10 as an interim head coach last season, ultimately falling in the Region 1 semifinals to eventual champion Cochise College Dewey says it may sound a bit hard-headed of her, but she feels the team should have made the final last year, and she doesn't consider her first season as coach successful. "You know anything short of the Region 1 final is not success, I feel like this year we can be in that Region 1 final," Dewey tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So that's what I'm shooting for in who I recruit and how I coach them." In May, Arizona Western Athletic Director Jerry Smith stripped the interim title from Dewey and officially named her just the second head coach in Lady Matador's history.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729872823092.jpeg" alt="Chelsea Dewey/ Photo courtesy of Arizona Western College" />
 <figcaption>Chelsea Dewey/ Photo courtesy of Arizona Western College</figcaption>
 </figure>Dewey says at such a young age it’s exciting to have this opportunity leading the junior college program "Being in a leadership role for these young women as well, I mean a woman leading young women just showing that they can be leaders in whatever they dream to be next is kind of the goal of this," Dewey explains. "And just showing that you can make mistakes and still be successful in what you're doing and still send the message to get the bigger picture across at that young age." Dewey says after falling short of the Region 1 finals last year, the goal is to make it there this year, and always be one of the toughest teams on the schedule "Compete every night, and I can't thank them enough because I have a lot of coaches compliment how hard we play, so keeping that motive in mind," Dewey says. "And just trusting the process to make sure whatever we're doing every day is setting us up for success, we're not going to earn the championship tomorrow so how are we getting 1% better every day to take the championship." Before becoming the head coach at Arizona Western she served three years as assistant under head coach Patrick Cunningham, after serving three years as a graduate assistant under former Missouri Western coach Rob Edmisson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729872896741.jpeg" alt="Chelsea Dewey leads a huddle during a gamebreak for Arizona Western/ Photo courtesy of Arizona Western College" />
 <figcaption>Chelsea Dewey leads a huddle during a gamebreak for Arizona Western/ Photo courtesy of Arizona Western College</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.JOURNAL<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Journal-Chelsea-Dewey-preparing-for-first-official-season-as-Head-Coach-at-Arizona-Western-e2q4s05/a-abjkvo5" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>FULL INTERVIEW<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Full-Interview-Chelsea-Dewey-talks-journey-from-Missouri-Western-to-Arizona-Western-e2q4s43/a-abjl04e" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

Former Griffon Chelsea Dewey prepares for new season as Arizona Western coach

Missouri Western State University will end its Gold Friday
initiative after this year.

Gold Friday instituted a four-day class schedule on the St.
Joseph campus with Friday free for students to participate in learning
activities outside the classroom. Beginning next fall, Missouri Western will
return to a five-day class schedule.

“Gold Fridays was an initiative begun with great intentions.
Although we have had some very valuable events on Gold Fridays, unbiased review
of both the pros and cons has indicated that discontinuation is the best path
forward,” Missouri Western President Elizabeth Kennedy said in a written
statement released by MWSU. “While the four-day class schedule has given
some of our students more flexibility, it also has made it more difficult for
us to build the sense of belonging and community that represents our
student-focused, vibrant and engaging campus culture.”

A task force created by Kennedy evaluated the effectiveness of
Gold Friday, unanimously recommending that Missouri Western return to a
five-day class schedule beginning in Fall 2025. The Missouri Western Board of
Governors approved that recommendation during its meeting this week.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri Western State University will end its Gold Friday
initiative after this year.Gold Friday instituted a four-day class schedule on the St.
Joseph campus with Friday free for students to participate in learning
activities outside the classroom. Beginning next fall, Missouri Western will
return to a five-day class schedule.“Gold Fridays was an initiative begun with great intentions.
Although we have had some very valuable events on Gold Fridays, unbiased review
of both the pros and cons has indicated that discontinuation is the best path
forward,” Missouri Western President Elizabeth Kennedy said in a written
statement released by MWSU. “While the four-day class schedule has given
some of our students more flexibility, it also has made it more difficult for
us to build the sense of belonging and community that represents our
student-focused, vibrant and engaging campus culture.”A task force created by Kennedy evaluated the effectiveness of
Gold Friday, unanimously recommending that Missouri Western return to a
five-day class schedule beginning in Fall 2025. The Missouri Western Board of
Governors approved that recommendation during its meeting this week.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Missouri Western to end Gold Fridays, return to 5-day work week

Long-time Western District Buchanan County
Commissioner Ron Hook is running for re-election, challenged by a newcomer to
politics.

