Local youth faces long road ahead

A young man drove eastbound from Passaic last Saturday morning, like maybe any other time; not knowing the fate just a few miles down the road.

Within shear milliseconds, he experienced the most drastic, life changing event imaginable as his car leaves the roadway and overturns.

It is not immediately clear how much time went by before someone saw the wreckage and called for help. Rescue units from Butler and Adrian raced to the scene, along with the highway patrol and sheriff's office deputies.

As he lay trapped in his vehicle, first responders carefully removed the crushed metal to discover Kameron Williams alive, but badly injured.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, a medical helicopter was already in route. No time was wasted in transit, nor in getting the bird back on its way. It was time for a thorough evaluation and what ever immediate treatment required to sustain life.

Now, after a few days in the hospital, it's apparent Kameron is faced with a monumental challenge- a broken vertebra has lead to paralysis in the lower half of his body. It may be too soon to tell if it's permanent or not. To complicate matters further, doctors are currently working to correct an issue with his lungs and breathing. 

Kameron is just 18 years old and his road to recovery should be paved with support from our community- a community that has proven again and again that good things happen when we work together. 

There are several efforts underway to help Kameron and his family through this trying time, and links are listed below. The Facebook page has lots of information regarding fundraising, along with an important note from his mother regarding cards for his well wishes scrapbook. Please scroll completely down the page so you don't miss anything:

 http://www.facebook.com/Dejhutton/ 

Thanks in advance to everyone. We will provide updates on his condition as they become available.

Buckle Up-Phone Down A safety challenge that can make a difference

MoDOT and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety are challenging Missouri businesses and private individuals to buckle up and put their phones down.

 The Buckle Up - Phone Down campaign is tackling the two most impactful actions a driver can take to prevent crashes -- or survive if one occurs.
First, drivers can put their phones down when they slide behind the wheel. Distracted driving is the number-one cause of crashes, not only in Missouri, but in the entire United States. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that cell phones were involved in 2,237 crashes in 2015 alone.

Next, people can buckle up each and every time they get in a vehicle. Of the 938 people killed on Missouri's roadways last year, 684 were drivers and passengers of vehicles subject to Missouri's current safety belt law. A tragic 62 percent of them were unrestrained.

The hope is to get private industry to openly support employee safety, either through internal safety campaigns or actually changing policy banning cellphone use in company vehicles and making safety belts mandatory.

From the Ballard School District

Each month Mrs. DesCombes will choose one student from each grade K-6 to be the Artist of the Month. This student exemplifies artistic skill, leadership, and good behavior. This month`s winners are. . .

Kindergarten: Zayden Miller — Zayden is such a happy guy. He is listening and improving with every piece of art he makes. I love his ideas and enthusiasm. He also makes some really great Lego sculptures.

First Grade: Reese Shumate — Reese is a great example to her fellow classmates. Not only is her artwork beautiful, but she also follows directions, raises her hand to ask questions, and works diligently.

Second Grade: Maribel Arredondo — Maribel is becoming more and more confident in her artwork. Because of her newfound confidence, she is taking risks and creating some really unique and well-made artwork. I am really proud of her.

Third Grade: Haley Pray — Haley is always creative and excited to be in art class. She is a very kind and funny person. I always like having Haley in class.

Ferguson Bail Bonding attempting to locate Belton man

Jeffery Michael Franse

Ferguson Bail Bonding is attempting to locate Jeffery Michael Franse of Belton, Missouri who is wanted on a Cass County Warrant.

Any information provided that will help us locate Mr. Franse will be kept strictly confidential.

If you know the whereabouts of this man please call (816) 510-6815 - (816) 510-4262.

Adrian man arrested for possession of a controlled substance

Harold Davin Hubbard

On 2/2/17 around 2:49am the Adrian Police Department arrested 35 year old Harold Davin Hubbard of Adrian, Missouri.

Mr. Hubbard was arrested for 1.) Possession of a Controlled Substance

He was booked into the Bates County Jail and placed on a 24 hour investigative hold.



Copyright Mid America Live News

Punxsutawney Phil says 6 more weeks of winter

Punxsutawney Phil says 6 more weeks of winter, but the outlook for the next 2 weeks does not look promising for any kind of winter weather.

(Don't you have to have an actual winter first before you can have "more" winter?)

Obituary - Dennis "Butch" Markham

Dennis "Butch" Markham, Nevada, passed away Friday, January 27. The graduate of Bronaugh High School and Missouri University was 66. 

A celebration of his life is scheduled at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 25, at the Nevada Country Club. 

Memorials to a Butch Markham Scholarship Fund are suggested and can be made in care of Southwest Missouri Bank, Webb City.

Obituary - Earl Preston Watts

Graveside services for Earl Watts will be 11 a.m. Saturday, February 4, 2017 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler, Missouri. Visitation will be prior to services from 10-11 a.m. at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Contributions to Victory Assembly of God Church.

Earl Preston Watts, age 85 of Butler, Missouri died Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born September 22, 1931 to Preston and Clara Paralee Smith Watts near Adrian, Missouri.

Earl is survived by four sons, Rocky Watts of Groveport, Ohio, Harvey Watts of Butler, Preston Watts of St. Joseph, Missouri and Larry Watts and Monty of Greenwood, Missouri; one daughter, Pamela White and husband Tom of Harrisonville, Missouri; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.