Harrisonville students named to MRVC Conference Band and Honorable Mention Conference Band

Congratulations to Harrisonville students selected to the MRVC Conference Band and Honorable Mention Conference Band. Students selected to the Conference Band went to Oak Grove yesterday on February 18, 2026 for chair placements. The band will travel to Oak Grove on Tuesday. February 24, 2026 to rehearse during the day to prepare for their concert at 5:00 PM which is open to the public.

Conference Band Members:

Elissa Busby-1st Chair Tenor Saxophone

Tucker Snook-1st Chair Contrabass Clarinet

Hunter Jones-2nd Chair Euphonium

Rowan Truman-2nd Chair Tuba

Spencer Truman-3rd Chair Horn

Lily Feece-4th Chair Trumpet

Ethan Stone-4th Chair Baritone Saxophone

Ava Kelly-5th Chair Trumpet

Noah Chapman-5th Chair Alto Saxophone

Lizzy Naylor-5th Chair Horn

Mary Drabant-15th Chair Flute

Honorable Mention Conference Band Members:

Lana Smith

Lillian Yoss

Lillyanne Pickens

Racheal Tilghman

Jack Wright

Julianna Blowers

Ashley Hurt

Micah Rookstool

Trevor Darling

Aixa Zaroor-Guzman

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Obituary - Johnny H. Mertens

Johnny H. Mertens, age 68, of Nevada, Missouri, passed away suddenly at his home on February 16. He was born on December 14, 1957, to the late Lavohn and Marvin Mertens.

   John graduated from Seneca High School in 1975, where he met his lifelong companion, Debbie. Together they built a life centered on faith and family and were blessed with three daughters: Jeanne, Jennifer, and Johnna.

    In his younger years, John answered God’s call to ministry and faithfully served the United Methodist Church, leading his family to many communities as he preached and ministered to others. After many dedicated years of service, he retired from preaching but continued to live out his faith in his daily life.

     When he wasn’t in the pulpit, John had a love for the thrill of the track. On many Saturday nights in his younger years, he could be found behind the wheel of the No. 32 street stock car race, embracing the excitement of racing. One of his greatest honors in recent years was watching his daughter Jeanne continue that legacy this past racing season, a source of immense pride and joy for him.

    Following retirement, John devoted himself to what he loved most - planning and decorating events. He found great joy in balloon artistry and event décor, taking special pride in decorating his daughters’ weddings and creating beautiful memories for their special days. John had a deep love for horses and the outdoors. Above all, he cherished his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Though he kept them on their toes, he adored each of them dearly. He always made sure his family was cared for and never failed to have a dollar and snacks ready for his great-grandchildren when they came to visit.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Lavohn and Marvin Mertens; two sisters, Jeanne and Judy; and one brother, Jim.

     John is survived by his lifelong companion, Debbie of Nevada, Missouri; his three daughters: Jeanne (Victor) Ellison of El Dorado Springs, Missouri; Jennifer (Jaren) Roberts of Nevada, Missouri; and Johnna (Matt) Boch of El Dorado Springs, Missouri; two sisters, Janie (Richard) Hopkins of Coker, Alabama; Janna Mertens of Gladstone, Oregon; eight grandchildren: Deven (Rachel) Watkins, Logan (Shaniah) Roberts, Justin Ellison, Jonathon (Kiera) Ellison, Caitlyn Roberts, Hannah Roberts, Gabby Boch, and Gavin Boch; and six great-grandchildren: Audra, Millie, and Maeve Watkins, Jackson and Bryson Roberts, and Everly Ellison. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

      John will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his adventurous spirit, his creativity, his devotion to family, and the joy he brought to all who knew him.

     The family will be holding a private ceremony at a later date.

     Memorial and floral tributes may be left for the family in c/o Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

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Obituary - Erma Somers

Erma “Mickey” Somers (née Erma Nell Webb)
April 15, 1936 – February 6, 2026
Erma “Mickey” Somers, 89, of Rich Hill, Missouri, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026.
Born on April 15, 1936, Mickey was a devoted woman of faith who loved her Bible, cherished her cats, and was a longtime member of The Rich Hill Baptist Church.

Mickey is survived by her sister, Royce Baker, along with her niece, nephew, cousins, and friends, whom she held dear.

A graveside service to celebrate Mickey’s life will be held on April 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Green Lawn Cemetery in Rich Hill, Missouri. All who knew and loved her are welcome to attend and share in remembrance.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Rich Hill Baptist Church or Green Lawn Cemetery. Courtesy Heuser Funeral Home


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Obituary - Goldie Fern Page

Goldie Fern Page, age 86, of Adrian, Missouri, departed this life on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at her home in Adrian, Missouri.

