Of the 96 microbusiness licenses issued by the state through a lottery since the program’s inception last year, cannabis consultant David Brodsky is connected to seven. They are all under investigation or facing revocation

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

The Missouri Cannabis Trade Association describes David Brodsky as “instrumental in developing the Missouri microbusiness community” and a mentor to disadvantaged business owners.

In his cannabis consulting work, Brodsky is part of a group that charges up to $4,000 to help eligible applicants enter the microbusiness lottery. It’s a&nbsp; program intended to help steer small-scale marijuana facility licenses to disabled veterans, those with lower incomes and people with non-violent marijuana offenses.

That price doesn’t include the state’s $1,500 refundable submission fee.

“We have also assisted clients who won licenses in lottery based application systems in Ohio and Connecticut and have never had an application that did not meet the criteria to go into the lottery,” Brodsky and his partners say on&nbsp;<a href="http://momicrolicense.com/" target="_blank">MOmicrolicense.com</a>.

Yet in Missouri, microbusiness applications connected to Brodsky have repeatedly run into problems with state regulators.

Of the 96 microbusiness licenses issued by the state through a lottery since the program’s inception last year, Brodsky is connected to seven. And all of them are under investigation or facing revocation because the state questions whether a qualified applicant will actually be running the business.

In October, the Division of Cannabis Regulation sent letters of pending revocation to four of the seven licensees connected to Brodsky, stating that their agreements included “false or misleading information.”

“The licensee entered into an agreement that transfers ownership and operational control to another entity,” the letters stated.

&nbsp;Notices of investigation were issued involving the other three licenses back in July, stating regulators wanted to ensure the businesses continue “to be majority owned and operated by eligible individuals.”

For&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/26/applicants-recruited-on-craigslist-competed-for-missouri-social-equity-cannabis-licenses/">more than a year</a>, The Independent has documented the pattern of well-connected groups and individuals flooding the microbusiness lottery by recruiting people to submit applications and then offering them contracts that limited their profit and control of the business.

State&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/29/cannabis-missouri-predatory-socia-equity/">regulators have been sounding the alarm</a>&nbsp;about the scheme, warning of potentially predatory practices in the microbusiness application process.

Financial agreements for the seven licenses connected to Brodsky are closed records. But The Independent was able to obtain a portion of one agreement connected to Brodsky through a public records request last year.&nbsp;

The agreement only provides the qualified applicant with one-third of the voting power to make company decisions.

<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/26/missouri-cannabis-leader-accused-of-using-predatory-contracts-to-win-social-equity-licenses/">An almost identical agreement</a>&nbsp;was used to recruit applicants by John Payne, who led the campaign to legalize marijuana in 2022. Payne’s listed as part of the momicrolicense.com team and is the designated contact for all seven licenses connected to Brodsky.&nbsp;

Payne has drawn scrutiny after The Independent revealed he asked at least one applicant to sign a 47-page contract that would give him and his partners 90.1% of profits and majority control of the business.

Despite only owning a fraction of the business, under state law the applicants would be seen as the owner and bear all of the regulatory scrutiny. If applicants ever want to walk away from the deal, they would be required to pay a nearly $1 million fee.

It’s unclear if the financial agreement in that contract is also in place for the licenses connected to Brodsky or his business partner, Scott Wootton. In an email to The Independent, they declined to comment on their roles in the seven licenses “due to confidentiality clauses in the agreements, which is standard practice in business contracts.”

However, they said Payne “has no involvement beyond being the designated contact to handle communications with the division” for all seven licenses.&nbsp;

Andrew Mullins, executive director of the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, said he’s seen contracts that look like Payne’s 47-page agreement. In some cases, he said if it weren’t for these types of agreements, the licensees wouldn’t have the resources on their own to make a business work.

“Were it not for some of those partners and the way that they’re doing that,” he said, “you basically would have people who have a license but no ability to do anything with it.”

If the 47-page contract was submitted to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/S3TheRealCostofDBEFraud.pdf" target="_blank">federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program</a>, it could be considered fraud, said attorney Rod Chapel, president of the Missouri NAACP.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“When I go and I get a loan to buy a house that I don’t have the cash to actually buy, the bank does not send over two tellers and a dog to live in the house with me – not how that works,” he said. “Ladies and gentlemen, that’s why this is a front.”

Brodsky helped establish the networking group Missouri Microbusiness Association, where he and Wootton serve as advisors. All of the association’s advisors are also advisory board members for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mocanntrade.org/team/advisory-board" target="_blank">MoCann</a>, which represents the cannabis industry overall.

On a September&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/dbC0TxDiSN8?si=b2oMaFMnzGsPHJA7&amp;t=2673" target="_blank">call</a>&nbsp;with microbusiness licensees, Brodsky said Missouri is the fourth state he’s operated a cannabis business in, along with California, Colorado and Illinois. He returned to Missouri in 2020 as a dispensary owner and operator, he said on the community call hosted by a licensee.

His association bio states that he sold his stake in Farmer’s Wife cannabis dispensaries in southwest Missouri in 2023, and “dove headfirst into the new Missouri microbusiness license opportunity.”

Similar to most of the microbusiness licenses and their investors, Brodsky and Wootton’s connection is buried in Missouri Secretary of State business filings and documents only available through public-records requests.&nbsp;

This spring, there were more than 80 dispensary applications entered into the lottery with the same St. Peters location address as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25417815-mo-microbusiness-llc" target="_blank">MO Microbusiness LLC</a>. Brodsky and Wootton are listed as organizers on the MO Microbusiness LLC business filings.

Two of those applications were successful in the lottery and licenses were issued under the name “<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25249908-mbd000032-nopr-10_10_24" target="_blank">Individual</a>.” Both are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25249902-mbd000040-nopr-10_10_24" target="_blank">facing revocation</a>.

The partners are also connected to 65 wholesale applications that all share the same Elsberry location address. They landed two of those licenses to cultivate up to 250 plants and sell to microbusiness dispensaries.&nbsp;

Both are filed under the name “<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25249886-mbw000065-nopr-10_10_24" target="_blank">Individual</a>” and are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25249887-mbw000063-nopr-101024" target="_blank">facing revocation</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The first lottery for microbusiness licenses took place last year, and that same Elsberry address is on nearly 70 wholesale applications. They were all filed by LLCs organized by Cloverleaf Registered Agent, where Wootton is listed as president.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Two of these applicants landed licenses issued to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25230857-mbw000012-notice-of-investigation-072324" target="_blank">TEB Industries LLC</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25230856-mbw000009-notice-of-investigation-072324" target="_blank">&nbsp;JRS Industries LLC</a>. In July, state regulators sent Payne notices of investigation for both companies, and the investigation is still underway, according to the division.

A similar Elsberry address is also connected to 70 dispensary applications submitted to last year’s lottery. One license was issued to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25003021-green-zebra-llc" target="_blank">Green Zebra LLC</a>&nbsp;in October 2023. It’s been under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25002786-mbd000007-notice-of-investigation-072324" target="_blank">investigation</a>&nbsp;by state regulators since July.

Brodsky mentions this license in his association bio.&nbsp;

“We were fortunate,” it states, “to win a dispensary license in Congressional District 3 with the first lottery round that we will be branding as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25231741-heirloom-dispensary" target="_blank">Heirloom Dispensary</a>&nbsp;along with several others throughout the state.”

The eligible applicant who won the license for Green Zebra signed a contract accepting a loan from Black Krim LLC, where Brodsky is the sole member, according to documents The Independent obtained through a public records request.&nbsp;

The contract established a three-member board that would vote on all company decisions. The lender and the “consultant” each get to select a member.&nbsp;

That left the qualified applicant with only one-third of the voting power.

