Avenues to enhance the St. Joseph area skilled workforce have
expanded.

St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President Natalie Hawn points
out 35% of St. Joseph’s economy is manufacturing based and local manufacturers
are in great need of more skilled workers. Hawn says the opening of the Skilled
Manufacturing Center at Hillyard Technical Center has been a great addition in
training those workers and fits with the traditional college degrees offered at
Missouri Western State University.

“Maybe you want to go back to school and become an engineer
and get a four-year degree or a masters,” Hawn says. “It just allows you some
more options and flexibility and it’s great to have that just right here in our
backyard.”

Hawn says the addition of the North Central Missouri College
campus in Savannah and North Central’s work with Missouri Western State
University to build the Convergent Technology Alliance Center on the St. Joseph
campus will also help train the high-skilled workers local manufacturers need.

Hawn says the Chamber will host its Manufacturing Day in early
October with around 800 area high school students expected to visit local manufacturers.
Hawn says the day focuses on the good paying jobs local manufacturers offer.

“And to see their eyes just light up and for it to really connect
the dots that education, and it doesn’t have to be a four-year education, it
can start with something as simple as a certificate or graduating high school,”
according to Hawn. “It was just really great to see that connect with the
students and sometimes they have to see it, feel it, touch it.”

Hawn says the opportunity for workers to obtain more education
and training to advance will be available.

“From maybe just working the line to being a welder or getting
that forklift certificate or learning CNC, becoming a diesel machinic where it
significantly raises your salary and you just maybe need a little skill up to
be able to do that.”

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce will host a Career Fair September 17th from 3pm to 6pm at Stoney Creek Hotel.

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

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAvenues to enhance the St. Joseph area skilled workforce have
expanded.St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President Natalie Hawn points
out 35% of St. Joseph’s economy is manufacturing based and local manufacturers
are in great need of more skilled workers. Hawn says the opening of the Skilled
Manufacturing Center at Hillyard Technical Center has been a great addition in
training those workers and fits with the traditional college degrees offered at
Missouri Western State University.“Maybe you want to go back to school and become an engineer
and get a four-year degree or a masters,” Hawn says. “It just allows you some
more options and flexibility and it’s great to have that just right here in our
backyard.”Hawn says the addition of the North Central Missouri College
campus in Savannah and North Central’s work with Missouri Western State
University to build the Convergent Technology Alliance Center on the St. Joseph
campus will also help train the high-skilled workers local manufacturers need.Hawn says the Chamber will host its Manufacturing Day in early
October with around 800 area high school students expected to visit local manufacturers.
Hawn says the day focuses on the good paying jobs local manufacturers offer.“And to see their eyes just light up and for it to really connect
the dots that education, and it doesn’t have to be a four-year education, it
can start with something as simple as a certificate or graduating high school,”
according to Hawn. “It was just really great to see that connect with the
students and sometimes they have to see it, feel it, touch it.”Hawn says the opportunity for workers to obtain more education
and training to advance will be available.“From maybe just working the line to being a welder or getting
that forklift certificate or learning CNC, becoming a diesel machinic where it
significantly raises your salary and you just maybe need a little skill up to
be able to do that.”The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce will host a Career Fair September 17th from 3pm to 6pm at Stoney Creek Hotel.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Skilled workforce training options expanding in St. Joseph

Wednesday’s bench trial focused on a provision in the abortion-rights amendment pertaining to provider immunity

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

A judge could decide as early as Thursday whether Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s “fair ballot language” summary for an abortion-rights amendment is truly fair.&nbsp;

Missouri voters will be asked on Nov. 5 whether they support Amendment 3, which would establish a constitutional right to an abortion up until fetal viability and protect other reproductive rights, including access to in-vitro fertilization and birth control. Abortion became illegal in Missouri in June 2022, with limited exceptions for the life and health of the mother.

Posted at every polling station around the state, next to sample ballots, is&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=116.025" target="_blank">“fair ballot language”</a>&nbsp;that summarizes the questions that voters will be asked to decide on. State law requires that this language, written by the secretary of state, be “true and impartial.”

<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/20/missouri-secretary-state-ashcroft-lawsuit-abortion/">In a lawsuit filed two weeks ago,&nbsp;</a>organizers behind Amendment 3 claimed that Ashcroft’s summary was “intentionally argumentative” and could create confusion among voters.&nbsp;

The same day Ashcroft&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/missouri-voters-will-decide-whether-to-legalize-abortion-in-november/">certified the measure for the November ballot,&nbsp;</a>his office also published to its website a “fair ballot language” summary statement for the amendment which reads:&nbsp;

“A ‘yes’ vote will enshrine the right to abortion at any time of pregnancy in the Missouri Constitution. Additionally, it will prohibit any regulation of abortion, including regulations designed to protect women undergoing abortions and prohibit any civil or criminal recourse against anyone who performs an abortion and hurts or kills the pregnant women.”&nbsp;

The abortion rights campaign is asking the court to issue new “fair ballot language” and order that Ashcroft remove his current language from his government website.

A brief bench trial Wednesday afternoon in Cole County Circuit Court focused in particular on the last sentence of Ashcroft’s summary, and how a court could interpret subsection 5 of the amendment, which reads: “No person shall be penalized, prosecuted, or otherwise subjected to adverse action based on their actual, potential, perceived, or alleged pregnancy outcomes, including but not limited to miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion. Nor shall any person assisting a person in exercising their right to reproductive freedom with that person’s consent be penalized, prosecuted, or otherwise subjected to adverse action for doing so.”

Andrew Crane, representing Ashcroft on behalf of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, argued Wednesday that this subsection would result in “effectively neutering the government’s ability to enforce any effective regulations” on abortion.&nbsp;

Tori Schafer, an attorney with the ACLU of Missouri, which is representing the plaintiff, called this claim “politically-charged” and unfounded, as it fails to take into account other language in the amendment protecting patients.

“The amendment will provide greater independence from the government,” she told the court. “But it does not create the boundless, limitless, unregulated right the secretary continues to make it to be.”&nbsp;

Schafer said Ashcroft in the latest language “resurrects his false claims” that have already been denounced by the Missouri Court of Appeals.

Ashcroft was sued last year by the abortion-rights campaign over the initial ballot summary he drafted, which would have asked Missourians, in part, if they wanted to “allow for dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth.”&nbsp;

Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem ruled a year ago that Ashcroft’s language was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/25/judge-rejects-rewrites-summary-for-missouri-abortion-initiative-petition/">“problematic” and inaccurate.</a>&nbsp;

An appeals court agreed, ruling that it is “not a probable effect” that the amendment would allow unrestricted abortion in all nine months of pregnancy or that it would toss aside health and safety regulations, “including requirements that physicians perform abortions and that they maintain medical malpractice insurance.”

However, Crane on Wednesday argued that the appeals court ruling didn’t specifically address the immunity provisions of subsection 5.

Ashcroft, who recently lost a bid for the GOP candidate for governor, has been open about his opposition to abortion.&nbsp;

During the Midwest March for Life outside in May, he told The Independent of the abortion initiative petition: “I just want to make sure that people know what this amendment will actually do. That it’s abortion from conception until the very last second that the last toenail leaves the birth canal.”

