FAUCETT, Mo. – If all goes well, the first motorists could be driving across the new bridge on Route DD Bridge over Interstate 29 at Faucett as early as next Friday, Nov. 10.

Contractors from Emery Sapp and Sons of Columbia, working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, have been working since late August to replace the old bridge, built in 1958.

Before the new bridge can be opened, each ramp at Exit 35 (Faucett exit) will need to be closed for paving. The contractor has tentatively scheduled ramp paving for Monday, Nov. 6, 2017. The current plan would close one ramp at a time for paving. The southbound off ramp would be closed first at approximately 7:30 a.m., followed in order by the southbound on ramp, northbound off ramp and finally the northbound on ramp.

As with all planned work, schedules are subject to change. MoDOT encourages all motorists to slow down, buckle up, eliminate distractions and drive safely to ensure everyone is able to Arrive Alive.

For more information about this and other MoDOT projects, call 1-888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636) or visit modot.org/northwest and view the online Traveler Information Map.

A complaint filed earlier this week with the Missouri Secretary of State and Missouri Ethics Commission against the St. Joseph School District regarding election laws is now heading to the state Attorney General.

As previously reported, Chris Green, a small business owner and former educator filed the complaint alleging that the School District is “wasting taxpayer dollars to advocate for passage of a significant tax increase on the November 7, 2017 ballot.”

On Thursday, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said he was handing the matter over to Attorney General Josh Hawley. In the press release, Ashcroft said, “We are thankful this matter has been brought to our attention. Government should strive for full transparency and accountability, and taxpayer dollars must be spent wisely no matter the level of government. Missouri’s election officials are working every day to ensure free and fair elections. For that reason, it is imperative that this issue is examined prior to election day on November 7. It is the responsibility of those elected – from the highest levels of public office down to the local school board – not to violate the public trust.” 

The St. Joseph School District issued the following response:

The St. Joseph School District has received a copy of Secretary of State Ashcroft’s press release suggesting that the District improperly used public funds to promote Proposition 1. In his press release, Secretary Ashcroft also stated his support for transparency and accountability and the wise spending of tax dollars so as not to violate the public trust. Ironically, the District’s communications were designed to promote exactly what Secretary Ashcroft says he supports—transparency in how the District intends to spend tax dollars.

The District vigorously denies violating any laws. Missouri law clearly allows the District to advise the public as to the impact of a ballot measure, and explain how tax dollars will be spent. This is the very definition of transparency.

Unfortunately, Secretary Ashcroft has not himself followed Missouri law, according to the school district’s legal counsel. Missouri statutes are clear about the process Secretary Ashcroft must follow, but he has failed to do so. He is authorized to refer a complaint to the local prosecuting attorney, not the Attorney General, and then only after he has conducted an investigation and issued a statement of probable cause. He has done neither, but instead has asked the Attorney General to investigate. Missouri law does not allow Attorney General Hawley to be involved in this complaint.

No one from the Secretary of State’s office has even discussed the complaint with any District official. Aside from its concerns over Secretary Ashcroft’s failure to follow the law, the District is further troubled by the fact that the leading opponent of Proposition 1, Herzog Contracting Corp., contributed $125,000 last year to Secretary Ashcroft’s campaign. This leads the District to believe that this is really a last-minute, coordinated effort by those opposing Proposition 1 to smear the school district, and ultimately harm the children of St. Joseph. Proposition 1 is a non-partisan issue.

We are confident that neither the Secretary of State nor the Attorney General wants to become involved in last minute election shenanigans such as this. We urge both to follow the process established by the Missouri Legislature. The school children of St. Joseph do not deserve to be pawns in Jefferson City political games.

The tax levy is still slated to be on the ballot in the Nov. 7th election. If the proposition is approved by voters it would generate $11.5 million each year.

St. Joseph motorists may have noticed Missouri Department of Transportation snow plows out on the roads Thursday even though there is no major snow in the forecast yet.

MoDOT Northwest Region District Maintenance and Traffic Engineer Tonya Lohman said the department has been doing winter drills for several years to help new employees learn their routes.

“Those new employees are given the opportunity to go and ride the routes that they’re going to be on for doing snow removal,” Lohman said. “That way they can kind of see where the turnaround spots are, they can see narrow bridges, they can see where we have guardrail, they can see if someone has built one of those big monument mailboxes that they need to watch out for and just all those kind of things so they can kind of be prepared when they’re out there.”

Lohman said each snow event is different and therefore treated differently.

“I like to kind of compare it to a classroom of kids. The teacher shows up and all the kids don’t learn the same. You’ve got the kids that learn by listening, you’ve got the kids that learn by viewing… so just like that classroom of students, every storm comes in and it’s different,” Lohman said. “We have to base our strategy off of what a meteorologist is doing, looking at weather maps and making their predictions… what time, what wind speed, what ground temperature. We use that information to say, ‘Are we going to pretreat? Are we going to start at 7 a.m.? Are we go ahead call people in early at 2 a.m. because we think it’s going to hit before rush hour.’”

Earl Puett is a Maintenance Crew Leader at the St. Joseph metro building. Puett said one of the worst winter events he’s experienced in his 19 years on the job was in 2007.