“While you are correct that technically it only takes a 2/3 vote to make day-to-day decisions for the business,” Brodsky said in an email to The Independent, “in practice we have made all day-to-day business decisions unanimously, and we do not anticipate that changing in the future.”

He also said the majority of the three managers for Green Zebra “are and will continue to be” qualifying individuals for the microbusiness program.

The loan information for the Green Zebra contract is a closed record. However, the available operating agreement is almost identical to the one Payne used to recruit applicants this spring that legal experts called “<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/26/missouri-cannabis-leader-accused-of-using-predatory-contracts-to-win-social-equity-licenses/">predatory</a>.”

“To clarify, the rest of the Green Zebra LLC contracts, including the operating agreement, have been reviewed and approved by,” regulators, Brodsky stated.

Division of Cannabis Regulation Director Amy Moore told The Independent&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/29/cannabis-missouri-predatory-socia-equity/">last month</a>&nbsp;that the state is considering making changes to the application process to curb potentially predatory practices.&nbsp;

However, she said many of the possible changes would require a public hearing before a legislative committee for approval and would delay a third round of licenses.&nbsp;

Mullins told The Independent he believes the association would support these changes if they&nbsp;encourage participation.&nbsp;

“In some ways, I’m not sure it’s completely DCR’s obligation to be sort of in between a business owner and the business dealings that they’re doing,” Mullins said, “unless it’s something that’s in opposition to the law.”

However, he believes the association would be supportive of rules that curb practices that could be “hurtful” to microbusiness owners.

“We want to see the micro industry succeed in the same way that we want to see the rest of the industry succeed,” Mullins said, “and we’re supportive of all that. So if there’s an area where we can lend our voice and it helps ensure the success of those microbusiness owners’ journeys, then I don’t know why we would come out against it.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692273868300.png" alt="&nbsp;(Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;(Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Of the 96 microbusiness licenses issued by the state through a lottery since the program’s inception last year, cannabis consultant David Brodsky is connected to seven. They are all under investigation or facing revocation</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>The Missouri Cannabis Trade Association describes David Brodsky as “instrumental in developing the Missouri microbusiness community” and a mentor to disadvantaged business owners.In his cannabis consulting work, Brodsky is part of a group that charges up to $4,000 to help eligible applicants enter the microbusiness lottery. It’s a&nbsp; program intended to help steer small-scale marijuana facility licenses to disabled veterans, those with lower incomes and people with non-violent marijuana offenses.That price doesn’t include the state’s $1,500 refundable submission fee.“We have also assisted clients who won licenses in lottery based application systems in Ohio and Connecticut and have never had an application that did not meet the criteria to go into the lottery,” Brodsky and his partners say on&nbsp;<a href="http://momicrolicense.com/" target="_blank">MOmicrolicense.com</a>.Yet in Missouri, microbusiness applications connected to Brodsky have repeatedly run into problems with state regulators.Of the 96 microbusiness licenses issued by the state through a lottery since the program’s inception last year, Brodsky is connected to seven. And all of them are under investigation or facing revocation because the state questions whether a qualified applicant will actually be running the business.In October, the Division of Cannabis Regulation sent letters of pending revocation to four of the seven licensees connected to Brodsky, stating that their agreements included “false or misleading information.”“The licensee entered into an agreement that transfers ownership and operational control to another entity,” the letters stated.&nbsp;Notices of investigation were issued involving the other three licenses back in July, stating regulators wanted to ensure the businesses continue “to be majority owned and operated by eligible individuals.”For&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/26/applicants-recruited-on-craigslist-competed-for-missouri-social-equity-cannabis-licenses/">more than a year</a>, The Independent has documented the pattern of well-connected groups and individuals flooding the microbusiness lottery by recruiting people to submit applications and then offering them contracts that limited their profit and control of the business.State&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/29/cannabis-missouri-predatory-socia-equity/">regulators have been sounding the alarm</a>&nbsp;about the scheme, warning of potentially predatory practices in the microbusiness application process.Financial agreements for the seven licenses connected to Brodsky are closed records. But The Independent was able to obtain a portion of one agreement connected to Brodsky through a public records request last year.&nbsp;The agreement only provides the qualified applicant with one-third of the voting power to make company decisions.<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/26/missouri-cannabis-leader-accused-of-using-predatory-contracts-to-win-social-equity-licenses/">An almost identical agreement</a>&nbsp;was used to recruit applicants by John Payne, who led the campaign to legalize marijuana in 2022. Payne’s listed as part of the momicrolicense.com team and is the designated contact for all seven licenses connected to Brodsky.&nbsp;Payne has drawn scrutiny after The Independent revealed he asked at least one applicant to sign a 47-page contract that would give him and his partners 90.1% of profits and majority control of the business.Despite only owning a fraction of the business, under state law the applicants would be seen as the owner and bear all of the regulatory scrutiny. If applicants ever want to walk away from the deal, they would be required to pay a nearly $1 million fee.It’s unclear if the financial agreement in that contract is also in place for the licenses connected to Brodsky or his business partner, Scott Wootton. In an email to The Independent, they declined to comment on their roles in the seven licenses “due to confidentiality clauses in the agreements, which is standard practice in business contracts.”However, they said Payne “has no involvement beyond being the designated contact to handle communications with the division” for all seven licenses.&nbsp;Andrew Mullins, executive director of the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, said he’s seen contracts that look like Payne’s 47-page agreement. In some cases, he said if it weren’t for these types of agreements, the licensees wouldn’t have the resources on their own to make a business work.“Were it not for some of those partners and the way that they’re doing that,” he said, “you basically would have people who have a license but no ability to do anything with it.”If the 47-page contract was submitted to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/S3TheRealCostofDBEFraud.pdf" target="_blank">federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program</a>, it could be considered fraud, said attorney Rod Chapel, president of the Missouri NAACP.&nbsp;&nbsp;“When I go and I get a loan to buy a house that I don’t have the cash to actually buy, the bank does not send over two tellers and a dog to live in the house with me – not how that works,” he said. “Ladies and gentlemen, that’s why this is a front.”<h2>Flooding the lottery</h2>Brodsky helped establish the networking group Missouri Microbusiness Association, where he and Wootton serve as advisors. All of the association’s advisors are also advisory board members for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mocanntrade.org/team/advisory-board" target="_blank">MoCann</a>, which represents the cannabis industry overall.On a September&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/dbC0TxDiSN8?si=b2oMaFMnzGsPHJA7&amp;t=2673" target="_blank">call</a>&nbsp;with microbusiness licensees, Brodsky said Missouri is the fourth state he’s operated a cannabis business in, along with California, Colorado and Illinois. He returned to Missouri in 2020 as a dispensary owner and operator, he said on the community call hosted by a licensee.His association bio states that he sold his stake in Farmer’s Wife cannabis dispensaries in southwest Missouri in 2023, and “dove headfirst into the new Missouri microbusiness license opportunity.”Similar to most of the microbusiness licenses and their investors, Brodsky and Wootton’s connection is buried in Missouri Secretary of State business filings and documents only available through public-records requests.&nbsp;This spring, there were more than 80 dispensary applications entered into the lottery with the same St. Peters location address as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25417815-mo-microbusiness-llc" target="_blank">MO Microbusiness LLC</a>. Brodsky and Wootton are listed as organizers on the MO Microbusiness LLC business filings.Two of those applications were successful in the lottery and licenses were issued under the name “<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25249908-mbd000032-nopr-10_10_24" target="_blank">Individual</a>.” Both are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25249902-mbd000040-nopr-10_10_24" target="_blank">facing revocation</a>.The partners are also connected to 65 wholesale applications that all share the same Elsberry location address. They landed two of those licenses to cultivate up to 250 plants and sell to microbusiness dispensaries.&nbsp;Both are filed under the name “<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25249886-mbw000065-nopr-10_10_24" target="_blank">Individual</a>” and are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25249887-mbw000063-nopr-101024" target="_blank">facing revocation</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The first lottery for microbusiness licenses took place last year, and that same Elsberry address is on nearly 70 wholesale applications. They were all filed by LLCs organized by Cloverleaf Registered Agent, where Wootton is listed as president.&nbsp;&nbsp;Two of these applicants landed licenses issued to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25230857-mbw000012-notice-of-investigation-072324" target="_blank">TEB Industries LLC</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25230856-mbw000009-notice-of-investigation-072324" target="_blank">&nbsp;JRS Industries LLC</a>. In July, state regulators sent Payne notices of investigation for both companies, and the investigation is still underway, according to the division.A similar Elsberry address is also connected to 70 dispensary applications submitted to last year’s lottery. One license was issued to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25003021-green-zebra-llc" target="_blank">Green Zebra LLC</a>&nbsp;in October 2023. It’s been under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25002786-mbd000007-notice-of-investigation-072324" target="_blank">investigation</a>&nbsp;by state regulators since July.Brodsky mentions this license in his association bio.&nbsp;“We were fortunate,” it states, “to win a dispensary license in Congressional District 3 with the first lottery round that we will be branding as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25231741-heirloom-dispensary" target="_blank">Heirloom Dispensary</a>&nbsp;along with several others throughout the state.”The eligible applicant who won the license for Green Zebra signed a contract accepting a loan from Black Krim LLC, where Brodsky is the sole member, according to documents The Independent obtained through a public records request.&nbsp;The contract established a three-member board that would vote on all company decisions. The lender and the “consultant” each get to select a member.&nbsp;That left the qualified applicant with only one-third of the voting power.“While you are correct that technically it only takes a 2/3 vote to make day-to-day decisions for the business,” Brodsky said in an email to The Independent, “in practice we have made all day-to-day business decisions unanimously, and we do not anticipate that changing in the future.”He also said the majority of the three managers for Green Zebra “are and will continue to be” qualifying individuals for the microbusiness program.The loan information for the Green Zebra contract is a closed record. However, the available operating agreement is almost identical to the one Payne used to recruit applicants this spring that legal experts called “<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/26/missouri-cannabis-leader-accused-of-using-predatory-contracts-to-win-social-equity-licenses/">predatory</a>.”“To clarify, the rest of the Green Zebra LLC contracts, including the operating agreement, have been reviewed and approved by,” regulators, Brodsky stated.<h2>New rules</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733230828925.png" alt="John Payne, managing partner at Amendment 2 Consultants, discusses legislation at an industry summit in downtown St. Louis on March 28 with Amy Moore (middle), director of the Division of Cannabis Regulation, and Mitch Meyers, partner at BeLeaf Medical (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>John Payne, managing partner at Amendment 2 Consultants, discusses legislation at an industry summit in downtown St. Louis on March 28 with Amy Moore (middle), director of the Division of Cannabis Regulation, and Mitch Meyers, partner at BeLeaf Medical (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>Division of Cannabis Regulation Director Amy Moore told The Independent&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/29/cannabis-missouri-predatory-socia-equity/">last month</a>&nbsp;that the state is considering making changes to the application process to curb potentially predatory practices.&nbsp;However, she said many of the possible changes would require a public hearing before a legislative committee for approval and would delay a third round of licenses.&nbsp;Mullins told The Independent he believes the association would support these changes if they&nbsp;encourage participation.&nbsp;“In some ways, I’m not sure it’s completely DCR’s obligation to be sort of in between a business owner and the business dealings that they’re doing,” Mullins said, “unless it’s something that’s in opposition to the law.”However, he believes the association would be supportive of rules that curb practices that could be “hurtful” to microbusiness owners.“We want to see the micro industry succeed in the same way that we want to see the rest of the industry succeed,” Mullins said, “and we’re supportive of all that. So if there’s an area where we can lend our voice and it helps ensure the success of those microbusiness owners’ journeys, then I don’t know why we would come out against it.”

