ST. LOUIS (AP) – The director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests says the organization will keep fighting a court order to disclose records to an accused priest’s defense lawyers, despite a ruling by Missouri’s highest court.

SNAP’s David Clohessy made those comments on Tuesday, a day after the Missouri Supreme Court refused to intervene on SNAP’s behalf.

Last week, Jackson County Circuit Judge Ann Mesle ordered SNAP to disclose records that could include years of emails with victims, journalists and others. The order is related to an abuse lawsuit against the Rev. Michael Tierney and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Defense lawyers sought the documents as evidence that the accuser’s attorney violated a gag order by giving details of the case to SNAP.

 

 

 

Posted by Aimee Lehmuth, http://mdc.mo.gov/blogs/fresh-afield/colors-winter

When many people think of color they think of the beautiful blooms of spring and summer or the bright leaves that adorn many of the trees in fall, but what about the winter? Where did all those beautiful colors go that once adorned our landscape?

The weather had just turned cold a few days before and I was already getting tired of the indoors. So donning my hat and coat I decided I would take a walk around my property in Cole County. I didn’t expect to see much, considering it was cool and not many animals like this weather nor did many plants’ blooms survive the first frost. So you can imagine my surprise when I saw the bright red berries of the deciduous holly as they seemed to burst from the drab winter woods. After spending several minutes admiring the lavish plant I decided to move on to see if I could find any more colors that brightened the muted winter landscape. It wasn’t long before I spotted a vibrant blue jay sitting on a bare tree branch looking out at the world. The blue and white coloration of the bird seemed to glow in comparison to the gray tree bark on which it was perched.

I furthered my walk to nearby Binder Lake in hope of spotting more colorful excitement and I was not disappointed. As I approached the lake I saw several mallards floating on the darkened water. The iridescent green on the drakes’ heads shimmered in the light and enhanced the water giving new life and vibrancy to the muted world around them. This gorgeous sight was not the last of the day; I also chanced upon a red-headed woodpecker pecking away at a nearby tree. Though most of its body was covered in the uninteresting winter colors of gray, white and black, the red patch on the bird’s head brought colorful relief to the scene as it bobbed back and forth in search of food.

These and many more wonderful surprises not only brightened my day but changed my pessimistic outlook on the colors of winter. So if the winter “blah” has come over you, take a step outside and enrich yourself with the lavish colors a Missouri winter does have to offer.

Although some question whether it’s necessary, in-person absentee voting in the Missouri’s presidential preference primary has begun.

Election authorities began accepting absentee ballots across the state Tuesday for Missouri’s Feb. 7 primary.

In Buchanan County, an important tax question is also on the ballot, but by Wednesday afternoon, no one had cast an absentee ballot here.

Those who vote absentee must have a reason, such as being out of the state on Election Day or a physical disability or illness.

Absentee ballots can be cast until Feb. 6. Missouri’s primary won’t have any official bearing on the presidential nominee. The party convention delegates will be chosen later in 2012.

Missouri taxpayers will pay between $4 million and $8 million for the non-binding presidential vote. The primary includes four Democrats, 10 Republicans and one Libertarian candidate.

In Buchanan County, voters will once again be asked to approve the county’s CIP sales tax. Voters overwhelmingly rejected continuing the quarter-cent tax in August in a ballot measure that did not include a sunset provision.

In February, voters will consider renewing the tax with a ten-year sunset clause.

Buchanan County Clerk Mary Baack-Garvey has about 800 voters on the permanent absentee voter list. They have received ballots, and will return them by mail. All other absentee voters will be asked to cast ballots at the Clerk’s office in the Buchanan County Courthouse at 411 Jules in St Joseph.

Baack-Garvey does not expect a big turnout for the February election, either by absentee ballot or on election day at the county’s polling places.

The Holidays seem to have a way to leave families with an empty wallet after cooking big meals and buying all those gifts, not to mention holiday travel.

Especially after new reports this week say holiday sales were up this year largely because of higher prices.

But how can families overcome the financial gap without dipping into the pockets too deep? Some say coupons can help. But the use of coupons does take some strategy.

Robert Weagley is the University of Missouri Chair of the Person Financial Planning Department. Weagley says before clipping through those large newspapers, you need to start with making a plan for saving.

“They should be doing that(saving) without worrying about coupons,” Weagley says.  “By using coupons you can actually expand you budget constraint.”

He says coupons have regained in popularity in recent years after hitting a peak in usage in 1999. The Internet helped propel the use of coupons through group offerings, giving consumers the chance for big savings if the purchase as a group.

 

 

 

Repairs have started to levee’s along the Missouri River but concerns continue over when the may be finished.

The Corps of Engineers estimate repairs along the river system at more than $600 million from last years flooding.

Winter weather and damage not yet found by the Corps could hinder the timeline of repairs, Corps of Engineers General John McMahon said.

The future also remains uncertain as to flood control.  A study by an independent group says the Missouri Basin rainfall variability is becoming more extreme. There’s a limit to how prepare the Corps can be extremes, McMahon said.  Prepping for extreme events is difficult, he said.