Early Morning Pursuit Leads to Arrest in Vernon County

On early Friday morning, Deputies with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop in Nevada, MO for traffic violations. According to Sheriff’s Office Officials, once the Deputy activated his emergency lights, the vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed failing to yield to the Deputy. 

Deputies then pursued the vehicle, which continued to flee into the southern side of Vernon County. During the pursuit, the vehicle slowed down and a male passenger exited the vehicle and fled from the roadway. Deputies were able to continue to pursue the vehicle into Barton County, where the vehicle eventually came to a stop. 

The driver, identified as 43-year-old Thomas Morgan, was taken into custody. Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher says, “Any time we have a lengthy pursuit like this, we don’t know how it is going to end. Knowing it ended without anyone getting hurt and the suspect in Jail is a good thing.

Morgan was charged with Felony Resisting Arrest by Fleeing and is currently being held in the Vernon County Jail on a $5,000 cash only bond.

Obituary - Margaret Jane Lamb Shaw

Margaret Jane Lamb Shaw, age 94, Moran, Kansas passed away February 5, 2021 peacefully at Country Place Memory Care in Fort Scott, Kansas. Margaret was born December 15, 1926 south of Potosi schoolhouse in Pleasanton, Kansas. She was the third of six children born to Mamie and William Rees. She attended grade school at Potosi for eight years and went on to graduate from Pleasanton High School and later Pittsburg State Teachers College. 

She married Jim Lamb in May of 1945. He preceded her in death on March 17, 1985. She later married Les Shaw on June 25, 1988. He passed away on December 15, 2016. Margaret was also preceded in death by five siblings, John Rees, Edwin Rees, Mary Mullis, Ruth Kramer and Irene Kinney. Margaret taught school at Liberty, Potosi, Union, Mound City, Kincaid and Marmaton Valley. She retired in 1988 after 42 years. Margaret enjoyed making quilts, fishing, baking and having big dinners with her family. 

Granny, as she wanted her family to call her is survived by her son, Bill Lamb and wife Sharilyn, four grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and one great great granddaughter. They are grandson, Barry Lamb and wife Jennifer and her three children and grandchildren. Grandson Merril Lamb and great granddaughter, Kristin, her husband Christian and great great granddaughter, Chevy. 

Granddaughter Kyla Sutterby, husband Dayton and great granddaughters, Taelyn and fiancee Alex Mathews and Shaylee and her fiancee Ethan Taverez. Granddaughter Kendra Perry, her husband Kyle and great grandsons, Drew, Luke and Adam. Stepson Jerry Shaw and two step daughters, Sharon Hedges and Karon Miller and their families. Sisters in law, Linda Rees and Esther Rees. She was a member of the Midpoint Baptist Church, Moran, Kansas.

Individual Respects and Guest Registry can be made from 9 am to 4 pm Monday, February 8, 2021 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton, Kansas Chapel. Funeral service 2 pm Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at the Midpoint Baptist Church, Moran, Kansas. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery. Visitation 1 pm to service time at the church. Contributions are suggested to the Midpoint Baptist Church Camp Fund for Kids. Online condolences for the family can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

 

Obituary - Chester Alan Kearbey

Chester Alan Kearbey, 79, Mt. Vernon, MO, passed away on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, MO. Alan, the oldest of two children, was born on March 15, 1941 in Poplar Bluff, MO to Chester and Ruby Avis (Powers) Kearbey.

Alan served four years in the U. S. Army and soon after he moved to Nevada where he met Julie Woodrum at the Nevada Country Club. Alan and Julie were married 46 years and had seven children together. He worked as a state auditor for most of his career. He was a member of the Nevada Church of the Nazarene and First Baptist Church. The last years of Alan’s life were spent at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon, where he was said to be one of their most beloved residents.

Alan enjoyed golf, Mizzou Basketball, Cardinals baseball and Kansas City Chiefs. He was actively involved in his children’s life through their sports and activities. His favorite bible verse was John 3:16, stating “it contains the entire gospel of Jesus in it”.

