Category: knpn-local-news

Leah Rainwater

PLATTE COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) — A 42-year-old woman is seriously injured after being involved in a crash Friday evening.

The crash occurred after 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, as a 50-year-old male driver of a 2004 Toyota Tacoma, with the 42-year-old female passenger, lost control and struck a guardrail on Interstate 635 at Missouri Route 9.

The female occupant, who was not wearing a seatbelt, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, was transported to North Kansas City Hospital.

Click here to follow the original article.

Danielle Bailey

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — City and MoDOT crews are working to clear streets and highways in and around St. Joseph.

Phase II of the emergency snow ordinance in St. Joseph was lifted Sunday morning, with emergency snow routes being cleared first. City crews working continuous shifts have moved on to secondary streets.

MoDOT is also working in the Buchanan County area. According to MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map, as of Sunday afternoon, highways in and around St. Joseph, including 59 and 36 Highways and Interstates 29 and 229 are covered or partially covered. High volume highways will be cleared first before state and lettered routes.

Drivers are urged to be cautious while out and to give plows plenty of room to work.

Frigid temperatures will also linger in the region through Monday. A cold weather advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. Monday for wind chills as low as minus 21 degrees. Drivers are encouraged to take proper precautions and to wear appropriate clothing, such as hats and gloves.

Click here to follow the original article.

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph School District announced it will cancel in-person classes for Monday due to inclement weather, pivoting to an AMI day.

The cancellation includes all elementary, middle and high schools, Hillyard Technical Center, Webster, Keatley’s Adult Education classes and the Early Learning Centers.

SJSD officials announced an Alternative Methods of Instruction day will be used, the second one this school year.

All students will have remote learning. There are now four AMI days remaining according to SJSD.

Any questions about schoolwork should be emailed directly to teachers.

During AMI days, all staff will be compensated as it will be a workday for all employee groups.

Some afterschool activities may still occur. Parents and students are encouraged to contact an activity sponsor or coach to find out.

Click here to follow the original article.

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce is set to kick off its 2026 Public Affairs Coffee series with a Mayoral Forum.

The event will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center, located at 1201 N. Woodbine Road.

The event will be moderated by Kevin Walkman of Eagle Media and will be recorded and broadcast on 680 KFEQ the following day at 9 a.m.

The Chamber will also host a forum for candidates running for two open seats on the St. Joseph School District Board of Education. The forum will take place from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4, at Stoney Creek.

The last forum will be for St. Joseph City Council candidates from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25, also at Stoney Creek.

All candidates for all of the races have been invited to participate in their respective forums.

“The Public Affairs Coffee series is a way for the Chamber to bring issues revolving around economic, governmental and legislative activities to Chamber members and the public,” said Natalie Hawn, president and CEO of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. “Political forums before local elections is a perfect way to get to know candidates and make informed decisions before heading to the ballot box.”

Registration and a $15 fee, for Chamber members, are required to attend to cover the cost of the full breakfast. The cost for the general public is $20.

Those interested in attending can register at saintjoseph.com or by calling 816-232-4461.

Click here to follow the original article.

Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Temperatures in St. Joseph, Missouri, are expected to reach single-digits, with wind chills in the negatives this weekend.

Residents will be looking to combat the cold elements by bundling up or getting the proper tools to traverse through the weather.

West Lake Ace Hardware, located at 1325 South Belt Highway, is experiencing heavy traffic due to the frigid weather.

Store Operations Manager Thomas Howell gave his best advice for braving the cold.

“Making sure that you’re prepared. Having batteries, gloves, hand warmers, we have a large selection of disposable, as well as rechargeable. Ice melt, making sure you keep your sidewalks and everything safe, and you can also keep some of that in your vehicle,” said Howell.

Howell also touched on the importance of pipe maintenance. Wrapping pipes with insulation to make sure there is no freezing or cracking is vital when the weather drops below freezing.

If driving, the National Weather Service made a key graphic to highlight the important items for the harsh winter weather, such as a full tank of gas, spare tires and jumper cables.

The NWS shared a graphic to help drivers stay prepared for the winter weather. Courtesy of the National Weather Service.

Click here to follow the original article.

TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Bitterly cold temperatures are expected this weekend and local health officials are urging residents to prepare themselves.

According to the American Heart Association, when exposed to the cold, the body can lose heat faster than it’s produced.

Kristi Billings, interim clinic supervisor at the St. Joseph Health Department, said the body prioritizes protecting major organs when exposed to cold.

