HARTSBURG — The Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival was back this weekend, bringing family fun, food, games and, of course, pumpkins to mid-Missourians.
The town of just under 200 is put under the spotlight for one weekend a year, and it welcomed thousands of visitors for the festival.
“It’s been a great experience this year,” attendee Kiandre Robinson said.” There’s lots of vendors this year with incredible merchandise.”
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Tents lined the street, selling everything from clothes, jewelry, bags and souvenirs. Kids enjoyed bouncy houses and playgrounds, while games fit for all ages included axe throwing and high strikers.
Attendees could also purchase and bring home some pumpkins as well.
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“We try to get out to [the festival] every year,” Robinson said. “A lot of times with the rain and the mud, it’d keep us at bay. But it was great weather this year, so we figured we’d come out.”
The food and drink tents at the festival draw large crowds, with some saying it’s the primary reason they pay the festival a visit.
“It’s the food for sure,” Robinson said. “Italian sausage, tornado potatoes, lemonade — I mean they really have everything you could think of.”
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Often called “Missouri’s Pumpkin Patch,” Hartsburg has hosted these festivals for the past 34 years.
The festival started Oct. 11. and concluded Oct. 12.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A man is dead after an argument inside a south Kansas City home escalated into a shooting overnight, police say.
The Kansas City Police Department says it responded to the 11500 block of Belmont Ave. just before 1 a.m. on Sunday, June 21, after reports of a shooting.
Officers indicate that they arrived to find an unresponsive man inside a vehicle parked in front of a residence. They rendered aid until EMS arrived and took over.
However, the victim was later pronounced dead at a hospital, according to authorities.
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Investigators say the victim was inside the home when an argument broke out with one or more people. The confrontation continued as he left the home and got into a vehicle – where he was shot.
Law enforcement agencies in the metro are ramping up enforcement this Memorial Day weekend, targeting illegal street activity and impaired drivers.(Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department)
One person of interest was detained at the scene. Detectives note that they are not looking for any additional suspects at this time.
The shooting is the latest instance of violence in Kansas City on the first official weekend of summer. On Friday night, one person died and five others were injured in a shooting on 19th Street between Paseo and Vine.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — “It’s difficult to call the Battle Line Rivalry a true rivalry when Arkansas has won just twice since Missouri joined the SEC.”
Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz has made this one matter even more for the Tigers during his time in Columbia due to his Natural State roots.
The Alma native is 5-1 against his home-state with three victories coming by seven points or less.
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Silverfield has watched the Razorbacks from just across the river in Memphis, and has noticed a pattern in most of the losses over the years. Turnovers have been a major issue in this series through the years.
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Whether it was the Alex Collins fumble in 2014, a blown 24-7 halftime lead in 2016, a 48-45 shootout loss in 2017, allowing Missouri to drive 60 yards in 43 seconds for a walk-off field goal by Harrison Mevis in 2020, or letting Brady Cook sprint 30 yards untouched during the Snowmaggedon game in 2024, the Razorbacks have been allergic to holding onto fourth quarter leads against the Tigers.
Missouri Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz celebrates after a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium. Missouri won 31-17. | Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
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The biggest curse of all was Arkansas’ game against Missouri was scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend, which effectively replaced the Battle of the Golden Boot against LSU. Despite not playing on an annual basis prior to joining the SEC, this game became quite the underrated rivalry not only in the SEC, but nationally with eight games coming down to the final possession from 2005-2013.
Talent Advantage: Missouri
When it comes to talent on the field, this might be Drinkwitz’s deepest team since his arrival at Missouri in 2020. The Tigers have a total of 43 former 4-star prospects and 25 who were rated as 3-stars during their recruitment, according to the Razorbacks on SI offseason Tracker.
Between Austin Simmons at quarterback, Ahmad Hardy in the backfield, Ben Norfleet at tight end and wide receiver Donovan Olugbode there is plenty of firepower to create mismatches in space. Then, Missouri’s defense is fairly deep with linebacker Nicholas Rodriguez, safety Santana Banner and defensive lineman Darris Smith.
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The Tigers can bring the heat to opposing backfields, field a standout secondary and always seem to have instinctive, hard hitting linebackers. Drinkwitz’s best year came in 2023 with an 11-3 overall record but have yet to officially breakthrough in the SEC.
