Category: knpn-local-news

Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — As preparations for the new Rolling Hills Library on Riverside Road continue, a third sale will be held for items no longer needed from Friday, Jan. 30 to Saturday, Jan. 31.

The sale will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, inside the previous PepperJax Grill location at 1908 N. Belt Highway, upstairs from the Belt Branch.

Items for sale include books, chairs, dishes, vases, cake pans, TVs, office supplies and furniture, electronics, holiday decorations, wood pieces of all sizes, an overhead projector and much more.

The new Riverside Branch is at the south end of Mosaic Court, the new development across Faraon Street from Mosaic Health Care. It will replace the Belt Branch and also contain the library’s Administration Office, Bookmobile garage and Books Revisited and the Friends of the Library used bookstore.

The new Riverside branch is scheduled to open later this spring, likely in April.

For questions or additional information, go to rhcl.org or call Alan Stolfus at 816-205-7099.

Residents interested in viewing the progress of construction can do so by visiting this link: rhcl.org/building-project.

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Danielle Bailey

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Sertoma Club awarded $500 to three local organizations in a continuation of the celebration of its 112th anniversary.

Presented by Board Chair Pat Dillon, AFL-CIO Community Services, Special Olympics and the YMCA received funds this week at the club’s quarterly meeting.

Club President Bill McMurray also presented the Sertoman of the Year plaques to two outstanding Sertomans, Ed and Pat Burton, for their decades of dedicated “SERvice TO MAnkind”.

International Director Bill Williams of Springfield, Missouri, was in attendance and praised the local club for its 100-plus years of community service.

The St. Joseph Sertoma club was founded in 1914, two years after the organization launched in Kansas City. It is one of the oldest in the country. Club members have made their mark on St. Joseph by creating and participating in events that benefit the community and the nation.

The organization places American Flags on 10 different occasions throughout the community and volunteers with Meals on Wheels.

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Leah Rainwater

CAMERON, Mo. (KQTV) — Players on Missouri Western State University’s men’s basketball team made a trip across U.S. Highway 36 to show their appreciation to students at Cameron Intermediate School.

The trip comes after over 300 Cameron Intermediate students packed buses to watch MoWest’s basketball teams on Education Day in December.

“We love the opportunity to come out and meet people and get to know our fan base,” said Brooks McKowen, head coach for MoWest’s men’s basketball team. “Obviously, we can’t do it every single day…We’re obviously, you know, still prepping for games and playing and stuff, but any chance we get to get out in the community, we’re going to do it.”

Players handed out autographed posters, ate lunch with students and played with them at recess.

“They drove this far just to see us play and they still idolize us, remember us,” senior Guard Devin Butler said. “That means a lot to me because it’s like, okay, that shows the type of impact that we have on the kids and obviously everybody else in the community.”

“Here, I feel like we’re able to actually, like, sit down, talk to them and actually, like, have a conversation and see what they like,” red shirt sophomore Guard Gavin Hershberger.

McKowen said it’s great to be able to watch the players interact with students outside of basketball.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — One of the main agenda items discussed at Monday’s St. Joseph Board of Education meeting centered around planned classroom renovations for one of its high schools.

Benton High School will be undergoing renovations as part of the professional service agreement with DLR Architects. The initial agreement was based on building a new high school in St. Joseph, but required an amendment with the Prop 2 school measure bond failing to pass last year.

“We’re already in contact with DLR (on the contract Amendment). The amendment to the contract was to specify what the charges and fees would be for the remodeling work as an architect,” Robert Hedgecorth, assistant superintendent of business and operations, said. “In the master contract that was passed in November of 2024, it outlined what those fees would be for brand new (facilities).”

The changes added to the plan were “standard procedure” with one of the only noticeable changes being the cost percentage increase was 6.15% but is now a little under 8%.

“Usually (you) have a little bit higher percentage for a remodel. In the master contract it was 6.15% for any new construction,” Hedgecorth said. “When you’re talking about a remodel, old architectural plans have to be scanned and you actually need to go out to verify those items are there. It adds a little more work. With this one was I believe it was 7.9% on the amendment to the master contract.”

The next board of education work session will be at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9, in the Troester Media Center, located on 3401 Renick St.

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Leah Rainwater

PLATTE COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) — A man is charged with multiple counts in relation to a road rage shooting in Parkville, Missouri Monday.

Thomas Christopher Williams, 32, is accused of one count of assault in the first degree, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, three counts of armed criminal action and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.

Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said charges were filed Tuesday, following an intensive investigation by the Parkville Police Department, the Platte County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas City Police Department.

According to court documents, just before 9:30 a.m. Monday, a person called 911 and reported that an individual driving a black SUV had shot at a snowplow he was driving.

The incident occurred in Parkville, near the roundabout at Thousand Oaks Drive and Northwest Nevada Avenue.

Platte County Sheriff’s deputies unsuccessfully attempted to stop the vehicle. Law enforcement officers located eight 9mm bullet casings in the roadway near the southeast corner of the roundabout.

Law enforcement officers determined that both the snowplow and a home were struck by gunfire in the exchange.

A bullet hole was located in the exterior of the home, and an expended bullet was found inside a filing cabinet near a desk in the office of the home. Both a mother and a small child were in the home at the time of the shooting.

KCPD located the black SUV near 33rd and Sprice Streets and arrested Williams. Officers also obtained a search warrant and found a 9mm handgun in the SUV.

Williams is currently being held in the Platte County jail with no bond.

The case is being investigated by the Parkville Police Department, the Platte County Sheriff’s Office and KCPD.

In a news release, the Platte County Prosecuting’s Office said the charges against Williams are merely accusations. Williams is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — 816Live! will present a full-scale recreation of Michael Jackson’s iconic Dangerous Tour, set to take the stage at the historic Missouri Theatre.

MJ- The Illusion will capture the precision, style and showmanship that defined Michael Jackson from the signature dance moves and costumes to the electrifying stage production.

The show, taking place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, is led by Michael Knight and backed by a powerful live band and dancers.

“Once again, our organization is focused on bringing hundreds of people to our historic Downtown to celebrate the best music with the best community. This is shaping up to be the concert of the year,” Executive Director of the Performing Arts Association, Paul Storiale said.

The Dangerous Tour was never performed on United States soil, according to a news release. The one-night-only performance will offer an experience that resonates with lifelong fans and introduces a new generation to the magic of the King of Pop.

Interested patrons can purchase tickets by visiting paastjo.org and can learn more information by calling 816-279-1225.

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Leah Rainwater

PLATTE COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) — A 28-year-old woman suffered serious injuries in a Platte County crash Tuesday morning.

The crash occurred just after 1 a.m. on Northbound Interstate 29 at the 11.8 mile marker.

The 53-year-old male driver of a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic, with the 28-year-old female passenger, began skidding and traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a concrete barrier.

After hitting the barrier, the 29-year-old driver of a 2012 Jeep Liberty struck the driver’s side of the Chevrolet.

The Jeep came to rest approximately 258 feet after the point of impact, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report.

The woman, who was not wearing a seat belt, was transported by the Kansas City Fire Department to North Kansas City Hospital.

Both drivers of the Jeep and Chevrolet were wearing seatbelts.

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TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — A former St. Joseph School District Board of Education member is running for mayor.

Kenneth Reeder was born and raised in St. Joseph. Before running for mayor, he served on the St. Joseph School District Board of Education from 2021 to 2024.

Reeder said he is running for mayor to ensure residents have a voice.

“Not to be locked out of City Hall any longer for them to start standing up and making tough decisions, not the go along, get along mentality,” he said. “I have as much experience in City Hall as anyone that’s on that council, and especially in the mayor’s position. I kinda understand how it works. I’m for the regular guy. I’m for using common sense.”

If elected, Reeder shared his goal to be transparent with St. Joseph residents.

“I’m going tell you when I made a mistake. I’m going to honestly say, like I said last night, it’s not so much people know or think they know,” he said. “It’s what they think they know that’s the truth. No matter what, I will not be hesitant whatsoever if I made a mistake or wrong decision to tell the truth and come clean with it. Not (to) try to sweep it under the rug and make constant excuses.”

Reeder hammered on advocating to do the right thing.

“Even if I have to stand alone,” he said. “Against the unanimous head bobbing, go along, get along mentality that we have. We need to stand up for things that are wrong.”

Reeder said that if he is elected, he wants to be involved and be truthful.

“Stand up for being transparent. Do a lot of these things even if I have to stand alone,’ he said. “Against the unanimous head bobbing, go along, get along mentality that we have. We need to stand up for things that are wrong.”

Reeder said his three priorities if elected would be ending the city council’s COVID protocols, restoring Interstate I-229, and increasing diversity on the council.