Missouri cannabis microbusiness ‘mentor’ connected to licenses under state investigation 

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 2:30a.m. Monday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Jeep Liberty driven by a 23-year-old man from Falls City, Nebraska, was westbound on U.S. 36 two miles west of Cameron.

The Jeep traveled off the left side of the road and down an embankment. Cameron ambulance transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

DEKALB COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 2:30a.m. Monday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Jeep Liberty driven by a 23-year-old man from Falls City, Nebraska, was westbound on U.S. 36 two miles west of Cameron.The Jeep traveled off the left side of the road and down an embankment. Cameron ambulance transported the driver to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Driver hospitalized in St. Joe after Jeep travels down embankment

HOLT COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before noon Sunday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Nissan Rogue driven by a 20-year-old Lansing, Kansas, woman was southbound on Interstate 29 five miles north of Mound City.

The SUV traveled into the median. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle traveled across both lanes of the Interstate, off the west side of the road, down an embankment struck the ground, rolled, struck a barbed wire fence and came to rest in a corn field.

Atchison-Holt Ambulance transported the driver to Fairfax Community. Hospital.

HOLT COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before noon Sunday in Holt County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Nissan Rogue driven by a 20-year-old Lansing, Kansas, woman was southbound on Interstate 29 five miles north of Mound City.The SUV traveled into the median. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle traveled across both lanes of the Interstate, off the west side of the road, down an embankment struck the ground, rolled, struck a barbed wire fence and came to rest in a corn field.Atchison-Holt Ambulance transported the driver to Fairfax Community. Hospital.

Kansas woman injured in SUV rollover accident

St. Joseph school officials have seen a growth in student
immigrants, expanding the need for its ELD program.

ELD stands for English Language Development, a more
comprehensive program than the old English as a Second Language program.

ELD Coordinator, Michelle Schulze, says St. Joseph sees quite
a few newcomers who come here for a variety of reasons. 

“We do have a growing immigrant population and so it’s among
that population where we do see students who maybe don’t speak any of the language,
yet,” Schulze tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post during a visit to the KFEQ Hotline.

Those students speak 34 different foreign languages, with
Spanish by far the top foreign language.

Schulze says ELD helps those students learn English so they
can progress in their education.

“The biggest thing that we do is we provide staffing,” Schulze
says. “We provide English language development courses in grades six through 12.
And we provide pull-out and some push-in into the regular classroom in grades K
through six as well. So, they are getting help with reading, writing, listening,
and speaking every day.”

In 2017, the St. Joseph School District had 748 ELD students.
Now, it has 1,306 ELD students with various levels of proficiency in English.

Schulze says age can make a difference when working with students
who might not have a firm grasp on English.

“When they’re very young, they tend to pick up very quickly
and they don’t have as many reasons to be scared,” according to Schulze. “You
know, if you’re older and you come in and you don’t speak English, you’re a
little bit more scared. And so, for those students, they need a lot of support
wrapped around them to help them.”

Even foreign students coming to St. Joseph who have studied
English might have trouble. Even those who attended elite private schools might
have difficulty communicating with those who speak colloquial English.

“Some of our students even in public school have studied English
as well for several years. That’s usually the foreign language of choice in
other countries is English,” Schulze says. “But, yes, it can vary depending on
if they were learning British English, they were learning American English. It
can depend on the country they were learning it in and how much that language
has influenced English there. So, there are differences in their English from
ours.”