Cole County Circuit Judge Cotton Walker, who is overseeing the current case, said he intends to rule on Thursday.&nbsp;

Walker recently upheld the “fair ballot language” summary written by Ashcroft for a proposed constitutional&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-upholds-ballot-language-to-ban-noncitizen-voting-already-illegal-in-missouri/">amendment that would ban ranked-choice voting</a>&nbsp;after two voters sued over the language. The voters called the language imprecise, in part because it doesn’t state that it’s currently illegal for non-citizens to vote in Missouri.&nbsp;

The Amendment 3 lawsuit was filed by retired physician Dr. Anna Fitz-James, who initially filed the abortion rights initiative petition in spring 2023 on behalf of Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the campaign behind the amendment.&nbsp;

The campaign has raised millions of dollars this election cycle, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.slu.edu/research/research-institute/big-ideas/slu-poll/index.php" target="_blank">recent polling by St. Louis University/YouGov&nbsp;</a>showed&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/29/poll-shows-missouri-voters-back-trump-hawley-abortion-rights-and-minimum-wage-hike/">52% of Missouri voters supported Amendment 3.&nbsp;</a>The poll surveyed 900 voters across nine days in August.

Meanwhile, a second lawsuit regarding Amendment 3 is also pending in Cole County after a number of anti-abortion activists and lawmakers asked a judge to block the amendment from the Nov. 5 ballot. Their lawsuit claims Amendment 3 violates the state constitution by including more than one subject and&nbsp;fails to specify which laws and constitutional provisions would be repealed if it was approved.

A bench trial in that lawsuit is scheduled for Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725532637576.png" alt=" Cole County Circuit Court Judge Cotton Walker listens to arguments during a Sept. 8, 2022, hearing (pool photo courtesy of Emily Manley/Nexstar Media Group)." />
 <figcaption> Cole County Circuit Court Judge Cotton Walker listens to arguments during a Sept. 8, 2022, hearing (pool photo courtesy of Emily Manley/Nexstar Media Group).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Wednesday’s bench trial focused on a provision in the abortion-rights amendment pertaining to provider immunity</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>A judge could decide as early as Thursday whether Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s “fair ballot language” summary for an abortion-rights amendment is truly fair.&nbsp;Missouri voters will be asked on Nov. 5 whether they support Amendment 3, which would establish a constitutional right to an abortion up until fetal viability and protect other reproductive rights, including access to in-vitro fertilization and birth control. Abortion became illegal in Missouri in June 2022, with limited exceptions for the life and health of the mother.Posted at every polling station around the state, next to sample ballots, is&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=116.025" target="_blank">“fair ballot language”</a>&nbsp;that summarizes the questions that voters will be asked to decide on. State law requires that this language, written by the secretary of state, be “true and impartial.”<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/20/missouri-secretary-state-ashcroft-lawsuit-abortion/">In a lawsuit filed two weeks ago,&nbsp;</a>organizers behind Amendment 3 claimed that Ashcroft’s summary was “intentionally argumentative” and could create confusion among voters.&nbsp;The same day Ashcroft&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/missouri-voters-will-decide-whether-to-legalize-abortion-in-november/">certified the measure for the November ballot,&nbsp;</a>his office also published to its website a “fair ballot language” summary statement for the amendment which reads:&nbsp;“A ‘yes’ vote will enshrine the right to abortion at any time of pregnancy in the Missouri Constitution. Additionally, it will prohibit any regulation of abortion, including regulations designed to protect women undergoing abortions and prohibit any civil or criminal recourse against anyone who performs an abortion and hurts or kills the pregnant women.”&nbsp;The abortion rights campaign is asking the court to issue new “fair ballot language” and order that Ashcroft remove his current language from his government website.A brief bench trial Wednesday afternoon in Cole County Circuit Court focused in particular on the last sentence of Ashcroft’s summary, and how a court could interpret subsection 5 of the amendment, which reads: “No person shall be penalized, prosecuted, or otherwise subjected to adverse action based on their actual, potential, perceived, or alleged pregnancy outcomes, including but not limited to miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion. Nor shall any person assisting a person in exercising their right to reproductive freedom with that person’s consent be penalized, prosecuted, or otherwise subjected to adverse action for doing so.”Andrew Crane, representing Ashcroft on behalf of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, argued Wednesday that this subsection would result in “effectively neutering the government’s ability to enforce any effective regulations” on abortion.&nbsp;Tori Schafer, an attorney with the ACLU of Missouri, which is representing the plaintiff, called this claim “politically-charged” and unfounded, as it fails to take into account other language in the amendment protecting patients.“The amendment will provide greater independence from the government,” she told the court. “But it does not create the boundless, limitless, unregulated right the secretary continues to make it to be.”&nbsp;Schafer said Ashcroft in the latest language “resurrects his false claims” that have already been denounced by the Missouri Court of Appeals.Ashcroft was sued last year by the abortion-rights campaign over the initial ballot summary he drafted, which would have asked Missourians, in part, if they wanted to “allow for dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth.”&nbsp;Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem ruled a year ago that Ashcroft’s language was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/25/judge-rejects-rewrites-summary-for-missouri-abortion-initiative-petition/">“problematic” and inaccurate.</a>&nbsp;An appeals court agreed, ruling that it is “not a probable effect” that the amendment would allow unrestricted abortion in all nine months of pregnancy or that it would toss aside health and safety regulations, “including requirements that physicians perform abortions and that they maintain medical malpractice insurance.”However, Crane on Wednesday argued that the appeals court ruling didn’t specifically address the immunity provisions of subsection 5.Ashcroft, who recently lost a bid for the GOP candidate for governor, has been open about his opposition to abortion.&nbsp;During the Midwest March for Life outside in May, he told The Independent of the abortion initiative petition: “I just want to make sure that people know what this amendment will actually do. That it’s abortion from conception until the very last second that the last toenail leaves the birth canal.”Cole County Circuit Judge Cotton Walker, who is overseeing the current case, said he intends to rule on Thursday.&nbsp;Walker recently upheld the “fair ballot language” summary written by Ashcroft for a proposed constitutional&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-upholds-ballot-language-to-ban-noncitizen-voting-already-illegal-in-missouri/">amendment that would ban ranked-choice voting</a>&nbsp;after two voters sued over the language. The voters called the language imprecise, in part because it doesn’t state that it’s currently illegal for non-citizens to vote in Missouri.&nbsp;The Amendment 3 lawsuit was filed by retired physician Dr. Anna Fitz-James, who initially filed the abortion rights initiative petition in spring 2023 on behalf of Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the campaign behind the amendment.&nbsp;The campaign has raised millions of dollars this election cycle, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.slu.edu/research/research-institute/big-ideas/slu-poll/index.php" target="_blank">recent polling by St. Louis University/YouGov&nbsp;</a>showed&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/29/poll-shows-missouri-voters-back-trump-hawley-abortion-rights-and-minimum-wage-hike/">52% of Missouri voters supported Amendment 3.&nbsp;</a>The poll surveyed 900 voters across nine days in August.Meanwhile, a second lawsuit regarding Amendment 3 is also pending in Cole County after a number of anti-abortion activists and lawmakers asked a judge to block the amendment from the Nov. 5 ballot. Their lawsuit claims Amendment 3 violates the state constitution by including more than one subject and&nbsp;fails to specify which laws and constitutional provisions would be repealed if it was approved.A bench trial in that lawsuit is scheduled for Friday.

