Author: News-Press NOW

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph Police Department released its November 2025 Violent Crime Statistics, showing a major decrease compared to November 2024.

SJPD said it saw nine cases of Part 1 Violent Crimes, which consist of murder, rape, aggravated assault, robbery and human trafficking, in November 2025.

St. Joseph Part 1 Crime Statistics for November 2025. Courtesy of SJPD via Facebook.

The number shows a 42% decrease, compared to 34 violent crimes in November 2024. In October 2025, the department saw 24 violent crimes, yet it was still a notable decrease compared to the month in 2024.

As December 2025 reports have not been released yet, the SJPD has so far reported a total of 209 violent crimes for the year, a 63% decrease compared to the year prior.

In 2024, the department saw a total of 391 violent crimes, and in 2023, it saw a total of 401.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The City of St. Joseph shared it is working with Community Missions and the St. Joseph Police Department to prioritize health, safety and access to supporting services for all residents, including those currently living in outdoor encampments.

In a news release sent to KQ2, the City said, “This coordinated effort is not about punishment or displacement. It is about connecting individuals to safer alternatives.”

The City cited Community Missions’ 24-hour shelter as an available option that offers a secure place to rest, access to basic necessities and connections to supportive services. Outreach teams and service partners are also available to provide resources and individualized assistance.

Before any encampment is cleared, the City said outreach programs make multiple efforts to engage individuals living at the site. Each person received ample notice and at least three separate contacts.

During the contacts, individuals are informed of upcoming changes, offered shelter and services and given opportunities ask questions and receive support.

The City said the encampments can present increasing health and safety risks for individuals living there, nearby neighborhoods and first responders.

“Our shared goal is to reduce those risks while ensuring people experiencing homelessness are treated with dignity, respect and compassion throughout the process,” according to the news release.

The St. Joseph Police Department’s role in the collaboration is focused on safety and coordination. Community Missions and partner organizations lead outreach, engagement and service connections.

The collaboration is aimed to be a more care-centered, service-led approach, rather than an enforcement-driven one.

“We recognize that homelessness is a complex issue that cannot be resolved in a single action or agency,” said the City in a news release. “This work reflects an ongoing commitment to long-term solutions, including access to housing, behavioral health support and continued community partnerships.”

The information comes before the St. Joseph City Council is set to adopt a resolution funding around half of over $401,000 from the city’s HUD-funded Community Development Block Grants to help three social service agencies throughout St. Joseph.

City Council HUD funding ExplanationDownload

The other agencies do not need City Council approval, as the amounts don’t exceed $25,000.

Community Missions Emergency Shelter is allocated $100,000, the Social Welfare Board’s Dental Program is allocated $66, 807 and the YWCA is allocated $54,405.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The Missouri State Highway Patrol released its preliminary report of fatalities and crashes for its 2025-2026 New Year’s counting period, noting an increase in traffic fatalities.

Five people died, and 87 were injured in 187 traffic crashes during the counting period, which began at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.

MSHP said there were no boating crashes or drownings across the state during the counting period.

Troopers also investigated 112 Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) cases.

During the 2024-2025 New Year’s holiday counting period, one person was killed and 118 were injured in 264 traffic crashes across Missouri.

MSHP said the fatality statistics could change if later deaths occur and if other departments report fatal crashes at a later date.

Further details related to traffic crashes and arrests can be found on MSHP’s website.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A local eatery originally based in Gower, Missouri, is finding success and looking ahead to 2026 after making the move to St. Joseph in December.

Tiffany’s Diner, which is owned and managed by Tiffany Parker, offers a menu filled with homemade and comfort food items for breakfast and dinner such as tenderloins, Reubens, biscuits and gravy and breakfast burritos, among others.

Tiffany’s Diner is shown at 1329 S. Belt Hwy in St. Joseph.

The move to St. Joseph marks the next step in the restaurant’s trajectory since starting out as a food truck years ago and growing to a storefront.

“I opened the restaurant in Gower where we stayed for the past couple of years,” Parker said. “I decided I wanted to move up here to be closer to my husband who runs a repair shop and to have more opportunities in a bigger town.”

