Author: News-Press NOW

Payton Counts

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Families are getting their costumes and baskets ready to hit the hot spots of St. Joseph for trick-or-treating on Halloween night.

With most heading out around dusk, safety remains a top priority, especially along busy areas like Ashland Avenue. 

Drivers are urged to slow down and be vigilant for children crossing the street.

For kids walking along sidewalks, Frank Till, the executive director of the St. Joseph Safety & Health Council, recommends being the “highlight” of the night.

“Wear bright colored costumes and lots of glow sticks, reflective material, just so people can see them,” said Till.

For drivers, he recommends staying off the phone and slowing down, as kids are more likely to rush across the street and move in between cars.

While Halloween is often known for chilly weather, in years past, it hasn’t always been that way. According to climatological data from Rosecrans Memorial Airport, the warmest Halloween on record was in 1950, when temperatures hit 88 degrees. The coldest high temperature was just 36 degrees.

This year’s forecast is looking cool once again, with highs in the 50s. 

Experts said the safest temperature for kids to be outside is 30 degrees or higher. A light jacket should be enough for daytime trick-or-treating, but after sunset, it would be good to layer up with a heavier jacket, as temperatures drop quickly.

When getting ready to dress up, it’s also important to remember to make sure that when wearing masks or face coverings, they are kept loose, as they can make it harder to breathe.

For families looking for alternatives to door-to-door trick-or-treating, several community events are happening across St. Joseph. 

Grace Calvary Chapel will host “A Night at the Big Top Carnival,” while Anderson Outdoor will hold a Trunk-or-Treat event on Oct. 31. 

The St. Joseph Police Department will also host a Trunk-or-Treat on Oct. 28, ahead of Halloween night.

Stay safe this Halloween!

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Kyle Schmidt

ST. JOSEPH, Mo (News-Press NOW) — Traveling in Downtown St. Joseph during October can be quite the sight.

One house on North 5th Street is known for its own spooky sights, drawing traction from passersby.

“Just out of the love for Halloween and showing it off for other people,” homeowner Douglas Lucas said. “We hope other people enjoy it as much as we do.”

Lucas and his wife have been setting up decorations for over 30 years. The couple moved from Arizona to St. Joseph and fell in love with the house on the corner of the street, at the intersection of North 5th and Louis Streets.

The decorations go up by Oct. 1, a commitment that takes two weeks to do, and are taken down on Nov. 1.

As impressive as the display is, Lucas said it tells a story as well.

Many big skeletons on top of the house can draw attention away from the graveyard, to which he said has a gravestone paying homage to a neighbor.

“On the stone we got a homage to our neighbor across the street, Debbie,” Lucas said. “With sayings that we change out every year because she kind of requires it. She gives us friendly advice on how to decorate it.”

An eye catcher that stands out immediately is the giant skeletons on the roof. He said the one skeleton is nicknamed “Pumpkin Head Harvey“, after the Dennis Morgan song.

The couple leaves a hint to come back around Christmas time in one of the corners of the house, where Krampus sits in the window.

“It’s just about giving back to people, a lot of people don’t do it or don’t have the time to do it,” Lucas said. “I have the time and the means and the storage.”

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Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Halloween is this upcoming Friday, and trick-or-treating will begin, but for some, treats may be hard to come by.

For many kids who celebrate Halloween, their allergies can be a struggle. Instead of being afraid of ghosts and monsters, kids have to fear what candy they might get when they go door-to-door.

According to the Food Allergy Research and Education organization, 1 in 13 children in America possesses food allergies.

News-Press NOW met with Dietitian Jessica Smith to explore alternative options and tips for trick-or-treaters this Halloween.

“The first thing I would recommend is don’t eat your candy when you’re doing your walk. And then take it back home and make sure that you are choosing those products that are labeled as an allergy-friendly food,” said Smith.

Smith also recommends that houses start participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project.

The project uses a teal pumpkin to signify an allergy-friendly house and will either have safe treats or non-food items.

Smith recommends that instead of having peanut butter Reese’s, people can offer free2b sunflower butter sun cups.

Allergy-friendly foods like the free2b sun cups will often have an allergy-friendly logo on the wrapper or box.

