Vernon County Sheriff's Office COVID-19 response

Release Date: 3/23/2020 

The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office has continued to update its procedures regarding its handling of calls for service, food service and inmates based on recommendations from the State and Federal Government regarding the COVID-19 virus. 

Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher said he is attending regular state and local meetings with officials on a regular basis regarding the virus. Mosher explained some of the changes on Monday that he has taken regarding how the jail, patrol, dispatch and admin staff are functioning. 

“We put a lot of these changes in place nearly a month ago that include medical screening of inmates brought into our jail, responding to how we responded to calls and the cleaning within the building” said Mosher. 

The cleaning schedule was tripled for jail staff and admin staff that includes spraying down all surfaces, door handles, phones and kiosks within the jail frequently with disinfectants. Other changes that have been made on a temporary basis include: 

• Patrol staff using PPE equipment when responding to calls for service 

• Kitchen staff in the jail using PPE equipment when preparing meals 

• Suspension of on-site jail visitation (video visitation and phone calls still take place) 

• Working with the courts to provide video court so the criminal justice system can continue to operate. 

• Adding virus screening questionnaire to the dispatch process to better help protect first responders as well as screening people who enter the building. 

Mosher said inmates in the jail are being monitored by medical staff and as of Monday have not had any inmates that require testing. 

Each separate area of the jail has its own air systems which will help reduce any cross contamination within the jail. Mosher said the Sheriff’s Office will continue to monitor the situation and make changes as needed.

Public Service Announcement From The Butler Police Department

Due to a high volume in calls we have gotten regarding if Missouri is going into "lockdown" tonight, we at the Butler Police Department want to make you aware of what is happening.

The state of Missouri has made a reasonable request to limit your travel, in the attempt to limit exposure to COVID19.

They have asked you to only travel when it is essential, YOU decide what is essential we can not tell you what is essential to your life.

Restaurants and bars have been asked to close, unless they offer delivery, curbside delivery, or carryout. AGAIN this is to limit exposure.

This is NOT martial law, it is not an order, it is a suggestion/recommendation.
If you are out at odd hours of the night, will an officer make contact? Probably, but that is what our Officers have always done because of the high potential of break ins at night.

We also ask that you do your part to help limit exposure, especially with Bates County now having their first confirmed case. But no one is forcing you to do your part in helping.

Have a good night, be safe, be smart, wash your hands.

Obituary - Harry L. Hamilton

Harry L. Hamilton, 92, Nevada, Missouri was called by our Lord, on March 22, 2020. Harry was born October 27, 1927, in Mendon, Ohio to John and Ethel Lemunyon. He was united in marriage to Dorothy Straub on September 20, 1954 in Decatur, Indiana.

Harry was raised in Mendon, Ohio where he attended school up to grade 11. Harry then graduated from Russel, Kansas. Following their marriage, Harry and Dorothy lived in Great Bend, Kansas until their move to Nevada, Missouri in January 1970. Harry worked in the oil fields while living in Great Bend, Kansas.

At the age of 23, from November 1950 to 1952, Harry served in the Army, as a Military Occupational Specialist in Fort Benning, Georgia. Harry worked for Nevada Post Office and retired after 18 years. After retiring from the post office, Harry was a bus driver for Nevada R-5 school district for 14 years. During his post office and bus driving careers, Harry and Dorothy had a mowing business for 19 years, most of these years were for Mr. Charlie Silvers and Silverline Industries in Nevada.

Harry loved farm life. He loved fishing, collecting old stamps, coins, antique toys trucks and cars. He also enjoyed going to auctions.

Harry was a member of the National Association of Letter Carrier s in Missouri. He was also a member of the American Legion. He was a member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Nevada, Missouri.

Harry was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Survivors include three daughters and one son, Kathy Spann and her husband Rudy of Nevada, Missouri. David Hamilton and his wife Kim of Nevada, Missouri, Terri Hunt of Sheldon, Missouri and Toni Slates and husband Max of Hume, Missouri. One sister, Hazel Lichtensteiger of Ossian, Indiana and one brother, Wilfred Lee Hamilton of Osseo, Michigan. Nine grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Harry is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, his parents, one sister Myrtle Gaynold Stafford, one brother John Roscoe Hamilton and three great grandchildren, Adam Pettibon, Kyron Atchison and Alex Hamilton. Also, his companion for 8 years, Cocoa, his dog.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2020, with Rosary starting at 9:30, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nevada with Father Peter Savidge officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Newton Burial Park in Nevada. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening at Ferry Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Saint Mary’s Catholic Church or Avalon Hospice Carthage, MO in c/o Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

Important Notice From the City of Belton

It has come to our attention that an individual has made a post on social media stating that her step-father was contacted by a Belton Police Officer in reference to the stay at home order. This post claims that people will be stopped to check compliance with the order and that, if they are not in possession of documentation justifying them being in public, they will be ticketed. 

The stay at home order issued by the City of Belton and Cass County is not a curfew order and is certainly not martial law. Citizens will not be stopped without cause and made to justify their presence in public. There is no letter that citizens need to obtain from their employer to show the police. There is no documentation to obtain from the police department either. Our call center has been inundated with calls reference this erroneous post.

 Please reference the City of Belton Corona Virus web site to read the stay at home order and receive factual information here http://bit.ly/beltoncovid19

Construction going on at Koehn Bakery

Construction on Monday. Open for business Tuesday! We are adding a walk-up window. No sit-down dining, but a limited number of people allowed inside, at a time, to make selections.

We are also happy to deliver to your car. Call in orders to 660.679.6221 and let us know. It is really hard to know what to make/bake these days.

For bakery items or large orders, 24 hours notice would be SO appreciated. Thank you for all of your support and prayers as we try to continue to serve our community! #keepthefaith #Godisincontrol

Butler Police Looking For Missing Juvenile

If anyone has seen or knows of the whereabouts of this young man, please contact the Butler Police Department 660-679-6131. Juvenile has been missing since Tuesday night, and reported missing on 3/23.

MDC: Snagging Season Still Open

SNAGGING SEASON STILL OPEN: There’s a rumor circulating that snagging season has been cancelled. This is FALSE! Hunting, fishing, and trapping seasons and regulations continue as usual. Find more information about snagging season by using the link below:

https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing/species/paddlefish/paddlefish-snagging-report-and-advisories?fbclid=IwAR2HwMeuGrxTgsn6NRhJbvp7En8S248dx_Q5udUenn95DDEvSv2ObFvUAhw

Joplin man arrested in Bates County

On 3/22/20 around 12:50am the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Bates County arrested 21 year old Joe Martin of Joplin, Missouri.

Mr. Martin was arrested for 1.) Driving Intoxicated - Drugs 2.) Speeding 3.) Possession of Marijuana 4.) Unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

He was sent to the Bates County Memorial Hospital before being released.