Author: News-Press NOW

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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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A hard worker, jokester, kind hearted, compassionate, generous and a dear friend.

Those are just a few of the words used to describe what the late Adrián Pérez meant to so many across St. Joseph and Northwest Missouri, two communities that have shown an outpouring of support this week following Perez’s sudden passing on Sunday, Dec. 28.

Born on Dec. 29, 1979, in Querétaro, Mexico, Pérez made St. Joseph his second home for more than 25 years, catering food for numerous events and businesses, building friendships and becoming a distinguished leader along the way.

His popular food business, Adrián’s Tacos, allowed him to share the taste of authentic Mexican cuisine across Northwest Missouri and make invaluable friendships with many people, especially local businesses like River Bluff Brewing and Smooth Endings Fine Wine, Spirits and Cigars.

Smooth Endings general manager Rebeca DiGerlamo met Pérez when he first started selling food for customers on their outside patio. As DiGerlamo got to know Pérez more, they exchanged ideas on how to grow their respective businesses, which eventually blossomed into successful joint events.

“Adrián was a business man, and was always trying to elevate his business. He helped me elevate mine, and our bond grew through sharing ideas,” DiGerlamo said. “From that point, we both realized how important business was to each other. That’s when I think our friendship went to the next level.”

Throughout his time in St. Joseph, Pérez grew to become like family to countless people. Anabel Garcia, an employee at Smooth Endings and former employee at Adrian’s Tacos, cherished his unwavering kindness and generosity from the first time they met.

“When I got here (Smooth Endings), I met Adrián through my sister. I remember him being such a nice person, a wonderful person,” Garcia said. “A wonderful friend to everybody. He was always smiling.”

Since Perez’s passing, numerous businesses, residents and organizations have expressed their condolences to his family and friends on social media, each providing a unique perspective of the caring and compassionate person he was.

“Our community has tragically lost an excellent friend. We’ve had the pleasure of working with Adrian since we were brand new, and it will never be the same without him here with us on Tuesdays. We will miss him dearly,” River Bluff Brewing posted through Facebook in a statement on Dec. 29, 2025.

A loving husband and father with two sons, Perez was a proud family man and an active member of Latinos Connect and the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce.

As of Thursday, Jan. 1, just over $5,000 has been raised on Gofundme to help support Perez’s family and legacy, with more than 80 people contributing.

“Our hearts go out to the family of Adrian Perez, and we offer our love and prayers, hoping they find comfort and peace during this difficult time,” St Joseph MO Local Eats said in Facebook statement on Monday.

A public Celebration of Life and Rosary in honor of Pérez will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2 at St. Patrick Catholic Church located at 1723 S. 12th St., followed by a memorial mass at 6:30 p.m.

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TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Starting Jan. 1, Missouri’s minimum wage was set to increase from $13.75 to $15 an hour.

Gov. Mike Kehoe signed Missouri’s H.B. 567 into law on July 10, which raised the state’s minimum wage law, but repealed earned paid sick leave. The minimum wage rate will be in effect for all non-exempt employers.

Missouri State Representative Dean VanSchoiack, a republican from Savannah, said he hopes the wage increase will have a positive impact on Missouri’s employment.

“We’re well above the federal minimum wage, which is good,” he said. I believe we are among 33 or 34 states at $15 or more, and I just read something the other day that now, with us going to $15 and several other states as well, over half the country will live at a minimum wage of $15 or more.”

VanSchoiack said raising the wage will be beneficial for businesses and workers in Missouri.

“I think it’s something we’re looking at for the economy that people need a little bit of a better base,” he said. “I think it gives people a better chance for getting the money they need to keep going out, and gives businesses a base to work from for their salary schedules as they increase salaries for their employees as well.”

VanSchoiack said workers who receive tips will be paid half of the minimum wage.

The goal for raising the state’s minimum wage is to help bring more businesses to Missouri.

“It’s something people vote on; they wanted it, and we did it,” VanSchoiack said. “The businesses are fine, going to that, and so we’re all good, looking forward to bringing more business to Missouri.”

St. Joseph resident Jared Shuman said the increase is a good thing.

“The cost of living is so high that you’ve got to have a minimum wage increase,” he said. “It gives them an opportunity to make a little extra money so they can survive, and if they can survive, all the small businesses they go to can survive too.”

Missouri is among 19 states to have raised its minimum wage in 2026.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — City officials and the local firefighters union have negotiated a new $200,000 contract to raise firefighter pay by 4% in 2026, including future raises in 2027 and 2028. 

City councilmembers will hear an ordinance for first reading Monday to renegotiate a new fire department contract with the International Association of Firefighters, Local #77, a $200,000 agreement that would modify the current pay plan for employees within the fire bargaining unit, covering firefighters, drivers/engineers and captains. 

If approved by City Council, all department employees will receive a 4% increase in pay retroactive to July 1, 2025, for fiscal year 2026. The contract includes additional raises of 3% in fiscal years 2027 and 2028.

The agreement also includes longevity raises to increase salaries above the base salary for every five years of continuous service a member has completed for the department:

5 years of service: 5% above base salary, plus accumulated cost-of-live-adjustments.

10 years of service: 10% above base salary, plus accumulated cost-of-live-adjustments.

15 years of service: 15% above base salary, plus accumulated cost-of-live-adjustments.

20 years of service: 20% above base salary, plus accumulated cost-of-live-adjustments. 

The agreement also updates EMT compensation by converting certified EMT pay from a lump-sum payment to an hourly rate through an adjustment to base pay prior to the application of longevity, and revises out-of-title compensation. 

The contract comes after a year with numerous meetings and negotiations between union and city officials to come to an agreement, which includes a wide range of operational changes.

