Age before beauty? Never!

Greg Mullinax proudly answers questions about his 1893
Wm. Knabe concert grand piano

Whether it's ragtime or Mozart, the sound radiating from this 100+ year old piano simply cannot be duplicated by a newer model. Not to mention, the appearance and styling are unrivaled as well. Truly a one of a kind found right here in Bates County.

Just yesterday, Peggy Buhr and others from the Bates County Museum paid a visit to Mullinax Funeral home to see and hear the 1893 Wm. Knabe & Co grand piano on display. 

The stately concert piano was discovered recently in Bates County- the previous owner wished it to be restored to its former glory. Greg Mullinax has done just that, making it a permanent fixture at the funeral home. And yes, it is 100% functional and can be used as part of services held in the chapel.

In fact, during the visit yesterday, Mullinax treated those present with "Hallelujah" and Pachelbel's Canon in D on the solid Mahogany keepsake. 

In talking to Greg Mullinax today, he said the public is invited to stop by (time permitting of course) for a 'mini concert'... and if you're able, feel free to tickle the ivories yourself.

A 'rear view' of the detail and craftsmanship of the past

At 123 years of age, the piano is in all original condition, thanks to
proper care over the years 

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FLASHBACK: The store with a smile....and everything else

For over 40 years, Clarence and Celeta Erickson operated Erickson's Store on Main street in Amsterdam offering just about everything from food, household supplies, clothing and more. No need to drive to another town- Erickson's usually had what you needed, along with friendly conversation and a smile.

A side note- Celeta, often upon hearing that there were some children in town that did not have the school supplies needed, would put the necessary supplies in a brown paper bag and when those families would come into the store to get groceries, she would sneak in the school supplies as a gift. -Editor

Updated Obituary - Delmer Lee Vestal

Delmer Lee Vestal

Delmer Lee Vestal, 75, Garden City, Missouri, died Sunday, February 21, 2016 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. A memorial visitation will be held from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 25 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, Missouri.

Delmer was born September 15, 1940 in Henry County, Missouri, the son of Roy Ivan and Elizabeth (Elam) Vestal. He grew up in Raytown, Missouri and was a graduate of Raytown High School. He married Nancy Ann Cooper on December 11, 1971. Delmer had worked as a heavy equipment operator for various rock quarries throughout the Kansas City, Missouri area. He had also worked for the Veneer Plant in Pleasant Hill, Missouri for 15 years.

Delmer was an avid outdoors man. He enjoyed hunting and fishing; he liked to mow, garden, and grow flowers. He collected and restored small antique engines and often displayed his engines at various shows. Delmer and Nancy took road trips every day, anywhere from an hour trip to an all-day trip. He enjoyed visiting with his neighbors and always had company in the garage. The love of the outdoors continued with his daughter and family, with weenie roasts, hiking on the railroad tracks and playing in the ponds and creeks on the farm. His family was very important to Delmer and he made weekly visits to his daughter, granddaughters, and great-granddaughter. Delmer is survived by his wife, Nancy, of the home; one daughter, Cindy Bunch (Steve), Lee’s Summit, Missouri; one brother, Melvin Vestal (Lorraine), Boston, Massachusetts; two grandchildren, Shelby and Olivia (Doug) and one great-granddaughter, Gabriella.

Update from the Clinton School District

The Clinton School District would like to take this opportunity to address many questions regarding the upcoming public hearing for a teacher:

The hearing will take place on February 24th, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. at the Clinton Middle School Media Center where all Board of Education meetings are held. This hearing is open to the public, and the hearing is at the request of the teacher pursuant to the Teacher Tenure Act. The Board of Education will be presiding over the hearing. While the public is allowed to attend the hearing, only those individuals called as witnesses will have an opportunity to speak pursuant Revised Statutes of Missouri and Board of Education Policy. Capacity of the Media Center for participants and observers is 72. Doors to the Media Center open at 1:30 p.m. Parking is available in the Cardinal Stadium parking lot. The Board of Education requests that those attending the hearing be respectful of student learning as classes will be in session.

A stenographer will be present and will make a written record of these proceedings. Each side will call witnesses and the Board will hear the testimony of the witnesses. Copies of the transcript will be made available to both parties within 10 days of this hearing. The Board of Education will render a decision within 7 days after receiving the transcripts. The Board of Education then has 3 days to provide the teacher who requested the hearing with the decision.

