Author: News-Press NOW

Leah Rainwater

FAUCETT, Mo. (KQTV) — Five people were arrested Tuesday after being wanted in connection with multiple crimes, which spanned several states across the Midwest.

Members of the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division assigned to the Northwest Missouri Drug Task Force Interdiction Unit located three vehicles at Pilot Travel Center, located at 1307 SE Grand DD Highway in Faucett, Missouri.

The Northwest Missouri Task Force, consisting of the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office Career Criminal Unit and Drug Strike Force, St. Joseph Police Department Street Crimes Unit and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, took the five subjects- four males and one female- into custody, and seized three vehicles.

The five arrested suspects were found to be citizens of Venezuela, and due to the significance of their alleged criminal activity, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was notified, according to a press release from the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office.

All five subjects were transported to the Buchanan County Jail, where further investigation was conducted. The subjects were then transferred into ICE custody.

The investigation is ongoing with the Sheriff’s Office and Northwest Missouri Drug Task Force, as well as federal agencies.

Click here to follow the original article.

Leah Rainwater

DEKALB COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) — The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office said three people are dead after law enforcement responded to a residential fire early Thursday morning.

Area first responders answered a call for a reported residential fire in Weatherby, Missouri.

While responding, crews found three people dead inside the residence, according to a press release. Information about the victims, including the cause of death, has not been released.

The Maysville R-1 School District’s Superintendent, Chris Hodge, released a statement Thursday on Facebook saying, “The Maysville R-1 School District has been informed that there was a house fire in our community overnight, and an elementary student has passed away. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we will not be sharing additional details at this time.”

A fund is set up to help with the cost of services at Independent Farmers Bank in Maysville, Missouri. 

Anyone interested in donating to the funds is encouraged to call 816-449-2182.

An investigation is ongoing with the assistance of the Missouri State Fire Marshals and local Fire Departments.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation is encouraged to contact Captain Mike Marvin with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office at 816-449-5802.

News-Press NOW will provide updates as they become available.

Click here to follow the original article.

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The Mosaic Life Care Foundation recently received a gift for the inspireU Children’s Discovery Center, which provides four free nights for families to visit.

The facility is located in Downtown St. Joseph at 521 Felix St., and is dedicated to fostering physical health, mental wellness and educational enrichment for children.

inspireU features 20 exhibits, a rooftop exploratorium, interactive play areas and educational spaces for children ages birth to 10 years old and their families.

Families can visit for free from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20, this year, or Thursday, Jan. 22, Thursday, March 19 and Thursday, May 21 in 2026.

The foundation extended its thanks to the Leah Spratt Charitable Trust, Committee Members Rhonda Rochambeau, Rick Rochambeau and Rene Rochambeau McCrary for the generous commitment.

Click here to follow the original article.

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Buchanan County Women’s Democratic Club will meet next week with a special guest in attendance to offer insight into the world of business.

The club announced the next public meeting will take place at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at San Jose Steakhouse, with doors opening at 11 a.m. for food.

Natalie Hawn, President and CEO of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, will speak and answer questions about the Chamber’s role in our community. The Chamber has been integral to local economic growth since its inception in 1862.

For those who can’t attend in person, a Zoom option is available beginning at noon as well.

More information on the meeting can be found by contacting club President Michelle Mears by email at bcwdcpresident@gmail.com

Click here to follow the original article.

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Residents of St. Joseph and Savannah will see their hometown on the big screen as part of a special one-night showing for a locally-shot film.

‘A Chrismystery,’ a local film shot in St. Joseph and Savannah, Missouri, in late 2024, will be shown for a special one-night screening at the Trail Theatre at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4.

This photo shows a poster for ‘A Chrismystery’

The event will see the return of Director Matthew Toronto and co-leading actress Kylee Levien to St. Joseph for an exclusive pre-screening meet-and-greet at 6 p.m. A post-screening Q&A will take place hosted by local film expert Bob Schultz.

