DAVIESS COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just after noon Monday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Freightliner semi driven by a&nbsp; 34-year-old Kansas City, Missouri, man was southbound in the driving lane of Interstate 35 seven miles south of Patronsburg.

The semi struck the towed unit of a 2005 Winnebago driven by an 81-year-old Golden Valley, Minnesota man.&nbsp; After impact the Winnebago began to skid and rotated counterclockwise.&nbsp; The towed unit from the Winnebago became unhooked, skidded off the right side of the road down an embankment and struck a tree. The Winnebago skidded off the left side of the road and overturned. The semi traveled off the road to the right, down an embankment and struck a tree.

EMS transported the Winnebago driver to Cameron Regional Medical Center and a 77-year-old female passenger to Liberty Hospital.&nbsp; The semi driver refused treatment at the scene. The MSHP had incomplete seat belt usage information. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

DAVIESS COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just after noon Monday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Freightliner semi driven by a&nbsp; 34-year-old Kansas City, Missouri, man was southbound in the driving lane of Interstate 35 seven miles south of Patronsburg.The semi struck the towed unit of a 2005 Winnebago driven by an 81-year-old Golden Valley, Minnesota man.&nbsp; After impact the Winnebago began to skid and rotated counterclockwise.&nbsp; The towed unit from the Winnebago became unhooked, skidded off the right side of the road down an embankment and struck a tree. The Winnebago skidded off the left side of the road and overturned. The semi traveled off the road to the right, down an embankment and struck a tree.EMS transported the Winnebago driver to Cameron Regional Medical Center and a 77-year-old female passenger to Liberty Hospital.&nbsp; The semi driver refused treatment at the scene. The MSHP had incomplete seat belt usage information. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 hospitalized after semi rear-ends towed unit on RV

THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED FROM A PREVIOUS STORY

St. Joseph Police have charged Romeloe Kevonte Ballard in a shooting incident early Sunday afternoon.

The St. Joseph Police Department reports officers responded to a call shortly after noon Sunday in the 200 block of North 8th Street. Officers discovered signs of shooting at an apartment complex at 210 North 8th Street.

Officers encountered Ballard near the doorway of an apartment and after refusing commands, he was taken into custody.  Officers found several shell casings and the firearm was recovered. 

 Ballard  was charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon  by the Buchanan County Prosecutors Office. Ballard is currently being held at the Buchanan County Jail on a $10,000 cash-only bond.

The St. Joseph Police Department would like to thank residents for their cooperation as officers safely resolved the incident.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762812845131.jpeg" alt="Romeloe Kevonte Ballard/ Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph Police Department" />
 <figcaption>Romeloe Kevonte Ballard/ Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph Police Department</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE and BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostTHIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED FROM A PREVIOUS STORYSt. Joseph Police have charged Romeloe Kevonte Ballard in a shooting incident early Sunday afternoon.The St. Joseph Police Department reports officers responded to a call shortly after noon Sunday in the 200 block of North 8th Street. Officers discovered signs of shooting at an apartment complex at 210 North 8th Street.Officers encountered Ballard near the doorway of an apartment and after refusing commands, he was taken into custody. Officers found several shell casings and the firearm was recovered. Ballard was charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon by the Buchanan County Prosecutors Office. Ballard is currently being held at the Buchanan County Jail on a $10,000 cash-only bond.The St. Joseph Police Department would like to thank residents for their cooperation as officers safely resolved the incident.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt,&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ,&nbsp;and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

One arrested in Sunday St. Joseph shooting incident 

The Gene Field Road Bridge over Interstate 29 in St. Joseph is closed until futher notice. 

The Missouri Department of Transportation announced that the bridge will be closed after it was struck by an oversized load.  Crews are currently evaluating the condition of the bridge.  

Both the eastbound and westbound lanes of the bridge have been closed, so drivers will need to find an alternate route.  The closure will not affect travel along I-29.  

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

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe Gene Field Road Bridge over Interstate 29 in St. Joseph is closed until futher notice. The Missouri Department of Transportation announced that the bridge will be closed after it was struck by an oversized load. Crews are currently evaluating the condition of the bridge. Both the eastbound and westbound lanes of the bridge have been closed, so drivers will need to find an alternate route. The closure will not affect travel along I-29. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Gene Field Road bridge closed after being struck by oversized load

The Northwest
Missouri Labor Council has elected Zack Dunn as President.

The council also
elected Daniel Robinson as Vice President, stating the elections usher in a new
era of leadership focused on rebuilding worker power and strengthening the
voice of organized labor across northwest Missouri.

The elections come
after the death of Mike Veale in August. Veale served as President of the
Northwest Missouri Labor Council for the last 11 years.

“Mike was a
courageous leader who stood shoulder to shoulder with members of the community.
He never hesitated to jump in and offer his help whenever the need arose. Mike
was a kind man and a strong leader,” Jake Hummel, President of the Missouri
AFL-CIO, said in a written statement. “Mike has left big shoes to fill and I’m
confident Zack’s leadership will carry that commitment forward.”

Dunn now serves as
Government Affairs Director for the Missouri and Kansas Laborers District
Council of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA). Dunn, a
Savannah native, began his career in 2018 as Regional Field Director during
Missouri’s historic campaign to defeat “right-to-work” legislation. Under his
leadership, Northwest Missouri organized 200 volunteers who knocked on more
than 15,000 doors and delivered victories in 16 of 17 counties on Election Day.

“This is about
rebuilding strength from the ground up,” Dunn said in a written statement.
“Northwest Missouri has always had a proud union history. From the men and
women who built our roads, bridges, and schools to the workers who keep our
communities running today. We’re going to honor that legacy by building an
organization that fights for all working people, union and non-union alike.”

&nbsp;The Northwest Missouri Labor Council, an
affiliate of the Missouri AFL-CIO, represents union members across eleven
counties. The Council brings together labor unions, trade organizations, and
community allies who collectively advocate for fair wages, strong benefits, and
the dignity of work.

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762802085185.jpeg" alt="Zack Dunn/Photo courtesy of NW Missouri Labor Council" />
 <figcaption>Zack Dunn/Photo courtesy of NW Missouri Labor Council</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINThe Northwest
Missouri Labor Council has elected Zack Dunn as President.The council also
elected Daniel Robinson as Vice President, stating the elections usher in a new
era of leadership focused on rebuilding worker power and strengthening the
voice of organized labor across northwest Missouri.The elections come
after the death of Mike Veale in August. Veale served as President of the
Northwest Missouri Labor Council for the last 11 years.“Mike was a
courageous leader who stood shoulder to shoulder with members of the community.
He never hesitated to jump in and offer his help whenever the need arose. Mike
was a kind man and a strong leader,” Jake Hummel, President of the Missouri
AFL-CIO, said in a written statement. “Mike has left big shoes to fill and I’m
confident Zack’s leadership will carry that commitment forward.”Dunn now serves as
Government Affairs Director for the Missouri and Kansas Laborers District
Council of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA). Dunn, a
Savannah native, began his career in 2018 as Regional Field Director during
Missouri’s historic campaign to defeat “right-to-work” legislation. Under his
leadership, Northwest Missouri organized 200 volunteers who knocked on more
than 15,000 doors and delivered victories in 16 of 17 counties on Election Day.“This is about
rebuilding strength from the ground up,” Dunn said in a written statement.
“Northwest Missouri has always had a proud union history. From the men and
women who built our roads, bridges, and schools to the workers who keep our
communities running today. We’re going to honor that legacy by building an
organization that fights for all working people, union and non-union alike.”&nbsp;The Northwest Missouri Labor Council, an
affiliate of the Missouri AFL-CIO, represents union members across eleven
counties. The Council brings together labor unions, trade organizations, and
community allies who collectively advocate for fair wages, strong benefits, and
the dignity of work.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Dunn elected president of Northwest Missouri Labor Council

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/7KQOVhIzyFFOKX2tpcejkT?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning Sports

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/787eJJIym4RJgLMw5sGDQ0?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning News

A two vehicle crash on northbound I-29 early this morning is being investigated by the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office. 