Hook, a Democrat, says he’s proud if a road
program Buchanan County began five years ago that tears down a road and
completely rebuilds it.

“We’ve done this for the last five years,” Hook
says during a candidate forum sponsored by the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. “It’s
a costly, very costly product that we put in there. So, we are limited to how
many miles of road we can do each and every year. But it’s something that we’ve
found is very efficient, very profitable in the long run for us.”

Hook’s re-election is being challenged by
Republican Everett Goddard, Jr., who claims the Western District has been
wasteful in its spending on roads.

“We only have so much money in the budget to do a
road,” Goddard says during the forum. “Why you do 53rd Road with not
a house one on this road? And you oil and chat the whole road. I know oil and
chat are not cheap, because I worked the county.”

Goddard says he worked in the county barns while
between jobs.

Hook says he hopes to resurrect Lake Contrary, an
issue he says the county has been discussing even before he became a
commissioner.

“We’ve had some droughts and we’ve had some
issues,” Hook says. “Lake Contrary is a historical landmark for this community.
A community our size, I feel, should have some type of a lake.”

Hook says the county commission plans to dredge
the lake after killing the vegetation that has overgrown it.

Goddard says a restored Lake Contrary would
provide more than just recreation.

“There are relief wells at Lake Contrary and it also
helps protect our industries down through Lower Lake Road,” Godard says. “If
something would happen, a breach of the levee right there because the water has
nowhere to go, that would be a big financial impact in Buchanan County.”

Both Goddard and Hook support moves by the Buchanan
County Commission to buy the Eastern School from the Mid-Buchanan School
District to establish a county fairgrounds.

Both say the county needs to support economic
development efforts.

Hook points out the commission sets aside $1 million
a year out of the capital improvement tax specifically for economic development
projects.

“We’ve made a huge commitment, saying this is what
we want,” Hook says. “We want to help bring jobs, sustained jobs, save jobs,
keep people here in St. Joseph, not only on economic development, but we also
do it with housing.”

Goddard says the county needs to spur growth,
especially to expand housing for county residents.

“We need to find a way to help with our growth
here in Buchanan County, not only for businesses, but for the residents of Buchanan
County,” according to Goddard. “We deserve it. We’re taxpayers, but we also
need to move in a forward direction of, we need to have a plan before we do
this suff.”

Goddard is challenging Hook who first came to
office in Buchanan County in 2009.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729867326040.jpeg" alt="Buchanan County Western District Commissioner Ron Hook (left) and challenger Everett Goddard, Jr. (right) answer questions from moderator Brent Martin at the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce candidate forum/Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>Buchanan County Western District Commissioner Ron Hook (left) and challenger Everett Goddard, Jr. (right) answer questions from moderator Brent Martin at the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce candidate forum/Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostLong-time Western District Buchanan County
Commissioner Ron Hook is running for re-election, challenged by a newcomer to
politics.Hook, a Democrat, says he’s proud if a road
program Buchanan County began five years ago that tears down a road and
completely rebuilds it.“We’ve done this for the last five years,” Hook
says during a candidate forum sponsored by the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. “It’s
a costly, very costly product that we put in there. So, we are limited to how
many miles of road we can do each and every year. But it’s something that we’ve
found is very efficient, very profitable in the long run for us.”Hook’s re-election is being challenged by
Republican Everett Goddard, Jr., who claims the Western District has been
wasteful in its spending on roads.“We only have so much money in the budget to do a
road,” Goddard says during the forum. “Why you do 53rd Road with not
a house one on this road? And you oil and chat the whole road. I know oil and
chat are not cheap, because I worked the county.”Goddard says he worked in the county barns while
between jobs.Hook says he hopes to resurrect Lake Contrary, an
issue he says the county has been discussing even before he became a
commissioner.“We’ve had some droughts and we’ve had some
issues,” Hook says. “Lake Contrary is a historical landmark for this community.
A community our size, I feel, should have some type of a lake.”Hook says the county commission plans to dredge
the lake after killing the vegetation that has overgrown it.Goddard says a restored Lake Contrary would
provide more than just recreation.“There are relief wells at Lake Contrary and it also
helps protect our industries down through Lower Lake Road,” Godard says. “If
something would happen, a breach of the levee right there because the water has
nowhere to go, that would be a big financial impact in Buchanan County.”Both Goddard and Hook support moves by the Buchanan
County Commission to buy the Eastern School from the Mid-Buchanan School
District to establish a county fairgrounds.Both say the county needs to support economic
development efforts.Hook points out the commission sets aside $1 million
a year out of the capital improvement tax specifically for economic development
projects.“We’ve made a huge commitment, saying this is what
we want,” Hook says. “We want to help bring jobs, sustained jobs, save jobs,
keep people here in St. Joseph, not only on economic development, but we also
do it with housing.”Goddard says the county needs to spur growth,
especially to expand housing for county residents.“We need to find a way to help with our growth
here in Buchanan County, not only for businesses, but for the residents of Buchanan
County,” according to Goddard. “We deserve it. We’re taxpayers, but we also
need to move in a forward direction of, we need to have a plan before we do
this suff.”Goddard is challenging Hook who first came to
office in Buchanan County in 2009.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Long-time Buchanan County commissioner faces opposition in re-election bid