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732899661213.jpeg" alt="Map of the countries from which immigrants come to the St. Joseph School District/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Map of the countries from which immigrants come to the St. Joseph School District/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph school officials have seen a growth in student
immigrants, expanding the need for its ELD program.ELD stands for English Language Development, a more
comprehensive program than the old English as a Second Language program.ELD Coordinator, Michelle Schulze, says St. Joseph sees quite
a few newcomers who come here for a variety of reasons. “We do have a growing immigrant population and so it’s among
that population where we do see students who maybe don’t speak any of the language,
yet,” Schulze tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post during a visit to the KFEQ Hotline.Those students speak 34 different foreign languages, with
Spanish by far the top foreign language.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732899936149.jpeg" alt="Languages spoken by students in the St. Joseph School District/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Languages spoken by students in the St. Joseph School District/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Schulze says ELD helps those students learn English so they
can progress in their education.“The biggest thing that we do is we provide staffing,” Schulze
says. “We provide English language development courses in grades six through 12.
And we provide pull-out and some push-in into the regular classroom in grades K
through six as well. So, they are getting help with reading, writing, listening,
and speaking every day.”In 2017, the St. Joseph School District had 748 ELD students.
Now, it has 1,306 ELD students with various levels of proficiency in English.Schulze says age can make a difference when working with students
who might not have a firm grasp on English.“When they’re very young, they tend to pick up very quickly
and they don’t have as many reasons to be scared,” according to Schulze. “You
know, if you’re older and you come in and you don’t speak English, you’re a
little bit more scared. And so, for those students, they need a lot of support
wrapped around them to help them.”Even foreign students coming to St. Joseph who have studied
English might have trouble. Even those who attended elite private schools might
have difficulty communicating with those who speak colloquial English.“Some of our students even in public school have studied English
as well for several years. That’s usually the foreign language of choice in
other countries is English,” Schulze says. “But, yes, it can vary depending on
if they were learning British English, they were learning American English. It
can depend on the country they were learning it in and how much that language
has influenced English there. So, there are differences in their English from
ours.”You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Program helps St. Joseph students who cannot speak English

Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon for long-time
Buchanan County EMS Director, Steve Groshong.

Groshong, known as “Dr. Fong,” died on Sunday, the 24th
at the age of 67.

Groshong was a nationally registered paramedic for more than
35 years. He was instrumental in establishing the Buchanan County EMS in 2014.

Funeral services will be held at the Word of Life Church at
one o’clock Monday afternoon.

Buchanan County EMS invites the community and fellow emergency
services to honor the life and legacy of Groshong. The funeral procession, open
to participation by outside agencies, will take place following the service
hosted at Word of Life Church in St. Joseph.

Agencies wishing to join are requested to contact Dustin
Duncan at 816-244-1434 to coordinate participation, with a limit of two
vehicles per agency. The public is encouraged to line the procession route to
honor Steve’s legacy and pay respects.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732893682206.jpeg" alt="Steve Groshong" />
 <figcaption>Steve Groshong</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostFuneral services will be held Monday afternoon for long-time
Buchanan County EMS Director, Steve Groshong.Groshong, known as “Dr. Fong,” died on Sunday, the 24th
at the age of 67.Groshong was a nationally registered paramedic for more than
35 years. He was instrumental in establishing the Buchanan County EMS in 2014.Funeral services will be held at the Word of Life Church at
one o’clock Monday afternoon.Buchanan County EMS invites the community and fellow emergency
services to honor the life and legacy of Groshong. The funeral procession, open
to participation by outside agencies, will take place following the service
hosted at Word of Life Church in St. Joseph.Agencies wishing to join are requested to contact Dustin
Duncan at 816-244-1434 to coordinate participation, with a limit of two
vehicles per agency. The public is encouraged to line the procession route to
honor Steve’s legacy and pay respects.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Services for EMS Dir. Groshong set for Monday; procession to follow

Immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit starting this weekend in downtown St. Joseph. &nbsp;

Lights will fill downtown, and an array of holiday activities will be happening, starting tomorrow at Felix Street Square. &nbsp;

Downtown Liaison for Mosaic Life Care Christy George says it all begins tomorrow at 6pm with the lighting ceremony&nbsp;

"It continues every Saturday up until Christmas, so there's three more weekends December 7th, 14th, and 21st," George tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.&nbsp; "We have all kinds of activities, different things every weekend so there's a different reason to come down every Saturday and experience all the fun we have planned for you."&nbsp;

George says it will also be Small Business Saturday, with several businesses and restraunts having specials.&nbsp;

"And it's important to come down and support our local business because it's hard to be a local business nowadays, as opposed to anytime, but they really need your support," George explains.&nbsp; "And it not only helps them, but it helps you because they have really cool, unique gifts."&nbsp;

Santa will also arrive at 6pm, after a holiday performance by BJ Talley.&nbsp; A fireworks show will follow the lighting. &nbsp;

One new activity this year, says George, will be the pop-up Merry Market.&nbsp;

"We're building six little Christmas villages, and they'll have pop up vendors inside of them and we'll have different vendors each weekend, and that's sponsored by the Downtown Rotary Club #32 and special thanks to Habitat for Humanity for making this possible," George says.&nbsp; "But we're really excited about the little villages, it's going to create like a little German Christmas vibe we hope."&nbsp;

The festivities will begin at 5:30 tomorrow with a performance by BJ Talley.&nbsp; Santa will arrive at 6 before Mayor John Josendale flips on the lights. There will also be a fireworks show.&nbsp;

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700603136635.jpeg" alt="Christmas in downtown St. Joe/ file photo" />
 <figcaption>Christmas in downtown St. Joe/ file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE&nbsp;St. Joseph Post&nbsp;Immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit starting this weekend in downtown St. Joseph. &nbsp;Lights will fill downtown, and an array of holiday activities will be happening, starting tomorrow at Felix Street Square. &nbsp;Downtown Liaison for Mosaic Life Care Christy George says it all begins tomorrow at 6pm with the lighting ceremony&nbsp;"It continues every Saturday up until Christmas, so there's three more weekends December 7th, 14th, and 21st," George tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.&nbsp; "We have all kinds of activities, different things every weekend so there's a different reason to come down every Saturday and experience all the fun we have planned for you."&nbsp;George says it will also be Small Business Saturday, with several businesses and restraunts having specials.&nbsp;"And it's important to come down and support our local business because it's hard to be a local business nowadays, as opposed to anytime, but they really need your support," George explains.&nbsp; "And it not only helps them, but it helps you because they have really cool, unique gifts."&nbsp;Santa will also arrive at 6pm, after a holiday performance by BJ Talley.&nbsp; A fireworks show will follow the lighting. &nbsp;One new activity this year, says George, will be the pop-up Merry Market.&nbsp;"We're building six little Christmas villages, and they'll have pop up vendors inside of them and we'll have different vendors each weekend, and that's sponsored by the Downtown Rotary Club #32 and special thanks to Habitat for Humanity for making this possible," George says.&nbsp; "But we're really excited about the little villages, it's going to create like a little German Christmas vibe we hope."&nbsp;The festivities will begin at 5:30 tomorrow with a performance by BJ Talley.&nbsp; Santa will arrive at 6 before Mayor John Josendale flips on the lights. There will also be a fireworks show.&nbsp;You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp;

Christmas coming to downtown St. Joseph this weekend

HOLT COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Thursday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Chuckwagon CW 11 UTV&nbsp; driven by a 15-year-old from Oregon, Missouri, was eastbound on Quebec Road one mile west of Oregon.&nbsp;

A westbound 2009 Chevy truck driven by a 19-year-old Oregon, Missouri man struck the UTV as the 15-year-old turned north onto Holt 300.

