Buchanan County officials want to make residents aware of any dangers of a tornado and have added several new sirens in the county.  

Emergency Management Director Bill Brinton says there have been 10 new sirens added around the county since he took on the job 

"City of Agency that added one and my county commissioners are very supportive," Brinton tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  "And we've added one at Lake Contrary and Rosecrans over the French Bottoms, and we added one to Halls, added one to Route JJ near Dekalb, and we added a new one at the Shoppes and on South 169 out by Ebenezer United Methodist Church, and the East Hills addition." 

Brinton says the county has added six new sites along with replacing some of the old sirens after the purchase of 12 new sirens. Brinton feels as if the county is well taken care of 

"Well, you're never going to have enough, I mean they have a circle of about one square mile or one and a half, but I'm very careful about where I put them," Brinton explains.  "Like the one in Wallace is up on top of a huge hill, cause sound travels, it's one of those things where people hear it far, far away, so we're very careful about where we put them." 

Brinton says mostly all of the sirens have a revolving sound to keep people aware.  Brinton advises everyone to also be aware of the weather conditions and any danger that may come.

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

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Buchanan County officials want to make residents aware of any dangers of a tornado and have added several new sirens in the county. Emergency Management Director Bill Brinton says there have been 10 new sirens added around the county since he took on the job "City of Agency that added one and my county commissioners are very supportive," Brinton tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "And we've added one at Lake Contrary and Rosecrans over the French Bottoms, and we added one to Halls, added one to Route JJ near Dekalb, and we added a new one at the Shoppes and on South 169 out by Ebenezer United Methodist Church, and the East Hills addition." Brinton says the county has added six new sites along with replacing some of the old sirens after the purchase of 12 new sirens. Brinton feels as if the county is well taken care of "Well, you're never going to have enough, I mean they have a circle of about one square mile or one and a half, but I'm very careful about where I put them," Brinton explains. "Like the one in Wallace is up on top of a huge hill, cause sound travels, it's one of those things where people hear it far, far away, so we're very careful about where we put them." Brinton says mostly all of the sirens have a revolving sound to keep people aware. Brinton advises everyone to also be aware of the weather conditions and any danger that may come.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Buchanan County well prepared for tornadoes with several new sirens

Law enforcement is investigating an incident after a swatting call was reported at Northwest Missouri State University on Wednesday.

According to the University, Northwest received a swatting call around 11:30 a.m. to its main phone line that threatened gun violence on the main campus.&nbsp; University Police Department officers searched and cleared facilities on campus. The University says no threat was found.

University Police, Maryville Police Department, and the Nodaway County Sheriff's Department are investigating the incident.

Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact University Police Chief Amanda Cullin at (660) 562-1254 or acullin@nwmissouri.edu.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626888474020.jpeg" alt="Northwest Missouri State University R.jpg" />
 <figcaption>Northwest Missouri State University R.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostLaw enforcement is investigating an incident after a swatting call was reported at Northwest Missouri State University on Wednesday.According to the University, Northwest received a swatting call around 11:30 a.m. to its main phone line that threatened gun violence on the main campus.&nbsp; University Police Department officers searched and cleared facilities on campus. The University says no threat was found.University Police, Maryville Police Department, and the Nodaway County Sheriff's Department are investigating the incident.Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact University Police Chief Amanda Cullin at (660) 562-1254 or acullin@nwmissouri.edu.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Law enforcement investigating swatting call at NWMSU

ANDREW COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 11a.m. Wednesday in Andrew County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Dodge Caravan driven by a 59-year-old St. Joseph man was westbound on Route W at U.S. 169 in Avenue City.

The driver failed to yield right of way and entered the intersection. A southbound 2025 Buick Envision driven by a 70-year-old Albany man struck the van.

Andrew County EMS transported both drivers to Mosaic Life Care. The van driver was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

ANDREW COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 11a.m. Wednesday in Andrew County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Dodge Caravan driven by a 59-year-old St. Joseph man was westbound on Route W at U.S. 169 in Avenue City.The driver failed to yield right of way and entered the intersection. A southbound 2025 Buick Envision driven by a 70-year-old Albany man struck the van.Andrew County EMS transported both drivers to Mosaic Life Care. The van driver was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

2 hospitalized after SUV, van crash in Andrew County

For another year, the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau is bringing back the Show Me St. Jo Experience.  

During the event, a guided bus tour will take people around St. Joseph, to many of the museums, while teaching some of the history of the city.  

Spokesman Christian Mengel says the bus tour is great for anyone, whether you're from St. Joseph and have been to the museums or are from out of town. 

"You're going to see something that you want to come back to that maybe you've not been before, or if you have been before but maybe it's been a few years," Mengel tells Barry Birr, host of the KFEQ Hotline.  "I want to say all of our museums, and all of our attractions we end up going to on this, they all have something new within the last five years, and most of them new within the last one to two years, so you can still get a lot from it even if you are a frequent museum goer." 

Mengel says the event is great for groups and also families 

"You just get shuttled around and told a lot of history, we cover your lunch we cater in for you and that's included in your ticket, you get a shirt at the end of the day, a t shirt St. Joseph branded," Mengle says.  "And also, because we throw so many tourism things at you, you also get a certificate signed by the mayor as an advocate for St. Joseph." 

Mengel says this event has been very popular with people. 

"In the three years that I've been a part of it I want to say our lowest score, because they can fill out a survey at the end, and I want to say the lowest score was like an eight, and we've only had one or two eight's, everybody else's are nines and tens," Mengel explains.  "And the reason for the eight, was that we didn't spend enough time at some of the places." 

The first event is coming up during Memorial Day weekend on May 27th.  The cost to participate is $25 per person. 

