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Holden City Treasurer charged with identity theft, stealing

The now-former Holden City Treasurer turned herself into the Johnson County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, Nov. 6, after charges were filed against her related to allegedly spending more than $100,000 for her personal gain using numerous city credit cards.
Douglas Copeland joined the Marine Corps when he was 17 and served for 20 years. He retired in 2024 as a gunnery sergeant and started his degree in accounting at the University of Central Missouri. 

Copeland seeks to serve others outside of Marine Corps career

WARRENSBURG – Douglas Copeland was 17 years old when he realized he wanted a better life for himself. A troubled kid from Lee’s Summit working in a dog bone factory, he didn’t have much of a plan for his future.

Scott recalls service in Vietnam

SEDALIA — Gerald Scott served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1971 as an officer and A-1 Skyraider pilot until his plane was shot down while in country.
Volunteers gather in the Toys for Tots region seven warehouse for a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 6.

Toys for Tots to add video element to 2025 campaign

WARRENSBURG – Toys for Tots region seven here in Warrensburg is gearing up for the holiday season in Johnson, Pettis, Henry, Lafayette and Benton County.
Christopher Bell started One Step's Facebook group on Sunday, Nov. 2. In less than one week, he has gathered over 30 blanket and clothing donations from folks in the community to distribute to unhoused community members from the back of his minivan on Sunday, Nov. 9.

Facebook group takes ‘One Step’ to warm Warrensburg area

WARRENSBURG — Christopher Bell had no idea what would happen when he logged onto Facebook four days ago to create the One Step Facebook page.
Regional leaders gathered for the Pioneer Trails Regional Planning Commission's annual meeting Nov. 5 in Sedalia.

Pioneer Trails Regional Planning Commission holds annual meeting

For the first time in its history, the Pioneer Trails Regional Planning Commission (PTRPC) brought its annual meeting to Pettis County - hosting regional leaders and community partners at State Fair Community College’s new Ellebracht Agriculture & Mechanics Building in Sedalia.

Backward Glance for Nov. 7

This week's Backward Glance begins with news of a one-man band local to Warrensburg in 1919, then outlines a series of advertisements for local Pie Suppers from that same year. The glance back then covers news of a local Shakespeare Club in 1951, and highlights a local senior from Holden in the same year, and then concludes with news of a local Chilhowee tavern having its liquor license revoked in the early 1960s.

Lighted Holiday Parade scheduled for Dec. 5, sign-ups available

The holiday season is set to sparkle as Love What’s Local Warrensburg invites the community to the 8th Annual Lighted Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Downtown Warrensburg.
Local News

UCM opens Summit Technology Campus location

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) Lee’s Summit campus is an anchor for workforce training in healthcare and technology. On Thursday, Oct. 30, UCM celebrated a renewed commitment to supporting Missouri’s workforce with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Summit Technology Campus location.

Johnson County Sheriff’s Office investigating City of Holden for potential misconduct

HOLDEN – The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office announced in a Facebook post Tuesday, Nov. 4, that an independent criminal investigation into potential employee misconduct and criminal activity within the City of Holden is underway.

Knob Noster man charged for child sex crime

KNOB NOSTER– A Knob Noster man was charged with two counts of statutory rape or attempted statutory rape of a minor.

Missouri health premiums to rise as much as 30% for 2026 amid uncertainty over subsidies

Most individual health insurance plans sold in Missouri will increase in price next year even as customers prepare to dig deeper into their own funds to replace costs previously covered by federal tax credits.
Local Sports

Area roundup: Haag selected for MBCA Hall of Fame

Warrensburg head coach Ernie Haag coaches the Lady Tigers during the Warrensburg jamboree Nov. 14, 2023, at Warrensburg High School.
Warrensburg girls basketball head coach Ernie Haag is set to be inducted to the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Warrensburg, Knob Noster and Holden football set for district semifinals

Three area football teams remain alive heading into the Friday, Nov. 7, district semifinal round.

Business

Malted Cow to bring ice cream creations back to Warrensburg

In 2022, Alisha Moore and her family opened the Malted Cow food trailer in Warrensburg. Their store-front in Clinton, Missouri, opened the following year. The family is expanding their operations to a permanent Warrensburg location in November.
WARRENSBURG– A Clinton staple is coming to Warrensburg in November. Soon, residents here in town will be able to enjoy loaded sundaes, milkshakes, boba teas, sandwiches, specialty hot dogs and everything else The Malted Cow has to offer.
Warrensburg Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Tourism Director, Marcy Barnhart, shares how the 2026 FIFA World Cup could impact business in Warrensburg at the Women in Networking Luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 23.

