Happy New Year!

We hope your 2012 is the best ever!

Cold front moving in tonight...

Tonight

Mostly clear. Windy. Lows in the lower 30s. West winds 25 to 35 mph.

Motorcycle rider injured near Adrian this afternoon

A motorcycle rider received serious injuries in an accident on 71 highway this afternoon just South of the Adrian exit. The rider was ejected from the motorcycle as it traveled off the left side of the Northbound lanes and came to a rest in the median. The victim was transported to a Kansas City area hospital by medical helicopter.

The rider has been identified as Richard W. Daubenspeck, 46 of Kansas City Mo.

Obituary - Judy Fisher

Judith L. Fisher, 62, of Lowry City, MO, died peacefully December 28, 2011 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. Judy was born November 21, 1949 in Kansas City, MO. She grew up in Independence, MO, graduating from Van Horn High School in 1967. Choosing education as a career, she received her Bachelor’s degree from Central Missouri State College in 1971. Subsequently, she earned Master’s and Specialist’s certifications from Central Missouri and Southwest Missouri State Universities. Judy’s education career spanned more than a quarter century, mostly spent in Rich Hill, MO, where she taught physical education and was the high school’s first girls basketball coach, before transitioning into working in special education. She later served the Nevada, MO and Carthage, MO School Districts, as well as the State of Missouri as a special education teacher. Aside from, but related to education, Judy was passionately active in the Missouri National Education Association and in Democratic Party politics. In retirement, Judy loved getting together with her Red Hat Society friends, being active in both their social and charitable pursuits. She also gave generously to numerous not-for-profits, among them Habitat for Humanity and the American Diabetes Association. In celebration of her high school’s transfer into the Independence, MO School District, Judy was a charter member of the Van Horn High School Alumni Association when that group formed in 2009. She is survived by her parents, Alvin and Wanda Fisher of Independence, MO; her sister, Janice Sumner of Lee’s Summit, MO; and her brother, Jay Fisher of Independence, MO. A visitation will be held from 6-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 3, at the Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO. Services will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Suburban Chapel. Cremation will follow the service.

Circuit Court News

CIRCUIT COURT OF BATES COUNTY, COURT NEWS 

JAMES K JOURNEY, JUDGE 

Diana L Rich, Clerk 

Dec 26 - 30, 2011

St v. Michael E Lindsay, probation revoked, hearing held. Probation continued, new conditions, to pay court costs.

St v. Kelley Dean Wells, Felony DWI (persistent offender), found guilty, sentenced to 4 years in MDOC, given SES, placed on 5 years probation, Defe. To get counseling/treatment as directed, to pay court costs, to get substance abuse treatment and aftercare, to attend AA meetings, to be subject to random drug testing, random home/vehicle searches, Defe. Shall not possess or be upon premises where alcohol is sold/served, Defe. To perform 200 hours of community service, Defe. To serve 20 days shock time in Bates County Jail.

Serious injuries in morning rollover accident near Butler

A Leawood, Ks. woman was seriously injured in an accident on 71 Highway at the Mound Branch bridge this morning. Around 9:30 a.m., a 1999 Toyota driven by Nicole E. Koehler, 25 was Northbound when the vehicle left the roadway, crossed the median and overturned on the West side of the Southbound lanes.

It is being reported that extrication was required to free Koehler from the vehicle. She was transported to Bates County Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Linda Jennings retires from Bates County Memorial Hospital

After 25 years of dedicated service, Linda L. Jennings, RN, has retired from Bates County Memorial Hospital. Linda began working at the hospital in July, 1986 as an Emergency Medical Technician in the Ambulance Department. After completion of her education to obtain her RN degree, Linda transferred to the Nursing Department as a Registered Nurse in 1991. Linda is a compassionate and caring nurse. Her love for her patients is evident in the care she gives. Linda received a beautiful pendulum wall clock from the hospital. The hospital extends best wishes to Linda as she enjoys her retirement.

-courtesy Bates County Memorial Hospital

Documentary to be filmed in Rich Hill

The community of Rich Hill, Missouri is buzzing over the recent announcement that Tracy Droz Tragos, Director/Producer from California, is beginning work on a documentary to be filmed in Rich Hill in 2012. Tragos will be working on depicting the life, events, and the struggle to survive that face many small American communities today. Plans are for the film crew to make frequent trips to Rich Hill throughout the year to capture the actual life-happenings of residents in “small town America”.

Tragos, who often visited her grandparents in Rich Hill when she was a child, produced and directed a previous award-winning documentary called “Be Good, Smile Pretty” about her father, who was a fatality in the Vietnam war when she was only 3 months old. That film won an Emmy and has been frequently shown on many PBS stations across the United States, often times around Memorial Day and Veterans Day holidays, and is available on Netflix. Plans are currently in place for a community showing of her film “Be Good, Smile Pretty” at the Rising Sun Opera theater in downtown Rich Hill on Thursday evening, January 12 at 7:00 pm. Admission will be only $2.00 per person and is expected to be attended by a large crowd.

For more information, contact Natalea Hoeper, coordinator for the showing at 417-825-7038.

-courtesy FM 92 the Bullet