Author: News-Press NOW

Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Labor Day weekend is approaching, and many families will be visiting their local rivers and lakes for some recreational activities.

Although the weekend before Labor Day is a time for families to have fun, it is also important to stay safe on the water this weekend.

Having the proper equipment on your water vessel is imperative for keeping yourself and others safe.

The number one thing to always have on the water is life jackets.

Sgt. Shane Hux, the public information education officer with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, said life jackets are vital.

“Make sure you have enough lifejackets for everybody on board of your vessel. And make sure those kiddos wear them at all times, even when they’re on the vessel,” said Sgt. Hux.

Boat driving etiquette is also very important, not just for you, but also for others. 

According to Hux, there were four boating crashes statewide during the 2024 Labor Day weekend, resulting in two fatalities. 

If you need help on the water or notice anything illegal, *55 on your cell phone will get you in contact with your nearest troop headquarters. 

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Starting Thursday, Missouri residents will no longer pay sales tax on essential hygiene items like period products, diapers and incontinence supplies, following the enactment of a new state law signed by Governor Mike Kehoe in July.

“I think this is going to be great for Missouri families. If you have a baby or toddler, diapers can be expensive. This is going to let them keep more in their pocketbook,” said Trish Vincent, the director of the Missouri Department of Revenue.

The change reclassified these products from “luxury” items to necessities. This change cuts the tax rate from 4.225% on luxury goods to the 1.225% tax rate on necessities. 

“I think that it’s good they did away with the taxes because it’s not a luxury item for women to have to go through their menstrual period every month,” said Allen Gregory Jennings, citizen of St. Joseph, “That’s no luxury, that’s painful, and babies need diapers because they need to be changed.”

Missouri now joins 22 other states in exempting these basic health products from sales tax.

Governor Kehoe said in a July press release, “…We are protecting the people who make Missouri work- families, job creators, and small business owners- by cutting taxes, rolling back overreach, and eliminating costly mandates.”

“It’s a good thing for individuals with kids and without,” said St. Joseph resident Chris Robertson. “I wish it was that way when I had my kids and they were that age.”

The Missouri Department of Revenue’s website provides a full list of what items are exempt under the new law.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The City of St. Joseph Health Department held an International Overdose Awareness Day event to recognize loved ones lost to overdose.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the highest overdose death rate in Missouri within the past four years was in 2022, with 2,180 overdose-related deaths. That number decreased to 1,948 deaths in 2023, according to the most recent report.

“We attribute that to naloxone being readily available through the health department,” Health Educator Stephanie Malita said. “Along with other agencies here in town, (like) the treatment and recovery centers, the libraries, the City of St. Joseph, and the Health Department. We all have naloxone available for people to take.”

The event started with an International Overdose Awareness Day Proclamation and closed with a prayer and a circle of light to honor loved ones who were lost to overdose.

The event also featured an Open Mic for attendees to remember their loved ones and to share hope and inspiration that recovery is possible.

Educational booths, memorial rock painting, free International Overdose Awareness merchandise, Naloxone and tuition assistance in pursuing a career as a Certified Peer Specialist were also part of the celebration.

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Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) —  The St. Joseph School District has just wrapped up sidewalk improvement projects, which kicked off back in the fall of 2024. 

Elementary schools like Pickett and Parkway, as well as Spring Garden Middle School, were on the list for the much-needed upgrades

SJSD officials said the work is expected to be complete in about three weeks.

In the meantime, the sidewalks are still open and safe for the public to use.  

“The sidewalk projects are 95 percent completed. There’s some small dirt work, grass things like that are left to be finished,” said Casey Housman, SJSD’s director of operations.  

Housman explained that the upgrades were necessary not only to make school areas more accessible, but also to build on improvements made last year. 

The project was funded through the 2022 no-tax-increase bond, which is also covering other upgrades across the district. For example, the Oak Grove site circulation plan is underway, creating an access road that loops around the entire building.  

“We have three turf football fields that are close to completion. Central just started with the installation of the shock pad, so hopefully we will have some turf down there in the next coming week,” Housman said.  

Fine arts facilities are also getting attention. Updates are planned for auditorium lighting, stage painting and sound systems at 24 schools. Middle schools will even see brand-new stages installed.  

“People are very happy, they think it’s a nice, safe spot to go because it’s new and not uneven,” Housman said.  

Housman also said more improvements are expected throughout the rest of the school year.  

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) –Looking for something to do this weekend? There’s no shortage of excitement, community and tail-wagging fun coming your way. 

This Saturday, Dog Day Out is back, and it’s the perfect chance to spend quality time with some furry friends from the shelter. Show up at 9 a.m. to pick up a pup, and take them on an adventure they’ll never forget.

Whether you play fetch, take a car ride, go for a walk, or just relax and snuggle, it’s all about giving these dogs a break from the shelter and helping them find their forever homes.

The sign-up link goes live on Friday, Aug. 29, on the Friends of the Animal Shelter of St. Joseph’s Facebook. 

AugustFest is back for its second year. The fun begins Aug. 29 from 4 to 9 p.m., Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Aug. 31 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s all happening at the Good Times Event Center located at 3414 South 22nd St.

