Category: knpn-local-news

Kendra Simpson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — On Sunday, June 22, the St. Joseph community awoke to the tragedy of its local roller rink, B&J Skate Center, on fire. One week later, multiple individuals and local businesses have decided to lend a hand in the recovery efforts.

Most native St. Joseph residents have memories of B&J Skate Center, whether it’s birthday parties, the Four Corners game or tripping over their own feet.

“I remember just holding on to the wall and doing my stutter-step so that I can not do the splits,” Mustangs Baseball owner Ky Turner said.

“I went as a kid. I had a birthday party there,” Joe Town Mini Golf and Speedway co-owner Katie Lane said. “I broke my pinky finger there and told that story like way dramatically for a really long time.”

The Mustangs Baseball team and Joe Town Mini Golf and Speedway are just two of many local businesses hosting fundraisers for the skate center.

On Tuesday, July 1, Joe Town Mini Golf and Speedway will donate 50% of golf tickets sold between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m., and $1 for every kid kart ticket sold between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. to B&J’s recovery efforts.

On Saturday, July 5, the St. Joseph Mustangs will donate 100% of general admission tickets purchased through an online package to further support the skate center.

Joe Lane, co-owner of Joe Town Mini Golf and Speedway, is a local business owner and was able to empathize with Alyson Fisher, owner of B&J Skate Center.

“In the small business community, you know, we’re there. We help each other out,” Joe Lane said. “If something happened to one of our businesses, we obviously would be devastated. Any help, you know, would be well received. So we’re paying it forward.”

Turner grew up in St. Joseph and recalled the several attempts and failures at B&J’s limbo game when he was a kid. His fond memories of the family entertainment center moved him to use his platform for good.

“The community, not just the Mustangs, but so many different places, is so supportive,” he said. “Hopefully, we can continue to use that platform to help B&J Skate Center get back on their feet and back on skates.”

Fisher said while the fire was devastating, she’s moved the community is making efforts to save the St. Joseph staple.

“Just to be a staple in the community for family entertainment is just amazing, and the folks supporting us in that has just been so awesome to see,” she said. “Thank you so much for the support. We just really appreciate it. Our employees so much appreciate it. And the Shores family, who were the previous owners as I mentioned, they’re so appreciative as well to see their legacy being held in that light.”

In addition to the two fundraisers, Good Times Event Center will also host a Good Times Carnival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 26, with all proceeds going to B&J Skate Center.

To find out more, visit the event’s Facebook page entitled “Good Times Carnival: B&J Skate Center Fundraiser.”

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Charles Christian

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The two newest members of the St. Joseph School District Board of Education believe the best days are ahead for the district.

Jennifer Kerns was elected, along with Kim Miller, in the April 8, 2025, election. Miller had previously served on the board, but Kerns is a first timer.

Tom Richmond was elected by the board in May after the resignation of Rick Gehring left an open seat.

Both Kerns and Richmond said bringing fresh eyes to the board in conjunction with large-scale administration changes can bring about a new vision for the future of the district.

“The current administration leaders have done a great job and have been helpful in this transition,” Kerns said. “Although I hate to see them leave, I think the fact that we will all be learning together and sharing new ideas is a positive thing for the district.”

Richmond, whose now-grown children received much of their education in St. Joseph, agreed.

“I certainly want to be a bridge,” Richmond said. “I want to help us work together internally, and then we can work together with the administration to bridge the gap with the community. Jennifer and I are working together with other members toward those goals, and that’s my sole purpose and hope for being involved on the board.”

Richmond retired three years ago from Altec, while Kerns currently works for Oracle, after spending 17 years at Mosaic before that.

While serving, Richmond said he wants to continue to encourage teachers and staff by helping them provide what is needed to make students feel important and successful. Even with a few meetings under his belt, he said he believes the board and the community ultimately want this, too.

“I have had the opportunity to work on a number of non-profit boards, and some leadership experience at Altec in the past,” Richmond said. “After all that, I still believe the school district is central when it comes to expressing our care for people. If we are able to show compassion and care for our community through our school district, we can turn any past confusion into a positive way forward.”

Kerns, the top vote getter in the April election who ran unsuccessfully in 2023, said student advocacy, attendance and curriculum issues, as well as teacher and staff support, were key measures for her.

“I want to facilitate a positive experience on the board,” Kerns said. “I want the community, including the teachers, parents and students, to know that they are being listened to.”

This new experience for them is not without its challenges. Discussions about defunding education and the rise of school vouchers are a consistent source of conversation among teachers, staff and board members.

However, even though Kerns and Richmond have different views regarding some of these issues, both believe public education will continue to be a cornerstone of the St. Joseph community for all its residents.

