Author: News-Press NOW

Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Summer months are widely known for being the season of vacation, outdoor fun, sunshine and swimming pools, but they also bring a spike in crime rates.  

The crime increase during the summer tends to be a result of scorching heat and people spending more time outside, which can bring more opportunities for a crime to occur.

In situations like this, it is imperative to be cautious about your surroundings and the people around you.

“Anytime you leave property unattended, whether that be in your yard or your vehicle, make sure to secure it and lock your belongings up,” Sergeant Jeremy Peters, with the St. Joseph Police Department, said.  

Due to the lower number of call volumes from the community or residents wanting to remain at home because of colder weather, crime rates tend to decrease in the winter months.  

“When we get reports, we investigate them as thoroughly as possible, but we can’t prevent everything,” Peter said.    

Recently, some St. Joseph residents have posted missing items on social media. One of those residents is Kailey Huff.

“The morning of the 5th of July, I noticed our front gate was open,” said Huff. “I noticed that our bike was missing. We had to contact the police department because we did not know where it went.”

Although Huff was able to secure the bike with the help of the police department and her neighbors, it was distressing to experience an incident such as this.   

“It was pretty fast paced. The officer I had spoken to seemed to know who I was talking about and was able to locate it very quickly,” Huff said.   

Huff recommends putting a lock on personal property and not leaving anything unattended.

For stolen items, residents can contact SJPD’s non-emergency line at (816) 271-4702.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Robidoux Resident Theatre will be presenting “Fiddler on the Roof” this weekend, but with a local twist.

Rex Robinson, his daughter Julie Garey and his grandson Jack will all have roles in the Robidoux Residents’ take on the classic, award-winning tale.

“When he (Jack) decided that he wanted to do theatre last year, that was exciting,” Julie said. “I was the only one in my family who grew up doing that, it’s been fun to share that with him. But it’s been cool to have my dad on the show because I’ve been dancing since I was four. I started doing theatre in middle school, and he’s been in the audience for 30-plus years. It’s been fun to show him what it’s like on the other side.”

With Robinson not having prior theater experience, it has been a learning process; however, it’s one that he cherishes being able to do with his family.

“As a grandparent, you enjoy all the time you spent with your grandkids,” Robinson said. “I was hesitant to get out of my comfort zone and try; I felt like an outsider at first. But I’m glad I did. It was fun for me the first time we went down to the Missouri Theater to have my grandson show me the ropes backstage. It’s been a rewarding experience.”

One of the big things the family has taken away from being in a musical with notable historical significance is how Jack has been able to learn more about events talked about in school classrooms.

“He’s (Jack) seven years old, he doesn’t know what the Holocaust is or anything like that,” Julie said. “A lot of times when we were rehearsing, he’s like, ‘What is happening, I don’t understand.’ I think it’s helping show him what has happened in our past. And how we don’t want history to repeat itself.”

The first show will take place Friday night at the Missouri Theater, located at 717 Edmond Street. Tickets can be purchased by going to rrtstjoe.org.

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A local small business is celebrating a major milestone with the community as it marks one year at its new location.

Polished Pretty by Em will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon on June 11th to commemorate its first anniversary at 3843 Frederick Ave. The celebration will feature giveaways, treats, and special surprises throughout the day.

The boutique, which specializes in unique handmade items like nails, t-shirts, earrings, and other boutique goods, originally opened five years ago inside the East Hills Mall. Since then, it has grown steadily, with the move to Frederick Avenue marking a significant step forward.

Owner Emily Gutzmer reflected on the journey with gratitude, acknowledging both the challenges and the support that have shaped her business.

“Honestly, thank you guys. I can’t thank you enough,” Gutzmer said. “It’s been an amazing five and a half years. None of this would have been possible without you guys. We’re so thankful for our original customers and all the new ones we see regularly so thank you guys.”

Although Gutzmer currently lives in St. Louis while her husband completes his medical residency, she shared plans for the couple to return to St. Joseph next year.