Attendees will have an opportunity to hear firsthand about the cast and crew’s experience filming in the area, learn about behind-the-scenes details and explore how both St. Joseph and Savannah played a central part in the movie.

The film is a light-hearted, family-friendly story about a deputy sheriff and her daughter trying to adjust to a new normal in a small town, when all of the town’s Christmas decorations disappear.

“We’re thrilled to have this screening in St. Joseph,” said Christian Mengel, director of communications and marketing at the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau, in a press release. “Last year, we did a lot of advocating for growth in the film industry, and this event is a small celebration of that work coming to fruition. A lot of people in St. Joseph and Savannah assisted with this project in some way, so it’s special for all of them to have an opportunity to celebrate those efforts with Matthew and Kylee in person.”

Access to the meet-and-greet, movie screening and post-screening Q&A was all included in a $5 ticket. All ticket proceeds will be donated to the Museum’s association of St. Joseph, an organization dedicated to strengthening cultural assets in the region, including growth in the film industry.

Seating is limited, but tickets can be purchased on the Trail Theatre’s website www.thetrailtheatre.com/movie/chrismystery, or at the door as occupancy allows.

Visitors at the Trail Theatre are welcome to park in the garage across the street on the west side of 9th Street. Street parking in front of The Trail Theatre is limited, but additional street parking is available Downtown.

Click here to follow the original article.

Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph School District Board of Education has narrowed down a framework for the future of public schools after an extended public hearing Wednesday at Central High School.

Following public comments from many passionate students, parents and supporters from Benton and Lafayette high schools, the board determined that Plan 4BR will be the primary plan brought forward for consideration and final vote.

Gabryel Cunningham, a student at Benton High School, speaks at Wednesday’s special board meeting at Central High School.

Plan 4BR is a modified version of Plan 7B and would have Benton and Central remain in place with four middle schools being maintained. The other plan included a two high school model with Lafayette and Central.

A final vote on the consolidation plan is expected to occur at the Nov. 24 board meeting, along with extensive discussions on district finances.

News-Press NOW will have more on this developing story.

Click here to follow the original article.

Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph School District held another public hearing and ultimately agreed to move forward with Plan 4BR — the option supporting a Benton/Hyde and Central High Schools.

The room was packed, and emotions ran high. The community was split on which plan it wanted, and several community members pleaded with the board to either make a decision or slow everything down.  

“Answers to any and every question. Any member of the board could have, or even the community members. I mean, I think. It’s our D-day. It’s either we choose a direction, you know, or we just let it ride as it is,” LaTonya Williams said.  

After some heated back-and-forth and a lot of discussion, board members reached a consensus: Plan 4BR will be the plan they vote on Monday, Nov. 24, with the intention of finally implementing a direction for the district. 

This comes after a busy week of meetings. On Monday, Nov. 17, the board sat down with district leaders to review Plan 2B — the Lafayette and Central model. The conversation led them to take another look at Plan 7B, which has since evolved into Plan 4BR, before making any final decisions.  

“I think on the most part, the members of the board also agree it’s easier to get it in a direction. And then everybody knows, here’s what’s going on. And then only vote on the one plan at the end,” Williams said.  

Williams also stressed the importance of the upcoming financial audit scheduled for the Nov. 24 meeting, especially after so many questions were raised about the district’s finances this year.  

“I know that the district has an audit every year. And that’s also completed, only I mean, okay, so extra eyes on things. Never heard anything. And so I was really glad, you know, when everyone was open to an idea of an extra audit,” Williams said.  

Williams added, she’s already been vocal throughout this process and chose her preferred plan weeks ago. At this point, she says her focus is on doing what’s best for students in the community.  

Click here to follow the original article.

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Two St. Joseph women were arrested on North Belt Highway this afternoon as part of a narcotics investigation that led to a sizable quantity of fentanyl being seized.

Officials with the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force confirmed the arrest of two women around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday near a parking lot by Hy-Vee and Thrift World on North Belt Highway.

