Author: News-Press NOW

Cameron Montemayor

COUNTRY CLUB VILLAGE, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Country Club Village authorities reported a mountain lion was struck by a vehicle Friday evening in the area of 71 Highway and Miller Road.

The department confirmed multiple earlier sightings of the cougar by residents after the collision occurred around 5:20 p.m. Friday in Country Club Village.

Agents with the Missouri Department of Conservation were able to locate the feline, which had serious injuries likely as a result of the collision and had to be euthanized according to reporting from KQ2.

“I’m sure everyone is concerned about the mountain lion that was seen in Country Club Village earlier this evening. We would like to thank the Missouri Department of Conservation and Andrew County Sheriff’s Department for their quick response and handling the situation,” a Facebook post from the Country Club Village Police Department reads.

The incident marks the second confirmed sighting by MDC of a mountain lion in Northwest Missouri in the last four months following a confirmed sighting in October in DeKalb County. The lion was reportedly seen in multiple locations near Amazonia and later by Clarksdale, Missouri.

As of late 2024, the Missouri Department of Conservation had confirmed roughly 120 mountain lion sightings and reports since 1996. More than a dozen official sightings have occurred statewide in 2025.

Measuring up to 8 feet long and weighing between 64 and 265 pounds, depending on whether it’s male or female, mountain lions are solitary animals and attacks on humans are rare.

According to MDC, a majority of sightings statewide have been single male mountain lions likely grown up and traveling along the Missouri River corridor in search of their own territory. Genetic samples in the past from cougars found traveling through Missouri suggest many are coming from western states, according to the department’s website.

Missouri does not have an established breeding population, and no evidence has been recorded of reproduction in the state.

This trail camera screenshot from Sept. 22 shows a confirmed sighting of mountain lion walking west of Clarksdale, Missouri, just before 10 p.m., roughly 15 miles northeast of St. Joseph.

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Prajukta Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Stands at Civic Arena were filled with energy for day one of the Winter High School Basketball Showcase.

Community members showed up to cheer on their favorite teams and celebrate every basket scored by players they know and love.  

Fourth grader Vivien Jeffers from St. Joseph Christian School came out with her family to enjoy the day off from school and catch some basketball action.  

“I just like watching basketball because of the defense. I hope no one gets hurt during the game today,” Jeffers said.  

Although basketball isn’t her main sport, Jeffers said she plays softball at school and still enjoys coming to games during basketball season to cheer on her favorite team.  

Another young fan, Landon Halsey, was especially excited to watch his cousin play for North Andrew as they took on Higbee.  

He said what he loves most about basketball is the thrill and suspense that keep fans on the edge of their seats.  

“Probably most of the times I go and see these games. I miss it (the games) sometimes when I have a game of my own and my hope is just that they win this game today,” Halsey said.  

For sixth grader Ethan Manley, the night was about more than just the game. He enjoyed spending time with friends and looking forward to relaxing for the rest of his school break.  

While he attends games often, he said this was only his second time watching one at Civic Arena and has a few things to look forward to.

“The excitement of watching the game, and we hopefully win because my sister did a really good job at playing this game,” Manley added.  

Six-year-old Miller Neill also came with his family to cheer on his cousin, excited to watch him score baskets and hopefully take home a win.  

He said he was looking forward to seeing his cousin succeed on the court.  

For many in attendance, the day wasn’t just about the final score. It was about the excitement in the building and the support for family members and friends playing the game.  

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — More than a dozen social service agencies are set to receive funds from the city’s HUD-funded Community Development Block Grant program this fiscal year. 

Community Missions, YWCA, Bartlett Center, Voices of Courage and nine other social service agencies in St. Joseph will receive a portion of $401,694 in grant funds in fiscal year 2025-26, with several pending City Council approval.

City Councilmembers will vote on three of the contracts at Monday’s City Council meeting, Community Missions (Emergency Shelter — $100,000), Social Welfare Board (Dental Program — $66,807) and YWCA ($54,405), while the remaining nine agreement amounts were less than $25,000 and do not require City Council approval.

