ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 11a.m. on Thursday, an officer on patrol stopped a Ford Explorer SUV in the 500 block Green Street in Atchison on a traffic violation, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The officer subsequently determined that the driver identified as 49-year-old Robert “Jamie” Ford of Atchison was driving while suspended. It was also determined that his two passengers 36-year-old Shellene Keil and 36-year-old Melissa Butler both of Atchison had outstanding warrants for their arrests. 

During the investigation at the scene, all three occupants of the vehicle were found to be in possession of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia. They were all three taken to the County Jail.

Shellene D. Keil is being held on requested charges of possession of fentanyl, possession of drug paraphernalia, a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court, and a District Court warrant for a theft that occurred at Stop and Go at 4th and U.S. 59 in September 2023.

Melissa I. Butler is in jail on requested charges of possession of fentanyl, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court.&nbsp;

Robert James Ford remains jailed for driving while suspended, possession of fentanyl, and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715962831390.png" alt="Ford photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Ford photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 11a.m. on Thursday, an officer on patrol stopped a Ford Explorer SUV in the 500 block Green Street in Atchison on a traffic violation, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.The officer subsequently determined that the driver identified as 49-year-old Robert “Jamie” Ford of Atchison was driving while suspended. It was also determined that his two passengers 36-year-old Shellene Keil and 36-year-old Melissa Butler both of Atchison had outstanding warrants for their arrests. During the investigation at the scene, all three occupants of the vehicle were found to be in possession of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia. They were all three taken to the County Jail.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715962916937.png" alt="Keil-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Keil-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Shellene D. Keil is being held on requested charges of possession of fentanyl, possession of drug paraphernalia, a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court, and a District Court warrant for a theft that occurred at Stop and Go at 4th and U.S. 59 in September 2023.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716066095944.png" alt="Butler photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Butler photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Melissa I. Butler is in jail on requested charges of possession of fentanyl, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court.&nbsp;Robert James Ford remains jailed for driving while suspended, possession of fentanyl, and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

Police found 3 with fentanyl during Kansas traffic stop

A Robidoux Middle School math teacher has been arrested, accused of misconduct with a student.

The St. Joseph School District released a statement, reporting that it acted promptly once notificed by an employee of the allegations involving Tim Harding.

"The district is limited in what can be said with respect to personnel matters; therefore, the district is not able to provide additional information at this time," the district said in the written statement.

The district is conducting an investigation and states local authorities are also conducting an investigation, "...due to the serious nature of the allegations." The St. Joseph School District states it has been cooperating fully with the authorities in the investigation.

Robidoux Middle School parents have been notified. Robidoux staff is available for students, especially if they have pertinent information regarding this matter, according to the district.

You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA Robidoux Middle School math teacher has been arrested, accused of misconduct with a student.The St. Joseph School District released a statement, reporting that it acted promptly once notificed by an employee of the allegations involving Tim Harding."The district is limited in what can be said with respect to personnel matters; therefore, the district is not able to provide additional information at this time," the district said in the written statement.The district is conducting an investigation and states local authorities are also conducting an investigation, "...due to the serious nature of the allegations." The St. Joseph School District states it has been cooperating fully with the authorities in the investigation.Robidoux Middle School parents have been notified. Robidoux staff is available for students, especially if they have pertinent information regarding this matter, according to the district.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Robidoux Middle School teacher arrested; accused of misconduct with student

The session had some notable achievements, including a major education bill, but other bills with broad support, such as a ban on child marriage, fell as the factional fighting intensified

By JASON HANCOCK,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

The least productive — and most chaotic — legislative session in living memory came to a close Friday, when the Missouri Senate,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/23/missouri-freedom-caucus-leaders-ousted-from-senate-chairmanships-over-stall-tactics/">mired in factional infighting</a>, threw in the towel eight hours early and the House scrambled to get whatever bills it could salvage across the finish line before the 6 p.m. deadline for adjournment.&nbsp;

In the end, only 28 non-budget bills found success this year. That’s fewer than the previous low-water mark in 2020, when only 31 bills passed because the legislative session was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

“It wasn’t a good session or a bad session,” said Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, an Independent Democrat. “But it was definitely a bizarre session.”&nbsp;

To be sure, some significant legislation found success.&nbsp;

A massive education bill&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-governor-signs-468m-education-bill-that-boosts-teacher-pay-expands-charters/">signed by Gov. Mike Parson</a>&nbsp;expands a tax-credit program for private school tuition and allows charter schools to open for the first time in Boone County. It also pumps millions into raising teacher pay, among other provisions, and is estimated to cost taxpayers $468 million when fully implemented.

A&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=438">public safety bill</a>&nbsp;cleared the legislature Friday that would make changes to the juvenile court system and allow the Missouri Office of Prosecution Services to establish a conviction review unit to investigate claims of actual innocence of any defendant, including those who plead guilty.

The bill also includes “Blair’s Law,” which would ban celebratory gunfire within the limits of a municipality. The law is named after Blair Shanahan Lane, an 11-year-old Kansas City girl killed during Fourth of July celebrations in 2011 by a stray bullet shot into the sky.

After years of unsuccessful efforts to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/10/missouri-planned-parenthood-abortion-medicaid-reimbusements/">make Planned Parenthood ineligible to receive reimbursements from the state’s Medicaid program</a>, the governor signed the bill into law earlier this month.&nbsp;

“For me, the good far outweighs the bad,” said Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, a Columbia Republican, “and I’m walking out of here with my head held high.”&nbsp;

But the legacy of the 2024 legislative session will be the long list of bills that died — and the open GOP warfare that killed many of them.&nbsp;

The first day of the session in January saw a resumption of years of GOP infighting, with the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/03/opening-day-of-missouris-2024-legislative-session-echoes-past-divisions/">Freedom Caucus holding court for more than an hour</a>&nbsp;to vent frustrations with the chamber’s Republican leadership.

That dynamic played out again and again through the session, culminating with a<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/02/freedom-caucus-ends-filibuster-in-missouri-senate-without-action-on-its-demands/">&nbsp;41-hour filibuster earlier this month by Freedom Caucus members</a>&nbsp;that stalled — but did not block — a bill renewing a tax crucial to funding Missouri’s Medicaid program.&nbsp;

The bad blood between the Freedom Caucus and Republicans loyal to Senate leadership boiled over in the session’s final days. Despite holding 24 of 34 seats in the Senate, Republicans could not muster 18 votes to kill a Democratic filibuster of legislation making it harder to amend the Missouri Constitution through the initiative petition process.&nbsp;

Thanks to the impasse, the initiative petition bill — a top GOP priority, seen as a method to undercut a likely November ballot measure enshrining abortion rights in the Constitution —&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/17/missouri-session-initiative-petition-senate/">died on the session’s final day</a>.

“It is a uniparty,” said Sen. Rick Brattin, a Harrisonville Republican and Freedom Caucus member. “That’s what people are fed up and frustrated with, Republicans giving in and caving in. Accepting defeat in the hands of victory, that seems to be the mantra of the Republican Party and brand.”

Rowden said a lot of good work got done this year despite efforts by the Freedom Caucus.&nbsp;

“I make decisions not based on what people are gonna say about those decisions on Twitter,” he said, “but about what is in the best interest of the state and what’s in the best interest of this institution.”

