Author: News-Press NOW

News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo (News-Press NOW)– Local law enforcement has amped up its resources to decrease the amount of drugs and crime throughout the community, as it continues its battle.

Buchanan County Drug Strike Force Captain Shawn Collie said not every crime is drug-related, but a majority of crimes the Force deals with have a drug nexus.

“That’s one of the bigger things we try to explain to people… Drug abuse is just kind of the beginning of the problem,” Collie said. “When you look at a lot of the crimes we see, drugs are usually the kind of, root of all evil.”

Collie mentioned marijuana can be viewed as a “harmless drug,” but has seen crimes like theft, robberies and home invasions have ties to marijuana or money associated with the drug.

The Strike Force sees more drugs like: Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Xylazine and Kratom.

“A lot of the stuff we deal with every day on the drug abuse or the distribution, it’s all parts of town,” Collie said. “Whether it’s the poorest of the poor or in the richest of the rich, it affects everybody.”

This stands true with the St. Joseph Police Department.

“The range is very wide, very broad… We want to make sure we have a good presence is in all of our areas,” SJPD Sgt. Richard McGregory said.

Crime statistics from the city’s crime analysis page indicate city-wide crime saw a slight increase in 2024, compared to 2023.

These statistics consist of crimes like murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, arson, burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft.

The report states that in 2023, exactly 3,101 crimes of that variety were committed, while in 2024, around 3,198 crimes were committed.

One resident, uses cameras as a preventative measure to combat theft. Lacy Mcguire is a St. Joseph native and she said she feels ‘left in the dark’ after recent changes to the scanner.

“I felt more safe and aware of what was going on when we had the scanner,” Mcguire said. “I feel that now there is no scanner, I feel left in the dark.”

One way SJPD is working to combat all types of crime is with mobile camera trailers set up around the city.

“We’ve just deployed those to try and make the city safer, try to monitor those kinds of areas where crime is being committed,” Sgt. McGregory said. “If there is something that does arise… we can check the cameras and try to get information and getting an actual investigative start from there.”

Statistics provided by Sgt. McGregory in an email shows 290 drug offenses have occurred in 2025 through September.

When dealing with drug-related crimes, he said their main protocol is safety.

“We want to make sure we that we’re handling any type of drug… properly,” Sgt. McGregory said. “Proper personal protective equipment, gloves, things of that nature, making sure that we’re not exposing ourselves.”

Sgt. McGregory said the age range they usually see ranges from 12 years old to 40 years old. For Collie, the ages range from 15-year-olds to early 20s involved with drugs, but they see late 20s into the early 40s distributing the drugs.

Throughout Buchanan County, the Drug Strike Force made 402 arrests in 2022, while in 2023, it made 323 arrests. This, while more than doubling the amount of school programs.

In 2022, the Strike Force was involved with 11 schools; the following year, the number increased to 28. In a statement report, emailed to News-Press NOW, “The Drug Strike Force participated in 14 school programs with almost 1425 students in overall attendance.”

The emailed report also said in 2024, “Strike Force Investigators made 286 arrests of persons with a variety of 535 charges.”

“People thought that we were coming down too hard on drug addicts, and we kind of refocused just on the dealers and mainly dealing with the dealers,” Collie said. “But now what we’re seeing is a community who wants us to try to address the addicts before they overdose or before they get to do a bigger crime.”

Looking ahead, Collie said they are continuing to look at both east and west coasts to figure out how the trends there will affect Buchanan County, as well as building community connections and trust.

“We’ve really concentrated on education and prevention,” Collie said. “On the other side, we really try to do more with warrants, operation relentless pursuit through the state has went into effect, which for us we’ve always tried to work with warrants, but drug enforcement was primary. What we’re finding is a lot of times if we focus on warrants, we’re going to take the drugs off the streets.”

SJPD said more crime statistics for 2025 are expected to come out at a later point.

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Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) —  The St. Joseph School Board is working tighten its purse strings to improve its reserve ratio.

At Monday’s meeting, board members reviewed a new budget reduction plan for the 2025–2026 academic year. 

Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, Robert Hedgecorth, walked the board through how the district identified areas to reduce spending this year. 

He said when the last fiscal year ended, the district’s reserve ratio — the balance between the operating fund and total expenses — came in at just 10.2%, an amount 20% below what board policy requires.  

“So the October budget amendment we presented to the Board of Education totaled just over $2.7 million to reduce this year, and thankfully, the board did approve that adjustment,” Hedgecorth said.  

