Author: News-Press NOW

News-Press NOW

ANDREW COUNTY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Two men are injured, one seriously, after a motorcycle crash south of Savannah, Missouri Wednesday.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the accident occurred around 12:39 p.m. on Business Highway 71, four miles south of Savannah.

A 35-year-old Gower, Missouri motorcyclist riding north began a left turn not noticed by the 22-year-old St. Joseph rider behind him, leading to a sideswipe collision.

The Gower man suffered serious injuries. The St. Joseph man sustained minor injuries.

Both were taken to Mosaic Life Care. Neither was wearing a helmet, according to the crash report.

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — After announcing his departure during a Board reorganization session, Rick Gehring has issued a statement to the St. Joseph community.

During Monday night’s meeting, Gehring made mention of “protecting his peace”.

“I’ve made the decision to step down from the St. Joseph School Board. It wasn’t something I had been planning, but it also wasn’t made lightly. The weight of the role, combined with a lot of reflection, brought me to this point,” said Gehring, in a Facebook post. “The clarity came suddenly, but not without thought and once it did, I knew it was the right decision for me and my family.”

Gehring also noted the timing of the decision, as he left the meeting before proceeding to elect the Board president and vice president.

“I realize the timing may have caught some people off guard, and I’m truly sorry for that. This wasn’t about any one issue or moment, it was a mix of things that slowly added up over time. Letting go lifted a burden I didn’t even fully realize I was carrying, but it also came with a deep sense of sadness knowing I may have let others down. That’s something I’ll carry with me for a while.”

Gehring proceeded to thank various Board members, community members and district officials.

He also said he is grateful for the opportunity to be able to serve on the SJSD Board of Education.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to serve. It stretched me, challenged me, and made me better. And before I go, I just want to say one last thing: School board members are volunteers. They sacrifice time with their families, their careers, their peace of mind, all to try and make things better for kids.” said Gehring. “You don’t have to agree with every decision, but I hope we can all treat them and each other with a little more kindness. It makes a difference.”

Gehring resigned with one year left in his term on the SJSD Board of Education.

The Board will look to appoint an applicant to fill Gehring’s role for the remainder of his term.

Ashley Luthans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A local choral group for students is celebrating 55 years.

The New Generation Singers are a choir in St. Joseph that has performed contemporary Christian music since 1970.

The executive director and musical director of the group is Byron Myers, whose parents were some the original organizers.

Myers has been chorally directing the New Generation Singers for the past 28 years and said he enjoys watching his students grow up.

“My favorite part has been having a chance to see the kids grow and turn into adults and become part of our community,” Myers said.

The choir is composed of freshmen in high school through college-aged students. Auditions are not required to join the group.

Ethan High is a junior at Central High School and a member of the New Generation Singers. He shared his experience with the group.

“It’s been amazing to say the least,” High said. “I’d say it’s the greatest thing I’ve done in my life so far… I would recommend it if you’re looking for something to fulfill your life. It’s not New G, but New G gives you that connection so that you can meet God.”

High shared that his older sister is also a member of the New Generation Singers, and his mother is an alum of the choir.

Myers predicts, thousands of students have been a part of the New Generation Singers, and he hopes the program will continue to grow.

The New Generation Singers will have a trivia night fundraiser on Friday, April 25 at Wyatt Park Christian Church to raise money for their upcoming summer tour.

More information about the New Generation Singers can be found at ngsingers.com.

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — One of St. Joseph’s longest-serving organizations was honored for more than a century of community service by the group’s international board of directors.

Members of the St. Joseph Sertoma Club were recognized with a $5,000 donation as part of a special ceremony at San Jose Steakhouse on Tuesday. Sertoma International Executive Director Jason Camis also issued a proclamation honoring the group’s achievement.

The St. Joseph Sertoma Club, one of the oldest in the country, was founded in 1914, just two years after the organization was first launched in Kansas City.

Since then, generations of Sertoma Club members have left their mark on St. Joseph by creating and participating in events that benefit the community and honor the nation. What started with a charity auction later grew into sponsoring the Sertoma Duck races and the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot.

The organization also places American Flags on 10 different occasions at businesses throughout the community, such as on the anniversary of 9/11, in addition to volunteer efforts with Meals on Wheels.

