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Author: Nadia Thacker

Missouri senators talk about passage of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

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(Missourinet) – A proposal that has been blocked in the Missouri Senate repeatedly in recent years has advanced. The Senate has passed a bill that would establish a state prescription drug monitoring program, but some lawmakers still have concerns.

Senator David Sater’s bill would track prescriptions and sales of highly addictive medications such as painkillers. Similar bills in the past filed by Sater have been held up because of privacy concerns about the data collected, but this year Sater included measures meant to improve protections and penalties for misuse.

“I think we have probably the most secure, the most effective [prescription drug monitoring program] bill in the United States,” said Sater.

Missouri is the only state in the country without a prescription drug monitoring program.

Senator Ed Emery said he appreciates the work done to make this bill better than other states’, but he still opposes it.

“I personally didn’t take an oath to those other states’ laws, or to making better laws than those states. I took an oath to the constitution. I still believe this is an unconstitutional provision,” said Emery. “Regardless of the work that’s been done to try to avoid the pitfalls of other states, I still believe that we as a body should reject it.”

Senator Will Kraus is also concerned about privacy issues with the data collected.

“We’re taking personal information from individuals that have done nothing wrong and putting it into a government database, and I for one just don’t believe that’s what we should be doing,” said Kraus. “I think that whenever you take an innocent person’s information and put it in a database that takes away their liberty that takes away their freedoms.”

Sater said prescription drug abuse amongst teens is on the rise.

“It a major problem for the abusers and also for our kids,” said Sater. “We have a growing problem with opiate abuse in our teenage population also.”

The bill was passed 24-10 and now goes to the House, which passed its own version of a prescription drug monitoring program earlier this year. The two chambers will now to try to compromise, or choose, between the two versions.

Blunt Volunteer Citation Award to be presented Friday in St. Joseph

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AEL students at Webster Learning Center File Photo
AEL students at Webster Learning Center
File Photo

One person will be recognized for their contribution to literacy in northwest Missouri with Friday’s presentation of the annual Senator Roy Blunt Volunteer Citation Award.

Sen. Blunt will present the award during an event scheduled to take place Friday at 3:30 p.m. in Missouri Western State University’s Fulkerson Student Union, Hoff Rooms 218-219.

The event is open to the public, and those interested in attending are asked to RSVP at 816-671-4020.

The 25th annual award is hosted by St. Joseph Adult Education & Literacy and Western.

Trish Heath with AEL said this year there were seven nominations for the award in northwest Missouri.

She said nominators were asked to describe nominee’s literacy reading efforts during the year, their position and hours contributed, length of service and duties they preformed and how the nominees affected the agency or clients at large.

In a news release from the St. Joseph School District it said the Citation award was created in St. Joseph in 1991 to honor Senator Blunt’s commitment to literacy, by acknowledging an outstanding individual or group for their efforts to improve literacy in our region. Blunt has recognized volunteers as they help students, grade school through adult, in the St. Joseph area with their reading skills. This year he will again announce the recipient of this citation and recognize the nominees.

Kansas senator proposes bill on school transfer students

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas state senator is proposing a bill intended to ensure that school districts can’t remove current students who live outside their boundaries.

But critics say Republican Senator Ty Masterson’s bill is a solution in search of a problem. They claim it doesn’t address the main reason behind some districts limiting new, transfer students — budget cuts related to the state’s new law establishing temporary block grants for schools.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Masterson’s bill comes after two Shawnee County districts say they don’t plan on accepting out-of-district students next school year.

Administrators note that it won’t affect current nonresident students, but Masterson says he wants legislation that guarantees they’re protected. He adds the bill wouldn’t require districts to continue to accept new nonresident students.

Fraud schemes lead to failure of one of the oldest operating banks west of the Mississippi

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A Springfield, Mo., businessman pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to engaging in fraud schemes, even after he was under indictment and while incarcerated, that totaled more than $3 million in losses.