The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office reports at nine this morning near the interchange of I-29 at Frederick Avenue a two vehicle crash involving a caution vehicle trailing an oversize load and a pickup occurred.  Both drivers reported mild to moderate injuries, with one being hospitalized. 

The crash forced traffic to slow down as northbound I-29 was closed down to one lane near the crash until it was cleaned up.

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

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostA two vehicle crash on northbound I-29 early this morning is being investigated by the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office. The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office reports at nine this morning near the interchange of I-29 at Frederick Avenue a two vehicle crash involving a caution vehicle trailing an oversize load and a pickup occurred. Both drivers reported mild to moderate injuries, with one being hospitalized. The crash forced traffic to slow down as northbound I-29 was closed down to one lane near the crash until it was cleaned up.The crash remains under investigation.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Two vehicle crash on northbound I-29 leaves two injured

A St. Joseph student is the
first student-researcher at the University of Dubuque in Iowa to receive a
prestigious fellowship.

The University of Dubuque reports environmental
science major Tatum Levendahl, who is a junior, is the first student-researcher
selected for the Franzen Biodiversity Fellowship at Wolter Woods and Prairies. The
university reports Levendahl learned about field research and conducted surveys
as well as collected, prepared, and cataloged specimens over the summer. She has
systematically surveyed a variety of fungi, arthropods, plants, and more at the
University of Dubuque’s Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and
Retreat Center.

“One of the most exciting organisms to add to the collection was the
Asiatic Dayflower. The bloom only lasts for one day, so I was really lucky to
run into it when I did,” Levendahl said in a written statement issued by
Dubuque University. “I also love to find parasitic insects. They’re so
interesting to learn about, and it almost feels like I’m uncovering a mystery
when trying to identify them.”

David Koch, PhD, assistant director of Wolter Woods and Prairies,
curator of the Wolter Woods and Prairies Herbarium Collection, and associate
professor of environmental science, was impressed by Levendahl’s observational
skills.

“Tatum located rare and hard-to-find specimens for the herbarium
collection,” Koch said in a written statement. “In the third year of the
herbarium collection project, Tatum has accounted for around 20 percent of the
collection’s total species count at a time when finding new species should be
difficult.”

The university reports Levendahl continues to organize her collection
and will add new specimens as the academic year progresses. She will wrap up
her experience with the Franzen Biodiversity Fellowship in April when she
presents her findings in a poster at the annual meeting of the Mississippi
River Research Consortium in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

The Franzen Biodiversity Fellowship at Wolter Woods and Prairies is
sponsored by Pat (Wild) Franzen (C’68) and Dick Franzen (C’67).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762798854384.jpeg" alt="Tatum Levendahl/Photo courtesy of Dubuque University" />
 <figcaption>Tatum Levendahl/Photo courtesy of Dubuque University</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA St. Joseph student is the
first student-researcher at the University of Dubuque in Iowa to receive a
prestigious fellowship.The University of Dubuque reports environmental
science major Tatum Levendahl, who is a junior, is the first student-researcher
selected for the Franzen Biodiversity Fellowship at Wolter Woods and Prairies. The
university reports Levendahl learned about field research and conducted surveys
as well as collected, prepared, and cataloged specimens over the summer. She has
systematically surveyed a variety of fungi, arthropods, plants, and more at the
University of Dubuque’s Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and
Retreat Center.“One of the most exciting organisms to add to the collection was the
Asiatic Dayflower. The bloom only lasts for one day, so I was really lucky to
run into it when I did,” Levendahl said in a written statement issued by
Dubuque University. “I also love to find parasitic insects. They’re so
interesting to learn about, and it almost feels like I’m uncovering a mystery
when trying to identify them.”David Koch, PhD, assistant director of Wolter Woods and Prairies,
curator of the Wolter Woods and Prairies Herbarium Collection, and associate
professor of environmental science, was impressed by Levendahl’s observational
skills.“Tatum located rare and hard-to-find specimens for the herbarium
collection,” Koch said in a written statement. “In the third year of the
herbarium collection project, Tatum has accounted for around 20 percent of the
collection’s total species count at a time when finding new species should be
difficult.”The university reports Levendahl continues to organize her collection
and will add new specimens as the academic year progresses. She will wrap up
her experience with the Franzen Biodiversity Fellowship in April when she
presents her findings in a poster at the annual meeting of the Mississippi
River Research Consortium in La Crosse, Wisconsin.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762798925994.jpeg" alt="Tatum Levendahl/Photo courtesy of Dubuque University" />
 <figcaption>Tatum Levendahl/Photo courtesy of Dubuque University</figcaption>
 </figure>The Franzen Biodiversity Fellowship at Wolter Woods and Prairies is
sponsored by Pat (Wild) Franzen (C’68) and Dick Franzen (C’67).You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joseph student 1st to receive Dubuque University fellowship

Maximize Northwest
Missouri has received national recognition.

Communities of
Excellence and Resilience [C.O.R.E.], a national nonprofit organization,
recently awarded bronze recognition to Maximize NWMO, the regional vitality
initiative of The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri. 

West Kendall, Florida
and Coral Springs, Florida earned silver. Coral Gables, Florida received gold
recognition.

“These communities
exemplify what happens when people come together across sectors to create
shared systems for improvement,” Stephanie Norling, President and CEO of
C.O.R.E. aid in a written statement. “Each one shows us that resilience and
excellence are not separate goals – they’re what make communities stronger over
time.”

The communities
participated in C.O.R.E.’s Assessment and Recognition Program, where
cross-sector teams describe their processes, partnerships, and key results
using The C.O.R.E. Guide’s criteria of questions on leadership, strategy,
residents and other stakeholders, data measurement and management, people
resources, operations, and culture.

