We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Category: Featured

Wind advisory in effect until noon with temps dropping to teens

Posted on

A cold front will push through the area this morning creating a strong northwest wind over NW Missouri. Expect wind gusts between 40 and 50 mph north of the Missouri River and west of I-35, with 35-40 mph gusts over the rest of the area. Rapidly falling temperatures will accompany these high winds with temperatures falling 20-25 degrees from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. This rapid drop in temperature may cause any wet surfaces from this mornings rain or melting snow in northern Missouri to refreeze. If the road looks wet after noon treat it as possible ice and drive accordingly. Dangerously low wind chill values ranging from -15 to -35°F will be possible with the coldest values being along the Iowa and Missouri Border Wednesday morning. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Partly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 16 by 3 p.m. Wind chill values between -3 and 7. Windy, with a north northwest wind 27 to 32 mph decreasing to 21 to 26 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 13. Wind chill values between -1 and 6. Blustery, with a north northwest wind 16 to 21 mph becoming west northwest 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.

Tuesday: A slight chance of snow showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 17. Wind chill values between -5 and 3. West southwest wind 8 to 18 mph becoming north northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around -7. Wind chill values between -13 and -23. North northwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near 1. North northwest wind 6 to 11 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around -3.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 50.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

High percentage of animals adopted in 2018 from St. Joseph Animal Shelter

Posted on
St. Joseph Animal Shelter cats file photo.

A high percentage of adoptable animals were adopted from the St. Joseph Animal Shelter last year.

Animal Control and Rescue Humane Educator Jennifer Lockwood said 99-percent of adoptable dogs were adopted last year, down from 100-percent in 2017. Last year, 88-percent of cats were adopted, down from 95-percent in 2017.

Lockwood said dog intake has remained steady over the past few years and cat intake has increased.

“Being a municipal shelter we have to take everything that does come to our front door,” Lockwood said. “2015 compared to 2018, our dog intake has increased some, remained pretty steady in the 1300s. Cat intake has increased from around 1200 to about 1400.”

Lockwood said adoptions for cats have also increased over the past few years. Lockwood said things such as the “catio” at the shelter built within the past couple years have helped with giving the cats more space to roam and being a place for potential adopters to see the cats.

Lockwood said one of the reasons for the increase of animals coming into the animal shelter is overpopulation.

“Not spaying and neutering cats and dogs is a big thing, unwanted litters of puppies and kittens in the spring,” Lockwood said. “Last year, we took 197 cats in, just in the month of May. A lot of that comes from unwanted litters of kittens and puppies and there are programs out there to spay and neuter, so that is a really important thing you can do, for not only your pet, but the community as well.”

For more information about pet adoption or the fundraising effort for a new animal shelter, click here or visit the Friends of the Animal Shelter of St. Joseph Facebook page.

Northwest Missouri traffic fatalities increased in 2018

Posted on

JEFFERSON CITY – For the third year in a row, more than 900 people were killed in Missouri traffic crashes.

Statewide, the preliminary numbers indicate 918 lives were lost in 2018, down slightly from 932 fatalities in 2017. In 2018, 62 people died in crashes on Northwest Missouri roadways, almost 15 percent more than the 54 fatalities in 2017.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, speed, distraction, impairment and fatigue continue to be top causes of fatal crashes. In particular, the number of cell phone related crashes has become increasingly prevalent in the state.

“Cellphone related crashes are up 35 percent since 2014,” said Jon Nelson, MoDOT assistant to the state highway safety and traffic engineer. “It’s one of the fastest growing causes of fatal crashes in Missouri, and like most other contributing factors, it’s completely preventable.”

MoDOT says nearly all fatal crashes are preventable if drivers would heed warnings of speed limits, traffic signs and laws. MoDOT adds, everyone can help improve safety by taking two simple actions: always buckle up and put down the phone when driving.

