Special Olympics of Northwest Missouri was out collecting change Friday at location all across Northwest Missouri to raise funds for kids to participate in sports programs.

“We give the opportunity to Athletes that otherwise would not be able to be on the playing fields,” said Melody Prawitz, Northwest Special Olympics Dir. “We have sports year round, sports training and competition.”

KJO 105.5 Program Dir. Gregg Lynn was broadcasting live at HyVee in St. Joseph from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to ask people to come out to drop off their spare change to benefit Special Olympics.

“When you watch these Athletes work it is pure joy when they’re playing,” Lynn said. “We try to help out throughout the year with things and when they said ‘hey can you help us collect pocket change?’ We said, hey we’ll do it.”

Q-Country’s Travis Dodge also helped with the program. He was live on 92.7 at HyVee in Maryville Friday asking people to stop by and support the cause.

Prawitz said the funds collected from the drive will go to help provide uniforms and transportation fees for the athletes. She said the idea of collecting change is to make a change in athlete’s lives.  It’s the first year for the fundraiser but Prawitz said she hopes to collect around $3,000 to benefit the organization.

SOMO was also out at Apple Market locations in St. Joseph and other location across Northwest Missouri. If you are interested in donating to help out Special Olympics of Northwest Missouri, Prawitz said you can call (816) 233-6232 or stop by the St. Joseph office located at 520 Francis St, St Joseph, MO 64501.

The St. Joseph School District is using social media to warn parents about a scam.

The district tweeted from its @StJosephSchools account this morning warning parents about a letter asking for donations for students graduations, specifically for Lafayette High School students.  The district said the letter is a scam and is not associated with the St. Joseph School District.  Individuals who have information regarding the scam are asked to contact Lafayette High School.

The district said school resource officer’s have been notified of the scam.

Today Areas of fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 79. South southwest wind 10 to 13 mph.

Tonight Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 51. Southwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 54. East wind around 6 mph.

Sunday Sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.

Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.

Monday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.

Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 40.

Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 64.

Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.

Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.

The Platte County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information from the public in identifying a suspect involved in two separate crimes that occurred in April of this year.

Both incidents occurred at the Wood Oil Convenience Store, located at 27015 Missouri 92 Highway.

On April 18, 2014 an unknown black male with balding hair burglarized the store and stole several bottles of alcohol.

The suspect was wearing a white shirt, black jacket, and dark-colored pants. The same unknown suspect returned to the store on April 21, 2014 during business hours and stole several more bottles of alcohol. There is no known suspect vehicle information.

Here are store surveillance photographs of the suspect:

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to contact the Platte County Sheriff’s Office at (816) 858-3521 and speak with Detective Beth Taulbee, or call the TIPS HOTLINE at (816) 474-TIPS