Missouri judge hears arguments challenging ‘fair ballot language’ for abortion amendment

CLINTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8a.m. Wednesday in Clinton County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr driven by Jacqueline A. Wright, 68, Lathrop, was southbound on MO 33 just north of 209th Street one and one half miles north of Holt.&nbsp;

The car traveled off the road, struck a rock bluff, a road sign and a telephone pole.&nbsp;

Holt EMS transported Wright to Liberty Hospital.&nbsp; She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

CLINTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 8a.m. Wednesday in Clinton County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr driven by Jacqueline A. Wright, 68, Lathrop, was southbound on MO 33 just north of 209th Street one and one half miles north of Holt.&nbsp;The car traveled off the road, struck a rock bluff, a road sign and a telephone pole.&nbsp;Holt EMS transported Wright to Liberty Hospital.&nbsp; She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Mo. woman injured after car strikes rock bluff, telephone pole

As the city of St. Joseph faces an end-of-the year deadline to obligate federal COVID relief funds, several city projects have been chosen for funding.  

One project that has been in a sort of grey area for funding is putting handrails at Civic Arena.   

City Manager Bryan Carter says while it's not the biggest project on the docket, it's a project that many residents have been asking to get done 

"That plan will put a handrail in every other row of Civic Arena, meaning that every section will have access to seating with that handrail,” Carter tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  “Again, not the biggest number, I think at the end of the day was somewhere around $15,000, but it’s important because it’s one of those things people want.” 

Carter says one of the largest products will be going for the replacement of fire department rescue truck for Fire Station number 10.  

 Carter says one project that will be funded is a program that began when these federal funds first became available.  

Carter says money will go towards a program that helps cadets looking to get into law enforcement enroll at the Law Enforcement Academy at Missouri Western State University. 

"So, it will enable the city to pay for the tuition for individuals who want to become police officers for the City of St. Joseph,” Carter explains. “So, it helps us in that way, but it also helps the University, it helps funnel folks to the law enforcement academy out there.” 

Carter says there are several other projects in line to receive funding, including helping furnish the recent Hillyard Technical Center expansion.  

One smaller project that will be funded with the money helping out is $150,000 dollars for Hillyard Technical Center.  

 Carter says the money will help with some furnishings and equipment within the new expansion.  

"For some final furnishings for it and then equipment that’s needed, so as they’ve gotten that project wrapped up, they’ve had a couple other needs that have come up,” Carter says. 

$60,000 will be donated to the feasibility study for the Felix Street Market project.  

"It’s just an interactive public space that we don’t really have downtown,” Carter points out. “Felix Street Square serves as a good public space, but it’s not great when it’s 14 degrees.” 

Currently the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce has put out a survey for residents to voice their thoughts on the project as well.  

While the deadline to obligate funds is this year, the deadline to spend that money is in 2026. 

By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostAs the city of St. Joseph faces an end-of-the year deadline to obligate federal COVID relief funds, several city projects have been chosen for funding. One project that has been in a sort of grey area for funding is putting handrails at Civic Arena. City Manager Bryan Carter says while it's not the biggest project on the docket, it's a project that many residents have been asking to get done "That plan will put a handrail in every other row of Civic Arena, meaning that every section will have access to seating with that handrail,” Carter tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. “Again, not the biggest number, I think at the end of the day was somewhere around $15,000, but it’s important because it’s one of those things people want.” Carter says one of the largest products will be going for the replacement of fire department rescue truck for Fire Station number 10. Carter says one project that will be funded is a program that began when these federal funds first became available. Carter says money will go towards a program that helps cadets looking to get into law enforcement enroll at the Law Enforcement Academy at Missouri Western State University. "So, it will enable the city to pay for the tuition for individuals who want to become police officers for the City of St. Joseph,” Carter explains. “So, it helps us in that way, but it also helps the University, it helps funnel folks to the law enforcement academy out there.” Carter says there are several other projects in line to receive funding, including helping furnish the recent Hillyard Technical Center expansion. One smaller project that will be funded with the money helping out is $150,000 dollars for Hillyard Technical Center. Carter says the money will help with some furnishings and equipment within the new expansion. "For some final furnishings for it and then equipment that’s needed, so as they’ve gotten that project wrapped up, they’ve had a couple other needs that have come up,” Carter says. $60,000 will be donated to the feasibility study for the Felix Street Market project. "It’s just an interactive public space that we don’t really have downtown,” Carter points out. “Felix Street Square serves as a good public space, but it’s not great when it’s 14 degrees.” Currently the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce has put out a survey for residents to voice their thoughts on the project as well. While the deadline to obligate funds is this year, the deadline to spend that money is in 2026.

Federal COVID relief funds helping several projects across St. Joseph

A deadly Labor Day weekend on Missouri roads and lakes,
including one traffic death in northwest Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that statewide seven
people died in traffic crashes, two in boating wrecks, with one person drowning.
In all, the patrol responded to 233 crashes, resulting in 115 injuries, and
seven deaths. Troopers made 108 driving while intoxicated arrests and five drug
arrests.

Three boating accidents injured eight and left two dead. The
patrol reports one drowning. Officers made eight boating while intoxicated
arrests.

A Minnesota woman was killed when struck on I-35 north of
Cameron Sunday afternoon. The patrol reports 38-year-old Luci Pineda of Farmington,
Minnesota was struck while standing next to her SUV which had overturned
earlier.

The fatalities over the Labor Day weekend included Osage Beach
Police Officer Phylicia Carson of Lake Ozark. Carson, who was 33, was killed
while in pursuit in Camden County Saturday. Carson’s patrol car went into a
skid, went off the road, and struck a tree. The vehicle caught fire. Carson
died at the scene.

The counting period for the Missouri State Highway Patrol began Friday evening and ran through late Monday night.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA deadly Labor Day weekend on Missouri roads and lakes,
including one traffic death in northwest Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that statewide seven
people died in traffic crashes, two in boating wrecks, with one person drowning.
In all, the patrol responded to 233 crashes, resulting in 115 injuries, and
seven deaths. Troopers made 108 driving while intoxicated arrests and five drug
arrests.Three boating accidents injured eight and left two dead. The
patrol reports one drowning. Officers made eight boating while intoxicated
arrests.A Minnesota woman was killed when struck on I-35 north of
Cameron Sunday afternoon. The patrol reports 38-year-old Luci Pineda of Farmington,
Minnesota was struck while standing next to her SUV which had overturned
earlier.The fatalities over the Labor Day weekend included Osage Beach
Police Officer Phylicia Carson of Lake Ozark. Carson, who was 33, was killed
while in pursuit in Camden County Saturday. Carson’s patrol car went into a
skid, went off the road, and struck a tree. The vehicle caught fire. Carson
died at the scene.The counting period for the Missouri State Highway Patrol began Friday evening and ran through late Monday night.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Deadly Labor Day weekend on Missouri roads and waterways

Habitat for Humanity might have begun in St. Joseph in 1996,
but it has been renewing itself ever since.

St. Joseph Habitat Executive Director Tim Osborn says four
volunteers brought Habitat to St. Joseph.

“It is kind of crazy to me how far Habitat came from a group
of four individuals; it was four individuals that started St. Joseph Habitat
for Humanity,” Osborn tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “All volunteer
driven. I’m not sure when the first executive director actually started, but it
was about 10 years into the process.”