Atchison-Holt ambulance transported the 15-year-old to Fairfax Hospital. The pickup driver was not injured.

HOLT COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Thursday in Holt County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Chuckwagon CW 11 UTV&nbsp; driven by a 15-year-old from Oregon, Missouri, was eastbound on Quebec Road one mile west of Oregon.&nbsp;A westbound 2009 Chevy truck driven by a 19-year-old Oregon, Missouri man struck the UTV as the 15-year-old turned north onto Holt 300.Atchison-Holt ambulance transported the 15-year-old to Fairfax Hospital. The pickup driver was not injured.

15-year-old Mo. boy injured in pickup, UTV crash

With just one week left for eligible people to apply for the Adopt a Family program, there are already many families looking for help. 

AFL-CIO Community Services Executive Director Nicki Seckinger says already 575 families have been put in to be adopted this Christmas.  

Seckinger says the agency will be closed for the holidays, and then people have until next Friday to apply for the program. 

"So, we're anticipating that our numbers will increase by another third, so we're guessing we're going to come out around 800 or 900 families all together," Seckinger tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.  "The good thing is we've had a lot of adopters sign up to take families so that's wonderful." 

Seckinger says already 130 people have stepped in and adopted a family through the program 

"Which is I think a record for this early in the season for us, which is fantastic, I'm really optimistic that that increased number is going to hopefully shave down that number that we take care of at the end of the program," Seckinger explains.  "But then I'm nervous that it just means we're going to have more apply in that last week and nothing's going to really change, we just never know, this is such a weird program." 

Seckinger calls it weird because there is really no way to anticipate how many people will apply to be a part of the program. 

AFL-CIO Community Services is currently seeking help with financial and physical donations to help with the Adopt A Family program.  

An annual newsletter was distributed three weeks late, and officials with the agency says due to that donations are not where they usually are by this point. 

Seckinger says currently they have not seen any donations of money or toys for the toy room 

"And so we are really hoping that now that these are hitting people's mailboxes that it's going to motivate them to go ahead and donate," Seckinger says.  "What we're afraid of is that maybe they have already given what they're giving for their seasonal giving because they didn't get it at the beginning of the month, and that's what we're terrified of." 

Toys donated for the toy room must be new and can be dropped off at the agency offices.  Money donations can be made at the office or online to help. 

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostWith just one week left for eligible people to apply for the Adopt a Family program, there are already many families looking for help. AFL-CIO Community Services Executive Director Nicki Seckinger says already 575 families have been put in to be adopted this Christmas. Seckinger says the agency will be closed for the holidays, and then people have until next Friday to apply for the program. "So, we're anticipating that our numbers will increase by another third, so we're guessing we're going to come out around 800 or 900 families all together," Seckinger tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "The good thing is we've had a lot of adopters sign up to take families so that's wonderful." Seckinger says already 130 people have stepped in and adopted a family through the program "Which is I think a record for this early in the season for us, which is fantastic, I'm really optimistic that that increased number is going to hopefully shave down that number that we take care of at the end of the program," Seckinger explains. "But then I'm nervous that it just means we're going to have more apply in that last week and nothing's going to really change, we just never know, this is such a weird program." Seckinger calls it weird because there is really no way to anticipate how many people will apply to be a part of the program. AFL-CIO Community Services is currently seeking help with financial and physical donations to help with the Adopt A Family program. An annual newsletter was distributed three weeks late, and officials with the agency says due to that donations are not where they usually are by this point. Seckinger says currently they have not seen any donations of money or toys for the toy room "And so we are really hoping that now that these are hitting people's mailboxes that it's going to motivate them to go ahead and donate," Seckinger says. "What we're afraid of is that maybe they have already given what they're giving for their seasonal giving because they didn't get it at the beginning of the month, and that's what we're terrified of." Toys donated for the toy room must be new and can be dropped off at the agency offices. Money donations can be made at the office or online to help. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp;

Still time to apply for Adopt A Family; donations also needed

Trash fees have become a controversial issue in St. Joseph as
the city council considers sharply increasing fees at the city landfill.

A consultant recommends the St. Joseph City Council raise the
landfill rate from the current $32 a ton to as much as $125 a ton.

Interim City Manager Clint Thompson says St. Joseph’s low
rates invite trash haulers from outside the city to use the St. Joseph
landfill.

“Predominantly, the Kansas City metro area having that trash now
hauled to St. Joseph’s landfill,” Thompson tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.
“So, it’s doubled the volume during that time period.”

In 2014, 100,000 tons of trash were dumped at the St. Joseph
landfill, according to Thompson. That rose to 240,000 tons in 2019.

Yet, Josh Reinert, who owns ABC Disposal, insists the problem
at the landfill isn’t the amount of trash dumped, but a failure to develop
capacity at the landfill.

“It’s not the extra tonnage why we’re running out. It’s
because we’ve already cleared 30 foot off trash mountain, which is a mountain
of trash that we’ve stored for two years,” Reinert tells both Birr and Thompson
during a phone call to the KFEQ Hotline. “That’s why we’re running out of
capacity.”

Reinert and Thompson had a spirited exchange during the
Hotline.

Thompson says the St. Joseph tipping fee of $32 a ton has
attracted outside haulers used to paying $150-to-190 a ton to drive the extra
miles to come to the St. Joseph landfill.

“Raising that rate would be a deterrent for those out-of-town
haulers taking advantage of the low cost for disposal,” Thompson says.

Thompson says raising the rate should cut down on outside
haulers dumping trash in St. Joseph and increase the life of the landfill.

“I know we want to keep rates as low as possible,” Thompson
says. “However, in doing so, that has attracted what we feel is additional volume
from outside the immediate service area.”

Reinert disagrees with Thompson and disagrees with how the
city has gone about its study of the landfill capacity. Reinert also says such
a steep increase will raise trash service for the citizens of St. Joseph more
than the projected $5.

“When you give us a 400% increase at the landfill, that’s not
$5, not even close,” according to Reinert.

Reinert is not impressed with the study undertaken by the
consultant who has proposed the increase.

“You guys have not done a proper study,” Reinert asserts. “You’ve
based it all off of for-profit landfills when we are nowhere close to for-profit.”

Criticism of the proposed increase has prompted the city to
schedule a public forum on the issue in the council chambers next week. The
December 3rd forum will be followed by a St. Joseph City Council
work session on the topic.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostTrash fees have become a controversial issue in St. Joseph as
the city council considers sharply increasing fees at the city landfill.A consultant recommends the St. Joseph City Council raise the
landfill rate from the current $32 a ton to as much as $125 a ton.Interim City Manager Clint Thompson says St. Joseph’s low
rates invite trash haulers from outside the city to use the St. Joseph
landfill.“Predominantly, the Kansas City metro area having that trash now
hauled to St. Joseph’s landfill,” Thompson tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.
“So, it’s doubled the volume during that time period.”In 2014, 100,000 tons of trash were dumped at the St. Joseph
landfill, according to Thompson. That rose to 240,000 tons in 2019.Yet, Josh Reinert, who owns ABC Disposal, insists the problem
at the landfill isn’t the amount of trash dumped, but a failure to develop
capacity at the landfill.“It’s not the extra tonnage why we’re running out. It’s
because we’ve already cleared 30 foot off trash mountain, which is a mountain
of trash that we’ve stored for two years,” Reinert tells both Birr and Thompson
during a phone call to the KFEQ Hotline. “That’s why we’re running out of
capacity.”Reinert and Thompson had a spirited exchange during the
Hotline.Thompson says the St. Joseph tipping fee of $32 a ton has
attracted outside haulers used to paying $150-to-190 a ton to drive the extra
miles to come to the St. Joseph landfill.“Raising that rate would be a deterrent for those out-of-town
haulers taking advantage of the low cost for disposal,” Thompson says.Thompson says raising the rate should cut down on outside
haulers dumping trash in St. Joseph and increase the life of the landfill.“I know we want to keep rates as low as possible,” Thompson
says. “However, in doing so, that has attracted what we feel is additional volume
from outside the immediate service area.”Reinert disagrees with Thompson and disagrees with how the
city has gone about its study of the landfill capacity. Reinert also says such
a steep increase will raise trash service for the citizens of St. Joseph more
than the projected $5.“When you give us a 400% increase at the landfill, that’s not
$5, not even close,” according to Reinert.Reinert is not impressed with the study undertaken by the
consultant who has proposed the increase.“You guys have not done a proper study,” Reinert asserts. “You’ve
based it all off of for-profit landfills when we are nowhere close to for-profit.”Criticism of the proposed increase has prompted the city to
schedule a public forum on the issue in the council chambers next week. The
December 3rd forum will be followed by a St. Joseph City Council
work session on the topic.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Trash has become a hot topic in St. Joseph

