ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Traffic will be narrowed on a section of U.S. Route 36 between Route AC (Riverside Road) and Interstate 29 this week.

Crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation will mill off the old roadway surface of the inside shoulder of westbound U.S. Route 36 beginning Monday. They plan to work between 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20, through Thursday, Aug. 23.  At least one lane of westbound U.S. Route 36 will remain open during the work. Motorists may want to use an alternate route to avoid delays and congestion.

For more information call 1-888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636) or visit modot.org/northwest.

An opportunity to get an inside look at the Missouri State Highway Patrol will be offered starting in September.

Highway Patrol Troop H will be holding a Community Alliance Program at the Troop H Headquarters in St. Joseph.

“A lot of people see the Highway Patrol and they think we’re just that vehicle they see out on the roadway that pulls you over for speeding and writes you a ticket,” Sgt. Jake Angle with Troop H said. “We’re a lot more than that, we’re a multi-faceted agency, we’re involved in a lot of things and we’re a full service agency to the citizens of the state of Missouri. We hold these programs for an opportunity for people to be able to see exactly what we do and show them really what the Highway Patrol is all about.”

Angle said the hands-on program will include the Patrol K9, the Marine Division, simulated traffic stops and more.

“It’s a fun time, it’s a really informative time, people get an opportunity to get questions answered,” Angle said.

The classes will meet from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays starting September 18th. The program will conclude with an awards banquet on Tuesday, October 16th. The Highway Patrol is accepting applications for the free Community Alliance Program through August 31st. Twenty participants will be selected based on a first-come, first-serve basis. Selection includes an evaluation of an application and a criminal record check.

The program is geared toward citizens ages 21 and older. The Highway Patrol offers a similar program for students every other year.

For more information, contact Highway Patrol Troop H at (816) 387-2345.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Beginning Monday, Missouri Department of Transportation crews will close the Interstate 229 “Double-Decker” Bridge for a routine, bi-annual inspection.

For the safety of both motorists and workers the bridge and all ramps will remain closed from Highland Avenue to U.S. Route 36 through Thursday, Aug. 23.

Crews from MoDOT’s Central Office travel around the state conducting in-depth inspections throughout the year. This program of inspection, repair and maintenance of the more than 10,000 bridges across the state ensures the bridges are kept in the best possible condition for as long as possible for those traveling across Missouri’s roadways.

Maintenance crews will also be utilizing the closure to clean drains and make repairs to the bridge deck, joints and roadway signs and lighting. During the closure, motorists will need to use an alternate route.

The bridge inspections and maintenance will be completed prior to the Sound of Speed Airshow weekend Aug. 25 – 26.

Other upcoming bridge inspections scheduled in the area include:

Andrew County:

• Route K bridge over Interstate 229 (no work zone anticipated, but workers will be present)

Holt County:

• Bridges over I-29 on U.S. Route 59, Beagle Road, Elmwood Road, Graystone Road, and Ironwood Road (no work zone anticipated, but workers will be present)

Week of Aug. 27:

Atchison County:

• U.S. Route 136 over the Missouri River (lane closure)

Daviess County:

• Route B bridge over I-35 (no work zone anticipated but workers will be present)

Harrison County

• Bridges over I-35 on Route A, Route N, East 200th Avenue, East 120th Street, East 245th Avenue (no work zone anticipated, but workers will be present)

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

DONIPHAN COUNTY, KAN. —At the request of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the ASPCA^® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) is assisting with evidence collection and the removal of 45 dogs from a property believed associated with dogfighting in the Doniphan County community of Bendena, Kan.

According to a media release from the KBI, a search warrant was executed Thursday morning by law enforcement where ASPCA responders discovered adult dogs and puppies living in deplorable conditions throughout the property. Some dogs appeared to exhibit scars and injuries commonly associated with dogfighting. Dogfighting paraphernalia was also discovered on the property.

Following execution of the search warrant, Colton R. Albright, 28, of Bendena, was arrested for 42 counts of dogfighting, four counts of possession of dogfighting paraphernalia, one count of animal cruelty, one count of possession of marijuana with the intent to sell, one count of felony drug paraphernalia, one count of criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, two counts of criminal possession of a firearm less than 18 inches, and a drug tax stamp violation. Albright was transported to the Doniphan County Jail.

