June 2025

A child sex abuse case that once involved 11 felony charges ended with a 30-year prison sentence for an Orrick man after a plea agreement allowed most charges to be dismissed. Cody L.

In conference rooms, coffee shops and neighborhood businesses across Clay County, the Prosecutor’s Office is opening the door to conversations that do not require a courtroom. Clay County Prosecutor Zach Thompson and local police departments are teaming up for a series of informal community meet and greets, designed to break down barriers between residents and the people responsible for public safety.

Following the tragic loss of Excelsior Springs High School student Wyatt Speakman in a recent vehicle accident, the Excelsior Springs School District is extending its support to students, staff and families by offering counseling services and sharing community mental health resources.

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It may not be the most romantic conversation to have before walking down the aisle, but for many couples, putting pen to paper on a prenuptial agreement is less about distrust and more about planning for the future with clarity and respect.

Editor’s Note: This is the final part of a two-part series where area school administrators share reflections on graduation season, summer school and the evolving role of education in Ray and Clay Counties. In part one (June 13 edition of The Standard), school leaders discussed May graduations, summer enrichment and changing public perceptions around summer school.

Police have released new details about a crash that sent a vehicle airborne into the roof of the Clay-Ray Veterans Association building. The details shed light on what may have led to the incident and what witnesses saw.

Most of us will never know what someone else is carrying. We walk past each other in the store or cross paths at work.

Tigers continue prep for gridiron season at Kearney.