Author: News-Press NOW

Charles Christian

ST. JOSEPH, MO. (News-Press NOW) — A local ministry in St. Joseph is literally taking their message to the streets.

Lorey Quaife, along with her husband and son, regularly set up microphones and an amplifier on street corners in and around St. Joseph and sing Christian worship songs.

Quaife said they do this because after years of working together in a non-profit ministry, especially to homeless people, they wanted to find an approachable, non-threatening way to connect to the community.

“I grew up here in St. Joseph, and often the homeless population is seen but not heard,” Quaife said. “By singing and being available for all people to sing with us or simply approach us and talk with us, we feel like we’re doing what the Lord wants us to do: reach people with compassion.”

For the past twelve years, the ministry called “Before You, Lord, International” has come alongside non-profit organizations that assist homeless people and others in need.

Though their approach of worshiping on street corners has gained a negative reputation from some, this family hopes those who encounter them and follow them on social media see a message of welcome that still holds to what they call Bible-based Christianity.

“We are out here to get the word of the Lord out,” Quaife said. “Hopefully, in the future, if God blesses us with a location, we would love to be able to do that, as well.”

Until then, Quaife and her husband said they will continue to minister in the ways that are open to them, including online words of encouragement on their Facebook page, volunteering with local ministries that help others and singing consistently on street corners, especially in the Downtown area.

So far, they say, the response has been positive.

“We started this approach in Minnesota for several years,” Quaife said. “Returning to St. Joseph, the place where I was raised, has allowed us to see more connections, including people stopping to sing with us on their breaks or on the way to work and people asking us for prayer.”

To learn more about the ministry and its goals, the family said simply approaching them when they are singing Downtown is a sure way to connect.

The family can also be followed on their Facebook Page: Before You Lord, International Ministries.

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Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph’s 2nd Annual Fall Spectacular is happening Sunday, Sept. 28, from noon to 4 p.m. at 3602 N. village drive. 

Guests can browse through locally grown pumpkins from Treasure Gardens and stock up for the season. 

And of course, no fall fest is complete without treats—think caramel apples, apple cider, kettle corn, plus plenty of food and drinks from Ricky Dean’s.  

“The crowd was really great. There were so many people that came out and supported last year. Everyone had a great time and we had a lot of great vendors so we are excited this year too,” Hannah Montgomery, local vendor said.  

For Montgomery, the event is about more than shopping. It brings a lot of opportunities for kids to do things with their parents and friends 

Her hopes are to make new connections this year while sharing her trucker hat bar and fanny packs with the community.  

“We just do this on the sides but we are hoping to get the word out . We have a trucker hat bar with fanny packs and we hope a lot of people come out to see all the vendors,” Montgomery said.  

Another vendor, Samantha Morrow, is using the festival to grow her business, which focuses on natural and organic body butter.  

Until now, she’s mostly sold through Facebook, but this event gives her a chance to connect face-to-face.  

“I just thought it would be a great opportunity to reach out to some more people and gain a bigger audience and grow my network and find new customers,” Morrow said.  

For Patricia Oliver, it’s all about building relationships. She’s been part of several craft shows and came to the Fall Spectacular last year as well. 

She says she’s simply hoping people stop by, shop a little, and help spread the word so she can keep coming back.  

“I came last year and I do several craft shows. It helps small businesses because its a connection that you make with people here in town,” Oliver said.  

Along with the vendors, families were looking forward to plenty of fun activities — from free face painting and rides to a petting zoo for the kids.  

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Ashland United Methodist Church will host a free concert Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. featuring internationally recognized sitar player Dr. Sanjay Kingi.

The performance is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27, at the church, located at 2711 Ashland Avenue. The event is open to the public, with donations accepted to help cover travel expenses.

“I will tell everybody to close their eyes, close their fist, sit properly and just keep their mind empty,” said Dr. Sanjay Kingi, “Making them sit with concentration so no matter whatever problem he faces, he just faces it very confidently.”

The sitar is a plucked string instrument originating in India, known for its long neck, sympathetic strings and distinctive resonant sound. It is commonly used in Hindustani classical music.

