Author: News-Press NOW

News-Press NOW

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Six construction workers have sued Herzog Contracting Corp. and its partners for racial discrimination and harassment while working on a public transportation project in Kansas City, Missouri.

The lawsuit was filed in a Jackson County, Missouri Circuit Court in late June. The matter was referred to federal court earlier this month.

The plaintiffs include Javier Buendia, Jonas Buendia, Oliver Curry, Carl Hunt, Joseph Martin and Charles Watkins. The defendants named were Herzog, Stacy and Witbeck, an engineers’ union and a laborers’ union. Also named as defendants were three individuals, Bryce Shields of Savannah, Missouri, Joseph Ayers of Maysville, Missouri and Chris Greenwood of Shawnee, Kansas.

To clarify, Shields is not related to Missouri District 11 Rep. Brenda Shields.

The plaintiffs, all minority workers, said they were subjected to continual harassment at various job sites while working on the KC Streetcar project. The group claims they were subjected to:

Racial epithets

Derogatory and racially charged names

Threats of physical violence

Actual physical assault

Sexual harassment

Association with a white nationalist group. The plaintiffs allege that one foreman on the project was a member of the Proud Boys

The lawsuit listed dozens of instances in which the plaintiffs were subjected to this treatment.

Employment discrimination petition, including HerzogDownload

The plaintiffs also allege, when they complained to company supervisors or union officials, their complaints were ignored and they were retaliated against.

The plaintiffs are all seeking monetary damages.

No hearing dates have been set in federal court.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph tourism officials are planning a big refresh for many of the aging signs that have long guided visitors to the city’s biggest attractions. 

Scattered throughout Downtown St. Joseph and Frederick Avenue are many of the same blue wayfinding signs that were installed back in 1995, with many either faded, damaged or in some cases pointing the wrong direction.

“The current signs are so unimpactful that we completely overlook them as residents. But then, as a visitor, if you see that and if you’re actually relying on signage, if anything, it’s probably more of a deterrent,” said Christian Mengel, communications director with the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The current signs aren’t helping anybody.”

Now, CVB officials are preparing to move forward on a years-long effort to overhaul the signs with a new array of vibrant and modernized wayfinding signs — some as tall as six feet — a roughly $350,000 project funded primarily by the CVB.

This rendering shows the height and colors of the new wayfinding signs set to be installed in St. Joseph.

With the 2026 World Cup fast approaching and the potential for a wave of domestic and international travelers coming to St. Joseph — particularly on off days between matches — tourism officials think now is the time to strike while the iron is hot, a benefit for short- and long-term economic growth.

Kansas City will host six matches as one of 16 World Cup cities across the U.S., Mexico and Canada. FIFA officials are expected to unveil which teams will compete in K.C. on Dec. 5.

“We know this will be our one chance to have that strong impact. We need nice, inviting, clean signs. Not only to help the visitor experience move from location to location, but also just as a beautification project for Downtown,” Mengel said. “We’re going to see a noticeable increase in visitation to a lot of our attractions, specifically the ones that we know are valuable to international fans.”

On any given year, Mengel said the Pony Express, Patee House and Jesse James museums see tourists from upwards of 20 countries and all 50 U.S. states, a huge international driver for those hoping to learn about American history.

More than 50 new signs will be installed primarily in the Downtown area and along Frederick Avenue, guiding visitors to historic destinations like the Pony Express, Patee House and Jesse James Museums, in addition to newer attractions like the River Bluff Trails Park and InspireU Children’s Discovery Museum, among others.

“This system is built to point to everything that someone’s missing on the way to what they’re going to. So it’s inspiring them to stay longer, which will eventually have them spend more money,” he said. “It’s an extensive upgrade to what we currently have.”

The new orange and blue signs will be double-sided, featuring directional arrows on one side and colorful art — including the iconic Pony Express emblem — on the other. The plan is to purchase nearly a dozen different variations of signs, including kiosks that include maps.

St. Joseph is one of nearly a dozen cities in Missouri planning to upgrade its signage in advance of the World Cup, including Kansas City.

The wayfinding signs were designed by Corbin Design of Kansas City, an expert in wayfinding and environmental graphic design. The company spent a considerable amount of time studying the city to create a new and customized design and color scheme that looks and feels St. Joseph.

