JULIE WATSON, Associated Press

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Veterans Day is not only a time to honor those who have served in the military: For American businesses, it’s also a time to back that appreciation up with a freebie.

A slew of locally owned businesses and national chains are offering up something free Tuesday to anyone who has served in the military. The trend has been growing since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Veterans can start off their day chowing down a free breakfast at a number of restaurants.

They can then walk off the calories in a national park. The National Park Service is offering free admission to everyone.

And that’s only scratching the surface: There are free appetizers, free beer, free non-alcoholic drinks and free car washes, among other things.

The Independence Police Department has issued an Endangered Person Advisory for a missing person incident that occurred at 1441 S Baker Dr, Independence at 4:00 A.M. on November 2, 2014.

Missing Is:
Mahogany L Washington a black, female, age 15

Possible suspects or associates are believed to be:
Michael Davis, a white, male, age 17.

The endangered missing person:
Mahogany L Washington, is a black, female, age 15, hgt 5’03”, 130 lbs, blonde shoulder length hair, hazel eyes, with heart tattoo on right rear hip and camel tattoo on toe.

Brief circumstances regarding the Endangered Missing Person incident
Mahogany Washington is on unknown medication for past history of mental illness, it is unknown if Washington has taken her medication. Washington suffers from depression and prior suicide attempts. Washington may be in the company of her boyfriend, Michael Davis, 17 year old white male, from St Joseph, Missouri.

Anyone seeing the missing person, suspect, or associate, or anyone having any information related to the endangered missing person should immediately dial 911 to contact the nearest law enforcement agency or call the Independence Police Department at (816) 325-7300.

STACY A. ANDERSON, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Michelle Obama is thanking art educators for not only teaching children skills, but for putting a “spring in their step” and giving them something to look forward to after school.

The first lady presented national arts and humanities awards Monday to 12 after-school programs from across the country and one international program.

The White House ceremony included a head-bopping musical performance from the Delta Blues Museum Arts and Education Program Band of Clarksdale, Mississippi, and remarks by 16-year-old Jennifer Guadalupe Gonzalez of Chicago, who explained how acting in a Shakespeare production gave her a boost of confidence.

The 2014 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards are hosted by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities in partnership with three national cultural agencies.

KANSAS CITY- A Missouri woman was injured in an accident just before 4 p.m. on Monday in Johnson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Honda driven by Bertha Hill, 28, Kansas City, MO., was eastbound on Interstate 435 in number 3 lane when another vehicle merged from the number 2 lane into number 3 lane causing the motorcycle driver to lose control and flip. Motorcycle driver was ejected.

Hill was transported to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. The KHP reported she was wearing a helmet.

LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — A northeast Kansas juvenile has died after being struck by a freight train, and authorities are calling her death an apparent suicide.

Lenexa police and first responders were called to the scene in the Kansas City suburb shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday. The girl was taken to a hospital and later died.

Investigators said Monday the girl had been standing on the tracks in the path of the oncoming Burlington Northern Santa Fe train. The engineer summoned authorities.

Police say the girl was a student at Olathe Northwest High School.

 

ST. LOUIS (AP) – St. Louis County police say they have spent around $100,000 stocking up on riot gear and other items they may need if protests turn violent after prosecutors announce whether a Ferguson officer will face criminal charges in the shooting death of Michael Brown.

Brown was killed by Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9. A spokesman for the St. Louis County prosecutor said Monday that a grand jury decision on whether to indict Wilson will be announced no earlier than Saturday, but he reiterated that the exact date of the announcement is not yet known.

St. Louis County Police spokesman Brian Schellman says the county has spent $65,500 for new riot gear such as helmets, shields and batons. The department has spent another $35,000 to replenish the supply of things like pepper spray, smoke canisters and rubber bullets.

BRIAN WITTE, Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Students of four U.S. military service academies are now eligible for expedited airport screening.

The Transportation Security Administration announced the extension of the Pre-Check system on Monday. It will apply to students at the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy at more than 120 participating airports when flying on 11 major airlines.

TSA Administrator John Pistole noted the announcement comes just before Veterans Day. He says providing the fast-lane screening program is the least the agency can do for members of the nation’s military and service academies.

Last year, TSA extended the Pre-Check benefits system to all U.S. Armed Forces members. On average, more than 50,000 Defense Department employees benefit from the system on a weekly basis.