Area troopers are stepping up enforcement for the Thanksgiving holiday as people hit the roadway.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the counting period for the 2015 Thanksgiving holiday weekend is from 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 25, until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 29, 2015. During the 2014 Thanksgiving holiday weekend, 18 people were killed and another 469 were injured in 1,151 traffic crashes. That means traffic crashes killed or injured one person every 12.6 minutes in Missouri over last year’s Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Troop H will also be participating in Thanksgiving Holiday weekend enforcement operations.

Throughout the holiday weekend, troopers within Troop H and throughout the state will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort). In addition to Operation C.A.R.E., Troop H will also be participating in a statewide special enforcement operation during the peak travel periods on Wednesday, November 25, and Sunday, November 29. During this operation, troopers will be assigned to 20-mile stretches of Interstate 35. Enforcement efforts on secondary roads will be conducted during the same timeframe within Troop H. Over the entire holiday weekend troopers will be vigorously enforcing all traffic laws and helping motorists in need of assistance.

“We expect traffic patterns to be affected by the upcoming holiday as people make their way home for Thanksgiving,” said Colonel J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “It’s important that everyone obey all traffic laws, be courteous drivers, and wear a seat belt. Pay attention when you’re driving and put the cell phone down. That text or phone call can wait until you’re off the roadway. If alcohol is part of your holiday celebration, plan to have a designated driver. On behalf of the employees of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, I wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving.”

The Highway Patrol’s Emergency Assistance number is 1-800-525-5555 (or *55 on a cellular phone). Motorists should use this emergency assistance number to report traffic crashes, crimes being committed, or other emergencies on Missouri’s highways. When you dial this number anywhere in the state, it rings directly into the closest Patrol headquarters.

ST. JOSEPH, MO – Santa makes his arrival at the East Hills Shopping Center today for the Holiday Season.

East Hills said Santa will be arriving at the center in a horse drawn sleigh at 11:00 a.m. with a parade throughout the shopping center. The Benton, Central and Lafayette Marching Bands, Olaf and a Snow Queen will lead Santa’s parade. First season X Factor contestant John Lindahl will perform at 5:45 p.m. The Tree Lighting will be at 6 p.m. featuring a performance by Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer, Wanda Jackson, also known as the Queen of Rockabilly and appearance and autograph signing by 1985 Kansas City Royals World Series Champion Willie Wilson.

Children’s music performer Mr. Stinky Feet will perform after the parade at 11:15 a.m. in Center Court. East Hills will also be offering free horse drawn sleigh rides to shoppers from 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. The pick up and drop off point will be at the main entrance by Charming Charlie.

Free horse drawn carriage rides will be offered to shoppers from Saturday until Sunday, Dec. 20th They will be available every Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The pick up and drop off point will be at the main entrance by Charming Charlie.

The Salvation Army of Buchanan County kicked off its annual Christmas Red Kettle Campaign Friday.

Bill ringers will now be out at nine locations around town trying to raise funds to benefit the Salvation Army’s community homeless shelter and programs.

This year’s goal is to raise $375,000.

Bell ringing sites in St. Joseph include both Walmarts, Sam’s Club, HyVee, Kmart, two Apple Market locations, East Hills Shopping Center and Hobby Lobby.

Bill ringers will be out from now until Christmas Eve. Volunteers are still being sought to help raise funds for the agency.

To volunteer call The Salvation Army 816.233.5824 and ask for LeeAnn.

In a first for Buchanan County and perhaps in the State of Missouri, a St Joseph man was convicted of sex crimes Thursday in part based on evidence that would not have been admissible last year.

Thanks to the voter-approved constitutional amendment, Missouri prosecutors may now present evidence of prior criminal acts, whether charged or uncharged, in order to demonstrate the defendant’s propensity to commit a sex crime against a victim under 18 years old.

That fact did not help Terry Matson, the 54-year-old St Joseph man charged with having sex with his girlfriend’s five-year-old granddaughter.

After deliberating for about three hours Thursday, a Buchanan County Circuit Court jury found Mr. Matson guilty on two counts of 1st Degree Statutory Sodomy and one count of 1st Degree Statutory Rape. Both crimes are unclassified felonies and carry no maximum limits on the possible prison terms allowed. Judge Daniel Kellogg scheduled sentencing January 11th.

The jury heard testimony from the five-year-old victim, as well as two other women who testified that the defendant sexually abused them when they were children. Both were daughters of different women Mr Matson was then married to. No charges were ever filed in either case.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kate Schaefer says that before the amendment passed, their testimony would never be allowed. Ms Schaefer says this is the first time such evidence has been heard by a jury in Buchanan County, and she says it’s the first case she could find anywhere in Missouri.

The defendant cried when the verdicts were read and then laid his head on the defense table.

Judge Kellogg raised Mr. Matson’s bail to $50,000 cash pending sentencing.