Category: knpn-local-news

Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Following a public hearing, the St. Joseph School District Board of Education met Monday at Benton High School to go over a few important items on their agenda. 

Board President LaTonya Williams said the district is working to cut costs wherever possible, especially after recently learning it is over budget by more than a million dollars.

She mentioned it came as a surprise to see that number first appear in a Facebook post, but emphasized, the district is doing everything it can to stay financially responsible. 

“I want for everybody, you know, to understand it’s nothing nefarious,” said Williams. “Things are already very, very difficult. We’re doing the best that we can, you know, to navigate through everything.”

Williams called for a financial audit in an August Board meeting. According to SJSD Superintendent Ashly McGinnis, an update on the audit will come in November.

Another key topic was a Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant provided to Hosea Elementary School, which aims to boost reading programs for kindergarten through fifth grade.  

This grant aims to strengthen literacy support statewide and ensure students have access to evidence-based learning practices. 

“I love reading and I love books, so I hope that extra resources will also instill a love of reading and education in our students,” Williams said.

Board members also discussed a new contract with Ro Health — a company that provides private nursing services.  

With growing medical needs among students and several unfilled nursing positions in the district, the board decided to bring in additional help to make sure students get proper care. 

“I would think it’s pretty dire, especially if children need extra care on top of your normal nurse assignments and hopefully it gets approved on the (Oct.) 27,” Williams said.  

Williams said SJSD is bringing in outside help for some students in the district who need a little extra care. She also said the support cannot currently be provided in-house at the moment, enhancing the need for a third party.

The BOE addressed a playground project, replacing the rubber tile surface with turf to make room for a new access road and improve safety at Oak Grove Elementary.

The change, however, comes with an extra cost of just over $9,400 and could push back the playground’s reopening until mid-winter. 

“I don’t think it’s a major concern. I actually asked about that last night in the meeting, but things do happen all the time, and as long as we are being financially responsible and keeping track, I am okay with them,” Williams said.  

The board also discussed a federal programming position that’s currently open. Williams said this isn’t a new role — it’s simply filling a vacancy that’s already part of the system. 

She said the goal is to bring in a qualified, experienced person who can help secure more federal funding for the district — ideally balancing out the cost of the position itself.  

“If you’re looking at it as if you’re using this extra expense. To be able to get a qualified, trained individual, to be able to bring in more money in my mind, it’s my hope that it will offset each other,” Williams said.  

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Patrick Holleron

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — October is universally recognized Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a health campaign aimed at bringing attention to this specific form of cancer.

Breast cancer is found in the cells of the breast and can spread or metastasize to other parts of the body.

For those who are diagnosed for the first time, it can be a shock and lifechanging experience. Deb Singleton, longtime St. Joseph resident who has had breast cancer, advises others to not lose hope when diagnosed.

“You’ve got to keep going. That’s where hope comes in,” Singleton said. “So whatever happens, it’s for my good. Don’t be afraid of it, face it head on. It’s natural to be fearful but you don’t have to live in that fear.”

In the United States, one in eight women are diagnosed in their lifetime, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. It’s been estimated that in 2025, roughly 316,950 women and 2,800 will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.

When it is detected in the preliminary stages, the five-year relative survival rate for breast cancer is 99%. This is one of the primary reasons why medical professionals, such as the ones at the Stuber Health Center, recommend getting routine screenings.

“Typically if a patient comes in with some breast concerns or if they’re doing their annual screenings, we do a clinical breast exam to feel for something abnormal,” Nurse Practitioner Danyelle Kerns said. “Sometimes breast cancer will present with skin abnormalities on the outside of the breast, lumps, masses in the breast or nipple discharge. Then we’ll send them for a mammogram for further testing.”

Additional questions and information on breast cancer can be found on the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s website.

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Ryan Eslinger

WATHENA, Ks. (News-Press NOW) — SportsZone’s Game of the Week features a Kansas rivalry matchup, that will come to a close at the end of the season.

In week seven of high school football, the 4-1 Riverside Cyclones will welcome their rivals in the 4-1 Troy Trojans for what could be the last time for the foreseeable future.

This will be the last time these two teams face off for quite some time, as the Trojans announced earlier this year a move down to 8-man football next season.

After losing their season opener to the Jackson Heights Cobras 21-0, the Cyclones have jumped out to a four-game win streak.

During that win streak, the Cyclones offense is averaging 40 points per game, while the Cyclones defense is only allowing four points per game.

Cyclones Head Coach Bryce Paden said the game against Jackson Heights prepared them for the season, helping lead them to the win streak.

“Our kids have done really well this season, and we knew the game against Jackson Heights was going to be a tough one,” Coach Paden said. “We lost that game 21 to nothing but I think that game propelled us moving forward.”

The Cyclones have a senior-led group and Coach Paden said the team leaders have led by example for the entire season.

