Category: knpn-local-news

Cameron Montemayor

NODAWAY COUNTY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A 22-year-old Nebraska man was transported to the hospital with serious injuries after his vehicle left the highway and crashed into a home in Burlington Junction early Saturday morning.

The crash occurred around 2:30 a.m. Saturday after a 2018 Chevy Silverado traveling west on U.S. Highway 136 in Burlington Junction failed to negotiate a curve and left the roadway into a yard near Smith Street, striking a tree before traveling west and then crashing into a home.

The vehicle came to rest partially inside of the home facing west, according to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. No one inside the home was reportedly injured.

MSHP could not confirm if weather conditions played a factor in the crash.

The driver of the vehicle, a 22-year-old man from Gretna, Nebraska, was transported by Nodaway County EMS to Clarinda Medical Center in Iowa with serious injuries.

The Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department and the Burlington Junction Fire & Rescue provided assistance on the scene.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Menards home improvement store announced it is serving as a drop site for a local food pantry throughout March.

Menards, located at 4320 Commonwealth Drive, will collect non-perishable food items in the large collection box near the exit doors until March 31.

Menards offers a wide variety of non-perishable food items as well, from boxes of cereal to cans of soup that can be found in the grocery department.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Police Department is asking drivers to avoid the road unless necessary due to snow causing hazardous conditions Friday night.

A Nixle alert from the St. Joseph Police Department warned drivers to use caution after snow fell Friday night, causing “very slick” driving conditions according to the alert.

A follow-up alert from SJPD warned drivers to avoid the area of northbound Interstate 29 by Gene Field Road due to one lane of traffic being blocked from an accident. The highway was re-opened a short time later.

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Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — With the new year comes the beginning of tax season, meaning potential changes to how taxpayers are used to filing.

In a news release to KQ2, the IRS mentioned the tax season changes that are taking full effect with the trump administration in office.

Due to the presidential executive order 14247, Modernizing payments to and from America’s bank accounts, the IRS is phasing out paper tax refund checks.

The One Big Beautiful Bill includes several new features, including new deductions and credits that may reduce tax bills or increase funds.

“There’s really no more drive-by tax planning because of all these changes, especially a lot of the ones in the One Big Beautiful Act. You really need to sit down and have a conversation with a CPA, an advisor, someone who can look through your tax return,” said Cristina Wiebelt-Smith, a wealth advisor with Gertsema Wealth Advisors. “You’d probably be surprised at how many mistakes we find in tax returns, or how many opportunities we find for people with these changes. You want to know what can help you.”

Beginning in 2025, to be eligible to claim certain credits for other dependents, if filing jointly, the taxpayer and their spouse must have valid Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers issued on or before the due date of their returns, which includes extensions.

The IRS also made note of the new retirement savings account, known as Trump accounts, launching on July 5.

The account is eligible for United States children under the age of 18 with a valid Social Security number.

The Trump account will have a pilot program contribution of $1,000 and is eligible for children born from Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2028.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Traffic has resumed on South 22nd and Garfield streets following a multi-hour closure to repair a leak Friday, but crews are now expected to resume work again next Tuesday.

The City of St. Joseph announced on social media the intersection of South 22nd and Garfield streets will close beginning Tuesday, Jan. 20, for continued work to repair a leak that sprung Friday. The roadway is expected to reopen on Wednesday, weather permitting.

Detours are in place for when work begins. Those traveling north on 22nd will take 229 south to A Highway, A Highway north to 169, then 169 north to Pear Street and then Pear Street west to 22nd Street. Those traveling south on 22nd will take Pear Street east to 169, 169 south to A Highway, then A Highway South to 229 and then 229 north to Highway 371.

The city announced early on Friday the intersection had closed to allow Missouri American Water to carry out repairs for a leak. The roadway reopened later in the afternoon before the city provided an update on the continuation of work Tuesday.

“Please exercise caution while in work zones to ensure your safety and that of crews working. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience,” a city post reads.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — More than 600 youth gymnasts from multiple states are getting the chance to shine in St. Joseph as part of a free USA Gymnastics-sanctioned event taking place at Civic Arena this weekend.

Civic Arena is hosting the 2026 Dream Classic, a USA Gymnastics competition beginning today and lasting until Sunday, Jan. 18, at St. Joseph Civic Arena.

The large-scale event gives young athletes the opportunity to perform under the bright lights while drawing families, coaches and spectators to downtown St. Joseph for a weekend of competition and community energy.

The competition is presented by Arising Stars Gymnastics and directed by Kim Fuchs of KF Sports Unlimited, bringing USA gymnasts in Levels 2–10, HUGS and Xcel Levels Bronze through Sapphire to compete. KC League athletes across all levels will be featured .