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742402262542.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post For another year, the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau is bringing back the Show Me St. Jo Experience. During the event, a guided bus tour will take people around St. Joseph, to many of the museums, while teaching some of the history of the city. Spokesman Christian Mengel says the bus tour is great for anyone, whether you're from St. Joseph and have been to the museums or are from out of town. "You're going to see something that you want to come back to that maybe you've not been before, or if you have been before but maybe it's been a few years," Mengel tells Barry Birr, host of the KFEQ Hotline. "I want to say all of our museums, and all of our attractions we end up going to on this, they all have something new within the last five years, and most of them new within the last one to two years, so you can still get a lot from it even if you are a frequent museum goer." Mengel says the event is great for groups and also families "You just get shuttled around and told a lot of history, we cover your lunch we cater in for you and that's included in your ticket, you get a shirt at the end of the day, a t shirt St. Joseph branded," Mengle says. "And also, because we throw so many tourism things at you, you also get a certificate signed by the mayor as an advocate for St. Joseph." Mengel says this event has been very popular with people. "In the three years that I've been a part of it I want to say our lowest score, because they can fill out a survey at the end, and I want to say the lowest score was like an eight, and we've only had one or two eight's, everybody else's are nines and tens," Mengel explains. "And the reason for the eight, was that we didn't spend enough time at some of the places." The first event is coming up during Memorial Day weekend on May 27th. The cost to participate is $25 per person. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Learn more about St. Joseph during the Show Me St. Jo! Experience

Missouri Western State University has seen massive growth in a program launched four years ago.  

President Elizabeth Kennedy says the cybersecurity program has continued growing in interest 

"We launched the undergraduate program in the fall of 2021 with three students, this fall we had 32, if I'm doing my math right, I think that's about a 92% increase," Kennedy tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  "And we know that freshman are about 60% of that program, so that's another area where the demand is high." 

Kennedy says the university has also developed a state-of-the-art laboratory for the program within the Houlne Center for Convergent Technology with a war room for students learn to understand threat detection and mitigation. 

Kennedy says that cybersecurity is a field that is ever-growing 

"So again, it's where there's student demand and regional and actually national workforce needs," Kennedy explains.  "But this is every business, it's every agency, hospitals." 

Kennedy says those who graduate from the program as an information security analyst, they could land a job with a starting salary of $80,000 to $90,000 in a field that is projected to grow eight percent over the next 10 years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741114506789.jpeg" alt="Missouri Western State University_Griffon statue R.JPG" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Western State University_Griffon statue R.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Missouri Western State University has seen massive growth in a program launched four years ago. President Elizabeth Kennedy says the cybersecurity program has continued growing in interest "We launched the undergraduate program in the fall of 2021 with three students, this fall we had 32, if I'm doing my math right, I think that's about a 92% increase," Kennedy tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "And we know that freshman are about 60% of that program, so that's another area where the demand is high." Kennedy says the university has also developed a state-of-the-art laboratory for the program within the Houlne Center for Convergent Technology with a war room for students learn to understand threat detection and mitigation. Kennedy says that cybersecurity is a field that is ever-growing "So again, it's where there's student demand and regional and actually national workforce needs," Kennedy explains. "But this is every business, it's every agency, hospitals." Kennedy says those who graduate from the program as an information security analyst, they could land a job with a starting salary of $80,000 to $90,000 in a field that is projected to grow eight percent over the next 10 years.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Cybersecurity at MWSU has taken off

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe src="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/KFEQ-Morning-Sports-3192025-e30cta5/a-abrdsdr" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning Sports

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe src="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/KFEQ-Morning-News-3192025-e30ct7m/a-abrdsam" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning News 

Eastern Kansas
Congressman Derek Schmidt has returned from a visit to the southern border.

Schmidt, a
Republican, says his visit with a small U.S. House delegation to Arizona came as a stark
contrast with his visit earlier as the Kansas Attorney General.

“When I was at the
border, I think it was about almost three years ago now, masses of people,
chaos, huge waves of humanity trying to migrate into the border, trying to come
across. This time, completely different,” Schmidt tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “In
fact, we actually visited a border patrol holding facility. It holds about a
thousand people at capacity. They day we were there:&nbsp; zero.”

Schmidt says the
huge influx of illegal immigrants has been reduced to a trickle, allowing border
patrol agents to focus on their actual duties.

“And that is to
focus on enforcing our border security and immigration laws. It is to combat
the cartels and prevent those criminal entities that obviously are working very
hard to move drugs and people across the border so they can distribute them
throughout the United States,” according to Schmidt. “Now, our law enforcement
and military and other assets can focus on that.”

Schmidt says it’s
now up to Congress to put into law what the president has signed into executive
order.

“Remain in Mexico,
no catch and release, some asylum reform provisions; the types of things that
we know work, because they have stopped the waves of people coming, we now need
to make permanent so that a future president can’t with a stroke of a pen undo
those and take us back to where we were in the chaos of the Biden administration.”

Schmidt points out
what can be implemented by executive order can be reverse by executive order.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742323044841.jpeg" alt="Congressman Derek Schmidt joins the U.S. House delegation at the southern border in Arizona/Photo courtesy of Congressman Schmidt's office" />
 <figcaption>Congressman Derek Schmidt joins the U.S. House delegation at the southern border in Arizona/Photo courtesy of Congressman Schmidt's office</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostEastern Kansas
Congressman Derek Schmidt has returned from a visit to the southern border.Schmidt, a
Republican, says his visit with a small U.S. House delegation to Arizona came as a stark
contrast with his visit earlier as the Kansas Attorney General.“When I was at the
border, I think it was about almost three years ago now, masses of people,
chaos, huge waves of humanity trying to migrate into the border, trying to come
across. This time, completely different,” Schmidt tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “In
fact, we actually visited a border patrol holding facility. It holds about a
thousand people at capacity. They day we were there:&nbsp; zero.”Schmidt says the
huge influx of illegal immigrants has been reduced to a trickle, allowing border
patrol agents to focus on their actual duties.“And that is to
focus on enforcing our border security and immigration laws. It is to combat
the cartels and prevent those criminal entities that obviously are working very
hard to move drugs and people across the border so they can distribute them
throughout the United States,” according to Schmidt. “Now, our law enforcement
and military and other assets can focus on that.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742323154298.jpeg" alt="Congressman Derek Schmidt listens as a border patrol agent discusses the situation at the southern border/Photo courtesy of Congressman Schmidt's office" />
 <figcaption>Congressman Derek Schmidt listens as a border patrol agent discusses the situation at the southern border/Photo courtesy of Congressman Schmidt's office</figcaption>
 </figure>Schmidt says it’s
now up to Congress to put into law what the president has signed into executive
order.“Remain in Mexico,
no catch and release, some asylum reform provisions; the types of things that
we know work, because they have stopped the waves of people coming, we now need
to make permanent so that a future president can’t with a stroke of a pen undo
those and take us back to where we were in the chaos of the Biden administration.”Schmidt points out
what can be implemented by executive order can be reverse by executive order.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742323257301.jpeg" alt="The U.S. House delegation receives a briefing from a border patrol agent/Photo courtesy of Congressman Schmidt's office" />
 <figcaption>The U.S. House delegation receives a briefing from a border patrol agent/Photo courtesy of Congressman Schmidt's office</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Schmidt says recent visit to southern border contrasts earlier visit

