Local News

By Kyle Schmidt March 6 marks Black Balloon Day across the world, a day for people to remember loved ones who have died due to drug overdoses or other substance-related harm. “It is important for those families to recognize those that have been lost as well as bringing light into the recovery community for resources

By Riley Funk Civic Arena has seen various improvements over the past few years, but even minor upgrades, like the latest approved projects, can make a difference when it comes to meeting standards for events. The St. Joseph City Council approved Monday $9,785 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to help purchase 60 team chairs

By Harry Loomis Blending new amenities with a historical feel is the aim of a project to upgrade Krug Park. Headlining the $9 million in work planned to begin late this spring are improvements to the amphitheater and castle. Stone walls also will be restored and amenities including the shelters and restrooms will be refurbished.

By Chris Fortune An apartment complex plagued with issues in recent years has new owners and management, which is giving the city hope that it will see improvements. Brittany Village has been under new ownership for around two months, and city officials met with the new management group, Friedman Communities, a few weeks ago. The

By Harry Loomis Second Harvest Community Food Bank is getting the ball rolling on its facility expansion, with a groundbreaking ceremony planned later this month. The organization is preparing to add an 11,500-square-foot cold storage, high dock and agency loading expansion to its longtime location on Douglas Street. The groundbreaking ceremony is set for March

By Riley Funk Rosecrans Memorial Airport has the funding in place to move into the next phase of upgrades thanks to city council approval Monday night. City council officials unanimously approved Bill No. 713-22, which grants $19.7 million for the Rosecrans Memorial Airport Aviation Complex project, which includes a new air traffic control tower and

By Riley Funk A captain for the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office is looking to use his vast experience in the area in a new endeavor as he runs for the spot of Holt County sheriff. Capt. Tiger Parsons is no stranger to the Holt County area. As a current resident, his intention is to return

By Cameron Montemayor The first round of more than $2 million in opioid settlement funding is one step closer to going to local organizations working to combat the crisis in St. Joseph and Buchanan County. The St. Joseph Health Department received 10 applications for opioid settlement funding requests. The six-week window closed on Feb. 29

By Chris Fortune A local man’s goal of starting a flight school is beginning to take off, with a new home expected to land at Rosecrans Memorial Airport next month. Lute Atieh became interested in flying more than 10 years ago when he had to drive to Jefferson City once a month for his job.

By Harry Loomis Saturday afternoon, the northwest Missouri regional spelling bee took place at emPowerU. Twenty-six students in the area participated in Saturday’s competition, with the winner advancing to the national competition on Memorial Day weekend. While some success can be based on luck of the draw, typically the district is well-represented at the national

By Riley Funk An upcoming 5K will give community members the chance to enjoy the spring weather while giving back to a local after-school program. The Outlaw Adventure Run will take place for the eighth time at the start of April. The 5K run, which benefits the YWCA Grit Center, provides participants with many challenges

By Harry Loomis The Missouri Department of Transportation will start resurfacing three busy roads in the St. Joseph area next week. Work will take place at Pear Street from Belt Highway to 22nd Street, on South Route 59 from U.S. 71 to Country Club Road and on Route 752 from 22nd Street to Route 59.

By Harry Loomis The Allied Arts Council kicked off its Arts Fund Campaign on Thursday, hoping to raise $300,000 for arts programming and activities in St. Joseph. The 42nd year of the campaign kicked off with a party at the Trail Theatre. This year’s theme is “Leap Into an Art-Venture.” “We try to take the

By Harry Loomis As March quickly approaches, postseason college basketball is right around the corner, and anticipation is building for the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Elite Eight at Civic Arena. The tournament plays March 25, 27 and 29 at the Civic Arena. After a successful tournament this past year, the St. Joseph Sports Commission

By Cameron Montemayor New mountain biking tracks and improvements to a popular local softball complex could be on the horizon as part of $1.2 million worth of proposed projects discussed at City Hall on Monday. St. Joseph Assistant Parks Director Jeff Atkins led a presentation with council members and city leaders during a work session

By Kyle Schmidt Another installation of a yearlong art exhibition in St. Joseph is approaching, and one local sculptor is gearing up to hopefully have a piece featured once again. The application period for the 2024-25 St. Joseph Sculpture Walk is open through March 4, 2024. Jacob Burmood’s sculpture “Cloud Column” stands on South Eighth

By Kyle Schmidt Family memories have returned home after being turned in to a local thrift store. The Fab-U-Less store posted on social media looking for the owners of a group of photos that were turned in. It didn’t take long to find where they belonged. “It’s my belief that they ended up or they

By Harry Loomis Missouri American Water announced Thursday that they will begin replacing 3,900 feet of water pipe on Gene Field Road starting Monday. The original 8-inch pipe has been in place since 1969, and will be getting replaced by a 12-inch pipe. “I like to explain it as you’re taking a two lane road

By Harry Loomis On Saturday, the Special Olympics hosted its 19th annual Polar Plunge. A total of 54 plungers donated to the cause, jumping into a pool of cold water to raise money toward the organization’s efforts this year.  “It’s not as many as we’ve had in the past and we still are growing each

By Harry Loomis United Way Success by 6 hosted its 18th annual Directors Symposium on Friday at Missouri Western. The event is a networking opportunity for early education leaders, who spend the day learning some tips on how to better support children going through tough times. “We really support what’s happening in those early years

By Chris Fortune A proposed event center near the Shoppes at North Village could be a boon for future business development. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Stein and Summers Real Estate announced the proposal of a 25,000- to 30,000-square-foot building that can accommodate more than 400 people in a press release on Wednesday. Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner

By Kirsten Stokes The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce and Joe Town Fun kicked off the fifth annual Restaurant Week on Thursday at Room 108 Downtown.   Restaurant Week spans 11 days from Feb. 22 to March 3. During this time, participating establishments will offer special menus and discounted prices to attract customers. It’s an opportunity for the community to show support

By Chris Fortune A St. Joseph journalist with a decadeslong career is inspiring young Black people to pursue writing, including a member of his own family. Alonzo Weston has lived in St. Joseph for nearly his entire life. Over his 31 years with the St. Joseph News-Press, he stayed involved in the community and made

By Cameron Montemayor One local teacher and a newfound program are paving the way to give children with disabilities an opportunity to thrive on the soccer field in St. Joseph. After four years in the making, TOPSoccer, a recreational sports program that gives kids with cognitive and physical disabilities the opportunity to play the “The

By Harry Loomis Portions of Gene Field Road are continuing to see construction, though an end may be in sight for the projects. This week, the road has been closed between Pembroke Lane and the Belt Highway. Road work on Gene Field was already intended due to overlay plans, however the extreme cold and current

By Riley Funk St. Joseph residents were out in force at various local park trails on Wednesday to take advantage of the warm weather. News-Press NOW’s Storm Tracker Chief Meteorologist Jared Shelton said the above-average temperatures and dry conditions will make for nice, spring-like weather over the next three to five days. “Expect afternoon high