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Recent Stories
Charities fret over ‘clunkers’ program
by Erica Mendez
Monday, Aug. 3, 2009

The “Cash for Clunkers” program, which began on July 24 and was halted a week later, attracted more buyers into local dealerships. However, some people are worried it could deter donations to charity.
Julie Love, Car City sales manager, said the dealership made several sales because of the program, which was suspended after $1 billion in government funds was exhausted. U.S. lawmakers are considering adding money to Cash for Clunkers, allowing consumers to claim a credit of up to $4,500 for trading an older vehicle for a more fuel-efficient model.

‘8 mpg’ just isn’t for everybody
by Erica Mendez
Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009

Lee and Lynne Evinger were inspired to purchase their first MINI Cooper, not because of its gas mileage, but after seeing the movie “The Italian Job.” Lee proclaimed the car as the “real star” of the show.
“We saw the movie and fell in love with the thing,” Lee said. “We took a test ride and that was it.”

Bigger SUVs suit some well
by Erica Mendez
Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009

President Barack Obama’s new stricter fuel economy standards may please environmental groups and struggling automakers, but what about owners who choose to drive big vehicles?
“There’s people that need trucks or need SUVs for personal reasons; to pull a boat, or maybe they have kids,” said Jason Shelkop, manager of Cecil Myers Mitsubishi.
The president’s plan will add about $600 to the cost of a car on top of $700 added by changes to fuel economy rules already enacted. Officials reasoned that consumers should be able to make up the cost by how much they save in gas.

Profits beginning to spoil for dairy farmers
by Erica Mendez
Monday, July 27, 2009

Times are sour for Missouri dairy farmers.
The industry continues to struggle as milk prices have dropped, resulting in many farms going out of business. David Drennan, executive director of the Missouri Dairy Association, said that according to the USDA, dairy producers receive only 28 cents of a retail dollar.
“When the milk leaves the farm, they have no control of it and everyone else is going to want a piece of the pie,” Mr. Drennan said. “The dairyman’s share continues to get smaller.”
Mr. Drennan said there are about 1,900 dairy farms in the state. Since 2005, Missouri has lost about 500.

Student aid dries up in tough times
by Erica Mendez
Saturday, July 25, 2009

With the academic school year starting next month, it seems that even college students are feeling the economic pinch. Financial aid is needed more than ever, yet it is becoming more difficult to obtain.

School year's approach raises flu concerns
by Erica Mendez
Saturday, July 25, 2009

Renewed concern about the swine flu spreads as students prepare to return to the classroom.
According to U.S. health officials, the swine flu could strike up to 40 percent of Americans over the next two years, about twice the number of people who usually get sick in a normal flu season. But with tests of a new vaccine beginning shortly, the U.S. may have as much as 160 million doses of swine flu vaccine available sometime this October.

Community assists in middle school move
by Erica Mendez
Tuesday, July 21, 2009

While other schools in Savannah lie dormant as students enjoy the end of summer, Savannah Middle School is in the middle of an exciting transition process.

Who needs to reconnect in the Facebook era?
by Erica Mendez
Monday, July 20, 2009

The season for class reunions has rekindled the debate on whether social networking sites are hindering or encouraging the need to attend. Facebook, MySpace and other sites allow users to create profiles that can reveal as little or as much information as they want about their lives. So is it worth paying to go to an event where everything you would want to know, you can find out online? A couple of reunion organizers who graduated from local high schools seem to think so. Tyler Clark decided to create the “Central High Class of 1999” group on Facebook in December 2008 after friends asked him when they would have their 10-year reunion. It now has 166 members. As the group description states, “What better way is there to get the word out than Facebook?”

'Potter' mania more subdued
by Erica Mendez
Thursday, July 16, 2009

The latest Harry Potter movie, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” has generated a heap of excitement, attracting fans young and old.

Police lament lax open-container law
by Erica Mendez
Monday, July 13, 2009

Missouri’s current open-container law allows passengers in vehicles to keep drinking alcohol, whether the car is pulled over or not, and drivers can join them — as long as they don’t get caught. “It’s been one of those problems we’ve had for 20 years,” said Sgt. Larry Stobbs of the St. Joseph Police Department. Mr. Stobbs said the statute is poorly written. He compared it to the state’s seat belt law; law enforcement can only stop a driver if they see him or her drinking, much like they can only stop a driver for violating the seat belt law if they see him or her not wearing a seat belt.