Alonzo Weston

St. Joseph

Reporter and Columnist at News-Press Now

Reporter and Columnist at KNPN-TV (St Joseph, MO)

Alonzo Weston covers education and mental health and is also an award-winning columnist for the St. Joseph News-Press. .

Articles

Deportations could trade one problem for others

Dec 5, 2024 | newspressnow.com | Alonzo Weston

The shingle on our nation’s door partly reads “Give me your tired, your poor ...”Today, flip the sign over and it reads “Sorry, we’re closed.”Where once we ostensibly welcomed immigrants to our shores, we now work hard to close our borders. President-elect Donald Trump has said one of his first missions in office is to deport the roughly 11 million illegal immigrants in our country.
Post-Thanksgiving brings chance to recognize Native Americans

Nov 29, 2024 | newspressnow.com | Alonzo Weston

Most of you know this post-holiday weekend for all the Christmas shopping bargains to be had. It’s ironic to me because all the consumerism comes just after we give thanks for all we have. Yes, Thanksgiving is mostly celebrated with gluttony and football instead of truly giving thanks, but we’re grateful to be able to enjoy those things as such. We have images in our minds of the supposedly first Thanksgiving with Native Americans and Pilgrims breaking bread on that day.
It's time to look to the unity of the past

Nov 21, 2024 | newspressnow.com | Alonzo Weston

When Nov. 22 rolls around on the calendar I can’t say it affects me the same way it does when Sept. 11 comes up. It is in no way a matter of importance but rather due to how I experienced both events. When John Kennedy, our 35th president, was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas, I was a third-grader at Horace Mann Elementary School. When terrorists struck the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, I was an adult working as a reporter for the St. Joseph News-Press.
Hoping it's not too late

Nov 7, 2024 | newspressnow.com | Alonzo Weston

When I woke up Monday morning, it felt like Sept. 10, 2001, the day before the 9/11 attacks. The only difference then was I had no idea about the attacks and how the world would change in the aftermath. This time I knew things would change after this election, no matter who won. After 9/11, the tragedy brought us all together in unity. We all had a common foe. But following Tuesday’s vote, I see no unity in sight. Our common foe is now each other.
Closures of big chains leave holes filled now by memories

Oct 31, 2024 | newspressnow.com | Alonzo Weston

Kmart, one of the first big-box retailers, closed the doors of its last full-scale store in the mainland United States a week ago. Two big Kmart buildings have sat empty on the Belt Highway here for years. That marked the end of an era. At its peak, Kmart had more than 2,000 stores in the country. It even survived bankruptcy about 20 years ago. Now it joins Toys R Us, Radio Shack, Pier 1 and Bed Bath and Beyond in the retail graveyard.
Spooky season brings back favorite memories

Oct 24, 2024 | newspressnow.com | Alonzo Weston

My favorite month is ending and my top holiday is fast approaching. I love everything October, yes even the pumpkin spice. My granddaughter Asia was born on Oct. 1, and Halloween was my mom and I’s favorite holiday. My family history is steeped in supernatural folklore and tradition. My mother and aunts told of my great-grandmother Ella holding dining room table seances when they were kids. My childhood was enriched by family ghost stories around the coal stove on chilly October nights.
Time has come to do something about Lake Contrary

Oct 17, 2024 | newspressnow.com | Alonzo Weston

A friend the other day asked me about Lake Contrary in its heyday. I told him I’m too young to remember the ballroom and amusement park although there is a sepia-toned photo of a 5-year-old me standing in front of one of the amusement park rides. My memories of the lake are of the beach. Like many other families, we took our kids there when they were young. In the ‘70s it was full of families looking for an affordable way to keep cool on hot summer days.
Election thoughts from the Messanie Street Philosopher

Oct 9, 2024 | newspressnow.com | Alonzo Weston

Driving down the road Wednesday morning, I saw Bag-Head Jheri, the Messanie Street Philosopher, standing in front of the Dollar General store. He flagged me down and I stopped to hear what he had to say. “Wassup Weston?” Bag said by way of greeting. “I was about to ask you the same thing,” I said. “Oh man, 'dis election year gonna be a doozy,” Bag said while shaking his head. “What do you mean, Bag?” I asked.
Decline in values on display every day

Oct 3, 2024 | newspressnow.com | Alonzo Weston

As a child of the ‘70s who just turned 70 years old, I see what a long, strange trip it’s been so far. Working as a greeter at a large store for the past few months, I see our voting or non-voting public up close. My job is to check purchase receipts as there is a lot of theft. Some shoppers want to blame it on the economy. I blame a decline in moral character. One woman caught stealing a week ago had a 5-year-old daughter telling her it was wrong to steal. The mother told the child to shut up.
Let's do better for our kids

Sep 26, 2024 | newspressnow.com | Alonzo Weston

As the St. Joseph School district searches for a superintendent yet again, I see deja vu. Current superintendent Gabe Edgar has announced his intent to retire after the end of the current school year. I’ve lost count of how many superintendents we’ve been through since the 2015 Fred Czerwonka-Dan Colgan disaster that ended with Colgan in prison.