Author: News-Press NOW

Prajukta Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)– A recent mountain lion sighting near the St. Joseph area has residents talking and taking extra precautions, especially those living near wooded and rural areas. 

Wildlife officials said Mountain Lion encounters in Missouri are rare; however, one DeKalb County resident shared her story as she came face-to-face with the animal just steps from her home last spring.  

“I let my dogs out at night, and it was just in my back field, along the fence by my big tree, and he was just standing there doing his own business, and my dogs actually scared him off,” Jessiy Hayes said.  

Hayes lives in a rural area where wildlife sightings are not uncommon. Despite her close encounter, she said she was never terrified of the mountain lion.

Neighbors in the area have shared stories of their own close calls, raising concerns about safety. 

“He minds his own business, but just recently this person was out doing his cattle and he did get scared because of one of them was was trying to attack him,” Hayes said.  

Hayes raises chickens and other farm animals on her property. She said the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) permitted her to shoot the animal if it poses a threat to her livestock.  

According to the MDC, there were five confirmed mountain lion sightings in the state in 2025. 

MDC Spokesperson Maddie Fennewald said large cats are highly mobile, which means they can travel long distances in a short amount of time, making sightings unpredictable. 

“By nature, mountain lions are very mobile and most of the mountain lions that we get in Missouri just kinda wander through…Since Missouri has so much open space its a luck of the draw if we spot them,” Fennewald said.  

The MDC also recommended keeping pets indoors when possible, securing livestock and avoiding walking alone in areas with dense vegetation when mountain lions are most active. 

According to the National Park Service, mountain lions are typically more active during dusk and dawn.

The Idaho Fish and Game reports that mountain lions are seen throughout the year, but observations and incidents tend to increase during the winter months due to fresh snow making their tracks more visible, along with increased numbers of deer and elk moving onto their winter ranges.

also emphasized that encounters between humans and mountain lions in Missouri are extremely rare.  

“Most of the mountain lions are going to be coming from (the) Western States of Wyoming, South and North Dakota, Colorado and Texas,” Fennewald said. “We don’t have any proof of an established breeding population in Missouri.”

She said sightings like these serve as a reminder that Missouri is home to a wide range of wildlife. While encounters are rare, residents are encouraged to stay alert and informed. 

Click here to follow the original article.

Cameron Montemayor

7:45 p.m. UPDATE: Steen has reportedly been located and is safe, according to someone close to the family.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Authorities and family members of 16-year-old Dakota Steen are asking for the community’s assistance after the teen was reported missing on Dec. 30 in St. Joseph. 

Dakota Steen, a 16-year-old teenager from St. Joseph, has been reported missing by his family and was last seen in St. Joseph on Dec. 30, 2025. 

Authorities and the family are seeking the public’s help with locating the teen safely. Steen may still be in the area and could be using the name “Kota.”

A Facebook post from Steen’s family said they were hopeful he would come home on his own, but more than a week has now passed since he first took off around 3 p.m. on Dec. 28. 

“We are all very much worried about him, he has not been in contact with anyone,” the post reads. 

A missing person’s report for Steen has been filed with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as well as the Missouri State Highway Patrol. 

Anyone with information on Steen is encouraged to contact the St. Joseph Police Department at 816-271-4777 or the NCMEC 24-Hour Call Center at 1-800-843-5678. If seen, call 911 immediately. 

Click here to follow the original article.

TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph Fire Department honored one long-serving Battalion Chief through a retirement party.

Battalion Chief Dave Richey has served the department for over 36 years. He joined SJFD after hearing his friends talk about how much they enjoyed working for the department.

“They talked about how good of a job it really was, and I applied and got on, and it’s been family since then,” he said.

Richey said there are a lot of moments that stand out, and the fire department is a tight-knit group.

“There’s a lot of laughing, a lot of crying and a lot of talking to each other. A lot of things we have to see, we have to see good, and we have to see bad,” he said. A lot of that changes over a long period, so people change.”

