Surveying the cake...

Employees at the Bates County Courthouse took a few minutes from their duties to help Bates County Surveyor W. C. (Bill) Lethcho celebrate his birthday today. It's the 'big 80' for this long time county employee and the cleverly decorated cake reflects his trade. If you're in the area, stop by and wish Bill a happy birthday.

-photo courtesy Marlene Wainscott 

Trista Vail Love Fund set up now

33 year old Trista Vail of Butler died tragically last Saturday leaving a 2 month old daughter in the balance, while Trista's fiancé Johnny Mack Stephens, Jr. is recovering in a Kansas City area hospital.

It stands to reason that both father and daughter have a long road ahead to navigate without Trista; a Love Fund has been set up at the Community First Bank in Butler for those who would like to contribute to their future.

Community First Bank has two locations- 1109 W. Ft. Scott St. and 915 W. Ft. Scott St. in Butler, Mo. Donations can be made to the Trista L. Vail Love Fund.

Your kind gestures, thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated. 

Clinton Police Officer's assaulted

Tommy L. Davidson Jr.

On 2-13-17, at 11:10 P.M., a Clinton Police Officer conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of East Green Street on a green Dodge Neon with no license plates. The officer contacted the driver, 36 year old Tommy L. Davidson Jr. of Lowry City, who could not produce a driver’s license nor proof of insurance for the vehicle. The officer observed that Davidson was visibly shaking and avoided looking at the officer when speaking to him. 

The Clinton Police K9 unit responded to the scene and upon approaching the vehicle Davidson handed a jar full of what appeared to be marijuana to the officer and told him “Here’s what you’re looking for. It’s bud.” Davidson was ordered from the vehicle but refused to exit and instead tried to put the vehicle in gear and drive away. A Taser was then used to bring him under control and out of the vehicle but upon exiting he began to kick officers in the shins, and chest areas. 

The Taser was once again used to bring Davidson under control and he was placed in handcuffs. He complained of chest pain and was transported to the Golden Valley Memorial hospital where he was examined, and then medically cleared, for incarceration at the Henry County Detention Center. A search of Davidson’s vehicle revealed a drug pipe and a loaded handgun. 

On the ground beside the vehicle where Davidson was fighting police, a black zippered bag was discovered containing suspected methamphetamine. Davidson was charged with 2nd degree assault on law enforcement officers, resisting arrest, unlawful use and possession of a firearm (while in possession of a controlled substance), possession of a controlled substance, possession of up to 35 grams of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to register a motor vehicle and no insurance. He was incarcerated in the Henry County Detention Center in lieu of bond.

Obituary - Joe Stanley Vincent

 Joe Stanley Vincent

 Joe Stanley Vincent, 81, Nevada, MO passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2017 at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada. Joe was born November 16, 1935 in Nevada, MO to Arthur Ray and Pearl (Waltz) Vincent. On May 24, 1953 he was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Klotz in Nevada, MO and she survives of the home.

Joe grew up in Nevada and graduated from Nevada High School in 1953. Following high school Joe served in the Missouri National Guard to fulfill his military obligation. He worked for the Missouri Department of Transportation/Highway Department in Vernon County for 44 years until his retirement in 1997. He also owned and trained quarter race horses all of his life. Joe especially loved to attend all of his grandkids activities.

In addition to his wife Shirley, survivors include one son, Wesley James Vincent and his wife Wynona, Lebanon, MO; two grandchildren, Christopher James Vincent and his wife Stacy, Springfield, MO, Melissa Marie Vincent, Surprise, AZ; five great-grandchildren, Caden, Cole, Brock, Brady, Brynnley; one step-granddaughter, Melissa Kallenbach; one step-great-granddaughter, Jessica; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Sherrial Mae Skillman on April 26, 2015; his parents; and two brothers, Paul Vincent, Charles George Vincent.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. The family will receive friends from 2-4:00 p.m. prior to the service. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home.

Obituary - Fern W. Presley

Fern W. Presley 90 of Branson, Missouri passed away February 19, 2017 at The Oaks Retirement Community in Branson. 

Services will be held 11:00 am Saturday, February 25, 2017 at the Prairie Center Church of God, 105 S. Montclaire Dr, Olathe, Kansas 66061.  

Visitation will be held prior to services from 10:00 am to 11:00 am Saturday, also at the church.  Burial will follow in Johnson County Memorial Gardens, Overland Park, Kansas. 

Contributions may be made to the Prairie Center Church of God.   Messages of condolence may be left for the family at http://www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com

 

Full obituary information will be published as it becomes available.

