Category: knpn-local-news

Cameron Montemayor

BUCHANAN COUNTY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Fans of a popular food truck in St. Joseph and Northwest Missouri will see its trademark comfort food being served up in the Buchanan County Courthouse starting this November.

Buchanan County and Chaddy’s Food Truck are set to move forward on an agreement to relocate the eatery to the cafe of the Buchanan County Courthouse. The courthouse has been without a restaurant since June following the departure of Sista’s Home Cookin Food For The Soul.

“It’s just always been a dream of mine to own my own business,” Chaddy’s owner and head chef Chad Watson said. “That was my goal was to start with the food trailer and then eventually get a brick and mortar cafe.”

Since opening Chaddy’s a year and a half ago, the teal-colored food truck has been a fixture at local events and festivals in Northwest Missouri, Kansas City and St. Joseph, operating primarily out of the Deluxe Truck Stop on Packers Avenue in St. Joseph.

The well known teal color of Chaddy’s Food Truck is shown as the trailer sets up during a previous event.

Watson said the plan is to open the cafe for business on Nov. 1 and start off with lunch before expanding to include breakfast service fulltime.

“We’re going to start off with lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then in about a month or so we’ll jump into doing breakfast and lunch,” Watson said. “We’ll serve breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.”

Customers will see a diverse menu with fan-favorite comfort food items like smash burgers, wraps, sandwiches — including his personal favorite Philly cheese steaks — along with unique entrees like Nashville hot chicken and macaroni and cheese, among others.

Chaddy’s breakfast menu also features items like burritos, bowls and biscuits and gravy.

“I’ve got my own little twist on what I do, how I do it,” he said. “I love it. I love just making people happy.”

Watson brings decades of experience in the food industry to his culinary venture, a career that dates back to his days as a 14-year-old growing up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Between remembering his customer’s names or their favorite dishes, Watson takes pride in connecting with customers and creating a welcoming and supportive atmosphere, often incorporating customer feedback into various recipes.

“What’s cool is building that relationship with them. You know exactly what they’re going to get when they come and trying to talk them into trying something new,” he said. 

With a two-year lease expected to be signed this week, Watson is eager to cater not only to patrons, travelers and officials who frequent the courthouse, but grow his customer base and attract those who live in the surrounding areas.

The Buchanan County Courthouse is pictured on a sunny day in spring 2025.

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TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — EmPowerU e2 Fellowship high school intergenerational leadership program began on Tuesday morning. 

Over 15 schools in the region are participating in the program, which consists of teams of three, featuring two high school students and one adult sponsor, in the Foundation’s 31-county service region.

This program will let students decide what leadership means to them and identify the key values they’ll use in leadership. It’s also designed to deepen the commitment to education and develop the skills necessary for creating healthy and thriving communities.

Devin Brower, director of program operations for Mosaic Life Care Foundation and EmPowerU said having intergenerational teams in the program makes it more powerful.

“So you team the adults with the youth because you can really effect change. And we hope they go back and they change things. They identify things that need their help and their attention and they do those things,” he said.

The program will consist of four sessions over the course of a few months. During the kickoff session, students did different activities, introducing themselves, talking about their schools and their communities.

Brower said he hopes the students in the leadership program can make a difference in their schools and the community.

“I just really hope they’ll go back to their community and school and take a fresh look and say, ‘What could we improve and how can we help other people here?’” he said.

Brower also said he hopes students leave with confidence.

“They’re all incredibly talented,  but sometimes I don’t think they give themselves enough credit.  So I hope by being around their peers and doing some of these fun activities that it really just boosts them to realize when they leave here, I can do this,” he said.

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News-Press NOW

By: Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Kehoe said Tuesday that he has authorized the Missouri National Guard to help at ICE facilities in Missouri.

The mission will begin on Wednesday, Kehoe’s office wrote in a news release.

“This decision comes in response to a request for assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the Department of War (DOW) to ensure the resources and personnel needed to effectively enforce immigration laws and maintain operational control of the border,” the release states.

Guard members will help with administrative, clerical and logistical duties at ICE processing facilities, the statement says.

“Public safety, keeping Missourians safe, and upholding the rule of law is our administration’s top priority,” Kehoe is quoted in the news release. “The Missouri National Guard is uniquely equipped to provide this essential administrative support, and we are confident their contributions will be invaluable to immigration enforcement efforts. Missouri is proud to join in the Trump administration’s efforts to keep our state and nation secure.”

President Donald Trump has used National Guard and federal troops in multiple cities to crack down on crime and assist with immigration enforcement. He has also discussed sending in troops to cities such as Chicago, Memphis and Portland, Oregon.

