Author: News-Press NOW

News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A former ROTC instructor who was fired in 2024 has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the St. Joseph School District.

Master Sergeant Jamaal Anderson served as an instructor for both Benton and Lafayette High School’s JROTC programs. He originally started instructing at Benton and later instructed at Lafayette.

Anderson alleges he was placed on leave on April 29, 2024, was given a letter of suspension and told to not to go on school property. His contract was not renewed for the 24-25 school year.

According to Anderson’s lawsuit, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent surgery in March of 2022. The lawsuit contends that Anderson informed the district that there would be times when he would need to leave class to use the restroom or miss work abruptly. The lawsuit states that Anderson was told that SJSD would not accommodate such breaks.

Jamaal Anderson lawsuitDownload

Anderson also alleges he was not permitted to take time off to attend doctor’s appointments.

The lawsuit also said Anderson’s absences led to poor classroom and extracurricular event ratings by his district supervisors, which eventually led to his suspension.

News-Press NOW did contact SJSD Superintendent Gabe Edgar, who stated, “We are aware of this. However, because it’s a personnel matter, we will not comment.”

The day after his suspension was announced, students and cadets spoke out against the move.

“This makes all of us mad because he always stands up for what he believes is right and treats everyone with respect,†one student said.

Anderson’s lawsuit also referenced an incident at Lafayette that occurred in May 2023. Students allegedly “wrapped” Anderson’s car in paper and wrote racial slurs and drew offensive pictures on the paper. Anderson contends the school district should have filed charges against the students but failed to do so.

Although no dollar amount was specified in the suit, Anderson does ask for actual and punitive damages.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — One of the longest-tenured officials at City Hall is no longer in the fold after more than 25 years on the job.

A St. Joseph city official confirmed to News-Press NOW on Wednesday that longtime Planning and Community Development Director Clint Thompson is no longer employed with the city.

No official statement was provided as to the circumstances surrounding Thompson’s exit, which is a private personnel matter. Thompson’s name has been removed from the city’s website, and a job posting for the position is now listed online.

Thompson was first hired as the city’s community development manager in 1998 and has served as director since 2001. Thompson played a key role in one of the city’s largest development projects in the last 20 years with the creation of the Shoppes at North Village.

Thompson held the position of interim city manager for close to four months prior to the hiring of current City Manager Mike Schumacher, who was hired in December following the resignation of former City Manager Bryan Carter last August.

Thompson has also been at the center of renewed efforts to improve St. Joseph’s housing gap with new programs and streamlined processes aimed at spurring new construction and renovations.

A News-Press NOW reporter had spoke with Thompson for an unrelated interview as recently as last Wednesday.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Kansas City Heartland Men’s Chorus will come to St. Joseph to celebrate its 40th Anniversary with regional performances.

Its “Do It With Heart” concert is at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 21 at First Christian Church, located at 9th and Faraon Streets.

Both First Christian and First Lutheran Churches are concert sponsors. Tickers are $25 and can be purchased at the door.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit St. Joseph-area organizations, including St. Joseph Pride, set for this fall on Friday, Sept. 12, and Saturday, Sept. 13, as well as PFLAG St. Joseph, which supports the local LGBTQ+ community with outreach and support.

“We’re blessed to have a performance of this caliber visiting St. Joseph,” said Rev. Brian Kirk of First Christian Church in a press release. “We’re thankful this concert supports our local community.”

The St. Joseph performance is one of six regional performances of its “Do It With Heart” program, with songs of social justice, love and LGBTQ+ experience.

Forty of the 150 Heartland Chorus members will perform in the June regional concerts, with Missouri stops in St. Joseph and Springfield and Kansas concerts in Lawrence, Topeka, Manhattan and Wichita.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph Quorum Initiative announced registration is open for the city’s third Madam President Camp to teach young girls leadership skills.

The three-day camp offers a supportive environment where girls ages 11 through 13 can learn and practice leadership skills.

The five core camp themes include: leadership, civic education, activism, communications and self-discovery.

During the camp, girls will work with mentors who create meaningful connections between each girl and the curriculum.

The St. Joseph camp will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day on Monday, July 14, through Wednesday, July 16 at Missouri Western State University in Spratt Hall rooms 214-216.

