Author: News-Press NOW

Kendra Simpson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Whether looking for a performance, a fine art experience or to grab a few beers with friends, St. Joseph has it all at home. News-Press NOW’s Kendra Simpson planned out everyone’s weekend activities in this week’s edition of See St. Joseph.

Kicking off the weekend with plies, grapevines, step ball changes and a tap dance or two with the Dance Arts Center 40 and Fabulous recital.

For four decades, the dance arts center has taught thousands of students the art and joy of dancing. The weekend of dance begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday with the senior showcase, DAC-PAC competition revue, VIP dance and adult tap performances. The performances will continue starting at 10 a.m. Saturday with beginners and dancers at levels four to seven. There will be performances at 10 a.m., 2 and 6 p.m. on Saturday. To purchase tickets to any of the performances, visit the group’s website at thedanceartscenter.com.

Dozens of breweries, hundreds of different beers, multiple food trucks and good times with friends and family. St. Joseph residents can only find all of this at one place: Ales West 2025.

The 7th annual Ales West promises to be bigger than ever, making it one of the largest beer festivals in the Midwest. Not only do you get to enjoy great beer and delicious food from vendors, but all profits made through the festival support local charities that benefit the St. Joseph community. General admission opens at noon on Saturday in Coleman Hawkins Park. To purchase general or VIP tickets, visit eventbrite.com.

We’ve had a performance, we’ve had a festival, so let’s wrap up the weekend with a fair. The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art is hosting its annual Art Fair.

Whether you’re an art lover, collector or just looking for a fun day out, the Art Fair is the perfect way to connect with local talent and enjoy the vibrant arts scene of northwest Missouri. Here, visitors will have the opportunity to view original artwork from regional artists, watch live musical performances, eat delicious food and enjoy interactive crafts for all ages. This celebration of creativity goes from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art.

Tune in to News-Press NOW every Thursday for more See St. Joseph.

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Jared Shelton

JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The National Weather Service confirmed two weak tornadoes touched down on the east side of Kansas City in Jackson County as a line of severe thunderstorms passed through the area Tuesday, June 3.

According to a preliminary damage survey released Wednesday afternoon, the first tornado touched down briefly near the Interstate 435 / Interstate 70 interchange with a path of less than half a mile. This tornado has received a preliminary rating of EF-U (unknown) due to limited damage left behind but concrete video confirmed the brief twister.

A second tornado was determined to have touched down further north and east near Independence, Missouri — receiving a preliminary rating of EF-1 with maximum winds of 100 mph and a pathlength of just under 4 miles. Downed trees and patches of minor roof damage were caused by the tornado in the vicinity of Independence.

No significant injuries were reported and a tornado warning was in effect for the area when the twisters touched down. 

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Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Buchanan County EMS paramedic program is helping trainees succeed while also easing emergency service staffing shortages.

Buchanan County EMS is currently in its third year of its paramedic program, which provides comprehensive training and the skills needed to respond to medical emergencies. 

“Chillicothe is the closest paramedic program we had,” said Joe Pike, Buchanan County EMS education coordinator. “There was a dire need for one in the community, and we’ve accomplished it. It’s not an easy process, but so far, we’ve been successful with it.”

With EMS crews nationwide working to address staffing issues, local emergency officials are also aiming to grow their paramedic class each year. 

Over the past three years, the Buchanan County EMS program has averaged about eight applicants each year, all of whom have gone on to become certified paramedics upon completing their training.

The main goal is to enroll around 10 paramedic students each year, which officials hope will help address the ongoing shortage.

“We have nearly a 100% passing rate. Everyone who has attended the course has gone on to get their paramedic license,” said Joe Pike, Buchanan County EMS education coordinator. “There are three students in the 2025 class right now who walked into this building and started in EMT class with no prior medical training whatsoever. Now that they’re in paramedic school, I fully expect them to succeed and become certified paramedics.”

With the 2025 class approaching graduation, BCEMS is currently accepting applications for the 2026 paramedic program, which will remain open until September 1.

The program requires an EMT-Basic license and runs over 11 months, from January to November 2026.

“It’s a pretty lengthy process, and they’ve already gone through quite a bit just to get into the course,” Pike said. “What they’ve faced so far is not even the tip of the iceberg. They still have a lot of work ahead, but they’ve quickly learned what we expect of them to make it through.”

