Happy Independence Day, Clinton County! “Let Freedom Ring”
CLINTON COUNTY LEADER
Thursday, July 4, 2024 | Plattsburg • Lathrop • Gower • Cameron |
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CLINTON COUNTY
Incidents with non-local prisoners concern residents
Sheriff ’s department has been returning released inmates since June 12 by brett adkison leader editor
Several members of the Plattsburg community met with the Clinton County Commissioners last Thursday, June 27, to voice their concerns with released pris-
oners causing issues in the town. Specifically, these incidents are coming from prisoners who were being housed on behalf of the City of North Kansas City and were previously released
straight from the Plattsburg jail, rather than being transported back to North Kansas City. Also in attendance Thursday were Clinton County Sheriff Larry Fish and members of his staff. The sheriff’s depart-
ment entered into its agreement with the City of North Kansas City in April, agreeing to house prisoners at $62 per diem when space allows. Sheriff Fish told The Leader his department began discussing possible changes
with North Kansas City in late May after initial concerns from Plattsburg business owners and Plattsburg Police Chief Dave Couzens. Sheriff Fish said that as of June 12, released prisoners with no other means of trav-
el are being transported back to the city from which they originated. Clinton County, itself short on jail space at times, has seen increased demand for prisoner housing from ||Continued on A2
READY FOR A BLAST
EAST BUCHANAN C-1
Board approves new budget, $200K change at new MS by jim bonebrake leader reporter
The East Buchanan Board of Education met Monday, June 24, in the high school library and adjusted the 2024 budget to reflect actual numbers and received the proposed 2024-2025 budget from Superintendent Dr. John Newell. During the new budget review, Dr. Newell informed the board that the district no longer qualified under the Hold Harmless funding by the state and now would be funded according to the District F method, meaning the district would receive dollars from the state based on the number of pupils attending daily. Dr. Newell also said he expected the district to receive more funding than previously from the state, with the district previously receiving $6,750 per student; he expects the district to receive $7,100 per student during the new school year, but reminded the board that if monies get tight, the state would start paring down funding to the districts. He also stated that usually the first funding cuts have been related to bussing reimbursement. Although there were five or six patrons attending this meeting, there was no public comment, no celebrations or other additional information shared with the board. Amy Kelsey gave a brief report from the CTA. The board also got an updated explanation regarding the newly-proposed doors to the Central Office from both Dr. Newell and Jeff Gray with A.J. ||Continued on A2
Area Communities Prepare for Annual Fireworks Displays It’s the Fourth of July, and Clinton Countians will be celebrating our independence with fireworks galore this evening, including public displays in Lathrop, Plattsburg and Cameron. Turn to page A2 of this edition for events and times. (Pictured) Members of the Lathrop Fire Protection District prepare for its annual fireworks display, which is Thursday evening at the Lathrop Antique Showgrounds south of town. photos courtesy of the lfpd
Walking for Angie
LATHROP R-II
New Budget Approved, Lunch Prices Rising
More than 200 people turned out at Perkins Park on Saturday, June 29, for a walking fundraiser for Clinton County Middle School Principal Angie Courtney, who is leaving the position after an ALS diagnosis. The event raised more than $11,000 for Courtney’s family. For more photos, see page A11.
by brett adkison leader editor
Meal prices in the Lathrop R-II School District will be on the rise this coming year. The Lathrop R-II Board of Education voted last Wednesday, June 26, to increase student and adult meal prices next year
brett adkison | the leader
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INSIDE One Section | 12 pages
Community.........A5 Sheriff................A3 Opinion..............A4 Legals..............A10
Coots Pitches at Busch Stadium
This Week’s Sheriff ’s Report
The Lathrop lefty helps the Missouri American Legion All-Stars to a win over the Illinois All-Star team.
See which calls for service came through the Clinton County Sheriff ’s Dispatch for the previous week.
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in light of a recent cost increase from food service provider Taher. The district and Taher previously had an agreement in place that fixed the district’s cost increases through the 2027-2028 school year, but Taher proposed an additional increase for the 2024-2025 ||Continued on A2
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VOL. 129, NO. 37