The communities
were recognized during the annual Fall Conference in Denver.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762796763366.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINMaximize Northwest
Missouri has received national recognition.Communities of
Excellence and Resilience [C.O.R.E.], a national nonprofit organization,
recently awarded bronze recognition to Maximize NWMO, the regional vitality
initiative of The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri. West Kendall, Florida
and Coral Springs, Florida earned silver. Coral Gables, Florida received gold
recognition.“These communities
exemplify what happens when people come together across sectors to create
shared systems for improvement,” Stephanie Norling, President and CEO of
C.O.R.E. aid in a written statement. “Each one shows us that resilience and
excellence are not separate goals – they’re what make communities stronger over
time.”The communities
participated in C.O.R.E.’s Assessment and Recognition Program, where
cross-sector teams describe their processes, partnerships, and key results
using The C.O.R.E. Guide’s criteria of questions on leadership, strategy,
residents and other stakeholders, data measurement and management, people
resources, operations, and culture.Maximize NWMO servers
18 counties.The communities
were recognized during the annual Fall Conference in Denver.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Maximize NWMO earns national recognition

Buchanan County
sheriff’s deputies cited 21 registered sex offenders for violated the state
Halloween statute this year.

The Buchanan
County Sheriff’s Office reports it conducted 252 Halloween sex offender compliance
checks Halloween night. Deputies found 210 compliant with 37 at work. Seventeen
homeless sex offenders reported to the lobby of the Sheriff’s Office in
downtown St. Joseph until 10:30 that night.

In addition to the
21 citations for violating the Halloween statute, two were cited for residency
violations.

State law
prohibits registered sex offenders from engaging in Halloween activities,
including passing out candy to trick or treaters.

Buchanan County
has 306 registered sex offenders.

The compliance checks
Halloween night were led by Investigator Kenny Shryock and Sex Offender Analyst
Cindy Ownby. Thirty-four deputies were assisted by three sheriff's office administrative
aides, one member of the St. Joseph Police Department, and a Deputy United
States Marshal.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostBuchanan County
sheriff’s deputies cited 21 registered sex offenders for violated the state
Halloween statute this year.The Buchanan
County Sheriff’s Office reports it conducted 252 Halloween sex offender compliance
checks Halloween night. Deputies found 210 compliant with 37 at work. Seventeen
homeless sex offenders reported to the lobby of the Sheriff’s Office in
downtown St. Joseph until 10:30 that night.In addition to the
21 citations for violating the Halloween statute, two were cited for residency
violations.State law
prohibits registered sex offenders from engaging in Halloween activities,
including passing out candy to trick or treaters.Buchanan County
has 306 registered sex offenders.The compliance checks
Halloween night were led by Investigator Kenny Shryock and Sex Offender Analyst
Cindy Ownby. Thirty-four deputies were assisted by three sheriff's office administrative
aides, one member of the St. Joseph Police Department, and a Deputy United
States Marshal.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

21 Buchanan CO sex offenders cited for violating Halloween statute

Water releases
into the Missouri River from the Gavins Point Dam will soon be reduced.

The United States
Army Corps of Engineers reports releases will be reduced late this month as
navigation along the Missouri comes to an end. Releases are currently 25,500
cubic feet per second (cfs).

“We will continue
to make releases from Gavins Point Dam to provide flow support at a level 4,500
cfs less than full service, through the end of the navigation flow support
season, which ends on Dec. 1 at the mouth of the Missouri River,” John Remus,
chief of the USACE, Missouri River Water Management Division, said in a written
statement released by the Corps.

The Army Corps of
Engineers will begin reducing flows from Gavins Point around November 22nd.
The Corps plans to reduce releases by 3,000 cfs each day until reaching a rate
of 15,000 cfs. The Corps says the rate of reduction will then slow to 1,000 cfs
every five days until reaching the winter release.

“Based on the
Sept. 1 Mainstem Reservoir System storage check, releases from Gavins Point Dam
for the 2025-2026 winter will be at the minimum rate of 12,000 cfs,” said
Remus.

The Corps reports October
runoff in the Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa, was 1.1
million-acre-feet (MAF), which is 89% of average. Runoff was below average in
the Fort Peck, Garrison, and Fort Randall reaches and above normal for the
remaining reaches. Based on the most recent Drought Monitor, about 54% of the
Basin is currently in abnormally dry or drought conditions. 

Reservoir studies
indicate System storage will be below the base of the Flood Control Zone at the
start of the 2026 runoff season, according to the Corps.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762795078348.jpeg" alt="Gavins Point Dam/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Gavins Point Dam/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINWater releases
into the Missouri River from the Gavins Point Dam will soon be reduced.The United States
Army Corps of Engineers reports releases will be reduced late this month as
navigation along the Missouri comes to an end. Releases are currently 25,500
cubic feet per second (cfs).“We will continue
to make releases from Gavins Point Dam to provide flow support at a level 4,500
cfs less than full service, through the end of the navigation flow support
season, which ends on Dec. 1 at the mouth of the Missouri River,” John Remus,
chief of the USACE, Missouri River Water Management Division, said in a written
statement released by the Corps.The Army Corps of
Engineers will begin reducing flows from Gavins Point around November 22nd.
The Corps plans to reduce releases by 3,000 cfs each day until reaching a rate
of 15,000 cfs. The Corps says the rate of reduction will then slow to 1,000 cfs
every five days until reaching the winter release.“Based on the
Sept. 1 Mainstem Reservoir System storage check, releases from Gavins Point Dam
for the 2025-2026 winter will be at the minimum rate of 12,000 cfs,” said
Remus.The Corps reports October
runoff in the Missouri River basin above Sioux City, Iowa, was 1.1
million-acre-feet (MAF), which is 89% of average. Runoff was below average in
the Fort Peck, Garrison, and Fort Randall reaches and above normal for the
remaining reaches. Based on the most recent Drought Monitor, about 54% of the
Basin is currently in abnormally dry or drought conditions. Reservoir studies
indicate System storage will be below the base of the Flood Control Zone at the
start of the 2026 runoff season, according to the Corps.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Releases from Gavins Point Dam to be reduced later this month

One person is in
custody as St. Joseph police investigate a Sunday shooting.

The St. Joseph
Police Department reports officers responded to a call shortly after noon
Sunday in the 200 block of North 8th Street. Officers discovered
signs of shooting at an apartment complex at 210 North 8th Street.

The department
says officers secured the area. No one seems to have been harmed in the shooting.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostOne person is in
custody as St. Joseph police investigate a Sunday shooting.The St. Joseph
Police Department reports officers responded to a call shortly after noon
Sunday in the 200 block of North 8th Street. Officers discovered
signs of shooting at an apartment complex at 210 North 8th Street.The department
says officers secured the area. No one seems to have been harmed in the shooting.You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

St. Joseph police investigating Sunday shooting

Many are grappling with financial uncertainty of investing their life savings as they work to make their marijuana businesses a success

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>

Samantha Blum hasn’t been able to secure investors for her small-scale marijuana cultivation facility in the two years since Missouri awarded her a microbusiness license.

So she and her longtime partner, Anthony La Pietra, decided to give up and fund the entire operation themselves, cashing in La Pietra’s retirement to build a greenhouse in Adrian, an hour outside of Kansas City.&nbsp;

After two years of “blood, sweat and tears,” they finally received the state’s final approval to begin operating on Sept. 3. But just hours after the state’s email arrived, a massive storm crushed one side of the greenhouse.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“To go from such a high to such an incredibly bottom low…” she said. “It’s been such a roller coaster.”

Despite the setback, her family rallied to fix the wall, and now their business, Bud Wizard, is expected to have its first harvest in the coming weeks.