“It comes down to community,” Kerns said. “The whole community wants public education to succeed, no matter what else they support. You can tell that our community is passionate about the school district.”

Richmond said even though he doesn’t have a problem with vouchers, he is not afraid of them and feels the community wants its school district to succeed.

“Every parent has a responsibility to figure out what’s the best thing for their own children,” Richmond said. “We still have so many in the community who benefit from the public school system, and our community still wants the public system to be good. We have a real chance for that to be the case in St. Joseph.”

With their experience, optimism and the passion they bring to their new positions on the board, both Kerns and Richmond believe the board and its new administrative leadership have a unique opportunity.

“We have to figure out how we use the resources we have to best serve the general public through our education system,” Richmond said.

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Downtown scene was buzzing with energy on Saturday as shoppers, artists and vintage lovers came together for the third annual Vintage and Makers Market at Mokaska Coffee Company.

Mad Mack Vintage is the organizer of this annual market.

A sign that reads Mad Mack Vintage next to a vintage watermelon picnic basket.

The event drew a steady stream of visitors eager to explore over 15 vendor booths lined up by the coffee shop. Guests browsed a curated selection of vintage clothing, handmade goods, original art and more.

The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, as live music played in the background and Mokaska Coffee kept visitors energized.

Families, couples, and solo shoppers alike took their time savoring the experience, many remarking on the quality and creativity of the vendors.

Crowds gather in the shop, chatting with vendors, sipping coffee, and checking out vintage clothes.

Madison McKinley, or ‘Mad Mack’ said, “It’s always cool to be around people that have similar interests as you and want to just support local and small and shop sustainable, especially right now.”

This year’s market highlighted the continued growth of the maker community in St. Joseph and underscored a strong local appetite for sustainable, small-batch, and handmade goods.

“This kinda gets me out there and shares all of my, you know, what I can do,” local vendor, Inbal Hazlett said. “It’s really a blast for me to connect with people, talk with them and share all my experiences. It’s really warmed my heart.”

Inbal Hazlett, a vendor, stands and smiles with her family as she holds her baby at her booth.

With another successful year in the books, organizers said the momentum is already building for next year’s market.

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Kendra Simpson

St. Joseph, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — While it may not feel like it, the first day of school is fastly approaching, and one local organization is hosting a back-to-school distribution.

The average family spends $670 this year on supplies and clothing alone, making the necessary supplies costly.

The Salvation Army will host their annual back-to-school distribution event from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, at 602 Messanie St.

Parents must provide their photo ID, birth certificates and social security numbers for all children and the name of the school the children will be attending.

For more information on the distribution, call the St. Joseph Salvation Army at 816-232-5824.

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) —  St. Joseph’s oldest cemetery is turning a loss into new life.

Mount Mora Cemetery, a landmark since 1872, recently partnered with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to remove a long-standing ash tree that had succumbed to a deadly and fast-spreading disease.

The large stump of the dead ash tree.

The tree, which had towered over the historic grounds for decades, fell victim to ash decline, worsened by the invasive emerald ash borer beetle—part of a national crisis threatening ash trees across the U.S.

“There is no cure and little protection for ash tree infection,” said officials from the MDC’s tree division. “This natural disease will take ash trees very much like the elm disease did in years past.”

After years on the cemetery’s watch list, the tree was safely removed with the help of MDC’s Timothy Wolfe.

In its place, two native Missouri trees—a pecan and a persimmon—were planted in the cemetery’s Range five, six and seven sections to carry on the site’s tradition of biodiversity and natural beauty.

Baby Persimmon Tree Growing in Mount Mora Cemetery.

Suzanne Lehr, Mount Mora historian, said, “I’m just grateful for what we can do when those things come along and being able to have people help us take care of it. That’s what I’m grateful for.” 

One of the brand-new baby trees is growing among the gravestones.

Designed in the 19th-century Rural Garden Cemetery style, Mount Mora’s grounds double as a peaceful sanctuary. The replanting effort is part of a broader mission to maintain the cemetery not only as a cultural treasure but as a model of responsible environmental care.

Find out more about what you can do to help Mount Mora Cemetery’s preservation and restoration at http://www.mountmora.org 

A sign outlining the history of the property at the entrance to Mount Mora.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — It was a special night for more than 20 cadets who saw months of intense training and determination through the Law Enforcement Academy finally culminate in graduation.

Missouri Western State University played host to the latest Law Enforcement Academy graduation ceremony Friday night, an occasion that saw countless friends, family and fellow officers cheer the start of what many hope will be the start of a long and successful career.

