Linn County News

06/11/2026

Check out what's in this week's Linn County News!

06/11/2026

This week’s submission for Out on the Gravel comes to us from Nick Mitchell who stopped at the second gate for Sugar Valley Lake onto K-7 Highway to snag this beautiful color shot and ended up catching a deer in the photo as well.
If you have a photo you would like to share for Out on the Gravel, even if its from in town, send it to Barbara at [email protected].

06/11/2026

This week in the Linn County News:

La Cygne holds public hearing for condemnation...
Commissioners hear from local residents on ditches, spraying...
Linn Valley begins exploration of Data Center...

In sports...

Three Rivers All League baseball announced
Three Rivers League announces All League softball team
2026 TRL All League Golf

Find this and more at www.linncountynews.net or pick up a printed edition from one of our stands or local vendors! See less

06/03/2026

This week’s Out on the Gravel submission comes from Sean Swartz who took this beautiful sunset photo recently at Mills Road and 1900 Road.
If you would like to submit a photo for Out on the Gravel, please email it, along with information to Barbara at [email protected].

06/03/2026

SPECIAL NOTICE:

Kansas case, if filed, remains sealed

By BARBARA PROFFITT
Linn County News
[email protected]

Recent posts and shares on social media are claiming that the Kansas Attorney Generals Office has filed charges in the State of Kansas against Damon Leonard in connection with the death of 13-year-old Airen Andula.
As of this morning, the case, if filed, remains sealed under Kansas law K.S.A. 60-2617(a)(1) and (a)(5). The Linn County News has reached out to the AG’s office for clarification on the matter. The News will continue to follow this matter and report as it develops.

06/02/2026

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06/01/2026

05/29/2026

BREAKING NEWS:

Leonard sentenced in Missouri case

By BARBARA PROFFITT
Linn County News
[email protected]

Damon B. Leonard, with defense attorney Harold Trull made an appearance in Bates County, Mo., Circuit Court on Friday, May 29 for what was slated to be a sentencing hearing following the guilty plea given in open court previously on May 22, 2026.
When court proceedings began it was noted that the defense had filed a motion late Thursday afternoon, May 28, to withdraw the guilty plea previously entered and move forward with previously scheduled court procedures. The motion stated that it was filed due to the fact “on May 28, 2026, at approximately 4:45 p.m., counsel was made aware of new information regarding Defendant's case(s) in Kansas, which are related to this matter. Based on this new information, counsel believes that a plea in this case, should it move forward, would be detrimental to the defense of the related charges in Kansas.”
Both the defense and the prosecution argued the motion with the assistant prosecutor noting that the previous plea was entered into “willingly, knowingly, and intelligently.”
Judge Jacqueline Cook, who presided over the case hearing denied the motion to withdraw the plea.
The prosecutor then had a member of the court staff read a statement from the family of 13-year-old Airen Andula, whose body Leonard was charged with abandoning in Bates County. The statement noted the “trauma, stress and anxiety” the family was put through because of Leonard’s actions and asked the court to hand down the full sentence allowable.
Following arguments from both sides regarding sentencing, the judge then handed down a full four-year sentence under the supervision of MDOC (Missouri Department of Corrections) as allowed under the class E felony for which Leonard was charged along with credit for time served.

05/28/2026

Check out what's in this week's Linn County News.

05/28/2026

SPECIAL REPORT:

Leonard enters guilty plea in Missouri case

By BARBARA PROFFITT

Damon B. Leonard, who was charged in Bates County, Mo., in December of 2025 with abandonment of a co**se, a class E felony punishable by up to four years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine, entered a plea of guilty in open court on Friday, May 22.

The case stemmed from events that took place in Linn County and charges alleged that Leonard had moved the body of 13-year-old Airen Andula, after he was mauled by dogs and found deceased, to a remote location in Bates County and left the body there.

Leonard, who was set for a jury trial in a separate venue in early July, will make an appearance in Bates County Circuit Court on Friday, May 29 at 3 p.m. for sentencing.