By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

Water releases from Missouri River upstream dams will be increased as runoff from heavy rain and northern snowmelt pour more water into the Missouri River Basin.

Chief of Missouri River Water Management John Remus with the Army Corps of Engineers Northwest Division says the Corps plans to increase water releases from Gavins Point Dam from 65,000 cubic feet per second to 70,000 today.

“Just about every time it rains, we see a significant increase in the runoff. It just is not prudent to run these reservoirs all the way to the top and give us zero flexibility to manage runoff events,” Remus tells a Corps of Engineers conference call.

Remus says that if the Corps doesn’t increase runoffs now, future runoffs would be even more destructive to flooded areas downstream. The Corps had increased releases from Gavins Point to 60,000, then increased it to 65,000. Remus holds out the possibility that an increase to 70,000 today won’t be enough to handle the influx of water into the six upstream Missouri River dams.

The Corps says rainfall over much of Nebraska, South Dakota, and central North Dakota has been 200 to 600% of normal the past few days. The continued rain has led to higher inflows at Oahe, Big Bend, Fort Randall, and Gavins Point Dams.

The increase comes as northwest Missouri battles renewed flooding. The extra water being poured into the system will add to the pressure on a Missouri River Basin levee system saturated. Many levees are broken.

Chief of Emergency Management Jud Kneuvean with the Corps’ Kansas City District admits he worries how the increased releases will impact dams already straining under the pressure of floodwaters.

“But the answer is ‘Yes.’ We are constantly evaluating that and constantly concerned that the levee systems won’t be able to take anything else,” Kneuvean says.

Kneuvean notes the levee system has had to hold up under flood conditions since mid-March. Kneuvean says, overall, the federal levee system is performing well. Other private levees have been failing up and down the Missouri River.

By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

Missouri might soon not require adult motorcycle riders to wear helmets.

The legislature repealed the mandatory motorcycle helmet law for those 18 and older who carry qualifying medical insurance. Those younger than 18 would still be required to wear helmets.

The legislation now goes to the desk of Gov. Mike Parson for his signature. Parson supported repeal as a member of the legislature.

St. Joseph Safety and Health Council Executive Director Sheldon Lyon declines to comment directly on the General Assembly’s action, but does say it’s only smart for motorcyclists, riding a vehicle with a small silhouette, to wear protective gear.

“It’s harder for operators of a motor vehicle, like a car, to see a motorcycle,” Lyon tells St. Joseph Post. “So, anytime you’re in a vehicle like that you want to protect yourself and that includes riding gear:  your boots, your gloves, goggles, helmet.  All of those things are important to keep yourself safe while you’re enjoying your motorcycle.”

Missouri is in the minority among states. Only 19 states, plus the District of Columbia, mandate the wearing of motorcycle helmets, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Lyon says whether the mandatory motorcycle helmet law is repealed or not, the council will continue to advocate for the wearing of motorcycle helmets.

“I understand the fact that there is a feeling of freedom when you ride the motorcycle and, for some, they’re very much opposed to the helmet law,” Lyon says. “I think, as an advocate for highway safety, we know those helmets save lives and so, I think, with the repeal of the helmet law, you’re going to see the number of brain injuries increase.”

Legislators opposed to the change warn repeal will lead to more deaths and serious injuries on Missouri roadways. Repeal has been before the General Assembly for years. In 2009, lawmakers passed a mandatory motorcycle helmet repeal law, but couldn’t overcome a veto by Gov. Jay Nixon.

Click here to read about Senate Bill 147, the motorcycle helmet repeal law.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

UPDATE:  I-29 has closed again, due to flooding in southwest Iowa. Click here for our latest story.

 

With floodwaters receding Wednesday morning, Interstate 29 is back open north of St. Joseph.

The Missouri Department of Transportation posted on Twitter that as of 8:50 Wednesday morning, I-29 between St. Joseph and the Iowa state line is back open. The road was closed late Tuesday night at U.S. Route 71 due to water over the road on U.S. Route 59 in Mound City.