He added, most of the reductions were aimed at helping the district balance its budget and rebuild the 20% reserve ratio in the coming years.

Hedgecorth said some of the biggest reductions came from technology and operations — including upgraded security cameras and maintenance projects that were scheduled for updates.  

SJSD Budget Reduction PlanDownload

“We identified those items that we could remove from this year’s expenses to create $2.7 million that we presented to the board and these adjustments were also scheduled for improvements on different areas,” Hedgecorth said.  

He emphasized, none of the cuts will impact staff or students, adding that protecting classrooms was the top priority throughout the process.  

Hedgecorth said the review was collaborative — each department was asked to look at its budget and identify about 10% or more in potential cuts with the least effect on instruction.  

“We set a meeting with each group and then went through those items that they discussed and made sure the items they have listed are things are make sense to be reduced without impacting the classrooms,” Hedgecorth said.  

Hedgecorth also noted, while the district remains under contract with certain services through the end of this year, those areas could be reconsidered in the next budget cycle.

Hedgecorth said this process has already helped make future fiscal years more financially sound.  

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Transit will relocate its eastside transfer station, which will be in effect on Monday, Nov. 3.

The station will transfer from the Hy-Vee parking lot to the new Woodbine Transfer Center.

The new transfer center is located on the west side of Woodbine, just north of Faraon Street, in the parking lot of the East Hills Library.

Buses will line up along the east curb of the lot, providing riders with a safe and convenient transfer location.

Lights have also been installed in the bus shelters at the new location.

In a press release from the City of St. Joseph, although the transfer station is moving, service to Hy-Vee will remain available on Routes 3 and 4. Riders can make transfers to Routes 2, 5, 7 and 8.

A new bus stop will be installed on the outer road behind the Hy-Vee Fast and Fresh Convenience Store to continue providing easy access for passengers.

For more information about routes and schedules, visit stjoetransit.info or call 816-233-6700.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — After much time and planning, parks officials have finalized the new vision for one of Downtown’s top venues for shows and festivals.

Shovels are set to break ground next spring on a $900,000 parks tax-funded project to remodel Coleman Hawkins Park, a process that included numerous feedback from Downtown groups, performers and community members.

“That project is now out for bid. In late November or early December, we should be ready to go to Council for their approval and then we’ll be able to get that project going by spring,” St. Joseph Parks Director Jeff Atkins said. “We’re kind of hoping for a late July, August completion date.”

Once complete, visitors will see a new-look layout, one that’s designed to maximize viewing space and enhance sound capabilities for concerts, events and other year-round activities.

Central to the renovation project is relocating and replacing the gazebo with a large new stage that faces north toward Francis Street, as opposed to facing Felix Street.

“The whole front of the stage will be wide open … a lot easier for the bands to just to be seen by the crowd. It’ll have a big cantilever roof over it,” Atkins said. “We’ve talked to everybody we can think of to gather information on what type of footprint fits best. We think we’ve got that.” 

This rendering, courtesy of the City of St. Joseph, shows the proposed layout for the new stage and seating area at Coleman Hawkins Park in Downtown St. Joseph.

Additionally, the adjacent hillside will be landscaped into new terraces to create a true seating and amphitheater-like setting with improved acoustics. The famous Coleman Hawkins statue will also be relocated south and installed next to the new stage during construction.

“The terraces are going to be great for seating and it’s going to give that view for people in the background with a little bit of elevation, it’ll absolutely beautify the space too,” said Jeff Waggoner, owner of The Den, a popular cocktail bar on Felix Street. “It’ll allow sound to travel better.”

With Downtown destinations like the new-and-improved Civic Arena and InspireU Children’s Discovery Museum driving increased foot traffic in the area — including plans for new apartments on Felix Street — Waggoner thinks the project couldn’t come at a more perfect time.

“It’s a super exciting vision, Downtown has needed a new venue for festivities and for music for quite some time,” Waggoner said. “For the city to be stepping up and supporting such a large redo of a venue, with the overall revitalization with Downtown, we’re really on this growth curve that is headed in the right direction.”

A city sign stands by Coleman Hawkins Park informing pedestrians of the upcoming renovation project next spring.

The venue is also the home for longstanding community events like the Coleman Hawkins Jazz Society’s “HawkFest” and Celtic Street Faire.

Waggoner confirmed that the popular Sounds of Summer Concert Series will continue as planned next year at the venue, although disruptions are expected.