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>

In most Missouri counties, children linger in foster care longer than the federal standard, according to data compiled by the state social services agency.

Under national standards, at least 35% of kids entering foster care should exit with a permanent living situation within one year. That can mean reunification with family, adoption or guardianship.&nbsp;

But only 12 of Missouri’s 114 counties met that standard every month between July and September last year.

That’s&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/docs/hb-1414/quarterly-report-january-2025.pdf" target="_blank">according to a report</a>&nbsp;the Missouri Department of Social Services is required to release on a quarterly basis. A&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1414&amp;year=2020&amp;code=R" target="_blank">law passed in 2020</a>&nbsp;mandated those reports and created a “response and evaluation” team tasked with reviewing state foster care practices. The team, which includes Children’s Division staff and foster care case management agency staff, met Tuesday.

In the previous&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/docs/hb-1414/quarterly-report-october-2024.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>, covering April through June, there were 23 counties meeting that benchmark.

Missouri’s Children’s Division is acting under a&nbsp;<a href="https://acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/mo-cfsr-r4-pip.pdf" target="_blank">performance improvement plan</a>&nbsp;with the federal Children’s Bureau over the issue of timely permanent placements. The state’s performance “has continued to decline over the last several reporting periods,” a&nbsp;<a href="https://acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/mo-cfsr-r4-pip.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from last summer states.&nbsp;

While in care, foster kids have also faced more instability with their placements than nationally, meaning they can be frequently moved around among foster homes or other placements.

Marcia Wetzel, a program coordinator with the social services department, said during Tuesday’s public meeting that a plan is in the works to&nbsp;establish what are called team decision-making meetings statewide before a foster child is moved to a new placement.

<a href="https://dssmanuals.mo.gov/child-welfare-manual/section-1-chapter-10-team-decision-making-meetings/" target="_blank">Team decision-making meetings&nbsp;</a>involve those closest to the child and a facilitator. There will be training before it’s rolled out in each region across the state, Wetzel said, with the expectation that the meetings&nbsp;“hopefully will help us improve the data…to really try to stabilize placements.”

As of&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/cd/cfsplan/2025-2029/child-family-plan.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">February 2024</a>, for every 1,000 days a child spent in foster care in Missouri, they were moved 6.23 times. The federal rate was 4.48. Wetzel said more data will come out related to this issue in April.

According to the department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/FY26_DSS_Programs_Book.pdf" target="_blank">budget request,</a>&nbsp;team decision-making meetings have been implemented in some parts of the state and will be expanding statewide.&nbsp;

Missouri’s foster care system has faced scrutiny for years and is a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/13/bill-banning-state-from-seizing-foster-kids-benefits-clears-missouri-senate/">major focus</a>&nbsp;of the 2025 legislative session.&nbsp;

A&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/13/bill-banning-state-from-seizing-foster-kids-benefits-clears-missouri-senate/">bill</a>&nbsp;sponsored by Sen. Travis Fitzwater of Holts Summit seeks to reduce the amount of time foster children languish in care by changing the model of legal representation for them. Under the proposal, older foster children would be assigned client-director counsel, who act based on the child’s own wishes and goals.&nbsp;Currently, foster children have guardians ad litem, who are attorneys tasked with acting in what they view as the child’s best interest, which Fitzwater said means children are sometimes left without a voice, drawing out their time in care.&nbsp;

Lawmakers are also concerned with foster kids being held in inappropriate placements, such as hospitals, hotels, offices and out-of-state residential treatment facilities.&nbsp;

There are around 85 kids receiving treatment out of state, according to department data shared at an appropriations hearing. And last year, there were 314 foster children residing in hospitals.

Issues with foster care&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/28/missouri-senate-delays-vote-on-new-social-services-director-over-foster-care-concerns/">delayed Senate confirmation</a>&nbsp;of Gov. Mike Kehoe’s pick to lead the social services department. State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, an Arnold Republican, briefly held up the appointment to force the agency to provide answers about chronic problems that have plagued the foster care system for years and what she says has been the agency’s failure to implement laws designed to help.