Dr. Kingi, a physician with a Ph.D. in music, has built a career blending science and art. He is a graded artist with All India Radio and Doordarshan, India’s state-owned broadcasting service, and has performed solo concerts across India, Australia, the Middle East and Europe.

Throughout his career, Kingi has also collaborated with some of the world’s most well-known musicians, including Pandit Birju Maharaj, Ghulam Ali and Anup Jalota. His work includes an ambitious composition setting all 700 verses of the Bhagavad Gita to 700 unique ragas, or melodic patterns.

Organizers describe the evening as an opportunity to experience the meditative and soulful sound of the sitar in a community setting.

For more information, contact Ashland United Methodist Church.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — To take part in fall festivities, Missouri Western State University’s Pop Culture Club will be holding fall events throughout the season.

Both of the fall-themed events will start at 6 p.m. and will be held at the Rolling Hills Library’s community room, located at 1904 N. Belt Highway.

On Oct. 23, the club will be celebrating Halloween early with Dom Debrincat’s spooky talk, “Puritans in Horror Films.” 

The talk will be followed by a veterans’ day-themed talk titled “We’re proud of you folks, too!’ the World War II American Home Front in Radio and Movies,” with Kaye Adkins.

For more information on both the events, visit Mo Webst’s website at www.missouriwestern.edu/news/2025/09/24/mowests-pop-culture-club-to-host-3-fall-events/

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Alec Pascuzzi

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Saint Joseph Symphony brings two new monthly giving programs to the community, geared toward animal lovers.

The “Meowstro” Circle for cat lovers and “Woof Gang” for dog enthusiasts.

Members of either circle commit to a $10 monthly donation, which provides support for the Symphony’s performances, education programs and community outreach.

In return, members receive themed perks, special recognition and the delight of knowing their “paw-some” contributions keep the music playing all year long.

The furry friends of members will also be spotlighted on the symphony’s website, Instagram and Facebook weekly.

“We know our supporters love their pets as much as they love music,” said Nancy Schmidt-Brunson, executive director of the Saint Joseph Symphony.

Schmidt-Brunson also said, “The Meowstro Circle and Woof Gang bring those passions together in a way that’s fun, meaningful, and makes a real difference for the Symphony.”

These monthly donations help the Symphony and the community in numerous ways, such as providing more inspiring performances as well as expanding outreach programs for the community.

The Saint Joseph Symphony has also partnered with the local animal shelter. At the end of the fiscal year, the Symphony plans to contribute 10% of all donations to the St. Joseph Animal Shelter.

For more information about joining the Meowstro Circle or Woof Gang, send an email to info@saintjospehsymphony.org or call 816-233-770.

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Alec Pascuzzi

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Parks and Recreation Department is set to begin renovation plans for field six at Hyde Park.

GameTime Athletics was the only company to bid on the project and was eventually awarded the contract.

Renovations will include a new outfield fence and backstop. The infield and outfield will both be redone, with new sod being added to the outfield, as well as an upgraded irrigation system.

The home dugout, away dugout and bleachers will also be updated.

The project is aimed at supporting local athletic programs, extending the usable life of this important facility, as well as improving user experience and safety.  

“We want to improve the quality of the field conditions that the kids have to play on. There’s always safety involved. But more than anything, it’s just the quality of the facility itself is what we’re really needing to upgrade,” said Jeff Atkins, the St. Joseph Parks and Recreation Department director.

Atkins said renovations are expected to be completed before baseball season in the Spring of 2026.

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Alec Pascuzzi

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — With increased interest across the country in health and wellness, the use of infrared saunas for workouts is rising.

The growth in popularity is due to several factors, including health benefits. For example, sweat caused by the use of infrared energy removes up to seven times more toxins than regular sweat.

These types of saunas also promote reduced soreness, reduced stress, improved muscle recovery and can speed up workouts.

“15 minutes in one of our infrared saunas is the equivalent of working out for one hour in a traditional gym. So, if you have a busy schedule or you just need 15 minutes to get in and get that workout in, and then you can go,” said Katie Kinney, St. Joseph’s HOTWORX general manager.

Also, infrared sauna users can burn up to 800 calories in just a 30-minute infrared sauna workout, according to Sure Cure Physical Therapy and Wellness.