“We’re currently just behind the standard in terms of wayfinding signs. We don’t want to just meet that bar. We want to surpass it and exceed it to be a sign system that other communities are looking at and saying, we need ours to look like that,” Mengel said.

The current blue wayfinding signs are shown on South Ninth Street, directing visitors to the Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph.

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Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce marked Manufacturing Day on Thursday, Oct. 2, giving students a closer look at career opportunities in their own backyard.  

Students from Hillyard Technical Center toured I&M Machine and Fabrication. And for many of them, it was their first time stepping inside a factory they’d only ever driven past.  

“It’s just an effort to get high school kids to understand what’s going on in these factories that are in this town. They just drive by and nobody knows what’s going on there,” said Jon Barron, the general manager of I&M.

Barron said the turnout was big this year — 23 groups of about 20 students each. And it’s more than just a quick look around.  

The program has already led to real opportunities, with three students moving into apprenticeships at the factory after taking the tour.   

“They want to get into the workforce and with a good job and make real money right off, so they hope to get more hands-on experience working in the factories,” Barron said.  

Cooper Tabor, a senior at Hillyard Tech, said he’s hoping to get more hands-on experience in the industry and eventually land a job that can really support him.  

“The amount of machines they have they have is kind of cool and it’s crazy to know how much money they cost,” Tabor said.  

He said he came on the tour because he enjoys working around machines — it’s something he’d take over a desk job any day.  

“This is my first time being here for the tour, and I really want to be able to do something to support myself and it sets me up to live the life that I want,” Tabor said.  

Tabor hopes to find a good job out of state where he can put his skills and training to use. 

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Salvation Army of St. Joseph is now accepting donations of coats, hats, gloves, blankets and scarves to help families in need.

Winter gear can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday until Friday, Oct. 31, at the Salvation Army, located at 602 Messanie St.

The items will help community members in need stay warm during the colder months.

Courtesy of the Salvation Army of St. Joseph.

Any items donated should be in gently used or new condition.

“We try our hardest just to make sure that those folks are able to survive through the night and through the winter,” said Emily Bravo, Social Services Director at the Salvation Army, “It’s very, very important to keep them warm overnight.”

She highlighted the need for gloves, baby coats and large-sized coats, noting that these are often the least donated items. Those without clothing to give can still support the Salvation Army by volunteering their time.

Those with questions can call the Salvation Army at 816-232-5824 for more information.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Health Department held its free walk-in flu vaccine clinic Thursday.

While the city-wide clinic held at Civic Arena was a one-day event, vaccines for both insured and uninsured patients will still be accessible at the St. Joseph Health Department. They will be available 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except the last Friday of the month.

According to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, there have been 61 cases of influenza within the state as of this week.

In talking to St. Joseph Community Health Nurse, Kristi Billings, Buchanan County has only had 11 cases this year.

“This year we didn’t really see the break,” Billings said. “We normally see, from year to year, some downtime where we don’t see flu cases. And this year, there was a very limited amount of downtime where we didn’t see flu cases. I believe when I looked that we had already had 11 so far.”

For more information on Flu Vaccines offered by the Health Department, visit its website at www.stjosephmo.gov/486/Immunizations.

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — October is here, and there’s no shortage of ways to get out and enjoy the weekend. Whether you’re in the mood for shopping, live theatre or fall fun, it’s time to See St. Joseph.

First up, the St. Joseph Civic Arena is hosting “It’s All About You!” Women’s Expo this Saturday, Oct. 4. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the expo will feature workshops, seminars, shopping, food trucks and even a mimosa and bloody mary bar. Tickets are $7, or $5 with a canned food donation to Second Harvest. For ages 16 and under, admission is free. The event is all about celebrating women’s health, wellness, and community.

Also on Saturday night, the Trail Theatre presents a live performance of ’12 Angry Men’. The show begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free; however, donations will benefit Pivotal Point Transitional Housing. Organizers said it’s a chance to enjoy a timeless story while supporting a local cause that helps families break the cycle of homelessness.

Of course, it wouldn’t be October in St. Joseph without PumpkinFest. The three-day festival runs Friday through Sunday at the Pony Express Museum and Patee Park. Families can enjoy live entertainment, food trucks, costume contests and the lighting of Pumpkin Mountain at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Kids will love the parade, petting zoo and free baby pumpkins in the children’s tent.

Make sure you tune in every Thursday for more ways to See St. Joseph.

