The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, which is leading the investigation into the death of 13-year-old Airen Andula of Pleasonton, Kan., has now confirmed the cause of the teen's death.
According to the autopsy conducted by the Wyandotte County Kansas Coroner's Office, the cause of death has been identified as multiple dog bite injuries.
Damon Leonard of Pleasonton, Kan. remains in custody on a $100,000, cash-only bond, in Bates County, Mo. on charges of abandonment of a corpse in relation to the teen’s death. Charges against Leonard have also been filed in Linn County for interference of law enforcement, criminal desecration and having a vicious dog at large.
The investigation in to Airen’s death remains ongoing by the KCKPD Major Case Unit. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Anyone with information related to this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477) or online at KCcrimestoppers.com. All tips remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward. There is nothing further to report at this time.
NEWS
Early Dismissals
Due to the threat of severe weather this afternoon, all three districts have opted to dismiss school at 1 p.m. in an effort to get students safely home before the storms hit our area. If you have concerns, or need more information, please contact your child's school.
SPECIAL: Youthfront application not a Public Hearing
NOTICE: Case #: US-KS107-LU-2025-7, Youthfront Camp DBA Kansas City Youth for Christ is not being heard under a Public Hearing. That has already occurred; the commissioners are discussing the application in their meeting Monday, April 20.
We want your photos…
Would you like to see one of your photos in the paper? We’re starting a new weekly photo submission opportunity! Out on the gravel will feature a local photo each week in our paper taken somewhere in Linn County; a photo of something that interested someone enough to... [More]
More News
- 1st Annual Richard Henderson Memorial Car Show Saturday
- Parker City Council discusses storm water issue
- USD 344 accepts principal resignation
- Commissioners approve Purple Heart Day proclamation
- Linn Valley City Council discusses water, sewer townhall
- Pleasanton approves water plant roof bidding, backup water supply study
- Commissioners reviewing resolution on vicious dogs
- Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center takes steps to preserve local behavioral health services
SPORTS
Prairie View softball goes 3-1 against Iola and Jayhawk
The Prairie View softball team was on the road this past week but it was an overall successful week. The Lady Buffs traveled to Iola on April 7 to play a double-header against Iola. The Buffalos went 1-1, losing the first game, 11-21, and winning the second, 18-7. The team... [More]
Jayhawk softball sweeps St. Paul and falls to Prairie View
The Jayhawk softball team played St. Paul and Prairie View this past week. They traveled to St. Paul on April 6 and had no issues with the Lady Indians as they won both games, 20-4 and 28-11. They then hosted Prairie View on April 9 and lost to the Lady Buffalos in both... [More]
Pleasanton track wins at Oswego
Pleasanton track certainly won at the Oswego Invitational on April 7. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams placed first to become champions of the meet. The boys scored 80 points while the girls scored 78 ½ points. There were a total of 14 schools at the meet. Boys’... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton baseball falls to Southeast Cherokee
- Jayhawk softball swept by Central Heights
- Prairie View baseball splits with Santa Fe Trail
- Pleasanton baseball starts season against Oswego and Crest
- Jayhawk softball starts season with games against Northeast and Osawatomie
- Prairie View baseball hosts Miami and Wellsville to begin the season
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk boys’ basketball have multiple players make TRL All League
- Lady Hawks and Lady Jays make the TRL All League basketball team
COMMUNITY
Senior’s three‑year project becomes massive Blu-Jay centerpiece
When students walk into the school now, the first thing they see is a towering Blu‑Jay sculpture; bold, bright and impossible to ignore. What most don’t realize is that it began as a simple sophomore‑year art assignment back in 2023. For senior Gage McGinnis, it became... [More]
Community fundraiser to support Honor Flight trip for local veteran
MOUND CITY — April 25, 2026 4-6pm The community is invited to come together on Saturday, April 25 for a special evening of music, fellowship and giving in support of a local veteran’s upcoming Honor Flight trip. Clay Nichols has been selected to participate... [More]
A blink into the past: April 15 edition
There’s history all around us that we forget about until it’s too late. This may be a small county but there’s history in it all. Here’s your blink into the past. 1986- Baker’s food: ● 99 cents for chips ● 99 cents for four rolls of toilet... [More]
More Community
- Conley earns Radenburg Scholarship
- Ray Scholarship recipients determined by USD 344 BOE
- PES holds Battle of the Books competition
- Easter in Linn County
- The American Revolution: The importance of the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party
- Chapter CV P.E.O.
- Busy Workers excel at 4-H Presentation Day
- First Aid: your safety toolkit
