Month: July 2025

Rebecca Evans

Wondering how to spend your weekend? Whether you’re in the mood to give back, sip something new, or face a few ghosts, a weekend full of surprises is in store.

First up, this Saturday, help bring back a piece of childhood. B & J Skate Center, a St. Joseph staple, was badly damaged in a fire last month. Now, the community is rallying to raise funds to help rebuild it.

It’s all happening at Good Times Event Center, Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry is free, and there’ll be food, games, music, vendors, and bounce houses. Wristbands are $20 for unlimited bounce time, and game tickets are just a dollar. It’s fun for the whole family and all proceeds go to the B & J Skate Center.

If you’d like to volunteer, be a vendor, or perform, contact 816-262-1574.

Now… if you’re up for something a little darker — how about an overnight ghost hunt?

This Friday night, the historic and very haunted Glore Psychiatric Museum opens its doors for a full paranormal investigation. The 19th-century asylum is packed with chilling history and real-life ghost stories. Disembodied voices, shadow figures, even a haunted morgue, it’s not for the faint of heart.

Your ticket includes snacks, ghost-hunting equipment, a history briefing, and full overnight access from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Spots are limited, so grab yours if you dare. Just remember, this isn’t a haunted house… it’s the real deal. Tickets are online at Haunted Soulz.com

Looking to sip something new and fun this month? Hazel’s Downtown is bringing back their popular Flights event this Saturday at 9am. 

You’ll have the chance to try one of three unique drink flights:– A matcha and loose-leaf tea flight,– A lemonade, boba, and strawberry breeze combo,– Or a coffee lover’s dream flight with iced lattes, cold brew, and affogato.

Flights come in 4–6 oz pours, giving you a taste of several new flavors on Hazel’s menu.

Seating is limited to just 8 people per session, so they highly recommend reserving your spot. Walk-ins are welcome, but paid reservations come with 10% off in-store purchases, too.

It’s fun, flavorful, and happening twice a month at Hazel’s Downtown, so grab a friend and make a reservation before it fills up!

So whether you’re giving back, ghost-hunting, or sampling new brews at Hazel’s,, there’s no shortage of adventure in St. Joe this weekend. Get out, sip something new, and make some memories! That’s all for this weekend. Be sure to tune in every Thursday for more ways to See St. Joseph. 

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News-Press NOW

BUCHANAN COUNTY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — One child is dead following a two-vehicle crash on southeast 32nd and Seymour Roads, two and a half miles south of St. Joseph, on Tuesday night.

The 13-year-old male driver of a 2008 KTM SX65 youth motorcycle, from Dearborn, Missouri, was southbound on Southeast 32nd Road, while the 18-year-old male driver of a 2021 Toyota RAV 4, from St. Joseph, Missouri, was eastbound on Southeast Seymour Road.

The 2021 Toyota RAV 4 also hosted an 18-year-old female occupant from Country Club, Missouri.

The driver of the Toyota made a left turn and began to slide onto Southeast 32nd Road. The driver of the motorcycle failed to yield to the Toyota and struck it in the front right bumper.

After impact, the 13-year-old diver was ejected from the motorcycle and landed in the field adjacent to the road. The motorcycle travelled off the east side of the roadway and came to rest in the ditch facing southeast on its driver’s side.

The Toyota came to a controlled stop off the east side of the roadway facing north.

The 13-year-old driver was transported to Mosaic Life Care and then was further transported to Children’s Mercy Hospital by EMS. He was pronounced dead at Children’s Mercy at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23.

Both the 18-year-old male and the 18-year-old female were taken by private vehicle to Mosaic Life Care and sustained minor injuries.

The 13-year-old driver was wearing a helmet, and both the 18-year-old male and female were wearing seat belts.

This is an update to a story News-Press NOW responded to on Tuesday, July 22.

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Kirsten Stokes

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A sweeping new law set to take effect Thursday, Aug. 28, will reshape how Missourians bring issues directly to the ballot.

Citizens use the Initiative Petition process to put new laws or constitutional amendments directly on the ballot by gathering signatures.  

