Author: News-Press NOW

Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — If approved, Missouri Senate Bill 71 could be a big step in improving public safety and creating a safer environment for residents. 

Senate Bill 71, sponsored by Sen. David Gregory (R–St. Louis County) and aligned with similar statewide legislation, aims to crack down on individuals who knowingly and unlawfully enter motor vehicles with the intent to commit a felony or theft. 

The bill also establishes a new offense for unlawfully attempting to gain entry into vehicles by lifting door handles or testing the doors and locks of multiple vehicles without permission. 

The bill’s provisions reflect a growing concern over rising vehicle theft rates, which have become a significant issue in many Missouri communities. 

Sgt. Jeremy Peters of the St. Joseph Crime Division states that vehicle theft also continues to be a local issue officers are actively working to address. 

“We’re constantly working to combat vehicle theft,†said Peters. “Of course, the trend generally aligns with weather patterns—during colder months, we see an increase in vehicle thefts as people leave their cars running to warm up.” 

SB 71 classifies the offense of unlawfully entering a vehicle with the intent to commit a felony or theft as a Class D felony unless the offender possesses a firearm or steals a firearm from the vehicle, in which case the offense is classified as a Class C felony.

If an individual attempts to gain entry into motor vehicles by lifting door handles or testing the doors and locks of multiple vehicles without permission, this offense shall be classified as a Class E felony. 

Police and prosecutors across the state argue that current penalties for vehicle theft are not strong enough to deter criminals and more laws like this could help cut down on thefts. 

“Right now, some of the penalties are lower than what you would expect, for crimes like this,†said Peters. “So, anything that gives us more teeth to go after criminals and hold them more accountable when we do catch them doing these types of crimes is going to be helpful for everyone.†

As of Thursday, April 24, the House committee voted in favor of the bill and recommended that it be passed by the full House. If passed, the bill would go into effect on August 28, 2025.

News-Press Now will update this story with comments from local citizens.

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Ashley Luthans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri will attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome with President Donald Trump and other U.S. political figures on Saturday, April 26.

In a statement from Schmitt, he expressed gratitude for being selected to attend the funeral.

“I am honored to represent my state and my country at the funeral services for Pope Francis alongside President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and a bipartisan delegation,” Schmitt said. “Pope Francis dedicated his life to the Church and to Christ’s mission. Join me in praying for him, Catholics around the world and all those who loved him and that he may now rest eternally with Christ.”

Other U.S. senators that are a part of the bipartisan delegation will be Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator Mark Rounds (R-SD) and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA).

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The League of Women Voters of NWMO hosted a forum Friday night, with multiple state representatives in attendance, to discuss current news and information about state offices.

“We’ll be talking about what’s going on down in Jefferson City on a couple of the bills that, I’ve been handling and some of the other things that’s been going on,” Missouri Tenth District State Representative Bill Falkner said. “And so the questions and answers are always a good portion of the forums.”

In addition to Falkner, Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner Scott Nelson and Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett were also in attendance to answer questions from members of the community.

The League of Women Voters will hold another forum at Rolling Hills in the fall of 2025.

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Ashley Luthans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Missouri Western State University has named a new dean of students, Daniel Avegalio.

Avegalio’s most recent position has been as the Military Relations Manager at Western Governors University.

In the past, he was also dean of student services at State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Mo. and associate dean of student services at Sierra College in Rocklin, Calif.

Avegalio will head the division of student affairs, which includes residence life, student engagement, career development, counseling and more.

Avegalio will begin his duties as dean of students for Missouri Western on Thursday, May 1.

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Ashley Luthans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — An exclusive luncheon event with the St. Joseph Goats arena football team will take place on Saturday, April 26, at the St. Jo Frontier Casino.

The invitation-only lunch from 1 to 3 p.m. will feature St. Joseph Goats President Ted Sweeny.

St. Jo Frontier Casino is the official casino sponsor of the St. Joseph Goats.

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Ashley Luthans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — This weekend, Leupold’s Greenhouse will hold its 5th annual Spring Fling event.

The event encourages community members to pick up some flowers for springtime and support local vendors.

The Spring Fling will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, at 8407 U.S. 59 Highway.

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Chris Fortune

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph’s new arena football team is establishing its foundation in the city as its season opener approaches.  

The Goats unveiled their uniforms a week ago inside their new home at the Civic Arena, and the team’s president is ready to satisfy the passion of football fans in the area. 

“The coverage and the feedback that we’ve gotten from the community, it exceeded our expectations,†Ted Sweeney said. “It’s just made life easier as we look to partner with companies.†

The St. Joseph Goats are a young team, with their inaugural season being spent in Kansas City in 2024. 

As with many new ventures, there are growing pains. Sweeney said the most challenging part of the move was explaining why they were in Kansas City for a year and why they are in St. Joseph for good. 

When The Arena League launched in 2024, the Civic Arena could not accommodate the Goats, but the line of communication remained open. 

“Civic Arena called back the next year and offered us a three-year contract,†Sweeney said. â€œDoing our research prior to moving to Kansas City, we knew that this would be a perfect fit.†

Sweeney plans on letting the product on the field attract a larger fan base. The Goats finished the 2024 season with a 7-1 record, securing the top seed in the playoffs. 

“If we’re lucky enough to get the person to come to a game, we’re confident they’ll be hooked,†he said. â€œThese are pro football players that have been to NFL camps, played at Mizzou, and smaller schools around the area.†

Sweeney described the arena football experience as fast-paced with minimal timeouts and no huddles. 

“It’s a lot of plays in a short amount of time,†he said. “And then with the seating, there’s not a bad seat in the house. Everybody is close to the action.†

The Goats open their season on the road against the Ozarks Lunkers on May 31 but return home to face the reigning champions in their home opener. 

“June 7, we come back and take on the defending champions from Duluth, Minnesota, the Duluth Harbor Monsters,†Sweeney said. “So that payback is going to be fun.â€Â 

Anyone interested in purchasing tickets, seeing the team’s schedule, or learning more about the St. Joseph Goats can visit their website at stjgoatsfootball.com. 

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Kendra Simpson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Missouri Western State University students will show off their cinematic skills with the 10th Annual Griffon Film Festival, playing at the Trail Theatre Friday and Saturday evenings.

The film festival will showcase film, communication, digital animation and Griffon Media students’ work throughout the semester.

Organizer of the event, Blake Elder, will have his documentary, “Leather Bound”, featured in the festival. He hopes the community will see how essential and moving the fine arts can be.

“I hope the community sees that the arts are important and they should come out and support these students that have worked so hard and want to show their projects to everyone,” Elder said.

Elder said his favorite part of the festival is seeing his classmates’ work come to life after a year’s worth of script writing, filming and editing.

“My favorite aspect of the film festival is just getting to watch everybody’s hard work,” he said. “We’ve seen little bits and pieces, we’ve been on sets. But it’ll be really fun to see everything up on the big screen.”

Friday’s showing will end with awards, including Cinematography, Best Producer, Audience Choice, Best Overall Film and more.

The film festival is free to attend and will span two nights, beginning at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday night at the Trail Theatre, located at 111 N 9th St.

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