Author: News-Press NOW

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A high-ranking and long-serving member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol is calling it a career in February after nearly three decades of commitment to the state of Missouri.

Major Corey J. Schoeneberg, bureau commander for the Administrative Service Bureau of the patrol, will retire Feb. 1, 2026, after 29 years of dedicated service, according to the agency.

A native of Jefferson City and graduate of Central Missouri University, the highly-experienced Schoeneberg first joined the department in 1996 as a member of the 72nd recruiting class, later being assigned to Troop B, Zone 2, in Macon and Shelby counties before advancing through the ranks in the years to come.

Schoeneberg was promoted to corporal in 2001 and later held the titles of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, assistant bureau commander, and commanding officer of Troop F in Jefferson City. On Aug.1, 2022, Schoeneberg was promoted to major and designated bureau commander of the Administrative Services Bureau, General Headquarters, in Jefferson City.

Schoeneberg also holds the honor of graduating from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Virginia, in 2014, including completion of the Police Leadership: The West Point Model Executive Level Course in 2019.

Major Schoeneberg and his wife, Carey (Scott), have two children: Kathryn and Avery.

Other highway patrol announcements from News-Press NOW:

Wilhoit promoted to major, to serve as commander with Missouri Highway Patrol: https://www.newspressnow.com/news/2025/12/24/wilhoit-promoted-to-major-to-serve-as-commander-with-missouri-highway-patrol/

Longtime trooper Primm promoted to commander of Highway Patrol Troop A: https://www.newspressnow.com/news/2025/12/24/longtime-trooper-primm-promoted-to-commander-of-highway-patrol-troop-a/

Five new troopers assigned to Troop H in St. Joseph after graduating Friday: https://www.newspressnow.com/news/2025/12/19/five-new-troopers-assigned-to-troop-h-in-st-joseph-after-graduating-friday/

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Multiple crashes during the Christmas holiday resulted in 10 fatalities on Missouri highways according to state authorities, nearly double what the state saw in 2024.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 10 people died in traffic crashes between Wednesday, Dec. 24 and Sunday, Dec. 28, according to preliminary crash data. There were no boating crashes or drownings.

The number of fatal crashes this year doubled what the state saw in 2024, when five motorists were killed in crashes during the holiday counting period.

Troopers reported the following traffic statistics for the 2025 holiday period (preliminary):

Crashes ─ 258Injuries ─ 94Fatalities ─ 10DWI Arrests ─ 93

Fatal crashes occurred in Johnson, Dekalb, Nodaway, Barry, St. Charles, Platte, Lincoln, Butler, Shannon and Cole counties, including two separate fatal crashes Saturday in Northwest Missouri.

Troopers arrested 18 people for driving while intoxicated during the 2024 Christmas holiday counting period, far less than the 93 reported this year.

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Cameron Montemayor

PRINCETON, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A 19-year-old Kirksville woman suffered serious injuries in a single vehicle crash that occurred on Christmas Day in Princeton, Missouri.

The crash occurred around 10 p.m. Dec. 25, after a 19-year-old woman heading south on U.S. Highway 65 reportedly ran a stop sign and traveled on to High Street before running off the road in Princeton, Missouri, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The 2015 Mercedes CL2 left the roadway and struck a large chuck of concrete in a ditch before sliding counterclockwise and striking another ditch. The Mercedes overturned and ejected the driver before crossing over into Elm Street where it came to rest.

The Kirksville woman was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt when the crash occurred, and was transported by Mercer County EMS to Liberty Hospital with serious injuries. The Mercer County Sheriff’s Department assisted with the scene.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A 35-year-old Carrollton, Missouri, man is dead following a single-vehicle motorcycle accident that occurred on State Route M on Saturday afternoon in Nodaway County.

According to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 35-year-old man driving a 2018 Kawasaki Vulcan was traveling east on State Route M around 1:30 p.m. Saturday when he failed to negotiate a curve and ran off the roadway roughly 5.5 miles east of Guilford, Missouri.

The motorcycle went down an embankment and struck a ditch, ejecting the motorcyclist in the process.

The driver of the motorcycle, a 35-year-old man from Carrollton, Missouri, was pronounced dead at 2:22 p.m. at Mosaic Medical Center in Maryville, Missouri. The man was wearing a safety device according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Next of kin has been notified according to the report.

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News-Press NOW

By: Darren Doyle

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Families and individuals looking to beat the post-holiday blues can look no further. Family-friendly Mid-States Wrestling is making its return to town for its third annual Christmas Bash.

Fans can expect to see hometown hero Scott Hansen, who is set to defend his title at the National Guard Armory at 301 N. Woodbine Road. 

Hansen loves being a titleholder and is thrilled to have the opportunity to defend it in his hometown. 

“There’s a lot of nerves that come with it. But at the same time, just getting to put on a good show for St. Joe,” Hansen said. “With it being my hometown growing up here, and historically, Saint Joe being a significant wrestling town.”

Fans can also expect to see other favorites, including Burt Cameron, Austin Mulitalo and more. Cameron said he is thrilled to bring this show back yet again and hopes it will bring wrestling fans of all ages together for a great time. 

“There’s a good group of us that are local from the area, and after seeing some of the other sports teams like the Mustangs in town, seeing how much the community gets behind their own, we wanted to bring that in the form of wrestling,” Cameron said. “(Wrestling has) a rich history here in St. Joe.”

Missouri Heavyweight Champion Austin Lee and “Must C-T-V_ Colton Vaught will be among some of the best wrestlers performing from the Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma area.

The fun takes place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27. For tickets and more information on this event, visit mswtickets.square.site. 

