Author: News-Press NOW

News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Leave on the lights and grab a blanket, the books this month from the St. Joseph Public Library are all about horror. The books are available at the St. Joseph Public Library, at other Missouri Evergreen libraries, or from one of the SJPL eContent vendors. Visit the library’s catalog at https://sjpl.modiscovery.org to find these or other great books to enjoy.

“Dead of Winter” by Darcy Coates. Forced to take shelter in a remote cabin after their bus breaks down in the Rocky Mountains, Christa is trapped with eight strangers from her tour group. As the weather worsens the body count also begins to rise — a killer is picking members of the group off one by one. Will any of them escape this snowbound thriller alive?     

“We Used to Live Here” by Marcus Kliewer. Charlie and Eve purchase an old home with plans to flip the property. While Charlie is out running errands Eve answers a knock at the door. A man is there with his family, claiming to have previously lived in the home and asking if he could quickly show his kids around. One thing after another extends their visit, ignoring all hints to leave, and bizarre things begin happening around the house. Is Eve losing her grip on reality, or is something wrong with the house and the strange visitors?  

“The Writing Retreat” by Julia Bartz. Alex is dissatisfied with her job and suffering from writer’s block when she wins a spot at a writing retreat hosted by the eccentric and reclusive Roza Vallo. Five aspiring female writers are expected to complete a novel while staying at an isolated mansion. As the pressure mounts the line between reality and fiction blurs. Something sinister is at play, and Roza Vallo may not be who she says she is.   

“The Terror” by Dan Simmons. Cozy up with this historic tale of terror based on the ill-fated Franklin Expedition to the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic. In 1845, Captain Sir John Franklin of the hauntingly monikered HMS Erebus and Captain James Fitzjames of the HMS Terror set sail from England on what was intended to be a heartily provisioned three-year voyage. Simmons begins in 1847, almost two years into the expedition, from the perspective of Francis Crozier, now Captain of the Terror. Simmons ushers us through with a well-researched narrative and fictional journal entries detailing the horrors that befell the crew of the Erebus and Terror.  

“The Darkest Night” edited by Lindy Ryan. If you prefer your winter horror in bite-sized portions, The Darkest Night: 22 Winter Horror Stories, edited by Lindy Ryan might just be what you’re looking for. This anthology features authors such as Josh Malerman (Incidents Around the House), Nat Cassidy (When the Wolf Comes Home), Rachel Harrison (Play Nice), Darcy Coates (Haunting of Blackwood House), and many more. Together, the collection offers a chilling anthology that explores how winter’s cold, darkness, and isolation become catalysts for fear, grief, and the uncanny. 

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Leah Rainwater

JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) — A 17-year-old male from Oak Grove, Missouri, was pronounced dead after being struck by a vehicle on Interstate 70 Thursday night.

Both a 27-year-old Independence, Missouri, female driver of a 2024 Ford Bronco, and the 17-year-old male pedestrian were westbound on I-70.

The crash occurred as the Bronco struck the pedestrian in the roadway, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report.

The 17-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene by Troopers with MSHP Troop A and is being sent to the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office.

MSHP said preliminary investigation reveals that the pedestrian was the driver of a vehicle being pulled over by the Independence, Missouri Police Department.

The 17-year-old had allegedly fled the vehicle, run across the eastbound lanes, and onto the westbound lanes, where he was struck and killed.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The first baby of the new year at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph is a boy.

Mosaic Life Care announced Thursday the birth of Faylynn Graham and Kaiden Unl’s son Theo.

Theo weighs 7 pounds, 1 ounce and is 19 inches long.

The name “Theo” has ties to the Greek language, meaning “Gift of God” or “Divine Gift”.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The return of the St. Joseph Retro Convention will see a giant of pop culture coming to the Civic Arena at the beginning of May. 

Kevin Clash, who is known for puppeteering Elmo on Sesame Street from 1985 to 2012. He also had a hand in puppeteering in popular movies and tv shows such as Labyrinth, Dinosaurs and various Muppet productions. 

Clash was also the voice and puppeteer for Master Splinter in the 1990 and 1991 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies. 

Clash, along with various other pop culture figures, booths and more, will be at the Civic Arena on May 2 and 3. For those interested in purchasing tickets, visit stjoeretrocon.com.

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Prajukta Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Chase Candy Company is celebrating its 150th birthday, a milestone in St. Joseph’s sweet history. 