Following an unsuccessful capital campaign by the Shakespeare Chateau Guild to acquire the home, the historic bed and breakfast is hitting the market.  

After 13 years of owning the chateau, owner Isobel McGowan has announced she will put the historic St. Joseph home up for sale.  

McGown says while the ideal choice for the next owner was the Guild, the next best option is someone who wants to live in the house 

"Keep this as a luxury, upscale, personal residence, that could happen," McGowan tells a group gathered at the Chateau  

McGown says on the flip side of the coin, what she calls the worst case, is someone buying it who doesn't live in it or participate in the community 

"As something of a bobble or a trinket, some wealthy person maybe from another country who might be of the mind that they're not going to live here so why not take all of this beautiful interior design somewhere else," McGowan explains. 

Whether it will remain a bed and breakfast is still in question, but McGowan says if the next owner is as passionate about it as she is, she would be willing to help and pass along her knowledge of the home. 

"There's a lot of moving parts to running this as a bed and breakfast and insuring that the guests that come through my front door don't see any of the complexity, they only see the beauty, the elegance, the comfort, the welcome that they feel when they come through my front door, that they enjoy an evening of rest and relaxation, that they enjoy a fine breakfast in the morning," McGowan says. 

The original hope was that the Shakespeare Chateau Guild would purchase the home, as well as the house next door to preserve its history, and educate others on historic preservation.  

But after the unsuccessful capital campaign, that will not happen, though McGowan says the guild will still pursue the mission of historic preservation. 

"To bring the historic assets of St. Joseph to the forefront and help to promote them, and promote their preservation," McGowan says.  "There will be somewhat of a rethinking of how that mission will be achieved and that will yet to be seen going forward." 

McGowan is just the fifth owner of the historic St. Joseph home in its nearly 145-year history. 

The future is unknown when the house will go on the market.  McGown says she is currently working on a plan for putting the home for sale. 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1706910875476.jpeg" alt="The Shakespeare Chateau/ File photo by Matt Pike" />
 <figcaption>The Shakespeare Chateau/ File photo by Matt Pike</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Following an unsuccessful capital campaign by the Shakespeare Chateau Guild to acquire the home, the historic bed and breakfast is hitting the market. After 13 years of owning the chateau, owner Isobel McGowan has announced she will put the historic St. Joseph home up for sale. McGown says while the ideal choice for the next owner was the Guild, the next best option is someone who wants to live in the house "Keep this as a luxury, upscale, personal residence, that could happen," McGowan tells a group gathered at the Chateau McGown says on the flip side of the coin, what she calls the worst case, is someone buying it who doesn't live in it or participate in the community "As something of a bobble or a trinket, some wealthy person maybe from another country who might be of the mind that they're not going to live here so why not take all of this beautiful interior design somewhere else," McGowan explains. Whether it will remain a bed and breakfast is still in question, but McGowan says if the next owner is as passionate about it as she is, she would be willing to help and pass along her knowledge of the home. "There's a lot of moving parts to running this as a bed and breakfast and insuring that the guests that come through my front door don't see any of the complexity, they only see the beauty, the elegance, the comfort, the welcome that they feel when they come through my front door, that they enjoy an evening of rest and relaxation, that they enjoy a fine breakfast in the morning," McGowan says. The original hope was that the Shakespeare Chateau Guild would purchase the home, as well as the house next door to preserve its history, and educate others on historic preservation. But after the unsuccessful capital campaign, that will not happen, though McGowan says the guild will still pursue the mission of historic preservation. "To bring the historic assets of St. Joseph to the forefront and help to promote them, and promote their preservation," McGowan says. "There will be somewhat of a rethinking of how that mission will be achieved and that will yet to be seen going forward." McGowan is just the fifth owner of the historic St. Joseph home in its nearly 145-year history. The future is unknown when the house will go on the market. McGown says she is currently working on a plan for putting the home for sale. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Shakespeare Chateau will be put up for sale

A 35-year-old St. Joseph man has been charged with kidnapping
and robbery, accused of accosting a teenager who he blamed for a broken vehicle
window.

St. Joseph police say a 13-year-old boy said 35-year-old Glen
Barnett, Jr. punched and kicked him, took his phone, and pointed a gun at him.

A probable cause statement says the boy reported he was
walking in the 15-Hundred block of Savannah Avenue in the early morning hours
of October 6th when several people began chasing him, accusing him
of breaking the car window. The teen claims two began kicking him after he
fell, then dragged him into a house where they threatened to kill him.

The men released him. His mother reported the incident to
police.

Police say Barnett confessed to beating the boy and stealing
his cell phone.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732737215613.png" alt="Barnett photo Buchanan Co." />
 <figcaption>Barnett photo Buchanan Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA 35-year-old St. Joseph man has been charged with kidnapping
and robbery, accused of accosting a teenager who he blamed for a broken vehicle
window.St. Joseph police say a 13-year-old boy said 35-year-old Glen
Barnett, Jr. punched and kicked him, took his phone, and pointed a gun at him.A probable cause statement says the boy reported he was
walking in the 15-Hundred block of Savannah Avenue in the early morning hours
of October 6th when several people began chasing him, accusing him
of breaking the car window. The teen claims two began kicking him after he
fell, then dragged him into a house where they threatened to kill him.The men released him. His mother reported the incident to
police.Police say Barnett confessed to beating the boy and stealing
his cell phone.Barnett is being held without bond.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph man accused of threatening, beating teen

St. Joseph firefighters kept busy on Tuesday, responding to
two fires.

Fire crews responded to a structure fire near the intersection
of North 21st and Faraon Streets shortly after three o’clock Tuesday afternoon. Some property damage has been reported. No one was
injured in the fire.

Fire engulfed a multi-level house near South 14th
and Messanie Streets late Tuesday night. Numerous fire crew responded to the
fire. A section of Messanie was closed to traffic while firefighters tackled
the fire. Crews responded shortly after 11 o’clock and remained on the scene
throughout the early morning hours.