“Moving blood supply from the hands and feet, all the organs that are not needed to survive,” she said.

Billings said shivering is the body’s first line of defense against freezing temperatures.

“It tries to keep the internal organs warm. The shivering causes your body to try to build on its heat supply,” Billings said. “When you stop shivering is when you should be concerned,” she said. “That means the body is no longer in response to the cold. That’s probably when you should seek medical attention.”

Billings said there are several signs of hypothermia and frostbite that can develop quickly.

“Numbness, cold, burning, losing color in hands, feet and face. Any confusion or delayed slurred speech,” Billings said. “Depending on your body, maybe five and 30 minutes. It’s all different for each person, so it doesn’t take super long for those to occur.”

Billings recommended dressing in layers when it’s freezing.

“You want to make sure the first layer you’re wearing keeps moisture off your body so you don’t become wet that causes more problems,” she said. “Then you want to add another layer on, and your outer layer should be your biggest.”

Staying indoors is the most effective way to be protected from the cold.

“Making sure they’re (people) not standing outside long if they have to be out there, make sure if they’re traveling, keep supplies to keep warm,” she said. “If they are going be outside, make frequent go inside to get warm. Don’t stay out too long.”

Billings said if possible, try to stay indoors during the freezing temperatures.

Click here to follow the original article.

Leah Rainwater

PLATTE COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) — The Platte County Commission unanimously approved an order authorizing a ballot measure for the April 2026 election.

If approved by voters, the measure would implement a Homestead Property Tax Credit Program authorized under Missouri statute 137.1055.

Subject to some extensions, the program would limit annual property tax increases on eligible homeowners’ primary residences to less than 5% per year.

The initiative expands on the County’s Senior Tax Credit program, enacted in 2024 and implemented in 2025, by providing broader property tax relief to help homeowners manage rising and unpredictable tax burdens.

“This unanimous decision marks another step in our efforts to deliver real, voter-driven property tax relief. By empowering Platte County residents to decide whether to implement this 5% cap, we’re taking concrete steps to protect families from unpredictable spikes in their tax burdens and promote greater financial stability for Platte County homeowners,” said Scott Fricker, Platte County’s presiding commissioner.

Voters will have the opportunity to decide on this tax relief measure during the April 2026 election.

Click here to follow the original article.

Leah Rainwater

BUCHANAN COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) — The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office said one person was arrested after a lengthy and extensive investigation, spanning several months.

The Special Operations Division- Drug Strike Force, along with the St. Joseph Police Street Crimes Unit and the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, executed a search warrant on Thursday in St. Joseph on the 2700 block of South 21st Street.

A male subject, later identified as Desmund Antonio Clark, in a probable cause statement, was arrested and transported to the Buchanan County Jail.

The search warrant yielded over four pounds of methamphetamine, several ounces of cocaine and a significant quantity of fentanyl, as well as several firearms associated witht he drug distribution.

Law enforcement also found around $7,000 in the residence, according to the probable cause statement.

Clark is facing charges of 2nd degree drug trafficking, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of the unlawful possession of a firearm.

Clark is set to make his initial appearance in front of Judge Chad Gaddie at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 26.

Click here to follow the original article.

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Over 900 Evergy customers are experiencing power outages in parts of Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas, according to Evergy’s Outage Map.

The outage is affecting customers just south of Highway 36, all the way up to Forbes, Missouri.

Evergy’s Outage Map details that over 1,000 customers are without power on Friday, Jan. 23.

Evergy said the power in the highlighted area is expected to be restored about 2 p.m., per its website.

KQ2 will update this article.

Click here to follow the original article.

Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph Police Department said the City’s Emergency Snow Ordinance (ESO) will be implemented when winter weather conditions warrant.

Phase I is declared during the first snowfall and remains in effect through the end of winter. Vehicles must have all-season or snow tires or chains.

Drivers who do not have the proper tires or chains may be ticketed.

Phase II is declared when two or more inches of snow have fallen, or if significant snowfall is expected.

In Phase II, all vehicles must be removed from the Emergency Snow Routes within two hours of the Phase II declaration. SJPD said any vehicle left on emergency routes are subject to ticketing and towing.

Emergency Snow Route map, courtesy of SJPD.

When Phase II is in effect, clearing vehicles will allow street crews to plow safely and efficiently.

Phase II notifications will be announced through KQ2, the communications center on local cable channels, the City’s website and social media.

Click here to follow the original article.