Early morning assault and robbery ends with two arrests

24 HOURS WITH HCSO | 51 calls and activities. 8 offense reports.

Just before 2:00 a.m., Deputy Fisher and Deputy Hysom responded to a reported assault near the Knisley Boat Ramp. The investigation determined the victim had allegedly been assaulted while cash and vehicle keys were taken.

The investigation led deputies to a residence in Clinton, where a search warrant was obtained and executed. Ryan Matthew Covington, age 27, of Clinton and Garrison Wayne Carter, age 28, of Clinton, were taken into custody and placed on 24-hour investigative hold. Charges of Second-Degree Robbery and Third-Degree Assault have been forwarded to the Henry County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review.

We thank the Clinton Police Department for their assistance throughout the investigation and during the execution of the search warrant.

During the past 24 hours, deputies handled 51 calls and activities, including 11 traffic stops, 9 public service calls, 8 building checks, 6 follow-ups and numerous other calls for service.

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

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Obituary - Betty Marie Goins Tillery

In Loving Memory

Betty Marie Goins Tillery was born July 6, 1932 in Everton, Arkansas to Orson Daniel Goins and Stella Marie Dale Goins. Betty passed away peacefully on September 16, 2026. Betty was the third child of four. She graduated from Fairland Oklahoma High School.

Shortly after graduating, she met a young carpenter who was in town building a new house. Burl Tillery turned out to be the one for her. They married and spent the rest of their lives together until Burl’s passing October 28, 2011. At various times they lived in Missouri, Oregon, Oklahoma, and then back to Missouri. They raised 4 ornery boys who enjoyed playing pranks on their Mother. James Dwaine was the oldest, then Howard Linn, Kenneth Ray, and William Lawrence completed their family.

Betty started working after her boys were in school beginning at Kress Store in Nevada, MO. She also worked at Unique Optical in Rich Hill, as a housekeeper, a care provider for both adults and children, and cooked at several local restaurants.

She loved family gatherings, traveling, camping at the lake and in her younger years, fishing. Family meals were usually followed by some kind of game. As her family grew, she became Grandma Till to all her grandchildren. She loved her grandchildren dearly and according to some, spoiled them rotten. She spent many hours rocking her grandkids and cooking good meals for her family. Some of her family described her as faithful, fun, and feisty.
She was preceded in death by both of her parents; her stepfather, William Shelby (Shep) Canada; her husband Burl; her siblings, Dorothy Norris, Orson Goins, and Robert Goins; and her grandson Brian Tillery.

She is survived by Jim (Patty) Tillery, Ken (Karen) Tillery, Bill (Joyce) Tillery all of Rich Hill, MO; Howard (Brenda) Tillery of Butler, MO; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandson; 2 sisters-in-law, Corky Tillery and Shirley Goins. She will be missed by many other family members and friends.


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Obituary - Kenneth "Ken" Beard

A Celebration of Life and Military Honors for Kenneth "Ken" Beard will be 11 a.m. Monday September 21, 2026 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation 10 - 11 a.m. Monday prior to the service at the Schowengerdt Chapel.  Inurnment at a later date. Contributions to a VFW of your choice. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Kenneth “Ken” Don Beard, age 79 of Kansas City, Missouri died Friday, September 11, 2026 at Delmar Gardens in Lenexa, Kansas. He was born March 9, 1947 to Donald Dwight and Beulah Marie Chapin Beard in Appleton City, Missouri.

Ken, one of four children, grew up in the Pleasant Ridge Community in rural Bates County, Missouri. He attended elementary school at the Hudson School and graduated from Appleton City High School (Appleton City, Missouri) in 1965. In 1967 he joined the army and was stationed in Cu Chi Vietnam with the HHT ¾ Calvary, 25th Infantry Division. After discharge Ken returned to Butler, living there many years before moving to Kansas City, Missouri.

Ken and Marge Mount were classmates who were later reunited. After they found each other again, Ken would travel to California to see Marge and she traveled to Kansas City to see him–growing their relationship. They were married on March 25, 2002. Ken was a longtime barber at the Southside Barber Shop in Butler, then in Kansas City. He was a member of the VFW.

Ken was an honest and hard working man who made many friendships–not only through his time as a barber, but also as a member of the VFW. He had an uncanny ability to bring a smile or a laugh to anyone, regardless of how bad a day they were having. Ken loved to travel with Marge to National Parks where they could watch the animals or a beautiful sunset. A hobby of Ken’s was perfecting his BBQ recipes. He was always up for a lunch date with Marge and Angie to Jack Stack BBQ. As he got older, Ken enjoyed sitting in the garage with a cold drink, watching the cars go by and visiting with anyone who would stop by. Ken will be remembered with affection and gratitude by all those who knew and loved him.

Ken is survived by his wife, Marge Beard of Kansas City, Missouri; daughter, Angie Kauffman and husband Kermit of Butler, Missouri; two grandchildren, Kaleb Kauffman and wife Ceceily of Butler, Missouri and Lanie Kauffman and fiancé Lucas Vert of Republic, Missouri; one great-granddaughter, Dakota of Butler, Missouri; two sisters, Edna Fenimore and husband Darrell of Weatherford, Texas and Kathryn Landers and husband Dale of Omaha, Nebraska; one stepson, Brandon Bowles (Beth); six step-grandchildren, Ella Bowles, Sophie Bowles and Lily Bowles all of California, Kenzie Mitchell and Zach Mitchell (Ally) all of Kansas City, Missouri and Breanna Mitchell of California. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Leslie Beard; one sister, Joan Davis; and one stepdaughter, Angela Bowles.