Funds are allocated according to funding requests submitted by agencies that provide services to low- and moderate-income residents of St. Joseph. 

Additional agencies awarded grants include Voices of Courage, Social Welfare Board, United Cerebral Palsy and Sisters of Solace, among others.  

Community Development Block Grant awards include: 

*Community Missions Emergency Shelter: $100,000

Community Missions Corp — Juda House: $20,486

Bartlett Center: $18,869

The Center, a Samaritan Center — Client Assistance Program: $20,486

Voices of Courage Children’s Advocacy Center: $20,486

*Social Welfare Board — Dental Care Program: $66,807

United Cerebral Palsy — Community Integration: $12,399

*YWCA — Shelter for Abused and Homeless Women: $54,405

Pivotal Point Transitional Housing — Transitional Housing for Homeless: $24,536

AFL-CIO Community Services: $12,399

Second Harvest Community Food Bank — Senior Nutrition Boxes: $20,486

Sisters of Solace: $13,039

Youth Alliance: $17,296

*Pending City Council approval

The City receives an entitlement of CDBG funds each year from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help support the program, and is allowed to spend 19.8% of the budget on public service activities.

Agencies are required to submit supporting documentation of services provided and expenses for reimbursement. City staff verify that all expenses are eligible before payments are processed.

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TaMya Bracy

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KQTV) — The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has launched a new website to help Missourians quit tobacco.

According to DHSS, Missouri has one of the highest smoking rates in the nation, with over half of the Missourians who do smoke trying to quit each year.

The website YouCanQuit.org provides information on stages of quitting, how to help a friend quit, incentives for quitting while pregnant, teen vaping resources and the environmental impacts of vaping.

Missourians ages 13 and older can enroll in Missouri Tobacco Quit Services on the website, which provides free, confidential support to help them quit. If eligible, enrollees receive free coaching with a tobacco treatment specialist and nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches and gum.

“The launch of the new website comes at an exciting time for Missouri as we continue to expand our cessation services,” said Nicole Sinderman, the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program Manager. “There is something for everyone on this site, and we invite Missourians to explore it to learn more.”

For additional information regarding Missouri Tobacco Quit Services and available resources, contact the DHSS Tobacco Prevention and Control Program at motobaccoprogram@health.mo.gov or 573-522-2820.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — A Celebration of Life and Rosary will be held to honor one community member who made his mark across the Northwest Missouri area.

Adrián Pérez, the proud owner of Adrián’s Tacos, died of a heart attack on Sunday, Dec. 28, in Oaxaca, Mexico, leaving many friends, family and supporters in mourning.

Pérez, originally from Querétero, Mexico, made St. Joseph his home for the last 25 years.

The celebration will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, at St. Patrick Parish, located at 1723 S. 12th St.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help cover the costs of Pérez’s final arrangements, with just over $5,000 raised so far.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Leave on the lights and grab a blanket, the books this month from the St. Joseph Public Library are all about horror. The books are available at the St. Joseph Public Library, at other Missouri Evergreen libraries, or from one of the SJPL eContent vendors. Visit the library’s catalog at https://sjpl.modiscovery.org to find these or other great books to enjoy.

“Dead of Winter” by Darcy Coates. Forced to take shelter in a remote cabin after their bus breaks down in the Rocky Mountains, Christa is trapped with eight strangers from her tour group. As the weather worsens the body count also begins to rise — a killer is picking members of the group off one by one. Will any of them escape this snowbound thriller alive?     

“We Used to Live Here” by Marcus Kliewer. Charlie and Eve purchase an old home with plans to flip the property. While Charlie is out running errands Eve answers a knock at the door. A man is there with his family, claiming to have previously lived in the home and asking if he could quickly show his kids around. One thing after another extends their visit, ignoring all hints to leave, and bizarre things begin happening around the house. Is Eve losing her grip on reality, or is something wrong with the house and the strange visitors?  

“The Writing Retreat” by Julia Bartz. Alex is dissatisfied with her job and suffering from writer’s block when she wins a spot at a writing retreat hosted by the eccentric and reclusive Roza Vallo. Five aspiring female writers are expected to complete a novel while staying at an isolated mansion. As the pressure mounts the line between reality and fiction blurs. Something sinister is at play, and Roza Vallo may not be who she says she is.   

