DREXEL – Into his fifth week as superintendent of Drexel R-IV School District, Gary French knows both the challenges and the opportunities awaiting administrators, faculty and students as the academic year gets underway.

Less than a week after several downtown Harrisonville buildings were spray-painted with graffiti, the Harrisonville Police Department has identified two suspects.

A $100,000 winning Missouri Lottery ticket was sold at Ducky’s in Harrisonville according to a release from the Missouri Lottery Commission.

PECULIAR — In the ongoing civic discussion concerning Diode Ventures, Ward 3 Alderman Robert Wells threw any remaining forward momentum on the proposed hyperdata center into reverse at Monday night’s meeting.

Beginning tomorrow, 7 Highway through Pleasant Hill will be under construction for about three weeks.

The Harrisonville Board of Aldermen was informed Monday night that Randal (Randy) Moody has accepted the position as police chief in the city. He is slated to start with the city on Sept. 16.

August has arrived and with it the 2024-2025 school year. The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to encourage parents to include conversations about safety when preparing their student for school.

Results from today’s primary election have been rolling in tonight. Here is what has been reported. All results are unofficial as of now.

Kevin Argo will serve four years in the Missouri Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to second-degree felony assault on Harrisonville Police Officer Scott Ramsey at the 2023 Harrisonville High School Prom.

A downtown Harrisonville business has changed its name due to a slight change in ownership, but the wedding and event venue on Independence Street remains open after undergoing some interior improvements.

A pair of candidates are battling in the next week’s primary election for the Bates County Northern Commissioner seat. Incumbent Ken Mooney is being challenged by John Gray for the spot.

PECULIAR – Shortly after plans were put on hold for a large-scale data center, representatives from both sides came together to talk and ask questions at a public event last week.

It’s not hard to find a Mexican restaurant while driving around Cass County today, but such was not the case 19 years ago when Luis Lomeli opened the Best Burrito on South Commercial Street.

PLEASANT HILL — The Cass County Fair celebrated its 30th anniversary this year, but for vendors Max and Jessica Cobb, of Creighton, it was their very first time selling at the county fair. 

PLEASANT HILL — Price Chopper and the city of Pleasant Hill have reached an agreement on a new store to be developed at the northeast corner of 163rd Street and 7 Highway. 

With no others filed, the Aug. 6 primary will determine the race for Cass County Sheriff. Republican voters will choose between incumbent Jeff Weber and challenger Terry Dotson.

With no Democrats or other candidates in the race, the Republican primary will likely determine who will serve as the Cass County Assessor for the next four years.

According to the July candidate filing reports with the Missouri Elections Commission, the three candidates running for the Missouri Senate District 31 seat have spent nearly $740,000 during this campaign season.

Four candidates are vying for the Cass County Commission District 1 (South) seat in the Republican primary. The office is currently held by Monty Kisner, who is not seeking re-election.

PLEASANT HILL — Jence Griffith is relatively new to the sport of rodeo, but he’s quickly developed a skill for bareback riding and it was on display Friday night.

BUTLER — Joyce Fitzpatrick believes in the power of one person’s desire to do good. Nearly 20 years ago, she got an idea to form a group of like-minded women to donate their time making quilts for charitable causes.

As Josh Chastain talks about his first year as Harrisonville Schools superintendent, he emphasizes his regard for students, teachers, the district and the community at large. 

PECULIAR – For the time being, plans for a $1.5 billion data center are off the table in the city of Peculiar.

Verrell Garrett, 25, of Grandview, was arrested and charged by the Cass County prosecutor with a Class E Felony on July 11 after an incident on July 5.

PLEASANT HILL — Beginning Tuesday, the city will become a lot more crowded as visitors flood in for the Cass County Fair. The opening ceremony is set for 3:45 p.m. Sunday at the fairgrounds, which are located at 308 W Commercial Street, just a couple of blocks west of downtown.