Habitat for Humanity has built more than 80 houses in St.
Joseph. Those homes don’t just benefit the family moving in, according to Osborn,
but the neighborhood as a whole.

“It’s always nice to see the neighbors in the area seem to
notice that property values are going to go up,” Osborn says. “You’ll see a new
roof going on next door, new siding going on down the street. It doesn’t just
help one family. It helps the entire neighborhood.”

Families, along with their friends, provide sweat equity.
Habitat for Humanity requires the family chosen to contribute at least 200
hours to the building of a house. The family will have to provide a down
payment, but that payment will be much smaller than a normal mortgage would
require. The family also must pay on a mortgage, though the loan is provided
without interest.

The St. Joseph chapter is expanding into a new project:
building multiple homes in an area.

Habitat will build seven houses off Highland Avenue near the
intersection with Lovers Lane, an experiment in rebuilding a neighborhood.

Habitat does more than just build new houses for families,
according to Osborn, who says the organization gives families a chance at a new
life. Osborn recalls visiting a house Habitat built and noticing a little girl
had left her shoes outside a bedroom.

“I’m thinking, oh wow, they’re getting ready to move in and I
said, ‘You took your shoes off before you went in your room.’ And she goes, ‘Yeah.
This is the first bedroom I’ve ever had. This is my room. I want everybody to
know this is my room.’”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725463922547.jpeg" alt="Habitat for Humanity house/file photo" />
 <figcaption>Habitat for Humanity house/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostHabitat for Humanity might have begun in St. Joseph in 1996,
but it has been renewing itself ever since.St. Joseph Habitat Executive Director Tim Osborn says four
volunteers brought Habitat to St. Joseph.“It is kind of crazy to me how far Habitat came from a group
of four individuals; it was four individuals that started St. Joseph Habitat
for Humanity,” Osborn tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “All volunteer
driven. I’m not sure when the first executive director actually started, but it
was about 10 years into the process.”Habitat for Humanity has built more than 80 houses in St.
Joseph. Those homes don’t just benefit the family moving in, according to Osborn,
but the neighborhood as a whole.“It’s always nice to see the neighbors in the area seem to
notice that property values are going to go up,” Osborn says. “You’ll see a new
roof going on next door, new siding going on down the street. It doesn’t just
help one family. It helps the entire neighborhood.”Families, along with their friends, provide sweat equity.
Habitat for Humanity requires the family chosen to contribute at least 200
hours to the building of a house. The family will have to provide a down
payment, but that payment will be much smaller than a normal mortgage would
require. The family also must pay on a mortgage, though the loan is provided
without interest.The St. Joseph chapter is expanding into a new project:
building multiple homes in an area.Habitat will build seven houses off Highland Avenue near the
intersection with Lovers Lane, an experiment in rebuilding a neighborhood.Habitat does more than just build new houses for families,
according to Osborn, who says the organization gives families a chance at a new
life. Osborn recalls visiting a house Habitat built and noticing a little girl
had left her shoes outside a bedroom.“I’m thinking, oh wow, they’re getting ready to move in and I
said, ‘You took your shoes off before you went in your room.’ And she goes, ‘Yeah.
This is the first bedroom I’ve ever had. This is my room. I want everybody to
know this is my room.’”You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Habitat for Humanity expanding in St. Joseph

ATCHISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Tuesday in Atchison.

Shortly after 5:30PM on Tuesday officers responded to a three vehicle injury accident at 14th and Main Street. 

A 2015 GMC pickup driven by Clayton Marlowe, 38, Leavenworth, westbound on Main Street at 14th Street in the city of Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The pickup entered the intersection on a red light and struck a southbound 2005 Hyundai Tucson driven by Bristal Gann, 29, Atchison. 

That impact caused the Hyundai to collide with a 2019 Toyota Highlander driven by Lee Eckert of Atchison that was stopped eastbound on Main at the traffic light. 

EMS transported Gann to Amberwell Hospital for treatment of injuries. She was cited for driving while suspended. Clayton Marlowe was cited for disobeying a red traffic signal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725461340365.png" alt="Photo Atchison Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Atchison Police</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Tuesday in Atchison.Shortly after 5:30PM on Tuesday officers responded to a three vehicle injury accident at 14th and Main Street. A 2015 GMC pickup driven by Clayton Marlowe, 38, Leavenworth, westbound on Main Street at 14th Street in the city of Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.The pickup entered the intersection on a red light and struck a southbound 2005 Hyundai Tucson driven by Bristal Gann, 29, Atchison. That impact caused the Hyundai to collide with a 2019 Toyota Highlander driven by Lee Eckert of Atchison that was stopped eastbound on Main at the traffic light. EMS transported Gann to Amberwell Hospital for treatment of injuries. She was cited for driving while suspended. Clayton Marlowe was cited for disobeying a red traffic signal.

Kansas woman hospitalized after 3-vehicle crash

GENTRY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Tuesday in Gentry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Chevy Traverse driven by Cody L. Adwell, 45, Ravenwood, was westbound on Route O five miles east of Ravenwood.

The SUV rear-ended a horse and buggy driven by Freeman J. Miller, 21, Ravenwood. Miller was ejected from the vehicle. Grand River Ambulance transported him to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. Adwell was not injured and properly restrained, according to the MSHP.&nbsp;

GENTRY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 7:30p.m. Tuesday in Gentry County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Chevy Traverse driven by Cody L. Adwell, 45, Ravenwood, was westbound on Route O five miles east of Ravenwood.The SUV rear-ended a horse and buggy driven by Freeman J. Miller, 21, Ravenwood. Miller was ejected from the vehicle. Grand River Ambulance transported him to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. Adwell was not injured and properly restrained, according to the MSHP.&nbsp;

Mo. man hospitalized after SUV rear-ends horse and buggy

A 67-year-old Iowa man has pleaded guilty in federal court to
robbing a Princeton bank at gunpoint in May of last year.

Federal prosecutors report Phillip Michael Blink pleaded
guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to one count of armed
bank robbery and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of
violence.

Blink admitted he walked into First Interstate Bank in
Princeton the morning of May 19th, 2023 wearing a cowboy hat, a red
bandana over his face, gloves, and a trench coat, speaking to the teller in a
low voice, stating, “I’m sorry, but this is going to be a bad morning.”

Blink set a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun on the counter,
pointing it at the teller.

Blink took $4,115 and fled in a pickup, northbound on Highway
65. Later that day, a Knoxville, Iowa, police officer pulled Blink over and
arrested him. Blink confessed to robbing the bank. Officers found the handgun
and clothing used in the rubbering in the truck.

