November 20, 2009
Lisa Crawford -
Monday, Aug. 3, 2009
With the economy hitting America’s pocketbook, consumers have started looking at other ways to make expensive purchases.
Instead of buying outright, some St. Joseph customers have been taking advantage of rent-to-own retail stores.
The Sales & Lease Ownership division of Aaron’s Inc. increased its revenues in the first six months of 2009 to $890.2 million, an 11 percent jump from the same period a year ago.
Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009
Trevor Langle drove for the first time when he was 14. In a battered old pickup, he would drive the back dirt roads around the farm where he lived.
Now a retired grandfather living in Savannah, Mo., Mr. Langle drives his dream truck, a red pearl Toyota Tacoma crew cab he bought new in 2006.
Though President Barack Obama’s decision to increase average fuel economy standards could make big pickups more expensive or harder to get, motorists like Mr. Langle aren’t interested in converting to smaller vehicles.
Where’d the summer go?
Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009
While an abnormally cool July may be a splendid treat for some who would normally be cursing the hot and humid Missouri heat, others have been left hoping hotter temperatures will make an appearance any day now.
Ryan Cutter, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill, Mo., said the average temperature for the first 29 days of July this year was 73.9 degrees.
“It’s going to be one of the coldest Julys on record,” Mr. Cutter said. If the average remained 73.9 degrees all month, it would most likely end as the third coolest July on record.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Thirteen students from South Korea and three students from Panama will join more than 100 other high school students this fall at Northwest Missouri State University for the Missouri Academy of Science, Mathematics and Computing. As part of the two-year accelerated program, students will live on campus, attend classes with college students and eventually earn an associate degree of science, and a high school diploma.
Cronkite’s legacy starts in St. JosephFriday, July 24, 2009
At the southeast corner of 15th and Edmond streets is a large brick building serving as a residential care facility. But the building has a more vibrant past belonging to two separate, famous Americans.
Originally the home of Isaac Parker, commonly remembered as the “Hanging Judge” of Fort Smith, Ark., the house was eventually transformed into Gray’s Maternity Hospital and became the birthplace of Walter Leland Cronkite Jr.
“There are no plaques denoting that either of these two famous people are connected to the building,” said Gary Chilcote, director of the Patee House Museum. “There are a number of famous people from St. Joseph that have been totally ignored, to the point most people don’t realize they were ever famous.”
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Walking into the Buchanan County Courthouse, one might have sworn the tuxedo-clad man by the staircase was heartthrob actor Leonardo DiCaprio.
Employers cite challenges as minimum wage risesTuesday, July 21, 2009
The federal minimum wage will increase Friday from $6.55 to $7.25 an hour, but Missouri will only increase by 20 cents from the current required state minimum wage of $7.05. While those making less than the new wage will see a little more in their paychecks, others are wishing the wages were lower. “The minimum wage is encouraged to be a positive impact on the economy,” said Dr. Rebecca Travnichek, family financial education specialist with University of Missouri Extension. “Hopefully it will all balance out.”
‘The leaders of tomorrow’Saturday, July 18, 2009
Charlotte Jackson began bottle-feeding calves on her family’s dairy farm in Macon, Mo., when she was 5. Now a senior agricultural education major at Missouri State University, Ms. Jackson is pursuing her dreams as a member of the Agriculture Future of America Student Advisory Team.
Economy doesn’t slow casino’s roll
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Tom Lenahan, like many other St. Joseph residents, hasn’t let the sour economy keep him from relaxing after work with friends and co-workers playing card games at Terrible’s St. Jo Frontier Casino.
“But I never take more (money) than I can afford to lose,” Mr. Lenahan said.
Even amid the economic downturn, St. Joseph’s local casino is floating along like normal. At the end of the 2009 fiscal year, Terrible’s saw a 2 percent increase in revenue and admissions, and a 3 percent increase in customers.
Craig Travers, Terrible’s general manager, said there are a couple of things that he attributes to the increases.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
As a networking Web site, Facebook can reunite lost friends and classmates. But can it build a fresh-water well for more than 400 people in Africa? That’s what David Hugger, pastor of Third Day Christian Fellowship of St. Joseph, was hoping for when he created the Facebook group “100 people who made a difference!” “It just happened because I felt I wasn’t doing enough,” Mr. Hugger said. After reading a book that focused on some of the hypocrisies of the church, Mr. Hugger said he asked God what he could do to make a difference.
RideShare provides cheaper transportation optionsSunday, July 12, 2009
Commuters will soon have an easy way to search for others in need of cheaper methods of travel.
St. Joseph will be the newest addition to a program known as RideShare, offered through the Mid-America Regional Council.
“It’s like an online dating service for commuters,” said Kelsy Marr, transportation planner for the city’s Public Works and Transportation Department.
Safety or freedom of choice?
Sunday, July 12, 2009
About six months ago, a friend of Jeff Jacobs, general manager of Jake’s Motor World, was in a motorcycle accident.
The rider was thrown from his bike, and the force of the impact was so strong it split his helmet in half. The rider left the scene with only a battered leg, and Mr. Jacobs is sure the helmet is the reason his friend is alive today.
Mr. Jacobs rides a 650 Hyosung motorcycle and always wears a helmet, even in Kansas, which has a partial helmet law that requires motorcyclists under 21 to wear a helmet. In Missouri, state law mandates all riders to wear helmets.
Work starts on housing office
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Two construction trucks and a couple of uprooted tree trunks mark the site where the St. Joseph Housing Authority’s new administrative office building will be located. Construction began Monday on the 9,000-square-foot building at South 36th Street and Pickett Road.