Bax was eventually confirmed after Coleman&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/07/missouri-senate-approves-massive-child-welfare-bill-aimed-at-foster-care-system/">said the department was responsive</a>&nbsp;to her inquiries.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742387121902.png" alt="Department of Social Services resource center in Poplar Bluff, July 17, 2023 (Clara Bates/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption>Department of Social Services resource center in Poplar Bluff, July 17, 2023 (Clara Bates/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>In most Missouri counties, children linger in foster care longer than the federal standard, according to data compiled by the state social services agency.Under national standards, at least 35% of kids entering foster care should exit with a permanent living situation within one year. That can mean reunification with family, adoption or guardianship.&nbsp;But only 12 of Missouri’s 114 counties met that standard every month between July and September last year.That’s&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/docs/hb-1414/quarterly-report-january-2025.pdf" target="_blank">according to a report</a>&nbsp;the Missouri Department of Social Services is required to release on a quarterly basis. A&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1414&amp;year=2020&amp;code=R" target="_blank">law passed in 2020</a>&nbsp;mandated those reports and created a “response and evaluation” team tasked with reviewing state foster care practices. The team, which includes Children’s Division staff and foster care case management agency staff, met Tuesday.In the previous&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/docs/hb-1414/quarterly-report-october-2024.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>, covering April through June, there were 23 counties meeting that benchmark.Missouri’s Children’s Division is acting under a&nbsp;<a href="https://acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/mo-cfsr-r4-pip.pdf" target="_blank">performance improvement plan</a>&nbsp;with the federal Children’s Bureau over the issue of timely permanent placements. The state’s performance “has continued to decline over the last several reporting periods,” a&nbsp;<a href="https://acf.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/mo-cfsr-r4-pip.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from last summer states.&nbsp;While in care, foster kids have also faced more instability with their placements than nationally, meaning they can be frequently moved around among foster homes or other placements.Marcia Wetzel, a program coordinator with the social services department, said during Tuesday’s public meeting that a plan is in the works to&nbsp;establish what are called team decision-making meetings statewide before a foster child is moved to a new placement.<a href="https://dssmanuals.mo.gov/child-welfare-manual/section-1-chapter-10-team-decision-making-meetings/" target="_blank">Team decision-making meetings&nbsp;</a>involve those closest to the child and a facilitator. There will be training before it’s rolled out in each region across the state, Wetzel said, with the expectation that the meetings&nbsp;“hopefully will help us improve the data…to really try to stabilize placements.”As of&nbsp;<a href="https://dss.mo.gov/cd/cfsplan/2025-2029/child-family-plan.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">February 2024</a>, for every 1,000 days a child spent in foster care in Missouri, they were moved 6.23 times. The federal rate was 4.48. Wetzel said more data will come out related to this issue in April.According to the department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://oa.mo.gov/sites/default/files/FY26_DSS_Programs_Book.pdf" target="_blank">budget request,</a>&nbsp;team decision-making meetings have been implemented in some parts of the state and will be expanding statewide.&nbsp;Missouri’s foster care system has faced scrutiny for years and is a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/13/bill-banning-state-from-seizing-foster-kids-benefits-clears-missouri-senate/">major focus</a>&nbsp;of the 2025 legislative session.&nbsp;A&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/13/bill-banning-state-from-seizing-foster-kids-benefits-clears-missouri-senate/">bill</a>&nbsp;sponsored by Sen. Travis Fitzwater of Holts Summit seeks to reduce the amount of time foster children languish in care by changing the model of legal representation for them. Under the proposal, older foster children would be assigned client-director counsel, who act based on the child’s own wishes and goals.&nbsp;Currently, foster children have guardians ad litem, who are attorneys tasked with acting in what they view as the child’s best interest, which Fitzwater said means children are sometimes left without a voice, drawing out their time in care.&nbsp;Lawmakers are also concerned with foster kids being held in inappropriate placements, such as hospitals, hotels, offices and out-of-state residential treatment facilities.&nbsp;There are around 85 kids receiving treatment out of state, according to department data shared at an appropriations hearing. And last year, there were 314 foster children residing in hospitals.Issues with foster care&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/28/missouri-senate-delays-vote-on-new-social-services-director-over-foster-care-concerns/">delayed Senate confirmation</a>&nbsp;of Gov. Mike Kehoe’s pick to lead the social services department. State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, an Arnold Republican, briefly held up the appointment to force the agency to provide answers about chronic problems that have plagued the foster care system for years and what she says has been the agency’s failure to implement laws designed to help.Bax was eventually confirmed after Coleman&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/07/missouri-senate-approves-massive-child-welfare-bill-aimed-at-foster-care-system/">said the department was responsive</a>&nbsp;to her inquiries.&nbsp;

Kids stay in foster care longer than the federal standard in most Missouri counties

As the United Way of Greater St. Joseph gears up for its annual capital campaign, volunteers are being sought to be part of the allocations process.  

Director of Community Investment Jodi Flurry says around 150 volunteers will work to advise United Way how to distribute campaign funds among its 17 partner agencies 

"You know it's the community's money that they've entrusted to United Way, so we need the community to be involved in informing our decisions on how we invest those donor dollars into our partner agencies," Flurry tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.  "And so that's what we're here to do, is to invite the community to participate in the United Way allocations process and have a say in how those donor dollars are invested back into our community." 

United Way Board Member Donna Zion says what these volunteers do is very important to the campaign.  

"We like to have all different types of people, all different backgrounds, different career backgrounds, volunteers from the community, just retired volunteers, because they provide such a different perspective and they can weigh in on so many issues," Zion explains.  "To have us converse about and kind of break this down in what works best for the donor dollars and the different partner agencies." 

Flurry says volunteers for the committee will get to hear in a group from two to three of the agencies 

"What they're doing, their many different programs, how they're impacting the community and talking about that," Flurry says.  "And then the volunteers hear the presentation, they have the opportunity to ask questions about programs, like maybe program changes, or challenges their experiencing, and they also have the opportunity to ask questions about the financial side of things because we do review the financials as well." 

Flurry says volunteers learn from those agencies and go through a process of providing feedback to how United Way should invest in the agencies.  

Those interested in volunteering can contact Flurry at the United Way offices or can visit the United Way's website. 

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

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post As the United Way of Greater St. Joseph gears up for its annual capital campaign, volunteers are being sought to be part of the allocations process. Director of Community Investment Jodi Flurry says around 150 volunteers will work to advise United Way how to distribute campaign funds among its 17 partner agencies "You know it's the community's money that they've entrusted to United Way, so we need the community to be involved in informing our decisions on how we invest those donor dollars into our partner agencies," Flurry tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. "And so that's what we're here to do, is to invite the community to participate in the United Way allocations process and have a say in how those donor dollars are invested back into our community." United Way Board Member Donna Zion says what these volunteers do is very important to the campaign. "We like to have all different types of people, all different backgrounds, different career backgrounds, volunteers from the community, just retired volunteers, because they provide such a different perspective and they can weigh in on so many issues," Zion explains. "To have us converse about and kind of break this down in what works best for the donor dollars and the different partner agencies." Flurry says volunteers for the committee will get to hear in a group from two to three of the agencies "What they're doing, their many different programs, how they're impacting the community and talking about that," Flurry says. "And then the volunteers hear the presentation, they have the opportunity to ask questions about programs, like maybe program changes, or challenges their experiencing, and they also have the opportunity to ask questions about the financial side of things because we do review the financials as well." Flurry says volunteers learn from those agencies and go through a process of providing feedback to how United Way should invest in the agencies. Those interested in volunteering can contact Flurry at the United Way offices or can visit the United Way's website. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

United Way seeking volunteers for allocations process

After some reorganization, the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office has formed a new division to help combat crime.  

