Higginsville Advance News

MSHP Memorial Day Report

The Missouri State Highway Patrol , a Division of the Department of Public Safety, reports eight traffic fatalities, zero Drownings, and zero Boating fatalities over Memorial Day holiday Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, provides the following preliminary statistics related to the Memorial Day holiday: Eight people died and 99 were injured in 234 traffic crashes during the 2026 Memorial Day holiday counting period, which began at 6 p.m.

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Welcome June !!!

June has arrived with sunshine (and a little rain), celebration and summer traditions. As the calendar turns to June, our community will begin welcoming one of the busiest and most celebrated months of the year. June brings the o_cial start of summer, longer days, family gatherings, vacations, fairs, festivals and many meaningful observances that have become part of our traditions. An important celebration begins our month with the observance of Flag Day on June 14, which honors the adoption of the United States ag in 1777. Another meaningful June observance is Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19. Juneteenth commemoraes the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas ally learned they were free - more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued. Juneteenth is now recognized as a federal holiday and serves as a time to reect on freedom, history and equality of America. One of the biggest events in June is the st day of summer, known as the Summer Solstice, which usually falls around June 20 or 21. It is the longest day of the year, giving us more daylight hours to enjoy outdoor activities. June is also known for honoring fathers during Father's Day, celebrated this year on Sunday June 21st. June is recognized as Pride Month, a time dedicated to supporting and recognizing the LGBTQ+ community. Pride Month traces its roots back to 1969 and the Stonewall uprising in New York City, which became an important moment in the movement for equal rights and acceptance. June is also recognized as National Dairy Month, celebrating the hardworking dairy farmers who help feed us. In agricultural communities (such as ours), June remains an important month for farming as crops continue growing and producers prepare for the busy summer season.

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What’s New With Parkinson’s At John Knox Village East

Higginsville, MO, May 25th, 2026 – We see more and more people suffering from the effects of Parkinson’s Disease every day at John Knox Village East. According to the National Institutes of Health, Parkinson's disease is rapidly increasing and is currently the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disorder in the world, outpacing even Alzheimer's Disease. Parkinson’s Disease is a neuro-degenerative disease caused by impaired neuro transmitter chemical receptors and/or neuro transmitter chemical production in the brain. Parkinson’s patients typically present with shuffling gait, tremors, slowed movement, rigid muscles, speech slurring and monotone voice quality. Changes in handwriting can also occur where the writing appears cramped and small. People can also act out in dreams, experience increased urination, trouble smelling and problems with thinking and memory. Causes of Parkinson’s Disease can include family history, lifestyle and environmental factors. There are some factors that are thought to influence the occurrence of Parkinson’s Disease. Aerobic exercise has been linked to a lower occurrence of Parkinson’s Disease, as has consumption of caffeine. Use of medicines like Ibuprofen and statins has also been shown to lower the risk of the disease. For some time, our therapy department at John Knox Village East has been certified in a program called LSVT BIG! & LOUD! which is geared specifically to help those with Parkinson’s Disease or other neurological disorders that include symptoms of muscle rigidity, soft speech or small muscle movements. This program encourages BIG movements outside of your “bubble” with the arms and legs while also encouraging deep breathing and LOUD voice exercises. These exercises help combat the disease’s normal progression of muscle deterioration and rigidity, shuffling gait, soft voice and swallowing difficulty. Some exercises include sumo squats, boxing movements, as well as breath control and voice volume exercises. If you or a loved one is newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s or has been coping with a diagnosis for quite some time, seek out professionals with this certification to help manage the progression of these diseases. We’d be happy to explore options with you.

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