Month: May 2025

Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Veterans were honored on Memorial Day morning with a Remembrance Ceremony held at City Hall.

Community members gathered outside City Hall to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in service to their country, as well as those who served and have since passed away.

Mayor John Josendale, the St. Joseph Fire Department, Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, and the Joint Veterans Committee were among those who delivered speeches and conducted military honors in remembrance of fallen soldiers.

Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett said it was an honor to serve as a guest speaker at the 2025 Memorial Day Remembrance.

“Anything we can do to honor those who have given their lives and paid the ultimate sacrifice for our way of life and our freedom is extremely important,” Puett said. “I’m proud to be here in front of all my peers recognizing these brave women and men.”

Anthony Russell, a Maur Hill-Mount Academy Eagle Scout, delivered the Patriot Address. He spoke about honoring his long family lineage of veterans and encouraged others to use the day as one of purpose.

“I have a great-grandfather who served as a Marine, as well as my mom and dad, who are both in the military,” Russell said. “So, I just really wanted to honor them and honor all veterans. We can kick our feet up and relax today because they fought for our country. That is something everyone should be grateful for.”

Russell and others in attendance shared that community members can show their respect to veterans by simply acknowledging them, whether it’s shaking their hand or saying, “Thank you for serving our country.”

Mayor Josendale concluded the ceremony by announcing that on July 14, 2025, a Vietnam Era Commemoration Ceremony will be held at Word of Life Church at 10 a.m. to recognize Vietnam veterans.

More information about the event can be found at: https://www.stjosephmo.gov.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A Kansas City woman was sentenced in federal court for filing a false claim as part of a scheme to fraudulently receive approximately $62,811.75 in COVID-19 relief funds from the government.

Robin Brooks, 55, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to 15 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay $62,811.75 in restitution to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and to Jackson County, Missouri.

The Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economy Security (“CARES” Act) was a federal law enacted in or around March of 2020 and designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was created to provide forgivable loans to small businesses that were administered from the SBA through corresponding financial institution.

The purpose of the PPP was to provide support to small businesses and assist their payroll to their employees during the pandemic.

In her guilty plea, Brooks admitted that, in 2021 she submitted two fraudulent applications to the SBA for loans using fake businesses.

Brooks’ businesses never actually existed and did not have any employees. In a related scheme, Brooks submitted approximately $30,345 in false invoices to Jackson County, Missouri, to receive CARES Act Funds for a non-profit organization she created to provide food to people negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brooks now owes the SBA $32,466 and Jackson County $30,345 based on the false claims.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Venneman and was investigated by the United States Secret Service.

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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph Memorial Park and Mount Auburn Cemetery will conduct its semi-annual cemetery cleanup on Monday, June 2.

Beginning at daybreak, cemetery staff will clear all remaining flowers, decorations and other additional items off every grave to begin mowing and maintenance of the cemetery grounds.

The community is asked to remove any items they wish to keep by the evening of Sunday, June 1. All items left behind are subject to disposal.

The cemeteries conduct two general cleanups annually. Once the first Monday in March and once the Monday following Memorial Day.

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Leah Rainwater

PLATTE, CO., Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Missouri Department of Public Safety has recognized Platte County as a Blue Shield Community in recognition of Platte County’s commitment to Public Safety.

The Missouri Blue Shield Program, created by Governor Kehoe in January 2025 through Executive Order 25-03, recognizes local governments that make significant efforts to reduce crime, foster law enforcement collaboration and build strong community partnerships for public safety.

Platte County Sheriff Erik Holland said, “The Platte County Sheriff’s Office has a long-standing tradition of excellence as a leading law enforcement agency in Missouri, built on our commitment to integrity, innovation, and service to our community. Achieving the Missouri Blue Shield Designation is a testament to the unwavering dedication and hard work of our deputies, jail staff, and administrative personnel. This honor reflects our collaborative efforts to enhance public safety and strengthen community partnerships, and we are proud to continue serving Platte County with the highest standards of professionalism.”

Communities are eligible for a Missouri Blue Shield Designation based on their dedication to reducing crime, making substantial investments in public safety and developing strong collaboration with law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders.

Each participating community’s commitment will be reviewed annually to ensure continued alignment with the program’s goals.

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ST. JOSEPH, MO. (News-Press NOW) — For years, Tom Brand was a familiar voice across northwest Missouri, delivering early morning farm reports and weather updates on local radio.

Now, the veteran broadcaster and lifelong St. Joseph resident is bringing those same stories to the printed page in his debut book, Welts on Your Butt a Calf Could Suck: Reflections on Faith, Family, and a Farm Kid’s Life.

Published by Richardson & Company Press and printed in Missouri, the book is a heartfelt collection of true stories drawn from Brand’s upbringing, career, and family life in rural America.

According to a press release on Brand’s new book: “From sorting pigs with his dad to Easter sunrises in a country cemetery, Brand captures the humor, humility, and small wonders of growing up on a Missouri farm. Readers will recognize not only the local landscape, but also the values — hard work, resilience, and connection — that have long defined the region.”

“This book is about remembering where you came from,” Brand said. “The lessons that stay with you, even when the chores are done and the kids are grown.”

Brand’s decades-long career in farm broadcasting took him from KFEQ in St. Joseph to national leadership as Executive Director of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Through it all, he said he has stayed rooted in his hometown and never stopped collecting stories, stories that make you laugh, think and maybe even tear up a little.

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Charles Christian

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Although St. Joseph park shelter reservations open in January for, spring and summer, these are the busiest times to rent a space.

Jeff Atkins, Director of Parks and Recreation in St. Joseph, said that beginning with Memorial Day weekend and beyond, park shelter spaces fill up very quickly.

“I looked at the schedule recently,” Atkins said, “and most of the shelters are already booked up for many of the weekends between now and September.”

Shelters are available for day or weekend use at three St. Joseph Parks: Krug, Hyde and Bartlett Parks. Atkins said the department is always ready to assist people in finding the right shelter based on the needs expressed by patrons.

“The shelters closest to the playground are always popular,” Atkins said. “And there’s another group of people who prefer ones that are closest to the restrooms.”

A majority of the shelters are in Hyde Park, which has four shelters and a gazebo. The gazebo at Hyde Park has no tables and is mostly used for weddings and concerts.

Atkins said weddings are often booked there months in advance. Reservations cost $35 per shelter day and must be made at least eight days in advance. He also said reservations are non-refundable.

Due to the popularity of the shelters in the spring and summer, the Parks Department recommends making plans well before the eight-day requirement, since some of the shelters being used in the spring and summer have been booked since the beginning of the year.

Interested parties can visit the Parks and Recreation website at stjosephmo.gov/577/parks, or call the office at (816) 271-5500.

Jessica Oshel, Special Events Coordinator, said if there are concerns about locations and times, the staff will try to either find an opening close to the desired date or help you find a similar space to try and accommodate the need.

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