Officer injured in Cass County Police Chase

Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted the Harrisonville Missouri Police Department today around 10:25 a.m. with locating a suspect in a white SUV that had just shoplifted from Sutherland's in Harrisonville, MO.

Deputies located a white GMC Terrain that matched the description of the suspect vehicle on MO 7 Hwy getting onto northbound I-49 in Harrisonville, MO. Deputies attempted to conduct a vehicle stop, but the driver failed to stop.

Deputies pursued the suspect vehicle up I-49 at a high rate of speed. The Peculiar Police Department attempted to place a tire deflation device on I-49, but the suspect vehicle exited off the interstate at State Route J.

The suspect vehicle went north on State Route J and attempted to turn south on the S.E. Outer Road. The suspect vehicle struck a stopped patrol car with the Peculiar Police Department and continued southbound on the S.E. Outer Road. Deputies continued to pursue the suspect vehicle south on the S.E. Outer Road where the vehicle went off road and got stuck in the snow.

The driver fled the scene on foot and ran south across both lanes of I-49. A citizen driving by observe the suspect fleeing from law enforcement. The citizen stopped his vehicle and gave chase on foot of the suspect. The suspect stopped and surrendered to the citizen. Deputies took the driver into custody. A passenger was taken into custody in the vehicle.

“Pursuits are very dangerous. That is why I was at the Capitol in Jefferson City this week testifying on House Bill 1620 to increase the penalty for fleeing in a motor vehicle from a Misdemeanor to a Felony. We are thankful that the Peculiar Officer’s injuries were not life threatening and we hope for a speedy recovery,” said Sheriff Jeff Weber.

The driver and passenger are currently being held at the Cass County Jail pending charges. The officer with the Peculiar Police Department was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

Sheriff’s Office ends fiscal year under budget

The inner workings of the Bates County Jail

I believe that it is important to give the citizens of Bates County a snapshot of what 2019 had in store for the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office receives funding from the Law Enforcement Fund. This fund is funded by revenues received from a ½ cent sales tax (passed in 1988) and revenue generated from contracts associated with the jail operations. This fund doesn’t just support the operational budget of the Sheriff’s Office but also the Offices of the Prosecutor, the Coroner and the Juvenile Office.

The Sheriff’s Office has 55 full time employees and 15 part time employees. These employees often work in multiple divisions with the Sheriff’s Office. Those Divisions are as follows:
Administrative Division
*Sex Offender Registry
*Civil Process
*CCW’s
Patrol Division
Criminal Investigations
Special Operations Division
*Drug Task Force
*K9 Unit
*Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team
*Crisis Negotiation Team
Jail Division
*Cell Extraction Response Team
*Inmate Extradition and Transport
*Inmate Operations
*Courthouse Bailiff and Security
*Medical
*Food Service
911 Communications Division
*Information Technology
Sheriff’s Posse

The 911 Communications Center received 91,051 calls. Collectively all Law Enforcement, Fire and EMS in Bates County responded to 18,678 calls for service. Of those calls the Sheriff’s Office was directly responsible for 7150 of them. The Sheriff’s Office also handled approximately 2200 calls as an assisting unit to other emergency agencies within the county. Our Deputies logged over 500,000 miles patrolling the county roadways and neighborhoods. The K9 division had approximately 70 deployments including deployments for other agencies. Our Civil Process Division served 1033 Civil papers for the courts and performed 222 random home checks on our 65 registered sex offenders. Our deputies and staff participated in numerous community programs to include, teaching DARE in 90% of Bates County Schools, K9 demonstrations, K9 searches within the schools, public speaking at various civic groups, Dunk tank for the county fair, and our yearly shop with a Deputy program.

The jail had an average daily population of 137 inmates. The jail processed 1018 subjects with 408 being booked in by agencies other than the Bates County Sheriff’s Office. The kitchen served over 150,000 meals and the medical staff conducted 832 medical visits with inmates. The Inmate Transport Division logged over 75,000 miles to pick up inmates on warrants, take inmates to doctor appointments or to transport to and from court hearings.

