Big Boy makes stop in Pleasant Hill today

The famous Big Boy locomotive made a quick stop in Pleasant Hill MO today greeted by many who braved the heat to get an up close look at this vintage marvel

Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014 is the world's largest and most powerful operating steam locomotive. Built in 1941, it measures 133 feet long and weighs 1.2 million pounds. Originally designed to haul heavy freight over the Wasatch Mountains in Utah and Wyoming, it now tours the country for special heritage runs.

Big Boy is rated at 7,000 horsepower and weighs about 600 tons.

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5 Shots fired during road rage incident in Vernon county

Moundville, Missouri – July 20, 2026

What began as a road rage incident in rural Moundville quickly escalated into a potentially deadly encounter after a suspect allegedly opened fire on another vehicle.

On July 20, 2026, deputies with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to rural Moundville after receiving a report that multiple gunshots had been fired from one vehicle toward another.

During the investigation, deputies learned that the suspect allegedly fired five rounds toward the victims while they were traveling in another vehicle. Despite the seriousness of the incident, no injuries were reported.

Deputies immediately began searching for the suspect vehicle and located it near 43 Highway and N Highway. Deputies conducted a traffic stop and took the suspect, identified as Tyler Millman of Moundville, Missouri, into custody without incident.

The investigation resulted in deputies recovering four firearms from the suspect vehicle and four spent shell casings. An additional spent shell casing was located in the area where the shooting was reported to have occurred, bringing the total to five spent shell casings recovered.

The case was submitted to the Vernon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review.

The Court issued a Capias No Bond warrant for Millman under Case No. 26VE-CR00473, charging him with:

Discharge/Shoot Firearm at or from Motor Vehicle – Shoot at Person, Motor Vehicle – Persistent Offender

Endangering the Welfare of a Child Creating Substantial Risk – First Degree (3 Counts)

Millman remains in custody on the Capias No Bond warrant.

SHERIFF’S STATEMENT

“This wasn’t someone yelling out a window or making an obscene gesture during a traffic dispute. Five rounds were allegedly fired toward another occupied vehicle. When someone makes the decision to introduce a firearm into a road rage incident, the consequences can become deadly in a matter of seconds.

What makes this incident even more disturbing is that children were allegedly placed at substantial risk during these actions. Thankfully, no one was injured or killed.

Our deputies acted quickly, located the suspect vehicle, took the suspect into custody without further incident, and recovered multiple firearms and evidence connected to the shooting. There is absolutely no excuse for allowing anger behind the wheel to escalate to this level.”

The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office reminds motorists that no traffic dispute is worth someone’s life. If confronted by an aggressive driver, do not engage or attempt to retaliate. Create distance, move to a safe location, and contact law enforcement.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Obituary - Ross Chitsuo Yamashita

Ross Chitsuo Yamashita lived 60 full years and the last third completely in love with his wife, Tanya. He was a very intentional, steady, practical, and hardworking man. Always up for a new adventure, Ross raced through the mountains, surfed in the ocean, moved across the country, and even founded his own construction company. Ross rarely went anywhere without a hat or shirt from his favorite teams or surf brand. He would defend the Kings, Chargers, and Dodgers in any conversation with jokes or threats of violence as needed. He loved the ocean, mountains, and sand; a good burger or barbeque; and his animals, but he talked most about his family and his friends. Ross had a gravity to his presence beyond just his deep surfer voice and slow laugh. He always had a healthy balance of witty banter and heartfelt encouragement. He didn’t always share the fond memory of getting baptized in the ocean with Calvary Chapel surfers, but he was practical in his beliefs and cared more about true acts of love and wisdom than religious pretense. He was an anchored and loving husband, a caring son, thoughtful stepdad, brother, cousin, and friend.

Celebration of Life service was held July 21 at the Heuser Funeral Home.

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Obituary - Lillian Lydia Lakin

Lillian Lydia Lakin, 86, of Harrisonville, Missouri, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Crown Care Center in Harrisonville, MO. Services are currently pending arrangements. A complete obituary will be posted when it is available, courtesy Atkinson Funeral Home.


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Over, not so easy

The highway patrol and first responders were called to the scene of this accident, about 5 miles east of Passaic on D highway earlier today.

No injuries reported however, it will take some time to clear the area.


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Arraignment set for woman accused of theft from Bates County Industries

Donna Maciel, former Director of Bates County Industries in Butler, MO., is set for arraignment in the Bates County Circuit Court on August 24, 2026 at 1 pm before Judge M. Brandon Baker.

