Obituary - Melva Lea Keithley

Melva Lea Keithley, 79, Nevada, MO passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at her home in Nevada following a lengthy illness. Melva was born October 21, 1940 in Nevada, MO to Ralph H. and Doris O. (White) Smith. She was united in marriage to Alfred L. Keithley on December 29, 1961 in Nevada, MO and he preceded her in death on July 7, 2005.

Melva grew up in Milo and graduated from Nevada High School Class of 1958. She worked at Maxwell Grocery Store, Johnson Grain, and then at the Nevada State Hospital for 20 years until her retirement. Melva was a member of the Milo Baptist Church and was an active member of the Republican Party. She loved being on her farm, growing flowers, doing yardwork, and spending time with her family at the pool. “Family and friends were her life.”

She is survived by three daughters, Cindy Smith (Jim), Nevada, Janet Forkner, Nevada, and Lisa Franklin (Alan), Blue Springs, MO; six grandchildren, Mandy Thomas (Dusty), Nevada, Matthew Smith (Molly), Nevada, Trevor Smith, Nevada, Ragan Forkner and her fiancé Cody, Clever, MO, Morgan Franklin and her fiancé Andrew, Prairie Village, KS, and Alex Franklin, Columbia, MO; five great-grandchildren; three siblings, Wilma Irwin, Nevada, Robert Smith (Mae), Milo, Marilyn Fritts (and the late John Fritts), Pleasant Hill, MO; several nieces and nephews; caregivers and special friends, Marlene Hargrove, Janice Doolin and Kathie Foster.

Plans for a memorial service will be announced at a later date by Ferry Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested in her memory to Vernon County Cancer Relief in c/o the funeral home.

Obituary - Sherry F. (Williams) Galster

Sherry F. Galster, 63, of Nevada, MO passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at Freeman Hospital in Joplin. She was born June 29, 1956 to Revis Mack Williams & Billie Dorothy (Goodson) Todd in Little Rock, AR.

Sherry grew up in West Helena, AR and lived in Marianna, AR for a time. She came to Nevada in 1972 and attended Nevada High School. Sherry worked for Silverline Industries for several years serving as manager until their closing, and then worked for a number of years at Yockey Motors in Nevada until her retirement in 2018.

She enjoyed spending time outdoors, gardening, and loved to walk outdoors. Sherry was known to be a very selfless person and a dedicated mother to her children.

Survivors include her three children, Cory Galster, Nevada, Jamie Galster (Laura), Nevada, Annie Yockey, Bradford, AR; three grandchildren, Issac Shipp, El Dorado Springs, Olivia Pierson, Nevada, CharLee Galster, Nevada; siblings, Belinda Wilkinson, Bradford, AR, Jerry Williams, Nevada, Vickie Ford, Batesville, AR, Sandra Young, Newark, AR; her life partner, Dallas Yockey, Nevada; numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Jeff Todd.

Private committal services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2020 at Newton Burial Park in Nevada.

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

Missing person has been found after four days in Vernon County

A Cedar county resident who has been missing since Thursday, March 26, was found Monday morning and was life flighted to a Joplin hospital. According to Sheriff’s Office officials, dispatch received a report Saturday afternoon of a possible missing person near the area of Zodiac and 2925 Rd in Vernon County. Responding deputies learned that no one had been in contact with the missing person since the previous Thursday afternoon. He was believed to be hunting for mushrooms and never returned.

Multiple agencies were notified and called out to assist the Sheriff’s Office in the search that lasted Saturday evening, all day Sunday and into Monday. The Sheriff’s Office requested the Vernon County Ambulance District Search and Rescue Team, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Missouri Conservation Department.

According to officials, a Missouri State Highway Patrol helicopter spotted what they believed to be a person in a field approximately 150 yards from a river. Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher and Detective Nick Norval were in the area conducting a search along the river and located the person while in contact with the helicopter. Sheriff Mosher said the person was in and out of consciousness and extremely dehydrated when they got to him. 

