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Saturday, May 23, 2026
Weekly report from the Henry County Sheriff's Office
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Looking for a meaningful way to give back to the Harrisonville community?
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Keeping young minds engaged through the Summer months
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Friday, May 22, 2026
Safe Grilling and Food Safety Tips for Picnics and Barbecues
As the weather heats up, backyard barbecues, family picnics and neighborhood cookouts are a great way to spend time with the people you care about. But warm weather also creates the perfect conditions for bacteria to grow in food, which can increase the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Luckily, by adopting these simple food safety habits you can continue to enjoy the fun of outdoor eating all season long while making it less likely anyone will get sick from the food they eat.
Start With Clean Hands and Surfaces
Food safety begins before anything even touches the grill. Always wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before handling food. This is especially important after touching raw meat, poultry or seafood.
Clean utensils, cutting boards and plates are just as important. Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat. Bacteria from the raw meat can transfer back onto the cooked food and cause illness. If you’re cooking or eating outside, bring extra clean utensils and serving plates so you can easily swap them out.
Keep Cold Foods Cold
Many picnic favorites like potato salad, pasta salad and coleslaw contain ingredients that can spoil quickly in warm temperatures. Perishable foods should stay refrigerated until you’re ready to serve them. When transporting food to a picnic or barbecue, use an insulated cooler packed with ice packs. Try to keep the cooler closed as much as possible so it stays cold.
Once food is set out, remember the “two-hour rule.” Perishable foods should not sit at room temperature for more than two hours. If the temperature is above 90°F, that window shrinks to just one hour.
Cook Foods to Safe Temperatures
One of the most important grilling safety tips is making sure food reaches the right internal temperature. Color alone isn’t a reliable way to tell if food is fully cooked. A food thermometer is the best way to check.
Some safe cooking temperatures include:
- Chicken and turkey: 165°F
- Ground meats like burgers: 160°F
- Steaks, pork and fish: at least 145°F
Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat to get the most accurate reading. This simple step can greatly reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Prevent Cross-Contamination
Juices from raw meat can carry bacteria that can easily spread to other foods. Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods like fruits, vegetables and bread. It’s a good idea to keep raw meat in sealed containers at the bottom of the cooler so juices don’t drip onto other items.
Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meats and other foods. If that’s not possible, wash everything thoroughly with hot soapy water before using it again.
Watch the Leftovers
After the barbecue or picnic winds down, leftovers should be refrigerated promptly. Don’t let food sit out for long periods after everyone finishes eating.
Divide large amounts of food into smaller containers so they cool faster in the refrigerator. Most leftovers should be eaten within three to four days. When reheating grilled foods, make sure they’re heated thoroughly before serving again.
Copyright 2026 © Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Health eCooks® Heart Healthy Recipes® is a registered trademark of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein without the express approval of Baldwin Publishing, Inc. is strictly prohibited.
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A Heartwarming Milestone! Welcome & Happy 1-Year Anniversary to Hometown Health!
Led by the incredible Sarah Raybourn (RN, BSN)—a NASM Certified Weight Loss Specialist, Nutrition Coach, and Personal Trainer—Hometown Health is making a profound impact on our community’s well-being. But what made this ribbon-cutting so incredibly special was seeing the love and support of family at the center of it all. Sarah was joined by her husband and her three beautiful children, who were beaming with pride as they helped their mom hold the scissors! Watching a local business grow with the entire family cheering them on is exactly what makes our hometowns so special.
Sarah’s heart for helping others doesn’t stop at her front door, and her passion for wellness is reaching far and wide! Along with running her business, you can find her teaching empowering classes at Downdog Fitness in Appleton City and The Fitness Hub in Adrian. She also goes above and beyond by hosting wonderful monthly community events and is generously stepping up to sponsor the upcoming Rich Hill’s 4th of July 5K Run/Walk!
It is so encouraging to see a local entrepreneur pouring so much love, energy, and expertise into the entire region while balancing life as a busy mom and business owner. Please join us in giving Sarah, her family, and the Hometown Health team a massive, warm congratulations on a highly successful first year!
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1929 Jasper, MO Bank note on Exhibit May 29
JASPER, MO… A unique National Currency $20 note from the First National Bank of Jasper, MO will be shown on public display on Friday, May 29 at the Jasper Memorabilia Museum in downtown Jasper. The low numbered note from the private collection of Dave Sorrick, known locally as “The Coin Collector”, will be available for viewing from 11:30am to 1:30pm at 107 W. Grand in the property of Robin and Greg Wampler, next to The Junkin Jewel Flea Market operated by Heather Gibson. This is a free event, and the public are invited to attend. Visitors may also browse the Jasper Memorabilia Museum at that time. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.
“I acquired this 1929 small-sized note recently from the estate of a banker from Southeast Kansas,” said Dave Sorrick, owner of In God We Trust LLC in Mindenmines, MO. “When I saw the note, it was ‘love at first sight’ and I commented to the family that I would like to add it to my personal collection. They obliged and now it takes its place alongside other National Currency notes from southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri in my collection.”
Sorrick will also display other National Currency notes from surrounding towns like Golden City and Lamar, MO. For more information about the event or the hobby of coin collecting contact him at ddsorrick@yahoo.com or call/text 620-423-6600. His website is www.bordertownauctionhouse.com .#MidAmericaLive
Ice cream social to be held this Saturday evening
Don't forget, this Saturday is our first Ice Cream Social at the Bates County Museum! We have had a bit of a change of plans, Dana Arnold & Friends are no longer able to join us so we will be listening to some patriotic tunes on the sound system. It will be a wonderful evening on the museum lawn.
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