As the House stripped amendments off of Senate bills in order to send them to the governor, Republicans complained about the gridlock that upended the Senate.&nbsp;

Every legislative session is unusual, said House Speaker Dean Plocher, but “this has been a less productive year on the other side of the building.”

But contributing to the chaotic session was Plocher, who spent much of the year under investigation by the House Ethics Committee over a litany of allegations of misconduct. The investigation was ultimately dropped, but not before&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/15/speaker-dean-plocher-accused-of-absolute-obstruction-in-house-ethics-investigation/">Plocher was accused of obstructing the committee’s work and intimidating potential witnesses</a>.&nbsp;

But the drama in the House paled in comparison to the Senate.&nbsp;

State Sen. Bill Eigel, a Weldon Spring Republican, had no remorse about his role in killing a large swath of bills. Out of every 100 bills filed every year, Eigel said, “probably 90 of them need not pass.”

“So a lot of the bad things that didn’t happen this session didn’t happen because of the folks you see standing behind me,” he told reporters at the Freedom Caucus press conference, adding: “How many tax increases and fee increases didn’t happen because some folks were willing to get more aggressive with the folks that are giving up on their principles?”

Time ran out on a lot of bills with wide support from both parties, including an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/13/child-care-tax-credits-senate-parson-freedom-caucus/#:~:text=Her%20bill%20would%20add%20three,to%20%24200%2C000%20in%20tax%20credits.">expansion of child care tax credits</a>&nbsp;that was a big priority of the governor. The legislature also&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/legislation-enacting-total-ban-on-child-marriage-in-missouri-dies-in-the-house/">failed to ban child marriage</a>&nbsp;or end Missouri’s practice of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/29/legislation-aims-to-stop-missouri-from-taking-federal-benefits-owed-to-foster-kids/">taking millions of dollars in Social Security benefits</a>&nbsp;owed to foster kids.&nbsp;

A&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/08/missouri-womens-health-bill-birth-control/">wide-ranging women’s health bill</a>&nbsp;— which includes provisions allowing women on private insurance to pick up an annual supply of contraceptives rather than going to the pharmacy every few months — was also a victim of Senate gridlock.&nbsp;

But the biggest impact of the GOP infighting was likely how much it delayed the state budget process, ultimately resulting in a spending plan most everyone concedes will require lawmakers to return later this year to ensure state agencies don’t run out of money.&nbsp;

Lawmakers cut hundreds of millions of dollars requested by Parson for the three major public welfare agencies, the departments of Social Services, Mental Health and Health and Senior Services. And Charlie Shields, president of the State Board of Education and a former Senate president pro tem,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/14/missouri-education-department-prepares-for-mother-of-all-supplemental-budgets/">this week said</a>&nbsp;he expects “the mother of all supplemental budgets, probably in a special session.”

“We’ll be back when the department’s run out of money,” Rizzo said, “because they will.”

Eigel seemed to predict the drama could resume if the legislature returns to allocate more money.&nbsp;

“We spent billions of dollars in earmarks and the budget that we did just pass. Billions,” he said. “If there was such a need for the basic services of these departments to be funded, maybe we should have cut out some of the fat.”

Three of the five Freedom Caucus members are leaving the Senate after this year due to term limits, and August primaries in those and a handful of other districts will ultimately decide whether the dynamic in the chamber changes.&nbsp;

Rowden, who is also leaving office this year, said he hopes the departures “provides an opportunity for this chamber to kind of recalibrate.”

In the end, the Senate returned for the final day of the legislative session Friday for only 10 minutes before adjourning for the year.&nbsp;

For all intents and purposes, the Senate was done the day before, Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin conceded to reporters. But she didn’t want to end on a sour note — with lawmakers&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/16/missouri-senate-bitterness-halts-action-as-lawmakers-prepare-for-final-day-of-chaotic-session/">taking verbal shots at each other</a>&nbsp;on the chamber’s floor.&nbsp;

“I like all of my colleagues,” she said. “They are all very bright, though difficult to handle sometimes.”&nbsp;

And when the Senate adjourned Friday, “everyone hugged each,” O’Laughlin said. “Bill (Eigel) and I hugged each other.”&nbsp;

Eigel, listening in from the back of the room as O’Laughlin spoke to reporters, shouted out, “Love you, Cindy.”

