Missouri Western State University is accepting nominations for an award presented to extraordinary citizens.

The Center for Multicultural Education at Missouri Western is accepting nominations for the Drum Major for Justice Awards, to be presented at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Justice Banquet January 18, 2017.

According to a press release, the award is for citizens who live ordinary lives but do extraordinary acts of service with reliability and commitment. The award is presented to one student, one member of the St. Joseph community and one Missouri Western employee who demonstrate a commitment to social justice and multicultural education.

The deadline for nominations is January 11th, 2017.  To nominate someone for the award, click here.

With cold weather on the way, the Animal Medical Center of Mid-America urges all pet owners to bring their pets inside and exercise the utmost caution when exposing pets to the cold. Pets rely on their owners to help keep them warm during cold weather.

The Animal Medical Center of Mid-America’s General Rule: if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pets

BRING PETS INSIDE: Don’t leave pets outside in the cold for prolonged periods of time. Remember — thermometers might show one temperature, but wind chills can make it feel much colder. Limit time outdoors and be mindful of frostbite on ears, tail and paws. If you run with your dog, pay attention to cold paws and, if it gets too cold, leave your pup at home. Owned cats should always be kept indoors, as “outdoor” cats can often become victims of road traffic or wild animals and are susceptible to freezing or starving to death in severely cold weather.

ACCLIMATE PETS TO COLD WEATHER: If pets spend a lot of time outdoors, make sure to introduce them gradually to dropping temperatures, rather than exposing them to the extreme cold all at once.

PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELTER: For outdoor dogs, owners should provide a well-insulated, draft-free, appropriately sized doghouse. The opening should face south with a sturdy, flexible covering to prevent icy winds from entering. Line the floors of the shelter with straw, not hay. Do not use towels or blankets, which can become damp or freeze.

BEWARE OF ANTIFREEZE AND ROCK SALT: Antifreeze often collects on driveways and roadways. Although it smells and tastes sweet to your pet, it is lethally poisonous. If pets have ingested antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately! De-icing products like rock salt can irritate footpads. Be sure to rinse and dry pets’ paws after being outside. Pet stores often carry pet-safe ice melts that do the job and won’t harm your pets.

DRY OFF WET PETS: A wet pet is a cold pet. Towel or blow-dry pets if they get wet from rain or snow. Also, it is important to clean and dry paws to prevent tiny cuts and cracked pads.

PROVIDE PLENTY OF FOOD AND WATER: It takes more energy in the winter to properly regulate body temperature, so pets may need additional calories when spending a lot of time playing or working outdoors. Pets are just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer, so be sure to provide plenty of fresh water. Snow is not a substitute for water. Refill outside bowls often to prevent freezing.

CAREFULLY KEEP PETS WARM INSIDE: Keep pets warm, dry and away from drafts while inside. Space heaters and other supplemental heat sources can burn your pet. Keep portable heaters out of reach and make sure all fireplaces have adequate screening. And, of course, never leave pets alone with an unattended fire.

GROOM REGULARLY: Pets need a well-groomed coat to keep properly insulated. Short- or coarse-haired dogs might get extra cold so consider a sweater or a coat. Long-haired dogs should have their paw hair trimmed to ease in cleaning and snow removal.

Santa Claus has plans to stop in at the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion next weekend.

St. Joseph Museums announced Santa will visit Sunday, Dec. 18.  Visitors to the museum on 11th and Charles can see the jolly old man from noon to 3 p.m.  The museum said visits with Santa are free and participants are welcome to take personal photos and tour the Mansion exhibits.

The event is sponsored by the Museum Hill Neighborhood Association. Admission is Free. Call 816-232-8471 or visit stjosephmuseum.org/events for more information.

The Mayor’s Christmas Party is Saturday, December 10, from 10am to noon.

The annual event features appearances by Santa Claus, Holiday Mickey, Mayor Bill Falkner, and the St. Joseph Figure Skating Club.

It takes place at the Bode Ice Arena, 2500 Southwest Parkway. The skating club will offer a short presentation, and after that you can skate with Santa or sit on his lap. Skating is free and there will be refreshments.

All children who attend are eligible for door prizes and will receive a goody bag.

JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Jay Nixon announced today that he has granted pardons to 15 individuals, each of whom has completed his sentence and become a law-abiding citizen. To date, the Governor has granted 76 pardons and commuted the sentences of three incarcerated offenders.

“Because the power to pardon and commute sentences is a singular authority vested in the Governor, every application for clemency that reaches my office receives a close review,” Gov. Nixon said. “These are decisions not taken lightly, and those who receive pardons have served their sentences and, in the years since, have clearly demonstrated they are contributing members of society.”

