Gavel and Law book news graphic

Jury convicts Cuban national of Drug Trafficking, Illegal Firearms

A Raytown, Missouri, man was convicted by a federal jury of drug trafficking and illegally possessing firearms. Victor Rodriguez Kessel, 63, a Cuban national, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, attempting to manufacture crack cocaine, possessing crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, […]

Drug Trafficking

Additional charges filed against former Kansas City Chiefs player, more defendants in drug-trafficking conspiracy

Additional charges have been filed against a former Kansas City Chiefs football player and eight co-defendants for their roles in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that operated primarily in Eastern Jackson County. Saousoalii P. Siavii Jr., also known as “Junior,” 41, of Independence, Missouri, was charged in a nine-count superseding indictment returned under seal by a federal […]

Farm Field

Missouri land values up 4% on average

University of Missouri Extension’s recent land value survey shows that average land prices for non-irrigated cropland across the state increased by about 4% or $204 per acre from last year. The study shows averages of $5,421 per acre for good non-irrigated cropland. Survey respondents rated well-irrigated cropland at $6,148 per acre, $634 more per acre […]

Governor Mike Parson

Area companies receive training assistance through Missouri One Start program

Governor Mike Parson announced on Wednesday the award of more than $7,800,000 to 226 projects in Missouri for customized training assistance through the Department of Economic Development’s Missouri One Start program. Area companies receiving training assistance include Modine Manufacturing Company at Trenton; Sonoco Plastics at Chillicothe; Landmark Manufacturing at Gallatin; Kraft Heinz Foods of Kirksville; […]

Diemel Brothers and Garland Joey Nelson

Audio: Garland “Joey” Nelson charged with two counts of murder in missing Diemel brothers case

A Braymer cattle farmer was charged on Wednesday with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of two missing brothers from Wisconsin. Police found human remains on 25-year-old Garland “Joey” Nelson’s farm. According to the probable cause statement, the Diemels traveled to Caldwell county to get payment of $250,000  from Joey Nelson for the […]