Author: News-Press NOW

Abigail McCluskey

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — While August often marks the return to school routines, it’s also a time to celebrate something that draws people outdoors and onto the water, National Fishing Month.

Fishing is more than just a pastime in Missouri; it’s a beloved tradition spanning generations. From families enjoying a quiet day at a local pond to serious anglers seeking their next big catch.

Here in Northwest Missouri, there are plenty of great spots to cast a line.

In the St. Joseph area, the Missouri Department of Conservation recommends several easily accessible public fishing locations, including Corby Pond, Krug Park Lake and the ponds located on the Missouri Western State University campus.

These waters offer opportunities for both beginners and seasoned anglers to enjoy the outdoors close to home.

Erin Woodiel with the MDC described the type of fishing that can be found in the St. Joseph region.

“One of the most popular fish in the Northwest is going to be crappie; they can be caught all over the place. You can also get large-mouth bass,” said Woodiel

The MDC partners with local cities and works to stock ponds and lakes in the region.

“We actually stock a lot of different waters in the northwest region every fall, so you should have plenty of catfish,” said Woodiel

Whether you’re fishing for the first time or have years of experience, National Fishing Month is a great reminder to brush up on safety tips and review Missouri state fishing regulations.

Missouri has specific rules to help protect fish populations, ensure fair access for all anglers, and keep the sport safe and sustainable.

Before heading out, anglers should make sure they have a valid Missouri fishing permit.

Most residents and non-residents ages 16 to 64 are required to carry a fishing license when fishing public waters.

Permits can be easily purchased online through the MDC, at local vendors or at MDC offices. Special permits may also be needed for certain species or methods, so it’s important to check the specific requirements before you fish.

Woodiel did note that your standard fishing permit allows for the fishing and capture of all fish species except trout.

Woodiel explains that trout fishing and capture require their own permit on top of the standing fishing permit.

For more information on fishing regulations and permits, visit https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Local organizations working to treat, educate and prevent opioid and substance abuse received a boost in funding at Monday’s City Council meeting from the latest round of opioid settlement funds.  

From non-profit groups to law enforcement, groups like Community Missions, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office and the Samaritan Center were approved as recipients of 2025 settlement awards, the second round of funding since it began in 2024. 

A total of $125,600 will be awarded in 2025, $84,000 from the city and $41,600 from the county. Approximately $156,000 was awarded in 2024. 

St. Joseph and Buchanan County received roughly $2 million in opioid settlement funds as part of a massive $26 billion settlement in 2021 following lawsuits from dozens of states against the country’s top opioid manufacturers. 

Awards are only given to groups that prioritize treatment, education or prevention of opioid and substance abuse.

Funding awards in 2025: 

1. Community Missions Corporation: $58,670

Aftercare Specialist position

The Aftercare Specialist position will engage people experiencing homelessness that suffer from co-occurring disorders including opioid and other substance use disorders, currently being solicited by a housing opportunity. 

An Aftercare Specialist is instrumental in the success of overcoming addiction and securing housing, preventing reoccurring institutionalization. Funding will be reimbursed for invoiced, allowable costs.

2. Alano Club of St. Joseph: $5,000

Reimbursement for conference/meeting room furniture

This funding will purchase conference and meeting room furniture for use during on-site meetings, events, and activities for the education regarding, and prevention of, substance use disorder and/or co-occurring mental health conditions. Meeting spaces are provided at no cost to participants.

3. Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office: $5,000

Reimbursement for medication prescribed and administered as part of a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program for individuals that are incarcerated at the Buchanan County Jail.

Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has operational oversight of the Buchanan County Jail, and is responsible for the fair and firm care, custody, and control of all sentenced and non-sentenced inmates charged to the care of the Sheriff. The BCSO provides a complete range of services for all inmates while they are incarcerated, including necessary and appropriate medical care. This includes providing MAT services to inmates under the direction of a qualified medical provider.

4. Mid-City Excellence (MCE) Community Learning Center: $11,000

1. Reimbursement for opioid prevention curriculum and training $7,3002. Reimbursement for transportation components $1,8003. Reimbursement for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports $1,900

Funding will be utilized to purchase opioid prevention curriculum and provide training for lead coaches and instructors of the curriculum. Funding will also be used to purchase fuel, van insurance, and to make van repairs as needed, to allow for transportation of participating youth and accompanying adults, to and from field trips, outreach, and expanded weekend programs.

Finally, funding will be used to purchase Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) incentives, allow for career exposure field trips, and cover costs associated with an End-of-Year Youth Showcase, for youth participants, as these activities provide healthy alternatives to substance use for MCE program participants.