Blink faces the possibility of 25 years in federal prison. A
sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence
investigation by the United States Probation Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725382483373.jpeg" alt="Princeton bank robbery/Photo courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office" />
 <figcaption>Princeton bank robbery/Photo courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA 67-year-old Iowa man has pleaded guilty in federal court to
robbing a Princeton bank at gunpoint in May of last year.Federal prosecutors report Phillip Michael Blink pleaded
guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to one count of armed
bank robbery and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of
violence.Blink admitted he walked into First Interstate Bank in
Princeton the morning of May 19th, 2023 wearing a cowboy hat, a red
bandana over his face, gloves, and a trench coat, speaking to the teller in a
low voice, stating, “I’m sorry, but this is going to be a bad morning.”Blink set a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun on the counter,
pointing it at the teller.Blink took $4,115 and fled in a pickup, northbound on Highway
65. Later that day, a Knoxville, Iowa, police officer pulled Blink over and
arrested him. Blink confessed to robbing the bank. Officers found the handgun
and clothing used in the rubbering in the truck.Blink faces the possibility of 25 years in federal prison. A
sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence
investigation by the United States Probation Office.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Iowa man pleads guilty to robbing Princeton bank at gunpoint

A huge influx of money to make the Missouri River a more
reliable navigation channel has nearly been spent as the Army Corps of
Engineers completes repairs and upgrades.

Missouri River Program Manager, Clint Mason, says the Army Corps
of Engineers Kansas City office had never seen an allocation as large as the $340
million approved by Congress.

“So our annual budget for operations and maintenance on the
river in Kansas City is about $10-11 million,” Mason tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.
“And so, whenever we get an influx of $340+ million, it was definitely orders
of magnitude above what we will get on a normal year. And even more I think than
what we’ve seen after past floods and other major events when we’ve had damages.”

The Kansas City office of the Corps of Engineers maintains the
Missouri River from Holt County to its mouth in St. Louis.

Mason asserts a lack of maintenance along the Missouri River
led directly to damage in wake of the 2011 and 2019 floods. He says the money
will bring navigational structures back to their original strength.

Mason points out the Corps’ Kansas City office receives its
annual maintenance budget for all the waterways under its management with only
a portion designated for the Missouri River.

“But over time, it became evident that that wasn’t, it wasn’t
enough to keep all the structures to their full criteria,” according to Mason. “The
rock breaks down with freeze, thaw. High, full events will push the rock or
move it off of their structures, things like that. Over time, those rock
structures require continual upkeep and maintenance.”

Upgrades along the Missouri River has made it a more reliable transportation
source, which has led to more barge traffic from Sioux City, Iowa to St. Louis.
Mason says the Corps expects even more barge traffic on the Missouri in the
future.

“Right now, I think we’re seeing a resurgence of navigation
now that we’ve made the repairs over the last two years and I mentioned during
low water even the last couple of years the channel has remained open and
navigable the entire time,” Mason says.

Mason says the Corps has observed more navigation this year.

“I think that we’re seeing more navigation on the river than
we have in the last, certainly, five, 10 years.”

There are 5,000 navigational structures on the lower Missouri
River.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725379345452.jpeg" alt="A barge on the Missouri River in St. Joseph/file photo" />
 <figcaption>A barge on the Missouri River in St. Joseph/file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA huge influx of money to make the Missouri River a more
reliable navigation channel has nearly been spent as the Army Corps of
Engineers completes repairs and upgrades.Missouri River Program Manager, Clint Mason, says the Army Corps
of Engineers Kansas City office had never seen an allocation as large as the $340
million approved by Congress.“So our annual budget for operations and maintenance on the
river in Kansas City is about $10-11 million,” Mason tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.
“And so, whenever we get an influx of $340+ million, it was definitely orders
of magnitude above what we will get on a normal year. And even more I think than
what we’ve seen after past floods and other major events when we’ve had damages.”The Kansas City office of the Corps of Engineers maintains the
Missouri River from Holt County to its mouth in St. Louis.Mason asserts a lack of maintenance along the Missouri River
led directly to damage in wake of the 2011 and 2019 floods. He says the money
will bring navigational structures back to their original strength.Mason points out the Corps’ Kansas City office receives its
annual maintenance budget for all the waterways under its management with only
a portion designated for the Missouri River.“But over time, it became evident that that wasn’t, it wasn’t
enough to keep all the structures to their full criteria,” according to Mason. “The
rock breaks down with freeze, thaw. High, full events will push the rock or
move it off of their structures, things like that. Over time, those rock
structures require continual upkeep and maintenance.”Upgrades along the Missouri River has made it a more reliable transportation
source, which has led to more barge traffic from Sioux City, Iowa to St. Louis.
Mason says the Corps expects even more barge traffic on the Missouri in the
future.“Right now, I think we’re seeing a resurgence of navigation
now that we’ve made the repairs over the last two years and I mentioned during
low water even the last couple of years the channel has remained open and
navigable the entire time,” Mason says.Mason says the Corps has observed more navigation this year.“I think that we’re seeing more navigation on the river than
we have in the last, certainly, five, 10 years.”There are 5,000 navigational structures on the lower Missouri
River.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Repairs, upgrades to Missouri River structures increase barge traffic

ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating an incident on the Missouri River in Atchison County and have made an arrest.

Shortly after 7p.m. September 1, officers responded to report of a boating accident in the 200 block River Road in Atchison County, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson 

The report indicated a boating accident had occurred involving a small fishing boat that had been traveling south on the river and a northbound barge. The Atchison Fire Department’s boat and the Atchison County Rescue boat also responded.

It was determined that on board on the small fishing boat were two individuals. Operating the boat was Marvin L. Reese, 50, Atchison. A passenger on the boat was identified as Chandler A. Reese, 21, Atchison. 

Witnesses reported seeing the fishing boat collide with the front of the&nbsp; barge. Both occupants on the boat and the vessel went underneath the barge. 

Both men were able to surface and were rescued.&nbsp; A private boater rescued one of the men and the barge rescued the other. They were not injured, according to Wilson.

Kansas Wildlife and Parks officers&nbsp; responded to the scene and investigated the incident.&nbsp; As a result of the investigation, officers f Marvin Reese on requested charges of operating a watercraft while intoxicated. Officials located the fishing boat a short distance down stream.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725327212373.png" alt="Reese from a 2023 arrest in Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Reese from a 2023 arrest in Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating an incident on the Missouri River in Atchison County and have made an arrest.Shortly after 7p.m. September 1, officers responded to report of a boating accident in the 200 block River Road in Atchison County, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson The report indicated a boating accident had occurred involving a small fishing boat that had been traveling south on the river and a northbound barge. The Atchison Fire Department’s boat and the Atchison County Rescue boat also responded.It was determined that on board on the small fishing boat were two individuals. Operating the boat was Marvin L. Reese, 50, Atchison. A passenger on the boat was identified as Chandler A. Reese, 21, Atchison. Witnesses reported seeing the fishing boat collide with the front of the&nbsp; barge. Both occupants on the boat and the vessel went underneath the barge. Both men were able to surface and were rescued.&nbsp; A private boater rescued one of the men and the barge rescued the other. They were not injured, according to Wilson.Kansas Wildlife and Parks officers&nbsp; responded to the scene and investigated the incident.&nbsp; As a result of the investigation, officers f Marvin Reese on requested charges of operating a watercraft while intoxicated. Officials located the fishing boat a short distance down stream.

Kansas man jailed after fishing boat, barge collide on the river

An important aspect of starting a new business is knowing how to market.  

Director of the Small Business Development Center Rebecca Lobina says at least eight out of ten new business owners she works with believes all they need to market is social media 

Lobina says a lot of that comes down to owner operators not wanting to spend money.  But Lobina says, doing marketing is a part of doing business.  

"It should be in your budget, just like if you have to pay rent and utilities and insurance, and you have to buy supplies, it's just part of the cost of doing business, right?" Lobina asks KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  "The cost of gaining a customer, because if no one knows you exist, no one can use your service or buy your product." 

