Two Men in Custody Following Two Pursuits in Cass County

Cass Co – Deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office were involved in two pursuits Wednesday near Harrisonville.

Around 6:40 pm Wednesday, deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to assist Harrisonville Police pursuing a white 2007 Mitsubishi SUV westbound on 2 Highway near I-49.

Deputies pursued the vehicle west at speeds over 100 mph. The driver continued across rural gravel roads and at one point drove through a farm field. Deputies were able to get the vehicle stopped in the area of S. Bennett Road and E. 267th near Freeman, MO. The driver, Teddy R. Harper II, 40, of Lee’s Summit was taken into custody. Harper is being held in the Cass County jail on 5 Pleasant Hill warrants, bond $700.00. Harper has 3 additional warrants in Kansas City and charges related to the pursuit are still pending.

Around 11:30 pm Wednesday, deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office assisted capturing a man fleeing from Harrisonville Police. Deputies joined the pursuit when the suspect in an attempt to elude Harrisonville Police drove through the parking lot of the Sheriff’s Office. The driver led police down Clearwater Drive to Brush College Rd. A deputy in area of 2 Highway and Brush College deployed a Grappler device and stopped the vehicle.

The driver then fled on foot into a field where officers and Cass County K9 pursued the suspect into a wooded area. A thermal camera equipped UAV located the driver hiding near a creek and directed officers to his location. Arrested, was Travis J. Heise, 27, Kansas City Mo. Heise was charged today in Harrisonville Municipal Court with Speeding, Fail to drive in single lane, fail to signal, and fail to yield. Bond was set at $470.00 cash or surety.

“The support of our citizens have allowed us to equip our deputies with the necessary tools and technology to be successful in our pursuit of criminals. This is in an example of the fine work law enforcement is doing to keep Cass County safe,” said Sheriff Jeff Weber.

Osage Valley Electric Inventory reduction sale!

Inventory reduction sale! :-)
We currently have a large inventory of used poles. They are available at no charge on a first come basis but there are a few stipulations.

You must have a way to haul the poles.
You can cut them up but you must take the entire pole.
Please bring your own chainsaw and pliers.
You must call (660) 679-3131 Ext 5537 to schedule a pick up time.

From the Missouri Department of Corrections

VISITING SUSPENDED AT STATE CORRECTIONAL CENTERS

To family and friends of offenders in the Missouri Department of Corrections:

Health officials are working hard to contain the spread of the COVID-19 (commonly known as “coronavirus”) in the United States. While no cases have been diagnosed in Missouri correctional centers, adopting good practices, like those recommended by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, can help stop the spread of all communicable illnesses.

Because correctional centers are confined spaces where people have close contact, the Department of Corrections is suspending offender visiting for the next 30 days. While we recognize that visiting is an essential part of rehabilitation, the department must protect the health and wellness of all who live in, work in, and visit state prisons.

Attorney visits will be permitted and will be scheduled through the deputy warden or warden’s office at each facility.

To stay up to date on issues affecting friends and family of offenders, please sign up to receive email and/or text message: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODOC/subscriber/new. Also check Facebook (@MissouriCorrections) and Twitter (@MoCorrections).

For Missouri COVID-19 updates, please visit http://health.mo.gov/…/heal…/communicable/novel-coronavirus/ or call the hotline at 877-435-8411.

Thank you for your assistance in protecting the health of incarcerated Missourians, department staff, and fellow visitors.

Sixty-three people died on Missouri roads in February

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – After a promising start to 2020 with a five-year low in January traffic fatalities, February did not follow suit and ended with 63 people killed (preliminary results) in Missouri traffic crashes. As the state eyes a long-term vision for zero traffic fatalities, there have been 10 days thus far in 2020 with no fatal traffic crashes. Meanwhile, there were 12 days in February alone where three or more people were killed in a crash, including six fatalities on Super Bowl Sunday. Traffic crashes constitute a public health crisis – one that claimed the lives of 877 people in Missouri and more than 36,000 nationwide last year.

“One life lost is one too many,” said Nicole Hood, MoDOT State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer. “The majority of these deaths are preventable by simply slowing down, buckling up and putting your phone down.”

Missouri’s Buckle Up Phone Down campaign has seen tremendous success with more than 500 businesses and 13,000 individuals pledging to adopt those two life-saving steps. Seat belt usage has increased by 6.3% in the last three years in Missouri and fatalities dropped 6% during that same period. Following Missouri’s lead, three other states are also active in the BUPD movement with several more expressing interest in the initiative as well. That said, the February results are a reminder there remains plenty of work to do in both spreading and adopting the message.

