Author: News-Press NOW

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — One local organization is encouraging the community to do their holiday shopping at Downtown businesses by offering a cash incentive.

Main Street Saint Joseph will distribute $500 in free Main Street Bucks at 11 a.m. on Nov. 29 in front of the Red Holiday Cottage in Coleman Hawkins Park.

The first 50 people in line will each receive two $5 Main Street Bucks, or free money, which can be used at participating Downtown businesses on Nov. 29 only.

Each recipient will also receive a Shop Small canvas bag.

“We’re excited to reward our early shoppers and highlight the incredible businesses that make our Downtown unique,” said Christy George, president of Main Street Saint Joseph. “This giveaway is a fun way to spark holiday cheer while encouraging our community to shop small.

Main Street Saint Joseph said recipients must be 18 years or older to receive Main Street Bucks. The Bucks are only valid on Nov. 29 at participating Downtown merchants.

The Main Street Bucks are limited to one set per person. No change will be given on purchases below the value of the Bucks.

For more information about the event or other Downtown activities, visit www.downtownstjoemo.com.

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TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Aetna Better Health of Missouri announced new partnerships with local groups to help address homelessness in the region.

Aetna donated $30,000 to the Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph and Northwest Missouri United Labor Community Services Agency. The donation will be divided equally, with each organization receiving $15,000.

The funding will go toward Community Action Partnership’s Tiny Homes Village. The Tiny Homes Village provides small, transitional homes for anyone experiencing homelessness.

Kayla Marmaud, community relations director, said the funding supports its mission because it allows a space where they can work directly with residents.

“As you can see, the units are small, but it gives us a place that’s a neutral location for the residents to be able to work on with their case manager what they need to,” she said.

Marmaud said the program will work one-on-one with each individual to address their barriers and to help them find long-term housing.

“So whatever their needs are, we have a case manager that works directly with them to help them. So that kind of looks different for everybody,” she said. “Sometimes it’s finding employment, sometimes it’s training, it’s getting access to those vital documents like birth certificates, Social Security cards, things like that.”

The Tiny Homes Village has 10 units, and there are currently four residents living in the homes.

LaRon Thompson moved into the Tiny Homes Village four months ago and heard about the program by getting in contact with Community Action when he needed a place to stay.

Thompson filled out an application and kept his fingers crossed.

“I got a phone call, and when I got that phone call was to come in for an interview. And from that day, it’s just it’s been a blessing,” he said.

Thompson said living in the tiny home has been life-changing.

“It was unbelievable. It was like, this isn’t real until that door opened, he said. “And when that door opened up, my life changed.”

Thompson said his life, confidence and motivation have progressed since moving into his home.

“I say I’ve got more help with things. I’ve been able to speak up more. I’ve been able to do more things before I haven’t been able to. I’ve just kept my mouth shut, scared to ask for help until I met everybody at Community Action and came into this tiny home,” said Thompson.

Thompson said it feels especially amazing to have a home to be able to celebrate the holidays.

“It’s my first time cooking for Thanksgiving. It’s going to be my first time with Christmas,” he said. “So, yeah, I couldn’t ask for anything better. I really couldn’t.”

Thompson doesn’t live alone—he shares his home with an eight-month-old puppy named Queso, who keeps him company.

Queso and Thompson can now enjoy activities they couldn’t do before, like going for walks, playing and watching movies together. Having a safe home for him and Queso has helped tremendously.

“Just all I can say is with this being in this tiny home. Yeah, I feel safer than I’ve ever been and Queso also,” he said.

Thompson said his days start worry-free, knowing he’s in a secure environment.

“I used to wake up and feel depressed, didn’t know what I was going to do the next day, what I was going to eat,” he said. “Now I wake up every day less stressed and less depressed. And that’s really about it. I wake up with no worries.”

Marmaud said addressing homelessness and providing resources helps people move forward.

“If they don’t have a safe place to stay and live. We can’t expect them to get jobs if they don’t have an address for those,” she said. “We can’t, you know, expect them to address any needs that they have, any mental health issues that they might have if they don’t have a safe place. So being able to have them in a safe place and then to start moving forward and removing barriers is really important.”