The Independent’s Rudi Keller contributed to this story.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716043493477.png" alt=" Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, speaks after adjournment Friday morning. He said changes to initiative petition could be passed if the House acts (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, R-Columbia, speaks after adjournment Friday morning. He said changes to initiative petition could be passed if the House acts (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The session had some notable achievements, including a major education bill, but other bills with broad support, such as a ban on child marriage, fell as the factional fighting intensified</h2>By JASON HANCOCK,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>The least productive — and most chaotic — legislative session in living memory came to a close Friday, when the Missouri Senate,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/23/missouri-freedom-caucus-leaders-ousted-from-senate-chairmanships-over-stall-tactics/">mired in factional infighting</a>, threw in the towel eight hours early and the House scrambled to get whatever bills it could salvage across the finish line before the 6 p.m. deadline for adjournment.&nbsp;In the end, only 28 non-budget bills found success this year. That’s fewer than the previous low-water mark in 2020, when only 31 bills passed because the legislative session was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;“It wasn’t a good session or a bad session,” said Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, an Independent Democrat. “But it was definitely a bizarre session.”&nbsp;To be sure, some significant legislation found success.&nbsp;A massive education bill&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-governor-signs-468m-education-bill-that-boosts-teacher-pay-expands-charters/">signed by Gov. Mike Parson</a>&nbsp;expands a tax-credit program for private school tuition and allows charter schools to open for the first time in Boone County. It also pumps millions into raising teacher pay, among other provisions, and is estimated to cost taxpayers $468 million when fully implemented.A&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=438">public safety bill</a>&nbsp;cleared the legislature Friday that would make changes to the juvenile court system and allow the Missouri Office of Prosecution Services to establish a conviction review unit to investigate claims of actual innocence of any defendant, including those who plead guilty.The bill also includes “Blair’s Law,” which would ban celebratory gunfire within the limits of a municipality. The law is named after Blair Shanahan Lane, an 11-year-old Kansas City girl killed during Fourth of July celebrations in 2011 by a stray bullet shot into the sky.After years of unsuccessful efforts to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/10/missouri-planned-parenthood-abortion-medicaid-reimbusements/">make Planned Parenthood ineligible to receive reimbursements from the state’s Medicaid program</a>, the governor signed the bill into law earlier this month.&nbsp;“For me, the good far outweighs the bad,” said Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, a Columbia Republican, “and I’m walking out of here with my head held high.”&nbsp;But the legacy of the 2024 legislative session will be the long list of bills that died — and the open GOP warfare that killed many of them.&nbsp;The first day of the session in January saw a resumption of years of GOP infighting, with the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/03/opening-day-of-missouris-2024-legislative-session-echoes-past-divisions/">Freedom Caucus holding court for more than an hour</a>&nbsp;to vent frustrations with the chamber’s Republican leadership.That dynamic played out again and again through the session, culminating with a<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/02/freedom-caucus-ends-filibuster-in-missouri-senate-without-action-on-its-demands/">&nbsp;41-hour filibuster earlier this month by Freedom Caucus members</a>&nbsp;that stalled — but did not block — a bill renewing a tax crucial to funding Missouri’s Medicaid program.&nbsp;The bad blood between the Freedom Caucus and Republicans loyal to Senate leadership boiled over in the session’s final days. Despite holding 24 of 34 seats in the Senate, Republicans could not muster 18 votes to kill a Democratic filibuster of legislation making it harder to amend the Missouri Constitution through the initiative petition process.&nbsp;Thanks to the impasse, the initiative petition bill — a top GOP priority, seen as a method to undercut a likely November ballot measure enshrining abortion rights in the Constitution —&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/17/missouri-session-initiative-petition-senate/">died on the session’s final day</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716043559954.png" alt=" Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, listens to reporters’ questions following adjournment of the 2024 legislative session Friday (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, listens to reporters’ questions following adjournment of the 2024 legislative session Friday (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>“It is a uniparty,” said Sen. Rick Brattin, a Harrisonville Republican and Freedom Caucus member. “That’s what people are fed up and frustrated with, Republicans giving in and caving in. Accepting defeat in the hands of victory, that seems to be the mantra of the Republican Party and brand.”Rowden said a lot of good work got done this year despite efforts by the Freedom Caucus.&nbsp;“I make decisions not based on what people are gonna say about those decisions on Twitter,” he said, “but about what is in the best interest of the state and what’s in the best interest of this institution.”As the House stripped amendments off of Senate bills in order to send them to the governor, Republicans complained about the gridlock that upended the Senate.&nbsp;Every legislative session is unusual, said House Speaker Dean Plocher, but “this has been a less productive year on the other side of the building.”But contributing to the chaotic session was Plocher, who spent much of the year under investigation by the House Ethics Committee over a litany of allegations of misconduct. The investigation was ultimately dropped, but not before&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/15/speaker-dean-plocher-accused-of-absolute-obstruction-in-house-ethics-investigation/">Plocher was accused of obstructing the committee’s work and intimidating potential witnesses</a>.&nbsp;But the drama in the House paled in comparison to the Senate.&nbsp;State Sen. Bill Eigel, a Weldon Spring Republican, had no remorse about his role in killing a large swath of bills. Out of every 100 bills filed every year, Eigel said, “probably 90 of them need not pass.”“So a lot of the bad things that didn’t happen this session didn’t happen because of the folks you see standing behind me,” he told reporters at the Freedom Caucus press conference, adding: “How many tax increases and fee increases didn’t happen because some folks were willing to get more aggressive with the folks that are giving up on their principles?”Time ran out on a lot of bills with wide support from both parties, including an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/13/child-care-tax-credits-senate-parson-freedom-caucus/#:~:text=Her%20bill%20would%20add%20three,to%20%24200%2C000%20in%20tax%20credits.">expansion of child care tax credits</a>&nbsp;that was a big priority of the governor. The legislature also&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/legislation-enacting-total-ban-on-child-marriage-in-missouri-dies-in-the-house/">failed to ban child marriage</a>&nbsp;or end Missouri’s practice of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/01/29/legislation-aims-to-stop-missouri-from-taking-federal-benefits-owed-to-foster-kids/">taking millions of dollars in Social Security benefits</a>&nbsp;owed to foster kids.&nbsp;A&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/08/missouri-womens-health-bill-birth-control/">wide-ranging women’s health bill</a>&nbsp;— which includes provisions allowing women on private insurance to pick up an annual supply of contraceptives rather than going to the pharmacy every few months — was also a victim of Senate gridlock.&nbsp;But the biggest impact of the GOP infighting was likely how much it delayed the state budget process, ultimately resulting in a spending plan most everyone concedes will require lawmakers to return later this year to ensure state agencies don’t run out of money.&nbsp;Lawmakers cut hundreds of millions of dollars requested by Parson for the three major public welfare agencies, the departments of Social Services, Mental Health and Health and Senior Services. And Charlie Shields, president of the State Board of Education and a former Senate president pro tem,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/14/missouri-education-department-prepares-for-mother-of-all-supplemental-budgets/">this week said</a>&nbsp;he expects “the mother of all supplemental budgets, probably in a special session.”“We’ll be back when the department’s run out of money,” Rizzo said, “because they will.”Eigel seemed to predict the drama could resume if the legislature returns to allocate more money.&nbsp;“We spent billions of dollars in earmarks and the budget that we did just pass. Billions,” he said. “If there was such a need for the basic services of these departments to be funded, maybe we should have cut out some of the fat.”Three of the five Freedom Caucus members are leaving the Senate after this year due to term limits, and August primaries in those and a handful of other districts will ultimately decide whether the dynamic in the chamber changes.&nbsp;Rowden, who is also leaving office this year, said he hopes the departures “provides an opportunity for this chamber to kind of recalibrate.”In the end, the Senate returned for the final day of the legislative session Friday for only 10 minutes before adjourning for the year.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716043604664.png" alt=" Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin, R-Shelbina, hugs Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, after a contentious legislative session Friday. She told reporters she did not always agree with Eigel, but she “loved him.” (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin, R-Shelbina, hugs Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, after a contentious legislative session Friday. She told reporters she did not always agree with Eigel, but she “loved him.” (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>For all intents and purposes, the Senate was done the day before, Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin conceded to reporters. But she didn’t want to end on a sour note — with lawmakers&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/16/missouri-senate-bitterness-halts-action-as-lawmakers-prepare-for-final-day-of-chaotic-session/">taking verbal shots at each other</a>&nbsp;on the chamber’s floor.&nbsp;“I like all of my colleagues,” she said. “They are all very bright, though difficult to handle sometimes.”&nbsp;And when the Senate adjourned Friday, “everyone hugged each,” O’Laughlin said. “Bill (Eigel) and I hugged each other.”&nbsp;Eigel, listening in from the back of the room as O’Laughlin spoke to reporters, shouted out, “Love you, Cindy.”She didn’t miss a beat.“Love you, Bill.”&nbsp;The Independent’s Rudi Keller contributed to this story.

‘A bizarre session’: Mo. lawmakers head home after year defined by gridlock, infighting

DEKALB COUNTY —A Missouri man was injured and then arrested after an accident just before 8p.m. Friday in DeKalb County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Toyota Tacoma driven by Scott C. Wooten, 54, Lathrop, was westbound on U.S. 36 just east of Taylor Road three miles west of Stewartsville.

The pickup traveled off the south side of the road, struck a ditch and overturned.

The patrol arrested Wooten on requested charges of DWI and failure to drive on the right half of the&nbsp; road. He was also not wearing a seat belt, according to the patrol. DeKalb-Clinton ambulance then transported him to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp;

DEKALB COUNTY —A Missouri man was injured and then arrested after an accident just before 8p.m. Friday in DeKalb County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Toyota Tacoma driven by Scott C. Wooten, 54, Lathrop, was westbound on U.S. 36 just east of Taylor Road three miles west of Stewartsville.The pickup traveled off the south side of the road, struck a ditch and overturned.The patrol arrested Wooten on requested charges of DWI and failure to drive on the right half of the&nbsp; road. He was also not wearing a seat belt, according to the patrol. DeKalb-Clinton ambulance then transported him to Mosaic Life Care.&nbsp;

Mo. man accused of DWI, hospitalized after pickup overturns

ANDREW COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Friday in Andrew County.&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp; 2020 Buick Enclave driven by Lee R. Sailor, 69, Washburn, North Dakota, was northbound on Interstate 29 three miles east of Amazonia.