Blum’s facility is among the 12 microbusinesses the state has approved to begin operating out of 68 total licenses issued. Two are dispensaries. The rest are wholesale licenses like Blum’s that can grow up to 250 plants and manufacture marijuana products.&nbsp;

The microbusiness program — sometimes called the social-equity cannabis program —&nbsp;was designed to boost opportunities in the industry for people in disadvantaged communities that have been most impacted by the war on drugs. It began in 2023, after passing as part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=XIV%20%20%202&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;to legalize recreational marijuana in 2022.

Up until this summer, the state had approved only a handful licenses to commence operations – which involves meeting rigorous health standards and security protocols. But in the past few months, the microbusiness community has finally started to fill in, with the state greenlighting a surge of cultivation licensees.

Like Blum, many of these owners stopped looking for funding and finally decided to put their life savings into getting the business off the ground. Now they’ve either had their first harvest this month or are expecting one in the next few weeks.&nbsp;

James Mondl, owner of Klondike Cannabis micro cultivation facility in Farmington, just watched his first harvest ship Tuesday to another licensed facility for the manufacturing phase.

“I haven’t completely exhaled, to be honest,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of time and money in this, and so to see the product leave today was as big a step – maybe a bigger one than when we brought plants in.”

Wholesalers’ products can legally only go to the two operational microbusiness dispensaries at the moment:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/816Dispensary/about" target="_blank">816 Dispensary</a>&nbsp;in Platte City and&nbsp;<a href="https://kush21.com/kush21-poplar-bluff/" target="_blank">Kush 21</a>&nbsp;in Poplar Bluff. The Missouri Constitution mandates that micro cultivators only sell to micro dispensaries.

Lesley Turk, chief equity officer with the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation who oversees the program, says the success of the micro community is like a “puzzle” because it depends on enough growers and dispensaries being up and running at the same time.&nbsp;

And both of them depend on the middleman – the manufacturers – or wholesalers who have gotten approval to make things like edibles and vapes.

“My excitement lies in the next six months,” Turk said.

As anticipation around more micros opening builds, so does the pressure to succeed.&nbsp;

Some license owners have already hit a number of road blocks and aren’t sure how much more they can invest into getting the business off the ground. Sam Vosburg, whose cultivation facility in Aurora has been operational since March, fears he invested his retirement on a failed business.&nbsp;

“We’re suffering right now,” Vosburg, owner of Ozark Mountain Gypsy LLC, told The Independent in October. “I don’t know how much longer I keep my lights on. Our electric bills are crazy, and we’re not making any money. So, yeah, it’s not looking good.”

However last week, Vosburg was approved to become one of the first two manufacturers, so he says he sees “a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Blum is the chairwoman of the Missouri Microbusiness Association, and she says her passion for the industry is a major driving force in making it through “one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my entire life.”&nbsp;

The other driver is her four daughters.&nbsp;

“One day they’ll have dreams,” Blum said of her daughters, “and they’ll want to do something big, that’s insurmountable and accomplish it because they watched their mom and their dad accomplish it.”

Jimi Poe is the owner of 816 Dispensary, which was the first micro dispensary to open its doors to the public on Aug. 16. He’s quickly become a pillar for the microbusiness community, as someone to not only buy wholesalers’ products but also offer guidance on getting started.&nbsp;

“I’m not going to succeed if I can’t get wholesalers to succeed,” he said.

October was his biggest month yet, he said, with 1,500 transactions. He works closely with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/blumecannabis/" target="_blank">Blume LLC</a>, one of the first operating wholesalers, because he says they’ve been “killing it” on their craft marijuana buds, or what the industry calls flower.

Up until now, a major challenge for Poe has been that no wholesale facility had the capability to manufacture products, such as edibles or vapes, because it can require expensive equipment.&nbsp;

With the state approving Vosburg and Kansas-City area microbusiness Urban Farm to manufacture products, Poe only expects his sales to grow. Another one in the Farmington area, Levity Cannabis, has also applied for approval, according to the division.&nbsp;

Nearly 20 years ago, Poe was sent to prison for 14 months on a non-violent marijuana felony – a charge that made it hard to find work or a place to live. Because the program aims to mend some of the harm marijuana prohibition has caused on people’s lives, his offense made him eligible to apply for the microbusiness program.

“When I was in prison, I was telling myself I was never going to sell cannabis again,” he said. “And now I’m legally able to sell cannabis at my own store. So it’s been a crazy journey, that is for sure.”

In 2023, Mitchell Alexander submitted one microbusiness application with his uncle, Jesse Greco, who qualifies for the program as a disabled veteran, and paid a $1,500 fee. Their application was entered into the lottery with&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/29/missouri-announces-lottery-results-for-microbusiness-cannabis-licenses/">more than 1,600 applications</a>, and they were picked.

“He and I got together and decided to do it because we had nothing to lose,” Alexander said. “Because the lottery was: if you lose, you get your money back. If you win, you get your license.”

Alexander runs ReLeaf Dispensary in Kansas City, and he’s excited to grow in the way that he believes produces the best weed: living soil.

“No chemicals, no pesticides,” he said. “It’s literally, we’re just feeding the soil, and it’s as organic as it gets.”

For Greco, cannabis has always been something he turned to in his life for his PTSD, Alexander said. They’ve invested their own money and resources, and he’s optimistic about their first harvest that’s expected just before Christmas.

“We take so much pride in being completely independent,” he said. “We didn’t have any consulting groups help us out. We really just grassrooted this, and that’s exactly how we’re going to run this company.”

The team at Monsta Farms LLC in Sarcoxie has a similar mantra. It’s a group that includes two couples who’ve all pulled together their own money and time. They all have a “strength in the building,” said co-owner Chris Hampel, and everyone’s doing something they’re passionate about.

“I like watering the plants, for example,” Hampel said. “My wife hates watering the plants. But she’ll sit over there with dirt and pot plants all day long. And she loves that. I hate that.”&nbsp;

However, they each balance their cannabis work with their fulltime jobs, including two who work as nurses. Their collective dream is to make it their fulltime jobs.&nbsp;

They just had their first harvest on Monday.

Chad Sommer, an owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://strainworxmo.com/" target="_blank">Strainworx LLC</a>&nbsp;in Lebanon, is also expecting his first harvest soon, he said, after two years of trying to keep “everything in check.”&nbsp;

“I mean, trying to keep family in check, trying to keep my fulltime job in check,&nbsp;and then also wanting to try to build this out,” he said.&nbsp;

His specialty is industrial automation systems, and it’s taken time to finetune that process, he said. He got into cannabis because he suffered from migraines. He realized a cannabis gummy worked a lot better at controlling them than the expensive shots he was receiving.

“So from that point, it’s held a special position in my heart,” Sommer said.

Now his migraines are gone. His team had to “hit several retirement funds,” to start up the business, but they’re optimistic.

“One thing that is a challenge is for many of the micros…starting resources,” he said. “It is a tough start. Everything is so expensive with the hope that one day you get a return.”

When Vosburg’s cultivation facility Ozark Mountain Gypsy LLC got its approval to open in March, he was feeling “very optimistic.”&nbsp;

“The only thing I didn’t calculate was the delays from the state,” he said.

