Author: News-Press NOW

Kyle Schmidt

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Chiefs Kingdom is known for its support and energy towards its team. A part of the fandom that can go unnoticed is what they do pregame.

“Typically, on any sort of game day, definitely have to have the Chiefs gear on,” Chiefs fan Carrie Robaina said. “Cook the same meal every single time, I do it with my family.”

Soup and salad is the meal Robaina has with her family every game day in an effort to help the team win.

“It all started with one of the Super Bowls that we won,” she said. “During the playoffs that year, we always made a different kind of soup and now it kind of stuck.”

Other fans, like season ticket holder Bret Grof, starts every Sunday the same.

“First things for me, it’s red underwear, every Sunday,” Grof said.

Accompanied by Ben Klein, the two Chiefs fans said every Sunday is fun and it’s all about enjoying the game and hoping for a Chiefs win.

“I wake up to a Snapchat from him with some Chiefs music playing,” Klein said. “That kind of gets me going.”

Fans like Jean Fields watch each game wearing the same socks and shoes. Fields said during the game, seats are taken seriously.

“We have to sit in the same seats,” Fields said. “If you’re standing and a touchdown happens, you have to stand the rest of the game.”

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph School District has opened enrollment for all new and returning students, and asks families to complete enrollment by Friday, Aug. 1.

“Timely enrollment is essential to helping our schools prepare for a successful year. When families complete the enrollment process by August 1, it allows us to build accurate class schedules, assign teachers, and ensure transportation and services are in place for every student on day one,” said Stacia Studer, SJSD’s assistant superintendent of academics and education services. “We want every student to start the year ready to learn, and on-time enrollment helps make that possible.”

SJSD stated that completing enrollment by the Aug. 1 deadline ensures that bus transportation will be available on the first day of school and that class schedules and teacher assignments will be ready by Wednesday, Aug. 6.

Families can enroll or update their students’ information by visiting sjsd.info/enroll. Proof of residency must be uploaded to complete the process.

Accepted proof of residency documents include:

A utility or mortgage bill in your name, dated within the last 30 days

A lease agreement in your name, covering the current date

A letter from DFS or Social Services in your name, dated within the last 30 days

In a new effort for the 2025-2026 school year, the SJSD said that all middle and high school students planning to participate in athletics must be registered in FinalForms before tryouts.

Parents of athletes can go to sjsd-mo.finalforms.com.

The SJSD Enrollment Center can answer questions and assist. The Center can be reached at (816) 671-4115.

Families with children who will be age three or older before Aug. 1 and need enrollment help or language support are encouraged to visit the Enrollment Center in person at 1415 N. 26th St.

SJSD also said, new students and incoming kindergarten, 8th grade and 12th grade students must have their state-required immunizations completed to attend the first day of school on Tuesday, Aug. 19.

Applications for Free and Reduced Lunch are available at sjsd.info/meals.

Students who attend Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools don’t need to apply. CEP schools include:

Carden Park

Coleman

Edison

Hosea

Hyde

Lafayette

Lake Early Learning Center

Lindbergh

Parkway

Pershing

Pickett

Robidoux

Skaith

Spring Garden

Truman

Webster

Additionally, school supply lists for students going into Kindergarten through 6th grades can be found at sjsd.info/BTS.

Missouri’s Tax-Free Weekend will take place Friday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 3.

Another date SJSD wants parents to keep in mind is Back-to-School Night on Thursday, Aug. 14.

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News-Press NOW

KING CITY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Gentry County Sheriff’s Office has requested the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control to investigate a death in King City, Missouri.

The request came around 6:15 a.m. on Monday, July 28, when an adult male at a residence on South Grand Street was found dead.

MSHP’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, the Gentry County Sheriff’s Office and the King City Police Department responded to the scene and are currently investigating the death.

There is no known danger to the community, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Troop H Headquarters at (816) 387-2345.

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) – After 44 years of dedicated service, leadership and mentorship, Battalion Chief Paris Jenkins has officially retired from the St. Joseph Fire Department, marking the end of an extraordinary career that has left a lasting impact on the department and the community.

“I wasn’t inspired, I was unemployed, and I needed a job,” Jenkins said, as he claimed he didn’t enter the fire service with a grand vision. “That’s what I told them at my first interview. So I got points for honesty.”

