From the Lamar Police Department

On Tuesday February 6th, 2018 at about 1230 the Lamar School District contacted the Police Department’s School Resource Officer in reference to a 5th grade student possibly bringing a homemade explosive device into the West Elementary School Building. Through a cooperative effort the student was contacted and his locker was searched. Officers located a homemade device the student had attempted to make. The device did not pose an active threat to the school.

The Barton County Sheriff’s Department assisted by responding to the student’s home and recovering more materials, we had been informed about.

At the request of Lamar Police, the Joplin Police Department provided an Explosive Detection K9. The K9 officer, Fighter and his handler searched the school for potential threats and none were located.

The child was turned over to the Juvenile Office.

I would like to take just a moment to thank the Lamar School District, Barton County Sheriff’s Department, and the Joplin Police Department. There was a lot of cooperative and thorough work to help ensure the safety of our schools and community.

Obituary - Kenny Wackerman

Funeral services for Kenny Wackerman will be 7 p.m. Friday, February 9, 2018 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri.

Visitation will be prior to services from 6-7 p.m. at Schowengerdt Chapel.

Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, February 10 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler. Contributions to Bates County Industries. Online condolences, www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Kenneth “Kenny” Gerald Wackerman, age 74 of Butler, Missouri died Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born December 7, 1943 to Albert Gerald and Leatha Nadine Marshall Wackerman in Butler.

Kenny is survived by his wife Vicki Wackerman of Butler, Missouri; two sons, Keelan Wackerman of Butler, Missouri and Adam Wackerman of Amoret, Missouri; one daughter, Cher Hermann and husband Danny of Butler, Missouri; two brothers, Carl Wackerman of Letohatchee, Alabama and Jim Wackerman and wife Vickie of Butler, Missouri; one sister, Sharon Wayland and husband Tim of Olathe, Kansas; and three grandchildren, Jarrett Hermann, Dylan Wackerman and Braylee Hermann. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Obituary - Kathy Leeanne Hoff

Kathy Leeanne Hoff, 69, of Nevada passed away Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at Nevada Regional Hospital.

Kathy was born November 8, 1948 in Woodland, CA, the daughter of Raymond and Frances (Metzger) Murillo. She Graduated from Arbuckle High School in CA and studied nursing at YUBA College. 

She was married to Lawrence S. Hoff who preceded her in death. She later married Jack Wisely and he also preceded her in death. Kathy was a homemake who loved taking care of her family. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing ceramics and other arts and crafts.

Kathy is survived by her daughters, Devenna Jackson (Brad)-Nevada, and Theresa Anderson (Jason)-Colorado Springs, CO; six grandchildren, Cody Anderson, Kimberly Anderson, Allison Jackson, Molly Jackson, Blake Jackson, and Paige Jackson; two great-grandchildren, Drake Anderson and Izabella York; numerous extended family and friends.

Private memorial services will be held at a later date.

One arrested after cash and jewelry stolen from Bates County residence

Sheila Frye

On February 5, 2018 The Bates County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation regarding cash and jewelry that stolen from a residence in Bates County.

On February 6, 2018 Sheila Frye (DOB 4/22/1967) was arrested by Bates County Sheriff’s Deputies at which at that time Deputies located a substance that Frye identified as heroin.

Frye was charged with a Class C Felony of Stealing and with Possession of a Controlled Substance. She was also charged with Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Frye is currently being held in the Bates County Jail on a $25000.00 cash or surety bond.
Copyright Mid America Live News 

Disclaimer: Arrest records are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Prosecutor will seek death penalty for accused cop killer Ian McCarthy

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF HENRY COUNTY. MISSOURI CIRCUIT DIVISION STATE OF MISSOURI

Ian James Mccarthy

Defendant STATE’S NOTICE OF INTENT TO SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY COMES NOW the State of Missouri by Richard Shields, Prosecuting Attorney for the County of Henry, and hereby gives notice to Defendant, pursuant to Section 565.005.1, RSMo, that the State intends to seek the death penalty in this case.

The State announces that it intends to prove the following statutory aggravating circumstance or circumstances :

l. The murder in the first degree was committed by a person who has one or more serious assaultive convictions, specifically, that on or about July 27, 1998, the defendant pled guilty to the class A felony of Robbery brandishing a knife and threatening a woman during the course of a theft, in the Circuit Court of Hillsborough County, State of New Hampshire, in docket number 98-3-1777 –

2. The murder in the first degree was committed by a person who has one or more serious assaultive convictions, specifically, that on or about May 3, 2002, the defendant was convicted by jury of the class A felony of First Degree Assault by knowingly causing bodily injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon, in the Circuit Court of Hillsborough County, State of New Hampshire, in docket number 0l-S-1772. Section 565.032.2(l).

3. The murder in the first degree was committed against a peace officer during or because of the exercise of his official duty. Section 565.032.2(5).

4. The murder in the first degree was outrageously or wantonly vile, horrible or inhuman in that it involved depravity of mind as Defendant’s selection of Gary Michael to kill was random and without regard to the victim’s identity and that Defendant’s killing of Gary Michael thereby exhibited a callous disregard for the sanctity of all human life. Section s6s.032.2(7).

5. The murder in the first degree was committed against a peace officer while engaged in the performance of his official duty. Section 565.032.2(8).

Richard M Shields 

Prosecuting Attorney 

Henry County, Missouri 

Stolen vehicle in Cedar County

On January 15, 2018 the Cedar County Sheriffs Office took a report of a 1963 Blue/Gray Plymouth Valiant (Missouri Historic Plates H10123) being stolen from the area of U and 32 Hwy. in the Eldorado Springs area.

Anyone with any information please contact the Cedar County Sheriffs Office at (417) 276-5133 or the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (417) 876-8477

Butler woman escapes injury in Johnson County crash

On 2/6/18 around 10:07am the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Johnson County responded to a one vehicle accident on Business 13 Highway at Route BB.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2005 Saturn Vue driven by Kristine A. Zangi of Butler, Missouri traveled off the right side of the roadway. Driver overcorrected causing the vehicle to travel off the left side of the roadway striking a road sign and overturning.

Kristine A. Zangi sustained minor injuries in this accident and she will seek her own treatment at a later time.

The vehicle received moderate damages and it was towed from the scene by Tip Top Tow.


Copyright Mid America Live News 

Obituary - Dorothy Casteel (Epperson)

  Dorothy Casteel (Epperson)

Dorothy May Castell, 93 longtime resident of Independence, MO passed away Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Serenity of Butler. 

Services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 9, 2018 at the Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64052 with burial to follow in Mound Grove Cemetery. 

The family will greet friends form 1:00 p.m., until service time Friday at the chapel. Donations may be made in her name to Community of Christ or to Heartland Hospice, 612 W, Fort Scott St., Butler, MO 64730. 

Dorothy was born May 9, 1924 in Durango, CO to Albert A. and Mamie E. (Sutton) Epperson. She moved to Independence in 1933 where she graduated from William Chrisman High school in 1942. She and her husband owned Realty World Casteel in Independence for a number of years until her husband, Jack passed away in 1993. 

She was a member of the Community of Christ and was very active in the New Hope and Heritage House congregation’s. She was married to Jasper “Jack” Casteel on January 3, 1943. He preceded her in death in 1993. 

Survivors include; 2 sons, Gerald W. “Jerry” Casteel of Albuquerque, NM and Duane O. Casteel on Blue Springs, MO; a sister, Helen Thomas Hursh; 4 granddaughters, 12 great grandchildren and a great great grandson. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Carson-Speaks Chapel (816) 252-7900)