Harrisonville man charged in fentanyl overdose death

On November 8th, 2024, the Harrisonville Police Department and Harrisonville Fire Department were dispatched to a residence in reference to a medical emergency. Upon arrival, first responders attempted lifesaving efforts, but the victim ended up passing away from a fentanyl overdose a short time later at the hospital. The victim was a Harrisonville teenager named Chase Smith (pictured), who had just turned 16 at the time of his passing. A thorough investigation ensued and the case was sent to the Cass County Prosecutor's Office for charges.

On March 5th, 2026, Jayden House (24) of Harrisonville pled guilty to two charges: Involuntary Manslaughter in the 1st Degree and Delivery of a Controlled Substance to a Minor. House received a sentence of 10 years in prison, per charge, and will serve those sentences concurrently.

The loss of such a young life, one that can never be replaced, is deeply heartbreaking. Our hearts go out to Chase’s family, friends, and all who knew and loved him. While nothing can undo this tragedy, we hope this outcome offers some measure of accountability and support to his loved ones and to the entire community as they continue to grieve and remember him.

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Highlights from the annual Amsterdam St. Paddy's celebration

The annual Amsterdam St. Paddy's Day parade and celebration went off without a hitch and excellent weather brought a crowd to Main street for what appears to be the biggest turnout yet. We'll see you next year!

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What's Up by LeRoy Cook

Big Stink In Washington

March switched back and forth, lamb to lion to back to lamb, keeping pilots on their toes last week. On the days when skies cleared and the wind laid, quite a bit of traffic was seen. War news kept everyone jittery, but stateside activity has to continue to keep things moving. Losing an old KC-135 refueling tanker plane’s crew in a midair collision over Iraq was a sad blow, a needless waste of resources.

Traffic observed included a Beech Debonair, a Cessna Skyhawk and a Piper Arrow. Also, Mike Golden was over from New Century, KS in his Cessna Turbo Centurion and Tom Bowles flew in from Kansas City Downtown with his Cessna Turbo Skylane RG. Locally, Layne Anderson made a couple of sorties in his Darter Commander, one of our Cessna Skyhawks went up and the old 1946 Aeronca got some exercise.

In national and world news, airline passengers at the Washington, DC airports were stuck in their terminals last Friday evening, when noxious odors were detected in the Potomac approach control facility, which handles traffic for Dulles, National and Baltimore. The origin was undisclosed, but things got moving again after a few hours. This stinks, on top of the TSA screeners having to work without pay due to the blockage of Homeland Security funding in Congress.

The first of a burgeoning category of eVTOL “flying taxis,” the JOBY Aviation electric six-rotor four-passenger carrier for short-range urban travel, has entered FAA conformation testing. Based in Marina, California, JOBY is not building drones, but piloted (for now) aircraft to perform up-and-over commuting. We’ll see how the market reacts; costs and competitiveness have yet to be established.

The city of Superior, Colorado, a town near Denver,, has brought suit against businesses at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport over alleged noise and lead pollution falling from skies filled with flight training aircraft. The suit was dismissed by district and appeal courts, who both determined that only Federal government can regulate noise, not municipalities. The lead pollution has yet to be established. These cases can have industry-wide ramifications, by setting precedent.

Long-time automatic pilot maker S-TEC prime product, the 3100 autopilot, has been sold off to Innovative Aerosystems. In a market largedly defined by Garmin’s G500 and G600 autopilots, the S-TEC unit provides a needed alternative to ripping out everything to install a Brand G upgrade. The 3100 can work with earlier S-TEC autopilot servos and communicates with Aspen glass panels. Competition is a good thing.

A report out of the Middle East says a pro-Iran terrorist group in Iraq has offered a $1 million bounty for a USAF pilot who was supposedly shot down over its territory. They only pay for the severed head of the American, not his intact body; let’s hope there’s no takers.

In our previous weekly quiz, we wanted to know why a Cirrus airplane wouldn’t fit in the old original hangars at Butler airport, built in 1948. It’s because the modern Cirrus tail is too wide for the cinder-block T-hangar’s tail slot. For next time, our question is, “Did Piper Aircraft Co. ever build a jet?” You can send your answers to kochhaus1@gmail.com.

