Missouri
Missouri Walk of Neurofibromatosis brings awareness to Columbia
An awareness walk took place in Columbia Saturday that brings attention to a genetic disorder.
The eighth annual Missouri Walk of Neurofibromatosis took place on May 30 at Stephens Lake Park.
The event helps raise money and awareness for people who have the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis (NF).
There are three types of NF: neurofibromatosis type one (NF1), neurofibromatosis type two-related schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN), and schwannomatosis.
While the three types of NF are genetically distinct, they share the common feature of causing tumors.
The severity of symptoms and the specific manifestations of the disorders can vary significantly from person to person.
NF1 is the most common of the conditions, affecting approximately one in 2,500.
NF2 affects around one in 25,000 and other schwannomatosis types affect around one in 40,000.
Together, the disorders affect at least 1 in 2,000 people or approximately four million worldwide.
Anyone can be born with an NF disorder, and they have a 50% chance of passing it on.
For Christina Thomas, an organizer for Missouri Walk of Neurofibromatosis, the walk means “the world” to her.
“I’ve always been about advocating for NF and bringing people together,” Thomas said. “It’s awesome to see so many people coming together who have it.”
Thomas is the third generation in her family to have NF, and three of her four kids also have the condition.
“I grew up thinking my family was the only one with it. To me, it’s very important to be able to let people know that they’re not the only ones with it.”
Thomas said she was often teased when she was younger because her father, who also has NF, had tumors all over his body.
“I was always made fun of because of his appearance. People tell me, ‘You don’t want to get close to her she’s contagious.’”
Thomas said she joined the walk because she wants to bring people together who have NF and let them know they are not alone.
Another of her goals is to get the attention from the University of Missouri.
“Our ultimate goal is to get the attention of the University of Missouri, because not for me, not for my kids, but maybe for my grandkids or the ones that are nearly diagnosed, for us to have an NF clinic here instead of having to travel to Kansas City or St. Louis for expert care.”
She said the best way for the community to support those living with NF is through education and awareness.
“We’re always about advocating. We’re always about bringing awareness.”
Missouri
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The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 10 arrests across north Missouri between June 19, 2026, and June 21, 2026. The arrests involved allegations including driving while intoxicated, kidnapping, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to maintain a single lane, and outstanding warrants.
It is important to note that, while all the individuals listed below have been reported as arrested, they may not have been physically transported to a detention center. Depending on the circumstances, an individual may be issued a summons, which includes a court date. When the Missouri State Highway Patrol issues a summons with a court date, it is considered an arrest, even if the individual is not physically transported to a detention center.
Noah T. Nims, 35, of St. Joseph, Missouri, was arrested in Buchanan County on June 19, 2026, at 6:14 p.m. He was accused of driving while intoxicated, first offense, and failure to maintain a single lane. Nims was held at the Buchanan County Law Enforcement Center on a 24-hour hold.
Jaedyn C. Bacerra, 22, of Kansas City, Missouri, was arrested in Livingston County on June 19, 2026, at 9:47 p.m. Authorities alleged he was driving while intoxicated. Additional allegations included failure to have two lighted headlamps and failure to equip a vehicle with two approved red taillights. Bacerra was held at the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office and later released.
Justin F. Myers, 35, of St. Joseph, Missouri, was arrested in Andrew County on June 20, 2026, at 2:11 a.m. He was accused of driving while intoxicated as a prior offender and operating a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner involving an accident. Myers was released to Mosaic and was listed as released.
Edgar Y. Martinez Ramirez, 36, of Olathe, Kansas, was arrested in Harrison County on June 20, 2026, at 8:46 a.m. He was accused of child kidnapping, a Class A felony; first-degree kidnapping, a Class A felony; and first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, a Class D felony. Martinez Ramirez was held at the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department on a 24-hour hold.
Albin B. Kos, 42, of Kansas City, Missouri, was arrested in Daviess County on June 20, 2026, at 2:23 p.m. Authorities alleged he unlawfully possessed drug paraphernalia as a prior offender, operated a vehicle without a valid driver’s license, and failed to maintain insurance. He was also wanted on misdemeanor Jackson County warrants for failure to appear on charges related to speeding and driving without a valid license. Kos was held at the Daviess-DeKalb Regional Jail and was listed as bondable.
Andres A. Reed, 43, of Omaha, Nebraska, was arrested in Holt County on June 21, 2026, at 1:40 a.m. He was accused of misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. Reed was held by the Holt County Sheriff’s Office on a 12-hour hold.
Timothy R. Nelson Ptomey, 32, of St. Joseph, Missouri, was arrested in Buchanan County on June 21, 2026, at 10:11 p.m. He was accused of driving while intoxicated, failing to display valid license plates on a motor vehicle or trailer, and driving the wrong direction on a divided highway in a manner that created an immediate threat of an accident. Nelson Ptomey was held at the Buchanan County Law Enforcement Center on a 24-hour hold.
Trace A. Wheeler, 23, of Edina, Missouri, was arrested in Lewis County on June 19, 2026, at 5:39 a.m. He was accused of driving while intoxicated and failing to drive on the right half of the roadway in an incident involving an accident. Wheeler was held at the Lewis County Jail and later released.
Shane D. Kurk, 29, of Canton, Missouri, was arrested in Lewis County on June 21, 2026, at 1:31 a.m. He was accused of driving while intoxicated. Kurk was held at the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department and later released.
Travis J. Miles, 41, of Shawnee, Kansas, was arrested in Ralls County on June 21, 2026, at 11:28 p.m. He was accused of driving while intoxicated and failing to wear a seat belt. Miles was released following his arrest.
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