Those granted pardons are:

• Eugene Lesh, who served two years in the Department of Corrections before being paroled for his conviction in 1991 on two counts of selling marijuana in Jasper County. Lesh has obtained his associate’s degree and is currently self-employed.
• Michael Radford, who served six months in the Department of Corrections before being paroled for his 1983 convictions of second-degree burglary and stealing in Texas County. Radford has maintained gainful employment and currently works a maintenance worker.
•  Joseph Clayton, who was found guilty of distribution of a controlled substance in Greene County in 1996 and was placed on a five-year term of probation. Since completing probation, Clayton has been employed in the construction industry.
• Alva Ruark, who pled guilty to stealing in Buchanan County in 1980 and was placed on a three-year term of probation. Ruark retired after working for 40 years in a factory and currently farms.
•  Terry Thompson, who was placed on a four-year term of probation after being convicted of second-degree burglary in 1998 in Pemiscot County. Thompson now works as a registered nurse in Tennessee.
• Ivan Mekan, who served 18 months in the Department of Corrections after being convicted of selling marijuana in 1985 in both Dunklin and Stoddard County. Mekan now owns his own construction company and serves as a pastor and city councilman in Bernie.
• James Payne, who was placed on a five-year term of probation after being found guilty of possession of marijuana in 1986 in Greene County. Payne is a small business owner and is active in the Springfield community.
• Corey Allison, who was convicted on two counts of possession of a controlled substance in 2000 in Lafayette County and was placed on a five-year term of probation. Allison now resides in Ohio and is set to begin college classes next month.
•  Brian Elam, who was placed on a five-year term of probation after being found guilty of stealing in Ray County in 1997. Elam has maintained gainful employment and lives in the state of Texas.
•  David Kremer, who served eight months in the Department of Corrections before being paroled for his convictions for burglary and stealing in St. Charles County in 1971. Kremer, a Vietnam veteran, is currently retired and lives in Arizona.
• Donald Saultz, who was placed on a five-year term of probation after being found guilty of stealing in 1975 in Clay County. Saultz is a Vietnam veteran and maintained gainful employment before retiring.
•  Anson Sutherland, who was convicted on two counts of distribution of a controlled substance in 2000 in Lafayette County and was placed on a five-year term of probation. Sutherland is currently employed in the medical field.
• Charles Slaughter, who was discharged early from a three-year term of probation after being found guilty of carrying a concealed weapon in 1970 in St. Louis. Slaughter is retired.
• James Eaves, who was placed on a five-year term of probation after being found guilty of receiving stolen property and stealing in 1986 in Chariton County. Eaves is currently self employed.
• Edward Moore, who pled guilty to possession of a controlled substance in 1993 in DeKalb County and was sentenced to a five-year term of probation. Moore is retired.

A 24-year-old St. Joseph man was granted probation for a bizarre incident in traffic in which he test-fired a handgun he wanted to sell and accidentally shot a woman in the clavicle.

Jeremiah Sweet pleaded October 24 to one count of unlawful use of a weapon for the incident September 15.

Prosecuting Attorney Dwight Scroggins told the court that Sweet was in a vehicle with a handgun he’d bought intending to sell.

Scroggins said the defendant pointed the weapon out the window into the air to test it but it would not fire. When Sweet examined the weapon Scroggins said it fired, hitting a woman in the same car in the clavicle.

According to Scroggins, the vehicle broke down soon thereafter at the Belt and Faraon. The woman then got out of the vehicle intending to walk to the hospital. The two men in the car with her tried to keep her in the car, and that’s what got the attention of a detective sergeant with the St. Joseph Police Department.

According to court documents, Sgt. Jason Strong says he confronted Sweet, who got out of the vehicle and fled on foot. After an extensive dragnet by St. Joseph police, Sweet was located in a shed at a nearby mobile home park. Police also found a blue cooler containing drug paraphernalia, the firearm, and Sweet’s wallet.

Prosecutor Scroggins asked the judge to send the defendant to prison, calling him a drug user with a firearm, and saying “these types of people need to go to prison, to see where they’re going to be if they don’t change.”

Scroggins called Sweet an inappropriate candidate for probation.

Assistant Public Defender Angela Tatro disagreed, telling the judge that her client is making an effort to change, and that his criminal record includes only misdemeanors. Tatro says the two men in the car were trying to get the woman to the hospital, that Sweet has admitted he was on drugs and off his psychiatric medications. She said her client admits it was a stupid thing to do and that it was stupid to even buy the gun.

Circuit Judge Patrick Robb granted Tatro’s request for probation. He suspended imposition of a two year prison sentence and placed Sweet on probation for four years.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has announced the results of a High Intensity Drug Trafficking (HIDTA) operation conducted in Troop H.

Interstate 29, Interstate 35, and U.S. Highway 36 were the roadways targeted in this operation. Capt. James E. McDonald, commanding officer Troop H, St. Joseph, announces the results of a High The operation was conducted from December 4 to December 7, 2016. As a result of the project, officers issued 22 citations for traffic violations and 149 warnings. Officers made one felony drug arrest, seven misdemeanor drug arrests, and two misdemeanor warrant arrests.