“The Terror” by Dan Simmons. Cozy up with this historic tale of terror based on the ill-fated Franklin Expedition to the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic. In 1845, Captain Sir John Franklin of the hauntingly monikered HMS Erebus and Captain James Fitzjames of the HMS Terror set sail from England on what was intended to be a heartily provisioned three-year voyage. Simmons begins in 1847, almost two years into the expedition, from the perspective of Francis Crozier, now Captain of the Terror. Simmons ushers us through with a well-researched narrative and fictional journal entries detailing the horrors that befell the crew of the Erebus and Terror.  

“The Darkest Night” edited by Lindy Ryan. If you prefer your winter horror in bite-sized portions, The Darkest Night: 22 Winter Horror Stories, edited by Lindy Ryan might just be what you’re looking for. This anthology features authors such as Josh Malerman (Incidents Around the House), Nat Cassidy (When the Wolf Comes Home), Rachel Harrison (Play Nice), Darcy Coates (Haunting of Blackwood House), and many more. Together, the collection offers a chilling anthology that explores how winter’s cold, darkness, and isolation become catalysts for fear, grief, and the uncanny. 

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Leah Rainwater

JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) — A 17-year-old male from Oak Grove, Missouri, was pronounced dead after being struck by a vehicle on Interstate 70 Thursday night.

Both a 27-year-old Independence, Missouri, female driver of a 2024 Ford Bronco, and the 17-year-old male pedestrian were westbound on I-70.

The crash occurred as the Bronco struck the pedestrian in the roadway, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report.

The 17-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene by Troopers with MSHP Troop A and is being sent to the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office.

MSHP said preliminary investigation reveals that the pedestrian was the driver of a vehicle being pulled over by the Independence, Missouri Police Department.

The 17-year-old had allegedly fled the vehicle, run across the eastbound lanes, and onto the westbound lanes, where he was struck and killed.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The first baby of the new year at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph is a boy.

Mosaic Life Care announced Thursday the birth of Faylynn Graham and Kaiden Unl’s son Theo.

Theo weighs 7 pounds, 1 ounce and is 19 inches long.

The name “Theo” has ties to the Greek language, meaning “Gift of God” or “Divine Gift”.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The return of the St. Joseph Retro Convention will see a giant of pop culture coming to the Civic Arena at the beginning of May. 

Kevin Clash, who is known for puppeteering Elmo on Sesame Street from 1985 to 2012. He also had a hand in puppeteering in popular movies and tv shows such as Labyrinth, Dinosaurs and various Muppet productions. 

Clash was also the voice and puppeteer for Master Splinter in the 1990 and 1991 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies. 

Clash, along with various other pop culture figures, booths and more, will be at the Civic Arena on May 2 and 3. For those interested in purchasing tickets, visit stjoeretrocon.com.

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Prajukta Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Chase Candy Company is celebrating its 150th birthday, a milestone in St. Joseph’s sweet history. 

The company is best known for the infamous Cherry Mash, a beloved treat made with peanuts, chocolate and cherry fondant, which has been a St. Joseph staple for many generations.

The story of Chase Candy begins in 1872, when Dr. George Washington Chase arrived in St. Joseph to practice medicine. 

At the time, the city was booming, a stopping point for settlers heading west in search of gold or new homes. Unlike many travelers, Dr. Chase decided to stay.  

Dr. Chase’s son, Ernest, was a candy connoisseur and saw a future in the business.

Although Cherry Mash is what Chase is best known for today, the candy company has made other products over the years.  

Cherry Mash made its debut in 1918, competing with other popular treats of the era, including Pecan Patties and Crispy Clutter.  

The cherry confectionery is typically handed out at Krug Park’s Holiday Park during the holidays and is also found at the Convention and Visitors Bureau for tourists visiting St. Joseph.

Throughout its long history, Chase Candy Company has operated from several locations in St. Joseph and built a reputation for quality confections. 

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