Survivors include his wife, Julie; daughters, Allison Collins, Ft. Scott, KS, Becca Wesley, Springfield, MO, Angela Kearbey, Springfield, Katie Kearbey, Springfield, and Sammy Kearbey, Springfield; sons, Kyle Kearbey, Albion, IL, Zack Kearbey, Springfield, and Zayden Kearbey, Springfield; and 12 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Roger, and a grandson, Amos.

Funeral services will be at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada, MO with Pastor Kyle Kearbey officiating. The family will receive friends at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 8, 2021 at the funeral home.

A great man gone too soon.

Retired Miami County Kansas Sheriff Dan Morgan (1984-1994) passed away on February 5 2021. 

Sheriff Morgan will be Lying in State on Wednesday February 10 from 1030am-5pm and then with family present from 5pm-7:30pm at Dengel & Son Mortuary 305 N. Pearl Street in Paola. 

On February 11 at 1:15 pm a procession will leave the funeral home to the gravesite. Sheriff Morgan you will be missed, but Never Forgotten...

The Lady Bear wrestlers competed at districts today

The Lady Bear wrestlers competed at districts today.

Results
Makayla Mallatt: 2nd Place.
Josie Johnston: 0-2.

Makayla pinned her first opponent in the Semi-finals. In the finals, she had the girl on her back about to pin her, but she rolled through taking Makayla to her back. Makayla just couldn’t recover. She will compete at Sectionals next.

Josie had a pretty rough day drawing the 2nd seed girl in her first match. Her second match she had a tough Smith-Cotton girl, and just couldn’t pick up the victory ending her season.

I am very pleased with Josie’s first season of wrestling. She won a conference championship, and won 14 matches in her first year of wrestling varsity.

Makayla will avenge her loss tonight at the sectional tournament. I am very proud of her, and her season is far from over.

Bates County Health Center looking for a few good men and women

If you are a licensed healthcare provider certified to administer vaccines please keep reading.

We are hoping to get a mass COVID vaccination event here in Bates County, but in order to do so we have to be able to provide 10-15 vaccine administrators over about and 8-9-hour time frame.

If you are retired, work part time or don’t work any longer and you would be willing to volunteer please let us know. The MO National Guard will provide many of the event duties but vaccinators are the responsibility of the county in which it is being held.

A mass vaccination event would greatly increase the amount of vaccine that would come into our county and speed up the administration to those wanting it.

Without the volunteers we will not be able to move forward with this event so please share this with anyone you know that is licensed to administer vaccines and you think would be willing to help!

Please email jody.welston@lpha.mo.gov if you could be added to the volunteer vaccinator list.

Obituary - Bobby Ray Johnson Sr.

Viewing and visitation for Bobby Ray Johnson Sr. of Rich Hill, Missouri will be 5 - 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. 

Cremation will follow viewing/visitation with inurnment at a later date at Greenlawn Cemetery, Rich Hill. Contributions to Children's Mercy Hospital. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Bobby Ray Johnson Sr., age 60 of Rich Hill, Missouri died Friday, February 5, 2021 at Bates County Memorial Hospital in Butler, Missouri. He was born April 29, 1960 in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Bobby is survived by two sons, Bobby Ray “Boss” Johnson Jr. and wife Vanessa of Rich Hill, Missouri and Wesley Johnson and wife Rhonda of Nevada, Missouri; two daughters, Sandy Derr and husband J. R. of Foster, Missouri and Crystal Baker of Butler, Missouri; 12 grandchildren; and 1 great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Shirley Barker; a brother, Jesse Johnson; and a sister, Sandra McClure.

Due to Covid, the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel respectfully asks that everyone wear a mask and practice social distancing.

About the upcoming packing plant hearing...

This Tuesday, February 9th The Butler planning commission will be holding a public hearing regarding the beef packing plant located in South Butler. The meeting will be held by Zoom and anyone wishing to participate will need to join the meeting by Zoom. New equipment has been purchased to ensure that previous audio issues will be overcome and all participants will be heard.

Anyone wishing to speak can join the meeting using the link provided on the city of Butler Facebook page. We suggest joining the meeting a few minutes prior to 5:30 PM on Tuesday.

For those who wish to watch but not participate, the meeting will also be broadcast via Facebook Live on the Mid America Live Facebook page. 

Mid America Live will provide any changes or updates- stay tuned!