The company is best known for the infamous Cherry Mash, a beloved treat made with peanuts, chocolate and cherry fondant, which has been a St. Joseph staple for many generations.

The story of Chase Candy begins in 1872, when Dr. George Washington Chase arrived in St. Joseph to practice medicine. 

At the time, the city was booming, a stopping point for settlers heading west in search of gold or new homes. Unlike many travelers, Dr. Chase decided to stay.  

Dr. Chase’s son, Ernest, was a candy connoisseur and saw a future in the business.

Although Cherry Mash is what Chase is best known for today, the candy company has made other products over the years.  

Cherry Mash made its debut in 1918, competing with other popular treats of the era, including Pecan Patties and Crispy Clutter.  

The cherry confectionery is typically handed out at Krug Park’s Holiday Park during the holidays and is also found at the Convention and Visitors Bureau for tourists visiting St. Joseph.

Throughout its long history, Chase Candy Company has operated from several locations in St. Joseph and built a reputation for quality confections. 

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A hard worker, jokester, kind hearted, compassionate, generous and a dear friend.

Those are just a few of the words used to describe what the late Adrián Pérez meant to so many across St. Joseph and Northwest Missouri, two communities that have shown an outpouring of support this week following Perez’s sudden passing on Sunday, Dec. 28.

Born on Dec. 29, 1979, in Querétaro, Mexico, Pérez made St. Joseph his second home for more than 25 years, catering food for numerous events and businesses, building friendships and becoming a distinguished leader along the way.

His popular food business, Adrián’s Tacos, allowed him to share the taste of authentic Mexican cuisine across Northwest Missouri and make invaluable friendships with many people, especially local businesses like River Bluff Brewing and Smooth Endings Fine Wine, Spirits and Cigars.

Smooth Endings general manager Rebeca DiGerlamo met Pérez when he first started selling food for customers on their outside patio. As DiGerlamo got to know Pérez more, they exchanged ideas on how to grow their respective businesses, which eventually blossomed into successful joint events.

“Adrián was a business man, and was always trying to elevate his business. He helped me elevate mine, and our bond grew through sharing ideas,” DiGerlamo said. “From that point, we both realized how important business was to each other. That’s when I think our friendship went to the next level.”

Throughout his time in St. Joseph, Pérez grew to become like family to countless people. Anabel Garcia, an employee at Smooth Endings and former employee at Adrian’s Tacos, cherished his unwavering kindness and generosity from the first time they met.

“When I got here (Smooth Endings), I met Adrián through my sister. I remember him being such a nice person, a wonderful person,” Garcia said. “A wonderful friend to everybody. He was always smiling.”

Since Perez’s passing, numerous businesses, residents and organizations have expressed their condolences to his family and friends on social media, each providing a unique perspective of the caring and compassionate person he was.

“Our community has tragically lost an excellent friend. We’ve had the pleasure of working with Adrian since we were brand new, and it will never be the same without him here with us on Tuesdays. We will miss him dearly,” River Bluff Brewing posted through Facebook in a statement on Dec. 29, 2025.

A loving husband and father with two sons, Perez was a proud family man and an active member of Latinos Connect and the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce.

As of Thursday, Jan. 1, just over $5,000 has been raised on Gofundme to help support Perez’s family and legacy, with more than 80 people contributing.

“Our hearts go out to the family of Adrian Perez, and we offer our love and prayers, hoping they find comfort and peace during this difficult time,” St Joseph MO Local Eats said in Facebook statement on Monday.

A public Celebration of Life and Rosary in honor of Pérez will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2 at St. Patrick Catholic Church located at 1723 S. 12th St., followed by a memorial mass at 6:30 p.m.

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TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Starting Jan. 1, Missouri’s minimum wage was set to increase from $13.75 to $15 an hour.

Gov. Mike Kehoe signed Missouri’s H.B. 567 into law on July 10, which raised the state’s minimum wage law, but repealed earned paid sick leave. The minimum wage rate will be in effect for all non-exempt employers.

Missouri State Representative Dean VanSchoiack, a republican from Savannah, said he hopes the wage increase will have a positive impact on Missouri’s employment.

“We’re well above the federal minimum wage, which is good,” he said. I believe we are among 33 or 34 states at $15 or more, and I just read something the other day that now, with us going to $15 and several other states as well, over half the country will live at a minimum wage of $15 or more.”

