Author: News-Press NOW

Kendra Simpson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Summer break is almost here for students in St. Joseph schools, but summer break can bring some unsure feelings when it comes to planning activities and keeping the kids busy.

The Remington Nature Center and the St. Joseph Public Library have programs to keep children entertained and engaged in the summer months.

According to a study conducted by Sage Journals, on average, “student achievement declined by an entire month’s worth of learning over summer break.” Parents can help combat this loss by ensuring their kids stay engaged over break rather than scrolling through their phones.

“Kids tend to be bored, especially when there’s nobody at the same age as them,” Tricia Reyes, a local parent, said. “Then they tend to go get their gadgets…It’s important to have this kind of physical activities, like going to the park, just to prevent boredom and the sedentary lifestyle.”

The St. Joseph Public Library is hosting the annual Summer Reading Challenge for young “bookworms in training”. Kids, teens and even babies are rewarded for reading their favorite books every summer.

“There’s been research that shows a summer slide if they don’t keep their skills up,” Program Librarian for the East Hills Library, Elizabeth Murray said. “The teachers really appreciate if we have them reading in the summer so that they don’t have to start two months behind at the beginning of the next school year.”

This year’s prizes include books, toys and bracelets with grand prizes of memberships to inspireU and day passes to Ricky Dean’s.

Kids are encouraged to read at least 12 hours over the summer, or 20 minutes a day for 36 days. Every hour they read over the 12 minimum gets them extra grand prize entries.

For kids who want to experience hands-on fun, the Remington Nature Center will host monthly scavenger hunts, Insect-o-Rama on July 12, Herb-o-Rama Sept. 6 and more.

“Having that engagement of coming out, looking at displays, having a scavenger hunt that they’re looking for something and it’s a goal, it helps with observational skills, maybe a little bit of critical thinking skills,” Remington Nature Center Manager Sarah Elder said. “It gives them a chance to slow down and kind of pay attention.”

To learn more about upcoming events at the St. Joseph Public Library, visit the organization’s website at sjpl.librarymarket.com. For information on the Remington Nature Center’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RemingtonNatureCenter.

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Charles Christian

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Whether your recreational vehicle is a lavish $300,000 bus or a smaller livable trailer you tow with your truck, annual maintenance is key to getting the most from your investment.

Brian Frazee of Frazee’s RV dealership in St. Joseph, a business that has been part of his family for over 40 years, said that consistent maintenance saves money in the long-run, since, like houses, all RVs develop issues over time.

“If you stay up on it, a couple of hundred dollars a year will get you pretty well taken care of,” Frazee said. “Mostly general maintenance will help them to last a long time.”

While higher end RVs can cost upward of $200,000, Frazee said he mostly deals in smaller RVs, which can range in price from about $14,000 to about $65,000.

“The smaller ones are just easier to tow,” Frazee said. “Also, there are a lot of camp grounds that don’t allow the really big ones.”

Frazee also said, most of the smaller campers and RVs sleep more people. He said many bigger campers sleep only a few, while smaller campers are built to sleep more people.

The bigger RVs, though, have more amenities, including full showers and bathrooms, and are relatively self-contained.

Charlie Townsend, a retired St. Joseph resident, has owned his RV for just over ten years. He said he and his wife are going full-time this year, on the road

Townsend said they had previously taken the RV out a couple of times per year. Over the years, he said he has learned an important maintenance lesson.

“A lot of people don’t realize, to basically replace tires every three years,” Townsend said. “That sounds expensive, but I change them every three years whether I need to our not.”

He said the last thing you need when you are on the road with a big vehicle, is to have a blowout. However, the maintenance time and expense are worth it, because RVs can be a taste of home wherever you are.

“I like having my own bedroom, because I don’t have to worry about bed bugs,” Townsend said. “I have my own bathroom, too. . . .I just like my own turf, and you know, I don’t get that in a motel.”

Any RV that has a bathroom can be financed like a house, which means 15, 20 or even 30-year loans.

Both Frazee and Townsend said it’s important to do your homework. This includes, making sure your truck can tow the RV you choose, if you choose a vehicle that isn’t self-contained.

Also, they emphasized making sure you learn about common issues with RVs, such as window leaks, roof issues, water leaks and other issues related to a vehicle, that is basically, a small home on wheels.

As Frazee noted, anything that can go wrong in a house can go wrong in an RV. Being prepared is the best way to get the most out of the RV experience.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — One business opening up on the South Side will allow customers to purchase affordable footwear.

$10 Shoes N’ Boots will host its grand opening from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20.

The shop is locally owned and family-operated and is located at 6948 King Hill Ave.

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Kirsten Stokes

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph residents are bracing for potential changes as Missouri moves towards repealing Proposition A.

The Proposition, a voter-approved initiative, would have gradually increased the minimum wage and paid sick leave statewide.

Passed by 58% of voters in November 2024, Proposition A promised to raise Missouri’s minimum wage to $13.75 in 2025 and $15 in 2026, with future increases tied to inflation.

It also required employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. However, House Bill 567, passed by the Missouri General Assembly on Wednesday, aims to eliminate the sick leave requirement and remove future wage adjustments after 2026.

The bill is now awaiting Governor Mike Kehoe’s signature.

St. Joseph resident, Dakota Allen, said this move from the government doesn’t give him much confidence in the current democracy, and that Missourians should stand up to any party that violates voter rights.

“It’s just kind of one of those things that no matter who’s in power when they’re looking to abuse their power and overturn the will of the people, it’s time for us to step up and make sure that they can never do it again,” Allen said.

Allen said if this repeal is signed by Governor Kehoe, it will be painful for businesses that are looking to attract employees to the state, especially those in higher professions.

