KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A push by religious and civil rights leaders to raise Kansas City’s minimum wage to $15 by 2020 hits a snag when the city’s attorney says state law doesn’t allow such a move.
City Councilman Jermaine Reed introduced a proposal that would increase the minimum wage to $10 an hour on Sept. 1, then an additional $1.25 each of the next four years.
The Kansas City Star ( reports supporters insist it’s the city’s moral duty to help pull people out of poverty.
But City Attorney Bill Geary told the council’s Planning, Zoning and Economic Committee on Wednesday that Missouri law forbids cities from mandating any level of pay that exceeds the state’s minimum wage.
The committee postponed a vote on the measure for at least a week.
KIRKSVILLE, Mo.— A draft plan is in the works for the Rose Pond conservation area which is one of nearly 1,000 conservation areas planned across Missouri.
The Missouri Department of Conservation is in the multi-year process of updating management plans for conservation areas and is asking for public input. A draft plan for the Rose Pond Conservation Area (CA) is available for public review from April 1 to April 30.
Rose Pond CA includes 379 acres of old field, cropland, grassland, bottomland forest and wetland habitat. Included in this area is a 16.2-acre wetland pool, 21.9-acre man-made wetland, three fishless ponds, irrigation well and 7,760-foot levee. The MDC said area was purchased because it contains critical habitat for several wetland species. It is managed to encourage healthy populations of wetland wildlife and provide permanent emergent marsh habitat, while offering compatible public recreational opportunities.
Statewide, MDC conservation areas cover almost one million public acres for the purpose of restoring and conserving forest, fish and wildlife resources, and for providing opportunities for all citizens to use, enjoy and learn about these resources. Most Missourians are within a 30-minute drive of an MDC conservation area.
“Missourians care about conservation and use conservation areas for many different reasons,” said MDC Director Bob Ziehmer. “These areas help people discover nature through various activities, and help make Missouri a great place to hunt, fish, and enjoy other outdoor activities. We want to know how conservation areas are important to Missourians. Encouraging public comments on Conservation Area Management Plans is part of MDC’s ongoing efforts of working for and with Missourians to sustain healthy forests, fish and wildlife.”
MDC said it will consider all ideas received and will work to balance the issues and interests identified with the responsibility of managing areas for the present and future benefits to forest, fish, wildlife, and people. Decisions on which ideas to incorporate into area plans and on how to best incorporate them will be based on the property’s purpose, its physical and biological conditions and capabilities, the best roles of the property in its local, regional and state-wide context, and on the professional expertise of MDC staff.
A bird breeding survey has the Missouri Department of Conservation asking for assistance.
The MDC is looking for volunteers to assist with the 2015 North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS).
The BBS is a long-term, large-scale, international bird monitoring program that started in 1966. According to MDC Resource Scientist Janet Haslerig, the purpose of the BBS is to track the status and trends of North American bird populations.
“Bird populations are subjected to numerous, widespread threats including habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, land-use changes, and other chemical contaminants,” said Haslerig. “If significant declines are detected, their causes can then be identified and appropriate actions taken to reverse them before populations reach critically low levels.”
Each year during June—the height of the bird breeding season for most of the U.S.—volunteers collect bird population data along roadside survey routes. Each survey route is 24.5 miles long with stops at 0.5-mile intervals. At each stop, a 3-minute point count is conducted. During the count, every bird seen within a 0.25-mile radius or heard is recorded. Surveys start one-half hour before local sunrise and take about 5 hours to complete.
There are currently 15 vacant routes in Missouri that need volunteers. This includes one route in Northwest Missouri in Elmo, which is located near the Iowa-Missouri border.
Haslerig said to volunteer a person needs access to suitable transportation, good hearing and eyesight, and the ability to identify all breeding birds in the area.
She also stressed that knowing bird songs is extremely important.
“Most birds counted on these surveys are singing males,” said Haslerig.
All new BBS volunteers must also successfully complete an on-line training program before their data can be used in any BBS analysis.
Haslerig hopes surveyors will commit to multiple years of collecting data on the same route.
“It helps with the consistency in data collection,” Haslerig said. “And, the volunteer(s) get to know the route and have a good feel of what birds they will encounter.”
For more information or to volunteer, contact Janet Haslerig at Janet.Haslerig@mdc.mo.gov or 573-522-4115, ext. 3198.
This week St. Joseph residents have a chance to get rid of trash in one “Clean Sweep.”
The City’s Clean Sweep program takes place in the first seven days of April and October each year during normal operating hours.
Residents can haul off yard waste, trash, and appliances to the city landfill free of charged however, some guidelines and restrictions apply including a limit of six passenger tires per day and tires have to be off the rim.
Yard waste also needs to be separated from trash.
St. Joseph’s landfill is located at 9431 50th Road SE.
Rules and Regulatons:
1. Eligibility for Clean Sweep is based upon city taxes on personal property (Look for SJ beside school district tax on receipt). Present personal property tax receipt and photo ID prior to entering the landfill. Real estate tax receipt is NOT accepted for the Clean Sweep program.
2. If you were non‐assessed (didn’t own a vehicle) you have to obtain a non‐assessment card from the Buchanan County assessor’s office and present the card along with photo ID prior to entering the landfill.
3. Individual(s) using Clean Sweep must notify gate attendant prior to entering the landfill that they are using the Clean Sweep program. If the gate attendant is not notified, the individual(s) will be charged the normal rate.