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News-Press NOW

DEKALB COUNTY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A Cameron, Missouri, man is dead after a one-car crash near that town Wednesday morning.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the crash occurred around 9:08 a.m. on U.S. Route 36, a mile west of Cameron.

A 28-year-old Cameron man driving east lost control, skidded and traveled off the road, flipping his car.

He was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected.

He was pronounced deceased at Mosaic Life Care at 10:07 a.m., according to the crash report.

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Ryan Eslinger

ST. JOSEPH, Mo (News-Press NOW) — Week six of the high school football season is here, and Sports Zone’s game of the week is the 1-4 Bishop LeBlond Golden Eagles hosting the 1-4 Kansas City East Academy Christian Lions.

After a 10-2 season that fell just short for the Bishop LeBlond Golden Eagles last year, the Golden Eagles have not gotten out to a great start in 2025.

The 1-4 start for the Golden Eagles is their worst start since the 2020-21 season, when they started 0-4, but the record does not tell the full story.

In the five games the Golden Eagles have played, the combined records of the teams are 17-3, and head coach Chuck Davis said the team had to weather the storm to prepare themselves for districts.

“The mindset is we’re not playing for right now, we’re playing for that first week at districts,” Davis said. “We got a good group of smart kids that see the big picture.”

While playing the top talent in the state of Missouri, Senior defensive back Cole Sigrist said the losses will make them better in the long run.

“When you see the best quarterback in the state at Archie, it really prepares you mentally and physically for what you’re going to see later on,” Sigrist said.

Senior running back David Aberer said the key to getting the offense jump-started starts with everyone doing their job.

“Focusing on every play, everybody needs to do their job,” Aberer said. “All the linemen, they need to block, everyone catch balls, don’t throw bad balls. Stuff like that.”

Despite the 1-4 record, the team has still been competitive, and coach Davis said the goal is to play a complete game every game.

“In order to be successful, we have to take what we’ve learned these first five weeks and put it together in one complete game,” Davis said. “At times we’ve looked very good and we need to play like that all the time.”

After graduating a lot of key players in May, and only having eleven seniors on the roster, Davis said the team is relying on a lot of the younger guys, who are one year away from being something special.

Aberer and Sigrist are the leaders of the offense and defense, and touched on how they have stepped into leadership roles with the younger guys on the team.

“Pointing out what they are doing wrong and teaching them what to do better next time,” Aberer said. “It’s not going to be right every time.”

“The leaders from years prior have shown me how to be a leader and what it takes to be a leader,” Sigrist said. “There are still some growing pains, but we’ve seen a lot of improvement over these last five weeks.”

This game is hopefully the turning point for Chuck Davis’ squad as they look to use the next four weeks to prepare for districts.

Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, at Bishop LeBlond High School.

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Alec Pascuzzi

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — With cooler weather moving in, copperhead snakes are preparing for hibernation.

The weather causes the snakes to be more active around local parks and trails such as River Bluff Trails Park.

When using the local trails during this time of year, there are a few things to keep in mind. Copperhead snakes typically have a gray or copper color to them and an hourglass-like pattern on their skin.

These snakes also blend in very well with fallen leaves on the ground. 

“It would just be advisable to recognize that they are there and use caution. Don’t assume. Don’t step over logs without knowing where you are putting your feet. And just take your time and have your eyes open and pay attention,” said Shelly Cox, a naturalist at the Remington Nature Center.

According to Cox, copperhead snakes in the area will be heading into hibernation toward the end of October until springtime.  

Copperhead snakes are also venomous. According to Poison Control, their bites can cause pain, swelling, redness, bruising and blistering, as well as systemic symptoms like low blood pressure.

If a bite occurs, stay calm, immobilize the bite area and seek help from experts.

To decrease the likelihood of copperheads on property, remove leaves, rocks, trash and other debris. Additionally, removing tall vegetation will also decrease their presence on property.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Community Chorus is preparing to open its 45th Anniversary Season.

The season will begin with a performance of Joseph Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12, at St. James Catholic Church, located at 5814 King Hill Ave.

The concert will feature the 65-voice chorus joined by a full orchestra under the direction of Timothy Tharaldson.

Written in 1798 during a time of political upheaval, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass is considered one of his most dramatic and triumphant choral works, blending moments of solemnity with choruses of hope and praise.

The concert will showcase four guest soloists. Tickets are available at the door or online at www.stjoechorus.org/tickets.

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