MoDOT said many areas across northwest Missouri are still flooded and motorists should check http://traveler.modot.org  before traveling.

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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Interstate 29 is once again closed at U.S. Route 71 (mile marker 57) due to flooding in Missouri.

According to a press release from the Missouri Department of Transportation Tuesday night, water is over the road on U.S. Route 59 in Mound City and has begun to go over I-29 near mile marker 85. MoDOT is working closely with the Missouri State Highway Patrol to reroute travelers.

I-29 detour information:

• Kansas City area thru traffic – use I-35 to Iowa
• St. Joseph area thru traffic – use U.S. Route 71 north
• Local traffic is able to utilize I-29 to reach their homes and businesses by either going north on U.S. Route 71 and west on U.S. Route 59 or northbound I-229 to northbound I-29.

For the most up-to-date information on this flooding event, go to modot.org/2019-northwest-missouri-flooding.

MoDOT is urging everyone to closely monitor conditions in their area, heed all evacuation notices, and never enter a water-covered roadway or drive around barricades. Just a few inches of flood waters can force a vehicle off the roadway. In addition, it is not uncommon for roadways and shoulders to be damaged when flooded, creating unsafe conditions for motorists.

If you come upon a flooded roadway without barricades, do NOT drive through the water. Pull over to a safe location and call the MoDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service line at 888 ASK MODOT (1-888-275-6636) to report it.

By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

A veteran United States Senator says farmers deserve a trade deal with China and urges the Trump Administration to get back to the negotiating table.

Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas is the chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. He says farmers deserve trade negotiations with China to continue.

“I mean our farmers and ranchers and growers all across this country deserve that,” Roberts tells KFEQ Farm Director Melissa Gregory in a sit-down interview. “We do not deserve being used as a pawn with regards to the discussion between China and the United States or for that matter any country where we have a tariff. You impose a tariff, you immediately have tariff retaliation. Agriculture is the top target and, boom, there you go.”

Roberts says agriculture wants a consistent and predictable trade policy. He says trade with China could greatly increase commodity prices across the board.

Roberts is urging the Trump Administration to get back to the negotiating table with China. Roberts says the suggestion by some to increase federal aid to offset farm trade losses is misguided.

“I don’t think we can make up with regards to price recovery,” Roberts says. “That’s a noble goal. It’s something we’ll take a look at always, but that’s not going to make up the difference with regards to what farmers have experienced,”

Roberts says increased trade with China, and its population of 1.4 billion people, would make a huge difference for American agriculture, boosting commodity prices across the board.

Robert is not pleased that the two sides broke off talks.

“I’ve been somewhat critical with regards to what is going on now, but in terms of the China situation, that could really make the difference,” according to Roberts. “It could be a giant step toward that goal. It would make a difference with virtually every commodity that we have.”

 

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The following is a list of general highway maintenance and construction work the Missouri Department of Transportation has planned in the Northwest Missouri region for the week of May 27 – June 2.

MoDOT will halt temporary lane closures throughout the state to accommodate an increase in traffic due to the Memorial Day holiday. Most temporary lane closures stopped at noon on Friday, May 24, and will resume Tuesday morning, May 28. Some long-term closures and head-to-head traffic will remain in place.

Continued flooding may cause schedule changes in some of the planned work. There may also be moving operations throughout the region such as pothole patching, striping, signal work, etc., in addition to the work mentioned below.

All work is weather permitting and subject to change.

Andrew County

Route O – CLOSED at the Platte River Bridge for a bridge replacement project. The bridge will be closed through the end of September. More info: modot.org/route-o-platte-river-bridge-replacement.

Interstate 29 – Bridge joint repair at the Nodaway River Bridge, May 27 – June 2. A 12-foot width restriction is in place.