“They are not a ton of vocal leaders, they show what they do every day to the young kids,” Coach Paden said. “We are able to shine light on those kids as they are doing great things and that’s the expectation moving forward — this is the way you need to play.”

The rivalry between Riverside and Troy has been around for a while, with it originally being between Wathena and Troy before they consolidated with Elwood. Coach Paden said despite not playing Troy before the last four years, it still means everything for all the communities involved.

“It’s always nice to have a game in county and show off what you got,” Coach Paden said. “It’s exciting for all the communities involved and we’re excited for it.”

Now just 10 miles down the road, Trojans Head Coach Derek Jasper said the team could have moved down to 8-man football sooner because of enrollment. While he said he was not happy with the decision, it also will bring a new level of excitement to coaching a different brand of football.

“I was disappointed in the decision but it was inevitable,” Coach Jasper said. “Yes it is going to be different, but it’s going to be exciting playing new teams with different play styles.”

With the Trojans moving down to 8-man football at the end of this season, the team has jumped out to a 4-1 start. Coach Jasper said the team is staying focused ahead of their rivalry matchup in what could be the biggest game of their season.

“It’s not hard to focus when we’re playing Riverside,” Coach Jasper said. “It was easy to get their focus this week and there’s bigger things ahead like districts and playoffs, but this week, this is the biggest game.”

The final rendition between the Riverside Cyclones and Troy Trojans in this rivalry game is sure to be one for the books. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. in Wathena, Kansas.

Tune in for SportsZone at 10 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 10, for the highlights from this game and other games from around the area.

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TaMya Bracy

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph is preparing for its 11th annual T.A.K.E. Defense class this weekend.

The workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Brookdale Student Ministry, located at 3015 Felix St.

The class is put on by the Ali Kemp Foundation. The instructor, who is part of the foundation, travels around the United States putting on defense classes for women.

T.A.K.E. Defense Training provides girls and women with reality-based, self-defense training.

Erin Bradley, Kiwanis Club member, said this event will serve as a fundraiser for organizations in St. Joseph. T-shirts and tote bags will be available to purchase at the class.

“Not only the Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph, but also the YWCA of St. Joe,” Bradley said. “They will be here at the event as well with a product drive collecting items, hygiene products and that type of thing for the local shelter.”

All donations from the event will go to the Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph and the YWCA St. Joseph.

Bradley said it is important for women and girls to learn self defense because it can be empowering.

“Not only for the techniques when self defense is needed, but how to avoid situations, prevent yourself from being in a situation where you need these techniques,” she said.

The event will also aim to raise awareness about domestic violence, according to the club.

“Women in this community do experience domestic violence and sometimes that’s not acknowledged, and so bringing that awareness to this community, I think is really important,” Bradley said.

There are still some spots available to register for the self defense class. You can register on the Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph’s website.

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Kyle Schmidt

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — In late September, the public noticed over 50 fish floating belly up in the lagoon at Krug Park.

Tory Mason, fisheries biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation, said it was due to low dissolved oxygen levels.

“The water temperatures are high, the water holds less oxygen, we get a cloudy day, there’s an algae bloom during that time,” Mason said. “When that algae starts dying off, it uses oxygen.”

A dip in dissolved oxygen is common in northwest Missouri and can be lethal to aquatic animals.

“Sometimes when that process starts, there’s nothing you can do,” Mason said.

When something like this happens, Mason said MDC restocks once the water quality is checked and ready. The plan is to restock the lagoon at the end of October.

“It’s very common, it happens to about every pond in northwest Missouri but as water is cooled, it’s not conductive to the algae blooming anymore,” Mason said. “As the waters cool, it will go away.”

Another contribution to water quality issues is bread thrown into the lagoon. The bread feeds the algae bloom and is another detriment to the oxygen levels.

As the water continues to clear naturally, Mason said trout fishing is still on schedule to start in November.

“Fish kills happen, no one’s to blame,” Mason said. “Mother nature does what she does.”

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — City Councilmembers will take the first step toward approval of a new $5.1 million WoodSpring Suites hotel and conference center in the works near South Belt Highway.

If approved, the 90-room hotel will be constructed at 3909 S. 40th Terrace, next to San Jose Steakhouse on South Belt Highway. Monday’s council meeting includes a first reading to accept a $5,215.53 payment from WoodSpring Suites for future professional services costs and plan review services for the project.

The property was recently rezoned from M-1 light industrial/manufacturing to C-3 commercial to allow for the development of the hotel, the third hotel project announced in the last year in St. Joseph.

Regionally, WoodSpring Suites operates two hotels in Kansas City and one in Topeka. There are more than 260 WoodSpring Suites hotels open across the United States as of July 2025.

New hotel projects in the works in St. Joseph include the $60 million Robidoux Hotel and Conference Center on Frederick Avenue as well as the $7.5 million TownePlace Suites hotel on North Woodbine Road.

