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.
Missouri State Highway Patrol Arrests: August 2 through August 8
From high-speed chases to sobering drug busts, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has been hard at work keeping our roads and communities safe. This report, covering August 2 to August 8, 2025, shines a spotlight on arrests across area counties near Chariton County. From driving…
Chariton County Sheriff’s Office K9 Charco to Receive Lifesaving Body Armor
Keytesville, MO — The Chariton County Sheriff’s Office announced that K9 officer Charco will soon receive a custom-fitted bullet- and stab-protective vest thanks to a donation from the nonprofit Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Donation Details The vest for K9 Charco is being sponsored by…
Local Schools Announce Registration, Practice Schedules, and New Hours
As summer break comes to an end, school districts across Chariton County are preparing for the 2025–26 academic year. This week, Northwestern R-I, Salisbury R-IV, Brunswick R-II, and Keytesville R-III School Districts released important back-to-school announcements for students, parents, and the community. Northwestern R-I School…
Why Missouri Needs a New Conservative Party
The Republican Party in Missouri is broken. What once stood for faith, family, and fiscal responsibility has been hijacked by career politicians, lobbyist grifters, and operatives whose only loyalty is to their own influence. It’s time for the grassroots to stop chasing scraps and start…
Missouri SB4: Rural Missouri Pays for Big Tech’s Kansas City Data Centers
In rural Missouri, where family farms and small businesses anchor communities like Chillicothe, Bunceton, and Keytesville, residents are facing a new challenge: rising utility bills driven by Senate Bill 4 (SB4). Signed into law by Governor Mike Kehoe in April 2025, SB4 has sparked debate…
Area Schools Prepare for Back-to-School Events, Football Season
As summer winds down, school districts across Chariton County are preparing for the 2025–2026 school year with student registration events, open houses, and the kickoff of Thunder Football season. Families in Keytesville, Brunswick, and Salisbury will have multiple opportunities in the coming days to get…
Chariton County Schools Prepare for a Vibrant 2025-2026 School Year
With the 2025-2026 school year approaching, Chariton County’s school districts—Keytesville R-III, Brunswick R-II, Northwestern R-I, and Salisbury R-IV—have been bustling with preparations, offering dynamic academic programs, thriving athletic teams, and strong community involvement. Serving students across Chariton County, these districts embody a commitment to nurturing…
The Quiet Machine: How Missouri’s Campaign Money Game Silences Reform
In Missouri politics, money doesn’t just talk — it decides who runs, who wins, and who never gets a chance. A growing chorus of insiders and reform-minded conservatives are warning that the state’s campaign finance system has become a gatekeeping machine, where access to funding…
Negative Effects of Marijuana Legalization: Lessons from Colorado for Missouri
In 2012, Colorado became one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana through Amendment 64, setting a precedent that Missouri followed with its own legalization in 2022. While proponents of marijuana legalization promised economic boosts and social progress, Colorado’s experience reveals a more troubling…
Why Are Missouri Gas Prices Higher Outside Kansas City? Investigating Potential Price Gouging
Residents of rural Missouri, particularly in north central areas like Chariton County, are paying more at the pump than their counterparts in Kansas City. With gas prices in north central Missouri ranging from $2.86 to $2.92 per gallon, and Kansas City enjoying prices as low…
Latest Articles
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Upcoming Activities
- Dec 18Dec 18 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Trivia at Beckett’s Winery
- Dec 20Dec 20 @ 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Living Nativity at First Christian Church
- Dec 20Dec 20 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
P.A Acoustic // Becketts Winery
- Dec 20Dec 20 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Murder at the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
- Dec 21Dec 21 @ 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Bubbles and Brunch at Beckett’s Winery