
Jason Sears
Jason Sears is the founder, editor and lead reporter of The Chariton Beacon, a news site created to provide much-needed local coverage for Chariton County, Missouri. Recognizing the lack of accessible, reliable news in the area, Jason launched the site with the goal of keeping his community informed about the events and issues that matter most. With a deep understanding of small-town life, he is dedicated to ensuring that Chariton County has a trustworthy and comprehensive source for local news, strengthening connections within the community.
Saving Missouri’s Family Farms: Future Policies to Protect Chariton County’s Rural Heritage
In the heart of Chariton County, Missouri, family farms define the landscape and spirit of towns like Keytesville, Salisbury, Mendon, and Brunswick. These small operations, passed down through generations, face relentless threats: soaring input costs, unaffordable land prices, and corporate agribusinesses dominating markets. Brian Reisinger,…
Missouri’s Education Crisis: Karla Eslinger and DESE’s Abysmal Failure
Missouri’s public education system is crumbling, and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), under Commissioner Karla Eslinger, is at the epicenter of the collapse. Tasked with overseeing nearly 900,000 students across 550 school districts, DESE is mired in bureaucratic excess, funding chaos,…
Highway Safety During Planting Season in Chariton County, Missouri: Protecting Farm Equipment Operators and Drivers
As planting season brings Chariton County, Missouri’s rural highways to life in April and May, tractors, planters, and other farm equipment crisscross roads like Route 5 and Highway 24, moving between fields to sow crops. This critical period, driven by tight weather windows, increases the…
Missouri’s Rural-Urban Income Divide: Rusty Black and Tim Taylor’s Urban Bias Leaves Chariton County Behind
Missouri’s rural communities, including Chariton County, face a persistent income gap compared to urban centers like Kansas City and St. Louis, threatening the heartland’s way of life. From 2005 to 2023, rural median household incomes in Missouri rose from roughly $35,000 to $55,000–$60,000, while urban…
Farm Fire Safety in Spring: Preventing Agricultural Fires Across Missouri
As the spring planting season ramps up across Missouri, so do the risks of fire on farms and rural properties. Chariton County has already experienced several large field and brush fires in recent weeks. While many associate wildfires and farm-related fires with the heat of…
Why Missouri’s Rural Senators and Reps Are Ignoring a Fairer Constitutional Amendment Process
Missouri’s Constitution is the backbone of our state’s governance, meant to echo the will of all its people—not just those in the biggest cities. Yet, the current process for amending this vital document is stacked against rural Missouri, amplifying urban voices while rural counties get…
Shelby County Historical Society Museum Dispute: Senator O’Laughlin Faces Ethical Scrutiny for Role in Break-In as Sheriff Ignores Inquiries
Shelbina, Mo. — A civil petition filed against former president Kathleen Wilham has thrust the Shelby County Historical Society museum dispute into the spotlight, exposing a troubling ethical breakdown by Senator Cindy O’Laughlin. Filed on April 1, 2025, in Shelby County Circuit Court (25SB-CC00003), the…
Why Fulfillment Theology Falls Short: A Debate Between Friends
A friend and I recently had a spirited discussion about two major theological perspectives: Fulfillment Theology and Dispensationalism. As we debated, one thing became clear—only one of these views truly aligns with Scripture, history, and logic. Fulfillment Theology argues that the Church has inherited all…
Shelby County Historical Society Museum Dispute: Statewide Implications for Senator O’Laughlin Amid Questions of Accountability
Shelbina, MO – The ongoing museum dispute at the Shelby County Historical Society in Shelbina, Missouri, has escalated from a local controversy into a matter of statewide concern, raising serious questions about the conduct of Missouri State Senator Cindy O’Laughlin, Senate President Pro Tem, and…
Shelbina Museum Dispute: Senator Cindy O’Laughlin Defends Role, Highlights Internal Rift at Shelby County Historical Society
Shelbina, MO – A contentious dispute at the Shelby County Historical Society Museum in Shelbina has thrust Missouri State Senator Cindy O’Laughlin, Senate President Pro Tem, into the spotlight, with allegations of abuse of power giving way to a more complex narrative of internal board…
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Marceline Wine & Art Stroll