Should Kansas City Fear Worsening Violence Or Vladimir Putin?!?

Whilst it's very tempting to blame all of the world's problems on some third world dictator on the other side of the planet . . . Very little of our current political discourse speaks to the problems that our readers confront on Kansas City streets. 

In other words . . . It's pretty unlikely that Vlad and the Russkies are going to roll up and steal your takeout dinner, wallet, mobile phone & other meager possessions at gunpoint; the same can't said for some of our increasingly desperate and dangerous neighbors.

Accordingly . . . 

We share a quick question to visitors tonight . . .

ARE YOU MORE AFRAID OF THE RUSSIANS OR RISING LOCAL VIOLENCE?!?

Hopefully, the answer is neither. 

Fear is mostly unproductive and easily overcome by a better understanding of any given situation and that's why we share these local links on the topic of police action, court cases and a few other recent reports worth a peek . . . And, as always, we try to finsih with a bit of hope. 

Check TKC news gathering . . .

School administrators, mental health experts discuss youth violence prevention

The violence at Northeast Middle School has left many in the community feeling anxious. As parents, students and school administrators wonder how they will move forward and prevent youth violence from happening again, mental health experts are looking into the root causes and staying one step ahead.

ATF still seeking tips after intentionally set apartment fire in far east KC

Investigators are still looking for tips after a fire at the Stonegate Meadows apartments that sent 15 people to the hospital last week. Four people remain in critical condition, including two children.Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives spokesman John Ham said investigators do not believe someone set the fire to stay warm and get out of the cold.

KC man sentenced for trafficking cocaine, illegal firearm

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A 43-year-old Kansas City, Missouri man with an extensive history of violent crime was sentenced in federal court Wednesday for trafficking crack cocaine and illegally possessing a firearm. Mitchell B. Byrd was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison without parole. On Aug.

Raytown man pleads guilty to role in $10M meth conspiracy

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Raytown man pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court for his role in a nearly $10 million conspiracy to distribute almost 1,000 kilograms of methamphetamine. Michael B. Becher, 40, by pleading guilty, admitted that he was responsible for the distribution of at least 185 kilograms of methamphetamine, according to a U.S.

Missouri trio gets jail for roles in Capitol attack

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., on Monday sentenced two men and a woman from Missouri to several weeks in jail for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol building.U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg sentenced Emily Hernandez, of Sullivan, to 30 days in jail.

Missouri attorney general refiles criminal charges in Branson duck boat tragedy that killed 17

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has refiled criminal charges against three men involved in the 2018 sinking of a tour boat on Table Rock Lake in southwest Missouri that killed 17 people. Just days after a Stone County judge decided that the local prosecutor did not have enough evidence to sustain a criminal case against the three men, Schmitt brought 63 counts against them, including involuntary manslaughter.

Court memo: Joplin Honkey should receive minimum sentence on meth charge because of his "troubled" childhood

A Joplin man has seen the error of his ways and should be rewarded with a lighter sentence on a meth conspiracy charge. Austin Knoblock, the attorney for Randy Forsythe, 52, made those arguments in a sentencing memo filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

Cousin honoring KC-area teen killed in Jewish center shooting through service

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - A teenager is honoring the life and legacy of his cousin eight years after a hate crime ended his life. Wednesday marks the eight-year anniversary of an attack on two Overland Park Jewish centers that killed three people, including Reat Underwood.

Developing . . .