On 12/30/15 around 9:15 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Henry County responded to a one vehicle accident on SE 80 Road just East of Route PP in rural Henry County.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 1994 Ford F-150 driven by 59 year old Verble A. Balducci of Harrisonville, Missouri traveled off the roadway and overturned before coming to rest in a creek.
Mr. Balducci sustained moderate injuries in this accident and was transported to Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton, Missouri.
A passenger in the vehicle 47 year old Julie A. Renfrow of Clinton, Missouri sustained moderate injuries in this accident and will seek her own treatment.
The vehicle was totaled and towed from the scene by Golden Valley Tow Company.
Copyright Mid America Live
By Sydney Smith. CREATED 4:23 PM
Five people in southwest Missouri have been indicted by a federal grand jury, in three separate but related cases, for distributing methamphetamine in Vernon and Bates County, Missouri, and for illegally possessing firearms.
Marklee Eugene Bogart from Nevada, Mo., and Danny Crawford from El Dorado Springs, Mo., were charged in a six-count indictment.
The federal indictment alleges that Bogart and Crawford participated in a conspiracy to distribute 50+ grams of methamphetamine in Vernon County, Missouri.
The indictment charges Bogart with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and one count of illegally possessing firearms.
The indictment also charges Crawford with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition.
Crawford, who has been convicted of a felony, allegedly possessed a .22-caliber rifle and 199 rounds of .22-caliber ammunition.
The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Bogart to forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the alleged offenses, including a total of $50,897 that was seized by law enforcement officers on two separate occasions.
Donald G. Grissom, from Milo, Mo., and Margaret West, of Rockville, Mo., were charged in a five-count indictment.
The federal indictment alleges that Grissom and West participated in a conspiracy to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine in Bates County, Missouri.
The indictment charges Grissom and West with one count each of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
The federal indictment also charges West with one count of distributing methamphetamine and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms.
West, who has been convicted of a felony, allegedly possessed a .380-caliber handgun, a shotgun and a .22-caliber rifle.
The indictment also contains a forfeiture count, which would require West to forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the alleged offenses, including $10,905 that was seized by law enforcement officers.
Lastly, James Pryor from Nevada, Missouri, was charged in a two-count indictment.
The federal indictment alleges that Pryor possessed 5 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute in Vernon County, Missouri.
These cases are being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jody M. Larison.
They were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, the Vernon County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, Bates County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office and the CNET Drug Taskforce.
Over the course of the last several days, heavy rains have caused extensive flash flooding throughout Missouri and has led to many roadway closures. The Patrol encourages motorists to never drive through water covered roads; even a small amount of fast-moving water can sweep a vehicle off the roadway. For your safety and that of your passengers, drivers are reminded to stay alert while driving in areas known to flood. Barricades closing a road are there to protect you. Drivers must respect barriers or barricades put in place by MoDOT or other officials. It is extremely dangerous and a violation of state law to drive around them. If your vehicle would happen to become stuck in rising water, get out quickly and move to higher ground.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol urges motorists to be vigilant of water across roadways, including roadways which rarely experience such conditions. Recognizing these conditions is particularly difficult after dark, so it is imperative drivers utilize extreme caution to assure safe passage to their destination.
Flooding from recent rains have already claimed 13 lives in Missouri alone. Know the route you will be traveling, and the current condition of those roadways. The cold temperature of the water, in addition to colder air temperatures, will cause hypothermia to set in quickly for those exposed. Don’t put yourself in the position of battling the elements!
Missouri Department of Transportation road conditions may be accessed through the Highway Patrol’s website (www.mshp.dps.mo.gov). These flooding conditions are changing rapidly and driver caution is critical. Motorists must be attentive and allow additional reaction time for these changing conditions. Let’s work together to prevent further loss of life from these extremely hazardous conditions.
Approximately 63 percent of Missouri fatal crash victims who are required to be restrained are NOT at the time of the traffic crash. The Patrol urges motorists to protect themselves and their passengers by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Join us in supporting the Drive To Zero Highway Deaths. Watercraft operators should ensure that everyone in the vessel is wearing an approved life jacket. Click It 4 Life And Wear It!!!!
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Governor Jay Nixon has activated the Missouri National Guard in response to the widespread flooding across the state.