It’s been used in Missouri for over 100 years, allowing voters to bypass the legislature and place issues directly on the ballot.

Recent examples of this include medicaid expansion, abortion access and medical marijuana legalization.

Senate Bill 22, passed by Missouri lawmakers earlier this year and signed by Governor Mike Parson, introduces a series of changes to the state’s Initiative Petition process, altering everything from who writes the official ballot language to when and how legal challenges can be filed.

Supporters of the bill acknowledge the changes will provide greater consistency and fairness. However, critics warn it could undermine democracy by making it harder for grassroots organizations to bring issues before voters. 

Ballot summary responsibility

One of the most significant shifts under Senate Bill 22 is who will write the summary language appearing on ballots, a key piece of information that can shape how voters perceive an issue.

Previously, the Missouri Secretary of State was responsible for writing the short summary that appears on ballots to explain what a proposed measure does. 

State Representative Dean Van Schoiack (R-Savannah), who represents part of Buchanan County, said the change is about “putting power back in the hands of the elected General Assembly, rather than relying solely on one state office to control how issues are worded for voters.” 

“I think the changes made here allow for the Secretary of State to do his job correctly,” VanSchoiack said.

Under the new law, when the legislature itself refers an issue to the ballot, lawmakers will now write the summary language instead. The Secretary of State will continue to write summaries for citizen-led petitions. 

Disagreers of the bill, including David Jones, the vice president for the St. Joseph National Education Association (NEA), argue that it gives more power to officials and not the will of the people.

“It’s important that when we do any initiatives that are going to go to the vote for the voters, that’s worded clearly,” Jones said.

Longer ballot summaries

In the past, anyone who disagreed with the wording of a ballot summary had 10 days after certification to challenge it. Courts also had the authority to rewrite summaries if they found the wording biased. 

Now, legal challenges and court fights over how a ballot question is worded must be filed by the 22nd Tuesday before the general election. Around 154 days ahead of time.

Any court battles over ballot wording must be fully resolved at least 70 days before the election. Additionally, courts must wait for the Secretary of State to attempt up to three rewrites before stepping in. 

“It doesn’t change what’s in the petition or the resolution or whatever,” VanSchoiack said. “It just gives a chance for the ballot language to change.” 

But critics, including several voter advocacy groups, express that these new hurdles will make it harder for ordinary citizens to hold the government accountable, especially if ballot summaries are drafted in a way that favors one side. 

“It would be harder for organizations to challenge ballot initiatives that are worded improperly,” Jones said.

Summary statement length requirement

Senate Bill 22 also doubles the maximum length of ballot summaries from 50 to 100 words, allowing for more detailed descriptions.

Supporters of Senate Bill 22 note, this gives voters more context, while opponents fear it could open the door to slanted or overly complex language. 

Impact on voter-driven campaigns

For organizations that rely on Missouri’s Initiative Petition process, one of the state’s few direct democracy tools, Senate Bill 22 creates both new challenges and limited benefits.

The stricter legal deadlines mean, groups must be ready to launch costly legal fights earlier in the process.

However, the new law also clarifies that signature gathering can continue even if ballot language is being challenged in court, offering some procedural certainty. 

A continuing battle over direct democracy

The passage of Senate Bill 22 reflects a broader political struggle over who controls the Initiative Petition process in Missouri—a right enshrined in the state’s constitution since 1907.

In recent years, voters have used the process to enact Medicaid expansion, ethics reforms and marijuana legalization, sometimes against the wishes of state lawmakers. 

What’s next?

With Senate Bill 22 set to take effect in about a month, election officials, advocacy groups and voters across Missouri are preparing for the new system ahead of the 2026 election cycle. 

Residents of St. Joseph interested in bringing an issue to the statewide ballot, or in understanding ballot measures they may vote on, are encouraged to stay informed about the new rules and deadlines. 

In practical terms, voters may notice: 

Longer summaries on the ballot. 

Fewer last-minute legal disputes over ballot language close to election day. 

The need for earlier legal action if concerns arise over how a ballot measure is worded. 