Maciel is accused of stealing just over $200,000 from Bates County Industries, a sheltered workshop, while serving as Director from October 2007 through the summer of 2021. She is currently free on bond and is being represented by attorney Norman Napier of Belton, MO.

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Obituary - Wendell Lee

Wendell LeRoy Lee, 85, Nevada, MO, passed away at his home on Saturday, July 18, 2026. He was born March 29, 1941, in Butler, MO, to Walter A. and Margaret Marie (Prier) Lee.

     Wendell graduated from Appleton City High School in 1959. Following high school, he served in the United States Marine Corp while stationed in San Diego, CA. Wendell was employed for a time at Maxwell Highway Super Market, then worked at the MoDOT Project Office for several years. A farmer at heart and a steward of the land, Wendell actively engaged in full time farming in1976 and continued to farm and grow crops until his retirement in the fall 2025 at the age of 84. In his early years, he enjoyed bird hunting and deer hunting, as well as other outdoor sport hunting. His greatest joy in life was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Wendell was member of the First Baptist Church in Nevada.

     Survivors include his son Mark Alan Lee (Thersea Michelle), Nevada; two grandchildren, Kevin Lee (Katelyn), Basehor, KS, and Scott Alan Lee (Emily), Deerfield, MO; four great-grandchildren, Rhett, Hazel, Carson, and Corynn; a brother, Dale A. Lee (Linda) of Moundville, MO; and a niece, Michelle Monnig, Liberty, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Beverly Oelsen.

     The family will receive friends from 10-11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. Graveside services will follow in Newton Burial Park (11:00 a.m.) with Dr. Kevin Daugherty officiating.

     Memorials are suggested in his name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital c/o Ferry Funeral Home.      

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Obituary - Dorothy Kraft

Dorothy Jane Bewley Kraft died July 15, 2026, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Ark. She was born on October. 27, 1923, in Oklahoma City, to Winton and Jane Bewley who proceeded her in death as did her brother Tom Bewley. After spending most of her youth in Oklahoma City, Dorothy moved to Nevada in time to graduate from Nevada High School in 1941, and then from Cottey College in 1943.

In 1944, she married Joe Kraft at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Nevada. She had three children, Clint Kraft (Janet), Olathe, KS., Sally Kraft Sandy, (Frank), Eureka, MO., and Paula Kraft Neal, Tontitown, AR. She had six grandchildren, Lindsey Petersen (Grahm), Adam Sandy (Tomoko), Laura Weber (Scott), Sarah Jewell (Brian), Amy Neal and Clint Neal (Nicole). Her ten great-grandchildren, Rosemary and Ozzy Petersen, Anya and Kira Sandy, Josephine and Benjamin Weber, Luke and Jackson Jewell and Cole and Lia Neal brought constant joy to Dorothy.

Joe and Dorothy married in 1944, just one year after Joe enlisted. Dorothy was in Nevada and wanted to do her part for the war effort as well. To that end she worked in the Pittsburg Bomb making facility. She shared many stories with the family about the girls on the line who were less than careful with the materials, which endangered the workers’ lives.

After the war Dorothy worked at the family business, Henry Kraft Mercantile and later worked at Cottey College. She was active in the wider Nevada community helping Joe in every way possible, especially in establishing the Village Market and renovating seven buildings in East Nevada. It is safe to say that whatever community awards Joe received, Dorothy was right by his side helping polish ideas and edit speeches. Dorothy was a major supporter of the Bushwhacker Museum. She worked tirelessly from its inception and was a major contributor to the move to its current location.

Having been initiated in 1943, Dorothy was a member of P.E.O. for 84 years. She served as President of Chapter DW three times and opened her home as a P.E.O. B&B for Cottey parents. In addition, she baked birthday cakes for Cottey girls to help celebrate their special days. All in all, she was a tireless worker for and supporter of P.E.O. and Cottey College.

Dorothy was a lifelong and faithful member of All Saints' Episcopal Church. She sang in the choir for many years and helped oversee the building project from the old Parish Hall and Rectory to the buildings standing today.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Lisa Ann Reed, Christi Crow and Sheila Bullock, Dorothy’s caregivers of many years. Their love and support for both Dorothy and her family were beyond measure.

The family suggests memorials be sent to All Saints' Episcopal Church, 425 E Cherry St, Nevada, MO 64772 or Cottey College, 1000 W. Austin Blvd, Nevada, MO 64772.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 12th, 2026, at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Nevada.  

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