Missing female from Bourbon County

Loretta L. Franks

The Bourbon County Sheriff's Office is investigating a missing person from Bourbon County, Kansas. The missing person is 20 year old Loretta L. Franks from the Redfield, Kansas area.

Franks was last seen April 11, 2015 around 10PM when she was leaving from work in Fort Scott, Kansas. Her vehicle was located April 12, 2015 in Fort Scott, Kansas when she did not return home from work.

Franks is described being 5'04" 148lbs w/ brown hair and eyes. It's unknown what Franks was wearing at the time of her disappearance.

Any information to the whereabouts or location of Franks please notify the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office at (620)-223-1440 or notify your local law enforcement agency.

Job Opening in Osceola

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for dispatchers. Requirements include basic computer skills, a high school diploma, a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, phone, capable of working under pressure, and able to multitask. Successful candidates must be available for night, overnight, and weekend hours. 

The benefits include paid holidays, sick leave and vacation time, Health insurance is available. Applications can be picked up at 360 Chestnut, Osceola, Mo.

Butler Food Pantry Mass Distribution

Mass distribution at the Community Food Pantry is Saturday from 8:30 - 11:30 at 709 W. Ohio, Butler. 

Some of the produce available will be potatoes, cabbage, apples and grapefruit. 

If you have a food need please bring proof you live in Bates County and join us tomorrow.

Cruise Night cancelled

The monthly Butler Chamber of Commerce cruise night scheduled for this evening has been cancelled due to potential severe weather. We'll plan on seeing everyone Friday May 29th.

Weather Update: Severe Storm Threat Shifting West

The severe storm threat has shifted WEST and the tornado threat is DECREASING. If you remember yesterday when we outlined conditions that would be necessary for strong storms, it appears 2 of them will not be in place: The air over our area will not be warm enough and the storm system will not come in at the right time (now coming in overnight).

Friday night is never a good time for storms, so we hope our heads up yesterday at least gave you a moment to think about what you would do if you needed to take shelter tonight. What would you do if a tornado were headed your direction while you were at the movies? At a restaurant? Out on the road? In a bar? These are good things to think about any time severe weather is a possibility.

MOCHIP Child ID in Drexel

A MOCHIP Child ID will be held at the Drexel Community Building on Saturday, April 25th from 10am – 2pm.

This free program will give parents two (2) laminated ID cards that will have digital photographs and fingerprints, child information and emergency contacts and a dental bite impression.

For any question contact Larry Walter at 816-654-4304, Doug King, 816-797-5408 or Brad Fowler at 816-809-3392.

Take the time to protect your children.

Obituary - Anne Karpuk Mawson

Anne Karpuk Mawson, 91, of Archie, Missouri died Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at Adrian Manor, Adrian, Missouri. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2015 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Archie, Missouri. Burial will be in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Saturday at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Archie. Memorial contributions may be made to the Archie F.F.A. Chapter.

Anne Karpuk was born December 22, 1923 in Kansas City, Kansas, the daughter of Joseph Karpuk and Sophia Jakamchik Karpuk. On September 15, 1944 in Fort Scott, Kansas, she married William (Bill) Mawson, who preceded her in death on November 28, 2011.

Anne’s parents moved to a farm in rural Adrian, Missouri when she was three years old. She attended Crawford School and graduated from Adrian High School in 1940. Before marriage Anne worked in Kansas City at Screenland Photo Service as a filing clerk. After marriage she became a supporting spouse of the family farm. Anne loved working with animals and was always taking in orphans and strays. She loved to draw and create art objects. She was an avid gardener and always had the freezer and pantry full of her produce.

Besides her husband, Bill, Anne was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Roger Mawson, a brother, Joseph Karpuk, and a sister, Mary Davis. Anne is survived by son, Ronald Mawson (Debbie) of Archie, daughter, Rita Mawson Fobian (Clark) of Sedalia, Missouri, son, Rodney Mawson (Kay) of Archie; 7 grandchildren, Daphne Mawson Ramsbottom (Mike) of St. Louis, Missouri, Aryliss Mawson Hamilton (Travis) of Archie, Andrew Mawson (LeAnn) of Raymore, Missouri, Kerri Fobian Henness (Steve) of Columbia, Missouri, Todd Fobian (Aaron), of Calera, AL, Callie Curtis (Nick) and Mackenzie Mawson of Archie; 10 great-grandchildren; 2 nephews, Jerry Davis of Butler and Richie Davis of Adrian.

Nevada Woman arrested on drug charges

Julie K. Reed

 A Nevada woman has been taken into custody as a result of a drug investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office and the CNET Drug Task Force. According to a press release from the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, Julie K Reed, 55, of Nevada was arrested at her home on the 200 block of E Locust in Nevada early Thursday morning by investigators with the Sheriff’s Office. 

According to court records, a warrant for Reed’s arrest was issued Wednesday afternoon charging her with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, and Keeping or Maintaining A Public Nuisance, both of which are felony charges.

Reed being arrested

According to Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher, deputies had attempted to serve the arrest warrant but could not make contact with Reed at her home. After several failed attempts, an undercover investigator was able to get Reed to come to the door thinking the investigator was someone other than law enforcement. 

“You don’t normally think of role playing or acting as something needed in law enforcement, but sometimes that’s how we get the job done,” said Mosher.

Reed is being held in the Vernon County Jail on a $15,000 cash only bond.