While a recent survey indicates more Missourians are buckling up than ever before, the impacts of not wearing a seat belt and using the phone are hard to ignore. Pickup truck drivers are especially overrepresented as they have the lowest seat belt usage rate in the state.

“Eighty-seven percent of Missourians are buckling up. However, the few who aren’t account for more than 60 percent of our traffic fatalities,” said Nelson. “When it comes to cell phones, nobody wants to be on the road with a driver constantly using their phone, but so many people find it acceptable to do themselves. We can do better.”

MoDOT encourages drivers to take the Buckle Up Phone Down Challenge at modot.org/BuckleUpPhoneDown as part of helping create a safer Missouri.

Disaster preparedness committee announces leadership and initiatives

Posted on
File Photo

by Shoshana Dubnow

Missouri School of Journalism

 

The new Joint Committee on Disaster Preparedness announced its leadership and initiatives this week.

Senator Jason Holsman, a Democrat representing part of Jackson County, was named the chair of the committee. He spoke at a press conference on Thursday about a disaster report due in two years. The report will look into several areas, including ways to strengthen communication between national agencies and first responders.

“One thing we know is certain is that we know disasters are going to continue to happen. Weather is only getting more extreme as the years pass, and I think it’s important that our citizens have the best possible preparation and awareness that we can give them.”

Another one of the senator’s goals is to establish a disaster emergency management fund, which would be granted out during emergencies.

Update: President Trump signs bill to end government shutdown

Posted on

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the partial government shutdown (all times local):

Trump makes comments from the Rose Garden Friday afternoon-courtesy White House

9:25 p.m.

President Donald Trump has signed a bill that temporarily opens the federal government for three weeks, ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history at 35 days.

The White House says Trump signed the measure after the Senate and House each passed it Friday.

Trump backed down from his demand that Congress provide more border wall money before federal agencies get back to work. But he warns that the government could shut down again “if we don’t get a fair deal from Congress.”

He is also holding out the possibility of taking executive action.

The agreement to open the government came as about 800,000 federal employees missed their second consecutive paycheck.

As part of the deal, a bipartisan committee of House and Senate lawmakers is being formed to review border security recommendations.

___

7:55 p.m.

President Donald Trump is pushing back against criticism of his agreement to reopen the federal government without winning a promise of new funding for a border wall.

With even some conservatives casting the agreement as a retreat by the president, Trump is tweeting that it “was in no way a concession” on his part.

Trump says the deal will take care of millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the shutdown.

And he’s emphasizing that it was only done “with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, it’s off to the races!”

The shutdown was ending as Democratic leaders had insisted it must — reopen the government first, then talk border security.

As part of the deal, a bipartisan committee of lawmakers will consider additional border spending in the weeks ahead.

___

7:50 p.m.

President Donald Trump will not be delivering his State of the Union Address next Tuesday, even though the federal government is expected to be reopened by then.

Trump had postponed the joint address to Congress amid the partial shutdown. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had suggested he do so and — after some high-profile back-and-forth between the two — the president ultimately agreed.

With Trump and congressional leaders reaching a deal Friday to reopen the government, the speech is expected to be rescheduled.

But it will not be next week as once planned, according to a person familiar with the planning but unauthorized to discuss it.

___

2:25 p.m.

President Donald Trump says he’ll sign legislation shortly to reopen shuttered government departments for three weeks — until Feb. 15.

Trump’s action would end what has become a record, 35-day partial shutdown.

Some 800,000 federal workers have had to work without pay or have been kept from doing their jobs as Trump and congressional Democrats were locked in a stalemate over the billions of dollars that Trump has demanded to build a U.S.-Mexico border wall.

Trump spoke at the White House on Friday as intensifying delays at some of the nation’s busiest airports and widespread disruptions brought new urgency to efforts to break the impasse.

