Steady crowd shows up for H1N1 vaccines
Residents at high risk for the H1N1 virus had the opportunity to get vaccinated Saturday at the Firefighters Local No. 77 Bingo Hall, 4314 S. 40th St.
InterServ marks a century of changing livesWhile Benton High School alumni band members played a few familiar tunes, former employees, seniors and others helped by InterServ mingled throughout the Wesley Center gymnasium while enjoying a piece of cake or glass of punch, amid balloons and decorations.
‘Flounder’ serious about diabetes care
Diabetes is not a funny matter.
Plenty of oddities found at city auctionOne man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Midwest artists gather to showcase artworkArt enthusiasts had the opportunity to look at a variety of unique creations at East Hills Shopping Center on Sunday.
City comes together to celebrate WesternA lot happened in the year 1969. Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. The Beatles released “Abbey Road.” The first episode of “Sesame Street” aired. But it was also the year that Missouri Western became a four-year college.
This year’s MWSU Homecoming Parade, themed “Back in Time to ’69,” celebrated the university’s 40th year as a four-year college. A large crowd of bundled-up parade enthusiasts gathered along the sidewalks near City Hall in the 43 degree weather Saturday morning to watch area high school bands perform, catch candy from the colorful floats and wave as King and Queen candidates passed by.
In their pink attire, a crowd of about 900 people trod from Bartlett Park to Hyde Park Saturday morning in chilly weather in the first Paint the Parkway Pink walk, designed to raise money for breast cancer research.
‘Rockin’ on the River’ showcases riverwalkA good-sized crowd gathered outside the Remington Nature Center of St. Joseph Saturday for the encore of the Parties on the Parkway series, “Rockin’ on the River.”
Biking for babiesPeople didn’t go to the casino just to gamble or eat at the buffet on Saturday.
‘Wonderland of butterflies’
MOUND CITY, Mo. — On a nice, sunny Saturday, some might be out shopping, grabbing a bite to eat with friends or maybe working in the yard.
But in Mound City, a group of kids and adults made their way through the trails at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge in search of monarch butterflies.
The junior naturalists, led by refuge naturalist Amanda Griffin, gathered in the outdoor classroom at Squaw Creek before heading out to the fields with their nets to catch and tag as many monarch butterflies as they could, working toward the ultimate goal of 500.
The annual Josephine Expo began Saturday morning at Civic Arena, as women of all ages traveled through a maze of vendor booths to look at purses, dresses and skin-care products, or learn about aspects of their health.
While in previous years this may have seemed like a nightmare for loyal husbands and boyfriends, this year the men’s needs were considered as well.
“The ‘Man Cave’ is our newest edition to the expo, because we noticed more women were bringing their husbands or significant others,” said Nichi Yeager, Josephine editor.
Dual flea markets draw thousands
Two major flea market sales drew a crowd of thousands to Sparks and White Cloud, Kan., Saturday, as parked cars lined up for miles. While this may seem unusual to some, it’s no surprise to flea market veterans.
A crown for the cutestTiny shoes, tiny dresses, poofy skirts, big bows and curly hair. About 36 little girls between the ages of 3 and 6 gathered at East Hills Shopping Center Saturday morning for the annual Little Miss East Hills contest.
American Indian artifact exhibit grants a glimpse of historyIt seems the annual Trails West! festival would hinder the turnout of visitors to an American Indian artifacts show the same weekend. But the outcome was just the opposite. In fact, it may have brought in more out-of-towners.
The power of the printed pageFor those studious people who like to mentally prepare themselves for school before it starts by reading up on certain subjects, the East Hills Library would be a good place to visit this week. Books, including math textbooks, history textbooks and even ACT prep booklets, are on sale for only a couple of bucks each.
The bus is stuffedSchool is about to start, and school-supply purchases are making a dent in many families’ budgets. Already an expensive task, today’s economy could make that even more difficult for many families with children going back to school.
