Friday, June 12, 2026

BREAKING: Car vs motorcycle accident in west Butler

First responders are on the scene of a car vs motorcycle accident on the I-49 overpass on 52 highway. The scene is quite congested, please avoid the area if possible.

Updates to be provided accordingly.


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Obituary - Terry Baker

Terry “Rusty” Dale Baker departed this world at the age of 78 on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones.  He was born in Nevada, Missouri on March 29, 1948 to James Richard Baker Sr and Ruby Allene (Wardrip) Baker, as the youngest of four children.

    Rusty graduated from Nevada High School in 1966 and lived a long, happy life.  He met his soulmate, Sherie Beemer, in June of 1983 and went on to have her by his side until his passing.  There were 2 children born from this union, Jessica Baker and Dakota Baker.  He loved history, woodworking, and his KC Chiefs.  In his later years he came to enjoy photography, and his grandkids became his world.  Terry spent the majority of his life installing carpet/flooring and with this he also installed a hard work ethic in his kids from an early age.  They all learned his number one work rule to “not bleed on the carpet,” while working with him and to always get the job completed.

    He is survived by his life partner Sherie Beemer; his children, Russell Baker, Danny Beemer, Ryan Beemer, Jessica (Mike) Baker, and Dakota Baker; his 9 grandkids: Crystal Baker, Terrin (Edwin) Velazquez, Dana Volner, Nathanial Smith, Walter Dulaney V, Hayden Beemer, Emiley Beemer, Lynessa Baker, Christian Lopez; 5 great-grandkids; sister, Linda (Jerry) Owens; his half-sister Jami (Lonnie) Baker Dotson; half-brother, Jeff Baker; one step-sister, Melita McDermott; niece, Amanda Bearden; nephew, Doug Baker; and numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family.

    He was preceded in death by his father, James R Baker Sr; mother, Ruby (Baker) Watts; brother, James “Bite” Baker Jr; brother, Don Baker; niece, Nikki Baker; niece. Lisa (Owens) Wittwer; nephew, Don Owens; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

     There will be a Celebration of Life held at a later date.



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Butler police seeking fleeing subject: Update, in custody


The Butler Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Christopher Forbes. Mr. Forbes fled from law enforcement on foot yesterday at approximately 1:00pm. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black hat, and no shirt.


He was last seen in the area of the South Park. If seen, do not approach Mr. Forbes. Contact the Butler Police Department at (660)679-6131

Attached is the most recent booking photo of Christopher Forbes.

Update 9 am June 12, in custody.


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Japanese beetles beginning to arrive in Missouri


Japanese beetles are beginning to emerge in Missouri.
Populations are low now but activity is expected to increase over the next two to four weeks. Early scouting helps guide timely management decisions.
What to look for:
• In soybeans, check multiple areas and estimate overall defoliation. Beetles often feed in the upper canopy, leaving a skeletonized look where only leaf veins remain.
• In corn, watch for beetles feeding on silks during pollination. Pay attention if silks are clipped very short, especially when beetle numbers are high and pollination is not complete.
Learn more and sign up to receive pest alerts: https://brnw.ch/21x3eSh


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Thursday, June 11, 2026

Archie 2nd Semester Honor Roll

Archie MS/HS 2nd Semester Honor Roll – 2025-2026
Congratulations to the following students for their outstanding academic achievement during the 2nd semester!
Middle School A Honor Roll
8th Grade Abigail Conner, Avery Brown, Carlee Cooper, Kolton Cornell, Derek Forgette, Chesney George, Brooklyn Oshel, Layla Royster, Skylar Sears, James Shipley, Emma Sutton
7th Grade
Rachel Boatwright, Kyndall Shuey
6th Grade
Lydia Breden, Bryson Massa, James Mathis, Elaina Donham, Sofia Cota, Carissa Combs, Gracelynn Macrander, Shelby Smith, Colby Conner, Cohen Jewett, Ayden Spiller, Abigail Forgette, Corbin Sanders

Middle School A/B Honor Roll
8th Grade
Stetson Curtis, Kendall Hunt, Isobel Jack, Jackson Lough, Noah Mishou, Colton Ogle, Abigail Romito, Kailee Ruby, Dante Ruby, Faith Sanders
7th Grade
Abbygail Adkins, James Braun, Khol Brunner, Maleia Cogan, Hudson Goucher, Jordan Himes, Jokob Hocker, Austin Johnson, Kaiden Jones, Gabriel Macrander, Easton McLain, Bryson Moody, Brooklyn Nunamaker, Payton O'Reilly, Adonis Phelps, Jacob Reynolds, Zaida Royster, Zoey Sherrell, Norah Shipley, Charlotte Snook
6th Grade
Cordell Johnson, Bennett Oshel, Chayton Charles, Thomas Ammerman, Isaiah Ammerman, Krista Collins, Hunter Wilson, Elijah Kratzberg, Santiago Sanchez-Acosta, Caden Beck, Brodie Cupp, Myla Warren, Addison Yoakum, Brayden Williams, Uriel Barajas, Maddison Ward