Inside and outside enjoy live music, local vendors, food, games, performers, bounce houses and attractions for the whole family. 70% of proceeds go directly to support the Youth Alliance. Vendors, performers and volunteers are still welcome, just call or text 816-262-1574 to join the fun.

Don’t miss Free Museum Day at the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion on Saturday, Aug. 30.

Step into St. Joe’s past with free admission to this Gothic Revival mansion.

Explore 19th-century artifacts and immerse yourself in the rich history that helped shape our city. This is part of this year’s citywide Museum Association Celebration. 

That’s Dog Day Out, AugustFest, and Free Museum Day, all happening right here in St. Joe. So grab your friends, leash up a pup and let’s go See St. Joseph.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 1200 block of North 13th Street early Thursday morning.

The initial call for the fire came in at about 1:53 a.m. Thursday, according to Fire Inspector Casey Crockett with Fire Prevention.

Crockett confirmed to News-Press NOW that the fire was contained to a vacant building at 1218 N. 13th St., and crews stopped the flames from spreading to a second building located just feet away.

In a social media update around 9:30 a.m. Thursday, the SJFD said firefighters made an aggressive attack to bring the blaze under control.

No injuries were reported during the incident.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

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TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Missouri Western State University and the St. Joseph School District have partnered to offer students direct admission to MoWest.

This is the first partnership between a university and a school district in the state of Missouri.

Elizabeth Kennedy, MoWest’s president, said this program was created to make applying for college easier.

“The reason for the partnership is to make high school students who are seeking a college career want to go to college, make the path easier, make it more of a seamless transition,” she said.

Direct admission guarantees admission to graduates of Central, Benton and Lafayette High Schools who meet minimum academic criteria.

Students can join the program by completing a shortened application and then they will receive their direct admission letter.

Once the student receives their direct admission letter, a MoWest recruiter will reach out to the student to help.

Kennedy said this program allows a personal approach to the students, especially since a lot of their students are first-generation.

“So this provides our folks an opportunity to reach out and help students who are interested, who want to come to the MoWest,” said Kennedy. “We can get them through the process much more seamlessly, a lot easier, and make them feel more comfortable as they continue to go through becoming a Griffon here at Missouri Western.”

Kennedy also said, since the program’s announcement, the university has seen around a dozen SJSD students commit to the initiative.

Samantha Davis, SJSD college and career readiness and family services coordinator, said they want to show their students that going to college is attainable.

“And what we really want to do is show them that absolutely if that is a dream of yours, that you can do that with MoWest being right in St. Joe, I just think it’s a great time to really have that partnership to show students everything that they are capable of achieving,” Davis said.

Any SJSD junior or senior interested in participating in the program can opt to do so by filling out a MoWest Direct Admission form at griff.vn/DirectSJSD. 

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News-Press NOW

BUCHANAN COUNTY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Buchanan County Clerk, Mary Baack-Garvey, confirmed with News-Press NOW on Wednesday that there will not be a 2025 November Election for the county.

The 2025 off-year election includes gubernatorial and state legislative elections; however, there were no issues submitted to be on ballots for the supposed Nov. 4, 2025, Election Day.

The final certification date for the election was on Tuesday, Aug. 26

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News-Press NOW

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — In a Facebook post on Wednesday afternoon, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two occupants are confirmed dead in a plane crash in Excelsior Springs.

Clay County officials received a call about heavy smoke coming from a field near NE 140th St. and Rhodus Road just before noon on Wednesday, Aug. 27. Callers stated they believed it may have been from a plane crash.

When deputies arrived, they located a Cessna C340 fully engulfed in flames in a soybean field. There were at least two occupants inside, who have been confirmed as dead.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is working to identify the occupants of the plane and will notify next of kin.

The plane appeared to have been trying to land at the Midwest National Air Center. Preliminary information indicates the plane may have come from an airport outside of the St. Louis metro area.

Air traffic at the airport remains closed until 5 p.m., while the investigation is ongoing.

Clay County officials notified the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which will take over the investigation into what caused the crash.

This is a developing story.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A popular local bank has announced plans to permanently close a longtime branch in Downtown St. Joseph starting in December.

Commerce Bank has informed customers that it plans to close the Downtown St. Joseph branch at 328 Felix St., effective Dec. 12, including ATM services.

A sign has now been posted on the front door of the building announcing the move. A Commerce Bank customer told News-Press NOW he recently received a letter in the mail confirming the bank’s decision.

A sign posted on the front door of Commerce Bank’s Downtown branch notifies customers that the branch will permanently close effective Dec. 12, 2025.

Longtime Downtown resident Sean Easely said he was “disappointed” to hear of the bank’s planned closure.

The building has been operated by Commerce Bank since 1985, when it acquired First National Bank of St. Joseph from the FDIC. The building has stood in Downtown St. Joseph for more than a century.

Commerce Bank operates two other branches in St. Joseph at 3606 Frederick Ave. and 3303 Ashland Ave.

This photo shows a 1907 advertisement for the First National Bank of Buchanan County.

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