2019 has been a year with a lot of change and upgrades. In August the expansion of the jail was completed and the jail started receiving inmates immediately. Approximately 30 inmates that were being housed in other jails were brought back to Bates County. This expansion added 85 beds for dormitory style housing for lower risk inmates. This addition brings the total jail capacity to 195. The 911 Communications equipment and staff were moved from the jail control room to a new, much brighter and design specific area. Once the equipment and staff were moved to the new location, there was a complete redesign and remodel of the jail control room. Separating 911 communication and jail controls allow for more effective and efficient operation for both divisions thus providing better services to the Citizens of Bates County. Outdated equipment in the jail for inmate management was upgraded along with our CCW equipment. For the last seven years the Sheriff’s Office used an older ambulance donated to us by the hospital as an emergency operations and command vehicle for major incidents. In early 2019, the vehicle began to have engine issues and the vehicle was removed from service. The vehicle was replaced with a low mile retired Kansas Highway Patrol command vehicle. After some equipment upgrades the vehicle was put in service in late June. The military surplus armored vehicle was also retired and transferred to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. That vehicle was replaced with a much smaller and versatile armored vehicle which saw its first call for service in June and has been deployed on multiple high risk situations in Bates County and surrounding counties for requested assistance.

A new security system and protocols were initiated at the courthouse. The system included securing all the doors and requiring all subjects to enter through a single security checkpoint. Cameras and alarms were installed in the courthouse along with full time security personnel.

Employees salaries and benefits were evaluated to address recruitment and retention issues that all law enforcement has been experiencing. Base salaries were adjusted for the first time in six years for all employees of the county.

As stated in the beginning of this snapshot report the Sheriff’s Office receives funding from the Law Enforcement Fund. Since 2009, under my direction, the Sheriff’s Office has consistently ended each year under budget. This year the Sheriff’s Office again ended the fiscal year under budget by $650,452.00. Coming under budget each year is only possible because the employees understand that they owe it to the Citizens to always run effective and efficient. The employees understand that we are obligated to be good stewards of the money we are entrusted with. The jail expansion and several other projects completed this year was the result of good working relationships with other office holders including the County Commission, County Clerk and the County Treasurer. Most of all none of this would be possible if it weren’t for the community support for the Sheriff’s Office.

On Behalf of myself and all the staff at the Sheriff’s Office we want to Thank You for the opportunity to serve you and the whole community.

Sheriff Chad Anderson

Search for Nicole set for tomorrow

In an ongoing effort to keep the disappearance of Nicole Mallatt from becoming a cold case, family and friends are encouraged to join a search effort that will be held tomorrow.

Interested parties are asked to meet at the north edge of the Butler Walmart parking lot tomorrow at 10:30 am where a brief meeting will be held to organize the search. Those with ATV's are invited to bring those as well.

Nicole suddenly disappeared in late November from her rural Bates County home and has not been heard from since.

The history of Valentine’s Day is shrouded in mystery...

Valentine’s Day occurs every February 14. Across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and where did these traditions come from? Find out about the history of Valentine’s Day, from the ancient Roman ritual of Lupercalia that welcomed spring to the card-giving customs of Victorian England.

Read all about it here:
https://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day-2

You can give the gift of life

Appleton City Students of the Month

Congratulations to the junior high Students of the Month for January: Coy Stephan, Noel Fawcette, and Taylan Shiereck

Congratulations to the high school Students of the Month for January: Ellie Bock, Kalyn Eckhoff, and Alexis O'Farrell.

Warmer temps ahead

It's been a very cold start to Valentine's Day. But temperatures will moderate to near freezing by this afternoon. That warming trend will continue Saturday and Sunday highs climbing into the 50's by Sunday. Cuddle up, Valentine!

Shipley breaks record

Adrian Senior Jenna Shipley broke the all-time school record for total points in Blackhawks basketball! Jim Sterns has held the record for 51 years! On February 13, 2020, Jenna hit #2,308 to break his record! Sterns was in the crowd to cheer on Jenna as she set the new school record. Congratulations, Jenna! - courtesy Adrian News Leader