Author: News-Press NOW

Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) —  A local workforce development and education group is gearing up for its My Success Event at the St. Joseph Civic Arena.

The event aims to help high school seniors explore post-secondary options, whether jumping into the workforce or continuing their education. 

Students will get the chance to talk one-on-one with local businesses to learn what career paths are available.  

Colleges and technical centers are also on-site, offering information about training programs and higher education options. 

The My Success Event is offered to Northwest Missouri area high schools and has been taking place since Tuesday, Oct. 14. The final session will take place at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

News-Press NOW will update this story.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Demolition crews are moving forward on the removal of two longstanding and out-of-service features of the St. Joseph Aquatic Park.

Drivers commuting along Messanie Street and South Noyes Boulevard will see crews disassembling both of the large dual slides starting today. Demolition of the lap pool is expected to occur early next week.

The move comes after City Councilmembers approved a $239,000 demolition contract Sept. 2 to remove the aquatic features at 402 S. Noyes Blvd., two features that have long been out of service. The city intends to recycle the slides and other usable materials.

Despite plans for the slides and lap pool, the existing shallow activity pool and lazy river will remain in place and be available for residents in future pool seasons.

A remaining section of the green slide at the Aquatic Park is shown on Wednesday in St. Joseph as work commences.

Councilmembers previously approved a contract last August for preliminary services related to demolition of the Aquatic Park lap pool, a project that hinged on whether the city agreed to a partnership with the YMCA for a $15 million indoor aquatic center up north, a state-of-the-art 35,000 square foot facility set to open in 2027.

That partnership — formally approved by councilmembers in May — will see the city contribute $7 million toward construction. Prior to the decision, the city had left open the possibility of using funds for the outdoor Aquatic Center if the YMCA agreement didn’t come to fruition.

In early 2023, City councilmembers opted to postpone improvements to the lap pool portion after officials balked at a price tag that was beginning to reach $8 million, well past initial estimates for repairing a summer facility open for just three months out of the year. 

Crews work to demolish the dual slides at the Aquatic Park on Wednesday in St. Joseph.

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Payton Counts

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) – With open burning season inching closer, fire officials have tips to keep the burning under control.

Open burning begins Nov. 1 for the St. Joseph area and is only allowed twice a year, once in the fall and again in April.

Burning is permitted between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and fires must be completely extinguished by 6 p.m.

Open burning is limited to residential yard waste only. Fires must be contained in an upright container with a volume equal to no more than 55 gallons. Only dry yard waste such as leaves, brush and logs grown on the property may be burned.

Burning trash, paper, lumber or building debris is prohibited, according to City of St. Joseph regulations. A full list of regulations is available on the city’s website.

Unattended fires can quickly get out of control and cause wildfires  — uncontrolled fires that burn vegetation, often in rural areas. 

Wildfires can burn vegetation located both above and below the soil and can start naturally from lightning or from human activity, such as a dropped cigarette. 

Ground fires or “muck “fires can ignite in soil that is rich with organic matter, like dead plant roots. Surface fires can burn dry vegetation just above the ground, often fueled by parched grass or fallen leaves.

“Large brush piles that have just been dozed over and have a lot of dirt on them, it sat over winter, its got some snow on it and you think, ‘Hey, I’ll go burn that brush pile.’ Those roots can burn, and then they’ll burn through underneath the ground and pop up over in another area and start a surface fire,” said Timothy Wolfe with the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Fuel moisture — the amount of water in vegetation — determines how easily fires ignite and spread. Low fuel moisture allows fires to start quickly and burn intensely.

Weather plays a major role in wildfire danger. The National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning when sustained winds reach at least 20 mph for two hours, relative humidity drops to 25% or less, and fuel moisture is 9% or lower. Drought conditions are always considered, too, when forecasting.

While wildfires aren’t frequent in Missouri, they can still happen. Brett Williams, a National Weather Service meteorologist, recalled a large fire in Wooldridge, Missouri, back in October 2022.

“It was after a hard freeze, and we were in a severe drought, so pretty much all the ingredients were present for a big fire,” said Williams. “There was a combine that was harvesting and it created a spark. Then the field went up in flames, and with those strong winds, it actually took the fire into the town

To help prevent wildfires, keep gutters, decks and porches clear of leaves and debris, and use fire-resistant materials around your home. Know where your outdoor water source is in case of an emergency.

If a wildfire occurs, listen to NOAA Weather Radio alerts, keep an emergency kit ready, close all vents and windows to keep out ash, and evacuate immediately if ordered.

For non-emergencies, responses to “open burning” or to report unsafe burning in the St. Joseph area, call 816-271-4623.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Nutrition services will be updated at Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph (CAPSTJOE), thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The $1.18 million in supplemental nutrition funding was made possible through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). The grant was applied for back in July and received prior to the government shutdown. 

According to a press release from CAPSTJOE, the funding will allow its nutrition services to be updated with modernized kitchen equipment, a new demonstration kitchen space and small community gardens at Head Start centers.

