Category: knpn-local-news

Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Local residents and businesses have raised nearly $34,600 before the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s, on Saturday morning at St. Jo Frontier Casino.

More than 300 participants, representing 50 teams, participated, many wearing purple or personalized shirts in honor of loved ones affected by the disease.

“What I want people to know is, don’t be quiet. If you think something’s going on, it’s a doctor visit and testing,” said John Anderson, Chair Committee with Alzheimer’s Association, “Even though you might feel like you’re on an island, you’re dealing with the same thing hundreds of thousands of people are dealing with everyday, and there’s so many resources that can help people.”

The event carries new hope as recent treatments have progressed. There are medicines that can help slow the progression of the disease, and new blood biomarker tests approved by the FDA to help in early diagnosis.

“My mom passed away from Alzheimer’s, and my grandma and I was her caregiver,” said Mary Hopkins, Edward Jones, participant since 2016, “If I didn’t have the support of my family helping with my mom, I don’t know what I would have done.”

The Alzheimer’s Association Heart of America chapter will be fundraising through the end of the year to hit its goal of $1 million. Funds raised through the event will support local care programs, services and research. To register or learn more about services provided, visit alzwalkstjoe.org.

“We wished we’d known for our family members,” said Liz Rowe, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association, “Our goal is to provide awareness across the community through this walk, as well as raise funds for care, support, advocacy and research. Every dollar helps.”

If you or a family member are experiencing unusual memory issues, don’t wait; call 800-272-3900. This is a nationwide number, open 24/7, staffed by licensed social workers and clinicians.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 7 million Americans are living with the disease, including about 122,300 Missourians and 54,500 Kansans. Nearly 12 million family members and friends nationwide provide unpaid care for those living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Click here to follow the original article.

Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Missouri Western State University will be hosting its 43rd Annual Alumni Awards banquet to celebrate its 2025 Alumni Award winners.

The Alumni Awards feature six award categories. MoWest had announced 11 recipients.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor given to MoWest Alumni. The 2025 winner is Jim Reinert. The award recognizes alumni for professional and career achievements.

The Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award recognizes individuals early in their careers who have achieved outstanding accomplishments. The 2025 winner is Colton Saunders.

The Herb ’35 and Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University winners are Dr. Robert and Kimberly Sigrist. The award is given to recipients who show outstanding and continuous commitment to MoWest’s mission, vision and legacy.

The Distinguished Faculty Award winner is Teddi Deka. The award is given to a current faculty member in recognition of a lasting influence on students, excellence in teaching, career accomplishments and professional and ethical standards.

The Great Griffon Awards winners are Terry Brock, Phallin Thornton and Tona Williams. The award is given to those alumni from each college and school who exhibit outstanding contributions to the workforce, society or the university. 

The Alumni Student Leadership Awards winners are Mackenzie DeVine, Lauren Nylund and Mariana Casadiego Morales. This award recognizes students graduating from the current academic year who have made an impact on the University through leadership, volunteerism or humanitarianism. 

The award show will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, in MoWest’s Fulkerson Center.

For more information on the banquet and to RSVP online, visit the Alumni Awards Banquet page.

For more information about the awards and their winners, you can visit the MoWest award winners page.

Click here to follow the original article.

Charles Christian

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The love of music transcends skill levels and age levels, and a local music academy provides a musical experience for all ages.

The St. Joseph Arts Academy, located at 2027 N. 36th St., just off the Belt Highway, has been providing private lessons and music classes for all ages for eight years.

Academy Founder, Jason Riley, a longtime professional musician and guitar teacher in the St. Joseph area, said his hope has always been to help people engage with music at their level and to grow in the knowledge and appreciation of music.

“Music has meant so much to me in my own life,” Riley said. “I met my wife through music, music allowed me to become a teacher and it has allowed me to connect with so many people. So, I wanted to help create a community that fostered that kind of environment.”

Riley added that he has seen this kind of community among the growing number of teachers, students, parents and community members over the last eight years.

“Our students often get asked to participate in events like Bluegrass Battles Hunger and Hawkfest at Coleman Hawkins Park,” Riley said. “We really want to encourage the next generation of musicians who can make music fresh and in person and live. Music is for everyone.”

The Academy takes the idea of “everyone” seriously, now offering infant and toddler music classes that can begin as early as age one.

“It’s one of the most important things we do,” Riley said. “We do early childhood classes from age one to about five or six, and by five or six, they’re probably getting interested in piano, violin, or guitar. We have qualified teachers for all of those instruments.”

Classes are open for skilled musicians who want to gain proficiency on their instrument, as well as those of all ages who want to take up a musical hobby or to reacquaint themselves with music.

Those interested should begin by checking out the website at stjosephartsacademy.com or by calling 816-974-7656.

Click here to follow the original article.

News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The City of St. Joseph was awarded $252,000 in federal funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) to improve pedestrian safety across the community.