What started as a job soon became a lifelong commitment.

“One of the reasons I stayed was the opportunity to learn. There’s always stuff to learn, and I enjoy that, so I just keep doing it,” he said.

Over the years, Jenkins witnessed and helped lead remarkable changes in firefighting. From riding the backs of 1947 fire trucks to operating modern engines equipped with advanced technology, he adapted alongside the profession.

“We used to just fight fire. Now we’re running many med calls as well as having to fill the gap in technical rescues,” he noted. 

Jenkins also noted the job has created deep bonds between St. Joseph firefighters.

“This isn’t just a job… We’re responsible for each other’s safety as well as our own,” said Jenkins. “It becomes a large family. You spend more time here with these people than you do many times with your own family.”  

Among the many calls he responded to, one in particular remains etched in his memory.

“When we arrived, there was heavy black smoke about three-fourths of the way down the front door, and the neighbor came over and told us there was an 8-year-old trapped inside,” said Jenkins. “A rescue company with no water, no hose, with only two people made an entry into this hostile environment. It was very hot in there, and black smoke could turn into yellow flame at any minute. And they went in and found the child. That child is doing well today, to my knowledge. They made a heck of a save.”

Jenkins also recalled his role in supporting the Bethany dive team in West Plains, where they were credited with 75 rescues. “It was a very rewarding feeling.”  

Serving as a Battalion Chief for 27 years, Jenkins also took great pride in education and training.

He attended the National Fire Academy and completed specialized coursework, including advanced training in hazardous materials.

“I feel passionate about learning,” said Jenkins. “And once I have that information, I feel it’s my responsibility to pass it on, just like those who came before me passed it on to me.”

However, balancing a demanding career with personal life was not without challenges.

“My regret is I didn’t spend more time with my family,” he shared candidly.

To honor his decades of service, a retirement celebration was held on Tuesday, July 29, at the SJFD Headquarters, located at 401 S. 7th St.

Friends, family, coworkers and community members gathered to celebrate his career, share memories and express gratitude for his contributions.

The event ran from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., filled with heartfelt stories and appreciation for a man who has given so much to the city.

Jenkins leaves behind a legacy of calm leadership, relentless curiosity, and dedication to service.

“I feel very honored to be a part of this team,” Jenkins said. “St. Joseph is fortunate to have such a hearty group of people who are willing to go out and weather extremes and do the job.”

While he steps away from active duty, his influence will continue to shape the department for years to come.

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News-Press NOW

ATCHISON, Kan. (News-Press NOW) — Benedictine College is hosting a free youth camp for young and aspiring baseball players.

The camp will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Aug. 31, at Olsen Stadium at Benedictine College.

Although the camp is free, Benedictine College is asking for donations of health kit items to take to the Dominican Republic for a mission trip in December 2025.

To register, send an email to epeterson@benedictine.edu.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The new “Cell 8” at the St. Joseph Landfill has been accepting household waste after an accelerated construction period took place to complete the work.

The work, deemed necessary after the previous cell filled quickly, was a multi-month project.

The first loads of trash were placed in Cell 8 on Tuesday morning. The city received a letter late last week from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources approving the cell’s use.

The city noted that the landfill has seen a sharp increase in usage over the last decade. The amount of trash received there doubled from almost 105,000 tons in 2015 to more than 215,000 tons in 2024, causing the previous cell to fill up more quickly.

While construction on the new cell began three years ago, city employees had difficulty keeping up with construction due to staffing needs.

At the beginning of 2025, city leaders decided to accelerate the cell’s construction and brought in an outside agency, MCON, to finish the work.

“We’re excited to announce the opening of Cell 8. I want to recognize Superintendent of Solid Waste and Recycling Darkota Cloud, who joined our team at the beginning of the year and has done a fantastic job leading his team and the charge on this project,” said Abe Forney, director of public works and transportation. “I’d also like to thank MCON, the construction contractor, for their outstanding work in excavating the new cell and assisting with every step needed to get it open…”

In a news release, the city said the first five feet of waste in the new cell will be household trash only. Construction-related trash is being diverted to other areas of the Landfill, temporarily; however, it will be relocated to Cell 8, along with some trash that has been allowed to be stacked vertically about usual limits in Cell 7.

The new Cell 8 is expected to have a lifespan of three to five years. Landfill staff have already started construction on Cell 9 at the facility.

