Government

By Riley Funk More than $145,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds will be dispersed among 13 local nonprofits to help them complete needed projects. The ARPA funds were approved for distribution by the St. Joseph City Council on April 29. One organization that received a funding boost, the United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Missouri,

By Chris Fortune A potential multi-million-dollar project to revive a South St. Joseph landmark may not prevent the same issues that led to its decay from rising again. Buchanan County is considering a project to dredge Lake Contrary, and it would carry an estimated $7-9 million price tag. Many residents in St. Joseph, especially those

By Chris Fortune As the Buchanan County Commissioners continue to secure permits for a potential dredging project, many residents are supportive of the plan. Longtime residents of St. Joseph remember Lake Contrary as a community asset where they could go to the beach and spend time with friends on the water. The nostalgia and a

By Riley Funk The city is hoping a more active presence online and on social media will increase awareness and bring in new applicants for boards and committees. There will be eight board or committee vacancies in June and another in July. Those interested in applying for boards can fill out a form on the

By Chris Fortune Vacant and unused buildings in St. Joseph could meet the wrecking ball as the city looks toward redevelopment. Last fall, the city council approved up to $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to use toward the demolition of dilapidated properties. Later in the fall, the city realized the Department of Treasury

By Riley Funk St. Joseph roads will be getting nearly $5 million for annual resurfacing projects after the city council approved funding Monday night. The city council has approved, in total, $4,730,800 to be used for the 2024 resurfacing project. The Herzog Contracting Corporation will take on the contract after submitting a bid to the

By Jazmine Knight After a city council seat remained vacant for several weeks, its new District II representative is ready to begin working to better St. Joseph, and particularly, the South Side. Jason Eslinger, a personal injury and criminal attorney, was sworn into office Tuesday, April 9 after being selected by the council April 4.

By Riley Funk The St. Joseph City Council selected Jason Eslinger on Thursday to fill the District II seat. The seat was left open after former council member Taylor Crouse resigned due to his planned move outside the district boundary. Eslinger is no stranger to the South Side. He grew up and attended school in

By Riley Funk While voters approved the majority of proposed city charter amendments on Tuesday, two propositions failed, meaning two boards will not move under the city administrative code. Proposition 5 would have removed the Museum Oversight Board and the Personnel Board from the city charter and added them to the City of St. Joseph

By Chris Fortune More residents seemingly wanted their voices to be heard on Tuesday, as voter turnout in the general municipal election exceeded last year’s by nearly 10%. Buchanan County saw 22.5% voter turnout on April 2, which was a jump from the 12.6% mark in April 2023. County Clerk Mary Baack-Garvey expected low voter

By Riley Funk The city council approved funding for emergency dispatch services and city agencies Monday night. St. Joseph City Council members voted unanimously 8-0-0 to approve upgrades to the local 911 operating system with Bill No. 778-22. The city will now file an application to the Missouri 911 Service Board to request funding to

By Chris Fortune Vacation rental homes will be subject to new rules and regulations after the most recent city council meeting. The city council approved an amendment to the city’s code of ordinances this month with requirements for short-term rentals, like Airbnbs, to be properly licensed, be in appropriate zoning districts and pay all applicable