A home run for city businessesA pro women’s tennis tournament and a 14-and-under girls’ ASA softball tournament have brought hundreds of athletes to town over the past week or so. The tennis tournament wraps up today at the Noyes Tennis Complex, and the softball tourney ends at Heritage Park.
‘Screening for Life’ benefit an aceThe National Cancer Institute estimates that 192,370 new cases of breast cancer will be detected this year, with 40,170 women dying from the disease. The sad thing, experts say, is that a majority of these cases could be prevented through early detection.
Atchison: The place to beWhile the stage crew and volunteers set up for the night’s fireworks display at Riverfront Park, people ranging from infants to adults swarmed through the Atchison downtown area Saturday to visit vendor booths or take rides at the carnival.
Youngsters hit the paths for tour of their ownMoney troubles threaten the 2009 Tour of Missouri bicycle race, which is scheduled to stop in St. Joseph in September.
No fireworks, but they still had funThe lake was empty, aside from a couple of fishermen in a boat. The parking lot was deserted. Among the few real life forms present were a large group of Canada geese strolling through the parking lot.
Cruising through the heartland
If you were out driving around town Saturday afternoon, or happened to stop by The Shoppes at North Village, you may have noticed a long trail of tractors on the road.
Charitable attempt at record
Residents had the chance to get out in the nice weather, eat free food, contribute to the United Way and the Make-A-Wish Foundation and take part in a Guinness Book of World Records attempt — all just by going to get their car washed on Saturday.
Juneteenth celebrates diversity
Juneteenth, which originated in Galveston, Texas, is known as Freedom Day, or African American Emancipation Day. Its purpose is to pay tribute to black American freedom, while focusing on education and achievement.
St. Joseph celebrated this key event in history this weekend with a parade on Saturday, which began near the tennis courts on Noyes Boulevard, ending on 19th Street at the corner of John Lucas Park.
The parade featured entries such as Praise Dancers, the Ol’ Skool Drill Team and the Atchison Drummers.
Those who visit the St. Joseph Fire Museum may notice a brick wall in its yard, just outside the entrance.
Child safety event prepares parents
Nearly 100 children were fingerprinted on Saturday. And the action could help save a life one day.
Duck race conditions far from ‘fowl’
Music, food, 80 degree weather, the smell of chlorine ... it was a good day for a duck race. The Northwest Area 10th Annual Duck Race, which took place at the St. Joseph Aquatic Park on Saturday, raised about $15,600 for Special Olympics Missouri. Mascot Quacky the duck made an appearance to send 5,000 rubber ducks “down the lazy river” at 1 p.m., before dancing and taking pictures with the kids. About 100 people were present for the event.
Benton High student wins car
What better way to promote safe driving than to give away a car? The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety and the St. Joseph Police Department teamed up with the Cecil Myers Mitsubishi dealership on Saturday to promote safe driving through the “I’m a Safe Driver” campaign.
A great day for a parade
Aside from the end of finals, college graduations and warm weather, the most commonly anticipated springtime reminder in St. Joseph is the annual Apple Blossom Parade.
Arbor Day festivities educate kids, parentsKids showed up to meet Smokey Bear while their parents came to pick up free tree seedlings at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s annual Arbor Day celebration on Saturday.
Egg-stravagant Easter celebration
Hundreds of kids gathered at Hyde Park Saturday afternoon to start Easter a day early with their parents, friends and the Easter Bunny.
Walking to fight multiple sclerosisAbout 400,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Bowling tournament strikes St. Joseph
The Belt Bowl was packed Saturday morning, as kids of all ages from all over Missouri participated in the Missouri State USBC Youth Championships. The 2009 tournament, sponsored by the United States Bowling Congress, will be at the Belt Bowl over the next five weekends, with the exception of Easter weekend. More than 1,400 youths are taking part, many of whom were in St. Joseph Saturday.