The SUV rear-ended a 2023 Subaru Forester driven by Todd A. Bierman, 59, Republic, who had slowed for debris in the road.

Buchanan County ambulance transported a passenger in the Buick Coleen R. Sailor, 74, Washburn, North Dakota, to Mosaic Life Care. The drivers were not injured.&nbsp; All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

ANDREW COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Friday in Andrew County.&nbsp;The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp; 2020 Buick Enclave driven by Lee R. Sailor, 69, Washburn, North Dakota, was northbound on Interstate 29 three miles east of Amazonia.The SUV rear-ended a 2023 Subaru Forester driven by Todd A. Bierman, 59, Republic, who had slowed for debris in the road.Buchanan County ambulance transported a passenger in the Buick Coleen R. Sailor, 74, Washburn, North Dakota, to Mosaic Life Care. The drivers were not injured.&nbsp; All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Woman hospitalized after Andrew Co. rear-end crash

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations.

On the afternoon of September 1, 2023 officers responded to an accident in the 800 block South 5th Street in Atchison where a Dodge Charger passenger car driven by 22-year-old Quinn Gamino of Horton had struck a parked vehicle, according to police Chief Mike Wilson.

While officers were investigating the traffic accident they discovered controlled substances that included hundreds of pills, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. 

A subsequent lab analysis of the seized pills determined the presence of fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl. 

On May 16, Gamino turned himself in at the Atchison County Jail for a District Court warrant for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no valid driver’s license. He is no longer in custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715975928010.png" alt="Gamino photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Gamino photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations.On the afternoon of September 1, 2023 officers responded to an accident in the 800 block South 5th Street in Atchison where a Dodge Charger passenger car driven by 22-year-old Quinn Gamino of Horton had struck a parked vehicle, according to police Chief Mike Wilson.While officers were investigating the traffic accident they discovered controlled substances that included hundreds of pills, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. A subsequent lab analysis of the seized pills determined the presence of fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl. On May 16, Gamino turned himself in at the Atchison County Jail for a District Court warrant for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no valid driver’s license. He is no longer in custody.

Police discover fentanyl pills in car after Kansas crash

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Friday in Livingston County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Chevy Silverado driven by a 16-year-old Chillicothe boy was eastbound on LIV 256 one half mile west of Chillicothe.

The driver lost control on loose gravel. The pickup traveled off the right side of the road&nbsp; and overturned.

Chillicothe transported the boy to Hedrick Medical Center. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Friday in Livingston County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Chevy Silverado driven by a 16-year-old Chillicothe boy was eastbound on LIV 256 one half mile west of Chillicothe.The driver lost control on loose gravel. The pickup traveled off the right side of the road&nbsp; and overturned.Chillicothe transported the boy to Hedrick Medical Center. He was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri teen injured after pickup overturns

A state budget passed by the Missouri Legislature contains funding for needed improvements at Rosecrans Memorial Airport 

Seven million dollars is designated at Rosecrans for an airplane maintenance hangar, to help ensure the Air National Guard's 139th Airlift Group can get the new modern J model planes 

St. Joseph City Manager Bryan Carter says the current hangar is technically large enough to fit the J model, but it does not meet federal standards. 

"So one of the pieces that we can do to improve our position for that J Model is to have a hangar facility that meets those required specs and really in a way kind of checks that extra box on the scoresheet that would be used for the C-130 J's," Carter tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.  

The budget also designates four million dollars in funding to move the fuel farm from the north end, where the 139th has moved, to a more accessible area for other planes 

Carter says the new hanger is crucial to help qualify the 139th for new C-130 J model planes 

"The C-130 Js are going through that allocation process, they use all kinds of criteria that they look at and determine what site is going to be the best equipped to upgrade from the C-130 H to the C-130 J," Carter explains. "And one of the boxes we don't check right now is that technically large enough hangar." 

The state budget is awaiting approval from Governor Mike Parson.

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709833598050.jpeg" alt="Rosecrans Memorial Airport/ file photo" />
 <figcaption>Rosecrans Memorial Airport/ file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A state budget passed by the Missouri Legislature contains funding for needed improvements at Rosecrans Memorial Airport Seven million dollars is designated at Rosecrans for an airplane maintenance hangar, to help ensure the Air National Guard's 139th Airlift Group can get the new modern J model planes St. Joseph City Manager Bryan Carter says the current hangar is technically large enough to fit the J model, but it does not meet federal standards. "So one of the pieces that we can do to improve our position for that J Model is to have a hangar facility that meets those required specs and really in a way kind of checks that extra box on the scoresheet that would be used for the C-130 J's," Carter tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. The budget also designates four million dollars in funding to move the fuel farm from the north end, where the 139th has moved, to a more accessible area for other planes Carter says the new hanger is crucial to help qualify the 139th for new C-130 J model planes "The C-130 Js are going through that allocation process, they use all kinds of criteria that they look at and determine what site is going to be the best equipped to upgrade from the C-130 H to the C-130 J," Carter explains. "And one of the boxes we don't check right now is that technically large enough hangar." The state budget is awaiting approval from Governor Mike Parson.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

State budget funds designated to help with improvements at Rosecrans Memorial Airport

It has been losing parishioners for years, but long-time
members of Seven Dolors Catholic Church never thought they’d see it close.

Seven Dolors, founded in 1870 and located just east of St.
Joseph, celebrates its final mass Sunday.

Wayne Reardon was baptized at Seven Dolors, and now at the age
of 96, says seven generations of his family have attended the church. 

“Means a lot. I grew up here. I was in this territory for all
my life, really,” Reardon tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post during a visit to Seven
Dolors. “I hate to see it close.”

A lot of emotions run through Reardon as the final mass
approaches.

“You know, I just never ever thought of this church closing,”
Reardon says. “We lost a lot of our parishioners, especially the younger ones.”

Seven Dolors, known formally as the Church of our Mother of
Sorrows Seven Dolors Catholic Church, is one of four small, rural northwest
Missouri Catholic churches closing and merging with other parishes due to a steady drop in attendance over the years. Seven
Dolors will merge with St. Joseph’s Parish in Easton.

Missouri of St. Benedict in Burlington Junction has merged
with St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Tarkio. Mission of Immaculate Heart of Mary
in Princeton soon merges with St. Joseph Parish in Trenton. Mission of St.
Aloysius in Maysville will merge with St. Munchin Parish in Cameron.

Seven Dolors anchored a community in Hurlingen. German/Irish
immigrants planted the church in 1870 on two acres donated by Joseph Wiedmaier.
Soon, a school would be erected. A small store sold general goods to area
residents. Reardon says neighbors helped neighbors butchering hogs, threshing
grain, building barns. Seven Dolors at one time held three weekend masses, one on Saturday and two on Sunday that drew approximately 300. Only about 25 to 30 regularly attend the early Sunday morning mass now.