5. New Seasons St. Joe Metro Treatment Center: $5,000

1. Pre-paid bus passes to be purchased from St. Joseph Transit for patients to utilize for transportation to and/or from provided appointments.

2. Reimbursement for Uber Health transportation rides, utilized for patients with transportation barriers, so that they may attend necessary services.

The target population will be patients 19 years and over, with a diagnosis of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), experiencing transportation barriers. Each bus pass will be specific to and for use only by the recipient. The Uber Health transportation model shall be reserved for patients who meet specified criteria. Funding will be reimbursed for invoiced, allowable costs.

6. The Samaritan Center: $32,140

1. Peer Support Specialist position $31,0002. Transit passes for clients receiving substance use disorder services $3603. Mileage reimbursement for PRSS staff travel for business purposes $780

The Peer Support Specialist position will engage and support people in treatment and recovery from opioid use disorder and any co-occurring substance use disorder and/or mental health conditions through evidence-based programs and strategies, providing counseling, peer support, recovery case management and treatment with access to medications for those who need it. 

Once established, some services performed by this position will be billable for MO-HealthNet and Medicare reimbursement, to help promote future sustainability of the position. Funding will be reimbursed for invoiced, allowable costs. St. Joseph Transit bus passes will be provided to clients receiving treatment for substance use disorder that also experience transportation barriers. Finally, funding will allow for the reimbursement of mileage costs incurred by a Peer Recovery Support Specialist working with people in treatment for substance use disorder, traveling for business purposes.

7. Youth Alliance: $8,790

1. Support high school Youth Summit and support activities $3,1102. Equipment and supplies for middle school events $4,1103. Youth engagement items for coalition capacity building $7004. Equipment and supplies for high school prevention groups $870

Funding will be used to reimburse expenses related to the High School Youth Summit event, an interactive day of learning focused on substance use prevention and mental health awareness. 

Further, funding will provide supplies and equipment to support substance use prevention and educational activities for middle-school aged youth, by creating societal norms around social events that do not promote or include drug use or the consumption of alcohol. 

Funding will help support community-based education and/or intervention services for youth outreach, and educational items to help engage youth in programming and build the capacity of the Partners in Prevention coalition within the community. Finally, funding will support evidence-informed high school prevention programs or curricula to provide substance use prevention and activities providing an alternative to substance or alcohol use.

Youth Alliance coordinates the Partners for Prevention coalition that promotes substance use prevention strategies for youth within the community. Their work focuses on making changes in societal norms regarding substance use, and they challenge local youth to choose a life free of substances and addiction through the incorporation of alternate activities and behaviors. 

Substance use prevention strategies include, but are not limited to, facilitating monthly coalition meetings, coordinating an annual Youth Symposium event for high school students, facilitating middle and high school substance use prevention events employing tools and resources to demonstrate effects of substance use, supporting local data collection and dissemination, partnering to offer messaging and other education toward substance use prevention, working with other local agencies to offer unified education and outreach efforts.

City to resurface Hy-Vee bus station parking lot

A popular city-owned bus station by Hy-Vee is in line for a series of asphalt tune ups.

Councilmembers approved a $109,000 purchase order with Herzog Contracting Corp. for an asphalt overlay project at the Hy-Vee bus station parking lot.

Crews will perform a 2” mill and overlay of the bus lot and driving lanes, including furnishing and installing pavement markings where needed.

City sets out on improvements to Fairview Golf Course

Monday’s meeting saw the approval of a $210,000 work order with Transystems Corporation for design services to improve Fairview Golf Course. Design services will be funded with Parks Sales Tax funds.

The popular golf course is in need of improvements to help support its long-term functionality and support efficient water management for irrigation.

Key components of the planned improvements include:

Site surveying using aerial LiDAR or photogrammetry.

Hydraulic analysis and modeling of the stream feeding into the pond.

Environmental permitting support through coordination with the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers (USACE).

Dredging of the existing silted-in ponds located through the center of the golf course.

Construction of a new pedestrian/cart bridge structure to replace the aging bridgespanning the pond.

Council hears first reading on Aquatic Park lap pool demolition

Councilmembers heard a first reading on a $239,000 contract with TNR Construction, LLC, to demolish the lap pool and slides at the Aquatic Park on South Noyes Boulevard, two structures that have long out of service.

Despite the planned demolition of the structures, the existing shallow activity pool and lazy river will remain in place and be available for residents in future pool seasons.

Councilmembers previously approved a contract last August for design services for demolition of the Aquatic Park lap pool, a project that hinged on the city agreeing to a partnership with the YMCA for a $15 million indoor aquatic center up north, a 35,000 square foot facility.

A final vote on demolition is expected to take place at the next council meeting on Monday, Sept. 1

City transfers land ownership for highway intersection project

Councilmembers approved the execution of a quit claim deed for a tract of land adjoining Highway 169 at the intersection of Route FF to the state of Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission.

