Public Safety

By Jenna Wilson Summer break is underway for St. Joseph kids, and the extra free time could lead to more screen time, and in turn, an increased risk of unsafe interactions. With the lack of structured learning time, homework and extracurricular activities, it can be tempting for kids to spend hours a day on social

By Jenna Wilson The St. Joseph Police Department is gearing up for its annual Cops Care Youth Camp in July, bringing officers and local kids together in a positive environment. Local police officers want to remind the community that officers shouldn’t be feared, despite some having a negative view of them. “Unfortunately, a lot of

By Jenna Wilson The summer months bring an increased possibility for street racing, which is why the St. Joseph Police Department is reminding people of the danger of these events. Street racing and takeovers can lead to many problems, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. But law enforcement wants motorists to be aware

By Jenna Wilson After a newborn infant was found deceased over the weekend near Mozingo Lake in Maryville, officials are pointing to resources and solutions for those who need to surrender a child. Maryville Public Safety is still investigating the cause of death and circumstances, and interim Police Chief Mike Stolte said no further information

By NewsPress Now One person was injured in a crash late Sunday night in Harrison County, five miles south of Bethany, Missouri. A 2010 Ford F-250, driven by Bryson D. Nalle, 18, of Pattonsburg, Missouri, was southbound on U.S. Highway 69 around 10:18 p.m. when he hit a guardrail. Then a 2021 Ram 2500, driven

By NewsPress Now A 23-year-old man was seriously injured in an incident involving a golf cart around 1:15 a.m. Saturday in Gentry County. A golf cart driven by Korbin L. Fletchall, 20, of Stanberry, Missouri, was traveling south on a private drive, about two and a half miles northwest of Stanberry, Missouri, with an occupant

By Jazmine Knight Whether you’re planning a tubing trip to the lake or just a cruise down the waters for Memorial Day, keeping boating safety tips in mind is essential for a safe weekend. Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Kurt Schmutzler said the biggest key is being weather aware. Check the weather before you go

By Jenna Wilson Closed roads can be an inconvenience to drivers, but the Missouri State Highway Patrol is warning that avoiding or moving barricades can result in consequences. “You’ll see these signs a lot of times put in place by the Missouri Department of Transportation,” said Sgt. Shane Hux with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

By Jenna Wilson It’s all hands-on deck to continue reducing violent crime in St. Joseph, as residents are taking notice of frequent crime activity occurring in their neighborhoods. The City of St. Joseph may have seen a decrease in overall crime during 2023, but some residents in Midtown, like Greg Thompson, found the decline hard

By Jenna Wilson It’s all hands on deck to continue reducing violent crime in St. Joseph, as residents are taking notice of frequent illegal activities occurring in their neighborhoods. The City of St. Joseph may have seen a decrease in overall crime during 2023, but some residents in areas like Midtown found the decline hard

By Marcus Clem A 69-year-old died on Thursday after what authorities said is an apparent accident involving a grain bin in the rural Buchanan County area. Cmdr. Michael Donaldson said that Buchanan County Sheriff deputies found the man, who has not yet been named, dead near the intersection of U.S. Highway 169 and Missouri Highway

By Jenna Wilson In a press release from the Nodaway County Sheriff’s office, officials stated that assisting agencies have concluded their investigation in the area of Quitman in regard to the tip they received. No new evidence was recovered at the scene but the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office will continue its pursuit of justice in

By Jenna Wilson As details continue to emerge in the sexual misconduct case against a Robidoux Middle School teacher, the mother of the 14-year-old victim said her family is dealing with the fallout of the situation. News-Press NOW sat down with the woman, who we are not naming to protect the identity of the victim,

By Riley Funk As outdoor activities ramp up amid the warm weather, so do spring storms, meaning people need to consider lightning risks when enjoying time outside. According to the National Weather Service, there are around 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes in the United States each year. In addition, roughly 300 people are struck and

By NewsPress Now St. Joseph police are continuing to gather information in the wake of a wrong-way crash that claimed the life of one St. Joseph man Friday. Sgt. James Tonn with the St. Joseph Police Department said police have finished their investigation into the crash and are awaiting blood results from the driver who

By NewsPress Now An 18-year-old sustained serious injuries after being ejected during a single-vehicle crash around 2:08 p.m. Saturday in Harrison County. Daniel D. Romero Garcia, 18, of Cedar Creek, Texas, was northbound on Interstate 35, seven miles north of Eagleville, Missouri, in a 2016 GMC Acadia when he traveled off the left side of

By Riley Funk As Memorial Day weekend approaches and marks an unofficial start to summer, drivers should take into account an increase in traffic, pedestrians and certain roadway risks. According to AAA, there will be almost 44 million travelers during Memorial Day weekend, with more than 38 million hitting the road and almost 4 million

By Jenna Wilson The St. Joseph Safety and Health Council is noticing a lack of teenagers signed up for its summer driving program for the first time. Many reasons could be behind why there is a decrease in teenagers signing up for courses to obtain a driver’s license, including a growing trend that shows teenagers

By Riley Funk Recent standoff situations have emphasized the importance of specialized officers in keeping community members, other first responders and even suspects safe. The Special Response Team comes in for high-pressure situations to deescalate and resolve the conflict. The unit is a group of 18 officers from both the St. Joseph Police Department and

By Jenna Wilson The Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies began searching areas in Quitman, Missouri, on Wednesday in connection to the 23-year missing person case for Branson Perry. The Nodaway County Sheriff’s Office put out a press release stating the department received a tip in the search for Perry, who vanished

By Jenna Wilson While recognizing National Police Week, law enforcement and community members came together Wednesday to recognize officers who have been killed in the line of duty. Hosted by the Fraternal Order of Police, the Police Officer’s Memorial has taken place in St. Joseph since 2000, honoring all the St. Joseph law enforcement officers

By NewsPress Now An overnight standoff ended with one person surrendering to police at about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. A domestic assault and robbery call at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday later led police to the area of 24th and Felix streets with a standoff starting at about midnight, according to the St. Joseph Police Department. When News-Press

By NewsPress Now One person sustained non-life-threatening injuries following a stabbing in the area of 13th and Hickory streets on Wednesday morning. The initial 911 call came in around 1:08 a.m., according to the St. Joseph Police Department. The victim has been identified as 44 year-old Ronnie D. Davis who suffered a stab wound in

By NewsPress Now A man was taken to the hospital with apparent non-life-threatening injuries after being shot Tuesday evening, police told News-Press NOW. Police identified the victim of the shooting on Wednesday as 55-year-old Jeff S. Epps, who was treated at the hospital for a gunshot wound and was released. Law enforcement and EMS initially

By Jazmine Knight While Mylar or foil balloons may look nice at graduation parties and other summer celebrations, they can pose safety concerns for those who aren’t careful. Evergy is warning residents across the country about the dangers of these balloons and sharing alternatives to keep you safe. Dan Hegeman, senior community business manager with

By Riley Funk A barrier along King Hill Avenue has been the site of some recent rocky crashes. Sgt. James Tonn of the St. Joseph Police Department said there have been three crashes recently along the area involving the rock wall. He said the area can be nerve-racking for all drivers, even himself. “The wall

By Jenna Wilson Parents may want to keep an eye on the snacks their kids are bringing home, as law enforcement warned of cannabis-infused candies that look just like the real thing circling in St. Joseph. Buchanan County Drug Strike Force Capt. Shawn Collie displayed a variation of recently seized THC-infused candy that nearly replicated