Captain Shawn Collie now heads the Special Operations Division, which combines three units within the Sheriff's Office into one. 

"We've taken Drug Strike Force and made it more of a unit and created a Special Operations type division that I oversee now," Collie tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  "And it includes not only Drug Strike Force, but we now have people assigned to a career criminal unit that works hand in hand with the drug unit, and then we have an interdiction unit, so all that falls under me under a Special Operations Division now." 

Collie says this new division helps to add to the team at the Sheriff's Office.  

"And now to add in the career criminal group to help go after those career criminals who are repeat offenders and to take the time and kind of slow down and prosecute them the way they should be prosecuted is going to be a whole new tool for us to add and to help protect our community," Collie explains. 

Collie who heads the new division says the way this unit operates will take some stress off the Sheriff's Offices resources 

"You know instead of trying to run from the drug side to the fugitive side to the shootings, to be able to have people that specifically can concentrate on helping in those areas," Collie says.  "There's only so many hours in the day and only so many people, so it allows us to divide and conquer on certain assignments." 

Collie says this structure will help people in these specific assignments stay focused on the assignments they are interested in and were hired for. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post After some reorganization, the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office has formed a new division to help combat crime. Captain Shawn Collie now heads the Special Operations Division, which combines three units within the Sheriff's Office into one. "We've taken Drug Strike Force and made it more of a unit and created a Special Operations type division that I oversee now," Collie tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "And it includes not only Drug Strike Force, but we now have people assigned to a career criminal unit that works hand in hand with the drug unit, and then we have an interdiction unit, so all that falls under me under a Special Operations Division now." Collie says this new division helps to add to the team at the Sheriff's Office. "And now to add in the career criminal group to help go after those career criminals who are repeat offenders and to take the time and kind of slow down and prosecute them the way they should be prosecuted is going to be a whole new tool for us to add and to help protect our community," Collie explains. Collie who heads the new division says the way this unit operates will take some stress off the Sheriff's Offices resources "You know instead of trying to run from the drug side to the fugitive side to the shootings, to be able to have people that specifically can concentrate on helping in those areas," Collie says. "There's only so many hours in the day and only so many people, so it allows us to divide and conquer on certain assignments." Collie says this structure will help people in these specific assignments stay focused on the assignments they are interested in and were hired for. You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Reorganization forms new unit in the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office

KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr announced his retirement this
morning.

Birr, a staple of KFEQ programming for decades, made the
announcement during the opening of his show.

“It’s kind of a long time coming,” Birr told his audience. “I
did semi-retirement at the end of 2015 and continued on a part-time basis until
now. And my last day here at 680 KFEQ is going to be on Friday, the 28th
of March.”

Birr came to KFEQ in 1984 to serve as news director. Though he
retired as news director in 2015, Birr continued to host the KFEQ Hotline
between 8am and 10am each morning.

“It’s been a huge, huge part of my life. You’ve been a huge
part of my life and a part of my life that has (been) among the very highlights
of my life,” Birr told listeners. “And so, I deeply appreciate all the help that
you’ve given me doing this program; the help being listening and calling in.”

Birr thanked his callers for their participation over the years.

“We’ve just been blessed with magnificent callers over the
years, the 33-some-odd years that I’ve been doing this program,” Birr said. “And
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.”

With that, Birr began the open-line portion of the Hotline,
discussing the day’s current events, just as he has since 1992.

Birr created the KFEQ Hotline shortly after KFEQ became a Rush
Limbaugh affiliate. Birr discussed his motivation during the celebration of
KFEQ’s 100th anniversary in 2023.

“That’s a national program.,” Birr said during an interview on
the radio stations’ centennial. “What if we had a local program that addressed
issues in the news and took calls?”

The Hotline proved its worth a year after it began, expanding
programming nearly non-stop to cover the 1993 Missouri River flood. It became a
vital communication link with a city and a region coping with devastating
flooding that also wiped out the St. Joseph water plant, leaving the community without
drinkable water for a nearly a week.

The KFEQ Hotline again served as a vital community link during
another natural disaster in 2007. An ice storm that winter knocked out other
radio stations and the city’s only television station. KFEQ kept on the air
with a generator and listeners could tune in with a battery-powered radio.

“For quite a while we were the only broadcast facility that
was operating,” Birr said during an anniversary celebration interview.

Soon after the storm created widespread power outages, it
became apparent to Birr and others KFEQ needed to expand the Hotline and serve
the community more directly.

“This became a kind of place where ideas were exchanged,” Birr
said. “People would share information about, well you can get water here;
different things at different places. And here’s what it’s like in my
neighborhood.”

