Obituary - Billie Guinn Erwin

Billie Guinn Erwin, 88, Nevada, MO passed away on Tuesday, October 06, 2020 at Nevada Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. Bill was born April 10, 1932 in Carthage, MO to Thomas L. and Melba P. (Harned) Erwin.

Bill grew up in Jasper County and graduated from Carthage High School Class of 1951. He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He retuned to Missouri and worked for Nabisco his entire career, retiring in 1988. He was a longtime member of the VFW, and Elks Lodge in Nevada, and was a proud member of the Republican National Committee. 

Bill enjoyed his time spent with the Maxwell Locker Gang, was a member of the MO-Kan Squares, and was a past member of the Nevada Men’s Bowling League. In addition, he built several houses.

Bill is survived by his wife Jo of the home; eight children, Bill Erwin (Janet), Nevada, Jim Erwin (Vickie), Richards, MO, Saundra Wehmeyer (Gary), Nevada, Rick Erwin (Ronda), Nevada, Russ Erwin (Marion), Nevada, Sue Renwick (Patrick), Nevada, Sally Phipps (John), Olathe, KS, Sherry Shaw, Nevada, MO; one step-son, Paul Hood (Vanessa), Kansas City, MO; 22 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; a brother, Bob Erwin (Barbara), Nevada; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Buddy Erwin, George Erwin, Charles Erwin, and one sister, Betty Erwin.

Graveside services with Military Honors will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2020 at Faskens Cemetery, Carthage, MO with Larry Malcom officiating. Friends may call from now and until noon on Thursday at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

Memorials are suggested in his memory to VFW in Nevada c/o Ferry Funeral Home.

Obituary - Rhonda Lea Thornburg

Rhonda Lea Thornburg, 66, El Dorado Springs, MO passed away at her home on Sunday, October 4, 2020. Rhonda was born September 15, 1954 in North Platte, NE to Benjamin Franklin and Beverly Louise (Goodwin) Thornburg.

Rhonda graduated from Woodhaven in Columbia, MO. Following high school, she moved to Nevada where she worked in workshops at group homes. Rhonda won many medals competing in the Special Olympics. On her 65th birthday she received a card from President Trump. She was deeply loved by her family and friends.

Survivors include a sister, Kristy Kae Arnold (Carl), El Dorado Springs, MO; nephew, Jeremy Pyle (Chrissy), Nevada; great-nephew, Braxton Troxel “the Baby”, and great-niece, September Troxel, Independence, KS; loving caregivers, Karla Pike, Arille, Pike, Nancy Fetters, Tori Fetters, and Kelly Berning. She was preceded in death by her parents, and one sister, Raegene.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home.

Adrian Blackhawk Football Information for this Friday's game at Lone Jack

The Adrian Blackhawks Friday night Varsity Football 10/9 @ Lone Jack is limiting our spectators to 100 people. 

Tickets for the game will be distributed to players this week. Masks will also be mandatory at all times at this venue.

COVID-19 Update from Adrian Manor

This is Sheila Wackerman from Adrian Manor with a COVID update. I am glad to tell you that we completed our second round of COVID testing and all results were negative. So as of this morning all the residents are out of their rooms and social distancing throughout the facility. Everyone seems to be in good spirits and glad to be out of their rooms. 

Unfortunately I also checked our community positivity rate for Bates County this morning and we are now in the HIGH (RED) rate, which means all of our visits are still on hold. You can still do video chats, just call to schedule.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to give me a call. Thank you again for your patience and co-operation. We are truly trying to do our best to keep your loved ones safe.

Osawatomie Kansas man arrested on human trafficking charges

Sheriff Brian C. Hill announces a 51-year-old male from Osawatomie, Kansas is in custody and facing two felony charges after traveling to Topeka to meet an underage child yesterday evening. 

On September 29, 2020, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Highway Patrol received information from a concerned citizen regarding the possible human trafficking and sexual exploitation of a child. 

During the evening hours of October 5, 2020, detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division of the Sheriff’s Office and multiple law enforcement officers with the Kansas Highway Patrol apprehended one male subject that attempted to meet up with a 17-year-old child at a local motel. The victim was placed into police protective custody.

David D. Spears (51) of Osawatomie was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and charged with two felonies, aggravated human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of a child. A 17-year-old male from Topeka was also arrested and charged with commercial sexual exploitation for transporting the victim.

This investigation is ongoing.
The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the assistance from the Kansas Highway Patrol & Kansas Highway Patrol - Air Support Unit!

Vote Alvin Griffin Northern Commissioner

As Northern Commissioner I have proudly served for nearly four years. Having served our Country in the U.S. Air Force in my early years I learned many lessons. As a young airman in the Air Force I was taught skills in civil engineering and became a team leader in four years. I then cross trained into Air Traffic Control and served four more years. In that field I served as a team member and then a team leader, while stationed in Springfield, Ohio and a remote tour in Alaska my last year. As a veteran of any branch you learn how to work together to solve problems, find solutions and get the job done. Today I take pride in fulfilling my duties as Northern Commissioner by making decisions that best fit the needs of the County. I am my own person, no political party, no special interest groups, influence my decisions.Three Commissioners work to bring success to your County and each one of us has a duty to act in best interest of Bates County not ourselves. I  answer to the residents in my district by "listening with the intent to understand, not with the intent to just reply" a quote by Stephen Covey. I would appreciated your vote in November to continue as Northern Commissioner. Thank you. Alvin Griffin

This ad paid for by Griffin for Northern Commissioner. Lynn Bagby Treasure.

Donations accepted now for annual bike drive

The 4th Annual Jack Bearce Bike Drive is now underway. Donations of bikes and cash are being accepted at the Rich Hill City Hall to help get bikes to children in our community.

More info is available via the Rich Hill Police Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/richhillpolice/

Semi truck accident in Vernon County

On 10/6/20 around 6:30pm the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Vernon County along with Vernon County Sheriff's Deputies and Nevada Police Officers responded to a semi truck rollover accident in the northbound lanes of I-49 around 2 miles south of Nevada.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 2020 Freightliner driven by 55 year old Samuel L. Francisco of Herber Springs, Arkansas ran off the left side of the roadway and overturned.

Mr. Francisco sustained serious injuries in this accident and he was transported by air ambulance to Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri for treatment.

The semi truck was totaled and towed from the scene of this accident by Garwood's Wrecker Service of Nevada, Missouri.