Lobina says she thinks a big misunderstanding among business owners that once they have a website, potential new customers can find them, but there's so much more behind it.  

Lobina says a lot of times, new business owners might misunderstand the reach of their website or social media page.  

Lobina says it's not a 'build it they will come' scenario. 

"I think the misunderstanding really is about like "ok I have a website so now everybody can find me", but the reality is there's so much more to it," Lobina explains. "We'll use Google for example, for Google finding your website, crawling your website, reporting your website, and then that way it comes up in their algorithms, there's just so much more to it." 

Lobina says there's also what's called search engine optimization for example, making sure your website or reach is on page one of Google rather than page seven. 

Lobina says as owner operators form their marketing plan, they need to be smart about how they market their business.  

And how they market smartly, Lobina says, is by knowing what kinds of customers to market to. 

"And if you had to build an avatar of that ideal customer that really, really, really would want your service or your product, what do they look like, how much money do they make, what kinds of needs do they have?" Lobina says.  "And most importantly, based upon those types of demographic and psychographic information, where do you find them?" 

Lobina says once you've figured out the intricacies of what kind of consumer you are looking for, you can start to figure out where they shop to target them to bring to your business. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725039344662.jpg" alt="Stock photo" />
 <figcaption>Stock photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post An important aspect of starting a new business is knowing how to market. Director of the Small Business Development Center Rebecca Lobina says at least eight out of ten new business owners she works with believes all they need to market is social media Lobina says a lot of that comes down to owner operators not wanting to spend money. But Lobina says, doing marketing is a part of doing business. "It should be in your budget, just like if you have to pay rent and utilities and insurance, and you have to buy supplies, it's just part of the cost of doing business, right?" Lobina asks KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "The cost of gaining a customer, because if no one knows you exist, no one can use your service or buy your product." Lobina says she thinks a big misunderstanding among business owners that once they have a website, potential new customers can find them, but there's so much more behind it. Lobina says a lot of times, new business owners might misunderstand the reach of their website or social media page. Lobina says it's not a 'build it they will come' scenario. "I think the misunderstanding really is about like "ok I have a website so now everybody can find me", but the reality is there's so much more to it," Lobina explains. "We'll use Google for example, for Google finding your website, crawling your website, reporting your website, and then that way it comes up in their algorithms, there's just so much more to it." Lobina says there's also what's called search engine optimization for example, making sure your website or reach is on page one of Google rather than page seven. Lobina says as owner operators form their marketing plan, they need to be smart about how they market their business. And how they market smartly, Lobina says, is by knowing what kinds of customers to market to. "And if you had to build an avatar of that ideal customer that really, really, really would want your service or your product, what do they look like, how much money do they make, what kinds of needs do they have?" Lobina says. "And most importantly, based upon those types of demographic and psychographic information, where do you find them?" Lobina says once you've figured out the intricacies of what kind of consumer you are looking for, you can start to figure out where they shop to target them to bring to your business.

Advisor says small businesses need to hone marketing skills

HOLT COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 1p.m. Sunday in Holt County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1986 Jeep Wrangler driven by Teresa A. Davis, 65, Forest City, was southbound on Route E one mile south of Mound City.&nbsp;

The Jeep traveled off the west side of the road. It returned to the road, crossed the center of the road and off the east side, struck an embankment, rotated counter clockwise and came to rest on its wheels.

Atchison Holt ambulance transported Davis to Fairfax Community Hospital. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

HOLT COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 1p.m. Sunday in Holt County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1986 Jeep Wrangler driven by Teresa A. Davis, 65, Forest City, was southbound on Route E one mile south of Mound City.&nbsp;The Jeep traveled off the west side of the road. It returned to the road, crossed the center of the road and off the east side, struck an embankment, rotated counter clockwise and came to rest on its wheels.Atchison Holt ambulance transported Davis to Fairfax Community Hospital. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman hospitalized after jeep strikes embankment

DEKALB COUNTY —One person died following two separate accident just after 5a.m. Sunday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Toyota 4-Runner driven by Luci N. Pineda, 34, Farmington, Minnesota, was southbound on Interstate 35 just north of Cameron.

The SUV traveled into the median and the driver overcorrected. The vehicle returned to the road and overturned onto its top in the middle of Interstate 35.

A southbound 2024 Ford Edge driven by Archie Seneh, 34, Kansas City, Missouri, struck the Toyota and&nbsp;Pineda who had exited the Toyota and was standing in the road.&nbsp;

Pineda was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Jackson County Medical Examiner's office.

EMS transported two passengers in the Toyota Nexy G. Escobar, 27, and Tefri A. Salines, 27, both of St. Paul, Minnesota, to Cameron Regional Medical Center.&nbsp;EMS transported passengers in the Ford Lindie J. Seneh, 56, Kansas City, Missouri, to KU Medical Center. EMS transported two other passengers in the Ford Regina N. Seneh, 36, and a baby boy both of Kansas City, Missouri, to Liberty Hospital. Archie Seneh was not injured.

Lindie Seneh and the passengers in the Toyota were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.&nbsp;

DEKALB COUNTY —One person died following two separate accident just after 5a.m. Sunday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Toyota 4-Runner driven by Luci N. Pineda, 34, Farmington, Minnesota, was southbound on Interstate 35 just north of Cameron.The SUV traveled into the median and the driver overcorrected. The vehicle returned to the road and overturned onto its top in the middle of Interstate 35.A southbound 2024 Ford Edge driven by Archie Seneh, 34, Kansas City, Missouri, struck the Toyota and&nbsp;Pineda who had exited the Toyota and was standing in the road.&nbsp;Pineda was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Jackson County Medical Examiner's office.EMS transported two passengers in the Toyota Nexy G. Escobar, 27, and Tefri A. Salines, 27, both of St. Paul, Minnesota, to Cameron Regional Medical Center.&nbsp;EMS transported passengers in the Ford Lindie J. Seneh, 56, Kansas City, Missouri, to KU Medical Center. EMS transported two other passengers in the Ford Regina N. Seneh, 36, and a baby boy both of Kansas City, Missouri, to Liberty Hospital. Archie Seneh was not injured.Lindie Seneh and the passengers in the Toyota were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.&nbsp;

Woman dead, after SUV strikes pedestrian, SUV from earlier crash

GENTRY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 1a.m. Sunday in Gentry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Ford F350 driven by Cody E. Cheatham, 25, Spring, Texas, was northbound on U.S. 169 in Stanberry.&nbsp;

The driver failed to negotiate a cure in the road.&nbsp; The pickup traveled off the east side of the road, struck a utility pole, a telephone pedestal, a tree and a business sign.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Grand River Ambulance transported Cheatham to Mosaic Life Care. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

GENTRY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 1a.m. Sunday in Gentry County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Ford F350 driven by Cody E. Cheatham, 25, Spring, Texas, was northbound on U.S. 169 in Stanberry.&nbsp; The driver failed to negotiate a cure in the road.&nbsp; The pickup traveled off the east side of the road, struck a utility pole, a telephone pedestal, a tree and a business sign.&nbsp;&nbsp;Grand River Ambulance transported Cheatham to Mosaic Life Care. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Driver hospitalized in St. Joe after violent truck crash

NODAWAY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 11p.m. Saturday in Nodaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Polaris RZR driven by Ryan D. Riley, 23, Hopkins, was northbound on Hawk Road one mile west of Maryville.