This year’s class brings a strong mix of both men and women of different ages and backgrounds who will now join the force in their respective departments, including the St. Joseph Police Department, Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office and Nodaway County Sheriff’s, among others.

Seven of the 23 were officially sworn in to the St. Joseph Police Department on Friday, including 21-year-old graduate Jaxon Ball of St. Joseph.

Ball called Friday’s graduation a moment he’s been eagerly awaiting for years. The Law Enforcement academy begins in January and runs through June.

“I’ve been wanting to be a cop since I was a fifth grade little kid. So I’m getting done with all my classmates . Making it to here was a pretty big life acknowledgment, I’m pretty excited,” Ball said with a smile.

Ball said he’s seen tremendous growth in himself over the course of the six-month academy, both physically and personally.

“First goal is just to get on the street, be the best I can be there … eventually I’d like to be on the SRT (Special Response Team) and then I’ll see what the job takes me from there,” Ball said.

Fellow cadet and St. Joseph native Matthew Weathermon called it a surreal moment to graduate from the academy, crediting his instructors, cadets and directors for helping him find his calling in life. 

“I have definitely found myself more in the past six months than I have the past 26 years of my life. The fact that I’m here, it’s almost indescribable,” he said.

Like Ball, Weathermon is focused on developing on the front lines on patrol. He hopes to one day become a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and help get narcotics off the street.

“I knew it was a tight knit community, but seeing how much everyone cares about each other, it’s amazing. Just with my fellow cadets, the relationships we’ve grown over the past six months, it’s something that I will never forget,” he said.

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The time for the skies to be filled with explosions and bright colors is coming up and the St. Joseph Fire Department has safety tips to go along with the holiday.

While the Fourth of July brings the excitement of making sparks fly, SJFD Battalion Fire Chief Mike Wacker said that for those lighting off fireworks at home, it’s important to set them off in outdoor areas, away from houses and away from flammable objects.

Wacker also said to be aware of what’s prohibited in city limits.

“Anything that discharges a projectile is prohibited within city limits,” Wacker said. “I know a lot of people do it, but it is prohibited. (My) biggest piece of advice is try to leave it to (a) professional.”

Additional information on the city’s rules and regulations regarding fireworks can be found on the St. Joseph City website.

The city will also be holding its annual Fourth of July fireworks display around 9:45 p.m., which will be provided by Premier Pyrotechnics.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Commuters will see a heavily-traffic intersection now back open and fully operational after close to two months of work to repair traffic signals.

City of St. Joseph officials announced on social media that the intersection of North 22nd Street and Frederick Avenue is back open to traffic starting today.

The $350,000 project included replacement of the entire outdated signal system with new mast-arm poles, one of five major intersections throughout the city receiving an upgrade to its signal system.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The City of St. Joseph has announced the specifications of its annual fireworks show on the Fourth of July.

The fireworks will be launched from a spot on North Point Road, near the St. Joseph YMCA.

The show is set to start 15 minutes after dark, which would roughly be about 9:45 p.m., and will last 15 to 20 minutes.

Premier Pyrotechnics is the provider of the display.

The city said the recommended viewing area for those who want to view the display would be the parking lots at the Shoppes of North Village, Kohl’s and the Regal Hollywood Theater.

Some areas around the launch site will be roped off or barricaded for the safety of both spectators and those launching the fireworks.

The city also said interested spectators are reminded to leave their personal fireworks at home for the safety of those around them, as well as to leave plenty of room for others to park and to plan to take any trash with them.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Mosaic Life Care announced Friday, it will begin mailing notification letters to certain patients whose information was involved in an Oracle Health/Cerner incident.

An unknown party had contacted Mosaic claiming they had patient information in their possession, which Mosaic had verified on April 29, 2025. Mosaic was able to identify the information was likely operating through Oracle Health/Cerner systems related to the data migration services it was performing.

On May 2, 2025, Oracle Health/Cerner was able to confirm that the files were received from its environment and had informed Mosaic that an unknown party accessed Oracle Health/Cerner’s migration environment at least as early as Jan. 22, 2025, using compromised credentials.

Mosaic said in a press release, the incident did not involve access to or compromise of any of Mosaic owned, operated or administered systems.

The files involved in the incident contained information which varied by patient.

The information could have included patients’ names, and one or more of the following: Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, dates of birth, treating physicians, dates of services, medication information, insurance information and treatment and/or diagnostic information.

Moasic said it is offering complimentary identity monitoring services to patients, following this act. It also said it has established a dedicated, toll-free call center to help answer questions about the Oracle Health/Cerner incident.

The call center can be reached at 1-855-361-0316, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., excluding major U.S. holidays.

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