A Med Flight helicopter landed in the field because it was too far from any road to get a vehicle to him. He was then transported to Freeman Hospital in Joplin. The Sheriff said they were extremely grateful to have an outcome like this, “this isn’t the outcome we normally have after someone has been missing in the woods for four days.” The Sheriff said he wanted to thank all the responding agencies and volunteers who helped during the search but wanted to especially thank the pilots who spotted the missing person. “

If they hadn’t spotted him when they did, this may have been a completely different outcome, so I hope they know they saved a life today” said Mosher.

Homeowner shoots car thief in St. Clair County

On March 30, 2020, at approximately 5:48 a.m. a local homeowner heard their vehicle being stolen from their driveway. 

The homeowner and his son gave chase in a second vehicle southbound on Highway 13 near Osceola.

The homeowner caught up to the suspect in the stolen vehicle and shots were fired.

The suspect was taken by air ambulance to a hospital in Springfield, where he is being treated.

No names are being released at this time pending the ongoing investigation.

COVID-19: Our new world, for now

"All I know is what I read in the papers"

That statement was made famous by Will Rogers, and remains true today as we work our way through the Covid-19 pandemic. While we get our constant news feed it appears Covid-19 affects some drastically; others not so drastic. And how do we know how it will affect us individually? No one knows for sure. There are still a lot of unanswered questions.

One thing we do know- social distancing is the best bet. While it may seem disrespectful to decline a friendly handshake, we can be mutually assured it's for good reason. Same goes for over-the-fence chit chat and other face to face conversation, that before now, was never a problem.

We received many calls following the news post this weekend regarding the Stay At Home order put in place by the Bates County Health Center. Will we be arrested if I go out? No. Can I go to work? Yes. Can I shop? Yes.

It's not a lockdown. 

The Stay At Home Order is a common sense approach to keeping the infection numbers down. While New York, New Orleans, all along the west coast and many other parts of the country are seeing huge numbers, we here in and around Bates County are 'behind' in terms of infection. However, the number of cases all around us go up every day. Hence, avoid getting within 6 feet of other people unless you absolutely have to.

This means you can do brief grocery shopping, doctor visits and other necessary business. Call ahead and make sure the place you need to go is open. Yes, you can go for a walk or ride your bike. Carry anti-bacterial/alcohol wipes with you to wipe down before and after you touch things. Wear a mask if you want.

The idea of social distancing seems strange and foreign. As Americans, it's not in our nature. However, in everyone's interest, it's what we have to do for awhile.

We can hope to 'flatten the curve' in the weeks ahead. However, even after we reach the back side of 'the curve', we will need to be diligent to avoid another mass outbreak. Yes, it could be a long summer but remember, it's in all of our best interests.

What to do with your time? First, stay calm. Find a new hobby. Explore your options. Exercise.

Remember that many of our ancestors overcame adversity such as the Spanish Flu, the Great Depression, WWI, WWII and other things that greatly 'disrupted' their lives and required temporary changes... but looking back, it appears those folks weathered the storm and came back stronger than ever.

Another good thing to do with your time is reading.  Here are some good resources about Covid-19 to get you started. And when you're done, we suggest a good book by the author of your choice so you can relax a little:

Bates County Memorial Hospital http://www.bcmhospital.com/ 
Bates County Health Center https://www.batescountyhealthcenter.org/ 
Centers for Disease Control 
https://www.cdc.gov/
 

Miami School closed thru April 24th

Letter from Dr. Johnson
Miami school will not be in regular session until after April 24, 2020.

Structure Fire In Harrisonville

Staff with Harrisonville Missouri Police Department and Fire Department are currently battling a house fire on Parkwood Drive.

As crews continue to fight the flames and investigate the cause of the fire, Parkwood will be closed in both directions for an indefinite amount of time.

PLEASE avoid the area, if possible!

From the Bates County Sheriffs Office

Due to the Covid-19 Protocol and in an attempt to protect our employees we will not be renewing or issuing any CCW's until further notice.

Sex Offender's that need to register in the month of April needs to contact Jami regarding your registration.

We also will not be accepting or attempting service on any civil process papers from private attorneys until further notice.