Richard Thomas Gregg, 59, of Springfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of bank fraud and one count of bankruptcy fraud.

Gregg was the principal shareholder and a director of Southwest Community Bank in Springfield, which failed in May 2010. In the factual basis to his plea agreement, Gregg admitted that the United States could prove he substantially jeopardized the soundness of that financial institution and directly contributed to the failure of the bank. Southwest Community Bank lost $679,399 on Gregg’s personal line of credit and $871,125 on a commercial real estate fraud scheme perpetrated by Gregg, for a total loss of $1,550,524.

Gregg and his wife also were majority shareholders in Glasgow Savings Bank in Glasgow, Mo., which failed in 2012. Prior to Glasgow Savings Bank’s failure, it was one of the oldest operating banks west of the Mississippi River. Gregg was also a real estate developer, an investor and a licensed insurance agent for the Shelter Mutual Insurance Company. Gregg had ownership interest in and controlled a number of business entities.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Gregg will be sentenced to six years and six months in federal prison without parole and must pay $3,098,896 in restitution to the victims of his fraud schemes. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Tensions flare as Missouri GOP brings gun debate to cities

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri Republican lawmaker is taking the debate on gun rights to cities with a proposal to allow firearms on buses and trains.

The measure comes months after voters approved a state constitutional amendment declaring the right to bear arms is “unalienable” and that laws restricting gun rights are subject to “strict scrutiny.”

Republican Representative Ron Hicks says his bill to permit guns on public transit could increase safety, despite concerns raised by state public transportation systems that it could do the opposite.

University of Missouri-St. Louis political scientist David Kimball says support for the bill likely would be weakest in urban areas, where public transit is most common.

Land donated to a Trenton Missouri college at center of dispute

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CaptureCOLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A dispute has sprung up over what should happen to 102 acres of woodland that was donated to North Central Missouri College.

The Columbia Missourian reports that the Boone County land was a gift from the estate of Jim and Joanne Whitley. Friends say the Whitleys intended for the land to stay undeveloped and donated it to the Trenton college for an outdoor classroom.

But college President Neil Nuttall says the land is too far from Trenton in northwest Missouri to manage from afar, and the college is looking into ways it can market the property. Besides the land, the college also received $450,000 from the estate.

Hank Ottinger, a longtime friend of the Whitleys, says everything will be done to see that the couple’s “wishes are fulfilled.”

Cloudy with thunderstorm chances ahead

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Today
A chance of drizzle before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 67. South southeast wind around 11 mph.

Tonight
A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South southeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Southeast wind 10 to 13 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Northwest wind 9 to 13 mph.

Wednesday
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. East northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.

Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.

Saturday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Southwest Missouri day care worker charged with assaulting 2-year-old boy

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A southwest Missouri day care worker has been charged with assaulting a 2-year-old boy.

The Springfield News-Leader reports that 46-year-old Christina Hindman was charged this past week with misdemeanor third-degree assault. No attorney is listed for her in online court records. Court documents say she picked up a 2-year-old boy under her care, forcibly sat him down in a chair and pushed his head against a wall.

The probable cause statement says police were called to Ready Set Learn Daycare in Nixa on January 8th when another employee reported the incident. The statement says surveillance video showed Hindman push one child to the ground before lifting the 2-year-old off the ground.

The boy’s mother said her son had an inch-long bruise on his left forearm.

Public health to be celebrated by the City of St. Joseph

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St Joseph Health Dept logoThis week the City of St. Joseph is celebrating public health.

National Public Health Week is April 6-12, 2015.  The city is recognizing the week by hosting related events and promoting this year’s theme, “Join the Movement.”

The week kicked off last Friday with a Public Health Fair at the East Hills Mall and will continue with a different theme each day.

All events are open to the public.

