Author: News-Press NOW

News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Juneteenth Planning Committee will present the production of Our Town by Thornton Wilder to celebrate the holiday.

The performance will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 13, through Sunday, June 15, at the Missouri Theater, located at 717 Edmond St.

Tickets are available by going to the St. Joseph Museums website.

The production underscores the universal experiences that connect us all through life, love and loss, while emphasizing the importance of community and shared stories.

Audiences can expect a deeply moving theatrical experience that resonates across generations and backgrounds.

According to a press release from the St. Joseph Museums, “This production is a celebration of connection, reminding us of the profound beauty in the ordinary moments of life.”

For more information, visit the St. Joseph Museums Juneteenth page on their website, or contact Sara Wilson at sara@stjosephmuseums.org or (816) 232-8471.

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Chris Fortune

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Monday’s special session announced by Governor Mike Kehoe last week honed in on funding for the Chiefs and Royals. 

The General Assembly met at noon Monday to discuss Kehoe’s agenda, which included providing incentives to retain the local professional sports teams. The state of Kansas developed incentives to encourage the teams to cross the state line. 

St. Joseph resident Larry Stafford said he would rather see the Chiefs and Royals stay in Missouri, but he isn’t worried the potential move if they stay in the Kansas City Metropolitan area.

“Kansas isn’t that far away where they’d be,” he said. “It’s not like they’d be over in Topeka or Wichita or someplace like that.”

Senate Bill 3 was first read by legislators on Monday and would allow the state to invest in large stadium projects and potentially cover up to 50% of the costs. 

But not all St. Joseph residents are open to the teams moving to Kansas. Rita Davis would like to see the Chiefs and Royals continue playing in Missouri because it’s a tradition she remembers as a child.

“I have had friends take me to a football game down there or a baseball game, and it was—just the memories of it are fun,” she said. “It was tradition, and I think it’s good to know it will still be close, but I still like the idea that it’s part of Missouri history.”

SB 3 would allow the sports teams to use tax revenue generated at the stadium to pay off construction bonds. Any tax revenue received after the bonds are paid off would then go to the state. 

“That doesn’t bother me,” Stafford said. “I mean, if they weren’t there, you wouldn’t have (tax revenue from the stadium) anyway.”

The terms apply to construction or rehabilitation projects that cost $500 million and serve professional baseball or football teams. 

“This isn’t a giveaway—it’s a strategy to ensure Missouri remains competitive with other states that would gladly take this opportunity for themselves,” Governor Kehoe wrote Monday in an opinion letter through his office. 

It is unclear how long the special session will last, but the Missouri Constitution says the Governor may convene the General Assembly for a maximum of 60 days. SB 3 was second read and referred to the senate Fiscal Oversight Committee on Tuesday.

“They’re our teams, they’re Missouri’s teams, they’re our history and we want to keep them here,” Davis said.

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Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Charges have been filed against a St. Joseph woman following a wrong-way crash that killed a St. Joseph man in Andrew County.

According to a probable cause statement, 37-year-old Chelsea Robison-Ingino has been charged with multiple offenses, including driving while intoxicated resulting in death (a Class B felony), first-degree involuntary manslaughter, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and driving the wrong way on a highway causing an accident.

On Tuesday, May 27, several drivers and a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper reported seeing Robison-Ingino traveling in the wrong direction on Business 29 near John Glenn Road. Witnesses observed her swerving to avoid oncoming vehicles before she struck another vehicle head-on, killing the driver.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

At the time of the crash, Robison-Ingino’s minor child was also in the vehicle. Both Robison-Ingino and her child, who was a passenger, sustained serious injuries and were transported to the hospital. The child is reported to be in stable condition.

During the investigation, troopers discovered numerous full and empty bottles of “99 Brand Liqueur” in Robison-Ingino’s purse, on the driver’s seat, the driver’s side floorboard, and the rear passenger floorboard.

Robison-Ingino was reportedly unconscious upon arrival at the hospital.

The Andrew County Prosecuting Attorney, Monica Morrey, shared the following statement with News-Press Now following pending litigation.

“We will not forget the life lost and the many individuals who are and will be forever affected by this crash. We are deeply grateful to local first responders and the Missouri State Highway Patrol for their prompt and professional response. Further information at this time cannot be released due to the pending criminal charges.”

News-Press NOW will provide updates as more information becomes available.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Residents could see a variety of new destinations for shopping, housing and food as part of a multi-million dollar project at the corner of North Village Drive and Rochester Road in north St. Joseph.