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Online support available for 55+ relatives caring for children

Are you over 55+ and raising a relative who is under the age of 18? Are you a grandparent raising a grandchild?

Come join our group for camaraderie, support, and resources! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1309016816871904

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Looking for a safe, research‑based way to stay strong during and after pregnancy?

Born Strong, Stay Healthy is a free, strength program designed to help participants stay active, build strength and care for their physical and mental wellbeing. Exercises are led by trained instructors and can be customized for pregnancy, postpartum recovery and baby wearing.

One participant shared:

“It can be daunting to find exercises that are truly safe for you and your baby. Born Strong, Stay Healthy gave me confidence that the workouts were designed for delivery and recovery.”

That strength shows up in real life. “At a recent doctor’s appointment, my doctor went to help me sit up, but I had already done it on my own. She said, ‘Wow, you have great core strength!’ I credit that to Born Strong, Stay Healthy.”

The next virtual session begins March 23 at 11 a.m. Learn more and register today: https://brnw.ch/21x0Mn1

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Casino Night coming April 11

April 11, 2026, tickets are $40/ea and each ticket gets you in the doors, free dinner, free buy in to the casino games, drinks, desserts, and a raffle ticket for free prizes! Hope to see you there! To become a sponsor, or for more information call 660.424.0469 or 660.200.5230


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Bitter cold persists, much warmer by end of week

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City of Rich Hill Officially Receives Missouri Blue Shield Designation

Rich Hill – The City of Rich Hill has 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 City of Rich Hill was also recognized with a Blue Shield designation in 2025.

The Missouri Blue Shield Program was created by Governor Kehoe in January 2025 through Executive Order 25-03. In 2025, 201 Missouri communities earned the Blue Shield designation, recognizing local governments’ significant efforts to reduce crime and foster law enforcement – community partnerships to strengthen public safety. The opportunity to earn the Blue Shield designation for 2026 opened on February 4, 2026. Communities that earned the Blue Shield designation in 2025 had to reapply this year to be approved once again.

“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.”

“Strengthening public safety and committing to joint law enforcement community – citizen safety efforts is what the Blue Shield Program is all about and the Department of Public Safety is honored to work with communities like the City of Rich Hill, that have answered the Blue Shield challenge,” said Mark James, Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS). “Last year, the essential equipment provided by Blue Shield grants included 388 mobile data terminals, 351 body cameras, 151 license plate readers (LPR), 102 ballistic vests, 91 interoperable radios and 56 vehicles. We look forward to getting additional important equipment and training to our partners in local law enforcement.”

“ We are excited once again to work with the Department of Public Safety as well as the Governor’s Office. For a second straight year, this designation continues to show the commitment that both the City and the Police Department have in public safety. This is another great opportunity for the department to continue to update outdated equipment as well as potentially add new equipment to the department to better serve the citizens of Rich Hill.” Chief Hutchinson stated.

Eligibility and Program Details

Communities are eligible for a Missouri Blue Shield designation based on their dedication to reducing crime, making substantial investments in public safety, and developing strong collaboration with law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders. Each participating community’s commitment is reviewed annually to ensure continued alignment with the program’s goals.

Participation Incentives

Communities that earn a Missouri Blue Shield designation will receive grant funding for law enforcement training and equipment as part of Governor Kehoe’s Recommended Budget for the State Fiscal Year 2027, provided the General Assembly approves the funding. The Governor’s FY 2027 budget appropriated $10 million to the program for equipment and training grants. Communities will also be featured on Governor Kehoe’s social media pages as well as the DPS website to highlight their participation in the program. A map of 2025 Blue Shield communities is available here.

About the City of Rich Hill

The City of Rich Hill earned a Missouri Blue Shield designation because of its exceptional commitment to public safety. From hiring additional officer’s, to additional law enforcement funding, and continuing the growing relationships with the community stakeholders, the community has demonstrated a strong and ongoing commitment to protecting its residents. This designation affirms the City of Rich Hill’s effort to create a safer, more secure environment for all who live and work here.

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