Business U.S. 71 – Resurfacing project from Main Street in Savannah to just south of Interstate 29, May 28 – 31. One lane, each direction, will remain open at all times. A 14-foot width restriction is in place.

Atchison County

Route J – CLOSED at the Tarkio River Bridge for a bridge replacement project through the end of August. More info: modot.org/atchison-route-j-tarkio-river-bridge-replacement.

Route PP – CLOSED until further notice due to a damaged culvert under the roadway.

U.S. Route 136 – CLOSED for a culvert replacement from Route YY to Route M, May 28, 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

U.S. Route 136 – Pothole patching from I-29 to Route M, May 28 – 31

Buchanan County

U.S. Route 36 – CLOSED at the ramp from eastbound U.S. Route 36 to Route 759 through the end of June.

U.S. Route 59 – Shoulder work from Route FF to 0.5 miles north of Route O, May 28

Caldwell County

U.S. Route 36 – Pavement repair from Route A to Route 13, May 28 – 31

Carroll County

Route C – CLOSED until further notice at the Branch of Turkey Creek Bridge due to damage from flooding.

Chariton County

U.S. Route 24 – Bridge maintenance at the Long Creek Bridge and Chariton River Bridge near Keytesville. The bridges will be narrowed to one lane with a 15-foot width restriction through May 31.

Route 5 – Resurfacing project from the city limits of Marceline to the city limits of Keytesville, May 28 – 31. This includes a 10-foot width restriction.

Route YY – CLOSED for a culvert replacement 750 feet west of Pershing Road, May 30, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Clinton County

U.S. Route 69 – CLOSED for bridge rehabilitation at the I-35 overpass through early June. More info: modot.org/clinton-and-daviess-county-bridge-deck-replacements.

U.S. Route 69 – Pavement repair south of Route 116 for one mile, May 28 – 31

Route 116 – Pavement repair at Route C, May 28 – 31

Daviess County

Route KK – CLOSED for bridge rehabilitation at the I-35 overpass through mid-July. More info: modot.org/clinton-and-daviess-county-bridge-deck-replacements.

I-35 – Bridge maintenance at the Grand River Bridge and the Grand River Overflow Bridge, May 28 – 31. A 16-foot width restriction is in place.

DeKalb County

U.S. Route 169 – CLOSED at the Third Fork Platte River Bridge for a bridge replacement project through the early July. Detour along Routes 48 and M. More info: modot.org/third-fork-platte-river-bridge.

Route EE – Chip seal project from U.S. Route 69 to Route 6, May 28 – 31. A flagger will direct motorists through the work zone.

Grundy County

Route 146 – CLOSED for a culvert replacement 100 feet west of Route CC, May 28, 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Harrison County

I-35 – Resurfacing project from Eagleville to the Iowa state line, May 28 – 31. A 14-foot width restriction is in place.

I-35 – Pavement repair from Route N in Eagleville to Route 136 in Bethany, May 28 – 31. A 16-foot width restriction is in place.

Route N – Joint and pavement repair at the I-35 overpass, May 28 – 31

Holt County

Route D – Pothole patching from Route 113 to Route C, May 28 – 29

Route B – Pothole patching from Route 120 to Route H, May 30

Route H – Pothole patching, May 31

Linn County

Route WW – Pothole patching from Route 5 to the Macon County line, May 28

Route U – Pothole patching from U.S. Route 36 to Route 129, May 29 – 31

Livingston County

Route C – CLOSED for bridge maintenance at the Shoal Creek Drain Bridge through late June. The bridge was closed after flooding damage.

Mercer County

Route 145 – CLOSED until further notice due to culvert damage from Route B to U.S. Route 136.

Nodaway County

Route 148 – Resurfacing project from the Iowa state line to U.S. Route 71 near Maryville, May 29 – 31. A 12-foot width restriction is in place.