The large-scale development project is planned for a seven-acre property adjacent to Tuscany Village and east of the North Shoppes, and is expected to include a new 50-unit senior housing complex, a 10,000 to 11,000 square foot strip shopping center with multiple retailers and one or potentially two new fast-food restaurants.

The project is spearheaded by property owner and local developer BR & JR Development, LLC, and includes nearly $2.2 million for numerous public infrastructure improvements, including grading, sidewalks, storm sewer, lighting, landscaping and two new turn lanes, among others.

“We’ve sold the back four and a half acres to an apartment builder,” Margaret Bruce with BR & JR Development said. “We close the sale with the apartment folks I believe on June 27 … we anticipate starting (construction) fairly soon after we close.”

Phase one of construction will begin with site development and the apartment complex, followed by the shopping center/restaurant, an anticipated yearlong process. Developers are hopeful to have retailers open for business by the end of 2026.

While the exact businesses haven’t been disclosed, due to pending contract negotiations, Bruce said the company is in discussions with a variety of national retailers and quick-serve restaurants to support the up-and-coming center.

“Two (restaurants) that we’re looking at now that we’re talking with are not currently in St. Joe, so we’re really excited about that,” she said. “We’re thinking of maybe splitting that site to where maybe we can either get two drive thrus.”

Bruce said they haven’t ruled out other types of businesses potentially going in, particularly with the automotive and healthcare industries showing strong interest.

The entire project is estimated to cost $7.7 million, $5.5 million of which will come from private funding.

The remaining $2.2 million in needed public infrastructure upgrades will be paid for by the developers upfront and later reimbursed over a 27-year period through a one-cent sales tax on future sales from businesses on the property only, part of a new Community Improvement District (CID) approved by City Council on May 12.

The additions will not only provide a variety of new amenities for residents but help create jobs and expand sales tax opportunities, efforts designed to improve the city’s population.

“I think with the apartments coming that will create even more business,” she said. “It’s a great site, great exit off of I-29, easy access.”

The CID will impose a $2 annual special assessment per building square foot on all retail and commercial uses within the district. The current assessed value of the property is $70,570.

Community development officials said the opportunity for additional public infrastructure improvements made it an attractive partnership.

A five-person board of directors appointed by the mayor will oversee the CID with staggered terms. As part of the CID agreement, City Council will have control over development costs in accordance with state law.

North Village Drive and Tuscany Village have seen significant economic growth in recent years, including new hotels, an Urgent Care Express, a planned Community Aquatic Center, the newly-opened VA Clinic, Swing365 golf simulator and upcoming Oasis Face Bar.

A full list of public infrastructure improvements funded by the CID can be found below.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — After a decade long discussion, a project to relocate the St. Joseph Animal Shelter is set to begin this month.

In a press release, the City of St. Joseph confirmed a ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17, at the site area of the $5 million project at 3409 S. Belt Highway.

St. Joseph Mayor John Josendale, Animal Services staff and volunteers will be in attendance. Members of the public are welcome.

The project is supported by $3.4 million in Capital Improvement Program funds and $1.6 million raised by the Friends of the Animal Shelter.

Ellison-Auxier Architects provided design services for the new facility, which utilizes an existing city-owned building on the property that will be significantly expanded with new construction. E.L. Crawford is the construction contractor for the project.

The plan for the new shelter includes an increase from the the current 8,000-square-foot facility as the new location is set have 13,000 square feet of space. It will also feature separate holding spaces for cats and dogs, an infirmary, a designated intake spot and additional parking spaces for visitors.

“We’re really excited about the space and having flex areas for the animals,” Animal Service manager Holly Bowie said. “It will increase the health of our animals because we’ll be able to separate sick animals from healthy ones.

Bowie said the new shelter will help with, not only having more space for animals, but space for community engagement.

“Right now, we just don’t have the ability to do that,” said Bowie. “The visibility of the location is really exciting for us. We’re hoping that we can engage the community more and have more visitors at the shelter.”

Public services, including adoption processing, at the current animal shelter location will not be available on June 17, so staff can attend the groundbreaking. However, priority field service complaints will be answered.

If weather conditions become an issue, the ceremony will be moved inside the existing building on the site.

The project is slated to be completed by June 2026.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A St. Joseph man is dead after jumping off of the Riverside Road bridge over eastbound Highway 36 on Sunday night.

Officers received a call around 9:45 p.m. on Sunday, June 1 about a man who had jumped off of the bridge.