Recently opened hotels include the My Place Hotel and the Home2Suites by Hilton Hotel on North Village Drive at the North Shoppes.

SOW 12_Woodsprings Suites New Building Plan ReviewDownload

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Crystal Olney

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Christian Mengel, with the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau, was honored by the Missouri Division of Tourism for his work in the industry.

Mengel, who serves as the director of communications for the CVB, was awarded the Film Industry Champion Award at the Missouri Governor’s Conference on Tourism, held Oct. 7 to 9 in Lake Ozark, Missouri.

The Film Industry Champion Award recognizes an individual who works to expand the film industry’s presence in Missouri.

The Show MO Motion Media Tax incentive, along with Mengel’s advocacy for film projects, helped draw film crews to St. Joseph in 2024 for movies like ‘25 Miles to Normal‘ and ‘A Chrismystery.’

Mengel is also credited with reviving the St. Joseph Film Commission and helped the CVB join the Association of Film Commissioners International, according to the Missouri Division of Tourism.

Eight other awards were presented at the banquet, according to a press release from the Missouri Division of Tourism. A full list of winners can be found here.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) –The St. Joseph Public Library is hosting an upcoming Horror Trivia, presented by the Final Girl Book Club.

The event, which will serve as a fundraiser, is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at the Remington Nature Center, located at 1502 McArthur Drive. The doors will open at 5:45 p.m., according to a press release from the St. Joseph Public Library.

The event will feature eight rounds of questions, with prizes for the best team after each round and a grand prize for the winning team. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

The cost to participate is $90 per table with teams of up to six adults. Participants are encouraged to dress in costume. Those attending the event are allowed to bring their own snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, according to the press release.

To register a team, visit the library’s website or contact Jenna Sanders at 816-232-8151 or jsanders@sjpl.lib.mo.us for more information. Teams can also pay at the door but it is encouraged to reserve a table by paying in advance.

Proceeds from Horror Trivia will be used to support the library’s Archives and Genealogy Collection.

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Rebecca Evans

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph Goats Arena Football is giving local businesses a chance to win big and join the team’s growing community of supporters.

The team has announced a $5,000 Partnership Giveaway for one standout business or organization in St. Joseph or a surrounding community, such as Savannah, Gower, Cameron or Maryville.

Anyone can nominate a business, nonprofit, school or organization that represents the spirit of the community. Submissions will be narrowed down to five finalists by the end of the month and fans will have the final say in choosing the winner.

“Ultimately, our goal is for everyone to benefit from the Goats, whether it’s enjoying watching the team play or growing your own personal business by collaborating with us,” said Ted Sweeney, managing partner of the Goats Arena Football Team. “We’re just here to do whatever we can for everyone in town.”

From there, the chosen business will receive a $5,000 partnership with the team, a boost meant to strengthen local ties heading into the 2026 season.

Organizers encourage everyone to nominate, share and vote.

The Goats played their first year in Kansas City at the Municipal Auditorium. Originally, the team looked at St. Joseph but things didn’t work out. For their second year, the Goats reached out to St. Joseph Civic Arena and the dates worked out. 

“We came up and spent a couple weeks in St. Joe and just fell in love with the place. We knew our team would love being here and the city would love us here,” Sweeney said.

Their regular season begins in May and consists of eight games, with four home games and then up to two playoff games. Playoffs begin in mid-July. 

Sweeney is confident in his team’s ability to secure a playoff spot this year, as last year the team lost a tiebreaker for the fourth seed. 

Tickets start at $15 for general admission and go up to $45 a ticket for 50-yard line seating.

The Goats are supported by their corporate sponsors and money goes directly back into the team. Players are paid by game and include bonuses for wins and statistics. 

“There’s always incentive and that’s part of the reason why you see maximum effort on the field by everyone in Goats uniforms,” Sweeney said.

The Goats host open try outs twice in the winter. There will be one in St. Joseph and one in Kansas City.  

“Whether it’s guys flying in to try out or just people from the area, we want to look at everybody,” Sweeney said.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — We the People 3 Schools is a new political action committee (PAC) raising concerns about a key part in the St. Joseph School District’s long-range plan.

We the People 3 Schools PAC, organized by taxpayers in the district, aims to provide the best learning environment for SJSD students within the confines of the current budget, according to a press release from the committee.

The PAC will to present a plan to the Board of Education that includes:

Preserving Central, Benton and Lafayette high schools.

Preventing overcrowding at the city’s middle and elementary schools.

Reducing commute time for students and bus transportation costs for the district.

A long-range plan that will attract new families to St. Joseph.

Meetings are open to the public and We the People 3 Schools posts the meetings to their Facebookpage.

For more information, residents can contact Dottie Watt at 816-508-7425 or by email at wethepeople3schools@gmail.com.

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