Chip Holman of Gower joined KFEQ to talk about a upcoming ribbon cutting and took the opportunity to recognize the Chamber’s 26 members. Listen to it below.

The Interfaith Alliance for Immigrants will be holding the first of three awareness forums coming up Tuesday evening in St. Joseph.

Roger Lenander with the Interfaith Alliance for Immigrants said they have put on the Awareness Forums for about five years.

“The purpose of it is to look at some of the topics and issues around immigration and to bring in some speakers and presenters who will speak to that and then to have a public dialogue about those issues, to be informed,” Lenander said.” It is twofold, it’s one, about being informed, and the other is about hospitality and what are the state of things and how we as a community provide hospitality to those who are immigrants in our community and coming from that background.”

The forum Tuesday features a panel of two presenters, Jessica Piedra, an attorney in Kansas City who has more than 15 years of experience in assisting immigrants in their legal journey and Dr. Melinda Kovacs, a native of Hungary and an Associate Professor of Political Science at Missouri Western State University.

The first forum takes place at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall at 301 North 7th Street in St. Joseph.

The forums are free and open to the public. The other two forums will be held at 7 p.m. on March 19th at St. Francis Xavier Parish Center and 7 p.m. on April 16th at InterServ.

By Sarah Thomack
St. Joseph Post

This winter, area residents have had to be prepared for everything from bitter cold and wind, to snow, sleet, ice and more.

St. Joseph Emergency Management Manager Jada McClintick said patience and planning are keys to winter safety no matter what the weather is doing.

“Of course, on the roadways is snow, or on a day when it’s really cold and wet out, it’s slicker than it looks on the pavement, so people just need to be patient with themselves, with other drivers, give themselves extra time to get where they’re needing to go,” McClintick said. “That’s probably the number one thing you can do is just give yourself that extra time so you’re not frustrated with those other drivers, you’re acutely aware of everyone else around you driving and giving yourself extra time to get yourself to where you’re going and stop, when appropriate.”

The forecast is calling for temperatures in the 40s on Wednesday and Thursday this week and McClintick said, during the nicer weather, it’s a good time to make or update your emergency car kit. Some items McClintick suggests having in your kit, which could be in a box, bag or tote in your trunk include:

• Water
• Granola bars
• Extra chargers
• Blankets

McClintick adds that in past years, people have mentioned they wished they would have included things for their kids traveling with them when they got stuck on the road because of bad weather.

“Things to keep them entertained, whether it be an iPad or books or crossword puzzles, something, because the kids got really restless and aggravated having to sit in the car that long,” McClintick said. “So it’s something you don’t always think about in an emergency kit, but if you travel with your kids in the car a lot, you do have to keep them, not only fed, but entertained as well so that an interesting thing I thought people brought up that they didn’t have in their kits.”

For more information about weather preparedness, visit the city of St. Joseph Emergency Management Facebook page.

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University will celebrate 20 years of its Northwest Online program with an anniversary reception Tuesday, Feb. 12.

According to a news release from Northwest, the public is invited to attend the event from 3 to 5 p.m. on the second floor of the B.D. Owens Library. Refreshments will be provided, and a program at 4 p.m. will feature remarks from Dr. Darla Runyon, director of the Learning and Teaching Center; Dr. John Jasinski, president; Dr. Dean Hubbard, president emeritus; Dr. Jim Eiswert; Northwest Online faculty member; and Dr. Gregory Haddock, associate provost of graduate studies and special programs.

The University launched Northwest Online Aug. 3, 1999, and the initiative has evolved into an internet portal and a course management system that provides valuable education resources for students as well as faculty. Additionally, Northwest’s Learning and Teaching Center supports faculty through the development and sharing of pedagogical and content-specific knowledge while providing access to professional development support and resources.

Northwest Online launched with nine courses and a total enrollment of 57 students, including one based in Malaysia. The courses consisted of six general education courses and three business management courses.

Today, 536 Northwest Online courses exist with nearly 3,000 students enrolled each semester. Most Northwest Online students are campus-based, but the courses enroll students from throughout the world. It consists of 11 online graduate programs, three bachelor’s degree completion programs and at least one general education course for each academic area. Blended courses, consisting of a combination of online and classroom coursework, also are established within Northwest Online.

