Press Release: Situation at Raymore Walmart

At approximately 9:30 a.m. this morning, Belton Police received a report of an individual brandishing a weapon outside of a vehicle. Shortly after, Raymore Police received a call that an individual exited a car matching the same description and ran into the Raymore Walmart. 

Walmart was evacuated and police responded to the scene. The Cass County Tactical Response Unit and K-9 Unit were activated to do an in-depth search of the store. The individual was not located within the store and police believe he may have evacuated with the rest of the patrons. No one was injured. Detectives have been working this case since the initial calls came in this morning. It remains an active investigation.

"We are very fortunate this ended the way it did," Raymore Police Chief Jan Zimmerman said. "The safety of our residents and visitors to our community is our top priority and we appreciate the public's patience as we conducted our investigation today."

Officers from the Raymore and Belton Police Departments, along with the Cass County Sheriff's Department, Lee’s Summit Police Department, and Missouri Highway Patrol assisted with the response effort. Walmart reopened for business shortly after 3 p.m.

New strain of tick borne virus proves deadly for Kansas man

Morel mushroom season will be here soon, as with it comes tick season. While there have been ongoing concerns about other tick-borne viruses, such as Lyme Disease, now a 50 year old Bourbon county Kansas man has died from complications from a new strain, according to the CDC.

Yesterday, the center confirmed the man died from the Bourbon Virus (named from the location of the first case) after suffering multiple tick bites while working on his property in the Spring of 2014. The man fell ill within two days, was hospitalized, and died from a heart attack 11 days after becoming ill. While the man was hospitalized, test results for infectious diseases were taken and sent to the CDC where the new virus was confirmed to be carried by ticks.

Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses carried by ticks which include fever, tiredness, rash, headaches, body aches, nausea and vomiting. It was determined the man had low blood counts as well, which prevented the body from fighting the infection.

Although this is the first confirmed case of the Bourbon virus, the CDC says it's quite likely more such cases will arise through tick and other insect bites.

In any case, the best protection from tick bites includes using insect repellents, wearing long sleeved shirts and pants, and avoiding brushy and wooded areas if possible. Mostly, take time to inspect for ticks after spending time outdoors.

The Bourbon virus is part of a group of viruses linked to tick/insect bites in Europe, Asia and Africa. This is the first reported instance of a virus in this group, known as thogotoviruses, in the United States.
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1 vehicle accident on Business I-49 North of Butler

The Butler Police Department along with The Bates County Sheriffs Office and The Missouri State Highway Patrol is on scene of a non injury accident on Business I-49 just North of TT Highway. 

The vehicle is a 1979 Chevrolet truck driven by James Ratliff of Butler.

Mr. Ratliff was not injured and the cause of the accident is slick roads.

Please use caution when traveling in this area as several law enforcement and Douty's Tow Service are on scene to pull the vehicle out of the ditch. If you have to be out in this weather please use caution.
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Butler School District: Winter homecoming dance cancelled

Due to deteriorating road conditions, the winter homecoming dance scheduled for tonight is cancelled.

The Coronation ceremony will still occur at the conclusion of the boys basketball game.
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Bates County Sheriff's Office Advisory Message:

Advisory Message: 

THE ROADS HAVE BECOME VERY SLICK DUE TO FREEZING RAIN. 

IF YOU MUST TRAVEL, PLEASE USE CAUTION.
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Missouri State Highway Patrol in Bates County arrest report: Texas woman arrested

On 2/20/15 around  11:15 a.m. The Missouri State Highway Patrol in Bates County arrested 25 year old Jasmine R. Crosswhite of Mesquite, Texas.

She was arrested on 1.) Two counts of possession of a controlled substance ( Cocaine and Ectasy) 2.) Possession of marijuana 3.) Unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

She was booked into the Bates County Jail and her status was listed as bond able.
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Job opening in Butler

ABL Management is currently taking applications for a part time cook to work at the Bates County Sheriff's Office. You must be able to work nights, weekends and holidays. You will be required to pass a background check and pre-employment drug screen. ABL will train the right person. 

You can pick up an application at the Bates County Sheriff's Office. Please put ATTN: ABL on your application. You can also email your resume to 699@ablmanagement.com.
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Obituary - Luther “Shelby” Cross

Luther “Shelby” Cross

Luther “Shelby” Cross, 78, Harrisonville, Missouri, died Thursday, February 19, 2015 at his daughter’s home in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at the Faith Baptist Church in Harrisonville, with visitation from 10:00-11:00. Inurnment will be in Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Faith Baptist Church.

Shelby was born March 28, 1936 in Brimson, Missouri, the son of William Franklin and Deliah Barnett (Gibson) Cross. His mother died when he was two years old, and he was raised by his second mother, Stella B. Adams Cross. He was a graduate of Coffey High School. Shelby was U. S. Army veteran. He married Martha Ann Lake on May 22, 1955 at the Parkville Christian Church in Parkville, Missouri. He lived in Raytown, Missouri before moving to Harrisonville in 2009.

Shelby worked as a product manager for Hallmark, Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri for 37 years before retiring in 1989. He had also worked for Rush Currier Service in Kansas City. Shelby was a member of the Hallmark Retirees Club. Shelby was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Harrisonville and served as a Deacon. He was a former member and Deacon of High Point Baptist Church in Raytown, Missouri, from 1963-2009.

Shelby was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister. He is survived by his wife, Martha, of the home; three daughters, Shawnecy Elaine Gallup (Roger), Raytown, Missouri, Cynthia Ellen Ward, (John), Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and Karyn Sue Beth, (Lloyd, III), Gravois Mills, Missouri; 7 grandchildren, Ryan Gallup, Raquel Naylor, Jeremy Young, Jacob Ward, Shelby Ward, Lloyd Beth, IV, Luke Beth, and 7 great-grandchildren.