 It's the finale of the regular season as Week 9 of high school football in Missouri and Week 8 in Kansas is here! Below is a list of all of the games being played in the KFEQ/St. Joseph Post area!

Benton (1-7) vs Chillicothe (4-4)- Fri @7pm

Cameron (2-6) vs University Academy Charter (3-5)- 

St. Pius X (7-1) at Savannah (6-2)- Fri @7pm

-winner will decide MEC Conference Winner

Lafayette (2-6) vs Maryville (4-4)- Fri @7pm

Bishop LeBlond (6-1) vs Plattsburg (4-2)- Fri @7pm

Central (4-4) vs Park Hill South (1-7)- Fri @7pm

East Buchanan (7-1) vs Mid-Buchanan (8-0)- Fri @7pm

West Platte (3-5) vs North Platte (1-7)- Fri @7pm

Plattsburg (4-2) @ Bishop LeBlond (6-1)- Fri @7pm

Milan (5-3) vs Putnam County (5-3)- Fri @7pm

Brookfield (8-0) vs Marceline (4-4)- Fri @7pm

Gallatin (2-6) @ South Harrison (6-2)- Fri @7pm

Trenton (2-6) vs Hamilton (4-4)- Fri @7pm

St. Joseph Christian (5-3) vs Stanberry (1-7)- Fri @7pm

Princeton (2-6) @ Worth County (6-2)- Fri @7pm

Pattonsburg (1-7) @ North Andrew (4-4)- Fri @7pm

Platte Valley (7-1) vs Rock Port (8-0)- Fri @7pm

Dekalb (1-7) @ Nodaway Valley (7-1)- Fri @7pm

Stewartsville (0-8) @ Mound City (3-5)- Fri @7pm

East Atchison (3-5) vs South Holt (4-4)- Fri @7pm

Troy (4-3) vs Atchison-Maur Hill-Mount (3-4)

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post It's the finale of the regular season as Week 9 of high school football in Missouri and Week 8 in Kansas is here! Below is a list of all of the games being played in the KFEQ/St. Joseph Post area!Tune into KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3, 680kfeq.com) for Friday Night Lights with Matt Pike every Friday night of the regular season from 10- midnight. for scores and interviews with area coaches!MECBenton (1-7) vs Chillicothe (4-4)- Fri @7pmCameron (2-6) vs University Academy Charter (3-5)- St. Pius X (7-1) at Savannah (6-2)- Fri @7pm-winner will decide MEC Conference WinnerLafayette (2-6) vs Maryville (4-4)- Fri @7pmBishop LeBlond (6-1) vs Plattsburg (4-2)- Fri @7pmGreater KC SuburbanCentral (4-4) vs Park Hill South (1-7)- Fri @7pmKCIEast Buchanan (7-1) vs Mid-Buchanan (8-0)- Fri @7pm-Winner will decide the KCI ConferenceWest Platte (3-5) vs North Platte (1-7)- Fri @7pmLathrop (1-7) vs Lawson (3-5)- Fri @7pmHamilton (4-4) @ Trenton (2-6)- Fri @7pmPlattsburg (4-2) @ Bishop LeBlond (6-1)- Fri @7pmGRC 11-man (East Division)Milan (5-3) vs Putnam County (5-3)- Fri @7pmBrookfield (8-0) vs Marceline (4-4)- Fri @7pmGallatin (2-6) @ South Harrison (6-2)- Fri @7pmTrenton (2-6) vs Hamilton (4-4)- Fri @7pmMaysville (0-8) vs Polo (4-4)- Fri @7pmGRC 8-man (West Division)St. Joseph Christian (5-3) vs Stanberry (1-7)- Fri @7pmPrinceton (2-6) @ Worth County (6-2)- Fri @7pmKing City (4-4) @ Albany (8-0)- Fri @7pmPattonsburg (1-7) @ North Andrew (4-4)- Fri @7pm275 ConferencePlatte Valley (7-1) vs Rock Port (8-0)- Fri @7pmDekalb (1-7) @ Nodaway Valley (7-1)- Fri @7pmStewartsville (0-8) @ Mound City (3-5)- Fri @7pmEast Atchison (3-5) vs South Holt (4-4)- Fri @7pmNortheast KansasAtchison (6-1) @ Wyandotte (0-6)Hiawatha (2-5) @ Perry-Lecompton (2-5)Troy (4-3) vs Atchison-Maur Hill-Mount (3-4)Riverside (6-1) vs Centralia (6-1) You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