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Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph School District will be back at the table at 5:30 p.m., Monday Oct. 27 at Central High School.   

This will be the second hearing focused on Plan E, part of the district’s long-range planning process. 

Community members will once again get a chance to share their thoughts and feedback before the board moves into its regular meeting right after the hearing. 

Lafayette High School teacher Jeff Leake said Plan E gives the district more room to adjust and address board questions — something that wasn’t possible with the previous plans.  

“The response I have been getting from each group is extremely positive because they recognize the damage that the two plans presented could do to the community and the school district,” Leake said.  

Leake believed one of the biggest issues so far has been trying to please only a small section of town instead of considering what’s best for everyone. 

While he doesn’t support either of the plans currently on the table, he says Plan 2 would likely save more money and cause less disruption for teachers and families.  

“The boundaries are drawn in more of a fair fashion especially at the elementary level, plan 7 looks like it doesn’t save as much money as either plan and it disrupts far more teachers and students,” Leake said.  

School board president LaTonya Williams agreed that both Plan 2 and Plan 7 come with major drawbacks — including closing a neighborhood high school, something many families strongly oppose.  

“The majority of the community is against closing of any high schools and so there has been a loud outcry for plan E or a plan that’s like plan E,” Williams said.  

She pointed out that while choosing Plan 2 or Plan 7 might help the district’s financial situation, any decision the board makes is bound to upset some parts of the community more than others.  

“Of course being able to condense the buildings will condense the expenses and then rightsizing the schools and being able to give more equitable academic opportunities across the district are the pros of plan 2 and plan 7,” Williams said.     

Williams added that before making any decisions, the board plans to carefully weigh every option and opportunity. She encouraged community members to ask plenty of questions and stay engaged ahead of Monday night’s final vote. 

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Charles Christian

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The growth in the senior adult population in the U.S. has seen a rise in instances of abuse and cases among the elderly.

According to the latest census data, the fastest-growing population in the U.S. is the senior adult population.  One in six people is aged 65 or older.

John Christensen, a special investigator for the Missouri Division of Health and Senior Services, said instances of emotional, physical and financial abuse are a daily occurrence, and loved ones should pay attention to warning signs.

“We are concerned with both abuse and neglect,” Christensen said. “This includes instances of theft, whether it occurs online or in their places of residence.”

Christensen added, family members and other loved ones should pay attention to instances where items like jewelry or guns belonging to senior adults go missing, as well as instances where large sums of money suddenly disappear from homes or accounts.

“If all the sudden you see money or other items go out in a way that’s unaccounted for, it may be time to ask some questions,” Christensen said. “While we want to do it in a respectful way, taking initiative and demonstrating concern may be what an elderly person in your life needs to get help if they’re being taken advantage of.”

Melissa Steele with the senior adult advocacy group Young at Heart said consistent reminders to senior adults about guarding personal information can help keep online and phone scammers at bay.

“Keep information like social security numbers, medicare numbers and checking account numbers guarded,” Steele said. “No reputable organization is going to ask for those by phone or via email.”

Steele also said organizations like Young at Heart are available to assist through direct contact and workshops for elderly people and caregivers throughout the year.

Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett said crimes against the elderly can happen when once-trusted caregivers or family members decide to take financial advantage, or worse, begin to become abusive or neglectful.

“Some caregivers have decided to take money, valuable items or medications for consumption or to sell,” Puett said. “Physical abuse can be as subtle as an unexplained bruise or as obvious as a drastic withdrawal and change of disposition.”

While these changes in behavior can be a normal part of growing older, Puett and other experts said asking questions and taking the time to look closely at the reasons behind these changes can help loved ones spot abuse or neglect.

“We need to listen to our elderly loved ones,” Puett said.

Christensen said caregivers should remember that crimes toward senior adults often fall under special legal categories that can amplify the penalties in court for abuse, neglect and theft. Therefore, taking claims or visible signs seriously means that investigators, prosecutors and judges won’t simply turn a blind eye.

“We get calls every single day regarding folks 60 and older who can’t always advocate for themselves,” Christensen said. “We investigate, and if a crime was indeed committed, we immediately contact prosecutors.”

