According to AAA drivers will be paying the cheapest prices at the pump in seven years for their Thanksgiving trip.

Approximately 42 million Americans are expected to take a road trip this Thanksgiving, and drivers should pay the lowest pump prices for the Thanksgiving holiday since 2008.

AAA said retail averages have fallen for 17 consecutive days for a total savings of 15 cents per gallon, and the national average remains poised to fall below the $2 per gallon benchmark by the Christmas holiday.

Already, more than half of U.S. stations are selling gas for less than $2 per gallon. Today’s national average price of $2.07 per gallon represents a savings of nine cents per gallon versus one week ago, and 14 cents per gallon on the month. Significant yearly savings persist and pump prices are down 75 cents per gallon compared to this same date last year.

Monday in Missouri the average came in at $1.87. St. Joseph’s average charted in at $1.85 a gallon, 10 cents lower than this time last week and also lower than many other metros in the state. However, Kansas City still came in lower with an average of $1.82 a gallon.

New and gently used items to keep people warm this winter are being collected by the United Way of Greater St. Joseph.

United Way and Chick-fil-A are teaming to to hold a drive for the warm items Nov. 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. as part of Chick-fil-A’s Kids Club event.

A second drive will be held at Chick-fil-A on Saturday Nov. 28 from 11 am. to 2 p..m.  That day donors will be treated to a free Chick-fil-A sandwich.

“We are proud to support United Way of Greater St. Joseph by hosting this special warm weather drive,” said Jared Johnson, franchise Operator of Chick-fil-A at St. Joseph. “We hope the community will join us in supporting such a wonderful cause.”

Items being accepted include new and gently used hats, coats, gloves, mittens, blankets, coveralls, scarves, sweatshirts, and socks.  Donors who can’t make it by the restaurant can drop off donations at the United Way located at 118 S. 5th St. in St. Joseph.

The donated items will be shared with United Way agencies to distribute the warm items to their clients and consumers in need.

The St. Joseph Police Department said Burlington Northern Santa Fe stopped railroad traffic Friday morning to investigate the possibility of thieves stealing railroad tracks.

“They were down behind a business and they took a long metal object from that business and the caller actually thought it was a railroad track but it turned out not to be,” said Det. Rick Woodley with the police department.

Woodley said the call came in around 6:50 a.m. and train traffic was stopped for about 25 minutes while police investigated.

Two St. Joseph residents, a 30-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman were arrested for investigation of stealing from HPI located at 222 Sylvanie St. in St. Joseph.

“We confirmed they had stolen an item from that business,” Woodley said.

The individuals were arrested at 77 Francis, the entrance to Riverfront Park.

Woodley said the case is being submitted to the prosecutor’s office for consideration of charges.

Mark Twain Elementary school kids got a chance to learn about Native Americans Thursday as part of Native American Heritage Month.

“Our theme for this has kind of been ‘We’re still here’,” said LuAnn Cadden, Mark Twain Elementary School Librarian. “We learned so much about Indians in the past but not today.  I think it’s important for them to know their culture in the past but definitely to know they’re still around today and still sharing their culture.”

Students from every class at Mark Twain got a chance Thursday to see real Indian artifacts, see the inside of a real Tipi, and hear stories from a real Native American.

“We’re still here and we’re still going strong,” said Donnie Deerpath, Kiowa Native .

“The kids are enjoying it and I’m enjoying it,” he said about his presentations and stories he recounted for Native American Heritage Month.

 

 

A Benedictine College freshman has been charged for allegedly posting a threatening message Tuesday night on social media.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 18-year-old Colleen A. Carey from, Colorado is charged with a felony for aggravated criminal threat.

As we previously reported, Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, was placed on alert Tuesday night after receiving word of a threat to the college community.

In a posting on Facebook, college officials said they became aware of the threat on the anonymous social media Web site Yik Yak. That’s the same site used for recent campus threats at Mizzou and Northwest Missouri State.

Officials say additional posts indicated that the original threat against Benedictine was a hoax.

Wilson decline to confirm what was actual posted but said it was serious and both the college and authorities took action.

They locked the dormitories, added security personnel, increased campus patrols, and remained on alert status overnight. Classes were expected to resume as scheduled on Wednesday.

Wilson said Carey is scheduled to make her first court appearance this afternoon.