Melodi and Jo’Anna are being highlighted this month by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater St. Joseph.

BBBS said the program matches children in the community with caring adult volunteers in the St. Joseph area.

According to the program national and local studies show that children who have role models are more likely to improve in school and in their relationships with family and friends and less likely to skip school or use illegal drugs or alcohol.

For the month of July BBBS of St. Joseph is highlighting mentor Melodi and 16-year-old Jo’Anna who have been matched for two years.

“I think Mel is just Awesome,” said Leona, Jo’Anna’s mother. “She came into our life and made a big impact on Jo’Anna’s life.  She smiles so much more now.  When she is down, Mel knows how to cheer her up.  She has also introduced to to many new things, like riding horses.  I love Mel as much as Jo’Anna does.”

Melodi said she felt inspired to become a BIG.

“This program has made me be less critical, judgmental and has softened my heart,” she said.

Melodi said her husband has also been a Big Brother in the program for almost 4-years.

 

The Stars and Bars will not fly over the Platte County Fair this weekend.

The Platte County Fair Board’s president says the flag was put away Wednesday until after the fair’s annual stockholder’s meeting, when a final decision on its future will be made.

The Confederate flag has been displayed in the Dirty Shame Saloon on the fairgrounds since 1963.

Judy Davis, vice president of the fair board, says she and most board members didn’t remember the flag was hanging on the fairgrounds until questions were raised this week by The Kansas City Star. Controversy over Confederate flags intensified in the wake of the massacre last month at a black church in Charleston, S.C. Photographs emerged of the alleged gunman posing with the Confederate flag.

The self-proclaimed “oldest continuously operating fair west of the Mississippi River” opened Wednesday. Click the graphic to visit their Web site.

The flag was a prominent part of the stage background as final preparations were underway, but was removed shortly after The Kansas City Star asked fair officials about it.

Missouri Western State University announced the hiring of Brandt Shields as the school’s new director of external relations. Shields, who is currently entertainment and events supervisor at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, will begin his duties at Missouri Western Monday, Aug. 3.

“Mr. Shields was born and raised in St. Joseph and has many significant community connections,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president. “He has a diverse background combining the arts, business and education.

“His service as the student governor on the Missouri State University’s Board of Governors familiarized him with higher education governance and the political landscape. I’m very pleased that he will be joining Missouri Western” Dr. Vartabedian said in a news release.

Shields has worked at Silver Dollar City since 2013, after receiving his Master of Business Administration degree from Missouri State University. While in the MBA program, Shields taught at Missouri State, including a semester abroad at the Liaoning Normal University-Missouri State College of International Business in Dalian, China. He was also a summer student intern in Missouri State’s Division of Diversity and Inclusion.

“This is an exciting time to be a part of the Missouri Western community as we celebrate 100 years of transforming lives,” Shields said. “Growing up in St. Joseph, I witnessed first-hand the impact Missouri Western has on our region. I am honored to have the opportunity to return to my hometown and be part of the team helping to shape the future of this great university.”

Shields received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre with High Honors from Missouri State. He served two years as the non-voting student representative on the Missouri State University Board of Governors.

As director of external relations, Shields will serve on President Vartabedian’s Cabinet and will be responsible for building and sustaining strong relationships with local, state and federal decision-makers to advance the university’s strategic goals.

Shields replaces Ann Pearce, who retired June 2 as special assistant to the president.

Benedictine College has become an all-Steinway piano School.

The School said three moving vans rolled onto the campus of Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., in May 2015. Their precious cargo; 17 brand new Steinway pianos. That was just one part of an overall plan by the college to enhance its Music Department and become an All-Steinway School. More pianos would be delivered through the summer, with the final three, including a beautiful concert grand, delivered July 20. Now every piano on the campus, from classrooms to rehearsal rooms to the recital hall and performance venues, is a Steinway.

“Steinway & Sons is the top piano manufacturer in the world,” said Stephen D. Minnis, president of Benedictine College. “Their pianos, made by hand in New York, define excellence. Being designated an All-Steinway School demonstrates a commitment to the arts and a commitment to excellence. We are pleased to provide our students and faculty with the best equipment possible for the study of music.”

There are more than 2,500 colleges/universities in America and thousands more around the world, and only 172 have been designated All-Steinway Schools. Now Benedictine College joins that list.

“The dream of every music department in the world is to become an All-Steinway School and we are thrilled to be among the few institutions that have this honor,” said Dr. Ruth Krusemark, chair of the Music Department and the Mother Evangelista Kremmeter Professor of Benedictine Traditions and Values. “Our students will reap the greatest benefits of the pianos by practicing and performing on the best the industry has to offer. To make music on a Steinway increases your love for the wonderful sounds the instrument provides and inspires students to reach for their highest performance potential.”

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – All Northwest Missouri routes are now open after closing due to flooding. Crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation were able to open the last three closed routes, Buchanan County Routes C, H and MM, this morning.

MoDOT said it appreciates the patience of all motorists during these necessary closures.