KFEQ/St. Joseph Post Area High School Football schedule Oct. 25th

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 2p.m. Thursday in Livingston County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Polaris Ranger driven by a 15-year-old girl from Wheeling was westbound on LIV 236 one mile west of Wheeling.

The vehicle began to slide, traveled off the south side of the road, struck a ditch and overturned.

Livingston County EMS transported a 14-year-old passenger from Wheeling to Hedrick Medical Center. The driver was not injured. The girls were not wearing helmets, according to the MSHP.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 2p.m. Thursday in Livingston County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Polaris Ranger driven by a 15-year-old girl from Wheeling was westbound on LIV 236 one mile west of Wheeling.The vehicle began to slide, traveled off the south side of the road, struck a ditch and overturned.Livingston County EMS transported a 14-year-old passenger from Wheeling to Hedrick Medical Center. The driver was not injured. The girls were not wearing helmets, according to the MSHP.

14-year-old Missouri girl injured in UTV accident

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating&nbsp;several complaints about political signs being stolen, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.

"I have been asked if it is illegal.&nbsp; The answers is yes&nbsp; it is illegal and falls under the theft statute.&nbsp; Depending on the number of signs stolen and their value, the theft could be classified as a felony." "Defacing political signs falls under criminal damage to property statue."

According to the sheriff, those reporting the sign thefts have indicated that they will press charges if suspects are caught stealing political signs.

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating&nbsp;several complaints about political signs being stolen, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant."I have been asked if it is illegal.&nbsp; The answers is yes&nbsp; it is illegal and falls under the theft statute.&nbsp; Depending on the number of signs stolen and their value, the theft could be classified as a felony." "Defacing political signs falls under criminal damage to property statue." According to the sheriff, those reporting the sign thefts have indicated that they will press charges if suspects are caught stealing political signs.

Kan. sheriff investigating theft of political signs

A woman that a court has found was wrongly convicted of a St.
Joseph murder in 1980 has taken yet another step toward freedom.

The Western Missouri Court of Appeals has upheld a lower
court’s ruling that Sandra Hemme was wrongly convicted in the death of Patricia
Jeschke, a library worker at the St. Joseph State Hospital.

Hemme was released from the Chillicothe women’s prison in July
after Livingston County Circuit Judge Ryan Horsman ordered Hemme be released or
retried. Attorney General Andrew Bailey objected and sought to block her
release.

Horsman ruled evidence in the case now points to a discredited
former St. Joseph police officer, the late Michael Holman.

Buchanan County Prosecutor Michelle Davidson has 10 days to
decide whether to retry Hemme or dismiss the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721392686501.png" alt="Sandra Hemme/Missouri Dept. Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Sandra Hemme/Missouri Dept. Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA woman that a court has found was wrongly convicted of a St.
Joseph murder in 1980 has taken yet another step toward freedom.The Western Missouri Court of Appeals has upheld a lower
court’s ruling that Sandra Hemme was wrongly convicted in the death of Patricia
Jeschke, a library worker at the St. Joseph State Hospital.Hemme was released from the Chillicothe women’s prison in July
after Livingston County Circuit Judge Ryan Horsman ordered Hemme be released or
retried. Attorney General Andrew Bailey objected and sought to block her
release.Horsman ruled evidence in the case now points to a discredited
former St. Joseph police officer, the late Michael Holman.Buchanan County Prosecutor Michelle Davidson has 10 days to
decide whether to retry Hemme or dismiss the case.Hemme spent 43 years in prison.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Woman found by courts to be wrongly convicted in 1980 St. Joseph murder nears freedom

New technology to streamline renewals will speed lines at license offices, allow for online renewals for some adults, officials say

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

Of the many annoyances in life, a trip to the local motor vehicle office can rank near the top.