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — After multiple meetings and work sessions, the St. Joseph Board of Education has officially agreed on a long-term plan for reorganizing school facilities.

The board voted tonight to rescind Plan E — which would keep all three high schools — and instead enact Plan 4BR, which would maintain Benton and Central as a two high school model.

Both votes ended in a majority ruling of 5-2. The plan is expected to result in Lafayette transitioning into a middle school, part of a new four middle school model.

The next steps will be determining when this reorganization plan officially takes effect, as well as wide-ranging impacts on staffing, zoning and students, among other subjects.

Members of the SJSD Board of Education confer prior to tonight’s decision.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — City Councilmembers signaled their support tonight for an incentive package to help secure a large $31 million industrial development project in St. Joseph.

A resolution of intent was approved this evening by City Councilmembers to issue $14 million in taxable industrial development revenue bonds for company Schutz Container Systems, which is investing $31 million in St. Joseph to expand its existing manufacturing facility at 5500 Providence Hill Drive.

Schutz, a German-based company, is a global leader in container manufacturing, particularly intermediate bulk containers, which are used to transport and store everything from chemicals and hazardous goods to more sensitive products like food.

The resolution approved Monday does not officially issue the bonds, but rather states the city’s intent to issue the bonds at a later date to encourage the company to proceed with the proposed project. The company’s expansion includes development of a new facility to support a manufacturing line for industrial packaging, the first among its 14 locations in North America.

“One of the things about this is we worked as a group. The community, the Chamber. As we put it together, it had to be good for the community. It had to work in a way that helps,” St. Joseph Mayor John Josendale said.

The resolution approved by City Council specifically directs City staff, St. Joseph Economic Development Partnership staff and Gilmore & Bell, P.C. to pursue bonds to support Schutz’s purchase and installation of fully-electric equipment, machinery and personal property for the new facility.

Bonds are being offered solely as a way to provide personal property tax abatement on the project. Tax abatement will be offered for a total of 10 years:

In years one through four, the company will receive 75% personal property tax abatement on the project equipment.

In years five through ten, the company will receive 50% personal property tax abatement on the project.

As a condition of issuing the bonds, Schutz will be required to create and maintain a certain number of new jobs with an average annual wage of at least $45,252, excluding benefits.

At a later date, it is expected that the City Council will pass a separate Ordinance to issue the Chapter 100 bonds. The process of luring the company even included the help of Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, who visited with company officials in Germany as part of the site selection process prior to the announcement.

The agreement marks the latest example of St. Joseph utilizing revenue bonds as a tool to incentive large scale capital investment and spur job creation in the city.

The city issued $18.5 million in Chapter 100 revenue bonds in March for Nortian Foodtech, which is investing $22 million in St. Joseph with a state-of-the-art 160,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at 2202 Alabama Street.

The company will use technology to convert by-products from the meat industry into high-quality food-grade protein. The company projects to hire at least 138 people by the five year of operations.

Approximately $60 million in industrial revenue bonds were also issued in April to support the development of two new hotels and a new conference center on Frederick Avenue.

The massive development project would include 249 hotel rooms and a host of amenities, including fitness centers, lobby bars, restaurants, pools and roughly 12,640-square-feet of conference center and ballroom space.

City Council OKs high-profile funding agreements to upgrade 139th Airlift Wing, Rosecrans Airport

The future of local aviation took a sizable step forward on Monday as councilmembers signed off on two measures to support development of a new aircraft maintenance facility and $17 million air traffic control tower.

Councilmembers officially approved a funding agreement with the Highways and Transportation Commission for a $7.5 million grant to design the 139th Airlift Wing aircraft maintenance facility at Rosecrans Memorial Airport.

Grant funds will allow the city and the Missouri Air National Guard to facilitate design a state-of-the-art facility capable of maintaining the coveted C-130J model aircraft.

