Author: News-Press NOW

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The famed spiral-sliced ham is coming to St. Joseph.

The Honey Baked Ham Company, a nationwide retailer known for its signature recipe and holiday catering, has confirmed plans to open a franchise location in St. Joe, with a target opening date ahead of the 2026 holiday season.

The announcement ends the need for St. Joseph residents to make the hour-long drive to Kansas City to purchase the company’s products, which include glazed hams, turkeys, pre-cooked side dishes, and a full catering menu.

Eric Edwards, the company’s Director of Development, said St. Joseph stood out during a national search for new markets.

“As we were kind of creating our list of everything that we wanted to see in the community, St. Joe was pretty much checking every box,” Edwards said.

He explained the city was identified as a top-10 target market in the country for the company’s expansion.

According to Edwards, St. Joseph’s business-friendly environment, market growth, and community support were key factors in the decision.

“There are a lot of communities out there that I would say are business friendly,” Edwards noted. “But having a community that is truly accepting of new concepts coming in and wants new concepts coming in, wants to hire those people, and seems to be excited about it. It’s more rare than people realize.”

While a specific site for the franchise has not yet been determined, the company has a firm timeline.

The goal is to open the store in time for the 2026 holiday rush. If that target isn’t met, Edwards confirmed the company is committed to being open for the 2027 holiday season.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A premier Power 4 matchup in women’s college basketball is set to tip off at St. Joseph’s Civic Arena this Sunday.

For the third consecutive year, the annual Bill Snyder Women’s Basketball Classic includes a showdown featuring the Kansas State Wildcats, this time against the Ole Miss Rebels. This will be just the second time the two teams have faced each other, with the last matchup taking place in December 1977, with Ole Miss winning 62-57 on a neutral court.

Kansas State is coming off a successful 28-win season in 2024-25, including their 19th NCAA Tournament appearance, qualifying to the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in program history. Their win total marked the second-most in school history and tied for the second-most wins within a span of two seasons (54).

The St. Joseph Civic Arena is pictured on Wednesday in Downtown St. Joseph.

The Wildcats feature a roster with some new faces upfront after the loss of six seniors, including former Maryville standout Serena Sundell.

Spearheading K-State this year is junior guard Taryn Sides, who leads the team in points per game (15) and steals (2.0)

As for the rebels, they finished last season with a record of 22-11 and made the Sweet 16 for the second time in the last three years. They also field a relatively new roster with only three players returning from last year.

Leading the way for Ole Miss is senior Cotie McMahon who previously played at the Ohio State University. She leads the team in points (17.7), assists (3.1) and steals (2.1)

The Bill Snyder Classic will start 2 p.m. at Civic Arena, located at 100 N. 4th St. in Downtown St. Joseph. More information can be found at stjomosports.com/event/bill-snyder-womens-basketball-classic/.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at: https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/stjomosports/L2VtYmVkL2FsbA%3D%3D

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Faced with a sea of doubters in the challenging early stages of launching his own business years ago, local entrepreneur Brian Juhl remembers the profound impact of one man’s belief in his vision, and with that, his journey to success.

“When I started my business, everybody said I was crazy. But one guy, one successful local entrepreneur said, ‘No, that’s a good idea. You can do this.'” Juhl, a longtime St. Joseph resident and self-taught software engineer, said. “It changed my life.”

Now, as Juhl prepares to headquarter his rapidly-growing software company, called AICE, from a loose network of working spaces to St. Joseph’s new-age 7,000-square-foot co-working space, called The Launch Pad, he’s eager to see it provide career-altering support for fledgling companies like he once received.

The Downtown Felix Street parking/office building is shown at 801 Felix Street by Coleman Hawkins Park in Downtown St. Joseph.

Launched this week in the first floor space of Mosaic’s Downtown parking/office building at 801 Felix St., The Launch Pad aims to provide entrepreneurs with a range of tech-powered offices and conference spaces, technology and mentorship opportunities to grow, collaborate and realize their business dream.

“We have just over ten employees, maybe more now, but we have worked nomadically in coffee shops. That’s where we would always link up and and it gets old,” he said. “I have at least two employees who will be moving to St. Joe now to occupy space here at The Launch Pad. Having a home base is so important.”

Developing physical infrastructure for a business is an early challenge that many young and rural entrepreneurs face.

Despite AICE not having a centralized physical space until now, Juhl was able to develop the AI-powered software company that provides digital tools to help businesses get off the ground, integrating industry-leading programs like Canva and Zoom to provide marketing, content management, interactive videos and valuable analytics, among other services.