State marijuana rules mandate that regulators approve labels before products are sent to stores. And it took months for that approval to come back.&nbsp;

“Now they’re putting all these tutorials on how to do this,” Vosburg said of the labels and packaging. “We were doing this from scratch with no help.”&nbsp;

Turk said the division has worked to improve tutorials, and now each facility has a designated compliance representative who can help guide the micros through the labeling and packaging approval process.&nbsp;

Another challenge for his team has been the lack of manufacturing equipment. It’s been hard to compete with the other companies that are selling only flower and pre-rolled joints.&nbsp;

All together, Vosburg estimates they’ve put $500,000 of their own money into the business. And he fears they could lose it all at any moment.&nbsp;

But as of last week, Vosburg was approved to manufacture products on a small scale, providing him with a way forward.&nbsp;

“I could pay my electric bill if I can sell a few dabs by the end of the month,” he said.

Veteran David Huckins owns a dispensary license in Columbia with his wife, and they lead a weekly podcast to help microbusinesses share resources on a variety of topics.

But they aren’t anywhere close to being able to open, he said.&nbsp;

While the cultivators can often find land to build a facility in rural areas, dispensaries need to be in places with high visibility and traffic. And that’s hard when landlords often don’t want to lease a building to dispensaries, Huckins said, and he can’t get capital to buy a building.

The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation is not aware of any microbusinesses that have received loans from banks, a spokesperson said.

“It’s so hard for the cannabis businesses,” he said. “I don’t qualify for small business loans. So far, this has not been the blessing that I hoped it was going to be.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762780543421.png" alt=" Brenton Ihms, lead grower and part owner of Klondike Cannabis in Farmington, tends to marijuana plants (photo submitted)." />
 <figcaption> Brenton Ihms, lead grower and part owner of Klondike Cannabis in Farmington, tends to marijuana plants (photo submitted).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Many are grappling with financial uncertainty of investing their life savings as they work to make their marijuana businesses a success</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>Samantha Blum hasn’t been able to secure investors for her small-scale marijuana cultivation facility in the two years since Missouri awarded her a microbusiness license.So she and her longtime partner, Anthony La Pietra, decided to give up and fund the entire operation themselves, cashing in La Pietra’s retirement to build a greenhouse in Adrian, an hour outside of Kansas City.&nbsp;After two years of “blood, sweat and tears,” they finally received the state’s final approval to begin operating on Sept. 3. But just hours after the state’s email arrived, a massive storm crushed one side of the greenhouse.&nbsp;&nbsp;“To go from such a high to such an incredibly bottom low…” she said. “It’s been such a roller coaster.”Despite the setback, her family rallied to fix the wall, and now their business, Bud Wizard, is expected to have its first harvest in the coming weeks.Blum’s facility is among the 12 microbusinesses the state has approved to begin operating out of 68 total licenses issued. Two are dispensaries. The rest are wholesale licenses like Blum’s that can grow up to 250 plants and manufacture marijuana products.&nbsp;The microbusiness program — sometimes called the social-equity cannabis program —&nbsp;was designed to boost opportunities in the industry for people in disadvantaged communities that have been most impacted by the war on drugs. It began in 2023, after passing as part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=XIV%20%20%202&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;to legalize recreational marijuana in 2022.Up until this summer, the state had approved only a handful licenses to commence operations – which involves meeting rigorous health standards and security protocols. But in the past few months, the microbusiness community has finally started to fill in, with the state greenlighting a surge of cultivation licensees.Like Blum, many of these owners stopped looking for funding and finally decided to put their life savings into getting the business off the ground. Now they’ve either had their first harvest this month or are expecting one in the next few weeks.&nbsp;James Mondl, owner of Klondike Cannabis micro cultivation facility in Farmington, just watched his first harvest ship Tuesday to another licensed facility for the manufacturing phase.“I haven’t completely exhaled, to be honest,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of time and money in this, and so to see the product leave today was as big a step – maybe a bigger one than when we brought plants in.”Wholesalers’ products can legally only go to the two operational microbusiness dispensaries at the moment:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/816Dispensary/about" target="_blank">816 Dispensary</a>&nbsp;in Platte City and&nbsp;<a href="https://kush21.com/kush21-poplar-bluff/" target="_blank">Kush 21</a>&nbsp;in Poplar Bluff. The Missouri Constitution mandates that micro cultivators only sell to micro dispensaries.Lesley Turk, chief equity officer with the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation who oversees the program, says the success of the micro community is like a “puzzle” because it depends on enough growers and dispensaries being up and running at the same time.&nbsp;And both of them depend on the middleman – the manufacturers – or wholesalers who have gotten approval to make things like edibles and vapes.“My excitement lies in the next six months,” Turk said.As anticipation around more micros opening builds, so does the pressure to succeed.&nbsp;Some license owners have already hit a number of road blocks and aren’t sure how much more they can invest into getting the business off the ground. Sam Vosburg, whose cultivation facility in Aurora has been operational since March, fears he invested his retirement on a failed business.&nbsp;“We’re suffering right now,” Vosburg, owner of Ozark Mountain Gypsy LLC, told The Independent in October. “I don’t know how much longer I keep my lights on. Our electric bills are crazy, and we’re not making any money. So, yeah, it’s not looking good.”However last week, Vosburg was approved to become one of the first two manufacturers, so he says he sees “a light at the end of the tunnel.”Blum is the chairwoman of the Missouri Microbusiness Association, and she says her passion for the industry is a major driving force in making it through “one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my entire life.”&nbsp;The other driver is her four daughters.&nbsp;“One day they’ll have dreams,” Blum said of her daughters, “and they’ll want to do something big, that’s insurmountable and accomplish it because they watched their mom and their dad accomplish it.”<h2>Winning the lottery</h2>Jimi Poe is the owner of 816 Dispensary, which was the first micro dispensary to open its doors to the public on Aug. 16. He’s quickly become a pillar for the microbusiness community, as someone to not only buy wholesalers’ products but also offer guidance on getting started.&nbsp;“I’m not going to succeed if I can’t get wholesalers to succeed,” he said.October was his biggest month yet, he said, with 1,500 transactions. He works closely with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/blumecannabis/" target="_blank">Blume LLC</a>, one of the first operating wholesalers, because he says they’ve been “killing it” on their craft marijuana buds, or what the industry calls flower.Up until now, a major challenge for Poe has been that no wholesale facility had the capability to manufacture products, such as edibles or vapes, because it can require expensive equipment.&nbsp;With the state approving Vosburg and Kansas-City area microbusiness Urban Farm to manufacture products, Poe only expects his sales to grow. Another one in the Farmington area, Levity Cannabis, has also applied for approval, according to the division.&nbsp;Nearly 20 years ago, Poe was sent to prison for 14 months on a non-violent marijuana felony – a charge that made it hard to find work or a place to live. Because the program aims to mend some of the harm marijuana prohibition has caused on people’s lives, his offense made him eligible to apply for the microbusiness program.“When I was in prison, I was telling myself I was never going to sell cannabis again,” he said. “And now I’m legally able to sell cannabis at my own store. So it’s been a crazy journey, that is for sure.”In 2023, Mitchell Alexander submitted one microbusiness application with his uncle, Jesse Greco, who qualifies for the program as a disabled veteran, and paid a $1,500 fee. Their application was entered into the lottery with&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/29/missouri-announces-lottery-results-for-microbusiness-cannabis-licenses/">more than 1,600 applications</a>, and they were picked.“He and I got together and decided to do it because we had nothing to lose,” Alexander said. “Because the lottery was: if you lose, you get your money back. If you win, you get your license.”Alexander runs ReLeaf Dispensary in Kansas City, and he’s excited to grow in the way that he believes produces the best weed: living soil.“No chemicals, no pesticides,” he said. “It’s literally, we’re just feeding the soil, and it’s as organic as it gets.”For Greco, cannabis has always been something he turned to in his life for his PTSD, Alexander said. They’ve invested their own money and resources, and he’s optimistic about their first harvest that’s expected just before Christmas.“We take so much pride in being completely independent,” he said. “We didn’t have any consulting groups help us out. We really just grassrooted this, and that’s exactly how we’re going to run this company.”The team at Monsta Farms LLC in Sarcoxie has a similar mantra. It’s a group that includes two couples who’ve all pulled together their own money and time. They all have a “strength in the building,” said co-owner Chris Hampel, and everyone’s doing something they’re passionate about.“I like watering the plants, for example,” Hampel said. “My wife hates watering the plants. But she’ll sit over there with dirt and pot plants all day long. And she loves that. I hate that.”&nbsp;However, they each balance their cannabis work with their fulltime jobs, including two who work as nurses. Their collective dream is to make it their fulltime jobs.&nbsp;They just had their first harvest on Monday.Chad Sommer, an owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://strainworxmo.com/" target="_blank">Strainworx LLC</a>&nbsp;in Lebanon, is also expecting his first harvest soon, he said, after two years of trying to keep “everything in check.”&nbsp;“I mean, trying to keep family in check, trying to keep my fulltime job in check,&nbsp;and then also wanting to try to build this out,” he said.&nbsp;His specialty is industrial automation systems, and it’s taken time to finetune that process, he said. He got into cannabis because he suffered from migraines. He realized a cannabis gummy worked a lot better at controlling them than the expensive shots he was receiving.“So from that point, it’s held a special position in my heart,” Sommer said.Now his migraines are gone. His team had to “hit several retirement funds,” to start up the business, but they’re optimistic.“One thing that is a challenge is for many of the micros…starting resources,” he said. “It is a tough start. Everything is so expensive with the hope that one day you get a return.”<h2>Financial troubles</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762780493337.png" alt="An employee at Ozark Mountain Gypsy wholesale microbusiness tends to the marijuana plants in the greenhouse (photo submitted)." />
 <figcaption>An employee at Ozark Mountain Gypsy wholesale microbusiness tends to the marijuana plants in the greenhouse (photo submitted).</figcaption>
 </figure>When Vosburg’s cultivation facility Ozark Mountain Gypsy LLC got its approval to open in March, he was feeling “very optimistic.”&nbsp;“The only thing I didn’t calculate was the delays from the state,” he said.State marijuana rules mandate that regulators approve labels before products are sent to stores. And it took months for that approval to come back.&nbsp;“Now they’re putting all these tutorials on how to do this,” Vosburg said of the labels and packaging. “We were doing this from scratch with no help.”&nbsp;Turk said the division has worked to improve tutorials, and now each facility has a designated compliance representative who can help guide the micros through the labeling and packaging approval process.&nbsp;Another challenge for his team has been the lack of manufacturing equipment. It’s been hard to compete with the other companies that are selling only flower and pre-rolled joints.&nbsp;All together, Vosburg estimates they’ve put $500,000 of their own money into the business. And he fears they could lose it all at any moment.&nbsp;But as of last week, Vosburg was approved to manufacture products on a small scale, providing him with a way forward.&nbsp;“I could pay my electric bill if I can sell a few dabs by the end of the month,” he said.Veteran David Huckins owns a dispensary license in Columbia with his wife, and they lead a weekly podcast to help microbusinesses share resources on a variety of topics.But they aren’t anywhere close to being able to open, he said.&nbsp;While the cultivators can often find land to build a facility in rural areas, dispensaries need to be in places with high visibility and traffic. And that’s hard when landlords often don’t want to lease a building to dispensaries, Huckins said, and he can’t get capital to buy a building.The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation is not aware of any microbusinesses that have received loans from banks, a spokesperson said.“It’s so hard for the cannabis businesses,” he said. “I don’t qualify for small business loans. So far, this has not been the blessing that I hoped it was going to be.”&nbsp;