The event is open to the public, and everyone, from longtime patrons to first-time visitors. Everyone is invited to stop by and join in the celebration. It’s Polished Pretty by Em’s way of thanking the community for its continued support and role in the boutique’s success.

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Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Community members gathered Friday morning to celebrate the official opening of the new Downtown EMS facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The facility, located at 701 S. Seventh Street, is expected to meet the growing demand for emergency medical services in the Downtown area.

“The inner city of Saint Joe is one of our busiest areas,” said Wally Patrick, Buchanan County EMS executive director. “When we started looking for a site for the new Post 2, we decided this location met all of our criteria.”

The $1.2 million facility is more spacious and features a three-bay design, allowing room for an additional ambulance to be housed indoors.

It also includes enhanced safety features, including a controlled gate access that automatically closes as trucks enter and exit, giving EMS crews a better chance to spot anyone on the property who shouldn’t be there. 

“With the occurrence of violence increasing throughout the country, we want to be proactive, rather than reactive,” Patrick added. “This all started with the tax vote last year. It gave us the ability to provide a safe location for our crews between calls and ensures they’re not sitting in a truck for 12.5 hours on a street corner.”

Local paramedics say they’re passionate about their work and grateful to now operate from a facility that better supports their mission. 

“This development is important for helping us get to where we need to go more quickly,” said Buchanan County paramedic Harris Gulledge. “I’ve done this since I was 18. Serving the community is something I feel like I have to do but I love doing it.”

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — inspireU is kicking off their Inspired Concert Series on the rooftop on Wednesday, July 16.

“Mr. Stinky Feet” will begin the concert series at 3 p.m. The concert is included with general admission to inspireU, located at 521 Felix St.

Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove has performed over 5,000 high-energy shows throughout North America and Europe, including two performances at The White House Easter Egg Roll.

The Inspired Concert Series will continue on Saturday, Aug. 2, and Sunday, Sept. 13.

To learn more and to purchase general admission tickets, visit inspireU.com.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph School District will hold a graduation to celebrate those who have completed the district’s Adult Education and Literacy program.

The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, at the Keatley Center, located at 1202 S 28th St.

Seating is limited, but a recording will be posted after on the SJSD’s YouTube channel.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The official launch of ‘My Brother’s House,’ Community Missions’ 24-hour shelter service, provides more than a place of rest for St. Joseph’s homeless community.

“The main priority is their safety,” Outreach Coordinator Charley Lundy said. “It will help having this to get people off the street.”

The 24-hour service has been something that Community Missions has been aiming to get off the ground for a while. In past years, the shelter has been limited to providing food, water, a bed to sleep and counseling in the winter months.

News-Press NOW previously reported that Community Missions only had enough funding to operate for 50 days out of the year.

The organization received $50,000 from the City of St. Joseph for its operations but ended up spending $62,000 to keep running for the 50 days in 2024.

In March of 2025, Community Missions received $200,000 from Buchanan County and Mosaic Life Care to kickstart the 24-hour initiative.

Now, the 24-hour shelter serves as a relief to some visitors who stop by the shelter.

“I’ve been out on the streets,” St. Joseph resident Christa Nolannd said. “As a woman, it’s a big relief to know that we have an all-around-the-clock shelter. It’s a feeling of security to have a place to stay, where it’s safe. Sometimes women are preyed on a little more than a man. And it means a lot to me to have a safe place.” 

News-Press NOW also previously reported that data showed a decrease in homeless numbers across Andrew, Buchanan and DeKalb counties in 2025 compared to 2024.

Statistics show that in 2025, 218 individuals were identified as homeless, with 155 being sheltered and 63 being unsheltered.

Community Missions Executive Director Rachel Bittiker said, ‘My Brother’s House’ will be able to help individuals obtain resources to help them function in society…With goals to also decrease the homeless count in the future.

“We’re doing classes in groups and things like that,” Bittiker said. “We’re helping them obtain IDs & birth certificates, the essential things that you need to be able to get employment for jobs. To be able to do things to function in society.” 

