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Western sees increase in Freshmen enrollment

(News release) – As classes start at Missouri Western State University this fall, preliminary enrollment data indicates that about 1,000 incoming freshmen are starting their college career, an increase of 16.2 percent over last year’s number.

“A one-year increase this large is really unprecedented in today’s higher education environment, especially since we were also able to maintain the academic quality of the class,” said Dr. Paul Orscheln, associate vice president for enrollment management and student retention. “The competition for a dwindling high school graduate population is fierce, especially in the state of Missouri, and we are both honored and humbled that so many students have chosen to be Griffons this fall.”

Locally, there was a 22 percent increase in students from Buchanan County and a 13 percent increase from Andrew County. Other areas with significant increases included Jackson County, 31 percent; Kansas, 85 percent; Nebraska, 50 percent; and Iowa, 19 percent.

As of the first day, the unofficial undergraduate headcount is up 1.1 percent, and undergraduate credit hours are up 2.1 percent. Graduate headcount and credit hours are holding steady. Enrollment numbers will be finalized after the official census date four weeks into the semester.

St. Joseph Mustangs name Johnny Coy new manager

ST.​ ​JOSEPH,​ ​Mo.​ –The St. Joseph Mustangs didn’t have to look far to find their replacement for nine year Manager Matt Johnson.

Johnny Coy has been named the new manager for the Mustangs, as the team enters year ten.

Coy, a St. Joseph native and a player for the Mustangs in the 2009 and 2010 seasons has been a member of the coaching staff for the past three seasons.

Team Owner and CEO Dan Gerson says he is excited to have Coy take over as the second Manager in
Mustangs history.

“I’m very excited about Johnny getting the opportunity to lead the Mustangs,” Gerson said. “Johnny has been with us since the first season and knows not only the baseball side of things, but he also understands how we operate and how important the community and our fans are to the organization.

Johnny learned his coaching style from not only Matt Johnson, but two legendary coaches, his high school coach Mike Musser and his college coach Gene Stephenson. I couldn’t be more proud to have Johnny coming on as the next manager in Mustangs history.”

Newly appointed Manager Johnny Coy says the opportunity to coach in St. Joseph means a lot.

“It’s an awesome honor to be a part of something that has been important to me since my freshman year of college,” Coy said. “It’s really important to the people of St. Joe, and I live in St. Joe, I love the people of St. Joe and to be able to run the program that so many people get so excited about is a hugeopportunity and a huge honor.”

When asked how his team would compare to past Mustangs teams Coy said there would a lot of similarities.

“You know I played for Coach Johnson and then I coached with him so I know what worked well and what typically didn’t work well for other coaches I’ve worked with. Coach Johnson has always been a players

coach. He always had the players backs and that is why so many players want to come back for the alumni game because of the atmosphere he created. That’s something I’m definitely going to continue and look forward to continuing for the people of St. Joe.”

Coy was recently named the Head Boys Baseball Coach at Benton High School. The Benton Athletic Department has given their seal of approval to allow Coy to lead both teams in their respective seasons.

The Mustangs will be hosting a press conference tomorrow at 3:45 p.m. at Phil Welch Stadium to welcome Coy into his new position.
The Mustangs schedule for the 2018 season will be released in Fall 2017.

Foggy this morning then sunny and 80

Watch out for foggy conditions this morning, especially in low lying areas. Otherwise, temperatures will generally be about 5 degrees cooler than normal this week with dry conditions prevailing. It looks like a fantastic week of weather across the area. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service: 

Today: Areas of fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 80. Light north wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming north northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Light and variable wind.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 84.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 82.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 84.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 86.

 

Planned road work for northwest Missouri, Aug. 28 – Sept. 3

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The following is a listing of general highway maintenance and construction work in the Northwest Missouri region planned for the week of Aug. 28 – Sept. 3 from the Missouri Department of Transportation. In addition to the work listed below, there may be pothole patching, bridge maintenance, striping, brush cutting, guardrail repairs and other road work conducted throughout the region. Many of these will be moving operations and could include lane closures with delays. All scheduled maintenance and construction projects are subject to change.

