Month: November 2025

TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — As the temperatures drop, not only does the St. Joseph Fire Department prepare its crew, but its equipment as well.

Bill Lamar, emergency manager for the City of St. Joseph, said any time there’s freezing temperatures, fire crews have to deal with freezing water and equipment.

“They (fire crews) have to bring more equipment, more clothing to change into any time that they’ve gotten wet,” he said. “Stay at a structure fire, then they’re going to have to change out equipment and their supplies also.”

Lamar said that before the colder temperatures approach, fire equipment gets tested.

“Typically, any of our testing has been done more towards this time of the year. So most recently, you see that we’ve done hose testing out in the neighborhoods,” he said. “That makes sure that the hose is ready for the colder seasons. But also, the trucks are checked, and the ladders are also checked before the winter season hits.”

During the winter, the water in fire hydrants can freeze. Lamar said the fire department works closely with Missouri American Water, which maintains and operates the hydrants.

“Any time we’ve been at a fire, we let them know…That way, the hydrant is prepared for any time it needs to get used after that,” he said.

The winter also changes the way firefighters respond to calls. Lamar said crews have to drive slow to avoid issues with snow and ice.

“You have to drive more pronounced as far as getting to the scene, because typical roads that you might be able to take won’t be possibly plowed or they might be too slick to go up a hill,” Lamar said. “So the crews really prepare early to make sure they can get to the scene the safest way.”

Despite colder temperatures while fighting fires, winter proves to be complicated for fire crews.

“It gets really cold because you’re not only not in the fire anymore, but you’re also wet and sweaty,” he said. “So most of the crews bring extra socks, extra clothes to change into, but boy, when you’re on the scene, it’s just a matter of trying to stay as warm and as active as possible.”

SJFD reminds the public to stay safe when using alternative heating sources. Lamar said winter is a busy time of the year for the fire department due to the risks of different heating sources.

“As far as like overheated extension cords that are running, like space heaters, during the time they sleep. So nobody’s awake to catch a fire when it starts. And then also, if they haven’t cleaned out their HVAC system or their chimney, we’ll see a lot of like chimney fires,” he said.

Lamar also said to make sure smoke detectors are available throughout homes and that batteries are replaced.

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News-Press NOW

By: Darren Doyle

ANDREW COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) — Andrew County community members gathered with area first responders to discuss a possible tax hitting the ballots in the spring of 2026 elections. 

The tax would help fund a state-of-the-art communications center in the county to keep the county’s dispatching service local.

Area residents worry that if the service moves out of town, response times will slow down for first responders.

The official specifics and ballot language for this effort have not been decided, although a handout at the meeting references a path toward a sales tax of up to 1% in the county.

The possible tax could generate $1.4 million toward this endeavor, according to Andrew County East District Commissioner Fritz Hegeman. 

First responders from Fillmore, Savannah, Cosby-Helena, and more joined the meeting.

Along with a new dispatch center, a board to oversee the operation would also be formed if the tax initiative passes in the spring of 2026, according to Hegeman. 

“If the tax issue were to pass and the voters were to elect to form an emergency services communication district, then the board is appointed by the county commission,” said Hegeman. “(It is) supposed to include so many members of emergency services, representatives from those departments and then, I believe, two members from each of the districts of the county.”

The chairman of the board would also be decided, who should remain impartial, according to Hegeman. 

Many area members shared their thoughts and concerns about the issue with local leaders at the Andrew County Museum on Wednesday. 

One of those speaking up in favor of keeping the service local was former Andrew County Sheriff Bryan Atkins.

Atkins said having a dispatch center and staffing in the county would matter a great deal. He shared about a 911 call that came through, about a man who had collapsed at a local restaurant.

Atkins said the call was eventually routed to DeKalb County due to calls coming in about a wreck at the Savannah/Andrew County location.

He said the dispatcher was insistent on an address; however, Atkins said the call was from the Savannah Family Diner. A location that an ambulance crew had just departed from.

