Back to School Means Back to Safety

August has arrived and with it the 2024-2025 school year. The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to encourage parents to include conversations about safety when preparing their student for school.

It’s also important that drivers be prepared for the change in traffic patterns as students begin another year of instruction. In 2023, four people were killed and 403 injured in traffic crashes involving a school bus. In Missouri last year, a total of 877 traffic crashes involved school buses.

Remember these safety tips:

Students

If you’re walking to school, stay alert! Cross the street at intersections or marked crosswalks and never between parked cars. Make eye contact with drivers when crossing the street to make sure they see you. Use sidewalks when they are available. If it is necessary to walk on the roadway, stay close to the left edge and step off to the left when traffic approaches. Never dash into the street after a friend or to retrieve something.

Riding a bicycle to school is a fun way to travel. If you’re riding your bike, be sure to wear a helmet and obey all traffic signs and signals. Ride as near to the right side of the roadway as is safe and use the proper hand signals when you plan to change directions, slow, or stop. Never carry passengers. Keep both hands on the handlebars except when signaling. Also, it’s important to maintain your bicycle in good condition.

If you ride a school bus, check the weather and dress accordingly. Wait in line for the bus on the shoulder or sidewalk. Use the handrail when getting on or off the bus. Never try to retrieve items that fall under the bus, alert your bus driver. Walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing the street. Sit quietly on the bus and keep the aisle clear. If anything goes wrong, stay calm and follow the instructions of the bus driver.

Most traffic crashes involving young drivers (under the age of 21) occur between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., when school typically lets out. Many of these drivers are young and inexperienced. Parents: It is important to encourage those young drivers to remember driving is a full-time job. Using a cell phone, texting, or adjusting the radio can be the distraction that leads to a traffic crash. It's also against the law.

Parents

Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about riding a bus, walking, or driving to school in a safe manner. If they ride a bike, please make sure they wear a helmet and follow traffic laws.

Please talk to your children about the Courage2ReportMO program, which provides a safe and confidential way to report any concerns regarding their safety or the safety of others. These concerns may include: assault, bullying/repeated harassment, cyber bullying, fighting, guns, homicide, human trafficking, knife, planned school attack, imminent school shooting, school shooting threat, sexual offense, suicide-other person (3rd party), or a terrorism threat (extremism). Those reporting their concerns may remain anonymous. C2R provides a “sooner is safer” tool to report real time concerns 24 hours a day. There are several ways concerned persons may submit a C2R report:

· through an Apple or Google Play Courage2Report mobile app,

· by speaking confidentially to a trained professional at 866-748-7047, or

· text "C2R" to 738477.

Motorists

Always be vigilant, but especially near school zones, playgrounds, bicycle paths, and crosswalks when schools are in session. Expect pedestrian and bicycle traffic to increase near schools on days when the weather is good. When schools are in session, drivers should expect a change in traffic patterns ─ school buses, parents taking their children to school, and many young drivers will join other motorists on the road and affect the morning and afternoon commute. Whatever route you drive, expect this additional traffic and prepare by allowing extra time to reach your destination.

Missouri law states that on a two-lane road, if a school bus is stopped and displaying warning signals while loading or unloading children, drivers must stop when meeting and following the bus. However, it is only necessary to stop on a four-lane highway when following the bus. Drivers, when you see a stopped school bus, stay alert and follow the law. Children may not be aware of traffic and dart unexpectedly into the roadway. Remember: Put your cell phone down. Missouri is now a hands-free state.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Appoints Thomas as Police Chief

The Kearney Board of Aldermen appointed Mark Thomas the new Police Chief at their August 5 meeting. The Aldermen approved Mayor Randy Pogue’s recommendation to make Thomas interim appointment permanent.

Kearney Police Chief Mark Thomas - submitted photo

Chief Thomas has been serving as the Interim Police Chief since March 6, 2024, and has demonstrated a commitment to community-focused leadership, professionalism and transparency within the department.

“I am solidly committed to the citizens of Kearney and look forward to working alongside our dedicated officers to ensure the safety and security of our community,” said Chief Thomas. “Together, we will build on the successes of the police department and address the challenges ahead with transparency, accountability and a commitment to excellence.”