“It seemed like we worked 12 or 14 hours a day, every day and we had a lot of drifting and winds wouldn’t lay down,” Puett said. “The next one I remember was two years later… we had a terrible ice storm, dropped a lot of limbs around town, power lines. That was really tough getting through.”

There may be some long hours and cold weather, but Puett said he enjoys his job.

“I like to plow snow, I’ve always enjoyed plowing snow,” Puett said. “I like knowing I’m out here trying to get the road back to a condition for everybody to drive around and get around on safely too.”

MoDOT offers multiple resources for travelers year-round including a Traveler Information Map on their website and MoDOT apps for your phone.

St. Joseph Police are investigating after a convenience store was robbed Wednesday night by someone wearing a bear mask.

According to police, a suspect entered the Speedy’s at 2728 Messanie St. shortly before midnight, displayed a gun and demanded money. The suspect was dressed in what was described as a bear mask with a white sheet draped over their body.

The suspect left with an unknown amount of cash.

Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 238-TIPS.

The position of Humane Educator includes a variety of responsibilities such as answering phones, being able to give interviews to the media while holding a cat or a dog and showing up to a school with a dog to present the No More Bullying program.

Those are just a few of the things that Jenna Keyes does as part of her job as Humane Educator with the St. Joseph Animal Shelter.

This week, Keyes, along with her dog Barney, is presenting the No More Bullying Program at Pickett Elementary School to third and fifth graders.

Keyes said the No More Bullying Program was established by Wayside Waifs in Kansas City and the shelter brought it to St. Joseph last year.

“It talks about not bullying people as well as not bullying animals. It teaches the kids a little bit about animal safety along the way too and core values like responsibility, compassion, being humane, importance of self-control along with integrity, so we hit on some really big topics,” Keyes said. “It’s a great time to interact with the kids, there’s a dog in the classroom that they get to interact with and use some of these skills that they’re learning in class with the animals, as well as hopefully with their friends in class too.”

Third grade teacher Bobbie Walker said students seem to enjoy the program and are learning things along the way.

“They love it, they love Barney, he’s their favorite,” Walker said. “But even throughout the day, after the lesson’s over, when we do things, they’ll say, ‘That’s being responsible’ or ‘That’s showing compassion.’ It’s really incorporating a lot of those skills that the counselor teaches them, those character traits like responsibility, compassion.”

Third grader Adalyn’s favorite part of the program is Barney, who showed up to class on Halloween dressed as a shark.

A complaint has been filed with the Missouri Secretary of State and Missouri Ethics Commission against the St. Joseph School District regarding election laws and the tax levy up for vote on the November ballot.

According to a news release, Chris Green, a small business owner and former educator filed the complaint.

The complaint alleges that the School District is “wasting taxpayer dollars to advocate for passage of a significant tax increase on the November 7, 2017 ballot.”

In the news release, it is stated that the complaint focuses on “the fact that the St. Joseph School District is paying for direct mail pieces targeting registered voters. These mailers do not merely inform the public, they are attempting to persuade voters to support Proposition 1.”

The St. Joseph School District released the following statement:

The District has a responsibility to share information about the tax proposal. The district and its employees recognize the limits and have been very careful to ensure that Missouri law is followed.

Voters are entitled to know the facts. When they are being asked to consider a tax increase, it would be irresponsible of the district if voters were not informed about why the money is needed and how it will be spent.

The St. Joseph School District understands that voters will not just give it a blank check. That is why the District has explained how it intends to spend the money. The District is not telling voters how to vote, and trusts voters to decide for themselves whether the District’s plans for the additional money are wise.

If the proposition is approved by voters it would generate $11.5 million each year.

As previously reported, the two groups that launched campaigns on both sides of the proposition include the Committee to Move St. Joseph Forward and Support A Better SJSD.

As all the superheroes, ghosts and princesses head out for Halloween, there are some safety tips to keep in mind so everyone experiences all treats and no tricks. 

According to St. Joseph Safety and Health Council Executive Director Sheldon Lyon, safety starts with the costume.

“As parents, it’s important that we get a costume that’s appropriate for our kids, that’s comfortable. Make sure that whatever costume they have, kids can see well while they’re out, they don’t fall down or maybe they can’t see a car that’s approaching,” Lyon said. “It’s always a good idea, too, to take a flashlight or some type of reflective material so the traffic that is out is able to see you.” 

Anyone out driving during trick-or-treating hours should be extra cautious and keep an eye out for costumed pedestrians.

“Watch out for these young children that are going to be out and about,” Lyon said. “We’re probably going to see them in areas we don’t normally see them, coming out of that driveway suddenly, maybe. So just be on your guard, slow down, drive a little bit slower in those neighborhoods than you normally would.” 

Lyon said when children get home from trick-or-treating, it’s important to examine the candy. 

“We want store bought candy,” Lyon said. “I know there are people out there that like to make the homemade treats but I would stay away from those. If anything looks suspicious, the saying, ‘When in doubt, throw it out,’ is very appropriate.”   

Trick-or-treaters may also want to bundle up as the forecast is calling for temperatures in the upper 30s in the late afternoon and evening.