Operation BBQ Relief continues helping disaster victims

Stan Hays, CEO and co-founder of Operation BBQ Relief, began his Peculiar-based organization in 2011 to help victims after an EF-5 tornado ripped through Joplin. Here, he stands by the original trailer and smoker used in Joplin. The group has delivered over 13 million meals across the U.S. during the past 14 years.
PECULIAR — When a disaster hits a community, leaving houses destroyed, flooded streets and families with nothing, there’s one nonprofit organization that comes to town, not just with supplies but with warm smoked brisket and pulled pork, along with a sense of community.
The Pleasant Hill High School class of 2025 celebrated graduation with the annual tossing of the caps outside Connection Point Church in Raytown.
Pleasant Hill High School grads reflect on school, class
RAYTOWN — Tyne Wilson said some of her graduating classmates may remember her as being Ms. Pleasant Hill for her love of the school and town, but she had one simple message for her fellow students at last Thursday’s commencement.
Peculiar aldermen take first step to impeach mayor
PECULIAR — Mayor Doug Stark is the subject of a potential impeachment as the city’s board of aldermen met in special session Friday evening to start the process.
The Cass County Fair rodeo has sold out both nights of the annual event the past two years, causing the Pleasant Hill City Council to approve upgrading and expanding the rodeo arena bleachers. The project is expected to be done before this summer’s fair, which begins July 13.
Pleasant Hill City Council takes next step on fair arena bleachers
PLEASANT HILL — A month after taking the first steps on improving bleachers at the Cass County Fairgrounds, the city council took one more step in making it a reality Monday night.
More Headlines
Body of missing 4-year-old boy found in rural Belton pond
BELTON  — The body of a 4-year-old boy was found Friday night. His body was recovered from a pond near 187th Street and State Route Y near 10:20 p.m. Friday.
Adrian city officials, aldermen address feral cat problem
ADRIAN – Looking at the agenda for the city’s board of aldermen meeting Monday night, one might have thought the main topic of conversation would be the city’s upcoming budget. But instead, a great deal of the meeting was devoted to how to deal with feral cats.
Danna Soriano, a sixth grader at Harrisonville Middle School, will participate in the 2025 Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress in Washington, D.C.
Harrisonville sixth grader to represent MO in D.C.
Danna Soriano, a sixth grader at Harrisonville Middle School, has been selected as one of just four delegates from Missouri to participate in the 2025 Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress in Washington, D.C.
Spring city-wide cleanup day is Saturday
The annual Harrisonville spring cleanup event is set for Saturday. The city will once again be using the GFL/WCA facility, located at 22820 291 Highway as the event host. The gates will be open …
City of Peculiar works to cut water bills
PECULIAR — In a move to provide financial relief for local residents, the board of alderman voted 6-0 Monday night to approve paying off the remaining amount on  certain accounts and equipment.
Local News

Final plea pending in cemetery theft case

A plea hearing for Lisa Anderson scheduled for Tuesday afternoon has been delayed until June 9 in the case where she stands accused of stealing funds from the Oakland Cemetery Association.

High school graduations kick off this week

It’s already high school graduation season, and it officially kicks off tonight and continues through May 18.
Sports

Drexel, Midway athletes advance to sectional

Athletes from across the region came together with high stakes and hopes at the Class 1 District 6 track and field meet on Saturday.

Sherwood baseball holds off Archie rally

ARCHIE — What started as a back and forth battle turned into a dramatic near- comeback for the Whirlwind baseball team in a battle of Cass County schools last week.
Adrian’s Andrew Kendrick placed sixth at the Class 2 District 4 tournament, becoming the lone Blackhawk state qualifier. He will be competing at the state tournament Monday.

Four area boys golfers headed to state

Four area boys golf teams will be sending four players to their respective state tournaments next week.
The Harrisonville baseball team beat Nevada 9-7 last week.

Sports roundup: May 8

Adrian Baseball and Softball The baseball team started off the week by traveling to Versailles and came away with a 10-7 win. The Blackhawks were scheduled to play in their conference …
Harrisonville senior Kayleigh Norris won the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter runs at the MRVC West meet Friday. It was the first time all season she’s competed in two races as she’s been battling back from an offseason injury.

Pleasant Hill girls win conference title; Norris leads Harrisonville with 2 golds

PLEASANT HILL — In addition to the Chicks winning their third conference title in a row, the Harrisonville girls saw positive signs from their star runner Friday night.

Most Read Local Stories
Obituaries
Margaret Ann Satterfield
November 16, 1944 – April 29, 2025
Photo of Norene Blaylock
E. Norene Blaylock
March 15, 1925 – May 6, 2025
James Caleb Branson
December 2, 1938 – April 30, 2025
Coburn (Coby) Schrock
July 21, 1930 – May 4, 2025
Saragay Dewey Hight
Saragay Dewey Hight January 15, 1943 – April 15, 2025
Opinion

Minich: It’s not that hard if you try

My buddy Art just left after spending a couple weeks in town. I have talked about Art before, he is the one whose daughter spent $1,000 in vet bills for her chicken. He and his wife were visiting before going home to North Carolina to pack so they could move to Colorado.

Minich: A joke to celebrate Mother’s Day

I’m going to tell you a joke, but first I need to set it up. Sunday is Mother’s Day, a special 24 hours we set aside to honor the moms in our lives. While I think of my mother almost every day, the memories get even more precious as the holiday approaches.

Minich: May: flowers, songs and gardening

The week at the newspaper office begins and ends on Tuesdays. We have a deadline to complete the paper: end of week.

Minich: Television reflects so much about us

It is sad to admit that when people ask me what my hobbies or interests are, my most-truthful answer is watching television. I want to be the type who can say “I build bird houses” or “I like studying the migratory habits of the North American Hummingbird.” I would like to say that, but most truthfully, I like sitting around watching television.
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The staff blog
Once again, Pixar hit me in the feels, and had my eyes watering on multiple occasions last weekend. Sad thing is, I had a hunch it might happen because the first one has a couple very emotional scenes.
Folks my age and a bit younger have arguably seen this amazing animated classic. Now it’s time to show it to the next generation.
This 2011 masterpiece which was nominated for an Academy Award is arguably one of the under the radar movies, especially in the 2010s.
There are just a handful of days left to listen to Christmas music before people find it weird or give you dirty looks, so if you’re like me, take the time and dive in head first. Of course, I like …
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Web Extras
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(Family Features) Working professionals across a wide range of industries spend more time than ever on video chats and virtual meetings.
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Natural disasters prompt a flood of social media posts. AI can help sift the wheat of helpful information from the chaff of chitchat and misinformation.
The best burger in America, according to a health expert
Hims research determined which fast food burgers have the healthiest nutritional content and which ones to save for a special splurge.
What's that racket? 4 car noises you shouldn't ignore
CheapInsurance.com encourages drivers to listen for car noises that can help diagnose a potential problem before it becomes a serious emergency situation.
Two-thirds of U.S. families live with a furry or feathery friend
(BPT) - It's no surprise that people love their pets. In fact, 97 percent of pet owners consider them part of the family, according to a study from the Pew Research Center. To celebrate our …