TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A top Kansas education official and a school superintendent are testifying in a state district court hearing on a new school funding law.
They’re being quizzed by attorneys for four school districts suing the state over education funding.
The Dodge City, Hutchinson, Wichita and Kansas City, Kansas, districts are asking a three-judge panel to block the new law.
Their attorneys say Hutchinson Superintendent Shelly Kiblinger also will testify.
The new law took effect in April. It scrapped the state’s per-pupil formula for distributing aid to public school districts in favor of predictable “block grants.”
The state contends the changes provide stability. Critics question whether the state is providing a suitable education to every child.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The following is a listing of general highway maintenance and construction work in the Northwest Missouri region for the week of May 11 – 17 from the Missouri Department of Transportation. Weather conditions may cause postponements in planned work schedules. Other construction or maintenance work may occur on other roadways throughout the area. Many projects will include lane closures and delays can be expected.
Interstate 29 – Northbound from mile marker 59 to mile marker 63 (Holt County); milling and resurfacing, May 11 – 16. Includes work on the driving lanes, entrance and exit ramps and a 16-foot width restriction.
Atchison County
Route W – Two miles north of I-29; pothole patching, May 11
Route W – CLOSED from Route J to Route 111, resurfacing project, May 12 – 14
Route OO – CLOSED from Route W to end of state maintenance; resurfacing project, May 12 – 14
Route T – CLOSED from the Iowa state line to Route 275; resurfacing project, May 13 – 15
Route O – Three miles north of U.S. Hwy 136; pothole patching, May 12
Route CC – Pothole patching, May 13 – 15
Buchanan County
U.S. Hwy 36 and I-229 – Sweeping and flushing bridges, May 11 – 14
Loop 29 – Belt Highway from County Line Road to Ashland Avenue; sidewalk project, May 11 – 15. Various lanes will be closed at different times, including lanes on side streets.
I-229 – From just after the St. Joseph Avenue on ramp to just before U.S. Hwy 36; bridge maintenance, May 11 – 15. (10-foot width restriction)
U.S. Hwy 59 – At the Bankers Crossing Bridge; new bridge construction,May 11 – 15
U.S. Hwy 36 – At the Platte River Bridge; bridge deck replacement, May 11 – 17. Traffic is head to head in the eastbound lanes with a 14-foot width restriction.
Caldwell County
Route P – CLOSED from NW Mill Creek Road to NW Barwick Road; culvert replacement, May 11, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Various routes – Spraying, May 11 – 14
Route E – CLOSED from SE Catawba Road to SE Kirkpatrick Road; culvert replacement, May 13, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Carroll County
Route E – From Route EE to County Road 211; drainage work, May 11 – 13
U.S. Hwy 65 – From Route CC to U.S. Hwy 24; pavement repair, May 11 – 14
Routes M and YY – Driveway entrance repairs, May 11 – 14
Routes B, O, V and MM – Mowing, May 11 – 14
Route KK – CLOSED from County Road 121 to County Road 140; culvert replacement, May 13, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Chariton County
Route 129 – Drainage work, May 11 – 15
Route M – At the Salt Creek Bridge; bridge maintenance, May 11 – 15
Route C – At the Hickory Branch Bridge; bridge maintenance, May 11 – 15
Route 11 – At the Hickory Branch Bridge; bridge maintenance, May 11 – 15
Clinton County
Route PP – From I-35 to Moore Drive; pothole patching, May 12
Route Y – At County Road NW 348th; culvert repair, May 13
Route K – From Route NN to one mile north of Route NN; culvert repair,May 14
Route VV – From NW Fitzgerald to NW Maple Road; culvert repair, May 15
Daviess County
Route E – CLOSED from 110th Street to 118th Street; culvert replacement,May 11, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
I-35 – Southbound from Exit 54 to Exit 48; brush removal, May 11 – 14
I-35, U.S. Hwy 69, Routes 6 and 190 – Pothole patching, May 11 – 15
Routes 6, 13, B and YY – Drainage work, May 11 – 15
Various routes – Spraying, May 11 – 15
Route CC – CLOSED from Vista Road to Route HH; culvert replacement,May 12, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
DeKalb County
U.S. Hwy 36 – One-half mile west of Route J to one mile east of Route J; pavement repair, May 11 – 12 (12-foot width restriction.)
Various routes – Spraying, May 11 – 14
U.S. Hwy 36 – From Route C to U.S. Hwy 69; pavement repair, May 12 – 14(12-foot width restriction.)