Other special celebrations are planned before Birr retires at
the end of the month.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742308174703.jpeg" alt="KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr/file photo" />
 <figcaption>KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostKFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr announced his retirement this
morning.Birr, a staple of KFEQ programming for decades, made the
announcement during the opening of his show.“It’s kind of a long time coming,” Birr told his audience. “I
did semi-retirement at the end of 2015 and continued on a part-time basis until
now. And my last day here at 680 KFEQ is going to be on Friday, the 28th
of March.”Birr came to KFEQ in 1984 to serve as news director. Though he
retired as news director in 2015, Birr continued to host the KFEQ Hotline
between 8am and 10am each morning.“It’s been a huge, huge part of my life. You’ve been a huge
part of my life and a part of my life that has (been) among the very highlights
of my life,” Birr told listeners. “And so, I deeply appreciate all the help that
you’ve given me doing this program; the help being listening and calling in.”Birr thanked his callers for their participation over the years.“We’ve just been blessed with magnificent callers over the
years, the 33-some-odd years that I’ve been doing this program,” Birr said. “And
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742308246492.jpeg" alt="Birr was honored in 2023 as the Conservation Communicator of the Year by the Conservation Federation of Missouri/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Birr was honored in 2023 as the Conservation Communicator of the Year by the Conservation Federation of Missouri/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>With that, Birr began the open-line portion of the Hotline,
discussing the day’s current events, just as he has since 1992.Birr created the KFEQ Hotline shortly after KFEQ became a Rush
Limbaugh affiliate. Birr discussed his motivation during the celebration of
KFEQ’s 100th anniversary in 2023.“That’s a national program.,” Birr said during an interview on
the radio stations’ centennial. “What if we had a local program that addressed
issues in the news and took calls?”The Hotline proved its worth a year after it began, expanding
programming nearly non-stop to cover the 1993 Missouri River flood. It became a
vital communication link with a city and a region coping with devastating
flooding that also wiped out the St. Joseph water plant, leaving the community without
drinkable water for a nearly a week.The KFEQ Hotline again served as a vital community link during
another natural disaster in 2007. An ice storm that winter knocked out other
radio stations and the city’s only television station. KFEQ kept on the air
with a generator and listeners could tune in with a battery-powered radio.“For quite a while we were the only broadcast facility that
was operating,” Birr said during an anniversary celebration interview.Soon after the storm created widespread power outages, it
became apparent to Birr and others KFEQ needed to expand the Hotline and serve
the community more directly.“This became a kind of place where ideas were exchanged,” Birr
said. “People would share information about, well you can get water here;
different things at different places. And here’s what it’s like in my
neighborhood.”Other special celebrations are planned before Birr retires at
the end of the month.<div><iframe src="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Barry-Birr-announces-retirement-e30bb4e/a-abrbs83" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr announces retirement

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe src="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/KFEQ-Morning-News-3182025-e30bb7f/a-abrbsbv" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

KFEQ Morning News

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe src="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/KFEQ-Morning-Sports-3182025-e30bb9a/a-abrbse2" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

A preliminary
report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board recommends a partial
ban on military helicopters into Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.
in wake of the deadly crash with a commercial airline jet in January.

Northern Missouri
Congressman Sam Graves, the chair of the House Transportation Committee, says a
total ban of military helicopters into the Washington airport is out of the
question.

“We can’t shut
down those corridors. We need those corridors for the military to use,” Graves
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Actually, what they’re training for is evacuation
of government buildings in case there is a problem or something like that.”

The recommendation
is from a <a href="https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/NR20250311.aspx">NTSB preliminary report</a> into the deadly crash of an Army Black Hawk
helicopter with an American Airlines jet in January. The NTSB recommends
helicopter traffic be restricted when two specific runways are being used at
the D.C. airport.

Graves, a
Republican, says military helicopters need to be able to fly in an out of Reagan
National.

“But obviously
they need to stay within their lanes and they also need to stay at the assigned
altitude,” Graves says. “This was a colossal culmination of many mistakes that
just happened and culminated at exactly the wrong time and it resulted in an extraordinary
tragedy for a lot of families.” 

The NTSB says the
helicopter pilots were undergoing an annual test and might have been wearing
night-vision goggles when the crash occurred.

Graves says an
outright ban on military helicopter traffic in Washington, D.C. wouldn’t be
possible, because the military trains for times when it might have to respond
to emergencies at the nation’s capital.

“I’m not in favor
of shutting down those corridors, but they have to stay at their assigned altitude
and that was obviously one of the problems in this case,” according to Graves.

The crash January
29th killed everyone onboard the helicopter and the plane. The crash
left 67 dead, including 28 members of the figure skating community who had left
a competition in Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742293942839.jpeg" alt="Workers begin to clear the wreckage from the Potomac River in Washington, DC after a military helicopter and a commercial jet collided in late January/National Transportation Safety Board photo" />
 <figcaption>Workers begin to clear the wreckage from the Potomac River in Washington, DC after a military helicopter and a commercial jet collided in late January/National Transportation Safety Board photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA preliminary
report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board recommends a partial
ban on military helicopters into Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.
in wake of the deadly crash with a commercial airline jet in January.Northern Missouri
Congressman Sam Graves, the chair of the House Transportation Committee, says a
total ban of military helicopters into the Washington airport is out of the
question.“We can’t shut
down those corridors. We need those corridors for the military to use,” Graves
tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “Actually, what they’re training for is evacuation
of government buildings in case there is a problem or something like that.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742294115011.jpeg" alt="Wreckage being cleared from the Potomac River/NTSB photo" />
 <figcaption>Wreckage being cleared from the Potomac River/NTSB photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The recommendation
is from a <a href="https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/NR20250311.aspx">NTSB preliminary report</a> into the deadly crash of an Army Black Hawk
helicopter with an American Airlines jet in January. The NTSB recommends
helicopter traffic be restricted when two specific runways are being used at
the D.C. airport.Graves, a
Republican, says military helicopters need to be able to fly in an out of Reagan
National.“But obviously
they need to stay within their lanes and they also need to stay at the assigned
altitude,” Graves says. “This was a colossal culmination of many mistakes that
just happened and culminated at exactly the wrong time and it resulted in an extraordinary
tragedy for a lot of families.” The NTSB says the
helicopter pilots were undergoing an annual test and might have been wearing
night-vision goggles when the crash occurred.Graves says an
outright ban on military helicopter traffic in Washington, D.C. wouldn’t be
possible, because the military trains for times when it might have to respond
to emergencies at the nation’s capital.“I’m not in favor
of shutting down those corridors, but they have to stay at their assigned altitude
and that was obviously one of the problems in this case,” according to Graves.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742294157544.jpeg" alt="NTSB photo" />
 <figcaption>NTSB photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The crash January
29th killed everyone onboard the helicopter and the plane. The crash
left 67 dead, including 28 members of the figure skating community who had left
a competition in Wichita.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Graves says military helicopters must be able to fly in & out of DC

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas man for alleged sex crimes.

On March 9th police began an investigation that focused on crimes committed against a 32-year-old woman that occurred at the Walmart store at 1920 U.S.73.in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

 The victim had reported that on the late afternoon of March 9th as she was leaving the store she was approached by a man who identified himself as being an asset protection officer with Walmart. 