MWSU and the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce are supporters of the local Madam President Camp. The cost to attend is $150.

The Madam President Camp was founded in 2012 by female leaders Dr. Lee Smithson Burd and Pam Kelley, a Kansas City businesswoman.

In 2011, Smithson Burd attended her daughter’s “princess camp” recital at school and was struck by wanting her daughter to receive a more empowering message that would encourage her to dream big and to see her value in the world.

Together, Smithson Burd and Kelley conceptualized the camp.

St. Joseph is the first camp to be held outside of Kansas City.

For more information on how to register, visit the camp website at www.madampresidentcamp.org/summer.

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Chris Fortune

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Adventurous Missouri residents who are interested in trying fishing without having to shell out money for a permit are in luck this weekend.

On Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, anyone can fish in state waters without a Missouri Department of Conservation fishing permit, trout permit, or prescribed area daily tag during Free Fishing Days.

“It allows them to get out and see if they’re going to actually enjoy it beforehand,” Buchanan County Conservation Agent Kelsey Gillenwater said. “Get out for two days and enjoy the weather, you know, it gets people out on our conservation areas as well to get them to explore and see what we have to offer.”

Some fees and permits may be required in some locations and private fishing areas. Typical regulations like size and daily limits still apply during Free Fishing Days.

“Up here in northwest Missouri, where we do not have trout, there’s no other fees that you’re going to acquire fishing-wise other than you providing your own pole, your bait and whatever snacks you might want for the day,” she said.

The Northwest Regional Conservation Office does not have any fishing gear to pass out at its office, but one of the local libraries may.

“If you are needing a fishing pole or tackle—they don’t have bait—but all the other things they would be able to supply you with as long as they have them in stock,” she said.

Gillenwater said permits help fund the Missouri Department of Conservation, allowing them to maintain adequate staffing and fund conservation efforts.

Anyone interested in purchasing a permit can visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website at mdc.mo.gov/permits. Free Fishing Days occurs on the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June.

“Whether you’re on a river, you’re on a lake, or you’re at Krug Park, you’re able to participate,” she said.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Remington Nature Center held a training session for owners of stormwater control facilities.

Among the topics covered in the training are required maintenance for post construction stormwater control facilities, the process of submitting annual reports to the City, and the deadline for submitting reports to the City in 2025. 

The recent storms that passed over St. Joseph were also discussed as they relate to how flooding may impact stormwater control facilities.

“There is a lot of flooding events that you’re hearing about now,” water resource scientist Kaitlyn Loeffler said. “Stormwater detention facilities and green infrastructure help control flooding by releasing it downstream at a controlled rate that doesn’t overwhelm our stormwater infrastructure. It helps prevent flooding from occurring in our city streets and in people’s yards.”

Facility owners will be required to have inspections and submit the reports to the City this year.

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Charles Christian

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph Board of Education President Latonya Williams has announced she is running for District 10 state representative in the next election.

Rep. Bill Falkner (R) of District 10, will reach his term limit after this term, and Williams said she was approached awhile back and asked to consider running for the seat.

“Running has always been in the back of my mind,” Williams said. “So, everything seems to be aligning, and it’s the perfect opportunity to go for it.”

Williams said she will continue her leadership on the Board of Education in St. Joseph until the end of her term, which would end in April of 2027, five months after the statewide elections.

“I would just have to do some juggling to complete the term if I were elected,” Williams said. “But I think I can do it.”

Williams is in her second term as Board of Education president, and said she has already begun campaigning for state representative and will be involved in a special speaking engagement at the end of the week.

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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Dance Arts Center is celebrating its 40th season of teaching dance with its ’40 and Fabulous’ recital on Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7.

The recital will feature future and former stars of dance in St. Joseph and northwest Missouri.

The Senior Showcase, DACPAC Competition Revue, VIP Dance and Adult Tap will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 6.

The performance is free and open to the public. DAC’s high school seniors will perform their Senior Solos. Attendees will also enjoy creative dances by the DACPAC Competition Team, along with a fun, special dance performed by the Adult Tap Dance class and the VIP student/parent dance.

On Saturday, June 7, all shows from beginning dancers and level four to level seven dancers will take place. Tickets range from $15 to $17 and can be purchased online at JoMoTickets.com or at the door.

