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Thousands Without Power, Building Damaged After Strong Storms Hit Kansas City Metro

Thousands Without Power, Building Damaged After Strong Storms Hit Kansas City Metro

Severe storms swept through the Kansas City metro area on Sunday, leaving tens of thousands of residents without power. As of Sunday night, the Evergy outage map reported over 34,000 customers in the dark, with particularly hard-hit areas including Grandview and Raymore in Missouri, and Bonner Springs and Leavenworth in Kansas. The storms brought quarter-sized hail to Bonner Springs, high winds that knocked down trees in Leavenworth, and power lines in Raymore. Additionally, the powerful winds caused structural damage in Kansas City, with part of a building's 'rain roof' being blown off at 115 NW Harlem Rd. One injury was reported in Gower, Missouri, as the storm moved through. A severe thunderstorm watch remained in effect for the entire metro area until 10 p.m.

Man Airlifted After Moped Crash in Howell County, Missouri

Man Airlifted After Moped Crash in Howell County, Missouri

A 67-year-old man from West Plains, Missouri, was airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries following a moped crash in Howell County on Saturday night. The incident occurred around 9:10 p.m. on Highway 63, just south of West Plains. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the man was operating his moped northbound on the shoulder of the road when it struck debris, causing the vehicle to overturn. The driver was not wearing a safety device at the time of the crash. Following the accident, he was transported by air to Cox South in Springfield for medical treatment. The report did not specify the nature of the debris or any other contributing factors to the crash beyond the debris strike.

Search Underway for Missing Person After Storm on Table Rock Lake in Stone County

Search Underway for Missing Person After Storm on Table Rock Lake in Stone County

A search operation is currently underway on Table Rock Lake in Stone County, Missouri, following a storm that swept through the area on Sunday evening. One individual has been reported missing in the aftermath of the severe weather event. Details regarding the identity of the missing person or the circumstances surrounding their disappearance have not yet been released. Emergency services and search and rescue teams have been deployed to the lake to conduct extensive search efforts. The storm's impact on the lake and surrounding areas is being assessed as the search continues. This incident highlights the potential dangers associated with sudden weather changes on large bodies of water, prompting a rapid response from local authorities to locate the missing individual.

Man Escapes Kidnapping and Robbery Attempt at Walmart in San Antonio

Man Escapes Kidnapping and Robbery Attempt at Walmart in San Antonio

A man in San Antonio, Texas, successfully escaped a kidnapping and robbery attempt with the help of a text message sent to a Walmart employee. The incident occurred on August 23, when two suspects, Levi Smith, 27, and Jose Valencia, 40, approached the 20-year-old victim outside a convenience store. The suspects then forced the victim at gunpoint into his car and made him drive to various locations with the intention of forcing him to withdraw money from his account. They eventually arrived at a Walmart store on Southeast Military. Inside the store, the victim discreetly showed a text message to an employee, explaining that he was being kidnapped and robbed. A manager was alerted and promptly called 911. Upon realizing that their plot had been discovered, the suspects fled the scene. Police later used surveillance video to identify and arrest Smith and Valencia, who are now charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery.

Crews Battle Fire at Buckingham Smokehouse Bar-B-Q Restaurant in Springfield

Crews Battle Fire at Buckingham Smokehouse Bar-B-Q Restaurant in Springfield

Fire crews responded to a fire at Buckingham Smokehouse Bar-B-Q restaurant on S. Campbell Ave. in Springfield, Missouri, on Sunday morning. The Springfield Fire Department reported that they received a call around 10 a.m. Upon arrival, firefighters observed smoke throughout the building and active flames in the pit area of the restaurant. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, as the restaurant was not open for business at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. This is not the first time the establishment has experienced a fire; the restaurant also had a fire in 2020, which was contained to a small outbuilding housing smokers, located just outside the main eatery.

Severe Storms Cause Widespread Power Outages and Damage Across Kansas City Metro Area

Severe Storms Cause Widespread Power Outages and Damage Across Kansas City Metro Area

Severe storms swept through the Kansas City metropolitan area on Sunday night, causing significant disruption. Approximately 35,000 Evergy customers were left without power across various neighborhoods in Kansas City, Missouri, and extending into Cass County. The storms resulted in downed power lines and tree limbs, impacting infrastructure in areas like Raymore and Harrisonville. The Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department responded to a scene where a portion of a 'rain roof' was blown off a building, though no injuries or structural damage were reported at that specific incident. The SantaCaliGon Days festival in Independence also experienced storm damage, leading to the closure of its festival portion, though the carnival remained open for a limited time. Evergy confirmed that transmission lines outside of Pleasant Hill were affected, contributing to the widespread outages.