In early November, the Missouri Department of Revenue will activate new equipment intended to reduce the aggravation, speed up lines and get all of its systems talking to one another.

“With this roll out, there’s going to be new computers, scanners and a tablet for the customer,” said Ken Struemph, director of the Division of Motor Vehicle and Driver Licensing.

The tablet will let the license applicant check their information for errors, while approximately 175 new work stations at the 275 license offices will speed lines.&nbsp;

“The license will look the same, but the experience will be different, because it should be able to be processed a lot quicker than it had in the past,” department Director Wayne Wallingford said.

One way the process will be quicker is eliminating trips to the local license office, Struemph said. Adult drivers between 21 and 49 will be able to renew their licenses online at every other renewal period, meaning 12 years between trips to the office for a license. And drivers will be able to obtain a new license online in cases where a license is lost or damaged, he said.

“If you happen to lose your driver’s license, you can go online and get a duplicate driver’s license every other time,” Struemph said. “We don’t want to open up duplicates to where I am going to apply for 10 and share them with all my buddies. You can get one duplicate online, and then the next time you would have to visit a driver’s license office.”

To implement the system, license offices will not process any driver license or non-driver identification applications between Nov. 6 and Nov. 11. Some offices will close entirely on Nov. 7, all offices will close Nov. 8 and every office should be ready with the new system when the doors open Nov. 12 after the Veterans Day holiday.

New features include easier online navigation, eliminating the need for new drivers to bring a physical copy of a Missouri State Highway Patrol driver test to the office and easier use by employees processing licenses.

The new system, which Struemph said is being installed at a cost of $33 million, is part of a complete modernization of the department’s driver and vehicle licensing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/21Info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=54235423" target="_blank">authorized by legislation passed in 2021</a>. That bill required auto dealers to turn over 10% of administrative fees charged to customers to fund the technology upgrades.

The second phase, which will be operational in July 2026, will connect the department to auto dealerships, who will be required to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/18/missouri-bill-would-shift-sales-tax-collection-to-car-dealers/">start collecting sales tax</a>&nbsp;on vehicles at the time of sale. Once all dealers are collecting sales tax, Wallingford said, the number of vehicles on the road with expired temporary tags should decline.

“That’s our hope, because I see a lot of them,” he said.

Currently, sales taxes — which can be several thousand dollars on a new vehicle — are collected at the license office at the time of registration. The department’s current system is so old and inefficient that when the bill to require dealers to collect the tax was passed, there was no way of knowing how many owners were driving cars and trucks on temporary tags.

Every license office in the state is operated by a contractor who receives a fee on each transaction to support their operations. At each office currently, a person who needs to renew a license at the same time they file or renew a vehicle registration must go through two lines.

That will change once the new system is fully operational, Struemph said.

“We really don’t think that we’re going to have to have more staff in the offices, but we’ve got more flexibility in the offices,” he said.

When motorists renew their licenses, they will retain the choice of obtaining a REAL ID compliant license or to have their license issued without the REAL ID certification. Passed in 2005 in response to the 9-11 terror attacks, the federal law requires states to&nbsp;<a href="https://dor.mo.gov/forms/REAL%20ID-Compliant.pdf" target="_blank">verify identity</a>&nbsp;from documents such as birth certificates or passports, legal status through citizenship or legal resident documentation and status with the Social Security system.

Many of the same documents required for REAL ID are&nbsp;<a href="https://dor.mo.gov/forms/Non%20REAL%20ID-Compliant.pdf" target="_blank">needed to obtain a license</a>&nbsp;that is not compliant.&nbsp;

Federal law requires a REAL ID-compliant card to enter some federal facilities. After numerous extensions, starting May 7, 2025, a REAL ID will be required as identification to board airline flights.

One feature of the new system will allow motorists to access their license through an online app, Struemph said.

“You hit that app, and then it’ll show your driver’s license,” he said. “And it actually makes sure through the new technologies, that ‘yep, this is really Ken Struemph’ looking at it, and you got access to your driver’s license.”

The new app’s security features include using biometric technology to verify identity, he said.