With upwards of 25,000 AICE accounts created to date — both on web browsers and mobile apps — the program has taken off, including high ratings on both the Apple Store (5 out of 5) and Google Play (4.8 out of 5).

“As an entrepreneur you’re doing so many different things. So our software is designed to help those who are in that phase. I got started building online businesses when I was in high school and this came out of all of the tools I wished I had,” Juhl, a graduate of St. Joseph Christian, said. “We serve insurance, real estate, basically anything where someone is selling products.”

A new conference room is shown inside The Launch Pad at 801 Felix St. in Downtown St. Joseph.

The Launch Pad is the result of key collaborative efforts between the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, Mosaic Life Care and groups like the Show-Me Network and Missouri Technology Corporation, which has provided a three-year grant to develop and manage the space.

Setting up not far from Juhl in The Launch Pad is local businessman Lute Atieh, co-founder of Fly-Tech Pilot Academy, Parkway Distillery and a business development consultant who plans to help mentor entrepreneurs at the facility, a critical aspect of the project.

As part of The Launch Pad’s extensive programming schedule, vital for business growth among young entrepreneurs, the facility will host 20-plus community and business events annually, offer more than 100 mentorship hours and support the creation or retention of at least 10 local jobs each year.

“We’ve really needed this for a long time. It’s not just a co-working space so you can work anywhere. This is the community, the events, the training,” Atieh said. “The very first one we’re doing in December is basically the intro to vibe coding, whether you have an idea or a business or you work in a business, you can come learn how to code using AI without any coding experience.”

Whether it’s critical tech-based fields like cybersecurity, AI or non-tech startups, The Launch Pad is built with enough space to support close to 50 start-ups, including fulltime space or occasion usage of meeting and conference space for entrepreneurs.

A lunch and meeting space is shown in November inside the The Launch Pad at 801 Felix St. in Downtown St. Joseph.

Atieh and Juhl both agree the center will help foster innovation by providing technology and bringing together motivated and like-minded innovators — some with completely different focuses — into a collaborative space where ideas can be shared and developed.

“For some it could just be connecting them to the right people. Somebody’s here and they need an e-commerce website. Great. Who do we have as the tenant here? Oh. Website guy introduction. It makes it efficient,” Atieh said.

With AICE moving fulltime to the Launch Pad, the result has been new business activity and events coming to St. Joseph as opposed to other locations they initially contemplated like Kansas City, a trend they hope will continue.

In a challenging career field where many hardworking hours are spent alone, the space does more than help nurture ideas or concepts into success, it promotes positive culture-building as well.

“Being around Lute, when we would discuss things it would give me ideas in my own business. So how awesome is that for any other entrepreneur out there who’s feeling isolated, now I have a place to go and pick the brains of people who’ve done it successfully,” Juhl said. “There’s so many entrepreneurs in this town that are working near each other but don’t know what each other’s working on.”

Interested users can now tour The Launch Pad, explore workspace options and connect with staff aboutmembership packages. A new podcast studio is also being developed, a near-vital component of companies today with the growing popularity of podcasts worldwide.

A set of cubicles and private offices (back right) are shown in November inside The Launch Pad at 801 Felix St. in Downtown St. Joseph.

After this week’s soft opening, a grand opening ceremony is scheduled to occur in January according to Chamber CEO Natalie Hawn.

Hawn is eager see the Launch Pad expand its outreach to regional resources to help support up-and-coming businesses as well.

“December is kind of when we get our feet underneath us. And then we really plan a hard launch in January. We’ll release kind of a six month plan for programing,” she said. “I’ve had mentors in my career and I think small businesses, a lot of times, the ones that are successful are the ones that have access to resources, people and investors that believe in their dream.”

Those interested in learning more can contact Kristie Arthur by email at arthur@saintjoseph.com, by phone at (816) 364-4113 or submit an interest form at stjlaunchpad.com.

More information on The Launch Pad can be found at its new website at stjlaunchpad.com

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News-Press NOW

By: Noel Hardin

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KQTV) — Missouri’s legal sports betting market is now live, allowing residents to place wagers on professional sports, but U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) said he isn’t a fan.

Beginning Dec. 1, Missourians ages 21 and over can legally bet on the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and other professional sports through licensed operators, provided they are physically located within the state.

While many celebrated the launch, Hawley reiterated his strong opposition.

