Category: knpn-local-news

Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — To help preserve Missouri’s natural resources, the Missouri Department of Conservation is providing support to landowners through funding resources.

The assistance provided by MDC aims to protect wildlife habitats and restore forests while also assisting landowners in maintaining their properties.

“We have private lands, conservationists and some of the things that they can recommend would be things like invasive species control, converting fescue and other grasses into native grasses and plants,” MDC Media Specialist Erin Woodiel said. “We do, forest and woodland improvements, recommend prescribed burn on properties every now and then. Burning a property is sometimes a very healthy way of keeping that flora rejuvenating.”

MDC recently worked with landowners, Jim and Linda Strauch to create a forest opening and wildlife watering facility to help the wildlife occupying areas of their property and areas near it.

Additional information on programs and resources assisting conservations efforts can be found on the MDC Community Conservation Funding Opportunities homepage.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph School District’s Prop 2 bond measure was not passed by voters in the April 8 General Municipal Election, now SJSD wants to understand the ‘why’.

SJSD is asking community members to participate in a brief survey consisting of 10 questions, which will take about two minutes to complete.

In a press release sent on Tuesday, April 29, the district said, “Your feedback is important to us and will assist us in making decisions to meet the needs of our students, families and staff moving forward.”

Those interested can visit sjsd.info/communitysurvey.

The survey will close on Wednesday, May 7.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph School District Board of Education announced it will begin accepting applications on Tuesday, April 29 to fill a recently vacant BOE seat.

The Board requires all individuals who wish to be appointed, to meet the following eligibility requirements.

Be a U.S. citizen

Be a voter of the SJSD

Reside in Missouri for a minimum of one year

Be at least 24 years of age

Not be delinquent in the payment of any state income taxes, personal property taxes, municipal taxes or real property taxes on your place of residence

Not have been found guilty of nor pled guilty to a felony under the federal laws of the United States or to a felony under Missouri law or an offense committed in another state that would be considered a felony in Missouri.

Have filed, or the treasurer of any existing candidate committee has filed, all required campaign disclosure reports with the Missouri Ethics Commission for all previous elections in which you were a candidate.

Anyone interested must submit an application, letter of intent (reason for wanting to serve on the Board), accompanied by three reference letters.

Applications are available online or picked up at the district’s Central Office at 1415 N 26th Street. Those interested are asked to enter Door #5.

Applications and supplemental documents should be mailed or delivered to: Donna Baker, Board Secretary at 1415 N. 26th Street St. Joseph, MO 64506.

The last day to mail or turn in applications is at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13. No faxes or emails will be accepted.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A potential sewer rate increase in 2025 will be the topic of discussion at an upcoming public hearing scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 9 at City Hall.

City Manager Mike Schumacher made the announcement during Monday’s City Council meeting, adding that a separate announcement will also be posted in Friday’s Weekender newspaper.

“It’s important that we share our costs. We know everything’s going up across the board, whether it’s the grocery store or the plumbing supply store, everything has gone up,” Schumacher said. “So that’s part of the discussion .. making sure the city is as transparent as possible”

Schumacher said the results of the latest Cost of Service Sewer Rate Study will be discussed at length — something he said he’s anxious to see himself — in addition to a review of the next phase of the city’s sewer maintenance plan.

“We have a very old sewer system, so both the maintenance needs and any future growth is something we need to look at and make sure we have funds available,” he said. “I thought it was only fair to speak to it verbally to the public that, ‘Hey, you’re going to see this notice that this is what’s going on.”

Sewer rates were raised by approximately $3.17 a month in 2024 and roughly 4.25% in 2023. Prior to the 2023 increase, the city went six years without a sewer rate adjustment. A previous council voted to use about $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to keep sewer bills stable for several years.

Many customers underwent double-digit percentage rate hikes for nearly 10 years when the city first embarked on more than $152 million in EPA-mandated upgrades to its collection system, wastewater treatment and stormwater systems to prevent sewage overflows. That included increases of 19% in 2009 and 17% in 2014.