“We will still have bands. We will still have events down here. It’ll look a little bit different, but I’m convinced that people will still come down to support and enjoy what we have to offer,” said Jeff Waggoner, owner of the Den and president of the Downtown Association Board of Directors.

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TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Halloween night can be full of spooky fun and sweet treats, but it doesn’t come without safety tips and tricks to know while roaming the streets.

Trick-or-treaters and parents need to stay safe on Halloween night.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 3,200 Halloween-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments. 

Sgt. Jeremy Peters with the St. Joseph Police Department shared multiple tips for parents and children on Halloween.

While trick-or-treating, if a child gets lost, they should contact the police immediately.

“That’s going to pose a unique set of challenges with all of the costumes and masks and everything like that. But call 911, let us know,” Peters said. “Suspicious activity, missing kids, lost parents, whatever the case may be, we will respond as quick as possible and try to get that result.”

Peters said while trick-or-treating, try to stay in well-lit areas and have a flashlight with you.

“Use sidewalks, wherever they’re available, try to have flashlights or reflective clothing with you so that you can be seen. Just general things like that,” said Peters. “You know, just be aware of your surroundings.”

Peters wants to remind trick-or-treaters not to eat their candy until they are done trick-or-treating, so they can check their candy at home under a light.

“There’s always a possibility that somebody with bad intent could try to do something. Just make sure everything is sealed in original packaging as best you can,” he said. “Let your parent or guardian inspect it before you know as a kid that you would go around eating the candy that you get.”

Peters also said to be aware when crossing the street.

“I think just be visible. A lot of costumes are dark and that’s part of the fun,” he said. “Be visible when you’re crossing the street. Make sure you’re looking both ways. Take the extra time”.

On Halloween night, sex offenders are required to stay in their homes from 5 to 10:30 p.m.

The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office conducts patrols on Halloween night to make sure all sex offenders are abiding by the law.

Investigator Kenneth Shryock said parents can check the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s website for sex offenders in the area.

“They can put their addresses in there. They’re going to, and that will pull up all the offenders in that area and kind of map it out for them,” he said.

Overall, Peters hopes everyone has a safe and fun Halloween.

“We want to wish everybody a happy Halloween! We hope everybody is safe,” he said. “And if anybody ends up needing anything, don’t hesitate to call.”

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Police Department is launching a new series of daily social media posts aimed at keeping the community informed and engaged with its work and initiatives.

Department staff are producing a variety of original content, including videos, photos and informational posts, which will be shared on SJPD’s official Facebook and Instagram pages, starting Monday, Nov. 3.

The series will feature officers, detectives and civilian staff providing crime prevention tips, behind-the-scenes insights and updates on police incidents and activities.

“We want to build trust through transparency, communication and through engagement,” said Police Chief Paul Luster. “We’re here to listen, here to inform, and we’re here to connect because policing is about partnerships.”

Different content, following a unique theme, will highlight different aspects of public safety and department operations.

“Monday Minute” will highlight SJPD news and safety awareness campaigns, “Tip Tuesday” will highlight practical safety and crime prevention advice and “Watch Wednesday” will target community engagement efforts.

The posts will continue with “Transparency Thursday”, with insights into law enforcement department processes, policies and crime, and “Friday Feature” will spotlight staff members and partnerships.

“Weekend Roundup” will wrap up the week with a look at key activities and crime data.

By implementing the series, SJPD aims to offer residents a closer look at the people and programs helping to keep the community safe, all while celebrating positive moments and strengthening relationships.

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Halloween weekend is creeping up fast, and there’s no shortage of spooky fun right here in St. Joe. Grab your calendars because it’s time to See St. Joseph.

Trick-or-Treat at the Shops at East Ridge Village. Head to 3829 Frederick Avenue from 2 to 5 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 31, for a free, fun, family event.

Stop in the shops and restaurants for treats, games and specials. You’ll also find a pet costume parade and plenty of photo ops for your little ghosts and ghouls. Participating shops include Hazel’s Coffee & Roasting Company, AR Workshop and more.

When the sun sets Friday, get ready for some spooky fun at the Webster Haunted House! It’s open Halloween night from 7 p.m. to midnight, and again from 7 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Nov. 1. It’s totally free to walk through their yard of spooky scares located at 4706 Shawnee Rd.

Saturday night also features a family Halloween party, snacks, fire pits and a costume contest with prizes for the best looks.

