Obituary - Brandon Michael Valentine

Brandon Michael Valentine, the son of Preston Joel Valentine and Shania Hope Gibson, was born November 23, 2018 in Kansas City, MO and passed away shortly following his birth.

In addition to his parents he is survived by a grandfather, Lukas Gibson, Raymore, MO; grandmother, Shalynn Yaws, Joplin, MO; and great-grandmother, Lydia Gibson, Raymore, MO.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 2, 2018 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada, MO with Pastor Terry Mosher officiating.

Memorials are suggested to the family in c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Obituary - Dillon Lane Reed

Dillon Lane Reed, 29, Nevada, MO passed away on Thursday, November 22, 2018 in Leavenworth, KS. Dillon, known as “Pickle” by many of his friends, was a likeable, outgoing young man who was loved by his family and many friends.

Dillon was born June 18, 1989 in Nevada to Rusty and Julie (Gammon). He is survived by his mother, Julie Reed, Nevada; his father and step-mother, Rusty and Rita Reed, Nevada; one brother, Cody Reed, Nevada; his maternal grandparents, Betty Gammon, Nevada, and Leo Gammon, Walker; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ralph and Wilma Reed, Metz; and several close friends.

As a young man, Dillon enjoyed skateboarding and was instrumental in getting the local skate park in Nevada. He played Center for the Nevada Raiders in Nevada Little League Football, and was active in 4-H. Dillon attended Nevada School and later received his GED. He enjoyed farming, horseback riding, swimming, and spending time with friends and family.

Dillon successfully completed Building Trades, Modern Cabinetry and Construction. He graduated from Nevada Welding Institute and was an Assistant Instructor of Basic Welding at WMCC. He was currently studying Spanish. Dillon attended Sunday and Wednesday evening church services.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 30, 2018 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada with Mark Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow in Moore Cemetery, Nevada. The family will receive friends from 6-7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the MS Foundation in c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Hope Haven’s 2nd Annual Chili Cook Off

Hope Haven’s 2nd Annual Chili Cook Off is this Friday, November 30th 11am- 2pm at the Cass County Sheriff’s Office Training Room.

Tickets are 7.00 for all you can eat chili.

We are still taking entries of chili as well.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Helicopter Assists In Apprehension Of Driver Involved In 100-mile Pursuit

At 8:48 p.m. on November 24, 2018, Troop A Communications overheard Kansas City Police Department radio traffic regarding the pursuit of a tractor-truck westbound on 31st Street from Arlington Avenue reference an aggravated assault involving a revolver. 

At 8:55 p.m., the suspect vehicle began traveling eastbound on Interstate 70 from Manchester Trafficway. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office became involved then requested the Highway Patrol take the lead after the vehicle entered Lafayette County. 

At 9:20 p.m., two troopers entered the pursuit. The suspect vehicle continued eastbound on I-70 at speeds up to 73 mph and struck spikes in multiple locations deployed by multiple agencies. Troop F Communications began coordinating radio traffic after the vehicle entered Cooper County. A patrol helicopter joined the pursuit and began following the suspect vehicle, allowing ground vehicles to back off. The suspect vehicle eventually became disabled and stopped just east of the 106.6-mile marker near Boonville, MO, where it caught fire and the driver fled on foot. Patrol aircraft then directed officers to the driver after he ran into a barbed wire fence and laid down north of I-70. At 10:36 p.m., troopers advised Troop F Communications the subject was in custody. 

The driver was relayed back to Jackson County and released into the custody of the Kansas City Police Department in connection to the aggravated assault investigation.

Additionally, a baggie of methamphetamine was seized. The tractor-truck is believed to have been reported stolen through Oak Grove Police Department. The investigation continues.

