Leah Rainwater
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The City of St. Joseph announced which facilities won’t be available on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26.
All city offices, the landfill, recycling center and the REC center will be closed.
The Remington Nature Center will be open during its normal hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Memorial Day.
Kendra Simpson
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Noyes Home for Children has been named a finalist for Evergy’s Hometown Grant, which rewards $10,000 to non-profits in its service area.
The grant will help three non-profits across Missouri and Kansas with community improvement projects. Noyes Home hopes to win and use the earnings to create a sensory garden, introducing gardening, harvesting and musical instruments for the children staying at the Home.
“We want to create a really serene, calm space for our kids to be able to come and just enjoy nature and not have to think about the adult worries that they carry with them, that are oftentimes the reason they need the Noyes Home in the first place,” Executive Director of the Noyes Home, Chelsea Howlett, said.
The $10,000 will assist in planting the pollinator garden, purchasing musical instruments and putting in pavers to create a pathway. As children leave the Noyes Home, they will paint on the pavers to leave a permanent memorial of their time there.
“They can come back and come to our block party and say ‘I was here and that’s my stone,’ to be part of their story,” Howlett said.
The grant alone will most likely not cover the entire cost of the sensory garden, but the Noyes Home encouraged residents to designate donations for the garden.
“But most importantly, we need people to vote for us because essentially it’s a popularity contest on social media,” Howlett said. “I am just so grateful that we have this opportunity from Evergy but we need our community support. So please vote, please share, please encourage everybody in St. Joe to help support us.”
Votes from the community will decide the three winners and are open to the public until May 30.
To cast a vote, visit Evergy’s Facebook post and like the photo of the contestant’s project.
Leah Rainwater
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Contractors are preparing to begin a more-than two-year project to upgrade one historic park in St. Joseph in the coming weeks.
E.L. Crawford and Construction plan to begin the $11.75 million project on Monday, June 2. The project is weather-permitting. Residents will notice fencing and signage- there will be a sign at the entrance of the park to show where work will take place.
Traffic through the park will be restricted at times and some areas will be closed during construction to keep crews and members of the public safe.
Features, including the fountain and waterfall at the Krug Park lagoon will not be in service during construction.
The Holiday Park Christmas attraction is still planned to operate during the construction period.
The project will be done in multiple phases and include significant renovations to several areas of the park.
Work will begin on the Krug Bowl amphitheater, with the castle, children’s circus, picnic shelters and restrooms to follow.
This design shows the planned phases of construction for the Krug Park renovation project, an estimated $12 to $13 million project. Design renderings courtesy of Eliison Auxier, West 8 and E.L. Crawford Construction
The project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2027. Funding for the renovation comes from a half-cent parks sales tax approved by voters in 2021.
For additional information about the project, visit www.Krugparkproject.com.
Kendra Simpson
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The longer weekend promises to be an entertaining one full of celebrations, laughs and community happenings. News-Press NOW’s Kendra Simpson found the weekend’s top entertainment in this week’s edition of See St. Joseph.
What’s spring in St. Joseph without the community markets? Well, the wait is over because this Saturday is the return of Market Days.
Supporting local businesses has never been easier with a wide selection of flowers, baked goods, pottery, jewelry and more. These markets are an excellent opportunity to find the perfect gifts for yourself or a loved one, get to know local businesses and engage with the St. Joseph community. The first community market of the season goes from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Center for Joy, located at 1202 Felix St.
St. Joseph is officially entering the wedding season with the warm weather, but St. Joe’s Comedy Wedding is no typical ceremony.
St. Joseph residents have been cordially invited to the most outrageous wedding of the year. Lora and Billy are tying the knot, despite a long-standing, bitter and hilarious feud between the groom and the bride’s family. What could go wrong? Get ready for an evening of dancing, laughing, auctions and an incredible meal. This isn’t just a wedding, it’s an experience! Guests should arrive between 7 and 7:15 p.m. with the nuptials beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at 515 S 6th St. Regular and VIP table tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 816-279-1225.
What better way to celebrate the Memorial Day weekend than with a party hosted by one of St. Joseph’s most popular pubs?