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — For one mother and daughter, taking a leap out of an airplane is more than just an adrenaline rush, it’s a way to give back.

Sharon Carter, along with her daughter Ashley Stroud, are preparing to skydive as part of the ‘Soaring with Kindness’ fundraiser for the Noyes Home for Children.

“This has been on my bucket list, so when she told me she was going I said, ‘I’m going too,'” said Carter. “I’ve always wanted to do this, and what better cause?”

The event, held in partnership with Falcon Skydiving in North Kansas City, challenges participants to raise $500 or more to take part in a tandem jump.

“Anytime you can do something that you want to experience, as well as contribute towards a charitable organization that you believe in, then I think you should,” Stroud said.

Founded in 1894, the Noyes Home for Children provides care and stability for children and families in crisis. A leader at the local nonprofit said fundraisers, like ‘Soaring with Kindness,’ help the organization provide necessities for those in need.

“This helps to ensure that our kids have food, clothing, all of the things that we need to provide in our own homes, but on a much larger scale,” Executive Director Chelsea Howlett said. “Typically, somewhere between 25 and 30 children at any given time.”

Commitments to participate must be made by Oct. 6, with funds due by Oct. 22. The jumps will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 26.

Community members can support the effort by donating to a skydiver of their choice online, noting the participant’s name in the comments. Donations can be made through the nonprofit’s website.

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TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Frederick Towers will see improvements to its office spaces as a local family plans to turn it into a startup entrepreneurship hub for St. Joseph.

The building, located at 2400 Frederick Ave., originally opened in 1916 as Noyes Hospital. In 1955, Anchor Serum purchased the building to use as an office space. Later the building would become what is now known as Frederick Towers.

The local family who recently purchased the building aims to empower entrepreneurs and create a multi-functional space for businesses, according to a mission statement on Frederick Towers Innovation Hub’s website.

Colby Campbell, the owner of Frederick Towers, said it has been a dream of his to own the building.

“My dad had an office in this building for years. I mean, we’re talking like 20 years,” Campbell said. “And I would tell him, ‘someday I’m going to own the building,’ as a joke. And then here in the last, probably at the end of last year, we had made a decision to try and find a new place to grow and build a business.”

Campbell said that they want Fredrick Towers to be an affordable place to rent office space and help people who want to start a business.

“So, someone can bring their idea. We can then introduce them to the professionals that they will need to set themselves up as a legitimate business so they can start building their business credit,” he said.

Campbell’s goal is to use Fredrick Towers to attract new, younger people to the city.

“We want this to be a place that’s part of the growth and development of St. Joe, so that we can help grow the city of St. Joe and bring in new, younger blood,” Campbell said.

Campbell said that if anyone has history of the building, he would like to know more.

“We love those stories. And we’re actually going to be building a timeline of these stories and the companies and experience on the walls of the hall on the first floor,” he said. “So when people come in,  they can see the history of this building.”

Campbell said he hopes to have the building completely renovated in five years.

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Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Operation Christmas Child helps bring joy to children in need and has inspired a former gift receiver to become a spokesperson for the project as an adult.

The project was created by Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization that has sent shoeboxes of gifts and the gospel of Jesus Christ to those in need all around the world.

One of those children was Ekaterina Haselden, who is now a spokesperson for Operation Christmas Child and shares her story with others.

As a child in the former Soviet Union, Haselden had her struggles but also had faith in God. She recalls her father being imprisoned and her mother’s abandonment as moments that created a childhood with trials and tribulations.

Haselden and her sister were put into multiple orphanages as children and she said one of those orphanages was full of abuse.

“That orphanage was a cruel place, caregivers were really mean,” Haselden said. “…They would do torturous things.”

Haselden said she would often question if things would ever get better until one day, Operation Christmas Child arrived and changed her life.

“They spoke of Jesus and of his love. They showed us (a) Jesus film and him dying on the cross, they gave us Bibles. They spent time with us.” Haselden said.

Haselden recalls she received a shoebox with gifts such as a coloring book, crayons and a bar of soap.

She said she felt then that God answered her prayers. Haselden and her sister were adopted and moved to the United States soon after that.

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