Category: knpn-local-news

News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Herzog Contracting Corp., working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, has delayed a concrete patching project on I-229.

The project would close the southbound I-29 ramp onto northbound I-229.

The project was originally supposed to start on Monday, July 21. Both Herzog and MoDOT have agreed to push the project back until Monday, Aug. 18.

The ramp will be closed from 7 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 18, until 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19.

All work is weather permitting and the schedules are subject to change.

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Jenna Wilson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department is testing a new mobile application designed to keep the public informed and alert. 

The initial $10,000 in funding to launch the Sheriff App comes from Buchanan County’s opioid settlement funds. A vital component of the app will be providing information related to the local opioid epidemic, as well as alerts about scams and criminal activity.

“It’ll give us a platform to do opioid education as well as push out messages and safety tips,” said Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett. “It’ll also be a broader platform where we’ll be able to notify the public on information pertaining to jail records.”

One key feature county jail officials hope the community finds valuable is the ability to search for inmates. 

“I know that some victims are looking to see if the perpetrator of their crime is still incarcerated or whether they’ve been released,” Puett said. “There are going to be several aspects on this application we hope will be helpful for our citizens and ensure their safety.”

The Sheriff’s Office is aiming to launch the application in the next couple of months, although the timeline depends on completing testing, securing licensing, and ensuring the app runs smoothly to avoid frustrating users.

“We don’t want there to be any errors with this so it can be something that continues indefinitely,” Puett said. “This application will include vital educational pieces on issues I know the community is concerned about, such as online predators and elder abuse scams. We’ll have all that available in one plac,e people can access right from their hands.”

Educational content covering a range of local concerns will be posted to the free app monthly. 

News-Press NOW will continue to follow and report on the development of the application as it moves forward. 

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Area first responders, law enforcement and community leaders will be out and about during an annual “National Night Out” event to meet community members and foster community engagement.

The event is free and open to the public and will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at Civic Center Park.

The St. Joseph Police Department, Fire Department and area emergency responders will be at the event with vehicles and equipment from various area agencies on display.

The band, The Arsonists!, will be performing, Sack’s Ice Cream will be on site and bounce houses will be available for kids.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — One of the longest-standing service clubs is spreading the wealth from a recent grant to support an array of non-profit and youth organizations.

Members of the Sertoma Club of St. Joseph gathered with local community leaders Tuesday to present $1000 awards to the Noyes Home for Children, Second Harvest Community Food Bank and Scouting America of St. Joseph.

The Sertoma Club was awarded a $5,000 grant from Sertoma International in April in honor of 111 years of service to St. Joseph, opting to use newfound funds the way they know best: supporting the community.

Donations and support for businesses and donors are critical for privately funded non-profits like the Noyes Home for Children, according to director Chelsea Howlett, helping them ensure they can meet the needs of more than 200 children they serve every year.

“They’ve been an amazing supporter as long as I’ve been with the Noyes Home and many years before that … from taking our kids shopping around Christmastime, back to school shopping,” Howlett said. “I’m so grateful they were willing to include us.”

The award comes as Noyes Home gears up for its largest and most impactful annual fundraising event on Sept. 13 at Missouri Western called “Take A Seat: Light the Way.”

For Chad Higdon, CEO of Second Harvest Community Food Bank, the award means an additional 3000 meals will be able to be distributed to the community.

“For every dollar donated, we can turn that into about three meals,” Higdon said. “Especially in the summer when school’s out … and the work we’re doing with senior boxes and families through our mobile pantry program and partnerships … it really does mean a lot.”

Sertoma Club participates in and sponsors numerous efforts and events each year in support of the community and local organizations, including the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot and placement of American Flags throughout St. Joseph in honor of 9/11 and other holidays.

With large groups of scouts coming from more than a dozen states to visit Camp Geiger each summer in St. Joseph, Pony Express Council District Director Erik McGuire said the award will not only help with infrastructure improvements but open the door for aspiring scouts to attend.

“We really need the support to keep our camp looking good and and have all the infrastructure that it needs and to support camperships for scouts to be able to attend who have more modest financial means,” he said.

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Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The inspireU Children’s Discovery Center is highlighting a milestone, after admitting over 50,000 visitors in the six months it’s been open.

InspireU is a facility for children ages 10 and under, where the key purpose is to emphasize Movement, Nutrition, Mindfulness, Curiosity and Connection.    

Those interested in visiting are encouraged to purchase tickets online at inspireu.com.

Tickets cost $10 per person and $9 for veterans. Kids under 1 year old are admitted for free.  

The center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. It remains closed on Mondays. 