Stephanie Harp

Administrative Assistant

Board of Education Secretary

Clinton School District

701 S. 8th Street

Clinton, MO 64735

Phone: 660-885-2237 ext. 2135

Fax: 660-885-7033

UPDATE: Southwest Missouri woman arrested for ISIS linked threats

BUFFALO, Mo.The U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri charged Safya Roe Yassin, 38, with communicating threats of violence over the internet. Authorities searched her home in Buffalo, Missouri on Thursday as part of their investigation. Buffalo is a small town about 40 minutes north of Springfield.

U.S. attorneys allege in August of last year, Yassin posted a tweet with the names, home addresses and phone numbers of two FBI agents with the words "wanted to kill." Authorities say that threat emerged from an account associated with ISIS. Investigators discovered several of Yassin's Twitter accounts and found the social networking service suspended some of them.

"The FBI went through both the back and front door with battering rams. Some people thought they heard gunshots, but it wasn't gunshots. It was the battering rams. Stuff like that happens in the big city, but we didn't expect that to happen here in a 3,000 population town," said Jeffery Melhorn, neighbor.

Yassin remains in federal custody. She's scheduled for a detention hearing in Springfield on Tuesday.

Copyright 2016 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved.

Several Minors in possession of alcohol cases in St. Clair County

During the last month St. Clair County deputies have investigated several incidents related to minors in possession (MIP) of alcohol.

In the evening hours on Jan. 22, St. Clair County deputies conducted a traffic stop for a lane violation on Route P, Appleton City. The investigation led to two individuals being taken into custody for MIP, one of which was also taken into custody for driving while intoxicated. The individuals were later released and formal charges are pending. 

In the early morning hours on Jan. 28, St. Clair County deputies were patrolling the Appleton City Cemetery on NW 1000 Road and located a vehicle with a female sleeping in the driver’s seat. The investigation revealed the female was 17-years old and had an open container of alcohol in the cup holder beside her. After waking the female a test was administered and it indicated a positive presence of alcohol on her breath. The female explained she was at the cemetery with two friends, but she “passed out” shortly after arriving. The female was taken into custody for MIP and later released pending a formal charge.

Later the same morning, two 17-year old male individuals contacted the sheriff’s office to report they were responsible for purchasing the alcohol. They admitted to running and hiding when they saw the patrol car enter the cemetery. A test was administered and it indicated a positive presence of alcohol on both individual’s breath. The two males were taken into custody and later released pending formal charges.

On Feb. 3, a St. Clair County deputy received information regarding underage individuals drinking and driving in the Appleton City area. A traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle with a brake light out near 52 Highway. A check of the vehicle revealed the same three minor individuals from an incident on Jan. 28 were inside the vehicle. The investigation resulted in the three individuals being taken into custody for MIP-visibly intoxicated. The three individuals were later released pending formal charges.

On February 6, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle near Highway 54 with three passengers inside. The investigation led to three individuals, two males and one female, being taken into custody for MIP. One of the individuals was also taken into custody for driving while intoxicated. The three individuals were later released pending formal charges.

On Feb. 16, Cole Creek, 20, Stockton, was charged with an unclassified misdemeanor of possession of liquor by a minor. The charge stems from an incident during the late night hours of Jan. 29 when a St. Clair County deputy conducted a traffic stop on SE 550 Road, Collins. During the investigation a partial case of beer was located in Creek’s vehicle and a test was administered and it indicated a positive presence of alcohol on his breath. Creek was issued a citation for minor in possession of alcohol and released to his mother.

Ownership changes coming for two Butler businesses

Spring is coming... and so are some changes at two popular Butler businesses. It was recently announced that Murray's Auto Repair is relocating to the current Don's Tire location on March 1st. The Murray's are looking forward to the increased work space which will afford a shorter wait for customers, plus tires and wheel alignment will be added to the list of offerings. Don Malan will continue to operate his tow/recovery business.


It was also made public that popular uptown restaurant Southside Cafe will also be under new ownership soon. Owners Randy and Diane Weiss, after a long and successful run, will be handing over the keys to new owners Rodger Koehn and Brandon Conger on March 1st. Koehn and Conger plan a few changes for the establishment, including the offering of alcoholic beverages.

Mid America Live will be providing more information in the near future as it becomes available.

More stolen property recovered in Garden City storage unit burglaries

Officers of the Garden City Police Department recover more stolen property from multiple storage unit burglaries.

At about 10:00 this morning officers of the Garden City Police Department responded to a residence in the 200 block Main Street and recovered property that had been reported as stolen earlier this month from a storage unit also located on Main Street

The occupants of the residence were cooperative and the suspect in the burglary is being held in the Cass County Jail on multiple charges.

Mid America Live News will update this when more information is made available to us.