High School A Honor Roll
12th Grade
Isabelle Bustamante, Daniel Chamness, Moheya Charles, Miles Deal, Brayden Dunivan, Tanner Essenpries, Astrid Hoegh-Larsen, Peyton Himes, Ty Johnson, Eleanor Leslie, Hope Morris, Aranza Ortigoza-Acosta, Jessi Reynolds, Abigail Sutton
11th Grade
Malayna Baer, Elizabeth Brown, Lake Callahan, Brooke Juarez, Chase Kendrick, Ella Reinhardt, Kayden Tenholder, Madison Wilson
10th Grade
Olivis Del Poza Jiminez, Baylor Duckworth, Gracie Harris, Rylan Reynolds, Ethan Robling, Ruth Sutton
9th Grade
Paisley Breden, Danyelle Brewster, Addison Coover, Jeffery Lough, Amara Mishou, Jackson Parks, Lucian Phelps, Ava Sherrell, Michael Stevenson, Josie Todd, Emma Tomlinson
High School A/B Honor Roll
12th Grade
Emmett Budak, Wyatt Burger, Joey Dawson, Brayden Glanzer, Harmony Hundoft, Nora Hunt, Brooke Jacobs, Jackson Kash, Arianah Lanier, Tristan Leeper, Jackson Martin, Jonathan McCubbin, Gabrielle Moore, Sofia Perez, Tanner Thompson
11th Grade
Lexie Andrews, Colton Banks, Kathleen Bryant, Greyce Crepeau, Brenden Engelhardt, Tayler Essenpries, Hunter Fisher, Carsen Houchen, Cotton Kilian, Natalee Lowe, Gabrielle Parks, Abigail Thompson, Jenna Walsh
10th Grade
Jonathan Basney, Weston Bryant, Kayla Esler, Robert Forbes, Tabitha Hagerman, Logan Kerr, Elsie Parson, Kathryn Roth, Levi Skinner, Colby Wilkins, Ethan King
9th Grade
Austyn Adkins, Brody Cooper, Ryer Davis, Josiah Gallardo, Landen Himes, Peyton Hoskins, Eliza Macrander, Fenix McCullogh, Sutton McCubbin, Colt Yoakum

Congratulations to all students who earned Honor Roll recognition this semester! Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to academic excellence make Archie MS/HS proud. Keep up the great work, Whirlwinds!


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Obituary - Ronald Herda

Ronald L. Herda, age 76, Hume, Missouri passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2026,  

Funeral service will be 10 am Monday, June 15, 2026 at the Hume School.  Visitation will be 5 to 7 pm Sunday, June 14, at the Schneider Funeral Home, Pleasanton Chapel.  Memorial contributions are suggested to Rich Hill American Legion Post #67.  Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com



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Obituary - Kenneth “Kenny” Allen Wicklin

Kenneth “Kenny” Allen Wicklin, 63, of Adrian, Missouri passed away Friday, June 5, 2026 at Appleton City Manor, Appleton City, Missouri. Cremation, with a Celebration of Life to be held from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Sunday, June 28, 2026 at the Alley Tavern Hall in Butler. Services under the direction of the Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-679-0009). Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Kenny was born March 27, 1963 in Independence, MO, the son of Homer Rich and Earline (Schultz) Rich. He grew up and lived in Independence, Missouri. After graduating high school he helped his father in his machine shop, Metal Rich, before opening his own machine shop, Wicklin Machine.

Kenny loved riding motorcycles and attending NASCAR races; his favorite driver was Tony Stewart. He was also an avid KC Chiefs fan, holding season tickets. He was also a loving father and grandfather.

Kenny is preceded in death by his parents; Homer and Earline, siblings; Diane Wicklin, Donna Wicklin, Fordemwalt, Richard Toole and Dean Toole. He is survived by His son Jacob Wicklin and wife Colina of Adrian, Missouri, grandchildren Jayden and Chesney Wicklin of Adrian, Missouri, brother Bob, sister-in-law Julie East Toole-Sharp of Clinton, Missouri as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.

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No Screwworm in Missouri. Yet.


The New World screwworm (NWS, Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a parasitic fly native to the Western Hemisphere. It lays eggs in the living tissue of fresh wounds in warm-blooded animals. The larvae (maggots) feed on the host’s flesh, causing severe wounds and often death if untreated.

The pest was eradicated in the U.S. in the 1960s. Since then, it occasionally reemerges and has recently resurfaced in Central America and Mexico. As of May 2025, renewed attention to this parasite is crucial, as it may pose future risks to U.S. livestock and wildlife.

New World Screwworm is controlled through the release of sterile males, known as the sterile insect technique (SIT). This approach, along with regular active surveillance and livestock inspections, has proven highly successful.

What to Look For

The name screwworm refers to the maggots' feeding behavior as they burrow (screw) into the wound, feeding as they go like a screw being driven into wood. Maggots cause extensive damage by tearing at the hosts’ tissue with sharp mouth hooks. The wound can become larger and deepen as more maggots hatch and feed on living tissue. As a result, NWS can cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal.

Adult screwworm flies are about the size of a common housefly (or slightly larger). They have orange eyes, a metallic blue or green body, and three dark stripes along their backs, see NWS Pest Card.

Report mammals and birds with the following signs:Bloody or light-colored drainage from a cut or wound.
A cut or wound that rapidly enlarges for seemingly no reason.
White or cream-colored runny substance (the eggs) in and around a wound.
Presence of fly larvae (maggots) in wounds.
Irritated behavior and signs of pain.
Head shaking.
Reduced appetite.
Fever and other signs of secondary infection.
Foul odor or smell of decay.
How to Prevent This Disease

The best way to keep screwworm out of this country is to prevent introductions. NWS can infest mammals, including people, and birds. Here are steps you can take to avoid infestation:Be alert for NWS symptoms in pets and livestock.
Ensure that pets traveling internationally are inspected for screwworm.

Check your vehicle for screwworm flies if you are in an NWS-infested area.

If you think you have found a screwworm, report it immediately to your local veterinarian or the Missouri Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division at (573) 751-3377. This will allow agencies to respond quickly and remove the screwworms before a population becomes established.

How It Is Treated

Animals infested with NWS should be treated according to their veterinarian's recommendations.

Additional details can be found on the Missouri Dept. of Agriculture HERE.

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