Troy, Missouri, Declares State of Emergency Following Anhydrous Ammonia Leak

Troy, Missouri, Declares State of Emergency Following Anhydrous Ammonia Leak

The city of Troy, Missouri, declared a state of emergency early Friday morning in response to an anhydrous ammonia leak at the Lincoln County Farmers Co-Op on Highway J near Bobeen Lane. The incident, which occurred around 6 a.m. while workers were attempting to fill a storage tank, prompted the evacuation of over 100 homes in nearby subdivisions. Fire Chief Curtis VanGaasbeek reported that firefighters responded to mitigate the leak. First responders successfully contained the leak by approximately 7:50 a.m. One worker from the facility who tried to stop the leak was transported to the hospital. By 8:20 a.m., all evacuated residents were permitted to return to their homes. Although schools in the Lincoln County R-III School District remained in session, all schools within Troy city limits were instructed to keep students indoors throughout the day. Some bus routes may be impacted, and the district is working to communicate any changes directly.

Gladstone Appoints Kirt Yoder as New Police Chief Following Nationwide Search

Gladstone Appoints Kirt Yoder as New Police Chief Following Nationwide Search

The city of Gladstone, Missouri, has announced the appointment of Kirt Yoder as its new police chief. Yoder, previously a captain with the Leawood, Kansas, Police Department, was selected after a nationwide search. He brings over 32 years of experience to the role and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Gladstone Mayor Jean Moore emphasized that maintaining the city's safety is a top priority for the city council, and Yoder's selection aligns with this goal. City Manager Bob Baer highlighted Yoder's experience and community-focused leadership as key factors in his appointment. Yoder is scheduled to begin his new duties on September 28.

Independence, MO, Implements Curfew for Unaccompanied Minors at SantaCaliGon Days Festival

Independence, MO, Implements Curfew for Unaccompanied Minors at SantaCaliGon Days Festival

The city of Independence, Missouri, has introduced a new 6 p.m. curfew for unaccompanied minors attending the annual SantaCaliGon Days festival. This policy, approved by the Independence City Council, requires minors to be accompanied by a parent or guardian within the festival grounds from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM each day. The Independence Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the festival, stated that the conversation about implementing a curfew began prior to a disruptive incident at Lee's Summit's Downtown Days in June, though that event reinforced the need for such measures. Allyx McCoy, Public Information Officer for the Independence Police Department, described the curfew as a proactive and common-sense safety measure designed to ensure families feel safe and to provide law enforcement with a tool to address potential disruptions. This new policy builds upon increased security efforts initiated after a September 2021 shooting near the festival's carnival area.

Kentucky State Police Acquire New Emergency Boat for Water Operations

Kentucky State Police Acquire New Emergency Boat for Water Operations

The Kentucky State Police (KSP) have acquired a new 23-foot tactical vessel, marking the first time in decades that troopers have had a dedicated watercraft. This new emergency boat was purchased through a FEMA grant and is designed to address a long-standing gap in response capabilities for tactical, explosive, and search-and-rescue operations across Kentucky's extensive navigable waterways, which span over 1,600 square miles. Although the vessel is based in Lexington, it is fully mobile and can be deployed anywhere in the state, with crews having completed their necessary training. Captain Dallas Greer of the KSP highlighted that this acquisition allows the agency to operate independently during water-based emergencies, reducing reliance on local fire departments, search-and-rescue teams, or the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, which historically handled most water operations. The KSP has not had a dedicated marine unit since the 1980s, making this a significant enhancement to their op...

Springfield News-Leader

12 Missouri campsites named among America's best for 2026

12 Missouri campsites named among America's best for 2026

Looking for a place to pitch a tent, park an RV or rent a cabin? Here are 12 Missouri campsites worth checking out, according to Hipcamp.

Dyer County Crash Leaves Two Dead, Four Injured

Dyer County Crash Leaves Two Dead, Four Injured

A severe motor vehicle crash in Dyer County, Tennessee, resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to four others. The Dyer County Sheriff's Office reported the incident occurred in the vicinity of Tatumville and Highway 77. Sheriff Montgomery and Chief Cantu, along with seven deputies, were on the scene, managing the situation and assisting the injured. Numerous other agencies also responded to the crash, including those providing helicopter support. Authorities have advised the public to avoid the area as traffic is being rerouted to facilitate emergency operations and investigation.