Public Safety

By Jenna Wilson Starting Wednesday, Missouri drivers can be ticketed for using their phones behind the wheel. The Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law, prohibiting hand-held cell phone use while driving, actually went into effect in August 2023, but officers have given drivers a 16-month grace period to prepare. The grace period is now coming to an

By Nicole Scott Two officers have joined the ranks of the St. Joseph Police Department. Officer John Nash has 11 years of law enforcement experience, and Officer John Baker has four years of experience. Both of the officers were sworn in on Dec. 30 at the St. Joseph City Hall.

By Leah Rainwater With New Year’s Eve celebrations approaching, local law enforcement has some tips to keep everyone safe. The Missouri State Highway Patrol will have additional officers out on the roads to ensure driver safety. “It’s always important to make sure that you obey all traffic laws,” said Sgt. Shane Hux. “Make sure you

By Jenna Wilson As New Year’s Eve approaches, experts are emphasizing the importance of firework safety for those planning to celebrate in a dazzling way. While most people associate fireworks with the Fourth of July, in Missouri, sales also are permitted during the last two weeks of the year for those who want to ring

By NewsPress Now A 35-year-old woman from Council Bluffs, Iowa, is dead following a single-vehicle crash Saturday on Interstate 29 in Andrew County. The woman was going south about two miles north of Country Club Village at about 4:10 a.m. on Dec. 28 when she drove into the median and hit an emergency crossover causing

By Kendra Simpson Many St. Joseph residents will be celebrating the new year this coming Tuesday evening, but one wrong decision could prove fatal. The National Safety Council estimates that 179 people may die on roadways throughout the United States Roads this New Year’s Eve on Tuesday, Dec. 31, but that everyone can do their

By Chris Fortune Buchanan County, Missouri, leaders are exploring the possibility of building an addition to the county’s juvenile justice center, addressing the need for more space. The Buchanan County Commissioners discussed what an expansion at the Judge Frank D. Connett Jr. Juvenile Justice Center, which is attached to the Judge Patrick K. Robb Academy

By Nicole Scott The Andrew County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Office welcomed a new deputy on Monday afternoon. Deputy Makenzie Malotte is a former Savannah, Missouri, Police Department Officer who joined the Andrew County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol Division on Monday, Dec. 23. The Sheriff’s Office welcomed Deputy Malotte to the office through social media on Monday

By Nicole Scott The Missouri State Highway Patrol is sharing tips and advice for a safe holiday as people hit the roads for the holidays. This year’s Christmas holiday counting period begins at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 25. During that period in 2023, there were

By NewsPress Now Two Excelsior Springs women were hospitalized after a Clinton County crash Sunday. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the collision occurred just after 3:30 p.m. on I-35 South, two miles north of Holt, Missouri. A 42-year-old Ames, Iowa woman swerved left to avoid a dog in the road and hit a car

By Jenna Wilson Shoppers can expect to see more law enforcement officers in and around popular shopping destinations this holiday season. The St. Joseph Police Department warns that shoplifting is a year-round problem, but it increases every holiday season due to the number of shoppers who come by. “It gets so crazy out here during

By Leah Rainwater Holiday travel for the 2024 season is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels. With over 300 million Americans expected to travel from Dec. 21 through Jan. 1, about 107 million are expected to get to their destination by car. “Car travel, of course, gives families a little bit more flexibility when they travel,

By Charles Christian Local jails and prisons are doing their best to bring a little cheer this holiday season. Being away from home is never easy, especially when someone is away from home because of a prison or jail sentence. So, jail staff said they do the best they can for those incarcerated during the

By Jenna Wilson Law enforcement agencies across the area are warning individuals about “Brushing Scams” this holiday. The “brushing scam” begins when a person receives an unexpected package in the mail disguised as a gift, according to officials with St. Joseph, Missouri, Police Department. “And when you open the package, it’s quite possible you’ll be

By NewsPress Now A Bethany woman is dead, and four people are in the hospital after a DeKalb County crash Thursday afternoon.  The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the accident occurred around 3:45 at the intersection of Missouri Routes 6 and 31, five miles north of Clarksdale. An 18-year-old Bethany man driving three passengers from

By Jenna Wilson As the months get colder, people who are living unhoused or unsheltered will have less options of where to sleep. For this reason, the jail in Buchanan County, Missouri, has seen an increase in its population during the winter months, according to Lieutenant Joe Lysaght with the Buchanan County’s Sheriff’s Office. “Actually,

By Jenna Wilson Creating better public safety is at the forefront for the St. Joseph Police Department as it continues to develop resources to keep the community secure. That’s the message from Police Chief Paul Luster, who spoke Tuesday morning at a Public Affairs Coffee hosted by the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. Legislators and

By NewsPress Now Two Missouri drivers are receiving treatment for injuries following a Harrison County crash Monday. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the collision occurred just before 5 p.m. at the intersection of Missouri Route 13 and Route MM four miles south of Bethany. A 58-year-old Gilman City woman driving south struck the front

By NewsPress Now A Corning, Iowa, man is hospitalized in St. Joseph with serious injuries following a crash early Sunday on Interstate 29 just south of Rock Port, Missouri. The man, 28, was driving a semi over the speed limit, overtaking a second truck as both were going north, according to a Missouri State Highway

By NewsPress Now Interstate 229 through Buchanan County will see some maintenance next week. The Missouri Department of Transportation’s Northwest District Office said that in Buchanan County, I-229 has planned bridge maintenance on the southbound ramp to Route 759. The maintenance is scheduled to begin on Monday, Dec. 16, and according to MoDOT, the work

By Jenna Wilson The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents to avoid leaving their vehicles running unattended in public spaces as winter approaches. On Friday, Dec. 13, Chief Deputy Mike Donaldson with the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that a significant percentage of stolen cars—especially those taken in the winter months—result from people leaving

By NewsPress Now A Kansas City, Missouri, woman suffered serious injuries in a Daviess County crash Thursday. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the accident occurred at 2 p.m. on Missouri Route 6, half a mile from Altamont. The 58-year-old woman was driving an SUV west and crossed the center line. A 27-year-old Jamesport, Missouri,

By Jenna Wilson Removing drunk drivers from the roads is personal for one Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office deputy. Zackary Craft’s father was killed by someone driving impaired, and he aims to prevent a similar tragedy from happening to another family. He takes the mission so seriously that he has been honored by a national group.

By NewsPress Now An Amity, Missouri, man is hospitalized with serious injuries following a one-car crash on Monday. The crash happened just after 7 a.m., according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report. A 29-year-old man driving south on Route N a half-mile north of Stewartsville, Missouri, lost control of his vehicle while attempting

By Nicole Scott The Buchanan County Emergency Medical Services reminded perspective Emergency Medical Technician students about the application deadline.  Buchanan County EMS is offering a 21-week EMT training course beginning Jan. 14, and shared the deadline reminder through social media on Monday afternoon.  The application and fee deadline for the EMT course is Midnight on

By Jenna Wilson As the holiday season brings an influx of deliveries, the St. Joseph Police Department is cautioning residents about the rise in package thefts. The issue, while present year-round, sees a significant increase during the holidays due to the surge in online orders. “There are people out there trying to take advantage of

By Kyle Schmidt A live tree brings a festive feeling to your home, but safety must be kept in mind. Corey Schweizer, CEO of Schweizer Orchards, points out some of the hazards to watch out for. Once the tree is cut, it is important to place it in water. “All I want to put in there