During the retirement party, Richey was awarded a piece of an older brass pole that was kept from older SJFD locations. He also received an Axe for his service.

“The brass pole does mean a lot more from redoing some of the old fire stations. We kept the brass pole, so when you retire, they give you a little piece of the brass pole, which to me signifies our fire department,” he said. If you talk to any of the retired firefighters thats what they look forward to the most is that little piece of the pole that has a lot of meaning.”

Overall, Richey said he’ll miss the people most.

“They’re my family. Just not seeing them every day, that’s what I probably miss the most. All the relationships you build over the years,” he said. “A lot of them are here to see me off, and that’s what it will be, the people.”

Richey said the community is what you make of it.

“Us helping the community, and the community support that we receive from them. Just paying back what they given top us,” he said.

Richey said he plans to spend his retirement traveling with his wife and not working.

Click here to follow the original article.

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A proposal for a new 32-acre residential subdivision by Deer Park and grant awards for three social service agencies were approved Monday by St. Joseph City Councilmembers.

A proposal to develop 32-acres east of South Leonard Road into a new residential subdivision with single-family homes took the next step forward Monday as councilmembers passed an ordinance for a preliminary plat entitled “Venetian Falls” as requested by developer Ventura Homes, LLC.

The housing development plan — which could start as early as this summer — includes roughly 89 lots for new single-family homes by South Leonard Road and west of University Avenue, as well as significant roadway and infrastructure upgrades to accommodate additional traffic.

This rendering shows how the 89-lot housing subdivision would be divided on South Leonard Road and University Avenue.

A public hearing was also held on a second ordinance to rezone the land from a C-3 Commercial District to a R-1-B Detached Single Family Residential District, a measure that was approved despite concerns raised by one nearby resident during the hearing.

Eric Wattenbarger, a local resident since 1971, voiced concerns about increased traffic and the impact of site grading and new infrastructure on stormwater drainage onto his property directly across the street — which sits roughly 60 feet lower than the highest point on the proposed land adjacent to his.

“My purpose is to ask you to make sure that the proper hydrographic and traffic studies are done prior to proceeding with this,” Wattenbarger said. “My property is at risk of being inundated by flood.”

Shawn Duke, a professional engineer on the project with Snyder and Associates, spoke on behalf of the project’s developer and noted a preliminary drainage analysis had already been carried out to determine the location of a new detention pond to mitigate runoff, with a full drainage study to come later with final permitting plans.

This google maps image shows the proposed area for the new 89-lot subdivision in St. Joseph by South Leonard Road and Deer Park Drive.

Duke said no additional runoff is expected to drain on to his property according to project analysis.

Properties adjacent to the proposed project are largely zoned for residential use already. The Thousand Oaks subdivision located to the south and east of this parcel is zoned as such. The proposed development of this parcel will be similar in form and density to the existing Thousand Oaks development.

“Thanks for bringing more rooftops to St. Joseph,” Councilmember Madison Davis said to Duke during hearing.

City Councilmembers also approved three grant agreements at Monday’s City Council meeting, including Community Missions (Emergency Shelter — $100,000), the Social Welfare Board (Dental Program — $66,807) and YWCA ($54,405) to provide funds through the city’s HUD-funded Community Development Block Grant program.

A total of 13 social service agencies will receive Community Development Block Grant funds in fiscal year 2025-2026 for a total of $401,694.

City changes parking rules for Olive and Pacific streets

Parking will be prohibited on the north side of Olive Street from Sixth Street to Eighth Street, as well as the south side of Pacific Street from 33rd Street to the Belt Highway, under new changes approved by councilmembers on Monday.

City Councilmembers approved a measure to amend the city’s code of ordinances to prohibit parking on the north side of Olive Street from Sixth Street to Eighth Street and the south side of Pacific Street from 33rd Street to the Belt Highway.

City initiates plan for evaluation of Water Protection Facility

A separate contract approved Monday will see the city execute a $66,934 work order with HDR Engineering to carry out an industrial evaluation of the Water Protection Facility, paving the way for potential facility improvements geared toward industrial users.