Fundraising efforts have benefitted several local organizations and events in the community, including the Noyes Home, AFL-CIO’s Adopt-A-Family program, United Way, YMCA, Special Olympics, Scouting America, The Arts Fund and Pumpkinfest.

Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Students in the community are able to explore possible career opportunities with the Missouri Air National Guard.

The 139th Airlift Wing hosted its biannual career fair at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base with 650 students in attendance. The event will allow students to talk to Airmen specializing in different careers such as aviation, communications, food service and civil engineering among others.

“We have several different jobs out here at the 139th Airlift Wing, it’s not just pilots,” senior master sergeant Michael Crane said. “We want to expose the young people to, the different career opportunities that they can have in the Missouri Air National Guard.”

The event also highlights key benefits that the Missouri National Guard offers, such as financial assistance with college tuition.

I think that the National Guard could be a way for me to pursue dental hygiene, and not have to worry about the costs,” Riverside high school student Riley Stewart said. “It takes away having to put a financial burden on my family and just gives me another option for a job.”

The career fair will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 15-17.

Those with questions are directed to email 139AW.Recruiting.Org @us.af.mil or call (816) 236-3620

Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Local business owners are voicing concerns and bracing for steep price increases following the U.S. tariff rate on Chinese imports. 

Though the administration recently announced a 90-day pause on most of the tax hikes, defaulting to a 10% tariff on almost all imports, except Chinese imports which is continuing to rise, small local businesses are bracing for the impact in the months and even years ahead.  

According to the Trump administration, the tariffs are part of fair-trade policies that will restore the workforce and rebuild the economy.  

However, for a small local business in downtown St. Joseph—the Lucky Tiger—these tariffs could change how the company is run and what products are used to keep it afloat. 

“I’m one of the few that’s lucky to have a resale business,†said Amy Heath, owner at The Lucky Tiger. “It won’t impact me for the time being but production issues are going to affect everybody down the road. Even things like brown bags that I put my merchandise in when I sell to customers, I may have to start thinking of other options.†

Tariffs, regardless of the origin of imported products, can reduce overall customer traffic as consumers shift their focus to essential needs rather than supporting local shopping. 

“People are going to be focusing on what is most important, which are groceries and the things that they have to buy,†Heath said. “So, they’re going to cut back on going out to eat, shopping at little boutiques.†

President Donald Trump’s latest tariff on Chinese products could also impact America’s most iconic holiday, the Fourth of July, as most fireworks are imported from China.

Producing the product in the United States is almost impossible, which is why some fireworks store owners are now on edge. 

“99% on the consumer side of fireworks are being imported from China and 75% from the display market,†said Stacy Blake, President of the National Fireworks Association. “The display market is one that you see at county fairs, baseball games, etc. The consumer fireworks are what you see behind me here, where the general public can come in and buy fireworks for the season.†

Blake said prices won’t go up immediately for the consumer but they’re mainly worried about July 4, 2026. 

“It’s going to be very detrimental, especially going into next year,†she said. “This year we do have a lot of fireworks already in the States but there are still containers over in China and at this point, most importers have put a hold on those containers at the moment. So, there may be some shortages right now.†

Next year marks the celebration of the Semiquincentennial—250 years—and retailers are concerned about how they’ll obtain fireworks for the occasion, especially if it means paying double the cost 

“We are currently fighting this and trying just to educate the public,†said Blake. “We’re meeting with legislators daily and if you love fireworks, we are asking you to go to our call of action because we need to be heard.†

To speak out against the significant impact of tariffs on Chinese-made fireworks, community members are encouraged to join advocacy efforts by visiting https://www.nationalfireworks.com/tariffs. 

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Buchanan County Prosecutor’s Office has completed it’s investigation conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol of an officer involved shooting on Thursday, March 27.

According to a press release sent Wednesday, after a careful examination of all materials and evidence submitted, no criminal charges will be filed against the St. Joseph Police Department officers involved.

The Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney cited the decision was based on the legal standards governing the use of force by law enforcement officers and the totality of the circumstances presented in in the case.

The Prosecuting Attorney said no comments will be made at this time, as the SJPD continues with its internal administrative view.