The project, known as “Safe Crossings St. Joseph”, will install pedestrian safety technology at three high-risk locations across the community.

The total cost of the project equates to $315,000; however, with the $252,000 provided through the federal TAP grant and a $63,000 local match from the City of St. Joseph, the project budget is covered.

One of the locations receiving new technology will be St. Joseph Avenue at Krug Park and Parkway Trail. The technology will include a new Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) will enhance safety at the busy trail crossing.

The installation will include pedestrian push buttons, dual-sided LED flashers and high-visibility crosswalk markings.

The investment will complete the City’s ongoing $12.8 million revitalization of Krug Park

Hyde Park Avenue near Hyde Park and Benton High School will also get a new RRFB.

An outdated pedestrian signal will be replaced with a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) at Spring Garden Middle School (22nd Street).

Implementing the PHB has been proven to reduce pedestrian crashes by more than 50%.

The City said the Safe Crossings project was developed in direct response to concerns raised by community members during Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee meetings and the Metropolitan Transportation Plan public engagement process.

Parents and staff with the St. Joseph School District also identified the need for safer crossings in a Safe Routes to School survey.

Click here to follow the original article.

Rebecca Evans

ANDREW COUNTY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Andrew County Museum will commemorate the 180th anniversary of Greenwick Cemetery on Saturday with a program highlighting its history and recent restoration.

Local Historian Kurt Jordan will present at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20 at the museum, sharing details of the cemetery’s preservation and stories of some of the people buried there.

At 11 a.m., visitors are invited to tour Greenwick Cemetery to see the restoration firsthand, hear more about its past residents and enjoy apple cider.

For more information, call 816-262-5178.

Click here to follow the original article.

TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Three people were taken into custody on Friday morning in relation to multiple crimes throughout St. Joseph.

One person was taken into custody in relation to an ongoing investigation connected to a recent shooting in the St. Joseph community, which resulted in injury.

SJPD also obtained three firearms, multiple narcotics and served two arrest warrants.

At 8:30 a.m., the St. Joseph Police Department sent out an Nixle alert to the community to avoid South 21st and Angelique Streets.

At 8:48 a.m., the SJPD Street Crimes Detective Unit, Special Response Team, Buchanan County Drug Strike Force Unit and the Missouri State Highway Patrol executed a search warrant in the 500 block of South 21st Street.

Click here to follow the original article.

Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Flu season is right around the corner, and the St. Joseph Health Department has now made the influenza immunizations available.

The department is encouraging everyone ages six months and up to get the vaccine.

Insurance is accepted, but not required, and those who have privately provided healthinsurance, Medicare or Missouri HealthNet (Medicaid) must provide their card at thecheck-in window.

The vaccines are available at the health department clinic from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday through Friday, except for the last afternoon of the month.

The City of St. Joseph will also conduct its annual Free Flu Clinic from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Oct. 2, at Civic Arena, located at 100 N. 4th St.

The health department said residents and those employed in Buchanan County, ages 19 and older, are encouraged to participate.

For more information regarding the flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine or the upcoming Public Flu Clinic, call 816-271-636.

Click here to follow the original article.

Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) —  The 36th Annual South Side Fall Festival is underway in Hyde Park from noon to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, bringing food, fun and entertainment to the community.

Visitors can shop for unique handmade items and enjoy classic fair foods like funnel cakes and root beer. The festival also features live entertainment throughout the weekend, along with dozens of local vendors.

“We’ve got turkey legs; we’ve got brisket,; we’ve got chicken; we’ve got pulled pork; everything we do is homemade,” said Ryan Polsgrove, Co-owner of CR BBQ. “All the barbecue is wood-fired. we cut the wood ourselves and make our own rubs. If you don’t believe us, we’ve got free samples. come on out and try it.”

Hours are noon to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21.

“For four years we’ve been coming out here, said Jeff Bailey, vendor with Designs to LOL, “It’s a great time, love the music, love the people that come in and read our signs and laugh. It’s great!”

A parade, one of the festival’s highlights, steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday, rain or shine. Admission to the festival is free.

This year, there will be a tribute ceremony on Friday at 6 p.m. to Gary Pettis, the previous chair of the event, who passed away in March, to honor his memory.

Click here to follow the original article.

TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Fire Department has implemented a new alerting system that speeds up the dispatching of emergency calls.

The Westnet alert system was funded $420,000 in ARPA funds. It will help with the city’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating.

The alert system connects with the station’s computer-aided dispatch system, and an automated voice dispatch that comes over the speakers in the station is basically a computer voice.

Kurt Fuehrer, chief of training, said the new system will help with the station response times.

“Once the dispatchers get the alert,  they take the information they hear except on their computer screen,  and it automatically sends the alert to the stations without them doing anything else,” Fuehrer said. “So they’re able to stay on the phone,  gather more information for the call we’re going on.”