Those who have questions or suspect abuse, neglect or theft regarding a senior adult can contact the state elder abuse hotline at (800) 922-2275, or reach out to local law enforcement.   

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A new community initiative is helping St. Joseph residents stay safe, connected and supported. 

The Community Safety Fair, set for noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at College Hill Park, 1233–1299 Henry St., will provide vital resources for families who may otherwise go without.

Sgt. Jeremy Peters with St. Joseph Police Department said, “Its always good to be in a position to help people out. This is just another way to do that, and it always feels good.”

Hosted by the St. Joseph Fire Department in partnership with the Police Department, Health Department, American Red Cross and Family Guidance, the fair is designed to meet both immediate and long-term community needs. From free smoke detectors and batteries to health information and pet microchipping, the event focuses on safety, wellness and neighborhood improvement.

Residents can also take part in a gun buyback program that exchanges unwanted firearms for gift cards from local businesses, a measure to make homes safer and reduce the risk of gun-related incidents. Dumpsters will be available for cleanup, encouraging residents to improve the appearance and safety of the area.

Andy Peterson with Fire Prevention, SJFD said, “We’re out here giving out smoke detectors. Sometimes those are hard for people to get, so we want people to be as safe as we can.”

The Fire Department will distribute 100 smoke detectors and batteries donated by Home Depot and Shelter Insurance agents Matt Cathey and John Anderson. The City of St. Joseph Health Department will provide information on vaccines and WIC services, while Animal Services will offer microchipping for pets. Visitors can also enjoy a treat from an ice cream truck during the event.

The hope is that the fair will become a bi-annual tradition, continuing to connect residents with vital services while fostering a sense of community.

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Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots Program is giving back to Buchanan County.

The local Buchanan County chapter is seeking toy donations to distribute to children for Christmas.

Vietnam Veteran and Program Coordinator Don Crigger explains what donations the program is looking for.

“The main thing that they want is toys from seven dollars to fifteen dollars, unwrapped, brand new toys,” said Crigger.

Last year, 2,803 toys were distributed to 1,851 kids locally. Toys can be donated around Buchanan County at toy drop sites until Dec. 8.

One toy drop-off site can be found at News-Press NOW, located at 805 Edmond St. Those who wish to donate can visit News-Press NOW between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To donate or to set up a drop site, visit the Buchanan County Toys for Tots website.

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Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A state observatory has goals to help evolve St. Joseph into being more bird-friendly.

At 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, the East Hill Library, located at 502 N. Woodbine Road, will host the Missouri River Bird Observatory.

Bird-friendly Communities Coordinator, Kaylee Woelfel, will share a presentation with simple actions on how to be bird-friendly in the community, with an emphasis on birds in the wintertime.

The presentation will allow attendees to create their own window clings for their windows, to make them more bird-friendly.

The free program welcomes all to the event, with required registration to save your seat.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — An annual Second Harvest Thanksgiving tradition is coming to the community for its 15th year.

Families in need of food assistance during the Thanksgiving holiday will be able to register to receive a turkey and sides for the holiday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, until supplies last.

Interested families will need to visit Second Harvest Community Food Bank, located at 915 Douglas St. The event will serve as a way to reserve one of 700 turkeys, which will be available for pick up at a later date.

Participants may only register for one household and must bring an ID or an orange Second Harvest card/key tag for the household they are registering.

“We’re able to give out a turkey as well as some Thanksgiving sides to just kind of support these families during the holiday season when times are a little bit harder than the rest of the year,” said Mackenzie Bally, the marketing manager for Second Harvest.

Bally said the food bank will also have around 500 total turkeys at its county locations. Households located in the 18 counties the food bank serves will be eligible to receive assistance.

Bally also said Second Harvest will announce when families can pick up their turkeys and sides as the Thanksgiving holiday inches closer.

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Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Artrageous show, presented by 816LIVE! takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Missouri Theater.

Artrageous combines art, music, dance, and theater into a one-of-a-kind interactive show.

The show will feature improv, acrobatics and will offer audience participation

“When planning this event, we wanted to spark creativity not just in kids, but in their parents and grandparents too,” says Executive Director Paul Storiale.

Tickets are available at TicketsToTheShow.com while supplies last.

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