“Biometric, absolutely,” Struemph said. “It looks at many different features, many different features.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1563375258062.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>New technology to streamline renewals will speed lines at license offices, allow for online renewals for some adults, officials say</h2>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Of the many annoyances in life, a trip to the local motor vehicle office can rank near the top.In early November, the Missouri Department of Revenue will activate new equipment intended to reduce the aggravation, speed up lines and get all of its systems talking to one another.“With this roll out, there’s going to be new computers, scanners and a tablet for the customer,” said Ken Struemph, director of the Division of Motor Vehicle and Driver Licensing.The tablet will let the license applicant check their information for errors, while approximately 175 new work stations at the 275 license offices will speed lines.&nbsp;“The license will look the same, but the experience will be different, because it should be able to be processed a lot quicker than it had in the past,” department Director Wayne Wallingford said.One way the process will be quicker is eliminating trips to the local license office, Struemph said. Adult drivers between 21 and 49 will be able to renew their licenses online at every other renewal period, meaning 12 years between trips to the office for a license. And drivers will be able to obtain a new license online in cases where a license is lost or damaged, he said.“If you happen to lose your driver’s license, you can go online and get a duplicate driver’s license every other time,” Struemph said. “We don’t want to open up duplicates to where I am going to apply for 10 and share them with all my buddies. You can get one duplicate online, and then the next time you would have to visit a driver’s license office.”To implement the system, license offices will not process any driver license or non-driver identification applications between Nov. 6 and Nov. 11. Some offices will close entirely on Nov. 7, all offices will close Nov. 8 and every office should be ready with the new system when the doors open Nov. 12 after the Veterans Day holiday.New features include easier online navigation, eliminating the need for new drivers to bring a physical copy of a Missouri State Highway Patrol driver test to the office and easier use by employees processing licenses.The new system, which Struemph said is being installed at a cost of $33 million, is part of a complete modernization of the department’s driver and vehicle licensing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/21Info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=54235423" target="_blank">authorized by legislation passed in 2021</a>. That bill required auto dealers to turn over 10% of administrative fees charged to customers to fund the technology upgrades.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729777524073.png" alt="The Missouri Department of Revenue is beginning to implement new technology that could reduce the number of vehicles with expired temporary tags like this one that expired at Christmas 2022 and was found during May 2023 in a Columbia parking lot. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>The Missouri Department of Revenue is beginning to implement new technology that could reduce the number of vehicles with expired temporary tags like this one that expired at Christmas 2022 and was found during May 2023 in a Columbia parking lot. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>The second phase, which will be operational in July 2026, will connect the department to auto dealerships, who will be required to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/05/18/missouri-bill-would-shift-sales-tax-collection-to-car-dealers/">start collecting sales tax</a>&nbsp;on vehicles at the time of sale. Once all dealers are collecting sales tax, Wallingford said, the number of vehicles on the road with expired temporary tags should decline.“That’s our hope, because I see a lot of them,” he said.Currently, sales taxes — which can be several thousand dollars on a new vehicle — are collected at the license office at the time of registration. The department’s current system is so old and inefficient that when the bill to require dealers to collect the tax was passed, there was no way of knowing how many owners were driving cars and trucks on temporary tags.Every license office in the state is operated by a contractor who receives a fee on each transaction to support their operations. At each office currently, a person who needs to renew a license at the same time they file or renew a vehicle registration must go through two lines.That will change once the new system is fully operational, Struemph said.“We really don’t think that we’re going to have to have more staff in the offices, but we’ve got more flexibility in the offices,” he said.When motorists renew their licenses, they will retain the choice of obtaining a REAL ID compliant license or to have their license issued without the REAL ID certification. Passed in 2005 in response to the 9-11 terror attacks, the federal law requires states to&nbsp;<a href="https://dor.mo.gov/forms/REAL%20ID-Compliant.pdf" target="_blank">verify identity</a>&nbsp;from documents such as birth certificates or passports, legal status through citizenship or legal resident documentation and status with the Social Security system.Many of the same documents required for REAL ID are&nbsp;<a href="https://dor.mo.gov/forms/Non%20REAL%20ID-Compliant.pdf" target="_blank">needed to obtain a license</a>&nbsp;that is not compliant.&nbsp;Federal law requires a REAL ID-compliant card to enter some federal facilities. After numerous extensions, starting May 7, 2025, a REAL ID will be required as identification to board airline flights.One feature of the new system will allow motorists to access their license through an online app, Struemph said.“You hit that app, and then it’ll show your driver’s license,” he said. “And it actually makes sure through the new technologies, that ‘yep, this is really Ken Struemph’ looking at it, and you got access to your driver’s license.”The new app’s security features include using biometric technology to verify identity, he said.“Biometric, absolutely,” Struemph said. “It looks at many different features, many different features.”