Finally, cap off your Halloween weekend with Nick Hadley’s Fright Night at the Brass Lion Pub located at 2007 St. Joseph Ave.

The show features Nick Hadley with special guest Tim Leland, hosted by 3LADE. It’s a 21+ event with a $5 cover, doors open at 8:30, and music kicks off at 9 p.m. Costumes are encouraged, so bring a friend, grab a drink and make it a Halloween to remember.

No tricks here, just plenty of treats and fun this weekend in St. Joe.

Tune in every Thursday to News-Press NOW for more ways to See St. Joseph.

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News-Press NOW

By: Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) –

Gov. Mike Kehoe said the state will spend more than $15 million to cover some food programs as the federal government shutdown continues.

Kehoe said in a news release on Wednesday that he would redirect money toward two programs aimed to help feed people in the state. The state plans to spend $10.6 million on the Missouri Area Agencies on Aging. Kehoe said the programs “will be critical” in giving meals to seniors. Money will come from its Senior Services Growth and Development Fund.

The state will also spend $5 million from its Temporary Assistance for Needy Families fund to send to state food banks. Kehoe’s office said the state moved up the payment to food banks, which was supposed to happen later this year.

The release did not say how much each food bank or area agency on aging might receive.

Hundreds of thousands of Missourians will not receive their monthly benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in November due to the ongoing government shutdown. Kehoe once again laid the blame on politicians in the Democratic Party, calling it a “Democrat-led federal government shutdown” in his news release.

Local groups have also been making changes to help those at risk of losing SNAP benefits. The Boone County Commission on Tuesday voted to send $50,000 in American Rescue Plan Act money to the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri. Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe told ABC 17 News that the city would soon do the same. Meals on Wheels Columbia launched a sign-up for SNAP recipients to get seven free meals a week – a program the organization said it already reached capacity on.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said earlier today that benefits under the Women, Infants and Children program would remain intact for November.

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Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Missouri Department of Transportation is sending out a simple reminder for drivers: put the phone down and buckle up. 

The initiative, called “Buckle Up, Phone Down,” is all about getting people to focus on two things that can save lives — avoiding distractions and wearing a seatbelt.  

“The leading cause of crashes in the U.S is people being distracted while they’re driving, and based on some of those crash statistics, 59% of the fatalities happened due to people not wearing seatbelts,” Area Engineer Matthew Stein said.

This annual initiative is now in its ninth year, reminding drivers to focus on the road and stay off their phones. 

MoDOT’s Matthew Stein said the goal is simple — fewer distractions, more attention behind the wheel.  

“We have the Northwest Coalition for Roadway Safety, and they went out this morning observed about 80% of the people driving around without their seatbelts,” Stein said. 

IHOP General Manager Janet Trailer said it’s important for drivers to buckle up and put their phones away to avoid distractions.  

She said following these simple steps can prevent serious injuries and even save lives in a crash.  

“Not only do you have to think about yourself, but other and your family members and what happens if something tragic happens,” Trailer said.  

Trailer added that she often sees young drivers acting recklessly, unaware of how dangerous it can be for everyone on the road.  

“I just try to move my car away from the driver that is not buckling up or using their phone, maybe by backing away from them just to keep myself safe,” Trailer said.  

She said she hopes that campaigns like this remind drivers to pause before starting the car — to put the phone down, buckle up and stay alert to protect everyone on the road. 

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Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Missouri Department of Conservation offers managed deer hunts, aimed at guiding new and seasoned hunters through the tradition.

Mid-September to mid-January is when multiple seasons of deer hunting in Missouri occur.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) offers more than 100 managed deer hunts for archery, muzzleloading, shotgun and modern firearms. These managed hunts are also provided to youth and disabled adults and youth.

Managed hunts are often associated with tradition, learning and acquiring a food source, but the sport is far more important than people realize.

Missouri state parks are usually wildlife refuges where hunting is not permitted, but when overpopulation of deer occurs, special managed hunts are conducted to prevent harm to the ecosystem.

Overpopulation can occur when there is a lack of predators and a lack of hunting occurring.

Deer population management has been a rapid issue across Missouri. This year, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced that 14 state parks would be temporarily closed for managed deer hunts.

“Hunting has such a long tradition in Missouri. And, it is absolutely a conservation resource for managing our deer populations and things like that,” said Erin Woodiel, the media specialist with the MDC.

Deer population management is vital for ecosystems to thrive. The overpopulation of deer can lead to forest degradation, increased vehicle accidents, and an increase in disease risk.

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