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Luis Avila

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Christmas gifts don’t always stick. Every year, Americans return tens of billions of dollars’ worth of unwanted presents, with returns jumping 25%–35% right after Dec. 26. The post-holiday rush keeps stores and delivery services busy well into January.

Clothing, shoes, accessories and electronics are the most returned items, mainly because of sizing issues or duplicate gifts. About 20%–25% of all retail purchases are expected to be returned.

Key Retailer Deadlines:

Amazon: Most items through Jan. 31, 2026 (Apple products Jan. 15, 2026).

Walmart: Most items through Jan. 31, 2026 (exceptions for electronics/Marketplace).

Target: Most items through Jan. 24, 2026.

Best Buy: Many items through Jan. 15, 2026.

Macy’s: Most purchases from early Oct. to Dec. 31, 2025, returnable until Jan. 31, 2026.

Important Considerations:

Exceptions & Exclusions: Specific items (like Apple, perishable goods, customized products) often have shorter deadlines or aren’t returnable.

Proof of Purchase: Keep your receipt or gift receipt.

Return Fees: Some retailers (like Macy’s for mail returns) may deduct fees.

Check Product Pages: Always verify the return policy on the item’s product page for specific details.

Unwanted presents remain a familiar part of the holiday season.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — As the Christmas holiday and celebrations wind down, the City of St. Joseph is offering a site to dispose of any live Christmas trees.

From Friday, Dec. 26, until Saturday, Jan. 31, St. Joseph residents can dispose of live trees at the Drake Softball Complex, located at 22nd Street and Southwest Parkway.

Any trees dropped off will be removed from the complex and taken to be mulched.

The City asks that all ornaments, tinsel and tree stands be removed before the tree is brought to the site.

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Cameron Montemayor

DEKALB COUNTY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Two people were transported to the hospital following a Christmas Eve crash that involved a truck hitting a vehicle attempting to pull on to U.S. Highway 36 west of Osborn, Missouri.

The two-vehicle crash occurred on Wednesday just before 7 p.m. after a 2017 Ford F-150 traveling northbound on Missouri Route 33 pulled in front of a 2001 Ford F-150 heading east on U.S. Highway 36, roughly three miles west of Osborn, Missouri.

The 2017 Ford, driven by a 46-year-old man from Stewartsville, was struck on the driver’s side by the other truck, causing both vehicles to travel off the roadway and into the median. Both vehicles eventually came to rest on their wheels facing north.

The 46-year-old man was transported by Dekalb County EMS to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph with moderate injuries, while the driver of the 2001 Ford, a 50-year-old man from Stewartsville, Missouri, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Both drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the incident. The Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office also assisted in the investigation.

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Leah Rainwater

MERCER COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) — A 19-year-old woman from Kirksville, Missouri, is seriously injured after a series of events that began when she traveled off of a roadway.

The crash occurred at 10 p.m. on Christmas Day at High Street, just south of U.S. Highway 65 in Princeton, Missouri.

The driver of a 2015 Mercedes CL2 was southbound on U.S. Highway 65. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the vehicle ran a stop sign on U.S. 65 and traveled onto High Street.

The Mercedes then traveled off the east side of the roadway and struck a large chunk of concrete in a ditch. It then began sliding counterclockwise and struck another ditch.

After striking the second ditch, the woman was ejected from the Mercedes. The vehicle then crossed over Elm Street, traveled off the south side of the street and struck an embankment.

The vehicle came to rest on its wheels facing east in a private parking lot.

According to the crash report, the driver was not wearing a seat belt. She was transported by Mercer County EMS to Liberty Hospital.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A longtime local barber is spreading Christmas cheer this season as old St. Nick himself, offering free hair cuts to kids as part of a unique and festive experience.

K.C.’s Barbershop and lead barber K.C. Blanchard held a special holiday haircut experience on Tuesday, offering surprise hair cuts free of charge for any kid who walked in, all while dressed as Santa Claus.

Blanchard, a barber for the last 18 years, opened the new business this April in the Green Acres building on North Village Drive and has seen notable growth in the time since, using holidays to offer memorable experiences for young customers and families.

St. Joseph barber K.C. Blanchard provides a free and festive haircut for Emmett Matthias on Tuesday at K.C.’s Barbershop at 3500 N. Village Drive, Suite 162.

“Have you heard anyone say ‘I got my hair cut by Santa as a kid?'” Blanchard, a St. Joseph native, said with a smile. “It’s just fun. It’s fun for the kids. It’s fun for me and an all around good time.”

Local parent Kelsey Matthias and her kids — including young Emmett Matthias — have been coming to K.C.’s barbershop for the last six months and couldn’t miss out on the chance to see their regular barber in a jolly big red suit on Tuesday. Blanchard even grew out a real beard to make the Santa costume more authentic.

“It was a highlight of the holiday season. But I definitely think it’s awesome for the community because I’ve seen a long line ever since I got here,” Kelsey said.

Between candy canes, holiday tunes and Christmas movies playing on TV, Blanchard set out to create as festive an experience as a kid could possibly have at a barbershop. But the main goal is providing a clean and fresh haircut that leaves them smiling and confident.

“I’ve had a couple kids that are Santa scared. But turnout has been pretty solid, a lot of new people plus a lot of my regulars, and everything has been a lot of fun,” he said. “I try to make them feel at home.”

The barbershop is located at 3500 N. Village Drive, Suite 162, in north St. Joseph. The business offers walk-in appointments, as well as online booking through their mobile app and online at app.thecut.co/barbers/KC-Blanchard-kbdf1xg.

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