Author: News-Press NOW

Kendra Simpson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art will open its newest exhibit, the Juried Undergraduate Exhibition, to celebrate the emerging talent of college students across the country.

After receiving over 120 submissions, 47 artworks were selected from 31 students spanning 18 colleges and universities nationwide. The students used a wide array of styles and mediums, which represent the diversity of perspectives from the next generation of artists.

“We have paintings, prints, ceramics, drawings, photographs,” Madison McKinley, Albrecht-Kemper’s marketing and communications manager, said. “We have everything. It’s a collection of works from college students. They’re not yet graduated, but they’re trying to get their artwork out there, and what better way to do it than showing your art in a museum?”

McKinley said they wanted to feature undergraduate work to embrace the enthusiasm young artists portray in their craft.

“The art world is constantly evolving and changing,” McKinley said. “There’s all different types of ideas and styles…When you’re in college, you’re really experimental and, you know, innovative.”

The show will feature several pieces from artists in the region, including students from the Kansas City Art Institute, Johnson County Community College, University of Central Missouri and more.

The artwork will be judged anonymously, followed by an award ceremony at 6 p.m. Pieces can be purchased with prices ranging from $25 to $2,000.

The exhibit opens 4 p.m. Friday, April 18, and will be available to view through June 15.

Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A free Missouri Child Identification event at the East Hills Mall this weekend will give families a measure of protection against missing or abducted children. 

Girls and boys ages 11-21 are statistically most susceptible to becoming missing and the Missouri Child Identification Program (MOCHIP) is designed to help parents and local authorities quickly locate and identify children in case of an emergency. 

The MOCHIP program provides approximately 90 to 95% of the information required to issue an AMBER Alert. Families receive a comprehensive kit on a USB drive, which includes their child’s digital photographs, digital fingerprints, dental impressions, and more. 

“The only chip that’s actually involved is a USB card that is going to contain all that pertinent information you’ll need to give to law enforcement if your child goes missing,†said Tim Conard, with the St. Joseph Masonic Lodge. â€œWithin about 30 to 45 minutes, it will be statewide on the Amber alert system. It’s a very simple process to go through.†

All data collected is erased and cleared from the laptops once the service is completed. Additionally, all DNA samples are consolidated and provided only to the child’s guardians. 

“Getting this information all consolidated and put together is so vital because as your kids start to go to school and venture further from home, time is of the essence and every minute counts,†said Conard.  

Although this program is geared towards children, adults with certain metal illnesses such as dementia can also be processed.  

Families are encouraged to complete the MOCHIP process annually or every few years to ensure that all information remains current. 

To expedite the process on Saturday, April 19th, you may prefill your information in advance at mochip.org. The event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at East Hills, located next to the Easter Bunny.9th, you may prefill your information in advance at mochip.org. The event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at East Hills, located next to the Easter Bunny. 

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Spire customers in St. Joseph and surrounding areas could see their gas bills increase by as much as $14 a month starting this October, the latest utility cost adjustment for many households.

Residents will get the chance to ask questions and speak at one of five statewide public hearings on the proposal at noon on June 4 at St. Joseph City Hall, part of extensive public scrutiny before a ruling is made by the Missouri Public Service Commission.

If the request if approved by MoPSC, the average customer will see their bill increase by $13 to $14 a month, or $168 a year, beginning no later than Oct. 24, 2025.

Spire is filing the request to recover costs for infrastructure investments and adjust with rising inflation, as well as weather and conservation impacts.

The increase in base rates would largely nullify a reduction that many Spire customers saw last November, when the commission announced a decrease of around 16% a month due to lower costs for natural gas.

The proposal also comes on the heels of higher electricity costs for Evergy customers that went into effect this year, a 7% increase that equated to roughly $8 a month, or $96 per year.

Water bills are also expected to increase for St. Joseph residents by as much as $18 a month by mid-2025 following a request from Missouri American Water late last year. The request was filed to pay for the cost of $1.5 billion in planned investments statewide, including upgrades to the water treatment plant and Randolph booster stations in St. Joseph.

“These projects are important to continue providing quality water, increasing fire protection and improving service reliability for customers and include replacement of over 250 miles of aging water and wastewater pipe to help reduce main breaks and sewer overflows,” Missouri American Water said previously.

The impact of Spire’s request will vary by customer type, as projections are based upon an average monthly gas usage of 59 ccfs per month. All in all, Spire’s request would generate $290 million for company investments. 

The upcoming hearing at City Hall on June 4 is divided into two parts: a standard question portion — in which questions and answers are not part of evidence — and a portion where residents testify as part of the official record for the case.

News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A man has been convicted in a first-of-its-kind case in Buchanan County following the implementation of a new law.

Gabriel Paredes, 24, of Houston was found guilty this week on a charge of aggravated fleeing in a motor vehicle involving a Jan. 2 incident. It is the first case brought to jury trial by the Buchanan County Prosecutor’s Office under “Valentine’s law,†a new state statute signed into law in August 2024 that increases penalties for those who flee from police after a stop. Fleeing is now a felony and carries a minimum sentence of at least one year with no provisions for early release.

The law honors a St. Louis County police officer who was killed when his vehicle was hit by a fleeing driver.

According to a probable cause statement, Paredes fled from a St. Joseph police officer at a high rate of speed before failing to stop at a stop sign and crashing into an embankment. Paredes and the occupants of his vehicle then fled on foot from the officers.

Paredes will be sentenced on Monday, May 19.