4. Individual(s) using Clean Sweep must be present and have some form of photo ID.
5. No company vehicles may be used under Clean Sweep operations even if household materials are being hauled.
6. Only automobiles, pickups, dual wheeled pickups, and two‐wheeled trailers are allowed for Clean Sweep. You cannot use four‐wheeled trailers or large rent‐all vans.
7. Individual(s) may not use multiple vehicles. Example: using more than one pickup at a time on one person(s) Clean Sweep.
8. There will be no refunds because individual(s) did not follow proper procedures, whether it is that day’s business or prior day’s business. Individual(s) who have recently divorced will only be allowed to use a Clean Sweep day if their first name is on the tax receipt.
Electronic car charging station. Photo courtesy Northwest
MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest has added several electric vehicle charging stations on campus through a partnership with Kansas City Power & Light.
Three electric vehicle charging stations, serving six parking spots, have been installed at Northwest as part of the KCP&L Clean Charge Network. The charging stations service two parking spots in Lot 20, east of Valk Center, and four spots in Lot 59, south of the Jon T. Rickman Electronic Campus Support Center. Beginning with the fall trimester, the locations will be reserved for electric-vehicle-only parking.
Under the agreement, KCP&L provides the equipment and installation, and Northwest pays the cost for the electricity consumed for two years. During the first two years of the program, vehicle owners will be able to charge their electric vehicles at no cost.
“This has the potential to be a great benefit for faculty, staff and students who commute a modest distance,” Northwest Energy Manager Daniel Boyt said.
Dr. Robert Dewhirst, professor of political science, is one Northwest faculty member who owns an electric vehicle and is excited about the installation of the charging stations.
“I love my electric car and am pleased that Northwest is taking the lead in supporting alternative energy vehicles,” Dewhirst said. “I hope this provides a further incentive for everyone on campus to drive an electric vehicle.”
Installation of the KCP&L Clean Charge Network will be completed later this year. Upon its completion, more than 1,000 electric vehicle charging stations will be installed across the region, making the effort the first and largest electric vehicle charging station
Electronic car charging station. Photo courtesy Northwest
installation by an electric utility in the United States.
KCP&L also has assisted Northwest in funding several energy conservation projects, providing more than $200,000 in incentives since 2013. The projects have improved building control and reduced energy and maintenance costs at Northwest.
For more information about the electric vehicle charging stations at Northwest, contact Daniel Boyt at energy@nwmissouri.edu or 660.562.1182. For more information about the KCP&L Clean Charge Network, visit www.kcpl.com/cleancharge.
Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2am. Low around 56. South southeast wind 8 to 16 mph becoming north northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Thursday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then a slight chance of showers between 7am and 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. North northeast wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday Night
A chance of showers, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. North wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday
A chance of showers before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 52. North wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 31. North northwest wind 8 to 13 mph becoming light and variable.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 65.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Monday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Monday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday Night
A chance of rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Supporters say a measure requiring publicly funded schools to recite the Pledge of Allegiance daily in English will encourage unity and pride in the United States.
The Missouri House gave initial approval to the measure Wednesday. Republican Rep. Shane Roden is sponsoring the legislation and says the pledge should be in English because that’s the official language of Missouri.
He says if the law does not specify the pledge could be recited in Arabic, for example.
A New York high school’s decision to recite the pledge in Arabic to promote National Foreign Language Week divided the community and drew national attention last month.
Opponents say students learning English may want to say the pledge in their native language.
The measure faces another vote in the House, possibly this week.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s Republican House speaker is proposing a number of changes to how traffic violations are handled to address concerns raised by the fatal police shooting in Ferguson.
The shooting of black 18-year-old Michael Brown by a white officer led to criticism that some cities excessively fine residents to fund their budgets.
House Speaker John Diehl of Town and Country on Wednesday announced proposed changes to prevent that from happening. Those include limiting cities from funding more than 20 percent of their budgets from fines.
Another proposal would require courts to consider a defendant’s ability to pay fines and offer alternative payment plans, such as paying online or community service.
The Senate bill now is pending in a House committee. Diehl says he expects it will win approval within days.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri House has advanced a bill that would allow sales of beer growlers in grocery and convenience stores.
House members Wednesday approved the measure to expand availability of the typically 64-ounce jugs of draft beer by a vote of 140-15. It now moves to the Senate.
The legislation would allow stores with a license to sell prepackaged beer to also sell growlers.
Supporters say the measure would give beer lovers more options to enjoy their favorite beverages at home without traveling to breweries.
The bill has failed in previous years. But sponsor Republican Rep. Robert Cornejo says requiring stores to pour drafts on-demand and other rules for quality control could increase its chances of passing.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man and a Lee’s Summit, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to transporting an individual across states lines for prostitution.
Milton Charles Wilson, also known as “Barbwire,” 59, of Kansas City, and Kayla Pinkerton, also known as “Foxy,” 19, of Lee’s Summit, pleaded guilty in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner to interstate transportation for prostitution.
By pleading guilty today, Wilson and Pinkerton admitted that they transported an individual across state lines to engage in prostitution in Kansas in December 2013.
Wilson advertised the victim for prostitution on Backpage.com and paid for a hotel room at the American Inn in North Kansas City, Mo. Wilson transported Pinkerton and the victim to various locations in Missouri and Kansas, including at least two trips to Overland Park, Kan., for the purpose of prostitution.
Pinkerton admitted that she took photographs of the victim and later uploaded them to the escort section of Backpage.com.
Under the terms of Wednesday’s plea agreements, Wilson will be sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole and Pinkerton is subject to a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.