“We’re going to see this all across the board, there’s not going to be those guarantees that make our state appealing for employees, and it’s just going to become more and more difficult,” Allen said.

Sen. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Missouri said in an initial repeals conversation to the legislation in April of 2025, that the language in Proposition A was not made clear enough on the ballot.

“When voters saw Prop A on the ballot, they were only given a small summary, but behind the summary was eight pages of statutes,” Bernskoetter said. “It creates a one-size-fits-all for all businesses to follow and businesses should be able to tailor their workplace policies to meet the needs of their customers and employees.”

Opponents argue, combining minimum wage increases with paid sick leave mandates in a single ballot measure violates Missouri’s constitutional requirement that initiatives address only one subject. In addition, claiming misleading ballot language, particularly regarding the fiscal impact and the scope of exemptions.

Sparking backlash from Missourians everywhere, “SAVE OUR SAY” rallies will be held across the state on Saturday, May 17, in St. Joseph, Farmington, Blue Springs, St. Louis and many other cities.

If signed into law, the repeal will go into effect on August 28, 2025. Until then, businesses must comply with the sick leave requirements and wage timeline outlined in Proposition A.

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Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)– Missouri Task Force 1 is heading to St. Louis to help with storm damage recovery.

Boone County Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Gale Blomenkamp confirmed through text message that Task Force 1 will soon head out to St. Louis, which saw significant damage from storms.

St. Louis officials had confirmed during a press conference that at least four people were dead.

Task Force 1 is based at the Boone County Fire Protection District Headquarters. The task force had been deployed within the state twice last month after flooding and tornadoes damaged a southeastern Missouri town and Pilot Grove in Cooper County.

Ameren’s outage map shows a significant number of people without power in the St. Louis areas, with St. Louis County seeing 45,342 customers without power; St. Louis City having 40,103 and Jefferson County totaling 11,568.

Check back for updates.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Clarios’ St. Joseph Distribution Center will pause operations to celebrate its 25th Anniversary with more than 240 employees.

The battery-making company will hold a celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, at 2330 SW Lower Lake Rd.

Employees, family members and the St. Joseph community are invited to participate in a day of food, games, entertainment and guided plant tours.

The site has received nearly $200 million in investments over the past decade and has earned top performance awards from leading automotive manufacturers and industry partners.

A brief program will begin at 11 a.m. and will include remarks from Clarios Plant Manager, Jerimie Carson.

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Leah Rainwater

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph native, Noah Cameron, is set to start for the Kansas City Royals on their home turf at 6:10 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Cameron, who made his MLB debut against the Tampa Bay Rays at the end of April, assisted in the Royals’ sweep of the weekend series.

Cameron is expected to take over for Seth Lugo, who will miss Saturday’s start against the Cardinals due to finger inflammation, according to Joel Goldberg, a Royals Broadcaster.

Royals will skip Seth Lugo tomorrow due to inflammation in his right middle finger. Noah Cameron expected to make the spot start. The hope is no IL.

— Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) May 16, 2025

The Royals will kick off a weekend against the St. Louis Cardinals on at 6:40 p.m. Friday, May 16.

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News-Press NOW

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Three members of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club pleaded guilty this week before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays, for their involvement in a series of armed assaults against members of rival motorcycle clubs.

Christopher W. McGowen, also known as “Mac”, 41, of Platte City, Mo. pleaded guilty on May 13, 2025 to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in air of racketeering, one count of attempting to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Brandon S. Hodge, also known as “Youngblood”, 26, of Springfield, Mo., pleaded guilty on May, 14, 2025 to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.

Arthur L. Reynolds III, also known as “Straight Edge”, 48, of Independence, Mo., pleaded guilty on May 15, 2025 to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and one count of felon in possession of firearms.

On May 30, 2022, McGowen and other members of the Pagan’s and their support club, assaulted a lone rival gang member at a business in Grain Valley, Mo. In addition to fists, one Pagan used an axe, causing physical injury to the victim.

On Sept. 3, 2022, McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and other members of the Pagan’s and their support club, chased and forced a lone rival gang member from the road in Blue Springs, Mo. Various members of the Pagan’s and their support club were armed with firearms and at least one axe handle.

McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and the others confronted the victim on the side of the roadway and ultimately, the victim was shot seven times, with wounds to his knee, thigh, forearms, biceps, buttocks and back of his leg.

Following these events, McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and other present were awarded patches for their participation.

On May 11, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant for Reynolds’ residence in Independence, Mo. Inside, officers located seven firearms, various calibers of ammunition, body armor and Pagan’s Motorcycle gang-related items.

On Jan. 24, 2005, Reynolds pleaded guilty to felony aggravated robbery in the District Court of Johnson County, Kansas, for which he was later sentenced to 61 months in custody.

Under federal status, McGowen and Reynolds are subject to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. Hodge is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a pre-sentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Bradley K. Kavanaugh and Robert Smith. It was investigated by the FBI, the Independence, Mo. Police Department, the Blue Springs, Mo. Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Outdoor and nature enthusiasts will be able to have their share of activities at the River Bluff Trails Fest.

The festival will have something for everyone to enjoy with vendors, food trucks, 5k’s, obstacle courses and more.

“We will have some kids clinics that are low cost options,” Wheels Up Owner, Cody Jones said. “And then we also have an open jump which for the first 60 riders is free to the public.”

The Fest dates back to 2022, originally being geared toward bikers and cyclists, but has grown to encompass a wide variety of activities.

The River Bluff Trails fest will have activities throughout Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18. The list of activities can be found on their website.

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