The annual Seven Dolors picnic on the last Sunday in July drew
hundreds to the small church. It ended in 2016 when the work became too much
for a parish with dwindling population.

Wayne’s son, Steven Reardon, now lives in Cameron, but was
raised at Seven Dolors and says the pending closing of the church elicits a lot
of emotions.

“Sad, but it was expected. I was not surprised. You look at
some of these churches, like Princeton and other areas that are closing, they’re
going to drive a tremendous distance to try to get to another Catholic church,”
Reardon explains. “We are pretty lucky to be close to St. Joe, Guadalupe (Our
Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church). Actually, it’s going to be easier for us than
many of the other rural communities.”

Steven Reardon says while he is sad to hear of its closing,
there is a sense of inevitability to the decision to close Seven Dolors.

“Well, we’ve declined so much in membership that it’s not
going to be as difficult as would have been years ago,” Reardon says. “We’ve
lost the schools. They’re not individually located at churches; just change in
the fabric of society.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715887392974.jpeg" alt="Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Hurlingen/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Hurlingen/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostIt has been losing parishioners for years, but long-time
members of Seven Dolors Catholic Church never thought they’d see it close.Seven Dolors, founded in 1870 and located just east of St.
Joseph, celebrates its final mass Sunday.Wayne Reardon was baptized at Seven Dolors, and now at the age
of 96, says seven generations of his family have attended the church. “Means a lot. I grew up here. I was in this territory for all
my life, really,” Reardon tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post during a visit to Seven
Dolors. “I hate to see it close.”A lot of emotions run through Reardon as the final mass
approaches.“You know, I just never ever thought of this church closing,”
Reardon says. “We lost a lot of our parishioners, especially the younger ones.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715887633357.jpeg" alt="Seven Dolors Catholic Church/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Seven Dolors Catholic Church/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>Seven Dolors, known formally as the Church of our Mother of
Sorrows Seven Dolors Catholic Church, is one of four small, rural northwest
Missouri Catholic churches closing and merging with other parishes due to a steady drop in attendance over the years. Seven
Dolors will merge with St. Joseph’s Parish in Easton.Missouri of St. Benedict in Burlington Junction has merged
with St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Tarkio. Mission of Immaculate Heart of Mary
in Princeton soon merges with St. Joseph Parish in Trenton. Mission of St.
Aloysius in Maysville will merge with St. Munchin Parish in Cameron.Seven Dolors anchored a community in Hurlingen. German/Irish
immigrants planted the church in 1870 on two acres donated by Joseph Wiedmaier.
Soon, a school would be erected. A small store sold general goods to area
residents. Reardon says neighbors helped neighbors butchering hogs, threshing
grain, building barns. Seven Dolors at one time held three weekend masses, one on Saturday and two on Sunday that drew approximately 300. Only about 25 to 30 regularly attend the early Sunday morning mass now.The annual Seven Dolors picnic on the last Sunday in July drew
hundreds to the small church. It ended in 2016 when the work became too much
for a parish with dwindling population.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715887454161.jpeg" alt="Wayne (left) and Steven Reardon review the history of Seven Dolors outside the church in Hurlingen/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Wayne (left) and Steven Reardon review the history of Seven Dolors outside the church in Hurlingen/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>Wayne’s son, Steven Reardon, now lives in Cameron, but was
raised at Seven Dolors and says the pending closing of the church elicits a lot
of emotions.“Sad, but it was expected. I was not surprised. You look at
some of these churches, like Princeton and other areas that are closing, they’re
going to drive a tremendous distance to try to get to another Catholic church,”
Reardon explains. “We are pretty lucky to be close to St. Joe, Guadalupe (Our
Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church). Actually, it’s going to be easier for us than
many of the other rural communities.”Steven Reardon says while he is sad to hear of its closing,
there is a sense of inevitability to the decision to close Seven Dolors.“Well, we’ve declined so much in membership that it’s not
going to be as difficult as would have been years ago,” Reardon says. “We’ve
lost the schools. They’re not individually located at churches; just change in
the fabric of society.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715887544108.jpeg" alt="Wayne Reardon's Grandmother is buried in the Seven Dolors cemetery/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Wayne Reardon's Grandmother is buried in the Seven Dolors cemetery/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Seven-Dolors-Church-celebrates-final-mass-e2joh1i" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Seven Dolors Church, founded in 1870, celebrates final mass Sunday

&nbsp;Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is getting attention for comments he made during a commencement address at Benedictine College last weekend in which he railed against Pride month along with President Biden’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his stance on abortion.

The Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica responded to what they heard from the Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro kicker.&nbsp; On their facebook page the sisters wrote:

"The sisters of Mount St. Scholastica do not believe that Harrison Butker’s comments in his 2024 Benedictine College commencement address represent the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts college that our founders envisioned and in which we have been so invested."

"Instead of promoting unity in our church, our nation, and the world, his comments seem to have fostered division. One of our concerns was the assertion that being a homemaker is the highest calling for a woman. We sisters have dedicated our lives to God and God’s people, including the many women whom we have taught and influenced during the past 160 years. These women have made a tremendous difference in the world in their roles as wives and mothers and through their God-given gifts in leadership, scholarship, and their careers."

(Click below to watch Butker's commencement address)

"Our community has taught young women and men not just how to be “homemakers” in a limited sense, but rather how to make a Gospel-centered, compassionate home within themselves where they can welcome others as Christ, empowering them to be the best versions of themselves. We reject a narrow definition of what it means to be Catholic. We are faithful members of the Catholic Church who embrace and promote the values of the Gospel, St. Benedict, and Vatican II and the teachings of Pope Francis."

"We want to be known as an inclusive, welcoming community, embracing Benedictine values that have endured for more than 1500 years and have spread through every continent and nation. We believe those values are the core of Benedictine College."

"We thank all who are supportive of our Mount community and the values we hold. With St. Benedict, we pray, “Let us prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he lead us all together to life everlasting.”

&nbsp;Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is getting attention for comments he made during a commencement address at Benedictine College last weekend in which he railed against Pride month along with President Biden’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his stance on abortion.The Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica responded to what they heard from the Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro kicker.&nbsp; On their facebook page the sisters wrote:"The sisters of Mount St. Scholastica do not believe that Harrison Butker’s comments in his 2024 Benedictine College commencement address represent the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts college that our founders envisioned and in which we have been so invested.""Instead of promoting unity in our church, our nation, and the world, his comments seem to have fostered division. One of our concerns was the assertion that being a homemaker is the highest calling for a woman. We sisters have dedicated our lives to God and God’s people, including the many women whom we have taught and influenced during the past 160 years. These women have made a tremendous difference in the world in their roles as wives and mothers and through their God-given gifts in leadership, scholarship, and their careers."(Click below to watch Butker's commencement address)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-JS7RIKSaCc?si=tD9Xdp0euYzGBc2_" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>"Our community has taught young women and men not just how to be “homemakers” in a limited sense, but rather how to make a Gospel-centered, compassionate home within themselves where they can welcome others as Christ, empowering them to be the best versions of themselves. We reject a narrow definition of what it means to be Catholic. We are faithful members of the Catholic Church who embrace and promote the values of the Gospel, St. Benedict, and Vatican II and the teachings of Pope Francis.""We want to be known as an inclusive, welcoming community, embracing Benedictine values that have endured for more than 1500 years and have spread through every continent and nation. We believe those values are the core of Benedictine College.""We thank all who are supportive of our Mount community and the values we hold. With St. Benedict, we pray, “Let us prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he lead us all together to life everlasting.”

Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica respond to remarks of Harrison Butker

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen for alleged driving under the influence and for skipping court.

Just after 6:30p.m. Wednesday, police booked 19-year-old&nbsp; Morgyn L. Gerber of Atchison into the county jail, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

She was arrested on a District Court warrant for driving under the influence, that occurred in July 2023, and a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court.&nbsp; She bonded out of jail Wednesday night, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715869376001.png" alt="Gerber-photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Gerber-photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen for alleged driving under the influence and for skipping court.Just after 6:30p.m. Wednesday, police booked 19-year-old&nbsp; Morgyn L. Gerber of Atchison into the county jail, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.She was arrested on a District Court warrant for driving under the influence, that occurred in July 2023, and a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court.&nbsp; She bonded out of jail Wednesday night, according to online jail records.

Kansas teen accused of DUI, skipping court appearance

Local and state authorities conducted a search in western Nodaway County Wednesday for a possible connection to a Skidmore man who disappeared more than 20 years ago.

Now, they wait for assistance from the federal level.

Nodaway County Sheriff's captain Austin Hann says an FBI team will arrive in Quitman on Monday to help with the search.

Officers received a "credible tip" that may lead to more information regarding Branson Perry, who mysteriously disappeared in April 2001. Hann says there's not much activity at the site right now.

"We're going to get some different resources in there to continue with this investigation," Hann told KFEQ Radio Thursday. "Right now, we're kind of just waiting for those resources to show up. Maintaining possession and control of that property until they get there. That kind of puts us to where we are now."

The Nodaway County Sheriff's Office has never closed the case regarding&nbsp; Perry, who was only 20 years old when he mysteriously disappeared after walking out of his house in Skidmore.

Hann says gathering new evidence in this case is important, as the family seeks closure.

"The other aspect is getting evidence to move forward with prosecution in this case," he said. "So, I think there's really two end results there - one is providing that closure to family and the other is moving forward with a criminal case."

You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715804328504.jpeg" alt="Branson Perry was reported missing in April 2001, having last been seen outside of his home in Skidmore." />
 <figcaption>Branson Perry was reported missing in April 2001, having last been seen outside of his home in Skidmore.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostLocal and state authorities conducted a search in western Nodaway County Wednesday for a possible connection to a Skidmore man who disappeared more than 20 years ago.Now, they wait for assistance from the federal level.Nodaway County Sheriff's captain Austin Hann says an FBI team will arrive in Quitman on Monday to help with the search.Officers received a "credible tip" that may lead to more information regarding Branson Perry, who mysteriously disappeared in April 2001. Hann says there's not much activity at the site right now."We're going to get some different resources in there to continue with this investigation," Hann told KFEQ Radio Thursday. "Right now, we're kind of just waiting for those resources to show up. Maintaining possession and control of that property until they get there. That kind of puts us to where we are now."The Nodaway County Sheriff's Office has never closed the case regarding&nbsp; Perry, who was only 20 years old when he mysteriously disappeared after walking out of his house in Skidmore.Hann says gathering new evidence in this case is important, as the family seeks closure."The other aspect is getting evidence to move forward with prosecution in this case," he said. "So, I think there's really two end results there - one is providing that closure to family and the other is moving forward with a criminal case."You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

FBI to assist Nodaway County authorities in search for evidence in Branson Perry case

A surging problem, fentanyl pills disguised as prescription medication, has made its way to St. Joseph.  

Police Chief Paul Luster says a surge in fentanyl overdoses from these counterfeit pills shows fuels the opioid epidemic 

"Last year, this was nationally, there were 115 million pills containing fentanyl were seized by law enforcement," Luster tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. "And if you take that back to 2017, that number was about 50,000." 

Luster says these pills are specifically designed to look like prescription drugs but can end up being far more dangerous. 

Luster wants to make sure the public is aware of the growing danger.  

"Even if you think you're obtaining oxycodone by illicit means, you could be getting fentanyl made in a lab of God knows where, and you don't know what you're getting into with it," Luster explains. 

Luster says these counterfeits add to the ongoing opioid epidemic, and that wherever it's coming from, people are finding creative ways to get it into the mainstream.  

Luster says unless you get medication from a verified prescriber, there is a chance of danger. 

"The counterfeit pills, they're cheap for these organizations to make and they're easy to offload, but it could be this dose that could kill you," Luster says. 

Luster said data in 2021 showed that 40% of overdose deaths in the United States involved fentanyl, and many of those were these fentanyl pills.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715878193645.jpeg" alt="Fentanyl Cutting Table /DEA photo" />
 <figcaption>Fentanyl Cutting Table /DEA photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post A surging problem, fentanyl pills disguised as prescription medication, has made its way to St. Joseph. Police Chief Paul Luster says a surge in fentanyl overdoses from these counterfeit pills shows fuels the opioid epidemic "Last year, this was nationally, there were 115 million pills containing fentanyl were seized by law enforcement," Luster tells host of the KFEQ Hotline Barry Birr. "And if you take that back to 2017, that number was about 50,000." Luster says these pills are specifically designed to look like prescription drugs but can end up being far more dangerous. Luster wants to make sure the public is aware of the growing danger. "Even if you think you're obtaining oxycodone by illicit means, you could be getting fentanyl made in a lab of God knows where, and you don't know what you're getting into with it," Luster explains. Luster says these counterfeits add to the ongoing opioid epidemic, and that wherever it's coming from, people are finding creative ways to get it into the mainstream. Luster says unless you get medication from a verified prescriber, there is a chance of danger. "The counterfeit pills, they're cheap for these organizations to make and they're easy to offload, but it could be this dose that could kill you," Luster says. Luster said data in 2021 showed that 40% of overdose deaths in the United States involved fentanyl, and many of those were these fentanyl pills.<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Fentanyl-disguised-as-prescriptions-now-in-St--Joseph--too-e2jo7fh" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Fentanyl disguised as prescriptions becoming a St. Joseph problem, too

ATCHISON, Kansas (AP) —Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker may have stirred controversy in some quarters for his proclamations of conservative politics and Catholicism on Saturday, but he received a standing ovation from graduates and other attendees of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-harrison-butker-e00f6ee45955c99ef1e809ec447239e0">May 11 commencement ceremony</a>&nbsp;at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.

The fast-growing college is part of a constellation of conservative Catholic colleges that tout their adherence to church teachings and practice — part of a larger&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-church-shift-orthodoxy-tradition-7638fa2013a593f8cb07483ffc8ed487">conservative movement</a>&nbsp;in parts of the U.S. Catholic Church.

Butker's 20-minute speech hit several cultural flashpoints.

Butker, a conservative Catholic himself, dismissed Pride month as consisting of the “deadly sin sort of pride" while denouncing abortion and President Joe Biden's handling of the pandemic. He said women are told “diabolical lies” about career ambition when “one of the most important titles of all” is that of homemaker. He said this is not time for “the church of nice” and in particular blasted Catholics who support abortion rights and “dangerous gender ideologies.”