Monday, April 6th – Raising the Grade
Event: Public Health – It Starts With You!
When: April 6th at 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and again from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where: St. Joseph Health Department, 904 S. 10th Street – Suite B
Free resources to help you take care of YOU! Blood pressure checks, immunization record reviews, body composition analysis, and preventive health screening tools available. These screenings can help you map your own path to health!

Tuesday, April 7th – Healthy from the Start
Event: Infant and Toddler Screening Carnival – Parents as Teachers
When: April 7th from 8:00 – 11:00 am and again from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Where:New YMCA Campus, 3601 North Village Drive
Join us at the Parents as Teachers Infant and Toddler developmental and health screening. Centered around a carnival theme, there will be fun games, childhood screenings, tours of the YMCA, car seat info, and more! Register your 3 month to 3 year old by calling 816-271-4300 or online at www.sjsd.k12.mo.us/PAT
Wednesday, April 8th – Building Momentum
Event: Northwest Missouri Medical Reserve Corps “Ready in 3” Booth
When: April 8th from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and again from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where: St. Joseph Health Department, 904 S. 10th Street – Suite B
Emergencies could happen at any moment. Disease outbreaks, man-made or natural disasters can have a devastating effect on our community. Find out what you and your family can do to prepare through the “Ready in 3” planning steps and register to win a
NOAA weather radio!

Thursday, April 9th – Building Broader Connections
Event: Groundbreaking Ceremony for The Crossings Garden Project
When: April 9th beginning at 10:00 am
Where: The Crossing Outreach Ministry, 629 S. 8th Street, St Joseph, MO
The Crossings Outreach Ministry is breaking ground on the Crossings Garden Project; a collaborative effort with the St. Joseph Health Department, Habitat for Humanity, and other local service agencies to grow local, organic produce to serve inner-city St. Joseph
and local food pantries. Come see what this exciting new project is all about!

Friday, April 10th – Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of National Public Health Week
Event: Public Health Celebration
When: April 10th, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where: St. Joseph Health Department, 904 S. 10th Street, Suite B
We’re hosting a party to celebrate what Public Health has accomplished in making our community and nation a safer, healthier place! We’ll have balloons, kids games, and healthy refreshments!

Open burning season starts Monday in St. Joseph

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The time for St. Joseph Residents to start burning yard waste starts Monday.

The spring 2015 burning season has been approved for Monday, April 6, 2015 through Sunday, April 26 by the Chief of Enforcement Section of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Open burning is permitted on these days within the City of St. Joseph under the following guidelines:

 Burning of yard waste of residential properties only – ONLY dry yard waste such as leaves, brush and logs grown on the property can be burned. NO trash, paper, lumber or building debris may be burned.

 Burning is allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

 All fires must be in an upright cylindrical metal container with a volume equal to no more than 55 gallons. Containers must be located at least fifteen (15) feet away from any building. Only one burn container per residence.

 All fires shall be monitored from a point on the property where the fire is located, by a person capable of containing a fire, should containment become necessary.

 Fire-fighting material, including but not limited to, a garden hose or a container of water sufficient to contain any fire started shall be at the site of the fire.

 If weather conditions such as high winds indicate the safety of the community or the public may be endangered or if open burning may create a health hazard, the Fire Chief or Health Director may invoke a temporary burning ban.

Any violation of the open burning restrictions may result in a summons to appear in court for a misdemeanor violation.

Residents are encouraged to explore alternatives to open burning. Many options for disposing of yard waste are easy, do not contribute to air pollution, are not dependent on time restrictions or the weather, and provide the healthy benefit of physical activity while doing yard work instead of breathing acrid smoke from a waste fire. Such activities include mowing leaves into fine particles and leaving them lay to fertilize the lawn, or incorporating leaves into a mulch container to decompose into humus for use in
vegetable and flower gardens or for use on lawns as a soil amendment. Larger wood brush that can be chipped makes excellent mulch around trees and shrubs. Family and friends with gardens may want additional yard waste to use as mulch.

If you choose to burn, please do so within the days provided, as open burning session will not be extended due to weather blackout dates.

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