More information about program requirements and costs can be found at www.bc-ems.com/paramedic-program.

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Chris Fortune

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A man suffered minor injuries in a hit-and-run two-vehicle accident around 12th and Edmond Streets Wednesday.

A white Dodge pickup was heading south on 12th Street when it ran a stop sign and struck a white Ford F-150 that was heading east on Edmond Street.

The driver of the Dodge pickup fled on foot after driving further down the street.

“The white F-150 spun, impacted a KCP&L utility pole, which caused significant damage,” St. Joseph Police Sgt. Brian McClintick said. “Like I said, the Dodge pulled further down the street, and then witnesses said that he left the area with a dog.”

Local law enforcement is investigating this incident.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Painting crews are making headway on a long-awaited exterior makeover for St. Joseph’s premiere Downtown indoor venue, the first in its 45-year history.

Downtown travelers will see the long-held white-colored Civic Arena now dawning new shades of black and grey, a type of gradient paint job that will cover almost the entire structure.

“It’s been a long time coming. This is the first paint job that the arena has seen in its 45 year history,” St. Joseph Civic Facilities Manager Mary Robertson said. “It’s modernizing the look of the building. It gives it an industrial look.”

Exterior painting is scheduled to be complete in approximately three weeks. The $542,000 paint project includes both the exterior and interior, the later of which is largely complete.

The project is funded by a combination of Capital Improvements, American Rescue Plan Act and Parks Tax funds.

“The large panels on each of the sides are done. They’re doing the trim work, the detail work and now that really finishes off the overall look of the building,” Robertson said. “We went with the blacks and whites, give contrast to it that complements the landscape, complements the buildings around the arena.”

The project marks the latest improvement effort for the venue, which has undergone a complete transformation in recent years with close to $12 million in renovations already carried out or planned, from new seating, lighting and scoreboards to restrooms, locker rooms and HVAC.

Civic Arena renovations and efforts from the St. Joseph Sports Commission have allowed the city to attract a large and growing number of high-profile sporting events, a list the city hopes to continue to grow and expand.

“If you look over the history of the Civic Arena, George Strait has performed here. The list of entertainers, the list of events that we’ve had here. we want to bring back that look,” Robertson said.

The project also comes at a special time for the arena and the city, which will host the home opener for St. Joseph’s all-new Arena League Football team the St. Joseph Goats this Saturday at 7 p.m. against the Duluth Harbor Monsters.

It was announced last week that Kansas City sports royalty — brothers Travis and Jason Kelce — had acquired part-ownership of the team through their beer company Garage Beer.

“We do want to bring new, creative and fun entertainment ideas for the community to enjoy, but also for tourists to come in from outside the city to come in and enjoy the amenities here in Saint Joseph,” Robertson said.

A painter uses a roller to cover the south side of the Civic Arena building in May with a specific shade of grey, a type of gradient paintwork. | Cameron Montemayor | News-Press NOW

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Buchanan County Central Democratic Committee is sponsoring the annual June Northwest Missouri Democrat Days, as it returns after a hiatus due to COVID-19.

The events will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 5 and Friday, June 6, and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 7 at the Pony Express Museum, located at 914 Penn St.

Blue Missouri’s Jess Piper, veteran journalist Joe McClean and motivational speaker Sherry Prindle will keynote Northwest Missouri Democratic Days.

All events are free. Food will be available for purchase through Adrian’s Taco food truck.

Events will begin at 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, with speakers starting at 5:30 p.m. and keynote presentations at 7 p.m. The presentations will be followed by music and a cash bar at 7:30 p.m.

A complete program of the events, roster of speakers and workshops can be found at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CXbTMK2JHRpIXj8v0hPws0qg_Qy1CXT3/view.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A former ROTC instructor who was fired in 2024 has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the St. Joseph School District.

Master Sergeant Jamaal Anderson served as an instructor for both Benton and Lafayette High School’s JROTC programs. He originally started instructing at Benton and later instructed at Lafayette.

Anderson alleges he was placed on leave on April 29, 2024, was given a letter of suspension and told to not to go on school property. His contract was not renewed for the 24-25 school year.