Building on the Learning and Teaching Center mission, faculty online course development fellowship grants are offered each year to provide faculty with opportunities to study new teaching methods and enhance their courses with instructional technology. Workshops, training sessions, online tutorials and one-on-one sessions are offered on a regular basis.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – During the brief breaks in winter weather, Missouri Department of Transportation crews will continue to temporarily patch potholes caused by the continuous freeze/thaw cycle and perform routine maintenance to roadways.

MoDOT also encourages motorists to take time during the break in winter weather to prepare for the next round:

• Replenish your car’s emergency kit. Consider adding an extra set of clothing, hand warmers, small bottles of water, and snacks to your usual supplies, just in case you get stranded and have to wait for help.
• Download MoDOT’s app from your app store. The app is an interactive map that displays real-time road conditions, work zones, traffic congestion, cameras, weather radar and more, just by toggling on and off layers on the app menu.
• Bookmark MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map at traveler.modot.org/map. It has the same features as the app, plus links to other states’ road conditions, winter driving tips, and other information.
• Follow MoDOT’s Northwest District on your favorite social media site. While it’s not the 24/7 source that the app and map are, we share important information and tips there often.
  • Facebook: @MoDOTNWDistrict
  • Twitter: @ModotNorthwest
  • Instagram: modotnorthwst

MoDOT reminds motorists that even light precipitation can cause roads to become slick. While MoDOT works hard to treat and plow Missouri highways, it’s important to allow extra time for travel, change plans as needed, and to check road conditions before you head out. Remember the following tips when driving in inclement weather:

• Slow down.
• Steer and brake gently.
• Accelerate slowly at intersections.
• Allow extra space between your vehicle and the one ahead of you.
• Stay back 100 feet from snow plows that may be spreading salt. Avoid passing snow plows, even when on a multi-lane road.
• Be aware that bridges and overpasses generally experience freezing conditions first. Cold air is able to circulate above and below these structures, making them the first to have slick spots, even from melting ice and snow.

MoDOT also provides road conditions information through their Customer Service Center at 888 ASK MODOT (888-275-6636).

Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney Ronald R. Holliday announced Friday that no criminal charges will be filed in the fatal officer-involved shooting death of Christopher L. Kelly last year.

As previously reported, the shooting occurred on December 29, 2018, at 1007 S. 12th Street in St. Joseph. The St. Joseph Police Department officers involved in the fatal shooting were Officers Brett Sagel and Matthew Kneib. 

According to a press release from the Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Special Division of Drug and Crime Control, conducted the investigation at the request of the St. Joseph Police Department.

The investigation disclosed that the officers went to the residence initially to attempt to locate an individual in reference to an outstanding warrant. The officers went to the front door of the residence, knocked, and received no response. An officer went to the rear of the residence and located a white Hyundai Sonata vehicle that had been reported stolen out of Pleasant Valley, Missouri. A neighbor told police the vehicle in the rear of the residence was not a vehicle normally seen at the residence. Officers at the scene observed in plain view holsters, ammunition, and masks inside the stolen Hyundai. The rear of the residence was unsecured and the officers entered the residence through the back door to check the welfare of the residents. The officers loudly announced their presence and advised any occupants of the residence to identify their location but received no response.

The press release goes on to say that as the officers systematically searched the residence, they entered a bedroom in the northwest corner of the residence. They observed Kelly standing in the closet of the bedroom. At the same time the officers observed a second person in the closet who immediately surrendered to the officers. Additional officers then entered the northwest bedroom. Kelly was instructed to show his hands to the officers but he verbally refused. The officers then observed a firearm in his right hand. He was told to drop the weapon and refused. A taser was then deployed striking Kelly. However, the Taser had no effect on him. He then raised the pistol and pointed it at the officers and both officers then discharged their firearms at Kelly, striking him multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Phoenix Arms Model HP22A, .22 caliber pistol, loaded with 6 live rounds, was recovered from the possession of Kelly. A toxicology screen during his autopsy revealed Methamphetamine and Amphetamine in his blood.

The press release concludes: “A law enforcement officer is allowed to use deadly force if that officer has a reasonable belief that the use of such force is necessary to protect himself or another from serious physical injury or death… the use of deadly force by both officers in this case was permissible and not unreasonable and as a result, will not be the basis for any criminal charge allegations.”