Gentry County
Various routes – Striping, May 11 – 14
U.S. Hwy 136 – In the city limits of Stanberry; May 11 – 15
Route W – Pavement repair, May 11 – 15
Routes M and UU – Pothole patching, May 11 – 15
Routes E, H, AA, V, Z, BB, P and J – Spraying, May 11 – 15
Grundy County
Routes W and WW – Shoulder work, May 11 – 15
Routes 139 and E – Sign operations, May 11 – 15
Routes A, J and Z – Pothole patching, May 11 – 15
Harrison County
Route F – CLOSED at the Little Creek Bridge; bridge replacement. Closed through July 2015.
Route T – Two miles north of Route DD; drainage work, May 11 – 12
Route D – From Route M (Eagleville Road) to Route M (Washington Center); pothole patching, May 11 – 12
U.S. Hwy 136 – From Route 146 to Mt. Moriah; resurfacing project, May 11 – 15 (10-foot width restriction.)
Route N – At the I-35 Bridge; bridge maintenance, May 11 – 15
Route B – Shoulder work, May 12
Route M – From Route D to Route EE; pothole patching, May 13
Route NN – Pothole patching, May 14 – 15
Holt County
I-29 – CLOSED at U.S. Hwy 59 (Exit 75); bridge deck replacement. CLOSED through June 2015. Traffic is being rerouted to the on and off ramps. No access to U.S. Hwy 59 via Exit 75.
U.S. Hwy 59 – CLOSED at I-29; bridge deck replacement. Closed through June 2015. No access to I-29.
Route P – CLOSED from Route 118 to County Road 240; resurfacing project, May 11 – 13
Route 113 – From Skidmore (Nodaway County) to Route B; sweeping and flushing bridges; May 11 – 13
Route N – Sweeping and flushing bridges, May 11 – 13
I-29 29 – Northbound from mile marker 59 (Andrew County) to mile marker 63; milling and resurfacing, May 11 – 16. Includes work on the driving lanes, entrance and exit ramps and a 16-foot width restriction.
Route A – At the Nodaway River Bridge; bridge maintenance, May 12 – 13
U.S. Hwy 59 – At U.S. Hwy 159; drainage work, May 13 – 14
Routes B and T – Sweeping and flushing bridges, May 14 – 15
I-29 – Northbound from mile marker 60 (Andrew County) to mile marker 67; milling and resurfacing, May 4 – 9. Includes work on the driving lanes, entrance and exit ramps and a 16-foot width restriction.
Linn County
Route EE – CLOSED from U.S. Hwy 36 to the end of state maintenance; culvert replacement, May 11, 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Route 11 – From Husk Road to 1,500 feet south of Husk Road; drainage work, May 11
Route C – Shoulder work and driveway entrance repairs, May 11 – 12
Routes 139, N, KK and HH – Pothole patching, May 11 – 14
Route HH – CLOSED one and a half miles south of Route 129; culvert replacement, May 14, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Route 11 – Two thousand feet south of Kayser Road; culvert repair, May 15
Livingston County
Route V – From the Chillicothe city limits to Route K; pothole patching, May 11 – 15
Route B – From U.S. Hwy 36 to one mile north of U.S. Hwy 36; drainage work, May 12
Route CC – CLOSED from U.S. Hwy 36 to one mile south of U.S. Hwy 36; culvert replacement, May 13, 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Route A – CLOSED from Route 190 to Route T; culvert replacement, May 14 – 15, 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. daily
Mercer County
U.S. Hwy 136 – At the West Muddy Creek Bridge; bridge maintenance, May 11 – 14
U.S. Hwy 65 – Brush cutting, May 11 – 15
U.S. Hwy 136 – Pothole patching, May 11 – 15
Route B – Pothole patching, May 11 – 15
Nodaway County
Route M – From U.S. Hwy 71 to Route AH; pothole patching, May 11
U.S. Hwy 71 – From Clearmont to Route FF; shoulder work, May 11 – 12
Route 113 – In the city limits of Skidmore; drainage work, May 11 – 12
Route 113 – From Skidmore to Route B (Holt County); sweeping and flushing bridges; May 11 – 13
Route N – From Route M to Route F; pothole patching, May 12 – 15
Route VV – At the Platte River Bridge; bridge maintenance, May 14 – 15
Putnam County
U.S. Hwy 136 – CLOSED at the Shoal Creek Bridge; bridge replacement. Closed through May 2015.
