In a hearing held on Wednesday morning, Feb. 4, in the Circuit Court of Bates County, Mo., with Judge Julie Highley-Keutzer presiding, Damon Leonard waived his preliminary hearing in the case filed in connection with the death of a rural Pleasanton youth.
Defense attorney Jeff Martin presented the waiver to the circuit court and with the approval of prosecuting attorney Hugh Jenkins, the waiver was accepted.
Leonard is charged with one count of abandonment of a corpse, a class E felony, which could carry a penalty of up to four years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine.
Leonard was ordered to be bound over and an arraignment hearing was set for 1 p.m. on Feb. 13. He remains in the custody of the Bates County Jail with a $100,000 cash only bond set. Leonard and his defense attorney had previously requested a bond reduction and a hearing was set but no reduction was granted by the court.
NEWS
Commissioners hear presentation on the next phase for opportunity zones
During the meeting on Monday, March 16, the commissioners heard from Paul Hughes regarding opportunity zones selections via a tele-video conference. Hughes noted the Opportunity Zones program was made permanent under the One Big Beautiful Bill. He then gave a background on... [More]
Pleasanton council contracts financial advisor
During the meeting on Monday, March 16, the council heard from Joey McLiney and Max McLiney, McLiney & Co., on what being the city financial advisor would entail. McLiney began by noting that he currently acts as fiduciary for several local entities and neighboring cities.... [More]
SPECIAL NOTICE
Due to a lack of quorum at Tuesday's special meeting for USD 344 Board of Education to select the Ray Scholarship recipient the meeting has been rescheduled for this upcoming Wednesday evening, March 18, 2026, at 6 p.m.
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SPORTS
Pleasanton and Jayhawk boys’ basketball have multiple players make TRL All League
The Three Rivers League announced their 2026 boys’ basketball All League team. Both the Jays and Hawks had multiple players make this year’s team. Pleasanton was this year’s league champions and had four players make all league. Mario Davis made the first... [More]
Lady Hawks and Lady Jays make the TRL All League basketball team
The 2026 Three Rivers League Girls’ All League basketball team was released and multiple Jayhawks and a Lady Jay made the team. Jayhawk as league champions had three girls on the first team, Brenlyn Bogan, Brea Dawson, and Brilyn Bogan took home this honor. The Lady Hawks... [More]
Jayhawk girls’ basketball finishes the season as Sub-State runner-up
The Jayhawk Linn girls’ basketball team hosted West Franklin on March 5 and traveled to West Franklin on March 7 for Sub-State basketball competition. The girls first hosted West Franklin in the West Franklin 3A Sub-State 1 to determine who went to the championship.... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball finishes season as Sub-State runner up
- Pleasanton boys advance in Sub-State tournament, girls end season
- Jayhawk wrestling has four wrestlers place in the top four at State
- Prairie View boys’ wrestling sends two to State
- Jayhawk boys’ wrestling sends five to State and sets milestones
- Prairie View basketball ends regular season with wins in the final week
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball finishes regular season as Three Rivers champions
- Jayhawk girls’ wrestling taking six wrestlers to State
COMMUNITY
Easter in Linn County
Saturday, April 4 La Cygne Egg Hunt – 10 a.m. in the City Park. Pleasanton Egg Hunt – 10 a.m. at the high school football field. Mound City Egg Hunt – 11 a.m. at the ball complex south of the grade school. Blue Mound Egg Hunt – 1 p.m. in the city... [More]
Chapter CV P.E.O.
Chapter CV of P.E.O. met on Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. The meeting was held at the Labette Bank in La Cygne with Beverly Burke and Carol Shugart as hostesses; 14 members responded to roll call. Election and installation of officers for the 2026-27 year was held. Officers... [More]
Busy Workers excel at 4-H Presentation Day
On Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, the Busy Workers 4-H club participated in 4-H Presentation Day at Prairie View Middle School. 4-H Presentation Day helps youth develop public speaking organization and presentation skills though performances and talks. The 4-H’ers that participated... [More]
More Community
- First Aid: your safety toolkit
- Legislative Coffee planned Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m.
- Jayhawk Linn High School senior awarded prestigious Rudd Foundation Scholarship
- PV FFA receives KAAE award
- Mound City cowboy wins Big in Texas
- Washburn University Music & Theatre Department to host Piano Day Feb. 14
- Markley rural Mound City property named as Century Farm
- Carbon Monoxide and what you need to know