Appleton City man arrested in St. Clair County

Timmy Carter Jr.

On Feb. 18, Timmy Carter Jr., 23, Appleton City, was arrested on a St. Clair County warrant charging him with class A misdemeanor domestic assault fourth degree. Bond is set at $5,000 cash or surety.

The charge stems from a St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office investigation on Feb. 1, when deputies were called to Ellett Memorial Hospital, Appleton City, in reference to a female assault victim. 

The victim stated her boyfriend, Timmy Carter Jr., punched her in the face three times with a closed fist and spit in her face. 

The deputy noticed the victim’s right eye was swollen and bruising was beginning to appear.

Bates County Sheriff’s Office Activity Report February 13, 2017 – February 19, 2017

February 13, 2017

HARRASSMENT- RICH HILL

AMBULANCE REQUEST-DREXEL

CHILD CUSTODY-AMSTERDAM

SPEAK TO OFFICER-BUTLER

CHECK WELL BEING- AMSTERDAM

FOLLOW UP –BUTLER

FIRE-AMORET

TRAFFIC HAZARD-BUTLER

TRAFFIC STOP- PASSAIC

TRAFFIC STOP- ADRIAN

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY- ADRIAN

FIRE-AMORET

AGENCY ASSIST- BUTLER

February 14, 2017

SPEAK TO OFFICER-BUTLER

SPEAK TO OFFICER-AMSTERDAM

WARRANT SERVICE- ARCHIE

VANDALISM-ADRIAN

FOLLOW UP- AMSTERDAM

DISTURBANCE-RICH HILL

PAPER SERVICE-RICH HILL

PAPER SERVICE-BUTLER

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY- HUME

February 15, 2017

SPEAK TO OFFICER-RICH HILL

AMBULANCE REQUEST-BUTLER

STOLEN VEHICLE-ROCKVILLE

SPEAK TO OFFICER-DREXEL

AGENCY ASSIST-BUTLER

SPEAK TO OFFICER-AMSTERDAM

FIRE-AMORET

SPEAK TO OFFICER-ADRIAN

AGENCY ASSIST-ADRIAN

DOMESTIC-ADRIAN

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY- BUTLER

February 16, 2017

SPEAK TO OFFICER-BUTLER

PAPER SERVICE-BUTLER

FOLLOW UP-FOSTER

ALARM-AMORET

SPEAK TO OFFICER-AMORET

SPEAK TO OFFICER-AMSTERDAM

TRAFFIC STOP-AMORET

TRAFFIC STOP- AMSTERDAM

 February 17, 2017

TRAFFIC STOP-AMSTERDAM

AMBULANCE REQUEST-ARCHIE

THEFT-FOSTER

SPEAK TO OFFICER- BUTLER

TRAFFIC STOP- RICH HILL

SPEAK TO OFFICER- RICH HILL

ABULANCE REQUEST- ADRIAN

TRAFFIC STOP- PASSAIC

TRAFFIC STOP- RICH HILL

February 18, 2017

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY-AMORET

TRAFFIC STOP-BUTLER

SUSPCIOUS ACTIVITY- RICH HILL

PAPER SERVICE- RICH HILL

SPEAK TO OFFICER- BALLARD

SPEAK TO OFFICER-BUTLER

ALARM-HUME

AGENCY ASSIST- PASSAIC

C&I- ARCHIE

THEFT- RICH HILL

DISTURBANCE-ADRIAN

TRAFFIC STOP- ADRIAN

 February 19, 2017

SPEAK TO OFFICER-ADRIAN

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY-URICH

MVA-ADRIAN

SPEAK TO OFFICER- RICH HILL

SPEAK TO OFFICER-BUTLER

BRUSH FIRE-ADRIAN

C&I- ARCHIE

AGENCY ASSIST- ADRIAN

DISTURBANCE- RICH HILL

CHILD CUSTODY- ADRIAN

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY- BUTLER

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY- ADRIAN

Shoplifting reported in Appleton City

On Feb. 17, a St. Clair County deputy took a shoplifting report at Casey's General Store, Appleton City. A Casey's employee reported two females entered the store and ordered food. One female paid for the food while the other female removed a micro USB cable from the container. The employee stated the female took the item from the store without paying for it.

The deputy went to a residence on East Third Street, Appleton City, and met with one of the females explaining why he was there. The female went over to a vehicle and retrieved the stolen item and gave it to the deputy. A request for prosecution was signed on behalf of Casey's General Store. Formal charges are pending.