Clay County

Joshua Rocha, 28, was convicted of first-degree murder by the same jury last week in the fatal shooting of Officer Daniel Vasquez. It is the first time Clay County prosecutors have asked for the death penalty since 1988.

Joshua Rocha, 28, admitted to police just hours after the 2022 killing of North Kansas City officer Daniel Vasquez that he decided he was going to shoot as soon as Vasquez started following his car. Prosecutors, who are seeking the death penalty, said “he chose death.”

A new poll from the Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance found that voters in four counties across the metro would support a regional sales tax dedicated to bus service, even as soon as next year.

The department in Clay County is short 14 officers. The city council just raised pay for officers and added incentives to recruit from other departments, as other law enforcement agencies grapple with similar staffing concerns.

The Kansas City Royals need to get moving if the team wants a new stadium by 2031. Decision makers in Jackson County, Clay County and North Kansas City do not want to repeat the mistake of working out details after it’s been placed on a ballot.

The tentative plan would commit Missouri to paying $15 million a year to a newly created Clay County sports authority for the two decades. That money would be used to help finance a new stadium in order to prevent the Royals from moving to Kansas.

After voters overwhelmingly rejected the stadium sales tax last year, Jackson County and Missouri officials are struggling to coordinate on a plan to stop the teams from moving to Kansas. The only viable stadium bill now centers around Clay County.

The locally-owned fast food restaurant — a cult favorite since 1951— is famous for its deep-fried tacos coated in a bright orange powdered cheese. For generations of Kansas City residents, there’s really nowhere else like “the Tub.”

Home to cult favorites, hidden gems and family-run eateries, the Northland’s culinary scene is brimming with cultural diversity. Here’s where to eat and drink like a local, north of the river.

Elected officials from Jackson County will travel to the state Capitol this week to meet with legislative leaders and Gov. Mike Kehoe about stadium funding ideas. Meanwhile, Clay County is working to establish its own sports complex authority.

Lester pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in the shooting of Ralph Yarl last Friday. The teen mistakenly rang Lester's doorbell in April 2023 when he was picking up his brothers.

Clay County Public Health Center’s environmental health program has been recognized among the nation's best for food safety. The Food and Drug Administration certification assesses work to ensure inspections, emergency response and food storage are all up to code.