‘Blood, sweat and tears’: Missouri cannabis microbusiness owners begin to see light

ATCHISON COUNTY —Three teens were injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Saturday in Atchison County, Missouri.3&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Acura MDX driven by an 18-year-old Bellevue, Nebraska man was northbound on Interstate 29 eight miles south of Hamburg, Iowa.

The SUV traveled off the west side of the road. The vehicle returned to the road, crossed the center line, traveled off the east side of the road and down an embankment. The vehicle struck several trees a fence, became airborne and rolled into a field.&nbsp; One occupant was ejected.

Atchison Holt ambulance transported the driver and a passenger identified as a 16-year-old Bellevue boy to Grape Community Hospital.&nbsp; Air by Starcare transported a second passenger, 18-year-old from Bellevue, to Bryan West Medial Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.&nbsp; All three were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

ATCHISON COUNTY —Three teens were injured in an accident just before 3p.m. Saturday in Atchison County, Missouri.3&nbsp;The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Acura MDX driven by an 18-year-old Bellevue, Nebraska man was northbound on Interstate 29 eight miles south of Hamburg, Iowa.The SUV traveled off the west side of the road. The vehicle returned to the road, crossed the center line, traveled off the east side of the road and down an embankment. The vehicle struck several trees a fence, became airborne and rolled into a field.&nbsp; One occupant was ejected.Atchison Holt ambulance transported the driver and a passenger identified as a 16-year-old Bellevue boy to Grape Community Hospital.&nbsp; Air by Starcare transported a second passenger, 18-year-old from Bellevue, to Bryan West Medial Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.&nbsp; All three were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

3 teens hospitalized after violent SUV crash

As Kansans brace for frigid temperatures this weekend, safety experts and local officials are urging residents to take precautions when heating their homes. With house fires spiking during the coldest months of the year, knowing how to safely use space heaters, fireplaces, and furnaces can be the difference between comfort and catastrophe.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires in the U.S., with space heaters responsible for the majority of incidents. The American Red Cross of South Central and Southeast Kansas reports that home fire responses are 30% higher during cold weather than during the rest of the year.

“Too often we see preventable tragedies happen when families try to stay warm,” said Shannon Wedge, Executive Director of the regional Red Cross. “Simple steps like keeping flammable items three feet away from heat sources and testing smoke alarms can save lives.”

To reduce the risk of fire, officials recommend these guidelines:

In addition to safe heating practices, it is recommended to test smoke alarms monthly and practice a two-minute home escape plan — the average amount of time a family may have to get out of a burning home.&nbsp;

Families who cannot afford smoke alarms or who are unable to install them can contact their local Red Cross office for help.