The current permitted landfill area for future cells is anticipated to be adequate for the city’s current needs for the next 20 years.

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Abigail McCluskey

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Over the past several years, Missouri has dealt with the ongoing impacts of persistent dry conditions.

From agricultural stress to fire risks and water supply concerns, the drought has touched nearly every corner of the state at some point. But after a waterlogged July, Missouri is finally seeing long-awaited relief.

July 22, 2025 U.S. drought monitor is completely bare.

The St. Joseph region received 6.10 inches of rainfall this month—well above the July average of 4.75 inches. This boost in precipitation has played a major role in easing drought conditions across northwestern Missouri.

Earlier this summer, dry conditions were concentrated near Kansas City, Holt County, and parts of far northeastern Missouri. However, recent widespread rain, including some flash flooding events, has saturated soils and helped replenish moisture levels across much of the state.

Zack Leasor is the Missouri state climatologist and assistant professor at the University of Missouri, expressed his excitement and relief to be drought-free.

“The last time we had no D0 through D4 coverage was actually June 7, 2022. And so we have ebbed and flowed and, and even last summer came really close to recovering fully, but we did not receive zero percent coverage officially,” said Leasor.

This marks a notable change from last year, when Missouri hovered just short of being entirely drought-free around July. At the time, a sizable portion of the state’s southwest corner still struggled with severe dryness.

While the drought condition remains non-existent, further impacts of the summer heat could revert the state back into dry conditions.

The state climatologist continues to express the outlook on drought conditions over the next month,

“For the next month or so, it looks like the wetter-than-average conditions would be more likely to persist, kind of in these areas in northern Missouri,” said Leasor.

Leasor added that the risk of drought over the next few weeks remains low; however, it only takes a few weeks in the summer heat to impact soil conditions.

For more updates and a county-by-county look at drought conditions, you can visit https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MO

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph drivers will see two of the city’s most heavily trafficked bridges overhauled and replaced with entirely new structures in 2027, with traffic impacts potentially lasting up to six months.

The Gene Field Road bridge over Interstate 29 and the Riverside/Route AC bridge over U.S Route 36 will be demolished and replaced by the Missouri Department of Transportation, two projects totalling $16.4 million.

The aging bridges are more than 50 years old and reaching their intended lifespans, with both requiring regular maintenance, including a bridge-deck repair project planned for the Gene Field bridge this month.

“It’s time to get them replaced,” said Shannon Kusilek, district design engineer with MoDOT’s Northwest District. “Both of those bridges should be under construction in the spring of 2027.”

He said the goal is to have both bridges replaced by October or November of that year, an estimated six-to-eight-month timeframe depending on the project. The Gene Field Road project is expected to start once school is out in late May, while the Riverside project could begin as early as March or April.

At $5.7 million, the new Gene Field bridge will be nearly identical to the current structure but will feature new sidewalks, unlike the current bridge, providing stronger connections for pedestrians and cyclists.

The current Gene Field Road bridge was constructed back in 1962.

“I think it’s gonna be in the same grade and maybe a little bit wider for a little bit easier movements and things like that,” Kusilek said. “The Riverside Road AC bridge is going to be a little bit bigger project that’s going to be a complete replacement as well.”

At $10.7 million, the Riverside Road bridge project comes with double the budget compared to Gene Field, driven by a notable change in the addition of two new lanes, pushing it from a three-lane to a five-lane bridge.

On and off-ramps to U.S. Route 36 will also be improved in the process of construction. The Riverside Road bridge was opened back in 1973.

“We’ve got to get that bridge replaced. As you know, it’s been closed several times over the years for repairs. That just needs to be replaced as soon as we can get it done,” he said.

The change from three to five lanes is necessary to accommodate a significant increase in traffic since the bridge first opened. The area has seen significant business, commercial and industrial growth in the time since.

Improvements are also necessary to lay the groundwork for future improvements alongside Riverside Road, including potentially widening it.

“We have looked at improvements starting at Mitchell going all the way down as far as Pickett in the future and what future plans would accommodate that five lane structure,” he said. “Traffic’s grown a lot in that area.”

While a full traffic control plan with detours hasn’t been finalized yet, Kusilek said the department is likely to use Craig Parkway as the main detour for the Riverside/Route AC project.