Routes 149, AA, W, N, O and F – Sign operations, May 11 – 15
U.S. Hwy 136 – Shoulder work, May 11 – 15
Routes FF, W, V and 149 – Pothole patching, May 11 – 15
Sullivan County
Route W – CLOSED from Route E to Route TT; culvert replacement, May 11, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Routes 139 and EE – Sign operations, May 11 – 15
Routes BB, OO, PP and ZZ – Pothole patching, May 11 – 15
Routes D, MM and Z – Driveway entrance repairs, May 11 – 15
Route W – CLOSED from Route PP to Oxbow Road; culvert replacement,May 12, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Route PP – CLOSED from Route W to Bluff Drive; culvert replacement,May 13, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Route M – CLOSED; culvert replacement, May 15, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The American Red Cross of Northwest Missouri sent two volunteers from St. Joseph to Oklahoma this
weekend to assist in the aftermath of severe storms.
The agency said a tornado outbreak destroyed homes and damaged communities across
the Great Plains earlier this week.
While the most significant damage occurred in Oklahoma, portions of
Kansas, Nebraska and Texas were also impacted. The Red Cross is responding to Thursday’s
tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash flooding, while also preparing communities for additional
severe weather that is expected this weekend.
Trained Red Cross workers are providing shelter, food, relief supplies, health services, emotional support
and other assistance to those in need.
In Oklahoma, approximately 5,000 people are still without power. The
Red Cross opened two shelters which housed nearly 80 people Thursday night, helping to provide food
and comfort for people affected by the storm. Six Red Cross emergency vehicles are delivering food,
water and disaster relief supplies in the hardest hit areas, and damage assessment teams are in
neighborhoods to determine the full scope of the destruction left behind by the storms.
The Red Cross said it’s always looking for volunteers to aid in times of need.
For information on how to become involved as an American Red Cross volunteer in Northwest Missouri contact Teresa
Cobb, Volunteer Specialist for the American Red Cross of Northwest Missouri, at 816.232.8439.
Financial
contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund are also being accepted to help with disasters such as this
across the United States and can be mailed to 401 N. 12th Street St. Joseph, MO 64501, More
information can also be found at www.redcross.org
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has announced May 16-22 as National Safe Boating Week.
“It’s getting to be the time of year when water enthusiasts will converge on Missouri’s many beautiful waterways. Safety should always be included in those plans to insure a wonderful day on the water is not interrupted by an unfortunate accident, injury, or something worse,” said Colonel J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The National Safe Boating Week takes place just before Memorial Day weekend, which many people consider the kickoff to the boating season.
The MSHP recommends a thorough inspection of your boat prior to taking it out on the water. It said the Patrol’s marine operations troopers are available to inspect the required equipment on your boat and, at your request, to make sure you’re in compliance with state law.
In 2014, there were 179 boating accidents reported in Missouri, with 101 injuries, and 15 fatalities.
MSHP said personal flotation devices for everyone on board is a must. Children under seven years old are required to wear a personal flotation device in a boat, but that you are never too old to wear a life jacket.
According to the MSHP the majority of Missouri drownings on public waterways involve adults.
“The concerns we all associate with an intoxicated driver, whether in a vehicle or a boat, are compounded by other environmental factors involved with boating. The wave action, extended exposure to the sun, and the wind all cause what is known as boater fatigue. When alcohol is combined with boater fatigue, reaction time and the overall thought process are slowed substantially.” said Colonel Johnson. “We want Missourians and our visitors to enjoy our beautiful waterways, but it’s imperative to have a sober operator.”
Other safe boating tips to be aware of include:
1) Be a defensive boat operator … creating distance from other boats equals more reaction time.
2) Adjust your speed for the conditions … if visibility is poor, or the water is rough, slow down!
3) Turn off the boat while entering/exiting the water.
4) If you could still be out on the water after dark, check your navigation lights before you leave the dock or ramp.
5) Each boat operator is responsible for doing whatever they can to avoid an accident. Don’t expect other boats to move out of your way.
6) Be courteous with your wake.
“Being on the water creates an added danger that must be respected. Our ultimate goal is for everyone to make it home safely at the end of the day.” said Colonel Johnson.
Boaters are reminded to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol by dialing *55 on a cellular phone if they need assistance or observe another boater operating a vessel in an unsafe manner.
MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University recycled 109,225 pounds of materials during an eight-week tournament decided by the pounds of material that competing colleges and universities recycled and composted.
With more than 390 colleges and universities competing this year, the RecycleMania Tournament annually harnesses the competitive energy of institutions to engage students in increasing recycling and waste reduction on campuses nationwide.
Northwest’s recycling total prevented the release of 149 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent into the atmosphere, which is the equivalent of the annual emissions of 29 cars or the energy consumption of 13 households.