The man escorted her to a restroom at the back of of the store where he sexually assaulted her. It was quickly determined that the suspect was not working for Walmart. The investigation continued and on at around 4p.m. Sunday, police were notified that the suspect was back at Walmart, walking around the store.

 Officers located&nbsp; 42-year-old Justin Metz inside the store and took him into custody on requested charges of kidnapping, rape, and sexual battery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742227712683.png" alt="Metz phot Atchison County." />
 <figcaption>Metz phot Atchison County.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas man for alleged sex crimes.On March 9th police began an investigation that focused on crimes committed against a 32-year-old woman that occurred at the Walmart store at 1920 U.S.73.in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. The victim had reported that on the late afternoon of March 9th as she was leaving the store she was approached by a man who identified himself as being an asset protection officer with Walmart. The man escorted her to a restroom at the back of of the store where he sexually assaulted her. It was quickly determined that the suspect was not working for Walmart. The investigation continued and on at around 4p.m. Sunday, police were notified that the suspect was back at Walmart, walking around the store. Officers located&nbsp; 42-year-old Justin Metz inside the store and took him into custody on requested charges of kidnapping, rape, and sexual battery.

Kan. man accused of sex assault of shopper at big box store

ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan —Law enforcement are investigating a 2-vehicle crash that occurred just after noon Monday in Atchison.

A 2018 Ford Focus driven by Phillip DiMaggio, 61, Ocoee Florida, was northbound on 4th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. 

The car was turning east onto Main Street and and was involved in a crash with a 2012 Freightliner semi driven by Miles Ruch, 73, Craig, Missouri who northbound on 4th Street and was turning east onto Main Street. EMS responded to the scene and fortunately nobody was seriously injured or required hospitalization.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742242858090.png" alt="Photo Atchison Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Atchison Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan —Law enforcement are investigating a 2-vehicle crash that occurred just after noon Monday in Atchison.A 2018 Ford Focus driven by Phillip DiMaggio, 61, Ocoee Florida, was northbound on 4th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. The car was turning east onto Main Street and and was involved in a crash with a 2012 Freightliner semi driven by Miles Ruch, 73, Craig, Missouri who northbound on 4th Street and was turning east onto Main Street. EMS responded to the scene and fortunately nobody was seriously injured or required hospitalization.

Driver avoids serious injury after 2-vehicle Kansas crash

A northeast Kansas
legislator says lawmakers in Topeka need to tackle a handful of issues this
legislative session.

State Rep. Allen
Reavis, a Republican from Atchison, says Kansans need property tax relief.

“Whether that
means recalculating how the appraisals are done; basically, make it more fair,
more consistent, and try to lower the tax burden as far as property tax,”
Reavis tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “That’s the number one issue everybody’s
been hearing.”

Reavis says the
best way to tackle the problem hasn’t been resolved, yet. It could be how
property is assessed or the legislature could look to cap property tax rates.

Reavis says Kansas
legislators likely will place some issues before the voters next year,
including a constitutional amendment to require someone has to be a U.S.
citizen to vote in Kansas.

Reavis says the
legislature also wants to place a check on state governmental agencies. Reavis
claims current state law gives the bureaucracy too much power to shape Kansas
policy.

“We’re one of only
11 states that don’t have legislative oversight on rules and regs,” according
to Reavis. “So, we have a lot of problems with legislation by regulation, where
the bureaucrats or these agencies are changing the rules or not quite following
the intent of the legislature. That’s another one of the amendments that we’re
going to have the voters vote on, where we have the authority to have
legislative oversight to make sure they’re doing it the right way.”

Reavis expects the
legislature to place the issue on the ballot next year.

Another issue the
legislature might put to a public vote is how Supreme Court nominees are
selected. At present, a panel of attorneys chooses the nominee. Reavis says
that doesn’t work.

“We’re the only
state in the country that has a panel of attorneys pick who the attorney that’ s
going to become the state Supreme Court nominee is,” Reavis says, adding that
the legislature likely will put before voters a choice:&nbsp; either keep the current system to have
Supreme Court nominees elected by the public.

Reavis says the
Kansas legislative session is off to a much faster start this legislative
session. He credits a bipartisan team of legislative leaders which drafted a
state budget so lawmakers could begin budget work as soon as they arrived in
Topeka.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA northeast Kansas
legislator says lawmakers in Topeka need to tackle a handful of issues this
legislative session.State Rep. Allen
Reavis, a Republican from Atchison, says Kansans need property tax relief.“Whether that
means recalculating how the appraisals are done; basically, make it more fair,
more consistent, and try to lower the tax burden as far as property tax,”
Reavis tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “That’s the number one issue everybody’s
been hearing.”Reavis says the
best way to tackle the problem hasn’t been resolved, yet. It could be how
property is assessed or the legislature could look to cap property tax rates.Reavis says Kansas
legislators likely will place some issues before the voters next year,
including a constitutional amendment to require someone has to be a U.S.
citizen to vote in Kansas.Reavis says the
legislature also wants to place a check on state governmental agencies. Reavis
claims current state law gives the bureaucracy too much power to shape Kansas
policy.“We’re one of only
11 states that don’t have legislative oversight on rules and regs,” according
to Reavis. “So, we have a lot of problems with legislation by regulation, where
the bureaucrats or these agencies are changing the rules or not quite following
the intent of the legislature. That’s another one of the amendments that we’re
going to have the voters vote on, where we have the authority to have
legislative oversight to make sure they’re doing it the right way.”Reavis expects the
legislature to place the issue on the ballot next year.Another issue the
legislature might put to a public vote is how Supreme Court nominees are
selected. At present, a panel of attorneys chooses the nominee. Reavis says
that doesn’t work.“We’re the only
state in the country that has a panel of attorneys pick who the attorney that’ s
going to become the state Supreme Court nominee is,” Reavis says, adding that
the legislature likely will put before voters a choice:&nbsp; either keep the current system to have
Supreme Court nominees elected by the public.Reavis says the
Kansas legislative session is off to a much faster start this legislative
session. He credits a bipartisan team of legislative leaders which drafted a
state budget so lawmakers could begin budget work as soon as they arrived in
Topeka.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

NE Kansas lawmaker says property tax relief tops legislative priorities

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph Post<div><iframe src="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/KFEQ-Morning-Sports-317-e309msr/a-abr9p6j" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post<div><iframe src="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/KFEQ-Morning-News-3172025-e309mqg/a-abr9p4a" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>

A 42-year-old St.
Joseph man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to
child molestation.