The MHTC has requested the city relinquish the rights to the property adjoining Highway 169 at Route FF as part of the upcoming project that will see MoDOT redesign the intersection.

Intersection improvements will include the addition of left-turning lanes on 169, channelized right turn lanes on FF and 49th Street, bulb-outs for large vehicles, and intersection lighting.

Outside the intersection, MoDOT will also be extending the nearby culvert and grading the clear zone, and extending the left turn lane from the intersection of FF and 169 to UPS.

City approves $600,000 for landfill equipment rebuilt program

Roughly $611,000 will be used to purchase a CAT Certified Rebuild and Reusability Programfrom Foley Equipment Co. for St. Joseph Sanitary Landfill.

The landfill’s Caterpillar D8T Dozer, purchased in 2013 for $606,321.93, has accumulated approximately 18,791 operational hours and services as a key asset for daily operations, including moving waste on the active face, maintaining overfilled areas, and removing shale and cap rock.

This unit is equipped with a caterpillar waste handler package, which includes enhanced guarding and upgraded filtration systems specifically designed for landfill environments.

Purchasing a new 2026 Caterpillar D8 Dozer equipped with the same waste handler package would cost approximately $1,230,000.00.

To extend the life of the existing unit at a lower cost, the department is pursuing a Cat Certified Rebuild through Foley Equipment Co., a designated Caterpillar Dealer and the exclusive Certified Rebuild Dealer for our region

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) – Alchemy Tea, a beloved Downtown shop known for its specialty blends and welcoming atmosphere, is calling on the community for support as it faces financial strain driven by rising supply costs and recent economic challenges.

In a candid Facebook post earlier this week, owner Lacey Martin warned customers that the shop may be forced to close if sales don’t improve.

The spike in expenses follows recent tariffs under President Donald Trump’s trade policies, which have driven up the cost of imported goods, including tea.

According to Martin, the cost of some of their high-quality loose-leaf tea, much of which is imported, has doubled, and some even tripled. What once cost $17 a bag now costs up to $45. Despite the increases, she said Alchemy Tea does not plan to raise its prices, citing a desire to protect customers’ wallets.

“In order to keep the lights on and the tea brewing, we need people to come in our door,” said Martin, “Thank you to everybody that supports us, we’re not giving up on Alchemy. This is what we live for: we love our customers. It’s more than just tea here, it’s an atmosphere.”

In addition to loose-leaf tea, the shop also offers hand-crafted drinks, tea accessories, bulk blends, and curated oddities. Alchemy Tea also features Unique Unicorn, a whimsical plant shop that formerly operated as its own storefront but now shares space inside Alchemy and continues to sell plants and products online.

Alchemy Tea is planning community events and gatherings. However, Martin noted that such efforts carry financial risk if participation remains low.

Despite the challenges, the business is not ready to give up. The Alchemy team is asking for feedback and ideas from the community to help keep the shop open.

Alchemy Tea has not announced a closure date, but emphasized that the coming weeks will be critical.

Martin also encouraged other small businesses to stand together during this difficult time.

“It’s not just Alchemy. It’s the whole entire downtown that we all desperately need our community to show up for us.”

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Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Back-to-school season is right around the corner as families gear up for the upcoming school year.

The special backpack giveaway is happening on Aug. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m at Open Door Food Kitchen.

Families can stop by, enjoy snow cones and hot dogs, and pick up backpacks filled with school supplies to help students start the year off right. 

It’s a family-friendly event designed to bring the community together while making sure kids have what they need for the classroom.  

“Its all about giving back to the community, and a lot of us are in this together and we have either been on this side of giving back or have been on the other end of needing help,” Corey Lowe, host of the event said.  

This is the second year the event is being held, giving families a chance to come together and pick up school supplies before the new year begins. 

Along with the giveaways, there will be games and activities for kids of all ages—or families can simply stop by to grab what they need.  

“Some of them are aged for younger kids, while other are meant for older kids. They will have pens, pencils, highlighters and just about everything  they might need,” Lowe said.  

Lowe says that the goal is not just to hand out supplies, but to create a fun, welcoming experience that leaves a positive impact on the community. 

The event is free and open to everyone, and families are encouraged to bring their kids.  

“I hope the kids who need these supplies come out and get their supplies that they need for the school year, which is about to start back up tomorrow,” Demetrius Chance, another host of the event, said.  

Both organizers say their mission is simple: making sure kids are prepared and equipped with the tools they need to succeed.  

“Getting them prepared and making sure they have all the tools to succeed is what I hope for,” Chance said.  