One of the women, 26-year-old Tyra Rich of St. Joseph, was apprehended without incident on multiple felony warrants for parole and probation violations. Investigators later found a large quantity of fentanyl as well as a firearm inside a vehicle operated by her and the other women, leading to subsequent charges.

Authorities have not released the identity of the second woman involved as specific charges have not yet been filed. Multiple pedestrians told News-Press NOW they witnessed a heavy law enforcement presence conducting their investigation on Wednesday.

Capt. Shawn Collie with the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force said multiple law enforcement agencies were involved, including the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Special Operations Division, which includes the Career Criminals Unit and Drug Strike Force, as well as the St. Joseph Police Department Street Crimes Unit.

“Anytime we get fentanyl off the street, we’re happy. But unfortunately, more and more we’re seeing larger amounts of fentanyl being seized. Which is kind of the case today,” Collie said.

Collie said local authorities also received valuable assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Click here to follow the original article.

News-Press NOW

By: Zac Scott

MARYVILLE, Mo. (KQTV) — The Maryville Fire Department is looking for new members for its volunteer unit.

The department is trying to increase its volunteer roster to 30 firefighters. Volunteers would be given a pager to be called in to assist with fires, along with two trainings each month taking place on the first and third Monday. 

Maryville Fire Chief Jace Pine said he’s looking for enough volunteers for the unit who will be needed in every community.

“You know these 10 people might be at work, doing something they can’t leave work, or might be out of town,” said Chief Pine. “The community truly needs that response. They truly need people to give up their time to serve.”

Pine said any community will accept new volunteer firefighters and won’t turn away help. Anyone interested in joining the unit can visit the Maryville Fire Department’s website.

Click here to follow the original article.

TaMya Bracy

SAVANNAH, Mo. (KQTV) — The Savannah High School Meats Science Team placed fourth in the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.

This comes after the team won first place at the State FFA Career Development Events (CDE). The team consists of four girls, Mackenzie Schmutzler, Reagan Rodgers, Addison Neiderhouse and Kaylea Farrell.

FFA Advisor and Savannah High School Teacher, Jeff Baumann, said going into the week of nationals, the objective was for the girls to prepare while also enjoying their time.

“We spent almost our…I would say, our entire time, our job was to have fun, enjoy the week, enjoy the…Enjoy the opportunity to represent their state as the as their state meats winning team,” he said. “But this team, they wanted to be as prepared as possible.”

Baumann said the girls woke up in high spirits on competition day.

“They weren’t nervous. They, you know, they were prepared, they were ready to go, and they had a good mindset. So we knew going into it that there was definitely an opportunity to succeed,” he said.

Baumann expressed how he felt about the girl winning nationals.

“I was excited for the girls. I was extremely happy and, you know, just proud to be a part of that, proud to be a part of that event for those girls in their lifetime, something that they will never forget and that I won’t either,” he said.

Rodgers spoke about the team’s overall experience at nationals.

“It was definitely exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time. We went up a couple of days before and got to work out at the University of Illinois, so that was really helpful,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers said it was even nerve-racking as they headed to the stage for the award ceremony.

“As it went on, it was just like grateful that we had the ability to do what we did. I think that was most of it,” Rodgers said. “I think it’s like just not knowing what to expect and all that to a challenge.”

Schmutzler said the team wasn’t aware they would place top four before going on stage.

“We didn’t know what place we got. Same with individual (awards). We didn’t know what place you got out of those. So we were all so excited. I liked how they did that. So like, we still had anticipation when we got on stage,” Schmutzler said.

Rodgers expressed gratitude for being on the team.

“Just like our team, this year has been so great. Being a freshman, I was really grateful for, like, the level of commitment of my teammates, but I couldn’t think of a better way to start my high school career than with the team,” she said.

Baumann said the girls have done great service for the Savannah FFA chapter.

“They’ve represented our community at a national level, which I think is awesome for them,” said Baumann. “They are super proud to do that…They are again, they are a team that has school pride and school spirit, so they’re happy to do it only for themselves, but for their for their own other FFA students, for their advisors, for their for their name on the back of the jacket.”

Click here to follow the original article.