The state’s death toll from days of pounding rainfall has risen to 13, and Nixon said he expects that number to grow.
The Governor said Monday that the majority of the victims drowned after driving into floodwaters.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says six of the deaths happened in south-central Missouri’s Pulaski County. That’s where four international soldiers from Fort Leonard Wood drowned, as did two other people when their vehicle was swept away 10 miles from the soldiers.
Nixon told Missourians and other travelers to avoid driving into water, noting that “you’re taking great risks” by doing so.
State officials say there have been more than 200 road closures statewide because of the storms, as well as more than 30 water rescues.
Several businesses are flooded in the town of Union after a small river raged out of control.
The Bourbeuse River reached an all-time high Tuesday, nearly 20 feet above flood stage. Stephanie Norton of the Franklin County Emergency Management Agency says no one has been killed or injured. However, water is near the roofs of a McDonald’s, QuikTrip and several other businesses that sit near the normally docile river.
The Bourbeuse is among several smaller rivers in eastern Missouri that are seeing record or close-to-record flooding. The Meramec River in the St. Louis area is nearly 30 feet above flood stage in some spots, forcing scattered evacuations and the closure of several roads.
The U.S. Coast Guard has already closed a portion of the Mississippi River near St. Louis due to flooding.
Vernon County Sheriff’s Officials confirmed Tuesday morning that a search is underway in Northern Vernon County for a person who was hunting and went missing.
According to officials, the search is being conducted by multiple agencies. Sheriff Jason Mosher said the identity of the missing person is not being released at this time.
Mid America Live News will release more information when it becomes available to us.
Copyright Mid America Live News
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| William Paul Claus II |
William Paul Claus II, age 28 of Clinton, MO passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday December 22, 2015 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. Memorial service will be 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at Vansant-Mills Funeral Chapel, Clinton, Missouri with visitation one hour prior to service. Condolences and fond memories may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.
He was born on January 17, 1987 in Elmhurst, Illinois to William Paul Claus I and Kim Wilson. He was a loving husband, step-father to three children, son, brother, uncle and friend. William served in the United States National Guard and then served in the United States Army. During his tour in the National Guard he assisted in the Hurricane Katrina Disaster relief. William enjoyed football, animals, spending time with family and friends, and working, but above all enjoyed helping people however he could. He had many hobbies including; working with electronics, working on cars, playing video games and most of all sharing a great story and laugh with friends and family. He was an organ donor and by making this commitment gave many lives a gift of hope. William is survived by his mother, Kim; father, William; sister(s), Kara and Kelsey; brother(s) Chris, Cody and Nathan along with Step-father Charles and three step-brothers, James, Charles and Devin.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.
A memorial service for James will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, January 2, 2016, at Hill and Son Funeral Home in Appleton City, Missouri. The Minister officiating at the service will be Pastor David Putthoff.
The visitation will be held from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. preceding the service.
The family suggests any MEMORIAL donations be made to Midwest Transplant. Donations may be left at the funeral home.
Survivors include his stepfather and mother, Mike and Linda McKee of Montrose, Missouri; his father Stanley E. Joy; one sister Paula Jean Joy; one brother George Allen McKee; five half-sisters: Carol Joy, Shirley Joy, Jamie Joy, Peggy Sue (Chris) Fayard and Paige Joy; two half-brothers William Joy and Levi Joy; two nephews Joseph Kempinger and Noah Kempinger; a step-grandmother Betty McKee; many other aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
On 12/28/15 around 6:07 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Bates County along with the Bates County Sheriffs Deputies and Bates County EMS responded to a one vehicle accident on Northbound I-49 at Mile Marker 130.4
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2008 Nissan Frontier driven by 53 year old Andrew L. Smith of Saint Joseph, Missouri began to slide on the ice covered roadway and traveled off the right side of the roadway striking a bridge.
Two passengers in Mr. Smith's vehicle 43 year old Rachel A. Panku who sustained moderate injuries in this accident and 13 year old Destani Jones who sustained minor injuries both of Saint Joseph, Missouri were transported to Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler, Missouri.
The vehicle received extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Don's Tow of Butler, Missouri.
Copyright Mid America Live News
On 12/30/15 around 9:15 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Henry County responded to a one vehicle accident on SE 80 Road just East of Route PP in rural Henry County.
