97.1 KVVL

Buchanan County election officials report a sluggish start to the St. Joseph mayoral primary, with voter turnout sitting at just 5.5% as of Tuesday afternoon. Four candidates, including incumbent John Josendale and challengers Jonathan McClain, Larry Miller, and Kenneth Reeder, are vying to advance to the April general election. Under local rules, if no candidate…

A major fire destroyed several buildings in downtown Cameron, Missouri, on Tuesday, displacing businesses and residents of overhead apartments. Seven area fire agencies worked for over six hours to contain the blaze on West Third Street, which resulted in a total loss of the affected structures. Authorities report that no injuries were sustained, and all…

A 32-year-old Troy, Kansas, man died Thursday evening following a single-vehicle accident on Kansas Highway 7. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Dustin B. Saunders was traveling northbound when his truck left the roadway and struck a tree. Authorities confirmed that Saunders was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and was…

A Buchanan County judge has sentenced 33-year-old Johnathan Edward Sears to four concurrent life sentences plus an additional 10 years for the sexual abuse of a child. The sentencing follows a December jury trial where Sears was found guilty of six felony charges, including first-degree rape and sodomy, occurring over a 13-month period. Though the…

Clinton County Commissioners have approved a historic ballot question for the April 2026 election, seeking voter approval for a comprehensive “Justice Center Project.” The proposal includes the construction of a modern detention center and significant renovations to the county’s courtrooms and legal offices to ensure full ADA compliance. Local officials, who have cited safety and…