Preliminary statistics show that 72% of drivers and passengers killed in 2020 crashes thus far were unbuckled. Compared to 2019, this is a 9% increase in the number of unbuckled occupants killed. While excessive speed, aggression, distraction, and impairment remain the leading cause of fatal traffic crashes in Missouri, seat belts, car seats, and helmets remain a person’s number one defense should a crash occur.

“It’s easy, it’s fast, and it’s free,” said Hood referencing the proper use of a safety device. “There have been countless tragedies on our roadways that could have been prevented with the simple use of a seat belt. Likewise, many of these crashes would not occur in the first place if we all embrace our responsibility to drive in a safe manner.”

Simple conscious and consistent choices can ensure that March and the remainder of 2020 result in a better outcome.

“As you take your daily commute or simply drop the top on the convertible for a sunny spring drive, please remember the simple steps we can all take to ensure a safer transportation system: drive sober, slow down, buckle up and put your phone down. Together, we can all do our part to move Missouri closer to zero traffic fatalities,” Hood said.

VFW Ham, Bean and Soup Fundraiser in Drexel

Happy Birthday Thelma

OUR SWEET THELMA IS HAVING ANOTHER BIRTHDAY!
Medicalodges Butler will be having a Birthday Card Shower for her as she turns 105 on the 18th. 

Please send your cards with well wishes and love to the facility. Thelma truly enjoyed the love last year - let's do it again and give her a very Happy Birthday!

The address is 103 E Nursery, Butler Mo, 64730!

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative Continues to Explore Broadband

In August 2019, Osage Valley Electric Cooperative’s (OVEC) Board of Directors hired consulting firm, Conexon, to complete a feasibility study for the provision of broadband within its service territory. The feasibility study was a comprehensive analysis completed based on the cooperative’s membership demographics and service territory.

The results of the study arrived in late 2019 and were analyzed by the cooperative’s staff and discussed with the board at the January 28th meeting. Overall, the study conveyed that a fiber project for the cooperative would come with an expensive price tag and many challenges. The study did suggest that some future funding opportunities could become available through the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) reverse auction coming up in October 2020.

The cooperative has continued the process of gathering information from various consultants, contractors, and fellow cooperatives that have entered the broadband business as well as many others in the industry. Much time and effort are being put into this decision as a broadband project will have a major impact on our members, employees and communities.

We have learned that the RDOF reverse auction will begin October 22, 2020. There are several deadlines that must be met in order to bid in this auction and the cooperative is continuing to prepare itself for this. In the coming weeks when final auction details are available, the cooperative’s board will decide whether to enter the auction. If the cooperative does participate in the auction, the decision to enter the broadband business will be contingent upon the amount of funding awarded to the cooperative. Simply entering the auction does not guarantee funding and therefore will not guarantee a cooperative broadband network.

“Osage Valley Electric Cooperative knows that broadband service provided across its territory would undoubtedly be a huge benefit for members and the communities we serve, but we feel putting the Cooperative’s core business at financial risk would not be in the best interest of the entire membership so careful consideration is being given before any future steps are taken” stated Jarrod Campbell, OVEC’s CEO/General Manager. The staff and directors will continue to monitor the ever-changing field of broadband and will stay abreast of the evolving rules and targets needed to enter the upcoming auction if necessary.

From the Butler Presbyterian Church

Dear Friends,

I’m sure you have seen that many public gatherings are being cancelled due to the spread of Coronavirus. Even throughout the PC(USA), a few Presbyteries have discouraged gathering for Worship for the time being.

As I write this, Heartland Presbytery has not given us such a directive. Pastors are being encouraged to respond as it best fits each congregation. PC(USA)’s Stated Clerk said this week at times like these, church attendance is a “personal decision.” I think that fits us well at the moment.

If you are a person with health concerns, and worry about public gatherings, know that I understand and my prayers surround you. I will continue exploring ways to reach out to those who choose to stay home - so you won’t be excluded from your family of faith, and we can continue to pray together. Presbytery staff is helping Pastors explore ways to do this, should we need them.

Beginning this Sunday, at the Passing of the Peace, let’s use some different practices that don’t involve physical touching - for now! One good way is to place your hand over your heart, look your sister or brother in Christ in the eye, smile, and say “Peace be with you!” Or, “Christ’s Peace!” Maybe you have already used the now famous “elbow bump” or bow in other places. God has given us many ways to share God’s love and peace. Let’s use them this week and as long as necessary. If you feel silly doing it, don’t worry! New practices often feel strange. We all must try new things at times, and God will show us the way. Don’t forget to smile!

I will keep you posted as we continue to navigate this situation.

With God’s help,

Pastor Greg