Hawley, who voted against the legalization initiative on the November ballot, expressed deep concern about the social costs of expanded gambling.

“I’m not a fan of sports betting, and I never have been,” Hawley stated. “I certainly respect that the voters approved it… But I’ll be frank with you, I voted no on that.”

Hawley predicted negative consequences, calling the practice “hugely addictive.”

“I just think that what we’re going to see more and more, my prediction is we’re going to see that it’s hugely addictive,” he said. “It’s going to cause all kinds of problems for athletes, for collegiate athletes, for individuals, for families. I hope I’m wrong. I would love to be proved wrong, but I just have to tell you, I’m not a fan of it.”

The legalization measure, approved by voters, includes a provision to fund problem gambling resources.

According to the Missouri Gaming Commission, a 10% tax will be applied to the gross revenue of sports betting operators.

That tax revenue is designated for the treatment, prevention and education of gambling problems within the state.

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Cameron Montemayor

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The U.S. Marshals is seeking the public’s help in locating a Clinton, Missouri, man charged with sexual crimes against minors in four different counties.

Steven Andrew Bowman is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service on multiple felony charges in Missouri, including sexual assault — sodomy, seven counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of statutory rape, according to a release from the agency and the Missouri State Highway Patrol on Thursday.

The U.S. Marshals Service is now offering a cash award for information leading to Bowman’s arrest. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the U.S. Marshal’s or local law enforcement immediately.

The Bates County Sheriff’s Office has been working with U.S. Marshal Service, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and the Clinton Police Department for more than two years to locate and take Bowman into custody.

Bowman is approximately 5′ 10″ with black hair, brown eyes and weighs 250 pounds. Bowman has likely attempted to change his appearance, and may have gained or lost weight, changed his hair style or length and may have grown or shaved his facial hair. 

Bowman’s criminal charges are issued by several law enforcement departments, including Bates County, Henry County, St. Clair County and the Clinton Police Department. All warrants are for sexual crimes against minors and society.

Investigative Contacts:

Task Force Officer Paul Thilges: (816)-645-4013

Task Force Officer Chris Scott: (816)-830-9042

Deputy Marshal Scott Hill: (816)-890-0032

U.S. Marshal Service/Kansas City: (816)-512-2025

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TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Four St. Joseph community members braved the below-freezing temperatures Thursday morning to protest the St. Joseph School District Board of Education’s decision to repurpose Lafayette High School as a middle school.

This comes after the SJSD School Board decided to move forward with Plan 4BR in a 5-2 vote just weeks ago. The plan will keep Benton and Central as the district’s two high schools and turn Lafayette into a middle school.

The group showed up with signs, along with breakfast burritos and free t-shirts to hand out.

According to Steven Cunningham, a current junior at Lafayette High School, students have been walking out all week.

“So yesterday we had about 40 students that decided to walk out because of the things that the school board is doing. And it will keep happening until it makes change,” he said.

Cunningham was adamant about not attending either Benton or Central to wrap up his high school career.

Larissa Vinson graduated from Lafayette High School in 2002 and explained that the school has extreme sentimental value to her and her immediate family, as well as extended family.

“I got several second cousins and third cousins in the school district, ” Vinson said. “All my family on both sides are alumni from here. So we got generations on both sides from us in school.”

Another protest is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the intersection of Belt Highway and Frederick Avenue.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Supporters of the Fighting Irish are remaining steadfast in their efforts to keep Lafayette a high school.

A group of current students and Fighting Irish alumni gathered on the sidewalk opposite of the school’s entrance Thursday to protest the recent decision by the district to approve the two high school model of Benton and Central, converting Lafayette into a middle school as a result.

For many of the demonstrators, they know the decision is likely final, but they are determined to make a stand in show of support for current students.

A local resident holds a sign during a small gathering of protesters at Lafayette High School on Thursday in St. Joseph.

“It’s important (to be here) because these students need to see they still have alumni, adults and a community behind them,” Lafayette Alumni Danielle Fletchall said. “They have people who want to stand up for them and know that we believe that they should be able to stay in their school.”

One of the current students at Lafayette, Stephen Cunningham, explained some students may not be able to afford moving to Central or Benton.

“Their are going to be students who can’t move to Central and Benton. They might drop out,” Cunningham said. ” I know some people that can’t go because of medical reasons. They rely on the staff here at Lafayette that has been in place for years. It’s going to be hard for them.”