The addition of a new and expanded maintenance hangar serves as a major checkmark for securing the long-sought C-130J, the U.S. Air Force’s primary transport aircraft and a major upgrade from C-130Hs currently at Rosecrans. The plan is to design a new maintenance facility to be large enough to hold two C-130J models.

Also on Monday, two additional agreements worth $727,954 were approved with the FAA to provide design, engineering, and installation of telecommunications systems and equipment for the new air traffic control tower under construction at Rosecrans Memorial Airport, a $17 million project to replace the old tower.

Funds will be paid to the FAA for telecommunications systems and FAA-owned air traffic equipment for use in the new ATCT. Costs are fully covered by existing state grant funds already budgeted for this project, so no new local funds are required.

The new tower is a critical piece of Rosecrans’ ongoing modernization, a huge undertaking with $35 million invested in the tower, as well as a new terminal building and runway opened in 2024 and 2025.

Plan to relocate ‘Trash Mountain’ at Sanitary Landfill receives green light

Just under $2 million will be spent by the city to move a massive pile of waste built-up as a result of previous cell construction delays and increased tonnage at the St. Joseph Sanitary Landfill.

City Councilmembers authorized a $1.9 million contract with MCON, LLC on Monday to relocate “trash mountain” to the new Cell 8 opened this year at the landfill. 

“Trash mountain,” a buildup of roughly 400,000 to 500,000 cubic yards of trash, is the result of a yearslong capacity situation that nearly hit a breaking point last November, when a combination of cell construction delays and a huge increase in yearly waste put the landfill on the brink of a soft closure.

The city will be required to move roughly 84,000 of the 400,000 to 500,000 cubic yards of waste in trash mountain. For comparison, Cell 8 is designed to hold 1,669,000 cubic yards of waste.

Heritage Park Softball Complex to see field improvements

The riverfront softball fields of St. Joseph are next in line for sizable improvements. 

Monday’s City Council meeting saw the approval of a $42,472 contract with Mid-America Golf & Landscape to restore fields one through five at the Bill McKinney Softball Complex at Heritage Park. 

The goal of the project is to restore the infields to a proper grade and therefore promote drainage to increase playability and achieve a safe playing surface. 

The project will include infield laser grading of all five fields followed by reconstruction through the addition of red shale and lime dust foundation. Field amenities will be purchased by the Parks & Recreation Department prior to the project for application. 

The desired completion date is prior to the next playing season at the complex. Since opening in 2003, the popular venue has hosted ten national tournaments, several regional and state tournaments, as well as numerous sponsored contests and tournaments locally. 

SJFD, Doniphan County fire district forge new partnership

The St. Joseph Fire Department and the Doniphan County Fire Protection District #4 in Elwood, Kansas, have entered into a partnership that now allows the two to provide emergency services in the other’s jurisdiction for a five-year period.

Services include requests for assistance, directions to incident scenes and other mutual aid opportunities. 

SJFD has roughly 128 personnel on staff, a strong figure that includes 51 firefighters, 33 drivers, 33 captains, three fire Inspectors, three Battalion Chiefs and five Fire Administration positions.

Council signs off on equipment purchases for various departments

Councilmembers approved a handful of contracts to purchase new equipment for the city’s Sewer Maintenance Division, Fire Department, Street Maintenance Division and IT Department during Monday’s meeting. 

Some of the notable purchases include $75,000 to buy a new Chevrolet Silverado truck for the Fire Department and $53,000 to replace three snowplows.   

Purchases approved by City Council: 

$122,524 for new truck mounted equipment and accessories on two international HV507 cab and chassis from American Equipment Co. for the Sewer Maintenance Division.

$92,410 in marijuana tax funds to purchase new truck mounted equipment and accessories on an international HV507 cab and chassis from American Equipment Co. to be used by the Streets Maintenance Division. 

$53,301 to purchase three snowplow replacements from American Equipment Co. for the Streets Maintenance Division

$161,000 to purchase hardware from C1 for the PC Refresh Initiative for the City of St. Joseph. 

$74,855.09 to purchase a Chevrolet Silverado 2500 truck for the Fire Department from Randy Reed Chevrolet with emergency equipment setup costs. 

