Author: News-Press NOW

Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A Wathena, Kansas, woman will face about a year in county jail for animal abuse for causing a cat’s death.

On Friday, May 30, 2025, in the circuit of Buchanan County, Missouri, Kylie Barmann was charged with a Class A misdemeanor for animal abuse and, under law, will be confined in the county jail for a term of 12 months.

Barmann pleaded guilty to the abuse and was also given credit for 75 days served.

In March, News-Press NOW reported, Barmann, 31, reportedly abused the cat at a St. Joseph residence on Jan. 20.

According to a probable cause statement, she caused the animal’s death by throwing it repeatedly on a concrete floor, kicking it several times while it was on the ground and standing on its head for several seconds. 

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Health Department announced it would close its clinic from Monday, June 2 through Monday, June 9.

Due to the closure, certain services will be unavailable. Those services include: infant, child and adult immunizations, HIV/STI testing and test results, communicable disease monitoring, tuberculosis testing, pregnancy testing and temporary Medicaid enrollment.

Immunizations records and scheduling for future appointments will be available.

All other divisions of the health department will be open, and the clinic will re-open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10.

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Chris Fortune

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Buchanan County Commission is taking steps to remove the vegetation at Lake Contrary next month.

A statement from Buchanan County said Clearcast Aquatic Herbicide will be used to remove weeds in the area on June 9 and 10. It is an EPA-approved product that helps manage aquatic vegetation.

“Residents and visitors at Lake Contrary are advised to be aware of the scheduled application and to use caution around treated areas during and shortly after spraying,” the statement said.

Residents interested in more information can reach Buchanan County at Commission@buchmo.gov.

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Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — From outdoor fire safety to water precautions, firefighters are reminding residents to make safety a priority this summer.

With the start of summer quickly approaching, firefighters said, it’s not a season of rest, it’s a season of risk.

“We seem to have a lot of problems with folks using their grills this time of year,†said Bill Lamar, Emergency Management Manager with the St. Joseph Fire Department. “Next thing you know, something’s gotten out of control with the wind, and their deck or railings are on fire.â€

For those using gas grills, fire officials urge residents to inspect them carefully for leaks.

“It’s not uncommon for people to miss something as small as a rotted hose on a gas grill. That can lead to a dangerous gas leak,†Lamar added.

Residents are also being warned to prevent grass and debris fires by properly discarding cigarette butts and only participating in open burning when weather conditions permit.

“Fortunately for us in this region, the rain has helped with some of the open burning issues and wildfires,†Lamar said. “But we still need residents to remember that stray cigarettes and other combustible items can start a fire. You may not even realize it at first. Sometimes it takes a while to catch, but once it does, it can spread out of control quickly.â€

In addition to fire safety, officials are stressing the importance of water safety for children during the summer. 

“This is the time of year when everyone’s out playing in pools and lakes,†Lamar said. “Always make sure someone around you knows how to swim, keep a close eye on your kids, and have life preservers handy.â€

When visiting crowded pools, officials also suggest taking a quick photo of your children at the beginning of the outing. This can help authorities identify them quickly if they get lost.

For assistance or any questions, residents are encouraged to contact their local fire department.

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Chris Fortune

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Missouri Western rewarded a recent graduate with the opportunity to own and operate a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

Every year, Craig School of Business graduates compete for a business ownership opportunity through the Center for Franchise Development.

Taten Piepergerdes was announced as the winner at Friday’s ceremony. He will operate a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Corpus Christi, Texas.

“I think my life has kind of been like pointing towards this direction at getting something, especially south,” he said. “I love Hispanic culture, and that’s big there.”

Piepergerdes prepared a 50-page business plan that he presented in the fall in the preliminary round of the process. After a business internship, he returned with a polished plan to show in the final presentation.

“A lot of times they will put some of their other responsibilities on hold because this really is such a unique opportunity,” Pam Klaus, Missouri Western Director for the Center of Franchise Development, said. “It’s a once in a lifetime type of deal to be able to own a business right out of college.”

Klaus said competitors heard from seven alumni franchisees at a celebratory dinner on Thursday night.

“The growth they’ve seen in just a few years is really phenomenal,” she said. “They actually gave some advice to these young people, so it really does launch that career in ways that is really unmatched.”

Piepergerdes said he is grateful for the Center for Franchise Development program’s leaders and everyone that dedicated their time and effort to prepare him for the moment.

“My whole life has kind of oriented me to this position,” he said. “So it’s a combination of bits and pieces from my entire life that has led me to this opportunity.”

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Bluffwoods Renaissance is kicking off on Saturday, May 31, with sword fights, food and medieval games for people to enjoy.

This year’s festival will be themed around two kings waging war, making anyone in attendance have to pick a side.

“The support that the saint joseph’s community has gave us is amazing,” cast director Dave Edwards said. “We have a lot of sponsors from the area. A lot of our vendors are from that area. We have a lot of promo stuff in town and out of town, people are so nice. They come up and said, ‘we never thought we would get to have this in our town’. And that really makes us happy and we’re pretty excited about that.”