The UTV overtook another vehicle. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle began to roll. The UTV traveled off the east side of the road and came to rest on its top.

Nodaway County EMS transported Riley to Mosaic in Maryville. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

NODAWAY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 11p.m. Saturday in Nodaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Polaris RZR driven by Ryan D. Riley, 23, Hopkins, was northbound on Hawk Road one mile west of Maryville.The UTV overtook another vehicle. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle began to roll. The UTV traveled off the east side of the road and came to rest on its top.Nodaway County EMS transported Riley to Mosaic in Maryville. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man hospitalized after UTV accident

GENTRY COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Saturday in Gentry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford F250 driven by Tabatha L. Hatfield, 43, St. Joseph, was westbound on 450th Street three miles north of King City.

The pickup traveled off the north side of the road. The driver overcorrected. The pickup struck a ditch and overturned.

Grand River EMS transported Hatfield and a passenger Anthony L. Williams, 49, St.&nbsp; Joseph to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp; They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

GENTRY COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Saturday in Gentry County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford F250 driven by Tabatha L. Hatfield, 43, St. Joseph, was westbound on 450th Street three miles north of King City.The pickup traveled off the north side of the road. The driver overcorrected. The pickup struck a ditch and overturned.Grand River EMS transported Hatfield and a passenger Anthony L. Williams, 49, St.&nbsp; Joseph to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp; They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

Two from St. Joe injured in pickup rollover accident

A veteran Trenton police officer has been honored by the
United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

The office awarded Sergeant Jeb Walker the 2024 Enoch B.
Morelock Award.

“Sgt. Walker is an invaluable asset not only to his
department, but to his community,” U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore said in a written
statement. “His long tenure in law enforcement, the breadth of his extensive
community involvement, and his exemplary military service truly exemplify the
ideals honored by the Enoch B. Morelock Award.”

The Enoch B. Morelock Award is an annual recognition of
outstanding moral character, service to law enforcement, and service to the
community.

The award is named in honor of Sullivan County Sheriff Enoch
B. Morelock, who was the first recorded line of duty death in the Western
District of Missouri on Dec. 19, 1847.

Walker has served the Trenton Police Department for 26 years, overseeing
all traffic-related incidents. He is also the designated firearms instructor,
OC Instructor, and field training officer. Walker is president of the
underwater rescue team that serves the area and is a trained volunteer
firefighter.

Walker is also actively involved in a number of volunteer
activities in his community.

In addition to his law enforcement and volunteer community
service, Walker served in the United States Marine Corp Reserves for 21 years
as a Gunnery Sergeant and in 2016 transitioned to the Missouri Army National
Guard, where he serves as a Staff Sergeant. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725042197492.jpeg" alt="Trenton Police Sgt. Jeb Walker receiving Enoch B. Morelock award/Photo courtesy of US Attorney's Office" />
 <figcaption>Trenton Police Sgt. Jeb Walker receiving Enoch B. Morelock award/Photo courtesy of US Attorney's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA veteran Trenton police officer has been honored by the
United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.The office awarded Sergeant Jeb Walker the 2024 Enoch B.
Morelock Award.“Sgt. Walker is an invaluable asset not only to his
department, but to his community,” U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore said in a written
statement. “His long tenure in law enforcement, the breadth of his extensive
community involvement, and his exemplary military service truly exemplify the
ideals honored by the Enoch B. Morelock Award.”The Enoch B. Morelock Award is an annual recognition of
outstanding moral character, service to law enforcement, and service to the
community.The award is named in honor of Sullivan County Sheriff Enoch
B. Morelock, who was the first recorded line of duty death in the Western
District of Missouri on Dec. 19, 1847.Walker has served the Trenton Police Department for 26 years, overseeing
all traffic-related incidents. He is also the designated firearms instructor,
OC Instructor, and field training officer. Walker is president of the
underwater rescue team that serves the area and is a trained volunteer
firefighter.Walker is also actively involved in a number of volunteer
activities in his community.In addition to his law enforcement and volunteer community
service, Walker served in the United States Marine Corp Reserves for 21 years
as a Gunnery Sergeant and in 2016 transitioned to the Missouri Army National
Guard, where he serves as a Staff Sergeant. You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Veteran Trenton police officer given prestigious award

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 10p.m. Friday in Livingston County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Nissan Altima driven by Emily A. Prewitt, 39, Chillicothe, was westbound on MO 190 nine miles west of Chillicothe. The car traveled off the north side of the road. The driver overcorrected and the car traveled off the south side of the road, struck an embankment and rolled.

Chillicothe EMS transported Prewitt to Hedrick Medical Center. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 10p.m. Friday in Livingston County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Nissan Altima driven by Emily A. Prewitt, 39, Chillicothe, was westbound on MO 190 nine miles west of Chillicothe. The car traveled off the north side of the road. The driver overcorrected and the car traveled off the south side of the road, struck an embankment and rolled.Chillicothe EMS transported Prewitt to Hedrick Medical Center. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

NW Missouri woman hospitalized after rollover crash

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/suzanneking/">SUZANNE KING</a>&nbsp;

A summer COVID wave fueled by a highly contagious variant, increased travel and hot days that crowded people indoors may be&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-statetrend.html" target="_blank">starting to ebb</a>&nbsp;in the Kansas City area.

Health officials said they hope that surge prompts far more people to sign up for the new COVID vaccine, which could reach area pharmacies next week. The new shot was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-and-authorizes-updated-mrna-covid-19-vaccines-better-protect-against-currently" target="_blank">approved</a>&nbsp;last week and is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html" target="_blank">recommended</a>&nbsp;annually for people 6 months and older.

“Please take advantage of it,” said&nbsp; Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “Roll up both sleeves. Get your flu shot and your COVID shot.”

<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2023/12/11/new-covid-vaccine-no-interest/" target="_blank">Last year</a>, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that fewer than a quarter of adults actually got the new COVID vaccine.

Getting the updated vaccine, doctors agree, is the best way to prevent serious illness and reduce the risk of developing long COVID, a lingering and often debilitating condition that can leave a person with symptoms for months or years.

But since the federal government lifted its public health emergency in May 2023 and stopped providing the vaccine for free, public health officials have worried about how some people would afford it. Cash price for a shot can top $100.

People covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance can still get the shot for free or for a small fee. And a $1 billion federal program made free shots available to people without insurance last year. But funding for that program was expected to run out at the end of August.

Some area health departments, including the Wyandotte County Public Health Department, had said they&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024/08/14/health-officials-warn-of-worsening-covid-surge-without-free-vaccines/" target="_blank">wouldn’t have</a>&nbsp;any free shots for uninsured adults this year. And Vibrant Health, a Wyandotte County health clinic, said it’s still unsure how many free shots will be available to its uninsured patients this fall.