D&G Pub is hosting its first-ever Memorial Day celebration. There’s going to be a free fireworks display, an ice-cold beer station, grilled brats, a campfire pit and roasted marshmallows. Come for the celebrations and stay for the bonding and camaraderie. The celebration goes from 7:30 p.m. to 1:15 a.m. at D&G, located at 1918 Frederick Ave.
Tune into News-Press NOW every Thursday for more See St. Joseph.
Jared Shelton
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The National Weather Service in Kansas City confirmed an EF-0 tornado touched down south of St. Joseph Monday evening, May 19 2025.
According to a preliminary damage survey, the weak tornado was reported to have touched down at Highway 371 near Kyle Rd at 8:31 p.m. before tracking east across Interstate 29 and lifting near SE State Highway FF at 8:38 p.m.
The tornado traveled 4.3 miles in total with maximum winds of 85 mph, resulting in tree and minor roof damage. No injuries were reported.
Leah Rainwater
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — One local community organization is hosting an Engagement Luncheon for dads in the area.
Good Dads is a program for at-risk fathers, fathers of elementary students, businesses that employ dads and more.
The luncheon will take place from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 22 at the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce’s Board Room, located at 3003 Frederick Ave.
Good Dads Founder and Director, Jennifer L. Baker will be the speaker for the luncheon.
To RSVP, fathers and businesses are encouraged to call Tim Doyle at (816) 558-0508.
Leah Rainwater
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph School District will celebrate the hard work and dedication of the maintenance and operations staff through a ceremony.
The Cleanest Building Ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 22 at the Keatley Center, located at 1202 S. 28th St.
The ceremony serves as SJSD’s opportunity to recognize the pride its maintenance and custodial staff takes in tending to buildings.
Winners of the “cleanest building” will be announced, and the district will also hand out special awards.
Patrick Holleron
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Messanie and 8th Streets have been closed off due to a water main line bursting late Wednesday morning.
Safety officials from the Missouri American Water Company are working to resolve the issue and hope to have the intersection cleared soon.
This water main line break is unrelated to the water line construction on Messanie from Noyes Boulevard to 31st Street.
Leah Rainwater
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Joseph invites runners, walkers and community supporters to lace up their sneakers for one well-known annual event.
The Annual Ignite 5K will be taking place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 14. The event supports youth mentoring programs and promises a fun and scenic race for a great cause.
Race Day registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot across from Bode Ice Arena, where the course will begin and end.
The route will follow the St. Joseph Parkway system, with the turnaround point being at Bartlett Park. The course features a few gentle climb, going downhill on the return, making the course accessible for all fitness levels.
Participants who register in advance can also pick up their race packets early between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, June 13 at River Bluff Brewery.
All proceeds from the Ignite 5K go directly to Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Joseph, helping to “ignite” the potential of local youth through impactful, on-to-one mentoring relationships.
Registration includes: an event t-shirt (for those who register by Sunday, June 1), chip timing, finish line photo and video, metals for first 100 finishers and all kids, awards and more.
For more information about the 5K and how to register, visit bbbsignite5k.org.
Jenna Wilson
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Missouri State Highway Patrol is rolling out its new ‘ghost graphic’ vehicles, just in time for Memorial Day weekend, urging drivers to prioritize safety.
These patrol cars feature low-visibility markings during the day that become reflective at night, allowing troopers to discreetly monitor for aggressive or reckless driving.
“It’s an enforcement tool primarily for aggressive and dangerous driving,” said Sgt. Shane Hux with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “That’s the importance of these vehicles and we want to remind the public that they are here for your safety.”
Missouri State Troopers want drivers to stay safe, even when it feels like no one’s watching.
With Memorial Day weekend approaching, state troopers say they are preparing to be out in full force to ensure drivers stay safe.
“All available troopers will be working Missouri’s highways as well as patrolling waterways, enforcing laws and assisting motorists,†said Hux. “We’re already expecting changes in traffic patterns, with more vehicles on the road during the holiday counting period.â€
As people prepare to travel and enjoy outdoor activities over the holiday weekend, troopers are sharing a few key safety reminders: always wear your seat belt and monitor your alcohol consumption, on the road and on the water.Â
“The number one safety device inside a motor vehicle is your seat belt, and out on the waterways, it’s your life jacket,†Hux said. “If your Memorial Day plans include alcohol, make sure you have a designated driver and a plan to get home safely. The same goes for the water; have a designated sober captain.â€
