(A Letter to the Editor from Jennifer Gatrel, spokeswoman for Block Grain Belt Express)
Over the past year, I have had the great honor and privilege of working alongside a diverse group of committed landowners who oppose the precedent-setting land grab known as the Grain Belt Express.

It has been one of the great joys of my life to see Democrats and Republicans working side-by-side, and both organic and commercial farmers fighting the same battle. Overall, it has been an incredibly unifying experience, one that gives me great hope.

A great number of Missourians have risen up to defend their property rights, and those of their neighbors. Both Missouri Farm Bureau and the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association oppose Grain Belt, while the Sierra Club has been its most vocal supporter.

The Missouri Public Service Commission is the governing body that will determine if Grain Belt Express will get its requested power of condemnation to erect a mega DC powerline through Missouri in order to sell power to the east coast. Due to the more than 7,000 comments the PSC received about Grain Belt Express, they decided to hold a public hearing in each impacted county. The sole purpose of the public hearings is for the PSC to listen to the community about the issue. Thus far it has been a wonderful experience. Over 1,200 people have shown up, with the vast majority in strong opposition. The main objection has been to Grain Belt Express, a private company, seeking to become a public utility with eminent domain authority, although there is no significant benefit to the state or need for its project. Impacted landowners testified to the broken promises and unsavory practices of the company. Folks also testified about the serious health and safety concerns, loss of property values, and Grain Belt’s unsubstantiated promises of tax revenues.

The final four hearings will do much to determine the outcome of this case. It is extremely important to remember that if the precedent is set that a private company can force an individual to sell his or her property for its own financial gain, than property rights are meaningless. So, while your land or business may not be impacted by the Grain Belt Express today, it certainly could be in the future by this company or another.

As of July 2014, Grain Belt had acquired easement rights to only 2 miles of the 206 miles of Missouri that they wish to cross. One thing is clear — the huge majority of affected landowners don’t want Grain Belt Express putting towers on their land. Will you stand with your neighbors and attend a hearing? All we are asking for is the right to tell this private company “no” if we don’t wish to sell.

PSC hearing schedules are as follows:
* September 3rd, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. – Clinton County, Cameron Community Center, 219 Ashland Ave., Cameron, MO
* September 3rd, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. – Buchanan County, Moila Shriner’s Ballroom, 701 North Noyes Blvd., St Joseph, MO
* September 4th, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. – Caldwell County, Hamilton Community Arts Theatre, E. Penney Drive Hamilton, MO.
* September 4th, 2014 at 6:00 p.m., Carroll County, Rupe Community Center, 710 Harvest Hills Dr., Carrollton, MO

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) – Missouri is offering grants to help get more locally produced food into school meals and snacks.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced in a news release that applications will be accepted through October 31. To qualify for competitive grants of up to $200,000, applicants must purchase or process food from small farmers or produce food themselves.

Agriculture Director Richard Fordyce says the goal is increase the amount of Missouri-made food served to students and benefit Missouri farmers.

Legislation signed into law in July authorized the program.

The effort comes as the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires schools to serve healthier meals, featuring more fruits and vegetables. Schools must meet the requirements to receive federal reimbursements for serving free and low-cost meals to low-income students.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Topeka City Council is set to consider a ban on nudity in public places after a nude man strolled down city streets last week.

Councilwoman Michelle De La Isla requested the proposal be placed on the Sept. 9 agenda.

The Topeka Police Department and the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Department say the act is legal. State law only prohibits public nudity “in the context of sexual arousal.”

De La Isla says she received calls from worried constituents. She says no one wants their kids “exposed to naked people.”

The council last considered a public nudity ban in 2005. That proposal wasn’t seconded and died without a vote.

CONCORDIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri authorities say an elderly man has died in a two-car crash after driving the wrong way on the interstate.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports 79-year-old Billy Moore of Oak Grove was killed Sunday night. Authorities say Moore was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70. They say his Pontiac struck another car.
Moore was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 21-year-old driver of the second vehicle refused medical treatment.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is receiving nearly $350,000 in federal grants to help schools serve healthier meals and snacks.

The Kansas Department of Education says it will use the money from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide training. The state also will take steps to increase participation in the school breakfast program and use gardening as a way to entice students to eat different fruits and vegetables.

Schools also will be able to apply for money to offer staff wellness programs and cooking/tasting activities in the classroom.

MERIDEN, Kan.- A teenage driver was injured in an accident just after 3 p.m. on Labor Day in Jefferson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Dodge Ram driven by Ruth Anne Streeter, 59, Valley Falls, was northbound on Kansas 4 seven miles north of Meriden.

The vehicle went left of center and struck 2002 Buick LeSabre driven by Erin N. Kelley, 19, Rushville, Mo.

Kelley was transported to Stormont Vail. Streeter was not injured.

The KHP reported both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident.

KANSAS CITY (AP) – Kansas City police have released the identity of a man killed by police officers after they say he fired several rounds at them before being fatally wounded.
The Kansas City Star reports 28-year-old Eugene Turner was killed just before 5 a.m. Sunday after officers responded to a call about a suspicious person with a gun.
Police issued a statement on Sunday saying Turner was walking the streets carrying a gun for unknown reasons.
Ambulance workers declared Turner dead, and police recovered a handgun nearby. The two officers involved in the shooting were placed on paid administrative leave.