Mid America Live

From the Clinton Fire Department

Mr. Clayton Eversole paid a visit to the Clinton Fire Station today to donate his bicycle to our Christmas Cheer bicycle program. While we get several donations throughout the year, it's donations such as Clayton's that are worth sharing. Clayton wanted to "put a smile on another boys face" by generously donating his bicycle that he has outgrown. His father, Justin, told us that they have been talking a lot about giving back and Clayton decided on his own to donate his bicycle. What a great kid! Pictured with Clayton is CFD firefighter, Chris Reno. - Courtesy of the Clinton Fire Department Facebook Page

Clinton man arrested in Henry County

On 1/30/17 around 5:10pm the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Henry County arrested 43 year old Thomas J. Orendoff of Clinton, Missouri.

Mr. Orendoff was arrested for 1.) Driving While Intoxicated.

He was booked into the Henry County Jail and later bonded out.

Copyright Mid America Live News

Nevada woman pleads guilty to exchanging food stamps for meth

Julie M. Drake

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A Nevada woman pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Springfield to her role in a conspiracy to exchange food stamps for methamphetamine or cash.

Julie M. Drake, 48, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, according to a statement released by the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

According to the statement, Drake admitted that in 2015 she participated in a conspiracy in Bates and Vernon counties, accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, sometimes known as food stamps, in exchange for methamphetamine or a percentage of the benefits in cash.

She then used the electronic benefit transfer cards belonging to others and their personal identification numbers to buy her own food.

The Vernon County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant Oct. 14, 2015, at Drake’s residence and seized a purse containing 22 bags of methamphetamine, weighing about 100 grams and packaged for distribution. They also found two digital scales, as well as a safe that contained $4,720.

Four electronic benefit transfer cards belonging to other people also were discovered in the house, according to the U.S. attorney's office. Investigators were able to establish Drake's use of the cards on video surveillance footage at Wal-Mart stores in Nevada and Lamar.

In interviews with federal agents, one of the recipients of the benefit cards admitted using his card to buy a quarter gram of methamphetamine from Drake. He told investigators that a $55.94 transaction was payment for the drug.

Another recipient admitted to selling his benefits to Drake for 50 cents per $1 in benefits. She would come to his residence to retrieve the card, call the 1-800 number on the back of the card to verify the balance and then give him half of its value in cash.

Drake is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of five years or up to 40 years in federal prison without parole.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a pre-sentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office

Updated Obituary - George “David” Rogers

George “David” Rogers

George “David” Rogers, 54, Archie, Missouri, died Saturday, January 28, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, Missouri, with visitation from 10:00-11:00.

Burial will be in Austin Cemetery in Archie. The family suggest contributions to St. Luke’s Hospice House, 3516 Summit, Kansas City, MO 64111.

David was born December 22, 1962 in Jackson County, MO, the son of George Keith and Marilyn (Milligan) Rogers. He was a U.S. Navy veteran. David married Diana Lynn Wilson on August 11, 2001. He was an automobile mechanic and worked for Show Me Auto Mall and Dickinson Fleet Service. David had lived in Archie since 2000. He was a member of the Austin Baptist Church.

David is survived by his wife, Diane, of the home; a daughter, Melyssa; stepchildren, Eric Lemke (Whitney), Gladstone, MO and Kristen Hawkins (Ryan), Overland Park, KS; his father, George Rogers (Rita), Fristoe, MO; two brothers, Mike Rogers, Independence, MO and Darrell Rogers, Overland Park, KS; a brother-in-law, Brian Wilson; a sister-in-law, Brenda Hunt; three half-sisters, Cindy, Jill and Jennifer; and 5 grandchildren, Ryan Lemke, Brenden Dark, Jaxson Dark, Jamie Lemke and Audrey Hawkins.

Updated Obituary - Betty R. Rinker

Betty R. Rinker

Betty R. Rinker, 78, Harrisonville, Missouri died Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Lee's Summit Medical Center, Lee's Summit, Missouri.

Funeral service 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 3, 2017 at the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville with burial in Freeman Cemetery, Freeman, Missouri.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Friday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ovarian Cancer Association.