“First thing will be, take the council out of the back room. Let’s get off COVID protocol on our meetings, it’s only 20 nights of their entire life,” he said. “As mayor, I have hundreds of people who agree with me on the I-229 thing, tearing it down and restoring it to what we have. You know what’s the biggest thing wrong with this city council they look just like me. No diversity, no females, no minority whatsoever, it hasn’t been for eight years. I mean, come on, what’s wrong with this picture.”

Reeder said he aims to make St. Joseph the largest hotspot-friendly town.

“Could be done very easily with a lot of reasons, and it wouldn’t cost us, taxpayers, any money. We could be the largest hotspot, wifi-friendly town in America, and what a great billboard to have out on I-229 saying hey welcome to St. Joseph, free wifi if you’re within our city limits. That hotspot is something I would like to expand upon.

Reeder said the city faces several pressing issues, including sewer rates.

“The sewer rates is the one people are sticking their head in the sand about because it’s keeping business from coming here,” he said. “It’s keeping a lot people from developing in town because our sewer rates are unreasonable.”

Reeder said he has been a longtime supporter of the police department.

“ But I think the police officers for their own career from the start to the end deserve more money because they’re always policemen and their life is more in jeopardy every time they have a uniform on because they have to wear a gun,” he said. “Firemen and police are different. Police are what’s needed and are more in jeopardy with their lives, all the time. I think they should be paid significantly different throughout their career. I think firemen should be paid more now too.”

Reeder said his overall commitment is to protect the taxpayers.

“Every decision I make will be focused on protecting your interests and ensuring your voice is heard in city government,” he said. I treat every dollar like it’s my own and make sure your money works for you and not against you.

The primary election will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 3. Reeder is running against St. Joseph mayoral incumbent, John Josendale, and candidates Jonathan McClain and Larry Miller.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A local organization is set to host a second vigil and rally this weekend in protest of another fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis.

Persisterhood – St. Joseph announced it will sponsor an “Ice Out NOW” peaceful vigil/rally this Saturday, Jan. 31, from 2 to 3 p.m. on the public sidewalks on the southeast corner of the Belt Highway and Frederick Avenue intersection in St. Joseph.

“The assault on innocent human beings at the hands of ICE and DHS continues, most recently shocking the nation with the execution of American Citizen Alex Pretti last Saturday in Minneapolis. Pretti’s broad-daylight murder is part of the pattern of unchecked violence and abuse carried out by federal immigration enforcement agencies,” said Dakota Allen, rally organizer, in a news release.

“We encourage people to dress warmly and bring flags and signs (optional); we will also have signs available to ‘borrow’,” he added.

This will be the ninth peaceful protest Persisterhood-St. Joseph has sponsored since March 2025 and the second focused on the latest actions of ICE officers.

More than 400 people participated in a peaceful protest in St. Joseph on Jan. 11 following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good on Jan. 7 in Minneapolis.

Saturday’s rally will conclude with speakers and a moment of silence commemorating those killed at the hands of ICE agents or in DHS detention facilities within the last year.

Persisterhood is part of a broad coalition of groups sponsoring events happening across the nation this Saturday, prompted by the 50501 organizers.

More information as it becomes available about the St. Joseph “Ice Out NOW” vigil/rally will be at https://www.facebook.com/PersisterhoodSJ.

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Prajukta Ghosh

ST.JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)– The St. Joseph School Board of Education held another board meeting Monday, where members talked through several key items on the agenda. 

One topic up for discussion was a professional service agreement with DLR Architects. The agreement focuses on classroom renovations planned for Benton High School. 

“We are already in contract with DLR, so that contract was to see if the bond passed last spring to build a new high school in St. Joe. But we know the bond did fail,” said Robert Hedgecorth, assistant superintendent of business and operations.

Hedgecorth said the contract amendment was simply meant to clarify DLR’s charges for remodeling work instead. 

He said construction contracts usually include a standard percentage fee. In the master contract, the fee was 6.15% for new construction, but remodeling work typically requires more effort. 

“When you are remodelding you have to grab old architecture plans. You have to scan those in, and then you actually have to go and field verify them and make sure those items are there and it’s a little bit more work,” Hedgecorth said.  

The agenda item was approved after board members engaged in discussion, asked a number of questions, and took time to consider the details before moving forward.  

Superintendent Ashly McGinnis shared an update on the district’s reorganization plan as well, explaining the goal of making facilities more equitable across the district and improving overall efficiency in school buildings. 

The board’s next meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9, and will take place at the Troester Media Center, located at 3401 Renick St.

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