The diner has seen business steadily increase as word-of-mouth spreads and more customers become aware of their location at 1329 S. Belt Highway, next to Dollar General. The restaurant officially re-opened on Dec. 2.

“We’ve being way busier here than before. The beginning was kind of hard because people don’t initially understand what you’re doing,” Parker said. “And the wait was a little longer than I was used to. But it’s getting faster and faster. The more customers we keep serving, the more will get our system system down.”

Tiffany’s Diner is open Tuesday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is located on 1329 S. Belt Hwy.

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News-Press NOW

By Darren Doyle:

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Flyers posted at the entrances to both St. Joseph GameStop locations announce that they will close on Jan. 8.

Both St. Joseph GameStop locations will have their last full day of business on January 7, according to employee posts on social media.

The flyers posted on the doors of both locations at the Shoppes at North Village and at 3302 South Belt Highway stated that reservations made with GameStop are being transferred to a Kansas City location. Customers can pick these up at the store located at 8602 North Boardwalk Ave, Suite 32, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Customers are encouraged to take a picture of the sign at closing locations to receive a 20% Trade-In Bonus on Games and Accessories from January 11 to January 31 of this year.

The reason for closure was not explicitly stated on the flier; however, in March 2025, CNN announced that the company planned to close additional locations.

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Cameron Montemayor

COUNTRY CLUB VILLAGE, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Country Club Village authorities reported a mountain lion was struck by a vehicle Friday evening in the area of 71 Highway and Miller Road.

The department confirmed multiple earlier sightings of the cougar by residents after the collision occurred around 5:20 p.m. Friday in Country Club Village.

Agents with the Missouri Department of Conservation were able to locate the feline, which had serious injuries likely as a result of the collision and had to be euthanized according to reporting from KQ2.

“I’m sure everyone is concerned about the mountain lion that was seen in Country Club Village earlier this evening. We would like to thank the Missouri Department of Conservation and Andrew County Sheriff’s Department for their quick response and handling the situation,” a Facebook post from the Country Club Village Police Department reads.

The incident marks the second confirmed sighting by MDC of a mountain lion in Northwest Missouri in the last four months following a confirmed sighting in October in DeKalb County. The lion was reportedly seen in multiple locations near Amazonia and later by Clarksdale, Missouri.

As of late 2024, the Missouri Department of Conservation had confirmed roughly 120 mountain lion sightings and reports since 1996. More than a dozen official sightings have occurred statewide in 2025.

Measuring up to 8 feet long and weighing between 64 and 265 pounds, depending on whether it’s male or female, mountain lions are solitary animals and attacks on humans are rare.

According to MDC, a majority of sightings statewide have been single male mountain lions likely grown up and traveling along the Missouri River corridor in search of their own territory. Genetic samples in the past from cougars found traveling through Missouri suggest many are coming from western states, according to the department’s website.

Missouri does not have an established breeding population, and no evidence has been recorded of reproduction in the state.

This trail camera screenshot from Sept. 22 shows a confirmed sighting of mountain lion walking west of Clarksdale, Missouri, just before 10 p.m., roughly 15 miles northeast of St. Joseph.

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Prajukta Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Stands at Civic Arena were filled with energy for day one of the Winter High School Basketball Showcase.

Community members showed up to cheer on their favorite teams and celebrate every basket scored by players they know and love.  

Fourth grader Vivien Jeffers from St. Joseph Christian School came out with her family to enjoy the day off from school and catch some basketball action.  

“I just like watching basketball because of the defense. I hope no one gets hurt during the game today,” Jeffers said.  

Although basketball isn’t her main sport, Jeffers said she plays softball at school and still enjoys coming to games during basketball season to cheer on her favorite team.  

Another young fan, Landon Halsey, was especially excited to watch his cousin play for North Andrew as they took on Higbee.  

He said what he loves most about basketball is the thrill and suspense that keep fans on the edge of their seats.  

“Probably most of the times I go and see these games. I miss it (the games) sometimes when I have a game of my own and my hope is just that they win this game today,” Halsey said.  

