Latest Posts

Counties prepare for secure elections

Body
LIBERTY – Election officials in Ray and Clay counties said they plan for secure, safe elections – free from violence some fear and guarding against COVID-19. “My office is doing what they’re supposed to do and if everybody else does what they’re supposed to do, we’ll have no problems,” Ray County Clerk Glenda Powell, the county’s chief election official, said.
Clay County Election Judge Tiffany Francis and Ray County Clerk Glenda Powell

Auto accident actually music video shoot

Body

An overturned car in the median of Hwy. 69 west of Excelsior was actually the site of a music video in the works.

Producer Megan Mancia explained that the project — which hails from L.A. — chose Excelsior Springs as the perfect locale for the shoot.

What appeared to many as an auto accident was actually the set of a music video being shot in Excelsior Springs.

Missing man, vehicle found in ditch near Dockery

Body

RAYVILLE – Family and friends gathered around 3 p.m. October 2 to search for a missing man, Austin VanOster, 21, Rayville.

On Saturday, his mother, Rhonda Rowlinson, Richmond, announced on Facebook: “He’s been located. Unfortunately, it’s not the outcome we all hoped for.”

A passerby on Highway 13, near Dockery, spotted VanOster’s missing truck, Rowlinson told this newspaper.

RHONDA ROWLINSON says her son, Austin VanOster, has been found – an apparent traffic fatality. He appears to have driven off Highway 13 and into a ditch near Dockery.

Friends, family search for missing man

Body

RAYVILLE – Family and friends gathered around 3 p.m. Friday to search for a missing man, Austin VanOster, 21, Rayville.

VanOster disappeared around 10:30 p.m. Sept. 29, having last been seen at Stella’s Nightclub, Richmond. Area law enforcers are aiding in the search.

“He was in my establishment … only once that I know of, and that was Tuesday night,” Stella’s owner Jessica Gray said Friday. “He went missing once he left here.”

Gray said he stayed about 90 minutes before leaving.

Missing is Austin VanOster, 21