Northwest ranked 51 out of 233 participating schools in the grand champion category. While Antioch University Seattle was the top-ranked institution, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, at No. 2, was the only Missouri institution to finish ahead of Northwest. The University of Missouri-Columbia, Missouri State University, and Missouri University of Science and Technology all ranked lower.
“Since 2012, recycling at Northwest has evolved from an added environmental benefit of our alternative fuels program to a stand-alone effort that, along with composting food service organics, has helped the University divert 282 tons of waste from the landfill this school year alone,” said John Viau, sustainability coordinator for Northwest. “It is important for our students to share in this success, because as future leaders they need to understand the positive impact of environmental stewardship.”
Schools are ranked according to how much recycling, trash and food waste they collect. Between the Feb. 1 kickoff and the final recycling weigh-in on March 28, competing schools recycled or composted 80.1 million pounds of recyclables and organic materials, preventing the release of 129,411 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent into the atmosphere, which is equivalent to preventing annual emissions from 25,375 cars.
Periodic cicadas have distinctive red eyes, black bodies and are slightly smaller than the annual cicadas that appear annually in late summer. Photo courtesy MDC
The loud sound of cicadas may be heard in the St. Joseph area this summer as the bugs currently begin their escape from the soil.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation for the past 17 years a particular brood of cicada nymphs tunneled through the soil, sucked sap from roots and grew from ant-like specks into bumblebee-sized nymphs. They will emerge by the thousands this spring in western Missouri and transform into winged adult insects, with male cicadas raising a raspy racket as they serenade females.
The cicadas will begin emerging from the soil in early to mid-May, depending on how quickly weather conditions warm soil temperature. Current conditions could prompt the emergence to begin May 10 to May 12 in the Kansas City and St. Joseph areas according to Rob Lawrence, forest entomologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).
Periodical cicadas pose no threat to people and minimal threats to trees. But early summer will be abuzz with sound where 17-year cicadas emerge, said Lawrence.
“In some places they make a pretty loud noise,” Lawrence said.
Cicada nymphs will open half-inch holes in the soil surface as they emerge. Some may build three- to five-inch tall mud chimneys above their holes. Wingless nymphs will climb up on trees and other objects, shed their exoskeletons, and become adults with wings. That leaves brownish paper shells that resemble shed skins attached to trees, porches and posts.
Adults will climb or fly into trees. Males will join together to form choruses to attract females. Or consider it a jam session with instruments. Male cicadas rapidly flex two drum-like structures in their abdomens called tymbals. The flexing produces a click, and the clicks come so fast it produces a raspy hum. They sing during the day with the loudest drone rising during the hottest part of the day.
Annual cicadas appear each year and their drone ebbs and flows in the tree tops. But annual cicadas appear later in the summer than the periodical variety, Lawrence said. Periodical cicadas will be prevalent in late May and June, annual cicadas appear in July and August.
Periodical cicadas are so named because the broods emerge in 13-year or 17-year cycles. This 17-year brood emergence is occurring in an area that extends from Iowa to Texas and includes western Missouri and eastern Kansas. A 13-year emergence is also occurring in southeast Missouri and portions of other states. But the two broods are not expected to overlap.
Striking red eyes and blackish bodies distinguish periodical cicadas. Annual cicadas have greenish bodies, dark eyes and are about two inches long. Periodical cicadas are slightly smaller. Both types of cicadas include various species.
This female periodic cicada has just laid eggs in slits in a branch, visible as small white streaks behind her. Photo by Rob Lawrence/MDC
Periodical cicadas will not appear in all locations within the brood emergence area, Lawrence said. A field or yard that did not have trees 17 years ago, or perhaps even 34 years ago, would not have provided a place for females to lay eggs and for the nymphs to hatch and drop to the soil. Also, soil condition changes such as severe drought or construction disturbance could reduce the number of nymphs.
However, in some areas with favorable conditions, periodical cicadas could appear by the hundreds or even thousands. Such large, periodic emergences provide a feast for creatures that feed on insects. Wild turkeys will eat nymphs, so will fish where cicadas drop into the water. The large emergences are an evolutionary adaptation that lets the species survive by overwhelming predators with sheer numbers and a lengthy emergence cycle, Lawrence said.
Cicadas can affect trees. Females cut narrow slits in small branches and lay eggs in the slits. This can cause stress for limbs. Large, mature trees are generally not greatly affected. Although homeowners may notice some browned and broken branch tips, which is called flagging. Young trees can be harmed, and fruit trees can be stressed, because they have small branches favored by females for egg laying.