Other measures approved by City Council

$38,930 was approved Monday as part of a contract with Delta Innovative Services to replace the bathhouse roof at the St. Joseph Aquatic Center at 402 S. Noyes Blvd. 

The roof of the bathhouse at the St. Joseph Aquatic Park needs replacement due to age and exposure to the elements. 

As part of the approved scope of work, Delta Roofing will provide all necessary labor, equipment, and materials to complete the removal of the existing shingle roof down to the wood substrate. Upon removal, a new shingle roof assembly shall be installed. 

The new roofing system will include roofing felt, drip edge, valley metal, pipe flashings, and a ridge cap. New seamless gutters and downspouts will be installed to match the existing buildings.

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News-Press NOW

By: Zac Scott

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe visited St. Joseph Christian School to speak with students about their education and leadership. 

Kehoe went through private school in St. Louis and said he felt at home at St. Joseph Christian. He told students about his journey through private school and how it shaped who he is today.

“It was back to that basic advice that my mother consistently drilled into our heads: work hard, play hard and the Lord will provide,” said Kehoe. “Nobody knows what your past is going to be, nobody but whatever it is, whatever you choose to do after you get out of school.”

There has been an outcry across Missouri about the possibility of taxpayer money going to help private schools. When asked by the media, Kehoe spoke about the ability parents have when choosing the school their child will attend.

“I think giving parents a choice on where they want to send their schools to is very important to me, personally, and again, as a business person, I think a rising tide raises all ships, so as the competition to a public school is more evident, where parents might be able to take one of their kids and go to a private school,” said Kehoe.

When asked about public schools in Missouri, Kehoe said public schools need to offer the best education possible.

“I think the public schools try to start getting better, because just like in business, if you’re offering a good product at that public school, parents aren’t going to want to take their kids out of there. And so, I think it does help,” said Kehoe.

One of Kehoe’s hopes is that public schools will gain help from the Missouri Scholars program. With help from the program, Kehoe wants schools to increase their potential and rise in national rankings.

“We have about 550 public-school districts across the state. We have some public-school districts that are nationally ranked and do an outstanding job. We have some that aren’t nationally ranked that probably need to work on improving their targets of that basic educational experience for the kids when they get out,” said Kehoe.

Kehoe said he hopes students don’t let him down and continue to work hard and pray harder so everything works out.

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News-Press NOW

By: Zac Scott

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Over the last 10 years, Brown’s Shoe Fit in St. Joseph has had a notable figurehead in Owner and Manager Richard Ragan.

In 2026, the figurehead will be moving away.

Ragan got the call to move to Fort Collins, Colorado, to take over a separate Brown Shoe Fit.

Ragan was featured in video promotions featuring his family showing off personality and comedy for St. Joseph.

“My wife and I have lived a quarter of our life here. Our youngest wasn’t even one yet when we moved into town, and now we got three,” said Ragan. “It’s been an awesome run, thank you, and continue to support the store.”

Ragan continued to thank those who have supported both him and his family, who helped the store grow and support him on his journey.

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News-Press NOW

By: Zac Scott

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Two people sustained minor injuries after three cars were involved in a crash at Frederick Avenue and Woodbine Road.

According to local law enforcement, one car was heading west on Frederick Avenue and tried to make a left turn south on Woodbine Road on a flashing yellow light.

While the first car was turning, a second car traveling east couldn’t see the first car, which caused a collision.

The force of the collision pushed the two cars into a third vehicle facing north on Woodbine Road.

Local law enforcement reported two minor injuries, with a ticket issued to the driver of the first vehicle.

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Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — A Lafayette High School junior is stepping up to make sure local families get to enjoy Thanksgiving this year.

Brandon Gregg decided to launch a food drive, collecting holiday staples for families who might not be able to afford a big meal. 

Gregg said he’s grateful to have a table full of food and family to share it with — but he knows that’s not the case for everyone, which pushed him to take action. 

“So I wanted to start…to start something so that many people… they don’t have to worry about that. They can have a good meal, and with this, hopefully several good meals, and not having to worry about not being eaten,” Gregg said.  