HDR is tasked with evaluating the capacity of the industrial wastewater treatment train to determine whether it can accommodate additional loading from existing industrial users. This includes reviewing applicable pretreatment permits, loading data, and compliance records to verify existing and projected pollutant contributions.

HDR will conduct evaluations to assess system capacity, identify limitations and evaluate performance under increased loading conditions. Based on the findings, the consultant will develop potential improvement alternatives, including conceptual modifications or upgrades to the treatment system.

City Council OKs large equipment purchases for multiple departments

Monday’s meeting saw the approval of more than $210,000 in city funds to approve three large equipment purchases for both the parks and streets department.

Purchases will include a $55,000 John Deere Cab tractor for the Parks Department, as well as a $39,130 Caterpillar 275 Compact Track Loader and a $119,882 Caterpillar 308 Excavator for the city’s Streets Maintenance Department.

Other bills approved by City Council

An ordinance accepting a deed of gift for constructed street, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer infrastructure located in Country Lane Estates plat 2 from Arium Development, LLC.

Execution of a housing rehabilitation contract with Debbie J. Banks (owner) and superior exteriors of Northwest Missouri, LLC, (contractor) for a housing rehabilitation project located at 1317 S. 25th street for a total amount not to exceed $32,780.

Click here to follow the original article.

Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — As St. Joseph continues to face complex challenges regarding unsheltered homelessness, local organizations and law enforcement are combining resources in an effort to create a solution moving forward.

The City of St. Joseph, Community Missions and the St. Joseph Police Department will work in lockstep to maintain health and safety along with providing services for all residents, including those in outdoor encampments, as part of a new partnership to respond to the city’s homelessness situation.

Addressing health concerns for unsheltered during the winter season and the need to reduce the number of homeless encampments, which is estimated to be above 80, were the top reasons for carrying out the new partnership announced on Monday.

“There’s been health challenges associated with the cold, and we feel like it’s time to reach out and give folks the help they need,” City Manager Mike Schumacher said. “The last (homeless encampment) count, which is a lose count, was 84 camps. We look at how many of those are vacant, how much bigger are some compared to others. They all present an opportunity to improve the lives of the people who are living out the elements.”

The joint partnership will see members of each organization making contact and engaging with individuals living at an encampment site prior to the encampment being cleared out. While the SJPD will be on-hand for these visits, they are solely there for protection and safety purposes.

Individuals will receive at least three separate contacts to inform them of upcoming changes, offer shelter and services and be able to get information for support options.

My Brother’s House, a 24-hour shelter, is run by Community Missions.

This includes the “My Brothers House” 24-hour shelter service that opened back on July 1, 2025.  Rachael Bittiker, the executive director of Community Missions, detailed what the partnership means for Community Missions and the 24-hour shelter, which saw roughly 400 people come through since it’s inception in July.

“What we’re hoping to get out of this and with the 24-hour shelter day, is giving people somewhere to go to. There was no individual shelter in this community after the Salvation Army had closed their individual shelter several years ago,” Bittiker said. “We had resources for domestic violence, but there was no shelter for men or women on the streets. The problem we experienced as social workers or case managers was trying to make contact with individuals that really wished to not be found.”

Bittiker is hopeful the effort will make a difference in the community moving forward, especially during the process of transitioning people from the shelter to becoming productive and self-sufficient members of society

“What I see is this effort happening and some other things being worked on that I think will make a difference in our community. Hopefully we’re able to transition people at a quicker rate out of the shelter to become productive members of society and be self-sufficient. That’s the goal for everybody.”

The joint effort to reduce encampments will begin in the near future, with specific locations being targeted that are identified as particularity harmful or dangerous.

In closing remarks, Schumacher stressed that while the partnership won’t immediately alleviate issues, action needs to be taken.