For more information on the event or Open Door Food Kitchen, visit our website News-Press.NOW.com.  

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Missouri State Highway is set to host a career expo in the state’s capital this September showcasing a wide variety of job opportunities.

Highway Patrol officials are inviting potential job seekers to participate in the event on Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the MSHP Law Enforcement Academy at 1510 E. Elm St. in Jefferson City Missouri.

Divisions with current openings will have representatives on hand to answer questions about positions and projects, employee benefits and what it’s like to work for the Patrol.

In addition to the position of trooper, the Patrol workforce includes over 60 civilian career paths. Currently, there is a wide variety of job opportunities located throughout the state.

Representatives from more than a divisions will be available to answer questions about employment opportunities:

Aircraft Division

Bomb Squad

Budget & Procurement Division

Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division

Communications Division

Crime Laboratory Division

Criminal Justice Information Services Division

Dive Team

Driver & Vehicle Safety Division

Fleet & Facilities Division

Gaming Division

Human Resources Division

Missouri Information Analysis Center

Recruiting & Community Outreach Division

Water Patrol Division

Those seeking more information are encouraged to contact Capt. Danielle Heil, Recruiting and Community Outreach Division at (573) 526-7106 ext 1021 or Corporal Robert “Mike” Malone, Recruiting and Community Outreach Division at (573) 508-9804.

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) – With students returning to school, the St. Joseph Police Department is reminding drivers to use extra caution around school buses and in school zones.

Here are some tips from Sergeant Kylie Van Meter, supervisor of the department’s School Resource Officer (SRO) unit, on safe driving around school buses:

Never pass a school bus from behind or from either direction when it is stopped, unloading or loading children

All traffic must come to a complete stop when a school bus has its red or yellow lights flashing and the stop arm extended.

Van Meter noted that the area within 10 feet of a school bus is particularly dangerous for children.

Make sure you stop far enough back to allow kids to safely enter and exit the bus. 

Drivers are encouraged to stay alert, as children may act unpredictably and may not always be aware of surrounding traffic hazards.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph residents are invited to the 2025 Tomato Fest, presented by the Northwest Missouri Master Gardeners.

The Fest will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21 at the University of Missouri Extension Office grounds, located at 4125 Mitchell Ave.

Attendees will be able to sample dishes made with this year’s tomato harvest and can also learn from gardening and preservation professionals.

Speakers will offer guidance from soil testing to preserving a harvest.

For more information, call 816-279-1691.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Both lanes of traffic are now open on the MacArthur Drive Bridge as work on the project nears completion.

The bridge was originally built in 1945 and 1946, and has been undergoing an extensive renovation since May 2024.

The renovations involved completely replacing the concrete deck, blasting and recoating the steel supports underneath it and adding new railing, sidewalk and fencing.

The $2.9 million project was financed through the voter-approved Bonds for Bridges program and is its last major initiative.

The bridge goes over a railroad track and a creek and provides access to the city-owned Heritage Parks Softball Complex and Remington Nature Center, as well as several businesses, including the St. Jo Frontier Casino.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of August, weather permitting.

Occasional brief lane closures may be necessary for final tasks to be completed.

Cars drive along MacArthur Drive on Friday following the long-awaited opening of the bridge.

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Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office is warning against scammers targeting St. Joseph residents, claiming to be deputies or police officers.

The scammers are telling residents they have missed court and that a warrant is out for their arrest.

They’re also asking residents to go to the Law Enforcement Center and are using the names of Command Staff Members. Scammers will then ask you to call a phone number to pay.

The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page states,

“Members of the Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement in general DO NOT call our citizens and ask them for money over the phone for warrants.”

Buchanan County’s Sheriff Puett urges people to keep their personal information to themselves.

“We can always remind our citizens, please do not give personal information, any social numbers, date of birth, anything to anyone.” said Puett.

Law enforcement in general will not ask you for money over the phone involving warrants or for missing court.

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News-Press NOW

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (NEWS-PRESS NOW) — Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) thanks one St. Joseph native for completing a summer internship in his Kansas City District Office.

Claire Phillips, a graduate of St. Joseph Christian High School and a student at the University of Missouri- Columbia, played a pivotal role in Graves’ office.

“Claire jumped right in on day one, fielding phone calls, researching legislative issues and helping folks navigate the complex federal bureaucracy,” said Graves. “Ms. Phillips was an invaluable member of our team this summer during a historic time in Congress and I wish her the best as she continues at Mizzou.”

Phillips is a National Merit Scholar and was recognized in 2024 as being of the most academically accomplished graduating seniors in the state of Missouri for that year.

Outside of her academics, Phillips enjoys working with her sorority, competing with Mizzou’s Club Competitive Dance team and volunteering for local charities.

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