Benedictine College is a Catholic college in Atchison, Kansas, that traces its roots to 1858. It is located about 60 miles north of Kansas City., and has an enrollment of about 2,200.

LOTS OF COLLEGES ARE CATHOLIC. WHAT MAKES IT DISTINCTIVE?

In some ways, Benedictine College sounds like a typical Catholic college. Its “mission as a Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts, residential college is the education of men and women within a community of faith and scholarship,” according to its website.

But its home to more traditional expressions of Catholicism, such as the Latin Mass, all-night prayer vigils and a strict code of conduct. Its mission statement further cites its commitment to "those specific matters of faith of the Roman Catholic tradition, as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ and handed down in the teachings of the Church.”

The school gets a high ranking from the Cardinal Newman Society, a group that touts nearly two-dozen conservative colleges that exhibit what it calls “faithful Catholic education." That includes upholding church teachings and Catholic identity while providing ample Masses and other devotional activities in shaping their students.

The society seeks to differentiate schools that “refuse to compromise their Catholic mission” from those that have become “battlegrounds for today’s culture wars.” Others praised by the society include Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., Ave Maria University in Florida and Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio.

The society's ranking says Benedictine benefits from having monks in residence, multiple Masses and prayer groups, spiritually focused organizations and theology programs with professors with a “mandatum" of approval from the local bishop.

Benedictine's enrollment has doubled in the past 20 years. Some 85% of its students are Catholic, according to the Cardinal Newman Society.

Students told The Associated Press in interviews they embrace the college's emphasis on Catholic teaching and practice.

“It’s a renewal of, like, some really, really good things that we might have lost,” one student told the AP in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-church-shift-orthodoxy-tradition-7638fa2013a593f8cb07483ffc8ed487">recent article</a>&nbsp;on the revival of conservative Catholicism.

Annual tuition for full-time undergraduates is $35,350, but Benedictine says 100% of its students receive some form of financial aid.

Benedictine’s sports teams, called the Ravens, compete in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Its athletics department says it is committed to ”setting the highest standards for academic success, athletic competition, ethical behavior, fiscal responsibility, and spiritual development.”

HOW DID GRADUATES REACT TO BUTKER’S SPEECH?

Video of the commencement shows virtually all the graduates and spectators rising to a standing ovation, but student interviews showed a more mixed reaction.

ValerieAnne Volpe, 20, who graduated with an art degree, lauded Butker for saying things that “people are scared to say.”

“I was thinking about my dad, who was also here, and how he’s probably clapping and so happy to see what he would say is a real man (reflecting) family values, good religious upbringing and representation of Christ to people,” she said. “You can just hear that he loves his wife. You can hear that he loves his family.”

Kassidy Neuner, 22, said the speech felt “a little degrading” and gave the impression that only women can be a homemaker.

“I think that men have that option as well,” said Neuner, who will be spending a gap year teaching before going to law school. “And to point this out specifically that that’s what we’re looking forward to in life seems like our four years of hard work wasn’t really important.”

Elle Wilbers, 22, who is heading to medical school in the fall, said the Catholic faith focuses on mothers, so that portion of the speech wasn’t surprising. She was more shocked by his criticism of priests and bishops “misleading their flocks” and a quip comparing LGBTQ+ Pride month to one of the seven deadly sins.

“We should have compassion for the people who have been told all their life that the person they love is like, it’s not okay to love that person,” Wilbers said. “It was sort of just a shock. I was like, ‘Is he really saying this right now?’”

ATCHISON, Kansas (AP) —Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker may have stirred controversy in some quarters for his proclamations of conservative politics and Catholicism on Saturday, but he received a standing ovation from graduates and other attendees of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-harrison-butker-e00f6ee45955c99ef1e809ec447239e0">May 11 commencement ceremony</a>&nbsp;at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.The fast-growing college is part of a constellation of conservative Catholic colleges that tout their adherence to church teachings and practice — part of a larger&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-church-shift-orthodoxy-tradition-7638fa2013a593f8cb07483ffc8ed487">conservative movement</a>&nbsp;in parts of the U.S. Catholic Church.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-JS7RIKSaCc?si=4UKRDwuXWso1g_8g" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Butker's 20-minute speech hit several cultural flashpoints.Butker, a conservative Catholic himself, dismissed Pride month as consisting of the “deadly sin sort of pride" while denouncing abortion and President Joe Biden's handling of the pandemic. He said women are told “diabolical lies” about career ambition when “one of the most important titles of all” is that of homemaker. He said this is not time for “the church of nice” and in particular blasted Catholics who support abortion rights and “dangerous gender ideologies.”WHAT IS BENEDICTINE COLLEGE?Benedictine College is a Catholic college in Atchison, Kansas, that traces its roots to 1858. It is located about 60 miles north of Kansas City., and has an enrollment of about 2,200.LOTS OF COLLEGES ARE CATHOLIC. WHAT MAKES IT DISTINCTIVE?In some ways, Benedictine College sounds like a typical Catholic college. Its “mission as a Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts, residential college is the education of men and women within a community of faith and scholarship,” according to its website.But its home to more traditional expressions of Catholicism, such as the Latin Mass, all-night prayer vigils and a strict code of conduct. Its mission statement further cites its commitment to "those specific matters of faith of the Roman Catholic tradition, as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ and handed down in the teachings of the Church.”The school gets a high ranking from the Cardinal Newman Society, a group that touts nearly two-dozen conservative colleges that exhibit what it calls “faithful Catholic education." That includes upholding church teachings and Catholic identity while providing ample Masses and other devotional activities in shaping their students.The society seeks to differentiate schools that “refuse to compromise their Catholic mission” from those that have become “battlegrounds for today’s culture wars.” Others praised by the society include Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., Ave Maria University in Florida and Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio.The society's ranking says Benedictine benefits from having monks in residence, multiple Masses and prayer groups, spiritually focused organizations and theology programs with professors with a “mandatum" of approval from the local bishop.HOW HAS THAT RESONATED WITH STUDENTS?Benedictine's enrollment has doubled in the past 20 years. Some 85% of its students are Catholic, according to the Cardinal Newman Society.Students told The Associated Press in interviews they embrace the college's emphasis on Catholic teaching and practice.“It’s a renewal of, like, some really, really good things that we might have lost,” one student told the AP in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-church-shift-orthodoxy-tradition-7638fa2013a593f8cb07483ffc8ed487">recent article</a>&nbsp;on the revival of conservative Catholicism.OTHER FACTSAnnual tuition for full-time undergraduates is $35,350, but Benedictine says 100% of its students receive some form of financial aid.Benedictine’s sports teams, called the Ravens, compete in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Its athletics department says it is committed to ”setting the highest standards for academic success, athletic competition, ethical behavior, fiscal responsibility, and spiritual development.”HOW DID GRADUATES REACT TO BUTKER’S SPEECH?Video of the commencement shows virtually all the graduates and spectators rising to a standing ovation, but student interviews showed a more mixed reaction.ValerieAnne Volpe, 20, who graduated with an art degree, lauded Butker for saying things that “people are scared to say.”“I was thinking about my dad, who was also here, and how he’s probably clapping and so happy to see what he would say is a real man (reflecting) family values, good religious upbringing and representation of Christ to people,” she said. “You can just hear that he loves his wife. You can hear that he loves his family.”Kassidy Neuner, 22, said the speech felt “a little degrading” and gave the impression that only women can be a homemaker.“I think that men have that option as well,” said Neuner, who will be spending a gap year teaching before going to law school. “And to point this out specifically that that’s what we’re looking forward to in life seems like our four years of hard work wasn’t really important.”Elle Wilbers, 22, who is heading to medical school in the fall, said the Catholic faith focuses on mothers, so that portion of the speech wasn’t surprising. She was more shocked by his criticism of priests and bishops “misleading their flocks” and a quip comparing LGBTQ+ Pride month to one of the seven deadly sins.“We should have compassion for the people who have been told all their life that the person they love is like, it’s not okay to love that person,” Wilbers said. “It was sort of just a shock. I was like, ‘Is he really saying this right now?’”

