Category: knpn-local-news

Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A survivor shared her story at the Crime Victims’ Rights Week Breakfast on Friday, offering hope and strength to those affected by violence. 

Officials and community members gathered at Missouri Western State University for the annual Crime Victims’ Breakfast, hosted by the Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, to support local victims of crime and honor the stories of those who did not survive. 

Brandi Dredge, the speaker at this year’s breakfast, shared how, with the help of law enforcement, she came to understand that she was a victim of a sex crime.

At the age of 16, the reality of her marriage finally became clear to her after a sergeant revealed she was the victim of one of her husband’s crimes — statutory rape — and her son’s DNA was the evidence the prosecution needed to convict him.

Dredge stood in front of dozens to share how crime can impact a person and her gratefulness for those who fought for her.

“I never dreamed I would share a room with the people who make such a difference in our community,†Dredge said. “At the time, I couldn’t see so many things. But now, with hindsight, I can see all the ways they fought for me and they helped get justice for not just myself but the other survivors.â€

The ceremony played a contributing slideshow honoring victims of crimes who didn’t survive and awarded a detective with the Buchanan County Crime Victim Service Award.

Detective Stefen Hernandez-Gross with the St. Joseph Police Department’s detective division was awarded the Buchanan County Crime Victim Service award.

After many years working as a dispatcher, Hernandez-Gross, a LGBTQ+ liaison for the police department, began working with the Family Crimes Division in 2023, investigating countless child sex cases and building connections with the victims.

“It means a lot going through all the work to help these victims,†Hernandez-Gross said. “Reaching out to witnesses, getting evidence, all the stuff it takes to build a case and submit it to the prosecutor to get these victims the justice that they deserve and need, that itself is rewarding enough and then to be recognized for it is just over the top.â€

Dredge shared a message of support for all victims of crime who may still be struggling.

“Be kind to yourself because it is a healing process and the path of healing can be messy, but it is beautiful,†Dredge said. “You just have to keep showing up day after day.â€

The Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has been honoring the victims of crime all week. Voices of Courage Child Advocacy Center hosted a community event and conference on Monday and Tuesday addressing child exploitation. On Wednesday, a small ceremony was held at the Crime Victims’ Memorial at the Remington Nature Center.

Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph could issue $60 million in revenue bonds to help finance the development of two new boutique hotels and one conference center on Frederick Avenue, proposals show.

On Monday, April 14, St. Joseph City Council members will vote on a resolution supporting the issuance of the bonds and other tax incentives as part of an agreement with STJ Hotel Group and property owner Steven Craig.

The massive development project would include 249 hotel rooms and a host of amenities, including fitness centers, lobby bars, restaurants, pools and roughly 12,640 square feet of conference center and ballroom space. Plans include more than 300 parking spaces to accommodate the facilities.

“We’re working with the property owner right now to finalize plans for that site. The ultimate goal is to be ready for the World Cup, to put St. Joseph in the position to be able to attract visitors to the area, to make sure that we have enough hotel rooms to accommodate that overflow from Kansas City.”

The 2026 World Cup tournament is set to kick off next June, with Kansas City being one of just 16 host cities selected across all of North America for matches.

Christian Mengel, director of marketing and communications with the St. Joseph Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, said boutique hotels are a unique amenity that many businesses and corporations often seek when hosting conferences and meetings.

“Conference and meeting space is another huge aspect, especially when it’s on site at a place that has a hotel. Stoney Creek is currently the only place that has a true meeting space with a hotel attached,” Mengel said. “And the boutique hotel, it absolutely adds to our pitching ability for Saint Joseph.”

If approved by council members, the city will help finance the project from the proceeds of the bonds, which would be repaid from revenue generated from the project. The agreement also includes real and personal property tax breaks and sales tax exemptions for the company.

The facilities would be located on a 7.7-acre site at the southeast corner of Woodbine Road and Frederick Avenue, which previously was occupied by the former Ramada Inn, Americas Value Inn and Applebee’s.

As part of the tax break agreement, STJ Hotel Group would pay real property taxes in full in the form of a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) for the duration of construction and the first 15 years after the project is complete. The company would then receive a 50% break for about 10 years afterward.

The agreement also includes personal property tax breaks on project equipment, 100% for years one through 15 and 50% for years 16 through 25. Construction material purchases would also be exempt from local and state sales taxes.

TAX ABATEMENT INCENTIVESDownload

The project marks the second large hotel construction project in the works for the area. TownePlace Suites is in the initial phases of developing a new $7.5 million hotel just a few blocks away at 1401 N. Woodbine Road.