‘Super Saturday’ offers free tax helpOnly three weeks remain before the deadline for filing 2008 taxes, and things are already busy.
Got your green on?
Residents of the St. Joseph area gathered along the sidewalks of Frederick Boulevard to watch the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on Saturday. The most popular spot to park seemed to be at Crumbly Burger, around the 2700 block of Frederick. Jaki Dilley enjoyed sitting on the sidewalk outside the restaurant with her family.
North Platte student repeats as spelling champ
For the second year in a row, Morgan Brown of North Platte Junior High School will represent the Northwest Missouri area in the national spelling bee this summer.
‘Block Kids’ event builds creativity
Kids got the opportunity to be construction workers on Saturday. Children from first through sixth grades gathered at Hillyard Technical Center to participate in the Block Kids competition, a program started by the National Association of Women in Construction. The event is done nationally through all NAWIC chapters in February in hopes of getting youths to think of the construction industry as a career option.
Roy Blunt promotes his Senate candidacyU.S. Rep. Roy Blunt may be part of Congress, but that doesn’t mean he’s on board with the $790 billion stimulus package the House and Senate passed — and President Obama signed — this month.
Just the opposite, in fact.
‘Mesmerized’ by spelling
A student from Truman Middle School and one from Coleman Elementary won the chance to go to regionals when they participated in the Buchanan County Spelling Bee on Saturday.
Taking the plunge for charity
The 60-degree weather made each plunge a little less painful for participants in the Polar Bear Plunge at Lake Contrary beach on Saturday. Anyone 10 or older was permitted to jump into the icy-cold lake water to help raise money for the Special Olympics. The funds help Northwest Missouri athletes train for and compete in the Special Olympics.
Event excites student about scienceWith more than 300 visitors by 11:30 a.m. — and three hours to go — the St. Joseph Museum’s ninth annual Super Science Saturday event at the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion was a success, attracting students from throughout the area.
From far and wideIn an attempt to escape from the cold weather and share their love of boats, recreational vehicles, hunting and fishing with others, a crowd estimated in the thousands gathered at Civic Arena Saturday for the St. Joseph Sport, Boat & RV Show.
Born to handball, baby
The opportunity for young people to learn about the sport of handball was provided at the Bob Symon Memorial Professional Handball Tournament, which took place at the St. Joseph Family YMCA Saturday.
New Year: A chance at ‘redemption’
Only four days into the new year, people already are trying to get in the habit of exercising and focusing on various aspects of their health. YMCA Fitness Center staff member Rebecca Powell said she has seen an increase in members of all ages in the past couple of days.
Freezing rain causes scattered power outagesAnother bout with winter weather left thousands without power Saturday across the region, the Kansas City Power & Light Co. reported.
Last-minute holiday shoppers flood stores
With only four days left before Christmas, shoppers are still on the go, scrambling to buy those last few gifts. Lydia Funk, who carried a bundle of shopping bags, was one of the many last-minute holiday shoppers walking through East Hills Shopping Center Saturday afternoon. Ms. Funk said she enjoys last-minute shopping with her husband, Sam. “That’s all we ever do, is last-minute shopping,” she said.
Kids skate in the season
Members of the St. Joseph Figure Skating Club entertained those who attended the annual Mayor’s Children’s Christmas Party as they skated to songs such as “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree“ Saturday at Bode Ice Arena.
‘Get out and get into the holiday spirit’
The first significantly visible snowfall of the season failed to prevent shoppers from traveling to the Agency Holiday Mart Saturday. Miki Harris, co-chairwoman of this first-time event in Agency, thought the snow actually brought customers in. “I think it’s going to get people to get out and get into the holiday spirit,” Ms. Harris said.
St. Joseph woman killed in Saturday accident
A St. Joseph woman was killed early Saturday morning when she was thrown from a truck accident.
Woman dies in morning wreckEASTON, Mo. — A St. Joseph woman died in a car accident on Missouri Highway 31 in Easton Saturday morning.