Additionally, Fuehrer said the new alert system has a heart safe tone.

“So what it means is it kind of starts off softly and ramps up in volume and then it gives the announcement,” Fuehrer said. “So when the crews are sleeping at night, it doesn’t give them that jolt of adrenaline like the old tones did. This is kind of something for their health as well.”

Chase Cotter, captain of the communications center, said the new system will help speed up the process for dispatchers.

“They are able to know that the fire station, the appropriate fire station, is already receiving the call type,” Cotter said. “So it gives them that kind of time to get the details that they need to give to the firefighters and takes a little bit of stress off of what they do already.”

Cotter said the new system will ultimately benefit the citizens.

“This is just getting it that much faster because most of our calls are not emergencies. We don’t drive lights and sirens everywhere,” Cotter said. “But I mean, if we can pick up five, 10 seconds on our response to a call or someone’s hurt, I mean, it’s really a huge deal.”

Overall, Fuehrer said the new alert system is good for everyone.

“It’s good for the citizens. It’s good for our employees and it’s good for the dispatchers,” Fuehrer said.

Click here to follow the original article.

Abigail McCluskey

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — This summer’s heat has been hard on people across Northwest Missouri, but it’s also taken a toll on other residents: cattle.

When temperatures climb above 72 degrees Fahrenheit, cattle begin to experience heat stress. Unlike humans, they can’t run and escape to an air conditioner. A combination of high temperatures and humidity can also leave herds exhausted.

“The cow starts stressing over 72 degrees. And so you’re talking on a day when it’s 95, you know, 25 degrees warmer plus heat index. Milk production is seriously affected by that,” said local Buchanan County farmer Tim Gach, who raises beef cattle and previously operated a dairy farm.

This summer, temperatures across northwest Missouri soared into the 90s, with heat indices over 100 F for several days. Humidity makes sweating more difficult and raises the “feels-like” temperatures or heat index.

Red lines show temperatures soaring in the 100s.

Storm Tracker Chief Meteorologist Jared Shelton explained the science behind humidity and sweating.

“The way sweat works is you get the cool-off when it evaporates. And when you have higher humidity, you have a lower rate of evaporation. So temps could be far away from 100, but if the humidity is high enough, you could have feels-like temperatures over 105,” said Shelton.

Cows are especially vulnerable because they can only produce about 10% as much sweat as humans. This makes it harder for them to regulate body heat and more susceptible to heat-induced stress.

“They can sweat fairly effectively, but of course not nearly as good as humans,” said Jay Johnson, associate professor of animal welfare and stress physiology at the University of Missouri. “That’s really why the humidity can play a large role in a cow’s ability to deal with heat stress.”

Temperature Humidity Index (THI) for cattle shows what stress level cattle will be in depending on relative humidity and temperature.

Researchers and farmers use a scale called the “temperature humidity index”, which helps provide an easy visual and indicates when cattle might experience stress.

Even with mild temperatures in the 70s, elevated humidity percentages can push cattle into that stress threshold.

Heat stress in cattle isn’t just about comfort — it directly affects their biology. When cows overheat, their feed intake drops dramatically, which lowers the energy available for milk production.

Then, when cows do produce and consume energy, it’s redirected to cooling their body instead of milk production.

Over time, this nutritional imbalance can weaken immune systems, making cows more vulnerable to illnesses. Researchers note that prolonged periods of heat stress can even affect reproductive performance, delaying calving cycles and further impacting farm productivity.

According to research done by the University of Missouri, heat stress can reduce milk production by three to 20%.

This loss in milk production can add up quickly, especially across the Midwest, where dairy farming is a key industry.

A four-year trend has shown a steady decrease in milk production between May and August, some of the warmest months of the year.

While Dairy is still retally available on store shelves, the strain on farmers is evident.

The red line shows milk production trends for 2025. A noticeable decrease in production is noticed from May through August.

“If we’re trying to finish out cattle for butcher, they almost shut down and virtually quit eating, which makes it difficult when you are trying to get them ready for market,” said Gach.

Besides a change in eating habits, Johnson said there are other ways to notice if cows are in distress.

“They’re going to try to dissipate body heat, usually through panting. You’ll see increased respiration rate, greater breathing, and even open-mouth breathing,” said Johnson.

The University of Missouri Department of Animal Sciences recommends several strategies for helping herds endure the summer heat: providing shade wherever possible, using sprinklers or misting systems, ensuring constant access to clean, cool water and monitoring body temperature for signs of stress.

For farmers like Gach, it comes down to giving their herds relief whenever possible.

His cattle have access to both shade and ponds for cooling off — two simple measures which can make a big difference on triple-digit days.

As summers trend hotter and more humid, experts say managing heat stress will remain one of the biggest challenges for Missouri’s cattle industry. And while dairy may still reach our tables, the work behind it is growing more difficult each year.

Click here to follow the original article.