“(This is a) perfect example of if you send (dispatch out of county), you’re going to get exactly what you pay for. It may be cheaper, and that’s exactly what you’re going to get, cheap,” Atkins shared with the room. “So if you want to live in Andrew County, we need to step up and say, ‘This is what we want for Andrew County’.”

The official ballot language is scheduled to be decided by Jan. 27, 2026.

Hegeman said all area residents are welcome to reach out to the commission with any questions or concerns about the possible tax. 

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — City officials announced Thursday the Gene Field Road Bridge remains closed at the direction of the Missouri Department of Transportation, which maintains and has authority over it, as the agency continues to evaluate the structure following an accident earlier this week.

THE LATEST

The bridge was struck on Monday by an oversize load traveling on Interstate 29, which runs beneath the structure. MoDOT crews are currently assessing the bridge’s condition and determining if repairs are necessary. The bridge will remain closed until MoDOT deems it safe to reopen.

MoDOT’s bridge closure is impacting a City of St. Joseph project in the area. Through traffic is restricted for a bank stabilization project on Woodbine Road between Karnes and Cook, so the city is implementing a new detour in the area.

DETOUR

On the east side of the bridge, drivers are advised to travel east on Gene Field Road to Bishop Road, then go north to Cook Road to avoid Woodbine.

Woodbine Road remains closed to general traffic daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the ongoing stabilization project. Local traffic will continue to have access throughout the duration of that work. The Woodbine project is expected to continue for about three more weeks, weather permitting.

The City of St. Joseph appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as MoDOT completes its inspection and determines whether repairs are necessary to the Gene Field Road Bridge. Drivers are urged to use caution and follow all posted detour signage in the area.

A complete replacement of the 63-year-old Gene Field Road bridge is currently scheduled for spring 2027, a $5.7 million project.

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Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph School District’s Board of Education held a special meeting Wednesday to revisit two other options for the district’s long-range plan.

Plan 2B would keep Lafayette and Central as the district’s two main high schools, while Plan 7B would pair Benton and Hyde with Central. 

The discussion comes days after the Board unexpectedly pumped the brakes on Plan E — a community-led proposal that would keep all three high schools, after unanimously approving the plan at a previous meeting.

Board President LaTonya Williams said even she was caught off guard by Monday’s turn of events.  

“I would love to choose a plan and stick with it. We can’t keep going back and forth like this, and it’s already emotional… We have been doing this for a while now,” Williams said.  

Williams added, she expected to hear plenty of feedback from the community, hoping public input would help guide the Board toward a final decision. 

She admitted the situation is becoming increasingly tense, saying the district can’t afford to move forward without a clear plan for the future.  

“My initial reaction, I was trying not to throw up. Well, because I made it, you know, it was just all action and off the cuff and unexpected and everything,” Williams said.  

Community members once again were given the floor to share their thoughts. Many urged the Board to slow down before making any major decisions.  

“I pray you’ll consider the most important subject in this. We ask the kids, ‘How will dividing and forcing more kids into classrooms be beneficial for them?’…Please rethink this whole idea,” one speaker said.  

Others spoke in support of Plan E, which aims to keep all three high schools open.  

“Closing multiple schools at every level. Sure, having a large middle school may allow you to keep the cohort plan at the middle school level, but it’s not going to work at the other levels,” another community member said.  

Williams said the Board understands the frustrations being voiced and is trying to find the best solution for students, staff and the community. 

The Board will hold another public hearing on Monday, Nov. 17, followed by a meeting on Nov. 24, both planned to take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Troester Media Center, where members are expected to either finalize a plan or pause for a deeper review. 

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News-Press NOW

By: Darren Doyle

CAMERON, Mo. (KQTV) — First responders in Cameron are hosting a food drive to give back to those in need in their area.

The agencies are requesting donations of non-perishable goods. Community members can also make monetary donations

Monetary donations can be dropped off at the Cameron Police Department, located at 101 North Chestnut St. in Cameron, Missouri. Anyone who would like to write a check can make it out to “Cameron Crime Stoppers”.

Area residents can also contact the Cameron Police Department to schedule a donation pickup appointment. The last day of donations is Friday, Nov. 28.

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