MoDOT will halt temporary lanes closures throughout the state to accommodate an increase in traffic due to the Labor Day holiday. Most temporary lane closures will stop at noon on Friday, Sept. 1 and resume Tuesday morning, Sept. 5. Some long-term closures, ramp closures and head-to-head traffic may remain in place.

MoDOT reminds the public to stay alert, watch for road work, buckle up, slow down, and drive with extreme caution through work zones and in changing weather conditions.

Andrew County

  • U.S. Route 71 – Joint repair from County Road 54 to County Road 142, Aug. 28 – 31
  • U.S. Route 71 – Pothole patching from the city limits of Maryville (Nodaway County) to Route B, Aug. 28 – Sept. 1

Atchison County

  • U.S. Route 136 – CLOSED at the Little Tarkio Creek for a bridge replacement project. The road will remain closed through December.
  • U.S. Route 59 – Pavement repair in Tarkio from U.S. Route 136 to Park Street, Aug. 28 – Sept. 1

Buchanan County

  • Route DD – CLOSED for a bridge replacement project at the bridge over Interstate 29 at Faucett. The bridge will remain closed through October.
  • Route A – Bridge maintenance at the I-229 overpass, Aug. 28 – 29
  • U.S. Route 59 (St. Joseph Avenue) – Milling and pothole patching at Maxwell Road, Aug. 28 – 31
  • U.S. Route 36 – Resurfacing project westbound from 10th Street in St. Joseph to I-229, Aug. 29 – 31. Work will be conducted at night from 8:30 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • U.S. Route 36 – Bridge maintenance westbound at the 28th Street overpass, Aug. 30 – 31. This includes an overnight lane closure.
  • U.S. Route 36 – Bridge and interchange project one mile east of Route AC, Aug. 28 – Sept. 2
  • Route 6 – A sidewalk improvement and resurfacing project between I-29 and Woodbine Road, Aug. 28 – Sept. 2.

Caldwell County

  • Route U – Bridge maintenance at the Tom Creek Bridge, Aug. 28 – 31
  • Route 116 – Shoulder work from U.S. Route 69 (Clinton County) to Route A, Aug. 28 – Sept. 1

Carroll County

  • Route 10 – Pothole patching, Aug. 28
  • U.S. Route 24 – Pothole patching, Aug. 29
  • U.S. Route 65 – Pothole patching, Aug. 30

Chariton County

  • Route 129 – CLOSED for a culvert replacement from Route PP to East 6th Street in Salisbury, Aug. 28, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Route O – CLOSED for bridge maintenance at the bridge over Bee Branch, Aug. 28, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Clinton County

  • Route 116 – Shoulder work from U.S. Route 69 to Route A (Caldwell County), Aug. 28 – Sept. 1
  • U.S. Route 69 – CLOSED for pavement repair from Route 121 to NE 292ndAug. 28 – 297 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
  • U.S. Route 69 – CLOSED for pavement repair from NE 292nd to NE 280th, Aug. 30 – 31, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Daviess County

  • U.S. Route 69 – Shoulder work from Route 6 to Route C, Aug. 28 – Sept. 1

DeKalb County

  • U.S. Route 36 – Resurfacing project westbound just east of Route 31, Aug. 28, Work will be conducted at night from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Gentry County

  • U.S. Route 169 – Resurfacing project from Route 31 to Stanberry, Aug. 28 – Sept. 2
  • Route DD – CLOSED for a culvert replacement, Aug. 29, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Grundy County

  • Routes C & W – Sealing bridges, Aug. 28
  • Route E – Pothole patching, Aug. 28 – Sept. 1