Kehoe has also joined U.S. Sens. Eric Schmitt and Josh Hawley in calling for ICE agents to be trained at Fort Leonard Wood in Pulaski County.

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Crews and volunteers began setting up Thursday for the 29th annual PumpkinFest, which kicks off Oct. 3 at the Pony Express Museum and Patee Park.

This year’s festival will feature a full weekend of activities, from live music and entertainment to food trucks and children’s events.

Pumpkin Mountain will be lit at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, and Saturday, Oct. 4. There will be a costume contest parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, and anyone in a costume can participate. 

“It’s a really fun family event, and we’ve always geared ourselves to make sure that it’s a free festival,” said Cindy Daffron, Executive Director at the Pony Express Museum, “The entertainment we pay for so you don’t. The children’s tent had over 900 children pick up a ticket to go through and make a button, decorate a pumpkin and it’s really fun.”

Organizers said visitors can expect a packed lineup on the main stage of live entertainment, including the Knobtown Skiffle Band, the Phil Vandel Band, BJ’s magic act, Will Stuck storytelling and more. Entertainment will also fill the gazebo, with local musicians, dancers and performers scheduled throughout the weekend.

Vendors and food trucks will line 9th Street near Patee Park, and children will have plenty of activities to enjoy, including a petting zoo, free pumpkins at the Children’s Tent and the chance to shop for gifts at the Pumpkin Shop.

The festival runs Oct. 3 to Oct. 5, and admission is free. To find out more about the event, visit the Pony Express Pumpkinfest website here.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A two-year, $11.75 million renovation project will close Krug Park’s iconic castle temporarily.

The restrooms in the castle and seating around the area will be unavailable for the next several months due to major reconstruction work, according to a press release from the City of St. Joseph.

The construction work is being done on the external brick and rock walls of the building. The interior will be demolished with new bathrooms, concessions and dressing rooms for events held at the park.

The Krug Park project is proceeding in multiple phases and includes significant renovations to several areas. Work to rebuild the Krug Bowl amphitheater is underway, and the children’s circus, picnic shelters and restrooms are following.

Some features, including the fountain and waterfall at the Krug Park lagoon, are not in service. The power has been turned off for safety reasons.

Kurg’s popular Holiday Park Christmas attraction is still planned to operate during construction.

The City asks for the public’s patience as work occurs on the park. Multiple areas are under construction, some areas may be untidy and access to certain features will be limited.

Funding for renovation comes from a half-cent parks sales tax approved by voters in 2021. The project, which is headed by crews from E.L. Crawford Construction, is set to be completed by the fall of 2027.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Anyone facing threats of disconnection from heating or cooling sources will need to act quickly.

Community Action’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) is set to close applications for the program at the end of the day on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

The LIHEAP is a one-time credit that comes from the state to apply as payment for your primary heating source. The SCIP is a crisis fund that requires a termination or disconnection notice in order to apply for those funds. 

When applying for the SCIP, it is critical to have all the proper documentation needed to be eligible for the funds.

“We stress having the right documentation; there’s no delay in the processing,” LIHEAP Manager Heidi Surritt said. “And that way, we don’t have to send out a letter to request that information. It’s things like income documents, account information, social security cards and IDs that’s listed on the back of the application that should be submitted with the application.”

Disconnection notices or applications can be dropped off at the administrative office located at 1322 N. 36th Street, or email to liheap@capstjoe.org

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph police officers will see a new fleet of top-of-the-line vehicles added to the department’s inventory following approval by city officials on Monday. 

Monday’s City Council meeting saw the approval of three resolutions totaling $1 million to purchase 18 new SUVs for the St. Joseph Police Department, including four Chevy Equinox, 14 2026 Chevy Tahoes and necessary equipment — including vehicle laptops — using Police Sales Tax funds.

“This allows them to really respond effectively and efficiently to all different types of situations, to be visible out in our neighborhoods,” St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster said. “I think it really shows our commitment to our officers as well as to this community that we are equipping them with the best equipment that that we can.”

New Chevy Tahoes will be deployed as police pursuit vehicles for patrol officers, while the Equinox will be utilized as unmarked police vehicles. Just over $55,000 in funding will come from the department’s School Resource Officer agreement with the St. Joseph School District.

The new SUVs mark the second round of large-scale purchases in the last year to modernize the department’s fleet of aging and outdated vehicles. Councilmembers approved using $1,071,440 in American Rescue Plan Act funds last November to purchase 20 sterling grey 2025 Chevy Tahoes.

“I think we’re almost to the finish line. As you modernize the fleet, it’s expensive on the front end but it’s also really expensive trying to maintain an old fleet of cars,” Luster said. “So in the end, this is really a cost effective way that ultimately will save taxpayer dollars. We want to be thinking five years ahead.”