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Obituary - Donna "Dot" Reed Poland

Funeral services for Donna "Dot" Reed Poland will be 2 p.m. Monday September 21, 2026 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation 1- 2 p.m. Monday prior to services at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial in Appleton City Cemetery, Appleton City, Missouri. Contributions to the First Baptist Church in Paola, Kansas. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Donna Lee Reed Poland, age 83 of Paola, KS passed away on Wednesday September 16, 2026. She was born on January 8, 1943 to Earnest and Yvonne Reed in Appleton City, MO where she grew up and was an integral part of the community.

Donna was the youngest of four children and spent a large part of her youth working alongside her parents and siblings at the Dari-Burg where she learned the value of hard work.

Known affectionately as Dot or Dottie by her friends and family, Donna was remembered for always having a smile on her face, being the first person to lend a helping hand, for her strong faith and love of family. If she knew you, you were on her prayer list.

Donna married Gary Poland on May 24, 1969 and together they raised three children. They remained married until Gary went to be with his Savior on October 12, 2024 but in Donna's heart they remained married until she took her last breath.

Donna spent her entire career pouring into young people as a teacher both in the public school system and her church. She had a passion for young people and raising them up to be productive members of society.

Donna is survived by her three children; Christina, Matt (Maryah) and Gari Dawn, eight grandchildren, Alyssa, Valerie, Ashley, Audrey, Evona, Caleb, Mitchell and Victoria and two great grandchildren, Robbie and Mehki.

She was preceded in death by her parents Earnest and Evon Reed, her brothers Roy and Joe, her sister Bessie and loving husband Gary.

"Well done good and faithful servant; You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the Joy of your Lord." Matthew 25:23

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Obituary - Grace Mary Colvin

 

 Grace Mary Colvin, 88, Nevada, MO passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at Moore-Few Care Center.    Grace was born on February 1, 1938, in Nevada, MO, to Lester and Jeanette (Leen) Pike.  She married Merylin Colvin in 1963, and from this marriage two daughters were born.

    Grace was raised in Nevada and graduated from Nevada High School in 1956.  After graduation, she worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone company, worked a number of years as an insurance agency secretary for various agencies, including Renwick Insurance, and then served Heartland Hospital as a secretary for several years until her retirement.

    Grace loved playing Scrabble, enjoyed fishing, had fun bowling several years in a bowling league, but most of all, loved being with her family.    

    She is survived by her daughters, Lana O’Dell (Greg), and Tana Uttinger, both of Nevada, MO; 5 grandchildren, Zach Ricketts (Emily), Springfield, MO, Nate Uttinger, Nixa, MO, Emily Ricketts (Alessia Fitzpatrick), Seattle, WA, Trent Uttinger (Jacie), Nevada, MO, and Derek O’Dell (fiancé Hannah Schmuck), Fruit Cove, FL; 3 great-grandchildren, Kinley Ballard, Mason Uttinger, and Adalyn Uttinger; and sister, Jule Williams (Howard), Bronaugh, MO.  Grace was preceded in death by her parents; granddaughter, Ashli O’Dell; son-in-law, Jeff Uttinger; 2 sisters; 4 brothers; and 2 infant sisters.

    Funeral services will be held at 1:30p.m. on Monday, September 21, 2026 at Ferry Funeral Home with Pastor Terry Mosher officiating.  Interment will follow at Moore Cemetery, Nevada, MO.   Friends may call until the hour of service on Monday. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Nevada Animal Shelter in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

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Jefferson Highway travelers pay visit to Butler as part of Centennial Celebration

This group, including visitors from Winnipeg all the way to Louisiana, spent some time in Butler today as our city has historic ties to the famous Jefferson Highway. 

Following lunch at the Bates County Museum, all assembled for this photo op on the square before continuing south to where the Jefferson Highway converged briefly with Route 66.

Jefferson Highway enthusiasts, including this group, regularly visit corridors of the famous highway and there is a strong possibility we'll see more travelers as the Jefferson Highway Crossroads of America 2026 Centennial Celebration is held this week, September 19th through 22nd.

Visit the Jefferson Highway website for more info here https://jeffersonhighway.org

  

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Steiner's to be featured on America's Best Restaurants

Filming took place for an upcoming episode of America's Best Restaurants Roadshow at Steiner's Restaurant this morning and as seen here, Chef Corey is interviewed about the great dishes prepared behind the scenes.

The segment will aired in mid November with date and time to be announced.

Congratulations, Jeff and Amy!

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School nurse receives 2 years probation related to sexual contact with minor

Former school nurse Rayanne McCoy of Rockville, MO has been charged with Endangering The Welfare Of A Child, 2nd Degree and received a Suspended Execution of Sentence of 12 months, with two years supervised probation.

According to a complaint filed in the Bates County Circuit Court, McCoy was accused of having sexual contact with a student on or about August 29, 2025. 

She was represented by attorney Lindsey Ikram of Kansas City, MO.


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