La Cygne police department receives much needed grant

The La Cygne Police Department and the La Cygne Fire Dept. are proud recipients of a grant awarded through First Option Bank and the Louis & Dolpha Baehr Foundation to assist with the purchase of additional portable radios for BOTH departments

Through this funding, the Police Department received five (5) new portable radios, while the Fire Department received six portable radios along with a six-bank charging station designed to remain onboard a fire apparatus. This setup is especially beneficial for the unique needs of a volunteer fire department, helping ensure equipment remains charged, accessible, and ready for emergency response at all times.

Reliable communication equipment is one of the most important tools our first responders rely on each day. These additional radios will enhance communication capabilities, improve coordination during emergencies, and help ensure the safety of both responders and the community we serve.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to First Option Bank and the Louis & Dolpha Baehr Foundation for their continued support of public safety and rural communities. Grants such as this make a meaningful impact and help provide our departments with the tools needed to better serve the citizens of La Cygne, without impacting our budgets.

Thank you for investing in our community and in safety!

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Cass County Sheriff's Office receives Blue Shield designation

HARRISONVILLE – On May 15th, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received official word from the Missouri Department of Public Safety that we have earned the Missouri Blue Shield designation for 2026.

This honor recognizes Missouri communities that demonstrate their commitment to enhancing public safety, investing in and supporting law enforcement and building partnerships between law enforcement and our community.

The Missouri Blue Shield Program was created by Governor Mike Kehoe in January 2025 through Executive Order 25-03.

“The Blue Shield program has shown what’s possible when communities commit to prioritizing law enforcement and public safety,” Governor Kehoe said. “After awarding $50,000 grants to more than 200 communities last year, we’re continuing that work by welcoming new communities and renewing Blue Shield designations for counties, towns, and cities that remain committed to the program.”

“We are honored to receive the Missouri Blue Shield designation and grateful to the County Commission and our community for their continued support of public safety. This recognition reflects a shared commitment to investing in law enforcement, strengthening community partnerships, and working together to Keep Cass County Safe for everyone,” said Sheriff Jeff Weber.

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Update regarding fire at Rich Hill post office

At 11:40 a.m., Rich Hill Fire was dispatched to the Rich Hill Post Office for a reported structure fire. Upon arrival, crews found a significant amount of smoke inside the building. Firefighters identified the source as the HVAC system located in the utility room.

Mutual aid was initially requested from Butler Fire; however, RHFD was able to cancel the request before they arrived on scene.

Thank you to Butler Fire and the Bates County Sheriff's Office for your prompt response and assistance.

Courtesy Rich Hill Fire

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Obituary - Sherrill Ann McGee

Sherrill Ann McGee's wishes were to be cremated and remembered with fond memories. There are no public services scheduled at this time. Arrangements under the direction of Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel and Crematory (660-679-6555) Butler, Missouri. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Sherrill is survived by four siblings, Patricia Lynne Scott of Drexel, Missouri, Leonard Dee McGee of Indianapolis, Indiana, Burton Lee McGee and Elizabeth Hope McGee; one niece, Rebekah Lynne Scott of Drexel, Missouri; and ex-husband, Earney Smith of Ozark, Missouri.

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Smoke reported at Rich Hill post office, fire crews responding

A report of smoke inside the Rich Hill post office has prompted a response from local fire agencies including Rich Hill and Butler. 

Further details are unavailable at this time, use caution if traveling in the area.


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Ribbon cutting held in Rich Hill this week

A nice crowd gathered in Rich Hill’s main park for the ribbon cutting ceremony dedicating the custom designed shade recently built, and installed over the park’s play equipment. 

Donated by Duffer Hollow Designs, of Rich Hill, who design, build, and install similar solar shade structures all over the United States.

An amazing gesture to help protect all the youngsters who enjoy climbing, sliding, and swinging all summer long!

Our thanks to Larry Hacker

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National Recognition Highlights Advanced Leadership Training and Service to the Community

St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce that Captain Charles Hodges, Captain Peggy Snodgrass and Lieutenant Michael Dawes have earned the prestigious FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA) Trilogy Award, a national distinction recognizing law enforcement professionals committed to strengthening their leadership capabilities in service to their agencies and communities.

The FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award is presented to individuals who have successfully completed the organization's comprehensive three-tiered leadership program: the Supervisor Leadership Institute, the Command Leadership Institute, and the Executive Leadership Institute. Together, the Trilogy series focuses on essential areas including ethical leadership, community engagement, organizational effectiveness, implicit bias awareness, and emotional intelligence. Earning this recognition reflects a personal investment in becoming a more principled, effective, and forward-thinking law enforcement leader.

"Law enforcement executives carry a responsibility to the people they lead and the communities they serve—and the Trilogy series is built to sharpen that sense of responsibility,” said FBI-LEEDA Executive Director Jacques Battiste. “The skills built across these three courses will shape how Captain Charles Hodges, Captain Peggy Snodgrass and Lieutenant Michael Dawes lead, develops others, and shows up for their community going forward.”

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Weekly report from the Henry County Sheriff's Office

𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟’𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞

𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐥𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭

𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Sheriff Aaron N. Brown reports the following arrests and incidents for the week:

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• 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝/𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝:

Lt. Kubilus conducted a traffic stop in the Clinton area that resulted in the arrest of Sharlean Sanders, age 41, of Clinton for driving while suspended/revoked.

• 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭:

Travis Hankins, age 39, of Sweet Springs, was arrested at the Sheriff’s Office on a Pettis County felony warrant for tampering with a motor vehicle.

• 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭:

Deputy Saulter arrested Jesse Burchette, age 27, of Deepwater, at the courthouse on a Henry County warrant for traffic offenses.

• 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭:

Deputy Murphy conducted a follow-up investigation in the Windsor area that resulted in the arrest of Kevin Pipal, age 41, of Windsor for leaving the scene of an accident and assault. Pipal allegedly struck the victim with a closed fist and, while leaving the scene, struck the victim in the leg with his vehicle.

• 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠:

Deputy Murphy conducted a follow-up investigation in the rural Clinton area that resulted in the arrest of Scott Mead, age 54, of Clinton for stealing. Mead allegedly stole items from a construction site.

• 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭:

Deputy Harms conducted a warrant service in the Windsor area that resulted in the arrest of Taylor Boyd, age 25, of Windsor on a Henry County warrant for traffic offenses and a Johnson County felony warrant for a probation violation.

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All individuals arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The above arrests are allegations at this time.

For additional information or to provide tips, contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at (660) 885-5587.

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