MDC foresters do not recommend using insecticides for cicadas. Small or newly-planted trees and shrubs can be covered with mesh and tied at the trunk. To reduce stress issues, homeowners should water young trees well during summer’s hot and dry months, Lawrence said.
Back in 1998, when the parents of this 17-year cicada brood were mating, an adjancent 13-year brood also emerged. But that overlap only occurs once every 221 years, Lawrence said.
This emergence will not be as large but will still be noisy. Adults emerging from the nymph shells will be soft at first. But within hours their wings and exoskeleton will dry and harden. They will then begin making the next generation that will sing in 2032.
“Once they get out, they’ll be singing in the trees for a while and make the racket,” Lawrence said.
A life story memoir writer’s workshop will give participants a chance to tell their own story.
A writing workshop will be held Tuesday, May 26th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Washington Park Library, 1821 North 3rd Street.
Charley Kempthorne, author of For All Time: A Complete Guide to Writing Your Family History, will be conducting the workshop along with his wife, June.
The workshop will be held for 2 hours and include: discussion, demonstration, writing and sharing of memoir and family history.
Attendees will learn basic narrative writing techniques, journal writing, creating extended captions for family photographs and publishing your history for family and friends.
“Everyone can write stories,” Kempthorne insists, “and often the ones who have the least training as writers do the best job.”
The workshop is free, but space is limited.
For more information or to sign up call the Washington Park Library at (816) 232-2052.
Practicing a routine for the upcoming show. Photo courtesy Greg Kozol
St. Joseph figure skaters are gearing up for another performances of the “Wizard of Oz on Ice.”
The St. Joseph Figure Skating Club held its first performance of its spring show Friday, but skaters are still gearing up for two additional shows to be held Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The show features 59 local performers from the St. Joseph Figure Skating Club and the city of St. Joseph’s Learn to Skate Program at Bode Ice Arena.
Audiences will see elaborate sets and high-energy skating routines featuring iconic characters such as Dorothy, the lion and the scarecrow, as well as lots of munchkins and flying monkeys.
“There will be a lot of skating, and a lot of group skating on the ice,” said Debbie ColeGerber, the show director. “It’s a huge production. There’s not another club within 300 or 400 miles that does a show with this kind of theatrics.”
Cole-Gerber said the production is based on the 1998 Wizard of Oz musical and includes the jitterbug character that was cut from the 1939 film.
Special performers will include both developmental and advanced synchronized skating teams from St. Joseph, as well as individual routines from Claire Palmer and Grace SlaterPinnick. The two high school seniors are advanced skaters featured prominently in the show.
The production also highlights 15-year-old Ian Smith, of St. Joseph. He was one of 36 skaters to advance to sectionals in the intermediate level of national competition last year.
Cole-Gerber called “Wizard of Oz on Ice” a family friendly event that costs less than a movie at many theaters. Audience members, both young and old, are encouraged to add to the
fun by dressing as characters from the Wizard of Oz.
All performances are at Bode Ice Arena, 2500 Southwest Parkway, in St. Joseph.
Tickets are $7 for ages 13 on up, $3 for children ages 4 to 12, and free for anyone age 3 and younger. Tickets can be purchased at Bode Ice Arena the day of the show.
The St. Joseph Hoof & Horn Steakhouse has announced it plans to closed its doors.
The restaurant located at 429 Illinois Ave announced on Facebook Friday that it plans to shutdown before the Memorial Day weekend.
It’s one of the oldest restaurants in St. Joseph, built in 1898. According to the restaurant’s website, in 1987 the Swope family bought the steakhouse from the Millers who has owned it for over 30-years after buying the steakhouse from Joe Mallus who ran it ran it for more than 40-years after being it from his uncle.
Staff at the steakhouse said they have been trying to sell the restaurant for awhile with no luck.
“Over the last several years many things have changed and keeping up with the changes has been a real struggle. There have been several new restaurants that have opened in town with no population growth to support them all. Unfortunately for us the push for economic growth has been steered down town and out north, and we have fought hard to compete,” Roy Swope said in a letter. “At the beginning of this year my health took a drastic turn and while I am doing better each day; it was a real eye opener for me. I have spent 30 wonderful years of my life at the Hoof and Horn. I met my wife here, raised my kids and now my grandkids here. But with the combination of the push for “chain” restaurants in town and my health; my family and I have decided it is time for us to move on.”
Roy added that it was not an easy decision to make.
“Thank you for allowing us to serve you for as long as we did,” Roy said.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A top Kansas education official and a school superintendent are testifying in a state district court hearing on a new school funding law.
