Author: News-Press NOW

Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph School District Board of Education officially voted to move forward with Plan 4BR, which centers on the Benton and Central High School model, after months of reviewing 14 different proposals.

The decision came during Monday night’s special board meeting, shortly after the public comment period ended. The motion passed 5–2, with two board members opposing the shift to a two–high school structure. 

Emotions ran high during public comment. Community members, frustrated by months of back-and-forth debate, expressed anger that the board hadn’t made a firm decision sooner. 

“You keep promising more opportunities, more sports, more clubs, more classes. But what happens when more students want in than there are spaces? Who loses out?” said Cynthia Cook, a community member in attendance.  

Several speakers criticized the board for what they saw as indecision and a lack of steady leadership. 

Travis Smith, another community member, spoke about the district’s financial situation and what he believes his children will face because of it.  

“How is that even acceptable? There’s two seats ready to come up here in April. Do you need some help trimming out that dead weight that needs to go? We are not going to stand this, we are taking this town back,” Smith said.  

Despite the intense feedback, the board did not revisit alternative options; instead, it reaffirmed the direction discussed at its Nov. 19 meeting. 

Superintendent Ashly McGinnis gave KQ2 a statement confirming that the district will now move ahead with the two–high school model. She said the board’s decision reflects months of data analysis, community input and a commitment to providing strong learning environments for all students.  

“In 4BR, we have a two-high-school model with Benton and Central as high schools. Lafayette, transitioning into a middle school and Robidoux transitioning into an elementary school. Retiring buildings would be Field and Pershing elementary,” McGinnis said.  

She added that the district’s feeder pattern structure was a major factor, noting the goal is to keep student cohorts together from elementary to middle school and then to high school.  

“We actually have one elementary Carden Park that feeds into all four middle schools. And so we want to clean up that system to provide that sense of belonging for our kids and keep those cohorts together,” said McGinnis.  

The district now faces a major change, including the transition of Lafayette High School into a middle school and helping families and students adjust to the changes ahead. 

SJSD officials confirmed Plan 4BR will be implemented for the 2026-2027 school year.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — After two decades in business, a stalwart eatery on Messanie Street has closed its doors due to challenging economic conditions.

Pappy’s Grill & Pub, located at 2501 Messanie St., is now closed. A letter to customers has been posted on the building informing them of the news.

“This has been an incredibly difficult decision. Due to the current economy and rising overhead costs, we simply couldn’t keep up,” the letter states. “After 20 wonderful years serving this community, the time has come for us to close our doors.”

Pappy’s said it was incredibly thankful for all of the customers and support its received since opening. Pappy’s opened in June 2005 after taking over for the former Stan & Lou’s Restaurant and Lounge.

“We are filled with gratitude for every customer who became part of our family. THANK YOU for supporting us, celebrating with us and allowing us to be part of your lives for two decades.”

A ‘For Sale’ sign is posted in front of Pappy’s Grill and Pub at 2501 Messanie St. in St. Joseph.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A historic Downtown building and longtime bank isn’t going to sit vacant for long once Commerce Bank departs this December.

Craig Realty Group is currently in the process of completing the purchase of the Downtown Commerce Bank building located at 328 Felix Street.

The development comes after Commerce Bank announced in August that it would be closing the branch effective Dec. 12.

A sign posted on the front door of Commerce Bank’s Downtown branch notifies customers that the branch will permanently close effective Dec. 12, 2025.

The building has been operated by the bank since 1985, when it acquired First National Bank of St. Joseph from the FDIC. The building has stood in Downtown St. Joseph for more than a century.

“This building is one of the most significant buildings, architecturally, in the city of St. Joseph. My first priority is preserving the long-term integrity of the structure for future generations,” Craig Realty President and CEO Steve Craig said.

He said a complete roof replacement will be on tap first, along with repairs to roof parapet walls, part of a much-needed list of deferred maintenance.

In the second quarter of 2026, the exterior stone walls of the building will undergo a deep cleaning.

To prevent break-ins and protect the interior from vandalism, he said a professional company will be tasked with covering the windows with plywood. However, plywood will be covered with Downtown-centric photographs to avoid the appearance of a boarded-up building.

This photo shows a 1907 newspaper advertisement for the First National Bank of Buchanan County.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The United Way Volunteer Center compiled a list of holiday volunteer and giving opportunities for the St. Joseph community.

Whether families, clubs, church groups, individuals or organizations want to give back, United Way said there are plenty of opportunities available.

Opportunities range from holiday store setup and shopping helpers to preparing meals. There are also one-time opportunities or opportunities to volunteer throughout the season.

United Way Holiday Volunteer and Giving GuideDownload

The guide will be updated as additional opportunities become available. It will also be provided on United Way’s website.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The City of St. Joseph announced certain city facilities and offices will be closed or operating under different hours for the Thanksgiving and Black Friday holidays.