Missouri to launch new driver licensing system early next month

There are still a couple Thursday's left in October to help out St. Joseph students during the St. Joseph School District's Tenderloin Challenge.  

The Tenderloin challenge launched last year with great success, raising a little more than $7,000. 

St. Joseph School Foundation Executive Director Julie Cobb says the challenge was developed people that said they wanted to help students by putting a dent in school lunch debt, while also being philanthropic in the community 

"So, a group of heads came together and said what if we have restaurants in St. Joe donate $1 from every tenderloin sold on Thursdays in October back to the foundation, to be given for school lunch debt relief," Cobb tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  

Cobb says the challenge makes sense to hold in October because it is national school lunch month. 

Today is the second to last Thursday of the month to participate in the Tenderloin Challenge. 

Cobb says it helps the community as well, as most of the participating restaurants are locally owned. 

"Most of its St. Joe originals, I mean it's everybody," Cobb explains. "You see these restaurants, from time to time during Training Camp you see these Chiefs players taking a big bite out of those tenderloins, sometimes I just want to pop up and talk to them a little bit, so lots of support there." 

And at the end of the challenge, Cobb says a winning restaurant will be declared.  Last year's winner was Adam's Bar and Grill. 

You can find a list of the 15 participating restaurants below:  

Pop’s Place Bar And Grill Fredrick Inn Steakhouse

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729713297155.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post There are still a couple Thursday's left in October to help out St. Joseph students during the St. Joseph School District's Tenderloin Challenge. The Tenderloin challenge launched last year with great success, raising a little more than $7,000. St. Joseph School Foundation Executive Director Julie Cobb says the challenge was developed people that said they wanted to help students by putting a dent in school lunch debt, while also being philanthropic in the community "So, a group of heads came together and said what if we have restaurants in St. Joe donate $1 from every tenderloin sold on Thursdays in October back to the foundation, to be given for school lunch debt relief," Cobb tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. Cobb says the challenge makes sense to hold in October because it is national school lunch month. Today is the second to last Thursday of the month to participate in the Tenderloin Challenge. Cobb says it helps the community as well, as most of the participating restaurants are locally owned. "Most of its St. Joe originals, I mean it's everybody," Cobb explains. "You see these restaurants, from time to time during Training Camp you see these Chiefs players taking a big bite out of those tenderloins, sometimes I just want to pop up and talk to them a little bit, so lots of support there." And at the end of the challenge, Cobb says a winning restaurant will be declared. Last year's winner was Adam's Bar and Grill. You can find a list of the 15 participating restaurants below: Adams Bar &amp; GrillB&amp;B Runway CafeBetty’s CaféBiggins Sports Barn &amp; GrillD&amp;G Pub &amp; Grub Brew HausFirst Ward HouseFredrick Inn SteakhouseHi-Ho Bar &amp; GrillHy-VeeJake’s Steakhouse &amp; Sports BarLisa’s Roadside DinerNorty’s Bar &amp; GrillPappy’s Grill &amp; PubPop’s Place Bar And Grill Fredrick Inn Steakhouse

Still time to eat a tenderloin to help the St. Joseph School District

BROWN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Wednesday in Brown County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Toyota Tundra driven by&nbsp;Blake M.&nbsp;Toribio-Butler, 25, Midwest City, Oklahoma, was northbound on U.S. 75 just south of 290th Street.

The Toyota struck a 2011 Ford F150 driven by Cosetta D. Frankes, 45, Horton, who was northbound on U.S. 75 and was making a left U-turn.&nbsp;Both vehicles came to a rest on the roadway.

EMS transported a passenger who was in the bed of the Ford identified as&nbsp; David M&nbsp;Smith, 50, Marysville, to the hospital in Sabetha.