“We’ll be able to give families the opportunity to do cooking classes, canning classes. Anything that can help around nutrition be able to stretch their dollar.” CAPSTJOE Community Relations Director Kayla Marmaud. “We’re also hoping to create take-home community garden kits for Head Start children and their families. They would be able to take some home and then create those gardens at their house.”

For more information on funding, visit the CAPSTJOE Facebook page.

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Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Halyomorpha halys, also known as the stink bug, is an invasive insect that originated from Asia.

Since the start of fall, people may have noticed an increase in this bug outside and in their homes.

A Natural History Biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation explained why these bugs keep appearing in and out of homes.

“They’re born in the spring. They mature through multiple nymph stages over the summer, and in the fall, the adults look for places to overwinter,” said Lisa San Diego. “Which is why they end up in our houses. So they overwinter in the house, in which they don’t eat, and they don’t drink. They just kind of hibernate.”

To prepare for the winter season, stink bugs target homes to have their hibernation-like state called diapause.

San Diego said it’s better to take care of the bugs outside because of their smell.

“Get a small Tupperware container or a bag, put them in the bag, and either crush them outside. I know people like to use vacuums as well. You can also vacuum them up and then dispose of them,” said San Diego.

Stink bugs like eating plants, so San Diego urges people who farm to not use insecticides on all their crops because of the stink bug’s ability to be resistant to the repellent.

The insecticide may also kill the good insects, like bees, that help plants grow. Instead, San Diego suggests planting sunflowers or licorice plants to use to attract the stink bugs and then to use insecticide on those to help protect other plants.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — It’s been a little over a week since the City of St. Joseph launched its new means of residents providing informational feedback.

The signs with QR codes attached are stationed at multiple city-run facilities where the community normally interacts with employees. When scanned, the code will open up a link to a brief survey with questions.

The early indications have been positive from the data the city has gathered, with there being appreciation for having an accessible feedback service.

“Going into the City, especially to get licenses and permits, we’re down there quite a bit,” Seventh Street Cafe Owner Brennon Calvin said. “There’s always things that can be improved. For me personally, I love the idea of the giving praise to the people I worked with, they crush it. Now I can suggest the little things that I think could be tweaked because they don’t see it from our side a lot.”

St. Joseph City Manager Mike Schumacher explained some of the data trends the City will be looking at, including wait times for services and the interactions people have with City staff.

“Let’s say, for example, the lines for gas or utility billing are too long. We don’t want to hire more staff or make changes based upon one or two comments,” Schumacher said. “After a year, if we have a couple hundred of them, then I think it warrants a conversation.” 

As the survey becomes utilized on a more frequent basis, the City may consider making changes to the questions based on the responses.    

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Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Following a public hearing, the St. Joseph School District Board of Education met Monday at Benton High School to go over a few important items on their agenda. 

Board President LaTonya Williams said the district is working to cut costs wherever possible, especially after recently learning it is over budget by more than a million dollars.

She mentioned it came as a surprise to see that number first appear in a Facebook post, but emphasized, the district is doing everything it can to stay financially responsible. 

“I want for everybody, you know, to understand it’s nothing nefarious,” said Williams. “Things are already very, very difficult. We’re doing the best that we can, you know, to navigate through everything.”

Williams called for a financial audit in an August Board meeting. According to SJSD Superintendent Ashly McGinnis, an update on the audit will come in November.

Another key topic was a Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant provided to Hosea Elementary School, which aims to boost reading programs for kindergarten through fifth grade.  

This grant aims to strengthen literacy support statewide and ensure students have access to evidence-based learning practices. 

“I love reading and I love books, so I hope that extra resources will also instill a love of reading and education in our students,” Williams said.

Board members also discussed a new contract with Ro Health — a company that provides private nursing services.  

With growing medical needs among students and several unfilled nursing positions in the district, the board decided to bring in additional help to make sure students get proper care. 

“I would think it’s pretty dire, especially if children need extra care on top of your normal nurse assignments and hopefully it gets approved on the (Oct.) 27,” Williams said.  

Williams said SJSD is bringing in outside help for some students in the district who need a little extra care. She also said the support cannot currently be provided in-house at the moment, enhancing the need for a third party.

The BOE addressed a playground project, replacing the rubber tile surface with turf to make room for a new access road and improve safety at Oak Grove Elementary.

The change, however, comes with an extra cost of just over $9,400 and could push back the playground’s reopening until mid-winter. 

“I don’t think it’s a major concern. I actually asked about that last night in the meeting, but things do happen all the time, and as long as we are being financially responsible and keeping track, I am okay with them,” Williams said.  

The board also discussed a federal programming position that’s currently open. Williams said this isn’t a new role — it’s simply filling a vacancy that’s already part of the system. 

She said the goal is to bring in a qualified, experienced person who can help secure more federal funding for the district — ideally balancing out the cost of the position itself.  

“If you’re looking at it as if you’re using this extra expense. To be able to get a qualified, trained individual, to be able to bring in more money in my mind, it’s my hope that it will offset each other,” Williams said.  

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — October is universally recognized Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a health campaign aimed at bringing attention to this specific form of cancer.