Admission is available at the door for families, while schools and daycares are encouraged to reserve tickets online through the center’s website for a smoother experience. 

“It’s really nice to have people connecting, learning and enjoying time together,” said Katherine Patterson, Director of the Discovery Center.

The open-access format allows children to roam, play, and discover at their own pace.

Each section of the center is tailored to kids’ interests—from sensory rooms to activity-based stations, all designed to spark creativity and joy. 

“It’s all open, so if you come in and buy a ticket, you’re good for the whole day,” Patterson added. “It’s free for members, so they can come in anytime.” 

The inspireU Discovery Center aims to welcome 60,000 visitors this year, building on the momentum of reaching 50,000 in the six months it’s been open.

“I love being here, it’s really joyful—and it’s because of all the slides that I love the most. And the messy room—I love the messy room,” said Chloe Jones, a young visitor.

Whether through movement-based fun or creative exploration, inspireU is making learning enjoyable and meaningful. 

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Charles Christian

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Two upcoming summer golf tournaments, as well as a Patriots Day event in the fall, will provide needed funds for Veterans in Northwest Missouri.

The 8th Annual Veterans Home Assistance League Golf Tournament will take place on Thursday, July 17, at the St. Joseph Country Club.

Twenty-seven teams will participate in the event this year, along with corporate sponsors. On Friday, Aug. 1, the 12th Annual Veterans’ Golf Tournament will take place in Maryville, Missouri, at the Mozingo Lake Golf Course.

Longtime member of the Veterans Assistance League and Vietnam veteran, Roger Foreman, said 100% of the proceeds will go to assist veterans in Northwest Missouri.

“Through these funds, we will be able to furnish all the wheelchair accessible transportation for veterans at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron,” Foreman said. “Neither VA nor the state is able to provide funds for that.”

Foreman also said special activities and fun events throughout the year is also partly provided through these funds.

Committee member Michael Meierhoffer said it’s a unique way for the community to have fun and to provide for extra needs of those who have served the nation in the military.

“As a veteran who supports veterans, I will say that these events are extremely important,” Meierhoffer said. “We will be able to do things that federal and state funds are just not able to do. Both the tournaments this summer and the Patriots’ Day event will be able to contribute to the needs and to the comfort of our veterans at the Cameron Veterans’ Home.”

The Patriots Day event planning for Thursday, Sept. 11, is already underway. It’ll feature a gathering of veterans and community members at Wyatt Park Baptist Church, at 6:00 p.m.

This event, coordinated by corporate sponsors, Retired Air Force Captain Guy Gruters and Retired U.S. Army Colonel Milt Toratti, will feature special speakers and special displays.

“The Missouri Vietnam Veterans mobile wall will be featured at both the golf tournaments and at the Patriots’ Day event,” according to Truman Hardy, another member of the Veterans Home Assistance League. “This coincides with the fiftieth anniversary of the official end of the Vietnam War.”

The September 11th event will also feature keynote speakers like former Vietnam POW Guy Gruters and books by retired Vietnam veteran Milt Toratti.

Corporate sponsorships are still available for both the golf tournaments and the Patriots Day event.

For more information about sponsorship, donations or tickets, contact Cheri Morton at (816) 383-4940 or visit the Veterans Assistance League of Cameron, Missouri, on Facebook.

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Police Department confirms that two people were injured following an ‘accidental discharge of a firearm’ Tuesday afternoon at South Belt Walmart.

The initial call came in around 1:45 p.m. of reported shots fired inside Walmart at 3022 S. Belt Highway in St. Joseph.

A young juvenile and an adult female sustained injuries as a result of a firearm being accidentally discharged in the store.

“Both individuals were transported for medical attention with non-life-threatening injuries,” said Captain Wayne Byrom with SJPD. “There is not any danger to the public and it does not appear to be a random event. It is believed to be a negligent discharge by a firearms owner.”

According to a press release from SJPD, no names are being released at this time, due to the involvement of a juvenile.

Shoppers were not permitted to enter the store while law enforcement worked the scene.

The individuals involved in the incident were known to each other, and there was no indication of criminal activity directed at other shoppers.

SJPD said it would provide updates when appropriate.

News-Press NOW will continue to follow this story.

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Praji Ghosh

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — After almost a week of being closed, St. Joseph Parks Director Jeff Atkins is providing an update on a project at the Noyes Complex.

News-Press NOW previously reported, the temporary closure is due to the installation of lights at the tennis horseshoe courts.

Once the service in the area is restored, the building will be available for public use. 

The plan is to take down the old metal halide fixtures and replace them with more modern LED lighting, which is cheaper and will glow brighter.  