Again, property damage reported; no injuries reported.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph firefighters kept busy on Tuesday, responding to
two fires.Fire crews responded to a structure fire near the intersection
of North 21st and Faraon Streets shortly after three o’clock Tuesday afternoon. Some property damage has been reported. No one was
injured in the fire.Fire engulfed a multi-level house near South 14th
and Messanie Streets late Tuesday night. Numerous fire crew responded to the
fire. A section of Messanie was closed to traffic while firefighters tackled
the fire. Crews responded shortly after 11 o’clock and remained on the scene
throughout the early morning hours.Again, property damage reported; no injuries reported.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph firefighters respond to two blazes

A Cole County judge calls requirements for obtaining photo identification ‘generalized grievances shared by the population as a whole’

BY:&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>

A challenge to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/08/24/missouris-new-voter-id-law-faces-lawsuit-claiming-its-unconstitutional/">Missouri’s voter ID law</a>&nbsp;will proceed to the state Supreme Court following a Cole County decision&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/JUDGMENT.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3366631" target="_blank">upholding the 2022 legislation</a>, opponents said Tuesday.

The decision by Circuit Judge Jon Beetem found the individual voters and organizations that sued — the Missouri NAACP and the League of Women Voters — were unable to show they had been harmed by the application of the law and lacked standing to bring the case.

And addressing the particulars of their challenge, Beetem wrote the burdens were not onerous on any individual voter.

The law requires voters to show a Missouri or federally issued identification that includes a photo, the holder’s date of birth and an expiration date. Identification that has been expired for less than a year is acceptable.

“The individual plaintiffs and/or Missouri voters generally do not have a legally protectable interest in avoiding the everyday burdens of getting an expired license renewed,” Beetem wrote. “Any of the individual plaintiffs’ alleged injuries in this regard are generalized grievances shared by the population as a whole.”

The appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court will argue that Beetem applied the wrong standard to his analysis, said Denise Lieberman, director of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition and one of the lead attorneys on the case. The focus should be on the sometimes insurmountable burdens that thousands of Missourians face obtaining the documents to secure the needed identification, she said.

“The court got the test wrong,” Lieberman said. “It is the burden of the state to demonstrate it has no other way to advance its interests than through a law that burdens voters in this way.”

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, who was the defendant in the case, praised the result as a victory for election integrity.

“To maintain a secure system for voting, it only stands to reason that a photo ID should be essential,” Ashcroft said in a news release.

The timeline for the appeal is uncertain. The ruling will not be final for 30 days, so the high court will not start setting a schedule until that time.

If the law is overturned, it will also end the two week period of “<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/30/increasing-every-day-voters-line-up-across-missouri-for-chance-to-cast-ballot-early/">no-excuse absentee</a>” voting that proved its popularity this year. The early voting period was part of a compromise deal to allow the voter ID measure to come to a vote in the Missouri Senate.

Establishing a government-issued photo ID as the only acceptable form of identification for voting is a longstanding goal of Republican politicians in Missouri. Prior to the 2022 law, voters could also present a county-issued voter ID card, a student identification card, a birth certificate or a recent utility bill with their name and address as proof in order to vote.

After the courts rebuffed earlier attempts to enact a photo ID law, Republicans in 2016 placed a constitutional amendment on the ballot that specifically allowed it.&nbsp;

That vote was followed in 2017 by a law that allowed a voter who did not have a photo ID, but who had one of the other forms, to have their ballot counted if they signed an affidavit of their identity.

The Missouri Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=148515" target="_blank">overturned that law in 2020</a>. The law challenged in the decision issued Monday has been in effect since 2022 while the case has been argued.

A voter who does not have proper identification can cast a provisional ballot, which will be counted if they return to the polls with their ID or if their signature matches the one on file.

To succeed in their challenge, Beetem wrote, the plaintiffs had to prove “that there is no set of circumstances under which the challenged provisions of (House Bill)1878 are constitutional.”

They were unable to do so, he wrote. None of the individual plaintiffs had been denied a ballot at any election and the issues they raised — inability to obtain documents proving a name is misspelled or the expiration of an ID and the trouble involved in renewing it — have not been barriers to voting, he wrote.

The issues raised, he wrote, “do not present a substantial or severe burden upon the right to vote.”

The state has an interest in protecting elections and the public confidence they are fair, Beetem wrote. There was no evidence, however, that photo ID had prevented cheating.

“There was evidence that possible voter impersonation has been brought to the attention of local election authorities,” Beeem wrote. “However, no credible evidence was adduced of any voter impersonation which would have been prevented by requiring photo ID.”

Beetem missed that voters lose confidence in elections if they are uncertain if their vote will be counted, Lieberman said.

“Missouri has had a voter ID law on the books since 2002 and it worked fine because it allowed voters to show a range of forms of valid ID, including a voter registration card,” she said.

The organizations backing the challenge said the case needs to be appealed so it is easier for Missourians to vote.

“There’s no evidence of voter impersonation in Missouri, so these extreme restrictions don’t make our elections any safer or more secure,” said Marilyn McLeod, president of the League of Women Voters of Missouri.

The NAACP sees the law as a discriminatory act aimed at lowering turnout among people in minority groups, older adults and students, Nimrod Chapel Jr., president of the Missouri NAACP State Conference said in a news release.

“While these laws aim to fix an imaginary problem,” he said, “the disenfranchisement from the unnecessary and burdensome legal obstacles they create for voters is very real.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722436916800.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure><h2>A Cole County judge calls requirements for obtaining photo identification ‘generalized grievances shared by the population as a whole’</h2>BY:&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>A challenge to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/08/24/missouris-new-voter-id-law-faces-lawsuit-claiming-its-unconstitutional/">Missouri’s voter ID law</a>&nbsp;will proceed to the state Supreme Court following a Cole County decision&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/JUDGMENT.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3366631" target="_blank">upholding the 2022 legislation</a>, opponents said Tuesday.The decision by Circuit Judge Jon Beetem found the individual voters and organizations that sued — the Missouri NAACP and the League of Women Voters — were unable to show they had been harmed by the application of the law and lacked standing to bring the case.And addressing the particulars of their challenge, Beetem wrote the burdens were not onerous on any individual voter.The law requires voters to show a Missouri or federally issued identification that includes a photo, the holder’s date of birth and an expiration date. Identification that has been expired for less than a year is acceptable.“The individual plaintiffs and/or Missouri voters generally do not have a legally protectable interest in avoiding the everyday burdens of getting an expired license renewed,” Beetem wrote. “Any of the individual plaintiffs’ alleged injuries in this regard are generalized grievances shared by the population as a whole.”The appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court will argue that Beetem applied the wrong standard to his analysis, said Denise Lieberman, director of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition and one of the lead attorneys on the case. The focus should be on the sometimes insurmountable burdens that thousands of Missourians face obtaining the documents to secure the needed identification, she said.“The court got the test wrong,” Lieberman said. “It is the burden of the state to demonstrate it has no other way to advance its interests than through a law that burdens voters in this way.”Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, who was the defendant in the case, praised the result as a victory for election integrity.“To maintain a secure system for voting, it only stands to reason that a photo ID should be essential,” Ashcroft said in a news release.The timeline for the appeal is uncertain. The ruling will not be final for 30 days, so the high court will not start setting a schedule until that time.If the law is overturned, it will also end the two week period of “<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/30/increasing-every-day-voters-line-up-across-missouri-for-chance-to-cast-ballot-early/">no-excuse absentee</a>” voting that proved its popularity this year. The early voting period was part of a compromise deal to allow the voter ID measure to come to a vote in the Missouri Senate.Establishing a government-issued photo ID as the only acceptable form of identification for voting is a longstanding goal of Republican politicians in Missouri. Prior to the 2022 law, voters could also present a county-issued voter ID card, a student identification card, a birth certificate or a recent utility bill with their name and address as proof in order to vote.After the courts rebuffed earlier attempts to enact a photo ID law, Republicans in 2016 placed a constitutional amendment on the ballot that specifically allowed it.&nbsp;That vote was followed in 2017 by a law that allowed a voter who did not have a photo ID, but who had one of the other forms, to have their ballot counted if they signed an affidavit of their identity.The Missouri Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=148515" target="_blank">overturned that law in 2020</a>. The law challenged in the decision issued Monday has been in effect since 2022 while the case has been argued.A voter who does not have proper identification can cast a provisional ballot, which will be counted if they return to the polls with their ID or if their signature matches the one on file.To succeed in their challenge, Beetem wrote, the plaintiffs had to prove “that there is no set of circumstances under which the challenged provisions of (House Bill)1878 are constitutional.”They were unable to do so, he wrote. None of the individual plaintiffs had been denied a ballot at any election and the issues they raised — inability to obtain documents proving a name is misspelled or the expiration of an ID and the trouble involved in renewing it — have not been barriers to voting, he wrote.The issues raised, he wrote, “do not present a substantial or severe burden upon the right to vote.”The state has an interest in protecting elections and the public confidence they are fair, Beetem wrote. There was no evidence, however, that photo ID had prevented cheating.“There was evidence that possible voter impersonation has been brought to the attention of local election authorities,” Beeem wrote. “However, no credible evidence was adduced of any voter impersonation which would have been prevented by requiring photo ID.”Beetem missed that voters lose confidence in elections if they are uncertain if their vote will be counted, Lieberman said.“Missouri has had a voter ID law on the books since 2002 and it worked fine because it allowed voters to show a range of forms of valid ID, including a voter registration card,” she said.The organizations backing the challenge said the case needs to be appealed so it is easier for Missourians to vote.“There’s no evidence of voter impersonation in Missouri, so these extreme restrictions don’t make our elections any safer or more secure,” said Marilyn McLeod, president of the League of Women Voters of Missouri.The NAACP sees the law as a discriminatory act aimed at lowering turnout among people in minority groups, older adults and students, Nimrod Chapel Jr., president of the Missouri NAACP State Conference said in a news release.“While these laws aim to fix an imaginary problem,” he said, “the disenfranchisement from the unnecessary and burdensome legal obstacles they create for voters is very real.”