“We’re going to use Craig Parkway that’s to the west of Route AC as part of our detour plan. So that’s going to be our main detour for that project,” he said. “With Gene Field, we’ll have to go through that and come up with some alternate routes to get to school that following fall.”

The two projects mark the latest push by the state over the last five to six years to overhaul many of its bridges when it was revealed that Missouri had more than 900 rated in “poor” condition. Of the states 24,538 bridges, 9,663 were reportedly in need of repair.

Kusilek said they’re roughly halfway done with the comprehensive bridge project for the Northwest District, often partnering with the Northeast District in the process.

“We ran a recent evaluation of our bridges. And in our district, for the first time in a long time, I believe we have under 100 bridges that are considered to be in poor condition. And we had as many as over 200 a few years ago.”

Despite the department’s success, many bridges continue to deteriorate quickly and significant work remains.

“We’re getting ahead, but at some point they’re going to start catching up. So it’s a never ending battle,” he said.

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Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Even with a heat advisory in effect, Kansas City Chiefs fans were out in full force at training camp Monday morning, bringing the energy and excitement that only Chiefs Kingdom can deliver. 

The gates opened at 8 a.m., and by 9:15 a.m. — the official start of practice — fans were already lining the field, eager for a glimpse of their favorite players. 

Fans at camp shared their experience of not only being present for the training but also about who their favorite player is and why.  

“My favorite Chiefs player is Patrick Mahomes because he is from Texas, and the first thing I say after I meet him would be If I can get a picture with him,” said Chiefs fan Hannah Kinard.

Despite the sweltering temperatures, crowds gathered with smiles, Chiefs gear and lots of spirit, determined to soak in every second of the experience. 

Tents around the campus helped provide shade, water, first aid and hygiene supplies to keep fans protected from the sun. 

“I haven’t been able to get any autographs yet, but I would like to tell every Chiefs’ fan to try and get his (Mahomes’) autograph,” Kinard said.  

Chiefs fan, Hannah Knight, was dead-set on Travis Kelce being her favorite player.

“He is a great tight end and knows how to take it down the field and works really well with Mahomes,” said Knight.

While training camp is about preparing for the season ahead, for many fans, it’s also about tradition, community, and their personal stories that tie them to the team.  

“Probably a whole lot of meeting new friends which we have already met, and just the ambiance of being at Chiefs training camp because I haven’t been here since the 70s,” said training camp attendee, Rebecca Adams.  

One message that was clear from the training camp- Chiefs’ fans are dreaming big and aiming for another Super Bowl.

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Ryan Eslinger

EMPORIA, Kan. (News-Press NOW) — With the college football season right around the corner, Emporia State University hosted the 2025 MIAA Football Media Day on Monday.

All ten teams in the conference made the trip to Emporia, Kansas, to speak on the upcoming season.

Many teams had new coaches, including Northwest Missouri State University’s John McMenamin, who is an NMSU alumnus.

Missouri Western State University was represented by third-year head coach Tyler Fenwick, fifth-year running back Brandon Hall, and Senior defensive lineman Grant Finley.

After a 4-7 overall record last season and a 2-7 record in conference play, Fenwick knew something needed to change.

“We worked a lot on training leadership in the off-season,” Fenwick said. “Just trying to get these kids to take some ownership in getting to the next level.”

MWSU was riddled with injuries last year. Brandon Hall suffered a season-ending injury after averaging 140 yards per game in just four games. Kane Donovan, the starting quarterback, suffered a season-ending leg injury in that same game.

Hall talked about his recovery process after the season-ending injury last year and looking to continue on the note he left off.

“Last year’s injury was a devastation for me, but it gave me time to grow and learn,” Hall said. “I’m seeing the game differently and we have the same O-line returning, so that’s usually good.”

In the first four games, the Griffons were 2-1 and continuing to grow, but after the injuries to the backfield, the Griffons would go on to win only two of their last eight games.

Defensive lineman Grant Finley is excited about the returning defensive players and said he wants the team to be physical on every play.

“I’m excited for our defense to be relentless every game,” Finley said. “We’re the type of team that’s going to punch you in the mouth every play.”

Missouri Western’s first game is scheduled for August 30, 2025, at 23rd-ranked Augustana. Fenwick is looking to learn from the mistakes of last year and lead the Griffons to their first MIAA championship since 2012.

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