“Here’s what we do know, doing nothing won’t work,” Schumacher said.” I want to make sure to manage expectations that this effort isn’t going to all of a sudden remove homelessness from St. Joe or any other community. This is a national issue, but the population deserves our efforts and our attention to try and help them get out of these conditions.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A stalwart of St. Joseph’s Public Works Department was honored Monday with a prestigious key to the city for a dedicated career of service spanning nearly four decades.

Steve Kendall, a veteran city employee with 38 years of experience working in St. Joseph’s Public Works and Street Maintenance department, was honored with a key to the city by Mayor John Josendale and City Councilmembers during Monday’s City Council meeting, paying tribute to the man first hired back in 1988.

Steve Kendall is pictured during an interview with News-Press NOW in May.

Kendall, a senior field supervisor with the department, oversees a key position supervising and coordinating with pothole patchers who make their way across 440 miles of streets in St. Joseph, among other responsibilities.

Kendall also assists with the city’s snow removal operations and training of new snowplow operators.

Kendall has come a long way from his early days in the department when he first started off as a temp before earning his stripes in various roles, moving from custodian to laborer before being promoted to operator, senior work leader and then supervisor.

Click here to follow the original article.

Prajukta Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Stores around St. Joseph are shifting from one holiday to the next, as they make room for Valentine’s Day.

According to Stacey Fisher, owner of Garden Gate Flowers, Valentine’s Day is considered the “Super Bowl” of the floral industry.  

She explained that florists often debate which holiday is their biggest, with the title usually going back and forth between Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.  

“For us its definitely Valentine’s Day, so we start planning Valentine’s Day months in advance. We use flower wholesalers, and my pre-sale order I had were around Halloween and Thanksgiving,” Fisher said.  

Fisher said the first step in preparation is deciding the overall look for the holiday. The team meets to choose color schemes, which then determines the types of flowers they order.  

She emphasized that extensive planning happens behind the scenes to manage costs and to ensure customers are not overcharged. 

“We try to make things look flawless, and we always try to do all the work behind the scenes so things for the customers look easy and simple because we don’t want people to stress out while buying flowers,” Fisher said.  

As local Downtown stores continue to set up Valentine’s Day displays, some retailers, such as Hobby Lobby, already have decorations available for early shoppers.  

Hobby Lobby Co-Manager Madelyn Helton said the store began putting out Valentine’s Day items about two weeks ago.  

She noted that this year’s rush has been slower compared to last year, when customers were calling before Christmas to ask about Valentine’s merchandise.  

“Corporate sends us our schedule for when we put things out, and then we just implement it. It does depend on the sales of the item, so depending on how quickly we sell the stuff, then we have room for setting the new stuff,” Helton said.  

Helton said Valentine’s Day items will still be available for about two weeks after the holiday, though they won’t be displayed in the main seasonal section and may instead be found in clearance areas.  

She reminded shoppers that Hobby Lobby is a seasonal store, which means items are stocked well in advance to give customers plenty of time to plan their gifts.  

“It happened on Christmas, but we literally… we had people come in on Christmas Eve at 5:30, which was when we were closing to get Christmas stuff for the next day, so Valentine’s Day will be the exact same thing,” Helton added.  

Helton encouraged customers to shop early, noting that popular items often sell out quickly.  

Both Fisher and Helton agreed that while seasonal displays may seem simple, there is significant planning and responsibility behind the scenes to make the shopping experience smooth and enjoyable for customers. 

Click here to follow the original article.

TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph City Council presented a special award, announced a proclaimation and discussed other major city funding plans during its first 2026 meeting.

The meeting started with Steve Kendall receiving the Key to the City award. The mayor also proclaimed Jan. 16 as Religious Freedom Day, a recognition of the fundamental rights of all citizens to freely practice and express their faith.

On Monday’s agenda, Councilmembers voted on an ordinance that prohibits parking on the north side of Olive Street from Sixth Street to Eighth Street and the south side of Pacific Street from 33rd Street to Belt Highway.

City Council approved the allocation of over $221,000 that would go toward three local social service agencies.

Over $401,000 of the city’s Community Development Block Grant funds will go toward social service agencies. Funds will be allocated to Community Missions, Social Welfare Board’s Dental Program, YWCA, along with ten other social services agencies.