For more information on how Missouri’s Initiative Petition process works, visit sos.mo.gov or contact local election offices in Buchanan County at (816) 271-1414.

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — In the heart of Downtown Saint Joseph, a weathered building on Felix Street still bears the ghost sign with the name “Newburger,” quietly honoring a once-thriving Jewish business and community from the late 1800s.

For Bud Collins, a retired U.S. federal agent and descendant of Jewish immigrant Bernhard Newburger, that building isn’t just part of city history; it’s part of his family’s story.

An antique photo looking east on Felix Street, where the original sign for the “B. Newburger” building is bright and new. Courtesy of: www.stjosephmemorylane.com.

Recently, members of the Collins family made a special trip to St. Joseph to pay tribute to their roots. Most of the group traveled from Colorado, where the family is now primarily based, while others came from as far away as South Africa, where one of Collin’s sons joined the Foreign Service.

The journey was a testament to the enduring importance of their shared heritage.

“This was important enough to bring everyone together,” descendant Bud Collins said. “We were only missing one family member. This is for the grandchildren, so they won’t forget where they came from.”

The family gathered on the roof of Felix Street Gourmet on Thursday afternoon, courtesy of the owners, to get an up-close and personal view outside.

The former site of Berhnard Newburger’s women’s hat shop operated from roughly 1889 to 1915.

The building, located along Felix Street, had stood for 150 years and was once part of a lively Jewish business district.

At the time, St. Joseph was a prominent riverboat town, and Newburger’s shop was just one of many Jewish-owned businesses, which helped drive the local economy.

An antique ad for Newburger’s Millinery.Courtesy of: www.stjosephmemorylane.com.

“My great-grandfather made women’s hats,” Collins said. “He probably made them by hand, and the business was quite successful. This whole area was the Jewish business center of the time.”

Despite the era’s challenges, Collins noted that the Jewish community in St. Joseph appeared to be well-accepted.

A historical portrait of Bernhard Newburger.Courtesy of: Collins family.

“From what we can gather, there was little or no anti-Semitism, so they were welcomed into the community and were a part of the community,” said Collins.

Collins also shared a remarkable piece of family lore: In 1912, his grandmother, pregnant with his father, was scheduled to return from Europe on the Titanic. She postponed the trip due to illness, an extraordinary twist of fate that saved their family’s future.

Now, the last Jewish member of his family, Collins said, preserving this history is more important than ever.

“When I’m gone, the Jewish line dies with me,” he reflected. “This is important to our family history. And when I first saw it… I’m just like something that’s here, that’s that old, that has a family member’s name on it. It’s really significant for my family.”

Collins lamented why the building is important to the family.

“That’s why this building, and this visit, matter. It’s our past. And remembering it is a message to future generations, not just about family, but about resilience and acceptance,” said Collins.

The Berhnard Newburger Building standing present day 2025Rebecca Evans | News-Press NOW

For Collins, a life of public service runs deep. A veteran of the Foreign Service and law enforcement, he notes that many members of the family have served, whether in the military, diplomatic corps or as a FedEx pilot.

This trip wasn’t about service to the country; it was about the service to memory.

In a time of increasing division, Collins hopes the story of St. Joseph’s once-vibrant Jewish community can serve as a reminder of what inclusive communities can look like.

“This place embraced our family 150 years ago,” he said. “I hope that spirit is something we can return to, not just here, but everywhere.”

The view from atop Felix Street Gourmet of the famous ghost sign is still visible to the community today.Rebecca Evans | News-Press NOW

“Even if it’s a building like this, remembering is important. At the time, in St. Joseph, the Jewish community was well accepted and prominent,” said Collins, “I wish in a large sense we could go back to that rather than have this polarization that we’re seeing now.”

Thanks to the Collins family’s efforts, and their journey from Colorado, California, South Africa and beyond, the legacy of Berhnard Newburger, and the Jewish history of St. Joseph, will not be forgotten.

It’s a powerful reminder of why preserving and remembering our history- and the stories that shape it- is important.

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