Fatal Fire in Rural Cass County

Cass Co. – Detectives with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office along with the South Metro Fire Department and Missouri State Fire Marshall's Office are investigating a fatal fire reported around 12:42 p.m.  Monday afternoon in rural Peculiar.  

Deputies arrived on scene in the 20000 block of S. Carriage Lane shortly after a neighbor reported the fire.  Deputies found a single story residence engulfed in smoke and flames.

Firefighters with the South Metro Fire Protection District arrived on scene and extinguished the fire.  Fire personnel advised that the body of a deceased individual was located inside the residence.   

Fire Investigators with South Metro Fire and Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office are working to determine the cause of the fire.

Detectives will work the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine a positive identification of the victim.  There were no other reported injuries and the victim was the only person in the home at the time of the fire.

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

Traffic stop yields felony drug arrest

Josiah Heuermann

On Sept. 24, Josiah Heuermann, 20, Lee’s Summit, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant charging him with class B felony distribution/ delivery/ manufacture/ produce a controlled substance and class C felony possession of a controlled substance. Bond is set at $50,000 cash or surety.

The charges stem from an investigation the previous day when a St. Clair County deputy was on patrol near Alexander's convenience store, Lowry City, and observed a vehicle driving excessively fast through the store's parking lot. 

The vehicle started to spin its tires and was skidding sideways while leaving the parking lot. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle and contact was made with Heuermann, who was driving the vehicle.

During the investigation several items were located in Heuermann’s possession including drug paraphernalia, several small clear plastic baggies some containing a white residue, broken pieces of a glass pipe with residue that field tested positive for methamphetamine, two cans of butane, digital scales, and multiple baggies containing an unknown white substance.

Obituary - Martha Lou Evins

Martha Lou Evins, 86, Belton, Missouri, died Monday, September 26, 2016 at Beautiful Savior Home in Belton. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 29 at the First Baptist Church in Cleveland, Missouri with burial in Glenwild Cemetery, Cleveland.
 
Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, Missouri.

(A complete obituary will be posted when information available).

Obituary - Randall “Randy” Joel Ragan

Randall “Randy” Joel Ragan, 58, Harrisonville, Missouri, died Monday, September 26, 2016 at Meadow View of Harrisonville. 

Graveside services will be held at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, September 29, 2016 at Crescent Hill Cemetery in Adrian, Missouri.
 
Memorial contributions may be made to Randy Ragan Memorial Fund, c/o Atkinson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 325, Adrian, MO 64720.
 
(A complete obituary will be posted when information is available).

Burglars damage residence near Rich Hill

On September 20, 2016 a Deputy responded to County Road 1007 in Rich Hill, MO to take a report of a burglary that had previously occurred. After arriving at the residence the Deputy made contact with the homeowner who advised him that no one was currently living at the residence. The rear door of the residence appeared to have been forced open, damaging the door and the door frame. The door from the garage to the interior of the house had also been forced open and was damaged. The inside of the residence had been ransacked. Several miscellaneous pieces of jewelry were missing. 

The homeowner estimated the value of the jewelry to be around $500.00. The items that were damaged when the suspect entered the house were estimated to cost around $1600.00 to replace. The outbuildings on the property had also been opened and gone through by the suspect.

If you have any information about this crime, please do not hesitate to contact a Detective at 660-679-3232.

Listen/watch local sports on line this week

Clinton Cardinals @ Smith-Cotton Tigers, BSoccer, 6PM, 9/27

Rock Bridge Bruins @ Smith-Cotton Tigers, SB, 5PM, 9/28

Warsaw Wildcats @ Smith-Cotton Tigers, SB, 5PM, 9/29

Lakeland Vikings @ Drexel Bobcats VB, 7PM, 9/29

Stockton Tigers @ Butler Bears FB, 7PM, 9/30

Smith-Cotton Tigers @ Clinton Cardinals FB, 7PM, 9/30

Adrian Blackhawks @ Osceola Indians FB, 7PM, 9/30

Blue Springs South Jaguars @ Lee's Summit Tigers FB, 7PM, 9/30

http://www.prepcasts-kcmw.com/

Papinville Picnic makes for a perfect September day

They key ingredients for a perfect day? Great food, socializing with friends and some good 'ol down home music...

Even thought the temps felt a little warmer than predicted, that didn't stop a rather large group who attended the annual Papinville Picnic last Saturday.

A hearty thank you goes to Beverly Sullins, John and Phyllis Stewart, and everyone else who works so diligently to keep this tradition alive.

-our thanks to Greg Mullinax (photos)

Compassion: Alive and well in Bates County

This is something which sadly would be reported in a negative light in far too many places in this country, right now. But I share this with a sense of pride and honor. The situation; a football player from Rich Hill MO. injured his back in the 4th quarter. I was called upon to tend to him. The EMS at the game came out to assist, which was greatly appreciated. As we were prepping the young man to be placed on a spine board, the Rich Hill coaches asked the referees and medical personnel if they could have his teammates circle him for a prayer. How do you even consider refusing. We continued to do our work, and as the Rich Hill team circled and started the prayer, the entire Drexel team and their coaches yelled for them to " wait a sec" and they joined the circle. I, as a member of the Drexel/Miami coaching staff, was touched deeply by that simple gesture of Faith and sportsmanship! 

When all the negatives are constantly being pushed to the forefront and the positives are swept aside, this act was a perfect example of what is right with small town, high school football, and people in general. I was proud to be associated and connected with all involved.

And I happy to report the injury proved to be minor in nature, and the young man will recover in short order.

Coach Brian Wood, Miami R-1 Schools