Category: knpn-local-news

TaMya Bracy

ANDREW COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) — The City of Savannah hosted a public hearing regarding a proposed  Zoning District change to the property at 908 Franciscan Way.

The property is currently zoned to the R-3 Multi-Family Residential District. The current owners and potential buyers are proposing to change the zoning to C-3 General Commercial District to open a substance use disorder treatment facility.

Many residents from the community attended the meeting to ask questions and voice concerns. Several residents said the facility is unnecessary and could pose safety risks.

After the hearing, the city came to a vote and decided to deny the Zoning District change.

Brandi Sharp, a Savannah resident, said the best thing about the town is that when residents care deeply about an issue, the entire community unites together.

“We’ve seen it with our pool, we’re trying to raise funds for, and the community really came and showed that we’re not naive to the fact that these sorta places are needed,” she said. “Our community is not the correct place for this sort of building and to be able to hold something with that stature.”

Sharp said it was tremendous for the board to listen to the community.

“That is huge. I know a lot of us were really worried, and not everyone is fortunate to live in towns where the community and board hear and listen to their support,” she said. “We were heard and supported tonight, and that just means so much to the community.”

Overall, Sharp said it was huge to see so many different people from the community come out and show their support.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A former St. Joseph city councilman vying for a seat once again will speak on Tuesday at the monthly Buchanan County Women’s Democratic Club meeting.

Gary Wilkinson, an at-large candidate for St. Joseph City Council, will speak at the monthly Buchanan County Women’s Democratic meeting this Tuesday, January 27, at San Jose Steakhouse.

Wilkinson previously served as an at-large councilmember for three terms between 1986 and 1998, including holding the title of deputy mayor for one term.

While St. Joseph’s mayoral primary election will take place Feb. 3, voters will head to the polls on April 7 to decide City Council seats.

The meeting is open to the public and the media. Currently, the club has 112 members, including several men. Those who plan to eat, should arrive at 11 a.m. to order from the menu. The meeting itself begins at noon.

A link to the BCWDC agenda can be found here, including a link to an online Zoom meeting for those who cannot attend. The link also includes a list of declared local and state candidates and election dates on the second page.

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Cameron Montemayor

BUCHANAN COUNTY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Drivers going through SE Ajax and SE Mason roads in Buchanan County will want to plan an alternate route of traffic for the foreseeable future due to an upcoming bridge replacement project.

The Buchanan County Commission announced Monday that a bridge replacement project will take place beginning Feb. 2 on SE Mason and SE Ajax roads.

Construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of April 2026, weather permitting. During this time, there will be no access across the bridge at this location.

Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes and allow additional travel time. The county will provide updates should the project schedule change.

“The Buchanan County Commission appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as this important infrastructure improvement is completed,” a news release from the county reads.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Tax season officially kicked off Monday and one local organization will continue the tradition of helping senior citizens file taxes and refunds free of charge.

Interfaith Community Services Inc. (InterServ) will begin taking appointments on Monday, Feb. 2, for their Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program (TCE), which helps eligible seniors with their federal and state income tax forms.

Appointments for services provided by TCE will be conducted by trained volunteers on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday-Saturday rotation.

Last year, InterServ helped roughly 1,500 people with tax filing, resulting in more than $600,000 in rebates and refunds for eligible residents.

To make an appointment for TCE services, call 816-558-3240 during InterServ’s regular business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

The program will be held at the American Red Cross building at 401 N. 12th St.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri announced the opening of its online scholarship application, Scholar-Link.

Scholar-Link officially opened to any graduating senior or college student wanting to apply for scholarships at a 2-year or 4-year college or university, as well as a vocational technical school.

The Community Foundation currently administers 92 scholarship funds for students in the 18 counties of Northwest Missouri and beyond.

Students wanting to apply for scholarships should visit cfnwmo.org and click the Scholar-Link logo.

The deadline for submission is March 2, 2026. Students can also see their high school Counselor for more information or contact the Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri at 816-232-2022 or info@cfnwmo.org.

The Community Foundation currently administers over 200 funds with over $38 million in assets.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — St. Joseph fire crews responded to a call for a structure fire at the 2200 block of Garfield Avenue Monday.