VanSchoiack said raising the wage will be beneficial for businesses and workers in Missouri.

“I think it’s something we’re looking at for the economy that people need a little bit of a better base,” he said. “I think it gives people a better chance for getting the money they need to keep going out, and gives businesses a base to work from for their salary schedules as they increase salaries for their employees as well.”

VanSchoiack said workers who receive tips will be paid half of the minimum wage.

The goal for raising the state’s minimum wage is to help bring more businesses to Missouri.

“It’s something people vote on; they wanted it, and we did it,” VanSchoiack said. “The businesses are fine, going to that, and so we’re all good, looking forward to bringing more business to Missouri.”

St. Joseph resident Jared Shuman said the increase is a good thing.

“The cost of living is so high that you’ve got to have a minimum wage increase,” he said. “It gives them an opportunity to make a little extra money so they can survive, and if they can survive, all the small businesses they go to can survive too.”

Missouri is among 19 states to have raised its minimum wage in 2026.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — City officials and the local firefighters union have negotiated a new $200,000 contract to raise firefighter pay by 4% in 2026, including future raises in 2027 and 2028. 

City councilmembers will hear an ordinance for first reading Monday to renegotiate a new fire department contract with the International Association of Firefighters, Local #77, a $200,000 agreement that would modify the current pay plan for employees within the fire bargaining unit, covering firefighters, drivers/engineers and captains. 

If approved by City Council, all department employees will receive a 4% increase in pay retroactive to July 1, 2025, for fiscal year 2026. The contract includes additional raises of 3% in fiscal years 2027 and 2028.

The agreement also includes longevity raises to increase salaries above the base salary for every five years of continuous service a member has completed for the department:

5 years of service: 5% above base salary, plus accumulated cost-of-live-adjustments.

10 years of service: 10% above base salary, plus accumulated cost-of-live-adjustments.

15 years of service: 15% above base salary, plus accumulated cost-of-live-adjustments.

20 years of service: 20% above base salary, plus accumulated cost-of-live-adjustments. 

The agreement also updates EMT compensation by converting certified EMT pay from a lump-sum payment to an hourly rate through an adjustment to base pay prior to the application of longevity, and revises out-of-title compensation. 

The contract comes after a year with numerous meetings and negotiations between union and city officials to come to an agreement, which includes a wide range of operational changes.

A final vote on the new agreement by City Council will likely take place on Jan. 19 following Monday’s first reading.

Firefighter Working AgreementDownload

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — One of multiple large-scale hotel projects is underway on North Woodbine Road in the form of a new four-story TownePlace Suites Hotel.

Construction is now moving forward in the early stages of a $7.5 million TownePlace Suites Hotel at 1401 N. Woodbine Road, a 129-room hotel located on a 4.7-acre plot of land north of Stoney Creek Hotel.

Planning and Community Development Director Nathan Pare confirmed foundation and underground utility work has already been finished, with framing work next in line. The hotel is scheduled to be complete in 2026.

Construction crews work on a new four-story TownePlace Suites Hotel at 1401 N. Woodbine Road on Thursday in St. Joseph.

The project comes after city councilmembers approved a measure in April to accept funds from the developer for building plan review services. The property is owned by Altira St. Joe Hotel LLC.

TownePlace Suites has more than 500 locations across the United States and Canada, including several in Kansas City. The St. Joseph hotel is expected to have a breakfast area, fitness area, an indoor pool and an outdoor patio.

The Woodbine hotel is one of three hotel projects ongoing or planned across St. Joseph, including a nearby $60 million plan on Frederick Avenue for two large hotels and a new conference center — which is already under construction — adding close to 250 new rooms.

Additionally, a $5.1 million 90-room WoodSpring Suites hotel and conference center is also in the works for South Belt Highway by San Jose Steakhouse.

Construction crews work on a new four-story TownePlace Suites Hotel at 1401 N. Woodbine Road on Thursday in St. Joseph.

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Prajukta Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)– Local businesses can get a head start on the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a series of readiness workshops. 

The series kicks off at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 12, focusing on how the World Cup could impact local businesses. 

A second workshop, “Getting Financially Ready for a Visitor Boom,” is set for 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 9. 

The final session, “Elevating Your Customer Experience for a Global Clientele,” will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, March 9. 

All workshops will be held at the Launch Pad located at 801 Felix Street. 

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