Triumph Foods has donated 33,000 pounds of pork to the Second Harvest Community Food Bank.

According to a news release, Wednesday’s donation included pork spare ribs, back ribs, hams, loins, tenderloins, pork steaks and other cuts. Enough to provide 100,000 meals across the 19 counties the the food bank serves in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas.

“Triumph Foods stands by our commitment to Second Harvest,” said Chris Clark, Communications Manager at Triumph.  “We will continue to fight against food insecurity and hunger in the St. Joseph and the entire service area of Second Harvest.”

Chad Higdon, Chief Executive Officer with Second Harvest said the majority of the product is made available to its Partner Agencies.

“We are very appreciative of this donation, with the majority of the product being made available to our Partner Agencies and distributed throughout the 19 counties Second Harvest serves in Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas,” He said. “Triumph Foods is a tremendous partner of Second Harvest’s mission to end hunger in the region.”

For more information contact Second Harvest at (816) 364-FOOD.

The St. Joseph Aquatic Park will remain closed Wednesday as crews work to treat the water after a fecal incident.

Jeff Atkins, Assistant Parks Director said the pool was closed Tuesday afternoon after a loose stool was found in the activity pool.

“In our case what we have to do is clear the pool and close it and then we have to hypochlorite the water,” Atkins said. “We have to raise the chlorine level in the pool to almost seven times the normal level and maintain that for a period of 28 hours.”

He said staff has been monitoring the chlorine levels throughout the night to make sure they are maintained. Atkins said staff monitors the pool closely for instances like this due to the potential for a contamination, especially contamination caused by Cryptosporidium (Crypto) which is extremely tolerant to chlorine. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention said Crypto is the leading cause of waterborne disease among humans in the United States. It can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, fever and weight loss.

Atkins said staff follows CDC guidelines for matters like this.

“We take this stuff very seriously, we monitor it constantly and that’s why we act so quickly,” he said. “We want to make sure the public is comfortable coming to our pools and that’s why we react the way we do. That’s why we treat the pools exactly like we do, to ensure their safety.”

The Aquatic Park was closed several times last year for similar instances.  The pool is anticipated to reopen Thursday.  Atkins said if someone wants to swim before then Krug Pool is open.

A Polo, Missouri man is due in court Friday after he was charged with sexually abusing a child over the course of five years.

Roger Briggs, 35, was booked into the Buchanan County jail early Wednesday morning, and is being held under $75,000 bail. Prosecutors filed one count of sodomy in the first degree, with victim under the age of 12. A probable cause statement accuses Briggs of abusing a seven-year-old child.

“According to statements, Briggs has been sexually abusive to the victim spanning a 5 year period of time,” said St. Joseph Police Det. Dustin Robinson in a probable cause statement. “Briggs may attempt to have contact with the victim and has expressed through messages that he would like to remain in the victims life.”

A judge set bail at $75,000, with a $25,000 cash deposit. Briggs is in custody at the Buchanan County Jail.

Three new troopers have been assigned to Troop H in Northwest Missouri after their graduation from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy.

Captain James E. McDonald, commanding officer Troop H, says all three were members of the 104th Recruit Class that graduated from the Patrol Academy on June 23, 2017. The new troopers will report for duty on July 10, 2017.

Trooper Anthony J. Kempa, of Amazonia, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 2, which serves the citizens of Nodaway and Worth counties. Trooper Kempa is a graduate from Savannah High School. Trooper Kempa’s training officer will be Sergeant Tom Ziegler.

Trooper Dylan M. Wilburn, of Cameron, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 3, which serves the citizens of Harrison and Gentry counties. Trooper Wilburn is a graduate from Cameron High School, and attended Missouri Western State University majoring in criminal justice. Trooper Wilburn’s training officer will be Corporal Chris Sullivan.

Trooper Andrew J. Foss, of Holden, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 1, which serves the citizens of Atchison and Holt counties. Trooper Foss was home schooled and graduated from University of Central Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and a Bachelor of Science in biology (conservation enforcement). Trooper Foss’s training officer will be Corporal Shane Hux.