Home Fire Campaign Continues Saving Lives

Since 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign has partnered with communities nationwide to install free smoke alarms, create fire escape plans, and educate residents on fire safety. The campaign has been credited with saving over 2,500 lives so far.

“Preparing now can make all the difference,” Wedge said. “We encourage families to take action before the temperatures drop — your safety depends on it.”

For more resources — including the Red Cross First Aid and Emergency apps — <a href="http://redcross.org/apps">visit redcross.org/apps</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658154478904.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>As Kansans brace for frigid temperatures this weekend, safety experts and local officials are urging residents to take precautions when heating their homes. With house fires spiking during the coldest months of the year, knowing how to safely use space heaters, fireplaces, and furnaces can be the difference between comfort and catastrophe.According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires in the U.S., with space heaters responsible for the majority of incidents. The American Red Cross of South Central and Southeast Kansas reports that home fire responses are 30% higher during cold weather than during the rest of the year.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613165765594.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>“Too often we see preventable tragedies happen when families try to stay warm,” said Shannon Wedge, Executive Director of the regional Red Cross. “Simple steps like keeping flammable items three feet away from heat sources and testing smoke alarms can save lives.”<h2>Safe Heating Tips for Winter</h2>To reduce the risk of fire, officials recommend these guidelines:<ol>
 <li>Use space heaters responsibly: Keep them on a hard, flat, nonflammable surface, turn them off before sleeping or leaving the room, and never plug them into an extension cord.</li><li>Create a safety zone: Maintain at least a three-foot clearance around heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves, keeping children, pets, and flammable objects at a safe distance..</li><li>Avoid makeshift heating: Never use ovens or stoves to heat your home — these appliances are not designed for this purpose and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning or fires.</li><li>Monitor fireplaces carefully: Always use a metal or glass screen, and make sure embers are fully extinguished before going to bed or leaving the house.</li><li>Schedule annual inspections: Have a professional check your furnace, chimney, and heating systems each year.</li>
 </ol><h2>Plan Ahead for Fire Safety</h2>In addition to safe heating practices, it is recommended to test smoke alarms monthly and practice a two-minute home escape plan — the average amount of time a family may have to get out of a burning home.&nbsp;Families who cannot afford smoke alarms or who are unable to install them can contact their local Red Cross office for help.<h2>Home Fire Campaign Continues Saving Lives</h2>Since 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign has partnered with communities nationwide to install free smoke alarms, create fire escape plans, and educate residents on fire safety. The campaign has been credited with saving over 2,500 lives so far.“Preparing now can make all the difference,” Wedge said. “We encourage families to take action before the temperatures drop — your safety depends on it.”For more resources — including the Red Cross First Aid and Emergency apps — <a href="http://redcross.org/apps">visit redcross.org/apps</a>.

Experts urge safe home heating practices as winter weather arrives

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/01JQdjv74O8p8tZznkKqog?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Week in Review

DAVIESS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8p.m. Friday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1992 Suzuki RM250 driven by a 32-year-old Jamesport man was southbound on 250th Street just north of Key Avenue two miles east of Jamison. The motorcycle struck a deer and traveled off the road.&nbsp;

Daviess County EMS transported the rider Lifeflight and to Truman Medical Center. He was not wearing a helmet, at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

DAVIESS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8p.m. Friday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1992 Suzuki RM250 driven by a 32-year-old Jamesport man was southbound on 250th Street just north of Key Avenue two miles east of Jamison. The motorcycle struck a deer and traveled off the road.&nbsp;Daviess County EMS transported the rider Lifeflight and to Truman Medical Center. He was not wearing a helmet, at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. man airlifted to hospital after motorcycle, deer crash

NODAWAY COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Friday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2025 Chevy Trailblazer driven by 27-year-old Clarinda, Iowa man was westbound on U.S. 71 five miles north of Maryville. The SUV sruck a deer.&nbsp;

A private vehicle transported a passenger identified as a 25-year-old New Market, Iowa woman to Mosaic in Maryville. The SUV driver was not injured. Both were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

NODAWAY COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Friday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2025 Chevy Trailblazer driven by 27-year-old Clarinda, Iowa man was westbound on U.S. 71 five miles north of Maryville. The SUV sruck a deer.&nbsp;A private vehicle transported a passenger identified as a 25-year-old New Market, Iowa woman to Mosaic in Maryville. The SUV driver was not injured. Both were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Woman hospitalized after SUV strikes a deer

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Friday in Livingston County,.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Chevy Equinox driven by a 32-year-old Chula woman was southbound on U.S. 65 two miles south of Chillicothe. The SUV rear-ended a 2016 Jeep Renegade driven by a 28-year-old Chillicothe man who had slowed suddenly for an animal in the road.

Chillicothe EMS transported the Chevy driver to Hedrick Medical Center. The Jeep driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Friday in Livingston County,.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Chevy Equinox driven by a 32-year-old Chula woman was southbound on U.S. 65 two miles south of Chillicothe. The SUV rear-ended a 2016 Jeep Renegade driven by a 28-year-old Chillicothe man who had slowed suddenly for an animal in the road.Chillicothe EMS transported the Chevy driver to Hedrick Medical Center. The Jeep driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman injured after rear-end crash

The United Way of Greater St. Joseph celebrated the end of the public&nbsp;portion&nbsp;of&nbsp;its&nbsp;annual fundraising campaign.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

President Kylee Strough says the campaign has raised a good amount thus far&nbsp;

“To date, $2,335,985 has been pledged to the 2025 United Way campaign,” Strough tells the&nbsp;KFEQmunnity&nbsp;show. &nbsp;“And&nbsp;these are the dollars that will fund allocations to our partner agencies and the programs and services that they do in calendar year 2026.”&nbsp;

Strough says the goal of the campaign is to always do better than the previous year, and so&nbsp;far,&nbsp;it's&nbsp;pacing ahead of where they were this time last year&nbsp;

"So, that is a good sign that we’re pacing ahead, but I will also say that sometimes pacing ahead is simply some accounts turned in their results a little bit earlier than last year,” Strough explains. &nbsp;“So, it&nbsp;doesn’t&nbsp;always mean&nbsp;we’re&nbsp;going to end up raising more in total, it could just be an&nbsp;effect of timing of when things are received.”&nbsp;

Strough says there are still some businesses and past donors that have not gotten donations before they fully know where&nbsp;their&nbsp;campaign ended.&nbsp;

The money raised comes after the pacesetter campaign started off by raising&nbsp;nearly $1 million,&nbsp;raising $970,506.40&nbsp;

Strough says the pacesetter campaign usually give them an idea of what to expect for donations, but says there has been some pleasant surprises this year&nbsp;

"We have seen some growth at places, and I think the most exciting piece of all of this, we love when the dollars grow because the dollars are what fuel the work, but more than that we love when the number of donors grow because that means there are more of us giving what we can and we’re broadening that United Way circle and that United Way family,” Strough says. &nbsp;“And we have seen some donor growth this year.”&nbsp;