“We are extremely thankful that the ASPCA was willing to partner with us in this investigation. Their responders are best equipped to ensure these animals receive the treatment and care they require,” said Melissa Underwood, spokeswoman for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

“Sadly, dogfighting is more prevalent than many people think and it continues to be a popular underground activity throughout the country,” added Joel Lopez, Operations Director for the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team. “The ASPCA is grateful for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for working with us to tackle this horrific form of animal abuse. Our immediate goal is to transport these dogs to a safe place where they will receive much-needed care and treatment.”

The dogs will be transported to an ASPCA temporary shelter at an undisclosed location, where they will be cared for by ASPCA veterinary and behavior experts until custody is determined by the court. The ASPCA’s Legal Advocacy department will work closely with law enforcement and prosecutors to ensure the best outcome for these animals.

The Great Plains SPCA and the Doniphan County Sheriff’s Office are also assisting in the case.

Students headed back to school Thursday morning in St. Joseph and some Edison Elementary students traveled to class via the “walking school bus.”

“It’s like a normal school bus, but we walk around a designated area and we pick up kids on the corner or if it happens to be right in front of their house we’ll stop and pick them up as well,” Sam Donahoo, Walking School Bus Volunteer Coordinator said. “We do this because we have a different capacity, I think Edison only runs two school buses because you have to be outside of a mile of the school to be able to get to school on a bus and we have a ton of kids who live within that mile radius. So you’re young and you’re walking to school and we have fast streets like Faraon, Jules, 22nd… so this was designed to help get them to school safely.”

Donahoo said this year there are 21 regular volunteers which is up from 10 volunteers the first year. The goal is to soon have enough volunteers for another route on the west side of 22nd Street.

“It’s 7:45 until 8:30 in the morning, because after we get the kids here, we go downstairs and eat breakfast with them just to continue to build a relationship so they have an adult who is checking in on them, how are things going,” Donahoo said.

Anyone interested in volunteering can fill out an application by clicking here.

Thursday also marked the start of new Superintendent Dr. Doug Van Zyl’s first school year with the St. Joseph School District. Van Zyl joined the group of volunteers and students Thursday morning on the walking school bus route.

“Seems like there’s a lot of excitement in the air and kids are maybe a little sluggish trying to get off of their summer vacation but… once we get them in school and they see the excitement from the adults, we should be good to go,” Van Zyl said. “(I’m) probably just as excited as the kids, the first day of school is always an exciting thing for educators to be able to have that first opportunity to work with families and the kids and start off our school year the very best that we can.”

Dr. Van Zyl was named superintendent in February and his first day was July 2nd.

With many schools back in session this week, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is reminding motorists and students to be alert on the road and around buses.

Highway Patrol Troop H Public Information Officer Sgt. Jake Angle said everyone needs to get back into “school mode.”

“Kids, parents, people out there driving on the roadways, because, obviously we’re going to have newer, younger drivers out there again going back and forth to school, we’re going to have kids on bicycles riding to school, walking near the roadway, things like that,” Angle said. “Everybody just needs to be aware of their surroundings… and if everybody takes their time, slows down, pays attention, you’re going to have a safe school year.”

With school being back, buses will also be on the roads. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, in 2017, five people were killed and 401 people were injured in 869 traffic crashes involving school buses. Angle said when motorists see the bus lights come on, it is required by state law to stop while the bus is letting off or taking on students.

“When those lights come on, that stop arm comes out and that stop sign comes out, you are required to stop. It’s not slow down and move over, it’s stop. We have to give those kids and bus drivers plenty of room to get those kids on and off the bus,” Angle said. “Parents need to maybe… talk to the kids about the safe way to get on and off that bus, making eye contact with the bus driver, don’t just go running out into the street, we wait until it’s clear or that bus driver gives them the nod.”

The St. Joseph School District begins classes on Thursday.

A 50-year-old man died Tuesday after becoming pinned between two vehicles.

According to Capt. Jeff Wilson with the St. Joseph Police Department, at 5:44 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to the 2200 block of Oscar Street in reference to a private property incident involving a man pinned between two vehicles. Wilson said the officers discovered the man had become pinned while attempting to pull one of the vehicles out of the mud.

David Welter Jr. was taken to the hospital and was later pronounced deceased as a result of his injuries.

An open house is being held this week to celebrate the completion of the new Fire Station 9 in St. Joseph.

The open house will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday at the fire station located at 3202 Jules Street. Fire crews will conduct tours of the station, and refreshments will be provided. Fire department staff will also be available to answer questions and provide information on the construction of station 9.

According to a press release, funding for the construction of the new fire station was provided through the 2013 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) half-cent sales tax. The contractor for the project was E.L. Crawford, a local contractor who utilized approximately 20 subcontractors from the area during the construction of the station.