Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Breezy, with a south wind 11 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

Tonight
Increasing clouds, with a low around 45. South wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Wednesday
A chance of rain, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 58. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night
Rain likely, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 52. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thanksgiving Day
Rain. High near 55. Light and variable wind becoming east 8 to 13 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday Night
Rain before midnight, then rain and sleet. Low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday
Cloudy, with a high near 36.

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37.

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Sunday
A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night
A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40

According to AAA drivers will be paying the cheapest prices at the pump in seven years for their Thanksgiving trip.

Approximately 42 million Americans are expected to take a road trip this Thanksgiving, and drivers should pay the lowest pump prices for the Thanksgiving holiday since 2008.

AAA said retail averages have fallen for 17 consecutive days for a total savings of 15 cents per gallon, and the national average remains poised to fall below the $2 per gallon benchmark by the Christmas holiday.

Already, more than half of U.S. stations are selling gas for less than $2 per gallon. Today’s national average price of $2.07 per gallon represents a savings of nine cents per gallon versus one week ago, and 14 cents per gallon on the month. Significant yearly savings persist and pump prices are down 75 cents per gallon compared to this same date last year.

Monday in Missouri the average came in at $1.87. St. Joseph’s average charted in at $1.85 a gallon, 10 cents lower than this time last week and also lower than many other metros in the state. However, Kansas City still came in lower with an average of $1.82 a gallon.

Area troopers are stepping up enforcement for the Thanksgiving holiday as people hit the roadway.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the counting period for the 2015 Thanksgiving holiday weekend is from 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 25, until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 29, 2015. During the 2014 Thanksgiving holiday weekend, 18 people were killed and another 469 were injured in 1,151 traffic crashes. That means traffic crashes killed or injured one person every 12.6 minutes in Missouri over last year’s Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Troop H will also be participating in Thanksgiving Holiday weekend enforcement operations.

Throughout the holiday weekend, troopers within Troop H and throughout the state will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort). In addition to Operation C.A.R.E., Troop H will also be participating in a statewide special enforcement operation during the peak travel periods on Wednesday, November 25, and Sunday, November 29. During this operation, troopers will be assigned to 20-mile stretches of Interstate 35. Enforcement efforts on secondary roads will be conducted during the same timeframe within Troop H. Over the entire holiday weekend troopers will be vigorously enforcing all traffic laws and helping motorists in need of assistance.

“We expect traffic patterns to be affected by the upcoming holiday as people make their way home for Thanksgiving,” said Colonel J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “It’s important that everyone obey all traffic laws, be courteous drivers, and wear a seat belt. Pay attention when you’re driving and put the cell phone down. That text or phone call can wait until you’re off the roadway. If alcohol is part of your holiday celebration, plan to have a designated driver. On behalf of the employees of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, I wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving.”

The Highway Patrol’s Emergency Assistance number is 1-800-525-5555 (or *55 on a cellular phone). Motorists should use this emergency assistance number to report traffic crashes, crimes being committed, or other emergencies on Missouri’s highways. When you dial this number anywhere in the state, it rings directly into the closest Patrol headquarters.

New and gently used items to keep people warm this winter are being collected by the United Way of Greater St. Joseph.

United Way and Chick-fil-A are teaming to to hold a drive for the warm items Nov. 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. as part of Chick-fil-A’s Kids Club event.

A second drive will be held at Chick-fil-A on Saturday Nov. 28 from 11 am. to 2 p..m.  That day donors will be treated to a free Chick-fil-A sandwich.

“We are proud to support United Way of Greater St. Joseph by hosting this special warm weather drive,” said Jared Johnson, franchise Operator of Chick-fil-A at St. Joseph. “We hope the community will join us in supporting such a wonderful cause.”

Items being accepted include new and gently used hats, coats, gloves, mittens, blankets, coveralls, scarves, sweatshirts, and socks.  Donors who can’t make it by the restaurant can drop off donations at the United Way located at 118 S. 5th St. in St. Joseph.

The donated items will be shared with United Way agencies to distribute the warm items to their clients and consumers in need.

ST. JOSEPH, MO – Santa makes his arrival at the East Hills Shopping Center today for the Holiday Season.

East Hills said Santa will be arriving at the center in a horse drawn sleigh at 11:00 a.m. with a parade throughout the shopping center. The Benton, Central and Lafayette Marching Bands, Olaf and a Snow Queen will lead Santa’s parade. First season X Factor contestant John Lindahl will perform at 5:45 p.m. The Tree Lighting will be at 6 p.m. featuring a performance by Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer, Wanda Jackson, also known as the Queen of Rockabilly and appearance and autograph signing by 1985 Kansas City Royals World Series Champion Willie Wilson.

Children’s music performer Mr. Stinky Feet will perform after the parade at 11:15 a.m. in Center Court. East Hills will also be offering free horse drawn sleigh rides to shoppers from 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. The pick up and drop off point will be at the main entrance by Charming Charlie.

Free horse drawn carriage rides will be offered to shoppers from Saturday until Sunday, Dec. 20th They will be available every Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The pick up and drop off point will be at the main entrance by Charming Charlie.

The St. Joseph Police Department said Burlington Northern Santa Fe stopped railroad traffic Friday morning to investigate the possibility of thieves stealing railroad tracks.

“They were down behind a business and they took a long metal object from that business and the caller actually thought it was a railroad track but it turned out not to be,” said Det. Rick Woodley with the police department.

Woodley said the call came in around 6:50 a.m. and train traffic was stopped for about 25 minutes while police investigated.

Two St. Joseph residents, a 30-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman were arrested for investigation of stealing from HPI located at 222 Sylvanie St. in St. Joseph.

“We confirmed they had stolen an item from that business,” Woodley said.

The individuals were arrested at 77 Francis, the entrance to Riverfront Park.

Woodley said the case is being submitted to the prosecutor’s office for consideration of charges.

The Salvation Army of Buchanan County kicked off its annual Christmas Red Kettle Campaign Friday.

Bill ringers will now be out at nine locations around town trying to raise funds to benefit the Salvation Army’s community homeless shelter and programs.

This year’s goal is to raise $375,000.

Bell ringing sites in St. Joseph include both Walmarts, Sam’s Club, HyVee, Kmart, two Apple Market locations, East Hills Shopping Center and Hobby Lobby.

Bill ringers will be out from now until Christmas Eve. Volunteers are still being sought to help raise funds for the agency.

To volunteer call The Salvation Army 816.233.5824 and ask for LeeAnn.