The priority for the shelter going forward is to further increase the volunteers and sponsors, along with supporting efforts being made within the community.

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Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Two days after moving into their apartment at The Meadows, a St. Joseph family is starting from scratch following a fire that left them with nothing. 

An early Tuesday morning blaze at The Meadows Apartment complex displaced dozens of individuals and families. While no injuries were reported, a local family of five, who had just moved in two days prior, suffered the most damage. 

“We were homeless and I was staying with my aunt until I found The Meadows,” said Rakisha Hughes, a tenant at The Meadows Apartments. “She’s only in a one-bedroom apartment and was letting me and my four kids live there. So when this happened, it was tragic to know we’d have to start all over again…”

Fire officials told News-Press NOW that the blaze was unexpected and one of the most significant they’ve responded to in recent weeks.

Hughes was able to react quickly to the spreading fire thanks to her 16-year-old daughter, who was awake at the time, and immediately began waking up everyone else in the home. 

Hughes said she and her family didn’t have much to begin with and now they’ve been stripped of everything, including her computer setup that she used to work from home.

“I was next door to where it started so we have nothing,” Hughes said. “There’s absolutely nothing saved and I still remember the night so vividly. There were a bunch of fire trucks outside and police officers knocking on doors trying to get people up. So, my kids and I started helping them because it was 3 a.m. and almost no one was awake.”

Along with having nothing left, like others who were displaced, Hughes’ family is still uncertain about what’s next, now staying in temporary housing. 

“We’re being reminded every day that this is temporary and it’s not really a shelter,” Hughes said. “The Red Cross is more just support. So, I don’t know what’s going to happen from here.”

Meanwhile, Hughes says her family remains hopeful and is grateful for the outpouring of support from local organizations and people within the community. 

“I’m not good with asking for things but I do appreciate everything,” Hughes said. “Even just the prayers for us because this is hard on us. The Red Cross is doing all they can to help us — feeding us breakfast, lunch and dinner — but now being homeless and temporarily jobless with four kids, I’ve got to figure it out.”

According to a social media post via Facebook, the clothing sizes for Hughes’ four children include 2T, 11/12 in boys’ clothing, small in women’s and an XL in women’s. 

Community members can also refer to the original Facebook post here to reach out on ways to help. 

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Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Kehoe has repealed certain provisions of Proposition A, by signing House Bill 567 into law.

Kehoe signed the measure into law Thursday afternoon at the State Capitol.

Proposition A passed in November 2024 with support from more than 57% of Missouri voters, and it took effect on May 1. It guaranteed workers one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked. However, two weeks later, on May 14, Republicans forced a vote to repeal the sick leave portion of the bill.

There were concerns about Proposition A’s legality, and a lawsuit was filed shortly after it was approved by voters. The lawsuit claimed that voters were misled in the initiative petition used to get Prop A on the ballot.

Yellow Dog Bookstore owner Joe Chevalier has been in business for 12 years and has three part-time employees. He says he will continue to offer paid sick leave, but the overturn is a disappointment.

“I’m really disappointed with the Republicans in the legislature and overturning the will of the voters,” Chevalier said.

However, Chevalier said the change in law puts other workers in a tough spot.

“You have to make that choice of working while you’re ill and getting paid and staying home and getting paid and for many people, that’s really not an option,” Chevalier said.

President and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce Kara Corches believes the change will protect Missouri’s economy overall.

“We applaud Gov. Kehoe signing this bill into law because it was incredibly vital to protect our business climate,” Croches said. “By signing this bill, we knew Prop A as passed in 2024 was indeed a job killer, so we are really pleased to see this across the finish line and signed into law to protect businesses and jobs in our state.”

Mandated sick pay will no longer be required for businesses after Aug. 18. It will then be up to each employer to decide whether to continue offering the benefit.

Corches said the law created limits for employers, especially in certain industries.

“You can’t ask why they are sick, which is problematic if you think about a health care setting or a food setting where you do have to know why someone is out sick in case they have communicable disease,” Corches said.

