Winter Storm Blair blankets are with ice, snow

Clifford Eslick works to clean his driveway in Pleasant Hill. Winter Storm Blair dropped more than six inches of snow on the area over the weekend, causing business, government offices and schools to close. Residents worked to clear driveways and sidewalks, while others enjoyed sledding and playing in the snow.
Just a couple of days after champagne was popped and the new year was celebrated, Mother Nature reminded a large portion of the country winter is here.
Heath and Patricia Forester painted their Harrisonville home to match the animated Victorian house featured in Disney/Pixar’s 2009 movie, “Up.” When the painting was finished, the Foresters attached some balloons onto the front of their home and placed cardboard cut-outs of Kevin, the giant female bird, and Dug, the golden retriever, in their front yard.
Harrisonville couple decorates house straight out of Disney
It’s almost as if a magic spell has settled over the Queen Anne Victorian-era house located at 503 E. Pearl Street in Harrisonville.
The Archie Meteorite, which weighs about 11 pounds, is on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. The stone was recovered from the Christiansen family farm in Archie in 1932.
Archie meteorite rests in Smithsonian
ARCHIE -- For 120 years, the Christiansen family has had a reputation of growing some of the best corn in the state, as evidenced by numerous ribbons won throughout the years at the state fair. But the family farm earned national recognition not for its crops, but instead for rocks in the summer of 1932.
Midway High School alum Kylie McMullen, right, was at the Cass County Public Library Harrisonville branch on Dec. 9 to answer questions, chat and sign her new novella, “Baked with Love.”
Midway alum takes her writing public with romance novellas
Midway High School alum Kylie McMullen has written and published her first novella called “Baked with Love.”
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Harrisonville school board to vote on 2025 bond issue
The Harrisonville School Board is finalizing language for a no-tax-levy-increase school bond resolution that voters will approve or disapprove in April 2025. 
School districts cancel Tuesday classes
Although roads are beginning to be cleared off since the snow stopped early this morning, school districts are canceling classes for Tuesday. Districts that have already canceled school include …
Free smoking cessation program starts Monday
Cass Regional Medical Center will host QuitSmart®, a free smoking cessation program, starting Monday.
East Lynne Impact Room manager and educator Julie Bell, Superintendent Sonya Vaughn and BIST expert Judith Soltys confer about the merits of trauma-informed education and BIST. The school district implement the  Behavior Intervention Support Team in 2009.
Student behavior remains a priority at East Lynne school
EAST LYNNE – For nearly 15 years now, teachers, administrators and staff at the Pre-K-8 school have been fully engaged in the use of an alternative approach to classroom management and student best behavior.
Tickets for texting and driving begin in January
Beginning Jan. 1, Missouri drivers can now be ticketed for breaking the hands-free law banning cellphone use.
Local News

Shop with a Cop brings smiles to area children

On Saturday morning, the Harrisonville Police Department and representatives from other agencies were out in force taking on the role of Santa for local children.

Johnsons continue old-time Christmas display

What Jack and Loretta Johnson began 15 years ago as a way to bring Christmas cheer to others is still going strong east of Harrisonville.

Harrisonville Schools opting to shift grades, building designs

The Harrisonville School District is making key adjustments for the 2025-2026 school year to accommodate the space needed to offer expanded preschool opportunities and before- and after-school child care.

A Sweet Expression shop still going strong after 25 years

PLEASANT HILL – A Sweet Expression, the candy shop in downtown, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month. Store owner Debbie Aiman is planning a special event on Dec. 14, to celebrate the occasion.

Harrisonville Public School Foundation awards grants to teachers

Teachers and students in the Harrisonville School District recently received more than $8,000 in grants from the Harrisonville Public School Foundation.
Sports
Drexel junior Kolbi Nichols, center, scores a layup while avoiding a blocked shot by Kingsville’s John Fleeman, who stands at 6 feet, 11 inches. Drexel fell to Kingsville in the championship game of the William D. Gordon Holiday Classic last week.