A final vote on the new agreement by City Council will likely take place on Jan. 19 following Monday’s first reading.

Firefighter Working AgreementDownload

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — One of multiple large-scale hotel projects is underway on North Woodbine Road in the form of a new four-story TownePlace Suites Hotel.

Construction is now moving forward in the early stages of a $7.5 million TownePlace Suites Hotel at 1401 N. Woodbine Road, a 129-room hotel located on a 4.7-acre plot of land north of Stoney Creek Hotel.

Planning and Community Development Director Nathan Pare confirmed foundation and underground utility work has already been finished, with framing work next in line. The hotel is scheduled to be complete in 2026.

Construction crews work on a new four-story TownePlace Suites Hotel at 1401 N. Woodbine Road on Thursday in St. Joseph.

The project comes after city councilmembers approved a measure in April to accept funds from the developer for building plan review services. The property is owned by Altira St. Joe Hotel LLC.

TownePlace Suites has more than 500 locations across the United States and Canada, including several in Kansas City. The St. Joseph hotel is expected to have a breakfast area, fitness area, an indoor pool and an outdoor patio.

The Woodbine hotel is one of three hotel projects ongoing or planned across St. Joseph, including a nearby $60 million plan on Frederick Avenue for two large hotels and a new conference center — which is already under construction — adding close to 250 new rooms.

Additionally, a $5.1 million 90-room WoodSpring Suites hotel and conference center is also in the works for South Belt Highway by San Jose Steakhouse.

Construction crews work on a new four-story TownePlace Suites Hotel at 1401 N. Woodbine Road on Thursday in St. Joseph.

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Prajukta Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)– Local businesses can get a head start on the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a series of readiness workshops. 

The series kicks off at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 12, focusing on how the World Cup could impact local businesses. 

A second workshop, “Getting Financially Ready for a Visitor Boom,” is set for 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 9. 

The final session, “Elevating Your Customer Experience for a Global Clientele,” will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, March 9. 

All workshops will be held at the Launch Pad located at 801 Felix Street. 

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A young couple visiting for the Christmas holiday is seeking the public’s help with locating a lost rescue dog after days searching in St. Joseph.

Delilah, a 1-year-old black lab mix, went missing around 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Day on the corner of Briarwood Lane and Stonecrest Terrace. She is currently wearing a light purple collar with her name and owners’ contact information.

Delilah was rescued from a hoarding situation in Kansas when she was just eight months old and is very shy. She is not from St. Joseph but slipped out and ran away while her family was visiting for Christmas.

Delilah the black lab is pictured in this photo.

Delilah’s owners are both soldiers stationed at the U.S. Army Base in Fort Riley, Kansas, and along with other family members, are staying in town to try and find Delilah. The family is hopeful they’ll be able to locate her by the end of the week.

A bicyclist reported seeing her at 6:30 a.m. on Dec. 27 on Eastwood Drive, but since then, there have been no other reported sightings. Family members and the dogs’ owner have coordinated with neighbors, used thermal drone specialists and even consulted with a dog trapping specialists without luck.

Since Delilah is scared of new people and animals, it is likely she is taking shelter during the day and only moving to find food and water during the night when it’s quiet, according to the family.

Area residents are encouraged to check under porches, inside sheds or other warm places an animal may hide. If sighted, please do not chase or call her name as this will likely cause her to run further.

If possible, take a picture and report her location and time of sighting. Please call the local animal shelter or her owners at 816-743-1885.

Delilah the black lab is pictured in this photo.

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Leah Rainwater

ANDREW COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) — A Facebook post asking about a shooting on the Andrew County Crime Page was dubbed a “rumor” by the Savannah Police Department.

The original post asked if “anyone had information about a shooting at Messick Park.”

A recent post on the Savannah, Missouri Police Department’s page states, “There was not a shooting at Messick Park today or in the recent past. The park is still open to public use. We are not sure where this rumor stems from, hoever we assure you that it is just a rumor.”

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News-Press NOW

By: Darren Doyle

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Local boys and girls high school basketball squads are ready to take on diverse competition this Friday and Saturday with the return of the Winter High School Basketball Showcase hosted by the St. Joseph Sports Commission. 

The showcase will feature 16 games over two days, with 12 ranked teams battling it out at the Civic Arena in Downtown St. Joseph. Making the trip will also be two No. 1-ranked girls basketball teams from Nebraska, along with teams from other parts of Missouri. 

As of now, one of those teams is Lincoln (Neb.) Christian’s girls’ hoops will take on Benton at 4:00 p.m. On Friday, Bennington (Neb.) girls’ basketball takes on Central at 5:30 p.m.

The ability to host diverse competition is what brings teams back to the St. Joseph area, according to St. Joseph Sports Commission Director Brett Esely.

“Teams, like, playing in an arena-like atmosphere. We only have so many days and time slots in which to do so. And so we saw the need to create another event,” Esely shared. “You can obviously play more games; there’s more flexibility to schedule. And also, it just tends to be that time of year when other events are going on.”

Along with unfamiliar foes, fans will also have the chance to see in-town rivalry classics, such as Central boys hoops taking on Lafayette at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2.

Esely is also excited to complete this year’s showcase despite the weather changes. During its inaugural run at the beginning of 2025, the area was hit by a massive snowstorm that caused the showcase to run short.

“We played a full schedule on Friday, but we only got four games played on Saturday and lost a couple of really good matchups in the evening,” Esely said. “So, knock on wood, anything can happen this time of year, but the weather looks good this weekend.”

For tickets and updated scheduling information, fans can visit stjomosports.com or the St. Joseph, MO Sports Commission on Facebook.

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