The council approved the preliminary plat of a major subdivision entitled “Venetian Falls” as requested by Ventura Homes, LLC, located on South Lenard Road and West of University Ave.

Councilmembers also approved an ordinance to authorize a payment agreement with Triumph Foods for almost $67,000 to execute a work order with HDR Engineering, Inc., for the industrial evaluation at the Water Protection Facility.

The ordinance comes as Triumph Foods looks to evaluate the City’s wastewater treatment train to determine the load ability for now and in the future, in an effort to see if any improvements need to be made.

Two bills were introduced for first reading and will be discussed in future city council meetings.

An amendment of almost $62,000 to the Capital Projects Fund could mean a cosmetic upgrade at the St. Joseph Aquatic Park.

The lump sum contract with MVP Painting LLC will provide the park with a fresh coat of paint, due to the park’s age and exposure to the elements.

Bids were received from both MVP and Mongan Painting, LLC. The St. Joseph Parks and Recreation Department recommended MVP be awarded the agreement, as they were the lowest and best bidder.

The second bill for first reading would appropriate a salary increase to the St. Joseph Fire Department.

A contract between the city and the International Association of Firefighters, Local #77 would amend the General Fund, Fire Department and the Public Safety Tax Fund.

A total of $200,000 could be appropriated from the General Fund for salary increases.

The next city council meeting will be on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Click here to follow the original article.

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A local civic group is inviting residents to take part in a special two-day trip across the region to explore the legacy of a historic local artist integral to the creation of City Hall and the Missouri Theater.

In anticipation of the 100th anniversary of City Hall and the Missouri Theater in 2027, the Centennial Celebration Series committee and Friends of the Missouri Theater are organizing a unique two-day trip in April to explore art and architecture in Missouri and Kansas.

Residents who sign up for the trip will explore a number of historic sites and structures tied to the legacy of Waylande Gregory, a prolific artist and art-deco sculptor in the 1930s known for designing key elements for City Hall and the Missouri Theater.

Notable stops include the Mariana Kistler Beach Museum in Manhattan, Kansas, as well as the historic Hotel President in Kansas City and its Aztec Room designed by Gregory in 1926. The location appeared in the 1990 film “Mr. & Mrs. Bridge” starring Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.

Participants will get the chance to travel and explore Strong Hall in Lawrence, Kansas, including a trip through the Flint Hills on the way to Alma, Kansas. The trip includes dining at places like Jack Stack BBQ in the Crossroads Art District and lunch at the historic 1887 Brandt House in Alma, Kansas, a historic limestone hotel renovated in 2024.

The two-day trip will concludes with a tour of the 1885 Columbian Theater, the Oz Museum, and dinner at Barleycorn’s Downtown Deli in Wamego, Kansas.

The trip costs $150 and covers transportation, three meals, snacks, and admission fees. Due to limited space, interested participants are encouraged to make a reservation by Jan. 30, 2026.

Hotel accommodation is not provided and must be booked separately by calling the Oread Hotel in Lawrence, Kansas, at 785-843-1200. Trip participants should ask for a room with the Waylande Gregory group. For a trip brochure, call 816-390-6733.

For more information, email CelebrationSeries2027@gmail.com or phone Committee Chair, Lori McAlister at 402-802-2099.

Click here to follow the original article.

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Missouri saw a notable increase in highway fatalities over the New Year’s holiday according to state highway authorities.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports a total of five fatal traffic crashes occurred on Missouri highways during the latest counting period between Dec. 31 and Jan. 4, an increase from one fatality last year.

No fatalities were reported by MSHP in Troop H in Northwest Missouri during the period.

Approximately 87 people were injured in 187 traffic crashes during the 2026 New Year’s holiday counting period. There were 0 boating crashes and 0 drownings over the 2026 New Year’s holiday counting period.

Troopers investigated more than 112 cases of driving while intoxicated as well.

Click here to follow the original article.