But as federal funding was scheduled to dry up, the government announced it had found money to help cover at least some of the gap.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725066019956.png" alt=" A sign marks the entrance to the a drive-through COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Shannon County Health Center on July 8, 2021 (Tessa Weinberg/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> A sign marks the entrance to the a drive-through COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Shannon County Health Center on July 8, 2021 (Tessa Weinberg/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/suzanneking/">SUZANNE KING</a>&nbsp;A summer COVID wave fueled by a highly contagious variant, increased travel and hot days that crowded people indoors may be&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-statetrend.html" target="_blank">starting to ebb</a>&nbsp;in the Kansas City area.Health officials said they hope that surge prompts far more people to sign up for the new COVID vaccine, which could reach area pharmacies next week. The new shot was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-and-authorizes-updated-mrna-covid-19-vaccines-better-protect-against-currently" target="_blank">approved</a>&nbsp;last week and is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html" target="_blank">recommended</a>&nbsp;annually for people 6 months and older.“Please take advantage of it,” said&nbsp; Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “Roll up both sleeves. Get your flu shot and your COVID shot.”<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2023/12/11/new-covid-vaccine-no-interest/" target="_blank">Last year</a>, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that fewer than a quarter of adults actually got the new COVID vaccine.Getting the updated vaccine, doctors agree, is the best way to prevent serious illness and reduce the risk of developing long COVID, a lingering and often debilitating condition that can leave a person with symptoms for months or years.But since the federal government lifted its public health emergency in May 2023 and stopped providing the vaccine for free, public health officials have worried about how some people would afford it. Cash price for a shot can top $100.People covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance can still get the shot for free or for a small fee. And a $1 billion federal program made free shots available to people without insurance last year. But funding for that program was expected to run out at the end of August.Some area health departments, including the Wyandotte County Public Health Department, had said they&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024/08/14/health-officials-warn-of-worsening-covid-surge-without-free-vaccines/" target="_blank">wouldn’t have</a>&nbsp;any free shots for uninsured adults this year. And Vibrant Health, a Wyandotte County health clinic, said it’s still unsure how many free shots will be available to its uninsured patients this fall.But as federal funding was scheduled to dry up, the government announced it had found money to help cover at least some of the gap.Kansas expects to get around $780,000 of the newly found federal aid, enough to cover about 9,380 COVID doses. The state, which hasn’t expanded Medicaid, has nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/census-survey-nearly-250000-kansans-without-health-coverage/#:~:text=TOPEKA%20%E2%80%93%20The%20U.S.%20Census%20Bureau,Kansas%20and%20the%20United%20States." target="_blank">250,000</a>&nbsp;residents who lack health coverage.Jill Bronaugh, spokesperson for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said the shots would be “equitably distributed” across the state to local health departments, community health centers, rural health clinics and other vaccination locations.Missouri got word last week that it would get just over $1.1 million of the federal funds. That means the state can buy around 12,000 COVID shots. The state, which has expanded Medicaid, still has more than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/total-population/?dataView=1&amp;currentTimeframe=0&amp;sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Location%22,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D" target="_blank">500,000</a>&nbsp;uninsured residents, according to 2022 data.Lynelle Paro, chief of Missouri’s Bureau of Immunization in the Department of Health and Senior Services, said the shots will be made available to public health departments and to some federally qualified health clinics, including&nbsp;<a href="https://samrodgers.org/" target="_blank">Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kccare.org/" target="_blank">KC CARE Health Center</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://swopehealth.org/" target="_blank">Swope Health</a>.Dr. Mark Steele, University Health’s chief clinical officer, said people at lower risk of getting really sick from COVID could consider waiting to get the updated shot until late September or early October. That could extend protection into the holiday season.But doctors warn about putting it off any longer. The virus is sure to surge again once the weather turns cold, a new variant likely takes hold and people go back inside.“If you’re an individual at high risk and it’s been two months or more since your last COVID update, err on the side of (getting the new shot) sooner rather than later,” Steele said.Here’s what else you should know about the latest shot and what steps to take if you get infected.<h2>Where can I get the new COVID vaccine and how much will it cost?</h2>Many pharmacies offer the vaccine on a walk-in basis. Retail chains like Walgreens and CVS let you sign up through their websites. People covered by Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurance plans still can get the COVID shot for free, but you may have to pay an administration fee. Some area health departments charge $20 to give you the shot, even if you don’t have insurance. Many federally qualified health centers, such as KC CARE, provide the shot for free to uninsured and underinsured patients. Uninsured and underinsured minors get the shot for free through a federal program known as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-for-children/about/index.html" target="_blank">Vaccines for Children</a>.<h2>What variant is the latest vaccine targeting?</h2>The newly approved mRNA vaccines, from Moderna and Pfizer, target the KP.2 strain of the virus. KP.2 is one of the FLiRT variants, the highly contagious versions of COVID that fueled this summer’s surge.<h2>If I had COVID recently, how long should I wait to get the new COVID vaccine?</h2>Doctors said you can wait up to three months after an infection to get the new vaccine. That’s because you will develop immunity from having the virus.<h2>How long will the vaccine protect me?</h2>Steele said you can expect the shot to keep you from getting sick for about three months. The vaccine will protect you from getting seriously ill for at least six months. Older adults and patients with underlying health conditions may be advised to get a second shot midway through the year.<h2>If I get sick, when should I test?</h2>Test when you have symptoms, said Dr. Sarah Boyd, an infectious disease doctor at St. Luke’s Health System. And don’t assume you’re COVID-free if one home antigen test shows a negative result. When a cough, sore throat or other symptoms persist, you should test a second time 48 hours later to rule out COVID.<h2>If I am exposed, when should I test?</h2>If you know you’ve been exposed and you don’t have symptoms, you should test five days after exposure. Unless symptoms develop, you don’t need to repeat the test, Boyd said.<h2>Where can I get COVID tests?</h2>Beginning in late September, you will be able to&nbsp;<a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/covid-19/test/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">order</a>&nbsp;four free tests from the federal government. Tests are available to buy at most drug stores or online, but that can cost $6 a test or more.&nbsp;<a href="https://testinglocator.cdc.gov/" target="_blank">No-cost testing</a>&nbsp;is still available at some pharmacies for people without insurance who have been exposed to COVID or have symptoms.<h2>If the test is positive, do I need to stay home?</h2>The CDC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/guidance/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/guidance/respiratory-virus-guidance.html" target="_blank">recommends</a>&nbsp;that if you test positive, you should avoid contact with others. Once your symptoms are improving and you have been fever-free for 24 hours, you can go back to school or work — as long as you’re not returning to a health care setting. But when you go back into the world, you should take precautions like wearing a mask for five additional days.<h2>Should I consider taking Paxlovid if I test positive?</h2>It’s a good idea to check in with your doctor if you test positive, Boyd said. They may recommend that you take Paxlovid, an antiviral medication that can prevent serious illness. Testing and determining that you have COVID is especially important for people at higher risk because Paxlovid must be started within five days of getting sick.<h2>How can I reduce my risks of getting long COVID?</h2>The best strategy to avoid long COVID is to avoid being infected in the first place, experts said. Wear a mask in crowded places, practice good hand hygiene and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth when in public. Most importantly, stay up to date on the vaccine. Like the flu shot, updated COVID vaccines are tweaked to more closely match and repel the virus variants that are circulating.This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024/08/28/the-best-way-to-avoid-covid-get-the-new-covid-vaccine/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Kansas City</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<figure>
 <img src="https://thebeaconnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/iconbeacon-150x150.png?crop=1" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://thebeaconnews.org/?republication-pixel=true&amp;post=24081" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Local