According to Anderson’s lawsuit, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent surgery in March of 2022. The lawsuit contends that Anderson informed the district that there would be times when he would need to leave class to use the restroom or miss work abruptly. The lawsuit states that Anderson was told that SJSD would not accommodate such breaks.

Jamaal Anderson lawsuitDownload

Anderson also alleges he was not permitted to take time off to attend doctor’s appointments.

The lawsuit also said Anderson’s absences led to poor classroom and extracurricular event ratings by his district supervisors, which eventually led to his suspension.

News-Press NOW did contact SJSD Superintendent Gabe Edgar, who stated, “We are aware of this. However, because it’s a personnel matter, we will not comment.”

The day after his suspension was announced, students and cadets spoke out against the move.

“This makes all of us mad because he always stands up for what he believes is right and treats everyone with respect,†one student said.

Anderson’s lawsuit also referenced an incident at Lafayette that occurred in May 2023. Students allegedly “wrapped” Anderson’s car in paper and wrote racial slurs and drew offensive pictures on the paper. Anderson contends the school district should have filed charges against the students but failed to do so.

Although no dollar amount was specified in the suit, Anderson does ask for actual and punitive damages.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — One of the longest-tenured officials at City Hall is no longer in the fold after more than 25 years on the job.

A St. Joseph city official confirmed to News-Press NOW on Wednesday that longtime Planning and Community Development Director Clint Thompson is no longer employed with the city.

No official statement was provided as to the circumstances surrounding Thompson’s exit, which is a private personnel matter. Thompson’s name has been removed from the city’s website, and a job posting for the position is now listed online.

Thompson was first hired as the city’s community development manager in 1998 and has served as director since 2001. Thompson played a key role in one of the city’s largest development projects in the last 20 years with the creation of the Shoppes at North Village.

Thompson held the position of interim city manager for close to four months prior to the hiring of current City Manager Mike Schumacher, who was hired in December following the resignation of former City Manager Bryan Carter last August.

Thompson has also been at the center of renewed efforts to improve St. Joseph’s housing gap with new programs and streamlined processes aimed at spurring new construction and renovations.

A News-Press NOW reporter had spoke with Thompson for an unrelated interview as recently as last Wednesday.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Kansas City Heartland Men’s Chorus will come to St. Joseph to celebrate its 40th Anniversary with regional performances.

Its “Do It With Heart” concert is at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 21 at First Christian Church, located at 9th and Faraon Streets.

Both First Christian and First Lutheran Churches are concert sponsors. Tickers are $25 and can be purchased at the door.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit St. Joseph-area organizations, including St. Joseph Pride, set for this fall on Friday, Sept. 12, and Saturday, Sept. 13, as well as PFLAG St. Joseph, which supports the local LGBTQ+ community with outreach and support.

“We’re blessed to have a performance of this caliber visiting St. Joseph,” said Rev. Brian Kirk of First Christian Church in a press release. “We’re thankful this concert supports our local community.”

The St. Joseph performance is one of six regional performances of its “Do It With Heart” program, with songs of social justice, love and LGBTQ+ experience.

Forty of the 150 Heartland Chorus members will perform in the June regional concerts, with Missouri stops in St. Joseph and Springfield and Kansas concerts in Lawrence, Topeka, Manhattan and Wichita.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph Quorum Initiative announced registration is open for the city’s third Madam President Camp to teach young girls leadership skills.

The three-day camp offers a supportive environment where girls ages 11 through 13 can learn and practice leadership skills.

The five core camp themes include: leadership, civic education, activism, communications and self-discovery.

During the camp, girls will work with mentors who create meaningful connections between each girl and the curriculum.

The St. Joseph camp will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day on Monday, July 14, through Wednesday, July 16 at Missouri Western State University in Spratt Hall rooms 214-216.

MWSU and the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce are supporters of the local Madam President Camp. The cost to attend is $150.

The Madam President Camp was founded in 2012 by female leaders Dr. Lee Smithson Burd and Pam Kelley, a Kansas City businesswoman.

In 2011, Smithson Burd attended her daughter’s “princess camp” recital at school and was struck by wanting her daughter to receive a more empowering message that would encourage her to dream big and to see her value in the world.

Together, Smithson Burd and Kelley conceptualized the camp.

St. Joseph is the first camp to be held outside of Kansas City.

For more information on how to register, visit the camp website at www.madampresidentcamp.org/summer.

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