“Update wise, the building has been shut down for at least a week now,” Atkins said. “So, hopefully within a week we can get them back up for public use again. But even when its closed you can still come play tennis.”.  

Atkins says the only reason they had to temporarily close the building is because they just finished putting new surfaces on the courts.  

“The only update I have is that they are proceeding… we have got them relighting it and they won’t be doing any trenching around the tennis courts,” Atkins said.  

Although it is an inconvenience during reconstruction work to access the park, it is in the best interest of the public as the modern facility installation takes place.

Officials are planning for a few more renovation works that are coming up in the next few months.  

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News-Press NOW

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Missouri Western State University has adopted MoWest as the primary way the university will be identified.

In a press release sent to New-Press NOW on Tuesday, the university announced its new name as part of a rebrand.

“For years, students, alumni and community members have affectionately referred to us as MoWest,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, university president. “It’s familiar, approachable and reflects an authentic, personal connection. MoWest is a name that feels modern, memorable and distinctly ours.”

‘MoWest’ is a nickname commonly used by students, faculty and alumni. The change is part of a broader effort to modernize the university’s image and strengthen its identity in a competitive higher education landscape.

The MoWest name will now be the university’s primary public-facing brand and will appear across marketing materials, merchandise, social media and campus signage. The updated branding includes a refreshed version of the Griffon logo, maintaining the university’s traditional mascot, while giving it a sharper, more contemporary look.

The transition will be gradual, with updated visuals and messaging rolling out over the coming academic year. While the new name will take center stage in the university’s branding, the university’s official name remains Missouri Western State University, which is how it will appear on official documents.

“We had so many people that refer to us as MoWest, on social media, in conversations, in writings — it’s how everybody thought about us and we just kind of stopped and went, ‘if this is who we are, let’s embrace it,'” Dr. Kennedy said. “Let’s be the university of the community because that’s our goal. We want to make this a university town and really become more and more embedded into the community, so it’s really exciting for us.”

The rebrand follows a year of campus-wide surveys and community feedback, which revealed strong support for embracing the MoWest identity.

The university is also launching a new campaign aimed at prospective students called ‘More at MoWest.’ The campaign highlights how MoWest empowers every student to achieve more and speaks to the breadth of academic programs, the energy of campus life and the hands-on, career-focused experiences aimed at helping students turn passion into practice.

University leaders emphasize that while the branding is evolving, the mission remains the same — no matter what the brand looks like, the primary focus continues to be the success of students.

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Cameron Montemayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph residents will see the start of a new season and a new era for highway transportation when spring of 2028 rolls around.

Missouri Department of Transportation officials confirmed to News-Press NOW that the current plan is to begin construction on the Interstate 229 double-decker bridge replacement project in the spring of 2028.

The double-decker is one of numerous projects planned over the next five years as part of MoDOT’s $13.3 billion Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) unveiled last week.

Approximately $127 million is budgeted in the STIP for the I-229 project, $114 million from federal funds and $12 million from the state. However, MoDOT officials said the total cost of the project — last estimated between $70 and $80 million — will be evaluated over the next several months.

The multi-year project will see the 1.1-mile-long bridge demolished and replaced with a new four-lane arterial roadway constructed at-grade — elevated as necessary for compliance with floodplain and stormwater requirements — in nearly the same location as the existing structure between the railroad tracks and the Missouri River.

The 40-year-old Double-Decker Bridge, which has obvious signs of deterioration and requires regular maintenance, received the equivalent of a C-Minus rating during its April 2021 inspection and was initially given a lifespan of only 50 years.

St. Joseph’s Double-Decker Bridge was built between 1977 and 1986, carrying approximately 17,000 vehicles per day, a low figure compared with other interstates. More than 1,000 tractor trailers use the bridge to enter and exit the Stockyards Expressway from I-229 daily.

A key portion of the project includes the construction of a new interchange North, at St. Joseph Avenue and Interstate 229. On the South, a new signalized intersection will be installed at Fourth Street by Mitchell Avenue for Downtown access, including ramps that provide quicker access for tractor-trailers.

The project includes the construction of two main access points into Downtown, Fourth Street and St. Joseph Avenue, as well as the construction of another exit off U.S. Highway 36 that leads drivers Downtown to South Sixth Street. Existing Downtown exit/entrance ramps at Charles, Edmond, Francis and Felix streets will be demolished.

Subsequently, as part of the I-229 alternatives evaluation process, MoDOT is recommending de-designating I-229 as an interstate highway from its northern terminus at Interstate 29 to its southern terminus at Interstate 29, a distance of 15 miles through St. Joseph. The de-designation request would occur prior to demolition and construction.

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