For sixth grader Ethan Manley, the night was about more than just the game. He enjoyed spending time with friends and looking forward to relaxing for the rest of his school break.  

While he attends games often, he said this was only his second time watching one at Civic Arena and has a few things to look forward to.

“The excitement of watching the game, and we hopefully win because my sister did a really good job at playing this game,” Manley added.  

Six-year-old Miller Neill also came with his family to cheer on his cousin, excited to watch him score baskets and hopefully take home a win.  

He said he was looking forward to seeing his cousin succeed on the court.  

For many in attendance, the day wasn’t just about the final score. It was about the excitement in the building and the support for family members and friends playing the game.  

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — More than a dozen social service agencies are set to receive funds from the city’s HUD-funded Community Development Block Grant program this fiscal year. 

Community Missions, YWCA, Bartlett Center, Voices of Courage and nine other social service agencies in St. Joseph will receive a portion of $401,694 in grant funds in fiscal year 2025-26, with several pending City Council approval.

City Councilmembers will vote on three of the contracts at Monday’s City Council meeting, Community Missions (Emergency Shelter — $100,000), Social Welfare Board (Dental Program — $66,807) and YWCA ($54,405), while the remaining nine agreement amounts were less than $25,000 and do not require City Council approval.

Funds are allocated according to funding requests submitted by agencies that provide services to low- and moderate-income residents of St. Joseph. 

Additional agencies awarded grants include Voices of Courage, Social Welfare Board, United Cerebral Palsy and Sisters of Solace, among others.  

Community Development Block Grant awards include: 

*Community Missions Emergency Shelter: $100,000

Community Missions Corp — Juda House: $20,486

Bartlett Center: $18,869

The Center, a Samaritan Center — Client Assistance Program: $20,486

Voices of Courage Children’s Advocacy Center: $20,486

*Social Welfare Board — Dental Care Program: $66,807

United Cerebral Palsy — Community Integration: $12,399

*YWCA — Shelter for Abused and Homeless Women: $54,405

Pivotal Point Transitional Housing — Transitional Housing for Homeless: $24,536

AFL-CIO Community Services: $12,399

Second Harvest Community Food Bank — Senior Nutrition Boxes: $20,486

Sisters of Solace: $13,039

Youth Alliance: $17,296

*Pending City Council approval

The City receives an entitlement of CDBG funds each year from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help support the program, and is allowed to spend 19.8% of the budget on public service activities.

Agencies are required to submit supporting documentation of services provided and expenses for reimbursement. City staff verify that all expenses are eligible before payments are processed.

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TaMya Bracy

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KQTV) — The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has launched a new website to help Missourians quit tobacco.

According to DHSS, Missouri has one of the highest smoking rates in the nation, with over half of the Missourians who do smoke trying to quit each year.

The website YouCanQuit.org provides information on stages of quitting, how to help a friend quit, incentives for quitting while pregnant, teen vaping resources and the environmental impacts of vaping.

Missourians ages 13 and older can enroll in Missouri Tobacco Quit Services on the website, which provides free, confidential support to help them quit. If eligible, enrollees receive free coaching with a tobacco treatment specialist and nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches and gum.

“The launch of the new website comes at an exciting time for Missouri as we continue to expand our cessation services,” said Nicole Sinderman, the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program Manager. “There is something for everyone on this site, and we invite Missourians to explore it to learn more.”

For additional information regarding Missouri Tobacco Quit Services and available resources, contact the DHSS Tobacco Prevention and Control Program at motobaccoprogram@health.mo.gov or 573-522-2820.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — A Celebration of Life and Rosary will be held to honor one community member who made his mark across the Northwest Missouri area.

Adrián Pérez, the proud owner of Adrián’s Tacos, died of a heart attack on Sunday, Dec. 28, in Oaxaca, Mexico, leaving many friends, family and supporters in mourning.

Pérez, originally from Querétero, Mexico, made St. Joseph his home for the last 25 years.

The celebration will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, at St. Patrick Parish, located at 1723 S. 12th St.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help cover the costs of Pérez’s final arrangements, with just over $5,000 raised so far.

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