Obituary - Kathryn Louise Johnston

Kathryn Louise Johnston, 63 of Amsterdam, Missouri passed away Sunday, November 25, 2018 at her home surrounded by her family. Kathy’s wishes were to be cremated, with no public services. Arrangements entrusted to Mullinax Funeral Home, Butler (660-670-0009). Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com

Kathy was born November 8, 1955 in Kansas City, Missouri the daughter of Roy Raymond and Norma Jean (Schlesner) Caswell. She was united in marriage to Jerry Dean Johnston on September 29, 1974 in Louisburg, Kansas.

Kathy was a homemaker who loved gardening and canning. She loved sharing her goods with family and friends, and everyone would agree that her pickles were a fan favorite. She was also a 4-H Leader in Amsterdam for several years. Kathy was employed by the Amoret Elevator, Kahn Chevrolet, Casey’s, Prudential, and La Petite Academy. She loved going to flea markets and garages sales, and collecting Longaberger Baskets and Pampered Chef.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy Raymond Caswell and Norma Jean Caswell Atwater, her step-father Bob Atwater, and sister-in-law Carrie Caswell. Kathy is survived by her husband Jerry of the home, and family, Jeff Johnston and wife Becky of Butler, MO., Kim Huebert and husband Kelly of Amoret, MO., Luke Johnston and wife Pam of Amsterdam, MO., and Billy Rhynerson and wife Melissa of LaCygne, KS., 15 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. 

She is also survived by three sisters, Linda Town (Mike) of Las Vegas, NV., Barbara Crust (Bud) of Harrisonville, MO., Debbie Reitinger (Jim) of Paola, KS., and two brothers, Roy Caswell of Greenville, KY., and Mike Caswell (Debbie) of Louisburg, KS.,

From the desk of Bates County Coroner Greg Mullinax

A long term goal of mine is occurring this week. My office will host Death Investigation Training for law enforcement officers this Thursday. The course has been approved for 3 hours Continuing Education for Missouri POST in Technical. If you know of any neighboring agency LEOs who need hours, please invite them to contact me. 

The presenters will include a Pathologist and Death Investigator II; their course will update everyone on best investigative practices and procedures. It is so important that we all receive this training and remain current on these procedures.

I'm pleased to provide this training out of my Coroner's Office budget and agencies from Bates County have elected to attend. This training will be beneficial to all, and hopefully become an annual workshop.

I look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday.

Spirit of Christmas in Germantown

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

St Ludger's Church in Germantown, Missouri will host the Spirit of Christmas event on Saturday December 8, at 1:00pm.

Some things that will be new this year will be antique, vintage, and unique Nativity sets. 

Enjoy Christmas music by area musicians and refreshments in the country in a historic church on the National Register. As in previous years, the Butler Brass will be featured as the finale. 

Everyone is welcome to attend this event!

Warsaw man catches state record Walleye on a jugline

WARSAW, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports Jason Reynolds of Warsaw became the most recent state-record-fish breaker in Missouri when he caught a walleye on a jug line on Truman Lake in Benton County. The new “alternative method” record fish caught by Reynolds on Nov. 5, weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces. Reynolds’ recent catch broke the previous state record by 1 pound, 1 ounce.

“I first thought I caught a carp, but when I got the fish in the boat I realized I had caught a walleye,” Reynolds said. “I was in shock that I caught a large walleye.”

Reynolds was using bluegill for bait and trying to catch blue catfish when he caught the new state-record walleye.

Reynolds said he didn’t know the walleye was a state record until he checked MDC’s website when he got back to Osage Bluff Marine.

“I didn’t know I caught a state-record walleye until after I checked MDC’s website,” he said. “After I weighed my walleye and saw that I beat the record, I was super excited. It’s just so hard to believe I now hold two state records.”

Reynolds also currently holds the spotted bass alternative method state record for a fish taken by jug line.

“Lighting does strike twice in the same place,” he said. “I caught the walleye about hundred yards away from where I caught the spotted bass. It’s really unbelievable!”

MDC staff verified the walleye’s weight on a certified scale at Lost Valley Hatchery in Warsaw. This is the seventh state-record fish of 2018.

Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl. For more information on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at http://on.mo.gov/2efq1vl