Drexel musical scheduled for tonight postponed

Information from the Drexel R-IV School:

Due to illness, tonight's performance of Shrek the Musical at the Drexel R-IV School has been rescheduled. The new show schedule is Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 2pm and 7 pm all to be held at Drexel R-IV School.

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Obituary - Norman Luckan

Norman Luckan, 89, passed away on February 26, 2026. He was raised in Butler, Missouri, where he graduated from high school before serving in the United States Navy. 

After his service, he worked as a machinist specializing in tool and die work until his retirement. He was highly mechanical and skilled with his hands, able to build or repair nearly anything. He spent most of his life in Independence, Missouri.

An ordained minister, he faithfully taught Bible classes at Gospel Fellowship in Grandview, Missouri. Teaching and sharing his faith were central to his life. He was kind-hearted and generous, loved telling stories almost as much as sharing God’s word, and was known for his sense of humor. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, and his daughter, Rebekah. He is survived by his son and three grandchildren. 

Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m., with services at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, March 7, at Park Lawn Funeral Home in Kansas City, Missouri. Burial will follow immediately after the service. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gospel Fellowship, P.O. Box 141, Grandview, MO 64030.

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A look at severe weather today

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Rural Missourians now travel an average of 28 miles to work

In 2003, about 4 in 10 Missouri payroll jobs were filled by workers commuting from another county. By 2023, that number had grown to more than half of all jobs.

Nonmetro Missourians now travel an average of 28 miles one way to work, compared to 16 miles for urban workers. These patterns underscore the important bonds between Missouri’s urban and rural communities, as the shared labor markets benefit both workers’ livelihoods and the businesses that employ them.

Together, these trends highlight why it is essential to think regionally when planning economic and workforce development strategies. Courtesy MU Extension, Butler Mo.


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Obituary - Joseph "Joe" Prevete

Joseph "Joe" Prevete, 52, of Windsor, Missouri, died Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the Golden Valley Memorial Hospital, Clinton, Mo.

He was born August 31, 1973, in Windsor, Mo., the son of John Harry Prevete and Rita True (Galloway) Prevete. He graduated from high school in 1991. He worked for 25 years mowing with his brother’s mowing business, JP Mowing. Most recently, he worked for NAPA in Windsor. He enjoyed working on cars and being a part of the Jay Prevete racing crew. He was a beloved son, brother, uncle and nephew and will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his mother, Rita Prevete of Windsor; a brother, John D. “Jay” Prevete (Jennifer), Windsor, Mo.; a sister, Kelly P. Lewis (Andrew), Easley, South Carolina; 5 nieces, Jaelyn Burford (Austin), Jenna Rhoades (Shawn), Jaeci McGowan (Jayme), Aubrey Davis (Will), and Avery Lewis; 2 great-nephews, Baylor and Ryder; a great-niece, Wren; several aunts and uncles, LaCeta and Ed Lenz, Ruth and Bill Deakin, and Rosie Evans; and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his father and an uncle, Cabin Galloway.

No services are planned at this time.

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Obituary - Gordon E. Hendrix

Gordon E. Hendrix, 83 of Nevada, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. Gordon was born on December 29, 1942, in Nevada to William H. and Bessie W. (Koehler) Hendrix. On October 7, 1961, he was married to Wilma R. Simpson and she survives of the home. Gordon was raised in Nevada and attended Nevada High School.

Gordon served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War where he was stationed in Alaska. He worked at 3M in Nevada for 30 years until his retirement. He loved fishing, carpentry work, and, most of all, being with his family.

Survivors in addition to his wife, Wilma, include two daughters, Kelly Butler (John) of Eldorado Springs, MO and Brandi Cassidy (Greg) of Nevada; nine grandchildren, Jonathon Butler, Jonelle Hoffman, Rilyn Taylor, Kendall Butler, Shanee Phillips, Megan Hendrix, Elizabeth Cassidy, Julia Buckley, and Teisha Graves; 27 great-grandchildren; a brother, Carl Hendrix (Joy) of Moore, Oklahoma; a sister, Bonnie Powell of Independence, MO; and numerous nieces and nephews. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Sherry Hendrix; thirteen brothers; and 4 sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, March 9, 2026, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with pastor Terry Mosher officiating. Interment with Military Funeral Honors will follow in Moore Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.

Those who wish may contribute in Gordon’s memory to Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

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Obituary - Ronald Joseph McCunniff

Ronald Joseph McCunniff, 75, of Adrian, MO, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Bates County Memorial Hospital. Full obituary and service information will be posted when it is available, courtesy Atkinson Funeral Home


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Obituary - Richard Lewis Mitchell

Richard Lewis Mitchell, of Cleveland, Missouri, passed away on March 2, 2026, at the age of 90, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center in Overland Park, Kansas. Per his wishes, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

A complete obituary will be posted when it is available, courtesy Atkinson Funeral Home

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