Business owners discuss 2026 FIFA World Cup at Women in Networking Luncheon

WARRENSBURG – The Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce hosted nearly 30 business owners, entrepreneurs and community leaders at its Women in Networking luncheon Thursday, Oct. 23, at Heroes Restaurant and Pub downtown.
Gabrielle Underwood and her husband, Shane Underwood, founded Udderly Cute Mini Moo Farms out in Knob Noster in 2023. The farm offers photoshoots, events and more to the public.

Knob Noster farm offers community photoshoots, fun and miniature cows

Knob Noster – Just off State Route 23 is a scenic farm hidden down a long, gravel road enveloped by trees and farm houses on either side.
Founder of Whisk and Whimsical, Hanna Wallace, with her signature brown butter chocolate chip cookies. Wallace started her small, home bakery at the beginning of this year and, on Oct. 10, opened a bakery stand in her front yard. 

Warrensburg baker expands home business, Whisk and Whimsical, loaf by loaf

WARRENSBURG – Hanna Wallace has always loved to bake. She remembers sitting in the kitchen and baking cupcakes with one of her siblings at just 3 years old.
Vintage items are displayed inside the new Topaz Vintage storefront. The shelves are lined with a variety of true vintage pieces for men and women.

Topaz Threads brings vintage style to Warrensburg

WARRENSBURG – Topaz Threads Vintage Shop celebrated its first Burg Fest after opening its new store located at 123 N. Holden St on Sept. 27.
Blake Moreland

Equity Bank announces new regional president

Equity Bank announced the promotion of Blake Moreland to Regional President of the company’s Western Missouri Region.
Police & Crash Reports
Mason C. Davis, 23, was arrested Sept. 30 in the 600 block of West Clark Street for simple domestic assault after officers were dispatched to the location in reference to a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, a female reported that a known male had assaulted her. Officers made contact with the man, who was arrested, transported to the Warrensburg Police Department, booked and released with a signed city summons.
Three transported after Johnson County collision
Tyler C. Cramer, 23, was arrested Sept. 22 in the 400 block of East Market Street for driving while revoked after officers located a known man suspected to have a revoked driver's license driving a vehicle. He was contacted and officers confirmed his status was revoked. He was arrested, transported to the Warrensburg Police Department, booked and released pending state charges.
Two Warrensburg teens transported after Johnson County mishap
In the Community
Calendar of events
Community
Education

UCM Theatre and Dance announces inaugural Fringe Festival

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) Division of Theatre and Dance will premiere the inaugural UCM Fringe Festival on Oct. 30-Nov. 2 at various locations across campus.

Warrensburg Middle School first quarter sixth grade honor roll

Warrensburg Middle School has named the following students to the honor roll for the first quarter of the 2025-26 school year.
The UCM Mock Trial Program competed in the Bear Brawl Classic from Oct. 17 through Oct. 19. 

UCM Mock Trial Program competes in Bear Brawl Classic

The University of Central Missouri Mock Trial Program competed at the Bear Brawl Classic, hosted by Missouri State University, from Oct. 17 through Oct. 19.
Leeton FFA students participated in Missouri Farmers Care’s Agriculture Education on the Move™ program by teaching students at Leeton Elementary School. 

Leeton FFA traches Ag Education on the Move™

Students across Missouri are discovering how their lives are intertwined with agriculture through Missouri Farmers Care’s Agriculture Education on the Move™ (Ag Moves).
From the Opinion page
Columnists
Bennet Bodenstein

A redemption story through wine

The island of Sicily, which lies to the southwest of Italy, has been the recipient of more spooky tales and fables than almost any other place on the planet.

A little Latin lesson

At one time Latin was the language commonly used for science and literature. In the 1700’s, Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, produced a standardized way of naming living things, including plants. He used Latin and a bit of Greek in the system. Although Latin is no longer a common world language, Linnaeus’s system of naming, with modifications, is still in use today and can provide valuable information for gardeners everywhere.
Gwen Rockwood

What happens when a house goes wild

When you live next to a wooded lot, you also live next to critters. Over the years, we’ve seen deer, chipmunks, mice, armadillos, coyotes, woodpeckers, rabbits, and some entirely unwelcome snakes. But a few months ago, some of the neighborhood squirrels mistook our house for an Airbnb and moved right on in.

The United States Navy turns 250

On Oct. 13, the United States Navy threw a birthday party on its 250th anniversary. As a proud Navy veteran, I lifted a glass in its honor.
Gwen Rockwood

Five fear-busting reminders for Halloween

In honor of Hallowen, we should talk about that ugly, four-lettered F-word — fear. I’m not proud of it, but fear and I spend a lot of time together. It’s the longest, most toxic relationship I’ve ever been in, yet here I am — still trying to break it off.
Letters

LETTER: Concerns on flock cameras

Concerns on flock cameras Dear Editor, I have lived in Warrensburg for several years, and I am concerned about the Flock Cameras the city is wanting to install throughout the city. My …

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