Breast cancer is found in the cells of the breast and can spread or metastasize to other parts of the body.

For those who are diagnosed for the first time, it can be a shock and lifechanging experience. Deb Singleton, longtime St. Joseph resident who has had breast cancer, advises others to not lose hope when diagnosed.

“You’ve got to keep going. That’s where hope comes in,” Singleton said. “So whatever happens, it’s for my good. Don’t be afraid of it, face it head on. It’s natural to be fearful but you don’t have to live in that fear.”

In the United States, one in eight women are diagnosed in their lifetime, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. It’s been estimated that in 2025, roughly 316,950 women and 2,800 will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.

When it is detected in the preliminary stages, the five-year relative survival rate for breast cancer is 99%. This is one of the primary reasons why medical professionals, such as the ones at the Stuber Health Center, recommend getting routine screenings.

“Typically if a patient comes in with some breast concerns or if they’re doing their annual screenings, we do a clinical breast exam to feel for something abnormal,” Nurse Practitioner Danyelle Kerns said. “Sometimes breast cancer will present with skin abnormalities on the outside of the breast, lumps, masses in the breast or nipple discharge. Then we’ll send them for a mammogram for further testing.”

Additional questions and information on breast cancer can be found on the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s website.

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Ryan Eslinger

WATHENA, Ks. (News-Press NOW) — SportsZone’s Game of the Week features a Kansas rivalry matchup, that will come to a close at the end of the season.

In week seven of high school football, the 4-1 Riverside Cyclones will welcome their rivals in the 4-1 Troy Trojans for what could be the last time for the foreseeable future.

This will be the last time these two teams face off for quite some time, as the Trojans announced earlier this year a move down to 8-man football next season.

After losing their season opener to the Jackson Heights Cobras 21-0, the Cyclones have jumped out to a four-game win streak.

During that win streak, the Cyclones offense is averaging 40 points per game, while the Cyclones defense is only allowing four points per game.

Cyclones Head Coach Bryce Paden said the game against Jackson Heights prepared them for the season, helping lead them to the win streak.

“Our kids have done really well this season, and we knew the game against Jackson Heights was going to be a tough one,” Coach Paden said. “We lost that game 21 to nothing but I think that game propelled us moving forward.”

The Cyclones have a senior-led group and Coach Paden said the team leaders have led by example for the entire season.

“They are not a ton of vocal leaders, they show what they do every day to the young kids,” Coach Paden said. “We are able to shine light on those kids as they are doing great things and that’s the expectation moving forward — this is the way you need to play.”

The rivalry between Riverside and Troy has been around for a while, with it originally being between Wathena and Troy before they consolidated with Elwood. Coach Paden said despite not playing Troy before the last four years, it still means everything for all the communities involved.

“It’s always nice to have a game in county and show off what you got,” Coach Paden said. “It’s exciting for all the communities involved and we’re excited for it.”

Now just 10 miles down the road, Trojans Head Coach Derek Jasper said the team could have moved down to 8-man football sooner because of enrollment. While he said he was not happy with the decision, it also will bring a new level of excitement to coaching a different brand of football.

“I was disappointed in the decision but it was inevitable,” Coach Jasper said. “Yes it is going to be different, but it’s going to be exciting playing new teams with different play styles.”

With the Trojans moving down to 8-man football at the end of this season, the team has jumped out to a 4-1 start. Coach Jasper said the team is staying focused ahead of their rivalry matchup in what could be the biggest game of their season.

“It’s not hard to focus when we’re playing Riverside,” Coach Jasper said. “It was easy to get their focus this week and there’s bigger things ahead like districts and playoffs, but this week, this is the biggest game.”

The final rendition between the Riverside Cyclones and Troy Trojans in this rivalry game is sure to be one for the books. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. in Wathena, Kansas.

Tune in for SportsZone at 10 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 10, for the highlights from this game and other games from around the area.

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TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph is preparing for its 11th annual T.A.K.E. Defense class this weekend.

The workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Brookdale Student Ministry, located at 3015 Felix St.

The class is put on by the Ali Kemp Foundation. The instructor, who is part of the foundation, travels around the United States putting on defense classes for women.

T.A.K.E. Defense Training provides girls and women with reality-based, self-defense training.

Erin Bradley, Kiwanis Club member, said this event will serve as a fundraiser for organizations in St. Joseph. T-shirts and tote bags will be available to purchase at the class.

“Not only the Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph, but also the YWCA of St. Joe,” Bradley said. “They will be here at the event as well with a product drive collecting items, hygiene products and that type of thing for the local shelter.”

All donations from the event will go to the Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph and the YWCA St. Joseph.

Bradley said it is important for women and girls to learn self defense because it can be empowering.

“Not only for the techniques when self defense is needed, but how to avoid situations, prevent yourself from being in a situation where you need these techniques,” she said.

The event will also aim to raise awareness about domestic violence, according to the club.

“Women in this community do experience domestic violence and sometimes that’s not acknowledged, and so bringing that awareness to this community, I think is really important,” Bradley said.

There are still some spots available to register for the self defense class. You can register on the Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph’s website.

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