The call came in at approximately 1:41 p.m.

The St. Joseph Police Department sent out a Nixle Alert shortly after, urging residents to avoid the area of South 22nd Street and Garfield Avenue.

SJFD officials said two adults were in the house at the time of the fire and are being treated for injuries.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

KQ2 will update this article as more information is provided.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Local female leaders will take the spotlight at the 3rd annual St. Joseph Women’s Forum hosted by the Junior League of St. Joseph.

The forum will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, at the Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art.

Throughout the morning, attendees will hear from keynote speaker and internet personality Elisabeth Wykert, along with a curated panel of local women community leaders, and will be encouraged to set goals on how they will impact our community through the improvement of women’s lives.

Other panelists include Mosaic Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Deborah White, St. Joseph School District Superintendent of Academic and Education Services Stacia Studer, Author Brandi Dredge, LaVell Rucker and business owner Tori Blevins.

The goals of the annual event are to cultivate the time and space for women to come together, connect a wide range of women in the community for networking opportunities and to provide resources across various interests and ages.

The third and final goal is to engage women to better understand themselves and their relationship to the community and its needs.

“The energy in the room when you gather together strong female leaders that genuinely care about each other and their community is unmatched,” Junior League member Erin Bradley said. “Women’s Forum is an event dedicated to education, encouragement and transformation. I would encourage any woman who is looking to better themselves, to network, or to learn more about our community to join us.”

Registration is $50 and is due by Monday, Feb. 16. Lunch will be provided.

Anyone who wishes to attend can visit www.juniorleaguesj.com/st-joseph-womens-forum/.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A new antique shop is coming to St. Joseph in the near future, with a vision to connect with businesses across the community.

Set to open later in March, Polished Porch Antique & Boutique Mall will feature a variety of different products such as furniture, handmade crafts, jams and jewelry.

As part of the business model, owners Erika Frieden and Ashton Burton will incorporate other local businesses with vendors set up in the building’s two upstairs areas and one downstair floor room.

“That’s what kind of separates us from any normal antique shop, because we have such a variety of items,” Frieden said. “We have a variety of vendors who all have different experiences. Some have been doing this for 20 years and others have never done this before at all. It’s been really neat to see them communicate, help each other and grow as businesses.”

Frieden and Burton, who are cousins, had been looking for a big enough space that would allow them to collaborate with multiple businesses, while also being in a familiar and prime location to residents in St. Joseph.

One the vendors banners set up at Polished Porch Antique & Boutique Mall on January 22, 2026.

“While searching for a space, we wanted to find somewhere to bring a bunch of small businesses, under one roof,” Burton said. “When you are Christmas shopping it can be hassle to go from one store and then have to drive all the way to another. I think it’s an attractive aspect for people to have lots of options in one place. It builds a good community.”

Located on 3603 Frederick Ave, the anticipated launch is March 21 with a soft launch planned for March 4.

As part of the store’s opening day occasion, the plan is to have food trucks and other pop up vendors to commemorate the event.

Vendors interested in partnering with Polished Porch Antique & Boutique Mall or those with questions can contact them on their Facebook Page or by calling 816-294-3794 and 816-262-1043.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph Catholic Academy will host Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr. and Lamar Hunt, Jr. at its annual Prayer Breakfast and Fundraiser Wednesday.

Doors open at 7 a.m., with the program starting at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at Our Lady of Guadalupe, located at 4503 Frederick Ave.

The event aims to bring together community members, supporters of Catholic education and local leaders for a morning of prayer, fellowship and conversation.

Attendees will enjoy breakfast while learning more about the impact SJCA has on Catholic education.

“This event is more than a fundraiser,” said Natalie Newville, president of the St. Joseph Catholic Academy. “It is a celebration of faith, community and the shared mission of ensuring Catholic education remains strong and accessible for future generations.”

Tickets for the event are $50 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are also available, including business sponsorships at $800 and Table Sponsorships at $500.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit sj-catholic.org.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph Fire Department responded to a fire at a trailer in the 6200 block of SW Promenade Lane on Monday morning.

Multiple fire units, EMS and the Red Cross arrived on scene to find smoke engulfing the area.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

KQ2 will provide updates as they become available.

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