For Chevalier, he says if his small Columbia bookstore can offer paid sick leave, so can other businesses. He says it helps businesses in the long run.

“Your success depends on the people who work for you, and if they’re happy, if they feel taken care of, they’re going to do better work and the business will prosper from that,” he said.

However, Corches says mandatory paid sick leave would have hurt Missouri businesses’ budgets. She said more than 550 businesses joined the chamber to oppose Prop A.

HB 567 raises the minimum wage to $13.75 per hour this year, then to $15 starting in 2026. Thursday’s signing, however, eliminated a future increase to minimum wage.

Supporters of Prop A have filed papers to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot during the 2026 election cycle. If passed, it would reinstate the paid sick leave mandate and the increase to minimum wage.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Students across the Show-Me state will see sweeping new cell phone restrictions starting in the upcoming school year in K-12 classrooms, part of a new law signed Tuesday that includes exceptions for certain emergencies.

The measure is part of a wide-ranging education bill — Senate Bill 68 — that was signed Wednesday by Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe. The policy states that beginning in the 2025-26 school year, each Missouri K-12 school district, including charter schools, must have a written policy restricting students’ use of phones.

The policy must include prohibiting students from displaying or using the device during the entire school day, including during instructional time, mealtimes and between classes, with certain exceptions for things like medical emergencies, natural disasters and other circumstances identified by a district. 

In a statement to News-Press NOW, St. Joseph School District Superintendent Ashly McGinnis said the district will be updating its handbooks and suggesting policy changes for the board that align with the new law, as well as providing communication to staff and families.

“Senate Bill 68 addresses several school-related issues, including the impact of student cell phone use. Research continues to show that phones can be a major distraction from learning and lead to increased discipline challenges for teachers. We believe this part of the bill will support a focused learning environment for all students,” the statement read.

Currently, the St. Joseph School District prohibits cell phone usage at any point of the day for elementary students. For middle and high schoolers, they are only allowed to have their phone before school, during lunch and after school. Cell phones are regularly monitored by teachers, campus supervisors, principals, lunchroom staff and other adults in the building.

On the first offense, phones are confiscated and picked up at the end of the day by the student. On subsequent offenses, phones are confiscated and picked up at the end of the day by a parent, consequences may include loss of privilege and the development of an individualized check-in plan.

The bill does not require phones to be locked away, meaning school board officials will have to decide whether devices will be put in designated areas or if students can keep the devices with them.  

“It will be a big change,” St. Joseph Board of Education President LaTonya Williams said. “As a member of the school board I know the importance of eliminating as many extra distractions in the classroom as we can … so I think it’s a good thing. I want for people to realize what you did before cell phones, you were still able to contact your children at school if need be.”

She anticipates changes will receive push back from students and even parents who have become dependent on cell phones for direct communication during school. 

Williams said cellphone overuse is a challenge that isn’t limited to K-12 schools, calling it the “number one” challenge for many before and after-school programs locally as well. She stressed that parents will have to be a critical part of the equation to build healthier cell phone habits outside of school that can then be applied to school and life.

“I’m just asking the parents. We need your help. I know these are your children, and you want access on your children at all times, but our job at the school district is to educate those kids,” she said. “If the parents will help us implement these rules, it will be easier on the district to implement them.”

Each district will be required to describe how it intends to discipline students if they violate the policy, as well as any exceptions to allow for cell phone usage in certain circumstances. Phones are also permitted when necessary to ensure compliance with federal laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act, including for Individualized Education Programs (IEP). 

Polling conducted by Saint Louis University and YouGov this year showed widespread voter support for banning cell phones in schools, with over 70% of likely Missouri voters favoring prohibiting students from accessing cell phones during regular instructional activities across all K–12 schools.

The bill also says that a school district or charter school employee or volunteer will be immune from any liability if the employee or volunteer acts in good faith and follows the proper disciplinary procedures.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story has been updated to correct the spelling of Ashly McGinnis. News-Press NOW apologizes for this error.

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