Subject sought in Henry county

The Henry County Sheriffs Office is currently looking for a subject who fled on foot following a pursuit by the Missouri Highway Patrol. 

The suspect is described as a white male wearing dark clothing and was last seen near SE 100 and SE 200 roads, running toward Clinton. If seen please call 911 and do not approach. 

Accident, grass fire and arrest

In the past few minutes, first responders have been called to a grass fire just east and north of Butler; an accident on the west 52 overpass involving a semi and two cars; and a subject was taken into custody in a driveway just east of I-49 on 52 near the Appleton City exit. 

None of these events appear to be related.

Mid America Live will provide updates as more information becomes available. Use caution if traveling in these areas.

Obituary - Frieda Jean Leer

Frieda Jean Leer, 90, Nevada, MO passed away on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at Cox Medical Center in Springfield, MO. Frieda was born September 28, 1930 in Altoona, IA to Erwin and Kathrine (Tompkins) Homrighous.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 7, 2020 at Newton Burial Park in Nevada. Memorials are suggested in her memory to Vernon County Cancer Relief c/o Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

***At this time there is no longer a statewide limitation on the number of people attending funerals or visitations, however those in attendance will be asked to maintain social distancing, and that people are welcome to and, indeed, are encouraged to wear face mask to protect themselves and others.

Obituary - Gerald O. "Jerry" Munro

Gerald O. "Jerry" Munro was born October 10, 1946 in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Perry and Anna Mae (Hendricks) Munro. 

He departed this life November 29, 2020 in Appleton City, Missouri at 74 years of age.

No public funeral service is planned for Mr. Munro at this time.

Obituary - Bessie David Smelser

Bessie David Smelser of Harrisonville, Missouri was born, October 4, 1925 in Linn Creek, Missouri the daughter of James Mason and Nettie Ann (Mattox) Calton. She departed this life on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at Menorah Medical Center, Overland Park, Kansas surrounded by love and family at the age of 95 years, 1 month and 24 days.
Bessie loved to dance, bake, sew quilts and spend time with her family and friends.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband of 38 years, Gilbert Gordon David; her second husband of 26 years, Adam Smelser; two sons, Gilbert Gordon David Jr. and Gary Lee David; a granddaughter; Lorie Lynne Wimsatt McGee.

Bessie is survived by her companion of 2 years, Charles Uchtman of the home; three daughters, Mary Ellen Prettyman, Harrisonville, Missouri, Rose Marie Drury, Archie, Missouri, Julie Daniels (Jack), Harrisonville, Missouri; 4 granddaughters; 5 grandsons; 12 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson; other relatives and a host of friends.

Graveside services will be held Friday, December 4, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at the Clearfork Cemetery, Garden City, Missouri.

The family suggest the memorial contributions may be made to the Bessie Smelser memorial fund ( please make checks out to Julie Daniels) and may be sent in care of Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.

Henry County Health Center confirms 22 new positive cases of COVID-19

The Henry County Health Center (HCHC) has received confirmation of 22 more positive cases of COVID-19. Clinton-11, Deepwater-2, Windsor-5, Chilhowee-1, Calhoun-1, Urich-1 and Creighton-1. This brings the total number of confirmed positive cases in Henry County to 1277 .

All contact tracing has commenced and all parties that have had close contact are being notified. HCHC continues to encourage residents to practice social distancing, washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or more, and to remain home if you are sick.

The CDC continues to recommend that individuals to wear a face covering when you are in public, and are unable to social distance, to assist in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Wintry Weather Possible Tonight

A storm system will pass, mainly south of the KC area, but could bring a wintry mix to southern portions of the KC metro and areas along the I-70 corridor. Little or no accumulation is expected. Further south, rain is expected.

Senator-Elect Brattin Files Legislation Protecting Police; Combatting Rioting and Looting

JEFFERSON CITY — Senator-Elect Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, announced today he has prefiled SB 66 to protect law enforcement and push back against violent assemblies. The wide-ranging bill would strengthen penalties for rioting and looting and other crimes related to violent, unlawful assemblies, while also enhancing penalties for crimes against police officers, deputies and first responders.

“This year, we've witnessed cities and communities all over the country burned and looted by unruly mobs and professional rioters,” said Brattin. "We all support and celebrate our First Amendment right to peacefully assemble, but we will not allow looters and rioters to target law-abiding citizens, businesses and our law enforcement. Missourians deserve to be safe from this violence and so do our police officers and deputies.”

The legislation includes a number of protections for law enforcement including protection against the "Defund the Police" movement by penalizing cities that target law enforcement budgets; enhanced penalties for criminals that target police officers or first responders; and mandatory minimum sentences for certain crimes against law enforcement. The bill also creates new citizen safeguards such as "Stand Your Ground" protection for any person defending themselves or their property during a violent assembly; a new criminal offense protecting law-abiding citizens from mob harassment; and protection for motorists who unintentionally hit individuals illegally blocking traffic.

"Missouri is not going to end up like other states that have embraced lawlessness, defunded the police and even allowed violent elements to take over parts of their cities, "said Brattin. "We're going to stand up for the rule of law in Missouri and protect the First Amendment. We're going to protect law-abiding citizens and hold criminals accountable. It's time we reminded the criminals that they don't run our state or our country. We, the law-abiding people, do."

Senator-elect Brattin was elected to represent Missouri's 31st Senate District in November. He resides in Harrisonville with his wife and five children and is a small business owner. Brattin previously represented the 55th District in the Missouri House of Representatives before being elected Cass County Auditor.

For more information on Sen.-elect Brattin or legislation filed by Sen.-elect Brattin, please visit www.senate.mo.gov.