Frankes, Toribio-Butler and two other passengers in the Ford were not injured. Frankes and Smith were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

BROWN COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Wednesday in Brown County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Toyota Tundra driven by&nbsp;Blake M.&nbsp;Toribio-Butler, 25, Midwest City, Oklahoma, was northbound on U.S. 75 just south of 290th Street.The Toyota struck a 2011 Ford F150 driven by Cosetta D. Frankes, 45, Horton, who was northbound on U.S. 75 and was making a left U-turn.&nbsp;Both vehicles came to a rest on the roadway.EMS transported a passenger who was in the bed of the Ford identified as&nbsp; David M&nbsp;Smith, 50, Marysville, to the hospital in Sabetha.Frankes, Toribio-Butler and two other passengers in the Ford were not injured. Frankes and Smith were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Kan. man in bed of pickup injured after crash during U-turn

DEKALB COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Wednesday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Chrysler Town &amp; Country driven by Sarah L. Ellsworth, 38, Stanberry, was northbound on MO 31 at Stewart Road six miles south of King City. The van rear-ended a 1997 Ford F250 driven by Joshua L. Billups, 41, King City, who was slowing to make a right turn.

&nbsp;Grand River EMS transported Ellsworth to Mosaic in St. Joseph. Billups was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

DEKALB COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Wednesday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Chrysler Town &amp; Country driven by Sarah L. Ellsworth, 38, Stanberry, was northbound on MO 31 at Stewart Road six miles south of King City. The van rear-ended a 1997 Ford F250 driven by Joshua L. Billups, 41, King City, who was slowing to make a right turn.&nbsp;Grand River EMS transported Ellsworth to Mosaic in St. Joseph. Billups was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Mo. woman hospitalized in St. Joe after rear-end crash

State Rep. Sean Pouche of Kansas City is running for his third
term in the Missouri House.

The Republican incumbent of House District 13 is being
challenged on the November ballot by a Democrat with plenty of experience in
political campaigns who has decided to run in her own right.

House District 13 covers much of Platte County and southern as
well as eastern Buchanan County.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729703744196.jpeg" alt="The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce candidate forum was held Tuesday at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center and broadcast live by KFEQ/Photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce candidate forum was held Tuesday at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center and broadcast live by KFEQ/Photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostState Rep. Sean Pouche of Kansas City is running for his third
term in the Missouri House.The Republican incumbent of House District 13 is being
challenged on the November ballot by a Democrat with plenty of experience in
political campaigns who has decided to run in her own right.House District 13 covers much of Platte County and southern as
well as eastern Buchanan County.Pouche and his challenger, Democrat Andrea Denning of Platte
City, answered a variety of questions during the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce
candidate forum this week.On education, Pouche stated the state needs to examine its
education budget and how it is being spent by local school districts as it
attempts to improve teacher pay.“I think there’s room for improving it,” Pouche said. “And we
did this last year with the governor raised it, but I think there’s more we can
do, for sure.”Denning stated teacher pay
needs to be improved immensely.“I believe the funding can be found somewhere currently or we
can increase it through budgeting from the state,” Denning said.The two discussed the implications of child care and housing on
state economic development.Pouche said, sometimes, tax credits can be seen negatively in
Jefferson City, but could well be the key to solving the housing problem.“Tax credits in this case and in other cases, if they’re done
correctly and they’re checks and balances on them, will help promote (housing),”
according to Pouche. “And there is big investment from the private side in
order to obtain these, but there is checks and balances and I think this is one
that works well.”Denning suggested to look to Kansas City as a model on how to creatively approach the problem.“It is vital for our city, it is vital for our schools, it is
vital for our workforce to have good, affordable housing,” Denning said.The Missouri General Assembly wrapped up the legislative
session in mid-May, passing only 28 bills not related to the $47 billion state
budget. Republican in-fighting, especially in the Missouri Senate, killed an
untold number of bills.Pouche expects that to not be the case in 2025. He pointed out
some of the most outspoken senators who ground the legislative session to a
halt throughout the 2024 session lost in the Republican primary as they sought
higher office.Also, Pouche said a new session will bring new leadership.“With the new Speaker of the House, I guarantee that there
will be push (to put) the pressure back on the Senate to work together and
across lines, bipartisan, to get the will of the people done instead of
personal priorities,” Pouche said.The problem is the personal priorities, according to
Denning, who says she can be effective in the legislature even if as a Democrat
she finds herself in the minority.“Very important to talk to the other side,” Denning said. “We
have got to come together. Dysfunction is because you have too much
self-interest. We need to communicate with the others; come to a consensus on
things.”Republicans hold a 111 to 51 majority in the Missouri House
and a 23 to 9 majority in the Missouri Senate.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

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