All the donated food will be handed out on Tuesday, Nov. 25, giving families enough time to prep for their Thanksgiving dinner. 

To get the word out, Gregg passed out flyers around school and posted on social media, hoping more people would pitch in.  

“Having people come up to me in the hallways and just because they saw a sign…to help people and this is every single one of this food has been donated by people in this school and their families and students, staff, teachers,” Gregg added.  

Ultimately, Gregg said he hopes families can relax and enjoy Thanksgiving together — something they might not have been able to do otherwise. 

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TaMya Bracy

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KQTV) — With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, numerous Americans will be traveling to see loved ones all over the country.

According to AAA, about 82 million Americans will travel over 50 miles from home, an increase of 1.6 million travelers compared with last Thanksgiving.

About six million travelers are expected to fly domestically over the Thanksgiving holiday, a 2% increase from last year.

Justin Meyer, KCI deputy director of aviation, said the airport is already seeing a peak of travelers leaving for the holiday.

“We’re busier than normal, and we’ll be busier than normal through Wednesday. Thursday is a really light day,” he said. “Friday is a really light day, and then Saturday is busy. Sunday will be our busiest day of the year.”

Meyer said the number one tip for flying this holiday season is to give yourself plenty of time.

“We’re encouraging travelers to arrive 2 hours. That’s a standard number that we say,” he said. “But certainly, if you are a frequent flier, you’re checking bags, you’re parking in the garage, you’re getting dropped off. You can modify that as you’re comfortable.”

TSA has a packing section on its website, which shows what items can go in checked bags and carry-on bags. Meyer said it’s important for travelers to understand what items belong in each type of bag.

“It’s important to know what the difference is, one of which is lithium batteries. So if you’re carrying a laptop or an extra phone charger, make sure that’s in your carry-on suitcase in with you in the cabin and not in the checked bag,” he said.

Meyer recommends staying patient when traveling with children.

“Recognize that holiday travel is stressful for everybody, and kids as well, that are maybe on a different sleep schedule than normal. But just be patient with your kids,” he said. “If they needed a little additional screen time, maybe to help them settle down. That’s not the worst thing you could do.”

Triple AAA spokesperson Nick Chabarria said he recommends downloading your airline app the keep track of your flight.

“If there are cancellations and delays and working through the app is usually the easiest way to make changes to your itinerary if you need to while you’re away from home or at the airport, for example, he said. “So that’s the best way to stay informed with your flight directly.”

Meyer said one of the most important things the public can do to make the process smoother is to have a plan for picking up loved ones from the airport.

“So if you have someone flying in from out of town that you’re picking up, we certainly want to encourage travelers or hosts that are picking up travelers to make use of the cell phone lot at the airport rather than circling and circling encircling,” he said. “That just causes unnecessary traffic and slows everybody down. Please don’t park on the arrivals curb; that is prohibited.”

Overall, officials say preparation and patience are key to navigating the busy holiday travel season.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Missouri State Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to prepare for increased traffic and obey traffic laws as they ramp up their presence over the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced it will participate in Operation C.A.R.E (crash awareness and reduction effort) in preparation for one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Over the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday counting period, 11 people were killed and 571 injured in 1,664 traffic crashes.

The counting period for the upcoming 2025 Thanksgiving holiday is scheduled from 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30.

During that time, drivers will see increased law enforcement on the roadways to help enforce traffic laws and assist the public. MSHP reports that drivers should expect more traffic, prepare for possibility of delays throughout the weekend and be aware of work zones.

Due to ongoing road construction throughout the state, the Patrol suggests that travelers use the MoDOT Traveler Information Map to plan their travel days. The map provides up-to-date information such as road closures, delays, construction zones, and alternative routes.

“If being on or near the water is part of your Thanksgiving holiday weekend plans, remember that the water is becoming colder, and hypothermia is a concern. The body loses heat 25 times faster in water than in the air of the same temperature. The proper use of life jackets is imperative,” a press release from MSHP states.

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