Bobcats take second at home tournament

DREXEL — In the championship game of its home tournament, the Drexel boys basketball team ran into a large problem that was tough to overcome. It was a 6-foot, 11-inch problem, to be exact.
Drexel junior Grace Francis dribbles up the sideline to beat the full-court pressure.

Drexel girls knock off Chilhowee, win holiday classic

DREXEL — A winning streak that began before winter break continued through the break for the Drexel girls basketball team.

Sherwood, Adrian win two wrestling titles from Sedalia

At the 48-team Battle at the Katy Trail Tournament, Sherwood finished 15th while Adrian placed 41st over the weekend.

Harrisonville boys win tournament, extend win streak

The Harrisonville boys basketball team beat a rival, avenged a previous loss from earlier in the year and defeated a team it hadn’t beat in eight years en route to winning the Butler Tournament last week.

DeVenney leads Harrisonville wrestling team at home tourney

At its last big tournament before the holiday break, the Harrisonville boys wrestling team had a solid showing over the weekend.

Girls wrestlers compete well at Belton Tournament

The Harrisonville, Pleasant Hill and Sherwood girls wrestling squads competed in the 26-team Lady Pirate Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

Three champs lead Sherwood boys to tournament crown

The Sherwood boys wrestling program continued its good start to the season, adding a tournament title to its resume.
Tribune and Times Pickup Locations

After back-to-back losses to end the Summit Christian Academy Tournament earlier in the month, the Harrisonville boys basketball team bounced back with three-straight victories last week.
ST. JOSEPH — After what they called their worst half of football all season, Archie responded with a dominating performance that sealed up their second-straight state championship.
COLUMBIA — This year’s senior class of Adrian football players had one goal in mind when it began this season: to complete an act of atoning for guilt, a fault or a mistake.
COLUMBIA — Colton Miller’s final touchdown in an Adrian uniform was one that will be shown on highlight reels for many years to come. It was the final touchdown of the Adrian football season, and it put an exclamation point on the Blackhawks’ first state title in more than two decades.
Most Read Local Stories
Obituaries
Larry Gill
December 29, 1952 – December 29, 2024 
William Ivan Hendrickson  
January 26, 1938 – December 18, 2024  
Loretta Lucille Manning
December 3, 1936 – November 19, 2024
Miles Eaglehawk Humbird
September 28, 2006 – December 7, 2024
John R. West
December 13, 1956 – November 30, 2024
Opinion

Minich: Weathering the winter blues

Like virtually everybody else, the weather has been in the forefront of my mind. It started Saturday morning as we pulled out of our garage with snowflakes starting to fall.

Minich: A year merging marriage and murder mystery

Making a personal list of the “big events” of a certain year can sometimes be challenging, but 2024’s list is very simple for me. I got married.

Minich: Wonky schedule: wonky thoughts

I sort of feel like I am in a wrinkle of the time-space continuum. I don’t really know what the time-space continuum is, but it is something they talk about on “Star Trek” and whenever they do it means something isn’t right with a timeline.

Minich: Thoughts of family, Jesus at Christmas

Amazingly enough, we have once again reached Christmas. Some years the days and weeks leading up to holiday seem especially joyous and festive.
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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 …
Welcome to the "Small Time"
Web Extras
Music fests and tours and concerts in 2025: What's lined up
Way.com shares details about the music festivals, concerts, and tours lined up for 2025.  
How long do New Year's resolutions actually last?
Way.com dives into the numbers and logic behind how long New Year's resolutions actually last.
How long do New Year's resolutions actually last?
Way.com dives into the numbers and logic behind how long New Year's resolutions actually last.
Your phone company can help you avoid wasting time and risking your money on spam callers.
America’s Spam Scorecard
(NAPSI)—The next time your phone rings, there’s a good chance it will be a spam call—but there are ways you can protect yourself. The Problem The average person sees around 9 spam calls a …
Nurturing This Trait Could Bolster Kids' Confidence
(Family Features) Creative expression not only helps children convey their thoughts and feelings, but it also helps build the self-esteem and resilience needed to navigate life's complexities.