Goldie was born January 30, 1940, in Adrian, Missouri, the daughter of Cecil and Nina Page. She was a graduate of Ballard High School in Ballard, Missouri. Following her graduation, Goldie moved to Kansas City, Missouri and worked at Montgomery Wards. In 1972, after the passing of her daddy, she returned home to help her mom with the family farm. She was a faithful member of Cold Creek Christian Church.

Goldie worked at many different places throughout her life and was known for her strong work ethic and dedication. She had been employed at Sioux Chief since 1996.

Goldie had a deep love for the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, canning food, and tending to her garden. She cherished time spent with family and friends and was well known for hosting gatherings, especially her famous taco dinners.

Goldie devoted much of her life to caring for others. She lovingly babysat her nieces and nephews, along with many other children in the community who needed her care. She found great joy in supporting her family and especially enjoyed attending her nieces’ and nephews’ sporting events.

She is survived by her sister, Donna Mae Taylor; sister-in-law, Patsy Page; and many loving nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Nina Page; three brothers, Lawrence Page, Billy Page, and Richard Page and wife Lois Page; and three sisters, Wilma Lee Love and husband Johnny Love, Barbara Sweet and husband Bruce Sweet Jr., and Evelyn Mickelberry and husband Roy Mickelberry and also brother-in-law Ted Taylor.

Goldie will be remembered for her caring heart, generous spirit, and her deep love for family and community.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with interment at Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Missouri.

Visitation will be held 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri.

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Proposed budget cuts could put rural communities in danger

Missouri’s recovery community is facing a serious threat — and rural areas like Cass, Bates, Henry, St. Clair, Vernon, and surrounding counties will feel this the hardest.

A newly proposed state budget includes a $6 million cut to Recovery Support Services (RSS) — programs that provide peer support, recovery housing, transportation, employment assistance, and other community-based services that help individuals sustain recovery. These supports are not extras… they are the foundation that keeps people stable, families together, and communities safer.

MCRSP Newsletter February 2026

For rural communities, where access to treatment and transportation is already limited, cuts like this don’t just reduce services — they create barriers that can lead to relapse, crisis involvement, emergency room visits, and increased strain on law enforcement and local systems.

The data is clear:

94% of individuals receiving recovery support remain housed

89% maintain abstinence

98% report no new arrests

Every $1 invested returns $7 to Missouri’s economy

MCRSP Newsletter February 2026

At Code 1 Wellness, we see firsthand how recovery support changes lives across our rural counties. These services reduce overdose risk, strengthen families, and keep people connected to care — especially where resources are scarce.

This is a moment for rural voices to be heard. Recovery is infrastructure. Recovery is public safety. Recovery is community health.

We will continue advocating alongside providers, individuals in recovery, and community partners to protect the services that our neighbors rely on every single day.

#RecoveryMatters #RuralHealth #Code1Wellness #MissouriRecovery #Advocacy #CommunityStrong

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Hertzog Meat Company to make major announcement on Friday

Bates County's own Hertzog Meat Company has said there will be a major announcement made on Friday, February 19th. It's likely related to their new facility, stand by for news!


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Obituary - Ella Mae Raynes

Ella Mae Raynes, 82, of Adrian, MO, passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026, at St. Joseph Medical Center. Funeral Service will be on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Atkinson Funeral Home in Adrian, MO, with an interment at Crescent Hill Cemetery. There will be a visitation from 10:00-11:00 AM on Friday, February 20, 2026. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of Atkinson Funeral Home.

Ella Mae Raynes was born March 22, 1943, to Alva Reeser Estes and Alberta Susan (James) Estes in Osceola, MO. Being a natural caretaker, she left school early to care for a close family member. She moved to the Kansas City area, where she worked various jobs and started her true calling as a Mother of 3 girls. She later settled in Adrian, MO, where she worked at the Homestead and met her late husband, John Raynes. Ella enjoyed doing puzzles, coloring, playing games, and spending as much time as possible with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Ella Mae Raynes is preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister, June Patterson, and nephew John Patterson. She is survived by her daughters, Paula (Lee Blancett) Anderson, Carmen Green, and Susan (Randy) Hight; grandchildren: Savanna (Cody Rutledge) Thompson, Kendra Owens, Niki (Kenny Saathoff) Green, Brian (Brittany) Plumb, and Bradley (Sarah) Birch; 16 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild on the way.

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Miami County Sheriff's Office Wanted Wednesday

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