Parents laud convenience of company's day care
Monday, July 6, 2009
When most parents head to work in the morning, they make an extra trip to drop their young children off at a day-care center. But the employees at Homeward Bound Health Services have the pleasure of bringing their children to work with them. Safe Harbor is the name given to the on-site day-care and preschool center at Homeward Bound, where the workers can leave their children in the care of professionals who are right around the corner. “I love that I am so close to them, and I can check on them anytime that I need to,” Tracy Gerstner said. Ms. Gerstner has been with the company since its start in 1991. The mother of two — Andrew, 4, and Madison, 7 — Ms. Gerstner said she likes knowing her children are having fun and learning in the safety of the on-site day-care center.
Leave it to the pros, fire inspector urgesFriday, July 3, 2009
As an inspector for the St. Joseph Fire Department, Jason Ziph no longer lights fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July. Instead, he normally spends the day responding to numerous calls of injuries and fires caused by the misuse of those holiday novelties.
Love Kitchen delivers for needy
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Cassidy Rowland eats at the Open Door Food Kitchen on a regular basis and is never picky about what she gets for lunch; she is just grateful to have a meal.
Made by hand
Monday, June 29, 2009
As an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. C. Daniel Smith has a lot of experience using screws, drills, hammers and saws to fix his patients. But when he gets home from the ER, he doesn’t relax by watching TV or reading a book. Instead, he has spent the last eight years building a wooden boat in his backyard.
“I’ve always been a woodworker, and I wanted, more than anything, for my boys to learn how to build,” Dr. Smith said.
His two sons, Mike and Nick, have helped their father build a variation of a Nathanael Herreshoff boat since Mike, the eldest, first pointed to a picture of one in a magazine when he was 12.
In tough times, Open Door ready as ever to help out
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Richard Dulan has been eating at the Open Door Food Kitchen for more than two months. A recent transplant to St. Joseph, he was an out-of-work railroad worker who now is employed at HPI Products Inc.
“This place is a godsend,” Mr. Dulan said. “They serve meals free of charge to people that would normally go hungry, and the food is even restaurant quality.”
Today, the kitchen will celebrate 25 years of service to the St. Joseph community with a picnic lunch from noon to 2 p.m. at Fifth and Edmond streets. A praise band from Ashland United Methodist Church will provide musical entertainment, and the kitchen will serve cake.
Are gas prices too high ... or too low?
Thursday, June 25, 2009
As temperatures rise, so does the price of gas.
The average price of unleaded gasoline in St. Joseph increased steadily by 21 cents this month, up to $2.45 a gallon, according to the American Automobile Association. Though the prices have currently plateaued, St. Joseph residents don’t think the freeze will last long in the heat.
“Gas is pretty high,” said St. Joseph native Kevin Brown. “It seems like they always change it in the summer, and make it higher for no reason.”
Pets need relief from heat
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
When keeping cool this summer, don’t leave one family member sitting out in the sun.
Rural residents struggle with digital TV switchSunday, June 21, 2009
The government-mandated switch from analog to digital television has left some in rural Missouri wondering where their channels are. According to the Federal Communications Commission’s call logs, 5 percent of Missouri callers were not aware of the transition and another 8 percent were aware but did not act until after the switch on June 12. “It’s unbelievable,” said Cliff McMair, owner of Best Brands Plus RadioShack in Maryville. “The phone has been ringing nonstop since last Saturday.”
Speaker shares unique view of autismThursday, June 18, 2009
It’s all right to call Dr. Temple Grandin weird; she’ll be the first to admit it.
She may not be able to give a speech in an auditorium without the house lights on, the spotlight gone and the speakers turned down, but she will walk right into a cattle corral and lay in the dirt to let the cows curiously explore her.
“Geek and nerd are just other names for autism,” Dr. Grandin said.
Museum boasts bevy of Barbies
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Poised perfectly at a tea table is a rare French Jumeau “Bebe” with long brunette curls, wearing an authentic green dress that accents the sparkle in her glass eyes. She is one of the many antique dolls the St. Joseph Doll Museum has on display. “I think this is just a wonderful place,” Gary Ellis said. Mr. Ellis first visited the museum after he began collecting dolls as a hobby 15 years ago while taking care of his mother. He said the dolls were able to bring them closer together. In honor of the famous Mattel Barbie’s 50th anniversary, Mr. Ellis has loaned his collection of Bob Mackie Barbie dolls to the museum for the month of June.
New tobacco rules get mixed reviews
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
After smoking for 20 years and quitting for 15, Regina Lenhart may smoke a cigar on occasion, but would never want to see her nieces near any tobacco products. That’s why Ms. Lenhart is in favor of the Food and Drug Administration regulating the manufacturing and distribution of tobacco products. “It’s a bad habit; it’s not good for you. I know it,” Ms. Lenhart said. “Anything to keep kids away from it will probably help.”
Safety Town gets message across
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Camden Lutz, 5, started crying when his grandmother went to leave him for his first day at Safety Town, but soon he was up running around with the other 24 students asking questions about how to ride a bus.
At camp, kids can just be kids again
Friday, June 12, 2009
Groups of laughing children try avoiding the mud as they run in opposite directions around Camp Farwesta, searching for their next clue. Though these children live their lives battling cancer, their greatest worry at Camp Quality is winning the scavenger hunt.
Adam Nutting attended his first Camp Quality in 1993 after he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age 10. Sixteen years later, he still spends a summer week at the camp, now as part of the staff.
“My favorite part is watching the kids jump off the bus, excited to have an incredible week,” Mr. Nutting said. Camp Quality Northwest Missouri began Sunday and runs through today in Stewartsville, Mo. The annual community-funded camp is a getaway for children who have been diagnosed with cancer.
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