Harrisonville fire chief uses jiu-jitsu to stay calm

Harrisonville Fire Department Fire Chief Rusty Sullivan has studied and trained in martial arts for nearly 35 years.
Before he was fire chief of the Harrisonville Fire department, Rusty Sullivan was a young man competing in rodeo events throughout California trying to make sense of a life that kept shifting under him.
The Cass County Fair Power Wheels races will be Wednesday night in Pleasant Hill.  They will be in the rodeo arena once again.
Cass County Fair to begin Sunday
PLEASANT HILL — This year’s Cass County Fair, which officially begins Sunday, will feature one bright, shiny new addition. The city paid Hanson Sports, LLC to add new and larger bleachers on the south side of the rodeo arena.
A table of high school students all holding multiple digital devices such as phones and tablets during a class lesson. Contemporary education and connected technology.
School districts adjusting to cell phone policy
School district administrators are either having to adjust their cell phone policies to align with new state legislation or they have been given a better way to help police their current policy.
Joe Parkhurst and Cameron Chenoweth bought the former Joni Fashions store on the Harrisonville square. They donated the entire store of clothes to benefit Big Brothers and Big Sisters, along with Bright Futures Harrisonville.
New business owners donate store’s clothes
An iconic building on the Harrisonville square has changed owners, and the contents inside the shop were collected for a local charity donation.
More Headlines
Harrisonville dealership officially begins new life
A new name is on the Ford dealership in Harrisonville as the sale of the former Max Motors was completed and it is now Reed Ford, part of the Reed Automotive Group.
John Shatto was voted in as mayor of Peculiar at the July 7 meeting.
Peculiar mayor resigns; aldermen approve new mayor
PECULIAR — Another big shift in the city’s leadership happened Monday night when a new mayor was chosen following the resignation of the former mayor.
Garden City aldermen discuss city pool’s future
GARDEN CITY — During last week’s board of aldermen meeting, city officials engaged in a detailed discussion about the future of the city park’s community pool, a once-popular facility that has remained closed for several years.
Harrisonville’s Renée Endicott, co-owner of Direct Family Healthcare, was the American Association of Nurse Practitioners’ selection for the 2025 AANP State Award for Outstanding Contributions. Dr. Endicott, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, received her award late last month.
Harrisonville’s Endicott receives healthcare award
Late last month, Harrisonville’s Renée Endicott was recognized at a national conference for her decades of work and advocacy, among other things, for nurse practitioners.
Peculiar Mayor Doug Stark
Aldermen to approve Peculiar mayor's resignation tonight
PECULIAR — The board of aldermen will make Doug Stark’s resignation as mayor official at tonight’s regularly scheduled meeting.
Local News

Archie man dies after Saturday night altercation

ARCHIE — A 34-year-old man died Sunday after suffering injuries from an altercation the night before.

Cities plan July 4th events

If you’re looking for a city fireworks show Friday night, there will be plenty to pick from this year.

 

Sports
Pleasant Hill senior Brooke Beck, center, celebrates winning the 400-meter dash at the Class 4 state meet. It marked her third-straight state championship in the event.

Senior athletes of the year: Beck rewrote Pleasant Hill record book

PLEASANT HILL — Brooke Beck left high school as one of the most decorated athletes in school history.

Changes coming to MSHSAA state wrestling dates, sites

Big changes are coming to the MSHSAA state wrestling championships beginning in the 2026-27 school year.
Harrisonville junior Kayleigh Norris cruises to victory, after passing lapped runners, and the 3,200-meter run state championship in a time of 10:35.54.

Senior athletes of the year: Norris ends career with 4 state championships

Kayleigh Norris ended her Harrisonville High School career in May with four individual state championships and multiple school records.

Most Read Local Stories
Obituaries
Linda Darlene Kelly
February 8, 1949 – June 26, 2025
Esther Vae Mawson Hess
December 13, 1926 – May 24, 2025
Don A. Sousley
January 21, 1932 – June 5, 2025

 

Opinion

Minich: A convenience store that’s much more

A rumor was circulating a few months back that a Buc-ees was being considered in Peculiar. As like most rumors, it was indeed just a rumor, it appears started as a joke.

Minich: Remembering a few special Third of Julys

I have without a doubt written July 3 or the numerical equivalent, 7-3, more than any other date in my life. Since it happens to be the anniversary of my birth, I use it regularly on medical forms, legal documents and even to identify myself at the pharmacy.

Minich: What did we see this week? Pt. 2

Last week, I wrote about things I had or hadn’t seen. That was not the original plan, it was just how it turned out. So even though it was unintentional, this week it is intentional, so I am calling it part two.

Minich: Assorted notes including big post office news

This is one of those weeks when I have so many things on my mind, but most of them are things I don’t want to write about, so I will share a few odds and ends and maybe tie up some loose ends.
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The staff blog
This is long overdue, but I can’t recommend this 2024 Dreamworks animated movie enough. During a year of great animated movies, such as “Inside Out 2”, “Moana 2” and “Flow”, this movie was the best, in my humble opinion.
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.
Welcome to the "Small Time"
Web Extras
Running 5 minutes a day can add 3 years to your life
Hone Health reports that running just 5-10 minutes daily can increase life expectancy by three years, promoting better health and longevity.
The Tour de France is one of the most physically taxing sporting feats imaginable.
Tour de France: How many calories will the winner burn?
Riders in the 2022 Tour de France will ride more than 2,100 miles (3,400 km) over the 21 flat and mountainous stages of the race. And they will burn an incredible amount of energy while doing so.
Lionel Messi celebrates with fans after Argentina won the FIFA World Cup championship in 2022 in Qatar.
2026 FIFA World Cup expansion will have a big climate footprint, with matches from Mexico to Canada – here’s what fans can do
Big sports events face a sustainability conundrum: They’re under pressure to grow bigger, but at the same time, their athletes are dealing with increasingly dangerous heat and shorter snow seasons.
Cyber-safe summer: How to travel smart and stay secure
(BPT) - Summer is in full swing, and with it the thrill of travel. Whether you're chasing sunsets, road-tripping with friends or exploring new places, the last thing you want is a scam ruining the …
Former Navy SEALs are diving to save the ocean
Reasons to be Cheerful reports on Force Blue, where veterans use their skills for marine conservation, healing both ocean and themselves.