Challenge to voter ID law heading for appeal to Missouri Supreme Court

Ruling says the Missouri Constitution allows the commission to use unspent money in the state Road Fund for any permissible purpose, including implementing a market pay plan for MoDOT employees

Missouri Department of Transportation employees are entitled to raises included in a market pay plan even if lawmakers haven’t appropriated enough money to cover the cost, the Western District Missouri Court of Appeals&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=214797" target="_blank">ruled Tuesday</a>.

In the unanimous decision, Judge Gary Witt wrote that the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=IV++++30(b)&amp;bid=31847&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">Missouri Constitution is unambiguous</a>&nbsp;in the power it gives to the Highways and Transportation Commission to spend money in the state Road Fund.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732659244668.png" alt=" The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission can spend more on salaries than lawmakers appropriate if there is enough money in the Road Fund, a Missouri Western District of Appeals panel of Judges Gary Witt, left, Mark Pfeiffer, center and Thomas Chapman ruled Tuesday. The judges are shown during oral arguments Nov. 7 at the University of Missouri's law school. (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission can spend more on salaries than lawmakers appropriate if there is enough money in the Road Fund, a Missouri Western District of Appeals panel of Judges Gary Witt, left, Mark Pfeiffer, center and Thomas Chapman ruled Tuesday. The judges are shown during oral arguments Nov. 7 at the University of Missouri's law school. (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Ruling says the Missouri Constitution allows the commission to use unspent money in the state Road Fund for any permissible purpose, including implementing a market pay plan for MoDOT employees</h2>BY:&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>Missouri Department of Transportation employees are entitled to raises included in a market pay plan even if lawmakers haven’t appropriated enough money to cover the cost, the Western District Missouri Court of Appeals&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=214797" target="_blank">ruled Tuesday</a>.In the unanimous decision, Judge Gary Witt wrote that the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=IV++++30(b)&amp;bid=31847&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">Missouri Constitution is unambiguous</a>&nbsp;in the power it gives to the Highways and Transportation Commission to spend money in the state Road Fund.The only off-limits money in the Road Fund, Witt wrote, is the portion set aside for debt payments.“Once MHTC complies with these requirements,” Witt wrote, “MHTC retains sole discretion in&nbsp;using and expending the remaining balance of the State Road Fund in accordance with&nbsp;the constitutionally permissible uses.”The ruling comes less than three weeks after the three-judge panel&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/07/appeals-court-judges-hear-arguments-over-limits-on-use-of-missouri-road-fund/">heard arguments</a>&nbsp;and, barring a final appeal to the Supreme Court, ends a case that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newstribune.com/news/2021/dec/04/MoDOT-suing-state-over-ability-to-use-funds-for-em/" target="_blank">began in 2021</a>&nbsp;. The decision upholds a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/01/judge-approves-pay-raise-plan-for-missouri-transportation-agency-workers/">trial court ruling</a>&nbsp;from Cole County.The dispute began when Commissioner of Administration Ken Zellers refused to issue paychecks that included raises intended to stem rapidly rising turnover in the department.The heart of the case is language in the Constitution that states money in the Road Fund shall “stand appropriated without legislative action” for the limited purposes of road construction and maintenance. Money in the road fund comes from fuel taxes and license fees.“The payment of the employees of MHTC is within the constitutionally permissible uses of the State Road Fund to ‘employ such personnel as necessary,’” Witt wrote.MoDOT will not comment on the case until the court decision is final, spokeswoman Linda Horn wrote in an email to The Independent.The Attorney General’s office, which represented Zellers, also did not respond.In opposing the pay raises, Deputy Solicitor General Sam Freedlund argued to the appeals court that only the debt obligations of the commission could be paid if lawmakers did not appropriate sufficient money. Otherwise, the legislature must appropriate the money, he said.“All sorts of agencies, I’m sure, want to pay their employees different amounts, but it’s the legislation that ultimately controls the public purse strings,” Freedlund said.The judges were skeptical of that argument in the hearing and the ruling shows why. The constitutional language, Witt wrote, “unambiguously provides that the entire State Road Fund stands appropriated without legislative action.”The language has never been tested previously because the commission stayed within the annual appropriations made by lawmakers. The market plan went outside the appropriations in an effort to stem massive turnover in the agency.The department lost an average of 600 employees per year from fiscal 2018 to fiscal 2021 out of an employee base of about 5,000. During that period, state pay raises were small or non-existent.Turnover has remained high — 14%, or 654 employees in fiscal 2024 — even as pay raises became more generous throughout state government. Since the lawsuit started, state employees generally have received raises equaling almost 21% more than their salaries in 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;The commission’s goal for the pay plan was to raise pay levels so 65% of MoDOT employees are at or above the midpoint in the pay range for their job. In the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2024, 89.3% were below the midpoint, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/FY26_MODOT_Appropriation_Book.pdf" target="_blank">state budget documents</a>.“The payment of the employees of MHTC is within the constitutionally permissible uses of the State Road Fund to ‘employ such personnel as necessary,’” Witt wrote.The lawsuit was filed two months after the first state fuel tax increase in 27 years took effect. State lawmakers approved the tax increase – 12.5 cents per gallon phased in over five years – without seeking a statewide vote.So far, the tax increase has added 10 cents a gallon to the cost of fuel and when fully implemented on July 1, 2025, motorists will be paying a total of 29.9 cents per gallon in state fuel taxes.The lawsuit enraged some lawmakers. State Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin, and five other Republican senators, in a February 2022 letter to the commission, demanded that MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna either resign or be fired.McKenna survived the attacks. In August, after securing a new job, he told the commission he was resigning after nine years.

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