Category: knpn-local-news

Charles Christian

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — For those looking to save money while having a nostalgic, hands-on shopping experience, antique malls are a popular destination.

Antique malls are a common part of the landscape in and around St. Joseph. Familiar shops like the Jesse James Antique Mall, Black Katt, Hunterland and the recently closed St. Joseph Auction and Antique Mart have served the community for decades.

Rose Mary Seuell, who retired in 2009 from a local company, went to work for an antique mall as a side job, and then decided to buy the shop that’s now known as Hunterland Antiques Downtown.

“We have around 50 booths here,” Seuell said. “A lot of them followed us from the other location when we moved downtown in 2019, and it is common for vendors to have booths in more than one antique mall.”

The vendors are the secret to these malls. They rent booths from the owners, maintain the booths, pay rent and then give a percentage (usually around 10%) of their sales to the owners.

The owners help oversee the booths in the big shop, but the vendors also help the owners in regard to customer service and maintenance.

“We like for them to keep their booths clean and to keep a consistent eye on their booths and their merchandise,” Seuell said. “We’re fortunate here, because our vendors work well together and they keep their booths spotless.”

One vendor, Richard Vanderhoef, said he started as a collector and specializes in antiques and older collectibles.

“I have been a vendor here since 2019, and I have four booths at Hunterland,” Vanderhoef said. “Right now, you can save a lot of money on items that are used, and that keeps things out of the landfill.”

Customers usually like the idea of saving money and of the nostalgia of recapturing the hands-on experience of shopping in person while supporting local businesses. This rings true for collector and antique mall customer Robert Mata.

“I think a lot of it reminds me of shopping with my dad as a kid and going to garage sales,” Mata said. “I think supporting local businesses is great, and having places like this where you can walk in and touch the items and even see some of the history of the area in the items available is great for the community.”

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Kyle Schmidt

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A new sound will be heard on Missouri Western State University’s campus.

The marching and pep band moved into the athletics department and will be led by first-year hire Adrian Lowry.

“The idea being that we’re going to reform it, we’re going to grow it, and if we get back to the point where we can have a marching band that’s respectable and big enough, to make a significant impact, then we’ll do it,” Lowry said. “We’re just not there right now, we don’t have enough people to do that and to do it correctly, and that’s our goal.”

Already, the group has nearly doubled, with 40 members coming from all over. The band allows students, faculty, staff and even community members to join.

“I remember how big the marching band used to be, watching from the stadium club in elementary school… To see it drop to what it had was frustrating,” drummer for the rock group Tucker Holden said. “So when they had this idea to bring it under athletics and to revitalize it and to build something new to start with a clean slate rather than disband it entirely, you can never be mad about a second chance at life.”

Currently, Lowry said the team has around 85 performance opportunities, which include every sport at MoWest besides golf and tennis.

“Normally, marching bands in college play on the high end 15 or 20 times,” Lowry said. “Basketball pep bands play a little more, but nobody plays 85, and you still have all of three sports to add.”

MoWest’s spring athletic schedule is not finalized yet, but Lowry said the performance total will go up to over 100 once the schedule is released. The group will also perform at campus events, community events and Downtown.

Athletic Bands is an umbrella for many smaller ensembles. The rock group has rotating players filling in each instrument needed. The unique part about the group is student athletes can join as well.

“Music after high school doesn’t have to be just for music majors, and that’s what we’re trying to go for here,” Lowry said. “Give people that opportunity to make music at a high level in front of crowds and crowds of people.”

Captain of Athletic Bands and trumpet player Hanna Summers bought into Lowry’s mission within minutes.

“After I had that first phone call with Adrian, I was locked in,” Summers said. “He pitched it in such an excellent way and I was just really looking forward to it.”

Summers felt the open arms from the athletic department, feeling the athletes have embraced this new idea, saying, “It feels like we’re inside the family now.”

Lowry’s short-term goal is to put out a product that people can be proud of and to surprise people.

Long term, he wants to continue to build the program, gather more people, more equipment and more performance opportunities.

“We do want to bring in people from other places, but we also want to keep the ones we have here,” Lowry said. “If we can provide something that nobody else provides, regionally that I know of, no one else is providing this opportunity.”

To sign up, visit the Athletic Bands website and click the register tab.

“It’s going to allow for something that Missouri Western’s never seen before, and a lot of other colleges have never seen before,” Holden said. “I wouldn’t be shocked if we execute this correctly; other schools are going to start taking notice and they’re going to start doing what we’re doing now.”

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News-Press NOW

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Congressman Sam Graves presented military recovered service medals to the family of a Northwest Missouri veteran.

U.S. Rep. Graves, R-Mo., presented the medals to the family of William Edgar Taul for his role in WWII.

