A new restaurant offering pizza, chicken and more will launch in St. Joseph this fall. 

According to a press release, Pizza Ranch, based in Orange City, Iowa, recently signed an agreement with local entrepreneurs Mike and Lindsey Ubaldo to open a location in St. Joseph. It will be the fifth location in the state. 

“St. Joseph is the perfect area for Pizza Ranch, “Lindsey Ubaldo said. “We love the mission and vision that Pizza Ranch has set forth and think St. Joseph residents will appreciate all that the restaurant has to offer.” 

The Ubaldo’s are planning to open this fall at 3007 North Belt Highway, Suite A, just north of Gene Field Road. Mike will be serving as the restaurant’s general manager in St. Joseph. 

The Pizza Ranch restaurants serve pizzas, chicken and salads in a ranch-themed environment. Pizza Ranch also works to partners with local schools, churches, non-profits and other organizations to host fundraisers and social functions. 

“We’ll be bringing all of the Pizza Ranch features that fans of the brand have grown to love,” Mike Ubaldo said. “We’ll have community gathering rooms, a drive-thru and of course, the legendary buffet. 

In addition to St. Joseph, Pizza Ranch added several other locations this year including one in Maryville.  For more information about Pizza Ranch in St. Joseph and elsewhere, visit PizzaRanch.com.

 

The St. Joseph Police Department plans to host a driving program to educate parents on how to keep their teen drivers a little safer.

First Impact, a program to teach parents about Missouri’s Graduated Driver License law will be held Aug. 3 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Law Enforcement Center located at 501 Faraon St.  The program is free.  Sgt. Larry Stobbs with the department said it’s important for parents to know what the requirements entail.

“The parents of these new drivers can come down to the police department, they can understand what their kid needs to do and learn before they go out and get their driver’s permit and later go out and get their driver’s license,” Stobbs said. “They learn what the requirements are as far as how many passengers they can have with them, there’s certain conditions they can’t drive between, certain hours in the first six months of driving.”

According to First Impact, 41 percent of fatal teen crashes involved speeding or driving too fast for conditions. 93 percent of teens killed in Missouri traffic crashes were killed in vehicles driven by another teenager.  Stobbs said the course will offer parents resources to talk to their teens about staying safe behind the wheel.

“That way the kids feel like they know what the rules are and mom and dad also have something that says here’s what the rules are and hopefully it will make the kids do things in a safer manner when they’re out driving,” he said.

To register for the event CLICK HERE.

The St. Joseph Police Department is still investigating after a report of shots fired from vehicles Thursday night in midtown.

Capt. Jeff Wilson said officers responded to the area of 20th and Lafayette around 5:30 to witnesses reporting that individuals in two vehicles possibly exchanged gunfire for a short period of time in the area.

Shell casings were recovered. No injuries were reported.

Capt. Wilson said an officer located one of the vehicles believed to be involved in the incident in the 600 block of S. 16th St.

Police seized the yellow mustang for investigation. Officers are also searching for a green SUV also believed to be involved in the case but have a limited description to go on.

Wilson said police are still working leads in the case. Anyone with information is asked to call the Tips Hotline (816) 238-TIPS

(Update 1:43 p.m.) – After less than three hours a jury had returned a verdict of guilty for a St. Joseph woman accused of murdering a man nearly four years ago.

A jury of seven women and five men found Angela Henderson guilty of second-degree murder, armed criminal action and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of Clinton “Sam” Justice who was found fatally stabbed in his home in December of 2012.  The verdict was returned Thursday around 1:38 p.m., less than three hours since deliberations began.

Angela Henderson and two others were charged in the case. Kim Keith pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree murder, but identified Henderson as the one who stabbed Justice. Henderson’s son was deemed incompetent for trial.

Around a dozen of Justice’s family members were seen in court crying and hugging each other when the verdicts were read.

A sentencing hearing has been set for Sept. 8 at 3 p.m.  A pre-sentence report has been ordered.

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(11:39 a.m.) – Closing arguments are over and a jury will now decide the fate of a St. Joseph woman accused of murdering a man nearly four years ago.

Clinton “Sam” Justice was found fatally stabbed in his home in December of 2012. Angela Henderson and two others were charged in the case. Kim Keith pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree murder, but has identified Henderson as the one who stabbed Justice. Henderson’s son was deemed incompetent for trial.

Henderson is charged with murder, armed criminal action and tampering with evidence.

In closing arguments Thursday morning, Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney, Dwight Scroggins pointed out that Angela Henderson knew things about the killing that would only be known by someone who was present when it took place. Defense lawyer, Rose Briscoe called the chief witness against Angela Henderson a liar.

The case went to the jury for deliberations at 10:46 a.m. When a verdict is reached we will update this story.

A semi carrying cattle caught fire in Livingston County Wednesday night.

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office said it as well as Missouri State Highway Patrol, Chillicothe Fire and Mooresville Fire responded to a tractor/trailer fire on U.S. 36 highway around 11:50 p.m.

The semi-tractor was engulfed in flames and a total loss. The driver was hauling 57 cattle. The sheriff’s office said fortunately the driver, emergency responders and cattle were not injured during the incident.

The St. Joseph Police Department is investigating after break-ins overnight at Bode Middle School and the Aquatic Park.

Officer Mike Hardin with the St. Joseph Police Department said locks were broken at both locations overnight in an effort to gain entry.

The number of suspects is currently unknown, but Hardin said Bode Middle School located at 720 Noyes Blvd. was broken into for a burglary attempt sometime between midnight and 1:30 a.m. Wednesday.

“They broke into the outside concession area of the Bode soccer field,” Hardin said.

It’s unknown if the Bode incident is tied to a burglary attempt at the Aquatic Park located just down the road at 402 S. Noyes which also took place sometime overnight.

Hardin said both the office and concession area of the pool were broken into.  Locks were broken, a screen cut, and metal covering a window was cut.

He said currently nothing is believed missing from either location.  Also, nothing appeared to have been vandalized.

Police are looking into the possibility of surveillance footage and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS hotline at (816) 238-TIPS.

A Savannah High School organization will hold its second triathlon in August with proceeds going toward the local Backpack Buddies program. 

Camarie Slagle, a senior at Savannah High School this fall, is the coordinator of the “Tri to End Hunger” triathlon hosted by Savannah High School FCCLA. 

Slagle said proceeds from the triathlon will help fund the Backpack Buddies program. 

“The Backpack Buddies program of Andrew County compiles a backpack of non-perishable food items to give to kids who come from food insecure households from schools in the surrounding area,” Slagle said. “They had 226 children in the program for the 2015 and 16 school year.” 

The triathlon has two races. The adult triathlon is for anyone age 12 and up and consists of a 150 meter swim, a nine mile bike and a 2.1 mile run. The 11 and under age group will complete a 50 meter swim, a one mile bike and a half mile run. 

Slagle said there are two reasons people should get involved with the triathlon. 

“Not only is it going to a beneficial cause that has a great need,” Slagle said. “But also you can be fit by training for the triathlon and it is definitely doable for anybody – the course is pretty much flat.” 

Slagle said it costs $150 dollars per child per year to receive meals through the Backpack Buddies program. Last year they raised about $2,000 from the triathlon which helped to feed 13 children. This year she said the goal is to raise enough to feed at least 15 children. 

The triathlon begins with the swimming portion at 7 a.m. on Saturday, August 13th, at the Savannah Pool in Messick Park. For more information or to register click here.