Amid growing money problems and the anticipation of a tax-increase vote of some kind later this year, the St. Joseph School District Board of Education on Monday approved a $133 million budget for the next school year.

The district will operate at a deficit of about $7.7 million, which will take the district’s estimated ending fund balance to about 16% of total expenditures. That’s well below the board’s desired 20% figure. Revenues are estimated at $125,674,000 and expenditures estimates are $133,361,543. Net total loss of all funds is $7,687,543.

The district has operated at a deficit ever since the 63-cent operating levy was allowed to expire three years ago. For this budget, staff estimated an increase in state funding, but in their budget message, Superintendent Dr. Robert Newhart and Director of Finance Wesley Metz say that the current operating deficit is unsustainable without an increase in the local tax levy. The district is discussing a ballot issue pending board approval.

The district has been working on efficiencies in many areas, including energy-efficient lighting, a self-insurance health plan, and some of the recommendations from the State Auditor’s Report in 2015. Officials say the district is increasing salary and benefits by about $3 million overall. An inventory system is in place, and will help the board manage current assets. And a timeclock system has been implemented, for more detailed and accurate payroll information.

After undergoing a few changes, the Hillcrest Transitional Housing Thrift Shoppe will hold its grand reopening this week. 

Thrift Shoppe Manager Abbey Resler said anyone who’s been there before and attends the grand reopening Wednesday may notice some changes in the store. 

“The furniture is in a completely new space, we’re expanding clothing and just kind of redecorating the store,” Resler said. “It might look a little different but really what we’re doing is kind of optimizing the space that we have and we want it to be a good experience for shoppers.” 

Resler said they offer a little bit of everything at the store including clothes, shoes, glassware, kitchen items, electronics and sporting goods. 

“Everything that we receive are donations so that’s part of why we’re able to support our housing ministry so well is because everything that we get through the store is donated by people here in the community,” Resler said. 

Melissa Frakes is the Affiliate Director at Hillcrest Transitional Housing. Frakes said the goal of the grand reopening was to make some changes to help make a bigger impact for the Hillcrest Transitional Housing program. Frakes said the thrift shoppe is one of the biggest fundraisers for Hillcrest. 

“That’s why it’s so important for us to grow this thrift store business because what Hillcrest does, as many know, is our prime objective is to take a client from homelessness to self-sufficiency and be a self-sustaining member of the community,” Frakes said. 

Frakes said they’re always looking for volunteers for the thrift shoppe, apartment complex or both. 

The grand reopening takes place Wednesday. Normal business hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the Hillcrest Thrift Shoppe located at 4826 Frederick Avenue in St. Joseph. 

The grand reopening will include games, refreshments, giveaways and a clown appearance from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Everything in the store will also be 25% off through the rest of the week. For more information about Hillcrest or volunteering, call Melissa at (816) 351-5774.

The City of St. Joseph is trying to encourage groups to consider holding events at Riverfront Park.

According to a news release, in an effort to generate interest in the park the city is looking for organized groups to consider hosting events at the park located at 1st and Francis streets. A Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued seeking ideas and opportunities for events to be considered. The city said efforts have been made to clean up the area and improve the infrastructure to make the area more appealing and conducive to organized events. Some improvements include pavement repairs to the north end of the parking lot, removing the structure on the landing to open up the river view and provide additional event space, and improving access to the park.

The city will provide certain amenities for selected events. Amenities may include but not
be limited to: portable restrooms, portable electricity, portable lighting, trash cans and service, and portable staging. Organizers must meet all necessary event insurance requirements and any licensing or permitting that may be required.

Mayor Bill Falkner said he is excited about the prospect of bringing more life to the area.

“Great things are happening in our downtown and we need to do everything possible to
continue that momentum,” Falkner said. “Working with groups to bring activities to our
downtown and riverfront area will only help to strengthen its growth and popularity.”

Interested groups or individuals who have an event or would like to explore the opportunity to hold an event at Riverfront Park should submit a proposal to the purchasing division in room 201, City Hall, 1100 Frederick Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 64501. The deadline for submitting proposals is open and proposals will be considered as they are received.