Tax free weekend for school supplies begins August 7th

Missouri's back-to-school sales tax holiday takes place from Friday, August 7, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. through Sunday, August 9, 2026, at midnight. During this event, state and local sales taxes are waived on qualifying items like clothing, school supplies, and computers for all shoppers.

Qualifying Items and Price Limits
Clothing: Priced at $100 or less per item (excludes accessories like jewelry or watches).
School Supplies: Costing $50 or less per purchase.
Computers and Peripherals: Laptops, desktops, monitors, and related accessories priced at $1,500 or less.
Software: Priced at $350 or less. Graphing Calculators: Priced at $150 or less.

Shopping Rules
No Residency Required: You do not need to live in Missouri or be a student to get the tax break.
Online and In-Store: Purchases made online or at physical retail stores across Missouri qualify.
Full Exemption: Both state sales tax and local municipal/county taxes are completely waived. You can review full guidelines directly on the Missouri Department of Revenue portal.

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Attention Harrisonville residents

For Harrisonville residents who were not able to make it to our Household Hazardous Waste event, but still have items to get rid of, check this out!

Drop off household hazardous waste for safe disposal from 8 a.m. to noon at the Yeokum Middle School at 613 Mill Street in Belton.

Residents of Harrisonville, Belton and other participating MARC HHW communities are welcome to participate. Proof of residency is required.

This event is for residential waste only. Products accepted at this event include automotive products, antifreeze, batteries, CFL light bulbs, fertilizers, flammables, fuels, hazardous cleaners, hazardous liquids, household cleaners, lawn and garden products, paint, pesticides, photographic chemicals, pool chemicals, solvents, thinners and used oil.

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Linn County Fair & Rodeo kicks off this weekend

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Obituary - Colt Brown

A celebration of life visitation for Colt Brown of Butler, Missouri will be 2 - 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Inurnment will be in Oklahoma at a later date. Contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

A full obituary will be posted at a later date.

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Obituary - Les Chambers

Graveside service and inurnment will be 10 a.m. Saturday, August 1, 2026 at West Point Cemetery, Amsterdam, Missouri. Gathering and lunch after the service will be held at Daily Objective Distillery in Amsterdam. Arrangements under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Contributions to West Point Cemetery. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Leslie Bartley (Buster) Chambers, 90, of Merwin, Missouri, passed away Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Field Pointe Assisted Living in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was born November 5, 1935, in Watonga, Oklahoma to A. Leslie and Virginia (Bartley) Chambers. In fourth grade, his family moved to the Brookside neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri.

Leslie graduated in 1953 from Southwest High School in Kansas City, then from the University of Missouri. He worked for the Columbia Police Department during his time there. Leslie was a studious man and led an adventurous life. He wanted to be a Highway Patrolman but became a Rancher when his father died unexpectedly. Leslie married Beverly Beadles in 1961 and they honeymooned in Steamboat Springs, Colorado before moving to Rocking Chair Ranch in Merwin. They had 3 daughters, Cyndy, Janet and Debbie.

In 1967 they moved to Ft. Carson, Colorado while his guard unit prepared to deploy to Vietnam. Leslie spent a year in Vietnam as the Field Artillery Unit Commander with the Service Battery, 7th Battalion, 13th Artillery. He documented his tour in letters he sent home and through hundreds of photos that he took. He returned to Merwin and a few years later (1973) accepted a full-time position with the Kansas National Guard in Hiawatha, Kansas as the 2nd Battalion Commanding Officer, 130th Field Artillery, 69th Infantry Brigade. Leslie retired from the military with 33 years service. Then in 1978, he bought a dry cleaning business and moved his family to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, an area he always enjoyed. After selling his business, Leslie worked operating big trucks and heavy equipment. In the summer of 1981, he joined the “Last Hope Alaska Partnership” and spent 6 weeks drilling for gold in the remote wilderness of the Stony River area of Alaska. He returned for another 6 weeks in Feb of 1982. Leslie kept a daily journal documenting their hardships and adventures. He went to work for TIC out of Steamboat Springs and spent the next 7 years roaming the remote areas of the Northwestern United States, hauling massive equipment to and from various mines and industrial sites. In 1989, after the birth of his first grandchild, he “retired” and moved back to Merwin where he ran the ranch until 2022 when he was moved to St. Joseph.

Throughout his life he loved flying his (small planes) Cessnas and being involved in anything aviation related. Early on, he was a member of a group called the Flying Farmers who traveled together around the U.S. Leslie attended many International Cessna 180 annual fly-ins. He was a member of the EAA and at one time was even building a Kit Fox. Leslie was a member of the Young Eagles, an organization that gave children the opportunity to experience flying in a small plane. He loved his flying buddies.

Leslie enjoyed fast motorcycles and fast cars in his single days. The family often went snow skiing, including many trips with the Shannon’s and the Fritz’s. He was an avid reader, enjoyed Hillbilly music, and explored every new technological gadget that came out, but wasn’t fond of Windows 11! He was an avid investor and could talk in great detail about the companies in his portfolio.

Leslie is survived by his children, Cyndy (Bob) Mahlandt, Janet (Don) Garnett and Debbie (Devin) Kanapilly; grandchildren, Cord Lane, Kelsey Mahlandt, Taylor (Erin) Mahlandt, Amanda and Elizabeth Kanapilly; a great-granddaughter, Ellery; and one cousin, Preston Chambers. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jim.

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Obituary - Rainz Gerleman

Rainz Gerleman, 22 of Amsterdam, Missouri passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at his home in Amsterdam. Memorial services will be held at 3:00 pm, Sunday, August 9, 2026 at the Amsterdam Baptist Church in Amsterdam. Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel (816-657-4400). Memorial contributions may be made, in lieu of flowers, to Phoenix Home Health Care. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Rainz Jaret Gerleman was born on August 27, 2003. He came into this world with a rare genetic disease, Non-Ketotic Hyperglycinemia, but that never stopped him from laughing and moving to the best of his ability. He enjoyed light displays, books being read to him & music. He often laughed with the angels only he could see, and we loved that most about him. Without ever using words, Rainz showed us how to truly care for others. He changed how we see the world and taught us what matters most.

On July 21, 2026, Rainz parted ways with his mortal body to be with his family in spirit. He can now run, talk, sing, and jump in heaven alongside our Almighty Jesus Christ. While we mourn his loss deeply, we comfort ourselves knowing how happy he is in heaven. Imagine how loud that beautiful laugh must have been when he realized he could finally walk.

Rainz leaves behind his loving parents, Shane and Heidi; his brother, Chanz (Bree); his sisters, Seara and Reyo (Logan); and his nephew, Kaden. His lessons of love will stay with us forever. Fly high little bee.

“Though shall be perfect with the Lord thy God.” Deut. 18:13

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Long distance pedaler stops in Bates County

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