___

Temps near 32 with wind chill values around zero

Posted on

Cold temperatures this morning from single digits to -10°F will combine with a light wind to create dangerous wind chill conditions over northern Missouri. Wind chill values will drop down into the negative teens to -24°F this morning. These extremely cold temperatures can cause frostbite on exposed skin within 30 minutes. Temperatures will rise quickly into the 20s and 30s with wind chill values all above 10°F by the afternoon. A quick moving system will bring snow chances to north central and northeast Missouri this afternoon. Expect a trace to 1” of snowfall to occur by 6 p.m. over these area which may cause some slick spots on untreated roads. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Increasing clouds, with a high near 32. Wind chill values between -6 and 4. South wind 8 to 17 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph.

Tonight: A slight chance of snow showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday: A slight chance of snow showers and freezing rain before 11 a.m., then a slight chance of snow showers between 11 a.m. and noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. Light and variable wind becoming west northwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. West southwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Northwest wind around 7 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Sunday Night: A chance of freezing rain before 1 a.m., then a chance of rain showers between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., then a chance of snow showers and sleet after 5 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. Blustery.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 7.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 18.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around -1.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near 11.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 0.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 17.

St. Joseph man dies in crash on U.S. 59

Posted on

BUCHANAN COUNTY — One person died in an accident just before noon Thursday in Buchanan County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Honda Civic driven by Jonathan R. Turner, 25, Atchison, was southbound on U.S. 59 one half mile east of Winthrop.

The driver attempted to turn east onto private property and failed to yield to northbound traffic. A northbound 2015 Chevy Traverse driven by Kirk L. Kloepper, 55, Effingham, Kansas, struck the Honda.

A passenger in the Honda Lonnie J. Elmore, 50, St. Joseph, was pronounced dead at the scene. Turner was transported to Mosaic Life Care.

Kloepper and a passenger Laurie A. Kloepper, 55, Effingham, were transported to the hospital in Atchison with minor injuries. Elmore was not wearing a seat belt, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol

UPDATE: U.S. 36 open after crash; injured driver identified

Posted on

BROWN COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 9a.m. Thursday in Brown County.

The Kansas highway Patrol reported a 2012 Freightliner semi driven by Belal Saed Haraz, 34, Kansas City, MO., was eastbound on U.S. 36 at Prairie Road. The driver lost control of vehicle and struck a bridge structure.

Haraz was transported to the Hiawatha Hospital with minor injuries. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

————-


UPDATE (2:10 p.m.) – According to MoDOT, the Kansas Highway Patrol has reported that U.S. Route 36 westbound in Kansas has reopened after a crash five miles east of Hiawatha.

====

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – U.S. Route 36 westbound in Kansas is closed due to a crash.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, crews from the Kansas Highway Patrol reported the crash is five miles east of Hiawatha and they are awaiting a crane from Topeka to clear the scene. The road could be closed for three to four hours or more. Motorists should seek an alternate route.

For more information, visit www.modot.org and view the online Traveler Information Map. The Traveler Information Map has links to surrounding states’ DOTs, including Kansas. In addition, MoDOT provides updated information on Twitter @MoDOTNorthwest and Facebook at www.facebook.com/MoDOTNWDistrict.

Cold and blustery with wind chill below zero overnight

Posted on

A strong cold front will move through the region this morning leading to strong and gusty winds during the day. The air mass moving into the area will have temperatures in the -5° to -10° range in northern Missouri by late tonight. When combined with winds in the 5 to 10 mph range, wind chill values will approach -25° in parts of northern Missouri. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a temperature rising to near 25 by 9 a.m., then falling to around 15 during the remainder of the day. Wind chill values between zero and 10. Blustery, with a north northwest wind 11 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around -1. Wind chill values between -7 and -12. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light and variable. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 30. Wind chill values between -9 and 1. South southwest wind 7 to 16 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph.

Friday Night: A slight chance of snow after midnight. Increasing clouds, with a low around 14. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday: A slight chance of snow before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 33. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 35.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Monday: Snow likely before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 7. Blustery.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 18.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 3.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near 15.

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File