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And with this roster, it’s either time for the Tigers to solidify its place among SEC brethren in 2026 season, or continue its slow path back to mediocrity within the league.
A talent advantage alone won’t always win teams ball games, but one that plays disciplined and understands how to control momentum throughout a game can find ways to win.
The Razorbacks have held the talent edge several times over the years, but still suffered defeat in 2016, 2017 and 2022. Since Missouri joined the SEC, their teams have played with confidence that kept them in games they had no business winning.
Former National Championship winning coach Urban Meyer once said, “Leave no doubt” when it comes to winning at the Power Conference level. Maybe it’s Arkansas’ turn to have a coach whose players are ready to run through a wall for in Silverfield this fall.
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Arkansas Razorbacks coach Ryan Silverfield looks over his players during warmups before the spring game at Razorback Stadium. | Brett Rojo-Imagn Images
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The Silverfield Mindset
There’s something to be said about a coach who can motivate his team for the biggest of challenges and overcoming talent deficiencies.
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Any team can have the Jimmys and Joes but it all comes down to execution, and that’s something that Arkansas has struggled with over the past several years. Silverfield believes a lot of Arkansas’ struggles came down to a culture of losing, which is something he’ll have to cleanse it of this offseason.
“We’ve had one Power Four win at home the last three years,” Silverfield said in an appearance on McElroy And Cubelic In The Morning radio show earlier this spring. “We have to play more disciplined football. Arkansas has not done a great job with penalties, pre-snap, post-snap, dead ball. Taking care of the football, ball security. That’s been part of some of the failures here.”
Silverfield understands Arkansas’ quickest path to improvement begins with eliminating self-inflicted mistakes. After all, the program is just 17-49 in one possession games since 2012.
Arkansas was close last season to being a very good team last year, but weren’t able to do the small things needed to win games.
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The Razorbacks finished last season ranked No. 125 in turnover margin (-11), No. 121 in third down defense (45%), No. 99 in sacks allowed, No. 126 in penalties (7.8 per game) and No. 112 in total penalties showed that a change in leadership was sorely needed.
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And the truth is, the Razorbacks might’ve found the right man for the job going into 2026. Arkansas has been close time and time again.
With this game being played on Halloween this fall, it’s possible Arkansas can practice its Houdini act and put the struggles against Missouri behind them once and for all.
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Hogs on SI Season Preview Series
North Alabama: Why Week One Matters More Than It Should Utah: Silverfield Doesn’t Know What Razorbacks Are, Utes Will Provide Answers
Georgia: Razorbacks Might Not Beat Georgia, But Offer Test Kirby Smart Didn’t Expect
Texas A&M: Can Hogs’ Rebuilt Defense Slow Down Marcel Reed?
Tennessee: Razorbacks Must Reclaim Homefield Advantage Against Tennessee
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Vanderbilt: Arkansas Might Be Catching Vanderbilt at Right Time in 2026
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One person was killed and five others were wounded in a shooting in Kansas City, Missouri, Friday night, according to police.
Officers heard gunfire just before 10:30 p.m. and responded to the area of East 19th Street between The Paseo and Vine Street, police said. They located two adult women who were “conscious and alert,” along with an adult man who was unresponsive, the Kansas City Police Department said in a statement.
The man, identified as David E. Beck III, 29, was pronounced dead at the scene. The two women were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Three additional victims — a man and a woman in stable condition and another man in critical condition — arrived at the hospital in a private vehicle, police said.
Preliminary information indicates the victims were gathered along 19th Street when multiple people opened fire. “All of the victims appear to have been standing in this vicinity when they were struck,” police said. Detectives are processing evidence and interviewing witnesses. No suspects are in custody.
The shooting took place roughly 7 miles from Arrowhead Stadium, which is hosting World Cup matches this summer under the name Kansas City Stadium. Ecuador and Curaçao are scheduled to play there Saturday night. Kansas City is touted as the “Soccer Capital of America.”
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The city already has a large law enforcement presence to assist with World Cup security, including officers from all over the Midwest, Kansas City Police Capt. Jake Becchina told NBC News.
“We have the largest police presence we have ever had in our city for an event,” Becchina said.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact their anonymous tips hotline. A reward of up to $25,000 is available for information leading to an arrest.