Strough says once the total is&nbsp;known,&nbsp;people from the allocations committee will meet to reaffirm where&nbsp;the&nbsp;money is going.&nbsp;

Money raised will be&nbsp;allocated&nbsp;to United Way's 16 partner agencies in St. Joseph.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762537760528.jpeg" alt="The United Way of Greater St. Joseph celebrated the end of the public portion of its fundraising campaign, raising $2,335,985 to date, with still more possible donations to come/ Photo courtesy of the United Way of Greater St. Joseph" />
 <figcaption>The United Way of Greater St. Joseph celebrated the end of the public portion of its fundraising campaign, raising $2,335,985 to date, with still more possible donations to come/ Photo courtesy of the United Way of Greater St. Joseph</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostThe United Way of Greater St. Joseph celebrated the end of the public&nbsp;portion&nbsp;of&nbsp;its&nbsp;annual fundraising campaign.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;President Kylee Strough says the campaign has raised a good amount thus far&nbsp;“To date, $2,335,985 has been pledged to the 2025 United Way campaign,” Strough tells the&nbsp;KFEQmunnity&nbsp;show. &nbsp;“And&nbsp;these are the dollars that will fund allocations to our partner agencies and the programs and services that they do in calendar year 2026.”&nbsp;Strough says the goal of the campaign is to always do better than the previous year, and so&nbsp;far,&nbsp;it's&nbsp;pacing ahead of where they were this time last year&nbsp;"So, that is a good sign that we’re pacing ahead, but I will also say that sometimes pacing ahead is simply some accounts turned in their results a little bit earlier than last year,” Strough explains. &nbsp;“So, it&nbsp;doesn’t&nbsp;always mean&nbsp;we’re&nbsp;going to end up raising more in total, it could just be an&nbsp;effect of timing of when things are received.”&nbsp;Strough says there are still some businesses and past donors that have not gotten donations before they fully know where&nbsp;their&nbsp;campaign ended.&nbsp;The money raised comes after the pacesetter campaign started off by raising&nbsp;nearly $1 million,&nbsp;raising $970,506.40&nbsp;Strough says the pacesetter campaign usually give them an idea of what to expect for donations, but says there has been some pleasant surprises this year&nbsp;"We have seen some growth at places, and I think the most exciting piece of all of this, we love when the dollars grow because the dollars are what fuel the work, but more than that we love when the number of donors grow because that means there are more of us giving what we can and we’re broadening that United Way circle and that United Way family,” Strough says. &nbsp;“And we have seen some donor growth this year.”&nbsp;Strough says once the total is&nbsp;known,&nbsp;people from the allocations committee will meet to reaffirm where&nbsp;the&nbsp;money is going.&nbsp;Money raised will be&nbsp;allocated&nbsp;to United Way's 16 partner agencies in St. Joseph.&nbsp;You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

United Way of Greater St. Joseph celebrates successful campaign 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal judge sentenced a former Kansas credit union manager to 63 months in prison for stealing more than $750,000 from her long-time employer and substantially jeopardizing the safety and soundness of the financial institution, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Rita Hartman, 71, of Atchison pleaded guilty to one count of false entries in federal credit union records.

For 30 years, Hartman was the manager of Muddy River Credit Union (formerly Atchison Casting Credit Union and Bradken Federal Credit Union), which served the employees of a foundry located in Atchison, Kansas. 

Hartman’s position gave her control over all aspects of Muddy River’s finances. Between 2007 and 2021, she abused the trust that Muddy River granted her to steal approximately $346,000 in customer cash deposits. 

Hartman also fraudulently credited approximately $430,000 in deposits and loan payments to her or her relatives’ accounts when no payments or deposits had been made. Hartman concealed her conduct by altering ledgers and records and by falsifying information submitted to Muddy River’s regulators. &nbsp;She obstructed efforts to uncover her fraud by submitting fraudulent documents to regulators and delaying a mandated audit. &nbsp;

The defendant’s embezzlement wiped out Muddy River’s capital and rendered it insolvent, ultimately forcing a merger into another credit union to continue operations.&nbsp;

In 2013, the then-Governor of the State of Kansas appointed Hartman to the Kansas Credit Union Council, which advises the Kansas Department of Credit Unions on issues and needs of credit unions. Hartman is also a former mayor and city commissioner in Atchison. A federal judge ordered that during her imprisonment, all of Hartman’s state pension payments be directed towards the $778,361 in restitution she was ordered to pay as part of her sentence.

“For decades, Rita Hartman was a prominent, well-respected figure in Atchison, Kansas,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Instead of living up to the high regard that people in the community had for her, she exploited their trust and used it to perpetuate her embezzlement scheme and line her pockets with stolen funds.”&nbsp;

“The defendant was entrusted with the fiscal responsibility of the credit union’s members. In using the money for her personal benefit, the defendant’s actions were a betrayal of that trust,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen A. Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office. “This sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s longstanding commitment to working financial fraud investigations and to hold individuals accountable for their actions.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762534128654.png" alt="Muddy River served the employees of the Bradken foundry located in Atchison, Kansas.-Google image" />
 <figcaption>Muddy River served the employees of the Bradken foundry located in Atchison, Kansas.-Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal judge sentenced a former Kansas credit union manager to 63 months in prison for stealing more than $750,000 from her long-time employer and substantially jeopardizing the safety and soundness of the financial institution, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, Rita Hartman, 71, of Atchison pleaded guilty to one count of false entries in federal credit union records.For 30 years, Hartman was the manager of Muddy River Credit Union (formerly Atchison Casting Credit Union and Bradken Federal Credit Union), which served the employees of a foundry located in Atchison, Kansas. Hartman’s position gave her control over all aspects of Muddy River’s finances. Between 2007 and 2021, she abused the trust that Muddy River granted her to steal approximately $346,000 in customer cash deposits. Hartman also fraudulently credited approximately $430,000 in deposits and loan payments to her or her relatives’ accounts when no payments or deposits had been made. Hartman concealed her conduct by altering ledgers and records and by falsifying information submitted to Muddy River’s regulators. &nbsp;She obstructed efforts to uncover her fraud by submitting fraudulent documents to regulators and delaying a mandated audit. &nbsp;The defendant’s embezzlement wiped out Muddy River’s capital and rendered it insolvent, ultimately forcing a merger into another credit union to continue operations.&nbsp;In 2013, the then-Governor of the State of Kansas appointed Hartman to the Kansas Credit Union Council, which advises the Kansas Department of Credit Unions on issues and needs of credit unions. Hartman is also a former mayor and city commissioner in Atchison. A federal judge ordered that during her imprisonment, all of Hartman’s state pension payments be directed towards the $778,361 in restitution she was ordered to pay as part of her sentence.“For decades, Rita Hartman was a prominent, well-respected figure in Atchison, Kansas,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Instead of living up to the high regard that people in the community had for her, she exploited their trust and used it to perpetuate her embezzlement scheme and line her pockets with stolen funds.”&nbsp;“The defendant was entrusted with the fiscal responsibility of the credit union’s members. In using the money for her personal benefit, the defendant’s actions were a betrayal of that trust,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen A. Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office. “This sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s longstanding commitment to working financial fraud investigations and to hold individuals accountable for their actions.”

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