Chief Thomas brings more than 42 years of law enforcement experience to the role, having previously served for the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Clay and Plate County Sheriff's Offices and the State of Missouri Department of Labor Worker’s Compensation Fraud Detection Unit. In his short tenure as Interim Chief, he has already adopted a formal promotion process for officers in the department to ensure that the process is transparent and that promotions are based on experience and performance, and he has focused on improving training opportunities for Kearney officers.

Mayor Randy Pogue is excited at Thomas’ appointment.

“It gives me great pleasure that the Board has accepted my appointment of Mark Thomas as Police Chief,” said Mayor Pogue. “I am enthusiastic about the initiatives Chief Thomas is undertaking to improve the police department’s performance, productivity and connections with the community. Chief Thomas is a strong leader with an excellent track record of fighting crime. This is truly exciting for our community.”

Chief Thomas is a graduate of Park University, having earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration, graduating with distinction. He has lived and worked in the Kearney community for more than 34 years, raising his family here. His commitment to the Kearney community has been solidified over the years.

More than 30 years ago, the Kearney community helped fundraise enough money to afford a liver transplant for his daughter that saved her life.

“I owe a debt to the Kearney community due to its overwhelming support during that difficult time that I will never be able to repay,” states Chief Thomas. “The Kearney police chief position gives me an opportunity to pay forward some of the kindness the community offered my family.”

Election Candidates, Fire District Questions Decided

Voters went to the polls on Tuesday, August 2, to choose who would run for open positions in the November General Election and if Kearney Fire District residents would fund a new fire station location, new equipment and personnel. Here are the unofficial results of how Clay County residents voted from the Clay County Board of Elections:

- Republican for U.S. Senate: Josh Hawley – 19,220 votes

- Democrat for U.S. Senate: Lucas Kunce – 11,792 votes

- Republican for Governor: Mike Kehoe – 8036 votes

- Democrat for Governor: Crystal Quade – 8245 votes

- Republican for Lieutenant Governor: Dave Wasinger – 6190 votes

- Democrat for Lieutenant Governor: Richard Brown – 9793 votes

- Republican for Secretary of State: Denny Hoskins – 4826 votes

- Democrat for Secretary of State: Barbara Phifer – 6032 votes

- Republican for State Treasurer: Vivek Malek – 9719 votes

- Democrat for State Treasurer: Mark Osmack – 15,364 votes

- Republican for Attorney General: Andrew Bailey – 12,422 votes

- Democrat for Attorney General: Elad Jonathan Gross – 15,388 votes

- Republican for U.S. Representative District 6: Sam Graves – 9462 votes

- Democrat for U.S. Representative District 6: Pam May – 4755 votes

- Republican for State Senate District 21: Doug Richey – 5406 votes

- Democrat for State Senate District 21: Jim Bates – 4464 votes

- Republican for State Representative District 8: Josh Hurlbert – 2854 votes

- Democrat for State Representative District 8: Sandy Van Wagner – 1254 votes

Artist rendering of new fire station

Kearney Fire District Question 1 and 2

Residents of the Kearney Fire District voted on Question 1 and Question 2 on the August ballot. Question 1 asked for an extension of the current bond that passed in 2010.

Funding from the no tax increase bond extension will provide funds for capital expenditures which include building a second station on the west side of I-35, immediate purchase of a new pumper for the new station, immediate replacement of a 2001 pumper, purchase a third ambulance in 2027, and replace the 2013 aerial in 2028.

Question 2 asks for a half-cent sales tax increase. Funding from the sales tax will be used for funding new staff positions at the second station, funding the increased operating costs of the second station including utilities, personal protective gear, and building maintenance, funding other equipment replacement projects including heart monitors, radios, self-contained breathing apparatus, and vehicle extraction tools, and reduce the need for future property tax increases.

Both questions needed to be approved to move the project forward.

Question 1

[X] Yes – 3316 votes

No – 1021 votes

Question 2

[X] Yes – 2875 votes

No – 1368 votes

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Search Warrant yields Large Amount of Explosives

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force received several tips that led it to a large amount of illegal explosives and drugs at a Northland Kansas City house.

The STAR (Special Tactics and Response) Team recieved several tips and was able to serve a search warrant Friday morning.The team arrested three people in the 6500 block of North Hickory Street, Kansas City, Mo., shortly after 7 am, on August 2. A search of the home turned up:

  *   107 pounds of explosive powder

  *   Two pipe bombs

  *   15 grenades

  *   20 grams of fentanyl paste

  *   15 grams of meth

  *   Psychedelic mushrooms

  *   Seven guns, including an Uzi

  *   A large amount of ammunition.