Harrison County

  • U.S. Route 136 – Bridge maintenance at the I-35 bridge, Aug. 28 – 31
  • Route B – CLOSED for a culvert replacement two miles south of Route N, Aug. 30, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Route H – CLOSED for a culvert replacement two miles east of Route 13, Aug. 31, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Route BB – CLOSED for a culvert replacement three miles south of U.S. Route 136, Sept. 1, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Holt County

  • I-29 – Bridge replacement project at the Davis Creek Bridge near Exit 84, Aug. 28 – Sept. 3. I-29 will be narrowed to one lane in each direction. This includes a 12-foot width restriction. The lane closures will remain in place overnight.
  • Route 118 – The ramp from Route 118 to southbound I-29 is CLOSED for the Davis Creek Bridge replacement project through mid-December.

Linn County

  • U.S. Route 36 – Pothole patching from the Macon County line to Route 11, Aug. 28 – 30

Nodaway County

  • Route VV – Pothole patching, Aug. 28
  • U.S. Route 71 – Pothole patching from the city limits of Maryville to Route B (Andrew County), Aug. 28 – Sept. 1

Putnam County

  • Route E – The railroad crossing in Powersville is CLOSED from noonAug. 28 through 11 a.m. Aug. 31 for track maintenance.
  • Route W – Resurfacing from U.S. Route 136 to the Schuyler County line, Aug. 28 – Sept. 1
  • Route 149 – Resurfacing, Aug. 28 – Sept. 2

Sullivan County

  • Routes O – Sealing, Aug. 28 – 29
  • Route 5 – Slide repair near the city limits of Browning, Aug. 28 – Sept. 1
  • Route 6 – Slide repair from the city limits of Milan to the city limits of Green City, Aug. 28 – Sept. 1
  • Route 129 – Pothole patching, Aug. 29 – 31

Worth County

  • Route 246 – CLOSED for a bridge replacement project at the Platte River Bridge. The bridge will be closed through September.

Patrol to hold special enforcement operation in Daviess County

The Missouri State Highway Patrol plans to conduct a special enforcement operation sometime during the month of September in Daviess County.

Troop H said it will hold a DWI saturation in areas selected based on a high number of drinking-related crashes, high number of contact with drivers who have been drinking and officers’ input as to probable contact with DWI violators.

“The Missouri State Highway Patrol is dedicated to removing impaired drivers from Missouri roadways,” said Captain James E. McDonald, commanding officer of Troop H. “Anytime your plans include alcohol, please have a designated sober driver.”

Animal shelter to present Wild West Howl-a-Palooza

The 2016 Howl-a-Palooza event was carnival themed.

A Wild West themed event for dogs and their owners will take place in September.

St. Joseph Animal Control and Rescue will be putting on Howl-a-palooza at the Corby Dog Park with vendors, games and the opportunity to meet pets from the shelter.

Humane Educator with the Animal Shelter Jenna Keyes said this year’s theme is Woofin’ Wild West.

“We’re going to have all kind of activities and games related to that Wild West theme, of course throwing in some Pony Express stuff to go with it,” Keyes said. “We’re going to have some great vendors out there this year along with our regular contests that we do.”

Keyes said there will be contests for the best western costume, best trick and a pet owner look-alike contest. 

Keyes said the event will be held at Corby Dog Park in the parking lot so even if you don’t have a membership or even a dog, it’s open to everyone. 

A rescue trailer will be at the event with the opportunity for on-site pet adoptions. Also Keyes said microchipping will be available along with Corby Dog Park memberships.

Howl-a-palooza takes place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, September 9th. For information, visit the event Facebook page.

Some Friends of the St. Joseph Animal Shelter fundraising events taking place the same weekend include the Shopping Extravaganza from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on September 9th at East Hills Mall and the Puttin’ “Fore” Paws Charity Golf Tournament beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, September 11th.

 

Highway Patrol opens program to high school students

Junior and Senior High School students are being sought to participate in a two-day law enforcement program offered by the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop H.