Workers from the Missouri Department of Transportation were on scene, striping the roads and could not get to the man before he jumped.

When officers arrived on scene, the man was pronounced dead.

The St. Joseph Police Department said this case remains under investigation.

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Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — As inmate escapes make national headlines, Buchanan County authorities are emphasizing their commitment to maintaining strong jail security. 

Recent incidents, including the escape of several inmates from New Orleans and a former Gateway, Arkansas, police chief fleeing custody, have raised concerns about the effectiveness of jail security across the country. 

Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett said that while it’s been a long time since a local escape attempt, the risk is always present. 

“When someone has less to lose and is facing a long prison sentence, extra years aren’t much of a deterrent,” Puett said. “Older facilities like ours also tend to have more security challenges.”

Authorities stress the importance of recapturing fugitives quickly, citing the potential danger to the public. 

“When people are desperate, the threat of violence increases dramatically,” Puett said. “Some are running on minimal hope, and their actions can pose serious risks to innocent citizens.”

In recent years, the county has invested in security upgrades at the jail, funded by county commissioners. These improvements aim not only to prevent escapes but also to ensure the safety of inmates and staff. 

“Our hope is always for calm and professionalism inside the facility,” Puett said. “But we’re constantly training and upgrading security to be prepared for anything.”

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News-Press NOW

LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. (News-Press NOW) —

UPDATE 6/3/25 — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation stated that, in conjunction with the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office and the Hays Police Department, a Blue Alert has been canceled and Thomas E. Tolbert has been apprehended and booked in Ellis, Kansas, at 4:50 a.m.

In the early morning hours on Tuesday, June 3, law enforcement received information indicating Tolbert might be inside a hotel at 204 N. Washington St. in Ellis.

Tolbert was booked in the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office Jail.

The Jackson County Prosecutor announced several felony charges on Monday against a Kansas City man for allegedly shooting a Lee’s Summit police officer.

A Blue Alert was in effect throughout several counties in Missouri and Kansas on Monday, June 2, because of a domestic incident that escalated into a man shooting a Lee’s Summit Police Officer.

Thomas E. Tolbert, 27, was arrested on a Missouri warrant for 1st degree assault, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, resisting arrest/detention/stop by fleeing, and 2nd degree domestic assault.

According to court records, a Lee’s Summit police officer was responding to a domestic disturbance around 11 p.m. Sunday at an apartment complex near SW Hollywood Drive and Highway 150.

The officer had approached Tolbert and attempted to detain him. Tolbert broke away and began to flee on foot.

As the officer ran after him, Tolbert began to fire multiple gunshots at the officer, striking him four times.

The officer was hit in the left leg, left arm, chest of his body armor and his shoulder.

The court records also said a criminal history was completed for Tolbert, where, on April 30, 2021, he was found guilty of unlawful use of a weapon, class B felony and sentenced to four years of confinement.

In a press release, the Jackson County Prosecutor noted, the charges are only accusations and Tolbert is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty or pleads guilty.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Noyes Home for Children announced its 2025 ‘Gnome for Noyes Home’ initiative is beginning for St. Joseph residents and businesses.

For $25, residents and businesses can decide who will be next in the “gnome invasion” antics.

All proceeds from the gnome activities will go toward funding summer activities for the kids at Noyes Home.

To gnome someone, call (816) 232-5650, or go to noyeshome.org/donate and put “gnome” and who you want to gnome in the comments.

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Madison Stuerman

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Blue Alert was issued Monday morning by the Missouri State Highway Patrol after a police officer was shot in Lee’s Summit.

MSHP put an alert out around 8:45 a.m. after a suspect was named in a shooting in Lee’s Summit.

A Blue Alert is issued after a member of law enforcement is killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.

Officials are looking for Thomas Eugene Tolbert, 27, after he allegedly shot at an officer during a chase.

Lee’s Summit police said officers were called to a domestic disturbance around 11 p.m. Sunday night. The first officer arrived at the scene and while waiting for another officer, they saw Tolbert running from the scene.

Police said the officer was shot multiple times by Tolbert. The officer was taken to an area trauma center with serious injuries.

The Highway Patrol said he left the scene in a car that was found in Grandview, Missouri. The alert also stated Tolbert has a history of aggravated assault and shooting at law enforcement.

The alert was sent to phones in Northwest Missouri; specifically, Cass, Clay, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Platte and Ray Counties.

This is a developing story.

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