The City Offices, Remington Nature Center, Landfill, Recycling Center, REC Center and Joyce Raye Patterson 50+ Activity Center will be closed on Thanksgiving.

City Offices, the REC Center and the Joyce Raye Patterson 50+ Activity Center will remain closed on Black Friday.

The Remington Nature Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Landfill will be open from 7 a.m. to noon and the Recycling Center will open from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Black Friday.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — St. Joseph residents making plans for the holiday weekend might want to mark their calendars for one annual holiday lighting ceremony.

Krug Park will transform into Holiday Park at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28. Attendees are encouraged to bring their hats, gloves and scarves to Krug Park’s circle drive, where hot cocoa and cookies will be served.

Santa will be at his workshop in the upper parking lot following the lighting ceremony.

Attendees are also welcome to watch Hyde Park turn into the South Pole at 6:30 p.m. the same night.

The Southside Progressive Association will be serving free cookies and hot cocoa at the gazebo to those in attendance. Santa will also make an appearance.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The riverfront softball fields of St. Joseph are set for a thorough facelift in preparation for next playing season.

Fields one through five at the Bill McKinney Softball Complex at Heritage Park will be regraded and reconstructed following approval of a $42,473 contract Monday with Mid-America Golf & Landscape for the project.

The restoration project is designed to restore the infields to a proper grade and support drainage to increase playability and achieve a safe playing surface. The fields and surrounding area often experience challenges with stormwater drainage.

Each of the five infields will then be reconstructed through the addition of red shale as well as a lime dust foundation. The state-of-the-art sports complex includes one 250-foot and four 300-foot irrigated fields.

New field amenities will be also purchased by the Parks & Recreation Department as part of the project.

Department officials hope to have the project complete prior to the next playing season, which typically begins in late April and May.

Since opening in 2003, the complex has hosted ten national tournaments, several regional and state tournaments, as well as numerous locally-sponsored contests and tournaments, bringing in thousands of tourists and families to support the local economy.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The AFL-CIO Community Services announced its Adopt-A-Family Christmas program has received 731 applications as of Monday.

In a news release, the AFL-CIO said 182 families have been adopted so far, and with the increase in families, the agency said its urgent needs are adopters and donations.

For anyone who has never adopted before, the estimated cost to adopt one child under age 5 is $50. For children from 5 to 12 years old, it’s $75 to $100.

Adopters are asked to provide at least one new gift per child. Any additional items for the children and any gifts for the parents are at the adopter’s discretion.

The agency said several single adults and seniors need to be adopted. Many of them live in residential care facilities. They are unable to afford basic necessities and do not have other forms of financial support, according to the news release.

The agency is also accepting donations of new toys and new gifts for families ranging from infants to adults for the gift room.

The gift room is for families who are not chosen by the public for adoption. Those families shop in the gift room for other family members.

Monetary donations can also be made through the agency’s website or by phone at 816-364-1131 using a credit or debit card.

All monetary donations will be used to purchase gift cards and food vouchers to help supplement families who aren’t chosen for public adoption.

AFL-CIO Community Services, located at 1203 N. Sixth St., is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, 13 and 20.

Community members interested in adopting can call the AFL-CIO’s number or email adopt@helpmenow.org.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Second Harvest is providing meals for the holidays through its annual Holiday Express program.

The organization announced its registration day is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, or until supplies last at 915 Douglas St.

This serves as a day for families and individuals to apply to receive a small chicken, a box of holiday sides and produce; however, chickens will not be given out on this day, but rather at a later date, to be announced.

Community members or individuals interested in applying may register for one household only and must bring their ID or an orange Second Harvest card or key tag for the household being registered.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Family Guidance Center is offering an outlet for individuals across the region who may feel trapped by gambling.

Gamblers Anonymous offers new, confidential peer-support meetings in St. Joseph, providing a safe space for anyone struggling with gambling of any kind- casino games, sports betting, online wagering, lottery tickets, bingo or card games.

Meetings will be held at 12:30 p.m. every Tuesday, with the next meeting on Nov. 25 at the Washington Park Library, located at 1821 N. 3rd St.

A second group will meet at 5:30 p.m. every Thursday, with the next meeting on Dec. 4, at the Rolling Hills Library, located at 1904 North Belt Highway.

“These new Gamblers Anonymous meetings in St. Joseph give people in the community a safe place to talk openly, connect with others, and take the first steps toward regaining control. Having that support really can change everything,” said Beth Crumpler, the coordinator of integrated behavioral health at Family Guidance Center.

Each meeting lasts about one hour and is open to anyone seeking support from problem gambling. Participation is free and anonymous.

For more information, call the Family Guidance Center at 816-676-7237.

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