Captain James E. McDonald, commanding officer of Troop H, St Joseph, said Troop H will be conducting a two-day Student Alliance Program. He said the purpose of the program is to provide an opportunity for current junior and senior high school students to learn more about law enforcement and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
T
he 2017 Troop H Student Alliance Program will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on two consecutive Saturdays (October 14 and October 21, 2017) at Troop H Headquarters in St Joseph, Missouri. Participants must provide their own transportation and will be on their own for lunch break each day. During the program, students will participate in a variety of educational activities intended to familiarize them with Highway Patrol operations and equipment. Some of the activities will include: Patrol history, firearms, marine operations, stop and approach, and DWI detection.

Troop H said it is seeking interested junior and senior high school students of good character to apply to participate in the program. In order to provide a quality educational experience, the program will be limited to 20 students. Applications can obtained at the Troop H Headquarters, 3525 North Belt, St Joseph, Missouri; or by calling Sergeant Jake Angle at (816)387-2345. Applications must be received by September 22, 2017, to be eligible to participate.

SJSD enrollment remains steady

(News release) – Enrollment figures for the St. Joseph School District have remained steady to start the 2017-18 school year.

The seven-day count comparison shows a difference of approximately one percent in the total number of students enrolled at this same time last year.

Overall, 11,227 students are enrolled at this time. That’s compared to last year’s seven-day count of 11,376.

Enrollment at the District’s elementary schools increased by 17 students from 6,275 to 6,292.

Middle school enrollment dropped by 44 students from 1,753 to 1,709. High school enrollment also saw a slight decrease from 796 to 763.

Students returned to school on August 16, 2017. The seven-day count comparison totals include enrollment numbers as of August 25, 2017.

Martin Luther King III to speak at Western

Martin Luther King III
Courtesy photo

(News release)—Human rights advocate and community activist Martin Luther King III will be the featured speaker at the 24th annual R. Dan Boulware Convocation on Critical Issues at Missouri Western State University this fall. The Convocation begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12 in the M.O. Looney Complex arena and is free and open to the public. King’s topic is “Embracing the Ideals of Freedom, Justice and Equality.”

“Mr. King has a very important message for our students, employees and community members,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president. “It is hard to believe that in 2018, his father will have been gone for 50 years, yet his message is still as relevant today as it was then.”

As the oldest son of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King III has seized the torch lit by his parents and is continuing their quest for equality and justice for all people. He has been sharing this message with audiences around the world for nearly 20 years.

A human rights advocate, community activist and a political leader, King also has been actively involved in significant policy initiatives to maintain the fair and equitable treatment of all citizens, at home and abroad.

A graduate of his father’s alma mater, Morehouse College, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, King was elected to political office in 1986 as an at-large representative of Fulton County, Georgia. As a member of the Board of Commissioners, he was instrumental in securing strong ethics legislation, purification of the county’s natural water resources and legislation regulating minority business participation in public contracting.

He initiated the King Summer Intern Program to provide employment opportunities for high school students; Hoops for Health, a charity basketball game intended to increase public awareness of newborn babies who suffer the effects of substance abuse; and A Call to Manhood, an annual event designed to unite young African-American males with positive adult role models.

From 1997 to 2004, King served as the fourth president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the organization that his father co-founded in 1957. A long-standing member of the Board of Directors, King has devoted much of his adulthood to the continuance of his father’s mission of nonviolent conflict resolution.

Mostly sunny and temps in the 80s this weekend

It’ll be a great start to the weekend with cooler than normal temperatures and partly cloudy skies. A cold front will bring a chance for showers and storms Saturday night into Sunday, although no severe weather or flooding is expected. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. South southeast wind 7 to 11 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 6 to 9 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 8 mph.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Light and variable wind becoming north northwest around 6 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 81.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 80.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 82.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 83.

 

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