Weather Update: Memorial Day Storms... Possibly Severe

Today, the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill/Kansas City would like to thank and honor those who have fallen, fighting for our country on this Memorial Day.

For those that will be out at ceremonies, services, and other Memorial Day events, there will be some weather concerns. First, we are watching an area of showers and few embedded thunderstorms moving through eastern Kansas this morning. This area of showers will move through eastern Kansas and into western Missouri this morning before dissipating. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon however, they should be spotty in nature and will not be severe. The main push of showers and thunderstorms will come this evening into tonight. There is the chance that some storms may be severe across northeastern Kansas and northwestern Missouri. The main threats would be large hail and damaging winds with the possibility of an isolated tornado.

American Legion Memorial Day Observance in Butler

BUTLER, Mo – The American Legion will hold a Memorial Day observance on Monday, May 25th at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler on the east side near the Veteran’s Plot beginning at 11 a.m. 

The observance is open to the public and Father Tom Hermes will be speaking.

Butler man receives moderate injuries in Henry County Crash

A Butler man was moderately injured in a one vehicle accident Saturday evening in Henry County. 

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, the accident occurred at about 5:15 P.M. Saturday evening on East Bound 7 Highway at Martin's Curve, in rural Henry County, involving a 2002 Ford driven by 27 year old Caleb Griffith. 

The Missouri State Highway patrol says Mr. Griffith was traveling Eastbound when he traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a guardrail. 

Mr. Griffith was transported by EMS to Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton.

Obituary - Timothy Wayne Hansen

Timothy Wayne Hansen, of Nevada,Mo passed away on Wednesday, May 20th. He was 60. Arrangements are under the direction of Ferry Funeral Home. 

A Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, May 30th at Marmaduke Park in Nevada. 

Vernon County Sheriffs Office Press Release: Driver charged with assault when passenger is injured in vehicle crash‏

Billy W. Willett

The driver of a vehicle that was involved in a collision with a semi on West 54 Hwy has been taken into custody. According to court records, an arrest warrant was issued Thursday afternoon for 34 year old Billy W. Willett, of Fort Scott, KS for Assault – 2nd Degree, and Resisting/Interfering With Arrest. 

According to a press release from the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, the vehicle driven by Willett turned off of 54 Hwy when the deputy activated his lights, but instead of stopping, took off, drove through a stop sign and pulled back onto 54 Hwy in front of an oncoming Semi causing the semi to hit Willett's car.

According to Sheriff Jason Mosher, a passenger was transported by ambulance and Willett was taken into custody. “The vehicle took off when the deputy turned on his lights and ran a stop sign and caused an accident that resulted in injuries to the passenger in the vehicle with him. When someone acts recklessly and causes someone to get hurt you can be responsible for that” said Mosher. The Sheriff also said additional charges may be filed in the future when the investigation is complete but could not give any more details at this time. Willett is being held in the Vernon County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

Driver arrested after vehicle pursuit Saturday afternoon

A female driver has been taken into custody following a vehicle pursuit that started in Nevada by the Nevada Police Department Saturday afternoon. Vernon County Deputies responding to assist, found the suspected vehicle shortly after the pursuit was terminated by NPD. After anothershort vehicle pursuit, the car stopped in the area of 1700 Rd. and Talley Bend Rd. where the driver fled on foot. The driver was located by Deputies after a short foot pursuit and taken into custody. The name of the driver has not been released pending the filing of formal charges. This case is being investigated by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office and the Nevada Police Department. More information will be release when it becomes available.

Flood warning issued for our area

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A FLOOD WARNING FOR Marais Des Cygnes River near Trading Post affecting Linn and Bates Counties.

Manhunt over as James Horn dies in shootout

 UPDATE 1:09 p.m. Saturday: The hunt for double homicide suspect James Horn Jr., is over.

Sedalia Police Chief John DeGonia confirmed that Horn was shot and killed in a shootout Saturday afternoon.

Police officers killed Horn in a shootout sometime Saturday afternoon near the Kearn Memorial Wildlife Area in Johnson County, Mo. 

Horn was killed between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. 

More information will be posted as it becomes available.