Month: November 2025

News-Press NOW

By: Zac Scott

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — A new Missouri law requires schools to address cardiac issues, something the St. Joseph School District is now focusing on.

Lafayette High School Nurse Jennifer Koch, who had her cardiovascular emergency response team (CERT) plan in place, was now able to put it into motion following the passage of Senate Bill 166.

“It put it into a little bit more of a fast forward to get it done a little faster,” said Koch. “We were able to get it done fairly quickly since I’d already started it the year before, but we actually have an official CERT team as of this school year.”

The CERT team at Lafayette is made up of seven staff members from different departments to ensure the quickest possible access to emergency services.

“Our team is multi-disciplinary, we have teachers, we have secretaries, we have counselors, nurses, administrators, lots of different positions, doing lots of different things in the event of a sudden cardiac emergency in our building,” said Koch. “Our administrators are very good at contacting the authorities, contacting Downtown. Our secretaries will contact parents and contacting emergency medical services. Of course, the nurses take care of the person in trouble.”

SJSD CERT teams conduct two drills a year. Koch asked Lafayette students like Kenzie O’Callaghan to participate in the drills to test CERT members’ abilities and reaction time.

“I think it’s essential for the staff to know exactly what they’re going to do whenever they don’t know what’s going to happen,” said O’Callaghan. “You never know when someone’s just going to have an accident that is just out of the blue.”

Lafayette teachers Ike Book and Jacee Winn are a part of the CERT team at Lafayette. Both said they were pleased to join the CERT team and help students beyond what they teach.

“I definitely am always wanting to help any student that I can. So just being there and making sure everything is going as planned is something that I enjoy,” said Winn

“It feels good, knowing that you’re there for more than just your job or a paycheck,” said Book. “You’re really trying to help them out. One, with teaching, but two, if something were to go down like that, in a broader sense, like, help their life.”

With each school in the district needing a team certified by Project ADAM, schools like Lafayette hope any student can feel safe.

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Daniel Byford

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Missouri Western State University Volleyball Coach Jessica Fey hasn’t lost a match in over a month. The last time her Griffons dropped a matchup was Oct. 3.

In the midst of her team’s 11-game win streak, Fey accomplished a career milestone — claiming her 100th victory in a 3-1 win over Central Missouri Friday night.

Come Monday, Fey reflected on the kingdom she’s built so far.

“It’s been a journey,” Fey said, “I definitely, when I took this job, didn’t anticipate to make this turn that quickly. I thought it would take a few years to build it up. So to have a 20-win season on year two was a little bit of a shock for me.”

MoWest’s coach wasn’t shy about sharing credit either.

“We have the right group of kids in place for the last two years,” Fey said, “That’s really all that matters, so hopefully we can keep the streak going.”

The Griffons go for a 12th straight win on the road against Fort Hays State at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Lunch and Learn session to prepare local businesses for the FIFA World Cup taking place in Kansas City, Missouri, next summer.

Whether it’s a hotel, retail business, bar or restaurant, the Chamber said owners should being preparing for an influx of tourists expected in St. Joseph in 2026.

Businesses can register for the Lunch and Learn, taking place at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Chamber, located at 3003 Frederick Ave. The session is also available online.

The Lunch and Learn will go over how businesses can be ready for the games and the international visitors that come with them.

The session will cost $12 and lunch is included. To register, visit www.members.saintjoseph.com.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — While the calendar hasn’t flipped to December just yet, holiday festivities are quickly lining up in preparation for the upcoming season.

The Saint Joseph Symphony announced its annual holiday performance is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, at the historic Missouri Theater, offering residents a chance to enjoy the festive sounds of the holiday season once again.

From carols and symphonic holiday pieces to group sing-a-longs, audience members will experience a blend of holiday classics and new orchestra arrangements at this year’s show, led by veteran music director Christopher Kelts.

“Holiday Cheer is one of our favorite concerts of the season because it brings the entire community together to celebrate through music,” Executive Director Nancy Schmidt-Brunson stated in a release. “This year we are excited to be visited by one of Santa’s favorite elves, who will be joining us for our pre-concert party and also guest conducting the SJS during the concert.”

This year’s performance will also feature a special guest in Kansas City-based soprano Anna Mandina. Mandina will perform classical pieces associated with the holiday as well as more contemporary selections.

The Holiday Cheer concert is made possible with support from the Allied Arts Council, the Missouri Arts Council, the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau and private donations from area residents.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.saintjosephsymphony.org or by calling the Symphony office at (816)-233-770.

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