Sedalia, MO – Fairgoers can enter the Missouri State Fair for up to half-off the regular gate admission price, while donating to those in need and raising awareness of hunger, through the second annual Missouri Farmers Care Food Drive.

“With this food drive, fairgoers can help Missourians in need while getting a great deal on Fair admission,” said Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe.

For every can of food brought to Centennial Gate from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 14, fairgoers will receive $1 off gate admission. Adults may redeem up to four items for $4 savings, seniors may redeem up to three items for $3 savings and children may redeem one item for $1 savings.

Coupons for the food drive promotion are available through today at participating Missouri Ford dealerships. Canned items collected at dealerships through the summer-long campaign, and at the Fair’s gate Tuesday will go to the Missouri Food Bank Association (MFBA).

Fairgoers to the Agriculture Building this year will also see an exhibit made of nearly 7,000 canned goods. The Canstruction project is a full-size replica of a Ford Super Duty F-250, serving as a reminder to help others in our communities. These cans, donated by Bings Grocery Stores of Sedalia, will also be given to the MFBA.

A new cultural heritage event will also be included in Tuesday’s activities, coordinated by the Missouri Travel Council (MTC). In recognition of MTC’s 50th anniversary, communities from across Missouri have been invited to share their unique cultural heritage from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Assembly Hall.

Authorities have released the name of an Iowa man who was killed in a car crash after a string of burglaries and vehicle thefts Monday.

But they still have not determined what motivated the man to break into at least two homes and steal at least five vehicles.

Authorities say he died in the crash of one of those vehicles.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports Randy Hartline, 27, of Council Bluffs, Iowa was killed in a head-on collision on Missouri Route-92 just before three p.m.

Investigators believe Hartline stole a car in Council Bluffs, two in St Joseph, and two in the Platte City area.

The crash on Route-92 also claimed the life of another driver. Traffic investigators believe Antwinette Holtsclaw, 54, was trying to pass another motorist when Hartline crested a hill in oncoming traffic. Hartline lost control of the stolen 2003 Buick two-tenths of a mile west of Ode Road, and crashed into Holtsclaw’s KIA.

Three out of 10 Missourians are obese.  The federal Centers for Disease Control says that puts us in the top 12 states for obesity rates.  The other fat states are Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia.

The leanest state is Colorado with an obesity rate of just under 21 percent.

A police chase ended after the suspect caused a fatal accident in Platte County.

The suspect was fleeing from law enforcement when he crashed in traffic along Highway 92 near Tracy.

The suspect was flown to a Kansas City area hospital with life threatening injuries.  Authorities later said the suspect died after the accident. The driver of the other vehicle in the head-on crash died.

The pursuit started when the suspect allegedly stole multiple cars in the St Joseph area. He was chased by State Troopers on Interstate 29 but managed to get away. The vehicle he was driving was found abandoned and in the same area, a carjacking was reported.

The vehicle involved in the carjacking was later spotted and pursued by police.  Police were following the vehicle when in crashed head-on near Tracy.

The suspects identification has not been released.

Missouri Western’s “Pass the Power Adult Literacy” program is looking for volunteers to tutor individuals and facilitate small gropups of people learning English. Training courses for volunteers will begin later this month.

“Over the past year Pass the Power Adult Literacy has experienced an increased need for volunteers,” said Deborah Ellsworth, Pass the Power program director.

“Becoming a tutor means so much more than helping an adult learner improve his or her reading skills. It is about helping to change a life when a student gets a better job, registers to vote, obtains a library card, helps a child with homework for the first time, or does one of a hundred other things that you might take for granted each day.”

All volunteers are provided 12 hours of pre-service training prior to placement with adult learners. This training provides information on Pass the Power and the commitment and responsibilities tutors assume.

Instructional methods and techniques will be reviewed along with information on the principles of reading and language acquisition. The training is provided at no cost to the volunteer.

Anyone fluent in English can become a tutor if they have a high school diploma or GED. Tutors come from all walks of life and share a common desire to help someone.

The first fall training session starts on Thursday, Aug. 23. Daytime and weekend sessions are available. For more information on becoming a Pass the Power literacy tutor, please call 816-271-4113 or come by the office at 620 Francis, Suite 212, in downtown St. Joseph. The office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Volunteer applications are also available online at www.wi.missouriwestern.edu/outreach/passthepower.

Sedalia, MO – Miss Emily Wood of Palmyra was crowned the 2012 Missouri State Fair Queen Aug. 10, in the 3 p.m. coronation service in the Mathewson Exhibition Center. Miss Wood will reign over the remaining State Fair events and be an ambassador for the Missouri State Fair and agriculture throughout the coming year.

Contestants vying for the crown were judged in multiple areas including interviews, speech and talent and evening gown. Miss Wood received the highest score out of 54 contestants in the talent competition with her clogging performance, and was crowned by the 2011 Missouri State Fair Queen, Meredith Jones, of Dawn.

Miss Wood is the reigning Miss Marion County, and is the daughter of Gary Wood and Sheri Wood.

“I was so nervous to hear all the ties that we had, but it really just shows how much talent we had at the Queen Contest,” said Miss Wood. “I am so honored to be the 2012 Missouri State Fair Queen.”

Miss Wood, age 19, studies nursing at Moberly Area Community College. As queen, she will receive a $1,500 scholarship to continue her education.

Trina Stumpe, Miss Meramec Community Fair, received first runner-up and a $500 scholarship. Second runner-up went to Miss Columbia FFA, Amy Wilsdorf, who will receive a $250 scholarship.

The third runner-up was Miss Shelby County, Ashley Coe, who will receive a $200 scholarship. The fourth runner-up was Miss Mizzou Collegiate 4-H, Taylor Bryant, who will receive a $100 scholarship.

Recognition certificates went to contestants ranking highest in each of the four competitive categories. Trina Stumpe was the top ranking contestant in both the Speech and Interview categories. Loryn Hirst, Miss Tipton Fair, ranked highest in the Evening Gown category.

Four new businesses will be added to the lineup at the East Hills Shopping Center.

According to an announcement Friday, Charlotte Russe, Best Buy Mobile, and Bag Habit will soon open in the mall, and AT&T will relocate there. Golden Corral is under construction next to the Texas Roadhouse in the lot at East Hills.

Construction on Charlotte Russe is in its final stages. Charlotte Russe, a fashion forward women’s clothing store plans to open on August 17th. The store is located between Lady Footlocker and Champs.

Best Buy Mobile is a cellular phone store that offers phones, networks and specialized advice for their customers. Best Buy Mobile is scheduled to open in mid-September next to Foot Locker.

Bag Habit, a locally owned and operated women’s handbag and clothing boutique, opened August 3rd in the space between Visionworks and Foot Locker. The boutique offers embellished jeans and other women’s apparel, purses, wallets and more.

AT&T plans to relocate to an in-line store, located next to Champs this fall.

Golden Corral has also started construction. The new restaurant that prides itself in having an endless buffet will be located on the Belt Highway south of Texas Roadhouse. The opening is scheduled for a late fall to early winter.