Why the speech by KC Chiefs kicker was embraced at Benedictine College's commencement

St. Joseph police are investigating a shooting in the parking
lot behind the Frog Hop at 2001 Messanie Street.

Police say it appears unknown subjects shot into the air from
the parking lot. Officers recovered two shell casings. No one was harmed in the
shooting. No property damage has been discovered.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph police are investigating a shooting in the parking
lot behind the Frog Hop at 2001 Messanie Street.Police say it appears unknown subjects shot into the air from
the parking lot. Officers recovered two shell casings. No one was harmed in the
shooting. No property damage has been discovered.The investigation continues.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Shots fired, no one hurt at Frog Hop in St. Joseph

DAVIESS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8:30p.m. Wednesday in Daviess County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ford Edge driven by Marjorie J. Holcomb, 34, Gallatin, was southbound on MO 13 just north of 240th three mile south of Jameson.

The SUV traveled off the east side of the road, across a creek and struck a tree. Daviess County EMS transported to Cameron Regional Medical Center. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

DAVIESS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 8:30p.m. Wednesday in Daviess County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ford Edge driven by Marjorie J. Holcomb, 34, Gallatin, was southbound on MO 13 just north of 240th three mile south of Jameson.The SUV traveled off the east side of the road, across a creek and struck a tree. Daviess County EMS transported to Cameron Regional Medical Center. She was properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman hospitalized after SUV strikes a tree

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for skipping court.

On Tuesday, police arrested 38-year-old Jackie L. Busey of&nbsp; St. Joseph on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

He was jailed in 2019 on a requested charges of counterfeiting, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715781782443.png" alt="Busey-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Busey-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for skipping court.On Tuesday, police arrested 38-year-old Jackie L. Busey of&nbsp; St. Joseph on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.He was jailed in 2019 on a requested charges of counterfeiting, according to online jail records.

St. Joseph man jailed for skipping court in Kansas

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's GOP-led Legislature on Wednesday renewed a more than $4 billion Medicaid program that had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-senate-medicaid-42928944fde4b20c47390b4d8473d92f">blocked</a>&nbsp;for months by a Republican faction that used it as a bargaining tool.

The bill which now heads to Gov. Mike Parson will renew a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/planned-parenthood-medicaid-abortion-db9adee20b60b625ea7b2709e5149704">longstanding tax on hospitals</a>&nbsp;and other medical providers.

Money from the tax is used to draw down $2.9 billion in federal funding, which is then given back to providers to care for low-income residents on Medicaid health care.

Because the tax is crucial to the state's budget, the Senate's Freedom Caucus had been leveraging the bill to pressure Republican leaders to pass a bill kicking Planned Parenthood off the state’s Medicaid program, which the Legislature did&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/planned-parenthood-abortion-missouri-defunding-3e09e1517bf9c1cfa8fa92306a63a404">last month</a>.

Later, the Freedom Caucus also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-senate-medicaid-42928944fde4b20c47390b4d8473d92f">demanded</a>&nbsp;that the Legislature pass a measure to raise the threshold for amending the state constitution. Currently, amendments need support from 51% of voters stateswide.

If approved by voters, the Republican proposal would make it so constitutional amendments also need support from 51% of voters in a majority of congressional districts.

Senate Freedom Caucus members allowed a final Senate vote of approval on the Medicaid tax last week, even though the constitutional amendment change&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-constitution-ballot-democracy-67bea9bcf4aeeb8d47aff8c716e2298a">still has not passed the Legislature</a>.

The House took the hospital tax renewal up Wednesday, voting 136-16 to send the measure to Parson.

Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade on Wednesday told colleagues on the chamber floor that the tax is essential “to function as a government” and “provide the most basic services.”

“This shouldn’t be used as a hostage in a terrorist negotiation,” Quade said.

Republican Rep. Tony Lovasco argued that Missouri's reliance on the tax, and on federal Medicaid funding, hurts the state.

“The fact that we are yet again leaning on the federal government and their manufactured, printed money in order to get by in Missouri is just not a positive,” Lovasco said on the House floor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715797758373.png" alt="The Missouri House chamber during debate on March 12, 2023 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption>The Missouri House chamber during debate on March 12, 2023 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUMMER BALLENTINE&nbsp;JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's GOP-led Legislature on Wednesday renewed a more than $4 billion Medicaid program that had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-senate-medicaid-42928944fde4b20c47390b4d8473d92f">blocked</a>&nbsp;for months by a Republican faction that used it as a bargaining tool.The bill which now heads to Gov. Mike Parson will renew a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/planned-parenthood-medicaid-abortion-db9adee20b60b625ea7b2709e5149704">longstanding tax on hospitals</a>&nbsp;and other medical providers.Money from the tax is used to draw down $2.9 billion in federal funding, which is then given back to providers to care for low-income residents on Medicaid health care.Because the tax is crucial to the state's budget, the Senate's Freedom Caucus had been leveraging the bill to pressure Republican leaders to pass a bill kicking Planned Parenthood off the state’s Medicaid program, which the Legislature did&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/planned-parenthood-abortion-missouri-defunding-3e09e1517bf9c1cfa8fa92306a63a404">last month</a>.Later, the Freedom Caucus also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-senate-medicaid-42928944fde4b20c47390b4d8473d92f">demanded</a>&nbsp;that the Legislature pass a measure to raise the threshold for amending the state constitution. Currently, amendments need support from 51% of voters stateswide.If approved by voters, the Republican proposal would make it so constitutional amendments also need support from 51% of voters in a majority of congressional districts.Senate Freedom Caucus members allowed a final Senate vote of approval on the Medicaid tax last week, even though the constitutional amendment change&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-constitution-ballot-democracy-67bea9bcf4aeeb8d47aff8c716e2298a">still has not passed the Legislature</a>.The House took the hospital tax renewal up Wednesday, voting 136-16 to send the measure to Parson.Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade on Wednesday told colleagues on the chamber floor that the tax is essential “to function as a government” and “provide the most basic services.”“This shouldn’t be used as a hostage in a terrorist negotiation,” Quade said.Republican Rep. Tony Lovasco argued that Missouri's reliance on the tax, and on federal Medicaid funding, hurts the state.“The fact that we are yet again leaning on the federal government and their manufactured, printed money in order to get by in Missouri is just not a positive,” Lovasco said on the House floor.Parson is expected to sign the bill.