Taul served in the Army beginning in 1944. His military service records were lost in a fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis in 1973. However, Graves was able to obtain several medals for his service.

“I’m grateful for all of our veterans in North Missouri,” said Graves. “It’s an honor to be able to present these medals to Mr. Taul’s family so they can always remember his service to our nation.”

The medals consisted of the Bronze Star Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge 1st Award and the Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII.

Taul’s grandson, Ryan Wright and Taul’s daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Barry Boulware, were presented the awards.

Veterans or their family members are encouraged to reach out to Graves’ office if they are trying to obtain earned service medals.

Grave’s office is also available to assist in accessing Veterans Affairs benefits.

Those in need of assistance are encouraged to call 816-792-3976.

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Public Library is celebrating Library Card Sign-Up Month in September with the theme “One Card, Endless Possibilities.”

Library cards provide access to more than books. This includes free programs, job resources, homework help as well as streaming media.

The library is waiving the usual $1 replacement fee for lost cards throughout the month. Patrons who use their cards in September can also enter prize drawings at any of the four library branches.

Prizes include a Smart Cookie stuffed animal and book set for ages six and under, a $25 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card for ages seven to 17 and a $25 Country Cookie gift card for adults.

The library will also hand out mints to visitors as a thank-you for their continued support.

More information is available at SJPL’s website, or on the library’s Facebook page.

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Three lucky students from Missouri Western State University closed out the summer on an international stage at the SIGGRAPH 2025 conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

“It really feels like it’s given me a jump start on my career,” said Kylee Derr, a senior digital animation student who went on the trip. “Being able to talk to industry professionals and recruiters and being able to have all of that community feedback was really nice. It was a great experience. “

SIGGRAPH is considered the world’s premier conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques. Top talent, researchers and industry leaders from across the globe attend each year.

The students represented MoWest’s Digital Animation program, highlighting the skills and dedication being developed in the program.

“It definitely showed me that I had more opportunities within the career field than I originally thought,” said Eliza Kuker, another senior digital animation student who went on the trip. “There were many unique places there that I would have never assumed had animation positions. It really showed me that I can go in any direction I really want to.”

More information about Digital Animation at MoWest can be found on the university’s website.

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — AugustFest has returned for its second year at the Good Times Event Center, with festivities continuing through Sunday at 3414 S. 22nd St.

Saturday marked the second day of the three-day festival, where attendees enjoyed a wide range of activities, including indoor and outdoor live music, local vendors, bounce houses, food trucks, and live performances.

A $1 donation is suggested for entry to Augustfest, with wristbands and tickets available for attractions. Bounce wristbands are priced at $20 for one day, $35 for two days, and $50 for the full weekend. Individual tickets are also available for $1 each.

Organizers said 70% of the event’s proceeds will benefit the Youth Alliance’s Youth Volunteer Program. Volunteers, vendors and performers are still being accepted.

One of the performers at the event, Aubrey Zechariah said, “It’s a lot of fun to actually come out and see a lot of people supporting each other and just working together for something good.”

Families also had the opportunity Saturday to meet puppies available for adoption through Collar to Halter, a dog and horse sanctuary based in Harris, Missouri. The organization, located at 16785 Bear Drive, offers free adoptions year-round.

“A lot of small businesses are really struggling right now,” said co-host of the event, Cheynne Tuttle, “We want to try to be one of the ones that do succeed so that we can continue to help the community and give something for the kids, adults and elderly to do.” 

The festival concludes Sunday, Aug. 31, weather permitting. For more information, call or text 816-262-1574, or visit the Good Times Event Center’s Facebook page for updates.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held to reveal $2.5 million in renovations to the main floor of Missouri Western State University’s library.

The ceremony will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, on the second floor of the Hearnes Center on MoWest’s campus.

“The library is now a more bright and welcoming place,” said Sally Gibson, MoWest’s library director. “I want students to walk in, immediately feel welcome, and think this is a place for me.”

The improvements included expanding student study spaces by reducing the footprint of the staff workspace and offices.

With more library resources and materials available online, the need for space to house materials or process print materials has been reduced, according to a press release from MoWest.

The new space also includes a 24-hour study space, a model classroom, a fireplace lounge and group and individual study rooms.

A door to the Center for Academic Support has also been added inside the library, so students can enter directly from the library.

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Carter Ostermiller

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Earlier this year, an officer-involved shooting took place in St. Joseph, which resulted in one suspect dead in the dangerous encounter.

Additionally, community members saw numerous reports throughout 2025 of law enforcement officials being targeted and even killed in Kansas City.

A recent case was when a Kansas City, Kansas, police officer died after a fleeing driver veered into him on Tuesday.

In life-threatening situations, casualties and injuries unfortunately can happen to officers, but what protocols are in place to keep them safe?

St. Joseph Police Department Sgt. Jeremy Peters shared what gear and procedures are in place to protect officers.