Route V – Shoulder work, May 28

Route JJ – CLOSED for a culvert replacement from U.S. Route 71 to Fairway Road, May 29, 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Route ZZ – Pothole patching, May 29 – 30

Putnam County

U.S. Route 136 – Scrub seal project from the city limits of Mount Moriah to Route FF, May 28 – 30. This includes a 12-foot width restriction with a pilot car directing traffic through the work zone.

Route W – CLOSED for a culvert replacement from Route 149 to Route FF, May 28, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sullivan County

Route PP – CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE at the East Medicine Creek Bridge after a regularly scheduled inspection revealed critical deterioration to the structure. The bridge is currently scheduled for replacement in fiscal year 2020. More info: modot.org/sullivan-county-route-pp-east-medicine-creek-bridge.

Route 139 – Intersection and sidewalk improvements through Newtown beginning on the south end of town working north (east side of road) then south (west side of road), May 28 – 31. More info: modot.org/route-139-newtown-ada-improvement.

Route BB – CLOSED for a bridge deck replacement project at the Rooks Branch Bridge through mid-June.

Route ZZ – CLOSED for a bridge replacement project at the West Fork Locust Creek near Harris through mid-July.

Route 6 – CLOSED for a bridge replacement project at the West Locust Creek Bridge, east of Humpreys, and West Yellow Creek Bridge, east of Milan, through late August. More info: modot.org/route-6-bridge-replacements-near-milan.

Worth County

Route YY – CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE at the Middle Fork of the Grand River after a regularly scheduled inspection revealed critical deterioration to the structure. The bridge is currently scheduled for replacement in fiscal year 2021. More info: modot.org/worth-county-route-yy-bridge-replacement.

Route H – Shoulder work 0.5 miles north of Route 246, May 28

Route 46 – Pothole patching, May 29 – 30

Route 1 – Shoulder work one mile north of Route 46, May 31

Starting next week, a section of Northwest Parkway will be closed to traffic for roadway repairs.

According to a press release from the City of St. Joseph, Northwest Parkway, between Karnes Road and St. Joseph Avenue will be closed for approximately 3 to 4 weeks, dependent on weather.

For motorists heading west on Northwest Parkway, the detour will go left on Ferndale Avenue to Randolph Street, right on Randolph Street to St. Joseph Avenue, then right on St. Joseph Avenue. Motorists heading east will take Randolph Street off St. Joseph Avenue, and then turn left onto Ferndale Avenue to Northwest Parkway.

The St. Joseph School District recently launched the first steps of its Master Facilities Plan process.

The plan process includes taking a look at school district buildings, systems and more.

Superintendent of Schools Doug Van Zyl said the process began last fall when the Board of Education hired an architectural group, along with a demographic team to do studies.

“(They have) been walking through our facilities, taking a look at what we have, what issues and concerns are there, taking a look at capacities and system’s determined age and just concerns and items in those areas,” Van Zyl said. “Then the demographics team gathered all the information to take a look at growth, projections of growth or decline of growth, where populations within our community are moving or leaving.”

Information from the studies will be presented at the next board meeting.

Van Zyl said as part of community engagement in the Master Facilities Plan process, there will be opportunities for public input through surveys and more. The first introductory survey was posted this week.

“Some background about, who you are in the district, your involvement, do you have kids, do you not have kids and then just some general thoughts in that first survey,” Van Zyl said. “More in-depth surveys will come out probably about specifics as we continue to go forward, but we wanted to at least start the process… and we’ll continue to communicate that as it goes forward so they can see how easy it is to share their input and be involved so that we can get a lot of engagement.”

Van Zyl said schools are the backbone of the community, which is why it’s important to have public input with the process.

“To have high-quality public schools within your community, I think, benefits everybody as a whole from property values to attracting businesses, to having high-quality people enter the workforce, school districts help the community thrive and grow,” Van Zyl said.

For more information and a link to the survey, go to sjsdfacilities.org.