The competition is open to the public and expected to generate notable visitor activity among St. Joseph’s hotels, restaurants and attractions. For questions or additional information visit dreamclassic.org

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph Police Department is asking for the public’s help in searching for a missing/endangered person.

30-year-old Mikayla White, who possibly also goes by “Michael White,” was last seen on an. 6, 2026.

SJPD said White’s whereabouts are currently unknown.

Due to safety concerns, White is considered a missing and endangered person, according to a Friday Facebook post.

The department is encouraging anyone with information regarding White’s location to contact SJPD at 816-271-4777, Detective Hernandez at 816-596-8210 or submit an anonymous tip through the TIPS Hotline at 816-238-TIPS (8477).

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — An all-new program designed to support pregnant and postpartum women recovering from substance use disorders has been launched by Family Guidance Center.

From counseling and emotional support to transportation assistance, Family Guidance’s new “Strong Beginnings” program launched on Friday aims to help build stable and health futures with a wide range of services to support women navigating motherhood and substance abuse.

Strong Beginnings collaborators include Family Guidance Center for Behavioral Healthcare and Mosaic Life Care, with additional collaborations planned.

“Strong Beginnings is designed to reduce barriers to care and meet women where they are — offering hope, dignity, and practical support during a critical stage of life,” said Ashley Grippando, RN, Strong Beginnings Program Coordinator at Family Guidance Center, in a news release. “This program creates a space where women are encouraged, supported, and empowered to begin healing and change the trajectory of their lives and their children’s lives.”

Strong Beginnings offers:

Counseling and emotional support for pregnant or one-year postpartum women with substance use disorders

Education and recovery resources

Advocacy and case management

Connection to community services, including substance use disorders treatment

Transportation assistance

According to Family Guidance, the number of pregnant or postpartum women experiencing substance use disorders continues to rise across St. Joseph and Northwest Missouri, while specialized, coordinated support services remain limited.

“Without intervention, these challenges can lead to serious health, child-welfare, and economic consequences for families and communities,” a news release from Family Guidance reads.

The hope is offering early and supportive intervention will improve healthy outcomes while also reducing financial strain on mothers and state resources. Health impacts can also have a significant impact on costs for foster care.

“Missouri child-welfare data underscores the importance of early support. Foster care costs range from $6,108 to $8,544 per child each year, and when legal, medical, and casework services are included, costs can reach approximately $25,000 per child annually.

In the state of Missouri, neonatal intensive care unit stays related to prenatal substance exposure can range as high as $60,000 to $100,000 per infant. Emergency room visits and overdose hospitalizations can also cost thousands of dollars.

“Programs like Strong Beginnings are vital because they remove barriers and provide hope for women facing substance use challenges,” said Zakary Reneau, DO, Mosaic Life Care, in a news release. “By working together as a community, we can improve health outcomes for mothers and babies and create a foundation for stronger families.”

Individuals interested in learning more about Strong Beginnings can visit www.fgcnow.org or contact:

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — South 22nd Street on the south side of Garfield Avenue will be closed Tuesday for utility work Missouri American Water is doing at the intersection.

While work began at the intersection Friday morning, city officials said the intersection opened back up Friday afternoon.

Work will resume on the intersection on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

In a Facebook post Friday, the City of St. Joseph said the closure will remain in effect until Wednesday, Jan. 21, weather-permitting.

Drivers traveling north on 22nd Street will be detoured to take Interstate 229 south to A Highway, A Highway to north 169, north 169 to Pear Street and then Pear Street west to 22nd Street.

Drivers traveling south on 22nd Street will take Pear Street east to 169, 169 south to A Highway, A Highway to I-229 and then I-229 north to Highway 371.

The City advised drivers to exercise caution while in work zones to ensure safety, not just for themselves, but for crews working as well.

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Leah Rainwater

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — A revised building code release from the International Code Council prompted a public hearing from the City’s Trades Board of Appeals to discuss updated building codes.

The hearing, to be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, will be the board’s final discussion before making a formal recommendation to the City Council regarding adoption of the codes and amendments.

According to a news release from the City, approximately every six years, the International Code Council revises editions of its model building codes.

The City of St. Joseph reviews these updates and typically adopts them into City Code to ensure local regulations remain current with industry standards and best practices.

Codes for consideration include:

International Building Code

International Existing Building Code

International Fire Code

International Fuel Gas Code

International Mechanical Code

International Residential Code

International Property Maintenance Code

Uniform Plumbing Code

National Electrical Code (2023 edition)

When adopting new codes, the City typically includes minor amendments and revisions tailored to the specific needs of St. Joseph.

The City is currently operating under the 2018 editions of the codes and is now considering adopting the 2024 editions, along with the 2023 National Electrical Code.

Members of the public who are interested in the proposed building code updates are encouraged to attend the meeting.

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