Council OKs $1 million for road repair projects, $1 million for street maintenance equipment upgrades

Councilmembers gave the green light to use $2 million for multiple roadway improvement projects and a host of related equipment upgrades for the city’s Street Maintenance Department.

Equipment purchases will include $347,117 for a new street sweeper, $355,377 for six 4×4 Chevy pickups and $200,000 for a Caterpillar motor grader, a large commercial machine used for snow removal and alley maintenance operations.

One notable purchase includes using $104,306 in marijuana sales tax funds to purchase one international cab and chassis, also called a half truck, for department operations. The purchase marks one of the first to use marijuana sales tax funds, which up until now have been kept in a restricted fund.

Roadway improvement projects approved by City Council: 

$624,878 for the Easton Road Resurfacing Project, including asphalt and overlay. This portion of road is an addition to the initial 150-by-40-foot section of concrete, creating a continuous run of new road.

$181,848 for concrete street replacement at the intersection of Leonard Road and Easton Road. This project will widen Easton Road east of Leonard by 16 feet for the first 150 feet, providing a safer and more manageable entrance for the heavy over-the-road traffic serving the business park, as well as for citizens and professionals traveling in the area. The remaining portion of the road will be removed and replaced with full-depth asphalt extending to 48th Terrace, upon approval of a separate resolution.

$197,825 to reinforce a section of road near 3801 N. Woodbine Road. This section of Woodbine Road has never had a shoulder and has now begun to erode, creating a drop-off of approximately nine feet at its deepest point, making the area unsafe. The proposed repair includes building up the area with compacted fill dirt placed in lifts, followed by installation of a row of gabion baskets on anti-erosion material with a roll stone cap.

New rules for keeping chickens and fowl on private property

St. Joseph residents will now see revised regulations that loosen restrictions for keeping chickens and fowl on private property. 

Current regulations state that it is unlawful for any person to pen fowl upon any premises within 100 feet of any building or structure of any kind occupied by human inhabitants.

New regulations significantly restructure permitted distances of fowl from neighboring property depending on the number of fowl kept, among other changes.

New regulations for fowl:

Three or less fowl: Must be 25 feet from neighboring residences

Four to six fowl: Must be 50 feet from neighboring residences

Seven to 12 fowl: Must be 100 feet from neighboring residences

Fowl are required to be at least six feet from all property lines and in a fenced enclosure, coop or cage that is maintained and clean at all times in a sanitary manner that mitigates flies and disease.

A full list of regulations can be found here on the city’s website. 

City to begin using AI technology to grade road conditions

St. Joseph Public Works and Transportation will deploy the next generation of cutting-edge technology to help grade and improve the condition of St. Joseph’s streets and roadways.

Councilmembers approved a $15,380 ordinance Monday to purchase new AI-powered software from Vaisala Inc, called RoadAI. 

The program operates by recording street surfaces using smartphones while an inspector drives the route. The video is uploaded nightly to a cloud-based AI program with condition ratings being available within hours.

Data is then exported to Excel and imported into Cartegraph — an operations and asset management software platform — for use in determining overlay lists, concrete repair lists and other maintenance priorities.

City Hall scheduled for interior paint job

St. Joseph’s historic administration building is set to undergo a thorough interior paint project with council members approving a $73,399 contract for paint services Monday. 

At present, the hallways and stairwells, including walls and ceilings, are in visible need of plaster repair and repainting. Plaster repairs will be performed on an as-needed basis throughout the hallways, ceilings, and stairwells of the first through fourth floors. Upon completion of repairs, all affected surfaces will be primed and painted to ensure a consistent and refreshed finish. 

Hallway-facing door frames that are not commercial-grade metal will also be painted as part of this scope. Contractor GA Thompson has been hired to carry out the project. 

Other bills approved by City Council

A resolution authorizing the purchase of a new Bobcat Compact Track Loader from K.C. Bobcat in the amount of $77,164 for the Park Maintenance Division, utilizing Parks Sales Tax Funds.

A resolution authorizing the purchase of two 2026 International HV507 cab and chassis to be used by the Sewer Maintenance Division for the total amount of $208,612 from Rush Truck centers.

An ordinance authorizing the execution of a software license and maintenance agreement with Trapeze Software Group, Inc. dba Trip Spark Technologies for the purchase of passenger routing software in the amount of $399,878 and an amendment to the Mass Transit Fund Budget in the amount of $99,878 to allocate the additional necessary funding for the purchase.

