Missouri Western State University celebrates homecoming next week. The theme is “Griffons Around the World.”

One highlight of Homecoming every year is the parade in downtown St. Joseph. This year, the parade’s route is somewhat shorter than in years past.

It will start at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at Faraon and Frederick, in front of City Hall, proceed southwest of Frederick to Francis Street, west on Francis to Sixth Street, south on Sixth to Felix Street, and east on Felix to 10th Street, where the parade will end.

Other Homecoming Week activities include:
Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 21 and 22
· Community Blood Center blood drive, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum 218-219. Drop in, or schedule an appointment by going to savealifenow.org and entering sponsor code “MWSU.”

Friday, Oct. 24
* Alumni Golf Tournament, 10 a.m., Fairview Golf Course. Registration is $45 per person or $180 per team. Advance registration is required by calling 816-271-5646.
* Griffon women’s soccer vs. Central Missouri, 4 p.m., Spratt Stadium
* 32nd annual Alumni Awards Banquet, 5:45 p.m. reception, 6:15 p.m. dinner, Fulkerson Center. The cost is $30 per person. Advanced registration is required by calling 816-271-5646.
This year’s honorees are:
* Distinguished Alumni Award: Bob Vecchione ’75 and Keith Hoskins ’88
* Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD): John Fabsits ’04
* Distinguished Faculty Award: Dr. Susie Hennessy, professor of French and chair of the Department of English and Modern Languages
* Herb ’35 and Peggy Iffert Service to the University Award: Dr. Carlos and Mrs. Carol Moya.

* Griffon volleyball vs. Missouri Southern, 7 p.m., Looney Complex
* Pep rally and bonfire, 8:30 p.m. (after the volleyball game), Looney Complex

Saturday, Oct. 25
* Homecoming Parade, 9:30 a.m., downtown St. Joseph
* Arts, Beats & Treats, 10:30 a.m., Remington Hall atrium. Bring the kids after the parade to enjoy several craft projects, run an awesome obstacle course provided by MegaGymnastics, play games, visit the Planetarium and more.
* Black and Gold Renewal Tailgate, 11:30 a.m., Lot H near Baker Fitness Center. Meet the Deans from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Professional Studies, the Craig School of Business, the School of Fine Arts and the Graduate School as the alumni board grills up tailgate favorites. Free and open to alumni, employees and their families.
* Football reunion and tailgate, 11:30 a.m. in Lot I. The cost is $10 per person and advance registration is strongly encouraged. Call 816-271-5646.
* Griffon football vs. Emporia State University, 2 p.m., Spratt Stadium
* Homecoming Queen and King will be crowned at halftime. Candidates are: Julia Buescher of Shawnee Mission, Kan.; Kendra Greer of Independence, Mo.; Savanna Law of Atchison, Kan.; Nerissa Lee of Kansas City, Mo.; Sharon Rodriguez Benarroch of Les Escaldes, Andorra; Turki Alqahtani of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Zac Covault of Kansas City, Mo.; Tony Dougherty of Leavenworth, Kan.; Jacob Dowell of St. Joseph; and Janis Matulis of Wichita, Kan.
* Griffon volleyball vs. Central Oklahoma, 7 p.m., Looney Complex

Student organizations will also compete in a series of competitions throughout the week. For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.missouriwestern.edu/homecoming.

Detective Captain Mark Brock says preliminary autopsy results show Roger Pankau died from what was described as a “massive cardiac incident.”

Officials say Pankau was discovered unresponsive during a routine cell check on Tuesday morning.

TARKIO, Mo – Route AA in Atchison County is scheduled to close, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. Local maintenance crews will close Route AA from U.S. Hwy 59 to O Avenue for a culvert replacement on Thursday, October 16, 2014, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. During this closure, motorists will need to use an alternate route.

BioZyme manufactures natural feed additives for livestock producers and feed formulators across the country. Nixon was joined by Missouri’s Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce in a tour of the company’s newly expanded facility. The company employs 65 workers in St Joseph, which marks a 70% increase in employment over the last ten years.

The Governor praised the company for the strength of its exports, which have increase 24% over last year.

“The more products that BioZyme sells overseas, the more jobs they can create here at home, and that’s why my administration has made boosting Missouri’s exports a top priority,” Nixon said.”

“In fact exports of Missouri agriculture products are up nearly 20% over just the last year. From soybeans and cattle to specialty meats and animal-feed additives, it’s no surprise that demand for Missouri-raised, Missouri-grown, and Missouri-made agriculture products has exploded.”

Among other products, BioZyme produces “Amaferm,” a fermented, fungus-based, feed additive that produces more energy and better results when fed to livestock. Biozyme is a participant in the Esxport Missouri initiative, an effort by Governor Nixon to help match Missouri-made goods with qualified buyers in the global marketplace.