Another protest will be held from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at East Hills Mall located at 3702 Frederick Ave.

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Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph Transit announced it would temporarily relocate its Woodbine Transfer Center due to deteriorating pavement at its current facility.

The Transfer Center will temporarily be located at 1502 Village Drive starting on Monday, Dec. 8.

The relocation is set to create minor route adjustments, but scheduled times will remain unchanged. Riders should anticipate normal service levels and will be able to use an existing bus shelter at the Village Drive location.

The St. Joseph Transit said it will begin planned site improvements during construction season to ensure that buses can safely return to the current Woodbine Transfer Center location.

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Leah Rainwater

DAVIESS COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) — A Gallatin, Missouri woman was found dead in the Grand River after allegedly being reported missing a few days prior.

On Nov. 26, the family of 55-year-old Jule Vyrostek reported her missing to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office after concerns about her well-being and having no contact with her since Nov. 24.

The Sheriff’s Office said it employed multiple law enforcement resources to locate Vyrostek. Some of which included a Facebook post asking the public for information on her whereabouts and providing the public with a description of the vehicle she was driving.

On Nov. 28, the Sheriff’s Office received information leading to the discovery of Vyrostek’s vehicle, which was parked and unoccupied on a field access road outside of Gallatin, near the Grand River.

After a preliminary search of the area, Vyrostek was not located.

The Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri Department of Conservation water rescue teams to assist in continuing the search of the Grand River.

The Grand River search began on Nov. 29, with an accompanying land search of the outlying timber and row crop land bordering the river. The search stopped due to the need for more specialized equipment, but later resumed on Dec. 1.

According to a news release from the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 12:54 p.m., a female was found deceased in the river and was later identified as Vyrostek.

Daviess County Sheriff Larry Adams Jr. said the investigation is still ongoing, and no other details can be given at this time.

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TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other substances.

Drunk driving cases often rise in December due to increased social gatherings during the holidays.

According to the United States Department of Transportation, in December 2023 alone, 1,038 people died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.

Sgt. Shane Hux said the Missouri State Highway Patrol steps up enforcement during the holiday period.

“All available troopers will be working, especially during Christmas and New Year’s, because we know it’s more prevalent for alcohol violations to occur during those times,” he said.

Zack Craft, a DWI enforcement deputy with the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, urged people not to drive impaired if they plan to drink at holiday gatherings.

“Please have a driver who is not going to be drinking, have a sober driver. If you need to call an Uber, please do that. If you need to call a taxi, please do that,” he said. “There’s plenty of services, and especially here in 2025 with Uber and Lyft and taxis and tow truck drivers, that will come and tow your car for a discounted rate.”

Craft said a lot of people think one or two drinks won’t affect them.

“Studies have shown that even one drink can affect your ability to operate a motor vehicle, especially with marijuana,” Craft said. “You see a lot of people that say, ‘I drive better while I’m high,’ and that’s just not true. If you are impaired by marijuana, you are not safe to drive.”

Hux hammered the fact that impairment can affect a driver’s reaction time.

“It’s going to affect your judgment, your perception in the action that you take. It’s going to be a delayed response,” Hux said.

During cold and flu season, Hux said it is especially important to pay attention to your medications, as they can also cause impaired driving.

“A lot of them will say ‘Do not operate a motor vehicle’ right on the label. So adhere to those warning signs for some of them, not only cause impairment, but they also cause drowsiness,” he said.

Hux said impaired driving continues to be a big problem. Not just in St. Joseph and Buchanan County, but across the state.

“That is one of the main contributing circumstances whenever it comes to traffic crashes and, unfortunately, fatal traffic crashes as well,” Hux said. “Too many people lose their lives every year due to impaired drivers.”

Hux said one of the hardest jobs of being a state trooper is investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that could be caused by impaired driving.

“Going to that house, knocking on the door and telling a mother or father that their loved one has been killed in a traffic crash, especially when it relates to an impaired driver,” Hux said. “That’s not something that we should have to do.”

When it comes to DWI and impaired driving responses, one Road Patrol Deputy with the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office is going above and beyond.

Kelby Shepard will receive an award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) due to his enforcement efforts associated with impaired driving.

“I thought it was a good recognition. I’ve been working hard trying to attend trainings to end impaired driving altogether,” Shepard said. “One day, I hope that we can be out there and not have to worry about impaired drivers because of all these advancements.”

Shepard said patrol efforts aren’t going away anytime soon, especially with combating impaired driving.

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