“If we remove our weapon from our holster, it kicks on our body-worn camera, and that’s a protection for us. If our officers are injured and they end up lying on their back or on their stomach, and the body camera detects that position, it automatically sends out an alert to send us help,” said Peters.

The body cam is not the only equipment that police use to help themselves; the drug Narcan is also an important tool.

“And we carry Narcan with us, on us at all times for citizens, but also for us, because as we’re handling things or processing, you know, seized items, sometimes we run a risk of becoming exposed ourselves,” said Peters.

Peters believes the typical use of firearms and first aid training prepares them for any dire situation they may find themselves in, to make sure they are ready for whatever the frontlines throw their way.

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Alison Patton

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Kehoe said Friday that he will call a special session on redistricting and initiative petition reform.

“Today, I am calling on the General Assembly to take action on congressional redistricting and initiative petition reform to ensure our districts and Constitution truly put Missouri values first,” Kehoe said in a news release. “This is about clarity for voters and ownership of our future, and I hope the legislature will work together to pass our Missouri First Map and critically needed IP reform.”

Democrats had anticipated Friday’s action and had a response ready.

“Trump puppet Mike Kehoe’s calling of a special session to steal a congressional seat for Republicans and gut Missourians’ constitutional right to enact laws through the initiative process marks the worst threat to the integrity of our state government since pro-slavery lawmakers voted for Missouri to join the Confederacy in 1861,” House Minority Leader Ashley Aune (D-Kansas City), said in a news release. “Missourians will not tolerate acts of electoral sabotage from their leaders nor silently allow Republicans to seize more power.”

The special session would start next week, one week before the annual veto session, which set for Sept. 10.

Kehoe’s news release on Friday called the map his office will present the “Missouri First” map. The map would still split Boone County, like the current map. But the new one would also split Jackson County — home to Kansas City.

Splitting Jackson County would fundamentally alter the Fifth Congressional District, one of two represented by Democrats in Missouri. Emanuel Cleaver, who holds that seat now, said in a statement that “truth is under assault.”

“President Trump’s unprecedented directive to redraw our maps in the middle of the decade and without an updated census is not an act of democracy – it is an unconstitutional attack against it,” Cleaver said. “This attempt to gerrymander Missouri will not simply change district lines, it will silence voices. It will deny representation. It will tell the people of Missouri that their lawmakers no longer wish to earn their vote, that elections are predetermined by the power brokers in Washington, and that politicians – not the people – will decide the outcome.”

Missouri FIRST MapDownload

Missouri is caught in a national push to get more Republican seats in the House of Representatives to boost their narrow majority. Missouri Republicans want to split up the Kansas City congressional district, a mostly blue district, which would give the GOP another seat.

President Donald Trump praised Missouri Republicans on Truth Social for talking about redistricting, according to a previous ABC 17 News report.

A screen capture of the map Gov. Mike Kehoe’s administration wants legislators to vote on.

The special session will also take up initiative petition reform, which would set stricter standards for statewide ballot issues — a Republican priority that has failed to make it through the last couple of regular legislative sessions.

Kehoe was at the announcement of a new partnership between Acculevel and three Missouri communities throughout the state on Friday morning in Jefferson City.

Acculevel repairs basements and foundations. The company has locations in Kennett, Sarcoxie and Smithville, Missouri.

The company is investing about $2.9 million at each location and adding about 41 jobs to each location, according to Michelle Hataway, Missouri Department for Economic Development director.

The governor also said he hasn’t received a direct request for the Missouri National Guard to aid police in Washington, D.C.

“We are working with Homeland Security on some processing issues with the National Guard,” Kehoe said, but didn’t elaborate.

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News-Press NOW

BUCHANAN COUNTY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A bus containing 29 kids from a religious school in Westwood, Kansas, flipped over at the 35.2-mile marker on Interstate 29, injuring eight kids on board.

The St. Joseph Police Department sent out a Nixle Alert at 3:45 p.m. on Friday afternoon, telling drivers to avoid the area of northbound I-29 near southeast Grand DD due to a traffic accident.

The school name on the bus that flipped over reads “Olivet Baptist Church, Shawnee Mission Christian School”, which contained soccer and volleyball players from the school.

The teams were headed to St. Joseph for games.

“The front passenger gear tire and a rear passenger tire blew out,” said Sgt. Shane Hux with MSHP. “The bus traveled off the east side of the northbound lanes and overturned.”

Numerous emergency response teams, like the Northland Regional Ambulance, Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol and local fire departments, were on the scene from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The crash resulted in two serious and six minor injuries. Five of the juveniles injured were sent to North Kansas City Hospital, and three of the juveniles were sent to Mosaic Life Care.

The rest of the kids on the bus were transported to a local fire station and were picked up by their parents.

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