Tammie L. Bindel Cole, Cory D. Young, Erika Lahr

An elementary school-aged child also was in the home. The child is now staying with relatives.

Cory D. Young, 46, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm and child endangerment. He is being held on a bond of $350,000 cash only.

Erika Lahr, 32, is charged with distribution of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a firearm and child endangerment. She is being held on a bond of $250,000 cash only.

Tammie L. Bindel Cole, 52, is charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm. She is being held on a bond of $150,000 cash only.

Additional federal charges could be forthcoming related to the explosives and weapons.

This was a joint investigation by the Clay County Drug Task Force and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The Kansas City Missouri Police Department’s Bomb Squad assisted with the removal and processing of the explosives. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting with the investigation.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Parson Announces Historic Fifth Tax Cut

During the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce's annual State of the State on Tuesday, July 30, Governor Mike Parson announced that Missouri's robust economy and continued revenue strength has triggered an additional income tax cut under Senate Bills (SB) 3 & 5, approved by Governor Parson in 2022. This income tax cut lowers Missouri's top income tax rate to 4.7 percent and marks a more than 20 percent decrease in Missourians' income tax burdens during the Parson Administration.

"As a lifelong conservative, I'm exceptionally proud to announce the fifth income tax cut of our administration," Governor Parson said. "We know there is a lot of noise and nonsense from candidates running for political office wanting Missourians to ignore our wins an focus on their fears, but the reality is Missouri's economy is strong. This year alone, we've nearly added 70,000 jobs to our economy, rank first in the nation for job growth, and businesses continue to grow and invest in our communities at a record pace. The simple fact remains: Missouri is on a solid foundation and Missourians are reaping the rewards by keeping more of their hard-earned money in their pockets, and we offer a special thanks to Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe, Senator Lincoln Hough, and all legislators in support for helping deliver these historic tax cuts to all Missourians."

Even before this income tax cut, Missouri was ranked 11th for the lowest tax burden in the nation, including both state and local taxes, by U.S. News.

“Throughout his time in office, Governor Parson has been consistent in cutting the state’s income tax, this being the fifth cut over the last six years,” Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe said. “I was pleased to support the legislation enabling these tax cuts and am glad to see another cut triggered. This ensures Missourians’ hard-earned dollars remain where they belong – in their own pockets, where they can spend it far better and more wisely than the government. As a state, we must continue to work together to encourage economic growth by ensuring Missourians can spend more of their own money in the state’s economy.”

SBs 3 & 5, passed by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Parson after his special session call in 2022, included additional 0.1 percentage point income tax cut triggers when general revenue increased by $200 million, adjusted for inflation, in a given fiscal year (FY). Net general revenue collections grew by $322.6 million from FY23 to FY24. As a result, Missouri's top income tax rate will be cut from 4.8 percent to 4.7 percent, effective January 1, 2025.

This action marks the fifth income tax cut Governor Parson has implemented during his time in office and a 1.2 percentage point total reduction: 0.5 in 2019, 0.1 in 2022, 0.35 in 2023, 0.15 in 2024, and 0.1 in 2025.

Missourians income tax burdens have now been reduced by more than 20 percent since Governor Parson took office. This was achieved at the same time Missouri's economy earned record wins during the Parson Administration:

• 1st in the nation for job growth in 2024.

• More than 175,000 jobs added to Missouri's economy (since June 2018).

  • Outpacing all neighboring states in manufacturing job growth.

• Lowest unemployment rate ever recorded at 2.1 percent (April 2022).

• Six consecutive years of Missouri's unemployment rate below the national average.

• 61 months of positive job growth – despite a global pandemic.

• $1.9 billion left on the bottom line thanks to conservative and balanced budgets year after year.

• AAA credit rating maintained all six years.

• 40 percent general revenue growth driven by sales tax collections (i.e. Missourians spending their own money).

“This is good news for hard-working Missouri families, and proves our historic tax cut legislation is working exactly as we knew it would," Senator Lincoln Hough said. "More money in Missourians' pockets means more money in the economy and in turn more state revenue, and thanks to our efforts, that revenue is leading to more tax cuts. Every day, I’ll fight for Missourians to keep more of their hard-earned money.”

Brian Watts contributed to this story.