The festival will start on Saturday, May 31, at Castle Bridge Event Center at 8403 B US Highway.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Public Library East Hills branch will host one local, retired veteran who specializes in interviewing and writing stories of veterans’ oral histories.

Retired Colonel, Milt Toratti, who is also a Vietnam veteran and author has written numerous veteran oral histories.

Adults are invited to attend the program to hear some of the stories at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 7 at the East Hills Library, located at 502 N. Woodbine Rd.

The presentation will be followed by a book signing, where proceeds will go to benefit the Cameron Veterans Home.

For more information or questions, those interested are encouraged to contact Elizabeth Murray at (816) 236-2136.

Persons with disabilities who wish to participate in the program should contact the ADA coordinator at (816) 232-4038. Log on to sjpl.lib.mo.us for more information about other library services and programs.

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Crystal Olney

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Fire Department worked the scene of a structure fire early Friday morning in the area of South 19th and Belle streets.

Firefighters confirmed the structure was empty and was condemned.

When News-Press NOW was on the scene around 4 a.m. Friday, firefighters were working to put out the fire as smoke filled the area.

News-Press NOW reached out to the St. Joseph fire inspectors, but did not receive a response.

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Kendra Simpson

After a week of rainy weather, St. Joseph residents may be eager to get out and enjoy the sun. Luckily, News-Press NOW’s Kendra Simpson found several outdoor activities to keep everyone entertained in this week’s edition of See St. Joseph.

To start the weekend, St. Joseph residents can grab their shiniest armor, pointiest elf ears and most magical wings with the return of the Bluffwoods Renaissance Festival.

Leave the 21st century behind and travel back in time to the Renaissance. The war between the two kings has erupted, and everyone must choose their alliance: the noble King Aiden or the bold tyrant King Von Jon. Expect to see sword fights, hear tales of daring and eat as many turkey legs as possible, all while the fate of the realm hangs in the balance. Come for the shows, stay for the questionable fashion choices and leave with memories that’ll last until the next quest for mead! The Bluffwoods Renaissance Festival goes from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Castle Bridge event center. To purchase tickets, visit the event’s website at bluffwoodsrenfest.com.

This weekend, we will celebrate Cancer Survivor Day, a national holiday celebrating the lives and efforts of those who are living with or have beaten cancer. Mosaic will mark the occasion with its Cancer Survivor Day 5K run and walk.

Enjoy an afternoon of music, fellowship and the 5K, where every step honors survivors. After the race, light up the night at a special glow stick party. Come be a part of an inspiring evening of community, hope and even a cookout. The afternoon activities begin at 3:30 p.m., Saturday, at the Mosaic Cancer Care center located at 902 N Riverside Road. To register for the race, visit runsignup.com.

What better way to end the weekend than with the return of the classic Imagine Eleven concert series? And we’re gonna be kicking it off with St. Joseph’s own Swift Kik.

Food from local vendors, time with friends and family and of course a free musical performance – what could be better? Imagine Eleven is making its return this Sunday with Swift Kik. The group has been performing together for over 45 years, playing the best in classic rock. Attendees will hear hits from AC/DC, Journey, Bon Jovi and more. Attendees should bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. The free concert begins at 6 p.m. Sunday in Coleman Hawkins Park.

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

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Kendra Simpson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — They say it’s a man’s world, but local businesses and the Downtown Association have to disagree.

Downtown St. Joseph has blossomed over the past several years with new businesses popping up and bringing new life to the area. Several of those businesses are owned and operated by women, including the Schweetz Candy Co. and KD’s Beauty Bar.

“I think we’re just automatically like put in this box, you know, ‘you cook, you clean, you stay home, you do this, you do that,'” KD’s Beauty Bar co-owner Dai’Janise Stano said. “And it’s like, actually, you know, we can run businesses, we can do anything. We put our minds to.â€

Wendy Lilly, owner of Schweetz Candy Co. and executive director of the St. Joseph Downtown Association, was thrilled to share that a large number of businesses in the Downtown area are not only women-owned but also successful.

“I think that just is people wanting to be their own person and do their own thing, have their own schedule. I think it’s awesome,” Lilly said. “Both of my children actually have been impacted by this. My son works for me in our candy store. My daughter recently decided that she wanted to do her own little business and made a logo and everything. And I think it’s really cool to instill that into our next generation.â€

Women like Lilly have encouraged and supported women like Stano and Kanei Jackson, co-owner of KD’s, to start their own businesses, and that support is one of the key factors that led to the inception and success of KD’s Beauty Bar, the salon that recently celebrated its first anniversary.

“I feel like just setting the bar for yourself. Like looking back at last year, I’m like, hey, we were here, and now we’re here,” Stano said. “And it’s like, just proving yourself wrong. Like, the scary at first is definitely scary. Takes a lot of time, devotion and money. But just getting to, you know, fulfill those milestones and those different goals is very rewarding.â€

Whether looking for a sweet treat, pampering or a day of shopping, St. Joseph’s women business owners are here to help.

St. Joseph has several resources for those looking into starting a business, including the Downtown Association, the Cup of Joe entrepreneur group and Main Street St. Joseph. These groups provide insight on valuable resources for business owners, give advice and help new entrepreneurs get their businesses started.

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