Councilmembers approved a grant Monday for $2.1 million from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — which will be paired with $7.5 million in CIP funding — for a critical blower replacement project at the Water Protection Facility, the latest of needed improvements.

“We’re in full compliance with that EPA consent decree. And we’re really in a pretty good spot,” Schumacher said. “Nobody likes rate adjustments or increases. I don’t, however, if you don’t keep up on the cost of your system, you end up in a corner and that will lead to significant increases in problems.”

An increase in sewer rates would add to a growing list of rising utility costs from regional providers. Gas and water rates are expected to increase this year by anywhere from $14 to $20 a month respectively , with electric bills already seeing a 7% increase last December.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Police Department was dispatched to the intersection of Calhoun and N. 23rd Streets in response to a residential shooting.

Officials told News-Press NOW that one person was sent to Mosaic with moderate injuries to the pelvic area.

Detective Jeff Pearl said the incident was contained to a residence at the intersection.

The incident happened around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, April 28.

SJPD said the investigation is still developing and is on-going.

News-Press NOW will update this article when more information becomes available.

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Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph School District Board of Education held it’s monthly meeting on Monday, April 28 at the Troester Media Center, located at 3401 Renick St.

Last month’s BOE meeting covered important topics across the district, including proposed salary schedules, curriculum, and attendance reports.

The board also discussed the district’s long-range plan and outlined its next steps.

Rick Gehring, a St. Joseph School District Board of Education member, announced his resignation at the board’s annual reorganization meeting on April 14. The SJSD is looking to fill this position.

Regarding the open seat on the St. Joseph school board, officials said a special meeting will be held to review applications, followed by another meeting to conduct interviews.

The SJSD School Board also discussed a ‘Plan B’ following the failure of Proposition 2 on the April election ballot, which would have funded the construction of two new high schools in the St. Joseph School District.

Superintendent Gabe Edgar said at Monday night’s board meeting that district officials still support a two-high school model, but they will need to determine how to move forward in achieving that goal.

“We’ve begun discussions, but we’ve only had one administrative meeting so far,” Edgar said. “It’s too early for me to say anything definitively, but we’ve brought the architect back into the conversation, and hopefully, he can put together a timeline for what that looks like.”

Edgar mentioned that the district should not focus solely on the two high schools, but also prioritize addressing issues at local middle and elementary schools.

“You can’t sit back and ignore the issues,” Edgar said. “We have a middle school model that’s broken, and our feeder patterns are also broken. So, I think it’s important to discuss the system as a whole, not just focus on the two high schools.”

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Mayor John Josendale will hold the Mayor’s National Day of Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, May 1.

The event is coordinated with the National Day of Prayer, with the Opening Prayer happening at 6:45 a.m.

The event will take place at Civic Arena, where local pastors, students and community leaders will be participating in the program.

USA Softball three-time Olympic gold medalist, Leah Amico, will be this year’s guest speaker and will provide inspiration and insight for achieving success.

The public is invited to attend the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast with free first come, first serve seating on the Civic Arena Upper Level, entering the main entrance.

Breakfast is not included with Upper Level seating. To purchase tickets, call (816) 271-4717.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Arts Association has announced it will take on a new name to provide renewed energy within its organization.

While the association’s official legal name will remain as the Performing Arts Association of St. Joseph, Inc., for marketing and branding purposes, it will be known as ‘816 Live’.

“Our legacy is not changing, it is growing,” said Paul Storiale, executive director of 816 Live. “With 816 Live, our goal was to create a brand that feels more distinguishable and fresh, while continuing to embody the spirit of live events. We remain committed to our mission of delivering world-class entertainment to Saint Joseph and the entire region.”

The change will be a gradual transition, and the association said patrons will still enjoy the concerts and events they have come to love.

The 2025-2026 season for ‘816 Live’ will be announced on Thursday, May 1. Country music legend, Randy Travis will kick off the brand new season on Saturday, Sept. 20.

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