An ordinance authorizing an amendment to the General Fund Police Department Budget and the execution of a contract with the St. Joseph Youth Alliance both in the amount of $8,160 to provide alcohol and electronic cigarette enforcement and compliance checks at businesses.

An ordinance to approve the final plat of a major subdivision Entitled “Creek Woods Plat 3” consisting of 15 lots and 1 detention basin located south of South Creek Woods Drive as requested by David Gach on behalf of Creek Woods, LLC. 

Nominations and appointments

Mayor John Josendale nominated three citizens to sit on three different commissions. 

Stephen Davis, 3912 Mansfield Road, to serve as a member of the Tax Increment Financing Commission for a term expiring Sept. 29, 2029; he is filling a vacancy on the Commission.

Brandon Johnson, 1137 Frederick Ave., to serve as a member of the Human Rights Commission for a term expiring Oct. 8, 2028; he will be replacing June Brown, whose term expires Oct. 8, 2025.

Zach Ellis, 149 Countryside Lane, to serve as a member of the Human Rights Commission for a term expiring Oct. 8, 2026; he is filling a vacancy on the commission.

Councilmember Randy Schultz nominates Andersen Adkins, 2602 Union St., to serve as a member of the Tree Board for a term expiring Sept. 29, 2028; he is replacing David Ball, whose term has expired.

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Payton Counts

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Gov. Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-29 declaring a drought alert for Missouri until Dec. 1, 2025. 

At the time the order was signed, the U.S Drought Monitor indicated that all or portions of 85 counties were experiencing moderate, severe or extreme drought.

“This executive order allows our state agencies to step in and direct resources to those struggling with the consequences of drought, while allowing for vigilant monitoring of conditions over the next few months,” Kehoe said. 

Some counties in northwest Missouri are abnormally dry but have not reached the moderate drought stage, making our area not yet under the alert.

However, if dry conditions persist and those areas reach the moderate drought stage, they will be declared under a drought alert in accordance with the Missouri Drought Mitigation Plan.

“Most of the state had a dry August and dry September,” said Missouri State Climatologist Zach Leasor, “We really need a wetter than average October and November to fully recover from the drought.”

Leasor added, he’s not seeing any indication of a wet October, meaning conditions could worsen.

This early response to the pending worsening drought can greatly reduce negative impacts, including increasing wildfires, habitat loss, crop failure, decreased water quantity and quality. 

Residents experiencing worsening drought conditions can submit information at www. droughtimpacts.unl.edu/Tools/ConditionMonitoringObservations.aspx

The U.S Drought Monitor is updated every Thursday.

To find the most up-to-date map, go to www.drought.gov/states/missouri.

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Kyle Schmidt

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The 7th Annual Coffee Crawl is set for Saturday, Oct. 4, in Downtown St. Joseph.

Beginning at the Art Attack Studio, the event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 16 Downtown businesses will feature their own unique array of specialty coffees.

The businesses include: Alchemy Tea Company, Art Attack Studio, Creative Arts Production, Downtown Frames, Felix Street Gourmet, Garden Gate Flowers, Hazel’s Coffee Bar, Juniper Lane Home Decor, Manic Snail, Mod Podge Boutique, Nesting Goods, Polished & Pampered Salon, Schweetz Candy Company, The Den, The Frog Prince and The Story Collective.

Wristbands to participate cost $15 and can be purchased at the Dance Arts Center, located at 1902 Jules St., or online at Eventbrite.com.

Crawlers will get the chance to meet their favorite characters, including Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, The Wizard and the Wicked Witch. The Wizard of Oz will be performed live at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31 at the historic Missouri Theater.

Proceeds from the Coffee Crawl will be used to offset production costs.

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Kyle Schmidt

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Lee Ann Blazer, Crystal Bupp and Cole Soptic have joined the Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri, Inc. board of directors.

Blazer currently serves as the retail manager at the Mound City location of Nodaway Valley Bank. Working in the banking industry for 14 years, Blazer is happy to be involved with the Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri and looks forward to meeting new people, networking and improving communities.

Bupp currently serves as the city administrator for Milan, Missouri. Before her administrator position, Bupp was appointed as the deputy director of legislative affairs at the Missouri Department of Economic Development. Working in leadership positions in the governor’s office, the following year she eventually worked her way led her to serve as the executive director of the Missouri Democratic Party in Jefferson City and as the state director for a presidential candidate during the 2016 elections.

Soptic currently works for Farmers State Bank and serves on numerous community boards. His achievements include: Eagle Scout Award, Paul Harris Fellow Award and graduation from the leadership Northwest Missouri class of 2023.

“The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri, Inc. is a public charity with a mission to improve the quality of life in Northwest Missouri by promoting and facilitating charitable giving,” said the press release.

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