The 10 a.m. recital will be beginning dancers ages three and four years old in level two performing Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Musical Theater.

The 2 p.m. recital will be beginning dancers ages three and four years old in level two performing Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Musical Theater and Contemporary dances.

At 6 p.m., level four to level seven dancers and alumni will be the stars of the show. DAC Alumni will perform ‘Legacy in Motion: 40 Years of Dance’ featuring 60 alumni.

DAC’s current, most experienced dancers will perform Ballet, Pointe, Tap Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Musical Theater pieces.

The DAC was founded by Lynn Fankhauser in 1984. Fankhauser operated the studio from 1984 to 2004, when Marla Heeler, a former student, purchased the studio.

Throughout its 40 years of teaching dance, the studio has been a member of Dance Masters of America, an international organization of certified dance educators.

“We’re excited to celebrate our 40th Anniversary with these stunning performances and very happy so many of our DAC Alumni are able to come back and celebrate with us,” said Heeler, in a press release. “I’m very proud The Dance Arts Center has grown into one of the most recognized names in our community and is known for our outstanding staff, organization, creative production and age-appropriate costuming.”

The DAC offers over 80 classes for children ages three and older, pre-teens, teens and adults, comprised of Ballet, Tap, Pointe, Jazz, Contemporary, Musical Theater, Tumbling and Hip Hop.

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Kyle Schmidt

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Sports Commission held a press conference releasing the names of individuals inducted into the St. Joseph Sports Hall of Fame.

Bob Boyles, a seven-time AAU powerlifting champion, was one of the 10 individuals inducted.

“It means a lot, I’ve spent my life here,” Boyles said. “I have been to other places and competed, got acknowledgement being at those places but in your own home town it means more.”

Supported by his grandchildren at the press conference Boyles shared he still lifts and trains others at Body Image Personal Training gym.

“I work with people every day, 10 hours a day still doing it, almost 68 years old and still in the gym business,” Boyles said.

The message he spreads in his gym is “No matter what age you get, you can always make yourself a little bit better.”

Nine other individuals and a team were recognized as well.

Director of Development and Sports Commission Brett Esely said the depth of the class is what makes this year stand out.

“We’ve got our first men’s tennis player, we’ve got our first boxer, we’ve got a golf coach/teacher/mentor,” Esely said. “We’ve got two national football leaguers in this class.”

The enshrinement ceremony will take place Sunday, Aug. 24 at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center at 5 p.m. Tickets will go on sale in late June for $25.

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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce has launched a new series of informational sessions for emerging leaders.

St. Joseph Young Professionals will serve as a way to connect emerging leaders through creative, engaging events that celebrate both professional growth and local pride.

“Establishing a Young Professionals (YP) group is a strategic move to ensure the long-term viability of the Chamber and the business community,” said Natalie Hawn, president and CEO of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. “We continue to cultivate all professionals in St. Joseph, but want to particularly focus on young professionals this year.”

The four sessions are targeted at professionals between the ages of 20 and 40 years old.

The first session will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16 at Parkway Distillery, located at 415 N. 13th St.

The event is free and serves as a way for emerging leaders to “network on tap”. Attendees can enjoy light appetizers and purchase drinks at the bar. The first 20 attendees will receive a ticket for a complimentary drink.

The second session will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at Room 108, located at 722 Felix St.

The event will be a Q&A panel discussion on networking. Attendees will then transition to implement what they have learned by connecting over different topics. The first 20 attendees will receive a free drink ticket. Light appetizers will be provided and a cash bar will be available.

A third session will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center located at 1201 N. Woodbine Rd.

The event will be a Keynote lunch, where the keynote speaker will be Dr. Kasi Lacey, who will speak on the topic: “You Don’t Need Permission: Confidence, Connection, and Career Growth for Young Professionals.” Lunch will be provided and there is a $20 registration fee.

The final session will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11 at Hi-Ho Bar and Grill, located at 1817 Frederick Ave.

The event will be Music Bingo, Holiday Edition and will feature light appetizers and a cozy, yet hideous, ugly sweater contest. The first 20 attendees in a sweater will score a complimentary drink ticket. The event is free to attend.

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