Ronald Heffley reached
the plea agreement in the case in which a 14-year-old girl gave birth to a
child in July of last year.

The St. Joseph
Police Department got a call from Children’s Mercy Hospital in September of
last year. The teenager gave birth in July. Genetic testing implicated Heffley.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742223122037.jpeg" alt="Ronald Heffley/Buchanan County jail photo" />
 <figcaption>Ronald Heffley/Buchanan County jail photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA 42-year-old St.
Joseph man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to
child molestation.Ronald Heffley reached
the plea agreement in the case in which a 14-year-old girl gave birth to a
child in July of last year.The St. Joseph
Police Department got a call from Children’s Mercy Hospital in September of
last year. The teenager gave birth in July. Genetic testing implicated Heffley.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph man pleads guilty to child molestations, gets 15 years

A 48-year-old St.
Joseph woman has been found guilty of second-degree involuntary manslaughter in
the fatal crash on an I-229 exit off downtown St. Joseph last May.

Katherine Deweese drove
the wrong way onto I-229, leaving downtown St. Joseph, crashing into a
motorcycle ridden by 33-year-old Ryan Coffman.

The crash occurred
in the early morning hours of May 17th last year when Deweese, distracted
during an argument with her boyfriend, drove the wrong way on the Interstate 229
exit ramp, crashing into the motorcycle. Coffman, ejected from the motorcycle,
flew into the windshield of the SUV, suffering fatal injuries. He died hours
later at the hospital.

Buchanan County
Judge Dan Kellogg found Deweese guilty of involuntary manslaughter after an
eight-hour trial.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA 48-year-old St.
Joseph woman has been found guilty of second-degree involuntary manslaughter in
the fatal crash on an I-229 exit off downtown St. Joseph last May.Katherine Deweese drove
the wrong way onto I-229, leaving downtown St. Joseph, crashing into a
motorcycle ridden by 33-year-old Ryan Coffman.The crash occurred
in the early morning hours of May 17th last year when Deweese, distracted
during an argument with her boyfriend, drove the wrong way on the Interstate 229
exit ramp, crashing into the motorcycle. Coffman, ejected from the motorcycle,
flew into the windshield of the SUV, suffering fatal injuries. He died hours
later at the hospital.Buchanan County
Judge Dan Kellogg found Deweese guilty of involuntary manslaughter after an
eight-hour trial.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

St. Joseph woman found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in fatal I-229 crash

DEKALB COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just after 11p.m. Saturday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Mercury Sable driven by a 61-year-old Weatherby woman was southbound on MO 31 at U.S. 36 three miles west of Stewartsville.

The driver failed to yield at the stop sign, entered the intersection and struck an eastbound 2022 Kia Forte driven by a 37-year-old Gallatin man. After impact the Mercury skidded off the road and overturned onto its top.&nbsp;

DeKalb-Clinton ambulance transported both drivers to Mosaic in St. Joseph. Buchanan County ambulance transported a 42-year-old passenger in the Kia to Mosaic in St. Joseph. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

DEKALB COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just after 11p.m. Saturday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Mercury Sable driven by a 61-year-old Weatherby woman was southbound on MO 31 at U.S. 36 three miles west of Stewartsville.The driver failed to yield at the stop sign, entered the intersection and struck an eastbound 2022 Kia Forte driven by a 37-year-old Gallatin man. After impact the Mercury skidded off the road and overturned onto its top.&nbsp;DeKalb-Clinton ambulance transported both drivers to Mosaic in St. Joseph. Buchanan County ambulance transported a 42-year-old passenger in the Kia to Mosaic in St. Joseph. All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

3 hospitalized in St. Joe after 2-vehicle crash

DAVIESS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Friday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Buick passenger vehicle driven by a 26-year-old Bethany woman was northbound on Interstate 35 three miles north of Cameron.

The driver lost control of the vehicle. It slid off the east side of the road and overturned. A private vehicle transported the driver to Harrison County Community Hospital. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

DAVIESS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Friday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Buick passenger vehicle driven by a 26-year-old Bethany woman was northbound on Interstate 35 three miles north of Cameron.The driver lost control of the vehicle. It slid off the east side of the road and overturned. A private vehicle transported the driver to Harrison County Community Hospital. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri woman injured after vehicle overturns

A young motorcycle rider has been killed after a collision with a car at a busy
intersection in St. Joseph.

The St. Joseph
Police Department identifies the victim as 19-year-old Josue Ezequiel Turcio Ramirez.

Police say Ramirez
was riding south on the Belt Highway Thursday afternoon. A northbound
vehicle attempted to make a left turn onto Beck Road and the two collided. The
impact ejected Ramirez from the motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The motorcycle
crashed into five other vehicles, four at the car dealership on the corner. The
driver of the car involved in the crash was not injured. St. Joseph police are
not releasing the driver’s identification at this time. The driver in the car
hit after the wreck was not injured, either.

The article has been updated to provide the correct identification of the victim. We regret the error.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA young motorcycle rider has been killed after a collision with a car at a busy
intersection in St. Joseph.The St. Joseph
Police Department identifies the victim as 19-year-old Josue Ezequiel Turcio Ramirez.Police say Ramirez
was riding south on the Belt Highway Thursday afternoon. A northbound
vehicle attempted to make a left turn onto Beck Road and the two collided. The
impact ejected Ramirez from the motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.The motorcycle
crashed into five other vehicles, four at the car dealership on the corner. The
driver of the car involved in the crash was not injured. St. Joseph police are
not releasing the driver’s identification at this time. The driver in the car
hit after the wreck was not injured, either.The investigation
continues.The article has been updated to provide the correct identification of the victim. We regret the error.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

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