Did a float trip with C.W. Gusewelle on the Niangua help equip The Star’s reporter to lead an expedition along Russia’s Lena River? Charles Hammer likes to think so.

DALLAS COUNTY, Mo. — A man drowned in Dallas County Monday, Nov. 7. Dennis W. Steckline, 75, of Lee’s Summit was discovered in the Barclay Spring Access area of the Niangua River in Dallas Co… ...